LOEWS CORP
S-3, 1997-02-20
FIRE, MARINE & CASUALTY INSURANCE
Previous: DIANA CORP, 4, 1997-02-20
Next: CGM CAPITAL DEVELOPMENT FUND, 24F-2NT, 1997-02-20



<PAGE>
 
     
   As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 20, 1997 
    
                                                           REGISTRATION NO. 333-
                                                                                
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                               _________________

                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                               _________________

                               LOEWS CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

               DELAWARE                           13-2646102
               (State or other jurisdiction of    (I.R.S. Employer
               incorporation or organization)     Identification No.)

                               667 MADISON AVENUE
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10021-8087
                                 (212) 545-2000
          (Address, including zip code and telephone number, including
            area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)

                                GENERAL COUNSEL
                               LOEWS CORPORATION
                               667 MADISON AVENUE
                         NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10021-8087
                                 (212) 545-2000
            (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number
                   including area code, of agent for service)
                                 _____________

                                   Copies to:
                     
           SETH A. KAPLAN, ESQ.                 JAMES B. CARLSON, ESQ.
           WACHTELL, LIPTON, ROSEN & KATZ       MAYER, BROWN & PLATT 
           51 WEST 52ND STREET                  1675 BROADWAY               
           NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10019            NEW YORK, NEW YORK  10019   
           (212) 403-1000                       (212) 506-2500              

     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:  As soon
as practicable after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

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

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

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

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

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Proposed Maximum                     
Title of Each Class of Securities            Amount to Be       Proposed Maximum       Aggregate Offering       Amount of     
to be Registered(1)                           Registered    Offering Price Per Unit         Price(2)         Registration Fee 
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                          <C>            <C>                        <C>                   <C>
Common Stock, par value $1.00 per
 share
Debt Securities
Preferred Stock, par value $.10 per share              (3)                        (3)    $1,000,000,000 (3)       $303,030.30
=============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
(1)  Securities registered hereunder (the "Securities") may be sold separately,
     together or as units with other Securities registered hereunder.  The
     Securities registered hereunder include such indeterminate number of shares
     of Common Stock or Preferred Stock which may be issued upon conversion of
     convertible debt securities or convertible Preferred Stock.
(2)  Estimated in accordance with Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act of 1933,
     as amended ("Rule 457(o)") solely for the purpose of determining the
     registration fee.
(3)  Pursuant to Rule 457(o) which permits the registration fee to be calculated
     on the basis of the maximum offering price of all the securities
     registered, the table does not specify by each class information as to the
     amount to be registered, proposed maximum offering price per unit or the
     proposed maximum aggregate offering price.

                                 _____________

     THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
<PAGE>
 
Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment.  A
registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.  These securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration statement becomes
effective.  This prospectus shall not constitute an offer to sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities
in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.
    
                 SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED FEBRUARY 20, 1997

PROSPECTUS
                               LOEWS CORPORATION
                                 $1,000,000,000
                                Debt Securities
                                Preferred Stock
                                  Common Stock

     Loews Corporation (the "Company") may offer from time to time its
securities consisting of debentures, notes and/or other evidences of senior
unsecured debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities"), subordinated unsecured
debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities," and together with the
Senior Debt Securities, the "Debt Securities"), shares of preferred stock, $.10
par value per share (the "Preferred Stock"), or shares of Common Stock, $1.00
par value per share (the "Common Stock").  The Debt Securities and shares of
Preferred Stock and Common Stock (collectively, the "Securities") offered hereby
may be offered, separately or together, in series and in amounts and on terms
determined at the time of sale and to be set forth in a supplement to this
Prospectus (each, a "Prospectus Supplement").  The Debt Securities may be
offered in one or more series with the same or various maturities, at par or
with an original issue discount and may be denominated either in U.S. dollars or
foreign currencies, including the European Currency Unit ("ECU").  The
Securities will be sold directly, through agents designated from time to time or
through one or more underwriters or dealers, or a group of underwriters.  See
"Plan of Distribution" for possible indemnification arrangements with
underwriters, dealers and agents.

     The terms of the Securities, such as (i) in the case of the Debt
Securities, the specific designation, currency in which the Debt Securities are
denominated, aggregate principal amount, denominations, maturity, rate (which
may be fixed or variable) and time of payment of interest, if any, terms for
redemption at the option of the Company or the holder, terms for sinking or
purchase fund payments and conversion or exchange privileges, (ii) in the case
of the Preferred Stock, the specific title, number of shares or fractional
interests therein, any dividend, liquidation, redemption, exchange, voting,
conversion and other rights, preferences and privileges, (iii) in the case of
the Common Stock, the number of shares offered, and (iv) in the case of any
Security, the public offering price, the names of any underwriters or agents,
the amounts to be purchased by underwriters and the compensation of such
underwriters or agents and the other terms in connection with the offering and
sale of the Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being delivered,
will be, in each case, as set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
The Prospectus Supplement will also contain information, where applicable, about
certain United States federal income tax considerations relating to the
Securities covered by the Prospectus Supplement.  All or a portion of the
Securities may be issued in permanent or temporary global form.  No Securities
may be sold without delivery of the applicable Prospectus Supplement describing
the method and terms of the offering of the Securities.

     All Debt Securities will be effectively subordinated to all existing and
future obligations of the Company's subsidiaries.  The Company's subsidiaries
had approximately $2,887 million aggregate principal amount of total
indebtedness outstanding as of September 30, 1996.  In addition, as of September
30, 1996, approximately $1,171 million aggregate principal amount of existing
indebtedness of the Company would have ranked pari passu with the Senior Debt
Securities and senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities.

     If Securities are traded after their initial issuance, they may trade at a
discount from their initial offering price, depending upon prevailing interest
rates, the market for similar securities and other factors.  While it is
possible that an underwriter could inform the Company that it intended to make a
market in Securities, such underwriter would not be obligated to do so, and any
such market making could be discontinued at any time without notice.  Therefore,
no assurance can be given as to whether an active trading market will develop
for the Securities.  The Company has no current plans for listing of the Debt
Securities or the Preferred Stock on any securities exchange or on the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. automated quotation system; any such
listing with respect to any particular Debt Securities or Preferred Stock will
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.

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

                The date of this Prospectus is           , 1997
<PAGE>
 
     NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY
REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS OR IN THE
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS
OR IN THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR
REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY
OR BY ANY UNDERWRITER, DEALER OR AGENT.  THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS
SUPPLEMENT SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER
TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED HEREBY IN ANY JURISDICTION TO ANY PERSON TO
WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IN SUCH JURISDICTION.
THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS AND THE PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AT ANY TIME DOES
NOT IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT TO
THE DATE HEREOF.

     IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, UNDERWRITERS, IF ANY, MAY OVER-ALLOT OR
EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICES OF THE OFFERED
SECURITIES AT LEVELS ABOVE THOSE WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN
MARKET.  SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, IN
THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE.  SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY
BE DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder, and in accordance therewith files reports,
proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "Commission").  Reports, proxy statements and other information
filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to the informational
requirements of the Exchange Act can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the following Regional Offices of
the Commission: New York Regional Office, Seven World Trade Center, 13th Floor,
New York, New York 10048, and Chicago Regional Office, Citicorp Center, 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661.  Copies of such material
can also be obtained at prescribed rates from the Commission, Public Reference
Section, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 or from the Commission's
worldwide web site at http://www.sec.gov.  Such reports, proxy statements and
other information can also be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, on which one or more of the Company's securities are listed.

     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (together with all amendments and exhibits, the "Registration Statement")
under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), relating to
the Securities.  This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set
forth in the Registration Statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of
the Commission.  For information with respect to the Company and the Securities,
reference is hereby made to such Registration Statement.  The Registration
Statement may be inspected without charge by anyone at the office of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and copies of all
or any part thereof may be obtained from the Commission upon payment of the
prescribed fees, or at the Commission's worldwide web site.  Statements
contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract or other
document referred to are not necessarily complete, and in each instance
reference is made to the copy of such document filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement or otherwise filed with the Commission.  Each such
statement is qualified in all respects by such reference.

                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
    
     WHEN INCLUDED IN THIS PROSPECTUS, ANY PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR IN ANY
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN OR THEREIN BY REFERENCE, THE WORDS "EXPECT,"
"INTENDS," "ANTICIPATES," "ESTIMATES" AND ANALOGOUS EXPRESSIONS ARE INTENDED TO
IDENTIFY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS. SUCH STATEMENTS INHERENTLY ARE SUBJECT TO A
VARIETY OF RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT COULD CAUSE ACTUAL RESULTS TO DIFFER 
     

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     
MATERIALLY FROM THOSE PROJECTED. SUCH RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES INCLUDE, AMONG
OTHERS, GENERAL ECONOMIC AND BUSINESS CONDITIONS, COMPETITION, CHANGES IN
FOREIGN POLITICAL, SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, REGULATORY INITIATIVES AND
COMPLIANCE WITH GOVERNMENTAL REGULATIONS, CUSTOMER PREFERENCES AND VARIOUS OTHER
MATTERS, MANY OF WHICH ARE BEYOND THE COMPANY'S CONTROL. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING
STATEMENTS SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS OR AS OF THE DATE OF THE
PARTICULAR DOCUMENT IN WHICH ANY SUCH STATEMENTS APPEAR. THE COMPANY
EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY OBLIGATION OR UNDERTAKING TO RELEASE PUBLICLY ANY
UPDATES OR REVISIONS TO ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENT CONTAINED HEREIN, IN ANY
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT OR IN ANY DOCUMENT INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN OR
THEREIN TO REFLECT ANY CHANGE IN THE COMPANY'S EXPECTATIONS WITH REGARD THERETO
OR ANY CHANGE IN EVENTS, CONDITIONS OR CIRCUMSTANCES ON WHICH ANY STATEMENT IS
BASED.      

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission (File No.
1--6541) are incorporated in this Prospectus by reference and made a part
hereof:

          (a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
     December 31, 1995 filed with the Commission on March 28, 1996;
          (b) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
     March 31, 1996 filed with the Commission on May 14, 1996;
          (c) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
     June 30, 1996 filed with the Commission on August 14, 1996;
          (d) The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
     September 30, 1996 filed with the Commission on November 14, 1996; and
          (e) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Commission
     on December 11, 1996.

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

     The Company will provide without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral
request, a copy of any or all of the foregoing documents incorporated herein by
reference (other than exhibits unless such exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference in such documents).  Requests for such documents
should be directed to Loews Corporation at its principal executive office, 667
Madison Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10021-8087, Attention: Corporate Secretary
(telephone: (212) 545-2000).

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

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                               LOEWS CORPORATION

     Loews Corporation is a holding company.  Its subsidiaries are engaged in
the following lines of business: property, casualty and life insurance (CNA
Financial Corporation, an 84% owned subsidiary, "CNA"); the production and sale
of cigarettes (Lorillard, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary, "Lorillard"); the
operation of hotels (Loews Hotels Holding Corporation, a wholly owned
subsidiary, "Loews Hotels"); the operation of offshore oil and gas drilling rigs
(Diamond Offshore Drilling, Inc., a 51% owned subsidiary, "Diamond Offshore");
and the distribution and sale of watches and clocks (Bulova Corporation, a 97%
owned subsidiary, "Bulova").
    
     CNA's principal business is insurance.  CNA's insurance subsidiaries
underwrite property, casualty, life, and accident and health coverages.  Their
principal market for insurance is the United States. CNA's foreign operations
are not significant. CNA's property and casualty insurance operations are
conducted by Continental Casualty Company ("Casualty") and The Continental
Corporation and their property and casualty insurance affiliates, and its life
insurance operations are conducted by Continental Assurance Company and its life
insurance affiliate. Insurance products are marketed by CNA through independent
agents and brokers. CNA accounted for 78.75%, 81.27% and 80.32% of the Company's
total revenue for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively.      

     Lorillard's principal products are marketed under the brand names of
Newport, Kent and True with substantially all of its sales in the United States.
Lorillard's major trademarks outside of the United States were sold in 1977.
Lorillard's largest selling brands are the Newport and Kent brands, which
accounted for approximately 70% and 11%, respectively, of Lorillard's sales in
1995.  Lorillard accounted for 11.00%, 14.29% and 13.95% of the Company's total
revenue for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993,
respectively.

     Loews Hotels properties consist of 14 hotels, 11 of which are in the United
States, two are in Canada and one is located in Monte Carlo.  In addition to
these properties, Loews Hotels is currently building a new 800-room property in
Miami Beach, Florida.  Loews Hotels accounted for 1.17%, 1.61% and 1.35% of the
Company's total revenue for the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993, respectively.
    
     Diamond Offshore's business primarily consists of owning and operating 47
offshore drilling rigs which are used on a contract basis by companies engaged
in exploration and production of hydrocarbons. Offshore rigs are mobile units
that can be relocated based on market demand. Currently 66% of these rigs
operate in the Gulf of Mexico, 9% operate in the North Sea and the remaining 25%
are located in various foreign markets. Diamond Offshore accounted for 1.82%,
2.25% and 2.11% of the Company's total revenue for the fiscal years ended
December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.     

     Bulova distributes and sells watches and clocks under the brand names of
Bulova, Caravelle and Accutron with substantially all of its sales in the United
States and Canada.  All watches and clocks are purchased from foreign suppliers.
Bulova accounted for .59%, 1.12% and 1.12% of the Company's total revenue for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

     The Company also owns a 49% common stock interest in a joint venture which
is engaged in the business of owning and operating six large crude oil tankers
that are used primarily to transport crude oil from the Persian Gulf to a
limited number of ports in the Far East, Northern Europe and the United States.

     The Company is a holding company and derives substantially all of its
operating income and cash flow from its subsidiaries.  The Company must rely
upon distributions from its subsidiaries to generate the funds necessary to meet
its obligations, including the payment of principal and interest on the Debt
Securities, or to declare and pay dividends on the Preferred Stock and Common
Stock, if any.  The ability of the Company's subsidiaries to make
such payments will be subject to, among other things, applicable state laws and
any restrictions that may be contained in credit agreements or other financing
arrangements entered into by such subsidiaries.  Claims of creditors of the

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
Company's subsidiaries will generally have priority as to the assets of such
subsidiaries over the claims of the Company and the holders of the Company's
indebtedness, including the Debt Securities.  See Note 13 of Notes to
Consolidated Financial Statements in the Company's 1995 Annual Report to
Shareholders for a discussion of limitations on the ability of certain of the
insurance subsidiaries to pay dividends.


                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the net proceeds
to be received by the Company from the sale of the Securities will be used for
general corporate purposes.


               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
    
     The table below sets forth the Company's ratio of income before cumulative
effect of changes in accounting principles to fixed charges which was computed
by dividing income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles
available for fixed charges (income before cumulative effect of changes in
accounting principles, undistributed income of associated companies, income
taxes and minority interest, adjusted for interest expense, amortization of debt
issuance costs and one-third of rent expense) by fixed charges.  Fixed charges
include (a) interest costs, (b) amortization of debt issuance costs and (c)
one-third of rent expense, which the Company believes represents the interest
factor attributable to rent.  Since no Preferred Stock was outstanding during
the periods presented, the ratio of income before cumulative effect of changes
in accounting principles to fixed charges and Preferred Stock dividends would be
the same as the ratios presented here.      

<TABLE>    
<CAPTION>
 
                                                                   NINE MONTHS
                                                                  -------------
                                                                      ENDED             YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  SEPTEMBER 30,  ---------------------------------------
                                                                  -------------
<S>                                                               <C>     <C>    <C>   <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>
                                                                    1996   1995  1995  1994     1993      1992     1991
                                                                    ----   ----  ----  ----     ----      ----     ----
Ratio of income before cumulative effect of accounting changes
 to fixed charges...............................................   8.1x    8.0x   9.4x  2.6x(a)  4.4x(b)   --(b)   9.8x(a)
- --------------
</TABLE>     
(a) Income available for fixed charges for the fiscal years ended December 31,
    1994 and 1991 included $91.6 million and $417.6 million, respectively, of
    distribution of earnings on an equity investment held by the Company.

(b) Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles was
    insufficient to cover fixed charges by $541.6 million for the year ended
    December 31, 1992. This deficit reflected a $1,500.0 million increase in
    claim reserves by Casualty, with respect to its potential exposure to
    asbestos-related bodily injury cases, resulting in an after-tax charge of
    $822.7 million against the Company's net income for the year ended December
    31, 1992. In 1993, the Company added $500.0 million to such claim reserve,
    resulting in an after-tax charge of $270.1 million against the Company's net
    income for the year ended December 31, 1993.


                     DESCRIPTION OF SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
    
     The following description of the Senior Debt Securities sets forth  the
material terms and provisions of the Senior Debt Securities to which any
Prospectus Supplement may relate.  The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued
under an Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1986, between the Company and The Chase
Manhattan Bank (National Association), as trustee (the "Trustee"), as
supplemented by a first supplemental indenture, dated as of March 30, 1993, and
a second supplemental indenture, dated as of February 18, 1997 (as supplemented,
the "Senior Indenture"), a copy of which has been filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part and is incorporated
herein by reference. The particular terms of the Senior Debt Securities offered
by any Prospectus Supplement and the extent, if any, to which such general
provisions may apply to the Senior Debt Securities, will be described in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to such Senior Debt Securities. Capitalized terms
not otherwise defined in this section have the meanings given to them in the
Senior Indenture.
                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     The following summary of the material provisions of the Senior Indenture
and the Senior Debt Securities does not purport to be complete and is subject
to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the provisions of
the Senior Indenture, including the definitions therein of certain terms, and
such Senior Debt Securities.  Wherever particular articles, sections or defined
terms of the Indenture are referred to, it is intended that such articles,
sections or defined terms shall be incorporated herein by reference, and the
statement in connection with which such reference is made is qualified in its
entirety by such reference.


GENERAL

     The Senior Debt Securities will rank equally with all other unsecured and
unsubordinated debt of the Company.  As of September 30, 1996, approximately
$1,171 million aggregate principal amount of existing debt of the Company would
have ranked pari passu with the Senior Debt Securities.  The Senior Indenture
does not limit the amount of debt, either secured or unsecured, which may be
issued by the Company under the Senior Indenture or otherwise.  The Senior Debt
Securities may be issued in one or more series with the same or various
maturities and may be sold at par, a premium or an original issue discount.
Senior Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount may bear no interest
or interest at a rate which is below market rates.

     Since the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company, and hence
the rights of creditors and stockholders of the Company, to participate in any
distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization
or otherwise is accordingly subject to prior claims of creditors of the
subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Company itself as a creditor
of the subsidiary may be recognized.

     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for a summary of the
following terms of the offered Senior Debt Securities (to the extent such terms
are applicable to such Senior Debt Securities): (i) designation, aggregate
principal amount, denomination and currency or currency unit; (ii) date of
maturity; (iii) currency or currency units for which such Senior Debt Securities
may be purchased and in which principal of, premium, if any, and any interest
will or may be payable; (iv) interest rate or rates (or the manner of
calculation thereof), if any; (v) the times at which any such interest will be
payable; (vi) the place or places where the principal and interest, if any, will
be payable; (vii) any redemption or sinking fund provisions; (viii) whether such
Senior Debt Securities will be issuable in registered form or bearer form or
both and, if issuable in bearer form, restrictions applicable to the exchange of
one form for another and to the offer, sale and delivery of certificates in
bearer form; (ix) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay
additional amounts on such Senior Debt Securities held by a person who is not a
U.S. person (as defined below) in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental
charge withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option
to redeem such Senior Debt Securities rather than pay such additional amounts;
(x) federal income tax consequences; (xi) whether and under what circumstances
the Company will issue the Senior Debt Securities in whole or in part as Global
Securities; (xii) applicable conversion or exchange privileges; and (xiii) any
other specific terms of the offered Senior Debt Securities, including any terms
which may be required by or advisable under United States laws or regulations.
For purposes of this Prospectus, "U.S. person" means a citizen, national or
resident of the United States of America, its territories, possessions and all
areas subject to its jurisdiction (the "United States"), a corporation,
partnership or other entity created or organized in or under the laws of the
United States or any political subdivision thereof or an estate or trust the
income of which is subject to United States federal income tax regardless of its
source.

     Senior Debt Securities may be presented for exchange, and registered Senior
Debt Securities may be presented for transfer, in the manner, at the places and
subject to the restrictions set forth in the Senior Debt Securities and as
summarized in the Prospectus Supplement. Such services will be provided without
charge, other than any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith, but subject to the limitations provided in the Senior Indenture.
Senior Debt Securities in bearer form and the coupons, if any, appertaining
thereto will be transferable by delivery.

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE

     The terms, if any, on which Senior Debt Securities of any series will be
convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or Preferred Stock, property
or cash, or a combination of any of the foregoing, will be summarized in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.  Such terms may include provisions for
conversion or exchange, either on a mandatory basis, at the option of the
holder, or at the option of the Company, in which the number of shares of Common
Stock or Preferred Stock to be received by the holders of the Senior Debt
Securities would be calculated according to the factors and at such time as
summarized in the related Prospectus Supplement.


GLOBAL SECURITIES

     Senior Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part in the
form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on behalf
of, a depository (the "Depository") identified in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series.  Unless otherwise specified by the Company, the
Depository will be Depositary Trust Company, New York, New York.  Global
Securities may be issued only in fully registered form and may be issued in
either temporary or permanent form.  Unless and until it is exchanged in whole
or in part for the individual Senior Debt Securities represented thereby, a
Global Security may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository for
such Global Security to a nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of such
Depository to such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the
Depository or any nominee of such Depository to a successor Depository or any
nominee of such successor.

     The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series
of Senior Debt Securities will be summarized in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series.  The Company anticipates that the following provisions
will generally apply to depository arrangements.

     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depository for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer
system the respective principal amounts of the individual Senior Debt Securities
represented by such Global Security to the accounts of persons that have
accounts with such Depository ("Participants").  Such accounts shall be
designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to such Senior
Debt Securities or by the Company if such Senior Debt Securities are offered and
sold directly by the Company.  Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global
Security will be limited to Participants or persons that may hold interests
through Participants.  Ownership of beneficial interests in such Global Security
will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only
through, records maintained by the applicable Depository or its nominee (with
respect to interests of Participants) and records of Participants (with respect
to interests of persons who hold through Participants).  The laws of some states
require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such
securities in definitive form.  Such limits and such laws may impair the ability
to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.

     So long as the Depository for a Global Security or its nominee is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Senior Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the Senior
Indenture.  Except as provided below, owners of beneficial interests in a Global
Security will not be entitled to have any of the individual Senior Debt
Securities of the series represented by such Global Security registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of any such
Senior Debt Securities of such series in definitive form and will not be
considered the owners or holders thereof under the Senior Indenture.

     Payments of principal of and any premium and any interest on individual
Senior Debt Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the name
of a Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its nominee, as
the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security representing
such Senior Debt Securities.  None of the Company, the Trustee, any Paying Agent
or the Security Registrar for such Senior Debt Securities will 

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to
or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global
Security for such Senior Debt Securities or for maintaining, supervising or
reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

     The Company expects that the Depository for a series of Senior Debt
Securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or
interest in respect of a permanent Global Security representing any of such
Senior Debt Securities, immediately will credit Participants' accounts with
payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests in
the principal amount of such Global Security for such Senior Debt Securities as
shown on the records of such Depository or its nominee.  The Company also
expects that payments by Participants to owners of beneficial interests in such
Global Security held through such Participants will be governed by standing
instructions and customary practices, as is now the case with securities held
for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered in "street name."
Such payments will be the responsibility of such Participants.

     If a Depository for a series of Senior Debt Securities is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor
depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will
issue individual Senior Debt Securities of such series in exchange for the
Global Security representing such series of Senior Debt Securities.  In
addition, the Company may, at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to
any limitations described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such Senior
Debt Securities, determine not to have any Senior Debt Securities of such series
represented by one or more Global Securities and, in such event, will issue
individual Senior Debt Securities of such series in exchange for the Global
Security or Securities representing such series of Senior Debt Securities.
Individual Senior Debt Securities of such series so issued will be issued in
denominations, unless otherwise specified by the Company, of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof.


DEFEASANCE

     At the Company's option, either (a) the Company will be Discharged (as
defined below) from any and all obligations in respect of any series of Senior
Debt Securities or (b) the Company will cease to be under any obligation to
comply with the restriction on its ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets
set forth in the Senior Indenture, in either case if it deposits irrevocably
with the Trustee, in trust, specifically for the benefit of the Holders of such
series, money or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined below) which through
the payment of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their
terms will provide money in an amount sufficient (in the written opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent accountants in the case of U.S.
Government Obligations or a combination of money and U.S. Government
Obligations) to pay all the principal of (including any sinking fund payments or
analogous obligations), and interest on, the Senior Debt Securities of such
series on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such
Senior Debt Securities.  To exercise such option, the Company is required to
deliver to the Trustee an opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel to the
effect that Holders of the Senior Debt Securities of such series will not
recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of
such deposit and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax in the same
amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case
if such deposit and discharge had not occurred.

     The term "Discharged" is defined to mean that the Company is deemed to have
paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations
under, the Senior Debt Securities of such series and to have satisfied all the
obligations under the Senior Indenture relating to the Senior Debt Securities of
such series, except for (A) the rights of Holders of the Senior Debt Securities
of such series to receive, from the trust fund described above, payment of the
principal of and the interest on the Senior Debt Securities of such series when
such payments are due, (B) the Company's obligations with respect to the Senior
Debt Securities of such series with respect to registration, transfer, exchange,
replacement of mutilated, destroyed, lost and stolen certificates, maintenance
of a paying office and holding money in trust, and (C) the rights, powers,
trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee under the Senior Indenture.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
     The term "U.S. Government Obligations" is defined to mean securities that
are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of
which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person
controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the
United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a
full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in
either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the
option of the issuer thereof, and also includes a depositary receipt issued by a
bank or trust company, as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government
Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository
receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not
authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such
depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the
U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal
of the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt (Article
Fourteen).


MODIFICATION OF THE SENIOR INDENTURE

     Modifications and amendments of the Senior Indenture may be made by the
Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Senior Debt Securities affected
by such modification or amendment; provided however, that no such modification
or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Senior
Debt Security affected thereby: (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal
of, or any installment of principal of or interest on, any Senior Debt Security;
(2) reduce the principal amount of or interest on, or any premium payable upon
redemption of, any Senior Debt Security; (3) change certain other terms of
payment of any Senior Debt Security; or (4) reduce the percentage of the
principal amount of the Outstanding Senior Debt Security of any series, the
consent of whose Holders is required to modify or amend the Senior Indenture or
waive compliance with, or consent to certain defaults under, the provisions of
the Senior Indenture (Section 902).  The Board of Directors of the Company does
not have the power to waive any of the covenants of the Senior Indenture,
including those relating to consolidation, merger or sale of assets.


EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
    
     The following will be Events of Default with respect to any particular
series of the Senior Debt Securities: (1) default in any payment of interest on
such series when due, continued for 30 days; (2) default in any payment of
principal and premium, if any, of, or sinking fund installment on, such series
when due; (3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty
of the Company applicable to such series continued for 60 days after written
notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of such series; (4) default resulting in the acceleration of any
indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed in excess of $100,000,000 under
the terms of the instrument under which such indebtedness is or may be
outstanding, if such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 10 days
after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of such series; and (5) certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization in respect of the Company (Section 501).  No Event
of Default with respect to a particular series of Senior Debt Securities
necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of
Senior Debt Securities (Section 501).     

     The Trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of any default with
respect to any series of the Senior Debt Securities, give to the Holders thereof
notice of such default known to the Trustee, unless such default has been cured
or waived (the term default for this purpose means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of Default); provided
that, except in the case of a default in the payment of principal of (or
premium, if any) or interest on any of such Senior Debt Securities or in the
payment of any sinking fund installments, the Trustee will be protected in
withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith determines that the
withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders thereof (Section
602).

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
     The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee each year a
statement as to the fulfillment by the Company of its obligations under the
Senior Indenture (Section 1004).

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Senior
Debt Securities of any series may, in respect thereof, waive certain defaults
and may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power conferred on
the Trustee, provided that such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule
of law or with the Senior Indenture (Sections 512, 513).  The Trustee has the
right to decline to follow any such direction if the Trustee in good faith
determines that the proceeding so directed would be unjustly prejudicial to the
Holders of Senior Debt Securities of such series not joining in any such
direction or would involve the Trustee in personal liability.  The Senior
Indenture provides that in case an Event of Default occurs and is continuing
with respect to any series of the Senior Debt Securities, the Trustee will be
required to exercise any of its rights and powers under the Senior Indenture
with the degree of care and skill such as a prudent man would exercise in the
conduct of his own affairs (Section 601).  Subject to such provisions, the
Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers
under the Senior Indenture at the direction of any of the Holders of such Senior
Debt Securities unless such Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable
security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and liabilities which might be
incurred by the Trustee in complying with such direction (Section 603).

     If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the Senior
Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of such series may declare such series due and payable (Section
502).

     The Senior Indenture provides that no Holder of Senior Debt Securities of
any series may institute any action against the Company under the Senior
Indenture (except actions for payment of overdue principal or interest or
premium, if any) unless the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of such
series have requested the Trustee to institute such action and have offered the
Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee has not instituted such action
within 60 days of such request (Section 507).


CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or
sell its assets substantially as an entirety, unless (1) the corporation formed
by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the corporation
which acquires its assets is organized in the United States and expressly
assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest on all the Senior Debt Securities, if any, issued under the Senior
Indenture and the performance of every covenant of the Senior Indenture on the
part of the Company to be performed and (2) immediately after giving effect to
such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which after notice or lapse
of time or both would become an Event of Default, has happened and is
continuing.  Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale, the successor
corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company is merged or
to which such sale is made, will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Company
under the Senior Indenture (Sections 801, 802).

     Other than the covenants described above, or as set forth in any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Indenture and the Senior Debt
Securities do not contain any covenants or other provisions designed to afford
holders of the Senior Debt Securities protection in the event of a takeover,
recapitalization or a highly leveraged transaction involving the Company.

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

     The Company and the Trustee may from time to time engage in normal and
customary banking transactions.

                  DESCRIPTION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
    
     The following description of the Subordinated Debt Securities sets forth
the material terms and provisions of the Subordinated Debt Securities to which
any Prospectus Supplement may relate.  The Subordinated Debt Securities are to
be issued under an Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1985, between the Company
and the Trustee, as supplemented by a first supplemental indenture, dated as of
February 18, 1997, and a second supplemental indenture, dated as of February 18,
1997 (as supplemented, the "Subordinated Indenture"), a copy of which has been
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part and is incorporated herein by reference. The particular terms of the
Subordinated Debt Securities offered by any Prospectus Supplement and the
extent, if any, to which such general provisions may apply to the Subordinated
Debt Securities, will be described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
Subordinated Debt Securities. Capitalized terms not otherwise defined in this
section have the meanings given to them in the Subordinated Indenture.    

     The following summary of the material provisions of the Subordinated
Indenture and the Subordinated Debt Securities does not purport to be complete
and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of the
provisions of the Subordinated Indenture, including the definitions therein of
certain terms, and such Subordinated Debt Securities.  Wherever particular
articles, sections or defined terms of the Subordinated Indenture are referred
to, it is intended that such articles, sections or defined terms shall be
incorporated herein by reference, and the statement in connection with which
such reference is made is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

GENERAL

     The Subordinated Debt Securities will rank equally with all other unsecured
and subordinated debt of the Company except for debt which may be subordinated
to Senior Indebtedness but which by its terms is made expressly senior to the
Subordinated Debt Securities.  As of September 30, 1996, approximately $1,171
million aggregate principal amount of existing debt of the Company would have
ranked senior to the Subordinated Debt Securities.  The Subordinated Indenture
does not limit the amount of debt, either secured or unsecured, which may be
issued by the Company under the Subordinated Indenture or otherwise.  The
Subordinated Debt Securities may be issued in one or more series with the same
or various maturities and may be sold at par, a premium or an original issue
discount.  Subordinated Debt Securities sold at an original issue discount may
bear no interest or interest at a rate which is below market rates.

     Since the Company is a holding company, the rights of the Company, and
hence the rights of creditors and stockholders of the Company, to participate in
any distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or
reorganization or otherwise is accordingly subject to prior claims of creditors
of the subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Company itself as a
creditor of the subsidiary may be recognized.

     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement for a summary of the
following terms of the offered Subordinated Debt Securities (to the extent such
terms are applicable to such Subordinated Debt Securities): (i) designation,
aggregate principal amount, denomination and currency or currency unit; (ii)
date of maturity; (iii) currency or currency units for which such Subordinated
Debt Securities may be purchased and in which principal of, premium, if any, and
any interest will or may be payable; (iv) interest rate or rates (or the manner
of calculation thereof), if any; (v) the times at which any such interest will
be payable; (vi) the place or places where the principal and interest, if any,
will be payable; (vii) any redemption or sinking fund provisions; (viii) whether
such Subordinated Debt Securities will be issuable in registered form or bearer
form or both and, if issuable in bearer form, restrictions applicable to the
exchange of one form for another and to the offer, sale and delivery of
certificates 

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
in bearer form; (ix) whether and under what circumstances the Company will pay
additional amounts on such Subordinated Debt Securities held by a person who is
not a U.S. person in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge
withheld or deducted and, if so, whether the Company will have the option to
redeem such Subordinated Debt Securities rather than pay such additional
amounts; (x) federal income tax consequences; (xi) whether and under what
circumstances the Company will issue the Subordinated Debt Securities in whole
or in part as Global Securities; (xii) applicable conversion or exchange
privileges; and (xiii) any other specific terms of the offered Subordinated Debt
Securities, including any terms which may be required by or advisable under
United States laws or regulations.

     Subordinated Debt Securities may be presented for exchange, and registered
Subordinated Debt Securities may be presented for transfer, in the manner, at
the places and subject to the restrictions set forth in the Subordinated Debt
Securities and as summarized in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.  Such
services will be provided without charge, other than any tax or other
governmental charge payable in connection therewith, but subject to the
limitations provided in the Subordinated Indenture.  Subordinated Debt
Securities in bearer form and the coupons, if any, appertaining thereto will be
transferable by delivery.


CONVERSION AND EXCHANGE

     The terms, if any, on which Subordinated Debt Securities of any series will
be convertible into or exchangeable for Common Stock or Preferred Stock,
property or cash, or a combination of any of the foregoing, will be summarized
in the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.  Such terms may include
provisions for conversion or exchange, either on a mandatory basis, at the
option of the holder, or at the option of the Company, in which the number of
shares of Common Stock or Preferred Stock to be received by the holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities would be calculated according to the factors and at
such time as summarized in the related Prospectus Supplement.


GLOBAL SECURITIES

     Subordinated Debt Securities of a series may be issued in whole or in part
in the form of one or more Global Securities that will be deposited with, or on
behalf of, a depository (the "Depository") identified in the Prospectus
Supplement relating to such series.  Unless otherwise specified by the Company,
the Depository will be The Depositary Trust Company, New York, New York.  Global
Securities may be issued only in fully registered form and in either temporary
or permanent form.  Unless and until it is exchanged in whole or in part for the
individual Subordinated Debt Securities represented thereby, a Global Security
may not be transferred except as a whole by the Depository for such Global
Security to a nominee of such Depository or by a nominee of such Depository to
such Depository or another nominee of such Depository or by the Depository or
any nominee of such Depository to a successor Depository or any nominee of such
successor.

     The specific terms of the depository arrangement with respect to a series
of Subordinated Debt Securities will be summarized in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to such series.  The Company anticipates that the following provisions
will generally apply to depository arrangements.

     Upon the issuance of a Global Security, the Depository for such Global
Security or its nominee will credit on its book-entry registration and transfer
system the respective principal amounts of the individual Subordinated Debt
Securities represented by such Global Security to the accounts of persons that
have accounts with such Depository ("Participants").  Such accounts shall be
designated by the underwriters, dealers or agents with respect to such
Subordinated Debt Securities or by the Company if such Subordinated Debt
Securities are offered and sold directly by the Company.  Ownership of
beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to Participants or
persons that may hold interests through Participants. Ownership of beneficial
interests in such Global Security will 

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected only through,
records maintained by the applicable Depository or its nominee (with respect to
interests of Participants) and records of Participants (with respect to
interests of persons who hold through Participants). The laws of some states
require that certain purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such
securities in definitive form. Such limits and such laws may impair the ability
to own, pledge or transfer beneficial interests in a Global Security.

     So long as the Depository for a Global Security or its nominee is the
registered owner of such Global Security, such Depository or such nominee, as
the case may be, will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Subordinated
Debt Securities represented by such Global Security for all purposes under the
Subordinated Indenture.  Except as provided below, owners of beneficial
interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have any of the
individual Subordinated Debt Securities of the series represented by such Global
Security registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of any such Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in
definitive form and will not be considered the owners or holders thereof under
the Subordinated Indenture.

     Payments of principal of and any premium and any interest on individual
Subordinated Debt Securities represented by a Global Security registered in the
name of a Depository or its nominee will be made to the Depository or its
nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the Global Security
representing such Subordinated Debt Securities.  None of the Company, the
Trustee, any Paying Agent or the Security Registrar for such Subordinated Debt
Securities will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests in the Global Security for such Subordinated Debt Securities or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
ownership interests.

     The Company expects that the Depository for a series of Subordinated Debt
Securities or its nominee, upon receipt of any payment of principal, premium or
interest in respect of a permanent Global Security representing any of such
Subordinated Debt Securities, immediately will credit Participants' accounts
with payments in amounts proportionate to their respective beneficial interests
in the principal amount of such Global Security for such Subordinated Debt
Securities as shown on the records of such Depository or its nominee.  The
Company also expects that payments by Participants to owners of beneficial
interests in such Global Security held through such Participants will be
governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the case
with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or registered
in "street name."  Such payments will be the responsibility of such
Participants.

     If a Depository for a series of Subordinated Debt Securities is at any time
unwilling, unable or ineligible to continue as depository and a successor
depository is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company will
issue individual Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in exchange for the
Global Security representing such series of Subordinated Debt Securities.  In
addition, the Company may, at any time and in its sole discretion, subject to
any limitations described in the Prospectus Supplement relating to such
Subordinated Debt Securities, determine not to have any Subordinated Debt
Securities of such series represented by one or more Global Securities and, in
such event, will issue individual Subordinated Debt Securities of such series in
exchange for the Global Security or Securities representing such series of
Subordinated Debt Securities. Individual Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series so issued will be issued in denominations, unless otherwise specified by
the Company, of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof.


DEFEASANCE

     At the Company's option, either (a) the Company will be Discharged (as
defined below) from any and all obligations in respect of any series of
Subordinated Debt Securities or (b) the Company will cease to be under any
obligation to comply with the restriction on its ability to merge, consolidate
or sell assets set forth in the Subordinated Indenture, in either case if it
deposits irrevocably with the Trustee, in trust, specifically for the benefit of
the Holders of such series, money or U.S. Government Obligations (as defined
below) which through the payment 

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
of interest thereon and principal thereof in accordance with their terms will
provide money in an amount sufficient (in the written opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent accountants in the case of U.S. Government
Obligations or a combination of money and U.S. Government Obligations) to pay
all the principal of (including any sinking fund payments or analogous
obligations), and interest on, the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series
on the dates such payments are due in accordance with the terms of such
Subordinated Debt Securities. To exercise such option, the Company is required
to deliver to the Trustee an opinion of nationally recognized tax counsel to the
effect that Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series will not
recognize income, gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a result of
such deposit and discharge and will be subject to Federal income tax in the same
amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case
if such deposit and discharge had not occurred.
    
     The term "Discharged" is defined to mean that the Company is deemed to have
paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by, and obligations
under, the Subordinated Debt Securities of such series and to have satisfied all
the obligations under the Subordinated Indenture relating to the Subordinated
Debt Securities of such series, except for (A) the rights of Holders of the
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series to receive, from the trust fund
described above, payment of the principal of and the interest on the
Subordinated Debt Securities of such series when such payments are due, (B) the
Company's obligations with respect to the Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series with respect to registration, transfer, exchange, replacement of
mutilated, destroyed, lost and stolen certificates, maintenance of a paying
office and holding money in trust and (C) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and
immunities of the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture.     

     The term "U.S. Government Obligations" is defined to mean securities that
are (i) direct obligations of the United States of America for the payment of
which its full faith and credit is pledged or (ii) obligations of a Person
controlled or supervised by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the
United States of America the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a
full faith and credit obligation by the United States of America, which, in
either case under clauses (i) or (ii) are not callable or redeemable at the
option of the issuer thereof, and also includes a depositary receipt issued by a
bank or trust company, as custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government
Obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of a depository
receipt, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is not
authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of such
depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of the
U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of interest on or principal
of the U.S. Government Obligations evidenced by such depository receipt (Article
Fifteen).

MODIFICATION OF THE SUBORDINATED INDENTURE

     Modifications and amendments of the Subordinated Indenture may be made by
the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of not less than a
majority in principal amount of all Outstanding Subordinated Debt Securities
affected by such modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such
modification or amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Subordinated Debt Security affected thereby: (1) change the Stated
Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of principal of or interest on,
any Subordinated Debt Security; (2) reduce the principal amount of or interest
on, or any premium payable upon the redemption of, any Subordinated Debt
Security; (3) change certain other terms of payment of any Subordinated Debt
Security; or (4) reduce the percentage of the principal amount of the
Outstanding Subordinated Debt Security of any series, the consent of whose
Holders is required to modify or amend the Subordinated Indenture or waive
compliance with, or consent to certain defaults under, the provisions of the
Subordinated Indenture (Section 902).  The Board of Directors of the Company
does not have the power to waive any of the covenants of the Subordinated
Indenture, including those relating to consolidation, merger or sale of assets.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT, NOTICE AND WAIVER
    
     The following will be Events of Default with respect to any particular
series of the Subordinated Debt Securities: (1) default in any payment of
interest on such series when due, continued for 30 days; (2) default in any
payment of principal and premium, if any, of, or sinking fund installment on,
such series when due; (3) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant
or warranty of the Company applicable to such series continued for 60 days after
written notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of such series; (4) default resulting in the acceleration of
any indebtedness of the Company for money borrowed in excess of $100,000,000
under the terms of the instrument under which such indebtedness is or may be
outstanding, if such acceleration is not rescinded or annulled within 10 days
after notice to the Company by the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
principal amount of such series; and (5) certain events of bankruptcy,
insolvency or reorganization in respect of the Company (Section 501).  No Event
of Default with respect to a particular series of Subordinated Debt Securities
necessarily constitutes an Event of Default with respect to any other series of
Subordinated Debt Securities (Section 501).     

     The Trustee will, within 90 days after the occurrence of any default with
respect to any series of the Subordinated Debt Securities, give to the Holders
thereof notice of such default known to the Trustee, unless such default has
been cured or waived (the term default for this purpose means any event which
is, or after notice or lapse of time, or both, would become, an Event of
Default); provided that, except in the case of a default in the payment of
principal of (or premium, if any) or interest on any of such Subordinated Debt
Securities or in the payment of any sinking fund installment, the Trustee will
be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as it in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the Holders
thereof (Section 602).

     The Company will be required to furnish to the Trustee each year a
statement as to the fulfillment by the Company of its obligations under the
Subordinated Indenture (Section 1004).

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding
Subordinated Debt Securities of any series may, in respect thereof, waive
certain defaults and may direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or
power conferred on the Trustee, provided that such direction shall not be in
conflict with any rule of law or with the Subordinated Indenture (Sections 512,
513).  The Trustee has the right to decline to follow any such direction if the
Trustee in good faith determines that the proceeding so directed would be
unjustly prejudicial to the Holders of Subordinated Debt Securities of such
series not joining in any such direction or would involve the Trustee in
personal liability. The Subordinated Indenture provides that in case an Event of
Default occurs and is continuing with respect to any series of the Subordinated
Debt Securities, the Trustee will be required to exercise any of its rights and
powers under the Subordinated Indenture with the degree of care and skill such
as a prudent man would exercise in the conduct of his own affairs (Section 601).
Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to exercise
any of its rights or powers under the Subordinated Indenture at the direction of
any of the Holders of such Subordinated Debt Securities unless such Holders have
offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in complying
with such direction (Section 603).

     If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing with respect to the
Subordinated Debt Securities of any series, the Trustee or the Holders of at
least 25% in principal amount of such series may declare such series due and
payable (Section 502).

     The Subordinated Indenture provides that no Holder of Subordinated Debt
Securities of any series may institute any action against the Company under the
Subordinated Indenture (except actions for payment of overdue principal or
interest or premium, if any) unless the Holders of at least 25% in principal
amount of such series have requested the Trustee to institute such action and
have offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee has not
instituted such action within 60 days of such request (Section 507).

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER OR SALE OF ASSETS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company may not consolidate with or merge into any other corporation or
sell its assets substantially as an entirety, unless (1) the corporation formed
by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or the corporation
which acquires its assets is organized in the United States and expressly
assumes the due and punctual payment of the principal of (and premium, if any)
and interest on all the Subordinated Debt Securities, if any, issued under the
Subordinated Indenture and the performance of every covenant of the Subordinated
Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed and (2) immediately after
giving effect to such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event which after
notice or lapse of time or both would become an Event of Default, has happened
and is continuing.  Upon any such consolidation, merger or sale, the successor
corporation formed by such consolidation, or into which the Company is merged or
to which such sale is made, will succeed to, and be substituted for, the Company
under the Subordinated Indenture (Sections 801, 802).

     Other than the covenants described above, or as set forth in any
accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the Subordinated Indenture and the
Subordinated Debt Securities do not contain any covenants or other provisions
designed to afford holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities protection in the
event of a takeover, recapitalization or highly leveraged transaction involving
the Company.


SUBORDINATION

     The indebtedness represented by the Subordinated Debt Securities is
subordinated in right of payment to existing and future Senior Indebtedness, as
described in the Subordinated Indenture and any accompanying Prospectus
Supplement (Section 1301).  The term "Senior Indebtedness" means (i) all
indebtedness for money borrowed incurred by the Company, unless the terms of the
instrument or instruments by which such indebtedness is incurred or created
expressly provide that such indebtedness is subordinate to, or pari passu with,
the Subordinated Debt Securities or that such indebtedness is not superior in
right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities, (ii) any other
indebtedness, obligation or liability incurred by the Company (including any
guaranty, endorsement or other contingent obligation of the Company in respect
of, or to purchase, or otherwise acquire, any obligation of another), direct or
indirect, absolute or contingent, or matured or unmatured, which is specifically
designated by the Company as Senior Indebtedness in the instruments evidencing
said indebtedness, obligation or liability at the time of the issuance or
incurrence thereof, or (iii) any deferral, renewal or extension of any of the
foregoing.

     By reason of such subordination, in the event of dissolution, insolvency,
bankruptcy or other similar proceedings, upon any distribution of assets, (i)
the holders of Subordinated Debt Securities will be required to pay over their
share of such distribution in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities to the
holders of Senior Indebtedness until such Senior Indebtedness is paid in full
and (ii) creditors of the Company who are not holders of Senior Indebtedness may
recover less, ratably, than holders of Senior Indebtedness and may recover more,
ratably, than holders of Subordinated Debt Securities (Section 1301).


CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE

     The Company and the Trustee may from time to time engage in normal and
customary banking transactions.


                         DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

     The Company is authorized to issue up to 100,000,000 shares of Preferred
Stock, par value $0.10 per share, in one or more series.  All shares of
Preferred Stock, irrespective of series, constitute one and the same class.  The
following description of the terms of the Preferred Stock sets forth certain
general terms and provisions of the 

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
Preferred Stock. Certain terms of any series of Preferred Stock offered by any
Prospectus Supplement will be set forth in the Certificate of Designations, and
summarized in the Prospectus Supplement, relating to such series of Preferred
Stock. If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the terms of any such
series may differ from the terms set forth below.


GENERAL

     The Board of Directors is authorized to establish and designate series and
to fix the number of shares and the relative rights, preferences and limitations
of the respective series of Preferred Stock.  The terms of a particular series
of Preferred Stock may differ, among other things, in (1) the designation and
number of shares comprising such series; (2) the dividends, if any, which shall
be payable on the shares of such series and any preferences and other terms and
conditions applicable thereto; (3) any rights and preferences of the holders of
the shares of such series upon the liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of
the affairs of, or upon any distribution of the assets of, the Company; (4) the
full, limited or special voting rights, if any, of the shares of such series, in
addition to voting rights provided by law, and the terms and conditions
applicable thereto; (5) any provision with respect to the conversion of the
shares of such series into, or the exchange of such shares for, shares of any
other class or classes, or of any other series of any class, of the capital
stock of the Company and/or any other property or cash, and the terms and
conditions applicable to any such conversion or exchange; (6) any provision with
respect to the redemption, purchase, or retirement of such shares and the terms
and conditions applicable thereto; (7) any provision with respect to the
issuance of additional shares of such series or of any other class or series on
a parity with or superior to the shares of such series; and (8) any other
relative, participating, optional or special powers, preferences, or rights of,
and any other qualifications, limitations, or restrictions with respect to, the
shares of such series as the Board of Directors may deem advisable.  Unless
otherwise specifically set forth in the Certificate of Designations, and
summarized in the Prospectus Supplement, relating to a series of Preferred
Stock, all shares of Preferred Stock will be of equal rank, preference and
priority as to dividends; when the stated dividends are not paid in full, the
shares of all series of the Preferred Stock will share ratably in any payment
thereof; and upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up, if assets are
insufficient to pay in full all Preferred Stock, then such assets shall be
distributed among the holders ratably.

     Since the Company is a holding company, the right of the Company, and hence
the right of creditors and stockholders of the Company, to participate in any
distribution of assets of any subsidiary upon its liquidation or reorganization
or otherwise is necessarily subject to the prior claims of creditors of the
subsidiary, except to the extent that claims of the Company itself as a creditor
of the subsidiary may be recognized.

    
     The description of certain provisions of the Preferred Stock set forth
below does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the
Certificate of Designations that relates to a particular series of Preferred
Stock, which will be filed with the Commission at or prior to the time of the
sale of the related Preferred Stock.     


DIVIDEND RIGHTS

     Except as may be set forth in the Certificate of Designations, and
summarized in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock,
the holders of Preferred Stock will be entitled to receive, but only when and as
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available for that
purpose, cash dividends at the rates and on the dates set forth in the
Certificate of Designations, and summarized in the Prospectus Supplement
relating to a particular series of Preferred Stock, and no more, payable
quarterly.  Such rate may be fixed or variable.  Each such dividend will be
payable to the holders of record as they appear on the stock books of the
Company on such record dates as will be fixed by the Board of Directors of the
Company or a duly authorized committee thereof.  Dividends payable on the
Preferred Stock for any period less than a full quarter will be computed on the
basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a 360 day year and for a period
of a full calendar quarter, will be computed 

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
on the basis of a 360 day year consisting of twelve 30 day months. Except as may
be set forth in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred
Stock, such dividends will be payable from, and will be cumulative from, the
date of original issue of each share, so that, if in any quarterly dividend
period (being the period between such dividend payment dates), dividends at the
rate or rates as set forth in the Certificate of Designations, and summarized in
the Prospectus Supplement, relating to such series of Preferred Stock have not
been declared and paid or set apart for payment on all outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock for such quarterly dividend period and all preceding quarterly
dividend periods from and after the first day from which dividends are
cumulative, then the aggregate deficiency will be declared and fully paid or set
apart for payment, but without interest, before any dividends are declared or
paid or set apart for payment on the Common Stock by the Company. After payment
in full of all dividend arrearages on the Preferred Stock, dividends on the
Common Stock may be declared and paid out of funds legally available for that
purpose as the Board of Directors may determine.


REDEMPTION

     The Company will have such rights, if any, to redeem shares of Preferred
Stock, and the holders of Preferred Stock will have such rights, if any, to
cause the Company to redeem shares of Preferred Stock, as may be set forth in
the Certificate of Designations, and summarized in the Prospectus Supplement,
relating to a series of Preferred Stock.


CONVERSION OR EXCHANGE

     The holders of Preferred Stock will have such rights, if any, to convert
such shares into or to exchange such shares for, shares of any other class or
classes, or of any other series of any class, of the capital stock of the
Company and/or any other property or cash, as may be set forth in the
Certificate of Designations, and summarized in the Prospectus Supplement,
relating to a series of Preferred Stock.


VOTING RIGHTS

     The holders of Preferred Stock will have such voting rights, if any, as may
be set forth in the Certificate of Designations, and summarized in the
Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of Preferred Stock.

     The holders of the outstanding shares of a series of Preferred Stock will
be entitled to vote as a class upon a proposed amendment, whether or not
entitled to vote thereon by the Restated Certificate of Incorporation if the
amendment would increase or decrease the aggregate number of authorized shares
of such series of Preferred Stock, increase or decrease the par value of the
shares of such series of Preferred Stock, or alter or change the powers,
preferences, or special rights of the shares of such series of Preferred Stock
so as to affect them adversely.  If any proposed amendment would alter or change
the powers, preferences, or special rights of one or more series of Preferred
Stock so as to affect them adversely, but will not so affect the entire series,
then only the shares of the series so affected by the amendment will be
considered a separate series for purposes of this paragraph.  The number of
authorized shares of any such series of Preferred Stock may be increased or
decreased (but not below the number of shares thereof then outstanding) by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the stock of the Company
entitled to vote irrespective of the previous two sentences, if so provided in
the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, in any amendment thereto which
created such series of Preferred Stock or which was adopted prior to the
issuance of any shares of such series of Preferred Stock, or in any amendment
thereto which was authorized by a resolution or resolutions adopted by the
affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of such series of Preferred Stock.
This paragraph reflects legal requirements under current Delaware law and is
subject to any amendments to such law.

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
     The foregoing voting provisions will not apply if, in connection with the
matters specified, provision is made for the redemption or retirement of all
outstanding Preferred Stock.


LIQUIDATION RIGHTS

     Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, whether
voluntary or involuntary, holders of Preferred Stock will have such preferences
and priorities, if any, with respect to distribution of the assets of the
Company or the proceeds thereof as may be set forth in the Certificate of
Designations and summarized in the Prospectus Supplement relating to a series of
Preferred Stock.


MISCELLANEOUS

     The transfer agent, dividend disbursing agent and registrar for the
Preferred Stock issued in connection with this Prospectus will be as set forth
in the Certificate of Designations and summarized in the Prospectus Supplement.
The holders of Preferred Stock, including any Preferred Stock issued in
connection with this Prospectus, will not have any preemptive rights to purchase
or subscribe for any shares of any class or other securities of any type of the
Company.  When issued, the Preferred Stock will be fully paid and nonassessable.
The Certificate of Designations setting forth the provisions of each series of
Preferred Stock will become effective after the date of this Prospectus but on
or before issuance of the related series of Preferred Stock.


                          DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK

     Under the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Company is authorized
to issue up to 400,000,000 shares of Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share.
On January 15, 1997, there were outstanding 115,000,000 shares of Common Stock.

    
     The following description is a summary of certain provisions of the Common
Stock and does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and is qualified in
its entirety by reference to, the Company's By-laws and Restated Certificate of
Incorporation.  The Prospectus Supplement relating to an offering of Common
Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) will describe terms relevant
thereto, including the number of shares offered, the initial offering price and
market price and dividend information.     


GENERAL

     Each holder of Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held on
all matters voted upon by the stockholders of the Company, including the
election of directors.  The Common Stock does not have cumulative voting rights.
The election of members of the Board of Directors is decided by the holders of a
plurality of the shares entitled to vote in person or by proxy at a meeting for
the election of directors.  See "Description of Preferred Stock--Voting Rights"
for a discussion of the voting rights of any Preferred Stock that may be issued
in the future.

     In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company,
after the payment or provision for payment of the debts and other liabilities of
the Company and the preferential amounts to which holders of the Company's
Preferred Stock are entitled (if any shares of Preferred Stock are then
outstanding), the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share equally in the
remaining assets of the Company.

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
     The outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and any shares of Common Stock
offered hereby upon issuance and payment therefor will be, fully paid and non-
assessable.  The Common Stock has no preemptive or conversion rights and there
are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable thereto.

     The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol "LTR").


DIVIDENDS

     Holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends when, as and if
declared by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor
subject to the rights of the holders of any outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock.  The holders of Common Stock share equally, share for share, in such
dividends.  The Company has paid quarterly cash dividends on its Common Stock in
each year since 1967.  Regular dividends of $.12-1/2 per share of Common Stock
outstanding were paid in each calendar quarter of 1994 and in each of the first
three quarters of 1995.  In the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company increased
its dividend to $.25 per share and regular dividends of $.25 per share of Common
Stock outstanding were paid in such quarter and in each calendar quarter of
1996.  There can be no assurance that the Company will continue to pay quarterly
dividends or that, if paid, the amount of any dividend payments will not
decrease.


TRANSFER AGENT

     The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is Chase Mellon
Shareholder Services, LLC, 450 West 33rd Street, New York, New York 10001.


                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
    
     The Company may sell the Securities: (i) through underwriters or dealers;
(ii) through agents; (iii) directly to one or more purchasers; or (iv) through a
combination of any such method of sale.  The Prospectus Supplement with respect
to the Securities offered thereby will set forth the terms of the offering of
such Securities, including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers or
agents, the purchase price of such Securities and the proceeds to the Company
from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other items constituting
compensation to underwriters, dealers or agents, any initial public offering
price, any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid by underwriters
or dealers to other dealers and any securities exchanges on which such
Securities may be listed.    

     If underwriters or dealers are used in the sale, the Securities will be
acquired by the underwriters or dealers for their own account and may be resold
from time to time in one or more transactions, including negotiated
transactions, at a fixed public offering price, which may be changed, or at
varying prices determined at the time of sale.  The Securities may be offered to
the public either through underwriting syndicates represented by one or more
managing underwriters or directly by one or more of such firms.  Unless
otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase such Securities will be subject to certain conditions
precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all of such
Securities if any are purchased.  Any initial public offering price and any
discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed
from time to time.

     Securities may be sold directly by the Company or through agents designated
by the Company from time to time.  Any agent involved in the offer or sale of
Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is delivered will be named, and
any commissions payable by the Company to such agent (or the method by which
such commissions can be determined) will be set forth, in the Prospectus
Supplement.  Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such
agent will be acting on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
     If so indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the Company will authorize
underwriters, dealers or agents to solicit offers by certain specified
institutions to purchase Securities from the Company at the public offering
price set forth in the Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts providing for payment and delivery on a specified date in the future.
Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement, and the Prospectus Supplement will set forth the
commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.  The underwriters and
other persons soliciting such contracts will have no responsibility for the
validity or performance of any such contracts.

     Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements entered
into with the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain civil
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribution
by the Company to payments they may be required to make in respect thereof.
Underwriters, dealers and agents may be customers of, engage in transactions
with, or perform services for the Company in the ordinary course of business.

     There is currently no market for any of the Securities, other than the
Common Stock.  If the Securities are traded after their initial issuance, they
may trade at a discount from their initial offering price, depending upon
prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities and other factors.
While it is possible that an underwriter could inform the Company that it
intended to make a market in the Securities, such underwriter would not be
obligated to do so, and any such market making could be discontinued at any time
without notice. Therefore, no assurance can be given as to whether an active
trading market will develop for the Securities. The Company does has no current
plans for listing of the Debt Securities or Preferred Stock on any securities
exchange or on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. automated
quotation system; any such listing with respect to any particular Debt
Securities or Preferred Stock will be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.


                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

     Unless otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the validity of
the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the Company by the General
Counsel of the Company, and for the underwriters by Mayer, Brown & Platt, New
York, New York.  Mayer, Brown & Platt also represents, from time to time, CNA.


                                    EXPERTS

     The consolidated financial statements and the related financial statement
schedules incorporated in this Prospectus by reference from the Company's Annual
Report on Form 10-K have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent
auditors, as stated in their report, which is incorporated herein by reference,
and have been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given
upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II

                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The following table sets forth the estimated expenses (all of which will be
borne by the Company) incurred in connection with the issuance and distribution
of the securities being registered, other than underwriting discounts and
commissions (if any).  All of the amounts shown are estimates, except the SEC
registration fee.
 
     SEC registration fee..........  $303,030
     Rating agency fees............   100,000
     Trustee fees & expenses.......     5,000
     Printing and engraving........    50,000
     Legal fees and expenses.......    25,000
     Accounting fees and expenses..    20,000
     Miscellaneous.................    56,970
                                     --------
     Total.........................  $560,000
                                     ========
 

ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS

     Reference is made to Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law
which provides for indemnification of directors and officers in certain
circumstances.
    
     Article 8, Section 8.1 of the Company's By-Laws provides as follows: "The
Corporation shall indemnify any person who was or is a party or is threatened to
be made a party to any threatened, pending or completed action, suit or
proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason
of the fact that he is or was a director or an officer of the Corporation
against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid
in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding to the fullest extent and in the manner set forth in
and permitted by the [Delaware] General Corporation Law, and any other
applicable law, as from time to time in effect. Such right of indemnification
shall not be deemed exclusive of any other rights to which such director or
officer may be entitled apart from the foregoing provisions. The foregoing
provisions of this Section 8.1 shall be deemed to be a contract between the
Corporation and each director and officer who serves in such capacity at any
time while this Article 8 and the relevant provisions, of the [Delaware] General
Corporation Law and other applicable law, if any, are in effect, and any repeal
or modification thereof shall not affect any rights or obligations then
existing, with respect to any state of facts then or theretofore existing, or
any action, suit or proceeding theretofore, or thereafter brought or threatened
based in whole or in part upon any such state of facts."    

ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

     See the Exhibit Index which is incorporated herein by reference.

ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.

     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

     1.  To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
          (i)  To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the
     Securities Act of 1933;

          (ii)  To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-
     effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or
     decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of
     securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any
     deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range
     may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission
     pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and
     price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate
     offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in
     the effective registration statement.

          (iii)  To include any material information with respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
     material change to such information in the registration statement;

provided, however, that paragraphs (1)(i) and (1)(ii) do not apply if the
registration statement is on Form S-3, Form S-8 or Form F-3, and the information
required to be included in a post-effective  amendment by those paragraphs is
contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference
in the registration statement.

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

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

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

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

                                     II-2
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURES
    
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York on February 20, 
1997.     

                                    LOEWS CORPORATION


                                    By:/s/ Laurence A. Tisch
                                       ---------------------
                                    Name: Laurence A. Tisch
                                    Title: Co-Chairman of the Board and
                                           Co-Chief Executive Officer


                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that each person whose name appears below
constitutes and appoints Barry Hirsch, Roy E. Posner and Gary W. Garson and each
of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of
substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in
any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective
amendments) to this Registration Statement and to file the same, with all
exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authority, granting unto
such attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to
do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done
in and about the premises, as fully to all interests and purposes as he might or
could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-
fact and agents or any of them, or their or his substitute or substitutes, may
lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.  This Power of Attorney may be
signed in one or more counterparts.
    
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in their
respective capacities on the 20th day of February, 1997.     
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
 
              Name                                          Description
              ----                                          -----------
<S>                             <C> 
                               
      /s/ Laurence A. Tisch    Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer
    -------------------------  (Principal Executive Officer)                          
        Laurence A. Tisch
 
 
 
                               
        /s/ Roy E. Posner      Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal
    -------------------------  Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer)                                                  
          Roy E. Posner        
 
 
 
 
         /s/ Guy A. Kwan       Controller
    -------------------------
           Guy A. Kwan
 
 
     /s/ Charles B. Benenson   Director
    -------------------------
       Charles B. Benenson
</TABLE> 

                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
        /s/ John Brademas      Director
    -------------------------
          John Brademas
 
 
 
    /s/ Dennis H. Chookaszian  Director
    -------------------------
      Dennis H. Chookaszian
 
 
 
       /s/ Bernard Myerson     Director
    -------------------------
         Bernard Myerson
 
 
 
       /s/ Edward J. Noha      Director
    -------------------------
         Edward J. Noha
 
 
 
       /s/ Gloria R. Scott     Director
    -------------------------
         Gloria R. Scott
 
 
 
       /s/ Andrew H. Tisch     Director
    -------------------------
         Andrew H. Tisch
 
 
 
       /s/ James S. Tisch      Director
    -------------------------
         James S. Tisch
 
 
 
      /s/ Jonathan M. Tisch    Director
    -------------------------
        Jonathan M. Tisch
 
 
 
      /s/ Preston R. Tisch     Director
    -------------------------
        Preston R. Tisch

                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>    
<CAPTION>
 
 
EXHIBIT NUMBER                             DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENTS                                     PAGE
- --------------                             ------------------------                                     ----
<C>             <S>                                                                                    <C> 
           1.1  Form of Underwriting Agreement.                                                           *
           4.1  Senior Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1986, between the Company and The
                Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association), as Trustee (the "Senior
                Trustee"), is incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(a) of the Company's
                Registration Statement (No. 33-3829).
           4.2  Form of Senior Debt Securities, see Exhibit 4.1.
           4.3  Senior First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 30, 1993,
                between the Company and the Senior Trustee, is incorporated by reference to
                Exhibit B of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the
                Commission on June 3, 1993.                                                                *
           4.4  Senior Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 18,                            *
                1997, between the Company and the Senior Trustee.
           4.5  Subordinated Indenture, dated as of December 1, 1985, between the Company
                and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National Association) (as successor to
                Chemical Bank), as Trustee (the "Subordinated Trustee"), is incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Company's Registration Statement (No. 33-
                2026).
           4.6  Form of Subordinated Debt Securities, see Exhibit 4.5.
           4.7  Subordinated First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 18,                       *
                1997, between the Company and the Subordinated Trustee. 
           4.8  Subordinated Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February                          *
                18, 1997, between the Company and the Subordinated Trustee.
           4.9  Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company is incorporated by
                reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
                ended June 30, 1996.
          4.10  By-Laws of the Company are incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.01 to the
                Company's Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996.
           5.1  Opinion of General Counsel of the Company.                                                *
          12.1  Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges.                                        *
          23.1  Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.                                                         *
          23.2  Consent of General Counsel of the Company. (included in Exhibit 5.1).
          24.1  Powers of Attorney (included on signature page).
          25.1  Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture             *
                Act of 1939 of The Chase Manhattan Bank.
</TABLE>      
- -----------------------------
          * Filed herewith
                                     II-5

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1


                               LOEWS CORPORATION
                               -----------------

                           (a Delaware corporation)

                                [Common Stock],
                               [Preferred Stock]
                                      and
                                Debt Securities

                            UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT
                            ----------------------


                                                                        [Date]


To the Representatives named in
  Schedule I hereto of the
  Underwriters named in
  Schedule II hereto


Ladies and Gentlemen:
    
      Loews Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes 
                                                      -------
to issue and sell to the underwriters named in Schedule II hereto (the 
                                               -----------
"Underwriters"), for whom you are acting as representatives (the 
 ------------
"Representatives"), the principal amount of its securities identified in 
 ---------------
Schedule I hereto (the "Securities"), which may be [(i) shares of 
                        ----------
common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"), (ii) shares 
                                              ------------
of preferred stock, par value $.10 per share (the "Preferred Stock"), or
                                                   ---------------
(iii)] senior or subordinated debt securities (the "Debt Securities") or any 
                                                    ---------------
combination thereof.      

      [The Preferred Stock will be issued in one or more series and each series 
of Preferred Stock may vary, as applicable, as to the title, specific number of 
shares, rank, stated value, liquidation preference, dividend rate or rates (or 
method of calculation), dividend payment dates, redemption provisions, sinking 
fund requirements, conversion provisions (and terms of the related Underlying 
Securities (as defined below)) and any other variable terms as set forth in the 
applicable certificate of designations (each, the "Certificate of 
                                                   --------------
Designations") relating to such series of Preferred Stock.]
- ------------
<PAGE>
 
     
      The Debt Securities will be issued in one or more series as senior 
indebtedness (the "Senior Debt Securities") under an indenture, dated as of 
                   ----------------------
March 1, 1986, between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank (National 
Association), as trustee (the "Trustee"), as supplemented by a first 
                               -------
supplemental indenture, dated March 30, 1993, between the Company and the
Trustee and a second supplemental indenture, dated as of February 18, 1997,
between the Company and the Trustee (such Indenture, as supplemented, is
referred to as the "Senior Indenture"), or as subordinated indebtedness (the 
                    ----------------
"Subordinated Debt Securities") under an indenture, dated as of December 1, 
 ----------------------------
1985, between the Company and the Trustee, as supplemented by a first
supplemental indenture, dated as of February 18, 1997, between the Company and
the Trustee and a second supplemental indenture, dated as of February 18, 1997,
between the Company and the Trustee (such Indenture, as supplemented, is
referred to as the "Subordinated Indenture," and collectively with the Senior
                    ----------------------
Indenture, the "Indentures," and each, an "Indenture"). Each series of Debt
                ----------                 ---------
Securities may vary, as applicable, as to title, aggregate principal amount,
rank, interest rate or formula and timing of payments thereof, stated maturity
date, redemption and/or repayment provisions, sinking fund requirements,
conversion provisions (and terms of the related Underlying Securities) and any
other variable terms established by or pursuant to the applicable Indenture.
    
      As used herein, "Securities" means the [Common Stock, Preferred Stock,] 
Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt Securities, or any combination 
thereof, initially issuable by the Company and, if Securities are convertible,
"Underlying Securities" means the Common Stock or Preferred Stock issuable upon
conversion of the [Preferred Stock,] Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt
Securities, as applicable.      
   
      Schedule I hereto specifies the number or aggregate principal amount, 
      ----------
as the case may be, of Securities to be initially issued (the "Initial 
                                                               --------
Underwritten Securities"), whether such offering is on a fixed or variable 
- -----------------------
price basis and, if on a fixed price basis, the initial offering price, the 
price at which the Initial Underwritten Securities are to be purchased by the 
Underwriters, the form, time, date and place of delivery and payment of the 
Initial Underwritten Securities and any other material variable terms of the 
Initial Underwritten Securities, as well as the material variable terms of any 
related Underlying Securities.  [In addition, if applicable, such Underwriting 
Agreement shall specify whether the Company has agreed to grant to the 
Underwriters an option to purchase additional Securities to cover 
over-allotments, if any, and the number or aggregate principal amount, as the 
case may be, of Securities subject to such option (the "Option Underwritten 
                                                        -------------------
Securities").]  As used herein, the term "Underwritten Securities" shall 
- ----------
include the Initial Underwritten Securities [and all or any portion of any 
Option Underwritten Securities.]      

      The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 
"Commission") a registration statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-___) and 
 ----------
pre-effective amendment[s] no[s].      thereto for the registration of the 
                                  -----
Securities and the Underlying Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended (the "Act"), and the offering thereof from time to time in 
              ---
accordance with Rule 415 of the rules and regulations of the

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     
Commission under the Act (the "Act Regulations"), and the Company has filed 
                               ---------------
such post-effective amendments thereto as may be required prior to the 
execution of this Underwriting Agreement.  Such registration statement (as so 
amended, if applicable) has been declared effective by the Commission and each 
Indenture has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as 
amended (the "Trust Indenture Act").  Such registration statement (as so 
              -------------------
amended, if applicable), including the information, if any, deemed to be a part 
thereof pursuant to Rule 430A(b) of the Act Regulations (the "Rule 430A 
                                                              ----------
Information") or Rule 434(d) of the Act Regulations (the "Rule 434 
- -----------                                              ---------
Information"), is referred to herein as the "Registration Statement"; and 
- -----------                                  ----------------------
the final prospectus and the final prospectus supplement relating to the 
offering of the Underwritten Securities, in the form first furnished to the 
Underwriters by the Company for use in connection with the offering of the 
Underwritten Securities, are collectively referred to herein as the "Final 
                                                                     -----
Prospectus"; provided, however, that all references to the 
             --------  -------
"Registration Statement" and the "Final Prospectus" shall also be deemed to 
include all documents incorporated therein by reference pursuant to the 
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), prior to 
                                                  ------------
the execution of this Underwriting Agreement; provided further, that 
                                              -------- -------
if the Company files a registration statement with the Commission pursuant to 
Rule 462(b) of the Act Regulations (the "Rule 462 Registration Statement"), 
                                         -------------------------------
then, after such filing, all references to "Registration Statement" shall also 
be deemed to include the Rule 462 Registration Statement; and provided
                                                              --------
further, that if the Company elects to rely upon Rule 434 of the Act 
- -------
Regulations, then all references to "Final Prospectus" shall also be deemed to 
include the final or preliminary prospectus and the applicable term sheet or 
abbreviated term sheet (the "Term Sheet"), as the case may be, in the form 
                             ----------
first furnished to the Underwriters by the Company in reliance upon Rule 434 of 
the Act Regulations, and all references in this Underwriting Agreement to the 
date of the Final Prospectus shall mean the date of the Term Sheet.  A 
"Preliminary Prospectus" shall be deemed to refer to any prospectus used 
 ----------------------
before the registration statement became effective and any prospectus that 
omitted, as applicable, the Rule 430A Information, the Rule 434 Information or 
other information to be included upon pricing in a form of prospectus filed 
with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Act Regulations, that was 
used after such effectiveness and prior to the execution and delivery of this 
Underwriting Agreement.  For purposes of this Underwriting Agreement, all 
references to the Registration Statement, Final Prospectus, Term Sheet or 
Preliminary Prospectus or to any amendment or supplement to any of the 
foregoing shall be deemed to include any copy filed with the Commission 
pursuant to its Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval system 
("EDGAR").  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Underwriting 
  -----
Agreement, if any revised Term Sheet, Preliminary Prospectus or Final 
Prospectus, as the case may be, shall be provided to the Underwriters by the 
Company for use in connection with the offering of the Securities which differs 
from the prospectus on file at the Commission at the time the Registration 
Statement becomes effective (whether or not such revised prospectus is required 
to be filed by the Company pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the Act Regulations), the 
terms "Term Sheet," "Preliminary Prospectus" or "Final Prospectus," as the 
case may be, shall refer to such revised "Term Sheet," "Preliminary Prospectus"
or "Final Prospectus" from and after the time it is first provided to the
Underwriters for such use. Any reference herein to the terms "amend,"
"amendment" or "supplement" with respect to the Registration     

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
    
Statement, Term Sheet, any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus,
unless otherwise expressly provided therein, shall be deemed to refer to and
include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act after the date of this
Underwriting Agreement, or the issue date of the Preliminary Prospectus or the
Final Prospectus, as the case may be, deemed to be incorporated therein by
reference.     

      All references in this Underwriting Agreement to financial statements and 
schedules and other information which is "contained," "included" or "stated" 
(or other references of like import) in the Registration Statement, Final 
Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus shall be deemed to mean and include all 
such financial statements and schedules and other information which is 
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, Final Prospectus or 
Preliminary Prospectus, as the case may be; and all references in this 
Underwriting Agreement to amendments or supplements to the Registration 
Statement, Final Prospectus or Preliminary Prospectus shall be deemed to mean 
and include the filing of any document under the Exchange Act which is 
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, Final Prospectus or 
Preliminary Prospectus, as the case may be.

      1.  Representations and Warranties.  The Company represents and 
          ------------------------------
warrants to each Underwriter as of the date hereof and as of the Closing Date 
that:

            (a)  The Company meets the requirements for use of Form S-3 under 
      the Act.
    
            (b)  Each of this Underwriting Agreement and, if the Underwritten 
      Securities are Debt Securities [or if Preferred Stock is convertible into
      Debt Securities,] the applicable Indenture is substantially in the form
      filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement at the time the
      Registration Statement became effective (other than insofar as the
      Indenture has been modified by the Supplemental Indenture), and, has been
      duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and constitutes a
      legal, valid and binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against the
      Company in accordance with its terms, except that (A) the enforceability
      thereof may be subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
      moratorium or other similar laws now or hereafter in effect, relating to
      creditors' rights generally, (B) the remedy of specific performance and
      injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to equitable
      defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any proceeding
      therefor may be brought, and (C) no representation is given as to the
      enforceability of indemnification and contribution provisions of the
      Underwriting Agreement.      

            (c)  Each of the Registration Statement and any Rule 462(b) 
      Registration Statement has become effective under the Act and no stop 
      order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any 
      Rule 462(b) Registration Statement has been issued under the Act and no 
      proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or are pending or, to 
      the knowledge of the Company, are contemplated by the Commission, and any 
      request on the part of the Commission for additional

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
      information has been complied with.  In addition, each Indenture has been 
      duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act.

            At the respective times the Registration Statement, any Rule 462(b) 
      Registration Statement and any post-effective amendments thereto 
      (including the filing of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 
      10-K with the Commission (the "Annual Report on Form 10-K")) became 
                                     --------------------------
      effective and as of the date hereof, the Registration Statement, any Rule 
      462(b) Registration Statement and any amendments and supplements thereto 
      complied and will comply in all material respects with the requirements 
      of the Act and the Act Regulations and the Trust Indenture Act and the 
      rules and regulations of the Commission under the Trust Indenture Act 
      (the "Trust Indenture Act Regulations") and did not and will not 
            -------------------------------
      contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 
      material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the 
      statements therein not misleading.  At the date of the Final Prospectus, 
      at the Closing Date and at each Date of Delivery, if any, the Final 
      Prospectus and any amendments and supplements thereto did not and will 
      not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 
      material fact necessary in order to make the statements therein, in the 
      light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.  
      If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 434 of the Act Regulations, the
      Company will comply with the requirements of Rule 434. Notwithstanding the
      foregoing, the representations and warranties in this subsection shall not
      apply to (i) statements in or omissions from the Registration Statement or
      the Final Prospectus made in reliance upon and in conformity with
      information furnished to the Company in writing by or on behalf of any
      Underwriter expressly for use in the Registration Statement or the Final
      Prospectus or (ii) that part of the Registration Statement which shall
      constitute the Statement of Eligibility and Qualification (Form T-1) under
      the Trust Indenture Act of the Trustee.

            Each preliminary prospectus and prospectus filed as part of the 
      Registration Statement as originally filed or as part of any amendment 
      thereto, or filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Act, complied when so 
      filed in all material respects with the Act Regulations and each 
      Preliminary Prospectus and the Final Prospectus delivered to the 
      Underwriters for use in connection with the offering of Underwritten 
      Securities will, at the time of such delivery, be identical to any 
      electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission 
      pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

            (d)  The documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by 
      reference in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus as of 
      the date hereof, when they became effective or at the time they were or 
      hereafter are filed with the Commission, complied and will comply in all 
      material respects with the requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules 
      and regulations of the Commission thereunder (the "Exchange Act 
                                                         ------------
      Regulations").
      -----------
         

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
             
            (e)  The Company has been duly organized and is validly existing as 
      a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware 
      and has corporate power and authority to own, lease and operate its 
      properties and to conduct its business as described in the Final 
      Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations under, or as 
      contemplated under, this Underwriting Agreement.  The Company is duly 
      qualified as a foreign corporation to transact business and is in good 
      standing in each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is 
      required, whether by reason of the ownership or leasing of material 
      property or the conduct of material business, except where the failure to 
      so qualify or be in good standing would not result in a material 
      adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings, business
      or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole,
      whether or not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of
      business (a "Material Adverse Effect").      
                   -----------------------
             
            (f)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to
      this Underwriting Agreement include Common Stock: The Underwritten
      Securities have been duly authorized by the Company for issuance and sale
      pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement. Such Underwritten Securities,
      when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Underwriting
      Agreement against payment of the consideration therefor specified in this
      Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-
      assessable and will not be subject to preemptive or other similar rights
      of any securityholder of the Company. No holder of such Underwritten
      Securities is or will be subject to personal liability by reason of being
      such a holder.]     

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
     
            (g)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to
      this Underwriting Agreement include Preferred Stock: The Underwritten
      Securities have been duly authorized by the Company for issuance and sale
      pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement. The applicable Preferred Stock,
      when issued and delivered by the Company pursuant to this Underwriting
      Agreement against payment of the consideration therefor, will be validly
      issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to
      preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.
      No holder of such Preferred Stock is or will be subject to personal
      liability by reason of being such a holder. The applicable Certificate of
      Designations will be in full force and effect prior to the Closing Date.]
          
    
            (h)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to
      this Underwriting Agreement include Senior Debt Securities and/or
      Subordinated Debt Securities:] The Underwritten Securities have been duly
      authorized by the Company for issuance and sale pursuant to this
      Underwriting Agreement. Such Underwritten Securities, when issued and
      authenticated in the manner provided for in the applicable Indenture and
      delivered against payment of the consideration therefor specified in this
      Underwriting Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding
      obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance
      with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by
      bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws
      relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general
      equitable principles, and except further as enforcement thereof may be
      limited by (A) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt
      Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a foreign or
      composite currency judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into
      U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined
      pursuant to applicable law, (B) governmental authority to limit, delay or
      prohibit the making of payments outside the United States, and (C) the
      remedy of specific performance and injunctive and other forms of equitable
      relief may be subject to equitable defenses and to the discretion of the
      court before which any proceeding therefor may be brought. Such
      Underwritten Securities will be in the form contemplated by, and each
      registered holder thereof is entitled to the benefits of, the applicable
      Indenture.      
    
            (i)  [Include if the Underlying Securities related to the
      Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement
      include Common Stock or Preferred Stock: The Underlying Securities have
      been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by the Company upon
      conversion of the related Preferred Stock, Senior Debt Securities or
      Subordinated Debt Securities, as applicable.] [Include if the Underlying
      Securities include Common Stock or Preferred Stock: The Underlying
      Securities, when issued upon such exercise or conversion, as applicable,
      will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be
      subject to preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the
      Company. No holder of such Common Stock or Preferred Stock is or will be
      subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder.] [Include
      if the Underlying Securities related to the Underwritten Securities being
      sold     

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     
      pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement include Senior Debt Securities 
      and/or Subordinated Debt Securities: The Underlying Securities have been 
      duly authorized for issuance by the Company upon conversion of the 
      related Preferred Stock.  Such Underlying Securities, when issued and 
      authenticated in the manner provided for in the applicable Indenture and 
      delivered in accordance with the terms of the related Preferred Stock 
      will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, 
      enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as 
      the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, 
      reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting 
      creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles, and 
      except further as enforcement thereof may be limited by (A) requirements 
      that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than 
      in U.S. dollars (or a foreign or composite currency judgment in respect 
      of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange 
      prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law, (B) 
      governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments 
      outside the United States and (C) the remedy of specific performance and 
      injunctive and other forms of equitable relief may be subject to 
      equitable defenses and to the discretion of the court before which any 
      proceeding therefor may be brought.]

            (j)  The Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to this 
      Underwriting Agreement and each applicable Indenture, as of the date of 
      the Final Prospectus, and any Underlying Securities, when issued and 
      delivered in accordance with the terms of the related Underwritten 
      Securities, will conform in all material respects to the statements 
      relating thereto contained in the Final Prospectus and will be in 
      substantially the form filed or incorporated by reference, as the case 
      may be, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.

            (k)   The execution and delivery of this Underwriting Agreement and 
      each applicable Indenture, and any other agreement or instrument entered 
      into or issued or to be entered into or issued by the Company in 
      connection with the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby or in the 
      Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus and the consummation of 
      the transaction contemplated herein and in the Registration Statement and 
      the Final Prospectus (including the issuance and sale of the Underwritten 
      Securities and the use of the proceeds from the sale of the Underwritten 
      Securities as described under the caption "Use of Proceeds") and
      compliance by the Company with its obligations hereunder and thereunder
      have been duly authorized by all necessary corporate action and will not
      conflict with or constitute a breach of, or default under, or result in
      the creation or imposition of any lien, charge or encumbrance upon any
      property or assets of the Company or any of its subsidiaries pursuant to,
      any agreements or instruments, nor will such action result in any
      violation of the provisions of the charter or by-laws of the Company or
      any of its subsidiaries or any applicable law, administrative regulation
      or administrative or court decree which, in the aggregate, could
      reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
          

      2.  Purchase and Sale.  Subject to the terms and conditions and in 
          -----------------
reliance upon the representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company 
agrees to sell to each Underwriter, and each Underwriter agrees, severally and 
not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the purchase price set forth in 
Schedule I hereto the principal amount of the Underwritten Securities set 
- ----------
forth opposite such Underwriter's name in Schedule II hereto, except that, 
                                          -----------
if Schedule I hereto provides for the sale of Securities pursuant to 
   ----------
delayed delivery arrangements, the respective principal amounts of Underwritten 
Securities to be purchased by the Underwriters shall be as set forth in 
Schedule II hereto less the respective amounts of Contract Securities (as 
- -----------
hereinafter defined) determined as provided below.  Securities to be purchased 
by the Underwriters are herein sometimes called the "Underwritten 
                                                     -------------
Securities" and Securities to be purchased pursuant to Delayed Delivery 
- ----------
Contracts as hereinafter provided are herein called "Contract Securities."
                                                     -------------------
    
      [In addition, subject to the terms and conditions herein set forth, the 
Company may grant, if so provided in Schedule I, an option to the 
                                     ----------
Underwriters, severally and not jointly, to purchase up to the number or 
aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of the Option Underwritten 
Securities set forth therein at a price per Option Underwritten Security equal 
to the price per Initial Underwritten Security, less an amount equal to any 
dividends or distributions declared by the Company and paid or payable on the 
Initial Underwritten Securities but not payable on the Option Underwritten 
Securities.  Such option, if granted, will expire 30 days after the date of 
this Underwriting Agreement, and may be exercised in whole or in part from time 
to time only for the purpose of covering over-allotments which may be made in 
connection with the offering and distribution of the Initial Underwritten 
Securities upon notice by the Representatives to the Company setting forth the 
number or aggregate principal amount, as the case may be, of Option 
Underwritten Securities as to which the several Underwriters are then 
exercising the option and the time, date and place of payment and delivery for 
such Option Underwritten Securities.  Any such time and date of payment and 
delivery shall be determined by the Representatives, but shall not be later 
than seven full business days after the exercise of said option, nor in any 
event prior to the Closing Date, unless otherwise agreed upon by the 
Representatives and the Company.  If the option is exercised as to all or any 
portion of the Option Underwritten Securities, each of the Underwriters, 
severally and not jointly, will purchase that amount which shall bear the same 
proportion to the total principal amount of Option Underwritten Securities as 
the principal amount of Securities set forth opposite the name of such 
Underwriter bears to the aggregate principal amount of Securities set forth in 
Schedule II hereto, except to the extent that you determine that such 
- -----------
reduction shall be otherwise than in such proportion and so advise the Company 
in writing.]      

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
      If so provided in Schedule I hereto, the Underwriters are authorized 
                        ----------
to solicit offers to purchase Securities from the Company pursuant to delayed 
delivery contracts ("Delayed Delivery Contracts"), substantially in the 
                     --------------------------
form of Schedule III hereto but with such changes therein as the Company 
        ------------
may authorize or approve.  The Underwriters will endeavor to make such 
arrangements and, as compensation therefor, the Company will pay to the 
Representatives, for the account of the Underwriters, on the Closing Date, the 
percentage set forth in Schedule I hereto of the principal amount of the 
                        ----------
Securities for which Delayed Delivery Contracts are made.  Delayed Delivery 
Contracts are to be with institutional investors, including commercial and 
savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies and 
educational and charitable institutions.  The Company will enter into Delayed 
Delivery Contracts in all cases where sales of Contract Securities arranged by 
the Underwriters have been approved by the Company but, except as the Company 
may otherwise agree, each such Delayed Delivery Contract must be for not less 
than the minimum principal amount set forth in Schedule I hereto and the 
                                               ----------
aggregate principal amount of Contract Securities may not exceed the maximum 
aggregate principal amount set forth in Schedule I hereto.  The 
                                        ----------
Underwriters will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or 
performance of Delayed Delivery Contracts.  The principal amount of Securities 
to be purchased by each Underwriter as set forth in Schedule II hereto 
                                                    -----------
shall be reduced by an amount which shall bear the same proportion to the total 
principal amount of Contract Securities as the principal amount of Securities 
set forth opposite the name of such Underwriter bears to the aggregate 
principal amount of Securities set forth in Schedule II hereto, except to 
                                            -----------
the extent that you determine that such reduction shall be otherwise than in 
such proportion and so advise the Company in writing; provided, 
                                                      --------
however, that, subject to Section 9 hereof, the total principal amount 
- -------                   ---------
of Securities to be purchased by all Underwriters shall be the aggregate 
principal amount of Securities set forth in Schedule II hereto less the 
                                            -----------
aggregate principal amount of Contract Securities.
    
      3.  Delivery and Payment.  Delivery of and payment for the 
          --------------------
Underwritten Securities shall be made at the office, on the date and at the 
time specified in Schedule I hereto, which date and time may be postponed by
                  ----------
agreement between the Representatives and the Company or as provided in Section 
                                                                        -------
9 hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Underwritten 
- -
Securities being herein called the "Closing Date"). In addition, in the event
                                    ------------
that the Underwriters have exercised their option, if any, to purchase any or
all of the Option Underwritten Securities, payment of the purchase price for,
and delivery of such Option Underwritten Securities, shall be made at the
location set forth on Schedule I, or at such other place as shall be agreed upon
                      ----------
by the Representatives and the Company, as specified in the notice from the
Representatives to the Company.      

      Payment shall be made to the Company by wire transfer of immediately 
available funds to a bank account designated by the Company, against delivery 
to the Representatives for the respective accounts of the Underwriters of the 
Underwritten Securities to be purchased by them.  It is understood that each 
Underwriter has authorized the Representatives, for its account, to accept 
delivery of, receipt for, and make payment of the

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
purchase price for, the Underwritten Securities which it has severally agreed 
to purchase.  The Representatives, individually and not as representative of 
the Underwriters, may (but shall not be obligated to) make payment of the 
purchase price for the Underwritten Securities to be purchased by any 
Underwriter whose funds have not been received by the Closing Date, as the case 
may be, but such payment shall not relieve such Underwriter from its 
obligations hereunder.

      Certificates for the Underwritten Securities shall be registered in such 
names and in such denominations as the Representatives may request not less 
than two full business days in advance of the Closing Date.  The Company agrees 
to have the Underwritten Securities available for inspection, checking and 
packaging by the Representatives in New York, New York, not later than 1:00 
p.m. on the business day prior to the Closing Date.

      4.  Agreements.  (a)  The Company agrees with the several 
          ----------
Underwriters that:

            (i)  Until the earlier of (X) the termination of the offering of 
      the Underwritten Securities, and (Y) six months from the date of this 
      Underwriting Agreement, the Company will not file any amendment (other 
      than amendments resulting from the filing of the documents incorporated 
      by reference pursuant to Item 12 of Form S-3 under the Act) of the 
      Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus) unless the Company has 
      furnished you a copy for your review prior to filing and will not file 
      any such proposed amendment or supplement to which you reasonably object. 
      The Company will cause the Final Prospectus to be filed with the 
      Commission pursuant to Rule 424.  The Company will promptly advise the 
      Representatives (A) when the Final Prospectus shall have been filed with 
      the Commission pursuant to Rule 424, (B) when any amendment to the 
      Registration Statement relating to the Underwritten Securities shall have 
      become effective, (C) of any request by the Commission for any amendment 
      of the Registration Statement or amendment of or supplement to the Final 
      Prospectus or for any additional information, (D) of the issuance by the 
      Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of the 
      Registration Statement or the institution or threatening of any 
      proceeding for that purpose and (E) of the receipt by the Company of any 
      notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the 
      Underwritten Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or 
      threatening of any proceeding for such purpose.  The Company will use its 
      best efforts to prevent the issuance of any such stop order and, if 
      issued, to obtain as soon as possible the withdrawal thereof.

            (ii)  If, at any time when a prospectus relating to the 
      Underwritten Securities is required to be delivered under the Act, any 
      event occurs as a result of which, the Final Prospectus as then amended 
      or supplemented would include any untrue statement of a material fact or 
      omit to state any material fact necessary to make the statements therein 
      in the light of the circumstances under which they were made not 
      misleading, or if it shall be necessary to amend or supplement the Final 
      Prospectus to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act or the respective 
      rules thereunder, the

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
      Company promptly will prepare and file with the Commission, subject to 
      the first sentence of paragraph (a)(i) of this Section 4, an 
                            ----------------         ---------
      amendment or supplement which will correct such statement or omission or 
      an amendment which will effect such compliance.

            (iii)  The Company will comply with the Act and the Act Regulations 
      and the Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations so as to permit the 
      completion of the distribution of the Underwritten Securities as 
      contemplated in this Underwriting Agreement and in the Registration 
      Statement and the Final Prospectus.  If at any time when the Final 
      Prospectus is required by the Act or the Exchange Act to be delivered in 
      connection with sales of the Underwritten Securities, any event shall 
      occur or condition shall exist as a result of which it is necessary, in 
      the opinion of counsel for the Underwriters or for the Company, to amend 
      the Registration Statement in order that the Registration Statement will 
      not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a 
      material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the 
      statements therein not misleading or to amend or supplement the Final 
      Prospectus in order that the Final Prospectus will not include an untrue 
      statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary 
      in order to make the statements therein not misleading in the light of 
      the circumstances existing at the time it is delivered to a purchaser, or 
      if it shall be necessary, in the opinion of such counsel, at any such 
      time to amend the Registration Statement or amend or supplement the Final 
      Prospectus in order to comply with the requirements of the Act or the Act 
      Regulations, the Company will promptly prepare and file with the 
      Commission, subject to Section 4(a)(i), such amendment or supplement 
                             ---------------
      as may be necessary to correct such statement or omission or to make the 
      Registration Statement or the Final Prospectus comply with such 
      requirements, and the Company will furnish to the Underwriters, without 
      charge, such number of copies of such amendment or supplement as the 
      Underwriters may reasonably request.

            (iv)  The Company will make generally available to its 
      securityholders and to the Representatives not later than 90 days after 
      the end of the 12-month period beginning at the end of the current fiscal 
      quarter of the Company an earnings statement or statements of the Company 
      and its subsidiaries which will satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) 
      of the Act and Rule 158 under the Act.

            (v)  The Company will furnish to the Representatives and counsel 
      for the Underwriters, without charge, copies of the Registration 
      Statement (including exhibits thereto or incorporated by reference 
      therein and documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by 
      reference therein), and each amendment to the Registration Statement 
      which shall become effective on or prior to the Closing Date and, so long 
      as delivery of a prospectus by an Underwriter or dealer may be required 
      by the Act, as many copies of any Preliminary Prospectus and the Final 
      Prospectus and any amendments thereof and supplements thereto as the 
      Representatives may reasonably request and the Company hereby consents to 
      the use of such copies for purposes

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
      permitted by the Act.  The Company will pay the expenses of printing or 
      other production of all documents relating to the offering.  The Final 
      Prospectus and copies of the Registration Statement and each amendment 
      thereto furnished to the Underwriters will be identical to any 
      electronically transmitted copies thereof filed with the Commission 
      pursuant to EDGAR, except to the extent permitted by Regulation S-T.

            (vi)  The Company will arrange for the qualification of the 
      Underwritten Securities for sale under the laws of such jurisdictions as 
      the Representatives may reasonably designate, will maintain such 
      qualifications in effect so long as required for the distribution of the 
      Underwritten Securities and will arrange for the determination of the 
      legality of the Underwritten Securities for purchase by institutional 
      investors; provided, however, the Company shall not be obligated 
                 --------  -------
      to file any general consent to service of process under the laws of any 
      such jurisdiction, subject itself to taxation as doing business in any 
      such jurisdiction, or qualify to do business as a foreign corporation in 
      any such jurisdiction.  The Company will pay all reasonable expenses 
      (including fees and disbursements of counsel) in connection with such 
      qualification (such expenses, fees and disbursements not to exceed in the 
      aggregate $5,000).

            (vii)  The Company, during the period when the Final Prospectus is 
      required to be delivered under the Act or the Exchange Act, will file all 
      documents required to be filed with the Commission pursuant to Section 
      13, 14 or 15 of the Exchange Act within the time periods required by the 
      Exchange Act and the Exchange Act Regulations.

            (viii)  Between the date hereof and the Closing Date, the Company 
      will not, without the prior consent of the Representatives, offer or 
      sell, or enter into any agreement to sell, in the case of Debt 
      Securities, any debt securities of the Company with a maturity of more 
      than one year, including additional Underwritten Securities or, in the 
      case of any other Securities, the Securities specified in Schedule I.
                                                                ----------
    
            (ix)  [Include if this Underwriting Agreement specifies that any
      related Underlying Securities include Common Stock or Preferred Stock: The
      Company will reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive
      or other similar rights, a sufficient number of shares of Common Stock
      and/or Preferred Stock, as applicable, for the purpose of enabling the
      Company to satisfy any obligations to issue such Underlying Securities
      upon conversion of the Preferred Stock, Senior Debt Securities or
      Subordinated Debt Securities, as applicable.]    

         
                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
      (b)   The Underwriters agree to notify the Company promptly upon 
completion by it of the sale of the Underwritten Securities.
    
      5.    Payment of Expenses.  The Company will pay all expenses 
            -------------------
incident to the performance of its obligations under this Underwriting 
Agreement, including (a) the preparation, printing, filing and mailing of the 
Registration Statement as originally filed and of each amendment thereto; (b) 
the printing of this Underwriting Agreement, any applicable Indentures and any 
blue sky and legal investment surveys and any other documents in connection 
with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Underwritten Securities; 
(c) the preparation, issuance, and delivery to the Underwriters of the 
certificates for the Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying 
Securities, any certificates for the Underwritten Securities or such Underlying 
Securities, to the Underwriters, including any transfer taxes and any stamp or 
other duties payable upon the sale, issuance or delivery of the Underwritten 
Securities to the Underwriters; (d) the fees and disbursements of the Company's 
counsel and accountants; (e) the qualification of the Securities under state 
securities laws in accordance with this Underwriting Agreement, including 
filing fees and the fee and disbursements of your counsel in connection 
therewith and in connection with the preparation of the blue sky and legal 
investment surveys in accordance with Section 4(a)(vi); (f) the printing 
                                      ----------------
and delivery to you of copies of the Registration Statement as originally filed 
and of each amendment thereto, of the Preliminary Prospectuses, and of the 
Final Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto; (g) the costs of 
preparing the Securities; (h) the fees, if any, of the National Association of 
Securities Dealers, Inc.; (i) the fees and expenses of the Trustee, including 
the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Trustee in connection with the 
Indenture; (j) if the Company determines to request rating of the Underwritten 
Securities by particular rating agencies, any fees payable in connection with 
such rating of the Underwritten Securities by such rating agencies; and (k) the 
fees and expenses incurred, if any, in connection with the listing of the 
Underwritten Securities.     

      6.  Conditions to the Obligations of the Underwriters.  The 
          -------------------------------------------------
obligations of the Underwriters to purchase the Underwritten Securities shall 
be subject to the accuracy of the representations and warranties on the part of 
the Company contained herein as of the date hereof, as of the date of the 
effectiveness of any amendment to the Registration Statement filed prior to the 
Closing Date (including the filing of any document incorporated by reference 
therein) and as of the Closing Date, to the accuracy of the statements of the 
Company made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the 
performance by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following 
additional conditions:

            (a)  The Registration Statement, including any Rule 462(b) 
      Registration Statement, has become effective under the Act and no stop 
      order suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement, as 
      amended from time to time, shall have been issued and no proceedings for 
      that purpose shall have been instituted or threatened, and any request on 
      the part of the Commission for additional information shall have been 
      complied with to the reasonable satisfaction of counsel to the 
      Underwriters.  A prospectus containing information relating to the 
      description of the

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
      Underwritten Securities and any related Underlying Securities, the 
      specific method of distribution and similar matters shall have been filed 
      with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b) (or any required 
      post-effective amendment providing such information shall have been filed 
      and declared effective in accordance with the requirements of Rule 430A), 
      or, if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 434 of the Act 
      Regulations, a Term Sheet including the Rule 434 Information shall have 
      been filed with the Commission in accordance with Rule 424(b)(7).

            (b)  The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives the 
      opinion of the General Counsel for the Company, dated the Closing Date, 
      to the effect that:

                  (i)  the Company has been duly incorporated and is validly 
            existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of
            Delaware, with full corporate power and authority to own, lease and
            operate its properties and conduct its business as described in the
            Final Prospectus and to enter into and perform its obligations
            under, or as contemplated under, the Underwriting Agreement, and is
            duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation and is in
            good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires
            such qualification wherein it owns or leases material properties or
            conducts material business where the failure to be in good standing 
            or so qualified would result in a Material Adverse Effect;
    
                  (ii)  each of Lorillard, Inc. and CNA Financial Corporation
            (each a "Subsidiary" and together the "Subsidiaries") has been duly
            incorporated and is validly existing as a corporation in good
            standing under the laws of the jurisdiction in which it is chartered
            or organized, with full corporate power and authority to own its
            properties and conduct its business as described in the Final
            Prospectus, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign
            corporation and is in good standing under the laws of each
            jurisdiction which requires such qualification wherein it owns or
            leases material properties or conducts material business where the
            failure to be in good standing or so qualified would have a Material
            Adverse Effect;
                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
                     
                
                  (iii)  all the outstanding shares of capital stock of each 
            Subsidiary that are owned by the Company have been duly and validly
            authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable, and,
            except as otherwise set forth in the Final Prospectus, all
            outstanding shares of capital stock of the Subsidiaries are owned by
            the Company either directly or through wholly owned subsidiaries
            free and clear of any perfected security interest and, to the
            knowledge of such counsel, after due inquiry, any other security
            interests, claims, liens or encumbrances;
            
                  (iv)  the Securities and any Underlying Securities, when 
            issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the related 
            Underwritten Securities, will conform in all material respect to 
            the description thereof contained in the Final Prospectus;
             
                  (v)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold 
            pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement include Common Stock:  
            The Underwritten Securities have been duly authorized by the 
            Company for issuance and sale pursuant to the Underwriting 
            Agreement.  The Underwritten Securities, when issued and delivered 
            by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement against 
            payment of the consideration therefor specified in such Agreement, 
            will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not 
            be subject to preemptive or other similar rights of any 
            securityholder of the Company.  No holder of the Underwritten 
            Securities is or will be subject to personal liability by reason of 
            being such a holder.  The form of certificate used to evidence the 
            Underwritten Securities is in due and proper form and complies with 
            the applicable statutory requirements, with any applicable 
            requirements of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or
            By-laws of the Company and with the requirements of any applicable
            stock exchange.]
            
                  (vi)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold 
            pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement include Preferred Stock:  
            The Underwritten Securities have been duly authorized by the 
            Company for issuance and sale pursuant to the Underwriting 
            Agreement.  The applicable Preferred Stock, when issued and 
            delivered by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement 
            against payment of the consideration therefor specified in the 
            Underwriting Agreement, will be validly issued, fully paid and 
            non-assessable and will not be subject to preemptive or other 
            similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.  No holder of 
            such Preferred Stock is or will be subject to personal liability by 
            reason of being such a holder.  The form of certificate used to 
            evidence the Preferred Stock is in due and proper form and complies 
            with the applicable statutory requirements, with any applicable     

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
            requirements of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws
            of the Company. The applicable Certificate of Designations will be 
            in full force and effect prior to the Closing Date.]
                
                  (vii)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold 
            pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement include Senior Debt 
            Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities:]  The Underwritten 
            Securities have been duly authorized by the Company for issuance 
            and sale pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.  The Underwritten 
            Securities, when issued and authenticated in the manner provided 
            for in the applicable Indenture and delivered against payment of 
            the consideration therefor specified in the Underwriting Agreement, 
            will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the 
            Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with their 
            terms, except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by 
            bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar 
            laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by 
            general equitable principles, and except further as enforcement 
            thereof may be limited by (A) requirements that a claim with 
            respect to any Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. 
            dollars (or a foreign or composite currency judgment in respect of 
            such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange 
            prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or (B) 
            governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of 
            payments outside the United States.  The Underwritten Securities 
            are in the form contemplated by, and each registered holder thereof 
            is entitled to the benefits of, the applicable Indenture.

                  (viii)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold 
            pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement include Senior Debt 
            Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities or if Preferred 
            Stock is convertible into Debt Securities:] The [Each] 
            applicable Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and 
            delivered by the Company and (assuming due authorization, execution 
            and delivery thereof by the applicable Trustee) constitutes a valid 
            and legally binding agreement of the Company, enforceable against 
            the Company in accordance with its terms, except as the 
            enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, 
            reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or 
            affecting creditors' rights generally or by general equitable 
            principles.

                  (ix)  [Include if the Underlying Securities related to the 
            Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the Underwriting 
            Agreement include Common Stock or Preferred Stock: [The Underlying 
            Securities have been duly authorized and reserved for issuance by 
            the Company upon exercise of the [Common Stock] [Preferred Stock] 
            [upon conversion of the related [Preferred Stock] [Senior Debt 
            Securities] [Subordinated Debt Securities]].  The Underlying 
            Securities, when issued upon such [exercise] [conversion], will be 
            validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be 
            subject to     

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
            preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the 
            Company.  No holder of the Underlying Securities is or will be 
            subject to personal liability by reason of being such a holder.]  
            [Include if the Underlying Securities related to the Underwritten 
            Securities being sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement 
            include Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt 
            Securities:]  The Underlying Securities have been duly authorized 
            for issuance by the Company [upon exercise of the Debt Securities] 
            [upon conversion of the related Preferred Stock].  The Underlying 
            Securities, when issued and authenticated in the manner provided 
            for in the applicable Indenture and delivered in accordance with 
            the terms of the [Debt Securities] [related Preferred Stock], will 
            constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, 
            enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, 
            except as the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, 
            insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws 
            relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general 
            equitable principles, and except further as enforcement thereof may 
            be limited by (A) requirements that a claim with respect to any 
            Debt Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a 
            foreign or composite currency judgment in respect of such claim) be 
            converted in U.S. dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a 
            date determined pursuant to applicable law or (B) governmental 
            authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments 
            outside the United States.

                  (x)  there is no pending or, to the best knowledge of such 
            counsel, threatened action, suit or proceeding before any court or 
            governmental agency, authority or body or any arbitrator involving 
            the Company or any of its subsidiaries, of a character required to 
            be disclosed in the Registration Statement which is not adequately 
            disclosed in the Final Prospectus, and there is no franchise, 
            contract or other document of a character required to be described 
            in the Registration Statement or Final Prospectus, or to be filed 
            as an exhibit, which is not described or filed as required; and the 
            statements included or incorporated in the Final Prospectus 
            describing any legal proceedings or material contracts or 
            agreements relating to the Company fairly summarize such matters in 
            all material respects;

                  (xi)  the Registration Statement and any amendments thereto 
            have become effective under the Act; to the best knowledge of such 
            counsel, no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the 
            Registration Statement, as amended, has been issued, no proceedings 
            for that purpose have been instituted or threatened, and the 
            Registration Statement, the Final Prospectus and each amendment 
            thereof or supplement thereto as of their respective effective or 
            issue dates (other than the financial statements and other 
            financial and statistical information contained therein as to which 
            such counsel need express no opinion) complied as to form in all 
            material respects with the applicable requirements of the Act and 
            the Exchange Act and the respective     

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
            rules thereunder; and such counsel has no reason to believe that 
            the Registration Statement, or any amendment thereof, at the time 
            it became effective and at the date of this Underwriting Agreement, 
            contained any untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to 
            state any material fact required to be stated therein or necessary 
            to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Final 
            Prospectus, as amended or supplemented, as of its date and as of 
            the date hereof, includes any untrue statement of a material fact 
            or omits to state a material fact necessary to make the statements 
            therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, 
            not misleading;

                  (xii)  this Underwriting Agreement has been and any Delayed 
            Delivery Contracts, when executed, will have been duly authorized, 
            executed and delivered by the Company;

                  (xiii)  no consent, approval, authorization or order of any 
            court or governmental agency or body is required for the 
            consummation by the Company of the transactions contemplated herein 
            or in the Delayed Delivery Contracts, except such as have been 
            obtained under the Act and such as may be required under the blue 
            sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the purchase and 
            distribution of the Underwritten Securities by the Underwriters and 
            such other approvals (specified in such opinion) as have been 
            obtained;

                  (xiv)   Neither the issue and sale of the Underwritten
            Securities, nor the consummation of any other of the transactions
            herein contemplated nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof or of
            any Delayed Delivery Contracts will conflict with, result in a
            breach of, or constitute a default under the Restated Certificate of
            Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or the terms of any
            indenture or other agreement or instrument known to such counsel and
            to which the Company is a party or bound, or any order or regulation
            known to such counsel to be applicable to the Company of any
            court, regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or
            arbitrator having jurisdiction over the Company; and

                  (xv)  the Company is not now, and upon the sale of the 
            Underwritten Securities to be sold by it hereunder and application 
            of the net proceeds from such sale as described in the Final 
            Prospectus under "Use of Proceeds" will     

                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
            not be, an "investment company" within the meaning of the 
            Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.     

              
            In rendering such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters 
      involving the application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the 
      corporate laws of the State of Delaware and the laws of the State of New 
      York or the United States, to the extent deemed proper and specified in 
      such opinion, upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing believed 
      to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel for the Underwriters 
      and (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent deemed proper, on 
      certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.
                
            (c)  The Representatives shall have received from 
      counsel for the Underwriters, such opinion or opinions, dated the 
      Closing Date, with respect to the matters set forth in Exhibit A hereto.
                                                             ---------
      In giving such opinion, such counsel may rely, as to all matters governed
      by the laws of jurisdictions other than the law of the State of New York,
      the federal law of the United States and the General Corporation Law of
      the State of Delaware, upon the opinions of counsel satisfactory to the
      Representatives. Such counsel may also state that, insofar as such opinion
      involves factual matters, they have relied, to the extent they deem
      proper, upon certificates of officers of the Company and its subsidiaries
      and certificates of public officials, and the Company shall have furnished
      to such counsel such documents as they request for the purpose of enabling
      them to pass upon such matters.          
    
            (d)  The Company shall have furnished to the Representatives a 
      certificate of the Company, signed by a Co-Chairman of the Board, the
      President or a Vice President, and the principal financial or accounting
      officer of the Company, dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the
      signers of such certificate have carefully examined the Registration
      Statement, the Final Prospectus and this Underwriting Agreement and that:

                  (i)  the representations and warranties of the Company in 
            this Underwriting Agreement are true and correct in all material 
            respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if 
            made on the Closing Date and the Company has complied with all the 
            agreements and satisfied all the

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
            conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied at or prior to 
            the Closing Date;

                  (ii)  no stop order suspending the effectiveness of the 
            Registration Statement, as amended, has been issued and no 
            proceedings for that purpose have been instituted or, to the 
            Company's knowledge, threatened; and
                
                  (iii)  since the date of the most recent financial statements 
            included in the Company's [annual] [quarterly] report on Form 
            [10-K] [10-Q] for the [year] [quarter] ended [          ], 
                                                          ----------
            there has been no Material Adverse Effect, except as set forth in
            the Final Prospectus.     
          
            (e)   At the Closing Date, the Company's independent accountants
      shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter or letters (which may
      refer to letters previously delivered to the Representatives), dated as of
      the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the
      Representatives, confirming that they are independent accountants within
      the meaning of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective applicable
      published rules and regulations thereunder, that the response to Item 10
      of the Registration Statement is correct insofar as it relates to them and
      stating in effect that:    

                  (i)  in their opinion the audited financial statements and 
            financial statement schedules included or incorporated in the 
            Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus and reported on by 
            them comply in form in all material respects with the applicable 
            accounting requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the 
            related published rules and regulations;

                  (ii)  on the basis of a reading of the amounts included or 
            incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus 
            in response to Item 301 of Regulation S-K and of the latest 
            unaudited financial statements made available by the Company and 
            its subsidiaries; carrying out certain specified procedures (but 
            not an examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing 
            standards) which would not necessarily reveal matters of 
            significance with respect to the comments set forth in such letter; 
            a reading of the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders, 
            directors and committees of the Company and the Subsidiaries; and 
            inquiries of certain officials of the Company who have 
            responsibility for financial and accounting matters of the Company 
            and its subsidiaries as to transactions and events subsequent to 
            the date of the most recent audited financial statements 
            incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final 
            Prospectus, nothing came to their attention which caused them to 
            believe that:

                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
                        (1)  the amounts in the unaudited Selected Consolidated 
                  Financial Data and Capitalization, if any, included in the 
                  Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus and the 
                  amounts included or incorporated in the Registration 
                  Statement and the Final Prospectus in response to Item 301 of 
                  Regulation S-K, do not agree with the corresponding amounts 
                  in the audited financial statements from which such amounts 
                  were derived;

                        (2)  any unaudited financial statements included or 
                  incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final 
                  Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material respects 
                  with applicable accounting requirements and with the 
                  published rules and regulations of the Commission with 
                  respect to financial statements included or incorporated in 
                  quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act; and 
                  said unaudited financial statements are not stated (except as 
                  permitted by Form 10-Q) in conformity with GAAP applied on a 
                  basis substantially consistent with that of the audited 
                  financial statements included or incorporated in the 
                  Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus; or

                        (3)  with respect to the period subsequent to the date 
                  of the most recent financial statements included or 
                  incorporated in the Registration Statement and the Final 
                  Prospectus, there were any changes, at a specified date not 
                  more than five business days prior to the date of the letter, 
                  in the long-term debt of the Company and its subsidiaries or 
                  capital stock of the Company or decreases in the 
                  stockholders' equity of the Company and its subsidiaries as 
                  compared with the amounts shown on the most recent 
                  consolidated balance sheet included or incorporated in the 
                  Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus, or for the 
                  period from the date of the most recent financial statements 
                  included or incorporated in the Registration Statement and 
                  the Final Prospectus to such specified date there were any 
                  decreases, as compared with the corresponding period in the 
                  preceding year, in total revenues, or in total or per share 
                  amounts of income before income taxes or of net income, of 
                  the Company and its subsidiaries, except in all instances for 
                  changes or decreases set forth in such letter, in which case 
                  the letter shall be accompanied by an explanation by the 
                  Company as to the significance thereof unless said 
                  explanation is not deemed necessary by the Representatives; 
                  and

                  (iii)  they have performed certain other specified procedures 
            as a result of which they determined that certain information of an 
            accounting, financial or statistical nature (which is limited to 
            accounting, financial or statistical information derived from the 
            general accounting records of the Company) set forth in the 
            Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus and in Exhibit 12

                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
            to the Registration Statement, including the information included 
            or incorporated in Items 1, 6, and 7 of the Company's annual report 
            on Form 10-K, incorporated in the Registration Statement and the 
            Final Prospectus, or in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of 
            Financial Condition and Results of Operations" included or 
            incorporated in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q or in 
            any Form 8-K, incorporated in the Registration Statement and the 
            Final Prospectus, agrees with the accounting records of the Company 
            and its subsidiaries, excluding any questions of legal 
            interpretation.

            References to the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus 
      in this paragraph (e) are to such documents as amended and 
              -------------
      supplemented at the date of the letter.
    
            In addition, except as provided in Schedule I hereto, at the 
                                               ----------
      time this Underwriting Agreement is executed, the Company's independent
public accountants shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter or
letters, dated the date of this Underwriting Agreement, in form and substance
satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect set forth above.     

                
            (f) Since the time of execution of this Underwriting Agreement,
      there shall not have occurred a downgrading in the rating assigned to the
      Company's debt securities by any "nationally recognized statistical rating
      organization," as defined by the Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2)
      of the Act Regulations, and no such rating organization shall have
      publicly announced that it has under surveillance or review, with possible
      negative consequences, its rating of the Company's debt securities.    

            (g)  At Closing Date, the Underwritten Securities shall have been 
      approved for listing, subject only to official notice of issuance, if and 
      as specified in Schedule I hereto.
                      ----------
               
          
            (h)  In the event that the Underwriters are granted an 
      over-allotment option by the Company and the Underwriters exercise their 
      option to purchase all or any portion of the Option Underwritten 
      Securities, the representations and warranties of the Company contained 
      herein and the statements in any certificates furnished by the Company or 
      any of its subsidiaries hereunder shall be true and correct as of 
      each     

                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
      Closing Date, and, at the relevant Closing Date, the Representatives 
      shall have received:
                
                  (i)  A certificate, dated such Closing Date, of a Co-Chairman
            of the Board, the President or a Vice President of the Company and
            the principal financial officer or accounting officer of the
            Company, confirming that the certificate delivered at the Closing
            Date pursuant to Section 5(d) hereof remains true and correct as of
                             ------------
            such Closing Date.

                  (ii)  The opinion of the General Counsel for the Company, 
            dated the Closing Date, relating to the Option Underwritten 
            Securities and otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required 
            by Section 6(b) hereof.
               ------------
                
                  (iii)  The opinion of the counsel for the Underwriters, dated
            the Closing Date, relating to the Option Underwritten Securities and
            otherwise to the same effect as the opinion required by Section 6(c)
                                                                    ------------
            hereof.     
                
                  (iv)  A letter from the Company's independent accountants, in
            form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives and dated
            such Closing Date, substantially in the same form and substance as
            the letter furnished to the Representatives pursuant to Section
                                                                    --------
            6(e) hereof, except that the "specified date" on the letter 
            ----
            furnished pursuant to this paragraph shall be a date not more than 
            three business days prior to such Closing Date.]     
                
            (i)  Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to 
      the Representatives such further information, certificates and documents 
      as the Representatives may reasonably request.     
                
            (j)  The Company shall have accepted Delayed Delivery Contracts in 
      any case where sales of Contract Securities arranged by the Underwriters 
      have been approved by the Company.     

      If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have 
                                                 ---------
been fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this 
Underwriting Agreement, or if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned 
above or elsewhere in this Underwriting Agreement shall not be in all material 
respects reasonably satisfactory in form and substance to the Representatives 
and their counsel, this Underwriting Agreement and all obligations of the 
Underwriters hereunder may be canceled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing 
Date by the Representatives.  Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the 
Company in writing or by telephone or telecopy confirmed in writing.

      7.  Reimbursement of Underwriters' Expenses.  If the sale of the 
          ---------------------------------------
Underwritten Securities provided for herein is not consummated because any 
condition to the obligations of

                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
the Underwriters set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, or because 
                              ---------
of any refusal, inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any 
agreement herein or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a 
default by any of the Underwriters, or because of the termination of this 
Underwriting Agreement under Section 10, the Company will reimburse the 
                             ----------
Underwriters severally upon demand for all out-of-pocket expenses (including 
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel) that shall have been incurred by 
them in connection with the proposed purchase and sale of the Underwritten 
Securities; such obligation of the Company to reimburse the Underwriters shall 
serve as the exclusive remedy of the Underwriters with respect to the Company.

      8.  Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  The Company agrees to 
          --------------------------------
indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter and each person who controls any 
Underwriter within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act against 
any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which 
they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act or other 
Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise, 
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect 
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue 
statement of a material fact contained in the Registration Statement for the 
registration of the Securities as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, 
or in any Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus or in any amendment 
thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission 
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated 
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees 
to reimburse each such indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other 
expenses reasonably incurred by them in connection with investigating or 
defending any such loss, claim, damage, liability or action; provided, 
                                                             --------
however, that (i) the Company will not be liable in any such case to the 
- -------
extent that any such loss, claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based 
upon any such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or 
alleged omission made therein in reliance upon and in conformity with written 
information furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Underwriter through 
the Representatives specifically for use in connection with the preparation 
thereof, (ii) such indemnity with respect to any Preliminary Prospectus shall 
not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or any person controlling such 
Underwriter) from whom the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage or 
liability purchased the Securities which are the subject thereof if such person 
did not receive a copy of the Final Prospectus (or the Final Prospectus as 
amended or supplemented) excluding documents incorporated therein by reference 
at or prior to the confirmation of the sale of such Underwritten Securities to 
such person in any case where such delivery is required by the Act and the 
untrue statement or omission of a material fact contained in any Preliminary 
Prospectus was corrected in the Final Prospectus (or the Final Prospectus as 
amended or supplemented), and (iii) such indemnity with respect to the Final 
Prospectus shall not inure to the benefit of any Underwriter (or any person 
controlling such Underwriter) with respect to the use of such Final Prospectus 
in any manner subsequent to the period during which the Act required the 
delivery thereof.  This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any 
liability which the Company may otherwise have.  The Company shall not, without 
the prior written consent of each indemnified party, settle or compromise or 
consent to the entry of

                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
judgment in any pending or threatened action, claim, litigation or proceeding 
in respect of which indemnification may be sought hereunder (whether or not any 
indemnified party is a party thereto), unless such settlement, compromise or 
consent (i) includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from 
all liability arising out of such action, claim, litigation or proceeding and 
(ii) does not include a statement as to or an admission of fault, culpability 
or a failure to act by or on behalf of any indemnified party.
    
      (b)  Each Underwriter severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the 
Company, each of its directors, each of its officers who signs the Registration 
Statement, and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of 
either the Act or the Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing 
indemnity from the Company to each Underwriter, but only with reference to 
written information relating to such Underwriter furnished to the Company by or 
on behalf of such Underwriter through the Representatives specifically for use 
in the preparation of the documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity.  
This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which any 
Underwriter may otherwise have.  The Company acknowledges that the statements 
set forth in the last paragraph of the cover page, the stabilization legend,
under the heading "Plan of Distribution" and, if Schedule I hereto provides for
                                                 ----------
sales of Securities pursuant to delayed delivery arrangements, in the
last sentence under the heading "Delayed Delivery Arrangements" in any
Preliminary Prospectus or the Final Prospectus constitute the only information
furnished in writing by or on behalf of the Underwriters for inclusion in the
documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity, and you, as the
Representatives, confirm that such statements are correct.    

      (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 
                                                                     -------
8 of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, 
- -
if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party 
under this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the 
           ---------
commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the indemnifying party will 
not relieve it from any liability which it may have to any indemnified party 
otherwise than under this Section 8.  In case any such action is brought 
                          ---------
against any indemnified party, and it notifies the indemnifying party of the 
commencement thereof, the indemnifying party will be entitled to participate 
therein, and to the extent that it may elect by written notice delivered to the 
indemnified party promptly after receiving the aforesaid notice from such 
indemnified party, to assume the defense thereof, with counsel satisfactory to 
such indemnified party; provided, however, that if the defendants in 
                        --------  -------
any such action include both the indemnified party and the indemnifying party 
and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded that there may be 
legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified parties which are 
different from or additional to those available to the indemnifying party, the 
indemnified party or parties shall have the right to select separate counsel to 
assert such legal defenses and to otherwise participate in the defense of such 
action on behalf of such indemnified party or parties.  Upon receipt of notice 
from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its election so to 
assume the defense of such action and approval by the indemnified party of 
counsel, the indemnifying party will not be liable to such indemnified party 
under this Section 8 for any legal or other expenses subsequently incurred 
           ---------
by such indemnified party in connection with the defense thereof

                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
unless (i) the indemnified party shall have employed separate counsel in 
connection with the assertion of legal defenses in accordance with the proviso 
to the next preceding sentence (it being understood, however, that the 
indemnifying party shall not be liable for the expenses of more than one 
separate counsel, approved by the Representatives in the case of paragraph 
                                                                 ---------
(a) of this Section 8, representing the indemnified parties under such 
- ---         ---------
paragraph (a) who are parties to such action), (ii) the indemnifying party 
- -------------
shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to 
represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of 
commencement of the action or (iii) the indemnifying party has authorized the 
employment of counsel for the indemnified party at the expense of the 
indemnifying party; and except that, if clause (i) or (iii) is 
                                        ----------    -----
applicable, such liability shall be only in respect of the counsel referred to 
in such clause (i) or (iii).
        ---------     -----

      (d)  In order to provide for just and equitable contribution in 
circumstances in which the indemnification provided for in paragraph (a) of 
                                                           -------------
this Section 8 is due in accordance with its terms but is for any reason 
     ---------
held by a court to be unavailable from the Company on grounds of policy or 
otherwise, the Company and the Underwriters shall contribute to the aggregate 
losses, claims, damages and liabilities (including legal or other expenses 
reasonably incurred in connection with investigating or defending same) to 
which the Company and one or more of the Underwriters may be subject in such 
proportion so that the Underwriters are responsible for that portion 
represented by the percentage that the underwriting discount bears to the sum 
of such discount and the purchase price of the Securities specified in 
Schedule I hereto and the Company is responsible for the balance; 
- ----------
provided, however, that (y) in no case shall any Underwriter (except as 
- --------  -------
may be provided in any agreement among underwriters relating to the offering of 
the Underwritten Securities) be responsible for any amount in excess of the 
underwriting discount applicable to the Underwritten Securities purchased by 
such Underwriter hereunder and (z) no person guilty of fraudulent 
misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be 
entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent 
misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section 8, each person who 
                                         ---------
controls an Underwriter within the meaning of the Act or the Exchange Act shall 
have the same rights to contribution as such Underwriter, and each person who 
controls the Company within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, 
each officer of the Company who shall have signed the Registration Statement 
and each director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as 
the Company, subject in each case to clause (y) of this paragraph (d).  
                                     ----------         -------------
Any party entitled to contribution will, promptly after receipt of notice of 
commencement of any action, suit or proceeding against such party in respect of 
which a claim for contribution may be made against another party or parties 
under this paragraph (d), notify such party or parties from whom 
           -------------
contribution may be sought, but the omission to so notify such party or parties 
shall not relieve the party or parties from whom contribution may be sought 
from any other obligation it or they may have hereunder or otherwise than under 
this paragraph (d).
     -------------

      9.  Default by an Underwriter.  If any one or more Underwriters shall 
          -------------------------
fail to purchase and pay for any of the Underwritten Securities agreed to be 
purchased by such Underwriter or Underwriters hereunder and such failure to 
purchase shall constitute a default

                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
in the performance of its obligations under this Underwriting Agreement, the 
remaining Underwriters shall be obligated severally to take up and pay for (in 
the respective proportions which the amount of Underwritten Securities set 
forth opposite their names in Schedule II hereto bears to the aggregate 
                              -----------
amount of Underwritten Securities set forth opposite the names of all the 
remaining Underwriters) the Underwritten Securities which the defaulting 
Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed to purchase; provided, 
                                                           --------
however, that in the event that the aggregate amount of Underwritten 
- -------
Securities which the defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters agreed but failed 
to purchase shall exceed 10% of the aggregate amount of Underwritten Securities 
set forth in Schedule II hereto, the remaining Underwriters shall have the 
             -----------
right to purchase all, but shall not be under any obligation to purchase any, 
of the Underwritten Securities, and if such nondefaulting Underwriters do not 
purchase all the Underwritten Securities, this Underwriting Agreement will 
terminate without liability to any nondefaulting Underwriter or the Company.  
In the event of a default by any Underwriter as set forth in this Section 
                                                                  --------
9, the Closing Date shall be postponed for such period, not exceeding seven 
- -
days, as the Representatives shall determine in order that the required changes 
in the Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus or in any other 
documents or arrangements may be effected.  Nothing contained in this 
Underwriting Agreement shall relieve any defaulting Underwriter of its 
liability, if any, to the Company and any nondefaulting Underwriter for damages 
occasioned by its default hereunder.
    
      10.  Termination and Liabilities.  (a)  Termination.  This Underwriting 
           ----------- ---------------        -----------
Agreement shall be subject to termination in the absolute discretion of the
Representatives, by notice given to the Company prior to delivery of and payment
for the Underwritten Securities, if after the date of this Underwriting
Agreement and prior to such time (i) there has been, since the respective dates
as of which information is given in the Registration Statement, any Material
Adverse Effect except as set forth in the Final Prospectus, (ii) there has
occurred any outbreak of hostilities or material escalation thereof or other
calamity or crisis or any change or development involving a prospective change
in national or international political, financial or economic conditions, in
each case the effect of which is such to make it, in the Underwriter's judgment,
impracticable to market the Underwritten Securities or to enforce contracts for
the sale of the Underwritten Securities, (iii) if trading in any securities of
the Company shall have been suspended by the Commission, (iv) if trading
generally on, the New York Stock Exchange has been suspended or limited, or
minimum and maximum prices for trading have been fixed, or maximum ranges for
prices for securities have been required, by said Exchange or by order of the
Commission or any other governmental authority, or (v) a banking moratorium
shall have been declared either by Federal or New York State authorities, or if
the Underwritten Securities or any Underlying

                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
Securities include Debt Securities denominated or payable in, or indexed to, 
one or more foreign or composite currencies, by the relevant authorities in the 
related foreign country or countries.

      (b)  Liabilities.  If this Underwriting Agreement is terminated 
           -----------
pursuant to this Section 10, such termination shall be without liability of 
                 ----------
any party to any other party except as provided in Sections 5 and 7 
                                                   ----------     -
hereof, and provided further that Sections 1, 8 and 11 shall 
                                  ----------  -     --
survive such termination and remain in full force and effect.

      11.  Representations and Indemnities to Survive.  The respective 
           ------------------------------------------
agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of 
the Company or its officers and of the Underwriters set forth in or made 
pursuant to this Underwriting Agreement will remain in full force and effect, 
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Underwriter or the 
Company or any of the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in 
Section 8 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the 
- ---------
Underwritten Securities.

    
      12.  Notices.  All communications hereunder will be in writing and 
           -------
effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Representatives, will be mailed,
delivered, sent by or telegraphed and confirmed to them, at the address
specified in Schedule I hereto; or, if sent to the Company, will be mailed,
delivered or confirmed telecopy at 667 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10021,
attention of the Corporate Secretary.

      13.  Successors.  This Underwriting Agreement will inure to the 
           ----------
benefit of and be binding upon the parties hereto and their respective 
successors and the officers and directors and controlling persons referred to 
in Section 8 hereof, and no other person will have any right or obligation 
   ---------
hereunder.

      14.  Applicable Law.  This Underwriting Agreement will be governed by 
           --------------
and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

      15.  Counterparts.  This Underwriting Agreement may be signed in 
           ------------
various counterparts which together shall constitute one and the same 
instrument.

                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
      If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our 
agreement, please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, 
whereupon this letter and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement 
among the Company and the Underwriter.

                                          Very truly yours,

                                          LOEWS CORPORATION



                                          By:                           
                                              --------------------------
                                          
                                            Its:                        
                                                 -----------------------


The foregoing Agreement is 
hereby confirmed and accepted 
as of the date specified in 
Schedule I hereto.
- ----------

         

By:                             
    ----------------------------

  Its:                          
       -------------------------

For itself and the other 
several Underwriters, if any, 
named in Schedule II to the 
         -----------
foregoing Agreement.

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE I

Underwriting Agreement dated                ,     
                            ---------------   ----

Registration Statement No. 333-_____

Representatives:

      The Underwritten Securities shall have the following terms:

                              [Common Stock]
                               ------------

Title:
Number of shares:
Number of Option Underwritten Securities:
Initial public offering price per share:  $
Purchase price per share:  $
Listing requirements:
Black-out provisions:
Other terms and conditions:
Closing date and location:


                             [Preferred Stock]
                              ---------------

Title:
Rank:
Ratings:
Number of shares:
Number of Option Underwritten Securities:
Dividend rate (or formula) per share:  $
Dividend payment dates:
Stated value:  $
Liquidation preference per share:  $
Redemption provisions:
Sinking fund requirements:
Conversion provisions:
Listing requirements:
Black-out provisions:
Initial public offering price per share:$           plus accumulated 
                                         ----------
                                        dividends, if any, from ___________ 

Purchase price per share: $______ plus accumulated dividends, if any,
from ________
                                     

Other terms and conditions:
Closing date and location:
<PAGE>
 
                             [Debt Securities]
                              ---------------

Title:
Rank:
Ratings:
Aggregate principal amount:
Denominations:
Currency of payment:
Interest rate or formula:
Interest payment dates:
Regular record dates:
Stated maturity date:
Redemption provisions:
Sinking fund requirements:
Conversion provisions:
Listing requirements:
Black-out provisions:
Fixed or Variable Price Offering:[Fixed] [Variable] Price Offering
      If Fixed Price Offering, initial public offering price per share:  ___% 
      of the principal amount, plus accrued interest [amortized original issue 
      discount], if any, from            .
                              -----------
Purchase price per share:   % of principal amount, plus accrued interest 
                         ---
                         [amortized original issue discount], if any,
                         from ________
                        
Form:
Other terms and conditions:
Closing date and location:

Delayed Delivery Arrangements: 
    
Modification of items to be covered by the letter from the Company's independent
accountants delivered pursuant to Section 5(e) at the time this Underwriting
Agreement is executed:     







                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE II


                                                      Principal Amount
                                                      of Securities to
Underwriters                                          be Purchased  
- ------------                                          ----------------






















      Total...............................              $           
                                                         -----------
<PAGE>
 
                                 SCHEDULE III


                               LOEWS CORPORATION

                           Delayed Delivery Contract



                                                                        [Date]



Dear Ladies and Gentlemen:

      The undersigned hereby agrees to purchase from Loews Corporation (the 
"Company"), and the Company agrees to sell to the undersigned, on ____ __, ____ 
(the "Delivery Date"), [___________ of the Company's __________] (the 
"Securities") offered by the Company's Prospectus dated ________ __, ____, and 
related Prospectus Supplement dated _______ __, ____, receipt of a copy of 
which is hereby acknowledged, at a purchase price of ________, plus [accrued 
interest] [accrued dividends] [amortization of original issue discount], if 
any, thereon from __________ __, ____, to the date of payment and delivery, and 
on the further terms and conditions set forth in this contract.

      Payment for the Securities to be purchased by the undersigned shall be 
made on or before 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the Delivery Date to or 
upon the order of the Company in same day funds, at the office of the Company, 
667 Madison Avenue, New York, New York, upon delivery to the undersigned of the 
Securities in definitive fully registered form and in such authorized 
denominations and registered in such names as the undersigned may request by 
written or telegraphic communication addressed to the Company not less than 
three full business days prior to the Delivery Date.  If no request is 
received, the Securities will be registered in the name of the undersigned and 
issued in a denomination equal to the aggregate principal amount of Securities 
to be purchased by the undersigned on the Delivery Date.

      The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make payment 
for Securities on the Delivery Date, and the obligation of the Company to sell 
and deliver Securities on the Delivery Date, shall be subject to the conditions 
(and neither party shall incur any liability by reason of the failure thereof) 
that (1) the purchase of Securities to be made by the undersigned, which 
purchase the undersigned represents is not prohibited on the date hereof, shall 
not on the Delivery Date be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to 
which the undersigned is subject, and (2) the Company, on or before the 
Delivery Date, shall have sold to certain underwriters (the "Underwriters") 
such [principal] amount of the Securities as is to be sold to them pursuant to 
the Underwriting Agreement referred to in the Prospectus and
<PAGE>
 
Prospectus Supplement mentioned above.  Promptly after completion of such sale 
to the Underwriters, the Company will mail or deliver to the undersigned at its 
address set forth below notice to such effect, accompanied by a copy of the 
opinion of counsel for the Company delivered to the Underwriters in connection 
therewith.  The obligation of the undersigned to take delivery of and make 
payment for the Securities, and the obligation of the Company to cause the 
Securities to be sold and delivered, shall not be affected by the failure of 
any purchase to take delivery of and make payment for the Securities pursuant 
to other contracts similar to this contract.

      This contract will inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the 
parties hereto and their respective successors, but will not be assignable by 
either party hereto without the written consent of the other.

      It is understood that acceptance of this contract and other similar 
contracts is in the Company's sole discretion and, without limiting the 
foregoing, need not be on a first come, first served basis.  If this contract 
is acceptable to the  Company, it is required that the Company sign the form of 
acceptance below and mail or deliver one of the counterparts hereof to the 
undersigned at its address set forth below.  This will become a binding 
contract between the Company and the undersigned, as of the date first above 
written, when such counterpart is so mailed or delivered.







                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
      This agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the 
laws of the State of New York.


                                      Very truly yours,


                                      ________________________________
                                            (Name of Purchaser)


                                      By______________________________
                                      (Signature and Title of Officer)


                                      ________________________________
                                                 (Address)

Accepted:

Loews Corporation



By__________________________
  (Authorized Signature)








                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                                                     Exhibit A


                   FORM OF OPINION OF UNDERWRITER'S COUNSEL


      (1)  The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as a 
corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

      (2)  The Underwriting Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and 
delivered by the Company.

      (3)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the 
Underwriting Agreement include Common Stock--]  The Underwritten Securities 
have been duly authorized by the Company for issuance and sale pursuant to the 
Underwriting Agreement.  The Underwritten Securities, when issued and delivered 
by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement against payment of the 
consideration therefor specified in such Agreement, will be validly issued, 
fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to preemptive or other 
similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.  No holder of the 
Underwritten Securities is or will be subject to personal liability by reason 
of being such a holder.

      (4)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the 
Underwriting Agreement include Preferred Stock--]  The Underwritten Securities 
have been duly authorized by the Company for issuance and sale pursuant to the 
Underwriting Agreement.  The applicable Preferred Stock, when issued and 
delivered by the Company pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement against payment 
of the consideration therefor specified in the Underwriting Agreement, will be 
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to 
preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.  No 
holder of such Preferred Stock is or will be subject to personal liability by 
reason of being such a holder.

      (5)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the 
Underwriting Agreement include Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt 
Securities--]  The Underwritten Securities have been duly authorized by the 
Company for issuance and sale pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement.  The 
Underwritten Securities, when issued and authenticated in the manner provided 
for in the applicable Indenture and delivered against payment of the 
consideration therefor specified in the Underwriting Agreement, will constitute 
valid and legally binding obligations of the Company, enforceable against the 
Company in accordance with their terms, except as the enforcement thereof may 
be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other 
similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights generally or by general 
equitable principles, and except further as enforcement thereof may be limited 
by (A) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt Securities 
denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a foreign or composite currency


                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
judgment in respect of such claim) be converted into U.S. dollars at a rate of 
exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or (B) 
governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments 
outside the United States.  The Underwritten Securities are in the form 
contemplated by, and each registered holder thereof is entitled to the benefits 
of, the applicable Indenture.
    
      (6)  [Include if the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the 
Underwriting Agreement include Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt 
Securities or if Preferred Stock is convertible into Debt Securities--]  The 
[Each] applicable Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by 
the Company and (assuming due authorization, execution and delivery thereof by 
the applicable Trustee) constitutes a valid and legally binding agreement of 
the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms, 
except as of the enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, 
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting 
creditors' rights generally or by general equitable principles.     

      (7)  [Include if the Underlying Securities related to the Underwritten 
Securities being sold pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement include Common 
Stock or Preferred Stock--]  The Underlying Securities have been duly 
authorized and reserved for issuance by the Company [upon exercise of the 
[Common Stock] [Preferred Stock]] [upon conversion of the related [Preferred 
Stock] [Senior Debt Securities] [Subordinated Debt Securities]].  The 
Underlying Securities, when issued upon such [exercise] [conversion], will be 
validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable and will not be subject to 
preemptive or other similar rights of any securityholder of the Company.  No 
holder of the Underlying Securities is or will be subject to personal liability 
by reason of being such a holder.  [Include if the Underlying Securities 
related to the Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the Underwriting 
Agreement include Senior Debt Securities and/or Subordinated Debt Securities--]
The Underlying Securities have been duly authorized for issuance by the Company
[upon conversion of the related [Preferred Stock]]. The Underlying Securities,
when issued and authenticated in the manner provided for in the applicable
Indenture and delivered in accordance with the terms of the [related Preferred
Stock], will constitute valid and legally binding obligations of the Company,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with their terms, except as the
enforcement thereof may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors' rights
generally or by general equitable principles, and except further as enforcement
thereof may be limited by (A) requirements that a claim with respect to any Debt
Securities denominated other than in U.S. dollars (or a foreign or composite
currency judgment in respect of such claim) be converted in U.S. dollars at a
rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law or
(B) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments
outside the United States.

      (8)  The Underwritten Securities being sold pursuant to the Underwriting 
Agreement and the [each] applicable [Indenture] conform, and any Underlying 
Securities, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the 
related Underwritten Securities, will


                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
conform, in all material respect so the statements relating thereto contained 
in the Final Prospectus and are in substantially the form filed or incorporated 
by reference, as the case may be, as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.
    
      (9)  The information in the Final Prospectus under "Description of 
Underwritten Securities" and "Description of Underlying Securities," if any, or 
any caption purporting to describe any such Securities, to the extent that it 
constitutes matters of law, summaries of legal matters, the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws or legal proceedings, or legal
conclusions, has been reviewed by [us] and is correct in all material
respects.    

      (10)  The Registration Statement has been declared effective under the 
1933 Act.  Any required filing of the Final Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) 
has been made in the manner and within the time period required by Rule 
424(b). To the best of [our] [my] knowledge, no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Registration Statement has been issued under the 1933 Act
and no proceedings for that purpose have been initiated or are pending or
threatened by the Commission.

      (11)  The Registration Statement and the Final Prospectus, excluding the 
documents incorporated by reference therein, and each amendment or supplement 
to the Registration Statement and Final Prospectus, excluding the documents 
incorporated by reference therein, as of their respective effective or issue 
dates (other than the financial statements and supporting schedules included 
therein or omitted therefrom and each Trustee's Statement of Eligibility on 
Form T-1 (the "Form T-1s"), as to which [we] [I] express no opinion) complied 
as to form in all material respects with the requirements as of the 1933 Act 
and the 1933 Act Regulations.

      Nothing has come to [our] [my] attention that would lead [us] [me] to 
believe that the Registration Statement or any post-effective amendment thereto 
(except for financial statements and schedules and other financial and 
statistical data included therein or omitted therefrom and for the Form T-1s, 
as to which [we] [I] make no statement), at the time the Registration Statement 
or any post-effective amendment thereto (including the filing of the Company's 
Annual Report on Form 10-K with the Commission) became effective or at the date 
of the Underwriting Agreement, contained an untrue statement of a material fact 
or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary 
to make the statements therein not misleading or that the Final Prospectus or 
any amendment or supplement thereto (except for financial statements and 
schedules and other financial and statistical data included therein or omitted 
therefrom, as to which [we] [I] make no statement), at the time the Final 
Prospectus was issued, at the time any such amended or supplemented prospectus 
was issued or at the Closing Date, included or includes an untrue statement of 
a material fact or omitted or omits to state a material fact necessary in order 
to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which 
they were made, not misleading.
 
                                      -6-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.4


      THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of February 18, 1997, is 
between LOEWS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and THE 
                                                        -------
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York corporation, as trustee (herein called the 
"Trustee").
 -------

                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

      The Company and the Trustee have entered into an Indenture dated as of 
March 1, 1986 and a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of March 30, 1993 
(such Indenture, as supplemented is herein called the "Indenture").  
                                                       ---------
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein, shall have the 
meanings given them in the Indenture.

      Section 901 of the Indenture provides that, under certain circumstances, 
a supplemental indenture may be entered into by the Company and the Trustee 
without the consent of any Holders of Debt Securities.  In accordance with the 
terms of Sections 901(6) and 901(9) of the Indenture, the Company has, by Board 
Resolution, authorized this Second Supplemental Indenture.  The Trustee has 
determined that this Second Supplemental Indenture is in form satisfactory to 
it.  This Second Supplemental Indenture modifies the terms of the Indenture 
only insofar as they are applicable to Debt Securities issued under the 
Indenture after the date of this Second Supplemental Indenture.

      All things necessary to make this Second Supplemental Indenture a valid 
agreement of the Company and the Trustee and a valid amendment of and 
supplement to the Indenture have been done.

      NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

      For and in consideration of the premises, it is mutually covenanted and 
agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Debt 
Securities issued under the Indenture from and after the date of this Second
Supplemental Indenture, as follows:

      1.    Section 301(14) will be renumbered Section 301(15), and a new 
Section 301(14) will be added, as follows:

            (14)  the exchange or conversion of the Debt Securities of any 
      series, at the option of the Holders thereof, for or into new Debt 
      Securities of a different series or other securities or other property, 
      including shares of capital stock of the Company or any subsidiary of the 
      Company or securities directly or indirectly convertible into or 
      exchangeable for any such shares; and
<PAGE>
 
      2.    Section 501(5) will be modified by replacing the amount of 
"$50,000,000" in the sixth line thereof with "$100,000,000."

      3.    This Second Supplemental Indenture does not modify the Indenture in 
any respect with regard to Debt Securities issued thereunder prior to the date 
of this Second Supplemental Indenture, and the terms of such Debt Securities 
will not be modified by this Second Supplemental Indenture.

      This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of 
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts 
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
<PAGE>
 
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Trustee have caused this Second 
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers 
thereunto duly authorized and the seal of the Company and the Trustee duly 
attested to be hereunto affixed all as of the day and year first above written.


                                          LOEWS CORPORATION



[SEAL]                                    By:   /s/ Gary W. Garson
                                                --------------------------

                                          Its:  Vice President
                                                --------------------------



                                          THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


[SEAL]                                    By:  /s/ Ronald Halleran
                                                --------------------------

                                          Its: Second Vice President
                                                --------------------------
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF NEW YORK       )
                        )  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK      )

    
      On the 18th day of February, 1997, before me personally came Ronald
Halleran to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
resides at New York, New York; that he is a Second Vice President of THE CHASE
MANHATTAN BANK, one of the banking corporations described herein and that
executed the above instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that
the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so
affixed by the Board of Directors of said corporation and that he signed his
name thereto by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation.    

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official 
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.

[NOTARIAL SEAL]                            /s/ Della K. Benjamin
                                          --------------------------------
                                                   Notary Public
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF NEW YORK       )
                        ) ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK      )


      On the 19th day of February, 1997, before me personally came Gary W.
Garson, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
resides at New York, New York; that he is a Vice President of LOEWS CORPORATION,
the corporation described herein and that executed the above instrument; that he
knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is
such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by the Board of Directors of said
corporation and that he signed his name thereto by order of the Board of
Directors of said corporation.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official 
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.


[NOTARIAL SEAL]                               /s/ Carol Doktorski
                                          --------------------------------
                                                   Notary Public

<PAGE>
                                                                Exhibit 4.7

 
     THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of February 18, 1997, is
between LOEWS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and THE CHASE
                                                        -------                 
MANHATTAN BANK, a New York corporation, successor by merger to Chemical Bank, a
New York corporation, successor by merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust
Company, as trustee (herein called the "Trustee").
                                        -------   

                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

     The Company and the Trustee have entered into an Indenture (herein called
the "Indenture"), dated as of December 1, 1985.  Capitalized terms used herein,
     ---------                                                                 
not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings given them in the
Indenture.

     Section 901 of the Indenture provides that, under certain circumstances, a
supplemental indenture may be entered into by the Company and the Trustee
without the consent of any Holders of Debt Securities.  In accordance with the
terms of Sections 901(5) and 901(6) of the Indenture, the Company has, by Board
Resolution, authorized this First Supplemental Indenture.  The Trustee has
determined that this First Supplemental Indenture is in form satisfactory to it.
This First Supplemental Indenture modifies the terms of the Indenture only
insofar as they are applicable to Debt Securities issued under the Indenture
after the date of this First Supplemental Indenture.

     All things necessary to make this First Supplemental Indenture a valid
agreement of the Company and the Trustee and a valid amendment of and supplement
to the Indenture have been done.

     NOW, THEREFORE, THIS FIRST SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

     For and in consideration of the premises, it is mutually covenanted and
agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Debt
Securities issued under the Indenture from and after the date of this First
Supplemental Indenture, as follows:

     1.  Article One will be modified by the addition of the following
definitions:

     "Depository" means, unless otherwise specified by the Company pursuant to
either Section 205 or 301, with respect to Debt Securities of any series
issuable or issued as a Global Security, The Depository Trust Company, New York,
New York, or any successor thereto registered as a clearing agency pursuant to
the provisions of Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or other applicable statute or regulation.
<PAGE>
 
     "Global Security", when used with respect to any series of Debt Securities
issued hereunder, means a Debt Security which is executed by the Company and
authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Depository pursuant to the
Depository's instruction, all in accordance with this Indenture and an indenture
supplemental hereto, if any, or Board Resolution and pursuant to a Company
Order, which Global Security shall be registered in the name of the Depository
or its nominee and which shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount
equal to the aggregate principal amount of, all of the Outstanding Debt
Securities of such series or any portion thereof, in either case having the same
terms, including, without limitation, the same original issue date, date or
dates on which principal is due, and interest rate or method of determining
interest.

     2.  Article Two will be modified by the addition of a new Section 205 as
follows:

     Section 205.  Debt Securities Issuable in the Form of a Global Security.
                   ---------------------------------------------------------  
(a)  If the Company shall establish pursuant to Sections 202 and 301 that the
Debt Securities of a particular series are to be issued in whole or in part in
the form of one or more Global Securities, then the Company shall execute and
the Trustee or its agent shall, in accordance with Section 303 and the Company
Order delivered to the Trustee or its agent thereunder, authenticate and deliver
such Global Security or Global Securities, which (i) shall represent, and shall
be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate principal amount of, the
Outstanding Debt Securities of such series to be represented by such Global
Security or Global Securities, or such portion thereof as the Company shall
specify in a Company Order, (ii) shall be registered in the name of the
Depository for such Global Security or Global Securities or its nominee, (iii)
shall be delivered by the Trustee or its agent to the Depository or its nominee
pursuant to the Depository's instruction and (iv) shall bear a legend
substantially to the following effect:  "Unless this certificate is presented by
an authorized representative of the Depository to the Company or its agent for
registration of transfer, exchange, or payment, and any certificate issued is
registered in the name of the nominee of the Depository or in such other name as
is requested by an authorized representative of the Depository (and any payment
is made to the nominee of the Depository or to such other entity as is requested
by an authorized representative of the Depository), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR
OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch
as the registered owner hereof, the nominee of the Depository, has an interest
herein."

     (b)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this Section 205 or of Section
305, and subject to the provisions of paragraph (c) below, unless the terms of a
Global Security expressly permit

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
such Global Security to be exchanged in whole or in part for certificates
representing Debt Securities, a Global Security may be transferred, in whole but
not in part and in the manner provided in Section 305, only to a nominee of the
Depository for such Global Security, or to the Depository, or a successor
Depository for such Global Security selected or approved by the Company, or to a
nominee of such successor Depository.

     (c)  (i)  If at any time the Depository for a Global Security notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depository for such Global
Security or if at any time the Depository for the Global Securities for such
series shall no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or other applicable statute or regulation, the
Company shall appoint a successor Depository with respect to such Global
Security.  If a successor Depository for such Global Security is not appointed
by the Company within 90 days after the Company receives notice or becomes aware
of such ineligibility, the Company will execute, and the Trustee or its agent,
upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and delivery of
certificates representing Debt Securities of such series in exchange for such
Global Security, will authenticate and deliver, certificates representing Debt
Securities of such series of like tenor and terms in an aggregate principal
amount equal to the principal amount of such Global Security in exchange for
such Global Security.

     (ii)  The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that
the Debt Securities of any series or portion thereof issued or issuable in the
form of one or more Global Securities shall no longer be represented by such
Global Security or Global Securities.  In such event the Company will execute,
and the Trustee, upon receipt of a Company Request for the authentication and
delivery of certificates representing Debt Securities of such series in exchange
in whole or in part for such Global Security, will authenticate and deliver
certificates representing Debt Securities of such series of like tenor and terms
in definitive form in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal
amount of such Global Security or Global Securities representing such series or
portion thereof in exchange for such Global Security or Global Securities.

     (iii)  If specified by the Company pursuant to Sections 202 and 301 with
respect to Debt Securities issued or issuable in the form of a Global Security,
the Depository for such Global Security may surrender such Global Security in
exchange in whole or in part for certificates representing Debt Securities of
such series of like tenor and terms in definitive form on such terms as are
acceptable to the Company and such Depository.  Thereupon the Company shall
execute, and the Trustee or its agent shall authenticate and deliver, without a
service charge, (1) to each

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
Holder specified by the Security Registrar or the Depository a certificate or
certificates representing Debt Securities of the same series of like tenor and
terms and of any authorized denomination as requested by such person in an
aggregate principal amount equal to and in exchange for such Holder's beneficial
interest as specified by the Security Registrar or the Depository in the Global
Security; and (2) to such Depository a new Global Security of like tenor and
terms and in an authorized denomination equal to the difference, if any, between
the principal amount of the surrendered Global Security and the aggregate
principal amount of certificates representing Debt Securities delivered to
Holders thereof.

     (iv)   In any exchange provided for in any of the preceding three
paragraphs, the Company will execute and the Trustee or its agent will
authenticate and deliver certificates representing Debt Securities in definitive
registered form in authorized denominations for Debt Securities of the same
series or any integral multiple thereof.  Upon the exchange of the entire
principal amount of a Global Security for certificates representing Debt
Securities, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee or its agent.
Except as provided in the preceding paragraph, certificates representing Debt
Securities issued in exchange for a Global Security pursuant to this Section
shall be registered in such names and in such authorized denominations for Debt
Securities of that series or any integral multiple thereof, as the Security
Registrar or the Depository shall instruct the Trustee or its agent.  The
Trustee or the Security Registrar shall deliver at the Trustee's Corporate Trust
Office such certificates representing Debt Securities to the Holders in whose
names such Debt Securities are so registered.

     3.  The word "and" following Section 301(9) will be deleted, Section
301(10) will be renumbered Section 301(11), and a new Section 301(10) will be
added, as follows:

     (10)  if the Debt Securities of the series shall be issued in whole or in
part in the form of a Global Security or Global Securities, the terms and
conditions, if any, upon which such Global Security or Global Securities may be
exchanged in whole or in part for certificates representing Debt Securities, and
the Depository for such Global Security or Global Securities; and

     4.  A new paragraph will be added to the end of Section 305, as follows:

     None of the Trustee, any agent of the Trustee, any Paying Agent or the
Depository will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the
records relating to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership
interests of a Global Security or

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.

     5.  Section 501(5) will be modified by replacing the amount of
"$10,000,000" in the sixth line thereof with "$50,000,000".

     6.  This First Supplemental Indenture does not modify the Indenture in any
respect with regard to Debt Securities issued thereunder prior to the date of
this First Supplemental Indenture, and the terms of such Debt Securities will
not be modified by this First Supplemental Indenture.

     This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Trustee have caused this First
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers
thereunto duly authorized and the seal of the Company and the Trustee duly
attested to be hereunto affixed all as of the day and year first above written.

                              LOEWS CORPORATION



[SEAL]                        By:   /s/ Gary W. Garson
                                   ---------------------------
                              Its:    Vice President
                                    ---------------------------

                              THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


[SEAL]                        By:   /s/ Ronald Halleran
                                   -------------------------------
                              Its:   Second Vice President
                                    -------------------------------

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF NEW YORK  )
                   )  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK )


     On the 18th day of February, 1997, before me personally came Ronald
                                                                  ------
Halleran to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
- --------                                                                     
resides at New York, New York; that he is a Second Vice President of THE CHASE
MANHATTAN BANK, one of the banking corporations described herein and that
executed the above instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that
the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so
affixed by the Board of Directors of said corporation and that he signed his
name thereto by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.

[NOTARIAL SEAL]
                                      /s/ Della K. Benjamin
                                   ______________________________
                                            Notary Public

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF NEW YORK   )
                    ) ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK  )


     On the 19th day of February, 1997, before me personally came Gary W.
                                                                  -------
Garson, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
- ------
resides at New York, New York; that he is a Vice President of LOEWS CORPORATION,
the corporation described herein and that executed the above instrument; that he
knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is
such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by the Board of Directors of said
corporation and that he signed his name thereto by order of the Board of
Directors of said corporation.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.


[NOTARIAL SEAL]                            /s/ Carol Doktorski
                                        --------------------------------
                                              Notary Public

                                      -8-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 4.8

      THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE, dated as of February 18, 1997, is 
between LOEWS CORPORATION, a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and THE 
                                                        -------
CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, a New York corporation, successor by merger to Chemical 
Bank, successor by merger to Manufacturers Hanover Trust Company, as trustee 
(herein called the "Trustee").
                    -------

                             PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

      The Company and the Trustee have entered into an Indenture dated as of
December 1, 1985 and a First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 18,
1997 (such Indenture, as supplemented is herein called the "Indenture").
                                                            ---------
Capitalized terms used but not otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings
given them in the Indenture.

      Section 901 of the Indenture provides that, under certain circumstances, 
a supplemental indenture may be entered into by the Company and the Trustee 
without the consent of any Holders of Debt Securities.  In accordance with the 
terms of Sections 901(6) and 901(9) of the Indenture, the Company has, by Board 
Resolution, authorized this Second Supplemental Indenture.  The Trustee has 
determined that this Second Supplemental Indenture is in form satisfactory to 
it.  This Second Supplemental Indenture modifies the terms of the Indenture 
only insofar as they are applicable to Debt Securities issued under the 
Indenture after the date of this Second Supplemental Indenture.

      All things necessary to make this Second Supplemental Indenture a valid 
agreement of the Company and the Trustee and a valid amendment of and 
supplement to the Indenture have been done.

      NOW, THEREFORE, THIS SECOND SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

      For and in consideration of the premises, it is mutually covenanted and 
agreed, for the equal and proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Debt 
Securities issued under the Indenture from and after the date of this Second
Supplemental Indenture, as follows:

      1.    The word "and" following Section 301(10) will be deleted, Section 
301(11) will be renumbered Section 301(12), and a new Section 301(11) will be 
added, as follows:

            (11)  the exchange or conversion of the Debt Securities of any 
      series, at the option of the Holders thereof, for or into new Debt 
      Securities of a different series or other securities or other property, 
      including shares of capital stock of the Company or any subsidiary of the 
      Company or
<PAGE>
 
      securities directly or indirectly convertible into or exchangeable for 
      any such shares; and

      2.    Section 501(5) will be modified by replacing the amount of 
"$50,000,000" in the sixth line thereof with "$100,000,000."

      3.    This Second Supplemental Indenture does not modify the Indenture in 
any respect with regard to Debt Securities issued thereunder prior to the date 
of this Second Supplemental Indenture, and the terms of such Debt Securities 
will not be modified by this Second Supplemental Indenture.

      This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of 
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts 
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.
<PAGE>
 
      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Trustee have caused this Second 
Supplemental Indenture to be duly executed by their respective officers 
thereunto duly authorized and the seal of the Company and the Trustee duly 
attested to be hereunto affixed all as of the day and year first above written.


                                          LOEWS CORPORATION



[SEAL]                                    By:   /s/ Gary W. Garson
                                                --------------------------

                                          Its:  Vice President
                                                --------------------------



                                          THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


[SEAL]                                    By:   /s/ Ronald Halleran            
                                                --------------------------

                                          Its:  Second Vice President
                                                --------------------------
<PAGE>
 

STATE OF NEW YORK       )
                        )  ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK      )

    
      On the 18th day of February, 1997, before me personally came Ronald
Halleran to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
resides at New York, New York; that he is a Second Vice President of THE CHASE
MANHATTAN BANK, one of the banking corporations described herein and that
executed the above instrument; that he knows the seal of said corporation; that
the seal affixed to said instrument is such corporate seal; that it was so
affixed by the Board of Directors of said corporation and that he signed his
name thereto by order of the Board of Directors of said corporation.    

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official 
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.

[NOTARIAL SEAL]                              /s/ Della K. Benjamin
                                          --------------------------------
                                                   Notary Public
<PAGE>
 
STATE OF NEW YORK       )
                        ) ss.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK      )


      On the 19th day of February, 1997, before me personally came Gary W.
Garson, to me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he
resides at New York, New York; that he is a Vice President of LOEWS CORPORATION,
the corporation described herein and that executed the above instrument; that he
knows the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is
such corporate seal; that it was so affixed by the Board of Directors of said
corporation and that he signed his name thereto by order of the Board of
Directors of said corporation.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official 
seal the day and year in this certificate first above written.


[NOTARIAL SEAL]                                 /s/ Carol Doktorski
                                          --------------------------------
                                                   Notary Public

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     Exhibit 5.1


                                     LOEWS
                                  CORPORATION
                              667 Madison Avenue
                          New York, N.Y.  10021-8087



                                                               February 20, 1997
                                                                                


Loews Corporation
667 Madison Avenue
New York, New York  10021-8087

Gentlemen:

          I am providing this opinion as General Counsel of Loews Corporation, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the preparation and
                           -------                                          
filing on the date hereof of a registration statement on Form S-3 with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Registration Statement") under the
                                         ----------------------            
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, relating to the proposed issuance and sale
by the Company from time to time of the following securities, having an
aggregate maximum offering price not to exceed $1,000,000,000:  (i) shares of
the Company's common stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Stock"); (ii)
                                                            ------------        
shares of the Company's preferred stock, par value $0.10 per share (the
                                                                       
"Preferred Stock"), in one or more series to be designated; (iii) senior debt
- ----------------                                                             
securities (the "Senior Debt Securities") proposed to be issued under the
                 ----------------------                                  
Indenture, dated as of March 1, 1986 (the "Senior Debt Indenture"), as
                                           ---------------------      
supplemented by a first supplemental indenture, dated as of March 30, 1993 (the
"First Senior Debt Indenture Supplement"), and by a second supplemental
 --------------------------------------                                 
indenture (the "Second Senior Debt Indenture Supplement"), dated as of February
                ---------------------------------------                        
18, 1997, between the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (the
                                                                           
"Trustee"); and (iv) subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt
- --------                                                -----------------
Securities") proposed to be issued under the Indenture, dated as of December 1,
- ----------                                                                     
1985 (the "Subordinated Debt Indenture"), as supplemented by a first
           ----------------------------                              
supplemental indenture, dated as of February 18, 1997 (the "First Subordinated
                                                            ------------------
Debt Indenture Supplement"), and by a second supplemental indenture (the "Second
- -------------------------                                                 ------
Subordinated Debt Indenture Supplement"), dated as of February 18, 1997, between
- --------------------------------------                                          
the Company and the Trustee.  Each of the Senior Debt Indenture and the Sub-
ordinated Debt Indenture are sometimes referred to herein as an "Indenture";
                                                                 ----------  
each of the First Senior Debt Indenture Supplement, the First Subordinated Debt
Indenture Supplement, the Second Senior Debt Indenture Supplement and the Second
Subordinated Debt Indenture Supplement are sometimes referred to herein as a
                                                                            
"Supplement"; and references to an Indenture, the Senior Debt Indenture or the
- -----------                                                                   
Subordinated Debt Indenture shall mean references to such indenture as
supplemented by each Supplement thereto.
<PAGE>
 
Loews Corporation
February 20, 1997
Page 2


          In connection with the foregoing, I have examined the Company's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws, certain resolutions of the
Company's Board of Directors and/or Executive Committee, the Registration
Statement, the Indentures and the Supplements, in each case as of the date
hereof.  In addition, I have examined such other corporate records, agreements,
certificates and other instruments as I have deemed relevant and necessary for
the purpose of the opinions expressed herein and have made such other
investigation as I have deemed appropriate.  In such examination, I have assumed
the genuineness of all signatures, the authenticity of all documents submitted
to me as originals and the conformity to the original documents of all documents
submitted to me as copies.  As to any facts material to my opinion I have, when
the relevant facts were not independently established, relied upon the aforesaid
documents.  In giving this opinion, I have assumed that each Indenture and each
Supplement has been duly executed and delivered by, and constitutes the valid
and binding obligation of, the Trustee.

          I am a member of the Bar of the State of New York and do not express
any opinion as to any matters governed by any laws other than the laws of the
State of New York, the corporate laws of the State of Delaware and the federal
laws of the United States of America.

          Based upon and subject to the foregoing, I am of the opinion that:

          1.  The Senior Debt Indenture and each Supplement thereto have been
duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and when (i) any Senior
Debt Securities shall have been duly authorized in the manner required by the
Senior Debt Indenture, (ii) the terms of such Senior Debt Securities shall have
been duly established in the manner required by the Senior Debt Indenture, (iii)
certificates for such Senior Debt Securities shall have been duly executed,
issued and authenticated as provided in the Senior Debt Indenture and delivered
in accordance with the Company's instructions and (iv) the Company shall have
received the purchase price of, and any other consideration due for, such
Senior Debt Securities, such Senior Debt Securities will constitute valid and
binding obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms (subject, as
to the enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy, reorganization,
insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting creditors' rights
generally from time to time in effect and subject to general principles of
equity).

          2.  The Subordinated Debt Indenture and each Supplement thereto have
each been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and when (i)
any Subordinated Debt Securities shall have been duly authorized in the manner
required by the Subordinated Debt Indenture, (ii) the terms of such Subordinated
Debt Securities shall have been duly established in the manner required by the
Subordinated Debt Indenture, (iii) certificates for such Subordinated Debt
Securities shall have been duly executed, issued and authenticated as provided
in the Subordinated Debt Indenture and delivered in accordance with the
Company's instructions and (iv) the Company shall have received the purchase
price of, and any other consideration due for, such Subordinated Debt
Securities, such Subordinated Debt Securities will constitute valid and binding
obligations of the Company in accordance with their terms (subject, as to the
enforcement of remedies, to applicable bankruptcy,
<PAGE>
 
Loews Corporation
February 20, 1997
Page 3

reorganization, insolvency, moratorium or other similar laws affecting
creditors' rights generally from time to time in effect and subject to general
principles of equity).

          3.  The Preferred Stock has been duly authorized by the Company and
when (i) the Board of Directors of the Company (or its authorized Committee)
shall have adopted resolutions in form and content sufficient under applicable
law, (ii) a Certificate of Designations establishing the terms of any series of
Preferred Stock shall have been duly executed and acknowledged by the Company
and filed and recorded in accordance with the requirements of the Company's
Restated Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws and applicable law, (iii)
certificates for shares of such series of Preferred Stock shall have been duly
executed, issued and delivered and (iv) the Company shall have received the
purchase price of, and any other consideration due for, such shares of Preferred
Stock, such shares of Preferred Stock will constitute duly authorized, validly
issued, fully paid and non-assessable shares of Preferred Stock of the Company
(assuming for purposes of this paragraph that the Company shall have a
sufficient number of authorized and unissued shares).

          4.  The Common Stock has been duly authorized by the Company and when
(i) the Board of Directors of the Company (or its authorized Committee) shall
have adopted resolutions in form and content sufficient under applicable law,
(ii) certificates for shares of such Common Stock shall have been duly executed,
issued and delivered and (iii) the Company shall have received the purchase
price of, and any other consideration due for, such shares of Common Stock, such
shares of Common Stock will constitute duly authorized, validly issued, fully
paid and non-assessable shares of Common Stock of the Company (assuming for
purposes of this paragraph that the Company shall have a sufficient number of
authorized and unissued shares).

          This opinion is rendered solely for your benefit in connection with
the above-referenced transaction.

          In addition, I hereby consent to the filing of this opinion by the
Company as an exhibit to the Registration Statement and to the reference to me
and to this opinion in the prospectus contained therein. This consent is not to
be construed as an admission that I am a person whose consent is required to be
filed with the Registration Statement under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.



                                             Very truly yours,

                                             /s/ Barry Hirsch

                                             Barry Hirsch, Esq.
                                             Senior Vice President,
                                             Secretary and General Counsel

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1

                      Loews Corporation and Subsidiaries
               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                         (In millions, except ratios)

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                       Nine Months Ended                                                    
                                          SEPTEMBER 30                            Year Ended DECEMBER 31      
                                   -----------------------              -------------------------------------------------------
                                       1996        1995                     1995        1994       1993        1992        1991 
                                   -----------------------              -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>               <C>                <C>           <C>         <C>       <C>       <C> 
Income (loss) before                                                 
 cumulative effect of changes                                        
 in accounting principle........... $1,136.1         $1,020.6           $1,765.7      $267.8     $594.1     $ (22.1)  $   904.3
Add or (Deduct):
  Undistributed income of                                            
   associated companies............                      (8.5)             (10.0)       61.5      (46.2)      (23.1)      463.1
  Income taxes (benefits)..........    639.7            551.6              945.3        (9.0)      46.6      (388.7)      217.5
  Minority interest................    171.1             96.1              128.1         7.3       48.7      (107.7)      109.3
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     1,946.9          1,659.8            2,829.1       327.6      643.2      (541.6)    1,694.2
Fixed charges......................    273.6            235.7              338.0       202.1      189.3       180.0       192.9
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before
  cumulative effect of changes
  in accounting principle.......... $2,220.5         $1,895.5           $3,167.1      $529.7     $832.5     $(361.6)   $1,887.1
                                   ============================================================================================
Fixed charges:
  Interest expense.................   $240.3         $  195.4           $  282.5      $174.6     $162.3     $ 148.8    $  163.6
  1/3 of rental expense............     33.3             40.3               55.5        27.5       27.0        31.2        29.3
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      $273.6         $  235.7           $  338.0      $202.1     $189.3     $ 180.0    $  192.9
                                   ============================================================================================
Ratio of income before
cumulative effect of changes
in accounting principle to
fixed charges (a)..................      8.1x             8.OX               9.4x        2.6x(b)    4.4x(c)      (c)        9.8x(b)
</TABLE>
(a) The ratio of income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting
    principles to fixed charges was computed by dividing income before
    cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles available for fixed
    charges (income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting
    principles, undistributed income of associated companies, income taxes and
    minority interest, adjusted for interest expense, amortization of debt
    issuance costs and one-third of rent expense) by fixed charges. Fixed
    charges include (i) interest costs, (ii) amortization of debt issuance
    costs, and (iii) one-third of rent expense, which the Company believes
    represents the interest factor attributable to rent. Since no preferred
    stock was outstanding during the periods presented, the ratio of income
    before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles to fixed
    charges and preferred stock dividends would be the same as the ratios
    presented here.

(b) Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles for the
    fiscal years ended December 31, 1994 and 1991 included $91.6 and $417.6,
    respectively, of distribution of CBS equity earnings.

(c) Income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles was
    insufficient to cover fixed charges by $541.6 for the year ended December
    31, 1992.  This deficit reflected a $1,500.0 increase in claim reserves by
    Casualty with respect to its potential exposure to asbestos-related bodily
    injury cases, resulting in an after-tax charge of $822.7 against the
    Company's net income for the year ended December 31, 1992. In 1993, the
    Company added $500.0 to such claim reserve, resulting in an after-tax charge
    of $270.1 against the company's net income for the year ended December 31,
    1993.

<PAGE>
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

 
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT
                         -----------------------------


     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
of Loews Corporation on Form S-3 of our report dated February 14, 1996,
appearing in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Loews Corporation for the year
ended December 31, 1995 and to the reference to us under the heading "Experts"
in the Prospectus which is part of this Registration Statement.


    
DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP
February 20, 1997     

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1
      ___________________________________________________________________

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            Washington, D. C.  20549
                           _________________________

                                   FORM  T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                    UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF
                   A CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
                  ___________________________________________
              CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF
                A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION 305(b)(2) ________
                    ________________________________________

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


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

270 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK                                     10017
(Address of principal executive offices)            (Zip Code)

                               William H. McDavid
                                General Counsel
                                270 Park Avenue
                            New York, New York 10017
                              Tel:  (212) 270-2611
           (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)
                 _____________________________________________
                               LOEWS CORPORATION
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE                                            13-2646102
(State or other jurisdiction of                 (I.R.S. employer
incorporation or organization)                 identification No.)

667 MADISON AVENUE
NEW YORK, NEW YORK         (212) 545-2000           10021-8087
(Address of principal executive offices)            (Zip Code)

                   ----------------------------------------
                                DEBT SECURITIES
                      (Title of the indenture securities)
               ------------------------------------------------
                                        
<PAGE>
 
                                    GENERAL

Item 1.   General Information.

     Furnish the following information as to the trustee:

     (a) Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to which it
is subject.
 
       New York State Banking Department, State House, Albany, New York  12110.

       Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington, D.C., 20551
 
       Federal Reserve Bank of New York, District No. 2, 33 Liberty Street, New
York, N.Y.

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


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

       Yes.


Item 2.  Affiliations with the Obligor.

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

     None.



                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>
 
Item 16.  List of Exhibits
 
      List below all exhibits filed as a part of this Statement of Eligibility.

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

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

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

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

      5.  Not applicable.

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

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

      8.  Not applicable.

      9.  Not applicable.

                                   SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 the
Trustee, The Chase Manhattan Bank, a corporation organized and existing under
the laws of the State of New York, has duly caused this statement of eligibility
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in
the City of New York and State of New York, on the 18TH day of FEBRUARY, 1997.
 
                            THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK


                            By /s/R. J. Halleran
                               -----------------------------------
                                  R. J. Halleran
                                  Second Vice President

 
                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>
 
                             Exhibit 7 to Form T-1


                                Bank Call Notice

                             RESERVE DISTRICT NO. 2
                      CONSOLIDATED REPORT OF CONDITION OF

                            The Chase Manhattan Bank
                  of 270 Park Avenue, New York, New York 10017
                     and Foreign and Domestic Subsidiaries,
                    a member of the Federal Reserve System,

                at the close of business September 30, 1996, in
        accordance with a call made by the Federal Reserve Bank of this
        District pursuant to the provisions of the Federal Reserve Act.
<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                                                          DOLLAR AMOUNTS
                        ASSETS                                             IN MILLIONS

<S>                                                                       <C> 
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and
  currency and coin ........................................................  $11,095
  Interest-bearing balances ................................................    4,998
Securities:.................................................................
Held to maturity securities.................................................    3,231
Available for sale securities...............................................   38,078
Federal Funds sold and securities purchased under
  agreements to resell in domestic offices of the
  bank and of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries,
  and in IBF's:
  Federal funds sold........................................................    8,018
  Securities purchased under agreements to resell...........................      731
Loans and lease financing receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income      $130,513
  Less: Allowance for loan and lease losses        2,938
  Less: Allocated transfer risk reserve.........      27
                                                --------
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income,                                 
  allowance, and reserve....................................................  127,548
Trading Assets..............................................................   48,576
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized                            
  leases)...................................................................    2,850
Other real estate owned.....................................................      300
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and                              
  associated companies......................................................       92
Customer's liability to this bank on acceptances                            
  outstanding...............................................................    2,777
Intangible assets...........................................................    1,361
Other assets................................................................   12,204
                                                                             --------

TOTAL ASSETS................................................................ $261,859
                                                                             ========
</TABLE>

                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  LIABILITIES

<S>                                                                       <C> 
Deposits
  In domestic offices......................................................  $ 80,163
  Noninterest-bearing  .....................................$30,596
  Interest-bearing   ....................................... 49,567
                                                            -------
  In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement
   subsidiaries,
  and IBF's................................................................    65,173  
  Noninterest-bearing ......................................$ 3,616
  Interest-bearing.......................................... 61,557
 
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agree-
ments to repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and
  of its Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBF's
  Federal funds purchased..................................................    14,594
  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase...........................    14,110
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury...................................     2,200
Trading liabilities........................................................    30,136
Other Borrowed money:                           
  With a remaining maturity of one year or less............................    16,895  
  With a remaining maturity of more than one year..........................       449
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under     
 capitalized leases........................................................        49
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and    
 outstanding                                                                    2,764
Subordinated notes and debentures..........................................     5,471
Other liabilities..........................................................    13,997
                                                
TOTAL LIABILITIES..........................................................   246,001
                                                                             --------
                                                
Limited-Life Preferred stock and related surplus                                  550

                                EQUITY CAPITAL

Common stock...............................................................     1,209
Surplus....................................................................    10,176
Undivided profits and capital reserves.....................................     4,385
Net unrealized holding gains (Losses)               
on available-for-sale securities...........................................      (481)
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments........................        19
                                                    
TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL.......................................................    15,308
                                                                             --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED           
  STOCK AND EQUITY CAPITAL.................................................  $261,859
                                                                             ========
</TABLE> 

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

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

                    WALTER V. SHIPLEY       )
                    EDWARD D. MILLER        )DIRECTORS
                    THOMAS G. LABRECQUE     )
 
                                     - 5 -


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission