GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES INC
10-Q, 1999-05-17
TELEPHONE & TELEGRAPH APPARATUS
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<PAGE> 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q

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


                  For the quarterly period ended March 31, 1999
                  ---------------------------------------------

                                       OR

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

                          Commission File Number 1-8086
                                                 ------

                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
              ----------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           Delaware                                     06-0853856
- -------------------------------            -----------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of            (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 incorporation or organization)

       Middlebury, Connecticut                        06762-1299
- ---------------------------------------               ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)

         Registrant's phone number, including area code: (203) 574-1118
                                                         --------------

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

                          Yes   X           No
                               --

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

                                                Number of Shares Outstanding
         Title of Each Class                         at March 31, 1999
         -------------------                    ---------------------------- 
    Common Stock, $.10 par value                        19,821,621
    Class B Stock, $.10 par value                        2,093,083

                   Total Number of Pages in this Document is 24.
  
<PAGE>


                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                      INDEX




                                                                     Page No.
                                                                     --------
Part I.   Financial Information
          ---------------------

          Consolidated Balance Sheets - March 31, 1999 and
          September 30, 1998                                               3

          Consolidated Statements of Operations and Accumulated
          Deficit - For the Three and Six Months Ended
          March 31, 1999 and 1998                                          4

          Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - For the Six
          Months Ended March 31, 1999 and 1998                             5

          Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                       6

          Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
          Condition and Results of Operations                             12


Part II.  Other Information
          -----------------

          Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security-Holders    23

          Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                       23


                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>

                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

               GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


                                                   (Unaudited)
                                                    March 31,     September 30,
In thousands, except shares                           1998            1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASSETS:                                           
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents                           $4,208          $3,757
  Restricted cash                                      1,000               -
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful
    doubtful receivables of $1,501 in March and
    $1,442 in September                               23,883          30,013
  Inventories                                         30,240          30,574
  Deferred income taxes                                1,675           1,675
  Other current assets                                 8,296           7,030
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current assets                                  69,302          73,049
===============================================================================
Property, plant and equipment, net                    38,815          40,553
Capitalized software development costs, net           21,815          24,286
Other assets                                          10,907          11,650
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    $140,839        $149,538
===============================================================================
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of long-term debt                  $7,111           $8,133
  Accounts payable, trade                            13,108           12,763
  Accrued payroll and payroll-related costs           4,861            5,896
  Deferred income                                     4,799            6,034
  Other current liabilities                          19,056           15,122
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total current liabilities                            48,935           47,948
===============================================================================
Long-term debt, less current portion                 55,047           52,679
Deferred income taxes                                 2,561            2,589
Other liabilities                                     1,165              364
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total liabilities                                   107,708          103,580
===============================================================================
Commitments and contingent liabilities                    -                -
Stockholders' equity:
  Preferred  stock,  par value  $1.00 per share,
    3,000,000  shares  authorized; issued  and
    outstanding:   800,000  shares  of  9%
    cumulative  convertible exchangeable
    preferred stock with a $20 million
    liquidation preference                              800              800
  Class B stock, par value $.10 per share,
    35,000,000 shares authorized; issued
    and outstanding: 2,093,083 in March
    and September                                       209              209
  Common stock, par value $.10 per share,
    35,000,000 shares authorized; issued
    and outstanding: 20,152,003 in March
    and 19,968,280 in September                       2,015            1,997
  Capital in excess of par value                    151,402          151,052
  Accumulated deficit                              (115,593)        (103,066)
  Cumulative foreign currency translation
    adjustment                                       (3,253)          (2,589)
  Common stock held in treasury, at cost:
    330,382 shares in March and September            (2,449)          (2,445)
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 Total stockholders' equity                          33,131           45,958
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   $140,839         $149,538
 ==============================================================================
The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.

                                      -3-

<PAGE>


               GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND
                               ACCUMULATED DEFICIT
                                   (Unaudited)


                                          Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
                                              March 31,           March 31,
- ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------
In thousands, except per share data       1999          1998    1999      1998
- ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------
Revenues:
  Net product sales                     $25,779     $35,362   $53,616   $71,735
  Service revenue                        11,471       9,704    23,453    19,185
  Other revenue                           1,527       3,265     4,127     5,630
- ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------
                                         38,777      48,331    81,196    96,550
- ------------------------------------------------------------  -----------------

Costs and expenses:
  Cost of product sales                  13,068      17,802    27,458    36,638
  Amortization of capitalized
   software development costs             3,010       2,972     6,172     5,972
  Cost of service revenue                 7,791       6,647    16,012    13,410
  Cost of other revenue                     124         110       609       247
  Selling, general and administrative    14,617      18,178    31,453    38,420
  Research and product development        7,135       8,173    14,821    17,107
  Restructuring of operations                 -           -     2,000     2,500
- -----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------
                                         45,745      53,882    98,525   114,294
- -----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------
Operating loss                           (6,968)     (5,551)  (17,329)  (17,744)
- -----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------

Other income (expense):
  Gain on sale of assets                     -           -      9,001         -
  Interest, net                          (1,536)     (1,415)   (3,198)   (2,811)
  Other, net                                165         207       399       136
- -----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------
                                         (1,371)     (1,208)    6,202    (2,675)
- -----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------
Loss before income taxes                 (8,339)     (6,759)  (11,127)  (20,419)
Income tax provision                        200         300       500       500
- -----------------------------------------------------------   -----------------
Net loss                                ($8,539)   ($7,059)  ($11,627) ($20,919)
===========================================================   =================
Basic and diluted loss per share         ($0.41)    ($0.35)    ($0.58)   ($1.02)
===========================================================   =================
Weighted average number of common and
 common equivalent shares outstanding    21,803     21,389     21,769    21,389
===========================================================   =================

Accumulated deficit at beginning of
 period                               ($106,604)  ($82,184) ($103,066) ($67,874)
Net loss                                 (8,539)    (7,059)   (11,627)  (20,919)
Payment of preferred stock dividends       (450)      (450)      (900)     (900)
- -----------------------------------------------------------  ------------------
Accumulated deficit at end of period  ($115,593)  ($89,693) ($115,593) ($89,693)
===========================================================  ==================
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.

                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>


               GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)


                                                   Increase (Decrease) in Cash
                                                       and Cash Equivalents
                                                  -----------------------------
                                                        Six Months Ended
                                                            March 31,
                                                  -----------------------------
In thousands                                          1999              1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net loss                                           ($11,627)       ($20,919)
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
    used in operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization                     12,874          13,661
      Gain on sale of assets                            (9,001)             --
      Changes in:
        Accounts receivable                              5,993           1,726
        Inventories                                        386           4,422
        Accounts payable and accrued expenses            2,074          (2,743)
        Other net current assets                        (2,110)            925
        Other net long-term assets                         391             874
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in operating activities                   (1,020)         (2,054)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from investing activities:
  Acquisition of property, plant and equipment, net     (4,892)         (3,694)
  Capitalized software development costs                (6,534)         (6,013)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities                  (11,426)         (9,707)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from revolver borrowings                     85,043              --
  Payments on revolver borrowings                      (75,690)         (4,799)
  Proceeds from sale of assets, net                     12,013              --
  Proceeds from notes and mortgages                        279          15,094
  Principal payments on notes and mortgages             (8,159)         (4,475)
  Proceeds from issuing common stock                       368             748
  Payment of preferred stock dividends                    (900)           (900)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by financing activities               12,954           5,668
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effect of exchange rates on cash                           (57)            (14)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                  451          (6,107)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period - (1)   3,757          21,526
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period - (1)        $4,208         $15,419
===============================================================================
(1) - The Corporation  considers all highly liquid investments purchased with
      a maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

The  accompanying  notes are an integral  part of these  consolidated  financial
statements.


                                       -5-

<PAGE>

                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)


NOTE 1.   BASIS OF PRESENTATION

In the opinion of management,  the accompanying unaudited consolidated financial
statements contain all adjustments  necessary to fairly present the consolidated
financial  position of General DataComm  Industries,  Inc. and subsidiaries (the
"Corporation"  or "Company") as of March 31, 1999, the  consolidated  results of
their operations for the three and six months ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, and
their  cash  flows  for the six  months  ended  March 31,  1999 and  1998.  Such
adjustments are generally of a normal recurring  nature and include  adjustments
to certain accruals and asset reserves to appropriate levels.

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  periods
presented.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.  In addition,  the
markets for the Company's  products are  characterized  by intense  competition,
rapid technological development, and frequent new product introductions,  all of
which could  impact the future  value of the  Company's  inventory,  capitalized
software, and certain other assets.

The  consolidated  financial  statements  contained  herein  should  be  read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto
filed with Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1998.

Certain  reclassifications  were made to the prior years' consolidated financial
statements to conform to the current year's presentation.

NOTE 2.   INVENTORIES

Inventories consist of (in thousands):

                                   March 31, 1999     September 30, 1998
                                   --------------     ------------------
       Raw materials                   $ 9,669              $10,945
       Work-in-process                   4,020                3,611
       Finished goods                   16,551               16,018
                                       -------              -------
                                       $30,240              $30,574
                                       =======              =======


                                      - 6 -


<PAGE>

                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)


NOTE 3.   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

Property, plant and equipment consists of (in thousands):

                                  March 31, 1999      September 30, 1998
                                  --------------      ------------------
       Land                          $  1,770            $  1,784
       Buildings and improvements      29,992              30,134
       Test equipment, fixtures
         and field spares              56,299              54,897
       Machinery and equipment         60,521              59,957
                                      -------             -------
                                      148,582             146,772
       Less:  accumulated
        depreciation and
        amortization                  109,767             106,219
                                     --------            --------
                                     $ 38,815            $ 40,553
                                     ========            ========


NOTE 4.   CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT COSTS

The accumulated  amortization of capitalized software development costs amounted
to  $18,096,000  and  $17,972,000  at March 31,  1999 and  September  30,  1998,
respectively.

NOTE 5.  LONG-TERM DEBT

Long-term debt consists of (in thousands):

                                   March 31, 1999      September 30, 1998
                                   --------------      ------------------

       Revolving credit facility      $10,940              $ 1,587
       Notes payable                   15,512               23,173
       7-3/4% convertible senior
         subordinated debentures       25,000               25,000
       Mortgages payable               10,706               11,052
                                      -------              -------
                                       62,158               60,812
       Less:  current portion           7,111                8,133
                                      -------              -------
                                      $55,047              $52,679
                                      =======              =======


                                      - 7 -


<PAGE>

                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)

NOTE 5. LONG-TERM DEBT (continued)

Revolving  Credit Facility

On October 22, 1997, the Company  entered into a $40.0 million loan and security
agreement (the "Loan  Agreement")  which provided the Company with $15.0 million
in proceeds from a five-year term loan and an additional  $25.0 million (maximum
value) revolving line of credit for a three-year  period ending in October 2000,
subject to  extension.  Availability  of the  revolving  line of credit funds is
subject to  satisfying  a borrowing  base  formula  related to levels of certain
accounts  receivable and  inventories  and the  satisfaction  of other financial
covenants.

Maximum  funds  available  for borrowing  under the  revolving  credit  facility
amounted to  $19,913,000  and  $25,000,000  at March 31, 1999 and  September 30,
1998, respectively.

Terms of the Loan  Agreement  required that the Company raise a minimum of $10.0
million in net  proceeds on or before  March 31, 1999 through the sale of assets
or execution of an equity  offering.  The Company  satisfied  this $10.0 million
covenant  requirement  on  December  31,  1998 (see Note 8, "Sale of  Technology
Alliance Group Division," for further  discussion of the transaction  involved).
In  accordance  with terms of the Loan  Agreement,  $4.3 million of the proceeds
received  from the  transaction  were applied to reduce  borrowings  outstanding
(under the term loan portion of the Loan Agreement) in January 1999.

Reference is made to the Company's consolidated financial statements and related
notes thereto and exhibits filed with Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
1998 for further disclosures applicable to the Loan Agreement, including related
financial covenant requirements,  and all other outstanding  indebtedness of the
Corporation.


NOTE 6. VITAL NETWORK SERVICES, L.L.C. EXPANDED PARTNERSHIP WITH OLICOM, INC.

On October 15, 1998, the Company's  VITAL Network  Services  ("VITAL")  business
unit  entered  into  an  agreement  with  Olicom,  Inc.  whereby  VITAL  assumed
responsibility  for Olicom's service  operations in Marlborough,  Massachusetts,
and Olicom  assigned  or  transferred  its  service  contract  business in North
America to VITAL.  In addition to the  assumption  of  obligations  for a leased
facility,  VITAL  will pay  Olicom a  percentage  (25% in the  first  year,  20%
thereafter) of revenues derived from Olicom's business over a three-year period,
not to exceed $3.8 million. As part of the agreement, VITAL acquired the capital
assets used in Olicom's service  business.  VITAL recorded the acquisition using
the purchase  method of  accounting,  and due to the  conditional  nature of the
payments  owing to Olicom,  no  liability  or  corresponding  assets  (including
goodwill)  were  recorded  for  these  payments  at  the  date  of  acquisition.
Subsequent to the acquisition,  VITAL is recording the assets and  corresponding
liabilities as such amounts become unconditional.

                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>

                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)


NOTE 7. RESTRUCTURING OF OPERATIONS

In December 1998, the Company  restructured  its operations  into three distinct
business  units  to  increase  product  line  focus  and move  toward  operating
autonomy.  Two new business  units resulted from the  reorganization:  Broadband
Systems  Division  and Network  Access  Division.  The new  business  units will
supplement the existing VITAL Network Services business unit, which was launched
in October  1997 to provide  professional  services on  multi-vendor  networking
equipment on a worldwide basis.


The reorganization  resulted  in a work force  reduction  of  approximately  200
persons.  The net loss for the six months ended March 31, 1999 includes a charge
of $2.0  million,  or $0.09 per share,  primarily for  post-employment  benefits
under the Company's  severance  plan, of which  $905,000 was unpaid at March 31,
1999; the Company expects to pay such unpaid amounts during fiscal 1999.

The net loss for the six months  ended March 31, 1998  includes a charge of $2.5
million,  or $0.12 per share, which is comprised of a $1.0 million provision for
post-employment  benefits  under the  Company's  severance  plan  related to the
elimination of  approximately  200 full-time  positions and $1.5 million for the
write-off of intangible  assets and other costs  associated with the elimination
of low-volume product lines.


NOTE 8. SALE OF TECHNOLOGY ALLIANCE GROUP ("TAG") DIVISION

In December 1998, the Company reported the sale of its TAG division. The Company
had  been  actively  pursuing  the  sale of its  TAG  division  since  it is not
strategic to the  reorganized  business  units  described  in Note 7 above.  The
division,  which  developed,  patented  and licensed  advanced  modem and access
technologies, was principally comprised of scientists and engineers and held the
rights to certain technologies patented by the division.  The sale resulted in a
pre-tax gain of $9.0 million and generated  cash proceeds,  net of expenses,  of
approximately  $12.0  million in the six months  ended March 31,  1999.  Of such
$12.0 million,  $1.0 million was being held in escrow and reported as restricted
cash at March 31,  1999.  The Company  expects to receive such funds on or about
June 30, 1999.

The  Company's  primary loan  agreement  provided that a portion of the proceeds
(approximately  $4.3 million) be used to reduce  outstanding  indebtedness under
this agreement, and this occurred in January 1999.

                                      - 9 -

<PAGE>

                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)


NOTE 9. EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE

The  following  table sets forth the  computation  of basic and diluted loss per
share (in thousands, except per share amounts):

                                     Three Months Ended        Six Months Ended
                                          March 31,                March 31,
                                     ------------------        ----------------
                                       1999       1998         1999       1998
                                       ----       ----         ----       ----
Numerator:
  Net loss                          $(8,539)   $(7,059)    $(11,627)   $(20,919)
  Preferred stock dividends             450        450          900         900
  Numerator for basic and diluted   --------   -------     ---------   --------
   loss per share - loss applicable
   to common stockholders           $(8,989)   $(7,509)    $(12,527)   $(21,819)
                                    ========   ========    =========   ========
Denominator:
  Denominator for basic and diluted
   loss per share - weighted
   average shares outstanding        21,803     21,389      21,769       21,389
                                     ------     ------      -------      ------
Basic and diluted loss per share     $(0.41)    $(0.35)     $(0.58)      $(1.02)
                                     =======    =======     =======      ======

The net loss  reported for the  six-month  periods ended March 31, 1999 and 1998
includes restructuring  charges  of $2.0  million  (or $0.09 per share) and $2.5
million (or $0.12 per share),  respectively.  Refer to Note 7, "Restructuring of
Operations," for further discussion.

Outstanding  securities (not included in the above computations because of their
dilutive  impact on  reported  loss per share)  which could  potentially  dilute
earnings per share in the future  include  convertible  debentures,  convertible
preferred  stock  and  employee  stock  options  and  warrants.  For  additional
disclosure information,  including conversion terms, refer to Notes 6, 9 and 11,
respectively, in the Company's consolidated financial statements filed with Form
10-K for the year ended  September 30, 1998.  Weighted  average  employee  stock
options  outstanding  during the six months  ended March 31,  1999  approximated
3,578,112  shares,  of which  3,430,667  would not have been included in diluted
earnings per share  calculations for the six months ended March 31, 1999 (if the
Company reported net income for the referenced  period) because the effect would
be antidilutive.

                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)



NOTE 10. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 130, "Reporting  Comprehensive
Income," ("SFAS No. 130") establishes standards for the reporting and display of
"comprehensive  income," and becomes  effective  for the Company in fiscal 1999.
Comprehensive income is defined as "all changes in equity during a period except
those resulting from  investments by owners and  distributions to owners." Under
various accounting pronouncements, certain changes in assets and liabilities are
not  reported  in a  statement  of  operations  for the period in which they are
recognized,  but instead are included in balances within a separate component of
stockholders'  equity in a  statement  of  financial  position.  The sum of such
changes,  along with other  activity  reported  in the  Company's  statement  of
operations, in effect represents comprehensive income as defined by SFAS No.
130.

The following table sets forth the computation of comprehensive income (loss):

                                   Three Months Ended         Six Months Ended
                                        March 31,                  March 31,
                                   ------------------       ------------------
                                    1999        1998         1999       1998
                                    ----        ----         ----       ----
Net loss                           $(8,539)    $(7,059)    $(11,627)  $(20,919)
Other comprehensive income
 (loss), net of tax:
Foreign currency translation
 adjustments                          (251)        (71)        (664)       (34)
                                   --------    --------    ---------  ---------
Comprehensive loss                 $(8,790)    $(7,130)    $(12,291)  $(20,953)
                                   ========    ========    =========  =========


                                     - 11 -

<PAGE>
                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES
           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                            AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

The following table sets forth selected consolidated  financial data stated as a
percentage of total revenues (unaudited):

                                     Three months ended       Six months ended
                                          March 31,                March 31,
                                     ------------------       -----------------
                                      1999       1998         1999        1998
                                      ----       ----         ----        ----
Revenues:
  Net product sales                   66.5%      73.2%        66.0%       74.3%
  Service revenue                     29.6       20.1         28.9        19.9
  Other revenue                        3.9        6.7          5.1         5.8
                                     -----      -----        -----       -----
                                     100.0      100.0        100.0       100.0
Costs and expenses:
  Cost of revenues                    54.1       50.8         54.3        52.1
  Amortization of capitalized
    software development costs         7.8        6.2          7.5         6.2
  Selling, general and 
    administrative                    37.7       37.6         38.7        39.8
  Research and product development    18.4       16.9         18.3        17.7
  Restructuring of operations            -          -          2.5         2.6
                                     -----       -----       ------      ------ 
Operating loss                       (18.0)     (11.5)       (21.3)      (18.4)
                                     ------     -----        ------      ------
Net loss                             (22.0)%    (14.6)%      (14.3)%     (21.7)%
                                     =======    =======      ======      ======

Summary  comments are as follows:  (1) quarter and  year-to-date  product  sales
declined,  offset in part with growth in service revenue (see "Revenues" caption
below for further discussion); as a result, product revenue represents a reduced
percentage  of total  revenue,  while  service  revenue  represents an increased
percentage  of  total  revenue;  (2)  other  revenue  also  represents  a  lower
percentage  of  total  revenue   reflecting  a  reduction  in  royalty   revenue
attributable to the Company's TAG division being sold in December 1998 (see Note
8 for  details);  (3) quarter and  year-to-date  cost of revenue,  measured as a
percent  of  revenue,  increased  from the prior year  reflecting  the impact of
(lower margin) service revenue representing a higher percentage of total revenue
and a reduced level of high margin royalty revenue;  (4) year-to-date  operating
expenses (excluding  restructuring charges) are down slightly when measured as a
percent of revenue,  despite a lower revenue base in fiscal 1999;  this reflects
the impact of the Company's cost reduction actions, which have reduced operating
expenses  by $9.3  million,  or 16.7%,  as  compared  to the first six months of
fiscal 1998; (5) the year-to-date net loss was reduced reflecting the net impact
of reduced  revenues,  the positive results of implemented cost reductions and a
gain of $9.0 million from the sale of a division.

                                     - 12 -

<PAGE>

Revenues
- --------
                                     Three months ended       Six months ended
                                         March 31,               March 31,
                                     ------------------       ----------------
                                     1999          1998       1999       1998
                                     ----          ----       ----       ----
   Revenues                        $38,777      $48,331     $81,196   $96,550
   Percent change                  (19.8)%            -      (15.9)%        -


Revenues in the quarter ended March 31, 1999 decreased  $9.6 million,  or 19.8%,
compared  to the prior  year,  reflecting  a  product  revenue  decline  of $9.6
million,  or 27.1%,  offset in part with service revenue growth of $1.8 million,
or 18.2%; other revenue was down $1.8 million from the prior year,  reflecting a
reduction in royalty revenue  attributable to the TAG division which was sold in
December 1998 (refer to Note 8 for details).  Both the Network  Access  Division
(down  $2.3  million,  or 14%) and the  Broadband  Systems  Division  (down $7.3
million,  or 39%)  contributed  to the product  revenue  shortfall.  The Network
Access  business  unit  experienced a reduction in domestic  Telco  business and
weakness in other  international  markets,  partially  offset with growth in its
domestic  distribution  business and the  Canadian  marketplace.  The  Broadband
Systems  business unit experienced a downturn in the  international  marketplace
(principally Latin America).

In December 1998, the Company announced a restructuring of operations into three
distinct and separately managed business units. The Network Access and Broadband
Systems  business  units  spent   considerable   time  defining  their  business
strategies,  organizational  structures  and  operating  procedures  during  the
quarter  ended March 31, 1999.  The Company  attributes a portion of the product
revenue  decline in the quarter  ended  March 31,  1999 to a diversion  of sales
efforts as each business unit defined and executed such plans.

The VITAL Network  Services  business unit's revenue growth reflects  success in
its efforts to procure new third party service  business,  including VITAL's new
partnership with Olicom, Inc. (refer to Note 6 for details).

Geographically,  international   revenues  accounted  for  46%  of  total
consolidated  revenues for the  quarter  ended March 31, 1999 as compared to 49%
for the comparable period one year ago.

The above trends and discussion also apply to year-to-date  revenue performance.
Revenues for the six months ended March 31, 1999  decreased  $15.3  million,  or
15.9%,  as compared to the prior year,  reflecting a product  revenue decline of
$18.1  million,  or 25.3%,  offset in part with service  revenue  growth of $4.3
million,  or 22.2%; other revenue was down $1.5 million from the prior year. The
Network Access  Division (down $5.3 million,  or 16%) and the Broadband  Systems
Division  (down  $12.9  million,  or 33%)  contributed  to the  product  revenue
shortfall.  A significant portion of the Broadband Systems business unit revenue
decline ($9.2 million) was attributable to the division's older  internetworking
products (TMS or  multiplexer).  The division's ATM revenue decline  amounted to
$3.7 million on a year-to-date basis.

Geographically,  international  revenues accounted for 47% and 52% of total
consolidated revenues for the six-month periods ended March 31, 1999 and
1998, respectively.

                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

Cost of Revenues:
- ----------------

                                      Three months ended     Six months ended
                                           March 31,            March 31,
                                      ------------------     ----------------
                                        1999        1998       1999      1998
                                        ----        ----       ----      ----
  Cost of revenues                   $20,983     $24,559    $44,079   $50,295
  As a percent of revenues             54.1%       50.8%      54.3%     52.1%

  Amortization of capitalized
    software development costs        $3,010      $2,972     $6,172    $5,972
  As a percent of revenues              7.8%        6.1%       7.6%      6.2%

Cost of revenues,  measured as a percent of  revenues,  increased by 3.3 and 2.2
percentage  points,  respectively,  for the three- and  six-month  periods ended
March 31, 1999 as compared to the  corresponding  periods one year ago.  Product
cost (measured as a percent of revenue) was relatively  unchanged.  The increase
in total cost is principally attributable to revenue mix. Service revenue, which
generates lower margin than product revenue,  represented a larger percentage of
the Company's total revenue in fiscal 1999  (approximately  30% and 29% of total
revenue for the three- and six-month periods ended March 31, 1999, respectively,
as  compared  to 20% for the same  periods  of  fiscal  1998).  In  addition,  a
reduction in high margin royalty revenue  (attributable to the sale of TAG) also
contributed to the margin decline.  These margin declines were partially  offset
with  improved  margins  from the  service  business  as a result of the  larger
revenue base.

Amortization of capitalized software development costs did not change materially
from the prior year. However, due to the lower revenues,  such costs represented
a higher  percentage of revenue in both the three and six months ended March 31,
1999 as compared to the corresponding periods of fiscal 1998.

High  technology  products in particular are subject to sales price pressures as
competition  grows and sales cycles  reach  maturity.  The Company  continues to
partially  offset the effect of such sales price  pressures with the negotiation
of reduced material  component prices,  improvements in manufacturing  costs and
efficiencies,  and the  introduction of new generation  products which generally
provide higher margins.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
- --------------------------------------------

                                      Three months ended      Six months ended
                                           March 31,              March 31,
                                      ------------------      ----------------
                                       1999         1998        1999      1998
                                       ----         ----        ----      ----
  Selling, general, and
    administrative expenses         $14,617      $18,178     $31,453   $38,420
  Percent change                    (19.6)%           --     (18.1)%        --
  As a percent of revenues           37.7%         37.6%      38.7%      39.8%



                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>

The  Company's  cost  reduction  plans  (refer  to  Note  7,  "Restructuring  of
Operations") have been effective in reducing selling, general and administrative
expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses are down $3.6 million, or
19.6%, for the quarter ended March 31, 1999 and $7.0 million,  or 18.1%, for the
six-month period ended March 31, 1999 as compared to the  corresponding  periods
of fiscal 1998. Cost reductions were achieved in both domestic and international
operations  despite  ongoing  salary  merit  increases  and  other  inflationary
increases.  The cost  reductions are comprised of reduced  compensation,  fringe
benefit and travel costs, a more effectively  managed  promotion and advertising
program,  and a reduced  level of  capital  spending  and  related  depreciation
expense resulting from effective  management of the Company's capital investment
program.  Despite a significantly  reduced revenue base,  year-to-date  selling,
general and  administrative  expenses were also down 1.1 percentage  points when
measured as a percent of revenue.

Research and Product Development Costs
- --------------------------------------

                                Three months ended         Six months ended
                                     March 31,                  March 31,
                                ------------------         -----------------
                                1999        1998           1999         1998
                                ----        ----           ----         ----

  Gross expenditures           $10,324     $11,186        $21,355     $23,120
  Percent change                (7.7)%         --          (7.6)%          --
  As percent of revenues        26.6 %       23.1%         26.3 %        23.9%
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Capitalized software costs   $3,189      $3,013         $6,534       $6,013
  As a percent of gross
  expenditures                  30.9%        26.9%         30.6%        26.0%
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Net research and product
  development costs            $7,135      $8,173         $14,821     $17,107
  Percent change              (12.7)%          --         (13.4)%         --
  As a percent of revenues     18.4 %       16.9%          18.3 %       17.7%
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Company  continues  to invest  heavily in research  and product  development
during fiscal 1999,  with gross spending for the first six months  approximating
an annual rate of $43 million,  or 26% of revenue.  Such  spending is,  however,
being  closely  monitored  under  the  Company's  cost  reduction  program.  The
Company's cost reduction  program strategy has been to  significantly  reduce or
eliminate  development  activities  targeted at sustaining  legacy products and,
more importantly,  to limit the investment of new funds into projects considered
to have only the highest likelihood of success. As a result, the Company has not
been replacing non-critical positions as employee attrition occurs. Furthermore,
other  positions  were  eliminated  as part of the December  1998  restructuring
process.

The end result of the  Company's  cost  reduction  program has been more focused
development  effort and gradual  headcount  reduction.  Gross  spending  for the
quarter  ended March 31,  1999 was down $0.9  million,  or 7.7%,  as compared to
quarter  ended March 31, 1998.  Year-to-date  gross  spending  follows a similar
pattern,  down $1.8  million,  or 7.6%,  from the same period one year ago.  The
spending reductions

                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>

are principally  attributable to lower  compensation  costs  (resulting from the
reduction in worldwide engineering headcount), and were achieved despite ongoing
salary merit increases and other inflationary increases.

Spending in the ATM area by the Broadband  Systems  business unit  accounted for
73% and 54% of total product  development  spending for the quarters ended March
31, 1999 and 1998,  respectively,  and 69% and 54% of total product  development
spending for the six month periods ended March 31, 1999 and 1998,  respectively.
The complexity of the ATM technology has in the past demanded, and will continue
to demand, significant research and product development investment.

Capitalized  software  development  costs,  measured  as a  percentage  of gross
spending,  were higher than the previous  year for both the three- and six-month
periods ended March 31, 1999,  indicating that software  development  activities
represent  a  greater  proportion  of total  research  and  product  development
spending.

The  Company  conducts  research  and  product  development  activities  at four
locations, with the largest pool of resource located in Middlebury, Connecticut,
and remote facilities  located in Boston,  Montreal and England.  The Company is
currently  reviewing  options for strategic  partnering of certain  research and
development activities.

Restructuring of Operations
- ---------------------------

Results  for the  six-month  periods  ended  March  31,  1999 and  1998  include
restructuring charges of $2.0 million and $2.5 million,  respectively.  Refer to
Note 7,  "Restructuring  of  Operations,"  for  more  detailed  discussion.  The
restructuring  effort executed in December 1998 involved the creation of two new
and distinct  business  units,  the Network  Access  Division and the  Broadband
Systems  Division.  In an effort  to  improve  product  line  focus and  overall
operational productivity, each business unit is comprised of a dedicated general
manager and dedicated sales, marketing and product development functions. During
the quarter  ended  March 31,  1999,  the new  business  units made  significant
progress in defining their business  strategies,  organizational  structures and
operating  procedures.   As  a  result,  the  Company  anticipates  productivity
improvements across all operational areas from each business unit going forward.

Interest and Other Income and Expense
- -------------------------------------

Net interest  expense amounted to $1.5 million and $1.4 million for the quarters
ended  March 31,  1999 and 1998,  respectively.  On a  year-to-date  basis,  net
interest  expense  amounted to $3.2 million and $2.8  million for the  six-month
periods  ended  March  31,  1999  and  1998,  respectively.  The  increases  are
principally attributable to a reduced level of cash available for investment and
a corresponding reduction in interest income.

The six months  ended March 31, 1999  includes a $9.0 million gain from the sale
of the Company's  Technology Alliance Group division.  Refer to Note 8, "Sale of
Technology Alliance Group Division," for further discussion.

Separately,  refer to "Foreign  Currency  Risk" below for  discussion of foreign
currency exchange activity included in other income and expense.

                                     - 16 -

<PAGE>

Income Tax Provisions
- ---------------------

Tax  provisions  recorded by the  Company,  principally  for foreign  income and
domestic  state taxes,  amounted to $200,000 and $300,000 in the quarters  ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998,  respectively,  and $500,000 for each of the  six-month
periods ended March 31, 1999 and 1998. The Company has  significant  federal net
operating loss carryforwards  available to offset future  liabilities.  However,
based  on the  Company's  past  financial  performance  and the  uncertainty  of
ultimate  realization  of such  carryforwards,  no net  deferred  tax  asset (or
related  deferred  tax  benefit) has been  recorded in the  Company's  financial
statements.

Foreign Currency Risk
- ---------------------

The Company's foreign  subsidiaries are exposed to foreign currency  fluctuation
since they are invoicing  customers in local  currencies  while  liabilities for
product  purchases from the parent Company are transacted in U.S.  dollars.  The
impact  of  foreign  currency  fluctuations  on  these  U.S.  dollar-denominated
liabilities  are  recorded as a component  of "Other  Income and Expense" in the
Company's  consolidated  statements of operations;  such activity  resulted in a
currency  exchange gain or (loss) of $42,000 and $38,000 for the quarters  ended
March 31, 1999 and 1998,  respectively,  and  $270,000  and  $(212,000)  for the
six-month periods ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

The  introduction  of the Euro as a common  currency for members of the European
Monetary Union is scheduled to take place in the Company's fiscal year 1999. The
Company has not  determined  what impact,  if any, the Euro will have on foreign
exchange  exposure.  However,  no  individual  foreign  subsidiary  comprises 10
percent  or  more  of  consolidated  revenue  or  assets,  and  most  subsidiary
operations  represent less than 5 percent of consolidated revenue or assets. See
"Market Risk" below for further discussion of foreign currency risk.

As a result of lower inflation in Mexico, the Company was required to change its
method of  translating  the financial  statements  of its Mexican  subsidiary to
reflect the  designation  of Mexican peso as the functional  currency  effective
January 1, 1999.  Previously the U.S. dollar had been the designated  functional
currency.  This  change  did not  have a  material  impact  on  current  quarter
financial  results,  and the  Company  does not  expect  this  change  to have a
material impact on future financial results.

Market Risk
- -----------

The  Company is exposed to various  market  risks,  including  potential  losses
arising  from  adverse  changes  in market  rates and  prices,  such as  foreign
currency  exchange and interest rates. The Company  historically has not entered
into derivatives,  forward exchange contacts or other financial  instruments for
trading, speculation or hedging purposes.

Interest Risk
- -------------

For discussion applicable to interest risk, reference is made to Form 10-K filed
with the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  for the year ended  September 30,
1998, Item 7, Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and
Financial Condition, under the caption "Interest Risk."


                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------

The Company's  cash and cash  equivalents  amounted to $4.2 million at March 31,
1999,  as  compared  to  $3.8  million  at  September  30,  1998.   Future  cash
requirements  are planned to be satisfied  from a  combination  of existing cash
balances,  additional  borrowings  under its  revolving  credit  facility  ($8.6
million of additional borrowings available at March 31, 1999) and from alternate
financing  sources.  These alternate sources are targeted to include the sale of
assets, technologies and/or interests in existing businesses or operations which
make sense from a  strategic  standpoint  (for  example,  in  December  1998 the
Company  completed  the  sale of its  Technology  Alliance  Group  division  for
approximately $16.3 million ($12.0 million of net proceeds after related selling
costs).  Refer to Note 8, "Sale of  Technology  Alliance  Group  Division,"  for
further discussion. Other alternative sources could also include the issuance of
new debt instruments, debt arrangements and/or equity securities.

In addition,  on December 18, 1998, the Company announced a restructuring of its
business  into three primary  operating  units and the intent to sell or partner
certain other  operations.  The Company  anticipates  annual  operating  expense
reductions to exceed $15.0 million when the plan is fully implemented.  Refer to
Note 7,  "Restructuring  of Operations," for further  discussion of the business
restructuring.

On October 22, 1997, the Company  entered into a $40.0 million loan and security
agreement (the "Loan  Agreement")  which provided the Company with $15.0 million
in proceeds from a five-year term loan and an additional  $25.0 million (maximum
value) revolving line of credit for a three-year  period ending in October 2000,
subject to  extension.  Availability  of such funds is subject to  satisfying  a
borrowing  base formula  related to levels of certain  accounts  receivable  and
inventories,  and  satisfaction of other financial  covenants.  Such formula and
covenants  were  amended on November  25,  1998,  along with changes in interest
rates and other items, as discussed below.

Maximum funds available for borrowing under the revolving line of credit portion
of the Loan  Agreement  amounted to $19.9 million and $25.0 million at March 31,
1999 and September 30, 1998, respectively.  Outstanding revolving line of credit
borrowings  amounted  to $11.0  million  and $1.6  million at March 31, 1999 and
September 30, 1998, respectively. Separately, letters of credit in the amount of
$284,000 and $763,000 were outstanding at March 31, 1999 and September 30, 1998,
respectively.  Most  assets  of  the  Company,  including  accounts  receivable,
inventories and property, plant and equipment, are pledged as collateral.

The Loan  Agreement's  covenants  may,  if  violated,  limit  access  to  future
borrowings and may accelerate  payment  requirements on outstanding  borrowings.
The most restrictive covenant requires the Company to maintain specified minimum
balances  consisting  of the  sum of  stockholders'  equity  (excluding  foreign
currency   translation   adjustments   subsequent  to  September  30,  1997  and
restructuring  charges  recorded in fiscal 1998 or thereafter not to exceed $4.5
million) and outstanding 7 3/4% convertible debentures  (hereinafter referred to
as "minimum equity balance"). Minimum equity balance requirements under the Loan
Agreement amount to $59.5 million,  $57.1 million and $57.0 million on March 31,
1999, June 30, 1999 and September 30, 1999, respectively,  and increases by $1.0
million per quarter beginning  December 31, 1999. As such minimum equity balance
at March 31, 1999 approximated $64.2 million,  this covenant  effectively limits
the sum of cumulative future losses and preferred stock dividend payments


                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>

to $7.2  million for the balance of the fiscal year ending  September  30, 1999.
Other  covenants  require that the Company  maintain a current ratio equal to or
greater than 1.4 and that annual capital  expenditures not exceed $15.0 million.
Separately,  terms of the Loan  Agreement  required  that  the  Company  raise a
minimum of $10.0  million in net  proceeds on or before  March 31, 1999 from the
sale of assets or execution of an equity  offering.  The Company  satisfied this
$10.0 million  covenant  requirement  on December 31, 1998 (see Note 8, "Sale of
Technology  Alliance Group Division," for further  discussion of the transaction
involved).  In accordance with terms of the Loan Agreement,  $4.3 million of the
proceeds  received  from the  transaction  were  applied  to  reduce  borrowings
outstanding under the term loan portion of the Loan Agreement in January 1999.

Since the Company  realized  losses of $33.4  million for total  fiscal 1998 and
$11.6  million for the six months ended March 31, 1999,  a  combination  of cost
reductions  and/or  revenue  growth will be required in the  remainder of fiscal
1999 to maintain compliance with the minimum equity balance covenant.  (Refer to
Note 7,  "Restructuring of Operations," for discussion of cost reduction efforts
executed in December  1998).  In the event of  non-compliance  with financial or
other covenants, the Company would have to obtain a waiver or amendment from the
lender,  and there is no assurance  that the lender would grant such a waiver or
amendment.  The Company's  inability to have access to the Loan Agreement and/or
alternative  financing  sources  would  have a  material  adverse  effect on the
Company's  financial  condition.  Management has implemented and is committed to
execute  further cost  reduction (or other)  actions as necessary to improve the
Company's operating results and maintain availability of the Loan Agreement.

In the past the  Company  has relied on its ability to offer for sale its common
stock,  preferred  stock,  convertible  debentures  and/or  warrants  as  viable
alternative  sources of financing.  The availability and terms of such offerings
in the  future  will  depend on such  items as the  Company's  future  financial
performance,  the Company's ability to authorize additional shares of its common
stock and/or market demand for the Company's  technologies.  As a result,  these
sources may not be available,  or may be available on less favorable  terms,  in
the future.  The Company's  inability to have access to the Loan Agreement funds
and/or alternative financing sources would have a material adverse effect on the
Company's financial condition.

Reference is made to the Company's consolidated financial statements and related
notes thereto and exhibits filed with Form 10-K for the year ended September 30,
1998 for further disclosures  applicable to the above-referenced  Loan Agreement
and all other outstanding indebtedness of the Corporation.

Total  outstanding debt amounted to $62.2 million at March 31, 1999, as compared
to $60.8  million at  September  30,  1998.  The net increase of $1.4 million is
comprised of $9.3 million of new (net)  borrowings  under the Company  revolving
line of credit and other  miscellaneous  borrowings of $0.3  million,  less $8.2
million of principal payments made to reduce other outstanding borrowings.

Operating
- ---------

Net cash used in  operating  activities  amounted  to $1.0  million and $2.0
million in the six months  ended March 31, 1999 and 1998, respectively.

Non-debt  working  capital,  excluding cash and cash  equivalents,  decreased
from $29.5 million at September 30, 1998 to $23.3 million at  March 31, 1999,
for  a  reduction  of  $6.2  million.   The  single


                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>

largest  factor  in  this  change  was a  $6.1  million  reduction  in  accounts
receivable,  reflecting both favorable collection activity and the reduced level
of business this quarter as compared to the quarter ended September 30, 1998.

Investing
- ---------

Investment in property,  plant and  equipment  amounted to $4.9 million and $3.7
million in the six-month  periods  ended March 31, 1999 and 1998,  respectively.
Approximately  $600,000  of the  fiscal  1999  capital  investment  activity  is
applicable  to VITAL  Network  Services  purchase of Olicom  assets,  for use in
servicing Olicom customers (see Note 6, "VITAL Network Services, L.L.C. Expanded
Partnership With Olicom, Inc." for further discussion). The Company continues to
closely  monitor  all capital  spending in an effort to preserve  cash and limit
such  investment  to  instances  which  appear to offer the  greatest  return on
investment.  Investments  in capitalized  software  amounted to $6.5 million and
$6.0  million  for  the  six-month  periods  ended  March  31,  1999  and  1998,
respectively,

Financing
- ---------

Net cash provided by financing  activities  in the six-month  period ended March
31,  1999  amounted to $13.0  million,  comprised  of $12.0  million of proceeds
received from the sale of TAG, $1.5 million of net debt borrowings, $0.4 million
of proceeds  received  from the  issuance of common  stock  pursuant to employee
stock  programs and the payment of $0.9 million in  preferred  stock  dividends.
This compares to $5.6 million of net cash  proceeds  generated in the six months
ended March 31,  1998,  reflecting  $5.8 million of net debt  borrowings  ($15.1
million in new borrowings less $9.3 million in debt repayments), $0.7 million of
proceeds  received from the issuance of common stock  pursuant to employee stock
programs and the payment of $0.9 million in preferred stock dividends.

Reference  is made to Note 5 on page 7 for a  condensed  summary of  outstanding
long-term  debt as of  March  31,  1999  and  September  30,  1998.  Separately,
reference is made to the consolidated financial statements, Notes 6 and 9, filed
with Form 10-K for the year ended  September  30, 1998 for  further  disclosures
applicable to outstanding  long-term debt and the conversion terms applicable to
$25.0 million of 7-3/4% convertible senior subordinated  debentures (Note 6) and
$20.0  million  of  convertible  preferred  stock  (Note 9),  both of which were
outstanding as of March 31, 1999 and September 30, 1998.

Future Adoption Of New Accounting Statements
- --------------------------------------------

Reference is made to the consolidated  financial statements filed with Form 10-K
for the year ended September 30, 1998, Note 1, for discussion  regarding  future
adoption of new accounting pronouncements.

Year 2000 Compliance
- --------------------

Reference is made to Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
for the year ended  September  30, 1998,  Item 7,  Management's  Discussion  and
Analysis of Results of  Operations  and Financial  Condition,  under the caption
"Year  2000  Compliance"  for  year  2000  compliance  related  discussion.  The
referenced discussion remains current as of March 31, 1999.


                                     - 20 -

<PAGE>

CERTAIN RISK FACTORS

Continuing Losses: The Company has sustained net losses for the past 18 quarters
ended March 31,  1999.  There can be no  assurance  as to when the Company  will
achieve net income.

Credit  Availability:  As noted above,  the Company's  Loan  Agreement  requires
compliance  with specific  financial  covenants,  including  restricted net loss
performance,  maintenance  of a current  ratio  which  equals or exceeds 1.4 and
capital spending restrictions.  If the Company fails to comply with the required
covenants and a waiver or amendment is not  obtained,  the Company may be unable
to borrow funds under such agreement. In such case the Company would be required
to seek other  financing to fund its  operations,  and there can be no assurance
the Company  will be able to obtain such  financing  or, if  obtained,  on terms
deemed  favorable  by the  Company.  Furthermore,  in the event the Company does
default on its $40.0 million Loan Agreement obligation,  such default may result
in a requirement  to accelerate  the due dates and payment of other  outstanding
indebtedness.

Volatility of Stock Price:  The trading price of the Common Stock has fluctuated
widely in response to quarter-to-quarter operating results, industry conditions,
awards of orders to the  Company  or its  competitors,  new  product  or product
development  announcements  by the  Company or its  competitors,  and changes in
earnings  estimates  by  analysts.  Any  shortfall  in revenue or earnings  from
expected  levels could have an immediate and  significant  adverse effect on the
trading price of the Company's Common Stock in any given period.

Common Stock Availability:  The Company has in the past relied on its ability to
issue common stock, convertible debt and convertible preferred stock as a source
of funds for general operating purposes.  Additional shares of common stock need
to be  authorized  by a vote of a majority of  shareholders  at a  shareholders'
meeting in June 1999 in order to assure  availability  of common  stock for such
purposes.  If not approved,  the Company may be required to seek other financing
to fund its  operations,  and there can be no assurance the Company will be able
to obtain such  financing  or, if  obtained,  on terms  deemed  favorable by the
Company.


SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT UNDER THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995

Portions of the  foregoing  discussion  include  descriptions  of the  Company's
expectations regarding future trends affecting its business. The forward-looking
statements  made  in  this  document,  as  well  as  all  other  forward-looking
statements  or  information  provided by the Company or its  employees,  whether
written or oral,  are made in reliance  upon the safe harbor  provisions  of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements and
future  results  are  subject  to, and should be  considered  in light of risks,
uncertainties,  and other factors which may affect future results including, but
not limited to, competition, rapid changing technology,  regulatory requirements
and  uncertainties of international  trade.  Examples of risks and uncertainties
include,  among other things:  (i) the Company's ability to maintain  compliance
with its Loan Agreement or other financing  arrangements,  including the ability
to achieve further amendments and/or waivers as required to maintain  compliance
with terms of the Loan Agreement and all other  outstanding  indebtedness;  (ii)
the possibility that the additional indebtedness

                                     - 21 -

<PAGE>

permitted to be incurred under the revolving credit facility portion of the Loan
Agreement may not be sufficient to maintain the Company's operations;  (iii) the
Company's ability to satisfy its financial  obligations and to obtain additional
indebtedness, if required; (iv) the Company's ability to effectively restructure
its operations and achieve  profitability;  (v) the Company's  ability to retain
customers;  (vi) the Company's ability to maintain existing supply  arrangements
and terms; and (vii) the Company's ability to retain key employees.

Readers  are  cautioned  not to place undue  reliance  on these  forward-looking
statements,  which reflect management's analysis only as of the date hereof. The
Company   undertakes  no  obligation   and  does  not  intend  to  update  these
forward-looking  statements to reflect events or circumstances  that arise after
the date hereof.

                                     - 22 -

<PAGE>

                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                AND SUBSIDIARIES



Part II.  Other Information
          -----------------


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

          On February 4, 1999, at the Annual Meeting of  Stockholders of the
          Corporation, the stockholders:

          1. Elected Frederick R. Cronin as a director to the Corporation for a
             term of three years:

                  Number of votes cast for:            8,860,413
                  Number of votes withheld:            2,037,788

          2. Adopted an Amendment to the Corporation's 1979 Employee Stock
             Purchase Plan reserving an additional  600,000 shares of the
             Corporation's Common Stock for issuance thereunder:

                  Number of votes cast for:           14,171,847
                  Number of votes cast against:        5,129,807
                  Number of votes abstained:             366,779

           3. Added a by-law  which  prohibits  the  repricing of stock options
              already issued and outstanding to a lower strike price at any time
              during the terms of such option without prior approval of
              shareholders:

                  Number of votes cast for:            5,755,519
                  Number of votes cast against:        4,947,119
                  Number of votes abstained:             195,563

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

         (a) Index of Exhibits

             3.1  Amended By-Laws of  the Corporation.

         (b) Reports on Form 8-K

             No reports  on Form 8-K were  filed  during the quarter for which
             this report is filed.


                                     - 23 -

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES


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



                                             GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                                         (Registrant)

                                             /S/  WILLIAM G. HENRY
                                             ---------------------------------
                                                  William G. Henry
                                                  Vice President, Finance and
                                                  Principal Financial Officer



Dated:  May 17, 1999

                                     - 24 -



                                                                  Exhibit 3.1

                                AMENDED BY-LAWS

                                       OF

                        GENERAL DATACOMM INDUSTRIES, INC.

                            (A Delaware Corporation)
                             As of February 4, 1999


                                    ARTICLE I

                                  STOCKHOLDERS

       1.  CERTIFICATES  REPRESENTING  STOCK.  Every  holder  of  stock  in  the
corporation  shall be entitled to have a  certificate  signed by, or in the name
of, the corporation by the Chairman or  Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors,
if any, or by the  President  or a  Vice-President  and by the  Treasurer  or an
Assistant   Treasurer  or  the  Secretary  or  an  Assistant  Secretary  of  the
corporation certifying the number of shares owned by him in the corporation.  If
such certificate is countersigned by a transfer agent other than the corporation
or its employee or by a registrar  other than the  corporation  or its employee,
any other signature on the certificate may be a facsimile.  In case any officer,
transfer  agent,  or registrar who has signed or whose  facsimile  signature has
been placed upon a certificate  shall have ceased to be such  officer,  transfer
agent, or registrar before such  certificate is issued,  it may be issued by the
corporation with the same effect as if he were such officer,  transfer agent, or
registrar at the date of issue.

                      Whenever the corporation shall be authorized to issue more
than one  class of stock or more than one  series  of any  class of  stock,  and
whenever  the  corporation  shall  issue any shares of its stock as partly  paid
stock,  the certificates  representing  shares of any such class or series or of
any such partly paid stock shall set forth thereon the statements  prescribed by
the General Corporation Law. Any restrictions on the transfer or registration of
transfer  of any  shares  of  stock  of any  class  or  series  shall  be  noted
conspicuously on the certificate representing such shares.

                      The  corporation  may issue a new  certificate of stock in
place of any  certificate  theretofore  issued by it, alleged to have been lost,
stolen,  or  destroyed,  and the Board of Directors may require the owner of any
lost, stolen, or destroyed certificate, or his legal representative, to give the
corporation a bond  sufficient to indemnify  the  corporation  against any claim
that  may  be  made  against  it on  account  of the  alleged  loss,  theft,  or
destruction of any such certificate or the issuance of any such new certificate.

                  2. FRACTIONAL SHARE INTERESTS.  The corporation may, but shall
not be required to, issue  fractions of a share. In lieu thereof it shall either
pay in cash the fair value of fractions of a share,  as  determined by the Board
of Directors, to those entitled thereto or issue scrip or fractional warrants in
registered or bearer form over the manual or facsimile signature of an officer
 
                                      1

<PAGE>

of the corporation or of its agent,  exchangeable  as therein  provided for full
shares,  but such scrip or fractional  warrants  shall not entitle the holder to
any rights of a stockholder except as therein provided. Such scrip or fractional
warrants may be issued  subject to the condition that the same shall become void
if not exchanged  for  certificates  representing  full shares of stock before a
specified  date, or subject to the condition  that the shares of stock for which
such  scrip  or  fractional  warrants  are  exchangeable  may  be  sold  by  the
corporation and the proceeds thereof distributed to the holders of such scrip or
fractional  warrants,  or  subject  to any other  conditions  which the Board of
Directors may determine.

                  3.  STOCK   TRANSFERS.   Upon   compliance   with   provisions
restricting the transfer or registration of transfer of shares of stock, if any,
transfers or  registration  of  transfers of shares of stock of the  corporation
shall be made only on the  stock  ledger of the  corporation  by the  registered
holder  thereof,  or by his attorney  thereunto  authorized by power of attorney
duly executed and filed with the Secretary of the corporation or with a transfer
agent  or  a  registrar,  if  any,  and  on  surrender  of  the  certificate  or
certificates  for such shares of stock properly  endorsed and the payment of all
taxes due thereon.

                  4.   RECORD  DATE  FOR   STOCKHOLDERS.   For  the  purpose  of
determining the stockholders  entitled to notice of or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders  or any  adjournment  thereof,  or for the  purpose of  determining
stockholders  entitled to receive payment of any dividend or other  distribution
or the allotment of any rights, or entitled to exercise any rights in respect of
any change,  conversion,  or exchange of stock,  or for the purpose of any other
lawful action,  the directors may fix, in advance, a date as the record date for
any such  determination of stockholders.  Such date shall not be more than sixty
days nor less than ten days before the date of such meeting, nor more than sixty
days prior to any other action.  If no record date is fixed, the record date for
the determination of stockholders  entitled to notice of or to vote at a meeting
of stockholders  shall be at the close of business on the day next preceding the
day on which notice is given, or, if notice is waived,  at the close of business
on the day next  preceding the day on which the meeting is held; the record date
for  determining  stockholders  for any other  purpose  shall be at the close of
business  on the day on which  the  Board of  Directors  adopts  the  resolution
relating  thereto.  When a  determination  of stockholders of record entitled to
notice of or to vote at any meeting of stockholders has been made as provided in
this  paragraph,  such  determination  shall apply to any  adjournment  thereof;
provided, however, that the Board of Directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.

                  5. MEANING OF CERTAIN TERMS.  As used herein in respect of the
right  to  notice  of a  meeting  of  stockholders  or a  waiver  thereof  or to
participate or vote thereat, as the case may be, the term "share" or "shares" or
"share of stock" or "shares of stock" or "stockholder" or "stockholders"  refers
to an outstanding  share or shares of stock and to a holder or holders of record
of outstanding  shares of stock when the corporation is authorized to issue only
one class of shares of stock, and said reference is also intended to include any
outstanding  share or  shares of stock and any  holder or  holders  of record of
outstanding shares of stock of any class upon which or upon whom the certificate
of incorporation confers such rights where there are two or more classes or

                                      2

<PAGE>

series of shares of stock or upon which or upon whom the General Corporation Law
confers such rights  notwithstanding  that the certificate of incorporation  may
provide  for more than one  class or  series of shares of stock,  one or more of
which are limited or denied such rights thereunder;  provided,  however, that no
such  right  shall  vest  in the  event  of an  increase  or a  decrease  in the
authorized  number of shares of stock of any class or series  which is otherwise
denied voting rights under the provisions of the certificate of incorporation.

                  6.  STOCKHOLDER MEETINGS.

                - TIME.  The annual meeting shall be held on the date and at the
time fixed, from time to time, by the directors. A special meeting shall be held
on the date and at the time fixed by the directors.

                - PLACE.  Annual meetings and special  meetings shall be held at
such place, within or without the State of Delaware,  as the directors may, from
time to time fix.  Whenever  the  directors  shall fail to fix such  place,  the
meeting shall be held at the registered  office of the  corporation in the State
of Delaware.

                - CALL.  Annual meetings and special meetings may be called by
the directors or by any officer instructed by the directors to call the meeting.

                - NOTICE OR WAIVER OF  NOTICE.  Written  notice of all  meetings
shall be given, stating the place, date, and hour of the meeting and stating the
place  within the city or other  municipality  or community at which the list of
stockholders of the corporation may be examined. The notice of an annual meeting
shall state that the meeting is called for the election of directors and for the
transaction of other  business  which may properly come before the meeting,  and
shall,  (if any other action which could be taken at a special  meeting is to be
taken at such annual  meeting)  state the purpose or  purposes.  The notice of a
special  meeting shall in all instances  state the purpose or purposes for which
the meeting is called.  If any action is proposed  to be taken which  would,  if
taken,  entitle  stockholders to receive payment for their shares of stock,  the
notice shall  include a statement of that purpose and to that effect.  Except as
otherwise  provided by the General  Corporation Law, a copy of the notice of any
meeting shall be given,  personally or by mail,  not less than ten days nor more
than  sixty  days  before  the  date of the  meeting,  unless  the  lapse of the
prescribed  period  of  time  shall  have  been  waived,  and  directed  to each
stockholder  at his record  address or at such other  address  which he may have
furnished by request in writing to the Secretary of the  corporation.  Notice by
mail shall be deemed to be given when deposited,  with postage thereon  prepaid,
in the United States mail.  If a meeting is adjourned to another time,  not more
than thirty days hence,  and/or to another place,  and if an announcement of the
adjourned time and/or place is made at the meeting, it shall not be necessary to
give notice of the adjourned  meeting unless the directors,  after  adjournment,
fix a new record date for the adjourned meeting. Notice need not be given to any
stockholder  who  submits a written  waiver of notice by him before or after the
time stated therein.  Attendance of a person at a meeting of stockholders  shall
constitute  a waiver of  notice of such  meeting,  except  when the  stockholder
attends a meeting for the express purpose of objecting,  at the beginning of the
meeting, to the transaction of any business because the meeting is not lawfully

                                       3
<PAGE>

called or convened.  Neither the business to be  transacted  at, nor the purpose
of, any regular or special meeting of the stockholders  need be specified in any
written waiver of notice.

                  -  STOCKHOLDER  LIST.  The officer who has charge of the stock
ledger of the corporation shall prepare and make, at least ten days before every
meeting  of  stockholders,  a complete  list of the  stockholders,  arranged  in
alphabetical  order,  and showing the address of each stockholder and the number
of shares registered in the name of each stockholder. Such list shall be open to
the  examination  of any  stockholder,  for any purpose  germane to the meeting,
during ordinary  business hours,  for a period of at least ten days prior to the
meeting,  either at a place within the city or other  municipality  or community
where the meeting is to be held, which place shall be specified in the notice of
the  meeting,  or if not so  specified,  at the place where the meeting is to be
held.  The list shall also be produced  and kept at the time and place where the
meeting is to be held.  The list shall also be produced and kept at the time and
place of the meeting during the whole time thereof,  and may be inspected by any
stockholder  who is present.  The stock ledger shall be the only  evidence as to
who are the stockholders entitled to examine the stock ledger, the list required
by this  section or the books of the  corporation,  or to vote at any meeting of
stockholders.

                  - CONDUCT OF MEETING.  Meetings of the  stockholders  shall be
presided over by one of the following  officers in the order of seniority and if
present and acting - the Chairman of the Board, if any, the Vice-Chairman of the
Board, if any, the President, a Vice-President,  or, if none of the foregoing is
in  office  and  present  and  acting,  by  a  chairman  to  be  chosen  by  the
stockholders.  The Secretary of the corporation, or in his absence, an Assistant
Secretary, shall act as secretary of every meeting, but if neither the Secretary
nor an Assistant  Secretary is present the Chairman of the meeting shall appoint
a secretary of the meeting.

                  -  PROXY  REPRESENTATION.   Every  stockholder  may  authorize
another  person or  persons  to act for him by proxy in all  matters  in which a
stockholder  is  entitled  to  participate,  whether  by  waiving  notice of any
meeting,  voting or participating at a meeting, or expressing consent or dissent
without a  meeting.  Every  proxy  must be signed by the  stockholder  or by his
attorney-in-fact.  No proxy  shall be voted or acted upon after three years from
its date unless such proxy provides for a longer  period.  A duly executed proxy
shall be irrevocable  if it states that it is  irrevocable  and, if, and only as
long  as,  it is  coupled  with an  interest  sufficient  in law to  support  an
irrevocable  power.  A proxy may be made  irrevocable  regardless of whether the
interest  with  which it is  coupled is an  interest  in the stock  itself or an
interest in the corporation generally.

                                       4
<PAGE>


                 -  INSPECTORS  AND  JUDGES.  The  directors,  in advance of any
meeting, may, but need not, appoint one or more inspectors of election or judges
of the  vote,  as the  case may be,  to act at the  meeting  or any  adjournment
thereof. If an inspector or inspectors or judge or judges are not appointed, the
person  presiding  at the  meeting  may,  but  need  not,  appoint  one or  more
inspectors or judges. In case any person who may be appointed as an inspector or
judge fails to appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by  appointment  made by
the  directors  in  advance  of the  meeting  or at the  meeting  by the  person
presiding  thereat.  Each inspector or judge,  if any,  before entering upon the
discharge of his duties,  shall take and sign an oath  faithfully to execute the
duties of  inspector  or judge at such  meeting  with  strict  impartiality  and
according to the best of his ability.  The  inspectors or judges,  if any, shall
determine  the number of shares of stock  outstanding  and the  voting  power of
each, the shares of stock represented at the meeting, the existence of a quorum,
the  validity  and  effect of  proxies,  and shall  receive  votes,  ballots  or
consents,  hear and determine all challenges and questions arising in connection
with the right to vote,  count and  tabulate  all votes,  ballots  or  consents,
determine the result,  and do such acts as are proper to conduct the election or
vote with fairness to all  stockholders.  On request of the person  presiding at
the meeting,  the inspector or inspectors or judge or judges, if any, shall make
a report in writing of any  challenge,  question or matter  determined by him or
them and execute a certificate of any fact found by him or them.

                 - QUORUM.  The holders of a majority of the outstanding  shares
of stock  shall  constitute  a  quorum  at a  meeting  of  stockholders  for the
transaction of any business.  The  stockholders  present may adjourn the meeting
despite the absence of a quorum.

                 -  VOTING.   Except  as  may   otherwise  be  provided  by  the
certificate  of  incorporation,  each share of stock  shall  entitle  the holder
thereof to one vote. In the election of directors, a plurality of the votes cast
shall elect.  Any other action  shall be  authorized  by a majority of the votes
cast  except  where  the  General   Corporation   Law  or  the   certificate  of
incorporation  prescribes  a different  percentage  of votes  and/or a different
exercise of voting power.  In the election of  directors,  voting need not be by
ballot.  Voting by ballot shall not be required for any other  corporate  action
except as otherwise provided by the General Corporation Law.

                                   ARTICLE II

                                   DIRECTORS

                  1.  FUNCTIONS AND DEFINITION. The business of the corporation
shall be managed by the Board of  Directors of the  corporation.  The use of the
phrase "whole  board"  herein refers to the total number of directors  which the
corporation would have if there were no vacancies.

                                       5
<PAGE>

                  2.  QUALIFICATIONS  AND  NUMBER.  A  director  need  not  be a
stockholder,  a citizen of the  United  States,  or a  resident  of the State of
Delaware. The property, affairs and business of the corporation shall be managed
by its Board of Directors.  Directors shall be divided into three classes,  each
class to be determined  by the  directors  prior to the election of a particular
class.  In the  event  that at any  time or from  time  to time  the  number  of
directors is increased,  the newly  created  directorships  resulting  therefrom
shall be filled by a vote of the majority of the directors in office immediately
prior to such  increase and  directors so elected  shall serve until the term of
the  class to  which  they  are  assigned  expires.  Vacancies  in any  class of
directors shall be filled by the vote of the remaining directors,  and directors
so  elected  shall  serve  until the term of such class  expires.  The number of
directors  may be  fixed  from  time to  time by  action  of a  majority  of the
directors.  The number of  directors  may be increased or decreased by action of
the majority of the directors then in office.

                  3. ELECTION AND TERM. Any director may resign at any time upon
written notice to the corporation.  The Board of Directors shall consist of such
number of persons fixed from time to time by the Board of Directors  pursuant to
resolution  adopted by a majority of  directors  then in office.  Subject to the
rights of holders of any series of preferred  stock, any vacancy in the Board of
Directors caused by death, resignation, removal, retirement, disqualification or
any other cause (including an increase in the number of directors) may be filled
solely by  resolution  adopted  by the  affirmative  vote of a  majority  of the
directors then in office,  whether or not such majority  constitutes less than a
quorum,  or by a sole remaining  director.  Any new directors  elected to fill a
vacancy on the Board of Directors  will serve for the remainder of the full term
of that director for which the vacancy  occurred.  No decease in the size of the
Board shall have effect of shortening the term of any incumbent director.

                  4. MEETINGS.

                  - TIME. Meetings shall be held at such time as the Board shall
fix,  except that the first  meeting of a newly  elected  Board shall be held as
soon after its election as the directors may conveniently assemble.

                  -  PLACE.  Meetings  shall  be held at such  place  within  or
without the State of Delaware as shall be fixed by the Board.

                  - CALL.  No call shall be required  for regular  meetings  for
which the time and place have been fixed.  Special  meetings may be called by or
at the direction of the Chairman of the Board, if any, the  Vice-Chairman of the
Board, if any, of the President or of a majority of the directors in office.

                  - NOTICE OR ACTUAL OR CONSTRUCTIVE  WAIVER. No notice shall be
required  for  regular  meetings  for which the time and place have been  fixed.
Written,  oral, or any other mode of notice of the time and place shall be given
for  special  meetings in  sufficient  time for the  convenient  assembly of the
directors thereat. The notice of any meeting need not specify the purpose of the
meeting.  Any requirement of furnishing a notice shall be waived by any director
who  signs a  written  waiver of such  notice  before  or after the time  stated
therein.

                                       6
<PAGE>

                  - QUORUM AND  ACTION.  A  majority  of the whole  Board  shall
constitute a quorum except when a vacancy or vacancies  prevents such  majority,
whereupon a majority  of the  directors  in office  shall  constitute  a quorum,
provided,  that such majority shall  constitute at least  one-third of the whole
Board. A majority of the directors present,  whether or not a quorum is present,
may  adjourn a meeting to another  time and  place.  Except as herein  otherwise
provided,  and except as otherwise provided by the General  Corporation Law, the
act of the Board shall be the act by vote of a majority of the directors present
at a meeting,  a quorum being present.  The quorum and voting  provisions herein
stated shall not be construed as conflicting  with any provisions of the General
Corporation  Law and these By-Laws  which govern a meeting of directors  held to
fill vacancies and newly created directorships in the Board.

                  - CHAIRMAN OF THE MEETING.  The Chairman of the Board,  if any
and if present  and  acting,  shall  preside  at all  meetings.  Otherwise,  the
Vice-Chairman of the Board, if any and if present and acting,  or the President,
if present and acting, or any other director chosen by the Board, shall preside.

                  5. REMOVAL OF DIRECTORS. Subject to the rights of holders of a
class or series of preferred stock to elect directors or to remove  directors so
elected,  a duly elected  director of the  corporation  may be removed from such
position,  with or without cause, only by the affirmative vote of the holders of
at least eighty (80) percent in voting power of the outstanding capital stock of
the  corporation  entitled  to vote in the  election of  directors,  voting as a
single  class.  A special  meeting of  stockholders  may be called by holders of
shares  outstanding  entitled to exercise a majority of the voting  power of the
corporation  in the election of directors,  solely for the purpose of removing a
director or directors.  A meeting  called by  stockholders  for the removal of a
director  or  directors  shall be called  upon the  request  in  writing  to the
Chairman,  President or Secretary,  sent by registered  mail or delivered to the
officer in person,  by a holder or holders  of shares  outstanding  entitled  to
exercise a majority of the voting  power of the  corporation  in the election of
directors.  Such  officer  forthwith  shall  cause  notice  to be  given  to the
stockholders  entitled to vote that a meeting  will be held at a time,  fixed by
such  officer,  not less than 30 and not more than 60 days after the  receipt of
the  request.  If the  notice  is not  given  within  20 days  after the date of
delivery,  or the date of the  mailing,  of the  request,  the person or persons
calling  the  meeting  may fix the time of  meeting  and give the  notice in the
manner provided herein.

                   6.  COMMITTEES.  The Board of  Directors  may, by  resolution
passed by a majority of the whole Board, designate one or more committees,  each
committee  to consist of two or more of the  directors of the  corporation.  The
Board may designate one or more directors as alternate members of any committee,
who may  replace  any  absent  or  disqualified  member  at any  meeting  of the
committee.  Any such committee,  to the extent provided in the resolution of the
Board,  shall have and may  exercise the powers of the Board of Directors in the
management of the business and affairs of the corporation, and may authorize the
seal of the corporation to be affixed to all papers which may require it. In the
absence or disqualification of any member of any such committee or committees,

                                       7
<PAGE>

the member or members thereof present at any meeting and not  disqualified  from
voting,  whether or not he or they constitute a quorum, may unanimously  appoint
another  member of the Board of  Directors to act at the meeting in the place of
any such absent or disqualified member.

                  7. ACTION IN WRITING.  Any action  required or permitted to be
taken at any meeting of the Board of Directors or any  committee  thereof may be
taken  without a meeting if all members of the Board or  committee,  as the case
may be, consent  thereto in writing,  and the writing or writings are filed with
the minutes of proceedings of the Board or committee.

                                   ARTICLE III

                                    OFFICERS

                      The directors shall elect a President, a Secretary,  and a
Treasurer,  and may elect a Chairman of the Board of Directors,  a Vice-Chairman
thereof, and one or more Vice-Presidents,  Assistant Secretaries,  and Assistant
Treasurers,  and may elect or  appoint  such  other  officers  and agents as are
desired. The President may but need not be a director. Any number of offices may
be held by the same person.

                      Unless otherwise provided in the resolution of election or
appointment,  each  officer  shall hold office until the meeting of the Board of
Directors  following  the next  annual  meeting  of  stockholders  and until his
successor  has been  elected and  qualified.  Any officer may resign at any time
upon written notice.

                      Officers  shall have the powers and duties  defined in the
resolutions  appointing  them;  provided,  that the  Secretary  shall record all
proceedings of the meetings or of the written actions of the directors,  and any
committee thereof in a book to be kept for that purpose.

                  The Board of  Directors  may remove any  officer  for cause or
without cause.

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                 CORPORATE SEAL

                  The  corporate  seal  shall  be in such  form as the  Board of
Directors shall prescribe.

                                       8

<PAGE>
                                    ARTICLE V

                                   FISCAL YEAR

                  The fiscal year of the corporation  shall be fixed,  and shall
be subject to change, by the Board of Directors.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                              CONTROL OVER BY-LAWS

                  The power to amend,  alter,  and repeal  these  By-Laws and to
adopt new By-Laws shall be vested in the Board of Directors;  provided, that the
Board of  Directors  may  delegate  such  power,  in  whole  or in part,  to the
stockholders.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                  BY-LAW   VOTED  BY  PLURALITY   VOTE  AT  ANNUAL   MEETING  OF
STOCKHOLDERS  HELD ON FEBRUARY 4, 1999 (The Board of Directors  has reserved the
right to  challenge  or repeal this By-Law on the  grounds of  illegality  under
Delaware  law and other  reasons,  as well as the status of the  proponent  as a
stockholder).

                  OPTION  REPRICING.  The  Company  shall not  reprice any stock
options  already  issued and  outstanding  to a lower  strike  price at any time
during the term of such option, without the prior approval of shareholders.


                                       9

<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5

       
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<FISCAL-YEAR-END>               SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-END>                    MAR-31-1999
<CASH>                            4,208
<SECURITIES>                          0
<RECEIVABLES>                    23,883
<ALLOWANCES>                          0
<INVENTORY>                      30,240
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 69,302
<PP&E>                          148,582
<DEPRECIATION>                  109,767
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                  140,839
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            48,935
<BONDS>                          55,047
                 0
                         800
<COMMON>                          2,224
<OTHER-SE>                       30,107
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>    140,839
<SALES>                          53,616
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                 81,196
<CGS>                            33,630
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    50,251
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                 38,874
<LOSS-PROVISION>                      0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>               (3,198)
<INCOME-PRETAX>                 (11,127)
<INCOME-TAX>                        500
<INCOME-CONTINUING>             (11,627)
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<CHANGES>                             0
<NET-INCOME>                    (11,627)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                     (0.58)
<EPS-DILUTED>                     (0.58)

        

</TABLE>


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