NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORP
10-K, 1997-03-28
EDUCATIONAL SERVICES
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                                    FORM 10-K
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

              [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                   For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1996

                                       OR

            [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                       THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                        For the transition period from to

                          Commission File Number 1-7234
                     NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

            Delaware                                        13-1926739
(State of Incorporation)                   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

   9 West 57th Street, New York, NY                           10019
(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:       (212) 826-8500
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of Each Class                  Name of each exchange on which registered:
Common Stock, $.01 Par Value                      American Stock Exchange, Inc.
                                                  Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc.

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:            None

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports require
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  Registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation  S-K is not contained  herein,  and will not be contained,  to the
best of Registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information  statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. /X/

As of March 3, 1997, the aggregate market value of the outstanding shares of the
Registrant's  Common  Stock,  par value $.01 per share,  held by  non-affiliates
(assuming  for  this  calculation  only  that all  officers  and  directors  are
affiliates)  was  approximately  $74,721,587  based on the closing  price of the
Common Stock on the American Stock Exchange on March 3, 1997.  None of the Class
B Capital Stock, par value $.01 per share, was held by non-affiliates.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the Registrant's classes of
common stock, as of the most recent practicable date.

Class Outstanding at March 3, 1997
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share             10,613,342 shares
Class B Capital Stock, par value $.01 per share        62,500 shares

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

Portions of the  Registrant's  definitive  Proxy  Statement  for its 1997 Annual
Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated by reference into Part III hereof.


<PAGE>






                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                      Page
PART I 

         Item 1.   Business

         (a)               General Development of Business    ......    1
         (b)               Financial Information About
                           Industry Segments                  ......    1
         (c)               Narrative Description of Business  ......    1
         (d)               Financial Information About Foreign
                           and Domestic Operations and Export
                           Sales                              ......   18

         Item 2.   Properties                                 ......   18

         Item 3.   Legal Proceedings                          ......   19

         Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of
                    Security Holders                          ......   20

PART II

         Item 5.   Market for the Registrant's Common
                    Equity and Related Stockholder Matters    ......   20

         Item 6.   Selected Financial Data                    ......   21

         Item 7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                    Financial Condition and Results of Operations...   22

         Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data......   30

         Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants
                  on Accounting and Financial Disclosure      ......   79

PART III

         Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers
                  of the Registrant                           ......   79

         Item 11.  Executive Compensation                     ......   79

         Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain
                    Beneficial Owners and Management          ......   79
         Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related
                    Transactions                              ......   79

PART IV

         Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules,
                   and Reports on Form 8-K                             80


<PAGE>






                                     PART I

ITEM 1.  BUSINESS

(a)  General Development of Business

         The Company is  primarily a holding  company,  which is a legal  entity
separate and distinct from its various operating  subsidiaries.  The Company and
its operating  subsidiaries (i) provide  engineering,  environmental,  training,
analytical and technical  support services to Fortune 500 companies,  commercial
nuclear and fossil power utilities, the United States Departments of Defense and
Energy and other commercial and governmental customers,  (ii) are engaged in the
wholesale  distribution  of home  decorating,  hardware and finishing  products,
(iii)  manufacture  molded and coated optical products (such as shields and face
masks and non-optical  plastic  products) and (iv) manufacture  medical devices,
drugs and cosmetic polymer products.  The Company also has investments in (i) an
environmental technology and services firm, (ii) a biopharmaceutical company and
(iii) a global provider of software. In addition, the Company owns approximately
54% of the  common  stock of a company  that  provides  consulting  services  to
Western companies doing business in Russia and Eastern Europe.

(b)  Financial Information About Industry Segments

         Certain  financial  information  about  business  segments  (classes of
similar  products or services)  is included in Note 16 of Notes to  Consolidated
Financial Statements.

(c)  Narrative Description of Business

PHYSICAL SCIENCE GROUP

GENERAL PHYSICS CORPORATION

Organization and Operations

         General  Physics  was   incorporated  in  1966  to  provide   technical
consulting  services in the field of nuclear  science and engineering to nuclear
power companies and government agencies. General Physics expanded its operations
in the late  1960's to provide,  among  other  things,  training  and  technical
support  services to the  commercial  nuclear power  industry.  General  Physics
expanded  its markets  even  further in the late 1980's to provide  training and
technical  support  services  to  United  States   Government   nuclear  weapons
production  and waste  processing  facilities,  and  environmental  services  to
governmental and commercial clients.

         In January 1994,  General  Physics  acquired  substantially  all of the
operating   businesses  of  Cygna  Energy  Services  ("CES"),   other  than  its
non-nuclear seismic engineering business. The acquired businesses provide design
engineering, seismic engineering, systems engineering,  materials management and
safety  analysis  services to the  commercial  nuclear power industry and to the
DOE.

         On August 31, 1994,  General Physics acquired  substantially all of the
assets and  operations  of GPS  Technologies,  Inc.  ("GPST") and certain of its
subsidiaries (together,  the "GPST Businesses") for approximately $32.5 million,
consisting of $10 million cash,  3,500,000 shares of GPC Common Stock,  warrants
to  acquire  up to  1,000,000  shares of GPC  Common  Stock at $6.00 per  share,
warrants to acquire up to 475,664 shares of GPC Common Stock at $7.00 per share,
and 6% ten-year senior subordinated debentures in the aggregate principal amount
of $15 million.  The senior subordinated  debentures require payment of interest
only on a quarterly  basis for the first five years,  quarterly  installments of
$525,000 principal plus interest for the next five years and the balance of $4.5
million at maturity.  The fair value of the senior  subordinated  debentures was
estimated  to be  $10.7  million  at the  date  of  the  acquisition.  The  GPST
Businesses provide a wide range of management and technical training, as well as
specialized  engineering  consulting services,  to various commercial industries
and the United States Government.

         The Company,  which owned  approximately 92% of GPST and 28% of General
Physics prior to the  transaction,  owned  approximately  54% of the outstanding
shares of General Physics after the  acquisition.  Accordingly,  the acquisition
was accounted for as a reverse  acquisition,  whereby the GPST  Businesses  were
deemed to have  acquired  General  Physics in a  transaction  accounted for as a
purchase.

         On January  23,  1997  stockholders  of each of the Company and General
Physics voted to approve the merger of a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company
with General  Physics  pursuant to which General  Physics  became a wholly-owned
subsidiary  of the Company (the  "Merger").  The Merger was completed on January
24, 1997.  Under the terms of the Merger  Agreement,  holders of General Physics
Common Stock received .60 shares of the Company's Common Stock for each share of
General Physics common stock.

         General Physics and its  subsidiaries  provide  training,  engineering,
environmental,   analytical  and  technical  support  services  to  Fortune  500
companies, the commercial nuclear and fossil power industries,  the DOD and DOE,
and other  commercial and governmental  customers.  General Physics is organized
into three groups:  Commercial Training and Technical Services,  Engineering and
Applied  Sciences,  and  Government  Training and  Technical  Services.  General
Physics'  performance is significantly  affected by the timing of performance on
contracts. Results of operations are not seasonal, since contracts are performed
throughout the year.


<PAGE>



         The following table sets forth the approximate revenue  attributable to
the  categories  of  services  provided  by General  Physics  for the year ended
December 31, 1996:

                                                Year Ended December 31, 1996
                                                          in thousands

Commercial Training and Technical Services........
                                                            $ 55,101
Engineering and Applied Sciences..................            29,162
Government Training and Technical Services .......            32,920
                                                              ------

        Total Revenues                                      $117,183
                                                            ========


         In 1996,  General Physics had increased  sales of $9,634,000  which was
primarily attributable to increases within the Commercial Training and Technical
Services Group.  However, the increase was partially offset by the net effect of
marginally  reduced sales within the Government  Training and Technical Services
Group and marginally increased sales within its Engineering and Applied Sciences
Group.

         In  March  1996,  the DOD  awarded  Westinghouse  Electric  Corporation
("Westinghouse") a nine-year,  $575 million contract to destroy chemical weapons
at the Anniston Army Depot.  General Physics is a subcontractor to Westinghouse,
responsible for training and operations engineering. The anticipated revenues of
the subcontract to General Physics is estimated to be approximately $16 million.

         In  September  1996,  General  Physics  was  awarded a  renewal  of its
contract to operate the U.S. Army's Chemical  Demilitarization Training Facility
and provide  training  services to the Army's chemical  weapon  demilitarization
program  nationwide.  The anticipated  revenues of the contract over its initial
five-year term and three-year  option  period,  if the option is exercised,  are
estimated to be approximately $45,000,000.

         In  December  1996,  General  Physics  received  a repeat  award of its
contract  to provide  environmental  engineering  support  services  at Aberdeen
Proving Ground. The contract is one of two awarded to successful contractors who
will  competitively  bid for work to be  awarded in the  future  under  separate
delivery orders.  Although the maximum award value of the contract over its five
year term is approximately $100,000,000,  the actual sales value of the contract
will depend upon the value of the individual  delivery orders awarded to General
Physics.

         In March  1997,  General  Physics  was  awarded a contract  by the U.S.
Navy's Fleet and Industrial  Supply Center Norfolk,  Detachment  Washington,  to
provide naval aviation  training  development and support services for Naval Air
Systems  Command.  The  anticipated  revenues of the  contract  over its initial
one-year  term and four option  years,  if all option years are  exercised,  are
estimated to be approximately $32,000,000.

         While General Physics  continues to provide services to the DOE and the
commercial  nuclear power industry,  it is unsure what effect continued cutbacks
will have on its future results.  In response to these factors,  General Physics
has focused its  marketing  resources  on  expanding  management  and  technical
training  services to  manufacturing  and process  industries,  and  specialized
engineering services to federal agencies and process industries.  In 1995 and in
1996,  General Physics  experienced growth in these areas and anticipates future
growth to come from these areas.

Customers

         General Physics currently provides services to more than 475 customers.
Significant customers include major automotive manufacturers, commercial nuclear
utilities,  the  Department of the Navy,  the  Department of the Air Force,  the
Department  of the Army,  major  defense and DOE  contractors,  and other United
States Government agencies.  Revenue from the United States Government accounted
for  approximately  48% of the revenue  for the year ended  December  31,  1996.
However,  such revenue was derived from many separate contracts and subcontracts
with a variety of  Government  agencies  and  contractors  that are  regarded by
General  Physics as  separate  customers.  In 1996,  except for  General  Motors
Corporation,  which accounted for  approximately 12% of General Physics revenue,
no other customer accounted for more than 10% of General Physics' revenue.

Commercial Training and Technical Services Group

         The  Commercial  Training  and  Technical  Services  Group  focuses  on
training  and  human  performance  improvement  needs of  Fortune  500 and other
commercial  companies.  The Group provides  workforce training and other related
services to customers in the industrial and manufacturing  market sectors.  This
Group analyzes the human,  organizational  and technical issues  confronting its
customers and recommends programs to improve performance.

Fortune 500 and Other Commercial Customers

         Fortune 500 and other  commercial  customers  represent a wide range of
industries with diverse technical and geographic needs. These industries include
automotive,  utility, forest products, steel, food and beverage,  pharmaceutical
and others.

         General Physics anticipates that the need for its services with Fortune
500 and other commercial customers will continue to grow. However,  there can be
no assurance  that such need will continue to grow or that such  companies  will
select General Physics over its competitors to provide such services.

Automotive Services

         General Physics is a full-service  training provider for the automotive
industry.  Since 1987,  General Physics has participated in a strategic business
partnership with the General Motors ("GM")  Corporate  Organization and Employee
Development  Staff.  Each year  several  thousand GM  employees  attend  courses
conducted by General Physics. Additionally, training and consulting services are
provided  on a project  basis to many  divisions  of GM,  including  GM Overseas
Corporation,   Beijing  office.  General  Physics  also  provides  training  and
consulting  services to Chrysler  Corporation  and Ford Motor Company as well as
many of the automotive supplier companies.

Industrial Training Services

         General Physics develops and provides  customized  training programs to
the forest products,  food and beverage,  and  petrochemical  industries.  These
services  focus on continuous  improvement  in the  maintenance  and  operations
aspects of plants and facilities.  General Physics supports several customers by
providing  complete process line or facility start-up  services.  Process Safety
Management training and technical services are also provided by General Physics.
Customers include Georgia Pacific Corp., Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Mobil Oil Company
and Aramco Services Company.

Manufacturing Services

         General Physics offers training and technical services to manufacturing
concerns.  General  Physics  frequently  supports the  introduction  of new work
practices  associated  with lean  manufacturing,  self-directed  work  teams and
engineering. General Physics' combination of technical skills and work practices
training  helps  meet the  needs of a  diverse  customer  base,  including  Ford
Electronics,  USX  Corporation,  Inland  Steel,  and  Bell  and  Howell - Postal
Systems, Inc.

Utility Services

         General  Physics  furnishes a wide  variety of  training,  engineering,
technical  and  management  support  services to the  commercial  nuclear  power
industry, specializing in services which improve plant operation and maintenance
and  ultimately  increase  plant  availability.  General  Physics  has  provided
services at one time or another to virtually all of the 110 licensed  commercial
nuclear power plants in the United States. Services provided include development
of training programs and materials; conduct of training, development and upgrade
of operations and  maintenance  procedures;  development and  implementation  of
Reliability-Centered   Maintenance   programs;   spare  parts   management   and
procurement  assistance;  plant  configuration  management;  control  room human
factors  engineering;  training  simulator  maintenance and modification;  staff
augmentation;  and emergency  preparedness  program assistance.  Major customers
include  Public Service  Electric & Gas Company,  Entergy  Operations,  Inc. and
Nebraska Public Power District.
         General  Physics  also  provides   services  designed  to  improve  the
operations of conventional  utility power plants, gas turbine combined cycle and
cogeneration plants,  waste-to-energy  plants, and industrial facilities.  These
services  include plant  operations  and  maintenance  documentation,  simulator
training programs,  plant startup engineering,  maintenance  management systems,
and plant operations and maintenance training. Major customers include Baltimore
Gas and Electric Company ("BG&E"), Entergy Operations, Inc. and Alabama Electric
Coop.

         General  Physics  provides  training  services  to  the  power  systems
operations  centers of  commercial  utilities  and related  utility power pools,
including  training system  operators  responsible  for the buying,  selling and
overall  flow of  bulk  electric  power  throughout  the  United  States.  Major
customers  include  Consolidated  Edison  Company,  Nevada  Power,  BG&E and the
Electric Power Research Institute.

International Operations

         General  Physics  maintains  international  operations in Kuala Lumpur,
Beijing,  Mexico City and London offering substantially the same services as are
offered in the United States. Customers include electric utilities,  independent
power producers,  automobile  manufacturers and parts suppliers,  pulp and paper
companies, steel manufacturers and major petroleum refiners.

Engineering and Applied Sciences Group

         The  Engineering  and  Applied  Sciences  Group  provides   engineering
services  to  the  Government,   utilities  and  the   petrochemical   industry.
Multi-discipline  capabilities include  environmental,  mechanical,  structural,
chemical,  electrical and systems  engineering,  augmented  with  nondestructive
examination,  industrial chemistry, and computer-aided design/drafting technical
services. Specialized engineering expertise is recognized nationally in areas of
mechanical integrity programs and electric power generation.

         The Group's  engineering and technical services are designed to provide
regulatory   compliance  and  to  improve   performance   through  increases  in
efficiency,  reliability and  availability  of plants and  facilities.  Services
provided specialize in establishing  programs and techniques that 1) improve the
operational  performance of components and systems, 2) reduce the probability of
component  failure,  and 3) address the consequences of component failure to the
system,  personnel,  and the environment.  Components  include pressure vessels,
above-ground and underground tanks, boilers, piping systems,  rotating equipment
and  associated  instrumentation  and controls.  This Group also provides a full
service environmental  analytical laboratory,  with certified  specialization in
soils, water, and military ordinance analysis and testing.


<PAGE>


Engineering Design, Analysis and Inspection Services

         General  Physics  provides  mechanical,   facility,   civil/structural,
welding and electrical  engineering design services for existing and new systems
and equipment with  specialization  in pressure  systems  technology.  Customers
include  the  DOE,  Phillips  Laboratory  at  Edwards  AFB,  Arnold  Engineering
Development  Center,  AeroJet  General Corp.,  the NASA Lewis  Research  Center,
commercial research facilities and chemical and petroleum manufacturers. General
Physics has also  implemented  comprehensive  Process  Safety  Management  (PSM)
programs,  including  assessment of mechanical integrity of critical components,
maintenance management, procedures development and management of change.

Systems Engineering

         General  Physics  provides  expert and support  personnel  to The Johns
Hopkins   University   Applied  Physics  Laboratory  in  the  areas  of  systems
engineering and computer science, focusing on the design, testing and evaluation
of new and modified Navy combat systems.  These services include a wide range of
computer  support  capabilities,   including  computer  analysts,   programmers,
computer scientists, data reduction specialists, and computer operators.

Plant Performance Improvement Services

         General Physics provides computer systems,  engineering,  chemistry and
technical   training  services  to  improve  the  efficiency,   reliability  and
availability  of power plants for the utility and independent  power  generation
industry.  Senior staff of this Group are routinely employed as expert witnesses
in the area of power plant engineering and operations.

Systems Engineering and Licensing

         General  Physics   provides  a  variety  of  engineering   services  to
commercial nuclear plants,  including design engineering,  service  engineering,
systems engineering, licensing and safety analysis.

Environmental Services

         General  Physics  provides  environmental  engineering,   training  and
technical support services to United States Government  agencies,  including the
DOD, the DOE, and the United States Postal Service, state and local governments,
and commercial  customers,  including several of the largest domestic industrial
companies.  A majority of the  environmental  services  revenue is derived  from
contracts to provide environmental  engineering and other services to the DOD at
its Aberdeen Proving Ground.

         General Physics provides environmental  engineering services to support
client  efforts to obtain air, water and waste permits and to determine if their
sites and facilities  are in compliance  with current  federal,  state and local
regulations;  and to develop and manage site  environmental  remediation  plans,
such as hazardous  waste  minimization  programs,  treatment  plans for specific
contaminants,  air emission  control,  erosion control,  storm water management,
waste  reduction  and  underground  storage tank  management.  However,  General
Physics subcontracts most remediation construction activities,  and in all cases
subcontracts  the removal and  off-site  disposal  and  treatment  of  hazardous
substances.

         General Physics also furnishes  various training and technical  support
services  to  assist  clients  with  environmental   regulatory  compliance  and
voluntary  initiatives  including  Environmental   Management  Systems  programs
meeting the International Organization of Standards, ISO-14000. Support services
range from  industrial  hygiene  services and risk  assessment,  to  performance
improvement and training.

         General   Physics,   through  GP   Environmental   Services,   Inc.,  a
wholly-owned subsidiary, operates an environmental laboratory serving industrial
and governmental  customers primarily in the mid-Atlantic region. The laboratory
performs analytical laboratory services, focusing on soils, water and biological
tissue samples, using automated  instrumentation and analytical facilities and a
network combining all computer automated equipment and reporting systems.

Government Training and Technical Services Group

         The Government  Training and Technical  Services Group includes General
Physics Federal Systems, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of General Physics. The
Group provides services in four defined market sectors:  Navy, Army,  Department
of  Energy  and Other  Government.  The Navy  market  sector  represents  nearly
two-thirds of the Group's  operating  revenues,  while the Department of Energy,
Army and Other Government sectors are approximately  equally  represented in the
remaining one-third of operating revenues.

         General  Physics  provides a wide range of services  to its  government
clients.  These services fall into four "core  competencies":  training material
development and delivery using the Instructional System Development (ISD) model,
configuration  management  and the full range of  Integrated  Logistics  Support
(ILS)  disciplines,   Information   Technology  (IT)  services,  and  multimedia
development.  Within  each of these  four  areas,  the  Group  has met  rigorous
qualification and certification requirements mandated by government agencies.

         Major Naval command  customers  include NAVSEA,  Naval Undersea Warfare
Center,  and Naval Surface  Warfare  Center.  Additionally,  this Group provides
services to other agencies of the Federal  Government,  including the Department
of the Army, Department of Energy,  Defense Finance Accounting Service ("DFAS"),
Department of Treasury, and Department of Justice.


<PAGE>


Applied Technology and Undersea Warfare

         General  Physics  provides   engineering   services  to  United  States
Navy-related  activities,  particularly the Naval Undersea Warfare Center, which
is  headquartered  in Newport,  Rhode Island,  with  detachments  throughout the
United States. General Physics has considerable computerized Information Systems
Management expertise and is noted for its Bar Coded Inventory Management,  Local
Area Network and Wide Area Network design and administration capabilities.

Systems Command Services

         General  Physics   specializes  in  providing   program  and  financial
management  services  for DOD  commands  in  support  of  major  weapon  systems
acquisitions,  including providing the United States Navy with  training/trainer
products and services,  including Submarine Operational Readiness Assessment and
Training.  General Physics also maintains  full-service  broadcast quality video
production and  computer-generated  animation  facilities and has developed more
than 500 instructional  hours of computer-based  training,  linear videotape and
interactive videodisc/CDROM productions.

Government Services

         General  Physics  provides  financial,  specialty  software  and office
automation  training  through  contracts  with EDS.  The  training  is  customer
tailored for specific  end-users,  including the Department of Defense-DFAS  and
the  Department  of  Justice-Immigration  and  Naturalization  Service.  General
Physics  provides  aviation   anti-submarine  warfare  aircrew  training.   With
personnel  located  throughout the United States,  General Physics developed the
Deployable  Acoustic  Readiness  Training  System  ("DARTS"),  consisting  of  a
multi-track tape reproducer and  accompanying  exercise manuals that can be used
in any  aircraft  location.  In  addition  to DARTS,  General  Physics  provides
specialized  anti-submarine  warfare technical services and training,  including
development  of  computer-based  training  used at the  Naval  Aviation  Warfare
Operator Training School.

U.S. Army Services

         General  Physics  operates  the training  center in Edgewood,  Maryland
supporting the United States Army's chemical weapons  demilitarization  program.
General  Physics  provides  training for personnel who will operate and maintain
demilitarization  plants at seven locations across the country.  General Physics
has  trained  chemical  demilitarization  specialists  from Russia as part of an
effort  to  introduce  U.S.  technology  and  approaches  for  Russian  chemical
munitions   demilitarization   programs.  In  addition,  General  Physics  is  a
subcontractor  to Westinghouse at the Anniston Army Depot,  with  responsibility
for training and operations engineering in support of Westinghouse's contract to
destroy chemical weapons.

DOE Services

         At the DOE's Savannah River site, General Physics provides professional
services in such areas as training program design, development and accreditation
assistance, technical support and quality assurance and various other operations
support services.  General Physics also has technical services contracts at many
of  the  DOE's  research   laboratories,   including  Princeton  Plasma  Physics
Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory.

Contracts

         General  Physics  is  currently   performing  under  approximately  900
contracts,  providing charges on a  time-and-materials,  a fixed-price or a cost
reimbursable  basis.  General  Physics'  subcontracts  with  the  United  States
Government have predominantly  been cost reimbursable  contracts and fixed-price
contracts.  General  Physics is required to comply with the Federal  Acquisition
Regulations  and the  Government  Cost  Accounting  Standards  with  respect  to
services provided to the United States  Government and agencies  thereof.  These
Regulations  and Standards  govern the  procurement of goods and services by the
United  States  Government  and the  nature of costs  that can be  charged  with
respect to such goods and services. All such contracts are subject to audit by a
designated  government audit agency, which in most cases is the Defense Contract
Audit  Agency (the  "DCAA").  The DCAA has audited  General  Physics'  contracts
through 1994 without any material disallowances.

         The  following  table  illustrates  the  percentage  of  total  revenue
attributable to each type of contract for the year ended December 31, 1996:

                                                  Year ended December 31, 1996

Time and Materials.............................         36%    
                                                        
Fixed-Price...................................          44
                                                        
Cost Reimbursable..............................         20
                                                        
        Total Revenue............................      100%
                                                       ====

         General Physics'  time-and-materials  contracts  generally  provide for
billing  of  services  based  upon  the  hourly  labor  rates  of the  employees
performing the services and the actual expenses  incurred,  each multiplied by a
specified  mark-up  factor,  up to a certain  aggregate  dollar amount.  General
Physics'  time-and-materials  contracts  include  certain  contracts under which
General  Physics  has  agreed to provide  training,  engineering  and  technical
services  at fixed  hourly  rates  (subject  to  adjustment  for  labor  costs).
Time-and-materials  contracts generally permit the client to control the amount,
type and  timing of the  services  to be  performed  by General  Physics  and to
terminate the contract on written notice.  If a contract is terminated,  General
Physics  typically is paid for the  services  provided by it through the date of
termination.  While General  Physics' clients often modify the nature and timing
of services to be performed,  no significant  terminations  of General  Physics'
time-and-materials contracts have occurred.

         General Physics'  fixed-price  contracts provide for General Physics to
perform  specified  services for a fixed price.  General  Physics bears the risk
that increased or unexpected  costs  required to perform the specified  services
may reduce General  Physics'  profit or cause General Physics to sustain a loss,
but General Physics has the opportunity to derive  increased profit if the costs
required to perform the specified  services are less than expected.  Fixed-price
contracts  generally  permit the client to  terminate  the  contract  on written
notice; in the event of such termination,  General Physics would typically, at a
minimum,  be paid a  proportionate  amount of the fixed  price.  No  significant
terminations of General  Physics'  fixed-price  contracts have occurred over the
last three years.

         General  Physics'  cost  reimbursable  contracts  provide  for  General
Physics to be  reimbursed  for its  actual  costs plus a  specified  fee.  These
contracts also are generally  subject to  termination at the  convenience of the
client.  If a  contract  is  terminated,  General  Physics  typically  would  be
reimbursed for its costs to the date of termination, plus the cost of an orderly
termination,  and  paid a  proportionate  amount  of  the  fee.  No  significant
terminations of General Physics' cost reimbursable contracts have occurred.

Competition

         The principal  competitive  factors in General Physics' markets are the
experience and capability of technical  personnel,  performance,  reputation and
price.  Services such as those provided by General Physics'  Commercial Training
and Technical  Services Group and by its Engineering and Applied  Sciences Group
are performed by many of the customers themselves, architectural and engineering
firms that design and construct  power plants,  major suppliers of equipment and
independent  service  companies such as General  Physics.  A significant  factor
determining the business available to General Physics and its competitors is the
ability of customers to use their own personnel to perform services  provided by
General Physics and its competitors.  Competition has increased as architectural
and engineering  firms have devoted  additional  efforts to these areas as their
work in other areas has  diminished.  Another factor  affecting the  competitive
environment is the existence of small,  specialty  companies  located at or near
particular  customer  facilities and dedicated solely to servicing the technical
needs of those particular facilities.

         Competition  in the industries  served by the  Government  Training and
Technical Services Group is strong and comes from large defense  contractors and
other service  corporations,  many of which have significantly greater resources
than General Physics, as well as from small and disadvantaged businesses,  which
receive certain preferential treatment in the awarding of government contracts.

         Competition in the environmental services industry is intense and comes
from large corporations, such as architect-engineering firms, that have expanded
their businesses to include  environmental  services,  specialized service firms
that work exclusively in the environmental arena, other analytical  laboratories
and professional  service firms such as General Physics.  The competition in the
analytical  services  business is very intense,  and the  principal  determining
factor is price.  Most of the  competitors  are larger  companies  with multiple
facilities which have greater flexibility in capacity and pricing.

Personnel

         General Physics' principal resource is its technical personnel. General
Physics'  future success will depend to a significant  degree upon its continued
ability to hire, train,  integrate into its operations and retain professionals.
General Physics competes for new professionals with clients, as well as with its
other competitors.  As of March 1, 1997, General Physics employed  approximately
1,350 persons.  Many of General Physics'  employees  perform multiple  functions
depending upon changes in the mix of demand for the services provided by General
Physics.

         General Physics' personnel have backgrounds in mechanical,  electrical,
chemical,  civil, nuclear and human factors engineering;  in technical education
and training; in power plant design, operation and maintenance; in United States
Navy weapons  systems  design,  operation and  maintenance;  and in  toxicology,
industrial  hygiene,  health  physics,  chemistry,   microbiology,  ecology  and
mathematical modeling.

         The United  States Navy,  the United  States Army,  the DOE and various
other United  States  Government  agencies  generally  require  that  contractor
employees have appropriate security clearances.  Thus,  recruiting and retaining
employees having appropriate security clearance to work at government facilities
is important to the continued growth of General Physics.

         None of General  Physics'  employees is  represented  by a labor union.
General Physics  generally has not entered into  employment  agreements with its
employees,  but previously has entered into  employment  agreements with certain
officers and other  employees.  General Physics  believes its relations with its
employees are good.

Marketing

         General Physics markets its services to customers primarily through its
technical personnel, using senior management to aid in the planning of marketing
strategies  and evaluating  current and long-term  marketing  opportunities  and
business  directions.  General Physics also has other employees dedicated solely
to  marketing  efforts.  Corporate  level  marketing  is directed  at  long-term
strategic  business  development with specific  customers and with international
business.  General Physics has 40 offices and 52 sites, located in 30 states and
offices in Kuala Lumpur,  Beijing, Mexico City and London, from which it markets
its services.  Courses and workshops given by General  Physics  personnel to the
public from time to time serve an important marketing function.  General Physics
also sends a variety of sales  literature  to current  and  prospective  clients
whose  names  are  maintained  in  a  computerized  database  which  is  updated
periodically.

         The goal of General Physics'  marketing  process is to obtain awards of
new contracts and  expansion of existing  contracts.  By staying in contact with
clients and looking  for  opportunities  to provide  further  services,  General
Physics  sometimes  obtains  contract  awards or  extensions  without  having to
undergo competitive  bidding. In other cases, clients request General Physics to
bid  competitively.  In both cases,  General Physics submits formal proposals to
the client for evaluation.  The period between submission of a proposal to final
award can range from 30 days or less (generally for non-competitive,  short-term
contracts),  to a year or more  (generally  for  large,  competitive  multi-year
contracts with governmental clients).

Backlog

         The  following  table  sets  forth the  appropriate  amounts of General
Physics'  backlog for services  under signed  contracts and  subcontracts  as of
December 31, 1996, with  information for each of General Physics' three business
groups:

                                           Year ended December 31, 1996
                                                  (in thousands)

Commercial Training and Technical Services......   $27,632
Engineering and Applied Sciences......              23,931
Government Training and Technical Services......    15,728
                                                   --------

        Total Backlog............................  $67,291
                                                   =======

General  Physics  anticipates  that most of its backlog as of December  31, 1996
will be recognized  as revenue  during  fiscal year 1997;  however,  the rate at
which services are performed under certain contracts, and thus the rate at which
backlog  will be  recognized,  is at the  discretion  of the  client,  and  most
contracts  are, as mentioned  above,  subject to  termination by the client upon
written notice.

Insurance

         By providing services to the commercial  electric power industry and to
the United  States Armed  Forces,  General  Physics is engaged in  industries in
which there are substantial risks of potential liability. As of January 1, 1996,
General Physics'  insurance was combined with National  Patent's  insurance in a
consolidated insurance program (including general liability coverage).  However,
certain liabilities associated with General Physics' business are not covered by
these insurance  policies.  In addition,  such liabilities may not be covered by
Federal legislation providing a liability protection system for licensees of the
NRC (typically utilities) for certain damages caused by nuclear incidents, since
General  Physics  is not  such a  licensee.  Finally,  few of  General  Physics'
contracts with clients contain a waiver or limitation of liability. Thus, to the
extent a risk is  neither  insured  or  indemnified  against  nor  limited by an
enforceable  waiver  or  limitation  of  liability,  General  Physics  could  be
materially adversely affected by a nuclear incident. Certain other environmental
risks,  such  as  liability  under  the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,
Compensation and Liability Act, as amended (Superfund),  also may not be covered
by General Physics' insurance.


Environmental Statutes and Regulations

         General  Physics  provides  environmental  engineering  services to its
clients,   including  the  development  and  management  of  site  environmental
remediation  plans.  Due to the  increasingly  strict  requirements  imposed  by
Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations (including,  without
limitation,  the Clean Water Act,  the Clean Air Act,  Superfund,  the  Resource
Conservation  and  Recovery  Act and the  Occupational  Safety and Health  Act),
General Physics' opportunities to provide such services may increase.

         General Physics' activities in connection with providing  environmental
engineering  services may also subject  General  Physics itself to such Federal,
state and local  environmental  laws and  regulations.  Although General Physics
subcontracts  most  remediation  construction  activities  and all  removal  and
offsite  disposal and treatment of hazardous  substances,  General Physics could
still be held liable for clean-up or violations of such laws as an "operator" or
otherwise under such Federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations
with  respect  to a site where it has  provided  environmental  engineering  and
support services. General Physics believes, however, that it is in compliance in
all material respects with such environmental laws and regulations.

Properties

         General  Physics'  principal  executive  offices  are  located  at 6700
Alexander Bell Drive,  Suite 400,  Columbia,  Maryland 21046,  and its telephone
number is (410)  290-2300.  General Physics leases  approximately  31,650 square
feet of an office building at that address, approximately 208,350 square feet of
office space at various other  locations  throughout the United  States,  and in
China,  Great Britain,  Mexico and Malaysia.  General Physics  believes that its
facilities are adequate to carry on its business as currently conducted.

Legal Proceedings

         On September 27, 1996, General Physics, all of the directors of General
Physics and the Company  were named as  defendants  in a complaint  filed in the
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County,  styled
Dunlop v. Pollak,  et al., Civil Action No. 15237-NC.  Certain  directors of the
Company were also named as  defendants in the  complaint.  The plaintiff and the
defendants have reached an agreement in principle to settle this litigation. See
"The Company - Legal Proceedings".

DISTRIBUTION GROUP

FIVE STAR GROUP, INC.

         The Distribution  Group,  incorporated  under the name Five Star Group,
Inc. ("Five Star"), is engaged in the wholesale distribution of home decorating,
hardware  and  finishing  products.  Five  Star  has two  strategically  located
warehouses and office locations, with approximately 360,000 square feet of space
in New Jersey and  Connecticut,  which  enables  Five Star to service the market
from Maine to Virginia.

         Five Star is the largest distributor in the U.S. of paint sundry items,
interior and exterior stains, brushes, rollers and caulking compounds and offers
products  from  leading  manufacturers  such as  Cabot,  Dap,  3-M,  Minwax  and
Rustoleum.  Five Star  distributes  its products to retail dealers which include
discount chains,  lumber yards,  "do-it-yourself"  centers,  hardware stores and
paint  suppliers  principally in the northeast  region.  It carries an extensive
inventory of the products it distributes and provides delivery  generally within
24 to 72 hours from the placement of an order.

         The primary  working  capital  investment  for Five Star is  inventory.
Inventory levels will vary throughout the year reflecting the seasonal nature of
the business. Five Star's strongest sales are typically in March through October
because  of strong  seasonal  consumer  demand  for its  products.  As a result,
inventory  levels  tend to peak in the spring and reach their  lowest  levels in
late fall.

         The largest  customer  accounted for  approximately  10% of Five Star's
sales in 1996 and its 10 largest  customers  accounted for  approximately 18% of
such  sales.  No other  customer  accounted  for in excess of 10% of Five Star's
sales in 1996.  All such customers are  unaffiliated  companies and neither Five
Star nor the Company has a long-term contractual relationship with any of them.

         Competition  within the  industry  is  intense.  There are much  larger
national  companies  commonly   associated  with  national  franchises  such  as
Servistar and True Value as well as smaller regional  distributors,  all of whom
offer  similar   products  and  services.   Additionally,   in  some   instances
manufacturers  will  bypass  the  distributor  and choose to sell and ship their
products  directly to the retail outlet.  The principal means of competition for
Five Star are its strategically  placed  distribution  centers and its extensive
inventory of quality name brand  products.  Five Star will continue to focus its
efforts on supplying its products to its customers at a competitive price and on
a timely, and consistent basis. In the future, Five Star will attempt to acquire
complementary  distributors  and to  expand  the  distribution  of its  line  of
private-label products sold under the "Five Star" name. OPTICAL PLASTICS GROUP

MXL INDUSTRIES, INC.

         The Optical Plastics Group  consisting of MXL Industries,  Inc. ("MXL")
is engaged in the  manufacture  of molded and coated optical  products,  such as
shields   and  face  masks  and   non-optical   plastic   products.   MXL  is  a
state-of-the-art injection molder and precision coater of large optical products
such as shields and face masks and non-optical  plastics.  MXL believes that the
principal strengths of its business are its  state-of-the-art  injection molding
equipment,  advanced production technology,  high quality standards, and on time
deliveries.  Through its Woodland Mold and Tool  Division,  MXL also designs and
engineers  state-of-the-art  injection  molding  tools  as well as  providing  a
commodity custom molding shop.

         As the market for  optical  injection  molding,  tooling and coating is
focused,  MXL  believes  that  the  combination  of its  proprietary  "Anti-Fog"
coating,  precise processing of the "Anti-Scratch" coatings, and precise molding
and  proprietary  grinding and polishing  methods for its  injection  tools will
enable  it to  increase  its sales in the  future  and to  expand  into  related
products.

         MXL uses only polycarbonate  resin to manufacture  shields,  face masks
and  lenses  for  over  55  clients  in  the  safety,  recreation  and  military
industries.  For its  manufacturing  work  as a  subcontractor  in the  military
industry,  MXL is required to comply with various federal regulations  including
Military Specifications and Federal Acquisition Regulations for military end use
applications.

         MXL is dependent upon one client which accounts for  approximately  41%
of MXL's total sales and MXL's 10 largest customers  accounted for approximately
81% of its total sales.

         MXL's sales and marketing effort  concentrates on industry trade shows.
In addition, the Company employs one marketing and sales executive and one sales
engineer. In the future, MXL will attempt to acquire complementary businesses.

HYDRO MED SCIENCES

         Hydro Med Sciences ("HMS") is a division of the Company involved in the
manufacture of medical  devices,  drugs and cosmetic polymer  products.  HMS was
established to investigate  potential uses of a unique group of polymers  called
HydronR in applications  beyond the soft contact lens area, where it was already
in use. These polymers, which absorb water without dissolving,  have a number of
biomedical applications.

         HMS is currently  developing gel implants for slow,  long-term delivery
applications under grants from the Population  Council.  These implants could be
combined with chronic disease drugs.  HMS is now seeking  collaborations  with a
number of major pharmaceutical companies with drugs going off-patent, to explore
opportunities to create new patent positions  through combining their drugs with
the gel implant delay system.

THE COMPANY'S INVESTMENTS

GTS Duratek, Inc.

         GTS  Duratek,  Inc.  ("Duratek")  is an  environmental  technology  and
services  firm that uses its  proprietary  vitrification  processes  to  convert
radioactive and hazardous  waste into glass for long-term  storage and disposal.
On April 23, 1996,  Duratek completed a secondary public offering of 3.6 million
shares of common  stock at $18.50 per share,  one  million  shares of which were
sold by National Patent,  reducing National Patent's  ownership to approximately
15% of the currently outstanding shares of common stock of Duratek.

Interferon Sciences, Inc.

         Interferon  Sciences,  Inc.  ("ISI")  is  a  biopharmaceutical  company
engaged in the study, manufacture,  and sale of pharmaceutical products based on
its highly purified,  multispecies,  natural source alpha  interferon  ("Natural
Alpha Interferon").  ISI's ALFERON(R) N injection  (Interferon  Alfa-n3) product
has been  approved  by the United  States Food and Drug  Administration  for the
treatment of certain  types of genital  warts and is being studied for potential
use in the  treatment of HIV,  hepatitis C, and other  indications.  ISI also is
studying ALFERON N Gel and ALFERON LDO(R),  its topical and oral formulations of
Natural Alpha Interferon, for the potential treatment of viral and immune system
diseases.  National Patent currently owns  approximately  15% of the outstanding
shares of common stock of ISI.

GSE Systems, Inc.

         GSE Systems,  Inc. ("GSE") was formed in 1994 through the consolidation
of a number of small,  related  businesses.  GSE  concluded  an  initial  public
offering  in August  1995.  GSE is a global  provider of  integrated  enterprise
software  and  information  solutions to the energy,  process and  manufacturing
industries.  The Company controls approximately 22% of the outstanding shares of
common stock of GSE.

American Drug Company

         American Drug Company  ("ADC") was organized in 1993 as a  wholly-owned
subsidiary  of National  Patent to initiate  marketing  activities  for American
generic  pharmaceutical  and medical  products in Russia and the Commonwealth of
Independent  States,  from  offices in Prague  and  Moscow.  ADC's  wholly-owned
subsidiary,  NPD Trading  (USA) Inc.,  provides  consulting  services to Western
companies  doing business in Russia and Eastern Europe.  ADC began  distributing
products  in 1995.  For the year ended  December  31,  1996,  ADC had  completed
registration  for  approximately  25 products,  including  toothpaste,  sanitary
napkins,  antibiotic  ointments,  bandages and vitamins. As of December 31, 1996
the Company owned 54% of the outstanding shares of ADC.

Employees

         At December 31, 1996, the Company and its  subsidiaries  employed 1,708
persons,  including  19 in the  Company's  headquarters,  1,321 in the  Physical
Science  Group,  250 in the  Distribution  Group and 85 in the Optical  Plastics
Group. Of these, 5 persons were engaged in research and development. The Company
considers its employee relations to be satisfactory.

Patents and Licenses

         The operating  businesses of the Company are not  materially  dependent
upon patents, or patent and know-how licenses. The know-how and expertise gained
with respect to the manufacture  and sale of its products,  acquired as a result
of its license and ownership of patents, are of greater importance to its future
ability to manufacture and sell such products than are the patents themselves.

         (d)      Financial Information about the Foreign and Domestic
operations and Export Sales.  The Company has no material Foreign Operations or
Export Sales.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES

         The following  information  describes the material physical  properties
owned or leased by the Company and its subsidiaries.

         The Company  leases  approximately  10,000 square feet of space for its
New York City principal executive offices. The Company's Physical Sciences Group
leases  approximately  31,650  square feet of an office  building  in  Columbia,
Maryland  and  approximately  208,350  square feet of office  space at 39 branch
offices in various other locations in the United States and abroad.

         The  Distribution  Group leases  250,000  square feet in New Jersey and
110,000 square feet in Connecticut.

         The Optical  Plastics  Group owns 33,000 square feet of office space in
Lancaster, PA and 12,594 square feet of office space in Westmont, IL.

         The  facilities  owned or leased by the  Company are  considered  to be
suitable and  adequate for their  intended  uses and are  considered  to be well
maintained and in good condition.


<PAGE>


ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

         On September 27, 1996, General Physics, all of the directors of General
Physics and the Company  were named as  defendants  in a complaint  filed in the
Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in and for New Castle County,  styled
Dunlop v. Pollak,  et al., Civil Action No. 15237-NC.  The complaint was brought
by an alleged stockholder of General Physics,  individually and purportedly as a
class  action on  behalf  of all other  stockholders  of  General  Physics.  The
complaint  alleged  purported  breaches of  fiduciary  duty by the  directors of
General  Physics,  including  certain  directors  who are also  directors of the
Company,  and purported breaches of fiduciary duty by the Company, as an alleged
majority and controlling  stockholder,  arising  primarily from the Merger.  The
complaint  alleges,  among other things,  that the Merger was timed to allow the
Company to take advantage of the current trading price of General Physics Common
Stock, which plaintiff alleged was depressed.  The complaint sought, among other
things,  injunctive  relief  prohibiting  the  Merger  or,  if  the  Merger  was
consummated,  an order rescinding the Merger or granting plaintiff and the other
members of the purported  class  damages.  Plaintiff  granted the  defendants an
extension  of the time to answer the  complaint  and to  respond to  plaintiff's
pending request to review documents relating to the Merger.

         The plaintiff and the  defendants  reached an agreement in principle to
settle the  above-referenced  action.  Pursuant to such agreement,  the Company,
General  Physics and GPX entered into  Amendment No. 1 to the Agreement and Plan
of Merger,  dated as of December 18, 1996, which provides for an increase in the
Exchange Ratio of each outstanding share of General Physics Common Stock for the
Company's Common Stock from .53 to .54. In addition, the Collar was changed from
a ratio of $9.336 to $9.914 to a range of $9.259 to  $10.00;  the  effect of the
increase in the Exchange  Ratio and the change in the Collar was that holders of
General Physics Common Stock received an amount in value of the Company's Common
Stock in the range of between $5.00 and $5.40 (rather than $4.95 and $5.25),  as
long as the Market Price of the Company's  Common Stock was within the Collar on
the Test Date.

         As part of the agreement in principle,  the parties agreed to use their
best efforts to enter into and execute a  stipulation  of  settlement to release
any and all claims that have been or could have been asserted by or on behalf of
the  plaintiff  or  any  members  of  the  purported  class  against  any of the
defendants in the lawsuit which arise out of or relate to the Merger, the Merger
Agreement,  the Joint  Proxy  Statement/Prospectus  or events  described  in the
lawsuit.  The  settlement  is subject to,  among  other  things,  completion  of
discovery to confirm that the  settlement is fair and  reasonable  and is in the
best interest of stockholders of General Physics.

         In connection  with the settlement,  plaintiff's  counsel will apply to
the court for an aggregate  award of  attorney's  fees and expenses in an amount
not to  exceed  $200,000,  such  fees to be paid  principally  in  shares of the
Company's Common Stock.


<PAGE>


ITEM 4.  SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

         On January 23,  1997,  stockholders  of each of the Company and General
Physics at a Special Meeting of  Stockholders,  voted to approve the merger of a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company and General  Physics,  pursuant to which
General Physics became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

                                                      PART II

ITEM 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER
         MATTERS

                  The Company's  Common Stock,  $.01 par value, is traded on the
American Stock Exchange, Inc. and the Pacific Stock Exchange, Inc. The following
tables  present  its high and low market  prices for the last two years,  taking
into account the reverse stock split which became  effective on October 6, 1995.
During the periods presented below, the Company has not paid any dividends.

                         Quarter                   High              Low

         1996            First                    9.875            8.125
                         Second                  11.625            8.375
                         Third                   10.125            8.125
                         Fourth                   9.125            7.0625

         1995            First                     9.50            6.50
                         Second                    9.75            6.75
                         Third                     9.00            6.50
                         Fourth*                  10.75            7.25

*On  September  20,  1995,  the  Company's  shareholders  and Board of Directors
approved  the  proposal  to  amend  the  Company's   Restated   Certificate   of
Incorporation to effect a one-for-four  reverse stock split of its Common Stock.
The reverse stock split became effective on October 6, 1995.

         The number of shareholders of record of the Common Stock as of March 3,
1997 was 3,277.  On March 3, 1997,  the closing price of the Common Stock on the
American Stock Exchange was $7.18.



<PAGE>



            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES



Item 6.  Selected Financial Data


<TABLE>
Operating Data ......................................................               (in thousands, except per share data)
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31, ............................................        1996        1995        1994         1993         1992
                                                                                                                          ---------
<S>                                                                     <C>         <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>      
Sales ...............................................................   $ 203,800   $ 185,025   $ 204,774    $ 185,846    $ 189,797
Gross margin ........................................................      30,242      28,322      32,559       26,974       29,211
Interest expense ....................................................       4,358       5,019       6,458        8,199       10,866
Income (loss) before discontinued operations and extraordinary items       11,380       4,032     (11,397)      (6,849)     (11,578)
Net income (loss) ...................................................      11,380       1,012     (13,971)      (5,977)     (11,943)
                                                                                                                          ---------
Earnings (loss) per share ...........................................                                                             *
Income (loss) before discontinued operations and extraordinary items    $    1.54   $     .60   $   (2.10)   $   (1.60)   $   (2.94)
Net income (loss) ...................................................        1.54         .15       (2.57)       (1.40)       (3.03)
                                                                                                                          ---------
Cash dividends declared per share
Balance Sheet Data
                                                                                                                          ---------
Years ended December 31, ............................................        1996        1995        1994         1993         1992
Cash, cash equivalents, restricted cash and marketable securities ...   $  25,927   $  11,657   $  10,075    $  10,976    $  23,674
Short-term borrowings ...............................................      20,281      18,043      31,060       21,390       28,977
Working capital .....................................................      41,691      32,949      25,823       33,224       44,877
Total assets ........................................................     176,027     151,720     175,546      166,057      192,649
Long-term debt ......................................................      20,116      23,932      31,213       40,858       61,441
Stockholders' equity ................................................      94,029      70,998      65,165       67,438       63,823
</TABLE>

                                                                         

* All  periods  have been  restated  to  reflect  the effect of the one for four
reverse stock split (See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements).
Notes:  (a)  General  Physics  Corporation's  (GP)  results of  operations  were
consolidated  with the results of the Company  from  September  1, 1994  through
December  31, 1996.  The balance  sheets of GP have been  consolidated  with the
Company  at  December  31,  1996,  1995 and  1994.  For all other  periods  GP's
financial  data has been  accounted  for on the  equity  basis.  (b)  Interferon
Sciences,  Inc.'s (ISI) results of operations were consolidated with the results
of the Company from January 1, 1992 through September 1993. The balance sheet of
ISI was consolidated with the Company at December 31, 1992. ISI's financial data
has been  accounted for on the equity basis from October 1993 through June 1996.
From July 1996,  ISI's financial data has been accounted for as a combination of
long-term investments and as long-term available-for-sale equity securities. (c)
GTS Duratek,  Inc.,  (Duratek)  results of operations were consolidated with the
results of the Company  from January 1, 1992  through  December  31,  1994.  The
balance  sheets of Duratek  were  consolidated  with the Company at December 31,
1994,  1993,  1992 and 1991.  At December 31, 1995,  for the year then ended and
through March 31, 1996,  Duratek's  financial data has been accounted for on the
equity  basis.  At December  31,  1996,  and since  April 1996,  the Company has
accounted  for  its  investment  as  a  combination  of  marketable  securities,
long-term investments and as long-term available-for-sale equity securities.

 See  Management's'  discussion and analysis of financial condition and results
 operations for further details.


<PAGE>


Item 7.      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
             RESULTS OF OPERATIONS:


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Overview
In 1996, the Company took several  significant  steps to position itself for the
future. During the first quarter of 1996, the Company repaid $1,998,000 of Swiss
denominated  debt which was due. In addition,  at December 31, 1996, the Company
had  $20,116,000 of long-term  debt, of which  $7,319,000 will be repaid in 1997
and  $1,990,000  will be  refinanced  under the terms of the  Company's new bank
agreement, which was executed on March 26, 1997 (see Note 21 to the consolidated
financial  statements).  In April 1996, the Company sold 1,000,000 shares of GTS
Duratek,  Inc.  (Duratek) common stock,  generating net proceeds of $17,700,000.
This transaction had a significant impact upon the Company's  liquidity,  and at
December 31, 1996, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $22,677,000.  In
September 1996, the Company announced its intention to acquire the remaining 48%
of General Physics  Corporation (GP) that it did not already own in exchange for
shares of the Company's common stock (see Note 2 to the  consolidated  financial
statements). The transaction was completed on January 24, 1997.

In 1996,  income before income taxes,  discontinued  operation and extraordinary
item was  $11,244,000,  as  compared  to  income  of  $5,819,000  in  1995.  The
improvement in the Company's  results is due to several factors.  In April 1996,
the Company sold 1,000,000 shares of Duratek common stock  recognizing a gain of
$12,200,000.  In addition, the Company recorded gains totaling $3,314,000 on the
transfer of 250,000 shares of Duratek common stock from long-term investments to
trading  securities  and from  subsequent  changes in the market  value of these
shares.  The  Company  currently  owns  15% of  Duratek  and  accounts  for  its
investment  in Duratek as a  combination  of  marketable  securities,  long-term
investments and as long-term available-for-sale securities. In 1996, the Company
also  recognized a gain of  $2,168,000  on the issuance of stock by  affiliates,
primarily as a result of the issuance in April 1996 by Interferon Sciences, Inc.
(ISI)  of  additional  shares  of  common  stock.  The  Company  currently  owns
approximately 15% of ISI, and effective in the third quarter of 1996 the Company
commenced  accounting  for its  investment in ISI as a combination  of long-term
investments and as long-term  available-for-sale  equity  securities.  The above
gains were  partially  offset by a $4,000,000  loss  recognized on the Company's
investments  in  American  White  Cross,  Inc.  (AWC),  due  to AWC  filing  for
protection  under Chapter 11 of the United States  Bankruptcy Code in July 1996.
In 1996 the Company  generated  increased  operating profits due to improvements
within the Distribution and Physical Science Groups, partially offset by reduced
operating  profits  achieved by the Optical  Plastics  Group (see Note 16 to the
consolidated  financial  statements).  The Physical Science Group,  which is GP,
achieved  increased  operating  profits of  $1,650,000  as a result of increased
sales and gross margin.  At December 31, 1996 the Company owned 52% of GP and in
January  1997  purchased  the  remaining  48%  (see  Note 2 to the  consolidated
financial  statements).  GP  provides  a wide  range of  training,  engineering,
environmental  and technical  support services to commercial  nuclear and fossil
power utilities,  the United States  Departments of Defense and Energy,  Fortune
500 companies and other commercial and governmental customers.  The Distribution
Group, which is the Five Star Group, Inc. (Five Star), the Company's distributor
of home decorating, hardware and finishing products, increased operating profits
by $393,000  due to  increased  sales and the related  gross  margin,  partially
offset by increased selling,  general and administrative  expenses.  The Optical
Plastics Group,  which is MXL Industries,  Inc. (MXL),  the Company's  injection
molding  and  coating  subsidiary,  had a  reduction  in  operating  profits  of
$1,176,000  due to both reduced sales and gross margin  percentage.  The Company
also had Investment and other income (expense),  net totaling $3,756,000 in 1996
as compared to $1,129,000 in 1995.  The  increased  Investment  and other income
(expense), net was primarily the result of foreign currency transaction gains in
1996 as opposed to losses in 1995,  reduced  losses  related to ISI, which since
the third  quarter  of 1996 was  accounted  for as a  combination  of  long-term
investments and as long-term available-for-sale equity securities, and increased
investment income due to increased cash and cash  equivalents.  The Company also
reduced its interest expense by $661,000 in 1996 due to the continued  reduction
of long-term  debt at the  Corporate  level in 1995 and in the first  quarter of
1996.

In 1995,  income before income taxes,  discontinued  operation and extraordinary
item  was  $5,819,000  as  compared  to a  loss  of  $10,648,000  in  1994.  The
improvement  in  operations is due to several  factors.  In the first and fourth
quarters of 1995, the Company sold 1,667,000 and 500,000 shares, respectively of
Duratek common stock,  resulting in the  recognition of a $3,768,000  gain. As a
result of the first sale of the Duratek common stock, the Company's ownership in
Duratek fell below 50%, and  commencing in January 1995,  the Company  accounted
for its investment in Duratek, which totaled $4,121,000 at December 31, 1995, on
the  equity  basis (see Note 3 to the  consolidated  financial  statements).  In
addition,  the Company  recorded an unrealized  gain totaling  $3,183,000 on the
transfer of 250,000 shares of Duratek common stock from long-term investments to
trading  securities.  During the third quarter of 1995,  the Company  realized a
$5,912,000  gain as a result of the  issuance of common stock by ISI, a then 22%
owned affiliate,  and the initial public offering by GSE Systems,  Inc.(GSES), a
26% controlled  affiliate at December 31,1995. The $5,912,000 gain was comprised
of a $3,137,000 gain realized  primarily on the issuance of 1,725,000  shares of
common stock (including the  over-allotment  option) at $14.00 per share by GSES
in July  1995 and a  $2,775,000  gain  realized  primarily  as a  result  of the
issuance in August and September 1995 of 3,000,000 shares of common stock by ISI
at $4.80 per share,  as adjusted for a one for four  reverse  stock split of ISI
(see Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements). The Company also realized
Investment and other income, net of $1,129,000 in 1995 compared to a net expense
of $1,808,000 in 1994.  The  improvement is due to several  factors  including a
foreign  currency  transaction  loss of $1,066,000 in 1995 compared to a foreign
currency  transaction  loss of  $2,124,000  realized  in  1994,  related  to the
Company's  decision not to hedge its Swiss  denominated debt, and reduced losses
incurred on investments in 20% to 50% owned affiliates.  These improvements were
partially  offset by a $785,000 loss recognized due to the permanent  impairment
of an  available-for-sale  security.  In 1995, the Company also incurred reduced
interest  expense as a result of reduced  long-term debt at the corporate level.
Operating  profits  improved  for the year ended  December  31,  1995 within the
Optical Plastics and Physical Science Groups,  and decreased  marginally  within
the Distribution Group and within American Drug Company, the Company's 54% owned
subsidiary,  which is not part of an  operating  segment.  The Optical  Plastics
Group  generated  increased  operating  profits due to both increased  sales and
gross  margin  percentage.  The  Physical  Science  Group  experienced  improved
operating  results due to the results of GP being  included in the  consolidated
results  of  operations  for  the  full  year  (see  Note 2 to the  consolidated
financial  statements).  The Distribution Group had marginally reduced operating
profits  due  to  reduced  sales  and  the  related  gross  margin,   offset  by
significantly reduced operating costs.

Sales

Consolidated  sales from  continuing  operations  decreased by $19,749,000  from
$204,774,000  in 1994 to  $185,025,000  in 1995 and increased by  $18,775,000 to
$203,800,000 in 1996. In 1995, the Company had reduced sales within the Physical
Science and Distribution Groups, partially offset by increased sales achieved by
the Optical  Plastics Group. In 1996, the Company had increased sales within the
Physical  Science and  Distribution  Groups,  partially  offset by reduced sales
within the Optical Plastics Group.

The Physical  Science  Group's  sales  decreased  from  $118,421,000  in 1994 to
$107,549,000 in 1995 and increased to $117,183,000 in 1996. The reduced sales in
1995 were due to the results of Duratek being  accounted for on the equity basis
since January 1995,  partially offset by the  consolidation of the results of GP
since September 1994 (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements).  The
increased  sales of  $9,634,000  in 1996 were  primarily the result of increased
sales within GP's Commercial Training and Technical Services Group. In addition,
GP experienced  marginally  increased  sales within its  Engineering and Applied
Sciences  Group,  offset by  marginally  reduced  sales  within  the  Government
Training and Technical Services Group. GP has focused its marketing resources on
expanding  management  and  technical  training  services to  manufacturing  and
process industries and specialized  engineering services to federal agencies and
process industries.

The  Distribution  Group sales decreased from $75,551,000 in 1994 to $65,098,000
in 1995 and increased to $76,102,000 in 1996. The reduced sales in 1995 were the
result of the loss of a major retail chain as a customer, partially mitigated by
a general  increase in business among numerous  independent  retail stores.  The
increased  sales of $11,004,000 in 1996 were the result of Five Star  commencing
sales  to the  major  retail  chain  lost  in at the end of  1994,  as well as a
significant  growth  in  sales to  independent  retail  stores.  The  growth  in
independent retail store sales was primarily generated by a significant increase
in sales of hardware  products due to an expansion of Five Star's  product line.
The sales increase in 1996 was partially  mitigated by the closing of two retail
chains in the northeast which had generated $5,866,000 of sales in 1995.

The  Optical   Plastics  Group  sales  increased  from  $9,290,000  in  1994  to
$10,949,000  in 1995 and decreased to $8,781,000 in 1996.  The improved sales in
1995 were the result of increased sales  throughout  MXL's entire customer base.
The reduced sales of  $2,168,000  in 1996 was the result of reduced  orders from
MXL's largest customer, due to changes in their product line.




Gross margin

Consolidated gross margin was $32,559,000 or 16% in 1994,  $28,322,000 or 15% in
1995 and  $30,242,000  or 15% of net sales in 1996.  The reduced gross margin of
$4,237,000 in 1995 occurred  primarily within the Physical Science Group, and to
a lesser extent within the  Distribution  Group,  partially  offset by increased
gross margins achieved by the Optical Plastics Group. The increased gross margin
of  $1,920,000  in 1996 was the  result of  increased  gross  margin  within the
Physical  Science and  Distribution  Groups,  partially  offset by reduced gross
margin achieved by the Optical Plastics Group.

The Physical  Science Group gross margin  decreased  from  $16,670,000 or 14% in
1994 to  $12,368,000 or 12% in 1995 and increased to $14,309,000 or 12% in 1996.
The decreased gross margin in 1995 was due to the Company's ownership in Duratek
falling below 50% in January 1995, and the Company accounting for Duratek on the
equity and later the cost basis  from that  time,  partially  offset by GP being
included in the  consolidated  results since September 1994.  Duratek achieved a
gross margin of $7,111,000 in 1994 but zero was included in  consolidated  gross
margin for 1995 for Duratek.  Since January  1995,  Duratek was accounted for on
the equity  method until April 1996 when the Company  began  accounting  for its
investment as a combination of marketable securities,  long-term investments and
as long-term  available-for-sale  equity  securities.  The reduced  gross margin
percentage is the result of historically lower gross margins earned by GP due to
the nature of its business. In 1995 GP has increased its gross margin percentage
through its continuing efforts to reduce overhead costs as a percent of revenue,
as well as the  achievement  of higher direct labor  utilization.  In 1996,  the
increased  gross margin of $1,941,000 was the result of increased  sales as well
as reduced overhead costs as a percentage of sales.

The Distribution Group gross margin decreased from $11,785,000 or 16% in 1994 to
$10,966,000 or 17% in 1995 and increased to $12,313,000 or 16% in 1996. In 1995,
the reduced gross margin was the result of reduced sales, partially mitigated by
an increased gross margin  percentage.  The increased gross margin percentage in
1995  was  the  result  of  reduced  warehousing  costs  due to  the  successful
implementation of Five Star's advanced warehouse  management system , as well as
the  consolidation  of Five  Star's  New  York  warehouse  into  the New  Jersey
facility.  The  increased  gross margin of  $1,347,000 in 1996 was the result of
increased  sales.  The  reduced  gross  margin  percentage  was the result of an
increase in drop- ship sales ,as well as lower  margins  generated on sales to a
major retail chain,  partially offset by continued efficiencies achieved in Five
Star's warehouse operations.

The Optical  Plastics Group gross margin increased from $3,635,000 or 39% of net
sales in 1994 and to  $4,336,000  or 40% of net sales in 1995 and  decreased  to
$2,913,000 or 33% of net sales in 1996. In 1995, the increased  gross margin was
primarily the result of increased sales. The reduced gross margin of $1,423,000,
as well as the reduced gross margin percentage in 1996 was the result of reduced
sales to MXL's major customer,  who  historically  generated higher gross margin
percentages than the remainder of MXL's business on average.


Investment and other income (expense), net

Investment and other income  (expense) was  $(1,808,000) in 1994,  $1,129,000 in
1995 and $3,756,000 in 1996.  The  improvement in 1996 is primarily due to three
factors.  In 1996,  the  Company  had a  foreign  currency  transaction  gain of
$340,000  compared to a loss of  $1,066,000  in 1995,  related to the  Company's
decision not to hedge its Swiss  denominated debt,  increased  investment income
and reduced  losses  incurred  on  investments  in 20% to 50% owned  affiliates.
Although  the  Company is exposed to foreign  currency  transaction  losses as a
result of its Swiss denominated indebtedness,  the Company considers its risk of
loss to be acceptable due in part to the reduced amount of such  indebtedness at
December 31, 1996. Accordingly, the Company has not hedged such risk at December
31,  1996 and will review this  policy on a  continuing  basis.  The Company had
increased  investment income in 1996 as a result of an increase in cash and cash
equivalents  during  1996.  In addition,  the Company  incurred  reduced  losses
related to ISI, in which the Company has an  approximately  15% interest,  which
effective in the third quarter of 1996 was  accounted  for as a  combination  of
long-term  available-for-sale  equity securities and long-term investments.  The
improvement  in 1995 was due to several  factors  including  a foreign  currency
transaction   loss  of  $1,066,000  in  1995  compared  to  a  foreign  currency
transaction  loss of  $2,124,000  realized  in 1994,  related  to the  Company's
decision not to hedge its Swiss denominated debt, and reduced losses incurred on
investments in 20% to 50% owned  affiliates.  These  improvements were partially
offset by a $785,000  loss  recognized  due to the  permanent  impairment  of an
available  for sale  security.  At  December  31, 1996 and 1995,  the  Company's
Investments  and advances of  $25,108,000  and  $21,452,000  were  primarily its
investments  in  Duratek,  ISI and  GSES,  which  were  $5,113,000,  $6,360,000,
$9,868,000  in  1996  and  $4,121,000,   $3,761,000  and  $8,944,000,  in  1995,
respectively.

Selling, general, and administrative expenses

Selling,  general and administrative  expenses (SG&A) decreased from $34,732,000
in 1994 to  $30,372,000  in 1995 and increased to  $30,788,000 in 1996. In 1995,
the reduced SG&A was primarily  the result of reduced SG&A of $3,985,000  within
the Physical  Science  Group  primarily due to Duratek,  which  incurred SG&A of
$5,926,000 in 1994,  being accounted for on the equity basis since January 1995,
partially  offset by increased SG&A of $1,941,000  incurred by GP largely due to
the recording of an  approximately  $1,015,000  reserve  related to  potentially
uncollectible  revenue  recorded  in  years  prior to 1993.  In the  process  of
reviewing the results of a previous audit by the Defense  Contract Audit Agency,
GP  determined  that,  based upon the  information  then  available,  it was not
probable  that the  government  would  approve  payment  of a rate  differential
related  to  overruns  in  certain  cost-plus-fixed-fee   contracts  which  were
completed  prior to 1994.  Since the rate  differential  had been  recognized as
revenue over a series of prior years,  GP set up a reserve in the third  quarter
of 1995 against the estimated amount of the rate differential believed likely to
be noncollectible.  In addition, the Distribution Group incurred reduced SG&A of
$773,000 in 1995 as a result of Five Star's reduced sales  commissions  paid due
to reduced sales, as well as the success of its continuing effort to consolidate
and  streamline  its  organization.  American  Drug Company  (ADC) also incurred
increased SG&A as a result of increased consulting expenses and costs related to
the opening and staffing of the Moscow  office.  ADC is the  Company's 54% owned
subsidiary  which  exports  American  made  generic and  prescription  drugs and
over-the-counter  healthcare  products  in both Russia and the  Commonwealth  of
Independent States. The increased general and administrative  costs at Five Star
and ADC were  partially  mitigated by reduced  costs  incurred at the  corporate
level. The increase of $416,000 in SG&A in 1996 was the result of increased SG&A
incurred by the Distribution Group, partially offset by reduced SG&A achieved by
the Physical Science and Optical Plastics Groups and at the Corporate level. The
increased  SG&A  within  the  Distribution  Group was  primarily  the  result of
increased sales  commissions  paid due to increased  sales, as well as increased
costs  incurred  by Five  Star for  equipment  and  computer  rental  due to the
continued upgrading and development of their facility  management  systems.  The
reduced SG&A  achieved by GP was the result of the  $1,015,000  reserve taken in
1995 related to  potentially  uncollectible  revenue  recorded in years prior to
December 31, 1993,  partially  offset by a $259,000 reserve recorded in 1996 for
the settlement of a legal action brought  against GP by a former  employee.  The
Optical  Plastics  Group  achieved  lower  SG&A in 1996 due to efforts to reduce
their operating costs due to their reduced sales volume.

Interest expense

Interest  expense  aggregated   $6,458,000  in  1994,  $5,019,000  in  1995  and
$4,358,000  in 1996.  The  reduced  interest  expense  in 1995  and the  further
reduction in 1996, was the result of the Company's continuing  successful effort
to reduce its interest expense at the corporate level due to reduced interest on
the Company's Swiss Debt obligations due to the Exchange Offers in 1994 and 1995
and the repayment of various  Swiss Debt  obligation in 1996 (see Note 11 to the
consolidated financial statements).

Income taxes

Income  tax  expense  (benefit)  from  operations  for  1994,  1995 and 1996 was
$749,000, $1,787,000 and $(136,000), respectively.

In 1996,  the Company  recorded an income tax benefit of  $136,000.  The current
income tax provision of $1,724,000 represents the estimated taxes payable by GP,
the  Company's  52%  owned  subsidiary.  The  deferred  income  tax  benefit  of
$1,860,000  results from  utilization  of net operating  loss  carryovers  and a
reduction in the valuation  allowance,  among other factors. The decrease in the
valuation  allowance in 1996 was  attributable in part to the utilization of the
Company's net operating loss carryforwards,  and to the Company's expectation of
generating  sufficient  taxable income that will allow for the  realization of a
portion of its deferred tax assets.

In 1995, the Company  recorded an income tax expense of $1,787,000.  The current
income tax provision of $258,000  represents the estimated  taxes payable by the
Company for the year ended December 31, 1995. The deferred  income tax provision
of  $1,529,000  represents  the deferred  taxes of GP, the  Company's  51% owned
subsidiary.

In 1994,  the Company  recorded an income tax expense of  $749,000.  The current
income tax provision of $283,000  represents the estimated  taxes payable by the
Company for the year ended December 31, 1994. The deferred  income tax provision
of  $466,000  represents  the  deferred  taxes of GP,  the  Company's  51% owned
subsidiary.

As  of  December  31,  1996,  the  Company  has  approximately   $18,131,000  of
consolidated net operating losses available for Federal income tax purposes.

Accounting developments

Effective January 1, 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 121,  "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for
Long-Lived  Assets to be Disposed  Of."  Statement  121  requires the Company to
estimate  the future cash flows  expected  to result  from the use and  eventual
disposition  of its  property,  plant and equipment and other long lived assets,
and if the sum of such  cash  flows is less  than the  carrying  amount of these
assets, to recognize an impairment loss to the extent, if any, that the carrying
amount of the assets  exceeds  their fair  values.  The  Company  believes  that
expected  future cash flows  derived from these assets will be at least equal to
their carrying values, and that no impairment loss will be indicated.

Prior to January 1, 1996,  the Company  accounted  for its stock  option plan in
accordance  with the provisions of Accounting  Principles  Board ("APB") Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,  and related  interpretations.
As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the
current market price of the underlying  stock  exceeded the exercise  price.  On
January 1, 1996, the Company  adopted SFAS No. 123,  Accounting for  Stock-Based
Compensation,  which  permits  entities to recognize as expense over the vesting
period  the  fair  value  of all  stock-based  awards  on  the  date  of  grant.
Alternatively,  SFAS No.  123 also  allows  entities  to  continue  to apply the
provisions  of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma net income and pro forma
earnings per share disclosures for employee stock option grants made in 1995 and
future years as if the fair-value-based  method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been
applied.  The Company has  elected to  continue to apply the  provisions  of APB
Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its Plan and, accordingly, no compensation cost
has been recognized for its stock options in the financial statements.

Forward-Looking   Statements.   This  report  contains  certain  forward-looking
statements  reflecting  management's current views with respect to future events
and  financial  performance.  These  forward-looking  statements  are subject to
certain  risks and  uncertainties  that  could  cause  actual  results to differ
materially  from those in the  forward-looking  statements,  including,  but not
limited to the Company's ability to reverse its history of operating losses; the
Company's  dependence on its  subsidiaries  and its  investments  as its primary
source to service outstanding debt and to fund its operations; and the Company's
ability to comply with  financial  covenants  in  connection  with  various loan
agreements.

Liquidity and capital resources

At  December  31,  1996,  the  Company  had cash and cash  equivalents  totaling
$22,677,000.  GP, SGLG, Inc. and ADC had cash and cash equivalents of $2,057,000
at December 31, 1996. The minority interests of these companies are owned by the
general  public,  and  therefore,  the  assets of these  subsidiaries  have been
dedicated to the operations of these companies and may not be readily  available
for the general  corporate  purposes of the parent. In January 1997, the Company
acquired  the  remaining  48% of the  outstanding  shares  of GP that it did not
already own. (See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements).

The Company has sufficient cash, cash equivalents and marketable  securities and
borrowing  availability under existing and potential lines of credit (See Note 9
to the consolidated  financial  statements) to satisfy its cash requirements for
its 12%  Subordinated  Debentures  scheduled  to mature in the third  quarter of
1997, which totaled approximately  $6,732,000 at December 31, 1996. On March 26,
1997, the Company's  entered into a new Revolving  Credit Agreement (see Note 21
to the consolidated financial statements).

At December  31, 1996,  approximately  $2,000,000  was  available to the Company
under GP's credit agreements. The Company has historically reduced its long-term
debt through the issuance of equity  securities in exchange for long-term  debt.
In addition to its ability to issue equity securities, the Company believes that
it has sufficient  marketable long-term  investments,  as well as the ability to
obtain  additional  funds from its operating  subsidiaries  and the potential to
enter  into  new  credit  arrangements  in order  to fund  its  working  capital
requirements. At December 31, 1996, the Company had classified 250,000 shares of
Duratek stock valued at $3,250,000 as marketable securities,  as a result of the
transfer from long-term  investments to trading  securities due to the Company's
intention to sell these shares promptly in 1997.

For the year ended December 31, 1996, the Company's working capital increased by
$8,742,000  to  $41,691,000,  reflecting  the effect of increased  cash and cash
equivalents,  partially offset by increased current maturities of long-term debt
and short-term  borrowings.  Consolidated cash and cash equivalents increased by
$14,583,000 to $22,677,000 at December 31, 1996.

The increase in cash and cash  equivalents  of $14,583,000 in 1996 resulted from
cash provided by financing of  $1,971,000,  investing  activities of $9,849,000,
and cash provided by operations  of  $2,763,000.  The cash provided by investing
activities  was primarily  from proceeds from the sale of stock of a subsidiary,
partially  offset by additions to property,  plant and equipment and  intangible
assets.  Financing  activities  consisted  primarily of proceeds from short-term
borrowings and long-term debt, offset by repayments and reductions in short-term
borrowings and long-term debt.

The Company is required to meet certain financial covenants pursuant to its loan
agreements, and is currently in compliance with these covenants.

The Company's principal manufacturing  facilities were constructed subsequent to
1976 and management  does not anticipate  having to replace major  facilities in
the near term.  As of December  31,  1996,  the  Company  has not  contractually
committed itself for any other new major capital expenditures.


Item 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


                                                                           Page
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT
 CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES:

         Independent Auditors' Report                                       31

         Consolidated Balance Sheets - December 31, 1996 and 1995           32

         Consolidated Statements of Operations - Years ended December 31,
          1996, 1995, and 1994                                              34

         Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity - Years
          ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994                           36

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - Years ended December 31,
          1996, 1995, and 1994                                              38

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                         41

SUPPLEMENTARY DATA (Unaudited)

         Selected Quarterly Financial Data                                  78




<PAGE>


                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



The Board of Directors and Stockholders
National Patent Development Corporation:


We have  audited  the  consolidated  financial  statements  of  National  Patent
Development  Corporation and subsidiaries as listed in the  accompanying  index.
These consolidated  financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's
management.  Our  responsibility is to express an opinion on these  consolidated
financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly,  in all material  respects,  the financial  position of National  Patent
Development  Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 1996 and 1995, and the
results  of their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1996, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.


KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

New York, New York
March 26, 1997



<PAGE>


            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

                                                                (in thousands)
December 31,                                                 1996          1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents ............................   $  22,677    $   8,094
Marketable securities ................................       3,250        3,563
Accounts and other receivables (of which
 $13,296 and $13,013 are from government
 contracts) less allowance for doubtful
 accounts of $2,155 and $3,066 .......................      40,633       39,466
Inventories ..........................................      23,193       20,444
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on
 uncompleted contracts, of which $481 and $1,473
 relates to government contracts .....................       9,466        9,118
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ............       3,462        3,640
                                                                      ---------
Total current assets .................................     102,681       84,325
                                                                      ---------
Investments and advances .............................      25,108       21,452
                                                                      ---------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost ...............      36,045       33,367
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization .......     (26,767)     (24,374)
                                                                      ---------
                                                             9,278        8,993
                                                                      ---------
Intangible assets, net of accumulated
 amortization of $29,577 and $27,901
Goodwill .............................................      33,737       32,445
Patents, licenses and deferred charges ...............         739          608
                                                                      ---------
                                                            34,476       33,053
Deferred tax asset ...................................         843

Other assets .........................................       3,641        3,897
                                                                      ---------
                                                         $ 176,027    $ 151,720
                                                                      ---------



<PAGE>


            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


                     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Continued)
              (in thousands, except shares and par value per share)


December 31,                                            1996          1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt .............  $   9,309      $   4,167
Short-term borrowings ............................     20,281         18,043
Accounts payable and accrued expenses ............     22,879         20,865
Billings in excess of costs and estimated
 earnings on uncompleted contracts ...............      8,521          8,301
                                                       ------         ---------
Total current liabilities ............... ........     60,990         51,376
                                                       ------         ---------

Long-term debt less current maturities .............   10,807         19,765

Minority interests ................................    10,201          9,581

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity *
Preferred stock, authorized 10,000,000
 shares, par value $.01 per share, none issued
Common stock, authorized 25,000,000 shares, par
 value $.01 per share, issued 7,518,725 and 6,825,723
 shares (of which 1,497 shares are held in treasury)       75             68
Class B capital stock, authorized 2,800,000 shares, par
 value $.01 per share, issued and outstanding
 62,500 shares ...................................          1              1
Capital in excess of par value ...................    131,388        125,419
Deficit ..................................... ....    (40,759)       (52,139)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale 
securities ......................................       3,324         (1,440)
Minimum pension liability adjustment .............                      (911)
                                                      ---------     ---------
Total stockholders' equity .......................     94,029         70,998
                                                     ---------     ---------
                                                    $ 176,027      $ 151,720
                                                    ---------     ---------


*Stockholders'  equity has been  restated  to reflect  the effect of the one for
four reverse stock split (See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements).

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


<PAGE>


            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                      (in thousands, except per share data)


Years ended December 31,                      1996        1995        1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales                                      203,800    $185,025    $204,774
Cost of goods sold                         173,558     156,703     172,215
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gross margin                                30,242      28,322      32,559
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Selling, general and administrative        (30,788)    (30,372)    (34,732)
Interest                                    (4,358)     (5,019)     (6,458)
Investment and other income (expense),
 net (including interest income of $906,
 $555 and $360)                              3,756       1,129      (1,808)
Loss on investments                         (4,000)
Gain on disposition of stock of
 a subsidiary and an affiliate              12,200       3,768
Gain on issuance of stock by a
 subsidiary and affiliates                   2,168       5,912
Gains on trading securities                  3,314       3,183
Minority interests                          (1,290)     (1,104)       (209)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income (loss) before income taxes,
 discontinued operation and
 extraordinary item                         11,244       5,819     (10,648)
Income tax benefit (expense)                   136      (1,787)       (749)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before discontinued
 operation and extraordinary item           11,380       4,032     (11,397)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------

Discontinued operation
Loss from operations                                      (331)     (1,789)
Loss on disposal including provision of 
$100 in 1994 during phase-out period                    (2,610)       (785)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Loss from discontinued operation                        (2,941)     (2,574)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before extraordinary item     11,380       1,091     (13,971)
Extraordinary item
Extinguishment of debt,(net of income tax)                 (79)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Net income (loss)                          $11,380    $  1,012   $ (13,971)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Continued)

              (in thousands, except shares and par value per share)



Years ended December 31,                  1996            1995             1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Income (loss) per share  *
Income (loss) before discontinued
 operation and extraordinary item      $  1.54         $   .60         $  (2.10)

Discontinued operation                                    (.44)           (.47)
Extraordinary item                                        (.01)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) per share            $  1.54      $    .15          $   (2.57)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------



*All  periods  have been  restated  to  reflect  the  effect of the one for four
reverse stock split (See Note 15 to the consolidated financial statements).



          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



<PAGE>






            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>

           Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994

    (in thousands, except shares, par value per share and per share amounts)


<CAPTION>
                                                                                                         Net
                                                                                                  unrealized
                                                            Class B   Capital in              gain (loss) on     Minimum      Total
                                                Common      capital      excess                   available-      pension    stock-
                                                stock        stock       of par                     for-sale    liability   holders'
                                            ($.01 Par)    ($.01 Par)     value     Deficit        securities   adjustment    equity
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C> <C>                       <C>            <C>    <C>        <C>           <C>                               
Balance at December 31, 1993                      $ 48 *         $ 1 *  $106,417 * $(39,028)     $              $           $67,438
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Implementation of SFAS 115                                                                            1,157                   1,157
Exercise of stock options and warrants                                        99                                                 99
Issuance of stock in connection with
 Swiss Bonds                                        10                     9,985                                              9,995
Transfer from common stock issued
 subject to repurchase obligation                    1                     2,731                                              2,732
Conversion of 12% Debentures                                                  35                                                 35
Distribution of shares in a subsidiary                                                 (152)                                   (152)
Issuance and sale of common stock                    1                       771                                                772
Net unrealized loss on
 available-for-sale securities                                                                       (2,940)                 (2,940)
Net loss                                                                            (13,971)                                (13,971)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1994                        60             1     120,038    (53,151)         (1,783)                 65,165
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>


<PAGE>


            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
<TABLE>

     Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity (Continued)

                  Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994
    (in thousands, except shares, par value per share and per share amounts)
                                                                                                 Net
                                                                                          unrealized
<CAPTION>
                                                         Class B   Capital in         gain (loss) on      Minimum            Total
                                             Common      capital      excess               available-      pension           stock-
                                              stock       stock       of par                 for-sale      liability        holders'
                                         ($.01 Par)    ($.01 Par)      value    Deficit    securities    adjustment          equity
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>            <C>    <C>        <C>           <C>          <C>                       
Balance at December 31, 1994                 $ 60 *         $ 1 *  $120,038 * $(53,151)     $(1,783)     $                  $65,165
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum pension liability adjustment                                                                           (911)          (911)
Net unrealized gain on available-
 for-sale securities                                                                            343                            343
Net income                                                                       1,012                                       1,012
Issuance of stock in connection with
 Swiss Bonds                                    6                     3,725                                                  3,731
Issuance and sale of common stock               2                     1,046                                                  1,048
Transfer from common stock issued
 subject to repurchase obligation                                       610                                                    610
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1995                   68             1     125,419    (52,139)      (1,440)           (911)        70,998
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum pension liability adjustment                                                                            911            911
Net unrealized gain on available-
 for-sale securities                                                                          4,764                          4,764
Net income                                                                      11,380                                      11,380
Issuance and sale of common stock
  and common stock warrants                     7                     5,969                                                  5,976
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1996                 $ 75           $ 1    $131,388   $(40,759)      $3,324       $                $94,029
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

* All periods  prior to October 5, 1995 have been restated to reflect the effect
of the  one-for-four  reverse  stock  split  (See  Note  15 to the  consolidated
financial statements.)

          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.


<PAGE>





            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


(in thousands)
Years ended December 31,                          1996        1995         1994
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from operations:

Net income (loss)                               11,380    $  1,012    $ (13,971)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss)
 to net cash used in operating activities:
Provision for discontinued operation                         2,460        1,570
Depreciation and amortization                    4,069       4,316        6,063
Loss from extinguishment
 of debt, net of income tax                                     79
Gain on disposition of stock of a
 subsidiary and an affiliate                   (12,200)     (3,768)
Gain on issuance of stock by
 a subsidiary and affiliates                    (2,168)     (5,912)
Gains on trading securities                     (3,314)     (3,183)
Loss on investments                              4,000
Deferred income taxes                           (1,860)
Proceeds from sale of trading securities         4,425
Changes in other operating items,
 net of effect of acquisitions and disposals:
Accounts and other receivables                  (2,167)      1,228       (3,887)
Inventories                                     (2,749)     (1,687)       1,163
Costs and estimated earnings in excess of
 billings on uncompleted contracts                (348)      6,119        1,349
Prepaid expenses and other current assets          178       2,993         (817)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses            3,297      (4,768)       4,626
Billings in excess of costs and estimated
 earnings on uncompleted contracts                 220       2,210       (1,014)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) operations     $  2,763    $  1,099     $ (4,918)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>


            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)


(in thousands)
Years ended December 31,                           1996      1995       1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from investing activities:

Proceeds from sale of stock of a subsidiary    $ 13,275   $ 7,051  $
Sales of certain net assets and businesses
 of a subsidiary                                                       4,470
Additions to property, plant and
 equipment, net                                  (2,678)   (2,006)    (4,006)
Additions to intangible assets                   (2,446)     (388)    (5,824)
Reduction of investments and other assets         1,698       388        664
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in)
 investing activities                             9,849     5,045     (4,696)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cash flows from financing activities:

Repayments of short-term borrowings                       (11,020)    (5,650)
Proceeds from short-term borrowings               2,238     5,634     15,320
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt          1,400     5,162      3,638
Reduction of long-term debt                      (4,213)   (8,145)    (4,882)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock            2,546       244        287
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in)
 financing activities                             1,971    (8,125)     8,713
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
 cash equivalents                                14,583    (1,981)      (901)
Cash and cash equivalents at
 beginning of year                                8,094    10,075     10,976
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year      $  22,677  $  8,094   $ 10,075
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------



<PAGE>


            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)


(in thousands)
Years ended December 31,                              1996      1995       1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Supplemental disclosures of
 cash flow information:

Cash paid during the year for:
 Interest                                         $  4,200   $ 4,577    $  4,147
 Income taxes                                     $  1,301   $   655    $    607

Supplemental schedule of
 non-cash transactions:

Reduction of debt                                  $ 1,003   $ 6,250     $ 9,167
Additions to investments, intangibles,
 other assets and prepaid expenses                   5,379       625         100
Reduction of accounts payable                                                267
Reduction of accrued
 interest payable                                      372                 1,045
Reduction (increase) in accrued pension liability      911      (911)
Net unrealized gain on available-for-sale
 securities                                         (3,324)
Issuances of common stock                           (3,430)   (4,535)   (10,579)
Issuance of long-term debt                                    (2,340)
Minimum pension liability adjustment                  (911)      911
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------


          See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



<PAGE>


            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.  Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies

Description  of  business.   National  Patent   Development   Corporation   (the
"Company"), is primarily a holding company, which is a legal entity separate and
distinct  from its various  operating  subsidiaries.  The  Company's  operations
consist of three operating business segments: Physical Science, Distribution and
Optical  Plastics.  In  addition,  the  Company  owns  approximately  54% of the
outstanding  shares of common stock of the  American  Drug Company (See Note 5).
The Company also has an  approximately  15%  investment in Interferon  Sciences,
Inc. (See Note 4), an  approximately  15%  investment in GTS Duratek,  Inc. (See
Note 3) and  controls  approximately  22% of GSE Systems,  Inc.  (See Note 6), a
company in the  business of software  simulation  and  controls.  The  Company's
Physical  Science  Group,  through its  approximately  52% owned  subsidiary (at
December 31, 1996),  General Physics  Corporation (GP), provides a wide range of
services in training, engineering,  environmental and technical support services
to commercial nuclear and fossil power utilities,  the United States Departments
of Defense  ("DOD") and Energy (the  "DOE"),  Fortune  500  companies  and other
commercial  and  governmental  customers.  On January  24,  1997,  a merger of a
wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company and GP was completed,  pursuant to which
GP became a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company. (See Note 2). The Company's
Distribution  Group,  incorporated  under the name Five Star Group,  Inc.  (Five
Star), is engaged in the wholesale distribution of home decorating, hardware and
finishing  products.  The Company's  Optical Plastics Group,  through its wholly
owned  subsidiary MXL  Industries,  Inc. (MXL),  manufactures  molded and coated
optical  products,  such as  shields  and face  masks  and  non-optical  plastic
products.

Principles  of  consolidation  and  investments.   The  consolidated   financial
statements include the operations of National Patent Development Corporation and
its  majority-owned  subsidiaries (the Company).  Investments in 20% - 50% owned
companies are accounted for on the equity basis.  All  significant  intercompany
balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Statements  of cash flows.  For purposes of the  statements  of cash flows,  the
Company  considers all highly  liquid  instruments  with original  maturities of
three months or less from purchase date to be cash equivalents.

Marketable  securities.  Marketable  securities  at  December  31, 1996 and 1995
consist  of  U.S.  corporate  equity  securities.  The  Company  classifies  its
marketable equity securities as trading and available-for-sale.


<PAGE>



            NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES


             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

1. Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies
   (Continued)

Inventories.  Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market, principally
using the first-in, first-out (FIFO) method.

Foreign  currency  transactions.  The  Company's  Swiss  Bonds (see Note 11) are
subject to currency  fluctuations  and the  Company has hedged  portions of such
debt from time to time,  but not within the three year period ended December 31,
1996.  During the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995,  and 1994,  the Company
realized foreign currency  transaction gains (losses) of $340,000,  $(1,066,000)
and  $(2,124,000),  respectively.  These amounts are included in Investment  and
other income  (expense),  net. At December 31, 1996,  the Company had not hedged
its Swiss Franc  obligations.  The Company's 54% owned subsidiary,  the American
Drug Company (See Note 5) conducts its business primarily in U.S. dollars.

Contract  revenue and cost  recognition.  The Company  provides  services  under
time-and-materials,  cost-plus-fixed-fee  and fixed-price contracts.  Revenue is
recognized as costs are incurred and includes  estimated  fees at  predetermined
rates.  Differences  between  recorded  costs and  estimated  earnings and final
billings are recognized in the period in which they become  determinable.  Costs
and  estimated  earnings  in excess of  billings on  uncompleted  contracts  are
recorded as a current asset.  Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings
on  uncompleted  contracts  are  recorded  as a  current  liability.  Generally,
contracts provide for the billing of costs incurred and estimated  earnings on a
monthly basis.  Retainages,  amounts  subject to future  negotiation and amounts
which are  expected  to be  collected  after one year are not  material  for any
period.

Property,  plant and  equipment.  Property,  plant and  equipment are carried at
cost.  Major additions and improvements  are capitalized  while  maintenance and
repairs which do not extend the lives of the assets are expensed currently. Gain
or loss on the  disposition  of property,  plant and  equipment is recognized in
operations when realized.

Depreciation.  The Company  provides for  depreciation  of  property,  plant and
equipment primarily on a straight-line basis over the following estimated useful
lives:

  CLASS OF ASSETS                        USEFUL LIFE

 Buildings and improvements              5 to 40 years
 Machinery, equipment and furniture
  and fixtures                           3 to 20 years
 Leasehold improvements                  Shorter of asset life or term of lease


<PAGE>


1.  Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies
    (Continued)

Intangible  assets.  The  excess  of cost over the fair  value of net  assets of
businesses  acquired is recorded as goodwill and is amortized on a straight-line
basis generally over periods ranging from 5 to 40 years. The Company capitalizes
costs  incurred to obtain and maintain  patents and  licenses.  Patent costs are
amortized over the lesser of 17 years or the remaining lives of the patents, and
license costs over the lives of the licenses. The Company also capitalizes costs
incurred to obtain  long-term  debt  financing.  Such costs are  amortized on an
effective  yield basis over the terms of the related debt and such  amortization
is classified as interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The periods of  amortization  of goodwill  are  evaluated  at least  annually to
determine whether events and  circumstances  warrant revised estimates of useful
lives. This evaluation considers,  among other factors,  expected cash flows and
profits of the businesses to which the goodwill relates. Based upon the periodic
analysis,  goodwill  is written  down or written  off if it appears  that future
profits or cash flows will be insufficient to recover such goodwill.

Reverse stock split. As a result of a one-for-four reverse stock split effective
on October 6, 1995, all shares and per share information prior to that date have
been restated.

Treasury  stock.  Treasury  stock is recorded at cost.  Reissuances  of treasury
stock  are  valued at market  value at the date of  reissuance.  The cost of the
treasury  stock is relieved from the treasury  stock account and the  difference
between the cost and market value is recorded as additional paid in capital.

Stock option plan. Prior to January 1, 1996, the Company accounted for its stock
option plan in accordance  with the  provisions of Accounting  Principles  Board
("APB")  Opinion No. 25,  Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,  and related
interpretations.  As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of
grant only if the current  market  price of the  underlying  stock  exceeded the
exercise price. On January 1, 1996, the Company adopted SFAS No. 123, Accounting
for  Stock-Based  Compensation,  which permits  entities to recognize as expense
over the vesting period the fair value of all stock-based  awards on the date of
grant. Alternatively, SFAS No. 123 also allows entities to continue to apply the
provisions  of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma net income and pro forma
earnings per share disclosures for employee stock option grants made in 1995 and
future years as if the fair-value-based  method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been
applied.  The Company has  elected to  continue to apply the  provisions  of APB
Opinion No. 25 and provide the pro forma disclosure provisions of SFAS No. 123.



1.  Description of business and summary of significant accounting policies 
(Continued)

Sales  of  stock  by a  subsidiary.  The  Company  records  in the  Consolidated
Statements of Operations  any gain or loss realized when a subsidiary  sells its
shares at an offering price which differs from the Company's carrying amount per
share of such subsidiary's stock.

Income taxes.  The Company files a  consolidated  Federal income tax return that
includes each  domestic  subsidiary in which the Company has at least 80% voting
control.

Income (loss) per share.  Per share data is based on the weighted average number
of shares  outstanding,  including  Class B capital stock,  and dilutive  common
stock  equivalents.  Presentation  of fully  diluted  earnings  per share is not
required  because the effect is less than 3% or is  antidilutive.  The  weighted
average number of shares outstanding for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994, was 7,388,925, 6,637,639 and 5,431,166, respectively.

Use of estimates.  The  preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with
generally accepted  accounting  principles requires management to make estimates
and assumptions  that affect the reported  amounts of assets and liabilities and
disclosure of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the financial
statements  and the  reported  amounts  of  revenues  and  expenses  during  the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

Concentrations of credit risk.  Financial  instruments that potentially  subject
the Company to significant  concentrations of credit risk consist principally of
cash  investments  and  accounts   receivable.   The  Company  places  its  cash
investments  with high quality  financial  institutions and limits the amount of
credit  exposure to any one  institution.  With respect to accounts  receivable,
approximately  33% are related to United States  government  contracts,  and the
remainder  are  dispersed  among various  industries,  customers and  geographic
regions.

2.       General Physics Corporation

On August 31,  1994,  General  Physics  Corporation  (GP),  a formerly 28% owned
affiliate,  acquired  substantially  all of the  operations  and assets of SGLG,
Inc.,  (SGLG)  (formerly GPS  Technologies,  Inc.),  a 92% owned  subsidiary and
assumed  certain  liabilities  of SGLG,  related to its  business  of  providing
management  and  technical  training  services,   and  specialized   engineering
consulting services,  to various commercial  industries and to the United States
government.  However,  for  accounting  and financial  reporting  purposes,  the
transaction has been treated as a reverse acquisition of GP by SGLG since, among
other factors,  the Company became the beneficial owner of approximately  54% of
the  outstanding  shares of GP's  common  stock as a result of the  transaction.
Commencing September 1, 1994, GP's accounts have been consolidated with those of
the Company. 2. General Physics Corporation (Continued)

The consideration paid by GP totaled approximately  $34,000,000 and consisted of
(a)  $10,000,000 in cash, (b) 3,500,000  shares of GP common stock,  (c) GP's 6%
Senior  Subordinated  Debentures due 2004 in the aggregate  principal  amount of
$15,000,000  ($1,500,000 of which was paid into escrow),  (valued at $10,700,000
after a $4,300,000 discount), (d) warrants to purchase an aggregate of 1,000,000
shares of GP common  stock at $6.00 per share,  and (e)  warrants to purchase an
aggregate of 475,664 shares of GP common stock at $7.00 per share.  In addition,
GP entered  into a lease with SGLG of certain  fixed assets of SGLG for a period
of 10 years for an  aggregate  rent of  $2,000,000,  payable in equal  quarterly
installments  of  $50,000.  The  Company  did  not  recognize  a  gain  on  this
transaction.

The cash portion of the purchase  price for the SGLG  operations  and assets was
derived from funds borrowed by GP under a $20,000,000  revolving credit facility
secured by liens on the assets of GP,  GPSTFSG,  GPES and  Inventory  Management
Corporation, all wholly-owned subsidiaries of GP (See Note 9(b)).

In December 1994, as part of the above transaction,  SGLG distributed its shares
of GTS Duratek, Inc. (Duratek) common stock, totaling 3,950,000 shares, on a pro
rata basis to its shareholders. Therefore, the Company received 3,630,538 shares
of Duratek, and the minority shareholders received the remaining 319,462 shares.

From October 3, 1991 through August 31, 1994, the Company's investment in GP had
been accounted for on the equity basis and the Company's  share of GP's loss for
the eight  months ended  August 31, 1994 in the amount of  $(719,000)  after the
amortization of the underlying goodwill, was included in the caption "Investment
and other income  (expense),  net" appearing in the  consolidated  statements of
operations.  The  financial  position  and  results of  operations  of SGLG were
included  in the  consolidated  accounts  of the  Company  for the  years  ended
December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994.



<PAGE>


2.       General Physics Corporation (Continued)

On January 24, 1997, the Company acquired the remaining 5,047,623 shares (48% of
the  outstanding  shares) of GP that it did not already own, in exchange for .60
shares of National Patent common stock for each share of GP. The transaction has
been accounted for as a purchase of a minority  interest.  The Company issued an
aggregate of 3,028,574 shares of its common stock,  valued at $25,228,000 in the
transaction.  This  transaction has not been reflected in the 1996  consolidated
financial statements.

The following  information shows on a pro-forma basis, the results of operations
for  the  Company  for  the  year  ended  December  31,  1996,  as if the  above
transaction had occurred as of January 1, 1996 (in thousands):

                                   (unaudited)


Sales                                                            $203,800
Income before discontinued operation and extraordinary item        13,751
Net income                                                         13,751
Income per share before discontinued operation
 and extraordinary item                                              1.32
Income per share                                                     1.32

The following selected balance sheet information shows on a pro-forma basis, the
financial  position of the Company as if the above  transaction  had occurred on
December 31, 1996 (in thousands):

                                   (unaudited)

Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities                 $ 24,334
Working capital                                                    36,836
Intangible assets, net                                             54,200
Total assets                                                      194,158
Stockholders' equity                                              118,972

The above  pro-forma  information  is not  necessarily  indicative of the actual
financial position or results of operations that would have been achieved if the
transaction had occurred as of or for the period indicated, or of future results
that may be achieved.


2.       General Physics Corporation (Continued)

GP provides  engineering,  environmental,  training,  analytical,  and technical
support  services to  commercial  nuclear and fossil power  utilities,  the U.S.
Departments of Defense and Energy,  Fortune 500 companies,  and other commercial
and governmental customers.

3. GTS Duratek, Inc.

On January 24, 1995,  the Company sold  1,666,667  shares of common stock of GTS
Duratek,  Inc.  (Duratek)  at a price of $3.00  per share to The  Carlyle  Group
(Carlyle) in connection with a $16 million financing by Duratek with Carlyle,  a
Washington,  D.C. based private merchant bank. In addition,  the Company granted
Carlyle an option,  which was  exercised in December  1995, to purchase up to an
additional  500,000  shares of the Company's  Duratek common stock over the next
year at $3.75 per share. The Company  realized a gain of $3,768,000  during 1995
on sales of Duratek common stock, primarily in these two transactions.

As part of the aforementioned financing by Carlyle, Duratek received $16 million
from  Carlyle in  exchange  for  160,000  shares of newly  issued 8%  cumulative
convertible preferred stock (convertible into 5,333,333 shares of Duratek common
stock at $3.00 per share).  Duratek  granted Carlyle an option to purchase up to
1,250,000 shares of newly issued Duratek common stock from Duratek over the next
four years.

In connection with the transaction, Carlyle has the right, through its preferred
stock, to elect a majority of Duratek's  Board of Directors.  Upon conversion of
the preferred  stock,  Carlyle would own  approximately  50% of Duratek's common
stock if all of its options are exercised.

In April 1996,  the Company sold  1,000,000  shares of its Duratek common stock,
realized proceeds of $17,700,000 and recognized a gain of $12,200,000.

As a result of the above  transactions,  at December  31, 1996 the Company  owns
approximately  1,820,000 shares of Duratek's common stock  (approximately 15% of
the  outstanding  shares  of  common  stock).  The  Company  accounted  for  its
investment  in Duratek on the equity  basis from  January 24,  1995  through the
first quarter of 1996.  Commencing in April 1996,  the Company  accounts for its
investment  in Duratek as a  combination  of  marketable  securities,  long-term
investments and as long-term available-for-sale securities.

Duratek  is an  integrated  environmental  services  and  technology  firm  with
proprietary waste processing systems applicable to radioactive, hazardous, mixed
and other wastes.


3. GTS Duratek, Inc. (Continued)

The Company's  investment in Duratek of approximately  $4,121,000 as of December
31, 1995 is included in  Investments  and advances on the  consolidated  balance
sheet of which $2,447,000  represents the Company's percentage of underlying net
assets and  $1,674,000  represents  goodwill.  The Company's  share of Duratek's
income  included in  Investment  and other income  (expense),  net is $31,000 in
1995. At December 31, 1996, the Company owned  1,820,000  shares of Duratek,  of
which 250,000 shares have been classified as Marketable securities with a market
value of  $3,250,000  (See Note  18).  The  Company's  remaining  investment  of
approximately  $5,113,000 as of December 31, 1996 is included in Investments and
advances on the consolidated balance sheet of which $2,925,000 or 225,000 shares
of Duratek common stock represents  available-for-sale  securities at market and
$2,188,000  or 1,345,000  shares of Duratek  common stock  represents  long-term
investments  at cost.  The total market value of all Duratek shares owned by the
Company at December 31, 1996 was $23,660,000.

Condensed  financial  information  for Duratek is as follows as of December  31,
1996 and 1995 and for the years then ended (in thousands):

                                                         1996              1995
                                                         ----              ----
    Current assets                                     $66,196           $28,780
    Non current assets                                  19,003             9,880
    Current liabilities                                  4,035             4,665
    Non current liabilities                             11,188            10,123
    Redeemable convertible preferred stock              14,829            14,609
    Stockholders' equity                                55,147             9,257
    Revenues                                            44,285            40,418
    Gross profit                                         9,087             8,197
    Net income                                             557                60

4. Interferon Sciences, Inc.

Interferon Sciences, Inc. (ISI) is approximately 15% owned by the Company. It is
engaged in the manufacture and sale of ALFERON N Injection,  ISI's first product
commercially  approved by the FDA for the treatment of recurring and  refractory
external  genital  warts,  and the  research  and  development  of  other  alpha
interferon  based  products  for the  treatment of viral  diseases,  cancers and
diseases of the immune system.


<PAGE>


4. Interferon Sciences, Inc. (Continued)

In May 1996, the Company realized a $1,938,000 gain on issuance of stock by this
affiliate as a result of the issuance of 2,000,000 shares of common stock by ISI
at $8.00  per  share.  Effective  in the  third  quarter  of 1996,  the  Company
accounted for its  investment in ISI as a combination  of long-term  investments
carried at cost and as long-term available-for-sale equity securities carried at
market value.

In 1995,  the Company  realized a  $2,775,000  gain on issuance of stock by this
affiliate, primarily as the result of the issuance of 3,000,000 shares of Common
Stock by ISI at $4.80 per share in August and September 1995.

All shares and per share  information  of ISI have been  restated to reflect the
one for four reverse stock split of ISI effective on March 21, 1997.

Information  relating  to the  Company's  investment  in ISI is as  follows  (in
thousands):

                                                             1996           1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Included in Investments and advances:
   Available-for-sale equity securities, at market         $ 3,251      $
   Securities at cost                                        2,375        2,837
   Goodwill related to securities at cost                      734          924
   Total carrying amount                                     6,360        3,761
Number of shares owned                                       7,417        7,475
Market value of shares                                      12,285       14,016
Share of loss included in
  Investment and other income (expenses), net               (1,464)      (1,953)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Condensed  financial  information  for ISI is as follows as of December 31, 1996
and 1995 and for the years then ended (in thousands):

                                                              1996          1995

    Current assets                                         $22,299       $8,188
    Non current assets                                       5,444        5,765
    Current liabilities                                      2,369        1,126
    Stockholders' equity                                    25,374       12,827
    Revenues                                                 2,092        1,296
    Gross margin                                               692       (1,780)
    Net loss                                               (11,986)      (7,372)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

5. American Drug Company

The Company owns  approximately 54% of the outstanding  common stock of American
Drug Company (ADC), which was organized in 1993 as a wholly-owned  subsidiary of
the Company to initiate marketing activities for American generic pharmaceutical
and medical pharmaceuticals in Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States
(the "CIS").  ADC's  subsidiary,  NPD Trading (USA),  Inc.  provides  consulting
services  to  Western  businesses  in  Russia  and  Eastern  Europe.  ADC  sells
American-made  generic  pharmaceutical  and health care  products  under its own
label in Russia and the CIS.

In August 1994, pursuant to a Transfer and Distribution  Agreement,  the Company
distributed  46% of its  interest  in ADC  to  the  Company's  shareholders.  In
addition,  ADC issued  warrants to the  Company's  shareholders  to purchase its
stock for a period of two  years,  which were  extended  for an  additional  two
years, subject to cancellation under certain circumstances.

In July 1996, ADC issued convertible notes in the principal amount of $1,000,000
in a private  offering.  In  connection  with these  notes,  the Company  issued
warrants  to  purchase  82,306  shares of its  common  stock  provided  that the
warrants may only be exercised utilizing the Notes (See Note 11(i)).

6. GSE Systems, Inc.

In March 1994, GP and SGLG  contributed  assets to a newly  formed,  multi party
joint venture, GSE Systems,  Inc. (GSES), for 10% and 35% ownership interests in
the joint venture,  respectively.  GSES designs,  develops and delivers business
and  technology  solutions  by  applying  process  control,   data  acquisition,
simulation,  and business software,  systems and services to the energy, process
and  manufacturing  industries  worldwide.  On August 1, 1995, GSES completed an
initial public offering of 1,725,000 shares (including an over-allotment option)
of its common stock at $14 per share.  As a result of the offering,  the Company
recognized  a gain  on  issuance  of  stock  by an  affiliate  of  approximately
$3,137,000 and at December 31, 1996,  controls 22% of GSES. The Company accounts
for its investment in GSES on the equity basis.


<PAGE>


6. GSE Systems, Inc. (Continued)

Information  relating  to the  Company's  investment  in GSES is as follows  (in
thousands):

                                                       1996             1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Included in Investments and advances:
         Underlying assets                          $ 5,484          $ 5,476
         Goodwill                                     4,384            3,468
         Total carrying amount                        9,868            8,944
Number of shares controlled                           1,125            1,125
Market value of shares                               10,406           16,172
Equity in income included in Investment
 and other income (expenses), net                       924            1,237
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In May 1996, GSES completed a transaction that was accounted for as a pooling of
interests.  As a result the condensed  financial  information as of December 31,
1995 and for the period then ended has been restated to reflect the transaction.

Condensed  financial  information for GSES is as follows as of December 31, 1996
and 1995 and for the years then ended (in thousands):

                                                       1996             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
         Current assets                             $37,876          $44,178
         Non current assets                          13,130           10,510
         Current liabilities                         23,733           28,101
         Non current liabilities                      2,580            6,055
         Stockholders' equity                        24,693           20,532
         Revenue                                     96,033           96,060
         Gross profit                                32,354           30,468
         Net income                                   4,143            3,676
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

7. Inventories

Inventories,  consisting  of material,  labor and  overhead,  are  classified as
follows (in thousands):

December 31,                                           1996             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raw materials                                      $    793         $    580
Work in process                                         210              219
Finished goods                                       22,190           19,645
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   $ 23,193         $ 20,444
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8. Property, plant and equipment

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

December 31,                                           1996             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Land                                               $    173        $     173
Buildings and improvements                            1,374            1,374
Machinery and equipment                              11,656           11,072
Furniture and fixtures                               15,745           13,878
Leasehold improvements                                7,097            6,870
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     36,045           33,367
Accumulated depreciation and  amortization          (26,767)         (24,374)
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   $  9,278         $  8,993
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

9. Short-term borrowings

Short-term borrowings are as follows (in thousands):

December 31,                                           1996             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Line of Credit Agreement (a)                       $ 15,581          $14,593
Revolving Credit Agreement (b)                        4,700            3,450
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   $ 20,281         $ 18,043
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

(a) In April 1993, Five Star Group,  Inc. (Five Star) and MXL  Industries,  Inc.
(MXL) each entered into a revolving  credit and term loan  agreement  (the "Five
Star Loan Agreement" and "MXL Loan Agreement"), which was amended on October 23,
1995 and  September  30, 1996.  The  September  30, 1996  amendment  extends the
Agreements to September 30, 1997.  The Five Star Loan  Agreement  provided for a
$20,000,000   revolving   credit  facility  (the  "Five  Star  Revolving  Credit
Facility")  and a  $5,000,000  loan (the "Five Star Term  Loan").  The Five Star
Revolving  Credit  Facility is a committed  facility  which  allows Five Star to
borrow amounts up to 50% of Eligible  Inventory (as defined) and 80% of Eligible
Receivables  (as defined) at an interest rate of 1% in excess of the prime rate.
At December 31,  1996,  the  interest  rate was 9.25%.  As of December 31, 1996,
$15,581,000 was borrowed under the Five Star Revolving  Credit Facility and Five
Star had $210,000 available.

As of November 1, 1995, the Five Star Term Loan, which was $1,667,000 on October
30, 1995, was repaid in its entirety.  The Five Star Revolving  Credit Agreement
is  secured  by all of the  assets of Five Star and  1,359,375  shares of common
stock of ISI and 1,062,500  shares of common stock of GP, which were contributed
to Five  Star in  connection  with  the  forgoing  transactions.  9.  Short-term
borrowings (Continued)

The amended MXL Loan Agreement  provides for a $4,500,000  term loan,  which was
adjusted to a balance of  $3,960,000  at November 1, 1995 (the "MXL Term Loan").
The MXL  Revolving  Credit  Facility was  terminated  by the  September 30, 1996
amendment.  As of  December  31,  1996,  the  balance  of the MXL Term  Loan was
$2,722,000.  The amended MXL Term Loan is repayable in 16 quarterly  payments of
approximately  $247,500,  which commenced on October 31, 1995. The MXL Term Loan
bears interest at 1.375% in excess of the prime rate, and was 9.625% at December
31, 1996.  The  facilities  are secured by all of the assets (other than certain
equipment)  of MXL and by  815,625  shares  of common  stock of ISI and  637,500
shares of common stock of GP, which were  contributed to MXL in connection  with
the forgoing  transactions.  On March 26, 1997, MXL entered into a new Revolving
Credit Agreement, replacing the above Term Loan (see Note 21).

The Five Star Revolving Credit Facility and Five Star Term Loan and the MXL Term
Loan are guaranteed by the Company. The amended Agreements,  among other things,
limit the amount  that Five Star and MXL may  borrow  from  other  sources,  the
amount and nature of certain expenditures, acquisitions and sales of assets, and
the amount that Five Star and MXL can loan or dividend to the Company. Under the
terms of the  amended  agreements,  MXL is  allowed  to lend  Five  Star and the
Company up to an additional $750,000 and $500,000,  respectively. The agreements
have several covenants, including provisions regarding working capital, tangible
net worth,  leverage and cash flow ratios.  At December 31, 1996,  Five Star was
not in compliance  with their covenant  relating to fixed asset  additions.  The
Company has received a waiver for this violation.

(b) On August 31, 1994, GP entered into a $20,000,000  secured  revolving credit
agreement with a commercial bank.  Borrowings under this agreement bore interest
at the prime rate. This agreement contained certain covenants, which among other
things, limited the amount and nature of certain expenditures and required GP to
maintain certain financial ratios.


<PAGE>


9. Short-term borrowings (Continued)

On April 7, 1995,  the Company and GP entered into a new three year  $20,000,000
secured  revolving  credit  agreement with a commercial bank, and terminated the
above credit agreement.  Borrowings under the new credit agreement bear interest
at the prime rate  (8.25% at  December  31,  1996) or 1.75% over LIBOR  (5.5% at
December 31, 1996), whichever rate is elected by GP. The new credit agreement is
secured by the accounts  receivable of GP and certain of its  subsidiaries,  and
contains  certain  covenants  which,  among other  things,  limit the amount and
nature of  certain  expenditures  by GP, and  requires  GP to  maintain  certain
financial  ratios.  At  December  31,  1996,  under the terms of the new  credit
agreement,  approximately  $2,000,000 was available to the Company.  At December
31, 1996,  $4,700,000 was borrowed under the new credit agreement and there were
available  borrowings of $15,151,000 under the agreement.  On March 26, 1997, GP
entered into a new Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  replacing the above  agreement
(see Note 21).

10. Accounts payable and accrued expenses

Accounts  payable  and accrued  expenses  are  comprised  of the  following  (in
thousands):


December 31,                                            1996             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Accounts payable                                    $ 12,893         $ 12,833
Payroll and related costs                              5,012            4,130
Interest                                                 211              425
Other                                                  4,763            3,477
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    $ 22,879         $ 20,865
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


11. Long-term debt

   Long-term debt is comprised of the following (in thousands):

December 31,                                        1996             1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
8% Swiss Bonds, due 2000 (b)                     $ 2,189          $ 2,365
5% Convertible Bonds due 1999 (d)                  1,755            2,249
8% Swiss Bonds due 1995 (a)                                           247
6% Convertible Swiss Bonds due 1995 (a)                               494
5.75% Convertible Swiss Bonds due 1995 (a)                            104
5.625% Convertible Swiss Bonds due 1996 (a)                           538
7% Dual Currency Convertible Bonds due 1996 (a)                       615
12% Subordinated Debentures due 1997 (e)           6,732            6,749
Term loan with banks (Note 9(a))                   2,722            3,713
Senior Subordinated Debentures (f)                   811              827
Notes payable in connection with settlement
 of litigation (g)                                   273              521
Term loan with bank (h)                            4,000            5,000
7% Convertible Notes (i)                           1,000
Equipment lease obligations (*)                      634              510
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  20,116           23,932
Less current maturities                            9,309            4,167
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                $ 10,807         $ 19,765
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------

(*) Secured by assets held under capital lease obligations.

(a) During the first quarter of 1996,  the Company fully  redeemed for cash, the
Company's  common  stock,  or a  combination  of both cash and common  stock the
following debt issues:

                  8% Swiss  Bonds due 1995 6%  Convertible  Swiss Bonds due 1995
                  5.75%  Convertible  Swiss  Bonds due 1995  5.625%  Convertible
                  Swiss Bonds due 1996 7% Dual  Currency  Convertible  Bonds due
                  1996


<PAGE>


11. Long-term debt (Continued)

(b) On June 28, 1995,  the Company's  Exchange  Offer for certain  issues of its
outstanding indebtedness expired. The Company accepted for exchange Swiss Francs
("SFr") 1,299,000 of its 8% Swiss Bonds due March 1, 1995, SFr. 1,120,000 of its
Convertible Swiss Bonds due March 7, 1995, SFr. 945,000 of its 5.75% Convertible
Bonds due May 9, 1995, SFr.  795,000 of its 5.625%  Convertible  Bonds due March
18, 1996,  and  $1,212,000 of its 7% Dual Currency  Bonds due March 18, 1996. In
exchange  for the  forgoing  bonds,  the  Company  issued an  aggregate  of SFr.
3,604,000 of new 8% Swiss Bonds, due June 28, 2000 (the "New 8% Bonds") and paid
$2,873,000  in cash.  The New 8% Bonds  were  valued  at  $2,340,000  (after  an
original  issue discount of 25%). The principal and interest on the New 8% Bonds
are payable  either in cash or in shares of common stock of the Company,  at the
option of the Company.

As a result of the Exchange Offer, the Company reduced its long-term debt due in
1995 and 1996 by  $4,824,000  and  realized a loss of $393,000  on the  Exchange
Offer.

(c) In July 1994,  as a result of an exchange  offer,  the  Company  received an
aggregate of SFr. 2,569,000  principal amount of its Swiss denominated bonds and
$1,377,000 of its 7% Dual Currency  Convertible Bonds. In addition,  the Company
completed four private  transactions for SFr. 6,971,000  principal amount of its
Swiss denominated bonds and $159,000 of its 7% Dual Currency  Convertible Bonds.
As a result of the above transactions,  the Company issued approximately 852,000
shares of its common  stock and  reduced  its  long-term  debt by  approximately
$8,582,000.

(d) As a result  of an  exchange  offer on July 12,  1993,  the  Company  issued
$3,340,080  principal  amount of New 5% Bonds which are convertible into 191,959
shares of the Common Stock.  The Company  recorded an original issue discount on
the New 5% Bonds of 10%. At December  31, 1996,  $1,832,000  of the New 5% Bonds
were outstanding.

(e)  During  the third  quarter  of 1987,  the  Company  issued  $12,500,000  of
Subordinated  Debentures  (Debentures) which mature in 1997. Each $100 principal
amount  Debenture  was sold with warrants to purchase one share of the Company's
common stock at a price of $74.00 per share. In connection with the terms of the
Debentures,  the Company is subject to certain  covenants which limit the amount
that  may be used for the  payment  of  dividends  and for the  purchase  of the
Company's  outstanding equity securities (common or Class B). In September 1990,
under the terms of an Indenture,  the  Debentures  became  exchangeable  for the
Company's Common Stock, for the remaining term of the Debentures,  at a price of
approximately  $20.00 per share.  In 1996 and 1995 no Debentures  were converted
into the  Company's  Common  Stock.  At December 31, 1996,  the  Debentures  are
convertible into approximately 338,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock. 11.
Long-term debt (Continued)

(f) In August 1994, GP, as a result of the acquisition of substantially  all the
assets  of SGLG (See  Note 2),  issued  $15  million  of 6% Senior  Subordinated
Debentures,  which have a carrying value of $11,578,000,  net of a debt discount
of $3,422,000.  The  debentures  are unsecured and require  payments of interest
only  on  a  quarterly  basis  through  June  30,  1999,   quarterly   principal
installments of $525,000 plus interest  through June 30, 2004 and the balance of
$4.5 million on June 30, 2004.  The debentures  are  subordinated  to borrowings
under the line of credit agreement.  At December 31, 1996, the carrying value of
the  debentures  held by the Company was  $10,767,000,  which was  eliminated in
consolidation, and the remaining $811,000 of debentures were held by the public.

(g) In March  1987,  the  Company and Ryder  International  Corporation  (Ryder)
agreed to a settlement of litigation  relating to the Company's CaridexR system.
Under the terms of the  settlement  agreement,  the Company agreed to pay Ryder,
among other  things,  $300,000 per year (in cash or common stock of the Company)
for a ten year period commencing January 15, 1988, the present value of which is
discounted at 10%, and included in long-term debt.

(h) On April 7, 1995, the Company  entered into a $5,000,000 Term Loan Agreement
with a bank,  of which  the  Company  received  approximately  $4,910,000  after
closing fees. The interest rate is at the bank's prime rate of interest plus 2%.
At December 31, 1996, the interest rate was 10.25%.  The Term Loan is payable in
sixteen  consecutive  quarterly  installments,  commencing on June 30, 1996. The
first fifteen  installments  will be $250,000 and the last installment  shall be
$1,250,000. The Company has used a portion of the proceeds in July 1995 to repay
and refinance  certain of its Swiss  denominated  long-term debt due in 1995 and
1996. The Term Loan is secured by certain assets of the Company and requires the
Company to meet certain  financial  covenants.  On March 26,  1997,  the Company
entered into a new  Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  replacing the above Term Loan
Agreement (see Note 21).

(i) In July 1996,  ADC issued  convertible  notes (the "Notes") in the principal
amount of $1,000,000 in a private  offering (the  "Offering").  ADC received net
proceeds of $950,000 from the Offering.  The Notes mature on June 30, 2001, bear
interest at the rate of 7% per annum,  and are convertible into shares of common
stock of ADC at a conversion  price of $.25 per share.  In  connection  with the
Offering,  the Company issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 82,306 shares
of the  Company's  common  stock,  exercisable  at a price of $12.15  per share,
provided  that the warrants may only be exercised  utilizing  the Notes.  In the
event that the  closing  price of the common  stock of ADC is at least $1.00 per
share for at least 20  consecutive  trading days,  the Notes shall be subject to
redemption  at the  election  of  ADC,  at a  redemption  price  of  100% of the
principal amount called for redemption, together with accrued interest.

11. Long-term debt (Continued)

The Company  and ADC have agreed that (i) if the Notes are used to exercise  the
warrants prior to a default on the Notes,  the Company will receive from ADC, in
exchange  for the Notes  shares of ADC's common stock at a price equal to 60% of
its then current  market  value,  and (ii) if the Notes are used to exercise the
warrants  after a default on the Notes,  the Company  will  receive from ADC, in
exchange  for the Notes  shares of ADC's common stock at a price equal to 25% of
its then current market value.

Aggregate  annual  maturities of long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 1996
for each of the next five years are as follows (in thousands):

                  1997               $9,309
                  1998                2,248
                  1999                3,652
                  2000                3,386
                  2001                1,181

12. Employee benefit plans

The Company  has a Defined  Benefit  Pension  Plan (the Plan) for  employees  of
certain  divisions and  subsidiaries.  Benefits are based  primarily on years of
service and a fixed rate of  benefits  per year of  service.  Contributions  are
intended to provide not only for benefits attributed to service to date but also
for those expected to be earned in the future.

Benefits  under the Plan were frozen as of December 31,  1991.  As of January 1,
1992, no new enrollments  were permitted under the Plan and no further  benefits
were accrued. Accrued vested benefits will be paid to terminated participants in
the form of a lump sum distribution in cases where the accrued vested benefit is
less than $3,500.  Terminated  participants can elect a lump sum distribution if
the accrued vested  benefit is greater than $3,500 but less than $7,500.  In the
event that the  accrued  vested  benefit  exceeds  the $7,500  payable  limit as
outlined  in the  Plan,  payment  will be  deferred  until a  terminated  vested
participant reaches age 65 or elects early retirement, at age 60 or later.

During 1997,  the Company has announced its intention to terminate the Plan. The
Plan will be terminated  effective October 31, 1996, with settlement expected in
1997. It is intended that the  termination  will be a "standard  termination" as
defined by the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation  (the "PBGC").  In order to
terminate the Plan in a standard termination,  Plan assets must be sufficient to
provide all benefit obligations under the Plan.

12. Employee benefit plans (Continued)

The Company  will provide  additional  funding to the Plan such that Plan assets
will be  sufficient  to satisfy all  benefit  liabilities  under the Plan,  with
respect to each participant and each beneficiary of a deceased participant. This
will be  accomplished by the purchase of irrevocable  annuity  contracts from an
insurer, or by an alternative form of distribution provided for under the Plan.

The Plan Sponsor has determined that  approximately  $1,067,000 will be required
to fully fund the Plan to satisfy its benefit obligations.  This amount has been
accrued in the consolidated financial statements at December 31, 1996.

The pension expense  amounted to $400,000,  $26,000 and $31,000,  for 1996, 1995
and 1994, respectively.

The  following  table sets  forth the  funded  status of the plan and the amount
recognized in the Company's Consolidated Financial Statements (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

December 31,                                                       1996             1995              1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Actuarial present value of benefit plan obligations:
Accumulated benefit obligation (including
<S>                                                             <C>              <C>                <C>     
 vested benefits of $5,549, $5,365 and $4,436)                 $ (5,549)        $ (5,890)          $(4,469)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation for service
 rendered to date                                              $ (5,549)        $ (5,890)          $(4,469)
Plan assets at fair value                                         4,482            4,353             3,405
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Projected benefit obligation in excess
 of plan assets                                                  (1,067)          (1,537)           (1,064)
Unrecognized net loss from past experience
 different from that assumed                                                         911
Minimum pension liability                                                           (911)
Accrued pension cost included in
 accounts payable and accrued expenses
 in the consolidated balance sheets                             $(1,067)         $(1,537)          $(1,064)
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The net periodic pension expense is as follows:
Service cost-benefits earned                                  $               $                 $
Interest cost on projected benefit obligations                      376              420               360
Actual return on plan assets                                       (320)            (424)             (350)
Net amortization and deferral and other                             344               30                21
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net periodic pension expense                                    $   400          $    26            $   31
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


12. Employee benefit plans (Continued)

The  Company's  assumptions  used as of December  31,  1996,  1995,  and 1994 in
determining  the pension  cost and pension  cost  liability  shown above were as
follows:


                                        1996             1995              1994
                                                       Percent

Discount rate                           7.25             7.25              8.25
Long-term rate of return on assets     10.00            10.00             10.00


Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  Statement No. 87 (FASB No. 87) requires
that a company record an additional minimum pension liability to the extent that
a company's  accumulated  pension benefit  obligation  exceeds the fair value of
pension plan assets and accrued pension  liabilities.  This  additional  minimum
pension  liability is offset by an intangible asset, not to exceed prior service
costs of the  pension  plan.  Amounts  in  excess  of prior  service  costs  are
reflected as a reduction in stockholders' equity.

Effective  March 1, 1992, the Company  adopted the 1992 401(K) Savings Plan (the
Savings  Plan).  Effective  December 31, 1991,  the Plan  participants  would no
longer  accrue  benefits  under the Defined  Benefit  Pension  Plan,  but became
eligible to participate in the Company's Savings Plan.

The Company's Savings Plan is available to employees who have completed one year
of service;  however,  past vesting  service credit was recognized for employees
who participated in the Savings Plan at the date of initial enrollment, March 1,
1992.


<PAGE>


12. Employee benefit plans (Continued)

The  Savings  Plan  permits  pre-tax   contributions  to  the  Savings  Plan  by
participants pursuant to Section 401(K) of the Internal Revenue Code of 2% to 6%
of base  compensation.  The Company  matches 40% of the  participants'  eligible
contributions based on a formula set forth in the Savings Plan. Participants are
fully vested in their  contributions and may withdraw such contributions at time
of employment termination, or at age 59 1/2 or earlier in the event of financial
hardship.  Amounts  otherwise are paid at retirement or in the event of death or
disability. Employer contributions vest at a rate of 20% per year.

The  Savings  Plan is  administered  by a  trustee  appointed  by the  Board  of
Directors  of the  Company  and all  contributions  are held by the  trustee and
invested at the  participants'  direction in various mutual funds. The Company's
expense associated with the Savings Plan was $246,000,  $223,000 and $285,000 in
1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

13. Income taxes

For U.S.  Federal  income  tax  purposes,  a parent  corporation  with an 80% or
greater equity  interest in its  subsidiary may file a consolidated  tax return.
Accordingly, the Company and its greater than 80% owned subsidiaries will file a
consolidated Federal income tax return for the year ended December 31, 1996. The
subsidiaries in which the Company has an equity  ownership  between 50% and 80%,
are  consolidated  for  financial  reporting  purposes,  but file  separate U.S.
Federal income tax returns for the year ended December 31, 1996.


<PAGE>


13. Income taxes (Continued)

The components of pretax income (loss) are as follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,           1996             1995              1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Continuing operations          $ 11,244        $   5,819         $ (10,648)
Discontinued operation                            (2,941)           (2,574)

The components of income tax expense (benefit) from continuing operations are as
follows (in thousands):

Years ended December 31,           1996             1995              1994
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------
Current
 State and local                $   315           $  221           $   283
 Federal tax expense              1,409               37
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  1,724              258               283
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred
 State and local                     39              206                11
 Federal tax expense (benefit)   (1,899)           1,323               455
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (1,860)           1,529               466
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                $  (136)          $1,787            $  749
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

The difference  between the provision for income taxes computed at the statutory
rate  and the  reported  amount  of tax  expense  attributable  to  consolidated
earnings from continuing operations is as follows:

December 31,                        1996             1995              1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal income tax rate            35.0%            35.0%            (35.0)%
State and local taxes net of
 Federal benefit                    2.0              4.8               2.0
Items not deductible - primarily
 amortization of goodwill           4.8             14.0               6.0
Net operating loss utilization    (25.0)
Valuation allowance adjustment    (19.0)           (22.6)
GP acquisition of SGLG                                                33.0
Other                               1.0              (.5)              1.0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective tax rate                 (1.2%)           30.7%              7.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


<PAGE>


13. Income taxes (Continued)

In 1994,  the Company  recorded an income tax expense of  $749,000.  The current
income tax provision of $283,000 reflected above, represents the estimated taxes
payable by the Company for the year ended December 31, 1994. The deferred income
tax  provision of $466,000  represents  the deferred  taxes of GP, the Company's
then 51% owned subsidiary.

In 1995, the Company  recorded an income tax expense of $1,787,000.  The current
income tax provision of $258,000 reflected above, represents the estimated taxes
payable by the Company for the year ended December 31, 1995. The deferred income
tax provision of $1,529,000  represents  the deferred taxes of GP, the Company's
then 51% owned subsidiary.

In 1996,  the Company  recorded an income tax benefit of  $136,000.  The current
income tax provision of $1,724,000  reflected  above,  represents  the estimated
taxes payable by GP, the Company's 52% owned subsidiary. The deferred income tax
benefit of $1,860,000  results from utilization of net operating loss carryovers
and a reduction in the valuation allowance, among other factors. The decrease of
$2,673,000 in the valuation  allowance in 1996 was  attributable  in part to the
utilization  of the  Company's  net  operating  loss  carryforwards,  and to the
Company's  expectation of generating  sufficient  taxable income that will allow
for the realization of a portion of its deferred tax assets.

In 1996, $1,307,000 of deferred tax expense is reflected in stockholders' equity
as a result of the unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities.

As of  December  31,  1996,  the Company has  approximately  $18,131,000  of net
operating  loss  carryovers  consisting  of  $14,744,000  with  respect  to  net
operating  losses  generated  from the  Company's  consolidated  tax  return and
$3,387,000  generated  by ADC as a  separate  tax filer for  Federal  income tax
return  purposes.  These  carryovers  expire in the years 2001 through  2010. In
addition,   the  Company  has  approximately   $3,600,000  of  available  credit
carryovers of which  approximately  $2,800,000  expire in the years 1998 through
2003, and approximately $800,000 of which may be carried over indefinitely.

The  decrease in the  valuation  allowance in 1995 was  attributable  to various
adjustments   that  affect  the  1995  income  tax  provision  as  well  as  the
deconsolidation  of  Duratek.  The  deconsolidation  of  Duratek  resulted  in a
decrease in deferred tax assets and a  corresponding  decrease in the  valuation
allowance. Such adjustment had no effect on the 1995 income tax provision.



<PAGE>


13. Income taxes (Continued)

The tax effects of temporary differences between the financial reporting and tax
bases of assets and liabilities that are included in the net deferred tax assets
are summarized as follows:

December 31,                                      1996             1995
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts receivable, principally due
 to allowance for doubtful accounts             $  663            $ 799
Inventory                                          165               57
Lawsuit settlements                                117              234
Accrued expenses                                   495              929
Other accrued liabilities                                            66
Net operating loss carryforwards                 7,037            9,028
Tax credit carryforwards                         3,627            2,784
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax assets                             12,104           13,897
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Property and equipment, principally due to
 differences in depreciation                     1,088            1,274
Unrealized exchange gain                         1,272            1,139
Prepaid expenses                                   157              129
Unrealized marketable security gain              2,404            1,243
Investment in partially owned companies          1,109            1,918
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities                         6,030            5,703
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Net deferred tax assets                          6,074            8,194
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Less valuation allowance                        (5,575)          (8,248)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
Net deferred tax asset (liability)            $    499         $    (54)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

Included in the balance sheets as:

Current liabilities  *                         $  (344)         $   (54)
Deferred tax asset                                 843
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $   499          $   (54)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

*  Relates  to GP,  a 52%  owned  subsidiary,  not  included  in  the  Company's
consolidated Federal income tax return.



<PAGE>


13. Income taxes (Continued)

In assessing  the  realizability  of deferred tax assets,  management  considers
whether it is more likely than not that some  portion or all of the deferred tax
assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of the deferred tax assets
is dependent  upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in
which temporary  differences are deductible.  Management considers the scheduled
reversal of deferred tax liabilities,  projected future taxable income,  and tax
planning  strategies  in  making  this  assessment.  Based  upon  the  Company's
projection of future taxable income,  attributable in part to the merger with GP
(see Note 2) which will allow GP to be included in the  consolidated  tax return
of the Company, and to unrealized gains on the Company's investments, management
believes it is more likely than not that the Company  will  realize the benefits
of deferred tax assets of $843,000,  and has recorded this amount as an asset as
of December 31, 1996.

14. Discontinued operation

In  December  1994,  the  Company  decided  to  sell  its  Eastern   Electronics
Manufacturing  Corporation (Eastern)  subsidiary,  which was the only company in
the  Electronics  segment.  As a result of the  decision  to sell  Eastern,  the
Company  reflected  Eastern as a  discontinued  operation.  In 1994, the Company
wrote down various assets to their estimated net realizable value and recorded a
$100,000 reserve for the cost of discontinuing Eastern, totaling $1,570,000. Net
realizable  value of the segment's fixed assets was estimated based upon a prior
appraisal and net realizable  value of the segment's  inventories  was estimated
based upon negotiations with a prospective purchaser in a bulk sale transaction.
Goodwill  was written off as  non-recoverable.  The total loss for  discontinued
operation recognized in 1994 was $2,574,000, of which $1,789,000, which included
an $800,000  write-down of  inventories,  was from operations and $785,000 was a
loss on disposal,  which was comprised of: (a) a $200,000 write-down of property
and equipment;  (b) a $485,000  write-off of goodwill  relating to Eastern;  (c)
$100,000 for expected losses through the date of disposal.  In 1995, the Company
recognized a loss from discontinued operation of $2,941,000, of which a total of
$2,610,000   was  a  loss  on  disposal   incurred  on  the  sale  of  inventory
($1,550,000),  write-offs of accounts  receivable  ($360,000) and sales of fixed
assets  ($700,000).  At the time  the  Company  adopted  a plan of  disposal  in
December 1994, the Company was in negotiations to sell a substantial  portion of
its specific use inventory.  These  negotiations  subsequently broke off and the
Company therefore fully reserved this inventory in 1995.


<PAGE>


14. Discontinued operation (Continued)

The December 31, 1994 estimated net realizable  value of Eastern's  fixed assets
was based upon a prior  appraisal,  but the actual sale in 1995 resulted in less
proceeds than prior  estimates.  Receivable  write-offs in 1995 were caused when
the Company liquidated its assets rather than selling its inventory as part of a
continuing  business,   therefore  making  it  more  difficult  to  collect  the
outstanding  receivables.  In  addition,  $331,000 in  operating  expenses  were
incurred during 1995. The Company sold or otherwise liquidated substantially all
of Eastern's  assets during 1995 and 1996.  At December 31, 1995,  the segment's
current  assets,  consisting  principally of trade  receivables,  were stated at
estimated  net  realizable  value  based  upon a review of  collectibility.  The
carrying  amount of property and equipment was  determined  based on discussions
with prospective buyers.

The  consolidated  statements  of  operations  have been  restated for all years
presented  to  report  the  results  of  discontinued   operations  for  Eastern
separately from continuing operations and where applicable, related notes to the
consolidated   financial   statements   exclude  the  amounts  for  discontinued
operations.

Assets and liabilities of Eastern included in the consolidated  balance sheet at
December 31, 1995 were as follows (in thousands):

Current assets               $   250
Current liabilities              120
Property and equipment           100

15. Common Stock, stock options, warrants and other shares reserved

(a) On September  20, 1995,  the Company's  stockholders  and Board of Directors
approved  the  proposal  to  amend  the  Company's   Restated   Certificate   of
Incorporation to effect a one-for-four  reverse stock split of its common stock.
The reverse stock split was effective on October 6, 1995 (the "Effective Date").
As of  September  20,  1995,  there  were  27,115,240  shares  of  common  stock
outstanding  and after the  Effective  Date there were  approximately  6,778,810
shares of common stock outstanding.

On the Effective Date, the shares of common stock held by stockholders of record
were  converted into the amount of whole shares of new common stock equal to the
number of their shares divided by four, with any fractional shares rounded up to
the next whole share.


<PAGE>


15. Common Stock, stock options, warrants and other shares reserved (Continued)

The balance  sheet at December 31, 1995 and as well as the earnings  (loss) per
share for the years ended  December  31,  1995,  and 1994 have been  restated to
reflect the reverse split as if it had occurred on January 1, 1994.

(b) Under the Company's  non-qualified stock option plan,  employees and certain
other parties may be granted  options to purchase  shares of common  stock.  The
options may be granted at a price not less than 85% of the fair market  value of
the  common  stock on the date of grant and are  exercisable  over  periods  not
exceeding  ten  years  from the date of grant.  Shares of common  stock are also
reserved for issuance pursuant to other agreements,  as described below. Changes
in options and warrants  outstanding  during 1994,  1995, and 1996,  options and
warrants  exercisable  and shares  reserved  for  issuance at December 31, 1994,
1995, and 1996 are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Common Stock
Options and warrants                       Price Range              Number             Weighted-Average
outstanding                                per share               of shares            Exercise Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                    <C>           <C>             <C>      
December 31, 1993                      $  9.00  -    24.00           1,094,359
Granted
Exercised                                 9.00                         (10,774)
Terminated                                9.00  -    18.00              (6,570)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1994                         9.00  -    24.00           1,077,015
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Granted                                   8.375-      8.50             451,239             $  8.41
Exercised
Terminated                                9.00  -    20.50            (651,182)              12.16
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1995                         8.375-     24.00             877,072                9.03
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Granted                                   7.69 -     10.00             551,657                9.31
Exercised                                 8.375 -     9.00                (800)               8.51
Terminated                                8.375 -    22.50            (232,536)               9.55
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1996                         7.69 -     24.00           1,195,393                9.05
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options and warrants exercisable
December 31, 1994                         9.00  -    24.00           1,072,228
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1995                         8.375-     24.00             770,685                9.07
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1996                         8.375 -    22.50           1,023,158                8.85
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares reserved for issuance
December 31, 1994                                                    3,339,368
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1995                                                    2,106,665
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1996                                                    3,523,960
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>


15. Common Stock, stock options, warrants and other shares reserved (Continued)

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
                                                       Class B Capital Stock
Options and warrants                    Price Range                   Number            Weighted-Average
outstanding                             per share                    of shares            Exercise Price
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>                             <C>    
December 31, 1993                      $  9.00                         387,500
Granted
Exercised
Terminated
- ----------
December 31, 1994                         9.00                         387,500
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Granted                                   8.50                         125,000             $  8.50
Exercised
Terminated
- ----------
December 31, 1995                         8.50  -     9.00             512,500                8.88
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Granted                                   8.69                         375,000                8.69
Exercised
Terminated
- ----------
December 31, 1996                         8.50 -9.00                   887,500                8.80
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Options and warrants exercisable
December 31, 1994                         9.00                         387,500
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1995                         8.50 -9.00                   512,500                8.91
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1996                         8.50 -9.00                   595,625                8.87
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shares reserved for issuance
December 31, 1994                                                      387,500
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1995                                                      512,500
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, 1996                                                      950,000
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

At December 31, 1996, the weighted  average  remaining  contractual  life of all
outstanding options was 3.8 years.



<PAGE>


15. Common Stock, stock options, warrants and other shares reserved (Continued)

At December 31, 1996,  1995, and 1994,  options  outstanding  included  629,334,
629,334 and 504,334  shares for two officers who are principal  shareholders  of
the Company.

Class B  Capital  stock  aggregating  887,500,  512,500  and  387,500  shares at
December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively,  were reserved for issuance to
these same two officers in 1995 and 1994 and for three  officers of the Company,
two of whom are principal shareholders of the Company, at December 31, 1996.

The holders of common  stock are  entitled to one vote per share and the holders
of Class B capital  stock  are  entitled  to ten votes per share on all  matters
without distinction between classes,  except when approval of a majority of each
class is required by statute.  The Class B capital stock is  convertible  at any
time, at the option of the holders of such stock, into shares of common stock on
a  share-for-share  basis.  Common shares  reserved for issuance at December 31,
1996, 1995, and 1994 include 950,000,  512,500 and 387,500 shares,  respectively
in connection with Class B shares.  At December 31, 1996, 1995, and 1994, shares
reserved for issuance  were  primarily  related to shares  reserved for options,
warrants and the conversion of long-term debt.

Prior to January 1, 1996,  the Company  accounted  for its stock  option plan in
accordance  with the provisions of Accounting  Principles  Board ("APB") Opinion
No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,  and related  interpretations.
As such, compensation expense would be recorded on the date of grant only if the
current market price of the underlying  stock  exceeded the exercise  price.  On
January 1, 1996, the Company  adopted SFAS No. 123,  Accounting for  Stock-Based
Compensation,  which  permits  entities to recognize as expense over the vesting
period  the  fair  value  of all  stock-based  awards  on  the  date  of  grant.
Alternatively,  SFAS No.  123 also  allows  entities  to  continue  to apply the
provisions  of APB Opinion No. 25 and provide pro forma net income and pro forma
earnings per share disclosures for employee stock option grants made in 1995 and
future years as if the fair-value-based  method defined in SFAS No. 123 had been
applied.  The Company has  elected to  continue to apply the  provisions  of APB
Opinion No. 25 in accounting for its Plan and, accordingly, no compensation cost
has been recognized for its stock options in the financial statements.


<PAGE>


15. Common Stock, stock options, warrants and other shares reserved (Continued)

Had the  Company  determined  compensation  cost  based on the fair value at the
grant date for its stock  options  under SFAS No. 123, the  Company's net income
would have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below (in thousands):

                                            1996                 1995
                                            ----                 ----       

Net income (loss)          As reported   $11,380                 $1,012
                           Pro forma       9,927                   (416)

Earnings (loss) per share  As reported      1.54                    .15
                           Pro forma        1.34                   (.06)

Pro forma net income reflects only options granted in 1996 and 1995.  Therefore,
the full impact of  calculating  compensation  cost for stock options under SFAS
No. 123 is not  reflected in the pro forma net income  amounts  presented  above
because  compensation  cost is reflected  over the options'  vesting period of 5
years and compensation  cost for options granted prior to January 1, 1995 is not
considered.

At December  31,  1996 and 1995,  the per share  weighted-average  fair value of
stock  options  granted was $3.64 and $3.94,  respectively  on the date of grant
using  the  modified  Black  Scholes  option-pricing  model  with the  following
weighted-average  assumptions:  1996 -  expected  dividend  yield 0%,  risk-free
interest rate of 6%, expected  volatility of 39.1%,  and an expected life of 4.5
years;  1995 - expected  dividend  yield 0%,  risk-free  interest  rate of 5.9%,
expected volatility of 44.9%, and an expected life of 4.5 years.

16. Business segments

The operations of the Company consist of the following business segments:

Physical Science Group - engineering,  environmental,  training, analytical, and
technical support services to commercial nuclear and fossil power utilities, the
U.S.  Department  of  Defense  and  Energy,  Fortune  500  companies  and  other
commercial  and   governmental   customers;   Distribution   Group  -  wholesale
distribution  of home  decorating,  hardware  and  finishing  products;  Optical
Plastics Group - the manufacture  and  distribution of coated and molded plastic
products.


<PAGE>


16. Business segments (Continued)

The following tables set forth the sales and operating  results  attributable to
each line of business  and  include a  reconciliation  of the  groups'  sales to
consolidated  sales and  operating  results to  consolidated  income (loss) from
operations before income taxes,  discontinued  operation and extraordinary  item
for the periods presented (in thousands):

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>

Years ended December 31,                           1996             1995              1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sales
<S>                                            <C>              <C>               <C>     
Physical Science                               $117,183         $107,549          $118,421
Distribution                                     76,102           65,098            75,551
Optical Plastics                                  8,781           10,949             9,290
Other                                             1,734            1,429             1,512
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $203,800         $185,025          $204,774
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Operating results
Physical Science                               $  6,504         $  4,854          $  5,053
Distribution                                      1,767            1,374             1,484
Optical Plastics                                  1,485            2,661             2,227
Other (principally American
 Drug Company)                                   (1,287)          (1,575)           (1,854)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total operating profit (loss)                     8,469            7,314             6,910
Interest expense                                 (4,358)          (5,019)           (6,458)
Indirect administrative expenses (at the
 holding  company  level), net of  gains
 or  losses  from   dispositions  of
 investments, minority interests,
 foreign currency exchange gains or
 losses, and  other revenue                       7,133            3,524           (11,100)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) from operations before
 income taxes, discontinued operation
 and extraordinary item                       $  11,244        $   5,819        $  (10,648)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


16. Business segments (Continued)

Operating profits represent gross revenues less operating expenses. In computing
operating  profits,  none of the  following  items have been added or  deducted;
general  corporate  expenses  at the holding  company  level,  foreign  currency
transaction gains and losses,  investment  income and interest expense.  General
corporate expenses at the holding company level,  which are primarily  salaries,
occupancy  costs,  professional  fees and costs associated with being a publicly
traded company, totaled approximately $6,170,000,  $6,173,000 and $6,177,000 for
the years ended  December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994  respectively.  For the years
ended December 31, 1996,  1995 and 1994,  sales to the United States  government
and its agencies represented  approximately 27%, 31% and 23%,  respectively,  of
sales.

Additional information relating to the Company's business segments is as follows
(in thousands):

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>

December 31,                                      1996             1995              1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Identifiable assets
<S>                                           <C>              <C>              <C>      
Physical Science                              $ 83,414         $ 82,022         $ 104,572
Distribution                                    47,243           44,400            42,879
Optical Plastics                                12,453           12,267            11,552
Corporate and other                             32,917           12,681            12,104
Assets relating to discontinued operation                           350             4,439
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              $176,027         $151,720          $175,546
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years ended December 31,                          1996             1995              1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions to property,
 plant, and equipment, net
Physical Science                              $  1,976         $  1,555          $  2,599
Distribution                                       522              352             1,336
Optical Plastics                                   201              565               189
Corporate and other                                (21)              39                62
Discontinued operation, net                                        (505)             (180)
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                              $  2,678         $  2,006          $  4,006
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Years ended December 31,                          1996             1995              1994
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization
Physical Science                              $  2,404         $  1,785          $  3,523
Distribution                                     1,125            1,069             1,000
Optical Plastics                                    66              788               839
Corporate and other                                474              674               503
Discontinued operation                                                                198
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                               $ 4,069          $ 4,316         $   6,063
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>


17. Fair value of financial instruments

Identifiable  assets by industry  segment are those  assets that are used in the
Company's operations in each segment. Corporate and other assets are principally
cash and cash equivalents, marketable securities and unallocated intangibles.

The  carrying  value  of  financial   instruments   including  cash,  short-term
investments,  accounts  receivable,  accounts payable and short-term  borrowings
approximate  estimated  market values  because of short  maturities and interest
rates that approximate current rates.

The carrying values of investments, other than those accounted for on the equity
basis,  approximate fair values based upon quoted market prices. The investments
for which there is no quoted market price are not significant.

The estimated fair value for the Company's  major  long-term debt components are
as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>
                                                  December 31, 1996                 December 31, 1995
                                            Carrying          Estimated        Carrying          Estimated
                                               amount        fair value          amount         fair value

<C>                                           <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>    
8% Swiss Bonds due 2000                       $ 2,189           $ 1,883          $ 2,365           $ 1,987
Other Swiss Bonds                                                                  1,383             1,176
5% Convertible Bonds                            1,755             1,632            2,249             2,092
7% Dual Currency Convertible
 Bonds                                                                               615               553
12% Subordinated Debentures                     6,732             5,386            6,749             4,859
7% Convertible Note                             1,000             1,000
Other long-term debt                            8,440             8,440           10,571            10,571

</TABLE>

Limitations. Fair value estimates are made at a specific point in time, based on
relevant  market  information and  information  about the financial  instrument.
These estimates are subjective in nature and involve  uncertainties  and matters
of  significant  judgment and  therefore  cannot be determined  with  precision.
Changes in assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.


<PAGE>


18.      Accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities

The Company's marketable securities consist of corporate equity securities which
are included in both Marketable securities, which are expected to be sold within
one year, and Investments and advances on the  consolidated  balance sheet.  The
Company    classifies   these   equity   securities   as   either   trading   or
available-for-sale  and records  the  securities  at their fair  value.  Trading
securities  are held  principally  for the  purpose of selling  them in the near
term.  Unrealized holding gains and losses on trading securities are included in
earnings.  Unrealized holding gains and losses on available-for-sale  securities
are  excluded  from  earnings  and  are  reported  as a  separate  component  of
stockholders' equity until realized.

A decline in the market value of any available-for-sale security below cost that
is  deemed  other  than  temporary  is  charged  to  earnings  resulting  in the
establishment  of a new  cost  basis  for the  security.  In 1995,  the  Company
recognized a permanent impairment in one of its available-for-sale securities as
a result of receipt of a tender  offer at a price below the  Company's  carrying
cost,  and  recorded a loss of  $785,000  to adjust the  carrying  amount to the
tender  offer  price,  which loss is included  in  Investment  and other  income
(expense),  net. In July 1996, the Company  recognized a $4,000,000  loss on the
Company's  investments in American White Cross, Inc. (AWC) due to AWC filing for
protection under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code.

Realized gains and losses for securities  classified as  available-for-sale  are
included  in  earnings  and are  derived  using  the  average  cost  method  for
determining the cost of securities sold.

In April 1996,  the  Company  sold  1,000,000  shares of Duratek  common  stock,
including 250,000 shares that were included in marketable securities at December
31,  1995.  As a result,  the  Company  realized  proceeds  of  $17,700,000  and
recognized a gain of $12,200,000.  In 1995, the Company  recognized a $3,183,000
gain on the transfer of the 250,000 shares of Duratek common stock to marketable
securities, representing the excess of the quoted market value of such shares on
the date of transfer  over the Company's  cost. In the second half of 1996,  the
Company  transferred an additional  250,000  shares from  long-term  investments
available- for- sale, to trading  securities,  resulting in the recognition of a
$3,314,000 gain,  representing the net excess of the quoted market price of such
shares at December 31, 1996, over the Company's cost at the time of transfer and
subsequent  changes in market value of these shares.  At December 31, 1996,  the
Company was permitted to sell  approximately  475,000  shares of Common Stock of
Duratek  pursuant to various  agreements.  At December 31, 1996, the Company had
determined to sell promptly  250,000  shares of its Duratek Common Stock in 1997
pursuant to various agreements, and therefore, classified such securities in the
trading category.


<PAGE>


18.      Accounting for certain investments in debt and equity securities 
(Continued)

The   gross   unrealized   holding   gains   (losses)   and   fair   value   for
available-for-sale securities were as follows (in thousands):

                                                     Gross
                                               unrealized holding
                                        Cost   Gains       (losses)   Fair Value
Available-for-sale equity securities:

December 31, 1996                     $1,601   $4,722       $  (91)      $6,232
December 31, 1995                     $2,210               $(1,440)      $  770
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Differences  between cost and market of $3,324,000  (net of taxes of $1,307,000)
at December  31, 1996 were  credited to a separate  component  of  shareholders'
equity called Net unrealized investment gain on available-for-sale securities.

Proceeds from the sale of  available-for-sale  securities  were  $13,275,000 and
$2,774,000 in 1996 and 1994,  respectively.  Gross  realized  gains  included in
income in 1996 and 1994 were $9,150,000 and $463,000, respectively.

The Company did not realize any gains or losses on available-for-sale securities
for the year ended December 31, 1995.

19. Impairment of long-lived assets and long-lived assets to be disposed of

The  Company  adopted  the  Provisions  of  SFAS  No.  121,  Accounting  for the
Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, on
January 1, 1996.  This  Statement  requires that  long-lived  assets and certain
identifiable  intangibles be reviewed for impairment  whenever events or changes
in  circumstances  indicate  that the  carrying  amount  of an asset  may not be
recoverable.  Recoverability  of  assets  to be held and used is  measured  by a
comparison of the carrying  amount of an asset to future net cash flows expected
to be generated by the asset. If such assets are considered to be impaired,  the
impairment  to be  recognized  is measured  by the amount by which the  carrying
amount of the assets exceed the fair value of the assets.  Assets to be disposed
of are reported at the lower of the carrying  amount of fair value less costs to
sell. Adoption of this Statement did not have a material impact on the Company's
financial position, results of operations, or liquidity.


<PAGE>


20. Commitments and contingencies

(a) The Company has several  noncancellable  leases  which cover real  property,
machinery and equipment and certain manufacturing facilities. Such leases expire
at various dates with, in some cases, options to extend their terms.

Minimum rentals under long-term operating leases are as follows(in thousands):

                           Real           Machinery &
                        property            equipment                Total
1997                     $ 4,206              $ 1,214               $ 5,420
1998                       3,524                1,205                 4,729
1999                       2,712                1,075                 3,787
2000                       2,547                  532                 3,079
2001                       2,116                  213                 2,329
After 2001                 6,526                  206                 6,732
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total                    $21,631               $4,445               $26,076
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Several of the leases contain  provisions for rent escalation based primarily on
increases in real estate taxes and operating costs incurred by the lessor.  Rent
expense for real and personal property was approximately $6,745,143,  $5,598,000
and $8,115,000 for 1996, 1995 and 1994, respectively.

(b) In February 1986,  Duratek  completed its initial public  offering of common
stock.  In connection  with  Duratek's  public  offering,  the Company issued to
certain  officers of Duratek and the Company 358,609 options for the purchase of
Duratek common stock owned by the Company at a price equal to the greater of (a)
$1.75 per share or (b) the net book value per share of Duratek's common stock as
of the end of the most  recently  completed  fiscal  quarter which ends not less
than 60 days before the date of exercise of such option.  In 1991, an additional
270,000 options for the purchase of Duratek common stock owned by the Company at
a price of $1.90 per share were issued to certain  employees and officers of the
Company.  In 1994, an additional 20,000 options were granted at a price of $3.50
per share.  Through  December  31,  1996,  236,136  options  under the plan were
exercised,  43,723 were canceled,  and at December 31, 1996, 360,750 options are
currently exercisable and 368,750 options are currently outstanding. At December
31, 1996, the Company owned approximately 15% of Duratek (See Note 3).


<PAGE>


20. Commitments and contingencies (Continued)

(c) The  Company  is party to several  lawsuits  and  claims  incidental  to its
business,  including claims regarding  environmental matters, one of which is in
the early  stages of  investigation.  It is not  possible at the present time to
estimate the ultimate legal and financial  liability,  if any, of the Company in
respect to such  litigation and claims;  however,  management  believes that the
ultimate  liability,  if any,  will not have a  material  adverse  effect on the
Company's consolidated financial statements.

21.      Subsequent event

On March 26, 1997, the Company and its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  GP and MXL,
entered into a three year secured $25,000,000 Revolving Credit Agreement, with a
syndicate of three banks.  The Agreement  replaces the MXL Loan  Agreement  (see
Note 9(a)),  the GP Revolving Credit Agreement (see Note 9(b)) and the Company's
Term Loan Agreement (see Note 11(h)).  The Agreement bears interest at the prime
rate or 1.75% over LIBOR. The borrowing  formula is based upon eligible accounts
receivable  of GP and  MXL,  as well as  various  corporate  assets.  Under  the
Agreement,  the full  $25,000,000  of the Revolving  Credit  Agreement  would be
available  to the  Company  and/or GP and MXL.  At March  26,1997, the  amount
outstanding was approximately $13,200,000.





<PAGE>






National Patent                                   Supplementary Data
Development Corporation
and Subsidiaries

<TABLE>

SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA

<CAPTION>

(unaudited)                                                                     (in thousands, except per share data)
                                                                                                 three months ended
                                   March 31,  June 30,  Sept. 30,    Dec.31,   March 31,    June 30,   Sept. 30,  Dec. 31,
                                     1996        1996       1996       1996        1995        1995       1995       1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                               <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>     
Sales ............................$ 48,156   $ 51,048   $ 53,332   $ 51,264    $ 46,552   $ 48,416    $ 47,551   $ 42,506
Gross margin .....................   7,092      7,744      8,077      7,329       7,270      7,832       8,107      5,113
Income (loss) before
 discontinued operation
 and extraordinary item ..........      83     10,803        752       (258)        946       (910)      3,081        915
Net income (loss) ................      83     10,803        752       (258)        447     (1,542)      1,979        128

Earnings (loss) per share: *

Before discontinued operation and
 extraordinary item ..............     .01       1.43        .10       (.03)        .15       (.14)        .45        .14
Net income (loss) ................     .01       1.43        .10       (.03)        .07       (.23)        .29        .02
                                                                                                                 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

*All  periods  have been  restated  to reflect  the  effect of the  one-for-four
reverse stock split.



<PAGE>


ITEM 9.           CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING
                  AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

         There have been no Reports on Form 8-K filed  within 24 months prior to
the  date  of the  most  recent  financial  statements  reporting  a  change  of
accountants  and/or  reporting  a  disagreement  on  any  matter  of  accounting
principle or financial statement disclosure.

                                    PART III

ITEM 10.        DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

         Information   with   respect  to  the   directors  of  the  Company  is
incorporated  herein by reference to the Company's  definitive  proxy  statement
pursuant to Regulation  14A, which proxy  statement will be filed not later than
120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report.

ITEM 11.        EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

         Information with respect Executive  Compensation is incorporated herein
by reference to the Company's  definitive proxy statement pursuant to Regulation
14A,  which proxy  statement will be filed not later than 120 days after the end
of the fiscal year covered by this Report.

ITEM 12.        SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

         Information  with respect to Security  Ownership of Certain  Beneficial
Owners is  incorporated  herein by reference to the Company's  definitive  proxy
statement  pursuant to Regulation  14A, which proxy  statement will be filed not
later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report.

ITEM 13.        CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

         Information   with  respect  to  Certain   Relationships   and  Related
Transactions  is  incorporated  herein by reference to the Company's  definitive
proxy statement  pursuant to Regulation 14A, which proxy statement will be filed
not later than 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Report.



<PAGE>


ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.

   (a)(1)The following financial statements are included in Part II, Item 8.
   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data:

                             FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF
           NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES:

                                                                 Page

Independent Auditors' Report                                      31

Financial Statements:

Consolidated Balance Sheets -
December 31, 1996 and 1995                                        32

Consolidated Statements of Operations -
Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                      34

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity -
Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                      36

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows -
Years ended December 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994                      38

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                        41

(a)(3) Exhibits
          Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, Independent Auditors

(b) The  Registrant  filed  Reports  on Form  8-K on  November  19,  1996 and on
December 18, 1996 with respect to the merger of General Physics Corporation with
National  Patent which reports  contained Pro Forma Financial  Information  with
respect to such merger transaction






<PAGE>


                  Pursuant  to the  requirements  of  Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  the Registrant has duly caused this report to
be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

                                                     NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT
                                                     CORPORATION

                                                     Jerome I. Feldman
                                                     President and Chief
                                                     Executive Officer


Dated: March 28, 1997


                  Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934,  this report has been signed below by the  following  persons on behalf of
the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.



Signatures                                  Title


Jerome I. Feldman                   President, Chief Executive
                                            Officer and Director
                                            (Principal Executive Officer)

Martin M. Pollak                    Executive Vice President
                                            and Treasurer and Director

Scott N. Greenberg                          Vice President and Chief
                                            Financial Officer and Director

Ogden R. Reid                               Director





<PAGE>



                                                    E-4
                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS

              The  following  is a list of all  exhibits  filed  as part of this
Report.

                                   SEQUENTIAL
EXHIBIT NO.                DOCUMENT                           PAGE NO.

3.1                     Amendment to the Registrant's Restated
                        Certificate of Incorporation filed on
                        January 24, 1997.*

3.2                     Amended By-Laws of the Registrant.
                        Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(ii)
                        of the Registrants Form 10-Q for the first
                        quarter ended March 31, 1995.  On Form 10-K
                        for the year ended December 31, 1986.

10.1                    1973 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan of the
                        Registrant, as amended on November 19, 1996.*

10.2                    Swiss Public Bond Issue Agreement dated as
                        of February 8, 1985 between the Registrant
                        and a consortium of Swiss banks.
                        Incorporated by reference to the
                        Registrant's Form 8-K filed on March 8, 1985.

10.3                    Swiss Public Bond Issue Agreement dated as
                        of May 9, 1985, between the Registrant and a
                        consortium of Swiss banks.  Incorporated
                        herein by reference to Exhibit 10.37 of the
                        Registrant's Form 10-K for the year ended
                        December 31, 1985.

10.4                    Swiss Public Bond Issue Agreement dated as
                        of February 28, 1986, between the Registrant
                        and a consortium of Swiss Banks.
                        Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                        10.38 of the Registrant's Form 10-K for the
                        year ended December 31, 1985.

10.5                    Registrant's 401(k) Savings Plan, dated
                        January 29, 1992, effective March 1, 1992.
                        Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                        10.12 of the Registrant's Annual Report on
                        Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
                        1991.

10.6                    $25,000,000 Secured Revolving Credit and
                        Term Loan Agreement by and among Five Star
                        Group, Inc., National Westminster Bank, USA,
                        United Jersey Bank/Central, N.A., and
                        National Westminster Bank, N.J., as agent,
                        dated April 29, 1993.  Incorporated herein
                        by reference to the Registrants Form 8-K
                        dated July 12, 1993.

10.7                    $6,000,000 Secured Revolving Credit and Term
                        Loan Agreement by and among MXL Industries,
                        Inc., National Westminster Bank, USA, United
                        Jersey Bank/Central, N.A., and National
                        Westminster Bank, N.J., as agent, dated
                        April 29, 1993.  Incorporated herein by
                        reference to the Registrants Form 8-K dated
                        July 12, 1993.

10.8                    Amendment dated October 23, 1995 to the Loan
                        Agreement dated April 29, 1993 between Five
                        Star Group, Inc. and NatWest Bank N.A.
                        Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                        10.1 of the Registrant's Form 10-Q for the
                        third quarter ended September 30, 1995.



<PAGE>





10.9                    Amendment and Supplement dated October 23,
                        1995 to the Loan Agreement dated April 29,
                        1993 between MXL Industries, Inc. and
                        NatWest Bank N.A.  Incorporated herein by
                        reference to Exhibit 10.2 of the
                        Registrant's Form 10-Q for the third quarter
                        ended September 30, 1995.



<PAGE>


10.10                   Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of January
                        24, 1995 among Carlyle Partners II, L.P.,
                        Carlyle International Partners III, L.P.,
                        C/S International Partners, Carlyle-GTSD
                        Partners, L.P., Carlyle-GTSD Partners II,
                        L.P. and GTS Duratek, Inc. and the
                        Registrant.  Incorporated herein by
                        reference to
                        Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrants Form 8-K
                        dated January 24, 1995.

10.11                   Stockholders Agreement dated as of January
                        24, 1995 by and among GTS Duratek, Inc.,
                        Carlyle Partners II, L.P., Carlyle
                        International Partners III, L.P., C/S
                        International Partners, Carlyle-GTS
                        Partners, L.P., and the Registrant.
                        Incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
                        4.2 to the Registrants Form 8-K dated
                        January 24, 1995.

10.12                   Registration Rights Agreement dated as of
                        January 24, 1995 by and among GTS Duratek,
                        Inc., Carlyle Partners II, L.P., Carlyle
                        International Partners III, L.P., C/S
                        International Partners, Carlyle-GTS
                        Partners, L.P., and the Registrant.
                        Incorporated
                        herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 to the
                        Registrants Form 8-K dated January 24, 1995.



<PAGE>





10.13                   $25,000,000 Credit Agreement dated March 26,
                        1997 by and among National Patent
                        Development Corporation, General Physics
                        Corporation, GP Environmental Services,
                        Inc., General Physics Federal Systems, Inc.
                        and MXL Industries, Inc. the banks signatory
                        thereto and Fleet Bank, National Association
                        as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent
                        for such banks.*


<PAGE>


13                      Not Applicable

18                      Not Applicable

19                      Not Applicable

21                      Subsidiaries of the Registrant*

22                      Not Applicable

23                      Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
                        Independent Auditors*

27                      Not Applicable

28                      Not Applicable

* Filed herewith.



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               DEC-31-1996
<CASH>                                      22,677,000
<SECURITIES>                                 3,250,000
<RECEIVABLES>                               42,788,000
<ALLOWANCES>                               (2,155,000)
<INVENTORY>                                 23,193,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                           102,681,000
<PP&E>                                      36,045,000
<DEPRECIATION>                            (26,767,000)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                             176,027,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                       60,990,000
<BONDS>                                     10,807,000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                        75,000
<OTHER-SE>                                  93,954,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>               176,027,000
<SALES>                                    203,800,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                           207,556,000
<CGS>                                      173,588,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                               32,078,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                          (13,862,000)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           4,358,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                             11,244,000
<INCOME-TAX>                                 (136,000)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                         11,380,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                11,380,000
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.54
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


                                                         Exhibit 3.1



                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       TO
                      RESTATED CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                     NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION

      National  Patent  Development  Corporation,  a  corporation  organized and
existing  under  and by virtue of the  General  Corporation  Law of the State of
Delaware, DOES HEREBY CERTIFY to the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware
that:

      FIRST:  The Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Corporation is
hereby amended by:

      A.  Deleting  the  first  sentence  of  Article  FOURTH  of  the  Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, and by substituting in lieu thereof the following:

      "FOURTH:  The total  number of shares of all  classes  of stock  which the
      Corporation  shall have authority to issue is  thirty-seven  million eight
      hundred  thousand   (37,800,000)   shares  of  which  twenty-five  million
      (25,000,000) are to be Common Stock with a par value of One Cent ($.01 per
      share (hereinafter  called the "Common Stock"); of which two million eight
      hundred thousand (2,800,000) shares are to be Class B Capital Stock with a
      par value of One Cent  ($.01)per  share  (hereinafter  called the "Class B
      Capital Stock");  and of which ten million  (10,000,000)  shares are to be
      Preferred Stock with a par value of One Cent ($.01) per share (hereinafter
      called the "Preferred  Stock"),  to be issued in such series and with such
      terms and conditions as the Board of Directors may determine."

      B.  Adding  a New  Article  THIRTEENTH  to  the  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation, as follows:

      "THIRTEENTH:  The Corporation and/or its subsidiaries shall have the right
      to redeem  shares of Common  Stock  issued on or after  January  27,  1997
      beneficially  owned by foreign persons and/or require such  stockholder to
      dispose  of their  interest  in shares of  Common  Stock in the  following
      circumstances:

      The  Corporation   and/or  its   subsidiaries  has  entered  into  certain
      subcontracts  with  contractors  who have entered into  contracts with the
      United States  Department of Energy  ("DOE") and have entered into certain
      contracts  directly with the United States  Department of Defense  ("DOD")
      which involved  classified  information.  In the event that the DOE or the
      DOD (or any successor agency)  threatens  termination of any contract as a
      result, directly or indirectly,  of the beneficial ownership of 5% or more
      of the Corporation's Common Stock by any person, then the Corporation,  in
      the sole and absolute discretion of its Board of Directors, shall have the
      unqualified  right  and power to (a)  redeem,  upon not less than five (5)
      days prior  written  notice to such person,  at a price per share equal to
      the  average  of the  reported  closing  bid and asked  prices  thereof as
      reported on the American Stock Exchange (or such other stock exchange,  if
      any, on which  shares of Common  Stock are  primarily  traded) on the last
      business day prior to the date of  redemption  established  in the notice,
      all or any portion of the shares of Common Stock of the Corporation  owned
      by such person  issued on or after  January  27, 1997 or (b) require  such
      person to promptly dispose of such person's interest in all or any portion
      of such  shares of Common  Stock  owned by such  stockholder.  Because any
      damages will be  inadequate  to protect the  Corporation  in the event the
      stockholder   does  not  comply  with  the   provisions  of  this  Article
      THIRTEENTH,  the  Corporation  shall be entitled to  injunctive  relief to
      enforce the foregoing provisions."

      SECOND:  That at a meeting of the Board of  Directors  of National  Patent
Development Corporation resolutions were duly adopted setting forth the proposed
amendments to the Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  of said  Corporation,
declaring  said  amendments  to be  advisable  and  calling  a  meeting  of  the
stockholders of said Corporation for consideration thereof. 

      THIRD:  The foregoing  amendments were duly adopted in accordance with the
provisions  of  Section  242 of the  General  Corporation  Law of the  State  of
Delaware. 

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  National Patent  Development  Corporation has caused
this  Certificate of Amendment to be signed in its name and on its behalf by its
Vice  President  this 24th day of  January,  1997.  The  undersigned  officer of
National Patent Development  Corporation  acknowledges,  under the penalties for
perjury,  that  this  Certificate  of  Amendment  is the  corporate  act of said
Corporation and that, to the best of his knowledge,  information and belief, the
matters set forth herein are true in all material respects.


                                    NATIONAL  PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION



                                    BY: Scott N. Greenberg
                                        Vice President




                                                    

                                                Exhibit 10.1



                      1973 NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
                                       OF
                     NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
                                   AS AMENDED

      The purpose of the Plan is to aid National Patent Development  Corporation
(the "Corporation") and its subsidiaries in attracting, retaining and motivating
key employees, directors and consultants

      1. Administration

      The  Plan  shall  be  administered  by  a  Stock  Option   Committee  (the
"Committee"),  consisting of not less than two directors of the  Corporation who
shall be appointed  by, and serve at the  pleasure  of, the Board of  Directors.
Subject to the provisions of the Plan,  the Committee  shall have full authority
to interpret the Plan, to establish an amend the rules and regulations  relating
to it,  and to make all other  determinations  necessary  or  advisable  for its
administration.

      2. Maximum Number of Shares; Source of Shares

      Subject to the  provisions  of  Section 6 hereof,  the  maximum  number of
shares of the  Corporation's  $.01 par value Common Stock ("Common Stock") which
may be  purchased  pursuant  to  options  granted  under the Plan  shall be Five
Million Three Hundred  Thousand  (5,300,000).  Such shares may be authorized and
unissued  shares,  or issued  shares held in the  Treasury  of the  Corporation,
including issued shares reacquired by the Corporation.

      3. Participants; Grant of Options

      (a) Participants and Grants. From time to time the Committee shall, in its
sole discretion, select the key employees of the Corporation or its subsidiaries
who shall be granted  options  under the Plan.  The term  "employee,"  when used
herein shall include, without limitation,  officers,  directors and consultants.
Upon making such selection,  the Committee shall grant to each such  participant
an option to purchase such number of shares of Common Stock as may be determined
by the Committee.  In the absence of any specific agreements to the contrary, no
grant  hereunder to a participant  shall affect the right of the  Corporation or
its subsidiaries to terminate the  participant's  employment at any time, if the
employee is an employee of the Corporation or a subsidiary.


<PAGE>

      (b) Stock Option Agreement

      (l) The grant of  options by the  Committee  to any  participant  shall be
effective as of the date on which the Committee  shall  authorize the option for
such participant,  but prior to the exercise thereof,  such participant shall be
required to execute  and deliver a Stock  Option  Agreement  (the  "Agreement"),
which shall contain such terms and  conditions  consistent  with the Plan as the
Committee shall determine.

      (2) The Committee may, in its sole  discretion,  require that any employee
receiving  options  hereunder  (the  "Optionee")  shall,  upon the  granting  of
options,  agree that as a condition to his acquiring  shares  thereunder he will
remain in the employ of the  Corporation  and render to the  Corporation  or its
Subsidiaries  his services for a period not to exceed one year.  Such  agreement
may require  that the period of required  services be measures  from the date of
grant of the options,  from the date such options are exercised,  or may require
services  during  periods,  each not to exceed one year,  measured from both the
date of grant and the date of exercise of the options granted hereunder.

      (3) In any case in which  required  services are to be rendered  after the
date of exercise of any options granted hereunder,  the Corporation,  subject to
the terms of this Plan,  will promptly issue a certificate or  certificates  for
purchased  shares out of either:  (i)  authorized but unissued  shares;  or (ii)
shares of its Common  Stock held in the Treasury of the  Corporation,  provided,
however,  that the  Optionee  shall  agree to the deposit of such shares with an
escrow agent  acceptable  to the  Corporation  for the period during which he is
required,  pursuant to this Plan, to render  additional  services.  The employee
shall have all the rights of a shareholder  with respect to such shares from the
time they are  issued.  The escrow  agreement  shall  require the payment to the
Corporation of such amount as the Corporation  shall determine is required to be
deposited,  or otherwise paid over, to satisfy any  withholding  liability which
may be imposed upon the Corporation,  including any withholding  liability which
may arise by reason of the failure of the  Corporation  to exercise any right it
may have pursuant to Paragraph 4 of this Section 3(b).

      (4) In the event that the Optionee fails to satisfy any required period of
service which he has agreed to perform,  the Corporation shall have the right to
reacquire the shares  deposited in escrow,  pursuant to  sub-paragraph 3 of this
Section 3(b), by notifying the escrow agent of such intention and tendering,  in
cash or  certified  check,  an amount  equal to:  (i) the  number of shares  the
Corporation desires to reacquire;  multiplied by (ii) the option price per share
set forth in the  Agreement.  Such  payment is to be made  within 90 days of the
delivery of the notice described herein.

      (5) In granting  non-qualified  options under the Plan to eligible persons
who hold  outstanding  stock  options,  issued by the  Corporation of any of its
subsidiaries,  the Committee, in its sole discretion, may condition the grant of
such  non-qualified  options under the Optionee's consent to the cancellation of
all or a portion of such other outstanding options.

<PAGE>

      4. Option

      (a)  Option  Price.  The  option  price per share of each  option  granted
pursuant  to the Plan  shall be  specified  in the  Agreement  relating  to such
option,  and shall be not less than 85% of the market  value of Common  Stock on
the date the option is granted, provided,  however, in no event shall the option
price per share be less than the par value thereof.

      (b) Option  Period.  The period  during  which an option may be  exercised
shall not exceed fifteen years from the date such option is granted and, subject
to the  foregoing,  the  Committee  may  provide  that any stock  option  may be
exercised  at such  time or  times  as the  Committee  may,  in its  discretion,
determine.

      (c) Payment for Stock.  An option shall be exercised by written  notice of
such  exercise to either the  Secretary or Treasurer of the  Corporation  at its
principal  office.  The notice shall  specify the number of shares for which the
option is being  exercised  (which  number  shall be not less  than  twenty-five
shares  at any one  time) and shall be  accompanied  by  payment  in full of the
purchase price of such shares.  No certificates for shares so purchased shall be
issued until full payment  therefor has been made and a  participant  shall have
none of the  rights of a  stockholder  with  respect to such  shares  until such
certificates  are in fact issued to such  participant  or to an escrow  agent on
such  participant's  behalf.  Payment of the purchase price may be made by cash,
check or in shares of Common  Stock.  The shares of Common  Stock will be valued
based on their market value, as defined in Section 8 of this Plan.

      5. Exercise and  Cancellation of Options Upon Termination of Employment or
Death

      If an Optionee shall voluntarily or involuntarily  leave the employ of the
Company or its subsidiaries,  unless authorized by the Committee,  the option of
such Optionee  shall  terminate  forthwith,  except that the Optionee shall have
until the end of the ninetieth day,  following the cessation of employment,  and
not longer, to exercise any unexercised  option which he could have exercised on
the  day on  which  he left  the  employ  of the  Company  or its  subsidiaries;
provided,  however,  that such exercise must be accomplished  within the term of
such option.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if the cessation of employment or
service  is  due  to  retirement  on or  after  attaining  the  age  of 65 or to
disability  (to an extent and in a manner as shall be determined in each case by
the  Committee  in  its  sole  discretion)  or to  death,  the  Optionee  or the
representatives  of the  estate of the  Optionee  shall  have the  privilege  of
exercising  any options which the Optionee  could have  exercised at the time of
such retirement,  disability,  or death;  provided,  however, that such exercise
must be accomplished  within the terms of such option,  and within six months of
the Optionee's retirement, disability or death.

      Nothing contained herein or in the options shall be construed to confer on
any  employee any right to be continued in the employ of the Company or derogate
from any right of the Company to retire, request the resignation of or discharge
an employee or to lay off or require a leave of absence of such  employee  (with
or without pay), at any time, with or without cause.

<PAGE>
 
      6. Adjustment in Number of Shares

      In the event of any subdivision or combination of the  outstanding  shares
of the Corporation's  Common Stock, by reclassification or otherwise,  or in the
event  of  the  payment  of  a  stock  dividend,  a  capital  reorganization,  a
reclassification  of shares, a consolidation  or merger,  the Board of Directors
shall make  appropriate  adjustment in the aggregate  number of shares for which
grants  may  be  made  under  this  Plan.  The  Committee  shall  determine  the
appropriate  adjustment  of the  kind  and  number  of  shares  subject  to each
outstanding  option,  or the option  price,  or both, in the event of any of the
aforementioned  changes  in the  outstanding  Common  Stock of the  Corporation,
provided,  however,  that no  adjustment  of the option  prices  shall  permit a
reduction in the option price per share to less than the par value thereof.

      7. Non-Assignability

      No options  granted  under the Plan shall be  transferable,  other than by
will or by the laws of  descent  and  distribution,  and then only to the extent
permitted  by this  Plan.  During a  participant's  lifetime,  options  shall be
exercisable only by such participant (or in the event of his disability,  by his
legal  representative).  Except to the  extent  otherwise  provided  by law,  no
benefits  under the Plan shall be subject to any legal  process to levy upon, or
attach, for payment of any claim against any participant or beneficiary.

      8. Definitions

      As used  herein,  the term  "subsidiary"  shall  have the same  meaning as
"subsidiary  corporation"  has under  Section  425(f) of the Code,  "retirement"
means retirement as that word is used in the Corporation's Employees' Retirement
Plan,  and "market  value" when used in reference to Common Stock shall mean the
average sale price (as  determined by the Committee) of such Common Stock on the
exchange, if any, where the Common Stock is traded, or if there is no other such
exchange,  the average between the low-bid and high-asked  prices on the date of
grant.  For all  purposes of the Plan,  an approved  leave of absence  shall not
constitute interruption or termination of employment.

      9. General Restrictions

      The exercise of each stock option  granted under the Plan shall be subject
to the condition that if at any time the  Corporation  shall  determine,  in its
sole discretion,  that the satisfaction of withholding tax or other  withholding
liabilities,  or that the listing,  registration or  qualification of any shares
otherwise  deliverable upon such exercise upon any securities  exchange or under
any State or Federal law, or the consent or approval of any regulatory  body, is
necessary or desirable as a condition of, or in connection  with,  such exercise
or the  delivery or purchase of shares  thereunder,  then in any such event such
exercise shall not be effective unless such withholding,  listing, registration,
qualification,  consent or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of
any conditions not acceptable to the Corporation.
<PAGE>

      10. Amendment and Discontinuance

      The Board of Directors at any time may  terminate  the Plan,  or make such
changes  in,  or  additions  to the  Plan  as the  Board  of  Directors,  in its
discretion,  deems advisable,  provided, however, that subject to the provisions
of Section 6 hereof the Board of Directors may not,  without further approval by
the  holders of shares of the  capital  stock of the  Corporation  possessing  a
majority of the voting power of such capital stock  represented  in person or by
proxy at a meeting  of  shareholders  of the  Corporation  duly  called for such
purpose,  grant options to any person other than those  eligible under Section 3
hereof.  No  termination  or amendment of the Plan may,  without  consent of the
holders of existing options, materially affect their rights under such options.

      11. Duration

      Unless this Plan is sooner  terminated,  options may be granted  hereunder
until June 27, 2013.




 
 


                                                                       
                                                                  Exhibit 10.13

                                   $25,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT




 
                                  BY AND AMONG




 
                    NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,
                          GENERAL PHYSICS CORPORATION,
                        GP ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.,
                     GENERAL PHYSICS FEDERAL SYSTEMS, INC.,
                                       and
                              MXL INDUSTRIES, INC.,

                           THE BANKS SIGNATORY HERETO



                                       AND



                        FLEET BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
              AS ADMINISTRATIVE AND COLLATERAL AGENT FOR SUCH BANKS





                                 March 26, 1997





                                                                              


                              TABLE OF CONTENTS


                                                                      Page No.


Article 1.        Definitions................................................1
      Section 1.1       Definitions..........................................1

Article 2.        Commitments; Loans; Letters of Credit; Collateral.........18
      Section 2.1       Loans; Letters of Credit............................18
      Section 2.2       Notices Relating to Loans and Letters of Credit.....19
      Section 2.3       Disbursement of Loan Proceeds.......................20
      Section 2.4       Notes...............................................20
      Section 2.5       Repayment of Principal of Loans.....................20
      Section 2.6       Interest............................................21
      Section 2.7       Fees................................................22
      Section 2.8       Letters of Credit...................................24
      Section 2.9       Voluntary Changes in Commitment.....................27
      Section 2.10      Use of Proceeds of Loans............................27
      Section 2.11      Computations........................................28
      Section 2.12      Minimum Amounts of Borrowing, Conversions,
                         Prepayments and Letters of Credit..................28
      Section 2.13      Time and Method of Payments.........................28
      Section 2.14      Lending Offices.....................................29
      Section 2.15      Several Obligations.................................29
      Section 2.16      Security............................................29
      Section 2.17      Pro Rata Treatment Among Banks......................30
      Section 2.18      Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent...................30
      Section 2.19      Sharing of Payments and Set-off Among Banks.........31
      Section 2.20      Conversions of Loans................................31
      Section 2.21      Additional Costs; Capital Requirements..............32
      Section 2.22      Limitation on Types of Loans........................34
      Section 2.23      Illegality..........................................35
      Section 2.24      Certain Conversions pursuant to Sections 2.21, 2.22 
                         and 2.23...........................................35
      Section 2.25      Indemnification.....................................36
      Section 2.26      Withholding Tax Exemption...........................37
      Section 2.27      Concerning Joint and Several Liability of the 
                         Borrowers..........................................38

Article 3.        Representations and Warranties............................40
      Section 3.1       Organization........................................40
      Section 3.2       Power, Authority, Consents..........................41
      Section 3.3       No Violation of Law or Agreements...................42
      Section 3.4       Due Execution, Validity, Enforceability.............42
      Section 3.5       Properties, Priority of Liens.......................42
      Section 3.6       Judgments, Actions, Proceedings.....................43
      Section 3.7       No Defaults, Compliance With Laws...................43
      Section 3.8       Burdensome Documents................................43
      Section 3.9       Financial Statements................................44
      Section 3.10      Tax Returns.........................................44
      Section 3.11      Intangible Assets...................................44
      Section 3.12      Regulation U........................................45
      Section 3.13      Name Changes, Mergers, 
                        Acquisitions; Location of Collateral................45
      Section 3.14      Full Disclosure.....................................45
      Section 3.15      Licenses and Approvals..............................46
<PAGE>

      Section 3.16      Labor Disputes; Collective Bargaining
                         Agreements; Employee Grievances             .......46
      Section 3.17      Condition of Assets.................................46
      Section 3.18      ERISA...............................................47
      Section 3.19      Laws and Regulations................................48
      Section 3.20      Inventory Management Corporation....................48
      Section 3.21      SGLG, Inc...........................................48

Article 4.        Conditions to the Loans and Letters of Credit.............48
      Section 4.1       Conditions to Initial Loans and Letters of Credit...48
      Section 4.2       Conditions to all Loans; Letters of Credit..........52

Article 5.              Delivery of Financial Reports,  Documents and
                         Other Information              53
      Section 5.1       Annual Financial Statements.........................53
      Section 5.2       Quarterly and Monthly Financial Statements..........54
      Section 5.3       Compliance Information..............................55
      Section 5.4       No Default Certificate..............................55
      Section 5.5       Certificate of Accountants..........................56
      Section 5.6       Accountants' Reports................................56
      Section 5.7       Copies of Documents.................................56
      Section 5.8       Notices of Defaults.................................57
      Section 5.9       ERISA Notices.......................................57
      Section 5.10      Borrowing Base Certificate; Additional Information..57

Article 6.        Affirmative Covenants.....................................57
      Section 6.1       Books and Records...................................57
      Section 6.2       Inspections and Audits, etc.........................58
      Section 6.3       Maintenance and Repairs.............................59
      Section 6.4       Continuance of Business.............................59
      Section 6.5       Copies of Corporate Documents.......................59
      Section 6.6       Perform Obligations.................................59
      Section 6.7       Notice of Litigation, etc...........................60
      Section 6.8       Insurance...........................................61
      Section 6.9       Financial Covenants.................................61
      Section 6.10      Notice of Certain Events............................64
      Section 6.11      Comply with Laws....................................65
      Section 6.12      Environmental Compliance............................65
      Section 6.13      Five Star and SGLG Corporate Documents..............65

Article 7.        Negative Covenants........................................66
      Section 7.1       Indebtedness........................................66
      Section 7.2       Liens...............................................67
      Section 7.3       Guaranties..........................................68
      Section 7.4       Mergers, Acquisitions...............................69
      Section 7.5       Redemptions; Distributions..........................71
      Section 7.6       Stock Issuance......................................71
      Section 7.7       Changes in Business; Dispositions...................71
      Section 7.8       Prepayments.........................................72
      Section 7.9       Investments.........................................72
      Section 7.10      Fiscal Year.........................................74
      Section 7.11      ERISA Obligations...................................74
      Section 7.12      Amendments of Documents.............................74
      Section 7.13      Capital Expenditures................................74
      Section 7.14      Rental Obligations..................................75

<PAGE>

      Section 7.15      Transactions with Affiliates........................75
      Section 7.16      Take or Pay Contracts...............................75
      Section 7.17      Sale and Leaseback..................................76
      Section 7.18      IMC.................................................76
      Section 7.19      SGLG, Inc...........................................76

Article 8.        Events Of Default.........................................76
      Section 8.1       Payments............................................76
      Section 8.2       Certain Covenants...................................77
      Section 8.3       Other Covenants.....................................77
      Section 8.4       Other Defaults......................................77
      Section 8.5       Representations and Warranties......................78
      Section 8.6       Bankruptcy..........................................78
      Section 8.7       Judgments...........................................79
      Section 8.8       ERISA...............................................79
      Section 8.9       Liens...............................................79
      Section 8.10      Ownership of Stock..................................79
      Section 8.11      Loan Documents......................................79
      Section 8.12      Borrower Enjoined...................................80
      Section 8.13      Material Adverse Change.............................80

Article 9.        The Agent.................................................80
      Section 9.1       Appointment, Powers and Immunities..................80
      Section 9.2       Reliance by Agent...................................81
      Section 9.3       Events of Default...................................81
      Section 9.4       Rights as a Bank....................................82
      Section 9.5       Indemnification.....................................82
      Section 9.6       Non-Reliance on Agent and other Banks...............83
      Section 9.7       Failure to Act......................................83
      Section 9.8       Resignation or Removal of Agent.....................83
      Section 9.9       Sharing of Collateral and Payments..................84
      Section 9.10      Survival............................................84

Article 10.       Miscellaneous Provisions..................................85
      Section 10.1      Fees and Expenses; Indemnity........................85
      Section 10.2      Taxes...............................................86
      Section 10.3      Notes...............................................88
      Section 10.4      Survival of Agreements and Representations: 
                         Construction.......................................88
      Section 10.5      Lien on and Set-off of Deposits.....................88
      Section 10.6      Modifications, Consents and Waivers: Entire Agreement88
      Section 10.7      Remedies Cumulative.................................90
      Section 10.8      Further Assurances..................................90
      Section 10.9      Notices.............................................90
      Section 10.10     Counterparts........................................91
      Section 10.11     Severability........................................92
      Section 10.12     Binding Effect; No Assignment or Delegation by  
                         Borrower...........................................92
      Section 10.13     Assignments and Participations by Banks.............92
      Section 10.14     GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION;
                        WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.............................96
      Section 10.15     Confidentiality.....................................97

<PAGE>




                               CREDIT AGREEMENT


      AGREEMENT, made this ____ day of March, 1997, by and among:

      NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION,  a Delaware corporation ("NPDC"),
MXL  INDUSTRIES,   INC.,  a  Delaware  corporation   ("MXL"),   GENERAL  PHYSICS
CORPORATION,  a Delaware corporation ("GPC"), GP ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC., a
Delaware  corporation  ("GPE"),  and GENERAL  PHYSICS FEDERAL  SYSTEMS,  INC., a
Delaware  corporation ("GPS"; GPC, GPE and GPS being hereinafter  referred to as
the "GPC  Borrowers";  and NPDC,  MXL and the GPC  Borrowers  being  hereinafter
referred to as the "Borrowers");

                                      and

      The banks and  financial  institutions  that have  executed the  signature
pages hereto or from time to time become parties hereto (individually,  a "Bank"
and, collectively, the "Banks");

                                      and

      FLEET BANK,  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  a national  banking  association,  as
Administrative  and Collateral  Agent for the Banks (in such capacity,  together
with its successors in such capacity, the "Agent");


                             W I T N E S S E T H :


      WHEREAS, the Borrowers wish to obtain loans and letters of credit from the
Banks  in the  aggregate  principal  sum of up to  Twenty-Five  Million  Dollars
($25,000,000.00),  and the Banks are willing to make such loans to and issue (or
participate  in) such  letters of credit for the account of the  Borrowers in an
aggregate  principal  amount  of up to  such  sum on the  terms  and  conditions
hereinafter set forth;

      NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

      Article 1.  Definitions.

            Section 1.1 Definitions

      As used in this  Agreement,  the following  terms shall have the following
meanings:

      "Account(s)"  - with respect to any Person:  (a) all "accounts" as defined
in the Uniform Commercial Code of the State of New York and, in addition, all of
the accounts,  contract  rights  (including its rights as an unpaid  vendor,  or
lienor, including stoppage in transit,  replevin and reclamation),  instruments,
documents,  chattel paper,  notes and drafts of such Person,  whether secured or
unsecured,  and  whether or not  specifically  assigned to the Agent or any Bank
hereunder,  and  including  any right to payment  which has been earned  under a
contract right and all inventory  returned or reclaimed from Account Debtors and
all rights to payment for goods sold or leased or services rendered; and (b) all
products and proceeds  (whether cash  proceeds or  otherwise) of the  foregoing,
whether now owned, held, or hereafter acquired by such Person.

      "Account  Debtor" - at any time, in addition to the definition of "account
debtor" as  contained in the Uniform  Commercial  Code of the State of New York,
any Person who is obligated under or on account of an Account, or any Person who
is represented by a Borrower to be so obligated.

<PAGE>

      "Additional Costs" - as defined in Section 2.21 hereof.

      "Affected Loans" - as defined in Section 2.24 hereof.

      "Affected Type" - as defined in Section 2.24 hereof.

      "Affiliate"  - as to  any  Person,  any  other  Person  that  directly  or
indirectly controls,  or is under common control with, or is controlled by, such
Person. As used in this definition,  "control", (including, with its correlative
meanings,   "controlled   by"  and  "under  common  control  with")  shall  mean
possession, directly or indirectly, of power to direct or cause the direction of
management or policies  (whether through  ownership of securities or partnership
or other ownership interests,  by contract or otherwise),  provided that, in any
event:  (i)any  Person  that  owns  directly  or  indirectly  5% or more of the
securities  having  ordinary voting power for the election of directors or other
governing  body  of a  corporation  or 5% or more of the  partnership  or  other
ownership interests of any other Person (other than as a limited partner of such
other Person) will be deemed to control such  corporation  or other Person;  and
(ii) each  director and officer of a Borrower shall be deemed to be an Affiliate
of the Borrowers.

      "Agency Fee" - as defined in subsection 2.7(c) hereof.

      "Applicable  Lending  Office" - with respect to each Bank, with respect to
each type of Loan,  the Lending Office as designated for such type of Loan below
its name on the  signature  pages hereof or such other office of such Bank or of
an  affiliate  of such Bank as such Bank may from  time to time  specify  to the
Agent and the  Borrowers as the office at which its Loans of such type are to be
made and maintained.

      "Applicable  Margin" - (a) with  respect  to any  Prime  Rate  Loan,  zero
percent; and (b) with respect to any Fixed Rate Loan, 1.75%.

      "Assessment Rate" - at any time, the rate (rounded upwards,  if necessary,
to the  nearest  1/100 of l%) then  charged  by the  Federal  Deposit  Insurance
Corporation  (or any  successor) to Fleet for deposit  insurance for Dollar time
deposits with Fleet at its New York branches as determined by Fleet.

      "Assignment  and  Acceptance"  - an  agreement  in the form of  Exhibit  Q
hereto.

      "Borrower Security Agreement" - as defined in Section 2.16 hereof.

      "Borrowing Base" - as of the date of any determination  thereof, an amount
equal  to the  sum of (a) up to  80%  of the  Eligible  Receivables  of the  GPC
Borrowers and MXL, plus (b) 100% of each Borrower's cash on deposit at a Bank or
invested in permitted  investments under Section 7.9(a) hereof with a Bank, plus
(c) 50% of the  Stock  Value  of ISI  and 35% of the  Stock  Value  of  Duratek,
provided that the amount under this clause (c) shall not exceed  $10,000,000  at
any time, minus the aggregate outstanding principal amount of all Senior Debt of
the  Borrowers  (other than  Indebtedness  under this  Agreement)  and minus the
aggregate  amount of all  installments  of  principal  payable  within  one year
following the date of  determination  of the Borrowing Base on all  Indebtedness
(other than Senior Debt and Indebtedness  under this Agreement) of the Borrowers
which is classified as long term debt in accordance with GAAP.

<PAGE>

      "Borrowing Notice" - as defined in Section 2.2 hereof.

      "Business Day" - any day other than  Saturday,  Sunday or any other day on
which  commercial  banks in New York City are  authorized  or  required to close
under the laws of the State of New York.

      "Capital  Expenditures"  - for any  period,  the  aggregate  amount of all
payments made or obligations  incurred during such period by any Person directly
or indirectly for the purpose of acquiring,  constructing  or maintaining  fixed
assets, real property or equipment that, in accordance with GAAP, would be added
as a debit  to the  fixed  asset  account  of such  Person,  including,  without
limitation,  all amounts  paid or payable  during  such  period with  respect to
Capitalized  Lease  Obligations and interest that are required to be capitalized
in accordance with GAAP,  provided that payments for items  customarily  charged
directly to expense or  depreciated  over a useful life of twelve months or less
shall not be Capital Expenditures.

      "Capitalized  Lease"  - any  lease  the  obligations  to pay rent or other
amounts under which constitute Capitalized Lease Obligations.

      "Capitalized  Lease  Obligations" - as to any Person,  the  obligations of
such Person to pay rent or other  amounts  under a lease of (or other  agreement
conveying the right to use) real and/or personal  property which obligations are
required to be  classified  and  accounted  for as a capital  lease on a balance
sheet of such Person under GAAP and, for purposes of this Agreement,  the amount
of such  obligations  shall be the  capitalized  amount  thereof,  determined in
accordance with GAAP.

      "Cash" - as to any Person,  such  Person's cash and cash  equivalents,  as
defined in accordance with GAAP.

      "Closing Fee" - as defined in subsection 2.7(a) hereof.

      "Code" - the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as it may be amended from time
to time.

      "Collateral" - as defined in the respective Security Documents.

      "Commitment"  - as to each Bank, the amount set forth opposite such Bank's
name on the signature  pages hereof  opposite the caption  "Commitment"  as such
amount is subject to adjustment in accordance with the terms hereof.

      "Commitment Fee" - as defined in subsection 2.7(b) hereof.

      "Commitment  Percentage"  - as to each  Bank,  the  percentage  set  forth
opposite  such Bank's name on the  signature  pages hereof  opposite the caption
"Commitment Percentage" as the same may be adjusted in accordance with the terms
hereof.

      "Commitment Termination Date" - March 31, 2000.

      "Compliance  Certificate"  - a  certificate  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit R hereto executed by the president or chief financial officer of NPDC on
behalf of the Borrowers to the effect that:  (i) as of the effective date of the
certificate, no Default or Event of Default under this Agreement exists or would
exist after giving effect to the action intended to be taken by the Borrowers as
described in such certificate, including, without limitation, that the covenants

<PAGE>

set forth in Section 6.9 hereof  would not be breached  after  giving  effect to
such action,  together with a calculation in reasonable  detail, and in form and
substance reasonably satisfactory to the Majority Banks, of such compliance, and
(ii) the  representations  and warranties  contained in Article 3 hereof, in the
Loan  Documents  and in any document or instrument  delivered  pursuant to or in
connection  with this Agreement are true and with the same effect as though such
representations and warranties were made on the date of such certificate (except
to the extent of changes resulting from  transactions  contemplated or permitted
by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and other changes, as to all such
changes that singly or in the aggregate do not have a Materially Adverse Effect,
and  except  to the  extent  that such  representations  and  warranties  relate
expressly to an earlier date).  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  with respect to
any Compliance  Certificate  delivered pursuant to any of the provisions of this
Agreement,   except   Section 4.1,   the   references   to  Loan  Party  in  the
representations and warranties  contained in Article 3 hereof shall be deemed to
exclude Five Star.

      "Consolidated"  or  "consolidated"  - with  reference  to any term defined
herein,  shall  mean  that  term  as  applied  to the  accounts  of GPC  and its
Subsidiaries  or NPDC and its  Subsidiaries,  as the case may be, to the  extent
they are or should be consolidated in accordance with GAAP.

      "Controlled Group" - all members of a controlled group of corporations and
all trades or  businesses  (whether or not  incorporated)  under common  control
which,  together  with the  Borrowers,  are treated as a single  employer  under
Section 414(b), 414(c) or 414(m) of the Code and Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA.

      "Credit Period" - the period  commencing on the date of this Agreement and
ending on the Commitment Termination Date.

      "Current  Market  Price" - with respect to any share of stock on any date,
the average of the daily closing  prices for the five  consecutive  trading days
immediately preceding the date in question. The closing price for each day shall
be the last  reported  sales price regular way or, in case no such reported sale
takes place on such day,  the closing bid price  regular  way, in either case on
the principal national securities exchange (including,  for purposes hereof, the
Nasdaq  National  Market or Small Cap  System if such  system is then  generally
reporting  last sale prices) on which the stock is listed or admitted to trading
or, if the stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national securities
exchange,  the  highest  reported  bid price for the stock as  furnished  by the
National  Association of Securities  Dealers,  Inc.  through Nasdaq or a similar
organization if Nasdaq is no longer reporting such information.

      "Debt Instrument" - as defined in subsection 8.4(a) hereof.

      "Default" - an event which with  notice or lapse of time,  or both,  would
constitute an Event of Default.

      "Dollars" and "$" - lawful money of the United States of America.

      "Duratek" - GTS Duratek, Inc.

      "Eligible  Assignee" - a commercial  bank or other  financial  institution
acceptable to the Agent and to NPDC, in the sole  discretion of each,  organized
under the laws of the  United  States  of  America  or any  state  and  having a
combined  capital  and  surplus  of at  least  $100,000,000,  provided  that any
wholly-owned  subsidiary of a Bank which subsidiary has at least $100,000,000 in
capital  and  surplus  and any bank into  which or with  which a Bank  merges or



<PAGE>

consolidates  shall be deemed to be an Eligible Assignee without approval of the
Agent or NPDC.

      "Eligible  Receivable(s)"  - the  aggregate  of  the  unpaid  portions  of
Accounts created by a GPC Borrower or MXL (net of any credits, rebates, offsets,
holdbacks or other adjustments or commissions  payable to third parties that are
adjustments  to such  Accounts) (a) that GPC or MXL reasonably and in good faith
determines to be collectible; (b) that are from Account Debtors that (i) are not
Affiliates  of NPDC,  GPC or MXL (other  than GSE  Systems,  Inc. so long as the
Borrowers own directly or indirectly less than 30% of its issued and outstanding
voting  stock and do not possess the power to direct or cause the  direction  of
its management or policies), (ii) purchased the goods or services giving rise to
the relevant  Account in an arm's length  transaction  conducted in the ordinary
course of business,  (iii) are not insolvent or involved,  whether  voluntary or
involuntary,  in any case or proceeding  under any  bankruptcy,  reorganization,
arrangement, insolvency, adjustment of debt, dissolution, liquidation or similar
law of any  jurisdiction  and (iv) are not determined by the Majority  Banks, in
their reasonable  judgment,  to be  uncreditworthy;  (c) that are in payment for
goods  actually  delivered  or  services  or  obligations  that have been  fully
performed;  (d)  that  are not  subject  to any  pledge,  restriction,  security
interest  or other lien or  encumbrance  other  than  those  created by the Loan
Documents and except for Permitted  Liens  referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii)
of the  definition  of such  term  herein  which  attach to the  general  assets
(including  Accounts)  of any of the GPC  Borrowers or MXL;  provided,  that the
amount  hereunder  shall be  reduced  by the  amount of any such  lien  (without
duplication  of reductions  pursuant to paragraph  (e) below);  (e) in which the
Agent has a valid and perfected  first  priority  security  interest  except for
Permitted  Liens referred to in clauses (ii) and (iii) of the definition of such
term herein which attach to the general  assets  (including  Accounts) of any of
the GPC Borrowers or MXL;  provided,  that the amount hereunder shall be reduced
by the amount of any such lien (without  duplication  of reductions  pursuant to
paragraph  (d) above);  (f) that are not  outstanding  for more than ninety (90)
days past the date of the  respective  invoices  therefor;  (g) that are not due
from any single Account Debtor if more than fifty percent (50%) of the aggregate
amount of all Accounts  owing from such Account  Debtor would  otherwise  not be
Eligible Receivables;  (h) that are payable in Dollars; (i) that are not payable
from an office outside of the United States unless they are subject to letter of
credit support not determined to be  unacceptable by the Majority Banks in their
reasonable  judgment;  and (j) with respect to  Government  Receivables,  to the
extent the GPC  Borrowers  have  complied  with the  provisions  of the Borrower
Security  Agreement  relating  thereto.  To the extent that the aggregate amount
owing by a single  Account  Debtor (other than the United States  government) on
all such Eligible  Receivables exceeds twenty-five percent (25%) of the Eligible
Receivables of all Account Debtors,  such excess shall be deducted from Eligible
Receivables  unless such excess has been accepted by the Majority Banks as being
eligible, acting in their exclusive and uncontrolled discretion. With respect to
Accounts  subject to dispute or any other  similar  claims that would reduce the
cash amount  payable  therefor,  the amount of Eligible  Receivable(s)  shall be
reduced  by the cash  amount in  dispute,  except  that no value  shall be given
hereunder to any Account under which the cash amount payable  therefor equals or
exceeds  $200,000,  if  twenty-five  percent  (25%) or more of the  cash  amount
payable therefor is in dispute.

      "Environmental  Laws and  Regulations"  - all  environmental,  health  and
safety laws, regulations,  resolutions,  and ordinances applicable to a Borrower
or any other  Loan  Party,  or any of their  respective  assets  or  properties,
including,  without limitation:  (i) all regulations,  resolutions,  ordinances,
decrees,  and  other  similar  documents  and  instruments  of  all  courts  and

<PAGE>

governmental  authorities,  bureaus and agencies,  domestic and foreign, whether
issued by  environmental  regulatory  agencies or otherwise,  and (ii) all laws,
regulations,  resolutions,  ordinances  and decrees  relating  to  Environmental
Matters.

      "Environmental Liability" - any liability under any applicable law for any
release of a  hazardous  substance  caused by the  seeping,  spilling,  leaking,
pumping,  pouring,  emitting,  emptying,   discharging,   injecting,   escaping,
leaching, dumping or disposing of hazardous wastes or other chemical substances,
pollutants or contaminants into the environment, and any liability for the costs
of any clean-up or other remedial action including,  without  limitation,  costs
arising  out  of  security  fencing,   alternative  water  supplies,   temporary
evacuation  and  housing  and  other  emergency  assistance  undertaken  by  any
environmental regulatory body having jurisdiction over any Borrower or any other
Loan Party to  prevent  or  minimize  any  actual or  threatened  release by any
Borrower  or any other  Loan  Party of any  hazardous  wastes or other  chemical
substances, pollutants and contaminants into the environment that would endanger
the public health or the environment.

      "Environmental  Matter(s)" - a release of any toxic or hazardous  waste or
other chemical  substance,  pollutant or contaminant into the environment or the
generation,  treatment,  storage or disposal of any toxic or hazardous wastes or
other chemical substances.

      "Environmental   Proceeding"  -  any  judgment,   action,   proceeding  or
investigation  pending  before any court or  governmental  authority,  bureau or
agency, including,  without limitation,  any environmental regulatory body, with
respect to or  threatened  against or  affecting  any Borrower or any other Loan
Party or  relating  to the  assets  or  liabilities  of any of them,  including,
without  limitation,  in respect of any "facility" owned,  leased or operated by
any of them under the  Comprehensive  Environmental  Response,  Compensation and
Liability  Act of 1980,  as  amended,  or under any  state,  local or  municipal
statute,  ordinance or regulation  in respect  thereof,  in connection  with any
release of any toxic or hazardous waste or other chemical  substance,  pollutant
or contaminant into the environment, or with the generation, storage or disposal
of any toxic or hazardous wastes or other chemical substances.

      "ERISA" - the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974, as it may
be  amended  from  time to time,  and the  regulations  promulgated  thereunder.

      "Eurodollar  Business  Day" - a Business  Day on which  dealings in Dollar
deposits  are  carried  out in the  relevant  Eurodollar  interbank  market  for
determining  the Fixed Base Rate. 

      "Event of Default" - as defined in Article 8 hereof.  

      "Federal  Funds Rate" - for any day, the weighted  average of the rates on
overnight  federal funds  transactions  with member banks of the Federal Reserve
System  arranged by federal  funds  brokers as published by the Federal  Reserve
Bank of New York for such day,  or if such day is not a  Business  Day,  for the
next  preceding  Business Day (or, if such rate is not so published for any such
day,  the  average  rate  charged to Fleet on such day on such  transactions  as
reasonably  determined  by Fleet).  

      "Fee(s)" - as defined in Section 2.7 hereof.  

      "Financial  Statements"  - (a)  the  audited  consolidated  and  unaudited
consolidating  Balance  Sheets  of (i)  NPDC  and its  Subsidiaries  dated as of
December 31, 1995,  and (ii) GPC and its  Subsidiaries  dated as of December 31,

<PAGE>


1995,  together with the related  audited and unaudited  Income  Statements  and
Statements  of Cash  Flows for the fiscal  year then  ended.  

      (b) the unaudited  consolidated  and  consolidating  Balance Sheets of (i)
NPDC and its  Subsidiaries  dated as of September 30, 1996, and (ii) GPC and its
Subsidiaries dated as of September 30, 1996, together with the related unaudited
consolidated and  consolidating  Income  Statements and Statements of Cash Flows
for the fiscal  quarter then ended. 

      "Five Star" - Five Star Group,  Inc. "Five Star Loan Agreement" - the loan
agreement  dated as of April 29, 1993 among Five Star,  the banks party  thereto
and Fleet,  as agent for such  banks,  as the same may be  amended,  modified or
supplemented  from time to time.  

      "Fixed Base Rate" - with  respect to any Fixed Rate Loan for any  Interest
Period  therefor,  the rate per annum  (rounded  upwards,  if necessary,  to the
nearest 1/16 of 1%) appearing on Telerate  Page 3750 (or any successor  page) as
the London interbank offered rate for deposits in Dollars at approximately 11:00
A.M.  (London time) two Eurodollar  Business Days prior to the first day of such
Interest Period for a term comparable to such Interest Period. If for any reason
such rate is not  available,  the term "Fixed  Base Rate"  shall  mean,  for any
Interest Period for any Fixed Rate Loan, the rate per annum (rounded  upwards to
the  nearest  1/16 of 1%)  appearing  on Reuters  Screen LIBO Page as the London
interbank  offered  rate for  deposits  in Dollars at  approximately  11:00 A.M.
(London  time)  two  Eurodollar  Business  Days  prior to the  first day of such
Interest  Period  for a term  comparable  to  such  Interest  Period;  provided,
however,  if more than one rate is  specified on Reuters  Screen LIBO Page,  the
applicable rate shall be the arithmetic  mean of all such rates.

      "Fixed Rate" - for any Fixed Rate Loan for any Interest  Period  therefor,
the rate per annum (rounded upwards,  if necessary,  to the nearest 1/100 of 1%)
determined  by the Agent to be equal to(x) the Fixed Base Rate for such Loan for
such Interest  Period;  divided by (y) 1 minus the Reserve  Requirement for such
Loan for such  Interest  Period.  The Agent shall use its best efforts to advise
NPDC of the Fixed Rate as soon as  practicable  after  each  change in the Fixed
Rate; provided,  however, that the failure of the Agent to so advise NPDC on any
one or more  occasions  shall not result in any liability of the Agent or affect
the  rights  of the  Banks or the  Agent  or the  obligations  of the  Borrowers
hereunder. 

      "Fixed Rate  Loans" - Loans the  interest  on which is  determined  on the
basis of rates  referred  to in the  definition  of  "Fixed  Base  Rate" in this
Article 1. 

      "Fleet"  -  Fleet  Bank,   National   Association,   a  national   banking
association, in its capacity as a Bank hereunder.

      "Foreign  Subsidiaries" - collectively,  General Physics Asia Pte. Ltd., a
Singapore private company, and General Physics (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhn., a Malaysian
private company having its principal  place of business at B2-2 and B2-3,  Block
B, Bangunan SPPK, 46 Jalan Dungun, Damansara Heights, Malaysia50490.

      "Foreign  Subsidiaries  Pledged  Note" - a  promissory  note,  in form and
substance  satisfactory to the Majority Banks, made by the Foreign  Subsidiaries
to the order of GPC and  pledged to the Agent  pursuant  to a Borrower  Security
Agreement.

<PAGE>

      "GAAP" - generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in the United States
applied on a basis  consistent  with the  financial  statements  referred  to in
Section 3.9(a).

      "Government  Receivables"  - all rights of the GPC Borrowers to moneys due
or to become  due under any  contracts  or  agreements  with or orders  from the
United States government or any agency or department thereof.

      "GPC" - as defined in the preamble.

      "Indebtedness"  - with respect to any Person,  without  duplication,  all:
(i) liabilities or obligations,  direct and contingent, which in accordance with
GAAP  would  be  included  in  determining  total  liabilities  as  shown on the
liability  side of a  balance  sheet  of such  Person  at the  date as of  which
Indebtedness  is to be determined,  including,  without  limitation,  contingent
liabilities  that in accordance  with such  principles,  would be set forth in a
specific  Dollar  amount  on the  liability  side of such  balance  sheet or the
footnotes  thereto,  and  Capitalized  Lease  Obligations  of such Person;  (ii)
liabilities  or  obligations  of others for which  such  Person is  directly  or
indirectly  liable, by way of guaranty (whether by direct guaranty,  suretyship,
discount,  endorsement,  take-or-pay agreement, agreement to purchase or advance
or keep in funds  or  other  agreement  having  the  effect  of a  guaranty)  or
otherwise;  (iii)  liabilities or obligations  secured by Liens on any assets of
such Person,  whether or not such  liabilities  or  obligations  shall have been
assumed by it; and (iv)  liabilities or  obligations  of such Person,  direct or
contingent,  with  respect to letters of credit  issued for the  account of such
Person and bankers acceptances created for such Person.

      "Interest Rate Contracts" - interest rate swap  agreements,  interest rate
cap  agreements,  interest rate collar  agreements,  interest rate insurance and
other  agreements  or  arrangements   designed  to  provide  protection  against
fluctuation in interest rates, in each case, in form and substance  satisfactory
to the Majority Banks and, in each case,  with  counter-parties  satisfactory to
the Majority Banks.

      "Interest  Period" - with  respect  to any Fixed Rate  Loan,  each  period
commencing on and including the date such Loan is made or converted  from a Loan
or Loans of another type, or the last day of the next preceding  Interest Period
with  respect  to such Loan,  and  ending on the same day in the first,  second,
third or sixth calendar  month  thereafter,  as NPDC,  GPC, on behalf of the GPC
Borrowers, or MXL may select as provided in Section 2.2 hereof, except that each
such Interest  Period that  commences on the last  Eurodollar  Business Day of a
calendar  month (or on any day for which there is no  numerically  corresponding
day in  the  appropriate  subsequent  calendar  month)  shall  end  on the  last
Eurodollar   Business  Day  of  the  appropriate   subsequent   calendar  month.
Notwithstanding the foregoing: (i) each Interest Period that would otherwise end
on a day that is not a Eurodollar  Business Day shall end on the next succeeding
Eurodollar Business Day, except that if such next succeeding Eurodollar Business
Day falls in the next succeeding  calendar month, such Interest Period shall end
on the next  preceding  Eurodollar  Business Day; (ii) no more than six Interest
Periods  for Fixed  Rate Loans  shall be in effect at the same  time;  (iii) any
Interest  Period  for any type of Loan  shall end no later  than the  Commitment
Termination  Date;  and (iv)  notwithstanding  clause (iii)  above,  no Interest
Period  shall  have a  duration  of less than one  month.  In the  event  that a
Borrower fails to select the duration of any Interest Period for any Loan within
the time period and otherwise as provided in Section2.2 hereof, such Loans will
be  automatically  converted  into a  Prime  Rate  Loan on the  last  day of the
preceding Interest Period for such Loans.

<PAGE>

      "Investment" - by any Person:

      (a) the amount paid or committed  to be paid,  or the value of property or
services  contributed or committed to be  contributed,  by such Person for or in
connection  with the  acquisition  by such  Person of any stock,  bonds,  notes,
debentures,  partnership or other ownership interests or other securities of any
other Person; and

      (b) the amount of any advance, loan or extension of credit by such Person,
to any other Person, or guaranty or other similar obligation of such Person with
respect to any Indebtedness of such other Person, and (without  duplication) any
amount committed to be advanced, loaned, or extended by such Person to any other
Person,  or any amount  the  payment  of which is  committed  to be assured by a
guaranty  or similar  obligation  by such  Person for the benefit of, such other
Person,  provided that the foregoing  shall exclude trade credit extended in the
ordinary course of business.

      "IRS" - Internal Revenue Service or any successor agency.

      "ISI" - Interferon Sciences, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

      "Latest Balance Sheet" - as defined in subsection 3.9(a) hereof.

      "Leases" - leases and subleases (other than Capitalized Leases),  licenses
for the use of real property,  easements,  grants,  and other rights and similar
instruments  under  which any  Borrower  has the  right to use real or  personal
property or rights of way.

      "Letter  of Credit  Commitment"  - as to each  Bank,  the amount set forth
opposite  such  Bank's  name on the  signature  pages  hereof  under the caption
"Letter  of Credit  Commitment"  as such  amount is  subject  to  adjustment  in
accordance with the terms hereof.  The aggregate Letter of Credit  Commitment of
all Banks on the date hereof shall be $1,000,000.

      "Letter(s)  of  Credit" - letters of credit  issued by Fleet for  purposes
provided for in this Agreement or approved by the Majority Banks.

      "Lien"  -  any  mortgage,   deed  of  trust,  pledge,  security  interest,
encumbrance,  lien or charge of any kind (including any agreement to give any of
the foregoing),  any conditional  sale or other title retention  agreement,  any
lease in the nature of any of the  foregoing,  and the filing of or agreement to
give  any  financing   statement  under  the  Uniform  Commercial  Code  of  any
jurisdiction  (other than such a financing  statement in connection with a "true
lease",  that is not a Capitalized  Lease,  under the Uniform Commercial Code of
any jurisdiction).

      "Loan(s)"  - as defined in Section 2.1 hereof.  Loans of  different  types
made or converted from Loans of other types on the same day (or of the same type
but having different  Interest Periods) shall be deemed to be separate Loans for
all purposes of this Agreement.

      "Loan Documents" - this Agreement,  the Notes, the Security Documents, the
Subordination Agreements,  Interest Rate Contracts to which any Borrower and any
Bank are  parties,  Letters  of Credit  and all  other  documents  executed  and
delivered  in  connection  herewith  or  therewith,  including  all  amendments,
modifications and supplements of or to all such documents.

      "Loan Party" - each Borrower,  each  Subsidiary of each Borrower,  and any
other  Person  (other  than the Banks  and the  Agent)  which  now or  hereafter
executes and delivers to any Bank or the Agent any Loan Document.

<PAGE>

      "MXL" - as defined in the preamble.

      "Majority  Banks" - at any time while no Loans are outstanding  hereunder,
Banks having at least 66% of the aggregate amount of the Commitments and, at any
time while Loans are  outstanding  hereunder,  Banks holding at least 66% of the
outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Loans hereunder.

      "Management  Fees" - for any  period,  all  fees,  emoluments  or  similar
compensation payable by any Person in respect of services rendered in connection
with the management or supervision of the management of such Person,  other than
salaries,  bonuses  and  other  compensation  paid  to any  full-time  executive
employee in respect of such full-time employment.

      "Materially Adverse Effect" - A materially adverse effect on the business,
condition (financial or otherwise), operations, performance or properties of the
GPC Borrowers taken as a whole, or NPDC and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole.

      "Material  Subsidiary" - any Subsidiary of NPDC which (i) as at the end of
the most recent  fiscal  quarter of NPDC,  held 10% or more of the  consolidated
assets  of NPDC  and its  Subsidiaries,  or  (ii) for  the  four  most  recently
completed fiscal quarters of NPDC accounted for more than 10% of the EBITDA,  as
defined in Section  6.9(a)(iii),  of NPDC and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis,  as  shown on the  financial  statements  of NPDC  and its  Subsidiaries,
provided that for purposes of  determining  whether any  Subsidiary  acquired or
organized  after  the  date  hereof  is a  Material  Subsidiary,  the  financial
statements  of NPDC and its  Subsidiaries  shall be  adjusted  to  include  such
Subsidiary acquired or organized after the date hereof as if such Subsidiary had
been a Subsidiary at all times during such four fiscal  quarters or, if shorter,
during the period after it was organized.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  Five
Star shall not be deemed to be a Material Subsidiary.

      "New Type Loans" - as defined in Section 2.24 hereof.

      "Note(s)" - as defined in Section 2.4 hereof.

      "NPDC" - as defined in the preamble.

      "Obligations" -  collectively,  all of the  Indebtedness,  liabilities and
obligations  of each of the  Borrowers  to the Banks and the Agent,  whether now
existing or  hereafter  arising,  direct or  indirect,  absolute or  contingent,
whether or not currently contemplated, arising under the Loan Documents. For the
avoidance of doubt, the guaranty by NPDC executed pursuant to the Five Star Loan
Agreement shall not be deemed to be an Obligation.

      "Payor" - as defined in Section 2.18 hereof.

      "PBGC" - Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any successor agency.
<PAGE>

      "Permitted  Liens" - as to any  Person:  (i)  pledges or  deposits by such
Person under workers'  compensation  laws,  unemployment  insurance laws, social
security  laws,  or similar  legislation,  or good faith  deposits  or  security
deposits in connection with bids, tenders, contracts (other than for the payment
of  Indebtedness  for  borrowed  money of such  Person)  or leases to which such
Person is a party, or deposits to secure public or statutory obligations of such
Person or deposits of cash or United States  Government  Bonds to secure surety,
appeal,  performance or other similar bonds to which such Person is a party,  or
deposits as security for contested  taxes or import duties or for the payment of
rent;   (ii)  Liens  imposed  by  law,   such  as   carriers',   warehousemen's,
materialmen's  and mechanic's  liens in respect of obligations  permitted  under
Section  6.6(a) hereof or not overdue by more than 90 days, or Liens arising out
of  judgments  or awards  against  such Person with respect to which no Event of
Default under Section 8.7 exists;  (iii) Liens for taxes,  assessments and other
governmental  charges not yet subject to penalties for non-payment and Liens for
taxes,  assessments and other governmental charges the payment of which is being
contested as permitted by Section  6.6(a)  hereof;  and (iv) survey  exceptions,
encumbrances,  easements or reservations  of, or rights of, others for rights of
way,  highways and railroad  crossings,  sewers,  electric lines,  telegraph and
telephone lines and other similar purposes,  or zoning or other  restrictions as
to the use of  real  properties,  or  Liens  incidental  to the  conduct  of the
business of such Person or to the ownership of such Person's  property that were
not incurred in connection with Indebtedness of such Person,  all of which Liens
referred  to in the  preceding  clause (iv) do not in the  aggregate  materially
detract  from the use of the  properties  to which they  relate in the  ordinary
course  of the  business  taken  as a whole  of such  Person,  and as to all the
foregoing Liens referred to in the preceding clause (iv) only to the extent they
do not individually or in the aggregate have a Materially Adverse Effect.

      "Person" - an individual, a corporation, a partnership, a joint venture, a
trust or  unincorporated  organization,  a joint stock  company or other similar
organization, a government or any political subdivision thereof, a court, or any
other  legal  entity,  whether  acting  in an  individual,  fiduciary  or  other
capacity.

      "Plan" - at any time an employee  pension  benefit plan that is covered by
Title IV of ERISA or subject to the minimum funding  standards under Section 412
of the Code and is either:  (i)  maintained by any Borrower or any member of the
Controlled Group for employees of any Borrower, or by any Borrower for any other
member of such Controlled  Group,  or (ii)  maintained  pursuant to a collective
bargaining agreement or any other arrangement under which more than one employer
makes  contributions  and to which any Borrower or any member of the  Controlled
Group is then making or  accruing an  obligation  to make  contributions  or has
within the preceding five plan years made contributions.

      "Post-Default Rate" - as defined in Section 2.6(b) hereof.

      "Prime Rate" - the interest rate established from time to time by Fleet as
its prime rate at the  Principal  Office.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the
Borrowers acknowledge that Fleet may regularly make domestic commercial loans at
rates of interest  less than the rate of interest  referred to in the  preceding
sentence.  Each change in any interest  rate  provided for herein based upon the
Prime Rate  resulting  from a change in the Prime Rate shall take  effect on the
Business Day immediately succeeding such change in the Prime Rate.

      "Prime  Rate  Loans" - Loans that bear  interest  at a rate based upon the
Prime Rate.

      "Principal  Office" - the principal  office of Fleet presently  located at
1133 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10036.

      "Purchase  Money  Security  Interest"  - as defined in  subsection  7.2(c)
hereof.

<PAGE>

      "Regulation  D" -  Regulation  D of the Board of  Governors of the Federal
Reserve System, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

      "Regulatory  Change" - as to any Bank or any corporation  controlling such
Bank,  any  adoption  of or change  after the date of this  Agreement  in United
States federal, state or foreign laws or regulations (including Regulation D and
the  laws  or  regulations  that  designate  any  assessment  rate  relating  to
certificates  of deposit or  otherwise  (including  the  "Assessment  Rate",  if
applicable  to any  Loan))  or the  adoption  or making  after  such date of any
interpretations,  directives or requests applying to a class of banks, including
such  Bank,  of or under any United  States  federal,  state or foreign  laws or
regulations  (whether  or  not  having  the  force  of  law)  by  any  court  or
governmental  or  monetary   authority   charged  with  the   interpretation  or
administration thereof.

      "Reimbursement Obligations" - as defined in Section 2.8.

      "Required Payment" - as defined in Section 2.18 hereof.

      "Reserve  Requirement"  - for any Fixed  Rate  Loans for any  period as to
which interest is payable hereunder,  the average maximum rate at which reserves
(including any marginal,  supplemental or emergency reserves) are required to be
maintained   during  such  period  under  Regulation  D  against   "Eurocurrency
liabilities" (as such term is used in Regulation D). Without limiting the effect
of the  foregoing,  the Reserve  Requirement  shall  reflect any other  reserves
required  to be  maintained  by such  member  banks by reason of any  Regulatory
Change  against:  (i)any  category of  liabilities  that  includes  deposits by
reference  to which the Fixed Rate for Fixed Rate Loans is to be  determined  as
provided in the definition of "Fixed Base Rate" in this  Article 1,  or (ii) any
category of extensions of credit or other assets that include Fixed Rate Loans.

      "Security Documents" - as defined in Section 2.16 hereof.

      "Senior Debt" - all Indebtedness for borrowed money and Capitalized  Lease
Obligations of any Borrower to any Bank or other Person, other than Subordinated
Debt.  "Senior  Debt"  shall not include  obligations  under  guaranties  by any
Borrower of Indebtedness for borrowed money or Capitalized Lease Obligations.

      "Stock Value" - as at any date of calculation  of the Borrowing  Base, the
aggregate  market  value of the shares of Duratek or ISI, as  applicable,  owned
beneficially and of record by any Borrower, free and clear of any Lien, computed
by multiplying  (i) the number of shares of ISI or Duratek,  as  applicable,  by
(ii) the Current Market Price of each share, provided,  however, that (i) if the
shares of either or both of Duratek or ISI cease to be publicly  traded,  or the
Current Market Price cannot be determined by the Majority Banks, or (ii) Duratek
or ISI shall be the  subject  of any  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other  similar
proceedings,  then the shares of Duratek  or ISI,  as the case may be,  shall be
deemed to have no market  value  hereunder.  For  purposes  of this  definition,
"Lien" shall not include any obligation of a Borrower under the agreement  dated
November 7, 1996 between NPDC and Duratek.

      "Subordination Agreement" - as defined in Section 4.1(g).

      "Subordinated   Debt"  -  all  Indebtedness  of  each  Borrower  which  is
subordinated to the Obligations on terms and conditions at least as favorable to
the Banks as are contained in the Subordination  Agreement or on other terms and
conditions acceptable to the Majority Banks, provided that,  notwithstanding the
terms of the  Subordination  Agreement,  in order  for such  Indebtedness  to be
considered  "Subordinated Debt", the principal amount of such Indebtedness shall
not be payable until at least 180 days after the  Commitment  Termination  Date,
and no  principal  of or  interest  on or  other  amounts  in  respect  to  such
Indebtedness  shall be payable at any time after the  occurrence  and during the
continuance of any Event of Default.

      "Subsidiary" - with respect to any Person,  any corporation,  partnership,
trust (other than trusts relating to employee  benefit plans),  joint venture or
other unincorporated organization,  association or other enterprise, whether now
existing or hereafter  organized or acquired:  (i) in the case of a corporation,
of which a majority  of the  securities  having  ordinary  voting  power for the
election of directors (other than securities having such power only by reason of
the happening of a contingency)  are at the time owned by such Person and/or one
or more Subsidiaries of such Person, or (ii) in the case of a partnership, joint
venture  or other  entity in which  such  Person is a general  partner  or joint
venturer or of which a majority of the partnership or other ownership  interests
are at the time owned by such Person and/or one or more of its Subsidiaries.

      Unless the context  otherwise  requires,  references in this  Agreement to
"Subsidiary" or "Subsidiaries"  shall be deemed to be references to a Subsidiary
or Subsidiaries of the Borrowers. Notwithstanding the foregoing, for purposes of
this  Agreement,   the  term  "Subsidiaries"   shall  not  include  the  Foreign
Subsidiaries or the joint ventures referred to in Exhibit N.

      "Summit" - Summit Bank.

      "Tangible  Net Worth" - as to any  Person as of the date of  determination
thereof, the excess of total assets over total liabilities,  and less the sum of
(without duplication):

      (a) the total book value of all assets of such Person and its Subsidiaries
properly  classified as intangible  assets under GAAP,  including  such items as
good will,  the purchase  price of acquired  assets in excess of the fair market
value thereof,  trademarks, trade names, service marks, brand names, copyrights,
patents and licenses, and rights with respect to the foregoing; plus

      (b) all amounts  representing any write-up not permitted under GAAP in the
book value of any assets of such  Person or its  Subsidiaries  resulting  from a
revaluation thereof subsequent to September 30, 1996; plus

      (c) to the extent otherwise  includable in the computation of Tangible Net
Worth, any subscriptions receivable; plus

      (d) any deferred charges and treasury stock.

      "Taxes" - as defined in Section 10.2(b).

      "Total  Commitment" - the aggregate  obligation of the Banks to make Loans
and  issue  (or  participate  in)  Letters  of Credit  hereunder  not  exceeding
Twenty-Five  Million  Dollars  ($25,000,000.00),  as the  same  may  be  reduced
pursuant to the terms hereof.

<PAGE>

      "Unused  Commitment" - as at any date, for each Bank, the  difference,  if
any,  between:  (i) the amount of such  Bank's  Commitment  as in effect on such
date, and (ii) the sum of the then aggregate outstanding principal amount of all
Loans  made by such  Bank and  Reimbursement  Obligations  to such  Bank plus an
amount equal to such Bank's Commitment  Percentage multiplied by the face amount
of all outstanding Letters of Credit.

      "Written," "in writing" - and other variations thereof shall mean any form
of  written  communication  or a  communication  by means of telex,  telecopier,
telegraph or cable.

      Any  accounting  terms used in this  Agreement  that are not  specifically
defined herein shall have the meanings  customarily  given to them in accordance
with generally accepted  accounting  principles as in effect on the date of this
Agreement,  except  that  references  in Article 5 to such  principles  shall be
deemed to refer to such  principles  as in  effect on the date of the  financial
statements delivered pursuant thereto.

      Article 2.  Commitments; Loans; Letters of Credit; Collateral.

            Section 2.1 Loans; Letters of Credit.

      (a) Each Bank will,  on the terms and  subject to the  conditions  of this
Agreement, make loans (individually,  a "Loan" and collectively, the "Loans") to
the  Borrowers  during  the  Credit  Period  to  but  excluding  the  Commitment
Termination Date in an aggregate principal amount at any one time outstanding up
to, but not exceeding,  the Commitment of such Bank as then in effect;  provided
however,  that  notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the sum of (i)  the  aggregate
principal amount of Loans at any one time  outstanding,  plus (ii) the aggregate
principal amount of Reimbursement Obligations at any one time outstanding,  plus
(iii)  the  aggregate  face  amount  of  Letters  of  Credit  at  any  one  time
outstanding,  shall not  exceed an amount  equal to the  lesser of (A) the Total
Commitment, and (B) the Borrowing Base as then in effect.

      (b) Subject to the terms of this  Agreement,  during the Credit  Period to
but excluding the  Commitment  Termination  Date,  the Borrowers may (i) borrow,
repay  (provided  that  repayment  of Fixed Rate  Loans  shall be subject to the
provisions  of Section 2.25  hereof) and  reborrow  Loans by means of Prime Rate
Loans or Fixed  Rate  Loans,  and (ii)  convert  Loans of one type into Loans of
another type (as provided in Section 2.20 hereof).

      (c) Subject to the terms and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  Fleet shall
upon request of NPDC, MXL or GPC, on behalf of the GPC  Borrowers,  issue at any
time and from time to time  during  the  Credit  Period  Letters of Credit in an
aggregate  face  amount at any one time  outstanding  not to exceed One  Million
Dollars  ($1,000,000)  less the aggregate  principal amount of all Reimbursement
Obligations  outstanding  at such  time.  The Banks  shall  participate  in such
Letters of Credit as provided in Section 2.8 hereof.

            Section 2.2 Notices Relating to Loans and Letters of Credit.

      (a) NPDC, MXL or GPC, on behalf of the GPC Borrowers, shall give the Agent
written notice of each borrowing,  conversion and prepayment of each Loan and of
the duration of each Interest  Period  applicable to each Fixed Rate Loan and of
each  request  for  issuance of a Letter of Credit (in each case,  a  "Borrowing
Notice").  Each such written notice shall be irrevocable  and shall be effective
only if received by the Agent not later than 11 a.m., New York City time, on the
date that is:

<PAGE>

      (i) In the  case  of  each  notice  of  borrowing  or  prepayment  of,  or
conversion  into, Prime Rate Loans, and each request for issuance of a Letter of
Credit, one Business Day prior to the date of the related borrowing,  prepayment
or conversion and three Business Days prior to the issuance date for such Letter
of Credit; and

      (ii) In  the case of each  notice  of  borrowing  or  prepayment  of,  or
conversion  into,  Fixed Rate Loans,  or the duration of an Interest  Period for
Fixed  Rate  Loans,  three  Eurodollar  Business  Days  prior to the date of the
related borrowing,  prepayment,  or conversion or the first day of such Interest
Period.

      (b) (i) Each such notice of  borrowing,  conversion  or  prepayment  shall
specify  the amount  (subject  to Section  2.1  hereof)  and type of Loans to be
borrowed,  converted or prepaid (and,  in the case of a conversion,  the type of
Loans to result from such conversion), and the date of borrowing,  conversion or
prepayment  (which shall be: (x) a Business Day in the case of each borrowing or
prepayment of Prime Rate Loans, and (y) a Eurodollar Business Day in the case of
each borrowing or prepayment of Fixed Rate Loans and each  conversion of or into
a Fixed Rate Loan). Each such notice of the duration of an Interest Period shall
specify the Loans to which such Interest Period is to relate.

      (ii)  Each  such  notice  of  issuance  of a  Letter  of  Credit  shall be
accompanied  by  Fleet's  customary  form of letter of credit  application  duly
executed by a Borrower. In the event of any inconsistency between the provisions
of any such  application  and this  Agreement,  the provisions of this Agreement
shall, to the extent of such inconsistency, prevail.

      (c) The Agent shall notify the Banks of the content of each such Borrowing
Notice promptly after its receipt thereof.

            Section 2.3 Disbursement of Loan Proceeds.

      Not later than 11:00 a.m.,  New York City time, on the date  specified for
each  borrowing  hereunder,  each Bank  shall  transfer  to the  Agent,  by wire
transfer or otherwise,  but in any event in  immediately  available  funds,  the
amount  of the  Loan to be made by it on such  date,  and the  Agent,  upon  its
receipt  thereof,  shall disburse such sum to NPDC, MXL or GPC, on behalf of the
GPC  Borrowers,  by depositing the amount thereof in an account of such Borrower
designated by such Borrower  maintained with Fleet or otherwise as instructed in
writing by such Borrower to the Agent.

            Section 2.4 Notes.

      (a) The Loans made by each Bank shall be evidenced by a single  promissory
note of the Borrowers in  substantially  the form of ExhibitA-1  annexed hereto
(hereinafter  sometimes referred to individually as a "Note" and collectively as
the "Notes")  representing  the joint and several  obligation of the  Borrowers.
Each Note  shall be dated the date of this  Agreement,  shall be  payable to the
order  of a Bank  in a  principal  amount  equal  to the  Bank's  Commitment  as
originally in effect, and shall otherwise be duly completed.  The Notes shall be
payable as provided in Sections 2.1 and 2.5 hereof.

<PAGE>

     (b) Each  Bank  may  enter on a  schedule  attached  to its Note or in its
internal records a notation with respect to each Loan made hereunder of: (i)the
date and principal amount thereof, (ii)each payment and prepayment of principal
thereof,  (iii) the  applicable  interest rate and (iv) the  Interest Period, if
applicable.  The failure of any Bank to make a notation  on the  schedule to its
Note or in its internal records as aforesaid shall not limit or otherwise affect
the  obligation  of the  Borrowers to repay the Loans in  accordance  with their
respective terms as set forth herein.

            Section 2.5 Repayment of Principal of Loans.

      (a) The Loans  shall be payable by the  Borrowers,  on a joint and several
basis, in full on the Commitment Termination Date.

      (b) The Loans  shall be repaid by the  Borrowers,  on a joint and  several
basis,  to the Agent for the account of each Bank as and when necessary to cause
the  aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of the  Loans  and  Reimbursement
Obligations,  plus face amount of outstanding  Letters of Credit,  not to exceed
the lesser of (1) the Total  Commitment  and (2) the  Borrowing  Base as then in
effect.

      (c) The Loans may be prepaid  at any time and from time to time,  in whole
or in part.

      (d) All prepayments  provided for in Section 2.5  shall be without premium
or penalty, except as provided in Section 2.25.

      (e) All  prepayments  provided for in Section 2.5 shall be made upon prior
written notice to the Agent as provided in Section 2.2.

      (f) All  prepayments  provided  for in  Section  2.5 shall be in  integral
multiples of $100,000 or the  outstanding  principal  balance of the Loans being
prepaid.

      (g) Prepayments of Loans pursuant to Section 2.5 may, subject to the terms
and conditions hereof, be reborrowed during the Credit Period.

      (h) All prepayments of Loans or any portion thereof shall be made together
with payment of all interest  accrued on the amount  repaid  through the date of
such prepayment.

      Section 2.6 Interest.

      (a) The  Borrowers  shall  jointly and  severally pay to the Agent for the
account of each Bank interest on the principal  amount of each Loan made by such
Bank,  for the period  commencing on the date of such Loan until such Loan shall
be paid in full, at the following rates per annum:

      (i)  During  such  period  that such Loan is a Prime Rate Loan,  the Prime
Rate plus the Applicable Margin; and

      (ii)  During  such periods  that such Loan is a Fixed Rate Loan,  for each
Interest Period relating thereto, the Fixed Rate for such Loan for such Interest
Period plus the Applicable Margin.

      (b)  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  if all  or a  portion  of  (i)  the
principal  amount of any Loan,  (ii) any interest  payable  thereon or (iii) any
other amount payable  hereunder or under any of the other Loan  Documents  shall
not be paid  when due  (whether  at the  stated  maturity,  by  acceleration  or
otherwise), such overdue amount shall bear interest at a rate per annum equal to
(i) in the case of overdue  principal  and  overdue  interest  on any Loan,  two
percent  (2%)  above  the rate of  interest  otherwise  applicable  to such Loan
pursuant  to Section  2.6(a)  during  such  period and (ii) in the case of other
overdue amounts, two percent (2%) above the rate of interest applicable to Prime
Rate Loans during such period (the  "Post-Default  Rate"), in each case from the
date of such  non-payment  until  such  amount is paid in full (as well after as
before judgment).


<PAGE>

      (c) Except as provided in the next sentence, accrued interest on each Loan
shall be  payable:  (i) in the case of a Prime  Rate  Loan,  monthly on the last
Business Day of each month,  (ii) in the case of a Fixed Rate Loan,  on each day
that is one  month or a whole  multiple  thereof  after  the  first  day of each
Interest  Period for such Loan and on the last day of each  Interest  Period for
such Loan,  and  (iii) in the case of any Loan,  upon the payment or  prepayment
thereof or the  conversion  thereof into a Loan of another type (but only on the
principal so paid,  prepaid or converted).  Accrued  interest that is payable at
the Post-Default  Rate shall be payable from time to time on demand of the Agent
or the Majority  Banks.  Promptly after the  establishment  of any interest rate
provided for herein or any change  therein,  the Agent will notify the Banks and
NPDC  thereof,  provided  that the failure of the Agent to so notify NPDC or the
Banks shall not affect the  obligations of the Borrowers  hereunder or under any
of the Notes in any respect.  The Agent is authorized,  on any interest  payment
date hereunder,  to debit any demand deposit account  maintained by any Borrower
with the Agent for such interest.

      (d)  Anything  in  this  Agreement  or any of the  Notes  to the  contrary
notwithstanding,  the  obligation  of the Borrowers to make payments of interest
shall be  subject to the  limitation  that  payments  of  interest  shall not be
required to be made to any Bank to the extent that such Bank's  receipt  thereof
would not be permissible  under the law or laws applicable to such Bank limiting
rates of  interest  that may be charged  or  collected  by such  Bank.  Any such
payments of interest that are not made as a result of the limitation referred to
in the  preceding  sentence  shall be made by the  Borrowers to such Bank on the
earliest  interest  payment date or dates on which the receipt  thereof would be
permissible  under the laws  applicable to such Bank limiting  rates of interest
that may be charged or collected by such Bank. Such deferred  interest shall not
bear interest.

      Section 2.7 Fees.

      (a) The  Borrowers  shall  pay on the date  hereof  to the  Agent  for the
account of each Bank a closing fee (the "Closing Fee") in an amount equal to 1/4
of 1% of such Bank's Commitment.

      (b) The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Bank, pro
rata  according  to  their  respective   Commitments,   a  commitment  fee  (the
"Commitment  Fee") on the daily average amount of such Bank's Unused  Commitment
for the period  from the date  hereof to and  including  the earlier of the date
such Bank's Commitment is terminated or the Commitment  Termination Date, at the
rate of  1/4 of 1% per  annum.  The  accrued  Commitment  Fee  shall be  payable
quarterly on the last Business Day of each  calendar  quarter and on the earlier
of the date the Commitments are terminated or the Commitment Termination Date.

      (c) The Borrowers  shall pay to the Agent an agency fee (the "Agency Fee")
for  services  rendered by the Agent,  in its capacity as Agent  hereunder,  and
other services  relating  hereto in the amount  provided in the separate  letter
agreement  dated  February 19,  1997  between the Agent and NPDC and accepted by
NPDC on February 26, 1997.

      (d) With  respect to Letters of  Credit,  the  Borrowers  shall pay to the
Agent:

<PAGE>

      (i) for  the  account of Fleet as issuer of the Letters of Credit and the
account of the other Banks,  pro rata according to their  respective  Commitment
Percentages,  a fee at the rate per annum of 1.00% (or, after the occurrence and
during the  continuance  of any Event of  Default,  3.00%) on the face amount of
each Letter of Credit (regardless of whether all conditions to drawing have been
satisfied) for the period from and including the date of issuance of each Letter
of  Credit to and  including  the  expiration  date  thereof.  Such fee shall be
payable  (A) in  advance,  upon the  issuance  of each Letter of Credit and upon
amendment  of each  Letter of  Credit  but only with  respect  to any  increased
portion of any  Letter of Credit  which  shall be  amended  from time to time to
increase  the  amount  thereof,  for the  period  from the date of  issuance  or
amendment to and  including the last day of the then current  calendar  quarter,
and (B)  thereafter  quarterly  in  advance  on the first  day of each  calendar
quarter for the ensuing  calendar  quarter.  Such fee shall be fully earned when
paid and shall be non-refundable; and

      (ii) for the account of Fleet alone a non-refundable  issuance fee payable
at the time of issuance and extension or increase of each Letter of Credit in an
amount  equal to 1/8% flat of the face  amount of each  Letter of Credit  or, as
applicable, any increase therein; (collectively, the "Letter of Credit Fees").

      (e) The Closing Fee, the Commitment  Fee, the Agency Fee and the Letter of
Credit Fees are  hereinafter  sometimes  referred to individually as a "Fee" and
collectively as the "Fees".

      (f) The  Agent is  authorized,  on any date on  which  any Fee is  payable
hereunder,  to debit any demand deposit account  maintained by any Borrower with
the Agent for such Fee.

      Section 2.8 Letters of Credit.

      (a) (i) Each Letter of Credit issued,  extended or renewed hereunder shall
be denominated  in Dollars and, among other things,  (A) provide for the payment
of sight drafts for honor thereunder when presented in accordance with the terms
thereof and when accompanied by the documents described therein, and (B) have an
expiration  date no more than one year after the date of  issuance  and no later
than the date that is  fourteen  (14) days (or,  if the  beneficiary  is located
outside of the United  States of  America,  forty-five  (45) days)  prior to the
Commitment  Termination  Date,  provided that so-called  "evergreen"  letters of
credit that contain  automatic  renewal clauses but can be terminated within one
year by notice  from the  issuing  bank to the  beneficiary  shall be deemed for
purposes of clause (B)  above to have an expiration  date which is the date upon
which such  letter of credit  would  terminate  if such notice were given by the
issuing bank.

      (ii) Prior to the date  hereof,  Fleet has  issued  the  letters of credit
listed in Schedule  2.8. Each of those letters of credit shall be deemed to be a
Letter of Credit  hereunder  immediately  after the making of the initial  Loans
hereunder.  From and after the date of this  Agreement,  such  Letters of Credit
shall be subject to the terms of this  Agreement  and the Letter of Credit  Fees
provided for in Section 2.7(d)(i) (but not Section  2.7(d)(ii)) shall be payable
as if such  Letters of Credit were issued on the date of this  Agreement.  Fleet
shall repay to the Borrowers any letter of credit fees  previously paid to Fleet
in respect of such letters of credit  allocable to the period from and after the
date of this Agreement. Such Letters of Credit shall be governed by the terms of
this Agreement and any  application  delivered to Fleet in connection with their
initial issuance,  but in the event of any inconsistency  between this Agreement
and  any  such  application,  this  Agreement  shall,  to  the  extent  of  such
inconsistency, prevail.

<PAGE>

      (b)  Immediately  upon the  issuance of each  Letter of Credit,  each Bank
(other than Fleet) shall be deemed to have,  and hereby  agrees to,  irrevocably
purchase and assume from Fleet a participation in Fleet's rights and obligations
under such Letter of Credit and the related Reimbursement  Obligations and other
rights hereunder in an amount equal to such Bank's Commitment Percentage.

      (c) Each  Borrowing  Notice  relating to a Letter of Credit shall refer to
this  Agreement and shall specify (i) the date on which such Letter of Credit is
to be issued (which shall be a Business Day) and the face amount  thereof,  (ii)
the name and address of the  beneficiary,  (iii)  whether  such Letter of Credit
shall  permit a single  drawing  or  multiple  drawings,  (iv) the  terms of the
notice, if any, to be presented at the time of any drawing,  (v) the expiry date
of such  Letter of  Credit,  and (vi) such other  terms as Fleet may  reasonably
request from time to time.

      (d) Promptly after it shall have ascertained that any draft or request for
payment,  and any  accompanying  documents,  presented  under a Letter of Credit
appear on their face to be in accordance  with the terms and  conditions of such
Letter of Credit,  Fleet may, but shall not be obligated to, give  telephonic or
telecopier  notice to any  Borrower  of the  receipt and amount of such draft or
request for payment and the date on which payment thereon will be made. If Fleet
shall pay any draft or request for payment  presented  under a Letter of Credit,
the  Borrowers  shall pay to the Agent for the account of Fleet or, if the Agent
shall have  received the payments  provided  for in Section  2.8(e)  hereof with
respect  to such  drawing  or  payment,  for the  account of Fleet and the other
Banks, the unreimbursed amount of such drawing on or prior to 1:00 p.m. New York
time on the date such  drawing is paid if paid before  11:00 a.m.  New York time
and if Fleet gives NPDC notice  before that time that such payment was made,  or
if such  payment  is made or  notice  given  after  such  time  then on the next
Business  Day after the date on which such payment has been made and such notice
has been given, together with interest thereon from the date of payment by Fleet
until  payment in full by the  Borrowers  at the Prime Rate plus the  Applicable
Margin  for the first  five days  after  notice of  payment by Fleet to NPDC and
thereafter at the Post-Default Rate (the obligations of the Borrowers under this
Section   2.8(d)   being   collectively   called   herein   the   "Reimbursement
Obligations").  The obligations of the Borrowers under this Section 2.8(d) shall
be payable without set-off, counterclaim, deduction, recoupment or offset of any
nature whatsoever (whether sounding in tort, contract or otherwise) and shall be
absolute,  unconditional  and  irrevocable  and shall be  satisfied  strictly in
accordance with their terms.

      (e) If Fleet shall pay any draft or request for payment  presented under a
Letter of Credit and if the  Borrowers  shall not have paid their  Reimbursement
Obligations by 1:00 p.m., New York time, on the date of such payment, then Fleet
shall as promptly as practicable  give notice to the Agent who shall as promptly
as practicable give telephone,  telecopier or telex notice to the other Banks of
the date and amount of such payment and of each Bank's respective  participation
therein.  Each Bank  shall  pay to the  Agent,  acting  on  behalf of Fleet,  in
immediately available funds, not later than 3:00 p.m. New York time, on the date
of such  payment of a draft or request  for  payment by Fleet (or,  if the Agent
shall notify such other Banks of such payment  after  1:00 p.m.,  New York time,

<PAGE>

not later than 1:00 p.m., New York time on the next succeeding Business Day), an
amount equal to the aggregate  amount of such payment  multiplied by such Bank's
Commitment Percentage.  Each Bank's obligation to make such payment to the Agent
shall be absolute, irrevocable and unconditional under any and all circumstances
without regard to any termination or reduction of the  Commitments,  any Default
or Event of  Default  or any  failure  of any other  Bank to make such  payment.
Promptly  upon its  receipt of funds from the  Banks,  the Agent  shall pay such
amounts, in immediately available funds, to Fleet.

      (f) Immediately after a demand upon the Borrowers by the Agent,  which the
Agent  shall  make only upon  request  from the  Majority  Banks  following  the
occurrence  and  during  the  continuance  of an Event of  Default,  or upon the
occurrence of any Event of Default under Section 8.6 hereof, the Borrowers shall
make deposits of cash collateral from time to time in a cash collateral  account
(the "LC  Account")  established  by the Agent over  which the Agent  shall have
exclusive dominion and control, in such amount as shall be necessary so that the
cash  collateral  held in the LC  Account  shall  be not less  than  the  amount
available for drawing under all outstanding  Letters of Credit.  The Agent shall
at the  request of the  Borrowers,  at such time as all Events of Default  shall
have been cured or waived,  release any such cash  collateral  to the  Borrowers
upon  maturity of any  certificates  of deposit or time  deposits in which it is
invested.  Upon the  occurrence  and  during  the  continuance  of any  Event of
Default,  the  Agent  may at any  time  and  from  time  to  time,  in its  sole
discretion, cause the balance of the LC Account to be invested and reinvested in
Fleet's   negotiable   certificates  of  deposit  and/or  time  deposits  having
maturities up to 90 days and bearing  interest at prevailing rates paid by Fleet
on certificates  of deposit or time deposit of similar amount and maturity.  The
Borrowers  hereby assign and pledge to the Agent for the ratable  benefit of (x)
Fleet and (y) to the extent  that other Banks have made the  payments  due under
Section 2.8(e) hereof,  such Banks,  the LC Account,  all such  certificates  of
deposit, time deposits and all proceeds thereof. Income, if any, on amounts held
in the LC Account,  at the option of the Agent or at the request of the Majority
Banks,  shall be credited  against  interest  obligations  of the  Borrowers  in
respect  of Loans or other  Obligations  or,  if there  are not  Obligations  or
undrawn  Letters of Credit then  outstanding,  shall be payable to the Borrowers
upon its request.  The  Borrowers  shall  reimburse  the Agent and Fleet for all
costs  and  expenses  incurred  by  the  Agent  and  Fleet  in  connection  with
establishing and  administering the LC Account.  Notwithstanding  any deposit of
cash in the LC Account,  the Letter of Credit  Fees shall  continue to accrue on
the entire amount of Letters of Credit as provided in Section 2.7.

      (g) The Borrowers  shall assume all risk of the acts,  omissions or misuse
of any Letter of Credit by the  beneficiary  thereof.  The Agent,  Fleet and the
Banks shall not be responsible for:

      (i) the   form,   validity,   enforceability,    sufficiency,   accuracy,
genuineness or legal effect of any Letter of Credit,  any document  submitted by
any party in  connection  with the  application  for,  issuance of or payment of
drafts under a Letter of Credit, even if it should in fact prove to be in any or
all respects in improper form, invalid, insufficient,  inaccurate, fraudulent or
forged;

      (ii) the  form,  validity,  sufficiency,  accuracy,  genuineness or legal
effect of any instrument  transferring or assigning or purporting to transfer or
assign a Letter of  Credit or the  rights or  benefits  thereunder  or  proceeds
thereof,  in whole or in part,  which may prove to be invalid or ineffective for
any reason;

<PAGE>

      (iii)  errors,  omissions,  interruptions  or  delays in  transmission  or
delivery of any  messages,  by mail,  cable,  telegraph,  telex,  telecopier  or
otherwise;

      (iv) the existence of any claim, set-off, defense,  counterclaim or other
right which any  Borrower or any other  Person may at any time have  against the
beneficiary  under any Letter of Credit,  the Agent,  Fleet or any other Bank or
any other Person in connection with this Agreement or any other transaction; or

      (v) any loss or delay in the  transmission or otherwise of any document or
draft required in order to make payment under a Letter of Credit.

      In furtherance and extension and not in limitation or derogation of any of
the  foregoing,  Fleet shall have no liability to the  Borrowers or any Bank for
any action  taken or  omitted  to be taken by Fleet in good faith in  connection
with a Letter of Credit.

      Section 2.9 Voluntary Changes in Commitment.

      NPDC shall be  entitled to  terminate  or reduce the  Commitments  and the
Total Commitment  provided that NPDC shall give notice as to such termination or
reduction to the Banks and that any partial reduction of the Commitments and the
Total  Commitment  shall  be in an  aggregate  amount  equal to  $500,000  or an
integral multiple thereof.  Any such termination or reduction shall be permanent
and irrevocable.

      Section 2.10 Use of Proceeds of Loans.

      The proceeds of the Loans hereunder shall be used by the Borrowers  solely
for the following purposes:

      (a) To refinance all outstanding Indebtedness due to Fleet and Summit; and

                  (b)   General corporate purposes not prohibited hereunder.

      Section 2.11 Computations.

      Interest  on all Loans and each Fee  shall be  computed  on the basis of a
year of 360 days and actual days elapsed  (including the first day but excluding
(except in the case of Letter of Credit Fees) the last)  occurring in the period
for which payable.

      Section 2.12  Minimum Amounts of Borrowing,  Conversions,  Prepayments and
Letters of Credit.

      Except for borrowings,  conversions and prepayments  that exhaust the full
remaining  amount of the Commitments (in the case of borrowing) or result in the
conversion  or  prepayment  of all  Loans of a  particular  type (in the case of
conversions  or  prepayments)  or  conversions  made  pursuant to Section  2.21,
subsection 2.22  or  Section 2.23  hereof,  each borrowing from each Bank,  each
conversion  of Loans of one type into Loans of another  type and each  voluntary
prepayment of principal of Loans  hereunder shall be in an amount at least equal
to  $300,000  in the case of Prime Rate Loans and  $600,000 in the case of Fixed
Rate  Loans  or  an  integral  multiple  thereof  (borrowing,   conversions  and
prepayments of different  types of Loans at the same time hereunder to be deemed
separate  borrowing,  conversions and prepayments for purposes of the foregoing,
one for each type).

<PAGE>

      Section 2.13 Time and Method of Payments.

      (a) All payments of principal, interest, Fees and other amounts (including
indemnities)  payable by the Borrowers  hereunder  shall be made in Dollars,  in
immediately available funds, by wire transfer or otherwise, to the Agent, at the
Principal Office,  not later than 11:00 a.m., New York City time, on the date on
which such payment shall become due. The Agent or any Bank for whose account any
such payment of principal,  interest or Fees is to be made may, but shall not be
obligated  to,  debit the amount of any such payment of  principal,  interest or
Fees  that is not  made by such  time to any  ordinary  deposit  account  of any
Borrower  with the Agent or such Bank,  as the case may be. Any such  payment of
principal, interest, Fees or other amounts made on such date but after such time
shall,  if the amount paid bears  interest,  be deemed to have been made on, and
interest  shall  continue  to accrue  and be  payable  thereon  until,  the next
succeeding  Business Day. If any payment of principal or interest becomes due on
a day other than a Business Day, such payment may be made on the next succeeding
Business  Day and such  extension  shall be  included in  computing  interest in
connection with such payment.  Each payment  received by the Agent hereunder for
the account of a Bank shall be paid to such Bank, in like funds, for the account
of such Bank's  Applicable  Lending  Office,  or such other  arrangements as the
Agent and the Banks shall agree to,  provided that after receipt by the Agent of
any  Letter of Credit  Fee for the  account  of the  Banks,  the Agent  shall be
permitted a delay of up to two  Business  Days prior to paying each Bank its pro
rata share thereof.

      (b) All  payments  hereunder  and under the  Notes  shall be made  without
set-off, counterclaim, deduction, recoupment or offset of any nature and in such
amounts as may be  necessary in order that all such  payments  shall not be less
than the amounts  otherwise  specified to be paid under this  Agreement  and the
Notes.

      Section 2.14 Lending Offices.

      The Loans made by each Bank shall be made and  maintained  at such  Bank's
Applicable Lending Office for Loans.

      Section 2.15 Several Obligations.

      The  failure  of any  Bank to make  any  Loan to be made by it on the date
specified  therefor  shall  not  relieve  the  other  Banks of their  respective
obligations  to make their Loans on such date,  but no Bank shall be responsible
for the failure of the other Banks to make Loans to be made by such other Banks.

      Section 2.16 Security.

      (a) In order to secure the due payment and performance by the Borrowers of
the  Obligations,  simultaneously  with  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this
Agreement, each of the GPC Borrowers and MXL shall:

      (i)  Grant to the Agent for the ratable  benefit of the Banks a first lien
on and  security  interest  in  all  of  such  Borrower's  accounts  receivable,
inventory and related contract rights,  whether now owned or hereafter acquired,
tangible  and  intangible,  by the  execution  and  delivery  to the  Agent of a
Security  Agreement  in  substantially  the  form of  Exhibit  A-2  hereto  (the
"Borrower  Security  Agreement"  and,   collectively,   the  "Borrower  Security
Agreements");

<PAGE>

      (ii)  Execute and deliver or cause to be executed and delivered such other
agreements,  instruments  and  documents as the Majority  Banks or the Agent may
reasonably  require in order to effect the  purposes  of the  Borrower  Security
Agreement, this Section 2.16 and this Agreement.

      (b) All of the  agreements,  instruments  and  documents  provided  for or
referred  to  in  this  Section  2.16  are  hereinafter  sometimes  referred  to
collectively as the "Security Documents".

      Section 2.17 Pro Rata Treatment Among Banks.

      Except as otherwise  provided  herein:  (i) each  borrowing from the Banks
under  Section 2.1 hereof  will be made from the Banks and each  payment of each
Fee  (other  than the  Agency  Fee and the  issuance  fee for  Letters of Credit
payable  to Fleet  alone)  shall be made for the  account  of the Banks pro rata
according to their respective  Commitment  Percentages;  (ii) each conversion of
Loans of a particular  type under  Section 2.20 hereof  (other than  conversions
provided for by Sections 2.21,  2.22 or 2.23 hereof) will be made pro rata among
the Banks  holding  Loans of such type  according  to the  respective  principal
amounts of such Loans held by such Banks;  (iv) each  payment and  prepayment of
principal  of or  interest  on Loans  of a  particular  type  and  Reimbursement
Obligations will be made to the Agent for the account of the Banks holding Loans
of such type and the  Reimbursement  Obligations pro rata in accordance with the
respective  unpaid  principal  amounts  of  such  Loans  and  the  Reimbursement
Obligations  held by  such  Banks;  and  (v) Interest  Periods  for  Loans  of a
particular  type shall be allocated  among the Banks  holding Loans of such type
pro rata  according to the  respective  principal  amounts of such Loans held by
such Banks.

      Section 2.18 Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent.

      Unless the Agent shall have been notified by a Bank or the Borrowers  (the
"Payor") prior to the date on which such Bank is to make payment to the Agent of
the proceeds of a Loan to be made by it hereunder or the Borrowers are to make a
payment to the Agent for the  account  of one or more of the Banks,  as the case
may be (such payment being herein called the "Required  Payment"),  which notice
shall be  effective  upon  receipt,  that the Payor  does not intend to make the
Required  Payment to the Agent,  the Agent may assume that the Required  Payment
has been made and may,  in  reliance  upon  such  assumption  (but  shall not be
required to),  make the amount  thereof  available to the intended  recipient on
such date and,  if the Payor has not in fact made the  Required  Payment  to the
Agent,  the recipient of such payment shall,  on demand,  repay to the Agent the
amount made  available to it together with  interest  thereon in respect of each
day during the period  commencing on the date such amount was so made  available
by the Agent until the date the Agent  recovers  such amount at a rate per annum
equal to the Federal  Funds Rate for such day (when the  recipient is a Bank) or
equal to the Federal Funds Rate for the first three  Business Days after receipt
and thereafter the rate of interest  applicable to such Loan (when the recipient
is a Borrower).

<PAGE>

      Section 2.19 Sharing of Payments and Set-off Among Banks.

      Each of the  Borrowers  hereby  agrees  that,  in addition to (and without
limitation  of) any right of set-off,  banker's lien or  counterclaim a Bank may
otherwise  have,  the Agent and each Bank shall be entitled,  at its option,  to
offset  balances  held by it at any of its offices  against any  principal of or
interest on any of the Loans and/or Obligations hereunder, or any Fee payable to
it, that is not paid when due  (regardless of whether such balances are then due
to such Borrower),  in which case it shall promptly notify such Borrower and (in
the case of offset by a Bank) the Agent  thereof,  provided  that its failure to
give such  notice  shall not  affect  the  validity  thereof.  Except  after the
occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default, the Agent and the
Banks  shall be  permitted  to  exercise  such  rights  of offset  only  against
principal,  interest and Fees not paid when due. If a Bank shall effect  payment
of any  principal of or interest on Loans and/or  other  Obligations  held by it
under this  Agreement  through the  exercise  of any right of set-off,  banker's
lien,  counterclaim or similar right, it shall promptly  purchase from the other
Banks  participations in the Loans held by the other Banks in such amounts,  and
make such other adjustments from time to time as shall be equitable,  to the end
that  all the  Banks  shall  share  the  benefit  of such  payment  pro  rata in
accordance  with the unpaid  principal  and  interest on the Loans  and/or other
Obligations  held by each  of  them.  To such  end  all  the  Banks  shall  make
appropriate  adjustments among themselves (by the resale of participations  sold
or otherwise) if such payment is rescinded or must  otherwise be restored.  Each
Borrower agrees that any Bank so purchasing a participation  in the Loans and/or
other  Obligations  held by the other Banks may  exercise all rights of set-off,
banker's lien, counterclaim or similar rights with respect to such participation
as fully as if such Bank were a direct holder of Loans and/or other  Obligations
in the amount of such participation.  Nothing contained herein shall require any
Bank to  exercise  any  such  right  or shall  affect  the  right of any Bank to
exercise  and retain the benefits of  exercising  any such right with respect to
any other indebtedness or obligation of any Borrower.

      Section 2.20 Conversions of Loans.

      The Borrowers shall have the right to convert Loans of one type into Loans
of another  type from time to time,  provided  that:  (i) NPDC,  MXL or GPC,  on
behalf of the GPC Borrowers, shall give the Agent notice of each such conversion
as provided in Section 2.2 hereof;  (ii) Fixed Rate Loans may be converted  only
on the last day of an Interest  Period for such  Loans;  and (iii) no Prime Rate
Loan  may be  converted  into a  Fixed  Rate  Loan  if on the  proposed  date of
conversion a Default or an Event of Default exists. The Agent shall use its best
efforts  to notify  NPDC,  MXL or GPC,  on behalf of the GPC  Borrowers,  of the
effectiveness  of such  conversion,  and  the new  interest  rate to  which  the
converted  Loans are  subject,  as soon as  practicable  after  the  conversion;
provided,  however, that any failure to give such notice shall not result in any
liability of the Agent or affect the Borrowers'  Obligations,  or the Agent's or
the Banks' rights and remedies, hereunder in any way whatsoever.

<PAGE>

      Section 2.21 Additional Costs; Capital Requirements.

      (a) In the event  that after the date of this  Agreement  any change in or
adoption of any law or regulation,  guideline or  interpretation  thereof by any
court  or   administrative   or   governmental   authority   charged   with  the
administration thereof, or compliance by any Bank or any corporation controlling
such Bank with any new or changed  request or  directive  (whether or not having
the force of law) of any such authority shall impose,  modify or deem applicable
or result in the  application  of, any  capital  maintenance,  capital  ratio or
similar  requirement  against  commitments  made or Letters of Credit  issued or
participated in by any Bank hereunder or the  Obligations of the Borrowers,  and
the result of any event  referred to above is to (i) impose upon any Bank or any
corporation controlling such Bank or increase any capital requirement applicable
as a result  of the  making or  maintenance  of,  such  Bank's  Commitment,  the
issuance of Letters of Credit or  participations  therein or the  Obligations of
the  Borrowers  hereunder  (which  imposition  of  capital  requirements  may be
determined by each Bank's reasonable allocation of the aggregate of such capital
increases  or  impositions),  or (ii)  reduce the rate of return on such  Bank's
capital or the capital of any corporation controlling such Bank to a level below
that which it could have  achieved  but for such  adoption,  change,  request or
directive,  then, upon demand made by such Bank as promptly as practicable after
it  obtains  knowledge  that such law,  regulation,  guideline,  interpretation,
request or directive  exists and  determines to make such demand,  the Borrowers
shall  immediately  pay to such Bank from time to time as specified by such Bank
additional  commitment fees which shall be sufficient to compensate such Bank or
any  corporation  controlling  such Bank for such  imposition  of or increase in
capital  requirements  or reduced rate of return  together with interest on each
such amount from the date demanded until payment in full thereof, such interest,
for the first thirty (30) days after the date of such demand,  to be at the rate
applicable to Loans hereunder,  and, from and after the thirty-first  (31st) day
after such demand,  at the Post-Default  Rate applicable to Loans  hereunder.  A
certificate   setting  forth  in  reasonable  detail  the  amount  necessary  to
compensate such Bank or any corporation  controlling such Bank as a result of an
imposition  of or increase  in capital  requirements  or reduced  rate of return
submitted by such Bank to NPDC shall be conclusive, absent manifest error, as to
the amount thereof. For purposes of this Section 2.21, in calculating the amount
necessary to compensate any Bank or any  corporation  controlling  such Bank for
any imposition of or increase in capital requirements or reduced rate of return,
such Bank shall allocate such amount among its customers  similarly  situated to
the Borrowers in good faith and on an equitable basis.

      (b) In the event that any Regulatory Change shall: (i) change the basis of
taxation of any amounts payable to any Bank under this Agreement or the Notes in
respect  of any Loans or other  Obligations  (other  than  taxes  imposed on the
overall  net  income of such  Bank for any such  Loans by the  United  States of
America  or the  jurisdiction  in which  such Bank has its  principal  office or
Applicable  Lending  Office);  or  (ii) impose  or modify any  reserve,  Federal
Deposit Insurance Corporation premium or assessment,  special deposit or similar
requirements  relating to any  extensions  of credit or other  assets of, or any
deposits with or other liabilities of, such Bank (including any of such Loans or
any  deposits  referred to in the  definition  of "Fixed Base Rate" in Article 1
hereof);  or (iii)  impose any other  conditions  affecting  this  Agreement  in

<PAGE>

respect of Loans,  Letters of Credit or  participations  therein (or any of such
extensions of credit,  assets,  deposits or liabilities);  and the result of any
event  referred to in clause (i),  (ii) or (iii) above shall be to increase such
Bank's  costs  of  making  or  maintaining  any  Loans,  Letters  of  Credit  or
participations therein or its Commitment,  or to reduce any amount receivable by
such  Bank  hereunder  in  respect  of any of its  Loans,  Letters  of Credit or
participations therein or its Commitment (such increases in costs and reductions
in amounts receivable are hereinafter  referred to as "Additional  Costs") then,
upon  demand  made by such Bank as  promptly  as  practicable  after it  obtains
knowledge  that such a  Regulatory  Change  exists and  determines  to make such
demand (a copy of which demand shall be delivered to the Agent),  the  Borrowers
shall pay to such Bank from time to time as specified  by such Bank,  additional
commitment  fees or other amounts  which shall be sufficient to compensate  such
Bank for such  increased  cost or reduction in amounts  receivable  by such Bank
from the date of such change,  together  with  interest on each such amount from
the date demanded until payment in full thereof,  such  interest,  for the first
thirty (30) days after the date of such demand,  to be at the rate applicable to
Loans  hereunder,  and,  from and after the  thirty-first  (31st) day after such
demand, at the Post-Default Rate applicable to Loans hereunder.

      (c)  Without  limiting  the  effect of the  foregoing  provisions  of this
Section 2.21, in the event that, by reason of any  Regulatory  Change,  any Bank
either:  (i) incurs  Additional Costs based on or measured by the excess above a
specified level of the amount of a category of deposits or other  liabilities of
such Bank which  includes  deposits by reference  to which the interest  rate on
Fixed Rate Loans is  determined  as provided in this  Agreement or a category of
extensions  of credit or other  assets of such Bank  which  includes  Fixed Rate
Loans,  or (ii) becomes subject to restrictions on the amount of such a category
of  liabilities  or  assets  that it may hold,  then,  if such Bank so elects by
notice to NPDC (with a copy to the Agent),  the obligation of such Bank to make,
and to convert Loans of any other type into,  Loans of such type hereunder shall
be suspended until the date such  Regulatory  Change ceases to be in effect (and
all Loans of such type then outstanding shall be converted into Prime Rate Loans
or into Fixed Rate Loans of another duration,  as the case may be, in accordance
with Section 2.24 hereof).

      (d)  Determinations  by any Bank for  purposes of this Section 2.21 of the
effect of any Regulatory  Change on its costs of making or maintaining  Loans or
on amounts  receivable by it in respect of Loans, and of the additional  amounts
required to compensate  such Bank in respect of any Additional  Costs,  shall be
set forth in  writing  in  reasonable  detail  and shall be  conclusive,  absent
manifest error.

      (e) In the event that any Bank  demands  compensation  under this  Section
2.21, then (without  limiting or reducing the obligations of the Borrowers under
this  Section  2.21),  such Bank shall take  reasonable  steps to  mitigate  the
circumstances  resulting in such demand,  provided,  that such Bank shall not be
required  to take any such  steps if, in its  opinion,  such  steps (i) would be
inconsistent  with the  Bank's  internal  policies,  (ii) would or might have an
adverse effect upon the Bank's  business,  operations or financial  condition or
(iii) would result in any cost, liability or expense to the Bank.

      (f) The provisions of this  Section 2.21  shall survive any termination of
this Agreement.

      Section 2.22 Limitation on Types of Loans.

      Anything  herein to the contrary  notwithstanding,  if, on or prior to the
determination  of an  interest  rate for any Fixed Rate  Loans for any  Interest
Period therefor, any Bank determines (which determination shall be conclusive):

<PAGE>

      (a) by reason of any event  affecting  the  money  markets  in the  United
States of America or the  Eurodollar  interbank  market,  quotations of interest
rates for the  relevant  deposits  are not being  provided to it in the relevant
amounts or for the relevant  maturities for purposes of determining  the rate of
interest for such Loans under this Agreement; or

      (b) the rates of  interest  referred to in the  definition  of "Fixed Base
Rate" in Article 1 hereof  upon the basis of which the rate of  interest  on any
Fixed Rate Loans for such period is determined,  do not  accurately  reflect the
cost to such Bank of making or maintaining such Loans for such period, then such
Bank  promptly  shall notify the Agent which shall give NPDC and each other Bank
prompt  notice  thereof  (and shall  thereafter  give NPDC and each Bank  prompt
notice  of the  cessation,  if  any,  of  such  condition),  and so long as such
condition  remains in effect,  the Banks  shall be under no  obligation  to make
Loans of such type or to convert Loans of any other type into Loans of such type
and the  Borrowers  shall,  on the  last  day(s)  of the then  current  Interest
Period(s)  for the  outstanding  Loans of the affected  type either  prepay such
Loans in accordance  with Section 2.5 hereof or convert such Loans into Loans of
another type in accordance with Section 2.20 hereof.

      Section 2.23 Illegality.

      (a)  Notwithstanding  any other provision in this Agreement,  in the event
that it  becomes  unlawful  for any Bank or its  Applicable  Lending  Office to:
(i) honor its obligation to make Fixed Rate Loans  hereunder,  or  (ii) maintain
Fixed Rate Loans  hereunder,  then such Bank shall promptly  notify NPDC thereof
(with a copy to the Agent), describing such illegality in reasonable detail (and
shall thereafter promptly notify NPDC and the Agent of the cessation, if any, of
such  illegality),  and such Bank's  obligation  to make Fixed Rate Loans and to
convert other types of Loans into Fixed Rate Loans hereunder shall, upon written
notice given by such Bank to NPDC, be suspended until such time as such Bank may
again make and maintain Fixed Rate Loans and such Bank's  outstanding Fixed Rate
Loans shall be converted into Prime Rate Loans in accordance  with Sections 2.20
and 2.24 hereof.

      Section 2.24 Certain Conversions pursuant to Sections 2.21, 2.22 and 2.23.

      If the  Loans of any Bank of a  particular  type  (Loans  of such type are
hereinafter  referred  to as  "Affected  Loans"  and  such  type is  hereinafter
referred  to as the  "Affected  Type") are to be  converted  pursuant to Section
2.21,  Section 2.22 or Section 2.23 hereof,  such Bank's Affected Loans shall be
converted  into Prime Rate Loans,  or Fixed Rate Loans of another  type,  as the
case may be (the  "New  Type  Loans")  on the last  day(s)  of the then  current
Interest  Period(s)  for the  Affected  Loans (or,  in the case of a  conversion
required by Section 2.21 or Section  2.23  hereof,  on such earlier date as such
Bank may  specify to NPDC with a copy to the Agent)  and,  until such Bank gives
notice as  provided  below that the  circumstances  specified  in Section  2.21,
Section 2.22 or Section 2.23 hereof that gave rise to such  conversion no longer
exist:

      (a) to the extent that such Bank's  Affected Loans have been so converted,
all payments and  prepayments  of principal  that would  otherwise be applied to
such Affected Loans shall be applied instead to its New Type Loans;

<PAGE>

      (b) all Loans  that would  otherwise  be made by such Bank as Loans of the
Affected Type shall be made instead as New Type Loans and all Loans of such Bank
that would  otherwise  be  converted  into Loans of the  Affected  Type shall be
converted instead into (or shall remain as) New Type Loans; and

      (c) if Loans of any of the  Banks  other  than such Bank that are the same
type as the Affected Type are subsequently  converted into Loans of another type
(which type is other than New Type Loans), then such Bank's New Type Loans shall
be automatically  converted on the conversion date into Loans of such other type
to the extent necessary so that, after giving effect thereto,  all Loans held by
such Bank and the Banks  whose Loans are so  converted  are held pro rata (as to
principal  amounts,  types and, to the extent  applicable,  Interest Periods) in
accordance with their respective Commitments.

      Section 2.25 Indemnification.

      The  Borrowers  shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Bank,  upon
the  request of such Bank  through  the Agent,  such  amount or amounts as shall
compensate  such  Bank  for  any  loss,  cost  or  expense  (excluding  loss  of
anticipated  profits)  incurred by such Bank (as  reasonably  determined by such
Bank) as a result of:

      (a) any payment or  prepayment  or conversion of a Fixed Rate Loan held by
such Bank on a date other than the last day of an Interest Period for such Fixed
Rate Loan; or

      (b) any  failure by any  Borrower to borrow a Fixed Rate Loan held by such
Bank on the date for such borrowing  specified in the relevant  Borrowing Notice
under Section 2.2 hereof, such compensation to include,  without limitation,  an
amount equal to: (A) any loss or expense suffered by such Bank during the period
from the date of receipt of such early payment or prepayment or the date of such
conversion  or the date of failure  to borrow to the last day of the  applicable
Interest  Period  if the  rate of  interest  obtainable  by such  Bank  upon the
redeployment  of an amount of funds  equal to such Bank's pro rata share of such
payment,  prepayment  or  conversion  or the amount that any Borrower  failed to
borrow is less than the rate of interest (less the Applicable Margin) applicable
to such Fixed Rate Loan for such  Interest  Period,  or (B) any  loss or expense
suffered by such Bank in liquidating  Eurodollar deposits prior to maturity that
correspond to such Bank's pro rata share of such payment, prepayment, conversion
or the amount that any Borrower failed to borrow. The determination by each such
Bank of the  amount  of any such  loss or  expense,  when set forth in a written
notice to NPDC, containing such Bank's calculation thereof in reasonable detail,
shall be presumed correct, in the absence of manifest error.

<PAGE>

      Section 2.26 Withholding Tax Exemption.

      Each of the Agent, any Bank or Eligible Assignee that is a Non-U.S. Person
(as defined below) and that is, or becomes, a party hereto hereby represents and
warrants  that,  as of the date it becomes a party to this  Agreement,  payments
made to it hereunder are exempt from  withholding  of U.S.  Federal income taxes
(i) because  such payments are effectively  connected with a United States trade
or business  conducted by such Non-U.S.  Person or (ii) pursuant to the terms of
an income  tax treaty  between  the United  States  and such  Non-U.S.  Person's
country of residence.  Each of the Agent and any Bank or Eligible  Assignee that
is not  incorporated or otherwise  formed under the laws of the United States of
America or a state thereof (a "Non-U.S. Person") agrees that, on or prior to the
date of this  Agreement  or,  if  later,  the  date it  becomes  a party to this
Agreement,  it will deliver to the Agent and the  Borrowers  two duly  completed
copies of United  States  Internal  Revenue  Service  Form 1001 or 4224,  or any
successor  applicable  form  (a  "Form  1001  or  4224"),  as the  case  may be,
certifying  in each case that such  Bank,  the  Agent or  Eligible  Assignee  is
entitled  to receive  payments  payable to it  hereunder  without  deduction  or
withholding of any United States Federal income taxes. Each of the Agent, or any
Bank or  Eligible  Assignee  that  delivers to the  Borrowers  and the Agent two
copies of Form  1001 or 4224  pursuant  to the  immediately  preceding  sentence
further  undertakes to deliver to the Borrowers and the Agent further  copies of
such Form 1001 or 4224,  as the case may be,  or other  manner of  certification
reasonably  satisfactory  to the Borrowers and the Agent,  on or before the date
that any such form expires or becomes obsolete or on the occurrence of any event
requiring a change in the most recent form or certification previously delivered
by it to the Borrowers or the Agent,  and such extensions or renewals thereof as
may reasonably be requested by the Borrowers or the Agent,  certifying that such
Agent,  Bank or  Eligible  Assignee,  as the case may be, is entitled to receive
payments hereunder without deduction or withholding of any United States Federal
income  taxes,  or, to the extent  applicable  following  a  Regulatory  Change,
subject to a reduced rate thereof.  Notwithstanding the foregoing  provisions of
Section 2.26, if on or prior to the date on which any delivery of such Form 1001
or 4224 providing for a complete exemption from withholding of any United States
Federal income taxes  ("Complete  Exemption  Forms"),  as the case may be, would
otherwise be required, there has occurred any Regulatory Change that renders all
such Complete  Exemption Forms  inapplicable or ineffective for the Agent,  such
Bank or Eligible  Assignee,  as the case may be, or which  would  prevent any of
them from duly  completing and  delivering  any such Complete  Exemption Form or
certification  with respect to it, the Agent, or such Bank or Eligible Assignee,
as the case may be,  shall  advise  the  Borrowers  that it shall be  subject to
withholding of United States Federal income tax at the full statutory rate or at
a reduced rate thereof  (whichever is  applicable).  Each Non-U.S.  Person shall
have an obligation under this paragraph to furnish a Complete  Exemption Form to
the Borrowers and the Agent until a Regulatory  Change occurs which would render
such form  inapplicable  or  ineffective  or prevent such  Non-U.S.  Person from
providing any such form.  Notwithstanding any provision of this Agreement to the
contrary,  the  Borrowers  shall  have  no  obligation  to pay any  Taxes  or to
indemnify any Bank,  the Agent or any Eligible  Assignee for such Taxes pursuant
to this  Agreement to the extent that such Taxes result from (i) the  failure of
any Bank, Agent, or Eligible Assignee to comply with its obligations pursuant to
this  paragraph or (ii) any  representation  made in the first  sentence of this
paragraph or on Form 1001 or 4224 or successor  applicable form or certification
by any Bank,  the Agent,  or Eligible  Assignee  incurring such Taxes proving to
have been incorrect, false or misleading in any material respect when so made or
deemed to be made.

<PAGE>

      Section 2.27 Concerning Joint and Several Liability of the Borrowers.

      (a) Each of the Borrowers is accepting joint and several liability for all
Obligations  hereunder in  consideration  of the financial  accommodation  to be
provided by the Banks under this Agreement, for the mutual benefit, directly and
indirectly, of each of the Borrowers and in consideration of the undertakings of
each of the Borrowers to accept joint and several  liability for the obligations
of each of them.

      (b) Each of the Borrowers  jointly and severally  hereby  irrevocably  and
unconditionally  accepts, not merely as a surety but also as a co-debtor,  joint
and several  liability with the other  Borrowers with respect to the payment and
performance  of all of the  Obligations,  it being the  intention of the parties
hereto that all the  Obligations  shall be the joint and several  obligations of
each of the Borrowers without preferences or distinction among them.

      (c) If and to the extent that any of the Borrowers  shall fail to make any
payment with respect to any of the Obligations as and when due or to perform any
of the  Obligations  in  accordance  with the terms  thereof,  then in each such
event,  the other  Borrowers will make such payment with respect to, or perform,
such Obligation.

      (d) The  obligations of each Borrower under the provisions of this Section
2.27 constitute full recourse obligations of such Borrower,  enforceable against
it to the  full  extent  of  its  properties  and  assets,  irrespective  of the
validity,   regularity  or   enforceability  of  this  Agreement  or  any  other
circumstances whatsoever.

      (e) Except as otherwise  expressly  provided herein,  each Borrower hereby
waives notice of acceptance  of its joint and several  liability,  notice of any
and all Loans made or other Obligations incurred under this Agreement, notice of
occurrence of any Event of Default,  or of any demand for any payment under this
Agreement, notice of any action at any time taken or omitted by the Agent or any
Bank under or in respect of any of the Obligations, any requirement of diligence
and,  generally,  all demands,  notices and other  formalities  of every kind in
connection  with this  Agreement.  Each Borrower  hereby  assents to, and waives
notice of, any extension or  postponement  of the time for the payment of any of
the  Obligations,  the acceptance of any partial  payment  thereon,  any waiver,
consent or other action or  acquiescence by the Agent or any Bank at any time or
times  in  respect  of  any  default  by any  Borrower  in  the  performance  or
satisfaction  of any term,  covenant,  condition or provision of this Agreement,
any and all other indulgences  whatsoever by the Agent or any Bank in respect of
any of the Obligations,  and the taking,  addition,  substitution or release, in
whole  or in  part,  at any  time  or  times,  of any  security  for  any of the
Obligations or the addition,  substitution  or release,  in whole or in part, of
any Borrower.  Without  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  each Borrower
assents to any other  action or delay in acting or failure to act on the part of
the Agent or any Bank,  including,  without limitation,  any failure strictly or
diligently  to assert any right or to pursue any remedy or to comply  fully with
applicable laws or regulations thereunder which might, but for the provisions of
this Section 2.27, afford grounds for terminating, discharging or relieving such
Borrower,  in whole or in part, from any of its  obligations  under this Section
2.27,  it being  the  intention  of each  Borrower  that,  so long as any of the
Obligations  remain  unsatisfied,  the  obligations  of such Borrower under this
Section 2.27 shall not be discharged  except by performance and then only to the
extent of such performance.  The Obligations of each Borrower under this Section
2.27 shall not be  diminished  or  rendered  unenforceable  by any  winding  up,
reorganization,  arrangement, liquidation,  reconstruction or similar proceeding
with respect to any Borrower or any Bank. The joint and several liability of the
Borrowers hereunder shall continue in full force and effect  notwithstanding any
absorption,  merger,  amalgamation  or any other change  whatsoever in the name,
membership, constitution or place of formation of any Borrower or any Bank.

<PAGE>
              
      (f) The  provisions  of this  Section 2.27 are made for the benefit of the
Agent and each Bank and their successors and assigns,  and may be enforced by it
from time to time against any of the Borrowers as often as occasion therefor may
arise and  without  requirement  on the part of the  Agent or any Bank  first to
marshal  any of its claims or to  exercise  any of its rights  against the other
Borrowers or to exhaust any remedies available to it against the other Borrowers
or to resort to any other  source or means of  obtaining  payment  of any of the
Obligations  or to elect any other remedy.  The  provisions of this Section 2.27
shall remain in effect until all the Obligations shall have been paid in full or
otherwise  fully  satisfied.  If at any time, any payment,  or any part thereof,
made in respect of any of the  Obligations,  is rescinded  or must  otherwise be
restored or returned by the Agent or any Bank upon the insolvency, bankruptcy or
reorganization  of any of the  Borrowers,  or otherwise,  the provisions of this
Section 2.27 will forthwith be reinstated in effect,  as though such payment had
not been made.

      Article 3. Representations and Warranties.

      The  Borrowers  hereby  represent  and  warrant to the Banks and the Agent
that:

      Section 3.1 Organization.

      (a) Each of the Borrowers and each other Loan Party is duly  organized and
validly  existing under the laws of its state of organization  and has the power
to own its assets and to transact the business in which it is presently  engaged
and in which  it  proposes  to be  engaged.  Exhibit  B  hereto  accurately  and
completely lists as of the date hereof,  as to each Borrower and each other Loan
Party: (i) the state of  incorporation or organization of each such entity,  and
the type of legal  entity  that each of them is, and the  classes  and number of
authorized and outstanding shares of capital stock of each such corporation, and
the non-public owners of such outstanding  shares of capital stock, and (ii) the
business in which each of such entities is engaged.  All of the foregoing shares
or other equity  interests  that are issued and  outstanding  on the date hereof
have been duly and validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable, and are
owned by the Persons referred to on Exhibit B, free and clear of any Lien except
as otherwise provided for herein.  Except as set forth on Exhibit B, on the date
hereof there are no outstanding warrants,  options,  contracts or commitments of
any kind  entitling  any Person to purchase or  otherwise  acquire any shares of
capital  stock or other equity  interests of any of the  Borrowers nor are there
outstanding  any securities that are  convertible  into or exchangeable  for any
shares of capital stock or other equity interests of any Borrower. Except as set
forth on Exhibit B, on the date hereof none of the Borrowers has any  Subsidiary
or is engaged in any joint venture or partnership with any other Person.

      (b) Each of the Borrowers and each other Loan Party is in good standing in
its  state of  organization  and in each  state in which it is  qualified  to do
business. There are no jurisdictions other than as set forth on Exhibit B hereto
in which the  character of the  properties  owned or proposed to be owned by any
Borrower or any other Loan Party or in which the  transaction of the business of
any  Borrower  or any other Loan Party as now  conducted  or as  proposed  to be
conducted  requires  or will  require  such  Borrower or any other Loan Party to
qualify  to do  business  and as to which  failure  so to  qualify  could have a
Materially Adverse Effect.

<PAGE>

      Section 3.2 Power, Authority, Consents.

      Each Borrower and each other Loan Party has the power to execute,  deliver
and perform the Loan Documents to be executed by it. Each Borrower has the power
to borrow  hereunder and has taken all necessary  corporate  action to authorize
the  borrowing  hereunder on the terms and  conditions of this  Agreement.  Each
Borrower and each other Loan Party has taken all necessary action,  corporate or
otherwise,  to authorize the  execution,  delivery and  performance  of the Loan
Documents to be executed by it. No consent or approval of any Person (including,
without limitation,  any stockholder of any corporate Loan Party), no consent or
approval  of any  landlord  or  mortgagee,  no  waiver  of any  Lien or right of
distraint or other similar right and no consent,  license,  certificate of need,
approval,  authorization or declaration of any governmental authority, bureau or
agency,  is or will be required in connection  with the  execution,  delivery or
performance  by the  Borrowers  or  any  other  Loan  Party,  or  the  validity,
enforcement  or priority,  of the Loan Documents or any Lien created and granted
thereunder,  except (a) as set forth on Exhibit C hereto,  each of which  either
has been duly and validly  obtained on or prior to the date hereof and is now in
full force and effect,  or is  designated on Exhibit C as waived by the Majority
Banks,  (b) the filing of UCC-3  assignments by Fleet to the Agent and filing of
UCC-1  financing  statements by the Agent and (c) consents  under any agreement,
bond, note or indenture  referred to in Section 3.3 hereof, the failure of which
to be obtained  would not create  (with or without the giving of notice or lapse
of time, or both), a default under or breach of such  agreement,  bond,  note or
indenture that would  individually or in the aggregate have a Materially Adverse
Effect.

      Section 3.3 No Violation of Law or Agreements.

      The  execution  and delivery by each Borrower and each other Loan Party of
each Loan  Document to which it is a party and  performance  by it hereunder and
thereunder,  will not violate any  provision of law and will not,  except as set
forth on Exhibit C hereto,  conflict, in any material respect, with or result in
a breach of any order, writ, injunction, ordinance, resolution, decree, or other
similar document or instrument of any court or governmental authority, bureau or
agency,  domestic or foreign,  and will not  conflict  with any  certificate  of
incorporation  or by-laws of any  Borrower  or any other Loan  Party,  or create
(with or without the giving of notice or lapse of time, or both) a default under
or breach of any agreement, bond, note or indenture to which any Borrower or any
other  Loan  Party is a party,  or by which any of them is bound or any of their
respective  properties or assets is affected,  that would individually or in the
aggregate have a Materially  Adverse Effect,  or result in the imposition of any
Lien of any nature  whatsoever  upon any of the properties or assets owned by or
used in  connection  with the  business of any Borrower or any other Loan Party,
except for the Liens created and granted pursuant to the Security Documents.

<PAGE>

      Section 3.4 Due Execution, Validity, Enforceability.

      This  Agreement  and each other Loan Document to which any Loan Party is a
party has been duly  executed  and  delivered  by the Loan Party that is a party
thereto and each  constitutes the valid and legally  binding  obligation of such
Borrower or other Loan Party that is a party thereto,  enforceable in accordance
with  its  terms,  except  as such  enforcement  may be  limited  by  applicable
bankruptcy, insolvency,  reorganization,  moratorium, or other similar laws, now
or hereafter in effect,  relating to or affecting the  enforcement of creditors'
rights  generally and except that the remedy of specific  performance  and other
equitable remedies are subject to judicial discretion.

      Section 3.5 Properties, Priority of Liens.

      All of the  properties  and assets  covered by any  Security  Document and
owned by the respective  Borrowers and each other Loan Party that is executing a
Security Document are owned by each of them, respectively, free and clear of any
Lien of any nature whatsoever, except as provided for in the Security Documents,
and as permitted by Section 7.2 hereof. The Liens that,  simultaneously with the
execution  and delivery of this  Agreement and the  consummation  of the initial
Loans, have been created and granted by the Security Documents  constitute valid
perfected  first  Liens on the  properties  and assets  covered by the  Security
Documents,  subject to no prior or equal Lien except as permitted by Section 7.2
hereof.

      Section 3.6 Judgments, Actions, Proceedings.

      Except  as set  forth  on  Exhibit  E  hereto,  there  are no  outstanding
judgments,   actions  or  proceedings,   including,   without  limitation,   any
Environmental  Proceeding,  pending before any court or governmental  authority,
bureau or agency,  with respect to or, to the best of any Borrower's  knowledge,
threatened  against or affecting any Borrower or any other Loan Party,  that (a)
could reasonably be expected to have a Materially  Adverse Effect,  (b) question
the  validity  of this  Agreement  or any of the other  Loan  Documents,  or (c)
purport to materially adversely affect any transaction  contemplated by the Loan
Documents, nor, to the best of any Borrower's knowledge, is there any reasonable
basis for the  institution of any such action or proceeding  that is probable of
assertion,  nor are there any such actions or  proceedings in which any Borrower
or any other Loan Party is a plaintiff or complainant.

<PAGE>

      Section 3.7 No Defaults, Compliance With Laws.

      Except as set forth on  Exhibit F hereto,  neither  any  Borrower  nor any
other Loan  Party is in  default  under any  agreement,  ordinance,  resolution,
decree,  bond, note,  indenture,  order or judgment to which it is a party or by
which it is bound,  or any other  agreement or other  instrument by which any of
the  properties  or assets owned by it or used in the conduct of its business is
affected,  which default could have a Materially  Adverse Effect or a materially
adverse  effect on the  ability  of the  Borrowers  or any other  Loan  Party to
perform its  obligations  under the Loan  Documents to which it is a party.  The
Borrowers  have  complied  and  are in  compliance  in  all  respects  with  all
applicable laws, ordinances and regulations,  resolutions,  ordinances,  decrees
and other  similar  documents  and  instruments  of all courts and  governmental
authorities,  bureaus and  agencies,  domestic and foreign,  including,  without
limitation,  all applicable  Environmental Laws and Regulations,  non-compliance
with which could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect or a
materially  adverse effect on the ability of any Borrower or other Loan Party to
perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to which it is a party.

      Section 3.8 Burdensome Documents.

      Except as set forth on Exhibit G hereto,  neither any  Borrower nor any of
the other Loan Parties is a party to or bound by, nor are any of the  properties
or assets  owned by any  Borrower or any other Loan Party used in the conduct of
their respective businesses affected by, any agreement,  ordinance,  resolution,
decree, bond, note, indenture, order or judgment, including, without limitation,
any of the  foregoing  relating  to any  Environmental  Matter,  that  has or is
expected in the future to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

      Section 3.9 Financial Statements

      Each of the  Financial  Statements is correct and complete in all material
respects  and  presents  fairly  the  consolidated  financial  position  of  the
Borrowers included therein, and each other entity to which it relates, as at its
date,  and the  results of  operations  for the period  then  ended,  subject to
year-end audit adjustments in the case of the interim financial statements,  and
has been prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles.
Neither  the  Borrowers,  nor any other  entity  to which  any of the  Financial
Statements relates, has any material obligation, liability or commitment, direct
or contingent (including, without limitation, any Environmental Liability), that
is not  reflected in the Financial  Statements  and that could have a Materially
Adverse  Effect.  There has been no  material  adverse  change in the  financial
position or operations of the Borrowers, or any other entity to which any of the
Financial  Statements  relates,  since  the  date of the  latest  balance  sheet
included  in  the  Financial  Statements  (the  "Latest  Balance  Sheet").  Each
Borrower's fiscal year is the twelve-month  period ending on December 31 in each
year.

<PAGE>

      Section 3.10 Tax Returns

      Each of the Borrowers  has filed or caused to be filed all federal,  state
and local tax  returns  required to be filed by it and has not failed to pay any
taxes, or interest and penalties  relating  thereto,  on or before the due dates
thereof or any lawful  extensions,  except  those taxes being  contested in good
faith  and by  appropriate  proceedings  diligently  pursued,  and  as to  which
adequate reserves  relating thereto have been established.  Except to the extent
that proper  reserves  therefor are reflected in the Financial  Statements:  (i)
there are no material  federal,  state or local tax liabilities of any Borrower,
due or to  become  due for any tax  year  ended  on or  prior to the date of the
Latest Balance Sheet relating to such entity,  whether incurred in respect of or
measured by the income of such entity,  that are not  properly  reflected in the
Latest  Balance  Sheet  relating to such entity,  and (ii) there are no material
claims  pending or, to the  knowledge of any  Borrower,  proposed or  threatened
against any Borrower, for past federal, state or local taxes.

      Section 3.11 Intangible Assets.

      Each of the Borrowers  possesses all patents,  trademarks,  service marks,
trade names, and copyrights, and rights with respect to the foregoing, necessary
to conduct its business as now  conducted,  without any known  conflict with the
patents, trademarks,  service marks, trade names, and copyrights and rights with
respect  to the  foregoing,  of any  other  Person,  and  each of such  patents,
trademarks,  service  marks,  trade  names,  copyrights  and rights with respect
thereto,  together with any pending applications therefor, which are material to
the conduct of their respective businesses, are listed on Exhibit H hereto.

      Section 3.12 Regulation U.

      No part of the proceeds  received by any  Borrower  from the Loans will be
used  directly or  indirectly  for:  (a) any purpose  other than as set forth in
Section  2.10  hereof,  or (b) the purpose of  purchasing  or  carrying,  or for
payment in full or in part of Indebtedness that was incurred for the purposes of
purchasing or carrying,  any "margin stock",  as such term is defined in Section
221.3 of Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System,
12 C.F.R., Chapter II, Part 221.

      Section 3.13 Name Changes, Mergers, Acquisitions; Location of Collateral.

      (a) Except as set forth on Exhibit I hereto,  neither any Borrower nor any
other Loan Party that is  granting  Liens on its assets  (other  than  shares of
stock)  pursuant  to any  Security  Document  has  within  the  six-year  period
immediately  preceding  the date of this  Agreement  changed its name,  been the
surviving entity of a merger or consolidation,  or acquired all or substantially
all of the assets of any Person.

      (b) Except as set forth on Exhibit I hereto,  no  Collateral  constituting
personal  property  having an  aggregate  fair market value in excess of $50,000
covered by the Security  Documents has, at any time during the four-month period
immediately  preceding the date hereof,  been located anywhere other than at its
location on the date hereof.

<PAGE>

      Section 3.14 Full Disclosure.

      None of the Financial  Statements,  nor any certificate,  opinion,  or any
other  statement  made or furnished in writing to the Agent or any Bank by or on
behalf of any Borrower or any other Loan Party in connection with this Agreement
or the  transactions  contemplated  herein,  contains any untrue  statement of a
material  fact, or omits to state a material fact necessary in order to make the
statements  contained  therein  or herein  not  misleading,  as of the date such
statement was made. There is no fact known to any Borrower that has, or would in
the now foreseeable future have, a Materially Adverse Effect, which fact has not
been set forth herein, in the Financial  Statements or any certificate,  opinion
or other written  statement so made or furnished to the Agent or the Banks other
than industry-wide factors or factors which affect the economy in general.

      Section 3.15 Licenses and Approvals.

      Each  Borrower  has  all  necessary  licenses,  permits  and  governmental
authorizations,  which are material to their  respective  operations,  financial
condition and properties,  including, without limitation,  licenses, permits and
authorizations  relating  to  Environmental  Matters,  to own  and  operate  its
properties and to carry on its business as now conducted.

      Section 3.16 Labor Disputes;  Collective Bargaining  Agreements;  Employee
Grievances.

      Except as set forth on Exhibit J hereto: (a) on the date hereof, there are
no  collective  bargaining  agreements  or other labor  contracts  covering  any
Borrower;  (b) no such collective  bargaining  agreement or other labor contract
will  expire  during  the  term  of  this  Agreement;  (c) to the  best  of each
Borrower's  knowledge,  no union or  other  labor  organization  is  seeking  to
organize,  or to be recognized as  bargaining  representative  for, a bargaining
unit of employees of any Borrower which would have a Materially  Adverse Effect;
(d) to the best of each Borrower's knowledge,  there is no pending or threatened
strike,  work stoppage,  unfair labor  practice claim or charge,  arbitration or
other labor dispute  against or affecting any Borrower or its  employees,  which
would have a Materially  Adverse Effect; (e) there has not been, during the five
(5) year period prior to the date hereof, a strike, work stoppage,  unfair labor
practice  claim  or  charge,  arbitration  or other  labor  dispute  against  or
affecting  any Borrower or any of its  employees;  and (f) there are no actions,
suits, charges, demands, claims, counterclaims or proceedings pending or, to the
best of any Borrower's  knowledge,  threatened  against such Borrower,  by or on
behalf of, or with, its employees, other than employee grievances arising in the
ordinary course of business, which would have a Materially Adverse Effect.

      Section 3.17 Condition of Assets.

      All of the assets and  properties  of each  Borrower  that are  reasonably
necessary  for the  operation of its  business  are in good  working  condition,
ordinary  wear and tear  excepted,  and are able to serve the function for which
they are currently being used.

<PAGE>

      Section 3.18 ERISA.

      (a) The  Borrowers  currently  have Plans listed on Exhibit K hereto,  the
application  of  ERISA  to  which  could  give  rise  to  direct  or  contingent
liabilities of the Borrowers to the PBGC, the Department of Labor or the IRS.

      (b)  Each of the  Plans  is  operated  and  administered  in all  material
respects in accordance with  applicable laws including,  but not limited to, all
material applicable provisions of ERISA and the Code, and each Borrower has made
all requisite premium payments to the PBGC.

      (c) Except as described in Exhibit K hereto,  no  "Reportable  Event",  as
defined in Title IV of ERISA,  that is subject to the 30-day notice  requirement
of Section 4043(b) of ERISA in respect of any of the Plans has occurred. None of
the  Borrowers  has  received  any notice from the PBGC that any of the Plans is
being  involuntarily  terminated  or from the Secretary of the Treasury that any
partial or full  termination of any of the Plans has occurred and no event shall
have  occurred,  and there shall exist as of the date hereof no condition or set
of circumstances that present a material risk of the involuntary  termination of
any of the Plans.

      (d) No unpaid or contingent  liability to the PBGC has been or is expected
to be incurred,  directly or indirectly, by any Borrower (other than for payment
of PBGC premiums in the ordinary course). No event has occurred and there exists
no  condition  or set of  circumstances  that  presents a  material  risk of the
termination or partial  termination  of any Plan that could result,  directly or
indirectly, in a liability on the part of any Borrower to the PBGC.

      (e) No  "prohibited  transaction"  as defined  in Section  406 of ERISA or
Section  4975 of the Code has  occurred  with  respect to any of the Plans which
would subject any Borrower to any material liability.

      (f) Each Borrower has made all required  contributions under the Plans for
all periods  through and  including  December  31,  1996,  or adequate  accruals
therefor  have been provided for in the Financial  Statements.  No  "accumulated
funding deficiency" (as defined in Section 302 of ERISA), whether or not waived,
has occurred with respect to any of the Plans.

      (g) Except as described in Exhibit K hereto, the actuarial value of vested
benefits  required to be funded by any  Borrower,  or with  respect to which any
Borrower is liable under the Plans, did not as of the last valuation date, which
in the case of any  individual  Plan was not earlier  than  December  31,  1996,
exceed the actuarial  value of the assets of the Plans  allocable to such vested
and non-vested benefits.

      (h) No Borrower is a  participating  employer in any Plan under which more
than one employer makes  contributions  as described in Section 4063 and 4064 of
ERISA or a multiemployer plan as defined in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

      (i)(i) All  references  to a Borrower in this Section 3.18 or in any other
Section of this  Agreement  relating  to ERISA  shall be deemed to refer to such
Borrower and all other entities that are part of a Controlled Group.

<PAGE>

      Section 3.19 Laws and Regulations.

      Neither any  Borrower nor any Loan Party is an  "investment  company" or a
company  "controlled"  by an  "investment  company"  within  the  meaning of the
Investment  Company  Act of  1940,  as  amended,  or a  "holding  company"  or a
"subsidiary  company" of a "holding  company," or an  "affiliate"  of a "holding
company" or of a "subsidiary  company"  within the meaning of the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended. Neither any Borrower nor any other Loan
Party is subject to regulation  under any federal,  state or foreign  statute or
regulation  limiting  its  ability  to incur or pay the  obligations  under this
Agreement.

      Section 3.20 Inventory Management Corporation.

      Inventory Management Corporation is an inactive Subsidiary of GPC which is
not engaged in any business or activity other than  liquidating its assets which
have a value less than $50,000 in total.

      Section 3.21 SGLG, Inc.

      The aggregate amount of Accounts of SGLG, Inc. (excluding the Indebtedness
referred  to in Exhibit M,  paragraph  1) on the date hereof is not in excess of
$2,000,000.

      Article 4. Conditions to the Loans and Letters of Credit.

      Section 4.1 Conditions to Initial Loans and Letters of Credit.

      The  obligation  of each Bank to make the  initial  Loans to be made by it
hereunder and issue (or  participate  in) the initial Letters of Credit shall be
subject to the fulfillment  (to the  satisfaction of the Banks) of the following
conditions precedent:

      (a) The  Borrowers  shall have  executed  and  delivered  to the Agent the
Notes.

      (b) The Borrowers shall have:

      (i) executed and delivered to the Agent the Borrower Security Agreements;

      (ii)  duly  executed  and  delivered  to  the  Agent  appropriate  Uniform
Commercial Code financing statements in order to enable the Agent to perfect and
preserve  its  security  interest in the  Collateral  which can be  perfected by
filing of such UCC financing statements;

      (iii)  if  required  by  the  Majority  Banks,   delivered  to  the  Agent
acknowledgment copies thereof evidencing such filings;

      (iv)  delivered  to the  Agent:  (A)  copies  of, or  certificates  of the
brokers with respect to, policies of insurance  owned by the Borrowers  covering
or in any  manner  relating  to the  Collateral  and are  otherwise  in form and
substance  satisfactory to the Majority Banks, naming the Agent, in its capacity
as such, as additional  insured and loss payee as its interests may appear;  and
(B) evidence of each Borrower's liability insurance policies;

<PAGE>

      (v) in  the case of the GPC  Borrowers,  delivered  to the Agent  notices
required  by the  Borrower  Security  Agreements  to  comply  with  the  Federal
Assignment of Claims Act; and

      (vi)  otherwise  duly complied with all of the terms and conditions of the
Security Documents to be executed by it.

      (c) Lawrence  Gordon,  Esq.,  general  counsel to the  Borrowers,  Kenneth
Crawford,  Esq., general counsel to the GPC Borrowers,  Piper & Marbury, special
Maryland counsel to the Borrowers,  and Duane,  Morris & Heckscher,  special New
York and  Pennsylvania  counsel to the  Borrowers,  shall have  delivered  their
opinions to the Agent,  and in form and substance  satisfactory  to the Majority
Banks,  with such reliance on such opinions of special counsel in  jurisdictions
other than New York as shall be attached thereto as are satisfactory in form and
substance to the Majority Banks.

      (d) The Borrowers shall have paid the Banks and Agent all Fees then due in
accordance with the terms hereof.

      (e) The Agent and the Banks shall have received  true and complete  copies
of the following,  each certified as such in a certificate executed by the chief
financial officer of NPDC on behalf of the Borrowers:

      (i)  The Financial Statements;

      (ii) Such  agreements  covered  by the  Security  Documents  as  shall be
specifically requested by the Majority Banks; and

      (iii) The Foreign Subsidiaries Pledged Note.

      (f) The Agent shall have received copies of the following:

      (i) All of the consents,  approvals and waivers  referred to on Exhibit C
hereto  (except  only  those  which,  as  stated  on  Exhibit  C,  shall  not be
delivered),  all landlord waivers of distraint or similar  instruments of waiver
or subordination with respect to all leased locations where inventory Collateral
is located to the extent required by the Majority Banks;

      (ii) The  certificates of incorporation of the Borrowers certified by the
Secretary of State of their respective states of incorporation;

      (iii)  The  by-laws  of  the  Borrowers,  certified  by  their  respective
secretaries;

      (iv)  All  corporate  action  taken  by the  Borrowers  to  authorize  the
execution, delivery and performance of each of the Loan Documents to which it is
a party and the transactions contemplated thereby, certified by their respective
secretaries;

<PAGE>

      (v)  Good  standing  certificates  as of dates not more than  twenty  (20)
days,  prior to the date of the initial Loan, with respect to each Borrower from
the  Secretary of State of their  respective  states of  incorporation  and each
state in which each of them is qualified to do  business,  except that:  (A) GPC
shall  deliver  such  certificates  only for the  following  states  where it is
qualified:   Maryland,  Michigan,  Virginia,   Connecticut,   New Jersey,  South
Carolina, Florida, California,  Pennsylvania and New York, (B) GPE shall deliver
such certificates only for the following state where it is qualified:  Maryland,
(C) GPS shall deliver such  certificates  only for the following states where it
is qualified:  Connecticut,  Maryland and Virginia,  (D) NPDC shall deliver such
certificates  only for the following state where it is qualified:  New York, and
(E) MXL shall deliver such  certificates  only for the following states where it
is qualified: Pennsylvania and Illinois; and

      (vi)  An incumbency certificate (with specimen signatures) with respect to
each Borrower.

      (g) Each Borrower shall have executed a  subordination  agreement in favor
of the Agent in  substantially  the form of Exhibit A-3 hereto providing for the
subordination  of all obligations to the other Borrowers to the Obligations (the
"Subordination  Agreement"),  NPDC and GPC shall have  executed a  subordination
agreement in favor of the Agent in substantially  the form of Exhibit A-4 hereto
relating to the 6% Subordinated Debentures Due 2004 dated as of August 31,  1996
issued by GPC, NPDC and Five Star shall have executed a Subordination  Agreement
in favor of the Agent providing for the  subordination of NPDC's  obligations to
Five Star  (including  non-payment  of such  obligations at all times) to NPDC's
Obligations and SGLG, Inc. and GPC shall have executed a Subordination Agreement
in favor of the Agent providing for the  subordination  of GPC's  obligations to
SGLG,  Inc.  (including  non-payment of such  obligations  at all times,  except
payments  of  $50,000  in  each  three-month  period  may  be  made  in  certain
circumstances set forth therein) to GPC's Obligations.

      (h) The Foreign  Subsidiaries shall have executed the Foreign Subsidiaries
Pledged  Note,  and GPC shall have endorsed such note in blank and delivered the
original of such note to the Agent.

      (i) The Agent shall have received  UCC, tax lien and judgment  searches in
all locations referred to in the Borrower Security Agreements as chief executive
offices or locations of MXL's inventory.

      (j) The Agent shall have received disbursement instructions specifying the
use of Loan  proceeds to pay  outstanding  Indebtedness  of the Borrowers due to
Fleet and Summit and agreements of Fleet in its individual capacity and as agent
for the Banks  financing MXL prior to the date hereof  confirming the release of
liens granted to Fleet in such capacities by the Borrowers.

      (k) The Agent shall have entered into an intercreditor  agreement with the
Agent under the Five Star Loan  Agreement in  substantially  the form of Exhibit
A-5 hereto.

      (l) (i) The Borrowers  shall have complied and shall then be in compliance
with all of the terms, covenants and conditions of this Agreement;

      (ii) After giving effect to the initial Loan, there shall exist no Default
or Event of Default hereunder; and

      (iii) The  representations  and  warranties  contained in Article 3 hereof
shall be true and correct on the date of such Loan or Letter of Credit;

and the Agent shall have received a Compliance Certificate dated the date of 
such Loan or Letter of Credit certifying, inter alia, that the conditions set 
forth in this subsection 4.1(k) are satisfied on such date.


<PAGE>

      (m) All legal matters  incident to the initial Loans and Letters of Credit
shall be satisfactory to counsel to the Agent and counsel to each Bank.

      Section 4.2 Conditions to all Loans; Letters of Credit.

      (a) The  obligation  of each Bank to make each Loan and the  obligation of
Fleet to issue any Letter of Credit shall be subject to the  fulfillment (to the
satisfaction of the Banks) of the following conditions precedent:

      (i)  The Agent shall have received a Borrowing  Notice in accordance  with
Section 2.2 hereof.

      (ii) The  Agent shall have received (A) a  certificate  dated the date of
such Loan or Letter of Credit and  effective  as of such date,  executed  by the
chief financial officer of NPDC on behalf of the Borrowers,  certifying that (1)
no Default or Event of Default under this Agreement  exists or would exist after
giving  effect to the  proposed  Loan or Letter of  Credit,  including,  without
limitation,  that the  covenants  set forth in Section  6.9 hereof  would not be
breached after giving effect to such proposed Loan or Letter of Credit,  and (2)
the representations  and warranties  contained in Article 3 hereof, in the other
Loan  Documents  and in any document or instrument  delivered  pursuant to or in
connection  with this Agreement are true and with the same effect as though such
representations and warranties were made on the date of such certificate (except
to the extent of changes resulting from  transactions  contemplated or permitted
by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and other changes, as to all such
changes that singly or in the aggregate do not have a Materially Adverse Effect,
and  except  to the  extent  that such  representations  and  warranties  relate
expressly to an earlier date) and (B) a certificate  as to the Borrowing Base in
the form required by Section 5.10 hereof, except such certificate shall be dated
the date of such Loan or Letter of Credit but may include  Eligible  Receivables
as of the end of the most recent month, and the matters  certified therein shall
be  true as of such  date.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  provisions  of this
Section 4.2(a)(ii)(2),  with respect to any  certificate  delivered  pursuant to
Section 4.2(a)(ii),  the  references  to Loan Party in the  representations  and
warranties contained in Article 3 hereof shall be deemed to exclude Five Star.

      (iii) All legal matters incident to such Loan or Letter of Credit shall be
satisfactory to counsel for the Agent and counsel to each Bank.

      (b) In the event that a certificate  referred to in Section  4.2(a)(ii)(A)
shall not be received  prior to making any Loan or issuing any Letter of Credit,
a  Borrower's  request for such Loan or Letter of Credit shall be deemed to be a
representation  and warranty that the matters that should have been set forth in
such  certificate  are true and  correct  on the date of such  Loan or Letter of
Credit.

<PAGE>


      Article  5. Delivery of Financial Reports, Documents and Other
Information.

      While  the  Commitments  are  outstanding,  and,  in the event any Loan or
Letter of Credit remains  outstanding,  so long as the Borrowers are indebted to
the  Banks or the  Agent  and  until  payment  in full of the Notes and full and
complete  performance of all of their other Obligations  arising hereunder,  the
Borrowers shall deliver to each Bank and the Agent:

      Section 5.1 Annual Financial Statements.

      (a) Annually,  as soon as  available,  but in any event within one hundred
five (105) days after the last day of each of its fiscal years,  a  consolidated
and consolidating balance sheet of (i) all the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries,
and (ii) the GPC  Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  as at such last day of the
fiscal year, and the related consolidated and consolidating statements of income
and retained  earnings and  statements  of cash flow of such  parties,  for such
fiscal year, each prepared in accordance with GAAP, in reasonable  detail,  and,
as to the consolidated statements,  certified without qualification by KPMG Peat
Marwick or another firm of independent certified public accountants satisfactory
to the Agent and the  Majority  Banks,  or  certified,  as to the  consolidating
statements,  by the chief financial  officer of NPDC on behalf of the Borrowers,
as fairly presenting the financial position and the results of operations of (A)
the  Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries,  and (B) the GPC  Borrowers  and their
Subsidiaries  as at and for the  year  ending  on its date  and as  having  been
prepared in accordance with GAAP.

      (b) As to NPDC,  ISI and Duratek,  as soon as available,  but in any event
within  one  hundred  five  (105)  days after the last day of each of its fiscal
years, true and correct copies of its Annual Report on Form 10-K for such fiscal
year as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

      (c) As soon as  practicable,  but in any event not later than  thirty (30)
days after the end of each fiscal year of NPDC and GPC, the annual business plan
of NPDC and of the GPC Borrowers and forecasts and  projections  prepared by the
management  of the  Borrowers,  in  each  case  in form  and  detail  reasonably
satisfactory to the Majority Banks, of consolidated  and  consolidating  balance
sheets and related statements of operations,  changes in stockholders equity and
cash flow on an annual basis for each of the following two fiscal years.

<PAGE>

      Section 5.2 Quarterly and Monthly Financial Statements.

      (a) As soon as  available,  but in any event  within fifty (50) days after
the end of each Borrower's first three fiscal  quarterly  periods in each fiscal
year, a consolidated  and  consolidating  balance sheet of (i) all the Borrowers
and their  Subsidiaries and (ii) the GPC Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries as of
the last day of such quarter,  and the related  consolidated  and  consolidating
statements of income and retained  earnings and  statements of cash flow of such
parties,  for such  quarter,  and on a  comparative  basis with  figures for the
corresponding  period of the  immediately  preceding  fiscal year,  as well as a
backlog  report  for  each  of the  GPC  Borrowers'  business  segments,  all in
reasonable  detail;  each such statement to be certified in a certificate of the
chief  financial  officer  of NPDC on  behalf  of the  Borrowers  as  accurately
presenting in all material  respects the  financial  position and the results of
operations of (A) the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries and (B) the GPC Borrowers
and their Subsidiaries,  as at its date and for such quarter, and as having been
prepared  in  accordance   with   generally   accepted   accounting   principles
consistently applied (subject to year-end audit adjustments).

      (b) As to NPDC,  ISI and Duratek,  as soon as available,  but in any event
within fifty (50) days after the end of its first three fiscal quarterly periods
in each fiscal year,  true and correct  copies of its Quarterly  Reports on Form
10-Q for each  quarterly  period  as filed  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission.

      (c) As soon as it is  available,  but in any event not later  than  thirty
(30) days  after the end of each of the  fiscal  quarters  of GPC, a copy of the
quarterly  business  report for such fiscal  quarter in the form as is currently
prepared by GPC or such other form as is  reasonably  acceptable to the Majority
Banks.

      (d)  Within  twenty-five  (25) days  after  the end of each of the  fiscal
quarters of GPC, an accounts  receivable  aging report of the GPC  Borrowers and
MXL,  all to be  certified  by the chief  financial  officer  of MXL or GPC,  as
applicable.

      (e) Within fifteen (15) days after the end of each of the fiscal  quarters
of NPDC,  a schedule,  certified  as true and  complete  by the chief  financial
officer of NPDC on behalf of the Borrowers, in reasonable detail, listing all of
the Borrowers' contingent  liabilities that would be required to be disclosed in
the annual audited  consolidated  financial statements of NPDC or GPC (including
the footnotes  thereto) if such contingent  liabilities  existed at the end of a
fiscal year of NPDC or GPC.

      Section 5.3 Compliance Information.

      Promptly after a written  request  therefor,  such other financial data or
information  evidencing compliance with the requirements of this Agreement,  the
Notes and the other Loan Documents, as any Bank may reasonably request from time
to time.

<PAGE>

      Section 5.4 No Default Certificate.

      At the same time as it delivers the financial  statements  required  under
the provisions of Sections 5.1 and 5.2 hereof, a certificate of the president or
chief  financial  officer of NPDC on behalf of the Borrowers to the effect that,
to  the  best  of  such  officer's   knowledge,   after  due  inquiry,  (a)  the
representations and warranties  contained in Article 3 hereof, in the other Loan
Documents  and  in  any  document  or  instrument  delivered  pursuant  to or in
connection  with this Agreement are true and with the same effect as though such
representations and warranties were made on the date of such certificate (except
to the extent of changes resulting from  transactions  contemplated or permitted
by this Agreement and the other Loan Documents and other changes, as to all such
changes that singly or in the aggregate do not have a Materially Adverse Effect,
and  except  to the  extent  that such  representations  and  warranties  relate
expressly to an earlier  date) and (b) no Default or Event of Default  hereunder
and no default  which could have a  Materially  Adverse  Effect  under any other
agreement to which any Borrower is a party or by which it is bound, or by which,
to the best knowledge of any Borrower, any of its properties or assets, taken as
a whole,  may be  materially  affected,  and no event which,  with the giving of
notice or the lapse of time, or both,  would constitute such an Event of Default
or default, exists, or, if such cannot be so certified, specifying in reasonable
detail the exceptions,  if any, to such  statement.  Such  certificate  shall be
accompanied by a detailed calculation  indicating  compliance with the covenants
contained in Sections 6.9 and 7.1, 7.2, 7.3, 7.5, 7.8, 7.9, 7.13 and 7.14 hereof
and (if applicable) reconciliations to reflect changes in GAAP after the date of
the Latest  Balance  Sheet.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  provisions of this
Section 5.4,  with  respect  to  any  certificate  delivered  pursuant  to  this
Section 5.4,  the references to Loan Party in the representations and warranties
contained in Article 3 hereof shall be deemed to exclude Five Star.

      Section 5.5 Certificate of Accountants.

      At the  same  time  as it  delivers  the  certified  financial  statements
required  under the  provisions  of Section 5.1  hereof,  a  certificate  of the
independent  certified public accountants of the Borrowers to the effect that in
making the examination  necessary to said  certification,  they have obtained no
knowledge  that the  Borrowers  failed  to  comply  with the  terms,  covenants,
provisions  or  conditions  of  Article 6 or  Article 7 hereof  insofar  as such
Articles  relate to  accounting  matters  or,  if such  accountants  shall  have
obtained  knowledge  of such  failure,  they shall  disclose the failure in such
statement.

      Section 5.6 Accountants' Reports.

      Promptly upon receipt  thereof,  copies of all other reports  submitted to
the Borrowers by their independent  accountants in connection with any annual or
interim audit or review of the books of the Borrowers made by such  accountants,
including, without limitation, the annual management letter.

<PAGE>

      Section 5.7 Copies of Documents.

      Promptly upon their  becoming  available,  copies of any of the following:
(i) financial statements, projections,  non-routine reports, notices (other than
routine  correspondence),  requests  for waivers and proxy  statements,  in each
case, delivered by the Borrowers to any lending institution other than the Banks
with which any  Borrower  has a lending  relationship;  (ii)  correspondence  or
notices received by any Borrower from any federal,  state or local  governmental
authority that regulates the operations of any Borrower, Duratek or ISI relating
to an actual  or  threatened  change or  development  that  would be  materially
adverse to any Borrower,  Duratek or ISI, (iii) registration  statements and any
amendments  and  supplements  thereto,  and any  regular,  periodic  or  special
reports,  if any,  filed by any  Borrower,  Duratek  or ISI with any  securities
exchange or with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  or any  governmental
authority succeeding to any or all of the functions of the said Commission; (iv)
letters of comment or correspondence sent to any Borrower, Duratek or ISI by any
such securities exchange or such Commission in relation to any Borrower, Duratek
or ISI and its affairs;  and (v) any  appraisals  received by any Borrower  with
respect to the properties or assets of such Borrower.

      Section 5.8 Notices of Defaults.

      Promptly,  notice of the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default, or
any event that would constitute or cause a Materially Adverse Effect.

      Section 5.9 ERISA Notices.

      (a) Concurrently  with such filing, a copy of each Form 5500 that is filed
with respect to each Plan with the IRS; and

      (b)  Promptly,   upon  their  becoming  available,   copies  of:  (i)  all
correspondence  with the PBGC, the Secretary of Labor or any  representative  of
the IRS with respect to any Plan,  relating to an actual or threatened change or
development  that would cause a Materially  Adverse  Effect;  (ii) copies of all
actuarial  valuations  received by any Borrower  with  respect to any Plan;  and
(iii) copies of any notices of Plan termination filed by any Plan  Administrator
(as those  terms are used in ERISA)  with the PBGC and of any  notices  from the
PBGC to any  Borrower  with  respect  to the  intent  of the  PBGC to  institute
involuntary termination proceedings.

      Section 5.10 Borrowing Base Certificate; Additional Information.

      (a)  Monthly,  as soon as  available,  but in any  event  not  later  than
twenty-five  (25)  Business  Days  after  the  end of  each  calendar  month,  a
certificate  as to the Borrowing  Base as of the last day of such calendar month
in substantially the form of Exhibit L hereto; and

      (b) Such other information  regarding the business,  affairs and condition
of the  Borrowers,  Duratek and ISI as the Agent or Majority Banks may from time
to time reasonably request.

<PAGE>

      Article 6. Affirmative Covenants.

      While  the  Commitments  are  outstanding,  and,  in the event any Loan or
Letter of Credit remains  outstanding,  so long as the Borrowers are indebted to
the  Banks or the  Agent,  and until  payment  in full of the Notes and full and
complete  performance of all of their other Obligations  arising hereunder,  the
Borrowers shall and shall cause each Material Subsidiary to:

      Section 6.1 Books and Records.

      (a) Keep true and accurate books of record and account in which full, true
and correct  entries  shall be made in  accordance  with GAAP of all dealings or
transactions in relation to its business and activities,  and maintain duplicate
books and  records,  which may be retained in  electronic  form or on other data
processing media and which shall be updated not less frequently than monthly, at
an  alternate  off-site  location (in a  fire-proof  facility)  and (b) maintain
adequate   accounts  and  reserves  for  all  taxes  (including  income  taxes),
depreciation,  depletion,  obsolescence  and  amortization  of  its  properties,
contingencies, and other reserves.

      Section 6.2 Inspections and Audits, etc.

      (a)  Permit  the  Banks  to  make or  cause  to be made  (and,  after  the
occurrence  of and  during  the  continuance  of an  Event  of  Default,  at the
Borrowers'  expense)  inspections  and  examinations  of any books,  records and
papers of the Borrowers  and their  Material  Subsidiaries  and to make extracts
therefrom and copies thereof,  or to make  inspections  and  examinations of any
properties and facilities of the Borrowers and their  Material  Subsidiaries  on
reasonable  notice,  at all such  reasonable  times and as often as the Majority
Banks may reasonably require, in order to assure that the Borrowers are and will
be in compliance with their  obligations under the Loan Documents or to evaluate
the Banks' investment in the then outstanding Notes.

      (b) Permit the Banks to conduct or cause to be  conducted  at any time and
from time to time, upon the reasonable request of the Majority Banks, with prior
notice and during normal business hours,  audits with respect to the Accounts to
verify  whether  or  not  the  information  set  forth  in  the  Borrowing  Base
certificate  referred to in Section 5.10 most recently delivered is accurate and
complete in all material  respects  based upon a review by such  auditors of the
Accounts (including verification with respect to the amount, aging, identity and
credit of the respective  Account  Debtors and the billing  practices of MXL and
the GPC  Borrowers).  All such  audits  shall be  conducted  by the Agent or its
designee and made at the expense of the Borrowers;  provided, that the Borrowers
shall bear the expense (without  duplication of any expense incurred pursuant to
Section  6.2(a)) of no more than one audit for the GPC  Borrowers  and one audit
for MXL during any twelve month period (excluding audits after the occurrence of
and during the  continuance of a Default or Event of Default which shall in each
case be at the expense of the Borrowers).

      (c) Permit (and each Borrower hereby  authorizes) the Banks to communicate
directly with such  Borrower's  independent  certified  public  accountants  and
authorizes  such  accountants  to  disclose  to the Banks any and all  financial
statements  and other  supporting  financial  documents and schedules  including
copies  of  any  management  letter  with  respect  to the  business,  financial
condition and other affairs of such Borrower. At the request of the Agent or the
Majority  Banks,  the  Borrowers  shall  deliver  a  letter  addressed  to  such
accountants  instructing  them to comply  with the  provisions  of this  Section
6.2(c).

<PAGE>

      Section 6.3 Maintenance and Repairs.

      Maintain in reasonably good repair,  working order and condition,  subject
to normal wear and tear,  all material  properties  and assets from time to time
owned by it and used in or necessary for the operation of its business, and make
all reasonable repairs,  replacements,  additions and improvements  thereto, but
only as in the judgment of the  Borrowers  may be necessary so that the business
carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously  conducted
at all times,  provided,  that nothing in this Section 6.3 shall  prevent any of
the Borrowers or the Material  Subsidiaries from discontinuing the operation and
maintenance   of  any  of  its   properties   and  disposing  of  same  if  such
discontinuance,  or discontinuance and disposition,  is, in the judgment of such
Borrowers or the Material Subsidiaries, desirable in the conduct of its or their
business and all such discontinuances,  or discontinuances and dispositions,  do
not in the aggregate have a Materially Adverse Effect.

      Section 6.4 Continuance of Business.

      Do, or cause to be done, all things  reasonably  necessary to preserve and
keep in full force and effect its corporate  existence  and all permits,  rights
(including, without limitation, rights in respect of patents and trademarks) and
privileges  necessary  for the  proper  conduct  of its  business,  except if no
Materially  Adverse Effect results from such loss, and continue to engage in the
same or related lines of business.

      Section 6.5 Copies of Corporate Documents.

      In the case of the  Borrowers,  subject to the  prohibitions  set forth in
Section 7.12 hereof,  promptly  deliver to the Agent copies of any amendments or
modifications  to its certificate of incorporation  and by-laws,  certified with
respect to the  certificate  of  incorporation  by the Secretary of State of its
state of  incorporation  and,  with respect to the by-laws,  by the secretary or
assistant secretary of such corporation.

      Section 6.6 Perform Obligations.

      (a) Pay and  discharge  all of its  obligations  and  liabilities  for all
taxes,  assessments and governmental charges upon its income and properties when
due and all claims for labor,  materials or supplies that if unpaid might become
a Lien or charge upon any of its income or  properties  when due,  unless and to
the extent  only that such  obligations,  liabilities,  taxes,  assessments  and
governmental  charges  and  claims  shall  be  contested  in good  faith  and by
appropriate  proceedings  and that, to the extent  required by GAAP,  proper and
adequate book reserves  relating thereto are established by the Borrowers or the
Material  Subsidiaries,  as the case may be, and then only to the extent  that a
bond is filed in cases  where  the  filing of a bond is  necessary  to avoid the
creation of a Lien against any of its properties.

      (b) Comply in all material respects with all agreements and instruments by
which it or any of its  properties  may be bound  except for such  noncompliance
that would not singly or in the aggregate have a Materially Adverse Effect.

<PAGE>

      Section 6.7 Notice of Litigation, etc.

      (a)  Promptly  notify  the  Banks  in  writing  of any  litigation,  legal
proceeding or dispute,  other than  disputes in the ordinary  course of business
or,  whether or not in the  ordinary  course of business,  involving  amounts in
excess of Five Hundred Thousand Dollars  ($500,000)  individually or Two Million
Dollars  ($2,000,000)  in the  aggregate  affecting  any  Borrower  or  Material
Subsidiary  whether or not fully  covered by  insurance,  and  regardless of the
subject matter thereof  (excluding,  however,  any actions  relating to workers'
compensation  claims or negligence claims relating to use of motor vehicles,  if
fully covered by insurance, subject to deductibles).

      (b) Promptly upon becoming aware  thereof,  notify the Banks in writing of
any  setoff,  claims,  withholdings  or  other  defenses  to  which  any  of the
Collateral,  or the Agent's rights with respect to the Collateral,  are subject;
provided,  that such notice  shall only be required if the  aggregate  amount of
such  setoffs,  claims,  withholdings  or other  defenses  (i) equals or exceeds
$250,000,  or (ii) results in a requirement of a prepayment under Section 2.5(b)
hereof.

      (c)  Immediately  upon  becoming  aware  thereof,  notify the Banks of any
material change in the operations of such Borrower or Material  Subsidiary which
could  reasonably be expected to have a Materially  Adverse  Effect,  including,
without  limitation,  (i) the  cessation of operations at any facility of any of
the  foregoing  that shall  continue for a period of five (5) days or more which
could  reasonably  be expected to have a  Materially  Adverse  Effect,  (ii) the
consolidation  of any of such facilities  which could  reasonably be expected to
have a Materially Adverse Effect, (iii) any strike, work stoppage or other labor
relations  problem  involving  any of the  foregoing  which could  reasonably be
expected to have a  Materially  Adverse  Effect and (iv) the start-up of any new
operations of any of the foregoing  commencing  after the date of this Agreement
which could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

      Section 6.8 Insurance.

      (a) (i) Maintain with financially sound and reputable  insurance companies
such insurance on such of its properties, in such amounts and against such risks
and with such  deductibles  as is customarily  maintained by similar  businesses
containing  such  terms  and in  such  forms  and  for  such  periods  as may be
reasonable  and  prudent  and  will  not  result  in any  Borrower  or  Material
Subsidiary  being deemed a co-insurer  under  applicable  laws,  regulations and
policies, including, without limitation, the following:

      (1) Full  extended  coverage policy of theft,  fire and hazard insurance,
including, but not limited to vandalism and malicious mischief endorsements with
respect to the Collateral; and (2) Business interruption insurance; and

      (3) Workers' compensation,  general public liability insurance and product
liability insurance;

      (ii) file with the Agent  promptly upon its request a detailed list of the
insurance  then in effect,  stating the names of the  insurance  companies,  the
amounts and rates of the insurance,  the dates of the expiration thereof and the
properties and risks covered  thereby,  together with  certificates of insurance
and copies of policies; and

<PAGE>


      (b) Carry all insurance required by the PBGC in connection with its Plans.

            Section 6.9 Financial Covenants.

      (a) With respect to NPDC and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis and
with  respect to the GPC  Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated
basis, have or maintain:

      (i) in the case of NPDC and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the
ratio (the "Interest Coverage Ratio") of:

      (A) net  income,  plus (to the extent  deducted  in  determining  such net
income) (x) Interest  Expense (as defined below),  (y) federal,  state and local
income  taxes  and (z)  extraordinary  losses,  minus  (to the  extent  added in
determining such net income) (x) all interest and investment  income (other than
gains or losses on sales of capital stock) and (y) extraordinary gains or income
(other than gains or losses on sales of capital stock ) (the  foregoing  amount,
"EBIT");

                              to

      (B) Interest Expense,

      for each  fiscal  quarter in the fiscal  years set forth below at equal or
greater than the ratio set forth opposite such fiscal year below:

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio                                   Fiscal Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.20 to 1                               1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.25 to 1                               1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.30 to 1                               1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      As used  herein,  "Interest  Expense"  shall  mean,  for any  period,  the
aggregate  interest  expense  of a Person  for such  period,  as  determined  in
accordance with GAAP,  including all  commissions,  discounts and other fees and
charges and commitment fees accrued with respect to the Loans and the Letters of
Credit,  and net costs  under  Interest  Rate  Contracts  properly  included  in
interest expense and the portion of any Capitalized Lease Obligations  allocable
to interest expense,  provided,  however,  that such amount shall be reduced, to
the extent not included in the calculation thereof, by gains under Interest Rate
Contracts.

      (ii)  in the  case  of the  GPC  Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  on a
consolidated  basis, the Interest  Coverage Ratio for each fiscal quarter in the
fiscal  years  set  forth  below at equal or  greater  than the  ratio set forth
opposite such fiscal year below:

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio                                   Fiscal Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.00 to 1                               1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.50 to 1                               1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.00 to 1                               1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<PAGE>

      (iii)  in the  case of the  GPC  Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  on a
consolidated basis, the ratio of:

      (A) all Indebtedness  under this Agreement and all other  Indebtedness for
borrowed money and Capitalized Lease  Obligations and other  Indebtedness of the
type referred to in Section 7.1(j) ("Funded Debt");

                              to

      (B) the product of (x) 4 times (y) EBIT,  plus (to the extent  deducted in
determining EBIT) depreciation and amortization of assets ("EBITDA") with Funded
Debt and EBITDA to be determined for and as at the end of each fiscal quarter in
the  fiscal  years  set  forth  below at equal or less  than the ratio set forth
opposite such fiscal year below:

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio                                   Fiscal Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.00 to 1                               1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.50 to 1                               1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.25 to 1                               1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      (iv) in the case of NPDC and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the
ratio of Funded  Debt to  Tangible  Net Worth at all times  during  each  fiscal
quarter in the fiscal  years set forth below at equal or less than the ratio set
forth opposite such fiscal year below:

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio                                   Fiscal Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 .75 to 1                                1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 .70 to 1                                1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 .65 to 1                                1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


      (v)in the case of NPDC and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis, the
ratio (the "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio") of:

      (A) EBITDA

                              to

      (B) Interest Expense, plus Capital Expenditures,  plus federal,  state and
local  income  taxes,  plus the  aggregate  amount of all  payments of principal
payable  within one year  following  the date as of which  such  amount is being
determined on all Indebtedness for borrowed money (other than Indebtedness under
this Agreement) and Capitalized Lease Obligations, for and as at the end of each
fiscal  quarter in the fiscal years set forth below at equal or greater than the
ratio set forth opposite such fiscal year below:

<PAGE>

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio                                   Fiscal Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.25 to 1                               1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.30 to 1                               1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.30 to 1                               1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      (vi) In  the  case of the  GPC  Borrowers  and  their  Subsidiaries  on a
consolidated  basis,  the Fixed Charge  Coverage  Ratio for and as at the end of
each fiscal quarter in the fiscal years set forth below at equal or greater than
the ratio set forth opposite such fiscal year below:

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ratio                                   Fiscal Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.30 to 1                               1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.30 to 1                               1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.30 to 1                               1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      (vii) In the case of NPDC and its  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis,
Tangible Net Worth at all times  during each fiscal  quarter in the fiscal years
set forth below equal or greater  than the minimum  Tangible Net Worth set forth
opposite  such  fiscal  year below plus 80% of Net Equity  Proceeds  (as defined
below) received by NPDC:

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Minimum Tangible Net Worth              Fiscal Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$60,000,000                             1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$68,000,000                             1998
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$75,000,000                             1999
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

      As used herein,  the term "Net Equity  Proceeds" shall mean the gross cash
proceeds  received  by NPDC in  consideration  of the  issuance of any shares of
capital stock of NPDC, or any rights,  options or warrants with respect thereto,
after the date hereof minus all fees and expenses  with respect to  underwriting
commissions,  legal,  investment  banking and accounting fees and disbursements,
printing expense and any governmental  fees incurred (or reasonably  expected to
be incurred) in connection with the issuance of such shares of capital stock.

      Section 6.10 Notice of Certain Events.

      (a)  Promptly  notify  the  Banks  in  writing  of the  occurrence  of any
Reportable  Event,  as  defined in  Section  4043 of ERISA,  if a notice of such
Reportable  Event is required  under ERISA to be delivered to the PBGC within 30
days  after  the  occurrence  thereof,  together  with  a  description  of  such
Reportable Event and a statement of the action the Borrowers intend to take with
respect thereto, together with a copy of the notice thereof given to the PBGC.

<PAGE>

      (b) Promptly notify the Banks in writing if any Borrower or any other Loan
Party receives:  (i) any notice of any violation or  administrative  or judicial
complaint or order having been filed or about to be filed  against such Borrower
or such  other Loan  Party  alleging  violations  of any  Environmental  Law and
Regulation,  or (ii) any notice from any  governmental  body or any other Person
alleging that such Borrower or such other Loan Party is or may be subject to any
Environmental  Liability,  in  each  case  that  has  the  potential  to  have a
Materially Adverse Effect or to materially adversely affect the Agent's security
interests pursuant to the Security Documents; and promptly upon receipt thereof,
provide the Banks with a copy of such notice  together  with a statement  of the
action  such  Borrower  or such other Loan  Party  intends to take with  respect
thereto.

      Section 6.11 Comply with Laws.

      Comply with all applicable  provisions of all laws, rules and regulations,
including,  without  limitation,  ERISA, now or hereafter in effect,  except for
non-compliance  that  would not  singly or in the  aggregate  have a  Materially
Adverse Effect.

      Section 6.12 Environmental Compliance.

      Operate  all  property  owned or  leased  by it such  that no  obligation,
including a clean-up  obligation,  shall arise under any  Environmental  Law and
Regulation,  which  obligation  would  constitute  a Lien on any property of any
Borrower or any other Loan Party; provided,  however, that in the event that any
such obligation arises, such Borrower or such other Loan Party shall, at its own
cost and expense,  immediately satisfy such obligation, or cause such obligation
to be immediately satisfied.

      Section 6.13 Five Star and SGLG Corporate Documents.

      Not later than thirty days after the date of this  Agreement,  deliver and
cause to be delivered  corporate  documents  of Five Star and SGLG,  Inc. of the
type  described  in  Section 4.1(f)(ii),  (iii),  (iv),  (v) and  (vi) as may be
requested by the Agent or the Majority Banks to evidence the due  authorization,
execution and delivery of, and enforceability  of, the Subordination  Agreements
executed by Five Star and SGLG, Inc.

 
      Article 7.  Negative Covenants.

      While  the  Commitments  are  outstanding,  and,  in the event any Loan or
Letter of Credit remains  outstanding,  so long as the Borrowers are indebted to
the  Banks or the  Agent  and  until  payment  in full of the Notes and full and
complete  performance of all of its other  Obligations  arising  hereunder,  the
Borrowers shall not, and not permit any Material Subsidiary to, do, agree to do,
or permit to be done, any of the following:

      Section 7.1 Indebtedness.

      Create,  incur,  permit  to exist or have  outstanding  any  Indebtedness,
except:

      (a)  Indebtedness  of the  Borrowers to the Banks and the Agent under this
Agreement and the Loan Documents;

      (b) Current  liabilities  incurred in the ordinary  course of business not
incurred  through (i) the  borrowing of money,  or (ii) the  obtaining of credit
except for credit on an open  account  basis  customarily  extended  and in fact
extended in connection with purchases of goods and services;

<PAGE>

      (c) Indebtedness in respect of taxes, assessments, governmental charges or
levies and claims for labor,  materials  and supplies to the extent that payment
therefor  shall not at the time be  required to be made in  accordance  with the
provisions of Section 6.6(a);

      (d)  Indebtedness in respect of judgments or awards that do not constitute
an Event of Default under Section8.7;

      (e)  Performance or other  guaranties  given by any Borrower in respect of
Indebtedness of the other Borrowers that is otherwise permitted pursuant to this
Section 7.1 and in respect of other obligations of the other Borrowers permitted
under this Agreement;

      (f) Indebtedness of any of the Borrowers to any other Borrower;

      (g)  Indebtedness  not otherwise  permitted  under this Section 7.1 (other
than to the Foreign Subsidiaries or to the joint ventures referred to in Exhibit
M) in  aggregate  principal  amount  not to  exceed  $100,000  at any  one  time
outstanding;

      (h)  Indebtedness  in  respect  of  deferred  liabilities  other  than for
deferred taxes and other than for borrowed money,  including without limitation,
deferred  compensation,  provided that the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness
of the Borrowers and Material  Subsidiaries incurred on or after the date hereof
shall not exceed at any one time  outstanding (i) $2,000,000 in the aggregate in
the case of the GPC Borrowers, (ii) $500,000 in the case of NPDC, (iii) $500,000
in the  case  of MXL  and  (iv)  $500,000  in the  aggregate  for  all  Material
Subsidiaries (other than those covered in clauses (i) and (iii));

      (i) Indebtedness in respect of deferred taxes;

      (j)  Indebtedness  secured  by  the  security  interests  referred  to  in
subsection  7.2(c)  hereof  and  Capitalized  Lease  Obligations,  in each  case
incurred only if, after giving effect thereto, the limit on Capital Expenditures
set forth in Section 7.13 hereof would not be breached;

      (k)  Indebtedness  consisting  of  obligations  under  Leases  (other than
Capitalized  Leases) in each case incurred only if, after giving effect thereto,
the limit set forth in Section 7.14 hereof would not be breached;

      (l) Subordinated Debt;

      (m) Guaranties permitted under Section 7.3 hereof; and

      (n)  Indebtedness  existing  on the date  hereof as set forth on Exhibit M
hereto and other Indebtedness described in Exhibit M hereto.
 
      Section 7.2 Liens.

      Create, or assume or permit to exist, any Lien on any of the properties or
assets  of the  Borrowers  or any  Material  Subsidiary,  whether  now  owned or
hereafter  acquired,  or enter into any agreement  with any other Person wherein
any  Borrower or any  Material  Subsidiary  covenants  not to create,  assume or
permit to exist any Lien on any of its present or future  properties  or assets,
except:

      (a) Those created and granted by the Security Documents;

<PAGE>

      (b) Permitted Liens;

      (c) Purchase  money  mortgages  or security  interests,  conditional  sale
arrangements and other similar security interests,  on real or personal property
acquired by any Borrower or any  Material  Subsidiary  (hereinafter  referred to
individually as a "Purchase  Money Security  Interest") with the proceeds of the
Indebtedness referred to in subsection 7.1(j) hereof; provided, however, that:

      (i) The  transaction  in which any Purchase  Money  Security  Interest is
proposed to be created is not then prohibited by this Agreement;

      (ii) Any  Purchase  Money  Security  Interest  shall  attach  only to the
property or asset acquired in such  transaction and shall not extend to or cover
any other assets or properties of a Borrower or a Material Subsidiary;

      (iii) The  Indebtedness secured or covered by any Purchase Money Security
Interest  shall not exceed the  lesser of the cost or fair  market  value of the
property or asset  acquired and shall not be renewed or extended or prepaid from
the proceeds of any borrowing by a Borrower or a Material Subsidiary; and

      (iv) The  aggregate amount of all Indebtedness  secured by Purchase Money
Security  Interests on a consolidated basis shall not at any time exceed, (A) in
the case of MXL and its Subsidiaries,  $500,000 at any one time  outstanding,(B)
in the case of the GPC Borrowers and their  Subsidiaries,  $300,000  incurred in
any fiscal year or $900,000 at any one time  outstanding,  or (C) in the case of
NPDC and its Subsidiaries (other than those referred to in the preceding clauses
(A) and (B)), $500,000 at any one time outstanding;

      (d) The  interests of the lessor  under any  Capitalized  Lease  permitted
hereunder;

      (e) Any interest or title of a lessor in assets being leased by any of the
Borrowers or any Material Subsidiary under an operating lease; and

      (f) Liens existing on the date hereof as set forth on Exhibit D hereto.

<PAGE>

      Section 7.3 Guaranties.

      (a) Except  (i)  guaranties  set forth on  Exhibit M hereto and  renewals,
extensions  or  replacements  of  guaranties  set  forth on  Exhibit M hereto in
respect of obligations in amounts not exceeding the amount  guaranteed under the
guaranties set forth in Exhibit M, (ii) as permitted by Section 7.1 and (iii) as
provided below in this Section 7.3, assume, endorse, be or become liable for, or
guarantee,  the  obligations  of  any  Person,  except  by  the  endorsement  of
negotiable  instruments  for deposit or  collection  in the  ordinary  course of
business.  For the  purposes  hereof,  the term  "guarantee"  shall  include any
agreement, whether such agreement is on a contingency or otherwise, to purchase,
repurchase  or  otherwise  acquire  Indebtedness  of  any  other  Person,  or to
purchase,  sell or lease, as lessee or lessor, property or services, in any such
case  primarily  for the purpose of enabling  another  person to make payment of
Indebtedness,   or  to  make  any  payment  (whether  as  an  advance,   capital
contribution,  purchase of an equity  interest or otherwise) to assure a minimum
equity,  asset  base,  working  capital  or other  balance  sheet  or  financial
condition,  in connection with the Indebtedness of another Person,  or to supply
funds to or in any  manner  invest in  another  Person in  connection  with such
Person's Indebtedness.

      (b) In  addition to the  foregoing,  any  Borrower or Material  Subsidiary
shall  be  permitted  to  guarantee  the  obligations  of other  Persons  on the
following terms and conditions:

      (i) at the time of entering into any such  guarantee the Borrowers  shall
be in compliance with Section 6.9 and Article 7 hereof; and

      (ii)  the  aggregate  amount  outstanding of all  guarantees  entered into
pursuant  to  this  subsection   7.3(b)   (whether   guarantees  of  payment  or
performance) shall at no time exceed $5,000,000.

      For the purposes  hereof,  the "amount" of a guarantee  shall mean,  as to
guarantees of payment,  the aggregate  maximum  amount as to which a Borrower or
Material Subsidiary may be liable at any time in respect of such guarantee,  and
as  to  guarantees  of  performance,   the  aggregate   maximum  amount  of  the
consideration  payable  at any time for such  performance  to the  Person  whose
performance  is being  guaranteed.  If more than one  Borrower  and/or  Material
Subsidiary  shall execute a guarantee of the same obligations of another Person,
the amount of only one of such guarantees  shall be counted for purposes of this
Section 7.3(b).

      Section 7.4 Mergers, Acquisitions.

      Merge or  consolidate  with any Person  (whether  or not a Borrower is the
surviving  entity),  or acquire all or substantially all of the assets or any of
the  capital  stock of any Person or acquire  any equity  interest  in any other
Person, except:

      (a) a merger or  consolidation  among any of the GPC  Borrowers,  provided
that if GPC is a party thereto, GPC is the surviving entity; and

      (b) any Borrower or Material  Subsidiary  may merge with another Person or
acquire all or  substantially  all of the assets or any capital stock of another
Person in the same or a related  line of business as a Borrower if, and only if,
all of the following conditions are satisfied:

<PAGE>

      (i) NPDC  shall have  given the Banks not less than  thirty  days'  prior
written notice of the proposed  transaction  together with a reasonably detailed
description  of the terms  thereof,  including  pro forma  consolidated  balance
sheets,  income  statements  and  statements  of  cash  flow  of  NPDC  and  its
Subsidiaries after giving effect to the proposed acquisition;

      (ii)  if  such proposed  transaction  is a merger to which a Borrower is a
party,  a Borrower  shall be the  surviving  entity;  if NPDC is a party to such
merger,  it shall be the surviving  entity; if GPC is a party to such merger, it
shall be the surviving entity; if MXL is a party to such merger, it shall be the
surviving entity;  and if any Material  Subsidiary is a party to such merger, it
shall be the surviving entity;

      (iii)  no  Default or Event of Default  hereunder shall exist  immediately
prior to or after giving effect to the consummation of the proposed  transaction
and NPDC shall have  delivered  a  Compliance  Certificate  to the Agent and the
Banks describing the proposed  transaction and containing a detailed calculation
indicating compliance with the covenants contained in Sections 6.9 and Article 7
hereof;

      (iv)  NPDC shall, upon request of the Agent or the Majority Banks, deliver
to the Agent copies of the purchase or merger  agreement and any other  material
documents executed in connection with the transaction;

      (v)  the  aggregate  Acquisition  Consideration  (defined  below)  for all
transactions permitted by this clause (b) of Section 7.4 from and after the date
of this Agreement shall not exceed $15,000,000; and

      (vi) the  Acquisition  Consideration for any single transaction or series
of related  transactions  permitted  by this clause (b) of Section 7.4 shall not
exceed $5,000,000, without the prior written consent of the Majority Banks.

      As used herein, the term "Acquisition Consideration" shall mean the amount
of all cash  consideration,  the face  amount  of any note or other  obligations
issued by any Borrower or any Subsidiary in connection with any such transaction
permitted  under  clause (b) of Section  7.4,  and the fair market  value of all
other  consideration  paid or  delivered by any  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  in
connection  with  any  such  transaction,   together  with  the  amount  of  any
liabilities  or  obligations  assumed  by any  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  and
expenses incurred by them in connection with any such transaction.

      Section 7.5 Redemptions; Distributions.

      (a) Purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire, directly or indirectly,
or make any sinking  fund  payments  with respect to, any shares of any class of
stock of any Borrower now or hereafter  outstanding or set apart any sum for any
such purpose,  except that NPDC may pay up to an aggregate of  $5,000,000  after
the date of this Agreement to purchase,  redeem, retire or acquire shares of its
common stock, provided that no Default or Event of Default shall exist before or
after giving effect to any such transaction; or

      (b) Declare or pay any dividends or make any  distribution  of any kind on
any  Borrower's  outstanding  stock,  or set aside any sum for any such purpose,
except:

<PAGE>

      (i) NPDC may declare and pay any  dividend  payable  solely in shares of
its common stock;

      (ii) each GPC Borrower  (other than GPC) may declare and pay dividends to
GPC; and

      (iii)  GPC and MXL may declare  and pay  dividends  from time to time to
NPDC  provided  that no Default or Event of Default  shall exist before or after
giving effect to the payment of such dividend.

      Section 7.6 Stock Issuance.

      Issue any additional  shares or any right or option to acquire any shares,
or any  security  convertible  into  any  shares,  of the  capital  stock of any
Borrower,  except (a) in  connection  with stock  dividends by NPDC as permitted
under subsection  7.5(b) hereof,  (b) NPDC may issue shares of its common stock,
warrants  or  options  exercisable  for  shares  of its  common  stock and other
securities,  to the  extent  not  prohibited  under  other  provisions  of  this
Agreement,  convertible  into shares of its common  stock and (c) NPDC may issue
shares of preferred stock with no mandatory  redemption or other provisions that
would permit the  redemption of such  preferred  stock prior to six months after
the  Commitment  Termination  Date and with no  dividends  payable  prior to six
months  after the  Commitment  Termination  Date  except in  securities  of NPDC
permitted to be issued under this Section 7.6.

      Section 7.7 Changes in Business; Dispositions.

      (a) Engage  primarily  (directly or indirectly) in any business except the
business conducted by it on the date hereof and any business related thereto, or
make any material change in its business, or in the nature of its operation,  or
liquidate or dissolve  itself (or suffer any  liquidation  or  dissolution),  or
convey,  sell,  lease,  assign,  transfer  or  otherwise  dispose  of any of its
property,  assets,  shares  of  stock  or  Indebtedness,  whether  now  owned or
hereafter  acquired,  except in the ordinary course of business  consistent with
past practice and for a fair consideration, and, with respect to shares of stock
of ISI,  Duratek or GSE Systems,  Inc.,  except for sales of such stock for fair
consideration, whether or not in the ordinary course of business consistent with
past  practice,  or  forgive  any  Indebtedness,   or  discount,  sell,  pledge,
hypothecate or otherwise dispose of Accounts, except the transfer of assets in a
merger or consolidation permitted hereunder and dispositions of assets and other
transactions permitted by the proviso in Section 6.3; or

      (b) Sell,  transfer or otherwise  dispose of more than  600,000  shares of
Duratek common stock in any fiscal year.

<PAGE>

      Section 7.8 Prepayments.

      Make any voluntary or optional prepayment of any Indebtedness for borrowed
money  incurred or permitted to exist under the terms of this  Agreement,  other
than Indebtedness  evidenced by the Notes,  provided that if no Default or Event
of Default  exists or would exist after giving effect to any such  payment,  (a)
any of the Borrowers may prepay  Indebtedness to another Borrower,  (b) NPDC may
pay  up to  $500,000  in  the  aggregate  to  purchase,  redeem  or  prepay  its
outstanding Swiss Franc denominated bonds referred to in Exhibit M, (c) NPDC may
prepay any or all of the 12% subordinated  debentures  referred to in Exhibit M,
and (d)  NPDC may  purchase,  redeem  or  prepay  its  outstanding  Swiss  Franc
denominated  bonds referred to in Exhibit M by issuing shares of common stock or
other  securities  permitted  to be issued  pursuant  to  Section  7.6 hereof as
payment therefor.

      Section 7.9 Investments.

      Make, or suffer to exist, any Investment in any Person, including, without
limitation,  any shareholder,  director,  officer or employee of any Borrower or
any of the Subsidiaries, except:

      (a) Investments in:

      (i)  marketable  obligations  issued or guaranteed by the United States of
America;


      (ii)demand  deposits,  time deposits,  certificates of deposit,  bankers
acceptances  and other "money  market  instruments"  issued by any bank or trust
company  organized  under the laws of the United  States of America or any State
thereof and having total assets of not less than $1,000,000,000;

      (iii) open  market  commercial  paper  bearing the highest  credit rating
issued by  Standard & Poor's  Corporation  or by another  nationally  recognized
credit rating agency;

      (iv) repurchase  agreements  entered into with any bank or trust  company
organized  under the laws of the United  States of America or any State  thereof
and  having  capital  and  surplus  in an  aggregate  amount  of not  less  than
$500,000,000 relating to United States of America government obligations; and

      (v)shares  of  "money   market  funds"  which  do  not  invest  in  equity
securities,  each having net assets of not less than $100,000,000;  in each case
(except  paragraph  (v))  maturing or being due or payable in full not more than
365 days after a Borrower's acquisition thereof;

      (b)  Investments  in the form of loans to  employees  of a Borrower or any
Loan Party,  provided that the outstanding principal amount of all such loans to
any one  employee  shall at no time  exceed  $300,000  and  that  the  aggregate
outstanding principal amount of all such loans shall at no time exceed $300,000;

      (c)  Investment  by any Borrower in any other  Borrower,  provided that no
Default or Event of Default  shall exist  before or after  giving  effect to the
making of any such Investment;

<PAGE>

      (d) Investments in the form of inter-company  loans or advances by NPDC to
Five Star in an aggregate  principal amount not to exceed  $2,500,000 at any one
time  outstanding,  provided  that no Default or Event of  Default  shall  exist
before or after giving effect to the making of any such Investment;

      (e) Shares of stock of ISI and Duratek  owned by the Borrowers on the date
hereof as set forth on Exhibit N;

      (f) Investments with respect to Indebtedness permitted by Sections 7.1(e),
(f) or (m);

      (g) Investments in the form of loans and  intercompany  advances by GPC to
the Foreign  Subsidiaries  existing on the date hereof in the amount of $682,535
and additional loans and advances by GPC to the Foreign  Subsidiaries,  provided
that the aggregate  principal amount of all such loans and advances  outstanding
at any time (i) during the twelve-month  period after the date of this Agreement
shall not  exceed by more  than  $360,000  the  amount  outstanding  on the date
hereof, and (ii) during each subsequent  twelve-month period shall not exceed by
more  than  $360,000  the  amount  outstanding  on the  first  day of each  such
twelve-month period;

      (h)  Investments  by NPDC in  connection  with the  prepayments  and other
transactions permitted by Section 7.8;

      (i) other Investments  (other than in Five Star, the Foreign  Subsidiaries
or the joint  ventures  referred to in Exhibit N) in an aggregate  amount not to
exceed $1,500,000 at any time outstanding; and

      (j) Investments described on Exhibit N of the Borrowers set forth therein.

      Section 7.10 Fiscal Year.

      Change its fiscal  year  unless it gives not less than  thirty  (30) days'
prior written notice thereof to the Banks and the Borrowers  agree to changes in
this  Agreement  that the Majority  Banks deem to be necessary or appropriate in
connection  with  such  change,  or,  except as  required  by GAAP,  change  its
accounting  treatment or reporting practices from those in effect on the date of
the Latest Balance Sheet.

      Section 7.11 ERISA Obligations.

      (a)  Except  as set  forth on  Exhibit  O  annexed  hereto,  be or  become
obligated  to the PBGC in excess of  $50,000  other  than in  respect  of annual
premium payments.

      (b) Be or become obligated to the IRS in excess of $50,000 with respect to
excise or other penalty taxes provided for in Section 4975 of the Code.

<PAGE>

      Section 7.12 Amendments of Documents.

      In the case of the Borrowers,  modify, amend,  supplement or terminate, or
agree  to  modify,   amend,   supplement  or  terminate,   its   certificate  of
incorporation  or by-laws,  except for amendments (of which prior written notice
has been given to the Banks) that would not  adversely  affect any  Obligations,
any Collateral, any rights of the Agent or the Banks under the Loan Documents or
the ability of such Borrower to perform its Obligations, or conduct its business
as previously conducted.

      Section 7.13 Capital Expenditures.

      Make  or be or  become  obligated  to  make  Capital  Expenditures  in the
aggregate for the Borrowers and the Material  Subsidiaries in any fiscal year in
excess of $2,500,000.

      Section 7.14 Rental Obligations.

      Enter  into,  or  permit  to  remain in  effect,  any  Lease  (other  than
Capitalized  Leases that are governed by Section 7.13 hereof),  if, after giving
effect  thereto,  the  aggregate  amount of all rentals  and other  obligations,
including,  without  limitation,  all percentage  rents and additional rent, due
from all the Borrowers  and the Material  Subsidiaries  thereunder  would exceed
$5,500,000 during any fiscal year.

      Section 7.15 Transactions with Affiliates.

      Except as expressly  permitted by this Agreement,  directly or indirectly:
(a) make any Investment in an Affiliate;  (b) transfer,  sell, lease,  assign or
otherwise  dispose of any assets to an Affiliate;  (c) merge into or consolidate
with or purchase  or acquire  assets  from an  Affiliate;  or (d) enter into any
other  transaction  directly  or  indirectly  with  or for  the  benefit  of any
Affiliate  (including,   without  limitation,   guarantees  and  assumptions  of
obligations of an Affiliate and management and consulting agreements); provided,
however,  that: (i) payments on Investments  expressly  permitted by Section 7.9
hereof may be made,  (ii) any Affiliate who is a natural  person may serve as an
employee  or  director  of any  Borrower  or  Material  Subsidiary  and  receive
reasonable compensation (including,  without limitation,  stock options) for his
services in such capacity,  (iii) any Borrower or Material  Subsidiary may enter
into any transaction with an Affiliate  providing for the leasing of property or
the purchase or sale of  services,  product,  inventory  and other assets in the
ordinary  course of business if the monetary or business  consideration  arising
therefrom  would be  substantially  as advantageous to such Borrower or Material
Subsidiary  as the  monetary or business  consideration  that would  obtain in a
comparable  arm's length  transaction  with a Person not an  Affiliate;  (iv) no
transaction  between  Borrowers  shall be prohibited  by this Section 7.15;  (v)
license  and  royalty  agreements,  equipment  leases and  guaranties  listed on
Exhibit P hereto shall not be prohibited by this Section 7.15.

      For purposes of this Section  7.15,  "Affiliate"  shall  include,  without
limitation,  any Person in which,  to the  knowledge of any  Borrower,  any NPDC
non-public stockholder, officer, director or employee has a substantial interest
or is an officer, director, trustee or partner.

<PAGE>

      Section 7.16 Take or Pay Contracts.

      Enter into or be a party to any contract or  arrangement  for the purchase
of  materials,  supplies,  other  properties  or  services  if such  contract or
arrangement requires that payment be made by a Borrower or a Material Subsidiary
regardless  of whether or not such  materials,  supplies,  other  properties  or
services are delivered or forwarded to it.


      Section 7.17 Sale and Leaseback.

      Enter into any arrangement,  directly or indirectly, whereby such Borrower
or a Material  Subsidiary  shall sell or transfer  any  property  owned by it in
order then or  thereafter  to lease such  property or lease other  property that
such Borrower or Material  Subsidiary  intends to use for substantially the same
purpose as the property being sold or transferred.

      Section 7.18 IMC.

      Enter into any  transaction  or  arrangement  of any nature with Inventory
Management Corporation, except as may be necessary to permit the liquidation and
dissolution  of  such  corporation   without  incurring  any  liability  of  the
Borrowers.

      Section 7.19 SGLG, Inc.

      Not permit SGLG, Inc. to have or own Accounts  (excluding the Indebtedness
referred to in Exhibit M,  paragraph 1) in an aggregate  amount  outstanding  in
excess of $3,000,000 at any time.

      Article 8. Events Of Default.

      If any one or more of the  following  events  ("Events of Default")  shall
occur and be  continuing,  then,  upon written notice given to NPDC on behalf of
the Borrowers by the Agent or the Majority Banks (except that in the case of the
occurrence of any Event of Default described in Section 8.6 no such notice shall
be required),  the Commitments  shall terminate and the entire unpaid balance of
the principal of and interest on the Notes outstanding and all other Obligations
and  Indebtedness of the Borrowers to the Banks and the Agent arising  hereunder
and  under  the  other  Loan  Documents  (including,   without  limitation,  the
obligation  to deposit  cash  collateral  under  Section  2.8(f)  hereof)  shall
immediately  become due and payable  without  presentment or demand for payment,
notice of non-payment, notice of intent to accelerate, protest or further notice
or demand of any kind, all of which are expressly waived by the Borrowers:

      Section 8.1 Payments.

      Failure to make any  payment  or  mandatory  prepayment  of  principal  or
interest upon any Note or to make any payment of any Fee when due; or

      Section 8.2 Certain Covenants.

      Failure  to  perform  or observe  any of the  agreements  of any  Borrower
contained in subsection 5.10(a), Section 6.9 or Article 7 hereof; or

<PAGE>


      Section 8.3 Other Covenants.

      (a)  Failure  by any  Borrower  to  perform  or  observe  any other  term,
condition or covenant of this Agreement or of any of the other Loan Documents to
which it is a party, which shall remain unremedied for a period of 30 days after
notice thereof shall have been given to NPDC by the Agent; or

      (b)  Failure by any Loan  Party  other  than the  Borrowers  to perform or
observe any term, condition or covenant of any of the Loan Documents to which it
or he is a party,  which shall remain  unremedied  for a period of 30 days after
notice thereof shall have been given to NPDC by the Agent; or

      Section 8.4 Other Defaults.

      (a) Failure by any Borrower,  Five Star or any Material Subsidiary,  after
required notice (if any), to perform or observe any term,  condition or covenant
of any  bond,  note,  debenture,  loan  agreement,  indenture,  guaranty,  trust
agreement,  mortgage or similar  instrument to which any Borrower,  Five Star or
any Material Subsidiary is a party or by which any of them is bound, or by which
any of their respective properties or assets may be affected, including, without
limitation, the Five Star Loan Agreement (a "Debt Instrument"),  for such period
of time that,  as a result of any such  failure to  perform  for such  period of
time, the  Indebtedness  included  therein or secured or covered  thereby may be
declared  due and  payable  prior to the date on which such  Indebtedness  would
otherwise become due and payable; or

      (b) Any event or condition  referred to in any Debt Instrument shall occur
or fail to  occur,  so that,  as a result  thereof,  the  Indebtedness  included
therein or secured or covered  thereby may be declared due and payable  prior to
the date on which such Indebtedness would otherwise become due and payable; or

      (c)  Failure  to pay any  Indebtedness  for  borrowed  money  due at final
maturity or pursuant to demand  under any Debt  Instrument;  provided,  however,
that the  provisions  of this  Section 8.4 shall not be  applicable  to any Debt
Instrument  that on the date this  Section  8.4 would  otherwise  be  applicable
thereto, relates to or evidences Indebtedness in an outstanding principal amount
of less than $500,000; or

      Section 8.5 Representations and Warranties.

      Any  representation  or warranty made in writing to the Banks or the Agent
in any of the Loan  Documents or in  connection  with the making of the Loans or
issuance of Letters of Credit,  or any certificate,  statement or report made or
delivered in connection with or in compliance  with this  Agreement,  shall have
been false or misleading in any material respect when made or delivered; or

<PAGE>

      Section 8.6 Bankruptcy.

      (a) Any  Borrower,  Five Star or any  Material  Subsidiary  shall  make an
assignment  for the  benefit of  creditors,  file a petition in  bankruptcy,  be
adjudicated insolvent,  petition or apply to any tribunal for the appointment of
a  receiver,  custodian,  or any  trustee  for it or a  substantial  part of its
assets,  or shall commence any proceeding under any bankruptcy,  reorganization,
arrangement,  readjustment of debt, dissolution or liquidation law or statute of
any jurisdiction, whether now or hereafter in effect, or any Borrower, Five Star
or any Material  Subsidiary  shall take any corporate action to authorize any of
the  foregoing  actions;  or there  shall have been filed any such  petition  or
application,  or any such proceeding shall have been commenced  against it, that
remains  undismissed  for a period of sixty (60) days or more;  or any order for
relief shall be entered in any such  proceeding;  or any Borrower,  Five Star or
any Material  Subsidiary by any act or omission  shall  indicate its consent to,
approval of or acquiescence  in any such petition,  application or proceeding or
the  appointment  of a  custodian,  receiver  or  any  trustee  for  it  or  any
substantial  part of any of its properties,  or shall suffer any  custodianship,
receivership or trusteeship to continue  undischarged for a period of sixty (60)
days or more; or

      (b) Any Borrower, Five Star or any Material Subsidiary shall generally not
pay its debts as such debts become due; or

      (c)  Any  Borrower,  Five  Star  or any  Material  Subsidiary  shall  have
concealed,  removed,  or permitted  to be concealed or removed,  any part of its
property,  with intent to hinder,  delay or defraud its creditors or any of them
or made or suffered a transfer  of any of its  property  that may be  fraudulent
under any bankruptcy,  fraudulent  conveyance or similar law; or shall have made
any  transfer of its property to or for the benefit of a creditor at a time when
other creditors similarly situated have not been paid; or shall have suffered or
permitted,  while  insolvent,  any  creditor  to  obtain a Lien  upon any of its
property through legal proceedings or distraint that is not vacated within sixty
(60) days from the date thereof; or

      Section 8.7 Judgments.

      Any final judgment or judgments against any Borrower, Borrowers, Five Star
or Material Subsidiaries or any attachment, levy or execution against any of its
properties for any amount which singly or in the aggregate  shall be outstanding
and in amounts  not covered by  insurance  in excess of (a) in the case of NPDC,
the GPC Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries  which are Material  Subsidiaries
(other than MXL and its Subsidiaries),  $300,000, (b) in the case of MXL and its
Subsidiaries which are Material  Subsidiaries,  $100,000, and (c) in the case of
Five Star, $500,000, and shall remain unpaid, unstayed on appeal,  undischarged,
unbonded or undismissed for a period of thirty (30) days or more; or

      Section 8.8 ERISA.

      (a)  The  termination  of any  Plan  or the  institution  by the  PBGC  of
proceedings  for the  involuntary  termination  of any Plan,  in either case, by
reason of, or that results or could result in, a "material  accumulated  funding
deficiency" under Section 412 of the Code; or

      (b) Failure by any Borrower to make required contributions,  in accordance
with  the  applicable  provisions  of  ERISA,  to  each of the  Plans  hereafter
established or assumed by it; or

<PAGE>

      Section 8.9 Liens.

      Any of the Liens created and granted to the Agent for the ratable  benefit
of the Banks  under  the  Security  Documents  shall  fail to be  valid,  first,
perfected  Liens,  subject to no prior or equal  Lien,  except as  permitted  by
Section 7.2 hereof; or

      Section 8.10 Ownership of Stock.

      NPDC shall at any time own,  beneficially and of record, less than 100% in
the  aggregate of all of the issued and  outstanding  shares of capital stock of
GPC or MXL having ordinary voting rights for the election of directors; or

      Section 8.11 Loan Documents.

      Any  material  provision  of any Loan  Document  shall at any time for any
reason  cease to be valid  and  binding  and in full  force and  effect;  or the
validity or  enforceability  of any Loan Document shall be contested by any Loan
Party; or any authorization, consent, license or approval of any federal, state,
local or foreign governmental  authority,  department,  board,  bureau,  agency,
regulatory  authority  or  judicial or  administrative  body  necessary  for the
performance  by any Loan Party of its  Obligations  under any Loan  Document for
payment of money or any other material Obligations  thereunder shall at any time
for any reason  cease to be valid and binding  and in full force and effect;  or
the  performance  by any Loan Party of its  Obligations  under any Loan Document
would violate any provision of law or regulation; or

      Section 8.12 Borrower Enjoined.

      Any of the Borrowers shall be enjoined, restrained or in any way prevented
by the  order of any  court or any  administrative  or  regulatory  agency  from
conducting  any material  part of its business and such order shall  continue in
effect for more than thirty (30) days; or

      Section 8.13 Material Adverse Change.

      Any material  adverse  change in the  business,  condition  (financial  or
otherwise),  operations or properties of NPDC and its  Subsidiaries,  taken as a
whole,  or the GPC Borrowers  and their  Subsidiaries,  taken as a whole,  shall
occur after September 30, 1996 and be continuing.

<PAGE>

      Article 9.  The Agent.

      Section 9.1 Appointment, Powers and Immunities.

      Each Bank hereby  irrevocably  appoints and authorizes the Agent to act as
its administrative and collateral agent hereunder,  under the Security Documents
and the other Loan Documents with such powers as are  specifically  delegated to
the Agent by the terms of this Agreement,  the Security  Documents and the other
Loan  Documents  together  with such other powers as are  reasonably  incidental
thereto.  The Agent shall not have any duties or  responsibilities  except those
expressly set forth in this Agreement, the Security Documents and the other Loan
Documents and shall not be a trustee or fiduciary for any Bank.  The Agent shall
not be responsible to the Banks for any recitals, statements, representations or
warranties or conditions  precedent  contained in this  Agreement,  the Security
Documents,  or the other Loan Documents, or in any certificate or other document
referred to or provided for in, or received by the Agent or any Bank under, this
Agreement, the Security Documents or the other Loan Documents, or for the value,
validity,  effectiveness,  genuineness,  enforceability  or  sufficiency of this
Agreement,  the  Security  Documents  or the other Loan  Documents  or any other
document referred to or provided for herein or therein or for the collectibility
of the Loans or other Obligations or for the validity, effectiveness or value of
any interest or security  covered by the Security  Documents or for the value of
any Collateral or for the validity or effectiveness of any assignment, mortgage,
pledge, security agreement,  financing statement, document or instrument, or for
the filing, recording,  re-filing,  continuing or re-recording of any thereof or
for any failure by any  Borrower or any of the other Loan Parties to perform any
of its obligations  hereunder or under the other Loan  Documents.  The Agent may
employ agents and  attorneys-in-fact  and shall not be answerable,  except as to
money or securities  received by it or its authorized agents, for the negligence
or  misconduct  of any such  agents  or  attorneys-in-fact  selected  by it with
reasonable care. Neither the Agent nor any of its directors, officers, employees
or agents shall be liable or  responsible  for any action taken or omitted to be
taken by it or them  hereunder,  under the Security  Documents or the other Loan
Documents or in connection  herewith or  therewith,  except for its or their own
gross negligence or willful misconduct.

      Section 9.2 Reliance by Agent.

      The Agent  shall be  entitled  to rely upon any  certification,  notice or
other  communication  (including  any  thereof by  telephone,  telex,  telecopy,
telegram  or cable)  believed  by it to be genuine  and correct and to have been
signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper person or persons,  and upon advice
and  statements  of legal  counsel,  independent  accountants  and other experts
selected  by the Agent.  As to any matters not  expressly  provided  for by this
Agreement,  the Security Documents or the other Loan Documents,  the Agent shall
in all cases be fully  protected  and  shall  have no  liability  to any Bank in
acting, or in refraining from acting, hereunder, under the Security Documents or
the other Loan  Documents  in  accordance  with  instructions  from the Majority
Banks,  and such  instructions  of the  Majority  Banks and any action  taken or
failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all of the Banks.

<PAGE>

      Section 9.3 Events of Default.

      The  Agent  shall  not be  deemed  to  have  knowledge  or  notice  of the
occurrence of a Default or Event of Default unless the Agent has received notice
from a Bank or a  Borrower  specifying  such  Default  or Event of  Default  and
stating that such notice is a "Notice of  Default".  In the event that the Agent
receives such a notice of the  occurrence of a Default or Event of Default,  the
Agent  shall give  notice  thereof to the Banks.  The Agent  shall  (subject  to
Section 9.7 hereof)  take such action with  respect to such  Default or Event of
Default as shall be directed by the Majority Banks.

      Section 9.4 Rights as a Bank.

      With  respect to its  Commitment  and the Loans made and Letters of Credit
issued by it, the Agent in its capacity as a Bank hereunder  shall have the same
rights  and powers  hereunder  as any other  Bank and may  exercise  the same as
though it were not acting as the Agent,  and the term  "Bank" or "Banks"  shall,
unless the context  otherwise  indicates,  include  the Agent in its  individual
capacity.  The Agent and its Affiliates may (without having to account  therefor
to any Bank) accept  deposits  from,  lend money to and generally  engage in any
kind of banking, trust or other business with any Borrower or its Affiliates, as
if it were not  acting as the  Agent,  and the Agent may  accept  fees and other
consideration  from any Borrower or its  Affiliates,  for services in connection
with this Agreement,  the Security  Documents or any of the other Loan Documents
or otherwise without having to disclose or account for the same to the Banks.

      Section 9.5 Indemnification.

      The Banks shall  indemnify the Agent (to the extent not  reimbursed by the
Borrowers  under Sections 10.1 and 10.2 hereof),  ratably in accordance with the
aggregate  principal  amount of the Loans made by the Banks (or, if no Loans are
at the time outstanding,  ratably in accordance with their respective Commitment
Percentages),  for  any  and  all  liabilities,  obligations,  losses,  damages,
penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any
kind and nature  whatsoever  that may be imposed  on,  incurred  by or  asserted
against the Agent in any way relating to or arising out of this  Agreement,  the
Security Documents or any of the other Loan Documents,  Letters of Credit or any
other  documents  contemplated  by or  referred  to  herein  or  therein  or the
transactions  contemplated  by or  referred  to  herein or  therein  (including,
without  limitation,  the costs and expenses that the Borrowers are obligated to
pay under  Sections 10.1 and 10.2 hereof,  but  excluding,  unless a Default has
occurred and is continuing, normal administrative costs and expenses incident to
the performance of its agency duties hereunder or under the Security  Documents)
or the enforcement of any of the terms hereof or of the Security  Documents,  or
of any  such  other  documents  (all  of the  foregoing,  "Indemnified  Costs"),
provided  that no Bank  shall be liable for any of the  foregoing  to the extent
they arise from the gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct of the party to be
indemnified.  In the case of any investigation,  litigation or proceeding giving
rise to any  Indemnified  Costs,  this Section 9.5 shall apply  whether any such
investigation, litigation or proceeding is brought by the Agent, any Bank or any
other Person.

<PAGE>

            Section 9.6 Non-Reliance on Agent and other Banks.

      Each Bank agrees that it has,  independently  and without  reliance on the
Agent or any other Bank, and based on such  documents and  information as it has
deemed appropriate,  made its own credit analysis of the Borrowers and the other
Loan  Parties  and  decision  to enter  into  this  Agreement  and that it will,
independently  and without  reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank, and based
on such  documents and  information  as it shall deem  appropriate  at the time,
continue to make its own analysis and  decisions in taking or not taking  action
under this Agreement,  the Security  Documents or the other Loan Documents.  The
Agent shall not be required to keep  itself  informed as to the  performance  or
observance by the Borrowers  and the other Loan Parties of this  Agreement,  the
Security Documents or the other Loan Documents or any other document referred to
or provided for herein or therein or to inspect the  properties  or books of the
Borrowers or other Loan Parties. Except for notices, reports and other documents
and  information  expressly  required to be  furnished to the Banks by the Agent
hereunder  or under the Security  Documents,  or the other Loan  Documents,  the
Agent  shall not have any duty or  responsibility  to provide  any Bank with any
credit or other  information  concerning  the  affairs,  financial  condition or
business of the Borrowers or any Loan Party,  that may come into the  possession
of the Agent or any of its Affiliates.

      Section 9.7 Failure to Act.

      Except for action expressly required of the Agent hereunder,  or under the
Security  Documents,  the Agent shall in all cases be fully justified in failing
or refusing to act hereunder or thereunder unless it shall be indemnified to its
satisfaction  by the Banks against any and all liability and expense that may be
incurred by it by reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.

<PAGE>

      Section 9.8 Resignation or Removal of Agent.

      Subject to the appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided
below,  the Agent may resign at any time by giving not less than 10 days'  prior
written  notice  thereof to the Banks and NPDC,  and the Agent may be removed at
any time with or without cause by the Majority Banks.  Upon any such resignation
or  removal,  the  Majority  Banks  shall have the right to appoint a  successor
Agent,  which shall be (a) a Bank or (b) another  bank or financial  institution
acceptable to NPDC in its sole discretion, in each case organized under the laws
of the  United  States  which is not  controlled  by  non-U.S.  citizens.  If no
successor  Agent shall have been so appointed  by the  Majority  Banks and shall
have accepted such appointment  within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving
of notice of resignation or the Majority  Banks' removal of the retiring  Agent,
then the retiring  Agent may, on behalf of the Banks,  after  consultation  with
NPDC but without its  consent,  appoint a successor  Agent which shall be one of
the Banks which is  organized  under the laws of the United  States and which is
not controlled by any non-U.S.  citizen.  Upon the acceptance of any appointment
as Agent hereunder or under the Security  Documents by a successor  Agent,  such
successor  Agent  shall  thereupon  succeed  to and become  vested  with all the
rights,  powers,  privileges and duties of the retiring Agent,  and the retiring
Agent shall be discharged  from its duties and  obligations  hereunder and under
the Security  Documents.  If no successor  Agent is appointed in accordance with
the  previous  provisions  of this  Section 9.8,  the  Agent  may,  in its  sole
discretion,  either  continue  to act as Agent  hereunder  or assign  all of its
rights and delegate all of its  obligations  under this  Agreement to the Banks.
After any  retiring  Agent's  resignation  or  removal  hereunder  as Agent,  or
assignment and delegation pursuant to the preceding sentence,  the provisions of
this  Article 9 shall  continue  in effect  for its  benefit  in  respect of any
actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Agent and
shall survive the payment of the Notes and other  Obligations and termination of
this Agreement.

      Section 9.9 Sharing of Collateral and Payments.

      In the event  that any Bank shall  obtain  payment in respect of a Note or
Reimbursement   Obligation,   or  interest  thereon,   whether   voluntarily  or
involuntarily,  other than  through the  exercise  of a right of banker's  lien,
set-off,  counterclaim  or similar right which shall be subject to Section 2.19,
in a greater  proportion  than any such  payment  obtained  by any other Bank in
respect of the corresponding  Note or Reimbursement  Obligation held by it, then
the Bank so receiving such greater proportionate payment shall purchase for cash
from the other  Bank or Banks such  portion of each such other  Bank's or Banks'
Loan or  Reimbursement  Obligations  as shall be  necessary  to cause  such Bank
receiving the  proportionate  overpayment  to share the excess payment with each
Bank;  provided,  however,  that if all or any portion of such excess payment is
thereafter recovered from the Bank that received the proportionate  overpayment,
such purchase of Loans or Reimbursement  Obligations shall be rescinded, and the
purchase price returned, to the extent of such recovery, but without interest.

      Section 9.10 Survival.

      The  provisions of Article 9 shall survive  payment of the Notes and other
Obligations and termination of this Agreement.

<PAGE>

      Article 10. Miscellaneous Provisions.

      Section 10.1 Fees and Expenses; Indemnity.

      (a) The  Borrowers  will  promptly pay all costs of the Agent in preparing
the Loan  Documents  and all costs and expenses of the issue of the Notes and of
the  Borrowers' and the other Loan Parties'  performance of and compliance  with
all agreements and  conditions  contained  herein on its part to be performed or
complied with (including,  without limitation,  all costs of filing or recording
any assignments,  mortgages,  financing statements and other documents), and the
reasonable  fees and  expenses  and  disbursements  of  counsel  to the Agent in
connection  with: (i) the preparation,  execution and delivery,  administration,
interpretation  and enforcement of this Agreement,  the other Loan Documents and
all other  agreements,  instruments and documents  relating to this transaction,
(ii) the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by all such documents,
(iii) the  preservation  of all  rights of the  Banks  and the  Agent,  (iv) the
negotiation,  preparation, execution and delivery of any amendment, modification
or supplement  of or to, or any consent or waiver  under,  any such document (or
any such instrument that is proposed but not executed and delivered) and (v) any
claim or action  threatened,  made or  brought  against  any of the Banks or the
Agent arising out of or relating to any extent to this Agreement, the other Loan
Documents or the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby.

      (b) In addition,  the  Borrowers  will promptly pay all costs and expenses
(including,  without  limitation,  reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel)
suffered  or  incurred  by the  Agent  and  each  Bank in  connection  with  its
enforcement  of the  payment  of the Notes held by it or any other sum due to it
under  this  Agreement  or any of the other Loan  Documents  or any of its other
rights hereunder or thereunder.

      (c) In addition to the foregoing,  the Borrowers shall indemnify each Bank
and the  Agent  and each of  their  respective  present  and  future  directors,
officers, employees,  attorneys, agents and Affiliates against, and hold each of
them harmless from, any loss, liabilities,  damages,  claims, costs and expenses
(including reasonable attorneys' fees and disbursements) suffered or incurred by
any of them arising out of,  resulting from or in any manner connected with, the
execution,  delivery and performance of each of the Loan  Documents,  the Loans,
the  other  Obligations,  the  Letters  of Credit  and any and all  transactions
related to or consummated in connection with the Loans, the other Obligations or
Letters of Credit, including, without limitation, losses, liabilities,  damages,
claims,  costs and expenses suffered or incurred by any Bank or the Agent or any
of  their  respective  directors,  officers,  employees,  attorneys,  agents  or
Affiliates arising out of or related to any Environmental Matter,  Environmental
Liability or  Environmental  Proceeding,  or in  investigating,  preparing  for,
defending  against,  or providing  evidence,  producing  documents or taking any
other   action  in  respect  of  any   commenced   or   threatened   litigation,
administrative  proceeding  or  investigation,  regardless of whether or not any
such indemnified Person is a party thereto or target thereof,  whether under any
federal  securities  law or  any  other  statute  of  any  jurisdiction,  or any
regulation, or at common law or otherwise,  including,  without limitation,  any
thereof  that is  alleged  to arise  out of or is  based  upon:  (i) any  untrue
statement or alleged  untrue  statement of any material fact of any Borrower and
its  Affiliates  in any  document  or  schedule  filed with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission or any other governmental body; (ii) any omission or alleged
omission to state any material  fact  required to be stated in such  document or
schedule,  or necessary to make the  statements  made  therein,  in light of the
circumstances  under which made, not  misleading;  (iii) any acts,  practices or
omissions or alleged acts,  practices or omissions of any Borrower or its agents
related to the making of any acquisition,  purchase of shares or assets pursuant
thereto,   financing  of  such  purchases  or  the  consummation  of  any  other
transactions  contemplated by any such  acquisitions;  or (iv) any  withdrawals,
termination  or  cancellation  of any such proposed  acquisition  for any reason
whatsoever,  provided  that no Borrower  shall have any  liability or obligation
hereunder  to any Bank or  indemnified  Person with  respect to any  indemnified
liability  arising from the gross negligence or willful  misconduct of such Bank
or Person.
<PAGE>
 
      (d) The  indemnity  set forth  herein  shall be in  addition  to any other
obligations or liabilities of the Borrowers to the Agent and the Banks hereunder
or at common law or otherwise. The provisions of this Section 10.1 shall survive
the  payment  of the Notes and other  Obligations  and the  termination  of this
Agreement.

      (e) If, and to the extent that the  obligations of any Borrower under this
Section 10.1 are  unenforceable  for any reason,  such Borrower hereby agrees to
make the maximum contribution to the payment in satisfaction of such obligations
that is permissible under applicable law.

      Section 10.2 Taxes.

      (a) If,  under any law in effect on the date of the closing of any Loan or
issuance of any Letter of Credit hereunder,  or under any retroactive  provision
of any law subsequently enacted, it shall be determined that any Federal,  state
or local tax is payable in respect of the  issuance of any Note or  execution of
any  Loan  Document,  or in  connection  with the  filing  or  recording  of any
assignments,  mortgages,  financing  statements,  or  other  documents  (whether
measured by the amount of indebtedness  secured or otherwise) as contemplated by
this  Agreement,  then the Borrowers  will pay any such tax and all interest and
penalties,  if any, and will  indemnify the Banks and the Agent against and save
each of them harmless from any loss or damage  resulting  from or arising out of
the  nonpayment  or delay in payment  of any such tax.  If any such tax or taxes
shall be assessed or levied against any Bank or any other holder of a Note, such
Bank,  or such  other  holder,  as the case  may be,  may  notify  NPDC and make
immediate  payment  thereof,  together  with interest or penalties in connection
therewith,  and shall  thereupon  be  entitled  to and shall  receive  immediate
reimbursement therefor from the Borrowers.

      (b) Any and all payments made by each Borrower hereunder or under any Note
or any other Loan Document  delivered  hereunder shall be made free and clear of
and  without  deduction  for any  present  or  future  taxes,  levies,  imposts,
deductions,  charges or withholdings,  and all liabilities with respect thereto,
but  excluding  net income taxes  imposed by the United States of America or any
jurisdiction  where a Bank's principal  executive  office or Applicable  Lending
Office for the Loans and/or Letters of Credit is located (all such  non-excluded
taxes, levies, imposts, deductions,  charges, withholdings and liabilities being
hereinafter referred to as "Taxes"). If any Borrower shall be required by law to
deduct any Taxes from or in respect of any sum  payable  hereunder  or under any
Loan  Document to any Bank,  (i) the sum payable to such Bank shall be increased
as may be necessary so that,  after  making all required  deductions  (including
deductions  applicable to additional sums payable under this Section 10.2), such
Bank will receive an amount equal to the sum it would have  received had no such
deductions  been  required,  (ii) such Borrower  shall make such  deductions and
(iii) such Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant  taxation
authority or other authority in accordance with applicable law.

<PAGE>

      (c) The Borrowers will indemnify each Bank,  within ten days after written
demand  by  such  Bank,  for  the  full  amount  of  Taxes  (including,  without
limitation,  any Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts payable under this
Section  10.2)  paid by each  Bank with  respect  to or for the  account  of any
Borrower  relating  to this  Agreement  or the  Obligations,  and any  liability
(including  penalties,  interest and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect
thereto, whether or not such Taxes were correctly or legally asserted.

      (d) After any  payment  of Taxes by any  Borrower  for the  account of any
Bank, such Borrower will furnish to such Bank evidence of such payment  promptly
after the making of such payment and, if available,  the original or a certified
copy of a receipt evidencing payment thereof promptly after receipt thereof.

      (e) Notwithstanding  any other provision contained in this Agreement,  the
covenants  and  agreements  of the  Borrowers in this Section 10.2 shall survive
payment  of the  Notes  and  other  Obligations  and  the  termination  of  this
Agreement.

      Section 10.3 Notes.

      Upon  payment in full of any Note,  the Bank  holding such Note shall mark
the Note "Paid" and return it to NPDC.

      Section 10.4 Survival of Agreements and Representations: Construction.

      All agreements,  representations  and warranties made herein shall survive
the  delivery  of  this  Agreement  and the  Notes.  The  headings  used in this
Agreement  and the table of contents are for  convenience  only and shall not be
deemed to constitute a part hereof.  All uses herein of the masculine  gender or
of singular or plural  terms shall be deemed to include  uses of the feminine or
neuter gender, or plural or singular terms, as the context may require. The term
"includes", "included" and "including" are not limiting.

      Section 10.5 Lien on and Set-off of Deposits.

            As security for the due payment and performance of all the 
Obligations, each of the Borrowers hereby grants to each Bank and the Agent 
for the ratable benefit of the Banks a Lien on any and all deposits or other 
sums at any time credited by or due from the Agent or any Bank to such 
Borrower, whether in regular or special depository accounts or otherwise,
and any and all monies, securities and other property of such Borrower, and 
the proceeds thereof, now or hereafter held or received by or in transit to
any Bank or the Agent from or for such Borrower, whether for safekeeping, 
custody, pledge, transmission, collection or otherwise, and any such deposits, 
sums, monies, securities and other property, may at any time after the 
occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of Default be set-off, 
appropriated and applied by any Bank or the Agent against any of the 
Obligations, whether or not any of such Obligations is then due or is secured 
by any collateral, or, if it is so secured, whether or not the collateral 
held by the Agent is considered to be adequate.

<PAGE>


      Section 10.6 Modifications, Consents and Waivers: Entire Agreement.

      (a) No  modification,  amendment  or  waiver  of or  with  respect  to any
provision of this Agreement,  any Notes, the Security  Documents,  or any of the
other  Loan  Documents  or  any  other  agreements,  instruments  and  documents
delivered  pursuant  hereto or  thereto,  nor  consent to any  departure  by any
Borrower  from any of the  terms or  conditions  thereof,  shall in any event be
effective unless it shall be in writing and signed by the Agent and the Majority
Banks except that: (i) any amendment,  modification,  consent or waiver that has
the effect of reducing the rate or amount,  or extending the stated  maturity or
due date, of any sum payable  hereunder to any Bank, or releasing any Collateral
except as permitted  herein or in any Loan Document,  or changing the definition
of  Total  Commitment,  Commitment,  Commitment  Percentage,  Letter  of  Credit
Commitment,  Majority  Banks,  this  Section  10.6(a),  any  provision  of  this
Agreement  requiring  approval or concurrence of all Banks, or the obligation of
Banks to  purchase  participations  in  Letters  of  Credit  shall be  signed or
approved in writing by all Banks, (ii) any amendment,  modification,  consent or
waiver  affecting the rights or  obligations of the Agent under Article 9 hereof
or Fleet, as issuer of Letters of Credit, shall be signed or approved in writing
by the  Agent or  Fleet,  as the case may be,  and  (iii)  any  modification  or
amendment of, or waiver or consent with respect to, Article 4 may be signed only
by the Agent and the Majority Banks (provided, however, that the consummation of
a Loan or issuance of (or  participation  in) a Letter of Credit by a Bank shall
be  deemed,  with  respect  to such Loan or Letter of Credit  only,  to have the
effect of the execution by such Bank and, in the case of a Letter of Credit, the
Banks  participating  in such  Letter of Credit of a waiver  of, or consent to a
departure  from,  any term or provision of Article 4 that has not been satisfied
as of the date of the  consummation  of such  Loan or  issuance  of a Letter  of
Credit).

      (b) Any such waiver or consent  provided for in Section  10.6(a)  shall be
effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for which given.

      (c) No consent to or demand on any Borrower in any case shall,  of itself,
entitle  it to any  other or  further  notice  or  demand  in  similar  or other
circumstances.  This  Agreement and the other Loan  Documents  embody the entire
agreement  and  understanding  among the Banks,  the Agent and the Borrowers and
supersede all prior agreements and understandings relating to the subject matter
hereof.

      (d) THIS WRITTEN  AGREEMENT (AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS)  REPRESENTS THE
FINAL  AGREEMENT  AMONG THE PARTIES  HERETO WITH RESPECT TO THE MATTERS  COVERED
HEREBY  AND  THEREBY  AND  MAY  NOT  BE   CONTRADICTED  BY  EVIDENCE  OF  PRIOR,
CONTEMPORANEOUS OR SUBSEQUENT ORAL AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES.

      Section 10.7 Remedies Cumulative.

      Each and every right granted to the Agent and the Banks hereunder or under
any other document delivered hereunder or in connection herewith,  or allowed it
by law or equity,  shall be cumulative and may be exercised from time to time in
accordance  with the terms hereof or thereof and  applicable  law. No failure on
the part of the Agent or any Bank or the holder of any Note to exercise,  and no
delay in exercising,  any right shall operate as a waiver thereof, nor shall any
single or partial  exercise of any right  preclude any other or future  exercise
thereof or the exercise of any other right.  The due payment and  performance of
the Obligations shall be without regard to any counterclaim,  right of offset or
any other claim  whatsoever  that any  Borrower may have against any Bank or the
Agent and without regard to any other  obligation of any nature  whatsoever that
any Bank or the  Agent may have to any  Borrower,  and no such  counterclaim  or
offset  shall be asserted by any  Borrower  in any  action,  suit or  proceeding
instituted  by  any  Bank  or  the  Agent  for  payment  or  performance  of the
Obligations.

      Section 10.8 Further Assurances.

      At any time and from time to time,  upon the  request  of the Agent or the
Majority Banks, the Borrowers shall execute, deliver and acknowledge or cause to
be executed, delivered and acknowledged,  such further documents and instruments
and do such  other  acts and  things  as the  Agent or the  Majority  Banks  may
reasonably request in order to fully effect the purposes of this Agreement,  the
other  Loan  Documents  and any  other  agreements,  instruments  and  documents
delivered pursuant hereto or in connection with the Loans or Letters of Credit.

      Section 10.9 Notices.

      All notices,  requests,  reports and other communications pursuant to this
Agreement shall be in writing, either by letter (delivered by hand or commercial
messenger  service or sent by certified  U.S. mail,  return  receipt  requested,
except for routine  reports  delivered in compliance with Article 5 hereof which
may be sent by ordinary first-class mail) or telegram or telecopy,  addressed as
follows:

      (a) If to any or all of the Borrowers:

                        National Patent Development Corporation
                        9 West 57th Street
                        New York, NY 10019
                        Attention:  Lawrence M. Gordon, Esq.
                        Telecopier No.: (212) 230-9545

      with a copy to:

                        Duane, Morris & Heckscher
                        122 East 42nd Street
                        New York, NY  10168
                        Attention:  Robert J. Hasday, Esq.
                        Telecopier No.:  (212) 692-1020

                  (b)   If to any Bank:

      To its address set forth below its name on the  signature  pages hereof or
set forth in an Assignment and Acceptance, with a copy to the Agent; and

<PAGE>

      (c)(c) If to the Agent:

                        Fleet Bank, National Association
                        1133 Avenue of the Americas
                        New York, New York  10036
                        Attention: Ms. Barbara Ruud
                        Telecopier No.: (212)703-1724

      with a copy (other than in the case of  Borrowing  Notices and reports and
other documents delivered in compliance with Article 5 hereof) to:

                        Sullivan & Worcester LLP
                        767 Third Avenue
                        New York, New York 10017
                        Attention: Paul R. Wiener, Esq.
                        Telecopier No.: (212)758-2151

      Any notice,  request or  communication  hereunder  shall be deemed to have
been given on the day on which it is telecopied to such party at the  telecopier
number specified above or delivered by hand or such commercial messenger service
to such party at its address  specified above, or, if sent by mail, on the third
Business Day after the day deposited in the U.S. mail,  postage  prepaid,  or in
the  case of  telegraphic  notice,  when  delivered  to the  telegraph  company,
addressed as aforesaid.  Any party may change the person,  address or telecopier
number to whom or which notices are to be given hereunder,  by notice duly given
hereunder;  provided,  however,  that any such  notice of such  change  shall be
deemed to have been given hereunder only when actually  received by the party to
which it is addressed.

      Section 10.10 Counterparts.

      This Agreement may be signed in any number of  counterparts  with the same
effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

      Section 10.11 Severability.

      The  provisions  of this  Agreement  are  severable,  and if any clause or
provision  hereof shall be held invalid or  unenforceable in whole or in part in
any  jurisdiction,  then such invalidity or  unenforceability  shall affect only
such clause or provision, or part thereof, in such jurisdiction and shall not in
any manner  affect such clause or  provision in any other  jurisdiction,  or any
other  clause or provision in this  Agreement in any  jurisdiction.  Each of the
covenants,  agreements and conditions contained in this Agreement is independent
and compliance by the Borrowers with any of them shall not excuse non-compliance
by the  Borrowers  with  any  other.  All  covenants  hereunder  shall  be given
independent  effect so that if a particular action or condition is not permitted
by any of such  covenants,  the fact that it would be  permitted by an exception
to, or be otherwise  within the limitations of, another covenant shall not avoid
the  occurrence  of a Default or an Event of Default if such  action is taken or
condition exists.

<PAGE>

      Section 10.12 Binding Effect; No Assignment or Delegation by Borrower.

      This  Agreement  shall be  binding  upon and inure to the  benefit  of the
Borrowers and their  respective  successors  and to the benefit of the Banks and
the  Agent  and  their  respective   successors  and  assigns.  The  rights  and
obligations  of each  Borrower  under this  Agreement  shall not be  assigned or
delegated  without the prior  written  consent of the  Majority  Banks,  and any
purported  assignment or delegation  without such consent shall be void. Nothing
contained  herein shall be deemed to confer upon anyone other than the Borrowers
and their respective successors and assigns any right to insist on or to enforce
the performance or observance of any of the obligations  contained  herein.  All
conditions  to the  obligations  of the  Banks to make the Loans and to issue or
participate in Letters of Credit  hereunder are imposed  solely and  exclusively
for the benefit of the Banks and their respective successors and assigns, and no
other Person shall have standing to require  satisfaction  of such conditions in
accordance with their terms and no other Person shall under any circumstances be
deemed to be beneficiary of such conditions.

      Section 10.13 Assignments and Participations by Banks.

      (a) Each  Bank  may  assign  to one or more  Eligible  Assignees  all or a
portion  of its  rights  and  obligations  under  this  Agreement  and the  Loan
Documents  (including,  without limitation,  all or a portion of its Commitment,
its participation in Letters of Credit, the Loans and Reimbursement  Obligations
owing to it, and the Note or Notes held by it); provided, however, that: (i) the
assigning  Bank  shall  have  given to the Agent and NPDC ten (10)  days'  prior
notice of such assignment, (ii) each such assignment shall be of a constant, and
not a varying,  percentage of all of the assigning Bank's rights and obligations
under this  Agreement  and the Loan  Documents,  (iii)  except in the case of an
assignment to a Person that, immediately prior to such assignment, was a Bank or
an assignment of all of a Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement and
the Loan  Documents,  the  amount  of the  Commitment,  Loans,  Letter of Credit
participations  and  Reimbursement  Obligations  of  the  assigning  Bank  being
assigned  pursuant  to each such  assignment  (determined  as of the date of the
Assignment and Acceptance with respect to such assignment)  shall in no event be
less than  $2,500,000 (or such lesser amount as shall then be  outstanding)  and
shall be an integral multiple of $500,000, (iv) each such assignment shall be to
an Eligible  Assignee  and (v) no such  assignment  shall be  effective  until a
transfer  fee in the amount of $2,000 shall be paid to the Agent by the Eligible
Assignee. Upon execution,  delivery,  acceptance and recording with the Agent in
the register referred to in Section 8.13(c)(ii) of the Assignment and Acceptance
with respect to any  assignment,  from and after the effective date specified in
such  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  which  effective  date  shall  be at least 5
Business Days after the execution thereof:  (x) the assignee thereunder shall be
a party  hereto and, to the extent that rights and  obligations  hereunder  have
been assigned to it pursuant to such Assignment and Acceptance,  have the rights
and obligations of a Bank hereunder, and (y) the Bank assignor thereunder shall,
to the extent that rights and  obligations  hereunder  have been  assigned by it
pursuant  to such  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  relinquish  its  rights  and be
released  from its  obligations  under this  Agreement  (and,  in the case of an
Assignment and Acceptance  covering all or the remaining portion of an assigning
Bank's rights and obligations under this Agreement,  such Bank shall cease to be
a party hereto).

<PAGE>

      (b) By executing and  delivering an Assignment  and  Acceptance,  the Bank
assignor  thereunder and the assignee  thereunder confirm to and agree with each
other and the other  parties  hereto as  follows:  (i) other than as provided in
such  Assignment and Acceptance,  such  assignment is without  recourse and such
assigning  Bank and the Agent make no  representation  or warranty of any nature
and assume no  responsibility  with  respect to any  statements,  warranties  or
representations  made in or in connection  with this Agreement or the execution,
legality, validity,  enforceability,  genuineness,  sufficiency or value of this
Agreement or any other instrument or document  furnished  pursuant hereto;  (ii)
such assigning Bank and the Agent make no  representation or warranty and assume
no  responsibility  with respect to the financial  condition of the Borrowers or
the performance or observance by the Borrowers of any of its  obligations  under
this Agreement or any other  instrument or document  furnished  pursuant hereto;
(iii) such  assignee  confirms  that it has  received a copy of this  Agreement,
together with copies of such financial  statements and such other  documents and
information  as it has deemed  appropriate  to make its own credit  analysis and
decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance;  (iv) such assignee will,
independently  and without  reliance upon the Agent,  such assigning Bank or any
other  Bank and  based  on such  documents  and  information  as it  shall  deem
appropriate at the time,  continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or
not taking action under this Agreement; (v) such assignee confirms that it is an
Eligible Assignee;  (vi) such assignee appoints and authorizes the Agent to take
such  action as agent on its behalf and to exercise  such powers and  discretion
under this Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof, together
with such powers and discretion as are reasonably  incidental thereto; and (vii)
such assignee  agrees that it will perform in accordance with their terms all of
the  obligations  which  by the  terms  of this  Agreement  are  required  to be
performed by it as a Bank.

      (c) (i) Upon its receipt of an Assignment  and  Acceptance  executed by an
assigning  Bank and an assignee  representing  that it is an Eligible  Assignee,
together with any Note subject to such  assignment,  the Agent shall: (A) accept
such Assignment and Acceptance,  (B) record the information contained therein in
the  register  referred to in Section  8.17(c)(ii),  and (C) give prompt  notice
thereof to NPDC.  Within five Business Days after NPDC's receipt of such notice,
the Borrowers,  at their own expense,  shall execute and deliver to the Agent in
exchange  for each  surrendered  Note a new Note to the  order of such  Eligible
Assignee  in an amount  equal to the  Commitment  assumed by it pursuant to such
Assignment and  Acceptance  and, if the assigning Bank has retained a Commitment
hereunder,  a new Note to the order of the assigning  Bank in an amount equal to
the Commitment  retained by it hereunder.  Such new Note or Notes shall be in an
aggregate  principal  amount  equal to the  aggregate  principal  amount of such
surrendered Note or Notes, shall be appropriately  dated so that no gain or loss
of interest results and shall otherwise be in substantially  the form of Exhibit
A-1 hereto.

      (ii) The  Agent  shall  maintain  at the  Principal  Office a copy of each
Assignment and Acceptance delivered to and accepted by it and a register for the
recordation of the names and addresses of the Banks,  their  Commitments and the
principal amount of the Obligations to the Banks (the  "Register").  The entries
in the  Register  shall be  conclusive  and  binding  for all  purposes,  absent
manifest error, and each Borrower, the Agent and the Banks may treat each Person
whose name is recorded in the Register as a Bank  hereunder  for all purposes of
this Agreement.  The Register shall be available for inspection by the Borrowers
or any Bank at any reasonable time and from time to time upon  reasonable  prior
notice.

      (d) If an  Eligible  Assignee  is not  incorporated  under the laws of the
United  States or a state  thereof,  it shall,  prior to the first date on which
interest or Fees are payable hereunder for its account, deliver to the Borrowers
and the Agent certification as to exemption from deduction or withholding of any
United States federal income taxes in accordance with Section 2.26.

<PAGE>

      (e)  Each  Bank  may  sell  participations  to one or more  banks or other
entities  (other than any Borrower or its  Subsidiaries)  in all or a portion of
its rights and obligations under this Agreement (including,  without limitation,
all or a portion of its Commitment,  its participation in Letters of Credit, the
Loans and  Reimbursement  Obligations  owing to it,  and the Notes  held by it);
provided,  however,  that:  (i) such  Bank's  obligations  under this  Agreement
(including,   without  limitation,   its  Commitment   hereunder)  shall  remain
unchanged,  (ii) such Bank shall remain solely  responsible to the other parties
hereto for the performance of such obligations, (iii) such Bank shall remain the
holder of any such Note or Notes for all  purposes of this  Agreement,  (iv) the
Borrowers,  the Agent and the other  Banks  shall  continue  to deal  solely and
directly  with such Bank in connection  with such Bank's rights and  obligations
under this Agreement,  and (v) no participant under any such participation shall
have any right to  approve  any  amendment  or waiver of any  provision  of this
Agreement  or  any  Note,  or any  consent  to any  departure  by the  Borrowers
therefrom,  except to the extent that such  amendment,  waiver or consent  would
reduce the  principal of, or interest on, the Notes or any Fees or other amounts
payable hereunder, in each case to the extent subject to such participation,  or
postpone  any date fixed for any payment of  principal  of, or interest  on, the
Notes or any Fees or other amounts payable hereunder, in each case to the extent
subject to such participation.

      (f) Any Bank may, in connection  with any assignment or  participation  or
proposed assignment or participation pursuant to this Section 10.13, disclose to
the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant, any information
relating  to the  Borrowers  furnished  to  such  Bank  by or on  behalf  of the
Borrowers;  provided  that,  prior  to any  such  disclosure,  the  assignee  or
participant  or proposed  assignee or  participant  shall agree to preserve  the
confidentiality  of any  confidential  information  relating  to  the  Borrowers
received by it from such Bank.

      (g) Notwithstanding  any other provision set forth in this Agreement,  any
Bank may at any time  create a security  interest  in all or any  portion of its
rights under this Agreement  (including,  without  limitation,  the  Obligations
owing to it and the Note  held by it) in favor of any  Federal  Reserve  Bank in
accordance  with  Regulation A of the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve
System.

      Section 10.14  GOVERNING LAW; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION;  WAIVER OF TRIAL BY
JURY.

      (a) THIS  AGREEMENT,  THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS AND ALL OTHER DOCUMENTS AND
INSTRUMENTS  EXECUTED AND DELIVERED IN CONNECTION HEREWITH AND THEREWITH,  SHALL
BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED AND  INTERPRETED  IN ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK  WITHOUT  REGARD TO ITS RULES  PERTAINING  TO CONFLICTS OF
LAWS.

<PAGE>

      (b) EACH BORROWER IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS THAT ANY LEGAL ACTION OR PROCEEDING
AGAINST IT UNDER, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY MANNER RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT AND
EACH OTHER LOAN  DOCUMENT  MAY BE BROUGHT IN ANY COURT OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,
COUNTY OF NEW YORK,  OR IN THE UNITED  STATES  DISTRICT  COURT FOR THE  SOUTHERN
DISTRICT OF NEW YORK AS THE AGENT OR MAJORITY BANKS MAY ELECT. EACH BORROWER, BY
THE EXECUTION AND DELIVERY OF THIS AGREEMENT,  EXPRESSLY AND IRREVOCABLY ASSENTS
AND  SUBMITS  TO THE  PERSONAL  JURISDICTION  OF ANY OF SUCH  COURTS IN ANY SUCH
ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  AND AGREES  THAT SUCH  JURISDICTION  SHALL BE  EXCLUSIVE,
UNLESS  WAIVED BY THE  MAJORITY  BANKS,  WITH  RESPECT TO ANY  CLAIM,  ACTION OR
PROCEEDING BROUGHT BY IT AGAINST THE AGENT OR ANY BANK IN ANY WAY RELATING TO OR
ARISING  OUT  OF  THIS  AGREEMENT  OR  ANY  LOAN  DOCUMENT  (INCLUDING,  WITHOUT
LIMITATION,  ANY CLAIM OF USURY), PROVIDED THAT THE FOREGOING SHALL NOT PROHIBIT
EACH BORROWER FROM, BY AFFIRMATIVE DEFENSE OR MANDATORY COUNTERCLAIM,  DEFENDING
OR  ASSERTING  ITS INTEREST IN ANY SUCH ACTION  BROUGHT  AGAINST IT OUTSIDE SUCH
COURTS IN NEW YORK.  EACH BORROWER  AGREES THAT SECTION 5-1401 AND 5-1402 OF THE
GENERAL  OBLIGATIONS  LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK SHALL APPLY TO THIS AGREEMENT
AND THE LOAN  DOCUMENTS.  EACH  BORROWER  FURTHER  IRREVOCABLY  CONSENTS  TO THE
SERVICE OF ANY COMPLAINT,  SUMMONS, NOTICE OR OTHER PROCESS RELATING TO ANY SUCH
ACTION OR PROCEEDING BY DELIVERY  THEREOF TO IT BY HAND OR BY MAIL IN THE MANNER
PROVIDED  FOR IN  SECTION  10.9  HEREOF.  EACH  BORROWER  HEREBY  EXPRESSLY  AND
IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES ANY CLAIM OR DEFENSE IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING  BASED
ON ANY  ALLEGED  LACK OF  PERSONAL  JURISDICTION,  IMPROPER  VENUE OR FORUM  NON
CONVENIENS OR ANY SIMILAR BASIS. EACH BORROWER SHALL NOT BE ENTITLED IN ANY SUCH
ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  TO ASSERT ANY DEFENSE  GIVEN OR ALLOWED UNDER THE LAWS OF
ANY STATE OTHER THAN THE STATE OF NEW YORK UNLESS SUCH  DEFENSE IS ALSO GIVEN OR
ALLOWED  BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.  NOTHING  IN THIS  SECTION  10.14
SHALL  AFFECT OR IMPAIR IN ANY  MANNER OR TO ANY EXTENT THE RIGHT OF ANY BANK TO
COMMENCE  LEGAL  PROCEEDINGS  OR OTHERWISE  PROCEED  AGAINST ANY BORROWER IN ANY
JURISDICTION OR TO SERVE PROCESS IN ANY MANNER PERMITTED BY LAW.

      (c)  WITHOUT  LIMITING  THE  GENERALITY  OF THE LAST  SENTENCE  OF SECTION
10.14(b),  ANY LEGAL  ACTION  OR  PROCEEDING  SEEKING  ENFORCEMENT  AGAINST  ANY
COLLATERAL MAY BE BROUGHT, AT THE OPTION OF THE MAJORITY BANKS, IN THE COURTS OF
ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH COLLATERAL MAY BE LOCATED.

      (d) EACH  BORROWER,  THE BANKS AND THE  AGENT  WAIVE  TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY
LITIGATION IN ANY COURT WITH RESPECT TO, IN CONNECTION  WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF,
THIS AGREEMENT,  ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS,  OR ANY INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT
DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS,  OR THE
VALIDITY,  PROTECTION,  INTERPRETATION,  COLLECTION  OR  ENFORCEMENT  HEREOF  OR
THEREOF  OR ANY  COURSE OF  CONDUCT,  COURSE  OF  DEALING,  STATEMENTS  (ORAL OR
WRITTEN)  OR ACTIONS  OF THE AGENT,  ANY BANK OR THE  BORROWERS.  EACH  BORROWER
ACKNOWLEDGES  RECEIPT  OF FULL AND  SUFFICIENT  CONSIDERATION  FOR THIS  SECTION
10.14(d) AND EACH OTHER  PROVISION OF THIS  AGREEMENT  AND EACH LOAN DOCUMENT TO
WHICH IT IS A PARTY AND  ACKNOWLEDGES  THAT THIS SECTION  10.14(d) IS A MATERIAL
INDUCEMENT  FOR THE AGENT AND THE BANKS  ENTERING  INTO THIS  AGREEMENT  AND THE
OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS.

      Section 10.15 Confidentiality.

      Each Bank agrees to use reasonable  precautions to keep  confidential,  in
accordance with its customary procedures for handling  confidential  information
of this nature and in  accordance  with safe and sound  banking  practices,  any
non-public information supplied to it by any Borrower pursuant to this Agreement
which is identified by such Borrower as being  confidential at the time the same
is  delivered  to such Bank,  provided,  that  nothing  herein  shall  limit the
disclosure of any such information (i) to the extent required by statute,  rule,
regulation  or  judicial  process,  (ii) to counsel to such Bank,  (iii) to bank
examiners,  auditors or  accountants,  (iv) in connection with any litigation to
which such Bank is a party or (v) to any assignee or participant (or prospective
assignee or participant) so long as such assignee or participant (or prospective
assignee or participant) is notified of the  confidentiality  provisions in this
Section 10.15. In no event shall any Bank be obligated or required to return any
materials furnished by any Borrower.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this Agreement to be
duly executed on the date first above written.



 NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT                 GP ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES, INC.
 CORPORATION


By_________________________                  By_____________________________


GENERAL PHYSICS CORPORATION                GENERAL PHYSICS FEDERAL SYSTEMS, INC.



By_________________________                By__________________________________


                                           MXL INDUSTRIES, INC.



                                           By _________________________________
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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


<PAGE>

- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Commitment:
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------

$12,500,000



Commitment Percentage:

50%



Letter of Credit Commitment:

$500,000

FLEET BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent and a Bank

BY___________________________
  Title


Lending Office for Prime Rate Loans:

1133 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York  10036
Attention:  Ms. Barbara Ruud
Telecopier:  (212)703-1724


Lending Office for Fixed Rate Loans:

1133 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York  10036
Attention:  Ms. Barbara Ruud
Telecopier:  (212)703-1724


Address for Notices:

1133 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York  10036
Attention:  Ms. Barbara Ruud
Telecopier:  (212)703-1724

<PAGE>

Commitment:

$7,500,000



Letter of Credit Commitment:

$300,000



Commitment Percentage:

30%

SUMMIT BANK


BY___________________________
  Title


Lending Office for Prime Rate Loans:

_____________________________
_____________________________
Attention:  _________________
Telecopier: _________________


Lending Office for Fixed Rate Loans:

___________________________
___________________________
___________________________

Address for Notices:

___________________________
___________________________
Attention:  _______________
Telecopier: _______________

<PAGE>

Commitment:

$5,000,000


Letter of Credit Commitment:

$200,000


Commitment Percentage:

20%

THE DIME SAVINGS BANK OF NEW YORK, FSB


BY___________________________
  Title


Lending Office for Prime Rate Loans:

_____________________________
_____________________________
Attention:  _________________
Telecopier: _________________


Lending Office for Fixed Rate Loans:

___________________________
___________________________
___________________________

Address for Notices:

___________________________
___________________________
Attention:  _______________
Telecopier: _______________



<PAGE>

                                   Exhibits


A-1.  Form of Note

A-2.  Form of Security Agreement

A-3.  Subordination Agreement

A-4.  NPDC/GPC Subordination Agreement

A-5.  Intercreditor Agreement with Five Star Agent

      B. States of  Incorporation  and  Qualification,  and  Capitalization  and
Ownership of Stock, of Borrower and Subsidiaries

C.    Consents, Waivers, Approvals; Violation of Agreements

D.    Permitted Security Interests, Liens and Encumbrances

E.    Judgments, Actions, Proceedings

F.    Defaults; Compliance with Laws, Regulations, Agreements

G.    Burdensome Documents

H.    Patents, Trademarks, Trade Names, Service Marks, Copyrights

I.    Name Changes, Mergers, Acquisitions; Location of Collateral

J.    Labor Disputes; Collective Bargaining Agreements; Employee Grievances

K.    Pension Plans

L.    Borrowing Base Certificate

M.    Permitted Indebtedness and Guaranties

N.    Permitted Investments

O.    ERISA Obligations

P.    Affiliate Licenses, etc.

Q.    Form of Assignment and Acceptance

R.    Form of Compliance Certification

                                   Schedules

2.8   Existing Letters of Credit





 
 

                                                            EXHIBIT 21







                         SUBSIDIARIES OF THE REGISTRANT




                                                          Jurisdiction
                                                               of
Name                                                      Incorporation


General Physics Corporation                                 Delaware

Five Star Group, Inc.                                       Delaware

SGLG, Inc.*                                                 Delaware

MXL Industries, Inc.                                        Delaware















*Less than 100% owned by the Registrant




 
 

                                                  Exhibit 23




                                CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS





THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
NATIONAL PATENT DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION


      We consent to incorporation  by reference in the  Registration  Statements
(No.  333-20815) and (No.  33-54407) on Form S-3 and the Registration  Statement
(No.  33-26261)  on Form S-8 of  National  Patent  Development  Corporation  and
subsidiaries  of our report  dated March 26, 1997  relating to the  consolidated
balance  sheets of National  Patent  Development  Corporation as of December 31,
1996 and 1995 and the related consolidated statements of operations,  changes in
stockholders'  equity,  and cash  flows for each of the years in the  three-year
period ended  December 31, 1996,  which report appears in Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1996 of National Patent Development Corporation.



                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP





New York, New York
March 31, 1997







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