COOPER COMPANIES INC, DEF 14A, 1997-02-18

COOPER COMPANIES INC
DEF 14A, 1997-02-18
OPHTHALMIC GOODS

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<PAGE>
<PAGE>
Section 240.14a-101 Schedule 14A.
Information required in proxy statement.
Schedule 14A Information
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted
by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section
240.14a-12

THE COOPER COMPANIES
.................................................................
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

.................................................................
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1)
and 0-11

(1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction
applies:

............................................................

(2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
applies:

.......................................................

(3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount
on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was
determined):

.......................................................

(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:

.......................................................

(5) Total fee paid:

.......................................................

[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for
which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the
previous filing by registration statement number, or the
Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.

(1) Amount Previously Paid:

.......................................................

(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:

.......................................................

(3) Filing Party:

.......................................................

(4) Date Filed:

.......................................................

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
[Logo]

February 20, 1997

Dear Stockholder:

You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of
The Cooper Companies, Inc. (the 'Company') scheduled to be held on March 25,
1997, at the New York Marriott East Side, 525 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY at
10:00 a.m. The Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders, a Proxy Statement, a
proxy card and a return envelope accompany this letter, as does a copy of the
Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996.

At the Annual Meeting, stockholders will be asked to elect a Board of eight
directors to serve for the forthcoming year. A biographical description of each
of the eight nominees is set forth in the section of the Proxy Statement
entitled 'Election of Directors.' Stockholders will also be asked to ratify the
Board's appointment of the Company's auditors for fiscal 1997.

I hope you will have the opportunity to join us at the Annual Meeting.
Whether or not you plan to attend, please COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE and MAIL the
enclosed proxy card as soon as possible, so that your shares may be represented
at the Annual Meeting.

Sincerely,
/s/ ALLAN E. RUBENSTEIN, M.D.
ALLAN E. RUBENSTEIN, M.D.
Chairman of the Board of Directors

THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.
6140 STONERIDGE MALL ROAD, SUITE 590
PLEASANTON, CA 94588
TEL: (510) 460-3600

------------------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
------------------------------

To the Stockholders of
THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of The Cooper Companies,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the 'Company'), will be held on March 25, 1997, at
the New York Marriott East Side, 525 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, at 10:00
a.m., for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following:

1. The election of a Board of eight directors.

2. The ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as
independent certified public accountants of the Company for the fiscal year
ending October 31, 1997.

3. The transaction of such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

Only stockholders of record at the close of business on February 14, 1997
will be entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and any adjournments
thereof.

Enclosed with this Notice are a Proxy Statement, a proxy card and a return
envelope, as well as a copy of the Company's Annual Report for the fiscal year
ended October 31, 1996.

All stockholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person.
Whether or not you plan to attend, please COMPLETE, SIGN and DATE the enclosed
proxy card and MAIL it promptly in the enclosed postage paid envelope.

By Order of the Board of Directors

/s/ CAROL R. KAUFMAN
CAROL R. KAUFMAN
Secretary

Dated: February 20, 1997

THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.
6140 STONERIDGE MALL ROAD, SUITE 590
PLEASANTON, CA 94588
------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR
ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
MARCH 25, 1997
------------------

INFORMATION REGARDING PROXIES

The accompanying proxy card is solicited by and on behalf of the Board of
Directors of The Cooper Companies, Inc. (the 'Company') for use at the Annual
Meeting of Stockholders to be held on March 25, 1997 at the New York Marriott
East Side, 525 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY at 10:00 a.m., and at any
adjournments or postponements thereof. This Proxy Statement and the accompanying
proxy card are first being mailed to stockholders on or about February 20, 1997.

When a proxy card in the form enclosed with this Proxy Statement is
returned properly executed, the shares represented thereby will be voted at the
Annual Meeting in accordance with the directions indicated thereon. If a proxy
card is properly executed but no directions are indicated, the shares will be
voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of Directors FOR each
of the nominees for director as shown on the form of proxy card, and FOR the
ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to be the Company's
independent certified public accountants for the fiscal year ending October 31,
1997. The Board of Directors does not know of any other business to come before
the Annual Meeting. If any other matters should properly come before the Annual
Meeting or any adjournment or postponements thereof for which specific authority
has not been solicited from the stockholders, then, to the extent permissible by
law, the persons voting the proxies will use their discretionary authority to
vote thereon in accordance with their best judgment. A stockholder who executes
and returns the enclosed proxy card may revoke it at any time prior to its
exercise by giving written notice of such revocation to the Secretary of the
Company, by executing a subsequently dated proxy card or by voting in person at
the Annual Meeting. Attendance at the Annual Meeting by a stockholder who has
executed and returned a proxy card does not alone revoke such proxy.

The cost of solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company. In
addition to the solicitation of proxies by use of the mail, officers, directors
and other employees of the Company, acting on its behalf, may solicit proxies by
telephone, facsimile or personal interview. Also, the Company has retained D.F.
King & Co., Inc. to aid in the solicitation of proxies, for which the Company
will pay a fee of $10,000 plus reasonable expenses. The Company will, at its
expense, request brokers and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries to
forward proxy soliciting material to the beneficial owners of shares held of
record by such persons.

OUTSTANDING STOCK AND VOTING RIGHTS

As of the close of business on February 14, 1997, the record date for the
determination of stockholders entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual
Meeting, there were outstanding 11,680,144 shares of the Company's common stock,
$.10 par value per share (the 'Common Stock'), each of which is entitled to one
vote at the Annual Meeting. Under the Company's By-laws and Delaware law, shares
represented by proxies that reflect abstentions or 'broker non-votes' (i.e.,
shares held by a broker or nominee which are represented at the meeting, but
with respect to which such broker or nominee is not empowered to vote on a
particular proposal) will be counted as shares that are present and entitled to
vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. Directors will be
elected by the favorable vote of a plurality of the shares of Common Stock
present and entitled to vote, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting.
Abstentions as to the election of directors will not affect the election of the
candidates receiving a plurality of votes. The proposal to ratify the
appointment of the Company's independent certified public accountants requires
the approval of the majority of shares present in person or represented by proxy
at the Annual Meeting and entitled to vote on such proposal. Abstentions to this
proposal will have the same effect as votes against it. Shares represented by
proxies that

reflect broker non-votes, however, will be treated as not entitled to vote for
purposes of determining approval of this proposal and will not have any effect
on the outcome of such matter.

PROPOSAL 1 -- ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

The Company's By-laws provide for no fewer than six and no more than eleven
directors, as determined by the Board of Directors, which has fixed the number
of directors to be elected at the 1997 Annual Meeting at eight, each of these
directors to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders and until his
successor is duly elected and qualified. The Board of Directors recommends that
each of the nominees for director described below be elected to serve as a
director of the Company. All nominees have consented to be named and have
indicated their intention to serve if elected. The Board of Directors does not
expect that any nominee will be unavailable for election or unable to serve. If
any nominee is not available for election or able to serve as a director, the
accompanying proxy will be voted for the election of such other person, if any,
as the Board of Directors may designate.

THE NOMINEES

Seven of the Board's eight nominees for election as director currently
serve on the Board of Directors. Two of such directors, Donald Press and Steven
Rosenberg, were nominated at the request of the Company's largest stockholder,
Cooper Life Sciences, Inc. ('CLS'), pursuant to the terms of a settlement
agreement dated June 14, 1993 between the Company and CLS. A third, Moses Marx,
served as a director nominated at CLS' request pursuant to such agreement until
October 31, 1996, at which time the number of directors that CLS was entitled to
designate was reduced to two, and the Board (other than Messrs. Marx, Press and
Rosenberg) determined that Mr. Marx continue to serve thereafter as a non-CLS
designated director. For information with respect to that settlement agreement
and certain contractual rights of CLS pertaining to the composition of the Board
of Directors, see 'Certain Relationships and Related Transactions -- Agreement
with CLS.'

The names of the nominees for election as directors are listed below,
together with certain personal information, including the present principal
occupation and recent business experience of each nominee.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR
COMMENCED
SERVING
AS
A
DIRECTOR
NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OF THE
AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AGE COMPANY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
A. Thomas Bender............................................................................... 58 1994
Mr. Bender was elected President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company in May 1995.
He had been serving as the Chief Operating Officer of the Company since August 1994, and
as Executive Vice President since March 1994. He served as Acting Chief Operating Officer
of the Company from March 1994 to August 1994, and as Senior Vice President, Operations
from October 1992 to February 1994. He continues to serve as President of CooperVision,
Inc., the Company's contact lens subsidiary, a position he has held since June 1991.
Between 1966 and June 1991, Mr. Bender held a variety of positions at Allergan, Inc. (a
manufacturer of eye and skin care products), including Corporate Senior Vice President,
and President and Chief Operating Officer of Allergan's Herbert Laboratories, Dermatology
Division.

Michael H. Kalkstein........................................................................... 54 1992
Mr. Kalkstein has been a partner in the law firm of Graham & James LLP since September
1994. He was a partner in the law firm of Berliner Cohen from 1983 through August 1994.
He has been on the Board of Trustees of Opera San Jose since 1984 and served as its
President from 1992 to 1994. Mr. Kalkstein was a member of the Mayor's Task Force on Arts
2020 in San Jose, California and a member of the Governor of California's Specialk For
Force to implement the Agricultural Labor Relations Act.
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR
COMMENCED
SERVING
AS
A
DIRECTOR
NAME, PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION OF THE
AND OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS AGE COMPANY
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Moses Marx..................................................................................... 61 1995
Mr. Marx has been a general partner in United Equities Company (a securities brokerage
firm) since 1954 and a general partner in United Equities Commodities Company (a
commodities brokerage firm) since 1972. He is also President of Momar Corp. (an
investment company). Mr. Marx is a director of CLS and of BioTechnology General Corp. (a
developer and manufacturer of biotechnology products). He previously served on the
Company's Board of Directors from September 1989 to September 1991.

Donald Press................................................................................... 63 1993
Mr. Press has served as the Executive Vice President of Broadway Management Co., Inc. (an
owner and manager of commercial office buildings) since 1981. Mr. Press, an attorney, is
also a principal in Donald Press, P.C. (a law firm) located in New York City. Mr. Press
is a director of Components Specialties, Inc. (an electronics company), Graham-Field
Health Products, Inc. (a healthcare company) and Branford Savings Bank.

Steven Rosenberg............................................................................... 48 1993
Mr. Rosenberg has served as Acting Chairman of the Board of CLS since May 1995, and as
Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of CLS since 1990. From September
1987 through April 1990, Mr. Rosenberg served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Scomel Industries Inc. (an international marketing and consulting group). Mr. Rosenberg
is a director of CLS.

Allan E. Rubenstein, M.D....................................................................... 52 1992
Dr. Rubenstein has served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors since July 1994; he
served as Acting Chairman of the Board from April 1993 through June 1994. He is President
of MTC Imaging Services, Inc. (a medical imaging company, founded by him in 1981,
providing radiologic equipment to hospitals and physicians' offices). Dr. Rubenstein is
certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology and by the American Society
for Neuroimaging. He has been on the faculty of the Department of Neurology at Mt. Sinai
School of Medicine in New York City since 1976, and currently is Associate Professor and
Director of the Mt. Sinai Neurofibromatosis Research and Treatment Center. Dr. Rubenstein
has authored two books on neurofibromatosis and is Medical Director for the National
Neurofibromatosis Foundation.

Robert S. Weiss................................................................................ 50 1996
Mr. Weiss has served as the Executive Vice President of the Company since October 1995. He
has been the Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of the Company since 1989. From
October 1992 until October 1995, he was also a Senior Vice President; from March 1984 to
October 1992 he served as a Vice President, and from 1984 through July 1990 he served as
Corporate Controller. From January 1977 until March 1984 he held a variety of financial
positions at Cooper Laboratories, Inc. (the Company's former parent).

Stanley Zinberg, M.D........................................................................... 62 --
Dr. Zinberg has been nominated to serve on the Board of Directors. He is an
obstetrician-gynecologist who has been Director of Practice Activities for the American
College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists since January 1994. From 1981 until 1993 he
served as Chief, Obstetrics and Gynecology of New York Downtown Hospital, where from 1990
through 1992 he also served as President of the Medical Staff and a member of the Board
of Trustees. He is certified by the American Board of Obstetrics and Gynecology.
</TABLE>

There are no family relationships between any of the Company's current
directors or executive officers or the Board's proposed nominees.

BOARD COMMITTEES, MEETINGS AND COMPENSATION

The Company currently has four active committees of the Board:

(i) The Audit and Finance Committee advises and makes recommendations
to the Board of Directors concerning (a) the appointment of independent
certified public accountants for the Company, (b) matters relating to the
activities of the independent certified public accountants and (c) the
financial, investment and accounting procedures and practices followed by
the Company. The members are Messrs. Rosenberg, Press and Mark A. Filler (a
current director not standing for re-election).

(ii) The Compensation/Long Term Incentive Plan Committee advises and
makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding matters relating
to the compensation of directors, officers and senior management, the
granting of awards under the Company's 1988 Long Term Incentive Plan (the
'LTIP') and the Company's other incentive plans. The members are Messrs.
Kalkstein, Filler, Press and Dr. Rubenstein.

(iii) The Management Committee consults with and oversees the
activities of the Chief Executive Officer. In addition, the members of the
Committee meet with key operating personnel at quarterly Operations
Meetings. The members are Dr. Rubenstein and Messrs. Filler and Press.

(iv) The Nominating Committee selects individuals to be nominated for
election to the Company's Board of Directors. The members are Dr.
Rubenstein and Messrs. Marx and Kalkstein. The Nominating Committee will
consider suggestions from stockholders for nominees for election as
directors at the 1998 Annual Meetif sqf such recommendations are made in
accordance with the procedure described below under 'Stockholder
Nominations and Proposals.'

During the fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the Board met seven times
and acted once by unanimous written consent, the Audit and Finance Committee met
twice and the Compensation/Long Term Incentive Plan Committee met twelve times.
Members of the Management Committee met with members of senior management three
times.

For a description of compensation paid to directors, see 'Executive
Compensation -- Compensation of Directors.'

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE COMPANY

Set forth below is information regarding the current executive officers of
the Company who are not also directors:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE OFFICE
- ------------------------------------ --- -------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Gregory A. Fryling.................. 42 Vice President, Business Development, President
of CooperVision Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Carol R. Kaufman.................... 47 Vice President of Legal Affairs, Secretary and
Chief Administrative Officer
Nicholas J. Pichotta................ 52 President and Chief Executive Officer of
CooperSurgical, Inc.
Mark R. Russell..................... 47 President and Chief Executive Officer of Hospital
Group of America, Inc.
Stephen C. Whiteford................ 56 Vice President and Corporate Controller
</TABLE>

Gregory A. Fryling has served as Vice President, Business Development since
January 1993 and has been serving as President of CooperVision Pharmaceuticals,
Inc. since May 1994. He has been an officer of various subsidiaries of the
Company including Vice President and Controller of The Cooper Healthcare Group
from January 1990 through December 1992 and Vice President and Controller of
CooperVision from October 1988 through December 1989. He also served as Vice
President and Controller of Cooper Life Sciences, Inc. ('CLS') (then, a
manufacturer of surgical laser and ultrasonic devices) from September 1986 to
September 1988.

Carol R. Kaufman has served as Vice President and Chief Administrative
Officer since October 1995 and was elected Vice President of Legal Affairs in
March 1996. From January 1989 through September 1995, she served as Vice
President, Secretary, and Chief Administrative Officer of Cooper Development
Company

('CDC') (a healthcare and consumer products company), a former affiliate of the
Company; from June 1985 through January 1989 she served as Vice President of
Cooper & Company, CDC's mergers and acquisitions subsidiary. From October 1971
until June 1985 she held a variety of offices at Cooper Laboratories, Inc. (the
Company's former parent).

Nicholas J. Pichotta has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
CooperSurgical, Inc. since September 1992. He served as Vice President of the
Company from December 1992 to May 1993 and as Vice President, Corporate
Development-Healthcare from December 1991 to December 1992 and as President of
CooperVision from November 1990 to June 1991. He has served in a number of other
positions since joining the Company in January 1989. From May to October 1988 he
was Managing Director of Heraeus LaserSonics and from December 1986 to May 1988
he served as President of the Surgical Laser Division of CLS.

Mark R. Russell has served as the President and Chief Executive Officer of
Hospital Group of America, Inc. since June 1993 and served as Executive Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer from January 1987 (through the time of its
acquisition by the Company in May 1992) until June 1993. From May 1986 to
January 1987 he served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of
Nu-Med Psychiatric and from February 1981 to May 1986, he served as Senior Vice
President and Chief Operating Officer of the Kennedy Health Care Foundation (the
parent organization for a diversified healthcare services company).

Stephen C. Whiteford has served as Vice President and Corporate Controller
since July 1992. He served as Assistant Corporate Controller from March 1988 to
July 1992, as International Controller from August 1986 to February 1988 and as
Vice President and Controller of CooperVision Ophthalmic Products from June 1985
to August 1986. From July 1975 to June 1985 he held a variety of financial
positions at Cooper Laboratories, Inc. (the Company's former parent) and its
subsidiaries.

There is no family relationship between any of the above-named officers or
between any such officer and any director of the Company.

SECTION 16(a) COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
'Exchange Act'), requires the Company's executive officers (as defined),
directors and persons owning more than ten percent of a registered class of the
Company's equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in
ownership of all equity and derivative securities of the Company with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), The New York Stock Exchange,
Inc. and the Pacific Stock Exchange Incorporated. SEC regulations also require
that a copy of all such Section 16(a) forms filed be furnished to the Company by
its officers, directors and greater than ten-percent stockholders.

Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms and amendments thereto
received by the Company, or on written representations from the Company's
officers and directors that no Forms 5 were required to be filed, the Company
believes that during fiscal 1996 all Section 16(a) filing requirements
applicable to its officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than ten
percent of any class of its equity securities were met, except that B. Norris
Battin failed to file a monthly report covering two transactions occurring prior
to his designation by the Board as an executive officer for Section 16(a)
reporting purposes, but did report the transactions in his year-end report on
Form 5, which was timely filed.

SECURITIES HELD BY MANAGEMENT

The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of the
Company's Common Stock by each of its current directors, the individuals named
in the Summary Compensation Table and by all of the current directors and
executive officers as a group.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED AS OF
JANUARY 31, 1997
--------------------------
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES OF SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ --------- ----------

<S> <C> <C>
A. Thomas Bender........................................................ 124,146(1) 1.0%
Mark A. Filler.......................................................... 8,470(2) *
Michael H. Kalkstein.................................................... 12,203(2) *
Carol R. Kaufman........................................................ 13,333(3) *
Moses Marx.............................................................. 421,706(2)(4) 3.5%
Nicholas J. Pichotta.................................................... 12,407(5) *
Donald Press............................................................ 14,904(2)(6) *
Steven Rosenberg........................................................ 8,370(2) *
Allan E. Rubenstein..................................................... 6,295(7) *
Mark R. Russell......................................................... 22,187(8) *
Robert S. Weiss......................................................... 120,750(9) 1.0%
All current directors and executive officers as a group (13 persons).... 813,507(10) 6.7%
</TABLE>

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

* Less than 1%.

(1) Includes 1,852 shares as to which Mr. Bender has sole voting power, but as
to which disposition is restricted pursuant to the terms of the LTIP, and
66,666 shares which could be acquired upon the exercise of presently
exercisable stock options.

(2) Includes 521 shares which each of Messrs. Filler, Kalkstein, Marx, Press
and Rosenberg purchased pursuant to the 1996 Long Term Incentive Plan for
Non-Employee Directors (the '1996 LTIP'). Each Non-Employee Director has
sole voting power with respect to those 521 shares, however disposition is
restricted pursuant to the terms of the 1996 LTIP. Also includes 5,000
shares which each of them could acquire upon the exercise of presently
exercisable stock options.

(3) Includes 10,000 shares which Ms. Kaufman could acquire upon the exercise of
presently exercisable stock options.

(4) Includes 243,666 shares which could be acquired upon conversion (at the
rate of $15.00 per share) of $3,655,000 principal amount of the Company's
10 5/8% Convertible Subordinated Reset Debentures due 2005 (the
'Convertible Debentures') owned directly by Mr. Marx. Does not include
1,963,233 shares of Common Stock owned by CLS. See 'Principal
Securityholders' and 'Certain Relationships and Related Transactions --
Agreements and Transactions with CLS.' Mr. Marx is a director of CLS and
also the majority stockholder of that company.

(5) Includes 1,852 shares as to which Mr. Pichotta has sole voting power, but
as to which disposition is restricted pursuant to the terms of the LTIP,
and 5,000 shares which Mr. Pichotta could acquire upon the exercise of
presently exercisable stock options.

(6) Includes 1,200 shares which could be acquired upon conversion (at the rate
of $15.00 per share) of $18,000 principal amount of Convertible Debentures
owned directly by Mr. Press or held in a trust for which he serves as the
trustee.

(7) Includes 651 shares which Dr. Rubenstein purchased in January 1997 pursuant
to the terms of the 1996 LTIP. Dr. Rubenstein has sole voting power with
respect to those shares, however disposition is restricted pursuant to the
terms of the 1996 LTIP.

(8) Includes 1,852 shares as to which Mr. Russell has sole voting power, but as
to which disposition is restricted pursuant to the terms of the LTIP, and
12,280 shares which Mr. Russell could acquire upon the exercise of
presently exercisable stock options.

(9) Includes 5,556 shares as to which Mr. Weiss has sole voting power but as to
which disposition is restricted pursuant to the terms of the LTIP, 2,554
shares held on account for him under the Company's 401(k) Savings Plan and
28,334 shares which Mr. Weiss could acquire upon the exercise of presently
exercisable stock options.

(10) See Notes (1) through (9) for details with respect to such ownership.

PRINCIPAL SECURITYHOLDERS

The following table sets forth information regarding ownership of
outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock by those individuals or groups
who have advised the Company that they own more than five percent (5%) of such
outstanding shares.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
COMMON STOCK
BENEFICIALLY OWNED
AS OF FEBRUARY 4, 1997
-------------------------
NUMBER PERCENTAGE
NAME OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES OF SHARES
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --------- ----------

<S> <C> <C>
Cooper Life Sciences, Inc. ............................................ 1,732,533(1) 14.83%
160 Broadway, 1st Floor
New York, NY 10128
</TABLE>

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

(1) Reported as of February 4, 1997 in Amendment #10 to its Form 13D filed on
February 10, 1997.

<PAGE>
<PAGE>
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

The table below shows compensation paid in or with respect to each of the
last three fiscal years to the individual who served as the Company's Chief
Executive Officer for fiscal 1996, and to each of the persons who were, for the
fiscal year ended October 31, 1996, the four other most highly compensated
executive officers of the Company or its subsidiaries.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG TERM COMPENSATION
--------------------------------------
AWARDS
ANNUAL COMPENSATION --------------------------- PAYOUTS
---------------------------------- RESTRICTED SECURITIES --------
NAME AND PRINCIPAL OTHER ANNUAL STOCK UNDERLYING LTIP ALL OTHER
POSITION YEAR SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION AWARDS OPTIONS/SARS PAYOUTS COMPENSATION
- ------------------------- ---- -------- -------- ------------ ---------- ------------ -------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
A. Thomas Bender (1) .... 1996 $317,810 $230,412 -0- $ 26,608(3) 199,111 $ 64,763 $ 1,800(4)
President and Chief 1995 $300,000 $187,500 -0- $ 36,114 36,111 $ 34,444 $ 900(4)
Executive Officer 1994 $243,583 $150,413 -0- $ 16,000 33,334 $ 17,778 $ 524(4)

Carol R. Kaufman (2) .... 1996 $160,000 $ 92,800 -0- -0- 8,000 -0- $ 587(6)
Vice President of Legal 1995 $ 11,574 -0- -0- -0- 10,000 -0- $ 200(5)
Affairs, Secretary and 1994 -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0- -0-
Chief Administrative
Officer

Nicholas J. Pichotta .... 1996 $190,000 $ 98,800 -0- $ 26,608(3) 10,000 $ 64,763 $ 1,016(6)
President and CEO of 1995 $190,000 $ 95,000 -0- $ 36,114 5,000 $ 34,444 $ 1,006(6)
CooperSurgical, Inc. 1994 $190,000 $ 39,817 -0- $ 16,000 -0- $ 17,778 $ 1,006(6)

Mark R. Russell ......... 1996 $250,000 $176,400 -0- $ 26,608(3) 10,000 $ 64,763 $ 49,842(6)(7)
President and CEO of 1995 $250,000 $ 23,750 -0- $ 36,114 5,000 $ 34,444 $ 1,766(6)
Hospital Group of 1994 $249,828 $117,418 -0- $ 16,000 -0- $ 17,778 $ 1,118(6)
America, Inc.

Robert S. Weiss ......... 1996 $227,700 $132,066 -0- $ 79,853(8) 127,000 -0- $ 1,235(6)
Executive Vice 1995 $218,500 $109,250 -0- $108,332 15,000 $103,333 $ 786(6)
President, Treasurer 1994 $217,271 $115,482 $ 16,875 $ 48,000 13,334 $ 53,333 $ 786(6)
and CFO
</TABLE>

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

(1) Mr. Bender assumed the positions of President and Chief Executive Officer in
May 1995. Prior thereto, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer.

(2) Ms. Kaufman assumed the position of Vice President and Chief Administrative
Officer in October, 1995. She became Vice President of Legal Affairs and
Secretary in March 1996.

(3) As of October 31, 1996, each of Messrs. Bender, Pichotta and Russell owned
1,852 shares of restricted stock, the aggregate fair market value of which
was $81,257. Restrictions will be removed from these shares on August 30,
1997, assuming Mr. Bender, Mr. Pichotta and Mr. Russell, respectively, are
employees of the Company at that time. Those shares are eligible to receive
any dividends paid by the Company prior to the removal of restrictions
therefrom. For each of Messrs. Bender, Pichotta and Russell restrictions
were removed from 3,703 shares on May 25, 1996 and from 1,852 shares on
August 30, 1996.

(4) Consists of income associated with life insurance coverage.

(5) Consists of a $200 contribution by the Company to a 401(k) account.

(6) Consists of a $200 contribution by the Company to a 401(k) account and
income associated with life insurance coverage.

(7) Includes $48,076 paid for accrued vacation.

(8) As of October 31, 1996, Mr. Weiss owned 5,556 shares of restricted stock
with a fair market value of $81,257. Restrictions will be removed from these
shares on August 30, 1997, assuming Mr. Weiss is an employee of the Company
at that time. Those shares are eligible to receive any dividends paid by the
Company prior to the removal of restrictions therefrom. Restrictions were
removed from 11,111 shares on May 25, 1996 and from 5,555 shares on August
30, 1996.

OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL YEAR ENDED OCTOBER 31, 1996(1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE VALUE
PERCENT OF AT ASSUMED ANNUAL RATES
TOTAL OPTIONS OF STOCK PRICE APPRECIATION
GRANTED TO FOR OPTION TERM (5)
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN EXERCISE PRICE EXPIRATION -------------------------------
NAME GRANTED FISCAL YEAR PER SHARE DATE 5%($) 10%($)
- ------------------------------- --------- ------------- -------------- ---------- ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
A. Thomas Bender............... 20,000(1) 4.53% $14.50 10/27/06 $ 182,379 $ 462,185
30,000(2) 6.80% $16.00 07/08/06 $ 88,077 $ 424,568
54,000(2) 12.24% $20.00 07/08/06 $ 0 $ 0
54,000(2) 12.24% $26.00 07/08/06 $ 0 $ 0
30,000(2) 6.80% $34.00 07/08/06 $ 0 $ 0
2,778(3) 0.63% $ 8.75 03/26/06 $ 15,287 $ 38,740
2,778(3) 0.63% $ 8.75 03/26/06 $ 15,287 $ 38,740
2,778(3) 0.63% $ 8.75 03/26/06 $ 15,287 $ 38,740
2,777(3) 0.63% $ 8.75 03/26/06 $ 15,281 $ 38,726
Carol R. Kaufman............... 8,000(1) 1.81% $14.50 10/27/06 $ 72,952 $ 184,874
Nicholas J. Pichotta........... 10,000(1) 2.27% $14.50 10/27/06 $ 91,190 $ 231,093
Mark R. Russell................ 10,000(1) 2.27% $14.50 10/27/06 $ 91,190 $ 231,093
Robert S. Weiss................ 15,000(1) 3.40% $14.50 10/27/06 $ 136,785 $ 346,639
20,000(4) 4.53% $16.00 07/08/06 $ 58,718 $ 283,045
36,000(4) 8.16% $20.00 07/08/06 $ 0 $ 0
36,000(4) 8.16% $26.00 07/08/06 $ 0 $ 0
20,000(4) 4.53% $34.00 07/08/06 $ 0 $ 0
All Stockholders as a Group.... N/A N/A N/A N/A $124,829,911(6) $316,343,503(6)
</TABLE>

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

(1) The option shall become exercisable when the average of the closing prices
of a share of the Company's Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange
during any 30 consecutive calendar days following the date of grant equals
$17.40, if the option holder is employed by the Company on that date.
Furthermore, if any portion of the option has not become exercisable by July
27, 2006, it shall become exercisable on that date regardless of the price
of the Company's Common Stock, provided the option holder is still an
employee of the Company.

(2) For Mr. Bender's 168,000 share options to become potentially exercisable (to
'vest'), the Company's Common Stock must reach the level specified as the
'Exercise Price' prior to or on the specified option deadline date (the
'Option Deadline Date') and, for the 30 calendar day period commencing on
that date the average Fair Market Value of a share must equal or exceed the
option's Exercise Price. The first day of any 30 day period is considered
the Target Achievement Date for that particular group of options. Options
with respect to 30,000 shares have an exercise price of $16.00 and an Option
Deadline Date of December 31, 1996. Options with respect to 54,000 shares
have an exercise price of $20.00 and an Option Deadline Date of December 31,
1997. Options with respect to 54,000 shares have an exercise price of $26.00
and an Option Deadline Date of December 31, 1998. Options with respect to
30,000 shares have an exercise price of $34.00 and an Option Deadline Date
of December 31, 1999. The Target Achievement Date with respect to the first
30,000 shares was reached on December 10, 1996 and such options vested on
January 8, 1997. All shares included in this option which have vested shall
become exercisable on the earlier of (a) the second anniversary of the
Target Achievement Date or (b) the first day after the Target Achievement
Date as of which Mr. Bender's employment has been terminated by the Company
'without cause,' by Mr. Bender for 'good reason' (as each of such terms is
defined in Mr. Bender's employment agreement), or by reason of Mr. Bender's
death or disability. No option shall be exercisable after July 8, 2006.

(3) For Mr. Bender's 11,111 share option to become exercisable, two tests must
be met simultaneously: (a) Mr. Bender must remain as the Chief Executive
Officer of the Company and (b) the price of the Company's Common Stock shall
have reached a specified level. Specifically, 7,406 shares of the 11,111
share option became exercisable immediately, 927 shares became exercisable
on December 11, 1996 and 2,778 shares will become exercisable on March 26,
1997, assuming that Mr. Bender continues to serve as the Company's Chief
Executive Officer. Despite the foregoing, before any portion of the option
can be exercised, the Average Price (as defined in the Option Agreement) of
a share of the Company's Common Stock must equal or exceed $4.50 per share
with respect to the first 3,703 shares available for purchase under the
option, $9.00 per share with respect to the second 3,703 shares and $15.00
per share with respect to the last 3,705 shares. During the period of April
1, 2001 through September 26, 2006, assuming no previous forfeiture of the
option, any portion of the option which has not yet become exercisable shall
become exercisable if the Average Price of a share of the Company's Common
Stock equals or exceeds $30.00. If any portion of the

option has not become exercisable by September 27, 2005 and the option has
not previously been forfeited, it shall become exercisable on that date.
Vesting could be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain events relating
to a change in control of the Company. As of December 11, 1996 all Average
Price targets had been met.

(4) For Mr. Weiss' 112,000 share options to become potentially exercisable (to
'vest'), the Company's Common Stock must reach the level specified as the
'Exercise Price' prior to or on the specified option deadline date (the
'Option Deadline Date') and, for the 30 calendar day period commencing on
that date the average Fair Market Value of a share must equal or exceed the
option's Exercise Price. The first day of any 30 day period is considered
the Target Achievement Date for that particular group of options. Options
with respect to 20,000 shares have an exercise price of $16.00 and an Option
Deadline Date of December 31, 1996. Options with respect to 36,000 shares
have an exercise price of $20.00 and an Option Deadline Date of December 31,
1997. Options with respect to 36,000 shares have an exercise price of $26.00
and an Option Deadline Date of December 31, 1998. Options with respect to
20,000 shares have an exercise price of $34.00 and an Option Deadline Date
of December 31, 1999. The Target Achievement Date with respect to the first
20,000 shares was reached on December 10, 1996 and such options vested on
January 8, 1997. All shares included in this option which have vested shall
become exercisable on the earlier of (a) the second anniversary of the
Target Achievement Date or (b) the first day after the Target Achievement
Date as of which Mr. Weiss' employment has been terminated by the Company
'without cause,' by Mr. Weiss for 'good reason' (as each of such terms is
defined in Mr. Weiss' employment agreement), or by reason of Mr. Weiss'
death or disability. No option shall be exercisable after July 8, 2006.

(5) The dollar amounts under these columns are the results of calculations at
the 5% and 10% annual appreciation rates set by the SEC for illustrative
purposes and are not intended to forecast future financial performance or
possible future appreciation, if any, in the price of the Company's Common
Stock. Stockholders are, therefore, cautioned against drawing any
conclusions from the appreciation data shown, aside from the fact that
optionees will only realize value from option grants if the price of the
Company's Common Stock appreciates, which would benefit all stockholders
commensurately.

(6) Assumes a base market capitalization of $198,490,980, computed on the basis
of the number of shares outstanding and the average of the high and the low
trading price of the Company's Common Stock on December 31, 1996.

AGGREGATE OPTION EXERCISES IN FISCAL YEAR ENDED
OCTOBER 31, 1996 AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER OF SECURITIES VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
SHARES ACQUIRED OPTIONS AT FISCAL YEAR END FISCAL YEAR END
NAME ON EXERCISE VALUE REALIZED EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE
- --------------------------- --------------- -------------- --------------------------- ------------------------

<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
A. Thomas Bender........... -0- -0- 62,035/206,521 $556,688/$184,055
Carol R. Kaufman........... -0- -0- 10,000/8,000 $69,350/$1,000
Nicholas J. Pichotta....... -0- -0- 5,000/10,000 $38,725/$1,250
Mark R. Russell............ -0- -0- 12,280/10,000 $132,965/$1,250
Robert S. Weiss............ -0- -0- 25,001/133,667 $162,477/$48,177
</TABLE>

RETIREMENT INCOME PLAN

The Company's Retirement Income Plan was adopted in December 1983. All
employees of the Company and certain of its subsidiaries who work at least 1,000
hours per year are covered by the plan. For services performed after December
31, 1988, members are entitled to an annual retirement benefit equal to .6% of
base annual compensation up to $10,000 and 1.2% of base annual compensation
which exceeds $10,000 but is not in excess of the applicable annual maximum
compensation permitted to be taken into account under Internal Revenue Service
guidelines for each year of service. For service prior to January 1, 1989,
members are entitled to an annual retirement benefit equal to .75% of base
annual compensation up to the Social Security Wage Base in effect that year and
1.5% of base annual compensation in excess of the Social Security Wage Base for
each year of service.

The estimated annual benefits payable under this plan upon retirement (at
the normal retirement age of 65) for Messrs. Bender, Pichotta, Weiss and Ms.
Kaufman are approximately $21,000, $36,000, $53,000, and $35,000, respectively.
Mr. Russell is not a participant in the plan.

CONTRACTS

The Company is a party to employment agreements with Nicholas J. Pichotta,
and Robert S. Weiss. CooperVision, Inc., one of the Company's subsidiaries, is a
party to an agreement with A. Thomas Bender. Hospital Group of America, Inc.,
another subsidiary, is a party to an agreement with Mark R. Russell. Each
agreement provides that employment shall continue until terminated, except the
agreement relating to Mr. Russell, which expires on July 1, 1998. Compensation
paid pursuant thereto and awards under the Company's LTIP are set forth in the
foregoing tables. Subject to the amendments described below with respect to Mr.
Bender, if (i) the Company or relevant subsidiary terminates the employee
without Cause or (ii) the employee terminates his employment for Good Reason or
following a Change in Control (as each term is defined in the relevant
agreement), the Company or the relevant subsidiary will pay Mr. Bender 200% and
each of Messrs. Russell and Weiss 150% of his annual base salary (such
percentage to be reduced to 100% for Mr. Weiss if the termination arises out of
a Change in Control) and will pay Mr. Pichotta 100% of his annual base salary
(except that in certain circumstances following a Change in Control such payment
could increase to 150% of his annual base salary). In addition, Messrs. Bender,
Pichotta and Weiss would continue to participate in the Company's or the
relevant subsidiary's various insurance plans for a period of up to 24 months,
24 months and 18 months, respectively, and to receive a pro-rata share of any
amounts that would have been payable to him under the Company's Incentive
Payment Plan (or any comparable plan then in effect) based on the number of
months he served during the fiscal year in which the termination occurs. Each of
those individuals would also become fully vested in all benefits due under the
Retirement Income Plan. The agreement between the Company and Mr. Weiss has been
guaranteed by CooperVision, Inc.

In March 1994 and May 1995, Mr. Bender's employment agreement was amended
in connection with his assumption of additional responsibilities. Information
relating to Mr. Bender's salary, bonus and grant of a stock option under the
Company's LTIP is set forth in the foregoing tables. In addition, the amendments
provide for Mr. Bender to receive an additional grant under the LTIP in March
1997, of options to purchase up to 11,111 shares of the Company's Common Stock
at 100% of the then current fair market value of such shares, provided he is
still serving as the Company's Chief Executive Officer. The agreement further
provides that if Mr. Bender is asked, at any time, to relinquish the position of
Chief Executive Officer of the Company, such relinquishment will not entitle Mr.
Bender to terminate his employment for Good Reason and will not constitute a
termination under the agreement so long as Mr. Bender remains in the position of
President of CooperVision, Inc.

Under the Company's LTIP, upon the occurrence of a Change in Control or
upon the occurrence of a Potential Change in Control (as such terms are defined
in the LTIP), restrictions will be removed from restricted shares, options will
become exercisable and, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation/LTIP
Committee of the Board of Directors prior to any Change in Control, the value of
all outstanding stock options will be cashed out on the basis of the Change in
Control Price (as defined in the LTIP) as of the date such Change in Control or
Potential Change in Control is determined to have occurred. On January 16, 1995,
the Board of Directors amended the LTIP to provide that, with certain
exceptions, the occurrence of a Change in Control or a Potential Change in
Control would have no effect on any awards made under the LTIP subsequent to
December 19, 1994.

Messrs. Bender, Pichotta, Russell and Weiss are participants in the
Company's Turn-Around Incentive Plan ('TIP'), a plan adopted in May 1993 to
recognize the special efforts of certain individuals in guiding the Company
through certain difficulties that existed at that time related to the Company's
then capital structure and its former ownership of companies that manufactured
and distributed breast implants. In May 1994 participants received an aggregate
payment of cash and shares of restricted stock from which all restrictions were
removed in May 1996. In August 1995 participants received an additional payment
of cash and shares of restricted stock. Restrictions from one half of these
shares were removed in August 1996 and the restrictions on the balance of the
shares will be removed in August 1997. All provisions of the TIP have been met
and all required payments have been made to the participants.

COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS

Employees of the Company who are also directors receive no additional
compensation. Each director who is not also an employee of the Company (a
'Non-Employee Director') receives a stipend of $22,500 per annum, unless such
director is Chairman of the Board, in which case the stipend is $28,125 per
annum. Each Non-Employee Director serving as a chairman of a committee of the
Board receives an additional stipend of $1,000 per annum. Each Non-Employee
Director receives meeting fees ranging from $125 to $1,000 per meeting,
depending on duration, and up to $1,000 per day for other days substantially
spent on affairs of the Company.

In addition, in each November commencing with November 1995, each
Non-Employee Director receives restricted stock having a fair market value
(determined according to a formula contained in the 1996 LTIP) of $7,500 ($9,375
in the case of a Non-Employee Chairman of the Board) and an option to purchase
shares of stock, with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the
Common Stock of the Company on the date of grant. The option granted in November
1995 entitled each Non-Employee Director to purchase up to 5,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock (6,250 shares in the case of the Non-Employee Chairman of
the Board). Future option grants will entitle recipients to purchase up to 3,333
shares of the Company's Common Stock (4,167 shares in the case of a Non-Employee
Chairman of the Board). Restrictions will generally not be removed from the
restricted stock until its fair market value appreciates 20% from the date of
grant or five years have passed; the options generally will not become
exercisable until the fair market value of the Common Stock appreciates 30% from
the date of grant or five years have elapsed from the date of grant.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION

Mr. Kalkstein is a partner in a law firm which has provided legal services
to the Company.

REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

In accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC, the following
report of the Compensation/Long Term Incentive Plan Committee (the 'Committee')
and the performance graph appearing immediately thereafter shall not be deemed
to be 'soliciting material' or to be 'filed' with the SEC or subject to
Regulations 14A or 14C of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the
'Exchange Act'), or to the liabilities of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and
shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, notwithstanding any
general incorporation by reference of this Proxy Statement into any other filed
document.

SCOPE OF THE COMMITTEE; MEMBERS

The Committee is composed of four outside directors: Dr. Rubenstein and
Messrs. Filler, Kalkstein and Press.

The charter of the Committee provides that the Committee will review and
approve all aspects of the compensation paid to the Company's Chief Executive
Officer and the four other most highly paid executive officers, all salaries and
salary increases for executives whose annual base salary is $150,000 or greater
and all agreements providing for the payment of benefits following a change in
control of the Company or severance following a termination of employment. The
charter also calls for the Committee to review and approve the terms of each
incentive compensation and bonus program in effect and the aggregate amounts
which can be awarded thereunder each year. The members of the Committee also
administer the Company's LTIP.

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 1996

In accordance with the charter established by the Committee, the Committee
articulated its philosophy governing the determination of compensation for
executive officers. That philosophy recognizes the need to honor existing
employment agreements and also expresses the belief that executives should be
compensated at competitive levels which will serve to attract and retain
talented employees. Inherent in the formulation of the compensation philosophy
was a recognition of the difficulty of retaining employees when the Company was
dealing with serious legal and financial problems, and when traditional
performance-based compensation methods offered few incentives. As the Company's
legal problems subsided, huge losses were stemmed and the

Company returned to profitability, renewed emphasis was placed on
performance-based compensation. Such emphasis will continue in the future.

In keeping with the goal of enhancing the Company's profitability and
building long-term stockholder value, the Company's long-term compensation
programs are designed to reward the growth of stockholder value through improved
stock market performance, as well as to reward long-term service to the Company.
The value of awards under such plans is primarily dependent upon increases in
the price of the Company's Common Stock over a period of up to ten years.
Generally, the plans require employees to remain employed by the Company
throughout the period in order to receive their awards.

The level of annual compensation for individual executive officers is based
upon a number of factors. The Committee took into account a combination of the
individual executive officer's performance and the performance of the Company
and the individual business for which such person was responsible, the scope of
such person's responsibility, and the current compensation package in place for
that officer. The Committee also reviewed compensation surveys and other
published compensation data covering the healthcare industry, and industry in
general, to assess whether the salary ranges in place for its executive officers
are competitive. Increases in an executive's annual base salary are dependent on
such person's performance, company-wide or a particular subsidiary's financial
results and on general levels of wage and price inflation.

In making awards under the 1996 Incentive Payment Plan (the 'IPP'), primary
consideration was given to the performance of the Company or the subsidiary for
which the executive officer worked. Participation levels under the Company's
1996 IPP were set at percentages of base salaries previously assigned to
designated positions within the corporate structure, modified to reflect the
recommendations of the Company's Chief Executive Officer. IPP awards are paid
with respect to each fiscal year when the operating businesses, or the parent
Company, as a consolidated entity (depending upon the executive's employer) meet
specified performance targets. In fiscal 1996, performance targets for
executives employed by an operating subsidiary were tied to the attainment by
that business of specified levels of net revenue, operating income and cash
flow. For executives employed by the parent Company, performance targets were
tied to the attainment of certain levels of consolidated net income and cash
flow. In addition, a portion of each individual's award can be granted on a
discretionary basis by his or her division head or the Chief Executive Officer,
or in the case of the five most highly paid members of management, by the
Committee, following an assessment of each individual's performance.

Long term incentive rewards are made under the Company's LTIP, based on
recommendations submitted to the Committee by the Company's Chief Executive
Officer. In fiscal 1996, awards consisted of grants of stock options having
exercise prices equal to 100% of the fair market value of the Company's Common
Stock on the date of grant. The future value of these options is directly linked
to increases in the price of the Company's Common Stock, thereby linking
long-term compensation to increased stockholder value and continuing service to
the Company.

In keeping with the Committee's philosophy of linking executive rewards to
the enhancement of long-term stockholder value and the desire to ensure the
retention of key senior executives, the Committee approved a special grant of
performance-based stock options to the Company's President/Chief Executive
Officer and its Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer. These grants
were issued in recognition of their significant achievements in returning the
Company to profitability and financial health and to reinforce management's
focus on the long-term success of the organization. This special grant is
designed to reward successful efforts by these two key executives in achieving
exceptional profitability for the Company as reflected in increased share value
and to provide rewards to these executives only to the extent they are
successful in achieving a significant increase in the market value of the
Company within narrowly defined time periods and conditioned on continued
employment. The Committee worked with a nationally recognized compensation and
benefits consulting firm to ensure the design would effectively link superior
rewards with extraordinary performance. The exercise price for these special
options was set at a significant premium above the market value of the Company's
Common Stock at date of grant ($11.75 at July 9, 1996), ensuring no gain is
provided to these executives unless and until they are successful at raising the
stock price to the stipulated hurdles and further enhancing the price
thereafter. These options are granted in four tranches, each of which is
triggered only if the targeted price is attained within the allotted time frame.
Once the targeted stock price is reached, the average trading price must equal
or exceed the target price for a period of 30 consecutive calendar days
thereafter and the corresponding options become exercisable two years hence,
subject to certain restrictions on each recipient's continued employment. If the

aggressive stock price goal is not achieved within the designated time frame,
the stock options corresponding to that tranche are subject to complete
forfeiture. The Committee believes this unique grant serves to further align the
interests of the Company's senior management with the interests of stockholders
and reflects the Company's emphasis on continued financial success.

CEO COMPENSATION FOR FISCAL 1996

Mr. Bender assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of
the Company in May 1995. Prior to that time, Mr. Bender held the positions of
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Bender has also served
as the President of CooperVision, Inc. since 1991, and he continues to serve in
such capacity.

Mr. Bender's $317,810 base salary, which took effect on November 1, 1995,
represented his salary for serving as the Company's President and CEO and for
serving as the President of CooperVision.

Mr. Bender's 1996 bonus consisted of $230,412 paid under the IPP. Mr.
Bender was eligible to participate in the IPP at a level equal to 50% of the
$317,810 salary paid to him in fiscal 1996, with such level subject to increase
in the event that certain specified financial targets were exceeded. The
determination of Mr. Bender's actual IPP payment depended upon both the
Company's ability to meet targeted income and cash flow levels and on the
Committee's discretion. Income and cash flow in fiscal 1996 each exceeded the
Company's budget by more than 33%, thereby entitling Mr. Bender to a bonus of
$158,905 based solely on the Company's financial performance. An additional
$71,507 was awarded to Mr. Bender by the Committee under the discretionary
component of the IPP based on its belief that Mr. Bender's performance in fiscal
1996 contributed to significant growth in market value of the Company, an
overall improvement in each of the Company's operations, particularly
CooperVision, and the achievement of a successful corporate reorganization. The
market capitalization of the Company improved 147% from approximately $68
million at October 31, 1995 to approximately $168 million at October 31, 1996.

TAX CONSIDERATIONS

The Committee has not yet adopted a policy with respect to qualification of
executive compensation in excess of $1 million per individual for deduction
under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and the
regulations thereunder and does not anticipate that the compensation of any
executive officer during 1997 will exceed the limits for deductibility. In
structuring the Company's compensation programs and determining a policy for
future periods, the Committee would expect to consider all relevant factors,
including the Company's strategic goals, taking into consideration competitive
practice and market conditions, the Company's tax position and the materiality
of the amounts likely to be involved.

THE COMPENSATION AND LONG TERM INCENTIVE PLAN COMMITTEE
MARK A. FILLER
MICHAEL H. KALKSTEIN
DONALD PRESS
ALLAN E. RUBENSTEIN, M.D.

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

The following graph compares the cumulative total return on the Company's
Common Stock with the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock
Index and the Standard & Poor's Medical Products & Supplies Index for the
five-year period ended October 31, 1996. The graph assumes that the value of the
investment in the Company and in each index was $100 on October 31, 1991 and
assumes that all dividends were reinvested. Although the Company has chosen the
Standard & Poor's Medical Products & Supplies Index as containing companies
whose businesses are most comparable to the Company's primary business segment,
healthcare products, the companies included in such index (C. R. Bard Inc.,
Bausch & Lomb, Inc., Baxter International Inc., Becton, Dickinson & Co., Biomet,
Inc., Boston Scientific Corp., Medtronic, Inc., St. Jude Medical, Inc. and
United States Surgical Corp.) are all substantially larger than the Company and
engaged in healthcare products and services businesses different from, or in
addition to, the Company's healthcare products businesses.

RETURN TO SHAREHOLDERS
THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.

[PERFORMANCE GRAPH]

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
COOPER COMPANIES 100 43.995 21.982 84.002 62.660 153.317

S&P 500 INDEX 100 109.928 126.292 131.179 165.755 205.574

S&P MEDICAL PRODUCTS 100 95.752 72.683 83.108 137.060 163.157
</TABLE>

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

AGREEMENT WITH CLS

On June 14, 1993, the Company entered into a Settlement Agreement with CLS
(the 'Settlement Agreement') in order to resolve all then pending disputes with
CLS and to avoid a costly and disruptive proxy fight, while continuing to
maintain a Board of Directors, the majority of whose members are independent.
Pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, among other things, the Company agreed to
nominate and use its reasonable best efforts to cause, and CLS agreed to vote
all shares of Common Stock of the Company owned by it in favor of, the election
of a Board of Directors of the Company consisting of eight members, five of whom
were designated by the Company (of which a majority would not be employees of
the Company or employees, affiliates or significant stockholders of CLS), and
three by CLS. Such agreements were to terminate on June 14, 1995, subject to
earlier termination or extension under certain circumstances, and were later
extended to, and

expired on, October 31, 1996. Following such termination and through June 12,
2002, pursuant to the Settlement Agreement, CLS continues to have the right that
it had pursuant to a 1992 settlement agreement with the Company to designate two
directors of the Company, so long as CLS continues to own at least 800,000
shares of Common Stock, or one director, so long as it continues to own at least
333,333 shares of Common Stock.

BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS

Michael H. Kalkstein, a director of the Company since April 1992, is a
partner in the law firm of Graham & James LLP, which has been compensated for
legal services rendered to the Company in fiscal 1996.

PROPOSAL 2 -- RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS

The Board of Directors has appointed the firm of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants, to audit and opine upon the
consolidated financial statements of the Company and the financial statements of
certain of its subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1997, such
appointment to continue at the pleasure of the Board of Directors and to be
subject to ratification by the stockholders. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP has served as
auditors of the Company since the Company's incorporation in 1980. The
stockholders are asked to ratify such appointment.

The Board of Directors expects that one or more representatives of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting and will be provided an
opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to
respond to appropriate questions.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters to be
presented at the Annual Meeting, but if any such matters properly come before
the Annual Meeting, it is intended that the persons holding the accompanying
proxy will vote in accordance with their best judgment.

RECOMMENDATIONS

The Board of Directors of the Company recommends that the stockholders vote
FOR the election of the nominees for director named in this Proxy Statement, and
FOR ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
certified public accountants of the Company for fiscal 1997.

When a proxy in the form enclosed with this Proxy Statement is returned
properly executed, the shares represented thereby will be voted in accordance
with the directions indicated thereon or, if no directions are indicated, the
shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of the Board of
Directors.

STOCKHOLDER NOMINATIONS AND PROPOSALS

All proposals of stockholders of the Company (other than for the election
of directors) intended to be presented at the 1998 annual meeting of
stockholders must be received by the Company no later than 60 days prior to the
meeting date unless the Company gives less than 75 days notice of the meeting
date, in which case they must be received by the Company no later than 15 days
following the date on which the 1998 annual meeting of stockholders is noticed
in order to be included in the Company's Proxy Statement and form of proxy
relating to that meeting.

The Nominating Committee or, if none exists, the Board of Directors will
consider suggestions from stockholders for nominees for election as directors at
the 1998 annual meeting of stockholders. For a stockholder to nominate any
person for election as a director at the 1998 annual meeting of stockholders,
the person making such nomination must be a stockholder entitled to vote and
such nomination must be made pursuant to timely notice in writing to the
Secretary of the Company. To be timely, a stockholder's notice must be delivered
to or mailed and received at the principal executive offices of the Company not
less than 60 days or more than 90 days prior to the 1998 annual meeting of
stockholders; provided, however, that in the event that less than 75 days notice
or prior public disclosure of the date of such meeting is given or made to
stockholders, notice by the stockholder to be timely must be received not later
than the close of business on the 15th day following the day on which such
notice of the date of the meeting was mailed or such public disclosure was

made, whichever first occurs. Such stockholder's notice to the Secretary shall
set forth (a) as to each person whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for
election or re-election as a director, (i) the name, age, business or
residential address of the person, (ii) the principal occupation or employment
of the person, (iii) the class and number of shares of capital stock of the
Company which are beneficially owned by the person and (iv) any other
information relating to the person that is required to be disclosed in
solicitations for proxies for election of directors pursuant to Regulation 14A
under the Exchange Act; and (b) as to the stockholder giving notice, (i) the
record name and record address of the stockholder and (ii) the class and number
of shares of capital stock of the Company which are beneficially owned by the
stockholder. The Company may require any proposed nominee to furnish such other
information as may reasonably be required by the Company to determine the
eligibility of such proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Company. No
person nominated by a stockholder shall be eligible for election as a director
of the Company unless nominated in accordance with the above procedures.

By Order of the Board of Directors

/s/ ALLAN E. RUBENSTEIN, M.D.
ALLAN E. RUBENSTEIN, M.D.
Chairman of the Board of Directors

[Logo]
----------------------------
NOTICE OF
ANNUAL MEETING
OF STOCKHOLDERS
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
----------------------------

MEETING DATE
MARCH 25, 1997

APPENDIX 1

THE COOPER COMPANIES, INC.
PROXY FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS, MARCH 25, 1997
SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The undersigned stockholder of The Cooper Companies, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, hereby appoints CAROL R. KAUFMAN, ROBERT S. WEISS and STEPHEN C.
WHITEFORD, and each of them, proxies, with full power of substitution, to vote
all of the shares of common stock of The Cooper Companies, Inc. which the
undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of The
Cooper Companies, Inc. to be held at The New York Marriott East Side, 525
Lexington Avenue, New York, NY, on March 25, 1997 at 10:00 a.m., eastern
standard time, and at any adjournments thereof, as set forth on the reverse, and
in their discretion upon any other business that may properly come before the
meeting.

THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED
STOCKHOLDERS. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" ITEMS 1
AND 2 AND WILL GRANT DISCRETIONARY AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO ITEM 3.

PLEASE MARK THE PROXY CARD, FILL IN THE DATE AND SIGN ON THE
REVERSE SIDE AND RETURN PROMPTLY IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

A [X] Please mark your votes as in this example.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE "FOR" ITEMS ONE AND TWO

1. ELECTION OF EIGHT DIRECTORS.
(check one box only)

FOR all nominees except as noted on the line below [ ]

WITHHELD from all nominees [ ]

(Instruction: To withhold authority to vote
for any individual nominee(s), write
that nominee's name(s) on the line below:)

___________________________________________

NOMINEES:
A. Thomas Bender
Michael H. Kalkstein
Moses Marx
Donald Press
Steven Rosenberg
Allan E. Rubenstein, M.D.
Robert S. Weiss
Stanley Zinberg, M.D.

2. Ratification of appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
certified public accountants of The Cooper Companies, Inc. for the fiscal
year ending October 31, 1997.

FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN [ ]

3. In their discretion, the proxies are authorized to vote for the election of
such substitute nominee(s) for directors as such proxies may select in the
event that any nominee(s) named above may become unable to serve, and on
such other matters as may properly come before the Meeting or any
adjournments or postponements thereof.

THIS PROXY WILL REVOKE ALL PRIOR PROXIES SIGNED BY YOU.

PLEASE COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED
ENVELOPE.

MARK HERE FOR ADDRESS CHANGE AND NOTE CHANGE [ ]

SIGNATURE_____________________________ DATE___________________

NOTE: Please date this proxy and sign your name exactly as it appears herein. In
the case of joint ownership, each joint owner should sign. If signing as
an executor, trustee, guardian, attorney or in any other representative
capacity or as an officer of a corporation, please indicate your full
title as such.

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