NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES INC
10-Q, 1998-07-14
ELECTRIC LIGHTING & WIRING EQUIPMENT
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                                                                   Page 1 of 100
                                                        Exhibit Index on Page 12

                                    FORM 10-Q

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15 (d)
                     of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934



For quarter ended May 31, 1998                     Commission file number 1-3208




                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.

             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)



             Delaware                                    58-0364900
  (State or Other Jurisdiction of        (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
    Incorporation or Organization)


            1420 Peachtree Street, N. E., Atlanta, Georgia 30309-3002
               (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)



                                 (404) 853-1000
              (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

                                      None
(Former Name,Former Address and Former Fiscal Year,if Changed Since Last Report)



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

                  Yes -    X                                  No -

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

Common  Stock - $1.00  Par  Value  -  41,447,354  shares  as of June  30,  1998.

<PAGE>


 Page 2




               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                                      INDEX


                                                                        Page No.

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

      ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS -
           MAY 31, 1998 AND AUGUST 31, 1997                                    3

           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME -
           THREE MONTHS AND NINE MONTHS ENDED
           MAY 31, 1998 AND 1997                                               4

           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -
           NINE MONTHS ENDED MAY 31, 1998 AND 1997                             5

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS                        6-7

      ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
           FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS                     8-9

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

      ITEM 2. CHANGES IN SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS                       10

      ITEM 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K                                10

SIGNATURES                                                                    11

EXHIBIT INDEX                                                                 12
<PAGE>


                                                                          Page 3

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
              (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per-share data)

                                                       May 31,       August 31,
                                                        1998            1997
                                                     
ASSETS                                                  (Unaudited)
Current Assets:
      Cash and cash equivalents                          $ 28,929        $57,123
      Short-term investments                                   58        205,302
      Receivables, less reserves for doubtful
      accounts of $6,830 at May 31, 1998 and
      $4,302 at August 31, 1997                           288,940        258,689
      Inventories, at the lower of cost
     (on a first-in, first-out basis) or market           200,969        179,046
      Linens in service, net of amortization               59,274         60,805
      Deferred income taxes                                17,795         13,077
      Prepayments                                           7,964          6,716
                                                    
           Total Current Assets                           603,929        780,758
                                                    

Property, Plant, and Equipment, at cost:
      Land                                                 19,852         19,911
      Buildings and leasehold improvements                145,874        138,933
      Machinery and equipment                             481,290        434,194
                                                    
           Total Property, Plant, and Equipment           647,016        593,038
      Less-Accumulated depreciation and amortization      383,005        356,308
                                                    
           Property, Plant, and Equipment-net             264,011        236,730
                                                    

Other Assets:
      Goodwill and other intangibles                       84,562         50,166
      Other                                                39,298         38,698
                                                    
           Total Other Assets                             123,860         88,864
                                                    
                Total Assets                         $    991,800     $1,106,352
                                                    

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
      Current maturities of long-term debt                    $75           $116
      Notes payable                                        56,736          5,773
      Accounts payable                                     92,276        101,512
      Accrued salaries, commissions, and bonuses           31,190         34,776
      Current portion of self-insurance reserves           12,115         12,540
      Accrued taxes payable                                    --         38,351
      Other accrued liabilities                            74,285         88,932
                                                    
           Total Current Liabilities                      266,677        282,000
                                                    

Long-Term Debt, less current maturities                    26,163         26,197
                                                    
Deferred Income Taxes                                      46,308         34,093
                                                    
Self-Insurance Reserves, less current portion              45,494         57,056
                                                    
Other Long-Term Liabilities                                42,914         35,193
                                                    
Stockholders' Equity:
      Series A participating  preferred stock, 
      $.05 stated value, 500,000 shares authorized,
      none issued 
      Preferred  stock,  no par value,  
      500,000 shares authorized, none issued 
      Common stock, $1 par value,
      80,000,000 shares authorized,
      57,918,978 shares issued                             57,919         57,919
      Paid-in capital                                      28,238         25,521
      Retained earnings                                   878,655        841,045
                                                    
                                                          964,812        924,485
      Less-Treasury stock, at cost 
      (16,477,103 shares at May 31, 1998 and 13,719,834
      shares at August 31, 1997)                          400,568        252,672
                                                    
        Total Stockholders' Equity                        564,244        671,813
                                                    
           Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity$    991,800     $1,106,352
                                                    

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


<PAGE>


Page 4
               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (Unaudited)
              (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per-share data)
<TABLE>

                                                          THREE MONTHS ENDED                   NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                MAY 31                               MAY 31
                                                    
                                                         1998            1997                 1998            1997
                                                    
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>                   <C>             <C>    

Sales and Service Revenues:
      Net sales of products ......................   $   442,144    $   383,493   $ 1,253,529    $ 1,136,640
      Service revenues ...........................        79,464        131,786       235,073        389,768
           Total Revenues ........................       521,608        515,279     1,488,602      1,526,408

Costs and Expenses:
      Cost of products sold ......................       269,019        231,601       765,854        703,518
      Cost of services ...........................        45,270         72,814       136,366        223,589
      Selling and administrative expenses ........       161,618        160,842       464,757        474,137
      Interest (income) expense, net (1) .........         1,304          1,102        (1,092)         2,702
      Other (income) expense, net (1) ............          (392)         2,112        (1,739)         4,127
           Total Costs and Expenses ..............       476,819        468,471     1,364,146      1,408,073

Income before Provision for Income Taxes .........        44,789         46,808       124,456        118,335  

Provision for Income Taxes .......................        16,650         17,374        46,161         43,722

Net Income .......................................   $    28,139    $    29,434   $    78,295    $    74,613

Per Share:
      Basic earnings per share ...................   $       .67    $       .65   $      1.83    $      1.64

        Weighted Average Number of Shares
           Outstanding (thousands) ...............        42,001         44,996        42,763         45,371

      Diluted earnings per share .................   $       .66    $       .65   $      1.81    $      1.63

        Adjusted Weighted Average Number of Shares
Outstanding (thousands) ..........................        42,659         45,348        43,300         45,663

      Cash dividends .............................   $       .31    $       .30   $       .92    $       .89

</TABLE>


(1)   Prior-year   amounts  have  been  restated  to  conform  to  current  year
presentation.










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


<PAGE>


                                                                          Page 5

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
                          (Dollar amounts in thousands)

                                                              NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                    MAY 31
                                                             1998          1997
Cash Provided by (Used for) Operating Activities
  Net income ........................................... $  78,295    $  74,613
  Adjustments  to  reconcile  net income to net cash
    provided by  operating activities:
      Depreciation and amortization ....................    36,108       44,449
      Provision for losses on accounts receivable ......     3,908        2,654
      Gain on the sale of property, plant, and equipment    (3,417)        (198)
      Gain on the sale of businesses ...................    (2,402)        (972)
      Change in noncurrent deferred income taxes .......    12,216       (2,375)
      Change in assets and liabilities net of effect
        of acquisitions and divestitures-
          Receivables ..................................   (28,309)         914
          Inventories and linens in service, net .......   (19,683)       3,347
          Deferred income taxes ........................    (4,636)      (1,994)
          Prepayments and other ........................      (971)      (1,699)
          Accounts payable and accrued liabilities .....   (68,834)     (15,067)
          Self-insurance reserves and
            other long-term liabilities ................    (3,841)      (2,306)
              Net Cash Provided by (Used for)
                 Operating Activities ..................    (1,568)     101,366

Cash Provided by (Used for) Investing Activities
  Change in short-term investments .....................   205,244           (2)
  Purchases of property, plant, and equipment ..........   (56,829)     (34,215)
  Sale of property, plant, and equipment ...............     4,717        3,170
  Sale of businesses ...................................     3,011       31,380
  Acquisitions .........................................   (39,424)      (4,320)
  Change in other assets ...............................    (6,230)       4,439
    Net Cash Provided by Investing Activities ..........   110,489          452

Cash Provided by (Used for) Financing Activities
  Change in notes payable ..............................    49,659      (10,796)
  Change in long-term debt .............................      (910)         862
  Recovery of investment in tax benefits ...............      --            661
  Deferred income taxes from investment
  in tax benefits ......................................      --         (1,972)
  Purchase of treasury stock, net ......................  (145,179)     (69,465)
  Cash dividends paid ..................................   (39,842)     (40,657)
    Net Cash Used for Financing Activities .............  (136,272)    (121,367)

Effect of Exchange Rate Changes on Cash ................      (843)         318

Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents ................   (28,194)     (19,231)

Cash and Cash Equivalents at Beginning of Period .......    57,123       58,662

Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Period ............. $  28,929    $  39,431

Supplemental Cash Flow Information:
      Income taxes paid during the period .............. $  76,382    $  41,744
      Interest paid during the period ..................     4,929        4,074

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities:
      Noncash aspects of sale of businesses--
           Receivables incurred ........................ $    --      $     391
           Liabilities removed .........................       165          477

      Noncash aspects of acquisitions--
           Liabilities assumed or incurred ............. $   4,891    $  22,440
           Treasury stock issued .......................      --         20,522

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



<PAGE>


Page 6

               NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1.  BASIS OF PRESENTATION:

The interim consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared
by the company without audit and the condensed  consolidated balance sheet as of
August 31, 1997 has been  derived  from  audited  statements.  These  statements
reflect all adjustments,  all of which are of a normal,  recurring nature, which
are, in the opinion of management,  necessary to present fairly the consolidated
financial  position as of May 31, 1998, the  consolidated  results of operations
for the  three  months  and nine  months  ended May 31,  1998 and 1997,  and the
consolidated cash flows for the nine months ended May 31, 1998 and 1997. Certain
information and footnote  disclosures  normally included in financial statements
prepared in accordance with generally accepted  accounting  principles have been
condensed or omitted.  The company believes that the disclosures are adequate to
make the  information  presented  not  misleading.  It is  suggested  that these
financial  statements be read in conjunction  with the financial  statements and
notes  thereto  included  in the  company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the
fiscal year ended August 31, 1997.

The results of  operations  for the three  months and nine months  ended May 31,
1998 are not  necessarily  indicative of the results to be expected for the full
fiscal year because the company's  revenues and income are  generally  higher in
the second  half of its fiscal year and  because of the  uncertainty  of general
business conditions.

2.    BUSINESS SEGMENT INFORMATION:
<TABLE>

                                                     Three Months Ended May 31
                                       Sales and Service
                                           Revenues               Operating Profit (Loss)
                                      1998           1997           1998          1997
  <S>                            <C>            <C>            <C>           <C>    
                                                         (In thousands)
Lighting Equipment ...........   $   277,497    $   237,775    $    26,123   $    23,662
Chemical .....................       119,111        109,813         11,321         9,438
Textile Rental ...............        79,464        131,786          8,707        14,040
Envelope .....................        45,536         34,404          4,428         2,969
Other ........................          --            1,501           --             472
                                 $   521,608    $   515,279         50,579        50,581
Corporate ....................                                      (4,486)       (2,671)
Interest income (expense), net                                      (1,304)       (1,102)
Total ........................                                 $    44,789        46,808

                                                     Nine Months Ended May 31
                                       Sales and Service
                                           Revenues               Operating Profit (Loss)
                                      1998           1997           1998          1997
                                                         (In thousands)
Lighting Equipment ...........   $   806,233    $   688,943    $    76,649   $    65,679
Chemical .....................       332,056        292,990         28,467        26,985
Textile Rental ...............       235,073        389,768         21,525        29,478
Envelope .....................       115,240         99,165          8,896         7,720
Other ........................          --           55,542           --           1,419
                                 $ 1,488,602    $ 1,526,408        135,537       131,281
Corporate ....................                                     (12,173)      (10,244)
Interest income (expense), net                                       1,092        (2,702)
Total ........................                                 $   124,456   $   118,335
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                                                                          Page 7

3. INVENTORIES:

Major  classes of  inventory  as of May 31,  1998 and  August  31,  1997 were as
follows:

                                                         May 31,      August 31,
                                                          1998           1997
                                                             (In thousands)
Raw Materials and Supplies ...................         $ 78,767       $ 71,266
Work-in-Process ..............................           10,452         10,572
Finished Goods ...............................          111,750         97,208
     Total ...................................         $200,969       $179,046

4.  NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARD

During the quarter ended  February 28, 1998,  the company  adopted  Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards (SFAS) No. 128,  "Earnings per Share." SFAS No.
128 supersedes Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 15, "Earnings per Share,"
and  promulgates  new  accounting  standards for the  computation  and manner of
presentation of the company's  earnings per share.  The adoption of SFAS No. 128
did not have a material  impact on the  computation or manner of presentation of
the company's  earnings per share as previously  presented under APB 15. Exhibit
11 represents a reconciliation  of basic and diluted weighted average shares and
a calculation of earnings per share using the guidelines of SFAS No. 128.

5.  ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS

The company's  operations,  as well as other similar operations,  are subject to
comprehensive  laws  and  regulations  relating  to  the  generation,   storage,
handling,  transportation,  and disposal of hazardous  substances  and solid and
hazardous  wastes and to the  remediation  of  contaminated  sites.  Permits and
environmental  controls are required for certain of the company's  operations to
prevent air and water pollution,  and these permits are subject to modification,
renewal and revocation by issuing  authorities.  The company believes that it is
in substantial  compliance with all material environmental laws, regulations and
its permits. On an ongoing basis, the company incurs capital and operating costs
relating to environmental  compliance.  Environmental  laws and regulations have
generally  become stricter in recent years, and the cost of responding to future
changes may be substantial.

Certain  environmental  laws,  such as Superfund,  can impose  liability for the
entire cost of site  remediation  upon each of the  current or former  owners or
operators  of a site or  parties  who sent  waste to a site where a release of a
hazardous  substance has occurred  regardless of fault or the  lawfulness of the
original disposal activity.  Generally,  where there are a number of financially
viable potentially responsible parties ("PRPs"),  liability has been apportioned
based on the type and amount of waste disposed of by each party at such disposal
site and the number of financially viable parties,  although no assurance can be
given as to any particular site.

The company is currently a party to, or otherwise involved in, legal proceedings
in connection with several state and federal  Superfund  sites,  one of which is
located on property owned by the company.  Except for the Crymes Landfill matter
in Georgia,  the company  believes  its  liability  is de minimis at each of the
sites  which it does not own  where it has been  named as a PRP.  At the  Crymes
Landfill Site,  since the matter is currently in the  investigative  phase,  the
company does not know whether its  liability is de minimis but believes that its
exposure at the site is not likely to result in a material adverse effect on the
company.  For  the  property  which  the  company  owns on  Seaboard  Industrial
Boulevard   in  Atlanta,   Georgia,   the  company  has  agreed  to  conduct  an
investigation on its and adjoining  properties pursuant to the Georgia Hazardous
Site Response Act. Until that  investigation is completed,  the company will not
be able to determine  if  remediation  will be required,  if the company will be
solely  responsible  for the cost of such  remediation  or whether  such cost is
likely to result in a material adverse effect on the company.

The company is currently evaluating emissions of volatile organic compounds from
its  manufacturing  operations in the Atlanta area to determine  whether it will
need to install  pollution  control equipment or modify its operations to comply
with federal and state air pollution regulations.  Until the current evaluations
are  completed,  the  company  is not  able to  quantify  the  possible  cost of
compliance.  However,  based upon currently available  information,  the company
does not expect any expenditures which may have to be made to achieve compliance
to be material.

In connection with the sale of the North Bros.  business and 29 of the company's
textile  rental plants in 1997, the company has retained  certain  environmental
liabilities  for which it has  established  reserves.  The company has  received
notice from the buyer of the textile  rental  plants of the alleged  presence of
perchloroethylene  contamination on one of the properties  involved in the sale.
The company has since asserted an indemnification claim against the company from
which it bought the property. Inasmuch as the company has only recently received
notice of the buyer's claim, it is too early to quantify the company's potential
exposure in this matter,  the likelihood of an adverse result or the possibility
that the company may be fully or partially indemnified.

In November 1997, the Environmental Protection Agency ("EPA") proposed stringent
new wastewater  discharge  limits,  which would become  effective in the future,
that could  apply to  certain  facilities  operated  by the  company.  While the
company does not believe that these regulations  should apply to its operations,
if the regulations are adopted as proposed,  following  adoption,  the company's
cost to  comply  with  them  could be as much as  $6-million  to  $9-million  of
equipment  expenditures spread over a three-year period,  which the company does
not  believe  would  be  material  to its  financial  condition  or  results  of
operations.



<PAGE>


Page 8

                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

                OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following  discussion  should be read in conjunction  with the  consolidated
financial statements and related notes.

Financial Condition

National Service Industries  continued in strong financial  condition at May 31,
1998.  Net working  capital  declined to $337.3  million from $498.8  million at
August 31, 1997,  as the company  reinvested  to support its growth and returned
other funds to its shareholders through share repurchases. The current ratio was
2.3 compared with 2.8 as of year end. Cash and short-term investments were $30.0
million,  compared  with $262.4  million at August 31. For the nine months ended
May  31,  the  company  invested  $96.3  million  in  capital  expenditures  and
acquisitions.  In addition,  the company spent $145.2  million to repurchase 3.0
million shares of its common stock.  Operating  activities  used $1.6 million of
cash  primarily for  investment  in  inventories  to support  sales growth,  the
payment of taxes  associated  with the gain on the 1997 disposal of linen plants
and funding of restructuring  activities.  Cash provided by operating activities
was $101.4  million for the nine months  last year.  As planned,  the percent of
debt to total  capitalization was 12.8 percent, up from 4.6 percent at August 31
due to interim borrowings under a committed credit facility.

Capital expenditures,  exclusive of acquisition spending, were $56.8 million for
the nine months this year,  compared with $34.2 million for the same period last
year. For the current-year nine months,  the lighting equipment segment invested
in facility  expansions  and  manufacturing  process  improvements,  the textile
rental  segment   invested  in  efficiency   improvements  and  replacements  of
processing  equipment and information systems, and the envelope segment invested
in facility and machinery replacements.  Prior-year spending consisted primarily
of lighting  equipment segment  facilities and process  improvements,  equipment
replacements, and tooling for new products and textile rental segment facilities
improvements and equipment replacements.

Current-year  acquisition  spending of $39.4 million resulted primarily from the
chemical  segment's  purchase of Pure Corporation,  a specialty chemical company
with its core  businesses in Indiana,  Pennsylvania,  and New York; the envelope
segment's   purchase   of   Allen   Envelope   Corporation,    a   single-plant,
Pennsylvania-based  envelope manufacturer serving markets in the Northeast;  and
performance   payments  associated  with  a  prior-year  chemical   acquisition.
Prior-year  spending  of $4.3  million in cash was the  result of: the  chemical
segment's  purchase  of chemical  products  companies  in Ohio and  Canada;  the
lighting  equipment  segment's  acquisition of Lumaid,  Inc., a small  emergency
lighting products  manufacturer in Canada; and the third quarter acquisition for
an initial  payment of $20.5  million in stock of  Enforcer  Products,  Inc.,  a
specialty chemical company with a retail focus.

Cash from  divestitures  totaled $3.0 million for the current year due primarily
to the textile rental  segment's sale of  non-strategic  operations.  Prior-year
divestitures  generated  $31.4 million from the sale of the insulation  business
for $27.1  million  and the sale of  non-strategic  textile  rental  businesses.
During the prior-year  third quarter,  the company agreed to sell, at a gain, 29
uniform and linen plants to G&K Services, Inc. The sale was completed during the
fourth quarter for approximately $280 million in cash.

During the nine months ended May 31, 1998, year-end  restructuring reserves were
reduced by $4.4 million,  primarily for exit costs  associated with the disposal
of facilities and consolidation of operations and severance-related costs.

Dividend  payments  totaled $39.8 million,  or 92 cents per share,  for the nine
months,  compared with $40.7 million, or 89 cents per share, for the same period
a year ago.  Effective  January 1998,  the regular  quarterly  dividend rate was
increased 3.3 percent to 31 cents per share,  or an annual calendar year rate of
$1.24 per  share.  During  the nine  months  ended  May 31,  1998,  the  company
repurchased  3.0 million of its common  shares,  before  reissuances  related to
acquisitions and stock options.

For  the  periods  presented,  capital  expenditures,   working  capital  needs,
dividends,  acquisitions,  and share  repurchases  were financed  primarily with
internally generated funds supplemented by borrowings through a committed credit
facility.  European operations were supplemented by short-term borrowings in the
European market.  Contractual  commitments for capital and acquisition  spending
during the coming twelve months total $26.1 million.  The company expects actual
capital  expenditures in 1998 to be significantly  higher than the 1997 level in
support  of  the  company's  growth  plans.  Capital   expenditures,   excluding
acquisition  spending,  were $49 million in 1997,  $66 million in 1996,  and $59
million in 1995.  Late in fiscal  1996,  the company  negotiated  a $250 million
multi-currency  committed credit facility with eleven domestic and international
banks. The company has  complimentary  lines of credit totaling $62 million,  of
which $40 million is  available  domestically  and $22 million is available on a
multi-currency  basis.  Current liquid assets,  internally  generated funds, and
borrowing, either through the existing facility or the debt capital markets, are
expected to meet anticipated  general  operating cash  requirements for the next
twelve months.

Over the past year, the company has devoted  significant  internal  resources in
addressing  the  expected  impact  of the Year  2000  issue  on its  information
technology  infrastructure.  At this point in time, the company does not believe
that its  expenditures  relating  to the Year 2000  issue  will have a  material
impact on its financial position,  results of operations,  liquidity,  or future
business   strategy.   The  company   expects  to  have  completed  all  systems
modifications prior to the year 2000.
<PAGE>

                                                                          Page 9

Results of Operations

National  Service  Industries'  sales for the third  quarter  ended May 31, 1998
increased  slightly to $521.6 million versus last year's $515.3  million.  Third
quarter net income was $28.1  million,  or 66 cents diluted  earnings per share,
compared with prior year's net income of $29.4 million, or 65 cents diluted EPS.
Diluted EPS  increased  1.5 percent on a 4.4 percent  decline in net income as a
result of 2.7 million fewer average shares outstanding.

For the first nine months of fiscal year 1998,  NSI's sales declined 2.5 percent
to $1.49  billion  versus last year's $1.53  billion.  Net income  increased 4.9
percent to $78.3 million versus last year's $74.6 million. Diluted EPS increased
11.0 percent, reflecting increased income and a 2.4 million reduction in average
shares outstanding. The 1998 year-to-date earnings included pretax gains of $5.8
million from the sale of assets  compared with $7.3 million from asset sales and
accounting policy changes for ancillary textile rental revenues in 1997.

The lighting equipment segment reported sales of $277.5 million, up 16.7 percent
over last year's third  quarter  sales of $237.8  million.  For the nine months,
sales were $806.2 million,  a 17.0 percent increase over the prior year to date.
Continued demand in  non-residential  construction and market  acceptance of new
Lithonia  products  contributed to the sales growth.  Operating income increased
10.4 percent to $26.1  million for the quarter and 16.7 percent to $76.6 million
for the nine months.  Operating margin rates for the third quarter were slightly
below  those  of  the  same  period  a  year  ago  due  to  increased  marketing
expenditures and were consistent on a comparative year-to-date basis.

Chemical segment sales, benefiting from a prior-year acquisition,  increased 8.5
percent  to $119.1  million  for the third  quarter  and 13.3  percent to $332.1
million for the year to date,  due largely to  incremental  revenues from retail
distribution channels.  Operating income increased 20.0 percent to $11.3 million
for the  quarter and 5.5 percent to $28.5  million  for the nine  months.  While
margin  rates for the  quarter  improved  due to a reduction  in  administrative
costs,  year-to-date  margin rates were slightly  below last year's due to costs
associated    with    growth    initiatives    in   both    the    retail    and
industrial/institutional distribution channels.

Textile rental segment sales were $79.5 million for the third quarter and $235.1
million  for the nine  months,  each a 40 percent  decline  from the  respective
prior-year  amounts.  Operating  income declined to $8.7 million for the quarter
from $14.0 million last year and was $21.5 million for the nine months  compared
with $29.5  million the prior year to date.  The declines in sales and operating
income were a result of the uniform plant  divestitures  completed in the fourth
quarter  of  fiscal  year  1997.  After  considering   divested  operations  and
non-operating  gains,  revenue  was in line with the prior  year's  results  and
operating income improved slightly. Since the 1997 divestitures,  National Linen
Service has continued to improve  underlying  margin rates and generate positive
economic profit.

Envelope  segment  sales  increased  32.4 percent to $45.5 million for the third
quarter and 16.2 percent to $115.2  million for the nine months.  The  quarter's
increased  sales  volume  was due  largely  to the  March  acquisition  of Allen
Envelope,  which also  benefited  year-to-date  sales volume.  Operating  profit
increased for both the quarter and year to date due to  additional  sales volume
and a $0.6 million gain on the sale of non-productive equipment.

During the third  quarter,  the company  repurchased  1.0 million  shares of its
common stock under its buyback program, bringing the total to 3.0 million shares
repurchased  during the fiscal  year to date.  To finance  third  quarter  share
repurchases and acquisitions,  the company began borrowing funds, which resulted
in an increase in net interest expense. In addition, corporate expense increased
due to accruals for competitive  incentives  designed to encourage higher levels
of performance.

The provision for income taxes was 37.2 percent compared to 37.1 percent for the
prior third quarter and was 37.1 percent compared to 36.9 percent the prior year
to date.

From time to time, the company may publish  forward-looking  statements relating
to such  matters  as  anticipated  financial  performance,  business  prospects,
capital expenditures,  technological  developments,  new products,  research and
development  activities and similar matters.  The Private Securities  Litigation
Reform Act of 1995  provides a safe harbor for  forward-looking  statements.  In
order to comply  with the terms of the safe  harbor,  the  company  notes that a
variety of factors could cause the company's  actual  results and  experience to
differ materially from the anticipated  results or other expectations  expressed
in the company's  forward-looking  statements.  The risks and uncertainties that
may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the company's
business  include  without  limitation  the  following:  (a) the  uncertainty of
general business and economic conditions,  particularly the potential for a slow
down in  non-residential  construction  awards;  and (b) the  ability to achieve
strategic initiatives, including but not limited to the ability to achieve sales
growth across the business segments through a combination of increased  pricing,
enhanced sales force, new products,  and improved customer  service,  as well as
share repurchases and acquisitions.


<PAGE>




Page 10





                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 2.  Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds

On March 12,  1997,  the  company  acquired  all of the issued  and  outstanding
capital  stock of Enforcer  Products,  Inc.  ("Enforcer")  and issued as partial
consideration  for the acquisition an aggregate of 667,676  restricted shares of
Common  Stock of the  company to  Enforcer's  three  shareholders,  each of whom
qualified as an "accredited  investor"  within the meaning of the Securities Act
of 1933 (the  "Act").  The Common Stock issued to  Enforcer's  shareholders  was
valued at  approximately  $25.5  million for  purposes of the  acquisition.  The
company relied on Section 4(2) of the Act as its exemption from the registration
requirements.


Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits are listed on the Index to Exhibits (page 12).

(b) There were no reports on Form 8-K for the three months ended May 31, 1998.



<PAGE>



                                                                         Page 11


                                   SIGNATURES



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


                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                   REGISTRANT


DATE  July  14, 1998           /s/ David Levy
                                   DAVID LEVY
                    EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT, ADMINISTRATION
                                   AND COUNSEL



DATE  July 14, 1998           /s/ Brock Hattox
                                  BROCK HATTOX
                          EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND
                             CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER


<PAGE>



Page 12

                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


                                                                        Page No.

EXHIBIT 10(i)A            US$250,000,000 Credit Agreement 
                          dated as of July 23, 1996 among
                          National Service Industries, Inc., 
                          Certain of its Subsidiaries, 
                          Certain Listed Banks, Wachovia Bank
                          of Georgia, N.A., as Agent, and
                          Nationsbank, N.A. (South) and
                          Suntrust Bank, Atlanta, as Co-Agents              13

EXHIBIT 11                Computation of Net Income
                          per Share of Common Stock                         99

EXHIBIT 27                Financial Data Schedule                          100




                                                                         Page 13
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A


                                 US$250,000,000

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                   dated as of

                                  July 23, 1996

                                      among


                       NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.,

                           Certain of its Subsidiaries

                             The Banks Listed Herein


                         WACHOVIA BANK OF GEORGIA, N.A.,
                                    as Agent


                                       and


              NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH) and SUNTRUST BANK, ATLANTA,
                                  as Co-Agents

<PAGE>
Page 14
Exhibit 10(i)A
                                                                            (xi)

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                                                            Page


                                    ARTICLE I

         DEFINITIONS.......................................................... 1

SECTION 1.01. Definitions....................................................  1

SECTION 1.02. Accounting Terms and Determinations............................ 17

SECTION 1.03. References..................................................... 18

SECTION 1.04. Use of Defined Terms........................................... 18

SECTION 1.05. Terminology.................................................... 18

                                   ARTICLE II

         THE CREDITS......................................................... 18

SECTION 2.01. Commitments to Lend Syndicated Loans........................... 18

SECTION 2.02. Method of Borrowing............................................ 19

SECTION 2.03. Money Market Loans............................................. 22

SECTION 2.04. Notes.......................................................... 26

SECTION 2.05. Maturity of Loans.............................................. 27

SECTION 2.06. Interest Rates................................................. 27

SECTION 2.07. Fees........................................................... 31

SECTION 2.08. Optional Termination or Reduction of
                      Commitments............................................ 32

SECTION 2.09. Mandatory Reduction and Termination of
                      Commitments............................................ 32

SECTION 2.10. Optional Prepayments........................................... 32

SECTION 2.11. Mandatory Prepayments.......................................... 33

SECTION 2.12. General Provisions as to Payments.............................. 34
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 15
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A


SECTION 2.13. Computation of Interest and Fees............................... 37

SECTION 2.14. Additional Borrowers........................................... 37

                                   ARTICLE III

      CONDITIONS TO BORROWINGS............................................... 38

SECTION 3.01. Conditions to First Borrowing.................................. 38

SECTION 3.02. Conditions to All Borrowings................................... 40

                                   ARTICLE IV

    REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES........................................... 41

SECTION 4.01. Corporate Existence and Power.................................. 41

SECTION 4.02. Corporate and Governmental Authorization;
              No Contravention............................................... 41

SECTION 4.03. Binding Effect................................................. 41

SECTION 4.04. Financial Information.......................................... 41

SECTION 4.05. No Litigation.................................................. 42

SECTION 4.06. Compliance with ERISA.......................................... 42

SECTION 4.07. Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes......................... 42

SECTION 4.08. Subsidiaries................................................... 43

SECTION 4.09. Investment Company Act......................................... 43

SECTION 4.10. Public Utility Holding Company Act............................. 43

SECTION 4.11. Ownership of Property; Liens................................... 43

SECTION 4.12. No Default..................................................... 43

SECTION 4.13. Full Disclosure................................................ 44

SECTION 4.14. Environmental Matters.......................................... 44

SECTION 4.15. Capital Stock.................................................. 45

SECTION 4.16. Margin Stock................................................... 45

SECTION 4.17. Insolvency..................................................... 45
<PAGE>
Page 16
Exhibit 10(i)A


SECTION 4.18. Insurance...................................................... 46

                                    ARTICLE V

          COVENANTS.......................................................... 46

SECTION 5.01. Information.................................................... 46

SECTION 5.02. Inspection of Property, Books and Records...................... 48

SECTION 5.03. Maintenance of Existence....................................... 48

SECTION 5.04. Dissolution.................................................... 49

SECTION 5.05. Consolidations and Mergers..................................... 49

SECTION 5.06. Use of Proceeds................................................ 49

SECTION 5.07. Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes......................... 49

SECTION 5.08. Insurance...................................................... 50

SECTION 5.09. Subsidiary Debt................................................ 50

SECTION 5.10. Maintenance of Property........................................ 51

SECTION 5.11. Environmental Notices.......................................... 51

SECTION 5.12. Environmental Matters.......................................... 51

SECTION 5.13. Environmental Release.......................................... 51

SECTION 5.14. Transactions with Affiliates................................... 51

SECTION 5.15. Negative Pledge................................................ 52

SECTION 5.16. Leverage Percentage............................................ 54

SECTION 5.17. Election to Become Guarantor................................... 54
                                   ARTICLE VI

          DEFAULTS........................................................... 54

SECTION 6.01. Events of Default.............................................. 54

SECTION 6.02. Notice of Default.............................................. 58
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 17
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A


                                   ARTICLE VII

          THE AGENT.......................................................... 58

SECTION 7.01. Appointment; Powers and Immunities............................. 58

SECTION 7.02. Reliance by Agent.............................................. 59

SECTION 7.03. Defaults....................................................... 59

SECTION 7.04. Rights of Agent as a Bank and its Affiliates................... 60

SECTION 7.05. Indemnification................................................ 60

SECTION 7.06.  CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES......................................... 61

SECTION 7.07. Payee of Note Treated as Owner................................. 61

SECTION 7.08. Nonreliance on Agent and Other Banks........................... 61

SECTION 7.09. Failure to Act................................................. 61

SECTION 7.10. Resignation or Removal of Agent................................ 62

                                  ARTICLE VIII

   CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES; COMPENSATION..................................... 62

SECTION 8.01. Basis for Determining Interest Rate
                      Inadequate or Unfair................................... 62

SECTION 8.02. Illegality..................................................... 63

SECTION 8.03. Increased Cost and Reduced Return.............................. 63

SECTION 8.04. Base Rate Loans or Other Fixed Rate Loans
                      Substituted for Affected Fixed Rate Loans.............. 65

SECTION 8.05. Compensation................................................... 65
SECTION 8.06.     Failure to Pay in Foreign Currency......................... 66

SECTION 8.07.  Judgment Currency............................................. 67

SECTION 8.08.  Limitation on Certain Payment................................. 67

SECTION 8.09.  Alternate Lending Offices..................................... 67
<PAGE>
Page 18 
Exhibit 10(i)A


                                   ARTICLE IX

         MISCELLANEOUS....................................................... 68

SECTION 9.01. Notices........................................................ 68

SECTION 9.02. No Waivers..................................................... 68

SECTION 9.03. Expenses; Documentary Taxes.................................... 68

SECTION 9.04. Indemnification................................................ 69

SECTION 9.05  Setoff; Sharing of Setoffs..................................... 69

SECTION 9.06. Amendments and Waivers......................................... 70

SECTION 9.07. No Margin Stock Collateral..................................... 71

SECTION 9.08. Successors and Assigns......................................... 71

SECTION 9.09. Confidentiality................................................ 75

SECTION 9.10. Representation by Banks........................................ 76

SECTION 9.11. Obligations Several............................................ 76

SECTION 9.12. Georgia Law.................................................... 76

SECTION 9.13. Severability................................................... 76

SECTION 9.14. Interest....................................................... 77

SECTION 9.15. Interpretation................................................. 78

SECTION 9.16. Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction.................. 78

SECTION 9.17. Counterparts................................................... 78

SECTION 9.18. Source of Funds -- ERISA....................................... 78

SECTION 9.19. References Regarding Foreign Subsidiaries...................... 79




EXHIBIT A-1            Form of Syndicated Dollar Loan Note

EXHIBIT A-2            Form of Foreign Currency Loan Note

EXHIBIT A-3            Form of Money Market Loan Note

EXHIBIT B              Form of Opinion of Counsel for the Parent
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 19
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A


EXHIBIT C              Form of Opinion of Special Counsel for the Agent

EXHIBIT D              Form of Assignment and Acceptance

EXHIBIT E              Form of Notice of Borrowing

EXHIBIT F              Form of Compliance Certificate

EXHIBIT G              Form of Closing Certificate

EXHIBIT H              Form of Officer's Certificate

EXHIBIT I              Form of Money Market Quote Request

EXHIBIT J              Form of Money Market Quote

EXHIBIT K              Form of Guaranty


EXHIBIT L             Form of Additional Borrower Assumption Agreement

EXHIBIT M             Form of Contribution Agreement

Schedule 4.08         Subsidiaries

Schedule 5.15(a)      Existing Liens

<PAGE>
Page 20
Exhibit 10(i)A



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT


     AGREEMENT  dated as of July 23,  1996 among  NATIONAL  SERVICE  INDUSTRIES,
INC., the other  Borrowers  parties hereto,  the BANKS parties hereto,  WACHOVIA
BANK OF GEORGIA, N.A., as Agent and NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH) and SUNTRUST BANK,
ATLANTA, as Co-Agents.

     The parties hereto agree as follows:


                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

     SECTION 1.01. Definitions. The terms as defined in this Section 1.01 shall,
for all purposes of this  Agreement and any amendment  hereto  (except as herein
otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise requires), have the
meanings set forth herein:

     "Additional Borrower" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.14.

     "Adjusted IBOR Rate" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(e).

     "Adjusted  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate" has the  meaning  set forth in
Section 2.06(c).

     "Affiliate" of any relevant  Person means (i) any Person that directly,  or
indirectly through one or more  intermediaries,  controls the relevant Person (a
"Controlling  Person"),  (ii) any Person  (other than the  relevant  Person or a
Subsidiary  of the relevant  Person)  which is  controlled by or is under common
control with a Controlling  Person, or (iii) any Person (other than a Subsidiary
of the  relevant  Person)  of  which  the  relevant  Person  owns,  directly  or
indirectly,  20% or more of the common stock or equivalent equity interests.  As
used herein, the term "control" means possession, directly or indirectly, of the
power to  direct or cause the  direction  of the  management  or  policies  of a
Person,  whether  through the  ownership  of voting  securities,  by contract or
otherwise.

     "Agent"  means  Wachovia  Bank  of  Georgia,   N.A.,  a  national   banking
association  organized  under the laws of the United  States of America,  in its
capacity as agent for the Banks  hereunder,  and its  successors  and  permitted
assigns in such capacity.
  


                                     1
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 21
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     "Agent's Letter Agreement" means that certain letter agreement, dated as of
May 24, 1996,  between the Parent and the Agent relating to the structure of the
Loans,  and certain  fees from time to time  payable by the Parent to the Agent,
together with all amendments and supplements thereto.

     "Agreement" means this Credit  Agreement,  together with all amendments and
supplements hereto.

     "Applicable Margin" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(a).

     "Assignee" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.08(c).

     "Assignment and Acceptance" means an Assignment and Acceptance  executed in
accordance with Section 9.08(c) in the form attached hereto as Exhibit D.

     "Authority" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.02.

     "Bank"  means each bank listed on the  signature  pages  hereof as having a
Commitment, and its successors and assigns.

     "Base  Rate"  means for any Base Rate Loan for any day,  the rate per annum
equal to the higher as of such day of (i) the Prime Rate,  and (ii)  one-half of
one percent above the Federal Funds Rate. For purposes of  determining  the Base
Rate or the  Federal  Funds  Rate for any day,  changes in the Prime Rate or the
Federal Funds Rate shall be effective on the date of each such change.

     "Base Rate Loan" means a Loan which bears or is to bear  interest at a rate
based upon the Base Rate,  and is to be made as a Base Rate Loan pursuant to the
applicable Notice of Borrowing, Section 2.02(f), or Article VIII, as applicable.


     "Borrower" or "Borrowers"  means,  individually  and  collectively,  as the
context shall  require,  with respect to both  Syndicated  Dollar  Loans,  Money
Market Loans,  and Foreign  Currency  Loans,  (i) the Parent,  (ii) NSI Leasing,
Inc.,  a  Delaware  corporation,  and  I.A.  Enterprises,   Inc.,  a  California
corporation,  and (iii) any additional Wholly Owned  Subsidiaries who may become
Additional  Borrowers  hereunder  pursuant to Section  2.14,  and in each of the
foregoing cases, their respective  successors and permitted  assigns,  with each
Borrower  having  several,  but not joint,  liability  as a  Borrower  hereunder
(except for Parent's  liability as to the  liability of each and every  Borrower
pursuant to the Guaranty).



                                       2
<PAGE>
Page 22
Exhibit 10(i)A


     "Borrowing"  means a borrowing  hereunder  consisting  of Loans made to the
Borrower  (i) at the same time by all of the Banks,  in the case of a Syndicated
Borrowing,  or (ii) at the same time but separately by one or more Banks, in the
case of a Money  Market  Borrowing,  in each  case  pursuant  to  Article  II. A
Borrowing is a "Base Rate  Borrowing",  if such Loans are Base Rate Loans, and a
"Euro-Dollar  Borrowing",  if such Loans are Euro-Dollar Loans. A Borrowing is a
"Dollar  Borrowing" if it is a Base Rate  Borrowing or a Euro-Dollar  Borrowing,
and a "Foreign  Currency  Borrowing",  if such Loans are Foreign  Currency Loans
(including any Money Market Loans made in a Foreign Currency).  A Borrowing is a
"Money  Market  Borrowing"  if such Loans are made pursuant to Section 2.03 or a
"Syndicated Borrowing" if such Loans are made pursuant to Section 2.01.

     "Capital  Leases"  means  leases which are  required to be  capitalized  in
accordance with GAAP.

     "Capital Stock" means any nonredeemable  capital stock of the Parent or any
Consolidated  Subsidiary  (to the  extent  issued  to a  Person  other  than the
Parent), whether common or preferred.

     "CERCLA" means the Comprehensive  Environmental  Response  Compensation and
Liability Act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601 et. seq. and its implementing regulations and
amendments.

     "CERCLIS" means the Comprehensive  Environmental  Response Compensation and
Liability Inventory System established pursuant to CERCLA.

     "Change of Law" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 8.02.

     "Closing Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(e).

     "Closing Date" means July 23, 1996.

     "Code"  means  the  Internal  Revenue  Code of  1986,  as  amended,  or any
successor Federal tax code.

     "Commitment"  means,  with  respect to each Bank,  (i) the amount set forth
opposite the name of such Bank on the signature pages hereof, and (ii) as to any
Bank which enters into any Assignment and Acceptance (whether as transferor Bank
or as Assignee  thereunder),  the amount of such Bank's  Commitment after giving
effect to such  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  in each case as such amount may be
reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections 2.08 and 2.09.



                                       3
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 23
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     "Compliance Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.01(c).

     "Consolidated  Debt"  means  at any date  the  Debt of the  Parent  and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis as of such date.

     "Consolidated  Funded Debt" means,  without duplication (i) Long-Term Debt,
plus (ii) Current Maturities of Long-Term Debt, plus (iii) Capital Leases,  plus
(iv)  Short-Term  Debt, plus (iv) all Guarantees of Debt of other Persons (other
than of Debt of the Parent or any  Subsidiary),  including,  obligations of such
other Person to reimburse any bank or other Person in respect of amounts paid or
to be paid under a letter of credit or similar  instrument having an expiry date
which is one year or more from the date of measurement.

     "Consolidated  Operating  Profits"  means,  for any period,  the  Operating
Profits of the Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

     "Consolidated  Subsidiary" means at any date any Subsidiary or other entity
the accounts of which, in accordance with GAAP, would be consolidated with those
of the Parent in its consolidated financial statements as of such date.

     "Consolidated  Total Assets"  means,  at any time,  the total assets of the
Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, determined on a consolidated basis, as
set forth or  reflected  on the most recent  consolidated  balance  sheet of the
Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries, prepared in accordance with GAAP.

     "Consolidated  Total  Capitalization"  means,  at any time,  the sum of (i)
Stockholder's Equity and (ii) Consolidated Funded Debt.

     "Contribution  Agreement"  means a Contribution  Agreement in substantially
the  form  of  Exhibit  M to be  executed  by  the  Parent  and  any  Subsidiary
Guarantors, together with all amendments and supplements thereto.

     "Controlled  Group" means all members of a controlled group of corporations
and all trades or businesses  (whether or not incorporated) under common control
which,  together with the Parent, are treated as a single employer under Section
414 of the Code.

     "Current  Maturities  of  Long-Term  Debt" means all payments in respect of
Long-Term  Debt (other than Debt under this  Agreement)  that are required to be
made  within  one  year  from  the  date of  determination,  whether  or not the
obligation to make such  payments  would  constitute a current  liability of the
obligor under GAAP.



                                       4
<PAGE>
Page 24
Exhibit 10(i)A


     "Debt"  of any  Person  means at any  date,  without  duplication,  (i) all
obligations  of such Person for borrowed  money,  (ii) all  obligations  of such
Person evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar instruments, (iii)
all obligations of such Person to pay the deferred purchase price of property or
services,  except  trade  accounts  payable  arising in the  ordinary  course of
business,  (iv) all  obligations of such Person as lessee under Capital  Leases,
(v) all  obligations  of such Person to  reimburse  any bank or other  Person in
respect of amounts  payable  under a banker's  acceptance,  (vi) all  Redeemable
Preferred  Stock of such  Person  (in the event such  Person is a  corporation),
(vii) all  obligations  of such Person to reimburse  any bank or other Person in
respect  of  amounts  paid or to be paid  under a letter of  credit  or  similar
instrument,  (viii)  all Debt of others  secured  by a Lien on any asset of such
Person, whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person, and (ix) all Debt of
others Guaranteed by such Person.

     "Default"  means  any  condition  or event  which  constitutes  an Event of
Default  or which  with the  giving of  notice  or lapse of time or both  would,
unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

     "Default  Rate" means,  with respect to any Loan, on any day, the sum of 2%
plus the then highest interest rate (including the Applicable  Margin) which may
be applicable to any Loans hereunder  (irrespective  of whether any such type of
Loans are actually outstanding hereunder).


     "Dollar  Equivalent" means the Dollar equivalent of the amount of a Foreign
Currency  Loan,  determined  by the  Agent on the basis of its spot rate for the
purchase of the appropriate Foreign Currency with Dollars.

     "Dollars" or "$" means  dollars in lawful  currency of the United States of
America.

     "Domestic  Business  Day" means any day except a Saturday,  Sunday or other
day on which commercial banks in Georgia are authorized by law to close.

     "Environmental  Authority"  means any  foreign,  federal,  state,  local or
regional  government  that exercises any form of jurisdiction or authority under
any Environmental Requirement.



                                       5
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 25
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     "Environmental   Authorizations"  means  all  licenses,   permits,  orders,
approvals,  notices,  registrations or other legal  prerequisites for conducting
the business of the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary  required by any  Environmental
Requirement.

     "Environmental Judgments and Orders" means all judgments, decrees or orders
arising  from or in any way  associated  with  any  Environmental  Requirements,
whether or not entered upon consent or written  agreements with an Environmental
Authority  or  other  entity  arising  from or in any way  associated  with  any
Environmental Requirement,  whether or not incorporated in a judgment, decree or
order.

     "Environmental   Liabilities"  means  any  liabilities,   whether  accrued,
contingent  or  otherwise,  arising  from  and in any way  associated  with  any
Environmental Requirements.

     "Environmental Notices" means notice from any Environmental Authority or by
any other  person or  entity,  of  possible  or  alleged  noncompliance  with or
liability under any Environmental Requirement,  including without limitation any
complaints,  citations,  demands or requests from any Environmental Authority or
from  any  other  person  or  entity  for  correction  of any  violation  of any
Environmental  Requirement or any investigations concerning any violation of any
Environmental Requirement.

     "Environmental   Proceedings"   means  any   judicial   or   administrative
proceedings  arising  from  or in any  way  associated  with  any  Environmental
Requirement.


     "Environmental  Releases"  means releases as defined in CERCLA or under any
applicable state or local environmental law or regulation.

     "Environmental Requirements" means any legal requirement relating to public
health or safety or to the  environment  and  applicable  to the  Borrower,  any
Subsidiary or the Properties,  including but not limited to any such requirement
under CERCLA or similar state  legislation  and all related  federal,  state and
local laws, ordinances, regulations, orders, writs, decrees and common law.

     "ERISA"  means the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as
amended from time to time, or any successor  law. Any reference to any provision
of ERISA shall also be deemed to be a reference  to any  successor  provision or
provisions thereof.



                                       6
<PAGE>
Page 26
Exhibit 10(i)A


     "Euro-Dollar  Business  Day"  means  any  Domestic  Business  Day on  which
dealings in Dollar deposits are carried out in the London interbank market.

     "Euro-Dollar  Loan"  means a Loan which  bears or is to bear  interest at a
rate based  upon the  Euro-Dollar  Rate,  and to be made as a  Euro-Dollar  Loan
pursuant to the applicable Notice of Borrowing.

     "Euro-Dollar  Reserve  Percentage"  has the  meaning  set forth in  Section
2.06(c).

     "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.01.

     "Executive  Officer" means any of the chief executive  officer,  president,
executive vice president or senior vice president of the Parent.


     "Federal  Funds  Rate"  means,  for any day,  the rate per  annum  (rounded
upward,  if necessary,  to the next higher  1/100th of 1%) equal to the weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal  Reserve  System  arranged  by Federal  funds  brokers  on such day,  as
published by the Federal  Reserve Bank of New York on the Domestic  Business Day
next succeeding such day, provided that (i) if the day for which such rate is to
be  determined  is not a Domestic  Business Day, the Federal Funds Rate for such
day  shall be such  rate on such  transactions  on the next  preceding  Domestic
Business Day as so published on the next succeeding  Domestic  Business Day, and
(ii) if such rate is not so published  for any day,  the Federal  Funds Rate for
such day  shall be the  average  rate  charged  to the Agent on such day on such
transactions, as determined by the Agent.

     "Fiscal Quarter" means any fiscal quarter of the Parent.

     "Fiscal Year" means any fiscal year of the Parent.

     "Fixed  Rate  Borrowing"  means a  Euro-Dollar  Borrowing,  a Money  Market
Borrowing or a Foreign Currency Borrowing, or any or all of them, as the context
shall require.

     "Fixed Rate Loans" means Euro-Dollar  Loans,  Money Market Loans or Foreign
Currency Loans, or any or all of them, as the context shall require.

     "Foreign Bank" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(d).




                                       7
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 27
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A


     "Foreign Currencies" means,  individually and collectively,  as the context
shall  require,  each of the  following,  subject  to  availability:  (i) French
francs,  Swiss francs, Dutch guilders,  Italian lira, Canadian dollars,  British
pounds sterling,  Belgian francs,  German deutsche marks,  Japanese yen, Spanish
pesetas  and  Swedish  kroner;  and (ii) at the option of the  Banks,  any other
currency which is freely  transferable and convertible  into Dollars;  provided,
however, that no such other currency under this clause (ii) shall be included as
a Foreign Currency hereunder, or included in a Notice of Borrowing, unless (x) a
Borrower has first  submitted a request to the Agent and the Banks that it be so
included,  and (y) the Agent and each of the Banks,  in their  sole  discretion,
have agreed to such request.

     "Foreign Currency Borrowing" has the meaning set forth in the definition of
"Borrowing."

     "Foreign  Currency  Business  Day" shall mean any  Domestic  Business  Day,
excluding  one on  which  trading  is not  carried  on by and  between  banks in
deposits of the applicable  Foreign Currency in the applicable  interbank market
for such Foreign Currency.

     "Foreign Currency Loan" means (i) a Syndicated Loan to be made as a Foreign
Currency Loan pursuant to the applicable Notice of Borrowing  delivered pursuant
to Section  2.02 or (ii) a Money  Market  Loan to be made in a Foreign  Currency
pursuant to the  applicable  Money  Market  Quote  accepted  pursuant to Section
2.03(e), as the case may be.

     "Foreign  Currency Loan Notes" means  promissory notes of any or all of the
Borrowers,  as the context shall require,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit
A-2,  evidencing the  obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Syndicated  Loans
which are Foreign Currency Loans, together with all amendments,  consolidations,
modifications, renewals and supplements thereto.

     "Foreign Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary which is not organized or created
under the laws of the  United  States of  America  or any state  thereof  or the
District of Columbia.

     "GAAP" means generally  accepted  accounting  principles applied on a basis
consistent  with those which, in accordance with Section 1.02, are to be used in
making the calculations for purposes of determining compliance with the terms of
this Agreement.

     "Guarantee" by any Person means any obligation, contingent or otherwise, of
such Person directly or indirectly  guaranteeing any Debt or other obligation of
any other Person and,  without  limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  any
obligation,  direct or indirect,  contingent or otherwise, of such Person (i) to
secure,  purchase or pay (or advance or supply funds for the purchase or payment
of) such Debt or other  obligation  (whether  arising  by virtue of  partnership
arrangements,  by agreement to keep-well,  to purchase assets, goods, securities
or services,  to provide  collateral  security,  to take-or-pay,  or to maintain
financial  statement  conditions  or  otherwise)  or (ii)  entered  into for the
purpose  of  assuring  in any other  manner  the  obligee  of such Debt or other
obligation  of the payment  thereof or to protect such  obligee  against loss in
respect  thereof (in whole or in part),  provided that the term Guarantee  shall
not include  endorsements  for  collection or deposit in the ordinary  course of
business. The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.



                                       8
<PAGE>
Page 28
Exhibit 10(i)A


     "Guarantors" means any one or more or all of the following,  as the context
shall require: (i) the Parent, and (ii) any Subsidiary which becomes a Guarantor
pursuant to Section 5.17.

     "Guaranty"  means the  Guaranty  Agreement  dated as of even date  herewith
substantially  in the form of Exhibit K, executed by Parent,  and any Subsidiary
which at any time becomes a Guarantor  pursuant to Section 5.17, in favor of the
Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, unconditionally Guaranteeing the payment of
all obligations of the other Borrowers hereunder,  under the Notes and under the
other Loan Documents executed by them.

     "Hazardous Materials" includes,  without limitation, (a) solid or hazardous
waste,  as defined in the Resource  Conservation  and  Recovery Act of 1980,  42
U.S.C. Sec. 6901 et seq. and its implementing regulations and amendments,  or in
any  applicable  state or local law or regulation,  (b)  "hazardous  substance",
"pollutant",  or "contaminant" as defined in CERCLA,  or in any applicable state
or local law or  regulation,  (c) gasoline,  or any other  petroleum  product or
by-product,  including,  crude oil or any fraction thereof (d) toxic substances,
as defined in the Toxic  Substances  Control Act of 1976,  or in any  applicable
state  or  local  law  or  regulation  or  (e)  insecticides,   fungicides,   or
rodenticides, as defined in the Federal Insecticide,  Fungicide, and Rodenticide
Act of 1975, or in any applicable state or local law or regulation, as each such
Act, statute or regulation may be amended from time to time.

     "IBOR" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.06(e).

     "Interest Period" means: (1) with respect to each Euro-Dollar Borrowing and
Foreign Currency  Borrowing (other than a Foreign Currency  Borrowing which is a
Money Market  Borrowing),  subject to paragraph (c) below, the period commencing
on the date of such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day in
the first, second, third or sixth month thereafter, as the Borrower may elect in
the applicable Notice of Borrowing; provided that:



                                       9
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 29
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



          (a) any Interest  Period which would  otherwise  end on a day which is
     not a  Euro-Dollar  Business Day or Foreign  Currency  Business Day, as the
     case may be, shall be extended to the next succeeding  Euro-Dollar Business
     Day or Foreign  Currency  Business  Day,  as the case may be,  unless  such
     Euro-Dollar  Business Day or Foreign Currency Business Day, as the case may
     be, falls in another  calendar  month,  in which case such Interest  Period
     shall,   subject  to  paragraph  (c)  below,  end  on  the  next  preceding
     Euro-Dollar  Business Day or Foreign Currency Business Day, as the case may
     be;


          (b) any Interest Period which begins on the last Euro-Dollar  Business
     Day or Foreign  Currency  Business  Day,  as the case may be, of a calendar
     month (or on a day for which there is no numerically  corresponding  day in
     the  appropriate   subsequent   calendar  month)  shall  end  on  the  last
     Euro-Dollar  Business Day or Foreign Currency Business Day, as the case may
     be, of the appropriate subsequent calendar month; and

          (c) no  Interest  Period  may be  selected  which  begins  before  the
     Termination Date and would otherwise end after the Termination Date.

(2) With respect to each Base Rate Borrowing,  the period commencing on the date
of such Borrowing and ending 30 days thereafter; provided that:

          (a) any Interest  Period which would  otherwise  end on a day which is
     not a  Domestic  Business  Day  shall be  extended  to the next  succeeding
     Domestic Business Day; and

          (b) no Interest  Period which begins before the  Termination  Date and
     would otherwise end after the Termination Date may be selected.

(3) With respect to each Money Market  Borrowing,  the period  commencing on the
date of such Borrowing and ending on the Stated Maturity Date or such other date
or dates as may be specified in the  applicable  Money  Market  Quote;  provided
that:

          (a) any  Interest  Period  (subject  to clause (b) below)  which would
     otherwise  end on a day which is not a  Domestic  Business  Day or  Foreign
     Currency  Business  Day, as the case may be,  shall be extended to the next
     succeeding  Domestic  Business Day or Foreign Currency Business Day, as the
     case may be; and



                                       10
<PAGE>
Page 30
Exhibit 10(i)A


          (b) no  Interest  Period  may be  selected  which  begins  before  the
     Termination Date and would otherwise end after the Termination Date.

     "Lending  Office" means, as to each Bank, its office located at its address
set forth on the signature  pages hereof (or  identified on the signature  pages
hereof as its Lending  Office) or such other  office as such Bank may  hereafter
designate as its Lending  Office by notice to the  Borrower and the Agent.  Each
Bank may designate a Lending Office for Syndicated  Dollar Loans and a different
Lending Office for Foreign  Currency Loans,  and the term "Lending Office" shall
in such case mean either such Lending Office, as the context shall require.

     "Leverage  Percentage" means the percentage which Consolidated  Funded Debt
bears to Consolidated Total Capitalization.

     "Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, deed to secure debt,
deed  of  trust,  lien,  pledge,  charge,  security  interest,  security  title,
preferential  arrangement  which  has the  practical  effect of  constituting  a
security  interest or  encumbrance,  or  encumbrance or servitude of any kind in
respect  of such  asset to secure or assure  payment  of a Debt or a  Guarantee,
whether by  consensual  agreement or by operation of statute or other law, or by
any agreement, contingent or otherwise, to provide any of the foregoing. For the
purposes of this  Agreement,  the Borrower or any Subsidiary  shall be deemed to
own  subject to a Lien any asset which it has  acquired or holds  subject to the
interest of a vendor or lessor under any  conditional  sale  agreement,  capital
lease or other title retention agreement relating to such asset.
 
     "Loan"  means a Base  Rate  Loan,  Euro-Dollar  Loan,  Money  Market  Loan,
Syndicated  Dollar Loan,  Foreign  Currency Loan or Syndicated Loan, and "Loans"
means Base Rate Loans,  Euro-Dollar Loans, Money Market Loans, Syndicated Dollar
Loans,  Foreign  Currency Loans  Syndicated  Loans or any or all of them, as the
context shall require.

     "Loan Documents" means this Agreement,  the Notes, the Guaranty,  any other
document  evidencing,  relating to or securing the Loans, and any other document
or instrument delivered from time to time in connection with this Agreement, the
Notes,  the Guaranty or the Loans,  as such  documents  and  instruments  may be
amended or supplemented from time to time.



                                       11
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 31
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     "London  Interbank  Offered  Rate" has the  meaning  set  forth in  Section
2.06(c).

     "Long-Term Debt" means at any date any Consolidated  Debt which matures (or
the  maturity  of which  may at the  option of the  Parent  or any  Consolidated
Subsidiary be extended such that it matures) more than one year after such date.

     "Margin Stock" means "margin stock" as defined in Regulations G, T, U or X.

     "Material Adverse Effect" means, with respect to any event, act,  condition
or occurrence of whatever  nature  (including any adverse  determination  in any
litigation,  arbitration, or governmental investigation or proceeding),  whether
singly or in conjunction with any other event or events, act or acts,  condition
or conditions,  occurrence or  occurrences,  whether or not related,  a material
adverse  change in, or a material  adverse effect upon, any of (a) the financial
condition, operations, business or properties of the Parent and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries  taken as a whole,  (b) the rights and remedies of the Agent or the
Banks  under the Loan  Documents,  or the  ability  of any of the  Borrowers  to
perform its  obligations  under the Loan Documents to which it is a party, or of
the Parent to pay its obligations under the Guaranty, as applicable,  or (c) the
legality, validity or enforceability of any Loan Document.

     "Material  Subsidiary"  means (i) each  Borrower  other than the Parent and
(ii) each other Consolidated Subsidiary, now existing or hereinafter established
or acquired, that at any time during the period that any Bank has any Commitment
hereunder or any amount  payable  hereunder  or under any Note  remains  unpaid,
either (x) has or acquires total assets in excess of 10% of  Consolidated  Total
Assets at the end of the most recent Fiscal  Quarter,  or (y)  contributed  more
than 10% of Consolidated Operating Profits for the 4 most recent Fiscal Quarters
then ended (or, with respect to any Subsidiary which existed during the entire 4
Fiscal Quarter  period but was acquired by the Parent during such period,  which
would have contributed more than 10% of Consolidated  Operating Profits for such
period had it been a Subsidiary  for the entire  period,  as determined on a pro
forma basis in accordance with GAAP).

     "Money Market Borrowing Date" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b).

     "Money  Market  Loan" means a Loan which bears or is to bear  interest at a
Money  Market  Rate,  and to be made  as a Money  Market  Loan  pursuant  to the
applicable Money Market Quote Request.



                                       12
<PAGE>
Page 32
Exhibit 10(i)A



     "Money Market Loan Notes" means the  promissory  notes of any or all of the
Borrowers,  as the context shall require,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit
A-3, evidencing the obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Money Market Loans,
together  with  all  amendments,  consolidations,  modifications,  renewals  and
supplements thereto.

     "Money Market Quote" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c).

     "Money Market Quote Request" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(b).

     "Money Market Rate" has the meaning specified in Section 2.03(c)(ii)(C).

     "Multiemployer Plan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4001(a)(3)
of ERISA.

     "Net Income" means, as applied to any Person for any period,  the aggregate
amount of net income of such Person, after taxes, for such period, as determined
in accordance with GAAP.

     "Notes"  means the  Syndicated  Dollar  Loan Notes,  the Money  Market Loan
Notes,  the Foreign  Currency Loan Notes,  or any or all of them, as the context
shall require.

     "Notice of Borrowing" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.02(a).

     "Officer's Certificate" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.01(f).

     "Operating Profits" means, as applied to any Person for any period, the sum
of (i) net  revenues,  less (ii) cost of goods and  services  sold,  less  (iii)
operating expenses (including  depreciation and amortization) of such Person for
such period, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

     "Parent" means National Service Industries,  Inc., a Delaware  corporation,
and its successors and permitted assigns.

     "Participant" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.08(b).

     "PBGC"  means  the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  or any  entity
succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.



                                       13
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 33
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     "Performance  Pricing  Determination  Date"  has the  meaning  set forth in
Section 2.06(a).

     "Person" means an  individual,  a  corporation,  a  partnership,  a limited
liability company, an unincorporated association, a trust or any other entity or
organization,   including,  but  not  limited  to,  a  government  or  political
subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

     "Plan" means at any time an employee  pension benefit plan which 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 a member of the Controlled Group
for employees of any member of the 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 a member of the Controlled
Group is then making or  accruing an  obligation  to make  contributions  or has
within the preceding 5 plan years made contributions.

     "Prime  Rate"  refers  to  that  interest  rate so  denominated  and set by
Wachovia from time to time as an interest rate basis for  borrowings.  The Prime
Rate is but one of several interest rate bases used by Wachovia.  Wachovia lends
at interest rates above and below the Prime Rate.

     "Properties"  means all real property  owned,  leased or otherwise  used or
occupied by the Parent or any Subsidiary, wherever located.

     "Proprietary Information" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.09.

     "Redeemable Preferred Stock" of any Person means any preferred stock issued
by such  Person  which is at any time prior to the  Termination  Date either (i)
mandatorily  redeemable  (by  required  sinking  fund  or  similar  payments  or
otherwise) or (ii) redeemable at the option of the holder thereof.

     "Refunding  Loan" means a new  Syndicated  Loan made on the day on which an
outstanding  Syndicated  Loan is  maturing  or a Base  Rate  Borrowing  is being
converted  to a Fixed Rate  Borrowing,  if and to the extent  that the  proceeds
thereof are used  entirely for the purpose of paying such  maturing Loan or Loan
being  converted,  excluding any difference  between the amount of such maturing
Loan or Loan being  converted and any greater  amount being borrowed on such day
and  actually  either being made  available to the Borrower  pursuant to Section
2.02(c) or remitted to the Agent as  provided in Section  2.12,  in each case as
contemplated in Section 2.02(d).



                                       14
<PAGE>
Page 34
Exhibit 10(i)A



     "Regulation D" means  Regulation D of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve  System,  as in effect  from time to time,  together  with all  official
rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.

     "Regulation G" means  Regulation G of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve  System,  as in effect  from time to time,  together  with all  official
rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.

     "Regulation T" means  Regulation T of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve  System,  as in effect  from time to time,  together  with all  official
rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.

     "Regulation U" means  Regulation U of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve  System,  as in effect  from time to time,  together  with all  official
rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.

     "Regulation X" means  Regulation X of the Board of Governors of the Federal
Reserve  System,  as in effect  from time to time,  together  with all  official
rulings and interpretations issued thereunder.

     "Required  Banks"  means  at any time  Banks  having  at  least  51% of the
aggregate  amount of the  Commitments  or, if the  Commitments  are no longer in
effect, Banks holding at least 51% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount
of the sum of the (i)  Syndicated  Loans to all  Borrowers and (ii) Money Market
Loans to all Borrowers.

     "Reuters  Screen" shall mean,  when used in connection  with any designated
page and the  London  Interbank  Offered  Rate or IBOR,  as the case may be, the
display page so  designated  on the Reuter  Monitor Money Rates Service (or such
other  page as may  replace  that  page  on that  service  for  the  purpose  of
displaying rates comparable to the London Interbank Offered Rate or IBOR).

     "Short-Term  Debt" means at any date any  Consolidated  Debt which  matures
less than one year  after such date,  and the  maturity  of which may not at the
option of the Parent or any  Consolidated  Subsidiary  be extended  such that it
matures more than one year after such date, but excluding any such  Consolidated
Debt which  represents  contingent  obligations  to reimburse  any bank or other
Person in respect  of  amounts  to be paid under an undrawn  letter of credit or
similar  instrument  having an expiry  date which is less than one (1) year from
the date of measurement.



                                       15
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 35
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     "Stated  Maturity  Date" means,  with respect to any Money Market Loan, the
Stated  Maturity Date  therefor  specified by the Bank in the  applicable  Money
Market Quote.

     "Stockholders'  Equity" means, at any time, the shareholders' equity of the
Parent and its Consolidated Subsidiaries,  as set forth or reflected on the most
recent   consolidated   balance  sheet  of  the  Parent  and  its   Consolidated
Subsidiaries  prepared in accordance  with GAAP,  but  excluding any  Redeemable
Preferred Stock of the Parent or any of its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

     "Subsidiary"  means any corporation or other entity of which  securities or
other  ownership  interests  having ordinary voting power to elect a majority of
the board of directors or other persons  performing similar functions are at the
time directly or indirectly owned by the Parent.

     "Syndicated  Dollar Loan Notes" means promissory notes of any or all of the
Borrowers,  as the context shall require,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit
"A-1", evidencing the obligation of the Borrowers to repay the Syndicated Dollar
Loans, together with all amendments,  consolidations,  modifications,  renewals,
and supplements thereto.

     "Syndicated  Dollar  Loan"  means a Loan made in  Dollars,  which  shall be
either a Base Rate Loan or a Euro-Dollar Loan.

     "Syndicated  Loans"  means (i)  Syndicated  Dollar  Loans and (ii)  Foreign
Currency Loans (other than Money Market Loans).

     "Tax Benefit" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(d).

     "Taxes" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.12(d).

     "Telerate"  means, when used in connection with any designated page and the
London Interbank Offered Rate or IBOR, the display page so designated on the Dow
Jones  Telerate  Service  (or such other page as may  replace  that page on that
service for the purpose of displaying  rates  comparable to the London Interbank
Offered Rate or IBOR).

     "Termination  Date" means the earlier of (i) July 22,  2001,  (ii) the date
the Commitments are terminated pursuant to Section 6.01 following the occurrence
of an  Event  of  Default,  or  (iii)  the  date  the  Borrower  terminates  the
Commitments entirely pursuant to Section 2.08.



                                       16
<PAGE>
Page 36
Exhibit 10(i)A



     "Third Parties" means all lessees, sublessees, licensees and other users of
the  Properties,  excluding those users of the Properties in the ordinary course
of the Parent's or any Subsidiary's business and on a temporary basis.

     "Transferee" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.08(d).

     "Unused  Commitment" means at any date, with respect to any Bank, an amount
equal to its Commitment less the aggregate  outstanding  principal amount of its
Syndicated  Dollar  Loans and Foreign  Currency  Loans (but not its Money Market
Loans, whether or not they are Foreign Currency Loans).

     "Wachovia"  means  Wachovia  Bank of  Georgia,  N.A.,  a  national  banking
association, and its successors.

     "Wholly Owned Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary all of the shares of capital
stock or other  ownership  interests of which (except (i) directors'  qualifying
shares,  (ii) Redeemable  Preferred  Stock,  and (ii) in the case of any Foreign
Subsidiary,  such nominal  ownership  interests which are required to be held by
third  parties  under the laws of the  foreign  jurisdiction  under  which  such
Foreign  Subsidiary was  incorporated  or organized) are at the time directly or
indirectly owned by the Parent.

     SECTION 1.02. Accounting Terms & Determinations. Unless otherwise specified
herein,  all terms of an accounting  character used herein shall be interpreted,
all  accounting  determinations  hereunder  shall  be  made,  and all  financial
statements required to be delivered  hereunder shall be prepared,  in accordance
with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent (except for changes concurred in by the
Parent's  independent  public  accountants or otherwise  required by a change in
GAAP) with the most recent  audited  consolidated  financial  statements  of the
Parent and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  delivered  to the Banks  unless with
respect to any such  change  concurred  in by the  Parent's  independent  public
accountants  or  required by GAAP,  in  determining  compliance  with any of the
provisions of this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents:  (i) the Parent
shall have objected to determining  such compliance on such basis at the time of
delivery  of such  financial  statements,  or (ii) the  Required  Banks shall so
object  in  writing  within  30  days  after  the  delivery  of  such  financial
statements, in either of which events such calculations shall be made on a basis
consistent with those used in the preparation of the latest financial statements
as to which such objection shall not have been made (which, if objection is made
in  respect of the first  financial  statements  delivered  under  Section  5.01
hereof, shall mean the financial statements referred to in Section 4.04).



                                       17
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 37
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     SECTION 1.03.  References.  Unless otherwise indicated,  references in this
Agreement  to  "Articles",   "Exhibits",   "Schedules",   "Sections"  and  other
Subdivisions are references to articles, exhibits, schedules, sections and other
subdivisions hereof.

     SECTION 1.04.  Use of Definde  Terms.  All terms defined in this  Agreement
shall  have  the  same  defined  meanings  when  used in any of the  other  Loan
Documents,  unless otherwise defined therein or unless the context shall require
otherwise.

     SECTION 1.05.  Terminology.  All personal  pronouns used in this Agreement,
whether used in the  masculine,  feminine or neuter  gender,  shall  include all
other  genders;  the  singular  shall  include the plural,  and the plural shall
include the singular.  Titles of Articles and Sections in this Agreement are for
convenience  only,  and  neither  limit  nor  amplify  the  provisions  of  this
Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE II

                                   THE CREDITS

     SECTION 2.01.  Commitments to Lend  Syndicated  Loans.  Each Bank severally
agrees,  on the terms and conditions set forth herein,  to make Loans (which may
be, at the  option  of the  Borrower  and  subject  to the terms and  conditions
hereof, Foreign Currency Loans or Syndicated Dollar Loans, and Syndicated Dollar
Loans may be Base Rate Loans or Euro-Dollar  Loans) to the Borrowers  (which may
be made to any of the Borrowers) from time to time before the Termination  Date;
provided that,

          (i) immediately after each such Loan is made, the sum of the aggregate
     outstanding  principal amount of the Syndicated Dollar Loans and the Dollar
     Equivalent of the aggregate  principal amount of the Foreign Currency Loans
     by  such  Bank  to  all  Borrowers  shall  not  exceed  the  amount  of its
     Commitment, and

          (ii) the  aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of all  Syndicated
     Loans and Money Market Loans of all Banks to all Borrowers shall not exceed
     the aggregate amount of the Commitments.

The Dollar  Equivalent  of each Foreign  Currency  Loan on the date each Foreign
Currency Loan is disbursed  pursuant  hereto shall be deemed to be the amount of
such  Foreign  Currency  Loan  outstanding  for the purpose of  calculating  the
aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount  of the  Foreign  Currency  Loans  for
purposes  of 


                                       18
<PAGE>
Page 38
Exhibit 10(i)A



clause  (ii) of Section  2.01 and  clause  (ii) of  Section  2.03(a);  provided,
however,  that if at the time of  receipt of any  Notice of  Borrowing  or Money
Market  Quote  Request,  the  aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount  of  all
Syndicated  Dollar  Loans and  Money  Market  Loans of all Banks and the  Dollar
Equivalent of the aggregate  principal  amount of the Foreign  Currency Loans of
all Banks is equal to or greater than 75% of the aggregate  amount of all of the
Commitments,  then the Dollar  Equivalent of each Foreign Currency Loan shall be
calculated  as of such date,  rather than as of the date such  Foreign  Currency
Loans were  disbursed,  and in the event that, as a result of such  calculation,
the aggregate  outstanding  principal amount of all Syndicated  Dollar Loans and
Money  Market  Loans of all Banks and the  Dollar  Equivalent  of the  aggregate
principal  amount  of the  Foreign  Currency  Loans  of all  Banks  exceeds  the
aggregate  amount of all of the Commitments,  then (i) no additional  Borrowings
shall be  permitted  and (ii) the  Foreign  Currency  Loans  shall be subject to
mandatory  repayment  pursuant to the  provisions of Section  2.11(b).  Each (i)
Euro-Dollar  Borrowing or Foreign Currency Borrowing under this Section shall be
in an aggregate principal amount of $5,000,000 (or the Dollar Equivalent thereof
in any Foreign  Currency)  or any larger  integral  multiple of  $1,000,000  and
(ii)Base Rate  Borrowing  under this Section shall be in an aggregate  principal
amount of $1,000,000 or any larger integral multiple of $250,000 (except in each
case that any such  Syndicated  Borrowing may be in the aggregate  amount of the
Unused  Commitments)  and  shall  be made  from the  several  Banks  ratably  in
proportion to their respective  Commitments.  Within the foregoing  limits,  the
Borrower may borrow  under this  Section,  repay or, to the extent  permitted by
Section 2.10,  prepay  Syndicated  Loans and reborrow  under this Section at any
time before the Termination Date.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, if there shall
occur on or  prior  to the date of any  Foreign  Currency  Loan  any  change  in
national  or  international  financial,  political  or  economic  conditions  or
currency  exchange rates or exchange  controls which would in the opinion of the
Agent make it  impracticable  to make such Foreign Currency Loan, then the Agent
shall  forthwith  give notice  thereof to the Borrower  and the Banks,  and such
Foreign Currency Loan shall be made on such date as Base Rate Loans,  unless the
Borrower  notifies the Agent prior to the Borrowing that it elects not to borrow
on such date.

     SECTION 2.02 Method of  Borrowing.  (a) The  Borrower  shall give the Agent
notice (a "Notice of Borrowing"),  which shall be  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit E, prior to 11:00 A.M.  (Atlanta,  Georgia time) for Dollar  Borrowings,
and 9:30 A.M. (Atlanta,  Georgia time) for Foreign Currency  Borrowings,  on the
same  Domestic  Business  Day  of  each  Base  Rate  Borrowing,   and  at  least
3-Euro-Dollar  Business Days before each 



                                       19
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 39
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A


Euro-Dollar Borrowing, and at least 3 Foreign Currency Business Days before each
Foreign Currency Borrowing, specifying:

          (i) the date of such Syndicated  Borrowing,  which shall be a Domestic
     Business Day in the case of a Base Rate Borrowing,  a Euro-Dollar  Business
     Day in the case of a Euro-Dollar Borrowing,  or a Foreign Currency Business
     Day in the case of a Foreign Currency Borrowing,

          (ii) the aggregate amount of such Syndicated Borrowing,

          (iii) whether the Syndicated Loans comprising such Borrowing are to be
     Base Rate Loans,  Euro-Dollar  Loans or Foreign Currency Loans, and if such
     Loans are to be Foreign  Currency Loans,  specifying the Foreign  Currency,
     and

          (iv) in the  case of a  Fixed  Rate  Borrowing,  the  duration  of the
     Interest  Period  applicable  thereto,  subject  to the  provisions  of the
     definition of Interest Period.

     (b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing,  the Agent shall promptly notify
each Bank of the  contents  thereof  and of such  Bank's  ratable  share of such
Borrowing  and such Notice of Borrowing,  once received by the Agent,  shall not
thereafter be revocable by the requesting Borrower.

     (c) Not  later  than  2:00  P.M.  (Atlanta,  Georgia  time)  for Base  Rate
Borrowings,  and 11:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) for all other Borrowings, on
the date of each  Syndicated  Borrowing,  each Bank shall (except as provided in
paragraph  (d) of  this  Section)  make  available  its  ratable  share  of such
Syndicated  Borrowing,  in  Federal  or other  funds  immediately  available  in
Atlanta, Georgia, to the Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.01, which
funds shall be in Dollars,  if such Borrowing is a Dollar Borrowing,  and in the
applicable Foreign Currency,  if such Borrowing is a Foreign Currency Borrowing.
Unless the Agent determines that any applicable  condition  specified in Article
III has not been  satisfied,  the Agent will make the funds so received from the
Banks available to the requesting  Borrower at the Agent's  aforesaid address by
no  later  than  4:00  P.M.  (local  time at such  address)  on the date of such
Syndicated  Borrowing.  Unless the Agent  receives  notice  from a Bank,  at the
Agent's address  referred to in or specified  pursuant to Section 9.01, no later
than 4:00 P.M. (local time at such address) on the Domestic  Business Day before
the date of a  Syndicated  Borrowing  stating  that  such  Bank  will not make a
Syndicated Loan in connection with such Syndicated Borrowing, the Agent shall be
entitled to assume that such Bank will make a 



                                       20
<PAGE>
Page 40
Exhibit 10(i)A



Syndicated Loan in connection with such Syndicated Borrowing and, in reliance on
such  assumption,  the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) make  available
such  Bank's  ratable  share  of such  Syndicated  Borrowing  to the  requesting
Borrower  for the account of such Bank.  If the Agent makes such Bank's  ratable
share available to the requesting  Borrower and such Bank, if such Bank does not
pay such share upon demand by the Agent, does not in fact make its ratable share
of such Syndicated Borrowing available on such date, the Agent shall be entitled
to recover such Bank's  ratable  share from such Bank or the  Borrower  (and for
such  purpose  shall be  entitled  to charge  such  amount to any account of the
requesting Borrower  maintained with the Agent),  together with interest thereon
for each day during the period from the date of such Syndicated  Borrowing until
such sum  shall be paid in full at a rate per  annum  equal to the rate at which
the Agent determines that it obtained (or could have obtained) overnight Federal
funds to cover such amount for each such day during such period,  provided  that
(i) any such payment by the requesting Borrower of such Bank's ratable share and
interest  thereon shall be without  prejudice to any rights that the  requesting
Borrower  may have  against  such  Bank and (ii)  until  such  Bank has paid its
ratable share of such Syndicated  Borrowing,  together with interest pursuant to
the  foregoing,  it will have no  interest  in or rights  with  respect  to such
Syndicated  Borrowing for any purpose hereunder.  If the Agent does not exercise
its option to advance  funds for the  account of such Bank,  it shall  forthwith
notify the requesting Borrower of such decision.

     (d) If any Bank makes a new Syndicated Loan hereunder on a day on which the
requesting  Borrower  is to repay all or any part of an  outstanding  Syndicated
Loan from such Bank,  such Bank shall apply the  proceeds of its new  Syndicated
Loan to make such  repayment as a Refunding Loan and only an amount equal to the
difference  (if any)  between the amount  being  borrowed and the amount of such
Refunding  Loan shall be made available by such Bank to the Agent as provided in
paragraph (c) of this  Section,  or remitted by the  requesting  Borrower to the
Agent as provided in Section 2.12, as the case may be; provided,  however,  that
if the  Syndicated  Loan which is to be repaid is a Foreign  Currency  Loan, the
foregoing  provisions  shall apply only if the new Syndicated Loan is to be made
in the same Foreign Currency.

     (e)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
no Fixed Rate Borrowing may be made if there shall have occurred a Default or an
Event of Default, which Default or Event of Default shall not have been cured or
waived,  and all Refunding Loans made during the  continuation of any Default or
Event of Default  shall be made as Base Rate Loans (but shall bear  interest  at
the Default Rate, if applicable).



                                       21
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 41
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     (f) In the event that a Notice of  Borrowing  fails to specify  whether the
Syndicated   Loans  comprising  such  Borrowing  are  to  be  Base  Rate  Loans,
Euro-Dollar Loans or Foreign Currency Loans, such Syndicated Loans shall be made
as Base Rate Loans. If the requesting  Borrower is otherwise entitled under this
Agreement  to repay any  Syndicated  Loans  maturing  at the end of an  Interest
Period applicable thereto with the proceeds of a new Syndicated  Borrowing,  and
the  requesting  Borrower  fails to repay such  Syndicated  Loans  using its own
moneys  and  fails to give a Notice of  Borrowing  in  connection  with such new
Borrowing,  a new  Syndicated  Borrowing  shall be deemed to be made on the date
such Syndicated  Loans mature in an amount equal to the principal  amount of the
Syndicated  Loans so maturing,  and the  Syndicated  Loans  comprising  such new
Syndicated  Borrowing  shall be Base Rate  Loans,  which  shall be in the Dollar
Equivalent of such maturing Loans, if such maturing Loans were Foreign  Currency
Loans.

     (g) Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained herein, there shall
not be more than an  aggregate  of 12 Fixed  Rate  Borrowings  to all  Borrowers
outstanding at any given time.

     SECTION  2.03.  Money Market  Loans.  (a) In addition to making  Syndicated
Borrowings,  any Borrower  may, as set forth in this Section  2.03,  request the
Banks to make offers to make Money Market Borrowings available to the requesting
Borrower.  The Banks may, but shall have no obligation  to, make such offers and
the  requesting  Borrower may, but shall have no obligation  to, accept any such
offers in the manner set forth in this Section 2.03, provided that:

          (i) the number of interest  rates  applicable  to Money  Market  Loans
     which may be  outstanding at any given time is subject to the provisions of
     Section 2.02(g);

          (ii) the aggregate  principal  amount of all Money Market Loans to all
     Borrowers,  together with the aggregate  principal amount of all Syndicated
     Loans to all Borrowers,  at any one time  outstanding  shall not exceed the
     aggregate amount of the Commitments of all of the Banks at such time; and

          (iii) the Money  Market  Loans of any Bank will not reduce such Bank's
     obligation to lend its remaining Unused Commitment.



                                       22
<PAGE>
Page 42
Exhibit 10(i)A



     (b) When any Borrower  wishes to request offers to make Money Market Loans,
it  shall  give the  Agent  (which  shall  promptly  notify  the  Banks)  notice
substantially  in the form of Exhibit I hereto (a "Money Market Quote  Request")
so as to be received no later than 11:00 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) at least 1
Domestic Business Day (or, in the case of a request pertaining to a Money Market
Loan to be made in a Foreign  Currency,  4 Foreign Currency Business Days) prior
to the date of the Money Market  Borrowing  proposed therein (or such other time
and date as the Borrower and the Agent,  with the consent of the Required Banks,
may agree), specifying:

          (i) the proposed date of such Money Market Borrowing, which shall be a
     Euro-Dollar  Business  Day (or,  in the case of a request  pertaining  to a
     Money  Market  Loan to be made in a Foreign  Currency,  a Foreign  Currency
     Business Day)(the "Money Market Borrowing Date");

          (ii) the maturity date (or dates) (each a "Stated  Maturity Date") for
     repayment of each Money Market Loan to be made as part of such Money Market
     Borrowing (which Stated Maturity Date shall be that date occurring not less
     than  7-days but not more than 270 days from the date of such Money  Market
     Borrowing);  provided  that the Stated  Maturity  Date for any Money Market
     Loan may not extend beyond the  Termination  Date (as in effect on the date
     of such Money Market Quote Request);

          (iii)  whether such Money Market Loan is to be made in Dollars or in a
     Foreign  Currency,  and if in a Foreign  Currency,  specifying  the Foreign
     Currency requested; and

          (iv) the aggregate amount of principal to be requested by the Borrower
     as a  result  of such  Money  Market  Borrowing,  which  shall  be at least
     $5,000,000  (or the  Dollar  Equivalent  thereof),  and in larger  integral
     multiples of $1,000,000 (or the Dollar Equivalent  thereof),  but shall not
     cause the limits specified in Section 2.03(a) to be violated.

The  Borrower  may  request  offers to make Money  Market  Loans  having up to 2
different Stated Maturity Dates in a single Money Market Quote Request; provided
that the request for each separate  Stated Maturity Date shall be deemed to be a
separate  Money Market  Quote  Request for a separate  Money  Market  Borrowing.
Except as otherwise provided in the immediately  preceding  sentence,  after the
first Money Market Quote Request has been given hereunder, no Money Market Quote
Request  shall be given until at least 3 Domestic  Business Days after all prior
Money Market Quote  Requests have been fully  processed by the Agent,  the Banks
and the Borrower pursuant to this Section 2.03.



                                       23
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 43
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     (c) (i) Each Bank may, but shall have no  obligation  to, submit a response
containing  an offer to make a Money  Market Loan  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit J hereto (a "Money Market  Quote") in response to any Money Market Quote
Request;  provided  that,  if  the  Borrower's  request  under  Section  2.03(b)
specified  more than 1-Stated  Maturity  Date,  such Bank may, but shall have no
obligation  to, make a single  submission  containing a separate  offer for each
such Stated  Maturity Date and each such separate  offer shall be deemed to be a
separate  Money Market  Quote.  Each Money Market Quote must be submitted to the
Agent not later than  10:00 A.M.  (Atlanta,  Georgia  time) on the Money  Market
Borrowing  Date (or, in the case of a Money  Market  Quote  pertaining  to Money
Market Loans to be made in a Foreign Currency,  2 Foreign Currency Business Days
prior to the Money Market Borrowing Date);  provided that any Money Market Quote
submitted by Wachovia may be submitted,  and may only be submitted,  if Wachovia
notifies the Borrower of the terms of the offer contained therein not later than
9:45 A.M. (Atlanta, Georgia time) on the Money Market Borrowing Date (or, in the
case of a Money  Market Quote  pertaining  to Money Market Loans to be made in a
Foreign  Currency,  2 Foreign  Currency  Business Days prior to the Money Market
Borrowing  Date)  (or 15  minutes  prior to the time  that the  other  Banks are
required to have submitted their  respective  Money Market  Quotes).  Subject to
Section 6.01,  any Money Market Quote so made shall be  irrevocable  except with
the written consent of the Agent given on the instructions of the Borrower.

     (ii) Each Money Market Quote shall specify:

          (A) the proposed Money Market  Borrowing Date and the Stated  Maturity
     Date therefor;

          (B) whether such Loan is to be made in Dollars or in Foreign Currency,
     and  if in a  Foreign  Currency,  specifying  such  Foreign  Currency,  the
     principal  amounts  of the Money  Market  Loan  which the  quoting  Bank is
     willing to make for the  applicable  Money Market  Quote,  which  principal
     amounts (x) may be greater than or less than the  Commitment of the quoting
     Bank,  (y)-shall be at least $1,000,000 (or the Dollar Equivalent  thereof)
     or a  larger  integral  multiple  of  $500,000  (or the  Dollar  Equivalent
     thereof),  and (z) may not exceed the principal  amount of the Money Market
     Borrowing for which offers were requested;

          (C) the rate of interest per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary,  to
     the nearest 1/10,000th of 1%) offered for each such Money Market Loan (such
     rate being hereinafter referred to as the "Money Market Rate"); and


                                       24
<PAGE>
Page 44
Exhibit 10(i)A



          (D) the identity of the quoting Bank.

Unless  otherwise  agreed by the Agent and the  Borrower,  no Money Market Quote
shall contain qualifying, conditional or similar language or propose terms other
than or in  addition to those set forth in the  applicable  Money  Market  Quote
Request (other than setting forth the principal  amount of the Money Market Loan
which the quoting Bank is willing to make for the  applicable  Interest  Period)
and, in particular,  no Money Market Quote may be conditioned upon acceptance by
the Borrower of all (or some specified  minimum) of the principal  amount of the
Money Market Loan for which such Money Market Quote is being made.

     (d) The Agent shall as promptly as practicable after the Money Market Quote
is  submitted  (but in any event not later  than 10:30  A.M.  (Atlanta,  Georgia
time)) on the Money Market Borrowing Date,  notify the Borrower of the terms (i)
of any Money Market Quote submitted by a Bank that is in accordance with Section
2.03(c) and (ii) of any subsequent  Money Market Quote that amends,  modifies or
is otherwise  inconsistent  with a previous Money Market Quote submitted by such
Bank with respect to the same Money Market Quote  Request.  Any such  subsequent
Money Market  Quote shall be  disregarded  by the Agent  unless such  subsequent
Money  Market  Quote is  submitted  solely to correct a  manifest  error in such
former Money Market Quote.  The Agent's notice to the Borrower shall specify (A)
the principal  amounts of the Money Market  Borrowing for which offers have been
received  and (B) the  respective  principal  amounts and Money  Market Rates so
offered by each Bank (identifying the Bank that made each Money Market Quote).

     (e) Not later than 11:00 A.M.  (Atlanta,  Georgia time) on the Money Market
Borrowing  Date (or, in the case of a Money  Market  Quote  pertaining  to Money
Market Loans to be made in a Foreign Currency,  2 Foreign Currency Business Days
prior to the Money Market  Borrowing  Date), the Borrower shall notify the Agent
of its acceptance or  nonacceptance  of the offers so notified to it pursuant to
Section 2.03(d) and the Agent shall promptly notify each Bank which submitted an
offer.  In the case of  acceptance,  such notice  shall  specify  the  aggregate
principal  amount of offers (for each Stated  Maturity  Date) that are accepted.
The  requesting  Borrower may accept any Money Market Quote in whole or in part;
provided that:

          (i) the aggregate  principal amount of each Money Market Borrowing may
     not exceed the  applicable  amount set forth in the  related  Money  Market
     Quote Request;

          (ii)  the  aggregate  principal  amount  of  each  Money  Market  Loan
     comprising a Money Market  Borrowing  shall be at least  $5,000,000 (or the
     Dollar Equivalent thereof),  and in larger integral multiples of $1,000,000
     (or the  Dollar  Equivalent  thereof),  but  shall  not  cause  the  limits
     specified in Section 2.03(a) to be violated;



                                       25
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 45
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



          (iii)  acceptance  of offers  may only be made in  ascending  order of
     Money Market Rates; and

          (iv) the requesting  Borrower may not accept any offer where the Agent
     has advised the  requesting  Borrower  that such offer fails to comply with
     Section  2.03(c)(ii) or otherwise fails to comply with the  requirements of
     this Agreement (including without limitation, Section 2.03(a)).

If offers are made by 2 or more Banks  with the same  Money  Market  Rates for a
greater  aggregate  principal  amount than the amount in respect of which offers
are accepted for the related Stated Maturity Date, the principal amount of Money
Market Loans in respect of which such offers are accepted  shall be allocated by
the requesting  Borrower among such Banks as nearly as possible in proportion to
the aggregate principal amount of such offers.  Determinations by the requesting
Borrower of the amounts of Money Market Loans shall be conclusive in the absence
of manifest error.

     (f) Any Bank whose offer to make any Money  Market  Loan has been  accepted
shall,  not later than 1:00 P.M.  (Atlanta,  Georgia  time) on the Money  Market
Borrowing  Date,  make the  amount of such Money  Market  Loan  allocated  to it
available to the Agent at its address referred to in Section 9.01 in immediately
available funds. The amount so received by the Agent shall, subject to the terms
and conditions of this Agreement, be made available to the Borrower on such date
by depositing the same, in immediately available funds, not later than 4:00 P.M.
(Atlanta,  Georgia  time),  in an  account  of  such  Borrower  maintained  with
Wachovia.

     (g) After any Money Market Loan has been funded, the Agent shall notify the
Banks of the aggregate  principal amount of the Money Market Quotes received and
the highest and lowest rates included in such Money Market Quotes.

     SECTION 2.04. Notes. (a) The Syndicated Loans of each Bank to each Borrower
shall be evidenced by a single Syndicated Dollar Loan Note in an amount equal to
the original  principal  amount of such Bank's  Commitment  and a single Foreign
Currency Loan Note of such Borrower,  each payable to the order of such Bank for
the account of its Lending Office.



                                       26
<PAGE>
Page 46
Exhibit 10(i)A


     (b) The  Money  Market  Loans  made by any  Bank to any  Borrower  shall be
evidenced  by a single Money  Market Loan Note of such  Borrower  payable to the
order of such Bank for the account of its Lending  Office in an amount  equal to
the original principal amount of the aggregate Commitments.

     (c) Upon receipt of each Bank's Notes  pursuant to Section 3.01,  the Agent
shall deliver such Notes to such Bank. Each Bank shall record,  and prior to any
transfer  of its Notes shall  endorse on the  schedules  forming a part  thereof
appropriate  notations  to  evidence,  the date,  amount  and  maturity  of, and
effective  interest  rate for, each Loan made by it, the date and amount of each
payment of principal  made by the Borrower  with respect  thereto,  whether such
Loan is a Base Rate Loan,  Euro-Dollar  Loan or Foreign  Currency Loan, and if a
Foreign  Currency  Loan,  a  specification  of the  Foreign  Currency,  and such
schedules  of each such Bank's  Notes shall  constitute  rebuttable  presumptive
evidence  of the  principal  amounts  owing  and  unpaid on such  Bank's  Notes;
provided that the failure of any Bank to make, or any error in making,  any such
recordation  or  endorsement  shall not affect the  obligation  of the  Borrower
hereunder  or under the Notes or the  ability  of any Bank to assign  its Notes.
Each Bank is hereby  irrevocably  authorized  by the  Borrower so to endorse its
Notes and to attach  to and make a part of any Note a  continuation  of any such
schedule as and when required.

     SECTION  2.05.Maturity Loans. (a) Each Loan included in any Borrowing shall
mature,  and the principal amount thereof shall be due and payable,  on the last
day of the Interest Period applicable to such Borrowing.

     (b) Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the outstanding principal amount of the
Loans, if any,  together with all accrued but unpaid interest  thereon,  if any,
shall be due and payable on the Termination Date.

     SECTION 2.06.  Interest Rates.  (a) "Applicable  Margin" means: (i) for the
period  commencing on the Closing Date to and  including  the first  Performance
Pricing  Determination  Date,  (x) for any Base Rate Loan,  0.0% and (y) for any
Euro-Dollar Loan or Foreign Currency Loan,  0.125%;  and (ii) from and after the
first  Performance  Pricing  Determination  Date,  for each  type of  Loan,  the
percentage   determined  on  each  Performance  Pricing  Determination  Date  by
reference  to the table set forth below as to such type of Loan and the Leverage
Percentage for the quarterly or annual period ending  immediately  prior to such
Performance Pricing Determination Date.



                                       27
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 47
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A


                                       Euro-Dollar or
                                       Foreign Currency            Base Rate
         Leverage Percentage           Applicable Margin       Applicable Margin

         less than 25%                      0.125%                     0.0%

         greater than or equal to 25% 
         but less than 35%                   0.15%                     0.0%

         greater than or equal to 35%
         but less than 45%                  0.175%                     0.0%
 
         greater than of equal to 45%        0.25%                     0.0%

     In  determining  interest  for  purposes of this  Section 2.06 and fees for
purposes of Section 2.07, the Borrower and the Banks shall refer to the Parent's
most recent  consolidated  quarterly  and annual (as the case may be)  financial
statements  delivered pursuant to Section 5.01(a) or (b), as the case may be. If
such financial  statements require a change in interest pursuant to this Section
2.06 or fees pursuant to Section 2.07,  the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent,
along with such  financial  statements,  a notice to that  effect,  which notice
shall set forth in reasonable  detail the  calculations  supporting the required
change. The "Performance  Pricing  Determination  Date" is the date which is the
last date on which such  financial  statements  are  permitted  to be  delivered
pursuant to Section  5.01(a) or (b), as applicable.  Any such required change in
interest  and  fees  shall  become   effective  on  such   Performance   Pricing
Determination  Date, and shall be in effect until the next  Performance  Pricing
Determination Date, provided that: (x) for Fixed Rate Loans, changes in interest
shall  only be  effective  for  Interest  Periods  commencing  on or  after  the
Performance  Pricing  Determination  Date;  and (y) no fees or interest shall be
decreased  pursuant  to this  Section  2.06 or  Section  2.07 if a Default is in
existence under Section 5.01(a) or (b) on the Performance Pricing  Determination
Date.

     (b) Each Base Rate Loan shall bear  interest on the  outstanding  principal
amount  thereof,  for each day from the date such Loan is made  until it becomes
due, at a rate per annum equal to the Base Rate for such day plus the Applicable
Margin.  Such interest shall be payable for each Interest Period on the last day
thereof.  Any overdue  principal of and, to the extent  permitted by  applicable
law,  overdue  interest  on any Base Rate Loan shall bear  interest,  payable on
demand, for each day until paid at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.

     (c) Each Euro-Dollar Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding  principal
amount thereof,  for the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate per annum



                                       28
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Exhibit 10(i)A



equal to the sum of the Applicable  Margin plus the applicable  Adjusted  London
Interbank Offered Rate for such Interest Period.  Such interest shall be payable
for each Interest Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest Period is
longer than 3 months, at intervals of 3 months after the first day thereof.  Any
overdue  principal of and, to the extent  permitted by law,  overdue interest on
any Euro-Dollar Loan shall bear interest,  payable on demand, for each day until
paid at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.

     The "Adjusted  London  Interbank  Offered Rate"  applicable to any Interest
Period means a rate per annum equal to the quotient  obtained  (rounded upwards,
if necessary,  to the next higher  1/100th of 1%) by dividing (i) the applicable
London  Interbank  Offered Rate for such Interest  Period by (ii) 1.00 minus the
Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage.

     The "London  Interbank  Offered Rate"  applicable to any  Euro-Dollar  Loan
means for the  Interest  Period  of such  Euro-Dollar  Loan,  the rate per annum
determined  on the basis of the offered  rate for deposits in Dollars of amounts
equal or comparable to the principal amount of such Euro-Dollar Loan offered for
a term  comparable to such Interest  Period,  which rates appear on the Telerate
Page 3750 effective as of 11:00 A.M.,  London time, 2 Euro-Dollar  Business Days
prior to the first day of such Interest Period, provided that if no such offered
rates appear on such page, the "London Interbank Offered Rate" for such Interest
Period will be the arithmetic average (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next
higher 1/100th of 1%) of rates quoted by not less than 2 major banks in New York
City,  selected by the Agent, at approximately 10:00 A.M., New York City time, 2
Euro-Dollar  Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest  Period,  for
deposits in Dollars offered to leading European banks for a period comparable to
such Interest  Period in an amount  comparable  to the principal  amount of such
Euro-Dollar Loan.

     "Euro-Dollar   Reserve  Percentage"  means  for  any  day  that  percentage
(expressed  as a decimal)  which is in effect on such day, as  prescribed by the
Board  of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System  (or any  successor)  for
determining  the maximum  reserve  requirement  for a member bank of the Federal
Reserve System in respect of  "Eurocurrency  liabilities"  (or in respect of any
other category of liabilities  which includes deposits by reference to which the
interest rate on  Euro-Dollar  Loans is determined or any category of extensions
of credit or other assets which includes loans by a non-United  States office of
any Bank to United States residents). The Adjusted London Interbank Offered Rate
shall be adjusted automatically on and as of the effective date of any change in
the Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage.



                                       29
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                                                                         Page 49
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     (d) Each Money Market Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding principal
amount thereof,  for each day from the date such Money Market Loan is made until
it becomes  due, at a rate per annum equal to the  applicable  Money Market Rate
set forth in the relevant Money Market Quote.  Such interest shall be payable on
the Stated  Maturity Date thereof,  and, if the Stated Maturity Date occurs more
than 90 days after the date of the relevant  Money Market Loan,  at intervals of
90 days after the first day thereof. Any overdue principal of and, to the extent
permitted by law, overdue interest on any Money Market Loan shall bear interest,
payable  on  demand,  for each day until  paid at a rate per annum  equal to the
Default Rate.

     (e) Each  Foreign  Currency  Loan shall bear  interest  on the  outstanding
principal amount thereof,  for the Interest Period applicable thereto, at a rate
per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the applicable Adjusted
IBOR Rate for such  Interest  Period.  Such  interest  shall be payable for each
Interest  Period on the last day thereof and, if such Interest  Period is longer
than 3 months, at intervals of 3 months after the first day thereof. Any overdue
principal  of and,  to the extent  permitted  by law,  overdue  interest  on any
Foreign Currency Loan shall bear interest, payable on demand, for each day until
paid at a rate per annum equal to the Default Rate.

     "Adjusted  IBOR Rate"  means,  with respect to each  Interest  Period for a
Foreign Currency Loan, the sum of (i) the rate obtained by dividing (A) IBOR for
such  Interest  Period  by (B) a  percentage  equal to 1 minus  the then  stated
maximum  rate  (stated as a decimal) of all  reserves  requirements  (including,
without  limitation,  any marginal,  emergency,  supplemental,  special or other
reserves) applicable to any member bank of the Federal Reserve System as defined
in Regulation D (or against any successor  category of liabilities as defined in
Regulation  D), plus (ii) if the relevant  Foreign  Currency  Loan is in British
pounds sterling, a percentage sufficient to compensate the Banks for the cost of
complying with any reserves,  liquidity  and/or special deposit  requirements of
the Bank of England directly or indirectly  affecting the maintenance or funding
of such Foreign Currency Loan.

     "IBOR" means,  for any Interest  Period,  with respect to Foreign  Currency
Loans, the offered rate for deposits in the applicable  Foreign Currency,  for a
period  comparable  to such Interest  Period and in an amount  comparable to the
amount of such Foreign  Currency  Loan  appearing  on Reuters  Screen Page FRBD,
FRBE,  FRBF or FRBG,  as  applicable  (or, if it is  unavailable  on the Reuters
Screen,  on Telerate Page 3750,  or, if it is  unavailable on either the Reuters
Screen or the Telerate Screen,  as determined by the Agent as provided below) as



                                       30
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Page 50
Exhibit 10(i)A



of 11:00 A.M. (London,  England time) on the day that is two Business Days prior
to the first day of the Interest  Period.  If the foregoing  rate is unavailable
from either the Reuters Screen or Telerate for any reason,  then such rate shall
be determined by the Agent from any other  interest  rate  reporting  service of
recognized standing designated in writing by the Agent to the Borrower.

     (f) The Agent shall  determine  each interest rate  applicable to the Loans
hereunder. The Agent shall give prompt notice to the requesting Borrower and the
Banks  by  telecopier  of  each  rate  of  interest  so   determined,   and  its
determination thereof shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

     (g) After the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default,
the principal amount of the Loans of all Borrowers (and, to the extent permitted
by  applicable  law, all accrued  interest  thereon) may, at the election of the
Required Banks, bear interest at the Default Rate.

     SECTION 2.07.  Fees. (a) The Parent shall pay to the Agent, for the ratable
account of each Bank, a facility fee,  calculated in the manner  provided in the
last paragraph of Section  2.06(a)(ii),  on the aggregate  amount of such Bank's
Commitment (without taking into account the amount of the outstanding Loans made
by such Bank),  at a rate per annum equal to: (i) for the period  commencing  on
the Closing Date to and including the first  Performance  Pricing  Determination
Date,   0.065%;   and  (ii)  from  and  after  the  first  Performance   Pricing
Determination  Date,  the  percentage  determined  on each  Performance  Pricing
Determination  Date by  reference  to the table set forth below and the Leverage
Percentage for the quarterly or annual period ending  immediately  prior to such
Performance Pricing Determination Date:

         Leverage Percentage                         Facility Fee

         less than  25%                                  0.065%

         greater than or equal to 25%
         but less than 35%                               0.075%

         Greater than or equal to 35%                     0.09%
         but less than 45%

         Greater than 45%                                0.125%

Such  facility  fees shall  accrue from and  including  the Closing Date to (but
excluding the Termination  Date) and shall be payable on each March 31, June 30,
September 30 and December 31 and on the Termination Date.



                                       31
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                                                                         Page 51
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




     (b) The Parent shall pay to the Agent,  for the account and sole benefit of
the Agent, such fees and other amounts at such times as set forth in the Agent's
Letter Agreement.

     SECTION  2.08.  Optional  Termination  Or  Reduction  Of  Commitments.  The
Borrower  may,  upon at least 3  Domestic  Business  Days'  notice to the Agent,
terminate the  Commitments  in their  entirety at any time,  or  proportionately
reduce  the  Commitments  from time to time by an  aggregate  amount of at least
$5,000,000 or any larger integral multiple of $1,000,000. If the Commitments are
terminated in their entirety,  all accrued fees (as provided under Section 2.07)
shall be due and payable on the effective date of such termination.

     SECTION 2.09.  Manditory  Reduction or Termination of Commitments.  (a) If,
upon a transfer of assets by the Parent or any Subsidiary  (other than transfers
(i) of  inventory  in the  ordinary  course of  business,  (ii) of  obsolete  or
unnecessary equipment,  real estate or other fixed assets in accordance with the
Parent's historical practices, (iii) made in connection with sale and lease-back
transactions or asset  securitization  transactions to the extent not prohibited
by the other terms and conditions of this agreement, and (iv) made to the Parent
or another Subsidiary),  or the discontinuance or elimination of a Subsidiary or
division (in a single transaction or in a series of related  transactions),  the
aggregate assets so transferred or utilized in a Subsidiary or division to be so
discontinued  during  any  Fiscal  Year,  when  combined  with all other  assets
transferred,  and  all  other  assets  utilized  in all  other  Subsidiaries  or
divisions  discontinued  during such Fiscal  Year,  constitute  more than 25% of
Consolidated  Total Assets measured as of the end of the  immediately  preceding
Fiscal  Year,  then the  Parent  shall  promptly  notify the Agent and the Banks
thereof,  and upon written notice from the Agent (acting at the direction of the
Required  Banks) sent to the Parent within 30 days after the Agent's  receipt of
such notice from the Parent, the entire amount of the Commitments then in effect
shall be  terminated  effective  364 days after the date of such notice from the
Agent to the Parent,  and all of the Loans shall be prepaid  pursuant to Section
2.11.

     (b) The Commitments  shall terminate on the Termination  Date and any Loans
then  outstanding  (together  with accrued  interest  thereon)  shall be due and
payable on such date.

     SECTION 2.10. Optional Prepayments.  (a) The Borrowers may, upon at least 1
Domestic  Business Days' notice to the Agent,  prepay any Base Rate Borrowing in
whole at any time, or from time to time in part in amounts  aggregating at least
$1,000,000 or any larger integral multiple of $250,000,  by paying the principal
amount to be  prepaid  together  with  accrued  interest  thereon to the date of
prepayment. Each such optional prepayment shall be applied to prepay ratably the
Base Rate Loans of the several Banks included in such Base Rate Borrowing.



                                       32
<PAGE>
Page 52
Exhibit 10(i)A



     (b) Except as provided in Section 8.02, the Borrowers may not prepay all or
any portion of the principal amount of any Fixed Rate Loan prior to the maturity
thereof.

     (c) Upon receipt of a notice of  prepayment  pursuant to this Section 2.10,
the Agent shall  promptly  notify each Bank of the contents  thereof and of such
Bank's ratable share of such  prepayment  and such notice,  once received by the
Agent, shall not thereafter be revocable by the Borrowers.

     SECTION  2.11.  Manditory  Prepayments.  (a) On  each  date  on  which  the
Commitments are reduced  pursuant to Section 2.08 or Section 2.09, the Borrowers
shall repay or prepay such principal  amount of the  outstanding  Loans,  if any
(together  with  interest  accrued  thereon  and any  amount  due under  Section
8.05(a)),  as may be necessary so that after such payment the  aggregate  unpaid
principal  amount of the  Loans  does not  exceed  the  aggregate  amount of the
Commitments as then reduced.

     (b) If the Agent determines at any time (either on its own initiative or at
the  instance of any Bank) that the  aggregate  principal  amount of the Foreign
Currency  Loans of all  Borrowers  outstanding  (after  converting  each Foreign
Currency Loan to its Dollar  Equivalent on the date of such  calculation) at any
time exceeds 105% of the aggregate  Commitments  less the outstanding  aggregate
amount of all  Syndicated  Dollar Loans and Money Market Loans of all Borrowers,
then  upon 5 Foreign  Currency  Business  Days'  written  notice  from the Agent
(acting at the direction of the Required  Banks),  the Borrowers shall prepay an
aggregate  principal  amount of Foreign  Currency Loans  sufficient to bring the
aggregate of the Foreign Currency Loans of all Borrowers  outstanding within the
Commitment less the outstanding  aggregate amount of all Syndicated Dollar Loans
and Money Market Loans of all Borrowers.  Nothing in the foregoing shall require
the Agent to make any such calculation  unless  expressly  requested to do so by
the Required Banks.


     (c) Each such payment or prepayment  under paragraph (a) or (b) above shall
be applied ratably to the Loans of the Banks  outstanding on the date of payment
or prepayment in the following  order of priority (and the portion  allocated to
Euro-Dollar  Loans or Money  Market  Loans shall be applied to those  having the
shortest  Interest  Period  first,  unless  otherwise  directed by the prepaying
Borrower):  (i) first, to Base Rate Loans; (ii) secondly,  to Euro-Dollar Loans;
and (iii) lastly, to Money Market Loans.



                                       33
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 53
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A


                  

     Section 2.12. General Provisions as to Prepayments. (a) The Borrowers shall
make each  payment  of  principal  of,  and  interest  on, the Loans and of fees
hereunder,  not later than 11:00 A.M.  (Atlanta,  Georgia time) on the date when
due, in Federal or other funds  (subject to paragraph  (c) below with respect to
Foreign Currency Loans) immediately available in Atlanta,  Georgia, to the Agent
at its address  referred to in Section 9.01. The Agent will promptly  distribute
to each Bank its ratable  share of each such  payment  received by the Agent for
the account of the Banks.

     (b)  Whenever  any payment of  principal  of, or interest on, the Base Rate
Loans or Money Market Loans which are made in Dollars or of fees hereunder shall
be due on a day  which is not a  Domestic  Business  Day,  the date for  payment
thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Domestic Business Day. Whenever
any payment of principal of or interest on, the Euro-Dollar Loans or the Foreign
Currency Loans shall be due on a day which is not a Euro-Dollar  Business Day or
Foreign Currency  Business Day, as the case may be, the date for payment thereof
shall be extended to the next  succeeding  Euro-Dollar  Business  Day or Foreign
Currency Business Day, as the case may be, unless such Euro-Dollar  Business Day
or Foreign Currency  Business Day, as the case may be, falls in another calendar
month,  in which case the date for payment  thereof shall be the next  preceding
Euro-Dollar Business Day or Foreign Currency Business Day, as the case may be.

     (c) All payments of principal and interest with respect to Foreign Currency
Loans  shall be made in the  Foreign  Currency  in  which  the  related  Foreign
Currency Loan was made.

     (d) All payments of  principal,  interest and fees and all other amounts to
be made by a Borrower pursuant to this Agreement with respect to any Loan or fee
relating  thereto shall be paid without  deduction  for, and free from, any tax,
imposts,  levies,  duties,  deductions,  or withholdings of any nature now or at
anytime  hereafter  imposed  by any  governmental  authority  or by  any  taxing
authority  thereof or therein  excluding in the case of each Bank, taxes imposed
on or measured by its net income,  and  franchise or branch profit taxes imposed
on it, by the jurisdiction under the laws of which such Bank is organized or any
political  subdivision  thereof and, in the case of each Bank,  taxes imposed on
its  income,  and  franchise  and  branch  profit  taxes  imposed  on it, by the
jurisdiction  of  such  Bank's  applicable   Lending  Office  or  any  political
subdivision  thereof (all such  non-excluded  taxes,  imposts,  levies,  duties,



                                       34
<PAGE>
Page 54
Exhibit 10(i)A



deductions or withholdings  of any nature being "Taxes").  In the event that any
Borrower is required by applicable law to make any such withholding or deduction
of Taxes with respect to any Loan or fee or other amount,  such  Borrower  shall
pay such  deduction or withholding to the  applicable  taxing  authority,  shall
promptly  furnish to any Bank in respect of which such  deduction or withholding
is made all receipts and other  documents  evidencing such payment and shall pay
to such Bank  additional  amounts as may be  necessary  in order that the amount
received by such Bank after the  required  withholding  or other  payment  shall
equal the amount such Bank would have received had no such  withholding or other
payment been made.

     Each Bank that is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction other than the
United States of America or any state thereof or the District of Columbia  (each
a "Foreign  Bank") agrees to furnish to the  Borrowers  and the Agent,  prior to
time it becomes a Bank hereunder, two (2) copies of either U.S. Internal Revenue
Service Form 4224 or U. S. Internal  Revenue  Service Form 1001 or any successor
forms  thereto  (wherein  such  Foreign  Bank  claims  entitlement  to  complete
exemption  from or a reduced rate of U.S.  federal  withholding  tax on interest
paid by the Borrowers hereunder) and to provide to the Borrowers and the Agent a
new Form 4224 or Form 1001 or any  successor  forms  thereto  if any  previously
delivered form is found to be incomplete or incorrect in any material respect or
upon the obsolescence of any previously delivered form; provided,  however, that
no Foreign Bank shall be required to furnish any such form under this  paragraph
if it is not entitled to claim an exemption  from or reduced rate of withholding
under  applicable  law.  Any  Foreign  Bank  that is not  entitled  to  claim an
exemption from or a reduced rate of withholding  under applicable law,  promptly
upon written  request of the  Borrowers,  shall so inform the  Borrowers and the
Agent in writing.

     No Borrower  shall be required to pay any amounts  pursuant to this Section
2.12(d) to any Foreign  Bank for the account of such Foreign Bank or any Lending
Office of such Foreign Bank in respect of any United  States  withholding  taxes
payable  hereunder  (and each  Borrower,  if required by law to do so,  shall be
entitled to withhold  such amounts and to pay such amounts to the United  States
Internal Revenue Service) if the obligation to pay such additional amounts would
not have  arisen but for the  failure by such  Foreign  Bank to comply  with its
obligations under the immediately  preceding paragraph of this Section, and such
Foreign Bank shall not be entitled to exemption from deduction or withholding of
United  States  federal  income tax in respect of the payment of any such sum by
any Borrower  hereunder for, in each case, any reason other than a change in the
United States law or  regulations or any applicable tax treaty or regulations or
in the official  interpretation  of any such law,  treaty or  regulations by any
governmental authority charged with the interpretation or administration thereof
(whether  or not  having  the force of law)  after the date  such  Foreign  Bank
becomes a Bank hereunder.



                                       35
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 55
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     Within 60 days after receipt of the written  request of the Borrower,  each
Bank shall  execute and deliver  such  certificates,  forms or other  documents,
which in each such case can be reasonably furnished by such Bank consistent with
the facts and which are reasonably  necessary to assist any Borrower in applying
for refunds of Taxes remitted by such Borrower hereunder.

     Each Bank  shall also use  reasonable  efforts  to avoid and  minimize  any
amounts  which  might  otherwise  be payable by any  Borrower  pursuant  to this
Section 2.12(d), except to the extent that any Bank determines that such efforts
would be  disadvantageous  to such Bank,  as  determined  by such Bank and which
determination,  if made in good faith,  shall be binding and  conclusive  on all
parties hereto.

     To the  extent  that  the  payment  of any  Bank's  Taxes  by any  Borrower
hereunder  gives  rise  from time to time to a Tax  Benefit  to such Bank in any
jurisdiction  other than the  jurisdiction  which imposed such Taxes,  such Bank
shall pay to such  Borrower the amount of each such Tax Benefit so recognized or
received.  The  amount  of each Tax  Benefit  and,  therefore,  payment  to such
Borrower will be  determined  from time to time by the relevant Bank in its sole
discretion,  which  determination shall be binding and conclusive on all parties
hereto.  Each such payment will be due and payable by such Bank to such Borrower
within a  reasonable  time  after the filing of the tax return in which such Tax
Benefit is  recognized  or, in the case of any tax  refund,  after the refund is
received;  provided, however, if at any time thereafter such Bank is required to
rescind  such Tax  Benefit  or such  Tax  Benefit  is  otherwise  disallowed  or
nullified,  the relevant Borrower shall promptly, after notice thereof from such
Bank, repay to such Bank the amount of such Tax Benefit  previously paid to such
Bank and which has been rescinded, disallowed or nullified. For purposes hereof,
the term "Tax  Benefit"  shall mean the  amount by which any  Bank's  income tax
liability  for the taxable  period in question is reduced  below what would have
been  payable had the  relevant  Borrower  not been  required to pay such Bank's
taxes hereunder.

     Without  prejudice to the survival of any other  agreement of the Borrowers
hereunder,  the  agreements  and  obligations  of the  Borrowers  and the  Banks
contained  in this  Section  2.12(d)  shall be  applicable  with  respect to any
Assignee,  and any  calculations  required by such  provisions (i) shall be made
based upon the circumstances of such Assignee,  and (ii) constitute a continuing
agreement and shall survive the termination of this Agreement and the payment in
full or cancellation of the Notes.



                                       36
<PAGE>
Page 56
Exhibit 10(i)A



     SECTION 2.13.  Computation of Interest od Fees. Interest on Base Rate Loans
shall be  computed  on the  basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the  actual
number of days elapsed  (including  the first day but  excluding  the last day).
Interest on Euro-Dollar Loans and on Foreign Currency Loans shall be computed on
the  basis  of a year  of 360  days  (except  for  any  Foreign  Currency  Loans
outstanding in British pounds sterling, Belgian francs or Canadian dollars, (or,
if selected as a Foreign  Currency with the consent of all of the Banks pursuant
to clause (ii) of the definition of "Foreign  Currency," in Australian  dollars,
Irish punts or New Zealand  dollars),  which shall be computed on the basis of a
year of 365 or 366 days,  as the case may be) and paid for the actual  number of
days elapsed, calculated as to each Interest Period from and including the first
day thereof to but excluding the last day thereof. Commitment fees and any other
fees payable  hereunder shall be computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and
paid  for the  actual  number  of days  elapsed  (including  the  first  day but
excluding the last day).

     SECTION 2.14  Additional  Borrowings.  It is  contemplated  that the Parent
hereafter  may  elect to add as  Borrowers  hereunder  additional  Wholly  Owned
Subsidiaries  (collectively,  the  "Additional  Borrowers"),  and  each  of  the
Additional  Borrowers may become a Borrower  hereunder  upon the delivery to the
Agent of the following documents in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent
and duly  executed and delivered on behalf of such  Additional  Borrower and the
Parent (as the case may be): (i) an Additional Borrower Assumption  Agreement in
the form of Exhibit L attached hereto duly executed by such Additional Borrower,
(ii) a duly executed  Syndicated  Dollar Loan Note,  Foreign Currency Loan Note,
and Money Market Loan Note in favor of each Bank from such Additional  Borrower,
(iii) a duly executed  reaffirmation and acknowledgment from the Parent and each
other Guarantor with respect to such  Additional  Borrower,  acknowledging  that
such  additional  Borrower  shall be a  "Principal"  for all purposes  under the
Guaranty, and reaffirming its obligations under the Guaranty, (iv) an opinion of
Counsel  to the Parent  addressed,  dated as of the date of the  aforesaid  Loan
Documents,  and  providing  with  respect to such  Additional  Borrower  and the
aforesaid Loan  Documents,  substantially  the same opinions as are set forth in
Exhibit B with respect to the initial  Borrowers and the initial Loan Documents,
(v) a Closing  Certificate  from the Parent in the form of Exhibit G dated as of



                                       37
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 57
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



the date of such additional Loan  Documents,  and (vi) any additional  documents
with respect to such  Additional  Borrowers and the aforesaid  Loan Documents of
the type  described in Section  3.01(f) as may be  requested by the Agent.  Upon
becoming a Borrower  hereunder,  an Additional Borrower may assume liability for
some or all of the Loans then  outstanding to some or all of the other Borrowers
if and to the extent so expressly provided in the Additional Borrower Assumption
Agreement executed by such Additional Borrower, and the Guaranty executed by the
Parent and the other  Guarantors with respect to such Additional  Borrower shall
automatically  cover (and the Parent and each other Guarantor  thereunder  shall
guaranty the repayment of) the Loans assumed by such Additional Borrower.


                                   ARTICLE III

                            CONDITIONS TO BORROWINGS

     SECTION 3.01. Conditions to First Borrowing. The obligation of each Bank to
make  a  Loan  on  the  occasion  of  the  first  Borrowing  is  subject  to the
satisfaction  of the  conditions  set forth in Section  3.02 and  receipt by the
Agent of the following (as to the documents described in paragraphs (a),(c), (d)
and  (e)  below  (in  sufficient  number  of  counterparts  for  delivery  of  a
counterpart to each Bank and retention of one counterpart by the Agent):

     (a)  from  each  of the  parties  hereto  of  either  (i) a  duly  executed
counterpart  of  this  Agreement  signed  by  such  party  or  (ii) a  facsimile
transmission  of such executed  counterpart  with the original to be sent to the
Agent by overnight courier;

     (b) from each Borrower, a duly executed Syndicated Dollar Loan Note, a duly
executed  Foreign  Currency Loan Note and a duly executed Money Market Loan Note
for the account of each Bank  complying with the provisions of Section 2.04, and
from the Parent, a duly executed Guaranty;

     (c) an opinion letter of David Levy,  Counsel of the Borrower,  dated as of
the Closing Date, substantially in the form of Exhibit B;

     (d) an opinion  of Jones,  Day,  Reavis & Pogue,  special  counsel  for the
Agent, dated as of the Closing Date,  substantially in the form of Exhibit C and
covering  such  additional  matters  relating to the  transactions  contemplated
hereby as the Agent may reasonably request;



                                       38
<PAGE>
Page 58
Exhibit 10(i)A



     (e) a certificate (the "Closing Certificate")  substantially in the form of
Exhibit  G),  dated as of the  Closing  Date,  signed by a  principal  financial
officer of each of the Borrowers, to the effect that (i) no Default has occurred
and  is   continuing   on  the  date  of  the  first   Borrowing  and  (ii)  the
representations and warranties of the Borrowers contained in Article IV are true
on and as of the date of the first  Borrowing  hereunder  (x) as  stated,  as to
representations and warranties which contain materiality  limitations and (y) in
all material respects, as to all other representations and warranties;

     (f) all  documents  which  the  Agent or any Bank  may  reasonably  request
relating to the existence of the Borrowers,  the corporate authority for and the
validity of this  Agreement,  the Notes and the Guaranty,  and any other matters
relevant hereto, all in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, including,
without  limitation,  a  certificate  of each of the  Borrowers,  signed  by the
Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary of each of the Borrowers  substantially  in
the form of Exhibit J (the "Officer's Certificate"), certifying as to the names,
true  signatures  and  incumbency  of the officer or  officers of such  Borrower
authorized to execute and deliver the Loan Documents and, as to the Parent,  the
Guaranty,  and certified  copies of the  following  items:  (i) each  Borrower's
Certificate of Incorporation (or comparable document in the case of any Borrower
which is a Foreign  Subsidiary),  (ii) each  Borrower's  Bylaws  (or  comparable
document in the case of any  Borrower  which is a Foreign  Subsidiary),  (iii) a
certificate  of the  Secretary  of State of the State of Delaware as to the good
standing of the Parent as a Delaware corporation,  and a comparable  certificate
(if available) from the Secretary of State (or other comparable public official)
from the  jurisdiction  of each other  Borrower and (iv) the action taken by the
Board  of  Directors  of  each  of  the  Borrowers  authorizing  the  Borrower's
execution,  delivery and performance of this Agreement,  the Notes and the other
Loan  Documents  to which the  Borrower is a party and,  as to the  Parent,  the
Guaranty;

     (g) a Notice of Borrowing or  notification  pursuant to Section  2.03(e) of
acceptance of one or more Money Market Quotes, as applicable; and

     (h) payment of the Agent's fees pursuant to the Agent's Letter Agreement.

In addition, if any Borrower desires funding of a Fixed Rate Loan on the Closing
Date, the Agent shall have received,  the requisite  number of days prior to the



                                       39
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 59
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



Closing Date, a funding  indemnification  letter satisfactory to it, pursuant to
which (i) the Agent and such Borrower  shall have agreed upon the interest rate,
amount of Borrowing and Interest  Period for such Fixed Rate Loan, and (ii) such
Borrower  shall  indemnify  the Banks from any loss or expense  arising from the
failure to close on the  anticipated  Closing Date  identified in such letter or
the failure to borrow such Fixed Rate Loan on such date.

     SECTION 3.02. Conditions to All Borrowings.  The obligation of each Bank to
make a Loan on the occasion of each Borrowing is subject to the  satisfaction of
the following  conditions  except as expressly  provided in the last sentence of
this Section 3.02:

     (a) receipt by the Agent of a Notice of Borrowing or notification  pursuant
to  Section  2.03(e)  of  acceptance  of one or more  Money  Market  Quotes,  as
applicable.

     (b) the fact that, immediately before and after such Borrowing,  no Default
shall have occurred and be continuing;

     (c) the fact  that  the  representations  and  warranties  of the  Borrower
contained in Article IV of this Agreement shall be true on and as of the date of
such Borrowing (x) as stated, as to representations and warranties which contain
materiality  limitations  and  (y) in all  material  respects,  as to all  other
representations and warranties; and

     (d) the fact that,  immediately  after such  Borrowing,  the conditions set
forth in clauses (i) and (ii) of Section 2.01 shall have been satisfied.

Each  Syndicated  Borrowing and each Money Market  Borrowing  hereunder shall be
deemed to be a  representation  and warranty by the Borrower on the date of such
Borrowing as to the truth and accuracy of the facts specified in paragraphs (b),
(c) and (d) of this Section;  provided that (i) the  representation and warranty
set forth in Section  4.04(b)  shall be deemed to be made only as of the Closing
Date, and (ii) if such Borrowing is a Syndicated Borrowing which consists solely
of a  Refunding  Loan,  such  Borrowing  shall  not  be  deemed  to  be  such  a
representation and warranty to the effect set forth in Section 4.05.



                                       40
<PAGE>
Page 60
Exhibit 10(i)A



                                   ARTICLE IV

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     The Borrowers (each as to itself) represent and warrant that:

     SECTION 4.01. Corporate Existence and Power. Each Borrower is a corporation
duly  organized,  validly  existing and in good  standing  under the laws of the
jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  is duly qualified to transact  business in
every jurisdiction  where, by the nature of its business,  such qualification is
necessary,  and where the failure to qualify  would have or could  reasonably be
expected to cause a Material  Adverse Effect,  and has all corporate  powers and
all material  governmental  licenses,  authorizations,  consents  and  approvals
required to carry on its business as now conducted.

     SECTION 4.02. Corporate and Governmental  Authorization;  No Contravention.
The execution,  delivery and performance by each Borrower of this Agreement, the
Notes and the other Loan  Documents  and by the Parent of the  Guaranty  (i) are
within such Borrower's and the Parent's  corporate  powers,  (ii) have been duly
authorized by all necessary  corporate action,  (iii) require no action by or in
respect of or filing with, any governmental  body,  agency or official,  (iv) do
not contravene,  or constitute a default under,  any provision of applicable law
or regulation or of the certificate of incorporation or by-laws of such Borrower
or the Parent or of any agreement,  judgment, injunction, order, decree or other
instrument  binding upon such Borrower or the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries,
and (v) do not result in the creation or  imposition of any Lien on any asset of
the Borrower or the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries.

     SECTION 4.03.  Binding Effects.  This Agreement and, as to the Parent,  the
Guaranty,  constitutes  a valid and binding  agreement of each  Borrower and the
Parent  enforceable  in accordance  with its terms,  and the Notes and the other
Loan  Documents,  when executed and delivered in accordance with this Agreement,
will constitute  valid and binding  obligations of each Borrower  enforceable in
accordance with their respective terms,  provided that the enforceability hereof
and  thereof  is subject  in each case to  general  principles  of equity and to
bankruptcy,  insolvency and similar laws affecting the enforcement of creditors'
rights generally.
  
     SECTION 4.04. Financial Information.  (a) The consolidated balance sheet of
the  Parent and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  as of August  31,  1995 and the
related consolidated  statements of income,  stockholders' equity and cash flows
for the Fiscal Year then ended,  reported on by Arthur Andersen,  LLP, copies of



                                       41
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 61
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



which have been delivered to each of the Banks,  and the unaudited  consolidated
financial  statements  of the Parent for the interim  period ended  February 29,
1996 copies of which have been delivered to each of the Banks, fairly present in
all material  respects,  in conformity  with GAAP,  the  consolidated  financial
position of the Parent and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  as of such dates and
their consolidated results of operations and cash flows for such periods stated.

     (b) During the period from August 31, 1995 through the Closing Date, in the
good faith  judgment of the Executive  Officers,  there has been no event,  act,
condition or occurrence having a Material Adverse Effect.

     SECTION  4.05.  No  Litigation  . There is no  action,  suit or  proceeding
pending,  or to the  knowledge of the Borrowers  overtly  threatened in writing,
against or affecting any of the Borrowers or any of the Subsidiaries  before any
court or arbitrator or any governmental body, agency or official which has or is
likely to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect or which in any  manner  draws  into
question the legality,  validity or enforceability of this Agreement,  the Notes
or any of the other Loan Documents.

     SECTION 4.06.  Compliance with ERISA.  (a) The Borrowers and each member of
the Controlled Group have fulfilled their  obligations under the minimum funding
standards of ERISA and the Code with respect to each Plan and are in  compliance
in all material respects with the presently  applicable  provisions of ERISA and
the Code with respect to such Plan,  and have not incurred any  liability to the
PBGC or a Plan under Title IV of ERISA in an  aggregate  amount in excess of the
amount permitted by Section 6.01(i).

     (b)  Neither  the  Borrowers  nor any  member of the  Controlled  Group has
incurred any withdrawal  liability with respect to any Multiemployer  Plan under
Title IV of ERISA in an  aggregate  amount in excess of the amount  permitted by
Section 6.01(i), and no such liability is expected to be incurred.

     SECTION 4.07. Compliance with Laws; Payment of Taxes. The Borrowers and the
Subsidiaries  are in  compliance in all material  respects  with all  applicable
laws, regulations and similar requirements of governmental  authorities,  except
where such  compliance  is being  contested  in good faith  through  appropriate
proceedings.  There  have  been  filed  on  behalf  of  the  Borrowers  and  the
Subsidiaries all Federal, state and local income, excise, property and other tax
returns  which are  required  to be filed by them and all taxes due  pursuant to
such  returns or  pursuant  to any  assessment  received  by or on behalf of the



                                       42
<PAGE>
Page 62
Exhibit 10(i)A



Borrowers or any  Subsidiary  have been paid,  except to the extent that (i) any
Borrower or Subsidiary  is contesting  the same pursuant to Section 5.07 or (ii)
the  failure  to make  such  filing  or  payment  would  not have and  would not
reasonably be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect. The charges, accruals
and reserves on the books of the  Borrowers and the  Subsidiaries  in respect of
taxes or other  governmental  charges  are,  in the  opinion  of the  Borrowers,
adequate. United States income tax returns of the Borrowers and the Subsidiaries
have been examined and closed through the Fiscal Year ended August 31, 1992.

     SECTION 4.08.  Subsidaries.  Each of the Parent's other Subsidiaries (which
are not Borrowers) is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good
standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of incorporation,  is duly qualified
to transact business in every jurisdiction where, by the nature of its business,
such  qualification  is  necessary,  except where the failure to be in such good
standing,  or to be so duly  organized or to be so  qualified  would not have or
reasonably could not be expected to cause a Material Adverse Effect, and has all
material  corporate  powers  and  all  governmental  licenses,   authorizations,
consents and approvals  required to carry on its business as now conducted.  The
Parent has no  Subsidiaries  except for those  Subsidiaries  listed on  Schedule
4.08, as supplemented by the Borrower from time to time by written notice to the
Agent and the  Borrowers,  which  accurately  sets forth each such  Subsidiary's
complete name and jurisdiction of incorporation.

     SECTION  4.09.  Investment  Company Act.  Neither the  Borrowers nor any of
other  Subsidiaries  is an  "investment  company"  within  the  meaning  of  the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

     SECTION 4.10. Public Utility Holding Company Act. Neither the Borrowers nor
any of the Subsidiaries is a "holding company",  or a "subsidiary  company" of a
"holding company",  or an "affiliate" of a "holding company" or of a "subsidiary
company" of a "holding company", as such terms are defined in the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, as amended.

     SECTION 4.11.  Ownership of Property;  Liens. Each of the Borrowers and the
Consolidated Subsidiaries has title to its properties sufficient for the conduct
of its  business,  and none of such  property  is subject to any Lien  except as
permitted in Section 5.15.

     SECTION 4.12. No Defult.  To the best knowledge of the  Borrowers,  neither
any of the  Borrowers  nor any of the  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  is in default
under or with respect to any agreement, instrument or undertaking to which it is
a party or by which it or any of its  property  is  bound  which  default  could
reasonably be expected to have or cause a Material Adverse Effect. No Default or
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing.



                                       43
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 63
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     SECTION 4.13. Full Disclosure.  All information heretofore furnished by the
Borrowers  to the Agent or any Bank for purposes of or in  connection  with this
Agreement or any transaction  contemplated  hereby is, and all such  information
hereafter  furnished by the Borrowers to the Agent or any Bank will be, true and
accurate in every material respect or based on reasonable  estimates on the date
as of which  such  information  is  stated  or  certified.  The  Borrowers  have
disclosed  to the  Banks in  writing  any and all facts  known to the  Executive
Officers  which would have or  reasonably  would be expected to cause a Material
Adverse Effect.

     SECTION  4.14.  Environmental  Matters.  (a) Neither any  Borrower  nor any
Subsidiary is subject to any  Environmental  Liability which would have or could
reasonably  be  expected  to cause a Material  Adverse  Effect  and, to the best
knowledge of the  Borrowers,  neither any Borrower nor any  Subsidiary  has been
designated  as a potentially  responsible  party under CERCLA or under any state
statute  similar to CERCLA in  circumstances  which have or could  reasonably be
expected  to have a  Material  Adverse  Effect.  To the  best  knowledge  of the
Borrowers, none of the Properties has been identified on any current or proposed
(i) National  Priorities  List under 40 C.F.R.  Sec.  300,  (ii) CERCLIS list or
(iii) any list arising from a state statute  similar to CERCLA,  in each case in
circumstances  which have or could  reasonably  be  expected  to have a Material
Adverse Effect.

     (b)  No  Hazardous  Materials  have  been  or  are  being  used,  produced,
manufactured,  processed,  treated,  recycled,  generated,  stored, disposed of,
managed  or  otherwise  handled  at, or shipped  or  transported  to or from the
Properties or are otherwise  present at, on, in or under the Properties,  except
for  Hazardous  Materials  used,  produced,  manufactured,  processed,  treated,
recycled,  generated,  stored,  disposed of,  managed,  or otherwise  handled in
compliance  with all  applicable  Environmental  Requirements,  except where the
failure to comply does not have and could not  reasonably be expected to cause a
Material Adverse Effect.

     (c) Each of the Borrowers, and each of the Subsidiaries and Affiliates, has
procured all material Environmental  Authorizations necessary for the conduct of
its business, and is in material compliance with all Environmental  Requirements
in connection with the operation of the Properties and each Borrower's, and each
of the Subsidiary's, respective businesses.



                                       44
<PAGE>
Page 64
Exhibit 10(i)A



     SECTION 4.15.  Capital Stock. All Capital Stock,  debentures,  bonds, notes
and all other securities of each Borrower and the Subsidiaries  presently issued
and  outstanding  are  validly  and  properly  issued  in  accordance  with  all
applicable  laws,  including  but not  limited  to,  the "Blue  Sky" laws of all
applicable states and the federal  securities laws. The issued shares of Capital
Stock of the Parent's  Wholly Owned  Subsidiaries  which are owned by the Parent
are free and clear of any Lien or  adverse  claim.  At least a  majority  of the
issued shares of capital stock of each of the Parent's other Subsidiaries (other
than  Wholly  Owned  Subsidiaries)  is owned by the Parent free and clear of any
Lien or adverse claim.

     SECTION  4.16.  Margin  Stock  .  Neither  any  Borrower  nor  any  of  the
Subsidiaries is engaged principally,  or as one of its important activities,  in
the  business of  purchasing  or carrying any Margin  Stock,  and no part of the
proceeds of any Loan will be used to  purchase  or carry any Margin  Stock or to
extend  credit to others for the purpose of  purchasing  or carrying  any Margin
Stock, or be used for any purpose which violates, or which is inconsistent with,
the provisions of Regulation G, T, U or X.

     SECTION 4.17. Insolvency. After giving effect to the execution and delivery
of the Loan Documents and the making of the Loans under this Agreement: (i) none
of the  Borrowers  will (x) be  "insolvent,"  within the meaning of such term as
used in O.C.G.A. Sec. 18-2-22 or as defined in Sec.101 of the "Bankruptcy Code",
or Section 2 of either the  "UFTA" or the  "UFCA",  or as defined or used in any
"Other  Applicable Law" (as those terms are defined below),  or (y) be unable to
pay its debts  generally  as such debts become due within the meaning of Section
548 of the Bankruptcy  Code,  Section 4 of the UFTA or Section 6 of the UFCA, or
(z) have an unreasonably small capital to engage in any business or transaction,
whether  current  or  contemplated,  within the  meaning  of Section  548 of the
Bankruptcy  Code,  Section 4 of the UFTA or Section 5 of the UFCA;  and (ii) the
obligations  of the Borrowers  under the Loan  Documents and with respect to the
Loans  will not be  rendered  avoidable  under any  Other  Applicable  Law.  For
purposes of this Section  4.17,  "Bankruptcy  Code" means Title 11 of the United
States Code, "UFTA" means the Uniform Fraudulent  Transfer Act, "UFCA" means the
Uniform  Fraudulent  Conveyance Act, and "Other  Applicable Law" means any other
applicable  state law  pertaining  to  fraudulent  transfers or acts voidable by
creditors, in each case as such law may be amended from time to time.



                                       45
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 65
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     SECTION 4.18.  Insurance.  The Parent and its Subsidiaries  have (either in
the  name of the  Parent  or in any  Subsidiary's  own  name)  insurance,  which
includes  self-insurance  which  is  reasonable  and in  accordance  with  sound
industry practice taking into account the nature of their respective businesses,
on all of their  respective  properties  in at least such amounts and against at
least such risks as are usually  insured  against in the same geographic area by
companies of established repute engaged in the same or similar business.


                                    ARTICLE V

                                    COVENANTS

The Borrower  agrees that, so long as any Bank has any  Commitment  hereunder or
any amount payable hereunder or under any Note remains unpaid:

     SECTION 5.01. Information. The Parent will deliver to each of the Banks:

          (a) as soon as  available  and in any  event  within  90 days (or such
     longer  period  as  may be  the  subject  of an  extension  granted  by the
     Securities  and Exchange  Commission)  after the end of each Fiscal Year, a
     consolidated balance sheet of the Parent and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries
     as of the end of such Fiscal Year and the related  consolidated  statements
     of  income,  stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows for such  Fiscal  Year,
     setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures for the previous
     fiscal year,  all certified by Arthur  Andersen,  LLP or other  independent
     public   accountants   of  nationally   recognized   standing,   with  such
     certification to be free of exceptions and qualifications not acceptable to
     the Required Banks;

          (b) as soon as  available  and in any  event  within  45 days (or such
     longer  period  as  may be  the  subject  of an  extension  granted  by the
     Securities  and Exchange  Commission)  after the end of each of the first 3
     Fiscal  Quarters of each Fiscal Year, a  consolidated  balance sheet of the
     Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  as of the end of such Fiscal
     Quarter and the related statement of income and statement of cash flows for
     the  portion of the Fiscal  Year ended at the end of such  Fiscal  Quarter,
     setting  forth  in each  case  in  comparative  form  the  figures  for the
     corresponding Fiscal Quarter and the corresponding  portion of the previous
     Fiscal Year, all certified  (subject to normal year-end  adjustments) as to
     fairness  of  presentation,  GAAP and  consistency  by the chief  financial
     officer or the chief accounting officer of the Parent;



                                       46
<PAGE>
Page 66
Exhibit 10(i)A



          (c)  simultaneously  with  the  delivery  of  each  set  of  financial
     statements  referred to in  paragraphs  (a) and (b) above,  a  certificate,
     substantially in the form of Exhibit-F (a "Compliance Certificate"), of the
     chief financial  officer or the chief accounting  officer of the Parent (i)
     setting forth in reasonable  detail the calculations  required to establish
     whether  the Parent was in  compliance  with the  requirements  of Sections
     5.09,  5.15  and  5.16 on the date of such  financial  statements  and (ii)
     stating whether any Default exists on the date of such  certificate and, if
     any Default then exists,  setting forth the details  thereof and the action
     which the Parent is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

          (d)  within 5  Domestic  Business  Days  after any  Executive  Officer
     becomes aware of the occurrence of any Default,  a certificate of the chief
     financial  officer or the chief  accounting  officer of the Parent  setting
     forth the details thereof and the action which such the Parent is taking or
     proposes to take with respect thereto;

          (e)  promptly  upon the  mailing  thereof to the  shareholders  of the
     Parent  generally,  copies of all financial  statements,  reports and proxy
     statements so mailed;

          (f)  promptly  upon the  filing  thereof,  copies of all  registration
     statements (other than the exhibits thereto and any registration statements
     on Form S-8 or its  equivalent)  and annual,  quarterly or monthly  reports
     which  the  Parent  shall  have  filed  with the  Securities  and  Exchange
     Commission;

          (g) if and when any  member  of the  Controlled  Group (i) gives or is
     required to give notice to the PBGC of any  "reportable  event" (as defined
     in Section 4043 of ERISA) with  respect to any Plan which could  reasonably
     be expected to  constitute  grounds  for a  termination  of such Plan under
     Title IV of ERISA,  or knows  that the plan  administrator  of any Plan has
     given or is required to give notice of any such reportable event, a copy of
     the notice of such  reportable  event  given or required to be given to the
     PBGC;  (ii)  receives  notice of complete or partial  withdrawal  liability
     under Title IV of ERISA, a copy of such notice;  or (iii)  receives  notice
     from the PBGC under Title IV of ERISA of an intent to  terminate or appoint
     a trustee to administer any Plan, a copy of such notice; provided, however,
     that each of the foregoing notices shall not be required to be given unless
     the reportable  event,  withdrawal  liability,  plan termination or trustee
     appointment  involved  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  give  rise to a
     liability of more than  $1,000,000  on the part of the Parent or any of its
     Subsidiaries; and



                                       47
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 67
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




          (h)  from  time to time  such  additional  information  regarding  the
     financial   position  or  business  of  each  of  the   Borrowers  and  the
     Subsidiaries  as the  Agent,  at the  request of any Bank,  may  reasonably
     request (except such plans and forecasts which have not been made available
     by the Parent to its creditors).

     Section 5.02.  Inspection of Property.  The Parent will (i) keep, and cause
each  Consolidated  Subsidiary  (other than Foreign  Subsidiaries  which are not
Material  Subsidiaries)  to keep,  proper  books of record and  account in which
full, true and correct entries in conformity with GAAP (except,  with respect to
the books and  records of Foreign  Subsidiaries,  as may be  permitted  by local
accounting  principles)  shall  be  made of all  dealings  and  transactions  in
relation  to its  business  and  activities;  and (ii)  permit,  and cause  each
Subsidiary to permit,  representatives  of any Bank at such Bank's expense prior
to the  occurrence  of a  Default  and  at the  Borrower's  expense  during  the
continuance  of  a  Default  to  visit  and  inspect  any  of  their  respective
properties, to examine and make abstracts from any of their respective books and
records and to discuss  their  respective  affairs,  finances and accounts  with
their respective  officers,  employees and independent public accountants.  Each
Borrower agrees to cooperate and assist in such visits and inspections,  in each
case at such reasonable times and as often as may reasonably be desired.  Unless
a Default has occurred and is then  continuing,  each Bank shall give the Parent
not less than 3 Domestic  Business  Days' prior written  notice of its intent to
conduct such a visit or  inspection.  To the extent that any Bank, in the course
of  any  such  visit  or  inspection,  obtains  possession  of  any  Proprietary
Information  pertaining  to any Borrower or  Subsidiary,  such Bank shall handle
such information in accordance with the requirements of Section 9.09.

     SECTION 5.03. Maintenance of Existence. Each Borrower shall, and the Parent
shall cause each  Material  Subsidiary  to,  maintain  its  corporate  existence
(except  through  corporate  reorganization  to the extent  permitted by Section
5.05)  and  carry  on its  business  in  substantially  the same  manner  and in
substantially the same fields as such business is now carried on and maintained;
provided, however, that nothing in the foregoing shall prevent the Parent or any
Material Subsidiary from discontinuing any line of business if (i) no Default is
in existence,  and (ii) with respect to the discontinuance of a material line of
business,  the Board of  Directors of the Parent  determines  in good faith that
such  discontinuance  is in the best interest of the Parent and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.



                                       48
<PAGE>
Page 68
Exhibit 10(i)A



     SECTION  5.04.  Dissolution.  Neither any  Borrower nor any of the Material
Subsidiaries  shall suffer or permit dissolution or liquidation either in whole,
except (i) through  corporate  reorganization to the extent permitted by Section
5.05,  and (ii) any Material  Subsidiary  may be dissolved or  liquidated if its
assets  are  distributed  to  a  Borrower,   a  Guarantor  or  another  Material
Subsidiary,  and,  if it is a Borrower or  Guarantor,  its  liabilities  in such
capacity are assumed by the Person to whom its assets are distributed.

     SECTION 5.05. Consolidations and Mergers. Each Borrower agrees that it will
not, nor will the Parent permit any Subsidiary to,  consolidate or merge with or
into any other  Person,  provided  that if,  after  giving  effect to any of the
following,  no Default will be in  existence,  (a) any  Subsidiary  may merge or
consolidate  with the Parent,  if the Parent is the  corporation  surviving such
merger,  (b) any Borrower may merge or consolidate with any other Borrower,  (c)
any  Subsidiary  which is a Guarantor  may merge or  consolidate  with any other
Subsidiary  which is a Guarantor,  (d) any Subsidiary which is not a Borrower or
Guarantor  may merge or  consolidate  with any other  Subsidiary  which is not a
Borrower  or  Guarantor,  or with any other  Subsidiary  which is a Borrower  or
Guarantor,  if the Borrower or Guarantor, as the case may be, is the corporation
surviving such merger, and (e) any Borrower or Subsidiary may merge with another
Person if (i) such Person was  organized  under the laws of the United States of
America  or  one  of  its  states,  (ii)  such  Borrower  or  Subsidiary  is the
corporation  surviving such merger and (iii)  immediately after giving effect to
such merger, no Default shall have occurred and be continuing.

     SECTION 5.06.  Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Loans will be used for
general corporate purposes. No portion of the proceeds of the Loans will be used
by any Borrower or any other Subsidiary directly or indirectly, for the purpose,
whether immediate,  incidental or ultimate, of purchasing or carrying any Margin
Stock in violation of  Regulation  G, T, U or X, or for any purpose in violation
of any applicable law or regulation.

     SECTION 5.07.  Compliance  with Laws;  Payment of Taxes.  (a) Each Borrower
agrees that it will,  and the Parent  will cause each of its other  Subsidiaries
and each member of the Controlled Group to, comply in all material respects with
applicable laws (including but not limited to



                                       49
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 69
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



ERISA),   regulations  and  similar  requirements  of  governmental  authorities
(including  but not  limited  to  PBGC),  except  where  the  necessity  of such
compliance  is being  contested in good faith  through  appropriate  proceedings
diligently  pursued.  Each Borrower  will, and the Parent will cause each of its
other  Subsidiaries  to, pay promptly when due all material taxes,  assessments,
governmental  charges,  claims for labor,  supplies,  rent and other obligations
which,  if unpaid,  might  become a lien against the property of any Borrower or
any  Subsidiary,  except  liabilities  being contested in good faith and against
which such Borrower will, or the Parent will cause such other Subsidiary to, set
up reserves in accordance with GAAP.

     (b) The  Parent  shall not  permit at any time the  aggregate  complete  or
partial   withdrawal   liability  under  Title  IV  of  ERISA  with  respect  to
Multiemployer  Plans incurred by the Parent and members of the Controlled  Group
to exceed 10% of  Stockholders'  Equity as of the end of the Fiscal Quarter just
ended. For purposes of this Section 5.07(b),  the amount of withdrawal liability
of the  Parent  and  members  of the  Controlled  Group at any date shall be the
aggregate  present  value of the amount  claimed to have been  incurred less any
portion  thereof which the Parent and members of the Controlled  Group have paid
or as to which the Borrower reasonably believes, after appropriate consideration
of possible  adjustments  arising under Sections 4219 and 4221 of ERISA,  it and
members of the  Controlled  Group will have no liability,  provided  that,  upon
request  of any Bank,  the  Parent  shall  obtain  prompt  written  advice  from
independent  actuarial  consultants  supporting such  determination.  The Parent
agrees  (i) once in each  year,  beginning  with  Fiscal  Year 1997 to request a
current  statement of the withdrawal  liability of the Parent and members of the
Controlled Group from each  Multiemployer Plan in which the Parent or any member
of the Controlled Group has 5 or more employees,  if any, and (ii) to transmit a
copy of such  statement  to the  Agent and the  Banks  within 15 days  after the
Borrower receives the same.

     SECTION  5.08.  Insurance.  The Parent and its  Subsidiaries  will maintain
(either in the name of the Parent or in any  Subsidiary's  own name)  insurance,
which may include  self-insurance  which is reasonable  and in  accordance  with
sound  industry  practice  taking into  account  the nature of their  respective
businesses,  on all of their respective  properties in at least such amounts and
against  at  least  such  risks  as are  usually  insured  against  in the  same
geographic  area by  companies  of  established  repute  engaged  in the same or
similar business.

     SECTION 5.09.  Subsidary  Debt.  The Parent shall not permit any Subsidiary
which is not a Borrower  or a  Guarantor  to incur any Debt  except for (i) Debt
owing to the Parent or another  Subsidiary  (including  any  Borrower)  and (ii)
other Debt which  shall not exceed in the  aggregate  for all such other Debt of
all such  Subsidiaries  an amount,  together  with the amount of Debt subject to
Liens permitted by Section 5.15(p) (but without  duplication),  in excess of 25%
of Stockholders' Equity as of the end of the Fiscal Quarter just ended.



                                       50
<PAGE>
Page 70
Exhibit 10(i)A



     SECTION 5.10. Maintenance of Property.  Each Borrower shall, and the Parent
shall cause each Material Subsidiary to, maintain all of its material properties
and assets in good condition,  repair and working order,  ordinary wear and tear
excepted or, in the event of any loss of or damage to any such property or asset
each Borrower  shall,  and the Parent shall cause each Material  Subsidiary  to,
take  reasonable  action to repair or replace such  property or assets  within a
reasonable time.

     SECTION 5.11.  Environmental Notices. The Parent shall furnish to the Banks
and the Agent written  notice,  promptly after  becoming  aware thereof,  of all
material   Environmental   Liabilities,   pending,   threatened  or  anticipated
Environmental  Proceedings,  Environmental Notices,  Environmental Judgments and
Orders, and Environmental Releases at, on, in, under or in any way affecting the
Properties,  and all facts,  events, or conditions that could lead to any of the
foregoing, if such circumstance or circumstances could reasonably be expected to
give rise to liabilities on the part of the Parent or any of its Subsidiaries in
an aggregate amount in excess of $5,000,000.

     SECTION 5.12. Environmental Matters. Each Borrower agrees that it will not,
and the Parent will cause each  Subsidiary  to not, and each  Borrower  will not
permit any Third Party to, use, produce,  manufacture,  process, treat, recycle,
generate,  store,  dispose  of,  manage  at,  or  otherwise  handle,  or ship or
transport to or from the Properties any Hazardous Materials except for Hazardous
Materials used, produced, manufactured, processed, treated, recycled, generated,
stored, disposed,  managed, or otherwise handled in material compliance with all
applicable Environmental Requirements.

     SECTION 5.13.  Environmental  Release.  Each Borrower  agrees that upon the
occurrence of any material  Environmental Release at or on any of the Properties
it will act immediately to investigate the extent of, and to commence and pursue
appropriate  remedial action to eliminate,  to the extent required by applicable
law, such Environmental Release, whether or not ordered or otherwise directed to
do so by any Environmental Authority.

     SECTION 5.14. Transactions with Affiliates. Neither any Borrower nor any of
the  Subsidiaries  shall enter into, or be a party to, any transaction  with any



                                       51
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 71
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



Affiliate of such Borrower or such Subsidiary (which Affiliate is not a Borrower
or a Wholly  Owned  Subsidiary),  except as permitted by law and in the ordinary
course of business and pursuant to reasonable  terms which are no less favorable
to such Borrower or such Subsidiary than would be obtained in a comparable arm's
length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate.

     SECTION 5.15.  Negative  Pledge.  Neither any Borrower nor any Consolidated
Subsidiary  will  create,  assume  or  suffer to exist any Lien on any asset now
owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

          (a) Liens  existing on the date of this  Agreement  and  disclosed  on
     Schedule 5.15(a);

          (b) any Lien existing on any specific  fixed asset of any  corporation
     at the time such  corporation  becomes a  Consolidated  Subsidiary  and not
     created in contemplation of such event;

          (c) any Lien on any specific  fixed asset  securing  Debt  incurred or
     assumed  for the  purpose  of  financing  all or any  part  of the  cost of
     acquiring or constructing  such asset,  provided that such Lien attaches to
     such asset  concurrently  with or within 18 months after the acquisition or
     completion of construction thereof;

          (d) any Lien on any specific fixed asset of any  corporation  existing
     at the time such  corporation  is merged or  consolidated  with or into any
     Borrower or a Consolidated  Subsidiary and not created in  contemplation of
     such event;

          (e) any  Lien  existing  on any  specific  fixed  asset  prior  to the
     acquisition  thereof by any Borrower or a  Consolidated  Subsidiary and not
     created in contemplation of such acquisition;

          (f) Liens  securing  Debt  owing by any  Subsidiary  to the  Parent or
     another Wholly Owned Subsidiary;

          (g) Liens on and transfers of accounts  receivable in connection  with
     an  accounts  receivable  securitization  program  in which  the  aggregate
     principal  amount  invested by the purchaser of such  receivables  does not
     exceed $100,000,000 at any one time;

          (h) any Lien  arising out of the  refinancing,  extension,  renewal or
     refunding of any Debt secured by any Lien permitted by any of the foregoing
     paragraphs of this  Section,  provided that (i) such Debt is not secured by
     any additional assets, and (ii) the amount of such Debt secured by any such
     Lien is not increased;



                                       52
<PAGE>
Page 72
Exhibit 10(i)A




          (i) any Lien on Margin Stock;

          (j) subject to Section 6.01(k),  Liens for taxes (including ad valorem
     taxes),  assessments or other governmental charges or levies not yet due or
     which  are  being   actively   contested  in  good  faith  by   appropriate
     proceedings,  if adequate  reserves with respect  thereto are maintained on
     the books of such Borrower or Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance
     with GAAP;

          (k) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers,  warehousemen,
     mechanics,  materialmen  and other  Liens  imposed  by law  created  in the
     ordinary  course of  business  for  amounts  not yet due or which are being
     contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings,  if adequate  reserves
     with respect  thereto are  maintained on the books of such Borrower or such
     Subsidiary, as the case may be, in accordance with GAAP;

          (l) Liens incurred or deposits made in the ordinary course of business
     in connection with worker's compensation,  unemployment insurance and other
     types of social security  benefits or obligations or to secure  performance
     of tenders,  statutory obligations,  surety and appeal bonds, bids, leases,
     government  contracts,  performance  and  return-of-money  bonds  and other
     similar  obligations,  provided  that  such  Liens  were  not  incurred  in
     connection with the incurrence of any Debt;

          (m) zoning ordinances, easements, licenses, restrictions on the use of
     real  property  and  minor  irregularities  in title  thereto  which do not
     materially  impair  the  use of such  property  and  the  operation  of the
     business of such Borrower or such  Subsidiary  (as the case may be) thereon
     or the value of such property;

          (n)  inchoate  Liens  arising  under ERISA to secure  current  service
     pension liabilities as they are incurred under the provisions of Plans from
     time to time in effect;

          (o)  rights   reserved  to  or  invested   in  any   municipality   or
     governmental,  statutory  or public  authority  to control or regulate  any
     property of such Borrower or such Subsidiary, as the case may be, or to use
     such property in a manner which does not materially  impair the use of such
     property  for the  purposes  of which it is held by such  Borrower  or such
     Subsidiary, as the case may be; and



                                       53
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 73
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



          (p) Liens not otherwise permitted by the foregoing  paragraphs of this
     Section securing Debt (other than indebtedness represented by the Notes) in
     an aggregate  principal amount at any time  outstanding,  together with the
     amount of Debt  permitted by Section  5.09(ii)  (but without  duplication),
     does not  exceed  25% of  Stockholders'  Equity as of the end of the Fiscal
     Quarter just ended.

     SECTION 5.16. Leverage Percentage.  The Leverage Percentage will not at any
time exceed 60% as of the end of any Fiscal Quarter or Fiscal Year.

     SECTION  5.17.  Election  to  Become  Guarantor.  Any  Subsidiary  (whether
existing on the Closing  Date or  acquired or created  thereafter)  may elect to
become a Guarantor at any time by (x)  executing  and  delivering to the Agent a
counterpart  of the Guaranty and a  counterpart  of the  Contribution  Agreement
(which  must  also be  executed  and  delivered  by the  Parent  at the  time of
execution  and  delivery  thereof by the first  Subsidiary  Guarantor),  thereby
becoming  a party to each of them,  (y)  delivering  to the  Agent  opinions  of
counsel  to  such  Subsidiary  substantially  in the  form  of  Exhibit  B (with
appropriate  modifications)  with respect to such Guarantor and the Guaranty and
Contribution Agreement,  and (z) delivering to the Agent documents pertaining to
such  Guarantor  reasonably  requested  by the Agent of the types  described  in
paragraph (f) of Section 3.01.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    DEFAULTS

     SECTION 6.01.  Events of Default.  If one or more of the  following  events
("Events of Default") shall have occurred and be continuing:

          (a) any Borrower  shall fail to pay when due any principal of any Loan
     or shall fail to pay any  interest on any Loan  within 5 Domestic  Business
     Days after such interest  shall become due, or shall fail to pay any fee or
     other amount payable  hereunder within 5 Domestic  Business Days after such
     fee or other amount becomes due; or

          (b) any  Borrower  shall  fail to  observe  or  perform  any  covenant
     contained  in  Sections  5.01(d),  5.02(ii),  5.03 to 5.06,  inclusive,  or
     Sections 5.09, 5.15 or 5.16; or



                                       54
<PAGE>
Page 74
Exhibit 10(i)A




          (c) any  Borrower  shall fail to observe or perform  any  covenant  or
     agreement  contained or incorporated by reference in this Agreement  (other
     than those  covered by paragraph  (a) or (b) above) and such failure  shall
     not have been  cured  within  30 days  after  the  earlier  to occur of (i)
     written  notice thereof has been given to such Borrower by the Agent at the
     request of any Bank or (ii) an Executive Officer otherwise becomes aware of
     any such  failure;  provided,  however,  that  such  cure  period  shall be
     extended  for a period  of  time,  not to  exceed  an  additional  30 days,
     reasonably  sufficient to permit such Borrower to cure such failure if such
     failure  cannot be cured within the initial  30-day  period but  reasonably
     could be expected to be capable of cure  within  such  additional  30 days,
     such Borrower has commenced efforts to cure such failure during the initial
     30-day period and such Borrower is diligently pursuing such cure; or

          (d) any representation,  warranty,  certification or statement made by
     the  Borrower  in  Article  IV of  this  Agreement  or in any  certificate,
     financial  statement or other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement
     shall prove to have been  incorrect or misleading  in any material  respect
     when made (or deemed made); or

          (e) any Borrower or any  Subsidiary  shall fail to make any payment in
     respect of Debt  outstanding  (other than the Notes) in an aggregate amount
     in excess of $25,000,000 when due or within any applicable grace period; or

          (f)  any  event  or  condition   shall  occur  which  results  in  the
     acceleration  of the  maturity of Debt  outstanding  of any Borrower or any
     Subsidiary  in an  aggregate  amount in excess of  $25,000,000  (including,
     without limitation, any required mandatory prepayment or "put" of such Debt
     to such  Borrower or any  Subsidiary)  or enables  (or,  with the giving of
     notice or lapse of time or both,  would enable) the holders of such Debt or
     Commitment or any Person acting on such holders'  behalf to accelerate  the
     maturity  thereof or  terminate  any such  commitment  (including,  without
     limitation, any required mandatory prepayment or "put" of such Debt to such
     Borrower or any Subsidiary); or

          (g) any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary shall commence a voluntary
     case or  other  proceeding  seeking  liquidation,  reorganization  or other
     relief with respect to itself or its debts under any bankruptcy, insolvency
     or other similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the  appointment
     of a trustee, receiver, liquidator,  custodian or other similar official of
     it or any  substantial  part of its property,  or shall consent to any such



                                       55
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 75
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



     relief or to the  appointment of or taking  possession by any such official
     in an involuntary case or other proceeding  commenced  against it, or shall
     make a general  assignment  for the  benefit  of  creditors,  or shall fail
     generally,  or shall  admit in writing its  inability,  to pay its debts as
     they become due, or shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the
     foregoing; or

          (h) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced against
     any Borrower or any Material Subsidiary seeking liquidation, reorganization
     or other  relief  with  respect  to it or its debts  under any  bankruptcy,
     insolvency  or other  similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking the
     appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator,  custodian or other similar
     official  of  it  or  any  substantial  part  of  its  property,  and  such
     involuntary case or other proceeding shall remain  undismissed and unstayed
     for a period of 60 days;  or an order for relief  shall be entered  against
     any Borrower or any Material  Subsidiary under the federal  bankruptcy laws
     as now or hereafter in effect; or

          (i) any Borrower or any member of the  Controlled  Group shall fail to
     pay when due any amount in excess of 10% of Stockholders'  Equity as of the
     end of the Fiscal  Quarter just ended which it shall have become  liable to
     pay to the PBGC or to a Plan under  Title IV of ERISA;  or notice of intent
     to  terminate a Plan or Plans shall be filed under Title IV of ERISA by the
     Borrower, any member of the Controlled Group, any plan administrator or any
     combination  of the  foregoing  if the amount of  liability  involved is in
     excess of 10% of  Stockholders'  Equity as of the end of the Fiscal Quarter
     just ended; or the PBGC shall institute proceedings under Title IV of ERISA
     to terminate or to cause a trustee to be appointed to  administer  any such
     Plan or Plans or a  proceeding  shall be  instituted  by a fiduciary of any
     such Plan or Plans to enforce  Section 515 or  4219(c)(5) of ERISA and such
     proceeding  shall not have been dismissed  within 30 days thereafter if the
     amount of liability involved is in excess of 10% of Stockholders' Equity as
     of the end of the Fiscal Quarter just ended;  or a condition shall exist by
     reason of which the PBGC would be entitled to obtain a decree  adjudicating
     that any such Plan or Plans must be terminated,  if the amount  involved is
     in  excess  of 10% of  Stockholders'  Equity  as of the  end of the  Fiscal
     Quarter just ended; or

          (j) one or more  judgments  or orders  for the  payment of money in an
     aggregate amount in excess of 10% of Stockholders'  Equity as of the end of
     the Fiscal Quarter just ended shall be rendered against the Borrower or any
     Material  Subsidiary and such judgment or order shall continue  unsatisfied
     and unstayed for a period of 30 days; or



                                       56
<PAGE>
Page 76
Exhibit 10(i)A



          (k) a federal  tax lien shall be filed  against  the  Borrower  or any
     Material  Subsidiary  under  Section 6323 of the Code or a lien of the PBGC
     shall be filed against the Borrower or any Subsidiary under Section 4068 of
     ERISA and in either case such lien shall remain  undischarged  for a period
     of 25 days after the date of filing if the aggregate  amount involved is in
     excess of 10% of  Stockholders'  Equity as of the end of the Fiscal Quarter
     just ended; or


          (l) (i) any Person or two or more Persons acting in concert shall have
     acquired after the Closing Date beneficial ownership (within the meaning of
     Rule 13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange  Commission  under the Securities
     Exchange  Act of  1934)  of 30% or more of the  outstanding  shares  of the
     voting stock of the Parent;  or (ii) the individuals who, as of the Closing
     Date, are members of the Board of the Parent (the "Incumbent  Board") cease
     for any reason  thereafter  to  constitute at least 66 2/3% of the Board of
     the Parent;  provided,  however,  that if the election,  or nomination  for
     election by the Parent's stockholders,  of any new director was approved by
     a vote of at least 66 2/3% of the Incumbent Board, such new director shall,
     for  purposes of this Section  6.01(l),  be  considered  as a member of the
     Incumbent Board; or

then, and in every such event,  the Agent shall (i) if requested by the Required
Banks,  by notice to the  Borrowers  terminate  the  Commitments  and they shall
thereupon terminate,  (ii) if requested by any Bank, by notice to the Borrowers,
terminate such Bank's  obligation to fund a Money Market Loan in connection with
any relevant Money Market Quote,  and (iii) if requested by the Required  Banks,
by notice to the  Borrowers,  declare the Notes of all Borrowers  (together with
accrued interest thereon), and all other amounts payable hereunder and under the
other Loan  Documents,  to be,  and the Notes of all  Borrowers  (together  with
accrued interest thereon), and all other amounts payable hereunder and under the
other Loan Documents shall thereupon become, immediately due and payable without
presentment,  demand,  protest  or other  notice of any  kind,  all of which are
hereby  waived by the  Borrowers  together  with  interest at the  Default  Rate
accruing on the principal  amount thereof during the  continuation of such Event
of Default;  provided that if any Event of Default specified in paragraph (g) or
(h) above  occurs  with  respect  to any  Borrower,  without  any notice to such
Borrower  or any other  act by the Agent or the  Banks,  the  Commitments  shall



                                       57
<PAGE>
                                                                         Page 77
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



thereupon  terminate  and the  Notes of all  Borrowers  (together  with  accrued
interest  thereon) and all other amounts  payable  hereunder and under the other
Loan Documents shall automatically and without notice become immediately due and
payable without presentment, demand, protest or other notice of any kind, all of
which are hereby waived by the Borrowers  together with interest  thereon at the
Default Rate accruing on the principal amount thereof during the continuation of
such Event of  Default.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the Agent  shall have
available to it all other remedies at law or equity,  and shall exercise any one
or all of them at the request of the Required Banks.

     SECTION  6.02.  Notice of  Default.  The  Agent  shall  give  notice to the
Borrowers of any Default under Section 6.01(c)  promptly upon being requested to
do so by any Bank and shall thereupon notify all the Banks thereof.



                                   ARTICLE VII

                                    THE AGENT

     SECTION  7.01.  Appointment;  Powers and  Immunities.  (a) Each Bank hereby
irrevocably  appoints and authorizes the Agent to act as its agent hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents with such powers as are specifically delegated to
the Agent by the terms  hereof and thereof,  together  with such other powers as
are  reasonably  incidental  thereto.  The  Agent:  (a) shall  have no duties or
responsibilities  except as expressly set forth in this  Agreement and the other
Loan  Documents,  and shall not by reason of this  Agreement  or any other  Loan
Document be a trustee for any Bank;  (b) shall not be  responsible  to the Banks
for any recitals,  statements,  representations or warranties  contained in this
Agreement or any other Loan  Document,  or in any  certificate or other document
referred to or provided for in, or received by any Bank under, this Agreement or
any  other  Loan  Document,  or for the  validity,  effectiveness,  genuineness,
enforceability  or  sufficiency  of this Agreement or any other Loan Document or
any other  document  referred  to or  provided  for herein or therein or for any
failure  by  the  Borrower  to  perform  any  of its  obligations  hereunder  or
thereunder;  (c) shall not be required to initiate or conduct any  litigation or
collection  proceedings hereunder or under any other Loan Document except to the
extent  requested by the Required  Banks,  and then only on terms and conditions
satisfactory to the Agent, and (d) shall not be responsible for any action taken
or omitted to be taken by it hereunder  or under any other Loan  Document or any
other document or instrument referred to or provided for herein or therein or in
connection herewith or therewith,  except for its own gross negligence or wilful
misconduct.  The Agent may employ agents and  attorneys-in-fact and shall not be



                                       58
<PAGE>
Page 78
Exhibit 10(i)A





responsible   for  the   negligence   or   misconduct  of  any  such  agents  or
attorneys-in-fact  selected by it with  reasonable  care. The provisions of this
Article  VII are  solely for the  benefit  of the Agent and the  Banks,  and the
Borrower  shall not have any rights as a third party  beneficiary  of any of the
provisions  hereof.  In performing its functions and duties under this Agreement
and under the other Loan  Documents,  the Agent shall act solely as agent of the
Banks and does not assume and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation
towards or relationship of agency or trust with or for the Borrower.  The duties
of the Agent shall be ministerial and  administrative  in nature,  and the Agent
shall  not have by  reason  of this  Agreement  or any  other  Loan  Document  a
fiduciary relationship in respect of any Bank.

     (b) Each Bank hereby  designates  NationsBank,  N.A.  (South) and  SunTrust
Bank, Atlanta, as the Co-Agents.  The Co-Agents, in such capacity, shall have no
duties or obligations whatsoever under this Agreement or any other Loan Document
or any other  document  or any  matter  related  hereto and  thereto,  but shall
nevertheless be entitled to all the indemnities and other protection afforded to
the Agent under this Article VII.

     SECTION 7.02.  Reliance by Agent.  The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon
any  certification,  notice or other  communication  (including  any  thereof by
telephone,  telecopier,  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  or other  experts  selected  by the Agent.  As to any  matters  not
expressly  provided for by this Agreement or any other Loan Document,  the Agent
shall in all cases be fully  protected in acting,  or in refraining from acting,
hereunder and thereunder in accordance with instructions  signed by the Required
Banks,  and such  instructions  of the  Required  Banks in any  action  taken or
failure to act pursuant thereto shall be binding on all of the Banks.

     SECTION 7.03. Defaults.  The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge of
the occurrence of a Default or an Event of Default (other than the nonpayment of
principal of or interest on the Loans) unless the Agent has received notice from
a Bank or the 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 an Event of Default,  the Agent
shall give prompt  notice  thereof to the Banks.  The Agent shall give each Bank
prompt  notice of each  nonpayment  of  principal  of or  interest  on the Loans
whether or not it has received any notice of the occurrence of such  nonpayment.
The Agent  shall  (subject  to Section  9.06) take such  action  hereunder  with



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                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A



respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be directed by the Required
Banks,  provided  that,  unless  and until the Agent  shall have  received  such
directions,  the Agent may (but shall not be obligated to) take such action,  or
refrain  from  taking  such  action,  with  respect to such  Default or Event of
Default as it shall deem advisable in the best interests of the Banks.

     SECTION 7.04.Rights of Agent as a Bank and its Affiliates.  With respect to
the Loans made by the Agent and any  Affiliate  of the  Agent,  the Agent in its
capacity as a Bank  hereunder and any Affiliate of the Agent or such  Affiliate,
Wachovia  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 Wachovia in its individual capacity and any
Affiliate of the Agent in its individual  capacity.  The Agent and any Affiliate
of the Agent  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  of the  Borrowers  (and  any  of the  Borrowers'
Affiliates)  as if the Bank were not acting as the Agent,  and the Agent and any
Affiliate  of the  Agent  may  accept  fees  and  other  consideration  from the
Borrowers (in addition to any agency fees and arrangement fees heretofore agreed
to between the  Borrowers  and the Agent) for services in  connection  with this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or otherwise  without having to account for
the same to the Banks.

     SECTION 7.05. Indemnification.  Each Bank severally agrees to indemnify the
Agent,  to the extent the Agent shall not have been reimbursed by the Borrowers,
ratably  in  accordance  with  its  Commitment,  for any  and  all  liabilities,
obligations,  losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits, costs,
expenses   (including,   without   limitation,   reasonable   counsel  fees  and
disbursements  actually  incurred)  or  disbursements  of any  kind  and  nature
whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent in
any way relating to or arising out of this  Agreement or any other Loan Document
or any other  documents  contemplated by or referred to herein or therein or the
transactions  contemplated  hereby  or  thereby  (excluding,  unless an Event of
Default has  occurred and is  continuing,  the normal  administrative  costs and
expenses  incident to the  performance  of its agency  duties  hereunder) or the
enforcement  of any of the terms hereof or thereof or any such other  documents;
provided,  however that no Bank shall be liable for any of the  foregoing to the
extent they arise from the gross  negligence or wilful  misconduct of the Agent.
If any indemnity furnished to the Agent for any purpose shall, in the opinion of
the Agent, be insufficient or become impaired, the Agent may call for additional
indemnity and cease, or not commence,  to do the acts indemnified  against until
such additional indemnity is furnished.



                                       60
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Exhibit 10(i)A



     SECTION 7.06.  CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THE AGENT SHALL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE OR
LIABLE TO ANY  BANK,  THE  BORROWERS  OR ANY  OTHER  PERSON  OR  ENTITY  FOR ANY
PUNITIVE, EXEMPLARY OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHICH MAY BE ALLEGED AS A RESULT OF
THIS AGREEMENT, THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED
HEREBY OR THEREBY.

     SECTION 7.07.  Payee of Note Treated as Owner. The Agent may deem and treat
the payee of any Note as the owner  thereof for all purposes  hereof  unless and
until a written  notice of the  assignment  or transfer  thereof shall have been
filed with the Agent and the provisions of Section  9.08(c) have been satisfied.
Any requests,  authority or consent of any Person who at the time of making such
request or giving such  authority  or consent is the holder of any Note shall be
conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder,  transferee or assignee of that
Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor or replacement thereof.

     SECTION 7.08.  Nonreliance 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 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 or any of the other Loan Documents. The Agent
shall  not  be  required  to  keep  itself  (or  any  Bank)  informed  as to the
performance or observance by the Borrowers of this Agreement or any of 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 any other
Person.  Except  for  notices,  reports  and  other  documents  and  information
expressly  required to be furnished to the Banks by the Agent hereunder or under
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 other Person (or any of
their Affiliates) which may come into the possession of the Agent.

     SECTION 7.09.  Failure to Act. Except for action expressly  required of the
Agent hereunder or under the other Loan Documents,  the Agent shall in all cases
be fully justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder and thereunder unless



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                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




it shall receive  further  assurances to its  satisfaction by the Banks of their
indemnification obligations under Section 7.05 against any and all liability and
expense  which may be incurred by the Agent by reason of taking,  continuing  to
take, or failing to take any such action.

     SECTION 7.10.  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  notice  thereof to the Banks and the Borrowers and the Agent
may be removed at any time with or without cause by the Required Banks. Upon any
such resignation or removal,  the Required Banks shall have the right to appoint
a successor  Agent.  If no  successor  Agent shall have been so appointed by the
Required Banks and shall have accepted such appointment within 30 days after the
retiring  Agent's notice of  resignation  or the Required  Banks' removal of the
retiring  Agent,  then the  retiring  Agent may, on behalf of the Banks and on 5
days  prior  written  notice to the  Parent,  appoint  a  successor  Agent.  Any
successor  Agent shall be a bank which has a combined  capital and surplus of at
least $500,000,000. Upon the acceptance of any appointment as Agent hereunder 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. After any retiring Agent's resignation or removal hereunder as Agent,
the  provisions of this Article VII 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 hereunder.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                      CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES; COMPENSATION

     SECTION 8.01 Basis for  Determining  Interest  Rates. If on or prior to the
first day of any Interest Period for any Fixed Rate Loan:

          (a) the Agent  determines  that deposits in Dollars (in the applicable
     amounts)  are not being  offered in the relevant  market for such  Interest
     Period, or

          (b) the  Required  Banks  advise the Agent  that the London  Interbank
     Offered Rate or IBOR,  as the case may be, as  determined by the Agent will
     not  adequately  and fairly  reflect  the cost to such Banks of funding the
     relevant type of Fixed Rate Loans for such Interest Period,



                                       62
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Exhibit 10(i)A




the Agent shall  forthwith  give notice  thereof to the Borrowers and the Banks,
whereupon until the Agent notifies the Borrowers that the  circumstances  giving
rise to such  suspension no longer exist,  the  obligations of the Banks to make
the type of Fixed Rate Loans specified in such notice shall be suspended. Unless
the relevant Borrower notifies the Agent prior to such Borrowing of such type of
Fixed Rate Loans for which a Notice of Borrowing has previously  been given that
it elects not to borrow on such date,  such Borrowing shall instead be made as a
Base Rate Borrowing.

     SECTION 8.02.  Illegality.  If, after the date hereof,  the adoption of any
applicable  law, rule or  regulation,  or any change  therein or any existing or
future  law,  rule  or  regulation,  or  any  change  in the  interpretation  or
administration thereof by any governmental authority, central bank or comparable
agency  charged  with the  interpretation  or  administration  thereof (any such
agency being referred to as an "Authority"  and any such event being referred to
as a "Change of Law"),  or compliance  by any Bank (or its Lending  Office) with
any  request  or  directive  (whether  or not  having  the  force of law) of any
Authority  shall make it  unlawful  or  impossible  for any Bank (or its Lending
Office) to make,  maintain  or fund its  Euro-Dollar  Loans or Foreign  Currency
Loans and such Bank shall so notify the Agent,  the Agent shall  forthwith  give
notice thereof to the other Banks and the Borrowers,  whereupon  until such Bank
notifies the Borrower and the Agent that the  circumstances  giving rise to such
suspension no longer  exist,  the  obligation  of such Bank to make  Euro-Dollar
Loans or Foreign Currency Loans, as the case may be, shall be suspended. If such
Bank shall determine that it may not lawfully  continue to maintain and fund any
of its outstanding  Euro-Dollar Loans or Foreign Currency Loans, as the case may
be, to maturity and shall so specify in such notice, the relevant Borrower shall
immediately  prepay  in full  the  then  outstanding  principal  amount  of each
Euro-Dollar Loan or Foreign Currency Loans, as the case may be, of such Borrower
from such Bank,  together with accrued interest thereon any amount due such Bank
pursuant to Section 8.05(a).  Concurrently  with prepaying each such Euro-Dollar
Loan or Foreign Currency Loans, as the case may be, such Borrower shall borrow a
Base Rate Loan in an equal  principal  amount from such Bank (on which  interest
and principal shall be payable  contemporaneously  with the related  Euro-Dollar
Loans or Foreign  Currency Loans,  as the case may be, of the other Banks),  and
such Bank shall make such a Base Rate Loan.

     SECTION  8.03.  Increased  Cost and Reduced  Return.  (a) If after the date
hereof,  a Change of Law or compliance by any Bank (or its Lending  Office) with
any  request  or  directive  (whether  or not  having  the  force of law) of any
Authority:



                                       63
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                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




          (i) shall  impose,  modify or deem  applicable  any  reserve,  special
     deposit or similar requirement  (including,  without  limitation,  any such
     requirement  imposed  by the  Board of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve
     System,  but  excluding (A) with respect to any  Euro-Dollar  Loan any such
     requirement  included in an applicable  Euro-Dollar  Reserve Percentage and
     (C) with respect to any Foreign Currency Loan any such requirement included
     in the applicable  Adjusted IBOR Rate) against assets of,  deposits with or
     for the  account  of,  or  credit  extended  by,  any Bank (or its  Lending
     Office); or

          (ii) shall impose on any Bank (or its Lending Office) or on the United
     States market for  certificates of deposit or the London  interbank  market
     any other  condition  affecting  its  Fixed  Rate  Loans,  its Notes or its
     obligation to make Fixed Rate Loans;

and the result of any of the  foregoing is to increase the cost to such Bank (or
its Lending  Office) of making or maintaining  any Fixed Rate Loan, or to reduce
the  amount of any sum  received  or  receivable  by such  Bank (or its  Lending
Office)  under this  Agreement  or under its Notes with respect  thereto,  by an
amount deemed by such Bank to be material,  then, within 15 days after demand by
such Bank (with a copy to the Agent),  the relevant  Borrowers shall pay to such
Bank such  additional  amount or amounts as will  compensate  such Bank for such
increased cost or reduction.

     (b) If any Bank  shall  have  determined  that  after the date  hereof  the
adoption of any applicable law, rule or regulation  regarding  capital adequacy,
or any change therein,  or any change in the  interpretation  or  administration
thereof,  or compliance by any Bank (or its Lending  Office) with any request or
directive regarding capital adequacy (whether or not having the force of law) of
any  Authority,  has or would have the effect of reducing  the rate of return on
such Bank's  capital as a consequence  of its  obligations  hereunder to a level
below that which such Bank could have achieved but for such adoption,  change or
compliance  (taking  into  consideration  such Bank's  policies  with respect to
capital  adequacy) by an amount  deemed by such Bank to be  material,  then from
time to time,  within 15 days after demand by such Bank, the relevant  Borrowers
shall pay to such Bank such additional amount or amounts as will compensate such
Bank for such reduction.

     (c) Each Bank will promptly  notify the relevant  Borrower and the Agent of
any event of which it has knowledge, occurring after the date hereof, which will
entitle such Bank to compensation pursuant to this Section. A certificate of any



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Exhibit 10(i)A




Bank claiming  compensation  under this Section and setting forth the additional
amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder  shall be conclusive in the absence
of manifest error. In determining such amount,  such Bank may use any reasonable
averaging and attribution methods.

     (d) The  provisions  of this  Section  8.03 (i)  shall be  applicable  with
respect to any Assignee,  and any calculations required by such provisions shall
be made based upon the  circumstances of such Assignee and (ii) shall constitute
a continuing  agreement and shall survive the  termination of this Agreement and
the payment in full or cancellation of the Notes.

     SECTION 8.04.  Base Rate Loanes or Other Fixed Rate Loans  Substituted  for
Affected Fixed Rate Loans. If (i) the obligation of any Bank to make or maintain
any type of Fixed Rate Loans has been suspended pursuant to Section 8.02 or (ii)
any Bank has demanded  compensation  under Section 8.03, and the Borrower shall,
by at least 5 Euro-Dollar  Business Days' or Foreign Currency  Business Days, as
applicable,  prior notice to such Bank through the Agent,  have elected that the
provisions of this Section shall apply to such Bank, then, unless and until such
Bank notifies the Borrower that the circumstances giving rise to such suspension
or demand for compensation no longer apply:

          (a)  all  Loans  which  would  otherwise  be  made  by  such  Bank  as
     Euro-Dollar  Loans or Foreign  Currency Loans, as the case may be, shall be
     made  instead  either (A) as Base Rate  Loans,  (B) if such  suspension  or
     demand for  compensation  relates to  Euro-Dollar  Loans,  but not  Foreign
     Currency  Loans,  as  Foreign  Currency  Loans,  or (C) if such  demand for
     compensation  relates to Foreign Currency Loans, but not Euro-Dollar Loans,
     as Euro-Dollar  Loans, as the Borrower may elect in the notice to such Bank
     through  the Agent  referred  to  hereinabove  (in all cases  interest  and
     principal on such Loans shall be payable contemporaneously with the related
     Fixed Rate Loans of the other Banks), and

          (b) after each of its Euro-Dollar  Loans or Foreign Currency Loans, as
     the case may be, has been repaid,  all  payments of  principal  which would
     otherwise  be applied  to repay  such Fixed Rate Loans  shall be applied to
     repay its Base Rate Loans instead.

     SECTION 8.05. Compensation.  Upon the request of any Bank, delivered to the
relevant  Borrower  and the  Agent,  such  Borrower  shall pay to such Bank such
amount or amounts as shall  compensate  such Bank for any loss,  cost or expense
incurred by such Bank as a result of:



                                       65
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                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




     (a) any payment or prepayment  (pursuant to Section 2.10,  2.11, 6.01, 8.02
or  otherwise)  of a Fixed  Rate  Loan on a date  other  than the last day of an
Interest Period for such Fixed Rate Loan; or

     (b) any  failure by such  Borrower  to prepay a Fixed Rate Loan on the date
for prepayment  thereof pursuant hereto or any failure by the Borrower to borrow
a Fixed Rate Loan on the date for the Fixed Rate  Borrowing  of which such Fixed
Rate Loan is a part  specified in the applicable  Notice of Borrowing  delivered
pursuant to Section 2.02 or  notification  of  acceptance of Money Market Quotes
pursuant to Section 2.03(e); or

     (c) any  failure  by the  Borrower  to pay a Foreign  Currency  Loan in the
applicable Foreign Currency;

such compensation to include, without limitation,  as applicable:  (A)-an amount
equal to the  excess,  if any,  of (x) the amount of  interest  which would have
accrued  on the amount so paid or prepaid  or not  prepaid or  borrowed  for the
period from the date of such payment,  prepayment or failure to prepay or borrow
to the last day of the then  current  Interest  Period  for such Fixed Rate Loan
(or, in the case of a failure to prepay or borrow,  the Interest Period for such
Fixed Rate Loan which would have commenced on the date of such failure to prepay
or borrow) at the applicable  rate of interest for such Fixed Rate Loan provided
for herein over (y) the amount of interest  (as  reasonably  determined  by such
Bank) such Bank would have paid on (i) deposits in Dollars of comparable amounts
having terms  comparable  to such period  placed with it by leading banks in the
London interbank market (if such Fixed Rate Loan is a Euro-Dollar Loan), or (ii)
any deposit in a Foreign Currency of comparable  amounts having terms comparable
to such  period  placed  with it by lending  banks in the  applicable  interbank
market for such Foreign  Currency (if such Fixed Rate Loan is a Foreign Currency
Loan);  or (B)  any  such  loss,  cost  or  expense  incurred  by  such  Bank in
liquidating or closing out any foreign currency contract undertaken by such Bank
in  funding  or  maintaining  such Fixed Rate Loan (if such Fixed Rate Loan is a
Foreign Currency Loan).

     SECTION 8.06. Failure to Pay in Foreign Currency. If any Borrower is unable
for any  reason to effect  payment in a Foreign  Currency  as  required  by this
Agreement or if any Borrower  shall default in the Foreign  Currency,  each Bank
may, through the Agent, require such payment to be made in Dollars in the Dollar
Equivalent amount of such payment.  In any case in which any Borrower shall make
such payment in Dollars,  such Borrower  agrees to hold the Banks  harmless from
any loss  incurred by the Banks  arising from any change in the value of Dollars
in relation to such Foreign  Currency  between the date such payment  became due
and the date of payment thereof.



                                       66
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Exhibit 10(i)A




     SECTION 8.07. Judgement Currency.  If for the purpose of obtaining judgment
in any court or  enforcing  any such  judgment  it is  necessary  to convert any
amount due in any Foreign Currency into any other currency, the rate of exchange
used shall be the Agent's  spot rate of exchange for the purchase of the Foreign
Currency  with such  other  currency  at the close of  business  on the  Foreign
Currency Business Day preceding the date on which judgment is given or any order
for payment is made. The  obligation of the relevant  Borrower in respect of any
amount due from it hereunder shall,  notwithstanding any judgment or order for a
liquidated sum or sums in respect of amounts due hereunder or under any judgment
or order in any other  currency or  otherwise be  discharged  only to the extent
that on the Foreign Currency  Business Day following receipt by the Agent of any
payment in a currency other than the relevant Foreign Currency the Agent is able
(in accordance with normal banking  procedures) to purchase the relevant Foreign
Currency  with  such  other  currency.  If the  amount of the  relevant  Foreign
Currency  that the Agent is able to  purchase  with such other  currency is less
than the  amount  due in the  relevant  Foreign  Currency,  notwithstanding  any
judgment or order, such Borrower shall indemnify the Banks for the shortfall.

     SECTION 8.08.  Limitation on Certain Payment Obligations.  (a) Each Bank or
the Agent shall make  written  demand on any  Borrower  for  indemnification  or
compensation  pursuant to Section 8.05 or 8.06 hereof no later than 90 after the
event giving rise to the claim for indemnification or compensation occurs.

     (b) In the  event  that any Bank or the  Agent  fails to give any  Borrower
notice within the applicable  time limitation  prescribed in (a) above,  neither
such Borrower nor any other Borrower shall have any obligation to pay such claim
for  compensation  or  indemnification  hereunder.  No  Borrower  shall have any
obligation to pay any amount to any Bank with respect to claims  accruing  under
Section 8.02 or 8.03 prior to the 90th day  preceding  written  demand  therefor
from such Bank.

     SECTION 8.09. Alternate Lending Offices.  Each Bank agrees, if requested by
the  Borrowers,  it will use reasonable  efforts  (subject to the overall policy
considerations  of such Bank) to  designate  an  alternate  Lending  Office with
respect to Loans affected by any of the matters or  circumstances  prescribed in
Section  2.12(d),  8.02 or 8.03 hereof in order to reduce the  liability  of the
Borrowers or avoid the results provided thereunder,  so long as such designation
is  not  disadvantageous  to  such  Bank  as  determined  by  such  Bank,  which
determination,  if made in good faith,  shall be  conclusive  and binding on all
parties hereto. Nothing in this Section 8.09 shall affect or postpone any of the
obligation of the Borrowers hereunder or any right of any Bank hereunder.



                                       67
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                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A






                                   ARTICLE IX

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

     SECTION 9.01. Notices.  All notices,  requests and other  communications to
any party  hereunder  shall be in writing  (including  bank wire,  telecopier or
similar  writing) and shall be given to such party at its address or  telecopier
number  set  forth on the  signature  pages  hereof  or such  other  address  or
telecopier  number as such party may hereafter specify for the purpose by notice
to each other party. Each such notice,  request or other  communication shall be
effective (i) if given by  telecopier,  when such telecopy is transmitted to the
telecopier number specified in this Section and the appropriate  confirmation is
received,  (ii) if given by mail, 72 hours after such communication is deposited
in the mails with first class  postage  prepaid  addressed as aforesaid  (except
that any financial or other  materials so sent pursuant to Section 5.01 shall be
effective when deposited in the mail) or (iii) if given by any other means, when
delivered at the address specified in this Section; provided that notices to the
Agent under Article II or Article VIII shall not be effective until received.

     SECTION 9.02.  No Waivers.  No failure or delay by the Agent or any Bank in
exercising  any right,  power or privilege  hereunder or under any Note or other
Loan Document  shall operate as a waiver thereof nor shall any single or partial
exercise  thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies herein provided
shall be cumulative and not exclusive of any rights or remedies provided by law.

     SECTION 9.03 Expenses;  Documentary  Taxes. The Borrowers shall pay (i) all
reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent, including reasonable actual fees
and  disbursements of special counsel for the Banks and the Agent, in connection
with the preparation of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,  any waiver
or consent  hereunder or thereunder  or any  amendment  hereof or thereof or any
Default or alleged Default hereunder or thereunder and (ii) if a Default occurs,
all  reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses  incurred  by the Agent and the  Banks,



                                       68
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Exhibit 10(i)A




including  reasonable  actual  fees  and  disbursements  of  counsel  (including
allocated  costs of  in-house  counsel),  in  connection  with such  Default and
collection and other  enforcement  proceedings  resulting  therefrom,  including
reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses incurred in enforcing this Agreement and the
other Loan  Documents.  The  Borrowers  shall  indemnify the Agent and each Bank
against  any  transfer  taxes,  documentary  taxes,  and  other  similar  taxes,
assessments  or charges  made by any  Authority by reason of the  execution  and
delivery of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

     SECTION 9.04. Indemnification. Each Borrower shall indemnify the Agent, the
Banks and each  Affiliate  thereof  and their  respective  directors,  officers,
employees and agents from, and hold each of them harmless  against,  any and all
losses, liabilities,  claims or damages to which any of them may become subject,
insofar as such losses,  liabilities,  claims or damages  arise out of or result
from  any  actual  or  proposed  use by such  Borrower  of the  proceeds  of any
extension  of credit by any Bank  hereunder  or breach by such  Borrower of this
Agreement  or any other  Loan  Document  or from any  investigation,  litigation
(including,  without  limitation,  any actions  taken by the Agent or any of the
Banks to enforce this Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents,  unless the
Borrowers  prevail) or other  proceeding  (including,  without  limitation,  any
threatened  investigation  or proceeding)  relating to the  foregoing,  and such
Borrower shall reimburse the Agent and each Bank, and each Affiliate thereof and
their respective directors,  officers, employees and agents, upon demand for any
expenses (including, without limitation, legal fees) incurred in connection with
any  such   investigation   or  proceeding;   but  excluding  any  such  losses,
liabilities, claims, damages or expenses incurred by reason of the negligence or
wilful  misconduct of the Person to be indemnified or by reason of such Person's
breach of its obligations  hereunder or other legal duty or which are the result
of claims of Banks  against  other  Banks or the Agent not  attributable  to any
Borrower's actions and for which the Borrowers otherwise have no liability.

     SECTION 9.05. Setoff;  Sharing of Setoffs.  (a) Each Borrower hereby grants
to the Agent and each Bank a lien for all indebtedness and obligations  owing to
them from such  Borrower  under any of the Loan  Documents  upon all deposits or
deposit  accounts,  of any kind,  or any  interest  in any  deposits  or deposit
accounts thereof, now or hereafter pledged,  mortgaged,  transferred or assigned
to the Agent or any such Bank or otherwise in the  possession  or control of the
Agent or any such  Bank for any  purpose  for the  account  or  benefit  of such
Borrower and  including  any balance of any deposit  account or of any credit of
such Borrower with the Agent or any such Bank, whether now existing or hereafter
established hereby authorizing the Agent and each Bank at any time or times upon
the  occurrence  and during  the  continuation  of any Event of Default  with or
without  prior notice to apply such  balances or any part thereof to such of the
indebtedness  and  obligations  owing by such  Borrower to the Banks  and/or the



                                       69
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                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




Agent then past due and in such  amounts as they may elect,  and  whether or not
the  collateral,  if any,  or the  responsibility  of other  Persons  primarily,
secondarily or otherwise liable may be deemed adequate. For the purposes of this
paragraph,  all remittances and property shall be deemed to be in the possession
of the Agent or any such Bank as soon as the same may be put in transit to it by
mail or carrier or by other bailee.

     (b) Each Bank agrees that if it shall, by exercising any right of setoff or
counterclaim or resort to collateral security or otherwise, receive payment of a
proportion of the aggregate  amount of principal and interest owing with respect
to the Note held by it which is  greater  than the  proportion  received  by any
other Bank in respect of the  aggregate  amount of all  principal  and  interest
owing with respect to the Note held by such other Bank,  the Bank receiving such
proportionately  greater payment shall purchase such participations in the Notes
held by the other Banks owing to such other  Banks,  and such other  adjustments
shall be made,  as may be required so that all such  payments of  principal  and
interest  with  respect to the Notes held by the Banks owing to such other Banks
shall be shared by the Banks pro rata; provided that (i) nothing in this Section
shall  impair  the  right  of any  Bank to  exercise  any  right  of  setoff  or
counterclaim it may have and to apply the amount subject to such exercise to the
payment of  indebtedness of the Borrower other than its  indebtedness  under the
Notes, and (ii) if all or any portion of such payment received by the purchasing
Bank is thereafter  recovered from such purchasing Bank, such purchase from each
other Bank shall be rescinded and such other Bank shall repay to the  purchasing
Bank the purchase  price of such  participation  to the extent of such  recovery
together with an amount equal to such other Bank's  ratable share  (according to
the proportion of (x) the amount of such other Bank's required  repayment to (y)
the total amount so recovered from the purchasing Bank) of any interest or other
amount paid or payable by the purchasing  Bank in respect of the total amount so
recovered.  The Borrower agrees,  to the fullest extent it may effectively do so
under applicable law, that any holder of a participation  in a Note,  whether or
not acquired  pursuant to the  foregoing  arrangements,  may exercise  rights of
setoff or counterclaim  and other rights with respect to such  participation  as
fully  as if such  holder  of a  participation  were a  direct  creditor  of the
relevant Borrower in the amount of such participation.

     SECTION 9.06.  Amendments and Waivers. (a) Any provision of this Agreement,
the Notes, the Guaranty or any other Loan Documents may be amended or waived if,
but only if,  such  amendment  or  waiver  is in  writing  and is  signed by the
Borrower and the Required  Banks (and,  if the rights or duties of the Agent are



                                       70
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Exhibit 10(i)A




affected  thereby,  by the Agent);  provided  that, no such  amendment or waiver
shall,  unless  signed by all Banks,  (i) change the  Commitment  of any Bank or
subject any Bank to any additional  obligation,  (ii) change the principal of or
rate of interest on any Loan or any fees (other than fees  payable to the Agent)
hereunder,  (iii)  change the date  fixed for any  payment  of  principal  of or
interest on any Loan or any fees hereunder, (iv) change the amount of principal,
interest or fees due on any date fixed for the payment  thereof,  (v) change the
percentage of the Commitments or of the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the
Notes, or the percentage of Banks,  which shall be required for the Banks or any
of them to take any action  under this  Section or any other  provision  of this
Agreement  or the  definition  of Foreign  Currency,  (vi)  change the manner of
application  of any  payments  made under  this  Agreement  or the Notes,  (vii)
release or substitute  all or any  substantial  part of the  collateral (if any)
held as security for the Loans, or (viii) release any Guarantee given to support
payment of the Loans.

     (b) None of the Borrowers  will  solicit,  request or negotiate for or with
respect to any proposed  waiver or amendment  of any of the  provisions  of this
Agreement  unless each Bank shall be informed thereof by such Borrower and shall
be afforded an opportunity of considering  the same and shall be supplied by the
Borrower with sufficient  information to enable it to make an informed  decision
with  respect  thereto.  Executed  or true and  correct  copies of any waiver or
consent effected pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement shall be delivered
by the  Borrowers to each Bank  forthwith  following  the date on which the same
shall have been  executed and  delivered by the  requisite  percentage of Banks.
None of the Borrowers will, directly or indirectly,  pay or cause to be paid any
remuneration,  whether by way of  supplemental  or additional  interest,  fee or
otherwise,  to any Bank (in its capacity as such) as consideration  for or as an
inducement  to the entering  into by such Bank of any waiver or amendment of any
of the terms and  provisions  of this  Agreement  unless  such  remuneration  is
concurrently paid, on the same terms, ratably to all such Banks.

     SECTION 9.07. No Margin Stock  Collateral.  Each of the Banks represents to
the Agent and each of the other Banks that it in good faith is not,  directly or
indirectly (by negative  pledge or otherwise),  relying upon any Margin Stock as
collateral in the extension or  maintenance  of the credit  provided for in this
Agreement.

     SECTION 9.08.  Successors and Assigns. (a) The provisions of this Agreement
shall be binding  upon and inure to the benefit of the parties  hereto and their
respective  successors  and assigns;  provided  that none of the  Borrowers  may
assign or otherwise transfer any of its rights under this Agreement.



                                       71
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                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




     (b)  Any  Bank  may at  any  time  sell  to one or  more  Persons  (each  a
"Participant")  participating interests in any Loan owing to such Bank, any Note
held by such Bank, any  Commitment  hereunder or any other interest of such Bank
hereunder.  In the event of any such sale by a Bank of a participating  interest
to a Participant,  such Bank's  obligations  under this  Agreement  shall remain
unchanged,  such  Bank  shall  remain  solely  responsible  for the  performance
thereof,  such Bank shall  remain  the holder of any such Note for all  purposes
under this  Agreement,  and the Borrowers  and the Agent shall  continue to deal
solely and directly  with such Bank in  connection  with such Bank's  rights and
obligations  under  this  Agreement.  In no  event  shall  a Bank  that  sells a
participation be obligated to the Participant to take or refrain from taking any
action  hereunder  except  that such Bank may agree that it will not  (except as
provided below), without the consent of the Participant, agree to (i) the change
of any date fixed for the  payment of  principal  of or  interest on the related
loan or loans, (ii) the change of the amount of any principal,  interest or fees
due on any date fixed for the payment  thereof  with respect to the related loan
or loans,  (iii) the change of the principal of the related loan or loans,  (iv)
any change in the rate at which  either  interest is payable  thereon or (if the
Participant  is entitled to any part thereof) fee is payable  hereunder from the
rate at which the  Participant  is entitled  to receive  interest or fee (as the
case may be) in respect of such  participation,  (v) the release or substitution
of all or any  substantial  part of the collateral (if any) held as security for
the Loans,  or (vi) the release of any Guarantee given to support payment of the
Loans. Each Bank selling a participating  interest in any Loan, Note, Commitment
or other interest under this Agreement,  other than a Money Market Loan or Money
Market Loan Note or participating  interest therein,  shall,  within 10 Domestic
Business  Days of such sale,  provide the  Borrower  and the Agent with  written
notification stating that such sale has occurred and identifying the Participant
and the interest  purchased by such  Participant.  The Borrower agrees that each
Participant  shall be  entitled to the  benefits of Section  2.12(d) and Article
VIII with respect to its  participation in Loans  outstanding from time to time,
but not to receive payment  pursuant thereto in an amount greater than its share
of the amount to which the Bank selling such  participations  would be entitled.
Notwithstanding   anything  herein  to  the  contrary,  no  Bank  may  sell  any
participating  interests  in its Loans or  Commitments  hereunder  to any Person
other than  another Bank or to an Affiliate of such Bank or any other Bank in an
amount (after giving effect to all other permitted assignments or participations
made by such Bank) in excess of 50% of such Loans and  Commitments,  except that
such limitations shall not apply to any such participating interests sold at any
time  there  exists  a  Default  or in order to  satisfy  any law or  regulatory
requirement applicable to such Bank.



                                       72
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Exhibit 10(i)A




     (c) Any Bank  may at any  time  assign  to one or more  banks or  financial
institutions  (each an "Assignee")  all, or in the case of its Syndicated  Loans
and  Commitments,   a  proportionate  part  of  all  its  Syndicated  Loans  and
Commitments,  of its rights and obligations under this Agreement,  the Notes and
the other Loan  Documents,  and such  Assignee  shall assume all such rights and
obligations,  pursuant  to  an  Assignment  and  Acceptance,  executed  by  such
Assignee,  such  transferor  Bank and the Agent (and, in the case of an Assignee
that is not  then a Bank,  subject  to  clauses  (iii)  below,  by the  Parent);
provided that (i) no interest may be sold by a Bank  pursuant to this  paragraph
(c) unless the Assignee shall agree to assume ratably equivalent portions of the
transferor Bank's Commitment,  (ii) if a Bank is assigning only a portion of its
Commitment,  then, the amount of the Commitment being assigned (determined as of
the  effective  date of the  assignment)  shall be in an  amount  not less  than
$20,000,000  (or the Dollar  Equivalent  thereof),  or such lesser  amount as is
equal to its  entire  Commitment,  (iii)  except  during  the  continuance  of a
Default, no interest may be sold by a Bank pursuant to this paragraph (c) to any
Assignee that is not then a Bank (or an Affiliate of a Bank) without the consent
of the Parent and the Agent,  which consent shall not be unreasonably  withheld,
and (iv) a Bank may not have more than 2  Assignees  that are not then  Banks at
any one time.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  if any proceeds of the Loans are
intended by any of the Borrowers to be used in connection with, whether directly
or  indirectly,  any tender  offer for, or other  acquisition  of,  stock of any
corporation  with a view towards  obtaining  control of such other  corporation,
unless  such tender  offer or other  acquisition  is to be made on a  negotiated
basis with the  approval of the Board of Directors of the Person to be acquired,
the Parent will so advise the Agent and the Banks, and the consent of the Parent
to any  assignment  by any Bank shall not be required,  so long as such Bank (1)
has notified the Parent of its intent to so assign within 10 days of the funding
of such Loan, (2)  diligently  pursues such  assignment,  and (3) concludes such
assignment  within a  reasonable  time  after it has  given  such  notice to the
Parent.  Upon (A) execution of the Assignment and Acceptance by such  transferor
Bank, such Assignee, the Agent and (if applicable) the Borrower, (B) delivery of
an executed  copy of the  Assignment  and  Acceptance  to the  Borrowers and the
Agent,  (C) payment by such Assignee to such  transferor Bank of an amount equal
to the purchase price agreed between such transferor Bank and such Assignee, and
(D) payment of a processing  and  recordation  fee of $2,500 to the Agent,  such
Assignee shall for all purposes be a Bank party to this Agreement and shall have



                                       73
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                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




all the rights and obligations of a Bank under this Agreement to the same extent
as if it were an original  party hereto with a  Commitment  as set forth in such
instrument of  assumption,  and the  transferor  Bank shall be released from its
obligations  hereunder  to a  corresponding  extent,  and no further  consent or
action  by the  Borrower,  the Banks or the Agent  shall be  required.  Upon the
consummation of any transfer to an Assignee  pursuant to this paragraph (c), the
transferor Bank, the Agent and the Borrowers shall make appropriate arrangements
so that,  if  required,  a new Note from each  Borrower  is issued  each of such
Assignee and such transferor Bank and such transferor Bank.

     (d) Subject to the  provisions of Section 9.09 (which shall be binding upon
each such  Transferee),  the  Borrowers  authorize  each Bank to disclose to any
Participant,  Assignee  or  other  transferee  (each  a  "Transferee")  and  any
prospective  Transferee  any  and  all  financial  information  in  such  Bank's
possession concerning the Borrowers which has been delivered to such Bank by the
Borrowers pursuant to this Agreement or which has been delivered to such Bank by
the Borrowers in connection with such Bank's credit evaluation prior to entering
into this Agreement.

     (e) No  Transferee  shall be entitled to receive any greater  payment under
Section  2.12(d)  or  Section  8.03 than the  transferor  Bank  would  have been
entitled to receive with respect to the rights transferred, unless such transfer
is made with the Borrower's prior written consent or by reason of the provisions
of Section 8.02 or 8.03  requiring  such Bank to  designate a different  Lending
Office under certain  circumstances or at a time when the  circumstances  giving
rise to such greater payment did not exist.

     (g) Anything in this Section 9.08 to the contrary notwithstanding, any Bank
may assign and pledge all or any portion of the Loans and/or  obligations  owing
to it to any Federal  Reserve Bank or the United  States  Treasury as collateral
security  pursuant  to  Regulation  A of the Board of  Governors  of the Federal
Reserve System and any Operating  Circular  issued by such Federal Reserve Bank,
provided that any payment in respect of such assigned  Loans and/or  obligations
made by the Borrowers to the assigning  and/or  pledging Bank in accordance with
the terms of this Agreement shall satisfy the Borrowers'  obligations  hereunder
in respect  of such  assigned  Loans  and/or  obligations  to the extent of such
payment.  No such  assignment  shall release the assigning  and/or pledging Bank
from its obligations hereunder.

     (h) If (i) any Taxes  referred  to in Section  2.12(d)  have been levied or
imposed so as to require  withholdings or deductions by any Borrower and payment



                                       74
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Exhibit 10(i)A




by such Borrower of additional  amounts to any Bank as a result  thereof or (ii)
any Bank shall make demand for  payment of any  material  additional  amounts as
compensation  for increased  costs or for its reduced rate of return pursuant to
Section  8.02 or  8.03,  then  and in any  such  event,  upon  request  from the
Borrowers  delivered  to such Bank and the  Agent,  such Bank shall  assign,  in
accordance  with the  provisions  of  Section  9.08(c),  all of its  rights  and
obligations under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents to another Bank or
another  assignee  selected by the Borrower and acceptable to the Agent (and the
Agent shall not unreasonably  withhold its acceptance  thereof) upon the payment
by  such  assignee  to  such  Bank  of  the  principal  of and  interest  on the
outstanding  Loans  of such  Bank  accrued  to the  date of  assignment  and the
assumption of such Bank's remaining Commitments hereunder, together with any and
all  other  amounts  owing to such  Bank  under  any  other  provisions  of this
Agreement or the other Loan  Documents  accrued to the date of such  assignment,
and compliance in all other respects with the provisions of Section 9.08(c).

     SECTION 9.09. Confidentiality. Unless otherwise agreed to in writing by the
Parent,  each  Bank  and  the  Agent  hereby  agrees  to  keep  all  Proprietary
Information   confidential  and  not  to  disclose  or  reveal  any  Proprietary
Information  to any  Person  other  than  its  (or its  Affiliates,)  directors,
officers,  employees,  agents or  representatives  who  reasonably  require such
information in connection with their activities concerning this Agreement or the
transactions   contemplated  hereby  and  to  actual  or  potential   Assignees,
Participants,  or  Transferees,  and then only upon a confidential  basis in any
such  case;  provided,  however,  that  the  Agent  or  any  Bank  may  disclose
Proprietary  Information  (i) to any other Bank,  (ii) to the extent  reasonably
required in connection with any litigation to which the Agent, any Bank or their
respective Affiliates may be a party, (iii) to the extent reasonably required in
connection with the exercise of any remedy  hereunder,  (iv) as required by law,
rule, regulation or judicial process, (v) to its attorneys, accountants or other
consultants  (but  only on a  confidential  basis)  and (vi) to bank  regulatory
authorities or other governmental  authorities.  For purposes of this Agreement,
the term "Proprietary  Information"  shall mean all information about the Parent
or any of its Subsidiaries  which has been furnished to the Agent or any Bank by
or on behalf of the Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  before or after the date
hereof or which is  obtained by any Bank or the Agent in the course of any visit
or inspection made pursuant to Section 5.02;  provided,  however,  that the term
"Proprietary  Information" does not include  information which (x) is or becomes
publicly  available  (other than as a result of a breach of this Section  9.09),
(y) is possessed by or available to the Agent or any Bank on a  non-confidential



                                       75
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                                                                         Page 95
                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




basis  prior to its  disclosure  to the  Agent or such Bank by any  Borrower  or
Subsidiary   or  (z)  becomes   available   to  the  Agent  or  any  Bank  on  a
non-confidential  basis from a Person  which,  to the  knowledge of the Agent or
such Bank, as the case may be, is not bound by a confidentiality  agreement with
the  Parent or any of its  Subsidiaries  and is not  otherwise  prohibited  from
transmitting  such information to the Agent or such Bank. In the event the Agent
or any Bank is required to disclose  any  Proprietary  Information  by virtue of
clause (ii) (but only if and to the extent such  disclosure  has not been sought
by the Agent or any Bank,  and if neither the Parent nor any Borrower is a party
to such litigation), (iv) or (v) above, to the extent such Bank or the Agent (as
the case may be)  determines in good faith that it is  permissible  by law so to
do, it shall promptly notify the Parent of same so as to allow the Parent or its
Subsidiaries  to seek a protective  order or to take other  appropriate  action;
provided,  however,  neither  any Bank nor the Agent  shall be required to delay
compliance  with any directive to disclose any such  information  so as to allow
the Parent or any of Subsidiaries to effect any such action.

     SECTION 9.10.  Representation by Banks. Each Bank hereby represents that it
is a  commercial  lender  or  financial  institution  which  makes  loans in the
ordinary  course of its business and that it will make its Loans  hereunder  for
its own account in the ordinary course of such business; provided, however that,
subject to Section 9.08, the  disposition of the Note or Notes held by that Bank
shall at all times be within its exclusive control.

     SECTION 9.11.  Obligations  Several. The obligations of each Bank hereunder
are several,  and no Bank shall be responsible for the obligations or commitment
of any other Bank hereunder.  Nothing  contained in this Agreement and no action
taken by the Banks pursuant hereto shall be deemed to constitute the Banks to be
a partnership,  an association, a joint venture or any other kind of entity. The
amounts  payable at any time  hereunder  to each Bank  shall be a  separate  and
independent  debt,  and each Bank shall be  entitled  to protect and enforce its
rights arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Document and it shall not
be  necessary  for any other  Bank to be joined  as an  additional  party in any
proceeding for such purpose.

     SECTION 9.12. Georgial Law. This Agreement and each Note shall be construed
in accordance with and governed by the law of the State of Georgia.

     SECTION  9.13.  Severalbility.  In case  any one or more of the  provisions
contained in this  Agreement,  the Notes,  the Guaranty or any of the other Loan
Documents  should be  invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable  in any  respect,  the



                                       76
<PAGE>
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Exhibit 10(i)A




validity,  legality and  enforceability  of the remaining  provisions  contained
herein and therein  shall not in any way be  affected  or  impaired  thereby and
shall be enforced to the greatest extent permitted by law.

     SECTION 9.14. Interest.  In no event shall the amount of interest,  and all
charges,  amounts or fees contracted for, charged or collected  pursuant to this
Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents and deemed to be interest under
applicable law  (collectively,  "Interest")  exceed the highest rate of interest
allowed  by  applicable  law (the  "Maximum  Rate"),  and in the  event any such
payment  is  inadvertently  received  by any  Bank,  then  the  excess  sum (the
"Excess")  shall be  credited  as a payment of  principal,  unless the  relevant
Borrower  shall  notify  such Bank in writing  that it elects to have the Excess
returned  forthwith.  It is the express  intent hereof that the Borrower not pay
and the Banks not  receive,  directly or  indirectly  in any manner  whatsoever,
interest  in excess of that  which may  legally be paid by such  Borrower  under
applicable  law. The right to  accelerate  maturity of any of the Loans does not
include the right to accelerate  any interest that has not otherwise  accrued on
the date of such  acceleration,  and the Agent  and the  Banks do not  intend to
collect any unearned interest in the event of any such acceleration.  All monies
paid to the Agent or the Banks  hereunder or under any of the Notes or the other
Loan Documents, whether at maturity or by prepayment, shall be subject to rebate
of unearned  interest as and to the extent  required by  applicable  law. By the
execution of this  Agreement,  each Borrower  covenants,  to the fullest  extent
permitted by law,  that (i) the credit or return of any Excess shall  constitute
the acceptance by the Borrower of such Excess,  and (ii) such Borrower shall not
seek or pursue any other  remedy,  legal or equitable , against the Agent or any
Bank,  based in whole or in part upon  contracting for charging or receiving any
Interest in excess of the Maximum Rate. For the purpose of  determining  whether
or not any Excess has been contracted  for,  charged or received by the Agent or
any Bank, all interest at any time contracted for, charged or received from such
Borrower in connection with this  Agreement,  the Notes or any of the other Loan
Documents  shall,  to the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law, be  amortized,
prorated,  allocated and spread in equal parts  throughout  the full term of the
Commitments.  The Borrower, the Agent and each Bank shall, to the maximum extent
permitted under applicable law, (i) characterize any non-principal payment as an
expense,  fee or premium  rather than as  Interest  and (ii)  exclude  voluntary
prepayments  and the effects  thereof.  The  provisions of this Section shall be
deemed to be  incorporated  into each Note and each of the other Loan  Documents
(whether or not any provision of this Section is referred to therein).  All such
Loan Documents and communications  relating to any Interest owed by any Borrower
and all figures set forth therein  shall,  for the sole purpose of computing the



                                       77
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                                                                  Exhibit 10(i)A




extent of obligations hereunder and under the Notes and the other Loan Documents
be automatically  recomputed by such Borrower,  and by any court considering the
same, to give effect to the adjustments or credits required by this Section.

     SECTION 9.15. Interpretation.  No provision of this Agreement or any of the
other  Loan  Documents  shall  be  construed   against  or  interpreted  to  the
disadvantage of any party hereto by any court or other  governmental or judicial
authority by reason of such party having or being deemed to have  structured  or
dictated such provision.

     SECTION 9.16. Waiver of Jury Trial; Consent to Jurisdiction.  Each Borrower
(a) and each of the Banks  and the  Agent  irrevocably  waives,  to the  fullest
extent  permitted  by law,  any and all  right  to  trial  by jury in any  legal
proceeding  arising out of this Agreement,  any of the other Loan Documents,  or
any of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby or  thereby,  (b)  submits to the
nonexclusive  personal  jurisdiction in the State of Georgia, the courts thereof
and the United States  District Courts sitting  therein,  for the enforcement of
this Agreement,  the Notes and the other Loan Documents,  (c) waives any and all
personal  rights  under  the law of any  jurisdiction  to  object  on any  basis
(including, without limitation, inconvenience of forum) to jurisdiction or venue
within  the State of  Georgia  for the  purpose of  litigation  to enforce  this
Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents, and (d) agrees that service of
process  may be made upon it in the manner  prescribed  in Section  9.01 for the
giving of notice to the such Person.  Nothing herein contained,  however,  shall
prevent the Agent from bringing any action or exercising  any rights against any
security  and against  any  Borrower  personally,  and against any assets of any
Borrower, within any other state or jurisdiction.

     SECTION 9.17.  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be signed in any number of
counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the same effect as if the
signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same instrument.

     SECTION 9.18.  Source of Funds -- ERISA. Each of the Banks hereby severally
(and not jointly)  represents to the  Borrowers  that no part of the funds to be
used by such Bank to fund the Loans hereunder from time to time  constitutes (i)
assets  allocated to any separate  account  maintained by such Bank in which any
employee benefit plan (or its related trust) has any interest nor (ii) any other
assets  of any  employee  benefit  plan.  As  used in this  Section,  the  terms
"employee  benefit  plan"  and  "separate  account"  shall  have the  respective
meanings assigned to such terms in Section 3 of ERISA.



                                       78
<PAGE>
Page 98
Exhibit 10(i)A




     SECTION 9.19.  References  Regarding Foreign  Subsidiaries.  Any references
herein to any officer or organic  document of any  Foreign  Subsidiary  shall be
deemed  to  refer  to  the  equivalent  to  such  officer  or  document  in  the
jurisdiction of such Person's incorporation or organization.

  
             [Signatures are contained on the following pages.]

                                       79








                                                                         Page 99
                                                                      Exhibit 11

                        NATIONAL SERVICE INDUSTRIES, INC.

              COMPUTATIONS OF NET INCOME PER SHARE OF COMMON STOCK
                      (In thousands, except per-share data)


<TABLE>
                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED  NINE MONTHS ENDED
                                                                   MAY 31              MAY 31
                                                               1998     1997      1998       1997
<S>                                                            <C>     <C>       <C>       <C> 
Basic:

Net Income ...............................................   $28,139   $29,434   $78,295   $74,613

Basic Weighted Average Number of
Shares Outstanding (determined on
a monthly basis), including Shares
Contingently Issuable ....................................    42,001    44,996    42,763    45,371

Basic Earnings per Share .................................       .67   $   .65   $  1.83   $  1.64


Diluted:

Basic Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding ......    42,001    44,996    42,763    45,371

Add: Shares of common stock assumed issued upon
exercise of stock options using the "Treasury
Stock" method as it applies to the computation  of diluted
earnings per share .......................................       658       352       537       292

Average Common Shares Outstanding (as adjusted) ..........    42,659    45,348    43,300    45,663

Diluted Earnings per Share ...............................   $   .66   $   .65   $  1.81   $  1.63
</TABLE>




<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>               5
<LEGEND>


Page 100
                                                                      Exhibit 27

                             Financial Data Schedule
                           Quarter Ended May 31, 1998
                  Pursuant to Section 601(c) of Regulation S-K


This schedule  contains summary  financial  information  extracted from National
Service Industries,  Inc.  consolidated balance sheet as of May 31, 1998 and the
consolidated  statement of income for the nine months ended May 31, 1998, and is
qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.





</LEGEND>



       
<S>                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                      9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>              AUG-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                 SEP-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                   MAY-31-1998
<CASH>                            28,929   
<SECURITIES>                          58
<RECEIVABLES>                    295,769
<ALLOWANCES>                       6,830
<INVENTORY>                      200,969
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                 603,929
<PP&E>                           647,016
<DEPRECIATION>                   383,005
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                   991,800
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>            266,677
<BONDS>                           26,162
                  0
                            0
<COMMON>                          57,919 
<OTHER-SE>                       506,324
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>     991,800
<SALES>                        1,253,529
<TOTAL-REVENUES>               1,488,602
<CGS>                            765,854
<TOTAL-COSTS>                    902,220
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                 457,229
<LOSS-PROVISION>                       0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                 4,698
<INCOME-PRETAX>                  124,456
<INCOME-TAX>                      46,161
<INCOME-CONTINUING>               78,295
<DISCONTINUED>                         0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                        0
<CHANGES>                              0
<NET-INCOME>                      78,295
<EPS-PRIMARY>                       1.83
<EPS-DILUTED>                       1.81
        

</TABLE>


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