PRIMARK CORP
10-K405, 1997-03-27
COMMERCIAL PHYSICAL & BIOLOGICAL RESEARCH
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                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                   FORM 10-K
 
[X]             ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
               THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (FEE REQUIRED)
 
                  FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996
 
                                       OR
 
[ ]           TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
             THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (NO FEE REQUIRED)
 
                         COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-8260
 
                              PRIMARK CORPORATION
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
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<S>                                             <C>
                  MICHIGAN                                       38-2383282
        (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION                          (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
      OF INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                      IDENTIFICATION NO.)

       1000 WINTER STREET, SUITE 4300N                              02154
                 WALTHAM, MA                                     (ZIP CODE)
  (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
</TABLE>
 
       REGISTRANT'S TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (617) 466-6611
 
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
 
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<S>                                             <C>
                                                            NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE
             TITLE OF EACH CLASS                             ON WHICH REGISTERED
             -------------------                             -------------------
       Common stock, without par value                     New York Stock Exchange
                                                           Pacific Stock Exchange
</TABLE>
 
          SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT:
                                      None
 
     Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained to the
best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K.  Yes  X  No  
                ---    ---
     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes  X  No  
                                               ---     ---
     The aggregate market value of the registrant's common stock held by
non-affiliates as of February 28, 1997 was $673,885,292, based on the closing
price on that day (New York Stock Exchange -- Composite Transactions).
 
     Number of Shares outstanding of the registrant's common stock without par
value on February 28, 1997 was 27,090,866.
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     Portions of Primark's 1996 Annual Report are incorporated by reference in
Part I, Item 1, and Part II, Items 5, 6, 7 and 8. Portions of Primark's 1997
Proxy Statement for its 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which will be filed
within 120 days of December 31, 1996, are incorporated by reference in Part III,
Items 10, 11, 12 and 13.
<PAGE>   2
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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<S>         <C>                                                                          <C>
            Cover Page.................................................................    i
            Index......................................................................   ii
PART I
  Item 1.   Business...................................................................    1
  Item 2.   Properties.................................................................   14
  Item 3.   Legal Proceedings..........................................................   15
  Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders........................   15
            Executive Officers of the Registrant.......................................   16
 
PART II
  Item 5.   Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters......   17
  Item 6.   Selected Financial Data....................................................   17
  Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
              Operations...............................................................   17
  Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data................................   17
  Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial
              Disclosure...............................................................   17
 
PART III
  Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.........................   17
  Item 11.  Executive Compensation.....................................................   17
  Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.............   17
  Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............................   17
 
PART IV
  Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statements, Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K..........   18
            Signatures.................................................................   23
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                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1.  BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
     Primark Corporation ( the "Company" or "Primark") is a Michigan corporation
organized in 1981. The Company is engaged principally in the information
services industry serving two primary markets, Financial Information and Applied
Technology. The Company's Financial Information businesses consist of the
operations of Datastream International Limited and affiliates ("Datastream"),
Disclosure Incorporated ("Disclosure"), Groupe DAFSA S.A. ("DAFSA"), I/B/E/S
International, Inc. ("I/B/E/S"), ICV Limited ("ICV"), Vestek Systems, Inc.
("Vestek") and Worldscope/Disclosure LLC ("Worldscope"). Primark also has an
equity interest in Primark Decision Economics, Inc. ("PDE"). Subsequent to year
end, Primark purchased two additional financial information businesses, Baseline
Financial Services, Inc. ("Baseline") and WEFA Holdings, Inc. ("WEFA"). Primark
develops and markets "value-added" database and information products that cover
established and emerging markets worldwide, as well as proprietary analytical
software for the analysis and presentation of financial and economic
information. Customers include investment managers, investment bankers,
financial market traders, analysts, accounting and legal professionals and
information and reference service providers. The Applied Technology activities,
conducted through TASC, Inc. ("TASC"), the Yankee Group Research, Inc. (the
"Yankee Group") and WSI Corporation ("WSI"), provide a broad spectrum of
technology-based information services and products primarily to U.S. government
agencies principally involved in national security and intelligence related
activities, and increasingly to commercial customers such as vendors and users
of telecommunications and computing, as well as users of real-time weather
information. The Company is also engaged in transportation services through its
wholly-owned subsidiary, Triad International Maintenance Corporation ("TIMCO").
At December 31, 1996, the Company and its subsidiaries employed 5,938 persons.
 
     Commencing with Primark's acquisition of TASC in 1991, the Company embarked
on a strategy of combining information technology expertise with proprietary
data content to serve the increasing information requirements of its customers
with value-added products. The Company focused its strategy on the Financial
Information market through its acquisitions of Datastream in 1992 and Vestek in
1994, while divesting certain of its non-core operations. In 1995, Primark
expanded its domestic presence in Financial Information content services through
the acquisition of Disclosure and I/B/E/S. During 1996, the Company expanded its
Financial information businesses through the acquisitions of DAFSA and ICV along
with obtaining a controlling interest in Worldscope and by forming a joint
venture, Primark Decision Economics. Primark continued this expansion into 1997
with the acquisitions of Baseline and WEFA. The acquisition of the Yankee Group,
also in 1996, expanded Primark's presence in the Applied Technology Market.
 
     Information regarding the revenues, operating results and identifiable
assets of the Company and its subsidiaries, both by industry and geographical
region, is incorporated by reference herein from Note 11 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements entitled "Segment and Geographic Information" in the
Company's 1996 Annual Report.
 
  Acquisitions
 
     On October 24, 1996, the Company acquired all the outstanding stock of ICV.
ICV supplies a variety of real-time data and news products covering U.K.
Domestic equities to equity traders and investors in London and throughout the
United Kingdom. ICV reported total revenues of $40 million for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
 
     On October 15, 1996, the Company acquired an additional 30% ownership
interest in Worldscope, giving Primark a controlling ownership interest of 80%.
Prior to the transaction, Worldscope was a 50% investment accounted for under
the equity method. Worldscope's database contains descriptive profiles, news and
detailed financial statements on over 13,000 publicly traded companies in 52
countries. The financial statements contained in the database are adjusted to a
common accounting format, allowing cross-border screening
 
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and searching. Worldscope reported approximately $6 million in revenues for the
twelve months ended December 31, 1995.
 
     On August 9, 1996, the Company acquired Yankee Group which provides
information technology research services covering a range of topics including
wireless communications, data communications, client/server issues, enterprise
computing, intranets and Internet applications. The company's 1995 revenues were
approximately $14 million.
 
     On June 18, 1996, the Company acquired DAFSA. DAFSA supplies company
account information on all listed companies in France and ownership information
on French companies through print and CD-ROM. DAFSA produces annual sector
analysis and reports and provides independent research coverage and earnings
estimates on major French companies. The company reported $7.3 million of
revenues for the twelve months ended December 31, 1995.
 
     On January 6, 1997, the Company purchased all of the outstanding stock of
Baseline for $40.7 million in cash. Baseline generated revenues estimated at
$12.8 million for the twelve months ended October 31, 1996. Headquartered in New
York City, Baseline has an office in Philadelphia and employs approximately 80
people. Baseline provides institutional investors with visual valuation graphics
which portray financial market information to institutional accounts throughout
the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.
 
     On February 7, 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of
WEFA Holdings, Inc. ("WEFA") for $45.0 million in cash. WEFA generated an
estimated $28.6 million in revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996.
Headquartered in Pennsylvania, WEFA has offices in Canada, Europe, and South
Africa and employs over 150 economists. WEFA is an international provider of
value added economic information, software and consulting services to Fortune
1,000 companies, governments, universities and financial institutions.
 
     Information regarding the Company's acquisitions is incorporated by
reference herein from Note 2 and Note 12 to the Consolidated Financial
Statements entitled "Acquisitions" and "Subsequent Events", respectively in the
1996 Annual Report.
 
  Discontinued Operations
 
     On September 30, 1996, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding
stock of its wholly-owned subsidiary, Primark Storage Leasing Corporation
("PSLC"). The results of PSLC's operations have been reported separately as a
component of discontinued operations. Prior year consolidated financial
statements have been restated to present the PSLC business as a discontinued
operation. Information regarding the Company's discontinued operation is
incorporated herein from Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements
entitled "Dispositions and Other Charges" in the 1996 Annual Report.
 
INFORMATION SERVICES SEGMENT
 
     Primark's information services industry serves two primary markets,
Financial Information and Applied Technology. During 1996, the operations of
Datastream, DAFSA, Disclosure, I/B/E/S , ICV, PDE, Vestek, and Worldscope
provided the financial information markets with economic and financial
information and analysis of the information through proprietary software. The
applied technology activities, consisting of the operations of TASC, WSI and the
Yankee Group, provide a myriad of technology-based information services and
products, primarily to U.S. Government national security and intelligence
agencies and commercial customers.
 
FINANCIAL INFORMATION MARKET
 
  Datastream
 
     Founded in 1964 and acquired by Primark in 1992, Datastream provides
on-line historical economic and financial information, along with proprietary
analytical software for accessing and manipulating such information. Datastream
is also a leading provider of computer-based investment valuation and fund
services in the United Kingdom. Datastream's customers include approximately
1,600 financial organizations in 50
 
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countries, including investment bankers, brokers, pension and money fund
managers and insurance companies that use financial and economic information for
investment research and analysis. Other users include publishers of financial
journals and daily newspapers, business schools and universities.
 
     The core of Datastream's operations is its centralized data system which
maintains a series of linked databases of extensive international economic and
financial data collected from wire services, official publications of national
agencies, stock, options and futures exchanges, other information vendors,
brokers, dealers, banks and issuers. Customers have on-line access to
Datastream's databases through personal computers, networks or workstations.
Datastream's products and services enable customers to perform extensive
investment research and analysis, investment administration and portfolio
valuations on securities in all major markets, and to produce graphics,
statistics, time series analysis and perform other analytical functions.
 
     Datastream's customers typically subscribe through annual contracts. These
contracts are automatically renewed, unless notice of cancellation is given
three months before the annual renewal date. None of Datastream's customers
contribute more than 2% of Datastream's total revenues. Accordingly, the Company
does not believe that the loss of any one of Datastream's customers would have a
material adverse effect on Datastream's business.
 
     Datastream's products and services fall into two principal
categories -- investment research and fund management services.
 
     Investment research services accounted for approximately 85%, 85% and 82%
of Datastream's total revenues for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996,
November 30, 1995 and 1994, respectively. These services consist of a set of
software programs to manipulate, analyze and present financial and economic
information obtained from Datastream's databases. The software is designed to
facilitate the customers' access to data from any of Datastream's databases, and
to manipulate this data in a variety of pre-programmed and pre-formatted ways
such as graphs, regressions, and tables.
 
     Fund management services accounted for approximately 15%, 15% and 18% of
Datastream's total revenues for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996,
November 30, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Fund management services provide
investment accounting, portfolio valuation and performance measurement
activities predominantly to fund managers, unit trusts, mutual funds and
portfolio managers located primarily in the U.K. Other customers include U.K.
clearing banks, insurance companies and international financial institutions.
 
     A critical component of Datastream's business is the data itself.
Datastream's principal supply requirements are for raw financial and economic
data which are acquired from numerous data suppliers worldwide and developed
internally. Once acquired, the data are edited and stored in Datastream's
databases for access and manipulation through Datastream's applications and
value-added software programs. Data suppliers generally retain ownership of the
raw data, but allow Datastream and its customers the use of such data.
Datastream places great importance on the quality of its data and has developed
a program to continuously review its data sources to ensure quality control and
continuity. Wherever possible, Datastream develops multiple sources of data to
provide backup and cross-checking.
 
     Data relating to equities include pricing information for earnings and
dividends on approximately 45,000 stocks from 59 countries, including all major
markets and a number of emerging markets. This data includes historical earnings
and dividend data, as well as forecast data supplied by market specialists. Data
relating to bonds include maturity and yield on approximately 97,000 corporate
and government bonds from 32 countries, all Eurobonds and related indices. Data
relating to futures and options includes current prices, previously traded
prices, trading volume and intra-day high and low values from the international
options and futures exchanges, including LIFFE (London), MONEP and MATIF
(Paris), SOFFEX (Switzerland), EOE (Amsterdam), DTB (Germany), Chicago and
Philadelphia.
 
     Datastream has included databases from both I/B/E/S and Worldscope as an
integral part of its investment research services. This integration has resulted
in new customers for I/B/E/S, Worldscope and Datastream. Datastream has also
installed the full Disclosure index on its on-line system, and offers index
 
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searches and electronic ordering of hard copy documents to Datastream users.
Vestek is also developing investment management software products that are
marketed and supported by Datastream's European sales and service personnel.
 
  DAFSA
 
     Headquartered in Paris, France, DAFSA supplies company account information
on most listed companies in France and ownership information on approximately
70,000 French companies. The company produces over 250 sector analyses and
reports annually and provides independent research coverage and earnings
estimates on over 350 major French companies. DAFSA's products and services are
delivered primarily through CD-ROM, paper, and fiche subscriptions, principally
to the financial community.
 
     The company has two significant customers. Banque Paribas accounted for 23%
and Associes en Finance accounted for 8%, of DAFSA's revenues for the year ended
1996. Loss or default of either of these contracts could have a material adverse
effect on DAFSA.
 
  Disclosure
 
     Founded in 1968, Disclosure was acquired by the Company on June 29, 1995.
Disclosure is a leading provider of "as reported" and abstracted financial
information in the U.S. market, distributing information on over 16,000 U.S.
companies and 13,000 foreign companies, derived from a variety of government and
third-party sources. Disclosure's proprietary content is provided on a
subscription and per use basis through electronic media such as on-line services
and compact laser disks, as well as through printed products. Disclosure's
customer base includes the majority of U.S. investment banks, money managers,
large law and accounting firms, together with other institutions and individuals
performing financial research. Disclosure also distributes its information
through over 35 third-party vendors. The United States market accounted for 92%
of Disclosure's 1996 revenues.
 
     Disclosure's financial information products and services include a wide
spectrum of Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") documents, such as Forms
10-K and 10-Q, proxy statements, registration statements and material event
reports, as well as non-SEC documents such as U.S. and foreign annual reports.
The information included in Disclosure's products is obtained through
contractual relationships with the SEC and major stock exchanges, as well as
through commercial acquisition of the information. Once acquired, Disclosure
indexes, tags, abstracts and formats the information to allow for ease in
navigation, searches and analysis.
 
     Disclosure's image-based services are delivered through the Global Access
and Laser D products as well as through Info Centers. Global Access is a
web-based front end that offers on-line, real-time access to Disclosure's
proprietary electronic index of public company documents and on-line delivery of
Disclosure's value-added EDGAR database, access to over ten years of data on
29,000 companies in the Worldscope and SEC databases, institutional and
corporate ownership data, and links to third-party content such as I/B/E/S and
industry news. Global Access provides real-time broadcast alert functionality as
well as desktop full text and field searching and screening of company and
industry information with direct downloading to spreadsheets and word
processors. Laser D is a multi-disc CD-ROM document database that provides a
desktop library of information to high volume document users who require instant
access to documents filed with the SEC, banking agencies and U.S. and foreign
stock exchanges. The Info Centers are staffed by research specialists who assist
customers in locating requested information and produce alert services for
customers who want early identification of specified documents. Approximately
81%, 81% and 83% of Disclosure's total revenues were derived from imaged based
services for the twelve months ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994,
respectively.
 
     Disclosure's database segment provides products which can be machine read
and manipulated by the end users. Disclosure's Global Researcher and Compact D
products provide access to perform sophisticated searching of financial and text
information on over 29,000 companies. These products also provide reporting and
graphing functionality. Proprietary Disclosure databases include EdgarPlus (SEC
filings with value-added navigational and style tags), the SEC 34 Act database
(over 13,000 U.S. company profiles and financial
 
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statement abstracts dating back over 10 years), and other databases on
institutional and corporate insider transactions. These proprietary databases
are offered by third-party vendors which target both the commercial and consumer
markets, enhancing Disclosure's products through their hardware, software, and
market focus. Such vendors include Bridge, Lexis, West, Dow Jones, Factset, MAID
and UMI. Approximately 19%, 19% and 17% of Disclosure's total revenues were
derived from database services for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and
1994, respectively.
 
     Approximately 53% and 51% of Disclosure's revenues were derived from annual
subscriptions for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995,
respectively. Disclosure has experienced renewal rates for its subscription
services in excess of 90%. The remainder of Disclosure's revenues are
predominately derived from sales at Disclosure's Info Centers. No single
customer accounts for more than 5% of Disclosure's revenues.
 
  I/B/E/S
 
     I/B/E/S is a leading source of global earnings expectational information
for investors, financial institutions and portfolio managers worldwide. I/B/E/S
collects and processes earnings per share estimates provided by over 7,100
individual securities analysts representing approximately 800 firms on over
17,000 companies globally. The estimates and related data are delivered through
third-party distributors, I/B/E/S Express (a proprietary software delivery
system) and in printed publications. Many I/B/E/S products permit the customer
to perform analytical functions and are enhanced by reports and graphics.
Approximately 30%, 38%, and 18% of I/B/E/S' revenues were generated from the
I/B/E/S Express product for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. All of I/B/E/S's 1996 revenues were derived through annual
subscription contracts of which 15% were through soft dollar arrangements.
 
     I/B/E/S, founded in 1971, directly serves over 1,500 customers worldwide
and thousands more through its distribution networks. I/B/E/S customers are
represented by financial institutions and portfolio managers globally, with
particular interest by the quantitative analysts who access and download
information directly into analytic models. I/B/E/S products are also sold to end
users, such as management consultants and traditional investment analysts who
utilize I/B/E/S for general research. No I/B/E/S customer contributes more than
2% of I/B/E/S' total revenues.
 
     I/B/E/S has expanded its product line by launching I/B/E/S Trapeze, a
real-time, electronic brokerage research distribution system. This
state-of-the-art technology delivers brokerage reports created in Hong Kong to
managers' desks in major financial centers within a few moments, complete with
rich color graphics, audio and video capabilities.
 
  ICV
 
     Founded in 1981, and acquired by Primark in October 1996, ICV provides
real-time on-line prices, news and research on the U.K. equities market as well
as systems for order entry and trade reporting. The company's software combines
real-time prices with news and other data in a unique format which has become
the standard presentation for U.K. equity data. ICV's customers include
investors, fund managers, banks, brokers and market makers. The company's
customers are based predominantly in the U.K.
 
     The core of ICV's products are developed from its central systems which
take real-time data from several exchanges and combine the prices with news
produced by an in-house editorial team. The information is then broadcast to a
customer base of nearly 8,500 terminals using the datacast bandwidth on
terrestrial television, leased telecommunication circuits or via satellite. The
data is broadcast to customers' systems, provided by ICV, where the signal is
decoded, stored on a local database and presented on user screens utilizing
software designed and maintained by ICV. Timeliness and reliability are critical
aspects of ICV's services. ICV's central systems are designed to provide state
of the art timeliness by handling incoming data within a few milliseconds,
utilizing program code that resides in memory. Reliability is provided through
several back-up sites. The investment in trading systems has allowed for the
set-up of a U.K. wide interactive network which can be used to link customer's
offices and provide a future conduit to any new data sources ICV may acquire or
develop in the future.
 
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     ICV has leveraged its existing technology through alliances with other
financial information companies, providing access to new markets. During 1996,
ICV entered into an agreement with Merrill Lynch to leverage its technology with
Merrill Lynch's expertise in live trading systems which developed and launched
MAX, a live trading system. Also during 1996, ICV announced a joint venture with
Dow Jones and Company to develop an international equity system by combining
ICV's technology with the global news capability of Dow Jones. It is expected
that the new system will cover over 140 international exchanges and provide
global news coverage and historical information. ICV's two principal products
are TOPIC and MARKET-EYE.
 
     TOPIC services accounted for 47%, 45%, and 33% of ICV's total revenues for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. TOPIC
services provide real-time data on prices and comparative quotes from market
makers with historical charts and research from brokers. The services are used
by traders and fund managers, stockbrokers, U.K. clearing banks and major quoted
corporations.
 
     MARKET-EYE services accounted for 11%, 11% and 19% of ICV's revenues for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.
MARKET-EYE is aimed predominantly at the private investor. The data includes
prices and news and may be combined with analytical and charting packages
supplied by third parties.
 
     Exchange fees accounted for 35%, 36% and 33% of ICV's revenues for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively. Exchange
fees are revenues generated from the use of data feeds provided by various
sources, including the exchanges.
 
     Approximately 96% of ICV's 1996 revenues were generated through
subscriptions. These contracts are automatically renewed, unless notice of
cancellation is given two months before the annual renewal date. ICV's renewal
rates have historically exceeded 85%. None of ICV's customers contributes more
than 5% of total revenues.
 
  Vestek
 
     Acquired by Primark in June of 1994, Vestek develops, markets and supports
investment information services and application software used to manage,
analyze, and optimize institutional portfolios of equity, fixed income, and
other financial instruments. Vestek also provides consulting services for
investment managers and plan sponsors. Through its international sales force,
Vestek currently serves over 200 clients in five countries. Vestek clients
include major banks, plan sponsors, consultants, insurers, and investment
managers. The majority of Vestek's revenues are derived from on-line
subscription services. None of Vestek's customers contribute more than 6% of
Vestek's total revenues.
 
  Worldscope
 
     The Worldscope database contains a collection of descriptive profiles and
detailed financial statements on over 13,000 companies in 52 countries. The
Worldscope database is standardized, indexed and organized for cross-border
screening and searching. In addition to its global database, Worldscope offers
an emerging market database. Worldscope products are delivered via third-party
distributors, CD-ROM and on-line platforms. In October 1996, Primark acquired an
additional 30% ownership interest in Worldscope, giving Primark an 80%
controlling interest.
 
  Primark Decision Economics
 
     On August 5, 1996, Primark announced the formation of a joint venture with
noted economist Dr. Allen Sinai. The newly formed company is called Primark
Decision Economics, Inc., and Dr. Sinai has been appointed its Chief Executive
Officer and Chief Global Economist. The purpose of this venture is to
disseminate timely value-added economic forecasts, analysis and commentaries
covering the world's major economies and markets to support real-time and
longer-term decision making by financial institutions, corporations,
governments, non-profit organizations and individuals engaged in trading,
investing, and planning.
 
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  Trademarks
 
     Primark's Financial Information companies hold numerous trademarks
worldwide that are subject to continuous renewal ranging up to 20 years. These
trademarks are significant to the Company's business, and are registered in all
of the Company's major markets to ensure recognition among its many global
trading customers.
 
  Marketing
 
     The products and services of Primark's Financial Information companies are
marketed worldwide. Datastream is based in London, England and has sales and
support offices located in Germany, France, Italy, Scotland, Spain, South
Africa, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Sweden, Japan, Hong
Kong, Singapore, Australia, Korea, Thailand, Canada and the United States.
DAFSA, headquartered in Paris, markets predominately throughout France. In
addition, Datastream is marketing and selling I/B/E/S products in Asia and
Disclosure products in both Asia and Europe.
 
     Disclosure, headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, markets and distributes
its products predominantly in the United States. In addition to its domestic and
international sales force, Disclosure extends its sales and marketing reach with
Info Centers strategically located in the major financial centers including ten
major U.S. cities and several international locations including London,
Frankfurt, Madrid, Paris, Milan, Hong Kong, Mexico City and Tokyo. Worldscope's
products are also marketed through the Disclosure sales force.
 
     I/B/E/S, headquartered in New York City with offices in London, Hong Kong
and Tokyo, delivers its products directly to customers via state-of-the-art
electronic delivery media. I/B/E/S Express, the company's fastest growing
delivery mechanism, is a PC-based proprietary software, database management and
communications package. I/B/E/S also offers its products through a network of
more than 30 electronic third-party and internal distributors, including
FactSet, OneSource, Datastream, FAME, Vestek, Bloomberg, Reuters, Bridge, S & P
Compustat, Telerate and CompuServe. These distributors offer I/B/E/S a mechanism
to reach new markets and link I/B/E/S data to other databases and applications
software.
 
     ICV is based in London, England and has sales and support offices
throughout the U.K. ICV plans to combine its technology and real-time pricing
and news capabilities with Datastream's historical content, thereby marketing
these services to a larger customer base.
 
     PDE is headquartered in Boston, has a major office in New York and
locations in Washington, London and Tokyo. Its products and information support
services are placed worldwide.
 
     Headquartered in San Francisco, Vestek's products are marketed by its sales
force located in New York, Los Angeles, London and through the Datastream sales
force in Japan.
 
     No single customer of the Financial Information businesses accounts for
more than 10% of the Company's consolidated revenues.
 
  Competition
 
     The global information industry is highly competitive. The advancement of
electronic delivery via on-line vendors and the Internet has further impacted
the competitive environment in the financial information market. There are many
large and successful companies in the financial information services industry
that supply financial data competitive to products and services provided by
Primark's Financial Information businesses. Certain of the Company's financial
information businesses compete directly with products or services of other
financial information companies including First Call, Fact Set, Barra and
Reuters.
 
     Primark's principal competitive factors include the quality, reliability
and comprehensiveness of the analytical services and data provided, flexibility
in tailoring services to client needs, experience, innovation, the capability of
technical and client service personnel, data processing and decision support
software, reputation, price and geographic coverage. Primark distinguishes its
products through its broad international coverage, wide range of databases,
accuracy of the data, proprietary software applications, reputation, experience
and quality of customer support provided.
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
     Overall, Primark's ability to remain competitive in the financial
information markets will depend largely upon its ability to maintain and develop
new products and access new markets in a cost efficient manner, including
integration of all its financial information products and services. There can be
no assurance that Primark will continue to maintain its market share in the
future.
 
  Foreign Operating Risks
 
     Substantially all of the operations of DAFSA, Datastream and ICV are
derived from various foreign markets. Approximately 11% of Primark's
consolidated revenues were derived from the U.K. and an additional 11% from
various other foreign markets. Consequently, the Company is exposed to certain
risks associated with an international business, particularly with respect to
foreign currency exchange rate movements. Primark's foreign operations are also
subject to the customary risks associated with international transactions,
including political risks, local laws and taxes, the potential imposition of
trade or currency exchange restrictions, tariff increases and difficulties or
delays in collecting accounts receivable. Weak foreign economies and/or a
weakening of foreign currencies in certain countries against the U.S. dollar
would adversely affect Primark's overall future operating results and cash
flows. However, operating income under this condition has been and will continue
to be somewhat insulated due to high levels of British pound-based operating
expenses which also fluctuate against the U.S. dollar. The Company has been and
will continue to hedge the currency risk associated with Primark's foreign
operations as may be needed in the future.
 
APPLIED INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
 
  TASC
 
     TASC was founded in 1966 to provide solutions to complex analytical and
technological problems. Concentrating on the application of leading-edge
information technology, TASC now provides a broad spectrum of products, services
and systems primarily to U.S. government organizations responsible for
intelligence and national defense activities. Growing demand for information
technology support has increased TASC's government and commercial customer base,
both in the United States and internationally.
 
     Primark acquired TASC in August 1991 as the information technology
cornerstone of its planned information services business. Primark recognized
that not only would the U.S. government have greater needs for information
technology, but also that TASC was capable of expanding its customer base to
many other organizations. Technology developed by TASC under U.S. government
contracts continues to be readily applied to create new products and services
and used to assist commercial organizations in improving internal performance as
well as servicing their own customers. For example, using internally developed
imaging, database, communications and workstation technology, TASC has leveraged
its weather information subsidiary, WSI, into a leading market position.
 
     As Primark has acquired data content companies, it has used TASC's
technology in a variety of ways. TASC has participated in the development of
technology platforms used to deliver data and software to Financial Information
customers and, in one case, undertook turn-key development of the internal
computer systems architecture and worldwide communications networks used by one
of the larger financial information businesses.
 
     Finally, TASC has assisted the customers of the financial information
companies with their own internal information technology requirements, often
involving the integration of data from Primark with other internal databases and
other third-party data. To accomplish these various objectives, TASC enters into
contracts with other companies within Primark.
 
     TASC maintains its leadership in information technology in two principal
ways. First, TASC's core business involves the design and development of
advanced systems that encompass various information technologies, including
database development and access, software engineering, information system
architecture, simulation and modeling, signal processing and visual computing.
While this work keeps TASC at the leading edge, TASC also receives research
contracts sponsored by U.S. government agencies to develop these technologies
further. In addition, TASC conducts its own internal research and development
programs. Total TASC research spending has historically exceeded $30 million
annually. TASC has built the information
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
technology research area as an independent revenue source and uses the results
of such research to continue to support other business areas of TASC and the
Company.
 
     Second, TASC recruits top talent with advanced degrees from leading
universities, research laboratories and businesses, retaining these individuals
by providing challenging work in a stimulating atmosphere. Of TASC's 2,600
employees as of December 31, 1996, approximately 84% were professional or
technical personnel, the majority of which hold advanced degrees in engineering,
computer science, mathematics, earth and environmental sciences, business or
economics. TASC maintains 27 offices in the United States and abroad to provide
its customers with ready access to its personnel. The recognized quality and
professionalism of TASC's staff in providing unique information technology
solutions to both governmental and commercial customers have contributed to
TASC's record of 30 years of uninterrupted growth in revenues.
 
     For the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively,
approximately 44%, 49% and 58% of Primark's consolidated revenues were derived
from contracts that TASC holds with U.S. government agencies and from
subcontracts with U.S. government prime contractors.
 
  Government Business
 
     TASC's strategy with its U.S. government customers is to provide high value
through the design, development and implementation of major systems that will
enable these customers to perform their missions in a superior manner and at
lower cost. Through the experience and qualifications of its personnel and its
history of performing top quality work, TASC is able to command higher prices
and margins than many competitors. However, TASC believes its solutions provide
the lowest overall cost to customers since systems provided through TASC are
typically completed within schedule and budget, and most importantly, combine
state-of-the-art capabilities with reliable performance.
 
     In many cases, TASC assists its Federal government customers with the
determination of future requirements, assessments of technical feasibility, cost
estimates and systems design. Work of this nature is often termed systems
engineering, and involves mathematical modeling of complex systems development,
risk assessment, cost-performance tradeoffs, engineering, management information
systems development and decision support services.
 
     Once a system has been designed and approved for procurement, TASC
frequently supports its customers in the development, testing and deployment of
such systems. Work of this nature is called program management support. TASC
will participate in structuring requests for proposals and in evaluating
responses. Once contractors have been selected, TASC supports its government
customers in overseeing the performance of these contractors. In addition to
continuing much of the systems engineering work described in the preceding
paragraph, TASC will perform configuration control, testing and independent
validation and verification, along with maintaining the management systems used
to monitor cost, schedule and performance. TASC has developed its own tools,
models, software and methods to perform both systems engineering and program
management support.
 
     In performing systems engineering and program management support work, in
many ways TASC acts as an "extension" of the government organization management
team, supporting them in their responsibilities to manage multiple contractors
to create complex operational systems. TASC has tended to align itself with a
wide variety of long-term classified government programs of significant national
importance. TASC helps government managers in their oversight of these programs
and maintains technological superiority by moving systems from one generation to
the next.
 
     Systems engineering and program management support comprise the majority of
TASC's work for the Federal government, but TASC also builds and implements
turn-key systems itself. This work, called specialized information system
integration, is usually done by integrating commercial hardware and software
programs with TASC-developed custom software.
 
     Due to its technology and management expertise, TASC is also called upon to
provide analytic studies and evaluations of various technical, organizational
and policy issues for U.S. government customers in areas of defense,
intelligence, arms control, economic assessment, procurement and manufacturing.
For use in
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
manufacturing applications, TASC has developed unique analytical tools and
databases to measure the cost and effectiveness of government incentive
strategies and defense system warranties.
 
     TASC has successfully grown its U.S. government business revenues in the
face of national security spending cutbacks through the company's emphasis on
leading edge technology and its application to critical missions. As the U.S.
government has shifted to using information technology to maintain an adequate
defense posture with fewer resources, TASC has increased its emphasis on
surveillance, command/control/communications, simulation, "smart weapons,"
information warfare and the integration of tactical and strategic intelligence.
 
     The following are certain important characteristics of TASC's business with
the Federal government.
 
     Concentration.  Approximately 87%, 87% and 88% of TASC's revenues for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively, were derived from
contracts held by TASC with U.S. government agencies and from subcontractors
with U.S. government prime contractors. TASC's revenues from its three largest
contracts with the U.S. government comprised approximately 22%, 23%, and 26% of
TASC's total revenues for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively. No other single customer accounted for 10% or more of TASC's or
Primark's consolidated revenues for these years.
 
     Government Security Clearances.  TASC is involved in a number of classified
programs and its ability to maintain its current base of business and to grow in
the future is based in part upon its ability to provide employees and facilities
which meet rigorous U.S. government security requirements. There can be no
assurance that the company will be able to meet these requirements in the
future.
 
     Pricing.  TASC's U.S. government business is performed under cost
reimbursement, fixed price and fixed-rate time and materials ("T&M") contracts.
Cost reimbursement contracts awarded to TASC include cost plus fixed fee and
cost plus award fee contracts. Fees may either be fixed by the contract (cost
plus fixed fee), or variable based on actual performance within specified limits
for such factors as cost, quality and delivery schedule, and the customer's
subjective evaluation of TASC's work (cost plus award fee). TASC is subject to
regular audits with respect to costs incurred and charged to the government.
Such audits may result in the disallowance of amounts charged to or paid by the
government. There can be no assurance that such disallowance will not be claimed
or imposed against the company, and if imposed, will not have a material impact.
For the year ended December 31, 1996, approximately 80% of TASC's revenue from
U.S. government contracts was generated by cost reimbursement contracts;
approximately $399 million and $321 million of TASC's backlog at December 31,
1996, and 1995, respectively, were associated with cost reimbursement contracts.
See "Backlog."
 
     Under fixed price contracts, TASC agrees to perform certain work for a
fixed price and, accordingly, realizes the benefit or detriment resulting from
decreased or increased costs of performing the contract. Under a fixed-rate T&M
contract, TASC has the responsibility to deliver professional services at a
predetermined hourly rate; thus, the profitability of such contracts depends
upon TASC's ability to deliver the specified services at costs below the rates
received from the government. For the year ended December 31, 1996,
approximately 20% of TASC's revenue from U.S. government contracts was fixed
price or fixed rate T&M contracts. Approximately $159 million and $131 million
of TASC's backlog at December 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively, were associated
with fixed price or fixed rate T&M contracts. See "Backlog."
 
     Annual Funding.  The U.S. government programs in which TASC participates
may extend for several years, but are normally contracted and funded on an
annual basis. Government contracts generally are conditioned upon the continuing
availability of Congressional appropriations. Congress usually appropriates
funds on a fiscal year basis, even though contract performance may take several
years. Consequently, at the outset of a major program, the contract is generally
partially funded and additional monies are normally committed to the contract by
the procuring agency only if and as appropriations are made by Congress for
future fiscal years.
 
     Limitations imposed on spending by U.S. government agencies, which might
result from efforts to reduce the Federal deficit or for other reasons, may
limit the continued funding of TASC's existing contracts with the U.S.
government and may limit the ability of TASC to obtain additional contracts. All
contracts made with
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
the U.S. government may be terminated by the U.S. government at any time, with
or without cause. In addition, TASC's operations are subject to the usual risks
inherent in contracting with the U.S. government on national security related
programs such as national and global political, social and economic events that
may affect U.S. national security programs. No assurance can be given that the
current level of government spending for national security programs will
continue, that the U.S. government will continue its commitment to programs in
which TASC's products and services are applicable, or that TASC will not be
adversely affected by any decline in that spending or commitment by the U.S.
government.
 
     TASC has rarely had a contract canceled and has been working on most of its
programs for many years; in the case of some programs, TASC's involvement has
encompassed the entire 30-year history of the company. However, one notable
exception was TASC's contract with the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization
(the "BMDO"), which was formerly called the Strategic Defense Initiative. TASC
was the second largest systems engineering and technical assistance contractor
for this program, and held a contract to support the program for six and
one-half years, from April 1988 to December 1994. Revenues from this contract
peaked in 1992, reaching $55.6 million. Due to changing government priorities,
funding was reduced to $16.5 million in 1994 and $1.5 million in 1995. In 1995,
the number of prime contractors was reduced from three to one. Although TASC was
not selected for the contract, it continues to perform a modest amount of work
for BMDO. Despite the loss of this contract, TASC was able to grow its
government contract revenues in 1994, 1995 and 1996 by 5.6%, 10.9% and 12.1%,
respectively.
 
     Backlog.  TASC's backlog (anticipated revenues from the uncompleted
portions of existing contracts, including options to continue specific contracts
beyond the current funding period) at December 31, 1996 and 1995 was
approximately $533 million and $453 million, respectively. TASC's total backlog
includes $14.1 million and $8.3 million of backlog related to commercial
business activity for the years ended 1996 and 1995, respectively. Approximately
$303 million of TASC's 1996 backlog and $247 million of the 1995 backlog
represents revenues expected to be realized beyond a twelve month period. TASC's
backlog is subject to seasonal fluctuations as a result of multi-year contracts
and annual renewals of other contracts throughout the year. Substantially all of
TASC's contracts reflected in the backlog are subject to termination at the
convenience of the customer.
 
  WSI and Other Commercial Business
 
     While the U.S. government's need for information technology remains a
stable source of growth, the principal growth strategy for TASC is to leverage
information technology developed under government contracts into new, higher
margin commercial markets. As an example, TASC has used its satellite imaging,
communications database and workstation technology as the foundation for the
weather information business of its subsidiary, WSI.
 
     WSI provides its clients with timely and accurate weather information
services on a 24 hour basis. WSI, through the application of information
technology supplied by TASC, has developed automated satellite ground stations
to receive information from meteorological satellites that are used to create a
variety of information products, including weather satellite images commonly
seen on commercial television. An information system has been built to use this
information from meteorological satellites, together with inputs from the U.S.
national network of weather radar and worldwide observations of weather
conditions supplied through the World Meteorological Organization. This data,
along with forecasts and warnings provided by the U.S. National Weather Service,
is used as the basis for specialized information services that are provided to
users of real-time weather information including news media organizations, the
aviation industry, agri-businesses and energy utilities. WSI provides these
clients with workstations to receive and analyze the data, as well as to display
the results. WSI is more directly reaching consumers of weather information
through INTELLICAST, the Company's popular worldwide web site, and through
agreements to provide weather data, imagery, and on-site broadcast services to
cable news channels, such as MSNBC and Fox.
 
     TASC is entering a number of new commercial markets on a worldwide basis,
using information technology developed under U.S. government contracts. Document
management is a fast-growing market as more businesses move to the "paperless
office" to organize their data, speed information retrieval and reduce
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
storage costs. Using proprietary data compression and COLD (computer output to
laser disk) software, TASC has designed and built document management systems
for financial services and healthcare firms, as well as for state government
agencies. TASC's geographic information systems software, sensor technology and
hyperspectral analysis capabilities have positioned TASC to perform
environmental analysis, surveillance and monitoring for business and government,
both within the United States and in foreign countries. Additionally, TASC's
communications engineers have assisted major oil companies and financial
institutions with network design and are providing support to Motorola in the
development of the Iridium satellite-based personal communications system.
 
  Yankee Group
 
     Founded in 1970 and acquired by Primark in 1996, the Yankee Group is a
global team of highly skilled technology and market experts that focuses on
identifying current trends and future directions in communications and computer
systems industries for commercial, industrial and consumer markets. The company
markets these insights by providing strategic planning, technology forecasting,
consulting and market research to clients worldwide, including vendors and users
of major computer and communications systems and services. The Yankee Group's
products and services fall into three principal categories -- Planning Services,
Custom Consulting Engagements, and Seminars and Conferences.
 
     Planning Services accounted for 71% of Yankee Group's revenues for the year
ended December 31, 1996. The Yankee Group currently offers several Planning
Service packages catered to specific customer information technology needs. An
annually renewable subscription for this service provides consultation time with
a research analyst, quarterly audio conferences, subscription to the Yankee
Group's published research reports and whitepapers, as well as access to
electronic distribution of the company's research, discounts on seminars and
participation in quarterly audio conferences.
 
     Custom consulting engagements accounted for 20% of Yankee Group's revenues
for the year ended December 31, 1996. Custom consulting engagements often result
from an extension of Planning Services when an inquiry or a study is more
extensive than that offered through a Planning Service subscription. Custom
consulting contracts are also entered into with external parties where the
company considers the study to be of strategic importance.
 
     Seminars and Conferences accounted for 9% of the company's total revenues
for the year ended December 31, 1996. The Yankee Group holds an average of
fifteen to twenty events a year, often in conjunction with industry publication
houses.
 
     None of Yankee Group's customers contributes more than 10% of its revenues.
Accordingly, the company does not believe that the loss of any one Yankee Group
customer would have a material effect on the Yankee Group's business.
 
     The Yankee Group's industry analysts are one of its critical resources.
These individuals have significant expertise in their areas of concentration,
gained through industry experience, constant study of the technology market and
through communications with vendors and users in the industry.
 
  Marketing
 
     TASC's marketing activities are conducted principally by its senior
management and by its professional staff of engineers, scientists and analysts.
TASC's marketing approach for both U.S. government and commercial organizations
begins with the development and organization of information concerning both
present and future requirements of potential customers. TASC believes that its
marketing approach enables it to anticipate the technical and other needs of its
customers, and allows it to develop proposals that satisfy customers'
requirements. TASC places significant emphasis on the importance of client
satisfaction and development of repeat business.
 
     TASC prepares a number of proposals in response to U.S. government Requests
for Proposals ("RFPs"). The bidding on RFPs is often highly competitive and
preparing bids is an expensive and time consuming process requiring significant
allocation of highly qualified TASC personnel. If TASC's proposal for a contract
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
is accepted, TASC and its customer will negotiate and enter into a contract with
agreed upon price, terms and conditions. In addition, TASC often submits
unsolicited proposals to various U.S. government agencies which often lead to
contract awards on a negotiated basis. Approximately 40% of TASC's 1996
contracts resulted from the competitive RFP process.
 
     WSI, the Yankee Group, and other commercial efforts utilize direct sales
personnel, mailings, trade journal advertising and trade shows to distribute
information on the products and services offered. The marketing of larger,
customized systems often uses techniques similar to those employed for the U.S.
government, involving professional personnel, the submission of unsolicited
proposals and the response to commercially prepared RFPs.
 
  Competition
 
     Information technologies ("IT") are becoming increasingly important to
organizations' business strategy. The pace of technological change has
accelerated, and the ability of an organization to integrate and deploy new
information technologies is critical to its competitiveness. As a result,
organizations are making substantial financial commitments to IT systems and
products. The Yankee Group differentiates itself from its competitors based upon
its excellence in market research and consulting done at the crossroads where
computer and communication technologies meet. Additionally, the Yankee Group
differentiates its services from those offered by other IT research firms such
as The Meta Group and The Gartner Group Inc. by delivering IT industry coverage
through a higher level of personal service, a greater emphasis on client/analyst
interaction and a balance between vendor and user clients.
 
     Most of the business areas in which the applied technology services are
involved are competitive and require highly skilled and experienced technical
personnel. These companies believe that skilled and experienced technical
personnel are critical to maintaining their competitive position. Many of the
TASC business areas also require high levels of U.S. government security
clearances, as previously discussed.
 
     Many of TASC's contracts are acquired as a result of competitive bidding,
only a portion of which may result in the award of contracts. TASC believes that
its success in the competitive bidding process depends on a variety of factors,
including the technical content of the contract proposal, performance on
previous contracts, reputation, experience and price.
 
     The applied technology companies compete with many companies in the
business areas in which they are engaged, some of which have greater resources.
There can be no assurance that these companies will be able to compete
successfully with these companies in the future.
 
  Patents and Technical Data
 
     TASC owns six patents and has two pending patent applications. In selected
business areas, patent protection is increasingly important to TASC's
operations. In addition, TASC utilizes trade secret protection to safeguard key
technologies and software critical to its business. Commercial software products
benefit from copyright protection and are marketed under limited license
agreements. Certain technical data and software that was developed wholly under
government contracts and delivered to the government is subject to unlimited
rights of the U.S. government and may be disclosed by the government to third
parties, including competitors of TASC. The Company does not believe that the
subsequent use of this data or software by the U.S. government or its
contractors has had or will have a material adverse effect on its business.
 
TRANSPORTATION SERVICES
 
     TIMCO was formed by the Company in 1989 to operate a newly constructed
heavy aircraft maintenance facility located at the Piedmont Triad International
Airport in Greensboro, North Carolina. TIMCO opened for business in October
1990. The company provides major aircraft maintenance services such as scheduled
maintenance checks, modifications, overhauls and repair work on cargo and
passenger aircraft. TIMCO holds a Class IV Repair Station Certificate issued by
the Federal Aviation Administration ("FAA") which enables TIMCO to work on all
aircraft types. TIMCO has also been classified as a Designated Alteration
Station by the FAA, allowing the company to approve major modifications to
aircraft normally reserved for the FAA.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
     TIMCO's services are offered to the industry at large, and in particular to
operators and owners of aircraft who do not have maintenance facilities of their
own, or whose facilities are unable to accommodate an increasing workload.
Emphasis has been and will continue to be placed on air cargo carrier customers
who have limited facilities to accomplish the required work and on passenger
airlines that desire to outsource maintenance services. In addition, TIMCO
targets both aircraft involved in sale or lease transactions as potential
sources of business.
 
     TIMCO currently has five anchor customers: ABX Air, Inc. (also known as
Airborne Express), Emery Worldwide Airlines, Continental Airlines, Northwest
Airlines and United Parcel Service. These customers generated over 1,389,000
man-hours of TIMCO's 1,948,000 total man-hours in 1996. Loss of any of the above
customers' contracts, or any future contracts with major customers, could have a
material adverse effect on TIMCO. As of December 31, 1996, TIMCO had
approximately 1,223,000 man-hours worth of business contracted for 1997.
 
     The industry in which TIMCO operates is highly competitive. Space
availability, price, quality, trained personnel, on-time delivery and
accountability are the key competitive factors in the heavy aircraft maintenance
industry. These factors will determine its future success in the industry.
 
ITEM 2.  PROPERTIES
 
     The Company currently occupies its principal executive offices, comprised
of approximately 18,000 square feet, in Waltham, Massachusetts under lease
agreements that expire in July 2001 with provision for two five-year renewal
options.
 
     Datastream's two principal office facilities are located in London,
England. Comprised of an aggregate total of 100,995 square feet, these
facilities are occupied under lease agreements that expire in 2005 and 2018.
Through its affiliates, Datastream also occupies, under short-term leases, an
aggregate total of approximately 55,000 square feet of office space, principally
located in Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, the
Netherlands, Singapore, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and the United States.
 
     Disclosure's headquarters, comprised of approximately 99,640 square feet,
is located in Bethesda, Maryland. The property is occupied under lease
agreements that expire in 2006. Disclosure's regional offices occupy
approximately 64,200 square feet of office space under lease terms that expire
through 2004. These offices are located in California, Georgia, Illinois,
Massachusetts, New York, Texas and Washington, D.C.
 
     I/B/E/S occupies 39,800 square feet of space at its New York City
headquarters under a lease agreement that expires in 2007. Additional office
space totaling 5,300 square feet is located in England, Japan and Hong Kong with
lease terms through 2004.
 
     ICV's facilities occupy approximately 24,300 square feet of space located
throughout the United Kingdom under lease terms through 2001.
 
     TASC's principal facilities, aggregating approximately 780,000 square feet,
are occupied under leases expiring at various dates through 2006. TASC's
headquarters is located in Reading, Massachusetts and has regional offices in
Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Michigan,
Missouri, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, Virginia,
Washington, D.C. and England.
 
     TIMCO leases a heavy aircraft maintenance facility from the Piedmont Triad
International Airport Authority (the "Triad Authority") for an initial 30-year
lease term, with renewal options which could extend the lease term to the year
2029. Located in Greensboro, North Carolina, the facility encompasses over
523,000 square feet, which includes 281,600 square feet of hanger space, 137,600
square feet of support shop area and 33,200 square feet of administrative office
space. The facility is located on 45 acres.
 
     Vestek occupies approximately 13,400 square feet of space at its San
Francisco headquarters under a lease agreement that expires in 1999 with
provision for one five-year renewal option.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
     Worldscope occupies 7,100 square feet at its Bridgeport Connecticut
headquarters with lease terms through 2000. Its operating facilities, located in
Ireland and India occupy an additional 17,500 square feet with lease terms
expiring through 2013.
 
     The Yankee Group occupies approximately 23,600 square feet of space at its
Boston headquarters under a lease agreement that expires in 2003. The company
has international offices located in London, Tokyo and Sydney.
 
     The Company believes that its facilities are adequate for its present
needs, but will continue to evaluate the need for additional space as the growth
of the business requires.
 
ITEM 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
BRADLEY V. GELB ET AL.
 
     On June 24, 1994, a jury in a civil case in the Massachusetts Superior
Court (the "Court") returned an unfavorable verdict against the two founders of
TASC, and against TASC itself. The suit was brought by a former employee
regarding a TASC stock transaction which took place in 1976, prior to the
Company's acquisition of TASC in 1991. On June 28, 1994, the Court ordered that
judgment be entered on the verdict requiring the two founders (but not TASC
itself) to disgorge $19,800,000. Such amount accrues post-judgment interest at a
statutory rate. As an alternative course of action, the plaintiff may pursue the
two founders and TASC, jointly and severally, for $48,600. Based on the
adjudication, the Company has denied requests of the two founders for
indemnification. Certain post-verdict motions (including a motion for judgment
notwithstanding the verdict, and in the alternative, a motion for a new trail)
are pending. While the outcome of these motions cannot be predicted with
certainty, the Company believes it will not be required to pay any portion of
this judgment.
 
OTHER MATTERS
 
     The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in certain other
administrative proceedings and matters concerning issues arising in the ordinary
course of business. Management cannot predict the final disposition of such
issues, but believes that adequate provision has been made for the probable
losses, and the ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition, results of
operations or financial liquidity.
 
ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
     No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the last
quarter of 1996.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
                      EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     Information with respect to the executive officers of the Company, as of
February 28, 1997, is set forth below. Such officers are elected by the
Company's Board of Directors generally for a one-year term expiring at the next
organizational meeting to be held in May 1997. The terms for Mr. Kasputys, Mr.
Holt and Mr. Herenstein are governed by their respective employment agreements.
Under these agreements, Mr. Kasputys is employed as the Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of Primark through December 31, 2001; Mr. Holt is
employed as President and Chief Executive Officer of TASC until December 31,
1998; and Mr. Herenstein is employed as Senior Vice President of Marketing of
Primark through June 30, 1998.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           NAME              AGE           BUSINESS EXPERIENCE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS
- - ---------------------------  ---   -----------------------------------------------------------
<S>                          <C>   <C>
Joseph E. Kasputys.........  60    Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the
                                   Company since 1988. Mr. Kasputys has been a director of the
                                   Company since 1987.
John C. Holt...............  56    Executive Vice President of the Company, President and
                                   Chief Executive Officer of TASC, Inc. since February 1994.
                                   From 1982 until January 1994, Mr. Holt held the position of
                                   Executive Vice President of The Dun & Bradstreet
                                   Corporation ("D&B"), an information services company, and
                                   served as a director of that company from 1985 until 1994.
                                   In addition, Mr. Holt is the former Chairman, President and
                                   Chief Executive Officer of the A.C. Nielsen Company, a
                                   marketing information business and an affiliate of D&B. Mr.
                                   Holt has been a director of the Company since 1985.
Stephen H. Curran..........  49    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the
                                   Company since 1988.
Ira Herenstein.............  59    Senior Vice President of Marketing of the Company since
                                   December 1996. From June 1995 to November 1996, Mr.
                                   Herenstein was Managing Director of Datastream
                                   International, Inc. From March of 1994 to June of 1995, he
                                   was president of Datastream's North American operations.
                                   From 1992 until March of 1994, Mr. Herenstein was an
                                   independent consultant in the financial information
                                   services industry. In addition, Mr. Herenstein was with the
                                   McGraw-Hill Corporation for 28 years, during which he held
                                   the positions of president of Standard & Poor's Corporation
                                   and executive vice president of the Computer and
                                   Communications Information Group.
Michael R. Kargula.........  49    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the
                                   Company since 1988.
Patrick G. Richmond........  47    Vice President of Corporate Development of the Company
                                   since May 1989.
William J. Swift III.......  45    Vice President and Tax Counsel of the Company since 1988.
</TABLE>
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
     The Company's common stock is listed and traded on the New York Stock
Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange. Other information set forth in the
section entitled "Supplementary Financial Information-Quarterly Data" on page 43
of the Company's 1996 Annual Report is incorporated by reference herein.
 
     Since 1988, the Company has not paid cash dividends on common stock to its
shareholders in order to reinvest available cash in the Company's operations.
Information regarding restrictions on the Company's ability to pay cash
dividends on its common stock is incorporated by reference herein from Note 6 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements entitled "Short-Term and Long-Term Debt,"
on page 30 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report.
 
ITEM 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The information set forth in the section entitled "Selected Financial
Information -- Five Year Data" on page 42 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report is
incorporated by reference herein.
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
        FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
     The information set forth in the section entitled "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition" on pages 39
through 41 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report is incorporated by reference
herein.
 
ITEM 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
     The Consolidated Financial Statements and the related notes thereto, and
the Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants, as contained on pages 22
through 38 of the Company's 1996 Annual Report, and the "Supplementary Financial
Information -- Quarterly Data", as contained on page 43 of the Company's 1996
Annual Report, are incorporated by reference herein.
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
 
     Not Applicable.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     The information set forth in the section entitled "Election of Directors"
in the Company's 1997 Proxy Statement for its May 1997 Annual Meeting of
Shareholders is incorporated by reference herein. Information regarding the
executive officers of the Company is set forth in the section entitled
"Executive Officers of the Registrant" on page 16 in Part I of this report on
Form 10-K.
 
ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     The information set forth in the sections entitled "Directors'
Compensation," "Executive Compensation," "Compensation Committee Report,"
"Employment Agreements and Other Arrangements," and "Compensation Committee
Interlocks and Insider Participation" of the Company's 1997 Proxy Statement for
its May 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated by reference herein.
 
ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     The information set forth in the sections entitled "Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners" and "Security Ownership of Management" of the
Company's 1997 Proxy Statement for its May 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
is incorporated by reference herein.
 
ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     The information set forth in the sections entitled "Executive
Compensation," "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation" and
"Employment Agreements and Other Arrangements" of the Company's 1997 Proxy
Statement for its May 1997 Annual Meeting of Shareholders is incorporated by
reference herein.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
(a) LIST OF DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF FORM 10-K
 
     1.  Financial Statements:
 
        - Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as of December 31, 1996
          and 1995*
 
        - Consolidated Statements of Income for each of the three years in the
          period ended December 31, 1996*
 
        - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for each of the three years in
          the period ended December 31, 1996*
 
        - Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholders' Equity for each of the
          three years in the period ended December 31, 1996*
 
        - Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements*
 
        - Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and
          Financial Condition*
 
        - Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants*
 
        - Selected Financial Information -- Quarterly Data*
 
     2.  Financial Statement Schedules:
 
        - Financial statement schedules have been omitted as they are not
          applicable or not required, or the required information is not
          material or is included in the consolidated financial statements
          thereto.
 
     3.  Exhibits:
 
        - The Exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K are
          listed in the Index to Exhibits on pages 18 to 21, and are
          incorporated by reference herein.
 
(b) REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
        - On November 13, 1996, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K under
          Item 2, related to the acquisition of ICV, Ltd.
 
        - On February 7, 1997, the Company filed an amendment to Item 7 of the
          Form 8-K filed on November 13, 1996 related to the acquisition of ICV.
 
        - On February 4, 1997, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K under Item
          9 related to the sales of equity securities overseas in reliance upon
          Regulation S promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
(c) EXHIBITS
 
     The Company hereby files as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K the
Exhibits listed in the Index to Exhibits.
 
(d) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
 
     Not Applicable.
- - ---------------
 
* Referenced information is contained in Primark's 1996 Annual Report filed as
  Exhibit 13.1 hereto.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- - ------   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>
         Plan of Acquisition, Reorganization, Arrangement, Liquidation or Succession

 2.1     Purchase Agreement dated as of June 18, 1996, between Datastream International
         (France) SA and Talisman Management LTD (Exhibit 2-1 to the Company's June 20, 1996
         Form 10-Q).
 2.2     Stock Purchase Agreement between the Company and Howard Anderson dated as of August
         9, 1996 (Exhibit 2-1 to the Company's August 15, 1996 Form 8-K).
 2.3     Stock Purchase and Sale Agreement dated as of September 30, 1996, between the
         Company and American Natural Resources Company (Exhibit 2-3 to the Company's
         September 30, 1996 Form 10-Q).
 2.4     Agreement for sale/purchase of the issued share capital of ICV Limited, between D.
         Taylor Esq. and others, Primark Information Services UK Limited and Primark
         Corporation dated October 24, 1996 (Filed as Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Form 8-K
         dated November 13, 1996).
 2.5*    Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement for Worldscope/Disclosure International
         Partners; Irish Partnership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement; and Partnership
         Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement; dated as of October 15, 1996; filed herewith.
 2.6*    Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of November 24, 1996, between the Company, Bowne
         & Co., Inc., and Robert G. Patterson, filed herewith.
 2.7*    Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January 16, 1997, between the Company, WEFA
         Holdings, Inc., and the stockholders of WEFA Holdings, Inc., filed herewith.
 2.8     Stock Purchase Agreement between Primark Corporation and VNU International B.V.
         dated as of May 26, 1995 (Exhibit 2.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated June 2,
         1995); Amendment to Agreement dated as of June 29, 1995 (Exhibit 2.1 to the
         Company's Form 8-K dated July 3, 1995).
 2.9     Acquisition Agreement by and among Datastream International, Inc., VSI Acquisition,
         Inc. and Vestek Systems, Inc. dated May 20, 1994 (Exhibit 2.7 to the Company's 1994
         Form 10-K).
 2.10    Loan Modification Agreement dated July 15, 1994, by and among Network Financial
         Services, Inc., Westmark Mortgage Corporation, Primark Corporation, and JMS
         Companies, Inc. (Exhibit 2.5 to the Company's 1994 Form 10-K).

         Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws

 3.1     Articles of Incorporation of the Company (Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's Registration
         Statement No. 2-74688); Amendment to the Articles of Incorporation (Exhibit 3.1 to
         the Company's 1985 Form 10-K); Amendment dated June 16, 1988 (Exhibit 3.1 to the
         Company's 1988 Form 10-K); Amendment dated August 8, 1991 (Exhibit 3(a) to the
         Company's Form 8-K dated August 9, 1991); Amendment dated May 27, 1992 (Exhibit 3.1
         to the Company's June 30, 1992 Form 10-Q).
 3.2     By-Laws of the Company, as amended (Exhibit 3.1 to the Company's September 30, 1990
         Form 10-Q). Instruments defining the rights of security holders, including
         indentures.
 4.1*    Registration Rights Agreement dated January 7, 1997, between the Company and Joseph
         E. Kasputys; filed herewith.
 4.2     Indenture dated as of October 18, 1993 by and among the Company and The First
         National Bank of Boston, as Trustee (Exhibit 4.1 to the Company's September 30,
         1993 Form 10-Q).
</TABLE>
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- - ------   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>
 4.3     Rights Agreement dated January 12, 1988, between the Company and Bankers Trust
         Company, which includes, as Exhibit A thereto, the Rights Certificate and, as
         Exhibit B thereto, the Summary of Rights to Purchase Common Stock (Exhibit 28.1 to
         the Company's Form 8-K dated January 14, 1988); Certified Copy of Resolution
         amending the Company's rights Agreement (Exhibit 28.4 to the Company's Form 8-K
         dated July 13, 1988); Amendment to Rights Agreement dated April 9, 1990 (Exhibit
         28.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated April 12, 1990); Letter, dated May 10, 1990,
         regarding appointment of Bank of America as new Rights Agent under the Rights
         Agreement, as amended (Exhibit 28.1 to the Company's 1990 Form 10-K); Amendment to
         Rights Agreement dated May 31, 1992, between the Company and Bank of America
         National Trust and Savings Association, as Rights Agent (Exhibit 28.1 to the
         Company's June 30, 1992 Form 10-Q); Letter dated July 31, 1992, regarding the
         appointment of The First National Bank of Boston as new Rights Agent (Exhibit 28.2
         to the Company's June 30, 1992 Form 10-Q).

         Material Contracts

10.1     Primark Corporation 1992 Stock Option Plan dated March 2, 1992 (Exhibit 10.26 to
         the Company's 1991 From 10-K); Amendment dated September 28, 1995 (Exhibit 10.22 to
         the Company's 1995 Form 10-K).
10.2*    Primark Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors, as amended, dated
         January 12, 1988 (Exhibit 10.57 to the Company's 1987 From 10-K); Amendment dated
         February 21, 1992 (Exhibit 10.24 to the Company's 1991 Form 10-K); Amendment dated
         September 28, 1992 (Exhibit 28.3 to the Company's September 30, 1992 Form 10-Q).
         Amendment dated September 22, 1995; filed herewith.
10.3     Primark Corporation Executive Share Option Scheme (Exhibit 10.26 to the Company's
         1992 Form 10-K); Amendment dated September 28, 1995. (Exhibit 10.24 to the
         Company's 1995 Form 10-K).
10.4     Primark Corporation Savings and Stock Ownership Plan, as amended and restated,
         effective January 1, 1997; (filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the Company's Registration
         Statement on Form S-8 dated December 10, 1996).
10.5     Primark Corporation 1992 Employee Stock Purchase Plan dated March 2, 1992 (Exhibit
         10.27 to the Company's 1991 Form 10-K); Amended and Restated Stock Purchase Plan
         and related Prospectus as filed under the Securities Act of 1933 (Exhibit 10.27 to
         the Company's 1993 Form 10-K); Amendment dated October 4, 1995 (Exhibit 10.26 to
         the Company's 1995 Form 10-K).
10.6     Management Incentive Plan adopted by Board of Directors on January 12, 1988
         (Exhibit 10.64 to the Company's 1987 Form 10-K); Amendment dated February 21, 1992
         (Exhibit 10.33 to the Company's 1991 Form 10-K).
10.7     Form of promissory note to be issued to the Company by executive officers in
         connection with the Company's 1988 Management Incentive Plan (Exhibit 10.1 to the
         Company's March 31, 1989 Form 10-Q).
10.8     Promissory notes dated September 30, 1988, issued to the Company by executive
         officers (Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's September 30, 1988 Form 10-Q).
10.9     Restricted Stock Award Agreements and Stock Option Agreements (Exhibit 4(b) to the
         Company's Registration Statement No. 2-3876).
10.10    Employment and related agreements between the Company and Joseph E. Kasputys dated
         February 21, 1992 (Exhibit 10.32 to the Company's 1991 Form 10-K).
10.11*   Employment and Option agreements between the Company and Joseph E. Kasputys dated
         January 7, 1997; filed herewith.
10.12*   Employment and related agreements between The Analytic Sciences Corporation, the
         Company and John C. Holt dated February 28, 1994 (Exhibit 10.32 to the Company's
         1993 Form 10-K); Amendment dated February 29, 1996; filed herewith.
10.13*   Employment Agreement between the Company and Ira Herenstein dated December 3, 1996;
         filed herewith.
</TABLE>
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- - ------   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>
10.14    Supplemental Death Benefit and Retirement Income Plan Agreement, as amended and
         restated, dated March 25, 1986 (Exhibit 19.1 to the Company's March 31, 1985 Form
         10-Q); Certified Copy of Resolution amending the Supplemental Death Benefit and
         Retirement Income Plan Agreement (Exhibit 10.17 to the Company's 1990 Form 10-K);
         as amended and restated as of January 1, 1992 (Exhibit 10.22 to the Company's 1991
         Form 10-K); Amendment dated September 28, 1992 (Exhibit 28.4 to the Company's
         September 30, 1992 Form 10-Q).
10.15*   Supplemental Medical Reimbursement Insurance Plan; filed herewith.
10.16    Form of Change of Control Compensation Agreement entered into between the Company
         and selected executive officers (Exhibit 10.60 to the Company's 1987 Form 10-K).
10.17*   Refinancing Agreements (Revolving Credit Agreement, Term Loan Agreement, Pledge
         Agreement, Collateral Agency Agreement, and Note Backup Agreement) dated as of
         February 7, 1997, by and among Primark Corporation, Lenders Parties, Mellon Bank,
         N.A. and other related documents; filed herewith.
10.18*   Form of variable rate unsecured loan notes dated October 24, 1996 between the
         Company and the former shareholders of ICV, Ltd; filed herewith.
10.19*   Credit Agreement dated October 23, 1996, by and among the Company, Lenders Parties
         and Mellon Bank, N.A.; (Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated November 13,
         1996). Amendments dated October 23, 1996; filed herewith as Exhibit 10.20, December
         18, 1996; filed herewith as Exhibit 10.21 and January 9, 1997; filed herewith as
         amended by Note Backup Agreement dated February 7, 1997, filed herewith as Exhibit
         10.17.
10.20*   Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 1995, between Primark Corporation,
         Lenders Parties, Mellon Bank, N.A. and The First National Bank of Boston and other
         related documents (Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 3, 1995);
         amendments dated October 23, 1996; filed herewith, December 18, 1996; filed
         herewith as Exhibit 10.21 and January 9, 1997; filed herewith as Exhibit 10.19.
10.21*   Term Loan Agreement dated as of June 29, 1995, between Primark Corporation, Lenders
         Parties, Mellon Bank, N.A. and The First National Bank of Boston and other related
         documents (Exhibit 10.2 to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 3, 1995); amendments
         dated October 23, 1996; filed herewith as Exhibit 10.20, December 18, 1996; filed
         herewith and January 9, 1997; filed herewith as Exhibit 10.19.
10.22    Loan Agreement dated as of June 29, 1995, between TASC, Inc. and Mellon Bank, N.A.
         (Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Form 8-K dated July 3, 1995).
10.23    Guaranty Agreement dated November 1, 1989, between Triad International Maintenance
         Corporation and Piedmont Triad Airport Authority (Exhibit 10.30 to the Company's
         1989 Form 10-K).
10.24    Reimbursement Agreement dated October 1, 1989, between Triad International
         Maintenance Corporation and Mellon Bank, N.A. (Exhibit 10.31 to the Company's 1989
         Form 10-K); Amendment dated September 25, 1992 and other related documents (Exhibit
         28-4 to the Company's Form 8-K dated October 7, 1992); Amendments to Agreement and
         other related documents dated February 1, 1993 (Exhibit 10.43 to the Company's 1993
         Form 10-K).
10.25    Underwriting Agreement dated November 29, 1995, by and among Primark Corporation
         and Paine Webber Incorporated (Exhibit 1.1 to the Company's November 7, 1995 Form
         S-3 Amendment No.1).
10.26    International Underwriting Agreement dated December 5, 1995, by and among the
         Primark Corporation and Paine Webber Incorporated (Exhibit 1.2 to the Company's
         November 7, 1995 Form S-3 Amendment No. 1).

         Annual Report to Security Holders

13.1*    Primark Corporation 1996 Annual Report (which is not deemed to be "filed" except to
         the extent that portions thereof are expressly incorporated by reference in this
         Annual Report on Form 10-K); filed herewith.
</TABLE>
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
NUMBER                                 DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- - ------   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>      <C>
         Subsidiaries of Registrant

21.1*    Subsidiaries of Primark Corporation; filed herewith.

         Consents of Experts and Counsel

23.1*    Consent of Independent Certified Public Accountants; filed herewith.
24.1*    Powers of Attorney; filed herewith
27*      Financial Data Schedule; filed herewith
</TABLE>
 
- - ---------------
 
* Indicates document filed herewith.
 
For the Company's documents incorporated by reference, references are to File
No. 1-8260.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on the 27th day of
March, 1997.
 
                                                   PRIMARK CORPORATION
 
                                          --------------------------------------
                                                       (Registrant)
 
                                          By: /s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                STEPHEN H. CURRAN
                                               SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND
                                               CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
 
     The undersigned directors and officers of Primark Corporation, a Michigan
corporation, hereby severally constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys, Stephen
H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and lawful
attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting alone
and without the others) to execute in the name of and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any of them, may lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                               TITLE                         DATE
- - ----------------------------------------   -----------------------------      ------------------
 
<C>                                        <S>                                <C>
 
         /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS            Chairman, President and Chief      March 26, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------   Executive Officer (Principal
           Joseph E. Kasputys              Executive Officer)

         /s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN             Senior Vice President and          January 15, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------   Chief Financial Officer
           Stephen H. Curran               (Principal Financial and
                                           Accounting Officer)
 
            /s/ JOHN C. HOLT               Director and Executive Vice        January 13, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------   President
              John C. Holt
 
          /s/ KEVIN J. BRADLEY             Director                           January 31, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------
            Kevin J. Bradley
 
           /s/ STEVEN LAZARUS              Director                           January 15, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------
             Steven Lazarus
 
         /s/ PATRICIA MCGINNIS             Director                           January 15, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------
           Patricia McGinnis
</TABLE>
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               SIGNATURE                               TITLE                         DATE
- - ----------------------------------------   -----------------------------      ------------------
 
<C>                                        <S>                                <C>
 
          /s/ JONATHAN NEWCOMB             Director                           January 15, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------
            Jonathan Newcomb
 
        /s/ CONSTANCE K. WEAVER            Director                           January 15, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------
          Constance K. Weaver
 
           /s/ IRA HERENSTEIN              Senior Vice President of           January 15, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------   Marketing
             Ira Herenstein
 
         /s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA            Senior Vice President,             January 15, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------   General Counsel and Secretary
           Michael R. Kargula
 
        /s/ PATRICK G. RICHMOND            Vice President of Corporate        January 20, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------   Development
          Patrick G. Richmond
 
        /s/ WILLIAM J. SWIFT III           Vice President and Tax             January 2, 1997
- - ----------------------------------------   Counsel
          William J. Swift III
 
By: /s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN
    ------------------------------------
           Stephen H. Curran
            Attorney-in-fact
</TABLE>
 
                                       24

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 2.5

                   AMENDED AND RESTATED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT

                                       FOR

                  WORLDSCOPE/DISCLOSURE INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS


AMENDED AND RESTATED PARTNERSHIP AGREEMENT FOR WORLDSCOPE/DISCLOSURE
INTERNATIONAL PARTNERS, an Irish partnership subject to the Partnership Act,
1890 of Ireland ("WDI"), (the "Partnership") is made and entered into as of
this 15th day of October, 1996 by and among Disclosure International
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("DII") and Wright Investors' Service
International Limited, a limited liability company incorporated in Ireland
("WISI") and The Winthrop Corporation, a Connecticut corporation ("TWC"). DII
and WISI and any other individual and/or business entity subsequently admitted
shall be known as and referred to collectively as "Partners" and individually as
a "Partner".

                                    RECITALS

     WHEREAS, Disclosure International, Incorporated, a Delaware corporation
("DII") and WISI had entered into a partnership agreement dated November 16,
1990, as amended by an agreement dated as of June 22, 1995 executed by Primark
Corporation, a Michigan corporation, and TWC on behalf of themselves and their
respective Affiliates, forming the Partnership pursuant to which each of DII and
WISI had a 50% partnership interest in the Partnership;

     WHEREAS, simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, TWC
transferred 100% of its partnership interest in the Partnership to DII pursuant
to the Partnership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement entered into between DII
and TWC (the "Irish Purchase and Sale Agreement"); with the result that, as of
the date hereof, DII holds an 80% partnership interest in the Partnership and
WISI holds a 20% partnership interest in the Partnership;

<PAGE>   2

     WHEREAS, DII and WISI, each a partner in the Partnership, have agreed to
amend and restate the partnership agreement for the Partnership;

     WHEREAS, DII and WISI desire to enter into this written agreement (the
"Agreement") in accordance with the Act (as defined herein) as to the affairs of
the Partnership and the conduct of its business, which shall become effective
upon consummation of the Closing (as defined herein); and

     WHEREAS, subsequent to the execution of the Irish Purchase and Sale
Agreement, TWC will not be a partner in the Partnership but has agreed to assume
certain obligations, including those under Article 10 hereof.

     NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein,
the Partners agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE 1
                                   Definitions
                                   -----------

     "ABSTRACTED DATABASE PRODUCTS" means an electronic database, the contents
of which are primarily the compilation of financial information extracted from
various sources (including, but not limited to, corporate financial reports,
print and electronic news sources and information services). Such products
consist of templated or fielded data retrievable data item by data item and may
include all of the numeric data and footnotes of any single securities filing or
annual report, extracts of full text from various sources (including, but not
limited to, the Chairman's letter, accounting footnotes, business description,
and the explanation of financial results). No Abstracted Database Products will
contain full text in amounts which would infringe any third party's copyrights
or which would constitute more than 50% of the text (excluding numeric data and
associated footnotes) of any single securities filing, annual report, etc.


     "ACT" means the Partnership Act, 1890 as in effect on the date hereof, and
as it may be amended from time to time.

     "ADDITIONAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS" means any additional capital
contributions made pursuant to Section 3.2 of this Agreement.

                                       2

<PAGE>   3

     "AFFILIATE" means, with reference to a specific person, a person who,
directly or indirectly, through one or more intermediaries, controls, is
controlled by, or is under common control with, the specified person.

     "AT COST" means all direct incremental "out of pocket" costs (excluding
overhead and general and administrative costs) associated with the provision of
goods or services including an appropriate share of personnel compensation costs
including benefits.

     "AT COST PLUS" means all costs associated with the provision of goods or
services, plus a profit margin of 10%. Resources of the Partnership utilized by
a Partner to which Section 2.10 applies shall include, but not be limited to:

          (a) personnel compensation costs including benefits;

          (b) services, supplies and utilized space;

          (c) general and administrative costs;

          (d) depreciation costs;

          (e) equipment maintenance costs;

          (f) legal services costs; and

          (g) library and database costs.

     "BUSINESS DAY" means any day (other than a day which is a Saturday, Sunday
or public holiday in Ireland).

     "CALL" means the right of DII or DI to purchase all or part of WISI's
Interest in the Partnership, pursuant to the terms of the Put and Call
Agreement.

     "CAPITAL ACCOUNT" means, for each Partner, the capital account maintained
by the Partnership for such Partner as described in Section 4.1.

     "CAPITAL CONTRIBUTION" means the amount of

                                       3

<PAGE>   4

money and the fair market value mutually agreed upon by the Partners of other
property (net of any liabilities secured by such property that the Partnership
is considered to assume or take) voluntarily contributed by a Partner to the
Partnership, including Additional Capital Contributions.

     "CHANGE IN CONTROL" with respect to a Partner or DI shall mean the
occurrence of one or more of the following events after the date hereof: (i) a
person or group (as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) of persons shall have become the beneficial
owner or have control over the voting of securities of such Partner, including
any entity which, directly or indirectly, through ownership of one or more
majority-owned successive subsidiary entities, owns more than 50% of the
outstanding capital stock of such Partner, (or any Transferee which has acquired
an Interest in the Partnership from such Partner, pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement), representing a majority of the combined voting power of the
outstanding securities of such Partner (or such Transferee), ordinarily having
the right to vote in the election of directors, or (ii) directors representing a
person or group (as so defined) of persons shall constitute a majority of the
Board of Directors of such Partner (or such Transferee), or (iii) any sale,
lease, exchange or other transfer (in one transaction or a series of related
transactions) of all, or substantially all, of the assets of such Partner (or
such Transferee), to any person or group (as so defined) of persons, or (iv) the
shareholders of such Partner (or such Transferee), shall approve any plan or
proposal for the liquidation or dissolution of such Partner (or such
Transferee). Notwithstanding the foregoing, (a) the transfer of the capital
stock of TWC held by any shareholder, including John or Mildred Wright or their
respective estates or trusts, to the School for Ethical Education or similar
charitable institutions shall not constitute a Change in Control of TWC and (b)
a person or group as used in (i) through (iii) above shall not include an
Affiliate of a Partner or of DI.

     "CLOSING" means the closing at which, among other things, DII and WISI will
enter into this Agreement.

                                       4

<PAGE>   5


     "CODE" means the United States Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
from time to time or any successor statute. A reference to the Code shall be
deemed to include any mandatory or successor provisions thereto.

     "DESIGNATED AFFILIATE" means, with respect to TWC, all Affiliates existing
on the date hereof as well as any Affiliate that is formed in the future
provided that (i) such formation is for legal, compliance or tax purposes and
(ii) such Affiliate formed in the future carries on the same type of business
activity as is carried on by TWC and its Affiliates on the date hereof.

     "DI" means Disclosure Incorporated, a Delaware corporation.

     "DI PARTIES" means DI and DII.

     "FISCAL YEAR" means the fiscal year of the Partnership as defined in
Section 2.8 hereof.

     "FORMATION DATE" means the date on which the term of the Partnership
commenced as defined in Section 2.4 hereof.

     "GAAP" means United States generally accepted accounting principles, as in
effect from time to time.

     "INTEREST" means, with respect to any Partner at any time, such Partner's
entire beneficial ownership interest in the Partnership at such time, including
such Partner's Capital Account, voting rights, and right to share in profits and
losses, all items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit, distributions and
all other benefits and liabilities of the Partnership, together with such
Partner's obligations to comply with all of the terms of this Agreement.

     "LLC OPERATING AGREEMENT" means the Limited Liability Company Operating
Agreement dated as of even date herewith by and between DII and TWC.

     "MANAGING PARTNER" means DII.

     "PERCENTAGE INTEREST" means, for each Partner,

                                       5

<PAGE>   6

such Partner's Interest in the Partnership as set forth in Schedule A hereto, as
such may be adjusted from time to time in accordance with this Agreement and the
Put and Call Agreement.

     "PUT AND CALL AGREEMENT" means the Put and Call Agreement dated as of the
date hereof, by and among DII DI, TWC and WISI.

     "PUT" means the right of WISI to sell part or all of its Interest in the
Partnership to DI and DII pursuant to the terms of the 15% Put and the 5% Put of
the Put and Call Agreement.

     "REGULATIONS" means the income tax regulations promulgated under the Code
by the United States Department of the Treasury, as such regulations may be
amended from time to time.

     "SELECTED COMPANIES" means those publicly listed companies in which the
clients of WISI or its Affiliates have an investment that is managed by WISI or
its Affiliates, the Approved Wright Investment List (the "AWIL"), and those
companies which are being considered by WISI or its Affiliates for investment.
For purposes of Section 2.3, the number of companies which are being considered
by WISI or its Affiliates for investment shall not exceed 7.5% of the number of
companies in which the clients of WISI or its Affiliates have an investment that
is managed by WISI or its Affiliates.

     "SUBSTITUTE PARTNER" means a person who has become a substitute Partner
pursuant to Section 11.4 hereof.

     "TRANSFER" means any sale, assignment, gift, hypothecation, pledge,
encumbrance, alienation, mortgage or other disposition, whether voluntary or by
operation of law (other than a transfer which may arise by reason of death or
incapacity), of an Interest or any portion thereof; provided that Transfer shall
not include a pledge of the proceeds to be received upon the exercise of a Put
or the Call under the Put and Call Agreement.

     "TRANSFEREE" means a purchaser, transferee, assignee (other than assignees
for purposes of collater-

                                       6

<PAGE>   7

alizing a Partner's loan) or any other person who takes, in accordance with the
terms of this Agreement, an interest in the Partnership.

     "WORLDSCOPE" means, as the context requires, (i) an Abstracted Database
Product, containing, on the date hereof, financial information on approximately
13,000 companies, or (ii) all domestic and foreign rights to the trademark and
service mark represented by such mark.

     "WORLDSCOPE COMPANIES" means Worldscope/Disclosure L.L.C.,
Worldscope/Disclosure Incorporated, L.L.C. and the Partnership, and their
successors and subsidiaries.

                                       7

<PAGE>   8


                                    ARTICLE 2
                                 The Partnership
                                 ---------------


     2.1 FORMATION. WISI and DII have formed the Partnership as a partnership
within the meaning of the Act. The Partnership is governed by the provisions of
the Act and in accordance with the further terms and provisions hereof. In the
event of any conflict or inconsistency between the provisions of the Act and the
provisions of this Agreement, then, to the extent permitted by the Act, the
provisions of this Agreement shall prevail. Each of the Partners shall execute
or cause to be executed from time to time all other instruments, certificates,
notices and documents, and shall do or cause to be done all such filing,
recording, publishing and other acts, in each case, as may be necessary or
appropriate from time to time to comply with all applicable requirements for the
formation and/or operation and, when appropriate, termination of a partnership
in Ireland and all other jurisdictions where the Partnership shall desire to
conduct its business.

     2.2 NAME. The name of the Partnership shall be Worldscope/Disclosure
International Partners and its business shall be carried on in this name with
such variations and changes as are necessary to comply with the requirements of
the jurisdictions in which the Partnership's operations are conducted. The
Partners shall, as soon as practicable following the Closing, cause the name of
the Partnership to be registered as a business name under the Registration of
Business Names Act, 1963 of Ireland.

     2.3 BUSINESS PURPOSE. The purpose of the Partnership is to provide services
and develop products under contract with Worldscope/Disclosure LLC. Such
products and services include, without limitation (i) collecting and processing
data for the Worldscope database, (ii) updating and auditing the Worldscope
database, and (iii) developing software and other tools for the collection,
formatting and use of such data. The Partnership will continue to provide
services to TWC and its Affiliates as expressly set forth in this Agreement and
as set forth in that certain Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement for
Worldscope/Disclosure L.L.C., a

                                       8

<PAGE>   9

Delaware limited liability company, of even date herewith by and between DI, DII
and TWC. The Partners agree that such services shall always be sufficient to
enable Worldscope to include, at a minimum, the depth and breadth of reporting
for each country that is included in Worldscope on the Business Day immediately
preceding execution of this Agreement, such that the number of companies
reported on for each such country shall not decline below the number so included
on said Business Day, and specifically in the case of the United States, such
number shall not decline below the number so included on such Business Day nor
exceed 3500 public companies. The Partnership will use all commercially
reasonable efforts to insure that such products and services will be superior to
the products of the Partnership's competitors, will enhance each Partner's
reputation, will be of at least as high quality (in terms of accuracy,
timeliness and data elements collected) as those presently produced by
Worldscope/Disclosure International Partners on the date hereof and will be
based on data collected from the first available source. Each of the parties
hereto agrees that the products and services of Worldscope/Disclosure
International Partners, as produced on the date hereof, are superior to the
products of its competitors. In updating and expanding the Worldscope database,
the Partnership shall give priority first to Selected Companies; and next to
companies on the AWIL ("Updating Priority"). The Partnership shall be required
to give such Updating Priority at no cost to WISI or its Affiliates so long as
the aggregate incremental cost of doing so incurred by the Worldscope Companies
under this Agreement and the LLC Operating Agreement does not exceed $50,000 per
annum on an At Cost basis (the "Cost Limit"). If the annual incremental cost of
such Updating Priority incurred by the Worldscope Companies exceeds the Cost
Limit, the Partnership shall perform (i) at no cost to WISI or its Affiliates
all possible Updating Priority activities up to the Cost Limit and (ii) if WISI
or any of its Designated Affiliates requests, the Partnership will perform
Updating Priority activities in excess of the Cost Limit PROVIDED THAT WISI or
its Designated Affiliate, as the case may be, shall promptly reimburse to the
Partnership on an At Cost Plus basis, any amount expended by the Company in
excess of the Cost Limit.

     2.4 TERM. The term of the Partnership com-

                                       9

<PAGE>   10

menced on November 16, 1990 (the "Formation Date") and shall continue until
dissolved and wound up in accordance with Article 12 hereof or otherwise
terminated in accordance with this Agreement.

     2.5 PRINCIPAL PLACE OF BUSINESS. The Partnership shall maintain its
principal place of business at Bay K7B, Shannon Industrial Estate, Shannon, Co.
Clare, Ireland or such other location or locations as the Managing Partner may
from time to time select. For so long as WISI is a Partner in the Partnership,
WISI shall be permitted to list the address of the Partnership as WISI's
address.

     2.6 TITLE TO PARTNERSHIP PROPERTY. Legal title to all property of the
Partnership shall be held and, if necessary, registered, and conveyed in the
names of the Partners. Pending the completion of any transfer or registration
contemplated by this Section 2.6, any Partnership property not held or
registered in the name of the Partners shall be held in trust for the
Partnership.

     2.7 THE PARTNERS. The name and place of residence of each Partner is as
follows:

           Name                     Residence
           ----                     ---------

           DII                      5161 River Road
                                    Bethesda, Maryland  20816
                                    Attn:  Steven Schneider, President

           WISI                     Unit K7B
                                    Shannon Industrial Estate
                                    Shannon, Co. Clare
                                    Ireland
                                    Attn:  Peter M. Donovan,
                                           Managing Director

                                    with a copy to:

                                    The Winthrop Corporation
                                    1000 Lafayette Boulevard
                                    Bridgeport, CT  06604
                                    Attn:  Peter M. Donovan, President

                                       10

<PAGE>   11

     2.8 FISCAL YEAR. Unless the Managing Partner shall at any time otherwise
determine in accordance with Section 706 of the Code, the fiscal year of the
Partnership shall be DII's taxable year, which ends on December 31.

     2.9 SERVICES BY PARTNERS. Except as provided herein, any and all services
performed by the Partners or their Affiliates to, or on behalf of, the
Partnership shall be provided At Cost. Each Partner shall have the right, at its
own expense, to have a certified public or chartered accountant audit the books
of the other Partner or any of such Partner's Affiliates that perform services
for the Partnership at reasonable times and with reasonable notice for the sole
purpose of verifying such costs, but no more than one audit per Partner in any
12-month period shall be permitted. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
herein, no Partner and none of its Affiliates shall be permitted to charge the
Partnership for expenses incurred as a result of the performance of general
management, general oversight or strategic planning activities for or on behalf
of the Partnership.

     2.10 SERVICES TO PARTNERS. Except as specifically provided elsewhere
herein, services provided to any Partner or its Affiliates by the Partnership
shall be At Cost Plus. All such costs shall be based on a pro rata share of the
Partnership's resources used by the Partner and its Affiliates. With the consent
of the Managing Partner, which shall not be unreasonably withheld, the
Partnership will honor each request by a Partner or its Affiliates to provide
goods or services, provided that no disadvantage to the Partnership results
therefrom. Notwithstanding the foregoing, Updating Priority services shall be
performed on the basis provided in Section 2.3 hereof.

     2.11 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE PARTIES. Each of the parties
represents and warrants that:

          (a) It is duly organized, validly existing and in good standing (or
comparable status) under the laws of the jurisdiction of its organization;

          (b) It has all requisite power and au-

                                       11

<PAGE>   12

thority to enter into this Agreement; the execution and delivery by such party
of this Agreement and the consummation by such party of the transactions
contemplated hereby have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action
on the part of such party; and this Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by such party and constitutes (assuming the due and valid
execution and delivery of this Agreement by the other parties), the legal, valid
and binding obligations of each party, enforceable against each party in
accordance with its terms;

          (c) There is no litigation pending or, to the best knowledge of such
party, threatened against such party which has a reasonable likelihood of
materially and adversely affecting the operations, properties or business of the
Partnership or any of such party's obligations under this Agreement;

          (d) The execution, delivery and performance by such party of this
Agreement will not result in a breach of any of the terms, provisions or
conditions of any agreement to which such party is a party which has a
reasonable likelihood of materially and adversely affecting the operations,
properties or business of the Partnership or such party's obligations under this
Agreement;

          (e) There are no claims, either administrative or judicial, at law
or in equity, pending or, to the knowledge of such Partner, threatened against
it which could, if continued, have a material adverse affect on the business,
operations, properties, assets or condition (financial or otherwise) of such
Partner, or the ability of such Partner to perform its obligations under this
Agreement; and

                                       12

<PAGE>   13

          (f) Except for contracts or agreements entered into in the ordinary
course of business, there are no contracts or binding agreements currently in
force or being negotiated to which any of the Worldscope Companies is or may be
a party that have not been disclosed to the other Partner.

     2.12 EMPLOYEE MATTERS. The Partners agree that provided that Paddy Corley
(the "Employee") executes a Non-Disclosure and Business Ethics Agreement in a
form that is satisfactory to the Partnership, in the event that prior to the
third anniversary of the date hereof the Partnership terminates without cause
the Employee's employment, the Company shall pay to the Employee a lump sum
severance payment equal to one year's salary in exchange for a Release executed
by the Employee in a form that is satisfactory to the Partnership. Further, (i)
TWC shall be responsible for amounts accrued by the Employee under TWC's
Officers' Retirement Bonus (the "Bonus") prior to January 1, 1991 and (ii) the
Partnership shall be responsible for amounts accrued by the Employee under the
Bonus from January 1, 1991 to the date hereof. The Employee shall be entitled to
the amounts referenced in the immediately preceding sentence only if the Employ-
ee retires at or after age 65 from TWC, the Partnership or any of their
Affiliates.

                                    ARTICLE 3
                              CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS
                              ---------------------

     3.1 CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS. The Percentage Interests, the Capital
Contributions and Capital Accounts as of the date hereof for each Partner are as
set forth in Schedule A attached hereto. The Partners shall be entitled to make
Additional Capital Contributions as provided in Section 3.2.

     3.2 ADDITIONAL CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS.
         --------------------------------

          (a) No Partner shall be obligated to make any additional capital
contribution to the Partnership (an "Additional Capital Contribution"). Partners
may agree by unanimous consent to make Additional Capital Contributions,
provided that the Partner Interests set forth in Schedule A shall be adjusted
accordingly.

                                       13

<PAGE>   14


          (b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 3.2(a), a Partner may
advance funds to the Partnership voluntarily, in the form of a loan at
prevailing interest rates, at the request of the Managing Partner, provided
however, that any such advance shall not be considered an Additional Capital
Contribution and shall have no effect on any Partner's Interest as set forth in
Schedule A.

                                    ARTICLE 4
                                CAPITAL ACCOUNTS
                                ----------------

     4.1 CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. Each Partner shall have a capital account (a "Capital
Account") which account shall be (1) increased by the amount of (a) the Capital
Contributions of such Partner, (b) the allocations to such Partner of all items
of income and gain of the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.1, (c) any positive
adjustment to such Capital Account necessary to reflect the exercise of a Put by
WISI or a Call by DII, and (d) any positive adjustment to such Capital Account
by reason of an adjustment to reflect a revaluation of, or adjustment to the
basis of, Partnership assets as provided under Regulation section
1.704-1(b)(2)(iv), and (2) decreased by (w) the amount of any cash and the book
value of any property distributed to such Partner (net of liabilities secured by
such property that such Partner is considered to assume or take subject to Code
section 752), (x) the allocation to such Partner of all items of loss and
deductions of the Partnership pursuant to Section 5.1, (y) any negative
adjustment to such Capital Account necessary to reflect the exercise of a Put by
WISI or the exercise of the Call by DII, and (z) any negative adjustment to such
Capital Account by reason of an adjustment to reflect a revaluation of, or
adjustment to the basis of, Partnership assets as provided under Regulation
section 1.704-1(b)(2)(iv). The provisions of this Agreement relating to the
maintenance of Capital Accounts are intended to comply with Regulation section
1.704-1(b), and shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with
such Regulation.

     4.2 NO OTHER CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS. Except as provided in Section 3.2(a),
no Partner shall be permitted or obligated to make any Additional Capital
Contributions to the Partnership's capital without the unanimous con-

                                       14

<PAGE>   15

sent of all of the Partners.

     4.3 NO INTEREST ON CAPITAL CONTRIBUTIONS. No Partner shall be entitled to
demand or receive interest on its Capital Contributions.

     4.4 NO RIGHT OF WITHDRAWAL. No Partner shall have the right to withdraw any
portion of such Partner's Capital Contributions to, or to receive any
distributions from, the Partnership, except as provided in Articles 6 and 12
hereof.

     4.5 LOANS. The Partnership may borrow funds from third parties or enter
into other similar credit, guarantee, financing or refinancing arrangements with
third parties for any prudent business purpose and at reasonable rates.

     4.6 RESTORATION OF NEGATIVE CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. Except as may be required by
the Act or otherwise by law, or in respect of any negative balance resulting
from withdrawal of capital or a distribution which is in contravention of this
Agreement, no Partner with a negative balance in its Capital Account shall have
any obligation to the Partnership or to another Partner to restore such negative
balance.

                                    ARTICLE 5
                          ALLOCATION OF INCOME AND LOSS
                          -----------------------------

     5.1 ALLOCATION OF INCOME AND LOSS.
         -----------------------------         

          (a) ALLOCATIONS TO CAPITAL ACCOUNTS. All items of income, gain, loss
and deduction of the Partnership shall be allocated to the Partners in
accordance with their Percentage Interests.

          (b) ADJUSTMENTS. Any allocation pursuant to Section 5.1(a) will, for
United States federal income tax purposes, be subject to any adjustment required
to comply with Regulation section 1.704-1(b) and (c), including, without
limitation, any qualified income offset within the meaning of Regulation section
1.704-1(b)(2)(ii)(d) and any nonrecourse deduction or minimum gain chargeback
within the meaning of Regulation section 1.704-2. Any special allocations of
items pursuant to

                                       15

<PAGE>   16

this Section 5.1(b) shall be taken into account, to the extent
permitted by the Regulations, in computing subsequent allocations of income,
gain, loss or deduction pursuant to Section 5.1(a) so that the net amount of any
items so allocated and all other items allocated to each Partner shall, to the
extent possible, be equal to the amount that would have been allocated to each
Partner pursuant to Section 5.1(a) had such special allocations under this
Section 5.1(b) not occurred.

          (c) CAPITAL ACCOUNTS SHALL BE DETERMINED WITHOUT REGARD TO THE
PARTNERS' METHOD OF ACCOUNTING USED FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING PURPOSES. Items of
income, gain, loss and deduction allocated to Capital Accounts pursuant to
Section 5.1(a) and net income computed for purposes of determining distributions
pursuant to Section 6.1 and Section 12.4 shall be determined without regard to
the Partners' method of accounting used for financial reporting purposes. For
example, for purposes of allocations to Capital Accounts and for purposes of
determining distributions under Sections 6.1 and 12.4 hereof, net income of the
Partnership shall be calculated without regard to the amortization of
acquisition goodwill or other assets created by the transactions contemplated in
the Irish Purchase and Sale Agreement and the Put and Call Agreement.

          (d) REDETERMINATIONS. If for any taxable period of the Partnership,
the Partnership is deemed to have a net increase (or decrease) in income for tax
purposes as a result of a redetermination by a tax authority resulting from
transactions between the Partnership and any Partner or any Affiliate of any
Partner, the item or items of income or gain (or loss or deduction) that
resulted in such increase (or decrease) in income shall be allocated to the
Partner that was (or the Affiliate of which was) a party to the transaction and
the Capital Accounts of the Partners shall reflect such allocations but shall
not result in any change in the respective Percentage Interests of the Partners.

     5.2 TAX ALLOCATIONS. For United States federal income tax purposes, items
of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit realized by the Partnership shall,
for each fiscal period, be allocated, for federal, state and local income tax
purposes, among the Partners in the

                                       16

<PAGE>   17

same manner as the items of income, gain, loss, deduction and credit were
allocated pursuant to Section 5.1(a).

     5.3 FEDERAL INCOME TAX. For United States federal income tax purposes, it
is the intent of this Partnership and its Partners that this Partnership will be
governed by the applicable provisions of Subchapter K, of Chapter 1, of the
Code.

     5.4 ALLOCATION OF INCOME AND LOSS IN RESPECT OF TRANSFERRED INTERESTS.

          (a) If any Interest in the Partnership is transferred, in whole or in
part, in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, the Irish Purchase
and Sale Agreement or the Put and Call Agreement during any calendar year, the
income or loss attributable to such Interest for such calendar year shall be
divided and allocated pro rata between the Partners based on each Partner's
Percentage Interest and based upon an interim closing of the Partnership's books
effective on the date of notice of such Transfer.

          (b) Notwithstanding any provisions above to the contrary, gain or loss
of the Partnership realized in connection with a sale or other disposition of
any of the assets of the Partnership shall be allocated solely to the Partners
owning Interests in the Partnership as of the date such sale or other
disposition occurs.

                                    ARTICLE 6
                                  DISTRIBUTIONS
                                  -------------

     6.1 CASH DISTRIBUTIONS. The Managing Partner shall distribute to each
Partner, in accordance with such Partner's Percentage Interest in the
Partnership, net income on a calendar quarterly basis, after retaining amounts
necessary for working capital, provided that the minimum distribution to each
Partner shall equal at least forty percent (40%) of such Partner's share of net
income.

                                       17

<PAGE>   18


     6.2 DISTRIBUTIONS IN KIND. No distributions of property other than cash
shall be made without the consent of all of the Partners. In the event of a
distribution of property other than cash, for United States federal income tax
purposes such property shall be deemed to be equal to its fair market value (net
of any liabilities securing such distributed property that the recipient
Partners are considered to assume or take subject to under Section 752 of the
Code). Any gain or loss associated with such property shall be allocated to the
Partners' Capital Accounts in accordance with Article 5 and adjustments to
Capital Accounts in respect of distributions of such property shall reflect its
fair market value.

                                    ARTICLE 7
                             ACCOUNTING AND REPORTS
                             ----------------------

     7.1 BOOKS AND RECORDS.
         -----------------

          (a) The Partnership shall maintain or cause to be maintained at the
Bridgeport, Connecticut office of TWC or the Bethesda, Maryland office of the
Partnership, this Agreement and all amendments thereto and full and accurate
books of the Partnership showing all receipts and expenditures, assets and
liabilities, profits and losses, and all other books, records and information
required by the Act and by law as necessary for recording the Partnership's
business and affairs. The Partnership's books and records for financial
reporting purposes shall be maintained in accordance with GAAP, consistently
applied, except to the extent provided hereunder for purposes of maintaining
Capital Accounts in accordance with Article 5 hereof and calculating the profits
or losses charged or credited thereto. The accounting policies and practices
used for purposes of maintaining the books and records of the Partnership shall
be consistent with the policies and practices employed by the Partnership prior
to the date hereof with any departure from such policies and practices permitted
only with the prior approval of the Managing Partner. Such documents, books and
records shall be maintained at the designated office until two (2) years after
the termination and dissolution of the Partnership.

          (b) Each Partner shall have the right at

                                       18

<PAGE>   19

reasonable times during usual business hours to inspect the facilities of the
Partnership, to observe the Partnership's operations and to examine, audit and
make copies of the books of account and other books and records of the
Partnership and other books and records relating to the reserves, assets,
liabilities and expenses of the Partnership and expenditures by the Managing
Partner on behalf of the Partnership; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that none of the
foregoing activities shall be conducted in a manner that unreasonably interferes
with the Partnership's operations or business. Such right may be exercised
through any agent or employee of a Partner designated in writing by it or by an
independent public or chartered accountant, engineer, attorney or other
consultant so designated. The Partner making the request shall bear all expenses
incurred in any inspection, audit or examination made at such Partner's behest.
Should any inspection, audit or examination disclose any immaterial errors or
immaterial improper charges, the Managing Partner shall make, or cause to be
made, appropriate adjustments therefor. In the event such errors or such
improper charges are material and disadvantage one Partner relative to the
other, the Managing Partner shall (i) reimburse the Partnership therefor and
(ii) bear all reasonable expenses of such inspection, audit or examination.

     7.2 REPORTS TO PARTNERS.
         -------------------

          (a) As soon as available to the Partnership and in any event within
thirty (30) days after the end of the first eleven (11) months of each Fiscal
Year and within forty-five (45) days after the end of the last month of each
Fiscal Year, the Managing Partner shall cause to be prepared and sent to each
Partner for the prior month and for the period from the beginning of such Fiscal
Year to the end of such fiscal month, a financial statement package
substantially similar in content and detail to the latest monthly package
prepared for the Partnership prior to the date of execution of this Agreement,
all of which shall (i) be prepared in accordance with [GAAP] (except that
certain footnotes may be omitted); and (ii) set forth in each case in
comparative form versus both the figures for the previous Fiscal Year, and the
forecast for the current Fiscal Year.

                                       19

<PAGE>   20


          (b) As soon as practicable and in any event within ninety (90) days
after the end of each Fiscal Year, the Managing Partner shall provide to each
Partner audited financial statements of the Partnership for such Fiscal Year
setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous
Fiscal Year, certified by such certified public accountants as may be selected
by the Managing Partner.

          (c) The Partnership or the Managing Partner shall provide to each
Partner on a timely basis such information as a Partner may reasonably request
regarding the details of transactions recorded in the financial statements
described in Subsections 7.2(a) and 7.2(b) hereof.

          (d) As requested, the Partnership shall provide to each Partner such
information as may be necessary for them to comply with applicable financial
reporting requirements of any competent governmental authorities or agencies or
stock exchange on which the shares of any such company are listed including,
without limitation, the New York Stock Exchange and the U.S. Securities and
Exchange Commission and such information regarding the financial position,
business, properties or affairs of the Partnership as a Partner may reasonably
request.

     7.3 TAX MATTERS AND ANNUAL TAX RETURNS.
         ----------------------------------

          (a) For Irish taxation purposes, DII shall timely prepare and provide
to the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland all taxation returns, statements and
other information required in respect of the Partnership pursuant to Section 70
of the Income Tax Act, 1967 (as amended) of Ireland. DII or WISI, as the case
may be, shall also promptly send to each Partner a copy of all notices or
communications received by the Partnership from any tax authority including, but
not limited to, the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland or other Irish taxation
authorities (or give written notice of any verbal communications) within ten
(10) days after receiving such notice or communication. All decisions regarding
any matter with the Revenue Commissioners of Ireland or other Irish taxation
authorities shall be made in the sole discretion of DII.

                                       20

<PAGE>   21


          (b) For United States federal income tax purposes, DII is hereby
designated the "Tax Matters Partner" pursuant to Section 6231 of the Code with
respect to all taxable years of the Partnership and is authorized to do whatever
is necessary to qualify as such. Tax policies and elections will be made by the
Tax Matters Partner in its sole discretion.

          (c) The Tax Matters Partner shall prepare or cause to be prepared all
tax returns required of the Partnership. As soon as practicable after the end of
each taxable year, the Tax Matters Partner shall furnish to each Partner such
information in the possession of the Tax Matters Partner requested by such
Partner as necessary to timely fulfill such Partner's United States federal,
state, local and foreign tax obligations, including Form K-1, or any similar
form as may be required by the Code or the United States Internal Revenue
Service (the "IRS") or the Irish Commissioners of Revenue. The Partners shall
file their individual or corporate returns, as such pertain to the business of
the Partnership, in a manner consistent with the Partnership's tax and
information returns.

          (d) The Tax Matters Partner shall use its best efforts to do all acts
and take whatever steps are required to maximize, in the aggregate, the federal,
state, local and foreign income tax advantages available to the Partnership and
shall defend all tax audits and litigation with respect thereto.

          (e) DII, DI and their respective successors and permitted assigns
shall indemnify and hold harmless WISI and its successors and permitted assigns
and the Partnership for any tax claims, liabilities and losses incurred by the
Partnership or WISI or its successors and permitted assigns as a result of the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of DII, DI or their respective successors
and permitted assigns or any agent or employee of DII, DI or their successors
and permitted assigns; WISI and its successors and permitted assigns shall
indemnify and hold harmless DII, DI and their respective successors and
permitted assigns and the Partnership for any tax claims, liabilities and losses
incurred by the Partnership or DII, DI or their respective successors and
permitted assigns as a result of the gross 

                                       21

<PAGE>   22

negligence or willful misconduct of WISI or its successors and permitted assigns
or any agent or employee of WISI or its successors and permitted assigns.

     7.4 ACTIONS IN EVENT OF AUDIT. If an audit of any of the Partnership's tax
returns shall occur, the Tax Matters Partner shall, at the expense of the
Partnership, control the audit. The Tax Matters Partner may, if it determines
that the retention of accountants or other professionals would be in the best
interests of the Partnership, retain such accountants or other professionals, to
assist in any such audits. The Partnership shall bear all reasonable third party
expenses, including legal and accounting fees, claims, liabilities and losses
incurred in connection with any administrative or judicial proceeding with
respect to any audit of the Partnership's tax returns. The payment of all such
expenses to which this indemnification applies shall be made before any
distributions are made to the Partners under Article 6 hereof. Except as
provided in Section 7.3(e) hereof, neither the Tax Matters Partner, nor any
other person shall have any obligation to provide funds for such purpose. The
Tax Matters Partner shall have sole authority to contest any assertion made by
the IRS or enter into any agreement with the IRS or any other taxing authority
or agency.

     7.5 TAX ELECTIONS. For United States federal income tax purposes, any
elections under section 754 of the Code or any other elections made under the
Code by the Partnership shall be made (or caused to be made) by the Tax Matters
Partner in its sole discretion, except as provided herein for purposes of
maintaining Capital Accounts in accordance with Article 5 hereof and calculating
profits or losses charged or credited thereto.

     7.6 ANNUAL OPERATING BUDGET AND FIVE YEAR PLAN. No later than forty-five
(45) days before the end of each Fiscal Year, the Managing Partner shall prepare
in good faith and submit to the Partnership Committee (as defined in Article 8),
for its information and comment (but not for its approval), an annual operating
budget ("Annual Operating Budget") and five year plan, each of which shall, in
the best judgment of the Managing Partner, reflect reasonable expectations for
the Partnership during the period covered. The Managing Partner shall in

                                       22

<PAGE>   23

its sole discretion approve the Annual Operating Budget and any
amendments thereto.

                                    ARTICLE 8
                               ACTIONS BY PARTNERS
                               -------------------

     8.1 PARTNERSHIP COMMITTEE. The Partnership shall have a Partnership
Committee made up of all Partners and their representatives, if any, as
designated on Schedule B hereto. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
each Partner shall be entitled to vote in accordance with its then current
Percentage Interest in the Partnership.

     8.2 MEETINGS. Meetings of the Partnership Committee shall be held no less
frequently than quarterly. Each year, one such meeting shall be held at the
offices of DII in Maryland, one at the offices of TWC in Connecticut and the
remainder in New York City or such other mutually agreed upon place. The
Partners may take action by the vote of Partners at a meeting in person or by
proxy, or without a meeting by written consent. In no instance where action is
authorized by written consent need a meeting of the Partnership Committee be
called or noticed but the Managing Partner shall notify all other Partners
within five days of taking an action thus consented to.

                                    ARTICLE 9
                           DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
                           ---------------------------
                             OF THE MANAGING PARTNER
                             -----------------------

     9.1 Except as otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, the Managing
Partner, in its capacity as a Partner of the Partnership under the Act, shall
have sole and complete charge and management of all the affairs and business of
the Partnership, in all respects and in all matters. At all times the Managing
Partner shall be a fiduciary of the Partnership and shall act in good faith and
in a manner that the Managing Partner reasonably believes to be in the best
interests of the Partnership. The Managing Partner shall be an agent of the
Partnership, and the actions of the Managing Partner taken in such capacity and
in accordance with this Agreement shall bind the Partnership. The Managing
Partner shall at all times be a Partner of the Partnership.

                                       23

<PAGE>   24

Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the Partners other than the
Managing Partner shall not participate in the control of the Partnership, and
shall have no right, power or authority to act for or on behalf of, or otherwise
bind the Partnership. Except as expressly provided in Section 8.1 hereof or as
otherwise provided in this Agreement or required by any non-waivable provisions
of applicable law, Partners other than the Managing Partner shall have no right
to vote on or consent to any other matter, act, decision or document involving
the Partnership or its business.

     9.2 Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Managing Partner
shall have full, exclusive and complete discretion to manage and control the
business and affairs of the Partnership, to make all decisions affecting the
business and affairs of the Partnership and to take all such actions as it
reasonably deems necessary or appropriate to accomplish the purposes and direct
the affairs of the Partnership. The Managing Partner shall have the right to
manage and make decisions in a manner that the Managing Partner reasonably
believes will foster the long term growth and prospects of the Partnership's
business, and the Managing Partner shall have no duties or liabilities to
another Partner or other person for actions and decisions that the Managing
Partner reasonably believes are necessary, appropriate or consistent with such
long term growth and prospects. The Managing Partner shall have the sole power
and authority to bind the Partnership, except and to the extent that such power
is expressly delegated in writing to any other person by the Managing Partner,
provided that the Managing Partner shall indemnify the Partnership from and
against any and all liabilities resulting from the actions or failure to act of
such other person.

     9.3 Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, the Managing Partner
shall have the exclusive right, power and authority, in the management of the
business and affairs of the Partnership, to do or cause to be done any and all
acts at the expense of the Partnership, deemed by the Managing Partner to be
necessary or appropriate to effectuate the business of the Partnership. Except
as provided herein and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Managing Partner shall have full and complete power and authority, without

                                       24
<PAGE>   25

the approval of any other Partner:

          (a) to conduct any business that is not inconsistent with the
Partnership's purpose as set forth in Section 2.3 hereof, and to exercise any
rights and powers, permitted of a partnership organized under the laws of
Ireland, in any state, territory, district or foreign country as the Managing
Partner deems necessary or advisable;

          (b) to acquire by purchase, lease or otherwise, and/or to otherwise
own, hold, operate, finance, maintain, improve, lease, sell, convey, mortgage,
transfer or dispose of any property or other assets (except for the transfer or
disposal of Abstracted Database Products or other intellectual property rights)
that the Managing Partner deems necessary or advisable;

          (c) to negotiate, enter into, perform, modify, extend, terminate,
amend, waive, renegotiate and/or carry out any contract and agreements of any
kind and nature, including without limitation, contracts and agreements with any
Partner or any agent of the Partnership, as the Managing Partner deems necessary
or advisable;

          (d) to lend money (provided that the outstanding aggregate principal
amount of money lent by the Worldscope Companies under this Agreement and the
LLC Operating Agreement does not exceed $100,000) and to invest and reinvest its
funds;

          (e) to sue and be sued, complain and defend, and participate in
administrative, judicial and other proceedings, in the name of, and on behalf
of, the Partnership; provided, however, that the other Partners shall provide
such assistance as the Managing Partner considers necessary in order to enable
it to perform its obligations hereunder;

          (f) to pay, collect, compromise, arbitrate or otherwise adjust or
settle any and all claims or demands of or against the Partnership, in such
amounts and upon such terms and conditions as the Managing Partner shall
reasonably determine;

                                       25
<PAGE>   26

          (g) to, from time to time, employ, engage, hire or otherwise secure
the services of such persons, including any Partner, as the Managing Partner may
deem necessary or advisable for the proper execution of its duties as Managing
Partner hereunder, provided such services are within the scope of the foregoing
authority granted to the Managing Partner hereunder, with such employment to be
for such reasonable compensation and upon such reasonable terms and conditions
as the Managing Partner shall determine consistent with applicable law,
regulations or contracts;

          (h) to, from time to time, appoint such Executive Officers as the
Managing Partner deems necessary or advisable, define and modify, from time to
time, such Executive Officers' duties, and fix and adjust, as appropriate, such
Executive Officers' compensation;

          (i) to borrow money and issue evidences of indebtedness necessary,
convenient or incidental to the business of the Partnership, and secure the same
by mortgage, pledge or other lien on any tangible assets of the Partnership;

          (j) to prepare, execute, file record, publish and deliver any and all
instruments, documents or statements necessary or convenient to effectuate any
and all actions that the Managing Partner is authorized to take on behalf of the
Partnership;

          (k) to deal with, or otherwise engage in business with, or provide
services to and receive compensation therefor from, any person who has provided
services to, lent money to, sold property to, or purchased property from the
Partnership or a Partner, or any person who may do so in the future; and

          (l) to establish all accounting and tax policies that the Partnership
will use to maintain its books and records.

     9.4 Except as expressly provided in Section 8.1 hereof or as otherwise
provided in this Agreement or required by any provision of the Act which cannot
be excluded by contrary agreements or other applicable law, no Partner other
than the Managing Partner shall (a) have

                                       26

<PAGE>   27

the right to vote on or consent to any other matter, act, decision or document
involving the Partnership or its business, or (b) take part in the day-to-day
management, or the operation or control, of the business and affairs of the
Partnership. Except to the extent expressly delegated by the Managing Partner,
no other Partner or person other than the Managing Partner shall be an agent for
the Partnership or have any right, power or authority to transact any business
in the name of the Partnership or to act for or on behalf of or to bind the
Partnership.

     9.5 THIRD PARTY SERVICES. The Managing Partner may engage third parties
to provide products and services necessary for the operation of the Partnership.
Contracts with such third parties shall be on the most favorable terms possible.
The Managing Partner shall include each Partner or its designated Affiliate, at
such Partner's option, as a user of third party services provided to the
Partnership at the best possible price, provided that each Partner or its
designated Affiliate using such services agrees to reimburse the Partnership for
any incremental expense incurred by the Partnership as a result of the access to
and use of such third party services by such Partner or its designated
Affiliate, as the case may be. Third party services shall include, but not be
limited to, news wires, news services, analytical services, securities pricing
services and services offered by distributors of the Partnership's products.
None of the parties hereto shall be considered a "third party" for purposes of
this Section 9.5.

     9.6 PERSONNEL. The Managing Partner may, in its sole discretion, employ for
and on behalf of the Partnership such additional personnel as it deems
appropriate, provided that any such additional personnel devote 100% of their
working efforts to the pursuit of the Partnership's business.

     9.7 DISTRIBUTION. The Managing Partner shall be the exclusive agent for
sales and marketing of the Partnership's products and shall maintain a sales and
marketing effort that is at least as great as the effort customary to the
industry in which the Partnership is engaged. The Managing Partner may appoint
other third party distributors provided that the commission or royalty rates to
the Partnership from such distributors are

                                       27
<PAGE>   28

approximately as favorable to the Partnership as such rates then existing
between such distributors and the Managing Partner or any of its Affiliates for
their products. Any advertisement or other promotion of the Partnership's
products that identifies any Partner or any of its Affiliates shall include
references to Wright Investors' Service (or such other Affiliate as WISI shall
name) as a partner with equal billing as the other Partners.

     9.8 BANKRUPTCY; INSOLVENCY. The Managing Partner may commence a proceeding
on behalf of the Partnership under applicable bankruptcy or insolvency laws,
provided that all of the Partners consent to the commencement of such action.
Any such proceeding commenced by any other Partner shall be deemed unauthorized
and in bad faith and all parties to this Agreement shall use their best efforts
to cause such proceeding to be dismissed.

     9.9 RESTRICTIONS. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this
Agreement, without the written consent of all Partners, the Managing Partner
shall not have the authority to:

          (a) Do any act in contravention of this Agreement or contrary to the
best interests of the Partnership;

          (b) Require any Partner to make Additional Capital Contributions to
the Partnership;

          (c) Transfer, assign, sell, convey, mortgage, merge or otherwise
dispose of any Abstracted Database Products or other material intellectual
property or the rights thereto;

          (d) Receive any compensation for performing its duties as the
Managing Partner;

          (e) Revalue, or cause to be revalued, any assets of the Partnership;
or

          (f) Lend the Partnership's money except as provided in Section 9.3(d),
invest or reinvest its funds except in the Wright Treasury Money Market Fund or

                                       28
<PAGE>   29

similar prudent short term investment vehicles, or to take or hold real or
personal property for the payment of funds loaned or invested.

                                   ARTICLE 10
                 DUTIES, OBLIGATIONS AND RIGHTS OF WISI AND TWC
                 ----------------------------------------------

     10.1 EDITORIAL RESPONSIBILITIES. WISI's Affiliate, TWC, will be responsible
for analytical and financial expertise with regard to the Partnership's products
and services and for the definitions and accounting treatment of data elements
included in the Partnership's products and services; provided, however, that the
Managing Partner may require additional data or accounting treatments be
included in its sole discretion. Subject to the approval of the Managing
Partner, TWC shall also have additional oversight of the Partnership's products.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary herein, if WISI or TWC, as the case may
be, in its sole discretion, makes a good faith determination that any of the
Partnership's products or services have become materially inferior to the
products and services of the Partnership (prior to the date of this Agreement)
or the Partnership's competitors, then WISI or TWC, as the case may be, shall
provide written notice of that determination to the Managing Partner detailing
the basis for that determination. In the event that the Partnership's products
or services continue to be, in WISI's or TWC's, as the case may be, sole
judgment, materially inferior after six (6) months' written notice is provided
to the Managing Partner, then TWC may cease performing the obligations under
this Section 10.1 and, if requested by WISI, the Managing Partner will cease
identifying WISI as a Partner.

     10.2 PERMITTED USE OF THE PARTNERSHIP'S RESOURCES AND PRODUCTS BY TWC AND
ITS DESIGNATED AFFILIATES. So long as WISI is a Partner, and for ten years
thereafter TWC and its Designated Affiliates shall:

          (i) have for their internal use, investment management and for
     publications, royalty free use of the Worldscope Companies' resources
     including but not limited to, collected data, databases, commercial
     products, software and library. Such use shall

                                       29
<PAGE>   30

     include investment management, investment advisory and any other investment
     related products and services including, but not limited to, all of TWC's
     and its Designated Affiliates' current products and services and any such
     similar products or services that TWC or its Designated Affiliates may
     develop in the future; and

          (ii) continue to receive, at no cost, from the Worldscope Companies
     the same level of service they have received in the past, including, but
     not limited to, immediate notification of new information important to
     investment decision making (e.g. news from news suppliers, company news
     releases, news wire stories, company financial results) on Selected
     Companies and use of and immediate access to the Worldscope Companies'
     collected data, resources and library. Access to such information will be
     provided on at least as timely a basis as in the past. All data will be
     delivered to TWC or its designated Affiliate at the time it becomes
     available to any of the Worldscope Companies from the collecting source,
     whether internal or external.

                                       30
<PAGE>   31

          (iii) receive the data continuously and without interruption
     including, without limitation, during the arbitration of any dispute or
     controversy between the Partners and/or their respective Affiliates. The
     Managing Partner agrees that any threatened or actual interruption of the
     data prior to or during the dispute resolution process would result in
     immediate and irreparable harm to TWC and its Designated Affiliates such
     that it would be impossible to measure the damages in money. Accordingly,
     if the Managing Partner or any of its Affiliates interrupts the data, or
     threatens to do so, prior to the decision of the arbitrator, the Managing
     Partner acknowledges WISI's and TWC's right to bring an action on behalf of
     themselves and TWC's Designated Affiliates to prevent such interruption and
     the Managing Partner hereby waives for itself and all of its Affiliates,
     any claim or defense that WISI or TWC and its Designated Affiliates has an
     adequate remedy at law and the Managing Partner shall not urge that such a
     remedy at law exists. The Managing Partner agrees to submit to the
     jurisdiction of any federal or state court in which WISI or TWC or its
     Designated Affiliates brings an action based solely on this Section 10.2.


     10.3 ROYALTY FREE USE.
          ----------------

                                       31

<PAGE>   32

          (a) TWC's and its Designated Affiliates' use of the Partnership's
products and information resources pursuant to Section 10.2 for the production
of existing products and services of TWC and its Designated Affiliates, and
products and services similar to such existing products and services, and their
expansion and enhancement (except for Abstracted Database Products) shall be
specifically permitted and shall be royalty free. For the purposes of this
Agreement, products and services which are primarily designed for the evaluation
of investments and which usually include analyzed data or advice or a ranking or
a rating or a system or score for evaluating investments plus raw financial or
pricing data and are primarily the output of the intellectual labor process (as
distinguished from the collection and reproduction of raw data) are specifically
permitted to TWC and its Designated Affiliates and shall be royalty free.

          (b) ROYALTY RATES ON CERTAIN PRODUCTS. If the product is not an
Abstracted Database Product and also not exempt from royalties under 10.3(a)
above, TWC and its Designated Affiliates may continue to market such product or
service and shall pay royalties as follows:

               (i) No royalties shall be paid if the revenues to TWC and its
          Designated Affiliates are less than $50,000 per year per product or
          less than $150,000 per year for all products or services requiring
          royalty payments.

               (ii) TWC and its Designated Affiliates or WISI, as the case may
          be, shall compensate the Partnership at the lowest royalty rate
          available to any customer or distributor. If no such customer or
          distributor exists for a similar product, then royalties shall be
          based on reasonable and customary industry rates.

          (c) DISPUTED PRODUCTS. If a dispute arises between the Partners over
whether a new product of TWC or its Designated Affiliates is exempt from royal-
ties, then, if necessary, the matter shall be submitted to the dispute
resolution procedure in Article 15 and TWC and its Designated Affiliates shall
be permitted to

                                       32

<PAGE>   33

market and produce such product or service until final resolution of the
dispute. If the new product is found as a consequence of the dispute resolution
process to be subject to royalties, the minimums and rates set forth in 10.3(b)
will apply.

     10.4 DISTRIBUTING RIGHTS. TWC and its Designated Affiliates shall be
distributors of all the Partnership's products including, but not limited to,
Abstracted Database Products, if any, on the most favorable terms available to
any other distributor including, but not limited to, DII or any of its
Affiliates.

     10.5 CONTINUATION OF SERVICES. WISI, TWC and its Designated Affiliates
shall continue to provide services, on an At Cost basis, to the Partnership to
the same extent that such entities provided such services to the Partnership on
the Business Day immediately prior to the date of this Agreement, except for
data processing services, which shall be provided to the Company on the same
terms that TWC and its Affiliates provided such services to the Partnership on
the Business Day immediately prior to the date of this Agreement. In the event
that the Managing Partner chooses an alternative provider, WISI or TWC will have
the opportunity to continue to provide such services at rates less than or equal
to those proposed by such alternative provider.

     10.6 LEASE OF FLOOR SPACE. The Partnership shall comply with the provisions
of that certain lease (the "Lease") dated January 23, 1989 by and between
Shannon Free Airport Development Company Limited and WISI, which Lease was
assigned, as of the date hereof, by WISI to WISI and DII, for the space
described in the first schedule to the Lease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the
Partnership shall not be committed to lease any additional space beyond the
expiration date of the Lease which is December 31, 2012.

                                       33

<PAGE>   34

                                   ARTICLE 11
                        TRANSFER OF PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
                        ---------------------------------

     11.1 PROHIBITED TRANSFERS. No Partner may Transfer or encumber its Interest
or any part thereof in any way whatsoever, and any such Transfer or encumbrance
in violation of this Article 11 shall be null and void, except as otherwise
permitted herein or provided by law, and the Transferring or withdrawing
Partners shall be liable to the Partnership and the other Partners for all
damages that they may sustain as a result of such attempted Transfer.

                                       34
<PAGE>   35


     11.2 CHANGE IN CONTROL.
          -----------------

          (a) Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control of a Partner (the
"Changed Party"), each of the other Partners shall have the option to purchase
such Partner's pro rata portion of the Interest then owned by the Changed Party
(based upon the Percentage Interests of the other Partners), by delivery of a
written notice to the Changed Party (the "Participant Purchase Notice"), with a
copy to the Partnership stating that such election is unconditional and
irrevocable and that such other Partner unconditionally elects to purchase its
pro rata portion of the Interest owned by the Changed Party at a price in cash
equal to the greater of (i) if the Changed Party is WISI and the 15% Put and the
5% Put have not been exercised, the sum of the 15% Put Exercise Price and the 5%
Put Exercise Price (as defined in the Put and Call Agreement) or (ii) if the
Changed Party is WISI and one Put or the Call has been exercised, the exercise
price of the unexercised Put as set forth in the Put and Call Agreement, or
(iii) the Fair Market Value of the Interest. Any Interest owned by the Changed
Party that is not purchased by any of the Partners in exercise of their pro rata
rights hereunder shall be subject to purchase by the remaining other Partners on
the terms and conditions set forth in this Section 11.2(a). For purposes of this
Section 11.2, DII shall be deemed a Changed Party upon the occurrence of a
Change in Control of DI. For purposes of this Section 11.2(a), "Fair Market
Value" of the Interest shall be the average of the valuations determined by
three nationally recognized independent appraisers, one to be selected by DII,
one to be selected by WISI and the third to be selected and mutually agreed to
by the first two appraisers.

          (b) Within 5 days after the earlier of (i) a Change in Control of a
Partner (which, for purposes of this Section 11.2(b) includes DI) or (ii)
execution of a definitive agreement upon consummation of which a Change of
Control of such Partner will occur, such Partner shall deliver a notice to each
other Partner stating:

               (i) that such a Change of Control has occurred or will occur
          and that such other Partner has the rights set forth in this

                                       35

<PAGE>   36

          Section 11.2; and

               (ii) the circumstances and relevant facts regarding such Change
          of Control, including information with respect to pro forma historical
          income, cash flow and capitalization of such Changed Party (or DI, as
          the case may be) after giving effect to such Change of Control,
          PROVIDED, that if such information is unavailable at the time of
          delivery of such notice, such Partner shall provide such information
          to each other Partner and the Partnership as promptly as practicable
          after such information becomes available.

          (c) The other Partners may elect to exercise their rights under this
Section 11.2 by delivery of a Participant Purchase Notice to the Changed Party
at any time following a Change of Control of such Changed Party, PROVIDED, that
such right to deliver a Participant Purchase Notice shall expire after the
latest of (i) 60 days after the delivery of notice of such Change of Control
pursuant to Section 11.2(b), or (ii) 15 Business Days after the determination of
the 15% Put Exercise Price (as defined in the Put and Call Agreement) or (iii)
15 Business days after the determination of the 5% Put Exercise Price (as
defined in the Put and Call Agreement). During such period, the Changed Party
shall provide to the other Partners any additional information relating to such
Change of Control as any other Partner may reasonably request.

          (d) The closing of the purchase pursuant to the Participant Purchase
Notice of the Interest held by the Changed Party shall be no later than 35
Business Days following the delivery of the Participant Purchase Notice subject
to (i) extension with the written consent of the Changed Party and the other
Partners, which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld, and (ii) reasonable
extension as may be necessary to comply with any laws, rule or regulation of any
governmental or regulatory authority to secure any necessary consent, waiver,
authorization, or approval of any governmental or regulatory authority.

          (e) The rights of the other Partners to

                                       36

<PAGE>   37

purchase the Interest pursuant to this Section 11.2 shall be contingent upon the
purchase of all (but not less than all) of the Interest owned by the Changed
Party.

          11.3 PERMITTED TRANSFERS BY PARTNERS. Except as permitted in the Put
and Call Agreement, no Partner may Transfer all or a portion of its Interest
unless:

               (a) each of the other Partners shall have consented in writing to
such Transfer, which consent shall be in the sole and absolute discretion of
such Partner, except that such written consent shall not be required with
respect to a transfer by a Partner of all or part of its Interest to an
Affiliate;

               (b) the Partner desiring to consummate such Transfer (the
"Assigning Partner"), and the prospective Transferee each execute, acknowledge
and deliver to all the other Partners such instruments of transfer and
assignment with respect to such Transfer and such other instruments as are
reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to all the Partners;

               (c) the Transfer will not violate any securities laws or any
other applicable federal or state laws or the laws of any other relevant
jurisdiction or the order of any court having jurisdiction over the Partnership
or any of its assets;

               (d) the Transfer will not result in or create a "prohibited
transaction" as defined in Section 4975(c) of the Code or result in or cause the
Partnership or any Partner to be liable for excise tax under Chapter 42 of the
Code or result in or cause the Partnership or the Partnership's assets to become
the assets of an employee benefit plan (as defined in Section 3(3) of ERISA);

               (e) the Transfer will not cause any violation of or an event of
default under, or result in acceleration of any indebtedness under, any note,
mortgage, loan, or similar instrument or document to which the Partnership is a
party;

               (f) the Transfer will not cause a material adverse tax
consequence to the Partnership or any of

                                       37
<PAGE>   38

the Partners including but not limited to any material adverse tax consequence
resulting, directly or indirectly, from the termination of the Partnership under
section 708 of the Code; and

               (g) the Transfer will not cause the Partnership to be classified
as an entity other than a partnership for purposes of the Code.

     11.4 SUBSTITUTE PARTNER. A Transferee of the whole or any part of a
Partnership Interest who satisfies the conditions set forth in Section 11.3
hereof shall have the right to become a Partner in place of the Assigning
Partner only if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

               (a) the fully executed and acknowledged written instrument of
assignment that has been filed with the Partnership sets forth a statement of
the intention of the Assigning Partner that the Transferee become a Substitute
Partner in its place;

               (b) the Transferee executes, adopts and acknowledges this
Agreement and agrees to assume all the obligations of the Assigning Partner; and

               (c) any costs of the Transfer incurred by the Partnership shall
have been reimbursed to the Partnership by the Assigning Partner or the
Transferee.

     11.5 INVOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL BY A PARTNER. Upon the occurrence of the event
referenced in Section 12.1(a), the Partner with respect to whom such event
occurred shall forthwith cease to be a Partner and shall have no rights or
powers as a Partner, except that the provisions of Article 10 hereof and the
rights and responsibilities then existing under the Put and Call Agreement shall
in no way be affected. In the event that a Partner shall cease to be a Partner
under the Act, the continuation of the Partnership shall be governed by Section
12.2.

                                       38
<PAGE>   39

     11.6 VOLUNTARY WITHDRAWAL BY A PARTNER. Except as provided in the Put and
Call Agreement, no Partner may resign or withdraw from the Partnership without
the prior written consent of each other Partner, which consent may be withheld
by any such other Partner in its sole and absolute discretion.

                                   ARTICLE 12
                           DISSOLUTION AND WINDING UP
                           --------------------------

     12.1 DISSOLUTION. The Partnership shall be dissolved upon the first to
occur (each a "Dissolution Event"):

          (a) The withdrawal, resignation, dissolution or liquidation of a
Partner;

          (b) One hundred eighty (180) days after the filing of a bankruptcy
petition by or against a Partner, provided that such petition has not been
dismissed in the interim or is not an unauthorized filing under Section 9.8
hereof.

          (c) The sale, transfer or other disposition of all or substantially
all the assets of the Partnership, including condemnation by eminent domain;

          (d) An agreement in writing by all of the Partners to dissolve the
Partnership;

          (e) An entry of a decree of judicial dissolution of the Partnership;
or

          (f) The occurrence of any other event specified under the Act as one
requiring such dissolution.

     12.2 ELECTION TO CONTINUE THE BUSINESS. The Partnership shall not be
dissolved pursuant to a Dissolution Event specified in Subsections 12.1(a) or
(e) (except as otherwise provided in the Act), if, within 45 days of such
Dissolution Event, all of the remaining Partners unanimously agree in writing to
continue the business of the Partnership, and in the event there is only one
remaining Partner, such Partner shall have the

                                       39
<PAGE>   40

right to admit a new Partner in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

     12.3 CLOSING OF AFFAIRS. In the event of the dissolution of the Partnership
for any reason, an unrestricted, royalty-free copy of each product of the
Partnership shall be given to each Partner, and in the absence of an election to
continue the business of the Partnership, an independent chartered accountant
(the "Accountant") selected by unanimous consent of the remaining Partners shall
commence to wind-up the Partnership, to wind-up its investments and to terminate
the Partnership. The Accountant shall act as a fiduciary to the Partnership and
shall have full right and unlimited discretion to manage the business of the
Partnership during the period of closing the affairs of the Partnership and to
determine the time, manner and terms of any sale or sales of Partnership
property pursuant to such action. Upon complete realization and settlement of
the Partnership property and compliance with the distribution provisions set
forth in Section 12.4 hereof, the Partnership shall cease to be such and the
Accountant shall execute, acknowledge and cause to be filed all returns and
certificates necessary to terminate the Partnership and to give notice thereof.

     12.4 DISTRIBUTIONS UPON DISSOLUTION.

          (a) The Accountant shall, as soon as practicable, wind-up the
Partnership and sell or distribute the assets of the Partnership. The assets of
the Partnership shall be applied to the extent permitted by the Act in the
following order of priority:

               (i) FIRST, to pay the costs and expenses of the winding up of the
          Partnership;

               (ii) SECOND, to pay the matured debts and liabilities of the
          Partnership to persons who are not Partners;

               (iii) THIRD, to establish reserves adequate to meet any and all
          contingent or unforeseen liabilities or obligations of the
          Partnership, provided that at the expiration of such period of time as
          the Accountant may deem

                                       40
<PAGE>   41

          advisable, the balance of such reserves remaining after the payment of
          such contingencies or liabilities shall be distributed as hereinafter
          provided; and

               (iv) FOURTH, to all Partners with positive Capital Account
          balances in proportion to such Capital Account balances, until such
          balances are reduced to zero; and

               (v) FINALLY, to all Partners in proportion to each Partner's
          Percentage Interest.

          (b) If upon dissolution and winding-up of the Partnership, the
Accountant determines that (i) an immediate sale of part or all of the assets of
the Partnership would cause undue loss to the Partners, and (ii) the assets of
the Partnership would be readily susceptible to division for distribution in
kind to the Partners, then to that extent the Accountant may distribute such
assets to the Partners in kind. For such purposes, the assets of the Partnership
shall be valued at fair market value at the time of distribution to be
determined by an independent appraiser selected in good faith by the Accountant,
provided that such appraiser must have at least ten (10) years of experience in
appraising assets of the type owned by the Partnership and must be a member of a
recognized national society of appraisers.

     12.5 ORDERLY WINDING-UP. A reasonable time shall be allowed for the orderly
winding up and realization of the assets of the Partnership and the discharge
of liabilities so as to minimize the losses normally attendant upon a
winding-up.

     12.6 DEFICIT UPON WINDING-UP. Except to the extent otherwise provided in
this Agreement or required by the Act or by law with respect to third-party
creditors of the Partnership, upon dissolution, none of the Partners shall be
liable to the Partnership for any deficit in its Capital Account, nor shall such
deficits be deemed assets of the Partnership.

                                       41

<PAGE>   42

                                   ARTICLE 13
                                 INDEMNIFICATION
                                 ---------------


     13.1 INDEMNITY. The Partnership shall indemnify any person who was or is a
party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending or
completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, by reason of the fact that he is or was a Partner, an employee or
an agent of the Partnership, against expenses, including attorneys' fees,
judgment, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred
by him in connection with the action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good
faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to
the best interests of this Partnership, and, with respect to a criminal action
or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful;
provided that such indemnity shall not be mandatory for any person seeking
indemnity in connection with a proceeding voluntarily initiated by such person
unless such proceeding was authorized by the Managing Partner. No Partner shall
be indemnified with respect to actions between Partners or their Affiliates.

     13.2 ADVANCE PAYMENT OF EXPENSES. The expenses of Partners incurred in
defending a civil or criminal action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the
Partnership as they are incurred and in advance of the final disposition of the
action, suit or proceeding, upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of
the Partner to repay the amount if it is ultimately determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the
Partnership. The provisions of this subsection do not affect any rights to
advancement of expenses to which personnel other than Partners may be entitled
under any contract or otherwise by law.

     13.3 OTHER ARRANGEMENTS NOT EXCLUDED. The indemnification and advancement
of expenses authorized in or ordered by a court pursuant to this Article 13:

          (a) Does not exclude any other rights to which a person seeking
indemnification or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any agreement,
vote of Partners or otherwise, for either an action in his offi-

                                       42

<PAGE>   43

cial capacity or an action in another capacity, except that indemnification,
unless ordered by a court pursuant to Section 13.3 above, shall not be made to
or on behalf of any Partner if a final adjudication established that his acts or
omissions involved intentional misconduct, fraud or a knowing violation of the
law and was material to the cause of action.

          (b) Continues for a person who has ceased to be a Partner, employee or
agent and inures to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of
such a person.

                                   ARTICLE 14
                             AMENDMENT TO AGREEMENT
                             ----------------------


     Amendments to this Agreement shall be approved in writing by all of the
Partners. An amendment shall become effective as of the date specified in the
Partners' approval or if none is specified as of the date of such approval or as
otherwise provided by Delaware law.

                                   ARTICLE 15
                               DISPUTE RESOLUTION
                               ------------------

     15.1 SETTLEMENT MEETINGS. In the event the Partners cannot agree on any
issue relating to the interpretation of this Agreement, the following
procedure shall be followed:

          (a) FIRST SPECIAL MEETING. A special Partnership Committee meeting
shall be called by either Partner sending the other written notice requesting a
meeting at a mutually convenient time and place within five (5) days of actual
delivery of such notice to discuss the issue. If the issue remains unresolved
then;

          (b) SECOND SPECIAL MEETING. A second special meeting shall be
scheduled between the Managing Director of WISI and the President of DII (by
either Partner sending the other written notice requesting same) at least five
days, but not later than 10 days later. At that second meeting both will make a
good faith effort to understand the position of the other and resolve the issue.
If the issue remains unresolved then;

                                       43
<PAGE>   44

          (c) NON-BINDING MEDIATION. The matter shall be submitted forthwith to
a qualified mediator. If the Partners cannot reach a final agreement with the
mediator, then;

          (d) TEN ADDITIONAL DAYS. Ten days following the last mediation
session, the issue may be submitted to Arbitration by either Partner in
accordance with Section 16.9, provided that:

          (e) FAILURE TO ATTEND MEETING. Any Partner who fails to attend a
meeting or mediation session scheduled pursuant to the preceding paragraphs
shall not be permitted to institute arbitration.

                                   ARTICLE 16
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS
                               ------------------

     16.1 OTHER ACTIVITIES. Activities related to the production and marketing
of Abstracted Database Products that compete directly with Worldscope, such as
Worldvest, Global Vantage, Extel's international company database or World
Equities, are prohibited to the Partners and their respective Affiliates. A
Partner may engage or invest in, and devote its time to, any other business
venture or activities of any nature and description (independently or with
others) and shall have no duties or liabilities to any other Partner or other
person for engaging in such activities or pursuing such opportunities.

     16.2 [The Partners agree that it is in the best interests of the
Partnership for each Partner to remain in good standing or comparable status
with legal, tax and regulatory authorities of the Republic of Ireland and to
continue to enjoy such business powers, privileges and licenses as are afforded
to each on the Business Day immediately preceding the date of execution of this
Agreement. Accordingly, each Partner agrees to execute and deliver, upon request
of the other Partner, such documents reasonably deemed by the requesting Partner
to be necessary, appropriate or desirable to maintain such powers, privileges
and licenses, provided that the responding Partner shall have no such obligation
if, in such Partner's good faith judgment, the execution or

                                       44

<PAGE>   45

delivery of such document shall be contrary to the best interests of the
responding Partner or the Partnership.]

     16.3 PUT AND CALL AGREEMENT. Contemporaneously herewith, DII, DI, WISI and
TWC shall execute the Put and Call Agreement, attached hereto as Exhibit A.

     16.4 NONDISCLOSURE; PUBLICITY. The Partners shall not, at any
time directly or through others, use, disclose, publish or otherwise disseminate
any and all confidential technological and business information of the
Partnership or that of the Partners discovered, developed or known by the
Partners as a consequence of their respective ownership of, employment by or
relationship with the Partnership, including information entrusted to the
Partnership by others, and any proprietary rights, inventions or tangible
unpatented proprietary rights of the Partnership except that a Partner may
disclose information to an Affiliate provided that such Affiliate agrees to be
bound by the provisions of this Section 16.4, and except as required for any
Partner's financing, banking or other credit relationships. Furthermore, no
Partner shall divulge to any third party the actual Percentage Interest held by
any Partner including its own, except as may be required by law or the Partner's
own financial statements or as permitted elsewhere in this Agreement.

     16.5 FIRST RIGHT OF REFUSAL. If the Partnership has received from a third
party a bona fide offer to purchase a material asset, the Managing Part-
ner shall give notice of such offer (the "Notice") to all of the Partners by
registered mail. The Notice shall include (a) the price offered, (b) the name of
the prospective purchaser, (c) all material terms and conditions of the proposed
sale, and (d) an offer to sell such asset to any Partner at the same price and
on the same terms and conditions.

     Each Partner shall have 20 days following receipt of the Notice (the
"Response Period") to accept or reject the offer made pursuant to Section 16.5,
clause (d) hereof. The sale of such asset, whether to a Partner or the third
party shall take place within 40 days after the expiration of the Response
Period, and shall be on the terms and conditions set forth in the

                                       45
<PAGE>   46

Notice. Failure to close within such 40-day period for any reason shall give
rise to an opportunity for any Partner who previously approved the sale pursuant
to Section 9.9 to reconsider such approval.

     16.6 NOTICES. Unless otherwise specifically provided in this Agreement, all
notices and other communications required or permitted to be given hereunder
shall be in writing and shall be (i) delivered by hand, (ii) delivered by a
nationally recognized commercial overnight delivery service, (iii) mailed
postage pre-paid by certified mail in any such case directed or addressed to the
respective addresses set forth in Section 2.8 hereof (iv) transmitted by
facsimile, with receipt confirmed. Such notices shall be effective: (a) in the
case of hand deliveries, when received; (b) in the case of an overnight delivery
service, on the next business day after being placed in the possession of such
delivery service, with delivery charges pre-paid; (c) in the case of certified
mail, upon receipt of the written signature card indicating acceptance by
addressee; and (d) in the case of facsimile notices, the Business Day following
the date on which electronic indication of receipt is received. Any party may
change its address and facsimile number by written notice to the other parties
given in accordance with this Section 16.6.

     16.7 ENTIRE AGREEMENT, ETC. This Agreement and those agreements listed on
Exhibit B hereto shall constitute the entire agreement between the parties
hereto relating to the operations of the Partnership and shall supersede all
prior contracts, agreements and understandings between them relating to such
operations. Except as provided in Section 10.2(ii), no course of prior dealings
between the parties shall be relevant to supplement or explain any term used in
the Agreement. Acceptance or acquiescence in a course of performance rendered
under this Agreement shall not be relevant to determine the meaning of this
Agreement even though the accepting or the acquiescing party has knowledge of
the nature of the performance and an opportunity for objection. No provisions of
this Agreement may be waived, amended or modified orally, but only by an
instrument in writing executed by a duly authorized officer of the party against
whom enforce-

                                       46

<PAGE>   47

ment of any waiver or consent or by whom discharge is sought. No waiver of any
terms or conditions of this Agreement in one instance shall operate as a waiver
of any other term or condition or as a waiver in any other instance.

     16.8 CONSTRUCTION PRINCIPLES. As used in this Agreement words in any gender
shall be deemed to include all other genders. The singular shall be deemed to
include the plural and vice versa. The captions and article and section headings
in this Agreement are inserted for convenience of reference only and are not
intended to have significance for the interpretation of or construction of the
provisions of this Agreement.

     16.9 COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in two or more
counterparts by the parties hereto, each of which when so executed will be an
original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument.

     16.10 SEVERABILITY. If any provision of this Agreement is held to be
invalid or unenforceable for any reason, such provision shall be ineffective to
the extent of such invalidity or unenforceability; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the
remaining provisions will continue in full force without being impaired or
invalidated in any way unless such invalid or unenforceable provision or clause
shall be so significant as to materially affect the parties' expectations
regarding this Agreement. Otherwise, the parties hereto agree to replace any
invalid or unenforceable provision with a valid provision which most closely
approximates the intent and economic effect of the invalid or unenforceable
provision.

     16.11 ARBITRATION; GOVERNING LAW. Any dispute or controversy as may arise
out of or relating to this Agreement, including any question regarding its
existence, validity or construction shall be submitted to arbitration under the
Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"),
except that any such dispute or controversy shall be submitted to three
arbitrators, one of whom shall be chosen by each party from the AAA panel of
arbitrators and the

                                       47
<PAGE>   48

third by the two arbitrators previously chosen. Such arbitration shall take
place in New York City. The parties agree to observe faithfully this Agreement
and such rules, and to abide by and perform any award rendered by the
arbitrator, and that a judgment of any court having jurisdiction may be entered
on the award. In any such arbitration, this Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware without giving
effect to any conflicts of law rule.

     16.12 BINDING EFFECT. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement relating
to transferability, this Agreement shall be binding upon, and inure to the
benefit of, the Partners and their respective successors and permitted assigns.

     16.13 ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS AND ACTS. Each Partner agrees to
execute and deliver such additional documents and instruments and to perform
such additional acts as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, carry out
and perform all of the terms, provisions, and conditions of this Agreement and
of the transactions contemplated hereby.

     16.14 NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARY. This Agreement is made solely for the
benefit of the parties hereto and their successors and permitted assigns and
no other person shall have any rights, interest, or claims hereunder or
otherwise be entitled to any benefits under or on account of this Agreement as a
third party beneficiary or otherwise.

     16.15 PARTNERSHIP. DII and WISI intend to carry on a partnership under the
laws of the Republic of Ireland; and the Partnership will be treated as a
partnership for United States federal, state and local income tax purposes. TWC
is not and shall not be regarded as a partner in the Partnership.

                                       48
<PAGE>   49

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each of the parties hereto has duly executed this
Agreement as of the date first written above.


DISCLOSURE INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED (Partner)


By: /s/ Joseph E. Kasputys
   -------------------------------
Name:   Joseph E. Kasputys
Title:  Chairman


WRIGHT INVESTORS' SERVICE
INTERNATIONAL LIMITED (Partner)


By  /s/ Peter M. Donovan
   -------------------------------
Name:   Peter M. Donovan
Title:  Managing Director


THE WINTHROP CORPORATION


By: /s/ Peter M. Donovan
   -------------------------------
Name:   Peter M. Donovan
Title   President


                                       49

<PAGE>   50




                                   Schedule A
                                   ----------

                                Partner Interests


Percentage Interests:
- - --------------------

DII -  80% Percentage Interest
WISI - 20% Percentage Interest



<PAGE>   51



                                   Schedule B
                                   ----------

                              Partnership Committee


DII:  Steven Schneider
      William O'Connor


WISI: Peter Donovan
      Eugene Helm





<PAGE>   52
                                                                     Exhibit 2.5

             IRISH PARTNERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT


     This Irish Partnership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement (this
"Agreement") is dated as of October 15, 1996, by and between Disclosure
International Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser") and The
Winthrop Corporation, a Connecticut corporation ("Seller").

                                    RECITALS

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the partnership agreement (the "Partnership
Agreement"), dated November 16, 1990 by and between Purchaser and Wright
Investors' Service International Limited, a limited liability company
incorporated in Ireland ("WISI"), as amended by an agreement dated as of June
22, 1995 executed by Primark Corporation, a Michigan corporation, and Seller on
behalf of themselves and their respective affiliates, WISI and Purchaser are
partners in Worldscope/Disclosure International Partners, a partnership subject
to the Partnership Act, 1890 of Ireland ("WDI"), each owning a 50% partnership
interest in WDI; and

     WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to acquire from Seller, and Seller has agreed to
sell to Purchaser, 100% of Seller's partnership interest in WDI (the
"Interest"), upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth (the
"Purchase"), resulting in Purchaser holding an 80% partnership interest in WDI
and WISI holding a 20% partnership interest in WDI; and

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

          1. Seller represents and warrants that (a) Seller is duly authorized
to execute, perform and deliver this Agreement and this Agreement is a valid and
binding agreement of Seller enforceable in accordance with its terms, and
neither the execution of this Agreement nor the completion by Seller of the
transactions contemplated hereby will constitute a breach of, or conflict with,
or default under, its memorandum of association and articles of association or
any contract, commitment, agreement, understanding, arrangement or restriction
of any kind to which Seller is a party or by which Seller is bound except as
rights hereunder may be limited by insolvency,


<PAGE>   53

reorganization or other similar laws affecting the rights of creditors
generally; (b) Seller owns the Interest, free and clear of any claims, liens,
charges, encumbrances and security interest, and, at the Closing (as hereinafter
defined), Purchaser shall acquire title to the Interest, free and clear of any
claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and security interests; (c) Seller has full
power and authority to sell the Interest to Purchaser; (d) Seller has filed when
due all tax returns, if any, that are required to be filed by Seller, including
any that Seller is required to file for Irish tax purposes, and each such
return, if any, was prepared in the manner required by applicable laws and was
true, correct and complete in all material respects; and (e) Seller has timely
paid all taxes, if any, imposed on or incurred by Seller. Seller, upon request,
shall promptly execute and deliver any additional documents reasonably deemed by
Purchaser to be necessary, appropriate or desirable to complete and evidence the
sale, assignment and transfer of the Interest pursuant to this Agreement.

          2. Purchaser represents and warrants that (a) Purchaser is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and this Agreement is a valid
and binding agreement of Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except as rights hereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, reorganization or other
similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally; and (b) Purchaser is
acquiring the Interest for its own account and not with a view to any resale or
distribution thereof. Purchaser, upon request, shall promptly execute and
deliver any additional documents reasonably deemed by Seller to be necessary,
appropriate or desirable to complete and evidence the sale, assignment and
transfer of the Interest pursuant to this Agreement.

          3. Each of Purchaser and Seller represents that the assets and
liabilities of the Partnership are as set forth on Exhibit A hereto, which
Exhibit A will be adjusted to reflect changes in such assets and liabilities
between September 30, 1996 and the date hereof.

          4. At the Closing provided for in Section 6 of this Agreement (the
"Closing"), Seller shall sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver the Interest
to Purchaser and Purchaser shall purchase from Seller the
Interest.

                                       2
<PAGE>   54

          5. In consideration of the foregoing sale, conveyance, transfer,
assignment and delivery of the Interest, Purchaser shall pay on the Closing Date
by wire transfer to the bank account specified by Seller, in immediately
available funds in United States dollars, the amount of Two Million Dollars
($2,000,000).

          6. The Closing shall take place at the office of the Purchaser on the
date hereof, or at such other time or at such other place as the parties may
mutually agree (the "Closing Date").

          7. Seller shall pay all transfer taxes and recording charges
(including without limitation, sales, use, stamp, documentary, recording, and
similar taxes, filing fees and similar charges) in connection with the purchase
and sale of the Interest contemplated herein. The party which has primary
responsibility under applicable law for the payment of any such transfer tax or
recording charge shall prepare and file the relevant tax return or form and
notify the other party in writing of the amount of the tax or charge shown on
such tax return or form. If such tax or charge is paid by Purchaser, Seller
shall reimburse Purchaser in immediately available funds within ten (10) days of
receipt of such notice.

          8. The parties hereby agree to cooperate in taking all actions
necessary to cause the Partnership to make the election allowable under Section
754 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

          9. On the Closing Date, and contemporaneously with the purchase and
sale of the Interest, (a) Seller and Purchaser will execute the Put and Call
Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B and (b)
Purchaser will execute the Amended and Restated Partnership Agreement for WDI,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit C.

          10. Seller and Purchaser acknowledge that Purchaser shall file any and
all necessary returns and filings with applicable tax authorities as may be
required in connection with the transaction contemplated herein, except for
those returns and filings which must be filed by Seller in accordance with law
which such returns and filings Seller shall file. All such returns

                                       3
<PAGE>   55

and filings required to be made by either party are subject to review and
approval by the other party hereto prior to their being filed with such tax
authorities.

          11. All representations, warranties and agreements made by Seller and
Purchaser in this Agreement shall survive the Closing hereunder and any
investigation at any time made by or on behalf of any party hereto.

          12. This Agreement shall be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and
be enforceable by (a) the Seller and its successors and assigns and (b) the Pur-
chaser and its successors and assigns.

          13. All notices and other communications required or permitted to be
given hereunder shall be in writing and shall be (a) delivered by hand, (b)
delivered by a nationally recognized commercial overnight delivery service, (c)
mailed postage prepaid by certified mail in any such case directed or addressed
to the respective addresses set forth below, or (d) transmitted by facsimile,
with receipt confirmed. Such notices shall be effective: (a) in the case of hand
deliveries, when received; (b) in the case of an overnight delivery service, on
the next business day after being placed in the possession of such delivery
service, with delivery charges prepaid; (c) in the case of certified mail, the
date indicated on the written signature card indicating acceptance by addressee;
and (d) in the case of facsimile notices, the first Business Day following the
date on which electronic indication of receipt is received. Notices to each
party shall be sent to the address set forth below for each party, or to such
other place as such party may designate by written notice to the other party.

         If to Purchaser:                   Disclosure International
                                              Incorporated
                                            5161 River Road
                                            Bethesda, Maryland  20816
                                            Attn:  Steven Schneider, President

         If to Seller:                      The Winthrop Corporation
                                            1000 Lafayette Boulevard
                                            Bridgeport, Connecticut  06604
                                            Attn:  Peter M. Donovan, President

          14. This Agreement will be governed by and

                                       4
<PAGE>   56

construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard
to its conflicts of law rules.

          15. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which will be deemed to be an original and all of which together will
constitute one and the same instrument.

          16. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 hereof, and whether or
not this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, all
costs and expenses (including legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection
with this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by
the party incurring such expenses.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the duly authorized officers of Purchaser and Seller as of the date
first written above.


                                    DISCLOSURE INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED


                                    By  /s/ Joseph E. Kasputys
                                       -------------------------
                                       Name:  Joseph E. Kasputys
                                       Title: Chairman



                                    THE WINTHROP CORPORATION


                                    By  /s/ Peter M. Donovan
                                       -----------------------
                                       Name:  Peter M. Donovan
                                       Title: President


                                        5

<PAGE>   57
                                                                     Exhibit 2.5

                PARTNERSHIP INTEREST PURCHASE AND SALE AGREEMENT

     This Partnership Interest Purchase and Sale Agreement (this "Agreement") is
dated as of October 15, 1996, by and between Disclosure International
Incorporated, a Delaware corporation ("Purchaser") and The Winthrop Corporation,
a Connecticut corporation ("Seller").

                                    RECITALS

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the partnership agreement, dated as of November 16,
1990 by and among Purchaser, Seller and Disclosure Incorporated, a Delaware
corporation and an affiliate of Purchaser, as amended by an agreement dated as
of June 22, 1995 executed by Primark Corporation, a Michigan corporation, and
Seller on behalf of themselves and their respective affiliates, (the
"Partnership Agreement"), Seller and Purchaser are general partners in
Worldscope/Disclosure Partners, a Connecticut general partnership (the
"Partnership"), each owning a 50% general partnership interest in the
Partnership; and

     WHEREAS, Purchaser desires to acquire from Seller, and Seller has agreed to
sell to Purchaser, 60% of the Seller's general partnership interest in the
Partnership (the "Interest"), upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth:

     NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1. The Seller represents and warrants that (a) the Seller is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and this Agreement is a valid
and binding agreement of the Seller enforceable in accordance with its terms,
and neither the execution of this Agreement nor the consummation by the Seller
of the transactions contemplated hereby will constitute a violation of, or
conflict with, or default under, any contract, commitment, agreement,
understanding, arrangement or restriction of any kind to which the Seller is a
party or by which the Seller is bound except as rights hereunder may be limited
by bankruptcy, reorganization or other similar laws affecting the rights of
creditors generally; (b) the Seller owns the Interest, free and clear of any
claims, liens, charges, encumbrances and security interest, and, at the Closing
(as hereinafter defined), the Purchaser

<PAGE>   58

shall acquire title to the Interest, free and clear of any claims, liens,
charges, encumbrances and security interests; and (c) the Seller has full power
and authority to sell the Interest to the Purchaser. The Seller, upon request,
shall promptly execute and deliver any additional documents reasonably deemed by
the Purchaser to be necessary, appropriate or desirable to complete and evidence
the sale, assignment and transfer of the Interest pursuant to this Agreement.

     2. The Purchaser represents and warrants that (a) the Purchaser is duly
authorized to execute and deliver this Agreement and this Agreement is a valid
and binding agreement of the Purchaser enforceable in accordance with its terms,
except as rights hereunder may be limited by bankruptcy, reorganization or other
similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally; and (b) the Purchaser
is acquiring the Interest for its own account and not with a view to any resale
or distribution thereof. The Purchaser, upon request, shall promptly execute and
deliver any additional documents reasonably deemed by the Seller to be
necessary, appropriate or desirable to complete and evidence the sale,
assignment and transfer of the Interest pursuant to this Agreement.

     3. Each of the Purchaser and Seller represents that as of September 30,
1996 the assets and liabilities of the Partnership are as set forth on Exhibit A
hereto, which Exhibit A will be adjusted to reflect changes in such assets and
liabilities between September 30, 1996 and the date hereof.

     4. At the Closing provided for in Section 6 of this Agreement (the
"Closing"), the Seller shall sell, convey, transfer, assign and deliver the
Interest to the Purchaser and the Purchaser shall purchase from Seller the
Interest.

     5. In consideration of the foregoing sale, conveyance, transfer, assignment
and delivery of the Interest, Purchaser shall pay on the Closing Date by wire
transfer to the bank account specified by Seller, in immediately available funds
in United States dollars, the amount of Three Million Dollars ($3,000,000).

     6. The Closing shall take place at the office of the Purchaser on the date
hereof, or at such other

                                       2
<PAGE>   59

time or at such other place as the parties may mutually agree (the "Closing
Date").

     7. Purchaser and Seller shall bear equal responsibility for the payment of
all transfer taxes and recording charges (including without limitation, sales,
use, stamp, documentary, recording, and similar taxes, filing fees and similar
charges) in connection with the purchase and sale of the Interest contemplated
herein. The party which has primary responsibility under applicable law for the
payment of any such transfer tax or recording charge shall prepare and file the
relevant tax return or form and notify the other party in writing of the amount
of the tax or charge shown on such tax return or form. If such tax or charge is
paid by Purchaser, Seller shall reimburse Purchaser one-half of the amount of
such tax or charge in immediately available funds within ten (10) days of
receipt of such notice; if such tax or charge is paid by Seller, Purchaser shall
reimburse Seller one-half of the amount of such tax or charge in immediately
available funds within ten (10) days of receipt of such notice.

     8. The parties hereby agree to take all actions necessary to cause the
Partnership to make the election allowable under Section 754 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     9. On the Closing Date, and contemporaneously with the purchase and sale of
the Interest, (i) the Purchaser and Seller will execute or cause to be executed
(a) the Merger Agreement, substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit
B, (b) the Limited Liability Company Operating Agreement for
Worldscope/Disclosure L.L.C., substantially in the form attached hereto as
Exhibit C, and (c) the Put and Call Agreement, substantially in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit D, and (ii) will cause the Certificate of Merger,
substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit E, to be filed with the
Secretary of State of the State of Delaware.

     10. All representations, warranties and agreements made by the Seller and
the Purchaser in this Agreement shall survive the Closing hereunder and any
investigation at any time made by or on behalf of any party hereto.

                                       3
<PAGE>   60

     11. This Agreement will be binding upon, inure to the benefit of and be
enforceable by (i) the Seller and its successors and assigns, and (ii) the
Purchaser and its successors and assigns.

     12. All notices and other communications required or permitted to be given
hereunder shall be in writing and shall be (i) delivered by hand, (ii) delivered
by a nationally recognized commercial overnight delivery service, (iii) mailed
postage prepaid by certified mail in any such case directed or addressed to the
respective addresses set forth below, or (iv) transmitted by facsimile, with
receipt confirmed. Such notices shall be effective: (a) in the case of hand
deliveries, when received; (b) in the case of an overnight delivery service, on
the next business day after being placed in the possession of such delivery
service, with delivery charges prepaid; (c) in the case of certified mail, on
the date indicated on the written signature card indicating acceptance by
addressee; and (d) in the case of facsimile notices, the first Business Day
following the date on which electronic indication of receipt is received.
Notices to each party shall be sent to the address set forth below for each
party, or to such other place as such party may designate by written notice to
the other party.

         If to Purchaser:                   5161 River Road
                                            Bethesda, Maryland  20816
                                            Attn:  Steven Schneider, President

         If to Seller:                      1000 Lafayette Boulevard
                                            Bridgeport, Connecticut  06604
                                            Attn:  Peter M. Donovan, President


     13. This Agreement will be governed by and construed in accordance with the
laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to its conflicts of law rules.

     14. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which will be deemed to be an original and all of which together will constitute
one and the same instrument.

     15. Except as otherwise provided in paragraph 7 hereof, and whether or not
this Agreement and the

                                       4
<PAGE>   61

transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, all costs and expenses
(including legal fees and expenses) incurred in connection with this Agreement
and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the party incurring
such expenses.


                                        5

<PAGE>   62

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
the duly authorized officers of the Purchaser and by the Seller as of the date
first written above.


                                    DISCLOSURE INTERNATIONAL INCORPORATED

                                    By /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       Name: Joseph E. Kasputys
                                       Title: Chairman



                                    THE WINTHROP CORPORATION

                                    By /s/ PETER M. DONOVAN
                                       ---------------------------------
                                       Name: Peter M. Donovan
                                       Title: President



                                        6

<PAGE>   1

                                                                     Exhibit 2.6




                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                         dated as of November 27, 1996

                                 by and between

                              Primark Corporation,

                               Bowne & Co., Inc.,

                              Robert G. Patterson,

                      and Robert G. Patterson, as Trustee

                      of the Rob and Molly Patterson Trust

                              with respect to all

                          outstanding capital stock of

                       Baseline Financial Services, Inc.


<PAGE>   2
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                  This Table of Contents is not part of the Agreement to which
it is attached but is inserted for convenience only.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Page
                                                                                               No.
                                                                                               ----
                                                   ARTICLE I                                               

                                          SALE OF SHARES AND CLOSING

         <S>                                                                                   <C> 
         1.01  Purchase and Sale.............................................................   1
         1.02  Purchase Price................................................................   1
         1.03  Additional Payments...........................................................   1
         1.04  Closing.......................................................................   2
         1.05  The Merger....................................................................   2
         1.06  Further Assurances; Post-Closing Cooperation..................................   2

                                                  ARTICLE II

                                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS

         2.01  Organization of Bowne.........................................................   3
         2.02  Authority.....................................................................   3
         2.03  Organization of the Company...................................................   4
         2.04  Capital Stock.................................................................   4
         2.05  Subsidiaries..................................................................   4
         2.06  No Conflicts..................................................................   4
         2.07  Governmental Approvals and Filings............................................   5
         2.08  Books and Records.............................................................   5
         2.09  Financial Statements..........................................................   6
         2.10  Absence of Changes............................................................   6
         2.11  No Undisclosed Liabilities....................................................   8
         2.12  Taxes.........................................................................   8
         2.13  Legal Proceedings.............................................................  10
         2.14  Compliance With Laws and Orders...............................................  10
         2.15  Benefit Plans; ERISA..........................................................  11
         2.16  Real Property.................................................................  14
         2.17  Tangible Personal Property....................................................  14
         2.18  Intellectual Property.........................................................  14
         2.19  Computer Programs.............................................................  15
         2.20  Contracts.....................................................................  16
         2.21  Licenses......................................................................  18
         2.22  Insurance.....................................................................  18
         2.23  Affiliate Transactions........................................................  18
         2.24  Employees; Labor Relations....................................................  19
         2.25  Environmental Matters.........................................................  19
         2.26  Substantial Customers and Suppliers...........................................  20
         2.27  Brokers.......................................................................  20
         2.28  Schedules.....................................................................  20
         2.29  No Implied Representation.....................................................  20
</TABLE>


                                      - i -
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Page
                                                                                                  No.
                                                                                                 ----
                                                ARTICLE III

                                  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

<S>                                                                                               <C> 
         3.01  Organization....................................................................   21
         3.02  Authority.......................................................................   21
         3.03  No Conflicts....................................................................   21
         3.04  Governmental Approvals and Filings..............................................   22
         3.05  Legal Proceedings...............................................................   22
         3.06  Purchase for Investment.........................................................   22
         3.07  Brokers.........................................................................   22
                                                                                                    
                                                 ARTICLE IV                                                       
                                                                                                    
                                            COVENANTS OF SELLERS                                                  
                                                                                                    
         4.01  Regulatory and Other Approvals..................................................   23
         4.02  HSR Filings.....................................................................   23
         4.03  Investigation by Purchaser......................................................   23
         4.04  No Solicitations................................................................   24
         4.05  Conduct of Business.............................................................   24
         4.06  Financial Statements and Reports; Filings.......................................   25
         4.07  Employee Matters................................................................   25
         4.08  Certain Restrictions............................................................   26
         4.09  Affiliate Transactions..........................................................   27
         4.10  Books and Records...............................................................   27
         4.11  Noncompetition..................................................................   28
         4.12  Appeal Assets...................................................................   29
         4.13  Fulfillment of Conditions.......................................................   29
                                                                                                  
                                                 ARTICLE V

                                           COVENANTS OF PURCHASER

         5.01  Regulatory and Other Approvals..................................................   29
         5.02  HSR Filings.....................................................................   30
         5.03  Fulfillment of Conditions.......................................................   30

                                                ARTICLE VI

                                    CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER

         6.01  Representations and Warranties...................................................  30
         6.02  Performance......................................................................  31
         6.03  Officers' Certificates...........................................................  31
         6.04  Orders and Laws..................................................................  31
         6.05  Regulatory Consents and Approvals................................................  31
         6.06  Third Party Consents.............................................................  31
         6.07  Opinion of Counsel...............................................................  32
</TABLE>


                                     - ii -
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Page
                                                                                                  No.
                                                                                                 ----

<S>                                                                                               <C> 
         6.08  Resignations of Directors and Officers...........................................  32
         6.09  Employment Agreements............................................................  32



                                                   ARTICLE VII

                                      CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLERS

         7.01  Representations and Warranties...................................................  32
         7.02  Performance......................................................................  33
         7.03  Officers' Certificates...........................................................  33
         7.04  Orders and Laws..................................................................  33
         7.05  Regulatory Consents and Approvals................................................  33
         7.06  Third Party Consents.............................................................  33
         7.07  Opinion of Counsel...............................................................  33

                                                   ARTICLE VIII

                                        TAX MATTERS AND POST-CLOSING TAXES

         9.01  General..........................................................................  39
         9.02  Growth Participation Plan........................................................  39
         9.03  Bowne Pension Plan...............................................................  39
         9.04  Bowne Profit Sharing Plan........................................................  40
         9.05  Employee Bonuses.................................................................  40


                                                     ARTICLE X

                                      SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES,
                                                COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS
 
         10.01  Survival of Representations, Warranties,
                  Covenants and Agreements......................................................  40

                                                    ARTICLE XI

                                                 INDEMNIFICATION

         11.01  Indemnification.................................................................  41
         11.02  Method of Asserting Claims......................................................  42
</TABLE>



                                     - iii -
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Page
                                                                                                  No.
                                                                                                 ----
                                                ARTICLE XII

                                                TERMINATION

<S>                                                                                               <C>  
         12.01  Termination.....................................................................  46
         12.02  Effect of Termination...........................................................  46

                                               ARTICLE XIII

                                                DEFINITIONS

         13.01  Definitions.....................................................................  46

                                               ARTICLE XIV

                                              MISCELLANEOUS

         14.01  Notices.........................................................................  55
         14.02  Entire Agreement................................................................  56
         14.03  Expenses........................................................................  56
         14.04  Public Announcements............................................................  56
         14.05  Confidentiality.................................................................  57
         14.06  Waiver..........................................................................  57
         14.07  Amendment.......................................................................  58
         14.08  No Third Party Beneficiary......................................................  58
         14.09  No Assignment; Binding Effect...................................................  58
         14.10  Headings........................................................................  58
         14.11  Invalid Provisions..............................................................  58
         14.12  Governing Law...................................................................  59
         14.13  Counterparts....................................................................  59
</TABLE>


                                     - iv -
<PAGE>   6
                                    EXHIBITS

                EXHIBIT A    Officer's Certificate of Bowne
                EXHIBIT B    Secretary's Certificate of Bowne
                EXHIBIT C    Opinions of Counsel to Sellers
                EXHIBIT D    Form of Employment Agreement
                EXHIBIT E    Officer's Certificate of Purchaser
                EXHIBIT F    Secretary's Certificate of Purchaser
                EXHIBIT G    Opinion of Counsel to Purchaser


                                      - v -
<PAGE>   7
                  This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT dated as of November 27, 1996 is
made and entered into by and among Primark Corporation, a Michigan corporation
("Purchaser"), Bowne & Co., Inc., a New York corporation ("Bowne") and Robert G.
Patterson ("Patterson") and Robert G. Patterson, as Trustee of the Rob and Molly
Patterson Trust ("Trust" and, together with Bowne and Patterson, the "Sellers").
Capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings set forth in
Section 13.01.

                  WHEREAS, Bowne owns Nine Hundred (900) shares of common stock,
par value $0.01 per share, of Baseline Financial Services, Inc., a New York
corporation (the "Company"), and Patterson owns 50 shares of common stock, par
value $0.01 per share, of the Company and Trust owns 50 shares of common stock,
par value $0.01 per share, of the Company, which shares together constitute all
issued and outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (such shares being
referred to herein as the "Shares"); and

                  WHEREAS, Sellers desire to sell, and Purchaser desires to
purchase, the Shares on the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in
this Agreement;

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
agreements set forth in this Agreement, and for other good and valuable
consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the
parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                           SALE OF SHARES AND CLOSING

                  1.01 Purchase and Sale. Sellers agree to sell to Purchaser,
and Purchaser agrees to purchase from Sellers, all of the right, title and
interest of Sellers in and to the Shares at the Closing on the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

                  1.02 Purchase Price. The aggregate purchase price for the
Shares and for the covenant of Sellers contained in Section 4.11 is $40,000,000
(the "Purchase Price") (allocable to Sellers as follows: $36 million to Bowne,
$2 million to Patterson and $2 million to the Trust), payable in immediately
available funds at the Closing in the manner provided in Section 1.04.

                  1.03 Additional Payments. At the Closing, Purchaser shall pay
the following amounts to Bowne: (i) an aggregate of $541,000 in respect of the
vesting of the interests in the Bowne Profit Sharing Plan of each employee of
the Company participating in such plan who is not vested as of the Closing Date,
and (ii) $192,000 in respect of the vesting of the interests in the Bowne
<PAGE>   8
Pension Plan of each employee of the Company participating in such plan who is
not vested as of the Closing Date. In addition, Purchaser hereby agrees to pay
and discharge when due the following amounts: (x) up to $284,000 in the
aggregate, to the employees entitled thereto under the Baseline Growth
Participation Plan, (y) up to $230,000, in the aggregate, to Bowne in payment of
the Company's contribution to the Bowne Pension Plan for fiscal year 1996 in
respect of the employees of the Company with vested interests in such plan as of
October 31, 1996, and (z) up to $250,000 in the aggregate, to the employees
entitled thereto in payment of bonuses in respect of the fiscal year ended
October 31, 1996.

                  1.04 Closing. The Closing will take place at the offices of
Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, N.Y.
10005-1413, or at such other place as Purchaser and Sellers mutually agree, at
10:00 A.M. local time, on the Closing Date. At the Closing, Purchaser will pay
the Purchase Price by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such
accounts as each Seller may reasonably direct by written notice delivered to
Purchaser by Seller at least two (2) Business Days before the Closing Date.
Simultaneously, Sellers will assign and transfer to Purchaser all of their
right, title and interest in and to the Shares by delivering to Purchaser
certificates representing the Shares, in genuine and unaltered form, duly
endorsed in blank or accompanied by duly executed stock powers endorsed in
blank, with requisite stock transfer tax stamps, if any, attached. At the
Closing, there shall also be delivered to Sellers and Purchaser the opinions,
certificates and other Contracts, documents and instruments to be delivered
under Articles VI and VII.

                  1.05 The Merger. As soon as practicable following the Closing
Date, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Purchaser will be merged with and into the
Company with the Company as the surviving corporation.

                  1.06 Further Assurances; Post-Closing Cooperation. (a) At any
time or from time to time after the Closing, Sellers shall execute and deliver
to Purchaser such other documents and instruments, provide such materials and
information and take such other actions as Purchaser may reasonably request more
effectively to vest title to the Shares in Purchaser and, to the full extent
permitted by Law, to put Purchaser in actual possession and operating control of
the Company and its Assets and Properties and Books and Records, and otherwise
to cause Sellers to fulfill their obligations under this Agreement and the
Operative Agreements to which either of them is a party.

                  (b) Following the Closing, each party will afford the other
party, its counsel and its accountants, during normal business hours, reasonable
access to the books, records and other



                                      - 2 -
<PAGE>   9
data relating to the Business or Condition of the Company in its possession with
respect to periods prior to the Closing and the right to make copies and
extracts therefrom, to the extent that such access may be reasonably required by
the requesting party in connection with (i) the preparation of Tax Returns, (ii)
the determination or enforcement of rights and obligations under this Agreement,
(iii) compliance with the requirements of any Governmental or Regulatory
Authority, (iv) the determination or enforcement of the rights and obligations
of any party to this Agreement or any of the Operative Agreements or (v) in
connection with any actual or threatened Action or Proceeding. Further, each
party agrees for a period extending six (6) years after the Closing Date not to
destroy or otherwise dispose of any such books, records and other data unless
such party shall first offer in writing to surrender such books, records and
other data to the other party and such other party shall not agree in writing to
take possession thereof during the ten (10) day period after such offer is made.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Section , if the parties are in an adversarial relationship in litigation or
arbitration, the furnishing of information, documents or records in accordance
with any provision of this Section shall be subject to applicable rules relating
to discovery.

                                   ARTICLE II

                    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS

                  Sellers hereby represent and warrant to Purchaser as follows:

                  2.01 Organization of Bowne. Bowne is a corporation duly
organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of
New York.

                  2.02 Authority. Each Seller has full power and authority
(corporate and otherwise) to execute and deliver this Agreement and the
Operative Agreements to which it is a party and to perform its obligations
hereunder and thereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby
and thereby. The execution and delivery by Bowne of this Agreement and the
Operative Agreements to which it is a party, and the performance by Bowne of its
obligations hereunder and thereunder, have been duly and validly authorized by
the Board of Directors of Bowne, no other corporate action on the part of Bowne
or its stockholders being necessary. This Agreement has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by each Seller and constitutes, and upon the execution
and delivery by each Seller of the Operative Agreements to which it is a party,
such Operative



                                      - 3 -
<PAGE>   10
Agreements will constitute, (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery
by Purchaser and the other parties to any Operative Agreements) legal, valid and
binding obligations of each Seller enforceable against each Seller in accordance
with their terms, except to the extent limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights generally and by general equity principles, regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

                  2.03 Organization of the Company. The Company is a corporation
duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the
State of New York, and has full corporate power and authority to conduct its
business as and to the extent now conducted and to own, use and lease its Assets
and Properties. The Company is duly qualified, licensed or admitted to do
business and is in good standing in those jurisdictions specified in Section
2.03 of the Disclosure Schedule, which are the only jurisdictions in which the
ownership, use or leasing of its Assets and Properties, or the conduct or nature
of its business, makes such qualification, licensing or admission necessary,
except for those jurisdictions in which the adverse effects of all such failures
by the Company to be qualified, licensed or admitted and in good standing would
not have a material adverse effect on the Business and Condition of the Company.
Sellers have prior to the execution of this Agreement delivered to Purchaser
true and complete copies of the certificate of incorporation and by-laws of the
Company as in effect on the date hereof.

                  2.04 Capital Stock. The authorized capital stock of the
Company consists solely of One Thousand (1,000) shares of Common Stock, of which
only the Shares have been issued. The Shares are duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Each Seller owns the Shares listed
opposite its name in Section 2.04 of the Disclosure Schedule beneficially and of
record, free and clear of all Liens (other than Liens arising out of, under or
in connection with this Agreement). Except for this Agreement and as disclosed
in Section 2.04 of the Disclosure Schedule, there are no outstanding Options
with respect to the Company. The delivery of a certificate or certificates at
the Closing representing the Shares in the manner provided in Section 1.03 will
transfer to Purchaser good and valid title to the Shares, free and clear of all
Liens, except for any Liens created by or on behalf of Purchaser or any of its
Affiliates.

                  2.05  Subsidiaries.  The Company does not have any
subsidiaries, nor does the Company own any equity securities of
any other Person.

                  2.06  No Conflicts.  The execution and delivery by each
Seller of this Agreement do not, and the execution and delivery



                                      - 4 -
<PAGE>   11
by each Seller of the Operative Agreements to which it is a party, the
performance by each Seller of its obligations under this Agreement and such
Operative Agreements and the consummation of the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby will not:

                  (a) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any of
the terms, conditions or provisions of the certificate or articles of
incorporation or by-laws (or other comparable corporate charter documents) of
Bowne or the Company;

                  (b) subject to obtaining the consents, approvals and actions,
making the filings and giving the notices disclosed in Section 2.07 of the
Disclosure Schedule, conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any
term or provision of any Law or Order applicable to Sellers or the Company or
any of their respective Assets and Properties; or

                  (c) except as disclosed in Section 2.06 of the Disclosure
Schedule, (i) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of, (ii)
constitute (with or without notice or lapse of time or both) a default under,
(iii) require Sellers or the Company to obtain any consent, approval or action
of, make any filing with or any payment to, or give any notice to any Person as
a result or under the terms of, (iv) result in or give to any Person any right
of termination, cancellation, acceleration or modification in or with respect
to, or (v) result in the creation or imposition of any Lien upon the Company or
any of its respective Assets and Properties under, any Contract required to be
listed on Section 2.20 of the Disclosure Schedule or any License required to be
listed on Section 2.21 of the Disclosure Statement.

                  2.07 Governmental Approvals and Filings. Except as disclosed
in Section 2.07 of the Disclosure Schedule, no consent, approval or action of,
filing with or notice to any Governmental or Regulatory Authority on the part of
Sellers or the Company is required in connection with the execution, delivery
and performance of this Agreement or any of the Operative Agreements to which it
is a party or the consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby or
thereby.

                  2.08 Books and Records. The minute books of the Company as
made available to Purchaser prior to the execution of this Agreement contain a
true and complete record, in all material respects, of all action taken at all
meetings and by all written consents in lieu of meetings of the stockholders,
the boards of directors and committees of the boards of directors of the
Company. The stock transfer ledgers of the Company as made available to
Purchaser prior to the execution of this Agreement accurately reflect all record
transfers prior to the execution of this Agreement in the capital stock of the
Company. Except as set forth in Section 2.08 of the Disclosure Schedule, the
Company



                                      - 5 -
<PAGE>   12
does not have any of its Books and Records recorded, stored, maintained,
operated or otherwise wholly or partly dependent upon or held by any means
(including any electronic, mechanical or photographic process, whether
computerized or not) which (including all means of access thereto and therefrom)
are not under the exclusive ownership and direct control of the Company.

                  2.09 Financial Statements. Prior to the execution of this
Agreement, Sellers have delivered to Purchaser true and complete copies of the
unaudited balance sheets of the Company as of October 31, 1994, 1995 and 1996,
and the related unaudited statements of operations, stockholders' equity and
cash flows for each of the fiscal years then ended. Except as disclosed in
Section 2.09 of the Disclosure Schedule, all such financial statements (i) were
prepared in accordance with GAAP (except that such financial statements do not
include notes), (ii) fairly present the financial condition and results of
operations of the Company as of the respective dates thereof and for the
respective periods covered thereby, and (iii) were compiled from the Books and
Records of the Company regularly maintained by management and used to prepare
the financial statements of the Company in accordance with the principles stated
therein.

                  2.10 Absence of Changes. Except for the execution and delivery
of this Agreement and the transactions to take place pursuant hereto on or prior
to the Closing Date, since the Year End Financial Statement Date (i) there has
not been any material adverse change in the Business or Condition of the Company
and (ii) the business and activities of the Company have been conducted in all
material respects only in the ordinary course. Without limiting the foregoing,
except as disclosed in Section 2.10 of the Disclosure Schedule, there has not
occurred between the Year End Financial Statement Date and the date hereof:

                  (i) any declaration, setting aside or payment of any dividend
         or other distribution in respect of the capital stock of the Company,
         or any direct or indirect redemption, purchase or other acquisition by
         the Company of any such capital stock of or any Option with respect to
         the Company;

             (ii) any authorization, issuance, sale or other disposition by the
         Company of any shares of capital stock of or Option with respect to the
         Company, or any modification or amendment of any right of any holder of
         any outstanding shares of capital stock of or Option with respect to
         the Company;

            (iii) any increase in the salary, wages or other compensation of any
         officer, employee or consultant of the Company, except for increases in
         the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practice or as
         a result of



                                      - 6 -
<PAGE>   13
         or as required by any employment or other agreement, any
         policy or any bonus, pension, profit sharing or other plan
         or commitment;

             (iv) (A) incurrences by the Company of Indebtedness in an aggregate
         principal amount exceeding $25,000 (net of any amounts discharged
         during such period), or (B) any voluntary purchase, cancellation,
         prepayment or complete or partial discharge in advance of a scheduled
         payment date with respect to, or waiver of any right of the Company
         under, any Indebtedness of or owing to the Company;

             (v) any physical damage, destruction or other casualty loss
         affecting any of the plant, real or personal property or equipment of
         the Company that would, after taking into account any insurance
         recoveries payable in respect thereof, have a material adverse effect
         on the Business or Condition of the Company;

             (vi) any material change in (x) any investment, accounting,
         financial reporting, inventory, credit, allowance or Tax practice or
         policy of the Company, or (y) any method of calculating any bad debt,
         contingency or other reserve of the Company for accounting, financial
         reporting or Tax purposes, or any change in the fiscal year of the
         Company;

             (vii) any write-off or write-down of or any determination to write
         off or write down any of the Assets and Properties of the Company in an
         aggregate amount exceeding $10,000;

             (viii) any acquisition or disposition of, or incurrence of a Lien
         (other than a Permitted Lien) on, any Assets and Properties of the
         Company, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent with
         past practice;

             (ix) any (x) amendment of the certificate or articles of
         incorporation or by-laws of the Company, (y) recapitalization,
         reorganization, liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (z) merger
         or other business combination involving the Company and any other
         Person;

             (x) capital expenditures or commitments for additions to property,
         plant or equipment of the Company and the constituting capital assets
         in an aggregate amount exceeding $100,000;

             (xi) any transaction by the Company with a Seller, any officer,
         director or Affiliate (other than the Company) of either Seller (A)
         outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice
         or (B) other than on an arm's-



                                      - 7 -
<PAGE>   14
         length basis, other than pursuant to any Contract in effect on the Year
         End Financial Statement Date and disclosed pursuant to Section
         2.20(a)(vii) of the Disclosure Schedule; or

           (xii)  any entering into of a Contract to do or engage in
         any of the foregoing after the date hereof.

                  2.11 No Undisclosed Liabilities. Except as reflected or
reserved against in the balance sheet included in the Year End Financial
Statements or in the notes thereto or as disclosed in Section 2.11 of the
Disclosure Schedule or any other Section of the Disclosure Schedule, there are
no Liabilities against, relating to or affecting the Company or any of its
Assets and Properties, other than Liabilities (i) incurred in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice or (ii) which, individually or
in the aggregate, are not material to the Business or Condition of the Company.

                  2.12 Taxes. (a) The Company has filed all Tax Returns (or the
Tax Returns have been filed on behalf of the Company) required to be filed under
applicable law as of the date hereof. All these Tax Returns were true, complete
and correct in all material respects and filed on a timely basis. The Company
has paid all Taxes that are due on such returns, or claimed or asserted by any
taxing authority to be due, from the Company and each Subsidiary for the periods
covered by the Tax Returns.

                  (b) Except as disclosed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule, there are no tax liens upon the assets of the Company except Liens for
Taxes not yet due.

                  (c) Except as disclosed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule, the Company has not requested (and no request has been made on the
Company's behalf) any extension of time within which to file any Tax Return that
does not close under operation of law prior to or on the Closing Date.

                  (d) Except as disclosed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule, for all Tax Periods that do not close by operation of law prior to or
on the Closing Date (i) the Company has not entered into any agreements with any
taxing authority extending the statute of limitations for the assessment of
Taxes; (ii) there are no ongoing audits or administrative proceedings with
respect to any Taxes of the Company; and (iii) no deficiency for any Taxes has
been proposed, asserted or assessed against the Company that has not been
resolved and paid in full.

                  (e) Except as disclosed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule, with respect to all Tax Periods that do not close by operation of law
prior to or on the Closing Date, there are no audits or other administrative
proceedings or court


                                      - 8 -
<PAGE>   15
proceedings presently pending with regard to any Taxes or Tax Returns of the
Company.

                  (f) Except as disclosed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule, with respect to all Tax Periods that do not close by operation of law
prior to or on the Closing Date, the Company has not received any written ruling
of a taxing authority relating to Taxes or entered into any written and legally
binding agreement with any taxing authority relating to Taxes.

                  (g) Except as disclosed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule, the Company has made available to Purchaser complete copies of all Tax
Returns and associated work papers related to separate company returns filed by
or on behalf of the Company for all taxable years ending on or prior to the date
of this Agreement.

                  (h) The Company is not a party or subject to, or bound by, any
agreements relating to the allocation or sharing of Taxes that will be effective
after the Closing Date.

                  (i) Except as disclosed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule, the Company is not a party to any agreement, contract, or arrangement
that would result, separately or in the aggregate, in the payment of any "excess
parachute payments" within the meaning of Code Section 280G.

                  (j) No indebtedness of the Company is "corporate acquisition
indebtedness" within the meaning of Code Section 279(b).

                  (k) Except as disclosed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule, the Company has not engaged in any transaction with Sellers or any
affiliate of Sellers which would result in the recognition of income by Company
with respect to such transaction for any period ending after the Closing Date.

                  (l) The Company has complied (and until the Closing Date will
comply) with all applicable laws, rules and regulations relating to the payment
and withholding of Taxes (including, without limitations, withholding of Taxes
pursuant to Code Sections 1441 and 1442 or similar provisions under any
foreign laws) in all material respects and has, within the time and in the
manner prescribed by law, withheld from employee wages and paid over to the
proper governmental authorities all amounts required to be so withheld and paid
over under all applicable laws.

                  (m) Bowne is the common parent corporation of an "affiliated
group" (within the meaning of Code Section 1504(a)), and has filed a
consolidated return for Federal income tax purposes on behalf of itself and the
Company for all tax periods in which the Company was an "includible corporation"
(within the meaning of Code Section 1504(b)).



                                      - 9 -
<PAGE>   16
                  (n) No power of attorney has been granted by the Company with
respect to any matter relating to Taxes which is currently in force and will be
in force after the Closing Date.

                  (o) The Company has not participated, nor will the Company
participate prior to the Closing Date, in or cooperated with an international
boycott within the meaning of Code Section 999.

                  (p) The Company has not filed, nor will the Company file prior
to the Closing Date, a consent pursuant to Code Section 341(f)(2) or agreed to
have Code Section 341(f)(2) apply to any disposition of a "subsection(f) asset"
(as such term is defined in Code Section 341(f)(4)) owned by the Company.

                  (q) No property of the Company is property that the Company is
or will be required to treat as being owned by another Person pursuant to the
provisions of Code Section 168(f)(8) (as in effect prior to amendment by the Tax
Reform Act of 1986) or is "tax-exempt use property" within the meaning of Code
Section 168.

                  (r) Except as disclosed in Section 2.12 of the Disclosure
Schedule, all elections and consents with respect to any Taxes (or computation
thereof) affecting the Company as of the date hereof have been supplied to the
Purchaser. After the date hereof, no election or consent with respect to any
Taxes (or computation thereof) affecting the Company on a separate company
return basis will be made without the written consent of Purchaser.

                  (s) The Company has not been subject to taxation in any
jurisdiction outside the United States of America.

                  2.13 Legal Proceedings. Except as disclosed in Section 2.13 of
the Disclosure Schedule (with paragraph references corresponding to those set
forth below):

                  (a) there are no Actions or Proceedings pending or, to the
Knowledge of Sellers, threatened against, relating to or affecting Sellers or
the Company or any of their respective Assets and Properties; and

                  (b) there are no Orders outstanding against the Company.

                  2.14 Compliance With Laws and Orders. Except as disclosed in
Section 2.14 of the Disclosure Schedule, the Company is not, and has not
received any notice that it is, in violation of or in default under, any Law or
Order applicable to the Company or any of its respective Assets and Properties,
other than immaterial violations and defaults.



                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>   17
                  2.15  Benefit Plans; ERISA.

                  (a) Section 2.15(a) of the Disclosure Schedule (i) contains a
true and complete list and description of each of the Benefit Plans, and (ii)
lists each other Plan maintained, established, sponsored or contributed to by an
ERISA Affiliate, or any predecessor thereof, which, during the five-year period
preceding the date of this Agreement, was at any time a Defined Benefit Plan.
Except as disclosed in Section 2.15(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, no loan is
outstanding between the Company and any employee.

                  (b) The Company does not maintain and is not obligated to
provide benefits under any life, medical or health plan (other than as an
incidental benefit under a Qualified Plan) which provides benefits to retirees
or other terminated employees other than benefit continuation rights under the
Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985, as amended.

                  (c) Except as set forth in Section 2.15(c) of the Disclosure
Schedule, each Benefit Plan is maintained by Bowne and covers employees who are
employed by the Company (or former employees or beneficiaries with respect to
service with the Company), as well as other employees of Bowne and its
subsidiaries; however, other than as specifically provided in this Agreement,
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement will require no spin-off of
assets and liabilities or other division or transfer of rights with respect to
any such plan.

                  (d) Neither the Company, any ERISA Affiliate nor any other
corporation or organization controlled by or under common control with any of
the foregoing within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA has at any time
contributed to any "multiemployer plan", as that term is defined in Section 4001
of ERISA.

                  (e) Each of the Benefit Plans is and has been operated and
administered, in all material respects in substantial compliance with, and the
Company has not received any claim or notice that any such Benefit Plan is not
in compliance with, all applicable Laws and Orders, including the requirements
of ERISA, the Code, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Equal Pay Act
and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Each Qualified Plan is qualified
under Section 401(a) of the Code, and, if applicable, complies with the
requirements of Section 401(k) of the Code. Each Benefit Plan which is intended
to provide for the deferral of income, the reduction of salary or other
compensation or to afford other Tax benefits complies with the requirements of
the applicable provisions of the Code or other Laws required in order to provide
such Tax benefits.


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>   18
                  (f) Neither Bowne nor the Company is in default in performing
any of its contractual obligations under any of the Benefit Plans or any related
trust agreement or insurance contract. All contributions and other payments
required to be made by Bowne or, the Company to any Benefit Plan with respect to
any period ending before or at or including the Closing Date have been made or
reserves adequate for such contributions or other payments have been or will be
set aside therefor and have been or will be reflected in the Financial
Statements in accordance with GAAP. There are no material outstanding
liabilities of any Benefit Plan other than liabilities for benefits to be paid
to participants in such Benefit Plan and their beneficiaries in accordance with
the terms of such Benefit Plan.

                  (g) No event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of Sellers
there exists no condition or set of circumstances in connection with any Benefit
Plan, under which the Company, directly or indirectly (through any
indemnification agreement or otherwise), could reasonably be expected to be
subject to any material liability under Section 409 of ERISA, Section 502(i) of
ERISA, Title IV of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

                  (h) No transaction contemplated by this Agreement will result
in liability to the PBGC under Section 302(c)(ii), 4062, 4063, 4064 or 4069 of
ERISA, or otherwise, with respect to the Company, Purchaser or any corporation
or organization controlled by or under common control with any of the foregoing
within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA, and no event or condition exists or
has existed which could reasonably be expected to result in any such liability
with respect to Purchaser, the Company or any such corporation or organization.
No "reportable event" within the meaning of Section 4043 of ERISA has occurred
with respect to any Defined Benefit Plan other than those for which the
reporting requirement has been waived pursuant to the regulations promulgated
under such Sections (except for a "reportable event" under Section 4043(c)(5) of
ERISA). No Subject Defined Benefit Plan has incurred any accumulated funding
deficiency whether or not waived. No filing has been made and no proceeding has
been commenced for the complete or partial termination of, or withdrawal from,
any Benefit Plan which is a Pension Benefit Plan.

                  (i) No benefit under any Benefit Plan, including, without
limitation, any severance or parachute payment plan or agreement, will be
established or become accelerated, vested, funded or payable by reason of any
transaction contemplated under this Agreement.

                  (j) To the Knowledge of Sellers, there are no pending or
threatened claims by or on behalf of any Benefit Plan (other than benefits
payable in the ordinary course), by any Person covered thereby, or otherwise,
which allege violations of Law


                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>   19
which could reasonably be expected to result in material liability on the part
of Purchaser, the Company or any fiduciary of any such Benefit Plan, nor is
there any reasonable basis for such a claim.

                  (k) No employer securities, employer real property or other
employer property is included in the assets of any Benefit Plan where the
holding or acquisition of such property would or is reasonably likely to
constitute a "prohibited transaction."

                  (l) The fair market value of the assets of each Subject
Defined Benefit Plan, as determined as of the last day of the plan year of such
plan which coincides with or first precedes the date of this Agreement, was not
less than the present value of the projected benefit obligations under such plan
at such date as established on the basis of the actuarial assumptions applicable
under such Subject Defined Benefit Plan at said date and, to the Knowledge of
Sellers, there have been no material changes in such values since said date.

                  (m) Complete and correct copies of the following documents
have been furnished to Purchaser prior to the execution of this Agreement:

                  (i) the Benefit Plans and any predecessor plans referred to
        therein, any related trust agreements, and service provider agreements,
        insurance contracts or agreements with investment managers, including
        without limitation, all amendments thereto;

                  (ii) current summary Plan descriptions of each Benefit Plan
        subject to ERISA, and any similar descriptions of all other Benefit
        Plans;

                  (iii) the most recent Form 5500 and Schedules thereto for each
        Benefit Plan subject to ERISA reporting requirements;

                  (iv) the most recent determination of the IRS with respect to
        the qualified status of each Qualified Plan;

                  (v) the most recent accountings with respect to any Benefit
        Plan funded through a trust;

                  (vi) the most recent actuarial report of the qualified actuary
        of any Subject Defined Benefit Plan or any other Benefit Plan with
        respect to which actuarial valuations are conducted; and

                  (vii) all qualified domestic relations orders or other orders
        governing payments from any Benefit Plan.


                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>   20
                  2.16 Real Property. (a) Section 2.16(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule contains a true and correct list of each parcel of real property leased
by the Company (as lessor or lessee). The Company does not own any real
property.

                  (b) The Company has a valid and subsisting leasehold estate in
the real properties leased by it for the full term of the lease thereof. Each
lease referred to in paragraph (a) above is a legal, valid and binding
agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms, of the Company and to the
Knowledge of Sellers, of each other Person that is a party thereto, and except
as set forth in Section 2.16(b) of the Disclosure Schedule, there is no, and the
Company has not received notice of any, default (or any condition or event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would constitute a default)
thereunder.

                  2.17 Tangible Personal Property. The Company is in possession
of and has good title to, or has valid leasehold interests in or valid rights
under Contract to use, all tangible personal property used in the conduct of
their business as presently conducted, including all tangible personal property
reflected on the balance sheet included in the Unaudited Financial Statements
and tangible personal property acquired since the Unaudited Financial Statement
Date other than property disposed of since such date in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice. All such tangible personal property is
free and clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens and Liens disclosed in
Section 2.17 of the Disclosure Schedule, and is in good working order and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

                  2.18 Intellectual Property. (a) Section 2.18 of the Disclosure
Schedule sets forth a complete and accurate list of (i) all patents, including
all reissues, reexaminations, continuations, continuations-in-part and divisions
thereof, all trademarks, service marks, and designs, and all copyrights that, in
the case of each of the foregoing items described in this clause (i), have been
issued to or registered by the Company; (ii) all pending patent applications and
all pending trademark, service mark and design applications and all pending
applications for the registration of copyrights in each case filed by or on
behalf of the Company; and (iii) all material unregistered trademarks, service
marks, trade names, service names, design rights, topography rights, logos and
assumed names which are owned by the Company. Section 2.18 of the Disclosure
Schedule also identifies each material license or similar material agreement
entered into by the Company with respect to any Intellectual Property.

                  (b) The Company, to the extent so identified on Section 2.18
of the Disclosure Schedule: (i) is the sole and exclusive owner of the
Intellectual Property described in clause


                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>   21
(i) of Section 2.18(a) and listed in Section 2.18 of the Disclosure Schedule;
and (ii) is listed in the records of the appropriate agency as the sole and
exclusive owner of record for each registration and grant listed in Section 2.18
of the Disclosure Schedule. Sellers are not aware, after due inquiry, of any
registration and maintenance fees that have become due and payable to any
governmental agency in respect of any material Intellectual Property owned by
the Company and for which a patent or registration has been issued, that have
not been paid, nor are Sellers aware of any act that has been done or omitted to
be done by the Company or any licensee, distributor, sublicensee, or
subdistributor thereof, to impair or dedicate to the public or entitle any
governmental authority to cancel, forfeit, modify or hold abandoned any of such
Intellectual Property so owned by the Company and listed in Section 2.18 of the
Disclosure Schedule, and to the Knowledge of Sellers, all such Intellectual
Property so owned and listed is valid and enforceable.

                  (c) Except as set forth in Section 2.18(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule: (i) there are no pending or, to Sellers' knowledge, threatened suits,
claims, oppositions or other challenges by any person against the ownership by
the Company of or the use by the Company of any of the Intellectual Property
owned or used by it; (ii) the Company is in material compliance with the terms
of all licenses, leases or other agreements under which the right to use any of
the Intellectual Property listed in Section 2.18 of the Disclosure Schedule
arose or pursuant to which the Company licenses or otherwise distributes such
Intellectual Property to any third party; and (iii) to the Knowledge of Sellers,
no third party has asserted that the use of any Intellectual Property by the
Company in connection with the conduct of the business of the Company as
currently conducted infringes upon or otherwise violate any right of such third
party.

                  (d) The Company owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the
right to use, all Intellectual Property necessary for it to conduct its
businesses as currently conducted, free and clear of all Liens other than
Permitted Liens, including without limitation (i) the data bases and computer
programs, and (ii) any user manuals, technical manuals, or other documentation,
or any advertisements or other materials, related to such Intellectual Property,
which are offered or made available to customers by the Company.

                  2.19 Computer Programs. (a) Section 2.19 of the Disclosure
Schedule lists all of the material computer programs and databases which are
owned, licensed, leased or otherwise used by the Company in connection with the
operation of its business as currently conducted (other than those that are
"off-the-shelf" or otherwise readily commercially available).


                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>   22
                  (b) Except as disclosed in Section 2.19(a) of the Disclosure
Schedule, the data bases and computer programs used in or necessary for the
conduct of the business of the Company as currently conducted (including without
limitation the data, articles and other content included therein) are (i) owned
or licensed by the Company, or (ii) currently in the public domain or otherwise
available to the Company without the approval or consent of any third party, or
(iii) included in such database or computer program or system pursuant to rights
granted to the Company so including the same pursuant to a written license or
lease or other consent from a third party.

                  (c) Except as disclosed in Section 2.19(b) of the Disclosure
Schedule, the Company, with respect to all data bases and computer programs
owned by it, has taken or caused to be taken commercially reasonable steps to
obtain and retain valid and enforceable Intellectual Property rights therein;
provided, however, that patents and registrations of trademarks, service marks,
designs, copyrights or other Intellectual Property or computer programs issued
or applied for are limited to those listed in Section 2.18 of the Disclosure
Schedule. In the ordinary course of its business, it is the Company's practice
to obtain non-disclosure agreements from its employees as a condition to
employment. Such agreements are intended to protect the secrecy and
confidentiality of all trade secrets, know-how and other confidential
information material to the conduct of the business of the Company.

                  (d) The material computer programs listed in Section 2.19(b)
of the Disclosure Statement as owned by the Company (i) function in all material
respects reasonably in accordance with the specifications therefor published by
the Company; and (ii) provide in all material respects all of the functionality,
features and content described in any user manuals, technical manuals, and any
other documentation related thereto published by the Company or in any
advertisements or other materials therefor made available to customers by the
Company, subject, in the case of clause (i) and (ii) of this Section 2.19(d), to
errors and bugs that arise and are corrected in the normal course of the
Company's business.

                  (e) In the ordinary course of its business, the Company uses
"anti-virus" software that is intended to identify disabling or destructive
software programs or processes.

                  2.20 Contracts. (a) Section 2.20(a) of the Disclosure Schedule
(with paragraph references corresponding to those set forth below) contains a
true and complete list of each of the following Contracts or other arrangements
(true and complete copies or, if none, reasonably complete and accurate written
descriptions of which, together with all amendments and supplements thereto,
have been delivered to Purchaser prior to


                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>   23
the execution of this Agreement), to which the Company is a party or by which
any of its Assets and Properties is bound:

                  (i) (A) all Contracts (excluding Benefit Plans) providing for
         a commitment of employment or consultation services for a specified or
         unspecified term; and (B) any written representations, commitments,
         promises, or other enforceable obligations (excluding Benefit Plans and
         any such Contracts referred to in clause (A)) involving an obligation
         of the Company to make payments in any year, other than with respect to
         salary or incentive compensation payments in the ordinary course of
         business, to any employee exceeding $20,000 or any group of employees
         exceeding $50,000 in the aggregate;

             (ii) all Contracts with any Person containing any provision or
         covenant prohibiting or limiting the ability of the Company to engage
         in any business activity or compete with any Person or, except as
         provided in Section 4.11, prohibiting or limiting the ability of any
         Person to compete with the Company;

            (iii) all partnership, joint venture, shareholders' or other similar
         Contracts with any Person;

            (iv) all Contracts relating to Indebtedness of the Company in excess
         of $25,000;

            (v) all (A) Contracts with distributors, or content or information
         providers providing for annual payments in excess of $25,000, and (B)
         all Contracts with customers of the Company providing for annual
         payments in excess of $25,000 (excepting for purposes of this clause
         (v)(B) immaterial and inadvertent omissions);

            (vi) all Contracts relating to (A) the future disposition or
         acquisition of any Assets and Properties, other than dispositions or
         acquisitions in the ordinary course of business consistent with past
         practice, and (B) any merger or other business combination;

            (vii) all Contracts between or among the Company, on the one hand,
         and a Seller, any officer, director or Affiliate (other than the
         Company) of either Seller, on the other hand;

            (viii) all collective bargaining or similar labor Contracts; and

            (ix) all other Contracts (other than Benefit Plans, leases listed in
         Section 2.16(a) of the Disclosure Schedule and insurance policies
         listed in Section 2.22 of the


                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>   24
         Disclosure Schedule) that (A) involve the payment or potential payment,
         pursuant to the terms of any such Contract, by or to the Company of
         more than $25,000 annually and (B) cannot be terminated within thirty
         (30) days after giving notice of termination without resulting in any
         material cost or penalty to the Company.

                  (b) Except as would not, individually or in the aggregate,
have a material adverse effect on the Business or Condition of the Company, each
Contract required to be disclosed in Section 2.20(a) of the Disclosure Schedule
is in full force and effect and constitutes a legal, valid and binding
agreement, enforceable in accordance with its terms, of the Company, and to the
Knowledge of Sellers, each other party thereto; and except as disclosed in
Section 2.20(b) of the Disclosure Schedule neither the Company nor, to the
Knowledge of Sellers, any other party to such Contract is, or has received
notice that it is, in violation or breach of or default under any such Contract
(or with notice or lapse of time or both, would be in violation or breach of or
default under any such Contract) in any material respect.

                  2.21 Licenses. Section 2.21 of the Disclosure Schedule
contains a true and complete list of all Licenses used in and material to the
business or operations of the Company (and all pending applications for any such
Licenses). Except as disclosed in Section 2.21 of the Disclosure Schedule:

                  (i) the Company owns or validly holds all Licenses that are
         material to its business or operations;

                  (ii) each License listed in Section 2.21 of the Disclosure
         Schedule is in full force and effect; and

                  (iii) the Company is not, nor has received any notice that it
         is, in default (or with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both,
         would be in default) under any such License.

                  2.22 Insurance. Section 2.22 of the Disclosure Schedule
contains a list of all insurance policies currently in effect that insure the
business, operations or employees of the Company or affect or relate to the
ownership, use or operation of any of the Assets and Properties of the Company
and that (i) have been issued to the Company or (ii) have been issued to any
Person (other than the Company) for the benefit of the Company.

                  2.23 Affiliate Transactions. Except as disclosed in Section
2.20(a)(vii) or Section 2.23(a) of the Disclosure Schedule, (i) there are no
intercompany Liabilities between the Company, on the one hand, and a Seller, any
officer, director or Affiliate (other than the Company) of a Seller, on the
other, (ii) neither Sellers nor any such officer, director or Affiliate


                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>   25
provides or causes to be provided any assets, services or facilities to the
Company and (iii) the Company does not provide or cause to be provided any
assets, services or facilities to either Seller or any such officer, director or
Affiliate, except, in the case of clause (ii), the provision of assets, services
or facilities in the ordinary course of business on an arm's length basis
consistent with past practice. Except as disclosed in Section 2.23(b) of the
Disclosure Schedule, each of the Liabilities and transactions listed in Section
2.23(a) of the Disclosure Schedule was incurred or engaged in, as the case may
be, on an arm's-length basis. Except as disclosed in Section 2.23(c) of the
Disclosure Schedule, since the Year End Financial Statement Date, all
settlements of intercompany Liabilities between the Company, on the one hand,
and a Seller or any such officer, director or Affiliate, on the other, have been
made, and all allocations of intercompany expenses have been applied, in the
ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

                  2.24 Employees; Labor Relations. (a) Section 2.24 of the
Disclosure Schedule lists the year end annual base salary of each officer and
employee of the Company. Sellers have not received any information that would
lead it to believe that a material number of such persons will or may cease to
be employees, or will refuse offers of employment from Purchaser, because of the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (b) Except as disclosed in Section 2.24(b) of the Disclosure
Schedule, (i) no employee of the Company is presently a member of a collective
bargaining unit and, to the Knowledge of Sellers, there are no threatened or
contemplated attempts to organize for collective bargaining purposes any of the
employees of the Company, and (ii) no unfair labor practice complaint or sex,
age, race or other discrimination claim has been brought during the last five
(5) years against the Company before the National Labor Relations Board, the
Equal Employment Opportunity Commission or any other Governmental or Regulatory
Authority. Since January 1, 1991, there has been no work stoppage, strike or
other concerted action by employees of the Company. During that period, the
Company have complied in all material respects with all applicable Laws relating
to the employment of labor, including, without limitation those relating to
wages, hours and collective bargaining.

                  (c) Except as disclosed in Section 2.24(c) of the Disclosure
Schedule, as of the date hereof, the Company has not had a layoff of any of its
employees which constitutes a "plant closing" or "mass layoff" under the
Workers' Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act of 1988, as amended.

                  2.25 Environmental Matters. The Company is not in material
violation of any federal, state and local Environmental


                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>   26
Laws (as defined in Section 13.01) applicable to it or its properties, or any
material limitations, restrictions, conditions, standards, obligations or
timetables contained in any Environmental Law or any regulation, code, plan,
order, decree, notice or demand letter issued, entered, promulgated or approved
thereunder. No notice or action alleging such violation is pending or, to the
Knowledge of Sellers, threatened, and no past or present condition or practice
of the businesses conducted by the Company would prevent continued compliance
with applicable permits or give rise to any common law or statutory liability or
otherwise form the basis of any claim, action or proceeding with respect to the
Company involving any pollutant or hazardous or toxic material or waste. The
Company has no liability, present and past, under CERCLA, including, without
limitation, as the result of its ownership or operation of any "facility" as
defined in CERCLA, or its arrangement for disposal, treatment or transport of
"hazardous substances," also as defined in CERCLA.

                  2.26 Substantial Customers and Suppliers. To the Knowledge of
Sellers, none of the Company's twenty (20) largest customers or suppliers (on
the basis of a revenues for goods sold and services provided and the cost of
goods or services purchased for the eleven (11) months ended September 30, 1996)
has, during the 90 days prior to the date of this Agreement, threatened to cease
or materially reduce such purchases, use, sales or provision of services after
the date hereof.

                  2.27 Brokers. All negotiations relative to this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby have been carried out by Sellers directly
with Purchaser without the intervention of any Person on behalf of Sellers in
such manner as to give rise to any valid claim by any Person against Purchaser
or the Company for a finder's fee, brokerage commission or similar payment.

                  2.28 Schedules. Disclosure of any fact or item in any Section
of the Disclosure Schedule hereto referenced by a particular paragraph or
section in this Agreement shall, should the existence of the fact or item or its
contents be relevant to any other paragraph or section, be deemed to be
disclosed with respect to that other paragraph or section whether or not a
specific cross reference appears.

                  2.29 No Implied Representation. Sellers are not making any
representation or warranty whatsoever, express or implied, except those
representations and warranties of Sellers contained in this Agreement or in any
Section of the Disclosure Schedule hereto and Purchaser acknowledges and agrees
that it has not relied on or been induced to enter into this Agreement by any
representation or warranty other than those expressly set forth in this
Agreement.


                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>   27
                                   ARTICLE III

                   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF PURCHASER

                 Purchaser hereby represents and warrants to Sellers as follows:

                 3.01 Organization. Purchaser is a corporation duly organized,
validly existing and in good standing under the Laws of the State of Michigan.

                 3.02 Authority. Purchaser has full corporate power and
authority to execute and deliver this Agreement and the Operative Agreements to
which it is a party, to perform its obligations hereunder and thereunder and to
consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby. The execution and
delivery by Purchaser of this Agreement and the Operative Agreements to which it
is a party, and the performance by Purchaser of its obligations hereunder and
thereunder, have been duly and validly authorized by the Board of Directors of
Purchaser, no other corporate action on the part of Purchaser or its
stockholders being necessary. This Agreement has been duly and validly executed
and delivered by Purchaser and constitutes, and upon the execution and delivery
by Purchaser of the Operative Agreements to which it is a party, such Operative
Agreements will constitute, (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery
by Sellers and the other parties to any Operative Agreements) legal, valid and
binding obligations of Purchaser enforceable against Purchaser in accordance
with their terms, except to the extent limited by bankruptcy insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other laws relating to or affecting creditors'
rights generally and by general equity principles, regardless of whether such
enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

                 3.03 No Conflicts. The execution and delivery by Purchaser of
this Agreement do not, and the execution and delivery by Purchaser of the
Operative Agreements to which it is a party, the performance by Purchaser of its
obligations under this Agreement and such Operative Agreements and the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby will not:

                 (a) conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any of
the terms, conditions or provisions of the articles of incorporation or by-laws
(or other comparable corporate charter document) of Purchaser;

                 (b) subject to obtaining the consents, approvals and actions,
making the filings and giving the notices disclosed in Schedule 3.04 hereto,
conflict with or result in a violation or breach of any term or provision of any
Law or Order applicable to Purchaser or any of its Assets and Properties; or


                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>   28
                  (c) except as disclosed in Schedule 3.03 hereto, (i) conflict
with or result in a violation or breach of, (ii) constitute (with or without
notice or lapse of time or both) a default under, (iii) require Purchaser to
obtain any consent, approval or action of, make any filing with or give any
notice to any Person as a result or under the terms of, or (iv) result in the
creation or imposition of any Lien upon Purchaser or any of its Assets or
Properties under, any material Contract or License to which Purchaser is a party
or by which any of its material Assets and Properties is bound.

                  3.04 Governmental Approvals and Filings. Except as disclosed
in Schedule 3.04 hereto, no consent, approval or action of, filing with or
notice to any Governmental or Regulatory Authority on the part of Purchaser is
required in connection with the execution, delivery and performance of this
Agreement or the Operative Agreements to which it is a party or the consummation
of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

                  3.05 Legal Proceedings. There are no Actions or Proceedings
pending or, to the knowledge of Purchaser, threatened against, relating to or
affecting Purchaser or any of its Assets and Properties which could reasonably
be expected to result in the issuance of an Order restraining, enjoining or
otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the consummation of any of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Operative Agreements.

                  3.06 Purchase for Investment. The Shares will be acquired by
Purchaser (or, if applicable, its assignee pursuant to Section 14.09(b)(i)) for
its own account for the purpose of investment, it being understood that the
right to dispose of such Shares shall be entirely within the discretion of
Purchaser (or such assignee, as the case may be). Purchaser (or such assignee,
as the case may be) will refrain from transferring or otherwise disposing of any
of the Shares, or any interest therein, in such manner as to cause Seller to be
in violation of the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or applicable state securities or blue sky laws.

                  3.07 Brokers. All negotiations relative to this Agreement and
the transactions contemplated hereby have been carried out by Purchaser directly
with Sellers without the intervention of any Person on behalf of Purchaser in
such manner as to give rise to any valid claim by any Person against Sellers,
the Company or any Subsidiary for a finder's fee, brokerage commission or
similar payment.


                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>   29
                                   ARTICLE IV

                              COVENANTS OF SELLERS

                  4.01 Regulatory and Other Approvals. Sellers will, and will
cause the Company to, as promptly as practicable (a) use its best efforts to
obtain all consents, approvals or actions of, make all filings with and give all
notices to Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or any other Person required
of Sellers or the Company to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and
by the Operative Agreements, including without limitation those described in
Sections 2.06 and 2.07 of the Disclosure Schedule, (b) provide such other
information and communications to such Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or
other Persons as Purchaser or such Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or
other Persons may reasonably request in connection therewith and (c) cooperate
with Purchaser in connection with the performance of its obligations under
Sections 5.01 and 5.02. Sellers will provide prompt notification to Purchaser
when any such consent, approval, action, filing or notice referred to in clause
(a) above is obtained, taken, made or given, as applicable, and will advise
Purchaser of any material communications (and, unless precluded by Law, provide
copies of any such communications that are in writing) with any Governmental or
Regulatory Authority or other Person regarding any of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Operative Agreements.

                  4.02 HSR Filings. In addition to and not in limitation of
Sellers' covenants contained in Section 4.01, Sellers will (a) take promptly all
actions necessary to make the filings required of Sellers or their Affiliates
under the HSR Act, (b) comply at the earliest practicable date with any request
for additional information received by Sellers or their Affiliates from the
Federal Trade Commission or the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice
pursuant to the HSR Act and (c) cooperate with Purchaser in connection with
Purchaser's filing under the HSR Act and in connection with resolving any
investigation or other inquiry concerning the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement commenced by either the Federal Trade Commission or the Antitrust
Division of the Department of Justice or state attorneys general.

                  4.03 Investigation by Purchaser. During the period commencing
on the date hereof and ending on the earlier of the Closing Date or the
termination of this Agreement in accordance with Section 12 hereof, Sellers
will, and will cause the Company to, (a) provide Purchaser and its officers,
directors, employees, agents, counsel, accountants, financial advisors,
consultants and other representatives (together "Representatives") with
reasonable access, upon reasonable prior notice and during normal business
hours, to all officers, employees, agents and accountants of the Company and its
Assets and Properties and



                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>   30
Books and Records to the extent that doing so does not materially disrupt or
interfere with the operations of the Company, and (b) within a reasonable period
of time, furnish Purchaser and such other Persons with all such information and
data (including without limitation copies of Contracts, Benefit Plans and other
Books and Records) concerning the business and operations of the Company as
Purchaser or any of such other Persons reasonably may request in connection with
such investigation. All requests for information shall be submitted only to
Robert Patterson or to Simpson Thacher & Bartlett. Purchaser will not initiate
or maintain contact with any employee of Sellers or the Company without Sellers'
prior consent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld or delayed. Prior to
the Closing, Sellers will also provide Purchaser with a complete and correct
list containing the names of each bank in which the Company has an account or
safe deposit or lock box, the account or box number, as the case may be, and the
name of every person authorized to draw thereon or having access thereto.

                  4.04 No Solicitations. Sellers will not take, nor will they
permit the Company or any Affiliate of Sellers (or authorize or permit any
investment banker, financial advisor, attorney, accountant or other Person
retained by or acting for or on behalf of Sellers, the Company or any such
Affiliate) to take, directly or indirectly, any action to solicit, encourage,
assist or otherwise facilitate (including by furnishing confidential information
with respect to the Company or permitting access to the Assets and Properties
and Books and Records of the Company) any offer or inquiry from any Person
concerning an Acquisition Proposal or participate in any discussions or
negotiations regarding an Acquisition Proposal. If Sellers, the Company or any
such Affiliate (or any such Person acting for or on their behalf) receives from
any Person any offer, inquiry or informational request referred to above,
Sellers will promptly advise such Person, by written notice, of the terms of
this Section 4.04 and will promptly, orally and in writing, advise Purchaser of
such offer, inquiry or request and deliver a copy of such notice to Purchaser.

                  4.05 Conduct of Business. During the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 12 hereof, Sellers will cause the
Company to conduct business only in the ordinary course consistent with past
practice. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, except as permitted,
required or specifically contemplated by this Agreement or as otherwise
consented to or approved in writing by Purchaser, Sellers will:

                  (a) cause the Company to use commercially reasonable efforts
to (i) preserve intact the present business organization and reputation of the
Company, (ii) keep available (subject to


                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>   31
dismissals and retirements in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past practice) the services of the present officers, employees and consultants
of the Company, (iii) maintain the Assets and Properties of the Company in good
working order and condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted, (iv) maintain the
good will of customers, suppliers, lenders and other Persons to whom the Company
sells goods or provides services or with whom the Company otherwise has
significant business relationships and (v) continue all current sales, marketing
and promotional activities relating to the business and operations of the
Company;

                  (b) except to the extent required by applicable Law, (i) cause
the Books and Records to be maintained in the usual, regular and ordinary
manner, (ii) not permit any material change in (A) any pricing, investment,
accounting, financial reporting, inventory, credit, allowance or Tax practice or
policy of the Company, or (B) any method of calculating any bad debt,
contingency or other reserve of the Company for accounting, financial reporting
or Tax purposes and (iii) not permit any change in the fiscal year of the
Company;

                  (c) (i) use, and will cause the Company to use, commercially
reasonable efforts to maintain in full force and effect until the Closing
substantially the same levels of coverage as the insurance afforded under the
Contracts listed in Section 2.21 of the Disclosure Schedule; and

                  (d) cause the Company to comply, in all material respects,
with all Laws and Orders applicable to the business and operations of the
Company, and promptly following receipt thereof to give Purchaser copies of any
notice received from any Governmental or Regulatory Authority or other Person
alleging any violation of any such Law or Order.

                  4.06 Financial Statements and Reports; Filings. As promptly as
practicable, Sellers will deliver to Purchaser true and complete copies of all
financial statements, reports and analyses that are prepared or received by
Sellers or the Company relating to the business or operations of the Company in
the ordinary course of business.

                  4.07 Employee Matters. Except as may be required by Law or any
Benefit Plans existing on the date hereof, during the period commencing on the
date hereof an ending on the earlier of the closing Date or the termination of
this Agreement, Sellers will refrain, and will cause the Company to refrain,
from directly or indirectly:

                  (a) making any increase in the salary, wages or other
compensation of any officer, employee or consultant of the Company whose annual
salary is or, after giving effect to such


                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>   32
change, would be $50,000 or more, other than any increases in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practice; or

                  (b) adopting, entering into or becoming bound by any Benefit
Plan, employment-related Contract or collective bargaining agreement, or
amending, modifying or terminating (partially or completely) any Benefit Plan,
employment-related Contract or collective bargaining agreement, except to the
extent required by applicable Law.

                  Sellers will cause the Company to administer each Benefit
Plan, or cause the same to be so administered, in all material respects in
accordance with the applicable provisions of the Code, ERISA and all other
applicable Laws. Sellers will promptly notify Purchaser in writing of each
receipt by Sellers or the Company (and furnish Purchaser with copies) of any
notice of investigation or administrative proceeding by the IRS, Department of
Labor, PBGC or other Person involving any Benefit Plan.

                  4.08 Certain Restrictions. During the period commencing on the
date hereof and ending on the earlier of the Closing Date or the termination of
this Agreement in accordance with Section 12 hereof, except as permitted,
required or specifically contemplated by this Agreement or as otherwise
consented to or approved in writing by Purchaser, Sellers will cause the Company
to refrain from:

                  (a) amending its certificate of incorporation or by-laws or
taking any action with respect to any such amendment or any recapitalization,
reorganization, liquidation or dissolution;

                  (b) authorizing, issuing, selling or otherwise disposing of
any shares of capital stock of or any Option with respect to the Company, or
modifying or amending any right of any holder of outstanding shares of capital
stock of or Option with respect to the Company;

                  (c) declaring, setting aside or paying any dividend or other
distribution in respect of the capital stock of the Company, or directly or
indirectly redeeming, purchasing or otherwise acquiring any capital stock of or
any Option with respect to the Company;

                  (d) acquiring or disposing of, or incurring any Lien (other
than a Permitted Lien) on, any Assets and Properties in excess of $10,000 in
value in the aggregate, other than in the ordinary course of business consistent
with past practice;

                  (e) entering into, amending, modifying, terminating (partially
or completely), granting any waiver under or giving any consent with respect to
(A) any Contract that would, if in


                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>   33
existence on the date of this Agreement, be required to be disclosed in the
Disclosure Schedule pursuant to Section 2.19(a) or (B) any material License,
other than, in each case, immaterial amendments, modifications, waivers or
consents.

                  (f) (i) incurring Indebtedness in an aggregate principal
amount exceeding $25,000 (net of any amounts of Indebtedness discharged during
such period), or (ii) voluntarily purchasing, cancelling, prepaying or otherwise
providing for a complete or partial discharge in advance of a scheduled payment
date with respect to, or waiving any right of the Company under, any
Indebtedness of or owing to the Company (other than indebtedness due and owing
to Bowne);

                  (g) engaging with any Person in any merger or other business
combination;

                  (h) making capital expenditures or commitments for additions
to property, plant or equipment constituting capital assets in an aggregate
amount exceeding $100,000;

                  (i) making any change in the lines of business in which the
Company participates or is engaged;

                  (j) writing off or writing down any of its Assets and
Properties outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice; or

                  (k) entering into any Contract to do or engage in any of the
foregoing.

                  4.09 Affiliate Transactions. Except as set forth in Section
4.09 of the Disclosure Schedule, immediately prior to the Closing, all
Indebtedness and other amounts owing under Contracts between a Seller, any
officer, director or Affiliate (other than the Company) of a Seller, on the one
hand, and the Company, on the other, will be cancelled, and Sellers will
terminate and will cause any such officer, director or Affiliate to terminate
each Contract with the Company. Prior to the Closing, the Company will not enter
into any Contract or amend or modify any existing Contract, and will not engage
in any transaction outside the ordinary course of business consistent with past
practice or not on an arm's-length basis (other than pursuant to Contracts
disclosed pursuant to Section 2.19(a)(vii) of the Disclosure Schedule), with a
Seller or any such officer, director or Affiliate. The parties acknowledge that
prior to the Closing, Bowne may cause the Company to pay to Bowne all cash held
by the Company (whether by way of dividend, payment of intercompany advances or
otherwise).

                  4.10 Books and Records. On the Closing Date, Sellers will
deliver or make available to Purchaser at the offices of the


                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>   34
Company all of the Books and Records, and if at any time after the Closing
Sellers discover in their possession or under their control any other Books and
Records, they will forthwith deliver such Books and Records to Purchaser.

                  4.11 Noncompetition. (a) Bowne will, for a period of three (3)
years from the Closing Date, refrain from, either alone or in conjunction with
any other Person, or directly or indirectly through its present or future
Affiliates:

                  (i) employing, engaging or seeking to employ or engage any
         Person who within the prior twelve (12) months had been an officer or
         employee of the Company (other than Persons who have theretofore been
         terminated by the Company or who have voluntarily left the employ of
         the Company prior to having been contacted in any way by Sellers or any
         Affiliate of Sellers;

             (ii) causing or attempting to cause (A) any client, customer or
         supplier of the Company to terminate or materially reduce its business
         with the Company or (B) any officer, employee or consultant of the
         Company to resign or sever a relationship with the Company;

            (iii) disclosing (unless compelled by judicial or administrative
         process) or using any confidential or secret information relating to
         the Company or any of its clients, customers or suppliers; or

             (iv) participating or engaging in (other than through the ownership
         of five percent (5%) or less of any class of securities registered
         under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), or otherwise
         lending assistance (financial or otherwise) to any Person participating
         or engaged in, any Competitive Business in the United States. For
         purposes of this Section 4.11, "Competitive Business" shall mean the
         business of developing, selling and supporting computer based
         analytical tools for institutional equity analysts and investors that
         incorporate electronic delivery of information on company fundamental
         data, earnings, stock prices and industry and economic statistics.

                  (b) The parties hereto recognize that the Laws and public
policies of the various states of the United States may differ as to the
validity and enforceability of covenants similar to those set forth in this
Section . It is the intention of the parties that the provisions of this Section
be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the Laws and policies of
each jurisdiction in which enforcement may be sought, and that the
unenforceability (or the modification to conform to such Laws or policies) of
any provisions of this Section shall not render unenforceable, or impair, the
remainder of the provisions of this


                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>   35
Section. Accordingly, if any provision of this Section shall be determined to be
invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity or unenforceability shall be deemed to
apply only with respect to the operation of such provision in the particular
jurisdiction in which such determination is made and not with respect to any
other provision or jurisdiction.

                  (c) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any remedy
at Law for any breach of the provisions of this Section would be inadequate, and
each Seller hereby consents to the granting by any court of an injunction or
other equitable relief, without the necessity of actual monetary loss being
proved, in order that the breach or threatened breach of such provisions may be
effectively restrained.

                  4.12 Appeal Assets. Prior to the Closing Date, Sellers shall
cause the Company to transfer to Bowne the Appeal Assets and all Liabilities
relating thereto, and shall provide Purchaser with a copy of the agreement
pursuant to which such transfer shall occur.

                  4.13 Fulfillment of Conditions. Sellers will execute and
deliver at the Closing each Operative Agreement that Sellers are required hereby
to execute and deliver as a condition to the Closing, will take all commercially
reasonable steps necessary or desirable and proceed diligently and in good faith
to satisfy each other condition to the obligations of Purchaser contained in
this Agreement and will not, and will not permit the Company to, take or fail to
take any action that could reasonably be expected to result in the
nonfulfillment of any such condition.

                                    ARTICLE V

                             COVENANTS OF PURCHASER

                  5.01 Regulatory and Other Approvals. Purchaser will as
promptly as practicable (a) use its best efforts to obtain all consents,
approvals or actions of, make all filings with and give all notices to
Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or any other Person required of Purchaser
to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby and by the Operative
Agreements, including without limitation those described in Schedules 3.03 and
3.04 hereto, (b) provide such other information and communications to such
Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or other Persons as Sellers or such
Governmental or Regulatory Authorities or other Persons may reasonably request
in connection therewith and (c) cooperate with Sellers and the Company in
connection with the performance of their obligations under Sections 4.01 and
4.02. Purchaser will provide prompt notification to Seller when any such
consent, approval, action, filing or notice referred to in clause (a) above is
obtained, taken, made or given, as


                                     - 29 -
<PAGE>   36
applicable, and will advise Sellers of any material communications (and, unless
precluded by Law, provide copies of any such communications that are in writing)
with any Governmental or Regulatory Authority or other Person regarding any of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Operative
Agreements.

                  5.02 HSR Filings. In addition to and without limiting
Purchaser's covenants contained in Section 5.01, Purchaser will (i) take
promptly all actions necessary to make the filings required of Purchaser or its
Affiliates under the HSR Act, (ii) comply at the earliest practicable date with
any request for additional information received by Purchaser or its Affiliates
from the Federal Trade Commission or the Antitrust Division of the Department of
Justice pursuant to the HSR Act and (iii) cooperate with Sellers in connection
with Sellers' filing under the HSR Act and in connection with resolving any
investigation or other regulatory inquiry concerning the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement commenced by either the Federal Trade Commission
or the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice or state attorneys
general.

                  5.03 Fulfillment of Conditions. Purchaser will execute and
deliver at the Closing each Operative Agreement that Purchaser is hereby
required to execute and deliver as a condition to the Closing, will take all
commercially reasonable steps necessary or desirable and proceed diligently and
in good faith to satisfy each other condition to the obligations of Sellers
contained in this Agreement and will not take or fail to take any action that
could reasonably be expected to result in the nonfulfillment of any such
condition.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                     CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF PURCHASER

                  The obligations of Purchaser hereunder to purchase the Shares
are subject to the fulfillment, at or before the Closing, of each of the
following conditions (all or any of which may be waived in whole or in part by
Purchaser in its sole discretion):

                  6.01 Representations and Warranties. Each of the
representations and warranties of Sellers set forth in this Agreement that are
qualified as to materiality shall be true and correct, and each of the
representations and warranties of Sellers set forth in this Agreement that are
not so qualified shall be true and correct in all material respects, in each
case as of the date of this Agreement and (except to the extent such
representations and warranties speak as of an earlier date) as of the Closing
Date as though made on and as of the Closing Date.


                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>   37
                  6.02 Performance. Sellers shall have performed and complied
with, in all material respects, each agreement, covenant and obligation required
by this Agreement to be so performed or complied with by Sellers at or before
the Closing.

                  6.03 Officers' Certificates. Bowne shall have delivered to
Purchaser a certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed in the name and on
behalf of Bowne by the Chairman of the Board, the President or any Executive or
Senior Vice President of Bowne, substantially in the form and to the effect of
Exhibit A hereto, and a certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed by the
Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Bowne, substantially in the form and to
the effect of Exhibit B hereto.

                  6.04 Orders and Laws. There shall not be in effect on the
Closing Date any Order or Law restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or
making illegal the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or any of the Operative Agreements or which could reasonably be
expected to otherwise result in a material diminution of the benefits of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the Operative Agreements
to Purchaser, and there shall not be pending or threatened on the Closing Date
any Action or Proceeding in, before or by any Governmental or Regulatory
Authority which could reasonably be expected to result in the issuance of any
such Order or the enactment, promulgation or deemed applicability to Purchaser,
the Company or the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of the
Operative Agreements of any such Law.

                  6.05 Regulatory Consents and Approvals. All consents,
approvals and actions of, filings with and notices to any Governmental or
Regulatory Authority necessary to permit Purchaser and Sellers to perform their
obligations under this Agreement and the Operative Agreements and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) shall have been duly
obtained, made or given, (b) shall not be subject to the satisfaction of any
condition that has not been satisfied or waived and (c) shall be in full force
and effect, and all terminations or expirations of waiting periods imposed by
any Governmental or Regulatory Authority necessary for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Operative Agreements,
including under the HSR Act, shall have occurred.

                  6.06 Third Party Consents. The consents (or in lieu thereof
waivers) listed in Section 6.06 of the Disclosure Schedule, (a) shall have been
obtained, (b) shall be in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to
Purchaser, (c) shall not be subject to the satisfaction of any condition that
has not been satisfied or waived and (d) shall be in full force and effect,
except where the failure to obtain any such consent (or in lieu


                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>   38
thereof waiver) could not reasonably be expected, individually or in the
aggregate with other such failures, to materially adversely affect Purchaser or
the Business or Condition of the Company or otherwise result in a material
diminution of the benefits of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
and the Operative Agreements to Purchaser.

                  6.07 Opinion of Counsel. Purchaser shall have received (a) the
opinion of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett, counsel to Bowne and the Company, dated
the Closing Date, substantially in the form and to the effect of Exhibit C-1
hereto and (b) the opinion of counsel to Patterson and the Trust, dated the
Closing Date, substantially in the form and to the effect of Exhibit C-2 hereto.

                  6.08 Resignations of Directors and Officers. Each member of
the board of directors of the Company other than Mr. Robert G. Patterson shall
have tendered, effective at the Closing, their resignations as such directors.

                  6.09 Employment Agreements. Patterson shall have executed and
delivered to Purchaser an employment agreement substantially in the form of
Exhibit D hereto.

                  6.10 Financial Statements. Sellers shall have delivered to
Purchaser true and complete copies of the unaudited balance sheets of the
Company as of October 31, 1994, 1995, and 1996, and the related unaudited
statements of operations, stockholders equity and cash flows for the fiscal
years then ended,in each case prepared in accordance with GAAP in all respects
(including, with respect to fiscal year 1996 only, notes thereto; provided, that
footnotes relating to liabilities that will not continue as liabilities of the
Company following the Closing may be prepared in summary form); and such
financial statements shall not reflect a financial condition of the Company
materially adversely different from the financial condition reflected in the
financial statements previously delivered to Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.09
hereof.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                      CONDITIONS TO OBLIGATIONS OF SELLERS

                  The obligations of Sellers hereunder to sell the Shares are
subject to the fulfillment, at or before the Closing, of each of the following
conditions (all or any of which may be waived in whole or in part by Sellers in
their sole discretion):

                  7.01 Representations and Warranties. Each of the
representations and warranties made by Purchaser in this Agreement shall be true
and correct in all material respects on


                                     - 32 -
<PAGE>   39
and as of the Closing Date as though such representation or warranty was made on
and as of the Closing Date.

                  7.02 Performance. Purchaser shall have performed and complied
with, in all material respects, each agreement, covenant and obligation required
by this Agreement to be so performed or complied with by Purchaser at or before
the Closing.

                  7.03 Officers' Certificates. Purchaser shall have delivered to
each Seller a certificate, dated the Closing Date and executed in the name and
on behalf of Purchaser by the Chairman of the Board, the President or any
Executive or Senior Vice President of Purchaser, substantially in the form and
to the effect of Exhibit E hereto, and a certificate, dated the Closing Date and
executed by the Secretary or any Assistant Secretary of Purchaser, substantially
in the form and to the effect of Exhibit F hereto.

                  7.04 Orders and Laws. There shall not be in effect on the
Closing Date any Order or Law that became effective after the date of this
Agreement restraining, enjoining or otherwise prohibiting or making illegal the
consummation of any of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement or any of
the Operative Agreements.

                  7.05 Regulatory Consents and Approvals. All consents,
approvals and actions of, filings with and notices to any Governmental or
Regulatory Authority necessary to permit Seller and Purchaser to perform their
obligations under this Agreement and the Operative Agreements and to consummate
the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby (a) shall have been duly
obtained, made or given, (b) shall not be subject to the satisfaction of any
condition that has not been satisfied or waived and (c) shall be in full force
and effect, and all terminations or expirations of waiting periods imposed by
any Governmental or Regulatory Authority necessary for the consummation of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the Operative Agreements,
including under the HSR Act, shall have occurred.

                  7.06 Third Party Consents. All consents (or in lieu thereof
waivers) to the performance by Sellers of their obligations hereunder and to the
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby as are required under the
Contracts listed in Section 7.06 of the Disclosure Schedule (a) shall have been
obtained, (b) shall not be subject to the satisfaction of any condition that has
not been satisfied or waived and (c) shall be in full force and effect.

                  7.07  Opinion of Counsel.  Sellers shall have received
the opinion of Michael R. Kargula, General Counsel of Purchaser,


                                     - 33 -
<PAGE>   40
dated the Closing Date, substantially in the form and to the effect of 
Exhibit G hereto.

                                  ARTICLE VIII

                       TAX MATTERS AND POST-CLOSING TAXES

                  8.1 (a) General Intention of Parties. In general, subject to
the specific provisions contained in this Agreement, it is the intention of the
parties hereto that Bowne will pay, or will cause to be paid, all Taxes with
respect to taxable periods that are Pre-Closing Periods or Pre-Closing Partial
Periods except that Bowne shall not be responsible for the first forty-six
thousand dollars ($46,000) of state and local income taxes for such Pre-Closing
Periods and Pre-Closing Partial Periods, and that Purchaser will pay, or will
cause to be paid, all Taxes with respect to taxable periods that are
Post-Closing Periods or Post-Closing Partial Periods.

                  (b) Consolidated/Combined Returns. Bowne will cause to be duly
prepared and timely filed all Tax Returns of any consolidated or combined group
in which Bowne or any of its Affiliates (other than the Company) and the Company
are included (any such group being referred to herein as a "Seller Group") for
all Pre-Closing Periods of the Company. Bowne will include the Company in the
Seller Group's consolidated federal Income Tax Returns for all Pre-Closing
Periods of the Company. Bowne will include (or cause to be included) the Company
in any other consolidated or combined basis filing for any Pre-Closing Periods
of the Company as Bowne shall deem appropriate. Bowne will pay, and will
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, Purchaser and Purchaser's Affiliates
from and against any Taxes imposed upon the Company for any Pre-Closing Period
including any Taxes arising as a result of the application of Treas. Reg.
Section 1.1502-6 or any equivalent provision under state or foreign Tax law
except that Bowne shall not be responsible for the first forty-six thousand
dollars ($46,000) of state and local income taxes for such Pre-Closing Periods
and Pre-Closing Partial Periods.

                  (c) Other Returns. Bowne will cause to be prepared and filed
on a timely basis all Tax Returns other than those described in Section 8.1(b)
above required to be filed on behalf of the Company for all Pre-Closing Periods.
Bowne will pay, and will indemnify and hold harmless the Company, Purchaser and
Purchaser's Affiliates from and against any Taxes imposed on the Company
attributable to any Pre-Closing Periods except that Bowne shall not be
responsible for the first forty-six thousand dollars ($46,000) of state and
local income taxes for such Pre-Closing Periods and Pre-Closing Partial Periods.


                                     - 34 -
<PAGE>   41
                  (d) Straddle Period. Any tax period of the Company which Bowne
has elected, or caused the Company to have elected, to terminate on or before
the Closing Date shall not constitute a Straddle Period and shall constitute a
Pre-Closing Period. Bowne will take all actions necessary to have the Company
terminate on the Closing Date the tax periods which commence within twelve (12)
months prior to the Closing Date. Purchaser will timely prepare and file all Tax
Returns required to be filed by the Company for Straddle Periods and shall pay
all Taxes due with respect to such Tax Returns, provided, however, Purchaser
will notify Bowne of Purchaser's calculation of Bowne's share of the Taxes of
the Company for any Straddle Periods (determined in accordance with this
paragraph (the "Tax Statement)) and provide to Bowne copies of the Tax Returns
and such Tax Statement at least 15 days after the due date for filing any such
Tax Returns. The Sellers shall have the right to review such Tax Returns and the
Tax Statement and to request that the Purchaser make any reasonable changes to
such Tax Returns. Purchaser and Bowne shall attempt to resolve in good faith any
disagreement arising out of any Straddle Period Tax Return and/or any
calculation of Bowne's share of the related Tax liability; if any such dispute
is not resolved within ten days after the receipt of the Tax Return and Tax
Statement, the matter shall be submitted for binding resolution to a mutually
acceptable nationally recognized accounting firm in the relevant jurisdiction
with no material relationship to Purchaser or Sellers. No later than fifteen
(15) days following receipt of any such Tax Return and Tax Statement, Bowne
shall pay to Purchaser, an amount equal to the Taxes shown on the Tax Statement
as being chargeable to Bowne to the extent the amount exceeds the forty-six
thousand dollars ($46,000) referred to in Sections 8.1(a), 8.1(b), and 8.1(c)
unless Bowne has disputed such amount. If Bowne has disputed such amount, then
Bowne shall pay to Purchaser on that date an amount reasonably determined by
Bowne as the proper amount of Taxes chargeable to Sellers to the extent the
amount exceeds the forty-six thousand dollars ($46,000) referred to in Sections
8.1(a), 8.1(b), and 8.1(c). Bowne shall pay any additional amount in order to
reflect the decision of the Independent Accounting Firm within three (3) days of
the Independent Accounting Firm decision. The Purchaser shall pay to the Bowne
excess, if any, of the amount paid by Bowne, if any, pursuant to the preceding
sentence over the amount decided upon by the Independent Accounting Firm.
Interest will also be paid with respect to any such adjustments at a rate equal
to the U.S. Federal underpayment rate from the date of the delivery of the
calculation to the date the amount of any adjustment is paid. Purchaser will
cause the Company to pay, and will indemnify and hold harmless Sellers and
Sellers' Affiliates from and against any Taxes imposed upon the Company for any
such Straddle Period, except that Bowne will reimburse Purchaser for, and will
indemnify and hold harmless the Company, Purchaser and Purchaser's Affiliates
from and against, the amount of Taxes attributable to any Pre-Closing Partial


                                     - 35 -
<PAGE>   42
Period. In the case of a Straddle Period, for purposes of this Agreement, Taxes
for the entire Straddle Period shall be allocated between a Pre-Closing Partial
Period and a Post-Closing Partial Period assuming that the books of the Company
were closed as of and including the Closing Date, except that exemptions,
allowances or deductions (such as depreciation deductions) calculated on an
annual basis shall be prorated between the Pre-Closing Partial Period and
Post-Closing Partial Period on a per diem basis and real property Taxes shall be
allocated in accordance with Code Section 164(d). Any Taxes for a Straddle
Period paid prior to the Closing shall be deducted from Bowne's liability
pursuant to the immediately preceding sentence.

                  (e) Post-Closing Periods. Purchaser will cause to be prepared
and filed all Tax Returns required to be filed by or on behalf of the Company
for Post-Closing Periods. Purchaser will pay, and will indemnify and hold
harmless Sellers and Seller's Affiliates from and against any Taxes imposed on
the Company with respect to any such period.

                  (f) Payment of Taxes. Sellers and Purchaser hereby agree that
any amount of Taxes paid by Sellers to Purchaser constitute a reduction in the
Purchase Price of the Shares of the Company to which such payments relate.

                  (g) Refund/Overpayment. Bowne will be entitled to retain, or
receive prompt payment from the Company of any refund or credit for overpayment
of Taxes for a Pre-Closing Period or a Pre-Closing Partial Period, plus any
interest received with respect thereto from the relevant taxing authorities
provided, however, that the Purchaser or the Company may retain such refund or
credit to offset any liability of Sellers or Seller Affiliates to Purchaser or
the Company. All refunds received by Bowne of Taxes with respect to a
Post-Closing Period or Post-Closing Partial Period of the Company shall be
delivered to Purchaser or the Company promptly after receipt thereof by Sellers,
provided, however, that Bowne may retain such refund or credit to offset any
liability of Purchaser to Sellers.

                  (h) Notice. Purchaser will promptly notify Bowne in writing
upon receipt by Purchaser or any of its Affiliates (including, after the
Closing, the Company) of any written notice of any audit or assessment with
respect to Taxes for which Bowne would be required to pay or indemnify Purchaser
or any of its Affiliates. Bowne shall promptly notify Purchaser in writing upon
receipt by Bowne or any Affiliate of Bowne of any written notice of any federal,
state, local or foreign Tax audits or assessments or other written
communications from any tax authority relating to the income, properties or
operations of the Company for Post-Closing Periods or Straddle Periods. Bowne
shall have the right to control the audit (and disposition thereof) of any Tax
Return actually filed prior to the Closing


                                     - 36 -
<PAGE>   43
Date relating to a Pre-Closing Period (a "Pre-closing Return"), and at its own
expense to participate in and approve (which approval shall not be unreasonably
withheld) the disposition of the audit of any Tax Return relating to a Straddle
Period, if any such audit or disposition thereof could give rise to a claim for
indemnification hereunder. Purchaser shall have the right to review in advance
and comment upon all submissions made in the course of audits or appeals of any
Pre-closing Return to any Governmental Entity and to approve (which approval
shall not be unreasonably withheld) the disposition of any audit adjustment with
respect to such Pre-closing Return if such submissions and/or disposition could
result in an increase in Taxes of Purchaser, any Affiliate of Purchaser or the
Company for the Partial Post-Closing Period or any Post-Closing Period.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, any submission made on behalf of the
Company after the Closing Date (including any documentation relating to a
disposition) that must be signed by the Company shall be signed by the Purchaser
or any of its Affiliates and such signature shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Bowne shall have the right to request that Purchaser initiate any claim for
refund prepaid by Bowne, or file any amended Tax Return prepaid by Bowne
relating to a Pre-closing or Straddle Period and Purchaser shall honor such
request provided Purchaser makes a good faith determination that there is a
reasonable basis for such claim or filing and that such claim or filing does not
result in an increase in Taxes of the Purchaser, any Affiliate of the Purchaser,
or the Company for any period. Bowne shall be responsible for all costs
associated with such claims for refund or amended filings.

                  (i) Access to Documentation. After the Closing Date, each of
Purchaser and Sellers shall furnish or cause to be furnished to each other, upon
request, as promptly as practicable, such information (including access to
books, records and personnel) and assistance as is reasonably requested for the
preparation and filing of any Tax Return or related document, for the
preparation for any Tax audit or for the prosecution or defense of any claim,
suit or proceeding relating to Taxes.

                  (j) Tax Sharing Agreement. As of the Closing, the Company will
be released from any obligation with respect to any Tax sharing or other Tax
agreements.

                  (k) Transfer Taxes. Purchaser will pay or cause to be paid,
and will indemnify and hold harmless Sellers from and against, any sales, use,
transfer, stamp, documentary or similar Taxes incurred in connection with the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

                  (l) Purchaser and Bowne shall jointly make the election
allowed by Code Section 338(h)(10) in respect of Purchaser's acquisition of the
Shares pursuant to this Agreement the ("Code


                                     - 37 -
<PAGE>   44
Section 338(h)(10) Election"). Purchaser, Sellers and Sellers' Affiliates shall
timely take all steps to properly complete and sign all forms or certificates
necessary or helpful to properly and timely qualify the Code Section 338(h)(10)
Election. Bowne will pay or cause to be paid any and all Taxes imposed as a
result of the sale of assets deemed made pursuant to the Code Section 338(h)(10)
Election and the regulations thereunder upon the sale of the Shares. Within
sixty (60) days after the Closing Date, Purchaser shall deliver to Bowne a
completed Internal Revenue Service Form 8023-A and required schedules thereto
(the "Form"), as well as any applicable state, local or foreign forms (the
"State Form"). Provided that the information on the Form is, in the reasonable
determination of Bowne, correct and complete in all material respects, Bowne
shall, within 30 days after receipt of such Form, execute the Form and deliver
the Form to Purchaser. If any changes or supplements are required to the Form,
the Parties will promptly inform each other of same and Bowne and Purchaser will
promptly agree on such changes. Purchaser will timely file the Form, and any
required supplements thereto, and will provide assurance to Bowne that it has
done so. Bowne and Purchaser agree that neither of them nor any of their
Affiliates shall take any unilateral action to modify or revoke the elections
contained in or the content of the Form, any State Forms and any supplements.
Bowne and its Affiliates shall file their respective Federal tax returns (and
affected state and local returns) in a manner consistent with the Section
338(h)(10) Election.

                  (m) Allocation of Purchase Price. Bowne and Purchaser agree to
negotiate in good faith on an allocation of the Purchase Price, as adjusted,
among the assets of the Company that are deemed to have been acquired pursuant
to the 338(h)(10) Election or any state law equivalent. The agreed allocation
shall be set forth in a letter agreement used to file all reports and returns
for taxes. If Bowne and Purchaser are unable to agree on an allocation within
sixty days after the Closing Date, Purchaser and Bowne shall be free to make any
allocation they desire, and Purchaser shall allow Bowne and its authorized agent
and representatives access to the Company and its books and assets to allow
Bowne to make an appraisal of such assets and a tax allocation. Should Purchaser
or Bowne hire an appraiser to appraise the value of the assets of the Company,
Purchaser or Bowne shall provide the other with a true copy of the written
appraisal report made by such firm, upon payment of one-half of the cost of any
such appraisal.

                  (n) From and after the date hereof, Bowne will not make, or
cause the Company to make, any Tax Election not consistent with past practice.


                                     - 38 -
<PAGE>   45
                  (o) Sellers will provide certifications of non-foreign status
in accordance with Treasury Regulation Section 1.1445-2(b) substantially in the
form and to the effect of Exhibit H hereto.

                                   ARTICLE IX

                            EMPLOYEE BENEFITS MATTERS

                  9.01 General. Purchaser shall cause all employees of the
Company to be eligible as of the Closing to participate in the "employee welfare
benefit plans" and "employee pension plans" (within the meaning of Section 3(1)
and Section 3(2) of ERISA, respectively) of Purchaser, if any, in which
similarly situated employees of Purchaser are generally eligible to participate,
provided that (a) nothing herein shall prevent Purchaser from terminating the
employment of any employee of the Company or modifying or terminating such plans
of Purchaser from time to time, and (b) all employees of the Company and their
dependents shall be covered immediately after the Closing (and shall not be
excluded from coverage on account of any pre-existing condition) under any such
plan that is a group health plan of Purchaser subject to Part 6 of Title I of
ERISA. For purposes of any length of service requirements, waiting periods,
vesting periods or differential benefits based on length of service in any such
plan for which an Employee may be eligible after the Closing, Purchaser shall
ensure that service by such Employee with the Seller or with the Company shall
be deemed to have been service with the Purchaser. Except as provided otherwise
in this Article IX, Purchaser shall be under no obligation to provide or
continue any such plans or other arrangements after the Closing Date and may
amend or terminate any such plan or arrangement in whole or in part, and may
modify any provision thereof, including any provision dealing with eligibility,
levels or types of benefits, deductibles or co-payment obligations, or any other
right, feature other or characteristic.

                  9.02 Growth Participation Plan. Purchaser shall pay or cause
to be paid when due to employees of the Company, any and all amounts vested and
due to any such employee under the Company's Growth Participation Plan as in
effect on the date hereof (up to a maximum aggregate amount of $284,000). Any
amounts due to employees of the Company under the Company's Growth Participation
Plan in excess of such $284,000 shall be the responsibility of Bowne.

                  9.03 Bowne Pension Plan. Bowne shall cause each employee of
the Company participating in the Bowne Pension Plan and not yet vested therein
to be fully vested on and as of the Closing Date with respect to all benefits
accrued as of the Closing Date


                                     - 39 -
<PAGE>   46
                  9.04 Bowne Profit Sharing Plan. Bowne shall cause each
employee of the Company participating in the Bowne Profit Sharing Plan and not
yet vested therein to be fully vested on and as of the Closing Date with respect
to all benefits accrued as of the Closing Date.

                  9.05 Employee Bonuses. Purchaser or the Company shall be
responsible for and shall pay all bonus amounts earned by employees of the
Company under any Benefit Plans in respect of the year ended October 31, 1996 up
to a maximum of $250,000. Any bonus amounts due to employees of the Company in
respect of such period in excess of $250,000 shall be the responsibility of
Bowne.

                                    ARTICLE X

                    SURVIVAL OF REPRESENTATIONS, WARRANTIES,
                            COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

                  10.01 Survival of Representations, Warranties, Covenants and
Agreements. Notwithstanding any right of Purchaser (whether or not exercised) to
investigate the affairs of the Company or any right of any party (whether or not
exercised) to investigate the accuracy of the representations and warranties of
the other party contained in this Agreement, Sellers and Purchaser have the
right to rely fully upon the representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements of the other contained in this Agreement. The representations,
warranties, covenants and agreements of Sellers and Purchaser contained in this
Agreement will survive the Closing (a) indefinitely with respect to (i) the
representations and warranties contained in Sections 2.02, 2.04, 2.27, 3.02 and
3.07 and (ii) the covenants and agreements contained in Sections 1.06, 14.03 and
14.05; (b) until sixty (60) days after the expiration of all applicable statutes
of limitation (including all periods of extension, whether automatic or
permissive) with respect to matters covered by Section 2.12 and Article VIII and
(insofar as they relate to ERISA or the Code) Section 2.15 and Article IX; (c)
until June 30, 1998 in the case of all other representations and warranties and
any covenant or agreement to be performed in whole or in part on or prior to the
Closing or (d) with respect to each other covenant or agreement contained in
this Agreement, until sixty (60) days following the last date on which such
covenant or agreement is to be performed or, if no such date is specified,
indefinitely; provided that the termination of any representation, warranty,
covenant or agreement in accordance with clause (b), (c) or (d) above will have
no effect on any Claim Notice or Indemnity Notice (as applicable) that shall
have been timely given under Article XI on or prior to such termination date.


                                     - 40 -
<PAGE>   47
                                   ARTICLE XI

                                 INDEMNIFICATION

                  11.01  Indemnification.

                  (a) Subject to paragraph (c) of this Section and the other
Sections of this Article XI, Sellers shall indemnify severally and not jointly,
in proportion to their respective share of the aggregate consideration received
pursuant to this Agreement, the Purchaser Indemnified Parties in respect of, and
hold each of them harmless from and against, any and all Losses suffered,
incurred or sustained by any of them or to which any of them becomes subject,
resulting from, arising out of or relating to (i) any breach of representation
or warranty of Sellers contained in this Agreement determined in all cases as if
the terms "material" or "materially" were not included therein), (ii) any
nonfulfillment of or failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of
Sellers contained in this Agreement, and (iii) any and all Liabilities relating
to, or arising out of or in connection with the Appeal Assets or the operation
of the Appeal Business.

                  (b) Subject to the other Sections of this Article XI,
Purchaser shall indemnify the Seller Indemnified Parties in respect of, and hold
each of them harmless from and against, any and all Losses suffered, incurred or
sustained by any of them or to which any of them becomes subject, resulting
from, arising out of or relating to (i) any breach of representation or warranty
of the Purchaser contained in this Agreement, and (ii) any nonfulfillment of or
failure to perform any covenant or agreement on the part of Purchaser contained
in this Agreement.

                  (c) No amounts of indemnity shall be payable in the case of a
claim by any Indemnified Party under Section 11.01(a)(i) or 11.01(b)(i) (x)
unless and until such Indemnified Parties have suffered, incurred, sustained or
become subject to Losses referred to in such Section in excess of $100,000 in
the aggregate; in which event the Indemnified Parties shall be entitled to claim
indemnity for Losses over and above such amount, and (y) in excess of
$15,000,000 in the aggregate; provided that this paragraph (c) shall not apply
to a breach of a representation or warranty contained in Section 2.02, 2.04,
2.06, 2.07 or 2.27. For the avoidance of doubt, the parties reiterate that any
amounts payable by Sellers in respect of indemnity claims hereunder shall be
payable severally, in proportion to their respective share of the aggregate
consideration received hereunder.

                  (d) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Agreement, Sellers shall have no liability under any provision of this Agreement
for any Losses to the extent and only


                                     - 41 -
<PAGE>   48
to the extent that such Losses result from or arise out of actions taken by
Purchaser, the Company or their respective Affiliates after the Closing Date.

                  (e) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Article XI, this Article XI shall not apply to any Losses related to Taxes for
which indemnifications are provided in Article VIII.

                  11.02 Method of Asserting Claims. All claims for
indemnification by any Indemnified Party under Section 11.01 will be asserted
and resolved as follows:

                  (a) In the event any claim or demand in respect of which an
Indemnified Party might seek indemnity under Section 11.01 is asserted against
or sought to be collected from such Indemnified Party by a Person other than
Seller or any Affiliate of Seller or of Purchaser (a "Third Party Claim"), the
Indemnified Party shall deliver a Claim Notice to the Indemnifying Party as soon
as is practicable and in any event within 30 days of the time that the
Indemnified Party learns of such Third Party Claim. If the Indemnified Party
fails so to provide the Claim Notice, the Indemnifying Party will not be
obligated to indemnify the Indemnified Party with respect to such Third Party
Claim to the extent that the Indemnifying Party's ability to defend has been
irreparably prejudiced by such failure of the Indemnified Party. The
Indemnifying Party will notify the Indemnified Party as soon as practicable
within the Dispute Period whether the Indemnifying Party disputes its liability
to the Indemnified Party under Section 11.01 and whether the Indemnifying Party
desires, at its sole cost and expense, to defend the Indemnified Party against
such Third Party Claim.

                  (i) If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party
         within the Dispute Period that the Indemnifying Party desires to defend
         the Indemnified Party with respect to the Third Party Claim pursuant to
         this Section 11.02(a), then the Indemnifying Party will have the right
         to defend, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnified
         Party, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, such
         Third Party Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings
         will be prosecuted by the Indemnifying Party in good faith or will be
         settled at the discretion of the Indemnifying Party (but only with the
         consent of the Indemnified Party, which consent will not be
         unreasonably withheld, in the case of any settlement that provides for
         any relief other than the payment of monetary damages as to which the
         Indemnified Party will be indemnified in full). The Indemnifying Party
         will be deemed to have waived its right to dispute its liability to the
         Indemnified Party under Section 11.01 with respect to any Third Party
         Claim as to which it elects to control the defense. The Indemnifying


                                     - 42 -
<PAGE>   49
         Party will have full control of such defense and proceedings, including
         (except as provided in the immediately preceding sentence) any
         settlement thereof; provided, however, that the Indemnified Party may,
         at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnified Party, at any time
         prior to the Indemnifying Party's delivery of the notice referred to in
         the first sentence of this clause (i), file any motion, answer or other
         pleadings or take any other action that the Indemnified Party
         reasonably believes to be necessary or appropriate to protect its
         interests; and provided further, that if requested by the Indemnifying
         Party, the Indemnified Party will, at the sole cost and expense of the
         Indemnifying Party, provide reasonable cooperation to the Indemnifying
         Party in contesting any Third Party Claim that the Indemnifying Party
         elects to contest. The Indemnified Party may retain separate counsel to
         represent it in, but not control, any defense or settlement of any
         Third Party Claim controlled by the Indemnifying Party pursuant to this
         clause (i), and the Indemnified Party will bear its own costs and
         expenses with respect to such separate counsel, except that the
         Indemnifying Party will pay the costs and expenses of such separate
         counsel if in the Indemnified Party's good faith judgment, it is
         advisable, based on advice of counsel, for the Indemnified Party to be
         represented by separate counsel because a conflict or potential
         conflict exists between the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified
         Party which makes representation of both parties inappropriate under
         applicable standards of professional conduct. Notwithstanding the
         foregoing, the Indemnified Party may retain or take over the control of
         the defense or settlement of any Third Party Claim the defense of which
         the Indemnifying Party has elected to control if the Indemnified Party
         irrevocably waives its right to indemnity under Section 11.01 with
         respect to such Third Party Claim.

                  (ii) If the Indemnifying Party fails to notify the Indemnified
         Party within the Dispute Period that the Indemnifying Party desires to
         defend the Third Party Claim pursuant to Section 11.02(a), or if the
         Indemnifying Party gives such notice but fails to prosecute or settle
         the Third Party Claim, then the Indemnified Party will have the right
         to defend, at the sole cost and expense of the Indemnifying Party, the
         Third Party Claim by all appropriate proceedings, which proceedings
         will be prosecuted by the Indemnified Party in good faith or will be
         settled at the discretion of the Indemnified Party (with the consent of
         the Indemnifying Party, which consent will not be unreasonably
         withheld). The Indemnified Party will have full control of such defense
         and proceedings, including (except as provided in the immediately
         preceding sentence) any settlement thereof; provided, however, that if
         requested by the Indemnified


                                     - 43 -
<PAGE>   50
         Party, the Indemnifying Party will, at the sole cost and expense of the
         Indemnifying Party, provide reasonable cooperation to the Indemnified
         Party and its counsel in contesting any Third Party Claim which the
         Indemnified Party is contesting. Notwithstanding the foregoing
         provisions of this clause (ii), if the Indemnifying Party has notified
         the Indemnified Party within the Dispute Period that the Indemnifying
         Party disputes its liability hereunder to the Indemnified Party with
         respect to such Third Party Claim and if such dispute is resolved in
         favor of the Indemnifying Party in the manner provided in clause (iii)
         below, the Indemnifying Party will not be required to bear the costs
         and expenses of the Indemnified Party's defense pursuant to this clause
         (ii) or of the Indemnifying Party's participation therein at the
         Indemnified Party's request, and the Indemnified Party will reimburse
         the Indemnifying Party in full for all reasonable costs and expenses
         incurred by the Indemnifying Party in connection with such litigation.

            (iii) If the Indemnifying Party notifies the Indemnified Party that
         it does not dispute its liability to the Indemnified Party with respect
         to the Third Party Claim under Section 11.01 or fails to notify the
         Indemnified Party within the Dispute Period whether the Indemnifying
         Party disputes its liability to the Indemnified Party with respect to
         such Third Party Claim, the Loss arising from such Third Party Claim
         will be conclusively deemed a liability of the Indemnifying Party under
         Section 11.01 and the Indemnifying Party shall pay the amount of such
         Loss to the Indemnified Party on demand following its final
         determination. If the Indemnifying Party has timely disputed its
         liability with respect to such claim, the Indemnifying Party and the
         Indemnified Party will proceed in good faith to negotiate a resolution
         of such dispute, and if not resolved through negotiations within the
         Resolution Period, such dispute shall be resolved by arbitration in
         accordance with paragraph (c) of this Section 11.02.

                  (b) In the event any Indemnified Party should determine in
good faith that it has a claim under Section 11.01 against any Indemnifying
Party that does not involve a Third Party Claim, the Indemnified Party shall
deliver an Indemnity Notice with reasonable promptness to the Indemnifying
Party. The failure by any Indemnified Party to give the Indemnity Notice shall
not impair such party's rights hereunder except to the extent that an
Indemnifying Party has been irreparably prejudiced thereby. If the Indemnifying
Party notifies the Indemnified Party that it does not dispute the claim
described in such Indemnity Notice or fails to notify the Indemnified Party
within the Dispute Period whether the Indemnifying Party disputes the claim
described in such Indemnity Notice, the Loss arising from


                                     - 44 -
<PAGE>   51
the claim specified in such Indemnity Notice will be conclusively deemed a
liability of the Indemnifying Party under Section 11.01 and the Indemnifying
Party shall pay the amount of such Loss to the Indemnified Party on demand
following its final determination. If the Indemnifying Party has timely disputed
its liability with respect to such claim, the Indemnifying Party and the
Indemnified Party will proceed in good faith to negotiate a resolution of such
dispute, and if not resolved through negotiations within the Resolution Period,
such dispute shall be resolved by arbitration in accordance with paragraph (c)
of this Section 11.02.

                  (c) Any dispute submitted to arbitration pursuant to this
Section 11.02 shall be finally and conclusively determined by the decision of a
board of arbitration consisting of three (3) members (hereinafter sometimes
called the "Board of Arbitration") selected as hereinafter provided. Each of the
Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party shall select one (1) member and the
third member shall be selected by mutual agreement of the other members, or if
the other members fail to reach agreement on a third member within twenty (20)
days after their selection, such third member shall thereafter be selected by
the American Arbitration Association upon application made to it for a third
member possessing expertise or experience appropriate to the dispute jointly by
the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying Party. The Board of Arbitration shall
reach and render a decision in writing (concurred in by a majority of the
members of the Board of Arbitration) with respect to the amount, if any, which
the Indemnifying Party is required to pay to the Indemnified Party in respect of
a claim filed by the Indemnified Party. In connection with rendering its
decisions, the Board of Arbitration shall adopt and follow such rules and
procedures as a majority of the members of the Board of Arbitration deems
necessary or appropriate. To the extent practical, decisions of the Board of
Arbitration shall be rendered no more than thirty (30) days following
commencement of proceedings with respect thereto. The Board of Arbitration shall
cause its written decision to be delivered to the Indemnified Party and the
Indemnifying Party. Any decision made by the Board of Arbitration (either prior
to or after the expiration of such thirty (30) calendar day period) shall be
final, binding and conclusive on the Indemnified Party and the Indemnifying
Party and entitled to be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by law and
entered in any court of competent jurisdiction. Each party to any arbitration
shall bear its own expense in relation thereto, including but not limited to
such party's attorneys' fees, if any, and the expenses and fees of the member of
the Board of Arbitration appointed by such party, provided, however, that the
expenses and fees of the third member of the Board of Arbitration and any other
expenses of the Board of Arbitration not capable of being attributed to any one
member shall be borne


                                     - 45 -
<PAGE>   52
in equal parts by the Indemnifying Party and the Indemnified Party.

                                   ARTICLE XII

                                   TERMINATION

                  12.01  Termination.  This Agreement may be terminated,
and the transactions contemplated hereby may be abandoned:

                  (a)  at any time before the Closing, by mutual written
agreement of Sellers and Purchaser;

                  (b) at any time before the Closing, by Sellers or Purchaser,
in the event of a material breach hereof by the non-terminating party if such
non-terminating party fails to cure such breach within five (5) Business Days
following notification thereof by the terminating party; or

                  (c) at any time after January 31, 1997 by Sellers or Purchaser
upon notification of the non-terminating party by the terminating party if the
Closing shall not have occurred on or before such date and such failure to
consummate is not caused by a breach of this Agreement by the terminating party.

                  12.02 Effect of Termination. If this Agreement is validly
terminated pursuant to Section 12.01, this Agreement will forthwith become null
and void, and there will be no liability or obligation on the part of Sellers or
Purchaser (or any of their respective officers, directors, employees, agents or
other representatives or Affiliates), except as provided in the next succeeding
sentence and except that the provisions with respect to expenses in Section
14.03 and confidentiality in Section 14.05 will continue to apply following any
such termination. Nothing herein shall relieve either party from liability for
any willful breach hereof.

                                  ARTICLE XIII

                                   DEFINITIONS

                  13.01  Definitions.  (a) Defined Terms.  As used in this
Agreement, the following defined terms have the meanings indicated below:

                  "Acquisition Proposal" means any proposal for a merger or
other business combination to which the Company is a party or the direct or
indirect acquisition of any equity interest in, or a substantial portion of the
assets of, the Company, other than the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement.


                                     - 46 -
<PAGE>   53
                  "Actions or Proceedings" means any action, suit, proceeding,
arbitration or Governmental or Regulatory Authority investigation or audit.

                  "Affiliate" means any Person that directly, or indirectly
through one of more intermediaries, controls or is controlled by or is under
common control with the Person specified. For purposes of this definition,
control of a Person means the power, direct or indirect, to direct or cause the
direction of the management and policies of such Person whether by Contract or
otherwise and, in any event and without limitation of the previous sentence, any
Person owning ten percent (10%) or more of the voting securities of another
Person shall be deemed to control that Person.

                  "Agreement" means this Stock Purchase Agreement and the
Exhibits, the Disclosure Schedule and the Schedules hereto, as the same shall be
amended from time to time.

                  "Appeal Assets" means the Assets and Properties of the Company
used or held for use in operation of the Appeal Business.

                  "Appeal Business" means the Company's line of business
pursuant to which the Company publishes, markets, sells and distributes the
"Appeal Securities Act Handbook" and related products under the "Bowne
Publishing" name.

                  "Assets and Properties" of any Person means all assets and
properties of every kind, nature, character and description (whether real,
personal or mixed, whether tangible or intangible, whether absolute, accrued,
contingent, fixed or otherwise and wherever situated), including the goodwill
related thereto, operated, owned or leased by such Person.

                  "Benefit Plan" means any Plan established by the Company, or
any predecessor or Affiliate of any of the foregoing, existing at the Closing
Date or prior thereto, to which the Company contributes or has contributed, or
under which any employee, former employee or director of the Company or any
beneficiary thereof is covered, is eligible for coverage or has benefit rights.

                  "Board of Arbitration" has the meaning ascribed to it in 
Section 11.02(d).

                  "Books and Records" means all files, documents, instruments,
papers, books and records relating to the Business or Condition of the Company,
including without limitation financial statements, Tax Returns and related work
papers and letters from accountants, budgets, pricing guidelines, ledgers,
journals, deeds, title policies, minute books, stock certificates and books,
stock transfer ledgers, Contracts, Licenses, customer


                                     - 47 -
<PAGE>   54
lists, computer files and programs, retrieval programs, operating data and plans
and environmental studies and plans.

                  "Business Day" means a day other than Saturday, Sunday or any
day on which banks located in the States of New York and Massachusetts are
authorized or obligated to close.

                  "Business or Condition of the Company" means the business,
condition (financial or otherwise), results of operations, Assets and Properties
of the Company.

                  "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "CERCLIS" means the Comprehensive Environmental
Response and Liability Information System, as provided for by 40
C.F.R. Section 300.5.

                  "Claim Notice" means written notification pursuant to Section
11.02(a) of a Third Party Claim as to which indemnity under Section 11.01 is
sought by an Indemnified Party, enclosing a copy of all papers served, if any,
and specifying the nature of and basis for such Third Party Claim and for the
Indemnified Party's claim against the Indemnifying Party under Section 11.01,
together with the amount or, if not then reasonably determinable, the estimated
amount, determined in good faith, of the Loss arising from such Third Party
Claim.

                  "Closing" means the closing of the transactions contemplated 
by Section 1.03.

                  "Closing Date" means (a) the second Business Day after the day
on which the last of the consents, approvals, actions, filings, notices or
waiting periods described in or related to the filings described in Sections
6.04 through 6.07 and Sections 7.04 through 7.07 has been obtained, made or
given or has expired, as applicable, or (b) such other date as Purchaser and
Sellers mutually agree upon in writing.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $0.01
per share, of the Company.

                  "Company" has the meaning ascribed to it in the
forepart of this Agreement.

                  "Contract" means any agreement, lease, license, evidence of
Indebtedness, mortgage, indenture, security agreement or other contract.


                                     - 48 -
<PAGE>   55
                  "Defined Benefit Plan" means each Benefit Plan which is
subject to Part 3 of Title I of ERISA, Section 412 of the Code or Title IV of
ERISA.

                  "Disclosure Schedule" means the record delivered to Purchaser
by Sellers herewith and dated as of the date hereof, containing all lists,
descriptions, exceptions and other information and materials as are required to
be included therein by Sellers pursuant to this Agreement.

                  "Dispute Period" means the period ending thirty (30) days
following receipt by an Indemnifying Party of either a Claim Notice or an
Indemnity Notice.

                  "Environmental Law" means any Law or Order relating to the
regulation or protection of the environment or to emissions, discharges,
releases or threatened releases of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals or
industrial, toxic or hazardous substances or wastes into the environment
(including, without limitation, ambient air, soil, surface water, ground water,
wetlands, land or subsurface strata), or otherwise relating to the manufacture,
processing, distribution, use, treatment, storage, disposal, transport or
handling of pollutants, contaminants, chemicals or industrial, toxic or
hazardous substances or wastes.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of
1974, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "ERISA Affiliate" means any Person who is in the same
controlled group of corporations or who is under common control with Sellers or,
before the Closing, the Company (within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code).

                  "Financial Statements" means the financial statements of the
Company delivered to Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.09 or 4.06.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles,
consistently applied throughout the specified period.

                  "Governmental or Regulatory Authority" means any court,
tribunal, arbitrator, authority, agency, commission, official or other
instrumentality of the United States, any foreign country or any domestic or
foreign state, county, city or other political subdivision.

                  "Hazardous Material" means (A) any petroleum or petroleum
products, flammable explosives, radioactive materials, asbestos in any form that
is or could become friable, urea formaldehyde foam insulation and transformers
or other equipment


                                     - 49 -
<PAGE>   56
that contain dielectric fluid containing levels of polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs); (B) any chemicals or other materials or substances which are now or
hereafter become defined as or included in the definition of "hazardous
substances," "hazardous wastes," "hazardous materials," "extremely hazardous
wastes," "restricted hazardous wastes," "toxic substances," "toxic pollutants"
or words of similar import under any Environmental Law; and (C) any other
chemical or other material or substance, exposure to which is now or hereafter
prohibited, limited or regulated by any Governmental or Regulatory Authority
under any Environmental Law.

                  "HSR Act" means Section 7A of the Clayton Act (Title II of the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended) and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.

                  "Indebtedness" of any Person means all obligations of such
Person (i) for borrowed money, (ii) evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or
similar instruments, (iii) for the deferred purchase price of goods or services
(other than trade payables or accruals incurred in the ordinary course of
business), (iv) under capital leases and (v) in the nature of guarantees of the
obligations described in clauses (i) through (iv) above of any other Person.

                  "Indemnified Party" means any Person claiming indemnification
under any provision of Article XI.

                  "Indemnifying Party" means any Person against whom a claim for
indemnification is being asserted under any provision of Article XI.

                  "Indemnity Notice" means written notification pursuant to
Section 11.02(b) of a claim for indemnity under Article XI by an Indemnified
Party, specifying the nature of and basis for such claim, together with the
amount or, if not then reasonably determinable, the estimated amount, determined
in good faith, of the Loss arising from such claim.

                  "Intellectual Property" means all patents and patent rights,
trademarks and trademark rights, trade names and trade name rights, service
marks and service mark rights, service names and service name rights, brand
names, inventions, processes, formulae, copyrights and copyright rights, trade
dress, business and product names, logos, slogans, trade secrets, industrial
models, processes, designs, methodologies, data bases and computer programs
(including all source codes) and related documentation, technical information,
manufacturing, engineering and technical drawings, know-how and all pending
applications for and registrations of patents, trademarks, service marks and
copyrights.


                                     - 50 -
<PAGE>   57
                  "IRS" means the United States Internal Revenue Service.

                  "Knowledge of Sellers" or "Known to Sellers" means the
knowledge of Robert G. Patterson, the Chief Executive Officer, President, Chief
Financial Officer and Controller of Bowne, or any vice President of the Company.

                  "Laws" means all laws, statutes, rules, regulations,
ordinances and other pronouncements having the effect of law of the United
States, any foreign country or any domestic or foreign state, county, city or
other political subdivision or of any Governmental or Regulatory Authority.

                  "Liabilities" means all obligations and other liabilities of a
Person (whether absolute, accrued, contingent, fixed or otherwise, or whether
due or to become due).

                  "Licenses" means all licenses, permits, certificates of
authority, authorizations, approvals, registrations, franchises and similar
consents granted or issued by any Governmental or Regulatory Authority.

                  "Liens" means any mortgage, pledge, assessment, security
interest, lease, lien, adverse claim, levy, charge or other encumbrance of any
kind.

                  "Loss" means any and all damages, fines, fees, penalties,
deficiencies, losses and expenses (including without limitation interest, court
costs, reasonable fees of attorneys, accountants and other experts or other
expenses of litigation or other proceedings or of any claim, default or
assessment) actually suffered or named by any Person.

                  "Operative Agreements" means any support or other agreements
to be entered into in connection with the transaction.

                  "Option" with respect to any Person means any security, right,
subscription, warrant, option, "phantom" stock right or other Contract that
gives the right to (i) purchase or otherwise receive or be issued any shares of
capital stock of such Person or any security of any kind convertible into or
exchangeable or exercisable for any shares of capital stock of such Person or
(ii) receive or exercise any benefits or rights similar to any rights enjoyed by
or accruing to the holder of shares of capital stock of such Person, including
any rights to participate in the equity or income of such Person or to
participate in or direct the election of any directors or officers of such
Person or the manner in which any shares of capital stock of such Person are
voted.


                                     - 51 -
<PAGE>   58
                  "Order" means any writ, judgment, decree, injunction or
similar order of any Governmental or Regulatory Authority (in each such case
whether preliminary or final).

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
established under ERISA.

                  "Pension Benefit Plan" means each Benefit Plan which is a
pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA.

                  "Permitted Lien" means (i) any Lien for Taxes not yet due or
delinquent or being contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings for which
adequate reserves have been established in accordance with GAAP, (ii) any
statutory Lien arising in the ordinary course of business by operation of Law
with respect to a Liability or Indebtedness that is not yet due or delinquent,
(iii) any Lien disclosed in the Financial Statements, and (iv) any Lien or
imperfection of title not materially affect the use of such property in the
conduct of the business of the Company consistent with past practice.

                  "Person" means any natural person, corporation, general
partnership, limited partnership, proprietorship, other business organization,
trust, union, association or Governmental or Regulatory Authority.

                  "Plan" means any bonus, incentive compensation, deferred
compensation, pension, profit sharing, retirement, stock purchase, stock option,
stock ownership, stock appreciation rights, phantom stock, leave of absence,
layoff, vacation, day or dependent care, legal services, cafeteria, life,
health, accident, disability, workmen's compensation or other insurance,
severance, separation or other employee benefit plan, practice, policy or
arrangement of any kind, whether written or oral, including, but not limited to,
any "employee benefit plan" within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA.

                  "Post-Closing Partial Period" means that portion of any
Straddle Period beginning the day after the Closing Date and ending on the last
day of the Straddle Period.

                  "Post-Closing Period" means a taxable period beginning after 
the Closing Date.

                  "Pre-Closing Partial Period" means that portion of any
Straddle Period beginning on the first day of the Straddle Period and ending on
and including the Closing Date.

                  "Pre-Closing Period" means any Tax period ending on or prior 
to the Closing Date and, with respect to any Straddle



                                     - 52 -
<PAGE>   59
Period, the portion of such Straddle Period that ends on and includes the
Closing Date.

                  "Purchase Price" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
 1.02.

                  "Purchaser" has the meaning ascribed to it in the forepart of
this Agreement.

                  "Purchaser Indemnified Parties" means Purchaser and its
officers, directors, employees, agents and Affiliates.

                  "Qualified Plan" means each Benefit Plan which is intended to
qualify under Section 401 of the Code.

                  "Release" means any release, spill, emission, leaking,
pumping, injection, deposit, disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or
migration into the indoor or outdoor environment, including, without limitation,
the movement of Hazardous Materials through ambient air, soil, surface water,
ground water, wetlands, land or subsurface strata.

                  "Representatives" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
4.03.

                  "Resolution Period" means the period ending thirty (30) days
following receipt by an Indemnified Party of a written notice from an
Indemnifying Party stating that it disputes all or any portion of a claim set
forth in a Claim Notice or an Indemnity Notice.

                  "Sellers" has the meaning ascribed to it in the forepart of
this Agreement.

                  "Seller Indemnified Parties" means each Seller and its
officers, directors, employees, agents and Affiliates.

                  "Shares" has the meaning ascribed to it in the forepart of
this Agreement.

                  "Straddle Period" means a taxable year or taxable period of
the Company which begins before the Closing Date and ends after the Closing
Date.

                  "Subject Defined Benefit Plan" means each Defined Benefit Plan
listed and described in Section 2.15(a) of the Disclosure Schedule.

                  "Tax Benefit" means in the case of any Tax Return, the sum of
the amount by which the Tax liability is reduced (or the Tax refund is
increased) plus any interest relating to such Tax liability (or Tax refund), and
in the case of a consolidated


                                     - 53 -
<PAGE>   60
federal income Tax Return or similar state, local or other Tax Return, the sum
of the amount by which the Tax liability of the affiliated group of corporations
is reduced (or the Tax refund is increased) plus any interest from such
government or jurisdiction relating to such Tax liability (or Tax refund).

                  "Tax Election" shall include, but is not limited to, any
election, claim, disclaimer, waiver relating to any Tax, Tax Return, Tax
Attribute or Tax Benefit.

                  "Tax Return" means a report, return or other information
required to be supplied to a governmental entity with respect to Taxes
including, where permitted or required, combined or consolidated returns for any
group of entities that includes Company or any Subsidiary.

                  "Taxes" means any federal, state, county, local or foreign
taxes, charges, fees, levies, other assessments, or withholding taxes or charges
imposed by any governmental entity, and includes any interest and penalties
(civil or criminal) on or additions to any such taxes and any expenses incurred
in connection with the determination, settlement or litigation of any Tax
liability.

                  "Third Party Claim" has the meaning ascribed to it in Section
11.02(a).

                  "Unaudited Financial Statement Date" means September 30, 1996.

                  "Unaudited Financial Statements" means the Financial
Statements for the eleven month period ended September 30, 1996 of the Company
delivered to Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.09.

                  "Year-End Financial Statement Date" means the fiscal year of
the Company ending on October 31, 1996 for which Financial Statements are
delivered to Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.09.

                  "Year-End Financial Statements" means the Financial Statements
for the fiscal year of the Company ending on October 31, 1996 and delivered to
Purchaser pursuant to Section 2.09.

                  (b) Construction of Certain Terms and Phrases. Unless the
context of this Agreement otherwise requires, (i) words of any gender include
each other gender; (ii) words using the singular or plural number also include
the plural or singular number, respectively; (iii) the terms "hereof," "herein,"
"hereby" and derivative or similar words refer to this entire Agreement; (iv)
the terms "Article" or "Section " refer to the specified Article or Section of
this Agreement; and (v) the


                                     - 54 -
<PAGE>   61
phrases "ordinary course of business" and "ordinary course of business
consistent with past practice" refer to the business and practice of the
Company. Whenever this Agreement refers to a number of days, such number shall
refer to calendar days unless Business Days are specified. All accounting terms
used herein and not expressly defined herein shall have the meanings given to
them under GAAP.

                                   ARTICLE XIV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  14.01 Notices. All notices, requests and other communications
hereunder must be in writing and will be deemed to have been duly given only if
delivered personally or by facsimile transmission or mailed (first class postage
prepaid) to the parties at the following addresses or facsimile numbers:

                  If to Purchaser, to:

                  Primark Corporation
                  1000 Winter Street
                  Waltham, MA 02154
                  Facsimile No.:  (617) 890-6187
                  Attn:  Joseph E. Kasputys
                         Michael R. Kargula

                  with a copy to:

                  Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
                  1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
                  New York, NY 10005
                  Facsimile No.:  (212) 530-5219
                  Attn:  John T. O'Connor

                  If to Bowne, to:

                  Bowne & Co., Inc.
                  345 Hudson Street
                  New York, NY 10014
                  Facsimile No.: (212) 229-7202
                  Attn:  Robert M. Johnson

                  with a copy to:

                  Simpson Thacher & Bartlett
                  425 Lexington Avenue
                  New York, NY 10017
                  Facsimile No.:  (212) 455-2502
                  Attn:  Vincent Pagano, Jr.


                                     - 55 -
<PAGE>   62
                  If to Patterson or the Trust, to:

                  Robert G. Patterson
                  c/o Baseline Financial Services, Inc.
                  61 Broadway
                  New York, NY  10006
                  Facsimile No.:  (212) 785-0262

                  with a copy to:

                  Dyer S. Wadsworth
                  215 E. 48th Street
                  New York, NY  10017
                  Tel: (212) 688-8962

All such notices, requests and other communications will (i) if delivered
personally to the address as provided in this Section, be deemed given upon
delivery, (ii) if delivered by facsimile transmission to the facsimile number as
provided in this Section, be deemed given upon receipt, and (iii) if delivered
by mail in the manner described above to the address as provided in this
Section, be deemed given upon receipt (in each case regardless of whether such
notice, request or other communication is received by any other Person to whom a
copy of such notice, request or other communication is to be delivered pursuant
to this Section). Any party from time to time may change its address, facsimile
number or other information for the purpose of notices to that party by giving
notice specifying such change to the other party hereto.

                  14.02 Entire Agreement. This Agreement and the Operative
Agreements supersede all prior discussions and agreements between the parties
with respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof, including without
limitation that certain letter of intent between the parties dated September 30,
1996, and contain the sole and entire agreement between the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof.

                  14.03 Expenses. Except as otherwise expressly provided in this
Agreement (including without limitation as provided in Section 12.02), whether
or not the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, each party will pay
its own costs and expenses, and Sellers shall pay the costs and expenses of the
Company, incurred in connection with the negotiation, execution and closing of
this Agreement and the Operative Agreements and the transactions contemplated
hereby and thereby.

                  14.04 Public Announcements. At all times at or before the
Closing, Sellers and Purchaser will consult with each other with respect to, and
where reasonably practicable, prior to making, any reports, statements or
releases to the public with respect to this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated


                                     - 56 -
<PAGE>   63
hereby. Sellers and Purchaser will also consult with each other with respect to
the content of any press release to be issued immediately following the Closing
announcing the consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.
Nothing contained in this Section 14.04 shall be deemed to prohibit any party
from complying with any Law or any requirement of any stock exchange binding
upon such party with respect to any public announcements.

                  14.05 Confidentiality. Each party hereto will hold, and will
cause its Affiliates and their respective Representatives to hold, in strict
confidence from any Person (other than any such Affiliate or Representative),
unless (i) compelled to disclose by judicial or administrative process
(including without limitation in connection with obtaining the necessary
approvals of this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby of
Governmental or Regulatory Authorities) or by other requirements of Law or (ii)
disclosed in an Action or Proceeding brought by a party hereto in pursuit of its
rights or in the exercise of its remedies hereunder, all documents and
information concerning the other party or any of its Affiliates furnished to it
by the other party or such other party's Representatives in connection with this
Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby, except to the extent that
such documents or information can be shown to have been (a) previously known by
the party receiving such documents or information, (b) in the public domain
(either prior to or after the furnishing of such documents or information
hereunder) through no fault of such receiving party or (c) later acquired by the
receiving party from another source if the receiving party is not aware that
such source is under an obligation to another party hereto to keep such
documents and information confidential; provided that following the Closing the
foregoing restrictions will not apply to Purchaser's use of documents and
information concerning the Company furnished by Sellers hereunder. In the event
the transactions contemplated hereby are not consummated, upon the request of
the other party, each party hereto will, and will cause its Affiliates and their
respective Representatives to, promptly (and in no event later than five (5)
Business Days after such request) redeliver or cause to be redelivered all
copies of documents and information furnished by the other party in connection
with this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby and destroy or cause
to be destroyed all notes, memoranda, summaries, analyses, compilations and
other writings related thereto or based thereon prepared by the party furnished
such documents and information or its Representatives.

                  14.06 Waiver. Any term or condition of this Agreement may be
waived at any time by the party that is entitled to the benefit thereof, but no
such waiver shall be effective unless set forth in a written instrument duly
executed by or on behalf of the party waiving such term or condition. No waiver
by any party


                                     - 57 -
<PAGE>   64
of any term or condition of this Agreement, in any one or more instances, shall
be deemed to be or construed as a waiver of the same or any other term or
condition of this Agreement on any future occasion. All remedies, either under
this Agreement or by Law or otherwise afforded, will be cumulative and not
alternative.

                  14.07 Amendment. This Agreement may be amended, supplemented
or modified only by a written instrument duly executed by or on behalf of each
party hereto.

                  14.08 No Third Party Beneficiary. The terms and provisions of
this Agreement are intended solely for the benefit of each party hereto and
their respective successors or permitted assigns, and it is not the intention of
the parties to confer third-party beneficiary rights upon any other Person other
than any Person entitled to indemnity under Article XI.

                  14.09 No Assignment; Binding Effect. Neither this Agreement
nor any right, interest or obligation hereunder may be assigned by any party
hereto without the prior written consent of the other party hereto and any
attempt to do so will be void, except (a) for assignments and transfers by
operation of Law and (b) that Purchaser may assign any or all of its rights,
interests and obligations hereunder (including without limitation its rights
under Article XI) to (i) a wholly-owned subsidiary, provided that any such
subsidiary agrees in writing to be bound by all of the terms, conditions and
provisions contained herein, (ii) any post-Closing purchaser of all of the
issued and outstanding stock of the Company or a substantial part of its assets
or (iii) any financial institution providing purchase money or other financing
to Purchaser or the Company from time to time as collateral security for such
financing, but no such assignment shall relieve Purchaser of its obligations
hereunder. Subject to the preceding sentence, this Agreement is binding upon,
inures to the benefit of and is enforceable by the parties hereto and their
respective successors and assigns.

                  14.10 Headings. The headings used in this Agreement have been
inserted for convenience of reference only and do not define or limit the
provisions hereof.

                  14.11 Invalid Provisions. If any provision of this Agreement
is held to be illegal, invalid or unenforceable under any present or future Law,
and if the rights or obligations of any party hereto under this Agreement will
not be materially and adversely affected thereby, (a) such provision will be
fully severable, (b) this Agreement will be construed and enforced as if such
illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision had never comprised a part hereof,
and (c) the remaining provisions of this Agreement will remain in full force and
effect and will not be


                                     - 58 -
<PAGE>   65
affected by the illegal, invalid or unenforceable provision or by
its severance herefrom.

                  14.12 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and
construed in accordance with the Laws of the State of New York applicable to a
Contract executed and performed in such State, without giving effect to the
conflicts of laws principles thereof.

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


                                     - 59 -
<PAGE>   66
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, this Agreement has been duly executed and
delivered by the duly authorized officer of each party hereto as of the date
first above written.

                                           PRIMARK CORPORATION

                                           By:  /s/ Joseph E. Kasputys
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Name: Joseph E. Kasputys
                                              Title: Chairman, President & CEO

                                           BOWNE & CO., INC.

                                           By: /s/ R. H. Johnson
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Name: 
                                              Title: Chairman & CEO

                                               /s/ Robert G. Patterson
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Robert G. Patterson


                                           ROB and MOLLY PATTERSON TRUST

                                           By: /s/ Robert G. Patterson, Trustee
                                              ---------------------------------
                                              Robert G. Patterson, Trustee



                                     - 60 -


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     Exhibit 2.7

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

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





                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT


                                      among


                              WEFA HOLDINGS, INC.,

                               THE STOCKHOLDERS OF
                               WEFA HOLDINGS, INC.


                                       and

                               PRIMARK CORPORATION






                          Dated as of January 16, 1997









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

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Page
                                                                                                      ----
<S>          <C>                                                                                        <C>
1.           DEFINITIONS.................................................................................1

             1.1.          Certain Matters of Construction...............................................1
             1.2.          Certain Definitions...........................................................2

2.           ACQUISITION................................................................................12

3.           PAYMENT AND CLOSING........................................................................13

             3.1.          Purchase Price...............................................................13
             3.2.          Cash Statement...............................................................13
             3.3.          Time and Place of Closing....................................................14
             3.4.          Delivery.....................................................................14

4.           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS..............................................15

             4.1.          Organization and Authority...................................................16
             4.2.          Authorization and Enforceability.............................................16
             4.3.          Non-Contravention, Etc.......................................................16
             4.4.          Title to Shares and Warrants.................................................16

5.           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE
             COMPANY....................................................................................17

             5.1.          Corporate Matters, etc.......................................................17
             5.2.          Financial Statements, etc....................................................19
             5.3.          Change in Condition..........................................................20
             5.4.          Environmental Matters, etc...................................................22
             5.5.          Real and Personal Property...................................................23
             5.6.          Intellectual Property Rights.................................................23
             5.7.          Certain Contractual Obligations..............................................25
             5.8.          Insurance, etc...............................................................27
             5.9.          Litigation, etc..............................................................28
             5.10.         Compliance with Laws, etc....................................................28
             5.11.         Tax Matters..................................................................28
             5.12.         Employee Benefit Plans.......................................................31
             5.13.         Brokers, etc.................................................................33

6.           REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER................................................33
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   3
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>          <C>                                                                                        <C>
             6.1.          Corporate Matters, etc.......................................................34
             6.2.          Financial Condition, etc.....................................................34
             6.3.          Investment Intent, Related Matters...........................................35
             6.4.          Litigation...................................................................35
             6.5.          Brokers, etc.................................................................35

7.           CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES..........................................................35

             7.1.          Payment of Transfer Taxes and Other Charges..................................35
             7.2.          Confidentiality Covenant of the Buyer........................................35
             7.3.          Operation of Business, Related Matters.......................................36
             7.4.          Preparation for Closing......................................................37
             7.5.          Certain Payment and Subscription Rights......................................38
             7.6.          Non-Solicitation.............................................................38
             7.7.          Further Assurances...........................................................40

8.           CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATION TO CLOSE OF THE BUYER.........................................40

             8.1.          Representations, Warranties and Covenants....................................40
             8.2.          Legality; Governmental Authorization; Litigation ............................41
             8.3.          Third Party Consents.........................................................42
             8.4.          Opinion of Counsel...........................................................42
             8.5.          Resignations of Directors....................................................42
             8.6.          Repayment of Debt............................................................42
             8.7.          Prior Owner Matters..........................................................42
             8.8.          General......................................................................42

9.           CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATION TO CLOSE OF THE
             SELLERS....................................................................................43

             9.1.          Representations, Warranties and Covenants....................................43
             9.2.          Legality; Government Authorization; Litigation ..............................43
             9.3.          Letter of Credit Matters.....................................................44
             9.4.          Opinion of Counsel...........................................................44
             9.5.          General......................................................................44

10.          TAX COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS...............................................................44

             10.1.         General Intention of Parties.................................................44
             10.2.         Tax Returns..................................................................44
             10.3.         Payment of Taxes.............................................................45
             10.4.         Straddle Period..............................................................45
             10.5.         Purchase Price Reduction for Payment of Taxes ...............................46
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>          <C>                                                                                        <C>
             10.6.         Notice.......................................................................46
             10.7.         No 338 Election..............................................................46
             10.8.         Tax Elections................................................................46
             10.9.         [Intentionally Omitted]......................................................46
             10.10.        Control of Audit.............................................................46
             10.11.        Cooperation..................................................................47
             10.12.        Access to Tax Records........................................................47
             10.13.        Disagreement Resolution......................................................47

11.          EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ARRANGEMENTS..............................................48

             11.1.         Employment of Affected Employees.............................................48
             11.2.         Substantially Equivalent Benefits............................................48
             11.3.         WARN.........................................................................49
             11.4.         Third-Party Rights...........................................................49
             11.5.         Indemnity....................................................................49

12.          INDEMNIFICATION............................................................................50

             12.1.         Indemnification..............................................................50
             12.2.         Time Limitation on Indemnification...........................................50
             12.3.         Monetary Limitations on Indemnification......................................51
             12.4.         Third Party Claims, etc......................................................51
             12.5.         Certain Other Indemnity Matters. ............................................52

13.          CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.................................................53

             13.1.         Consent to Jurisdiction......................................................53
             13.2.         WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.........................................................54

14.          TERMINATION................................................................................54

             14.1.         Termination of Agreement.....................................................54
             14.2.         Effect of Termination........................................................55
             14.3.         Time of Essence..............................................................55

15.          MISCELLANEOUS..............................................................................55

             15.1.         Entire Agreement; Waivers....................................................55
             15.2.         Amendment or Modification....................................................56
             15.3.         Investigation; No Additional Representations.................................56
             15.4.         Severability.................................................................56
             15.5.         Successors and Assigns.......................................................57
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             <S>          <C>                                                                       <C>
             15.6.         Sellers' Representative......................................................57
             15.7.         Notices......................................................................59
             15.8.         Public Announcements.........................................................60
             15.9.         Headings, etc................................................................60
             15.10.        Disclosure...................................................................60
             15.11.        Third Party Beneficiaries....................................................60
             15.12.        Counterparts.................................................................60
             15.13.        Governing Law................................................................61
             15.14.        Strict Construction..........................................................61
             15.15.        Expenses.....................................................................61
             15.16.        Joinder of Additional Stockholders...........................................61
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   6
                                    EXHIBITS

Exhibit 8.4       Form of Sellers' Counsel Opinion
Exhibit 9.4       Form of Buyer's Counsel Opinion

                                SCHEDULES

Schedule 3.1       -  Selling Shareholders; Shares and Warrants
Schedule 4.3       -  Sellers' Exceptions to Non-Contravention
Schedule 5.1.1     -  Company Foreign Qualification
Schedule 5.1.2     -  Company Exceptions to Non-Contravention
Schedule 5.1.4     -  Subsidiaries
Schedule 5.3.2     -  Changes in Condition, etc. Since Most Recent Financials
Schedule 5.5.1     -  Liens on Assets/Personal Property
Schedule 5.5.2     -  Leases, Owned Real Property and Related Matters
Schedule 5.6       -  Trademarks and other Intellectual Property Rights, etc.
Schedule 5.7       -  Contractual Obligations; Customers
Schedule 5.8       -  Insurance
Schedule 5.9       -  Litigation Matters
Schedule 5.10      -  Compliance with Law
Schedule 5.11      -  Tax Matters
Schedule 5.12      -  Company Plans and Benefit Arrangements, etc.
Schedule 8.3       -  Necessary Consents
Schedule 6.4       -  Buyer Litigation
Schedule 7.3       -  Operations of Business
Schedule 8.3       -  Necessary Consents
<PAGE>   7
                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

         This STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made as of the 16th
of January, 1997, among WEFA Holdings, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), each stockholder or holder of warrants of the Company signing below
as of the date hereof or becoming party hereto pursuant to Section 15.16 hereof
(each a "Seller") and Primark Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Buyer").

                                    Recitals

         1. Each of the Sellers respectively owns the number of issued and
outstanding shares of Class A common stock of the Company, par value $.0001 per
share (the "Class A Common Stock"), Class L-A common stock of the Company, par
value $.0001 per share (the "Class L-A Common Stock"), Class B common stock of
the Company, par value $.0001 per share (the "Class B Common Stock") and Class
L-B common stock of the Company, $.0001 par value per share (the "Class L-B
Common Stock"), and warrants to purchase Class A Common Stock and Class L- A
Common Stock (the "Warrants"), in each case as set forth opposite such Seller's
name on Schedule 3.1 hereto. The Class A Common Stock, Class L-A Common Stock,
Class B Common Stock and Class L-B Common Stock are referred to collectively as
the "Shares".

         2. The Sellers desire to sell and transfer the Shares and Warrants to
the Buyer and the Buyer desires to acquire the Shares and Warrants from the
Sellers, all upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this
Agreement.

                                    Agreement

         Therefore, in consideration of the foregoing and the mutual agreements
and covenants set forth below, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

1. DEFINITIONS. For purposes of this Agreement:

         1.1. Certain Matters of Construction. In addition to the definitions
referred to or set forth below in this Section 1:
<PAGE>   8
                  (a) The words "hereof", "herein", "hereunder" and words of
         similar import shall refer to this Agreement as a whole and not to any
         particular Section or provision of this Agreement, and reference to a
         particular Section of this Agreement shall include all subsections
         thereof.

                  (b) The words "party" and "parties" shall refer to the
         Sellers, the Company and the Buyer.

                  (c) Definitions shall be equally applicable to both the
         singular and plural forms of the terms defined, and references to the
         masculine, feminine or neuter gender shall include each other gender.

                  (d) Accounting terms used herein and not otherwise defined
         herein are used herein as defined by Generally Accepted Accounting
         Principles (as defined below) in effect as of the date hereof,
         consistently applied.

                  (e) All references in this Agreement to any Exhibit or
         Schedule shall, unless the context otherwise requires, be deemed to be
         a reference to an Exhibit or Schedule as such may be amended in
         accordance with Section 7.4.4, as the case may be, to this Agreement,
         all of which are made a part of this Agreement.

                  (f) The word "including" shall mean including without
         limitation.

         1.2. Certain Definitions. The following terms shall have the following
meanings:

                  1.2.1. "Action" shall mean any claim, action, cause of action
         or suit (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or
         investigation by or before any Governmental Authority.

                  1.2.2. "Affected Employees" shall mean all current employees
         of any of the WEFA Companies as of the Closing Date, including any such
         person who is on an approved leave of absence.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   9
                  1.2.3. "Affiliate" shall mean, as to the Company (or other
         specified Person), each Person directly or indirectly controlling,
         controlled by or under common control with the Company (or such
         specified Person). For purposes of this definition, the term "control"
         (including the terms "controlling," "controlled by" and "under common
         control with") means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power
         to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of a
         Person, whether through ownership of voting securities or otherwise.

                  1.2.4. "Agreement" is defined in the Preamble.

                  1.2.5. "Alex Brown" shall mean Alex. Brown & Sons
         Incorporated.

                  1.2.6. "Audited Financials" is defined in Section 5.2.1.

                  1.2.7. "Balance Sheet" is defined in Section 5.2.1.

                  1.2.8. "Balance Sheet Date" shall mean November 30, 1996.

                  1.2.9. "Business" shall mean the business of the WEFA
         Companies as such business is currently conducted.

                  1.2.10. "Business Day" shall mean any day on which banking
         institutions in New York, New York are customarily open for the purpose
         of transacting business.

                  1.2.11. "Buyer" is defined in the Preamble.

                  1.2.12. "By-laws" shall mean the corporate by-laws of a
         corporation, as from time to time in effect.

                  1.2.13. "Cash Consideration" is defined in Section 3.1.

                  1.2.14. "Cash Statement" is defined in Section 3.2.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   10
                  1.2.15. "Charter" shall mean the certificate or articles of
         incorporation or organization or other charter or organizational
         documents of any Person (other than an individual), each as from time
         to time in effect.

                  1.2.16. "Class A Common Stock" is defined in the Preamble.

                  1.2.17. "Class B Common Stock" is defined in the Preamble.

                  1.2.18. "Class L-A Common Stock" is defined in the Preamble.

                  1.2.19. "Class L-B Common Stock" is defined in the Preamble.

                  1.2.20. "Closing" is defined in Section 3.3.

                  1.2.21. "Closing Cash Balance" means, as of the Closing Date,
         the amount of cash balances of the WEFA Companies held in demand and
         time deposits (as reflected in the records of the depository), other
         cash equivalent investments (as determined in accordance with Generally
         Accepted Accounting Principles) or in actual currency and, in the case
         of amounts denominated in currencies other than United States Dollars,
         translated into United States Dollars at the then current exchange
         rate, net of (i) outstanding checks not yet presented for payment and
         (ii) funds held in escrow or as security deposits (but not $200,000
         restricted amount for payroll purposes).

                  1.2.22. "Closing Date" is defined in Section 3.3.

                  1.2.23. "Code" shall mean the federal Internal Revenue Code of
         1986, as amended.

                  1.2.24. "Company" is defined in the Preamble.

                  1.2.25. "Company Plans" is defined in Section 5.12.

                  1.2.26. "Confidentiality Agreement" is defined in Section 7.2.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   11
                  1.2.27. "Contracts" is defined in Section 5.7.

                  1.2.28. "Contractual Obligation" shall mean, with respect to
         any Person, any written contract, agreement, deed, mortgage, lease,
         license, indenture, note, bond, or other document or instrument
         (including, without limitation, any document or instrument evidencing
         or otherwise relating to any indebtedness, but excluding the Charter
         and Bylaws of such Person) to which or by which such Person is legally
         bound.

                  1.2.29. "Debt" shall mean all obligations of such Person (i)
         for borrowed money, (ii) evidenced by notes, bonds, debentures or
         similar instruments, but in no event including operating leases, (iii)
         in respect of capitalized leases and purchase money obligations for the
         acquisition of equipment and fixed assets, but in no event including
         trade payables, and (iv) in the nature of guarantees of obligations of
         the type described in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above of any other
         Person.

                  1.2.30. "Enforceable" shall mean, with respect to any
         Contractual Obligation, that such Contractual Obligation is the legal,
         valid and binding obligation of the Person in question, enforceable
         against such Person in accordance with its terms, except as such
         enforceability may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization
         or other laws affecting creditors' rights generally and general
         principles of equity (whether considered in a proceeding at law or in
         equity).

                  1.2.31. "Environmental Laws" shall mean any federal, state or
         local law as in effect as of the date hereof relating to (i) releases
         or threatened releases of Hazardous Substances, and (ii) the
         manufacture, handling, transport, use, treatment, storage or disposal
         of Hazardous Substances.

                  1.2.32. "ERISA" shall mean the federal Employee Retirement
         Income Security Act of 1974 or any successor statute, as amended and as
         in effect as of the date hereof

                  1.2.33. "Financial Statements" is defined in Section 5.2.1.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   12
                  1.2.34. "Generally Accepted Accounting Principles" shall mean
         generally accepted accounting principles in the United States as in
         effect and applied in the preparation of the Financial Statements.

                  1.2.35. "Government Contract" shall mean a contract between
         the Company and the federal government of the United States of America
         or any subdivision or agency thereof.

                  1.2.36. "Governmental Authority" shall mean any federal, state
         or local government, regulatory or administrative agency (or any
         department, bureau or division thereof).

                  1.2.37. "Governmental Order" shall mean any material decree,
         stipulation, determination or award entered by any Governmental
         Authority.

                  1.2.38. "Hazardous Substances" shall mean (i) substances
         defined in or regulated as toxic or hazardous under the following
         federal statutes and their state counterparts, as well as these
         statutes' implementing regulations, in each case, as amended and as in
         effect as of the date: the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, the
         Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the Comprehensive Environmental
         Response, Compensation and Liability Act, the Clean Water Act, the Safe
         Drinking Water Act, the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, the
         Atomic Energy Act, the Toxic Substances Control Act, the Federal
         Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, and the Clean Air Act;
         (ii) petroleum and petroleum products, including crude oil and any
         fractions thereof; (iii) natural gas, synthetic gas and any mixtures
         thereof; (iv) PCBs and (v) asbestos.

                  1.2.39. "Heller" means Heller Financial, Inc., a Delaware
         corporation.

                  1.2.40. "Heller Debt" shall mean all Debt (including, without
         limitation, all outstanding principal, prepayment premiums, if any, and
         accrued interest, fees and expenses related thereto) of the WEFA
         Companies to Heller, whether under the Credit Agreement dated as of
         August 2, 1994 between WEFA, Inc. and Heller or otherwise.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   13
                  1.2.41. "HSR Act" is defined in Section 6.1.3.

                  1.2.42. "Income Tax" shall mean any (and in the plural "Income
         Taxes" shall mean all) federal, state, local or foreign income, gross
         receipts, franchise, estimated, alternative minimum taxes, assessments,
         or levies, in each case measured by income, arising under the laws of
         or imposed by the United States or any state, county, local or foreign
         government or subdivision or agency thereof, including without
         limitation all interest and penalties and additions with respect to any
         of the foregoing.

                  1.2.43. "Income Tax Return" shall mean all Tax Returns related
         to Income Taxes.

                  1.2.44. "Indemnifying Party" is defined in Section 12.1.

                  1.2.45. "Indemnitee" is defined in Section 12.1.

                  1.2.46. "Individual Sellers" is defined in Section 15.6.

                  1.2.47. "Intangibles" is defined in Section 5.6.

                  1.2.48. "Intellectual Property" means all patents and patent
         rights, trademarks and trademark rights, trade names and trade name
         rights, service marks and service mark rights, service names and
         service name rights, brand names, inventions, processes, formulae,
         copyrights and copyright rights, trade dress, business and product
         names, logos, slogans, trade secrets, industrial models, designs,
         methodologies, data bases and computer programs (including all source
         codes) and related documentation, technical information, manufacturing,
         engineering and technical drawings, know-how and all pending
         applications for and registrations of patents, trademarks, service
         marks and copyrights.

                  1.2.49. "Interim Financials" is defined in Section 5.2.1.

                  1.2.50. "IRS" is defined in Section 5.11.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   14
                  1.2.51. "Knowledge of Sellers" or "Known to Sellers" or
         "Sellers' Knowledge" means the actual knowledge of David Dominik, Marc
         Wolpow, Michael Krupka, William Mundell or Douglas Anthony.

                  1.2.52. "Leases" is defined in Section 5.5.2.

                  1.2.53. "Legal Requirement" shall mean any federal, state or
         local statute, ordinance, code, rule or regulation, or any Governmental
         Order, or any license, franchise, consent, approval, permit or similar
         right granted under any of the foregoing.

                  1.2.54. "Licenses" is defined in Section 5.6.

                  1.2.55. "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, pledge, lien, security
         interest, attachment or encumbrance, provided, however, that the term
         "Lien" shall not include (i) statutory liens for Taxes not yet due and
         payable, (ii) encumbrances in the nature of zoning restrictions,
         easements, rights or restrictions of record on the use of real property
         if the same do not materially detract from the value of the property
         encumbered thereby or materially impair the use of such property in the
         Business as currently conducted or proposed to be conducted, (iii)
         statutory or common law liens to secure landlords, lessors or renters
         under leases or rental agreements confined to the premises rented, (iv)
         deposits or pledges made in connection with, or to secure payment of,
         worker's compensation, unemployment insurance, old age pension programs
         mandated under applicable Legal Requirements or other social security,
         (v) statutory or common law liens in favor of carriers, warehousemen,
         mechanics and materialmen, statutory or common law liens to secure
         claims for labor, materials or supplies and other like liens, (vi)
         restrictions on transfer of securities imposed by applicable state and
         federal securities laws and (vii) liens securing the Heller Debt that
         will be released on the Closing Date.

                  1.2.56. "Losses" shall mean any and all losses, damages,
         deficiencies, awards, assessments, judgments, fines, penalties, costs
         and expenses (including, without limitation, reasonable legal costs and
         expenses); provided, however, that the amount of any such Losses for
         the purposes of indemnification hereunder shall be determined net of
         the sum of any amounts actually recovered by the Indemnitee under
         insurance policies 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   15
         with respect to such Loss. Buyer and Sellers agree that any
         indemnification payments under the Agreement shall be considered an
         adjustment to the Purchase Price.

                  1.2.57. "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean any change in or
         effect on the business of any of the WEFA Companies which has a
         material adverse effect on the business, assets or financial condition
         of the WEFA Companies taken as a whole.

                  1.2.58. "Options" means stock options granted under the
         Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan.

                  1.2.59. "Ordinary Course of Business" shall mean the ordinary
         course of the WEFA Companies' business consistent with current custom
         and practice.

                  1.2.60. "Payment Percentage" is defined in Section 12.3.

                  1.2.61. "Permits" is defined in Section 5.10.

                  1.2.62. "Person" shall mean any individual, partnership,
         corporation, association, trust, joint venture, unincorporated
         organization or other entity other than any Governmental Authority.

                  1.2.63. "Personalty Leases" is defined in Section 5.5.1.

                  1.2.64. "Post-Closing Partial Period" shall mean with respect
         to any Tax period beginning prior to the Closing Date and ending after
         the Closing Date, the portion of such period beginning the day after
         the Closing Date.

                  1.2.65. "Post-Closing Period" shall mean any Tax period
         beginning and ending after the Closing Date.

                  1.2.66. "Pre-Closing Partial Period" shall mean with respect
         to any Tax period beginning prior to the Closing Date and ending after
         the Closing Date, the portion of such period up to and including the
         Closing Date.

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   16
                  1.2.67. "Pre-Closing Period" shall mean any Tax period ending
         on or prior to the Closing Date.

                  1.2.68. "Principal Seller" is defined in Section 7.6.

                  1.2.69. "Prior Owner" means WEF Associates CI Limited, a
         Channel Islands company.

                  1.2.70. "Prior Owner Debt" shall mean all Debt (including,
         without limitation, all outstanding principal, prepayment premiums, if
         any, and accrued interest, fees and expenses related thereto) of the
         WEFA Companies to the Prior Owner, whether under the Company's
         $4,500,000 Subordinated Note due 1999, dated August 2, 1994, or
         otherwise.

                  1.2.71. "Purchase Price" is defined in Section 3.1.

                  1.2.72. "Real Property" is defined in Section 5.5.2.

                  1.2.73. "Securities Act" is defined in Section 6.3.

                  1.2.74. "Sellers" is defined in the Preamble.

                  1.2.75. "Seller's Percentage" is defined in Section 3.1.

                  1.2.76. "Sellers' Representative" is defined in Section 14.6.

                  1.2.77. "Shares" is defined in the Recitals.

                  1.2.78. "Straddle Period" shall mean a taxable year or taxable
         period of any member of the WEFA Tax Group that begins before the
         Closing Date and ends after the Closing Date.

                  1.2.79. "Subsidiary" shall mean any Person of which the
         Company (or other 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   17
         specified Person) shall own directly or indirectly through a
         Subsidiary, a nominee arrangement or otherwise at least a majority of
         the outstanding capital stock (or other shares of beneficial interest)
         entitled to vote generally.

                  1.2.80. "Tax Attribute" shall mean any loss, deduction or
         credit for any Tax purpose or any other item that could give rise to a
         Tax Benefit.

                  1.2.81. "Tax Benefit" shall mean in the case of any Tax
         Return, the sum of the amount by which the Tax liability is reduced (or
         the Tax refund is increased) plus any interest relating to such Tax
         liability (or Tax refund), and in the case of a consolidated federal
         Income Tax Return or similar state, local or other Tax Return, the sum
         of the amount by which the Tax liability of the affiliated group of
         corporations is reduced (or the Tax refund is increased) plus any
         interest from such government or jurisdiction relating to such Tax
         liability (or Tax refund).

                  1.2.82. "Tax Election" shall include, but is not limited to,
         any election, claim, disclaimer, or waiver relating to any Tax, Tax
         Return, Tax Attribute or Tax Benefit.

                  1.2.83. "Tax" shall mean any (and in the plural "Taxes" shall
         mean all) federal, state, local or foreign income, gross receipts,
         franchise, estimated, alternative minimum, add-on minimum, sales, use,
         transfer, registration, value added, excise, severance, stamp,
         occupation, premium, profit, windfall profit, customs, duties, real
         property, personal property, capital stock, social security,
         employment, unemployment, disability, payroll, license, employee, and
         other taxes, withholding taxes, assessments, imposts, levies, and other
         charges of every kind and nature arising under the laws of or imposed
         by the United States, or any state, county, local or foreign government
         or subdivision or agency thereof, including, without limitation, all
         interest, penalties and additions with respect to any of the foregoing.

                  1.2.84. "Tax Return" shall mean all federal, state, local, and
         foreign Tax returns, Tax reports, claims for refund of Tax, and
         declarations of estimated Tax, or other statement relating to Taxes and
         any schedule or attachments to any of the foregoing or amendments
         thereto, including (where permitted or required) consolidated, combined
         or

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   18
         unitary returns for any group of entities.

                  1.2.85. "WARN" shall mean the Worker Adjustment and Retraining
         Notification Act of 1988.

                  1.2.86. "Warrants" is defined in the Recitals.

                  1.2.87. "WEFA Companies" shall mean, collectively, the
         Company, its Subsidiaries and CIEMEX, Inc., a Delaware corporation of
         which the Company owns 45% of the outstanding capital stock.

                  1.2.88. "WEFA Tax Group" shall mean, collectively, the
         affiliated group as defined in Section 1504 of the Code for which the
         Company is the common parent, without the exclusion of foreign
         corporations pursuant to section 1504(b)(3).

2. ACQUISITION. Upon the terms, subject to the conditions, and in reliance on
the representations, warranties and covenants set forth herein, on the Closing
Date, each of the Sellers agrees to sell, transfer and deliver to the Buyer the
number of Shares and Warrants, as the case may be, set forth opposite such
Seller's name in Schedule 3.1, as supplemented on account of the joinder of
additional Sellers pursuant to Section 15.16 (or, in the case of Warrants,
Shares in respect of which such Warrants have been exercised or exchanged, if
any) and the Buyer agrees to purchase and acquire from each of the Sellers such
Shares and Warrants for the consideration specified in Section 3.1.

3. PAYMENT AND CLOSING.

         3.1. Purchase Price. In consideration of the sale and transfer of the
Shares and Warrants by the Sellers to the Buyer at the Closing, the Buyer will
pay an aggregate amount equal to the sum of (a) $45,000,000 plus (b) the Closing
Cash Balance (the "Purchase Price"). The Purchase Price shall be payable at the
Closing (i) by wire transfer of immediately available funds, to such accounts as
the holders of the Heller Debt and the Prior Owner Debt may specify, as payment
in full of the outstanding Heller Debt and Prior Owner Debt, respectively, as
specified by the Company in writing to the Buyer on the Business Day preceding
the Closing, (ii)

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   19
by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as the Company
may specify to pay all termination amounts for unexercised Options, as specified
by the Company in writing to the Buyer on the Business Day preceding the Closing
and (iii) by wire transfer of immediately available funds to such account as the
Sellers' Representative may specify, of the balance of the Purchase Price (the
"Cash Consideration"). The Cash Consideration shall be allocated among each of
the Sellers in the respective percentages of Shares and Warrants (each a
"Seller's Percentage") set forth on Schedule 3.1 (as supplemented on account of
the joinder of additional Sellers in accordance with Section 15.16) and, in the
case of the Warrants, net of the exercise price therefor.

         3.2. Cash Statement. On the Closing Date, the Company shall deliver to
the Buyer and the Sellers' Representative a statement (the "Cash Statement")
reflecting the Company's best estimate of the Closing Cash Balance. The Buyer
may dispute the amount reflected on the Cash Statement after the Closing by
notifying the Sellers' Representative in writing of any such dispute, specifying
the amount thereof and setting forth, in reasonable detail, the basis for such
dispute within ten Business Days after the Buyer's receipt of the Cash
Statement. In the event of such a dispute, the Sellers' Representative and the
Buyer shall attempt to reconcile their differences and any resolution by them as
to any disputed amounts shall be final, binding and conclusive on the parties
hereto. If the Sellers' Representative and the Buyer are unable to reach a
resolution within 15 days after the delivery to the Sellers' Representative of
the Buyer's written notice of dispute with respect to the Cash Statement, the
Sellers' Representative and the Buyer shall submit the items remaining in
dispute for resolution to an accounting firm of national reputation mutually
acceptable to the Buyer and the Sellers' Representative (or, in the absence of
mutual agreement on the choice of accounting firm, one of the "big six"
accounting firms chosen by lot, with each of the Buyer and the Sellers'
Representative having the right to veto one firm so chosen), which shall, within
20 days after such submission, determine and report to the Sellers'
Representative and the Buyer upon such remaining disputed items, and such report
shall be final, binding and conclusive on the Sellers and the Buyer. The Sellers
and the Buyer shall each be responsible for one-half of the fees and
disbursements of such accounting firm.

         3.3. Time and Place of Closing. The closing (the "Closing") shall take
place at the offices of Ropes & Gray, One International Place, Boston,
Massachusetts at 10:00 a.m. (local time) on a date jointly specified by the
parties, which date shall be not later than five Business

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   20
Days after the satisfaction or waiver of all conditions precedent set forth in
Sections 8 and 9 or at such other time or place upon which the parties may agree
(the day on which the Closing takes place being referred to herein as the
"Closing Date").

         3.4. Delivery. At the Closing, each of the Sellers shall deliver to the
Buyer the certificate or certificates, in genuine and unaltered form, evidencing
all of the Shares and Warrants held by such Seller, duly endorsed in blank,
against delivery by the Buyer of the Purchase Price. In addition, (i) Sellers
shall deliver to Buyer an executed cross-receipt evidencing the sale to Buyer of
all outstanding Warrants and Buyer's full payment therefor, and (ii) each of
Heller and the Prior Owner shall have executed and delivered to Buyer letters or
other documents evidencing payment in full of the Heller Debt and the Prior
Owner Debt and the release by each of them of any and all security interests
that either of them have in the shares or assets of any WEFA Company.

         3.5. Further Assurances; Post-Closing Cooperation. (a) At any time or
from time to time after the Closing, Sellers shall execute and deliver to Buyer
such other documents and provide such materials and information and take such
other actions as Buyer may reasonably request (i) more effectively to vest title
to the Shares and Warrants in Buyer, (ii) to the full extent permitted by law,
to put Buyer in actual possession and operating control of the Company and its
assets and properties and books and records, (iii) to assist Buyer by executing
votes, waivers, resignations and other documents with respect to certain
corporate housekeeping measures with respect to the WEFA Companies and (iv)
otherwise to cause Sellers to fulfill their obligations under this Agreement.

                  (b) Following the Closing, each party will afford the other
party, its counsel and its accountants, during normal business hours, reasonable
access to the books, records and other data relating to the Business, the
Company or the WEFA Companies in its possession with respect to periods prior to
the Closing and Straddle Periods (with respect to Taxes), and the right to make
copies and extracts therefrom, to the extent that such access may be reasonably
required by the requesting party in connection with (i) the preparation of Tax
Returns, (ii) the determination or enforcement of rights and obligations under
this Agreement, (iii) compliance with Legal Requirements, (iv) the determination
or enforcement of the rights and obligations of any party to this Agreement or
(v) in connection with any actual or threatened Action. Further,

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   21
both parties agree for a period extending six years after the Closing Date not
to destroy or otherwise dispose of any such books, records and other data unless
such party shall first offer in writing to surrender such books, records and
other data to such other party and such other party shall not agree in writing
to take possession thereof during the ten day period after such offer is made.

                  (c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this
Section, if the parties are in an adversarial relationship in litigation or
arbitration, the furnishing of information, documents or records in accordance
with any provision of this Section shall be subject to applicable rules relating
to discovery.

         3.6. Merger. As soon as practicable following the Closing Date, a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer will be merged with and into the Company, with
the Company as the surviving corporation.

4. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS. In order to induce the Buyer
to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions
contemplated hereby, each of the Sellers, severally and not jointly, represents
and warrants to the Buyer, but only with respect to such Seller and the Shares
and Warrants owned by such Seller that, except as set forth in the applicable
Schedule to this Agreement, bearing the Section number of the representation
sought to be modified:

         4.1. Organization and Authority. Such Seller (other than an individual)
is an entity duly formed, legally existing and in good standing under the laws
of the jurisdiction of its organization and such Seller has full power and
authority to enter into this Agreement, to carry out and perform its obligations
hereunder and to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

         4.2. Authorization and Enforceability. This Agreement has been duly
authorized, executed and delivered by, and is Enforceable against, such Seller.

         4.3. Non-Contravention, Etc. Except as set forth in Schedule 4.3, the
execution and delivery of this Agreement by such Seller and the consummation by
such Seller of the Closing

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   22
hereunder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement do not
and will not conflict with or result in the breach of any of the terms or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any Contractual Obligation to
which such Seller is a party or by which such Seller is, or the Shares and
Warrants to be sold by such Seller hereunder are, bound or any Legal Requirement
applicable to such Seller or to the Shares and Warrants to be sold by such
Seller. The existence of any such conflict, whether or not set forth on Schedule
4.3, shall not constitute a failure on the part of such Seller to comply with
the requirements of Section 8.1.1 to the extent that any such conflict shall
have been waived prior to the Closing in writing by the other party to such
Contractual Obligation or by the appropriate Governmental Authority. No consent
is required to be obtained by such Seller in connection with the execution,
delivery and performance of this Agreement by such Seller or the sale of the
Shares and Warrants to be sold by such Seller as contemplated hereby, except as
set forth in Schedule 4.3, and other than any consent where the failure of such
Seller to obtain such consent would not prevent the Sellers from consummating
the Closing hereunder in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement and would not prevent such Seller from performing in all material
respects any of its obligations under this Agreement.

         4.4. Title to Shares and Warrants. Such Seller is the record and
beneficial owner of and has good and valid title to the Shares and Warrants set
forth opposite such Seller's name on Schedule 3.1 (as supplemented on account of
the joinder of additional Sellers pursuant to Section 15.16) which will be sold
by such Seller as contemplated hereby, free and clear of any liens.

5. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES RELATING TO THE COMPANY. In order to induce
the Buyer to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby, the Company represents and warrants to the
Buyer that, except as set forth in the applicable Schedule to this Agreement,
bearing the Section number of the representation sought to be modified:

         5.1. Corporate Matters, etc.

                  5.1.1. Organization, Power and Standing of the Company. The
         Company is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in
         good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware and the Company
         has the corporate power and authority to own,

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   23
         operate or lease its properties and to carry on its business in all
         material respects as currently conducted. The Company is duly
         qualified, licensed or admitted to do business and is in good standing
         in those jurisdictions specified in Schedule 5.1.1, which are the only
         jurisdictions in which the ownership, use or leasing of its assets and
         properties, or the conduct or nature of its business, makes such
         qualification, licensing or admission necessary, except for those
         jurisdictions in which the adverse effects of all such failures by the
         Company to be qualified, licensed or admitted and in good standing
         would not have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  5.1.2. Non-Contravention, etc. Except for items listed on
         Schedule 5.1.2, neither the execution, delivery or performance of this
         Agreement nor the consummation of the Closing hereunder in accordance
         with the terms and conditions of this Agreement does or will
         constitute, result in or give rise to (i) a material breach, violation
         or default under any Legal Requirement applicable to any WEFA Company,
         (ii) a breach of or a default under any Charter or By-Laws provision of
         any WEFA Company, (iii) the imposition of any material Lien upon any
         asset of any WEFA Company or (iv) a material breach of or a default
         under (or the acceleration of the time for performance of any material
         obligation under) any material Contractual Obligation of any WEFA
         Company. Except as set forth in Schedule 5.1.2, no approval, consent,
         waiver, authorization or other order of, and no declaration, filing,
         registration, qualification or recording with, any Governmental
         Authority is required to be obtained or made by or on behalf of any
         WEFA Company in connection with the execution, delivery or performance
         of this Agreement and the consummation of the Closing hereunder in
         accordance with the terms and conditions of this Agreement, except
         those (i) which shall have been obtained or made on or prior to, and
         shall be in full force and effect at, the Closing Date and (ii) where
         failure to obtain such approval, consent, waiver, authorization or
         other order, or to make such declaration, filing, registration,
         qualification or recording has not had a Material Adverse Effect.

                  5.1.3. Title to Stock. The entire authorized capital stock of
         the Company consists of (i) 12,400,000 shares of Class A Common Stock,
         of which 1,019,414 shares are issued and outstanding and 517,375 shares
         are reserved for issuance upon exercise of the Options and Warrants,
         (ii) 2,000,000 shares of Class L-A Common Stock, of which 1,019,414
         shares are issued and outstanding, (iii) 510,000 shares of Class B
         Common 

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   24
         Stock, of which no shares are issued and outstanding and (iv) 90,000
         shares of Class L-B Common Stock, of which no shares are issued and
         outstanding. The Shares constitute all of the issued and outstanding
         shares of common stock of the Company and are duly authorized, validly
         issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. The Shares and Warrants
         are held of record and, to the Sellers' Knowledge, beneficially by the
         Sellers as set forth on Schedule 3.1 (as supplemented on account of the
         joinder of additional Sellers pursuant to Section 15.16). Except for
         this Agreement, the Options (which will be terminated on the Closing
         Date) and the Warrants, there is no Contractual Obligation pursuant to
         which the Company has granted any option, warrant or other right to any
         Person to acquire the shares of common stock or any other securities
         of, or equity interests in, the Company.

                  5.1.4. Subsidiaries. Schedule 5.1.4 sets forth a true and
         complete list of all Subsidiaries of the Company, including the name
         and jurisdiction of organization of each such Subsidiary. Each
         Subsidiary listed on Schedule 5.1.4 is a corporation or other entity
         duly formed, validly existing and in good standing under the laws of
         its jurisdiction of organization, has the power and authority to own,
         operate or lease the properties and assets now owned, operated or
         leased by such Subsidiary and to carry on its business in all material
         respects as currently conducted, and is duly qualified, licensed or
         admitted to do business as a foreign corporation or other entity and in
         good standing in each jurisdiction indicated on Schedule 5.1.4, which
         are the only jurisdictions in which the ownership, use or leasing of
         such Subsidiary's assets and properties, or the conduct or nature of
         its business, makes such qualification, licensing or admission
         necessary, except for those jurisdictions in which the adverse effects
         of all such failures by such Subsidiary to be qualified, licensed or
         admitted and in good standing would not have a Material Adverse Effect.
         Except as set forth in Schedule 5.1.4, each Subsidiary listed on
         Schedule 5.1.4 is wholly-owned by the Company (either directly or
         indirectly by way of ownership through another Subsidiary listed on
         Schedule 5.1.4).

                  5.1.5. Charter and By-laws. The Company has heretofore
         delivered or made available to the Buyer true and complete copies of
         the Charter and By-laws of each WEFA Company, in each case as in effect
         on the date hereof.

         5.2. Financial Statements, etc.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   25
                  5.2.1. Financial Information. The Buyer has been furnished
         with each of the following:

                  (a) The consolidated audited balance sheet of the Company and
         its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and the related
         statements of earnings and shareholders equity and cash flows for the
         fiscal year then ended, accompanied by the notes thereto and the report
         thereon of Price Waterhouse LLP (collectively, the "Audited Financials"
         and, together with the Interim Financials (as defined in paragraph (b)
         below), the "Financial Statements").

                  (b) The unaudited consolidated balance sheet (the "Balance
         Sheet") of the Company and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the
         Balance Sheet Date and related unaudited consolidated statements of
         earnings and cash flows for the eleven-month period then ended
         (collectively the "Interim Financials").

                  5.2.2. Character of Financial Information. The Financial
         Statements were prepared in accordance with Generally Accepted
         Accounting Principles consistently applied throughout the periods
         specified therein and present fairly, in all material respects, the
         consolidated financial position and results of operations of the
         Company and its Subsidiaries as of the dates and for the periods
         specified therein in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting
         Principles, subject in the case of the Interim Financials to the
         absence of footnotes and to normal year-end adjustments.

         5.3. Change in Condition.

                  5.3.1. Accounting Practices. Since the Balance Sheet Date the
         Company has not made or agreed to make, and has not permitted any of
         its Subsidiaries to make or agree to make, any material change in its
         methods of accounting or accounting practices.

                  5.3.2. Since Balance Sheet Date. Except for matters set forth
         in Schedule 5.3.2, since the Balance Sheet Date the Business has been
         conducted only in the Ordinary Course of Business (except as otherwise
         required or permitted by the terms of this

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   26
         Agreement) and:

                  (a) Other than transactions between or among the Company and
         its Subsidiaries, neither the Company nor any of its Subsidiaries has:

                           (i)       entered into any Contractual Obligation
                                     other than this Agreement relating to, or
                                     authorized (A) the sale of any capital
                                     stock or equity interest in any WEFA
                                     Company (other than the issuance of Options
                                     pursuant to the 1994 Stock Option Plan),
                                     (B) the purchase of assets other than in
                                     the Ordinary Course of Business or (C) any
                                     merger, consolidation or other business
                                     combination;

                           (ii)      settled or agreed to settle any material
                                     Action;

                           (iii)     mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any Lien
                                     any of their assets other than (A)
                                     conditional sales or similar security
                                     interests granted in connection with the
                                     lease or purchase of equipment or supplies
                                     in the Ordinary Course of Business, and (B)
                                     Liens disclosed on Schedule 5.5.1;

                           (iv)      sold, leased, transferred or exchanged any
                                     material property for less than the fair
                                     value thereof;

                           (v)       declared or paid any dividends on any
                                     shares of its capital stock;

                           (vi)      made any increase in the salary, wages or
                                     other compensation of any officer, employee
                                     or consultant of any WEFA Company, except
                                     for increases in the Ordinary Course of
                                     Business or as required by any employment
                                     or other agreement, any policy or any
                                     bonus, pension, profit sharing or other
                                     plan or commitment;

                           (vii)     (A) incurred Debt in an aggregate principal
                                     amount exceeding $100,000 (net of any
                                     amounts discharged during such period) (of

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   27
                                     which no more than $25,000 shall be on
                                     account of items other than new computer
                                     equipment), other than advances under the
                                     revolving credit facility included in the
                                     Heller Debt or (B) made any voluntary
                                     purchase, cancellation, prepayment or
                                     complete or partial discharge in advance of
                                     a scheduled payment date with respect to,
                                     or waiver of any right of any WEFA Company
                                     under, any Debt of or owing to any WEFA
                                     Company in an amount exceeding $25,000
                                     other than under the revolving credit
                                     facility included in the Heller Debt;

                           (viii)    experienced any physical damage,
                                     destruction or other casualty loss
                                     affecting any of the plant, real or
                                     personal property or equipment of any WEFA
                                     Company that would, after taking into
                                     account any insurance recoveries payable in
                                     respect thereof, have a Material Adverse
                                     Effect;

                           (ix)      made any write-off or write-down of or any
                                     determination to write off or write down
                                     any of the assets and properties of any
                                     WEFA Company in an aggregate amount
                                     exceeding $25,000;

                           (x)       authorized or experienced any (x) material
                                     amendment of the certificate or articles of
                                     incorporation or by-laws of any WEFA
                                     Company, or (y) recapitalization,
                                     reorganization, liquidation or dissolution
                                     of any WEFA Company;

                           (xi)      incurred or authorized capital expenditures
                                     or commitments for additions to property,
                                     plant or equipment of any WEFA Company in
                                     an aggregate amount exceeding $100,000; or

                           (xii)     entered into any transaction between any
                                     WEFA Company and a Seller, any officer,
                                     director or Affiliate (other than a WEFA
                                     Company) of any Seller (A) outside the
                                     Ordinary Course of Business or (B) other
                                     than on an arm's-length basis.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>   28
                  (b) None of the WEFA Companies has entered into any
         Contractual Obligation to do any of the actions referred to in clause
         (a) above; and

                  (c) There has not been any material adverse change in the
         Business and financial condition of the WEFA Companies, taken as a
         whole.

         5.4. Environmental Matters, etc. Each of the WEFA Companies is as of
the date hereof, and has been for the past two years, in compliance in all
material respects with all Environmental Laws. There is as of the date hereof no
Action pending or, to the Knowledge of Sellers threatened, against any WEFA
Company in respect of, nor has any WEFA Company received any written notice
alleging (i) noncompliance by any WEFA Company with any Environmental Laws or
(ii) the release or threatened release into the environment of any Hazardous
Substance by any WEFA Company or (iii) the handling, storage, use,
transportation or disposal of any Hazardous Substance by any WEFA Company. No
WEFA Company has any material liability, present and past, under CERCLA,
including, without limitation, as the result of its ownership or operation of
any "facility" as defined in CERCLA, or its arrangement for disposal, treatment
or transport of "hazardous substances," also as defined in CERCLA.

         5.5. Real and Personal Property.

                  5.5.1. The applicable WEFA Company has valid title to all of
         its material personal property, and such material personal property is
         not subject to any Lien except as set forth on Schedule 5.5.1. (i) All
         material leases and material licensing agreements for personal property
         ("Personalty Leases") leased or licensed by any of the WEFA Companies
         are valid and in full force and effect in all material respects and are
         listed on Schedule 5.5.1 (other than agreements for the acquisition of
         database information, the licensing of subscription and economic data
         to customers and off-the shelf software licenses, in each case in the
         Ordinary Course of Business); (ii) the WEFA Companies have performed in
         all material respects all obligations required to be performed by them
         under such leases and licenses; and (iii) no event or condition exists
         which constitutes or, with the giving of notice or the passage of time
         or both, would constitute a material default by any of the WEFA
         Companies as lessee or licensee under such leases and 

                                      -22-
<PAGE>   29
         licenses.

                  5.5.2. Schedule 5.5.2 sets forth a list of all real property
         owned by any of the WEFA Companies, and all real property leased to the
         WEFA Companies (the AReal Property@). Except as has not had a Material
         Adverse Effect, (i) all leases (the "Leases") of Real Property leased
         to the WEFA Companies are valid and in full force and effect; (ii) the
         WEFA Companies have performed in all material respects all obligations
         required to be performed by them under such Leases; and (iii) no event
         or condition exists which constitutes or, with the giving of notice or
         passage of time or both, would constitute a material default by any of
         the WEFA Companies as lessee under such Lease.

         5.6. Intellectual Property Rights. (a) Schedule 5.6(a) sets forth a
complete and accurate list of (i) all patents, including all reissues,
reexaminations, continuations, continuations-in-part and divisions thereof, all
trademarks, service marks and designs that, in the case of each of the foregoing
items described in this clause (i), have been issued to or registered by any
WEFA Company; (ii) all pending patent applications and all pending trademark,
service mark and design applications, in each case filed by or on behalf of any
WEFA Company; and (iii) all material unregistered trademarks, service marks,
trade names, service names, trade dress design rights, topography rights, logos
and assumed names which are owned by any WEFA Company. Schedule 5.6(a) also
identifies each license or similar agreement entered into by any WEFA Company
with respect to any Intellectual Property other than in the Ordinary Course of
Business.

                  (b) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.6(b), a WEFA Company is
the sole and exclusive owner of the Intellectual Property described in clause
(i) of Section 5.6(a) and listed in Schedule 5.6(a). All registration and
maintenance fees that have become due and payable to any governmental agency in
respect of any Intellectual Property owned by a WEFA Company and for which a
patent or registration has been issued, have been paid, and no act has been done
or omitted to be done by any WEFA Company or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, any
licensee, distributor, sublicensee or subdistributor thereof, to impair or
dedicate to the public or entitle any governmental authority to cancel, forfeit,
modify or hold abandoned any of such Intellectual Property so owned by a WEFA
Company and listed in Schedule 5.6(a), and to the Knowledge of Sellers, all such
Intellectual Property so owned and listed is valid and enforceable in all
material respects.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   30
                  (c) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.6(c): (i) there are no
pending or, to Sellers' Knowledge, threatened suits, written claims or written
oppositions by any person against the ownership by any WEFA Company or the use
by any WEFA Company of any of the Intellectual Property owned or used by it in
its Business as currently conducted; (ii) the WEFA Companies are in compliance
with the terms of all licenses, leases or other agreements under which the right
to use any of the Intellectual Property listed in Schedule 5.6(a) arose or
pursuant to which a WEFA Company licenses or otherwise distributes such
Intellectual Property to any third party except where noncompliance has not had
a Material Adverse Effect; and (iii) to the Knowledge of Sellers, the use of any
Intellectual Property by a WEFA Company in connection with the conduct of the
business of the WEFA Companies as currently conducted does not infringe upon or
otherwise violate in any material respect any right of any third party.

                  (d) Each WEFA Company owns or is licensed or otherwise has the
right to use, all material Intellectual Property used by it in, or necessary for
it to conduct, its businesses as currently conducted, free and clear of all
Liens, including without limitation (i) material Computer Programs and
databases, and (ii) material user manuals, technical manuals or other
documentation related to such Intellectual Property, in each case which are
offered or made available to customers by the WEFA Companies.

                  (e) Except as disclosed in Schedule 5.6(e), the material
Computer Programs and material databases used in the conduct of the Business to
date (including without limitation the data, articles and other content included
therein) are (i) owned or licensed by a WEFA Company, or (ii) currently in the
public domain or otherwise available to the WEFA Companies without the approval
or consent of any third party, or (iii) included in such database or computer
program or system pursuant to a written license or lease or other consent from a
third party.

                  (f) The Company has a policy requiring all employees of the
WEFA Companies to maintain the confidentiality of all trade secrets and other
confidential information material to the conduct of the Business.

                  (g) The material Computer Programs listed in Schedule 5.6(e)
as owned by a WEFA Company (i) function in all material respects reasonably in
accordance with the specifications and user manuals therefor published by the
applicable WEFA Company, subject to

                                      -24-
<PAGE>   31
errors and bugs that arise and are corrected in the normal course of the
applicable WEFA Company's business; and (ii) to the Knowledge of Sellers, do not
contain any software routines that in any material respect cause harm, disable
or permit unauthorized access to software, hardware or data. The Company has a
policy to use anti-virus programs in the computer systems of the WEFA Companies.

         5.7. Certain Contractual Obligations. Set forth on Schedule 5.7(a) is a
true and complete list of all of the following Contractual Obligations
(including all amendments or modifications thereof) of the WEFA Companies:

                  (a) All collective bargaining agreements and all written
         employment or individual consulting agreements pursuant to which
         services are rendered to the WEFA Companies (other than the Company
         Plans), in each case which are likely to involve payments by or on
         behalf of a WEFA Company in excess of $25,000 per year;

                  (b) All material Contractual Obligations under which any WEFA
         Company is or will after the Closing be restricted in any material
         respect from carrying on any business or other activities anywhere in
         the world;

                  (c) All Contractual Obligations (but excluding the Options) to
         sell or otherwise dispose of any assets having a fair market value in
         excess of $25,000 except in the Ordinary Course of Business;

                  (d) All Contractual Obligations between any WEFA Company on
         the one hand and any Affiliate of any WEFA Company (other than the WEFA
         Companies) on the other hand in excess of $25,000;

                  (e) All Contractual Obligations (including, without
         limitation, partnership and joint venture agreements) under which (i)
         any WEFA Company has any liability or obligation for Debt, or
         constituting or giving rise to a guarantee of any liability or
         obligation of any Person (other than any WEFA Company) or (ii) any
         Person has any liability or obligation constituting or giving rise to a
         guarantee of any liability or obligation of any WEFA Company, in either
         case involving any Debt or liability in

                                      -25-
<PAGE>   32
         excess of $25,000 individually;

                  (f) All Contractual Obligations pursuant to which any WEFA
         Company incurred an obligation to pay any amounts in excess of $25,000
         in respect of indemnification obligations, purchase price adjustment or
         otherwise in connection with any (i) acquisition or disposition of
         assets constituting a business or securities representing a controlling
         interest in any Person, (ii) merger, consolidation or other business
         combination, or (iii) series or group of related transactions or events
         of a type specified in subclauses (i) through (ii);

                  (g) All Contractual Obligations (including Government
         Contracts) pursuant to which any WEFA Company may be expected to
         perform services with a value in excess of $25,000 and which cannot be
         canceled by any WEFA Company within 30 days without penalty, except for
         contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business; and

                  (h) All Contractual Obligations pursuant to which any WEFA
         Company may be obligated to pay for goods and services to be delivered
         or performed in excess of $25,000 per year, except for purchase orders
         issued and contracts entered into in the Ordinary Course of Business.

Each of the Contractual Obligations listed on Schedule 5.7(a), as in effect on
the date hereof, shall be referred to herein collectively as the "Contracts". No
breach or default in performance by any WEFA Company under any of the Contracts
has occurred and is continuing, and no event has occurred which with notice or
lapse of time or both would constitute such a breach or default, other than any
breach or default which has not had a Material Adverse Effect. To the Knowledge
of Sellers, no material breach or default by any other Person under any of the
Contracts has occurred and is continuing, and no event has occurred which with
notice or lapse of time or both would constitute such a material breach or
default, except a breach or default which has not had a Material Adverse Effect.
Schedule 5.7(i) sets forth a list of United States customers that have accounted
for at least 90% of the United States sales of the WEFA Companies for the period
from December 1, 1995 through November 30, 1996. By the Closing Date the Company
shall update Schedule 5.7(i) pursuant to Section 7.4.4 to set forth a list of
customers that have accounted for at least 90% of the worldwide sales of the
WEFA Companies for the period from

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   33
January 1, 1996 through December 31, 1996.

         5.8. Insurance, etc. Schedule 5.8 is a true and accurate list as of the
date hereof of all material policies or binders of insurance covering the
operations of the WEFA Companies. The Company has delivered or made available to
the Buyer true and accurate copies of all such policies or binders as in effect
on the date hereof. None of the WEFA Companies is in any material default with
respect to its obligations under any of such policies.

         5.9. Litigation, etc. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.9, as of the
date hereof, there is no Action against any WEFA Company pending and, to the
Knowledge of Sellers, no material Action against any WEFA Company is threatened.
There is no Action pending or, to the Knowledge of Sellers, threatened against
the Company or the Sellers which seeks rescission of or seeks to enjoin the
consummation of this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby.

         5.10. Compliance with Laws, etc. The operations of the Business and the
WEFA Companies are in compliance as of the date hereof in all material respects
with applicable Legal Requirements, except as set forth in Schedule 5.10 or as
has not had a Material Adverse Effect. The WEFA Companies have been granted all
licenses, permits, consents, approvals, franchises and other authorizations
under any Legal Requirement necessary for and material to the conduct of the
Business, except where the failure to obtain such licenses, permits, consents,
approvals, franchises or other authorization has not had a Material Adverse
Effect (the "Permits"). The Company has not received any written notice that any
Governmental Authority or other licensing authority will revoke, cancel,
rescind, materially modify or refuse to renew in the ordinary course any of the
Permits.

         5.11. Tax Matters.

                  Except as set forth on Schedule 5.11:

                          (i) Each of the members of the WEFA Tax Group,
                              including the affiliated, combined or unitary 
                              group of which any such corporation or other 
                              entity is or was a member, has filed or has
 

                                      -27-
<PAGE>   34
                                     had filed on its behalf all material Tax
                                     Returns that it was required to file on or
                                     before the date hereof (or the Closing
                                     Date), and has paid (within the term and
                                     the manner prescribed by law) all Taxes
                                     shown thereon as owing;

                           (ii)      all deficiencies asserted in writing and
                                     any assessments made as a result of any
                                     examinations of the Tax Returns referred to
                                     in clause (i) by the Internal Revenue
                                     Service ("IRS") or the appropriate state,
                                     local or foreign taxing authority have been
                                     paid in full;

                           (iii)     none of the members of the WEFA Tax Group
                                     has received any written notice of any
                                     audit, claim, deficiency or assessment
                                     pending or proposed with respect to Taxes
                                     of any of the members of the WEFA Tax
                                     Group;

                           (iv)      none of the members of the WEFA Tax Group
                                     is party, nor will be a party as of the
                                     Closing Date, to any written agreements or
                                     waivers extending the statutory period of
                                     limitation applicable to any Taxes of any
                                     members of the WEFA Tax Group;

                           (v)       none of the members of the WEFA Tax Group
                                     (A) files or is required to file any
                                     combined, consolidated or unitary federal,
                                     state, local or foreign Tax Returns (other
                                     than Tax Returns filed by a group the
                                     common parent of which was the Company) and
                                     (B) is a party to any Contractual
                                     Obligation relating to the allocation or
                                     sharing of Taxes;

                           (vi)      there are no liens with respect to Taxes
                                     upon any of the properties or assets of any
                                     members of the WEFA Tax Group other than
                                     for current Taxes not yet due and payable;

                           (vii)     the members of the WEFA Tax Group have
                                     withheld and timely paid to the appropriate
                                     governmental authority all amounts 

                                      -28-
<PAGE>   35
                                     required to be withheld by sections 1441
                                     and 1442 of the Code or similar provisions
                                     under any foreign laws) and have, within
                                     the time and in the manner prescribed by
                                     law, withheld from employee wages and paid
                                     over to the proper governmental authorities
                                     all amounts required to be so withheld and
                                     paid over under all applicable laws;

                           (viii)    the members of the WEFA Tax Group have not
                                     requested any extension of time within
                                     which to file any Tax Return, which Tax
                                     Return has not since been filed;

                           (ix)      the Company has filed, as a common parent
                                     corporation of an "affiliated group"
                                     (within the meaning of section 1504(a) of
                                     the Code), a consolidated return for
                                     Federal income tax purposes on behalf of
                                     itself and all of the members of the WEFA
                                     Tax Group which are "includible
                                     corporations" (within the meaning of
                                     section 1504(b) of the Code);

                           (x)       the members of the WEFA Tax Group are not
                                     and will not become a party to any
                                     agreement, contract or arrangement that
                                     would result, separately or in the
                                     aggregate, in the payment of any "excess
                                     parachute payments" within the meaning of
                                     section 280G of the Code;

                           (xi)      no power of attorney has been granted by
                                     the members of the WEFA Tax Group with
                                     respect to any matter relating to Taxes
                                     which is currently in force;

                           (xii)     the members of the WEFA Tax Group have not
                                     participated (nor will the members of the
                                     WEFA Tax Group participate prior to the
                                     Closing Date) in or cooperated with an
                                     international boycott within the meaning of
                                     section 999 of the Code;

                                      -29-
<PAGE>   36
                           (xiii)    the members of the WEFA Tax Group have not
                                     filed (and will not file prior to the
                                     Closing Date) a consent pursuant to section
                                     341(f)(2) of the Code or agreed to have
                                     section 341(f)(2) of the Code apply to any
                                     disposition of a "subsection (f) asset" (as
                                     such term is defined in section 341(f)(4)
                                     of the Code) owned by the members of the
                                     WEFA Tax Group;

                           (xiv)     the members of the WEFA Tax Group are not
                                     required to include in income any
                                     adjustments pursuant to section 481(a) of
                                     the Code by reason of a voluntary change in
                                     accounting method initiated by the members
                                     of the WEFA Tax Group and the members of
                                     the WEFA Tax Group have not received
                                     written notice that the Internal Revenue
                                     Service has proposed any such adjustment or
                                     change in accounting method;

                           (xv)      the members of the WEFA Tax Group are not
                                     and have not been United States real
                                     property holding companies (as defined in
                                     section 897(c)(2) of the Code) during the
                                     applicable period specified in section
                                     897(c)(1)(A)(ii) of the Code; and

                           (xvi)     the Buyer has been furnished Financial
                                     Statements, including reserves for the
                                     payment of all Taxes required to be accrued
                                     that are not yet due and payable.

         5.12. Employee Benefit Plans.

                  (a) Schedule 5.12 lists each employee benefit plan, program or
         policy (including, without limitation, each "employee benefit plan"
         within the meaning of section 3(3) of ERISA) that is maintained or
         otherwise contributed to by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries as
         of the date hereof (collectively, "Company Plans").

                  (b) With respect to each of the Company Plans, the Company has
         made available to the Buyer a current, accurate and complete copy (or,
         to the extent no such

                                      -30-
<PAGE>   37
         copy exists, an accurate description) thereof and, to the extent
         applicable, (i) any related trust agreement, annuity contract or other
         funding instrument; (ii) any summary plan description, (iii) the two
         most recent annual Forms 5500 (if applicable) with respect to such
         Company Plans and (iv) if such Company Plan is intended to be a
         qualified single employer plan under section 401(a) of the Code, the
         most recent favorable determination letter received from the Internal
         Revenue Service.

                  (c) Except as set forth in Schedule 5.12, (i) each Company
         Plan is in compliance as of the date hereof in all material respects
         with the applicable provisions, if any, of ERISA and the Code; (ii)
         each Company Plan that is intended to be qualified within the meaning
         of section 401(a) of the Code has received a favorable determination
         letter as to its qualification; (iii) no "reportable event" (as such
         term is used in section 4043 of ERISA), "prohibited transaction" (as
         such term is used in section 4975 of the Code or section 406 of ERISA)
         or "accumulated funding deficiency" (as such term is used in section
         412 or 4971 of the Code) has heretofore occurred with respect to any
         Company Plan subject to ERISA; (iv) no material litigation or
         administrative or other proceedings involving the Company Plans have
         occurred or to the Knowledge of Sellers are threatened; (v) each WEFA
         Company has complied in all material respects with the health care
         continuation requirements of section 601, et. seq., of ERISA with
         respect to employees and their spouses, former spouses and dependents;
         and (vi) no WEFA Company has obligations under any Company Plan to
         provide health benefits to former employees of a WEFA Company except as
         specifically required by law.

                  (d) No WEFA Company nor any ERISA Affiliate of a WEFA Company
         nor any other Person controlled by or under common control with any of
         the foregoing within the meaning of section 4001 of ERISA has at any
         time maintained or contributed to any "multiemployer plan" (as such
         term is defined in section 3(37) of ERISA)

                  (e) No WEFA Company is in default in any material respect in
         performing any of its contractual obligations under any of the Company
         Plans or any related trust agreement or insurance contract. All
         material contributions and other payments required to be made by any
         WEFA Company to any Company Plan with respect to any period ending
         before or at or including the Closing Date have been made or reserves
         adequate

                                      -31-
<PAGE>   38
         aside therefor and have been or will be reflected in the Financial
         Statements in accordance with GAAP. There are no material outstanding
         liabilities of any Company Plan other than liabilities for benefits to
         be paid to participants in such Company Plan and their beneficiaries in
         accordance with the terms of such Company Plan.

                  (f) No event has occurred, and to the Knowledge of Sellers
         there exists no condition or set of circumstances in connection with
         any Company Plan, under which any WEFA Company, directly or indirectly
         (through any indemnification agreement or otherwise), could reasonably
         be expected to be subject to any material liability under section 409
         of ERISA, section 502(i) of ERISA, Title IV of ERISA or section 4975 of
         the Code.

                  (g) No transaction contemplated by this Agreement will result
         in material liability to the PBGC under section 302(c)(ii), 4062, 4063,
         4064 or 4069 of ERISA, or otherwise, with respect to any WEFA Company,
         Buyer or any corporation or organization controlled by or under common
         control with any of the foregoing within the meaning of section 4001 of
         ERISA, and no event or condition exists or has existed which could
         reasonably be expected to result in any such material liability with
         respect to Buyer, any WEFA Company or any such corporation or
         organization.

                  (h) No material benefit under any Company Plan, including,
         without limitation, any severance or parachute payment plan or
         agreement, will be established or become accelerated, vested, funded or
         payable by reason of any transaction contemplated under this Agreement,
         except the exercisability of Options.

         5.13. Brokers, etc. Except for payments to be made by the Company to
Alex Brown, no broker, finder, investment bank or similar agent is entitled to
any brokerage or finder's fee in connection with the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement based upon agreements or arrangements made by or on behalf of
the Sellers, the Company or any of their respective Affiliates.

6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE BUYER. In order to induce each Seller
to enter into and perform this Agreement and to consummate the transactions

                                      -32-
<PAGE>   39
contemplated hereby, the Buyer represents and warrants to each Seller as
follows:

         6.1. Corporate Matters, etc.

                  6.1.1. Organization, Power and Standing of the Buyer. The
         Buyer is a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good
         standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its incorporation and
         has full power and authority, corporate and otherwise, to enter into
         this Agreement, to carry out and perform its obligations hereunder and
         to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

                  6.1.2. Authorization and Enforceability. This Agreement has
         been duly authorized, executed and delivered by, and is Enforceable
         against, the Buyer.

                  6.1.3. Non-Contravention, etc. The execution, delivery and
         performance of this Agreement by the Buyer and the consummation by the
         Buyer of the Closing hereunder in accordance with the terms and
         conditions of this Agreement does not and will not conflict with or
         result in the breach of any terms or provisions of, or constitute a
         default, under any Contractual Obligation of or the Charter or By-Laws
         of the Buyer or a breach of any Legal Requirement applicable to the
         Buyer. Except for satisfaction of the notification requirements of the
         Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended (the
         "HSR Act"), no consent is required to be obtained or made by or on
         behalf of the Buyer in connection with the execution, delivery or
         performance of this Agreement and the consummation of the transactions
         contemplated hereby, except (i) for items which shall have been
         obtained or made on or prior to, and shall be in full force and effect
         at, the Closing Date and (ii) where failure to obtain such consent
         would not materially and adversely affect the Buyer's ability to
         consummate the Closing hereunder in accordance with the terms and
         conditions of this Agreement and would not prevent the Buyer from
         performing in all material respects any of its obligations under this
         Agreement.

         6.2. Financial Condition, etc. The Buyer has as of the date hereof and
will have as of the Closing available funds in an aggregate amount sufficient to
(i) pay the Purchase Price and all contemplated fees and expenses related to the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement and (ii) provide adequate working
capital for the Business.

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   40
         6.3. Investment Intent, Related Matters. The Buyer is purchasing the
Shares and Warrants for its own account and has the present intention of holding
the Shares and Warrants for investment purposes and not with a view to, or for
sale in connection with, any distribution thereof in violation of any federal or
state securities laws. The Buyer is an "accredited investor" within the
definition set forth in Rule 501(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act").

         6.4. Litigation. To the knowledge of the Buyer, as of the date hereof,
there is no Action pending or threatened (i) against the Buyer or any of its
Affiliates which has had a material adverse effect on the ability of the Buyer
to perform its obligations under this Agreement or (ii) which seeks rescission
of or seeks to enjoin the consummation of this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby

         6.5. Brokers, etc. No broker, finder, investment bank or similar agent
is entitled to any brokerage or finder's fee in connection with the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement based upon agreements or arrangements made by or
on behalf of the Buyer or any of its Affiliates.

7. CERTAIN AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

         7.1. Payment of Transfer Taxes and Other Charges. The Buyer shall be
responsible for and shall pay all stock transfer Taxes, real property transfer
Taxes, sales Taxes, documentary stamp Taxes, recording charges and other similar
Taxes arising in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement. Each of the parties hereto shall prepare and file, and shall fully
cooperate with each other party with respect to the preparation and filing of,
any Tax Returns and other filings relating to any such Taxes or charges as may
be required.

         7.2. Confidentiality Covenant of the Buyer. The Confidentiality
Agreement fully executed in June, 1996 as amended and modified through the date
hereof (the "Confidentiality Agreement") by and between the Buyer and WEFA, Inc.
on behalf of the Company and the Sellers is hereby confirmed and acknowledged as
a continuing obligation of the parties to the Closing Date.

                                      -34-
<PAGE>   41
         7.3. Operation of Business, Related Matters. From the date hereof and
on and prior to the Closing Date, except as otherwise permitted or required by
this Agreement, the Company will cause the WEFA Companies to conduct the
Business in the Ordinary Course of Business and substantially as presently
operated and use reasonable efforts to maintain the value of the Business as a
going concern. From the date hereof and on and prior to the Closing Date no
Seller will sell, pledge or otherwise encumber his, her or its Shares or
Warrants without the prior written consent of the Buyer. From the date hereof
and prior to the Closing Date, Sellers (other than Heller) shall cause the WEFA
Companies not to, without the prior written consent of Buyer, which will not be
unreasonably withheld:

                  (a) enter into any transactions otherwise than on an arms'
         length basis with any Seller or any other Affiliate of the WEFA
         Companies (other than as contemplated by this Agreement and
         transactions in the Ordinary Course of Business among the WEFA
         Companies);

                  (b) pay any compensation other than in the Ordinary Course of
         Business or increase any compensation of any officer or employee other
         than such increases in compensation for employees as may be made in the
         Ordinary Course of Business;

                  (c) incur any Debt (including, without limitation, any capital
         lease) except in the Ordinary Course of Business and in no event in
         excess of $100,000 in the aggregate (of which no more than $25,000
         shall be on account of items other than new computer equipment) other
         than revolving credit Heller Debt;

                  (d) amend the Charter or Bylaws of any WEFA Company or sell,
         lease or otherwise dispose of any material assets (except (i) for sales
         or other dispositions of inventory or excess equipment in the Ordinary
         Course of Business and (ii) as may otherwise be specifically permitted
         by the terms of this Agreement);

                  (e) make any material change in the Business or operations of
         any of the WEFA Companies;

                                      -35-
<PAGE>   42
                  (f) make any capital expenditure in excess of $100,000 with
         respect to the Business or enter into any contract or commitment
         therefor;

                  (g) take any of the actions described in Section 5.3.2(a); or

                  (h) enter into any Contractual Obligation to do any of the
         actions referred to in this Section 7.3.

         The Buyer shall respond with reasonable promptness to any and all
requests by the Sellers for consent(s) for any WEFA Company to take any of the
actions specified in this Section 7.3.

         7.4. Preparation for Closing. The Buyer on the one hand and the Sellers
on the other hand will each use all reasonable best efforts to bring about the
fulfillment of each of the conditions precedent to the obligations of the other
set forth in this Agreement, subject to the following:

                  7.4.1. HSR Filing. Promptly upon execution and delivery of
         this Agreement, each of Buyer and the Company will prepare and file, or
         cause to be prepared and filed, with the appropriate Governmental
         Authorities, a notification with respect to the transactions
         contemplated by this Agreement pursuant to the HSR Act, supply all
         information requested by Governmental Authorities in connection with
         the HSR notification and cooperate with each other in responding to any
         such request. Buyer shall be solely responsible for all filing fees
         required to be paid in connection therewith.

                  7.4.2. Consents, etc. Prior to the Closing Date, the Company
         and Sellers (other than Heller) shall use reasonable efforts (but the
         Company and the Sellers shall have no obligation to pay any fees or
         incur any expenses) to secure required written consents or waivers
         under or with respect to the Contracts indicated on Schedule 5.1.2.

                  7.4.3. Buyer Disclosure Obligation. From time to time, on and
         prior to the Closing Date, the Buyer shall promptly notify the Sellers
         upon becoming aware of any fact, occurrence or event that would cause
         any of the representations and warranties 

                                      -36-
<PAGE>   43
         contained in Sections 4 or 5 to be inaccurate or incomplete in any
         respect; provided, that no such notification shall in any way impair or
         limit any of Buyer's rights under this Agreement or otherwise with
         respect to inaccuracies in any of the representations or warranties of
         Sellers or the Company contained in this Agreement.

                  7.4.4. Supplemental Schedules. The Sellers may (but will not
         be required to, except as contemplated by Section 5.7), from time to
         time prior to or on the Closing Date, by notice in accordance with this
         Agreement, supplement or amend Schedules, including without limitation
         one or more supplements or amendments to correct any matter which would
         otherwise constitute a breach of any representation, warranty or
         covenant herein contained; provided, however, that subject to the last
         sentence of this Section 7.4.4, no supplement or amendment will affect
         the rights or obligations of the parties to this Agreement (other than
         supplements to Schedule 3.1 on account of the joinder of additional
         Sellers pursuant to Section 15.16 and the supplement to Schedule 5.7(i)
         contemplated by Section 5.7). If a supplement or amendment of any
         Schedule (other than such supplements to Schedule 3.1 and Schedule
         5.7(i)) adversely affects the benefits to be obtained by Buyer under
         this Agreement then Buyer shall have the right to terminate this
         Agreement, with such termination being Buyer's sole remedy relating to
         matters set forth in amendments or supplements to any Schedule.
         Notwithstanding any other provision hereof, each supplement or
         amendment of any Schedule will be effective to cure and correct for all
         purposes any breach of any representation, warranty or covenant
         relating to such Schedule not having read at all times as so
         supplemented and amended.

         7.5. Certain Payment and Subscription Rights. On or prior to the
Closing Date, the Company shall pay $500,000 to Information Partners, a
Massachusetts general partnership, to terminate its management agreement with
the Company. The Company shall provide to Information Partners free of charge a
subscription to receive through February 28, 1999 one macro-economic U.S.
forecast subscription.

         7.6. Non-Solicitation. (a) Each of Information Partners Capital Fund,
L.P., BCIP Associates and BCIP Trust Associates (the "Principal Sellers") will,
for a period of one year from the Closing Date with respect to clauses (i), (ii)
and (iv) below, and indefinitely with respect to clause (iii) below, refrain
from, either alone or in conjunction with any other person, or directly 

                                      -37-
<PAGE>   44
or indirectly through its present or future Affiliates (other than companies in
its investment portfolio):

                           (i)       employing, engaging or seeking to employ or
                                     engage any Person who within the prior
                                     twelve (12) months had been an officer or
                                     employee of the Company (other than Persons
                                     who have theretofore been terminated by the
                                     Company or who have voluntarily left the
                                     employ of the Company prior to having been
                                     contacted in any way by any Principal
                                     Seller or any Affiliate) (other than
                                     companies in its investment portfolio) of
                                     either Principal Seller;

                           (ii)      causing or attempting to cause (A) any
                                     client, customer or supplier of the Company
                                     to terminate or materially reduce its
                                     business with the Company or (B) any
                                     officer, employee or consultant of the
                                     Company to resign or sever a relationship
                                     with the Company;

                           (iii)     disclosing (unless compelled by judicial or
                                     administrative process) or using any
                                     confidential or secret information relating
                                     to the Company or any of its clients,
                                     customers or suppliers; or

                           (iv)      acquiring a controlling interest in
                                     DRI/McGraw-Hill, a division of The
                                     McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc.

                  (b) The parties hereto recognize that the laws and public
policies of the various states of the United States may differ as to the
validity and enforceability of covenants similar to those set forth in this
Section. It is the intention of the parties that the provisions of this Section
be enforced to the fullest extent permissible under the laws and policies of
each jurisdiction in which enforcement may be sought, and that the
unenforceability (or the modification to conform to such laws or policies) of
any provisions of this Section shall not render unenforceable, or impair, the
remainder of the provisions of this Section. Accordingly, if any provision of
this Section shall be determined to be invalid or unenforceable, such invalidity
or unenforceability shall be deemed to apply only with respect to the operation
of such provision in the particular jurisdiction in which such determination is
made and not with respect to any 

                                      -38-
<PAGE>   45
other provision or jurisdiction.

                  (c) The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that any remedy
at law for any breach of the provisions of this Section would be inadequate, and
each Principal Seller hereby consents to the granting by any court of an
injunction or other equitable relief, without the necessity of actual monetary
loss being proved, in order that the breach or threatened breach of such
provisions may be effectively restrained.

         7.7. Further Assurances. Each party, upon the request from time to time
of any other party hereto after the Closing, and at the expense of the
requesting party but without further consideration, will do each and every act
and thing as may be necessary or reasonably requested to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby in an orderly fashion. After the Closing Date,
the Sellers (other than Heller) shall use reasonable efforts (but the Sellers
shall have no obligation to pay any fees or incur any expenses) to secure
required written consents or waivers under or with respect to the Contracts
indicated on Schedule 5.1.2. In addition, the Sellers (other than Heller) shall
use reasonable efforts to assist the Buyer in terminating the requirement for
the letters of credit referred to in Section 9.3.

8. CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATION TO CLOSE OF THE BUYER. The obligations of the
Buyer to consummate the Closing under this Agreement are subject to the
satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of all of the following conditions,
compliance with which, or the occurrence of which, may be waived prior to the
Closing in writing by the Buyer in its sole discretion:

         8.1. Representations, Warranties and Covenants.

                  8.1.1. Continued Accuracy of Representations and Warranties.
         Each representation and warranty of the Sellers and the Company
         contained in this Agreement shall be true and accurate in all material
         respects as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing
         Date, except for changes expressly permitted or contemplated by Section
         7.4.4.

                  8.1.2. Performance of Agreements. The Sellers and the Company
         shall have 

                                      -39-
<PAGE>   46
         performed and satisfied, in all material respects, all covenants and
         agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or satisfied by
         them at or prior to the Closing.

                  8.1.3. Sellers' Closing Certificate. At the Closing, each of
         the Sellers shall furnish a certificate, signed by such Seller, dated
         the Closing Date, to the effect that the conditions specified in
         Sections 8.1.1 and 8.1.2, to the extent relating to representations,
         warranties, covenants and agreements of such Seller, have been
         satisfied.

                  8.1.4. Company's Closing Certificate. At the Closing, the
         Company shall furnish a certificate, signed by the President or a Vice
         President of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that
         the conditions specified in Sections 8.1.1 and 8.1.2, to the extent
         relating to representations, warranties, covenants and agreements of
         the Company, have been satisfied.

                  8.1.5. Outstanding Capital. The Shares shall constitute all
         the outstanding stock of the Company and the Warrants shall constitute
         all the outstanding Contractual Obligations pursuant to which the
         Company has granted any option, warrant or other right to any Person to
         acquire the shares of common stock or any other securities of, or
         equity interest in, the Company.

         8.2. Legality; Governmental Authorization; Litigation. The acquisition
of the Shares and Warrants and the consummation of the other transactions
contemplated hereby, shall not be prohibited by any Legal Requirement, and all
necessary filings, if any, pursuant to the HSR Act shall have been made and all
applicable waiting periods thereunder shall have expired or been terminated. No
Action shall have been instituted at or prior to the Closing by any Person other
than a party hereto, or instituted by any Governmental Authority, relating to
this Agreement or any of the transactions contemplated hereby, which has a
reasonable likelihood of success and the result of which would prevent or make
illegal the consummation of any such transaction or could otherwise have a
material adverse effect on the ability of the Buyer to consummate the
transactions contemplated hereby.

         8.3. Third Party Consents. There shall have been obtained by the
Company the consents listed on Schedule 8.3.

                                      -40-
<PAGE>   47
         8.4. Opinion of Counsel. The Sellers and the Company shall have
furnished the Buyer with favorable opinions of Ropes & Gray and Morgan, Lewis &
Bockius LLP, dated as of the Closing Date, together covering the issues set
forth in Exhibit 8.4.

         8.5. Resignations of Directors. Each member of the board of directors
of the Company, and each member of the board of directors and each officer of
each Subsidiary identified by the Buyer in writing to the Sellers within 10 days
prior to the Closing Date, shall have tendered, effective at the Closing, their
resignations as such directors.

         8.6. Repayment of Debt. After giving effect to the repayment of the
Heller Debt and the Prior Owner Debt on the Closing Date, the WEFA Companies
shall not be obligated with respect to Debt in an aggregate amount exceeding
$25,000 except for capitalized leases and purchase money equipment debt and debt
owing from one WEFA Company to another WEFA Company.

         8.7. Prior Owner Matters. The Prior Owner shall have entered into a
non-solicitation agreement on substantially the terms of Section 7.6. WEF Basel,
A.G., a Swiss company that is an Affiliate of the Prior Owner, shall have issued
an option to WEFA, Inc. to purchase the "AREMOS" trademark for $10,000 at the
end of the license term for the licensing of the "AREMOS" trademark from WEF
Basel, A.G. to WEFA, Inc. WEF Basel, A.G. and the Prior Owner shall have entered
into an assignment to WEFA, Inc. of all copyrights, including registered United
States copyrights, for the AREMOS computer program.

         8.8. General. All corporate proceedings required to be taken on the
part of the Company in connection with the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement shall have been taken. The Buyer shall have received copies of such
officers' certificates, good standing certificates, incumbency certificates and
other customary closing documents as the Buyer may reasonably request in
connection with the transactions contemplated hereby.

9. CONDITIONS TO THE OBLIGATION TO CLOSE OF THE SELLERS. The obligations of the
Sellers to consummate the Closing under this Agreement are subject to the
satisfaction, at or prior to the Closing, of all of the following conditions,
compliance with which, 

                                      -41-
<PAGE>   48
or the occurrence of which, may be waived prior to the Closing in writing by the
Sellers in their sole discretion:

         9.1. Representations, Warranties and Covenants.

                  9.1.1. Continued Accuracy of Representations and Warranties.
         All representations and warranties of the Buyer contained in this
         Agreement shall be true and accurate in all material respects as of the
         Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date.

                  9.1.2. Performance of Agreements. The Buyer shall have
         performed and satisfied, in all material respects, all covenants and
         agreements required by this Agreement to be performed or satisfied by
         the Buyer at or prior to the Closing.

                  9.1.3. Officer's Certificate. At the Closing, the Buyer shall
         furnish to the Sellers a certificate signed by the President or any
         Vice President of the Buyer, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that
         the conditions specified in Sections 9.1.1 and 9.1.2 have been
         satisfied.

         9.2. Legality; Government Authorization; Litigation. The Sellers'
consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby shall not be prohibited by
any Legal Requirement, and all necessary filings, if any, pursuant to the HSR
Act shall have been made and all applicable waiting periods thereunder shall
have expired or been terminated. No Action shall have been instituted at or
prior to the Closing by any Person other than a party hereto, or instituted by
any Governmental Authority, relating to this Agreement or any of the
transactions contemplated hereby, which has a reasonable likelihood of success
and the result of which would prevent or make illegal the consummation any such
transaction or could otherwise have a material adverse effect on the ability of
the Sellers to consummate the transactions contemplated hereby.

         9.3. Letter of Credit Matters. The letters of credit in the amount of
$250,000 to the Company's landlord and $50,000 to the State of Connecticut
issued by or on behalf of Heller shall have been terminated or supported by
credit satisfactory to Heller.

                                      -42-
<PAGE>   49
         9.4. Opinion of Counsel. The Buyer shall have furnished the Sellers
with a favorable opinion of Michael R. Kargula, general counsel of Buyer, dated
the Closing Date in the form of Exhibit 9.4.

         9.5. General. All corporate proceedings required to be taken by the
Buyer in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall
have been taken. The Sellers shall have received copies of such officers'
certificates, good standing certificates, incumbency certificates and other
customary closing documents as the Sellers may reasonably request in connection
with the transactions contemplated hereby.

10. TAX COVENANTS AND AGREEMENTS

         10.1. General Intention of Parties. In general, subject to the specific
provisions contained in this Agreement, it is the intention of the parties
hereto that the Sellers will pay, or cause to be paid, all Income Taxes of the
WEFA Tax Group with respect to Pre-Closing Periods and Pre-Closing Partial
Periods except the first $250,000 of such Income Taxes, which the Buyer will pay
or cause to be paid. The Buyer also will pay, or will cause to be paid, all
Taxes of the WEFA Tax Group with respect to Post-Closing Periods and
Post-Closing Partial Periods, and all Taxes other than Income Taxes that relate
to Pre-Closing Periods or Pre-Closing Partial Periods.

         10.2. Tax Returns. Sellers (other than Heller) will prepare and file,
or cause to be prepared and filed, on a timely basis, all Income Tax Returns of
or which include the WEFA Tax Group (including any amendments thereto) with
respect to any Pre-Closing Period. Buyer will file all other Tax Returns of or
which include the WEFA Tax Group. Buyer will have the right to review all Income
Tax Returns prepared by Sellers (and supporting documents) that have not been
filed, as of the date of this Agreement no later than 15 days after the due date
for filing such Income Tax Returns. Any dispute arising with respect to any
Income Tax Returns filed on or after the date of this Agreement will be resolved
in accordance with Section 10.13.

         10.3. Payment of Taxes. Subject to the Buyer's obligation to pay the
first $250,000 of such Income Taxes, Sellers will pay, or will cause to be paid,
all Income Taxes of the WEFA Tax Group for Pre-Closing Periods and Pre-Closing
Partial Periods, including any such Income Taxes arising as a result of Treasury
Regulation section 1.1502-6 or any equivalent provision

                                      -43-
<PAGE>   50
under state or foreign Income Tax law. Buyer will pay, or will cause to be paid,
all Taxes for all Post-Closing Periods and Post-Closing Partial Periods, the
first $250,000 of any Income Taxes for any Pre-Closing Period or Pre-Closing
Partial Period that are due after the Closing Date and all Taxes other than
Income Taxes for any Pre-Closing Period or Pre-Closing Partial Period.

         10.4. Straddle Period. Buyer will cause to be prepared and filed all
Tax Returns required to be filed by the WEFA Tax Group for Straddle Periods. In
the case of a Straddle Period, for purposes of this Agreement, Income Taxes for
the Straddle Period shall be allocated between a Pre-Closing Partial Period and
a Post-Closing Partial Period assuming that the books of the Company were closed
as of and including the Closing Date, except that exemptions, allowances or
deductions (such as depreciation deductions) calculated on an annual basis shall
be prorated between the Pre-Closing Partial Period and Post-Closing Partial
Period on a per diem basis and real property Taxes shall be allocated in
accordance with section 164(d) of the Code. Any Income Taxes for a Straddle
Period paid prior to the Closing shall be deducted from Sellers' liability.
Buyer will notify Sellers of Buyer's calculation of Sellers' share of the Income
Taxes of the WEFA Tax Group for any Straddle Period and provide to Sellers
copies of such Income Tax Returns no later than 15 days after the due date for
filing such Income Tax Returns. Buyer and Sellers will attempt to resolve in
good faith any disagreement arising out of any Straddle Period Income Tax
Returns and/or any calculation of Sellers' share of the related Income Tax
liability. If any such dispute is not resolved within five days after the
receipt of the Income Tax Return and calculation by letter, the matter will be
resolved in accordance with Section 10.13.

         10.5. Purchase Price Reduction for Payment of Taxes. Sellers and Buyer
hereby agree that any amount of Income Taxes paid by Sellers to Buyer
constitutes a reduction in the Purchase Price of the shares of the Company to
which such payment relates.

         10.6. Notice. Buyer will promptly notify Sellers in writing upon
receipt by Buyer of notice of any pending or threatened federal, state, local or
foreign Income Tax audits or assessments of the WEFA Tax Group related to a
Pre-Closing Period or a Straddle Period. Sellers will promptly notify Buyer in
writing upon receipt by Sellers of notice of any pending or threatened federal,
state, local or foreign Tax audits or assessments or other written
communications from any Tax authority relating to the income, properties or
operations of the WEFA Tax Group.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>   51
         10.7. No 338 Election. Buyer will not make an election pursuant to
Section 338 of the Code for the WEFA Companies.

         10.8. Tax Elections. The WEFA Tax Group either will not make any Income
Tax Election or the Sellers will pay Buyer for the effects of any Income Tax
Election made after the date of this Agreement to which Buyer has not consented
that adversely affects Income Taxes payable by or Income Tax refunds payable to
Buyer or Buyer's Affiliates for any Post-Closing Period or Post-Closing Partial
Period. Buyer will not take any action or will pay Sellers for the effects of
any action taken on or after the Closing Date to which Sellers have not
consented that adversely affects Income Taxes payable by Sellers for any
Pre-Closing Period or Pre-Closing Partial Period.

         10.9. [Intentionally Omitted]

         10.10. Control of Audit. The Buyer will have the right to control any
audit or determination by any Tax authority, to initiate any claim for refund or
file any amended Tax Return, and to contest, resolve and defend against any
assessment, notice of deficiency, or other adjustment or proposed adjustment of
Taxes for any taxable period, provided, however, that Buyer shall consult with
the Sellers prior to any substantive communications with the IRS relating to
Income Taxes of the WEFA Companies for any Pre-Closing Period or Straddle Period
and shall not have the right to settle any audit or other proceeding that
relates to Income Taxes of the WEFA Companies for a Pre-Closing Period or
Straddle Period without the Sellers' consent, which will not be unreasonably
withheld.

         10.11. Cooperation. The Sellers will cooperate fully with Buyer in
making any Income Tax election permitted under this Agreement.

         10.12. Access to Tax Records. Sellers will provide Buyer, and Buyer and
its Affiliates will provide the Sellers, with the right, at reasonable times and
upon reasonable notice, to have access to, and to copy and use, any records or
information and personnel which may be relevant for a taxable period for which
the requesting party is charged with payment responsibility for Income Taxes
under Section 10.3 of this Agreement, including any Straddle Period, in

                                      -45-
<PAGE>   52
connection with the preparation of any Tax Returns, any audits or other
examination by any Tax authority, the filing of any claim for a refund of Tax or
for the allowance of any Tax credit, or any judicial or administrative
proceedings relating to liability for Taxes. Any information obtained pursuant
to this Section 10 will be held in strict confidence and will be used solely in
connection with the reason for which it was requested.

         10.13. Disagreement Resolution. If the Sellers or the Buyer disagree as
to any matters governed by this Section 10, such Sellers and Buyer will promptly
consult with each other in an effort to resolve such dispute. Any amounts not in
dispute will be paid promptly, and, any amount payable upon the resolution of a
dispute will be made to a bank account designed by the payee no later than three
Business Days after such resolution. If any such disagreement cannot be resolved
within three days after the Sellers or Buyer asserts in writing that such
dispute cannot be resolved, such Sellers and Buyer will jointly select an
independent accounting firm to act as an arbitrator to resolve the disagreement.
The independent accounting firm's determination will be final and binding upon
the parties, and any fees and expenses relating to the engagement of the
independent accounting firm will be shared equally by Sellers and Buyer. Upon
the resolution of such dispute by the independent accounting firm, any amounts
payable will be made to a bank account designated by the payee no later than
three Business Days after such resolution, interest will be paid with respect to
any such amounts at a rate per annum equal to the rate charged by the Internal
Revenue Service for underpayments for large corporations from the date of the
assertion in writing that the dispute cannot be resolved to the date of payment.

11. EMPLOYMENT AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS ARRANGEMENTS.

         11.1. Employment of Affected Employees. Buyer shall cause the WEFA
Companies to employ on the Closing Date, at the same rate of pay as in effect
immediately preceding the Closing Date, all Affected Employees; provided that
Buyer shall have no obligation to continue such employment or rate of pay
subsequent to the Closing Date. The Sellers shall not retain any obligations or
liabilities with respect to any benefits or wages, regardless of whether such
benefits or wages were accrued (or relate to claims incurred) prior to, on or
after the Closing Date, with respect to Affected Employees.

         11.2. Substantially Equivalent Benefits. With respect to the Company
Plans in effect

                                      -46-
<PAGE>   53
immediately prior to the Closing Date, Buyer shall, at Buyer's option, either
(a) for a period of no less than one year following the Closing Date continue to
provide or cause to be provided such plans, programs, agreements or arrangements
on behalf of the Affected Employees so as to provide, in the aggregate, employee
benefits which are substantially equivalent to the benefits provided to such
individuals under the Company Plans immediately prior to the Closing Date; or
(b) cause all employees of the WEFA Companies to be eligible as of the Closing
to participate in the "employee welfare benefit plans" and "employee pension
plans" (within the meaning of section 3(1) and section 3(2) of ERISA,
respectively) of Buyer, if any, in which similarly situated employees of Buyer
are generally eligible to participate, provided that (a) nothing herein shall
prevent Buyer from terminating the employment of any employee of the WEFA
Companies or modifying or terminating such plans of Buyer from time to time, and
(b) all employees of the WEFA Companies and their dependents shall be covered
immediately after the Closing (and shall not be excluded from coverage on
account of any pre-existing condition) under any such plan that is a group
health plan of Buyer subject to Part 6 of Title I of ERISA. For purposes of any
length of service requirements, waiting periods, vesting periods or differential
benefits based on length of service in any such plan for which an employee may
be eligible after the Closing, Buyer shall ensure that service by such employee
with the WEFA Companies shall be deemed to have been service with the Buyer.
Except as provided otherwise in this Section 11, Buyer shall be under no
obligation to provide or continue any such plans or other arrangements after the
Closing Date and may amend or terminate any such plan or arrangement in whole or
in part, and may modify any provision thereof, including any provision dealing
with eligibility, levels or types of benefits, deductibles or co-payment
obligations, or any other right, feature or other characteristic. Buyer shall
assume sole responsibility for the payment of severance and benefit continuation
benefits to any Affected Employee whose employment with Buyer or with the
Company or any of its Subsidiaries is terminated by Buyer on or after the
Closing Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this Section 11.2,
after Closing the Buyer may terminate the Company=s 1994 Stock Option Plan and
1994 Stock Purchase Plan.

         11.3. WARN. The Buyer shall indemnify the Sellers and their Affiliates
and defend and hold each of them harmless from and against any Losses which may
be incurred by any of them under WARN, or any state plant closing or
notification law or otherwise, arising out of, or relating to, any actions taken
by the Buyer or the Company after the Closing.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>   54
         11.4. Third-Party Rights. No provision of this Section 11 shall create
any third-party beneficiary rights in any employee or former employee (including
any beneficiary or dependent thereof), the Company or any Subsidiaries of the
Company in respect of continued employment (or resumed employment) for any
specified period of any nature or kind whatsoever.

         11.5. Indemnity. Buyer agrees to indemnify the Sellers and their
Affiliates and defend and hold the Sellers and their Affiliates harmless from
and against any and all claims, losses, damages, expenses, obligations and
liabilities (including without limitation costs of collection, attorney's fees
and other costs of defense) arising out of any claims by or in respect of any
Affected Employee (or such Affected Employee's successors or assigns) with
respect to any of the obligations or liabilities assumed by Buyer or retained by
the Company hereunder or any other events occurring after the Closing.

12. INDEMNIFICATION.

         12.1. Indemnification. Subject to the terms of this Section 12, each of
the Sellers (each in its capacity as an indemnifying party, an "Indemnifying
Party"), for itself only and not jointly in the case of the indemnification
provided in Sections 12.1.1(i) and 12.1.1(iii) below, and jointly and severally
in the case of the indemnification provided in Section 12.1.1(ii) below, agrees
to indemnify Buyer (in its capacity as indemnified party, an "Indemnitee") and
hold the Buyer harmless, and the Buyer (in its capacity as indemnifying party,
an "Indemnifying Party") agrees to indemnify each of the Sellers (each in its
capacity as indemnified party, an "Indemnitee") and hold each of the Sellers
harmless, from, against and in respect of any and all Losses arising from or
related to any of the following:

                  12.1.1. The Sellers. In the case of each Seller as an
         Indemnifying Party (i) any breach of any representation or warranty
         made by or on behalf of such Seller in this Agreement; (ii) any breach
         of any representation or warranty made by or on behalf of the Company
         in this Agreement; or (iii) any breach or violation of any covenant or
         agreement made by or on behalf of such Seller in this Agreement.

                  12.1.2. The Buyer. In the case of the Buyer as Indemnifying
         Party (i) any breach of any representation or warranty made by or on
         behalf of the Buyer in this Agreement;

                                      -48-
<PAGE>   55
         or (ii) any breach or violation of any covenant or agreement made by or
         on behalf of the Buyer in this Agreement.

         12.2. Time Limitation on Indemnification. No claim may be made or suit
instituted by the Buyer under any provision of this Section 12 after April 30,
1998, except for: (i) claims as to which any Indemnitee has given any
Indemnifying Party written notice (describing with reasonable specificity the
amount and basis of such claims) on or prior to April 30, 1998, (ii) claims for
breaches of the representations and warranties contained in Sections 4.1, 4.2,
4.4 and 5.1.3 and the last sentence of Section 5.1.4, which may be made at any
time without limitation, and (iii) claims for breaches of the representations
and warranties contained in Sections 5.11, which may be made at any time prior
to the expiration of the statute of limitations applicable to the matters
covered by each such Section. No claim may be made or suit instituted by any
Seller under any provision of this Section 12 after April 30, 1998 except for
claims as to which any Indemnitee has given any Indemnifying Party written
notice (describing with reasonable specificity the amount and basis of such
claims) on or prior to April 30, 1998.

         12.3. Monetary Limitations on Indemnification. Indemnifying Parties
shall not have any obligation to indemnify an Indemnitee under Section 12.1.1
unless the aggregate cumulative total of all Losses incurred by the Indemnitee
(deeming all Sellers as a single Indemnitee for purposes of this Section 12.3)
exceeds $250,000, whereupon such Indemnitee shall be entitled to indemnification
for such Losses but only to the extent that the aggregate cumulative total of
such Losses exceeds $250,000. Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement the total maximum aggregate indemnification for all claims pursuant to
Section 12.1.1 or 12.2 (other than claims described in clauses (ii) and (iii) of
Section 12.2) as the case may be, shall not exceed $2,000,000 for all Sellers as
a group; provided, however, that, in addition to the foregoing aggregate limit,
each Seller's aggregate obligation under this Section 12 shall in no event
exceed such Seller's Percentage of the Cash Consideration.

         12.4. Third Party Claims, etc. Promptly after (a) becoming aware of any
fact, occurrence or event which may give rise to a claim for indemnification
under this Section 12 or (b) the receipt by any Indemnitee of notice of the
commencement of any action or other claim against such Indemnitee by a third
party, such Indemnitee shall, if a claim with respect thereto is or may be made
against any Indemnifying Party pursuant to this Section 12, give such

                                      -49-
<PAGE>   56
Indemnifying Party written notice of the nature and basis of such claim. Prior
to the thirtieth day after receipt by the Indemnifying Party of a notice from
the Indemnitee with respect to the commencement of an action or other claim by a
third party, the Indemnitee will defend against such claim (provided that the
Indemnitee shall not settle such claim). The Indemnifying Parties shall have the
right to defend such claim, at the Indemnifying Parties' expense and with
counsel of their choice reasonably satisfactory to the Indemnitee, provided that
the Indemnifying Parties so notify the Indemnitee within 30 days after receipt
of such notice. So long as the Indemnifying Parties are conducting the defense
of such claim as provided in the previous sentence, the Indemnitee may retain
separate co-counsel at its sole cost and expense and may participate in defense
of such claim, and the Indemnifying Parties will not consent to the entry of any
judgment or enter into any settlement with respect to such claim unless such
judgment or settlement (i) requires only that cash payments be made, and (ii)
contains an unconditional term providing for a release to be given by the
claimant in question or plaintiff to the Indemnitee of and from all liability in
respect of such claim. In the event the Indemnifying Parties do not assume
defense of such claim as so provided, (x) the Indemnitee shall defend against
such claim (provided that the Indemnitee shall not settle such claim unless such
judgment or settlement contains an unconditional term providing for a release to
be given by the claimant in question or plaintiff to the Indemnifying Parties of
and from all liability in respect of such claim) and (y) the Indemnifying
Parties will remain responsible for any Losses the Indemnitee may suffer as a
result of such claim to the full extent provided in this Section 12. Regardless
of which party shall assume the defense of such claim, each party shall provide
to the other parties on request all information and documentation reasonably
necessary to support and verify any Losses which give rise to such claim for
indemnification and shall provide reasonable access to all books, records and
personnel in their possession or under their control which would have a bearing
on such claim.

         12.5. Certain Other Indemnity Matters. (a) From and after the Closing
the Buyer's sole and exclusive remedy with respect to any and all claims
relating to the subject matter of this Agreement shall be pursuant to the
indemnification provisions set forth in this Section 11; provided that the
remedies provided in Sections 10 and 11 shall govern the subject matter of such
Sections 10 and 11. In furtherance of the foregoing, the Buyer hereby waives, to
the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, and agrees not to assert in
any action or proceeding of any kind, any and all rights, claims and causes of
action it may now or hereafter have against the

                                      -50-
<PAGE>   57
Sellers other than claims for indemnification asserted as permitted by and in
accordance with the provisions set forth in this Section 12 (including, without
limitation, to the fullest extent permitted under applicable law, any such
rights, claims or causes of action arising under or based upon common law or
other Legal Requirements).

         (b) No party shall be liable under this Section 12, and no claim for
indemnification may in any event be asserted under this Section 12, for any loss
of profits or consequential damages by reason of a breach of any representation,
warranty, covenant or other provision.

         (c) Upon making any payment to an Indemnitee for any indemnification
claim pursuant to this Section 12, the Indemnifying Party shall be subrogated,
to the extent of such payment, to any rights which the Indemnitee may have
against other Persons with respect to the subject matter underlying such
indemnification claim.

         (d) The Sellers shall have no liability under any provision of this
Agreement for any Losses to the extent that such Losses relate to actions taken
or not taken by Buyer or its Affiliates after the Closing.

         (f) Nothing in this Section 12 shall in any way limit any liability
arising pursuant to Sections 10 or 11.

13. CONSENT TO JURISDICTION; JURY TRIAL WAIVER.

         13.1. Consent to Jurisdiction. Each party to this Agreement, by its
execution hereof, (i) hereby irrevocably submits, and agrees to cause each of
its Subsidiaries to submit, to the exclusive jurisdiction of the state courts of
the State of Delaware or the United States District Court located in the State
of Delaware for the purpose of any action, claim, cause of action or suit (in
contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation arising out
of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter hereof, (ii)
hereby waives, and agrees to cause each of its Subsidiaries to waive, to the
extent not prohibited by applicable law, and agrees not to assert, and agrees
not to allow any of its Subsidiaries to assert, by way of motion, as a defense
or otherwise, in any such action, any claim that it is not subject personally to
the jurisdiction of the above-named courts, that its property is exempt or
immune from attachment or 

                                      -51-
<PAGE>   58
execution, that any such proceeding brought in one of the above-named courts is
improper, or that this Agreement or the subject matter hereof may not be
enforced in or by such court and (iii) hereby agrees not to commence or to
permit any of its Subsidiaries to commence any action, claim, cause of action or
suit (in contract, tort or otherwise), inquiry proceeding or investigation
arising out of or based upon this Agreement or relating to the subject matter
hereof other than before one of the above-named courts nor to make any motion or
take any other action seeking or intending to cause the transfer or removal of
any such action, claim, cause of action or suit (in contract, tort or
otherwise), inquiry, proceeding or investigation to any court other than one of
the above-named court whether on the grounds of inconvenient forum or otherwise.
Each party hereby consents to service of process in any such proceeding in any
manner permitted by Delaware law, and agrees that service of process by
registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, at its address specified
pursuant to Section 15.7 is reasonably calculated to give actual notice.

         13.2. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE EXTENT NOT PROHIBITED BY APPLICABLE
LAW WHICH CANNOT BE WAIVED, EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY WAIVES, AND AGREES
TO CAUSE EACH OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES TO WAIVE, AND COVENANTS THAT NEITHER IT NOR
ANY OF ITS SUBSIDIARIES WILL ASSERT (WHETHER AS PLAINTIFF, DEFENDANT OR
OTHERWISE) ANY RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY FORUM IN RESPECT OF ANY ISSUE OR
ACTION CLAIM , CAUSE OF ACTION OR SUIT (IN CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE),
INQUIRY, PROCEEDING OR INVESTIGATION ARISING OUT OF OR BASED UPON THIS AGREEMENT
OR THE SUBJECT MATTER HEREOF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH OR RELATED OR
INCIDENTAL TO THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED HEREBY, IN EACH CASE WHETHER NOW
EXISTING OR HEREAFTER ARISING. EACH PARTY ACKNOWLEDGES THAT IT HAS BEEN INFORMED
BY THE OTHER PARTIES THAT THIS SECTION 13.2 CONSTITUTES A MATERIAL INDUCEMENT
UPON WHICH SUCH PARTIES ARE RELYING AND WILL RELY IN ENTERING INTO THIS
AGREEMENT AND ANY OTHER AGREEMENTS RELATING HERETO OR CONTEMPLATED HEREBY. ANY
PARTY HERETO MAY FILE AN ORIGINAL COUNTERPART OR A COPY OF THIS SECTION 13.2
WITH ANY COURT AS WRITTEN EVIDENCE OF THE CONSENT OF EACH SUCH PARTY TO THE
WAIVER OF ITS RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY.

                                      -52-
<PAGE>   59
14. TERMINATION.

         14.1. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement may be terminated by the
parties only as provided below:

                  (a) The Buyer and the Sellers may terminate this Agreement by
         mutual written consent at any time prior to the Closing.

                  (b) The Buyer may terminate this Agreement by giving written
         notice to the Sellers at any time prior to the Closing in the event the
         Sellers are in material breach of any representation, warranty,
         covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement, the Buyer has
         notified the Sellers of the breach and such breach has continued
         without cure for a period of 30 days after the notice of breach and
         there is a reasonable likelihood that such breach will result in an
         inability of the Sellers to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section
         8.1.

                  (c) The Sellers may terminate this Agreement by giving written
         notice to the Buyer at any time prior to the Closing in the event the
         Buyer is in material breach of any representation, warranty, covenant
         or agreement contained in this Agreement, the Sellers have notified the
         Buyer of the breach and such breach has continued without cure for a
         period of 30 days after the notice of breach and there is a reasonable
         likelihood that such breach will result in an inability of the Buyer to
         satisfy the conditions set forth in Section 9.1.

                  (d) By the Sellers on or after February 28, 1997 if the
         Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement shall not
         have occurred by such date and by the Buyer on or after February 28,
         1997 if the Closing of the transactions contemplated by this Agreement
         shall not have occurred by such date.

         14.2. Effect of Termination. In the event of the termination of this
Agreement pursuant to Section 14.1, all obligations of the parties hereunder
(other than obligations under Sections 7.2, 13, 15 and this Section 14, which
shall survive termination) shall terminate without any liability of any party to
any other party; provided, however, that no termination pursuant to 

                                      -53-
<PAGE>   60
clause (b), (c) or (d) of Section 14.1 shall relieve any party from any
liability arising from or relating to any breach by such party prior to
termination.

         14.3. Time of Essence. Time is and shall be of the essence in this
Agreement.

15. MISCELLANEOUS.

         15.1. Entire Agreement; Waivers. This Agreement constitutes the entire
agreement among the parties hereto pertaining to the subject matter hereof and
supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, understandings,
negotiations and discussions, whether oral or written, of the parties with
respect to such subject matter, other than the Confidentiality Agreement (which
shall survive execution and delivery of this Agreement and shall survive any
termination of this Agreement but shall terminate upon consummation of the
Closing) and the Escrow Agreement. No waiver of any provision of this Agreement
shall be deemed or shall constitute a waiver of any other provision hereof
(whether or not similar), shall constitute a continuing waiver unless otherwise
expressly provided nor shall be effective unless in writing and executed (i) in
the case of a waiver by the Buyer, and (ii) in the case of a waiver by the
Sellers, by each of the Sellers.

         15.2. Amendment or Modification. Except as set forth in Section 7.4.4,
the parties hereto may not amend or modify this Agreement except in such manner
as may be agreed upon by a written instrument executed by the Buyer and the
Sellers' Representative.

         15.3. Investigation; No Additional Representations. The Sellers and the
Company have not made and are not making any representation, warranty, covenant
or agreement, express or implied, with respect to the matters contained in this
Agreement other than the explicit representations, warranties, covenants and
agreements set forth herein. The Buyer acknowledges and agrees that it (i) has
made its own inquiry and investigation into, and based thereon has formed an
independent judgment concerning, the Business and the WEFA Companies, (ii) has
been furnished with or given adequate access to such information about the
Business and the WEFA Companies as it has requested, and (iii) will not assert,
except pursuant to Section 12, any claim against the Sellers or any of their
respective partners, directors, officers, employees, agents, stockholders,
consultants, investment bankers, brokers, representatives or controlling

                                      -54-
<PAGE>   61
persons, or any Affiliate of any of the foregoing, or hold the Sellers or any
such persons liable, for any inaccuracies, misstatements or omissions with
respect to information furnished by the Company, the Sellers or such persons
concerning the Business, the WEFA Companies, this Agreement or the transactions
contemplated hereby.

         15.4. Severability. In the event that any provision hereof would, under
applicable law, be invalid or unenforceable in any respect, such provision shall
(to the extent permitted under applicable law) be construed by modifying or
limiting it so as to be valid and enforceable to the maximum extent compatible
with, and possible under, applicable law. The provisions hereof are severable,
and in the event any provision hereof should be held invalid or unenforceable in
any respect, it shall not invalidate, render unenforceable or otherwise affect
any other provision hereof.

         15.5. Successors and Assigns. All of the terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to the benefit of the parties
hereto and their respective transferees and assigns (each of which transferees
and assigns shall be deemed to be a party hereto for all purposes hereof);
provided, however, that (i) no transfer or assignment by any party hereto shall
be permitted without the prior written consent of the other parties hereto and
any such attempted transfer or assignment without consent shall be null and void
and (ii) no transfer or assignment by any party shall relieve such party of any
of its obligations hereunder.

         15.6. Sellers' Representative. (a) Each of the Sellers hereby appoints
Information Partners Capital Fund, L.P. (the "Sellers' Representative") or its
designee (as appointed in writing), as the agent, proxy and attorney-in-fact for
the Sellers for all purposes under this Agreement (including without limitation
full power and authority to act on the Sellers' behalf) to take any action,
should it elect to do so in its sole discretion, (i) to consummate the
transactions contemplated under this Agreement, (ii) in the event of such
consummation, to receive on behalf of the Sellers each of such Seller's
Percentage of the Cash Consideration, (iii) to pay out of each Seller's
Percentage of the Cash Consideration his, her or its pro rata share of all
costs, expenses and fees incurred by or on behalf of the Sellers in connection
with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and to pay to the Sellers
his, her or its Seller's Percentage of the Cash Consideration, (iv) to settle
the final Cash Statement as contemplated by Section 3.2, (v) to conduct or cease
to conduct, should it elect to do so in its sole discretion, the defense of all

                                      -55-
<PAGE>   62
claims against any of the Sellers in connection with this Agreement other than
claims under Sections 12.1.1(i) or 12.1.1(iii), and settle all such claims in
its sole discretion on behalf of all the Sellers and exercise any and all rights
which the Sellers are permitted or required to do or exercise under this
Agreement and (vi) to execute and deliver, should it elect to do so in its sole
discretion, on behalf of the Sellers any amendment to this Agreement so long as
such amendment shall apply to all parties to this Agreement, and to take all
other actions to be taken by or on behalf of the Sellers and exercise any and
all rights which the Sellers are permitted or required to do or exercise under
this Agreement; provided, however, that (a) the Sellers' Representative shall
have no authority to enter into any settlement of any claim under clause (v)
above or to execute and deliver any amendment to this Agreement under clause
(vi) above on behalf of (1) the Sellers listed as Individual Sellers on the
signature pages hereto (the "Individual Sellers"), without the consent of
William A. Mundell, (2) WEF Associates CI Limited without the consent of an
officer or director thereof and (3) Heller Financial, Inc. without the consent
of an officer thereof, (b) the Sellers' Representative shall have no obligation
to conduct any defense or settle any claim or enter into any amendment or take
any other action whatsoever on behalf of any Seller under this Section 15.6 or
otherwise in its capacity as Sellers' Representative and (c) any settlement
entered into or other action taken by an Individual Seller, WEF Associates CI
Limited or Heller Financial, Inc. shall be valid only to the extent expressly
permitted by this Section 15.6, and no such settlement or action (whether
permitted or not by this Section 15.6) shall bind or otherwise affect the rights
or obligations of the Seller's Representative or any other Seller.

         (b) Each of the Sellers hereby agrees not to assert any claim against,
and to indemnify and hold harmless Sellers' Representative from and against any
and all Losses incurred by, the Sellers' Representative or any of its partners,
directors, officers, employees, agents, stockholders, consultants, investment
bankers, brokers, representatives or controlling persons, or any Affiliate of
any of the foregoing, relating to Sellers' Representative's capacity as Sellers'
Representative other than such claims or Losses resulting from the Sellers'
Representative's gross negligence or willful misconduct

         (c) Each Seller hereby unconditionally and irrevocably agrees to pay to
the Sellers' Representative, promptly upon request and in any event within 10
days of such request, such Seller's Percentage of any amounts paid by the
Sellers' Representative on behalf of the Sellers and agrees to pay its Seller's
Percentage of any and all costs and expenses (including counsel and 

                                      -56-
<PAGE>   63
legal fees and expenses) incurred by the Sellers' Representative in connection
with the protection, defense, enforcement or other expense of any rights under
this Agreement. Any and all payments made by any Sellers under this Section 15.6
shall be made free and clear of any present or future taxes, deductions, charges
or withholdings and all liabilities with respect thereto.

         15.7. Notices. Any notices or other communications required or
permitted hereunder shall be sufficiently given if in writing and delivered
personally or sent by telecopier, Federal Express, or registered or certified
mail, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

         If to the Sellers, to:     Information Partners, Inc.      
                                                               Two Copley Place
                                    Boston, MA 02116
                                    Telecopier: (617) 572-3274
                                    Attention:  Michael A. Krupka

                 with a copy to:    Ropes & Gray
                                    One International Place
                                    Boston, MA  02110
                                    Telecopier:  617-951-7050
                                    Attention:  Thomas B. Draper

                 If to Buyer, to: Primark Corporation
                                    1000 Winter Street
                                    Waltham, MA  02154
                                    Facsimile No.:  (617) 890-6187
                                    Attn:  Joseph E. Kasputys
                                           Michael R. Kargula

                                    with a copy to:

                                    Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
                                    1 Chase Manhattan Plaza
                                    New York, NY  10005
                                    Facsimile No.:  (212) 530-5219

                                      -57-
<PAGE>   64
                                    Attn:  John T. O'Connor

Unless otherwise specified herein, such notices or other communications shall be
deemed received (a) on the date delivered, if delivered personally, (b) two
Business Days after being sent by Federal Express, if sent by Federal Express,
(c) one Business Day after being delivered, if delivered by telecopier and (d)
three Business Days after being sent, if sent by registered or certified mail.
Each of the parties hereto shall be entitled to specify a different address by
giving notice as aforesaid to each of the other parties hereto.

         15.8. Public Announcements. At all times at or before Closing no party
hereto will issue or make any reports, statements or releases to the public with
respect to this Agreement or the transactions contemplated hereby without the
consent of the other parties hereto, which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld or delayed. If any party hereto is unable to obtain, after reasonable
effort, the approval of its public report, statement or release from the other
parties hereto and such report, statement or release is, in the opinion of legal
counsel to such party, required by law in order to discharge such party's
disclosure obligations, then such party may make or issue the legally required
report, statement or release and promptly furnish the other parties with a copy
thereof. Each party hereto will also obtain the prior approval by the other
parties hereto (which prior approval shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed, except by any Principal Seller with respect to references to any
Principal Seller or its Affiliates in such press release) of any press release
to be issued immediately following the Closing announcing the consummation of
the transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

         15.9. Headings, etc. Section and subsection headings are not to be
considered part of this Agreement, are included solely for convenience, are not
intended to be full or accurate descriptions of the content thereof and shall
not affect the construction hereof.

         15.10. Disclosure. Any item listed or described in any Schedule
pursuant to any Section of this Agreement shall be deemed to have been listed in
or incorporated by reference into each other Schedule where such listing or
description would be appropriate.

         15.11. Third Party Beneficiaries. Nothing in this Agreement is intended
or shall be construed to entitle any Person other than the Seller's
Representative, the parties or their respective transferees and assigns
permitted hereby to any claim, cause of action, remedy or right of any kind.

                                      -58-
<PAGE>   65
         15.12. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
together shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

         15.13. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the domestic substantive laws of the State of Delaware,
without giving effect to any choice or conflict of law provision or rule that
would cause the application of the laws of any other jurisdiction.

         15.14. Strict Construction. No rule of strict construction shall apply
to or be used against any party hereto.

         15.15. Expenses. All costs and expenses (including legal fees and
expenses, and any "success" fees) incurred by the Sellers in connection with
this Agreement and the transactions contemplated hereby shall be paid by the
Company at or prior to Closing. All such costs and expenses incurred by the
Company shall be paid by the Company at or prior to the Closing, whether or not
the transactions contemplated hereby are consummated, and all such costs and
expenses incurred by the Buyer shall be paid by the Buyer whether or not the
transactions contemplated hereby are consummated.

         15.16. Joinder of Additional Stockholders. Prior to the Closing Date,
existing owners of Shares who have not yet signed this Agreement and Option
holders who exercise Options may become party to this Agreement as Sellers by
executing a joinder hereto in form reasonably satisfactory to the Buyer and the
Sellers' Representative. Upon the joinder of any such Seller, the Sellers'
Representative shall supplement Schedule 3.1 by adding the name and type and
number of Shares owned by such Seller.


                                      -59-
<PAGE>   66
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound
hereby, have caused this Agreement to be executed, as of the date first above
written by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized.

         THE COMPANY:         WEFA HOLDINGS, INC.


                              By:     Michael A. Krupka
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President


         THE BUYER:           PRIMARK CORPORATION


                              By: /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
                                  ------------------------------------
                                  Title: Chairman, President and CEO


             THE SELLERS:     INFORMATION PARTNERS CAPITAL FUND,
                              L.P.

                              By: Information Partners, a Massachusetts general
                                  partnership, its general partner

                                     By: Bain Capital Partners IV, L.P., its
                                         general partner

                                           By: Bain Capital Investors, Inc.,
                                                 its general partner


                                 By:     David A. Dominick
                                     ---------------------------------
                                     Title: Vice President


                                      -60-
<PAGE>   67
                                BCIP ASSOCIATES


                                By:     David A. Dominick
                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    general partner


                                BCIP TRUST ASSOCIATES, L.P.


                                By:     David A. Dominick
                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    general partner


                                HELLER FINANCIAL, INC.


                                By: /s/ TIMOTHY CANON
                                    ---------------------------------------
                                    Title: Timothy Canon
                                           Vice-President


         INDIVIDUAL SELLERS:    /s/ WILLIAM MUNDELL
                                -------------------------------------------
                                William A. Mundell


                                /s/ DOUGLAS ANTHONY
                                -------------------------------------------
                                Douglas N. Anthony

                                      -61-
<PAGE>   68
                                FRAZAR LIMITED


                                By:     Nicolas D. Moss
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    Title: First Board Limited Director


                                POLEGATE LIMITED


                                By:     Nicolas D. Moss
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    Title: First Board Limited Director


                                JIGSAW LIMITED


                                By:     Nicolas D. Moss
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    Title: First Board Limited Director


                                CASTLE LIMITED


                                By:     Nicolas D. Moss
                                    --------------------------------------
                                    Title: First Board Limited Director


                                      -62-

<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 4.1

                          REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
                          -----------------------------


     This Registration Rights Agreement (this "Agreement") is made and entered
into as of January 7, 1997, by and between Primark Corporation, a Michigan
corporation ("Primark"), and Joseph E. Kasputys ("Executive").

     The parties hereby agree as follows:


1.   Securities Subject to this Agreement.
     -------------------------------------

     DEFINITIONS. The term "Registrable Securities" means any shares of common
stock, without par value, of Primark (the "Common Stock") which may be issued to
Executive under the terms of a Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement dated
January 7, 1997.

2.   Registration Rights.
     --------------------

     (a)    Demand Registration Right.
            -------------------------
            (i)     RIGHT TO DEMAND. At any time after the issuance to Executive
of Registrable Securities, Executive may make a written request to Primark for
registration under and in accordance with the provisions of the Securities Act 
of 1933 ("Securities Act"), of all or part of the Registrable Securities (a
"Demand Registration"). Such request shall specify the aggregate amount of the
Registrable Securities to be registered and shall also specify the intended
methods of disposition thereof.

            (ii)    NUMBER OF DEMAND REGISTRATIONS. Executive shall be entitled
to one Demand Registration. Primark shall not be deemed to have effected a
Demand Registration unless and until a registration statement covering the 
requested amount of Registrable Securities is declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").

     (b)    EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND EXPENSES. Primark agrees to
file with the SEC as soon as reasonably practicable after a request for Demand
Registration, but in no event later than the later of (x) ninety days after such
request for Demand Registration and (y) in the event Primark exercises its
privilege to delay the filing of a registration statement pursuant to Section
2(d) hereof, fifteen days after the end of the period during which Primark
delays such filing, a registration statement on any appropriate form (the
"Registration Statement") with respect to all of the Registrable Securities
requested to be included in such Demand Registration in accordance with the
foregoing. Primark agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to have the
Registration Statement declared effective by the SEC as soon as reasonably
practicable after such filing and to keep the Registration Statement
continuously effective until the earlier of (i) the date on which all of the
Registrable Securities registered thereunder have been disposed of and (ii) two
years following the date on which the Registration Statement is declared
effective.


<PAGE>   2


           Subject to Section 4(e) hereof, Primark further agrees, if necessary,
to supplement or amend the Registration Statement, as required by the
registration form utilized by Primark or by the instructions applicable to such
registration form or by the Securities Act or the rules and regulations
thereunder. Primark agrees to pay all Registration Expenses (as hereinafter
defined) in connection with such Demand Registration, whether or not the
Registration Statement becomes effective.

    (c) PIGGYBACK REGISTRATION RIGHTS. Subject to the terms of this
Agreement, in the event that Primark determines for its own account to register
for sale to the public shares of Primark common stock, Primark shall include in
such registration the Registrable Securities, provided that the Executive makes
a written request to Primark to have such shares of Registrable Securities or
any portion thereof registered and that request is received by Primark at least
30 days prior to the filing with the SEC of the registration statement.

    (d) PRIMARK'S ABILITY TO POSTPONE. Primark shall have the privilege to
delay the filing of the Registration Statement for a reasonable period of time
(not exceeding 90 days) if Primark furnishes Executive with a certificate
stating that Primark has determined in good faith that effecting the
registration at such time would adversely affect a material financing,
acquisition, disposition of assets or stock, merger or other comparable
transaction or would require Primark to make public disclosure of information
the public disclosure of which would have a material adverse effect upon
Primark.

3.   HOLDBACK AGREEMENTS.
     -------------------

     Executive agrees not to effect any public sale or distribution of the issue
being registered or a similar security of Primark, or any securities convertible
into or exchangeable or exercisable for such securities, including a sale
pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act, during the ten business days
prior to, and during the 90-day period beginning on, the effective date of the
Registration Statement (except as part of such registration), if and to the
extent timely notified in writing by Primark.

4.   REGISTRATION PROCEDURES.
     ------------------------

     Whenever Executive has requested that any Registrable Securities be
registered pursuant to Section 2 of this Agreement, Primark will use its
reasonable best efforts to effect the registration and the sale of such
Registrable Securities and, in connection with any such request, Primark will as
expeditiously as possible:

     (a) prepare and file with the SEC the Registration Statement and use its
best efforts to cause such Registration Statement to become effective;

     (b) prepare and file with the SEC such amendments and post-effective
amendments to the Registration Statement as may be necessary to keep the
Registration Statement effective for as long as such registration is required to
remain effective pursuant to the terms hereof, cause the 


                                       2
<PAGE>   3


prospectus to be supplemented by any required prospectus supplement, and, as so
supplemented, to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities Act;

     (c) furnish to Executive at least one signed copy of the Registration
Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, as soon as such documents
become available to Primark, and such number of conformed copies thereof and
such number of copies of the prospectus (including each preliminary prospectus)
and any amendments or supplements thereto, and any documents incorporated by
reference therein, as Executive may reasonably request as soon as such documents
become available to Primark;

     (d) on or prior to the date on which the Registration Statement is declared
effective, use its reasonable best efforts to register or qualify such
Registrable Securities under such other securities or blue sky laws of such
jurisdictions as Executive reasonably requests and do any and all other acts and
things which may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable Executive to
consummate the disposition in such jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities;
provided, that Primark will not be required to (i) qualify generally to do
business in any jurisdiction where it would not otherwise be required to qualify
but for this paragraph (d), (ii) subject itself to general taxation in any such
jurisdiction or (iii) consent to general service of process in any such
jurisdiction;

     (e) notify Executive at any time during which a prospectus relating to such
Registrable Securities is required to be delivered under the Securities Act of
the happening of any event (including, without limitation, the involvement of
Primark in a material financing, acquisition, disposition of assets or stock,
merger or other comparable transaction (a "Material Transaction")) as a result
of which the prospectus included in the Registration Statement contains an
untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required
to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading,
and Primark will prepare a supplement or amendment to such prospectus so that,
as thereafter delivered to the purchasers of such Registrable Securities, such
prospectus will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that if such event relates
solely to a Material Transaction, Primark shall not be obligated to prepare such
supplement or amendment if Primark determines not to proceed with such Material
Transaction and notifies Executive of such determination;

     (f) notify Executive of any stop order or other suspension of effectiveness
of the Registration Statement;

     (g) use its reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement at the earliest
possible time;

     (h) notify Executive promptly of the receipt by Primark of any notification
with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable
Securities for sale in any jurisdiction;


                                       3
<PAGE>   4



     (i) use its reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any suspension
of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for sale in a certain
jurisdiction at the earliest possible time; and

     (j) use its reasonable efforts to take all other steps necessary to effect
the registration of the Registrable Securities contemplated hereby.

     Primark may require Executive to furnish to Primark such information
regarding the distribution of such Registrable Securities and such other
information relating to Executive and its ownership of Registrable Securities as
Primark may from time to time reasonably request in writing.

     Executive agrees that, upon receipt of any notice from Primark of the
happening of any event of the kind described in Section 4(e) hereof, Executive
will forthwith discontinue disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the
registration statement covering such Registrable Securities until Executive's
receipt of the copies of the supplemented or amended prospectus contemplated by
Section 4(e) hereof (or, in the event of a Material Transaction, until
Executive's receipt either of such supplemented or amended prospectus or of
notice from Primark that Primark has determined not to proceed with such
Material Transaction) and, if so directed by Primark, Executive will deliver to
Primark (at the expense of Primark) all copies, other than permanent file copies
then in Executive's possession, of the prospectus covering such Registrable
Securities current at the time of receipt of such notice.

5.   REGISTRATION EXPENSES.
     ----------------------

     All expenses incident to Primark's performance of or compliance with this
Agreement including, without limitation, all registration and filing fees, fees
and expenses of compliance with securities or blue sky laws, printing expenses
and fees and expenses of counsel for Primark and its independent certified
public accountants (all such expenses being herein called "Registration
Expenses") will be borne by Primark; provided that in no event shall
Registration Expenses include any underwriting discounts, sales commissions or
similar fees attributable to the sale of the Registrable Securities or the fees
and expenses of counsel or any special experts retained by Executive.

6.   MISCELLANEOUS.
     --------------

     (a) AMENDMENT AND WAIVERS. Except as otherwise provided herein, the
provisions of this Agreement may not be amended, modified or supplemented, and
waivers or consents to departures from the provisions hereof may not be given
unless the parties hereto have agreed thereto in writing.


                                       4

<PAGE>   5


     (b) NOTICES. All notices and other communications provided for or permitted
hereunder shall be made by hand-delivery, registered first-class mail or
telecopier:

             (i)    if to Executive, at:

                    Mr. Joseph E. Kasputys
                    398 Simon Willard Road
                    Concord, Massachusetts  01742

             (ii)   if to Primark, at:

                    Primark Corporation
                    1000 Winter Street, Suite 4300N
                    Waltham, Massachusetts 02154
                    Attn:  Michael R. Kargula, Esq.

     All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given
when delivered by hand, if personally delivered, or two business days after
being deposited in the mail, postage prepaid, if mailed, or upon electronic
confirmation of receipt, if sent via telecopier.

     (c) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement may not be assigned except by an
instrument in writing signed by the parties hereto. Subject to the foregoing,
this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the heirs,
successors and assigns of each of the parties hereto, and no other person shall
have any right, benefit or obligation under this Agreement, express or implied,
as a third party beneficiary or otherwise.

     (d) COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of which
when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which taken
together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

     (e) HEADINGS. The headings in this Agreement are for convenience of
reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

     (f) GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts applicable to
contracts made and to be performed wholly within that Commonwealth.

     (g) SEVERABILITY. In the event that any one or more of the provisions
contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held
invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the validity,
or legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other respect and
of the remaining provisions contained herein shall not be in any way impaired
thereby.


                                       5
<PAGE>   6


7.   SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. This Agreement shall be subject to the approval of 
the shareholders of Primark at the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and
shall be of no further force or effect unless such approval is obtained in a
separate vote by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting shares present
or represented and entitled to vote at such meeting. In the event that such
shareholder approval is not forthcoming, this Agreement shall automatically
terminate.


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed and delivered this Agreement
as of the date first written above.


PRIMARK CORPORATION                        EXECUTIVE



By:    /s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA              /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
       -------------------------------     -----------------------------
Name:  Michael R. Kargula                  Joseph E. Kasputys
Title: Senior Vice President, General
       Counsel and Secretary



<PAGE>   1

                                                                   Exhibit 10.2


                             PRIMARK CORPORATION
                           SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE


        I, MICHAEL R. KARGULA, SECRETARY OF PRIMARK CORPORATION, A MICHIGAN
CORPORATION, DO HEREBY CERTIFY THAT FOLLOWING IS A TRUE COPY OF CERTAIN
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AT REGULAR MEETINGS OF SUCH BOARD
HELD ON SEPTEMBER 22, 1995:


                RESOLVED, that effective September 22, 1995 Article V of the
         Primark Corporation Stock Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors is 
         amended by adding a new paragraph 8 thereto to read in its entirety 
         as follows:

        "8.     Withholding Taxes.
                -----------------

         The Corporation's obligation to deliver Shares upon the exercise of an
         option by a Director who has become an employee of the Corporation or
         one of its affiliates since the date of grant of the option shall be
         subject to the satisfaction of applicable federal, state and local tax
         withholding requirements. Any such withholding tax obligation may be
         satisfied in whole or in part by any of the following means or by a
         combination of such means: (a) tendering a cash payment, (b) 
         authorizing the Corporation to withhold Shares otherwise issuable to
         the Director, or (c) delivering to the Corporation already owned and
         unencumbered Shares. A director's election to pay the withholding tax
         obligation by either of the latter two methods of payment is
         irrevocable and may be made only during the period beginning the third
         business day following the date of release of the Corporation's
         quarterly or annual summary statements of sales and earnings and
         ending on the twelfth business day following such date."



I have hereunto set my hand this 28th day of September, 1995.



                                              /s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA
                                              --------------------------
                                              Secretary

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit 10.11

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------


     This Employment Agreement (the "Agreement") is dated as of January 7, 1997
between Primark Corporation (the "Company"), and Joseph E. Kasputys (the
"Employee").

     WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Company has approved and authorized
the entry into this Agreement with the Employee to take effect on the Effective
Date, as defined in Paragraph 6 herein;

     WHEREAS, the parties desire to enter into this Agreement setting forth all
of the terms and conditions of the employment relationship of the Employee with
the Company.

     NOW, THEREFORE, it is agreed as follows:


     1.   EMPLOYMENT. The Employee shall be employed as Chairman, President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company from the Effective Date through the term
of this Agreement. As Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Employee shall
render executive, policy, and other management services to the Company of the
type customarily performed by persons serving in a similar executive officer
capacity and shall report only to the Board of Directors of the Company. The
Employee shall also perform such duties as the Board of Directors of the Company
may from time to time reasonably direct. During the term of this Agreement,
there shall be no material increase or decrease in the duties and
responsibilities of the Employee otherwise than as provided herein, unless the
parties otherwise agree in writing.

     2.   SALARY. The Company agrees to pay the Employee during the term of this
Agreement an annual salary of $602,000, with the salary to be increased from
time to time as determined by the Board of Directors of the Company. The salary
of the Employee shall not be decreased at any time during the term of this
Agreement from the amount then in effect, unless the Employee otherwise agrees
in writing. The salary under this Paragraph 2 shall be payable by the Company to
the Employee in equal installments during each month pursuant to its standard
pay practices.

     3.   BONUSES.
          --------

          In addition to his salary under Paragraph 2 hereof, the Employee
shall be paid an annual bonus in an amount determined based on the extent to
which Company performance goals, as established by the Compensation Committee
of the Board of Directors (the "Committee") each year, have been achieved by
the Company during the year for which the bonus is paid. If such goals have
been achieved but not exceeded in any year, Employee shall be paid a bonus
equal to 60% of his annual salary. It is expressly understood and agreed that
the amount of bonus shall increase or decrease depending upon the amount by
which the actual financial results for the Company vary from the goals. In no
event, however, shall the Employee's annual bonus be greater than $1 million or
be less than $120,000 (this minimum bonus amount is hereinafter referred to as
the "Annual Guaranteed Bonus"). Employee agrees that an amount equal to at
least 50% of his Annual Guaranteed Bonus (after applicable taxes) shall be paid
by Employee to the Company in partial satisfaction of his payment obligations
under promissory notes that he has with the Company. The Committee shall
certify in writing before an annual bonus in excess of $120,000 is paid
that the performance goals were attained."


<PAGE>   2


     4.   STOCK OPTIONS.
          ------------- 
                  (a) Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
Primark Corporation Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement ("Stock Option
Agreement") which is attached hereto as Exhibit A, the Company hereby grants to
Employee a non-qualified stock option ("Option") to purchase the number of
shares of the Company's common stock set forth in Exhibit A.

                  (b) Simultaneously with the execution of this Agreement, the
Company shall execute the Stock Option Agreement and the Registration Rights
Agreement in the form attached hereto as Exhibit B.

     5.   PARTICIPATION IN RETIREMENT AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS; INSURANCE;
          -------------------------------------------------------------------
          OTHER FRINGE BENEFITS.
          ----------------------
                  (a) The Employee shall be entitled to participate in any plan
of the Company relating to pension, profit-sharing, group life insurance,
medical coverage, education, or other retirement or employee benefits that the
Company has adopted or may adopt for the benefit of its executive officers.

                  (b) The Company shall provide the Employee with annual
retirement compensation for life in an amount which, after including all amounts
paid to the Employee under the Company's defined benefit plan, if any, shall
equal 55% of the salary (not including bonus) payable to the Employee during the
final year prior to the date of the Employee's retirement from the Company at
age 62 or later. In the event that the Employee predeceases his spouse at the
time of his retirement or thereafter, such spouse shall be entitled to receive
annual payments for life in an amount equal to 60% of that which otherwise would
have been payable to the Employee. In the event that the Employee dies prior to
his retirement from the Company, his spouse shall be entitled to receive until
such date on which the Employee would have become 65 years of age annual
payments equal to 50% of the Employee's final salary until such time as the
Employee would have reached age 65 and annual payments of 33% of such salary for
life. The obligations created by this paragraph shall continue beyond the term
of this Agreement, provided, however, that in the event that, prior to reaching
age 62, the Employee is terminated with cause during the term of this Agreement,
or the Employee voluntarily terminates his employment relationship with the
Company during such term, the obligations created in this paragraph shall also
terminate. If the Employee is terminated without cause prior to reaching age 62,
he will be entitled to reduced retirement compensation calculated in the same
manner as set forth in Paragraph 11 of this Agreement. The payments provided for
in this Paragraph 5(b) shall be in lieu of any payments pursuant to the
Supplemental Death Benefit and Retirement Income Plan Agreement.

                  (c) The Employee shall be entitled to receive up to $10,000
annually as reimbursement for expenses incurred in obtaining tax and estate
planning assistance.

                  (d) The Employee shall be entitled to participate in any other
fringe benefits which are now or may be or become applicable to the Company's
executive officers, including participation in stock-based plans, the payment of
reasonable expenses for attending annual and 

                                       3
<PAGE>   3


periodic meetings of trade associations, the provision of an automobile for
business use, and any other benefits which are commensurate with the duties and
responsibilities to be performed by the Employee under this Agreement.

                  (e) Participation in these retirement and employee benefit
plans, insurance and other fringe benefits shall not reduce the salary or
bonuses payable to the Employee under Paragraphs 2 and 3 hereof, respectively.

     6.   TERM. The term of this Agreement shall be for a period commencing on 
the date hereof ("Effective Date"), and ending on December 31, 2001.

     7.   STANDARDS. The Employee shall perform the Employee's duties and
responsibilities under this Agreement in accordance with such reason-able
standards as may be established from time to time by the Board of Directors of
the Company. Employee shall report only to the Board of Directors of the
Company. The reasonableness of such standards shall be measured against
standards for executive performance generally prevailing in the industries in
which the Company conducts business.

     8.   VOLUNTARY ABSENCES; VACATIONS. The Employee shall be entitled,
without loss of pay, to be absent voluntarily for reasonable periods of time
from the performance of the duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.
All such voluntary absence shall count as paid vacation time, unless the Board
of Directors of the Company otherwise approves. The Employee shall be entitled
to an annual paid vacation of at least six weeks per year or such longer period
as the Board of Directors of the Company may approve. The timing of paid
vacations shall be scheduled in a reasonable manner by the Employee.

     9.   TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

                  (a) The Board of Directors of the Company may terminate the
Employee's employment during the term of this Agreement at any time with or
without cause (as defined below), but any termination by the Board of Directors
other than termination for cause shall not, unless otherwise provided herein,
prejudice the Employee's right to compensation or other benefits under this
Agreement and upon any termination without cause all options granted to the
Employee shall be exercisable in accordance with the terms of their governing
documents. The Employee's employment during the term of this Agreement may be
terminated by a two-thirds vote of all of the members of the Board of Directors
of the Company for cause by written notice to the Employee setting forth in
reasonable detail the nature of such cause. Only the following shall constitute
"cause" for such termination: the refusal to perform duties assigned in
accordance with the Employee's employment agreement with the Company; or overt
and willful disobedience of orders or directives issued to the Employee by the
Company and within the scope of the Employee's duties to the Company; or
conviction or commission of illegal acts in connection with the performance of
duties on behalf of the Company, which refusal, disobedience or commission of
illegal acts shall continue for more than thirty days after written notice is
given to the Employee pursuant to a two-thirds vote of all of the members of the
Board of Directors of the Company, such notice to set forth in reasonable detail
the nature of the Board's determination. A termination of 

                                       4
<PAGE>   4


employment by the Employee after a "substantial breach" (as defined below) of
this Agreement by the Company shall be considered for all purposes of this
Agreement a termination of the Employee's employment by the Company without
cause. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the contrary, under no
circumstances may the Employee's employment hereunder be terminated by the
Company without cause except as set forth in the preceding sentence.
"Substantial breach" shall mean (i) the assignment of the Employee to any
position or duties materially inconsistent with the provisions of Paragraph 1
hereof; (ii) a reduction by the Company in the Employee's salary as specified in
Paragraph 2 hereof; (iii) the failure by the Company to pay to the Employee the
bonus provided for in Paragraph 3 hereof; or (iv) the failure by the Company to
allow the Employee to participate in other benefit programs as provided in
Paragraph 5 hereof, provided, however, that the term "substantial breach" shall
not include an immaterial breach by the Company of any provisions of this
Agreement, including clauses (i) and (iv) above, which does not result in
substantial detriment to the Employee. The Employee shall have no right to
receive compensation or other benefits for any period after termination for
cause.

                  (b) The parties acknowledge and agree that damages which will
result to Employee for termination by the Company without cause shall be
extremely difficult or impossible to establish or prove, and agree that, unless
the termination is for cause, the Company shall be obligated, concurrently with
such termination, to make a lump sum cash payment to the Employee as severance
pay of an amount equal to the sum of the following:

                           (i)      Two times the amount of the Employee's then
annual salary as provided in Paragraph 2 hereof;

                           (ii)     An amount equal to the bonus paid to the  
Employee in the year prior to termination pro-rated for the time Employee has 
worked in the year of termination;

                           (iii)    The Company shall at its sole cost and 
expense provide Employee with health insurance, life insurance and disability
insurance for a period of two years following termination in the same amounts 
provided prior to termination;

The Employee agrees that, except for such other payments and benefits to which
the Employee may be entitled as expressly provided by the terms of this
Agreement, such severance pay shall be in lieu of all other claims which the
Employee may make by reason of such termination. Such payment to the Employee
shall be made on or before the Employee's last day of employment with the
Company. The severance pay amount shall not be reduced by any compensation which
the Employee may receive for other employment with another employer after
termination of his employment with the Company.

         10.   NONPERFORMANCE BY COMPANY. If the Company fails to make timely
payment of the amounts then owed to the Employee under this Agreement, the
Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement for all reasonable costs, including
attorneys' fees, incurred by the Employee in taking action to collect such
amounts or otherwise to enforce this Agreement, plus interest on such amounts at
the rate of one percent above the prime rate (defined as the base rate on
corporate loans


                                       5
<PAGE>   5


at large U.S. money center commercial banks as published by the Wall Street 
Journal), compounded monthly, for the period from the date the payment is due 
to be paid to the Employee until payment is made.

         11.   DISABILITY. If the Employee shall become disabled or 
incapacitated to the extent that the Employee is unable to perform the
Employee's duties and responsibilities hereunder, the Employee shall be entitled
to receive (in addition to the insurance benefits provided for in Paragraph 5
hereof) disability benefits of the type provided for other executive officers of
the Company. In such event, the Employee shall be entitled to receive the
retirement compensation as specified in Paragraph 5(b), reduced by 2% for each
full year not worked by the Employee prior to age 62.

         12.   NO ASSIGNMENTS. This Agreement is personal to each of the parties
hereto. No party may assign or delegate any rights or obligations hereunder
without first obtaining the written consent of the other party hereto. Except
for the obligations of the Company under Paragraph 5(b) hereof, this Agreement
shall terminate immediately upon the death of the Employee.

         13.   OTHER CONTRACTS. The Employee shall not, during the term of this
Agreement, have any other paid employment other than with a subsidiary of the
Company or provide services to any other Company other than services to a
subsidiary of the Company, except that the Employee may be a member of the Board
of Directors of companies not affiliated with the Company, with the prior
approval of the Board of Directors of the Company. This provision shall not
apply with respect to Lifeline Corporation and The Hitachi Foundation where
Employee currently serves as Director and Trustee respectively. This Agreement
supersedes and cancels the agreement dated as of February 21, 1992 between the
parties hereto.

         14.   RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.  As consideration for the execution of 
this Agreement by the Company and the grant of the Option, the Executive
covenants and agrees as follows:

                  (a) For the twelve month period following termination of his
employment, the Employee shall not solicit business from any person, firm or
entity which was a customer of the Company or any of its subsidiaries at any
time within one year preceding the termination date of the Employee's employment
with the Company, induce or attempt to induce any such customer to reduce its
business with the Company or any of its subsidiaries, or solicit or attempt to
solicit any employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries to leave the
employ of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.

                  (b) For a period of one year following termination of his
employment with the Company, the Employee shall keep confidential and not
disclose to any person, firm or corporation the trade secrets or confidential
information or knowledge relating to the business of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries.

         15.   AMENDMENTS OR ADDITIONS; ACTION BY BOARD OF DIRECTORS. No
amendments or additions to this Agreement shall be binding unless in writing and
signed by all parties hereto. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
the prior approval of the Board of Directors of the 


                                       6
<PAGE>   6


Company shall be required in order for the Company to authorize any amendments
or additions to this Agreement, to give any consents or waivers of provisions of
this Agreement, or to take any other action under this Agreement including any
termination of employment under Paragraph 9(a) hereof.

         16.   PARAGRAPH HEADINGS.  The paragraph headings used in this 
Agreement are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used
in connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

         17.   SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed
severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall not
affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

         18.   GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of
the United States to the extent applicable and otherwise by the laws of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

         19.   ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES. Any controversy or claim arising out of
or relating to this Employment Agreement or the breach thereof shall be settled
by arbitration in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
by three arbitrators, one of whom shall be appointed by the Company, one by the
Employee and the third by the first two arbitrators. If the first two
arbitrators cannot agree on the appointment of a third arbitrator, then the
third arbitrator shall be appointed by the American Arbitration Association.
Such arbitration shall be conducted in accordance with the rules of the American
Arbitration Association, except with respect to the selection of arbitrators
which shall be as provided in this Paragraph 18. Judgment upon the award
rendered by the arbitrators may be entered in any court having jurisdiction
thereof. In the event that it shall be necessary or desirable for the Employee
to retain legal counsel and/or incur other costs and expenses in connection with
the enforcement of any or all of the Employee's rights under this Agreement, the
Company shall pay or the Employee shall be entitled to recover from the Company,
as the case may be, the Employee's reasonable attorneys' fees and other
reasonable costs and expenses in connection with the enforcement of said rights
(including the enforcement of any arbitration award in court) regardless of the
final outcome, unless and to the extent the arbitrators shall determine that
under the circumstances recovery by the Employee of all or a part of any such
fees and costs and expenses would be unjust.

         20.   SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL. This Agreement shall be subject to the
approval of the shareholders of the Company at the next Annual Meeting of
Shareholders and shall be of no further force or effect unless such approval is
obtained in a separate vote by the affirmative vote of a majority of the voting
shares present or represented and entitled to vote at such meeting. In the event
that such shareholder approval is not forthcoming, the Option granted under
Paragraph 4 of this Agreement shall not become exercisable and shall otherwise
become cancelled.


ATTEST:                                      PRIMARK CORPORATION



                                       7
<PAGE>   7


/s/ LINDA LUKE LEE                           By /s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA
- - -----------------------------                   --------------------------------
Assistant Secretary                             Senior  Vice  President, General
                                                Counsel and Secretary


WITNESS:                                     EMPLOYEE


/s/ JILL A. HOGUE                            /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
- - -----------------------------                -----------------------------------
                                             Joseph E. Kasputys





                                       8
<PAGE>   8
                                                                  Exhibit 10.11

                               PRIMARK CORPORATION
                      NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT
                      ------------------------------------


     This Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement (the "Option Agreement") is made
this 7th day of January, 1997, by and between Primark Corporation, a Michigan
corporation (the "Company") and Joseph E. Kasputys (the "Optionee").

     WHEREAS, the Company has determined that it is desirable and in its best
interests to grant to the Optionee an option to purchase a certain number of
shares of the Company's Common Stock (the "Stock");

     WHEREAS, this Option Agreement and the grant of the option to the Optionee
have been authorized and approved by the Compensation Committee of the Board of
Directors of the Company (the "Committee");

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and covenants, and
subject to the conditions, contained herein, the parties hereto do hereby agree
as follows:


     1.   GRANT OF OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein,
the Company hereby grants to the Optionee the right and option (the "Option") to
purchase from the Company, on the terms and subject to the conditions
hereinafter set forth, 1,000,000 shares of Stock.

     2.   PRICE. The purchase price (the "Option Price") for the shares of Stock
subject to the Option granted by this Option Agreement shall be as follows:

          (a)    For 500,000 shares of Stock subject to the Option, the Option
Price is $24.25 per share, which price is not less than the closing price       
of a share of Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant;

          (b)    For 250,000 shares of Stock subject to the Option, the Option
Price is $30.313 per share, which price is not less than 125% of the closing 
price of a share of Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the date of grant;
and

          (c)    For the remaining 250,000 shares of Stock subject to the 
Option, the Option Price is $36.375 per share, which price is not less than
150% of the closing price of a share of Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on
the date of grant.

     3.   EXERCISE OF OPTION.
          ------------------

          (a)    Except as otherwise provided herein and provided the Optionee
is an employee of the Company at each vesting date, the Option granted pursuant
to this Option Agreement shall become exercisable in the following installments:



<PAGE>   9


               (i)    That portion of the Option covering the 500,000 shares of
Stock referred to in Section 2(a) above shall be exercisable on or after the 
second anniversary of the date of grant of the Option;

               (ii)   That portion of the Option covering the 250,000 shares of
Stock referred to in Section 2(b) above shall be exercisable on or after the 
third anniversary of the date of grant of the Option; and

               (iii)  That portion of the Option covering the 250,000 shares of
Stock referred to in Section 2(c) above shall be exercisable on or after the 
fourth anniversary of the date of grant of the Option.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the vesting of such Option shall be accelerated,
in the sole discretion of the Committee, in the event that the Optionee develops
a successor as Chief Executive Officer of the Company.

         (b)   In the event of a "Change of Control" (as defined in Section 2 of
the Change of Control Compensation Agreement dated April 30, 1987 between the 
Company and Optionee):

               (i)    all of the shares of common stock with respect to which 
         the Option was not previously exercisable and vested shall become 
         fully exercisable and vested; and

               (ii)   if the Optionee so elects, the value of the Option shall, 
         to the extent exercisable and vested (after application of the 
         preceding clause (i)), be cashed out on the basis of the "Change of 
         Control Price" as of the date the Change of Control occurs or such 
         other date as the Board of Directors of the Company may determine 
         prior to the Change of Control.

         (c)   For purposes of this Paragraph 3, "Change of Control Price" 
means the higher of (i) the highest price per share paid or offered in any
transaction related to a Change of Control of the Company or (ii) the highest
price per share paid in any transaction reported on the exchange on which the
common stock is traded, at any time during the preceding sixty day period, as
determined by the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (d)   During the lifetime of the Optionee, only the Optionee (or, in 
the event of the Optionee's legal incapacity or incompetency, the Optionee's
guardian or legal representative) may exercise the Option.

         (e)   The Optionee may exercise the Option only while the Optionee is
employed by the Company or any corporation in which the Company owns,   
directly or indirectly, stock possessing 50 percent or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock (a "Subsidiary"), and immediately
upon the Optionee's termination of employment the Option shall terminate and
the Optionee shall have no further right to purchase shares of Stock under this 


                                       2
<PAGE>   10

Option, except as provided in Subsections (f), (g) and (h) of this Section.     
However, if the Optionee's employment with the Company is terminated without
cause, all options granted to Executive hereunder shall become fully vested and
all such options shall be exercisable until the 90th day following the date of
such termination. Any options remaining unexercised shall thereafter
immediately terminate.


            (f)   In the event of the Optionee's death while employed by the 
Company or within three years following the Optionee's retirement from the 
Company at age 62 or older, the Optionee's designated beneficiary or, in the 
absence of a beneficiary designation, the personal representative or legatees 
or distributees of the Optionee's estate, as the case may be, shall have the 
right to exercise all or any part of the Option to the extent the Option was 
exercisable on the date of the Optionee's death, only until the later of one 
year after the date of the Optionee's death and three years after the
Optionee's retirement from the Company at age 62 or older but in any event not
later than the original expiration date of the Option. The Optionee may
designate to the Company on a form provided by the Company for that purpose, a
beneficiary who may exercise the Option after the Optionee's death under this
Subsection (f). Such designation may be cancelled or changed by the Optionee in
his discretion, but no cancellation or change will be recognized by the Company
unless effected in writing on a form provided by the Company for that purpose
and filed with the Company.

            (g)   If the Optionee's termination of employment is by reason of
"permanent and total disability" (within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code")), the Optionee or the 
Optionee's guardian or legal representative shall have the right to exercise all
or any part of the Option to the extent the Option was exercisable at the time 
of such termination of employment, at any time within one year after such 
termination of employment but not later than the original expiration date of the
Option.

            (h)    Upon termination of employment from the Company by reason of
retirement at age 62 or older, the Option may be exercised, to the extent that 
the Option was exercisable on the date of such termination of employment, only 
until the earlier of three years after the date of such termination of
employment or the original expiration date of the Option.

            (i)   The Option shall terminate upon the earlier of (i) the 
expiration of a period of ten years from the date of grant of the Option, as set
forth in Section 13 below; or (ii) the Optionee's termination of employment with
the Company or a subsidiary, unless such termination falls within the scope of 
the penultimate sentence of Subsection (e) or within Subsection (f), (g) or (h) 
of this Section and in such event upon the expiration of the period after the 
Optionee's termination of employment within which the Option is exercisable as 
specified in such subsections.

          (j)   In no event shall the Optionee be entitled to exercise the 
Option unless and until this Agreement shall have been approved in a separate 
vote by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the voting shares 
of the Company present or represented and entitled to vote at the Company's 
next annual meeting of shareholders.


                                       3
<PAGE>   11


        4. METHOD OF EXERCISE OF OPTION. Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Option Agreement, the Option may be exercised by delivering written notice
of exercise to the Company, at its principal office, addressed to the attention
of the Secretary of the Company, which notice shall specify the number of
shares for which the Option is being exercised, and shall be accompanied by
payment in full of the Option Price for the shares for which the Option is
being exercised. Payment of the Option Price for the shares of Stock purchased
pursuant to the exercise of the Option shall be made (i) in cash or in cash
equivalent, or (ii) by delivery of a promissory note to the Company, in
accordance with the provisions set forth below, or (iii) by delivery of shares
of Stock, unless otherwise prohibited by the Committee, having at the time the
Option is exercised, an aggregate fair market value equal to the portion of the
Option price not paid for in cash or by promissory note. Upon exercise of the
Option the Optionee may borrow from the Company an amount not exceeding the
lesser of 80% of the fair market value on the exercise date of the shares for
which the Option is being exercised or 100% of the Option Price. Any such loan
shall be evidenced by a promissory note, in a form previously approved by the
Company, which shall bear interest at the minimum rate required to preclude the
imputation of interest under applicable provisions of the Code. The term of the
note shall not exceed three years; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that upon the Optionee's
termination of employment with the Company or a subsidiary, other than by
reason of the death, permanent and total disability (within the meaning of
Section 22(e)(3) of the Code) of the Optionee or retirement from the Company by
the Optionee and other than as described in the immediately following sentence,
the balance of the note together with interest accrued thereon shall become
immediately due and payable. In the event that the Executive's employment is
terminated by the Company without cause, the balance of the note together with
interest accrued thereon shall be due and payable on the 90th day following
such termination date. If the person exercising the Option is not the Optionee,
such person shall also deliver with the notice of exercise appropriate proof of
his or her right to exercise the Option. An attempt to exercise the Option
granted hereunder other than as set forth above shall be invalid and of no
force and effect.

     Promptly after exercise of the Option as provided for above, the Company
shall deliver to the person exercising the Option a certificate or certificates
for the shares of Stock being purchased; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that certificates
for any shares paid for by delivery of a promissory note shall be retained by
the Company accompanied by a separate stock power endorsed in blank by the
Optionee, in pledge as security for the payment of the promissory note. In the
event that the balance of principal and interest owing under the promissory note
on the last business day of any month exceeds 90% of the fair market value of
those shares held in pledge as security for payment of such principal and
interest, the Company shall notify the Optionee that an additional amount is due
and payable within seven days to the Company so as to reduce the balance owing
under such promissory note to within 80% of the fair market value of such
shares. In total or partial satisfaction thereof, the Optionee may pledge
additional shares of Stock provided that certificates for such shares are
delivered to the Company accompanied by a separate stock power endorsed in blank
by the Optionee. In the event additional shares of Stock are delivered to the
Company pursuant to the preceding sentence, such shares shall be valued at the
closing price of the Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the business day
immediately prior to the day the Company receives such shares from the Optionee.
Any dividends on the shares held in pledge in connection with the loan shall be
paid to the Company on behalf of the Optionee and first shall be applied by the
Company against unpaid interest and thereafter to unpaid principal owed under
the note.


                                      4

<PAGE>   12

     5.   LIMITATION ON TRANSFER. The Option is not transferable by the 
Optionee, other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution in the 
event of death of the Optionee.

     6.   RIGHTS AS SHAREHOLDER. Neither the Optionee nor any executor, 
administrator, distributee or legatee of the Optionee's estate shall be, or 
have any of the rights or privileges of, a shareholder of the Company in 
respect of any shares of Stock transferable hereunder unless and until such 
shares have been fully paid and certificates representing such shares have been 
endorsed, transferred and delivered, and the name of the Optionee (or of such 
personal representative, administrator, distributee or legatee of the Optionee's
estate) has been entered as the shareholder of record on the books of the 
Company.

     7.   EFFECT OF CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.
          ------------------------------------

          (a)   CHANGES IN STOCK. If the outstanding shares of Stock are 
increased or decreased or changed into or exchanged for a different number or 
kind of shares or other securities of the Company by reason of any
recapitalization, reclassification, stock split-up, combination of shares,
exchange of shares, stock dividend or other distribution payable in capital
stock, or other increase or decrease in such shares effected without receipt of
consideration by the Company occurring after the date the Option is granted, a
proportionate and appropriate adjustment shall be made by the Company in the
number and kind of shares subject to the Option, so that the proportionate
interest of the Optionee immediately following such event shall, to the extent
practicable, be the same as immediately prior to such event. Any such adjustment
in the Option shall not change the total Option Price with respect to shares
subject to the unexercised portion of the Option but shall include a
corresponding proportionate adjustment in the Option Price per share.

          (b)   REORGANIZATION IN WHICH THE COMPANY IS THE SURVIVING 
CORPORATION. Subject to Subsection C of this Section, if the Company shall be 
the surviving corporation in any reorganization, merger or consolidation
of the Company with one or more other corporations, the Option shall pertain to
and apply to the securities to which a holder of the number of shares of Stock
subject to the Option would have been entitled immediately following such
reorganization, merger or consolidation, with a corresponding proportionate
adjustment of the Option Price per share so that the aggregate Option Price
thereafter shall be the same as the aggregated Option Price of the shares
remaining subject to the Option immediately prior to such reorganization, merger
or consolidation.

          (c)   REORGANIZATION IN WHICH THE COMPANY IS NOT THE SURVIVING
CORPORATION OR SALE OF ASSETS OR STOCK. Upon the dissolution or liquidation of 
the Company, or upon a merger, consolidation or reorganization of the Company 
with one or more other corporations in which the Company is not the
surviving corporation, or upon a sale of substantially all of the assets of the
Company to another corporation, or upon any transaction (including, without
limitation, a merger or reorganization in which the Company is the surviving
corporation) approved by the Board which results in any person or entity owning
eighty percent (80%) or more of the combined voting power of all classes of
stock of the Company, the Option hereunder shall terminate, except to the extent
provision is made in connection with such transaction for the continuation
and/or the assumption of 


                                       5
<PAGE>   13
the Option, or for the substitution for the Option of new options covering      
the stock of a successor employer corporation, or a parent or subsidiary
thereof, with appropriate adjustments as to the number and kinds of shares and
exercise prices, in which event the Option shall continue in the manner and
under the terms so provided. In the event of any such termination of the
Option, the entire Option shall become fully vested and exercisable and the
Optionee shall have the right (subject to the limitations on exercise set forth
in Section 3 above), for thirty (30) days immediately prior to the occurrence
of such termination, to exercise the Option in whole or in part, to the extent
the Option had not expired. The Company shall send written notice of an event
that will result in such a termination to the Optionee not later than the time
at which the Company gives notice thereof to its shareholders.

            (d)   ADJUSTMENTS. Adjustments specified in this Section relating
to stock or securities of the Company shall be made by the Committee, whose
determination in that respect shall be final, binding and conclusive. No
fractional shares of Stock or units of other securities shall be issued pursuant
to any such adjustment, and any fractions resulting from any such adjustment
shall be eliminated in each case by rounding downward to the nearest whole share
or unit.

     8. GENERAL RESTRICTIONS. The Company shall not be required to sell or 
issue any shares of Stock under the Option if the sale or issuance of such
shares would constitute a violation by the individual exercising the Option or
by the Company of any provision of any law or regulation of any governmental
authority, including without limitation any federal or state securities laws or
regulations. If at any time the Company shall determine, in its discretion, that
the listing, registration or qualification of any shares subject to the Option
upon any securities exchange or under any state or federal law, or the consent
or approval of any government regulatory body, is necessary or desirable as a
condition of, or in connection with, the issuance or purchase of shares
hereunder, the Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless such
listing, registration, qualification, consent or approval shall have been
effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company, and
any delay caused thereby shall in no way affect the date of termination of the
Option. Specifically in connection with the Securities Act of 1993 (as now in
effect or as hereafter amended), unless a registration statement under such Act
is in effect with respect to the shares of Stock covered by the Option, the
Company shall not be required to sell or issue such shares unless the Company
has received evidence satisfactory to it that the holder of the Option may
acquire such shares pursuant to an exemption from registration under such Act.
Any determination in this connection by the Company shall be final, binding, and
conclusive. The Company may, but shall in no event be obligated to, register any
securities covered hereby pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933 (as not in
effect or as hereafter amended). The Company shall not be obligated to take any
affirmative action in order to cause the exercise of the Option or the issuance
of shares pursuant thereto to comply with any law or regulation of any
governmental authority. As to any jurisdiction that expressly imposes the
requirements that the Option shall not be exercisable unless and until the
shares of Stock covered by the Option are registered or are subject to an
available exemption from registration, the exercise of the Option (under
circumstances in which the laws of such jurisdiction apply) shall be deemed
conditioned upon the effectiveness of such registration or the availability of
such an exemption.


                                       6
<PAGE>   14


     9.    WITHHOLDING OF TAXES. The parties hereto recognize that the Company
may be obligated to withhold federal and local income taxes and Social
Security taxes to the extent that the Optionee realizes ordinary income in
connection with the exercise of the Option. The Optionee agrees that the
Company may withhold amounts needed to cover such taxes from payments otherwise
due and owing to the Optionee, and also agrees that upon demand the Optionee
will promptly pay to the Company having such obligation any additional amounts
as may be necessary to satisfy such withholding tax obligation. Unless
otherwise prohibited by the Committee, the Optionee may satisfy any such
withholding tax obligation by any of the following means or by a combination of
such means: (a) tendering a cash payment, (2) authorizing the Company to
withhold from the shares of Stock otherwise issuable to the Optionee as a
result of the exercise of the Option that number of shares having a fair market
value, as of the date the withholding tax obligation arises, less than or equal
to the amount of the withholding tax obligation; or (3) delivering to the
Company owned and unencumbered shares of Stock having a fair market value as of
the date the withholding tax obligation arises, less than or equal to the
amount of the withholding tax obligation. A participant's election to pay the
withholding tax obligation by either of the latter two means of payment is
irrevocable and may be disapproved by the Committee.

     10.   DISCLAIMER OF RIGHTS. No provision in this Option Agreement shall be
construed to confer upon the Optionee the right to be employed by the Company 
or any subsidiary, or to interfere in any way with the right and authority of 
the Company or any subsidiary to terminate any employment or other relationship
between the Optionee and the Company or any subsidiary, or to obligate the 
Company to appoint the Optionee as the President of the Company.

     11.   INTERPRETATION OF THIS OPTION AGREEMENT. All decisions and 
interpretations made by the Committee or the Board of Directors of the Company
with regard to any question arising under this Option Agreement shall be binding
and conclusive on the Company and the Optionee and any other person entitled to
exercise the Option as provided for herein.

     12.   GOVERNING LAW. This Option Agreement is executed pursuant to and 
shall be governed by the laws of the State of Massachusetts (but not including 
the choice of law rules thereof).

     13.   DATE OF GRANT. The date of grant of this Option is January 7, 1997,
subject to approval of this Agreement by the shareholders of the Company as 
provided in Section 3(i) above.

     14.   BINDING EFFECT. Subject to all restrictions provided for in this
Option Agreement and by applicable law relating to assignment and transfer of 
this Option Agreement and the option provided for herein, this Option Agreement
shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the parties hereto and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors, and assigns.

     15.   NOTICE.  Any notice hereunder by the Optionee to the Company shall 
be in writing and shall be deemed duly given if mailed or delivered to the 
Company at its principal office, addressed to the attention of the Committee, 
or if so mailed or delivered to such other address as the Company may hereafter
designate by notice to the Optionee. Any notice hereunder by the Company to the
Optionee shall be in writing and shall be deemed duly given if mailed or 
delivered 


                                       7
<PAGE>   15


to the Optionee at the address specified below by the Optionee for such purpose,
or if so mailed or delivered to such other address as the Optionee may hereafter
designate by written notice given to the Company.

     16. ENTIRE AGREEMENT.  This Option Agreement, the Change of Control 
Compensation Agreement, Registration Rights Agreement and the Employment
Agreement entered into between the Company and the Optionee constitutes the
entire agreement and supersedes all prior understandings and agreements,
written or oral, of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter
hereof. Neither this Option Agreement nor any term hereof may be amended,
waived, discharged or terminated except by a written instrument signed by the
Company and the Optionee; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that the Company unilaterally may
waive any provision hereof in writing to the extent that such waiver does not
adversely affect the interests of the Optionee hereunder, but no such waiver
shall operate as or be construed to be a subsequent waiver of the same
provision or a waiver of any other provision hereof.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Option
Agreement, or caused this Option Agreement to be duly executed on their behalf,
as of the day and year first above written.

ATTEST:                                              PRIMARK CORPORATION




/s/ LINDA LUKE LEE                    By: /s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA
- - ---------------------------              ---------------------------------------
                                      Title: SR. Vice President & General
                                             Counsel & Secretary
                                           -------------------------------------



                                      OPTIONEE:

                                      /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Joseph E. Kasputys


                                      ADDRESS FOR NOTICE TO OPTIONEE:


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

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

                                      ------------------------------------------
                                       8
<PAGE>   16


                        NOTICE OF BENEFICIARY DESIGNATION
                        ---------------------------------


     Pursuant to Section 3f of that certain Primark Corporation Non-Qualified
Stock Option Agreement dated January 7, 1997 (the "Agreement"), I hereby revoke
all prior designations and designate ________________ as my beneficiary under
the Agreement in the event of my death. I understand that this designation may
be cancelled or changed by me at any time by filing a new written Notice of
Beneficiary Designation with Primark Corporation at its principal offices,
directed to the attention of the Secretary. 

                                           OPTIONEE:
                                           

Date: /s/ LINDA LUKE LEE                   /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
     -------------------------             ------------------------------------
                                           Joseph E. Kasputys



                                           WITNESS:


                                           /s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA
                                           ------------------------------------
                                           Michael R. Kargula



                                       9

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit 10.12

                        LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AGREEMENT
                        -----------------------------

     This Long-Term Incentive Agreement (the "Agreement") is dated as of
February 29, 1996 between TASC, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation ("TASC") and
John C. Holt (the "Executive").

     WHEREAS, TASC, the Executive and Primark Corporation ("Primark" or the
"Company") are parties to a certain Employment Agreement dated as of February
28, 1994 (the "Employment Agreement") pursuant to which the Executive would be
entitled to receive a cash payment (the "EVA Agreement") if TASC achieved a
certain amount of economic value-added ("EVA"); and

     WHEREAS, since entering into the Employment Agreement, the Company and TASC
have determined that using the full 5-year performance period and EVA criteria
contained in the Employment Agreement would penalize the Executive for
operations and strategic decisions made prior to his becoming President and
Chief Executive Officer of TASC; and

     WHEREAS, in order to correct the unintentional results described above and
provide the Executive with an effective incentive, the Employment Agreement was
amended in the summer of 1995 to commence a new performance period on January 1,
1995 (the "1995 Amendment"); and

     WHEREAS, subsequently the Company and TASC sought, but were unable to
obtain from the Internal Revenue Service, a change in the requirements of the
performance-based compensation exception contained in Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code ("Code") that would have allowed the use of an EVA
performance period commencing on January 1, 1995; and

     WHEREAS, the final regulations relating to Section 162(m) of the Code were
promulgated on December 19, 1995; and



<PAGE>   2

     WHEREAS, the parties now desire to terminate the EVA provision of the
Employment Agreement and the entire 1995 Amendment and establish a new long-term
incentive compensation plan for the Executive that would commence on January 1,
1996 and otherwise comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual promises
set forth in the Employment Agreement, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1.   In consideration of the payment to the Executive of $516,316, the
parties hereto agree that Paragraphs 3(b), 3(c), and 3(d) of the Employment
Agreement and the 1995 Amendment are hereby cancelled and superceded by the
terms and provisions of this Agreement, and the Executive hereby releases TASC
and Primark and their respective officers, directors and employees from any and
all claims, debts, obligations and liabilities arising from or in connection
with the aforementioned paragraphs and the 1995 Amendment.

         2.  (a).  The Executive shall be entitled to receive from TASC, subject
         to the payment limitations and forfeiture provisions described below, a
         cash payment in the event TASC achieves a certain cumulative amount of
         "economic value-added" ("EVA") from calendar year 1996 through each
         calendar year up to and including 1998. Notwithstanding anything herein
         to the contrary and subject to the provisions of Paragraph 3 hereof,
         any such cash payment shall be made in accordance with Paragraph (b)
         hereof. "Economic value-added" is defined as operating income before
         goodwill and other acquisition costs arising from acquisitions made
         prior to 1995 minus interest expense incurred by TASC (plus any
         interest income accrued by TASC) and minus a capital charge. Interest
         includes interest expense associated with external debt, inter-company
         loans and capital leases. The capital charge shall be calculated
         annually as 10% of the average of the net book value of TASC at the
         opening and close of the year. All figures shall be determined in
         accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and in a
         manner consistent with past practices. For purposes of this Paragraph
         (a), Executive understands and agrees that he shall forfeit his
         entitlement to any amounts that he may have earned under this Paragraph
         (a) if (i) he terminates his employment with TASC prior to December 31,
         1998 or his employment with 


                                       2
<PAGE>   3

          TASC is terminated for "cause" as that term is defined in Paragraph
          9(a) of the Employment Agreement prior to December 31, 1998; or (ii)
          TASC does not achieve an annual compound growth rate of EVA on a
          cumulative basis of greater than 10% for the three full years ended
          December 31, 1998. No payment shall be made before the Compensation
          Committee of the Board of Directors of Primark (the "Committee") shall
          have certified in writing that the relevant standard for EVA growth
          (determined under the table below) shall have been attained and that
          other material terms shall have been satisfied.

               The impact of the settlement of any items shall be excluded from
          the computation of EVA, but only to the extent of the amount of the
          reserve that may have been established prior to 1996 to cover any such
          settlement. The expenses incurred by TASC to satisfy a judgment in, or
          to settle, a lawsuit or proceeding in which TASC was involved as of
          February 28, 1994, the date Mr. Holt entered into the Employment
          Agreement, shall be added to EVA. 

               The release of any portion of a general reserve of $350,000
          established in 1995 will be deducted from the EVA calculation in any
          year in which any portion of this reserve may be released.

               Additionally, with respect to other reserves, it is the intention
          of this Agreement that EVA be calculated throughout the Agreement
          using consistently applied methodologies in arriving at such reserves
          recorded both directly and indirectly (indirect methods include such
          means as estimates to complete on long-term contracts or overhead
          rates).

               The amount of cash payment shall be determined at the end of each
          calendar year from the following table (all amounts shall be
          interpolated):

<TABLE>
=====================================================================================================================
<CAPTION>
                                     ($)           (ii) ($000s)          ($)         (iii) ($000s)          ($)
                                 Cumulative     EVA as Determined    Cumulative    32.57% Cumulative    Cumulative
               (i) ($000s)       -----------    ------------------   -----------   ------------------   ----------
  Year     10% Cumulative EVA      Payment        from 1995 Plan       Payment            EVA             Payment
  ----     ------------------      -------        --------------       -------            ---             -------
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>              <C>                  <C>             <C>               <C>               <C>              <C>      
  1996           14,779               0               15,702            289,000           21,373           1,056,000
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  1997           31,036               0               34,303            632,000           49,706           2,474,000
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  1998           48,919               0               57,193          1,053,000          87,267            4,379,000
=====================================================================================================================
</TABLE>

Notes:     EVA and cumulative EVA figures are reduced for expenses incurred
           and/or accrued under this Agreement. References in column (ii)
           hereinabove to "Plan" shall mean the 1995-1999 Plan. References in
           column (iii) hereinabove to "32.57% Cumulative EVA" shall mean 32.57%
           compounded annual growth of EVA from the 1995 EVA originally
           anticipated in the 1995-1999 Plan.


                                       3
<PAGE>   4

               TASC agrees to provide Executive with an annual statement,
          starting in 1997, showing the EVA for the previous year and the
          calculations used in deriving the EVA. The Executive shall have the
          opportunity to review such calculations with the Board of Directors of
          TASC or its designee. The failure to provide such a statement shall
          not in any way inure to the benefit of the Executive or to the
          detriment of TASC.

               In no event shall the cash payment exceed $4.379 million.

               (b).   As an example, if cumulative EVA from 1996 through 1998 
          was $82,000,000, the entitlement for payment from TASC would be
          $3,796,502. This is calculated by $1,053,000 + [($82,000,000 -
          $57,193,000) / ($87,267,000 - $57,193,000)] x ($4,379,000 -
          $1,053,000).

               (c).   The parties hereto agree that if the payment hereunder is
          greater than $2 million, TASC may make such payment over a 3-year
          period in three equal annual installments with interest at the rate of
          one percent above the prime rate (defined as the base rate on
          corporate loans at large U.S. money center commercial banks as
          published by the Wall Street Journal). The first such installment
          shall be paid not later than March 31, 1999, the second installment
          shall be paid not later than March 31, 2000 and the third installment
          shall be paid not later than March 31, 2001. If the payment hereunder
          is less than $2 million, such payment shall be made not later than
          March 31, 1999.


     3.   Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the Employment Agreement
and in lieu of the EVA amount payable under Section 9(b) of the Employment
Agreement, if the Executive's employment with TASC is terminated without cause
in 1997 or 1998, TASC shall be obligated, concurrently with such termination, to
make a cash payment to the Executive (in addition to any other severance amount
payable under the Employment Agreement), the amount of which shall be calculated
as follows:

           (a). Commencing with calendar year 1996, determine the sum of the
      EVA for each full year ended December 31st in which the Executive was
      actually employed by TASC;

 
                                      4
<PAGE>   5
     
     
     
          (b). Using the table in Paragraph 2(a) above, determine the
     dollar amount of payment, interpolating if necessary;
     
          (c). The amount derived in (b) above minus applicable taxes shall
     be the amount of the cash payment. 
     
          Thus, for purposes of illustration only, if the Executive was
     terminated on January 1, 1998 and assuming that EVA for 1996 and 1997
     was $20 million and $25 million, respectively, the cumulative EVA
     would be $45 million. Interpolating in the 1997 row of the table in
     Paragraph 2(a) above, the cash payment would be $1,911,223, i.e.
     $632,000 + [($45,000,000 - $34,303,000)/($49,706,000 - $34,303,000)] x
     ($2,474,000 - $632,000).

     Such amount shall constitute the sole obligation of TASC with respect to
the payment of any amount calculated on the basis of EVA. Upon payment of such
amount, the Executive shall have no further rights or claims with respect
thereto and expressly waives all liabilities and cause of actions that he may
have against TASC with respect to any payment calculated on the basis of EVA. No
amount referred to in this Paragraph 3 shall be made unless and until the
Committee shall have certified the extent to which the relevant standard for EVA
growth shall have been obtained for the relevant periods.

     4.    This Agreement shall be administered by the Committee.

     5.    This Agreement is in no way intended to guarantee continued 
employment for the Executive with TASC or any affiliated company or entity.

     6.    This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the United States 
to the extent applicable and otherwise by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

     7.    Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement
or the breach thereof shall be settled by arbitration in accordance with the 
laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts by three arbitrators, one of whom
shall be appointed by TASC, one by the Executive and the third by the first two
arbitrators. TASC and the Executive agree to appoint their arbitrator within 90
days of receipt of a notice delivered in accordance with Paragraph 8 hereunder
from the 

                                       5
<PAGE>   6



other party setting forth a description of the controversy or claim and
requesting that the arbitrators be appointed. If either party fails to select an
arbitrator within such 90 day period the non-failing party may appoint a second
arbitrator and the failing party shall be deemed to have waived its or his
rights to appoint an arbitrator. If the first two arbitrators cannot agree on
the appointment of a third arbitrator, then the third arbitrator shall be
appointed by the American Arbitration Association. Such arbitration shall be
conducted in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association,
except with respect to the selection of arbitrators which shall be as provided
in this Paragraph 7. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. In the event that it shall be
necessary or desirable for the Executive to retain legal counsel and/or incur
other costs and expenses in connection with the enforcement of any or all of the
Executive's rights under this Agreement and assuming that the Executive is more
successful in such enforcement than TASC, TASC shall pay or the Executive shall
be entitled to recover from TASC, as the case may be, the Executive's reasonable
attorneys' fees and other reasonable costs and expenses in connection with the
enforcement of said rights (including the enforcement of any arbitration award
in court).

     8.    For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other communications
provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have
been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States Registered mail,
return receipt requested, postage prepaid, as follows:

                  If to TASC:

                           TASC
                           55 Walkers Brook Drive
                           Reading, Massachusetts  01867
                           Attention:  General Counsel

                  If to the Executive:

                           Mr. John C. Holt
                           313 Ocean Avenue
                           Marblehead, MA  01945

or such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7



     9.   This Agreement shall be subject to the approval of the shareholders of
Primark at the 1996 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and shall be of no further
force or effect unless such approval is obtained in a separate vote by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the voting shares present or represented and
entitled to vote at such meeting.


ATTEST:                                    TASC, INC.


Michael R. Kargula                          By: /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
- - ----------------------------------             -----------------------------
                                                Chairman


WITNESS:                                   EXECUTIVE


/s/ MARYANN MADORE                         /s/ JOHN C. HOLT
- - ----------------------------------         ------------------------------------
                                           John C. Holt

ACKNOWLEDGED:
PRIMARK CORPORATION


By: /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS    
    ------------------------------

Title: Chairman, President and CEO
      ----------------------------


<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit 10.13

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------


     This EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (the "Agreement") is dated as of December 3,
1996 between DATASTREAM INTERNATIONAL, INC., a Delaware corporation ("DII"),
PRIMARK CORPORATION, a Michigan Corporation (the "Company"), PRIMARK INFORMATION
SERVICES UK LIMITED, a corporation organized under the laws of the United
Kingdom and Wales ("Primark UK"), and IRA HERENSTEIN (the "Executive").

     WHEREAS, pursuant to an employment agreement dated as of June 30, 1995 by
and between the above referenced parties (the "Old Employment Agreement"), the
Executive is employed as Managing Director of Datastream International Limited,
a corporation organized under the laws of the United Kingdom and Wales
("Datastream"); and

     WHEREAS, all of the parties to the Old Employment Agreement desire to
cancel and terminate substantially all of the provisions of such agreement; and

     WHEREAS, Primark Corporation and Executive desire to execute a new
employment agreement setting forth all of the terms and conditions of the
Executive's employment relationship with Primark.

     NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS:


     1.   CANCELLATION OF OLD EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. Except as stated below, the
employment agreement dated June 30, 1995 by and between DII, the Company,
Primark UK and the Executive (the "Old Employment Agreement") is hereby
cancelled and terminated and each party thereto releases all of the other
parties thereto from any claims, damages, obligations or liabilities that such
party may have against any other party thereto relating to the employment of
the Executive. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Restrictive
Covenants contained in Paragraph 8 to the Old Employment Agreement shall
continue to survive and shall not be deemed cancelled or terminated. The
Executive hereby resigns voluntarily effective as of this date, from all
positions and offices he holds with Datastream, DII, Primark UK and their
affiliates.


     2.   EMPLOYMENT AND SALARY.
          ----------------------

          (a)  As of the date hereof, Executive shall be employed as Senior Vice
     President of Marketing for the Company. In such capacity, the Executive
     shall render on a full-time basis marketing services ("services") to the
     Company of the type customarily performed by persons serving in a similar
     executive officer capacity and shall report to the Chief Executive Officer
     of the Company. In


<PAGE>   2

     devoting his full-time and undivided attention during normal business hours
     to the foregoing responsibilities, Executive shall be permanently located
     in DII's New York office. During the term of this Agreement, there shall be
     no material increase or decrease in the duties and responsibilities of the
     Executive otherwise than as provided herein, unless the parties otherwise
     agree in writing.

          (b)    The Company agrees to pay the Executive during the term of this
     Agreement an annual salary of $325,000 with such salary to be increased
     from time to time as determined by the Company's Chief Executive Officer
     and approved by the Company's Board of Directors. The salary of the
     Executive shall not be decreased at any time during the term of this
     Agreement from the amount then in effect, unless the Executive otherwise
     agrees in writing. The salary under this Paragraph 2 shall be payable by
     the Company to the Executive in equal installments during each month
     pursuant to the Company's standard pay practices.

     3.   BONUS.
          -----

          (a)    The Executive shall have the opportunity to earn a bonus at 
     target of 40 percent of his annual salary determined on the basis of
     the attainment of annual financial and/or non-financial targets for the
     Company. It is expressly understood, however, that the amount of the bonus
     shall increase or decrease depending upon the amount by which the actual
     annual financial and/or non-financial results for the Company exceed or
     fall short of the targets. The formula for establishing the amount of bonus
     to be paid, in the event the targets are exceeded or not achieved, shall be
     established annually by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and approved
     by the Company's Board of Directors.

          (b)    In no event shall Executive earn or be entitled to receive an
     annual bonus greater than 80% of his salary, nor shall the Executive
     receive an annual bonus less than $75,000.

     4.   PARTICIPATION IN EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS; INSURANCE; OTHER FRINGE
          ----------------------------------------------------------------
          BENEFITS.
          --------

          (a)    While the Executive shall be governed by the Company's policies
     applicable to other employees and executive officers, the Executive shall
     not be entitled to participate in any plan of the Company's relating to
     pension, profit-sharing, group life insurance, medical coverage,
     disability, dental, education, or other retirement or employee benefits
     that the Company had adopted or may adopt for the benefit of its executive
     officers or employees, and Executive expressly waives such participation.

          (b)   Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Executive shall be entitled
     to receive the following fringe benefits during the term of this Agreement:


                                       2
<PAGE>   3


               (i)     Participation in stock-based plans such as the Company's
          Employee Stock Ownership Plan and any stock based plan that may be
          adopted in the future for the benefit of the Company's employees;

               (ii)    The Executive shall be entitled to a vacation of 20 days
          during each year of his employment pursuant to this Agreement. The
          Executive shall also be entitled to all public holidays observed by
          the Company.

               (iii)   The Executive shall be reimbursed by the Company for
          reasonable travel and other expenses which are incurred and accounted
          for in accordance with the Company's normal practices or as otherwise
          agreed to by the Company and the Executive.

               (iv)    The provision of an automobile under a three-year lease
          with the right of the Executive to purchase such automobile at the 
          end of such three-year lease pursuant to the terms of the lease 
          provided that the total lease payments over the three-year period 
          shall not exceed $30,000.

               (v)     The Executive shall be entitled to receive up to $3,000
          annually as reimbursement for expenses incurred in obtaining tax and
          estate planning assistance.

               (vi)    The Executive shall be entitled to be covered under the
          Company's life insurance policy in an amount equal to two times
          salary.

               (vii)   Participation in the foregoing fringe benefits shall not
          reduce the salary or bonus payable to the Executive under Paragraph 2
          or 3 above.



     5.   STOCK OPTIONS AND OTHER LONG-TERM INCENTIVES.
          ---------------------------------------------

          (a)  The stock option of 100,000 shares of common stock of the Company
     granted to the Executive under the terms of the Old Employment Agreement
     shall continue to vest in 3 equal installments with the final installment
     vesting on June 30, 1998.

          (b)  All vested Value Appreciation Rights that have been granted to 
     the Executive under Primark UK's Long-Term Incentive Plan ("Incentive 
     Plan") shall be deemed exercised as of September 30, 1996 and that date 
     shall be the Valuation Date, as that term is defined in the Incentive Plan.
     Any monies payable to Executive due to the aforementioned exercise shall be
     paid to him as soon as practicable following the execution of this
     Agreement by all parties. All Value Appreciation Rights that have been
     granted to the Executive that are 


                                      3
<PAGE>   4

     unvested as of the date hereof shall be cancelled and shall never become
     exercisable.

     6.   TERM. The term of this Agreement shall be for a period commencing as 
     of the date hereof and ending June 30, 1998.

     7.   TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.
          --------------------------

          (a)   Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement, the employment
     of the Executive pursuant to this Agreement shall be terminated immediately
     upon (i) the death of the Executive; (ii) a determination by the Board of
     Directors of the Company, acting in good faith with reasonable basis in
     fact, but made in the sole discretion of such Board, that the Executive has
     performed his services in a materially unsatisfactory manner, provided,
     however, such determination shall not be arbitrary or capricious and
     provided further that prior to any such determination being made, the
     Executive shall be notified of the grounds for the termination whereupon
     the Executive shall have thirty (30) days to correct the same unless such
     time period is extended by the Board of Directors in its sole discretion;
     (iii) a determination by the Board of Directors of the Company, acting in
     good faith and with reasonable basis in fact, but made in the sole
     discretion of such Board, that the Executive (a) has become physically or
     mentally incapacitated and unable to perform his normal duties under this
     Agreement and that such incapacity or inability has continued for a period
     of three consecutive calendar months, (b) has breached any of the terms of
     this Agreement, provided that Executive shall be given written notice of
     such breach and shall have fifteen days from the date of receipt of such
     notice to cure the breach or if the breach is of a type which cannot be
     readily cured within 15 days shall have taken material steps to cure such
     breach, (c) has refused or failed to carry out any reasonable order of the
     Board of Directors of the Company, (d) has demonstrated gross negligence in
     the execution of his duties which resulted or could result in material harm
     to the Company, or (e) has committed misconduct by willfully violating
     established corporate policies, or by committing a felony, or by engaging
     in unlawful acts detrimental to the Company.

          (b)   The parties acknowledge and agree that damages which will result
     to Executive from employment termination by the Company without cause shall
     be extremely difficult or impossible to establish or prove, and agree that,
     unless the termination is for cause pursuant to Paragraph 7(a)(iii)(b),
     (c), (d) or (e), the Company shall be obligated, concurrently with such
     termination, to make a lump sum cash payment to the Executive as severance
     pay of an amount equal to the sum of his then monthly salary times 18
     months. In addition, in the event of the employment termination of the
     Executive by the Company without cause pursuant to Paragraph 7(a)(i),
     (iii)(a), all stock options referred to in Paragraph 5 shall become
     immediately vested. Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, if the
     Company terminates the employment of the Executive pursuant 


                                       4
<PAGE>   5

     to Paragraph 7(a)(ii), then the Company shall pay to Executive a lump sum
     amount equal to the greater of (i) the sum of his then monthly salary times
     the number of months remaining under the term of this Agreement, or (ii)
     the sum of his then monthly salary times 18 months. In addition, in the
     event of the employment termination of the Executive by the Company
     pursuant to Paragraph 7(a)(ii), (a)(iii)(b), (c), (d) or (e), all unvested
     stock options referred to in Paragraph 5 shall expire effective on the date
     of such termination.

          (c)   The Executive understands and agrees that such severance pay and
     accelerated vesting of stock options shall be in lieu of all other claims
     which the Executive may make by reason of such termination.

     8.   RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS.
          ---------------------

          (a)   The Executive agrees that during the term of this Agreement and
     for a 24-month period after his termination of employment, he shall not
     knowingly compete, directly or indirectly, with the products or services of
     the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor shall he induce or assist
     others to knowingly compete, directly or indirectly, with the products or
     services of the Company, its subsidiaries or affiliates.

          (b)   Unless authorized or instructed in writing by the Company, the
     Executive shall not, except as required in the conduct of the Company's
     business, during or after the term of this Agreement, disclose to others,
     or use, any of the Company's inventions or discoveries or its secret or
     confidential information, knowledge or data, (oral, written, or in
     machine-readable form) which the Executive may obtain during the course of
     or in connection with the Executive's employment, including such
     inventions, discoveries, information, knowledge, know-how or data relating
     to machines, equipment, products, systems, software, research and/or
     development, designs, compositions, formulae, processes, or business
     methods, whether or not developed by the Company or from third parties, and
     irrespective or whether or not such inventions, discoveries, information,
     knowledge or data have been identified by the Company as secret or
     confidential, unless and until, and then to the extent and only to the
     extent that, such inventions, discoveries, information, knowledge or data
     become available to the public otherwise than by the Executive's act or
     omission.

          (c)   During the term of this Agreement and for a period of two years
     thereafter the Executive shall not, except as required in the conduct of
     the Company's business, disclose to others, or use, any of the information
     relating to present and prospective customers of the Company, business
     dealings with such customers, prospective sales and advertising programs
     and agreements with representatives or prospective representatives of the
     Company, present or prospective sources of supply or any other business
     arrangements of the 


                                       5
<PAGE>   6


     Company, including but not limited to customers, customer lists, costs,
     prices and earnings, whether or not such information is developed by the
     Executive, by others in the Company or obtained by the Company from third
     parties, and irrespective of whether or not such information has been
     identified by the Company as secret or confidential, unless and until, and
     then to the extent and only to the extent that, such information becomes
     available to the public otherwise than by the Executive's act or omission.

          (d)   Executive agrees that all improvements, developments, or
     discoveries conceived or made by him, either alone or with others, during
     his employment with the Company and for a 24-month period thereafter which
     relate to current or likely future business of the Company or any of its
     affiliates, whether or not conceived or made on the Company's time or with
     the Company's resources, are the sole and exclusive property of the Company
     and the Company may use or pursue them without restriction or further
     compensation. Executive hereby assigns and transfers to the Company all of
     his right title and interest in and to such improvements, developments and
     discoveries.

          (e)   All computer software, computer programs, source codes, object
     codes, magnetic tapes, printouts, samples, notes, records, reports,
     documents, customer lists, photographs, catalogs and other writings,
     whether copyrightable or not, relating to or dealing with the Company's
     business and plans, and those of others entrusted to the Company, which are
     prepared or created by the Executive or which may come into his possession
     during or as a result of his employment, are the property of the Company,
     and upon termination of his employment, the Executive agrees to return all
     such computer software, computer programs, source codes, object codes,
     magnetic tapes, printouts, samples, notes, records, reports, documents,
     customer lists, photographs, catalogs and writings and all copies thereof
     to the Company. The Company may withhold the Executive's outstanding salary
     checks against return of these materials and any other materials of the
     Company or its customers.

          (f)   During the term of this Agreement and for a 24-month period 
    after his termination of employment, the Executive shall not induce or
    attempt to induce any customer of the Company or any affiliate to reduce
    its business with the Company or any affiliate or solicit or attempt to
    solicit any employee of the Company or any affiliate to leave the employ of
    the Company or any of its affiliates.

          (g)   The above covenants on the part of the Executive shall survive
     termination of this Agreement, and the existence of any claim or cause of
     action of the Executive against the Company or its affiliates, whether
     predicated on this Agreement or otherwise, shall not constitute a defense
     to the enforcement by the Company of such covenants. The Executive agrees
     that a remedy at law for any breach of the foregoing covenants would be
     inadequate and that the Company 


                                       6
                
<PAGE>   7



     shall be entitled to a temporary and permanent injunction or any order for
     specific performance of such covenants without the necessity of proving
     actual damage to the Company.

     9.   (Intentionally left blank.)

     10.  CHANGE OF CONTROL. If the employment of Executive is terminated 
unilaterally by the Company within one year following the sale to one person or
group of sixty percent (60%) or more of the common stock of the Company other
than to a corporation wholly owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company, and
such termination is for reasons other than as set forth in Paragraphs
7(a)(iii)(b), 7(a)(iii)(c), 7(a)(iii)(d) or 7(a)(iii)(e), then all stock
options referred to in Paragraph 5 shall become vested on the date of such
termination, and Executive shall receive upon such termination of employment a
lump sum equal to the product of (i) the Executive's then monthly salary times
(ii) the number of months remaining under the term of this Agreement.

     11.   ASSIGNMENT. The rights and obligations of the Company under this 
Agreement shall be assigned by the Company to the successors in interest
of the Company. This Agreement may not be assigned by the Executive, but any
amounts owing to the Executive upon his death shall inure to the benefit of his
heirs, legatees, personal representative, executor or administrator.

     12.   AMENDMENTS OR ADDITIONS. No amendments or additions to this Agreement
shall be binding unless in writing and signed by all parties hereto.

     13.   PARAGRAPH HEADINGS. The paragraph headings used in this Agreement 
are included solely for convenience and shall not affect, or be used in
connection with, the interpretation of this Agreement.

     14.   SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed 
severable and the invalidity or unenforceability of any provision shall
not affect the validity or enforceability of the other provisions hereof.

     15.    NOTICE. For purposes of this Agreement, notices and all other 
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be
deemed to have been duly given when delivered or mailed by United States
Registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, as follows:

         If to DII:

         Datastream International, Inc.
         120 Wall Street, 15th Floor
         New York, NY  10005

                                       7
<PAGE>   8


         If to the Company

         Primark Corporation
         1000 Winter Street, Suite 4300N
         Waltham, MA  02154
         Attention:  General Counsel and Secretary

         If to Primark UK:

         Primark Information Services UK Limited
         Monmouth House
         58-64 City Road
         London, England  EC1Y 2AL

         If to the Executive:

         Mr. Ira Herenstein
         951 Carol Avenue
         Woodmere, NY  1598

or such other address as either party may have furnished to the other in writing
in accordance herewith, except that notice of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.

     16.   GOVERNING LAW. This Agreement shall be governed by the laws of the 
United States to the extent applicable and otherwise by the State of New York.

     17.   ARBITRATION OF DISPUTES. Any controversy or claim arising out of or
relating to this Agreement or the breach thereof shall be settled by binding
arbitration in accordance with the laws of the State of New York by three
arbitrators, one of whom shall be appointed by the Company, one by the
Executive and the third by the first two arbitrators. The Company and the
Executive agree to appoint their arbitrator within 90 days of receipt of a
notice delivered in accordance with Paragraph 17 hereunder from the other party
setting forth a description of the controversy or claim and the requesting that
the arbitrators be appointed. If either party fails to select an arbitrator
within such 90-day period the non-failing party may appoint a second arbitrator
and the failing party shall be deemed to have waived its or his rights to
appoint an arbitrator. If the first two arbitrators cannot agree on the
appointment of a third arbitrator, then the third arbitrator shall be appointed
by the American Arbitration Association. Such arbitration shall be conducted in
accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration Association, except with
respect to the selection of arbitrators which shall be provided in this
Paragraph 17. Judgment upon the award rendered by the arbitrators may be
entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. In the event that it shall be
necessary or desirable for the Executive to retain legal counsel and/or incur
other costs and expenses in connection with the enforcement of any or all of
the Executive's rights under this Agreement and assuming that the Executive is
more successful in such enforcement than the 


                                       8
<PAGE>   9


Company, the Company shall pay or the Executive shall be entitled to recover
from the Company, as the case may be, the Executive's reasonable attorneys' fees
and other reasonable costs and expenses in connection with the enforcement of
said rights (including the enforcement of any arbitration award in court).

     18.   ENTIRE AGREEMENT. The foregoing contains the entire agreement between
the parties relating to the subject matter of this Agreement, and this Agreement
supersedes all prior understandings and agreements relating to employment of the
Executive.


ATTEST:                                Datastream International, Inc.



/s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA                 By:    /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
- - ----------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                       Title: Chairman
                                              --------------------------------


ATTEST:                                Primark Corporation


/s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA                 By:    /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
- - ----------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                       Title: Chairman
                                              --------------------------------


ATTEST:                                Primark Information Services UK Limited



/s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA                 By:    /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
- - ----------------------------                  --------------------------------
                                       Title: Chairman
                                              --------------------------------


WITNESS:                               Executive



/s/ STACY B. HOWARD                    By:    /s/ IRA HERENSTEIN
                                              --------------------------------
                                              Ira Herenstein



<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit 10.15

                                                          LINCOLN
                                                 [LOGO]   NATIONAL
Group Policy                                              LIFE
Number 40,000                        The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company
                                              Fort Wayne, Indiana 46801
POLICYHOLDER

Trustee of Medical Reimbursement Plan Trust

DATE OF ISSUE

January 1, 1980

DATE OF REISSUE

January 1, 1993

RENEWAL PREMIUMS are due on the 1st day of January, April, July, October and
upon submission of claims.

POLICY ANNIVERSARIES occur annually beginning January 1, 1994.

The situs of Delivery of this policy is Washington, D.C. and it is governed by
the laws thereof.

IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND SUBJECT TO THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THIS POLICY:

     The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company (herein called Lincoln
     National) in consideration of the application of the Policyholder and of
     the payment of premium due on the Date of Issue and Renewal Premiums as due
     agrees to provide group insurance benefits with respect to each individual
     insured on and after the Date of Issue.

     Coverage under the policy will terminate with respect to a Participating
     Employer: upon failure of that Employer to pay any premium when due or
     following written notice by Lincoln National or the Policyholder.

This policy and the application of the Policyholder, a copy of which is attached
hereto, constitute the entire contract between the parties.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The Lincoln National Life Insurance Company has caused this
policy to be executed this 29th day of April, 1993.



  /s/ T. L. SPURLING                              /s/  ROBERT A. AIKEN
- - ------------------------------                    -------------------------
     Assistant Secretary                                  President

FORM 40,000



<PAGE>   2


                                     INDEX

This policy has been arranged to permit easy reference by the persons using it.
It is divided into seven sections as follows:



          Section I   --      BENEFITS

          Section II  --      INDIVIDUALS

          Section III --      GENERAL PROVISIONS

          Section IV  --      DEFINITIONS

          Section V   --      POLICYHOLDER-EMPLOYER

          Section VI  --      LINCOLN NATIONAL

          Section VII --      ADMINISTRATOR


The policy follows a number-letter sequence. It is not necessary that this
policy include all numbers or letters in complete sequence to be correct.

The DEFINITIONS section may define terms which are not included in the policy.





FORM 40,000-INDEX                                                            C



<PAGE>   3


                              SECTION I * BENEFITS

                              SCHEDULE OF BENEFITS


MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT BENEFITS

Maximum Benefit is as shown in the participating Employer's Application and
Adoption Agreement.

Maximum Benefit is payable for an employee's family unit during a calendar year.

Benefits Percentage ---------------------------------- 100%

Benefit Period

A Benefit Period with respect to an insured individual commences when the
individual has been paid benefits by Lincoln National during a calendar year for
eligible charges for treatment or prevention of illnesses.

A Benefit Period with respect to an individual's illness terminates on the
earliest of the following:

     1. the last day of the calendar year in which it was established;
     2. the day coverage provided herein terminates; or
     3. the day the maximum benefit is paid.

ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

The individuals eligible for insurance hereunder are those who are covered under
an employer-sponsored group insurance plan or an individual health policy,
herein called "the underlying plan," and are:

     1. employees as designated by the Participating Employer(s) as indicated
        on the Employer Participation Agreement; or
     2. dependents of those employees who are meeting the requirements of No 1.
        above.

WAITING PERIOD

There is no waiting period.

CLASSIFICATION CHANGE DATE

A change in an employee's benefits caused by a change in his classification will
be effective on January 1, following the change in classification.

OCCUPATIONAL AND NON-OCCUPATIONAL BENEFITS

Benefits are issued on a non-occupational basis.



FORM 40,001



<PAGE>   4


MEDICAL REIMBURSEMENT BENEFITS

If an insured individual incurs eligible charges during a Benefit Period
established with respect to the individual's family unit, Medical Reimbursement
Benefits are payable.

     I.   Benefit Period

          A Benefit Period with respect to an insured individual commences and
          terminates as shown on the Schedule of Benefits.

     II.  Determination of Benefit

          Benefits payable are equal to

          A.   the Benefits Percentage shown on the Schedule of Benefits,
               multiplied by

          B.   the total eligible charges payable by Lincoln National during the
               Benefit Period.

     III. Maximum Benefit

          The total Medical Reimbursement Benefits payable for an individual's
          illnesses will not exceed the individual's Maximum Benefit, even
          though the individual may not have been continuously insured.

     IV.  Eligible Charges are charges that are not covered under any other
          group insurance plan, individual health policy, and/or Medicare and
          which are for one of the following:

          A.   Room and board and routine nursing services for each day of
               confinement in a hospital

          B.   Room and board for each day of confinement in a skilled nursing
               facility

          C.   Intensive nursing care for each day of confinement in a hospital

          D.   Medical services and supplies furnished by the hospital

          E.   Anesthetics and their administration

          F.   Medical treatment or prevention of illness (including but not
               limited to surgical operations) rendered by and in the physical
               presence of a legally qualified physician

          G.   Charges for the diagnosis of Infertility

          H.   Charges for the treatment of Infertility (only to the extent that
               such charges are payable by the underlying plan)

          I.   Services provided by

               1.   a registered nurse (R.N.) for private duty nursing services

               2.   a licensed practical nurse (L.P.N.) for private duty nursing
                    services or

               3.   a licensed physiotherapist

          J.   X-ray examination (other than dental), microscopic and laboratory
               tests and other diagnostic services

          K.   X-ray and radiation therapy

          L.   Transportation within the United States and Canada of the
               individual by professional ambulance service, railroad or
               regularly scheduled airline to a hospital or sanitarium

          M.   Medical supplies, as follows:

               1.   Drugs and medicines that are prescribed by a physician

               2.   Blood and other fluids to be injected into the circulatory
                    system

               3.   Artificial limbs and eyes for loss of natural limbs and eyes

               4.   Casts, splints, trusses, braces, crutches and surgical
                    dressings



FORM 40,001-1



<PAGE>   5


               5.   Rental of hospital-type equipment, including wheelchair,
                    hospital bed, iron lung and other mechanical equipment for
                    the treatment of respiratory paralysis and equipment for the
                    administration of oxygen

               6.   Purchase or rental of hospital-type equipment for kidney
                    dialysis for the personal and exclusive use of the patient,
                    the total price to be eligible on a monthly pro-rata basis
                    during the first 24 months of ownership, but only so long as
                    dialysis treatment continues to be medically required.
                    Lincoln National also will consider as eligible all charges
                    for supplies, materials and repairs necessary for the proper
                    operation of such equipment and also reasonable and
                    necessary expenses for the training of a person to operate
                    and maintain the equipment for the sole benefit of the
                    patient,

                         EXCEPT THAT:
                         No benefits are payable for an individual on or after
                         the day such individual is entitled to benefits under
                         Medicare.

          N.   Services provided by a legally qualified physician or qualified
               speech therapist for restoratory or rehabilitory speech therapy
               for speech loss or impairment due to an illness, or to surgery on
               account of an illness

          O.   Dental Benefits

               1.   Payment will be made up to the Maximum Benefit for one or
                    more of the following charges:

                    a.   Dental care performed by or under the direct
                         supervision of a legally qualified dentist

                    b.   Dental X-ray examinations

                    c.   Cosmetic dental procedures performed as a result of an
                         accident

                    d.   Space maintainers for deciduous teeth

                    e.   Orthodontics

                    f.   Medications prescribed or ordered by a dentist

                    g.   Oral examinations and/or prophylaxis

                    h.   Denture adjustment or relinings

                    i.   Payment will be made for the following:

                         i.   Dentures or fixed bridgework

                         ii.  Addition of one or more teeth to dentures or fixed
                              bridgework

                         iii. Crowns or gold restorations involving dentures or
                              fixed bridgework

                    j.   Replacement of any lost or stolen dental appliance

               2.   Exclusions

                    No Dental Benefits will be paid for the following charges:

                    a.   Any dental procedure (other than Orthodontia Treatment
                         for which charges are billed on a monthly basis) not
                         initiated and completed while insured

                    b.   Dental appointments which are not kept

                    c.   Teeth bleaching and other cosmetic dental procedures

          P.   Hearing Aid Benefits

               1.   Eligible charges for audio examinations and/or audio
                    supplies, will be payable according to the Maximum Benefit
                    and Benefit Percentage as shown on the Schedule of Benefits
                    for the following:

                    a.   Otologic examination by a physician

                    b.   Hearing evaluation by a qualified audiologist, if such
                         evaluation is recommended on the basis of the otologic
                         examination. The hearing evaluation will include:

                         i.   Audiometric testing, including testing of hearing
                              acuity with respect to air conduction, bone
                              conduction, speech reception and discrimination
                              of speech, and

                         ii.  A hearing aid evaluation to determine and
                              recommend the type of hearing aid necessary to
                              improve the insured hearing acuity



FORM 40,001-2



<PAGE>   6


                    c.   Follow-up consultation with the audiologist

                    d.   A hearing aid (monaural or binaural) as prescribed by a
                         qualified audiologist

                    e.   Ear molds, batteries, cord and ancillary equipment in
                         connection with the hearing aid

               2.   Exclusions

                    No Hearing Aid Benefits will be paid for:

                    a.   Hearing aids not prescribed as a result of an otologic
                         examination by a qualified physician

                    b.   Hearing evaluation not prescribed as a result of an
                         otologic examination by a legally qualified physician

                    c.   Medical or surgical treatment of the ear

                    d.   Any services or supplies to the extent that benefits
                         are payable for such under any other provisions of the
                         policy

                    e.   Drugs or medication

                    The term "qualified audiologist" means an audiologist who
                    has a masters degree in speech pathology, possesses a
                    Certificate of Clinical Competence in audiology from The
                    American Speech and Hearing Association and is licensed to
                    perform audiometric examinations in the state in which the
                    testing is performed, if such licensing is required.

          Q.   Vision Benefits

               Eligible charges for vision examination and materials up to the
               Maximum Benefit and Benefits Percentage as shown on the Schedule
               of Benefits for the following:

               Complete visual analysis, including case history and refraction
               (payable only when an eye refraction is performed). Lens
               (single-vision, bi-focal, tri-focal, lenticular, contact) and
               frames.





FORM 40,001-3



<PAGE>   7


                            SECTION II * INDIVIDUALS

I.   ELIGIBLE INDIVIDUALS

     The individuals eligible for insurance hereunder are shown on the Schedule
     of Benefits.

II   INSURANCE BENEFITS

     The Insurance Benefits provided under the policy for an insured individual
     will be in accordance with the provisions of this policy and the individual
     insured's insurance classification, as shown, in the Employer's Application
     and Adoption Agreement. If more than one insurance classification is
     designated, any change in the amount of an individual's insurance,
     occasioned by change in an employee's classification, is effective on the
     Classification Change Date shown on the Schedule of Benefits.

III. EFFECTIVE DATES OF INSURANCE

     An individual's insurance hereunder will be effective as follows:

     A.   EMPLOYEES

          An employee's insurance will become effective automatically on the
          date he or she becomes eligible.

     B.   DEPENDENTS

          1.   An employee's insurance with respect to his or her dependent(s)
               will become effective automatically with respect to each
               dependent on the date such dependent of the employee becomes an
               eligible individual hereunder and while the employee qualifies as
               an individual eligible for insurance as shown on the Schedule of
               Benefits.

          2.   A dependent will become an insured individual automatically if
               the employee is insured for dependents' insurance on the date
               such person becomes a dependent.

     C.   EMPLOYEES AND DEPENDENTS

          1.   If a person does not qualify as an eligible individual because,

               a.   in the case of an employee, he or she is not actively
                    expanding time and energy in the employ of the Employer on
                    the date the individual would otherwise become insured, the
                    individual will not become insured until the next following
                    date on which he or she is actively expending time and
                    energy in the employ of the Participating Employer(s); or

               b.   in the case of dependent,

                    i.   the employee does not qualify because of a. above or

                    ii.  the dependent is confined in a hospital, such dependent
                         will not become insured until the next following day on
                         which both the employee is actively expending time and
                         energy in the employ of the Employer and the dependent
                         is no longer confined in a hospital.



FORM 40,002



<PAGE>   8


     IV.  NOTICE AND PROOF OF CLAIM AND EXAMINATION

          A.   NOTICE--30 DAYS

               1.   Written notice of each injury or illness for which benefits
                    may be claimed must be given to Lincoln National within
                    thirty (30) days of the date any expense is incurred.

               2.   Failure to furnish notice within thirty (30) days will not
                    invalidate or reduce any claim if it is shown that notice
                    was provided as soon as was reasonably possible.

               3.   Lincoln National, upon receipt of such notice, will furnish
                    its form(s) for filing proof of claim to the employee. If
                    such forms are not furnished within fifteen (15) days after
                    Lincoln National's receipt of notice, the individual insured
                    will be deemed to have complied with the requirements of the
                    policy as to proof of claim upon submitting, within the time
                    fixed in the policy for filing proofs of claim, written
                    proof concerning the occurrence, character and extent of the
                    loss for which claim is made.

          B.   PROOF--90 DAYS

               1.   Affirmative proof of claim on account of hospital
                    confinement for which claim is made must be furnished to
                    Lincoln National within ninety (90) days after the
                    termination of the period for which claim is made, and while
                    this policy is in force.

               2.   Affirmative proof of any other claim must be furnished
                    Lincoln National not later than ninety (90) days after the
                    date of loss.

               3.   Failure to furnish proof of any claim within ninety (90)
                    days will not invalidate or reduce any claim if it is shown
                    that proof was provided as soon as was reasonably possible
                    and while this policy is in force.

          C.   PAYMENT OF CLAIM

               All benefits are payable to the employee. If any such benefits
               remain unpaid at the death of the employee, or if the employee is
               a minor or is, in the opinion of Lincoln National, incapable of
               giving a legally binding receipt for payment of any benefit,
               Lincoln National may, at its option, pay such benefit to any one
               or more of the following relatives of the employee: spouse,
               parent(s), child(ren), brother(s), or sister(s). Any payments so
               made by Lincoln National will completely discharge its obligation
               to the extent of such payment. Lincoln National will not be
               responsible as to the application of such payment.

          D.   EXAMINATION

               1.   Lincoln National will have the right and opportunity at its
                    own expense to examine the person of any individual whose
                    injury or illness is the basis of a claim hereunder when and
                    so often as it may reasonably require during pendency of
                    such claim.

               2.   Lincoln National will have the right and opportunity to make
                    an autopsy where not prohibited by law.

     V.   CHOICE OF PHYSICIAN

          The individual insured will have free choice of any legally qualified
          physician.



FORM 40,002-1



<PAGE>   9


     VI.  WORKER'S COMPENSATION


          This policy is not in lieu of, and does not affect, any requirement
          for coverage by worker's compensation insurance.

     VII. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

          No action at law or in equity will be brought to recover on this
          policy before the expiration of sixty (60) days after proof of claim
          has been filed in accordance with the requirements of this policy. No
          such action will be brought at any time unless brought within the time
          allowed by the laws of the Situs of Delivery. If the laws of the Situs
          of Delivery do not designate the maximum length of time during which
          such action may be brought, no action may be brought after the
          expiration of two (2) years of the time within which proof of loss is
          required by the policy.

     VIII.STATEMENTS

          In the absence of fraud, all statements made by an insured employee
          and his or her dependents will be deemed representations and not
          warranties. No such representations will void the insurance or be used
          in defense to a claim hereunder unless a copy of the instrument
          containing such representation is or has been furnished to such
          employee or to his beneficiary, if any.

     IX.  TERMINATION OF INDIVIDUAL'S INSURANCE

          An individual's insurance will automatically terminate immediately
          upon the earliest of the following dates:

          A.   The date the policy terminates

          B.   The date the individual's Participating Employer(s) ceases to
               participate under the policy or

          C.   The day the individual is no longer insured under his or her
               employer-sponsored group health insurance plan or individual
               policy.





FORM 40,002-2



<PAGE>   10


                    SECTION III -- GENERAL POLICY PROVISIONS

I.   BENEFIT EXCLUSIONS AND LIMITATIONS

     A.   Non-occupational Coverage

          No benefits are provided as a result of

          1.   any accidental bodily injury that arises out of or in the course
               of any employment with any Participating Employer(s) and/or for
               which the individual is entitled to benefits under any worker's
               compensation law or occupational disease law, or receives any
               settlement from a worker's compensation carrier; or

          2.   any illness in which the individual is entitled to benefits under
               any worker's compensation or occupational disease law, or
               receives any settlement from a worker's compensation carrier.

     B.   War

          No benefits are provided for losses that are due to war or any action
          of war, whether declared or undeclared.

     C.   Individual Must Be Under the Direct Care of a Physician

          No benefits are payable unless the individual is under the direct care
          of a legally qualified physician.

     D.   Legal Obligation

          Insurance is provided only in connection with charges for treatment
          for which the individual is, in the absence of this insurance, legally
          obligated to pay.

     E.   Necessary, Reasonable and Customary

          Insurance is provided only for

          1.   charges for treatment, equipment or supplies that are necessary
               to the treatment or prevention of illness, are medically cost
               efficient and incurred on the recommendation of a legally
               qualified physician, and

          2.   charges that are not in excess of the regular and customary
               charges for the services performed and the materials furnished.

          No benefits are provided unless the individual is under the direct
          care of a legally qualified physician.

     F.   The following charges are specifically excluded from coverage:

          1.   All charges for which benefits are not specifically provided
               hereunder

          2.   Charges for any cosmetic treatment or surgery. However, we will
               pay for cosmetic treatment or surgery that is due solely to any
               of the following:




FORM 40,003



<PAGE>   11


               a.   An accidental bodily injury

               b.   The surgical removal or reconstruction of all or part of the
                    breast tissue as a result of an illness

               c.   A birth defect

          3.   Charges for hospitalization, services, treatments or supplies
               furnished by the United States or a foreign governmental agency
               unless otherwise prohibited by law

          4.   Charges for the treatment of infertility, if such charges are
               excluded by the underlying plan

          5.   Charges for medical treatment by a legally qualified physician
               for any treatment that is not rendered by or in the physical
               presence of the attending physician

          6.   Charges made by a hospital for confinement as a bed patient in a
               long term care unit, or for confinement in a skilled nursing
               facility, unless such confinement

              a.    commences within fourteen (14) days after the sick or
                    injured individual is discharged from hospital
                    confinement, for which at least three consecutive days of
                    hospital room and board charges were eligible charges
                    hereunder, and

               b.   is for treatment of the illness causing the hospital
                    confinement mentioned in (a.) above, and

               c.   is one during which professional calls are made by the
                    physician or surgeon on and in the physical presence of such
                    individual in a frequency of not less than one such call per
                    thirty (30) consecutive days of such confinement, and

               d.   does not primarily involve routine custodial type care

          7.   Insurance premiums of any kind

          8.   Weight Control Treatment. This exclusion applies but is not
               limited to all methods of treatment that seek to result in weight
               reduction or control, including but not limited to, dietary
               treatment or counseling, nutritional supplements, testing
               required with the use of low-calorie diets, gastric bypasses,
               gastric balloons, stomach stapling, wiring of the jaw and jejunal
               bypasses, unless the obesity is primarily responsible for a
               medical illness or condition that is life-threatening or causing
               total disability.

          9.   Non-prescription drugs.

II.  NON-FORFEITURE

     If the terms and conditions set forth in this policy are performed by the
     insured within the prescribed period, then the benefits which accrue under
     this policy will become payable. However, if any terms and conditions are
     not performed within the prescribed period, then the insured will forfeit
     his/her right to such benefits that may have arisen under this policy with
     respect to the loss not timely reported.

III. DATE OF SERVICE OR PURCHASE

     The charge for service or purchase will be deemed to have been incurred on
     the date the service is performed or the date the purchase occurs.



FORM 40,003-1



<PAGE>   12


                            SECTION IV -- DEFINITIONS

For all purposes of this policy:

     1.   "Administrator" means HRM Claim Management, Inc.

     2.   "Medical Reimbursement Insurance" means only coverages provided
          herein.

     3.   "Certificate" means a written statement, including all riders and
          supplements, if any, setting forth the insurance benefits to which the
          insured individual is entitled, to whom the benefits are payable and
          any limitations or requirements applicable to the insured individual.
          Such certificates will not constitute a part of this policy.

     4.   "Cosmetic surgery" means the surgical alteration of tissue for the
          improvement of the insured individual's appearance rather than
          improvement or restoration of bodily function.

     5.   "Dependent" -- See Definition No. 22.

     6.   "Employee" means a person

          a.   directly employed in the regular business of and compensated for
               services by the Participating Employer(s) and

          b.   who actively expends time and energy in the service of the
               Participating Employer(s).

          No director or officer of a corporate employer will be considered as
          being an employee unless such person is otherwise eligible as a bona
          fide employee of the corporation by performing services other than the
          usual duties of a director. No individual proprietor or partner will
          be considered as being an employee unless he/she is actively engaged
          in and devotes time and energy to the conduct of the business of the
          proprietorship or partnership.

          Notwithstanding 6.b., a person will be deemed actively expending time
          and energy in the service of the Participating Employer(s) on each day
          of a regular paid vacation and on a regular non-working day on which
          he/she is not disabled, provided he/she was actively expending time
          and energy in the service of the Participating Employer(s) on the last
          preceding regular working day.

          Any person performing services of a recognized profession, including
          but not limited to an attorney-at-law and an accountant, who is
          remunerated on a basis other than regular wage or salary by the
          Participating Employer(s), will not be considered an employee for the
          purposes of the definition.

     7.   "Family unit" means an insured employee and, if they are insured
          persons, his/her children, if any, and his/her spouse.

     8.   "Herein", "hereof", "hereunder" and "hereinafter" refer to the policy
          in its entirety.

     9.   "Hospital" means an institution that
          a.   is licensed as a hospital (if hospital licensing is required
               where it is situated),

FORM 40,004



<PAGE>   13

          b.   is open at all times,

          c.   is operated primarily for the medical treatment of sick and/or
               injured persons as patients,

          d.   has a staff of one or more licensed physicians available at all
               times,

          e.   provides continuous 24-hour nursing service by graduate
               registered nurses (R.N.),

          f.   provides organized facilities for diagnosis and major surgery,
               and

          g.   is not primarily a clinic, nursing home, rest home, convalescent
               home or similar establishment.

     10.  "Illness" means a bodily disorder or disease, mental infirmity,
          accidental bodily injury or pregnancy. All bodily injuries sustained
          by an individual in a single accident, or all illnesses that are due
          to the same or related cause or causes, will be deemed one illness.

     11.  "Individual" means

          a.   an employee and/or

          b.   a dependent with respect to whom an employee is or may become
               insured.

     12.  "Intensive care unit" means a section, ward or wing within the
          hospital that is separated from other hospital facilities and

          a.   is operated exclusively for the purpose of providing professional
               medical treatment for critically ill patients,

          b.   has special supplies and equipment necessary for such medical
               treatment available on a standby basis for immediate use, and

          c.   provides constant observation and treatment by registered nurses
               (R.N.) or other highly trained hospital personnel.

          A hospital facility maintained for the purpose of providing normal
          post-operative recovery treatment or service is not considered an
          "intensive care unit".

          13.  "Lincoln National" means The Lincoln National Life Insurance
               Company.

          14.  "Medical Insurance" means any coverages provided herein under the
               individual's group medical insurance plan or individual health
               policy.

          15.  "Medicare" means the medical benefits provided by Title XVIII of
               the Social Security Act as amended from time to time.

          16.  "Month" means "calendar month," which, for the purposes hereof,
               will mean the time period from and including any date of any of
               the months in the calendar to, but not including, the
               corresponding date of the next month in the calendar; but if
               there be no corresponding date, then to and including the last
               day of the next month in the calendar. For example, June 15
               through July 14 inclusive, or January 31 through February 28
               inclusive.

          17.  "Policy" whenever used herein without qualification will mean
               this policy.

          18.  "Qualified speech therapist" means a speech therapist who has a
               master's degree in speech pathology, has completed a supervised
               internship and who is licensed by the state in which the services
               are performed, if that state requires licensing.



FORM 40,004-1



<PAGE>   14


          19.  "Reasonable and customary" means the usual charge made by the
               person, group or other entity rendering or furnishing the
               services, treatments or materials, but in no event meaning a
               charge in excess of the level of charges made by such persons,
               groups or other entities rendering or furnishing such services,
               treatment or material to persons of similar income or net worth.

          20.  "Room and board charges" are charges made by the hospital or
               skilled nursing facility for the cost of the room, meals and
               services (such as general nursing services) that are routinely
               provided to all inpatients.

          21.  "Skilled nursing facility" means an institution qualified as such
               under Medicare.

          22.  "Dependent" means

               a.   an employee's spouse (unless such spouse is legally
                    separated from the employee), or

               b.   an employee's unmarried child (including a stepchild or
                    legally adopted child) from live birth until the date the
                    child attains 19 years of age; except that the term
                    "dependent" includes an employee's unmarried child who has
                    attained age 19 while

                    i)   the child is

                         a)   mentally or physically incapable of earning
                              his/her own living, and proof of incapacity is
                              submitted to Lincoln National within 31 days of
                              the date insurance hereunder would have terminated
                              due to age,

                         b)   actually dependent on the employee for a majority
                              of his/her support, and

                         c)   insured hereunder on the date immediately
                              preceding the day insurance otherwise would have
                              been terminated due to age.

                    ii)  the child is registered in an accredited school as a
                         full-time student as defined in the regulations of the
                         school that he/she is attending. In no event, however,
                         is such child eligible or insured hereunder on or after
                         the date of attainment of age 25.

               To maintain the eligibility under b. above, due proof that the
               employee's child continues to qualify as an insured dependent
               must be furnished to Lincoln National as it reasonably requires.

Any spouse or child who is insured under the policy as an employee, or who is
entitled to benefits under any extension of such insurance, is not a dependent.

In the event that a husband and wife are both insured as employees herein, their
dependents, if any, may be considered dependents of either the husband or the
wife for purposes of this policy.





FORM 40,004-2



<PAGE>   15


                       SECTION V * POLICYHOLDER-EMPLOYER

A.   EFFECT OF ACTIONS OF POLICYHOLDER

     The Policyholder may act for and on behalf of the Participating Employer(s)
     in all matters pertaining to this policy. Every agreement made with the
     Policyholder will be binding on such Policyholder and the Participating
     Employer(s).

B.   RECORD OF EMPLOYEES INSURED

     1.   The Participating Employer(s) will furnish periodically to Lincoln
          National information relative to individuals

               a.   who qualify to become insured,

               b.   whose amounts of insurance change, and/or

               c.   whose insurance terminates

          all as Lincoln National may require for its administration of the
          insurance hereunder. Such of the Participating Employer(s) and/or
          Policyholder's records which, in the opinion of Lincoln National, have
          a bearing on the insurance hereunder will be opened for inspection by
          Lincoln National at any reasonable time upon a timely and reasonable
          request.

     2.   Inadvertent error or omission on the part of the Participating
          Employer(s) to report the name of any individual who is qualified as
          an insured individual in accordance with the prescribed requirements,
          or whose amount of insurance is to be changed in accordance with
          provisions hereunder, will not deprive such employee of insurance nor
          affect its amount; nor will the Participating Employer's failure to
          report the name of any employee whose insurance has terminated or
          reduced be construed as involving or affecting continuation of such
          insurance beyond the date of termination determined in accordance with
          the provisions hereof.

C.   PAYMENT OF PREMIUMS

     1.   All premiums due under this policy, including adjustments thereof, if
          any, are payable by the Participating Employer(s) on or before their
          respective due dates, as specified on the first page of this policy,
          at the Home Office of Lincoln National in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The
          payment of any Renewal Premium will not maintain in force the
          insurance provided under this policy beyond the day immediately
          preceding the next Renewal Premium due date.

     2.   If the Participating Employer(s) fails to pay any renewal Premium, the
          Participating Employer(s) participation under the policy will
          automatically terminate at midnight of the last day for which premium
          has been paid.

D.   PREMIUM ADJUSTMENT

     Premium adjustment, for whatever reason made, involving a return of
     unearned premium to




FORM 40,005



<PAGE>   16


                         SECTION VI * LINCOLN NATIONAL

A.   COMPUTATION OF PREMIUMS

     1.   The premium rates used in computing the premiums due under this policy
          will be the published premium rates of Lincoln National adjusted to
          reflect the underwriting risk as determined by Lincoln National.

          Lincoln National may, however, establish a new rate for the
          computation of all future premiums as well as the one then due

          a.   on any Policy Anniversary,

          b.   on any premium due date provided that Lincoln National notifies
               the Policyholder of such change at least 31 days in advance of
               such premium due date, or

          c.   when the terms of this policy are changed.

          However, the premium rates may not be changed in accordance with b.
          above within the first twelve (12) months following the Date of Issue.

     2.   Notwithstanding the above, premiums may be computed by any method
          mutually agreeable to Lincoln National and the Policyholder which will
          produce approximately the same total amount.

B.   NONPARTICIPATING-PREMIUM REFUNDS

     This policy does not share in the surplus earnings of Lincoln National.

C.   AMENDMENT AND ALTERATION OF CONTRACT

     1.   This policy may be amended or altered at any time by written agreement
          between the Policyholder and Lincoln National, without the consent of
          the insured employees or their beneficiaries, if any.

     2.   Only the President, a Vice President, the Secretary or an Assistant
          Secretary of Lincoln National has the authority to amend, alter, waive
          or change in any manner the provisions of this policy. Such amendment,
          authorization, waiver or change must be in writing and signed by one
          of the above stated officers.

     3.   Lincoln National will not be bound by any promise or representation
          heretofore or hereafter made by or to any agent or person other than
          as authorized in 2. above.

D.   TERMINATION OF POLICY

     Lincoln National may terminate this policy on any premium due date by
     giving written notice to the Policyholder at least 31 days in advance of
     the date of termination.



FORM 40,006



<PAGE>   17


E.   EMPLOYEE'S CERTIFICATE

     Lincoln National will issue to the Participating Employer(s) for delivery
     to each insured employee an individual certificate stating

     a.   the coverage provided,

     b.   to whom benefits are payable, and

     c.   limitations or requirements of this policy that may apply to the
          insured individual.

The certificates will not constitute a part of this policy.








FORM 40,006-1



<PAGE>   18


                          SECTION VII * ADMINISTRATOR

A.   RECORDS

     1.   The Administrator will maintain a record which will show at all times

          a.   the names of all employees insured hereunder,

          b.   the date when each employee became insured,

          c.   the effective date of any increase or decrease in the amount of
               each employee's insurance, and

          d.   such other information as may be required to administer the
               insurance hereunder.





FORM 40,007



<PAGE>   1
ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a single accounting
period, is less than 4.00 and greater than or equal to 3.00.

LEVEL III PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Interest Rate Option                             Applicable Margin
                         --------------------                             -----------------
<S>                      <C>                                                      <C>
                         Base Rate Option                                         Zero
                         Euro-Rate Option                                         0.625%
</TABLE>


Level III Performance Margins shall apply in the event that Financial Test III
is satisfied and the other conditions set forth above are met. "Financial Test
III" means that, as of the end of the relevant fiscal quarter, the Consolidated
Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a single accounting
period, is less than 3.00 and greater than or equal to 2.50.

LEVEL IV PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         Interest Rate Option                             Applicable Margin
                         --------------------                             -----------------
<S>                      <C>                                                      <C>
                         Base Rate Option                                         Zero
                         Euro-Rate Option                                         0.50%
</TABLE>


Level IV Performance Margins shall apply in the event that Financial Test IV is
satisfied and the other conditions set forth above are met. "Financial Test IV"
means that, as of the end of the relevant fiscal quarter, the Consolidated
Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a single accounting
period, is less than 2.50.

                  (c) FUNDING PERIODS. At any time when the Borrower shall
select, convert to or renew the Euro-Rate Option to apply to any part of the
Loans, the Borrower shall specify one or more periods (the "Funding Periods")
during which each such Option shall apply, such Funding Periods being as set
forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Interest Rate Option                                     Available Funding Periods
- - --------------------                                     -------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>
Euro-Rate Option                                         One, two, three or six months
                                                         ("Euro-Rate Funding Period");
</TABLE>


provided, that:

                   (i) Each Euro-Rate Funding Period shall begin on a London
         Business Day, and the term "month," when used in connection with a
         Euro-Rate Funding Period, shall be construed in accordance with
         prevailing practices in the interbank eurodollar market at the
         commencement of such Euro-Rate Funding Period, as determined in good
         faith by the Agent (which determination shall be conclusive);

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   2
                  (ii) The Borrower may not select a Funding Period that would
         end after the Revolving Credit Maturity Date; and

                 (iii) The aggregate number of Funding Segments of the Euro-Rate
         Portion of the Revolving Credit Loans at any time shall not exceed six.

                  (d) TRANSACTIONAL AMOUNTS. Subject to Section 3.09 hereof as
to Swingline Loans, each selection of, conversion from, conversion to or renewal
of an interest rate Option and each payment or prepayment of any Loans (other
than mandatory prepayments to the extent set forth in Section 2.05(c) hereof)
shall be in a principal amount such that after giving effect thereto the
aggregate principal amount of the Base Rate Portion of the Revolving Credit
Loans, and the aggregate principal amount of each Funding Segment of the
Euro-Rate Portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, shall be as set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portion or Funding Segment                             Allowable Aggregate Principal Amounts
- - --------------------------                             -------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>
Base Rate Portion                                      Any

Each Funding Segment                                   $500,000 or an integral
of the Euro-Rate Portion                               multiple thereof
</TABLE>


                  (e) EURO-RATE UNASCERTAINABLE; IMPRACTICABILITY. If

                   (i) on any date on which a Euro-Rate would otherwise be set
         the Agent (in the case of clauses (A) or (B) below) or any Lender (in
         the case of clause (C) below) shall have determined in good faith
         (which determination shall be conclusive) that:

                           (A) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
                  ascertaining such Euro-Rate,

                           (B) a contingency has occurred which materially and
                  adversely affects the interbank eurodollar market, or

                           (C) the effective cost to such Lender of funding a
                  proposed Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion from a
                  Corresponding Source of Funds shall exceed the Euro-Rate
                  applicable to such Funding Segment, or

                  (ii) at any time any Lender shall have determined in good
         faith (which determination shall be conclusive) that the making,
         maintenance or funding of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion has been
         made impracticable or unlawful by compliance by such Lender or a
         Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office in good faith with any Law or
         guideline or interpretation or administration thereof by any
         Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or
         administration thereof or with any request or directive of any such
         Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law);

then, and in any such event, the Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may
notify the Borrower of such determination (and any Lender giving such notice
shall notify the Agent). Upon such date as shall be specified in such notice
(which shall not be earlier than the date such notice is given), the obligation

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   3
of each of the Lenders to allow the Borrower to select, convert to or renew the
Euro-Rate Option shall be suspended until the Agent or such Lender, as the case
may be, shall have later notified the Borrower (and any Lender giving such
notice shall notify the Agent) of the Agent's or such Lender's determination in
good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) that the circumstance
giving rise to such previous determination no longer exist. If any Lender
notifies the Borrower of a determination under clause (ii) of this Section
2.03(e), the Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans of such Lender (the "Affected
Lender") shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate Option as of the date
specified in such notice (and accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable
on such date). If at the time the Agent or a Lender makes a determination under
clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.03(e) the Borrower previously has notified
the Agent that it wishes to select, convert to or renew the Euro-Rate Option
with respect to any proposed Loans but such Loans have not yet been made, such
notification shall be deemed to provide for selection of, conversion to or
renewal of the Base Rate Option instead of the Euro-Rate Option with respect to
such Loans or, in the case of a determination by a Lender, such Loans of such
Lender.

                  2.04. CONVERSION OR RENEWAL OF INTEREST RATE OPTIONS.

                  (a) CONVERSION OR RENEWAL. Subject to Section 3.09 hereof as
to Swingline Loans, and subject to the provisions of Section 2.10(b) hereof, the
Borrower may convert any part of its Loans from any interest rate Option or
Options to one or more different interest rate Options and may renew the
Euro-Rate Option as to any Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion:

                  (i) At any time with respect to conversion from the Base Rate
         Option; or

                  (ii) At the expiration of any Funding Period with respect to
         conversions from or renewals of the Euro-Rate Option, as to the Funding
         Segment corresponding to such expiring Funding Period.

Whenever the Borrower desires to convert or renew any interest rate Option or
Options, the Borrower shall provide to the Agent Standard Notice setting forth
the following information:

                  (w) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the
         proposed conversion or renewal is to be made;

                  (x) The principal amounts selected in accordance with Section
         2.03(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and each Funding Segment of the
         Euro-Rate Portion to be converted from or renewed;

                  (y) The interest rate Option or Options selected in accordance
         with Section 2.03(a) hereof and the principal amounts selected in
         accordance with Section 2.03(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and
         each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to be converted to; and

                  (z) With respect to each Funding Segment to be converted to or
         renewed, the Funding Period selected in accordance with Section 2.03(c)
         hereof to apply to such Funding Segment.

Standard Notice having been so provided, after the date specified in such
Standard Notice, interest shall be calculated upon the principal amount of the
Loans as so converted or renewed. Interest on the

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   4
principal amount of any part of the Loans converted or renewed (automatically or
otherwise) shall be due and payable on the conversion or renewal date.

                  (b) FAILURE TO CONVERT OR RENEW. Absent due notice from the
Borrower of conversion or renewal in the circumstances described in Section
2.04(a)(ii) hereof, any part of the Euro-Rate Portion for which such notice is
not received shall be converted automatically to the Base Rate Option on the
last day of the expiring Funding Period.

                  2.05. PREPAYMENTS GENERALLY. Subject to Section 3.09 hereof as
to Swingline Loans, whenever the Borrower desires or is required to prepay any
part of the Loans, it shall provide Standard Notice to the Agent setting forth
the following information:

                  (a) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the
         proposed prepayment is to be made;

                  (b) The total principal amount of such prepayment, which shall
         be the sum of the principal amounts selected pursuant to clause (c) of
         this Section 2.05, and which, if a partial prepayment, shall be an
         integral multiple of $500,000 (or, in the case of a mandatory
         prepayment pursuant to Section 2.07(b) hereof, an integral multiple of
         $100,000); and

                  (c) The principal amounts selected in accordance with Section
         2.03(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and each part of each Funding
         Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to be prepaid; provided, that in the
         case of a mandatory prepayment under Section 2.07(b) hereof, any excess
         of the amount of such mandatory prepayment over the Base Rate Portion
         of the Revolving Credit Loans may be applied to the Euro-Rate Portion
         of the Revolving Credit Loans without regard to Section 2.03(d) hereof.

Standard Notice having been so provided, on the date specified in such Standard
Notice, the principal amounts of the Base Rate Portion and each part of the
Euro-Rate Portion specified in such notice, together with interest on each such
principal amount to such date, shall be due and payable.

                  2.06. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS. The Borrower shall have the right
at its option from time to time to prepay its Loans in whole or part without
premium or penalty (subject, however, to Section 2.10(b) hereof):

                  (a) At any time with respect to any part of the Base Rate
         Portion; or

                  (b) At the expiration of any Funding Period with respect to
         prepayment of the Euro- Rate Portion with respect to any part of the
         Funding Segment corresponding to such expiring Funding Period.

Any such prepayment shall be made in accordance with Section 2.05 hereof.

                  2.07. MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS AND MANDATORY REDUCTIONS OF THE
COMMITMENTS.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   5
                  (a) REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITTED AMOUNTS. Subject to Section
2.07(b)(ii) hereof, if at any time the aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of
the Lenders exceeds the aggregate Revolving Credit Committed Amounts, the
Borrower shall prepay (and, to the extent required by Section 3.07 hereof,
provide cash collateral with respect to) the Revolving Credit Exposures in an
aggregate principal amount not less than the amount of such excess. Such amount
shall be applied first to the principal amount of Swingline Loans, then to the
principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans, then to outstanding Letter of Credit
Unreimbursed Draws, and the balance shall be deposited into the Letter of Credit
Collateral Account. Any such prepayments of the Swingline Loans and the
Revolving Credit Loans shall be made in accordance with Section 2.05 hereof.

                  (b) RECAPTURE ASSET DISPOSITIONS.

                  (i) The Borrower shall be required from time to time to reduce
the aggregate Revolving Credit Committed Amounts by an amount not less than the
Recapture Asset Amount from each Recapture Asset Disposition. If a reduction in
the aggregate Revolving Credit Committed Amounts is required under this Section
2.07(b), the Borrower shall give notice of such reduction in accordance with
Section 2.01(f) hereof so that such reduction shall be effective not later than

                  (x) in the case of a Recapture Asset Disposition of Type A,
         the date of receipt of the related Net Sale Proceeds by the Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries, and

                  (y) in the case of a Recapture Asset Disposition of Type B
         (which is not also of Type A), the date on which an amount arising out
         of such Recapture Asset Disposition would (but for the requirement
         hereunder to reduce the Revolving Credit Committed Amounts and prepay
         the Revolving Credit Exposures, and any requirement under the Term Loan
         Agreement to prepay the Indebtedness outstanding thereunder) constitute
         "Excess Proceeds" under the Senior Note Indenture (taking into account
         the periods specified in the Senior Note Indenture which must elapse
         before amounts constitute "Excess Proceeds").

                  (ii) If, due to any reduction in the aggregate Revolving
Credit Committed Amounts required by this Section 2.07(b), the aggregate
Revolving Credit Exposures of the Lenders exceeds the aggregate Revolving Credit
Committed Amounts, the Borrower shall prepay (and, to the extent required by
Section 3.07 hereof, provide cash collateral with respect to) the Revolving
Credit Exposures in an amount not less than the excess in accordance with
Section 2.07(a) hereof, and the Borrower shall give notice of any such
prepayment so that such prepayment shall be made not later than the effective
date of such reduction; provided, that if and to the extent that a prepayment of
a Funding Segment of the Euro- Rate Portion of the Loans otherwise would be
required to be made on a day other than the last day of the corresponding
Euro-Rate Funding Period, the Borrower may defer such prepayment until the last
day of such Funding Segment.

                  (iii) As used in this Agreement, the term "Recapture Asset
         Disposition" means

                  (A) any disposition of any Shares of Capital Stock of TIMCO or
         of any of its assets outside the ordinary course of business (Recapture
         Asset Dispositions described in this clause (A) being sometimes
         referred to herein as being of "Type A"); and

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   6
                  (B) any event or condition which would (but for the
         requirement hereunder to reduce the Revolving Credit Committed Amounts
         and prepay the Revolving Credit Exposures, and any requirement under
         the Term Loan Agreement to prepay the Indebtedness outstanding
         thereunder) give rise to any "Excess Proceeds" as defined in the Senior
         Note Indenture (taking into account the periods specified in the Senior
         Note Indenture which must elapse before amounts constitute "Excess
         Proceeds") (Recapture Asset Dispositions described in this clause (B)
         being sometimes referred to herein as being of "Type B").

The Borrower shall advise the Agent in writing promptly of each proposed, actual
or anticipated Recapture Asset Disposition and of the material terms thereof and
each scheduled date for the consummation or occurrence thereof promptly after
the Borrower becomes aware of the same (but in any event not later than the date
of such Recapture Asset Disposition).

                  (iv) As used in this Agreement, the term "Recapture Asset
Amount" has the following meaning:

                  (A) With respect to any Recapture Asset Disposition of Type A,
         "Recapture Asset Amount" means the amount, if any, not less than zero,
         equal to (i) 50% of the Net Sale Proceeds from such Recapture Asset
         Disposition, minus (ii) the amount of Net Sale Proceeds from such
         Recapture Asset Disposition applied to reduction of the principal
         amount of outstanding Indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreement.

                  (B) With respect to any Recapture Asset Disposition of Type B,
         "Recapture Asset Amount" means the amount with respect to such
         Recapture Asset Disposition which (but for the requirement hereunder to
         reduce the Revolving Credit Committed Amounts and prepay the Revolving
         Credit Exposures, and any requirement under the Term Loan Agreement to
         prepay the Indebtedness outstanding thereunder, it being understood
         that amounts shall first be applied as so required under the Term Loan
         Agreement before any application is required hereunder) would
         constitute "Excess Proceeds" as defined in the Senior Note Indenture
         (taking into account the periods specified in the Senior Note Indenture
         which must elapse before amounts constitute "Excess Proceeds").

If an event constitutes a Recapture Asset Disposition of both Type A and Type B,
"Recapture Asset Amount" with respect to such event shall mean the greater of
the amounts described in the foregoing clauses (A) or (B).

                  (v) "Net Sale Proceeds" means, with respect to any Recapture
Asset Disposition of Type A, the gross proceeds thereof in the form of cash or
cash equivalents (including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations
upon the earliest of (x) receipt of such payments in the form of cash or cash
equivalents, (y) to the extent that such obligations are financed or sold
without recourse to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the time of such financing
or sale, or (z) to the extent that such obligations are financed or sold with
recourse to the Borrower or such Subsidiary the time that either the original
obligation is discharged or such recourse is no longer in effect), net of the
sum of the following (without duplication): (A) brokerage commissions and other
fees and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of legal
counsel and investment bankers) related to such Recapture Asset Disposition, (B)
all taxes actually paid or estimated in good faith to be or become payable as a
result of 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   7
such Recapture Asset Disposition, (C) payments made to retire obligations (other
than to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) that are secured by the properties
that are the subject of such Recapture Asset Disposition, (D) payments to
holders (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) of Shares of Capital
Stock or other equity interests in Subsidiaries of the Borrower subject to such
Recapture Asset Disposition, so long as such payments are made on a pro rata
basis, consistent with the ownership of such interests, to the holders of such
interests, and (E) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Borrower or any
Subsidiary as a reserve required in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, against any
liabilities associated with such Recapture Asset Disposition and retained by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof after such Recapture Asset Disposition,
including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit
liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under
any indemnification obligations associated with such Recapture Asset
Disposition; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such reserve is no
longer required, the amount in respect of such reserve shall immediately be
deemed to constitute, and shall be applied as, Net Sale Proceeds.

                  2.08. INTEREST PAYMENT DATES. Accrued and unpaid interest on
the Loans shall be due and payable on the following dates (and on such other
dates as may be specified elsewhere in this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents): (a) in the case of the Base Rate Portion, on each Regular Monthly
Payment Date, and (b) in the case of each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate
Portion, on the last day of the corresponding Euro-Rate Funding Period and, if
such Euro-Rate Funding Period is longer than three months, also on the last day
of the third month during such Funding Period. After maturity of any part of the
Loans (by acceleration or otherwise), interest on such part of the Loans shall
be due and payable on demand.

                  2.09. PRO RATA TREATMENT; PAYMENTS GENERALLY.

                  (a) PRO RATA TREATMENT. Each borrowing and each conversion or
renewal of interest rate Options hereunder shall be made, and all payments made
in respect of principal of and interest on Loans, Revolving Credit Commitment
Fees and Letter of Credit Fees due from the Borrower hereunder or under the
Notes shall be applied, Pro Rata from and to each Lender, except for (x)
borrowings of, and payments in respect of principal and interest on, Swingline
Loans, (y) payments of interest involving an Affected Lender as provided in
Section 2.03(e) hereof, and (z) payments to a Lender subject to a withholding
deduction under Section 2.11(c) hereof. The failure of any Lender to make a Loan
shall not relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder, but
neither the Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any
other Lender to make a Loan.

                  (b) PAYMENTS GENERALLY. All payments and prepayments to be
made by the Borrower in respect of principal, interest, fees, indemnities,
expenses or other amounts due from the Borrower hereunder or under any other
Loan Document shall be payable in Dollars at 1:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time, on the
day when due without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived, and an action therefor shall immediately
accrue, without setoff, counterclaim, withholding or other deduction of any kind
or nature (except for payments to a Lender subject to a withholding deduction
under Section 2.11(c) hereof). Except for payments under Sections 2.10 or 10.06
hereof, such payments shall be made to the Agent at its Office in funds
immediately available at such Office, and payments under Sections 2.10 or 10.06
hereof shall be made to the applicable Lender or Issuing Bank at such domestic
account as it shall specify to the Borrower from time to time in funds

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   8
immediately available at such account. Any payment received by the Agent or such
Lender or Issuing Bank after 1:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time, on any day shall be
deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day. The Agent
shall distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may be, all
such payments received by the Agent for their respective accounts as promptly as
practicable after receipt by the Agent.

                  (c) INTEREST ON OVERDUE AMOUNTS. To the extent permitted by
law, after there shall have become due (by acceleration or otherwise) principal,
interest, fees, indemnity, expenses or any other amounts due from the Borrower
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, such amounts shall bear interest for
each day until paid (before and after judgment), payable on demand, at a rate
per annum (in each case based on a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be,
and actual days elapsed) which for each day shall be equal to the following:

                  (i) In the case of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion of any
         Loans, (A) until the end of the applicable then-current Funding Period
         at a rate per annum 2.00% above the rate otherwise applicable to such
         part, and (B) thereafter in accordance with the following clause (ii);
         and

                  (ii) In the case of any other amount due from the Borrower
         hereunder or under any Loan Document, 2.00% above the then-current Base
         Rate Option.

To the extent permitted by law, interest accrued on any amount which has become
due hereunder or under any Loan Document shall compound on a day-by-day basis,
and hence shall be added daily to the overdue amount to which such interest
relates.

                  2.10. ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

                  (a) INCREASED COSTS OR REDUCED RETURN RESULTING FROM TAXES,
RESERVES, CAPITAL ADEQUACY REQUIREMENTS, EXPENSES, ETC. If any Law or guideline
or interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof or compliance with any request
or directive of any Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of
law) now existing or hereafter adopted:

                   (i) subjects any Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office to any tax or changes the basis of taxation with respect
         to this Agreement, the Notes, the Loans, the Letters of Credit, the
         Letter of Credit Participating Interests or the Swingline Loan
         Participating Interests, or payments by the Borrower of principal,
         interest, fees or other amounts due from the Borrower hereunder or
         under the Notes (except for taxes on the overall net income or overall
         gross receipts of such Lender Party or such Notional Euro-Rate Funding
         Office imposed by the jurisdictions (federal, state and local) in which
         the Lender Party's principal office or Notional Euro-Rate Funding
         Office is located),

                  (ii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve,
         special deposit, insurance assessment or any other requirement against
         credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, assets (funded or
         contingent) of, deposits with or for the account of, other acquisitions
         of funds by, such Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office
         (other than requirements expressly included herein in the determination
         of the Euro-Rate hereunder),

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   9
                 (iii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any capital
         adequacy or similar requirement against assets (funded or contingent)
         of, or credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, any Lender
         Party or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office, or applicable to the
         obligations of any Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding
         Office under this Agreement, or

                  (iv) imposes upon any Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office any other condition or expense with respect to this
         Agreement, the Notes or its making, maintenance or funding of any Loan,
         Letter of Credit, Letter of Credit Participating Interest or Swingline
         Loan Participating Interest,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, reduce the
income receivable by, or impose any expense (including loss of margin) upon any
Lender Party, any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or, in the case of clause
(iii) hereof, any Person controlling a Lender Party, with respect to this
Agreement, the Notes or the making, maintenance or funding of any Loan, Letter
of Credit, Letter of Credit Participating Interest or Swingline Loan
Participating Interest, (or, in the case of any capital adequacy or similar
requirement, to have the effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender
Party's or controlling Person's capital, taking into consideration such Lender
Party's or controlling Person's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an
amount which such Lender Party deems to be material (such Lender Party being
deemed for this purpose to have made, maintained or funded each Funding Segment
of the Euro-Rate Portion from a Corresponding Source of Funds), such Lender
Party may from time to time notify the Borrower of the amount determined in good
faith by such Lender Party (which determination shall be conclusive) to be
necessary to compensate such Lender Party or such Notional Euro-Rate Funding
Office for such increase, reduction or imposition. In making any such
determination such Lender Party may take into account any special, supplemental
or other nonrecurring items, may apply any averaging or attribution methods, and
may make such determination prospectively or retrospectively. Such amount shall
be due and payable by the Borrower to such Lender Party five Business Days after
such notice is given, together with an amount equal to interest on such amount
from the date two Business Days after the date demanded until such due date at
the Base Rate Option. The Borrower shall not be required to make any payment in
respect of clause (a)(i) above to a Lender to the extent that such payment is
attributable to a breach by such Lender of its obligations under Section 2.11(c)
below.

                  (b) FUNDING BREAKAGE. In the event that for any reason (i) the
Borrower fails to borrow, convert or renew any part of any Loan hereunder which
would, after such borrowing, conversion or renewal, have a Euro-Rate Portion,
after notice requesting such borrowing, conversion or renewal has been given by
the Borrower (whether such failure results from failure to satisfy applicable
conditions to such borrowing, conversion or renewal or otherwise), or (ii) any
part of any Funding Segment of any Euro-Rate Portion becomes due (by
acceleration or otherwise), or is paid, prepaid or converted to another interest
rate Option (whether or not such payment, prepayment or conversion is mandatory
or automatic and whether or not such payment or prepayment is then due), on a
day other than the last day of the corresponding Funding Period, the Borrower
shall indemnify each Lender on demand against any loss, liability, cost or
expense of any kind or nature which such Lender may sustain or incur in
connection with or as a result of such event. Such indemnification in any event
shall include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the aggregate amount
of interest which would have accrued 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   10
on the amount of the Euro-Rate Portion not so borrowed, converted or renewed, or
which so becomes due, or which is so paid, prepaid or converted, as the case may
be, from and including the date on which such borrowing, conversion or renewal
would have been made pursuant to such notice, or on which such part of such
Funding Segment so becomes due, or on which such part of such Funding Segment is
so paid, prepaid or converted, as the case may be, to the last day of the
Funding Period applicable to such amount (or, in the case of a failure to
borrow, convert or renew, the Funding Period that would have been applicable to
such amount but for such failure), in each case at the applicable rate of
interest for such Euro-Rate Portion provided for herein (excluding, however, the
Applicable Margin included therein, if any), over (y) the aggregate amount of
interest (as determined in good faith by such Lender) which would have accrued
to such Lender on such amount for such period by placing such amount on deposit
for such period with leading banks in the interbank market. A certificate by the
Lender as to any amount that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this
Section 2.10(b) shall be conclusive if made in good faith.

                  2.11. TAXES.

                  (a) PAYMENT NET OF TAXES. All payments made by the Borrower
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of,
and without reduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future
income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions
or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or
assessed by any Governmental Authority, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding

                  (i) in the case of each Lender Party, income or franchise
         taxes imposed on such Lender Party by the jurisdiction under the laws
         of which such Lender Party is organized or any political subdivision or
         taxing authority thereof or therein or as a result of a connection
         between such Lender Party and any jurisdiction other than a connection
         resulting solely from this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
         hereby, and

                  (ii) in the case of each Lender, income or franchise taxes
         imposed by any jurisdiction in which such Lender's lending offices
         which make or book Loans are located or any political subdivision or
         taxing authority thereof or therein

(all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or
withholdings being hereinafter called "Taxes"). If any Taxes are required to be
withheld or deducted from any amounts payable to any Lender Party under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall pay the relevant amount
of such Taxes and the amounts so payable to such Lender Party shall be increased
to the extent necessary to yield to such Lender Party (after payment of all
Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in
the amounts specified in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Whenever
any Taxes are paid by the Borrower with respect to payments made in connection
with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as promptly as possible
thereafter, the Borrower shall send to the Agent for its own account or for the
account of such Lender Party, as the case may be, a certified copy of an
original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof.

                  (b) INDEMNITY. The Borrower hereby indemnifies each Lender
Party for the full amount of all Taxes attributable to payments by or on behalf
of the Borrower to such Lender Party hereunder or

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   11
under any of the other Loan Documents, any Taxes paid by such Lender Party, and
any present or future claims, liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting
from any omission to pay or delay in paying any Taxes (including any incremental
Taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by such Lender Party as a
result of any failure to pay such Taxes). Such indemnification shall be made
within five Business Days from the date such Lender Party makes written demand
therefor. The Borrower shall not be required to make any payment under this
Section 2.11(b) to a Lender to the extent that such payment is attributable to a
breach by such Lender of its obligations under Section 2.11(c) below.

                  (c) WITHHOLDING. Each Lender that is incorporated or organized
under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or any state
thereof agrees that, on or prior to the date it becomes party to this Agreement,
it will furnish to the Borrower and the Agent two valid, duly completed copies
of United States Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or United States Internal
Revenue Service Form 1001 or successor applicable form, as the case may be,
certifying in each case that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents without deduction or withholding of
any United States federal income taxes. Each Lender which so delivers to the
Borrower and the Agent a Form 1001 or 4224, or a successor applicable form,
agrees to deliver to the Borrower and the Agent two further copies of the said
Form 1001 or 4224 or a successor applicable form, or other manner of
certification, as the case may be, on or before the date that any such form
expires or becomes obsolete or otherwise is required to be resubmitted as a
condition to obtaining an exemption from withholding tax, or after the
occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously
delivered by it, and such extensions or renewals thereof as may reasonably be
requested by the Borrower or the Agent, certifying in the case of a Form 1001 or
Form 4224 that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document without deduction or withholding of any United States
federal income taxes, unless in any such cases an event (including any changes
in law) has occurred prior to the date on which any such delivery would
otherwise be required which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would
prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such letter or form
with respect to it and such Lender advises the Borrower and the Agent that it is
not capable of receiving payments without any deduction or withholding of United
States federal income tax. In addition, if at any time the Borrower believes
that payments to any Lender (foreign or domestic) may be subject to U.S. backup
withholding tax, such Lender shall, at the Borrower's reasonable request from
time to time, if such Lender is legally able to do so, provide the Borrower with
evidence establishing an exemption from U.S. backup withholding tax.

                  (d) CREDITS. If any payment by the Borrower is made to or for
the account of the Lender Party after deduction for or on account of any Taxes,
and increased payments are made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.11(a),
then, if such Lender Party in its reasonable opinion determines that it has
received or been granted a credit against or remission for such Taxes, such
Lender Party shall, to the extent it can do so without prejudice to the
retention of the amount of such credit or remission, reimburse to the Borrower
such amount as such Lender Party shall, in its reasonable opinion acting in good
faith, have determined to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or deduction or
withholding. Any payment made by a Lender Party under this Section 2.11(d) shall
be prima facie evidence of the amount due to the Borrower hereunder. Nothing
herein contained shall interfere with the right of any Lender Party to arrange
its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and, in particular,
 no Lender Party shall be under any obligation to claim relief from its
corporate profits or similar tax liability in respect of such tax in priority to
any other claims, reliefs, credits or deductions available to it nor oblige any
Lender Party to disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any
computations in respect thereof.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   12
                  2.12. FUNDING BY BRANCH, SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE.

                  (a) NOTIONAL FUNDING. Each Lender shall have the right from
time to time, prospectively or retrospectively, without notice to the Borrower,
to deem any branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender to have made,
maintained or funded any part of the Euro-Rate Portion at any time. Any branch,
subsidiary or affiliate so deemed shall be known as a "Notional Euro-Rate
Funding Office." Such Lender shall deem any part of the Euro-Rate Portion of the
Loans or the funding therefor to have been transferred to a different Notional
Euro-Rate Funding Office if such transfer would avoid or cure an event or
condition described in Section 2.03(e)(ii) hereof or would lessen compensation
payable by the Borrower under Section 2.10(a) hereof, and if such Lender
determines in its sole discretion that such transfer would be practicable and
would not have a material adverse effect on such part of the Loans, such Lender
or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office (it being assumed for purposes of such
determination that each part of the Euro-Rate Portion is actually made or
maintained by or funded through the corresponding Notional Euro-Rate Funding
Office). Notional Euro-Rate Funding Offices may be selected by such Lender
without regard to such Lender's actual methods of making, maintaining or funding
Loans or any sources of funding actually used by or available to such Lender.

                  (b) ACTUAL FUNDING. Each Lender shall have the right from time
to time to make or maintain any part of the Euro-Rate Portion by arranging for a
branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender to make or maintain such part of
the Euro-Rate Portion. Such Lender shall have the right to (i) hold any
applicable Note payable to its order for the benefit and account of such branch,
subsidiary or affiliate or (ii) request the Borrower to issue one or more
promissory notes in the principal amount of such Euro-Rate Portion, in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, with the blanks
appropriately filled, payable to such branch, subsidiary or affiliate and with
appropriate changes reflecting that the holder thereof is not obligated to make
any additional Loans to the Borrower. The Borrower agrees to comply promptly
with any request under clause (ii) of this Section 2.12(b). If any Lender causes
a branch, subsidiary or affiliate to make or maintain any part of the Euro-Rate
Portion hereunder, all terms and conditions of this Agreement shall, except
where the context clearly requires otherwise, be applicable to such part of the
Euro-Rate Portion and to any note payable to the order of such branch,
subsidiary or affiliate to the same extent as if such part of the Euro-Rate
Portion were made or maintained and such note were a Revolving Credit Note
payable to such Lender's order.


                                   ARTICLE III
                                THE SUBFACILITIES

                  3.01. THE LETTER OF CREDIT SUBFACILITY.

                  (a) GENERAL. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth
and upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in Sections 3.03 and 3.04
hereof, the Issuing Banks may issue for the account of the Borrower letters of
credit (each, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, a "Letter
of Credit", as such term is further defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement)
at any time or from time to time on or after the date hereof. The Borrower shall
not request any Letter of Credit to be issued except within the following
limitations: (i) no Letter of Credit shall be issued later than 90 days before
the Revolving 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   13
Credit Maturity Date, (ii) no Letter of Credit shall be issued if the Agent
shall have received the notice from the Required Lenders referred to in Section
3.02(c)(iii) hereof, (iii) at the time any Letter of Credit is issued, the
aggregate Revolving Credit Exposures of the Lenders (after giving effect to
issuance of the requested Letter of Credit) shall not exceed the sum of the
Revolving Credit Committed Amounts of the Lenders at such time, and (iv) on the
date of issuance of any Letter of Credit (and after giving effect to such
issuance) the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure shall not at any time exceed
$10,000,000.

                  (b) TERMS OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Borrower shall not request
any Letter of Credit to be issued, nor shall the Issuing Banks be obligated to
issue any Letter of Credit, except within the following limitations: each Letter
of Credit (i) shall have an expiration date no later than the earlier of (A) 12
months after the date of issuance thereof, or (B) ten days before the Revolving
Credit Maturity Date, (ii) shall not be an evergreen Letter of Credit, (iii)
shall be denominated in Dollars, (iv) shall be payable only against sight drafts
(and not time drafts), and (v) shall be in a minimum stated amount of $50,000.

                  (c) PURPOSES OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. Each Letter of Credit shall
be satisfactory in form, substance and beneficiary to the relevant Issuing Bank
in its discretion. Each Letter of Credit shall be used by the Borrower as a
standby letter of credit used solely (x) to provide credit enhancement for
workers' compensation obligations, contract performance guarantees, leasing
arrangements and like bonding requirements of the Borrower and its Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries, all in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or such
Subsidiaries, and (y) for other purposes approved by the relevant Issuing Bank
in its discretion. Letters of Credit shall not be used to provide credit support
for any Indebtedness or other direct or indirect financing arrangements of the
Borrower or any other Person without the written consent of the Agent and the
relevant Issuing Bank. The Borrower shall not at any time permit any Letter of
Credit to be issued or to remain outstanding to support, directly or indirectly,
any obligations of any Person except the Borrower and its Wholly Owned
Subsidiaries. The provisions of this Section 3.01(c) represent only an
obligation of the Borrower to the Issuing Banks and the Lenders; no Issuing Bank
shall have any obligation to the Lenders to ascertain the purpose of any Letter
of Credit, and the rights and obligations of the Lenders and the Issuing Banks
among themselves shall not be impaired or affected by a breach of this Section
3.01(c).

                  (d) LETTER OF CREDIT FEE. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent
for the account of each Lender a fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") for each
Letter of Credit for each day from and including the date of issuance thereof to
and including the date of expiration or termination thereof, equal to (x) the
Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability on such day, times (y) the Applicable
Margin applicable under the Euro-Rate Option on such day, times (z) 1/365 (or
1/366, as the case may be). Such Letter of Credit Fee shall be due and payable
for the preceding period for which such fee has not been paid on each of the
following dates: (i) each Regular Quarterly Payment Date, and (ii) the date of
expiration or termination of such Letter of Credit.

                  (e) FACING FEE; ADMINISTRATION FEES. The Borrower shall pay to
the Agent, for the sole account of the relevant Issuing Bank, a fee (the "Letter
of Credit Facing Fee") for each Letter of Credit for each day from and including
the date of issuance thereof to and including the date of expiration or
termination thereof, equal to (x) the Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability on
such day, times (y) 0.25%, times (z) 1/365 (or 1/366, as the case may be). Such
Letter of Credit Facing Fee shall be due and payable for the preceding period
for which such fee has not been paid on each of the following dates: (i)

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   14
each Regular Quarterly Payment Date, and (ii) the date of expiration or
termination of such Letter of Credit. In addition, the Borrower shall pay to the
Agent, for the sole account of the Issuing Bank, such other administration,
maintenance, amendment, drawing and negotiation fees as may be customarily
charged by the relevant Issuing Bank from time to time in connection with
letters of credit.

                  (f) PRIOR LETTERS OF CREDIT. Any letters of credit ("Prior
Letters of Credit") issued by Mellon Bank, N.A. or any of its affiliates under
the prior "Revolving Credit Agreement" referred to in Section 5.01(f) (the
"Prior Revolving Credit Agreement") and outstanding on the Closing Date shall,
as of the Closing Date, automatically and without further action be deemed to be
Letters of Credit issued under this Agreement. The Borrower hereby represents
and warrants that such Prior Letters of Credit will comply with the limitations
set forth in Sections 3.01(a) and 3.01(b) hereof as of the Closing Date as if
issued hereunder on the Closing Date. Fees with respect to such Prior Letters of
Credit for each day to and including the Closing Date shall accrue at the rates
set forth under the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement and shall be payable on the
Closing Date, and fees with respect to such Prior Letters of Credit for each day
after the Closing Date shall accrue and be payable as provided for Letters of
Credit in this Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that (i) the
TIMCO Bonds Letter of Credit was not, and will not be deemed to have been,
issued under the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement, and (ii) the letters of
credit subject to the Note Backup Agreement were not, and will not be deemed to
have been, issued under the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement.

                  3.02. PROCEDURE FOR ISSUANCE AND AMENDMENT OF LETTERS OF
CREDIT.

                  (a) REQUEST FOR ISSUANCE. The Borrower may from time to time
request, upon at least three Business Days' notice, Mellon Bank, N.A. to issue a
Letter of Credit by delivering to Mellon Bank, N.A. (or such other Issuing Bank
as Mellon Bank, N.A. may from time to time designate) and the Agent a written
request to such effect, specifying the date on which such Letter of Credit is to
be issued, the expiration date thereof, and the stated amount thereof, together
with such other certificates, documents and other papers and information as such
Issuing Bank may request. If the Issuing Bank desires to issue such Letter of
Credit, the Issuing Bank shall promptly notify the Agent (by telephone or
otherwise), and furnish the Agent with the proposed form of Letter of Credit to
be issued. The Agent shall determine, as of the close of business on the day
before such proposed issuance, whether such proposed Letter of Credit complies
with the limitations set forth in Sections 3.01(a) and 3.01(b) hereof.
 Unless such limitations are not satisfied, or unless the Required Lenders have
given notice to the Agent to cease issuing Letters of Credit pursuant to Section
3.02(c)(iii) hereof, the Agent shall notify the relevant Issuing Bank (in
writing or by telephone promptly confirmed in writing) that such Issuing Bank is
authorized to issue such Letter of Credit. If the Issuing Bank issues a Letter
of Credit, it shall deliver the original of such Letter of Credit to the
beneficiary thereof or as the Borrower shall otherwise direct, and shall
promptly notify the Agent thereof and furnish a copy thereof to the Agent.

                  (b) EXTENSION OR INCREASE. The Borrower may from time to time
request an Issuing Bank to extend the expiration date of an outstanding Letter
of Credit issued by such Issuing Bank or to increase the Letter of Credit
Undrawn Availability of such Letter of Credit. Such extension or increase shall
for all purposes hereunder (including but not limited to Sections 3.02(a) and
5.02) be treated as though the Borrower had requested issuance of a replacement
Letter of Credit; provided, however, that the Issuing Bank may, if it elects,
issue an amendment to the particular Letter of Credit providing for 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   15
such an extension or increase in lieu of issuing a new Letter of Credit in
substitution for the outstanding Letter of Credit.

                  (c) LIMITATIONS ON ISSUANCE, EXTENSION AND AMENDMENT.

                  (i) As between the Borrower, on the one hand, and the Lender
         Parties, on the other hand, the issuance or extension of any Letter of
         Credit (including any deemed issuance arising from increase or
         extension of a Letter of Credit as provided in Section 3.02(b) hereof)
         is within the discretion of each Issuing Bank.

                  (ii) As between each Issuing Bank, on the one hand, and the
         Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand, such Issuing Bank shall be
         justified and fully protected in issuing any Letter of Credit
         (including any deemed issuance arising from increase or extension of a
         Letter of Credit as provided in Section 3.02(b) hereof) after receiving
         authorization from the Agent as provided in Section 3.02(a) hereof,
         notwithstanding any subsequent notices to the Issuing Bank, any
         knowledge of an Event of Default or Potential Default, any knowledge of
         failure of any condition specified in Section 5.02 hereof to be
         satisfied, any other knowledge of the Issuing Bank, or any other event,
         condition or circumstance whatever.

                  (iii) As between the Agent, on the one hand, and the Lenders,
         on the other hand, the Agent shall not authorize issuance of any Letter
         of Credit pursuant to Section 3.02(a) (including any deemed issuance
         arising from increase or extension of a Letter of Credit as provided in
         Section 3.02(b)) if the Agent shall have received, at least two
         Business Days before authorizing such issuance, from the Required
         Lenders an unrevoked written notice that any condition precedent set
         forth in Section 5.02 will not be satisfied and expressly requesting
         that the Agent direct the Issuing Banks to cease to issue Letters of
         Credit. Unless the Agent has received such notice or has determined
         that the applicable limitations set forth in Sections 3.01(a) and
         3.01(b) hereof are not satisfied, the Agent shall be justified and
         fully protected, as against the Lenders, in authorizing the Issuing
         Bank to issue such Letter of Credit, notwithstanding any subsequent
         notices to the Agent, any knowledge of an Event of Default or Potential
         Default, any knowledge of failure of any condition specified in Section
         5.02 hereof to be satisfied, any other knowledge of the Agent, or any
         other event, condition or circumstance whatever.

                  (d) AMENDMENTS. At the request of the Borrower from time to
time, and subject to satisfaction of such conditions as the relevant Issuing
Bank may require, each Issuing Bank may amend, modify or supplement Letters of
Credit, or waive compliance with any condition of issuance or payment, without
the consent of, and without liability to, the Agent or any Lender, provided that
any such amendment, modification or supplement that extends the expiration date
or increases the Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability of an outstanding Letter
of Credit shall be subject to Section 3.02(b) hereof.

                  3.03. LETTER OF CREDIT PARTICIPATING INTERESTS.

                  (a) GENERALLY. Concurrently with the issuance of each Letter
of Credit, the relevant Issuing Bank automatically shall be deemed, irrevocably
and unconditionally, to have sold, assigned, transferred and conveyed to each
other Lender, and each other Lender automatically shall be deemed, irrevocably
and unconditionally, severally to have purchased, acquired, accepted and assumed
from the

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   16
Issuing Bank, without recourse to, or representation or warranty by, the Issuing
Bank, an undivided interest, in a proportion equal to such Lender's Pro Rata
share, in all of the Issuing Bank's rights and obligations in, to or under such
Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations, and all
collateral, guarantees and other rights from time to time directly or indirectly
securing the foregoing (such interest of each Lender being referred to herein as
a "Letter of Credit Participating Interest"). Amounts other than Letter of
Credit Reimbursement Obligations and Letter of Credit Fees payable from time to
time under or in connection with a Letter of Credit shall be for the sole
account of the relevant Issuing Bank. On the date that any Purchasing Lender
becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with Section 10.14 hereof,
Letter of Credit Participating Interests in any outstanding Letters of Credit
held by the Lender from which such Purchasing Lender acquired its interest
hereunder shall be proportionately reallotted between such Purchasing Lender and
such transferor Lender (and, to the extent such transferor Lender is an Issuing
Bank, the Purchasing Lender shall be deemed to have acquired a Letter of Credit
Participating Interest from such transferor Lender to such extent).

                  (b) OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, each Lender hereby agrees that its obligation to participate in each
Letter of Credit issued in accordance herewith, and its obligation to make the
payments specified in Section 3.04 hereof, are each absolute, irrevocable and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any event, condition or circumstance
whatever. The failure of any Lender to make any such payment shall not relieve
any other Lender of its funding obligation hereunder on the date due, but no
Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to meet its
funding obligations hereunder.

                  3.04. LETTER OF CREDIT DRAWINGS AND REIMBURSEMENTS.

                  (a) BORROWER'S REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION. The Borrower hereby
agrees to reimburse the relevant Issuing Bank, by making payment to the Agent
for the account of such Issuing Bank in accordance with Section 2.09(b) hereof,
on the date and in the amount of each payment made by the such Issuing Bank
under any Letter of Credit, without notice, protest or demand, all of which are
hereby waived, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue. To the extent
such payment is not timely made, the Borrower hereby agrees to pay to the Agent,
for the account of the relevant Issuing Bank, on demand, interest on any Letter
of Credit Unreimbursed Draws for each day from and including the date of such
payment by such Issuing Bank until reimbursed in full (before and after
judgment), in accordance with Section 2.09(c) hereof, at the rate per annum set
forth in Section 2.09(c)(ii) hereof.

                  (b) PAYMENT BY LENDERS ON ACCOUNT OF UNREIMBURSED DRAWS. If an
Issuing Bank makes a payment under any Letter of Credit and is not reimbursed in
full therefor on such payment date in accordance with Section 3.04(a) hereof,
such Issuing Bank will promptly notify the Agent thereof (which notice may be by
telephone), and the Agent shall forthwith notify each Lender (which notice may
be by telephone promptly confirmed in writing) thereof. No later than the
Agent's close of business on the date such notice is given, each such Lender
will pay to the Agent, for the account of such Issuing Bank, in immediately
available funds, an amount equal to such Lender's Pro Rata share of the
unreimbursed portion of such payment by such Issuing Bank. If and to the extent
that any Lender fails to make such payment to the Agent for the account of such
Issuing Bank on such date, such Lender shall pay such amount on demand, together
with interest, for such Issuing Bank's own account, for each day from and
including the date of such Issuing Bank's payment to and including the date of
payment to the Issuing Bank (before and after judgment) at the following rates
per annum: (x) for each day from and

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   17
including the date of such payment by the Issuing Bank to and including the
second Business Day thereafter, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such
day, and (y) for each day thereafter, at the rate applicable to Letter of Credit
Unreimbursed Draws under Section 3.04(a) hereof for such day.

                  (c) DISTRIBUTIONS TO PARTICIPANTS. If, at any time, after an
Issuing Bank has made a Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw and has received from
any Lender such Lender's share of such Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw, such
Issuing Bank receives any payment or makes any application of funds on account
of the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation arising from such Letter of
Credit Unreimbursed Draw, such Issuing Bank will pay to the Agent, for the
account of such Lender, such Lender's Pro Rata share of such payment or
application.

                  (d) RESCISSION. If any amount received by an Issuing Bank on
account of any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation shall be avoided,
rescinded or otherwise returned or paid over by such Issuing Bank for any reason
at any time, whether before or after the termination of this Agreement (or such
Issuing Bank believes in good faith that such avoidance, rescission, return or
payment is required, whether or not such matter has been adjudicated), each such
Lender will, promptly upon notice from the Agent or such Issuing Bank, pay over
to the Agent for the account of such Issuing Bank its Pro Rata share of such
amount, together with its Pro Rata share of any interest or penalties payable
with respect thereto.

                  (e) EQUALIZATION. If any Lender receives any payment or makes
any application on account of its Letter of Credit Participating Interest, such
Lender shall forthwith pay over to the relevant Issuing Bank, in Dollars and in
like kind of funds received or applied by it the amount in excess of such
Lender's ratable share of the amount so received or applied.

                  3.05. OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The payment obligations of the
Borrower under Section 3.04 hereof shall be unconditional and irrevocable and
shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all
circumstances, including, without limitation, the following circumstances:

                  (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement,
         any Letter of Credit, any other Loan Document or any documents,
         instruments or agreements evidencing or otherwise relating to any
         obligation of the Borrower or Subsidiary of the Borrower secured or
         supported by any Letter of Credit;

                  (b) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other
         right which the Borrower or any other Person may have at any time
         against any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any
         Persons for whom any such beneficiary or transferee may be acting), the
         relevant Issuing Bank, any Lender, or any other Person, whether in
         connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or
         any unrelated transaction;

                  (c) any draft, certificate, statement or other document
         presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent,
         invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being
         untrue or inaccurate in any respect;

                                      -21-
<PAGE>   18
                  (d) payment by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit
         against presentation of a draft or certificate which does not comply
         with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or payment by the Issuing Bank
         under the Letter of Credit in any other circumstances in which
         conditions to payment are not met, except any such payment resulting
         solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing
         Bank; or

                  (e) any other event, condition or circumstance whatever,
         whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

The Borrower bears the risk of, and neither the Issuing Bank, any of its
directors, officers, employees or agents, nor any Lender, shall be liable or
responsible for the use which may be made of any Letter of Credit, or acts or
omissions of the beneficiary or any transferee in connection therewith.

                  3.06. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Borrower hereby agrees, from
time to time, to do and perform any and all acts and to execute any and all
further instruments reasonably requested by any Issuing Bank more fully to
effect the purposes of this Agreement and the issuance of the Letters of Credit
hereunder.

                  3.07. CASH COLLATERAL FOR LETTERS OF CREDIT. To the extent
that this Agreement or any other Loan Document requires a payment, prepayment or
other application of funds to be made with respect to the Revolving Credit
Loans, such provision shall be construed as follows: after payment in full of
the outstanding Revolving Credit Loans (whether or not such payment would
require the Borrower to pay any amount under Section 2.10(b) hereof), and the
payment in full of all outstanding Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, then, to
the extent of the excess, if any, of the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure at
such time over the balance in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, an amount
equal to the remainder of the amount so required to be paid by the Borrower
shall immediately be paid by the Borrower to the Collateral Agent for deposit in
the Letter of Credit Collateral Account. In addition, the Borrower agrees that,
without limitation of the foregoing or of any other provisions of this Agreement
or the Loan Documents requiring collateral for the Letters of Credit or other
Obligations in whole or in part, and without limitation of other rights and
remedies under this Agreement or the Loan Documents or at law or in equity, if
all of the Revolving Credit Loans become due and payable pursuant to Section
8.02 hereof, the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Collateral Agent, for
deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure at such time over the
balance in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account. The Agent shall direct the
Collateral Agent to release funds in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account to
the Issuing Bank for payment of Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations
constituting Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, as and when the same become
due and payable if and to the extent the Borrower fails to pay the same.

                  3.08. CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE ISSUING BANKS.

                  (a) GENERAL. The Issuing Banks shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and no implied duties or responsibilities on the part of
the Issuing Banks shall be read into this Agreement or any Loan Document or
shall otherwise exist. The duties and responsibilities of the Issuing Banks to
the other Lender Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall
be mechanical and administrative in nature, 

                                      -22-
<PAGE>   19
and no Issuing Bank shall have a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender
Party or any other Person. No Issuing Bank shall be liable for any action taken
or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, unless caused by its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct. No Issuing Bank shall be under any obligation to ascertain, inquire
or give any notice relating to (i) the performance or observance of any of the
terms or conditions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document on the part of
the Borrower, (ii) the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise)
or prospects of the Borrower or any other Person, or (iii) the existence of any
Event of Default or Potential Default. No Issuing Bank shall be under any
obligation, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide the Agent or
any Lender with any notices, reports or information of any nature, whether in
its possession presently or hereafter, except for such notices, reports and
other information expressly required by this Agreement to be so furnished.

                  (b) ADMINISTRATION. Each Issuing Bank may rely upon any notice
or other communication of any nature (written or oral, including but not limited
to telephone conversations, whether or not such notice or other communication is
made in a manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any Loan Document)
purportedly made by or on behalf of the proper party or parties, and no Issuing
Bank shall have any duty to verify the identity or authority of any Person
giving such notice or other communication. Each Issuing Bank may consult with
legal counsel (including, without limitation, in-house counsel for such Issuing
Bank or in-house or other counsel for the Borrower), independent public
accountants and any other experts selected by it from time to time, and no
Issuing Bank shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good
faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.
Whenever any Issuing Bank shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be
proved or established with respect to the Borrower or any Lender Party, such
matter may be established by a certificate of the Borrower or such Lender Party,
as the case may be, and such Issuing Bank may conclusively rely upon such
certificate.

                  (c) INDEMNIFICATION OF ISSUING BANKS BY LENDERS. Each Lender
hereby agrees to reimburse and indemnify each Issuing Bank and each of their
respective directors, officers, employees and agents (to the extent not
reimbursed by the Borrower and without limitation of the obligations of the
Borrower to do so), Pro Rata, from and against any and all amounts, losses,
liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any kind or nature (including,
without limitation, the fees and disbursements of counsel (other than in-house
counsel) for such Issuing Bank or such other Person in connection with any
investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened,
whether or not such Issuing Bank or such other Person shall be designated a
party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted
against such Issuing Bank, in its capacity as such, or such other Person, as a
result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason of, this
Agreement, any other Loan Document, any transaction from time to time
contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction secured or financed in whole
or in part, directly or indirectly, with any Letter of Credit or the proceeds
thereof, provided, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such
amounts, losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements resulting from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of such Issuing Bank or such other Person, as
finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

                  3.09. THE SWINGLINE SUBFACILITY.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   20
                  (a) GENERAL. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth
and the upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in Section 3.11 hereof, the
Swingline Lender may in its discretion make loans (the "Swingline Loans") to the
Borrower at any time or from time to time on or after the date hereof and to but
not including the Revolving Credit Maturity Date. The Swingline Lender shall not
make any Swingline Loan to the extent that the aggregate amount of Swingline
Loans outstanding would exceed $5,000,000 (the "Swingline Subfacility Amount").
The Swingline Lender shall not make any Swingline Loan to the extent that the
aggregate amount of Swingline Loans outstanding would exceed the Swingline
Current Availability most recently notified to it, as more fully provided in
Section 3.10(a) hereof.

                  (b) NATURE OF CREDIT. Within the limits of time and amount set
forth in this Section 3.09, and subject to the provisions of this Agreement, and
so long as the Swingline Lender is willing in its discretion to make Swingline
Loans, the Borrower may borrow, repay and reborrow Swingline Loans hereunder.

                  (c) SWINGLINE NOTE. The obligation of the Borrower to repay
the unpaid principal amount of the Swingline Loans made to it by the Swingline
Lender and to pay interest thereon shall be evidenced in part by a promissory
note of the Borrower to the Swingline Lender, dated the Closing Date (the
"Swingline Note") in substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-2, with
the blanks appropriately filled, payable to the order of the Swingline Lender in
a face amount equal to the Swingline Subfacility Amount.

                  (d) MATURITY. To the extent not due and payable earlier, the
Swingline Loans shall be due and payable on the Revolving Credit Maturity Date.

                  (e) MAKING OF SWINGLINE LOANS, ETC. The Swingline Lender may
in its discretion elect to make Swingline Loans from time to time by paying
items presented for payment on, or otherwise crediting, zero-balance or other
accounts maintained with the Swingline Lender, from time to time without any
express request or notice from the Borrower, it being agreed that the Borrower
shall nevertheless be deemed for all purposes of this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents (including but not limited to Section 5.02 hereof) to have made a
request for such Loan as of the date such item is paid or such credit is made,
as the case may be. In addition, the Borrower may, in the alternative, request
Swingline Loans to be made in accordance with the provisions of Section 2.02
hereof, except that (x) the Borrower need give notice only to the Agent and the
Swingline Lender, such notice need be given no later than 1:00 p.m., Pittsburgh
time, on the date on which such proposed Swingline Loan is to be made, and the
Agent need not notify other Lenders of such request, and (y) Swingline Loans may
be requested and made in any amount (subject to the overall limits of time and
amount set forth in this Section 3.09). Until due, all Swingline Loans shall
bear interest at the Base Rate Option.

                  (f) REPAYMENT OF SWINGLINE LOANS, ETC. Without limitation of
any other provision hereof, the Swingline Lender may in its discretion elect to
apply to repayment of Swingline Loans any amounts on deposit from time to time
in accounts maintained with it (individually or as Agent or as Collateral Agent)
by or for the benefit of the Borrower. Any such application may be made without
regard to the limitations of Section 2.05 hereof. The Borrower may, in the
alternative, prepay Swingline Loans in accordance with the provisions of Section
2.05 hereof, except that (x) the Borrower need give notice only to the Agent and
the Swingline Lender, such notice need be given no later than 1:00 p.m.,

                                      -24-
<PAGE>   21
Pittsburgh time, on the date on which such proposed prepayment of the Swingline
Loans is to be made, and the Agent need not notify other Lenders of such
request, and (y) Swingline Loans may be prepaid in any amount (subject to the
overall limits of time and amount set forth in this Section 3.09).


                  (g) PRIOR SWINGLINE LOANS. The outstanding principal amount of
all "Swingline Loans" ("Prior Swingline Loans") made by the Swingline Lender
under the prior "Revolving Credit Agreement" referred to in Section 5.01(f) (the
"Prior Revolving Credit Agreement") and outstanding on the Closing Date shall,
as of the Closing Date, automatically and without further action be deemed to be
Swingline Loans made under this Agreement. The Borrower hereby represents and
warrants that such Prior Swingline Loans will comply with the limitations set
forth in Section 3.09(a) hereof as of the Closing Date as if made hereunder on
the Closing Date. Accrued and unpaid interest with respect to such Prior
Swingline Loans for each day to and including the Closing Date shall accrue at
the rates set forth under the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement, and shall be
payable on the next Regular Monthly Payment Date after the Closing Date (or, if
the Swingline Lender so requests, on demand).

                  3.10. LIMITATIONS ON THE MAKING OF SWINGLINE LOANS.

                  (a) SWINGLINE CURRENT AVAILABILITY. The Agent shall calculate
the Swingline Current Availability each time there is a change in the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans, the aggregate Letter
of Credit Exposure or the Revolving Credit Committed Amounts. The "Swingline
Current Availability" at any time shall be equal to the lesser of

                  (i) the Swingline Subfacility Amount, or

                  (ii) the amount equal to (A) the sum of the Revolving Credit
         Committed Amounts of the Lenders at such time, minus (B) the aggregate
         principal amount of Revolving Credit Loans plus the aggregate Letter of
         Credit Exposure at such time.

Each time the Swingline Current Availability changes, the Agent shall promptly
notify the Swingline Lender (by telephone promptly confirmed in writing) of such
fact, stating the new Swingline Current Availability. From and after the second
Business Day after receiving such notice from the Agent, the Swingline Lender
shall not make any Swingline Loan to the extent that the aggregate principal
amount of Swingline Loans would exceed the Swingline Current Availability so
notified to the Swingline Lender.

                  (b) RIGHTS OF THE PARTIES. As between the Borrower on the one
hand, and the Swingline Lender, the Agent and the Lenders, on the other hand,
the making of any Swingline Loan is within the discretion of the Swingline
Lender. As between the Swingline Lender, on the one hand, and the Agent and the
Lenders, on the other hand, the Swingline Lender shall not make any Swingline
Loan outside the limitations of time and amount set forth in Section 3.09
hereof, and shall not make any Swingline Loan if the Swingline Lender shall have
received, at least two Business Days before making such Swingline Loan, from the
Required Lenders an unrevoked written notice that any condition precedent set
forth in Section 5.02 will not be satisfied and expressly requesting that the
Swingline Lender cease to make Swingline Loans. Absent such notice, the
Swingline Lender shall be justified and fully protected, as against the Agent
and the Lenders, in making Swingline Loans, notwithstanding any knowledge of an
Event of Default or Potential Default, any knowledge of failure of any condition
specified in

                                      -25-
<PAGE>   22
Section 5.02 hereof to be satisfied, any other knowledge of the Swingline
Lender, or any other event, condition or circumstance whatever.

                  3.11. SWINGLINE LOAN PARTICIPATING INTERESTS.

                  (a) GENERALLY. At the discretion of the Swingline Lender at
any time, on one Business Day's notice to each Lender, the Swingline Lender may
require each other Lender to purchase, acquire, accept and assume from the
Swingline Lender, without recourse to, or representation or warranty by, the
Swingline Lender, an undivided interest, in a proportion equal to such Lender's
Pro Rata share, in all of the Swingline Lender's rights and obligations in, to
or under the outstanding Swingline Loans, together with accrued and unpaid
interest thereon, and all collateral, guarantees and other rights from time to
time directly or indirectly securing the foregoing (such interest of each Lender
being referred to herein as a "Swingline Loan Participating Interest"). Amounts
other than principal and interest on Swingline Loans payable under or in
connection with any zero-balance or other account maintained with the Swingline
Lender or otherwise payable to the Swingline Lender in connection with any
automatic borrowing system, automatic investment system or other cash management
operations for the Borrower shall be for the sole account of the Swingline
Lender. On the date that any Purchasing Lender becomes a party to this Agreement
in accordance with Section 10.14 hereof, Swingline Loan Participating Interests
in any outstanding Swingline Loans held by the Lender from which such Purchasing
Lender acquired its interest hereunder shall be proportionately reallotted
between such Purchasing Lender and such transferor Lender (and, to the extent
such transferor Lender is a Swingline Lender, the Purchasing Lender shall be
deemed to have acquired a Swingline Loan Participating Interest from such
transferor Lender to such extent).

                  (b) OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, each Lender hereby agrees that its obligation to participate in each
Swingline Loan issued in accordance herewith, and its obligation to make the
payments specified in Section 3.04 hereof, are each absolute, irrevocable and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any event, condition or circumstance
whatever. The failure of any Lender to make any such payment shall not relieve
any other Lender of its funding obligation hereunder on the date due, but no
Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to meet its
funding obligations hereunder.

                  (c) PAYMENT BY LENDERS ON ACCOUNT OF SWINGLINE LOANS. If the
Swingline Lender desires to sell Swingline Loan Participating Interests to the
Lenders, the Swingline Lender will promptly notify the Agent thereof (which
notice may be by telephone), and the Agent shall forthwith notify each Lender
(which notice may be by telephone promptly confirmed in writing) thereof. No
later than the Agent's close of business on the date such notice is given by the
Agent (if such notice is given by the Agent before 12:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time
on such date), each such Lender will pay to the Agent, for the account of the
Swingline Lender, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to such
Lender's Pro Rata share of the outstanding principal amount of the Swingline
Loans and accrued and unpaid interest thereon. If and to the extent that any
Lender fails to make such payment to the Swingline Lender on such date, such
Lender shall pay such amount on demand, together with interest, for the
Swingline Lender's own account, for each day from and including the date of the
Swingline Lender's payment to and including the date of repayment to the
Swingline Lender (before and after judgment) following rates per annum: (x) for
each day from and including the date of such payment by the Swingline Lender to

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   23
and including the second Business Day thereafter, at the Federal Funds Effective
Rate for such day, and (y) for each day thereafter, at the rate applicable to
the Swingline Loans for such day.

                  (d) DISTRIBUTIONS TO PARTICIPANTS. If, at any time, after the
Swingline Lender has made a Swingline Loan and has received from any Lender such
Lender's share of such Swingline Loan, and the Swingline Lender receives any
payment or makes any application of funds on account of such Swingline Loan, the
Swingline Lender will pay to the Agent, for the account of such Lender, such
Lender's Pro Rata share of such payment.

                  (e) RESCISSION. If any amount received by the Swingline Lender
on account of any Swingline Loan or interest thereon shall be avoided, rescinded
or otherwise returned or paid over by the Swingline Lender for any reason at any
time, whether before or after the termination of this Agreement (or the
Swingline Lender believes in good faith that such avoidance, rescission, return
or payment is required, whether or not such matter has been adjudicated), each
such Lender will, promptly upon notice from the Agent or the Swingline Lender,
pay over to the Agent for the account of the Swingline Lender its Pro Rata share
of such amount, together with its Pro Rata share of any interest or penalties
payable with respect thereto.

                  (f) EQUALIZATION. If any Lender receives any payment or makes
any application on account of its Swingline Loan Participating Interest, such
Lender shall forthwith pay over to the Swingline Lender, in Dollars and in like
kind of funds received or applied by it the amount in excess of such Lender's
ratable share of the amount so received or applied.

                  3.12. CASH MANAGEMENT DOCUMENTATION. The representations,
warranties and covenants by the Borrower under, and rights and remedies of the
Swingline Lender under, any agreements or instruments relating to any
zero-balance or other accounts maintained by the Borrower with the Swingline
Lender from time to time, or relating to any automatic borrowing system,
automatic investment system or other cash management operations in connection
therewith, are in addition to, and not in limitation or derogation of,
representations, warranties and covenants by the Borrower under, and rights and
remedies of the Swingline Lender and the Lenders under, this Agreement, the Loan
Documents, any other applicable documents, instruments and agreements, and
applicable law. Subject to the foregoing, in the event of any inconsistency
between the terms of this Agreement and any such agreements or instruments, this
Agreement shall prevail. The terms of this Agreement shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into each such agreement or instrument (whether or not
such agreement or instrument so states).

                  3.13. CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE SWINGLINE LENDER.

                  (a) GENERAL. The Swingline Lender shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and no implied duties or responsibilities on the part of
the Swingline Lender shall be read into this Agreement or any Loan Document or
shall otherwise exist. The duties and responsibilities of the Swingline Lender
to the other Lender Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents
shall be mechanical and administrative in nature, and no Swingline Lender shall
have a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender Party or any other
Person. The Swingline Lender shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted
to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, 

                                      -27-
<PAGE>   24
unless caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Swingline
Lender shall not be under any obligation to ascertain, inquire or give any
notice relating to (i) the performance or observance of any of the terms or
conditions of this Agreement or any other Loan Document on the part of the
Borrower, (ii) the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of the Borrower or any other Person, or (iii) the existence of any
Event of Default or Potential Default. The Swingline Lender shall not be under
any obligation, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide the Agent
or any Lender with any notices, reports or information of any nature, whether in
its possession presently or hereafter, except for such notices, reports and
other information expressly required by this Agreement to be so furnished.

                  (b) ADMINISTRATION. The Swingline Lender may rely upon any
notice or other communication of any nature (written or oral, including but not
limited to telephone conversations, whether or not such notice or other
communication is made in a manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any
Loan Document) purportedly made by or on behalf of the proper party or parties,
and the Swingline Lender shall not have any duty to verify the identity or
authority of any Person giving such notice or other communication. The Swingline
Lender may consult with legal counsel (including, without limitation, in-house
counsel for the Swingline Lender or in-house or other counsel for the Borrower),
independent public accountants and any other experts selected by it from time to
time, and the Swingline Lender shall not be liable for any action taken or
omitted to be taken in good faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel,
accountants or experts. Whenever the Swingline Lender shall deem it necessary or
desirable that a matter be proved or established with respect to the Borrower or
any Lender Party, such matter may be established by a certificate of the
Borrower or such Lender Party, as the case may be, and the Swingline Lender may
conclusively rely upon such certificate.

                  (c) INDEMNIFICATION OF SWINGLINE LENDER BY LENDERS. Each
Lender hereby agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Swingline Lender and its
directors, officers, employees and agents (to the extent not reimbursed by the
Borrower and without limitation of the obligations of the Borrower to do so),
Pro Rata, from and against any and all amounts, losses, liabilities, claims,
damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or
disbursements of any kind or nature (including, without limitation, the fees and
disbursements of counsel (other than in-house counsel) for the Swingline Lender
or such other Person in connection with any investigative, administrative or
judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not the Swingline Lender
or such other Person shall be designated a party thereto) that may at any time
be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Swingline Lender, in its
capacity as such, or such other Person, as a result of, or arising out of, or in
any way related to or by reason of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any
transaction from time to time contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction
financed in whole or in part, or directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of
any Swingline Loan, provided, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of
such amounts, losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements resulting from the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Swingline Lender or such other
Person, as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to each Lender
Party as follows:

                                      -28-
<PAGE>   25
                  4.01. CORPORATE STATUS. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of
the Borrower is a Corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of organization. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower has corporate power and authority to own its property and to transact
the business in which it is engaged or presently proposes to engage. The
Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower is duly qualified to do business as
a foreign Corporation and, to the extent applicable, is in good standing in all
jurisdictions in which the ownership of its properties or the nature of its
activities or both makes such qualification necessary or advisable, except for
matters that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely
to, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.02. CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORIZATION. The Borrower has
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, perform, and take all actions
contemplated by, each Loan Document to which it is a party, and all such action
has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings on
its part. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Borrower has the corporate
power and authority to borrow and request Letters of Credit to be issued
pursuant to the Loan Documents to the fullest extent permitted hereby and
thereby from time to time, and has taken all necessary corporate action to
authorize such borrowings and requests for issuance of Letters of Credit.

                  4.03. EXECUTION AND BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement, each other
Loan Document to which the Borrower is a party and which is executed and
delivered or required to be executed and delivered on or before the date as of
which this representation and warranty is made, has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by the Borrower. This Agreement and each such Loan
Document constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered
by the Borrower will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

                  4.04. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. No approval, order,
consent, authorization, certificate, license, permit or validation of, or
exemption or other action by, or filing, recording or registration with, or
notice to, any Governmental Authority (collectively, "Governmental Action") is
or will be necessary or advisable in connection with execution and delivery of
any Loan Document, consummation of the transactions herein or therein
contemplated, performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions hereof
or thereof or to ensure the legality, validity, binding effect, enforceability
or admissibility in evidence hereof or thereof, except for the following: (a)
filings and recordings in respect of the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent
and the Agent contemplated hereby and thereby, and (b) other matters set forth
in Schedule 4.04 hereof. Each Governmental Action referred to in the foregoing
clauses (a) and (b) has been duly obtained or made, as the case may be, and is
in full force and effect (except, in the case of clause (a), for the filing of
continuation statements and like renewal filings and recordings which are not
yet required to be made). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation
pending or (to the Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry) threatened which
seeks or may result in the reversal, rescission, termination, modification or
suspension of any such Governmental Action.

                  4.05. ABSENCE OF CONFLICTS. Neither the execution and delivery
of any Loan Document nor consummation of the transactions herein or therein
contemplated, nor performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions
hereof or thereof, does or will

                  (a) violate or conflict with any Law, or

                                      -29-
<PAGE>   26
                  (b) violate or conflict with, or constitute a default under,
         or result in (or give rise to any right, contingent or other, of any
         Person to cause) any termination, cancellation, prepayment or
         acceleration of performance of, or result in the creation or imposition
         of (or give rise to any obligation, contingent or other, to create or
         impose) any Lien upon any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
         the Borrower (except for any Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent
         securing the Obligations) pursuant to, or otherwise result in (or give
         rise to any right, contingent or other, of any Person to cause) any
         change in any right, power, privilege, duty or obligation of the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower under or in connection with,
         (i) the articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other constituent
         documents) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (ii)
         any agreement or instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
         the Borrower is a party or by which any of them or any of their
         respective properties may be subject or bound,

except, in the case of the foregoing clause (b)(ii), for matters set forth on
Schedule 4.05 hereof.

                  4.06. AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower has
heretofore furnished to the Agent and each Lender consolidated balance sheets of
the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and
December 31, 1995 and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows
and changes in stockholders' equity for the fiscal years then ended, as audited
and reported on by Deloitte & Touche, independent certified public accountants
for the Borrower, who delivered an unqualified opinion in respect thereof. Such
financial statements (including the notes thereto) present fairly the financial
position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of each
such fiscal year and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
the fiscal years then ended, all in conformity with GAAP.

                  4.07. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower has
heretofore furnished to the Agent and each Lender interim consolidated balance
sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of September 30,
1996, together with the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows
and changes in stockholders' equity for the period from January 1, 1996 to such
date. Such financial statements (including the notes thereto) present fairly the
financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of
September 30, 1996, and their respective results of operations and cash flows
for the fiscal period then ended, all in conformity with GAAP (except that such
financial statements do not contain all of the footnote disclosures required by
GAAP), subject to normal and recurring year-end audit adjustments.

                  4.08. ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Neither the Borrower
nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower has any liability or obligation of any nature
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or other, whether or not due, including
but not limited to forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated
losses from unfavorable commitments) that would be required by GAAP to be
reflected on a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
(including the notes thereto) or that has, or would be likely to have, a
Material Adverse Effect, except (a) matters set forth on Schedule 4.08 hereto,
(b) liabilities and obligations disclosed in the financial statements referred
to in Sections 4.05 and 4.06 hereof, (c) liabilities and obligations incurred
after December 31, 1995 in the ordinary course of business and consistent with
past practices, and (d) obligations under the Credit Facilities.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>   27
                  4.09. ACCURATE AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURE. All written
information heretofore, contemporaneously or hereafter provided by or on behalf
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to any Secured Party pursuant
to or in connection with any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated
hereby or thereby is or will be (as the case may be) true and accurate in all
material respects on the date as of which such information is dated (or, if not
dated, when received by such Secured Party) and does not or will not (as the
case may be) omit to state any material fact necessary to make such information
not misleading at such time in light of the circumstances in which it was
provided. Except as disclosed to the Agent and each Lender in writing, the
Borrower is not aware of any event, change or effect (other than political,
social or economic events, changes or effects of general national or global
scope) having or likely to have individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  4.10. PROJECTIONS. The Borrower has delivered to the Agent
projections prepared by the Borrower, dated February 5, 1997, for the years 1997
through 2001, demonstrating the projected consolidated financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which
projections are accompanied by a written statement of the assumptions and
estimates underlying such projections. Such projections, assumptions and
estimates, as of the Closing Date, are reasonable, consistent with the Loan
Documents, and represent the best judgment of the Borrower on such matters. Such
projections, assumptions and estimates are based upon political, social and
economic assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. Nothing has come to the
attention of the Borrower as of the Closing Date which would lead it to believe
that such projections will not be attained or exceeded. Such projections are not
a guarantee of future performance.

                  4.11. SOLVENCY. On and as of the date hereof, and on each date
on which a Loan is made, Letter of Credit is issued or credit is otherwise
extended hereunder, the Borrower and each Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower
is and will be Solvent (and for this purpose, each Subsidiary of the Borrower
which is not Solvent shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if, collectively,
together with their respective Subsidiaries, treated as a single entity, they
would constitute a Significant Subsidiary).

                  4.12. MARGIN REGULATIONS. No part of the proceeds of any
extension of credit hereunder will be used for the purpose of buying or carrying
any "margin stock," as such term is used in Regulations G and U of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time to time, to extend
credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying any "margin stock," or to
extend credit to any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Broker-Dealer. Neither
the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower is engaged in the business of
extending credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying "margin stock."
Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower owns "margin stock"
sufficient to cause any Loan Obligations to be deemed "indirectly secured" by
"margin stock" within the meaning of such Regulations. Neither any extension of
credit pursuant to this Agreement nor any use of proceeds of any such extension
of credit will violate or conflict with the provisions of Regulation G, T, U or
X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time
to time.

                  4.13. REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.13 hereof, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower is (a) an
"investment company" or a company "controlled" by an investment company within
the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (b) a "holding
company" or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company" or an "affiliate" of
either a

                                      -31-
<PAGE>   28
"holding company" or a "subsidiary company" within the meaning of the Public
Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, (c) subject to regulation under
the Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, or the Investment Company
Act of 1940, as amended, or (d) subject to any other Law which purports to
restrict or regulate its ability to borrow money or obtain credit as a
consequence of the nature of the business conducted by such Person.

                  4.14. SUBSIDIARIES. Schedule 4.14 hereof states the authorized
capitalization of each Subsidiary of the Borrower, the number of Shares of
Capital Stock of each class issued and outstanding of each such Subsidiary, and
the number and percentage of outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of each such
class owned by the Borrower and by each Subsidiary of the Borrower. The
outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of each Subsidiary of the Borrower have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. The
Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower owns beneficially and of record and
has good title to all of the Shares of Capital Stock it is listed as owning in
such Schedule 4.14, free and clear of any Lien, except for Liens in favor of the
Collateral Agent securing the Obligations. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14
hereof, there are no options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, conversion rights,
exchange rights, preemptive rights or other rights, agreements or arrangements
(contingent or other) which may in any circumstances now or hereafter obligate
any Subsidiary of the Borrower to issue any Shares of its Capital Stock or any
other securities.

                  4.15. PARTNERSHIPS, ETC. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower is a partner (general or limited) of any partnership,
is a party to any joint venture, or owns (beneficially or of record) any equity
or similar interest in any Person (including but not limited to any interest
pursuant to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary has or may in any circumstance
have an obligation to make capital contributions to, or be generally liable for
or on account of the liabilities, acts or omissions of such other Person),
except (a) distributorship or similar arrangements that do not involve liability
on the part of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the nature of the
liability of a general partner, and (b) partnership interests permitted under
Sections 7.05(g) and 7.05(j) hereof.

                  4.16. LITIGATION. There is no pending or (to the knowledge of
the Borrower after due inquiry) threatened action, suit, proceeding or
investigation by or before any Governmental Authority against or affecting the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for (x) matters set forth on
Schedule 4.16 hereto, and (y) matters that if adversely decided, individually or
in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                  4.17. ABSENCE OF OTHER CONFLICTS. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower is in violation of or conflict with, or is subject to
any contingent liability on account of any violation of or conflict with:

                  (a) any Law,

                  (b) its articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other
         constituent documents), or

                  (c) any agreement or instrument to which it is party or by
         which it or any of its properties may be subject or bound,

                                      -32-
<PAGE>   29
except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not
be likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.18. INSURANCE. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower maintains, or causes there to be maintained, with financially sound and
reputable insurers not related to or affiliated with the Borrower insurance with
respect to its properties and business and against at least such liabilities,
casualties and contingencies and in at least such types and amounts as is
customary in the case of Persons engaged in the same or a similar business or
having similar properties similarly situated.

                  4.19. TITLE TO PROPERTY. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of
the Borrower has good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property
owned or purported to be owned by it and good title to all other property of
whatever nature owned or purported to be owned by it, including but not limited
to all property reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet referred to
in Section 4.06 hereof or submitted pursuant to Section 6.01(a) hereof, as the
case may be (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary course of
business, or in a transaction permitted by the Loan Documents, after the date of
such balance sheet), in each case free and clear of all Liens, other than
Permitted Liens.


                  4.20. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Borrower and each Subsidiary
of the Borrower owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use, all the
patents, trademarks, service marks, names (trade, service, fictitious or other),
copyrights, technology (including but not limited to computer programs and
software), know-how, processes, data bases and other rights, free from
burdensome restrictions, necessary to own and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as presently conducted and presently planned to be
conducted without conflict with the rights of others, except for matters that,
individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.21. TAXES. All federal income tax returns required to be
filed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower have
been properly prepared, executed and filed. All other tax and information
returns required to be filed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
of the Borrower have been properly prepared, executed and filed, except for
matters that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely
to, have a Material Adverse Effect. All taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges upon the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or upon
any of their respective properties, incomes, sales or franchises which are due
and payable have been paid, other than those not yet delinquent and payable
without premium or penalty, and except for those being diligently contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings, and in each case such reserves and
provisions for taxes as may be required by GAAP shall have been made on the
books of the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower. The reserves and
provisions for taxes on the books of the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower for all open years and for its current fiscal period are adequate in
accordance with GAAP. As of the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower knows of any proposed additional assessment or basis
for any material assessment for additional taxes (whether or not reserved
against), other than as set forth on Schedule 4.21 hereto.

                  4.22. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Except for matters disclosed to the
Agent before the date as of which this representation and warranty is made or
reaffirmed, neither the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or Controlled
Group Member has incurred any liability that has not been fully discharged (or
any contingent or other potential liability that represents a material risk of
becoming an actual

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   30
liability) exceeding $150,000 in the aggregate for all such Persons for or in
connection with any of the following: (a) any Pension-Related Event (whether or
not any such Pension-Related Event has occurred) or (b) any complete or partial
withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan (whether or not such withdrawal has
occurred). All employee benefit arrangements covering employees of the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries have been administered in substantial compliance
with, and funded in accordance with, applicable Law.

                  4.23. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed in Schedule
4.23 hereof, the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower and each of their
respective Environmental Affiliates is and has been in full compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws, except for matters which, individually or in the
aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.23 hereof, there is no Environmental Claim
pending or to the knowledge of the Borrower threatened, and there are no past or
present acts, omissions, events or circumstances (including but not limited to
any dumping, leaching, deposition, removal, abandonment, escape, emission,
discharge or release of any Environmental Concern Material at, on or under any
facility or property now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Borrower
or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of their respective Environmental
Affiliates) that could form the basis of any Environmental Claim, against the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of their respective
Environmental Affiliates, except for matters which do not, and, if adversely
decided, individually or in the aggregate, would not, have a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.23 hereof, no facility or property now
or previously owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
Borrower or any of their respective Environmental Affiliates is an Environmental
Cleanup Site. No Lien exists, and no condition exists which would be likely to
result in the filing of a Lien, against any property of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary of the Borrower under any Environmental Law.


                                    ARTICLE V
                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING

                  5.01. CONDITIONS TO INITIAL LOANS. The obligation of each
Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans on the Closing Date and the willingness of
the Issuing Banks to issue any Letter of Credit on the Closing Date and of the
Swingline Lender to make any Swingline Loans on the Closing Date is subject to
the satisfaction, immediately prior to or concurrently with the making of such
Loan or the issuance of such Letter of Credit, as the case may be, of the
following further conditions precedent:


                  (a) AGREEMENT; NOTES. The Agent shall have received, with a
         copy for each Lender, this Agreement, duly executed on behalf of the
         Borrower, and Revolving Credit Notes and a Swingline Note conforming to
         the requirements hereof, duly executed on behalf of the Borrower.

                  (b) SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENTS. The Collateral Agent shall have
         received the following, each of which shall be in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender (except that the
         Lenders shall not be entitled to receive duplicate originals of the
         stock certificates and other instruments pledged pursuant to the
         following Shared Security Documents and the stock powers delivered in
         connection therewith):

                                      -34-
<PAGE>   31
                  (i) The Collateral Agency Agreement, duly executed on behalf
         of Borrower and the other parties thereto.

                  (ii) The Borrower Pledge Agreement, duly executed on behalf of
         the Borrower.

                  (iii) Certificates and instruments representing the stock
         certificates and other instruments pledged pursuant to the Borrower
         Pledge Agreement, accompanied by undated duly executed instruments of
         transfer or assignment in blank, in form and substance satisfactory to
         the Agent.

                  (iv) Financing statements executed by the Borrower and in
         proper form for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code in such
         jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Agent,
         desirable to create, perfect or protect the Liens created or purported
         to be created by the Borrower Pledge Agreement (which financing
         statements shall cover all personal property of the Borrower, whether
         or not constituting collateral security under the Borrower Pledge
         Agreement).

                  (v) Evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the
         opinion of the Agent, desirable to create, perfect or protect the Liens
         created or purported to be created by the Borrower Pledge Agreement
         have been taken.

                  (vi) Evidence of contemporaneous searches of UCC, tax and
         other appropriate registers, dockets and records, which shall have
         revealed no filings or recordings with respect to property of the
         Borrower (other than those relating to Permitted Liens).

                  (c) WEFA ACQUISITION. The Borrower or a Wholly Owned
         Subsidiary of the Borrower shall have entered into a contract to
         acquire good title, free of all Liens, to all of the outstanding Shares
         of Capital Stock of WEFA Holdings, Inc. ("WEFA").

                  (d) ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS. The Agent shall have received, with
         copies for each Lender, true and correct copies (in each case certified
         as to authenticity on behalf of the Borrower) of the following, each of
         which shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent: all
         agreements relating to the acquisition of the Shares of Capital Stock
         of WEFA (including in each case all exhibits, schedules and disclosure
         letters delivered pursuant thereto), all amendments, waivers and
         consents relating thereto, and all other side letters or agreements
         affecting the terms thereof or other transactions contemplated thereby.

                  (e) OTHER CREDIT FACILITIES. The Agent shall have received
         evidence satisfactory to it that all conditions precedent to funding
         under the Term Loan Agreement and the Note Backup Agreement shall have
         been satisfied, and that, concurrently with the Closing Date, the
         Borrower shall have received $225,000,000 gross cash proceeds under the
         Term Loan Agreement.

                  (f) DISCHARGE OF PRIOR CREDIT FACILITIES. With respect to (a)
         the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 1995 among the
         Borrower, the Issuing Banks referred to therein, the Lenders parties
         thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank
         of Boston, and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon
         Bank, N.A., as Agent, as amended, (b) the Term Loan Agreement dated as
         of June 29, 1995 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties thereto from
         time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank of 

                                      -35-
<PAGE>   32
         Boston and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon
         Bank, N.A., as Agent, as amended, and (c) the Credit Agreement dated as
         of October 23, 1996 among the Borrower, the Issuing Bank referred to
         therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as amended, all principal,
         interest, letter of credit draws, fees and other amounts outstanding or
         otherwise due and payable shall have been paid in full, all commitments
         thereunder shall have terminated, all outstanding letters of credit
         thereunder shall have been terminated or assumed under one of the
         Credit Facilities, and all collateral security therefor shall have been
         released.

                  (g) GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. The Agent shall have
         received, with copies for each Lender, true and correct copies (in each
         case certified as to authenticity on such date on behalf of the
         Borrower) of all items referred to in clause (b) of Section 4.04 hereof
         and such items shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent
         and shall be in full force and effect.

                  (h) OTHER CONFLICTS. The Agent shall have received, with
         copies for each Lender, true and correct copies (in each case certified
         as to authenticity on such date on behalf of the Borrower) of each
         consent, waiver, amendment or agreement which has been obtained by or
         on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in respect
         of any matter which would, absent such consent, waiver, amendment or
         agreement, be within the scope of clause (b)(ii) of Section 4.05
         hereof, and such items shall be satisfactory in form and substance to
         the Agent and shall be in full force and effect.

                  (i) CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. The Agent shall have received, with
         a counterpart for each Lender, certificates by the Secretary or
         Assistant Secretary of the Borrower dated as of the Closing Date as to
         (i) true copies of the articles of incorporation and by-laws (or other
         constituent documents) of the Borrower in effect on such date, (ii)
         true copies of all corporate action taken by the Borrower relative to
         this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (iii) the incumbency
         and signature of the respective officers of the Borrower executing this
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a
         party, together with satisfactory evidence of the incumbency of such
         Secretary or Assistant Secretary. The Agent shall have received, with a
         copy for each Lender, certificates from the appropriate Secretary of
         State or other applicable Governmental Authorities dated not more than
         30 days before the Closing Date showing the good standing of the
         Borrower in its state of incorporation.

                  (j) 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower shall have
         furnished to the Agent an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the
         Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996, and
         unaudited consolidated statements of income and stockholders' equity of
         the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal year
         ended December 31, 1996. Such financial statements shall have been
         certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as presenting fairly
         the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its
         consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the
         consolidated results of their operations and stockholders' equity for
         such fiscal year, in conformity with GAAP, subject to normal and
         recurring audit adjustments.

                                      -36-
<PAGE>   33
                  (k) FORM U-1. The Agent shall have received, with a
         counterpart for each Lender, a Federal Reserve Board Form U-1, duly
         executed by the Borrower, satisfactory in form and substance to the
         Agent.

                  (l) LITIGATION. There shall not be pending or (to the
         knowledge of the Borrower after due inquiry) threatened action, suit,
         proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority
         seeking to challenge, prevent or declare illegal any of the
         transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

                  (m) LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE BORROWER. The Agent shall
         have received, with an executed counterpart for each Lender, an opinion
         addressed to the Agent and each Lender, dated the Closing Date, of
         counsel to the Borrower (who shall be satisfactory to the Agent), as to
         such matters as may be requested by the Agent and in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (n) OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES. The Agent shall have received,
         with an executed counterpart for each Lender, certificates from such
         officers of the Borrower as to such matters as the Agent may request.

                  (o) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, ETC. All representations
         and warranties set forth in Article IV hereof shall be true and correct
         on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date,
         after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan
         Documents to occur on or before the Closing Date.

                  (p) GENERAL CONDITIONS. The conditions set forth in
         subsections (a), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 5.02 hereof shall have
         been satisfied.

                  (q) FEES, EXPENSES, ETC. The Borrower shall have executed and
         delivered an origination fee letter (the "Origination Fee Letter") of
         even date herewith satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent. All
         fees and other compensation required to be paid to the Agent or
          the Lenders pursuant hereto or pursuant to such Origination Fee Letter
         on or prior to the Closing Date shall have been paid or received.

                  (r) ADDITIONAL MATTERS. All corporate and other proceedings,
         and all documents, instruments and other matters in connection with the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan
         Documents, shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent.
         The Agent shall have received such other documents, instruments and
         other items as the Agent may reasonably request.

                  5.02. CONDITIONS TO SUBSEQUENT LOANS. The obligation of each
Lender to make Revolving Credit Loans after the Closing Date and the willingness
of the Issuing Banks to issue any Letters of Credit after the Closing Date and
of the Swingline Lender to make any Swingline Loans on or after the Closing Date
is subject to performance by the Borrower of its respective obligations to be
performed hereunder or under the other Loan Documents on or before the date such
Loan is made or such Letter of Credit is issued, satisfaction of the conditions
precedent set forth herein and in the other Loan Documents and to satisfaction
of the following further conditions precedent:

                                      -37-
<PAGE>   34
                  (a) NOTICE. Notice with respect to such Loan or Letter of
         Credit shall have been given by the Borrower in accordance with Article
         II hereof or Article III hereof, as the case may be (subject to Section
         3.09 hereof in the case of Swingline Loans).

                  (b) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the
         representations and warranties made by the Borrower herein and in each
         other Loan Document shall be true and correct in all material respects
         on and as of such date as if made on and as of such date, both before
         and after giving effect to the Loans requested to be made (including
         any deemed request) and Letters of Credit requested to be issued on
         such date (except only that (i) the following representations and
         warranties need be true only on and as of the date hereof and the
         Closing Date: Sections 4.06, 4.07, 4.08 and 4.10 hereof and each of the
         representations and warranties set forth in the Borrower Pledge
         Agreement, and (ii) after the Closing Date, each reference to Schedule
         4.14 in Section 4.14 shall be deemed a reference to such Schedule as
         the same may have been most recently amended in accordance with Section
         6.01(m) hereof (and subject to changes since the date of such most
         recent amendment).

                  (c) NO DEFAULTS. No Event of Default or Potential Default
         shall have occurred and be continuing or exist on such date or after
         giving effect to the Loans requested to be made (including any deemed
         request) or the Letters of Credit requested to be issued on such date.

                  (d) NO VIOLATIONS OF LAW, ETC. Neither the making nor use of
         the Loans or the Letters of Credit shall cause any Lender Party to
         violate any Law.

                  (e) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. There shall not have occurred,
         or be threatened, a material adverse change in the business,
         operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole since September 30,
         1996.

Each request (including any deemed request) by the Borrower for any Loan or
Letter of Credit shall constitute a representation and warranty by the Borrower
that the conditions set forth in this Section 5.02 have been satisfied as of the
date of such request. Failure of the Agent to receive notice from the Borrower
to the contrary before such Loan is made or Letter of Credit is issued shall
constitute a further representation and warranty by the Borrower that the
conditions referred to in this Section 5.02 have been satisfied as of the date
such Loan is made or such Letter of Credit is issued. Without limitation of any
other provision of this Agreement relating to deemed requests, the Borrower may
be deemed to have requested a Loan for purposes of this Section 5.02, whether or
not the Borrower had made an express request for a Loan, in the circumstances
set forth in Section 3.09(e) hereof.



                                   ARTICLE VI
                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Borrower hereby covenants to each Lender Party as follows:

                  6.01. BASIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

                                      -38-
<PAGE>   35
                  (a) ANNUAL AUDIT REPORTS. As soon as practicable, and in any
event within 105 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the
Borrower shall furnish to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, audited
consolidated statements of income, cash flows and stockholders' equity of the
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, an unaudited
consolidating statement of income of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, and an audited consolidated balance sheet and
unaudited consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year, and notes to each, all in
reasonable detail, prepared on a comparative basis in accordance with GAAP. Such
audited financial statements shall be accompanied by an opinion of Deloitte &
Touche or other independent certified public accountants of recognized national
standing selected by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. Such
opinion shall be free of any exception, qualification or explanation not
acceptable to the Agent (and in any event shall be free of any exception,
qualification or explanation relating to ability to continue as a going concern,
a limited scope of examination or independence). Such opinion in any event shall
contain a written statement of such accountants substantially to the effect that
(i) such accountants audited such consolidated financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards and (ii) in the opinion of
such accountants such audited financial statements present fairly the financial
position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such
fiscal year and the results of their operations and their cash flows and
stockholders' equity for such fiscal year, in conformity with GAAP. Such
unaudited financial statements shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of
the Borrower as presenting fairly the consolidated and consolidating financial
position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such
fiscal year, and the respective consolidated and consolidating results of their
operations and their cash flows and stockholders' equity for such fiscal year,
in conformity with GAAP.

                  (b) QUARTERLY REPORTS. As soon as practicable, and in any
event within 60 days after the close of each of the first three fiscal quarters
of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent,
with a copy for each Lender, unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash
flows and stockholders' equity of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries
for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of such fiscal
year to the end of such fiscal quarter, an unaudited consolidating statement of
income for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of such
fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter, and unaudited consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries
as of the close of such fiscal quarter, and notes to each, all in reasonable
detail, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the same
periods or as of the same date during the preceding fiscal year (except for the
consolidated balance sheet, which shall set forth in comparative form the
corresponding balance sheet as of the prior fiscal year end, and cash flow
statements, which shall report only year to date periods). Such financial
statements shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as
presenting fairly the consolidated and consolidating financial position of the
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter
and the respective consolidated and consolidating results of their operations
and their cash flows and stockholders' equity for such fiscal quarter, in
conformity with GAAP, subject to normal and recurring year-end audit
adjustments.

                  (c) COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES. Concurrently with the delivery of
the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and 6.01(b), the
Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the 

                                      -39-
<PAGE>   36
Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a certificate in substantially the form set
forth as Exhibit C, duly completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the
Borrower.

                  (d) ACCOUNTANTS' CERTIFICATES. Concurrently with the Agent's
receipt from the Borrower of each set of audited financial statements delivered
pursuant to Section 6.01(a), the Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Agent, with sufficient copies for each Lender, a report signed
by the independent certified public accountants who opined on such financial
statements and dated the date of such financial statements, stating in substance
that they have reviewed this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and that in
making the examination necessary for their opinion on such financial statements
they did not become aware of any Event of Default or Potential Default pursuant
to Sections 7.01, 7.02(e)(iv), 7.03(e) and 7.03(f) as of the end of such fiscal
year, or, if they did become so aware, such certificate or report shall state
the nature and period of existence thereof.

                  (e) ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN. Not later than January 31 of each
year, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a
business plan for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the next five years,
certified as such by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such business plan
shall be not less detailed than the 1997-2001 corporate plan heretofore
delivered to the Agent and each Lender, and shall include or be accompanied by,
among other matters reasonably requested from time to time, projected income,
cash flows and summary balance sheet for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on
both a consolidated and a separate unconsolidated basis for each year in such
five year period.

                  (f) QUARTERLY PLAN UPDATES. Concurrently with the delivery of
the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(b), the Borrower shall
furnish to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a quarterly update to the
most recent annual business plan, certified as such by a Responsible Officer of
the Borrower. Such business plan shall be not less detailed than the third
quarter update for 1996 heretofore delivered to the Agent and each Lender.

                  (g) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Concurrently with the
delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and
6.01(b), the Borrower shall provide the Agent, with a copy for each Lender,
summary financial information as to the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (and separate financial information for
such Subsidiaries as the Agent may reasonably request) as of the end of the
preceding month, all in reasonable detail and in any case including, among other
matters reasonably requested by the Agent from time to time, financial
information on a monthly and year-to-date basis, and separate line-items showing
EBIT, depreciation and amortization, all certified by a Responsible Officer of
the Borrower.

                  (h) CERTAIN OTHER REPORTS AND INFORMATION. Promptly upon their
becoming available to the Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a copy of (i) all regular
or special reports, registration statements and amendments to the foregoing
which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor thereto) or any securities
exchange, (ii) all reports, proxy statements, financial statements and other
information distributed by the Borrower to its security holders or the financial
community generally, and (iii) upon request by any Lender Party, all reports
submitted by outside accountants in connection with any audit of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary of the Borrower, including but not limited to all management
letters commenting on the internal controls of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
the Borrower submitted in connection with any such audit.

                                      -40-
<PAGE>   37
                  (i) FURTHER INFORMATION. The Borrower will promptly furnish,
or cause to be furnished, to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, such other
information and in such form as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request
from time to time.

                  (j) NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. Promptly upon becoming aware of
any of the following, the Borrower shall give the Agent notice thereof, together
with a written statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth
the details thereof and any action with respect thereto taken or proposed to be
taken by the Borrower, and the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof:

                  (i) Any Event of Default or Potential Default.

                  (ii) Any material adverse change in the business, operations,
         condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects (exclusive, in the case
         of prospects, of political, social or economic events, changes or
         effects of general national or global scope) of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                  (iii) Any pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or
         investigation by or before any Governmental Authority against or
         affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower which, if
         adversely decided, individually or in the aggregate, would, or would be
         likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (iv) Any termination for default by the Borrower of any
         contract which would reasonably be likely to result in a direct loss of
         aggregate revenues in excess of $20,000,000 to which the Borrower or
         any Subsidiary of the Borrower is a party.

                  (v) Any Pension-Related Event, other than (w) any Reportable
         Event described in subsection (i) of the definition of such term herein
         as to which the 30 day notice requirement to the PBGC is waived under
         applicable regulations, and (x) any Pension-Related Event described in
         subsection (d) or (f) of the definition thereof which involves a
         liability of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any
         Controlled Group Member that has not been fully discharged (or a
         contingent or other potential liability that represents a material risk
         of becoming an actual liability) of less than $1,000,000 in the
         aggregate for all such Persons. Such notice shall be accompanied by the
         following: (y) a copy of any notice, request, return, petition or other
         document received by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or
         any Controlled Group Member from any Person, or which has been or is to
         be filed with or provided to any Person (including, without limitation,
         the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, the PBGC or any
         Plan participant, beneficiary, alternate payee or employer
         representative), in connection with such Pension-Related Event, and (z)
         in the case of any Pension-Related Event with respect to a Plan, the
         most recent Annual Report (5500 Series), with attachments thereto, and
         if such Plan is required by applicable Law to have an actuarial
         valuation report, the most recent actuarial valuation report, for such
         Plan.

                  (k) VISITATION AND VERIFICATION GENERALLY. The Borrower shall
permit such Persons as the Agent or any Lender may designate from time to time
to visit and inspect any of the properties of the Borrower and any Subsidiary of
the Borrower, to examine their respective books and records and take

                                      -41-
<PAGE>   38
copies and extracts therefrom and to discuss their respective affairs with their
respective directors, officers, employees and independent accountants at such
times and as often as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request, subject to
mandatory national security regulations. The Borrower hereby authorizes such
officers, employees and independent accountants to discuss with the Agent or any
Lender the affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to mandatory
national security regulations. The Agent and the Lenders shall have the right to
examine and verify accounts, inventory and other properties and liabilities of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from time to time, and the Borrower shall
cooperate, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to cooperate, with the Agent
and the Lenders in such verification, subject to mandatory national security
regulations.

                  (l) DUTY TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS WITH SECURITY
CLEARANCES; VERIFICATION OF CLASSIFIED CONTRACTS. The Borrower shall, and shall
cause each such Subsidiary to, retain at all times an independent certified
public accountant of national standing having personnel who at all times have
security clearances sufficient to permit them to examine and verify all such
classified contracts, accounts and other assets which, individually or in the
aggregate, are material to the business, operations, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
The Borrower shall, from time to time at the reasonable request of the Agent,
cause such independent accountants to examine, verify and report to the Agent on
such classified contracts, accounts and assets as the Agent may request, to the
fullest extent permitted by mandatory national security regulations.

                  (m) CHANGES IN CORPORATE STRUCTURE. Concurrently with the
delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and
6.01(b), the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent notice of any change in the
matters set forth in Section 4.14 hereof, together with an amended and restated
Schedule 4.14 which reflects such change.

                  6.02. INSURANCE. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers
insurance with respect to its properties and business and against such
liabilities, casualties and contingencies and of such types as are reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent from time to time, and in any case as is customary in
the case of Persons engaged in the same or a similar business or having similar
properties similarly situated. The Borrower shall, if so requested by the Agent,
deliver to the Agent original or duplicate policies or certificates of such
insurance and, as often as the Agent may reasonably request, a report of a
reputable insurance broker, or an insurance company representative if an
insurance broker is not involved, with respect to such insurance.

                  6.03. PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER POTENTIAL CHARGES AND
PRIORITY CLAIMS. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent in writing if it
or any of its Subsidiaries learns of any proposed additional assessment or basis
for any assessment for additional taxes (whether or not reserved against) which,
if paid or incurred, would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge, or cause to be
paid and discharged,

                  (a) on or prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto,
         all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it,
         or any of them, or any of its, or any of their, properties;

                                      -42-
<PAGE>   39
                  (b) on or prior to the date when due, all lawful claims of
         materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other
         like Persons which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien
         upon any such property; and

                  (c) on or prior to the date when due, all other lawful claims
         which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien upon any such
         property or which, if unpaid, might give rise to a claim entitled to
         priority over general creditors of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in
         any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding;

provided, that, unless and until foreclosure, distraint, levy, sale or similar
proceedings shall have been commenced, the Borrower or such Subsidiary need not
pay or discharge, or cause the payment or discharge, of any such tax,
assessment, charge or claim above so long as (x) the validity thereof is
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, and
(y) such reserves or other appropriate provisions as may be required by GAAP
shall have been made therefor.

                  6.04. PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE STATUS. The Borrower shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain its status as a
Corporation duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent applicable, in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, except for
Permitted Mergers. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, at all times be duly qualified to do business as a foreign Corporation and,
to the extent applicable, in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the
ownership of its properties or the nature of its business or both make such
qualification necessary or advisable, except for matters that, individually or
in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                  6.05. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. The Borrower shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain in full force and
effect all Governmental Actions necessary or advisable in connection with
execution and delivery of any Loan Document, consummation of the transactions
herein or therein contemplated, performance of or compliance with the terms and
conditions hereof or thereof, or to ensure the legality, validity, binding
effect, enforceability or admissibility in evidence hereof or thereof.

                  6.06. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES, FRANCHISES, ETC. The Borrower
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) maintain or cause to be
maintained in good repair, working order and condition the properties now or
hereafter owned, leased or otherwise possessed by it and shall make or cause to
be made all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements and improvements
thereto so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly
and advantageously conducted at all times, except where failure to do so does
not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b)
maintain and hold in full force and effect all franchises, licenses, permits,
certificates, authorizations, qualification, accreditations and other rights,
consents and approvals (whether issued, made or given by a Governmental
Authority or otherwise), necessary to own and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as presently conducted and as presently planned to be
conducted, except where failure to do so does not, and would not be likely to,
have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  6.07. AVOIDANCE OF OTHER CONFLICTS. The Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, violate or conflict with, be in
violation of or conflict with, or be or remain subject to any liability
(contingent or other) on account of any violation or conflict with

                                      -43-
<PAGE>   40
                  (a) any Law,

                  (b) its certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws
         (or other constituent documents), or

                  (c) any agreement or instrument to which it or any of its
         Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their
         respective properties may be subject or bound,

except for matters of the type referred to in clauses (a) and (c) that could
not, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have
a Material Adverse Effect.

                  6.08. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING PRACTICES. The Borrower shall, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, make and keep books, records and
accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect its
transactions and dispositions of its assets, and maintain a system of internal
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (a)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization, (b) transactions are recorded as necessary (i) to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and (ii) to maintain
accountability for assets, (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance
with management's general or specific authorization and (d) the recorded
accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable
intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

                  6.09. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower shall apply the proceeds
of the Loans under this Agreement, together with other funds of the Borrower, to
(a) payment in full on the Closing Date of all principal, interest and fees
outstanding and accrued under the prior credit facilities of the Borrower
referred to in Section 5.01(f), and (b) from and after the Closing Date, for
general corporate purposes of the Borrower (including, to the extent otherwise
consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the making of
acquisitions). The Borrower shall not use any Letters of Credit or the proceeds
of any Loans directly or indirectly for any unlawful purpose, in any manner
inconsistent with Section 4.12, or inconsistent with any other provision of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document.

                  6.10. CONTINUATION OF OR CHANGE IN BUSINESS. The Borrower
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, engage in the businesses
they have engaged in during the present and preceding fiscal years and the
Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in
any business other than the financial information services business, other
information services businesses and matters incidental thereto; provided, that
TIMCO may continue to conduct its business in substantially the manner in which
it conducts such business as of the date hereof. Without limitation of the
foregoing, the Borrower shall continue to operate as a holding company and shall
not conduct any material business other than holding the capital stock of
Subsidiaries and matters incidental thereto.

                  6.11. PLANS AND MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS.

                  (a) REQUIRED CONTRIBUTIONS. The Borrower shall, and shall
cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and Controlled Group Members to, make
contributions to each Plan when due in accordance with the minimum funding
requirements under ERISA and the Code applicable to such Plan and pay any
required PBGC premiums as and when due for such Plan.

                                      -44-
<PAGE>   41
                  (b) REQUIRED CONTRIBUTIONS TO MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. The
Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and Controlled
Group Members to, make contributions required to be made by it, or any of them,
to each Multiemployer Plan, if any, when due in accordance with its, or any of
their, obligations under any collective bargaining agreement related to such
Multiemployer Plan or participation agreements applicable to such Multiemployer
Plan, except those contributions the requirement of which are reasonably being
contested by a Controlled Group Member provided that failure to make such
contested contributions is not a violation of applicable Law and does not
present a material risk of resulting in liability (contingent or other) to the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  (c) FUNDING. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, make any required contributions to any arrangements for
providing retirement and/or death benefits when due, in accordance with the
terms of the arrangement and/or any minimum funding requirements which are
applicable to the arrangement from time to time. The Borrower shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, allow any arrangement for providing
retirement and/or death benefits to become underfunded (as determined on the
basis of reasonable actuarial assumptions) by an amount which, in the aggregate
for all such arrangements, exceeds $10,000,000.

                  6.12. DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN. The Borrower shall cause each of
Datastream International Limited, Disclosure Incorporated and ICV Limited to
maintain in full force and effect at all times disaster recovery plans
consistent with prudent practice for Persons engaged in the same or a similar
business.

                  6.13. ANNUAL BANK MEETING. The Borrower shall hold meetings of
the Lenders annually at the request of the Agent.

                  6.14. SEPARATE CORPORATE EXISTENCE. The Borrower acknowledges
that the Lender Parties are entering into the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents in reliance upon the identity of the
Subsidiaries of the Borrower as legal entities separate from the Borrower.
Accordingly, the Borrower shall take, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to take,
all reasonable steps to continue the identities of its Subsidiaries as separate
legal entities, and to make it apparent to third Persons that its Subsidiaries
are entities with assets and liabilities distinct from those of the Borrower.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower shall take such
actions as shall be required in order that:

                  (a) For each Subsidiary of the Borrower in which the Borrower
         directly owns, beneficially or of record, Shares of Capital Stock, at
         least one director or officer of the Borrower shall be a person who is
         not a director or officer of such Subsidiary.

                  (b) The books and records of each Subsidiary of the Borrower
         shall be maintained separately from those of the Borrower and each of
         its other Subsidiaries.

                  (c) The assets of each Subsidiary of the Borrower will be
         maintained in a manner that facilitates their identification and
         segregation from those of the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries.

                                      -45-
<PAGE>   42
                  (d) The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
         strictly observe corporate formalities. The Borrower and each of its
         Subsidiaries will conduct their respective businesses in their own
         respective names. The business and affairs of the Borrower and each
         Subsidiary shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of
         directors of such Person.

                  (e) Funds or other assets of Subsidiaries of the Borrower will
         not be commingled with those of the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries
         (it being understood that such restriction shall not be interpreted to
         forbid intercompany loans and Advances that have been properly
         documented and accounted for on the books and records of each relevant
         entity, made in compliance with corporate formalities, and otherwise
         made in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

                  (f) The operating expenses of the Borrower and each Subsidiary
         of the Borrower will be paid by such Person. To the extent, if any,
         that the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries share items of expenses,
         such expenses will be allocated to the extent practical on the basis of
         actual use or the value of services rendered, and otherwise on a basis
         reasonably related to actual use or the value of services rendered, and
         each such Person shall pay its allocated share of such expenses on a
         current basis. To the extent, if any, that the Borrower and any of its
         Subsidiaries provides services to one another, the provider shall be
         compensated by the recipient on a current basis at fair and reasonable
         rates. To the extent, if any, that any consolidated or combined tax
         return is filed including any of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, each
         such Person shall pay or be paid, as the case may be, on a current
         basis an equitable share of the consolidated tax payment or refund
         associated therewith.

                  (g) Annual financial statements of the Borrower which are
         consolidated to include its Subsidiaries will contain notes clearly
         stating that each such Subsidiary is a corporate or similar entity
         separate from the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries, and that the
         stock of each direct Subsidiary of the Borrower has been pledged to
         secure the Obligations.

                  6.15.  ADDITIONAL SECURITY.

                  (a) GENERAL. Promptly upon the request of the Agent from time
to time, the Borrower shall as promptly as practicable (and in any case within
30 days after such request, or such longer period as the Agent may specify in
writing) further secure the Obligations by granting to the Collateral Agent a
valid and perfected Lien, prior to all other Liens except Permitted Liens, on
such of its properties from time to time as the Agent may designate (except for
property subject to a Permitted Lien as to which the Borrower is required to
obtain the consent of the holder of such Permitted Lien before granting such a
Lien to the Collateral Agent and as to which the Borrower is unable, using
reasonable efforts, to obtain such consent). In connection therewith, the
Borrower shall (i) execute and deliver to the Agent such mortgages, security
agreements and other agreements and instruments, and do such other acts and
things as shall be necessary or, in the judgment of the Agent, appropriate to
grant to the Collateral Agent a valid and perfected Lien on such property, prior
to all other Liens except Permitted Liens, and (ii) procure and deliver to the
Agent such other items (including but not limited to lien searches, title
insurance policies, surveys, environmental audits, insurance endorsements and
opinions of counsel), and do such other acts and things, as the Agent may
request in connection with the foregoing. All of the

                                      -46-
<PAGE>   43
foregoing shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. From time to
time as requested by the Agent, the Borrower shall use reasonable efforts to (w)
obtain the consent of any Person whose consent is necessary or advisable to the
creation, perfection or maintenance of any such Lien, including but not limited
to that of any lessor whose consent may be required in connection with any such
Lien on any leasehold interest, and to obtain nondisturbance and like agreements
from mortgagees and other holders of superior rights in the property subject to
any such leasehold interest, (x) obtain waivers of Liens from such landlords and
mortgagees and from other Persons described in Section 6.03(b) hereof, (y) with
respect to securities accounts, commodity accounts, deposit accounts or similar
interests, obtain consent agreements from each securities intermediary,
commodity intermediary, depository bank or similar person, satisfactory in form
and substance to the Agent, which shall include provisions giving the Collateral
Agent sole dominion and control over such interest upon the giving of notice by
the Collateral Agent (it being understood that the related security agreement
shall provide that the Collateral Agent may exercise such sole dominion and
control upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default),
and (z) do such other acts and things as the Agent may deem appropriate to
enhance, preserve or protect the security for the Obligations.

                  (b) NOTICE OF CERTAIN REALTY TRANSACTIONS. The Borrower shall
promptly give notice to the Agent of any acquisition by the Borrower of any
interest or interests in real property (fee, leasehold or otherwise) or fixtures
having a fair market value, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of
$5,000,000 (except for leasehold interests having a term, including all options
exercisable by the lessee, less than 5 years).

                  6.16. INTEREST RATE PROTECTION.

                  (a) REQUIRED HEDGE. The Borrower shall, promptly (and in any
event not later than 60 days) after the first date on or after the Closing Date
on which the three-month Euro-Rate (as determined by the Agent) is at least
8.00% on at least ten of the 30 days immediately preceding such date, enter into
an Interest Rate Hedging Agreement having an effective rate and other terms and
conditions satisfactory to the Agent, for notional principal amounts and tenors
sufficient to hedge at least 65% of the scheduled outstanding principal amount
of the Indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreement for the period from the
effective date of such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement through the fifth
anniversary thereof (or, if earlier, the Term Loan Maturity Date). The Borrower
shall thereafter select interest rate options under the Term Loan Agreement that
match, in time and amount, as closely as may be the terms of the rate hedge
represented by such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement.

                  (b) SECURING THE REQUIRED HEDGE. If the Borrower so requests,
the Agent shall consent to a Swap Party Supplement to the Collateral Agency
Agreement whereby the Interest Rate Hedging Agreement referred to in Section
6.16(a) hereof shall be deemed a Swap Agreement entitled to the benefits of the
Collateral Agency Agreement, but only if the following conditions are met: (i)
the counterparty to such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement is a Lender, (ii) the
"Swap Shared Security Cap" set forth in such Swap Party Supplement is, in the
good faith judgment of the Agent, not more than 110% of the credit equivalent
exposure represented by such Swap Agreement (calculated in accordance with the
Agent's ordinary methods), and (iii) the Borrower provides the Agent with such
contemporaneous bringdown Lien searches as the Agent may request, the results of
which shall be satisfactory to the Agent.

                                      -47-
<PAGE>   44
                  (c) EXISTING RATE HEDGES, ETC. To the extent otherwise
consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Borrower may
enter into Interest Rate Hedging Agreements in advance of the date on which it
is required to do so under Section 6.16(a), and to the extent that such Interest
Rate Hedging Agreements satisfy the requirements of Sections 6.16(a) and 6.16(b)
the Agent may enter into a Swap Party Supplement to the Collateral Agency
Agreement with respect to such Interest Rate Hedging Agreements. In the event
that the Borrower becomes obligated to enter into Interest Rate Hedging
Agreements under Section 6.16(a), any then-existing Interest Rate Hedging
Agreements to which Borrower is party and which otherwise satisfy the
requirements of Section 6.16(a) shall be counted toward satisfaction of the
Borrower's obligations under Section 6.16(a), to the extent of the notional
amounts and tenors of such then-existing Interest Rate Hedging Agreements.
Nothing in Section 6.16(b) shall be construed to forbid the Agent from
consenting to a Swap Party Supplement relating to Interest Rate Hedging
Agreements if the conditions set forth in Section 6.16(b) are satisfied, even if
such Interest Rate Hedging Agreements in the aggregate exceed in amount or time
the minimum requirements set forth in Section 6.16(a).


                                   ARTICLE VII
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Borrower hereby covenants to each Lender Party as follows:

                  7.01. FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

                  (a) CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH (ADJUSTED). As of the end of each
fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 1996,
Consolidated Net Worth (Adjusted) shall not be less than the applicable amount
specified below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Consolidated Net Worth (Adjusted)
    From and including                      To and including                     shall not be less than
    ------------------                      ----------------                     ----------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                        <C>
    December 31, 1996                       December 30, 1997                          $425,000,000
    December 31, 1997                       December 30, 1998                          $450,000,000
    December 31, 1998                       December 30, 1999                          $475,000,000
    Thereafter                                                                         $500,000,000
</TABLE>


                  (b) CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. As of the end of
each fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 1996, the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a
single accounting period, shall not be less than the applicable amount set forth
below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Fiscal quarter ending on                                        Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
      a date in the following                                         for the four fiscal quarters ending 
      period (inclusive)                                              on such date shall not be less than
      ------------------                                              -----------------------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>
      December 31, 1996 through December 31, 1997                                    1.75
</TABLE>

                                      -48-
<PAGE>   45
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
      January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998                                      2.00
      January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999                                      2.25
      Thereafter                                                                     2.50
</TABLE>

                  (c) CONSOLIDATED FUNDED DEBT RATIO (ADJUSTED). As of the end
of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 1996, the
Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a
single accounting period, shall not be greater than the applicable amount set
forth below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Fiscal quarter ending on                                        Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted)
      a date in the following                                             for the four fiscal quarters ending 
      period (inclusive)                                                  on such date shall not be greater than
      ------------------                                                  --------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                  <C>
      December 31, 1996 through December 30, 1997                                    5.50
      December 31, 1997 through December 30, 1998                                    5.00

      December 31, 1998 through December 30, 1999                                    4.00
      Thereafter                                                                     3.00
</TABLE>

                  7.02. LIENS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any
Subsidiary of the Borrower to, at any time create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Lien on any of its property (now owned or hereafter acquired), or
agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the
foregoing, except for the following (referred to herein as "Permitted Liens"):

                  (a) Liens pursuant to the Shared Security Documents in favor
         of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to
         secure the Obligations;

                  (b) Liens arising from taxes, assessments, charges or claims
         described in Sections 6.03(a) and 6.03(b), to the extent permitted to
         remain unpaid under such Section 6.03;

                  (c) Deposits or pledges of cash or securities in the ordinary
         course of business to secure (i) workmen's compensation, unemployment
         insurance or other social security obligations, (ii) performance of
         bids, tenders, trade contracts (other than for payment of money) or
         leases, (iii) stay, surety or appeal bonds, or (iv) other obligations
         of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

                  (d) Judgment liens fully bonded pending appeal;

                  (e) Liens by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower on
         property securing all or part of the purchase price thereof and Liens
         (whether or not assumed) existing on property at the time of purchase
         thereof by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided that:

                             (i) such Lien is created before or substantially
                  simultaneously with the purchase of such property in the
                  ordinary course of business by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
                  (or is a Lien securing successor obligations incurred to
                  extend or refinance predecessor obligations allowed under this
                  Section 7.02(e), provided that in each case the 

                                      -49-
<PAGE>   46
                  successor obligation is an obligation of the same Person
                  subject to the predecessor obligation, is not greater than
                  (and is not otherwise on terms less advantageous than) the
                  predecessor obligation, and the Lien securing the successor
                  obligation does not extend to any property other than that
                  subject to the Lien securing the predecessor obligation);

                             (ii) such Lien is confined solely to the property
                  so purchased, improvements thereto and proceeds thereof;

                             (iii) the aggregate amount secured by all such
                  Liens on any particular property at the time purchased by the
                  Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall not
                  exceed the lesser of the purchase price of such property or
                  the fair market value of such property at the time of purchase
                  thereof ("purchase price" for this purpose including the
                  amount secured by each such Lien thereon whether or not
                  assumed); and

                             (iv) the obligation secured by such Lien is
                  Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(e) hereof;

                  (f) Liens in favor of the United States Government which arise
         in the ordinary course of business resulting from progress payments or
         partial payments under United States Government contracts or
         subcontracts thereunder;

                  (g) Rights arising or reserved to the lessor under any
         Capitalized Lease Obligations permitted by Section 7.03(e) hereof;

                  (h) Zoning restrictions, easements, minor restrictions on the
         use of real property, minor irregularities in title thereto and other
         minor Liens that do not secure the payment of money or the performance
         of an obligation and that do not in the aggregate materially detract
         from the value of a property or asset to, or materially impair its use
         in the business of, the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

                  (i) Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule
         7.02 hereof (but not any extension, renewal or replacement Liens); and

                  (j) Liens on property of TIMCO to secure payment of
         reimbursement obligations of TIMCO with respect to the TIMCO Bonds
         Letter of Credit, and Liens on property of TIMCO securing Indebtedness
         of TIMCO constituting a refinancing of the TIMCO Bonds and the TIMCO
         Lease permitted by Section 7.03(j) hereof.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Permitted Lien" in respect of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall in no event include (x) any Lien imposed
by, or required to be granted pursuant to, ERISA, the Code or any Environmental
Law, (y) except as provided in Section 7.02(a) hereof, any Lien on the Shared
Collateral Account or any other account (custodial, deposit or other) maintained
by or with the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Shared Security Documents, or
any other investment property or deposit account (as such terms are defined in
the Uniform Commercial Code), or (z) except as provided in Section 7.02(a)
hereof, any Lien on Shares of Capital Stock of, or obligations owed by, a
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                                      -50-
<PAGE>   47
                  7.03. INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, at any time create, incur, assume or
permit to exist any Indebtedness, or agree, become or remain liable
(contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except:

                  (a) Indebtedness of the Borrower in favor of the Lender
         Parties pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

                  (b) Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Term Loan
         Agreement, in aggregate principal amount not to exceed $225,000,000
         (but not any extensions, renewals or refinancings of any thereof);

                  (c) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         not exceeding $8,250,000 in principal amount, issued in connection with
         the acquisition by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of all of the Shares of
         Capital Stock of ICV (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the
         "ICV Notes"); and Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Note Backup
         Agreement and the letters of credit subject thereto;

                  (d) Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Senior Notes, in
         aggregate principal amount not to exceed $112,000,000 (but not any
         extensions, renewals or refinancings of any thereof);

                  (e) Indebtedness constituting Capitalized Lease Obligations of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of
         business from time to time, and Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries secured by Liens described in Section 7.02(e) on property
         used in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary from time to time; provided, that the aggregate amount of
         Indebtedness described in this Section 7.03(e) shall not exceed
         $20,000,000 at any time;

                  (f) Other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         not exceeding $30,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any time
         outstanding;

                  (g) Current accounts payable of the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries on normal trade terms to trade creditors arising out of
         purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business;

                  (h) Indebtedness of the Borrower pursuant to any Interest Rate
         Hedge Agreement required to be entered into pursuant to Section 6.16(a)
         hereof; and Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         under any other interest rate or currency swap, cap, floor, collar,
         future, forward or option agreement, or similar interest rate or
         currency protection agreement, entered into for the purpose of hedging
         and not for purposes of speculation (and not structured to contain an
         embedded loan);

                  (i) Indebtedness constituting intercompany loans and Advances
         permitted by Sections 7.05(d), 7.05(e), 7.05(h) and 7.05(i) hereof;

                                      -51-
<PAGE>   48
                  (j) Indebtedness of TIMCO constituting a letter of credit
         issued for its account not exceeding $12,600,000 in stated amount,
         which letter of credit effectively secures the TIMCO Bonds; any
         extension, renewal or refinancing of such letter of credit, provided,
         however, that the stated amount thereof is not increased and TIMCO
         remains the account party with respect thereto (such letter of credit,
         together with any such extension, renewal or refinancing letter of
         credit, being referred to herein as the "TIMCO Bonds Letter of
         Credit"); and any Indebtedness of TIMCO which amends, renews or
         refinances (collectively, "refinances") the TIMCO Bonds, the TIMCO
         Lease and the TIMCO Bonds Letter of Credit, provided, however, that
         after giving effect to such refinancing, (i) the principal amount of
         Indebtedness is not increased, (ii) neither the stated maturity nor the
         average life of the Indebtedness is reduced, and (iii) TIMCO remains
         the obligor on such refinancing Indebtedness; and

                  (k) Indebtedness for borrowed money of Primark Economics or
         any of its Subsidiaries not exceeding $6,000,000 in aggregate principal
         amount at any time outstanding.

                  7.04. GUARANTIES, INDEMNITIES, ETC. The Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, be or become subject to
or bound by any Guaranty Equivalent, or agree, become or remain liable
(contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except:

                  (a) Contingent liabilities arising from the endorsement of
         negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection or similar
         transactions in the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) Indemnities by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the
         liabilities of its directors, officers and employees in their
         capacities as such as permitted by Law;

                  (c) Guaranty Equivalents existing on the Closing Date and
         listed in Schedule 7.04 hereof (but not extensions, renewals or
         refinancings thereof or of any associated Assured Obligation);
         provided, that this Section 7.04(c) shall not apply to any Guaranty
         Equivalent as to which the Deemed Obligor is, on the Closing Date, a
         Subsidiary of the Borrower if such Subsidiary thereafter ceases to be a
         Subsidiary of the Borrower;

                  (d) Guaranty Equivalents by the Borrower or a Subsidiary
         constituting usual and customary indemnities with respect to
         liabilities (other than Indebtedness) in connection with a disposition
         of stock or assets by the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

                  (e) Other Guaranty Equivalents by the Borrower or a Subsidiary
         of the Borrower from time to time of obligations of a Substantially
         Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided that the Deemed Obligor in
         respect of such Guaranty Equivalent is a Substantially Owned Subsidiary
         of the Deemed Guarantor;

                  (f) Other Guaranty Equivalents by a Borrower or a Subsidiary
         of the Borrower from time to time, provided that the sum of (i) the
         maximum aggregate potential obligation of the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower under Guaranty Equivalents described in this
         Section 7.04(f), plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all payments made by
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after the date hereof under Guaranty
         Equivalents described in this Section 7.04(f), shall not exceed
         $2,000,000; and

                                      -52-
<PAGE>   49
                  (g) Obligations of a Subsidiary of the Borrower as general
         partner of a partnership permitted under Sections 7.05(g) or 7.05(j).

                  7.05. LOANS, ADVANCES AND INVESTMENTS. The Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, at any time make or
permit to exist or remain outstanding any loan or Advance to, or purchase,
acquire or own (beneficially or of record) any Shares of Capital Stock of, any
stock, bonds, notes or securities of, or any partnership interest (whether
general or limited), membership interest or beneficial interest in, or any other
debt or equity interest in, or make any capital contribution to or other
investment in, any other Person, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently
or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except:

                  (a) Receivables owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower arising from performance of services and sales of goods under
         usual and customary terms in the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) Loans and Advances extended by the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower to contractors or suppliers (excluding
         contractors or suppliers that are Affiliates of the Borrower) under
         usual and customary terms in the ordinary course of business and in
         amount at any one time outstanding not exceeding $1,000,000 (or the
         equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies) in the aggregate;

                  (c) Advances to officers and employees of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, in amounts at any time
         outstanding not exceeding $1,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in one
         or more foreign currencies) to any one officer or employee and
         $2,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign
         currencies) in the aggregate; provided, however, that for purposes of
         this Section 7.05(c) only, the outstanding amount of Advances shall not
         be deemed to include amounts secured by perfected liens on shares of
         the publicly-traded common stock of the Borrower, to the extent of the
         market value of such common stock (as determined at least quarterly,
         based on publicly-available quotations);

                  (d) Loans and Advances by a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the
         Borrower;

                  (e) Ownership of Shares of Capital Stock of, and capital
         contributions, loans and Advances to, Corporations that are Wholly
         Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower (other than a Broker-Dealer);

                  (f) (i) Ownership of Shares of Capital Stock of a Corporation
         that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a
         Broker-Dealer, as owned on the Closing Date, and (ii) capital
         contributions by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries from time to time to
         such Subsidiary, so long as such Subsidiary does not at the time of
         such capital contribution, or immediately thereafter and after giving
         effect thereto, have net capital (calculated in accordance with
         regulatory standards) in excess of 150% of the minimum capital required
         by Law;

                  (g) (i) Ownership of general partnership interests and other
         equity interests in the Worldscope Entities representing an 80% or
         greater interest in the capital, profits and losses of

                                      -53-
<PAGE>   50
         each of the Worldscope Entities, as owned on the Closing Date, and (ii)
         capital contributions to and acquisition of additional equity interests
         in the Worldscope Entities from time to time after the Closing Date,
         and loans and Advances to the Worldscope Entities from time to time;

                  (h) Acquisition and ownership of Shares of Capital Stock of
         Corporations that are Subsidiaries of the Borrower other than Wholly
         Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, and capital contributions, loans
         and Advances to Subsidiaries of the Borrower other than Wholly Owned
         Subsidiaries of the Borrower, provided, that the aggregate amount of
         all such acquisitions and capital contributions made under this Section
         7.05(h) after the Closing Date, plus the aggregate outstanding
         principal amount of all such loans and Advances made under this Section
         7.05(h), shall not at any time exceed $10,000,000;

                  (i) Acquisition and ownership by the Borrower or its
         Subsidiaries of equity interests in Primark Economics representing a
         20% or greater interest in the capital, profits and losses of Primark
         Economics, and capital contributions, convertible debt and demand loans
         by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to Primark Economics from time to
         time; provided, that (i) the sum of the aggregate amount of all
         consideration paid for such equity interests and convertible debt plus
         the aggregate amount of all such capital contributions (in each case
         whether before or after the Closing Date), plus the aggregate
         outstanding principal amount of all such demand loans, shall not at any
         time exceed $5,000,000, and (ii) no such acquisitions, capital
         contributions or loans may be made unless the Borrower continues to own
         (directly or indirectly) at least a 20% interest (and, assuming full
         conversion of convertible loans due to the Borrower or its
         Subsidiaries, a 51% or greater interest) in the capital, profits and
         losses of Primark Economics;

                  (j) Partnerships and joint ventures of which all partners,
         participants and other Persons having ownership interests therein are
         Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower;

                  (k) Other loans, Advances and investments, not to exceed
         $3,000,000 in the aggregate; and

                  (l) Cash Equivalent Investments.

                  7.06. DIVIDENDS AND RELATED DISTRIBUTIONS. The Borrower shall
not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make any Stock Payment,
or agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the
foregoing, except as follows:

                  (a) The Borrower may from time to time repurchase for cash
         shares of its common stock of a series publicly traded, subject to the
         following conditions:

                             (i) Repurchases under this Section 7.06(a) shall
                  not exceed $25,000,000 from and after the Closing Date;

                             (ii) No Event of Default or Potential Default shall
                  exist on the date of such repurchase, or immediately
                  thereafter and after giving effect to such repurchase;

                                      -54-
<PAGE>   51
                             (iii) The Borrower would have been in compliance
                  with Sections 7.01(a) and 7.01(c) on the last day of the
                  fiscal quarter ending most recently before such repurchase,
                  after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such repurchase
                  and to any incurrence of Indebtedness after such day, as if
                  such repurchase and incurrence had occurred on such day; and

                             (iv) The Agent shall receive, with a copy for each
                  Lender, not later than the Business Day after the date such
                  repurchase is made, a certificate signed by a Responsible
                  Officer of the Borrower, dated such repurchase date,
                  describing such dividend, certifying that such repurchase is
                  in compliance with the provisions of this Section 7.06(a), and
                  including a statement in reasonable detail of the information
                  and calculations necessary to establish compliance with this
                  Section 7.06(a);

                  (b) A Subsidiary of the Borrower may declare and pay dividends
         or other distributions with respect to its Shares of Capital Stock,
         provided, that such dividend or other distribution is made on a pro
         rata basis, consistent with the ownership interests in such Shares of
         Capital Stock, to the owners of such shares; and

                  (c) The Borrower may make Stock Payments if such Stock Payment
         is paid solely in Shares of Capital Stock (or warrants, options or
         rights therefor) of the Borrower.

The Borrower shall not declare any dividend payable later than 60 days after
declaration, and the Borrower shall not permit any Subsidiary to declare any
dividend payable later than 15 days after declaration.

                  7.07. SALE-LEASEBACKS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary to, at any time enter into or permit to remain in effect
any transaction to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party involving
the sale, transfer or other disposition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any
property (now owned or hereafter acquired), with a view directly or indirectly
to the leasing back of any part of the same property or any other property used
for the same or a similar purpose or purposes, or agree, become or remain liable
(contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except for transactions
existing on the date hereof and listed in Schedule 7.07 hereof (but not
extensions, renewals or refinancings thereof).

                  7.08. MERGERS, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, directly or indirectly, (w) merge with
or into or consolidate with any other Person, or (x) liquidate, Wind-Up,
dissolve or divide, (y) acquire all or any substantial portion of the properties
of any going concern or going line of business (whether or not constituting a
distinct legal entity), or (z) acquire all or any substantial portion of the
properties of any other Person, or all or any substantial portion of the Shares
of Capital Stock of any other Person which is organized as a Corporation, or all
or any substantial portion of any equity interest in any other Person which is
not organized as a Corporation, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently
or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except for the following (referred to
herein as "Permitted Mergers"):

                  (a) A Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge with or into or
         consolidate with, or acquire all or any substantial portion of the
         properties of, or liquidate or dissolve into, any other 

                                      -55-
<PAGE>   52
         Subsidiary of the Borrower, if the acquiring, surviving or new
         Corporation shall be a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

                  (b) The Borrower, or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, may make
         acquisitions of the types referred to in the foregoing clauses (y) and
         (z) of properties of Persons other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower,
         consistent with the other provisions of this Agreement and the other
         Loan Documents, provided that the aggregate Adjusted Acquisition
         Consideration in connection with all such acquisitions made after the
         Closing Date (and specifically excluding the acquisition of WEFA, if
         made on or before the Closing Date) shall not exceed the sum of
         $75,000,000 plus the amount, if any, of aggregate cash proceeds (net of
         underwriting discounts, fees and other transaction costs) received by
         the Borrower after the Closing Date from issuance of Shares of Capital
         Stock of the Borrower (or options or warrants therefor).

                  7.09. DISPOSITIONS OF PROPERTIES. The Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, convey, assign, lease, transfer,
abandon or otherwise dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or
indirectly, any of its properties, now existing or hereafter acquired, or agree,
become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing,
except:

                  (a) Sales of inventory, licenses (as licensor) of software or
         other intellectual property, all in the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) Disposition of equipment and other operating assets which
         are obsolete or no longer useful in the business of the Borrower or
         such Subsidiary, as the case may be;

                  (c) Lease or sublease of unoccupied office space;

                  (d) Dispositions in Permitted Mergers, and other dispositions
         between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower;

                  (e) Disposition outside the ordinary course of business of all
         (but not less than all) of the Shares of Capital Stock of TIMCO, or
         substantially all the assets of TIMCO (but not less than substantially
         all of such assets), subject to the following conditions:

                           (i) any such disposition of property is for not less
                  than the Fair Market Value of the property disposed of (as
                  determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
                  transferor, whose determination shall be evidenced by a
                  written resolution of such Board), and the consideration
                  received by the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary in respect
                  of such disposition consists entirely of cash or Cash
                  Equivalent Investments; and

                           (ii) in the case of disposition of Shares of Capital
                  Stock of, or assets of, TIMCO, TIMCO shall be conducting
                  substantially the business conducted by it on the Closing
                  Date, and shall not be conducting any different or additional
                  business or have any material assets in addition to those it
                  had on the Closing Date; and

                                      -56-
<PAGE>   53
                  (f) Other dispositions of property from time to time for not
less than its Fair Market Value, provided that dispositions under this Section
7.09(f) shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate in any fiscal year.

Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood that the following are
dispositions of property subject to this Section 7.09: any disposition of
accounts, chattel paper or general intangibles, with or without recourse; any
disposition of any leasehold interest; and any disposition of any Shares of
Capital Stock in or Indebtedness of any Subsidiary. The Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any Subsidiary to sell, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise
dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, any of its accounts, chattel paper,
general intangibles or other financial assets with or without recourse, in any
factoring, structured financing, or other transaction having the practical
effect, directly or indirectly, of a financing, whether or not such transaction
is in the form of a "true sale" of such financial assets by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary.

                  7.10. DEALINGS WITH AFFILIATES. The Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, enter into or carry out any
transaction with (including, without limitation, purchase or lease property or
services from, sell or lease property or services to, loan or advance to, or
enter into, permit to remain in existence or amend any contract, agreement or
arrangement with) any Affiliate of the Borrower, directly or indirectly, or
agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the
foregoing, except:

                  (a) Transactions between (i) on the one hand, any Affiliate of
         the Borrower, and (ii) on the other hand, the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries, in good faith and on fair and reasonable terms; and

                  (b) Compensation of directors, officers, employees and
         consultants of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for services rendered
         in such capacity in good faith and on fair and reasonable terms, which
         terms (in the case of compensation under employment contracts entered
         into after the Closing Date will be approved by a majority of the board
         of directors of such Borrower or Subsidiary (including a majority of
         the directors having no direct or indirect interest in such
         transaction).

                  7.11. LIMITATIONS ON MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS AND
INSTRUMENTS.

                  (a) SENIOR NOTES. The Borrower shall not amend, modify or
supplement the terms or provisions contained in, or applicable to, the Senior
Notes, the Senior Note Indenture, or any agreement or instrument evidencing or
applicable to any of the foregoing.

                  (b) [Reserved]

                  (c) TERM LOAN AGREEMENT. The Borrower shall not amend, modify
or supplement the Term Loan Agreement or its obligations thereunder, in any way
that would (i) increase the principal amount thereof, or require payments on
account of principal to be made (by way of scheduled amortization, mandatory
prepayment or otherwise) earlier or in greater amount than is required under the
terms of the Term Loan Agreement as constituted on the Closing Date, (ii)
increase the rate or shorten the date for payment of interest thereon, or (iii)
require payment of any fee or other amount not 

                                      -57-
<PAGE>   54
provided for under the Term Loan Agreement as constituted on the Closing Date.
In the event that the Agent hereunder is not also the "Agent" under the Term
Loan Agreement, the Borrower shall promptly (and in any event within five days)
give the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a copy of any amendment,
modification or supplement to the Term Loan Agreement.

                  (d) NOTE BACKUP AGREEMENT. The Borrower shall not amend,
modify or supplement the Note Backup Agreement (as constituted on the Closing
Date) or its obligations thereunder, in any way that would (i) increase the
principal amount thereof (including the aggregate stated amount of letters of
credit issued thereunder), or require payments on account of principal
(including reimbursement of draws under letters of credit issued thereunder) to
be made earlier or in greater amount than is required under the terms of the
Note Backup Agreement as constituted on the Closing Date, or (ii) increase the
rate or shorten the date for payment of interest thereon. In the event that the
Agent hereunder is not also the "Agent" under the Note Backup Agreement, the
Borrower shall promptly (and in any event within five days) give the Agent, with
a copy for each Lender, a copy of any amendment, modification or supplement to
the Note Backup Agreement.

                  (e) [Reserved]

                  7.12. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS ON CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS. The
Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly, pay, prepay, purchase, redeem, retire, defease or acquire, or
otherwise make any payment (on account of principal, interest, premium or
otherwise) of, any obligation under or evidenced by the Senior Notes, except
that the Borrower may (x) pay principal and interest on the Senior Notes as and
when expressly required to do so by the mandatory terms of the Senior Notes, and
(y) purchase Senior Notes as and when expressly required to do so by the
mandatory terms of Sections 4.12 and 4.13 of the Senior Note Indenture (it being
understood that the foregoing may nevertheless give rise to an Event of
Default).

                  7.13. LIMITATION ON OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS, DIVIDEND
RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARIES, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit
any Subsidiary to,

                  (x) enter into, become or remain subject to any agreement or
         instrument to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party or by
         which any of them or any of their respective properties (now owned or
         hereafter acquired) may be subject or bound that would (i) prohibit the
         grant of any Lien upon any of its properties (now owned or hereafter
         acquired), or (ii) restrict or prohibit the transfer or disposition of
         any of its properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), or require it
         to dispose of or apply the proceeds of any such disposition in a
         specified manner, or

                  (y) be or become subject to any restriction of any nature
         (whether arising by operation of Law, by agreement, by its certificate
         or articles of incorporation, by-laws or other constituent documents,
         or otherwise) on the right of the Borrower or such Subsidiary from time
         to time (i) in the case of a Subsidiary, to declare and pay Stock
         Payments with respect to Shares of Capital Stock owned by the Borrower
         or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, (ii) in the case of the Borrower or
         any Subsidiary of the Borrower, to pay any obligations from time to
         time owed to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (iii)
         in the case of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, make
         loans or advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower,

                                      -58-
<PAGE>   55
except:

                  (a) the Credit Facilities;

                  (b) the Senior Notes and the Senior Note Indenture;

                  (c) with respect to the foregoing clause (x), non-assignment
         provisions of any executory contract or software or programs or of any
         lease by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as lessee;

                  (d) with respect to the foregoing clause (x), restrictions on
         property subject to a Permitted Lien in favor of the holder of such
         Permitted Lien;

                  (e) restrictions with respect to TIMCO imposed pursuant to an
         agreement entered into for sale or disposition (which sale or
         disposition is not in violation of this Agreement or any other Loan
         Document) of all or substantially all of the Shares of Capital Stock or
         assets of such Subsidiary; provided, that such restriction, by its
         terms, terminates on the earlier of the termination of such agreement
         or the consummation of such agreement, and is agreed to in good faith;
         and

                  (f) in the case of the foregoing clause (y), legal
         restrictions of general applicability under the corporation or similar
         law under which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is incorporated,
         fraudulent conveyance or similar laws or general applicability for the
         benefit of creditors generally, and other legal restrictions of general
         applicability to similarly situated business corporations; and

                  (g) in the case of subclause (ii) of the foregoing clause (x),
         restrictions on transfer of property arising in the ordinary course of
         business; provided, that such restrictions do not directly or
         indirectly secure any obligation of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to
         pay money or to perform an obligation, and do not in the aggregate
         materially detract from the value of a property or asset to, or
         materially impair its use in the business of, the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary.

                  7.14. LIMITATION ON OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON AMENDMENT OF THE
LOAN DOCUMENTS, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary
of the Borrower to, enter into, become or remain subject to any agreement or
instrument to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party or by which any
of them or any of their respective properties (now owned or hereafter acquired)
may be subject or bound that would prohibit or require the consent of any Person
to any amendment, modification or supplement to any of the Loan Documents,
except: (a) the Loan Documents, and (b) provisions in each of the other Credit
Facilities no more restrictive than those in such other Credit Facility,
respectively, as constituted on the Closing Date.

                  7.15. LIMITATION ON CERTAIN BENEFIT LIABILITIES. The Borrower
shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled
Group Member to, become subject to Primark Group Benefits Exposures in excess of
$20,000,000 in the aggregate for all such Persons. As used herein, the term
"Primark Group Benefits Exposures" shall mean the sum of the maximum potential

                                      -59-
<PAGE>   56
liabilities (direct, contingent or other) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and the Controlled Group Members in connection with the following: (a)
withdrawal liability (within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA) from any
Multiemployer Plan, whether or not such liability has yet been triggered as a
result of a withdrawal; (b) contributions due and unpaid with respect to a
Multiemployer Plan; (c) the "amount of unfunded benefit liabilities" (within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under any Plan, whether or not such
liability has yet been triggered as a result of a termination of such Plan; (d)
excise taxes assessed in connection with all of the above or otherwise in
connection with any Plan; (e) Postretirement Benefit Obligations of the
Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member; and (f)
any other liability (contingent or other) in connection with a Plan or
Multiemployer Plan which represent a material risk that it may result in a Lien
attaching to assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, without
regard to any minimum amount required by Law to cause such Lien to attach.

                  7.16. FISCAL YEAR. The Borrower shall maintain a fiscal year
beginning on each January 1 and ending on the following December 31, divided
into fiscal quarters ending on the last day of each March, June, September and
December.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                    DEFAULTS

                  8.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. An "Event of Default" shall mean the
occurrence or existence of one or more of the following events or conditions
(for any reason, whether voluntary, involuntary or effected or required by Law):

                  (a) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due principal of any
         Loan, any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation, or make when due
         any required cash collateralization of outstanding Letters of Credit.

                  (b) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due interest on any
         Loan, any fees, indemnity or expenses, or any other amount due
         hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and such failure shall have
         continued for a period of five Business Days.

                  (c) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the
         Borrower in or pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or
         any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, or any statement made
         by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any in any
         financial statement, certificate, report, exhibit or document furnished
         by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Collateral
         Agent or any Lender Party pursuant to or in connection with any Loan
         Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, shall prove
         to have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the time
         when made or deemed made (including by omission of material information
         necessary to make such representation, warranty or statement not
         misleading).

                  (d) The Borrower shall default in the performance or
         observance of any covenant contained in Article VII hereof or any of
         the covenants contained in Sections 2.07, 6.01(j)(i),

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<PAGE>   57
         6.11, 6.12, 6.14, 6.15 or 6.16 hereof, or in Sections 4.02 or 4.06 of
         the Borrower Pledge Agreement.

                  (e) The Borrower shall default in the performance or
         observance of any other covenant, agreement or duty under this
         Agreement or any other Loan Document and (i) in the case of a default
         under Section 6.01 hereof (other than as referred to in Sections
         6.01(j)(i) hereof) such default shall have continued for a period of 10
         days and (ii) in the case of any other default such default shall have
         continued for a period of 30 days.

                  (f) (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
         default in any payment of any amount in respect of any Cross-Default
         Triggering Obligation beyond any period of grace with respect thereto
         or, if any amount payable in respect of any Cross-Default Triggering
         Obligation is payable on demand, shall fail to pay such amount when
         demanded, or (ii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
         default in the observance of any covenant, term or condition of any
         agreement or instrument by which any Cross-Default Triggering
         Obligation is created, secured or evidenced, if the effect of such
         default referred to in this clause (ii) is to cause, or to permit the
         holder or holders of any Cross-Default Triggering Obligation (or a
         trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, all or
         part of such Cross-Default Triggering Obligation to become due before
         its otherwise stated maturity (by way of acceleration, mandatory
         prepayment or otherwise), or, in the case of an interest rate or
         currency swap, cap, collar, floor, future, forward or similar
         transaction, to terminate before its otherwise scheduled termination.
         As used in this Agreement, "Cross-Default Triggering Obligation" shall
         mean

                           (A) any obligation under or in connection with any of
                  the other Credit Facilities, any Swap Agreement, the Senior
                  Notes or the Senior Note Indenture,

                           (B) any obligation, as principal or as guarantor or
                  other surety, in respect of the TIMCO Bond Order, the TIMCO
                  Lease, any reimbursement agreement relating to the TIMCO Bonds
                  Letter of Credit, or any other obligation referred to in
                  Section 7.03(j) hereof,

                           (C) any obligation (or set of related obligations),
                  as principal or as guarantor or other surety, in respect of
                  Indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000 (or the equivalent
                  thereof in one or more foreign currencies) in aggregate
                  amount, and

                           (D) any obligation (or set of related obligations,
                  including all obligations under a master agreement), as
                  principal or as guarantor or other surety, in respect of any
                  interest rate or currency swap, cap, collar, floor, future,
                  forward or similar transactions relating to a principal or
                  notional principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 (or the
                  equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies) in
                  aggregate amount.

                  (g) One or more judgments for the payment of money shall have
         been entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower,
         which judgment or judgments exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate, and
         such judgment or judgments shall have remained undischarged and
         unstayed for a period of 30 consecutive days.

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<PAGE>   58
                  (h) Any Governmental Action now or hereafter made by or with
         any Governmental Authority in connection with any Loan Document is not
         obtained or shall have ceased to be in full force and effect or shall
         have been modified or amended or shall have been held to be illegal or
         invalid, and such event or condition has, or would be likely to have, a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  (i) Any Shared Security Document shall cease to be in full
         force and effect; or any Lien created or purported to be created in any
         Shared Collateral pursuant to any Shared Security Document shall fail
         to be a valid, enforceable and perfected Lien in favor of the
         Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties securing the
         Obligations, prior to all other Liens except Permitted Liens.

                  (j) Any Loan Document or term or provision thereof shall cease
         to be in full force and effect (except in accordance with the express
         terms of such Loan Document), or the Borrower or any other party to any
         Loan Document shall, or shall purport to, terminate (except in
         accordance with the terms of such Loan Document), repudiate, declare
         voidable or void or otherwise contest, any Loan Document or term or
         provision thereof or any obligation or liability of the Borrower or
         such other party thereunder.

                  (k) Any one or more Pension-Related Events referred to in
         subsection (b) or (e) of the definition of "Pension-Related Event"
         shall have occurred; or any one or more other Pension-Related Events
         shall have occurred which, individually or in the aggregate, could
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (l) The Borrower shall make, or shall be required by the terms
         of the Senior Note Indenture to make or to offer to make, any purchase
         of Senior Notes under Sections 4.12 or 4.13 of the Senior Note
         Indenture; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries otherwise shall
         make or offer to make any payment on account of principal of, or any
         purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or acquisition of, any of
         the Senior Notes (except for principal payment in accordance with the
         terms thereof at the scheduled maturity thereof).

                  (m) Any Person or group (as such term is used in Sections 13
         and 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
         "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder) shall have
         become the direct or indirect beneficial owner (as defined in Rules
         13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of any class of
         voting securities of the Borrower; or any Person shall have been
         elected or shall have become a director of the Borrower who was not
         nominated and recommended for such position or elected to such position
         by a majority of the then-incumbent Board of Directors of the Borrower;
         or a "Change in Control" (as defined in the Senior Note Indenture as
         constituted on the Closing Date shall have occurred (without regard to
         any subsequent amendment, modification or supplement to, or termination
         or expiration of, the Senior Note Indenture).

                  (n) A Control-Related Event shall have occurred, and the
         Required Lenders shall have determined in good faith that such
         Control-Related Event has or would be likely to have a Material Adverse
         Effect (by reason of suspension, withdrawal or impairment of any
         security

                                      -62-
<PAGE>   59
         clearance of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or impairment of
         the business relationship between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on
         the one hand, and the U.S. Government and its agencies and departments,
         on the other hand). "Control-Related Event" shall mean that any Person
         or group (as such term is used in Sections 13 and 14 of the Exchange
         Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder) shall have become the
         direct or indirect beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and
         13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of any class of voting
         securities of the Borrower (except for any such Person or group
         existing on the Closing Date, to the extent of the voting securities
         then owned by them).

                  (o) A proceeding shall have been instituted in respect of the
         Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower (and for this
         purpose, each Subsidiary of the Borrower which is subject to an event
         or condition described in this Section 8.01(o) or in Section 8.01(p)
         hereof shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if, collectively,
         together with their respective Subsidiaries, treated as a single
         entity, they would constitute a Significant Subsidiary)

                           (i) seeking to have an order for relief entered in
                  respect of such Person, or seeking a declaration or entailing
                  a finding that such Person is insolvent or a similar
                  declaration or finding, or seeking dissolution, Winding-up,
                  administration, charter revocation or forfeiture, liquidation,
                  reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
                  similar relief with respect to such Person, its assets or its
                  debts under any Law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, relief
                  of debtors or protection of creditors, termination of legal
                  entities or any other similar Law now or hereafter in effect,
                  or

                           (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver,
                  administrative receiver, trustee, liquidator, assignee,
                  sequestrator or other custodian for such Person or for all or
                  any substantial part of its property

         and such proceeding shall result in the entry, making or grant of any
         such order for relief, declaration, finding, relief or appointment, or
         such proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of
         30 consecutive days.

                  (p) The Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower
         (and for this purpose, each Subsidiary of the Borrower which is subject
         to an event or condition described in Section 8.01(o) hereof or in this
         Section 8.01(p) shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if,
         collectively, together with their respective Subsidiaries, treated as a
         single entity, they would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall
         not be Solvent; shall fail to pay, become unable to pay, or state that
         it is or will be unable to pay, its debts as they become due; shall
         voluntarily suspend transaction of its business; shall make a general
         assignment for the benefit of creditors; shall institute (or fail to
         controvert in a timely and appropriate manner) a proceeding described
         in Section 8.01(o)(i) hereof, or (whether or not any such proceeding
         has been instituted) shall consent to or acquiesce in any such order
         for relief, declaration, finding or relief described therein; shall
         institute (or fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner) a
         proceeding described in Section 8.01(o)(ii) hereof, or (whether or not
         any such proceeding has been instituted) shall consent to or acquiesce
         in any such appointment or to the taking of possession by any such
         custodian of all or any substantial part of its or his property; shall
         dissolve, Wind-up, go into administration or revoke 

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<PAGE>   60

<PAGE>   61
         or forfeit its articles of incorporation (or other constituent
         documents); or shall take any action in furtherance of any of the
         foregoing.

                  8.02. CONSEQUENCES OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT.

                  (a) GENERAL. If an Event of Default specified in subsections
(a) through (n) of Section 8.01 hereof shall have occurred and be continuing or
exist, or if an Event of Default specified in subsections (o) or (p) of Section
8.01 hereof shall have occurred and be continuing or exist with respect to a
Person other than the Borrower, then, in addition to all other rights and
remedies which the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party may have hereunder or
under any other Loan Document, at law, in equity or otherwise, the Lenders shall
be under no further obligation to make Loans, and the Agent may, and upon the
written request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, from
time to time do any or all of the following:

                  (i) Declare the Commitments terminated, whereupon the
         Commitments will terminate and any fees hereunder shall be immediately
         due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or further notice
         of any kind, all of which are hereby waived, and an action therefor
         shall immediately accrue.

                  (ii) Declare the unpaid principal amount of the Loans,
         interest accrued thereon and all other Loan Obligations (including the
         obligation to cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit) to be
         immediately due and payable without presentment, demand, protest or
         further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived, and an
         action therefor shall immediately accrue.

                  (b) BANKRUPTCY AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS. If an Event of
Default specified in subsection (o) or (p) of Section 8.01 hereof shall have
occurred and be continuing or exist with respect to the Borrower, then, in
addition to all other rights and remedies which the Collateral Agent or any
Lender Party may have hereunder or under any other Loan Document, at law, in
equity or otherwise, the Commitments shall automatically terminate and the
Lenders shall be under no further obligation to make Loans, and the unpaid
principal amount of the Loans, interest accrued thereon and all other Loan
Obligations (including but not limited to the obligation to cash collateralize
outstanding Letters of Credit) shall become immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby
waived, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue.

                  8.03. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. Subject to Section 3.07 hereof,
after the occurrence of an Event of Default and acceleration of the Loans, any
distributions made on account of Loan Obligations under the Collateral Agency
Agreement and all other payments received on account of Loan Obligations shall
be applied by the Agent to payment of the Loan Obligations in the following
order:

                  First, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts due to the Agent in
         its capacity as such;

                  Second, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts due to the Swingline
         Lender and the Issuing Banks in their capacities as such, other than
         principal of and interest on Swingline Loans, Letter of Credit
         Reimbursement

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<PAGE>   62
         Obligations and accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees, ratably
         amongst the Swingline Lender and the Issuing Banks in proportion to the
         respective amounts described in this clause "Second" due to them;

                  Third, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting accrued and unpaid interest on Loans, accrued and unpaid
         interest on Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, and accrued and unpaid
         Letter of Credit Fees and Revolving Credit Commitment Fees, ratably
         amongst the Lenders and the Issuing Banks in proportion to the
         respective amounts described in this clause "Third" due to them;

                  Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting unpaid principal of the Loans and Letter of Credit
         Unreimbursed Draws, ratably amongst the Lenders and the Issuing Banks
         in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause
         "Fourth" due to them;

                  Fifth, to payment of all other Loan Obligations, ratably
         amongst the Lender Parties in proportion to the respective amounts
         described in this clause "Fifth" due to them; and

                  Finally, the balance, if any, after all of the Loan
         Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, all
         Commitments have terminated, and all Letters of Credit shall have
         terminated, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by law.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                                    THE AGENT

                  9.01. APPOINTMENT. Each Lender Party hereby irrevocably
appoints Mellon Bank, N.A. to act as Agent for the Lender Parties under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender Party hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Agent to take such action on behalf of the Lender Parties under
the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to exercise
such powers and to perform such duties, as are expressly delegated to or
required of the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers
as are reasonably incidental thereto. Mellon Bank, N.A. hereby agrees to act as
Agent on behalf of the Lender Parties on the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, subject to its right to resign as
provided herein. Each Lender Party hereby irrevocably authorizes the Agent to
execute and deliver each of the Loan Documents and to accept delivery of such of
the other Loan Documents as may not require execution by the Agent. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Lender Party hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Agent to execute and deliver the Collateral Agency Agreement on
behalf of such Lender Party. Each Lender Party hereby agrees that the rights and
remedies granted to the Agent under the Loan Documents shall be exercised
exclusively by the Agent, and that no Lender Party shall have any right
individually to exercise any such right or remedy, except to the extent, if any,
expressly provided herein or therein.

                  9.02. GENERAL NATURE OF AGENT'S DUTIES.

                  (a) NO IMPLIED DUTIES. The Agent shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and no implied duties or 

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<PAGE>   63
responsibilities on the part of the Agent shall be read into this Agreement or
any Loan Document or shall otherwise exist.

                  (b) NOT A FIDUCIARY. The duties and responsibilities of the
Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be mechanical and
administrative in nature, and the Agent shall not have a fiduciary relationship
in respect of any Lender Party.

                  (c) AGENT OF LENDER PARTIES. The Agent is and shall be solely
the agent of the Lender Parties. The Agent does not assume, and shall not at any
time be deemed to have, any relationship of agency or trust with or for, or any
other duty or responsibility to, the Borrower or any Person other than the
Lender Parties. The provisions of this Article IX are for the benefit of the
Lender Parties (and the other Persons named in Section 9.07 hereof), and the
Borrower shall not have any rights under any of the provisions of this Article
IX.

                  (d) NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE ACTION. The Agent shall be under no
obligation to take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document if the
Agent believes in good faith that taking such action may conflict with any Law
or any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or may require
the Agent to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so
qualified.

                  9.03. EXERCISE OF POWERS. Subject to the other provisions of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Agent shall take any action of
the type specified in this Agreement or any other Loan Document as being within
the Agent's rights, powers or discretion in accordance with directions from the
Required Lenders (or, to the extent this Agreement or such Loan Document
expressly requires the direction or consent of some other Person or set of
Persons, then instead in accordance with the directions of such other Person or
set of Persons). In the absence of such directions, the Agent shall have the
authority (but under no circumstances shall be obligated), in its sole
discretion, to take any such action, except to the extent this Agreement or such
Loan Document expressly requires the direction or consent of the Required
Lenders (or some other Person or set of Persons), in which case the Agent shall
not take such action absent such direction or consent. Any action or inaction
pursuant to such direction, discretion or consent shall be binding on all the
Lender Parties. The Agent shall not have any liability to any Person as a result
of (x) the Agent acting or refraining from acting in accordance with the
directions of the Required Lenders (or other applicable Person or set of
Persons), (y) the Agent refraining from acting in the absence of instructions to
act from the Required Lenders (or other applicable Person or set of Persons),
whether or not the Agent has discretionary power to take such action, or (z) the
Agent taking discretionary action it is authorized to take under this Section
(subject, in the case of this clause (z), to the provisions of Section 9.04(a)
hereof).

                  9.04. GENERAL EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS.

                  (a) GENERAL. The Agent shall not be liable for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, unless caused by its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct.

                  (b) AGENT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOAN DOCUMENTS, ETC. The Agent
shall not be responsible for (i) the execution, delivery, effectiveness,
enforceability, genuineness, validity or adequacy of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, (ii) any recital, representation, warranty, 

                                      -66-
<PAGE>   64
document, certificate, report or statement in, provided for in, or received
under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iii)
any failure of the Borrower, any Lender or Issuing Bank to perform any of their
respective obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iv) the
existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, recordation, priority, adequacy
or value, now or hereafter, of any Lien or other direct or indirect security
afforded or purported to be afforded by any of the Loan Documents or otherwise
from time to time, or (v) caring for, protecting, insuring, or paying any taxes,
charges or assessments with respect to any collateral.

                  (c) NO DUTY OF INQUIRY. The Agent shall not be under any
obligation to ascertain, inquire or give any notice relating to (i) the
performance or observance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document on the part of the Borrower, (ii) the business,
operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower or
any other Person, or (iii) except to the extent set forth in Section 9.05(f)
hereof, the existence of any Event of Default or Potential Default.

                  (d) NOTICES. The Agent shall not be under any obligation,
either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender Party with any
notices, reports or information of any nature, whether in its possession
presently or hereafter, except for such notices, reports and other information
expressly required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be furnished
by the Agent to such Lender Party.

                  9.05. ADMINISTRATION BY THE AGENT.

                  (a) RELIANCE ON NOTICES. The Agent may rely upon any notice or
other communication of any nature (written or oral, including but not limited to
telephone conversations, whether or not such notice or other communication is
made in a manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any Loan Document)
purportedly made by or on behalf of the proper party or parties, and the Agent
shall not have any duty to verify the identity or authority of any Person giving
such notice or other communication.

                  (b) CONSULTATION. The Agent may consult with legal counsel
(including, without limitation, in-house counsel for the Agent or in-house or
other counsel for the Borrower), independent public accountants and any other
experts selected by it from time to time, and the Agent shall not be liable for
any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with
the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

                  (c) RELIANCE ON CERTIFICATES, ETC. The Agent may conclusively
rely upon the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
expressed in any certificates or opinions furnished to the Agent in accordance
with the requirements of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Whenever the
Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or
established with respect to the Borrower or any Lender Party, such matter may be
established by a certificate of the Borrower or such Lender Party, as the case
may be, and the Agent may conclusively rely upon such certificate (unless other
evidence with respect to such matter is specifically prescribed in this
Agreement or another Loan Document).

                  (d) INDEMNITY. The Agent may fail or refuse to take any action
unless it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction from time to time against any
and all amounts, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or

                                      -67-
<PAGE>   65
nature which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent by
reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.

                  (e) PERFORMANCE THROUGH AGENTS. The Agent may perform any of
its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents
or attorneys-in-fact. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or
misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in fact selected by it with reasonable
care.

                  (f) NOTICE OF DEFAULT. The Agent shall not be deemed to have
any knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Potential
Default unless the Agent has received notice from a Lender Party or the Borrower
referring to this Agreement, describing such Event of Default or Potential
Default, and stating that such notice is a "notice of default." If the Agent
receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to each
Lender.

                  9.06. LENDERS NOT RELYING ON AGENT OR OTHER LENDERS. Each
Lender Party hereby acknowledges as follows: (a) Neither the Agent nor any other
Lender Party has made any representations or warranties to it, and no act taken
hereafter by the Agent or any other Lender Party shall be deemed to constitute
any representation or warranty by the Agent or such other Lender Party to it.
(b) It has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other
Lender Party, and based upon such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit and legal analysis and decision to enter into
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. (c) It will, independently and
without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender Party, and based upon such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, make its own
decisions to take or not take action under or in connection with this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.

                  9.07. INDEMNIFICATION OF AGENT BY LENDERS. Each Lender hereby
agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Agent and its directors, officers,
employees and agents (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without
limitation of the obligations of the Borrower to do so), Pro Rata, from and
against any and all amounts, losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature (including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Agent or such other Person in connection with any investigative,
administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not
the Agent or such other Person shall be designated a party thereto) that may at
any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent or such other
Person as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason
of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any transaction from time to time
 contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction financed in whole or in part
or directly or indirectly with the proceeds of any Loan or Letter of Credit;
provided, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such amounts,
losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Agent or such other Person, as finally determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction.

                  9.08. AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. With respect to its
Commitments and the Loan Obligations owing to it, the Agent shall have the same
rights and powers under this Agreement and each other Loan Document as any other
Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms
"Lender," "Swingline Lender," "Issuing Bank," "holders of Notes" and like terms
shall include the Agent in its individual capacity as such. The Agent and its
affiliates may, without liability to

                                      -68-
<PAGE>   66
account, make loans to, accept deposits from, acquire debt or equity interests
in, enter into interest rate or currency hedging transactions with, act as
trustee under indentures of, and engage in any other business or transaction
with, the Borrower or any stockholder, subsidiary or affiliate of the Borrower,
as though the Agent were not the Agent hereunder.

                  9.09. HOLDERS OF NOTES. The Agent may deem and treat the
Lender which is payee of a Note as the owner and holder of such Note for all
purposes hereof unless and until a Transfer Supplement with respect to the
assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Agent in
accordance with Section 10.14 hereof. Any authority, direction or consent of any
Person who at the time of giving such authority, direction or consent is shown
in the Register as being a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on each
present and subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of any Note or Notes
payable to such Lender or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor.

                  9.10. SUCCESSOR AGENT. The Agent may resign at any time by
giving 45 days' prior written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower.
The Agent may be removed by the Required Lenders at any time by giving 10 days'
prior written notice thereof to the Agent, the other Lenders and the Borrower.
Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right
to appoint a successor Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed
and consented to, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after
such notice of resignation or removal, then the retiring Agent may (but shall
not be required to) appoint a successor Agent. Each successor Agent shall be a
commercial bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States
of America or any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance by a successor Agent of its appointment
as Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the properties, rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
former Agent in its capacity as such, without further act, deed or conveyance.
Upon the effective date of resignation or removal of a retiring Agent, such
Agent shall be discharged from its duties as such under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, but the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions taken or omitted by it while it was Agent under this
Agreement. If and so long as no successor Agent shall have been appointed, then
any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given by the Agent
shall be sufficiently given if given by the Required Lenders, all notices or
other communications required or permitted to be given to the Agent shall be
given to each Lender, and all payments to be made to the Agent shall be made
directly to the Borrower or Lender Party for whose account such payment is made.

                  9.11. CALCULATIONS. The Agent shall not be liable for any
calculation, apportionment or distribution of payments made by it in good faith.
If such calculation, apportionment or distribution is subsequently determined to
have been made in error, the sole recourse of any Lender Party to whom payment
was due but not made shall be to recover from the other Lender Parties any
payment in excess of the amount to which they are determined to be entitled or,
if the amount due was not paid by the Borrower, to recover such amount from the
Borrower.

                  9.12. AGENT'S FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent,
for its individual account, a nonrefundable Agent's fee of $50,000 per annum,
payable for the period from and including the Closing Date to but not including
the date on which all Loan Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification
Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in full and all Revolving Credit
Commitments have been terminated. Payments of such Agent's fee shall be made (a)
on the Closing Date, for the

                                      -69-
<PAGE>   67
period from and including such date to but not including June 29, 1997
(provided, that to the extent that the Borrower has paid the Agent's fee
allocable to such period under the prior "Revolving Credit Agreement" referred
to in Section 5.01(f), such payment shall be credited against the Borrower's
obligation under this clause (a)), and (b) thereafter, in advance on each June
29 and December 29 for the period from and including such payment date to but
not including the next such payment date.

                  9.13. FUNDING BY AGENT. Unless the Agent shall have been
notified in writing by any Lender not later than the close of business on the
day before the day on which Loans are requested by the Borrower to be made that
such Lender will not make its ratable share of such Loans, the Agent may assume
that such Lender will make its ratable share of the Loans, and in reliance upon
such assumption the Agent may (but in no circumstances shall be required to)
make available to the Borrower a corresponding amount. If and to the extent that
any Lender fails to make such payment to the Agent on such date, such Lender
shall pay such amount on demand (or, if such Lender fails to pay such amount on
demand, the Borrower shall pay such amount on demand), together with interest,
for the Agent's own account, for each day from and including the date of the
Agent's payment to and including the date of repayment to the Agent (before and
after judgment) at the following rates per annum: (x) for each day from and
including the date of such payment by the Agent to and including the second
Business Day thereafter, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day, and
(y) for each day thereafter, at the rate applicable to such Loans for such day.
All payments to the Agent under this Section shall be made to the Agent at its
Office in Dollars in funds immediately available at such Office, without
set-off, withholding, counterclaim or other deduction of any nature.


                                    ARTICLE X
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  10.01. HOLIDAYS. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein
or therein, whenever any payment or action to be made or taken hereunder or
under any other Loan Document shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a
Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken on the next
following Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing
interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment or action.

                  10.02. RECORDS. The unpaid principal amount of the Revolving
Credit Loans owing to each Lender, the unpaid interest accrued thereon, the
interest rate or rates applicable to such unpaid principal amount, the duration
of such applicability, each Lender's Revolving Credit Committed Amount and the
accrued and unpaid fees owing to each Lender Party shall at all times be
ascertained from the records of the Agent, which shall be conclusive absent
manifest error. The unpaid Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations, the
unpaid interest accrued thereon, and the interest rate or rates applicable
thereto shall at all times be ascertained from the records of the Issuing Bank,
which shall be conclusive absent manifest error. The unpaid principal amount of
the Swingline Loans, the unpaid interest accrued thereon and the interest rate
or rates applicable thereto shall at all times be ascertained from the records
of the Swingline Lender, which shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                  10.03. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The Agent and the Borrower may
from time to time amend, modify or supplement the provisions of this Agreement
or any other Loan Document (other than the Shared Security Documents) for the
purpose of amending, adding to, or waiving any provisions, 

                                      -70-
<PAGE>   68
releasing any collateral, or changing in any manner the rights and duties of the
Borrower or any Lender Party. Any such amendment, modification or supplement
made by the Borrower and the Agent in accordance with the provisions of this
Section 10.03 shall be binding upon the Borrower and each Lender Party. The
Agent shall enter into such amendments, modifications or supplements from time
to time as directed by the Required Lenders, and only as so directed, provided,
that no such amendment, modification or supplement may be made which will:

                  (a) Increase the Revolving Credit Committed Amount of any
         Lender over the amount thereof then in effect without the written
         consent of each Lender affected thereby, or extend the Revolving Credit
         Maturity Date without the written consent of each Lender;

                  (b) Reduce the principal amount of or extend the time for any
         scheduled payment of principal of any Loan without the written consent
         of each Lender affected thereby, or reduce the rate of interest or
         extend the time for payment of interest borne by any Loan or Letter of
         Credit Reimbursement Obligation (other than as a result of waiving the
         applicability of any increase in interest rates applicable to overdue
         amounts), or extend the time for payment of or reduce the amount of any
         Revolving Credit Commitment Fee or Letter of Credit Fee, without the
         written consent of each Lender affected thereby;

                  (c) Change the definition of "Required Lenders" or amend this
         Section 10.03, without the written consent of each Lender;

                  (d) Amend or waive any of the provisions of Article IX, or
         impose additional duties upon the Agent, or otherwise affect the
         rights, interests or obligations of the Agent, without the written
         consent of the Agent;

                  (e) Release all or a major portion of the Shared Collateral
         (other than in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents),
         or subordinate the priority of the Liens in favor of the Collateral
         Agent to Liens in favor of another Person with respect to all or a
         major portion of the Shared Collateral (other than in accordance with
         the provisions of the Loan Documents), without the written consent of
         each Lender;

                  (f) Alter the priority of distributions set forth in Section
         8.03 hereof, without the written consent of each Lender affected
         thereby;

                  (g) Amend or waive any of the provisions of Article III, or
         impose additional duties upon the Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank
         or otherwise affect the rights, interests or obligations of the
         Swingline Lender or any Issuing Bank, without the written consent of
         Mellon Bank, N.A.; or

                  (h) Reduce any Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw, or extend
         the time for repayment by the Borrower of any Letter of Credit
         Unreimbursed Draw, without the written consent of each Lender;

and provided further, that Transfer Supplements may be entered into in the
manner provided in Section 10.14 hereof. Any such amendment, modification or
supplement must be in writing, manually

                                      -71-
<PAGE>   69
signed by or on behalf of the Borrower and the Lender Party which is party
thereto, and shall be effective only to the extent set forth in such writing.
Any Event of Default or Potential Default waived or consented to in any such
amendment, modification or supplement shall be deemed to be cured and not
continuing to the extent and for the period set forth in such waiver or consent,
but no such waiver or consent shall extend to any other or subsequent Event of
Default or Potential Default or impair any right consequent thereto. Shared
Security Documents may be amended, modified and supplemented from time to time
in accordance with the terms thereof and of the Collateral Agency Agreement, and
any such amendment, modification or supplement so made shall be binding upon the
Borrower and each Lender Party (and to the extent that any consent, direction or
other action is required by the Agent in connection therewith, the provisions of
the third sentence of this Section 10.03 shall apply to the Agent in giving such
consent or direction or taking such action).

                  10.04. NO IMPLIED WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No course of
dealing and no delay or failure of the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party in
exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or exercise of any
other right, power or privilege; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right, power or privilege or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to
enforce such a right, power or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof
or of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the
Collateral Agent and the Lender Parties under this Agreement and any other Loan
Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any of
them would otherwise have hereunder or thereunder, at law, in equity or
otherwise.

                  10.05. NOTICES.

                  (a) GENERAL. Except to the extent otherwise expressly
permitted hereunder or thereunder, all notices, requests, demands, directions
and other communications (collectively "notices") to the Borrower or any Lender
Party under this Agreement or any Loan Document shall be in writing (including
telexes and facsimile transmission) and shall be sent by first-class mail, or by
nationally-recognized overnight courier, or by telex or facsimile transmission
(with confirmation in writing mailed first-class or sent by such an overnight
courier), or by personal delivery. All notices shall be sent to the applicable
party at the address stated on the signature pages hereof or in accordance with
the last unrevoked written direction from such party to the other parties
hereto, in all cases with postage or other charges prepaid. Any such properly
given notice to any Lender Party shall be effective when received. Any such
properly given notice to the Borrower shall be effective on the earliest to
occur of receipt, telephone confirmation of receipt of telex or facsimile
transmission, one Business Day after delivery to a nationally-recognized
overnight courier, or three Business Days after deposit in the mail.

                  (b) COPIES TO AGENT. Any Lender giving any notice to the
Borrower or any other party to a Loan Document shall simultaneously send a copy
thereof to the Agent, and the Agent shall promptly notify the other Lenders of
the receipt by it of any such notice.

                  (c) RELIANCE. Each Lender Party may rely on any notice
(whether or not such notice is made in a manner permitted or required by this
Agreement or any Loan Document) purportedly made by or on behalf of the
Borrower, and no Lender Party shall have any duty to verify the identity or
authority of any Person giving such notice.

                                      -72-
<PAGE>   70
                  10.06. EXPENSES; TAXES; INDEMNITY.

                  (a) EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay or cause to be paid
and to save each Lender Party harmless against liability for the payment of all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to
reasonable fees and expenses of outside counsel, including local counsel,
auditors, and all other professional, accounting, evaluation and consulting
costs) incurred by any Lender Party from time to time arising from or relating
to (i) in the case of the Agent, the negotiation, preparation, execution,
delivery, administration and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, (ii) in the case of the Agent, any requested amendments,
modifications, supplements, waivers or consents (whether or not ultimately
entered into or granted) to this Agreement or any Loan Document, (iii) in the
case of each Lender Party, the enforcement or preservation of rights under this
Agreement or any Loan Document (including but not limited to any such costs or
expenses arising from or relating to (A) the creation, perfection or protection
of any Lien on any collateral, (B) the protection, collection, lease, sale,
taking possession of, preservation of, or realization on, any collateral,
including without limitation advances for taxes, filing fees and the like, (C)
collection or enforcement by any Lender Party of any outstanding Loan or any
other amount owing hereunder or thereunder, and (D) any litigation, proceeding,
dispute, work-out, restructuring or rescheduling related in any way to this
Agreement or the Loan Documents), and (iv) in the case of Mellon Bank, N.A., any
syndication of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date
(but amounts payable under this clause (iv), plus amounts payable under Section
10.06(a)(iv) of the other Credit Facilities as constituted on the Closing Date,
shall in no event exceed an aggregate of $50,000).

                  (b) TAXES. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all stamp,
document, transfer, recording, filing, registration, search, sales and excise
fees and taxes and all similar impositions now or hereafter determined by any
Lender Party to be payable in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan
Documents or any other documents, instruments or transactions pursuant to or in
connection herewith or therewith, and the Borrower agrees to save each Lender
Party harmless from and against any and all present or future claims,
liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any omission to pay or
delay in paying any such fees, taxes or impositions.

                  (c) INDEMNITY. The Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse and
indemnify the Lender Parties, their respective affiliates, and the directors,
officers, employees, attorneys and agents of each of the foregoing (the "Lender
Indemnified Parties"), and each of them, and to hold each of them harmless from
and against, any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the fees and
disbursements of outside counsel for such Lender Indemnified Party in connection
with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or
threatened, whether or not such Lender Indemnified Party shall be designated a
party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on, asserted against or incurred
by such Lender Indemnified Party as a result of, or arising out of, or in any
way related to or by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any
transaction from time to time contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction
financed or secured in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the
proceeds of any Loan or by any Letter of Credit or the proceeds thereof (and
without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing, including any grant
of any Lien on collateral or any exercise by the Collateral Agent or any Lender
Party of any of its rights or remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document); but excluding any portion of such losses, liabilities, claims,
damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or

                                      -73-
<PAGE>   71
disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
Lender Indemnified Party, as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction. If and to the extent that the foregoing obligations of the
Borrower under this Section 10.06(c), or any other indemnification obligation of
the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document, are unenforceable for
any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum contribution to the
payment and satisfaction of such obligations which is permissible under
applicable Law.

                  10.07. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement are
intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction such provision
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity
or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or
enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions
hereof in any jurisdiction.

                  10.08. PRIOR UNDERSTANDINGS. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements,
whether written or oral, among the parties hereto and thereto relating to the
transactions provided for herein and therein, including the engagement letter
between the Borrower and Mellon Bank, N.A. dated December 13, 1996.

                  10.09. DURATION; SURVIVAL. All representations and warranties
of the Borrower contained herein or in any other Loan Document or made in
connection herewith or therewith shall survive the making of, and shall not be
waived by the execution and delivery, of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, any investigation by or knowledge of any Lender Party, the making of
any Loan, the issuance of any Letter of Credit or any other event or condition
whatever. All covenants and agreements of the Borrower contained herein or in
any other Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect from and after
the date hereof (or, in the case of Section 7.01 hereof, from and after December
31, 1996) until all Commitments have terminated, all Letters of Credit have
expired or have been terminated, and all Loan Obligations (other than Contingent
Indemnification Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash.
Without limitation, all obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any other
Loan Document to make payments to or indemnify any Lender Party or Lender
Indemnified Party (including but not limited to obligations arising under
Sections 2.10, 2.11 and 10.06 hereof) shall survive the payment in full of all
other Loan Obligations, termination of the Borrower's right to borrow hereunder,
and all other events and conditions whatever. In addition, all obligations of
each Lender to make payments to or indemnify the Agent, the Swingline Lender or
the Issuing Banks and Persons related to the Agent, the Swingline Lender or the
Issuing Banks (including but not limited to obligations arising under Sections
3.08(c), 3.13(c) and 9.07 hereof) shall survive the payment in full by the
Borrower of all Loan Obligations, termination of the Borrower's right to borrow
hereunder, and all other events and conditions whatever.

                  10.10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate
counterparts each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but
all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

                  10.11. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS. The parties hereto intend to
conform to all applicable Laws in effect from time to time limiting the maximum
rate of interest that may be charged or collected. Accordingly, notwithstanding
any other provision hereof or of any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall not
be required to make any payment to or for the account of any Lender, and each
Lender shall

                                      -74-
<PAGE>   72
refund any payment made by the Borrower, to the extent that such requirement or
such failure to refund would violate or conflict with nonwaivable provisions of
applicable Laws limiting the maximum amount of interest which may be charged or
collected by such Lender.

                  10.12. SET-OFF. The Borrower hereby agrees that if any Loan
Obligation of the Borrower shall be due and payable (by acceleration or
otherwise), each Lender Party shall have the right, without notice to the
Borrower, to set-off against and to appropriate and apply to such Loan
Obligation any obligation of any nature owing to the Borrower by such Lender
Party, including but not limited to all deposits (whether time or demand,
general or special, provisionally credited or finally credited, whether or not
evidenced by a certificate of deposit) now or hereafter maintained by the
Borrower with such Lender Party. Such right shall be absolute and unconditional
in all circumstances and, without limitation, shall exist whether or not such
Lender Party or any other Person shall have given notice or made any demand to
the Borrower or any other Person, whether such obligation owed to the Borrower
is contingent, absolute, matured or unmatured (it being agreed that such Lender
Party may deem such obligation to be then due and payable at the time of such
setoff), and regardless of the existence or adequacy of any collateral, guaranty
or any other security, right or remedy available to any Lender Party or any
other Person. The Borrower hereby agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, any Participant and any branch, subsidiary or affiliate of any Lender
Party or any Participant shall have the same rights of set-off as a Lender as
provided in this Section 10.12 (regardless of whether such Participant, branch,
subsidiary or affiliate would otherwise be deemed in privity with or a direct
creditor of the Borrower). The rights provided by this Section 10.12 are in
addition to all other rights of set-off and banker's lien and all other rights
and remedies which any Lender Party (or any such Participant, branch, subsidiary
or affiliate) may otherwise have under this Agreement, any other Loan Document,
at law or in equity, or otherwise, and nothing in this Agreement or any Loan
Document shall be deemed a waiver or prohibition of or restriction on the rights
of set-off or bankers' lien of any such Person.

                  10.13. SHARING OF COLLECTIONS. Subject to Section 2.06 of the
Collateral Agency Agreement, the Lenders hereby agree among themselves that if
any Lender shall receive (by voluntary payment, realization upon security,
set-off or from any other source) any amount on account of the Loans, interest
thereon, or any other Loan Obligation contemplated by this Agreement or the
other Loan Documents to be made by the Borrower ratably to all Lenders in
greater proportion than any such amount received by any other Lender, then the
Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall notify each other
Lender and the Agent of such receipt, and equitable adjustment will be made in
the manner stated in this Section so that, in effect, all such excess amounts
will be shared ratably among all of the Lenders. The Lender receiving such
excess amount shall purchase (which it shall be deemed to have done
simultaneously upon the receipt of such excess amount) for cash from the other
Lenders a participation in the applicable Loan Obligations owed to such other
Lenders in such amount as shall result in a ratable sharing by all Lenders of
such excess amount (and to such extent the receiving Lender shall be a
Participant). If all or any portion of such excess amount is thereafter
recovered from the Lender making such purchase, such purchase shall be rescinded
and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, together with
interest or other amounts, if any, required by Law to be paid by the Lender
making such purchase. The Borrower hereby consents to and confirms the foregoing
arrangements. Each Participant shall be bound by this Section as fully as if it
were a Lender hereunder.

                  10.14. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; PARTICIPATIONS; ASSIGNMENTS.

                                      -75-
<PAGE>   73
                  (a) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Lender Parties, all future
holders of the Notes, and their respective successors and assigns, except that
the Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights hereunder without the
prior written consent of all the Lenders and the Agent, and any purported
assignment without such consent shall be void, and except that, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, a Lender may not voluntarily assign or transfer any of
its rights hereunder except in accordance with the other provisions of this
Section 10.14, and any other purported voluntary assignment or transfer shall be
void; provided, that this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of successors of
Lenders by operation of law or resulting from an involuntary assignment or
transfer (including but not limited to receivers, conservators, trustees and
like Persons, and successors by merger or consolidation).

                  (b) PARTICIPATIONS. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of
its business and in accordance with applicable Law, at any time sell
participations to one or more commercial banks or other Persons (each a
"Participant") in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all or a
portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it and any Note held by it);
provided, that

                  (i) any such Lender's obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged,

                  (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other
         parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,

                  (iii) the parties hereto shall continue to deal solely and
         directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
         obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents,
         and

                  (iv) such Participant shall, by accepting such Participation,
         be bound by the provisions of Section 10.13 hereof, and

                  (v) if such Participant is not already a Participant or a
         Lender, and if such Participation gives such Participant any voting
         rights (other than on matters described in clauses (a) through (h),
         inclusive, of Section 10.03 hereof), such Participation shall be
         subject to consent of the Agent, Mellon Bank, N.A. and the Borrower
         pursuant to clause (i) of Section 10.14(c) hereof as if such
         Participation were an assignment described therein.

The Borrower agrees that any such Participant shall be entitled to the benefits
of Sections 2.10, 2.11, 10.06 and 10.12 hereof with respect to its participation
in the Commitments and the Loans outstanding from time to time; provided, that
no such Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to
such Sections than the transferor Lender would have been entitled to receive in
respect of the amount of the participation transferred to such Participant had
no such transfer occurred.

                  (c) ASSIGNMENTS. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its
business and in accordance with applicable Law, at any time assign all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its 

                                      -76-
<PAGE>   74
Commitments and Loans owing to it and any Note held by it) to any Lender or to
one or more additional commercial banks or other Persons (each a "Purchasing
Lender"); provided, that

                  (i) any such assignment to a Purchasing Lender shall be made
         only with the consent of the Agent and Mellon Bank, N.A. (which each of
         them may grant or withhold in their absolute discretion) and of the
         Borrower (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

                  (ii) if a Lender makes such an assignment of less than all of
         its then remaining rights and obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents, such transferor Lender shall retain, after such
         assignment, a minimum principal amount of $10,000,000 of the
         Commitments, and after giving effect to such assignment the transferee
         Lender shall have a minimum aggregate principal amount of $10,000,000
         of the Commitments,

                  (iii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a
         varying, percentage of the Revolving Credit Commitment and Revolving
         Credit Loans of the transferor Lender, and of all of the transferor
         Lender's related rights and obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents,

                  (iv) each such assignment shall be made pursuant to a Transfer
         Supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit B to this Agreement,
         duly completed (a "Transfer Supplement").

In order to effect any such assignment, the transferor Lender and the Purchasing
Lender shall execute and deliver to the Agent a duly completed Transfer
Supplement (including the consents required by clause (i) of the preceding
sentence) with respect to such assignment, together with any Note or Notes
subject to such assignment (the "Transferor Lender Notes") and a processing and
recording fee of $3,500; and, upon receipt thereof, the Agent shall accept such
Transfer Supplement. Upon receipt of the Purchase Price Receipt Notice pursuant
to such Transfer Supplement, the Agent shall record such acceptance in the
Register. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and
after the close of business at the Agent's Office on the Transfer Effective Date
specified in such Transfer Supplement

                  (x) the Purchasing Lender shall be a party hereto and, to the
         extent provided in such Transfer Supplement, shall have the rights and
         obligations of a Lender hereunder, and

                  (y) the transferor Lender thereunder shall be released from
         its obligations under this Agreement to the extent so transferred (and,
         in the case of an Transfer Supplement covering all or the remaining
         portion of a transferor Lender's rights and obligations under this
         Agreement, such transferor Lender shall cease to be a party to this
         Agreement) from and after the Transfer Effective Date.

On or prior to the Transfer Effective Date specified in a Transfer Supplement,
the Borrower, at its expense, shall execute and deliver to the Agent (for
delivery to the Purchasing Lender) new Revolving Credit Notes evidencing such
Purchasing Lender's assigned Commitments or Loans and (for delivery to
the transferor Lender) replacement Revolving Credit Notes in the principal
amount of the Loans or Commitments retained by the transferor Lender (such Notes
to be in exchange for, but not in payment 

                                      -77-
<PAGE>   75
of, those Notes then held by such transferor Lender). Each such Note shall be
dated the date and be substantially in the form of the predecessor Note. The
Agent shall mark the predecessor Notes "exchanged" and deliver them to the
Borrower. Accrued interest and accrued fees shall be paid to the Purchasing
Lender at the same time or times provided in the predecessor Notes and this
Agreement.

                  (d) REGISTER. The Agent shall maintain at its office a copy of
each Transfer Supplement delivered to it and a register (the "Register") for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of, and
principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time. The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error and the
Borrower and each Lender Party may treat each person whose name is recorded in
the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of the Agreement. The
Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any
reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (e) FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Subject to Section
10.14(g) hereof, the Borrower authorizes the Agent and each Lender to disclose
to any Participant or Purchasing Lender, or prospective Participant or
Purchasing Lender, any and all financial and other information delivered to,
received by, or otherwise in the possession of, such Person from time to time
relating to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and affiliates, or the matters
contemplated by the Loan Documents. At the request of any Lender, the Borrower,
at the Borrower's expense, shall provide to each prospective transferee the
conformed copies of documents referred to in Section 4 of the form of Transfer
Supplement.

                  (f) SYNDICATION. The Borrower shall, at the reasonable request
of Mellon Bank, N.A. from time to time, at the Borrower's expense, use all
reasonable efforts to cooperate with its syndication effort, including, without
limitation, (i) assisting it from time to time in preparing information packages
for delivery to prospective Participants and Purchasing Lenders, and (ii)
causing appropriate officers, representative and experts to meet with
prospective Participants and Purchasing Lenders from time to time. Mellon Bank,
N.A. agrees to make such information packages available to the Borrower for
reasonable review before initial dissemination of the same in primary
syndication, and to consult with the Borrower as to the content thereof.

                  (g) CONFIDENTIALITY. Each Lender Party agrees to take
reasonable precautions to maintain the confidentiality of information designated
in writing as confidential and provided to it by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
in connection with this Agreement; provided, however, that any Lender Party may
disclose such information (i) at the request of any bank regulatory authority or
other Governmental Authority or in connection with an examination of such Lender
Party by any such Governmental Authority, (ii) pursuant to subpoena or other
court process, (iii) to the extent such Lender Party is required (or believes in
good faith that it is required) to do so in accordance with any applicable Law,
(iv) to such Lender Party's independent auditors and other professional
advisors, (v) in connection with the enforcement of any of its rights under or
in connection with any Loan Document, (vi) to any other Lender Party, and (vii)
to any actual or potential Participant or Purchasing Lender, or to any other
actual or potential creditor of or participant in a credit to the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, so long as, in the case of this clause
(vii), such Person agrees to comply with the provisions of this Section
10.14(g).

                  (h) ASSIGNMENTS TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANK. Any Lender may at any
time assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, including
without limitation any Loans owing to it and

                                      -78-
<PAGE>   76
any Note held by it, to a Federal Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall relieve
the transferor Lender from any of its obligations hereunder.

                  10.15. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF
JURY TRIAL; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

                  (a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
(EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT, IF ANY, OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STATED IN SUCH OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW
PRINCIPLES.

                  (b) CERTAIN WAIVERS. THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY:

                  (i) AGREES THAT ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BY ANY PERSON
         ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
         OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING
         IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (COLLECTIVELY, "RELATED
         LITIGATION") MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT
         JURISDICTION SITTING IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SUBMITS TO THE
         JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS, AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
         AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT BRING ANY RELATED LITIGATION IN ANY OTHER FORUM
         (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY LENDER PARTY TO BRING
         ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OTHER FORUM);

                  (ii) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE AT ANY TIME TO THE
         LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT,
         WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH RELATED LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN
         AN INCONVENIENT FORUM, AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO OBJECT, WITH RESPECT TO
         ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH COURT DOES
         NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THE BORROWER;

                  (iii) CONSENTS AND AGREES TO SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT
         OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY RELATED LITIGATION BY REGISTERED OR
         CERTIFIED U.S. MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE BORROWER AT THE ADDRESS
         FOR NOTICES DESCRIBED IN SECTION 10.05 HEREOF, AND CONSENTS AND AGREES
         THAT SUCH SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE IN EVERY RESPECT VALID AND EFFECTIVE
         SERVICE (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR EFFECTIVENESS
         OF PROCESS SERVED IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW); AND

                  (iv) WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY RELATED
         LITIGATION.

                  (c) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
BY LAW, NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY THE BORROWER AGAINST ANY LENDER PARTY OR ANY
AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, ATTORNEY OR AGENT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF
ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY
OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY). THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES AND AGREES NOT
TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER SUCH CLAIM PRESENTLY EXISTS
OR ARISES HEREAFTER AND WHETHER OR NOT SUCH CLAIM IS KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST
IN ITS FAVOR.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                      -79-
<PAGE>   77
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers
thereunto duly authorized, have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the
date first above written.

                             PRIMARK CORPORATION


                             By   /s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN
                                ------------------------------------------
                                  Stephen H. Curran
                                  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial 
                                   Officer

                             Address for Notices:

                                  Primark Corporation
                                  1000 Winter Street, Suite 4300N
                                  Waltham, MA 02154

                                 Attn:  Stephen H. Curran,
                                     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                     Officer

                                  Telephone:  617-487-2140
                                  Facsimile: 617-890-6129

                                      -80-
<PAGE>   78
                             MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                             individually and as Agent


                             By  /s/ R. JANE WESTRICH
                                -------------------------------------------
                                  R. Jane Westrich
                                  Vice President

                             Initial Revolving Credit
                                Committed Amount:               $75,000,000

                             Commitment Percentage:                    100%

                             Address for Notices:

                                      Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                      Loan Administration
                                      Three Mellon Bank Center
                                      Room 153-2332
                                      Pittsburgh, PA  15259-0003

                                      Attn:  Terpsie Katsafanas

                                      Telephone:  412-234-4769
                                      Facsimile:  412-236-2028

                             With a copy to:

                                      Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                      One Boston Place, 6th Floor
                                      Boston, MA 02108

                                      Attn: R. Jane Westrich, Vice President

                                      Telephone:  617-722-7969
                                      Facsimile: 617-722-3516

                                      -81-
<PAGE>   79
                                     ANNEX A
                                       TO
                           REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

                            DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

                  1.01. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. In addition to other words and
terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used in this Agreement the
following words and terms defined have the meanings given them below, unless the
context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires.

                  "Adjusted Acquisition Consideration" in connection with an
         acquisition of a type referred to in clause (y) or (z) of Section 7.08
         hereof by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower means the
         amount, not less than zero, equal to, without duplication, the sum of:

                           (a) the gross consideration paid or payable by the
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with such
                  acquisition (including, without limitation, the purchase price
                  therefor and transaction expenses), with non-cash
                  consideration valued at its Fair Market Value on the closing
                  date of the acquisition; provided, that for purposes of this
                  clause (a) (i) the value of consideration in the form of
                  Shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower or options or warrants
                  therefor shall be deemed zero, and (ii) the value of
                  consideration in the form of Indebtedness or other deferred
                  payment obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
                  (exclusive of Indebtedness or other deferred payment
                  obligations payable and paid exclusively in Shares of Capital
                  Stock of the Borrower or options or warrants therefor) shall
                  be deemed the maximum aggregate amount of all payments which
                  in any circumstances may be required thereunder, as determined
                  at the time such Indebtedness or other deferred payment
                  obligation is incurred (except that, for purposes of this
                  clause (ii), interest on Indebtedness accruing after such
                  determination date at a market rate shall be excluded from
                  such maximum aggregate amount), plus

                           (b) the aggregate Indebtedness and Guarantee
                  Equivalents assumed or incurred, directly or indirectly, by
                  the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in connection
                  with such acquisition (including, in the case of an
                  acquisition of any or all of the Shares of Capital Stock or
                  other equity interests of a Person, the aggregate Indebtedness
                  and Guarantee Equivalents of such Person), exclusive of
                  Indebtedness and Guarantee Equivalents of the Person being
                  acquired constituting current accounts payable of such Person
                  on normal trade terms to trade creditors arising out of
                  purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of
                  business and not incurred in contemplation of such
                  acquisition, minus

                           (c) the aggregate cash and Cash Equivalent
                  Investments (valued at the lower of cost or market) acquired
                  by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in such acquisition
                  (including, in the case of an acquisition of all, but not less
                  than all, of the Shares of Capital Stock or other 

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   80
                  equity interests of a Person, the aggregate cash and Cash
                  Equivalent Investments of such Person, it being understood
                  that in the event that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
                  acquire less than all of the Shares of Capital Stock or other
                  equity interests of a Person, no part of the cash or Cash
                  Equivalent Investments of such Person shall be deemed within
                  the scope of this clause (c)); provided, that in the event
                  that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquire all of the
                  Shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests of a Person,
                  the cash and Cash Equivalent Investments of such Person shall
                  be deemed within the scope of this clause (c) only in the
                  event that the relevant acquisition agreement requires the
                  amount of cash and Cash Equivalent Investments of such Person
                  to be determined at the closing date of the acquisition and
                  provides for an adjustment to the purchase price based on such
                  amount.

                  "Advance" shall mean any loan, advance or other extension of
         credit, direct or indirect.


                  "Affected Lender" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.03(e) hereof.

                  "Affiliate" of a Person shall mean any Person which directly
         or indirectly controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control
         with, such Person. For purposes of the preceding sentence, "control" of
         a Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
         power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of
         such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
         contract or otherwise, and in any case shall include, without
         limitation, (a) being a director or officer (or a Person having powers
         analogous to those of a corporate director or officer) of such Person,
         or of a Person that directly or indirectly controls such Person, (b)
         having direct or indirect ownership (beneficially or of record) of, or
         direct or indirect power to vote, 30% or more of the outstanding Shares
         of Capital Stock of any class of such Person having ordinary voting
         power for the election of directors (or in the case of a Person that is
         not a Corporation, 30% or more of any class of equity interest having
         voting or control power analogous to corporate common stock), and (b)
         being a general partner of such Person, or of a Person having direct or
         indirect control over a general partner of such Person.

                  "Applicable Margin" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.03(b) hereof.

                  "Assured Obligation" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the definition of "Guaranty Equivalent."

                  "Base Rate" for any day shall mean the greater of (a) the
         Prime Rate for such day or (b) 0.50% plus the Federal Funds Effective
         Rate for such day, such interest rate to change automatically from time
         to time effective as of the effective date of each change in the Prime
         Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

                  "Base Rate Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.03(a) hereof.

                  "Base Rate Portion" of any Loan or Loans shall mean at any
         time the portion, including the whole, of such Loan or Loans bearing
         interest at such time (i) under the Base Rate Option or (ii) in
         accordance with Section 2.09(c)(ii) hereof. If no Loan or Loans is
         specified, "Base Rate Portion" shall refer to the Base Rate Portion of
         all Loans outstanding at such time.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>   81
                  "Borrower Pledge Agreement" shall mean the Pledge Agreement of
         approximately even date herewith between the Borrower and the
         Collateral Agent, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
         time.

                  "Broker-Dealer" shall mean a Person who is, or is registered
         as, a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, government
         securities broker or government securities dealer under the Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or under any state securities law, or
         who has a comparable status under any securities law of any other
         Governmental Authority.

                  "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
         Sunday, public holiday under the laws of the Commonwealth of
         Pennsylvania or other day on which banking institutions are authorized
         or obligated to close in the city in which is located the Agent's
         Office.

                  "Capital Expenditures" of any Person shall mean, for any
         period, all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as
         liabilities during such period) of such Person during such period which
         would be classified as capital expenditures in accordance with GAAP
         (including, without limitation, expenditures for maintenance and
         repairs which are capitalized, and Capitalized Leases to the extent an
         asset is recorded in connection therewith in accordance with GAAP).

                  "Capitalized Lease" shall mean at any time any lease which is,
         or is required under GAAP to be, capitalized on the balance sheet of
         the lessee at such time, and "Capitalized Lease Obligation" of any
         Person at any time shall mean the aggregate amount which is, or is
         required under GAAP to be, reported as a liability on the balance sheet
         of such Person at such time as lessee under a Capitalized Lease.

                  "Capitalized Software" of any Person shall mean, for any
         period, all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as
         liabilities during such period) of such Person which would be
         classified as capitalized software in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Cash Equivalent Investments" shall have the meaning given
         that term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
         Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, and any successor statute
         of similar import, and regulations thereunder, in each case as in
         effect from time to time.

                  "CERCLIS" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
         Compensation and Liability Information System List, as the same may be
         amended from time to time.

                  "Closing Date" shall mean the date of the first Loan
         hereunder.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
         and any successor statute of similar import, and regulations
         thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References to
         sections of the Code shall be construed also to refer to any successor
         sections.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>   82
                  "Collateral Agency Agreement" shall mean the Collateral Agency
         Agreement of approximately even date herewith between the Borrower,
         certain "Revolving Credit Parties," by Mellon Bank, N.A., as Revolving
         Credit Agent, certain "Term Loan Parties," by Mellon Bank, N.A., as
         Term Loan Agent, certain "Note Backup Parties," by Mellon Bank, N.A.,
         as Note Backup Agent, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent, as
         amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "Collateral Agent" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Commitment" of a Lender shall mean the Revolving Credit
         Commitment of such Lender.

                  "Commitment Percentage" of a Lender at any time shall mean the
         Commitment Percentage for such Lender set forth below its name on the
         signature page hereof, subject to transfer to another Lender as
         provided in Section 10.14 hereof.

                  "Consolidated Cash Interest Expense" for any period shall mean
         the total cash interest expense payable by the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in
         accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA" for any period shall mean the sum of (a)
         Consolidated Net Income for such period, (b) Consolidated Interest
         Expense for such period, (c) Consolidated Income Tax Expense for such
         period, (d) depreciation expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         for such period, and (e) amortization expense of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for such period, minus the sum of (x) extraordinary gains
         (but not any losses) to the extent included in determining such
         Consolidated Net Income, and (y) equity earnings (but not any losses)
         of Affiliates of the Borrower to the extent included in determining
         Consolidated Net Income for such period, all as determined on a
         consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA Less Capital Expenditures" for any period
         shall mean Consolidated EBITDA for such period, minus the sum of
         Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
         period and, without duplication of amounts included in Capital
         Expenditures, Capitalized Software of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         for such period, all as determined on a consolidated basis in
         accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" for any period
         shall mean the ratio of the Consolidated EBITDA Less Capital
         Expenditures for such period to the Consolidated Fixed Charges for such
         period.

                  "Consolidated Fixed Charges" for any period shall mean the sum
         of (a) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such period, (b)
         principal payments made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during
         such period with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness (excluding (i)
         payments of Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement, (ii)
         prepayments made at the option of the Borrower of Indebtedness under
         the Term Loan Agreement, to the extent the amounts so prepaid are not
         otherwise due during such period, and (iii) payments of the Senior

                                      A-4
<PAGE>   83
         Notes at the scheduled maturity thereof), (c) the amount of Stock
         Payments made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period
         (excluding (i) Stock Payments made to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries,
         and (ii) Stock Payments made solely in Shares of Capital Stock (or
         warrants, options or rights therefor) of the Borrower) all as
         determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted)" for any period
         shall mean the following ratio: (a) the amount, not less than zero,
         determined as of the last day of such period, equal to (i) Consolidated
         Funded Indebtedness, minus (ii) the amount, not less than zero, equal
         to (A) the amount of cash and Cash Equivalent Investments owned by the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries, valued at the lower of cost or market,
         minus (B) $10,000,000, divided by (b) Consolidated EBITDA Less Capital
         Expenditures for such period.

                  "Consolidated Funded Indebtedness" at any time shall mean
         Indebtedness (including the current portion thereof) of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries which as of such date would be classified in whole
         or in part as a long-term liability in accordance with GAAP, and in any
         event includes (a) Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities and the
         Senior Notes, (b) any Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         having a final maturity later than one year after the date of
         incurrence of such Indebtedness, (c) any Indebtedness, regardless of
         its term, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which is renewable or
         extendable by the obligor to a date later than one year after the date
         of incurrence of such Indebtedness, and (d) Indebtedness of TIMCO
         described in Section 7.03(j) hereof.

                  "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" for any period shall mean
         the charges against income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
         foreign, federal, state and local income taxes for such period,
         determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Interest Expense" for any period shall mean the
         total interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
         period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Net Income" for any period shall mean the net
         earnings (or loss) after taxes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
         such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
         GAAP; provided, that there shall be deducted therefrom (a) the income
         (but not any deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it
         becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with or is
         otherwise acquired by or combined with the Borrower or any Subsidiary
         in a business combination accounted for as a pooling of interests,
         including, in the case of a successor to the Borrower or any Subsidiary
         by consolidation or merger or transfer of assets, any earnings of the
         successor Corporation prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer
         of assets, (b) income (but not any loss) accounted for by the Borrower
         on the equity method resulting from an ownership interest in any
         Person, but the deduction for such equity income shall be reversed to
         the extent that during such period an amount not in excess of such
         income has been actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in
         the form of cash dividends or similar cash distributions, (c) the
         undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent that the
         declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such
         Subsidiary is restricted (whether such restriction arises by operation
         of Law, by agreement, by its certificate or articles of incorporation

                                      A-5
<PAGE>   84
         or by-laws (or other constituent documents), or otherwise), (d) any
         gain arising from the acquisition of any securities, or the
         extinguishment, under GAAP, of any Indebtedness, of the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary, and (e) income (but not any loss) from discontinued
         operations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                  "Consolidated Net Worth" at any time shall mean the total
         amount of common stockholders' equity and preferred stock of the
         Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries at such time, determined on
         a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that each item
         of the following types shall be deducted, to the extent such item is
         positive and is otherwise included therein: (a) any write-ups or other
         revaluation after the Closing Date in the book value of any asset owned
         by the Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries (other than
         write-ups resulting from the acquisition of assets of a business made
         within one year after such acquisition and accounted for by purchase
         accounting, and write-ups resulting from the valuation in the ordinary
         course of business of investment securities and inventory at the lower
         of cost or market), (b) all investments in and loans and Advances to
         (i) unconsolidated Subsidiaries of the Borrower, and (ii) Persons that
         are not Subsidiaries of the Borrower (other than Cash Equivalent
         Investments), (c) treasury stock, (d) assets attributable to interests
         held by Persons other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are
         Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, (e) Disqualified Capital
         Stock of the Borrower or of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, and (f) the
         amount, whether positive or negative, of foreign currency translation
         adjustments to stockholders' equity of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries, all of the foregoing as determined in accordance with
         GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Net Worth (Adjusted)" at any time shall mean
         Consolidated Net Worth at such time plus the lesser of (a) $50,000,000,
         or (b) the sum of (i) aggregate writeoffs of goodwill on or after
         January 1, 1997 resulting from an impairment loss pursuant to Statement
         of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, made by the Borrower in
         accordance with GAAP, and (ii) aggregate writeoffs of the cost of
         computer software purchased in an acquisition of the Person which
         developed such software (or by acquisition of assets comprising a line
         of business of such Person which includes such software) on or after
         January 1, 1997, made pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting
         Standards No. 86, provided that such writeoffs are made at the time of
         the related acquisition and are made by the Borrower in accordance with
         GAAP.


                  "Contingent Indemnification Obligations" shall have the
         meaning given that term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Controlled Group Member" shall mean each trade or business
         (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower is treated as a controlled group or single
         employer under Sections 4001(a)(14) or 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or Sections
         414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

                  "Corporation" shall mean a corporation, limited liability
         company or business trust organized under the Laws of any state of the
         United States, a company limited by shares incorporated under the Laws
         of England and Wales, or any similar entity organized under the 

                                      A-6
<PAGE>   85
         Laws of any other jurisdiction, the owners of which are not by
         operation of Law generally liable for the obligations of such entity.

                  "Corresponding Source of Funds" shall mean, in the case of any
         Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion, the proceeds of hypothetical
         receipts by a Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or by a Lender through
         a Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office of one or more Dollar deposits in
         the interbank eurodollar market at the beginning of the Euro-Rate
         Funding Period corresponding to such Funding Segment having maturities
         approximately equal to such Euro-Rate Funding Period and in an
         aggregate amount approximately equal to such Lender's Pro Rata share of
         such Funding Segment.

                  "Credit Facilities" shall mean the Revolving Credit Agreement,
         the Term Loan Agreement and the Note Backup Agreement.

                  "Datastream" shall mean Datastream International Limited, a
         corporation incorporated under the Laws of England and Wales.

                  "Disqualified Capital Stock" shall mean any Shares of Capital
         Stock that, other than solely at the option of the issuer thereof, by
         their terms (or by the terms of any security into which they are
         convertible or exchangeable) are, or upon the happening of an event or
         the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed or repurchased,
         in whole or in part, or have, or upon the happening of an event or the
         passage of time would have, a redemption or similar payment due on or
         prior to the Facilities Termination Date.

                  "Dollar," "Dollars" and the symbol "$" shall mean lawful money
         of the United States of America.

                  "Environmental Affiliate": a Person ("Y") shall be an
         "Environmental Affiliate" of another Person ("X"), if X has retained or
         assumed, or is otherwise liable (contingently or otherwise) for, any
         liability (contingent or other) of Y with respect to any Environmental
         Claim, whether such retention, assumption or liability on the part of X
         arises by agreement, by Law or otherwise.

                  "Environmental Approvals" shall mean any Governmental Action
         pursuant to or required under any Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Claim" shall mean, with respect to any Person
         (the "specified Person"), any action, suit, proceeding, investigation,
         notice, claim, complaint, demand, request for information or other
         communication (written or oral) by any other Person (including but not
         limited to any Governmental Authority, citizens' group or present or
         former employee of the specified Person) alleging, asserting or
         claiming any actual or potential liability on the part of the specified
         Person for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response
         costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries,
         fines or penalties, arising out of, based on or resulting from (a) the
         presence, or release into the environment, of any Environmental Concern
         Materials at any location, whether or not owned by such Person, or (b)
         circumstances forming the basis of any violation or alleged violation
         of any Environmental Law.

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                  "Environmental Cleanup Site" shall mean any location which is
         listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List, on
         CERCLIS or on any similar state list of sites requiring investigation
         or cleanup, or which is the subject of any pending or threatened
         action, suit, proceeding or investigation related to or arising from
         any alleged violation of any Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Concern Materials" shall mean (a) any flammable
         substance, explosive, radioactive material, hazardous material,
         hazardous waste, toxic substance, solid waste, pollutant, contaminant
         or any related material, raw material, substance, product or by-product
         of any substance, as the foregoing terms are defined in, or any other
         substance regulated by, any Environmental Law (including but not
         limited to any "hazardous substance" as defined in CERCLA or any
         similar state Law), (b) any toxic chemical from or related to
         industrial, commercial or institutional activities, and (c) asbestos,
         gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil, waste and used oil, heating oil and
         other petroleum products or compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon
         and urea formaldehyde.

                  "Environmental Law" shall mean any Law, whether now existing
         or subsequently enacted or amended, relating to (a) pollution or
         protection of the environment, including natural resources, (b)
         exposure of Persons, including but not limited to employees, to
         Environmental Concern Materials, (c) protection of the public health or
         welfare from the effects of products, by-products, wastes, emissions,
         discharges or releases of Environmental Concern Materials or (d)
         regulation of the manufacture, use or introduction into commerce of
         Environmental Concern Materials including their manufacture,
         formulation, packaging, labeling, distribution, transportation,
         handling, storage or disposal. Without limitation, "Environmental Law"
         shall also include any Environmental Approval and the terms and
         conditions thereof.

                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
         of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute of similar import, and
         regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
         References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any
         successor sections.

                  "Euro-Rate" for any day, as used herein, shall mean for each
         Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion corresponding to a proposed or
         existing Euro-Rate Funding Period the rate per annum determined by the
         Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient to be rounded upward to the
         nearest 1/100 of 1%) (a) the rate of interest (which shall be the same
         for each day in such Euro-Rate Funding Period) determined in good faith
         by the Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which
         determination shall be conclusive) to be the average of the rates per
         annum for deposits in Dollars offered to major money center banks in
         the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time,
         two London Business Days prior to the first day of such Euro-Rate
         Funding Period for delivery on the first day of such Euro-Rate Funding
         Period in amounts comparable to such Funding Segment and having
         maturities comparable to such Funding Period by (b) a number equal to
         1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage.

                  "Euro-Rate Funding Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.03(c) hereof.

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                  "Euro-Rate Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.03(a) hereof.

                  "Euro-Rate Portion" of any part of any Loan or Loans shall
         mean at any time the portion, including the whole, of such part of such
         Loan or Loans bearing interest at any time under the Euro-Rate Option
         or at a rate calculated by reference to the Euro-Rate under Section
         2.09(c)(i) hereof. If no Loan or Loans is specified, "Euro-Rate
         Portion" shall refer to the Euro-Rate Portion of all Loans outstanding
         at such time.

                  "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" for any day shall mean the
         percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the nearest 1/100
         of 1%), as determined in good faith by the Agent (which determination
         shall be conclusive), which is in effect on such day as prescribed by
         the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor)
         representing the maximum reserve requirement (including, without
         limitation, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve requirements)
         with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as
         "Eurocurrency liabilities") of a member bank in such System. The
         Euro-Rate shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of
         each change in the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage. The Euro-Rate Option
         shall be calculated in accordance with the foregoing whether or not any
         Lender is actually required to hold reserves in connection with its
         eurocurrency funding or, if required to hold such reserves, is required
         to hold reserves at the "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" as herein
         defined.

                  "Event of Default" shall mean any of the Events of Default
         described in Section 8.01 hereof.

                  "Facilities Termination Date" shall mean the later to occur of
         the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, the Term Loan Maturity Date and the
         Note Backup Final Expiration Date.

                  "Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to any asset, the
         sale value that would be obtained in an arm's length transaction
         between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and
         an informed and willing buyer.

                  "Federal Funds Effective Rate" for any day shall mean the rate
         per annum (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined by the
         Agent (which determination shall be conclusive) to be the rate per
         annum announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any
         successor) as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight
         Federal funds transactions arranged by Federal funds brokers on the
         previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve
         Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such
         Federal Reserve Bank computes and announces the weighted average it
         refers to as the "Federal Funds Effective Rate" as of the date of this
         Agreement; provided, that if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its
         successor) does not so announce such rate for such previous trading
         day, the "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall be the average rate
         charged to Mellon Bank, N.A. on such previous trading day on such
         transactions as determined by the Agent.

                  "Funding Periods" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.03(c) hereof.

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                  "Funding Segment" of the Euro-Rate Portion at any time shall
         mean the entire principal amount of such Portion to which at the time
         in question there is applicable a particular Funding Period beginning
         on a particular day and ending on a particular day. (By definition,
         each such Portion is at all times composed of an integral number of
         discrete Funding Segments and the sum of the principal amounts of all
         Funding Segments of any such Portion at any time equals the principal
         amount of such Portion at such time.)

                  "GAAP" shall have the meaning given that term in Section 1.03
         of this Annex A.

                  "Governmental Action" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 4.04 hereof.

                  "Governmental Authority" shall mean any government or
         political subdivision or any agency, authority, bureau, central bank,
         commission, department or instrumentality of either, or any court,
         tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether foreign or
         domestic.

                  "Guaranty Equivalent": A Person (the "Deemed Guarantor") shall
         be deemed to subject to a Guaranty Equivalent in respect of any
         obligation (the "Assured Obligation") of another Person (the "Deemed
         Obligor") if the Deemed Guarantor directly or indirectly guarantees,
         becomes surety for, endorses, assumes, agrees to indemnify the Deemed
         Obligor against, or otherwise agrees, becomes or remains liable
         (contingently or otherwise) for, such Assured Obligation, in whole or
         in part. Without limitation, a Guaranty Equivalent shall be deemed to
         exist if a Deemed Guarantor agrees, becomes or remains liable
         (contingently or otherwise), directly or indirectly, to do any of the
         following: (a) to purchase or assume, or to supply funds for the
         payment, purchase or satisfaction of, an Assured Obligation, (b) to
         make any loan, advance, capital contribution or other investment in, or
         to purchase or lease any property or services from, a Deemed Obligor
         (i) to maintain the solvency of the Deemed Obligor, (ii) to enable the
         Deemed Obligor to meet any other financial condition, (iii) to enable
         the Deemed Obligor to satisfy any Assured Obligation or to make any
         Stock Payment or any other payment, or (iv) to assure the holder of
         such Assured Obligation against loss, (c) to purchase or lease property
         or services from the Deemed Obligor regardless of the non-delivery of
         or failure to furnish of such property or services, (d) in a
         transaction having the characteristics of a take-or-pay or throughput
         contract or as described in paragraph 6 of FASB Statement of Financial
         Accounting Standards No. 47, or (e) in respect of any other transaction
         the effect of which is to assure the payment or performance (or payment
         of damages or other remedy in the event of nonpayment or
         nonperformance) in whole or in part of any Assured Obligation.

                  "ICV" shall mean ICV Limited, a Corporation incorporated under
         the Laws of England and Wales.

                  "ICV Notes" shall have the meaning given that term in Section
         7.03(c) hereof.

                  "Indebtedness" of a Person shall mean the following: (a) all
         obligations on account of money borrowed by, or credit extended to or
         on behalf of, or for or on account of deposits with or advances to,
         such Person; (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
         debentures, notes or similar instruments; (c) all obligations of such
         Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (d) all
         obligations secured by a Lien on property owned by such Person 

                                      A-10
<PAGE>   89
         (whether or not assumed), and all obligations of such Person under
         Capitalized Leases (without regard to any limitation of the rights and
         remedies of the holder of such Lien or the lessor under such
         Capitalized Lease to repossession or sale of such property); (e) the
         stated amount of all letters of credit issued for the account of such
         Person and, without duplication, the unreimbursed amount of all drafts
         drawn thereunder, and all other obligations of such Person associated
         with such letters of credit or draws thereon; (f) all obligations of
         such Person in respect of acceptances or similar obligations issued for
         the account of such Person; (g) all obligations of such Person under a
         product financing or similar arrangement described in paragraph 8 of
         FASB Statement of Accounting Standards No. 49 or any similar
         requirement of GAAP; (h) all obligations of such Person under any
         interest rate or currency swap, cap, floor, collar, future, forward or
         option agreement, or other interest rate or currency protection
         agreement; and (i) the maximum fixed repurchase price of any
         Disqualified Capital Stock of such Person.

                  "Initial Revolving Credit Committed Amount" shall have the
         meaning set forth in Section 2.01(a) hereof.

                  "Interest Rate Hedging Agreement" shall mean an interest rate
         swap, cap or collar agreement.

                  "Issuing Banks" shall mean (x) Mellon Bank, N.A., and (y) such
         of its affiliates as Mellon Bank, N.A. may in its discretion (subject
         to the approval of the Borrower, such approval not to be unreasonably
         withheld) from time to time elect to cause to issue Letters of Credit.

                  "Law" shall mean any law (including common law), constitution,
         statute, treaty, convention, regulation, rule, ordinance, order,
         injunction, writ, decree or award of any Governmental Authority.

                  "Lender" shall mean any of the Lenders listed on the signature
         pages hereof, subject to the provisions of Section 10.14 hereof
         pertaining to Persons becoming or ceasing to be Lenders. "Lender" shall
         in any event include the Issuing Banks and the Swingline Lender.

                  "Lender Indemnified Parties" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 10.06(c) hereof.

                  "Lender Parties" shall mean the Lenders and the Agent.

                  "Letter of Credit" shall mean any letter of credit outstanding
         under this Agreement from time to time (and is synonymous with the term
         "Revolving Credit LOC" as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement).

                  "Letter of Credit Collateral Account" shall mean the
         "Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account" as defined in the Collateral
         Agency Agreement.

                  "Letter of Credit Exposure" shall mean the "Revolving Credit
         LOC Exposure" as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement).

                                      A-11
<PAGE>   90
                  "Letter of Credit Facing Fee" shall have the meaning given
         that term in Section 3.01(e) hereof.

                  "Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning given that term
         in Section 3.01(d) hereof.

                  "Letter of Credit Participating Interest" shall have the
         meaning given that term in Section 3.03(a) hereof.

                  "Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation" with respect to a
         Letter of Credit means the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the
         Issuing Bank for Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, together with
         interest thereon.

                  "Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability" shall mean the
         "Revolving Credit LOC Undrawn Availability" as defined in the
         Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws" shall mean "Revolving
         Credit LOC Unreimbursed Draws" as defined in the Collateral Agency
         Agreement.

                  "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien,
         security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement
         of any nature whatsoever, including but not limited to any conditional
         sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit
         arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security.

                  "Loan" shall mean any loan by a Lender to the Borrower under
         this Agreement, and "Loans" shall mean all Loans made by the Lenders
         under this Agreement, including Revolving Credit Loans and Swingline
         Loans.

                  "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the
         Transfer Supplements, the Letters of Credit, the Shared Security
         Documents and the Origination Fee Letter.

                  "Loan Obligations" shall mean the "Revolving Credit
         Obligations" as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "London Business Day" shall mean a day for dealing in deposits
         in Dollars by and among banks in the London interbank market and which
         is a Business Day.

                  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean: (a) a material adverse
         effect on the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise)
         or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
         (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower to perform
         or comply with any of the terms and conditions of any Loan Document, or
         (c) an adverse effect on the legality, validity, binding effect,
         enforceability or admissibility into evidence of any Loan Document, or
         the ability of the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party to enforce any
         rights or remedies under or in connection with any Loan Document.

                  "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean any employee benefit plan
         which is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section
         4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which the Borrower, any 

                                      A-12
<PAGE>   91
         Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Controlled Group Member has or
         had an obligation to contribute.

                  "Net Sale Proceeds" shall have the meaning given that term in
         Section 2.07(b) hereof.

                  "Note" or "Notes" shall mean the Revolving Credit Note(s) and
         the Swingline Note of the Borrower executed and delivered under this
         Agreement.

                  "Note Backup Agreement" shall mean the Note Backup Agreement
         of even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders parties
         thereto from time to time, the issuing bank referred to therein, and
         Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same may be amended, modified or
         supplemented from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "Note Backup Final Expiration Date" shall mean the final
         scheduled maturity of Indebtedness under the Note Backup Agreement
         (being the later of (i) the latest expiration date permitted under the
         Note Backup Credit Agreement for letters of credit issued thereunder,
         or (ii) the final scheduled maturity of the Borrower's reimbursement
         obligation under the Note Backup Agreement).

                  "Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office" shall have the meaning
         given to that term in Section 2.12(a) hereof.

                  "Obligations" shall have the meaning given that term in the
         Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Office," when used in connection with the Agent, shall mean
         its office located at One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
         15258, or at such other office or offices of the Agent or any branch,
         subsidiary or affiliate thereof as may be designated in writing from
         time to time by the Agent to the Borrower.

                  "Option" shall mean the Base Rate Option or the Euro-Rate
         Option.

                  "Origination Fee Letter" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 5.01(q) hereof.

                  "Participants" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         10.14(b) hereof.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
         established under Title IV of ERISA or any other governmental agency,
         department or instrumentality succeeding to the functions of said
         corporation.

                  "Pension-Related Event" shall mean any of the following events
         or conditions:

                           (a) Any action is taken by any Person (i) to
                  terminate, or which would result in the termination of, a Plan
                  pursuant to the distress termination provisions of 

                                      A-13
<PAGE>   92
         Section 4041(c) of ERISA or (ii) to have a trustee appointed for a Plan
         pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA;

                           (b) PBGC notifies any Person of its determination
                  that an event described in Section 4042 of ERISA has occurred
                  with respect to a Plan, that a Plan should be terminated, or
                  that a trustee should be appointed for a Plan;

                           (c) Any Reportable Event occurs with respect to a
                  Plan;

                           (d) Any action (other than becoming obligated to
                  contribute to a Multiemployer Plan) occurs or is taken which
                  could result in the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower
                  or any Controlled Group Member becoming subject to liability
                  for a complete or partial withdrawal by any Person from a
                  Multiemployer Plan (including, without limitation, seller
                  liability incurred under Section 4204(a)(2) of ERISA), or the
                  Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled
                  Group Member receives from any Multiemployer Plan a notice or
                  demand for payment on account of any such alleged or asserted
                  liability;

                           (e) (i) There occurs any failure to meet the minimum
                  funding standard under Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of
                  the Code with respect to a Plan, or any tax return is filed
                  showing any tax payable under Section 4971(a) of the Code with
                  respect to any such failure, or the Borrower, any Subsidiary
                  of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member receives a
                  notice of deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service with
                  respect to any alleged or asserted such failure, (ii) any
                  request is made by any Person for a variance from the minimum
                  funding standard, or an extension of the period for amortizing
                  unfunded liabilities, with respect to a Plan, or (iii) the
                  Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled
                  Group Member fails to pay the PBGC premium with respect to a
                  Plan when due and it remains unpaid for more than 30 days
                  thereafter; or

                           (f) There occurs any "prohibited transaction" within
                  the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
                  Code involving a Plan.

                  "Permitted Liens" shall have the meaning given that term in
         Section 7.02 hereof.

                  "Permitted Mergers" shall have the meaning given that term in
         Section 7.08 hereof.

                  "Person" shall mean an individual, Corporation, partnership,
         trust, limited liability company, unincorporated association, joint
         venture, joint-stock company, Governmental Authority or any other
         entity.

                  "Plan" shall mean (a) any employee pension benefit plan within
         the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA covered by Title IV of ERISA by
         reason of Section 4021 of ERISA, of which the Borrower, any Subsidiary
         of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member is or has been within
         the preceding five years a "contributing sponsor" within the meaning of
         Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA, or which is or has been within the
         preceding five years 

                                      A-14
<PAGE>   93
         maintained for employees of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower or any Controlled Group Member and (b) any employee pension
         benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA which is
         subject to Title I of ERISA by reason of Section 4 of ERISA and is
         subject to the minimum funding requirements of Section 302 of ERISA or
         Section 412 of the Code, of which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower or any Controlled Group Member is or has been within the
         preceding five years an employer liable for contributions within the
         meaning of Section 302(c)(11) of ERISA or Section 412(c)(11) of the
         Code, or which is or has been within the preceding five years
         maintained for employees of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower or any Controlled Group Member.

                  "Portion" shall mean the Prime Rate Portion or the Euro-Rate
         Portion.

                  "Postretirement Benefits" of a Person shall mean any benefits,
         other than retirement income, provided by such Person to retired
         employees, or to their spouses, dependents or beneficiaries, including,
         without limitation, group medical insurance or benefits, or group life
         insurance or death benefits.

                  "Postretirement Benefit Obligation" of a Person shall mean
         that portion of the actuarial present value of all Postretirement
         Benefits expected to be provided by such Person which is attributable
         to employees' service rendered to the date of determination (assuming
         that such liability accrues ratably over an employee's working life to
         the earlier of his date of retirement or the date on which the employee
         would first become eligible for full benefits), reduced by the fair
         market value as of the date of determination of any assets which are
         segregated from the assets of such Person and which have been
         restricted so that they cannot be used for any purpose other than to
         provide Postretirement Benefits or to defray related expenses.

                  "Potential Default" shall mean any event or condition which
         with notice, passage of time or a determination by the Agent or the
         Lenders, or any combination of the foregoing, would constitute an Event
         of Default.

                  "Primark Economics" shall mean Primark Decision Economics,
         Inc.

                  "Prime Rate" as used herein, shall mean the interest rate per
         annum announced from time to time by Mellon Bank, N.A. as its prime
         rate, such rate to change automatically effective as of the
         effectiveness of each announced change in such prime rate.

                  "Pro Rata" shall mean from or to each Lender in proportion to
         such Lender's applicable Commitment Percentage.

                  "Purchasing Lender" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 10.14(c) hereof.

                  "Recapture Asset Amount" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 2.07(b) hereof.

                  "Recapture Asset Disposition" shall have the meaning given
         that term in Section 2.07(b) hereof.

                                      A-15
<PAGE>   94
                  "Register" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         10.14(d) hereof.

                  "Regular Monthly Payment Date" shall mean the last Business
         Day of each month after the Closing Date.

                  "Regular Quarterly Payment Date" shall mean the last Business
         Day of each September, December, March and June after the Closing Date.

                  "Reportable Event" means (i) a reportable event described in
         Section 4043 of ERISA and regulations thereunder, (ii) a withdrawal by
         a substantial employer from a Plan to which more than one employer
         contributes, as referred to in Section 4063(b) of ERISA, (iii) a
         cessation of operations at a facility causing more than twenty percent
         (20%) of Plan participants to be separated from employment, as referred
         to in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or (iv) a failure to make a required
         installment or other payment with respect to a Plan when due in
         accordance with Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA which
         causes the total unpaid balance of missed installments and payments
         (including unpaid interest) to exceed $250,000.

                  "Required Lenders" shall mean Lenders holding in the aggregate
         51% of the Commitment Percentages.

                  "Responsible Officer" of a Person shall mean its Chairman of
         the Board, President, Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer.

                  "Revolving Credit Agreement" shall mean this Revolving Credit
         Agreement as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (and
         is synonymous with references to "this Agreement" herein).

                  "Revolving Credit Commitment" shall have the meaning set forth
         in Section 2.01(a) hereof.

                  "Revolving Credit Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning set
         forth in Section 2.01(e) hereof.

                  "Revolving Credit Commitment Fee Percentage" shall have the
         meaning set forth in Section 2.01(e) hereof.

                  "Revolving Credit Committed Amount" shall have the meaning set
         forth in Section 2.01(a) hereof.

                  "Revolving Credit Exposure" of any Lender at any time shall
         mean the sum at such time of the outstanding principal amount of such
         Lender's Revolving Credit Loans plus such Lender's Pro Rata share of
         the sum of the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure and the aggregate
         outstanding principal amount of Swingline Loans.

                  "Revolving Credit Loans" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.01(a) hereof.

                                      A-16
<PAGE>   95
                  "Revolving Credit Maturity Date" shall mean October 15, 2000.

                  "Revolving Credit Note" shall mean the promissory note of the
         Borrower executed and delivered under Section 2.01(c) hereof and any
         promissory note issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Sections
         2.12(b) or 10.14(c) hereof.

                  "Secured Parties" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Senior Note Indenture" shall mean the Indenture dated as of
         October 18, 1993 between the Borrower and The First National Bank of
         Boston, as Trustee, relating to the Senior Notes, as constituted on the
         Closing Date.

                  "Senior Notes" shall mean the Borrower's 8 3/4% Senior Notes
         Due 2000.

                  "Shared Collateral" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Shared Collateral Account" shall have the meaning given that
         term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Shared Security Documents" shall have the meaning given that
         term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Shares of Capital Stock" shall mean shares of capital stock
         of, membership interest in, beneficial interest in, or similar
         ownership interest in, a Corporation organized under the Laws of any
         state of the United States or any other jurisdiction, including,
         without limitation, in the case of Corporations incorporated under the
         Laws of England and Wales, equity share capital, ordinary shares and
         loan stock.

                  "Significant Subsidiary" of Borrower shall mean any Subsidiary
         of the Borrower (a) which is TASC, Datastream, Disclosure Incorporated,
         or a Subsidiary of any of the foregoing, (b) which, together with its
         Subsidiaries, has assets (determined on a consolidated basis) greater
         than or equal to 5% of the total assets of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis) as of the end of the
         most recently completed fiscal year for which financial information is
         available, or (c) which, together with its Subsidiaries, has revenues
         (determined on a consolidated basis) greater than or equal to 5% of the
         total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (determined on a
         consolidated basis) for the most recent four fiscal quarters for which
         financial information is available.

                  "Solvent" means:

                           (a) with respect to any Person organized under the
                  Laws of any state of the United States or subject to the U.S.
                  Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, the Uniform Fraudulent
                  Conveyance Act as enacted by any state, the Uniform Fraudulent
                  Transfer

                                      A-17
<PAGE>   96
                  Act as enacted by any state or any other applicable U.S. Law
                  pertaining to fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent transfers or
                  preferences at any time, that at such time (i) the sum of the
                  debts and liabilities (including, without limitation,
                  contingent liabilities) of such Person is not greater than all
                  of the assets of such Person at a fair valuation, (ii) the
                  present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not
                  less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable
                  liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute
                  and matured, (iii) such Person has not incurred, will not
                  incur, does not intend to incur, and does not believe that it
                  will incur, debts or liabilities (including, without
                  limitation, contingent liabilities) beyond such person's
                  ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, (iv) such
                  Person is not engaged in, and is not about to engage in, a
                  business or a transaction for which such person's property
                  constitutes or would constitute unreasonably small capital (as
                  such term is used in any Law referred to in the following
                  clause (v)), and (v) such Person is not otherwise insolvent as
                  defined in, or otherwise in a condition which could in any
                  circumstances then or subsequently render any transfer,
                  conveyance, obligation or act then made, incurred or performed
                  by it avoidable or fraudulent pursuant to, any Law that may be
                  applicable to such Person pertaining to bankruptcy, insolvency
                  or creditors' rights (including but not limited to the
                  Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, and, to the extent
                  applicable to such Person, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance
                  Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, or any other
                  applicable Law pertaining to fraudulent conveyances or
                  fraudulent transfers or preferences);

                           (b) With respect to any Person organized under the
                  Laws of England and Wales or subject to any English insolvency
                  law at any time, that at such time such Person is not
                  insolvent, or unable to pay its debts and is not deemed by an
                  English court to be unable to pay its debts within the meaning
                  of Section 123 of the United Kingdom Insolvency Act of 1986;
                  and

                           (c) With respect to any other Person, that at such
                  time such Person is not insolvent or unable to pay its debts
                  as they come due as contemplated by any applicable insolvency,
                  bankruptcy or similar Law.

                  "Standard Notice" shall mean an irrevocable notice provided to
         the Agent on a Business Day which is

                           (a) At least one Business Day in advance in the case
                  of selection of, conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate
                  Option or prepayment of any Base Rate Portion; and

                           (b) At least three London Business Days in advance in
                  the case of selection of the Euro-Rate Option or prepayment of
                  any Euro-Rate Portion.

         Standard Notice must be provided no later than 10:00 a.m., Pittsburgh
         time, on the last day permitted for such notice.

                  "Stock Payment" by any Person shall mean any dividend,
         distribution or payment of any nature (whether in cash, securities, or
         other property) on account of or in respect of any Shares

                                      A-18
<PAGE>   97
         of the Capital Stock (or warrants, options or rights therefor) of such
         Person, including but not limited to any payment on account of the
         purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or acquisition of any
         Shares of the Capital Stock (or warrants, options or rights therefor)
         of such Person, in each case regardless of whether required by the
         terms of such capital stock (or warrants, options or rights) or any
         other agreement or instrument.

                  "Subsidiary" of a Person at any time shall mean any
         Corporation of which a majority (by number of shares or number of
         votes) of the outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of any class is at
         such time owned directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by
         such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and any
         partnership, trust or other Person of which a majority of any class of
         outstanding equity interest is at such time owned directly or
         indirectly, beneficially or of record, by such Person or one or more
         Subsidiaries of such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, as used in the
         preceding sentence "majority" means more than half (and not precisely
         half).

                  "Substantially Owned Subsidiary" of a Person at any time shall
         mean any Corporation of which 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of
         Capital Stock of each class are at such time beneficially owned
         directly or indirectly by such Person (both on the basis of outstanding
         shares and on a fully diluted basis).

                  "Swap Agreement" shall have the meaning given that term in the
         Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Swingline Current Availability" shall have the meaning given
         that term in Section 3.10(a) hereof.

                  "Swingline Lender" shall mean Mellon.

                  "Swingline Loan Participating Interest" shall have the meaning
         given that term in Section 3.11(a) hereof.

                  "Swingline Loans" shall have the meaning given that term in
         Section 3.09(a) hereof.

                  "Swingline Note" shall mean the promissory note of the
         Borrower executed and delivered under Section 3.09(c) hereof, together
         with all extensions, renewals, refinancings or refundings thereof in
         whole or part.

                  "Swingline Subfacility Amount" shall have the meaning given
         that term in Section 3.09(a) hereof.

                  "TASC" shall mean TASC, Inc., a Massachusetts Corporation.

                  "Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11
         hereof.

                  "Term Loan Agreement" shall mean the Term Loan Agreement of
         even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders parties
         thereto from time to time, and Mellon Bank, N.A., 

                                      A-19
<PAGE>   98
         as Agent, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from
         time to time in accordance with this Agreement (but not any refinancing
         or renewal thereof).

                  "Term Loan Maturity Date" shall mean the final scheduled
         maturity of Indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreement.

                  "TIMCO" shall mean Triad International Maintenance
         Corporation, a Delaware Corporation.

                  "TIMCO Bond Order" means the Bond Order adopted by the
         Piedmont Triad Airport Authority on October 31, 1989 with respect to
         the TIMCO Bonds, as such Bond Order may be amended, supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "TIMCO Bonds" means the $13,800,000 original aggregate
         principal amount of Special Facility Revenue Bonds (Triad International
         Maintenance Corporation Project), Series 1989 issued by the Piedmont
         Triad Airport Authority pursuant to the TIMCO Bond Order.

                  "TIMCO Bonds Letter of Credit" has the meaning given that term
         in Section 7.03(j) hereof.

                  "TIMCO Lease" shall mean the Lease Agreement, dated as of
         November 1, 1989, between the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, as
         lessor, and TIMCO, as lessee, covering certain property situate at the
         Piedmont Triad International Airport in Guilford County, North
         Carolina, as such Lease Agreement may be amended, supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "Transfer Effective Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
         the applicable Transfer Supplement.

                  "Transfer Supplement" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 10.14(c) hereof.

                  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means a Corporation
         that is a Subsidiary of such Person as to which all of the Shares of
         Capital Stock of each class (other than directors' qualifying shares
         that are required under applicable law) are at such time beneficially
         owned directly or indirectly by such Person (both on the basis of
         outstanding shares and on a fully diluted basis).

                  "Wind-up" or "Winding-up" of a Person shall include the
         liquidation, administration, amalgamation, reconstruction,
         reorganization or dissolution of such Person and any equivalent or
         analogous procedure under the laws of any jurisdiction in which such
         Person is incorporated, domiciled, resident or carries on a business or
         has assets.

                  "Worldscope Entities" shall mean Worldscope/Disclosure
         Partners, a Connecticut general partnership, Worldscope/Disclosure
         International Partners, an partnership organized under the laws of
         Ireland, Worldscope/Disclosure Incorporated LLC, a Connecticut limited

                                      A-20
<PAGE>   99
         liability company, and Worldscope/Disclosure India Pvt. Ltd., a
         Corporation organized under the laws of India, and each of their
         respective Subsidiaries from time to time.

                  1.02. CONSTRUCTION. In this Agreement and each other Loan
Document, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, references to the
plural include the singular, the singular the plural and the part the whole;
"or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or;" and the terms
"property" and "assets" each includes all properties and assets of any kind or
nature, tangible or intangible, real, personal or mixed, now existing or
hereafter acquired. The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" (and similar
terms) in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or
such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any
particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document. The words
"includes" and "including" (and similar terms) in this Agreement or any other
Loan Document mean "includes without limitation" and "including without
limitation," respectively (and similarly for similar terms). References in this
Agreement or any other Loan Document to "determination" (and similar terms) by
the Agent or by any Lender include good faith estimates by the Agent or by such
Lender (in the case of quantitative determinations) and good faith beliefs by
the Agent or by such Lender (in the case of qualitative determinations). No
doctrine of construction of ambiguities in agreements or instruments against the
interests of the party controlling the drafting thereof shall apply to this
Agreement or any other Loan Document. The section and other headings contained
in this Agreement and in each other Loan Document, and any tables of contents
contained herein or therein, are for reference purposes only and shall not
affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or such other Loan
Document in any respect. Section, subsection, annex, exhibit and schedule
references in this Agreement and in each other Loan Document are to this
Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, unless otherwise
specified. Each annex, exhibit and schedule to this Agreement or any other Loan
Document constitutes part of this Agreement or such Loan Document, as the case
may be. Each of the covenants, terms and provisions of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents is intended to have, and shall have, independent effect,
and compliance with any particular covenant, term or provision shall not
constitute compliance with any other covenant, term or provision.

                  1.03. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES.

                  (a) GAAP. As used herein, "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States, applied on a basis consistent with
the principles used in preparing the Borrower's financial statements as of
December 31, 1995, and for the fiscal year then ended, as referred to in Section
4.06 hereof.

                  (b) ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DETERMINATIONS, ETC. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to
accounting or financial matters shall be made, and all financial statements to
be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared, in accordance with
GAAP (including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all
accounting or financial terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by
GAAP.

                  (c) CHANGES. If and to the extent that the financial
statements generally prepared by the Borrower apply accounting principles other
than GAAP, all financial statements referred to in this Agreement or any other
Loan Document shall be delivered in duplicate, one set based on the accounting
principles then generally applied by the Borrower and one set based on GAAP. To
the extent this 

                                      A-21
<PAGE>   100
Agreement or such other Loan Document requires financial statements to be
accompanied by an opinion of independent accountants, each such set of financial
statements shall be accompanied by such an opinion.

                                [End of Annex A]

                                      A-22
<PAGE>   101

                                                                   Exhibit 10.17





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

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



                               TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

                          dated as of February 7, 1997

                                  by and among

                              PRIMARK CORPORATION,
                                  as Borrower,

                  THE LENDERS PARTIES HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME,

                                       and

                               MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                    as Agent




                                U.S. $225,000,000





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

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   102
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION                         TITLE                                                                          PAGE
<S>                 <C>                                                                                           <C>
ARTICLE I           DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION...........................................................           1

       1.01         Definitions; Construction...........................................................           1

ARTICLE II          THE FACILITY........................................................................           1

       2.01         The Term Loan Facility..............................................................           1
       2.02         Making of Loans.....................................................................           2
       2.03         Interest Rates......................................................................           2
       2.04         Conversion or Renewal of Interest Rate Options......................................           6
       2.05         Prepayments Generally...............................................................           7
       2.06         Optional Prepayments................................................................           8
       2.07         Mandatory Prepayments ..............................................................           8
       2.08         Interest Payment Dates..............................................................          10
       2.09         Pro Rata Treatment; Payments Generally..............................................          10
       2.10         Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances....................................          11
       2.11         Taxes...............................................................................          12
       2.12         Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate..........................................          14

ARTICLE III         [Reserved]..........................................................................          15

ARTICLE IV          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................................          15

       4.01         Corporate Status....................................................................          15
       4.02         Corporate Power and Authorization...................................................          15
       4.03         Execution and Binding Effect........................................................          15
       4.04         Governmental Approvals and Filings..................................................          15
       4.05         Absence of Conflicts................................................................          16
       4.06         Audited Financial Statements........................................................          16
       4.07         Interim Financial Statements........................................................          16
       4.08         Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities..................................................          16
       4.09         Accurate and Complete Disclosure....................................................          17
       4.10         Projections.........................................................................          17
       4.11         Solvency............................................................................          17
       4.12         Margin Regulations..................................................................          17
       4.13         Regulatory Restrictions.............................................................          17
       4.14         Subsidiaries........................................................................          17
       4.15         Partnerships, etc...................................................................          18
       4.16         Litigation..........................................................................          18
       4.17         Absence of Other Conflicts..........................................................          18
       4.18         Insurance...........................................................................          18
       4.19         Title to Property...................................................................          18
       4.20         Intellectual Property...............................................................          19
       4.21         Taxes...............................................................................          19
</TABLE>

                                      -i-
<PAGE>   103
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                 <C>                                                                                           <C>
       4.22         Employee Benefits...................................................................          19
       4.23         Environmental Matters...............................................................          19

 ARTICLE V          CONDITIONS OF LENDING...............................................................          20

       5.01         Conditions to Initial Loans.........................................................          20

ARTICLE VI          AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS...............................................................          23

       6.01         Basic Reporting Requirements........................................................          23
       6.02         Insurance...........................................................................          26
       6.03         Payment of Taxes and Other Potential Charges and Priority Claims....................          26
       6.04         Preservation of Corporate Status....................................................          26
       6.05         Governmental Approvals and Filings..................................................          27
       6.06         Maintenance of Properties, Franchises, etc..........................................          27
       6.07         Avoidance of Other Conflicts........................................................          27
       6.08         Financial Accounting Practices......................................................          27
       6.09         Use of Proceeds.....................................................................          27
       6.10         Continuation of or Change in Business...............................................          28
       6.11         Plans and Multiemployer Plans.......................................................          28
       6.12         Disaster Recovery Plan..............................................................          28
       6.13         Annual Bank Meeting.................................................................          28
       6.14         Separate Corporate Existence........................................................          28
       6.15         Additional Security.................................................................          29
       6.16         Interest Rate Protection............................................................          30

ARTICLE VII         NEGATIVE COVENANTS..................................................................          31

       7.01         Financial Covenants.................................................................          31
       7.02         Liens...............................................................................          32
       7.03         Indebtedness........................................................................          33
       7.04         Guaranties, Indemnities, etc........................................................          34
       7.05         Loans, Advances and Investments.....................................................          35
       7.06         Dividends and Related Distributions.................................................          36
       7.07         Sale-Leasebacks.....................................................................          37
       7.08         Mergers, etc........................................................................          37
       7.09         Dispositions of Properties..........................................................          38
       7.10         Dealings with Affiliates............................................................          39
       7.11         Limitations on Modification of Certain Agreements and Instruments...................          39
       7.12         Limitation on Payments on Certain Obligations.......................................          40
       7.13         Limitation on Other Restrictions on Liens, Dividend Restrictions
                       on Subsidiaries, etc.............................................................          40
       7.14         Limitation on Other Restrictions on Amendment of the
                       Loan Documents, etc..............................................................          41
       7.15         Limitation on Certain Benefit Liabilities...........................................          41
       7.16         Fiscal Year.........................................................................          41
ARTICLE VIII        DEFAULTS............................................................................          41
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>   104
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                 <C>                                                                                           <C>
       8.01         Events of Default...................................................................          41
       8.02         Consequences of an Event of Default.................................................          44
       8.03         Application of Proceeds.............................................................          45

 ARTICLE IX         THE AGENT...........................................................................          45

       9.01         Appointment.........................................................................          45
       9.02         General Nature of Agent's Duties....................................................          46
       9.03         Exercise of Powers..................................................................          46
       9.04         General Exculpatory Provisions......................................................          46
       9.05         Administration by the Agent.........................................................          47
       9.06         Lenders Not Relying on Agent or Other Lenders.......................................          48
       9.07         Indemnification of Agent by Lenders.................................................          48
       9.08         Agent in its Individual Capacity....................................................          48
       9.09         Holders of Notes....................................................................          48
       9.10         Successor Agent.....................................................................          49
       9.11         Calculations........................................................................          49
       9.12         Agent's Fee.........................................................................          49

ARTICLE X           MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................          49

      10.01         Holidays............................................................................          49
      10.02         Records.............................................................................          50
      10.03         Amendments and Waivers..............................................................          50
      10.04         No Implied Waiver; Cumulative Remedies..............................................          51
      10.05         Notices.............................................................................          51
      10.06         Expenses; Taxes; Indemnity..........................................................          51
      10.07         Severability........................................................................          52
      10.08         Prior Understandings................................................................          52
      10.09         Duration; Survival..................................................................          52
      10.10         Counterparts........................................................................          53
      10.11         Limitation on Payments..............................................................          53
      10.12         Set-Off.............................................................................          53
      10.13         Sharing of Collections..............................................................          53
      10.14         Successors and Assigns; Participations; Assignments.................................          54
      10.15         Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial;
                       Limitation of Liability..........................................................          57

ANNEX A             DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION...........................................................         A-1
</TABLE>

Exhibit A-1                Form of Term Loan Note
Exhibit B                  Form of Transfer Supplement
Exhibit C                  Form of Annual and Quarterly Compliance Certificate

Schedule 4.04              Governmental Approvals and Filings

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>   105
Schedule 4.05              Conflicts
Schedule 4.08              Liabilities
Schedule 4.13              Regulatory Restrictions
Schedule 4.14              Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.16              Litigation
Schedule 4.21              Taxes
Schedule 4.23              Environmental Matters
Schedule 7.02              Liens
Schedule 7.04              Guaranty Equivalents
Schedule 7.07              Sale-Leasebacks

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>   106
                               TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

                  THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of February 7, 1997, by and among
PRIMARK CORPORATION, a Michigan Corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders
parties hereto from time to time, and MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking
association, as agent for the Lender Parties hereunder (in such capacity,
together with its successors in such capacity, the "Agent").

                  In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and
intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                            DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

                  1.01. DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION. In addition to other words
and terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used in this Agreement the
words and terms defined in Annex A hereto have the meanings given them in such
Annex A, and this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the provisions
of Annex A.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                  THE FACILITY

                  2.01. THE TERM LOAN FACILITY.

                  (a) TERM LOAN COMMITMENTS. Subject to the terms and conditions
and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, each
Lender, severally and not jointly, agrees (such agreement being herein called
such Lender's "Term Loan Commitment") to make a loan (the "Term Loan") to the
Borrower on the date of execution and delivery hereof in principal amount equal
to such Lender's Term Loan Committed Amount. The Term Loan Commitments shall
automatically expire at the close of business on the date of the execution and
delivery hereof by all parties hereto. Each Lender's "Term Loan Committed
Amount" at any time shall be equal to the amount set forth as its "Term Loan
Committed Amount" below its name on the signature pages hereof, subject to
transfer to another Lender as provided in Section 10.14 hereof. The sum of the
Term Loan Committed Amounts of the Lenders shall not exceed $225,000,000 at any
time.

                  (b) NATURE OF CREDIT. The Borrower may not reborrow amounts
repaid with respect to Term Loans.

                  (c) TERM LOAN NOTES. The obligation of the Borrower to repay
the unpaid principal amount of the Term Loans made to it by each Lender and to
pay interest thereon shall be evidenced in part by promissory notes of the
Borrower, one to each Lender, dated the Closing Date (the "Term Loan Notes") in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, with the blanks
appropriately filled, payable to the order of such Lender in a face amount equal
to such Lender's Term Loan.

                  (d) SCHEDULED AMORTIZATION. The Term Loans shall be due and
payable on the dates ("Scheduled Maturity Dates") and in the aggregate principal
amounts set forth below:

                                       A-1
<PAGE>   107
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Aggregate Principal Amount
                   Last Business Day of       of Term Loans due and payable
                   --------------------       -----------------------------
<S>                    <C>                           <C>         
                       December 1997                 $  5,000,000
                           June 1998                 $  5,000,000
                       December 1998                 $ 10,000,000
                           June 1999                 $ 10,000,000
                       December 1999                 $ 10,000,000
                           June 2000                 $ 15,000,000
                       December 2000                 $ 15,000,000
                           June 2001                 $ 15,000,000
                       December 2001                 $ 20,000,000
                           June 2002                 $ 20,000,000
                       December 2002                 $ 25,000,000
                           June 2003                 $ 25,000,000
                       December 2003                 $ 25,000,000
                           June 2004                 $ 25,000,000
</TABLE>

To the extent not due and payable earlier, the Term Loans shall be due and
payable on the Term Loan Maturity Date.

                  2.02. MAKING OF LOANS. Prior to the making of the Loans, the
Borrower shall provide Standard Notice to the Agent setting forth the following
information:

                  (a) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the
         Loans are to be made;

                  (b) The aggregate principal amount of the Loans, which shall
         be $225,000,000, and which shall be the sum of the principal amounts
         selected pursuant to clause (c) of this Section 2.02;

                  (c) The interest rate Option or Options selected in accordance
         with Section 2.03(a) hereof and the principal amounts selected in
         accordance with Section 2.03(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and
         each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans; and

                  (d) With respect to each such Funding Segment of the Loans,
         the Funding Period to apply to such Funding Segment and the Maturity
         Tranche with respect thereto, selected in accordance with Section
         2.03(c) hereof.

Standard Notice having been so provided, the Agent shall promptly notify each
Lender of the information contained therein and of the amount of such Lender's
Loan. Unless any applicable condition specified in Article V hereof has not been
satisfied, on the date specified in such Standard Notice each Lender shall make
the proceeds of its Loan available to the Agent at the Agent's Office, no later
than 12:00 o'clock Noon, Pittsburgh time, in funds immediately available at such
Office. The Agent will make the funds so received available to the Borrower in
funds immediately available at the Agent's Office.

                  2.03. INTEREST RATES.

                                       A-2
<PAGE>   108
                  (a) OPTIONAL BASES OF BORROWING. The unpaid principal amount
of the Loans shall bear interest for each day until due on one or more bases
selected by the Borrower from among the interest rate Options set forth below.
Subject to the provisions of this Agreement the Borrower may select different
Options to apply simultaneously to different Portions of the Loans and may
select different Funding Segments to apply simultaneously to different parts of
the Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans.

                  (i) BASE RATE OPTION: A rate per annum (computed on the basis
         of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days
         elapsed) for each day equal to the Base Rate for such day plus the
         Applicable Margin for such day.

                  (ii) EURO-RATE OPTION: A rate per annum (based on a year of
         360 days and actual days elapsed) for each day equal to the Euro-Rate
         for such day plus the Applicable Margin for such day.

                  (b) APPLICABLE MARGINS.

                  (i) The "Applicable Margin" for each interest rate Option for
each day shall mean the applicable percentage set forth below under "Level II
Performance Margins," "Level III Performance Margins," or "Level IV Performance
Margins," as the case may be, in the event that (x) no Event of Default or
Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing or exist on such day and
(y) Financial Test II, Financial Test III or Financial Test IV, respectively,
set forth below is satisfied on such day. For purposes of determining the
Applicable Margin, Financial Test II, Financial Test III or Financial Test IV,
as the case may be, shall be deemed to be satisfied effective on the first day
of the calendar month following the calendar month in which the Agent shall have
received from the Borrower a certificate, duly completed and signed by a
Responsible Officer, accompanied by the Borrower's financial statements for the
fiscal quarter most recently ended (or, if such most recently ended fiscal
quarter is the last of a fiscal year, for the fiscal year then ended),
demonstrating compliance with the applicable financial test, and such financial
test shall be deemed to remain satisfied until the last day of the calendar
month in which the Borrower's next annual or quarterly financial statements are
required to be delivered under Section 6.01(a) or 6.01(b) hereof, as the case
may be (or, if earlier, the last day of the calendar month in which the
Borrower's next annual or quarterly financial statements are actually delivered
in compliance with such Section); provided, that for each day in the period from
and including the Closing Date to and including the last day of the calendar
month in which the Borrower's quarterly financial statements for the quarter
ending September 30, 1997 are required to be delivered under Section 6.01(b)
hereof (or, if earlier, the last day of the calendar month in which such
quarterly financial statements are actually delivered in compliance with Section
6.01(b) hereof), the Borrower will be deemed to have satisfied Financial Test
II. If the conditions for application of the Level II Performance Margins, Level
III Performance Margins or Level IV Performance Margins do not apply on a
particular day, the "Applicable Margin" for such day shall mean the applicable
percentage set forth below under "Level I Performance Margins":

LEVEL I PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                    Applicable Margin for            Applicable Margin for
         Interest Rate Option       Early Maturity Tranches          Late Maturity Tranches
         --------------------       -----------------------          ----------------------
<S>      <C>                                <C>                              <C>
         Base Rate Option                    Zero                             Zero
         Euro-Rate Option                   1.00%                            1.25%
</TABLE>

                                       A-3
<PAGE>   109
Level I Performance Margins shall apply in the event that the conditions for
application of the Level II Performance Margins, Level III Performance Margins
or Level IV Performance Margins do not apply.

 LEVEL II PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Applicable Margin for                     Applicable Margin for
         Interest Rate Option                   Early Maturity Tranches                   Late Maturity Tranches
         --------------------                   -----------------------                   ----------------------
<S>      <C>                                            <C>                                       <C>
         Base Rate Option                                Zero                                      Zero
         Euro-Rate Option                               0.75%                                     1.00%
</TABLE>

Level II Performance Margins shall apply in the event that Financial Test II is
satisfied and the other conditions set forth above are met. "Financial Test II"
means that, as of the end of the relevant fiscal quarter, the Consolidated
Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a single accounting
period, is less than 4.00 and greater than or equal to 3.00.

LEVEL III PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Applicable Margin for                     Applicable Margin for
         Interest Rate Option                   Early Maturity Tranches                   Late Maturity Tranches
         --------------------                   -----------------------                   ----------------------
<S>      <C>                                           <C>                                       <C>
         Base Rate Option                                Zero                                      Zero
         Euro-Rate Option                              0.625%                                    0.875%
</TABLE>

Level III Performance Margins shall apply in the event that Financial Test III
is satisfied and the other conditions set forth above are met. "Financial Test
III" means that, as of the end of the relevant fiscal quarter, the Consolidated
Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a single accounting
period, is less than 3.00 and greater than or equal to 2.50.

LEVEL IV PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Applicable Margin for                     Applicable Margin for
         Interest Rate Option                   Early Maturity Tranches                   Late Maturity Tranches
         --------------------                   -----------------------                   ----------------------
<S>      <C>                                            <C>                                       <C>
         Base Rate Option                                Zero                                      Zero
         Euro-Rate Option                               0.50%                                     0.75%
</TABLE>

Level IV Performance Margins shall apply in the event that Financial Test IV is
satisfied and the other conditions set forth above are met. "Financial Test IV"
means that, as of the end of the relevant fiscal quarter, the Consolidated
Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a single accounting
period, is less than 2.50.

                  (ii) As used in this Agreement, the "Maturity Tranche"
corresponding to a particular Scheduled Maturity Date at any time means the
aggregate principal amount of the Term Loans then outstanding which is scheduled
to be due and payable on such Scheduled Maturity Date in accordance 

                                      A-4
<PAGE>   110
with the scheduled maturities set forth in Section 2.01(d) hereof, taking into
account any prepayments applied in accordance with Section 2.05 hereof. As used
in this Agreement, "Early Maturity Tranche" means a Maturity Tranche
corresponding to a Scheduled Maturity Date occurring on or before the June 2000
Scheduled Maturity Date. As used in this Agreement, "Late Maturity Tranche"
means a Maturity Tranche corresponding to a Scheduled Maturity Date occurring on
or after the December 2000 Scheduled Maturity Date. If and to the extent for any
reason any part of any Early Maturity Tranche becomes due (by acceleration or
otherwise) on a day other than its Scheduled Maturity Date, the Applicable
Margin for such part of such Early Maturity Tranche from and after such due date
shall be determined as if such part were a Late Maturity Tranche.

                  (c) FUNDING PERIODS. At any time when the Borrower shall
select, convert to or renew the Euro-Rate Option to apply to any part of the
Loans, the Borrower shall specify one or more periods (the "Funding Periods")
during which each such Option shall apply, such Funding Periods being as set
forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Interest Rate Option                                     Available Funding Periods
- - --------------------                                     -------------------------
<S>                                                      <C>
Euro-Rate Option                                         One, two, three or six months
                                                         ("Euro-Rate Funding Period");
</TABLE>

provided, that:

                   (i) Each Euro-Rate Funding Period shall begin on a London
         Business Day, and the term "month," when used in connection with a
         Euro-Rate Funding Period, shall be construed in accordance with
         prevailing practices in the interbank eurodollar market at the
         commencement of such Euro-Rate Funding Period, as determined in good
         faith by the Agent (which determination shall be conclusive);

                  (ii) Each Funding Segment shall be designated by the Borrower
         to correspond to a single Maturity Tranche, and the Borrower may not
         select a Funding Period that would end after the Scheduled Maturity
         Date corresponding to such Maturity Tranche (it being understood that,
         subject to the other limitations set forth in this Agreement, a
         Maturity Tranche may be comprised of more than one Funding Segment);

                 (iii) The Borrower shall, in selecting any Funding Period,
         allow for reasonably foreseeable mandatory prepayments, so as to avoid
         to the extent practicable application of Section 2.10(b) hereof;

                  (iv) The Borrower may not select a Funding Period that would
         end after the Term Loan Maturity Date; and

                  (v) The aggregate number of Funding Segments at any time shall
         not exceed twenty.

                  (d) TRANSACTIONAL AMOUNTS. Each selection of, conversion from,
conversion to or renewal of an interest rate Option and each payment or
prepayment of any Loans (other than mandatory prepayments to the extent set
forth in Section 2.05(c) hereof) shall be in a principal amount such that after
giving effect thereto the aggregate principal amount of the Base Rate Portion of
the Term Loans, 

                                      A-5
<PAGE>   111
and the aggregate principal amount of each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate
Portion of the Term Loans, shall be as set forth below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Portion or Funding Segment                             Allowable Aggregate Principal Amounts
- - --------------------------                             -------------------------------------
<S>                                                    <C>
Base Rate Portion                                      Any

Each Funding Segment                                   $500,000 or an integral
of the Euro-Rate Portion                               multiple thereof
</TABLE>

                  (e) EURO-RATE UNASCERTAINABLE; IMPRACTICABILITY. If

                   (i) on any date on which a Euro-Rate would otherwise be set
         the Agent (in the case of clauses (A) or (B) below) or any Lender (in
         the case of clause (C) below) shall have determined in good faith
         (which determination shall be conclusive) that:

                  (A) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
         ascertaining such Euro-Rate,

                           (B) a contingency has occurred which materially and
                  adversely affects the interbank eurodollar market, or

                           (C) the effective cost to such Lender of funding a
                  proposed Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion from a
                  Corresponding Source of Funds shall exceed the Euro-Rate
                  applicable to such Funding Segment, or

                  (ii) at any time any Lender shall have determined in good
         faith (which determination shall be conclusive) that the making,
         maintenance or funding of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion has been
         made impracticable or unlawful by compliance by such Lender or a
         Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office in good faith with any Law or
         guideline or interpretation or administration thereof by any
         Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or
         administration thereof or with any request or directive of any such
         Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law);

then, and in any such event, the Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may
notify the Borrower of such determination (and any Lender giving such notice
shall notify the Agent). Upon such date as shall be specified in such notice
(which shall not be earlier than the date such notice is given), the obligation
of each of the Lenders to allow the Borrower to select, convert to or renew the
Euro-Rate Option shall be suspended until the Agent or such Lender, as the case
may be, shall have later notified the Borrower (and any Lender giving such
notice shall notify the Agent) of the Agent's or such Lender's determination in
good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) that the circumstance
giving rise to such previous determination no longer exist. If any Lender
notifies the Borrower of a determination under clause (ii) of this Section
2.03(e), the Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans of such Lender (the "Affected
Lender") shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate Option as of the date
specified in such notice (and accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable
on such date). If at the time the Agent or a Lender makes a determination under
clause (i) or (ii) of this Section 2.03(e) the Borrower previously has notified
the Agent that it wishes to select, convert to or renew the Euro-Rate Option
with respect to any proposed Loans but such Loans have not yet been made, such
notification shall be deemed to provide for selection 

                                      A-6
<PAGE>   112
of, conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate Option instead of the Euro-Rate
Option with respect to such Loans or, in the case of a determination by a
Lender, such Loans of such Lender.

                  2.04. CONVERSION OR RENEWAL OF INTEREST RATE OPTIONS.

                  (a) CONVERSION OR RENEWAL. Subject to the provisions of
Section 2.10(b) hereof, the Borrower may convert any part of its Loans from any
interest rate Option or Options to one or more different interest rate Options
and may renew the Euro-Rate Option as to any Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate
Portion:

                  (i) At any time with respect to conversion from the Base Rate
         Option; or

                  (ii) At the expiration of any Funding Period with respect to
         conversions from or renewals of the Euro-Rate Option, as to the Funding
         Segment corresponding to such expiring Funding Period.

Whenever the Borrower desires to convert or renew any interest rate Option or
Options, the Borrower shall provide to the Agent Standard Notice setting forth
the following information:

                  (w) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the
         proposed conversion or renewal is to be made;

                  (x) The principal amounts selected in accordance with Section
         2.03(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and each Funding Segment of the
         Euro-Rate Portion to be converted from or renewed;

                  (y) The interest rate Option or Options selected in accordance
         with Section 2.03(a) hereof and the principal amounts selected in
         accordance with Section 2.03(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and
         each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to be converted to; and

                  (z) With respect to each Funding Segment to be converted to or
         renewed, the Funding Period to apply to such Funding Segment and the
         Maturity Tranche with respect thereto, selected in accordance with
         Section 2.03(c) hereof.

Standard Notice having been so provided, after the date specified in such
Standard Notice, interest shall be calculated upon the principal amount of the
Loans as so converted or renewed. Interest on the principal amount of any part
of the Loans converted or renewed (automatically or otherwise) shall be due and
payable on the conversion or renewal date.

                  (b) FAILURE TO CONVERT OR RENEW. Absent due notice from the
Borrower of conversion or renewal in the circumstances described in Section
2.04(a)(ii) hereof, any part of the Euro-Rate Portion for which such notice is
not received shall be converted automatically to the Base Rate Option on the
last day of the expiring Funding Period.

                  2.05. PREPAYMENTS GENERALLY. Whenever the Borrower desires or
is required to prepay any part of the Loans, it shall provide Standard Notice to
the Agent setting forth the following information:

                                      A-7
<PAGE>   113
                  (a) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the
         proposed prepayment is to be made;

                  (b) The total principal amount of such prepayment, which shall
         be the sum of the principal amounts selected pursuant to clause (c) of
         this Section 2.05, and which, if a partial prepayment, shall be an
         integral multiple of $1,000,000 (or, in the case of a mandatory
         prepayment pursuant to Section 2.07(b) hereof, an integral multiple of
         $100,000); and

                  (c) The principal amounts selected in accordance with Section
         2.03(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and each part of each Funding
         Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to be prepaid; provided, that in the
         case of a mandatory prepayment under Section 2.07(b) hereof, any excess
         of the amount of such mandatory prepayment applied to a particular
         Maturity Tranche over the Base Rate Portion of such Maturity Tranche
         may be applied to the Euro-Rate Portion of such Maturity Tranche
         without regard to Section 2.03(d) hereof.

Standard Notice having been so provided, on the date specified in such Standard
Notice, the principal amounts of the Base Rate Portion and each part of the
Euro-Rate Portion specified in such notice, together with interest on each such
principal amount to such date, shall be due and payable. Prepayments of the Term
Loans shall be applied to the remaining scheduled installments of the Term Loans
set forth in Section 2.01(d) hereof in the following order of priority (in each
case to the extent such scheduled installment remains outstanding): (i) first,
to the installment due December 2000; (ii) second, to the installment due June
2000; (iii) third, to the installment due December 1999; (iv) fourth, to the
installment due June 1999; and (v) thereafter, to remaining installments in the
inverse order of their scheduled maturity.

                  2.06. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS. The Borrower shall have the right
at its option from time to time to prepay its Loans in whole or part without
premium or penalty (subject, however, to Section 2.10(b) hereof):

                  (a) At any time with respect to any part of the Base Rate
         Portion; or

                  (b) At the expiration of any Funding Period with respect to
         prepayment of the Euro- Rate Portion with respect to any part of the
         Funding Segment corresponding to such expiring Funding Period.

Any such prepayment shall be made in accordance with Section 2.05 hereof.

                  2.07. MANDATORY PREPAYMENTS.

                  (a) EXPIRATION OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Borrower
         shall be required to prepay the Term Loans in full in the event that at
         any time

                  (i) there shall fail to be in force a Revolving Credit
         Agreement (which, so long as the Senior Note Indenture is in force,
         shall constitute a "Credit Agreement" as defined therein), under which
         the Borrower at such time has the right to borrow from financial
         institutions on a revolving basis from time to time an aggregate
         principal amount not less than $75,000,000, or the Revolving Credit
         Maturity Date thereunder shall have occurred, or the Borrower shall be
         required to make any prepayment of principal thereunder or to post cash
         collateral thereunder 

                                      A-8
<PAGE>   114
         (except prepayments of principal or the posting of cash collateral
         which otherwise would be mandatory solely as a result of the Borrower's
         provision of notice of prepayment), or

                  (ii) the Borrower shall not have procured a commitment from a
         financial institution to provide a successor Revolving Credit Agreement
         complying with the foregoing clause (i) by the 90th day before the
         Revolving Credit Maturity Date under the then-current Revolving Credit
         Agreement.

If prepayment of the Term Loans is required under this Section 2.07(a), the
Borrower shall give notice of such prepayment in accordance with Section 2.05
hereof so that such prepayment is made not later than the date of the applicable
event referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii).

                  (b) RECAPTURE ASSET DISPOSITIONS.

                  (i) The Borrower shall be required from time to time to prepay
the principal amount of the Term Loans by an amount not less than the Recapture
Asset Amount from each Recapture Asset Disposition. If prepayment of the Term
Loans is required under this Section 2.07(b), the Borrower shall give notice of
such reduction in accordance with Section 2.05 hereof so that such reduction
shall be effective not later than

                  (x) in the case of a Recapture Asset Disposition of Type A,
         the date of receipt of the related Net Sale Proceeds by the Borrower or
         any of its Subsidiaries, and

                  (y) in the case of a Recapture Asset Disposition of Type B
         (which is not also of Type A), the date on which an amount arising out
         of such Recapture Asset Disposition would (but for the requirement
         hereunder to prepay the Term Loans) constitute "Excess Proceeds" under
         the Senior Note Indenture (taking into account the periods specified in
         the Senior Note Indenture which must elapse before amounts constitute
         "Excess Proceeds").

                  (ii) If a prepayment of the Term Loans is required by this
Section 2.07(b), then, if and to the extent that a prepayment of a Funding
Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion of the Loans otherwise would be required to be
made on a day other than the last day of the corresponding Euro-Rate Funding
Period, the Borrower may defer such prepayment until the last day of such
Funding Segment.

                  (iii) As used in this Agreement, the term "Recapture Asset
         Disposition" means

                  (A) any disposition of any Shares of Capital Stock of TIMCO or
         of any of its assets outside the ordinary course of business (Recapture
         Asset Dispositions described in this clause (A) being sometimes
         referred to herein as being of "Type A"); and

                  (B) any event or condition which would (but for the
         requirement hereunder to prepay the Term Loans) give rise to any
         "Excess Proceeds" as defined in the Senior Note Indenture (taking into
         account the periods specified in the Senior Note Indenture which must
         elapse before amounts constitute "Excess Proceeds") (Recapture Asset
         Dispositions described in this clause (B) being sometimes referred to
         herein as being of "Type B").

The Borrower shall advise the Agent in writing promptly of each proposed, actual
or anticipated Recapture Asset Disposition and of the material terms thereof and
each scheduled date for the

                                      A-9
<PAGE>   115
consummation or occurrence thereof promptly after the Borrower becomes aware of
the same (but in any event not later than the date of such Recapture Asset
Disposition).

                  (iv) As used in this Agreement, the term "Recapture Asset
Amount" has the following meaning:

                  (A) With respect to any Recapture Asset Disposition of Type A,
         "Recapture Asset Amount" means 50% of the Net Sale Proceeds from such
         Recapture Asset Disposition.

                  (B) With respect to any Recapture Asset Disposition of Type B,
         "Recapture Asset Amount" means the amount with respect to such
         Recapture Asset Disposition which (but for the requirement hereunder to
         prepay the Term Loans) would constitute "Excess Proceeds" as defined in
         the Senior Note Indenture (taking into account the periods specified in
         the Senior Note Indenture which must elapse before amounts constitute
         "Excess Proceeds").

If an event constitutes a Recapture Asset Disposition of both Type A and Type B,
"Recapture Asset Amount" with respect to such event shall mean the greater of
the amounts described in the foregoing clauses (A) or (B).

                  (v) "Net Sale Proceeds" means, with respect to any Recapture
Asset Disposition of Type A, the gross proceeds thereof in the form of cash or
cash equivalents (including payments in respect of deferred payment obligations
upon the earliest of (x) receipt of such payments in the form of cash or cash
equivalents, (y) to the extent that such obligations are financed or sold
without recourse to the Borrower or any Subsidiary, the time of such financing
or sale, or (z) to the extent that such obligations are financed or sold with
recourse to the Borrower or such Subsidiary the time that either the original
obligation is discharged or such recourse is no longer in effect), net of the
sum of the following (without duplication): (A) brokerage commissions and other
fees and expenses (including, without limitation, fees and expenses of legal
counsel and investment bankers) related to such Recapture Asset Disposition, (B)
all taxes actually paid or estimated in good faith to be or become payable as a
result of such Recapture Asset Disposition, (C) payments made to retire
obligations (other than to the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) that are secured
by the properties that are the subject of such Recapture Asset Disposition, (D)
payments to holders (other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries) of Shares of
Capital Stock or other equity interests in Subsidiaries of the Borrower subject
to such Recapture Asset Disposition, so long as such payments are made on a pro
rata basis, consistent with the ownership of such interests, to the holders of
such interests, and (E) appropriate amounts to be provided by the Borrower or
any Subsidiary as a reserve required in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States, consistently applied, against any
liabilities associated with such Recapture Asset Disposition and retained by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary thereof after such Recapture Asset Disposition,
including, without limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit
liabilities, liabilities related to environmental matters and liabilities under
any indemnification obligations associated with such Recapture Asset
Disposition; provided, however, that if all or any portion of such reserve is no
longer required, the amount in respect of such reserve shall immediately be
deemed to constitute, and shall be applied as, Net Sale Proceeds.

                  2.08. INTEREST PAYMENT DATES. Accrued and unpaid interest on
the Loans shall be due and payable on the following dates (and on such other
dates as may be specified elsewhere in this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents): (a) in the case of the Base Rate Portion, on each Regular Monthly
Payment Date, and (b) in the case of each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate
Portion, on the

                                      A-10
<PAGE>   116
last day of the corresponding Euro-Rate Funding Period and, if such Euro-Rate
Funding Period is longer than three months, also on the last day of the third
month during such Funding Period. After maturity of any part of the Loans (by
acceleration or otherwise), interest on such part of the Loans shall be due and
payable on demand.

                  2.09. PRO RATA TREATMENT; PAYMENTS GENERALLY.

                  (a) PRO RATA TREATMENT. Each borrowing and each conversion or
renewal of interest rate Options hereunder shall be made, and all payments made
in respect of principal of and interest on Loans due from the Borrower hereunder
or under the Notes shall be applied, Pro Rata from and to each Lender, except
for (y) payments of interest involving an Affected Lender as provided in Section
2.03(e) hereof, and (z) payments to a Lender subject to a withholding deduction
under Section 2.11(c) hereof. The failure of any Lender to make a Loan shall not
relieve any other Lender of its obligation to lend hereunder, but neither the
Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to
make a Loan.

                  (b) PAYMENTS GENERALLY. All payments and prepayments to be
made by the Borrower in respect of principal, interest, fees, indemnities,
expenses or other amounts due from the Borrower hereunder or under any other
Loan Document shall be payable in Dollars at 1:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time, on the
day when due without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby expressly waived, and an action therefor shall immediately
accrue, without setoff, counterclaim, withholding or other deduction of any kind
or nature (except for payments to a Lender subject to a withholding deduction
under Section 2.11(c) hereof). Except for payments under Sections 2.10 or 10.06
hereof, such payments shall be made to the Agent at its Office in funds
immediately available at such Office, and payments under Sections 2.10 or 10.06
hereof shall be made to the applicable Lender at such domestic account as it
shall specify to the Borrower from time to time in funds immediately available
at such account. Any payment received by the Agent or such Lender after 1:00
p.m., Pittsburgh time, on any day shall be deemed to have been received on the
next succeeding Business Day. The Agent shall distribute to the Lenders all such
payments received by the Agent for their respective accounts as promptly as
practicable after receipt by the Agent.

                  (c) INTEREST ON OVERDUE AMOUNTS. To the extent permitted by
law, after there shall have become due (by acceleration or otherwise) principal,
interest, fees, indemnity, expenses or any other amounts due from the Borrower
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, such amounts shall bear interest for
each day until paid (before and after judgment), payable on demand, at a rate
per annum (in each case based on a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be,
and actual days elapsed) which for each day shall be equal to the following:

                  (i) In the case of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion of any
         Loans, (A) until the end of the applicable then-current Funding Period
         at a rate per annum 2.00% above the rate otherwise applicable to such
         part, and (B) thereafter in accordance with the following clause (ii);
         and

                  (ii) In the case of any other amount due from the Borrower
         hereunder or under any Loan Document, 2.00% above the then-current Base
         Rate Option applicable to Late Maturity Tranches.

                                      A-11
<PAGE>   117
To the extent permitted by law, interest accrued on any amount which has become
due hereunder or under any Loan Document shall compound on a day-by-day basis,
and hence shall be added daily to the overdue amount to which such interest
relates.

                  2.10. ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

                  (a) INCREASED COSTS OR REDUCED RETURN RESULTING FROM TAXES,
RESERVES, CAPITAL ADEQUACY REQUIREMENTS, EXPENSES, ETC. If any Law or guideline
or interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof or compliance with any request
or directive of any Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of
law) now existing or hereafter adopted:

                   (i) subjects any Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office to any tax or changes the basis of taxation with respect
         to this Agreement, the Notes, the Loans, or payments by the Borrower of
         principal, interest, fees or other amounts due from the Borrower
         hereunder or under the Notes (except for taxes on the overall net
         income or overall gross receipts of such Lender Party or such Notional
         Euro-Rate Funding Office imposed by the jurisdictions (federal, state
         and local) in which the Lender Party's principal office or Notional
         Euro-Rate Funding Office is located),

                  (ii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve,
         special deposit, insurance assessment or any other requirement against
         credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, assets (funded or
         contingent) of, deposits with or for the account of, other acquisitions
         of funds by, such Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office
         (other than requirements expressly included herein in the determination
         of the Euro-Rate hereunder),

                 (iii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any capital
         adequacy or similar requirement against assets (funded or contingent)
         of, or credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, any Lender
         Party or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office, or applicable to the
         obligations of any Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding
         Office under this Agreement, or

                  (iv) imposes upon any Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office any other condition or expense with respect to this
         Agreement, the Notes or its making, maintenance or funding of any Loan,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, reduce the
income receivable by, or impose any expense (including loss of margin) upon any
Lender Party, any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or, in the case of clause
(iii) hereof, any Person controlling a Lender Party, with respect to this
Agreement, the Notes or the making, maintenance or funding of any Loan (or, in
the case of any capital adequacy or similar requirement, to have the effect of
reducing the rate of return on such Lender Party's or controlling Person's
capital, taking into consideration such Lender Party's or controlling Person's
policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount which such Lender Party
deems to be material (such Lender Party being deemed for this purpose to have
made, maintained or funded each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion from a
Corresponding Source of Funds), such Lender Party may from
 time to time notify the Borrower of the amount determined in good faith by such
Lender Party (which determination shall be conclusive) to be necessary to
compensate such Lender Party or such Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office for such
increase, reduction or imposition. In making any such determination 

                                      A-12
<PAGE>   118
such Lender Party may take into account any special, supplemental or other
nonrecurring items, may apply any averaging or attribution methods, and may make
such determination prospectively or retrospectively. Such amount shall be due
and payable by the Borrower to such Lender Party five Business Days after such
notice is given, together with an amount equal to interest on such amount from
the date two Business Days after the date demanded until such due date at the
Base Rate Option applicable to the related portion of the Loan. The Borrower
shall not be required to make any payment in respect of clause (a)(i) above to a
Lender to the extent that such payment is attributable to a breach by such
Lender of its obligations under Section 2.11(c) below.

                  (b) FUNDING BREAKAGE. In the event that for any reason (i) the
Borrower fails to borrow, convert or renew any part of any Loan hereunder which
would, after such borrowing, conversion or renewal, have a Euro-Rate Portion,
after notice requesting such borrowing, conversion or renewal has been given by
the Borrower (whether such failure results from failure to satisfy applicable
conditions to such borrowing, conversion or renewal or otherwise), or (ii) any
part of any Funding Segment of any Euro-Rate Portion becomes due (by
acceleration or otherwise), or is paid, prepaid or converted to another interest
rate Option (whether or not such payment, prepayment or conversion is mandatory
or automatic and whether or not such payment or prepayment is then due), on a
day other than the last day of the corresponding Funding Period, the Borrower
shall indemnify each Lender on demand against any loss, liability, cost or
expense of any kind or nature which such Lender may sustain or incur in
connection with or as a result of such event. Such indemnification in any event
shall include an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the aggregate amount
of interest which would have accrued on the amount of the Euro-Rate Portion not
so borrowed, converted or renewed, or which so becomes due, or which is so paid,
prepaid or converted, as the case may be, from and including the date on which
such borrowing, conversion or renewal would have been made pursuant to such
notice, or on which such part of such Funding Segment so becomes due, or on
which such part of such Funding Segment is so paid, prepaid or converted, as the
case may be, to the last day of the Funding Period applicable to such amount
(or, in the case of a failure to borrow, convert or renew, the Funding Period
that would have been applicable to such amount but for such failure), in each
case at the applicable rate of interest for such Euro-Rate Portion provided for
herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin included therein, if any),
over (y) the aggregate amount of interest (as determined in good faith by such
Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender on such amount for such period
by placing such amount on deposit for such period with leading banks in the
interbank market. A certificate by the Lender as to any amount that such Lender
is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section 2.10(b) shall be conclusive if
made in good faith.

                  2.11. TAXES.

                  (a) PAYMENT NET OF TAXES. All payments made by the Borrower
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of,
and without reduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future
income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions
or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or
assessed by any Governmental Authority, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding

                  (i) in the case of each Lender Party, income or franchise
         taxes imposed on such Lender Party by the jurisdiction under the laws
         of which such Lender Party is organized or any political subdivision or
         taxing authority thereof or therein or as a result of a connection
         between such Lender Party and any jurisdiction other than a connection
         resulting solely from this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
         hereby, and

                                      A-13
<PAGE>   119
                  (ii) in the case of each Lender, income or franchise taxes
         imposed by any jurisdiction in which such Lender's lending offices
         which make or book Loans are located or any political subdivision or
         taxing authority thereof or therein

(all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or
withholdings being hereinafter called "Taxes"). If any Taxes are required to be
withheld or deducted from any amounts payable to any Lender Party under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall pay the relevant amount
of such Taxes and the amounts so payable to such Lender Party shall be increased
to the extent necessary to yield to such Lender Party (after payment of all
Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in
the amounts specified in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Whenever
any Taxes are paid by the Borrower with respect to payments made in connection
with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as promptly as possible
thereafter, the Borrower shall send to the Agent for its own account or for the
account of such Lender Party, as the case may be, a certified copy of an
original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof.

                  (b) INDEMNITY. The Borrower hereby indemnifies each Lender
Party for the full amount of all Taxes attributable to payments by or on behalf
of the Borrower to such Lender Party hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents, any Taxes paid by such Lender Party, and any present or future
claims, liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any omission to
pay or delay in paying any Taxes (including any incremental Taxes, interest or
penalties that may become payable by such Lender Party as a result of any
failure to pay such Taxes). Such indemnification shall be made within five
Business Days from the date such Lender Party makes written demand therefor. The
Borrower shall not be required to make any payment under this Section 2.11(b) to
a Lender to the extent that such payment is attributable to a breach by such
Lender of its obligations under Section 2.11(c) below.

                  (c) WITHHOLDING. Each Lender that is incorporated or organized
under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or any state
thereof agrees that, on or prior to the date it becomes party to this Agreement,
it will furnish to the Borrower and the Agent two valid, duly completed copies
of United States Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or United States Internal
Revenue Service Form 1001 or successor applicable form, as the case may be,
certifying in each case that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents without deduction or withholding of
any United States federal income taxes. Each Lender which so delivers to the
Borrower and the Agent a Form 1001 or 4224, or a successor applicable form,
agrees to deliver to the Borrower and the Agent two further copies of the said
Form 1001 or 4224 or a successor applicable form, or other manner of
certification, as the case may be, on or before the date that any such form
expires or becomes obsolete or otherwise is required to be resubmitted as a
condition to obtaining an exemption from withholding tax, or after the
occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously
delivered by it, and such extensions or renewals thereof as may reasonably be
requested by the Borrower or the Agent, certifying in the case of a Form 1001 or
Form 4224 that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document without deduction or withholding of any United States
federal income taxes, unless in any such cases an event (including any changes
in law) has occurred prior to the date on which any such delivery would
otherwise be required which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would
prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such letter or form
with respect to it and such Lender advises the Borrower and the Agent that it is
not capable of receiving payments without any deduction or withholding of United
States federal income tax. In addition, if at any time the Borrower believes
that 

                                      A-14
<PAGE>   120
payments to any Lender (foreign or domestic) may be subject to U.S. backup
withholding tax, such Lender shall, at the Borrower's reasonable request from
time to time, if such Lender is legally able to do so, provide the Borrower with
evidence establishing an exemption from U.S. backup withholding tax.

                  (d) CREDITS. If any payment by the Borrower is made to or for
the account of the Lender Party after deduction for or on account of any Taxes,
and increased payments are made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 2.11(a),
then, if such Lender Party in its reasonable opinion determines that it has
received or been granted a credit against or remission for such Taxes, such
Lender Party shall, to the extent it can do so without prejudice to the
retention of the amount of such credit or remission, reimburse to the Borrower
such amount as such Lender Party shall, in its reasonable opinion acting in good
faith, have determined to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or deduction or
withholding. Any payment made by a Lender Party under this Section 2.11(d) shall
be prima facie evidence of the amount due to the Borrower hereunder. Nothing
herein contained shall interfere with the right of any Lender Party to arrange
its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and, in particular, no Lender
Party shall be under any obligation to claim relief from its corporate profits
or similar tax liability in respect of such tax in priority to any other claims,
reliefs, credits or deductions available to it nor oblige any Lender Party to
disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in
respect thereof.

                  2.12. FUNDING BY BRANCH, SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE.

                  (a) NOTIONAL FUNDING. Each Lender shall have the right from
time to time, prospectively or retrospectively, without notice to the Borrower,
to deem any branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender to have made,
maintained or funded any part of the Euro-Rate Portion at any time. Any branch,
subsidiary or affiliate so deemed shall be known as a "Notional Euro-Rate
Funding Office." Such Lender shall deem any part of the Euro-Rate Portion of the
Loans or the funding therefor to have been transferred to a different Notional
Euro-Rate Funding Office if such transfer would avoid or cure an event or
condition described in Section 2.03(e)(ii) hereof or would lessen compensation
payable by the Borrower under Section 2.10(a) hereof, and if such Lender
determines in its sole discretion that such transfer would be practicable and
would not have a material adverse effect on such part of the Loans, such Lender
or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office (it being assumed for purposes of such
determination that each part of the Euro-Rate Portion is actually made or
maintained by or funded through the corresponding Notional Euro-Rate Funding
Office). Notional Euro-Rate Funding Offices may be selected by such Lender
without regard to such Lender's actual methods of making, maintaining or funding
Loans or any sources of funding actually used by or available to such Lender.

                  (b) ACTUAL FUNDING. Each Lender shall have the right from time
to time to make or maintain any part of the Euro-Rate Portion by arranging for a
branch, subsidiary or affiliate of such Lender to make or maintain such part of
the Euro-Rate Portion. Such Lender shall have the right to (i) hold any
applicable Note payable to its order for the benefit and account of such branch,
subsidiary or affiliate or (ii) request the Borrower to issue one or more
promissory notes in the principal amount of such Euro-Rate Portion, in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit A-1, with the blanks
appropriately filled, payable to such branch, subsidiary or affiliate. The
Borrower agrees to comply promptly with any request under clause (ii) of this
Section 2.12(b). If any Lender causes a branch, subsidiary or affiliate to make
or maintain any part of the Euro-Rate Portion hereunder, all terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall, except where the context clearly requires
otherwise, be applicable to such part of the Euro-Rate Portion and to any note
payable to the order of such branch, subsidiary or affiliate to the same extent
as if such part of the Euro-Rate Portion were made or maintained and such note
were a Term Loan Note payable to such Lender's order.

                                      A-15
<PAGE>   121
                                   ARTICLE III
                                   [RESERVED]


                                   ARTICLE IV
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to each Lender
Party as follows:

                  4.01. CORPORATE STATUS. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of
the Borrower is a Corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of organization. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower has corporate power and authority to own its property and to transact
the business in which it is engaged or presently proposes to engage. The
Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower is duly qualified to do business as
a foreign Corporation and, to the extent applicable, is in good standing in all
jurisdictions in which the ownership of its properties or the nature of its
activities or both makes such qualification necessary or advisable, except for
matters that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely
to, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.02. CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORIZATION. The Borrower has
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, perform, and take all actions
contemplated by, each Loan Document to which it is a party, and all such action
has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings on
its part. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Borrower has the corporate
power and authority to borrow pursuant to the Loan Documents to the fullest
extent permitted hereby and thereby, and has taken all necessary corporate
action to authorize such borrowings.

                  4.03. EXECUTION AND BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement, each other
Loan Document to which the Borrower is a party and which is executed and
delivered or required to be executed and delivered on or before the date as of
which this representation and warranty is made, has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by the Borrower. This Agreement and each such Loan
Document constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered
by the Borrower will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

                  4.04. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. No approval, order,
consent, authorization, certificate, license, permit or validation of, or
exemption or other action by, or filing, recording or registration with, or
notice to, any Governmental Authority (collectively, "Governmental Action") is
or will be necessary or advisable in connection with execution and delivery of
any Loan Document, consummation of the transactions herein or therein
contemplated, performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions hereof
or thereof or to ensure the legality, validity, binding effect, enforceability
or admissibility in evidence hereof or thereof, except for the following: (a)
filings and recordings in respect of the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent
and the Agent contemplated hereby and thereby, and (b) other matters set forth
in Schedule 4.04 hereof. Each Governmental Action referred to in the foregoing
clauses (a) and (b) has been duly obtained or made, as the case may be, and is
in full force and effect (except, in the case of clause (a), for the filing of
continuation statements and like renewal filings and recordings which are not
yet required to be made). There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation
pending or (to the Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry) threatened which

                                      A-16
<PAGE>   122
seeks or may result in the reversal, rescission, termination, modification or
suspension of any such Governmental Action.

                  4.05. ABSENCE OF CONFLICTS. Neither the execution and delivery
of any Loan Document nor consummation of the transactions herein or therein
contemplated, nor performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions
hereof or thereof, does or will

                  (a)  violate or conflict with any Law, or

                  (b) violate or conflict with, or constitute a default under,
         or result in (or give rise to any right, contingent or other, of any
         Person to cause) any termination, cancellation, prepayment or
         acceleration of performance of, or result in the creation or imposition
         of (or give rise to any obligation, contingent or other, to create or
         impose) any Lien upon any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
         the Borrower (except for any Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent
         securing the Obligations) pursuant to, or otherwise result in (or give
         rise to any right, contingent or other, of any Person to cause) any
         change in any right, power, privilege, duty or obligation of the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower under or in connection with,
         (i) the articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other constituent
         documents) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (ii)
         any agreement or instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
         the Borrower is a party or by which any of them or any of their
         respective properties may be subject or bound,

except, in the case of the foregoing clause (b)(ii), for matters set forth on
Schedule 4.05 hereof.

                  4.06. AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower has
heretofore furnished to the Agent and each Lender consolidated balance sheets of
the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and
December 31, 1995 and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows
and changes in stockholders' equity for the fiscal years then ended, as audited
and reported on by Deloitte & Touche, independent certified public accountants
for the Borrower, who delivered an unqualified opinion in respect thereof. Such
financial statements (including the notes thereto) present fairly the financial
position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of each
such fiscal year and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
the fiscal years then ended, all in conformity with GAAP.

                  4.07. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower has
heretofore furnished to the Agent and each Lender interim consolidated balance
sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of September 30,
1996, together with the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows
and changes in stockholders' equity for the period from January 1, 1996 to such
date. Such financial statements (including the notes thereto) present fairly the
financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of
September 30, 1996, and their respective results of operations and cash flows
for the fiscal period then ended, all in conformity with GAAP (except that such
financial statements do not contain all of the footnote disclosures required by
GAAP), subject to normal and recurring year-end audit adjustments.

                  4.08. ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Neither the Borrower
nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower has any liability or obligation of any nature
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or other, whether or not due, including
but not limited to forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated
losses from unfavorable commitments) that would be required by GAAP to be
reflected on 

                                      A-17
<PAGE>   123
a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the
notes thereto) or that has, or would be likely to have, a Material Adverse
Effect, except (a) matters set forth on Schedule 4.08 hereto, (b) liabilities
and obligations disclosed in the financial statements referred to in Sections
4.05 and 4.06 hereof, (c) liabilities and obligations incurred after December
31, 1995 in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices,
and (d) obligations under the Credit Facilities.

                  4.09. ACCURATE AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURE. All written
information heretofore, contemporaneously or hereafter provided by or on behalf
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to any Secured Party pursuant
to or in connection with any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated
hereby or thereby is or will be (as the case may be) true and accurate in all
material respects on the date as of which such information is dated (or, if not
dated, when received by such Secured Party) and does not or will not (as the
case may be) omit to state any material fact necessary to make such information
not misleading at such time in light of the circumstances in which it was
provided. Except as disclosed to the Agent and each Lender in writing, the
Borrower is not aware of any event, change or effect (other than political,
social or economic events, changes or effects of general national or global
scope) having or likely to have individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  4.10. PROJECTIONS. The Borrower has delivered to the Agent
projections prepared by the Borrower, dated February 5, 1997, for the years 1997
through 2001, demonstrating the projected consolidated financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which
projections are accompanied by a written statement of the assumptions and
estimates underlying such projections. Such projections, assumptions and
estimates, as of the Closing Date, are reasonable, consistent with the Loan
Documents, and represent the best judgment of the Borrower on such matters. Such
projections, assumptions and estimates are based upon political, social and
economic assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. Nothing has come to the
attention of the Borrower as of the Closing Date which would lead it to believe
that such projections will not be attained or exceeded. Such projections are not
a guarantee of future performance.

                  4.11. SOLVENCY. On and as of the date hereof, and on the
Closing Date, the Borrower and each Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower is
and will be Solvent (and for this purpose, each Subsidiary of the Borrower which
is not Solvent shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if, collectively,
together with their respective Subsidiaries, treated as a single entity, they
would constitute a Significant Subsidiary).

                  4.12. MARGIN REGULATIONS. No part of the proceeds of any
extension of credit hereunder will be used for the purpose of buying or carrying
any "margin stock," as such term is used in Regulations G and U of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time to time, to extend
credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying any "margin stock," or to
extend credit to any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Broker-Dealer. Neither
the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower is engaged in the business of
extending credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying "margin stock."
Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower owns "margin stock"
sufficient to cause any Loan Obligations to be deemed "indirectly secured" by
"margin stock" within the meaning of such Regulations. Neither any extension of
credit pursuant to this Agreement nor any use of proceeds of any such extension
of credit will violate or conflict with the provisions of Regulation G, T, U or
X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time
to time.

                                      A-18
<PAGE>   124
                  4.13. REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.13 hereof, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower is (a) an
"investment company" or a company "controlled" by an investment company within
the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, (b) a "holding
company" or a "subsidiary company" of a "holding company" or an "affiliate" of
either a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" within the meaning of the
Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended, (c) subject to
regulation under the Federal Power Act, the Interstate Commerce Act, or the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or (d) subject to any other Law
which purports to restrict or regulate its ability to borrow money or obtain
credit as a consequence of the nature of the business conducted by such Person.

                  4.14. SUBSIDIARIES. Schedule 4.14 hereof states the authorized
capitalization of each Subsidiary of the Borrower, the number of Shares of
Capital Stock of each class issued and outstanding of each such Subsidiary, and
the number and percentage of outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of each such
class owned by the Borrower and by each Subsidiary of the Borrower. The
outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of each Subsidiary of the Borrower have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. The
Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower owns beneficially and of record and
has good title to all of the Shares of Capital Stock it is listed as owning in
such Schedule 4.14, free and clear of any Lien, except for Liens in favor of the
Collateral Agent securing the Obligations. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14
hereof, there are no options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, conversion rights,
exchange rights, preemptive rights or other rights, agreements or arrangements
(contingent or other) which may in any circumstances now or hereafter obligate
any Subsidiary of the Borrower to issue any Shares of its Capital Stock or any
other securities.

                  4.15. PARTNERSHIPS, ETC. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower is a partner (general or limited) of any partnership,
is a party to any joint venture, or owns (beneficially or of record) any equity
or similar interest in any Person (including but not limited to any interest
pursuant to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary has or may in any circumstance
have an obligation to make capital contributions to, or be generally liable for
or on account of the liabilities, acts or omissions of such other Person),
except (a) distributorship or similar arrangements that do not involve liability
on the part of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the nature of the
liability of a general partner, and (b) partnership interests permitted under
Sections 7.05(g) and 7.05(j) hereof.

                  4.16. LITIGATION. There is no pending or (to the knowledge of
the Borrower after due inquiry) threatened action, suit, proceeding or
investigation by or before any Governmental Authority against or affecting the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for (x) matters set forth on
Schedule 4.16 hereto, and (y) matters that if adversely decided, individually or
in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                  4.17. ABSENCE OF OTHER CONFLICTS. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower is in violation of or conflict with, or is subject to
any contingent liability on account of any violation of or conflict with:

                  (a) any Law,

                  (b) its articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other
         constituent documents), or

                  (c) any agreement or instrument to which it is party or by
         which it or any of its properties may be subject or bound,

                                      A-19
<PAGE>   125
except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not
be likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.18. INSURANCE. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower maintains, or causes there to be maintained, with financially sound and
reputable insurers not related to or affiliated with the Borrower insurance with
respect to its properties and business and against at least such liabilities,
casualties and contingencies and in at least such types and amounts as is
customary in the case of Persons engaged in the same or a similar business or
having similar properties similarly situated.

                  4.19. TITLE TO PROPERTY. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of
the Borrower has good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property
owned or purported to be owned by it and good title to all other property of
whatever nature owned or purported to be owned by it, including but not limited
to all property reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet referred to
in Section 4.06 hereof (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary
course of business after the date of such balance sheet), in each case free and
clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

                  4.20. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Borrower and each Subsidiary
of the Borrower owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use, all the
patents, trademarks, service marks, names (trade, service, fictitious or other),
copyrights, technology (including but not limited to computer programs and
software), know-how, processes, data bases and other rights, free from
burdensome restrictions, necessary to own and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as presently conducted and presently planned to be
conducted without conflict with the rights of others, except for matters that,
individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.21. TAXES. All federal income tax returns required to be
filed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower have
been properly prepared, executed and filed. All other tax and information
returns required to be filed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
of the Borrower have been properly prepared, executed and filed, except for
matters that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely
to, have a Material Adverse Effect. All taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges upon the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or upon
any of their respective properties, incomes, sales or franchises which are due
and payable have been paid, other than those not yet delinquent and payable
without premium or penalty, and except for those being diligently contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings, and in each case such reserves and
provisions for taxes as may be required by GAAP shall have been made on the
books of the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower. The reserves and
provisions for taxes on the books of the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower for all open years and for its current fiscal period are adequate in
accordance with GAAP. As of the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower knows of any proposed additional assessment or basis
for any material assessment for additional taxes (whether or not reserved
against), other than as set forth on Schedule 4.21 hereto.

                  4.22. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Except for matters disclosed to the
Agent before the date as of which this representation and warranty is made or
reaffirmed, neither the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or Controlled
Group Member has incurred any liability that has not been fully discharged (or
any contingent or other potential liability that represents a material risk of
becoming an actual liability) exceeding $150,000 in the aggregate for all such
Persons for or in connection with any of the following: (a) any Pension-Related
Event (whether or not any such Pension-Related Event has occurred) or (b) any
complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan (whether or not such
withdrawal

                                     A-20
<PAGE>   126
has occurred). All employee benefit arrangements covering employees of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries have been administered in substantial
compliance with, and funded in accordance with, applicable Law.

                  4.23. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed in Schedule
4.23 hereof, the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower and each of their
respective Environmental Affiliates is and has been in full compliance with all
applicable Environmental Laws, except for matters which, individually or in the
aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect.
Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.23 hereof, there is no Environmental Claim
pending or to the knowledge of the Borrower threatened, and there are no past or
present acts, omissions, events or circumstances (including but not limited to
any dumping, leaching, deposition, removal, abandonment, escape, emission,
discharge or release of any Environmental Concern Material at, on or under any
facility or property now or previously owned, operated or leased by the Borrower
or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of their respective Environmental
Affiliates) that could form the basis of any Environmental Claim, against the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of their respective
Environmental Affiliates, except for matters which do not, and, if adversely
decided, individually or in the aggregate, would not, have a Material Adverse
Effect. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.23 hereof, no facility or property now
or previously owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
Borrower or any of their respective Environmental Affiliates is an Environmental
Cleanup Site. No Lien exists, and no condition exists which would be likely to
result in the filing of a Lien, against any property of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary of the Borrower under any Environmental Law.


                                    ARTICLE V
                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING

                  5.01. CONDITIONS TO INITIAL LOANS. The obligation of each
Lender to make Term Loans on the Closing Date is subject to performance by the
Borrower of its obligations to be performed hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents, to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth herein and
in the other Loan Documents and to the satisfaction, immediately prior to or
concurrently with the making of such Loan of the following further conditions
precedent:

                  (a) AGREEMENT; NOTES. The Agent shall have received, with a
         copy for each Lender, this Agreement, duly executed on behalf of the
         Borrower, and Term Loan Notes conforming to the requirements hereof,
         duly executed on behalf of the Borrower.

                  (b) SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENTS. The Collateral Agent shall have
         received the following, each of which shall be in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender (except that the
         Lenders shall not be entitled to receive duplicate originals of the
         stock certificates and other instruments pledged pursuant to the
         following Shared Security Documents and the stock powers delivered in
         connection therewith):

                  (i) The Collateral Agency Agreement, duly executed on behalf
         of Borrower and the other parties thereto.

                  (ii) The Borrower Pledge Agreement, duly executed on behalf of
         the Borrower.

                                      A-21
<PAGE>   127
                  (iii) Certificates and instruments representing the stock
         certificates and other instruments pledged pursuant to the Borrower
         Pledge Agreement, accompanied by undated duly executed instruments of
         transfer or assignment in blank, in form and substance satisfactory to
         the Agent.

                  (iv) Financing statements executed by the Borrower and in
         proper form for filing under the Uniform Commercial Code in such
         jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the opinion of the Agent,
         desirable to create, perfect or protect the Liens created or purported
         to be created by the Borrower Pledge Agreement (which financing
         statements shall cover all personal property of the Borrower, whether
         or not constituting collateral security under the Borrower Pledge
         Agreement).

                  (v) Evidence that all other actions necessary or, in the
         opinion of the Agent, desirable to create, perfect or protect the Liens
         created or purported to be created by the Borrower Pledge Agreement
         have been taken.

                  (vi) Evidence of contemporaneous searches of UCC, tax and
         other appropriate registers, dockets and records, which shall have
         revealed no filings or recordings with respect to property of the
         Borrower (other than those relating to Permitted Liens).

                  (c) WEFA ACQUISITION. The Borrower or a Wholly Owned
         Subsidiary of the Borrower shall have entered into a contract to
         acquire good title, free of all Liens, to all of the outstanding Shares
         of Capital Stock of WEFA Holdings, Inc. ("WEFA").

                  (d) ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS. The Agent shall have received, with
         copies for each Lender, true and correct copies (in each case certified
         as to authenticity on behalf of the Borrower) of the following, each of
         which shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent: all
         agreements relating to the acquisition of the Shares of Capital Stock
         of WEFA (including in each case all exhibits, schedules and disclosure
         letters delivered pursuant thereto), all amendments, waivers and
         consents relating thereto, and all other side letters or agreements
         affecting the terms thereof or other transactions contemplated thereby.

                  (e) OTHER CREDIT FACILITIES. The Agent shall have received
         evidence satisfactory to it that all conditions precedent to funding
         under the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Note Backup Agreement
         shall have been satisfied.

                  (f) DISCHARGE OF PRIOR CREDIT FACILITIES. With respect to (a)
         the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 1995 among the
         Borrower, the Issuing Banks referred to therein, the Lenders parties
         thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank
         of Boston, and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon
         Bank, N.A., as Agent, as amended, (b) the Term Loan Agreement dated as
         of June 29, 1995 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties thereto from
         time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank of Boston and
         NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as
         Agent, as amended, and (c) the Credit Agreement dated as of October 23,
         1996 among the Borrower, the Issuing Bank referred to therein, and
         Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as amended, all principal, interest,
         letter of credit draws, fees and other amounts outstanding or otherwise
         due and payable shall have been paid in full, all commitments
         thereunder shall have terminated, all outstanding letters of credit
         thereunder shall have been terminated or assumed under one of the
         Credit Facilities, and all collateral security therefor shall have been
         released.

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                  (g) GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. The Agent shall have
         received, with copies for each Lender, true and correct copies (in each
         case certified as to authenticity on such date on behalf of the
         Borrower) of all items referred to in clause (b) of Section 4.04 hereof
         and such items shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent
         and shall be in full force and effect.

                  (h) OTHER CONFLICTS. The Agent shall have received, with
         copies for each Lender, true and correct copies (in each case certified
         as to authenticity on such date on behalf of the Borrower) of each
         consent, waiver, amendment or agreement which has been obtained by or
         on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in respect
         of any matter which would, absent such consent, waiver, amendment or
         agreement, be within the scope of clause (b)(ii) of Section 4.05
         hereof, and such items shall be satisfactory in form and substance to
         the Agent and shall be in full force and effect.

                  (i) CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. The Agent shall have received, with
         a counterpart for each Lender, certificates by the Secretary or
         Assistant Secretary of the Borrower dated as of the Closing Date as to
         (i) true copies of the articles of incorporation and by-laws (or other
         constituent documents) of the Borrower in effect on such date, (ii)
         true copies of all corporate action taken by the Borrower relative to
         this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (iii) the incumbency
         and signature of the respective officers of the Borrower executing this
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a
         party, together with satisfactory evidence of the incumbency of such
         Secretary or Assistant Secretary. The Agent shall have received, with a
         copy for each Lender, certificates from the appropriate Secretary of
         State or other applicable Governmental Authorities dated not more than
         30 days before the Closing Date showing the good standing of the
         Borrower in its state of incorporation.

                  (j) 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower shall have
         furnished to the Agent an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the
         Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996, and
         unaudited consolidated statements of income and stockholders' equity of
         the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal year
         ended December 31, 1996. Such financial statements shall have been
         certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as presenting fairly
         the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its
         consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the
         consolidated results of their operations and stockholders' equity for
         such fiscal year, in conformity with GAAP, subject to normal and
         recurring audit adjustments.

                  (k) FORM U-1. The Agent shall have received, with a
         counterpart for each Lender, a Federal Reserve Board Form U-1, duly
         executed by the Borrower, satisfactory in form and substance to the
         Agent.

                  (l) LITIGATION. There shall not be pending or (to the
         knowledge of the Borrower after due inquiry) threatened action, suit,
         proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority
         seeking to challenge, prevent or declare illegal any of the
         transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

                  (m) LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE BORROWER. The Agent shall
         have received, with an executed counterpart for each Lender, an opinion
         addressed to the Agent and each Lender, dated the Closing Date, of
         counsel to the Borrower (who shall be satisfactory to the Agent), as to

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<PAGE>   129
         such matters as may be requested by the Agent and in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (n) OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES. The Agent shall have received,
         with an executed counterpart for each Lender, certificates from such
         officers of the Borrower as to such matters as the Agent may request.

                  (o) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. No material adverse change
         shall have occurred in the business, operations, assets, condition
         (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole since September 30, 1996.

                  (p) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, ETC. All representations
         and warranties set forth in Article IV hereof shall be true and correct
         on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date,
         after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan
         Documents to occur on or before the Closing Date.

                  (q) NO DEFAULTS. No Event of Default or Potential Default
         shall have occurred and be continuing or exist on the Closing Date or
         after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan
         Documents to occur on or before the Closing Date.

                  (r) NO VIOLATIONS OF LAW, ETC. Neither the making nor use of
         the Loans shall cause any Lender Party to violate any Law.

                  (s) NOTICE. Notice with respect to the Loans shall have been
         given by the Borrower in accordance with Article II hereof.

                  (t) FEES, EXPENSES, ETC. The Borrower shall have executed and
         delivered an origination fee letter (the "Origination Fee Letter") of
         even date herewith satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent. All
         fees and other compensation required to be paid to the Agent or the
         Lenders pursuant hereto or pursuant to such Origination Fee Letter on
         or prior to the Closing Date shall have been paid or received.

                  (u) ADDITIONAL MATTERS. All corporate and other proceedings,
         and all documents, instruments and other matters in connection with the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan
         Documents, shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent.
         The Agent shall have received such other documents, instruments and
         other items as the Agent may reasonably request.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Borrower hereby covenants to each Lender Party as follows:

                  6.01. BASIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

                  (a) ANNUAL AUDIT REPORTS. As soon as practicable, and in any
event within 105 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the
Borrower shall furnish to the Agent, with a copy 

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for each Lender, audited consolidated statements of income, cash flows and
stockholders' equity of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such
fiscal year, an unaudited consolidating statement of income of the Borrower and
its consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, and an audited consolidated
balance sheet and unaudited consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year, and notes to
each, all in reasonable detail, prepared on a comparative basis in accordance
with GAAP. Such audited financial statements shall be accompanied by an opinion
of Deloitte & Touche or other independent certified public accountants of
recognized national standing selected by the Borrower and reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent. Such opinion shall be free of any exception,
qualification or explanation not acceptable to the Agent (and in any event shall
be free of any exception, qualification or explanation relating to ability to
continue as a going concern, a limited scope of examination or independence).
Such opinion in any event shall contain a written statement of such accountants
substantially to the effect that (i) such accountants audited such consolidated
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards
and (ii) in the opinion of such accountants such audited financial statements
present fairly the financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the results of their
operations and their cash flows and stockholders' equity for such fiscal year,
in conformity with GAAP. Such unaudited financial statements shall be certified
by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as presenting fairly the consolidated
and consolidating financial position of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year, and the respective consolidated
and consolidating results of their operations and their cash flows and
stockholders' equity for such fiscal year, in conformity with GAAP.

                  (b) QUARTERLY REPORTS. As soon as practicable, and in any
event within 60 days after the close of each of the first three fiscal quarters
of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent,
with a copy for each Lender, unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash
flows and stockholders' equity of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries
for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of such fiscal
year to the end of such fiscal quarter, an unaudited consolidating statement of
income for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of such
fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter, and unaudited consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries
as of the close of such fiscal quarter, and notes to each, all in reasonable
detail, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the same
periods or as of the same date during the preceding fiscal year (except for the
consolidated balance sheet, which shall set forth in comparative form the
corresponding balance sheet as of the prior fiscal year end, and cash flow
statements, which shall report only year to date periods). Such financial
statements shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as
presenting fairly the consolidated and consolidating financial position of the
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter
and the respective consolidated and consolidating results of their operations
 and their cash flows and stockholders' equity for such fiscal quarter, in
conformity with GAAP, subject to normal and recurring year-end audit
adjustments.

                  (c) COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES. Concurrently with the delivery of
the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and 6.01(b), the
Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Agent, with a copy for
each Lender, a certificate in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit C,
duly completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

                  (d) ACCOUNTANTS' CERTIFICATES. Concurrently with the Agent's
receipt from the Borrower of each set of audited financial statements delivered
pursuant to Section 6.01(a), the Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Agent, with sufficient copies for each Lender, a report signed
by

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<PAGE>   131
the independent certified public accountants who opined on such financial
statements and dated the date of such financial statements, stating in substance
that they have reviewed this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and that in
making the examination necessary for their opinion on such financial statements
they did not become aware of any Event of Default or Potential Default pursuant
to Sections 7.01, 7.02(e)(iv), 7.03(e) and 7.03(f) as of the end of such fiscal
year, or, if they did become so aware, such certificate or report shall state
the nature and period of existence thereof.

                  (e) ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN. Not later than January 31 of each
year, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a
business plan for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the next five years,
certified as such by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such business plan
shall be not less detailed than the 1997-2001 corporate plan heretofore
delivered to the Agent and each Lender, and shall include or be accompanied by,
among other matters reasonably requested from time to time, projected income,
cash flows and summary balance sheet for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on
both a consolidated and a separate unconsolidated basis for each year in such
five year period.

                  (f) QUARTERLY PLAN UPDATES. Concurrently with the delivery of
the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(b), the Borrower shall
furnish to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a quarterly update to the
most recent annual business plan, certified as such by a Responsible Officer of
the Borrower. Such business plan shall be not less detailed than the third
quarter update for 1996 heretofore delivered to the Agent and each Lender.

                  (g) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Concurrently with the
delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and
6.01(b), the Borrower shall provide the Agent, with a copy for each Lender,
summary financial information as to the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (and separate financial information for
such Subsidiaries as the Agent may reasonably request) as of the end of the
preceding month, all in reasonable detail and in any case including, among other
matters reasonably requested by the Agent from time to time, financial
information on a monthly and year-to-date basis, and separate line-items showing
EBIT, depreciation and amortization, all certified by a Responsible Officer of
the Borrower.

                  (h) CERTAIN OTHER REPORTS AND INFORMATION. Promptly upon their
becoming available to the Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a copy of (i) all regular
or special reports, registration statements and amendments to the foregoing
which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor thereto) or any securities
exchange, (ii) all reports, proxy statements, financial statements and other
information distributed by the Borrower to its security holders or the financial
community generally, and (iii) upon request by any Lender Party, all reports
submitted by outside accountants in connection with any audit of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary of the Borrower, including but not limited to all management
letters commenting on the internal controls of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
the Borrower submitted in connection with any such audit.

                  (i) FURTHER INFORMATION. The Borrower will promptly furnish,
or cause to be furnished, to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, such other
information and in such form as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request
from time to time.

                  (j) NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. Promptly upon becoming aware of
any of the following, the Borrower shall give the Agent notice thereof, together
with a written statement of a Responsible

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<PAGE>   132
Officer of the Borrower setting forth the details thereof and any action with
respect thereto taken or proposed to be taken by the Borrower, and the Agent
shall promptly notify each Lender thereof:

                  (i) Any Event of Default or Potential Default.

                  (ii) Any material adverse change in the business, operations,
         condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects (exclusive, in the case
         of prospects, of political, social or economic events, changes or
         effects of general national or global scope) of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                  (iii) Any pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or
         investigation by or before any Governmental Authority against or
         affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower which, if
         adversely decided, individually or in the aggregate, would, or would be
         likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (iv) Any termination for default by the Borrower of any
         contract which would reasonably be likely to result in a direct loss of
         aggregate revenues in excess of $20,000,000 to which the Borrower or
         any Subsidiary of the Borrower is a party.

                  (v) Any Pension-Related Event, other than (w) any Reportable
         Event described in subsection (i) of the definition of such term herein
         as to which the 30 day notice requirement to the PBGC is waived under
         applicable regulations, and (x) any Pension-Related Event described in
         subsection (d) or (f) of the definition thereof which involves a
         liability of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any
         Controlled Group Member that has not been fully discharged (or a
         contingent or other potential liability that represents a material risk
         of becoming an actual liability) of less than $1,000,000 in the
         aggregate for all such Persons. Such notice shall be accompanied by the
         following: (y) a copy of any notice, request, return, petition or other
         document received by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or
         any Controlled Group Member from any Person, or which has been or is to
         be filed with or provided to any Person (including, without limitation,
         the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, the PBGC or any
         Plan participant, beneficiary, alternate payee or employer
         representative), in connection with such Pension-Related Event, and (z)
         in the case of any Pension-Related Event with respect to a Plan, the
         most recent Annual Report (5500 Series), with attachments thereto, and
         if such Plan is required by applicable Law to have an actuarial
         valuation report, the most recent actuarial valuation report, for such
         Plan.

                  (k) VISITATION AND VERIFICATION GENERALLY. The Borrower shall
permit such Persons as the Agent or any Lender may designate from time to time
to visit and inspect any of the properties of the Borrower and any Subsidiary of
the Borrower, to examine their respective books and records and take copies and
extracts therefrom and to discuss their respective affairs with their respective
directors, officers, employees and independent accountants at such times and as
often as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request, subject to mandatory
national security regulations. The Borrower hereby authorizes such officers,
employees and independent accountants to discuss with the Agent or any Lender
the affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to mandatory national
security regulations. The Agent and the Lenders shall have the right to examine
and verify accounts, inventory and other properties and liabilities of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries from time to time, and the Borrower shall
cooperate, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to cooperate, with the Agent
and the Lenders in such verification, subject to mandatory national security
regulations.

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<PAGE>   133
                  (l) DUTY TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS WITH SECURITY
CLEARANCES; VERIFICATION OF CLASSIFIED CONTRACTS. The Borrower shall, and shall
cause each such Subsidiary to, retain at all times an independent certified
public accountant of national standing having personnel who at all times have
security clearances sufficient to permit them to examine and verify all such
classified contracts, accounts and other assets which, individually or in the
aggregate, are material to the business, operations, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
The Borrower shall, from time to time at the reasonable request of the Agent,
cause such independent accountants to examine, verify and report to the Agent on
such classified contracts, accounts and assets as the Agent may request, to the
fullest extent permitted by mandatory national security regulations.

                  (m) CHANGES IN CORPORATE STRUCTURE. Concurrently with the
delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and
6.01(b), the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent notice of any change in the
matters set forth in Section 4.14 hereof, together with an amended and restated
Schedule 4.14 which reflects such change.

                  6.02. INSURANCE. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers
insurance with respect to its properties and business and against such
liabilities, casualties and contingencies and of such types as are reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent from time to time, and in any case as is customary in
the case of Persons engaged in the same or a similar business or having similar
properties similarly situated. The Borrower shall, if so requested by the Agent,
deliver to the Agent original or duplicate policies or certificates of such
insurance and, as often as the Agent may reasonably request, a report of a
reputable insurance broker, or an insurance company representative if an
insurance broker is not involved, with respect to such insurance.

                  6.03. PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER POTENTIAL CHARGES AND
PRIORITY CLAIMS. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent in writing if it
or any of its Subsidiaries learns of any proposed additional assessment or basis
for any assessment for additional taxes (whether or not reserved against) which,
if paid or incurred, would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge, or cause to be
paid and discharged,

                  (a) on or prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto,
         all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it,
         or any of them, or any of its, or any of their, properties;

                  (b) on or prior to the date when due, all lawful claims of
         materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other
         like Persons which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien
         upon any such property; and

                  (c) on or prior to the date when due, all other lawful claims
         which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien upon any such
         property or which, if unpaid, might give rise to a claim entitled to
         priority over general creditors of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in
         any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding;

provided, that, unless and until foreclosure, distraint, levy, sale or similar
proceedings shall have been commenced, the Borrower or such Subsidiary need not
pay or discharge, or cause the payment or discharge, of any such tax,
assessment, charge or claim above so long as (x) the validity thereof is

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contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, and
(y) such reserves or other appropriate provisions as may be required by GAAP
shall have been made therefor.

                  6.04. PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE STATUS. The Borrower shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain its status as a
Corporation duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent applicable, in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, except for
Permitted Mergers. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, at all times be duly qualified to do business as a foreign Corporation and,
to the extent applicable, in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the
ownership of its properties or the nature of its business or both make such
qualification necessary or advisable, except for matters that, individually or
in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                  6.05. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. The Borrower shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain in full force and
effect all Governmental Actions necessary or advisable in connection with
execution and delivery of any Loan Document, consummation of the transactions
herein or therein contemplated, performance of or compliance with the terms and
conditions hereof or thereof, or to ensure the legality, validity, binding
effect, enforceability or admissibility in evidence hereof or thereof.

                  6.06. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES, FRANCHISES, ETC. The Borrower
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) maintain or cause to be
maintained in good repair, working order and condition the properties now or
hereafter owned, leased or otherwise possessed by it and shall make or cause to
be made all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements and improvements
thereto so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly
and advantageously conducted at all times, except where failure to do so does
not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b)
maintain and hold in full force and effect all franchises, licenses, permits,
certificates, authorizations, qualification, accreditations and other rights,
consents and approvals (whether issued, made or given by a Governmental
Authority or otherwise), necessary to own and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as presently conducted and as presently planned to be
conducted, except where failure to do so does not, and would not be likely to,
have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  6.07. AVOIDANCE OF OTHER CONFLICTS. The Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, violate or conflict with, be in
violation of or conflict with, or be or remain subject to any liability
(contingent or other) on account of any violation or conflict with

                  (a) any Law,

                  (b) its certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws
         (or other constituent documents), or

                  (c) any agreement or instrument to which it or any of its
         Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their
         respective properties may be subject or bound,

except for matters of the type referred to in clauses (a) and (c) that could
not, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have
a Material Adverse Effect.

                  6.08. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING PRACTICES. The Borrower shall, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, make and keep books, records and
accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and

                                      A-29
<PAGE>   135
fairly reflect its transactions and dispositions of its assets, and maintain a
system of internal accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable
assurances that (a) transactions are executed in accordance with management's
general or specific authorization, (b) transactions are recorded as necessary
(i) to permit preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and
(ii) to maintain accountability for assets, (c) access to assets is permitted
only in accordance with management's general or specific authorization and (d)
the recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at
reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
differences.

                  6.09. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower shall apply the proceeds
of the Loans under this Agreement, together with other funds of the Borrower, to
(a) payment in full on the Closing Date of all principal, interest and fees
outstanding and accrued under the prior credit facilities of the Borrower
referred to in Section 5.01(f), and (b) from and after the Closing Date, for
general corporate purposes of the Borrower (including, to the extent otherwise
consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the making of
acquisitions). The Borrower shall not use the proceeds of any Loans directly or
indirectly for any unlawful purpose, in any manner inconsistent with Section
4.12, or inconsistent with any other provision of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document.

                  6.10. CONTINUATION OF OR CHANGE IN BUSINESS. The Borrower
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, engage in the businesses
they have engaged in during the present and preceding fiscal years and the
Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in
any business other than the financial information services business, other
information services businesses and matters incidental thereto; provided, that
TIMCO may continue to conduct its business in substantially the manner in which
it conducts such business as of the date hereof. Without limitation of the
foregoing, the Borrower shall continue to operate as a holding company and shall
not conduct any material business other than holding the capital stock of
Subsidiaries and matters incidental thereto.

                  6.11. PLANS AND MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS.

                  (a) REQUIRED CONTRIBUTIONS. The Borrower shall, and shall
cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and Controlled Group Members to, make
contributions to each Plan when due in accordance with the minimum funding
requirements under ERISA and the Code applicable to such Plan and pay any
required PBGC premiums as and when due for such Plan.

                  (b) REQUIRED CONTRIBUTIONS TO MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. The
Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and Controlled
Group Members to, make contributions required to be made by it, or any of them,
to each Multiemployer Plan, if any, when due in accordance with its, or any of
their, obligations under any collective bargaining agreement related to such
Multiemployer Plan or participation agreements applicable to such Multiemployer
Plan, except those contributions the requirement of which are reasonably being
contested by a Controlled Group Member provided that failure to make such
contested contributions is not a violation of applicable Law and does not
present a material risk of resulting in liability (contingent or other) to the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  (c) FUNDING. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, make any required contributions to any arrangements for
providing retirement and/or death benefits when due, in accordance with the
terms of the arrangement and/or any minimum funding requirements which are
applicable to the arrangement from time to time. The Borrower shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, allow any arrangement for providing
retirement and/or death benefits to become

                                      A-30
<PAGE>   136
underfunded (as determined on the basis of reasonable actuarial assumptions) by
an amount which, in the aggregate for all such arrangements, exceeds
$10,000,000.

                  6.12. DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN. The Borrower shall cause each of
Datastream International Limited, Disclosure Incorporated and ICV Limited to
maintain in full force and effect at all times disaster recovery plans
consistent with prudent practice for Persons engaged in the same or a similar
business.

                  6.13. ANNUAL BANK MEETING. The Borrower shall hold meetings of
the Lenders annually at the request of the Agent.

                  6.14. SEPARATE CORPORATE EXISTENCE. The Borrower acknowledges
that the Lender Parties are entering into the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents in reliance upon the identity of the
Subsidiaries of the Borrower as legal entities separate from the Borrower.
Accordingly, the Borrower shall take, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to take,
all reasonable steps to continue the identities of its Subsidiaries as separate
legal entities, and to make it apparent to third Persons that its Subsidiaries
are entities with assets and liabilities distinct from those of the Borrower.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower shall take such
actions as shall be required in order that:

                  (a) For each Subsidiary of the Borrower in which the Borrower
         directly owns, beneficially or of record, Shares of Capital Stock, at
         least one director or officer of the Borrower shall be a person who is
         not a director or officer of such Subsidiary.

                  (b) The books and records of each Subsidiary of the Borrower
         shall be maintained separately from those of the Borrower and each of
         its other Subsidiaries.

                  (c) The assets of each Subsidiary of the Borrower will be
         maintained in a manner that facilitates their identification and
         segregation from those of the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries.

                  (d) The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
         strictly observe corporate formalities. The Borrower and each of its
         Subsidiaries will conduct their respective businesses in their own
         respective names. The business and affairs of the Borrower and each
         Subsidiary shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of
         directors of such Person.

                  (e) Funds or other assets of Subsidiaries of the Borrower will
         not be commingled with those of the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries
         (it being understood that such restriction shall not be interpreted to
         forbid intercompany loans and Advances that have been properly
         documented and accounted for on the books and records of each relevant
         entity, made in compliance with corporate formalities, and otherwise
         made in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

                  (f) The operating expenses of the Borrower and each Subsidiary
         of the Borrower will be paid by such Person. To the extent, if any,
         that the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries share items of expenses,
         such expenses will be allocated to the extent practical on the basis of
         actual use or the value of services rendered, and otherwise on a basis
         reasonably related to actual use or the value of services rendered, and
         each such Person shall pay its allocated share of such 

                                      A-31
<PAGE>   137
         expenses on a current basis. To the extent, if any, that the Borrower
         and any of its Subsidiaries provides services to one another, the
         provider shall be compensated by the recipient on a current basis at
         fair and reasonable rates. To the extent, if any, that any consolidated
         or combined tax return is filed including any of the Borrower or its
         Subsidiaries, each such Person shall pay or be paid, as the case may
         be, on a current basis an equitable share of the consolidated tax
         payment or refund associated therewith.

                  (g) Annual financial statements of the Borrower which are
         consolidated to include its Subsidiaries will contain notes clearly
         stating that each such Subsidiary is a corporate or similar entity
         separate from the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries, and that the
         stock of each direct Subsidiary of the Borrower has been pledged to
         secure the Obligations.

                  6.15. ADDITIONAL SECURITY.

                  (a) GENERAL. Promptly upon the request of the Agent from time
to time, the Borrower shall as promptly as practicable (and in any case within
30 days after such request, or such longer period as the Agent may specify in
writing) further secure the Obligations by granting to the Collateral Agent a
valid and perfected Lien, prior to all other Liens except Permitted Liens, on
such of its properties from time to time as the Agent may designate (except for
property subject to a Permitted Lien as to which the Borrower is required to
obtain the consent of the holder of such Permitted Lien before granting such a
Lien to the Collateral Agent and as to which the Borrower is unable, using
reasonable efforts, to obtain such consent). In connection therewith, the
Borrower shall (i) execute and deliver to the Agent such mortgages, security
agreements and other agreements and instruments, and do such other acts and
things as shall be necessary or, in the judgment of the Agent, appropriate to
grant to the Collateral Agent a valid and perfected Lien on such property, prior
to all other Liens except Permitted Liens, and (ii) procure and deliver to the
Agent such other items (including but not limited to lien searches, title
insurance policies, surveys, environmental audits, insurance endorsements and
opinions of counsel), and do such other acts and things, as the Agent may
request in connection with the foregoing. All of the foregoing shall be in form
and substance satisfactory to the Agent. From time to time as requested by the
Agent, the Borrower shall use reasonable efforts to (w) obtain the consent of
any Person whose consent is necessary or advisable to the creation, perfection
or maintenance of any such Lien, including but not limited to that of any lessor
whose consent may be required in connection with any such Lien on any leasehold
interest, and to obtain nondisturbance and like agreements from mortgagees and
other holders of superior rights in the property subject to any such leasehold
interest, (x) obtain waivers of Liens from such landlords and mortgagees and
from other Persons described in Section 6.03(b) hereof, (y) with respect to
securities accounts, commodity accounts, deposit accounts or similar interests,
obtain consent agreements from each securities intermediary, commodity
intermediary, depository bank or similar person, satisfactory in form and
substance to the Agent, which shall include provisions giving the Collateral
Agent sole dominion and control over such interest upon the giving of notice by
the Collateral Agent (it being understood that the related security agreement
shall provide that the Collateral Agent may exercise such sole dominion and
control upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default),
and (z) do such other acts and things as the Agent may deem appropriate to
enhance, preserve or protect the security for the Obligations.

                  (b) NOTICE OF CERTAIN REALTY TRANSACTIONS. The Borrower shall
promptly give notice to the Agent of any acquisition by the Borrower of any
interest or interests in real property (fee, leasehold or otherwise) or fixtures
having a fair market value, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of

                                      A-32
<PAGE>   138
$5,000,000 (except for leasehold interests having a term, including all options
exercisable by the lessee, less than 5 years).

                  6.16. INTEREST RATE PROTECTION.

                  (a) REQUIRED HEDGE. The Borrower shall, promptly (and in any
event not later than 60 days) after the first date on or after the Closing Date
on which the three-month Euro-Rate (as determined by the Agent) is at least
8.00% on at least ten of the 30 days immediately preceding such date, enter into
an Interest Rate Hedging Agreement having an effective rate and other terms and
conditions satisfactory to the Agent, for notional principal amounts and tenors
sufficient to hedge at least 65% of the scheduled outstanding principal amount
of the Indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreement for the period from the
effective date of such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement through the fifth
anniversary thereof (or, if earlier, the Term Loan Maturity Date). The Borrower
shall thereafter select interest rate options under the Term Loan Agreement that
match, in time and amount, as closely as may be the terms of the rate hedge
represented by such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement.

                  (b) SECURING THE REQUIRED HEDGE. If the Borrower so requests,
the Agent shall consent to a Swap Party Supplement to the Collateral Agency
Agreement whereby the Interest Rate Hedging Agreement referred to in Section
6.16(a) hereof shall be deemed a Swap Agreement entitled to the benefits of the
Collateral Agency Agreement, but only if the following conditions are met: (i)
the counterparty to such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement is a Lender, (ii) the
"Swap Shared Security Cap" set forth in such Swap Party Supplement is, in the
good faith judgment of the Agent, not more than 110% of the credit equivalent
exposure represented by such Swap Agreement (calculated in accordance with the
Agent's ordinary methods), and (iii) the Borrower provides the Agent with such
contemporaneous bringdown Lien searches as the Agent may request, the results of
which shall be satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (c) EXISTING RATE HEDGES, ETC. To the extent otherwise
consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Borrower may
enter into Interest Rate Hedging Agreements in advance of the date on which it
is required to do so under Section 6.16(a), and to the extent that such Interest
Rate Hedging Agreements satisfy the requirements of Sections 6.16(a) and 6.16(b)
the Agent may enter into a Swap Party Supplement to the Collateral Agency
Agreement with respect to such Interest Rate Hedging Agreements. In the event
that the Borrower becomes obligated to enter into Interest Rate Hedging
Agreements under Section 6.16(a), any then-existing Interest Rate Hedging
Agreements to which Borrower is party and which otherwise satisfy the
requirements of Section 6.16(a) shall be counted toward satisfaction of the
Borrower's obligations under Section 6.16(a), to the extent of the notional
amounts and tenors of such then-existing Interest Rate Hedging Agreements.
Nothing in Section 6.16(b) shall be construed to forbid the Agent from
consenting to a Swap Party Supplement relating to Interest Rate Hedging
Agreements if the conditions set forth in Section 6.16(b) are satisfied, even if
such Interest Rate Hedging Agreements in the aggregate exceed in amount or time
the minimum requirements set forth in Section 6.16(a).


                                   ARTICLE VII
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Borrower hereby covenants to each Lender Party as follows:

                                      A-33
<PAGE>   139
                  7.01. FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

                  (a) CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH (ADJUSTED). As of the end of each
fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 1996,
Consolidated Net Worth (Adjusted) shall not be less than the applicable amount
specified below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Consolidated Net Worth (Adjusted)
    From and including                      To and including                     shall not be less than
    ------------------                      ----------------                     ----------------------
<S>                                         <C>                                        <C>
    December 31, 1996                       December 30, 1997                          $425,000,000
    December 31, 1997                       December 30, 1998                          $450,000,000
    December 31, 1998                       December 30, 1999                          $475,000,000
    December 31, 1999                       December 30, 2000                          $500,000,000
    December 31, 2000                       December 30, 2001                          $525,000,000
    December 31, 2001                       December 30, 2002                          $550,000,000
    December 31, 2002                       December 30, 2003                          $575,000,000
    Thereafter                                                                         $600,000,000
</TABLE>

                  (b) CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. As of the end of
each fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 1996, the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a
single accounting period, shall not be less than the applicable amount set forth
below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Fiscal quarter ending on                      Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio 
      a date in the following                       for the four fiscal quarters ending
      period (inclusive)                            on such date shall not be less than
      ------------------                            -----------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>
      December 31, 1996 through December 31, 1997
      1.75
      January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998
      2.00
      January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999
      2.25
      Thereafter                                                   2.50
</TABLE>


                  (c) CONSOLIDATED FUNDED DEBT RATIO (ADJUSTED). As of the end
of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 1996, the
Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a
single accounting period, shall not be greater than the applicable amount set
forth below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
      Fiscal quarter ending on                          Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted)
      a date in the following                           for the four fiscal quarters ending
      period (inclusive)                                on such date shall not be greater than
      ------------------                                --------------------------------------
<S>                                                     <C>
      December 31, 1996 through December 30, 1997
      5.50
      December 31, 1997 through December 30, 1998
      5.00
</TABLE>

                                      A-34
<PAGE>   140
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                                <C>
      December 31, 1998 through December 30, 1999
      4.00
      Thereafter                                                   3.00
</TABLE>


                  7.02. LIENS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any
Subsidiary of the Borrower to, at any time create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Lien on any of its property (now owned or hereafter acquired), or
agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the
foregoing, except for the following (referred to herein as "Permitted Liens"):

                  (a) Liens pursuant to the Shared Security Documents in favor
         of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to
         secure the Obligations;

                  (b) Liens arising from taxes, assessments, charges or claims
         described in Sections 6.03(a) and 6.03(b), to the extent permitted to
         remain unpaid under such Section 6.03;

                  (c) Deposits or pledges of cash or securities in the ordinary
         course of business to secure (i) workmen's compensation, unemployment
         insurance or other social security obligations, (ii) performance of
         bids, tenders, trade contracts (other than for payment of money) or
         leases, (iii) stay, surety or appeal bonds, or (iv) other obligations
         of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

                  (d) Judgment liens fully bonded pending appeal;

                  (e) Liens by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower on
         property securing all or part of the purchase price thereof and Liens
         (whether or not assumed) existing on property at the time of purchase
         thereof by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided that:

                             (i) such Lien is created before or substantially
                  simultaneously with the purchase of such property in the
                  ordinary course of business by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
                  (or is a Lien securing successor obligations incurred to
                  extend or refinance predecessor obligations allowed under this
                  Section 7.02(e), provided that in each case the successor
                  obligation is an obligation of the same Person subject to the
                  predecessor obligation, is not greater than (and is not
                  otherwise on terms less advantageous than) the predecessor
                  obligation, and the Lien securing the successor obligation
                  does not extend to any property other than that subject to the
                  Lien securing the predecessor obligation);

                             (ii) such Lien is confined solely to the property
                  so purchased, improvements thereto and proceeds thereof;

                             (iii) the aggregate amount secured by all such
                  Liens on any particular property at the time purchased by the
                  Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall not
                  exceed the lesser of the purchase price of such property or
                  the fair market value of such property at the time of purchase
                  thereof ("purchase price" for this purpose including the
                  amount secured by each such Lien thereon whether or not
                  assumed); and

                             (iv) the obligation secured by such Lien is
                  Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(e) hereof;

                                      A-35
<PAGE>   141
                  (f) Liens in favor of the United States Government which arise
         in the ordinary course of business resulting from progress payments or
         partial payments under United States Government contracts or
         subcontracts thereunder;

                  (g) Rights arising or reserved to the lessor under any
         Capitalized Lease Obligations permitted by Section 7.03(e) hereof;

                  (h) Zoning restrictions, easements, minor restrictions on the
         use of real property, minor irregularities in title thereto and other
         minor Liens that do not secure the payment of money or the performance
         of an obligation and that do not in the aggregate materially detract
         from the value of a property or asset to, or materially impair its use
         in the business of, the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

                  (i) Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule
         7.02 hereof (but not any extension, renewal or replacement Liens); and

                  (j) Liens on property of TIMCO to secure payment of
         reimbursement obligations of TIMCO with respect to the TIMCO Bonds
         Letter of Credit, and Liens on property of TIMCO securing Indebtedness
         of TIMCO constituting a refinancing of the TIMCO Bonds and the TIMCO
         Lease permitted by Section 7.03(j) hereof.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Permitted Lien" in respect of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall in no event include (x) any Lien imposed
by, or required to be granted pursuant to, ERISA, the Code or any Environmental
Law, (y) except as provided in Section 7.02(a) hereof, any Lien on the Shared
Collateral Account or any other account (custodial, deposit or other) maintained
by or with the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Shared Security Documents, or
any other investment property or deposit account (as such terms are defined in
the Uniform Commercial Code), or (z) except as provided in Section 7.02(a)
hereof, any Lien on Shares of Capital Stock of, or obligations owed by, a
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  7.03. INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, at any time create, incur, assume or
permit to exist any Indebtedness, or agree, become or remain liable
(contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except:

                  (a) Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Revolving Credit
         Agreement, in aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000,000
         (including any extension, renewal or refinancing thereof made in
         compliance with Section 7.11(c) hereof);

                  (b) Indebtedness of the Borrower in favor of the Lender
         Parties pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

                  (c) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         not exceeding $8,250,000 in principal amount, issued in connection with
         the acquisition by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of all of the Shares of
         Capital Stock of ICV (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the
         "ICV Notes"); and Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Note Backup
         Agreement and the letters of credit subject thereto;

                                      A-36
<PAGE>   142
                  (d) Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Senior Notes, in
         aggregate principal amount not to exceed $112,000,000 (but not any
         extensions, renewals or refinancings of any thereof);

                  (e) Indebtedness constituting Capitalized Lease Obligations of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of
         business from time to time, and Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries secured by Liens described in Section 7.02(e) on property
         used in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary from time to time; provided, that the aggregate amount of
         Indebtedness described in this Section 7.03(e) shall not exceed
         $20,000,000 at any time;

                  (f) Other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         not exceeding $30,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any time
         outstanding;

                  (g) Current accounts payable of the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries on normal trade terms to trade creditors arising out of
         purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business;

                  (h) Indebtedness of the Borrower pursuant to any Interest Rate
         Hedge Agreement required to be entered into pursuant to Section 6.16(a)
         hereof; and Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         under any other interest rate or currency swap, cap, floor, collar,
         future, forward or option agreement, or similar interest rate or
         currency protection agreement, entered into for the purpose of hedging
         and not for purposes of speculation (and not structured to contain an
         embedded loan);

                  (i) Indebtedness constituting intercompany loans and Advances
         permitted by Sections 7.05(d), 7.05(e), 7.05(h) and 7.05(i) hereof;

                  (j) Indebtedness of TIMCO constituting a letter of credit
         issued for its account not exceeding $12,600,000 in stated amount,
         which letter of credit effectively secures the TIMCO Bonds; any
         extension, renewal or refinancing of such letter of credit, provided,
         however, that the stated amount thereof is not increased and TIMCO
         remains the account party with respect thereto (such letter of credit,
         together with any such extension, renewal or refinancing letter of
         credit, being referred to herein as the "TIMCO Bonds Letter of
         Credit"); and any Indebtedness of TIMCO which amends, renews or
         refinances (collectively, "refinances") the TIMCO Bonds, the TIMCO
         Lease and the TIMCO Bonds Letter of Credit, provided, however, that
         after giving effect to such refinancing, (i) the principal amount of
         Indebtedness is not increased, (ii) neither the stated maturity nor the
         average life of the Indebtedness is reduced, and (iii) TIMCO remains
         the obligor on such refinancing Indebtedness; and

                  (k) Indebtedness for borrowed money of Primark Economics or
         any of its Subsidiaries not exceeding $6,000,000 in aggregate principal
         amount at any time outstanding.

                  7.04. GUARANTIES, INDEMNITIES, ETC. The Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, be or become subject to
or bound by any Guaranty Equivalent, or agree, become or remain liable
(contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except:

                  (a) Contingent liabilities arising from the endorsement of
         negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection or similar
         transactions in the ordinary course of business;

                                      A-37
<PAGE>   143
                  (b) Indemnities by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the
         liabilities of its directors, officers and employees in their
         capacities as such as permitted by Law;

                  (c) Guaranty Equivalents existing on the Closing Date and
         listed in Schedule 7.04 hereof (but not extensions, renewals or
         refinancings thereof or of any associated Assured Obligation);
         provided, that this Section 7.04(c) shall not apply to any Guaranty
         Equivalent as to which the Deemed Obligor is, on the Closing Date, a
         Subsidiary of the Borrower if such Subsidiary thereafter ceases to be a
         Subsidiary of the Borrower;

                  (d) Guaranty Equivalents by the Borrower or a Subsidiary
         constituting usual and customary indemnities with respect to
         liabilities (other than Indebtedness) in connection with a disposition
         of stock or assets by the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

                  (e) Other Guaranty Equivalents by the Borrower or a Subsidiary
         of the Borrower from time to time of obligations of a Substantially
         Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided that the Deemed Obligor in
         respect of such Guaranty Equivalent is a Substantially Owned Subsidiary
         of the Deemed Guarantor;

                  (f) Other Guaranty Equivalents by a Borrower or a Subsidiary
         of the Borrower from time to time, provided that the sum of (i) the
         maximum aggregate potential obligation of the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower under Guaranty Equivalents described in this
         Section 7.04(f), plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all payments made by
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after the date hereof under Guaranty
         Equivalents described in this Section 7.04(f), shall not exceed
         $2,000,000; and

                  (g) Obligations of a Subsidiary of the Borrower as general
         partner of a partnership permitted under Sections 7.05(g) or 7.05(j).

                  7.05. LOANS, ADVANCES AND INVESTMENTS. The Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, at any time make or
permit to exist or remain outstanding any loan or Advance to, or purchase,
acquire or own (beneficially or of record) any Shares of Capital Stock of, any
stock, bonds, notes or securities of, or any partnership interest (whether
general or limited), membership interest or beneficial interest in, or any other
debt or equity interest in, or make any capital contribution to or other
investment in, any other Person, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently
or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except:

                  (a) Receivables owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower arising from performance of services and sales of goods under
         usual and customary terms in the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) Loans and Advances extended by the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower to contractors or suppliers (excluding
         contractors or suppliers that are Affiliates of the Borrower) under
         usual and customary terms in the ordinary course of business and in
         amount at any one time outstanding not exceeding $1,000,000 (or the
         equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies) in the aggregate;

                                      A-38
<PAGE>   144
                  (c) Advances to officers and employees of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, in amounts at any time
         outstanding not exceeding $1,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in one
         or more foreign currencies) to any one officer or employee and
         $2,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign
         currencies) in the aggregate; provided, however, that for purposes of
         this Section 7.05(c) only, the outstanding amount of Advances shall not
         be deemed to include amounts secured by perfected liens on shares of
         the publicly-traded common stock of the Borrower, to the extent of the
         market value of such common stock (as determined at least quarterly,
         based on publicly-available quotations);

                  (d) Loans and Advances by a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the
         Borrower;

                  (e) Ownership of Shares of Capital Stock of, and capital
         contributions, loans and Advances to, Corporations that are Wholly
         Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower (other than a Broker-Dealer);

                  (f) (i) Ownership of Shares of Capital Stock of a Corporation
         that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a
         Broker-Dealer, as owned on the Closing Date, and (ii) capital
         contributions by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries from time to time to
         such Subsidiary, so long as such Subsidiary does not at the time of
         such capital contribution, or immediately thereafter and after giving
         effect thereto, have net capital (calculated in accordance with
         regulatory standards) in excess of 150% of the minimum capital required
         by Law;

                  (g) (i) Ownership of general partnership interests and other
         equity interests in the Worldscope Entities representing an 80% or
         greater interest in the capital, profits and losses of each of the
         Worldscope Entities, as owned on the Closing Date, and (ii) capital
         contributions to and acquisition of additional equity interests in the
         Worldscope Entities from time to time after the Closing Date, and loans
         and Advances to the Worldscope Entities from time to time;

                  (h) Acquisition and ownership of Shares of Capital Stock of
         Corporations that are Subsidiaries of the Borrower other than Wholly
         Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, and capital contributions, loans
         and Advances to Subsidiaries of the Borrower other than Wholly Owned
         Subsidiaries of the Borrower, provided, that the aggregate amount of
         all such acquisitions and capital contributions made under this Section
         7.05(h) after the Closing Date, plus the aggregate outstanding
         principal amount of all such loans and Advances made under this Section
         7.05(h), shall not at any time exceed $10,000,000;

                  (i) Acquisition and ownership by the Borrower or its
         Subsidiaries of equity interests in Primark Economics representing a
         20% or greater interest in the capital, profits and losses of Primark
         Economics, and capital contributions, convertible debt and demand loans
         by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to Primark Economics from time to
         time; provided, that (i) the sum of the aggregate amount of all
         consideration paid for such equity interests and convertible debt plus
         the aggregate amount of all such capital contributions (in each case
         whether before or after the Closing Date), plus the aggregate
         outstanding principal amount of all such demand loans, shall not at any
         time exceed $5,000,000, and (ii) no such acquisitions, capital
         contributions or loans may be made unless the Borrower continues to own
         (directly or indirectly) at least a 20% interest (and, assuming full
         conversion of convertible loans due to the Borrower or its
         Subsidiaries, a 51% or greater interest) in the capital, profits and
         losses of Primark Economics;

                                      A-39
<PAGE>   145
                  (j) Partnerships and joint ventures of which all partners,
         participants and other Persons having ownership interests therein are
         Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower;

                  (k) Other loans, Advances and investments, not to exceed
         $3,000,000 in the aggregate; and

                  (l) Cash Equivalent Investments.

                  7.06. DIVIDENDS AND RELATED DISTRIBUTIONS. The Borrower shall
not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make any Stock Payment,
or agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the
foregoing, except as follows:

                  (a) The Borrower may from time to time repurchase for cash
         shares of its common stock of a series publicly traded, subject to the
         following conditions:

                             (i) Repurchases under this Section 7.06(a) shall
                  not exceed $25,000,000 from and after the Closing Date;

                             (ii) No Event of Default or Potential Default shall
                  exist on the date of such repurchase, or immediately
                  thereafter and after giving effect to such repurchase;

                             (iii) The Borrower would have been in compliance
                  with Sections 7.01(a) and 7.01(c) on the last day of the
                  fiscal quarter ending most recently before such repurchase,
                  after giving effect on a pro forma basis to such repurchase
                  and to any incurrence of Indebtedness after such day, as if
                  such repurchase and incurrence had occurred on such day; and

                             (iv) The Agent shall receive, with a copy for each
                  Lender, not later than the Business Day after the date such
                  repurchase is made, a certificate signed by a Responsible
                  Officer of the Borrower, dated such repurchase date,
                  describing such dividend, certifying that such repurchase is
                  in compliance with the provisions of this Section 7.06(a), and
                  including a statement in reasonable detail of the information
                  and calculations necessary to establish compliance with this
                  Section 7.06(a);

                  (b) A Subsidiary of the Borrower may declare and pay dividends
         or other distributions with respect to its Shares of Capital Stock,
         provided, that such dividend or other distribution is made on a pro
         rata basis, consistent with the ownership interests in such Shares of
         Capital Stock, to the owners of such shares; and

                  (c) The Borrower may make Stock Payments if such Stock Payment
         is paid solely in Shares of Capital Stock (or warrants, options or
         rights therefor) of the Borrower.

The Borrower shall not declare any dividend payable later than 60 days after
declaration, and the Borrower shall not permit any Subsidiary to declare any
dividend payable later than 15 days after declaration.

                  7.07. SALE-LEASEBACKS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary to, at any time enter into or permit to remain in effect
any transaction to which the Borrower or such 

                                      A-40
<PAGE>   146
Subsidiary is a party involving the sale, transfer or other disposition by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of any property (now owned or hereafter acquired),
with a view directly or indirectly to the leasing back of any part of the same
property or any other property used for the same or a similar purpose or
purposes, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do
any of the foregoing, except for transactions existing on the date hereof and
listed in Schedule 7.07 hereof (but not extensions, renewals or refinancings
thereof).

                  7.08. MERGERS, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, directly or indirectly, (w) merge with
or into or consolidate with any other Person, or (x) liquidate, Wind-Up,
dissolve or divide, (y) acquire all or any substantial portion of the properties
of any going concern or going line of business (whether or not constituting a
distinct legal entity), or (z) acquire all or any substantial portion of the
properties of any other Person, or all or any substantial portion of the Shares
of Capital Stock of any other Person which is organized as a Corporation, or all
or any substantial portion of any equity interest in any other Person which is
not organized as a Corporation, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently
or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except for the following (referred to
herein as "Permitted Mergers"):

                  (a) A Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge with or into or
         consolidate with, or acquire all or any substantial portion of the
         properties of, or liquidate or dissolve into, any other Subsidiary of
         the Borrower, if the acquiring, surviving or new Corporation shall be a
         Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

                  (b) The Borrower, or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, may make
         acquisitions of the types referred to in the foregoing clauses (y) and
         (z) of properties of Persons other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower,
         consistent with the other provisions of this Agreement and the other
         Loan Documents, provided that the aggregate Adjusted Acquisition
         Consideration in connection with all such acquisitions made after the
         Closing Date (and specifically excluding the acquisition of WEFA, if
         made on or before the Closing Date) shall not exceed the sum of
         $75,000,000 plus the amount, if any, of aggregate cash proceeds (net of
         underwriting discounts, fees and other transaction costs) received by
         the Borrower after the Closing Date from issuance of Shares of Capital
         Stock of the Borrower (or options or warrants therefor).

                  7.09. DISPOSITIONS OF PROPERTIES. The Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, convey, assign, lease, transfer,
abandon or otherwise dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or
indirectly, any of its properties, now existing or hereafter acquired, or agree,
become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing,
except:

                  (a) Sales of inventory, licenses (as licensor) of software or
         other intellectual property, all in the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) Disposition of equipment and other operating assets which
         are obsolete or no longer useful in the business of the Borrower or
         such Subsidiary, as the case may be;

                  (c) Lease or sublease of unoccupied office space;

                  (d) Dispositions in Permitted Mergers, and other dispositions
         between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower;

                                      A-41
<PAGE>   147
                  (e) Disposition outside the ordinary course of business of all
         (but not less than all) of the Shares of Capital Stock of TIMCO, or
         substantially all the assets of TIMCO (but not less than substantially
         all of such assets), subject to the following conditions:

                           (i) any such disposition of property is for not less
                  than the Fair Market Value of the property disposed of (as
                  determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
                  transferor, whose determination shall be evidenced by a
                  written resolution of such Board), and the consideration
                  received by the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary in respect
                  of such disposition consists entirely of cash or Cash
                  Equivalent Investments; and

                           (ii) in the case of disposition of Shares of Capital
                  Stock of, or assets of, TIMCO, TIMCO shall be conducting
                  substantially the business conducted by it on the Closing
                  Date, and shall not be conducting any different or additional
                  business or have any material assets in addition to those it
                  had on the Closing Date; and

                  (f) Other dispositions of property from time to time for not
         less than its Fair Market Value, provided that dispositions under this
         Section 7.09(f) shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate in any
         fiscal year.

Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood that the following are
dispositions of property subject to this Section 7.09: any disposition of
accounts, chattel paper or general intangibles, with or without recourse; any
disposition of any leasehold interest; and any disposition of any Shares of
Capital Stock in or Indebtedness of any Subsidiary. The Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any Subsidiary to sell, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise
dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, any of its accounts, chattel paper,
general intangibles or other financial assets with or without recourse, in any
factoring, structured financing, or other transaction having the practical
effect, directly or indirectly, of a financing, whether or not such transaction
is in the form of a "true sale" of such financial assets by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary.

                  7.10. DEALINGS WITH AFFILIATES. The Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, enter into or carry out any
transaction with (including, without limitation, purchase or lease property or
services from, sell or lease property or services to, loan or advance to, or
enter into, permit to remain in existence or amend any contract, agreement or
arrangement with) any Affiliate of the Borrower, directly or indirectly, or
agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the
foregoing, except:

                  (a) Transactions between (i) on the one hand, any Affiliate of
         the Borrower, and (ii) on the other hand, the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries, in good faith and on fair and reasonable terms; and

                  (b) Compensation of directors, officers, employees and
         consultants of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for services rendered
         in such capacity in good faith and on fair and reasonable terms, which
         terms (in the case of compensation under employment contracts entered
         into after the Closing Date will be approved by a majority of the board
         of directors of such Borrower or Subsidiary (including a majority of
         the directors having no direct or indirect interest in such
         transaction).

                  7.11. LIMITATIONS ON MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS AND
INSTRUMENTS.

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<PAGE>   148
                  (a) SENIOR NOTES. The Borrower shall not amend, modify or
supplement the terms or provisions contained in, or applicable to, the Senior
Notes, the Senior Note Indenture, or any agreement or instrument evidencing or
applicable to any of the foregoing.

                  (b) REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Borrower shall not amend,
modify, supplement, renew or refinance the Revolving Credit Agreement or its
obligations thereunder, in any way that would change its nature as a revolving
credit facility, increase or reduce the principal amount available to be
borrowed thereunder, or cause the Revolving Credit Maturity Date or the final
date on which loans may be borrowed thereunder by the Borrower to occur sooner
than the relevant dates applicable under the Revolving Credit Agreement as
constituted on the Closing Date. In the event that the Agent hereunder is not
also the "Agent" under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Borrower shall
promptly (and in any event within five days) give the Agent, with a copy for
each Lender, a copy of any amendment, modification or supplement to, or renewal
or refinancing of, the Revolving Credit Agreement.

                  (c) [Reserved]

                  (d) NOTE BACKUP AGREEMENT. The Borrower shall not amend,
modify or supplement the Note Backup Agreement (as constituted on the Closing
Date) or its obligations thereunder, in any way that would (i) increase the
principal amount thereof (including the aggregate stated amount of letters of
credit issued thereunder), or require payments on account of principal
(including reimbursement of draws under letters of credit issued thereunder) to
be made earlier or in greater amount than is required under the terms of the
Note Backup Agreement as constituted on the Closing Date, or (ii) increase the
rate or shorten the date for payment of interest thereon. In the event that the
Agent hereunder is not also the "Agent" under the Note Backup Agreement, the
Borrower shall promptly (and in any event within five days) give the Agent, with
a copy for each Lender, a copy of any amendment, modification or supplement to
the Note Backup Agreement.

                  (e) [Reserved]

                  7.12. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS ON CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS. The
Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly, pay, prepay, purchase, redeem, retire, defease or acquire, or
otherwise make any payment (on account of principal, interest, premium or
otherwise) of, any obligation under or evidenced by the Senior Notes, except
that the Borrower may (x) pay principal and interest on the Senior Notes as and
when expressly required to do so by the mandatory terms of the Senior Notes, and
(y) purchase Senior Notes as and when expressly required to do so by the
mandatory terms of Sections 4.12 and 4.13 of the Senior Note Indenture (it being
understood that the foregoing may nevertheless give rise to an Event of
Default).

                  7.13. LIMITATION ON OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS, DIVIDEND
RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARIES, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit
any Subsidiary to,

                  (x) enter into, become or remain subject to any agreement or
         instrument to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party or by
         which any of them or any of their respective properties (now owned or
         hereafter acquired) may be subject or bound that would (i) prohibit the
         grant of any Lien upon any of its properties (now owned or hereafter
         acquired), or (ii) restrict or prohibit the transfer or disposition of
         any of its properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), or require it
         to dispose of or apply the proceeds of any such disposition in a
         specified manner, or

                                      A-43
<PAGE>   149
                  (y) be or become subject to any restriction of any nature
         (whether arising by operation of Law, by agreement, by its certificate
         or articles of incorporation, by-laws or other constituent documents,
         or otherwise) on the right of the Borrower or such Subsidiary from time
         to time (i) in the case of a Subsidiary, to declare and pay Stock
         Payments with respect to Shares of Capital Stock owned by the Borrower
         or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, (ii) in the case of the Borrower or
         any Subsidiary of the Borrower, to pay any obligations from time to
         time owed to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (iii)
         in the case of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, make
         loans or advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower,

except:

                  (a) the Credit Facilities;

                  (b) the Senior Notes and the Senior Note Indenture;

                  (c) with respect to the foregoing clause (x), non-assignment
         provisions of any executory contract or software or programs or of any
         lease by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as lessee;

                  (d) with respect to the foregoing clause (x), restrictions on
         property subject to a Permitted Lien in favor of the holder of such
         Permitted Lien;

                  (e) restrictions with respect to TIMCO imposed pursuant to an
         agreement entered into for sale or disposition (which sale or
         disposition is not in violation of this Agreement or any other Loan
         Document) of all or substantially all of the Shares of Capital Stock or
         assets of such Subsidiary; provided, that such restriction, by its
         terms, terminates on the earlier of the termination of such agreement
         or the consummation of such agreement, and is agreed to in good faith;
         and

                  (f) in the case of the foregoing clause (y), legal
         restrictions of general applicability under the corporation or similar
         law under which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is incorporated,
         fraudulent conveyance or similar laws or general applicability for the
         benefit of creditors generally, and other legal restrictions of general
         applicability to similarly situated business corporations; and

                  (g) in the case of subclause (ii) of the foregoing clause (x),
         restrictions on transfer of property arising in the ordinary course of
         business; provided, that such restrictions do not directly or
         indirectly secure any obligation of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to
         pay money or to perform an obligation, and do not in the aggregate
         materially detract from the value of a property or asset to, or
         materially impair its use in the business of, the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary.

                  7.14. LIMITATION ON OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON AMENDMENT OF THE
LOAN DOCUMENTS, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary
of the Borrower to, enter into, become or remain subject to any agreement or
instrument to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party or by which any
of them or any of their respective properties (now owned or hereafter acquired)
may be subject or bound that would prohibit or require the consent of any Person
to any amendment, 

                                      A-44
<PAGE>   150
modification or supplement to any of the Loan Documents, except: (a) the Loan
Documents, and (b) provisions in each of the other Credit Facilities no more
restrictive than those in such other Credit Facility, respectively, as
constituted on the Closing Date.

                  7.15. LIMITATION ON CERTAIN BENEFIT LIABILITIES. The Borrower
shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled
Group Member to, become subject to Primark Group Benefits Exposures in excess of
$20,000,000 in the aggregate for all such Persons. As used herein, the term
"Primark Group Benefits Exposures" shall mean the sum of the maximum potential
liabilities (direct, contingent or other) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and the Controlled Group Members in connection with the following: (a)
withdrawal liability (within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA) from any
Multiemployer Plan, whether or not such liability has yet been triggered as a
result of a withdrawal; (b) contributions due and unpaid with respect to a
Multiemployer Plan; (c) the "amount of unfunded benefit liabilities" (within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under any Plan, whether or not such
liability has yet been triggered as a result of a termination of such Plan; (d)
excise taxes assessed in connection with all of the above or otherwise in
connection with any Plan; (e) Postretirement Benefit Obligations of the
Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member; and (f)
any other liability (contingent or other) in connection with a Plan or
Multiemployer Plan which represent a material risk that it may result in a Lien
attaching to assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, without
regard to any minimum amount required by Law to cause such Lien to attach.

                  7.16. FISCAL YEAR. The Borrower shall maintain a fiscal year
beginning on each January 1 and ending on the following December 31, divided
into fiscal quarters ending on the last day of each March, June, September and
December.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                    DEFAULTS

                  8.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. An "Event of Default" shall mean the
occurrence or existence of one or more of the following events or conditions
(for any reason, whether voluntary, involuntary or effected or required by Law):

                  (a) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due principal of any
         Loan.

                  (b) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due interest on any
         Loan, any fees, indemnity or expenses, or any other amount due
         hereunder or under any other Loan Document, and such failure shall have
         continued for a period of five Business Days.

                  (c) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the
         Borrower in or pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or
         any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, or any statement made
         by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any in any
         financial statement, certificate, report, exhibit or document furnished
         by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Collateral
         Agent or any Lender Party pursuant to or in connection with any Loan
         Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, shall prove
         to have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the time
         when made or deemed made (including by omission of material information
         necessary to make such representation, warranty or statement not
         misleading).

                                      A-45
<PAGE>   151
                  (d) The Borrower shall default in the performance or
         observance of any covenant contained in Article VII hereof or any of
         the covenants contained in Sections 2.07, 6.01(j)(i), 6.11, 6.12, 6.14,
         6.15 or 6.16 hereof, or in Sections 4.02 or 4.06 of the Borrower Pledge
         Agreement.

                  (e) The Borrower shall default in the performance or
         observance of any other covenant, agreement or duty under this
         Agreement or any other Loan Document and (i) in the case of a default
         under Section 6.01 hereof (other than as referred to in Sections
         6.01(j)(i) hereof) such default shall have continued for a period of 10
         days and (ii) in the case of any other default such default shall have
         continued for a period of 30 days.

                  (f) (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
         default in any payment of any amount in respect of any Cross-Default
         Triggering Obligation beyond any period of grace with respect thereto
         or, if any amount payable in respect of any Cross-Default Triggering
         Obligation is payable on demand, shall fail to pay such amount when
         demanded, or (ii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
         default in the observance of any covenant, term or condition of any
         agreement or instrument by which any Cross-Default Triggering
         Obligation is created, secured or evidenced, if the effect of such
         default referred to in this clause (ii) is to cause, or to permit the
         holder or holders of any Cross-Default Triggering Obligation (or a
         trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, all or
         part of such Cross- Default Triggering Obligation to become due before
         its otherwise stated maturity (by way of acceleration, mandatory
         prepayment or otherwise), or, in the case of an interest rate or
         currency swap, cap, collar, floor, future, forward or similar
         transaction, to terminate before its otherwise scheduled termination.
         As used in this Agreement, "Cross-Default Triggering Obligation" shall
         mean

                           (A) any obligation under or in connection with any of
                  the other Credit Facilities, any Swap Agreement, the Senior
                  Notes or the Senior Note Indenture,

                           (B) any obligation, as principal or as guarantor or
                  other surety, in respect of the TIMCO Bond Order, the TIMCO
                  Lease, any reimbursement agreement relating to the TIMCO Bonds
                  Letter of Credit, or any other obligation referred to in
                  Section 7.03(j) hereof,

                           (C) any obligation (or set of related obligations),
                  as principal or as guarantor or other surety, in respect of
                  Indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000 (or the equivalent
                  thereof in one or more foreign currencies) in aggregate
                  amount, and

                           (D) any obligation (or set of related obligations,
                  including all obligations under a master agreement), as
                  principal or as guarantor or other surety, in respect of any
                  interest rate or currency swap, cap, collar, floor, future,
                  forward or similar transactions relating to a principal or
                  notional principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 (or the
                  equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies) in
                  aggregate amount.

                  (g) One or more judgments for the payment of money shall have
         been entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower,
         which judgment or judgments exceed

                                      A-46
<PAGE>   152
         $2,000,000 in the aggregate, and such judgment or judgments shall have
         remained undischarged and unstayed for a period of 30 consecutive days.

                  (h) Any Governmental Action now or hereafter made by or with
         any Governmental Authority in connection with any Loan Document is not
         obtained or shall have ceased to be in full force and effect or shall
         have been modified or amended or shall have been held to be illegal or
         invalid, and such event or condition has, or would be likely to have, a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  (i) Any Shared Security Document shall cease to be in full
         force and effect; or any Lien created or purported to be created in any
         Shared Collateral pursuant to any Shared Security Document shall fail
         to be a valid, enforceable and perfected Lien in favor of the
         Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties securing the
         Obligations, prior to all other Liens except Permitted Liens.

                  (j) Any Loan Document or term or provision thereof shall cease
         to be in full force and effect (except in accordance with the express
         terms of such Loan Document), or the Borrower or any other party to any
         Loan Document shall, or shall purport to, terminate (except in
         accordance with the terms of such Loan Document), repudiate, declare
         voidable or void or otherwise contest, any Loan Document or term or
         provision thereof or any obligation or liability of the Borrower or
         such other party thereunder.

                  (k) Any one or more Pension-Related Events referred to in
         subsection (b) or (e) of the definition of "Pension-Related Event"
         shall have occurred; or any one or more other Pension-Related Events
         shall have occurred which, individually or in the aggregate, could
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (l) The Borrower shall make, or shall be required by the terms
         of the Senior Note Indenture to make or to offer to make, any purchase
         of Senior Notes under Sections 4.12 or 4.13 of the Senior Note
         Indenture; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries otherwise shall
         make or offer to make any payment on account of principal of, or any
         purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or acquisition of, any of
         the Senior Notes (except for principal payment in accordance with the
         terms thereof at the scheduled maturity thereof).

                  (m) Any Person or group (as such term is used in Sections 13
         and 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
         "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder) shall have
         become the direct or indirect beneficial owner (as defined in Rules
         13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of any class of
         voting securities of the Borrower; or any Person shall have been
         elected or shall have become a director of the Borrower who was not
         nominated and recommended for such position or elected to such position
         by a majority of the then-incumbent Board of Directors of the Borrower;
         or a "Change in Control" (as defined in the Senior Note Indenture as
         constituted on the Closing Date shall have occurred (without regard to
         any subsequent amendment, modification or supplement to, or termination
         or expiration of, the Senior Note Indenture).

                  (n) A Control-Related Event shall have occurred, and the
         Required Lenders shall have determined in good faith that such
         Control-Related Event has or would be likely to have a Material Adverse
         Effect (by reason of suspension, withdrawal or impairment of any
         security

                                      A-47
<PAGE>   153
         clearance of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or impairment of
         the business relationship between the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on
         the one hand, and the U.S. Government and its agencies and departments,
         on the other hand). "Control-Related Event" shall mean that any Person
         or group (as such term is used in Sections 13 and 14 of the Exchange
         Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder) shall have become the
         direct or indirect beneficial owner (as defined in Rules 13d-3 and
         13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of any class of voting
         securities of the Borrower (except for any such Person or group
         existing on the Closing Date, to the extent of the voting securities
         then owned by them).

                  (o) A proceeding shall have been instituted in respect of the
         Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower (and for this
         purpose, each Subsidiary of the Borrower which is subject to an event
         or condition described in this Section 8.01(o) or in Section 8.01(p)
         hereof shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if, collectively,
         together with their respective Subsidiaries, treated as a single
         entity, they would constitute a Significant Subsidiary)

                           (i) seeking to have an order for relief entered in
                  respect of such Person, or seeking a declaration or entailing
                  a finding that such Person is insolvent or a similar
                  declaration or finding, or seeking dissolution, Winding-up,
                  administration, charter revocation or forfeiture, liquidation,
                  reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
                  similar relief with respect to such Person, its assets or its
                  debts under any Law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, relief
                  of debtors or protection of creditors, termination of legal
                  entities or any other similar Law now or hereafter in effect,
                  or

                           (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver,
                  administrative receiver, trustee, liquidator, assignee,
                  sequestrator or other custodian for such Person or for all or
                  any substantial part of its property

         and such proceeding shall result in the entry, making or grant of any
         such order for relief, declaration, finding, relief or appointment, or
         such proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of
         30 consecutive days.

                  (p) The Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower
         (and for this purpose, each Subsidiary of the Borrower which is subject
         to an event or condition described in Section 8.01(o) hereof or in this
         Section 8.01(p) shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if,
         collectively, together with their respective Subsidiaries, treated as a
         single entity, they would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall
         not be Solvent; shall fail to pay, become unable to pay, or state that
         it is or will be unable to pay, its debts as they become due; shall
         voluntarily suspend transaction of its business; shall make a general
         assignment for the benefit of creditors; shall institute (or fail to
         controvert in a timely and appropriate manner) a proceeding described
         in Section 8.01(o)(i) hereof, or (whether or not any such proceeding
         has been instituted) shall consent to or acquiesce in any such order
         for relief, declaration, finding or relief described therein; shall
         institute (or fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner) a
         proceeding described in Section 8.01(o)(ii) hereof, or (whether or not
         any such proceeding has been instituted) shall consent to or acquiesce
         in any such appointment or to the taking of possession by any such
         custodian of all or any substantial part of its or his property; shall
         dissolve, Wind-up, go into administration or revoke or forfeit its
         articles of incorporation (or other constituent documents); or shall
         take any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

                                      A-48
<PAGE>   154
                  8.02. CONSEQUENCES OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT.

                  (a) GENERAL. If an Event of Default specified in subsections
(a) through (n) of Section 8.01 hereof shall have occurred and be continuing or
exist, or if an Event of Default specified in subsections (o) or (p) of Section
8.01 hereof shall have occurred and be continuing or exist with respect to a
Person other than the Borrower, then, in addition to all other rights and
remedies which the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party may have hereunder or
under any other Loan Document, at law, in equity or otherwise, the Agent may,
and upon the written request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the
Borrower, declare the unpaid principal amount of the Loans, interest accrued
thereon and all other Loan Obligations to be immediately due and payable without
presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue.

                  (b) BANKRUPTCY AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS. If an Event of
Default specified in subsection (o) or (p) of Section 8.01 hereof shall have
occurred and be continuing or exist with respect to the Borrower, then, in
addition to all other rights and remedies which the Collateral Agent or any
Lender Party may have hereunder or under any other Loan Document, at law, in
equity or otherwise, the unpaid principal amount of the Loans, interest accrued
thereon and all other Loan Obligations shall become immediately due and payable
without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby waived, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue.

                  8.03. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. After the occurrence of an
Event of Default and acceleration of the Loans, any distributions made on
account of Loan Obligations under the Collateral Agency Agreement and all other
payments received on account of Loan Obligations shall be applied by the Agent
to payment of the Loan Obligations in the following order:

                  First, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts due to the Agent in
         its capacity as such;

                  Second, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting accrued and unpaid interest on Loans, ratably amongst the
         Lenders in proportion to the respective amounts described in this
         clause "Second" due to them;

                  Third, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting unpaid principal of the Loans, ratably amongst the Lenders
         in proportion to the respective amounts described in this clause
         "Third" due to them;

                  Fourth, to payment of all other Loan Obligations, ratably
         amongst the Lender Parties in proportion to the respective amounts
         described in this clause "Fourth" due to them; and

                  Finally, the balance, if any, after all of the Loan
         Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, and all
         Commitments have terminated, to the Borrower or as otherwise required
         by law.


                                   ARTICLE IX
                                    THE AGENT

                                      A-49
<PAGE>   155
                  9.01. APPOINTMENT. Each Lender Party hereby irrevocably
appoints Mellon Bank, N.A. to act as Agent for the Lender Parties under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender Party hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Agent to take such action on behalf of the Lender Parties under
the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to exercise
such powers and to perform such duties, as are expressly delegated to or
required of the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers
as are reasonably incidental thereto. Mellon Bank, N.A. hereby agrees to act as
Agent on behalf of the Lender Parties on the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, subject to its right to resign as
provided herein. Each Lender Party hereby irrevocably authorizes the Agent to
execute and deliver each of the Loan Documents and to accept delivery of such of
the other Loan Documents as may not require execution by the Agent. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Lender Party hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Agent to execute and deliver the Collateral Agency Agreement on
behalf of such Lender Party. Each Lender Party hereby agrees that the rights and
remedies granted to the Agent under the Loan Documents shall be exercised
exclusively by the Agent, and that no Lender Party shall have any right
individually to exercise any such right or remedy, except to the extent, if any,
expressly provided herein or therein.

                  9.02. GENERAL NATURE OF AGENT'S DUTIES.

                  (a) NO IMPLIED DUTIES. The Agent shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and no implied duties or responsibilities on the part of
the Agent shall be read into this Agreement or any Loan Document or shall
otherwise exist.

                  (b) NOT A FIDUCIARY. The duties and responsibilities of the
Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be mechanical and
administrative in nature, and the Agent shall not have a fiduciary relationship
in respect of any Lender Party.

                  (c) AGENT OF LENDER PARTIES. The Agent is and shall be solely
the agent of the Lender Parties. The Agent does not assume, and shall not at any
time be deemed to have, any relationship of agency or trust with or for, or any
other duty or responsibility to, the Borrower or any Person other than the
Lender Parties. The provisions of this Article IX are for the benefit of the
Lender Parties (and the other Persons named in Section 9.07 hereof), and the
Borrower shall not have any rights under any of the provisions of this Article
IX.

                  (d) NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE ACTION. The Agent shall be under no
obligation to take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document if the
Agent believes in good faith that taking such action may conflict with any Law
or any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or may require
the Agent to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so
qualified.

                  9.03. EXERCISE OF POWERS. Subject to the other provisions of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Agent shall take any action of
the type specified in this Agreement or any other Loan Document as being within
the Agent's rights, powers or discretion in accordance with directions from the
Required Lenders (or, to the extent this Agreement or such Loan Document
expressly requires the direction or consent of some other Person or set of
Persons, then instead in accordance with the directions of such other Person or
set of Persons). In the absence of such directions, the Agent shall have the
authority (but under no circumstances shall be obligated), in its sole
discretion, to take any such action, except to the extent this Agreement or such
Loan Document expressly requires

                                      A-50
<PAGE>   156
the direction or consent of the Required Lenders (or some other Person or set of
Persons), in which case the Agent shall not take such action absent such
direction or consent. Any action or inaction pursuant to such direction,
discretion or consent shall be binding on all the Lender Parties. The Agent
shall not have any liability to any Person as a result of (x) the Agent acting
or refraining from acting in accordance with the directions of the Required
Lenders (or other applicable Person or set of Persons), (y) the Agent refraining
from acting in the absence of instructions to act from the Required Lenders (or
other applicable Person or set of Persons), whether or not the Agent has
discretionary power to take such action, or (z) the Agent taking discretionary
action it is authorized to take under this Section (subject, in the case of this
clause (z), to the provisions of Section 9.04(a) hereof).

                  9.04. GENERAL EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS.

                  (a) GENERAL. The Agent shall not be liable for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, unless caused by its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct.

                  (b) AGENT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOAN DOCUMENTS, ETC. The Agent
shall not be responsible for (i) the execution, delivery, effectiveness,
enforceability, genuineness, validity or adequacy of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, (ii) any recital, representation, warranty, document,
certificate, report or statement in, provided for in, or received under or in
connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iii) any failure of
the Borrower or any Lender to perform any of their respective obligations under
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iv) the existence, validity,
enforceability, perfection, recordation, priority, adequacy or value, now or
hereafter, of any Lien or other direct or indirect security afforded or
purported to be afforded by any of the Loan Documents or otherwise from time to
time, or (v) caring for, protecting, insuring, or paying any taxes, charges or
assessments with respect to any collateral.

                  (c) NO DUTY OF INQUIRY. The Agent shall not be under any
obligation to ascertain, inquire or give any notice relating to (i) the
performance or observance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document on the part of the Borrower, (ii) the business,
operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower or
any other Person, or (iii) except to the extent set forth in Section 9.05(f)
hereof, the existence of any Event of Default or Potential Default.

                  (d) NOTICES. The Agent shall not be under any obligation,
either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender Party with any
notices, reports or information of any nature, whether in its possession
presently or hereafter, except for such notices, reports and other information
expressly required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be furnished
by the Agent to such Lender Party.

                  9.05. ADMINISTRATION BY THE AGENT.

                  (a) RELIANCE ON NOTICES. The Agent may rely upon any notice or
other communication of any nature (written or oral, including but not limited to
telephone conversations, whether or not such notice or other communication is
made in a manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any Loan Document)
purportedly made by or on behalf of the proper party or parties, and the Agent
shall not have any duty to verify the identity or authority of any Person giving
such notice or other communication.

                                      A-51
<PAGE>   157
                  (b) CONSULTATION. The Agent may consult with legal counsel
(including, without limitation, in-house counsel for the Agent or in-house or
other counsel for the Borrower), independent public accountants and any other
experts selected by it from time to time, and the Agent shall not be liable for
any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in accordance with
the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

                  (c) RELIANCE ON CERTIFICATES, ETC. The Agent may conclusively
rely upon the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
expressed in any certificates or opinions furnished to the Agent in accordance
with the requirements of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Whenever the
Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or
established with respect to the Borrower or any Lender Party, such matter may be
established by a certificate of the Borrower or such Lender Party, as the case
may be, and the Agent may conclusively rely upon such certificate (unless other
evidence with respect to such matter is specifically prescribed in this
Agreement or another Loan Document).

                  (d) INDEMNITY. The Agent may fail or refuse to take any action
unless it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction from time to time against any
and all amounts, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature which
may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent by reason of taking
or continuing to take any such action.

                  (e) PERFORMANCE THROUGH AGENTS. The Agent may perform any of
its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents
or attorneys-in-fact. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or
misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in fact selected by it with reasonable
care.

                  (f) NOTICE OF DEFAULT. The Agent shall not be deemed to have
any knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Potential
Default unless the Agent has received notice from a Lender Party or the Borrower
referring to this Agreement, describing such Event of Default or Potential
Default, and stating that such notice is a "notice of default." If the Agent
receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to each
Lender.

                  9.06. LENDERS NOT RELYING ON AGENT OR OTHER LENDERS. Each
Lender Party hereby acknowledges as follows: (a) Neither the Agent nor any other
Lender Party has made any representations or warranties to it, and no act taken
hereafter by the Agent or any other Lender Party shall be deemed to constitute
any representation or warranty by the Agent or such other Lender Party to it.
(b) It has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other
Lender Party, and based upon such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit and legal analysis and decision to enter into
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. (c) It will, independently and
without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender Party, and based upon such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, make its own
decisions to take or not take action under or in connection with this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.

                  9.07. INDEMNIFICATION OF AGENT BY LENDERS. Each Lender hereby
agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Agent and its directors, officers,
employees and agents (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without
limitation of the obligations of the Borrower to do so), Pro Rata, from and
against any and all amounts, losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature (including, without limitation, the fees and 

                                      A-52
<PAGE>   158
disbursements of counsel for the Agent or such other Person in connection with
any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or
threatened, whether or not the Agent or such other Person shall be designated a
party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted
against the Agent or such other Person as a result of, or arising out of, or in
any way related to or by reason of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any
transaction from time to time contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction
financed in whole or in part or directly or indirectly with the proceeds of any
Loan; provided, that no Lender shall be liable for any portion of such amounts,
losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of the Agent or such other Person, as finally determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction.

                  9.08. AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. With respect to its
Commitments and the Loan Obligations owing to it, the Agent shall have the same
rights and powers under this Agreement and each other Loan Document as any other
Lender and may exercise the same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms
"Lender," "holders of Notes" and like terms shall include the Agent in its
individual capacity as such. The Agent and its affiliates may, without liability
to account, make loans to, accept deposits from, acquire debt or equity
interests in, enter into interest rate or currency hedging transactions with,
act as trustee under indentures of, and engage in any other business or
transaction with, the Borrower or any stockholder, subsidiary or affiliate of
the Borrower, as though the Agent were not the Agent hereunder.

                  9.09. HOLDERS OF NOTES. The Agent may deem and treat the
Lender which is payee of a Note as the owner and holder of such Note for all
purposes hereof unless and until a Transfer Supplement with respect to the
assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the Agent in
accordance with Section 10.14 hereof. Any authority, direction or consent of any
Person who at the time of giving such authority, direction or consent is shown
in the Register as being a Lender shall be conclusive and binding on each
present and subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of any Note or Notes
payable to such Lender or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor.

                  9.10. SUCCESSOR AGENT. The Agent may resign at any time by
giving 45 days' prior written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower.
The Agent may be removed by the Required Lenders at any time by giving 10 days'
prior written notice thereof to the Agent, the other Lenders and the Borrower.
Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right
to appoint a successor Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed
and consented to, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after
such notice of resignation or removal, then the retiring Agent may (but shall
not be required to) appoint a successor Agent. Each successor Agent shall be a
commercial bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States
of America or any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance by a successor Agent of its appointment
as Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the properties, rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
former Agent in its capacity as such, without further act, deed or conveyance.
Upon the effective date of resignation or removal of a retiring Agent, such
Agent shall be discharged from its duties as such under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, but the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions taken or omitted by it while it was Agent under this
Agreement. If and so long as no successor Agent shall have been appointed, then
any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given by the Agent
shall be sufficiently given if given by the Required Lenders, all notices or
other communications required or permitted to be given to the Agent shall be
given to each 

                                      A-53
<PAGE>   159
Lender, and all payments to be made to the Agent shall be made directly to the
Borrower or Lender Party for whose account such payment is made.

                  9.11. CALCULATIONS. The Agent shall not be liable for any
calculation, apportionment or distribution of payments made by it in good faith.
If such calculation, apportionment or distribution is subsequently determined to
have been made in error, the sole recourse of any Lender Party to whom payment
was due but not made shall be to recover from the other Lender Parties any
payment in excess of the amount to which they are determined to be entitled or,
if the amount due was not paid by the Borrower, to recover such amount from the
Borrower.

                  9.12. AGENT'S FEE. The Borrower agrees to pay to the Agent,
for its individual account, a nonrefundable Agent's fee of $50,000 per annum,
payable for the period from and including the Closing Date to but not including
the date on which all Loan Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification
Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in full. Payments of such Agent's fee
shall be made (a) on the Closing Date, for the period from and including such
date to but not including June 29, 1997 (provided, that to the extent that the
Borrower has paid the Agent's fee allocable to such period under the prior "Term
Loan Agreement" referred to in Section 5.01(f), such payment shall be credited
against the Borrower's obligation under this clause (a)), and (b) thereafter, in
advance on each June 29 and December 29 for the period from and including such
payment date to but not including the next such payment date.


                                    ARTICLE X
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  10.01. HOLIDAYS. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein
or therein, whenever any payment or action to be made or taken hereunder or
under any other Loan Document shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a
Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken on the next
following Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing
interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment or action.

                  10.02. RECORDS. The unpaid principal amount of the Loans owing
to each Lender, the unpaid interest accrued thereon, the interest rate or rates
applicable to such unpaid principal amount, and the duration of such
applicability, shall at all times be ascertained from the records of the Agent,
which shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                  10.03. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The Agent and the Borrower may
from time to time amend, modify or supplement the provisions of this Agreement
or any other Loan Document (other than the Shared Security Documents) for the
purpose of amending, adding to, or waiving any provisions, releasing any
collateral, or changing in any manner the rights and duties of the Borrower or
any Lender Party. Any such amendment, modification or supplement made by the
Borrower and the Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.03
shall be binding upon the Borrower and each Lender Party. The Agent shall enter
into such amendments, modifications or supplements from time to time as directed
by the Required Lenders, and only as so directed, provided, that no such
amendment, modification or supplement may be made which will:

                                      A-54
<PAGE>   160
                  (a) Increase the Term Loan Committed Amount of any Lender over
         the amount thereof then in effect without the written consent of each
         Lender affected thereby, or extend the Term Loan Maturity Date without
         the written consent of each Lender;

                  (b) Reduce the principal amount of or extend the time for any
         scheduled payment of principal of any Loan without the written consent
         of each Lender affected thereby, or reduce the rate of interest or
         extend the time for payment of interest borne by any Loan (other than
         as a result of waiving the applicability of any increase in interest
         rates applicable to overdue amounts), without the written consent of
         each Lender affected thereby;

                  (c) Change the definition of "Required Lenders" or amend this
         Section 10.03, without the written consent of each Lender;

                  (d) Amend or waive any of the provisions of Article IX, or
         impose additional duties upon the Agent, or otherwise affect the
         rights, interests or obligations of the Agent, without the written
         consent of the Agent;

                  (e) Release all or a major portion of the Shared Collateral
         (other than in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents),
         or subordinate the priority of the Liens in favor of the Collateral
         Agent to Liens in favor of another Person with respect to all or a
         major portion of the Shared Collateral (other than in accordance with
         the provisions of the Loan Documents), without the written consent of
         each Lender; or

                  (f) Alter the priority of distributions set forth in Section
         8.03 hereof, without the written consent of each Lender affected
         thereby;

and provided further, that Transfer Supplements may be entered into in the
manner provided in Section 10.14 hereof. Any such amendment, modification or
supplement must be in writing, manually signed by or on behalf of the Borrower
and the Lender Party which is party thereto, and shall be effective only to the
extent set forth in such writing. Any Event of Default or Potential Default
waived or consented to in any such amendment, modification or supplement shall
be deemed to be cured and not continuing to the extent and for the period set
forth in such waiver or consent, but no such waiver or consent shall extend to
any other or subsequent Event of Default or Potential Default or impair any
right consequent thereto. Shared Security Documents may be amended, modified and
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and of the
Collateral Agency Agreement, and any such amendment, modification or supplement
so made shall be binding upon the Borrower and each Lender Party (and to the
extent that any consent, direction or other action is required by the Agent in
connection therewith, the provisions of the third sentence of this Section 10.03
shall apply to the Agent in giving such consent or direction or taking such
action).

                  10.04. NO IMPLIED WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No course of
dealing and no delay or failure of the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party in
exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or exercise of any
other right, power or privilege; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right, power or privilege or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to
enforce such a right, power or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof
or of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the
Collateral Agent and the Lender Parties under this Agreement and any other Loan
Document are

                                      A-55
<PAGE>   161
cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any of them would
otherwise have hereunder or thereunder, at law, in equity or otherwise.

                  10.05. NOTICES.

                  (a) GENERAL. Except to the extent otherwise expressly
permitted hereunder or thereunder, all notices, requests, demands, directions
and other communications (collectively "notices") to the Borrower or any Lender
Party under this Agreement or any Loan Document shall be in writing (including
telexes and facsimile transmission) and shall be sent by first-class mail, or by
nationally-recognized overnight courier, or by telex or facsimile transmission
(with confirmation in writing mailed first-class or sent by such an overnight
courier), or by personal delivery. All notices shall be sent to the applicable
party at the address stated on the signature pages hereof or in accordance with
the last unrevoked written direction from such party to the other parties
hereto, in all cases with postage or other charges prepaid. Any such properly
given notice to any Lender Party shall be effective when received. Any such
properly given notice to the Borrower shall be effective on the earliest to
occur of receipt, telephone confirmation of receipt of telex or facsimile
transmission, one Business Day after delivery to a nationally-recognized
overnight courier, or three Business Days after deposit in the mail.

                  (b) COPIES TO AGENT. Any Lender giving any notice to the
Borrower or any other party to a Loan Document shall simultaneously send a copy
thereof to the Agent, and the Agent shall promptly notify the other Lenders of
the receipt by it of any such notice.

                  (c) RELIANCE. Each Lender Party may rely on any notice
(whether or not such notice is made in a manner permitted or required by this
Agreement or any Loan Document) purportedly made by or on behalf of the
Borrower, and no Lender Party shall have any duty to verify the identity or
authority of any Person giving such notice.

                  10.06. EXPENSES; TAXES; INDEMNITY.

                  (a) EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay or cause to be paid
and to save each Lender Party harmless against liability for the payment of all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to
reasonable fees and expenses of outside counsel, including local counsel,
auditors, and all other professional, accounting, evaluation and consulting
costs) incurred by any Lender Party from time to time arising from or relating
to (i) in the case of the Agent, the negotiation, preparation, execution,
delivery, administration and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, (ii) in the case of the Agent, any requested amendments,
modifications, supplements, waivers or consents (whether or not ultimately
entered into or granted) to this Agreement or any Loan Document, (iii) in the
case of each Lender Party, the enforcement or preservation of rights under this
Agreement or any Loan Document (including but not limited to any such costs or
expenses arising from or relating to (A) the creation, perfection or protection
of any Lien on any collateral, (B) the protection, collection, lease, sale,
taking possession of, preservation of, or realization on, any collateral,
including without limitation advances for taxes, filing fees and the like, (C)
collection or enforcement by any Lender Party of any outstanding Loan or any
other amount owing hereunder or thereunder, and (D) any litigation, proceeding,
dispute, work-out, restructuring or rescheduling related in any way to this
Agreement or the Loan Documents), and (iv) in the case of Mellon Bank, N.A., any
syndication of this Agreement prior to the first anniversary of the Closing Date
(but amounts payable under this clause (iv), plus amounts payable under Section
10.06(a)(iv) of the other Credit Facilities as constituted on the Closing Date,
shall in no event exceed an aggregate of $50,000).

                                      A-56
<PAGE>   162
                  (b) TAXES. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all stamp,
document, transfer, recording, filing, registration, search, sales and excise
fees and taxes and all similar impositions now or hereafter determined by any
Lender Party to be payable in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan
Documents or any other documents, instruments or transactions pursuant to or in
connection herewith or therewith, and the Borrower agrees to save each Lender
Party harmless from and against any and all present or future claims,
liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any omission to pay or
delay in paying any such fees, taxes or impositions.

                  (c) INDEMNITY. The Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse and
indemnify the Lender Parties, their respective affiliates, and the directors,
officers, employees, attorneys and agents of each of the foregoing (the "Lender
Indemnified Parties"), and each of them, and to hold each of them harmless from
and against, any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the fees and
disbursements of outside counsel for such Lender Indemnified Party in connection
with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or
threatened, whether or not such Lender Indemnified Party shall be designated a
party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on, asserted against or incurred
by such Lender Indemnified Party as a result of, or arising out of, or in any
way related to or by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any
transaction from time to time contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction
financed or secured in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with the
proceeds of any Loan (and without in any way limiting the generality of the
foregoing, including any grant of any Lien on collateral or any exercise by the
Collateral Agent or any Lender Party of any of its rights or remedies under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document); but excluding any portion of such losses,
liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or
willful misconduct of such Lender Indemnified Party, as finally determined by a
court of competent jurisdiction. If and to the extent that the foregoing
obligations of the Borrower under this Section 10.06(c), or any other
indemnification obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan
Document, are unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to make
the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations
which is permissible under applicable Law.

                  10.07. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement are
intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction such provision
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity
or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or
enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions
hereof in any jurisdiction.

                  10.08. PRIOR UNDERSTANDINGS. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements,
whether written or oral, among the parties hereto and thereto relating to the
transactions provided for herein and therein, including the engagement letter
between the Borrower and Mellon Bank, N.A. dated December 13, 1996.

                  10.09. DURATION; SURVIVAL. All representations and warranties
of the Borrower contained herein or in any other Loan Document or made in
connection herewith or therewith shall survive the making of, and shall not be
waived by the execution and delivery, of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, any investigation by or knowledge of any Lender Party, the making of
any Loan, or any other event or condition whatever. All covenants and agreements
of the Borrower contained

                                      A-57
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herein or in any other Loan Document shall continue in full force and effect
from and after the date hereof (or, in the case of Section 7.01 hereof, from and
after December 31, 1996) until all Commitments have terminated, and all Loan
Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been
indefeasibly paid in full in cash. Without limitation, all obligations of the
Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document to make payments to or
indemnify any Lender Party or Lender Indemnified Party (including but not
limited to obligations arising under Sections 2.10, 2.11 and 10.06 hereof) shall
survive the payment in full of all other Loan Obligations, termination of the
Borrower's right to borrow hereunder, and all other events and conditions
whatever. In addition, all obligations of each Lender to make payments to or
indemnify the Agent and Persons related to the Agent (including but not limited
to obligations arising under Section 9.07 hereof) shall survive the payment in
full by the Borrower of all Loan Obligations, termination of the Borrower's
right to borrow hereunder, and all other events and conditions whatever.

                  10.10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate
counterparts each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but
all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

                  10.11. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS. The parties hereto intend to
conform to all applicable Laws in effect from time to time limiting the maximum
rate of interest that may be charged or collected. Accordingly, notwithstanding
any other provision hereof or of any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall not
be required to make any payment to or for the account of any Lender, and each
Lender shall refund any payment made by the Borrower, to the extent that such
requirement or such failure to refund would violate or conflict with nonwaivable
provisions of applicable Laws limiting the maximum amount of interest which may
be charged or collected by such Lender.

                  10.12. SET-OFF. The Borrower hereby agrees that if any Loan
Obligation of the Borrower shall be due and payable (by acceleration or
otherwise), each Lender Party shall have the right, without notice to the
Borrower, to set-off against and to appropriate and apply to such Loan
Obligation any obligation of any nature owing to the Borrower by such Lender
Party, including but not limited to all deposits (whether time or demand,
general or special, provisionally credited or finally credited, whether or not
evidenced by a certificate of deposit) now or hereafter maintained by the
Borrower with such Lender Party. Such right shall be absolute and unconditional
in all circumstances and, without limitation, shall exist whether or not such
Lender Party or any other Person shall have given notice or made any demand to
the Borrower or any other Person, whether such obligation owed to the Borrower
is contingent, absolute, matured or unmatured (it being agreed that such Lender
Party may deem such obligation to be then due and payable at the time of such
setoff), and regardless of the existence or adequacy of any collateral, guaranty
or any other security, right or remedy available to any Lender Party or any
other Person. The Borrower hereby agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, any Participant and any branch, subsidiary or affiliate of any Lender
Party or any Participant shall have the same rights of set-off as a Lender as
provided in this Section 10.12 (regardless of whether such Participant, branch,
subsidiary or affiliate would otherwise be deemed in privity with or a direct
creditor of the Borrower). The rights provided by this Section 10.12 are in
addition to all other rights of set-off and banker's lien and all other rights
and remedies which any Lender Party (or any such Participant, branch, subsidiary
or affiliate) may otherwise have under this Agreement, any other Loan Document,
at law or in equity, or otherwise, and nothing in this Agreement or any Loan
Document shall be deemed a waiver or prohibition of or restriction on the rights
of set-off or bankers' lien of any such Person.

                                      A-58
<PAGE>   164
                  10.13. SHARING OF COLLECTIONS. Subject to Section 2.06 of the
Collateral Agency Agreement, the Lenders hereby agree among themselves that if
any Lender shall receive (by voluntary payment, realization upon security,
set-off or from any other source) any amount on account of the Loans, interest
thereon, or any other Loan Obligation contemplated by this Agreement or the
other Loan Documents to be made by the Borrower ratably to all Lenders in
greater proportion than any such amount received by any other Lender, then the
Lender receiving such proportionately greater payment shall notify each other
Lender and the Agent of such receipt, and equitable adjustment will be made in
the manner stated in this Section so that, in effect, all such excess amounts
will be shared ratably among all of the Lenders. The Lender receiving such
excess amount shall purchase (which it shall be deemed to have done
simultaneously upon the receipt of such excess amount) for cash from the other
Lenders a participation in the applicable Loan Obligations owed to such other
Lenders in such amount as shall result in a ratable sharing by all Lenders of
such excess amount (and to such extent the receiving Lender shall be a
Participant). If all or any portion of such excess amount is thereafter
recovered from the Lender making such purchase, such purchase shall be rescinded
and the purchase price restored to the extent of such recovery, together with
interest or other amounts, if any, required by Law to be paid by the Lender
making such purchase. The Borrower hereby consents to and confirms the foregoing
arrangements. Each Participant shall be bound by this Section as fully as if it
were a Lender hereunder.

                  10.14. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; PARTICIPATIONS; ASSIGNMENTS.

                  (a) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Lender Parties, all future
holders of the Notes, and their respective successors and assigns, except that
the Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights hereunder without the
prior written consent of all the Lenders and the Agent, and any purported
assignment without such consent shall be void, and except that, to the fullest
extent permitted by law, a Lender may not voluntarily assign or transfer any of
its rights hereunder except in accordance with the other provisions of this
Section 10.14, and any other purported voluntary assignment or transfer shall be
void; provided, that this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of successors of
Lenders by operation of law or resulting from an involuntary assignment or
transfer (including but not limited to receivers, conservators, trustees and
like Persons, and successors by merger or consolidation).

                  (b) PARTICIPATIONS. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of
its business and in accordance with applicable Law, at any time sell
participations to one or more commercial banks or other Persons (each a
"Participant") in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents (including, without limitation, all or a
portion of its Commitments and the Loans owing to it and any Note held by it);
provided, that

                  (i) any such Lender's obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged,

                  (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other
         parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,

                  (iii) the parties hereto shall continue to deal solely and
         directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
         obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents,
         and

                                      A-59
<PAGE>   165
                  (iv) such Participant shall, by accepting such Participation,
         be bound by the provisions of Section 10.13 hereof, and

                  (v) if such Participant is not already a Participant or a
         Lender, and if such Participation gives such Participant any voting
         rights (other than on matters described in clauses (a) through (f),
         inclusive, of Section 10.03 hereof), such Participation shall be
         subject to consent of the Agent, Mellon Bank, N.A. and the Borrower
         pursuant to clause (i) of Section 10.14(c) hereof as if such
         Participation were an assignment described therein.

The Borrower agrees that any such Participant shall be entitled to the benefits
of Sections 2.10, 2.11, 10.06 and 10.12 hereof with respect to its participation
in the Commitments and the Loans outstanding from time to time; provided, that
no such Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater amount pursuant to
such Sections than the transferor Lender would have been entitled to receive in
respect of the amount of the participation transferred to such Participant had
no such transfer occurred.

                  (c) ASSIGNMENTS. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its
business and in accordance with applicable Law, at any time assign all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents (including, without limitation, all or any portion of its Commitments
and Loans owing to it and any Note held by it) to any Lender or to one or more
additional commercial banks or other Persons (each a "Purchasing Lender");
provided, that

                  (i) any such assignment to a Purchasing Lender shall be made
         only with the consent of the Agent and Mellon Bank, N.A. (which each of
         them may grant or withhold in their absolute discretion) and of the
         Borrower (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

                  (ii) if a Lender makes such an assignment of less than all of
         its then remaining rights and obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents and under the Note Backup Agreement, such
         transferor Lender shall retain, after such assignment (and any
         concurrent assignment under the Note Backup Agreement), a minimum
         principal amount of $10,000,000 under this Agreement and the Note
         Backup Agreement in the aggregate, and after giving effect to such
         assignment (and any concurrent assignment under the Note Backup
         Agreement) the transferee Lender shall have a minimum principal amount
         of $10,000,000 under this Agreement and the Note Backup Agreement in
         the aggregate,

                  (iii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a
         varying, percentage of the Term Loan Commitment and Term Loan of the
         transferor Lender, and of all of the transferor Lender's related rights
         and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,

                  (iv) each such assignment shall be made pursuant to a Transfer
         Supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit B to this Agreement,
         duly completed (a "Transfer Supplement").

In order to effect any such assignment, the transferor Lender and the Purchasing
Lender shall execute and deliver to the Agent a duly completed Transfer
Supplement (including the consents required by clause (i) of the preceding
sentence) with respect to such assignment, together with any Note or Notes
subject to such assignment (the "Transferor Lender Notes") and a processing and
recording fee of $3,500; and, upon receipt thereof, the Agent shall accept such
Transfer Supplement. Upon receipt of the Purchase Price Receipt Notice pursuant
to such Transfer Supplement, the Agent shall record such 

                                      A-60
<PAGE>   166
acceptance in the Register. Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and
recording, from and after the close of business at the Agent's Office on the
Transfer Effective Date specified in such Transfer Supplement

                  (x) the Purchasing Lender shall be a party hereto and, to the
         extent provided in such Transfer Supplement, shall have the rights and
         obligations of a Lender hereunder, and

                  (y) the transferor Lender thereunder shall be released from
         its obligations under this Agreement to the extent so transferred (and,
         in the case of an Transfer Supplement covering all or the remaining
         portion of a transferor Lender's rights and obligations under this
         Agreement, such transferor Lender shall cease to be a party to this
         Agreement) from and after the Transfer Effective Date.

On or prior to the Transfer Effective Date specified in a Transfer Supplement,
the Borrower, at its expense, shall execute and deliver to the Agent (for
delivery to the Purchasing Lender) new Term Loan Notes evidencing such
Purchasing Lender's assigned Commitments or Loans and (for delivery to the
transferor Lender) replacement Term Loan Notes in the principal amount of the
Loans or Commitments retained by the transferor Lender (such Notes to be in
exchange for, but not in payment of, those Notes then held by such transferor
Lender). Each such Note shall be dated the date and be substantially in the form
of the predecessor Note. The Agent shall mark the predecessor Notes "exchanged"
and deliver them to the Borrower. Accrued interest and accrued fees shall be
paid to the Purchasing Lender at the same time or times provided in the
predecessor Notes and this Agreement.

                  (d) REGISTER. The Agent shall maintain at its office a copy of
each Transfer Supplement delivered to it and a register (the "Register") for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of, and
principal amount of the Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time. The
entries in the Register shall be conclusive absent manifest error and the
Borrower and each Lender Party may treat each person whose name is recorded in
the Register as a Lender hereunder for all purposes of the Agreement. The
Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any
reasonable time and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (e) FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Subject to Section
10.14(g) hereof, the Borrower authorizes the Agent and each Lender to disclose
to any Participant or Purchasing Lender, or prospective Participant or
Purchasing Lender, any and all financial and other information delivered to,
received by, or otherwise in the possession of, such Person from time to time
relating to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and affiliates, or the matters
contemplated by the Loan Documents. At the request of any Lender, the Borrower,
at the Borrower's expense, shall provide to each prospective transferee the
conformed copies of documents referred to in Section 4 of the form of Transfer
Supplement.

                  (f) SYNDICATION. The Borrower shall, at the reasonable request
of Mellon Bank, N.A. from time to time, at the Borrower's expense, use all
reasonable efforts to cooperate with its syndication effort, including, without
limitation, (i) assisting it from time to time in preparing information packages
for delivery to prospective Participants and Purchasing Lenders, and (ii)
causing appropriate officers, representative and experts to meet with
prospective Participants and Purchasing Lenders from time to time. Mellon Bank,
N.A. agrees to make such information packages available to the Borrower for
reasonable review before initial dissemination of the same in primary
syndication, and to consult with the Borrower as to the content thereof.

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<PAGE>   167
                  (g) CONFIDENTIALITY. Each Lender Party agrees to take
reasonable precautions to maintain the confidentiality of information designated
in writing as confidential and provided to it by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
in connection with this Agreement; provided, however, that any Lender Party may
disclose such information (i) at the request of any bank regulatory authority or
other Governmental Authority or in connection with an examination of such Lender
Party by any such Governmental Authority, (ii) pursuant to subpoena or other
court process, (iii) to the extent such Lender Party is required (or believes in
good faith that it is required) to do so in accordance with any applicable Law,
(iv) to such Lender Party's independent auditors and other professional
advisors, (v) in connection with the enforcement of any of its rights under or
in connection with any Loan Document, (vi) to any other Lender Party, and (vii)
to any actual or potential Participant or Purchasing Lender, or to any other
actual or potential creditor of or participant in a credit to the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, so long as, in the case of this clause
(vii), such Person agrees to comply with the provisions of this Section
10.14(g).

                  (h) ASSIGNMENTS TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANK. Any Lender may at any
time assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, including
without limitation any Loans owing to it and any Note held by it, to a Federal
Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall relieve the transferor Lender from any of
its obligations hereunder.

                  10.15. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF
JURY TRIAL; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

                  (a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
(EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT, IF ANY, OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STATED IN SUCH OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW
PRINCIPLES.

                  (b) CERTAIN WAIVERS. THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY:

                  (i) AGREES THAT ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BY ANY PERSON
         ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
         OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING
         IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (COLLECTIVELY, "RELATED
         LITIGATION") MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT
         JURISDICTION SITTING IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SUBMITS TO THE
         JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS, AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
         AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT BRING ANY RELATED LITIGATION IN ANY OTHER FORUM
         (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY LENDER PARTY TO BRING
         ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OTHER FORUM);

                  (ii) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE AT ANY TIME TO THE
         LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT,
         WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH RELATED LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN
         AN INCONVENIENT FORUM, AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO OBJECT, WITH RESPECT TO
         ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH COURT DOES
         NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THE BORROWER;

                  (iii) CONSENTS AND AGREES TO SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT
         OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY RELATED LITIGATION BY REGISTERED OR
         CERTIFIED U.S. MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE BORROWER AT THE ADDRESS
         FOR NOTICES DESCRIBED IN SECTION 10.05 HEREOF, AND CONSENTS AND AGREES
         THAT SUCH 

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         SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE IN EVERY RESPECT VALID AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE
         (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR EFFECTIVENESS OF
         PROCESS SERVED IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW); AND

                  (iv) WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY RELATED
         LITIGATION.

                  (c) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
BY LAW, NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY THE BORROWER AGAINST ANY LENDER PARTY OR ANY
AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, ATTORNEY OR AGENT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF
ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY
OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY). THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES AND AGREES NOT
TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER SUCH CLAIM PRESENTLY EXISTS
OR ARISES HEREAFTER AND WHETHER OR NOT SUCH CLAIM IS KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST
IN ITS FAVOR.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                      A-63
<PAGE>   169
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers
thereunto duly authorized, have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the
date first above written.

                             PRIMARK CORPORATION


                             By   /s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Stephen H. Curran
                                  Senior Vice President and Chief Financial 
                                  Officer

                             Address for Notices:

                                  Primark Corporation
                                  1000 Winter Street, Suite 4300N
                                  Waltham, MA 02154

                                 Attn:  Stephen H. Curran,
                                     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                     Officer

                                  Telephone:  617-487-2140
                                  Facsimile: 617-890-6129

                                      A-64
<PAGE>   170
                             MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                             individually and as Agent


                             By   /s/ R. JANE WESTRICH
                                  -------------------------------------------
                                  R. Jane Westrich
                                  Vice President

                             Term Loan Committed Amount:        $225,000,000

                             Commitment Percentage:                     100%

                             Address for Notices:

                                      Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                      Loan Administration
                                      Three Mellon Bank Center
                                      Room 153-2332
                                      Pittsburgh, PA  15259-0003

                                      Attn:  Terpsie Katsafanas

                                      Telephone:  412-234-4769
                                      Facsimile:  412-236-2028

                             With a copy to:

                                      Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                      One Boston Place, 6th Floor
                                      Boston, MA 02108

                                      Attn: R. Jane Westrich, Vice President

                                      Telephone:  617-722-7969
                                      Facsimile: 617-722-3516

                                      A-65
<PAGE>   171
                                     ANNEX A
                                       TO
                               TERM LOAN AGREEMENT

                            DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

                  1.01. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. In addition to other words and
terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used in this Agreement the
following words and terms defined have the meanings given them below, unless the
context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires.

                  "Adjusted Acquisition Consideration" in connection with an
         acquisition of a type referred to in clause (y) or (z) of Section 7.08
         hereof by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower means the
         amount, not less than zero, equal to, without duplication, the sum of:

                           (a) the gross consideration paid or payable by the
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with such
                  acquisition (including, without limitation, the purchase price
                  therefor and transaction expenses), with non-cash
                  consideration valued at its Fair Market Value on the closing
                  date of the acquisition; provided, that for purposes of this
                  clause (a) (i) the value of consideration in the form of
                  Shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower or options or warrants
                  therefor shall be deemed zero, and (ii) the value of
                  consideration in the form of Indebtedness or other deferred
                  payment obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
                  (exclusive of Indebtedness or other deferred payment
                  obligations payable and paid exclusively in Shares of Capital
                  Stock of the Borrower or options or warrants therefor) shall
                  be deemed the maximum aggregate amount of all payments which
                  in any circumstances may be required thereunder, as determined
                  at the time such Indebtedness or other deferred payment
                  obligation is incurred (except that, for purposes of this
                  clause (ii), interest on Indebtedness accruing after such
                  determination date at a market rate shall be excluded from
                  such maximum aggregate amount), plus

                           (b) the aggregate Indebtedness and Guarantee
                  Equivalents assumed or incurred, directly or indirectly, by
                  the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in connection
                  with such acquisition (including, in the case of an
                  acquisition of any or all of the Shares of Capital Stock or
                  other equity interests of a Person, the aggregate Indebtedness
                  and Guarantee Equivalents of such Person), exclusive of
                  Indebtedness and Guarantee Equivalents of the Person being
                  acquired constituting current accounts payable of such Person
                  on normal trade terms to trade creditors arising out of
                  purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of
                  business and not incurred in contemplation of such
                  acquisition, minus

                           (c) the aggregate cash and Cash Equivalent
                  Investments (valued at the lower of cost or market) acquired
                  by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in such acquisition
                  (including, in the case of an acquisition of all, but not less
                  than all, of the Shares of Capital Stock or other equity
                  interests of a Person, the aggregate cash and Cash Equivalent
                  Investments of such Person, it being understood that in the
                  event that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquire less than
                  all of the Shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests
                  of a Person, no part of the cash or Cash Equivalent
                  Investments of such Person shall be deemed within the scope of
                  this clause (c)); provided, that in the event

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                  that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquire all of the
                  Shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests of a Person,
                  the cash and Cash Equivalent Investments of such Person shall
                  be deemed within the scope of this clause (c) only in the
                  event that the relevant acquisition agreement requires the
                  amount of cash and Cash Equivalent Investments of such Person
                  to be determined at the closing date of the acquisition and
                  provides for an adjustment to the purchase price based on such
                  amount.

                  "Advance" shall mean any loan, advance or other extension of
         credit, direct or indirect.

                  "Affected Lender" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.03(e) hereof.

                  "Affiliate" of a Person shall mean any Person which directly
         or indirectly controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control
         with, such Person. For purposes of the preceding sentence, "control" of
         a Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
         power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of
         such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
         contract or otherwise, and in any case shall include, without
         limitation, (a) being a director or officer (or a Person having powers
         analogous to those of a corporate director or officer) of such Person,
         or of a Person that directly or indirectly controls such Person, (b)
         having direct or indirect ownership (beneficially or of record) of, or
         direct or indirect power to vote, 30% or more of the outstanding Shares
         of Capital Stock of any class of such Person having ordinary voting
         power for the election of directors (or in the case of a Person that is
         not a Corporation, 30% or more of any class of equity interest having
         voting or control power analogous to corporate common stock), and (b)
         being a general partner of such Person, or of a Person having direct or
         indirect control over a general partner of such Person.

                  "Applicable Margin" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.03(b) hereof.

                  "Assured Obligation" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the definition of "Guaranty Equivalent."

                  "Base Rate" for any day shall mean the greater of (a) the
         Prime Rate for such day or (b) 0.50% plus the Federal Funds Effective
         Rate for such day, such interest rate to change automatically from time
         to time effective as of the effective date of each change in the Prime
         Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

                  "Base Rate Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.03(a) hereof.

                  "Base Rate Portion" of any Loan or Loans shall mean at any
         time the portion, including the whole, of such Loan or Loans bearing
         interest at such time (i) under the Base Rate Option or (ii) in
         accordance with Section 2.09(c)(ii) hereof. If no Loan or Loans is
         specified, "Base Rate Portion" shall refer to the Base Rate Portion of
         all Loans outstanding at such time.

                  "Borrower Pledge Agreement" shall mean the Pledge Agreement of
         approximately even date herewith between the Borrower and the
         Collateral Agent, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
         time.

                  "Broker-Dealer" shall mean a Person who is, or is registered
         as, a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, government
         securities broker or government securities dealer under

                                       A-2
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         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or under any state
         securities law, or who has a comparable status under any securities law
         of any other Governmental Authority.

                  "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
         Sunday, public holiday under the laws of the Commonwealth of
         Pennsylvania or other day on which banking institutions are authorized
         or obligated to close in the city in which is located the Agent's
         Office.

                  "Capital Expenditures" of any Person shall mean, for any
         period, all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as
         liabilities during such period) of such Person during such period which
         would be classified as capital expenditures in accordance with GAAP
         (including, without limitation, expenditures for maintenance and
         repairs which are capitalized, and Capitalized Leases to the extent an
         asset is recorded in connection therewith in accordance with GAAP).

                  "Capitalized Lease" shall mean at any time any lease which is,
         or is required under GAAP to be, capitalized on the balance sheet of
         the lessee at such time, and "Capitalized Lease Obligation" of any
         Person at any time shall mean the aggregate amount which is, or is
         required under GAAP to be, reported as a liability on the balance sheet
         of such Person at such time as lessee under a Capitalized Lease.

                  "Capitalized Software" of any Person shall mean, for any
         period, all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as
         liabilities during such period) of such Person which would be
         classified as capitalized software in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Cash Equivalent Investments" shall have the meaning given
         that term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
         Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, and any successor statute
         of similar import, and regulations thereunder, in each case as in
         effect from time to time.

                  "CERCLIS" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
         Compensation and Liability Information System List, as the same may be
         amended from time to time.

                  "Closing Date" shall mean the date of the Loans hereunder.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
         and any successor statute of similar import, and regulations
         thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References to
         sections of the Code shall be construed also to refer to any successor
         sections.

                  "Collateral Agency Agreement" shall mean the Collateral Agency
         Agreement of approximately even date herewith between the Borrower,
         certain "Revolving Credit Parties," by Mellon Bank, N.A., as Revolving
         Credit Agent, certain "Term Loan Parties," by Mellon Bank, N.A., as
         Term Loan Agent, certain "Note Backup Parties," by Mellon Bank, N.A.,
         as Note Backup Agent, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent, as
         amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

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                  "Collateral Agent" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Commitment" of a Lender shall mean the Term Loan Commitment
         of such Lender.

                  "Commitment Percentage" of a Lender at any time shall mean the
         Commitment Percentage for such Lender set forth below its name on the
         signature page hereof, subject to transfer to another Lender as
         provided in Section 10.14 hereof.

                  "Consolidated Cash Interest Expense" for any period shall mean
         the total cash interest expense payable by the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in
         accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA" for any period shall mean the sum of (a)
         Consolidated Net Income for such period, (b) Consolidated Interest
         Expense for such period, (c) Consolidated Income Tax Expense for such
         period, (d) depreciation expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         for such period, and (e) amortization expense of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for such period, minus the sum of (x) extraordinary gains
         (but not any losses) to the extent included in determining such
         Consolidated Net Income, and (y) equity earnings (but not any losses)
         of Affiliates of the Borrower to the extent included in determining
         Consolidated Net Income for such period, all as determined on a
         consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA Less Capital Expenditures" for any period
         shall mean Consolidated EBITDA for such period, minus the sum of
         Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
         period and, without duplication of amounts included in Capital
         Expenditures, Capitalized Software of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         for such period, all as determined on a consolidated basis in
         accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" for any period
         shall mean the ratio of the Consolidated EBITDA Less Capital
         Expenditures for such period to the Consolidated Fixed Charges for such
         period.

                  "Consolidated Fixed Charges" for any period shall mean the sum
         of (a) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such period, (b)
         principal payments made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during
         such period with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness (excluding (i)
         payments of Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement, (ii)
         prepayments made at the option of the Borrower of Indebtedness under
         the Term Loan Agreement, to the extent the amounts so prepaid are not
         otherwise due during such period, and (iii) payments of the Senior
         Notes at the scheduled maturity thereof), (c) the amount of Stock
         Payments made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period
         (excluding (i) Stock Payments made to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries,
         and (ii) Stock Payments made solely in Shares of Capital Stock (or
         warrants, options or rights therefor) of the Borrower) all as
         determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted)" for any period
         shall mean the following ratio: (a) the amount, not less than zero,
         determined as of the last day of such period, equal to (i) Consolidated
         Funded Indebtedness, minus (ii) the amount, not less than zero, equal
         to (A) the amount of cash and Cash Equivalent Investments owned by the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries, 

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         valued at the lower of cost or market, minus (B) $10,000,000, divided
         by (b) Consolidated EBITDA Less Capital Expenditures for such period.

                  "Consolidated Funded Indebtedness" at any time shall mean
         Indebtedness (including the current portion thereof) of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries which as of such date would be classified in whole
         or in part as a long-term liability in accordance with GAAP, and in any
         event includes (a) Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities and the
         Senior Notes, (b) any Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         having a final maturity later than one year after the date of
         incurrence of such Indebtedness, (c) any Indebtedness, regardless of
         its term, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which is renewable or
         extendable by the obligor to a date later than one year after the date
         of incurrence of such Indebtedness, and (d) Indebtedness of TIMCO
         described in Section 7.03(j) hereof.

                  "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" for any period shall mean
         the charges against income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
         foreign, federal, state and local income taxes for such period,
         determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Interest Expense" for any period shall mean the
         total interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
         period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Net Income" for any period shall mean the net
         earnings (or loss) after taxes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
         such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
         GAAP; provided, that there shall be deducted therefrom (a) the income
         (but not any deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it
         becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with or is
         otherwise acquired by or combined with the Borrower or any Subsidiary
         in a business combination accounted for as a pooling of interests,
         including, in the case of a successor to the Borrower or any Subsidiary
         by consolidation or merger or transfer of assets, any earnings of the
         successor Corporation prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer
         of assets, (b) income (but not any loss) accounted for by the Borrower
         on the equity method resulting from an ownership interest in any
         Person, but the deduction for such equity income shall be reversed to
         the extent that during such period an amount not in excess of such
         income has been actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in
         the form of cash dividends or similar cash distributions, (c) the
         undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent that the
         declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such
         Subsidiary is restricted (whether such restriction arises by operation
         of Law, by agreement, by its certificate or articles of incorporation
         or by-laws (or other constituent documents), or otherwise), (d) any
         gain arising from the acquisition of any securities, or the
         extinguishment, under GAAP, of any Indebtedness, of the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary, and (e) income (but not any loss) from discontinued
         operations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                  "Consolidated Net Worth" at any time shall mean the total
         amount of common stockholders' equity and preferred stock of the
         Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries at such time, determined on
         a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that each item
         of the following types shall be deducted, to the extent such item is
         positive and is otherwise included therein: (a) any write-ups or other
         revaluation after the Closing Date in the book value of any asset owned
         by the Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries (other than
         write-ups resulting from the acquisition of assets of a business made
         within one year after such acquisition

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         and accounted for by purchase accounting, and write-ups resulting from
         the valuation in the ordinary course of business of investment
         securities and inventory at the lower of cost or market), (b) all
         investments in and loans and Advances to (i) unconsolidated
         Subsidiaries of the Borrower, and (ii) Persons that are not
         Subsidiaries of the Borrower (other than Cash Equivalent Investments),
         (c) treasury stock, (d) assets attributable to interests held by
         Persons other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are Wholly
         Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, (e) Disqualified Capital Stock of
         the Borrower or of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, and (f) the amount,
         whether positive or negative, of foreign currency translation
         adjustments to stockholders' equity of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries, all of the foregoing as determined in accordance with
         GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Net Worth (Adjusted)" at any time shall mean
         Consolidated Net Worth at such time plus the lesser of (a) $50,000,000,
         or (b) the sum of (i) aggregate writeoffs of goodwill on or after
         January 1, 1997 resulting from an impairment loss pursuant to Statement
         of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, made by the Borrower in
         accordance with GAAP, and (ii) aggregate writeoffs of the cost of
         computer software purchased in an acquisition of the Person which
         developed such software (or by acquisition of assets comprising a line
         of business of such Person which includes such software) on or after
         January 1, 1997, made pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting
         Standards No. 86, provided that such writeoffs are made at the time of
         the related acquisition and are made by the Borrower in accordance with
         GAAP.


                  "Contingent Indemnification Obligations" shall have the
         meaning given that term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Controlled Group Member" shall mean each trade or business
         (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower is treated as a controlled group or single
         employer under Sections 4001(a)(14) or 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or Sections
         414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

                  "Corporation" shall mean a corporation, limited liability
         company or business trust organized under the Laws of any state of the
         United States, a company limited by shares incorporated under the Laws
         of England and Wales, or any similar entity organized under the Laws of
         any other jurisdiction, the owners of which are not by operation of Law
         generally liable for the obligations of such entity.

                  "Corresponding Source of Funds" shall mean, in the case of any
         Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion, the proceeds of hypothetical
         receipts by a Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or by a Lender through
         a Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office of one or more Dollar deposits in
         the interbank eurodollar market at the beginning of the Euro-Rate
         Funding Period corresponding to such Funding Segment having maturities
         approximately equal to such Euro-Rate Funding Period and in an
         aggregate amount approximately equal to such Lender's Pro Rata share of
         such Funding Segment.

                  "Credit Facilities" shall mean the Revolving Credit Agreement,
         the Term Loan Agreement and the Note Backup Agreement.

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<PAGE>   177
                  "Datastream" shall mean Datastream International Limited, a
         corporation incorporated under the Laws of England and Wales.

                  "Disqualified Capital Stock" shall mean any Shares of Capital
         Stock that, other than solely at the option of the issuer thereof, by
         their terms (or by the terms of any security into which they are
         convertible or exchangeable) are, or upon the happening of an event or
         the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed or repurchased,
         in whole or in part, or have, or upon the happening of an event or the
         passage of time would have, a redemption or similar payment due on or
         prior to the Facilities Termination Date.

                  "Dollar," "Dollars" and the symbol "$" shall mean lawful money
         of the United States of America.

                  "Early Maturity Tranche" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 2.03(b)(ii) hereof.

                  "Environmental Affiliate": a Person ("Y") shall be an
         "Environmental Affiliate" of another Person ("X"), if X has retained or
         assumed, or is otherwise liable (contingently or otherwise) for, any
         liability (contingent or other) of Y with respect to any Environmental
         Claim, whether such retention, assumption or liability on the part of X
         arises by agreement, by Law or otherwise.

                  "Environmental Approvals" shall mean any Governmental Action
         pursuant to or required under any Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Claim" shall mean, with respect to any Person
         (the "specified Person"), any action, suit, proceeding, investigation,
         notice, claim, complaint, demand, request for information or other
         communication (written or oral) by any other Person (including but not
         limited to any Governmental Authority, citizens' group or present or
         former employee of the specified Person) alleging, asserting or
         claiming any actual or potential liability on the part of the specified
         Person for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response
         costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries,
         fines or penalties, arising out of, based on or resulting from (a) the
         presence, or release into the environment, of any Environmental Concern
         Materials at any location, whether or not owned by such Person, or (b)
         circumstances forming the basis of any violation or alleged violation
         of any Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Cleanup Site" shall mean any location which is
         listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List, on
         CERCLIS or on any similar state list of sites requiring investigation
         or cleanup, or which is the subject of any pending or threatened
         action, suit, proceeding or investigation related to or arising from
         any alleged violation of any Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Concern Materials" shall mean (a) any flammable
         substance, explosive, radioactive material, hazardous material,
         hazardous waste, toxic substance, solid waste, pollutant, contaminant
         or any related material, raw material, substance, product or by-product
         of any substance, as the foregoing terms are defined in, or any other
         substance regulated by, any Environmental Law (including but not
         limited to any "hazardous substance" as defined in CERCLA or any
         similar state Law), (b) any toxic chemical from or related to
         industrial,

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<PAGE>   178
         commercial or institutional activities, and (c) asbestos, gasoline,
         diesel fuel, motor oil, waste and used oil, heating oil and other
         petroleum products or compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon and
         urea formaldehyde.

                  "Environmental Law" shall mean any Law, whether now existing
         or subsequently enacted or amended, relating to (a) pollution or
         protection of the environment, including natural resources, (b)
         exposure of Persons, including but not limited to employees, to
         Environmental Concern Materials, (c) protection of the public health or
         welfare from the effects of products, by-products, wastes, emissions,
         discharges or releases of Environmental Concern Materials or (d)
         regulation of the manufacture, use or introduction into commerce of
         Environmental Concern Materials including their manufacture,
         formulation, packaging, labeling, distribution, transportation,
         handling, storage or disposal. Without limitation, "Environmental Law"
         shall also include any Environmental Approval and the terms and
         conditions thereof.

                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
         of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute of similar import, and
         regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
         References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any
         successor sections.

                  "Euro-Rate" for any day, as used herein, shall mean for each
         Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion corresponding to a proposed or
         existing Euro-Rate Funding Period the rate per annum determined by the
         Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient to be rounded upward to the
         nearest 1/100 of 1%) (a) the rate of interest (which shall be the same
         for each day in such Euro-Rate Funding Period) determined in good faith
         by the Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which
         determination shall be conclusive) to be the average of the rates per
         annum for deposits in Dollars offered to major money center banks in
         the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time,
         two London Business Days prior to the first day of such Euro-Rate
         Funding Period for delivery on the first day of such Euro-Rate Funding
         Period in amounts comparable to such Funding Segment and having
         maturities comparable to such Funding Period by (b) a number equal to
         1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage.

                  "Euro-Rate Funding Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.03(c) hereof.

                  "Euro-Rate Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.03(a) hereof.

                  "Euro-Rate Portion" of any part of any Loan or Loans shall
         mean at any time the portion, including the whole, of such part of such
         Loan or Loans bearing interest at any time under the Euro-Rate Option
         or at a rate calculated by reference to the Euro-Rate under Section
         2.09(c)(i) hereof. If no Loan or Loans is specified, "Euro-Rate
         Portion" shall refer to the Euro-Rate Portion of all Loans outstanding
         at such time.

                  "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" for any day shall mean the
         percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the nearest 1/100
         of 1%), as determined in good faith by the Agent (which determination
         shall be conclusive), which is in effect on such day as prescribed by
         the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor)
         representing the maximum reserve requirement (including, without
         limitation, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve requirements)
         with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as
         "Eurocurrency liabilities") of a member bank in such System. The
         Euro-Rate shall be adjusted 

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         automatically as of the effective date of each change in the Euro-Rate
         Reserve Percentage. The Euro-Rate Option shall be calculated in
         accordance with the foregoing whether or not any Lender is actually
         required to hold reserves in connection with its eurocurrency funding
         or, if required to hold such reserves, is required to hold reserves at
         the "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" as herein defined.

                  "Event of Default" shall mean any of the Events of Default
         described in Section 8.01 hereof.

                  "Facilities Termination Date" shall mean the later to occur of
         the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, the Term Loan Maturity Date and the
         Note Backup Final Expiration Date.

                  "Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to any asset, the
         sale value that would be obtained in an arm's length transaction
         between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and
         an informed and willing buyer.

                  "Federal Funds Effective Rate" for any day shall mean the rate
         per annum (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined by the
         Agent (which determination shall be conclusive) to be the rate per
         annum announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or any
         successor) as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight
         Federal funds transactions arranged by Federal funds brokers on the
         previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve
         Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such
         Federal Reserve Bank computes and announces the weighted average it
         refers to as the "Federal Funds Effective Rate" as of the date of this
         Agreement; provided, that if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its
         successor) does not so announce such rate for such previous trading
         day, the "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall be the average rate
         charged to Mellon Bank, N.A. on such previous trading day on such
         transactions as determined by the Agent.

                  "Funding Periods" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.03(c) hereof.

                  "Funding Segment" of the Euro-Rate Portion at any time shall
         mean the entire principal amount of such Portion to which at the time
         in question there is applicable a particular Funding Period beginning
         on a particular day and ending on a particular day. (By definition,
         each such Portion is at all times composed of an integral number of
         discrete Funding Segments and the sum of the principal amounts of all
         Funding Segments of any such Portion at any time equals the principal
         amount of such Portion at such time.)

                  "GAAP" shall have the meaning given that term in Section 1.03
         of this Annex A.

                  "Governmental Action" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 4.04 hereof.

                  "Governmental Authority" shall mean any government or
         political subdivision or any agency, authority, bureau, central bank,
         commission, department or instrumentality of either, or any court,
         tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether foreign or
         domestic.

                  "Guaranty Equivalent": A Person (the "Deemed Guarantor") shall
         be deemed to subject to a Guaranty Equivalent in respect of any
         obligation (the "Assured Obligation") of another Person (the "Deemed
         Obligor") if the Deemed Guarantor directly or indirectly guarantees,

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<PAGE>   180
         becomes surety for, endorses, assumes, agrees to indemnify the Deemed
         Obligor against, or otherwise agrees, becomes or remains liable
         (contingently or otherwise) for, such Assured Obligation, in whole or
         in part. Without limitation, a Guaranty Equivalent shall be deemed to
         exist if a Deemed Guarantor agrees, becomes or remains liable
         (contingently or otherwise), directly or indirectly, to do any of the
         following: (a) to purchase or assume, or to supply funds for the
         payment, purchase or satisfaction of, an Assured Obligation, (b) to
         make any loan, advance, capital contribution or other investment in, or
         to purchase or lease any property or services from, a Deemed Obligor
         (i) to maintain the solvency of the Deemed Obligor, (ii) to enable the
         Deemed Obligor to meet any other financial condition, (iii) to enable
         the Deemed Obligor to satisfy any Assured Obligation or to make any
         Stock Payment or any other payment, or (iv) to assure the holder of
         such Assured Obligation against loss, (c) to purchase or lease property
         or services from the Deemed Obligor regardless of the non-delivery of
         or failure to furnish of such property or services, (d) in a
         transaction having the characteristics of a take-or-pay or throughput
         contract or as described in paragraph 6 of FASB Statement of Financial
         Accounting Standards No. 47, or (e) in respect of any other transaction
         the effect of which is to assure the payment or performance (or payment
         of damages or other remedy in the event of nonpayment or
         nonperformance) in whole or in part of any Assured Obligation.

                  "ICV" shall mean ICV Limited, a Corporation incorporated under
         the Laws of England and Wales.

                  "ICV Notes" shall have the meaning given that term in Section
         7.03(c) hereof.

                  "Indebtedness" of a Person shall mean the following: (a) all
         obligations on account of money borrowed by, or credit extended to or
         on behalf of, or for or on account of deposits with or advances to,
         such Person; (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
         debentures, notes or similar instruments; (c) all obligations of such
         Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (d) all
         obligations secured by a Lien on property owned by such Person (whether
         or not assumed), and all obligations of such Person under Capitalized
         Leases (without regard to any limitation of the rights and remedies of
         the holder of such Lien or the lessor under such Capitalized Lease to
         repossession or sale of such property); (e) the stated amount of all
         letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and, without
         duplication, the unreimbursed amount of all drafts drawn thereunder,
         and all other obligations of such Person associated with such letters
         of credit or draws thereon; (f) all obligations of such Person in
         respect of acceptances or similar obligations issued for the account of
         such Person; (g) all obligations of such Person under a product
         financing or similar arrangement described in paragraph 8 of FASB
         Statement of Accounting Standards No. 49 or any similar requirement of
         GAAP; (h) all obligations of such Person under any interest rate or
         currency swap, cap, floor, collar, future, forward or option agreement,
         or other interest rate or currency protection agreement; and (i) the
         maximum fixed repurchase price of any Disqualified Capital Stock of
         such Person.

                  "Interest Rate Hedging Agreement" shall mean an interest rate
         swap, cap or collar agreement.

                  "Law" shall mean any law (including common law), constitution,
         statute, treaty, convention, regulation, rule, ordinance, order,
         injunction, writ, decree or award of any Governmental Authority.

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                  "Late Maturity Tranche" shall have the meaning given that term
         in Section 2.03(b)(ii) hereof.

                  "Lender" shall mean any of the Lenders listed on the signature
         pages hereof, subject to the provisions of Section 10.14 hereof
         pertaining to Persons becoming or ceasing to be Lenders.

                  "Lender Indemnified Parties" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 10.06(c) hereof.

                  "Lender Parties" shall mean the Lenders and the Agent.

                  "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien,
         security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement
         of any nature whatsoever, including but not limited to any conditional
         sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit
         arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security.

                  "Loan" and "Loans" are synonymous with "Term Loan" and "Term
         Loans," respectively.

                  "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Notes, the
         Transfer Supplements, the Shared Security Documents and the Origination
         Fee Letter.

                  "Loan Obligations" shall mean the "Term Loan Obligations" as
         defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "London Business Day" shall mean a day for dealing in deposits
         in Dollars by and among banks in the London interbank market and which
         is a Business Day.

                  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean: (a) a material adverse
         effect on the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise)
         or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
         (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower to perform
         or comply with any of the terms and conditions of any Loan Document, or
         (c) an adverse effect on the legality, validity, binding effect,
         enforceability or admissibility into evidence of any Loan Document, or
         the ability of the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party to enforce any
         rights or remedies under or in connection with any Loan Document.

                  "Maturity Tranche" shall have the meaning given that term in
         Section 2.03(b)(ii) hereof.

                  "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean any employee benefit plan
         which is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section
         4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower or any other Controlled Group Member has or had an obligation
         to contribute.

                  "Net Sale Proceeds" shall have the meaning given that term in
         Section 2.07(b) hereof.

                  "Note" and "Notes" are synonymous with "Term Loan Note" and
         "Term Loan Notes," respectively.

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<PAGE>   182
                  "Note Backup Agreement" shall mean the Note Backup Agreement
         of even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders parties
         thereto from time to time, the issuing bank referred to therein, and
         Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same may be amended, modified or
         supplemented from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "Note Backup Final Expiration Date" shall mean the final
         scheduled maturity of Indebtedness under the Note Backup Agreement
         (being the later of (i) the latest expiration date permitted under the
         Note Backup Credit Agreement for letters of credit issued thereunder,
         or (ii) the final scheduled maturity of the Borrower's reimbursement
         obligation under the Note Backup Agreement).

                  "Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office" shall have the meaning
         given to that term in Section 2.12(a) hereof.

                  "Obligations" shall have the meaning given that term in the
         Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Office," when used in connection with the Agent, shall mean
         its office located at One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
         15258, or at such other office or offices of the Agent or any branch,
         subsidiary or affiliate thereof as may be designated in writing from
         time to time by the Agent to the Borrower.

                  "Option" shall mean the Base Rate Option or the Euro-Rate
         Option.

                  "Origination Fee Letter" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 5.01(t) hereof.

                  "Participants" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         10.14(b) hereof.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
         established under Title IV of ERISA or any other governmental agency,
         department or instrumentality succeeding to the functions of said
         corporation.

                  "Pension-Related Event" shall mean any of the following events
         or conditions:

                           (a) Any action is taken by any Person (i) to
                  terminate, or which would result in the termination of, a Plan
                  pursuant to the distress termination provisions of Section
                  4041(c) of ERISA or (ii) to have a trustee appointed for a
                  Plan pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA;

                           (b) PBGC notifies any Person of its determination
                  that an event described in Section 4042 of ERISA has occurred
                  with respect to a Plan, that a Plan should be terminated, or
                  that a trustee should be appointed for a Plan;

                           (c) Any Reportable Event occurs with respect to a
                  Plan;

                                      A-12
<PAGE>   183
                           (d) Any action (other than becoming obligated to
                  contribute to a Multiemployer Plan) occurs or is taken which
                  could result in the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower
                  or any Controlled Group Member becoming subject to liability
                  for a complete or partial withdrawal by any Person from a
                  Multiemployer Plan (including, without limitation, seller
                  liability incurred under Section 4204(a)(2) of ERISA), or the
                  Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled
                  Group Member receives from any Multiemployer Plan a notice or
                  demand for payment on account of any such alleged or asserted
                  liability;

                           (e) (i) There occurs any failure to meet the minimum
                  funding standard under Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of
                  the Code with respect to a Plan, or any tax return is filed
                  showing any tax payable under Section 4971(a) of the Code with
                  respect to any such failure, or the Borrower, any Subsidiary
                  of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member receives a
                  notice of deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service with
                  respect to any alleged or asserted such failure, (ii) any
                  request is made by any Person for a variance from the minimum
                  funding standard, or an extension of the period for amortizing
                  unfunded liabilities, with respect to a Plan, or (iii) the
                  Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled
                  Group Member fails to pay the PBGC premium with respect to a
                  Plan when due and it remains unpaid for more than 30 days
                  thereafter; or

                           (f) There occurs any "prohibited transaction" within
                  the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
                  Code involving a Plan.

                  "Permitted Liens" shall have the meaning given that term in
        Section 7.02 hereof.

                  "Permitted Mergers" shall have the meaning given that term in
        Section 7.08 hereof.

                  "Person" shall mean an individual, Corporation, partnership,
         trust, limited liability company, unincorporated association, joint
         venture, joint-stock company, Governmental Authority or any other
         entity.

                  "Plan" shall mean (a) any employee pension benefit plan within
         the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA covered by Title IV of ERISA by
         reason of Section 4021 of ERISA, of which the Borrower, any Subsidiary
         of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member is or has been within
         the preceding five years a "contributing sponsor" within the meaning of
         Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA, or which is or has been within the
         preceding five years maintained for employees of the Borrower, any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member and (b) any
         employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of
         ERISA which is subject to Title I of ERISA by reason of Section 4 of
         ERISA and is subject to the minimum funding requirements of Section 302
         of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, of which the Borrower, any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member is or has
         been within the preceding five years an employer liable for
         contributions within the meaning of Section 302(c)(11) of ERISA or
         Section 412(c)(11) of the Code, or which is or has been within the
         preceding five years maintained for employees of the Borrower, any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member.

                  "Portion" shall mean the Prime Rate Portion or the Euro-Rate
         Portion.

                                      A-13
<PAGE>   184
                  "Postretirement Benefits" of a Person shall mean any benefits,
         other than retirement income, provided by such Person to retired
         employees, or to their spouses, dependents or beneficiaries, including,
         without limitation, group medical insurance or benefits, or group life
         insurance or death benefits.

                  "Postretirement Benefit Obligation" of a Person shall mean
         that portion of the actuarial present value of all Postretirement
         Benefits expected to be provided by such Person which is attributable
         to employees' service rendered to the date of determination (assuming
         that such liability accrues ratably over an employee's working life to
         the earlier of his date of retirement or the date on which the employee
         would first become eligible for full benefits), reduced by the fair
         market value as of the date of determination of any assets which are
         segregated from the assets of such Person and which have been
         restricted so that they cannot be used for any purpose other than to
         provide Postretirement Benefits or to defray related expenses.

                  "Potential Default" shall mean any event or condition which
         with notice, passage of time or a determination by the Agent or the
         Lenders, or any combination of the foregoing, would constitute an Event
         of Default.

                  "Primark Economics" shall mean Primark Decision Economics,
         Inc.

                  "Prime Rate" as used herein, shall mean the interest rate per
         annum announced from time to time by Mellon Bank, N.A. as its prime
         rate, such rate to change automatically effective as of the
         effectiveness of each announced change in such prime rate.

                  "Pro Rata" shall mean from or to each Lender in proportion to
         such Lender's applicable Commitment Percentage.

                  "Purchasing Lender" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 10.14(c) hereof.

                  "Recapture Asset Amount" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 2.07(b) hereof.

                  "Recapture Asset Disposition" shall have the meaning given
         that term in Section 2.07(b) hereof.

                  "Register" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         10.14(d) hereof.

                  "Regular Monthly Payment Date" shall mean the last Business
         Day of each month after the Closing Date.

                  "Regular Quarterly Payment Date" shall mean the last Business
         Day of each September, December, March and June after the Closing Date.

                  "Reportable Event" means (i) a reportable event described in
         Section 4043 of ERISA and regulations thereunder, (ii) a withdrawal by
         a substantial employer from a Plan to which more than one employer
         contributes, as referred to in Section 4063(b) of ERISA, (iii) a
         cessation of operations at a facility causing more than twenty percent
         (20%) of Plan participants to be

                                      A-14
<PAGE>   185
         separated from employment, as referred to in Section 4062(e) of ERISA,
         or (iv) a failure to make a required installment or other payment with
         respect to a Plan when due in accordance with Section 412 of the Code
         or Section 302 of ERISA which causes the total unpaid balance of missed
         installments and payments (including unpaid interest) to exceed
         $250,000.

                  "Required Lenders" shall mean Lenders holding in the aggregate
         51% of the Commitment Percentages.

                  "Responsible Officer" of a Person shall mean its Chairman of
         the Board, President, Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer.

                  "Revolving Credit Agreement" shall mean the Revolving Credit
         Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders
         parties thereto from time to time, the issuing banks referred to
         therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same may be amended,
         modified, supplemented, renewed or refinanced from time to time in
         accordance with this Agreement.

                  "Revolving Credit Maturity Date" shall mean the final
         scheduled maturity of Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit
         Agreement.

                  "Scheduled Maturity Date" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 2.01(d) hereof.

                  "Secured Parties" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Senior Note Indenture" shall mean the Indenture dated as of
         October 18, 1993 between the Borrower and The First National Bank of
         Boston, as Trustee, relating to the Senior Notes, as constituted on the
         Closing Date.

                  "Senior Notes" shall mean the Borrower's 8 3/4% Senior Notes
         Due 2000.

                  "Shared Collateral" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Shared Collateral Account" shall have the meaning given that
         term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Shared Security Documents" shall have the meaning given that
         term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Shares of Capital Stock" shall mean shares of capital stock
         of, membership interest in, beneficial interest in, or similar
         ownership interest in, a Corporation organized under the Laws of any
         state of the United States or any other jurisdiction, including,
         without limitation, in the case of Corporations incorporated under the
         Laws of England and Wales, equity share capital, ordinary shares and
         loan stock.

                                      A-15
<PAGE>   186
                  "Significant Subsidiary" of Borrower shall mean any Subsidiary
         of the Borrower (a) which is TASC, Datastream, Disclosure Incorporated,
         or a Subsidiary of any of the foregoing, (b) which, together with its
         Subsidiaries, has assets (determined on a consolidated basis) greater
         than or equal to 5% of the total assets of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis) as of the end of the
         most recently completed fiscal year for which financial information is
         available, or (c) which, together with its Subsidiaries, has revenues
         (determined on a consolidated basis) greater than or equal to 5% of the
         total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (determined on a
         consolidated basis) for the most recent four fiscal quarters for which
         financial information is available.

                  "Solvent" means:

                           (a) with respect to any Person organized under the
                  Laws of any state of the United States or subject to the U.S.
                  Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, the Uniform Fraudulent
                  Conveyance Act as enacted by any state, the Uniform Fraudulent
                  Transfer Act as enacted by any state or any other applicable
                  U.S. Law pertaining to fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent
                  transfers or preferences at any time, that at such time (i)
                  the sum of the debts and liabilities (including, without
                  limitation, contingent liabilities) of such Person is not
                  greater than all of the assets of such Person at a fair
                  valuation, (ii) the present fair salable value of the assets
                  of such Person is not less than the amount that will be
                  required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its
                  debts as they become absolute and matured, (iii) such Person
                  has not incurred, will not incur, does not intend to incur,
                  and does not believe that it will incur, debts or liabilities
                  (including, without limitation, contingent liabilities) beyond
                  such person's ability to pay as such debts and liabilities
                  mature, (iv) such Person is not engaged in, and is not about
                  to engage in, a business or a transaction for which such
                  person's property constitutes or would constitute unreasonably
                  small capital (as such term is used in any Law referred to in
                  the following clause (v)), and (v) such Person is not
                  otherwise insolvent as defined in, or otherwise in a condition
                  which could in any circumstances then or subsequently render
                  any transfer, conveyance, obligation or act then made,
                  incurred or performed by it avoidable or fraudulent pursuant
                  to, any Law that may be applicable to such Person pertaining
                  to bankruptcy, insolvency or creditors' rights (including but
                  not limited to the Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, and,
                  to the extent applicable to such Person, the Uniform
                  Fraudulent Conveyance Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer
                  Act, or any other applicable Law pertaining to fraudulent
                  conveyances or fraudulent transfers or preferences);

                           (b) With respect to any Person organized under the
                  Laws of England and Wales or subject to any English insolvency
                  law at any time, that at such time such Person is not
                  insolvent, or unable to pay its debts and is not deemed by an
                  English court to be unable to pay its debts within the meaning
                  of Section 123 of the United Kingdom Insolvency Act of 1986;
                  and

                           (c) With respect to any other Person, that at such
                  time such Person is not insolvent or unable to pay its debts
                  as they come due as contemplated by any applicable insolvency,
                  bankruptcy or similar Law.

                                      A-16
<PAGE>   187
                  "Standard Notice" shall mean an irrevocable notice provided to
         the Agent on a Business Day which is

                           (a) At least one Business Day in advance in the case
                  of selection of, conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate
                  Option or prepayment of any Base Rate Portion; and

                           (b) At least three London Business Days in advance in
                  the case of selection of the Euro-Rate Option or prepayment of
                  any Euro-Rate Portion.

         Standard Notice must be provided no later than 10:00 a.m., Pittsburgh
         time, on the last day permitted for such notice.

                  "Stock Payment" by any Person shall mean any dividend,
         distribution or payment of any nature (whether in cash, securities, or
         other property) on account of or in respect of any Shares of the
         Capital Stock (or warrants, options or rights therefor) of such Person,
         including but not limited to any payment on account of the purchase,
         redemption, retirement, defeasance or acquisition of any Shares of the
         Capital Stock (or warrants, options or rights therefor) of such Person,
         in each case regardless of whether required by the terms of such
         capital stock (or warrants, options or rights) or any other agreement
         or instrument.

                  "Subsidiary" of a Person at any time shall mean any
         Corporation of which a majority (by number of shares or number of
         votes) of the outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of any class is at
         such time owned directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by
         such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and any
         partnership, trust or other Person of which a majority of any class of
         outstanding equity interest is at such time owned directly or
         indirectly, beneficially or of record, by such Person or one or more
         Subsidiaries of such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, as used in the
         preceding sentence "majority" means more than half (and not precisely
         half).

                  "Substantially Owned Subsidiary" of a Person at any time shall
         mean any Corporation of which 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of
         Capital Stock of each class are at such time beneficially owned
         directly or indirectly by such Person (both on the basis of outstanding
         shares and on a fully diluted basis).

                  "Swap Agreement" shall have the meaning given that term in the
         Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "TASC" shall mean TASC, Inc., a Massachusetts Corporation.

                  "Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.11
         hereof.

                  "Term Loan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         2.01(a) hereof, and "Term Loans" shall mean the Term Loans of the
         Lenders collectively.

                  "Term Loan Agreement" shall mean this Term Loan Agreement as
         amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (and is synonymous
         with references to "this Agreement" herein).

                                      A-17
<PAGE>   188
                  "Term Loan Commitment" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 2.01(a) hereof.

                  "Term Loan Committed Amount" shall have the meaning set forth
         in Section 2.01(a) hereof.

                  "Term Loan Maturity Date" shall mean the last Business Day of
         June 2004.

                  "Term Loan Notes" shall mean the promissory notes of the
         Borrower executed and delivered under Section 2.01(c) hereof and any
         promissory note issued in substitution therefor pursuant to Sections
         2.12(b) or 10.14(c) hereof.

                  "TIMCO" shall mean Triad International Maintenance
         Corporation, a Delaware Corporation.

                  "TIMCO Bond Order" means the Bond Order adopted by the
         Piedmont Triad Airport Authority on October 31, 1989 with respect to
         the TIMCO Bonds, as such Bond Order may be amended, supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "TIMCO Bonds" means the $13,800,000 original aggregate
         principal amount of Special Facility Revenue Bonds (Triad International
         Maintenance Corporation Project), Series 1989 issued by the Piedmont
         Triad Airport Authority pursuant to the TIMCO Bond Order.

                  "TIMCO Bonds Letter of Credit" has the meaning given that term
         in Section 7.03(j) hereof.

                  "TIMCO Lease" shall mean the Lease Agreement, dated as of
         November 1, 1989, between the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, as
         lessor, and TIMCO, as lessee, covering certain property situate at the
         Piedmont Triad International Airport in Guilford County, North
         Carolina, as such Lease Agreement may be amended, supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "Transfer Effective Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
         the applicable Transfer Supplement.

                  "Transfer Supplement" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 10.14(c) hereof.

                  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means a Corporation
         that is a Subsidiary of such Person as to which all of the Shares of
         Capital Stock of each class (other than directors' qualifying shares
         that are required under applicable law) are at such time beneficially
         owned directly or indirectly by such Person (both on the basis of
         outstanding shares and on a fully diluted basis).

                  "Wind-up" or "Winding-up" of a Person shall include the
         liquidation, administration, amalgamation, reconstruction,
         reorganization or dissolution of such Person and any equivalent or
         analogous procedure under the laws of any jurisdiction in which such
         Person is incorporated, domiciled, resident or carries on a business or
         has assets.

                                      A-18
<PAGE>   189
                  "Worldscope Entities" shall mean Worldscope/Disclosure
         Partners, a Connecticut general partnership, Worldscope/Disclosure
         International Partners, an partnership organized under the laws of
         Ireland, Worldscope/Disclosure Incorporated LLC, a Connecticut limited
         liability company, and Worldscope/Disclosure India Pvt. Ltd., a
         Corporation organized under the laws of India, and each of their
         respective Subsidiaries from time to time.

                  1.02. CONSTRUCTION. In this Agreement and each other Loan
Document, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, references to the
plural include the singular, the singular the plural and the part the whole;
"or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or;" and the terms
"property" and "assets" each includes all properties and assets of any kind or
nature, tangible or intangible, real, personal or mixed, now existing or
hereafter acquired. The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" (and similar
terms) in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or
such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any
particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document. The words
"includes" and "including" (and similar terms) in this Agreement or any other
Loan Document mean "includes without limitation" and "including without
limitation," respectively (and similarly for similar terms). References in this
Agreement or any other Loan Document to "determination" (and similar terms) by
the Agent or by any Lender include good faith estimates by the Agent or by such
Lender (in the case of quantitative determinations) and good faith beliefs by
the Agent or by such Lender (in the case of qualitative determinations). No
doctrine of construction of ambiguities in agreements or instruments against the
interests of the party controlling the drafting thereof shall apply to this
Agreement or any other Loan Document. The section and other headings contained
in this Agreement and in each other Loan Document, and any tables of contents
contained herein or therein, are for reference purposes only and shall not
affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or such other Loan
Document in any respect. Section, subsection, annex, exhibit and schedule
references in this Agreement and in each other Loan Document are to this
Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, unless otherwise
specified. Each annex, exhibit and schedule to this Agreement or any other Loan
Document constitutes part of this Agreement or such Loan Document, as the case
may be. Each of the covenants, terms and provisions of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents is intended to have, and shall have, independent effect,
and compliance with any particular covenant, term or provision shall not
constitute compliance with any other covenant, term or provision.

                  1.03. ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES.

                  (a) GAAP. As used herein, "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States, applied on a basis consistent with
the principles used in preparing the Borrower's financial statements as of
December 31, 1995, and for the fiscal year then ended, as referred to in Section
4.06 hereof.

                  (b) ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DETERMINATIONS, ETC. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to
accounting or financial matters shall be made, and all financial statements to
be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared, in accordance with
GAAP (including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all
accounting or financial terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by
GAAP.

                  (c) CHANGES. If and to the extent that the financial
statements generally prepared by the Borrower apply accounting principles other
than GAAP, all financial statements referred to in this Agreement or any other
Loan Document shall be delivered in duplicate, one set based on the accounting

                                      A-19
<PAGE>   190
principles then generally applied by the Borrower and one set based on GAAP. To
the extent this Agreement or such other Loan Document requires financial
statements to be accompanied by an opinion of independent accountants, each such
set of financial statements shall be accompanied by such an opinion.

                                [End of Annex A]

                                      A-20
<PAGE>   191

                                                                   Exhibit 10.18




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

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




                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT

                          dated as of February 7, 1997

                                     made by

                              PRIMARK CORPORATION,
                                   as Grantor,

                                   in favor of

                               MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                               as Collateral Agent



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

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   192
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION                  TITLE                                                                                    PAGE
<S>                      <C>                                                                                      <C>
ARTICLE I                DEFINITIONS

       1.01              Definitions....................................................................           2
       1.02              UCC Definitions................................................................           2

ARTICLE II               THE SECURITY

       2.01              Grant of Security .............................................................           2
       2.02              Grantor Remains Liable.........................................................           3
       2.03              Continuing Agreement...........................................................           3
       2.04              Release........................................................................           3

ARTICLE III              REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

       3.01              Title..........................................................................           4
       3.02              Validity, Perfection and Priority..............................................           4
       3.03              Governmental Approvals and Filings.............................................           4
       3.04              Offices, etc...................................................................           4
       3.05              Names, etc.....................................................................           4
       3.06              Certain Receivables............................................................           5
       3.07              Compliance with Laws, etc......................................................           5
       3.08              Designated Collateral..........................................................           5

ARTICLE IV               COVENANTS

       4.01              Books and Records; Inspection..................................................           5
       4.02              Transfers and Other Liens, etc.................................................           5
       4.03              Change in Name, etc............................................................           6
       4.04              Certain Covenants Relating Primarily
                           to Subsidiary Receivables....................................................           6
       4.05              Certain Covenants Relating Primarily
                           to Security Collateral.......................................................           7
       4.06              Further Assurances.............................................................           8

ARTICLE V                CERTAIN RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
                             OF THE SECURED PARTIES

       5.01              Collateral Agent May Perform...................................................           8
       5.02              No Duty to Exercise Powers.....................................................           9
       5.03              Duties of Collateral Agent.....................................................           9
       5.04              Power of Attorney..............................................................           9
       5.05              Certain Remedies...............................................................           9
       5.06              Application of Payments........................................................          10
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>   193
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                      <C>                                                                                      <C>
ARTICLE VI               MISCELLANEOUS

       6.01              Amendments, etc................................................................          11
       6.02              No Implied Waiver; Remedies Cumulative.........................................          11
       6.03              Notices........................................................................          11
       6.04              Indemnity and Expenses.........................................................          11
       6.05              Entire Agreement...............................................................          11
       6.06              Survival.......................................................................          11
       6.07              Counterparts...................................................................          11
       6.08              Construction...................................................................          12
       6.09              Successors and Assigns.........................................................          12
       6.10              Certain Legal Matters..........................................................          12
</TABLE>

Schedule 3.04            Location of Offices, etc.
Schedule 3.05            Names, etc.
Schedule 3.08            Designated Collateral

                                PLEDGE AGREEMENT

                  THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of February 7, 1997 made by PRIMARK
CORPORATION, a Michigan Corporation (the "Grantor"), in favor of MELLON BANK,
N.A., as Collateral Agent under the Collateral Agency Agreement referred to
below (in such capacity, together with its successors, the "Collateral Agent")
for the Secured Parties (as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement).

                                    RECITALS:

                  A. The Grantor has entered into a Revolving Credit Agreement
of even date herewith (the "Revolving Credit Agreement", as more fully defined
in the Collateral Agency Agreement) with the lenders from time to time parties
thereto, the issuing banks referred to therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent
(together with its successors, the "Revolving Credit Agent", as more fully
defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement). The Grantor also has entered into a
Term Loan Agreement of even date herewith (the "Term Loan Agreement", as more
fully defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement) with the lenders from time to
time parties thereto, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent (together with its
successors, the "Term Loan Agent", as defined in the Collateral Agency
Agreement). The Grantor also has entered into a Note Backup Agreement of even
date hereunder (the "Note Backup Agreement", as more fully defined in the
Collateral Agency Agreement) with the lenders from time to time parties thereto,
the issuing bank referred to therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent (together
with its successors, the "Note Backup Agent", as defined in the Collateral
Agency Agreement).

                  B. The Grantor, certain "Revolving Credit Parties", by Mellon
Bank, N.A., as Revolving Credit Agent, certain "Term Loan Parties", by Mellon
Bank, N.A., as Term Loan Agent, certain "Note Backup Parties", by Mellon Bank,
N.A., as Note Backup Agent, and the Collateral Agent, have entered into a
Collateral Agency Agreement of even date herewith (as amended, modified or
supplemented from time to time, the "Collateral Agency Agreement"). Pursuant to
the Collateral Agency Agreement, the Collateral Agent has agreed to serve as the
collateral agent of the Secured 

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>   194
Parties with respect to certain security (including the security granted by this
Agreement) for obligations of the Grantor to such Secured Parties, including
obligations under or in connection with the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term
Loan Agreement and the Note Backup Agreement.

                  C. It is a condition precedent to the extension of credit
under the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement that the
Grantor execute and deliver this Agreement. This Agreement is made by the
Grantor among other things to induce the Revolving Credit Parties to enter into
the Revolving Credit Agreement and to extend credit pursuant thereto, and to
induce the Term Loan Parties to enter into the Term Loan Agreement and to extend
credit pursuant thereto, and to induce the Note Backup Parties to enter into the
Note Backup Agreement and to extend credit pursuant thereto.

                  D. This Agreement is a "Shared Security Document" as provided
in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and
intending to be legally bound, the Grantor hereby agrees as follows:



                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

                  1.01. DEFINITIONS. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings given in the Collateral Agency Agreement. In
addition to the other terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used herein
the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                  "Designated Collateral" shall mean the Shares of Capital
         Stock, other securities and investment property, promissory notes and
         other instruments, chattel paper and negotiable documents identified in
         Schedule 3.08.

                  "Distributions" shall mean all property, rights and interests
         of any kind or nature (whether cash, securities or other) from time to
         time received, receivable or otherwise distributed with respect to or
         in exchange for any Security Collateral, including without limitation
         all cash, securities or other property received or receivable as
         dividends, or as a result of any stock splits, reclassifications,
         mergers or consolidations, or as any other distributions (whether
         similar or dissimilar to the foregoing), or as a result of exercise of
         any options, warrants or rights included in or associated with any
         Security Collateral, or as principal, interest or premium.

                  "UCC" shall mean the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in
         the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania from time to time.

                  1.02. UCC DEFINITIONS. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms
defined in Article 8 or Article 9 of the UCC shall have the same meanings in
this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                  THE SECURITY

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   195
                  2.01. GRANT OF SECURITY. As security for the full and timely
payment and performance of the Obligations, the Grantor hereby assigns and
pledges to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties, and
grants to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties a security
interest in, all right, title and interest of the Grantor in, to and under the
following, whether now or hereafter existing or acquired (the "Collateral"):

                  (a) all of the following (collectively, the "Security
         Collateral"):

                           (i) the Designated Collateral,

                           (ii) all other Shares of Capital Stock in any Person
                  which at any time is or was a Subsidiary of the Grantor,

                           (iii) all other Shares of Capital Stock and all other
                  securities of any kind or nature (certificated or
                  uncertificated), and all other investment property of any kind
                  or nature, and

                           (iv) all Distributions;

                  (b) all obligations from time to time of any Person which at
         any time is or was (i) an issuer of any Designated Collateral, (ii) a
         Subsidiary of the Grantor (direct or indirect), or (iii) an issuer of
         any Security Collateral, in each case of any kind or nature, whether
         such obligations constitute accounts, contract rights, chattel paper,
         instruments, documents, general intangibles or otherwise, and whether
         such obligations are direct or indirect, secured or unsecured, joint or
         several, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, for payment or
         performance, now existing or hereafter arising; together with all
         rights of the Grantor now or hereafter existing in and to all security
         agreements, guaranties, leases and other contracts securing or
         otherwise relating to any such obligations (such obligations being
         referred to collectively as the "Subsidiary Receivables", and such
         security agreements, guaranties, leases and other contracts being
         referred to collectively as the "Related Contracts");

                  (c) the Shared Collateral Account and all other accounts
         (custodial, deposit or other) maintained by or with the Collateral
         Agent pursuant to the Shared Security Documents, and all cash,
         securities, instruments, investment property and other property from
         time to time held in any of the foregoing, and all interest, dividends,
         cash, securities, instruments, investment property and other property
         from time to time received, receivable or otherwise distributed in
         respect of or in exchange for any of the foregoing; and

                  (d) all proceeds of any of the foregoing (including, without
         limitation, proceeds which constitute property of the types described
         in the foregoing clauses (a) through (c)).

Notwithstanding the foregoing, Shares of Capital Stock in HealthQual Systems
Corporation and Westmark Group Holdings, Inc. shall not be deemed Collateral
hereunder unless and until the Collateral Agent, in its sole discretion, elects
to give notice to the Borrower that it desires such Shares of Capital Stock to
constitute Collateral hereunder. All Collateral hereunder constitutes "Shared
Collateral", as such term is used in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   196
                  2.02. GRANTOR REMAINS LIABLE. Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary herein or in any other Secured Party Document, (a) the Grantor shall
remain liable under the contracts and agreements included in the Collateral to
the extent set forth therein to perform all of its duties and obligations
thereunder to the same extent as if this Agreement had not been executed, (b)
the exercise by any Secured Party of any rights or remedies under or in
connection with this Agreement or any other Secured Party Document shall not
release the Grantor from any of its duties or obligations under the contracts
and agreements included in the Collateral, and (c) the Secured Parties shall not
have any obligation or liability under the contracts and agreements included in
the Collateral by reason of this Agreement or any other Secured Party Document,
nor shall any Secured Party be obligated to perform any of the obligations or
duties of the Grantor thereunder or to take any action to collect or enforce any
claim for payment assigned hereunder.

                  2.03. CONTINUING AGREEMENT. This Agreement creates a
continuing Lien in the Collateral. The Collateral Agent shall release the Liens
created hereby as provided in Section 6.08 of the Collateral Agency Agreement,
and upon such release the Collateral Agent will, at the Grantor's request and
expense, return to the Grantor, without any representations, warranties or
recourse of any kind whatsoever (except as to Liens created by the Collateral
Agent), such of the Collateral as then may be held by the Collateral Agent
hereunder, and execute and deliver to the Grantor such documents as the Grantor
may reasonably request to evidence such termination.

                  2.04. RELEASE. Upon any sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition of any item of Collateral in accordance with the terms of the
Secured Party Documents, the Collateral Agent will, at the Grantor's expense,
execute and deliver to the Grantor such documents as the Grantor may reasonably
request to release such item of Collateral from the Lien granted hereby;
provided, however, that (a) at the time of such request and such release no
Facility Potential Default arising from failure by the Grantor to make a payment
under the Secured Party Documents when due, and no Facility Event of Default,
shall have occurred and be continuing, (b) the Grantor shall have delivered to
the Collateral Agent and each Facility Agent, at least two Business Days prior
to the date of the proposed release, a written request for release describing
the item of Collateral and the term of the sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition in reasonable detail, including the price thereof and any expenses
in connection therewith, together with a form for release for execution by the
Collateral Agent and a certification by the Grantor to the effect that the
transaction is in compliance with the Secured Party Documents and as to such
matters as the Collateral Agent may in good faith request, (c) no Facility Agent
shall have given to the Collateral Agent prior to the proposed release a notice
to the effect that the conditions set forth in this Section 2.04 have not been
satisfied and specifically requesting that the Collateral Agent not effect such
release, and (d) the proceeds of any such sale, lease, transfer or other
disposition required to be applied in accordance with Section 2.07(b) of the
Revolving Credit Agreement as constituted on the date hereof, or any successor
provision of similar import, or Section 2.07(b) of the Term Loan Agreement as
constituted on the date hereof, or any successor provision of similar import,
shall be paid to, or in accordance with the instructions of, the Revolving
Credit Agent or the Term Loan Agent, as the case may be, in accordance with the
Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE III
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  The Grantor hereby represents and warrants to each Secured
Party as follows:

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   197
                  3.01. TITLE. The Grantor is the legal and beneficial owner of
the Collateral, free and clear of any Lien, except for Facility Permitted Liens.
No effective financing statement or other item similar in effect covering any
Collateral is on file in any recording office, except for filings with respect
to Facility Permitted Liens covering only Collateral subject to such Facility
Permitted Liens.

                  3.02. VALIDITY, PERFECTION AND PRIORITY. This Agreement
creates a valid assignment of and security interest in the Collateral in favor
of the Collateral Agent securing the Obligations, which assignment and security
interest has been duly perfected and is prior to all other Liens except Facility
Permitted Liens. All filings and other actions necessary or desirable to perfect
and protect such assignment and security interest in favor of the Collateral
Agent have been duly made and taken.

                  3.03. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. No authorization,
approval or other action by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental
Authority is or will be necessary (a) for the grant by the Grantor of the
assignment of and security interest in the Collateral hereunder or for the
execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Grantor, (b) to
ensure the validity, perfection or priority of the assignment of and security
interest in the Collateral granted hereunder, or (c) for the exercise by the
Collateral Agent of any of its rights or remedies hereunder, except for (y) the
filing of UCC financing statements and continuation statements in appropriate
jurisdictions, and (z) completion of such actions as may be required in
connection with any disposition of Collateral constituting securities by Laws
affecting the offering and sale of securities generally.

                  3.04. OFFICES, ETC. Schedule 3.04 identifies as of the date
hereof the address of the chief executive office of the Grantor, of each office
(whether maintained by the Grantor or otherwise) where books and records
relating to the Collateral are kept, and of each place of business of the
Grantor. Schedule 3.04 also identifies all changes in the foregoing information
during the one year period ending on the date hereof.

                  3.05. NAMES, ETC. During the one year period ending on the
date hereof, neither the Grantor nor any of its direct or indirect predecessors
by merger, consolidation or other corporate reorganization is or has been known
by or used any corporate or fictitious name or trade name (other than the
corporate name of the Grantor as of the date hereof), nor has the Grantor or any
such predecessor been the subject of any merger, consolidation or other
corporate reorganization, nor has the Grantor or any such predecessor otherwise
changed its name, identity or corporate structure, except as set forth in
Schedule 3.05. For each such direct and indirect predecessor of the Grantor,
Schedule 3.05 also identifies the addresses referred to in Section 3.04 for all
times during such period.


                  3.06. CERTAIN RECEIVABLES. The Grantor has delivered to the
Collateral Agent possession of all originals of all promissory notes or other
instruments, chattel paper and negotiable documents constituting Collateral.

                  3.07. COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS, ETC. The Grantor is in compliance
with all laws, the noncompliance with which might have a material adverse effect
on the value of any material portion of the Collateral or the value of the Lien
in favor of the Collateral Agent under this Agreement in any material portion of
the Collateral.

                  3.08. DESIGNATED COLLATERAL. The Designated Collateral
includes (i) all of the securities and other investment property (including all
Shares of Capital Stock) directly owned by the Grantor as of the date hereof,
except for items constituting Cash Equivalent Investments, and (ii) all of the
promissory notes or other instruments, chattel paper or other documents directly
owned by the 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   198
Grantor as of the date hereof issued by a Subsidiary (direct or indirect) of the
Grantor. Schedule 3.08 sets forth (a) for each item of Designated Collateral
constituting Shares of Capital Stock, a description of such Shares of Capital
Stock and the total number of issued and outstanding shares of such class and
the percentage of such total number of issued and outstanding shares represented
by the Designated Collateral, and (b) for each item of Designated Collateral
other than Shares of Capital Stock, a description of such item. The Grantor owns
the Designated Collateral beneficially and of record, free and clear of any
Lien. The Designated Collateral constituting Shares of Capital Stock have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and the
Designated Collateral constituting obligations constitute the legal, valid,
binding and enforceable obligation of the issuer thereof.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    COVENANTS

                  4.01. BOOKS AND RECORDS; INSPECTION. Subject to mandatory
national security regulations, the Grantor shall (a) keep complete and accurate
books and records concerning the Collateral and, at the request of any Secured
Party from time to time, permit such Secured Party or its representatives to
inspect and copy such books and records, (b) at the request of any Secured Party
from time to time, permit such Secured Party or its representatives to inspect
any Collateral not in the possession of the Collateral Agent, and (c) furnish to
the Collateral Agent such information and reports in connection with the
Collateral at such times and in such form as the Collateral Agent may reasonably
request. Subject to mandatory national security regulations, the Collateral
Agent shall have the right to verify the Collateral from time to time.

                  4.02. TRANSFERS AND OTHER LIENS, ETC.

                  (a) TRANSFERS. The Grantor shall not sell, assign, lease,
transfer or otherwise dispose of any Collateral (voluntarily or involuntarily,
by operation of Law or otherwise) in contravention of any provision of any other
Secured Party Document (including but not limited to Section 7.09 of each of the
Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the Note Backup
Agreement).

                  (b) OTHER LIENS. The Grantor shall not create or permit to
exist any Lien on any Collateral (voluntarily or involuntarily, by operation of
Law or otherwise) in contravention of any provision of any other Secured Party
Document (including but not limited to Section 7.02 of each of the Revolving
Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the Note Backup Agreement).

                  (c) OTHER SHARES. The Grantor shall cause each issuer of
Designated Collateral, and each other Subsidiary of the Grantor in which the
Grantor directly owns (beneficially or of record) any Shares of Capital Stock,
not to issue any Shares of Capital Stock or other securities, except to the
Grantor. All Shares of Capital Stock and other securities of each issuer of
Designated Collateral, and of each Subsidiary of the Grantor in which the
Grantor owns (beneficially or of record) any Shares of Capital Stock, from time
to time outstanding shall constitute Collateral, and the Grantor shall deliver
to the Collateral Agent, immediately upon issuance thereof, all certificates and
instruments constituting or evidencing any such Shares of Capital Stock or other
securities.

                  4.03. CHANGE IN NAME, ETC. The Grantor shall not have, use or
be known by any corporate or fictitious name or trade name (other than its
corporate name as of the date hereof and names set forth in Schedule 3.05), nor
be the subject of any merger, consolidation or other corporate 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   199
reorganization, nor otherwise change its name, identity or corporate structure,
except, upon 30 days' notice to the Collateral Agent (specifically referring to
this Section 4.03), and after all actions referred to in Section 4.06(a) have
been completed.

                  4.04. CERTAIN COVENANTS RELATING PRIMARILY TO SUBSIDIARY
RECEIVABLES.

                  (a) OFFICES. The Grantor shall keep its chief executive
office, the offices (whether maintained by the Grantor or otherwise) where books
and records relating to the Collateral are kept, and its places of business, at
the respective addresses identified in Section 3.04 or, upon 30 days' notice
(specifically referring to this Section 4.04(a)) to the Collateral Agent, at
such other locations in jurisdictions where all actions referred to in Section
4.06(a) have been completed. The Grantor shall maintain its chief executive
office in the 48 contiguous United States.

                  (b) COLLECTION; SERVICING. Except as otherwise provided in
this Section 4.04(b), the Grantor shall continue to collect, at its own expense,
all amounts due or to become due the Grantor under the Subsidiary Receivables.
The Collateral Agent shall have the right at any time to notify (or require the
Grantor to notify) the account debtors or obligors under any Subsidiary
Receivables of the Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent in the Subsidiary
Receivables. In connection with such collections, the Grantor may take (and, at
the Collateral Agent's direction, shall take) such action as the Grantor or the
Collateral Agent may deem necessary or advisable to enforce collection of the
Subsidiary Receivables; provided, however, that the Collateral Agent shall have
the right at any time upon the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Facility Event of Default or Facility Potential Default to direct (or require
the Grantor to direct) such account debtors or obligors to make payments of all
amounts due or to become due to the Grantor thereunder directly to the
Collateral Agent and, upon notification by the Collateral Agent to the Grantor,
and at the expense of the Grantor, to enforce collection of any such Subsidiary
Receivables, and to adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment thereof,
in the same manner and to the same extent as the Grantor may have done. After
receipt by the Grantor of the notice from the Collateral Agent referred to in
the proviso to the preceding sentence, (i) all amounts and proceeds (including
instruments) received by the Grantor in respect of the Subsidiary Receivables
shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Secured Parties hereunder,
shall be segregated from other funds of the Grantor and shall be forthwith paid
over or delivered to the Collateral Agent in the same form as so received (with
any necessary indorsement) to be held as collateral hereunder and either (A)
released to the Grantor so long as no Facility Event of Default or Facility
Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing, or (B) if a Facility
Event of Default or Facility Potential Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, and if the Collateral Agent does not otherwise elect to release such
amounts to Grantor, held by the Collateral Agent as collateral for the
Obligations (or, if a Facility Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, applied as provided in Section 5.06), and (ii) the Grantor shall not
adjust, settle or compromise the amount or payment of any Subsidiary Receivable,
release wholly or partly any account debtor or obligor thereof, or allow any
credit or discount thereon.

                  4.05. CERTAIN COVENANTS RELATING PRIMARILY TO SECURITY
COLLATERAL.

                  (a) DELIVERY OF CERTIFICATES AND INSTRUMENTS. All certificates
or instruments at any time representing or evidencing any Security Collateral
(other than Cash Equivalent Investments) shall be immediately delivered to and
held by or on behalf of the Collateral Agent pursuant hereto, and shall be in
suitable form for transfer by delivery, or shall be accompanied by instruments
of transfer or assignment, duly executed in blank, all in form and substance
satisfactory to the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall have the right,
at any time in its discretion and without notice to the Grantor, to 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   200
transfer to or to register in the name of the Collateral Agent or its nominee
any collateral in registered form. In addition, the Collateral Agent shall have
the right at any time to exchange certificates or instruments representing or
evidencing Security Collateral for certificates or instruments of smaller or
larger denominations.

                  (b) VOTING RIGHTS.

                  (i) Subject to Section 4.05(b)(ii), the Grantor shall be
entitled to exercise all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the
Security Collateral; provided, that the Grantor shall not exercise or refrain
from exercising any such right if such action would (A) conflict with any
provision of this Agreement or any other Secured Party Document, or (B) impair
the value of any Security Collateral or impair the interest or rights of the
Grantor or the Collateral Agent.

                  (ii) If a Facility Event of Default or Facility Potential
Default has occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Agent may from time to
time give notice to the Grantor revoking in whole or in part the rights of the
Grantor under Section 4.05(b)(i). If and to the extent such notice has been
given, and such Facility Event of Default or Facility Potential Default is
continuing, all voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Security
Collateral shall thereupon be vested in the Collateral Agent, who shall have the
sole right to exercise or refrain from exercising such rights.

                  (iii) The Collateral Agent shall execute and deliver to the
Grantor such proxies and other instruments as the Grantor may reasonably request
for the purpose of enabling the Grantor to exercise the voting and other
consensual rights which it is entitled to exercise pursuant to Section
4.05(b)(i). The Grantor hereby grants the Collateral Agent an irrevocable proxy,
with full power of substitution, coupled with an interest, to exercise all
voting and other consensual rights pertaining to the Security Collateral,
exercisable if and to the extent that the Collateral Agent is entitled to
exercise such rights pursuant to Section 4.05(b)(ii). All third parties are
entitled to rely conclusively on a representation by the Collateral Agent that
it is entitled to exercise such power of attorney.

                  (c) DISTRIBUTIONS.

                  (i) Subject to Section 4.05(c)(ii), the Grantor shall be
entitled to receive and retain all Distributions that are paid and payable in
cash. Distributions paid or payable other than in cash shall be Security
Collateral, and shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent to hold as
such.

                  (ii) If a Facility Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing, all rights of the Grantor to receive and retain the Distributions
that it would otherwise be authorized to receive and retain pursuant to Section
4.05(c)(i) shall automatically cease, and all such rights shall thereupon vest
in the Collateral Agent. Such Distributions shall be Security Collateral, and
shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent and applied as provided in
Section 5.06.

                  (iii) If the Grantor receives any payment or property which it
is not entitled to retain pursuant to Section 4.05(c)(i) or 4.05(c)(ii), such
payment or property shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Collateral
Agent, shall be segregated from other funds and property of the Grantor, and
shall be forthwith delivered to the Collateral Agent as Security Collateral in
the same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).

                  4.06. FURTHER ASSURANCES.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   201
                  (a) GENERAL. The Grantor shall from time to time, at its
expense, promptly execute and deliver all further instruments and agreements,
and take all further actions that may be necessary or appropriate, or that the
Collateral Agent may reasonably request, in order to perfect or protect any
assignment, pledge or security interest granted or purported to be granted
hereby or to enable the Collateral Agent to exercise or enforce its rights and
remedies hereunder. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Grantor will:

                  (i) if any Collateral shall be evidenced by a promissory note
         or other instrument, chattel paper or negotiable document, immediately
         deliver to the Collateral Agent such promissory note or instrument or
         chattel paper or negotiable document, duly endorsed and accompanied by
         duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment, all in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent,

                  (ii) execute and file such financing or continuation
         statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or
         notices, as may be necessary or desirable, or as the Collateral Agent
         may reasonably request, in order to perfect and preserve the
         assignment, pledge or security interest granted or purported to be
         granted hereby,

                  (iii) at the request of the Collateral Agent, mark
         conspicuously each copy of all chattel paper and negotiable documents
         included in the Collateral and each Related Contract and each of its
         records pertaining to the Collateral with a legend, in form and
         substance satisfactory to the Collateral Agent, indicating that such
         chattel paper, negotiable document, Related Contract or Collateral is
         subject to the security interest granted pursuant hereto, and

                  (iv) with respect to securities accounts, commodity accounts
         or similar interests constituting or holding Collateral, promptly
         following request by the Collateral Agent obtain consent agreements
         from each securities intermediary, commodity intermediary or similar
         person, satisfactory in form and substance to the Collateral Agent,
         which shall include provisions giving the Collateral Agent sole
         dominion and control over such securities account, commodity account or
         other interest upon the giving of notice by the Collateral Agent to
         such securities intermediary, commodity intermediary or similar person
         (it being understood that (x) the Collateral Agent may give such notice
         only upon the occurrence or during the continunace of a Facility Event
         of Default, and (y) the Collateral Agent shall revoke such notice
         promptly after request by the Grantor if no Facility Event of Default
         is continuing).

                  (b) FINANCING STATEMENTS, ETC. The Grantor hereby authorizes
the Collateral Agent to file one or more financing or continuation statements,
and amendments thereto, relating to any Collateral without the signature of the
Grantor where permitted by law. A photocopy or other reproduction of this
Agreement or any financing statement covering any Collateral shall be sufficient
as a financing statement where permitted by law.


                                    ARTICLE V
               CERTAIN RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE SECURED PARTIES

                  5.01. COLLATERAL AGENT MAY PERFORM. If the Grantor fails to
perform any obligation under or in connection with this Agreement, the
Collateral Agent may (but shall have no duty to) itself perform or cause
performance of such obligation, and the expenses of the Collateral Agent
incurred in connection therewith shall be payable by the Grantor pursuant to
Section 6.04. The Collateral Agent

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   202
may from time to time take any other action which the Collateral Agent deems
necessary or appropriate for the maintenance, preservation or protection of any
of the Collateral or of its Lien therein.

                  5.02. NO DUTY TO EXERCISE POWERS. The powers of the Collateral
Agent under and in connection with this Agreement are solely to protect its
interest in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon it to exercise any
such powers.

                  5.03. DUTIES OF COLLATERAL AGENT. Except for exercise of
reasonable care in the custody and preservation of any Collateral in its
possession and accounting for moneys received by it pursuant to this Agreement,
the Collateral Agent shall have no duty as to any Collateral. In any event the
Collateral Agent (a) shall have no duty to take any steps to preserve rights
against prior parties or any other rights pertaining to any Collateral, (b)
shall have no duty as to ascertaining or taking action with respect to calls,
conversions, exchanges, tenders, maturities or other matters pertaining to any
Collateral, whether or not the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party has
any knowledge of such matters, and (c) shall not be liable for any action,
omission, insolvency or default on the part of any agent or custodian (other
than the Collateral Agent) appointed by the Collateral Agent in good faith. The
Collateral Agent shall be deemed to have exercised reasonable care in the
custody and preservation of Collateral in its possession if it takes such action
for such purpose as the Grantor requests in writing from time to time (but
failure to take any such action shall not in itself be deemed a failure to
exercise reasonable care or evidence of such failure). Subject only to the
performance by the Collateral Agent of its duties set forth in this Section
5.03, risk of loss, damage and diminution in value of the Collateral, of
whatever nature and however caused, shall be on the Grantor.

                  5.04. POWER OF ATTORNEY. The Grantor hereby irrevocably
appoints the Collateral Agent, with full power of substitution, to be the
attorney-in-fact of the Grantor, with full authority in the place and stead of
the Grantor and in the name of the Grantor or otherwise, from time to time in
the Collateral Agent's discretion, to take any action and to execute any
instruments and agreements which the Collateral Agent may deem necessary or
advisable to accomplish the purposes of this Agreement, including the following:

                  (a) to demand, collect, enforce, file claims for, sue for,
         recover, compromise, release, and take any action or institute any
         proceedings to collect or enforce, all rights to payments due or to
         become due and all other rights of the Grantor under or in connection
         with any Collateral,

                  (b) to receive, endorse and collect any checks, notes or other
         instruments, documents, chattel paper or any other payment media in
         connection with the foregoing clause (a), and

                  (c) to perform all obligations of the Grantor hereunder;

provided, however, that except for taking actions referred to in Section
4.06(a), such power of attorney may be exercised only so long as a Facility
Event of Default or Facility Potential Default has occurred and is continuing.
Such power of attorney is irrevocable and coupled with an interest. All third
parties are entitled to rely conclusively on a representation by the Collateral
Agent that it is entitled to exercise such power of attorney. Promptly after
exercising such power of attorney to execute and file any financing statement in
the name of and on behalf of the Grantor, the Collateral Agent shall notify the
Grantor of such fact (but failure to do so shall not invalidate such exercise).

                  5.05. CERTAIN REMEDIES. If a Facility Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, the Collateral Agent may exercise all rights
and remedies which it may have under this

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   203
Agreement, any other agreement, at law or otherwise, and in addition, the
following provisions shall apply:

                  (a) The Collateral Agent may exercise all rights and remedies
         with respect to the Collateral and each part thereof as are provided by
         the UCC to a secured party on default (whether or not the UCC applies
         to the affected Collateral). To the extent, if any, the Collateral
         Agent does not otherwise have the right to do so, the Collateral Agent
         may (i) take absolute possession and control of the Collateral or any
         part thereof, (ii) transfer any Collateral into the name of the
         Collateral Agent or its nominees, (iii) notify the parties obligated on
         the Collateral to make to the Collateral Agent any payments due or to
         become due, (iv) receive any payments made under or in connection with
         the Collateral, (v) exercise all rights and remedies of the Grantor
         under or in connection with the Collateral, (vi) demand, collect,
         enforce, file claims for, sue for, recover, compromise, release, and
         take any action or institute any proceedings to collect or enforce, all
         rights to payments due or to become due and all other rights of the
         Grantor under or in connection with any Collateral, and (vii) otherwise
         deal in and act with respect to the Collateral in all respects as
         though it were the outright owner thereof.

                  (b) All payments received by the Grantor in respect of any
         Collateral shall be received in trust for the benefit of the Secured
         Parties, shall be segregated from other funds of the Grantor and shall
         be forthwith paid over to the Collateral Agent in the same form as so
         received (with any necessary endorsement).

                  (c) The Collateral Agent may, without notice except to the
         extent required by law, sell the Collateral or any part thereof, in one
         or more parcels, at public or private sale, at any of the Collateral
         Agent's offices or elsewhere, for cash, on credit or for future
         delivery, and upon such other terms as the Collateral Agent may deem
         commercially reasonable. The Grantor agrees that, to the extent notice
         of sale is required by law, at least ten days' notice to the Grantor of
         the time and place of any public sale or the time after which any
         private sale is to be made, shall constitute reasonable notification.
         The Collateral Agent shall not be obligated to make any sale,
         regardless of notice of sale having been given. The Collateral Agent
         may adjourn any public or private sale from time to time by
         announcement at the time and place fixed therefor, and such sale may,
         without further notice, be made at the time and place to which it was
         so adjourned.

                  (d) The Grantor agrees that the Collateral Agent may comply
         with any limitation or restriction in connection with any sale of any
         Collateral as the Collateral Agent may deem to be necessary or
         advisable in order to comply with any law, or in order to obtain or
         make, or avoid the need to obtain or make, any approval or registration
         of the offering, sale or purchaser by or with any governmental agency
         or regulatory body. The Grantor agrees that (i) the Collateral Agent
         may make sales in compliance with such limitations and restrictions,
         even though such sales may be at prices and on other terms less
         favorable to the seller than if such approvals or registrations were
         obtained or made, (ii) the Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to
         delay sale of any Collateral in order to obtain or make any such
         approval or registration, and (iii) it shall not be commercially
         unreasonable to make sales in compliance with such limitations and
         restrictions. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
         Grantor recognizes that the Collateral Agent may be unable, or may deem
         it inadvisable, to effect a public sale of some or all of the
         Collateral by reason of requirements of applicable securities laws, but
         may deem it advisable, for the purpose of complying with such laws, to
         resort to one or more private sales to members of a restricted group of
         offerees who will be obliged, among other things, to 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   204
         acquire such Collateral for their own accounts for investment and not
         with a view to distribution or resale. The Grantor agrees that (x) the
         Collateral Agent may make private sales in such manner, even though
         such sales may be at prices and on other terms less favorable to the
         seller than if such Collateral were sold by public sale, (y) the
         Collateral Agent shall have no obligation to delay sale of any
         Collateral in order to permit the issuers of such Collateral, even if
         such issuers would agree, to register or qualify such Collateral for
         public sale under applicable securities laws, and (z) that it shall not
         be commercially unreasonable to make private sales in such manner.

                  5.06. APPLICATION OF PAYMENTS. Except to the extent otherwise
provided by this Agreement or the other Shared Security Documents, all cash held
by the Collateral Agent as Collateral and all cash proceeds received by the
Collateral Agent in respect of any sale of, collection from, or other
realization upon any of the Collateral, shall (after payment of any amounts
payable to the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 6.04) be deposited in the
Shared Collateral Account and applied as provided in the Collateral Agency
Agreement. The Grantor shall remain liable for any deficiency.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  6.01. AMENDMENTS, ETC. No amendment to or waiver of any
provision of this Agreement, and no consent to any departure by the Grantor
herefrom, shall in any event be effective unless in a writing manually signed by
or on behalf of the Grantor and the Collateral Agent. Any such waiver or consent
shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the specific purpose
for which given. Such amendments, waivers and consents shall be made in
accordance with, and shall be subject to, Section 6.01 of the Collateral Agency
Agreement.

                  6.02. NO IMPLIED WAIVER; REMEDIES CUMULATIVE. No delay or
failure of the Collateral Agent in exercising any right or remedy under this
Agreement shall operate as a waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial
exercise of any such right or remedy preclude any other or further exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right or remedy. The rights and remedies of
the Collateral Agent under this Agreement are cumulative and not exclusive of
any other rights or remedies available hereunder, under any other agreement, at
law, or otherwise.

                  6.03. NOTICES. Except to the extent, if any, otherwise
expressly provided herein, all notices and other communications (collectively,
"notices") under this Agreement shall be given, shall be effective, and may be
relied upon, in the same way as notices under the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  6.04. INDEMNITY AND EXPENSES.

                  (a) INDEMNITY. The Grantor agrees to indemnify each Secured
Party from and against any and all claims, losses, liabilities and expenses
(including reasonable attorney's fees) arising out of or resulting from this
Agreement (including, without limitation, enforcement of this Agreement), except
claims, losses, liabilities and expenses resulting solely from the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of a Secured Party.

                  (b) EXPENSES. The Grantor will upon demand pay to the
Collateral Agent the amount of all reasonable expenses, including the reasonable
fees and expenses of its counsel and of any experts 

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   205
and agents, which the Collateral Agent may incur in connection with (i) the
administration of this Agreement, (ii) the custody, preservation, use or
operation of, or the sale of, collection of or other realization upon, any
Collateral, (iii) the exercise or enforcement of any of the rights of the
Collateral Agent hereunder, or (iv) the failure by the Grantor to perform or
observe any of the provisions hereof.

                  6.05. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This Agreement and the other Secured
Party Documents constitute the entire agreement of the parties hereto with
respect to the subject matter hereof and thereof and supersede all prior and
contemporaneous understandings and agreements.

                  6.06. SURVIVAL. All representations and warranties of the
Grantor contained in or made in connection with this Agreement shall survive,
and shall not be waived by, the execution and delivery of this Agreement, any
investigation by or knowledge of any Secured Party, any extension of credit,
termination of this Agreement, or any other event or circumstance whatever. The
obligations of the Grantor under Section 6.04 shall survive termination of this
Agreement and the other Secured Party Documents.

                  6.07. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, and all such
counterparts shall constitute but one and the same agreement.

                  6.08. CONSTRUCTION. This Agreement is a Shared Security
Document referred to in the Collateral Agency Agreement. The provisions of the
Collateral Agency Agreement are supplemental to the provisions of this
Agreement, as provided in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  6.09. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon the Grantor and its successors and assigns, and shall inure to the benefit
of and be enforceable by the Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and
their respective successors and assigns.

                  6.10. CERTAIN LEGAL MATTERS. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
PENNSYLVANIA, EXCLUSIVE OF CHOICE OF LAW PRINCIPLES, EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT THAT
PERFECTION AND THE EFFECT OF PERFECTION OR NONPERFECTION OF THE SECURITY
INTERESTS IN THE COLLATERAL IS GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF A JURISDICTION OTHER THAN
THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA PURSUANT TO THE UCC.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Grantor has caused this Agreement to
be duly executed and delivered as of the date first above written.

                                   PRIMARK CORPORATION


                                  By /s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN
                                     -----------------------------------------
                                     Stephen H. Curran
                                     Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                     Officer
                                        Accepted and Agreed:

MELLON BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent


By /s/ R. JANE WESTRICH
   ---------------------------
   R. Jane Westrich

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   206
   Vice President

                                      -16-
<PAGE>   207

                                                                   Exhibit 10.17




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

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




                           COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT

                          dated as of February 7, 1997

                                      among

                              PRIMARK CORPORATION,

                                  as Borrower,

                          THE REVOLVING CREDIT PARTIES,

                             THE TERM LOAN PARTIES,

                             THE NOTE BACKUP PARTIES

                                       and

                               MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                               as Collateral Agent




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

- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   208
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SECTION                                              TITLE                                                        PAGE
<S>                 <C>                                                                                           <C>
ARTICLE I           DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

       1.01         Certain Definitions.................................................................           1
       1.02         Construction........................................................................          10

ARTICLE II          SECURED PARTY DOCUMENTS

       2.01         Notice of Default...................................................................          10
       2.02         The Swap Agreement and the Swap Party...............................................          11
       2.03         Amendments and Refinancing..........................................................          12
       2.04         Delivery of Documents...............................................................          12
       2.05         Termination of a Facility Party.....................................................          12
       2.06         Certain Intercreditor Matters ......................................................          13

ARTICLE III         SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENTS

       3.01         General Relation to Shared Security Documents.......................................          14
       3.02         Power of Attorney...................................................................          14
       3.03         Certain Rights After Facility Event of Default......................................          14
       3.04         Right to Initiate Judicial Proceedings..............................................          15
       3.05         Right to Appoint a Receiver.........................................................          15
       3.06         Remedies Not Exclusive, etc.........................................................          15
       3.07         Certain Waivers.....................................................................          16
       3.08         Limitation on Collateral Agent's Duty in Respect
                       of Shared Collateral.............................................................          17
       3.09         Fees, Taxes, etc....................................................................          17
       3.10         Maintenance of Liens................................................................          17
       3.11         Further Assurances..................................................................          17

ARTICLE IV          ACCOUNTS

       4.01         Shared Collateral Account...........................................................          17
       4.02         Investment..........................................................................          18
       4.03         Deposits............................................................................          18
       4.04         Distributions.......................................................................          18
       4.05         Calculations........................................................................          20
       4.06         Application of Monies...............................................................          20
       4.07         Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account.............................................          20
       4.08         Note Backup LOC Collateral Account..................................................          21
       4.09         General Provisions Relating to Accounts.............................................          21
</TABLE>

                                       -1-
<PAGE>   209
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                 <C>                                                                                           <C>
ARTICLE V           THE COLLATERAL AGENT

       5.01         Appointment.........................................................................          22
       5.02         General Nature of Collateral Agent's Duties.........................................          22
       5.03         Exercise of Powers..................................................................          23
       5.04         General Exculpatory Provisions......................................................          23
       5.05         Administration by the Collateral Agent..............................................          24
       5.06         No Reliance by Facility Parties.....................................................          24
       5.07         Indemnification.....................................................................          24
       5.08         Collateral Agent in its Individual Capacity.........................................          25
       5.09         Facility Parties....................................................................          25
       5.10         Successor Collateral Agent..........................................................          25
       5.11         Additional Collateral Agents........................................................          26
       5.12         Calculations........................................................................          27
       5.13         Collateral Agent's Fee..............................................................          27
       5.14         Expenses; Indemnity.................................................................          28
       5.15         Financial and Other Information; Confidentiality....................................          29
       5.16         Moneys Held as Collateral Agent.....................................................          29

ARTICLE VI          MISCELLANEOUS

       6.01         Amendments, Supplements and Waivers.................................................          29
       6.02         Notices.............................................................................          30
       6.03         No Implied Waiver; Cumulative Remedies..............................................          30
       6.04         Severability........................................................................          30
       6.05         Prior Understandings................................................................          31
       6.06         Survival............................................................................          31
       6.07         Counterparts........................................................................          31
       6.08         Termination of Liens................................................................          31
       6.09         Successors and Assigns..............................................................          31
       6.10         Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction; Waiver of Jury Trial;
                       Limitation of Liability..........................................................          31
</TABLE>


Exhibit A           Form of Swap Party Supplement
Exhibit B           Form of Revolving Credit Refinancing Supplement

                                       -2-
<PAGE>   210
                           COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT

                  THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of February 7, 1997, among

                  Primark Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Borrower"),

                  Mellon Bank, N.A., as "Agent" under the Revolving Credit
Agreement referred to hereinbelow (in such capacity, together with its
successors thereunder or under any successor Revolving Credit Agreement, the
"Revolving Credit Agent", as further defined hereinafter), on behalf of the
"Lenders" (as defined in such Revolving Credit Agreement) from time to time
parties to such Revolving Credit Agreement (together with their successors
thereunder or under any successor Revolving Credit Agreement, the "Revolving
Credit Lenders"), the "Issuing Banks" (as defined in such Revolving Credit
Agreement) from time to time under such Revolving Credit Agreement (together
with their successors thereunder or under any successor Revolving Credit
Agreement, the "Revolving Credit Issuing Banks") and the Revolving Credit Agent
(the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Revolving Credit Issuing Banks and the
Revolving Credit Agent being referred to herein as the "Revolving Credit
Parties"),

                  Mellon Bank, N.A., as "Agent" under the Term Loan Agreement
referred to hereinbelow (in such capacity, together with its successors, the
"Term Loan Agent", as further defined hereinafter), on behalf of the "Lenders"
(as defined in such Term Loan Agreement) from time to time parties to such Term
Loan Agreement (the "Term Lenders"), and the Term Loan Agent (the Term Lenders
and the Term Loan Agent being referred to herein as the "Term Loan Parties"),

                  Mellon Bank, N.A., as "Agent" under the Note Backup Agreement
referred to hereinbelow (in such capacity, together with its successors, the
"Note Backup Agent", as further defined hereinafter), on behalf of the "Lenders"
(as defined in such Note Backup Agreement) from time to time parties to such
Note Backup Agreement (the "Note Backup Lenders"), and the Note Backup Agent
(the Note Backup Lenders and the Note Backup Agent being referred to herein as
the "Note Backup Parties"), and

                  Mellon Bank, N.A., as agent for the Secured Parties (as
hereinafter defined) (in such capacity, together with its successors, the
"Collateral Agent").

                  The parties hereto, intending to be legally bound hereby,
agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                            DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

                  1.01. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. In addition to other words and
terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used herein the following words
and terms shall have the following meanings, respectively, unless the context
hereof otherwise clearly requires:

                  "Borrower Pledge Agreement" shall mean the Pledge Agreement of
         even date herewith between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent, as
         the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                                       -1-
<PAGE>   211
                  "Bankruptcy Default" means the occurrence or existence of
         either of the following events or conditions (for any reason, whether
         voluntary, involuntary, or effected or required by Law):

                                    (a) a proceeding shall have been instituted
                           in respect of the Borrower

                                    (i) seeking to have an order for relief
                           entered in respect of the Borrower, or seeking a
                           declaration or entailing a finding that the Borrower
                           is insolvent or a similar declaration or finding, or
                           seeking dissolution, winding-up, administration,
                           charter revocation or forfeiture, liquidation,
                           reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition
                           or other similar relief with respect to the Borrower,
                           its assets or its debts under any Law relating to
                           bankruptcy, insolvency, relief of debtors or
                           protection of creditors, termination of legal
                           entities or any other similar Law now or hereafter in
                           effect, or

                                    (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver,
                           administrative receiver, trustee, liquidator,
                           assignee, sequestrator or other custodian for the
                           Borrower or for all or any substantial part of its
                           property

                  and such proceeding shall result in the entry, making or grant
                  of any such order for relief, declaration, finding, relief or
                  appointment, or such proceeding shall remain undismissed and
                  unstayed for a period of 30 consecutive days; or

                           (b) the Borrower shall be insolvent; shall fail to
                  pay, become unable to pay, or state that it is or will be
                  unable to pay, its debts as they become due; shall voluntarily
                  suspend transaction of its business; shall make a general
                  assignment for the benefit of creditors; shall institute (or
                  fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner) a
                  proceeding described in the foregoing clause (a)(i), or
                  (whether or not any such proceeding has been instituted) shall
                  consent to or acquiesce in any such order for relief,
                  declaration, finding or relief described therein; shall
                  institute (or fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate
                  manner) a proceeding described in the foregoing clause (a)(ii)
                  hereof, or (whether or not any such proceeding has been
                  instituted) shall consent to or acquiesce in any such
                  appointment or to the taking of possession by any such
                  custodian of all or any substantial part of its or his
                  property; shall dissolve, wind-up, go into administration or
                  revoke or forfeit its articles of incorporation (or other
                  constituent documents); or shall take any action in
                  furtherance of any of the foregoing.

                  "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
Sunday, public holiday under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania or
other day on which banking institutions are authorized or obligated to close in
the city in which is located the Collateral Agent's Office.

                  "Cash Equivalent Investments" shall mean any of the following,
to the extent acquired for investment and not with a view to achieving trading
profits: (a) obligations fully backed by the full faith and credit of the United
States of America or sterling denominated debt securities issued or guaranteed
by the government of the United Kingdom, in each case maturing not in excess of
one year 

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   212
from the date of acquisition, (b) commercial paper maturing not in excess of 180
days from the date of acquisition and rated "P-1" by Moody's Investors Service
or "A-1" by Standard & Poor's Corporation on the date of acquisition, (c) the
following obligations of any commercial bank (not in excess of $5,000,000 (or
the equivalent thereof in foreign currencies) in the aggregate for any
commercial bank having capital and surplus less than $500,000,000 (or the
equivalent thereof in foreign currencies)): (i) time deposits, certificates of
deposit and acceptances maturing not in excess of 180 days from the date of
acquisition, or (ii) fully secured overnight repurchase obligations for
underlying securities of the type referred to in clause (a) above, (d) freely
tradeable and readily marketable money market preferred stock which, pursuant to
its terms, has a yield reset not less frequently than every 60 days and rated
"AA" or better by Standard & Poor's Corporation or "Aa" or better by Moody's
Investors Service, Inc., and (e) other investments designated in writing by the
Collateral Agent as being "Cash Equivalent Investments" for purposes of this
Agreement (it being understood that any such designation shall be revocable by
the Collateral Agent upon 60 days' notice to the Borrower). In no event shall
any investment as to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower is an
issuer or a direct or indirect obligor be deemed a Cash Equivalent Investment.

                  "Collateral Agent Obligations" shall mean all obligations from
time to time of the Borrower to the Collateral Agent in its capacity as such,
including but not limited to amounts payable pursuant to Sections 3.09, 5.13 and
5.14 hereof or Section 6.04 of the Borrower Pledge Agreement, in each case
whether such obligations are direct or indirect, otherwise secured or unsecured,
joint or several, absolute or contingent, due or to become due, whether for
payment or performance, now existing or hereafter arising (specifically
including but not limited to obligations arising or accruing after the
commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings with respect
to the Borrower, or which would have arisen or accrued but for the commencement
of such proceeding, even if the claim for such obligation is not allowed in such
proceeding under applicable Law).

                  "Contingent Indemnification Obligations" at any time shall
mean Obligations which at such time are contingent obligations under
indemnification provisions of the Secured Party Documents which survive
indefinitely; provided, however, that an Obligation under such an
indemnification provision shall not constitute a Contingent Indemnification
Obligation to the extent that (a) an unsatisfied claim for payment of such
Obligation has been made, or (b) an action, suit or proceeding is pending or
threatened at such time which may give rise to a claim under such
indemnification provision.

                  "Corporation" shall mean a corporation, limited liability
company or business trust organized under the Laws of any state of the United
States, a company limited by shares incorporated under the Laws of England and
Wales, or any similar entity organized under the Laws of any other jurisdiction,
the owners of which are not by operation of Law generally liable for the
obligations of such entity.

                  "Directing Party" at any time shall mean:

                             (a) the Term Loan Agent, if at such time (i) a Term
                  Loan Notice of Default is in effect, at least 15 Business Days
                  have elapsed since the giving of such Term Loan Notice of
                  Default, and no Revolving Credit Notice of Default, Note
                  Backup Notice of Default or Bankruptcy Default is in effect,
                  or (ii) (A) all Revolving Credit Obligations (other than
                  Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
                  full, all

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   213
                  commitments to extend credit under the Revolving Credit
                  Documents have terminated, and all Letters of Credit have
                  terminated, and (B) all Note Backup Obligations (other than
                  Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
                  full, all commitments to extend credit under the Note Backup
                  Documents have terminated, and all Note Backup LOCs have
                  terminated;

                             (b) the Revolving Credit Agent, if at such time (i)
                  a Revolving Credit Notice of Default is in effect, at least 15
                  Business Days have elapsed since the giving of such Revolving
                  Credit Notice of Default, and no Term Loan Notice of Default,
                  Note Backup Notice of Default or Bankruptcy Default is in
                  effect, or (ii) (A) all Term Loan Obligations (other than
                  Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
                  full, and (B) all Note Backup Obligations (other than
                  Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
                  full, all commitments to extend credit under the Note Backup
                  Documents have terminated, and all Note Backup LOCs have
                  terminated;

                             (c) the Note Backup Agent, if at such time (i) a
                  Note Backup Notice of Default is in effect, at least 15
                  Business Days have elapsed since the giving of such Note
                  Backup Notice of Default, and no Term Loan Notice of Default,
                  Revolving Credit Notice of Default or Bankruptcy Default is in
                  effect, or (ii) (A) all Term Loan Obligations (other than
                  Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
                  full, and (B) all Revolving Credit Obligations (other than
                  Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
                  full, all commitments to extend credit under the Revolving
                  Credit Documents have terminated, and all Letters of Credit
                  have terminated;

                             (d) all Swap Parties, acting together, if at such
                  time (i) all Term Loan Obligations (other than Contingent
                  Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in full, (ii) all
                  Revolving Credit Obligations (other than Contingent
                  Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in full, all
                  commitments to extend credit under the Revolving Credit
                  Documents have terminated, and (iii) all Letters of Credit
                  have terminated, all Note Backup Obligations (other than
                  Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
                  full, all commitments to extend credit under the Note Backup
                  Documents have terminated, and all Note Backup LOCs have
                  terminated;

                             (e) otherwise, Facility Lenders whose Facility
                  Lender Percentages at such time aggregate at least 51%, acting
                  together.

                  "Facility Agents" shall mean the Revolving Credit Agent, the
         Term Loan Agent and the Note Backup Agent.

                  "Facility Event of Default" shall mean the occurrence or
         existence of an "Event of Default" under the Revolving Credit
         Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or the Note Backup Agreement.

                  "Facility Lenders" shall mean the Revolving Credit Lenders,
         the Term Loan Lenders and the Note Backup Lenders.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   214
                  "Facility Lender Exposure" for a Facility Lender at any time
         shall mean the sum of the following: (a) the principal amount of loans
         outstanding to such Facility Lender under the Term Loan Agreement, plus
         (b) the principal amount of extensions of credit made by or for the
         account of such Facility Lender under the Revolving Credit Agreement,
         plus (c) the amount equal to (i) if no Revolving Credit Notice of
         Default or Bankruptcy Default is in effect, and if the commitment of
         such Facility Lender to extend credit under the Revolving Credit
         Agreement has not expired or been terminated, then an amount equal to
         the principal amount of such Facility Lender's unborrowed commitment to
         extend credit under the Revolving Credit Agreement, (ii) otherwise,
         zero, plus (d) the principal amount of extensions of credit made by or
         for the account of such Facility Lender under the Note Backup
         Agreement.

                  "Facility Lender Percentage" at any time for any Facility
         Lender shall mean a fraction, the numerator of which is the Facility
         Lender Exposure of such Facility Lender, and the denominator of which
         is the sum of the Facility Lender Exposures of each Facility Lender.

                  "Facility Parties" shall mean the Revolving Credit Parties,
         the Term Loan Parties, the Note Backup Parties and the Swap Parties.

                  "Facility Permitted Lien" shall mean a Lien which is a
         "Permitted Lien" under each of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term
         Loan Agreement and the Note Backup Agreement.

                  "Facility Potential Default" shall mean any event or condition
         which, with notice, passage of time or a determination by the
         appropriate Facility Party or Facility Parties, or any combination of
         the foregoing, would constitute a Facility Event of Default.

                  "Governmental Authority" shall mean any government or
         political subdivision or any agency, authority, bureau, central bank,
         commission, department or instrumentality of either, or any court,
         tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether foreign or
         domestic.

                  "Interest Rate Hedge Agreement" shall mean an interest rate
         swap, cap or collar agreement, forward rate agreement, any other
         similar agreement, and any combination of the foregoing.

                  "Law" shall mean any law (including common law), constitution,
         statute, treaty, convention, regulation, rule, ordinance, order,
         injunction, writ, decree or award of any Governmental Authority.

                  "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien,
         security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement
         of any nature whatsoever, including but not limited to any conditional
         sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit
         arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security.

                  "Note Backup Agent" at any time shall mean the "Agent" under
         the Note Backup Agreement at such time. If there is no Agent under the
         Note Backup Agreement at such time, then any notice, demand, or other
         communication required or permitted to be given by the Note Backup
         Agent hereunder or under any Shared Security Document shall be
         sufficiently

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   215
         given or made if given by the "Required Lenders" (as defined in the
         Note Backup Agreement as constituted on the date hereof, as such
         definition may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time,
         and any successor term of similar import from time to time in the Note
         Backup Agreement), and any notification, demand, consent, document,
         payment or other communication or item required to be given or made to
         the Note Backup Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if given
         directly to each Note Backup Party entitled thereto.

                  "Note Backup Agreement" shall mean the Note Backup Agreement
         dated on or about February 7, 1997 by and among the Borrower, the
         lenders parties thereto from time to time, the issuing bank referred to
         therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same may be amended,
         modified or supplemented from time to time; provided, however, that for
         purposes of this Agreement no effect shall be given to any amendment,
         modification or supplement entered into without the written consent of
         the Revolving Credit Agent and the Term Loan Agent that increases the
         maximum aggregate principal amount of extensions of credit thereunder
         to the Borrower above $8,382,343.75.

                  "Note Backup Documents" shall mean the "Loan Documents" as
         defined in the Note Backup Agreement, and any successor term of similar
         import from time to time in the Note Backup Agreement.

                  "Note Backup Issuing Bank" shall mean the "Issuing Bank" (as
         defined in the Note Backup Agreement) under the Note Backup Agreement,
         together with its successors thereunder.

                  "Note Backup Lenders" shall mean the "Lenders" (as defined in
         the Note Backup Agreement) from time to time under the Note Backup
         Agreement.

                  "Note Backup LOC" shall mean any letter of credit outstanding
         under the Note Backup Agreement from time to time.

                  "Note Backup LOC Collateral Account" shall have the meaning
         given that term in Section 4.08 hereof.

                  "Note Backup LOC Exposure" at any time shall mean the sum at
         such time of (a) the aggregate Note Backup LOC Unreimbursed Draws and
         (b) the aggregate Note Backup LOC Undrawn Availability.

                  "Note Backup LOC Undrawn Availability" with respect to a Note
         Backup LOC at any time shall mean the maximum amount available to be
         drawn under such Note Backup LOC at such time or thereafter, regardless
         of the existence or satisfaction of any conditions or limitations on
         drawing.

                  "Note Backup LOC Unreimbursed Draws" with respect to a Note
         Backup LOC at any time shall mean the aggregate amount at such time of
         all payments made by the issuer under such Note Backup LOC, to the
         extent not repaid by the Borrower.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>   216
                  "Note Backup Notice of Default" shall mean a written
         certification delivered to the Collateral Agent by the Note Backup
         Agent at any time stating that a Facility Event of Default or Facility
         Potential Default (as specified therein) has occurred and is continuing
         or exists under the Note Backup Agreement, and specifically stating
         that such notice is a "Note Backup Notice of Default" under this
         Agreement.

                  "Note Backup Obligations" shall mean all obligations from time
         to time of the Borrower to any Note Backup Party from time to time
         arising under or in connection with or related to or evidenced by or
         secured by the Note Backup Agreement or any other Note Backup Document,
         whether such obligations are direct or indirect, otherwise secured or
         unsecured, joint or several, absolute or contingent, due or to become
         due, whether for payment or performance, now existing or hereafter
         arising (specifically including but not limited to obligations arising
         or accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or
         similar proceedings with respect to the Borrower, or which would have
         arisen or accrued but for the commencement of such proceeding, even if
         the claim for such obligation is not allowed in such proceeding under
         applicable Law). Without limitation of the foregoing, such obligations
         include the principal amount of loans, interest, Note Backup
         reimbursement obligations, and fees, indemnities or expenses under or
         in connection with any Note Backup Document. Note Backup Obligations
         shall remain such notwithstanding any assignment or transfer or any
         subsequent assignment or transfer of any of the Note Backup Obligations
         or any interest therein.

                  "Note Backup Parties" shall mean the Note Backup Lenders, the
         Note Backup Issuing Bank and the Note Backup Agent.

                  "Notice of Default" shall mean a Revolving Credit Notice of
         Default, a Term Loan Notice of Default or a Note Backup Notice of
         Default.

                  "Obligations" shall mean all Revolving Credit Obligations,
         Term Loan Obligations, Note Backup Obligations, Swap Obligations, and
         Collateral Agent Obligations.

                  "Office" of the Collateral Agent shall mean its office located
         at One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or at such other
         domestic office or offices of the Collateral Agent as may be designated
         in writing from time to time by the Collateral Agent to the Borrower
         and the Facility Agents.

                  "Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership,
         trust, limited liability company, unincorporated association, joint
         venture, joint-stock company, Governmental Authority or any other
         entity.

                  "Restricted Investments" shall mean: (a) readily marketable
         obligations backed by the full faith and credit of the United States of
         America, maturing not later than 90 days from the date of acquisition,
         (b) overnight dollar-denominated deposits in, overnight certificates of
         deposit in, or overnight repurchase agreements with, a United States
         commercial bank having shareholders' equity of at least $1,000,000,000
         which has outstanding general unsecured short-term debt rated "A-1" or
         better, and general unsecured short-term debt rated "P-1," in each case
         by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., (c) readily marketable commercial
         paper maturing not 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>   217
         later than 90 days from the date of acquisition and rated "P-1" by
         Moody's Investors Service, Inc., and (d) freely redeemable shares of
         stock or beneficial interest in a money market mutual fund,
         substantially all of the assets of which consist of obligations
         described in the foregoing clauses (a) through (c).

                  "Revolving Credit Agent" at any time shall mean the "Agent"
         under the Revolving Credit Agreement at such time. If there is no Agent
         under the Revolving Credit Agreement at such time, then any notice,
         demand, or other communication required or permitted to be given by the
         Revolving Credit Agent hereunder or under any Shared Security Document
         shall be sufficiently given or made if given by the "Required Lenders"
         (as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement as constituted on the
         date hereof, as such definition may be amended, modified or
         supplemented from time to time, and any successor term of similar
         import from time to time in the Revolving Credit Agreement), and any
         notification, demand, consent, document, payment or other communication
         or item required to be given or made to the Revolving Credit Agent
         shall be sufficiently given or made if given directly to each Revolving
         Credit Party entitled thereto.

                  "Revolving Credit Agreement" shall mean the Revolving Credit
         Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders
         parties thereto from time to time, the issuing banks referred to
         therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same may be amended,
         modified, supplemented, renewed or refinanced from time to time;
         provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement no effect shall
         be given to any amendment, modification, supplement, renewal or
         refinancing entered into without the written consent of the Term Loan
         Agent and the Note Backup Agent that increases the maximum aggregate
         principal amount of extensions of credit thereunder to the Borrower
         (whether in the form of loans, Letters of Credit or otherwise) above
         $75,000,000.

                  "Revolving Credit Documents" shall mean the "Loan Documents"
         as defined in the Revolving Credit Agreement, and any successor term of
         similar import from time to time in the Revolving Credit Agreement.

                  "Revolving Credit LOC" shall mean any letter of credit
         outstanding under the Revolving Credit Agreement from time to time.

                  "Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account" shall have the
         meaning given that term in Section 4.07 hereof.

                  "Revolving Credit LOC Exposure" at any time shall mean the sum
         at such time of (a) the aggregate Revolving Credit LOC Unreimbursed
         Draws and (b) the aggregate Revolving Credit LOC Undrawn Availability.

                  "Revolving Credit LOC Undrawn Availability" with respect to a
         Revolving Credit LOC at any time shall mean the maximum amount
         available to be drawn under such Revolving Credit LOC at such time or
         thereafter, regardless of the existence or satisfaction of any
         conditions or limitations on drawing.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>   218
                  "Revolving Credit LOC Unreimbursed Draws" with respect to a
         Revolving Credit LOC at any time shall mean the aggregate amount at
         such time of all payments made by the issuer under such Revolving
         Credit LOC, to the extent not repaid by the Borrower.

                  "Revolving Credit Notice of Default" shall mean a written
         certification delivered to the Collateral Agent by the Revolving Credit
         Agent at any time stating that a Facility Event of Default or Facility
         Potential Default (as specified therein) has occurred and is continuing
         or exists under the Revolving Credit Agreement, and specifically
         stating that such notice is a "Revolving Credit Notice of Default"
         under this Agreement.

                  "Revolving Credit Obligations" shall mean all obligations from
         time to time of the Borrower to any Revolving Credit Party from time to
         time arising under or in connection with or related to or evidenced by
         or secured by the Revolving Credit Agreement or any other Revolving
         Credit Document, whether such obligations are direct or indirect,
         otherwise secured or unsecured, joint or several, absolute or
         contingent, due or to become due, whether for payment or performance,
         now existing or hereafter arising (specifically including but not
         limited to obligations arising or accruing after the commencement of
         any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings with respect to the
         Borrower, or which would have arisen or accrued but for the
         commencement of such proceeding, even if the claim for such obligation
         is not allowed in such proceeding under applicable Law). Without
         limitation of the foregoing, such obligations include the principal
         amount of loans, interest, Revolving Credit LOC reimbursement
         obligations, and fees, indemnities or expenses under or in connection
         with any Revolving Credit Document. Revolving Credit Obligations shall
         remain such notwithstanding any assignment or transfer or any
         subsequent assignment or transfer of any of the Revolving Credit
         Obligations or any interest therein.

                  "Secured Parties" shall mean the Collateral Agent and the
         Facility Parties.

                  "Secured Party Documents" shall mean the Revolving Credit
         Documents, the Term Loan Documents, the Note Backup Documents and the
         Swap Documents, including the Shared Security Documents.

                  "Shared Collateral" shall mean the collateral from time to
         time subject to or intended or purported to be subject to a Lien under
         the Shared Security Documents.

                  "Shared Collateral Account" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 4.01 hereof.

                  "Shared Security Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the
         Borrower Pledge Agreement, and any other agreements or instruments from
         time to time granting or purporting to grant the Collateral Agent a
         Lien in any property for the benefit of the Secured Parties to secure
         the Obligations.

                  "Shares of Capital Stock" shall mean shares of capital stock
         of, membership interest in, beneficial interest in, or similar
         ownership interest in, a Corporation organized under the Laws of any
         state of the United States or any other jurisdiction, including,
         without limitation, in the 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   219
         case of Corporations incorporated under the Laws of England and Wales,
         equity share capital, ordinary shares and loan stock.

                  "Subsidiary" of a Person at any time shall mean any
         Corporation of which a majority (by number of shares or number of
         votes) of the outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of any class is at
         such time owned directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record, by
         such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and any
         partnership, trust or other Person of which a majority of any class of
         outstanding equity interest is at such time owned directly or
         indirectly, beneficially or of record, by such Person or one or more
         Subsidiaries of such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, as used in the
         preceding sentence "majority" means more than half (and not precisely
         half).

                  "Swap Agreement" shall mean an Interest Rate Hedging Agreement
         which is designated a "Swap Agreement" in accordance with Section 2.03
         hereof, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented from time
         to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "Swap Documents" shall mean each Swap Agreement and the Shared
         Security Documents.

                  "Swap Obligations" shall mean all obligations from time to
         time of the Borrower to any Swap Party under or in connection with a
         Swap Agreement, whether such obligations are direct or indirect,
         otherwise secured or unsecured, joint or several, absolute or
         contingent, due or to become due, whether for payment or performance,
         now existing or hereafter arising (specifically including but not
         limited to obligations arising or accruing after the commencement of
         any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings with respect to the
         Borrower, or which would have arisen or accrued but for the
         commencement of such proceeding, even if the claim for such obligation
         is not allowed in such proceeding under applicable Law).

                  "Swap Party" shall mean any Person who becomes party hereto as
         "Swap Party" in accordance with Section 2.03 hereof.

                  "Swap Shared Security Cap" with respect to a Swap Agreement
         shall have the meaning given that term in the Swap Party Supplement
         with respect to such Swap Agreement.

                  "Term Loan Agent" at any time shall mean the "Agent" under the
         Term Loan Agreement at such time. If there is no Agent under the Term
         Loan Agreement at such time, then any notice, demand, or other
         communication required or permitted to be given by the Term Loan Agent
         hereunder or under any Shared Security Document shall be sufficiently
         given or made if given by the "Required Lenders" (as defined in the
         Term Loan Agreement), and any notification, demand, consent, document,
         payment or other communication or item required to be given or made to
         the Term Loan Agent shall be sufficiently given or made if given
         directly to each Term Loan Party entitled thereto.

                  "Term Loan Agreement" shall mean the Term Loan Agreement of
         even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders parties
         thereto from time to time, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same
         may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time;

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   220
         provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement no effect shall
         be given to any amendment, modification or supplement entered into
         without the written consent of the Revolving Credit Agent and the Note
         Backup Agent that increases the principal amount outstanding
         thereunder.

                  "Term Loan Documents" shall mean the "Loan Documents" as
         defined in the Term Loan Agreement, and any successor term of similar
         import from time to time in the Term Loan Agreements.

                  "Term Loan Notice of Default" shall mean a written
         certification delivered to the Collateral Agent by the Term Loan Agent
         at any time stating that a Facility Event of Default or Facility
         Potential Default (as specified therein) has occurred and is continuing
         or exists under the Term Loan Agreement, and specifically stating that
         such notice is a "Term Loan Notice of Default" under this Agreement.

                  "Term Loan Obligations" shall mean all obligations from time
         to time of the Borrower to any Term Loan Party from time to time
         arising under or in connection with or related to or evidenced by or
         secured by the Term Loan Agreement or any other Term Loan Document,
         whether such obligations are direct or indirect, otherwise secured or
         unsecured, joint or several, absolute or contingent, due or to become
         due, whether for payment or performance, now existing or hereafter
         arising (specifically including but not limited to obligations arising
         or accruing after the commencement of any bankruptcy, insolvency or
         similar proceedings with respect to the Borrower, or which would have
         arisen or accrued but for the commencement of such proceeding, even if
         the claim for such obligation is not allowed in such proceeding under
         applicable Law). Without limitation of the foregoing, such obligations
         include the principal amount of loans, interest, and fees, indemnities
         or expenses under or in connection with any Term Loan Document. Term
         Loan Obligations shall remain such notwithstanding any assignment or
         transfer or any subsequent assignment or transfer of any of the Loan
         Obligations or any interest therein.

                  1.02. CONSTRUCTION. In this Agreement and each other Shared
Security Document, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, references to
the plural include the singular, the singular the plural and the part the whole;
"or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or"; and
"property" includes all properties and assets of any kind or nature, tangible or
intangible, real, personal or mixed. The words "hereof," "herein" and
"hereunder" (and similar terms) in this Agreement or any other Shared Security
Document refer to this Agreement or such other Shared Security Document, as the
case may be, as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement or
such other Shared Security Document. The words "includes" and "including" (and
similar terms) in this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document mean
"includes without limitation" and "including without limitation," respectively
(and similarly for similar terms). References in this Agreement or any other
Shared Security Document to "determination" (and similar terms) by the
Collateral Agent or by any Secured Party include good faith estimates by the
Collateral Agent or by such Secured Party (in the case of quantitative
determinations) and good faith beliefs by the Collateral Agent or by such
Secured Party (in the case of qualitative determinations). No doctrine of
construction of ambiguities in agreements or instruments against the interests
of the party controlling the drafting thereof shall apply to this Agreement or
any other Shared Security Document. The section and other headings contained in
this Agreement and in each other Shared Security Document, and any 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   221
tables of contents contained herein or therein, are for reference purposes only
and shall not affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or
such other Shared Security Document in any respect. Section, subsection, annex,
exhibit and schedule references in this Agreement and in each other Shared
Security Document are to this Agreement or such other Shared Security Document,
as the case may be, unless otherwise specified.


                                   ARTICLE II
                             SECURED PARTY DOCUMENTS

                  2.01. NOTICE OF DEFAULT.

                  (a) EFFECTIVENESS. A Notice of Default given by a Facility
Agent shall become effective upon receipt thereof by the Collateral Agent. A
Notice of Default given by a Facility Agent, once effective, shall remain in
effect unless and until it is cancelled as provided in Section 2.01(b). Upon
receipt of a Notice of Default from a Facility Agent the Collateral Agent shall
promptly notify the Borrower and the other Facility Agents thereof.

                  (b) CANCELLATION. A Facility Agent who gave a Notice of
Default may cancel a Notice of Default given by it by delivering a written
notice of cancellation to the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent shall
promptly notify the Borrower and the other Facility Agents of any such
cancellation.

                  (c) BANKRUPTCY DEFAULTS. A Notice of Default shall be deemed
automatically to be in effect from and after the occurrence of a Bankruptcy
Default. Such Notice of Default may not be cancelled except by written notice of
cancellation by each Facility Agent. The Borrower shall immediately give notice
to the Collateral Agent of any Bankruptcy Default. Any Secured Party may give
notice of a Bankruptcy Default to the Collateral Agent. The Collateral Agent
shall be protected and fully justified in relying on any such notice.

                  (d) EFFECT. To the extent this Agreement or any other Shared
Security Document gives the Collateral Agent any right or remedy upon the
occurrence or existence or during the continuance of a Facility Event of Default
or Facility Potential Default, the Collateral Agent may exercise such right or
remedy regardless of whether it has received a Notice of Default to such effect.
However, the Collateral Agent shall be protected and fully justified in
declining to exercise any such right or remedy at the direction of a Directing
Party absent an effective Notice of Default specifying the existence of a
Facility Event of Default or Facility Potential Default, as the case may be.

                  2.02. THE SWAP AGREEMENT AND THE SWAP PARTY

                  (a) GENERALLY. An Interest Rate Hedging Agreement entered into
by the Borrower shall constitute a "Swap Agreement" entitled to the benefit of
this Agreement, and the counterparty to such agreement shall constitute a "Swap
Party," if and only if the Collateral Agent has received the following items,
each in form and substance satisfactory to it: (i) a Swap Party Supplement
executed by the counterparty in substantially the form of Exhibit A hereto, duly
completed, and consented to by the Facility Agents and the Borrower, pursuant to
which such counterparty shall agree to become party hereto and bound hereby as a
"Swap Party," and pursuant to which a particular Interest Rate Hedging 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   222
Agreement is designated as a "Swap Agreement," and (ii) such bringdown Lien
searches, certificates and evidence of completion of such other acts and things
as the Collateral Agent may require in connection with the foregoing. Each
Facility Agent may grant or withhold such consent in its discretion, subject to
any obligation it may have under the Secured Party Documents to which it is
party to grant or withhold such designation.

                  (b) AMENDMENTS TO THE SWAP PARTY DOCUMENTS. A Swap Agreement
shall cease to constitute a "Swap Agreement" if, without the consent of the
Facility Agents, such Swap Agreement is amended, modified or supplemented,
unless such amendment merely eliminates, waives or renders less restrictive on
the Borrower any term or condition otherwise applicable to the Borrower, reduces
or defers amounts otherwise payable by the Borrower or increases or accelerates
amounts otherwise receivable by the Borrower. Without limiting the generality of
the foregoing, to the extent a Swap Agreement is in the form of a master
agreement, pursuant to which multiple "confirmations" (however named) may be
entered into from time to time, only the transactions evidenced by confirmations
attached to the related Swap Party Supplement shall constitute part of such
"Swap Agreement," and the relevant Swap Party and the Borrower each represent,
warrant and agree that no other transactions have been or will be entered into
pursuant to such master agreement. If the Borrower desires to enter into more
than one Swap Agreement with the same Swap Party at different times, then, if
the provisions of this Agreement are otherwise met, and the Borrower and the
Swap Party so request, all such Swap Agreements may be documented under a single
master agreement, covered by a single Swap Party Supplement (which will
supercede prior Swap Party Supplements relating to such Swap Agreements), in
which case all such Swap Agreements shall be considered to constitute a single
Swap Agreement and will be subject to a single Swap Shared Security Cap.

                  2.03. AMENDMENTS AND REFINANCING.


                  (a) AMENDMENTS TO AND REFINANCING OF THE REVOLVING CREDIT
AGREEMENT. The provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and
effect as applied to any amendment, modification or supplement to or renewal or
refinancing of the Revolving Credit Agreement, provided that the Revolving
Credit Agreement as so amended, modified, supplemented, renewed or refinanced
remains a "Revolving Credit Agreement" as defined herein. In the event of any
such refinancing, the Collateral Agent shall not make any distribution to or for
the benefit of any incoming Revolving Credit Party or otherwise recognize such
Revolving Credit Agreement as the "Revolving Credit Agreement" hereunder or the
incoming Revolving Credit Parties as the "Revolving Credit Parties" hereunder,
unless the Collateral Agent has received the following items, each in form and
substance satisfactory to it: (i) a Revolving Credit Refinancing Supplement,
executed by each incoming Revolving Credit Party in substantially the form of
Exhibit B hereto, duly completed, and consented to by the Borrower, whereby such
incoming Revolving Credit Parties agree to become party hereto and bound hereby
as "Revolving Credit Parties," (ii) a notice from the outgoing Revolving Credit
Agent under Section 2.05 hereof whereby such outgoing Revolving Credit Parties
cease to be "Revolving Credit Parties" hereunder, and (iii) such opinions of
counsel, certificates, bringdown Lien searches, and evidence of completion of
such other acts and things as the Collateral Agent may require in connection
with the foregoing.

                  (b) TERM LOAN AGREEMENT. The provisions of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect as applied to any amendment, modification
or supplement to the Term Loan 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>   223
Agreement, provided that the Term Loan Agreement as so amended, modified or
supplemented remains a "Term Loan Agreement," as defined herein.

                  (c) NOTE BACKUP AGREEMENT. The provisions of this Agreement
shall remain in full force and effect as applied to any amendment, modification
or supplement to the Note Backup Agreement, provided that the Note Backup
Agreement as so amended, modified or supplemented remains a "Note Backup
Agreement" as defined herein.

                  2.04. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS. The Borrower shall, promptly upon
the execution thereof, deliver to the Collateral Agent a true and complete copy
of any and all Shared Security Documents and all amendments, modifications,
supplements, renewals or refinancings of the Shared Security Documents, the
Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, the Note Backup Agreement
or any Swap Agreement.

                  2.05. TERMINATION OF A FACILITY PARTY. In the event there is
delivered to the Collateral Agent at any time:

                  (a) in the case of the Revolving Credit Parties, a written
         notice from the Revolving Credit Agent to the effect that (i) the Liens
         created hereby and by the other Shared Security Documents are to be
         released and discharged with respect to the Revolving Credit Parties,
         or (ii) all commitments to extend credit under the Revolving Credit
         Documents have terminated, all Letters of Credit have terminated, and
         all Revolving Credit Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification
         Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash;

                  (b) in the case of the Term Loan Parties, a written notice
         from the Term Loan Agent to the effect that (i) the Liens created
         hereby and by the other Shared Security Documents are to be released
         and discharged with respect to the Term Loan Parties, or (ii) all Term
         Loan Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations)
         have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash;

                  (c) in the case of the Note Backup Parties, a written notice
         from the Note Backup Agent to the effect that (i) the Liens created
         hereby and by the other Shared Security Documents are to be released
         and discharged with respect to the Note Backup Parties, or (ii) all
         commitments to extend credit under the Note Backup Documents have
         terminated, all Note Backup LOCs have terminated, and all Note Backup
         Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have
         been indefeasibly paid in full in cash; or

                  (d) in the case of a Swap Party, a written notice from such
         Swap Party to the effect that (i) the Liens created hereby and by the
         other Shared Security Documents are to be released and discharged with
         respect to such Swap Party, or (ii) all Interest Rate Hedge Agreements
         under the Swap Documents with respect to such Swap Party have
         terminated and all Swap Obligations (other than Contingent
         Indemnification Obligations) with respect to such Swap Party have been
         indefeasibly paid in full in cash;

then the Facility Parties on whose behalf such notice is given shall for all
purposes hereof cease to be Facility Parties. The Revolving Credit Agent, the
Term Loan Agent, the Note Backup Agent, and each Swap Party, respectively, shall
deliver to the Collateral Agent written notice to the effect set forth in

                                      -14-
<PAGE>   224
clause (a)(ii), (b)(ii), (c)(ii) and (d)(ii), respectively, promptly after
receiving written request to do so by the Borrower after the conditions
described in such clause are satisfied.

                  2.06. CERTAIN INTERCREDITOR MATTERS.

                  (a) PAYMENT OBLIGATIONS NOT SUBORDINATED. The provisions of
Article IV hereof apply solely to priorities of distributions resulting from
realization on the Shared Security Documents, and not to the priorities of the
Obligations. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any other Shared Security
Document is intended to effect a subordination of any Obligation to any other
Obligation. Notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement or any other
Shared Security Document, nothing herein or therein shall limit or impair the
right of each Secured Party to receive payment of the Obligations owing to it
when due (whether at the stated maturity thereof, by acceleration or otherwise)
or to institute suit for the enforcement of such payment on or after such due
date, or the obligation of the Borrower to make such payment when due.

                  (b) RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF SECURED PARTIES NOT IMPAIRED.
Except to the extent specifically provided in this Agreement, nothing contained
herein shall be construed to limit any right or remedy otherwise available to
any Secured Party under any Secured Party Document, at law, in equity, or
otherwise. Nothing contained in this Agreement or in any other Shared Security
Document shall limit or otherwise derogate from the right of any Secured Party
to initiate a proceeding with respect to the Borrower under the U.S. Bankruptcy
Code or similar Laws or to file, vote, give or withhold consent or otherwise
exercise rights in respect to Obligations or any claim in respect thereof in
connection with any proceeding under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code or similar Laws.

                  (c) SHARED COLLATERAL. Subject to Section 2.06(d) hereof, the
Secured Parties hereby agree that, if any Secured Party (other than the
Collateral Agent, in its capacity as such) shall realize any funds on any Shared
Collateral, or otherwise realize any funds under any Shared Security Document,
other than as a result of distributions by the Collateral Agent in accordance
with the provisions of this Agreement or the other Shared Security Documents,
such Secured Party shall forthwith remit the same to the Collateral Agent, who
shall deposit the same in the Shared Collateral Account.

                  (d) SHARING OF SETOFFS. The Facility Parties hereby agree
among themselves that if, so long as a Facility Event of Default is in effect,
any Facility Party shall receive any amount on account of the Obligations
through the exercise of set-off, bankers' lien or similar right against any
accounts maintained by the Borrower with such Facility Party, then the Facility
Party receiving such payment shall notify the Collateral Agent of such receipt,
and equitable adjustment will be made in the manner stated in this Section
2.06(d) so that, in effect, all such amounts will be shared among all of the
Secured Parties as if they had been deposited in the Shared Collateral Account.
The Facility Party receiving such amount shall purchase (which it shall be
deemed to have done simultaneously upon the receipt of such amount) for cash
from the other Facility Parties a participation in the applicable Obligations
owed to such other Facility Parties in such amount as shall result in a sharing
by all Facility Parties of such amount in the proportions in which they would
have been entitled to receive the same had such amount been deposited in the
Shared Collateral Account and distributed to the Secured Parties in accordance
with the terms of this Agreement. If all or any portion of such amount is
thereafter recovered from the Facility Party making such purchase, such purchase
shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of such
recovery, together with interest or other amounts, if any, required by Law to be

                                      -15-
<PAGE>   225
paid by the Facility Party making such purchase. The Borrower hereby consents to
and confirms the foregoing arrangements and hereby confirms the right of the
Facility Parties, without notice to or consent of the Borrower, to create
participations in accordance with this Section 2.08(d) notwithstanding any
restrictions contained elsewhere in the Secured Party Documents. Each holder of
a participation in Obligations shall be bound by this Section 2.06(d) fully as
if it were a Facility Party hereunder.


                                   ARTICLE III
                            SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENTS

                  3.01. GENERAL RELATION TO SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENTS. All of
the powers, remedies and rights of the Collateral Agent as set forth in this
Agreement may be exercised by the Collateral Agent in respect of any other
Shared Security Document as though set forth in full therein and all of the
powers, remedies and rights of the Collateral Agent as set forth in any other
Shared Security Document may be exercised from time to time as herein and
therein provided. Any property taken or held by the Collateral Agent, in its
capacity as such, by foreclosure or otherwise, shall be held by it pursuant to
this Agreement. This Agreement is intended to be supplemental to, and not in
limitation of, the other Shared Security Documents, and the rights and remedies
of the Collateral Agent contained herein and therein are intended to be
cumulative. In the event of any irreconcilable conflict between the provisions
of this Agreement and any Shared Security Document, the provisions of this
Agreement shall prevail.

                  3.02. POWER OF ATTORNEY. The Borrower hereby irrevocably
constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof,
with full power of substitution, as its true and lawful attorney-in-fact with
full power and authority in the name of the Borrower or the name of such
attorney-in-fact, from time to time in the Collateral Agent's discretion, for
the purpose of signing documents and taking other action as the Collateral Agent
may deem necessary or appropriate to perfect, promote and protect the Liens of
the Collateral Agent in the Shared Collateral or otherwise to accomplish the
purposes hereof. This power of attorney is a power coupled with an interest,
shall be irrevocable and shall not be subject to the limitations of Section 3.03
hereof. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, so long as the
Collateral Agent shall be entitled under this Agreement or any other Shared
Security Document to make collections in respect of the Shared Collateral, the
Collateral Agent shall have the right and power to receive, endorse and collect
all checks made payable to the order of the Borrower representing any Shared
Collateral or dividend, payment or other distribution in respect of the Shared
Collateral and to give full discharge for the same.

                  3.03. CERTAIN RIGHTS AFTER FACILITY EVENT OF DEFAULT. The
Borrower hereby irrevocably constitutes and appoints the Collateral Agent and
any officer or agent thereof, with full power of substitution, as its true and
lawful attorney-in-fact with full power and authority in the name of the
Borrower or otherwise, from time to time in the Collateral Agent's discretion,
so long as any Facility Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, to take
any and all appropriate action and to execute any and all documents and
instruments which may be necessary or desirable to carry out the terms of this
Agreement or any other Shared Security Document and to accomplish the purposes
hereof and thereof and, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the
Borrower hereby gives the Collateral Agent the power and right on behalf of the
Borrower, without notice to or further assent by the Borrower, to do the
following:

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<PAGE>   226
                  (a) to ask for, demand, sue for, collect, receive and give
         acquittance for any and all moneys due or to become due upon, or in
         connection with, the Shared Collateral;

                  (b) to receive, take, endorse, assign and deliver any and all
         checks, notes, drafts, acceptances, documents and other negotiable and
         non-negotiable instruments taken or received by the Collateral Agent
         as, or in connection with, the Shared Collateral;

                  (c) to commence, prosecute, defend, settle, compromise or
         adjust any claim, suit, action or proceeding with respect to, or in
         connection with, the Shared Collateral;

                  (d) to sell, transfer, assign or otherwise deal in or with the
         Shared Collateral or any part thereof as fully and effectively as if
         the Collateral Agent were the absolute owner thereof; and

                  (e) to do, at its option and at the expense and for the
         account of the Borrower, at any time or from time to time, all acts and
         things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary to protect or
         preserve the Shared Collateral and to realize upon the Shared
         Collateral.

                  3.04. RIGHT TO INITIATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS. If a Facility
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Agent (a) shall
have the right and power to institute and maintain such suits and proceedings as
it may deem appropriate to protect and enforce the rights vested in it by this
Agreement and each other Shared Security Document and (b) may either after
entry, or without entry, proceed by suit or suits at law or in equity to enforce
such rights and to foreclose upon the Shared Collateral and to sell all or, from
time to time, any of the Shared Collateral under the judgment or decree of a
court of competent jurisdiction.

                  3.05. RIGHT TO APPOINT A RECEIVER. If a Facility Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, upon the filing of a bill in equity or
other commencement of judicial proceedings to enforce the rights of the
Collateral Agent under this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, the
Collateral Agent shall, to the extent permitted by Law and except to the extent
(if any) expressly forbidden by a Shared Security Document, without notice to
the Borrower or any party claiming through the Borrower, without regard to the
solvency or insolvency at the time of the Borrower or any other Person then
liable for the payment of any of the Obligations, without regard to the then
value of the Shared Collateral, and without requiring any bond from any
complainant in such proceedings, be entitled as a matter of right to the
appointment of a receiver or receivers (who may be the Collateral Agent) of the
Shared Collateral, or any part thereof, and of the rents, issues, tolls,
profits, royalties, revenues and other income thereof, pending such proceedings,
with such powers as the court making such appointment shall confer, and to the
entry of an order directing that the rents, issues, tolls, profits, royalties,
revenues and other income of the property constituting the whole or any part of
the Shared Collateral be segregated, sequestered and impounded for the benefit
of the Collateral Agent, and the Borrower irrevocably consents to the
appointments of such receiver or receivers and to the entry of such order;
provided, that notwithstanding the appointment of any receiver, the Collateral
Agent shall be entitled to retain possession and control of all cash held by or
deposited with it pursuant to this Agreement, any other Shared Security Document
or any other Secured Party Document.

                  3.06. REMEDIES NOT EXCLUSIVE, ETC.

                                      -17-
<PAGE>   227
                  (a) REMEDIES NOT EXCLUSIVE. No remedy conferred upon or
reserved to the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party herein or in any
other Shared Security Document is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy
or remedies, but every such remedy shall be cumulative and shall be in addition
to every other remedy conferred herein or in any other Shared Security Document
or now or hereafter existing at law or in equity or otherwise.

                  (b) NO IMPLIED WAIVER, ETC. No delay or omission by the
Collateral Agent to exercise any right, remedy or power hereunder or under any
other Shared Security Document or any other Secured Party Document shall impair
any such right, remedy or power or shall be construed to be a waiver thereof,
and every right, power and remedy given by this Agreement, any other Shared
Security Document or any other Secured Party Document to the Collateral Agent
may be exercised from time to time and as often as may be deemed expedient by
the Collateral Agent.

                  (c) REINSTATEMENT. If the Collateral Agent shall have
proceeded to enforce any right, remedy or power under this Agreement or any
other Shared Security Document and the proceeding for the enforcement thereof
shall have been discontinued or abandoned for any reason or shall have been
determined adversely to the Collateral Agent, then the Borrower, the Collateral
Agent and the Facility Parties shall, subject to any determination in such
proceeding, severally and respectively be restored to their former positions and
rights hereunder or thereunder in all respects and, subject to any determination
in such proceeding, thereafter all rights, remedies and powers of the Collateral
Agent and shall continue as though no such proceeding had been taken.

                  (d) ORIGINAL INSTRUMENTS. All rights of action and of
asserting claims upon or under this Agreement and the other Shared Security
Documents may be enforced by the Collateral Agent without the possession of any
original or executed instrument evidencing or governing any Obligation and
without the production thereof at any trial or other proceeding relative to such
claims, and any suit or proceeding instituted by the Collateral Agent shall be,
subject to the provisions of this Agreement, brought in its name as Collateral
Agent, and any recovery of judgment shall be held as part of the Shared
Collateral Account.

                  3.07. CERTAIN WAIVERS.

                  (a) VALUATION, ETC. The Borrower agrees, to the extent it may
lawfully do so, that it will not at any time in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any appraisement, valuation, stay, extension,
moratorium, turnover or redemption Law, or any Law permitting it to direct the
order in which the Shared Collateral shall be sold, now or at any time hereafter
in force, which may delay, prevent or otherwise affect the performance or
enforcement of this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, hereby
waives all benefit or advantage of all such Laws, and covenants that it will not
hinder, delay or impede under color of any such Law the execution of any power
granted to the Collateral Agent in this Agreement or any other Shared Security
Document but will suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though
no such Law were in force.

                  (b) MARSHALLING, ETC. The Borrower, to the extent it may
lawfully do so, on behalf of itself and all who may claim through or under it,
including without limitation any and all subsequent creditors, vendees,
assignees and lienors, waives and releases all rights to demand or to have any
marshalling of the Shared Collateral upon any sale, whether made under any power
of sale granted 

                                      -18-
<PAGE>   228
herein or in any other Shared Security Document or pursuant to judicial
proceedings or upon any foreclosure or any enforcement of this Agreement or any
other Shared Security Document, and consents and agrees that all the Shared
Collateral may at any such sale be offered and sold as an entirety. To the
fullest extent permitted by Law, the Borrower hereby waives any and all rights
it may at any time have to require the Collateral Agent or any other Secured
Party to exercise its rights and remedies under this Agreement, any other Shared
Security Document any other Secured Party Document, any other agreement or
instrument, at law or in equity, as between different Persons or against any
single Person in any particular order, method or manner.

                  (c) NOTICES, ETC. The Borrower waives, to the extent permitted
by applicable Law, presentment, demand, protest and any notice of any kind
(except notices expressly required hereunder or under any other Shared Security
Document) in connection with this Agreement and the other Shared Security
Documents and any action taken by the Collateral Agent with respect to the
Shared Collateral.

                  3.08. LIMITATION ON COLLATERAL AGENT'S DUTY IN RESPECT OF
SHARED COLLATERAL. Beyond its duties expressly provided herein or in any other
Shared Security Document and its duty to account to the Borrower and Facility
Parties for moneys and other property received by it hereunder or under any
other Shared Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall not have any duty to
the Borrower or Facility Party as to any other Shared Collateral in its
possession or control or in the possession or control of any of its agents or
nominees, or any income thereon or as to the preservation of rights against
prior parties or any other rights pertaining thereto.

                  3.09. FEES, TAXES, ETC. The Borrower agrees to pay upon demand
any and all Lien search, stamp, document, transfer, filing, recording,
registration, excise and sales taxes and fees and any and all similar
impositions now or hereafter payable or determined in good faith by the
Collateral Agent to be payable in connection with this Agreement, the other
Shared Security Documents, or any other documents, instruments or transactions
pursuant to or in connection herewith or therewith, and agrees to save the
Collateral Agent and each Facility Party harmless from and against any and all
present or future claims or liabilities with respect to, or resulting from any
delay in paying or omission to pay, any such fees, taxes or impositions. Such
agreement extends, without limitation, to any and all state documentary stamp or
intangible tax with respect to the filing or recording of this Agreement or any
financing statements or mortgages or other instruments in connection herewith or
in connection with any other Shared Security Document, regardless of whom such
taxes are levied or assessed against. The obligations of the Borrower under this
Section 3.09 shall survive the termination of the other provisions of this
Agreement and the termination of any other Shared Security Document.

                  3.10. MAINTENANCE OF LIENS. The Borrower at its expense will
cause financing statements (and continuation statements with respect to such
financing statements), and any mortgages or other appropriate instruments from
time to time constituting Shared Security Documents, to be recorded, published,
registered and filed in such manner, at such times and in such places, and will
pay all such recording, publishing, registration, filing and other taxes, fees
and charges, and will do such other acts and things as may be required from time
to time to establish, perfect, maintain, preserve, and protect the Liens of the
Shared Security Documents as valid and perfected Liens on the Shared Collateral
covered thereby, prior to all other Liens except Facility Permitted Liens.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   229
                  3.11. FURTHER ASSURANCES. At any time and from time to time,
upon the reasonable request of the Collateral Agent, and at the expense of the
Borrower, the Borrower will promptly execute and deliver any and all such
further instruments and documents and take such further actions as are necessary
or requested to establish, confirm, maintain and continue and to perfect, or to
protect the perfection of, the Liens created and intended to be created
hereunder and under the other Shared Security Documents, and all assignments
made or intended to be made pursuant thereto, or to obtain the full benefits of
this Agreement and the other Shared Security Documents and of the rights and
powers herein and therein granted, including, without limitation, the execution
and delivery of any further deeds, conveyances, mortgages, assignments, security
agreements, pledges and further assurances and the filing of any financing or
continuation statements. The Borrower also hereby authorizes the Collateral
Agent to sign and file financing statements and continuation statements at any
time with respect to any Shared Collateral without the signature of the Borrower
(where permitted by applicable Law) and appoints the Collateral Agent as its
attorney-in-fact to do all other acts and things which the Collateral Agent may
deem necessary or advisable to preserve, perfect and continue perfected the
Collateral Agent's Liens in the Shared Collateral.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    ACCOUNTS

                  4.01. SHARED COLLATERAL ACCOUNT. Not later than the first date
on which funds are required to be deposited therein pursuant to this Agreement
or any other Shared Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall maintain an
account (the "Shared Collateral Account") at such office as it may designate
from time to time in its own name as Collateral Agent. All right, title and
interest in and to the Shared Collateral Account and funds on deposit therein
and investments and reinvestments thereof shall vest in the Collateral Agent and
shall be subject to the exclusive dominion and control of the Collateral Agent.

                  4.02. INVESTMENT. The Collateral Agent shall invest and
reinvest moneys on deposit in the Shared Collateral Account in its own name in
such Restricted Investments as the Collateral Agent may select in its
discretion, and all such investments and the interest and income received
thereon and the net proceeds on the sale or redemption thereof shall be held in
the Shared Collateral Account. The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible or
liable to any other Person for any loss or decline in value of such investments
or any loss or penalties incurred in the liquidation or sale thereof.
 The Collateral Agent may liquidate investments prior to maturity to make a
distribution pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof.

                  4.03. DEPOSITS. Except to the extent, if any, otherwise
expressly provided in this Agreement or in another Shared Security Document, all
moneys which are required by this Agreement or any other Shared Security
Document to be delivered to the Collateral Agent in its capacity as such, or
which are received by the Collateral Agent in its capacity as such in respect of
any property described in the Shared Security Documents (as proceeds of Shared
Collateral or otherwise), shall be deposited by the Collateral Agent in the
Shared Collateral Account. No other funds shall be deposited in the Shared
Collateral Account or commingled with funds in the Shared Collateral Account.

                  4.04. DISTRIBUTIONS. The Collateral Agent shall make
distributions from the Shared Collateral Account from time to time when directed
by the Directing Party or at such other times as it

                                      -20-
<PAGE>   230
may in good faith believe are required by Law, except that the Collateral Agent
shall have the right at any time to apply monies held by it in the Shared
Collateral Account to the payment of due and unpaid Collateral Agent
Obligations. All remaining monies held by the Collateral Agent in the Shared
Collateral Account shall be distributed by the Collateral Agent as follows:

                  First: to the Collateral Agent for any Collateral Agent
         Obligations due and unpaid upon such distribution date;

                  Second: to (a) the Revolving Credit Agent, for the payment of
         all amounts due to the Revolving Credit Agent in its capacity as such
         which are unpaid on such distribution date, (b) the Term Loan Agent,
         for the payment of all amounts due to the Term Loan Agent in its
         capacity as such which are unpaid on such distribution date, and (c)
         the Note Backup Agent, for the payment of all amounts due to the Note
         Backup Agent in its capacity as such which are unpaid on such
         distribution date; provided, that if such monies to be distributed by
         the Collateral Agent shall be insufficient to pay in full the amounts
         referred to in the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c), then such
         distribution shall be made ratably (without priority of any one over
         any other) to the Revolving Credit Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the
         Note Backup Agent in proportion to the respective amounts referred to
         in the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c) on such distribution date;

                  Third: to (a) the Revolving Credit Agent, for the account of
         the Revolving Credit Parties, in an amount equal to all amounts due and
         payable to the Revolving Credit Parties on such distribution date with
         respect to Revolving Credit Obligations (including obligations to pay
         Revolving Credit LOC Unreimbursed Draws and to provide cash collateral
         for outstanding undrawn Letters of Credit, but only to the extent the
         aggregate Revolving Credit LOC Exposure exceeds the amount on deposit
         in the Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account) (to the extent not paid
         pursuant to item "Second" above), (b) the Term Loan Agent, for the
         account of the Term Loan Parties, in an amount equal to all amounts due
         and payable to the Term Loan Parties on such distribution date with
         respect to Term Loan Obligations (to the extent not paid pursuant to
         item "Second" above), (c) the Note Backup Agent, for the account of the
         Note Backup Parties, in an amount equal to all amounts due and payable
         to the Note Backup Parties on such distribution date with respect to
         Note Backup Obligations (including obligations to pay Note Backup LOC
         Unreimbursed Draws and to provide cash collateral for outstanding
         undrawn Note Backup LOCs, but only to the extent the aggregate Note
         Backup LOC Exposure exceeds the amount on deposit in the Note Backup
         LOC Collateral Account) (to the extent not paid pursuant to item
         "Second" above), and (d) each Swap Party, in an amount (calculated
         separately for each Swap Agreement to which such Swap Party is party)
         equal to the lesser of (i) all amounts due and payable to the Swap
         Party on such distribution date with respect to Swap Obligations under
         or in connection with such Swap Agreement or (ii) the Swap Shared
         Security Cap for such Swap Agreement minus the aggregate amount of all
         distributions previously made from time to time to the Swap Party with
         respect to Swap Obligations under or in connection with such Swap
         Agreement pursuant to this item "Third"; provided, that if such moneys
         to be distributed by the Collateral Agent shall be insufficient to pay
         in full the amounts referred to in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c)
         and (d), then such distribution shall be made ratably (without priority
         of any one over any other) to the Revolving Credit Agent, the Term Loan
         Agent, the Note Backup Agent and the Swap Parties in proportion to the
         respective amounts referred to in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c)
         and (d) on such distribution date; and 

                                      -21-
<PAGE>   231
         further provided, that no further distributions shall be made under
         this item "Third" to a Swap Party on account of Swap Obligations under
         or in connection with a particular Swap Agreement once the aggregate
         amount of all distributions made from time to time to such Swap Party
         on account of Swap Obligations under or in connection with such Swap
         Agreement pursuant to clause (d) of this item "Third" shall equal the
         Swap Shared Security Cap for such Swap Agreement; and further provided,
         that no further distributions shall be made under this item "Third"
         once the aggregate amount of all distributions made from time to time
         pursuant to clause (d) of this item "Third" to each Swap Party on
         account of the Swap Obligations under or in connection with each Swap
         Agreement shall equal the Swap Shared Security Cap for all such Swap
         Agreements;

                  Fourth: to (a) the Revolving Credit Agent, for the account of
         the Revolving Credit Parties, in an amount equal to all amounts due and
         payable to the Revolving Credit Parties on such distribution date with
         respect to Revolving Credit Obligations (including obligations to pay
         Revolving Credit LOC Unreimbursed Draws and to provide cash collateral
         for outstanding undrawn Letters of Credit, but only to the extent the
         aggregate Revolving Credit LOC Exposure exceeds the amount on deposit
         in the Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account) (to the extent not paid
         pursuant to items "Second" and "Third" above), (b) the Term Loan Agent,
         for the account of the Term Loan Parties, in an amount equal to all
         amounts due and payable to the Term Loan Parties on such distribution
         date with respect to Term Loan Obligations (to the extent not paid
         pursuant to items "Second" and "Third" above), and (c) the Note Backup
         Agent, for the account of the Note Backup Parties, in an amount equal
         to all amounts due and payable to the Note Backup Parties on such
         distribution date with respect to Note Backup Obligations (including
         obligations to pay Note Backup LOC Unreimbursed Draws and to provide
         cash collateral for outstanding undrawn Note Backup LOCs, but only to
         the extent the aggregate Note Backup LOC Exposure exceeds the amount on
         deposit in the Note Backup LOC Collateral Account) (to the extent not
         paid pursuant to items "Second" and "Third" above); provided, that if
         such moneys to be distributed by the Collateral Agent shall be
         insufficient to pay in full the amounts referred to in the foregoing
         clauses (a), (b) and (c), then such distribution shall be made ratably
         (without priority of any one over any other) to the Revolving Credit
         Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Note Backup Agent in proportion to
         the respective amounts referred to in the foregoing clauses (a), (b)
         and (c) on such distribution date;

                  Fifth: to each Swap Party, in an amount equal to all amounts
         due and payable to the Swap Party on such distribution date with
         respect to Swap Obligations (to the extent not paid pursuant to item
         "Third" above); provided, that if such moneys to be distributed by the
         Collateral Agent shall be insufficient to pay in full the amounts
         referred to in the foregoing clause, then such distribution shall be
         made ratably (without priority of any one over any other) to the Swap
         Parties in proportion to the respective amounts referred to in the
         foregoing clause on such distribution date; and

                  Finally: if all Revolving Credit Obligations, Term Loan
         Obligations, Note Backup Obligations and Swap Obligations (other than,
         in each case, Contingent Indemnification Obligations) shall have been
         indefeasably paid in full in cash, all commitments to extend credit
         under the Revolving Credit Agreement shall have terminated, all
         outstanding Letters of Credit shall have terminated, all commitments to
         extend credit under the Note Backup Agreement shall have terminated,
         all outstanding Note Backup LOCs shall have terminated, and all
         Interest 

                                      -22-
<PAGE>   232
         Rate Hedge Agreements under the Swap Documents have terminated, any
         surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Borrower or its successors
         or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the
         same or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

                  4.05. CALCULATIONS. In making the determinations and
allocations required by Section 4.04 hereof, the Collateral Agent may rely upon
information supplied by (a) the Revolving Credit Agent, as to the amounts
described in clause (a) of item "Second", clause (a) of item "Third", and clause
(a) of item "Fourth", (b) the Term Loan Agent, as to the amounts described in
clause (b) of item "Second", clause (b) of item "Third", and clause (b) of item
"Fourth", (c) the Note Backup Agent, as to the amounts described in clause (c)
of item "Second", clause (c) of item "Third" and clause (c) of item "Fourth,"
and (d) each Swap Party, as to the amounts described in clause (d) of item
"Third" and item "Fifth," and the Collateral Agent shall have no liability to
any Secured Party for actions taken in reliance on such information. All
distributions made by the Collateral Agent pursuant to Section 4.04 hereof shall
be final as against the Collateral Agent (subject to any decree of any court of
competent jurisdiction), and the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to inquire
as to the application by any Secured Party of any amounts distributed to it.

                  4.06. APPLICATION OF MONIES. Each Secured Party agrees to
apply monies distributed under Section 4.04 hereof to the corresponding
obligation described therein.

                  4.07. REVOLVING CREDIT LOC COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.

                  (a) REVOLVING CREDIT LOC COLLATERAL ACCOUNT. Not later than
the first date on which funds are required to be deposited therein pursuant to
this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall
maintain an account (the "Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account") at such
office as it may designate from time to time in its own name as Collateral
Agent.

                  (b) INVESTMENT. The Collateral Agent shall invest and reinvest
moneys on deposit in the Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account in its own name
in such Restricted Investments as the Collateral Agent may select in its
discretion, and all such investments and the interest and income received
thereon and the net proceeds on the sale or redemption thereof shall be held in
the Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account. The Collateral Agent shall not be
responsible or liable to any other Person for any loss or decline in value of
such investments or any loss or penalties incurred in the liquidation or sale
thereof. The Collateral Agent may liquidate investments prior to maturity to
make a distribution pursuant to Section 4.07(d) hereof or otherwise permitted or
required pursuant to this Agreement.

                  (c) DEPOSITS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, all funds distributable from the Shared Collateral Account
under Section 4.04 hereof on account of Revolving Credit LOC Exposure shall be
deposited into the Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account. In addition, the
Revolving Credit Agent shall remit to the Collateral Agent, for deposit into the
Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account, such amounts as the Revolving Credit
Agreement or any Revolving Credit Document requires or permits to be deposited
therein. No other funds shall be deposited in the Revolving Credit LOC
Collateral Account or commingled with funds in the Revolving Credit LOC
Collateral Account.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   233
                  (d) DISBURSEMENTS. The Collateral Agent shall remit funds on
deposit from time to time in the Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account to, or
at the direction of, the Revolving Credit Agent when and as requested by the
Revolving Credit Agent for the reimbursement of Revolving Credit LOC
Unreimbursed Draws, as and when the same become due and payable, if and to the
extent the Borrower fails to pay the same. The Revolving Credit Agent shall
forthwith remit, or cause the Collateral Agent to remit, such funds to the
Secured Party which is the issuer of such Revolving Credit LOC, who shall apply
such funds to payment of such Revolving Credit LOC Unreimbursed Draw. If at any
time the amount on deposit in the Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account
exceeds the aggregate Revolving Credit LOC Exposure with respect to all
outstanding Letters of Credit, the excess shall be deposited into the Shared
Collateral Account.

                  4.08. NOTE BACKUP LOC COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.

                  (a) NOTE BACKUP LOC COLLATERAL ACCOUNT. Not later than the
first date on which funds are required to be deposited therein pursuant to this
Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, the Collateral Agent shall
maintain an account (the "Note Backup LOC Collateral Account") at such office as
it may designate from time to time in its own name as Collateral Agent.

                  (b) INVESTMENT. The Collateral Agent shall invest and reinvest
moneys on deposit in the Note Backup LOC Collateral Account in its own name in
such Restricted Investments as the Collateral Agent may select in its
discretion, and all such investments and the interest and income received
thereon and the net proceeds on the sale or redemption thereof shall be held in
the Note Backup LOC Collateral Account. The Collateral Agent shall not be
responsible or liable to any other Person for any loss or decline in value of
such investments or any loss or penalties incurred in the liquidation or sale
thereof. The Collateral Agent may liquidate investments prior to maturity to
make a distribution pursuant to Section 4.08(d) hereof or otherwise permitted or
required pursuant to this Agreement.

                  (c) DEPOSITS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
contained herein, all funds distributable from the Shared Collateral Account
under Section 4.04 hereof on account of Note Backup LOC Exposure shall be
deposited into the Note Backup LOC Collateral Account. In addition, the Note
Backup Agent shall remit to the Collateral Agent, for deposit into the Note
Backup LOC Collateral Account, such amounts as the Note Backup Agreement or any
Note Backup Document requires or permits to be deposited therein. No other funds
shall be deposited in the Note Backup LOC Collateral Account or commingled with
funds in the Note Backup LOC Collateral Account.

                  (d) DISBURSEMENTS. The Collateral Agent shall remit funds on
deposit from time to time in the Note Backup LOC Collateral Account to, or at
the direction of, the Note Backup Agent when and as requested by the Note Backup
Agent for the reimbursement of Note Backup LOC Unreimbursed Draws, as and when
the same become due and payable, if and to the extent the Borrower fails to pay
the same. The Note Backup Agent shall forthwith remit, or cause the Collateral
Agent to remit, such funds to the Secured Party which is the issuer of such Note
Backup LOC, who shall apply such funds to payment of such Note Backup LOC
Unreimbursed Draw. If at any time the amount on deposit in the Note Backup LOC
Collateral Account exceeds the aggregate Note Backup LOC Exposure with respect
to all outstanding Note Backup LOCs, the excess shall be deposited into the
Shared Collateral Account.

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<PAGE>   234
                  4.09. GENERAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO ACCOUNTS. To the extent
that the Collateral Agent is permitted or required by this Agreement or any
other Shared Security Document to establish or maintain any deposit, custody or
other account (including but not limited to the Shared Collateral Account, the
Revolving Credit LOC Collateral Account and the Note Backup LOC Collateral
Account), the Borrower shall from time to time pay to the Collateral Agent, for
its own account, all custodial fees, service charges, and other fees and charges
as the Collateral Agent customarily charges in respect of similar accounts from
time to time. The Collateral Agent may establish and maintain such subaccounts
as it may elect from time to time within any such account, and to the extent it
does so, each such subaccount shall be accounted for separately and the
Collateral Agent may apportion deposits and withdrawals among such subaccounts
in such manner as it may elect. Nothing in this Agreement or any other Secured
Party Document shall be construed to require the Collateral Agent to offer to
make any investment in the Collateral Agent's own certificates of deposit or in
other investment media of the Collateral Agent. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, the Agent
shall not be liable for any failure to perform, inability to perform, or delay
in performance due to acts of God, war, civil commotion, governmental action,
fire, explosion, strikes, other labor disturbances, equipment malfunction,
interruption of communications facilities, any action, non-action or delayed
action on the part of any other Person other than the Collateral Agent, or other
causes beyond the Collateral Agent's reasonable control.


                                    ARTICLE V
                              THE COLLATERAL AGENT

                  5.01. APPOINTMENT. Each Facility Party hereby irrevocably
appoints Mellon Bank, N.A. to act as Collateral Agent for the Facility Parties
under this Agreement and the other Shared Security Documents. Each Facility
Party hereby irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent to take such action on
behalf of the Facility Parties under the provisions of this Agreement and the
other Shared Security Documents, and to exercise such powers and to perform such
duties, as are expressly delegated to or required of the Collateral Agent by the
terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto. Mellon Bank, N.A. hereby agrees to act as Collateral Agent on behalf of
the Facility Parties on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement and
the other Shared Security Documents, subject to its right to resign as provided
herein. Each Facility Party hereby irrevocably authorizes the Collateral Agent
to execute and deliver each of the Shared Security Documents and to accept
delivery of such of the other Shared Security Documents as may not require
execution by the Collateral Agent. Each Facility Party hereby agrees that the
rights and remedies granted to the Collateral Agent under the Shared Security
Documents shall be exercised exclusively by the Collateral Agent, and that no
Facility Party shall have any right individually to exercise any such right or
remedy, except to the extent, if any, expressly provided herein or therein.

                  5.02. GENERAL NATURE OF COLLATERAL AGENT'S DUTIES.

                  (a) NO IMPLIED DUTIES. The Collateral Agent shall have no
duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement
and the other Shared Security Documents, and no implied duties or
responsibilities on the part of the Collateral Agent shall be read into this
Agreement or any Shared Security Document or shall otherwise exist.

                                      -25-
<PAGE>   235
                  (b) NOT A FIDUCIARY. The duties and responsibilities of the
Collateral Agent under this Agreement and the other Shared Security Documents
shall be mechanical and administrative in nature, and the Collateral Agent shall
not have a fiduciary relationship in respect of any Facility Party.

                  (c) AGENT OF FACILITY PARTIES. The Collateral Agent is and
shall be solely the agent of the Facility Parties. The Collateral Agent does not
assume, and shall not at any time be deemed to have, any relationship of agency
or trust with or for the Borrower or any Person other than the Facility Parties.
The provisions of this Article V are for the benefit of the Facility Parties
(and the other Persons named in Section 5.07 hereof), and the Borrower shall not
have any rights under any of the provisions of this Article V (other than
Sections 5.11(a) and 5.15(b) hereof).

                  (d) NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE ACTION. The Collateral Agent shall
be under no obligation to take any action hereunder or under any other Shared
Security Document if the Collateral Agent believes in good faith that taking
such action may conflict with any Law or any provision of this Agreement or any
other Shared Security Document, or may require the Collateral Agent to qualify
to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so qualified.

                  5.03. EXERCISE OF POWERS. Subject to the other provisions of
this Agreement and the other Shared Security Documents, the Collateral Agent
shall take any action of the type specified in this Agreement or any other
Shared Security Document as being within the Collateral Agent's rights, powers
or discretion in accordance with directions from the Directing Party (or, to the
extent this Agreement or such Shared Security Document expressly requires the
direction or consent of some other Person or set of Persons, then instead in
accordance with the directions of such other Person or set of Persons). In the
absence of such directions, the Collateral Agent shall have the authority (but
under no circumstances shall be obligated), in its sole discretion, to take any
such action, except to the extent this Agreement or such Shared Security
Document expressly requires the direction or consent of the Directing Party (or
some other Person or set of Persons), in which case the Collateral Agent shall
not take such action absent such direction or consent. Any action or inaction
pursuant to such direction, discretion or consent shall be binding on all the
Facility Parties. The Collateral Agent shall not have any liability to any
Person as a result of (x) the Collateral Agent acting or refraining from acting
in accordance with the directions of the Directing Party (or other applicable
Person or set of Persons), (y) the Collateral Agent refraining from acting in
the absence of instructions to act from the Directing Party (or other applicable
Person or set of Persons), whether or not the Collateral Agent has discretionary
power to take such action, or (z) the Collateral Agent taking discretionary
action it is authorized to take under this Section (subject, in the case of this
clause (z), to the provisions of Section 5.04(a) hereof).

                  5.04. GENERAL EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS.

                  (a) GENERAL. The Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any
action taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this
Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, unless caused by its own gross
negligence or willful misconduct.

                  (b) COLLATERAL AGENT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SHARED SECURITY
DOCUMENTS, ETC. The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible for (i) the
execution, delivery, effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or
adequacy of this Agreement or any other Secured Party Document, (ii) any
recital, representation, warranty, document, certificate, report or statement
in, provided for in, or 

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   236
received under or in connection with, this Agreement or any other Secured Party
Document, (iii) any failure of the Borrower or any Facility Party to perform any
of their respective obligations under this Agreement or any other Secured Party
Document, (iv) the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, recordation,
priority, adequacy or value, now or hereafter, of any Lien or other direct or
indirect security afforded or purported to be afforded by any of the Shared
Security Documents or otherwise from time to time, or (v) except to the extent,
if any, expressly provided in the Shared Security Documents, caring for,
protecting, insuring, or paying any taxes, charges or assessments with respect
to any Shared Collateral.

                  (c) NO DUTY OF INQUIRY. The Collateral Agent shall not be
under any obligation to ascertain, inquire or give any notice relating to (i)
the performance or observance of any of the terms or conditions of this
Agreement or any other Shared Security Document on the part of the Borrower,
(ii) the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects
of the Borrower or any other Person, or (iii) the existence of any default under
any Secured Party Document.

                  (d) NOTICES. The Collateral Agent shall not be under any
obligation, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Facility
Party with any notices, reports or information of any nature, whether in its
possession presently or hereafter, except for such notices, reports and other
information expressly required by this Agreement or any other Shared Security
Document to be furnished by the Collateral Agent to such Facility Party.

                  5.05. ADMINISTRATION BY THE COLLATERAL AGENT.

                  (a) RELIANCE ON NOTICES. The Collateral Agent may rely upon
any notice or other communication of any nature (written or oral, including but
not limited to telephone conversations, whether or not such notice or other
communication is made in a manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any
Shared Security Document) purportedly made by or on behalf of the proper party
or parties, and the Collateral Agent shall not have any duty to verify the
identity or authority of any Person giving such notice or other communication.

                  (b) CONSULTATION. The Collateral Agent may consult with legal
counsel (including, without limitation, in-house counsel for the Collateral
Agent or in-house or other counsel for the Borrower), independent public
accountants and any other experts selected by it from time to time, and the
Collateral Agent shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken
in good faith by it in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants
or experts.

                  (c) RELIANCE ON CERTIFICATES, ETC. The Collateral Agent may
conclusively rely upon the truth of the statements and the correctness of the
opinions expressed in any certificates or opinions furnished to the Collateral
Agent in accordance with the requirements of this Agreement or any other Shared
Security Document. Whenever the Collateral Agent shall deem it necessary or
desirable that a matter be proved or established with respect to the Borrower or
any Facility Party, such matter may be established by a certificate of the
Borrower or such Facility Party, as the case may be, and the Collateral Agent
may conclusively rely upon such certificate (unless other evidence with respect
to such matter is specifically prescribed in this Agreement or another Shared
Security Document).

                  (d) INDEMNITY. The Collateral Agent may fail or refuse to take
any action unless it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction from time to time
against any and all amounts, liabilities,

                                      -27-
<PAGE>   237
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature which may be imposed on,
incurred by or asserted against the Collateral Agent by reason of taking or
continuing to take any such action.

                  (e) PERFORMANCE THROUGH AGENTS. The Collateral Agent may
perform any of its duties under this Agreement or any other Shared Security
Document by or through agents or attorneys-in-fact. The Collateral Agent shall
not be responsible for the negligence or misconduct of any agents or
attorneys-in-fact selected by it with reasonable care.

                  5.06. NO RELIANCE BY FACILITY PARTIES. Each Facility Party
hereby acknowledges as follows: (a) Neither the Collateral Agent nor any other
Facility Party has made any representations or warranties to it, and no act
taken hereafter by the Collateral Agent or any other Facility Party shall be
deemed to constitute any representation or warranty by the Collateral Agent or
such other Facility Party to it. (b) It has, independently and without reliance
upon the Collateral Agent or any other Facility Party, and based upon such
documents and information as it has deemed appropriate, made its own credit and
legal analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement and the other Secured
Party Documents. (c) It will, independently and without reliance upon the
Collateral Agent or any other Facility Party, and based upon such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, make its own decisions to
take or not take action under or in connection with this Agreement and the other
Secured Party Documents.

                  5.07. INDEMNIFICATION. Each Facility Lender hereby agrees to
reimburse and indemnify each Collateral Agent Indemnified Party (to the extent
not reimbursed by the Borrower and without limitation of the obligations of the
Borrower to do so), ratably in proportion to its Facility Lender Percentage,
from and against, any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the fees and
disbursements of outside counsel for such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party in
connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding
commenced or threatened, whether or not such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party
shall be designated a party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on,
asserted against or incurred by such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party as a
result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason of this
Agreement or any other Secured Party Document, any transaction from time to time
contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction financed or secured in whole
or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of any extension of credit
hereunder or thereunder or the proceeds thereof (and without in any way limiting
the generality of the foregoing, including any grant of any Lien on Collateral
or any exercise by the Collateral Agent or any Facility Party of any of its
rights or remedies under this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document);
but excluding any portion of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages,
expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or
disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
Collateral Agent Indemnified Party, as finally determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction. The agreements contained in this Section 5.07 shall
survive the termination of this Agreement and the other Shared Security
Documents.

                  5.08. COLLATERAL AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. The
Collateral Agent may be a Facility Party, and in such event the Collateral
Agent, in its capacity as Facility Party, shall have the same rights and powers
under this Agreement and each other Secured Party Document as any other Facility
Party and may exercise the same as thought it were not the Collateral Agent. The
Collateral 

                                      -28-
<PAGE>   238
Agent and its affiliates may, without liability to account, make loans to,
accept deposits from, acquire debt or equity interests in, enter into interest
rate or currency hedging transactions with, act as trustee under indentures of,
and engage in any other business or transaction with, the Borrower or any
stockholder, subsidiary or affiliate of the Borrower, as though the Collateral
Agent were not the Collateral Agent hereunder.

                  5.09. FACILITY PARTIES. Each Facility Party agrees to deliver
to the Collateral Agent promptly upon its request such information with respect
to the Obligations held by such Secured Party (or, in the case of a Facility
Agent, Obligations under the Revolving Credit Agreement, Term Loan Agreement or
Note Backup Agreement, as the case may be, agented by such Facility Agent) as
the Collateral Agent may request from time to time for the purpose of taking any
action required or permitted to be taken by the Collateral Agent under this
Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, and the Collateral Agent may
rely conclusively upon such information. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing, the Collateral Agent may rely conclusively upon information supplied
by each Facility Agent as to the identity of each Facility Party under the
Revolving Credit Agreement, Term Loan Agreement or Note Backup Agreement, as the
case may be, agented by such Facility Agent, and as to the Facility Lender
Percentage of each Facility Lender at any time. Any authority, direction or
consent of any Person who at the time of giving such authority, direction or
consent is a Facility Party shall be conclusive and binding on each present and
subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of such Facility Party.

                  5.10. SUCCESSOR COLLATERAL AGENT. The Collateral Agent may
resign at any time by giving 45 days' prior written notice thereof to each
Facility Agent and the Borrower. The Collateral Agent may be removed by the
Facility Agents, acting together, at any time by giving 10 days' prior written
notice thereof to the Collateral Agent and the Borrower. Upon any such
resignation or removal, the Facility Agents, acting together, shall have the
right to appoint a successor Collateral Agent. If no successor Collateral Agent
shall have been so appointed and consented to, and shall have accepted such
appointment, within 30 days after such notice of resignation or removal, then
the retiring Collateral Agent may (but shall not be required to) appoint a
successor Collateral Agent. If no successor Collateral Agent shall be appointed
and shall have accepted such appointment within thirty days after such notice of
resignation or removal, any Secured Party may apply to any court of competent
jurisdiction to appoint a successor Collateral Agent until such time, if any, as
a successor Collateral Agent shall have been appointed as provided in this
Section 5.10. Any successor so appointed by such court shall immediately and
without further act be superseded by any successor Collateral Agent appointed by
the Agent as provided in this Section 5.10. Each successor Collateral Agent
shall be a commercial bank or trust company organized under the laws of the
United States of America or any State thereof and having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance by a successor Collateral
Agent of its appointment as Collateral Agent hereunder, such successor
Collateral Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the
properties, rights, powers, privileges and duties of the former Collateral Agent
in its capacity as such, without further act, deed or conveyance. Upon the
effective date of resignation or removal of a retiring Collateral Agent, such
Collateral Agent shall be discharged from its duties as such under this
Agreement and the other Shared Security Documents, but the provisions of this
Agreement shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken or omitted by it
while it was Collateral Agent under this Agreement. If and so long as no
successor Collateral Agent shall have been appointed, then any notice or other
communication required or permitted to be 

                                      -29-
<PAGE>   239
given by the Collateral Agent shall be sufficiently given if given by the
Directing Party, all notices or other communications required or permitted to be
given to the Collateral Agent shall be given to each Lender, and all payments to
be made to the Collateral Agent shall be made directly to the Borrower or
Facility Party for whose account such payment is made. Notwithstanding any other
provision of this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document to the
contrary, neither the Collateral Agent nor any of its directors, officers,
employees or agents shall be liable to any Facility Party for any action taken
or omitted to be taken by it or them under or in connection with this Section
5.10.

                  5.11. ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL AGENTS.

                  (a) APPOINTMENT. Whenever the Collateral Agent shall deem it
necessary or advisable, for its own protection in the performance of its duties
hereunder or in the interest of the Facility Parties, or in the event that the
Collateral Agent shall have been requested to do so by the Directing Party, the
Collateral Agent and the Borrower shall execute and deliver all instruments and
agreements necessary or advisable, in the judgment of the Collateral Agent, to
constitute another bank or trust company, or one or more other Persons approved
by the Collateral Agent and, so long as no Facility Event of Default shall have
occurred and be continuing, consented to by the Borrower (which consent shall
not be unreasonably withheld or delayed), either to act as an additional
collateral agent or trustee of all or any part of the Shared Collateral, jointly
with the Collateral Agent, or to act as a separate collateral agent or trustee
of all or any part of the Shared Collateral (any such additional or separate
collateral agent or trustee being herein called an "Additional Collateral
Agent"). If the Borrower shall have withheld its consent as provided above and
shall not have joined in the execution of such instruments and agreements within
ten days after the Borrower receives a written request from the Collateral Agent
to do so, or if a Facility Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the
Collateral Agent may act under the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.11(a)
without the concurrence of the Borrower and execute and deliver such instruments
and agreements on behalf of the Borrower. The Borrower hereby irrevocably
appoints the Collateral Agent as its agent and attorney-in-fact to act for it
under the foregoing provisions of this Section 5.11(a) in any such contingency.

                  (b) PROVISIONS. Every Additional Collateral Agent shall, to
the extent permitted by Law, be appointed and act and be such, subject to the
following provisions and conditions:

                  (i) all powers, duties, obligations and rights conferred upon
         the Collateral Agent in respect of the receipt, custody, investment and
         payment of moneys, shall be exercised solely by the Collateral Agent;

                  (ii) all other rights, powers, duties and obligations
         conferred or imposed upon the Collateral Agent hereunder and under the
         Shared Security Documents shall be conferred or imposed and exercised
         or performed by the Collateral Agent and such Additional Collateral
         Agent, jointly, as shall be provided in the instrument appointing such
         Additional Collateral Agent, except to the extent that under any law of
         any jurisdiction in which any particular act or acts are to be
         performed the Collateral Agent shall be incompetent or unqualified to
         perform such act or acts, or unless the performance of such act or acts
         would result in the imposition of any tax on the Collateral Agent which
         would not be imposed absent such joint acts or acts, in which event
         such rights, powers, duties and obligations shall be exercised and
         performed by such Additional Collateral Agent;

                                      -30-
<PAGE>   240
                  (iii) no power given hereby or by the Shared Security
         Documents to, or with respect to which it is hereby or thereby provided
         may be exercised by, any such Additional Collateral Agent, shall be
         exercised hereunder or thereunder by such Additional Collateral Agent
         except jointly with, or with the consent of, the Collateral Agent,
         anything contained herein to the contrary notwithstanding;

                  (iv) no Collateral Agent or Additional Collateral Agent shall
         be personally liable by reason of any act or omission of any other
         Person which is a Collateral Agent or Additional Collateral Agent; and

                  (v) the Borrower and the Collateral Agent, at any time by an
         instrument in writing executed by them jointly, may accept the
         resignation of or remove any Additional Collateral Agent and, in that
         case by an instrument in writing executed by them jointly, may appoint
         a successor Additional Collateral Agent. If the Borrower shall not have
         joined in the execution of any such instrument within ten days after
         receipt of a written request from the Collateral Agent to do so as
         provided above, or if a Facility Event of Default shall have occurred
         and be continuing, the Collateral Agent shall have the power to accept
         the resignation of or remove any such Additional Collateral Agent and
         to appoint a successor without the consent of the Borrower, which
         hereby irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent its agent and
         attorney-in-fact to act for it in such connection in any such
         contingency. If the Collateral Agent shall have appointed an Additional
         Collateral Agent as above provided, the Collateral Agent may at any
         time, by an instrument in writing, accept the resignation of or remove
         any such Additional Collateral Agent and the successor to any such
         Additional Collateral Agent shall be appointed by the Borrower and the
         Collateral Agent, or by the Collateral Agent alone pursuant to this
         Section 5.11.

                  5.12. CALCULATIONS. The Collateral Agent shall not be liable
for any calculation, apportionment or distribution of payments made by it in
good faith. If such calculation, apportionment or distribution is subsequently
determined to have been made in error, the sole recourse of any Facility Party
to whom payment was due but not made shall be to recover from the other Facility
Parties any payment in excess of the amount to which they are determined to be
entitled or, if the amount due was not paid by the Borrower, to recover such
amount from the Borrower.

                  5.13. COLLATERAL AGENT'S FEE. The Borrower hereby agrees to
pay to the Collateral Agent, from time to time upon demand, reasonable
compensation (which shall not be limited by any provision of Law in regard to
compensation of fiduciaries or of a trustee of an express trust) for its
services hereunder and under the other Shared Security Documents; provided, that
if and so long as the Collateral Agent is also the Revolving Credit Agent, the
Term Loan Agent and the Note Backup Agent and no Facility Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing, the Collateral Agent shall not be entitled to any
compensation under this Section 5.13.

                  5.14. EXPENSES; INDEMNITY.

                  (a) EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay or cause to be paid
and to save the Collateral Agent harmless against liability for the payment of
all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to
reasonable fees and expenses of outside counsel, including local counsel,
auditors, and all other professional, accounting, evaluation and consulting
costs) incurred by

                                      -31-
<PAGE>   241
the Collateral Agent from time to time arising from or relating to (i) the
negotiation, preparation, execution, delivery, administration and performance of
this Agreement and the other Shared Security Documents, (ii) any requested
amendments, modifications, supplements, waivers or consents (whether or not
ultimately entered into or granted) to this Agreement or any Shared Security
Document Document, (iii) the enforcement or preservation of rights under this
Agreement or any Shared Security Document (including but not limited to any such
costs or expenses arising from or relating to (A) the creation, perfection or
protection of any Lien on any Shared Collateral, (B) the protection, collection,
lease, sale, taking possession of, preservation of, or realization on, any
Shared Collateral, including without limitation advances for taxes, filing fees
and the like, (C) collection or enforcement by the Collateral Agent of any
amount owing hereunder or thereunder, and (D) any litigation, proceeding,
dispute, work-out, restructuring or rescheduling related in any way to this
Agreement or the Shared Security Documents).

                  (b) INDEMNITY. The Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse and
indemnify the Collateral Agent, its affiliates, and the directors, officers,
employees, attorneys and agents of each of the foregoing (the "Collateral Agent
Indemnified Parties"), and each of them, and to hold each of them harmless from
and against, any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the fees and
disbursements of outside counsel for such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party in
connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding
commenced or threatened, whether or not such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party
shall be designated a party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on,
asserted against or incurred by such Collateral Agent Indemnified Party as a
result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason of this
Agreement or any other Secured Party Document, any transaction from time to time
contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction financed or secured in whole
or in part, directly or indirectly, with the proceeds of any extension of credit
hereunder or thereunder or the proceeds thereof (and without in any way limiting
the generality of the foregoing, including any grant of any Lien on Shared
Collateral or any exercise by the Collateral Agent or any Facility Party of any
of its rights or remedies under this Agreement or any other Shared Security
Document); but excluding any portion of such losses, liabilities, claims,
damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or
disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of such
Collateral Agent Indemnified Party, as finally determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction. If and to the extent that the foregoing obligations of
the Borrower under this Section 5.14(b), or any other indemnification obligation
of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Shared Security Document, are
unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to make the maximum
contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations which is
permissible under applicable Law.

                  (c) INTEREST. All amounts payable by the Borrower to the
Collateral Agent in its capacity as such under this Agreement or any other
Shared Security Document shall bear interest for each day from the date when due
to the date of payment (before and after judgment) at a rate per annum equal to
2% above the Base Rate Option (as such term is defined in the Term Loan
Agreement as constituted on the date hereof).

                  (d) SURVIVAL. The agreements contained in this Section 5.14
shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the other Shared Security
Documents.

                  5.15. FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION; CONFIDENTIALITY.

                                      -32-
<PAGE>   242
                  (a) FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Subject to Section
5.15(b), the Borrower authorizes the Collateral Agent to disclose to any actual
or prospective assignee or participant in any Obligation, any and all financial
and other information delivered to, received by, or otherwise in the possession
of, the Collateral Agent from time to time relating to the Borrower, its
Subsidiaries and affiliates, or the matters contemplated hereby or by the
Secured Party Documents.

                  (b) CONFIDENTIALITY. The Collateral Agent agrees to take
reasonable precautions to maintain the confidentiality of information designated
in writing as confidential and provided to it by the Borrower in connection with
this Agreement; provided, however, that the Collateral Agent may disclose such
information (i) at the request of any bank regulatory authority or other
Governmental Authority or in connection with an examination of the Collateral
Agent by any such Governmental Authority, (ii) pursuant to subpoena or other
court process, (iii) to the extent the Collateral Agent is required (or believes
in good faith that it is required) to do so in accordance with any applicable
Law, (iv) to the Collateral Agent's independent auditors and other professional
advisors, (v) in connection with the enforcement of any of its rights under or
in connection with any Secured Party Document, (vi) to any other Secured Party,
and (vii) to any actual or potential assignee or participant in any of the
Obligations, or to any other actual or potential creditor of or participant in a
credit to the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates, so long as, in
the case of this clause (vii), such Person agrees to comply with the provisions
of this Section 5.15(b).

                  5.16. MONEYS HELD AS COLLATERAL AGENT. All moneys received by
the Collateral Agent under or pursuant to any provision of this Agreement or any
other Shared Security Document shall be held by it as agent for the purposes for
which they were paid or are held. The Collateral Agent shall not be liable for
any interest thereon (except to the extent, if any, otherwise expressly provided
herein or therein).


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                  6.01. AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS. The Collateral
Agent and the Borrower may from time to time enter into amend, modify or
supplement this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document for the purpose
of amending, adding to, or waiving any provisions of, this Agreement or any
other Shared Security Document, releasing any Shared Collateral, releasing or
limiting the obligations of the Borrower under any Shared Security Document, or
changing in any manner the rights of the Collateral Agent, any Secured Party or
the Borrower hereunder or thereunder. The Collateral Agent shall enter into such
agreements from time to time as directed by the Facility Agents, acting
together, and only as so directed; provided, that the Collateral Agent shall not
be required, without its consent, to enter into any amendment of Article V
hereof or any amendment which would impose additional duties or responsibilities
upon it or otherwise affect its rights, interests or obligations; and further
provided, that no direction by or consent of the Facility Agents shall be
required (i) to any amendment that would do more than add to the covenants of
the Borrower or surrender any right or power conferred upon the Borrower, or
(ii) for any release of Shared Collateral in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement or the other Shared Security Documents. Any such amendment,
modification or supplement made in accordance with this Section 6.01 shall be
binding upon the Borrower and each Secured Party and their respective successors
and assigns. No 

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   243
amendment, modification or supplement relating hereto or to any other Shared
Security Document shall be effective unless in writing manually signed by or on
behalf of the party to be charged therewith (it being understood that any such
amendment, modification or supplement signed by the Collateral Agent shall be
binding upon each Secured Party as aforesaid). The Collateral Agent shall
furnish to each Facility Agent a fully executed or conformed copy of any such
amendment, modification, supplement or waiver promptly after the effectiveness
thereof.

                  6.02. NOTICES.

                  (a) GENERALLY. Except to the extent otherwise expressly
permitted hereunder or thereunder, all notices, requests, demands, directions
and other communications (collectively "notices") to the Borrower or any Secured
Party under this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document shall be given
in writing (including telexes and facsimile transmission) and shall be sent by
first-class mail, or by nationally-recognized overnight courier, or by telex or
facsimile transmission (with confirmation in writing mailed first-class or sent
by such an overnight courier) or by personal delivery. All notices shall be sent
to the applicable party at the address stated on the signature pages hereof (or,
in the case of a Swap Party, as set forth under its signature to a Swap Party
Supplement or, in the case of any other Facility Party, at its address for
notices under the Revolving Credit Agreement, Term Loan Agreement or Note Backup
Agreement, as the case may be) or in accordance with the last unrevoked written
direction from such party to the other parties hereto, in all cases with postage
or other charges prepaid. Any such properly given notice to any Secured Party
shall be effective when received. Any such properly given notice to the Borrower
shall be effective upon the earliest to occur of receipt, telephone confirmation
of receipt of telex or facsimile transmission, one Business Day after delivery
to a nationally-recognized overnight courier, or three Business Days after
deposit in the mail.

                  (b) MULTIPLE CAPACITIES. To the extent that this Agreement or
any other Shared Security Document permits or requires any notice to be given by
a Person to itself, acting in a different capacity (such as notices by the
Collateral Agent to a Facility Agent, or vice versa, when the same Person is
acting in both such capacities), such Person need not give actual notice to
itself, but may deem such notice to have been given.

                  6.03. NO IMPLIED WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No course of
dealing and no delay or failure of the Collateral Agent or any other Secured
Party in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any other
Shared Security Document, any Secured Party Document, or any other documents or
instruments pursuant to or in connection herewith shall affect any other or
future exercise thereof or exercise of any other right, power or privilege; nor
shall any single or partial exercise of any such right, power or privilege or
any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power or
privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power or
privilege. The rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent and each other
Secured Party under this Agreement, the other Shared Security Documents, the
Secured Party Documents and all other agreements and instruments pursuant to or
in connection herewith or therewith are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies which any of them would otherwise have. Any waiver, permit,
consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of the Collateral Agent
of any breach or default under, or term or condition of, this Agreement or any
other Shared Security Document shall be in writing and shall be effective only
to the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

                                      -34-
<PAGE>   244
                  6.04. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement and of
the other Shared Security Documents are intended to be severable. If any
provision of this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document shall be held
invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction such provision
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity
or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or
enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions
hereof or thereof in any jurisdiction. Where, however, such invalidity or
unenforceability may be waived, it is hereby waived by the Borrower to the
fullest extent permitted by Law, to the end that this Agreement and the other
Shared Security Documents shall be valid and binding agreements enforceable in
accordance with their terms.

                  6.05. PRIOR UNDERSTANDINGS. This Agreement and the other
Shared Security Documents supersede all prior understandings and agreements,
whether written or oral, among the parties hereto relating to the transactions
provided for herein.

                  6.06. SURVIVAL. All representations and warranties of the
Borrower contained herein or in any other Shared Security Document or made in
connection herewith or therewith shall be deemed to have been relied upon by the
Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties and shall survive the execution
and delivery of this Agreement and the other Shared Security Documents, any
knowledge of or investigation by the Collateral Agent or any other Secured
Party, and all other events and conditions whatever. All statements in any
financial statement, certificate, document or instrument from time to time
delivered by or on behalf of the Borrower under or in connection with this
Agreement or any other Shared Security Document shall be deemed to constitute
representations and warranties by the Borrower.

                  6.07. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement and any other Shared
Security Document may be executed in any number of counterparts and by the
different parties hereto or thereto on separate counterparts each of which, when
so executed, shall be deemed an original, but all such counterparts shall
constitute but one and the same instrument.

                  6.08. TERMINATION OF LIENS. Upon payment in full of all
Collateral Agent Obligations and receipt by the Collateral Agent of written
notices (a) from the Revolving Credit Agent to the effect that (i) the Liens
created hereby and by the other Shared Security Documents are to be released and
discharged, or (ii) all commitments to extend credit under the Revolving Credit
Documents have terminated, all Letters of Credit have terminated, and all
Revolving Credit Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations)
have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, (b) from the Term Loan Agent to the
effect that (i) the Liens created hereby and by the other Shared Security
Documents are to be released and discharged, or (ii) all Term Loan Obligations
(other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid
in full in cash, (c) from the Note Backup Agent to the effect that (i) the Liens
created hereby and by the other Shared Security Documents are to be released and
discharged, or (ii) all commitments to extend credit under the Note Backup
Documents have terminated, all Note Backup LOC's have terminated, and all Note
Backup Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been
indefeasibly paid in full in cash, and (d) from any Swap Party to the effect
that (i) the Liens created hereby and by the other Shared Security Documents are
to be released and discharged, or (ii) all Interest Rate Hedge Agreements under
the Swap Documents have terminated and all Swap Obligations (other than
Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in full in
cash, any surplus then remaining shall be paid to the Borrower or its successors
or assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled the Collateral Agent 

                                      -35-
<PAGE>   245
shall, at the request of the Borrower, release the Liens created hereby and by
the other Shared Security Documents with respect to the Borrower's property.

                  6.09. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Collateral Agent (and the Collateral Agent
Indemnified Parties), the other Secured Parties, the Borrower and their
respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or
transfer any of its rights hereunder or any interest therein, and any such
purported assignment or transfer shall be void. No other Person shall have any
rights hereunder or shall be entitled to rely on any provision hereof.

                  6.10. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF
JURY TRIAL; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

                  (a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER SHARED
SECURITY DOCUMENTS (EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT, IF ANY, OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STATED IN
SUCH OTHER SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND
ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA,
WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW PRINCIPLES.

                  (b) CERTAIN WAIVERS. THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
         UNCONDITIONALLY:

                  (i) AGREES THAT ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BY ANY PERSON
         ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER SHARED SECURITY
         DOCUMENT OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT, OMISSION OR EVENT
         OCCURRING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (COLLECTIVELY, "RELATED
         LITIGATION") MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT
         JURISDICTION SITTING IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SUBMITS TO THE
         JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS, AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
         AGREES THAT WILL NOT BRING ANY RELATED LITIGATION IN ANY OTHER FORUM
         (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY SECURED PARTY TO
         BRING ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OTHER FORUM);

                  (ii) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE AT ANY TIME TO THE
         LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT,
         WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH RELATED LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN
         AN INCONVENIENT FORUM, AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO OBJECT, WITH RESPECT TO
         ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH COURT DOES
         NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THE BORROWER;

                  (iii) CONSENTS AND AGREES TO SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT
         OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY RELATED LITIGATION BY REGISTERED OR
         CERTIFIED U.S. MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE BORROWER AT THE ADDRESS
         FOR NOTICES DESCRIBED IN SECTION 6.02 HEREOF, AND CONSENTS AND AGREES
         THAT SUCH SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE IN EVERY RESPECT VALID AND EFFECTIVE
         SERVICE (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR EFFECTIVENESS
         OF PROCESS SERVED IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW); AND

                  (iv) WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY RELATED
         LITIGATION.

                  (c) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
BY LAW, NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY THE BORROWER AGAINST ANY SECURED PARTY OR ANY
AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, ATTORNEY OR AGENT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE 

                                      -36-
<PAGE>   246
DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY OTHER SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENT OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT,
OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (WHETHER FOR
BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY). THE BORROWER HEREBY
WAIVES, RELEASES AND AGREES NOT TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES,
WHETHER SUCH CLAIM PRESENTLY EXISTS OR ARISES HEREAFTER AND WHETHER OR NOT SUCH
CLAIM IS KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST IN ITS FAVOR.

                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers
thereunto duly authorized, have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the
date first above written.

                             PRIMARK CORPORATION


                             By /s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN
                                --------------------------------------
                                Stephen H. Curran
                                Senior Vice President and
                                Chief Financial Officer


                             Address for Notices:

                                Primark Corporation
                                1000 Winter Street, Suite 4300N
                                Waltham, MA 02154

                                Attn:  Stephen H. Curran,
                                       Senior Vice President
                                       and Chief Financial Officer

                                       Telephone:  617-487-2140
                                       Telecopier: 617-890-6129


                             MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                             as Collateral Agent, as Revolving Credit Agent
                             on behalf of each Revolving Credit Party, as Term 
                             Loan Agent on behalf of each Term Loan Party, and 
                             as Note Backup Agent on behalf of each Note 
                             Backup Party


                             By  /s/ R. JANE WESTRICH
                                --------------------------------------
                                 R. Jane Westrich
                                 Vice President


                                      -37-
<PAGE>   247
                             Address for Notices:

                                      Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                      Loan Administration
                                      Three Mellon Bank Center
                                      Room 153-2332
                                      Pittsburgh, PA  15259-0003
                                      Attn:  Terpsie Katsafanas

                                      Telephone:  412-234-4769
                                      Telecopier: 412-236-2028

                             With a copy to:

                                      Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                      One Boston Place, 6th Floor
                                      Boston, MA 02108
                                      Attn: R. Jane Westrich, Vice President

                                      Telephone:  617-722-7969
                                      Telecopier: 617-722-3516

                                      -38-
<PAGE>   248
                                    EXHIBIT A
                                       TO
                           COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT

                              SWAP PARTY SUPPLEMENT

                  THIS SWAP PARTY SUPPLEMENT

to the Collateral Agency Agreement dated as of February 7, 1997 among Primark
Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Borrower"), the Revolving Credit
Parties referred to therein, the Term Loan Parties referred to therein, the Note
Backup Parties referred to therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent
(together with its successors, the "Collateral Agent") (such Collateral Agency
Agreement, as amended, modified or supplemented, being referred to as the
"Collateral Agency Agreement").

                                    RECITALS:

         A. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have
the meanings given them in, or by reference in, the Collateral Agency Agreement.

         B. The Collateral Agency Agreement contemplates that in certain
circumstances a Person which enters into an Interest Rate Hedging Agreement with
the Borrower may become party to the Collateral Agency Agreement as a "Swap
Party," with such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement being deemed a "Swap
Agreement" as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement, in which event, among
other things, the Borrower's obligations under such Swap Agreement will be
entitled to the benefit of certain Shared Security Documents.

         C. The Person executing this Swap Party Supplement as Swap Party below
desires to become party to the Collateral Agency Agreement as a "Swap Party,"
with the Interest Rate Hedging Agreement attached hereto being deemed a "Swap
Agreement" referred to therein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, the Swap Party, intending to be legally bound , hereby
represents, warrants and covenants to the Secured Parties and the Borrower as
follows:

         SECTION 1. JOINDER. The Swap Party hereby becomes party to the
Collateral Agency Agreement as a "Swap Party" thereunder, and shall be subject
to and bound by all of the provisions thereof and of the other Shared Security
Documents referred to therein. The attached Interest Rate Hedging Agreement is
hereby designated to be a "Swap Agreement" referred to in such Collateral Agency
Agreement.

         SECTION 2. SWAP AGREEMENT. The Swap Party and the Borrower hereby
represent, warrant and agree as follows: (a) the attached Interest Rate Hedging
Agreement, including all schedules and confirmations thereto and attached
hereto, is true, correct and complete and contains the entire agreement of the
Swap Party and the Borrower relating to the subject matter thereof, (b) to the
extent the attached Interest Rate Hedging Agreement is in the form of a master
agreement, pursuant to which multiple "confirmations" (however named) may be
entered into from time to time, only the transactions evidenced by confirmations
attached hereto shall constitute part of such "Swap Agreement," and (c) no other
transactions have been or will be entered into pursuant to such master
agreement.


         SECTION 3. SWAP SHARED SECURITY CAP. The Swap Shared Security Cap shall
be $______________ .

         SECTION 4. PRIOR SWAP PARTY SUPPLEMENTS. If this Swap Party Supplement
is to supercede any prior Swap Party Supplement between the Swap Party and the
Borrower pursuant to Section 2.02(b) of the Collateral Agency Agreement, such
prior Swap Party Supplement is identified as follows; otherwise, set

                                      -1-
<PAGE>   249
forth "Not Applicable":

         SECTION 5. CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS. By executing and
delivering this Swap Party Supplement, the Swap Party confirms to and agrees
with the Collateral Agent and each other Secured Party as follows:

         (a) The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties make no
representation or warranty and assume no responsibility with respect to (i) the
execution, delivery, effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or
adequacy of the Collateral Agency Agreement or any other Shared Security
Document, (ii) any recital, representation, warranty, document, certificate,
report or statement in, provided for in, received under or in connection with,
the Collateral Agency Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, or (iv)
the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, recordation, priority,
adequacy or value, now or hereafter, of any Lien or other direct or indirect
security afforded or purported to be afforded by any of the Shared Security
Documents or otherwise from time to time.

         (b) The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties make no
representation or warranty and assume no responsibility with respect to (i) the
performance or observance of any of the terms or conditions of the Collateral
Agency Agreement or any other Shared Security Document on the part of the
Borrower, (ii) the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of the Borrower or any other Person, or (iii) the existence of any
default under any Secured Party Document.

         (c) The Swap Party confirms that it has received a copy of the
Collateral Agency Agreement and each of the other Shared Security Documents,
together with copies of such other documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate to make its own credit and legal analysis and decision to enter into
this Swap Party Supplement. The Swap Party confirms that it has made such
analysis and decision independently and without reliance upon the Collateral
Agent or any other Secured Party.

         (d) The Swap Party, independently and without reliance upon the
Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, and based on such documents and
information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, will make its own
decisions to take or not take action under or in connection with the Collateral
Agency Agreement or any other Shared Security Document.

         (e) The Swap Party irrevocably appoints the Collateral Agent to act as
Collateral Agent for the Swap Party under the Collateral Agency Agreement and
the other Shared Security Documents, all in accordance with the Collateral
Agency Agreement and the other Shared Security Documents.

         SECTION 6. EFFECTIVENESS. This Swap Party Supplement shall be effective
on the date set forth under the Collateral Agent's signature below, evidencing
its receipt of copy of hereof executed by the Swap Party and consented to by the
Revolving Credit Agent, the Term Loan Agent, the Note Backup Agent and the
Borrower by executing a copy of the same where indicated below.

         SECTION 7. GOVERNING LAW. This Swap Party Supplement shall be governed
by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Swap Party has caused this Swap Party
Supplement to be executed on its behalf as of the date set forth below.


as Swap Party

By_________________________________
Name:______________________________
Title:_____________________________


Address:

___________________________________

___________________________________

___________________________________


Attn:

Telephone:_________________________
Telex:_____________________________

                                       -2-
<PAGE>   250
  (Answerback:                )
Telecopier:


CONSENTED AND AGREED TO:
MELLON BANK, N.A., as Revolving Credit Agent,
Term Loan Agent and Note Backup Agent

By_________________________________
Name:______________________________
Title:_____________________________


CONSENTED AND AGREED TO:
PRIMARK CORPORATION

By_________________________________
Name:______________________________
Title:_____________________________


RECEIPT ACKNOWLEDGED:
MELLON BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

By:________________________________
Name:______________________________
Title:_____________________________

Date:

____________________________

                                       -3-
<PAGE>   251
                                    EXHIBIT B
                                       TO
                           COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT

                     REVOLVING CREDIT REFINANCING SUPPLEMENT

                  THIS REVOLVING CREDIT REFINANCING SUPPLEMENT

to the Collateral Agency Agreement dated as of February 7, 1997 among Primark
Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "Borrower"), the Revolving Credit
Parties referred to therein, the Term Loan Parties referred to therein, the Note
Backup Parties referred to therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent
(together with its successors, the "Collateral Agent") (such Collateral Agency
Agreement, as amended, modified or supplemented, being referred to as the
"Collateral Agency Agreement").

                                    RECITALS:

         A. Capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined shall have
the meanings given them in, or by reference in, the Collateral Agency Agreement.

         B. The Collateral Agency Agreement contemplates that in certain
circumstances the Borrower may refinance the Revolving Credit Agreement, with
the incoming Revolving Credit Agreement being deemed the "Revolving Credit
Agreement" as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement, in which event, among
other things, the Borrower's obligations under such incoming Revolving Credit
Agreement will be entitled to the benefit of certain Shared Security Documents.

         C. The Persons executing this Revolving Credit Refinancing Supplement
as incoming Revolving Credit Parties below desire to become party to the
Collateral Agency Agreement as "Revolving Credit Parties," with the Revolving
Credit Agreement attached hereto being deemed the "Revolving Credit Agreement"
referred to therein.

         NOW, THEREFORE, each incoming Revolving Credit Party, intending to be
legally bound, hereby represents, warrants and covenants to the Secured Parties
and the Borrower as follows:

         SECTION 1. JOINDER. Each incoming Revolving Credit Party set forth
below hereby becomes party to the Collateral Agency Agreement as a "Revolving
Credit Party" thereunder, and shall be subject to and bound by all of the
provisions thereof and of the other Shared Security Documents referred to
therein. Each such incoming Revolving Credit Party is a "Revolving Credit
Lender," "Revolving Credit Issuing Bank" or "Revolving Credit Agent" thereunder,
as set forth after such Person's name below. The attached Revolving Credit
Agreement is hereby designated to be the "Revolving Credit Agreement" referred
to in such Collateral Agency Agreement.

         SECTION 2. REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT. Each incoming Revolving Credit
Party and the Borrower hereby represents, warrants and agrees that the attached
Revolving Credit Agreement, including all schedules and confirmations thereto
and attached hereto, is true, correct and complete and contains the entire
agreement of the incoming Revolving Credit Parties and the Borrower relating to
the subject matter thereof, and that such Revolving Credit Agreement complies
with the definition of a "Revolving Credit Agreement" in the Collateral Agency
Agreement.

         SECTION 3. CERTAIN REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS. By executing and
delivering this Revolving Credit Refinancing Supplement, each incoming Revolving
Credit Party confirms to and agrees with the Collateral Agent and each other
Secured Party as follows:

         (a) The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties make no
representation or warranty and assume no responsibility with respect to (i) the
execution, delivery, effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or
adequacy of the Collateral Agency Agreement or any other Shared Security
Document, (ii) any recital, representation, warranty, document, certificate,
report or statement in, provided for in, received under or in connection with,
the Collateral Agency Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, or (iv)
the existence, validity, enforceability, perfection, recordation, priority,
adequacy or value, now or hereafter, of any Lien or other direct or indirect
security afforded or purported to be afforded by any of the Shared Security
Documents or otherwise from time to time.

                                       -1-
<PAGE>   252
         (b) The Collateral Agent and the other Secured Parties make no
representation or warranty and assume no responsibility with respect to (i) the
performance or observance of any of the terms or conditions of the Collateral
Agency Agreement or any other Shared Security Document on the part of the
Borrower, (ii) the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or
prospects of the Borrower or any other Person, or (iii) the existence of any
default under any Secured Party Document.

         (c) Each incoming Revolving Credit Party confirms that it has received
a copy of the Collateral Agency Agreement and each of the other Shared Security
Documents, together with copies of such other documents and information as it
has deemed appropriate to make its own credit and legal analysis and decision to
enter into this Revolving Credit Refinancing Supplement. Each incoming Revolving
Credit Party confirms that it has made such analysis and decision independently
and without reliance upon the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party.

         (d) Each incoming Revolving Credit Party, independently and without
reliance upon the Collateral Agent or any other Secured Party, and based on such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, will make
its own decisions to take or not take action under or in connection with the
Collateral Agency Agreement or any other Shared Security Document.

         (e) Each incoming Revolving Credit Party irrevocably appoints the
Collateral Agent to act as Collateral Agent for such Revolving Credit Party
under the Collateral Agency Agreement and the other Shared Security Documents,
all in accordance with the Collateral Agency Agreement and the other Shared
Security Documents.

         SECTION 4. EFFECTIVENESS. This Revolving Credit Refinancing Supplement
shall be effective on the date set forth under the Collateral Agent's signature
below, evidencing its receipt of (a) a copy hereof executed by each incoming
Revolving Credit Party, and consented to by the Borrower by executing a copy of
the same where indicated below, (b) a notice from the outgoing Revolving Credit
Agent under Section 2.05 of the Collateral Agency Agreement whereby the outgoing
Revolving Credit Parties cease to be "Revolving Credit Parties" under the
Collateral Agency Agreement, and (c) such other items as the Collateral Agent
may require as set forth in Section 2.03(a) of the Collateral Agency Agreement.

         SECTION 5. GOVERNING LAW. This Revolving Credit Refinancing Supplement
shall be governed by, construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, each incoming Revolving Credit Party has caused
this Revolving Credit Refinancing Supplement to be executed on its behalf as of
the date set forth below.



_____________________________________________
as an incoming Revolving Credit Party
[and as a Revolving Credit Lender, Revolving Credit Issuing
Bank, and/or Revolving Credit Agent] under the incoming
Revolving Credit Agreement

By_______________________________
Name:____________________________
Title:___________________________


Address:



Attn:

Telephone:_______________________
Telex:___________________________
  (Answerback:                )
Telecopier:

                                       -2-
<PAGE>   253
CONSENTED AND AGREED TO:
MELLON BANK, N.A., as Term Loan Agent
[and Note Backup Agent]

By_______________________________
Name:____________________________
Title:___________________________


CONSENTED AND AGREED TO:
PRIMARK CORPORATION

By_______________________________
Name:____________________________
Title:___________________________


RECEIPT ACKNOWLEDGED:
MELLON BANK, N.A., as Collateral Agent

By:______________________________
Name:____________________________
Title:___________________________

Date:

____________________________

                                       -3-
<PAGE>   254




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

                              NOTE BACKUP AGREEMENT

                          dated as of February 7, 1997

                                  by and among

                              PRIMARK CORPORATION,
                                  as Borrower,

                  THE LENDERS PARTIES HERETO FROM TIME TO TIME,

                      THE ISSUING BANK REFERRED TO HEREIN,

                                       and

                               MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                    as Agent



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

                               U.S. $8,382,343.75

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



================================================================================
<PAGE>   255
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

SECTION                         TITLE                                      PAGE

ARTICLE I           DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION................................ 1

       1.01         Definitions; Construction................................ 1

ARTICLE II          [RESERVED]............................................... 1

ARTICLE III         THE FACILITIES........................................... 1

       3.01         The Letter of Credit Facility............................ 1
       3.02         Amendment of Letters of Credit........................... 2
       3.03         Letter of Credit Participating Interests................. 2
       3.04         Letter of Credit Drawings and Reimbursements............. 3
       3.05         Obligations Absolute..................................... 4
       3.06         Further Assurances....................................... 4
       3.07         Cash Collateral for Letters of Credit.................... 4
       3.08         Certain Provisions Relating to the Issuing Bank.......... 5
       3.09         Interest Rates........................................... 6
       3.10         Conversion or Renewal of Interest Rate Options........... 9
       3.11         Prepayments Generally....................................10
       3.12         Optional Prepayments.....................................10
       3.13         Mandatory Prepayment and Cash Collateralization..........10
       3.14         Interest Payment Dates...................................11
       3.15         Payments Generally.......................................11
       3.16         Additional Compensation in Certain
                       Circumstances.........................................12
       3.17         Taxes....................................................13
       3.18         Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate...............15

ARTICLE IV          REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES...........................15

       4.01         Corporate Status.........................................15
       4.02         Corporate Power and Authorization........................15
       4.03         Execution and Binding Effect.............................15
       4.04         Governmental Approvals and Filings.......................16
       4.05         Absence of Conflicts.....................................16
       4.06         Audited Financial Statements.............................16
       4.07         Interim Financial Statements.............................16
       4.08         Absence of Undisclosed Liabilities.......................17
       4.09         Accurate and Complete Disclosure.........................17
       4.10         Projections..............................................17
       4.11         Solvency.................................................17
       4.12         Margin Regulations.......................................17
       4.13         Regulatory Restrictions..................................18
       4.14         Subsidiaries.............................................18
       4.15         Partnerships, etc........................................18
       4.16         Litigation...............................................18

                                      -i-
<PAGE>   256
       4.17         Absence of Other Conflicts...............................18
       4.18         Insurance................................................19
       4.19         Title to Property........................................19
       4.20         Intellectual Property....................................19
       4.21         Taxes....................................................19
       4.22         Employee Benefits........................................19
       4.23         Environmental Matters....................................19

ARTICLE V           CONDITIONS OF ISSUANCE...................................20

       5.01         Conditions to Issuance...................................20

ARTICLE VI          AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS....................................23

       6.01         Basic Reporting Requirements.............................23
       6.02         Insurance................................................26
       6.03         Payment of Taxes and Other Potential Charges and
                       Priority Claims...................................... 26
       6.04         Preservation of Corporate Status.........................27
       6.05         Governmental Approvals and Filings.......................27
       6.06         Maintenance of Properties, Franchises, etc...............27
       6.07         Avoidance of Other Conflicts.............................27
       6.08         Financial Accounting Practices...........................27
       6.09         Use of Proceeds..........................................28
       6.10         Continuation of or Change in Business....................28
       6.11         Plans and Multiemployer Plans............................28
       6.12         Disaster Recovery Plan...................................28
       6.13         Annual Bank Meeting......................................28
       6.14         Separate Corporate Existence.............................29
       6.15         Additional Security......................................29
       6.16         Interest Rate Protection.................................30

ARTICLE VII         NEGATIVE COVENANTS.......................................31

       7.01         Financial Covenants......................................31
       7.02         Liens....................................................32
       7.03         Indebtedness.............................................33
       7.04         Guaranties, Indemnities, etc.............................35
       7.05         Loans, Advances and Investments..........................35
       7.06         Dividends and Related Distributions......................37
       7.07         Sale-Leasebacks..........................................37
       7.08         Mergers, etc.............................................38
       7.09         Dispositions of Properties...............................38
       7.10         Dealings with Affiliates.................................39
       7.11         Limitations on Modification of
                       Certain Agreements and Instruments....................39
       7.12         Limitation on Payments on Certain Obligations............40
       7.13         Limitation on Other Restrictions on Liens,
                       Dividend Restrictions on Subsidiaries, etc............40
       7.14         Limitation on Other Restrictions on Amendment
                       of the Loan Documents, etc............................41

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>   257
       7.15         Limitation on Certain Benefit Liabilities................41
       7.16         Fiscal Year..............................................41

 ARTICLE VIII       DEFAULTS.................................................42

       8.01         Events of Default........................................42
       8.02         Consequences of an Event of Default......................45
       8.03         Application of Proceeds..................................45

ARTICLE IX          THE AGENT................................................46

       9.01         Appointment..............................................46
       9.02         General Nature of Agent's Duties.........................46
       9.03         Exercise of Powers.......................................47
       9.04         General Exculpatory Provisions...........................47
       9.05         Administration by the Agent..............................48
       9.06         Lenders Not Relying on Agent or Other Lenders............48
       9.07         Indemnification of Agent by Lenders......................48
       9.08         Agent in its Individual Capacity.........................49
       9.09         [Reserved]...............................................49
       9.10         Successor Agent..........................................49
       9.11         Calculations.............................................49

ARTICLE X           MISCELLANEOUS............................................50

      10.01         Holidays.................................................50
      10.02         Records..................................................50
      10.03         Amendments and Waivers...................................50
      10.04         No Implied Waiver; Cumulative Remedies...................51
      10.05         Notices..................................................51
      10.06         Expenses; Taxes; Indemnity...............................52
      10.07         Severability.............................................53
      10.08         Prior Understandings.....................................53
      10.09         Duration; Survival.......................................53
      10.10         Counterparts.............................................53
      10.11         Limitation on Payments...................................53
      10.12         Set-Off..................................................53
      10.13         Sharing of Collections...................................54
      10.14         Successors and Assigns; Participations; Assignments......54
      10.15         Governing Law; Submission to Jurisdiction;
                       Waiver of Jury Trial; Limitation of Liability.........57
      10.16         Withholding Taxes, etc...................................58
      10.17         Defeasance of Certain Covenants..........................58

ANNEX A             DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION................................A-1


Exhibit A           [Reserved]
Exhibit B           Form of Transfer Supplement
Exhibit C           Form of Annual and Quarterly Compliance Certificate

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>   258
Schedule 4.04       Governmental Approvals and Filings
Schedule 4.05       Conflicts
Schedule 4.08       Liabilities
Schedule 4.13       Regulatory Restrictions
Schedule 4.14       Subsidiaries
Schedule 4.16       Litigation
Schedule 4.21       Taxes
Schedule 4.23       Environmental Matters
Schedule 7.02       Liens
Schedule 7.04       Guaranty Equivalents
Schedule 7.07       Sale-Leasebacks

                                      -iv-
<PAGE>   259
                              NOTE BACKUP AGREEMENT

                  THIS AGREEMENT, dated as of February 7, 1997, by and among
PRIMARK CORPORATION, a Michigan Corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders
parties hereto from time to time, the Issuing Bank referred to herein, and
MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking association, as agent for the Lender
Parties hereunder (in such capacity, together with its successors in such
capacity, the "Agent").

                  In consideration of the mutual covenants herein contained and
intending to be legally bound, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I
                            DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

                  1.01. DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION. In addition to other words
and terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used in this Agreement the
words and terms defined in Annex A hereto have the meanings given them in such
Annex A, and this Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the provisions
of Annex A.


                                   ARTICLE II
                                   [RESERVED]


                                   ARTICLE III
                                  THE FACILITY

                  3.01.  THE LETTER OF CREDIT FACILITY.

                  (a) GENERAL. Subject to the terms and conditions of this
Agreement, and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set forth
and upon the agreements of the Lenders set forth in Sections 3.03 and 3.04
hereof, the Issuing Bank agrees (such agreement being herein referred to as the
"Letter of Credit Commitment") to cause the following five letters of credit
previously issued by the Issuing Bank:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BENEFICIARY                NUMBER        STATED AMOUNT             DATE                   EXPIRATION DATE

<S>                        <C>          <C>                        <C>                    <C>
David Taylor               S849190       $5,588,229.17             October 24, 1996       November 8, 2002

Adrian Dear                S849191       $762,031.25               October 24, 1996       November 8, 2002

Claire Stevens             S849192       $1,016,041.67             October 24, 1996       November 8, 2002

Paren Knadjian             S849193       $508,020.83               October 24, 1996       November 8, 2002

Kevin Underwood            S849194       $508,020.83               October 24, 1996       November 8, 2002
</TABLE>

                                      -1-
<PAGE>   260
(as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time, together with any
successors and replacements, the "Letters of Credit") to be deemed to be issued
under this Agreement effective from and after a date (the "Closing Date"), which
shall not be later than February 15, 1997 (the "Letter of Credit Commitment
Termination Date"). Such deemed issuance under this Agreement shall be effected
by the Issuing Bank and the Borrower executing a certificate, satisfactory in
form and substance to the Issuing Bank, declaring that the Closing Date
hereunder has occurred and specifying such Closing Date. As of the Closing Date
so specified, each of the Letters of Credit shall be deemed to be issued under
this Agreement and shall be subject to all of the terms and provisions of this
Agreement.
                  (b) PURPOSES OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. Each Letter of Credit shall
be used by the Borrower as a standby letter of credit used solely to provide
credit enhancement for the ICV Notes. The provisions of this Section 3.01(b)
represent only an obligation of the Borrower to the Issuing Bank and the
Lenders; the Issuing Bank shall have no obligation to the Lenders to ascertain
the purpose of any Letter of Credit, and the rights and obligations of the
Lenders and the Issuing Bank among themselves shall not be impaired or affected
by a breach of this Section 3.01(b).

                  (c) LETTER OF CREDIT FEE. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent
for the account of each Lender a fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") for each
Letter of Credit for each day from and including the date of issuance thereof to
and including the date of expiration or termination thereof, equal to (x) the
Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability on such day, times (y) the Letter of
Credit Fee Rate applicable on such day, times (z) 1/365 (or 1/366, as the case
may be). Such Letter of Credit Fee shall be due and payable for the preceding
period for which such fee has not been paid on each of the following dates: (i)
each Regular Quarterly Payment Date, and (ii) the date of expiration or
termination of such Letter of Credit. The "Letter of Credit Fee Rate" for any
day shall mean the Applicable Margin applicable under the Euro-Rate Option on
such day.

                  (d) FACING FEE; ADMINISTRATION FEES. The Borrower shall pay to
the Agent, for the sole account of the Issuing Bank, a fee (the "Letter of
Credit Facing Fee") for each Letter of Credit for each day from and including
the date of issuance thereof to and including the date of expiration or
termination thereof, equal to (x) the Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability on
such day, times (y) 0.25%, times (z) 1/365 (or 1/366, as the case may be). Such
Letter of Credit Facing Fee shall be due and payable for the preceding period
for which such fee has not been paid on each of the following dates: (i) each
Regular Quarterly Payment Date, and (ii) the date of expiration or termination
of such Letter of Credit. In addition, the Borrower shall pay to the Agent, for
the sole account of the Issuing Bank, such other administration, maintenance,
amendment, drawing and negotiation fees as may be customarily charged by the
Issuing Bank from time to time in connection with letters of credit.

                  3.02. AMENDMENT OF LETTERS OF CREDIT. At the request of the
Borrower from time to time, and subject to satisfaction of such conditions as
the Issuing Bank may require, the Issuing Bank may amend, modify or supplement
Letters of Credit, or waive compliance with any condition of issuance or
payment, without the consent of, and without liability to, the Agent or any
Lender, provided that no such amendment, modification or supplement shall extend
the expiration date or increase the Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability of an
outstanding Letter of Credit.

                  3.03.  LETTER OF CREDIT PARTICIPATING INTERESTS.

                  (a) GENERALLY. Concurrently with the Closing Date, the Issuing
Bank automatically shall be deemed, irrevocably and unconditionally, to have
sold, assigned, transferred and conveyed to each other Lender, and each other
Lender automatically shall be deemed, irrevocably and unconditionally, severally
to have purchased, acquired, accepted and assumed from the Issuing Bank, without
recourse to, or representation or warranty by, the Issuing Bank, an undivided
interest, in a proportion equal to such


                                      -2-
<PAGE>   261
Lender's Pro Rata share, in all of the Issuing Bank's rights and obligations in,
to or under such Letter of Credit, the Letter of Credit Reimbursement
Obligations, and all collateral, guarantees and other rights from time to time
directly or indirectly securing the foregoing (such interest of each Lender
being referred to herein as a "Letter of Credit Participating Interest").
Amounts other than Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations and Letter of
Credit Fees payable from time to time under or in connection with a Letter of
Credit shall be for the sole account of the Issuing Bank. On the date that any
Purchasing Lender becomes a party to this Agreement in accordance with Section
10.14 hereof, Letter of Credit Participating Interests in any outstanding
Letters of Credit held by the Lender from which such Purchasing Lender acquired
its interest hereunder shall be proportionately reallotted between such
Purchasing Lender and such transferor Lender (and, to the extent such transferor
Lender is the Issuing Bank, the Purchasing Lender shall be deemed to have
acquired a Letter of Credit Participating Interest from such transferor Lender
to such extent).

                  (b) OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. Notwithstanding any other provision
hereof, each Lender hereby agrees that its obligation to participate in each
Letter of Credit issued in accordance herewith, and its obligation to make the
payments specified in Section 3.04 hereof, are each absolute, irrevocable and
unconditional and shall not be affected by any event, condition or circumstance
whatever. The failure of any Lender to make any such payment shall not relieve
any other Lender of its funding obligation hereunder on the date due, but no
Lender shall be responsible for the failure of any other Lender to meet its
funding obligations hereunder.

                  3.04.  LETTER OF CREDIT DRAWINGS AND REIMBURSEMENTS.

                  (a) BORROWER'S REIMBURSEMENT OBLIGATION. The Borrower hereby
agrees to reimburse the Issuing Bank, by making payment to the Agent for the
account of the Issuing Bank in accordance with Section 3.15(b) hereof, in the
amount of each Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw, on October 16, 2000 (the
"Reimbursement Target Date") and thereafter ON DEMAND. Such reimbursement shall
also be due at such earlier times as are provided elsewhere in this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.

                  (b) PAYMENT BY LENDERS ON ACCOUNT OF UNREIMBURSED DRAWS. If
the Issuing Bank makes a payment under any Letter of Credit and is not
reimbursed in full therefor on such payment date, the Issuing Bank will promptly
notify the Agent thereof (which notice may be by telephone), and the Agent shall
forthwith notify each Lender (which notice may be by telephone promptly
confirmed in writing) thereof. No later than the Agent's close of business on
the date such notice is given, each such Lender will pay to the Agent, for the
account of the Issuing Bank, in immediately available funds, an amount equal to
such Lender's Pro Rata share of the unreimbursed portion of such payment by the
Issuing Bank. If and to the extent that any Lender fails to make such payment to
the Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank on such date, such Lender shall
pay such amount on demand, together with interest, for the Issuing Bank's own
account, for each day from and including the date of the Issuing Bank's payment
to and including the date of payment to the Issuing Bank (before and after
judgment) at the following rates per annum: (x) for each day from and including
the date of such payment by the Issuing Bank to and including the second
Business Day thereafter, at the Federal Funds Effective Rate for such day, and
(y) for each day thereafter, at the rate applicable to such Letter of Credit
Unreimbursed Draw for such day.

                  (c) DISTRIBUTIONS TO PARTICIPANTS. If, at any time, after the
Issuing Bank has made a Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw and has received from
any Lender such Lender's share of such Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw, the
Issuing Bank receives any payment or makes any application of funds on account
of the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation arising from such Letter of
Credit


                                      -3-
<PAGE>   262
Unreimbursed Draw, the Issuing Bank will pay to the Agent, for the account of
such Lender, such Lender's Pro Rata share of such payment or application.

                  (d) RESCISSION. If any amount received by the Issuing Bank on
account of any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation shall be avoided,
rescinded or otherwise returned or paid over by the Issuing Bank for any reason
at any time, whether before or after the termination of this Agreement (or the
Issuing Bank believes in good faith that such avoidance, rescission, return or
payment is required, whether or not such matter has been adjudicated), each such
Lender will, promptly upon notice from the Agent or the Issuing Bank, pay over
to the Agent for the account of the Issuing Bank its Pro Rata share of such
amount, together with its Pro Rata share of any interest or penalties payable
with respect thereto.

                  (e) EQUALIZATION. If any Lender receives any payment or makes
any application on account of its Letter of Credit Participating Interest, such
Lender shall forthwith pay over to the Issuing Bank, in Dollars and in like kind
of funds received or applied by it the amount in excess of such Lender's ratable
share of the amount so received or applied.

                  3.05. OBLIGATIONS ABSOLUTE. The payment obligations of the
Borrower under Section 3.04 hereof shall be unconditional and irrevocable and
shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all
circumstances, including, without limitation, the following circumstances:

                  (a) any lack of validity or enforceability of this Agreement,
         any Letter of Credit, any other Loan Document, any ICV Note or any
         documents, instruments or agreements evidencing or otherwise relating
         to any obligation of the Borrower or Subsidiary of the Borrower secured
         or supported by any Letter of Credit;

                  (b) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense or other
         right which the Borrower or any other Person may have at any time
         against any beneficiary or transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any
         Persons for whom any such beneficiary or transferee may be acting), the
         Issuing Bank, any Lender, or any other Person, whether in connection
         with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby or any
         unrelated transaction;

                  (c) any purported Letter of Credit, draft, certificate,
         statement or other document presented under any Letter of Credit
         proving to be not genuine, stolen, forged, fraudulent, invalid or
         insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or
         inaccurate in any respect;

                  (d) payment by the Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit
         against presentation of a draft, certificate or documents which do not
         comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit, or payment by the
         Issuing Bank under any Letter of Credit in any other circumstances in
         which conditions to payment are not met, except any such payment
         resulting solely from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the
         Issuing Bank; or

                  (e) any other event, condition or circumstance whatever,
         whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

The Borrower bears the risk of, and neither the Issuing Bank, any of its
directors, officers, employees or agents, nor any Lender, shall be liable or
responsible for the use which may be made of any Letter of Credit, or acts or
omissions of the beneficiary or any transferee in connection therewith.

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   263
                  3.06. FURTHER ASSURANCES. The Borrower hereby agrees, from
time to time, to do and perform any and all acts and to execute any and all
further instruments reasonably requested by the Issuing Bank more fully to
effect the purposes of this Agreement and the issuance of the Letters of Credit
hereunder.

                  3.07. CASH COLLATERAL FOR LETTERS OF CREDIT. The Borrower
agrees that, without limitation of other rights and remedies under this
Agreement or the Loan Documents or at law or in equity, if the Borrower is
required to cash collateralize outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to Section
3.13, Section 8.02 or any other provision of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, the Borrower shall immediately pay to the Collateral Agent, for
deposit in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account, an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of the aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure at such time over the
balance in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account. The Agent shall direct the
Collateral Agent to release funds in the Letter of Credit Collateral Account to
the Issuing Bank for payment of Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations
constituting Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, as and when the same become
due and payable if and to the extent the Borrower fails to pay the same.

                  3.08.  CERTAIN PROVISIONS RELATING TO THE ISSUING BANK.

                  (a) GENERAL. The Issuing Bank shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and no implied duties or responsibilities on the part of
the Issuing Bank shall be read into this Agreement or any Loan Document or shall
otherwise exist. The duties and responsibilities of the Issuing Bank to the
other Lender Parties under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be
mechanical and administrative in nature, and the Issuing Bank shall not have a
fiduciary relationship in respect of any Lender Party or any other Person. The
Issuing Bank shall not be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken by
it under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, unless
caused by its own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Issuing Bank shall
not be under any obligation to ascertain, inquire or give any notice relating to
(i) the performance or observance of any of the terms or conditions of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document on the part of the Borrower, (ii) the
business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the
Borrower or any other Person, or (iii) the existence of any Event of Default or
Potential Default. The Issuing Bank shall not be under any obligation, either
initially or on a continuing basis, to provide the Agent or any Lender with any
notices, reports or information of any nature, whether in its possession
presently or hereafter, except for such notices, reports and other information
expressly required by this Agreement to be so furnished.

                  (b) ADMINISTRATION. The Issuing Bank may rely upon any notice
or other communication of any nature (written or oral, including but not limited
to telephone conversations, whether or not such notice or other communication is
made in a manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any Loan Document)
purportedly made by or on behalf of the proper party or parties, and no Issuing
Bank shall have any duty to verify the identity or authority of any Person
giving such notice or other communication. The Issuing Bank may consult with
legal counsel (including, without limitation, in-house counsel for the Issuing
Bank or in-house or other counsel for the Borrower), independent public
accountants and any other experts selected by it from time to time, and no
Issuing Bank shall be liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good
faith in accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.
Whenever the Issuing Bank shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be
proved or established with respect to the Borrower or any Lender Party, such
matter may be established by a certificate of the Borrower or such Lender Party,
as the case may be, and the Issuing Bank may conclusively rely upon such
certificate.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>   264
                  (c) INDEMNIFICATION OF ISSUING BANK BY LENDERS. Each Lender
hereby agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Issuing Bank and its directors,
officers, employees and agents (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and
without limitation of the obligations of the Borrower to do so), Pro Rata, from
and against any and all amounts, losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature (including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of
counsel (other than in-house counsel) for the Issuing Bank or such other Person
in connection with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding
commenced or threatened, whether or not the Issuing Bank or such other Person
shall be designated a party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on,
incurred by or asserted against the Issuing Bank, in its capacity as such, or
such other Person, as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to
or by reason of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any transaction from
time to time contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction secured or
financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, with any Letter of Credit
or the proceeds thereof, provided, that no Lender shall be liable for any
portion of such amounts, losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements
resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of the Issuing Bank or
such other Person, as finally determined by a court of competent jurisdiction.

                  3.09.  INTEREST RATES.

                  (a) INTEREST RATE OPTIONS. Before the Reimbursement Target
Date, the unpaid amount of Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws shall bear
interest for each day until due on one or more bases selected by the Borrower
from among the interest rate Options set forth below. From and after the
Reimbursement Target Date, the unpaid amount of Letter of Credit Unreimbursed
Draws shall bear interest in accordance with Section 3.15(c) hereof, at the rate
set forth in clause (ii) thereof. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
for the period before the Reimbursement Target Date, each Letter of Credit
Unreimbursed Draw shall bear interest for each day until due at the Base Rate
Option, unless and until converted to the Euro-Rate Option in accordance with
the provisions of this Agreement. Subject to the provisions of this Agreement,
for the period before the Reimbursement Target Date, the Borrower may select
different Options to apply simultaneously to different Portions of the Letter of
Credit Unreimbursed Draws and may select different Funding Segments to apply
simultaneously to different parts of the Euro-Rate Portion of the Letter of
Credit Unreimbursed Draws. The interest rate Options applicable before the
Reimbursement Target Date are as follows:

                   (i) BASE RATE OPTION: A rate per annum (computed on the basis
         of a year of 365 or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days
         elapsed) for each day equal to the Base Rate for such day plus the
         Applicable Margin for such day.

                  (ii) EURO-RATE OPTION: A rate per annum (based on a year of
         360 days and actual days elapsed) for each day equal to the Euro-Rate
         for such day plus the Applicable Margin for such day.

                  (b) APPLICABLE MARGINS. The "Applicable Margin" for each
interest rate Option for each day shall mean the applicable percentage set forth
below under "Level II Performance Margins," "Level III Performance Margins," or
"Level IV Performance Margins," as the case may be, in the event that (x) no
Event of Default or Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
exist on such day and (y) Financial Test II, Financial Test III or Financial
Test IV, respectively, set forth below is satisfied on such day. For purposes of
determining the Applicable Margin, Financial Test II, Financial Test III or
Financial Test IV, as the case may be, shall be deemed to be satisfied effective
on the first day of the calendar month following the calendar month in which the
Agent shall have received from the Borrower a certificate, duly completed and
signed by a Responsible Officer, accompanied by the


                                      -6-
<PAGE>   265
Borrower's financial statements for the fiscal quarter most recently ended (or,
if such most recently ended fiscal quarter is the last of a fiscal year, for the
fiscal year then ended), demonstrating compliance with the applicable financial
test, and such financial test shall be deemed to remain satisfied until the last
day of the calendar month in which the Borrower's next annual or quarterly
financial statements are required to be delivered under Section 6.01(a) or
6.01(b) hereof, as the case may be (or, if earlier, the last day of the calendar
month in which the Borrower's next annual or quarterly financial statements are
actually delivered in compliance with such Section ); provided, that for each
day in the period from and including the Closing Date to and including the last
day of the calendar month in which the Borrower's quarterly financial statements
for the quarter ending September 30, 1997 are required to be delivered under
Section 6.01(b) hereof (or, if earlier, the last day of the calendar month in
which such quarterly financial statements are actually delivered in compliance
with Section 6.01(b) hereof), the Borrower will be deemed to have satisfied
Financial Test II. If the conditions for application of the Level II Performance
Margins, Level III Performance Margins or Level IV Performance Margins do not
apply on a particular day, the "Applicable Margin" for such day shall mean the
applicable percentage set forth below under "Level I Performance Margins":

LEVEL I PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

                  Interest Rate Option                Applicable Margin

                  Base Rate Option                            Zero
                  Euro-Rate Option                            1.25%

Level I Performance Margins shall apply in the event that the conditions for
application of the Level II Performance Margins, Level III Performance Margins
or Level IV Performance Margins do not apply.

LEVEL II PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

                  Interest Rate Option                Applicable Margin

                  Base Rate Option                            Zero
                  Euro-Rate Option                            1.00%

Level II Performance Margins shall apply in the event that Financial Test II is
satisfied and the other conditions set forth above are met. "Financial Test II"
means that, as of the end of the relevant fiscal quarter, the Consolidated
Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a single accounting
period, is less than 4.00 and greater than or equal to 3.00.

LEVEL III PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

                  Interest Rate Option                Applicable Margin

                  Base Rate Option                            Zero
                  Euro-Rate Option                            0.875%

Level III Performance Margins shall apply in the event that Financial Test III
is satisfied and the other conditions set forth above are met. "Financial Test
III" means that, as of the end of the relevant fiscal quarter, the Consolidated
Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters


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<PAGE>   266
ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a single accounting
period, is less than 3.00 and greater than or equal to 2.50.

LEVEL IV PERFORMANCE MARGINS:

                  Interest Rate Option                Applicable Margin

                  Base Rate Option                            Zero
                  Euro-Rate Option                            0.75%

Level IV Performance Margins shall apply in the event that Financial Test IV is
satisfied and the other conditions set forth above are met. "Financial Test IV"
means that, as of the end of the relevant fiscal quarter, the Consolidated
Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive fiscal quarters
ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a single accounting
period, is less than 2.50.

                  (c) FUNDING PERIODS. At any time when the Borrower shall
select, convert to or renew the Euro-Rate Option to apply to any part of the
Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, the Borrower shall specify one or more
periods (the "Funding Periods") during which each such Option shall apply, such
Funding Periods being as set forth below:

Interest Rate Option                         Available Funding Periods

Euro-Rate Option                             One, two, three or six months
                                             ("Euro-Rate Funding Period");

provided, that:

                   (i) Each Euro-Rate Funding Period shall begin on a London
         Business Day, and the term "month," when used in connection with a
         Euro-Rate Funding Period, shall be construed in accordance with
         prevailing practices in the interbank eurodollar market at the
         commencement of such Euro-Rate Funding Period, as determined in good
         faith by the Agent (which determination shall be conclusive);

                  (ii) The Borrower may not select a Funding Period that would
         end after the Reimbursement Target Date; and

                  (iii) The aggregate number of Funding Segments of the
         Euro-Rate Portion at any time shall not exceed two.

                  (d) TRANSACTIONAL AMOUNTS. Each selection of, conversion from,
conversion to or renewal of an interest rate Option and each payment or
prepayment of any Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws shall be in a principal
amount such that after giving effect thereto the aggregate principal amount of
the Base Rate Portion, and the aggregate principal amount of each Funding
Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion, shall be as set forth below:

Portion or Funding Segment                 Allowable Aggregate Principal Amounts

Base Rate Portion                          Any

Each Funding Segment                       $500,000 or an integral


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   267
of the Euro-Rate Portion                   multiple thereof

                  (e)  EURO-RATE UNASCERTAINABLE; IMPRACTICABILITY.  If

                   (i) on any date on which a Euro-Rate would otherwise be set
         the Agent (in the case of clauses (A) or (B) below) or any Lender (in
         the case of clause (C) below) shall have determined in good faith
         (which determination shall be conclusive) that:

                           (A) adequate and reasonable means do not exist for
                  ascertaining such Euro-Rate,

                           (B) a contingency has occurred which materially and
                  adversely affects the interbank eurodollar market, or

                           (C) the effective cost to such Lender of funding a
                  proposed Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion from a
                  Corresponding Source of Funds shall exceed the Euro-Rate
                  applicable to such Funding Segment, or

                  (ii) at any time any Lender shall have determined in good
         faith (which determination shall be conclusive) that the making,
         maintenance or funding of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion has been
         made impracticable or unlawful by compliance by such Lender or a
         Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office in good faith with any Law or
         guideline or interpretation or administration thereof by any
         Governmental Authority charged with the interpretation or
         administration thereof or with any request or directive of any such
         Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of law);

then, and in any such event, the Agent or such Lender, as the case may be, may
notify the Borrower of such determination (and any Lender giving such notice
shall notify the Agent). Upon such date as shall be specified in such notice
(which shall not be earlier than the date such notice is given), the obligation
of each of the Lenders to allow the Borrower to select, convert to or renew the
Euro-Rate Option shall be suspended until the Agent or such Lender, as the case
may be, shall have later notified the Borrower (and any Lender giving such
notice shall notify the Agent) of the Agent's or such Lender's determination in
good faith (which determination shall be conclusive) that the circumstance
giving rise to such previous determination no longer exist. If any Lender
notifies the Borrower of a determination under clause (ii) of this Section
3.09(e), the Euro-Rate Portion of the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws in
which such Lender (the "Affected Lender") has a Letter of Credit Participating
Interest shall automatically be converted to the Base Rate Option as of the date
specified in such notice (and accrued interest thereon shall be due and payable
on such date).

                  3.10.  CONVERSION OR RENEWAL OF INTEREST RATE OPTIONS.

                  (a) CONVERSION OR RENEWAL. Subject to the provisions of
Section 3.16(b) hereof and the other provisions of this Agreement, before the
Reimbursement Target Date the Borrower may convert any part of the Letter of
Credit Unreimbursed Draws from any interest rate Option or Options to one or
more different interest rate Options and may renew the Euro-Rate Option as to
any Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion:

                  (i) At any time with respect to conversion from the Base Rate
         Option; or

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<PAGE>   268
                  (ii) At the expiration of any Funding Period with respect to
         conversions from or renewals of the Euro-Rate Option, as to the Funding
         Segment corresponding to such expiring Funding Period.

Whenever the Borrower desires to convert or renew any interest rate Option or
Options, the Borrower shall provide to the Agent Standard Notice setting forth
the following information:

                  (w) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the
         proposed conversion or renewal is to be made;

                  (x) The principal amounts selected in accordance with Section
         3.09(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and each Funding Segment of the
         Euro-Rate Portion to be converted from or renewed;

                  (y) The interest rate Option or Options selected in accordance
         with Section 3.09(a) hereof and the principal amounts selected in
         accordance with Section 3.09(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and
         each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to be converted to; and

                  (z) With respect to each Funding Segment to be converted to or
         renewed, the Funding Period selected in accordance with Section 3.09(c)
         hereof to apply to such Funding Segment.

Standard Notice having been so provided, after the date specified in such
Standard Notice, interest shall be calculated upon the amount of the Letter of
Credit Unreimbursed Draws as so converted or renewed. Interest on any Letter of
Credit Unreimbursed Draws converted or renewed (automatically or otherwise)
shall be due and payable on the conversion or renewal date.

                  (b) FAILURE TO CONVERT OR RENEW. Absent due notice from the
Borrower of conversion or renewal in the circumstances described in Section
3.10(a)(ii) hereof, any part of the Euro-Rate Portion for which such notice is
not received shall be converted automatically to the Base Rate Option on the
last day of the expiring Funding Period.

                  3.11. PREPAYMENTS GENERALLY. Whenever the Borrower desires or
is required to prepay any part of the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, it
shall provide Standard Notice to the Agent setting forth the following
information:

                  (a) The date, which shall be a Business Day, on which the
         proposed prepayment is to be made;

                  (b) The total principal amount of such prepayment, which shall
         be the sum of the principal amounts selected pursuant to clause (c) of
         this Section 3.11, and which, if a partial prepayment, shall be an
         integral multiple of $500,000; and

                  (c) The principal amounts selected in accordance with Section
         3.09(d) hereof of the Base Rate Portion and each part of each Funding
         Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion to be prepaid.

Standard Notice having been so provided, on the date specified in such Standard
Notice, the principal amounts of the Base Rate Portion and each part of the
Euro-Rate Portion specified in such notice, together with interest on each such
principal amount to such date, shall be due and payable.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>   269
                  3.12. OPTIONAL PREPAYMENTS. The Borrower shall have the right
at its option from time to time to prepay any Letter of Credit Unreimbursed
Draws in whole or part without premium or penalty (subject, however, to Section
3.16(b) hereof):

                  (a) At any time with respect to any part of the Base Rate
         Portion; or

                  (b) At the expiration of any Funding Period with respect to
         prepayment of the Euro-Rate Portion with respect to any part of the
         Funding Segment corresponding to such expiring Funding Period.

Any such prepayment shall be made in accordance with Section 3.11 hereof.

                  3.13. MANDATORY PREPAYMENT AND CASH COLLATERALIZATION. The
Borrower shall prepay the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws in full, and shall
provide cash collateral for all outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance with
Section 3.07 hereof, in the event that at any time

                  (i) there shall fail to be in force a Revolving Credit
         Agreement (which, so long as the Senior Note Indenture is in force,
         shall constitute a "Credit Agreement" as defined therein), under which
         the Borrower at such time has the right to borrow from financial
         institutions on a revolving basis from time to time an aggregate
         principal amount not less than $75,000,000, or the Revolving Credit
         Maturity Date thereunder shall have occurred, or the Borrower shall be
         required to make any prepayment of principal thereunder or to post cash
         collateral thereunder (except prepayments of principal or the posting
         of cash collateral which otherwise would be mandatory solely as a
         result of the Borrower's provision of notice of prepayment), or

                  (ii) the Borrower shall not have procured a commitment from a
         financial institution to provide a successor Revolving Credit Agreement
         complying with the foregoing clause (i) by the 90th day before the
         Revolving Credit Maturity Date under the then-current Revolving Credit
         Agreement.

If prepayment of the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws and cash
collateralization of outstanding Letters of Credit is required under this
Section 3.13, the Borrower shall give notice of such prepayment in accordance
with Section 3.11 hereof so that such prepayment is made not later than the date
of the applicable event referred to in the foregoing clause (i) or (ii), and
shall make such cash collateralization not later than such date.

                  3.14. INTEREST PAYMENT DATES. Accrued and unpaid interest on
the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws shall be due and payable on the
following dates (and on such other dates as may be specified elsewhere in this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents): (a) in the case of the Base Rate
Portion, on each Regular Monthly Payment Date, and (b) in the case of each
Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion, on the last day of the corresponding
Euro-Rate Funding Period and, if such Euro-Rate Funding Period is longer than
three months, also on the last day of the third month during such Funding
Period. After maturity of any part of the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws
(by acceleration or otherwise), interest on such part of the Letter of Credit
Unreimbursed Draws shall be due and payable on demand.

                  3.15.  PAYMENTS GENERALLY.

                  (a)  [Reserved].

                                      -11-
<PAGE>   270
                  (b) PAYMENTS GENERALLY. All payments and prepayments to be
made by the Borrower in respect of Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws,
interest, fees, indemnities, expenses or other amounts due from the Borrower
hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be payable in Dollars at 1:00
p.m., Pittsburgh time, on the day when due without presentment, demand, protest
or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived, and an action
therefor shall immediately accrue, without setoff, counterclaim, withholding or
other deduction of any kind or nature (except for payments to a Lender subject
to a withholding deduction under Section 3.17(c) hereof). Except for payments
under Sections 3.16 or 10.06 hereof, such payments shall be made to the Agent at
its Office in funds immediately available at such Office, and payments under
Sections 3.16 or 10.06 hereof shall be made to the applicable Lender or Issuing
Bank at such domestic account as it shall specify to the Borrower from time to
time in funds immediately available at such account. Any payment received by the
Agent or such Lender or Issuing Bank after 1:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time, on any
day shall be deemed to have been received on the next succeeding Business Day.
The Agent shall distribute to the Lenders or the Issuing Bank, as the case may
be, all such payments received by the Agent for their respective accounts as
promptly as practicable after receipt by the Agent.

                  (c) INTEREST ON OVERDUE AMOUNTS. To the extent permitted by
law, after there shall have become due (by acceleration or otherwise) Letter of
Credit Unreimbursed Draws, interest, fees, indemnity, expenses or any other
amounts due from the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan Document, such
amounts shall bear interest for each day until paid (before and after judgment),
payable on demand, at a rate per annum (in each case based on a year of 365 or
366 days, as the case may be, and actual days elapsed) which for each day shall
be equal to the following:

                  (i) In the case of any part of the Euro-Rate Portion, (A)
         until the end of the applicable then-current Funding Period at a rate
         per annum 2.00% above the rate otherwise applicable to such part, and
         (B) thereafter in accordance with the following clause (ii); and

                  (ii) In the case of any other amount due from the Borrower
         hereunder or under any Loan Document, 2.00% above the then-current Base
         Rate Option.

 To the extent permitted by law, interest accrued on any amount which has become
due hereunder or under any Loan Document shall compound on a day-by-day basis,
and hence shall be added daily to the overdue amount to which such interest
relates.

                  3.16.  ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.

                  (a) INCREASED COSTS OR REDUCED RETURN RESULTING FROM TAXES,
RESERVES, CAPITAL ADEQUACY REQUIREMENTS, EXPENSES, ETC. If any Law or guideline
or interpretation or application thereof by any Governmental Authority charged
with the interpretation or administration thereof or compliance with any request
or directive of any Governmental Authority (whether or not having the force of
law) now existing or hereafter adopted:

                   (i) subjects any Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office to any tax or changes the basis of taxation with respect
         to this Agreement, the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, the Letters
         of Credit, or the Letter of Credit Participating Interests, or payments
         by the Borrower of principal, interest, fees or other amounts due from
         the Borrower hereunder (except for taxes on the overall net income or
         overall gross receipts of such Lender Party or such Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office imposed by the jurisdictions (federal, state and local)
         in which the Lender Party's principal office or Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office is located),

                                      -12-
<PAGE>   271
                  (ii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve,
         special deposit, insurance assessment or any other requirement against
         credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, assets (funded or
         contingent) of, deposits with or for the account of, other acquisitions
         of funds by, such Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office
         (other than requirements expressly included herein in the determination
         of the Euro-Rate hereunder),

                 (iii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable any capital
         adequacy or similar requirement against assets (funded or contingent)
         of, or credits or commitments to extend credit extended by, any Lender
         Party or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office, or applicable to the
         obligations of any Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate Funding
         Office under this Agreement, or

                  (iv) imposes upon any Lender Party or any Notional Euro-Rate
         Funding Office any other condition or expense with respect to this
         Agreement or its making, maintenance or funding of any Letter of Credit
         Unreimbursed Draw, Letter of Credit, or Letter of Credit Participating
         Interest,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, reduce the
income receivable by, or impose any expense (including loss of margin) upon any
Lender Party, any Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or, in the case of clause
(iii) hereof, any Person controlling a Lender Party, with respect to this
Agreement or the making, maintenance or funding of any Letter of Credit
Unreimbursed Draw, Letter of Credit, or Letter of Credit Participating Interest
(or, in the case of any capital adequacy or similar requirement, to have the
effect of reducing the rate of return on such Lender Party's or controlling
Person's capital, taking into consideration such Lender Party's or controlling
Person's policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount which such
Lender Party deems to be material (such Lender Party being deemed for this
purpose to have made, maintained or funded each Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate
Portion from a Corresponding Source of Funds), such Lender Party may from time
to time notify the Borrower of the amount determined in good faith by such
Lender Party (which determination shall be conclusive) to be necessary to
compensate such Lender Party or such Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office for such
increase, reduction or imposition. In making any such determination such Lender
Party may take into account any special, supplemental or other nonrecurring
items, may apply any averaging or attribution methods, and may make such
determination prospectively or retrospectively. Such amount shall be due and
payable by the Borrower to such Lender Party five Business Days after such
notice is given, together with an amount equal to interest on such amount from
the date two Business Days after the date demanded until such due date at the
Base Rate Option. The Borrower shall not be required to make any payment in
respect of clause (a)(i) above to a Lender to the extent that such payment is
attributable to a breach by such Lender of its obligations under Section 3.17(c)
below.

                  (b) FUNDING BREAKAGE. In the event that for any reason (i) the
Borrower fails to convert or renew any part of the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed
Draws which would, after such conversion or renewal, have a Euro-Rate Portion,
after notice requesting such conversion or renewal has been given by the
Borrower (whether such failure results from failure to satisfy applicable
conditions to such conversion or renewal or otherwise), or (ii) any part of any
Funding Segment of any Euro-Rate Portion becomes due (by acceleration or
otherwise), or is paid, prepaid or converted to another interest rate Option
(whether or not such payment, prepayment or conversion is mandatory or automatic
and whether or not such payment or prepayment is then due), on a day other than
the last day of the corresponding Funding Period, the Borrower shall indemnify
each Lender on demand against any loss, liability, cost or expense of any kind
or nature which such Lender may sustain or incur in connection with or as a
result


                                      -13-
<PAGE>   272
of such event. Such indemnification in any event shall include an amount
equal to the excess, if any, of (x) the aggregate amount of interest which would
have accrued on the amount of the Euro-Rate Portion not so converted or renewed,
or which so becomes due, or which is so paid, prepaid or converted, as the case
may be, from and including the date on which such conversion or renewal would
have been made pursuant to such notice, or on which such part of such Funding
Segment so becomes due, or on which such part of such Funding Segment is so
paid, prepaid or converted, as the case may be, to the last day of the Funding
Period applicable to such amount (or, in the case of a failure to convert or
renew, the Funding Period that would have been applicable to such amount but for
such failure), in each case at the applicable rate of interest for such
Euro-Rate Portion provided for herein (excluding, however, the Applicable Margin
included therein, if any), over (y) the aggregate amount of interest (as
determined in good faith by such Lender) which would have accrued to such Lender
on such amount for such period by placing such amount on deposit for such period
with leading banks in the interbank market. A certificate by the Lender as to
any amount that such Lender is entitled to receive pursuant to this Section
3.16(b) shall be conclusive if made in good faith.

                  3.17.  TAXES.

                  (a) PAYMENT NET OF TAXES. All payments made by the Borrower
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall be made free and clear of,
and without reduction or withholding for or on account of, any present or future
income, stamp or other taxes, levies, imposts, duties, charges, fees, deductions
or withholdings, now or hereafter imposed, levied, collected, withheld or
assessed by any Governmental Authority, and all liabilities with respect
thereto, excluding

                  (i) in the case of each Lender Party, income or franchise
         taxes imposed on such Lender Party by the jurisdiction under the laws
         of which such Lender Party is organized or any political subdivision or
         taxing authority thereof or therein or as a result of a connection
         between such Lender Party and any jurisdiction other than a connection
         resulting solely from this Agreement and the transactions contemplated
         hereby, and

                  (ii) in the case of each Lender, income or franchise taxes
         imposed by any jurisdiction in which such Lender's lending offices
         which make or book Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws are located or
         any political subdivision or taxing authority thereof or therein

(all such non-excluded taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or
withholdings being hereinafter called "Taxes"). If any Taxes are required to be
withheld or deducted from any amounts payable to any Lender Party under this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall pay the relevant amount
of such Taxes and the amounts so payable to such Lender Party shall be increased
to the extent necessary to yield to such Lender Party (after payment of all
Taxes) interest or any such other amounts payable hereunder at the rates or in
the amounts specified in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Whenever
any Taxes are paid by the Borrower with respect to payments made in connection
with this Agreement or any other Loan Document, as promptly as possible
thereafter, the Borrower shall send to the Agent for its own account or for the
account of such Lender Party, as the case may be, a certified copy of an
original official receipt received by the Borrower showing payment thereof.

                  (b) INDEMNITY. The Borrower hereby indemnifies each Lender
Party for the full amount of all Taxes attributable to payments by or on behalf
of the Borrower to such Lender Party hereunder or under any of the other Loan
Documents, any Taxes paid by such Lender Party, and any present or future
claims, liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any omission to
pay or delay in paying any Taxes (including any incremental Taxes, interest or
penalties that may become payable by such Lender


                                      -14-
<PAGE>   273
Party as a result of any failure to pay such Taxes). Such indemnification shall
be made within five Business Days from the date such Lender Party makes written
demand therefor. The Borrower shall not be required to make any payment under
this Section 3.17(b) to a Lender to the extent that such payment is attributable
to a breach by such Lender of its obligations under Section 3.17(c) below.

                  (c) WITHHOLDING. Each Lender that is incorporated or organized
under the laws of any jurisdiction other than the United States or any state
thereof agrees that, on or prior to the date it becomes party to this Agreement,
it will furnish to the Borrower and the Agent two valid, duly completed copies
of United States Internal Revenue Service Form 4224 or United States Internal
Revenue Service Form 1001 or successor applicable form, as the case may be,
certifying in each case that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents without deduction or withholding of
any United States federal income taxes. Each Lender which so delivers to the
Borrower and the Agent a Form 1001 or 4224, or a successor applicable form,
agrees to deliver to the Borrower and the Agent two further copies of the said
Form 1001 or 4224 or a successor applicable form, or other manner of
certification, as the case may be, on or before the date that any such form
expires or becomes obsolete or otherwise is required to be resubmitted as a
condition to obtaining an exemption from withholding tax, or after the
occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most recent form previously
delivered by it, and such extensions or renewals thereof as may reasonably be
requested by the Borrower or the Agent, certifying in the case of a Form 1001 or
Form 4224 that such Lender is entitled to receive payments under this Agreement
or any other Loan Document without deduction or withholding of any United States
federal income taxes, unless in any such cases an event (including any changes
in law) has occurred prior to the date on which any such delivery would
otherwise be required which renders all such forms inapplicable or which would
prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any such letter or form
with respect to it and such Lender advises the Borrower and the Agent that it is
not capable of receiving payments without any deduction or withholding of United
States federal income tax. In addition, if at any time the Borrower believes
that payments to any Lender (foreign or domestic) may be subject to U.S. backup
withholding tax, such Lender shall, at the Borrower's reasonable request from
time to time, if such Lender is legally able to do so, provide the Borrower with
evidence establishing an exemption from U.S. backup withholding tax.

                  (d) CREDITS. If any payment by the Borrower is made to or for
the account of the Lender Party after deduction for or on account of any Taxes,
and increased payments are made by the Borrower pursuant to Section 3.17(a),
then, if such Lender Party in its reasonable opinion determines that it has
received or been granted a credit against or remission for such Taxes, such
Lender Party shall, to the extent it can do so without prejudice to the
retention of the amount of such credit or remission, reimburse to the Borrower
such amount as such Lender Party shall, in its reasonable opinion acting in good
faith, have determined to be attributable to the relevant Taxes or deduction or
withholding. Any payment made by a Lender Party under this Section 3.17(d) shall
be prima facie evidence of the amount due to the Borrower hereunder. Nothing
herein contained shall interfere with the right of any Lender Party to arrange
its tax affairs in whatever manner it thinks fit and, in particular, no Lender
Party shall be under any obligation to claim relief from its corporate profits
or similar tax liability in respect of such tax in priority to any other claims,
reliefs, credits or deductions available to it nor oblige any Lender Party to
disclose any information relating to its tax affairs or any computations in
respect thereof.

                  3.18. FUNDING BY BRANCH, SUBSIDIARY OR AFFILIATE. Each Lender
shall have the right from time to time, prospectively or retrospectively,
without notice to the Borrower, to deem any branch, subsidiary or affiliate of
such Lender to have made, maintained or funded any part of the Euro-Rate Portion
at any time. Any branch, subsidiary or affiliate so deemed shall be known as a
"Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office." Such Lender shall deem any part of the
Euro-Rate Portion or the funding therefor to have been transferred to a
different Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office if such transfer would avoid or


                                      -15-
<PAGE>   274
cure an event or condition described in Section 3.09(e)(ii) hereof or would
lessen compensation payable by the Borrower under Section 3.16(a) hereof, and if
such Lender determines in its sole discretion that such transfer would be
practicable and would not have a material adverse effect on such part of the
Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, such Lender or any Notional Euro-Rate
Funding Office (it being assumed for purposes of such determination that each
part of the Euro-Rate Portion is actually made or maintained by or funded
through the corresponding Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office). Notional Euro-Rate
Funding Offices may be selected by such Lender without regard to such Lender's
actual methods of making, maintaining or funding Letter of Credit Unreimbursed
Draws or any sources of funding actually used by or available to such Lender.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to each Lender
Party as follows:

                  4.01. CORPORATE STATUS. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of
the Borrower is a Corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws
of its jurisdiction of organization. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower has corporate power and authority to own its property and to transact
the business in which it is engaged or presently proposes to engage. The
Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower is duly qualified to do business as
a foreign Corporation and, to the extent applicable, is in good standing in all
jurisdictions in which the ownership of its properties or the nature of its
activities or both makes such qualification necessary or advisable, except for
matters that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely
to, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.02. CORPORATE POWER AND AUTHORIZATION. The Borrower has
corporate power and authority to execute, deliver, perform, and take all actions
contemplated by, each Loan Document to which it is a party, and all such action
has been duly and validly authorized by all necessary corporate proceedings on
its part. Without limitation of the foregoing, the Borrower has the corporate
power and authority to cause the Letters of Credit to become subject to the Loan
Documents and has taken all necessary corporate action to authorize the
foregoing.

                  4.03. EXECUTION AND BINDING EFFECT. This Agreement, each other
Loan Document to which the Borrower is a party and which is executed and
delivered or required to be executed and delivered on or before the date as of
which this representation and warranty is made, has been duly and validly
executed and delivered by the Borrower. This Agreement and each such Loan
Document constitutes, and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered
by the Borrower will constitute, the legal, valid and binding obligation of the
Borrower, enforceable in accordance with its terms.

                  4.04. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. No approval, order,
consent, authorization, certificate, license, permit or validation of, or
exemption or other action by, or filing, recording or registration with, or
notice to, any Governmental Authority (collectively, "Governmental Action") is
or will be necessary or advisable in connection with execution and delivery of
any Loan Document, consummation of the transactions herein or therein
contemplated, performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions hereof
or thereof or to ensure the legality, validity, binding effect, enforceability
or admissibility in evidence hereof or thereof, except for the following: (a)
filings and recordings in respect of the Liens in favor of the Collateral Agent
and the Agent contemplated hereby and thereby, and (b) other matters set forth
in Schedule 4.04 hereof. Each Governmental Action referred to in the foregoing
clauses (a) and (b) has been duly obtained or made, as the case may be, and is
in full force and effect (except, in the case of clause (a), for the filing of
continuation statements and


                                      -16-
<PAGE>   275
like renewal filings and recordings which are not yet required to be made).
There is no action, suit, proceeding or investigation pending or (to the
Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry) threatened which seeks or may result in
the reversal, rescission, termination, modification or suspension of any such
Governmental Action.

                  4.05. ABSENCE OF CONFLICTS. Neither the execution and delivery
of any Loan Document nor consummation of the transactions herein or therein
contemplated, nor performance of or compliance with the terms and conditions
hereof or thereof, does or will

                  (a)  violate or conflict with any Law, or

                  (b) violate or conflict with, or constitute a default under,
         or result in (or give rise to any right, contingent or other, of any
         Person to cause) any termination, cancellation, prepayment or
         acceleration of performance of, or result in the creation or imposition
         of (or give rise to any obligation, contingent or other, to create or
         impose) any Lien upon any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
         the Borrower (except for any Lien in favor of the Collateral Agent
         securing the Obligations) pursuant to, or otherwise result in (or give
         rise to any right, contingent or other, of any Person to cause) any
         change in any right, power, privilege, duty or obligation of the
         Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower under or in connection with,
         (i) the articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other constituent
         documents) of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (ii)
         any agreement or instrument to which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
         the Borrower is a party or by which any of them or any of their
         respective properties may be subject or bound,

except, in the case of the foregoing clause (b)(ii), for matters set forth on
Schedule 4.05 hereof.

                  4.06. AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower has
heretofore furnished to the Agent and each Lender consolidated balance sheets of
the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and
December 31, 1995 and the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows
and changes in stockholders' equity for the fiscal years then ended, as audited
and reported on by Deloitte & Touche, independent certified public accountants
for the Borrower, who delivered an unqualified opinion in respect thereof. Such
financial statements (including the notes thereto) present fairly the financial
position of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of each
such fiscal year and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
the fiscal years then ended, all in conformity with GAAP.

                  4.07. INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower has
heretofore furnished to the Agent and each Lender interim consolidated balance
sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of September 30,
1996, together with the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows
and changes in stockholders' equity for the period from January 1, 1996 to such
date. Such financial statements (including the notes thereto) present fairly the
financial condition of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of
September 30, 1996, and their respective results of operations and cash flows
for the fiscal period then ended, all in conformity with GAAP (except that such
financial statements do not contain all of the footnote disclosures required by
GAAP), subject to normal and recurring year-end audit adjustments.

                  4.08. ABSENCE OF UNDISCLOSED LIABILITIES. Neither the Borrower
nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower has any liability or obligation of any nature
(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or other, whether or not due, including
but not limited to forward or long-term commitments or unrealized or anticipated
losses from unfavorable commitments) that would be required by GAAP to be
reflected on


                                      -17-
<PAGE>   276
a consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (including the
notes thereto) or that has, or would be likely to have, a Material Adverse
Effect, except (a) matters set forth on Schedule 4.08 hereto, (b) liabilities
and obligations disclosed in the financial statements referred to in Sections
4.05 and 4.06 hereof, (c) liabilities and obligations incurred after December
31, 1995 in the ordinary course of business and consistent with past practices,
and (d) obligations under the Credit Facilities.

                  4.09. ACCURATE AND COMPLETE DISCLOSURE. All written
information heretofore, contemporaneously or hereafter provided by or on behalf
of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to any Secured Party pursuant
to or in connection with any Loan Document or any transaction contemplated
hereby or thereby is or will be (as the case may be) true and accurate in all
material respects on the date as of which such information is dated (or, if not
dated, when received by such Secured Party) and does not or will not (as the
case may be) omit to state any material fact necessary to make such information
not misleading at such time in light of the circumstances in which it was
provided. Except as disclosed to the Agent and each Lender in writing, the
Borrower is not aware of any event, change or effect (other than political,
social or economic events, changes or effects of general national or global
scope) having or likely to have individually or in the aggregate, a Material
Adverse Effect.

                  4.10. PROJECTIONS. The Borrower has delivered to the Agent
projections prepared by the Borrower, dated February 5, 1997, for the years 1997
through 2001, demonstrating the projected consolidated financial condition,
results of operations and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, which
projections are accompanied by a written statement of the assumptions and
estimates underlying such projections. Such projections, assumptions and
estimates, as of the Closing Date, are reasonable, consistent with the Loan
Documents, and represent the best judgment of the Borrower on such matters. Such
projections, assumptions and estimates are based upon political, social and
economic assumptions that are believed to be reasonable. Nothing has come to the
attention of the Borrower as of the Closing Date which would lead it to believe
that such projections will not be attained or exceeded. Such projections are not
a guarantee of future performance.

                  4.11. SOLVENCY. On and as of the date hereof, and on the
Closing Date, the Borrower and each Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower is
and will be Solvent (and for this purpose, each Subsidiary of the Borrower which
is not Solvent shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if, collectively,
together with their respective Subsidiaries, treated as a single entity, they
would constitute a Significant Subsidiary).

                  4.12. MARGIN REGULATIONS. No part of the proceeds of any
extension of credit hereunder will be used for the purpose of buying or carrying
any "margin stock," as such term is used in Regulations G and U of the Board of
Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time to time, to extend
credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying any "margin stock," or to
extend credit to any Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a Broker-Dealer. Neither
the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower is engaged in the business of
extending credit to others for the purpose of buying or carrying "margin stock."
Neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower owns "margin stock"
sufficient to cause any Loan Obligations to be deemed "indirectly secured" by
"margin stock" within the meaning of such Regulations. Neither any extension of
credit pursuant to this Agreement nor any use of proceeds of any such extension
of credit will violate or conflict with the provisions of Regulation G, T, U or
X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended from time
to time.

                  4.13. REGULATORY RESTRICTIONS. Except as set forth in Schedule
4.13 hereof, neither the Borrower nor any Subsidiary of the Borrower is (a) an
"investment company" or a company "controlled"


                                      -18-
<PAGE>   277
by an investment company within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of
1940, as amended, (b) a "holding company" or a "subsidiary company" of a
"holding company" or an "affiliate" of either a "holding company" or a
"subsidiary company" within the meaning of the Public Utility Holding Company
Act of 1935, as amended, (c) subject to regulation under the Federal Power Act,
the Interstate Commerce Act, or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,
or (d) subject to any other Law which purports to restrict or regulate its
ability to borrow money or obtain credit as a consequence of the nature of the
business conducted by such Person.

                  4.14. SUBSIDIARIES. Schedule 4.14 hereof states the authorized
capitalization of each Subsidiary of the Borrower, the number of Shares of
Capital Stock of each class issued and outstanding of each such Subsidiary, and
the number and percentage of outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of each such
class owned by the Borrower and by each Subsidiary of the Borrower. The
outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of each Subsidiary of the Borrower have been
duly authorized and validly issued and are fully paid and nonassessable. The
Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower owns beneficially and of record and
has good title to all of the Shares of Capital Stock it is listed as owning in
such Schedule 4.14, free and clear of any Lien, except for Liens in favor of the
Collateral Agent securing the Obligations. Except as set forth on Schedule 4.14
hereof, there are no options, warrants, calls, subscriptions, conversion rights,
exchange rights, preemptive rights or other rights, agreements or arrangements
(contingent or other) which may in any circumstances now or hereafter obligate
any Subsidiary of the Borrower to issue any Shares of its Capital Stock or any
other securities.

                  4.15. PARTNERSHIPS, ETC. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower is a partner (general or limited) of any partnership,
is a party to any joint venture, or owns (beneficially or of record) any equity
or similar interest in any Person (including but not limited to any interest
pursuant to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary has or may in any circumstance
have an obligation to make capital contributions to, or be generally liable for
or on account of the liabilities, acts or omissions of such other Person),
except (a) distributorship or similar arrangements that do not involve liability
on the part of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in the nature of the
liability of a general partner, and (b) partnership interests permitted under
Sections 7.05(g) and 7.05(j) hereof.

                  4.16. LITIGATION. There is no pending or (to the knowledge of
the Borrower after due inquiry) threatened action, suit, proceeding or
investigation by or before any Governmental Authority against or affecting the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, except for (x) matters set forth on
Schedule 4.16 hereto, and (y) matters that if adversely decided, individually or
in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                  4.17. ABSENCE OF OTHER CONFLICTS. Neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower is in violation of or conflict with, or is subject to
any contingent liability on account of any violation of or conflict with:

                  (a) any Law,

                  (b) its articles of incorporation or by-laws (or other
         constituent documents), or

                  (c) any agreement or instrument to which it is party or by
         which it or any of its properties may be subject or bound,

 except for matters that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would
not be likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>   278
                  4.18. INSURANCE. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower maintains, or causes there to be maintained, with financially sound and
reputable insurers not related to or affiliated with the Borrower insurance with
respect to its properties and business and against at least such liabilities,
casualties and contingencies and in at least such types and amounts as is
customary in the case of Persons engaged in the same or a similar business or
having similar properties similarly situated.

                  4.19. TITLE TO PROPERTY. The Borrower and each Subsidiary of
the Borrower has good and marketable title in fee simple to all real property
owned or purported to be owned by it and good title to all other property of
whatever nature owned or purported to be owned by it, including but not limited
to all property reflected in the most recent audited balance sheet referred to
in Section 4.06 hereof (except as sold or otherwise disposed of in the ordinary
course of business after the date of such balance sheet), in each case free and
clear of all Liens, other than Permitted Liens.

                  4.20. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY. The Borrower and each Subsidiary
of the Borrower owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the right to use, all the
patents, trademarks, service marks, names (trade, service, fictitious or other),
copyrights, technology (including but not limited to computer programs and
software), know-how, processes, data bases and other rights, free from
burdensome restrictions, necessary to own and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as presently conducted and presently planned to be
conducted without conflict with the rights of others, except for matters that,
individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a
Material Adverse Effect.

                  4.21. TAXES. All federal income tax returns required to be
filed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower have
been properly prepared, executed and filed. All other tax and information
returns required to be filed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary
of the Borrower have been properly prepared, executed and filed, except for
matters that, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely
to, have a Material Adverse Effect. All taxes, assessments, fees and other
governmental charges upon the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or upon
any of their respective properties, incomes, sales or franchises which are due
and payable have been paid, other than those not yet delinquent and payable
without premium or penalty, and except for those being diligently contested in
good faith by appropriate proceedings, and in each case such reserves and
provisions for taxes as may be required by GAAP shall have been made on the
books of the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower. The reserves and
provisions for taxes on the books of the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the
Borrower for all open years and for its current fiscal period are adequate in
accordance with GAAP. As of the Closing Date, neither the Borrower nor any
Subsidiary of the Borrower knows of any proposed additional assessment or basis
for any material assessment for additional taxes (whether or not reserved
against), other than as set forth on Schedule 4.21 hereto.

                  4.22. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS. Except for matters disclosed to the
Agent before the date as of which this representation and warranty is made or
reaffirmed, neither the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or Controlled
Group Member has incurred any liability that has not been fully discharged (or
any contingent or other potential liability that represents a material risk of
becoming an actual liability) exceeding $150,000 in the aggregate for all such
Persons for or in connection with any of the following: (a) any Pension-Related
Event (whether or not any such Pension-Related Event has occurred) or (b) any
complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan (whether or not such
withdrawal has occurred). All employee benefit arrangements covering employees
of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries have been administered in substantial
compliance with, and funded in accordance with, applicable Law.

                  4.23. ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS. Except as disclosed in Schedule
4.23 hereof, the Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower and each of their
respective Environmental Affiliates is


                                      -20-
<PAGE>   279
and has been in full compliance with all applicable Environmental Laws, except
for matters which, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be
likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in Schedule 4.23
hereof, there is no Environmental Claim pending or to the knowledge of the
Borrower threatened, and there are no past or present acts, omissions, events or
circumstances (including but not limited to any dumping, leaching, deposition,
removal, abandonment, escape, emission, discharge or release of any
Environmental Concern Material at, on or under any facility or property now or
previously owned, operated or leased by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
Borrower or any of their respective Environmental Affiliates) that could form
the basis of any Environmental Claim, against the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
the Borrower or any of their respective Environmental Affiliates, except for
matters which do not, and, if adversely decided, individually or in the
aggregate, would not, have a Material Adverse Effect. Except as disclosed in
Schedule 4.23 hereof, no facility or property now or previously owned, operated
or leased by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any of their
respective Environmental Affiliates is an Environmental Cleanup Site. No Lien
exists, and no condition exists which would be likely to result in the filing of
a Lien, against any property of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower
under any Environmental Law.


                                    ARTICLE V
                             CONDITIONS OF ISSUANCE

                  5.01. CONDITIONS TO ISSUANCE. The obligation of the Issuing
Bank to cause the Closing Date to occur is subject to performance by the
Borrower of its obligations to be performed hereunder or under the other Loan
Documents, to the satisfaction of the conditions precedent set forth herein and
in the other Loan Documents and to the satisfaction, immediately prior to or
concurrently with such event of the following further conditions precedent:

                  (a) AGREEMENT; CERTIFICATE OF CLOSING. The Agent shall have
         received, with a copy for each Lender, this Agreement, duly executed on
         behalf of the Borrower, and the Agent shall have received the
         certificate referred to in Section 3.01(a), duly executed on behalf of
         the Borrower, satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent.

                  (b) SHARED SECURITY DOCUMENTS. The Collateral Agent shall have
         received the following, each of which shall be in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender (except that the
         Lenders shall not be entitled to receive duplicate originals of the
         stock certificates and other instruments pledged pursuant to the
         following Shared Security Documents and the stock powers delivered in
         connection therewith):

                           (i) The Collateral Agency Agreement, duly executed on
                  behalf of Borrower and the other parties thereto.

                           (ii) The Borrower Pledge Agreement, duly executed on
                  behalf of the Borrower.

                           (iii) Certificates and instruments representing the
                  stock certificates and other instruments pledged pursuant to
                  the Borrower Pledge Agreement, accompanied by undated duly
                  executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, in
                  form and substance satisfactory to the Agent.

                           (iv) Financing statements executed by the Borrower
                  and in proper form for filing under the Uniform Commercial
                  Code in such jurisdictions as may be necessary or, in the
                  opinion of the Agent, desirable to create, perfect or protect
                  the Liens created or


                                      -21-
<PAGE>   280
                  purported to be created by the Borrower Pledge Agreement
                  (which financing statements shall cover all personal property
                  of the Borrower, whether or not constituting collateral
                  security under the Borrower Pledge Agreement).

                           (v) Evidence that all other actions necessary or, in
                  the opinion of the Agent, desirable to create, perfect or
                  protect the Liens created or purported to be created by the
                  Borrower Pledge Agreement have been taken.

                           (vi) Evidence of contemporaneous searches of UCC, tax
                  and other appropriate registers, dockets and records, which
                  shall have revealed no filings or recordings with respect to
                  property of the Borrower (other than those relating to
                  Permitted Liens).

                  (c) WEFA ACQUISITION. The Borrower or a Wholly Owned
         Subsidiary of the Borrower shall have entered into a contract to
         acquire good title, free of all Liens, to all of the outstanding Shares
         of Capital Stock of WEFA Holdings, Inc. ("WEFA").

                  (d) ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS. The Agent shall have received, with
         copies for each Lender, true and correct copies (in each case certified
         as to authenticity on behalf of the Borrower) of the following, each of
         which shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent: all
         agreements relating to the acquisition of the Shares of Capital Stock
         of WEFA (including in each case all exhibits, schedules and disclosure
         letters delivered pursuant thereto), all amendments, waivers and
         consents relating thereto, and all other side letters or agreements
         affecting the terms thereof or other transactions contemplated thereby.

                  (e) OTHER CREDIT FACILITIES. The Agent shall have received
         evidence satisfactory to it that all conditions precedent to funding
         under the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement shall
         have been satisfied, and that, concurrently with the Closing Date, the
         Borrower shall have received $225,000,000 gross cash proceeds under the
         Term Loan Agreement.

                  (f) DISCHARGE OF PRIOR CREDIT FACILITIES. With respect to (a)
         the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of June 29, 1995 among the
         Borrower, the Issuing Banks referred to therein, the Lenders parties
         thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank
         of Boston, and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon
         Bank, N.A., as Agent, as amended, (b) the Term Loan Agreement dated as
         of June 29, 1995 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties thereto from
         time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank of Boston and
         NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as
         Agent, as amended, and (c) the Credit Agreement dated as of October 23,
         1996 among the Borrower, the Issuing Bank referred to therein, and
         Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as amended, all principal, interest,
         letter of credit draws, fees and other amounts outstanding or otherwise
         due and payable shall have been paid in full, all commitments
         thereunder shall have terminated, all outstanding letters of credit
         thereunder shall have been terminated or assumed under one of the
         Credit Facilities, and all collateral security therefor shall have been
         released.

                  (g) GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. The Agent shall have
         received, with copies for each Lender, true and correct copies (in each
         case certified as to authenticity on such date on behalf of the
         Borrower) of all items referred to in clause (b) of Section 4.04 hereof
         and such items shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent
         and shall be in full force and effect.

                                      -22-
<PAGE>   281
                  (h) OTHER CONFLICTS. The Agent shall have received, with
         copies for each Lender, true and correct copies (in each case certified
         as to authenticity on such date on behalf of the Borrower) of each
         consent, waiver, amendment or agreement which has been obtained by or
         on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in respect
         of any matter which would, absent such consent, waiver, amendment or
         agreement, be within the scope of clause (b)(ii) of Section 4.05
         hereof, and such items shall be satisfactory in form and substance to
         the Agent and shall be in full force and effect.

                  (i) CORPORATE PROCEEDINGS. The Agent shall have received, with
         a counterpart for each Lender, certificates by the Secretary or
         Assistant Secretary of the Borrower dated as of the Closing Date as to
         (i) true copies of the articles of incorporation and by-laws (or other
         constituent documents) of the Borrower in effect on such date, (ii)
         true copies of all corporate action taken by the Borrower relative to
         this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and (iii) the incumbency
         and signature of the respective officers of the Borrower executing this
         Agreement and the other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a
         party, together with satisfactory evidence of the incumbency of such
         Secretary or Assistant Secretary. The Agent shall have received, with a
         copy for each Lender, certificates from the appropriate Secretary of
         State or other applicable Governmental Authorities dated not more than
         30 days before the Closing Date showing the good standing of the
         Borrower in its state of incorporation.

                  (j) 1996 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS. The Borrower shall have
         furnished to the Agent an unaudited consolidated balance sheet of the
         Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996, and
         unaudited consolidated statements of income and stockholders' equity of
         the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for the fiscal year
         ended December 31, 1996. Such financial statements shall have been
         certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as presenting fairly
         the consolidated financial position of the Borrower and its
         consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the
         consolidated results of their operations and stockholders' equity for
         such fiscal year, in conformity with GAAP, subject to normal and
         recurring audit adjustments.

                  (k) FORM U-1. The Agent shall have received, with a
         counterpart for each Lender, a Federal Reserve Board Form U-1, duly
         executed by the Borrower, satisfactory in form and substance to the
         Agent.

                  (l) LITIGATION. There shall not be pending or (to the
         knowledge of the Borrower after due inquiry) threatened) action, suit,
         proceeding or investigation by or before any Governmental Authority
         seeking to challenge, prevent or declare illegal any of the
         transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents.

                  (m) LEGAL OPINION OF COUNSEL TO THE BORROWER. The Agent shall
         have received, with an executed counterpart for each Lender, an opinion
         addressed to the Agent and each Lender, dated the Closing Date, of
         counsel to the Borrower (who shall be satisfactory to the Agent), as to
         such matters as may be requested by the Agent and in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (n) OFFICERS' CERTIFICATES. The Agent shall have received,
         with an executed counterpart for each Lender, certificates from such
         officers of the Borrower as to such matters as the Agent may request.

                                      -23-
<PAGE>   282
                  (o) NO MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE. No material adverse change
         shall have occurred in the business, operations, assets, condition
         (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole since September 30, 1996.

                  (p) REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES, ETC. All representations
         and warranties set forth in Article IV hereof shall be true and correct
         on and as of the Closing Date as if made on and as of the Closing Date,
         after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan
         Documents to occur on or before the Closing Date.

                  (q) NO DEFAULTS. No Event of Default or Potential Default
         shall have occurred and be continuing or exist on the Closing Date or
         after giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan
         Documents to occur on or before the Closing Date.

                  (r) NO VIOLATIONS OF LAW, ETC. Neither the making nor use of
         the Letters of Credit shall cause any Lender Party to violate any Law.

                  (s) FEES, EXPENSES, ETC. The Borrower shall have executed and
         delivered an origination fee letter (the "Origination Fee Letter") of
         even date herewith satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent. All
         fees and other compensation required to be paid to the Agent or the
         Lenders pursuant hereto or pursuant to such Origination Fee Letter on
         or prior to the Closing Date shall have been paid or received.

                  (t) ADDITIONAL MATTERS. All corporate and other proceedings,
         and all documents, instruments and other matters in connection with the
         transactions contemplated by this Agreement and the other Loan
         Documents, shall be satisfactory in form and substance to the Agent.
         The Agent shall have received such other documents, instruments and
         other items as the Agent may reasonably request.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                              AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Borrower hereby covenants to each Lender Party as follows:

                  6.01.  BASIC REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

                  (a) ANNUAL AUDIT REPORTS. As soon as practicable, and in any
event within 105 days after the close of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the
Borrower shall furnish to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, audited
consolidated statements of income, cash flows and stockholders' equity of the
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, an unaudited
consolidating statement of income of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries for such fiscal year, and an audited consolidated balance sheet and
unaudited consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries as of the close of such fiscal year, and notes to each, all in
reasonable detail, prepared on a comparative basis in accordance with GAAP. Such
audited financial statements shall be accompanied by an opinion of Deloitte &
Touche or other independent certified public accountants of recognized national
standing selected by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to the Agent. Such
opinion shall be free of any exception, qualification or explanation not
acceptable to the Agent (and in any event shall be free of any exception,
qualification or explanation relating to ability to continue as a going concern,
a limited scope of examination or independence). Such opinion in any event shall
contain a written statement of such accountants substantially to the effect that
(i) such accountants audited such


                                      -24-
<PAGE>   283
consolidated financial statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards and (ii) in the opinion of such accountants such audited financial
statements present fairly the financial position of the Borrower and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and the results of
their operations and their cash flows and stockholders' equity for such fiscal
year, in conformity with GAAP. Such unaudited financial statements shall be
certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as presenting fairly the
consolidated and consolidating financial position of the Borrower and its
consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year, and the respective
consolidated and consolidating results of their operations and their cash flows
and stockholders' equity for such fiscal year, in conformity with GAAP.

                  (b) QUARTERLY REPORTS. As soon as practicable, and in any
event within 60 days after the close of each of the first three fiscal quarters
of each fiscal year of the Borrower, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent,
with a copy for each Lender, unaudited consolidated statements of income, cash
flows and stockholders' equity of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries
for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of such fiscal
year to the end of such fiscal quarter, an unaudited consolidating statement of
income for such fiscal quarter and for the period from the beginning of such
fiscal year to the end of such fiscal quarter, and unaudited consolidated and
consolidating balance sheets of the Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries
as of the close of such fiscal quarter, and notes to each, all in reasonable
detail, setting forth in comparative form the corresponding figures for the same
periods or as of the same date during the preceding fiscal year (except for the
consolidated balance sheet, which shall set forth in comparative form the
corresponding balance sheet as of the prior fiscal year end, and cash flow
statements, which shall report only year to date periods). Such financial
statements shall be certified by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower as
presenting fairly the consolidated and consolidating financial position of the
Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal quarter
and the respective consolidated and consolidating results of their operations
and their cash flows and stockholders' equity for such fiscal quarter, in
conformity with GAAP, subject to normal and recurring year-end audit
adjustments.

                  (c) COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATES. Concurrently with the delivery of
the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and 6.01(b), the
Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be delivered, to the Agent, with a copy for
each Lender, a certificate in substantially the form set forth as Exhibit C,
duly completed and signed by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower.

                  (d) ACCOUNTANTS' CERTIFICATES. Concurrently with the Agent's
receipt from the Borrower of each set of audited financial statements delivered
pursuant to Section 6.01(a), the Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Agent, with sufficient copies for each Lender, a report signed
by the independent certified public accountants who opined on such financial
statements and dated the date of such financial statements, stating in substance
that they have reviewed this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and that in
making the examination necessary for their opinion on such financial statements
they did not become aware of any Event of Default or Potential Default pursuant
to Sections 7.01, 7.02(e)(iv), 7.03(e) and 7.03(f) as of the end of such fiscal
year, or, if they did become so aware, such certificate or report shall state
the nature and period of existence thereof.

                  (e) ANNUAL BUSINESS PLAN. Not later than January 31 of each
year, the Borrower shall furnish to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a
business plan for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the next five years,
certified as such by a Responsible Officer of the Borrower. Such business plan
shall be not less detailed than the 1997-2001 corporate plan heretofore
delivered to the Agent and each Lender, and shall include or be accompanied by,
among other matters reasonably requested from time to time, projected income,
cash flows and summary balance sheet for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on
both a consolidated and a separate unconsolidated basis for each year in such
five year period.

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                  (f) QUARTERLY PLAN UPDATES. Concurrently with the delivery of
the financial statements referred to in Section 6.01(b), the Borrower shall
furnish to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a quarterly update to the
most recent annual business plan, certified as such by a Responsible Officer of
the Borrower. Such business plan shall be not less detailed than the third
quarter update for 1996 heretofore delivered to the Agent and each Lender.

                  (g) QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Concurrently with the
delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and
6.01(b), the Borrower shall provide the Agent, with a copy for each Lender,
summary financial information as to the Borrower and its consolidated
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis (and separate financial information for
such Subsidiaries as the Agent may reasonably request) as of the end of the
preceding month, all in reasonable detail and in any case including, among other
matters reasonably requested by the Agent from time to time, financial
information on a monthly and year-to-date basis, and separate line-items showing
EBIT, depreciation and amortization, all certified by a Responsible Officer of
the Borrower.

                  (h) CERTAIN OTHER REPORTS AND INFORMATION. Promptly upon their
becoming available to the Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver, or cause to be
delivered, to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, a copy of (i) all regular
or special reports, registration statements and amendments to the foregoing
which the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (or any successor thereto) or any securities
exchange, (ii) all reports, proxy statements, financial statements and other
information distributed by the Borrower to its security holders or the financial
community generally, and (iii) upon request by any Lender Party, all reports
submitted by outside accountants in connection with any audit of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary of the Borrower, including but not limited to all management
letters commenting on the internal controls of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of
the Borrower submitted in connection with any such audit.

                  (i) FURTHER INFORMATION. The Borrower will promptly furnish,
or cause to be furnished, to the Agent, with a copy for each Lender, such other
information and in such form as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request
from time to time.

                  (j) NOTICE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. Promptly upon becoming aware of
any of the following, the Borrower shall give the Agent notice thereof, together
with a written statement of a Responsible Officer of the Borrower setting forth
the details thereof and any action with respect thereto taken or proposed to be
taken by the Borrower, and the Agent shall promptly notify each Lender thereof:

                    (i) Any Event of Default or Potential Default.

                   (ii) Any material adverse change in the business, operations,
         condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects (exclusive, in the case
         of prospects, of political, social or economic events, changes or
         effects of general national or global scope) of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

                  (iii) Any pending or threatened action, suit, proceeding or
         investigation by or before any Governmental Authority against or
         affecting the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower which, if
         adversely decided, individually or in the aggregate, would, or would be
         likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      -26-
<PAGE>   285
                  (iv) Any termination for default by the Borrower of any
         contract which would reasonably be likely to result in a direct loss of
         aggregate revenues in excess of $20,000,000 to which the Borrower or
         any Subsidiary of the Borrower is a party.

                  (v) Any Pension-Related Event, other than (w) any Reportable
         Event described in subsection (i) of the definition of such term herein
         as to which the 30 day notice requirement to the PBGC is waived under
         applicable regulations, and (x) any Pension-Related Event described in
         subsection (d) or (f) of the definition thereof which involves a
         liability of the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any
         Controlled Group Member that has not been fully discharged (or a
         contingent or other potential liability that represents a material risk
         of becoming an actual liability) of less than $1,000,000 in the
         aggregate for all such Persons. Such notice shall be accompanied by the
         following: (y) a copy of any notice, request, return, petition or other
         document received by the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or
         any Controlled Group Member from any Person, or which has been or is to
         be filed with or provided to any Person (including, without limitation,
         the Internal Revenue Service, the Department of Labor, the PBGC or any
         Plan participant, beneficiary, alternate payee or employer
         representative), in connection with such Pension-Related Event, and (z)
         in the case of any Pension-Related Event with respect to a Plan, the
         most recent Annual Report (5500 Series), with attachments thereto, and
         if such Plan is required by applicable Law to have an actuarial
         valuation report, the most recent actuarial valuation report, for such
         Plan.

                  (k) VISITATION AND VERIFICATION GENERALLY. The Borrower shall
permit such Persons as the Agent or any Lender may designate from time to time
to visit and inspect any of the properties of the Borrower and any Subsidiary of
the Borrower, to examine their respective books and records and take copies and
extracts therefrom and to discuss their respective affairs with their respective
directors, officers, employees and independent accountants at such times and as
often as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably request, subject to mandatory
national security regulations. The Borrower hereby authorizes such officers,
employees and independent accountants to discuss with the Agent or any Lender
the affairs of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, subject to mandatory national
security regulations. The Agent and the Lenders shall have the right to examine
and verify accounts, inventory and other properties and liabilities of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries from time to time, and the Borrower shall
cooperate, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to cooperate, with the Agent
and the Lenders in such verification, subject to mandatory national security
regulations.

                  (l) DUTY TO MAINTAIN INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS WITH SECURITY
CLEARANCES; VERIFICATION OF CLASSIFIED CONTRACTS. The Borrower shall, and shall
cause each such Subsidiary to, retain at all times an independent certified
public accountant of national standing having personnel who at all times have
security clearances sufficient to permit them to examine and verify all such
classified contracts, accounts and other assets which, individually or in the
aggregate, are material to the business, operations, condition (financial or
otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.
The Borrower shall, from time to time at the reasonable request of the Agent,
cause such independent accountants to examine, verify and report to the Agent on
such classified contracts, accounts and assets as the Agent may request, to the
fullest extent permitted by mandatory national security regulations.

                  (m) CHANGES IN CORPORATE STRUCTURE. Concurrently with the
delivery of the financial statements referred to in Sections 6.01(a) and
6.01(b), the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent notice of any change in the
matters set forth in Section 4.14 hereof, together with an amended and restated
Schedule 4.14 which reflects such change.

                                      -27-
<PAGE>   286
                  6.02. INSURANCE. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of
its Subsidiaries to, maintain with financially sound and reputable insurers
insurance with respect to its properties and business and against such
liabilities, casualties and contingencies and of such types as are reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent from time to time, and in any case as is customary in
the case of Persons engaged in the same or a similar business or having similar
properties similarly situated. The Borrower shall, if so requested by the Agent,
deliver to the Agent original or duplicate policies or certificates of such
insurance and, as often as the Agent may reasonably request, a report of a
reputable insurance broker, or an insurance company representative if an
insurance broker is not involved, with respect to such insurance.

                  6.03. PAYMENT OF TAXES AND OTHER POTENTIAL CHARGES AND
PRIORITY CLAIMS. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Agent in writing if it
or any of its Subsidiaries learns of any proposed additional assessment or basis
for any assessment for additional taxes (whether or not reserved against) which,
if paid or incurred, would have a Material Adverse Effect. The Borrower shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, pay and discharge, or cause to be
paid and discharged,

                  (a) on or prior to the date on which penalties attach thereto,
         all taxes, assessments and other governmental charges imposed upon it,
         or any of them, or any of its, or any of their, properties;

                  (b) on or prior to the date when due, all lawful claims of
         materialmen, mechanics, carriers, warehousemen, landlords and other
         like Persons which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien
         upon any such property; and

                  (c) on or prior to the date when due, all other lawful claims
         which, if unpaid, might result in the creation of a Lien upon any such
         property or which, if unpaid, might give rise to a claim entitled to
         priority over general creditors of the Borrower or such Subsidiary in
         any bankruptcy, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding;

provided, that, unless and until foreclosure, distraint, levy, sale or similar
proceedings shall have been commenced, the Borrower or such Subsidiary need not
pay or discharge, or cause the payment or discharge, of any such tax,
assessment, charge or claim above so long as (x) the validity thereof is
contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted, and
(y) such reserves or other appropriate provisions as may be required by GAAP
shall have been made therefor.

                  6.04. PRESERVATION OF CORPORATE STATUS. The Borrower shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, maintain its status as a
Corporation duly organized, validly existing and, to the extent applicable, in
good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization, except for
Permitted Mergers. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries
to, at all times be duly qualified to do business as a foreign Corporation and,
to the extent applicable, in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the
ownership of its properties or the nature of its business or both make such
qualification necessary or advisable, except for matters that, individually or
in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse
Effect.

                  6.05. GOVERNMENTAL APPROVALS AND FILINGS. The Borrower shall,
and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, keep and maintain in full force and
effect all Governmental Actions necessary or advisable in connection with
execution and delivery of any Loan Document, consummation of the transactions
herein or therein contemplated, performance of or compliance with the terms and
conditions hereof or thereof, or to ensure the legality, validity, binding
effect, enforceability or admissibility in evidence hereof or thereof.

                                      -28-
<PAGE>   287
                  6.06. MAINTENANCE OF PROPERTIES, FRANCHISES, ETC. The Borrower
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, (a) maintain or cause to be
maintained in good repair, working order and condition the properties now or
hereafter owned, leased or otherwise possessed by it and shall make or cause to
be made all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements and improvements
thereto so that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly
and advantageously conducted at all times, except where failure to do so does
not, and would not be likely to, have a Material Adverse Effect, and (b)
maintain and hold in full force and effect all franchises, licenses, permits,
certificates, authorizations, qualification, accreditations and other rights,
consents and approvals (whether issued, made or given by a Governmental
Authority or otherwise), necessary to own and operate its properties and to
carry on its business as presently conducted and as presently planned to be
conducted, except where failure to do so does not, and would not be likely to,
have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  6.07. AVOIDANCE OF OTHER CONFLICTS. The Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, violate or conflict with, be in
violation of or conflict with, or be or remain subject to any liability
(contingent or other) on account of any violation or conflict with

                  (a) any Law,

                  (b) its certificate or articles of incorporation or by-laws
         (or other constituent documents), or

                  (c) any agreement or instrument to which it or any of its
         Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of their
         respective properties may be subject or bound,

except for matters of the type referred to in clauses (a) and (c) that could
not, individually or in the aggregate, do not, and would not be likely to, have
a Material Adverse Effect.

                  6.08. FINANCIAL ACCOUNTING PRACTICES. The Borrower shall, and
shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, make and keep books, records and
accounts which, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect its
transactions and dispositions of its assets, and maintain a system of internal
accounting controls sufficient to provide reasonable assurances that (a)
transactions are executed in accordance with management's general or specific
authorization, (b) transactions are recorded as necessary (i) to permit
preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP and (ii) to maintain
accountability for assets, (c) access to assets is permitted only in accordance
with management's general or specific authorization and (d) the recorded
accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at reasonable
intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any differences.

                  6.09. USE OF PROCEEDS. The Borrower shall not use any Letters
of Credit directly or indirectly for any unlawful purpose, in any manner
inconsistent with Section 4.12, or inconsistent with any other provision of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document.

                  6.10. CONTINUATION OF OR CHANGE IN BUSINESS. The Borrower
shall, and shall cause each of its Subsidiaries to, engage in the businesses
they have engaged in during the present and preceding fiscal years and the
Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to, engage in
any business other than the financial information services business, other
information services businesses and matters incidental thereto; provided, that
TIMCO may continue to conduct its business in substantially the manner in which
it conducts such business as of the date hereof. Without limitation of the
foregoing, the Borrower shall continue to operate as a holding company and shall
not conduct any material business other than holding the capital stock of
Subsidiaries and matters incidental thereto.

                                      -29-
<PAGE>   288
                  6.11.  PLANS AND MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS.

                  (a) REQUIRED CONTRIBUTIONS. The Borrower shall, and shall
cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and Controlled Group Members to, make
contributions to each Plan when due in accordance with the minimum funding
requirements under ERISA and the Code applicable to such Plan and pay any
required PBGC premiums as and when due for such Plan.

                  (b) REQUIRED CONTRIBUTIONS TO MULTIEMPLOYER PLANS. The
Borrower shall, and shall cause each Subsidiary of the Borrower and Controlled
Group Members to, make contributions required to be made by it, or any of them,
to each Multiemployer Plan, if any, when due in accordance with its, or any of
their, obligations under any collective bargaining agreement related to such
Multiemployer Plan or participation agreements applicable to such Multiemployer
Plan, except those contributions the requirement of which are reasonably being
contested by a Controlled Group Member provided that failure to make such
contested contributions is not a violation of applicable Law and does not
present a material risk of resulting in liability (contingent or other) to the
Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  (c) FUNDING. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries to, make any required contributions to any arrangements for
providing retirement and/or death benefits when due, in accordance with the
terms of the arrangement and/or any minimum funding requirements which are
applicable to the arrangement from time to time. The Borrower shall not, nor
shall it permit any of its Subsidiaries to, allow any arrangement for providing
retirement and/or death benefits to become underfunded (as determined on the
basis of reasonable actuarial assumptions) by an amount which, in the aggregate
for all such arrangements, exceeds $10,000,000.

                  6.12. DISASTER RECOVERY PLAN. The Borrower shall cause each of
Datastream International Limited, Disclosure Incorporated and ICV Limited to
maintain in full force and effect at all times disaster recovery plans
consistent with prudent practice for Persons engaged in the same or a similar
business.

                  6.13. ANNUAL BANK MEETING. The Borrower shall hold meetings of
the Lenders annually at the request of the Agent.

                  6.14. SEPARATE CORPORATE EXISTENCE. The Borrower acknowledges
that the Lender Parties are entering into the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents in reliance upon the identity of the
Subsidiaries of the Borrower as legal entities separate from the Borrower.
Accordingly, the Borrower shall take, and shall cause its Subsidiaries to take,
all reasonable steps to continue the identities of its Subsidiaries as separate
legal entities, and to make it apparent to third Persons that its Subsidiaries
are entities with assets and liabilities distinct from those of the Borrower.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower shall take such
actions as shall be required in order that:

                  (a) For each Subsidiary of the Borrower in which the Borrower
         directly owns, beneficially or of record, Shares of Capital Stock, at
         least one director or officer of the Borrower shall be a person who is
         not a director or officer of such Subsidiary.

                  (b) The books and records of each Subsidiary of the Borrower
         shall be maintained separately from those of the Borrower and each of
         its other Subsidiaries.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>   289
                  (c) The assets of each Subsidiary of the Borrower will be
         maintained in a manner that facilitates their identification and
         segregation from those of the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries.

                  (d) The Borrower and each Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
         strictly observe corporate formalities. The Borrower and each of its
         Subsidiaries will conduct their respective businesses in their own
         respective names. The business and affairs of the Borrower and each
         Subsidiary shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of
         directors of such Person.

                  (e) Funds or other assets of Subsidiaries of the Borrower will
         not be commingled with those of the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries
         (it being understood that such restriction shall not be interpreted to
         forbid intercompany loans and Advances that have been properly
         documented and accounted for on the books and records of each relevant
         entity, made in compliance with corporate formalities, and otherwise
         made in compliance with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents).

                  (f) The operating expenses of the Borrower and each Subsidiary
         of the Borrower will be paid by such Person. To the extent, if any,
         that the Borrower and any of its Subsidiaries share items of expenses,
         such expenses will be allocated to the extent practical on the basis of
         actual use or the value of services rendered, and otherwise on a basis
         reasonably related to actual use or the value of services rendered, and
         each such Person shall pay its allocated share of such expenses on a
         current basis. To the extent, if any, that the Borrower and any of its
         Subsidiaries provides services to one another, the provider shall be
         compensated by the recipient on a current basis at fair and reasonable
         rates. To the extent, if any, that any consolidated or combined tax
         return is filed including any of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, each
         such Person shall pay or be paid, as the case may be, on a current
         basis an equitable share of the consolidated tax payment or refund
         associated therewith.

                  (g) Annual financial statements of the Borrower which are
         consolidated to include its Subsidiaries will contain notes clearly
         stating that each such Subsidiary is a corporate or similar entity
         separate from the Borrower and its other Subsidiaries, and that the
         stock of each direct Subsidiary of the Borrower has been pledged to
         secure the Obligations.

                  6.15.  ADDITIONAL SECURITY.

                  (a) GENERAL. Promptly upon the request of the Agent from time
to time, the Borrower shall as promptly as practicable (and in any case within
30 days after such request, or such longer period as the Agent may specify in
writing) further secure the Obligations by granting to the Collateral Agent a
valid and perfected Lien, prior to all other Liens except Permitted Liens, on
such of its properties from time to time as the Agent may designate (except for
property subject to a Permitted Lien as to which the Borrower is required to
obtain the consent of the holder of such Permitted Lien before granting such a
Lien to the Collateral Agent and as to which the Borrower is unable, using
reasonable efforts, to obtain such consent). In connection therewith, the
Borrower shall (i) execute and deliver to the Agent such mortgages, security
agreements and other agreements and instruments, and do such other acts and
things as shall be necessary or, in the judgment of the Agent, appropriate to
grant to the Collateral Agent a valid and perfected Lien on such property, prior
to all other Liens except Permitted Liens, and (ii) procure and deliver to the
Agent such other items (including but not limited to lien searches, title
insurance policies, surveys, environmental audits, insurance endorsements and
opinions of counsel), and do such other acts and things, as the Agent may
request in connection with the foregoing. All of the foregoing shall be in form
and substance satisfactory to the Agent. From time to time as requested by


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the Agent, the Borrower shall use reasonable efforts to (w) obtain the consent
of any Person whose consent is necessary or advisable to the creation,
perfection or maintenance of any such Lien, including but not limited to that of
any lessor whose consent may be required in connection with any such Lien on any
leasehold interest, and to obtain nondisturbance and like agreements from
mortgagees and other holders of superior rights in the property subject to any
such leasehold interest, (x) obtain waivers of Liens from such landlords and
mortgagees and from other Persons described in Section 6.03(b) hereof, (y) with
respect to securities accounts, commodity accounts, deposit accounts or similar
interests, obtain consent agreements from each securities intermediary,
commodity intermediary, depository bank or similar person, satisfactory in form
and substance to the Agent, which shall include provisions giving the Collateral
Agent sole dominion and control over such interest upon the giving of notice by
the Collateral Agent (it being understood that the related security agreement
shall provide that the Collateral Agent may exercise such sole dominion and
control upon the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default),
and (z) do such other acts and things as the Agent may deem appropriate to
enhance, preserve or protect the security for the Obligations.

                  (b) NOTICE OF CERTAIN REALTY TRANSACTIONS. The Borrower shall
promptly give notice to the Agent of any acquisition by the Borrower of any
interest or interests in real property (fee, leasehold or otherwise) or fixtures
having a fair market value, individually or in the aggregate, in excess of
$5,000,000 (except for leasehold interests having a term, including all options
exercisable by the lessee, less than 5 years).

                  6.16.  INTEREST RATE PROTECTION.

                  (a) REQUIRED HEDGE. The Borrower shall, promptly (and in any
event not later than 60 days) after the first date on or after the Closing Date
on which the three-month Euro-Rate (as determined by the Agent) is at least
8.00% on at least ten of the 30 days immediately preceding such date, enter into
an Interest Rate Hedging Agreement having an effective rate and other terms and
conditions satisfactory to the Agent, for notional principal amounts and tenors
sufficient to hedge at least 65% of the scheduled outstanding principal amount
of the Indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreement for the period from the
effective date of such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement through the fifth
anniversary thereof (or, if earlier, the Term Loan Maturity Date). The Borrower
shall thereafter select interest rate options under the Term Loan Agreement that
match, in time and amount, as closely as may be the terms of the rate hedge
represented by such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement.

                  (b) SECURING THE REQUIRED HEDGE. If the Borrower so requests,
the Agent shall consent to a Swap Party Supplement to the Collateral Agency
Agreement whereby the Interest Rate Hedging Agreement referred to in Section
6.16(a) hereof shall be deemed a Swap Agreement entitled to the benefits of the
Collateral Agency Agreement, but only if the following conditions are met: (i)
the counterparty to such Interest Rate Hedging Agreement is a Lender, (ii) the
"Swap Shared Security Cap" set forth in such Swap Party Supplement is, in the
good faith judgment of the Agent, not more than 110% of the credit equivalent
exposure represented by such Swap Agreement (calculated in accordance with the
Agent's ordinary methods), and (iii) the Borrower provides the Agent with such
contemporaneous bringdown Lien searches as the Agent may request, the results of
which shall be satisfactory to the Agent.

                  (c) EXISTING RATE HEDGES, ETC. To the extent otherwise
consistent with this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Borrower may
enter into Interest Rate Hedging Agreements in advance of the date on which it
is required to do so under Section 6.16(a), and to the extent that such Interest
Rate Hedging Agreements satisfy the requirements of Sections 6.16(a) and 6.16(b)
the Agent may enter into a Swap Party Supplement to the Collateral Agency
Agreement with respect to such


                                      -32-
<PAGE>   291
Interest Rate Hedging Agreements. In the event that the Borrower becomes
obligated to enter into Interest Rate Hedging Agreements under Section 6.16(a),
any then-existing Interest Rate Hedging Agreements to which Borrower is party
and which otherwise satisfy the requirements of Section 6.16(a) shall be counted
toward satisfaction of the Borrower's obligations under Section 6.16(a), to the
extent of the notional amounts and tenors of such then-existing Interest Rate
Hedging Agreements. Nothing in Section 6.16(b) shall be construed to forbid the
Agent from consenting to a Swap Party Supplement relating to Interest Rate
Hedging Agreements if the conditions set forth in Section 6.16(b) are satisfied,
even if such Interest Rate Hedging Agreements in the aggregate exceed in amount
or time the minimum requirements set forth in Section 6.16(a).


                                   ARTICLE VII
                               NEGATIVE COVENANTS

                  The Borrower hereby covenants to each Lender Party as follows:

                  7.01.  FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

                  (a) CONSOLIDATED NET WORTH (ADJUSTED). As of the end of each
fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 1996,
Consolidated Net Worth (Adjusted) shall not be less than the applicable amount
specified below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Consolidated Net Worth (Adjusted)
    From and including                      To and including                     shall not be less than

<S>                                         <C>                                  <C>
    December 31, 1996                       December 30, 1997                          $425,000,000
    December 31, 1997                       December 30, 1998                          $450,000,000
    December 31, 1998                       December 30, 1999                          $475,000,000
    December 31, 1999                       December 30, 2000                          $500,000,000
    December 31, 2000                       December 30, 2001                          $525,000,000
    Thereafter                                                                         $550,000,000
</TABLE>

                  (b) CONSOLIDATED FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. As of the end of
each fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 1996, the
Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a
single accounting period, shall not be less than the applicable amount set forth
below.

Fiscal quarter ending on                Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio
a date in the following                 for the four fiscal quarters ending on
period (inclusive)                      such date shall not be less than
- - ------------------                      --------------------------------

December 31, 1996 through December 31, 1997            1.75
January 1, 1998 through December 31, 1998              2.00
January 1, 1999 through December 31, 1999              2.25
Thereafter                                             2.50

                                      -33-
<PAGE>   292
                  (c) CONSOLIDATED FUNDED DEBT RATIO (ADJUSTED). As of the end
of each fiscal quarter of the Borrower ending on or after December 31, 1996, the
Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted) for the period of four consecutive
fiscal quarters ending on the last day of such fiscal quarter, considered as a
single accounting period, shall not be greater than the applicable amount set
forth below.


Fiscal quarter ending on               Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted)
a date in the following                for the four fiscal quarters ending on
period (inclusive)                     such date shall not be greater than
- - -------------------------              -----------------------------------------

December 31, 1996 through December 31, 1997            5.50
December 31, 1997 through December 30, 1998            5.00
December 31, 1998 through December 30, 1999            4.00
Thereafter                                             3.00

                  7.02. LIENS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any
Subsidiary of the Borrower to, at any time create, incur, assume or permit to
exist any Lien on any of its property (now owned or hereafter acquired), or
agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the
foregoing, except for the following (referred to herein as "Permitted Liens"):

                  (a) Liens pursuant to the Shared Security Documents in favor
         of the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties to
         secure the Obligations;

                  (b) Liens arising from taxes, assessments, charges or claims
         described in Sections 6.03(a) and 6.03(b), to the extent permitted to
         remain unpaid under such Section 6.03;

                  (c) Deposits or pledges of cash or securities in the ordinary
         course of business to secure (i) workmen's compensation, unemployment
         insurance or other social security obligations, (ii) performance of
         bids, tenders, trade contracts (other than for payment of money) or
         leases, (iii) stay, surety or appeal bonds, or (iv) other obligations
         of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;

                  (d) Judgment liens fully bonded pending appeal;

                  (e) Liens by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower on
         property securing all or part of the purchase price thereof and Liens
         (whether or not assumed) existing on property at the time of purchase
         thereof by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided that:

                             (i) such Lien is created before or substantially
                  simultaneously with the purchase of such property in the
                  ordinary course of business by the Borrower or such Subsidiary
                  (or is a Lien securing successor obligations incurred to
                  extend or refinance predecessor obligations allowed under this
                  Section 7.02(e), provided that in each case the successor
                  obligation is an obligation of the same Person subject to the
                  predecessor obligation, is not greater than (and is not
                  otherwise on terms less advantageous than) the predecessor
                  obligation, and the Lien securing the successor obligation
                  does not extend to any property other than that subject to the
                  Lien securing the predecessor obligation);

                                      -34-
<PAGE>   293
                           (ii) such Lien is confined solely to the property so
                  purchased, improvements thereto and proceeds thereof;

                           (iii) the aggregate amount secured by all such Liens
                  on any particular property at the time purchased by the
                  Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, shall not
                  exceed the lesser of the purchase price of such property or
                  the fair market value of such property at the time of purchase
                  thereof ("purchase price" for this purpose including the
                  amount secured by each such Lien thereon whether or not
                  assumed); and

                           (iv) the obligation secured by such Lien is
                  Indebtedness permitted under Section 7.03(e) hereof;

                  (f) Liens in favor of the United States Government which arise
         in the ordinary course of business resulting from progress payments or
         partial payments under United States Government contracts or
         subcontracts thereunder;

                  (g) Rights arising or reserved to the lessor under any
         Capitalized Lease Obligations permitted by Section 7.03(e) hereof;

                  (h) Zoning restrictions, easements, minor restrictions on the
         use of real property, minor irregularities in title thereto and other
         minor Liens that do not secure the payment of money or the performance
         of an obligation and that do not in the aggregate materially detract
         from the value of a property or asset to, or materially impair its use
         in the business of, the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

                  (i) Liens existing on the Closing Date and listed on Schedule
         7.02 hereof (but not any extension, renewal or replacement Liens); and

                  (j) Liens on property of TIMCO to secure payment of
         reimbursement obligations of TIMCO with respect to the TIMCO Bonds
         Letter of Credit, and Liens on property of TIMCO securing Indebtedness
         of TIMCO constituting a refinancing of the TIMCO Bonds and the TIMCO
         Lease permitted by Section 7.03(j) hereof.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, "Permitted Lien" in respect of the Borrower or
any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall in no event include (x) any Lien imposed
by, or required to be granted pursuant to, ERISA, the Code or any Environmental
Law, (y) except as provided in Section 7.02(a) hereof, any Lien on the Shared
Collateral Account or any other account (custodial, deposit or other) maintained
by or with the Collateral Agent pursuant to the Shared Security Documents, or
any other investment property or deposit account (as such terms are defined in
the Uniform Commercial Code), or (z) except as provided in Section 7.02(a)
hereof, any Lien on Shares of Capital Stock of, or obligations owed by, a
Subsidiary of the Borrower.

                  7.03. INDEBTEDNESS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, at any time create, incur, assume or
permit to exist any Indebtedness, or agree, become or remain liable
(contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except:

                  (a) Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Revolving Credit
         Agreement, in aggregate principal amount not to exceed $75,000,000
         (including any extension, renewal or refinancing thereof made in
         compliance with Section 7.11(c) hereof);

                                      -35-
<PAGE>   294
                  (b) Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Term Loan
         Agreement, in aggregate principal amount not to exceed $225,000,000
         (but not any extensions, renewals or refinancings of any thereof);

                  (c) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         not exceeding $8,250,000 in principal amount, issued in connection with
         the acquisition by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of all of the Shares of
         Capital Stock of ICV (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the
         "ICV Notes"); and Indebtedness of the Borrower in favor of the Lender
         Parties pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;

                  (d) Indebtedness of the Borrower under the Senior Notes, in
         aggregate principal amount not to exceed $112,000,000 (but not any
         extensions, renewals or refinancings of any thereof);

                  (e) Indebtedness constituting Capitalized Lease Obligations of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries incurred in the ordinary course of
         business from time to time, and Indebtedness of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries secured by Liens described in Section 7.02(e) on property
         used in the ordinary course of business of the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary from time to time; provided, that the aggregate amount of
         Indebtedness described in this Section 7.03(e) shall not exceed
         $20,000,000 at any time;

                  (f) Other Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         not exceeding $30,000,000 aggregate principal amount at any time
         outstanding;

                  (g) Current accounts payable of the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries on normal trade terms to trade creditors arising out of
         purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of business;

                  (h) Indebtedness of the Borrower pursuant to any Interest Rate
         Hedge Agreement required to be entered into pursuant to Section 6.16(a)
         hereof; and Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         under any other interest rate or currency swap, cap, floor, collar,
         future, forward or option agreement, or similar interest rate or
         currency protection agreement, entered into for the purpose of hedging
         and not for purposes of speculation (and not structured to contain an
         embedded loan);

                  (i) Indebtedness constituting intercompany loans and Advances
         permitted by Sections 7.05(d), 7.05(e), 7.05(h) and 7.05(i) hereof;

                  (j) Indebtedness of TIMCO constituting a letter of credit
         issued for its account not exceeding $12,600,000 in stated amount,
         which letter of credit effectively secures the TIMCO Bonds; any
         extension, renewal or refinancing of such letter of credit, provided,
         however, that the stated amount thereof is not increased and TIMCO
         remains the account party with respect thereto (such letter of credit,
         together with any such extension, renewal or refinancing letter of
         credit, being referred to herein as the "TIMCO Bonds Letter of
         Credit"); and any Indebtedness of TIMCO which amends, renews or
         refinances (collectively, "refinances") the TIMCO Bonds, the TIMCO
         Lease and the TIMCO Bonds Letter of Credit, provided, however, that
         after giving effect to such refinancing, (i) the principal amount of
         Indebtedness is not increased, (ii) neither the stated maturity nor the
         average life of the Indebtedness is reduced, and (iii) TIMCO remains
         the obligor on such refinancing Indebtedness; and


                                      -36-
<PAGE>   295
                  (k) Indebtedness for borrowed money of Primark Economics or
         any of its Subsidiaries not exceeding $6,000,000 in aggregate principal
         amount at any time outstanding.

         7.04. GUARANTIES, INDEMNITIES, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall
not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, be or become subject to or bound
by any Guaranty Equivalent, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently or
otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except:

                  (a) Contingent liabilities arising from the endorsement of
         negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection or similar
         transactions in the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) Indemnities by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the
         liabilities of its directors, officers and employees in their
         capacities as such as permitted by Law;

                  (c) Guaranty Equivalents existing on the Closing Date and
         listed in Schedule 7.04 hereof (but not extensions, renewals or
         refinancings thereof or of any associated Assured Obligation);
         provided, that this Section 7.04(c) shall not apply to any Guaranty
         Equivalent as to which the Deemed Obligor is, on the Closing Date, a
         Subsidiary of the Borrower if such Subsidiary thereafter ceases to be a
         Subsidiary of the Borrower;

                  (d) Guaranty Equivalents by the Borrower or a Subsidiary
         constituting usual and customary indemnities with respect to
         liabilities (other than Indebtedness) in connection with a disposition
         of stock or assets by the Borrower or such Subsidiary;

                  (e) Other Guaranty Equivalents by the Borrower or a Subsidiary
         of the Borrower from time to time of obligations of a Substantially
         Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower, provided that the Deemed Obligor in
         respect of such Guaranty Equivalent is a Substantially Owned Subsidiary
         of the Deemed Guarantor;

                  (f) Other Guaranty Equivalents by a Borrower or a Subsidiary
         of the Borrower from time to time, provided that the sum of (i) the
         maximum aggregate potential obligation of the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower under Guaranty Equivalents described in this
         Section 7.04(f), plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all payments made by
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries after the date hereof under Guaranty
         Equivalents described in this Section 7.04(f), shall not exceed
         $2,000,000; and

                  (g) Obligations of a Subsidiary of the Borrower as general
         partner of a partnership permitted under Sections 7.05(g) or 7.05(j).

                  7.05. LOANS, ADVANCES AND INVESTMENTS. The Borrower shall not,
and shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, at any time make or
permit to exist or remain outstanding any loan or Advance to, or purchase,
acquire or own (beneficially or of record) any Shares of Capital Stock of, any
stock, bonds, notes or securities of, or any partnership interest (whether
general or limited), membership interest or beneficial interest in, or any other
debt or equity interest in, or make any capital contribution to or other
investment in, any other Person, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently
or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except:

                  (a) Receivables owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the
         Borrower arising from performance of services and sales of goods under
         usual and customary terms in the ordinary course of business;


                                      -37-
<PAGE>   296
                  (b) Loans and Advances extended by the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower to contractors or suppliers (excluding
         contractors or suppliers that are Affiliates of the Borrower) under
         usual and customary terms in the ordinary course of business and in
         amount at any one time outstanding not exceeding $1,000,000 (or the
         equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies) in the aggregate;

                  (c) Advances to officers and employees of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business, in amounts at any time
         outstanding not exceeding $1,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in one
         or more foreign currencies) to any one officer or employee and
         $2,000,000 (or the equivalent thereof in one or more foreign
         currencies) in the aggregate; provided, however, that for purposes of
         this Section 7.05(c) only, the outstanding amount of Advances shall not
         be deemed to include amounts secured by perfected liens on shares of
         the publicly-traded common stock of the Borrower, to the extent of the
         market value of such common stock (as determined at least quarterly,
         based on publicly-available quotations);

                  (d) Loans and Advances by a Subsidiary of the Borrower to the
         Borrower;

                  (e) Ownership of Shares of Capital Stock of, and capital
         contributions, loans and Advances to, Corporations that are Wholly
         Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower (other than a Broker-Dealer);

                  (f) (i) Ownership of Shares of Capital Stock of a Corporation
         that is a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower that is a
         Broker-Dealer, as owned on the Closing Date, and (ii) capital
         contributions by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries from time to time to
         such Subsidiary, so long as such Subsidiary does not at the time of
         such capital contribution, or immediately thereafter and after giving
         effect thereto, have net capital (calculated in accordance with
         regulatory standards) in excess of 150% of the minimum capital required
         by Law;

                  (g) (i) Ownership of general partnership interests and other
         equity interests in the Worldscope Entities representing an 80% or
         greater interest in the capital, profits and losses of each of the
         Worldscope Entities, as owned on the Closing Date, and (ii) capital
         contributions to and acquisition of additional equity interests in the
         Worldscope Entities from time to time after the Closing Date, and loans
         and Advances to the Worldscope Entities from time to time;

                  (h) Acquisition and ownership of Shares of Capital Stock of
         Corporations that are Subsidiaries of the Borrower other than Wholly
         Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, and capital contributions, loans
         and Advances to Subsidiaries of the Borrower other than Wholly Owned
         Subsidiaries of the Borrower, provided, that the aggregate amount of
         all such acquisitions and capital contributions made under this Section
         7.05(h) after the Closing Date, plus the aggregate outstanding
         principal amount of all such loans and Advances made under this Section
         7.05(h), shall not at any time exceed $10,000,000;

                  (i) Acquisition and ownership by the Borrower or its
         Subsidiaries of equity interests in Primark Economics representing a
         20% or greater interest in the capital, profits and losses of Primark
         Economics, and capital contributions, convertible debt and demand loans
         by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to Primark Economics from time to
         time; provided, that (i) the sum of the aggregate amount of all
         consideration paid for such equity interests and convertible debt plus
         the aggregate amount of all such capital contributions (in each case
         whether before or after the Closing Date), plus the aggregate
         outstanding principal amount of all such demand loans, shall not at any
         time exceed $5,000,000, and (ii) no such acquisitions, capital
         contributions or


                                      -38-
<PAGE>   297
         loans may be made unless the Borrower continues to own (directly or
         indirectly) at least a 20% interest (and, assuming full conversion of
         convertible loans due to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries, a 51% or
         greater interest) in the capital, profits and losses of Primark
         Economics;

                  (j) Partnerships and joint ventures of which all partners,
         participants and other Persons having ownership interests therein are
         Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower;

                  (k) Other loans, Advances and investments, not to exceed
         $3,000,000 in the aggregate; and

                  (l) Cash Equivalent Investments.

                  7.06. DIVIDENDS AND RELATED DISTRIBUTIONS. The Borrower shall
not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, declare or make any Stock Payment,
or agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the
foregoing, except as follows:

                  (a) The Borrower may from time to time repurchase for cash
         shares of its common stock of a series publicly traded, subject to the
         following conditions:

                           (i) Repurchases under this Section 7.06(a) shall not
                  exceed $25,000,000 from and after the Closing Date;

                           (ii) No Event of Default or Potential Default shall
                  exist on the date of such repurchase, or immediately
                  thereafter and after giving effect to such repurchase;

                           (iii) The Borrower would have been in compliance with
                  Sections 7.01(a) and 7.01(c) on the last day of the fiscal
                  quarter ending most recently before such repurchase, after
                  giving effect on a pro forma basis to such repurchase and to
                  any incurrence of Indebtedness after such day, as if such
                  repurchase and incurrence had occurred on such day; and

                           (iv) The Agent shall receive, with a copy for each
                  Lender, not later than the Business Day after the date such
                  repurchase is made, a certificate signed by a Responsible
                  Officer of the Borrower, dated such repurchase date,
                  describing such dividend, certifying that such repurchase is
                  in compliance with the provisions of this Section 7.06(a), and
                  including a statement in reasonable detail of the information
                  and calculations necessary to establish compliance with this
                  Section 7.06(a);

                  (b) A Subsidiary of the Borrower may declare and pay dividends
         or other distributions with respect to its Shares of Capital Stock,
         provided, that such dividend or other distribution is made on a pro
         rata basis, consistent with the ownership interests in such Shares of
         Capital Stock, to the owners of such shares; and

                  (c) The Borrower may make Stock Payments if such Stock Payment
         is paid solely in Shares of Capital Stock (or warrants, options or
         rights therefor) of the Borrower.

The Borrower shall not declare any dividend payable later than 60 days after
declaration, and the Borrower shall not permit any Subsidiary to declare any
dividend payable later than 15 days after declaration.

                                      -39-
<PAGE>   298
                  7.07. SALE-LEASEBACKS. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary to, at any time enter into or permit to remain in effect
any transaction to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party involving
the sale, transfer or other disposition by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of any
property (now owned or hereafter acquired), with a view directly or indirectly
to the leasing back of any part of the same property or any other property used
for the same or a similar purpose or purposes, or agree, become or remain liable
(contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except for transactions
existing on the date hereof and listed in Schedule 7.07 hereof (but not
extensions, renewals or refinancings thereof).

                  7.08. MERGERS, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not
permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, directly or indirectly, (w) merge with
or into or consolidate with any other Person, or (x) liquidate, Wind-Up,
dissolve or divide, (y) acquire all or any substantial portion of the properties
of any going concern or going line of business (whether or not constituting a
distinct legal entity), or (z) acquire all or any substantial portion of the
properties of any other Person, or all or any substantial portion of the Shares
of Capital Stock of any other Person which is organized as a Corporation, or all
or any substantial portion of any equity interest in any other Person which is
not organized as a Corporation, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently
or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing, except for the following (referred to
herein as "Permitted Mergers"):

                  (a) A Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge with or into or
         consolidate with, or acquire all or any substantial portion of the
         properties of, or liquidate or dissolve into, any other Subsidiary of
         the Borrower, if the acquiring, surviving or new Corporation shall be a
         Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

                  (b) The Borrower, or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, may make
         acquisitions of the types referred to in the foregoing clauses (y) and
         (z) of properties of Persons other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower,
         consistent with the other provisions of this Agreement and the other
         Loan Documents, provided that the aggregate Adjusted Acquisition
         Consideration in connection with all such acquisitions made after the
         Closing Date (and specifically excluding the acquisition of WEFA, if
         made on or before the Closing Date) shall not exceed the sum of
         $75,000,000 plus the amount, if any, of aggregate cash proceeds (net of
         underwriting discounts, fees and other transaction costs) received by
         the Borrower after the Closing Date from issuance of Shares of Capital
         Stock of the Borrower (or options or warrants therefor).

                  7.09. DISPOSITIONS OF PROPERTIES. The Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any Subsidiary to, sell, convey, assign, lease, transfer,
abandon or otherwise dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, directly or
indirectly, any of its properties, now existing or hereafter acquired, or agree,
become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the foregoing,
except:

                  (a) Sales of inventory, licenses (as licensor) of software or
         other intellectual property, all in the ordinary course of business;

                  (b) Disposition of equipment and other operating assets which
         are obsolete or no longer useful in the business of the Borrower or
         such Subsidiary, as the case may be;

                  (c) Lease or sublease of unoccupied office space;

                  (d) Dispositions in Permitted Mergers, and other dispositions
         between Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower;

                                      -40-
<PAGE>   299
                  (e) Disposition outside the ordinary course of business of all
         (but not less than all) of the Shares of Capital Stock of TIMCO, or
         substantially all the assets of TIMCO (but not less than substantially
         all of such assets), subject to the following conditions:

                           (i) any such disposition of property is for not less
                  than the Fair Market Value of the property disposed of (as
                  determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the
                  transferor, whose determination shall be evidenced by a
                  written resolution of such Board), and the consideration
                  received by the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary in respect
                  of such disposition consists entirely of cash or Cash
                  Equivalent Investments; and

                           (ii) in the case of disposition of Shares of Capital
                  Stock of, or assets of, TIMCO, TIMCO shall be conducting
                  substantially the business conducted by it on the Closing
                  Date, and shall not be conducting any different or additional
                  business or have any material assets in addition to those it
                  had on the Closing Date; and

                  (f) Other dispositions of property from time to time for not
         less than its Fair Market Value, provided that dispositions under this
         Section 7.09(f) shall not exceed $5,000,000 in the aggregate in any
         fiscal year.

Without limitation of the foregoing, it is understood that the following are
dispositions of property subject to this Section 7.09: any disposition of
accounts, chattel paper or general intangibles, with or without recourse; any
disposition of any leasehold interest; and any disposition of any Shares of
Capital Stock in or Indebtedness of any Subsidiary. The Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any Subsidiary to sell, convey, assign, transfer or otherwise
dispose of, voluntarily or involuntarily, any of its accounts, chattel paper,
general intangibles or other financial assets with or without recourse, in any
factoring, structured financing, or other transaction having the practical
effect, directly or indirectly, of a financing, whether or not such transaction
is in the form of a "true sale" of such financial assets by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary.

                  7.10. DEALINGS WITH AFFILIATES. The Borrower shall not, and
shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower to, enter into or carry out any
transaction with (including, without limitation, purchase or lease property or
services from, sell or lease property or services to, loan or advance to, or
enter into, permit to remain in existence or amend any contract, agreement or
arrangement with) any Affiliate of the Borrower, directly or indirectly, or
agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise) to do any of the
foregoing, except:

                  (a) Transactions between (i) on the one hand, any Affiliate of
         the Borrower, and (ii) on the other hand, the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries, in good faith and on fair and reasonable terms; and

                  (b) Compensation of directors, officers, employees and
         consultants of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for services rendered
         in such capacity in good faith and on fair and reasonable terms, which
         terms (in the case of compensation under employment contracts entered
         into after the Closing Date will be approved by a majority of the board
         of directors of such Borrower or Subsidiary (including a majority of
         the directors having no direct or indirect interest in such
         transaction).

                  7.11. LIMITATIONS ON MODIFICATION OF CERTAIN AGREEMENTS AND
INSTRUMENTS.

                                      -41-
<PAGE>   300
                  (a) SENIOR NOTES. The Borrower shall not amend, modify or
supplement the terms or provisions contained in, or applicable to, the Senior
Notes, the Senior Note Indenture, or any agreement or instrument evidencing or
applicable to any of the foregoing.

                  (b) REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Borrower shall not amend,
modify, supplement, renew or refinance the Revolving Credit Agreement or its
obligations thereunder, in any way that would change its nature as a revolving
credit facility, increase or reduce the principal amount available to be
borrowed thereunder, or cause the Revolving Credit Maturity Date or the final
date on which loans may be borrowed thereunder by the Borrower to occur sooner
than the relevant dates applicable under the Revolving Credit Agreement as
constituted on the Closing Date. In the event that the Agent hereunder is not
also the "Agent" under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Borrower shall
promptly (and in any event within five days) give the Agent, with a copy for
each Lender, a copy of any amendment, modification or supplement to, or renewal
or refinancing of, the Revolving Credit Agreement.

                  (c) TERM LOAN AGREEMENT. The Borrower shall not amend, modify
or supplement the Term Loan Agreement or its obligations thereunder, in any way
that would (i) increase the principal amount thereof, or require payments on
account of principal to be made (by way of scheduled amortization, mandatory
prepayment or otherwise) earlier or in greater amount than is required under the
terms of the Term Loan Agreement as constituted on the Closing Date, (ii)
increase the rate or shorten the date for payment of interest thereon, or (iii)
require payment of any fee or other amount not provided for under the Term Loan
Agreement as constituted on the Closing Date. In the event that the Agent
hereunder is not also the "Agent" under the Term Loan Agreement, the Borrower
shall promptly (and in any event within five days) give the Agent, with a copy
for each Lender, a copy of any amendment, modification or supplement to the Term
Loan Agreement.

                  (d) [Reserved]

                  (e) ICV NOTES. The Borrower shall not amend, modify or
supplement the terms and provisions contained in, or applicable to, the ICV
Notes.

                  7.12. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS ON CERTAIN OBLIGATIONS. The
Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, directly or
indirectly, pay, prepay, purchase, redeem, retire, defease or acquire, or
otherwise make any payment (on account of principal, interest, premium or
otherwise) of, any obligation under or evidenced by the Senior Notes, except
that the Borrower may (x) pay principal and interest on the Senior Notes as and
when expressly required to do so by the mandatory terms of the Senior Notes, and
(y) purchase Senior Notes as and when expressly required to do so by the
mandatory terms of Sections 4.12 and 4.13 of the Senior Note Indenture (it being
understood that the foregoing may nevertheless give rise to an Event of
Default).

                  7.13. LIMITATION ON OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS, DIVIDEND
RESTRICTIONS ON SUBSIDIARIES, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit
any Subsidiary to,

                  (x) enter into, become or remain subject to any agreement or
         instrument to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party or by
         which any of them or any of their respective properties (now owned or
         hereafter acquired) may be subject or bound that would (i) prohibit the
         grant of any Lien upon any of its properties (now owned or hereafter
         acquired), or (ii) restrict or prohibit the transfer or disposition of
         any of its properties (now owned or hereafter acquired), or require it
         to dispose of or apply the proceeds of any such disposition in a
         specified manner, or

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<PAGE>   301
                  (y) be or become subject to any restriction of any nature
         (whether arising by operation of Law, by agreement, by its certificate
         or articles of incorporation, by-laws or other constituent documents,
         or otherwise) on the right of the Borrower or such Subsidiary from time
         to time (i) in the case of a Subsidiary, to declare and pay Stock
         Payments with respect to Shares of Capital Stock owned by the Borrower
         or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, (ii) in the case of the Borrower or
         any Subsidiary of the Borrower, to pay any obligations from time to
         time owed to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, or (iii)
         in the case of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, make
         loans or advances to the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower,

except:

                  (a) the Credit Facilities;

                  (b) the Senior Notes and the Senior Note Indenture;

                  (c) with respect to the foregoing clause (x), non-assignment
         provisions of any executory contract or software or programs or of any
         lease by the Borrower or such Subsidiary as lessee;

                  (d) with respect to the foregoing clause (x), restrictions on
         property subject to a Permitted Lien in favor of the holder of such
         Permitted Lien;

                  (e) restrictions with respect to TIMCO imposed pursuant to an
         agreement entered into for sale or disposition (which sale or
         disposition is not in violation of this Agreement or any other Loan
         Document) of all or substantially all of the Shares of Capital Stock or
         assets of such Subsidiary; provided, that such restriction, by its
         terms, terminates on the earlier of the termination of such agreement
         or the consummation of such agreement, and is agreed to in good faith;
         and

                  (f) in the case of the foregoing clause (y), legal
         restrictions of general applicability under the corporation or similar
         law under which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is incorporated,
         fraudulent conveyance or similar laws or general applicability for the
         benefit of creditors generally, and other legal restrictions of general
         applicability to similarly situated business corporations; and

                  (g) in the case of subclause (ii) of the foregoing clause (x),
         restrictions on transfer of property arising in the ordinary course of
         business; provided, that such restrictions do not directly or
         indirectly secure any obligation of the Borrower or such Subsidiary to
         pay money or to perform an obligation, and do not in the aggregate
         materially detract from the value of a property or asset to, or
         materially impair its use in the business of, the Borrower or such
         Subsidiary.

                  7.14. LIMITATION ON OTHER RESTRICTIONS ON AMENDMENT OF THE
LOAN DOCUMENTS, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary
of the Borrower to, enter into, become or remain subject to any agreement or
instrument to which the Borrower or such Subsidiary is a party or by which any
of them or any of their respective properties (now owned or hereafter acquired)
may be subject or bound that would prohibit or require the consent of any Person
to any amendment, modification or supplement to any of the Loan Documents,
except: (a) the Loan Documents, and (b) provisions in each of the other Credit
Facilities no more restrictive than those in such other Credit Facility,
respectively, as constituted on the Closing Date.

                                      -43-
<PAGE>   302
                  7.15. LIMITATION ON CERTAIN BENEFIT LIABILITIES. The Borrower
shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled
Group Member to, become subject to Primark Group Benefits Exposures in excess of
$20,000,000 in the aggregate for all such Persons. As used herein, the term
"Primark Group Benefits Exposures" shall mean the sum of the maximum potential
liabilities (direct, contingent or other) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
and the Controlled Group Members in connection with the following: (a)
withdrawal liability (within the meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA) from any
Multiemployer Plan, whether or not such liability has yet been triggered as a
result of a withdrawal; (b) contributions due and unpaid with respect to a
Multiemployer Plan; (c) the "amount of unfunded benefit liabilities" (within the
meaning of Section 4001(a)(18) of ERISA) under any Plan, whether or not such
liability has yet been triggered as a result of a termination of such Plan; (d)
excise taxes assessed in connection with all of the above or otherwise in
connection with any Plan; (e) Postretirement Benefit Obligations of the
Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member; and (f)
any other liability (contingent or other) in connection with a Plan or
Multiemployer Plan which represent a material risk that it may result in a Lien
attaching to assets of the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower, without
regard to any minimum amount required by Law to cause such Lien to attach.

                  7.16. FISCAL YEAR. The Borrower shall maintain a fiscal year
beginning on each January 1 and ending on the following December 31, divided
into fiscal quarters ending on the last day of each March, June, September and
December.



                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                    DEFAULTS

                  8.01. EVENTS OF DEFAULT. An "Event of Default" shall mean the
occurrence or existence of one or more of the following events or conditions
(for any reason, whether voluntary, involuntary or effected or required by Law):

                  (a) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due principal of any
         Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation, or make when due any
         required cash collateralization of outstanding Letters of Credit.

                  (b) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due interest on any
         Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation, any fees, indemnity or
         expenses, or any other amount due hereunder or under any other Loan
         Document, and such failure shall have continued for a period of five
         Business Days.

                  (c) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the
         Borrower in or pursuant to or in connection with any Loan Document or
         any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, or any statement made
         by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any in any
         financial statement, certificate, report, exhibit or document furnished
         by the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower to the Collateral
         Agent or any Lender Party pursuant to or in connection with any Loan
         Document or any transaction contemplated hereby or thereby, shall prove
         to have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the time
         when made or deemed made (including by omission of material information
         necessary to make such representation, warranty or statement not
         misleading).

                                      -44-
<PAGE>   303
                  (d) The Borrower shall default in the performance or
         observance of any covenant contained in Article VII hereof or any of
         the covenants contained in Sections 3.13, 6.01(j)(i), 6.11, 6.12, 6.14,
         6.15 or 6.16 hereof, or in Sections 4.02 or 4.06 of the Borrower Pledge
         Agreement.

                  (e) The Borrower shall default in the performance or
         observance of any other covenant, agreement or duty under this
         Agreement or any other Loan Document and (i) in the case of a default
         under Section 6.01 hereof (other than as referred to in Sections
         6.01(j)(i) hereof) such default shall have continued for a period of 10
         days and (ii) in the case of any other default such default shall have
         continued for a period of 30 days.

                  (f) (i) The Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
         default in any payment of any amount in respect of any Cross-Default
         Triggering Obligation beyond any period of grace with respect thereto
         or, if any amount payable in respect of any Cross-Default Triggering
         Obligation is payable on demand, shall fail to pay such amount when
         demanded, or (ii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower shall
         default in the observance of any covenant, term or condition of any
         agreement or instrument by which any Cross-Default Triggering
         Obligation is created, secured or evidenced, if the effect of such
         default referred to in this clause (ii) is to cause, or to permit the
         holder or holders of any Cross-Default Triggering Obligation (or a
         trustee or agent on behalf of such holder or holders) to cause, all or
         part of such Cross-Default Triggering Obligation to become due before
         its otherwise stated maturity (by way of acceleration, mandatory
         prepayment or otherwise), or, in the case of an interest rate or
         currency swap, cap, collar, floor, future, forward or similar
         transaction, to terminate before its otherwise scheduled termination.
         As used in this Agreement, "Cross-Default Triggering Obligation" shall
         mean

                           (A) any obligation under or in connection with any of
                  the other Credit Facilities, any Swap Agreement, the Senior
                  Notes or the Senior Note Indenture,

                           (B) any obligation, as principal or as guarantor or
                  other surety, in respect of the TIMCO Bond Order, the TIMCO
                  Lease, any reimbursement agreement relating to the TIMCO Bonds
                  Letter of Credit, or any other obligation referred to in
                  Section 7.03(j) hereof,

                           (C) any obligation (or set of related obligations),
                  as principal or as guarantor or other surety, in respect of
                  Indebtedness in excess of $5,000,000 (or the equivalent
                  thereof in one or more foreign currencies) in aggregate
                  amount, and

                           (D) any obligation (or set of related obligations,
                  including all obligations under a master agreement), as
                  principal or as guarantor or other surety, in respect of any
                  interest rate or currency swap, cap, collar, floor, future,
                  forward or similar transactions relating to a principal or
                  notional principal amount in excess of $5,000,000 (or the
                  equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies) in
                  aggregate amount.

                  (g) One or more judgments for the payment of money shall have
         been entered against the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower,
         which judgment or judgments exceed $2,000,000 in the aggregate, and
         such judgment or judgments shall have remained undischarged and
         unstayed for a period of 30 consecutive days.

                                      -45-
<PAGE>   304
                  (h) Any Governmental Action now or hereafter made by or with
         any Governmental Authority in connection with any Loan Document is not
         obtained or shall have ceased to be in full force and effect or shall
         have been modified or amended or shall have been held to be illegal or
         invalid, and such event or condition has, or would be likely to have, a
         Material Adverse Effect.

                  (i) Any Shared Security Document shall cease to be in full
         force and effect; or any Lien created or purported to be created in any
         Shared Collateral pursuant to any Shared Security Document shall fail
         to be a valid, enforceable and perfected Lien in favor of the
         Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties securing the
         Obligations, prior to all other Liens except Permitted Liens.

                  (j) Any Loan Document or term or provision thereof shall cease
         to be in full force and effect (except in accordance with the express
         terms of such Loan Document), or the Borrower or any other party to any
         Loan Document shall, or shall purport to, terminate (except in
         accordance with the terms of such Loan Document), repudiate, declare
         voidable or void or otherwise contest, any Loan Document or term or
         provision thereof or any obligation or liability of the Borrower or
         such other party thereunder.

                  (k) Any one or more Pension-Related Events referred to in
         subsection (b) or (e) of the definition of "Pension-Related Event"
         shall have occurred; or any one or more other Pension-Related Events
         shall have occurred which, individually or in the aggregate, could
         reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

                  (l) The Borrower shall make, or shall be required by the terms
         of the Senior Note Indenture to make or to offer to make, any purchase
         of Senior Notes under Sections 4.12 or 4.13 of the Senior Note
         Indenture; or the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries otherwise shall
         make or offer to make any payment on account of principal of, or any
         purchase, redemption, retirement, defeasance or acquisition of, any of
         the Senior Notes (except for principal payment in accordance with the
         terms thereof at the scheduled maturity thereof).

                  (m) Any Person or group (as such term is used in Sections 13
         and 14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
         "Exchange Act"), and the rules and regulations thereunder) shall have
         become the direct or indirect beneficial owner (as defined in Rules
         13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of 35% or more of any class of
         voting securities of the Borrower; or any Person shall have been
         elected or shall have become a director of the Borrower who was not
         nominated and recommended for such position or elected to such position
         by a majority of the then-incumbent Board of Directors of the Borrower;
         or a "Change in Control" (as defined in the Senior Note Indenture as
         constituted on the Closing Date shall have occurred (without regard to
         any subsequent amendment, modification or supplement to, or termination
         or expiration of, the Senior Note Indenture).

                  (n) A Control-Related Event shall have occurred, and the
         Required Lenders shall have determined in good faith that such
         Control-Related Event has or would be likely to have a Material Adverse
         Effect (by reason of suspension, withdrawal or impairment of any
         security clearance of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, or
         impairment of the business relationship between the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the U.S. Government and its agencies
         and departments, on the other hand). "Control-Related Event" shall mean
         that any Person or group (as such term is used in Sections 13 and 14 of
         the Exchange Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder) shall have
         become the direct or indirect beneficial owner (as defined


                                      -46-
<PAGE>   305
         in Rules 13d-3 and 13d-5 under the Exchange Act) of 5% or more of any
         class of voting securities of the Borrower (except for any such Person
         or group existing on the Closing Date, to the extent of the voting
         securities then owned by them).

                  (o) A proceeding shall have been instituted in respect of the
         Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower (and for this
         purpose, each Subsidiary of the Borrower which is subject to an event
         or condition described in this Section 8.01(o) or in Section 8.01(p)
         hereof shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if, collectively,
         together with their respective Subsidiaries, treated as a single
         entity, they would constitute a Significant Subsidiary)

                           (i) seeking to have an order for relief entered in
                  respect of such Person, or seeking a declaration or entailing
                  a finding that such Person is insolvent or a similar
                  declaration or finding, or seeking dissolution, Winding-up,
                  administration, charter revocation or forfeiture, liquidation,
                  reorganization, arrangement, adjustment, composition or other
                  similar relief with respect to such Person, its assets or its
                  debts under any Law relating to bankruptcy, insolvency, relief
                  of debtors or protection of creditors, termination of legal
                  entities or any other similar Law now or hereafter in effect,
                  or

                           (ii) seeking appointment of a receiver,
                  administrative receiver, trustee, liquidator, assignee,
                  sequestrator or other custodian for such Person or for all or
                  any substantial part of its property

         and such proceeding shall result in the entry, making or grant of any
         such order for relief, declaration, finding, relief or appointment, or
         such proceeding shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of
         30 consecutive days.

                  (p) The Borrower or any Significant Subsidiary of the Borrower
         (and for this purpose, each Subsidiary of the Borrower which is subject
         to an event or condition described in Section 8.01(o) hereof or in this
         Section 8.01(p) shall be deemed a Significant Subsidiary if,
         collectively, together with their respective Subsidiaries, treated as a
         single entity, they would constitute a Significant Subsidiary) shall
         not be Solvent; shall fail to pay, become unable to pay, or state that
         it is or will be unable to pay, its debts as they become due; shall
         voluntarily suspend transaction of its business; shall make a general
         assignment for the benefit of creditors; shall institute (or fail to
         controvert in a timely and appropriate manner) a proceeding described
         in Section 8.01(o)(i) hereof, or (whether or not any such proceeding
         has been instituted) shall consent to or acquiesce in any such order
         for relief, declaration, finding or relief described therein; shall
         institute (or fail to controvert in a timely and appropriate manner) a
         proceeding described in Section 8.01(o)(ii) hereof, or (whether or not
         any such proceeding has been instituted) shall consent to or acquiesce
         in any such appointment or to the taking of possession by any such
         custodian of all or any substantial part of its or his property; shall
         dissolve, Wind-up, go into administration or revoke or forfeit its
         articles of incorporation (or other constituent documents); or shall
         take any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing.

                  8.02.  CONSEQUENCES OF AN EVENT OF DEFAULT.

                  (a) GENERAL. If an Event of Default specified in subsections
(a) through (n) of Section 8.01 hereof shall have occurred and be continuing or
exist, or if an Event of Default specified in subsections (o) or (p) of Section
8.01 hereof shall have occurred and be continuing or exist with respect to a
Person other than the Borrower, then, in addition to all other rights and
remedies which the


                                      -47-
<PAGE>   306
Collateral Agent or any Lender Party may have hereunder or under any other Loan
Document, at law, in equity or otherwise, the Agent may, and upon the written
request of the Required Lenders shall, by notice to the Borrower, from time to
time do any or all of the following: (i) declare the Letter of Credit Commitment
terminated, whereupon the Letter of Credit Commitment will terminate; (ii)
declare all Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations and all other Loan
Obligations to be immediately due and payable without presentment, demand,
protest or further notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived, and an
action therefor shall immediately accrue, and (iii) require the Borrower to
immediately cash collateralize all outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance
with Section 3.07 hereof.

                  (b) BANKRUPTCY AND CERTAIN OTHER EVENTS. If an Event of
Default specified in subsection (o) or (p) of Section 8.01 hereof shall have
occurred and be continuing or exist with respect to the Borrower, then, in
addition to all other rights and remedies which the Collateral Agent or any
Lender Party may have hereunder or under any other Loan Document, at law, in
equity or otherwise, (i) the Letter of Credit Commitment shall automatically
terminate, (ii) all Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations and all other
Loan Obligations shall become immediately due and payable without presentment,
demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived, and an
action therefor shall immediately accrue, and (iii) the Borrower shall
immediately cash collateralize all outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance
with Section 3.07 hereof.

                  8.03. APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS. Subject to Section 3.07 hereof,
after the occurrence of an Event of Default and the occurrence of either
acceleration of the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations or a requirement
that the Borrower cash collateralize all outstanding Letters of Credit, any
distributions made on account of Loan Obligations under the Collateral Agency
Agreement and all other payments received on account of Loan Obligations shall
be applied by the Agent to payment of the Loan Obligations in the following
order:

                  First, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts due to the Agent in
         its capacity as such;

                  Second, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting fees, indemnities and other amounts due to the Issuing
         Bank in its capacity as such, other than principal of and interest on
         Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligations and accrued and unpaid
         Letter of Credit Fees, to the Issuing Bank;

                  Third, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting accrued and unpaid interest on Letter of Credit
         Unreimbursed Draws, and accrued and unpaid Letter of Credit Fees,
         ratably amongst the Lenders and the Issuing Bank in proportion to the
         respective amounts described in this clause "Third" due to them;

                  Fourth, to payment of that portion of the Loan Obligations
         constituting Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, to the Issuing Bank;

                  Fifth, to payment of all other Loan Obligations, ratably
         amongst the Lender Parties in proportion to the respective amounts
         described in this clause "Fifth" due to them; and

                  Finally, the balance, if any, after all of the Loan
         Obligations have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, the Letter of
         Credit Commitment shall have terminated and all Letters of Credit shall
         have terminated, to the Borrower or as otherwise required by law.

                                      -48-
<PAGE>   307
                                   ARTICLE IX
                                    THE AGENT

                  9.01. APPOINTMENT. Each Lender Party hereby irrevocably
appoints Mellon Bank, N.A. to act as Agent for the Lender Parties under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents. Each Lender Party hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Agent to take such action on behalf of the Lender Parties under
the provisions of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and to exercise
such powers and to perform such duties, as are expressly delegated to or
required of the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers
as are reasonably incidental thereto. Mellon Bank, N.A. hereby agrees to act as
Agent on behalf of the Lender Parties on the terms and conditions set forth in
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, subject to its right to resign as
provided herein. Each Lender Party hereby irrevocably authorizes the Agent to
execute and deliver each of the Loan Documents and to accept delivery of such of
the other Loan Documents as may not require execution by the Agent. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Lender Party hereby irrevocably
authorizes the Agent to execute and deliver the Collateral Agency Agreement on
behalf of such Lender Party. Each Lender Party hereby agrees that the rights and
remedies granted to the Agent under the Loan Documents shall be exercised
exclusively by the Agent, and that no Lender Party shall have any right
individually to exercise any such right or remedy, except to the extent, if any,
expressly provided herein or therein.

                  9.02.  GENERAL NATURE OF AGENT'S DUTIES.

                  (a) NO IMPLIED DUTIES. The Agent shall have no duties or
responsibilities except those expressly set forth in this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, and no implied duties or responsibilities on the part of
the Agent shall be read into this Agreement or any Loan Document or shall
otherwise exist.

                  (b) NOT A FIDUCIARY. The duties and responsibilities of the
Agent under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be mechanical and
administrative in nature, and the Agent shall not have a fiduciary relationship
in respect of any Lender Party.

                  (c) AGENT OF LENDER PARTIES. The Agent is and shall be solely
the agent of the Lender Parties. The Agent does not assume, and shall not at any
time be deemed to have, any relationship of agency or trust with or for, or any
other duty or responsibility to, the Borrower or any Person other than the
Lender Parties. The provisions of this Article IX are for the benefit of the
Lender Parties (and the other Persons named in Section 9.07 hereof), and the
Borrower shall not have any rights under any of the provisions of this Article
IX.

                  (d) NO OBLIGATION TO TAKE ACTION. The Agent shall be under no
obligation to take any action hereunder or under any other Loan Document if the
Agent believes in good faith that taking such action may conflict with any Law
or any provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or may require
the Agent to qualify to do business in any jurisdiction where it is not then so
qualified.

                  9.03. EXERCISE OF POWERS. Subject to the other provisions of
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the Agent shall take any action of
the type specified in this Agreement or any other Loan Document as being within
the Agent's rights, powers or discretion in accordance with directions from the
Required Lenders (or, to the extent this Agreement or such Loan Document
expressly requires the direction or consent of some other Person or set of
Persons, then instead in accordance with the directions of such other Person or
set of Persons). In the absence of such directions, the Agent shall have the
authority (but under no circumstances shall be obligated), in its sole
discretion, to take any such action, except to the extent this Agreement or such
Loan Document expressly requires


                                      -49-
<PAGE>   308
the direction or consent of the Required Lenders (or some other Person or set of
Persons), in which case the Agent shall not take such action absent such
direction or consent. Any action or inaction pursuant to such direction,
discretion or consent shall be binding on all the Lender Parties. The Agent
shall not have any liability to any Person as a result of (x) the Agent acting
or refraining from acting in accordance with the directions of the Required
Lenders (or other applicable Person or set of Persons), (y) the Agent refraining
from acting in the absence of instructions to act from the Required Lenders (or
other applicable Person or set of Persons), whether or not the Agent has
discretionary power to take such action, or (z) the Agent taking discretionary
action it is authorized to take under this Section (subject, in the case of this
clause (z), to the provisions of Section 9.04(a) hereof).

                  9.04.  GENERAL EXCULPATORY PROVISIONS.

                  (a) GENERAL. The Agent shall not be liable for any action
taken or omitted to be taken by it under or in connection with this Agreement or
any other Loan Document, unless caused by its own gross negligence or willful
misconduct.

                  (b) AGENT NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR LOAN DOCUMENTS, ETC. The Agent
shall not be responsible for (i) the execution, delivery, effectiveness,
enforceability, genuineness, validity or adequacy of this Agreement or any other
Loan Document, (ii) any recital, representation, warranty, document,
certificate, report or statement in, provided for in, or received under or in
connection with, this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iii) any failure of
the Borrower, any Lender or Issuing Bank to perform any of their respective
obligations under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (iv) the existence,
validity, enforceability, perfection, recordation, priority, adequacy or value,
now or hereafter, of any Lien or other direct or indirect security afforded or
purported to be afforded by any of the Loan Documents or otherwise from time to
time, or (v) caring for, protecting, insuring, or paying any taxes, charges or
assessments with respect to any collateral.

                  (c) NO DUTY OF INQUIRY. The Agent shall not be under any
obligation to ascertain, inquire or give any notice relating to (i) the
performance or observance of any of the terms or conditions of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document on the part of the Borrower, (ii) the business,
operations, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects of the Borrower or
any other Person, or (iii) except to the extent set forth in Section 9.05(f)
hereof, the existence of any Event of Default or Potential Default.

                  (d) NOTICES. The Agent shall not be under any obligation,
either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Lender Party with any
notices, reports or information of any nature, whether in its possession
presently or hereafter, except for such notices, reports and other information
expressly required by this Agreement or any other Loan Document to be furnished
by the Agent to such Lender Party.

                  9.05.  ADMINISTRATION BY THE AGENT.

                  (a) RELIANCE ON NOTICES. The Agent may rely upon any notice or
other communication of any nature (written or oral, including but not limited to
telephone conversations, whether or not such notice or other communication is
made in a manner permitted or required by this Agreement or any Loan Document)
purportedly made by or on behalf of the proper party or parties, and the Agent
shall not have any duty to verify the identity or authority of any Person giving
such notice or other communication.

                  (b) CONSULTATION. The Agent may consult with legal counsel
(including, without limitation, in-house counsel for the Agent or in-house or
other counsel for the Borrower), independent public accountants and any other
experts selected by it from time to time, and the Agent shall not be


                                      -50-
<PAGE>   309
liable for any action taken or omitted to be taken in good faith by it in
accordance with the advice of such counsel, accountants or experts.

                  (c) RELIANCE ON CERTIFICATES, ETC. The Agent may conclusively
rely upon the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
expressed in any certificates or opinions furnished to the Agent in accordance
with the requirements of this Agreement or any other Loan Document. Whenever the
Agent shall deem it necessary or desirable that a matter be proved or
established with respect to the Borrower or any Lender Party, such matter may be
established by a certificate of the Borrower or such Lender Party, as the case
may be, and the Agent may conclusively rely upon such certificate (unless other
evidence with respect to such matter is specifically prescribed in this
Agreement or another Loan Document).

                  (d) INDEMNITY. The Agent may fail or refuse to take any action
unless it shall be indemnified to its satisfaction from time to time against any
and all amounts, liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature which
may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent by reason of taking
or continuing to take any such action.

                  (e) PERFORMANCE THROUGH AGENTS. The Agent may perform any of
its duties under this Agreement or any other Loan Document by or through agents
or attorneys-in-fact. The Agent shall not be responsible for the negligence or
misconduct of any agents or attorneys-in fact selected by it with reasonable
care.

                  (f) NOTICE OF DEFAULT. The Agent shall not be deemed to have
any knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Event of Default or Potential
Default unless the Agent has received notice from a Lender Party or the Borrower
referring to this Agreement, describing such Event of Default or Potential
Default, and stating that such notice is a "notice of default." If the Agent
receives such a notice, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to each
Lender.

                  9.06. LENDERS NOT RELYING ON AGENT OR OTHER LENDERS. Each
Lender Party hereby acknowledges as follows: (a) Neither the Agent nor any other
Lender Party has made any representations or warranties to it, and no act taken
hereafter by the Agent or any other Lender Party shall be deemed to constitute
any representation or warranty by the Agent or such other Lender Party to it.
(b) It has, independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any other
Lender Party, and based upon such documents and information as it has deemed
appropriate, made its own credit and legal analysis and decision to enter into
this Agreement and the other Loan Documents. (c) It will, independently and
without reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender Party, and based upon such
documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, make its own
decisions to take or not take action under or in connection with this Agreement
and the other Loan Documents.

                  9.07. INDEMNIFICATION OF AGENT BY LENDERS. Each Lender hereby
agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Agent and its directors, officers,
employees and agents (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrower and without
limitation of the obligations of the Borrower to do so), Pro Rata, from and
against any and all amounts, losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature (including, without limitation, the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Agent or such other Person in connection with any investigative,
administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not
the Agent or such other Person shall be designated a party thereto) that may at
any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent or such other
Person as a result of, or arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason
of, this Agreement, any other Loan Document, any transaction from time to time
contemplated


                                      -51-
<PAGE>   310
hereby or thereby, or any transaction financed in whole or in part or directly
or indirectly with the proceeds of any Letter of Credit; provided, that no
Lender shall be liable for any portion of such amounts, losses, liabilities,
claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs or disbursements resulting from the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of the Agent or such other Person, as finally determined by a court of competent
jurisdiction.

                  9.08. AGENT IN ITS INDIVIDUAL CAPACITY. With respect to the
Loan Obligations owing to it, the Agent shall have the same rights and powers
under this Agreement and each other Loan Document as any other Lender and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Agent, and the terms "Lender,"
"Issuing Bank," and like terms shall include the Agent in its individual
capacity as such. The Agent and its affiliates may, without liability to
account, make loans to, accept deposits from, acquire debt or equity interests
in, enter into interest rate or currency hedging transactions with, act as
trustee under indentures of, and engage in any other business or transaction
with, the Borrower or any stockholder, subsidiary or affiliate of the Borrower,
as though the Agent were not the Agent hereunder.

                  9.09.  [Reserved]

                  9.10. SUCCESSOR AGENT. The Agent may resign at any time by
giving 45 days' prior written notice thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower.
The Agent may be removed by the Required Lenders at any time by giving 10 days'
prior written notice thereof to the Agent, the other Lenders and the Borrower.
Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Lenders shall have the right
to appoint a successor Agent. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed
and consented to, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after
such notice of resignation or removal, then the retiring Agent may (but shall
not be required to) appoint a successor Agent. Each successor Agent shall be a
commercial bank or trust company organized under the laws of the United States
of America or any State thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at
least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance by a successor Agent of its appointment
as Agent hereunder, such successor Agent shall thereupon succeed to and become
vested with all the properties, rights, powers, privileges and duties of the
former Agent in its capacity as such, without further act, deed or conveyance.
Upon the effective date of resignation or removal of a retiring Agent, such
Agent shall be discharged from its duties as such under this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents, but the provisions of this Agreement shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions taken or omitted by it while it was Agent under this
Agreement. If and so long as no successor Agent shall have been appointed, then
any notice or other communication required or permitted to be given by the Agent
shall be sufficiently given if given by the Required Lenders, all notices or
other communications required or permitted to be given to the Agent shall be
given to each Lender, and all payments to be made to the Agent shall be made
directly to the Borrower or Lender Party for whose account such payment is made.

                  9.11. CALCULATIONS. The Agent shall not be liable for any
calculation, apportionment or distribution of payments made by it in good faith.
If such calculation, apportionment or distribution is subsequently determined to
have been made in error, the sole recourse of any Lender Party to whom payment
was due but not made shall be to recover from the other Lender Parties any
payment in excess of the amount to which they are determined to be entitled or,
if the amount due was not paid by the Borrower, to recover such amount from the
Borrower.


                                    ARTICLE X
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

                                      -52-
<PAGE>   311
                  10.01. HOLIDAYS. Except as otherwise expressly provided herein
or therein, whenever any payment or action to be made or taken hereunder or
under any other Loan Document shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a
Business Day, such payment or action shall be made or taken on the next
following Business Day and such extension of time shall be included in computing
interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment or action.

                  10.02. RECORDS. The unpaid Letter of Credit Reimbursement
Obligations, the unpaid interest accrued thereon, and the interest rate or rates
applicable thereto shall at all times be ascertained from the records of the
Issuing Bank, which shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                  10.03. AMENDMENTS AND WAIVERS. The Agent and the Borrower may
from time to time amend, modify or supplement the provisions of this Agreement
or any other Loan Document (other than the Shared Security Documents) for the
purpose of amending, adding to, or waiving any provisions, releasing any
collateral, or changing in any manner the rights and duties of the Borrower or
any Lender Party. Any such amendment, modification or supplement made by the
Borrower and the Agent in accordance with the provisions of this Section 10.03
shall be binding upon the Borrower and each Lender Party. The Agent shall enter
into such amendments, modifications or supplements from time to time as directed
by the Required Lenders, and only as so directed, provided, that no such
amendment, modification or supplement may be made which will:

                  (a) Increase the Commitment Percentage of any Lender over the
         amount thereof then in effect without the written consent of each
         Lender, or extend the Note Backup Final Expiration Date without the
         written consent of each Lender;

                  (b) Reduce the rate of interest or extend the time for payment
         of interest borne by any Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation
         (other than as a result of waiving the applicability of any increase in
         interest rates applicable to overdue amounts), or extend the time for
         payment of or reduce the amount of any Letter of Credit Fee, without
         the written consent of each Lender affected thereby;

                  (c) Change the definition of "Required Lenders" or amend this
         Section 10.03, without the written consent of each Lender;

                  (d) Amend or waive any of the provisions of Article IX, or
         impose additional duties upon the Agent, or otherwise affect the
         rights, interests or obligations of the Agent, without the written
         consent of the Agent;

                  (e) Release all or a major portion of the Shared Collateral
         (other than in accordance with the provisions of the Loan Documents),
         or subordinate the priority of the Liens in favor of the Collateral
         Agent to Liens in favor of another Person with respect to all or a
         major portion of the Shared Collateral (other than in accordance with
         the provisions of the Loan Documents), without the written consent of
         each Lender;

                  (f) Alter the priority of distributions set forth in Section
         8.03 hereof, without the written consent of each Lender affected
         thereby;

                  (g) Amend or waive any of the provisions of Article III, or
         impose additional duties upon the Issuing Bank or otherwise affect the
         rights, interests or obligations of the Issuing Bank, without the
         written consent of the Issuing Bank; or

                                      -53-
<PAGE>   312
                  (h) Reduce any Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draw, or extend
         the time for repayment by the Borrower of any Letter of Credit
         Unreimbursed Draw, without the written consent of each Lender;

and provided further, that Transfer Supplements may be entered into in the
manner provided in Section 10.14 hereof. Any such amendment, modification or
supplement must be in writing, manually signed by or on behalf of the Borrower
and the Lender Party which is party thereto, and shall be effective only to the
extent set forth in such writing. Any Event of Default or Potential Default
waived or consented to in any such amendment, modification or supplement shall
be deemed to be cured and not continuing to the extent and for the period set
forth in such waiver or consent, but no such waiver or consent shall extend to
any other or subsequent Event of Default or Potential Default or impair any
right consequent thereto. Shared Security Documents may be amended, modified and
supplemented from time to time in accordance with the terms thereof and of the
Collateral Agency Agreement, and any such amendment, modification or supplement
so made shall be binding upon the Borrower and each Lender Party (and to the
extent that any consent, direction or other action is required by the Agent in
connection therewith, the provisions of the third sentence of this Section 10.03
shall apply to the Agent in giving such consent or direction or taking such
action).

                  10.04. NO IMPLIED WAIVER; CUMULATIVE REMEDIES. No course of
dealing and no delay or failure of the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party in
exercising any right, power or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or exercise of any
other right, power or privilege; nor shall any single or partial exercise of any
such right, power or privilege or any abandonment or discontinuance of steps to
enforce such a right, power or privilege preclude any further exercise thereof
or of any other right, power or privilege. The rights and remedies of the
Collateral Agent and the Lender Parties under this Agreement and any other Loan
Document are cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies which any of
them would otherwise have hereunder or thereunder, at law, in equity or
otherwise.

                  10.05.  NOTICES.

                  (a) GENERAL. Except to the extent otherwise expressly
permitted hereunder or thereunder, all notices, requests, demands, directions
and other communications (collectively "notices") to the Borrower or any Lender
Party under this Agreement or any Loan Document shall be in writing (including
telexes and facsimile transmission) and shall be sent by first-class mail, or by
nationally-recognized overnight courier, or by telex or facsimile transmission
(with confirmation in writing mailed first-class or sent by such an overnight
courier), or by personal delivery. All notices shall be sent to the applicable
party at the address stated on the signature pages hereof or in accordance with
the last unrevoked written direction from such party to the other parties
hereto, in all cases with postage or other charges prepaid. Any such properly
given notice to any Lender Party shall be effective when received. Any such
properly given notice to the Borrower shall be effective on the earliest to
occur of receipt, telephone confirmation of receipt of telex or facsimile
transmission, one Business Day after delivery to a nationally-recognized
overnight courier, or three Business Days after deposit in the mail.

                  (b) COPIES TO AGENT. Any Lender giving any notice to the
Borrower or any other party to a Loan Document shall simultaneously send a copy
thereof to the Agent, and the Agent shall promptly notify the other Lenders of
the receipt by it of any such notice.

                  (c) RELIANCE. Each Lender Party may rely on any notice
(whether or not such notice is made in a manner permitted or required by this
Agreement or any Loan Document) purportedly made


                                      -54-
<PAGE>   313
by or on behalf of the Borrower, and no Lender Party shall have any duty to
verify the identity or authority of any Person giving such notice.

                  10.06.  EXPENSES; TAXES; INDEMNITY.

                  (a) EXPENSES. The Borrower agrees to pay or cause to be paid
and to save each Lender Party harmless against liability for the payment of all
reasonable out-of-pocket costs and expenses (including but not limited to
reasonable fees and expenses of outside counsel, including local counsel,
auditors, and all other professional, accounting, evaluation and consulting
costs) incurred by any Lender Party from time to time arising from or relating
to (i) in the case of the Agent, the negotiation, preparation, execution,
delivery, administration and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents, (ii) in the case of the Agent, any requested amendments,
modifications, supplements, waivers or consents (whether or not ultimately
entered into or granted) to this Agreement or any Loan Document, (iii) in the
case of each Lender Party, the enforcement or preservation of rights under this
Agreement or any Loan Document (including but not limited to any such costs or
expenses arising from or relating to (A) the creation, perfection or protection
of any Lien on any collateral, (B) the protection, collection, lease, sale,
taking possession of, preservation of, or realization on, any collateral,
including without limitation advances for taxes, filing fees and the like, (C)
collection or enforcement by any Lender Party of any amount owing hereunder or
thereunder, and (D) any litigation, proceeding, dispute, work-out, restructuring
or rescheduling related in any way to this Agreement or the Loan Documents), and
(iv) in the case of Mellon Bank, N.A., any syndication of this Agreement prior
to the first anniversary of the Closing Date (but amounts payable under this
clause (iv), plus amounts payable under Section 10.06(a)(iv) of the other Credit
Facilities as constituted on the Closing Date, shall in no event exceed an
aggregate of $50,000).

                  (b) TAXES. The Borrower hereby agrees to pay all stamp,
document, transfer, recording, filing, registration, search, sales and excise
fees and taxes and all similar impositions now or hereafter determined by any
Lender Party to be payable in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan
Documents or any other documents, instruments or transactions pursuant to or in
connection herewith or therewith, and the Borrower agrees to save each Lender
Party harmless from and against any and all present or future claims,
liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any omission to pay or
delay in paying any such fees, taxes or impositions.

                  (c) INDEMNITY. The Borrower hereby agrees to reimburse and
indemnify the Lender Parties, their respective affiliates, and the directors,
officers, employees, attorneys and agents of each of the foregoing (the "Lender
Indemnified Parties"), and each of them, and to hold each of them harmless from
and against, any and all losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses,
obligations, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any
kind or nature whatsoever (including, without limitation, the fees and
disbursements of outside counsel for such Lender Indemnified Party in connection
with any investigative, administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or
threatened, whether or not such Lender Indemnified Party shall be designated a
party thereto) that may at any time be imposed on, asserted against or incurred
by such Lender Indemnified Party as a result of, or arising out of, or in any
way related to or by reason of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, any
transaction from time to time contemplated hereby or thereby, or any transaction
financed or secured in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by any Letter
of Credit or the proceeds thereof (and without in any way limiting the
generality of the foregoing, including any grant of any Lien on collateral or
any exercise by the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party of any of its rights or
remedies under this Agreement or any other Loan Document); but excluding any
portion of such losses, liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations,
penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs or disbursements resulting from the
gross negligence or willful misconduct of such Lender Indemnified Party, as
finally determined


                                      -55-
<PAGE>   314
by a court of competent jurisdiction. If and to the extent that the foregoing
obligations of the Borrower under this Section 10.06(c), or any other
indemnification obligation of the Borrower hereunder or under any other Loan
Document, are unenforceable for any reason, the Borrower hereby agrees to make
the maximum contribution to the payment and satisfaction of such obligations
which is permissible under applicable Law.

                  10.07. SEVERABILITY. The provisions of this Agreement are
intended to be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held
invalid or unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction such provision
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity
or unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or
enforceability thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions
hereof in any jurisdiction.

                  10.08. PRIOR UNDERSTANDINGS. This Agreement and the other Loan
Documents supersede all prior and contemporaneous understandings and agreements,
whether written or oral, among the parties hereto and thereto relating to the
transactions provided for herein and therein, including the engagement letter
between the Borrower and Mellon Bank, N.A. dated December 13, 1996.

                  10.09. DURATION; SURVIVAL. All representations and warranties
of the Borrower contained herein or in any other Loan Document or made in
connection herewith or therewith shall survive the making of, and shall not be
waived by the execution and delivery, of this Agreement or any other Loan
Document, any investigation by or knowledge of any Lender Party, the issuance of
any Letter of Credit or any other event or condition whatever. All covenants and
agreements of the Borrower contained herein or in any other Loan Document shall
continue in full force and effect from and after the date hereof (or, in the
case of Section 7.01 hereof, from and after December 31, 1996) until the Letter
of Credit Commitment shall have terminated, all Letters of Credit have expired
or have been terminated, and all Loan Obligations (other than Contingent
Indemnification Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash.
Without limitation, all obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any other
Loan Document to make payments to or indemnify any Lender Party or Lender
Indemnified Party (including but not limited to obligations arising under
Sections 3.16, 3.17, 10.06 and 10.16 hereof) shall survive the payment in full
of all other Loan Obligations, termination of the Borrower's right to borrow
hereunder, and all other events and conditions whatever. In addition, all
obligations of each Lender to make payments to or indemnify the Agent or the
Issuing Bank and Persons related to the Agent or the Issuing Bank (including but
not limited to obligations arising under Sections 3.08(c) and 9.07 hereof) shall
survive the payment in full by the Borrower of all Loan Obligations, termination
of the Borrower's right to borrow hereunder, and all other events and conditions
whatever.

                  10.10. COUNTERPARTS. This Agreement may be executed in any
number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto on separate
counterparts each of which, when so executed, shall be deemed an original, but
all such counterparts shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

                  10.11. LIMITATION ON PAYMENTS. The parties hereto intend to
conform to all applicable Laws in effect from time to time limiting the maximum
rate of interest that may be charged or collected. Accordingly, notwithstanding
any other provision hereof or of any other Loan Document, the Borrower shall not
be required to make any payment to or for the account of any Lender, and each
Lender shall refund any payment made by the Borrower, to the extent that such
requirement or such failure to refund would violate or conflict with nonwaivable
provisions of applicable Laws limiting the maximum amount of interest which may
be charged or collected by such Lender.

                  10.12. SET-OFF. The Borrower hereby agrees that if any Loan
Obligation of the Borrower shall be due and payable (by acceleration or
otherwise), each Lender Party shall have the


                                      -56-
<PAGE>   315
right, without notice to the Borrower, to set-off against and to appropriate and
apply to such Loan Obligation any obligation of any nature owing to the Borrower
by such Lender Party, including but not limited to all deposits (whether time or
demand, general or special, provisionally credited or finally credited, whether
or not evidenced by a certificate of deposit) now or hereafter maintained by the
Borrower with such Lender Party. Such right shall be absolute and unconditional
in all circumstances and, without limitation, shall exist whether or not such
Lender Party or any other Person shall have given notice or made any demand to
the Borrower or any other Person, whether such obligation owed to the Borrower
is contingent, absolute, matured or unmatured (it being agreed that such Lender
Party may deem such obligation to be then due and payable at the time of such
setoff), and regardless of the existence or adequacy of any collateral, guaranty
or any other security, right or remedy available to any Lender Party or any
other Person. The Borrower hereby agrees that, to the fullest extent permitted
by law, any Participant and any branch, subsidiary or affiliate of any Lender
Party or any Participant shall have the same rights of set-off as a Lender as
provided in this Section 10.12 (regardless of whether such Participant, branch,
subsidiary or affiliate would otherwise be deemed in privity with or a direct
creditor of the Borrower). The rights provided by this Section 10.12 are in
addition to all other rights of set-off and banker's lien and all other rights
and remedies which any Lender Party (or any such Participant, branch, subsidiary
or affiliate) may otherwise have under this Agreement, any other Loan Document,
at law or in equity, or otherwise, and nothing in this Agreement or any Loan
Document shall be deemed a waiver or prohibition of or restriction on the rights
of set-off or bankers' lien of any such Person.

                  10.13. SHARING OF COLLECTIONS. Subject to Section 2.06 of the
Collateral Agency Agreement, the Lenders hereby agree among themselves that if
any Lender shall receive (by voluntary payment, realization upon security,
set-off or from any other source) any amount on account of any Loan Obligation
contemplated by this Agreement or the other Loan Documents to be made by the
Borrower ratably to all Lenders in greater proportion than any such amount
received by any other Lender, then the Lender receiving such proportionately
greater payment shall notify each other Lender and the Agent of such receipt,
and equitable adjustment will be made in the manner stated in this Section so
that, in effect, all such excess amounts will be shared ratably among all of the
Lenders. The Lender receiving such excess amount shall purchase (which it shall
be deemed to have done simultaneously upon the receipt of such excess amount)
for cash from the other Lenders a participation in the applicable Loan
Obligations owed to such other Lenders in such amount as shall result in a
ratable sharing by all Lenders of such excess amount (and to such extent the
receiving Lender shall be a Participant). If all or any portion of such excess
amount is thereafter recovered from the Lender making such purchase, such
purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent of
such recovery, together with interest or other amounts, if any, required by Law
to be paid by the Lender making such purchase. The Borrower hereby consents to
and confirms the foregoing arrangements. Each Participant shall be bound by this
Section as fully as if it were a Lender hereunder.

                  10.14.  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS; PARTICIPATIONS; ASSIGNMENTS.

                  (a) SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS. This Agreement shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of the Borrower, the Lender Parties, and their
respective successors and assigns, except that the Borrower may not assign or
transfer any of its rights hereunder without the prior written consent of all
the Lenders and the Agent, and any purported assignment without such consent
shall be void, and except that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, a Lender
may not voluntarily assign or transfer any of its rights hereunder except in
accordance with the other provisions of this Section 10.14, and any other
purported voluntary assignment or transfer shall be void; provided, that this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of successors of Lenders by operation of
law or resulting from an involuntary assignment or transfer (including but not
limited to receivers, conservators, trustees and like Persons, and successors by
merger or consolidation).

                                      -57-
<PAGE>   316
                  (b) PARTICIPATIONS. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of
its business and in accordance with applicable Law, at any time sell
participations to one or more commercial banks or other Persons (each a
"Participant") in all or a portion of its rights and obligations under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents; provided, that

                  (i) any such Lender's obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents shall remain unchanged,

                  (ii) such Lender shall remain solely responsible to the other
         parties hereto for the performance of such obligations,

                  (iii) the parties hereto shall continue to deal solely and
         directly with such Lender in connection with such Lender's rights and
         obligations under this Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents,
         and

                  (iv) such Participant shall, by accepting such Participation,
         be bound by the provisions of Section 10.13 hereof, and

                  (v) if such Participant is not already a Participant or a
         Lender, and if such Participation gives such Participant any voting
         rights (other than on matters described in clauses (a) through (h),
         inclusive, of Section 10.03 hereof), such Participation shall be
         subject to consent of the Agent, the Issuing Bank and the Borrower
         pursuant to clause (i) of Section 10.14(c) hereof as if such
         Participation were an assignment described therein.

The Borrower agrees that any such Participant shall be entitled to the benefits
of Sections 3.16, 3.17, 10.06 and 10.12 hereof with respect to its participation
from time to time; provided, that no such Participant shall be entitled to
receive any greater amount pursuant to such Sections than the transferor Lender
would have been entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the
participation transferred to such Participant had no such transfer occurred.

                  (c) ASSIGNMENTS. Any Lender may, in the ordinary course of its
business and in accordance with applicable Law, at any time assign all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan
Documents to any Lender or to one or more additional commercial banks or other
Person (each a "Purchasing Lender"); provided, that

                  (i) any such assignment to a Purchasing Lender shall be made
         only with the consent of the Agent and the Issuing Bank (which each of
         them may grant or withhold in their absolute discretion) and of the
         Borrower (which consent may not be unreasonably withheld or delayed);

                  (ii) if a Lender makes such an assignment of less than all of
         its then remaining rights and obligations under this Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents and under the Term Loan Agreement, such transferor
         Lender shall retain, after such assignment (and any concurrent
         assignment under the Term Loan Agreement), a minimum principal amount
         of $10,000,000 under this Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement in the
         aggregate, and after giving effect to such assignment (and any
         concurrent assignment under the Term Loan Agreement) the transferee
         Lender shall have a minimum principal amount of $10,000,000 under this
         Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement in the aggregate,

                                      -58-
<PAGE>   317
                  (iii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and not a
         varying, percentage of the Commitment Percentage of the transferor
         Lender, and of all of the transferor Lender's related rights and
         obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,

                  (iv) each such assignment shall be made pursuant to a Transfer
         Supplement in substantially the form of Exhibit B to this Agreement,
         duly completed (a "Transfer Supplement").

In order to effect any such assignment, the transferor Lender and the Purchasing
Lender shall execute and deliver to the Agent a duly completed Transfer
Supplement (including the consents required by clause (i) of the preceding
sentence) with respect to such assignment, and a processing and recording fee of
$3,500; and, upon receipt thereof, the Agent shall accept such Transfer
Supplement. Upon receipt of the Purchase Price Receipt Notice pursuant to such
Transfer Supplement, the Agent shall record such acceptance in the Register.
Upon such execution, delivery, acceptance and recording, from and after the
close of business at the Agent's Office on the Transfer Effective Date specified
in such Transfer Supplement

                  (x) the Purchasing Lender shall be a party hereto and, to the
         extent provided in such Transfer Supplement, shall have the rights and
         obligations of a Lender hereunder, and

                  (y) the transferor Lender thereunder shall be released from
         its obligations under this Agreement to the extent so transferred (and,
         in the case of an Transfer Supplement covering all or the remaining
         portion of a transferor Lender's rights and obligations under this
         Agreement, such transferor Lender shall cease to be a party to this
         Agreement) from and after the Transfer Effective Date.

Accrued interest and accrued fees shall be paid to the Purchasing Lender at the
same time or times provided in this Agreement.

                  (d) REGISTER. The Agent shall maintain at its office a copy of
each Transfer Supplement delivered to it and a register (the "Register") for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment
Percentages of, each Lender from time to time. The entries in the Register shall
be conclusive absent manifest error and the Borrower and each Lender Party may
treat each person whose name is recorded in the Register as a Lender hereunder
for all purposes of the Agreement. The Register shall be available for
inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any reasonable time and from time to
time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (e) FINANCIAL AND OTHER INFORMATION. Subject to Section
10.14(g) hereof, the Borrower authorizes the Agent and each Lender to disclose
to any Participant or Purchasing Lender, or prospective Participant or
Purchasing Lender, any and all financial and other information delivered to,
received by, or otherwise in the possession of, such Person from time to time
relating to the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and affiliates, or the matters
contemplated by the Loan Documents. At the request of any Lender, the Borrower,
at the Borrower's expense, shall provide to each prospective transferee the
conformed copies of documents referred to in Section 4 of the form of Transfer
Supplement.

                  (f) SYNDICATION. The Borrower shall, at the reasonable request
of Mellon Bank, N.A. from time to time, at the Borrower's expense, use all
reasonable efforts to cooperate with its syndication effort, including, without
limitation, (i) assisting it from time to time in preparing information packages
for delivery to prospective Participants and Purchasing Lenders, and (ii)
causing appropriate officers, representative and experts to meet with
prospective Participants and Purchasing Lenders from time to


                                      -59-
<PAGE>   318
time. Mellon Bank, N.A. agrees to make such information packages available to
the Borrower for reasonable review before initial dissemination of the same in
primary syndication, and to consult with the Borrower as to the content thereof.

                  (g) CONFIDENTIALITY. Each Lender Party agrees to take
reasonable precautions to maintain the confidentiality of information designated
in writing as confidential and provided to it by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
in connection with this Agreement; provided, however, that any Lender Party may
disclose such information (i) at the request of any bank regulatory authority or
other Governmental Authority or in connection with an examination of such Lender
Party by any such Governmental Authority, (ii) pursuant to subpoena or other
court process, (iii) to the extent such Lender Party is required (or believes in
good faith that it is required) to do so in accordance with any applicable Law,
(iv) to such Lender Party's independent auditors and other professional
advisors, (v) in connection with the enforcement of any of its rights under or
in connection with any Loan Document, (vi) to any other Lender Party, and (vii)
to any actual or potential Participant or Purchasing Lender, or to any other
actual or potential creditor of or participant in a credit to the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates, so long as, in the case of this clause
(vii), such Person agrees to comply with the provisions of this Section
10.14(g).

                  (h) ASSIGNMENTS TO FEDERAL RESERVE BANK. Any Lender may at any
time assign all or any portion of its rights under this Agreement, to a Federal
Reserve Bank. No such assignment shall relieve the transferor Lender from any of
its obligations hereunder.

                  10.15. GOVERNING LAW; SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION; WAIVER OF
JURY TRIAL; LIMITATION OF LIABILITY.

                  (a) GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT AND ALL OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
(EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT, IF ANY, OTHERWISE EXPRESSLY STATED IN SUCH OTHER LOAN
DOCUMENTS) SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF PENNSYLVANIA, WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICT OF LAW
PRINCIPLES.

                  (b) CERTAIN WAIVERS. THE BORROWER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY:

                  (i) AGREES THAT ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING BY ANY PERSON
         ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
         OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING
         IN CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (COLLECTIVELY, "RELATED
         LITIGATION") MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY STATE OR FEDERAL COURT OF COMPETENT
         JURISDICTION SITTING IN ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, SUBMITS TO THE
         JURISDICTION OF SUCH COURTS, AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW
         AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT BRING ANY RELATED LITIGATION IN ANY OTHER FORUM
         (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE RIGHT OF ANY LENDER PARTY TO BRING
         ANY ACTION, SUIT OR PROCEEDING IN ANY OTHER FORUM);

                  (ii) WAIVES ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY HAVE AT ANY TIME TO THE
         LAYING OF VENUE OF ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT,
         WAIVES ANY CLAIM THAT ANY SUCH RELATED LITIGATION HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN
         AN INCONVENIENT FORUM, AND WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO OBJECT, WITH RESPECT TO
         ANY RELATED LITIGATION BROUGHT IN ANY SUCH COURT, THAT SUCH COURT DOES
         NOT HAVE JURISDICTION OVER THE BORROWER;

                  (iii) CONSENTS AND AGREES TO SERVICE OF ANY SUMMONS, COMPLAINT
         OR OTHER LEGAL PROCESS IN ANY RELATED LITIGATION BY REGISTERED OR
         CERTIFIED U.S. MAIL, POSTAGE PREPAID, TO THE BORROWER AT THE ADDRESS
         FOR NOTICES DESCRIBED IN SECTION 10.05 HEREOF, AND CONSENTS AND AGREES
         THAT SUCH


                                      -60-
<PAGE>   319
         SERVICE SHALL CONSTITUTE IN EVERY RESPECT VALID AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE
         (BUT NOTHING HEREIN SHALL AFFECT THE VALIDITY OR EFFECTIVENESS OF
         PROCESS SERVED IN ANY OTHER MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW); AND

         (IV) WAIVES THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY RELATED LITIGATION.

                  (c) LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED
BY LAW, NO CLAIM MAY BE MADE BY THE BORROWER AGAINST ANY LENDER PARTY OR ANY
AFFILIATE, DIRECTOR, OFFICER, EMPLOYEE, ATTORNEY OR AGENT OF ANY OF THEM FOR ANY
SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES IN RESPECT OF
ANY CLAIM ARISING FROM OR RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT
OR ANY STATEMENT, COURSE OF CONDUCT, ACT, OMISSION, OR EVENT OCCURRING IN
CONNECTION HEREWITH OR THEREWITH (WHETHER FOR BREACH OF CONTRACT, TORT OR ANY
OTHER THEORY OF LIABILITY). THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES, RELEASES AND AGREES NOT
TO SUE UPON ANY CLAIM FOR ANY SUCH DAMAGES, WHETHER SUCH CLAIM PRESENTLY EXISTS
OR ARISES HEREAFTER AND WHETHER OR NOT SUCH CLAIM IS KNOWN OR SUSPECTED TO EXIST
IN ITS FAVOR.

                  10.16.  WITHHOLDING TAXES, ETC.

                  (a) INDEMNITY. Without limiting the generality of any other
provision of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, the Borrower hereby
agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Lender Indemnified Parties, and each of
them, and to hold each of them harmless from and against, any and all losses,
liabilities, claims, damages, expenses, obligations, penalties, actions,
judgments, suits, costs or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever
(including, without limitation, (x) the fees and disbursements of outside
counsel for such Lender Indemnified Party in connection with any investigative,
administrative or judicial proceeding commenced or threatened, whether or not
such Lender Indemnified Party shall be designated a party thereto, and (y) any
present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or withholdings,
and any liability arising therefrom or with respect thereto, including without
limitation penalties, interest and expenses) that may at any time be imposed on,
asserted against or incurred by such Lender Indemnified Party as a result of, or
arising out of, or in any way related to or by reason of, payments by the
Issuing Bank on any Letter of Credit or the obligation of the Issuing Bank to
make any such payments.

                  (b) WITHHOLDING TAX FORMS, ETC. Without limiting the
generality of Section 10.16(a), the Borrower assumes full responsibility for
assuring that payments on any Letter of Credit, and the obligation of the
Issuing Bank to make such payments, comply with all present and future Laws
relating to taxation, including all withholding obligations under such Laws.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Borrower shall (i) procure
from each of the initial beneficiaries of the Letters of Credit (who will also
be the initial holders of the ICV Notes) U.S. Internal Revenue Service Forms
1001 and W-8 demonstrating exemption from United States withholding taxes with
respect to payments under the ICV Notes, and provide copies of such forms to the
Issuing Bank, and (ii) use its best efforts to procure from any successor
beneficiaries of any Letter of Credit from time to time such forms (and any
other or successor forms prescribed by applicable Law from time to time relating
to potential withholding obligations with respect to payments under the ICV
Notes) demonstrating exemption from United States withholding taxes with respect
to payments under the ICV Notes, and provide copies of the such forms to the
Issuing Bank.

                  10.17. DEFEASANCE OF CERTAIN COVENANTS. In the event that any
of the events described in clause (i) or (ii) of Section 3.13 hereof shall
occur, and the Borrower prepays the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws in full
and provides cash collateral for all outstanding Letters of Credit in accordance
with Section 3.07 hereof, then, notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement to the contrary, from and after the date the foregoing conditions are
satisfied and so long as Section 4.15 of the Senior Note Indenture shall be in
force, the Defeased Covenants shall not restrict any Subsidiary of the


                                      -61-
<PAGE>   320
Borrower from taking any action referred to in clause (a), (b), (c) or (d) of
Section 4.15 of the Senior Note Indenture, to the extent that application of the
Defeased Covenants to restrict such action would violate Section 4.15 of the
Senior Note Indenture. As used herein, "Defeased Covenants" shall mean the
covenants set forth in Article VII hereof, other than Section 7.01 hereof.

                  [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]

                                      -62-
<PAGE>   321
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers
thereunto duly authorized, have executed and delivered this Agreement as of the
date first above written.

                         PRIMARK CORPORATION


                         By   /s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN
                              -------------------------------------------------
                              Stephen H. Curran
                              Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

                         Address for Notices:

                              Primark Corporation
                              1000 Winter Street, Suite 4300N
                              Waltham, MA 02154

                             Attn:  Stephen H. Curran,
                                    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
                                    Officer

                              Telephone:  617-487-2140
                              Facsimile: 617-890-6129

                                      -63-
<PAGE>   322
                                   MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                   individually and as Agent


                                   By   /s/ R. JANE WESTRICH
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        R. Jane Westrich
                                        Vice President

                                   Commitment Percentage:                100%

                                   Address for Notices:

                                            Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                            Trade Banking Operations
                                            Three Mellon Bank Center,
                                            Room 2329
                                            Pittsburgh, PA 15259-0110

                                            Attn: Standby Letter of Credit
                                                          Unit

                                            Telephone:  412-234-9495
                                            Facsimile:  412-234-2733

                                   With copies to:

                                            Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                            Loan Administration
                                            Three Mellon Bank Center
                                            Room 153-2332
                                            Pittsburgh, PA  15259-0003

                                            Attn:  Terpsie Katsafanas

                                            Telephone:  412-234-4769
                                            Facsimile:  412-236-2028

                                   and to:

                                            Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                            One Boston Place, 6th Floor
                                            Boston, MA 02108

                                            Attn: R. Jane Westrich,
                                                  Vice President

                                            Telephone:  617-722-7969
                                            Facsimile: 617-722-3516

                                      -64-
<PAGE>   323
                                     ANNEX A
                                       TO
                              NOTE BACKUP AGREEMENT

                            DEFINITIONS; CONSTRUCTION

                  1.01. CERTAIN DEFINITIONS. In addition to other words and
terms defined elsewhere in this Agreement, as used in this Agreement the
following words and terms defined have the meanings given them below, unless the
context of this Agreement otherwise clearly requires.

                  "Adjusted Acquisition Consideration" in connection with an
         acquisition of a type referred to in clause (y) or (z) of Section 7.08
         hereof by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower means the
         amount, not less than zero, equal to, without duplication, the sum of:

                           (a) the gross consideration paid or payable by the
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries in connection with such
                  acquisition (including, without limitation, the purchase price
                  therefor and transaction expenses), with non-cash
                  consideration valued at its Fair Market Value on the closing
                  date of the acquisition; provided, that for purposes of this
                  clause (a) (i) the value of consideration in the form of
                  Shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower or options or warrants
                  therefor shall be deemed zero, and (ii) the value of
                  consideration in the form of Indebtedness or other deferred
                  payment obligations of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries
                  (exclusive of Indebtedness or other deferred payment
                  obligations payable and paid exclusively in Shares of Capital
                  Stock of the Borrower or options or warrants therefor) shall
                  be deemed the maximum aggregate amount of all payments which
                  in any circumstances may be required thereunder, as determined
                  at the time such Indebtedness or other deferred payment
                  obligation is incurred (except that, for purposes of this
                  clause (ii), interest on Indebtedness accruing after such
                  determination date at a market rate shall be excluded from
                  such maximum aggregate amount), plus

                           (b) the aggregate Indebtedness and Guarantee
                  Equivalents assumed or incurred, directly or indirectly, by
                  the Borrower or any Subsidiary of the Borrower in connection
                  with such acquisition (including, in the case of an
                  acquisition of any or all of the Shares of Capital Stock or
                  other equity interests of a Person, the aggregate Indebtedness
                  and Guarantee Equivalents of such Person), exclusive of
                  Indebtedness and Guarantee Equivalents of the Person being
                  acquired constituting current accounts payable of such Person
                  on normal trade terms to trade creditors arising out of
                  purchases of goods or services in the ordinary course of
                  business and not incurred in contemplation of such
                  acquisition, minus

                           (c) the aggregate cash and Cash Equivalent
                  Investments (valued at the lower of cost or market) acquired
                  by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries in such acquisition
                  (including, in the case of an acquisition of all, but not less
                  than all, of the Shares of Capital Stock or other equity
                  interests of a Person, the aggregate cash and Cash Equivalent
                  Investments of such Person, it being understood that in the
                  event that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquire less than
                  all of the Shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests
                  of a Person, no part of the cash or Cash Equivalent
                  Investments of such Person shall be deemed within the scope of
                  this clause (c)); provided, that in the event that the
                  Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquire all of the Shares of
                  Capital Stock or other equity interests of a Person, the cash
                  and Cash Equivalent Investments of such Person shall be deemed
                  within the scope of this clause (c) only in the event that the
                  relevant

                                      A-1
<PAGE>   324
                  acquisition agreement requires the amount of cash and Cash
                  Equivalent Investments of such Person to be determined at the
                  closing date of the acquisition and provides for an adjustment
                  to the purchase price based on such amount.

                  "Advance" shall mean any loan, advance or other extension of
         credit, direct or indirect.

                  "Affected Lender" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         3.09(e) hereof.

                  "Affiliate" of a Person shall mean any Person which directly
         or indirectly controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control
         with, such Person. For purposes of the preceding sentence, "control" of
         a Person shall mean the possession, directly or indirectly, of the
         power to direct or cause the direction of the management or policies of
         such Person, whether through the ownership of voting securities, by
         contract or otherwise, and in any case shall include, without
         limitation, (a) being a director or officer (or a Person having powers
         analogous to those of a corporate director or officer) of such Person,
         or of a Person that directly or indirectly controls such Person, (b)
         having direct or indirect ownership (beneficially or of record) of, or
         direct or indirect power to vote, 30% or more of the outstanding Shares
         of Capital Stock of any class of such Person having ordinary voting
         power for the election of directors (or in the case of a Person that is
         not a Corporation, 30% or more of any class of equity interest having
         voting or control power analogous to corporate common stock), and (b)
         being a general partner of such Person, or of a Person having direct or
         indirect control over a general partner of such Person.

                  "Applicable Margin" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 3.09(b) hereof.

                  "Assured Obligation" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the definition of "Guaranty Equivalent."

                  "Base Rate" for any day shall mean the greater of (a) the
         Prime Rate for such day or (b) 0.50% plus the Federal Funds Effective
         Rate for such day, such interest rate to change automatically from time
         to time effective as of the effective date of each change in the Prime
         Rate or the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

                  "Base Rate Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         3.09(a) hereof.

                  "Base Rate Portion" of any part of the Letter of Credit
         Unreimbursed Draws shall mean at any time the portion, including the
         whole, of such part of the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws bearing
         interest at such time (i) under the Base Rate Option or (ii) in
         accordance with Section 3.15(c)(ii) hereof. If no part of the Letter of
         Credit Unreimbursed Draws is specified, "Base Rate Portion" shall refer
         to the Base Rate Portion of all Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws
         outstanding at such time.

                  "Borrower Pledge Agreement" shall mean the Pledge Agreement of
         approximately even date herewith between the Borrower and the
         Collateral Agent, as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
         time.

                  "Broker-Dealer" shall mean a Person who is, or is registered
         as, a broker, dealer, municipal securities dealer, government
         securities broker or government securities dealer under the Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or under any state securities law, or
         who has a comparable status under any securities law of any other
         Governmental Authority.

                                      A-2
<PAGE>   325
                  "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,
         Sunday, public holiday under the laws of the Commonwealth of
         Pennsylvania or other day on which banking institutions are authorized
         or obligated to close in the city in which is located the Agent's
         Office.

                  "Capital Expenditures" of any Person shall mean, for any
         period, all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as
         liabilities during such period) of such Person during such period which
         would be classified as capital expenditures in accordance with GAAP
         (including, without limitation, expenditures for maintenance and
         repairs which are capitalized, and Capitalized Leases to the extent an
         asset is recorded in connection therewith in accordance with GAAP).

                  "Capitalized Lease" shall mean at any time any lease which is,
         or is required under GAAP to be, capitalized on the balance sheet of
         the lessee at such time, and "Capitalized Lease Obligation" of any
         Person at any time shall mean the aggregate amount which is, or is
         required under GAAP to be, reported as a liability on the balance sheet
         of such Person at such time as lessee under a Capitalized Lease.

                  "Capitalized Software" of any Person shall mean, for any
         period, all expenditures (whether paid in cash or accrued as
         liabilities during such period) of such Person which would be
         classified as capitalized software in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Cash Equivalent Investments" shall have the meaning given
         that term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "CERCLA" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
         Compensation and Liability Act, as amended, and any successor statute
         of similar import, and regulations thereunder, in each case as in
         effect from time to time.

                  "CERCLIS" shall mean the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
         Compensation and Liability Information System List, as the same may be
         amended from time to time.

                  "Closing Date" shall have the meaning given that term in
         Section 3.01(a) hereof.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
         and any successor statute of similar import, and regulations
         thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time. References to
         sections of the Code shall be construed also to refer to any successor
         sections.

                  "Collateral Agency Agreement" shall mean the Collateral Agency
         Agreement of approximately even date herewith between the Borrower,
         certain "Revolving Credit Parties," by Mellon Bank, N.A., as Revolving
         Credit Agent, certain "Term Loan Parties," by Mellon Bank, N.A., as
         Term Loan Agent, certain "Note Backup Parties," by Mellon Bank, N.A.,
         as Note Backup Agent, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent, as
         amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "Collateral Agent" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Commitment Percentage" of a Lender at any time shall mean the
         Commitment Percentage for such Lender set forth below its name on the
         signature page hereof, subject to transfer to another Lender as
         provided in Section 10.14 hereof.

                                      A-3
<PAGE>   326
                  "Consolidated Cash Interest Expense" for any period shall mean
         the total cash interest expense payable by the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for such period, determined on a consolidated basis in
         accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA" for any period shall mean the sum of (a)
         Consolidated Net Income for such period, (b) Consolidated Interest
         Expense for such period, (c) Consolidated Income Tax Expense for such
         period, (d) depreciation expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         for such period, and (e) amortization expense of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries for such period, minus the sum of (x) extraordinary gains
         (but not any losses) to the extent included in determining such
         Consolidated Net Income, and (y) equity earnings (but not any losses)
         of Affiliates of the Borrower to the extent included in determining
         Consolidated Net Income for such period, all as determined on a
         consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated EBITDA Less Capital Expenditures" for any period
         shall mean Consolidated EBITDA for such period, minus the sum of
         Capital Expenditures of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
         period and, without duplication of amounts included in Capital
         Expenditures, Capitalized Software of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         for such period, all as determined on a consolidated basis in
         accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" for any period
         shall mean the ratio of the Consolidated EBITDA Less Capital
         Expenditures for such period to the Consolidated Fixed Charges for such
         period.

                  "Consolidated Fixed Charges" for any period shall mean the sum
         of (a) Consolidated Cash Interest Expense for such period, (b)
         principal payments made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during
         such period with respect to any outstanding Indebtedness (excluding (i)
         payments of Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Agreement, (ii)
         prepayments made at the option of the Borrower of Indebtedness under
         the Term Loan Agreement, to the extent the amounts so prepaid are not
         otherwise due during such period, and (iii) payments of the Senior
         Notes at the scheduled maturity thereof), (c) the amount of Stock
         Payments made by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries during such period
         (excluding (i) Stock Payments made to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries,
         and (ii) Stock Payments made solely in Shares of Capital Stock (or
         warrants, options or rights therefor) of the Borrower) all as
         determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Funded Debt Ratio (Adjusted)" for any period
         shall mean the following ratio: (a) the amount, not less than zero,
         determined as of the last day of such period, equal to (i) Consolidated
         Funded Indebtedness, minus (ii) the amount, not less than zero, equal
         to (A) the amount of cash and Cash Equivalent Investments owned by the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries, valued at the lower of cost or market,
         minus (B) $10,000,000, divided by (b) Consolidated EBITDA Less Capital
         Expenditures for such period.

                  "Consolidated Funded Indebtedness" at any time shall mean
         Indebtedness (including the current portion thereof) of the Borrower
         and its Subsidiaries which as of such date would be classified in whole
         or in part as a long-term liability in accordance with GAAP, and in any
         event includes (a) Indebtedness under the Credit Facilities and the
         Senior Notes, (b) any Indebtedness of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
         having a final maturity later than one year after the date of
         incurrence of such Indebtedness, (c) any Indebtedness, regardless of
         its term, of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries which is renewable or
         extendable by the obligor to a date later than one year


                                      A-4
<PAGE>   327
         after the date of incurrence of such Indebtedness, and (d) Indebtedness
         of TIMCO described in Section 7.03(j) hereof.

                  "Consolidated Income Tax Expense" for any period shall mean
         the charges against income of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
         foreign, federal, state and local income taxes for such period,
         determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Interest Expense" for any period shall mean the
         total interest expense of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for such
         period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated Net Income" for any period shall mean the net
         earnings (or loss) after taxes of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for
         such period, determined on a consolidated basis in accordance with
         GAAP; provided, that there shall be deducted therefrom (a) the income
         (but not any deficit) of any Person accrued prior to the date it
         becomes a Subsidiary or is merged into or consolidated with or is
         otherwise acquired by or combined with the Borrower or any Subsidiary
         in a business combination accounted for as a pooling of interests,
         including, in the case of a successor to the Borrower or any Subsidiary
         by consolidation or merger or transfer of assets, any earnings of the
         successor Corporation prior to such consolidation, merger or transfer
         of assets, (b) income (but not any loss) accounted for by the Borrower
         on the equity method resulting from an ownership interest in any
         Person, but the deduction for such equity income shall be reversed to
         the extent that during such period an amount not in excess of such
         income has been actually received by the Borrower or such Subsidiary in
         the form of cash dividends or similar cash distributions, (c) the
         undistributed earnings of any Subsidiary to the extent that the
         declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such
         Subsidiary is restricted (whether such restriction arises by operation
         of Law, by agreement, by its certificate or articles of incorporation
         or by-laws (or other constituent documents), or otherwise), (d) any
         gain arising from the acquisition of any securities, or the
         extinguishment, under GAAP, of any Indebtedness, of the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary, and (e) income (but not any loss) from discontinued
         operations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                  "Consolidated Net Worth" at any time shall mean the total
         amount of common stockholders' equity and preferred stock of the
         Borrower and its consolidated Subsidiaries at such time, determined on
         a consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP; provided, that each item
         of the following types shall be deducted, to the extent such item is
         positive and is otherwise included therein: (a) any write-ups or other
         revaluation after the Closing Date in the book value of any asset owned
         by the Borrower or any of its consolidated Subsidiaries (other than
         write-ups resulting from the acquisition of assets of a business made
         within one year after such acquisition and accounted for by purchase
         accounting, and write-ups resulting from the valuation in the ordinary
         course of business of investment securities and inventory at the lower
         of cost or market), (b) all investments in and loans and Advances to
         (i) unconsolidated Subsidiaries of the Borrower, and (ii) Persons that
         are not Subsidiaries of the Borrower (other than Cash Equivalent
         Investments), (c) treasury stock, (d) assets attributable to interests
         held by Persons other than the Borrower and its Subsidiaries that are
         Wholly Owned Subsidiaries of the Borrower, (e) Disqualified Capital
         Stock of the Borrower or of any Subsidiary of the Borrower, and (f) the
         amount, whether positive or negative, of foreign currency translation
         adjustments to stockholders' equity of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries, all of the foregoing as determined in accordance with
         GAAP.

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                  "Consolidated Net Worth (Adjusted)" at any time shall mean
         Consolidated Net Worth at such time plus the lesser of (a) $50,000,000,
         or (b) the sum of (i) aggregate writeoffs of goodwill on or after
         January 1, 1997 resulting from an impairment loss pursuant to Statement
         of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, made by the Borrower in
         accordance with GAAP, and (ii) aggregate writeoffs of the cost of
         computer software purchased in an acquisition of the Person which
         developed such software (or by acquisition of assets comprising a line
         of business of such Person which includes such software) on or after
         January 1, 1997, made pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting
         Standards No. 86, provided that such writeoffs are made at the time of
         the related acquisition and are made by the Borrower in accordance with
         GAAP.


                  "Contingent Indemnification Obligations" shall have the
         meaning given that term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Controlled Group Member" shall mean each trade or business
         (whether or not incorporated) which together with the Borrower or any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower is treated as a controlled group or single
         employer under Sections 4001(a)(14) or 4001(b)(1) of ERISA or Sections
         414(b), (c), (m) or (o) of the Code.

                  "Corporation" shall mean a corporation, limited liability
         company or business trust organized under the Laws of any state of the
         United States, a company limited by shares incorporated under the Laws
         of England and Wales, or any similar entity organized under the Laws of
         any other jurisdiction, the owners of which are not by operation of Law
         generally liable for the obligations of such entity.

                  "Corresponding Source of Funds" shall mean, in the case of any
         Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion, the proceeds of hypothetical
         receipts by a Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office or by a Lender through
         a Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office of one or more Dollar deposits in
         the interbank eurodollar market at the beginning of the Euro-Rate
         Funding Period corresponding to such Funding Segment having maturities
         approximately equal to such Euro-Rate Funding Period and in an
         aggregate amount approximately equal to such Lender's Pro Rata share of
         such Funding Segment.

                  "Credit Facilities" shall mean the Revolving Credit Agreement,
         the Term Loan Agreement and the Note Backup Agreement.

                  "Datastream" shall mean Datastream International Limited, a
         corporation incorporated under the Laws of England and Wales.

                  "Disqualified Capital Stock" shall mean any Shares of Capital
         Stock that, other than solely at the option of the issuer thereof, by
         their terms (or by the terms of any security into which they are
         convertible or exchangeable) are, or upon the happening of an event or
         the passage of time would be, required to be redeemed or repurchased,
         in whole or in part, or have, or upon the happening of an event or the
         passage of time would have, a redemption or similar payment due on or
         prior to the Facilities Termination Date.

                  "Dollar," "Dollars" and the symbol "$" shall mean lawful money
         of the United States of America.

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                  "Environmental Affiliate": a Person ("Y") shall be an
         "Environmental Affiliate" of another Person ("X"), if X has retained or
         assumed, or is otherwise liable (contingently or otherwise) for, any
         liability (contingent or other) of Y with respect to any Environmental
         Claim, whether such retention, assumption or liability on the part of X
         arises by agreement, by Law or otherwise.

                  "Environmental Approvals" shall mean any Governmental Action
         pursuant to or required under any Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Claim" shall mean, with respect to any Person
         (the "specified Person"), any action, suit, proceeding, investigation,
         notice, claim, complaint, demand, request for information or other
         communication (written or oral) by any other Person (including but not
         limited to any Governmental Authority, citizens' group or present or
         former employee of the specified Person) alleging, asserting or
         claiming any actual or potential liability on the part of the specified
         Person for investigatory costs, cleanup costs, governmental response
         costs, natural resources damages, property damages, personal injuries,
         fines or penalties, arising out of, based on or resulting from (a) the
         presence, or release into the environment, of any Environmental Concern
         Materials at any location, whether or not owned by such Person, or (b)
         circumstances forming the basis of any violation or alleged violation
         of any Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Cleanup Site" shall mean any location which is
         listed or proposed for listing on the National Priorities List, on
         CERCLIS or on any similar state list of sites requiring investigation
         or cleanup, or which is the subject of any pending or threatened
         action, suit, proceeding or investigation related to or arising from
         any alleged violation of any Environmental Law.

                  "Environmental Concern Materials" shall mean (a) any flammable
         substance, explosive, radioactive material, hazardous material,
         hazardous waste, toxic substance, solid waste, pollutant, contaminant
         or any related material, raw material, substance, product or by-product
         of any substance, as the foregoing terms are defined in, or any other
         substance regulated by, any Environmental Law (including but not
         limited to any "hazardous substance" as defined in CERCLA or any
         similar state Law), (b) any toxic chemical from or related to
         industrial, commercial or institutional activities, and (c) asbestos,
         gasoline, diesel fuel, motor oil, waste and used oil, heating oil and
         other petroleum products or compounds, polychlorinated biphenyls, radon
         and urea formaldehyde.

                  "Environmental Law" shall mean any Law, whether now existing
         or subsequently enacted or amended, relating to (a) pollution or
         protection of the environment, including natural resources, (b)
         exposure of Persons, including but not limited to employees, to
         Environmental Concern Materials, (c) protection of the public health or
         welfare from the effects of products, by-products, wastes, emissions,
         discharges or releases of Environmental Concern Materials or (d)
         regulation of the manufacture, use or introduction into commerce of
         Environmental Concern Materials including their manufacture,
         formulation, packaging, labeling, distribution, transportation,
         handling, storage or disposal. Without limitation, "Environmental Law"
         shall also include any Environmental Approval and the terms and
         conditions thereof.

                  "ERISA" shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act
         of 1974, as amended, and any successor statute of similar import, and
         regulations thereunder, in each case as in effect from time to time.
         References to sections of ERISA shall be construed also to refer to any
         successor sections.

                                      A-7
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                  "Euro-Rate" for any day, as used herein, shall mean for each
         Funding Segment of the Euro-Rate Portion corresponding to a proposed or
         existing Euro-Rate Funding Period the rate per annum determined by the
         Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient to be rounded upward to the
         nearest 1/100 of 1%) (a) the rate of interest (which shall be the same
         for each day in such Euro-Rate Funding Period) determined in good faith
         by the Agent in accordance with its usual procedures (which
         determination shall be conclusive) to be the average of the rates per
         annum for deposits in Dollars offered to major money center banks in
         the London interbank market at approximately 11:00 a.m., London time,
         two London Business Days prior to the first day of such Euro-Rate
         Funding Period for delivery on the first day of such Euro-Rate Funding
         Period in amounts comparable to such Funding Segment and having
         maturities comparable to such Funding Period by (b) a number equal to
         1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage.

                  "Euro-Rate Funding Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 3.09(c) hereof.

                  "Euro-Rate Option" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         3.09(a) hereof.

                  "Euro-Rate Portion" of any part of the Letter of Credit
         Unreimbursed Draws shall mean at any time the portion, including the
         whole, of such part of the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws bearing
         interest at any time under the Euro-Rate Option or at a rate calculated
         by reference to the Euro-Rate under Section 3.15(c)(i) hereof. If no
         part of the Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws is specified,
         "Euro-Rate Portion" shall refer to the Euro-Rate Portion of all Letter
         of Credit Unreimbursed Draws outstanding at such time.

                  "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" for any day shall mean the
         percentage (expressed as a decimal, rounded upward to the nearest 1/100
         of 1%), as determined in good faith by the Agent (which determination
         shall be conclusive), which is in effect on such day as prescribed by
         the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor)
         representing the maximum reserve requirement (including, without
         limitation, supplemental, marginal and emergency reserve requirements)
         with respect to eurocurrency funding (currently referred to as
         "Eurocurrency liabilities") of a member bank in such System. The
         Euro-Rate shall be adjusted automatically as of the effective date of
         each change in the Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage. The Euro-Rate Option
         shall be calculated in accordance with the foregoing whether or not any
         Lender is actually required to hold reserves in connection with its
         eurocurrency funding or, if required to hold such reserves, is required
         to hold reserves at the "Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage" as herein
         defined.

                  "Event of Default" shall mean any of the Events of Default
         described in Section 8.01 hereof.

                  "Facilities Termination Date" shall mean the later to occur of
         the Revolving Credit Maturity Date, the Term Loan Maturity Date and the
         Note Backup Final Expiration Date.

                  "Fair Market Value" shall mean, with respect to any asset, the
         sale value that would be obtained in an arm's length transaction
         between an informed and willing seller under no compulsion to sell and
         an informed and willing buyer.

                  "Federal Funds Effective Rate" for any day shall mean the rate
         per annum (rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) determined by the
         Agent (which determination shall be conclusive) to be the rate per
         annum announced by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York (or


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<PAGE>   331
         any successor) as being the weighted average of the rates on overnight
         Federal funds transactions arranged by Federal funds brokers on the
         previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve
         Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such
         Federal Reserve Bank computes and announces the weighted average it
         refers to as the "Federal Funds Effective Rate" as of the date of this
         Agreement; provided, that if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its
         successor) does not so announce such rate for such previous trading
         day, the "Federal Funds Effective Rate" shall be the average rate
         charged to Mellon Bank, N.A. on such previous trading day on such
         transactions as determined by the Agent.

                  "Funding Periods" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         3.09(c) hereof.

                  "Funding Segment" of the Euro-Rate Portion at any time shall
         mean the entire principal amount of such Portion to which at the time
         in question there is applicable a particular Funding Period beginning
         on a particular day and ending on a particular day. (By definition,
         each such Portion is at all times composed of an integral number of
         discrete Funding Segments and the sum of the principal amounts of all
         Funding Segments of any such Portion at any time equals the principal
         amount of such Portion at such time.)

                  "GAAP" shall have the meaning given that term in Section 1.03
         of this Annex A.

                  "Governmental Action" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 4.04 hereof.

                  "Governmental Authority" shall mean any government or
         political subdivision or any agency, authority, bureau, central bank,
         commission, department or instrumentality of either, or any court,
         tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether foreign or
         domestic.

                  "Guaranty Equivalent": A Person (the "Deemed Guarantor") shall
         be deemed to subject to a Guaranty Equivalent in respect of any
         obligation (the "Assured Obligation") of another Person (the "Deemed
         Obligor") if the Deemed Guarantor directly or indirectly guarantees,
         becomes surety for, endorses, assumes, agrees to indemnify the Deemed
         Obligor against, or otherwise agrees, becomes or remains liable
         (contingently or otherwise) for, such Assured Obligation, in whole or
         in part. Without limitation, a Guaranty Equivalent shall be deemed to
         exist if a Deemed Guarantor agrees, becomes or remains liable
         (contingently or otherwise), directly or indirectly, to do any of the
         following: (a) to purchase or assume, or to supply funds for the
         payment, purchase or satisfaction of, an Assured Obligation, (b) to
         make any loan, advance, capital contribution or other investment in, or
         to purchase or lease any property or services from, a Deemed Obligor
         (i) to maintain the solvency of the Deemed Obligor, (ii) to enable the
         Deemed Obligor to meet any other financial condition, (iii) to enable
         the Deemed Obligor to satisfy any Assured Obligation or to make any
         Stock Payment or any other payment, or (iv) to assure the holder of
         such Assured Obligation against loss, (c) to purchase or lease property
         or services from the Deemed Obligor regardless of the non-delivery of
         or failure to furnish of such property or services, (d) in a
         transaction having the characteristics of a take-or-pay or throughput
         contract or as described in paragraph 6 of FASB Statement of Financial
         Accounting Standards No. 47, or (e) in respect of any other transaction
         the effect of which is to assure the payment or performance (or payment
         of damages or other remedy in the event of nonpayment or
         nonperformance) in whole or in part of any Assured Obligation.

                  "ICV" shall mean ICV Limited, a Corporation incorporated under
         the Laws of England and Wales.

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<PAGE>   332
                  "ICV Notes" shall have the meaning given that term in Section
         7.03(c) hereof.

                  "Indebtedness" of a Person shall mean the following: (a) all
         obligations on account of money borrowed by, or credit extended to or
         on behalf of, or for or on account of deposits with or advances to,
         such Person; (b) all obligations of such Person evidenced by bonds,
         debentures, notes or similar instruments; (c) all obligations of such
         Person for the deferred purchase price of property or services; (d) all
         obligations secured by a Lien on property owned by such Person (whether
         or not assumed), and all obligations of such Person under Capitalized
         Leases (without regard to any limitation of the rights and remedies of
         the holder of such Lien or the lessor under such Capitalized Lease to
         repossession or sale of such property); (e) the stated amount of all
         letters of credit issued for the account of such Person and, without
         duplication, the unreimbursed amount of all drafts drawn thereunder,
         and all other obligations of such Person associated with such letters
         of credit or draws thereon; (f) all obligations of such Person in
         respect of acceptances or similar obligations issued for the account of
         such Person; (g) all obligations of such Person under a product
         financing or similar arrangement described in paragraph 8 of FASB
         Statement of Accounting Standards No. 49 or any similar requirement of
         GAAP; (h) all obligations of such Person under any interest rate or
         currency swap, cap, floor, collar, future, forward or option agreement,
         or other interest rate or currency protection agreement; and (i) the
         maximum fixed repurchase price of any Disqualified Capital Stock of
         such Person.

                  "Interest Rate Hedging Agreement" shall mean an interest rate
         swap, cap or collar agreement.

                  "Issuing Bank" shall mean Mellon Bank, N.A.

                  "Law" shall mean any law (including common law), constitution,
         statute, treaty, convention, regulation, rule, ordinance, order,
         injunction, writ, decree or award of any Governmental Authority.

                  "Lender" shall mean any of the Lenders listed on the signature
         pages hereof, subject to the provisions of Section 10.14 hereof
         pertaining to Persons becoming or ceasing to be Lenders. "Lender" shall
         in any event include the Issuing Bank.

                  "Lender Indemnified Parties" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 10.06(c) hereof.

                  "Lender Parties" shall mean the Lenders, the Issuing Bank and
         the Agent.

                  "Letter of Credit" shall mean any letter of credit outstanding
         under this Agreement from time to time (and is synonymous with the term
         "Note Backup LOC" defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement).

                  "Letter of Credit Collateral Account" shall mean the "Note
         Backup LOC Collateral Account" as defined in the Collateral Agency
         Agreement.

                  "Letter of Credit Commitment" shall have the meaning given
         that term in Section 3.01(a) hereof.

                  "Letter of Credit Commitment Termination Date" shall have the
         meaning given that term in Section 3.01(a) hereof.

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                  "Letter of Credit Exposure" shall mean the "Note Backup LOC
         Exposure" as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Letter of Credit Facing Fee" shall have the meaning given
         that term in Section 3.01(d) hereof.

                  "Letter of Credit Fee" shall have the meaning given that term
         in Section 3.01(c) hereof.

                  "Letter of Credit Fee Rate" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 3.01(c) hereof.

                  "Letter of Credit Participating Interest" shall have the
         meaning given that term in Section 3.03(a) hereof.

                  "Letter of Credit Reimbursement Obligation" with respect to a
         Letter of Credit means the obligation of the Borrower to reimburse the
         Issuing Bank for Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws, together with
         interest thereon.

                  "Letter of Credit Undrawn Availability" shall mean the "Note
         Backup LOC Undrawn Availability" as defined in the Collateral Agency
         Agreement.

                  "Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws" shall mean "Note Backup
         LOC Unreimbursed Draws" as defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Lien" shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, lien,
         security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement
         of any nature whatsoever, including but not limited to any conditional
         sale or title retention arrangement, and any assignment, deposit
         arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of, security.

                  "Loan Documents" shall mean this Agreement, the Transfer
         Supplements, the Letters of Credit, the Shared Security Documents and
         the Origination Fee Letter.

                  "Loan Obligations" shall mean the "Note Backup Obligations" as
         defined in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "London Business Day" shall mean a day for dealing in deposits
         in Dollars by and among banks in the London interbank market and which
         is a Business Day.

                  "Material Adverse Effect" shall mean: (a) a material adverse
         effect on the business, operations, condition (financial or otherwise)
         or prospects of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
         (b) a material adverse effect on the ability of the Borrower to perform
         or comply with any of the terms and conditions of any Loan Document, or
         (c) an adverse effect on the legality, validity, binding effect,
         enforceability or admissibility into evidence of any Loan Document, or
         the ability of the Collateral Agent or any Lender Party to enforce any
         rights or remedies under or in connection with any Loan Document.

                  "Multiemployer Plan" shall mean any employee benefit plan
         which is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section
         4001(a)(3) of ERISA and to which the Borrower, any


                                      A-11
<PAGE>   334
         Subsidiary of the Borrower or any other Controlled Group Member has or
         had an obligation to contribute.

                  "Note Backup Agreement" shall mean this Note Backup Agreement
         as amended, modified or supplemented from time to time (and is
         synonymous with references to "this Agreement" herein).

                  "Note Backup Final Expiration Date" shall mean November 8,
         2002.

                  "Notional Euro-Rate Funding Office" shall have the meaning
         given to that term in Section 3.18(a) hereof.

                  "Obligations" shall have the meaning given that term in the
         Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Office," when used in connection with the Agent, shall mean
         its office located at One Mellon Bank Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
         15258, or at such other office or offices of the Agent or any branch,
         subsidiary or affiliate thereof as may be designated in writing from
         time to time by the Agent to the Borrower.

                  "Option" shall mean the Base Rate Option or the Euro-Rate
         Option.

                  "Origination Fee Letter" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 5.01(s) hereof.

                  "Participants" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         10.14(b) hereof.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation
         established under Title IV of ERISA or any other governmental agency,
         department or instrumentality succeeding to the functions of said
         corporation.

                  "Pension-Related Event" shall mean any of the following events
         or conditions:

                           (a) Any action is taken by any Person (i) to
                  terminate, or which would result in the termination of, a Plan
                  pursuant to the distress termination provisions of Section
                  4041(c) of ERISA or (ii) to have a trustee appointed for a
                  Plan pursuant to Section 4042 of ERISA;

                           (b) PBGC notifies any Person of its determination
                  that an event described in Section 4042 of ERISA has occurred
                  with respect to a Plan, that a Plan should be terminated, or
                  that a trustee should be appointed for a Plan;

                           (c) Any Reportable Event occurs with respect to a
                  Plan;

                           (d) Any action (other than becoming obligated to
                  contribute to a Multiemployer Plan) occurs or is taken which
                  could result in the Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower
                  or any Controlled Group Member becoming subject to liability
                  for a complete or partial withdrawal by any Person from a
                  Multiemployer Plan (including, without limitation, seller
                  liability incurred under Section 4204(a)(2) of ERISA), or the
                  Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled
                  Group Member receives from any


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<PAGE>   335
                  Multiemployer Plan a notice or demand for payment on account
                  of any such alleged or asserted liability;

                           (e) (i) There occurs any failure to meet the minimum
                  funding standard under Section 302 of ERISA or Section 412 of
                  the Code with respect to a Plan, or any tax return is filed
                  showing any tax payable under Section 4971(a) of the Code with
                  respect to any such failure, or the Borrower, any Subsidiary
                  of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member receives a
                  notice of deficiency from the Internal Revenue Service with
                  respect to any alleged or asserted such failure, (ii) any
                  request is made by any Person for a variance from the minimum
                  funding standard, or an extension of the period for amortizing
                  unfunded liabilities, with respect to a Plan, or (iii) the
                  Borrower, any Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled
                  Group Member fails to pay the PBGC premium with respect to a
                  Plan when due and it remains unpaid for more than 30 days
                  thereafter; or

                           (f) There occurs any "prohibited transaction" within
                  the meaning of Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the
                  Code involving a Plan.

                  "Permitted Liens" shall have the meaning given that term in
         Section 7.02 hereof.

                  "Permitted Mergers" shall have the meaning given that term in
         Section 7.08 hereof.

                  "Person" shall mean an individual, Corporation, partnership,
         trust, limited liability company, unincorporated association, joint
         venture, joint-stock company, Governmental Authority or any other
         entity.

                  "Plan" shall mean (a) any employee pension benefit plan within
         the meaning of Section 3(2) of ERISA covered by Title IV of ERISA by
         reason of Section 4021 of ERISA, of which the Borrower, any Subsidiary
         of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member is or has been within
         the preceding five years a "contributing sponsor" within the meaning of
         Section 4001(a)(13) of ERISA, or which is or has been within the
         preceding five years maintained for employees of the Borrower, any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member and (b) any
         employee pension benefit plan within the meaning of Section 3(2) of
         ERISA which is subject to Title I of ERISA by reason of Section 4 of
         ERISA and is subject to the minimum funding requirements of Section 302
         of ERISA or Section 412 of the Code, of which the Borrower, any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member is or has
         been within the preceding five years an employer liable for
         contributions within the meaning of Section 302(c)(11) of ERISA or
         Section 412(c)(11) of the Code, or which is or has been within the
         preceding five years maintained for employees of the Borrower, any
         Subsidiary of the Borrower or any Controlled Group Member.

                  "Portion" shall mean the Prime Rate Portion or the Euro-Rate
         Portion.

                  "Postretirement Benefits" of a Person shall mean any benefits,
         other than retirement income, provided by such Person to retired
         employees, or to their spouses, dependents or beneficiaries, including,
         without limitation, group medical insurance or benefits, or group life
         insurance or death benefits.

                  "Postretirement Benefit Obligation" of a Person shall mean
         that portion of the actuarial present value of all Postretirement
         Benefits expected to be provided by such Person which is


                                      A-13
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         attributable to employees' service rendered to the date of
         determination (assuming that such liability accrues ratably over an
         employee's working life to the earlier of his date of retirement or the
         date on which the employee would first become eligible for full
         benefits), reduced by the fair market value as of the date of
         determination of any assets which are segregated from the assets of
         such Person and which have been restricted so that they cannot be used
         for any purpose other than to provide Postretirement Benefits or to
         defray related expenses.

                  "Potential Default" shall mean any event or condition which
         with notice, passage of time or a determination by the Agent or the
         Lenders, or any combination of the foregoing, would constitute an Event
         of Default.

                  "Primark Economics" shall mean Primark Decision Economics,
         Inc.

                  "Prime Rate" as used herein, shall mean the interest rate per
         annum announced from time to time by Mellon Bank, N.A. as its prime
         rate, such rate to change automatically effective as of the
         effectiveness of each announced change in such prime rate.

                  "Pro Rata" shall mean from or to each Lender in proportion to
         such Lender's applicable Commitment Percentage.

                  "Purchasing Lender" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 10.14(c) hereof.

                  "Register" shall have the meaning set forth in Section
         10.14(d) hereof.

                  "Regular Monthly Payment Date" shall mean the last Business
         Day of each month after the Closing Date.

                  "Reimbursement Target Date" shall have the meaning given that
         term in Section 3.04(a) hereof.

                  "Regular Quarterly Payment Date" shall mean the last Business
         Day of each September, December, March and June after the Closing Date.

                  "Reportable Event" means (i) a reportable event described in
         Section 4043 of ERISA and regulations thereunder, (ii) a withdrawal by
         a substantial employer from a Plan to which more than one employer
         contributes, as referred to in Section 4063(b) of ERISA, (iii) a
         cessation of operations at a facility causing more than twenty percent
         (20%) of Plan participants to be separated from employment, as referred
         to in Section 4062(e) of ERISA, or (iv) a failure to make a required
         installment or other payment with respect to a Plan when due in
         accordance with Section 412 of the Code or Section 302 of ERISA which
         causes the total unpaid balance of missed installments and payments
         (including unpaid interest) to exceed $250,000.

                  "Required Lenders" shall mean Lenders holding in the aggregate
         51% of the Commitment Percentages.

                  "Responsible Officer" of a Person shall mean its Chairman of
         the Board, President, Chief Financial Officer or Treasurer.

                  "Revolving Credit Agreement" shall mean the Revolving Credit
         Agreement of even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders
         parties thereto from time to time, the issuing


                                      A-14
<PAGE>   337
         banks referred to therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same
         may be amended, modified, supplemented, renewed or refinanced from time
         to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "Revolving Credit Maturity Date" shall mean the final
         scheduled maturity of Indebtedness under the Revolving Credit
         Agreement.

                  "Secured Parties" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Senior Note Indenture" shall mean the Indenture dated as of
         October 18, 1993 between the Borrower and The First National Bank of
         Boston, as Trustee, relating to the Senior Notes, as constituted on the
         Closing Date.

                  "Senior Notes" shall mean the Borrower's 8 3/4% Senior Notes
         Due 2000.

                  "Shared Collateral" shall have the meaning given that term in
         the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Shared Collateral Account" shall have the meaning given that
         term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Shared Security Documents" shall have the meaning given that
         term in the Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "Shares of Capital Stock" shall mean shares of capital stock
         of, membership interest in, beneficial interest in, or similar
         ownership interest in, a Corporation organized under the Laws of any
         state of the United States or any other jurisdiction, including,
         without limitation, in the case of Corporations incorporated under the
         Laws of England and Wales, equity share capital, ordinary shares and
         loan stock.

                  "Significant Subsidiary" of Borrower shall mean any Subsidiary
         of the Borrower (a) which is TASC, Datastream, Disclosure Incorporated,
         or a Subsidiary of any of the foregoing, (b) which, together with its
         Subsidiaries, has assets (determined on a consolidated basis) greater
         than or equal to 5% of the total assets of the Borrower and its
         Subsidiaries (determined on a consolidated basis) as of the end of the
         most recently completed fiscal year for which financial information is
         available, or (c) which, together with its Subsidiaries, has revenues
         (determined on a consolidated basis) greater than or equal to 5% of the
         total revenues of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries (determined on a
         consolidated basis) for the most recent four fiscal quarters for which
         financial information is available.

                  "Solvent" means:

                           (a) with respect to any Person organized under the
                  Laws of any state of the United States or subject to the U.S.
                  Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, the Uniform Fraudulent
                  Conveyance Act as enacted by any state, the Uniform Fraudulent
                  Transfer Act as enacted by any state or any other applicable
                  U.S. Law pertaining to fraudulent conveyances, fraudulent
                  transfers or preferences at any time, that at such time (i)
                  the sum of the debts and liabilities (including, without
                  limitation, contingent liabilities) of such Person is not
                  greater than all of the assets of such Person at a fair
                  valuation, (ii) the


                                      A-15
<PAGE>   338
                  present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not
                  less than the amount that will be required to pay the probable
                  liability of such Person on its debts as they become absolute
                  and matured, (iii) such Person has not incurred, will not
                  incur, does not intend to incur, and does not believe that it
                  will incur, debts or liabilities (including, without
                  limitation, contingent liabilities) beyond such person's
                  ability to pay as such debts and liabilities mature, (iv) such
                  Person is not engaged in, and is not about to engage in, a
                  business or a transaction for which such person's property
                  constitutes or would constitute unreasonably small capital (as
                  such term is used in any Law referred to in the following
                  clause (v)), and (v) such Person is not otherwise insolvent as
                  defined in, or otherwise in a condition which could in any
                  circumstances then or subsequently render any transfer,
                  conveyance, obligation or act then made, incurred or performed
                  by it avoidable or fraudulent pursuant to, any Law that may be
                  applicable to such Person pertaining to bankruptcy, insolvency
                  or creditors' rights (including but not limited to the
                  Bankruptcy Code of 1978, as amended, and, to the extent
                  applicable to such Person, the Uniform Fraudulent Conveyance
                  Act, the Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act, or any other
                  applicable Law pertaining to fraudulent conveyances or
                  fraudulent transfers or preferences);

                           (b) With respect to any Person organized under the
                  Laws of England and Wales or subject to any English insolvency
                  law at any time, that at such time such Person is not
                  insolvent, or unable to pay its debts and is not deemed by an
                  English court to be unable to pay its debts within the meaning
                  of Section 123 of the United Kingdom Insolvency Act of 1986;
                  and

                           (c) With respect to any other Person, that at such
                  time such Person is not insolvent or unable to pay its debts
                  as they come due as contemplated by any applicable insolvency,
                  bankruptcy or similar Law.

                  "Standard Notice" shall mean an irrevocable notice provided to
         the Agent on a Business Day which is

                           (a) At least one Business Day in advance in the case
                  of selection of, conversion to or renewal of the Base Rate
                  Option or prepayment of any Base Rate Portion; and

                           (b) At least three London Business Days in advance in
                  the case of selection of the Euro-Rate Option or prepayment of
                  any Euro-Rate Portion.

         Standard Notice must be provided no later than 10:00 a.m., Pittsburgh
         time, on the last day permitted for such notice.

                  "Stock Payment" by any Person shall mean any dividend,
         distribution or payment of any nature (whether in cash, securities, or
         other property) on account of or in respect of any Shares of the
         Capital Stock (or warrants, options or rights therefor) of such Person,
         including but not limited to any payment on account of the purchase,
         redemption, retirement, defeasance or acquisition of any Shares of the
         Capital Stock (or warrants, options or rights therefor) of such Person,
         in each case regardless of whether required by the terms of such
         capital stock (or warrants, options or rights) or any other agreement
         or instrument.

                  "Subsidiary" of a Person at any time shall mean any
         Corporation of which a majority (by number of shares or number of
         votes) of the outstanding Shares of Capital Stock of any class is


                                      A-16
<PAGE>   339
         at such time owned directly or indirectly, beneficially or of record,
         by such Person or one or more Subsidiaries of such Person, and any
         partnership, trust or other Person of which a majority of any class of
         outstanding equity interest is at such time owned directly or
         indirectly, beneficially or of record, by such Person or one or more
         Subsidiaries of such Person. For the avoidance of doubt, as used in the
         preceding sentence "majority" means more than half (and not precisely
         half).

                  "Substantially Owned Subsidiary" of a Person at any time shall
         mean any Corporation of which 80% or more of the outstanding Shares of
         Capital Stock of each class are at such time beneficially owned
         directly or indirectly by such Person (both on the basis of outstanding
         shares and on a fully diluted basis).

                  "Swap Agreement" shall have the meaning given that term in the
         Collateral Agency Agreement.

                  "TASC" shall mean TASC, Inc., a Massachusetts Corporation.

                  "Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.17
         hereof.

                  "Term Loan Agreement" shall mean the Term Loan Agreement of
         even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders parties
         thereto from time to time, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same
         may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time in
         accordance with this Agreement (but not any refinancing or renewal
         thereof).

                  "Term Loan Maturity Date" shall mean the final scheduled
         maturity of Indebtedness under the Term Loan Agreement.

                  "TIMCO" shall mean Triad International Maintenance
         Corporation, a Delaware Corporation.

                  "TIMCO Bond Order" means the Bond Order adopted by the
         Piedmont Triad Airport Authority on October 31, 1989 with respect to
         the TIMCO Bonds, as such Bond Order may be amended, supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "TIMCO Bonds" means the $13,800,000 original aggregate
         principal amount of Special Facility Revenue Bonds (Triad International
         Maintenance Corporation Project), Series 1989 issued by the Piedmont
         Triad Airport Authority pursuant to the TIMCO Bond Order.

                  "TIMCO Bonds Letter of Credit" has the meaning given that term
         in Section 7.03(j) hereof.

                  "TIMCO Lease" shall mean the Lease Agreement, dated as of
         November 1, 1989, between the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority, as
         lessor, and TIMCO, as lessee, covering certain property situate at the
         Piedmont Triad International Airport in Guilford County, North
         Carolina, as such Lease Agreement may be amended, supplemented or
         otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.

                  "Transfer Effective Date" shall have the meaning set forth in
         the applicable Transfer Supplement.

                                      A-17
<PAGE>   340
                  "Transfer Supplement" shall have the meaning set forth in
         Section 10.14(c) hereof.

                  "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" of any Person means a Corporation
         that is a Subsidiary of such Person as to which all of the Shares of
         Capital Stock of each class (other than directors' qualifying shares
         that are required under applicable law) are at such time beneficially
         owned directly or indirectly by such Person (both on the basis of
         outstanding shares and on a fully diluted basis).

                  "Wind-up" or "Winding-up" of a Person shall include the
         liquidation, administration, amalgamation, reconstruction,
         reorganization or dissolution of such Person and any equivalent or
         analogous procedure under the laws of any jurisdiction in which such
         Person is incorporated, domiciled, resident or carries on a business or
         has assets.

                  "Worldscope Entities" shall mean Worldscope/Disclosure
         Partners, a Connecticut general partnership, Worldscope/Disclosure
         International Partners, an partnership organized under the laws of
         Ireland, Worldscope/Disclosure Incorporated LLC, a Connecticut limited
         liability company, and Worldscope/Disclosure India Pvt. Ltd., a
         Corporation organized under the laws of India, and each of their
         respective Subsidiaries from time to time.

                  1.02. CONSTRUCTION. In this Agreement and each other Loan
Document, unless the context otherwise clearly requires, references to the
plural include the singular, the singular the plural and the part the whole;
"or" has the inclusive meaning represented by the phrase "and/or;" and the terms
"property" and "assets" each includes all properties and assets of any kind or
nature, tangible or intangible, real, personal or mixed, now existing or
hereafter acquired. The words "hereof," "herein" and "hereunder" (and similar
terms) in this Agreement or any other Loan Document refer to this Agreement or
such other Loan Document, as the case may be, as a whole and not to any
particular provision of this Agreement or such other Loan Document. The words
"includes" and "including" (and similar terms) in this Agreement or any other
Loan Document mean "includes without limitation" and "including without
limitation," respectively (and similarly for similar terms). References in this
Agreement or any other Loan Document to "determination" (and similar terms) by
the Agent or by any Lender include good faith estimates by the Agent or by such
Lender (in the case of quantitative determinations) and good faith beliefs by
the Agent or by such Lender (in the case of qualitative determinations). No
doctrine of construction of ambiguities in agreements or instruments against the
interests of the party controlling the drafting thereof shall apply to this
Agreement or any other Loan Document. The section and other headings contained
in this Agreement and in each other Loan Document, and any tables of contents
contained herein or therein, are for reference purposes only and shall not
affect the construction or interpretation of this Agreement or such other Loan
Document in any respect. Section, subsection, annex, exhibit and schedule
references in this Agreement and in each other Loan Document are to this
Agreement or such other Loan Document, as the case may be, unless otherwise
specified. Each annex, exhibit and schedule to this Agreement or any other Loan
Document constitutes part of this Agreement or such Loan Document, as the case
may be. Each of the covenants, terms and provisions of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents is intended to have, and shall have, independent effect,
and compliance with any particular covenant, term or provision shall not
constitute compliance with any other covenant, term or provision.

                  1.03.  ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLES.

                  (a) GAAP. As used herein, "GAAP" shall mean generally accepted
accounting principles in the United States, applied on a basis consistent with
the principles used in preparing the


                                      A-18
<PAGE>   341
Borrower's financial statements as of December 31, 1995, and for the fiscal year
then ended, as referred to in Section 4.06 hereof.

                  (b) ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DETERMINATIONS, ETC. Except as
otherwise provided in this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to
accounting or financial matters shall be made, and all financial statements to
be delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall be prepared, in accordance with
GAAP (including principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all
accounting or financial terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by
GAAP.

                  (c) CHANGES. If and to the extent that the financial
statements generally prepared by the Borrower apply accounting principles other
than GAAP, all financial statements referred to in this Agreement or any other
Loan Document shall be delivered in duplicate, one set based on the accounting
principles then generally applied by the Borrower and one set based on GAAP. To
the extent this Agreement or such other Loan Document requires financial
statements to be accompanied by an opinion of independent accountants, each such
set of financial statements shall be accompanied by such an opinion.

                  1.04. CERTAIN TERMINOLOGY AND PROVISIONS. This Agreement uses
the defined terms "Lender," "Lender Indemnified Parties," "Lender Parties,"
"Loan Documents" and "Loan Obligations," even though extensions of credit to the
Borrower hereunder take the form of issuance of Letters of Credit only, rather
than loans. Such defined terms are used as a convenience to facilitate
comparison of this Agreement with the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term
Loan Agreement. Such defined terms shall have the respective meanings given them
in this Agreement, and the use of such defined terms shall not be construed to
imply that any loans are contemplated under this Agreement.

                                [End of Annex A]

                                      A-19

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit 10.18

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS
AMENDED (THE "ACT"), OR UNDER ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THESE SECURITIES ARE
SUBJECT TO RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFERABILITY AND RESALE AND MAY NOT BE
TRANSFERRED, SOLD, OFFERED FOR SALE, PLEDGED OR HYPOTHECATED IN THE ABSENCE OF A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT IN EFFECT WITH RESPECT TO THESE SECURITIES UNDER THE ACT
OR APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR AN OPINION OF COUNSEL SATISFACTORY TO THE
COMPANY THAT ANY PROPOSED TRANSFER OR RESALE IS IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT AND
ANY APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS.  WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING ANY OF
THESE SECURITIES ISSUED OTHER THAN TO A "US PERSON" WITHIN THE MEANING OF
REGULATION S PROMULGATED UNDER THE ACT MAY NOT BE RE-SOLD TO A US PERSON PRIOR
TO THE EXPIRATION OF THE 40-DAY RESTRICTED PERIOD AFTER THE DATE OF ORIGINAL
ISSUANCE OF THESE SECURITIES.


                   VARIABLE RATE UNSECURED LOAN NOTE DUE 2002
                                       OF
                               PRIMARK CORPORATION


U.S.$
                                                               24 October, 1996

Primark Corporation, a Michigan corporation (the "COMPANY"), with principal
offices at 1000 Winter Street, Suite 4500, Waltham MA 02154, USA, for value
received, hereby promises to pay to ______________, or his assigns, the sum of
_____________________, United States Dollars (U.S. $_________) plus interest
accrued pursuant to section 2.2 hereof from the date of this Note until the
principal amount hereof and all interest accrued thereon is paid in full. The
principal amount of this Note, and the interest accrued thereon, shall be
payable on or before, 24 October, 2002 (the "MATURITY DATE").

The following is a statement of the rights of the holder of this Note and the
conditions to which this Note is subject, and to which the holder hereof, by the
acceptance of this Note, agrees:

1    RANKING AND DEFINITIONS


1.1  This Note is one of a series of five (5) Variable Rate Unsecured Loan Notes
     due 2002 (individually, a "NOTE"; collectively, the "NOTES"). The
     principal amount of all Notes shall aggregate up to U.S.$8,250,000.


                                       1

<PAGE>   2





1.2  "NOTEHOLDER", "HOLDER", or similar terms, when the context refers to a
     holder of this Note, shall mean any person who shall at the time be the
     registered holder of this Note.


1.3  In this Note, except as otherwise provided;

     (a)  words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa;

     (b)  words denoting gender include every gender;

     (c)  Words denoting persons include any natural person, corporation or
          other entity;

     (d)  references to statutory provisions shall be construed as references to
          those provisions as respectively amended or re-enacted (whether before
          or after the date hereof) from time to time and shall include any 
          provisions of which they are re-enactments (whether with or without
          modifications) and any subordinate legislation or regulation made
          under such provisions.

2    PAYMENT OF PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST

  
2.1  The Company shall on the Maturity Date or on such earlier date as the
     outstanding principal on this Note shall become repayable in accordance
     with this Note, pay such principal to the Noteholder at the registered
     office of the Company, together with interest accrued thereon at the rate
     referred to in section 2.2 up to and including the date of repayment.

2.2  So long as outstanding principal remains unpaid under this Note, the
     Company shall pay to the Noteholder interest on the outstanding principal
     at the rate of LIBOR by quarterly instalments ("INTEREST PERIODS") in
     arrears on the first Business Day following 1 January, 1 April, 1 July
     and 1 October in each year, save that the first payment of interest
     shall be made on the first business day after 1 January, 1997 in respect
     of the period from 24 October, 1996 to 31 December, 1996 (both dates
     inclusive). Interest shall be deemed to accrue on the Notes from day to
     day. For the purpose of this section, "LIBOR" means, in relation to a
     particular interest period, the rate for deposits of US Dollars for a
     period equivalent to such period at or about 11 a.m. (New York City Time)
     on the second Business Day before the first day of such period as
     displayed in the Wall Street Journal, New York City edition provided that
     if on such date no such rate is so displayed, LIBOR for such period shall
     be the arithmetic mean (rounded upward if necessary to five decimal
     places) of the rates respectively quoted to the Company by two leading
     United States banks at the request of the Company as such banks' offered
     rate for deposits of US Dollars in an amount approximately equal to the
     amount in relation to which LIBOR is to be determined for a period
     equivalent to such period to prime banks in the London Interbank Market at
     or about 11 a.m. (New York City time) on the second Business Day before the
     first day of such interest period. "BUSINESS DAY"


                                       2
<PAGE>   3




     means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday, or other day on which banks
     in New York City are authorised or required by law to close. 

2.3  Any payment to be made hereunder will be after any withholding or deduction
     for or on account of any tax or levy or impost or charge or fee or duty of
     whatsoever nature (present or future) imposed or levied by any authority
     having power to tax such payment which the Company shall for the time being
     be required by any applicable law to withhold or deduct and the Company
     shall not be obliged to pay any additional amount to the Noteholders in
     respect of the tax or duty so withheld or deducted.

2.4  All payments made to the Noteholder under the Note shall be in US Dollars
     and shall be subject to all applicable laws and regulations from time to
     time.

3    REPAYMENT, PURCHASE AND CANCELLATION


3.1  Any Note repaid or purchased by the Company shall be cancelled and the
     Company shall not be entitled to reserve the same for reissuance or to
     re-issue the same.

3.2  Any partial repayment of this Note may be endorsed by the holder on the
     schedule attached hereto, or on continuation of such schedule attached to
     and made a part hereof. The lack of an endorsement or any endorsements made
     by the Noteholder on the schedule attached hereto shall not be conclusive
     of the remaining principal amount outstanding under the Note.

4    EVENTS OF DEFAULT

 
4.1  The outstanding principal of this Note together with any accrued
     interest shall become immediately due and repayable on the occurrence of
     any of the following events:

     (a)  if default is made in the repayment on the due date of any outstanding
          principal outstanding on this Note or (for a period of 28 days or
          more) in the payment of any interest accrued thereon;

     (b)  if default is made by the Company in the due performance or observance
          of any obligation (other than for the repayment outstanding principal
          on this Note or the payment of interest accrued thereon) contained
          herein and continues for 28 days or more after the date on which the
          Company receives written notice of the default;

     (c)  the Company shall commence a voluntary Insolvency Proceeding seeking
          liquidation, reorganisation or other relief with respect to itself or
          its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other similar law now or
          hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee, receiver,
          liquidator, custodian or other similar official of it or any
          substantial part of its property, or shall take any corporate action
          to authorise any of the

                                       3

<PAGE>   4

          foregoing: For the purposes of this section 4.1. "INSOLVENCY
          PROCEEDING" means (i) any case, action or proceeding before any court
          or other governmental authority relating to bankruptcy,
          reorganisation, insolvency, liquidation, receivership, dissolution,
          winding-up or relief of debtors, or (ii) any general assignment for
          the benefit of creditors, composition, marshalling of assets for
          creditors, or other similar arrangement in respect of its creditors,
          generally or any substantial portion of its creditors undertaken under
          U.S. federal, state, or foreign law;

     (d)  an involuntary Insolvency Proceeding shall be commenced against the
          Company seeking liquidation, reorganisation or other relief with
          respect to it or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency or other
          similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the appointment of a
          trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian or other similar official of
          it or any substantial part of its property, and such involuntary
          Insolvency Proceeding (if before a court or governmental authority)
          shall remain undismissed and unstayed for a period of 60 days;

     (e)  an order for relief shall be entered against the Company under the
          U.S. federal bankruptcy laws;

     (f)  if the letter of credit (the "LETTER OF CREDIT") issued for the
          benefit of the holder of this Note on the date hereof by Mellon Bank
          N.A. ("MELLON") shall no longer be or if Mellon or the Company
          asserts that the Letter of Credit shall no LONGER be valid, binding
          and enforceable for any reason other than in accordance with its
          terms; or

     (g)  if this Note shall no longer be, or if the Company shall assert that
          this Note shall no longer be, legal, valid and binding for any reason
          other than in accordance with its terms.

4.2  Forthwith on becoming aware of any such event as is mentioned in section
     4.1 or of any event which with the giving of notice, lapse of time or
     satisfaction of any other condition would constitute such an event, the
     Company shall give notice in writing thereof to the Noteholders.

5    NOTE REGISTER; REPLACEMENT NOTES

 
5.1  The Company shall at all times keep at its principal office an accurate
     register of the Notes (the "REGISTER") showing the numbers of Notes for the
     time being issued, the dates of issue, the dates and particulars of all
     transfers and repayments thereof and the names and addresses of the
     Noteholders and the persons deriving title under them. The Register may be
     closed for up to 3 days prior to each date for payment of interest and the
     date of final redemption. The Noteholders and any persons entitled to any
     of the Notes or any of them and any person authorised in writing by any of
     them shall be at liberty at all reasonable


                                       4
<PAGE>   5


     times during office hours to inspect the Register and to take copies
     thereof and extracts therefrom or any part thereof.

5.2  Upon receipt of evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Company of the
     loss, theft, destruction or mutilation of the Note, the Company will at
     its expense execute and deliver, in lieu thereof, a new Note in the unpaid
     principal amount of such lost, stolen, destroyed or mutilated Note, dated
     so that there will be no loss of interest on such Note. Any Note in lieu of
     which any such new Note has been so executed and delivered by the Company
     shall not be deemed to be an outstanding Note for any purpose.

6    TRANSFER


6.1  Except as required by law, the Company will recognise the registered holder
     of any Notes or his executors or administrators as the absolute owner
     thereof. The rights and obligations of the Company and the Noteholder shall
     be binding upon and benefit the successors, assigns, heirs, executors,
     administrators and transferees of the parties.

6.2  Subject as hereinafter provided, and to compliance with applicable
     securities laws, any holder of this Note will be entitled to transfer this
     Note in its entirety by an instrument in writing. No fraction of a Note may
     be transferred. This Note shall not be transferred by any Noteholder that
     is not a "US Person" (within the meaning of "Regulation S" promulgated
     under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended) to a "US Person" at any time
     during the 40-day period after the date of original issuance of this Note.

6.3  Every instrument of transfer must be delivered to the principal office of
     the Company for registration, accompanied by the original of this Note to
     be transferred and such other evidence as the Directors of the Company may
     require to prove the title of the transferor of his right to transfer the
     Notes and (if the instrument shall be executed by some other person on
     behalf of the transferor) the authority of that person so to do.

7    PROCEDURES FOR PAYMENT


7.1  Any principal, interest or other moneys repayable or payable hereunder on
     or in respect of the Note shall be paid by wire transfer to an account
     designated in writing by the Noteholder or to such person and such account
     as the Noteholder may in writing direct. 

8    MODIFICATION OF RIGHTS


8.1  ANY PROVISION OF THIS NOTE MAY BE AMENDED, WAIVED OR MODIFIED UPON THE
     WRITTEN CONSENT OF THE COMPANY AND HOLDERS OF AT LEAST A MAJORITY OF THE
     THEN OUTSTANDING PRINCIPAL AMOUNTS OF THE NOTES: PROVIDED THAT ANY


                                       5
<PAGE>   6
     AMENDMENT, WAIVER OR MODIFICATION AFFECTS ALL OF THE NOTES IN THE SAME
     MANNER.


8.2  Neither this Note or any term hereof may be amended, waived or modified
     orally but only by an instrument in writing executed by the Company and the
     Note holder.

9    NOTICES


9.1  Any notice or other document may be given or sent to the Company by sending
     the same by personal delivery, certified or registered air mail (return
     receipt requested), recognised international courier, or telecopy
     (confirmed by air mail), charges prepaid, addressed to the Company at its
     principal office.

9.2  Without prejudice to the provisions of section 6.1. any notice or other
     document may be given or sent to any Noteholder by sending the same by
     personal delivery, certified or registered airmail (return receipt
     requested), recognised international courier, or telecopy (confirmed by
     airmail), charges prepaid, addressed to such Noteholder, at the registered
     address. 

9.3  Any notice shall be deemed to have been given upon delivery, if by personal
     delivery; 2 days after the date of posting if posted to an address within
     the same country; 7 days after the date of posting if posted abroad; 3
     days after dispatch if sent by recognised international courier; and upon
     transmission, if sent by telecopy.

10   CHOICE OF LAWS; AND SUBMISSION TO JURISDICTION


10.1 This Note shall be construed and enforced in accordance with, and governed
     by, the internal laws of the State of New York, United States of America,
     excluding that body of law applicable to conflicts of law. 

10.2 The Company irrevocably submits for all purposes of or in connection with
     the Notes to the non-exclusive jurisdiction of the state and federal courts
     in New York.

11   DOCUMENTARY TAXES


11.1 All stamp, documentary, registration or other like duties or taxes,
     including any penalties, additions, fines, surcharges or interest relating
     thereto, which are imposed or chargeable on or in connection with the Notes
     shall be paid by the Company provided nothing shall oblige the Company to
     bear or pay any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax or other duties or
     taxes on or arising by reason or in respect of any transfers or other
     dispositions of the Notes or any interest therein, except to the extent of
     any stamp duty or stamp duty reserve tax payable on any repurchase,
     repayment or cancellation of the Notes by the Company itself.


                                       6
<PAGE>   7

12   NOT NEGOTIABLE, NOT A SECURITY


12.1 NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY ELSEWHERE IN THIS NOTE, (A) THIS
     NOTE IS NOT NEGOTIABLE, (B) THIS NOTE IS NOT A SECURITY SUBJECT TO ARTICLE
     8 OF THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, AND (C) EACH SUCCESSOR, HEIR, EXECUTOR,
     ADMINISTRATOR, ASSIGNEE, TRANSFEREE, PLEDGEE, OR HOLDER OF THIS NOTE OR
     ANY INTEREST THEREIN (WHETHER OR NOT A REGISTERED HOLDER) SHALL TAKE THIS
     NOTE OR SUCH INTEREST THEREIN, AS THE CASE MAY BE, SUBJECT TO ALL
     DEFENCES, CLAIMS AND OFFSETS WHICH THE ISSUER WOULD HAVE AGAINST THE
     PREDECESSOR, ASSIGNOR, TRANSFEROR, PLEDGOR OR PREDECESSOR HOLDER (AND ANY
     PREDECESSOR), WHETHER OR NOT A REGISTERED HOLDER, REGARDLESS OF WHEN SUCH
     DEFENCE, CLAIM OR OFFSET ACCRUES AND REGARDLESS OF ANY NOTIFICATION TO THE
     COMPANY. 

13   THE LETTER OF CREDIT


13.1 The initial registered holder of this Note is the beneficiary of an
     Irrevocable Letter of Credit, No _______ dated 24 October 1996, in the
     original stated amount of U.S. $_________, issued by Mellon Bank, N.A. (the
     "BANK") (such Irrevocable Letter of Credit being referred to herein as the
     "LETTER OF CREDIT"), which Letter of Credit is transferable (the original
     or any transferee beneficiary of such letter of Credit at any time being
     referred to herein as the "BENEFICIARY").

13.2 The Beneficiary shall have the right, at any time and from time to time
     after the first anniversary of the date of original issuance of this
     Note, to make draws on the Letter of Credit (whether or not amounts
     hereunder are then due). Each such drawing shall be made in compliance with
     the conditions set forth in the Certificate (in the form attached as Annex
     A to the Letter of Credit) presented in connection with such drawing.
     Without limitation of the foregoing:

     (a)  Each such drawing shall be for a Principal Drawing Amount (as defined
          in the Letter of Credit) which does not exceed the unpaid principal
          amount of this Note. The Principal Drawing Amount shall be an integral
          multiple of U.S.$________. The sum of the Principal Drawing Amount,
          plus the aggregate amount of all Principal Drawing Amounts previously
          or contemporaneously drawn under the Letter of Credit shall not exceed
          U.S.$________

     (b)  The Beneficiary may in its discretion include in such drawing an
          Interest Drawing Amount (as defined in the Letter of Credit) in an
          amount not to exceed the accrued and unpaid interest on the Principal
          Drawing Amount. The sum of such Interest Drawing Amount, plus the
          aggregate amount of all Interest Drawing Amounts previously or
          contemporaneously drawn under the Letter of Credit, shall not exceed


                                       7
<PAGE>   8




          U.S.$__________. The Beneficiary shall not make a drawing for an
          interest Drawing Amount in an amount which exceeds accrued and unpaid
          interest on the Principal Drawing Amount at a rate (calculated on the
          basis of a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed) which for each
          day is equal to the lesser of 5.5% or the actual interest rate
          applicable to outstanding principal under this Note on such day.

     (c)  The total amount of any such drawing shall equal the sum of such
          Principal Drawing Amount and such Interest Drawing Amount.

13.3 NOTWITHSTANDING ANYTHING TO THE CONTRARY ELSEWHERE IN THIS NOTE, EACH
     DRAWING PAID BY THE BANK UNDER THE LETTER OF CREDIT SHALL AUTOMATICALLY BE
     APPLIED TO AND REDUCE THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE COMPANY UNDER THIS NOTE BY THE
     AMOUNT PAID ON SUCH DRAWING. SUCH AMOUNT SHALL BE APPLIED TO UNPAID
     PRINCIPAL AND ACCRUED AND UNPAID INTEREST UNDER THIS NOTE IN ACCORDANCE
     WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE RELATED CERTIFICATE. IF SUCH CERTIFICATE WAS
     COMPLETED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS HEREOF AND THEREOF; OTHERWISE,
     SUCH AMOUNT SHALL BE APPLIED FIRST TO UNPAID PRINCIPAL OF THIS NOTE, AND
     SHALL NOT BE APPLIED TO ACCRUED AND UNPAID INTEREST EXCEPT TO THE EXTENT
     THAT SUCH AMOUNT EXCEEDS THE UNPAID PRINCIPAL OF THIS NOTE. NO NOTATION OR
     ENDORSEMENT ON THIS NOTE SHALL BE NECESSARY IN CONNECTION WITH ANY SUCH
     APPLICATION. THE PROVISION OF THIS SECTION SHALL APPLY WHETHER OR NOT THE
     BENEFICIARY IS THE SAME PERSON AS THE HOLDER OF THIS NOTE. EACH SUCCESSOR,
     HEIR, EXECUTOR, ADMINISTRATOR, TRANSFEREE, PLEDGEE OR HOLDER OF THE NOTE OR
     AN INTEREST HEREIN SHALL TAKE THE NOTE SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
     SECTION.

IN WITNESS whereof the Company has caused this Note to be signed in its name as
of the date first above written.



PRIMARK CORPORATION


By:    
       -----------------------------------

Name:  
       -----------------------------------

Title: 
       -----------------------------------


                                       8
<PAGE>   9


ATTEST:

By:    
       --------------------------------------

Name:  
       ------------------------------------

Title: 




                                       9

<PAGE>   1

                                                                 Exhibit 10.21

                       AMENDMENT TO TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS

          THIS AMENDMENT, dated as of December 18, 1996, by and among PRIMARK
CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders party to the
Revolving Credit Agreement referred to below, the Lenders party to the Term Loan
Agreement referred to below, the Lenders party to the ICV Credit Agreement
referred to below, and MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking association, as
Agent under such Revolving Credit Agreement, as Agent under such Term Loan
Agreement and as Agent under such ICV Credit Agreement.

                                    RECITALS:

          A. The Borrower has entered into (a) a Revolving Credit Agreement (as
amended, the "Revolving Credit Agreement") dated as of June 29, 1995 among
Primark Corporation (the "Borrower"), the Issuing Banks referred to therein, the
Lenders parties thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National
Bank of Boston, and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon
Bank, N.A., as Agent, (b) a Term Loan Agreement (as amended, the "Term Loan
Agreement") dated as of June 29, 1995 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties
thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank of Boston
and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as
Agent, (c) a Credit Agreement (as amended, the "ICV Credit Agreement") dated as
of October 23, 1996 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties thereto from time to
time, the Issuing Bank referred to therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent. The
Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement have been amended by (i)
a letter agreement dated August 8, 1995 (which, among other things, added
NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas) as Co-Agent to the Revolving Credit Agreement and
the Term Loan Agreement as initially constituted), (ii) an Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of March 12, 1996, (iii) an Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of June 27, 1996, (iv) an Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of September 30, 1996, and (v) an Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of October 23, 1996.

          B. The parties hereto desire to amend further the Revolving Credit
Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the ICV Credit Agreement.

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

          SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO SECTION 7.08 (MERGERS, ETC.).

          (a) Section 1.01 of Annex A to each of the Revolving Credit Agreement,
the Term Loan Agreement and the ICV Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add
the following new defined term in its appropriate place in alphabetical order:

          "Adjusted Acquisition Consideration" in connection with an acquisition
     of a type referred to in clause (y) or (z) of Section 7.08 hereof by the
     Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower means the amount, not less than
     zero, equal to:

               (a) the gross consideration paid or payable by the Borrower and
          its Subsidiaries in connection with such acquisition (including,
          without limitation, the purchase price therefor and transaction
          expenses), with non-cash consideration valued at its fair market value
          on the closing date of the acquisition; provided, that for purposes of
          this clause (a) (i) the value of consideration in the form of Shares
          of Capital Stock of the Borrower or options or warrants therefor shall
          be deemed zero, and (ii) the value of consideration in the form of
          Indebtedness or other deferred payment obligations of the Borrower or
          its Subsidiaries (exclusive of Indebtedness or other deferred payment
          obligations payable and paid exclusively in Shares of Capital Stock of
          the
<PAGE>   2
          Borrower or options or warrants therefor) shall be deemed the maximum
          aggregate amount of all payments which in any circumstances may be
          required thereunder, as determined at the time such Indebtedness or
          other deferred payment obligation is incurred (except that, for
          purposes of this clause (ii), interest on Indebtedness accruing after
          such determination date at a market rate shall be excluded from such
          maximum aggregate amount), plus

               (b) the aggregate Indebtedness and Guarantee Equivalents assumed
          or incurred, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
          of the Borrower in connection with such acquisition (including, in the
          case of an acquisition of any or all of the Shares of Capital Stock or
          other equity interests of a Person, the aggregate Indebtedness and
          Guarantee Equivalents of such Person), exclusive of Indebtedness and
          Guarantee Equivalents of the Person being acquired constituting
          current accounts payable of such Person on normal trade terms to trade
          creditors arising out of purchases of goods or services in the
          ordinary course of business and not incurred in contemplation of such
          acquisition, minus

               (c) the aggregate cash and Cash Equivalent Investments (valued at
          the lower of cost or market) acquired by the Borrower and its
          Subsidiaries in such acquisition (including, in the case of an
          acquisition of all, but not less than all, of the Shares of Capital
          Stock or other equity interests of a Person, the aggregate cash and
          Cash Equivalent Investments of such Person, it being understood that
          in the event that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquire less than
          all of the Shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests of a
          Person, no part of the cash or Cash Equivalent Investments of such
          Person shall be deemed within the scope of this clause (c)); provided,
          that in the event that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquire all
          of the Shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests of a Person,
          the cash and Cash Equivalent Investments of such Person shall be
          deemed within the scope of this clause (c) only in the event that the
          relevant acquisition agreement requires such Person to own a minimum
          amount of cash and Cash Equivalent Investments, or provides for a
          dollar-for-dollar reduction in the purchase price to the extent such
          Person's cash and Cash Equivalent Investments are less than a
          specified minimum amount.

          (b) Section 7.08 of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term
Loan Agreement and the ICV Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read as
follows:

          7.08. MERGERS, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any
     Subsidiary of the Borrower to, directly or indirectly, (w) merge with or
     into or consolidate with any other Person, or (x) liquidate, Wind-Up,
     dissolve or divide, (y) acquire all or any substantial portion of the
     properties of any going concern or going line of business (whether or not
     constituting a distinct legal entity), or (z) acquire all or any
     substantial portion of the properties of any other Person, or all or any
     substantial portion of the Shares of Capital Stock of any other Person
     which is organized as a Corporation, or all or any substantial portion of
     any equity interest in any other Person which is not organized as a
     Corporation, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise)
     to do any of the foregoing, except for the following (referred to herein as
     "Permitted Mergers"):

               (a) A Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge with or into or
          consolidate with, or acquire all or any substantial portion of the
          properties of, or liquidate or dissolve into, any other Subsidiary of
          the Borrower, if the acquiring, surviving or new Corporation shall be
          a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

               (b) The Borrower, or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, may make
          acquisitions of the types referred to in the foregoing clauses (y) and
          (z) of properties of Persons other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower,
          consistent with the other provisions of this Agreement and the other
          Loan Documents, provided that the aggregate Adjusted Acquisition
          Consideration in connection with all such acquisitions made after June
          29, 1995 shall not exceed the sum of $20,000,000 plus the


                                       -2-
<PAGE>   3
          amount, not less than zero, equal to (A) the aggregate amount of cash
          proceeds (net of underwriting discounts, fees and other transaction
          costs) received by the Borrower after June 29, 1995 from issuance of
          Shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower (or options or warrants
          therefor), minus (B) the aggregate amount of Stock Payments made by
          the Borrower under Section 7.06(a) hereof after June 29, 1995 (it
          being understood that Designated Stock Repurchases are not Stock
          Payments of the type referred to in this clause (B)).

          SECTION 2. EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFECT, ETC.

          (a) This Amendment shall become effective on the day on which Mellon
Bank, N.A., as Agent under each of the Revolving Credit Agreement, Term Loan
Agreement and ICV Credit Agreement, shall have received counterparts hereof duly
executed by the Borrower, "Required Lenders" and the "Agent" under the Revolving
Credit Agreement, "Required Lenders" and the "Agent" under the Term Loan
Agreement, and "Required Lenders" and the "Agent" under the ICV Credit
Agreement.

          (b) The Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the
ICV Credit Agreement, as amended by the letter agreement dated August 8, 1995,
the Amendment to Transaction Documents dated as of March 12, 1996, the Amendment
to Transaction Documents dated as of June 27, 1996, the Amendment to Transaction
Documents dated as of September 30, 1996, the Amendment to Transaction Documents
dated as of October 23, 1996, and as amended and modified hereby, are and shall
continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified
and confirmed. Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, the execution,
delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of
any right, power or remedy of any Secured Party under the Revolving Credit
Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or the ICV Credit Agreement or constitute a
waiver of any provision of any of the foregoing.

          SECTION 3. MISCELLANEOUS. This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same document.
Section and other headings herein are for reference purposes only and shall not
affect the interpretation of this Amendment in any respect. This Amendment shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, without regard to choice of law rules. This Amendment constitutes
a Transaction Document and is a requested amendment within the meaning of
Sections 10.06(a) of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan
Agreement and the ICV Credit Agreement.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the
date first above written.

                                        PRIMARK CORPORATION


                                        By /s/ Stephen H. Curran
                                           ---------------------------------
                                        Name: Stephen H. Curran
                                        Title: CFO


                                       -3-
<PAGE>   4
                                        MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                        individually and as Agent under each of
                                        the Revolving Credit Agreement, the 
                                        Term Loan Agreement and ICV Credit 
                                        Agreement

                                        By /s/ R. JANE WESTRICH
                                           ---------------------------------
                                        Name: R. Jane Westrich
                                        Title: Vice President


CONSENTED AND AGREED:

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON

By /s/ ROBERTA F. KEELER 
   ---------------------------------
Name: Roberta F. Keeler 
Title: Vice President

NATIONSBANK, N.A.

By /s/ ELIZABETH S. DUFF 
   ---------------------------------
Name: Elizabeth S. Duff
Title: Vice President

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

By /s/ DEREK BONNAR     
   ---------------------------------
Name: DEREK BONNAR
Title: VICE PRESIDENT

THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED

By /s/ TEIJI TERAMOTO  
   ---------------------------------
Name: TEIJI TERAMOTO
Title: Vice President & Manager

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

By /s/ DAVID M. NACKLEY
   ---------------------------------
Name: DAVID M. NACKLEY
Title: Vice President


                                       -4-
<PAGE>   5
FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

By  /s/ Scott M. Bane
   ---------------------------------
Name: Scott M. Bane
Title: Senior Vice President

                                 
      
THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI, LIMITED, 
successor by merger to THE MITSUBISHI BANK, LIMITED

By /s/ Nicholas J. Campbell, Jr.
   ---------------------------------
Name: Nicholas J. Campbell, Jr.
Title: Attorney-in-Fact


                                       -5-
<PAGE>   6

                                                                Exhibit 10.19

                       AMENDMENT TO TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS

     THIS Amendment, dated as of January 9, 1997, by and among PRIMARK
CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders party to the
Revolving Credit Agreement referred to below, the Lenders party to the Term Loan
Agreement referred to below, the Lenders party to the ICV Credit Agreement
referred to below (such agreements being referred to collectively as the
"Facility Agreements"), and MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking association,
as Agent under each such Facility Agreement.

                                    RECITALS:

     A. The Borrower has entered into (a) a Revolving Credit Agreement (as
amended, the "Revolving Credit Agreement") dated as of June 29, 1995 among
Primark Corporation (the "Borrower"), the Issuing Banks referred to therein, the
Lenders parties thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National
Bank of Boston, and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon
Bank, N.A., as Agent, (b) a Term Loan Agreement (as amended, the "Term Loan
Agreement") dated as of June 29, 1995 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties
thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank of Boston
and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as
Agent, (c) a Credit Agreement (as amended, the "ICV Credit Agreement") dated as
of October 23, 1996 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties thereto from time to
time, the Issuing Bank referred to therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent. The
Facility Agreements have been amended by (i) a letter agreement dated August 8,
1995, (ii) Amendment to Transaction Documents dated as of March 12, 1996, (iii)
Amendment to Transaction Documents dated as of June 27, 1996, (iv) Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of September 30, 1996, (v) Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of October 23, 1996, and (vi) Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of December 18, 1996.

     B. The parties hereto desire to amend further the Facility Agreements as
set forth herein.

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

     SECTION 1. AMENDMENT RELATING TO SECTION 7.08 (MERGERS, ETC.). Section
7.08(b) of each Facility Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the term
"$20,000,000" and replacing it with the term "$75,000,000".

     SECTION 2. EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFECT, ETC.

     (a) This Amendment shall become effective on the day on which Mellon Bank,
N.A., as Agent under each Facility Agreement, shall have received counterparts
hereof duly executed by the Borrower and by the "Required Lenders" and the
"Agent" under each Facility Agreement.

     (b) The Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the ICV
Credit Agreement, as amended by the letter agreement dated August 8, 1995, the
Amendment to Transaction Documents dated as of March 12, 1996, the Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of June 27, 1996, the Amendment to Transaction
Documents dated as of September 30, 1996, the Amendment to Transaction Documents
dated as of October 23, 1996, and the Amendment to Transaction Documents dated
as of December 18, 1996, and as amended and modified hereby, are and shall
continue to be in 


<PAGE>   7


full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed.
Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, the execution, delivery and
effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any right,
power or remedy under any Facility Agreement or constitute a waiver of any
provision of any Facility Agreement.

     SECTION 3. MISCELLANEOUS. This Amendment may be executed in any number of
counterparts and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each
of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and
all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same document.
Section and other headings herein are for reference purposes only and shall not
affect the interpretation of this Amendment in any respect. This Amendment shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, without regard to choice of law rules. This Amendment is a
requested amendment within the meaning of Section 10.06(a) of each Facility
Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date
first above written.

                                           PRIMARK CORPORATION


                                           By /s/ PAUL G. SANDFORD
                                              ---------------------------------
                                           Name: Paul G. Sandford
                                           Title: Treasurer


                                           MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                           individually and as Agent under each
                                           Facility Agreement


                                           By /s/ R. JANE WESTRICH
                                              ---------------------------------
                                           Name: R. Jane Westrich
                                           Title: Vice President


CONSENTED AND AGREED:

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON


By /s/ ROBIN F. KEELER
   ------------------------------
Name: Robin F. Keeler
Title: Vice President


NATIONSBANK, N.A.

By /s/ ELIZABETH S. DUFF
   ------------------------------
Name: Elizabeth S. Duff
Title: Vice President

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   8



THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC


By /s/ DEREK BONNAR
   ------------------------------
Name: Derek Bonnar
Title: Vice President


THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED


By /s/ TEIJI TERAMOTO
   ------------------------------
Name: Teiji Teramoto
Title: Vice President & Manager


THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

By /s/ DAVID M. NACKLEY
   ------------------------------
Name: David M. Nackley
Title: Vice President



FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK


By /s/ SCOTT M. BANE
   ------------------------------
Name: Scott M. Bane
Title: Senior Vice President


THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI, LIMITED,
successor by merger to THE MITSUBISHI BANK, LIMITED


By /s/ NICHOLAS J. CAMPBELL
   ------------------------------
Name: Nicholas J. Campbell, Jr.
Title: Attorney-in-fact

                                      -3-

<PAGE>   1

                                                                  Exhibit 10.20

                       AMENDMENT TO TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS

     THIS AMENDMENT, dated as of October 23, 1996, by and among PRIMARK
CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders party to the
Revolving Credit Agreement referred to below, the Lenders party to the Term Loan
Agreement referred to below, the Lenders party to the ICV Credit Agreement
referred to below, and MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking association, as
Agent under such Revolving Credit Agreement, as Agent under such Term Loan
Agreement, as Agent under such ICV Credit Agreement, and as Collateral Agent
under the Collateral Agency Agreement referred to below.

                                    RECITALS:

     A. The Borrower has entered into (a) a Revolving Credit Agreement (as
amended, the "Revolving Credit Agreement") dated as of June 29, 1995 among
Primark Corporation (the "Borrower"), the Issuing Banks referred to therein, the
Lenders parties thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National
Bank of Boston, and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon
Bank, N.A., as Agent, (b) a Term Loan Agreement (as amended, the "Term Loan
Agreement") dated as of June 29, 1995 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties
thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank of Boston
and NationsBank, N.A., (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as
Agent, (c) a Collateral Agency Agreement (as amended, the "Collateral Agency
Agreement") dated as of June 29, 1995 among the Borrower, the Revolving Credit
Parties (as defined therein), the Term Loan Parties (as defined therein) and
Mellon Bank, N.A. as Collateral Agent, and (d) a Security Agreement (as amended,
the "Security Agreement") dated as June 29, 1995 made by the Borrower in favor
of Mellon Bank, N.A., as Collateral Agent. The Revolving Credit Agreement, the
Term Loan Agreement, the Collateral Agency Agreement, and/or the Security
Agreement have been amended by (i) a letter agreement dated August 8, 1995
(which, among other things, added NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas) as Co-Agent to
the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement as initially
constituted), (ii) an Amendment to Transaction Documents dated as of March 12,
1996, (iii) an Amendment to Transaction Documents dated as of June 27, 1996, and
(iv) an Amendment to Transaction Documents dated as of September 30, 1996.

     B. The parties hereto desire to amend further the Revolving Credit
Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, the Collateral Agency Agreement and the
Security Agreement as set forth in this Amendment. Capitalized terms used herein
and not otherwise defined shall have the meanings given them in, or by reference
in, the Collateral Agency Agreement.

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

     SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS TO THE REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT AND THE TERM LOAN
AGREEMENT.

     (a) Section 7.03 of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term
Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the existing clause (q), by adding
the following new clauses (q), (r), and (s) immediately after clause (p), and by
deleting the word "and" following clause (p):

          (q) Indebtedness of a TWN(UK) Entity permitted under Section 7.19(b)
     hereof;

          (r) Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries not
     exceeding $10,000,000 in principal amount, issued in connection with the
     acquisition by the Borrower or a Subsidiary of all of the Shares of Capital
     Stock of ICV (such Indebtedness being referred to herein as the "ICV
     Notes"); Indebtedness of the Borrower pursuant to the ICV Credit Agreement
     (as defined in the

<PAGE>   2

     Collateral Agency Agreement) constituting letters of credit issued for its
     account not exceeding $10,250,000 in stated amount, which letters of credit
     effectively secure the ICV Notes; and any Indebtedness of the Borrower or
     any of its Subsidiaries which amends, renews or refinances the ICV Notes
     and the ICV Credit Agreement, provided, however, that after giving effect
     to such refinancing the principal amount of Indebtedness is not increased;
     and

          (s) Indebtedness for borrowed money of Primark Economics or any of its
     Subsidiaries not exceeding $6,000,000 in aggregate principal amount at any
     time outstanding.

     (b) Section 7.04(h) of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term
Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the phrase", and Guaranty
Equivalents of Primark Economics permitted under Section 7.20(c) hereof".

     (c) Section 7.14 of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term
Loan Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the word "[Reserved]".

     (d) Section 7.16 of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term
Loan Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the word "and" immediately before
clause (b), deleting the period at the end thereof and appending thereto the
following:", and (c) provisions in the ICV Credit Agreement no more restrictive
than those in the ICV Credit Agreement as originally constituted".

     (e) Section 7.20 of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term
Loan Agreement is hereby deleted and replaced with the word "[Reserved]".

     (f) The following defined terms are hereby added to Section 1.01 of Annex A
of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement in their
appropriate places in alphabetical order (and, in the case of the terms "Credit
Facilities," "Facilities Termination Date," and "Primark Economics" which were
previously defined, the previous definition of such term is deleted):

          "Credit Facilities" shall mean the Revolving Credit Agreement, the
     Term Loan Agreement, the ICV Credit Agreement and the TASC Loan Agreement.

          "Facilities Termination Date" shall mean the later to occur of the
     Revolving Credit Maturity Date, the Term Loan Maturity Date and the ICV
     Credit Maturity Date.

          "Primark Economics" shall mean Primark Decision Economics, Inc.

          "ICV" shall mean ICV Limited.

          "ICV Credit Agreement" shall mean the Credit Agreement dated on or
     about October 23, 1996 by and among the Borrower, the lenders parties
     thereto from time to time, the issuing bank referred to therein, and Mellon
     Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented
     from time to time in accordance with this Agreement.


          "ICV Credit Maturity Date" shall mean the final scheduled maturity of
     Indebtedness under the ICV Credit Agreement (being the later of (i) the
     latest expiration date permitted under the ICV Credit Agreement for letters
     of credit issued thereunder, or (ii) the final scheduled maturity of the
     Borrower's reimbursement obligations under the ICV Credit Agreement).


     SECTION 2. AMENDMENTS TO THE COLLATERAL AGENCY AGREEMENT.

     (a) Mellon Bank, N.A., as ICV Credit Agent (as defined hereinbelow) on
behalf of the ICV Credit Parties (as defined hereinbelow), hereby agrees that
the ICV Credit Parties hereby become

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3

parties to the Collateral Agency Agreement, and shall be subject to and bound by
all of the provisions thereof and of the other Shared Security Documents
referred to therein.

     (b) The following defined terms are hereby added to Section 1.01 of the
Collateral Agency Agreement in their appropriate places in alphabetical order
(and, in the case of the terms "Directing Party," "Facility Agents," "Facility
Event of Default," "Facility Lenders," "Facility Lender Exposure," "Facility
Parties," "Facility Permitted Lien," "Notice of Default," "Obligations,"
"Revolving Credit Agreement," "Secured Party Documents" and "Term Loan
Agreement," each of which was previously defined, the previous definitions of
such terms are deleted):

          "Directing Party" at any time shall mean:

               (a) the Term Loan Agent, if at such time (i) a Term Loan Notice
          of Default is in effect, at least 15 Business Days have elapsed since
          the giving of such Term Loan Notice of Default, and no Revolving
          Credit Notice of Default, ICV Credit Notice of Default or Bankruptcy
          Default is in effect, or (ii) (A) all Revolving Credit Obligations
          (other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
          full, all commitments to extend credit under the Revolving Credit
          Documents have terminated, and all Letters of Credit have terminated,
          and (B) all ICV Credit Obligations (other than Contingent
          Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in full, all commitments
          to extend credit under the ICV Credit Documents have terminated, and
          all ICV LOCs have terminated;

               (b) the Revolving Credit Agent, if at such time (i) a Revolving
          Credit Notice of Default is in effect, at least 15 Business Days have
          elapsed since the giving of such Revolving Credit Notice of Default,
          and no Term Loan Notice of Default, ICV Credit Notice of Default or
          Bankruptcy Default is in effect, or (ii) (A) all Term Loan Obligations
          (other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
          full, and (B) all ICV Credit Obligations (other than Contingent
          Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in full, all commitments
          to extend credit under the ICV Credit Documents have terminated, and
          all ICV LOCs have terminated;

               (c) the ICV Credit Agent, if at such time (i) an ICV Credit
          Notice of Default is in effect, at least 15 Business Days have elapsed
          since the giving of such ICV Credit Notice of Default, and no Term
          Loan Notice of Default, Revolving Credit Notice of Default or
          Bankruptcy Default is in effect, or (ii) (A) all Term Loan Obligations
          (other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in
          full, and (B) all Revolving Credit Obligations (other than Contingent
          Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in full, all commitments
          to extend credit under the Revolving Credit Documents have terminated,
          and all Letters of Credit have terminated;

               (d) all Swap Parties, acting together, if at such time (i) all
          Term Loan Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification
          Obligations) have been paid in full, (ii) all Revolving Credit
          Obligations (other than Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have
          been paid in full, all commitments to extend credit under the
          Revolving Credit Documents have terminated, and (iii) all Letters of
          Credit have terminated, all ICV Credit Obligations (other than
          Contingent Indemnification Obligations) have been paid in full, all
          commitments to extend credit under the ICV Credit Documents have
          terminated, and all ICV LOCs have terminated;

               (e) otherwise, Facility Lenders whose Facility Lender Percentages
          at such time aggregate at least 51%, acting together.

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4

          "Facility Agents" shall mean the Revolving Credit Agent, the Term Loan
     Agent and the ICV Credit Agent.

          "Facility Event of Default" shall mean the occurrence or existence of
     an "Event of Default" under the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan
     Agreement or the ICV Credit Agreement.

          "Facility Lenders" shall mean the Revolving Credit Lenders, the Term
     Loan Lenders and the ICV Credit Lenders.

          "Facility Lender Exposure" for a Facility Lender at any time shall
     mean the sum of the following: (a) the principal amount of loans
     outstanding to such Facility Lender under the Term Loan Agreement, plus (b)
     the principal amount of extensions of credit made by or for the account of
     such Facility Lender under the Revolving Credit Agreement, plus (c) the
     amount equal to (i) if no Revolving Credit Notice of Default or Bankruptcy
     Default is in effect, and if the commitment of such Facility Lender to
     extend credit under the Revolving Credit Agreement has not expired or been
     terminated, then an amount equal to the principal amount of such Facility
     Lender's unborrowed commitment to extend credit under the Revolving Credit
     Agreement, (ii) otherwise, zero, plus (d) the principal amount of
     extensions of credit made by or for the account of such Facility Lender
     under the ICV Credit Agreement.

          "Facility Parties" shall mean the Revolving Credit Parties, the Term
     Loan Parties, the ICV Credit Parties and the Swap Parties.

          "Facility Permitted Lien" shall mean a Lien which is a "Permitted
     Lien" under each of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement
     and the ICV Credit Agreement.

          "ICV Credit Agent" at any time shall mean the "Agent" under the ICV
     Credit Agreement at such time. If there is no Agent under the ICV Credit
     Agreement at such time, then any notice, demand, or other communication
     required or permitted to be given by the ICV Credit Agent hereunder or
     under any Shared Security Document shall be sufficiently given or made if
     given by the "Required Lenders" (as defined in the ICV Credit Agreement as
     constituted on the date hereof, as such definition may be amended, modified
     or supplemented from time to time, and any successor term of similar import
     from time to time in the ICV Credit Agreement), and any notification,
     demand, consent, document, payment or other communication or item required
     to be given or made to the ICV Credit Agent shall be sufficiently given or
     made if given directly to each ICV Credit Party entitled thereto.

          "ICV Credit Agreement" shall mean the Credit Agreement dated on or
     about October 23, 1996 by and among the Borrower, the lenders parties
     thereto from time to time, the issuing bank referred to therein, and Mellon
     Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same may be amended, modified or supplemented
     from time to time; provided, however, that for purposes of this Agreement
     no effect shall be given to any amendment, modification or supplement
     entered into without the written consent of the Revolving Credit Agent and
     the Term Loan Agent that increases the maximum aggregate principal amount
     of extensions of credit thereunder to the Borrower above $10,250,000.

          "ICV Credit Documents" shall mean the "Loan Documents" as defined in
     the ICV Credit Agreement, and any successor term of similar import from
     time to time in the ICV Credit Agreement.

          "ICV Credit Issuing Bank" shall mean the "Issuing Banks" (as defined
     in the ICV Credit Agreement) under the ICV Credit Agreement, together with
     its successors thereunder.

                                       -4-

<PAGE>   5
          "ICV Credit Lenders" shall mean the "Lenders" (as defined in the ICV
     Credit Agreement) from time to time under the ICV Credit Agreement.

          "ICV Credit Notice of Default" shall mean a written certification
     delivered to the Collateral Agent by the ICV Credit Agent at any time
     stating that a Facility Event of Default or Facility Potential Default (as
     specified therein) has occurred and is continuing or exists under the ICV
     Credit Agreement, and specifically stating that such notice is a "ICV
     Credit Notice of Default" under this Agreement.

          "ICV Credit Obligations" shall mean all obligations from time to time
     of the Borrower to any ICV Credit Party from time to time arising under or
     in connection with or related to or evidenced by or secured by the ICV
     Credit Agreement or any other ICV Credit Document, whether such obligations
     are direct or indirect, otherwise secured or unsecured, joint or several,
     absolute or contingent, due or to become due, whether for payment or
     performance, now existing or hereafter arising (specifically including but
     not limited to obligations arising or accruing after the commencement of
     any bankruptcy, insolvency or similar proceedings with respect to the
     Borrower, or which would have arisen or accrued but for the commencement of
     such proceeding, even if the claim for such obligation is not allowed in
     such proceeding under applicable Law). Without limitation of the foregoing,
     such obligations include the principal amount of loans, interest, ICV
     Credit reimbursement obligations, and fees, indemnities or expenses under
     or in connection with any ICV Credit Document. ICV Credit Obligations shall
     remain such notwithstanding any assignment or transfer or any subsequent
     assignment or transfer of any of the ICV Credit Obligations or any interest
     therein.

          "ICV Credit Parties" shall mean the ICV Credit Lenders, the ICV Credit
     Issuing Bank and the ICV Credit Agent.

          "ICV LOC" shall mean any letter of credit outstanding under the ICV
     Credit Agreement from time to time.

          "ICV LOC Collateral Account" shall have the meaning given that term in
     Section 4.09 hereof.

          "ICV LOC Exposure" at any time shall mean the sum at such time of (a)
     the aggregate ICV LOC Unreimbursed Draws and (b) the aggregate ICV LOC
     Undrawn Availability.

          "ICV LOC Undrawn Availability" with respect to an ICV LOC at any time
     shall mean the maximum amount available to be drawn under such ICV LOC at
     such time or thereafter, regardless of the existence or satisfaction of any
     conditions or limitations on drawing.

          "ICV LOC Unreimbursed Draws" with respect to a ICV LOC at any time
     shall mean the aggregate amount at such time of all payments made by the
     issuer under such ICV LOC, to the extent not repaid by the Borrower.

          "Notice of Default" shall mean a Revolving Credit Notice of Default, a
     Term Loan Notice of Default or an ICV Credit Notice of Default.

          "Obligations" shall mean all Revolving Credit Obligations, Term Loan
     Obligations, ICV Credit Obligations, Swap Obligations, and Collateral Agent
     Obligations.

          "Revolving Credit Agreement" shall mean the Revolving Credit Agreement
     of even date herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders parties
     thereto from time to time, the issuing banks referred to therein, Mellon
     Bank, N.A. and The First National Bank of Boston, as

                                       -5-

<PAGE>   6

     Co-Agents, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same may be amended,
     modified, supplemented, renewed or refinanced from time to time; provided,
     however, that for purposes of this Agreement no effect shall be given to
     any amendment, modification, supplement, renewal or refinancing entered
     into without the written consent of the Term Loan Agent and the ICV Credit
     Agent that increases the maximum aggregate principal amount of extensions
     of credit thereunder to the Borrower (whether in the form of loans, Letters
     of Credit or otherwise) above $75,000,000.

          "Secured Party Documents" shall mean the Revolving Credit Documents,
     the Term Loan Documents, the ICV Credit Documents and the Swap Documents,
     including the Shared Security Documents.

          "Term Loan Agreement" shall mean the Term Loan Agreement of even date
     herewith by and among the Borrower, the lenders parties thereto from time
     to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., and The First National Bank of Boston, as
     Co-Agents, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent, as the same may be amended,
     modified or supplemented from time to time; provided, however, that for
     purposes of this Agreement no effect shall be given to any amendment,
     modification or supplement entered into without the written consent of the
     Revolving Credit Agent and the ICV Loan Agent that increases the principal
     amount outstanding thereunder.

     (c) Section 2.01 of the Collateral Agency Agreement is hereby amended as
follows: (i) in Section 2.01(a), the phrase "either Facility Agent" is replaced
with the phrase "a Facility Agent" in each place in which it appears, (ii) in
Section 2.01(a) and 2.02(b), the phrase "the other Facility Agent" is replaced
with the phrase "the other Facility Agents" in each place in which it appears,
and (iii) in Section 2.01(c), the phrase "both Facility Agents" is replaced with
the phrase "each Facility Agent".

     (d) Section 2.03 of the Collateral Agency Agreement is hereby amended by
adding the following new subsection (c):

          (c) AMENDMENTS TO AND REFINANCING OF THE ICV CREDIT AGREEMENT. The
     provisions of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect as
     applied to any amendment, modification or supplement to the ICV Credit
     Agreement, provided that the ICV Credit Agreement as so amended, modified
     or supplemented remains a "ICV Credit Agreement" as defined herein.

     (e) Section 2.04 of the Collateral Agency Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the phrase "the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or
the Swap Agreement" and replacing it with the phrase "the Revolving Credit
Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, the ICV Credit Agreement or the Swap
Agreement".

     (f) Section 2.05 of the Collateral Agency Agreement is hereby amended by
deleting the word "or" following clause (b) thereof, adding the word "or"
immediately after clause (c) thereof, and adding the following new clause (d)
immediately after such clause (c):

          (d) in the case of the ICV Credit Parties, a written notice from the
     ICV Credit Agent to the effect that (i) the Liens created hereby and by the
     other Shared Security Documents are to be released and discharged with
     respect to the ICV Credit Parties, or (ii) all commitments to extend credit
     under the ICV Credit Documents have terminated, all ICV LOCs have
     terminated, and all ICV Credit Obligations (other than Contingent
     Indemnification Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash;

In addition, the final sentence of Section 2.05 is hereby amended to read as
follows: "The Revolving Credit Agent, the Term Loan Agent, each Swap Party, and
the ICV Credit Agent, respectively, shall deliver to the Collateral Agent
written notice to the effect set forth in clause (a)(ii), (b)(ii), (c)(ii), and

                                      -6-

<PAGE>   7
(d)(ii), respectively, promptly after receiving written request to do so by the
Borrower after the conditions described in such clause are satisfied."

          (g) Section 4.04 of the Collateral Agency Agreement is hereby amended
     by deleting items "Second," "Third," "Fourth", "Fifth" and "Finally" and
     replacing them with the following, respectively:

               Second: to (a) the Revolving Credit Agent, for the payment of all
          amounts due to the Revolving Credit Agent in its capacity as such
          which are unpaid on such distribution date, (b) the Term Loan Agent,
          for the payment of all amounts due to the Term Loan Agent in its
          capacity as such which are unpaid on such distribution date, and (c)
          the ICV Credit Agent, for the payment of all amounts due to the ICV
          Credit Agent in its capacity as such which are unpaid on such
          distribution date; provided, that if such monies to be distributed by
          the Collateral Agent shall be insufficient to pay in full the amounts
          referred to in the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c), then such
          distribution shall be made ratably (without priority of any one over
          any other) to the Revolving Credit Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the
          ICV Credit Agent in proportion to the respective amounts referred to 
          in the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c) on such distribution date;

               Third: to (a) the Revolving Credit Agent, for the account of the
          Revolving Credit Parties, in an amount equal to all amounts due and
          payable to the Revolving Credit Parties on such distribution date with
          respect to Revolving Credit Obligations (including obligations to pay
          Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws and to provide cash collateral for
          outstanding undrawn Letters of Credit, but only to the extent the
          aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure exceeds the amount on deposit in
          the Letter of Credit Collateral Account) (to the extent not paid
          pursuant to item "Second" above), (b) the Term Loan Agent, for the
          account of the Term Loan Parties, in an amount equal to all amounts
          due and payable to the Term Loan Parties on such distribution date
          with respect to Term Loan Obligations (to the extent not paid pursuant
          to item "Second" above), (c) the ICV Credit Agent, for the account of
          the ICV Credit Parties, in an amount equal to all amounts due and
          payable to the ICV Credit Parties on such distribution date with
          respect to ICV Credit Obligations (including obligations to pay ICV
          LOC Unreimbursed Draws and to provide cash collateral for outstanding
          undrawn ICV LOCs, but only to the extent the aggregate ICV LOC
          Exposure exceeds the amount on deposit in the ICV LOC Collateral
          Account) (to the extent not paid pursuant to item "Second" above), and
          (d) each Swap Party, in an amount (calculated separately for each Swap
          Agreement to which such Swap Party is party) equal to the lesser of
          (i) all amounts due and payable to the Swap Party on such distribution
          date with respect to Swap Obligations under or in connection with such
          Swap Agreement or (ii) the Swap Shared Security Cap for such Swap
          Agreement minus the aggregate amount of all distributions previously
          made from time to time to the Swap Party with respect to Swap
          Obligations under or in connection with such Swap Agreement pursuant
          to this item "Third"; provided, that if such moneys to be distributed
          by the Collateral Agent shall be insufficient to pay in full the
          amounts referred to in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c) and (d),
          then such distribution shall be made ratably (without priority of any
          one over any other) to the Revolving Credit Agent, the Term Loan
          Agent, the ICV Credit Agent and the Swap Parties in proportion to the
          respective amounts referred to in the foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c)
          and (d) on such distribution date; and further provided, that no 
          further distributions shall be made under this item "Third" to a Swap
          Party on account of Swap Obligations under or in connection with a
          particular Swap Agreement once the aggregate amount of all
          distributions made from time to time to such Swap Party on account of
          Swap Obligations under or in connection with such Swap Agreement
          pursuant to clause (d) of this item "Third" shall equal the Swap
          Shared Security Cap for such Swap Agreement; and further provided,
          that no further distributions shall be made under this item "Third"
          once the aggregate amount of all distributions made from time to time
          pursuant to clause (c) of this item "Third" to each Swap Party on
          account of the Swap Obligations under or in connection with each Swap
          Agreement shall equal the Swap Shared Security Cap for such Swap
          Agreement'


                                      -7-
<PAGE>   8


               Fourth: to (a) the Revolving Credit Agent, for the account of the
          Revolving Credit Parties, in an amount equal to all amounts due and
          payable to the Revolving Credit Parties on such distribution date with
          respect to Revolving Credit Obligations (including obligations to pay
          Letter of Credit Unreimbursed Draws and to provide cash collateral for
          outstanding undrawn Letters of Credit, but only to the extent the
          aggregate Letter of Credit Exposure exceeds the amount on deposit in
          the Letter of Credit Collateral Account) (to the extent not paid
          pursuant to items "Second" and "Third" above), (b) the Term Loan
          Agent, for the account of the Term Loan Parties, in an amount equal to
          all amounts due and payable to the Term Loan Parties on such
          distribution date with respect to Term Loan Obligations (to the extent
          not paid pursuant to items "Second" and "Third" above), and (c) the
          ICV Credit Agent, for the account of the ICV Credit Parties, in an
          amount equal to all amounts due and payable to the ICV Credit Parties
          on such distribution date with respect to ICV Credit Obligations
          (including obligations to pay ICV LOC Unreimbursed Draws and to
          provide cash collateral for outstanding undrawn ICV LOCs, but only to
          the extent the aggregate ICV LOC Exposure exceeds the amount on
          deposit in the ICV LOC Collateral Account) (to the extent not paid
          pursuant to items "Second" and "Third" above); provided, that if such
          moneys to be distributed by the Collateral Agent shall be insufficient
          to pay in full the amounts referred to in the foregoing clauses (a),
          (b) and (c), then such distribution shall be made ratably (without
          priority of any one over any other) to the Revolving Credit Agent and
          the Term Loan Agent in proportion to the respective amounts referred
          to in the foregoing clauses (a), (b) and (c) on such distribution
          date;

               Fifth: to each Swap Party, in an amount equal to all amounts due
          and payable to the Swap Party on such distribution date with respect
          to Swap Obligations (to the extent not paid pursuant to item "Third"
          above); provided, that if such moneys to be distributed by the
          Collateral Agent shall be insufficient to pay in full the amounts
          referred to in the foregoing clause, then such distribution shall be
          made ratably (without priority of any one over any other) to the Swap
          Parties in proportion to the respective amounts referred to in the
          foregoing clause on such distribution date; and

               Finally: if all Revolving Credit Obligations, Term Loan
          Obligations, ICV Credit Obligations and Swap Obligations (other than,
          in each case, Contingent Indemnification Obligations) shall have been
          indefeasably paid in full in cash, all commitments to extend credit
          under the Revolving Credit Agreement shall have terminated, all
          outstanding Letters of Credit shall have terminated, all commitments
          to extend credit under the ICV Credit Agreement shall have terminated,
          all outstanding ICV LOCs shall have terminated, and all Interest Rate
          Hedge Agreements under the Swap Documents have terminated, any surplus
          then remaining shall be paid to the Borrower or its successors or
          assigns or to whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same
          or as a court of competent jurisdiction may direct.

          (h) Section 4.05 of the Collateral Agency Agreement is amended to read
          as follows:

               4.05. CALCULATIONS. In making the determinations and allocations
          required by Section 4.04 hereof, the Collateral Agent may rely upon
          information supplied by (a) the Revolving Credit Agent, as to the
          amounts described in clause (a) of item "Second",clause (a) of item
          "Third", and clause (a) of item "Fourth", (b) the Term Loan Agent, as
          to the amounts described in clause (b) of item "Second", clause (b) of
          item "Third", and clause (b) of item "Fourth", (c) the ICV Credit
          Agent, as to the amounts described in clause (c) of item "Second",
          clause (c) of item "Third" and clause (c) of item "Fourth" and (d)
          each Swap Party, as to the amounts described in clause (d) of item
          "Third" and item "Fifth", and the Collateral Agent shall have no
          liability to any Secured Party for actions taken in reliance on such
          information. All distributions made by the Collateral Agent pursuant
          to Section 4.04 hereof shall be final as against the Collateral Agent
          (subject to any decree of any court of competent jurisdiction), and
          the Collateral Agent shall have no duty to inquire as to the
          application by any Secured Party of any amounts distributed to it.


                                      -8-
<PAGE>   9

               (i) The following new Section 4.09 is hereby added to the
          Collateral Agency Agreement immediately following Section 4.08:

                    4.09. ICV LOC COLLATERAL ACCOUNT.

                    (a) ICV LOC COLLATERAL ACCOUNT. Not later than the first
               date on which funds are required to be deposited therein pursuant
               to this Agreement or any other Shared Security Document, the
               Collateral Agent shall maintain an account (the "ICV LOC
               Collateral Account") at such office as it may designate from time
               to time in its own name as Collateral Agent.

                    (b) INVESTMENT. The Collateral Agent shall invest and
               reinvest moneys on deposit in the ICV LOC Collateral Account in
               its own name in such Restricted Investments as the Collateral
               Agent may select in its discretion, and all such investments and
               the interest and income received thereon and the net proceeds on
               the sale or redemption thereof shall be held in the ICV LOC
               Collateral Account. The Collateral Agent shall not be responsible
               or liable to any other Person for any loss or decline in value of
               such investments or any loss or penalties incurred in the
               liquidation or sale thereof. The Collateral Agent may liquidate
               investments prior to maturity to make a distribution pursuant to
               Section 4.09(d) hereof or otherwise permitted or required
               pursuant to this Agreement.

                    (c) DEPOSITS. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary
               contained herein, all funds distributable from the Shared
               Collateral Account under Section 4.04 hereof on account of ICV
               LOC Exposure shall be deposited into the ICV LOC Collateral
               Account. In addition, the ICV Credit Agent shall remit to the
               Collateral Agent, for deposit into the ICV LOC Collateral
               Account, such amounts as the ICV Credit Agreement or any ICV
               Credit Document requires or permits to be deposited therein. No
               other funds shall be deposited in the ICV LOC Collateral Account
               or commingled with funds in the ICV LOC Collateral Account.

                    (d) DISBURSEMENTS. The Collateral Agent shall remit funds on
               deposit from time to time in the ICV LOC Collateral Account to,
               or at the direction of, the ICV Credit Agent when and as
               requested by the ICV Credit Agent for the reimbursement of ICV
               LOC Unreimbursed Draws, as and when the same become due and
               payable, if and to the extent the Borrower fails to pay the same.
               The ICV Credit Agent shall forthwith remit, or cause the
               Collateral Agent to remit, such funds to the Secured Party which
               is the issuer of such ICV LOC, who shall apply such funds to
               payment of such ICV LOC Unreimbursed Draw. If at any time the
               amount on deposit in the ICV LOC Collateral Account exceeds the
               aggregate ICV LOC Exposure with respect to all outstanding ICV
               LOCs, the excess shall be deposited into the Shared Collateral
               Account.

               (j) Section 5.09 of the Collateral Agency Agreement is hereby
          amended by deleting the phrase "Revolving Credit Agreement or Term
          Loan Agreement, as the case may be" in each place in which it appears
          and replacing with the phrase "Revolving Credit Agreement, Term Loan
          Agreement or ICV Credit Agreement, as the case may be".

               (k) Section 5.13 of the Collateral Agency Agreement is hereby
          amended by deleting the phrase "the Revolving Credit Agent and the
          Term Loan Agent" and replacing it with the phrase "the Revolving
          Credit Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the ICV Credit Agent"

               (l) Section 6.08 of the Collateral Agency Agreement is hereby
          amended by deleting the words "and (c)" and replacing them with the
          phrase "(c) from the ICV Credit Agent to the effect that (i) the Liens
          created hereby and by the other Shared Security Documents are to be
          released and discharged, or (ii) all commitments to extend credit
          under the ICV Credit Documents have terminated, all ICV

                                      -9-
<PAGE>   10


LOCs have terminated, and all ICV Credit Obligations (other than Contingent
Indemnfication Obligations) have been indefeasibly paid in full in cash, and
(d)".

               (m) Exhibit A to the Collateral Agency Agreement is hereby
          amended as follows: (i) In Section 5, the phrase "the Revolving Credit
          Agent, the Term Loan Agent and the Borrower" is deleted and replaced
          with the phrase "the Revolving Credit Agent, the Term Loan Agent, the
          ICV Credit Agent and the Borrower". (ii) The signature block is
          amended by deleting the phrase "as Revolving Credit Agent and Term
          Loan Agent" and replacing it with the phrase "as Revolving Credit
          Agent, Term Loan Agent and ICV Credit Agent".

               (n) To the extent an Interest Rate Hedging Agreement in existence
          on the effective date of this Amendment constitutes a "Swap Agreement"
          entitled to the benefit of the Collateral Agency Agreement under
          Collateral Agency Agreement as constituted before this Amendment,
          nothing in this Amendment shall be construed to cause such Interest
          Rate Hedging Agreement to cease to be a "Swap Agreement".


               SECTION 3. AMENDMENTS TO THE SECURITY AGREEMENT.

               (a) Section 2.04 of the Security Agreement is hereby amended by
          deleting the phrase "neither Facility Agent" where it appears in
          clause (c) and replacing it with the phrase "no Facility Agent".

               (b) Sections 4.02(a), 4.02(b) and 4.04(e) of the Security
          Agreement are hereby amended by deleting the phrase "the Revolving
          Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement" in each place where it
          appears and replacing it with the phrase "the Revolving Credit
          Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the ICV Credit Agreement".


          SECTION 4. EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFECT, ETC.

               (a) This Amendment shall become effective on the day on which
          each of the following conditions has been satisfied: (i) Mellon Bank,
          N.A., as Collateral Agent, Revolving Credit Agent and Term Loan Agent,
          shall have received counterparts hereof duly executed by the Borrower,
          "Required Lenders" under the Revolving Credit Agreement, "Required
          Lenders" under the Term Loan Agreement, the Collateral Agent, the
          Revolving Credit Agent and the Term Loan Agent, and (ii) the ICV
          Credit Agreement shall have been executed and delivered by the
          Borrower.

               (b) The Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, the
          Collateral Agency Agreement and the Security Agreement, as amended by
          the letter agreement dated August 8, 1995, the Amendment to
          Transaction Documents dated as of March 12, 1996, the Amendment to
          Transaction Documents dated as of June 27, 1996, the Amendment to
          Transaction Documents dated as of September 30, 1996, and as amended
          and modified hereby, are and shall continue to be in full force and
          effect and are hereby in all respects ratified and confirmed. Except
          to the extent expressly set forth herein, the execution, delivery and
          effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of any
          right, power or remedy of any Secured Party under the Revolving Credit
          Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement, the Collateral Agency Agreement or
          the Security Agreement or constitute a waiver of any provision of any
          of the foregoing.

               SECTION 5. MISCELLANEOUS. This Amendment may be executed in any
          number of counterparts and by the different parties hereto in separate
          counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be
          deemed to be an original and all of which taken together shall
          constitute but one and the same document. Section and other headings
          herein are for reference purposes only and shall not affect the
          interpretation of this Amendment in any respect. This Amendment shall
          be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the
          Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to choice


                                      -10-


<PAGE>   11

of law rules. This Amendment constitutes a Transaction Document and is a
requested amendment within the meaning of Sections 10.06(a) of each of the
Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement and Section 5.14 of the
Collateral Agency Agreement.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to be
executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the date
first above written.

                                 PRIMARK CORPORATION


                                 By /s/ PAUL G. SANDFORD
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                 Name: Paul G. Sandford
                                 Title: Treasurer


                                 MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                 individually and as Collateral Agent,
                                 Revolving Credit Agent, Term Loan Agent,
                                 and ICV Credit Agent

                                 By /s/ R. JANE WESTRICH
                                   --------------------------------------------
                                 Name: R. Jane Westrich
                                 Title: Vice President


CONSENTED AND AGREED:

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON

By /s/ MITCHELL B. FELDMAN
  -------------------------------
Name: Mitchell B. Feldman
Title: Managing Director

NATIONSBANK, N.A.

By /s/ ELIZABETH S. DUFF
  -------------------------------
Name: Elizabeth S. Duff
Title: Vice President

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

By /s/ GRANT F. STODDART
  -------------------------------
Name: Grant F. Stoddart
Title: Senior Vice President 
       and Manager


                                      -11-

<PAGE>   12


THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED

By /s/ TEIJI TERAMOTO
   -------------------------------
Name: TEIJI TERAMOTO
Title: Vice President & Manager

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

By /s/ GEORGE W. BURTON
   ------------------------------
Name: George W. Burton
Title: Regional Credit Manager.

FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK


By /s/ SCOTT M. BANE
  -------------------------------
Name: Scott M. Bane
Title: Senior Vice President

THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI, LIMITED,
successor by merger to THE MITSUBISHI BANK, LIMITED

By /s/ VICTOR BULZACCHELLI
  -------------------------------
Name: Victor Bulzacchelli
Title: Attorney in Fact



                                      -12-


<PAGE>   1

                                                                 Exhibit 10.21

                       AMENDMENT TO TRANSACTION DOCUMENTS

          THIS AMENDMENT, dated as of December 18, 1996, by and among PRIMARK
CORPORATION, a Michigan corporation (the "Borrower"), the Lenders party to the
Revolving Credit Agreement referred to below, the Lenders party to the Term Loan
Agreement referred to below, the Lenders party to the ICV Credit Agreement
referred to below, and MELLON BANK, N.A., a national banking association, as
Agent under such Revolving Credit Agreement, as Agent under such Term Loan
Agreement and as Agent under such ICV Credit Agreement.

                                    RECITALS:

          A. The Borrower has entered into (a) a Revolving Credit Agreement (as
amended, the "Revolving Credit Agreement") dated as of June 29, 1995 among
Primark Corporation (the "Borrower"), the Issuing Banks referred to therein, the
Lenders parties thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National
Bank of Boston, and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon
Bank, N.A., as Agent, (b) a Term Loan Agreement (as amended, the "Term Loan
Agreement") dated as of June 29, 1995 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties
thereto from time to time, Mellon Bank, N.A., The First National Bank of Boston
and NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas), as Co-Agents, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as
Agent, (c) a Credit Agreement (as amended, the "ICV Credit Agreement") dated as
of October 23, 1996 among the Borrower, the Lenders parties thereto from time to
time, the Issuing Bank referred to therein, and Mellon Bank, N.A., as Agent. The
Revolving Credit Agreement and the Term Loan Agreement have been amended by (i)
a letter agreement dated August 8, 1995 (which, among other things, added
NationsBank, N.A. (Carolinas) as Co-Agent to the Revolving Credit Agreement and
the Term Loan Agreement as initially constituted), (ii) an Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of March 12, 1996, (iii) an Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of June 27, 1996, (iv) an Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of September 30, 1996, and (v) an Amendment to
Transaction Documents dated as of October 23, 1996.

          B. The parties hereto desire to amend further the Revolving Credit
Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the ICV Credit Agreement.

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

          SECTION 1. AMENDMENTS RELATING TO SECTION 7.08 (MERGERS, ETC.).

          (a) Section 1.01 of Annex A to each of the Revolving Credit Agreement,
the Term Loan Agreement and the ICV Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add
the following new defined term in its appropriate place in alphabetical order:

          "Adjusted Acquisition Consideration" in connection with an acquisition
     of a type referred to in clause (y) or (z) of Section 7.08 hereof by the
     Borrower or a Subsidiary of the Borrower means the amount, not less than
     zero, equal to:

               (a) the gross consideration paid or payable by the Borrower and
          its Subsidiaries in connection with such acquisition (including,
          without limitation, the purchase price therefor and transaction
          expenses), with non-cash consideration valued at its fair market value
          on the closing date of the acquisition; provided, that for purposes of
          this clause (a) (i) the value of consideration in the form of Shares
          of Capital Stock of the Borrower or options or warrants therefor shall
          be deemed zero, and (ii) the value of consideration in the form of
          Indebtedness or other deferred payment obligations of the Borrower or
          its Subsidiaries (exclusive of Indebtedness or other deferred payment
          obligations payable and paid exclusively in Shares of Capital Stock of
          the
<PAGE>   2
          Borrower or options or warrants therefor) shall be deemed the maximum
          aggregate amount of all payments which in any circumstances may be
          required thereunder, as determined at the time such Indebtedness or
          other deferred payment obligation is incurred (except that, for
          purposes of this clause (ii), interest on Indebtedness accruing after
          such determination date at a market rate shall be excluded from such
          maximum aggregate amount), plus

               (b) the aggregate Indebtedness and Guarantee Equivalents assumed
          or incurred, directly or indirectly, by the Borrower or any Subsidiary
          of the Borrower in connection with such acquisition (including, in the
          case of an acquisition of any or all of the Shares of Capital Stock or
          other equity interests of a Person, the aggregate Indebtedness and
          Guarantee Equivalents of such Person), exclusive of Indebtedness and
          Guarantee Equivalents of the Person being acquired constituting
          current accounts payable of such Person on normal trade terms to trade
          creditors arising out of purchases of goods or services in the
          ordinary course of business and not incurred in contemplation of such
          acquisition, minus

               (c) the aggregate cash and Cash Equivalent Investments (valued at
          the lower of cost or market) acquired by the Borrower and its
          Subsidiaries in such acquisition (including, in the case of an
          acquisition of all, but not less than all, of the Shares of Capital
          Stock or other equity interests of a Person, the aggregate cash and
          Cash Equivalent Investments of such Person, it being understood that
          in the event that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquire less than
          all of the Shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests of a
          Person, no part of the cash or Cash Equivalent Investments of such
          Person shall be deemed within the scope of this clause (c)); provided,
          that in the event that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries acquire all
          of the Shares of Capital Stock or other equity interests of a Person,
          the cash and Cash Equivalent Investments of such Person shall be
          deemed within the scope of this clause (c) only in the event that the
          relevant acquisition agreement requires such Person to own a minimum
          amount of cash and Cash Equivalent Investments, or provides for a
          dollar-for-dollar reduction in the purchase price to the extent such
          Person's cash and Cash Equivalent Investments are less than a
          specified minimum amount.

          (b) Section 7.08 of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term
Loan Agreement and the ICV Credit Agreement is hereby amended to read as
follows:

          7.08. MERGERS, ETC. The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit any
     Subsidiary of the Borrower to, directly or indirectly, (w) merge with or
     into or consolidate with any other Person, or (x) liquidate, Wind-Up,
     dissolve or divide, (y) acquire all or any substantial portion of the
     properties of any going concern or going line of business (whether or not
     constituting a distinct legal entity), or (z) acquire all or any
     substantial portion of the properties of any other Person, or all or any
     substantial portion of the Shares of Capital Stock of any other Person
     which is organized as a Corporation, or all or any substantial portion of
     any equity interest in any other Person which is not organized as a
     Corporation, or agree, become or remain liable (contingently or otherwise)
     to do any of the foregoing, except for the following (referred to herein as
     "Permitted Mergers"):

               (a) A Subsidiary of the Borrower may merge with or into or
          consolidate with, or acquire all or any substantial portion of the
          properties of, or liquidate or dissolve into, any other Subsidiary of
          the Borrower, if the acquiring, surviving or new Corporation shall be
          a Wholly Owned Subsidiary of the Borrower; and

               (b) The Borrower, or a Subsidiary of the Borrower, may make
          acquisitions of the types referred to in the foregoing clauses (y) and
          (z) of properties of Persons other than a Subsidiary of the Borrower,
          consistent with the other provisions of this Agreement and the other
          Loan Documents, provided that the aggregate Adjusted Acquisition
          Consideration in connection with all such acquisitions made after June
          29, 1995 shall not exceed the sum of $20,000,000 plus the


                                       -2-
<PAGE>   3
          amount, not less than zero, equal to (A) the aggregate amount of cash
          proceeds (net of underwriting discounts, fees and other transaction
          costs) received by the Borrower after June 29, 1995 from issuance of
          Shares of Capital Stock of the Borrower (or options or warrants
          therefor), minus (B) the aggregate amount of Stock Payments made by
          the Borrower under Section 7.06(a) hereof after June 29, 1995 (it
          being understood that Designated Stock Repurchases are not Stock
          Payments of the type referred to in this clause (B)).

          SECTION 2. EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFECT, ETC.

          (a) This Amendment shall become effective on the day on which Mellon
Bank, N.A., as Agent under each of the Revolving Credit Agreement, Term Loan
Agreement and ICV Credit Agreement, shall have received counterparts hereof duly
executed by the Borrower, "Required Lenders" and the "Agent" under the Revolving
Credit Agreement, "Required Lenders" and the "Agent" under the Term Loan
Agreement, and "Required Lenders" and the "Agent" under the ICV Credit
Agreement.

          (b) The Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement and the
ICV Credit Agreement, as amended by the letter agreement dated August 8, 1995,
the Amendment to Transaction Documents dated as of March 12, 1996, the Amendment
to Transaction Documents dated as of June 27, 1996, the Amendment to Transaction
Documents dated as of September 30, 1996, the Amendment to Transaction Documents
dated as of October 23, 1996, and as amended and modified hereby, are and shall
continue to be in full force and effect and are hereby in all respects ratified
and confirmed. Except to the extent expressly set forth herein, the execution,
delivery and effectiveness of this Amendment shall not operate as a waiver of
any right, power or remedy of any Secured Party under the Revolving Credit
Agreement, the Term Loan Agreement or the ICV Credit Agreement or constitute a
waiver of any provision of any of the foregoing.

          SECTION 3. MISCELLANEOUS. This Amendment may be executed in any number
of counterparts and by the different parties hereto in separate counterparts,
each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original
and all of which taken together shall constitute but one and the same document.
Section and other headings herein are for reference purposes only and shall not
affect the interpretation of this Amendment in any respect. This Amendment shall
be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania, without regard to choice of law rules. This Amendment constitutes
a Transaction Document and is a requested amendment within the meaning of
Sections 10.06(a) of each of the Revolving Credit Agreement, the Term Loan
Agreement and the ICV Credit Agreement.

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment to
be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized, as of the
date first above written.

                                        PRIMARK CORPORATION


                                        By /s/ Stephen H. Curran
                                           ---------------------------------
                                        Name: Stephen H. Curran
                                        Title: CFO


                                       -3-
<PAGE>   4
                                        MELLON BANK, N.A.,
                                        individually and as Agent under each of
                                        the Revolving Credit Agreement, the 
                                        Term Loan Agreement and ICV Credit 
                                        Agreement

                                        By /s/ R. JANE WESTRICH
                                           ---------------------------------
                                        Name: R. Jane Westrich
                                        Title: Vice President


CONSENTED AND AGREED:

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON

By /s/ ROBERTA F. KEELER 
   ---------------------------------
Name: Roberta F. Keeler 
Title: Vice President

NATIONSBANK, N.A.

By /s/ ELIZABETH S. DUFF 
   ---------------------------------
Name: Elizabeth S. Duff
Title: Vice President

THE ROYAL BANK OF SCOTLAND PLC

By /s/ DEREK BONNAR     
   ---------------------------------
Name: DEREK BONNAR
Title: VICE PRESIDENT

THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED

By /s/ TEIJI TERAMOTO  
   ---------------------------------
Name: TEIJI TERAMOTO
Title: Vice President & Manager

THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK

By /s/ DAVID M. NACKLEY
   ---------------------------------
Name: DAVID M. NACKLEY
Title: Vice President


                                       -4-
<PAGE>   5
FIRST AMERICAN NATIONAL BANK

By  /s/ Scott M. Bane
   ---------------------------------
Name: Scott M. Bane
Title: Senior Vice President

                                 
      
THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI, LIMITED, 
successor by merger to THE MITSUBISHI BANK, LIMITED

By /s/ Nicholas J. Campbell, Jr.
   ---------------------------------
Name: Nicholas J. Campbell, Jr.
Title: Attorney-in-Fact


                                       -5-

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    EXHIBIT 13.1

PRIMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(000s) Except Per Share Amounts For Year Ended December 31            1996           1995           1994
                                                                   ---------      ---------      ---------

<S>                                                                <C>            <C>            <C>
OPERATING REVENUES                                                  $767,125       $610,216       $469,555
                                                                    --------       --------       --------

OPERATING EXPENSES
 Cost of services                                                    457,528        361,989        272,770
 Selling, general and administrative                                 199,922        159,113        135,812
 Depreciation                                                         19,445         15,068         12,091
 Amortization of goodwill                                             13,369          9,561          6,932
 Amortization of other intangible assets                              10,540         11,642          8,429
                                                                    --------      ---------      ---------
   Total operating expenses                                          700,804        557,373        436,034
                                                                    --------      ---------      ---------
   Operating income                                                   66,321         52,843         33,521
                                                                    --------      ---------      ---------

OTHER INCOME AND (DEDUCTIONS)
 Investment income                                                     2,703            980            648
 Interest expense                                                    (20,193)       (17,467)       (10,996)
 Foreign currency gain (loss)                                          1,864         (2,620)        (1,329)
 Other                                                                (1,533)        (1,026)           334
                                                                    --------      ---------      ---------
   Total other income and (deductions)                               (17,159)       (20,133)       (11,343)
                                                                    --------      ---------      ---------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                 49,162         32,710         22,178

INCOME TAX EXPENSE                                                    21,207         14,863          9,494
                                                                    --------      ---------      ---------

INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS                                     27,955         17,847         12,684
                                                                    --------      ---------      ---------

DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (NOTE 3)
 Income from Discontinued operations, net of income tax expense 
     of $230,000, $249,000 and $273,000, respectively                    753          1,003          1,066
 Gain on disposal of discontinued operations, net of income tax
     expense of $5,407,000                                             8,400           --             --
                                                                    --------       --------       --------
 Total Discontinued Operations                                         9,153          1,003          1,066
                                                                    --------       --------       --------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY LOSS                                      37,108         18,850         13,750
                                                                    --------       --------       --------

EXTRAORDINARY LOSS ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT,
 net of income tax benefit of $288,000 (Note 6a)                        --             (534)          --
                                                                    --------       --------       --------
NET INCOME                                                            37,108         18,316         13,750
DIVIDENDS ON PREFERRED STOCK                                            (359)        (1,434)        (1,434)
                                                                    --------       --------       --------
NET INCOME APPLICABLE TO COMMON STOCK                               $ 36,749       $ 16,882       $ 12,316
                                                                    ========       ========       ========

EARNINGS PER COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE
 Income from continuing operations                                  $   1.04       $   0.80       $   0.57
                                                                    --------       --------       --------
 Discontinued operations:
   Income from Discontinued operations                                  0.03           0.05           0.05
   Gain on disposal of discontinued operations                          0.31           --             --
                                                                    --------       --------       --------
 Total discontinued operations                                          0.34           0.05           0.05
                                                                    --------       --------       --------
 Income before extraordinary loss                                       1.38           0.85           0.62
 Extraordinary loss (Note 6a)                                           --            (0.03)          --
                                                                    --------       --------       --------
   Total earnings per share                                         $   1.38       $   0.82       $   0.62
                                                                    ========       ========       ========
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON AND
      COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARES OUTSTANDING                            26,555         20,602         19,909
                                                                    ========       ========       ========
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements
are an integral part of these statements

                                      
                                      22
<PAGE>   2
PRIMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(000s) For the Year Ended December 31                                   1996           1995           1994
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
  Net income                                                          $  37,108      $  18,316      $  13,750
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
     flows from operating activities:
  Discontinued operations                                             ($  9,153)        (1,003)        (1,066)
  Change in year end of subsidiary                                        2,518           --             --
  Extraordinary loss on early extinguishment of debt                       --              534           --
    Depreciation and amortization                                        43,354         36,271         27,452
    Foreign currency transaction (gain) loss - net                       (1,864)         2,620          1,329
    Other                                                                 3,069         (5,768)           185
    Changes in assets and liabilities which provided (used) cash,
      exclusive of changes shown separately                             (10,512)        (2,760)        (2,752)
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash provided from operating activities                      64,520         48,210         38,898
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
  Issuance of short-term notes payable                                    2,598        318,601        157,898
  Repayment of short-term notes payable                                  (2,598)      (318,601)      (174,898)
  Issuance of long-term debt                                               --          125,000           --
  Common stock issuance                                                   8,264        106,528          2,032
  Debt issue costs and other                                               (711)        (7,405)          (512)
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash provided from financing activities                       7,553        224,123        (15,480)
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
  Capital expenditures                                                  (26,250)       (22,645)       (22,497)
  Capitalized software                                                  (16,916)        (6,232)        (4,372)
  Purchase of subsidiaries - net of acquired cash                       (71,084)      (199,734)        (6,106)
  Proceeds from sale of a subsidiary                                     14,300           --            6,500
  Cash from discontinued operations                                         892            402            748
  Restriction of cash to secure long-term obligations                      --             --            9,529
  Other - net                                                            (8,223)        (1,172)         2,769
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
        Net cash used for investing activities                         (107,281)      (229,381)       (13,429)
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH                                     927             57            477
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                    (34,281)        43,009         10,466
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, JANUARY 1                                     59,990         16,981          6,515
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, DECEMBER 31                                $  25,709      $  59,990      $  16,981
                                                                      =========      =========      =========
CHANGES IN ASSETS AND LIABILITIES WHICH PROVIDED (USED)
  CASH, EXCLUSIVE OF CHANGES SHOWN SEPARATELY
    Billed, unbilled and other receivables-net                        ($ 43,418)     ($ 10,949)     ($  8,141)
    Accounts payable                                                       (441)        (3,105)        (4,476)
    Federal income, property and other taxes payable-net                  3,165          1,431            612
    Other current assets and liabilities                                 22,428          7,511          5,528
    Other noncurrent assets and liabilities                               7,754          2,352          3,725
                                                                      ---------      ---------      ---------
                                                                      ($ 10,512)     ($  2,760)     ($  2,752)
                                                                      =========      =========      =========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION-CASH PAID FOR:
Income taxes, including amounts paid for discontinued operations      $  12,863      $  10,616      $   8,086
Interest                                                              $  20,664      $  20,351      $  14,503
</TABLE>


                                      23
<PAGE>   3
PRIMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(000s) At December 31                                                         1996         1995
                                                                             --------     --------
<S>                                                                          <C>          <C>
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS
  Cash and cash equivalents, at cost (which approximates market value)       $ 25,709     $ 59,990
    Billed receivables less allowance for doubtful accounts of $3,647,000 
    and $2,283,000, respectively                                              145,793      106,183
   Unbilled and other receivables                                              42,314       33,255
  Net assets of discontinued operations                                          --            632
  Other current assets                                                         19,894       14,040
                                                                             --------     --------
  Total current assets                                                        233,710      214,100
                                                                             --------     --------
DEFERRED CHARGES AND OTHER ASSETS
  Goodwill, less accumulated amortization of $41,135,000 and
   $27,330,000, respectively                                                  588,315      436,203
  Capitalized data and other intangible assets, less accumulated
   amortization of $13,935,000 and $9,308,000, respectively                    42,241       29,074
  Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of
   $11,280,000 and $5,015,000, respectively                                    35,004       20,676
  Other                                                                        11,458       11,156
                                                                             --------     --------
  Total deferred charges and other assets                                     677,018      497,109
                                                                             --------     --------
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, AT COST
  Computer equipment                                                           77,119       56,765
  Leasehold improvements                                                       29,903       23,928
  Other                                                                        17,654       16,611
                                                                             --------     --------
                                                                              124,676       97,304
  Less-Accumulated depreciation                                                56,470       41,666
                                                                             --------     --------
Net property, plant and equipment                                              68,206       55,638
                                                                             --------     --------
  Total assets                                                               $978,934     $766,847
                                                                             ========     ========

LIABILITIES AND COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES
  Accounts payable                                                           $ 31,693     $ 21,177
  Accrued employee payroll and benefits                                        38,748       30,233
  Federal income, property and other taxes payable                             19,622        9,602
  Deferred income                                                              77,364       41,940
  Current portion of long-term debt, including capital lease obligations        6,518        1,353
  Other                                                                        49,946       28,691
                                                                             --------     --------
  Total current liabilities                                                   223,891      132,996
                                                                             --------     --------
LONG-TERM DEBT AND OTHER LIABILITIES
  Long-term debt, including capital lease obligations                         241,822      238,123
  Deferred income taxes                                                        12,371       11,100
  Other                                                                        24,633       13,625
                                                                             --------     --------
    Total Long-Term Debt and other Liabilities                                278,826      262,848
                                                                             --------     --------
    Total liabilities                                                         502,717      395,844
                                                                             --------     --------
CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 8)

REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK (NOTE 9A)                                             --         16,874
                                                                             --------     --------
COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (SEE ACCOMPANYING STATEMENT)                      476,217      354,129
                                                                             --------     --------
    Total Liabilities and shareholders' equity                               $978,934     $766,847
                                                                             ========     ========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.

                                      24
<PAGE>   4
PRIMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(000s) For the Year Ended December 31                                       1996          1995            1994
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>            <C>
COMMON STOCK,
without par value-authorized 65,000,000 shares, issued 27,067,951,
24,435,968, and 19,912,668 shares, respectively, at $0.02 stated value
Balance-beginning of period                                              $     489      $     398      $     398
Purchase of subsidiary                                                          44           --             --
Conversion of preferred stock to common                                          6           --             --
Issued for employee stock purchase and option plans                              2           --             --
Issued in public offering                                                     --               91           --
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance-end of period                                                          541            489            398
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ADDITIONAL PAID-IN CAPITAL
Balance-beginning of period                                                226,005        113,696        113,545
Purchase of subsidiary                                                      59,906           --             --
Conversion of preferred stock to common-net of costs                         4,738           --             --
Tax benefit relating to stock option plans                                   3,218          4,177           --
Issued for employee stock purchase plan                                      1,296           --             --
Option exercises                                                               261          3,076           --
Gain on treasury shares                                                        581            439            151
Issued in public offering                                                     --          104,617           --
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance-end of period                                                      296,005        226,005        113,696
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RETAINED EARNINGS
Balance-beginning of period                                                141,846        124,964        112,648
Net income                                                                  37,108         18,316         13,750
Dividends on preferred stock                                                  (359)        (1,434)        (1,434)
Change in year end of subsidiaries                                             348           --             --
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance-end of period                                                      178,943        141,846        124,964
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TREASURY STOCK,
at average cost, 0; 1,119,287 and 1,392,789 shares, respectively,
 held in treasury
Balance-beginning of period                                                (14,814)       (13,145)       (14,264)
Repurchased                                                                   --           (6,944)          (764)
Conversion of preferred stock to common                                     10,878           --             --
Reissued for stock option plans                                              2,881          3,342             55
Reissued for employee stock purchase plan                                    1,055          1,933          1,828
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance-end of period                                                         --          (14,814)       (13,145)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UNEARNED COMPENSATION
Balance-beginning of period                                                   (709)        (1,674)        (2,678)
Amortization of unearned compensation                                          709            965          1,004
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance-end of period                                                         --             (709)        (1,674)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CUMULATIVE FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION ADJUSTMENT
Balance-beginning of period                                                  1,312            542         (1,515)
Translation adjustment                                                        (886)         1,224          3,070
Income tax benefit (expense) on adjustment                                     302           (454)        (1,013)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance-end of period                                                          728          1,312            542
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
TOTAL COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                        $ 476,217      $ 354,129      $ 224,781
===================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements are an integral
part of these statements.

                                      25
<PAGE>   5
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

1.  Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

a. Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Primark
Corporation and its majority-owned subsidiaries (the "Company"). All significant
intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. Investments in
companies of fifty percent or less are accounted for using the equity method.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Effective January 1996, Datastream International Limited and affiliates and
Vestek changed their year-end reporting period from November 30 to December 31.
The change was made to provide more timely information and enhance
comparability. The operating results for December 1995 were credited directly to
retained earnings. Cash flow activity for December 1995 has been reflected as a
single line item in the operating activities section of the Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior years' statements to conform
with the 1996 presentation. All of the prior periods have been restated to
separately present continuing operations and discontinued operations (Note 3).

b.  Foreign Currency Translation
The functional currency for most of the Company's foreign operations is the
applicable local currency. Foreign currency accounts are translated into U.S.
dollars using current exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date for
assets and liabilities, and weighted average monthly exchange rates during the
period for revenues and expenses. Adjustments resulting from translating foreign
functional currency financial statements into U.S. dollars are reported as a
separate component of shareholders' equity. Gains and losses resulting from
transactions and certain balance sheet accounts denominated in currencies other
than the applicable functional currency are included in income. The net effect
of changes in cash are separately identified in the consolidated statement of
cash flows.

c.  Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company enters into currency exchange and interest rate swap agreements to
minimize interest rate and foreign exchange risk. Gains and losses related to
qualifying accounting hedges of firm commitments are deferred and recognized in
income when the hedged transaction occurs. Gains and losses from financial
instruments which do not qualify for hedge accounting are marked to market and
recognized as a gain or loss in the current period. The Company does not hold or
issue derivative financial instruments for trading purposes.

d.  Revenue Recognition
Revenue derived from subscription contracts are generally billed in advance of
services provided. Amounts billed in advance are recorded to deferred income and
recognized ratably over the period in which services are performed. Revenues
under cost reimbursement type contracts are recorded as work is performed.
Revenues derived from fixed-price contracts are recorded using the
percentage-of-completion method measured by costs incurred to date to estimated
total costs for each contract. Revenues derived from time and materials
contracts are recorded at contractual rates as work is performed and costs are
incurred. Revisions in estimates of costs and profits related to contracts are
reflected in income currently. Provisions for estimated losses on contracts are
recorded to income when identified.

e.  Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents represent cash and short-term, highly liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or less.

f.  Goodwill
Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of net
identifiable assets acquired and is amortized over the estimated useful lives
ranging from 20 to 40 years. The Company evaluates the net carrying value of all
long-lived assets, including intangibles and goodwill, for recoverability based
upon the undiscounted future cash flows associated with these assets. Management
believes there have been no impairments of these assets.

g.  Capitalized Software
Costs related to the conceptual formulation and design of software are expensed
as incurred. Costs incurred subsequent to establishment of technological
feasibility are capitalized and amortized over periods ranging from 3 to 5
years. Costs to support or service software are expensed as incurred.

                                      26
<PAGE>   6
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

h.  Capitalized Data and Other Intangible Assets
Costs incurred to update and maintain the Company's database assets are expensed
as incurred. Costs associated with the purchase of historical data not currently
part of the Company's database assets, as well as the cost of initiating a new
database product, are capitalized. Other intangible assets and liabilities
consist of non-compete covenants, trademarks and unfavorable lease commitments.
Data and other intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods
ranging from 3 to 20 years.

i.  Property and Equipment
Computer equipment and other property are recorded at cost and depreciated on a
straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives, ranging from 3 to 10
years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the remaining
life of the lease or the estimated useful life of the improvement.

j.  Income Taxes
Income tax expense is based on reported earnings before income taxes. Deferred
income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between assets and
liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and such amounts
recognized for tax purposes. Deferred tax balances are adjusted to reflect
changes in tax rates expected to be in effect during the periods in which the
temporary differences reverse. As temporary differences reverse, the related
deferrals are recorded to income.

k.  Earnings Per Share
Earnings per share is computed by dividing income after deduction of preferred
stock dividends by the weighted average number of common and common equivalent
shares outstanding during the applicable periods.

Common equivalent shares result from the assumed exercise of outstanding stock
options, reduced by the number of shares that could be purchased from the
proceeds of such exercise at the average market price of the Company's common
stock. Common equivalent shares of 1,742,000, 1,452,000 and 1,399,000 shares
were included in the computation of earnings per share amounts for the years
ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively. Earnings per share
assuming full dilution have not been disclosed for any year presented as they do
not materially differ from primary earnings per share.

l.  Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 123, "Accounting for
Stock-Based Compensation," encourages, but does not require companies to record
compensation cost for stock-based employee compensation plans at fair value. The
Company has chosen to continue to account for stock-based compensation using the
intrinsic value method prescribed in Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," and related Interpretations. See
Note 9 for the disclosures required by SFAS 123.

2.  Acquisitions

During the three years ending December 31, 1996, the Company made the
acquisitions set forth below, each of which has been accounted for as a
purchase. Accordingly, the purchase price has been allocated to the identifiable
net assets acquired. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair
value of net assets acquired has been allocated to goodwill and is amortized on
a straight line basis over periods ranging from 20 to 40 years. Future
adjustments to the total purchase price allocation, if any, are not expected to
materially affect the Company's finacial statement. The consolidated financial 
statements include the operating results of each business from the date of 
acquisition.

a. Fiscal 1996--Summary of Acquisition Costs
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              ICV      Worldscope   The Yankee       DAFSA
(000s)                                                                 Group
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                           <C>            <C>          <C>           <C>
Cash                                          $ 40,316       $5,000       $31,000      $ 9,000
Stock Issued                                    59,950         --            --           --
Notes Issued                                     8,250         --            --           --
Receivable Forgiven                               --          3,889          --           --
Accounts Payable                                  --           --           2,740         --
Acquisition Fees                                 3,737         --              94          199
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Consideration                           $112,253       $8,889       $33,834      $ 9,199
Acquired Cash                                  (16,309)        (353)       (1,600)        --
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Consideration                             $ 95,944       $8,536       $32,234      $ 9,199
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net Excess of Purchase Price over Fair Value  $112,927       $4,406       $29,696      $13,563
</TABLE>

ICV

On October 24, 1996, the Company acquired all the outstanding stock of ICV
Limited. The purchase price, excluding fees, consisted of $24,007,000 in net
cash, 2,200,000 shares of Primark common stock at a $27.25 market value and
$8,250,000 in six year notes (the "Notes"), issued by the Company to the
sellers. The Notes, which are supported by a bank credit agreement (Note 6b),
require interest to be paid at LIBOR adjusted quarterly. ICV supplies a variety
of real-time data and news products to equity traders and investors in London
and throughout the United Kingdom.
  
                                      27
<PAGE>   7
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Worldscope

On October 15, 1996, the Company acquired an additional 30% ownership interest
in Worldscope for $5,000,000, giving Primark a controlling ownership interest of
80%. Prior to the transaction, Worldscope was a 50% partnership accounted for
under the equity method. In connection with the transaction, Primark and the
previous 50% owner each forgave working capital advances equal to $3,889,000.
Beginning October 15, 1997, the sellers of Worldscope have the option to sell
their remaining 20% ownership to Primark, in increments of not less than 5%.
As of October 15, 2006, Primark has the right to purchase an
additional 15% of Worldscope.

The Yankee Group

On August 9, 1996, the company acquired Yankee Group Research, Inc. (the "Yankee
Group"), pursuant to the terms of a stock purchase agreement by and between the
Company and the shareholders of the Yankee Group. The purchase price included a
cash payment of $31,000,000 on August 9, 1996, a guaranteed payment of
$2,740,000 on the second anniversary of the closing, and future contingent
payments ranging from $0 to a maximum of $31,000,000. Of the contingent payout
amounts, $4,260,000 will be paid in 1997 if certain 1996 revenue and operating
income results are achieved; the remainder, if any, is payable at the end of the
three year contingency period. Future contingent payments, if any, will be
recorded to goodwill when incurred. The Yankee Group provides market research
on telecommunications and computer systems.

DAFSA

On June 18, 1996, Datastream International (France) S.A. acquired all of the
outstanding shares of Groupe DAFSA for $9,000,000 in cash. DAFSA supplies
company account information on all listed companies in France and ownership
information on French companies through print and CD-ROM. DAFSA produces annual
sector analysis and reports and provides independent research coverage and
earnings estimates on major French companies.

b.  Fiscal 1995
Disclosure

On June 29, 1995, the Company acquired the entire equity interest of Disclosure
Incorporated and certain of its affiliates including I/B/E/S International, Inc.
and a 50% ownership of Worldscope for a total purchase price of $200,000,000 in
cash. The Company obtained $215,000,000 of external financing, of which
$185,000,000 was used to finance the cash consideration paid in the acquisition.
The Company incurred fees of approximately $6,076,000 associated with the
acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of
total net assets acquired of approximately $193,713,000 was recorded to
goodwill. Disclosure is a provider of "as reported" and abstracted financial
information, primarily derived from Securities and Exchange Commission filings
and supplemented with information from companies, stock exchanges and other
sources, both in the United States and worldwide. I/B/E/S is a source of
earnings estimates for investors, financial institutions and portfolio managers
on a global basis.

The following unaudited pro forma financial information reflects the
consolidated results of operations of the Company for the years ended December
31, 1996 and 1995 as though the acquisitions had occurred on January 1 of the
respective year. This information has been prepared for comparative purposes
only and does not necessarily represent actual operating results that may be
achieved in the future or that would have occurred had the acquisitions been
consummated on January 1, 1995 or 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(000s) except Earnings Per Share                      1996         1995
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>          <C>
Operating revenues                                  $819,762     $728,713
Income from continuing operations                   $ 26,843     $ 11,742
Net income applicable to common stock               $ 35,637     $ 10,777
Earnings per share from continuing operations       $   0.94     $   0.45
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

c.  Fiscal 1994
Vestek
On June 30, 1994, the Company acquired all of the assets and assumed
substantially all of the liabilities of Vestek Systems, Inc. for a total
purchase price of approximately $6,900,000 in cash. Approximately $6,000,000 was
recorded as goodwill. Vestek is a provider of financial information services and
investment software.

                                      28
<PAGE>   8
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

3.  Dispositions and Other Charges

On September 30, 1996, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding stock
of Primark Storage Leasing Corporation ("PSLC"), for $14,300,000 in cash. The
disposal of PSLC resulted in an after-tax gain of approximately $8,400,000 and
eliminated $28,700,000 of non-recourse debt from the Company's balance sheet.
The purchaser has agreed to indemnify the Company from and against all expenses
and liabilities that Primark may incur with respect to any adverse environmental
condition relating to PSLC's natural gas storage fields. 

The results of PSLC's operations have been reported separately as a component
of discontinued operations. Prior year consolidated financial statements have
been restated to present the PSLC business as a discontinued operation.

In July 1994, the Company restructured two promissory notes received in
connection with the August 1993 sale of Westmark. The Company agreed to cancel
the notes with a remaining value of $2,195,000 in exchange for a $500,000 cash
payment, 400,000 shares of Network Financial Services, Inc. common stock and a
full release from all indemnity obligations given in connection with the
Westmark sale. On June 30, 1994, the Company recorded a pre-tax charge of
$1,251,000 reflecting the write-off of these notes. The loss has been recorded
to continuing operations in other deductions, as the revaluation of these notes
occurred subsequent to the disposal date.
        
On May 20, 1994, the Company sold all of the issued and outstanding common stock
of Wellmark Incorporated for $6,500,000 in cash. The sale resulted in a pre-tax
gain of $1,781,000 which has been included in other income for 1994. The sale
represented a disposal of a portion of the Company's information services
business segment. Accordingly, Wellmark's operating results through the date of
disposal, along with the gain resulting therefrom, have been included as part of
income from continuing operations.

4. Unbilled Receivables

Unbilled receivables represent recoverable costs and accrued profit not billed
to customers that will be billed on the basis of contractual terms and delivery
schedules. At December 31, 1996 and 1995, U.S. Government unbilled receivables
included a retainage of $5,126,000 and $4,418,000 respectively. Of the retainage
amount at December 31, 1996, $3,083,000 is expected to be collected after one
year, subject to government audit and approval. All other unbilled receivables
are due within one year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
December 31 (000s)                       1996            1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>             <C>
U.S.Government                          $21,230         $19,536
Commercial                               19,678          11,347
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
Total unbilled receivables              $40,908         $30,883
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

5. Leases

The Company leases a variety of assets principally under noncancellable
operating lease agreements, including office facilities, real property, computer
and office equipment, and heavy aircraft maintenance facilities and related
equipment. There leases expire at various dates through 2021.

Certain of TASC's office facilities are leased from a related party under
operating leases which expire through the year 2006. Rent expenses under these
leases were $3,756,000, $3,750,000, and $3,708,000 for the years ended 1996,
1995, and 1994, respectively. Estimated future minimum commitments under
noncancellable leases are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                                                     <C>            <C>
1997                                                    $1,707         $ 33,633
1998                                                     1,155           28,037
1999                                                       402           21,023
2000                                                       277           18,478
2001                                                       139           15,954
Thereafter                                                   -          100,672
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total minimum lease payments                             3,680         $217,797
                                                                       --------
Amounts representing interest and other                   (349)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------
Present Value of net minimum payments                    3,331
Current portion                                         (1,394)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term obligations                                   $1,937
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      29
<PAGE>   9
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

Total rent expense for all operating leases, including TASC's related party
rentals, was $33,953,000, $27,524,000, and $20,982,000 (net of sublease rental
of $290,000, $250,000, and $1,023,000) for the years ended December 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994, respectively. 

6.  Short-Term and Long-Term Debt

a.  Short-Term Debt
Information relative to short-term bank borrowings of the Company is shown
below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(000s)                                               1996        1995         1994
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>   
Outstanding borrowings at December 31              $   --       $   --       $   --
Available for future borrowings at December 31     $74,650      $75,000      $75,000
Weighted average effective interest rate on
average bank borrowings                                8.3%         8.0%         6.1%
Aggregate borrowings outstanding:
Maximum outstanding                                $ 1,871      $64,324      $21,858
Average outstanding during the year                $    17      $22,661      $ 6,653
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

On June 29, 1995, the Company entered into a $75,000,000 revolving credit
facility (the "Credit Facility") to replace a credit agreement due to expire in
1996. As a result of entering into this facility, the Company recognized an
extraordinary after-tax loss of $534,000 for the write-off of unamortized debt
issue costs. The Credit Facility expires on October 15, 2000. Interest on
outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility is based upon performance
pricing and was payable at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.50% above the current
prevailing LIBOR rate during 1996; or, at the Company's option, at 0.50% above
the prime rate of interest. Commitment fees are payable quarterly at a rate of
0.375% per annum on the average daily unused portion of the facility. The Credit
Facility contains various restrictive covenants which, among other things,
require the Company to maintain certain minimum levels of consolidated net worth
and specific consolidated liquidity and long-term solvency ratios. The Credit
Facility is secured by a pledge of the outstanding common stock of certain of   
Primark's subsidiaries.

On June 29, 1995, TASC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Primark, entered into a
$15,000,000 unsecured Loan Agreement (the "Loan") due June 28, 1996 in
connection with the Company's acquisition of Disclosure. Interest of
approximately 7.625% was charged on outstanding borrowings under the Loan. On
December 6, 1995, the Loan was retired through proceeds received from the
Company's issuance of common stock (Note 9a).

b.  Long-Term Debt

The Company's outstanding long-term debt, including capital lease obligations,
are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31 (000s)                                    1996                1995
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>                 <C>
Primark 8.75% Senior Notes $112,000,000 due 2000  $111,291            $111,140
Primark bank Term Loan due through 2002            125,000             125,000
Notes to Sellers                                     8,250                   -
Capital lease obligations and other                  3,799               3,336
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total debt and capital lease obligations           248,340             239,476
Less-current maturities                              6,518               1,353
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations      $241,822            $238,123
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Required principal payments on long-term debt and notes payable over the next
five years, excluding the Senior Notes and capital lease and other obligations,
are $5,000,000 in 1997, $15,000,000 in 1998, $20,000,000 in 1999, $30,000,000 
in 2000, and $35,000,000 in 2001.

Primark's 8.75% Senior Notes due 2000 ("Senior Notes") are carried at their
principal amount due at maturity less unamortized discount. Interest on the
Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on April 15 and October 15. The Senior
Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company, contain no mandatory sinking
fund or redemption requirements, and are redeemable in whole or in part at the
option of the Company, on or after October 15, 1997 at redemption prices ranging
from 104.375% in 1997 to 100.00% in 1999 and thereafter, plus accrued interest.
Under certain circumstances, the Company may redeem up to 35% of the originally
issued principal amount of the Senior Notes prior to October 15, 1997, at a
price of 109.00% plus accrued interest. The Indenture pursuant to which the
Senior Notes were issued contains various restrictive covenants. Under the most
restrictive covenants, the Company is restricted from paying cash dividends on
its common stock, repurchasing its common stock or making certain other payments
which, in the aggregate, exceed the sum of: (i) $10,000,000; (ii) 50% of the
Company's consolidated net income (cumulative from the date of issuance of the
Senior Notes); plus (iii) 100% of the net proceeds received from sales of the
Company's common stock for cash.

On June 29, 1995, the Company entered into a $125,000,000 Term Loan Agreement
(the "Term Loan") due June 30, 2002. Principal payments are due semi-annually
commencing on December 31, 1997. 


                                      30
<PAGE>   10
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


Interest on outstanding borrowings under the Term Loan was payable at rates
ranging from 1.25% to 2.00% above the current prevailing LIBOR rate of interest
for 1996; or, at the Company's option, at 0.75% above the prime rate of
interest. The Term Loan contains various restrictive covenants which, among
other things, require the Company to maintain certain minimum levels of
consolidated net worth and specific consolidated liquidity and long-term
solvency ratios. The Term Loan is secured by a pledge of the outstanding
common stock of certain of the Company's subsidiaries.

On October 24, 1996, the Company entered into five loan note agreements totaling
$8,250,000 in connection with the purchase of ICV (Note 2). The Notes are due
October 24, 2002. Interest on the Notes is payable quarterly at the current
prevailing LIBOR rate. In connection with the Notes, the Company entered into a
$10,250,000 Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") due November 15, 2002.
Pursuant to the terms of such Credit Agreement, standby letters of credit were
to provide credit enhancement for the payment of the Notes. Interest on
outstanding borrowings under the Credit Agreement is based upon performance
pricing and payable at 1.50% during 1996. Letter of Credit fees are based upon
performance pricing and payable quarterly at a rate of 0.25% per annum on the
average daily unused portion of the facility. As of December 31, 1996, the
Company had no outstanding borrowing under the Credit Agreement.

Deferred debt issue costs are amortized over the terms of the related debt,
ranging from 3 to 18 years.

7.  Financial Instruments

a.  Foreign Exchange Risk Management

The Company enters into forward exchange contracts and purchases currency
options to reduce the exposure of foreign currency fluctuations associated with
certain firm commitments and anticipated cash flows. The Company's principal
strategy is to protect the net cash flow from foreign customers' contracts. As
these contracts are typically under two years in length, most of the derivative
financial instruments are similarly two years or less in duration. The Company
principally enters into contracts to deliver foreign currencies for U.S. dollars
at agreed-upon exchange rates. Other contracts include the purchase of British
pounds for U.S. dollars. Counterparties to these agreements are major
international financial institutions.

The tables below illustrate the U.S. dollar equivalent of foreign exchange
contracts at December 31, 1996 and 1995 along with unrecorded gross unrealized
gains and losses.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31 (000s)                                        1996
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Notional   Gross Unrealized  Gross Unrealized
                                     Amount     Gains Deferred   Losses Deferred
<S>                                 <C>            <C>             <C>   
FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS:
Japanese Yen                        $ 2,593        $120            $  (7)

U.S. Dollars/U.K. Pound Sterling      3,956           -              (43)

Deutsche Mark                         3,804          17                 -
Swiss Franc                           2,451          90                 -
French Franc                          1,452           5               (1)
Swedish Krona                         4,432          53              (11)
Other                                 5,460          26              (35)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    $24,148        $311            $( 97)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPTION CONTRACTS:
Japanese Yen                        $ 3,657        $126            $    -
U.S. Dollars/U.K. Pound Sterling        795         216                 -
Deutsche Mark                         6,931          94                 -
Swiss Franc                           4,962         167                 -
French Franc                          3,402          40                 -
Other                                 2,816          16              (16)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    $22,563        $659           ($  16)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31 (000s)                                       1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   Notional  Gross Unrealized   Gross Unrealized
                                     Amount    Gains Deferred    Losses Deferred
<S>                                 <C>                  <C>              <C>  
FORWARD EXCHANGE CONTRACTS:
Japanese Yen                        $ 5,199              $495             $   -
Deutsche Mark/Sterling                2,986                 -                 -
Deutsche Mark                         4,836               161              (133)
Swiss Franc                           3,798               165               (66)
French Franc                          2,827                41               (44)
Other                                     -                 -                 -
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    $19,646              $862             $(243)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
OPTION CONTRACTS:
Japanese Yen                           $876              $ 53             $ -
Deutsche Mark/Sterling                2,800                 -               (13)
Deutsche Mark                         4,136                 2               (24)
Swiss Franc                           3,582                 -               (26)
French Franc                          2,830                 -               (22)
Other                                   726                 4                (1)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    $14,950              $ 59             $ (86)
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>                                   

                                      31
<PAGE>   11
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


b.  Interest Rate Swap Agreement

On August 1, 1995, the Company entered into an interest rate swap agreement with
a major bank, having a notional principal amount of $18,333,000. The swap
agreement effectively changed the interest rate of a portion of Primark's
long-term debt from a floating rate to a 6.1% fixed rate. This swap agreement
expires in December of 1999. As of December 31, 1996, the notional principal
amount outstanding was $15,000,000. Though the Company is exposed to credit and
market risk in the event of future non-performance by the bank, management does
not anticipate that such an event will occur.

c.  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

The carrying and estimated fair value of certain of the Company's financial
instruments are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   CARRYING VALUE          ESTIMATED FAIR VALUE

December 31 (000s)               1996          1995         1996          1995
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                            <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>      
Forwards                       $  1,301     $    109     $  1,515     $     728
Options                        $    343     $    335     $    986     $     308
Interest rate swaps            $   --       $   --       $    (45)    $    (298)
8.75% Senior Notes             $111,291     $111,140     $114,100     $ 114,800
Redeemable preferred stock     $   --       $ 16,874     $    --      $  34,928
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Estimated fair values of these financial instruments at December 31, 1996 and
1995 were based upon quotes obtained from investment and commercial bankers
using comparable securities. The fair values of currency forward contracts and
purchased currency options were estimated based on quoted market prices of
contracts with similar terms. Other financial instruments have been excluded as
their carrying value approximates their market value.

8.  Contingencies

On June 24, 1994, a jury in a civil case in the Massachusetts Superior Court
(the "Court") returned an unfavorable verdict against the two founders of TASC,
and against TASC itself. The suit was brought by a former employee regarding a
TASC stock transaction that took place in 1976, prior to the Company's
acquisition of TASC in 1991. On June 28, 1994, the Court ordered that judgment
be entered on the verdict requiring the two founders (but not TASC itself) to
disgorge $19,800,000. Such amount accrues post-judgment interest at a statutory
rate. As an alternative course of action, the plaintiff may pursue the two
founders and TASC, jointly and severally, for $48,600. 

Based on the adjudication, the Company has denied requests of the two founders
for indemnification. Certain post-verdict motions, including a motion for
judgment notwithstanding the verdict, and in the alternative, a motion for a
new trial, are pending. While the outcome of these motions cannot be predicted
with certainty, the Company believes it will not be required to pay any portion
of this judgment.

The Company and its subsidiaries are involved in certain other administrative
proceedings and matters concerning issues arising in the ordinary course of
business. Management cannot predict the final disposition of such issues, but
believes that adequate provision has been made for the probable losses and the
ultimate resolution of these proceedings will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial condition, results of operations or financial
liquidity.

9.  Shareholders' Equity

a.  Common Stock

On October 24, 1996, the Company issued 2,200,000 shares of its common stock as
part of the purchase price for ICV Limited. These shares, which are subject to a
one year sale restriction, are expected to be registered on or before October
24, 1997 at the Company's expense.

On May 2, 1996, the Company received notification to convert the total
outstanding shares of Primark Series A, 8.5% Cumulative Convertible Preferred
Stock into shares of Primark common stock. The 674,943 preferred shares plus
accrued and unpaid dividends were converted into 1,164,276 shares of Primark
common stock based upon the stated conversion rate of $14.49. The preferred
shares were held entirely by the Profit Sharing and Stock Ownership Plan of
TASC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. 

                                      32
<PAGE>   12
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

On December 5, 1995, the Company completed an equity offering in which it sold
4,068,200 shares of its common stock and offered an additional 288,000 shares
for certain selling shareholders. The sale of common stock together with option
proceeds related to the selling shareholders provided the Company $107,784,000,
net of commissions and expenses. A portion of the proceeds were used to pay down
the outstanding balance of $48,166,000 on the Company's revolving credit
agreement and to prepay the $15,000,000 TASC Loan (Note 6a). 

Changes in the number of shares of the Company's common stock are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31                            1996            1995             1994
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>              <C>              <C>
COMMON STOCK ISSUED                27,067,951       24,435,968       19,912,668
COMMON STOCK HELD IN TREASURY:
Balance - beginning of period      (1,119,287)      (1,392,789)      (1,534,463)
Treasury shares acquired                 --           (279,154)         (61,030)
Treasury shares reissued:
Employee stock purchase plan           79,683          203,647          196,617
Exercise of Stock Options             217,715          349,009            6,087
Conversion of Preferred Stock         821,889             --               --
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance - end of period                  --         (1,119,287)      (1,392,789)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING           27,067,951       23,316,681       18,519,879
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

In November 1993, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of
up to 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock from time to time through
open market and/or privately negotiated transactions. During 1994, the Company
repurchased 61,030 shares of its outstanding common stock in the open market.
During 1995, shares of the Company's common stock were delivered to satisfy the
exercise price of stock options and shares were withheld from the exercise of
stock options to satisfy the related tax withholding requirements.

The Company's Rights Agreement is designed to deter coercive or unfair takeover
tactics, and to prevent a buyer from gaining control of the Company without
offering a fair price to all of its shareholders. The Rights Agreement, which
expires on January 25, 1998, generally becomes effective when an "Acquiring
Person" (as defined in the agreement) beneficially owns 20% or more of the
outstanding shares of Primark's common stock. In general, upon a "Triggering
Event" (as defined in the agreement), each share of Primark's Common Stock
carries the right to convert the corresponding "Attached Rights" (as defined in
the agreement) into one share of common stock at a specified price. At December
31, 1996, common stock reserved for issuance under the Rights Agreement was
27,067,951 shares.

b.  Employee Stock Ownership and Profit Sharing Plans

Effective January 1, 1997 the Primark Corporation Employee Stock Ownership Plan
was renamed the Primark Corporation Savings and Stock Ownership Plan and revised
to provide for 401(K) contributions, employer matching contributions and certain
other changes. The plan, which covers all employees of Primark and certain
subsidiaries, was pre-funded in 1989 with 965,000 shares of the Company's common
stock which have been allocated to participants, based upon a percentage of
compensation, through 1996. No contributions were made to this plan during 1996.

TASC's Profit Sharing and Stock Ownership Plan covers substantially all of its
employees. Employer contributions primarily are determined by TASC's Board of
Directors at amounts not exceeding the maximum amount deductible for Federal
income tax purposes. Contributions to this plan were $11,214,000, $10,625,000,
and $9,680,000 for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994,
respectively.

c. Employee Stock Purchase and Stock Option Plan

Established in 1992, the Primark Corporation Employee Stock Purchase Plan is
available for all employees of Primark and certain subsidiaries. Under this
plan, employees may purchase, through periodic payroll deductions, up to a
maximum of 1,000,000 shares of the Company's common stock at 85% of the lower of
the average market price of such shares either at the beginning or end of each
six month offering period.

The Primark Corporation 1992 Stock Option Plan provides for the granting of
options to purchase common stock to officers and certain key employees of
Primark and its subsidiaries. The Primark Corporation Stock Option Plan for
Non-Employee Directors provides for the granting of options to purchase shares
of common stock to each director who is not an employee. Generally, options
outstanding under the Company's stock option plans: (i) are granted at prices
equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of grant, (ii) vest
within a five year period, and (iii) expire ten years subsequent to award.

                                      33
<PAGE>   13
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


Changes in the number of shares under options granted under the Company's
various stock option plans are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                1996                            1995                          1994
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    WEIGHTED                        Weighted                       Weighted
                                                    AVERAGE                         Average                        Average
                                                    EXERCISE                        Exercise                       Exercise
                                     SHARES           PRICE           Shares          Price           Shares        Price
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                 <C>            <C>            <C>              <C>            <C>              <C>    
Outstanding at January 1            4,213,718      $   10.07      4,351,285        $    8.75      3,627,360        $  7.94
Granted                               464,932          34.38        683,786            16.31        798,000          13.25
Exercised                            (251,068)         10.00       (804,109)            8.18         (6,087)         10.60
Canceled                              (51,717)         23.09        (17,244)           11.78        (67,988)         12.52
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outstanding at December 31          4,375,865      $   12.51      4,213,718        $   10.07      4,351,285        $  8.75
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Available for future grant at
December 31                           687,560                       675,331                         993,123
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

Stock options available for grant in any one year under Primark Corporation's
1992 Stock Option Plan may not exceed 1.5% of the Company's outstanding common
stock as of January 1 of each year, plus any excess of available stock options
not granted from previous years. Accordingly, stock options available for grant
at December 31, 1996 included 427,612 stock options that are available for grant
during 1997 under Primark Corporation's 1992 Stock Option Plan.

The following table sets forth information regarding options outstanding at
December 31, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Options Outstanding                         Options Exercisable
                   ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Range of                  Number           Weighted         Weighted           Number          Weighted
Exercise Prices          Outstanding at      Average           Average       Exercisable at      Average
                           12/31/96       Remaining Life   Exercise Price       12/31/96      Exercise Price
- - -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<C>                           <C>                   <C>            <C>            <C>               <C>   
$  4.51-$7.63                 1,530,784             1.22           $ 4.70         1,530,784         $ 4.70
$ 8.38-$12.13                   851,514             5.08           $11.20           844,749         $11.20
$12.75-$13.50                   774,200             6.80           $13.36           466,717         $13.28
$14.00-$25.25                   771,451             7.84           $15.99           449,785         $15.27
$26.00-$39.75                   447,916             9.39           $34.18           140,500         $38.94
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$ 4.51-$39.75                 4,375,865             4.96           $12.51         3,432,535         $10.25
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The fair value of options on their grant date, including the valuation of the
option feature implicit in the Company's stock purchase plan, was measured using
the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of options on their grant
date and key assumptions used to apply this model are shown below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31                                   1996                  1995
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>                  <C>           
Grant date fair value                            $13.49                $7.12
Range of risk-free interest rates         5.03% TO 6.79%       5.77% to 7.59%
Range of expected life of option grants    4 TO 9 YEARS         4 to 9 years
Expected volatility of underlying stock            30.9%                30.9%
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

It should be noted that the option pricing model used was designed to value
readily tradable stock options with relatively short lives. The options granted
to employees are not tradable and have contractual lives of up to ten years.
However, management believes that the assumptions used and the model applied to
value the awards yields a reasonable estimate of the fair value of the grants
made under the circumstances.

The Company uses the intrinsic value method to measure compensation expense
associated with grants of stock options to employees. Had compensation cost been
determined based upon the fair value at the grant date for awards under these
plans, reported net income and earnings per share would have been as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31 (000s except per share data)          1996                   1995
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>                   <C>    
Net income                                       $33,428               $16,360
Net income applicable to common stock            $33,069               $14,926
Earnings per share                               $  1.25               $  0.72
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The effects of applying SFAS 123 in this pro forma disclosure include only the
effects of grants made subsequent to January 1, 1995 and, accordingly, are not 
indicative of future amounts. 

                                      34
<PAGE>   14
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


10. Income Taxes
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31 (000s)                                              1996              1995              1994
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                         <C>               <C>               <C>
FEDERAL AND OTHER INCOME TAXES CONSISTED OF:
Current provision                                           $ 22,205          $ 14,198          $ 11,847
Deferred provision (benefit) - net                              (998)              665            (2,353)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Federal and other income tax expense                  $ 21,207          $ 14,863          $  9,494
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
RECONCILIATION BETWEEN STATUTORY AND ACTUAL
INCOME TAXES:
Income from continuing operations                           $ 27,955          $ 17,847          $ 12,684
Income tax expense                                          $ 21,207            14,863             9,494
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Book pretax income                                          $ 49,162          $ 32,710          $ 22,178
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Statutory Federal income taxes at a rate of 35%             $ 17,207          $ 11,449             7,762
Adjustments to Federal income taxes:
Amortization of goodwill                                       4,337             3,110             2,361
State income taxes - net                                       1,696               893                24
Effect of foreign tax rates                                     (335)              (99)              (27)
Adjustment of Federal income taxes provided for in
prior years                                                   (1,101)             (205)             (419)
Other - net                                                     (597)             (285)             (207)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Federal and other income tax expense                  $ 21,207          $ 14,863          $  9,494
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The 1996 adjustment of Federal income taxes provided in prior years is primarily
the result of the company settling seven open tax years at lower than
anticipated levels.

Gross deferred income tax liabilities and benefits comprising the Company's net
deferred income tax liability are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31 (000s)                            1996                1995
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>                   <C>    
Deferred income tax liability               $27,767             $22,140
Deferred tax asset                          (13,488)             (9,208)
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred income tax liability            14,279              12,932
Current liability                             1,908               1,832
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Non-current liability                       $12,371             $11,100
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

The tax effects of significant temporary differences which gave rise to the 
net deferred income tax liability are shown below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31 (000s)                             1996                       1995
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                        <C>                         <C>    
Intangible assets                           $10,003                    $ 7,370
Unbilled receivables                          8,968                      7,567
Property, plant and equipment                   777                      1,178
Unearned ESOP compensation                       (2)                       248
Accruals not currently deductible            (2,272)                    (1,817)
Accrued vacation                             (2,326)                    (2,260)
Other                                          (869)                       646
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred income tax liability           $14,279                    $12,932
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

11.  Segment and Geographic Information

The Company primarily operates in the information services industry. Information
services are comprised of two major classes, applied technology and financial
information, which provide services and related products principally in the
United States and the United Kingdom. Most of Primark's international sales are
generated through its affiliated operation structure, which is located
throughout Europe, Asia and the United States. The Company is also engaged in
the transportation services industry as a provider of heavy aircraft
maintenance.

                                      35
<PAGE>   15
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


The Company's operations by industry segment and geographic region are presented
in the following table on a stand-alone basis. Information presented includes
acquired companies from their respective dates of acquisition (Note 2), and has
been restated to exclude discontinued operations (Note 3).
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
INDUSTRY SEGMENTS    (000s)                         1996          1995          1994
- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>           <C>
Operating Revenues:  Information Services (1)
                        Applied Technology        $391,440      $346,204      $312,251
                        Financial Information      269,323       184,776       110,942
                     Transportation Services       106,362        79,236        46,362
                     Corporate & Other (2)            --            --            --
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Consolidated              $767,125      $610,216      $469,555
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation &       Information Services
Amortization:           Applied Technology          $9,516        $9,430        $8,328
                        Financial Information       30,865        24,548        17,241
                     Transportation Services         1,204           952           622
                     Corporate & Other (2)           1,769         1,341         1,261
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Consolidated               $43,354       $36,271       $27,452
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income     Information Services
(Loss):                 Applied Technology         $33,547       $25,945       $24,281
                        Financial Information       33,435        26,901        12,423
                     Transportation Services         6,178         6,012         3,016
                     Corporate & Other (2)          (6,839)       (6,015)       (6,199)
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Consolidated               $66,321       $52,843       $33,521
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable Assets: Information Services
                        Applied Technology        $234,171      $193,584      $194,372
                        Financial Information      609,917       480,341       240,538
                     Transportation Services        47,640        39,197        14,514
                     Corporate & Other (2)          87,206        53,725        18,745
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Consolidated              $978,934      $766,847      $468,169
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital Expenditures: Information Services
                        Applied Technology          $4,137        $5,376        $7,314
                        Financial Information       18,721         9,038         9,458
                     Transportation Services         2,760         7,466         4,418
                     Corporate & Other (2)             632           765         1,307
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                        Consolidated               $26,250       $22,645       $22,497
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GEOGRAPHIC REGIONS (000S)                           1996           1995          1994
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                              <C>           <C>            <C>
Operating Revenues:  Domestic                     $603,908      $483,912      $368,554
                     United Kingdom                119,600        97,094        76,441
                     Other International            82,328        62,831        45,933
                     Affiliate Transfers (3)       (38,711)      (33,621)      (21,373)
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Consolidated                 $767,125      $610,216      $469,555
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating Income:    Domestic                      $42,147       $30,309       $16,727
                     United Kingdom                 21,441        17,130        12,662
                     Other International             2,733         5,404         4,132
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Consolidated                  $66,321       $52,843       $33,521
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable Assets: Domestic                     $562,048      $556,146      $260,903
                     United Kingdom                353,098       163,647       176,100
                     Other International            63,788        47,054        31,166
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                     Consolidated                 $978,934      $766,847      $468,169
 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)      Information services provided to the U.S. Government accounted for
         $336,579,000 (44%), $300,566,000 (49%), and $273,541,000 (58%) of total
         operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and
         1994, respectively.

(2)      Corporate and other includes corporate accounts, eliminations and
         reclassifications, as well as the net assets of discontinued
         operations.

(3)      Affiliate transfers represent service fees received by Datastream's
         United Kingdom operation from its international affiliates.


                                      36
<PAGE>   16
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


12. Subsequent Events

a. Acquisitions

Baseline
On January 6, 1997, the Company purchased all of the outstanding stock of
Baseline for $40.7 million in cash. Baseline generated revenues estimated at
$12.8 million for the twelve months ended October 31, 1996. Headquartered in
New York City, Baseline has an office in Philadelphia and employs approximately
80 people. Baseline provides institutional investors with visual valuation
graphics which portray financial market information to institutional accounts
throughout the U.S., Canada and the United Kingdom.

WEFA
On February 7, 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding stock of WEFA
Holdings, Inc. ("WEFA") for $45.0 million in cash. WEFA generated an estimated
$28.6 million in revenues for the year ended December 31, 1996. Headquartered in
Pennsylvania, WEFA has offices in Canada, Europe, and South Africa and employs
over 150 economists. WEFA has leveraged the reputation of its founder, Nobel
Laureate Lawrence R. Klein, and its historical affiliation with the Wharton
School to become an international provider of value added economic information,
software and consulting services to Fortune 1,000 companies, governments, 
universities and financial institutions.

b.  Refinancing
On February 7, 1997, the Company entered into a $300 million refinancing
arrangement to replace some of the funds expended for recent acquisitions and
enhance liquidity for future opportunities. The new arrangement, comprised of a
$75 million revolving credit facility and a $225 million term loan expiring in
June 2004, replaces an outstanding $75 million revolving credit facility and a
$125 million term loan (Note 6). Interest on the outstanding borrowings under
the new credit facility and term loan are payable at rates ranging from 0.625%
to 1.00% and 0.625% to 1.25%, respectively, above the current prevailing LIBOR
rate of interest. The Company incurred costs of approximately $2.6 million in
conjunction with the arrangement which will be amortized over the term of the
debt. The early extinguishment of this debt will require a write-off of its
related unamortized debt issue costs and generate an extraordinary after-tax
loss of approximately $2 million in the first quarter of 1997.

                                      37
<PAGE>   17
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


REPORT OF MANAGEMENT
Management of Primark Corporation and its subsidiaries (the "Company") is 
responsible for the preparation and integrity of the accompanying consolidated
financial statements and other financial information contained in this Annual
Report. Management believes that all such information has been prepared in
conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, and necessarily
includes certain amounts that are based on management's judgments and
estimates. The consolidated financial statements have been audited by Deloitte
& Touche LLP, the Company's independent certified public accountants. Their
audit was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, as
indicated in their report, and included a review of the Company's system of
internal accounting controls and test of transactions to the extent they
considered necessary to carry out their responsibilities.

In management's opinion, the Company's system of internal accounting controls,
coupled with an ongoing program of internal audits to review such controls,
provide reasonable assurance that the Company's assets are safeguarded from
material loss and the transactions are executed and recorded in accordance with
established procedures. The system is supported by formal policies and
procedures, including an active Code of Conduct program intended to ensure that
key employees adhere to the highest standards of personal and professional
integrity. The concept of reasonable assurance is based on the recognition that
the cost of maintaining a system of internal accounting controls should not
exceed the related benefits to be derived.

The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, composed solely of outside
directors, meets periodically with management, internal auditors and Deloitte &
Touche LLP to review planned audit scope and results and to discuss other
matters affecting the adequacy of internal accounting controls and the quality
of financial reporting. Deloitte & Touche LLP has full and free access to the
Audit Committee and may meet with the committee without management
representatives present.

/s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN
Stephen H. Curran
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
February 11, 1997

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF PRIMARK CORPORATION:

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statements of financial position
of Primark Corporation and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1996 and 1995 and
the related consolidated statements of income, cash flows and common
shareholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatements. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, such consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all
material respects, the financial position of Primark Corporation and its
subsidiaries at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their operations
and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 11, 1997


                                      38
<PAGE>   18
ITEM 2.     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND
            FINANCIAL CONDITION

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Primark reported 1996 net income from continuing operations of $28.0 million
($1.04 per share), compared to $17.8 million ($0.80 per share) in 1995 or a
56.6% increase. Primark's natural gas storage operation, PSLC, was sold on
September 30, 1996 for an after-tax gain of $8.4 million ($0.31 per share). The
gain from that sale, and the operating results of PSLC have been included in
discontinued operations for all periods presented. Net income applicable to
common stock for 1996 was $36.7 million ($1.38 per share) compared to $16.9
million ($0.82 per share) for 1995. The year 1995 reflects an extraordinary loss
of $0.5 million related to the refinancing of the Company's bank credit
facilities. Net income applicable to common stock for 1994 was reported at $12.3
million ($0.62 per share). On May 2, 1996 the Company's $16.9 million redeemable
preferred stock was converted to 1.2 million common shares. This action reduced
the amount of preferred dividends paid in 1996 to $0.4 million from the $1.4
million level paid in 1995 and 1994. The 1996 earnings per share calculation was
impacted by a 6.0 million increase in the weighted average shares outstanding.
This increase in weighted shares was due to Primark's December 1995 equity
offering of 4.1 million shares together with the preferred stock conversion
noted above and the October 1996 acquisition of ICV Ltd., which included 2.2
million common shares as a portion of the consideration. In spite of the
dilutive effect of these additional issues, earnings per share from continuing
operations increased 30.0% in 1996.

The dramatic improvement in net income is also reflected in revenue and
operating income. Primark reported 1996 revenue of $767.1 million and operating
income of $66.3 million, increases of 25.7% and 25.5%, respectively, over 1995.
Similarly, 1995 revenue of $610.2 million and operating income of $52.8 million
improved 30.0% and 57.6%, respectively, over 1994. During 1996 and 1995, Primark
benefited from both solid internal growth and an aggressive acquisition program
to expand its operations. This program included the 1996 acquisitions of DAFSA
S.A. in June, The Yankee Group in August and ICV Ltd. in October. Additionally,
Primark purchased the controlling interest in Worldscope, Inc. during October
1996. In June of 1995 the Company acquired Disclosure and I/B/E/S. The
acquisitions collectively added $131.1 million to 1996 revenues and $51.7
million to 1995 revenues. Operating income reflects increases of $10.8 million
and $7.5 million in 1996 and 1995, respectively, for these acquisitions. The
impact of the new acquisitions on operating income was dampened by the added
amortization of intangible assets associated with these purchases. When all
acquisitions are excluded from both periods, the remaining businesses grew 14.4%
in 1996, reflecting strong growth from the base operations.

The information service segment benefited from all of the acquisition activity
and is the Company's core operations with $660.8 million of revenue and $67.0
million of operating income in 1996. This segment serves two primary markets,
financial information and applied technology. Most of Primark's growth has come
in the financial information markets. This group accounted for $269.3 million of
revenues and $33.4 million of operating income or a 45.8% and 24.3% increase,
respectively, over 1995. The financial information markets were served by seven
separate Primark operations during 1996 with Datastream, Disclosure and I/B/E/S
representing the major contributors. Datastream improved its reported revenues
10.1% over 1995, but was slowed by a strong dollar against most of its foreign
operations. The negative impact of foreign currency exchange on Datastream's
revenues was more than 
        
                                      39
<PAGE>   19


offset with gains from Primark's hedging program recorded in other income
and deductions. When the effects of currency are excluded, Datastream's 1996
revenues improved 12.3% and the 1995 revenues improved 10.6%. Datastream's
research product sales increased 12.2% and 14.6% during 1996 and 1995,
respectively. Approximately 14.0% of Datastream's 1996 revenues were accounted
for by the fund management business. This business produced a significant
turnaround in 1996, growing 11.3%. During 1995, the fund management product had
9.2% lower sales than in 1994. All of Datastream's geographic regions showed
significant improvements with the Pacific Basin up 21.4%, the Americas up
20.8%, Continental Europe up 16.5% and the United Kingdom up 5.2% when 1996 is
compared to 1995. Disclosure and I/B/E/S were acquired on June 30, 1995 and
together accounted for $107.4 million and $51.7 million of revenue in 1996 and
1995, respectively. These operations are best viewed on a pro forma basis, due
to the partial year inclusion of the operating results in 1995. As such,
Disclosure experienced slow revenue growth of 2.4% over 1995. This increase
includes the addition of Worldscope's operations from October of 1996 without
which Disclosure's growth would have been flat. Disclosure is in transition
from its paper-based businesses to on-line services and as its customer base
moves to the new electronic products, revenues are expected to be flat. During
1996, the demand centers and Laser D products grew 3.4% with most of the growth
coming from the United Kingdom. Disclosure's microfiche and SEC reference room
businesses are being phased out but are offset by improved sales in the United
Kingdom and the Global Access product line. I/B/E/S' operations, in contrast,
exhibited record growth in revenues for 1996 of 18.8% due to strong
international data demand and solid acceptance of the I/B/E/S Express product
in the marketplace. ICV Ltd. was purchased in October of 1996 and contributed
$9.1 million to revenue, representing only two full months of operations. The
1996 operating income margin for the financial information group was 12.4%
compared to 14.6% in 1995 and 11.1% in 1994. The 1996 drop in profitability was
due to higher than anticipated losses at DAFSA of $2.5 million and one-time
communication costs experienced at Datastream as a result of the transition to
a new supplier. The DAFSA operation is being integrated into Primark's
corresponding operations and additional costs are anticipated until this effort
is completed in the first half of 1997.
        
The applied technology market is served by TASC, WSI and The Yankee Group and
reported 1996 revenues of $391.4 million, representing a 13.1% increase over
1995. The 1995 revenues of $346.2 million increased 10.9% over 1994. The 1996
increase reflects a 12.1% improvement in TASC's government business and the
August acquisition of The Yankee Group which added $7.8 million to current year
revenue. The 1995 government revenues improved 9.7% over 1994. During December
of 1994, TASC lost its contract with the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization,
which provided $16.5 million of revenue in 1994. TASC was able to replace this
lost business and continue to exhibit growth in 1995 and 1996. TASC ended 1996
with a contract backlog of $538.9 million or an 18.8% increase over 1995. The
backlog includes $254.6 million of contracts maturing within one year, an
increase of 14.3% over 1995. Although the government may cancel any such
contract at its discretion, TASC has a history of few cancellations and a high
rate of success on being awarded competitively bid contracts. Revenue from the
weather business, WSI, represented $28.1 million and grew 3.4% in 1996 due to
lower than anticipated equipment sales. In contrast, WSI grew 25.4% in 1995 over
1994. The applied technology group accounted for $33.5 million of operating     
income during 1996, a 29.3% improvement from 1995. The increased profitability 
reflects higher margins at both WSI and TASC's commercial operations as well as
the addition of The Yankee Group.

Primark's Transportation segment, served by TIMCO, reported revenues of $106.4
million, an increase of 34.2% over 1995. From 1994 to 1996 this operation has
more than doubled its revenues. The 1996 improvement reflects the facility
expansion implemented in the fourth quarter of 1995, coupled with TIMCO's
ability to market the additional capacity. However, TIMCO reported operating
income of $6.2 million or an improvement of only 2.8% over 1995. The rapid rate
of growth combined with a declining availability of experienced workers
necessitated additional costs associated with training, overtime and outside
contracting assistance. Consequently, the utilization rate decreased and the
rate of profitability was lowered in 1996.

Subsequent to December 31, 1996, the Company completed two additional
acquisitions: Baseline Financial Services, Inc. on January 6, 1997 and WEFA
Holdings, Inc. on February 7, 1997. These acquisitions were purchased for $85.7
million in cash, excluding fees, and had aggregate 1996 revenues of $41.5 
million. When all acquisitions, including those made in early 1997, are 
presented on a pro forma basis, Primark would have had 1996 revenues in excess 
of $860.0 million.

                                      40
<PAGE>   20
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY

Primark ended 1996 with $25.7 million of cash and cash equivalents compared to
$60.0 million in 1995 and $17.0 million in 1994. During 1996, the Company
acquired four separate businesses for $71.1 million in net cash, $8.3 million in
seller notes, 2.2 million shares of common stock and $6.6 million of other
consideration. Primark also increased expenditures on capitalized software and
equipment $14.3 million over 1995. The 1996 cash expenditures were primarily
funded from cash on the balance sheet, the sale of PSLC for $14.3 million and
increased operating cash flows. During 1995, Primark acquired Disclosure and
I/B/E/S for $199.7 million, issued $125.0 million of commercial bank debt as
well as $106.5 million of common stock. The   year 1994 had no significant
financing or investing activities.
        
In 1996, Primark reported $64.5 million of cash provided from operating
activities, a 33.8% increase over 1995. During 1995, the Company generated $48.2
million of cash from operations or a 23.9% increase over 1994. The 1996 increase
reflects additional cash flows from the acquisitions made from June of 1995
through year end 1996, offset by a $7.8 million increase in working capital
requirements. The 1996 working capital requirements were impacted by increases
in accounts receivable, partially offset by increases in deferred revenues. 
Both increases were affected by the Company's acquired businesses and growth in
sales. The increase between 1995 and 1994 primarily represents the June 1995
addition of Disclosure and I/B/E/S, while working capital requirements remained
constant. All periods benefited from improving growth in the base businesses.

Financing activities provided $7.6 million of cash in 1996 compared to $224.1
million in 1995. In June of 1995 the Company acquired Disclosure and I/B/E/S and
entered into a $200.0 million credit arrangement with several commercial banks
to support that acquisition. The credit arrangement included a $75.0 million
revolving credit facility and an $125.0 million term loan expiring in June 2002.
During 1996 further financing was not needed to support the acquisition
activity; however, on February 7, 1997 the Company entered into a $300.0 million
refinancing arrangement to replace some of the funds expended for recent
acquisitions and to enhance liquidity for future opportunities. The new
arrangement is comprised of a $75.0 million revolving credit facility and a
$225.0 million term loan expiring in June 2004. The new agreement provided an
additional $100.0 million of capacity and will lower borrowing costs by an
estimated 50 basis points. When Primark's year end 1996 capital structure is
presented on a pro forma basis for the new financing, the debt to total
capitalization is 42.3% or about the same level reported in 1995. In December
of 1995, the Company issued 4.1 million shares of common stock for $107.8
million and used the net proceeds to repay loan balances and for other general
corporate purposes. During 1996, the Company entered into several financing
transactions not involving cash. During May 1996, the Company converted its
$16.9 million redeemable preferred stock to 1.2 million shares of common stock
at the request of the preferred shareholders. In October 1996 Primark purchased
ICV Limited for $92.2 million, excluding fees, with the consideration comprising
$8.3 million of seller notes and 2.2 million shares of common stock in addition
to $24.0 million in cash. Financing activities for 1994 used $15.5 million of
cash as the revolving credit facility was paid down with excess cash from 
operations.

Cash used in investing activities for 1996 totaled $107.2 million compared to
uses of $229.4 million in 1995 and $13.4 million in 1994. The 1996 and 1995
periods reflect significant acquisition outlays. During 1996, the Company
acquired four separate operations with the net cash consideration totaling $71.1
million. During 1995 Primark purchased Disclosure and I/B/E/S for $199.7
million and in 1994 purchased Vestek for $6.1 million. During the three year
period the Company also sold two operations, PSLC for $14.3 million in 1996 and
Wellmark, Inc. for $6.5 million in 1994. Capital expenditures increased $3.6
million over the 1995 and 1994 levels due, for the most part, to increased
requirements for computer equipment at Disclosure and Datastream. Expenditures
for capitalized software increased modestly between 1995 and 1994, but absorbed
$16.9 million of cash in 1996, a $10.7 million increase over 1995. Most of the
increase represented investments in new Disclosure product lines to facilitate
the transition to its on-line service.

Currency and inflation did not have a material impact on Primark's cash balances
for the periods presented. The rate of inflation in all of Primark's operating
areas around the world was consistently absorbed through the local product
pricing structures. Currency transactions had a $0.9 million positive impact on
cash in 1996, due in part to Primark's hedging programs.

                                      41
<PAGE>   21
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


PRIMARK CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION--FIVE YEAR DATA
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(000s) Except Per Share Amounts                       1996          1995          1994          1993         1992
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA (1)
Operating revenues                                  $767,125      $610,216      $469,555      $435,888      $344,016
Operating income                                    $ 66,321      $ 52,843      $ 33,521      $ 32,548      $ 14,210
Income from continuing operations                   $ 27,955      $ 17,847      $ 12,684      $ 11,055      $  4,636
Net income applicable to common stock (2)           $ 36,749      $ 16,882      $ 12,316      $  4,087      $  5,821
Earnings per share from continuing operations       $   1.04      $   0.80      $   0.57      $   0.49      $   0.17
Total earnings per share (2)                        $   1.38      $   0.82      $   0.62      $   0.21      $   0.30
Total assets                                        $978,934      $766,847      $468,169      $454,449      $477,298
Total debt, including capital lease obligations     $248,340      $239,476      $115,573      $130,386      $161,088
Redeemable preferred stock                              --        $ 16,874      $ 16,874      $ 16,874      $ 16,522
Common shareholders' equity (3)                     $476,217      $354,129      $224,781      $208,134      $201,555
EBITDA (4)                                          $109,675      $ 89,114      $ 60,973      $ 58,659      $ 25,808
Debt to total capitalization                            34.3%         39.2%         32.4%         36.7%         42.5%
Capital expenditures                                $ 26,250      $ 22,645      $ 22,497      $ 12,642      $  8,098
Capitalized software                                $ 16,916      $  6,232      $  4,372      $  4,021      $    529
Total employees                                        5,938         5,131         3,789         3,439         3,272
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
COMMON STOCK DATA (3)
Actual shares outstanding                             27,068        23,317        18,520        18,378        18,198
Weighted average common and equivalent shares
outstanding                                           26,555        20,602        19,909        19,805        19,388
Book value per share                                $  17.59      $  15.19      $  12.14      $  11.33      $  11.08
Market price per share on NYSE Composite:
High                                                $     40      $30 1/4       $     15      $ 16 3/8      $ 14 3/4
Low                                                 $ 21 3/8      $12 3/4       $     11      $ 10 1/2      $      9
- - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1)      The financial data for the Company has been restated to exclude
         discontinued operations (Note 3) and includes all acquired companies
         from their respective dates of acquisition (Note 2).

(2)      Includes an $8.4 million after-tax gain on the sale of discontinued
         operations in 1996 (Note 3) and an after-tax extraordinary loss of $534
         thousand for 1995 (Note 6a). Also includes dividends on the Company's
         outstanding preferred stock through its conversion to common (Note 9a)
         and gains and losses associated with discontinued operations of the
         Company.

(3)      During 1996, the Company issued 2,200,000 shares of common stock in
         October of the acquisition of ICV and 1,164,276 shares of common stock
         in May for the conversion of preferred. In December 1995, the Company
         issued 4,356,200 shares of common stock (Note 9a).

(4)      EBITDA represents operating income plus depreciation and amortization
         expense. Due to the high non-cash amortization expense recorded to net
         income, the Company presents EBITDA to provide the shareholder a
         measure of cash flows within operations. EBITDA represents supplemental
         information only and is not to be construed as an alternative to
         operating income or to cash flows as defined by generally accepted
         accounting principles.



                                      42
<PAGE>   22
Primark Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements


SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION--QUARTERLY DATA

The following quarterly operating results have been restated to exclude
operations discontinued as of September 30, 1996 (Note 3). The quarterly data
includes the operations of acquired businesses from their respective dates of
acquisition (Note 2). Quarterly earnings per share may not total for the year as
quarterly computations are based on weighted average common and common
equivalent shares outstanding during each quarter. The following quarterly
common stock prices set forth the intraday high and low market prices per share
on the NYSE Composite Tape. As of the close of business of February 28, 1997,
there were 9,051 holders of record of the Company's common stock.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(000s) Except Per Share Amounts                                      FIRST       SECOND         THIRD        FOURTH
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1996
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                <C>          <C>          <C>            <C>     
Operating revenues, as reported                                    $180,729     $187,658     $ 194,013      $208,165
Less discontinued operations                                          1,707        1,733          --            --
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues, restated                                       $179,022     $185,925     $ 194,013      $208,165
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income, as reported                                      $ 16,589     $ 17,319     $  19,251      $ 15,211
Less discontinued operations                                            987        1,062          --            --
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income, restated                                         $ 15,602     $ 16,257     $  19,251      $ 15,211
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations, as reported (1)                 $  6,400     $  7,517     $   7,814      $  6,729
Less discontinued operations                                            254          251          --            --
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations, restated (1)                    $  6,146     $  7,266     $   7,814      $  6,729
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income applicable to common stock (2)                          $  6,041     $  7,517     $  16,461      $  6,730
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share from continued operations, as reported (2)      $   0.24     $   0.29     $    0.30      $   0.24
Less discontinued operations                                           0.01         0.01         (0.33)         --
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share, restated (2)                                   $   0.23     $   0.28     $    0.63      $   0.24
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market price per share: High                                       $     40     $ 38 1/2     $  33 5/8      $ 28 1/2
                        Low                                        $     27     $ 30 3/4     $  25 1/8      $ 21 3/8
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1995
- - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues, as reported                                    $135,861     $143,041     $168,710       $169,698
Less discontinued operations                                          1,717        1,778        1,740          1,859
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating revenues, restated                                       $134,144     $141,263     $166,970       $167,839
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income, as reported                                      $ 11,817     $ 13,113     $ 16,249       $ 15,732
Less discontinued operations                                            969        1,049          961          1,089
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating income, restated                                         $ 10,848     $ 12,064     $ 15,288       $ 14,643
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations, as reported                     $  4,454     $  4,576     $  4,701       $  5,119
Less discontinued operations                                            201          256          226            320
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income from continuing operations, restated                        $  4,253     $  4,320     $  4,475       $  4,799
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income applicable to common stock (2)(3)                       $  4,096     $  3,683     $  4,342       $  4,761
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share before extraordinary loss, as reported (2)      $   0.20     $   0.21     $   0.21       $   0.22
Less discontinued operations                                           0.01         0.01         0.01           0.02
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share before extraordinary loss, restated             $   0.19     $   0.20     $   0.20       $   0.20
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share, as reported (2) (3)                            $   0.20     $   0.18     $   0.21       $   0.22
Less discontinued operations                                           0.01         0.01         0.01           0.02
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Earnings per share, restated (2) (3)                               $   0.19     $   0.17     $   0.20       $   0.20
- - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Market price per share: High                                       $14  1/2     $ 18 3/4     $ 26 1/4       $ 30 1/4
                        Low                                        $12  3/4     $ 14 1/2     $ 17 5/8       $ 21 7/8
</TABLE>


(1)      Includes, for the fourth quarter of 1996, a $678,000 benefit recorded
         for the settlement of seven open tax years at lower than anticipated
         levels.

(2)      Includes dividends on the Company's preferred stock through its
         conversion to common stock on May 2, 1996.

(3)      Includes, for the 1995 second quarter, an after-tax extraordinary loss
         of $534,000 which resulted from the early extinguishment of debt.

                                  
                                      43

<PAGE>   1

                                                                    Exhibit 21.1

                       SUBSIDIARIES OF PRIMARK CORPORATION

Primark Corporation owns all of the issued and outstanding common stock of
Primark Holding Corporation, Triad International Maintenance Corporation,
Primark Financial Technologies, Inc., and WEFA Holding, Inc., which are all
Delaware corporations. Baseline Financial Services, Inc., a New York Corporation
and Yankee Group Research, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, which owns the
stock of Yankee Group and Asia Pacific Pty., Limited (Australia). Primark
Corporation also holds a 20% interest on Primark Decision Economics, Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation.

WEFA Holdings, Inc. owns all of the issued and outstanding common stock of:

         -    WEFA, Inc. (Delaware) who owns a 51% interest in WEFA South Africa
              (S. Africa)

         -    WEFA GmbH (Germany)

         -    WEFA S.A. (France)

         -    WEFA Benelex SA (Belgium)

         -    WEFA Canada, Inc. (Canada)

         -    WEFA (Holdings) Limited, (England), who owns WEFA Limited 
              (England), who in turn owns Staniland Hall Associates Limited 
              (England)

WEFA Holdings also owns a 45% interest in Ciemex, Inc. (Delaware), who owns
Ciemex WEFA, Inc. (Delaware).

Primark Holding Corporation owns all of the issued and outstanding common stock
of:

         - TASC, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation, which owns all of the issued
           and outstanding common stock of:

              -    WSI Corporation, a Massachusetts corporation;

              -    TASC Services Corporation, a Delaware corporation; and

              -    TASC Systems Engineering Corporation, a Delaware corporation

         -    Primark Information Services (U.K.) Limited U.K. which owns all 
              the common stock of:

              -    The Analytic Sciences Corporation Limited (U.K.) which owns 
                   all of the issued and outstanding common stock of The 
                   Weather Department Limited (U.K.) and The Computer 
                   Department Limited (U.K.);

              -    Datastream Group (U.K.) which owns Datastream (U.K.);

              -    Datastream Pension Trustees Limited (U.K.);

              -    Primark Investment Management Services Limited (U.K.);


                                       1

<PAGE>   2

              -   Datastream International Limited (U.K.) which owns all the 
                  common stock of Datastream International B.V. 
                  (the Netherlands) and has a branch in Malaysia.

              -   I/B/E/S (U.K.) LTD; and

              -   Disclosure Limited (U.K.)

         -    Primark Information Services U.K. Limited, also owns a 34.47% 
              interest in ICV Limited

         -    Datastream International (Switzerland) Limited

         -    Datastream International GmbH (Germany)

         -    Primark Hong Kong Limited

         -    Datastream International Inc. (Delaware)

         -    Datastream International (Japan) K.K. (Japan)

         -    Datastream International (Australia ) Pty. Limited
         -    Datastream International (D.C.), Inc. (Delaware)

         -    Datastream International (Canada) Ltd. (Canada)

         -    Datastream International (Italy) Srl (Italy)

         -    Datastream International (Sweden) Aktiebolag  (Sweden)

         -    Datastream International (South Africa) (Proprietary) Limited 
              (South Africa)

         -    Datastream International (Korea) Limited (Korea)

         -    Datastream International (Thailand) Limited (Thailand)

         -    Datastream International (Singapore) Pte., Ltd. (Singapore)

         -    Vestek Systems, Inc., a California corporation

         -    Disclosure Incorporated (Delaware) which owns all the issued and 
              outstanding stock of:

              -   Disclosure International, Inc. (Delaware) which owns an 80% 
                  interest in:

                  -   Worldscope/Disclosure LLC which owns all of the issued and
                      outstanding stock of Worldscope/Disclosure Incorporated 
                      (India) Pty. Ltd.; and

                  -   Worldscope/Disclosure International Partners (Ireland)

              -   Disclosure Information Services, Inc. (Delaware)

         -    I/B/E/S International, Inc. (Delaware) which owns all the issued 
              and outstanding stock of:

              -   I/B/E/S Inc. (Delaware)


                                       2

<PAGE>   3

              -   I/B/E/S (Japan) K.K.

         -    Disclosure GmbH (Germany)

         -    Talisman SA (France) which owns the stock of   Groupe DAFSA S.A.
              and a 4.4% interest in Globe On-Line.  Groupe DAFSA owns a 
              33% interest in Panrome and the stock of:

              -   DAFSA Edition SNC

              -   SAFE SNC

         -    Primark Holding Corporation also owns a 65.53% interest in ICV 
              Limited which owns the stock of :

              -   ICV Europe Limited (Channel Islands)

              -   Interquote Limited (England)



                                       3

<PAGE>   1


                                                                   Exhibit 23.1


                        INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT

We consent to the incorporation by reference in Registration Statement Nos.
2-92579, 2-77751, 33-23876, 33-6009, 33-49132, 33-49134, 333-17561, 333-17567   
and 333-17563 of Primark Corporation on Form S-8 of our report dated 
February 11, 1997, appearing in and incorporated by reference in this Annual
Report of Form 10-K of Primark Corporation for the year ended December 31, 1996.

/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
Deloite & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts
March 27, 1997



























\consent













<PAGE>   1

                                                                    Exhibit 24.1

                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 26
day of March, 1997.

                                              /s/ JOSEPH E. KASPUTYS
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Joseph E. Kasputys
<PAGE>   2
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 15th
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ STEPHEN H. CURRAN
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Stephen H. Curran
<PAGE>   3
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 2nd day
of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ WILLIAM J. SWIFT III
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              William J. Swift III
<PAGE>   4
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 15th
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ MICHAEL R. KARGULA
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Michael R. Kargula
<PAGE>   5
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 20th
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ PATRICK G. RICHMOND
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Patrick G. Richmond
<PAGE>   6
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 13th
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ JOHN C. HOLT
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              John C. Holt
<PAGE>   7
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 15th
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ PATRICIA McGINNIS
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Patricia McGinnis
<PAGE>   8
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 15th
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ STEVEN LAZARUS
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Steven Lazarus
<PAGE>   9
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 15th
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ CONSTANCE K. WEAVER
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Constance K. Weaver
<PAGE>   10
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 31st
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ KEVIN J. BRADLEY
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Kevin J. Bradley
<PAGE>   11
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 15th
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ IRA HERENSTEIN
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Ira Herenstein
<PAGE>   12
                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS:

         That the undersigned Director or Officer of Primark Corporation, a
Michigan corporation, does hereby constitute and appoint Joseph E. Kasputys,
Stephen H. Curran and Michael R. Kargula, and each of them, his or her true and
lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full power and authority (acting
alone and without the others) to execute in the name and on behalf of the
undersigned as such Director or Officer, an Annual Report on Form 10-K, for the
year ended December 31, 1996, under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, of
said Corporation, and all amendments to such Annual Report on Form 10-K; hereby
granting to such attorney and agents, and each of them, full power of
substitution and revocation in the premises; and hereby ratifying and confirming
all that such attorneys and agents, or any of them may do or cause to be done by
virtue of these presents.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have executed this Power of Attorney this 15th
day of January, 1997.

                                              /s/ JONATHAN NEWCOMB
                                              ----------------------------------
                                              Jonathan Newcomb

<TABLE> <S> <C>




<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM PRIMARK
CORPORATION'S CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
1996 INCLUDED IN THE FORM 10-K AS EXHIBIT 13.1 AND THE 1996 ANNUAL REPORT AND IS
QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000356064
<NAME> PRIMARK
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          25,709
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  188,107
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,647
<INVENTORY>                                          0
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               233,710
<PP&E>                                         124,676
<DEPRECIATION>                                  56,470
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 978,934
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          223,891
<BONDS>                                        241,822
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           541
<OTHER-SE>                                     475,676
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   978,934
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               767,125
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  457,528
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               243,276
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              20,193
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 49,162
<INCOME-TAX>                                    21,207
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             27,955
<DISCONTINUED>                                   9,153
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    37,108
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.38
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.38
        

</TABLE>


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