LADD FURNITURE INC
10-Q, 1996-11-12
HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE
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                                    FORM 10-Q


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

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




For the Quarter Ended September 28, 1996             Commission File No. 0-11577



                              LADD FURNITURE, INC.
               (Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)



     North Carolina                                      56-1311320
(State or other juris-                                (I.R.S. Employer
 diction of incorpora-                               Identification No.)
 tion or organization)

   One Plaza Center, Box HP-3, High Point, North Carolina     27261-1500
               (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)


     Registrants' telephone number, including area code:   (910) 889-0333



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 ____
 

As of November 11, 1996 there were 7,719,567 shares of Common Stock ($.30 par
value) of the registrant outstanding.


<PAGE>

                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1.   Financial Statements

                      LADD FURNITURE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Consolidated Statements of Operations
     For the thirteen weeks and thirty-nine weeks ended Sept. 28, 1996 and
                                 Sept. 30, 1995
                  (Amounts in thousands, except per share data)
                                   (Unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        13 Weeks Ended           39 Weeks Ended
                                                  -------------------------  -----------------------
                                                    Sept. 28,    Sept. 30,    Sept. 28,    Sept. 30,
                                                      1996         1995         1996         1995
                                                  -----------  -----------   ----------  -----------
<S>                                               <C>             <C>          <C>          <C>    
Net sales                                         $  124,094      159,144      390,034      461,521
Cost of sales                                        102,585      130,549      325,402      390,601
                                                  -----------  -----------   ----------  -----------

    Gross profit                                      21,509       28,595       64,632       70,920

Selling, general and
  administrative expenses                             16,852       23,402       57,750       75,553

Restructuring expense (Note 2)                          (892)           -        3,978       25,696
                                                    ---------  -----------   ----------  -----------

    Operating income (loss)                            5,549        5,193        2,904      (30,329)
                                                    ---------  -----------   ----------  -----------

Other deductions:
  Interest expense                                     3,182        2,997        8,900        8,646
  Other expense (income)                                (912)         163        1,327        3,024
                                                    ---------  -----------   ----------  -----------
                                                       2,270        3,160       10,227       11,670
                                                    ---------  -----------   ----------  -----------

    Earnings (loss) before income taxes                3,279        2,033       (7,323)     (41,999)

Income tax expense (benefit)                           1,477          142       (3,295)     (16,591)
                                                    ---------  -----------   ----------  -----------

    Net earnings (loss)                           $    1,802        1,891       (4,028)     (25,408)
                                                    =========  ===========   ==========  ===========

Net earnings (loss) per common share              $     0.23         0.24        (0.52)       (3.29)


Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding                            7,721        7,726        7,723        7,719
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


                      LADD FURNITURE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                           Consolidated Balance Sheets
                    September 28, 1996 and December 30, 1995
                    (Amounts in thousands, except share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                  ASSETS
                                                               Sept. 28,
                                                                  1996          December 30,
                                                               (Unaudited)         1995 *
                                                           ----------------   ----------------

<S>                                                     <C>                    <C>  
Current assets:
   Cash                                                 $         1,713              1,272
   Trade accounts receivable, less allowances
     for doubtful receivables, discounts,
     returns and allowances of $3,166 and $4,057,
     respectively                                                75,736             38,288
   Inventories                                                   86,428             89,466
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                      8,337             13,663

                                                           -------------   ----------------
          Total current assets                                  172,214            142,689
                                                           -------------   ----------------

Property, plant and equipment, net                               78,543             82,586
Businesses held for sale, net                                         -              8,052
Intangible and other assets, net                                 81,088             79,659
                                                           -------------   ----------------


                                                        $       331,845            312,986
                                                           =============   ================

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
   Current installments of long-term debt                $         5,136               309
   Short-term bank borrowings                                          -             3,037
   Trade accounts payable                                         27,766            28,419
   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                 28,965            31,396

                                                            -------------    --------------
          Total current liabilities                               61,867            63,161
                                                            -------------    --------------

Long-term debt, excluding current installments                   138,234           112,598
Deferred compensation and other liabilities                        2,653             6,593
Deferred income taxes                                              7,605             5,437
                                                            -------------    --------------

          Total liabilities                                      210,359           187,789
                                                            -------------    --------------

Shareholders' equity:
   Preferred stock of $100 par value. Authorized
     500,000 shares; no shares issued                                  -                 -
   Common stock of $.30 par value. Authorized
     50,000,000 shares; issued 7,719,567 and
     7,726,993 shares, respectively                                2,316             2,318
   Additional paid-in capital                                     49,736            49,905
   Retained earnings                                              69,801            73,829
                                                            -------------    --------------
                                                                 121,853           126,052
   Less unamortized value of restricted stock                       (367)             (855)
                                                            -------------    --------------

          Total shareholders' equity                             121,486           125,197
                                                            -------------    --------------
                                                         $       331,845           312,986
                                                            =============    ==============
</TABLE>

* Derived from the Company's 1995 audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

<PAGE>

                      LADD FURNITURE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    For the thirty-nine weeks ended September 28, 1996 and September 30, 1995
                             (Amounts in thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               39 Weeks Ended
                                                                        --------------------------

                                                                          Sept. 28,     Sept. 30,
                                                                             1996         1995
                                                                        ------------   -----------

<S>                                                                     <C>            <C>     
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net loss                                                             $    (4,028)      (25,408)
   Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net
     cash provided by operating activities:
      Depreciation of property, plant and equipment                           8,137         9,891
      Amortization                                                            3,363         2,954
      Restructuring expense                                                   3,978        25,696
      Provision for losses on trade accounts receivable                       3,296         2,422
      Gains on sales of property, plant and equipment                          (115)         (373)
      Provision for deferred income taxes                                       538       (15,526)
      Increase (decrease) in deferred compensation and
        other liabilities                                                    (2,753)          737
      Change in assets and liabilities, net of divestitures
       and classification of businesses held for sale:
        Increase in trade accounts receivable                                (3,258)      (15,554)
        Decrease in inventories                                               3,473        10,999
        Decrease in prepaid expenses and other
          current assets                                                      3,567         2,424
        Increase (decrease) in trade accounts payable                          (330)        1,887
        Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other
          current liabilities                                                (1,423)        5,915
                                                                        ------------   -----------

      Total adjustments                                                      18,473        31,472
                                                                        ------------   -----------

      Net cash provided by operating activities                              14,445         6,064
                                                                        ------------   -----------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Additions to property, plant and equipment                                (6,877)       (8,557)
   Purchase of leased manufacturing equipment                                (4,648)            -
   Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment                         235           170
   Proceeds from sale of business, net of transaction expenses                5,284             -
   Proceeds from sales of idle assets                                         1,250             -
   Additions to other assets                                                 (3,088)       (1,678)
                                                                        ------------   -----------

      Net cash used in investing activities                                  (7,844)      (10,065)
                                                                        ------------   -----------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from long-term borrowings                                       137,837           231
   Repayments of short-term bank borrowings                                       -        (2,550)
   Proceeds from (repayments of) sales of accounts receivable               (36,000)        7,515
   Proceeds from sale/leaseback of equipment                                  2,614         6,691
   Principal payments of long-term debt                                    (110,430)       (3,762)
   Dividends paid                                                                 -        (1,738)
   Other                                                                       (171)            8
                                                                        ------------   -----------

      Net cash provided by (used in) financing activites                     (6,150)        6,395
                                                                        ------------   -----------

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash                                         (10)          (57)
                                                                        ------------   -----------

      Net increase in cash                                                      441         2,337

Cash at beginning of period                                                   1,272           576
                                                                        ------------   -----------

Cash at end of period                                               $         1,713         2,913
                                                                        ============   ===========



Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
  Cash paid during the period for interest                          $         8,906         8,487
  Cash paid (net refunds received) for income taxes                          (7,418)          327
                                                                        ============   ===========
</TABLE>


<PAGE>

                      LADD FURNITURE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
                    (Amounts in thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Currency              Unamortized
                                         Number                 Additional  trans-                 value of      Total
                                        of shares     Common     paid-in    lation    Retained    restricted  shareholders'
                                         issued       stock      capital   adjustment earnings      stock       equity
                                        ------------  -------- ----------- ---------- ---------  -----------  -------------
<S>                                     <C>           <C>      <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>          <C> 
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31, 1994            7,700,151 $   2,310      49,516      (208)    101,105       (817)     151,906

   Purchase of restricted
     stock                                 (2,452)       (1)        (68)        -           -         68           (1)

   Shares issued in connection
     with and amortization of
     employee restricted
     stock awards                          29,294         9         457         -           -       (106)         360

   Currency translation
   adjustment                                   -         -           -       (66)          -          -          (66)

   Reclassification to businesses
     held for sale                              -         -           -       274           -          -          274

   Net loss                                     -         -           -         -     (25,190)         -      (25,190)

   Dividends paid                               -         -           -         -      (2,086)         -       (2,086)
                                    --------------  --------  ---------- --------- ----------- ----------  -----------

BALANCE AT DECEMBER 30, 1995            7,726,993     2,318      49,905         0      73,829       (855)     125,197

   Purchase of restricted
     stock                                 (7,426)       (2)       (169)        -           -        169           (2)

   Amortization of employee
     restricted stock awards                    -         -           -         -           -        319          319

   Net loss                                     -         -           -         -      (4,028)         -       (4,028)
                                    --------------  --------  ---------- --------- ----------- ----------  -----------

BALANCE AT SEPTEMBER 28, 1996
   (UNAUDITED)                          7,719,567 $   2,316      49,736         0      69,801       (367)     121,486
                                    ==============  ========  ========== ========= =========== ==========  ===========
</TABLE>

<PAGE>


Notes:


(1)      Quarterly Financial Data


         The quarterly consolidated financial data are unaudited but include, in
         the opinion of management, all adjustments necessary for a fair
         statement of the operating results for the interim periods indicated.
         All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature except as disclosed in
         Notes 2 and 5 to the financial statements.

(2)      Restructuring

         In June 1995, the Company recorded a $25.7 million non-cash
         restructuring charge. The restructuring charge resulted from the
         Company's decision to divest four operating companies (businesses held
         for sale), close four Company-owned retail stores and reorganize the
         remaining companies to improve operating performance. During the first
         quarter of 1996, the Company recorded a $5.1 million non-cash
         restructuring charge resulting from the continued reorganization of the
         Company's remaining businesses and the further write-down of the
         Company's businesses sold or held for sale to their estimated fair
         value, less disposition costs. The restructuring charge in the first
         quarter of 1996 was a result of: (i) the Company's decision to
         liquidate Daystrom Furniture; (ii) a shortfall in the net proceeds
         anticipated from selling Fournier Furniture; and (iii) additional
         severance expense relating to the continued restructuring of the
         Company's remaining businesses. The severance expense included a
         $130,000 adjustment to shareholders' equity for the vesting of
         restricted stock.

         During the second and third quarters of 1996, the estimated liquidation
         value of Daystrom Furniture, one of the four businesses identified for
         divestiture in 1995, was further adjusted by credits to restructuring
         expense. Additionally in the third quarter of 1996, the Company
         negotiated a cash settlement related to leases of its former retail
         stores, which resulted in a $466,000 credit to restructuring expense.
         Further, as a result of the decision to liquidate the assets of
         Daystrom Furniture, the reserves related to the write-down of
         Daystrom's net assets to their estimated fair value were reclassified
         to the appropriate asset and liability accounts as follows (i)
         $1,950,000 to accrue for severance, environmental clean-up costs, plant
         closing costs and other miscellaneous expenses and (ii) $440,000 to
         provide for estimated bad debts. Additionally, Daystrom's net property,
         plant and equipment was reclassified to "Intangible and other assets"
         and recorded at its estimated liquidation value.

         The following unaudited pro forma information shows consolidated
         operating results for the periods presented as though the Company had
         divested the four businesses and closed its company-owned retail stores
         as of January 1, 1995, excluding the restructuring expense recorded
         during the second quarter of 1995 and the first nine months of 1996:

                                       -6-

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   13 Weeks Ended               39 Weeks Ended
                                                Sept 28,       Sept 30,      Sept 28,       Sept 30,
                                                 1996           1995           1996           1995
                                               --------       --------        -------        -------
<S>                                          <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>    
Net sales                                    $  123,840         130,956       374,521        377,257

Earnings (loss) before
  interest and income taxes                       5,866           3,632         9,006         (5,449)
</TABLE>

The costs charged against restructuring reserves during the first nine
months of 1996 are as follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                         <C>  
Restructuring reserves, December 30, 1995                   $      3,964
First quarter 1996 reserve additions                                 815
Second quarter 1996 Daystrom reclassification                      2,390
Third quarter 1996 reversal of restructuring
  reserve                                                           (666)

Costs:
  Write-off leasehold improvements                                  (129)
  Lease termination costs                                           (724)
  Severance payments                                              (1,942)
  Other                                                             (838)



Restructuring reserves, September 28, 1996                  $      2,870
</TABLE>


(3) Inventories

A summary of inventories follows (in thousands):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               September 28,    December 30,
                                                                    1996           1995
<S>                                                            <C>              <C>   
Inventories on the FIFO cost method:
    Finished goods                                             $    47,286          50,847
    Work in process                                                 13,933          17,165
    Raw materials and supplies                                      37,084          33,140
                                                               ------------    ------------
      Total inventories on
         the FIFO cost method                                       98,303         101,152

Less adjustments of certain inven-
 tories to the LIFO cost method                                    (11,875)        (11,686)
                                                               ------------    ------------
                                                               $    86,428          89,466
                                                               ============    ============
</TABLE>

                                       -7-

<PAGE>



(4)      Trade Accounts Receivable Securitization Program

         On March 28, 1996, the Company's trade accounts receivable
         securitization program (the Securitization Program) was terminated. The
         funds previously provided by the Securitization Program were replaced
         by borrowings available under the revolving credit line of the
         Company's bank credit facility. At December 30, 1995, trade accounts
         receivable sold under the Securitization Program and excluded from the
         consolidated balance sheet totaled $36.0 million.

(5)      Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions

         On May 10, 1996, the Company curtailed the postretirement features of
         its health care benefit program, effective July 1, 1996, in an effort
         to reduce operating costs. The effect of this action was to eliminate
         the Company's financial obligation for postretirement healthcare costs.
         As a result of the benefit curtailment, the Company eliminated during
         the second quarter of 1996 a noncurrent liability of approximately $4.2
         million which existed at March 30, 1996 resulting in a credit to
         operating income ($3.7 million to cost of sales and $0.5 million to
         selling, general and administrative expense). The remaining liability
         balance at that time of approximately $1.1 million was reclassified as
         a current liability. The curtailment of retiree health care benefits
         will result in an annual cost savings of over $2.0 million, of which
         approximately $1.2 million will be cash.

(6)      Loan and Security Agreement

         On July 12, 1996, the Company entered into a $190.0 million long-term
         secured credit facility (the Facility) which consists of a $125.0
         million three-year revolving credit loan and a $65.0 million term loan.
         The term loan portion of the Facility will be repaid in quarterly
         installments of $1,625,000 commencing January 1, 1997.

         Borrowings under the revolving credit loan and the term loan bear
         interest at rates selected periodically by the Company of LIBOR plus
         2.75% and 3.00%, respectively, or prime plus 1.75% and 2.00%,
         respectively. At September 28, 1996, LIBOR was 5.625% and the prime
         rate was 8.25%. Under the Facility, the Company pays a commitment fee
         of 1/2% per annum on the unused portion of the revolving credit
         facility. In connection with the refinancing, the Company incurred fees
         and expenses aggregating approximately $4.0 million which will be
         amortized over the terms of the Facility. At current borrowing levels
         and market interest rates, the effect of the Facility will be to
         increase interest expense and lower profit before income taxes by
         approximately $1.0 million annually.

         The Facility is secured by substantially all the existing and hereafter
         acquired assets of the Company. Availability on the revolving credit
         loan is determined by levels of eligible inventory and eligible trade
         accounts receivable of the Company. The Facility

                                       -8-

<PAGE>


         contains customary covenants for asset based loans which restrict
         future borrowings, dividends and capital spending; require maintenance
         of a minimum net worth; and include financial covenant ratios related
         to cash flow, earnings and debt. At September 28, 1996, the Company's
         availability for future borrowings under its revolving credit loan
         totalled $25.3 million.


ITEM 2.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

         FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


        The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of net sales
to certain items included in the Consolidated Statements of Operations:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            13 Weeks Ended                 39 Weeks Ended
                                                          ------------------             ----------------
                                                       Sept 28,          Sept 30,      Sept 28,        Sept 30,
                                                        1996              1995          1996             1995
                                                      --------          --------      -------          -------
<S>                                                  <C>               <C>           <C>              <C>
Net sales                                               100.0%            100.0%       100.0%           100.0%

Cost of sales                                            82.7               82.0        83.4             84.6
                                                        ------            ------       ------           ------
        Gross profit                                     17.3               18.0        16.6             15.4


Selling, general and

   administrative expenses                               13.6               14.7        14.8             16.4

Restructuring expense                                    (0.7)               -           1.0              5.6
                                                        ------            ------        ------           ------

        Operating income (loss)                           4.4                3.3         0.8             (6.6)
                                                        ------            ------        ------           ------

Other deductions (income):

   Interest expense                                       2.5                1.9         2.3              1.9

   Other, net                                            (0.7)               0.1          .3               .6
                                                        ------            ------        ------           ------
                                                          1.8                2.0         2.6              2.5
                                                        ------            ------        ------           ------
        Earnings (loss) before

          income taxes                                    2.6                1.3        (1.8)            (9.1)

Income tax expense (benefit)                              1.2                0.1        (0.8)            (3.6)
                                                        ------            ------        ------           ------

        Net earnings (loss)                               1.4%               1.2%       (1.0)%           (5.5)%
                                                        ======            ======        ======           ======
</TABLE>


        Net sales for the third quarter and first nine months of 1996 were
$124.1 million and $390.0 million, respectively, compared with $159.1 million
and $461.5 million during the comparable 1995 periods. Net sales in 1996
decreased from prior year levels primarily due to the sale of Brown Jordan
Company and Lea Lumber and Plywood as of December 29, 1995, the sale of Fournier
Furniture as of February 26, 1996, and the liquidation of the assets of Daystrom
Furniture beginning in July 1996. On a pro forma basis, excluding the four
divestiture companies and the company-owned retail stores, 1996 third quarter
and year-to-date net sales would have decreased from prior year levels by
approximately 5.4% and 0.7%, respectively. This decrease in pro forma sales is
primarily due to lower sales of the Company's promotional and upper priced
casegoods operations.

                                       -9-

<PAGE>


        Cost of sales as a percentage of net sales increased to 82.7% for the
third quarter of 1996 and decreased to 83.4% for the year-to-date, compared to
82.0% and 84.6%, respectively, in 1995. This resulted in a decrease in gross
profit margins to 17.3% for the third quarter and an increase to 16.6% for the
year-to-date, from 18.0% and 15.4%, respectively, in 1995. The decrease in the
third quarter gross profit margins was primarily due to the inclusion of Brown
Jordan and Lea Lumber & Plywood operating results in the 1995 year-to-date
results. The decrease in cost of sales for the year-to-date was partially
attributable to a $3.7 million non-cash credit to operations resulting from the
Company's curtailment of retiree health care benefits (see note 5). This credit
to operations was somewhat offset during the second quarter by additional
reserves recorded for discontinued products, and depressed gross margins
relating to the liquidation of Daystrom Furniture's inventory.

        Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased to 13.6%
of net sales for the third quarter of 1996 from 14.7% for the same period in
1995, while SG&A expenses for the first nine months decreased to 14.8% from
16.4% in 1995. The lower third quarter 1996 SG&A expense reflects benefits from
cost saving actions initiated by the Company during the first quarter of 1996.
These actions included a reduction in salaried employees, consolidation of
certain administrative functions, and cutbacks in advertising expense. Included
in the first nine months SG&A expenses of 1995 was a $2.3 million non-cash
charge to increase bad debt reserves, and to provide for other miscellaneous
expenses.

        During the first quarter of 1996, a $5.1 non-cash restructuring charge
was recorded as a result of: (i) the Company's decision to liquidate Daystrom
Furniture; (ii) a shortfall in the actual versus anticipated net proceeds from
selling Fournier Furniture; and (iii) additional severance expense relating to
the continued restructuring of the Company's remaining businesses. A
restructuring credit of $0.3 and $0.9 million was recorded in the second and
third quarter of 1996, respectively.

        The $25.7 million restructuring expense incurred in the second quarter
of 1995 resulted from the Company's decision to divest four of its operating
companies and restructure the remaining operating companies in order to improve
their operating performance. The reserves included a non-cash charge to
write-down the businesses held for sale to the lower of carrying value or
estimated fair value; to provide for expected losses from the closing of four
Company-owned retail stores; to write down discontinued machinery due to changes
in manufacturing processes; and to provide for anticipated severance expense and
other costs.

        Other deductions were 1.8% of net sales for the third quarter and 2.6%
for the first nine months of 1996, compared to 2.0% and 2.5%, respectively, in
1995. The third quarter decrease was primary due $1.7 million of income relating
to the settlement of a long-standing insurance claim, offset by an increase in
amortization expense and an increase in interest expense. Other deductions for
the first nine months of 1995 also included non-cash charges totaling $2.2
million attributable to the

                                      -10-

<PAGE>



write-off of unamortized bank financing fees and other noncurrent assets, and
the recognition of other liabilities.

        During the first nine months, the Company's loss before income taxes was
$7.3 million in 1996, compared to a loss of $42.0 million in 1995. The Company's
estimated annual effective income tax rate for the first nine months of 1996
increased to 45.0% from the 39.5% annual rate estimated in the first nine months
of 1995. The difference in the tax rates for the respective periods result from
various permanent taxable income, deductions, or credit items that increase or
decrease the normal U.S. Federal tax rate of 34.0% when applied to the Company's
estimated annualized pre-tax income or loss during each interim period, or
actual annual pre-tax income or loss in the case of each fiscal year end.

        The Company's net income was $1.8 million, or $0.23 per share, for the
third quarter of 1996, compared with net income of $1.9 million, or $0.24 share
for the same quarter of 1995. The first nine months net loss was $4.0 million,
or $0.52 per share for 1996, compared with a net loss of $25.4 million, or $3.29
per share, for 1995.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

        On July 12, 1996, the Company completed the refinancing of its long-term
and short-term bank credit facility. The new credit facility (the Facility)
consists of a $125.0 million three-year revolving credit loan and a $65.0
million term loan. The Facility is secured by substantially all the assets of
the Company, including equipment, inventory, receivables and real property.
Borrowings under the Facility bear interest at rates selected periodically by
the Company of LIBOR plus 2.75% or prime plus 1.75% for the revolving credit
loan and LIBOR plus 3.00% or prime plus 2.00% for the term loan at September 28,
1996. At current borrowing levels and market interest rates, expected interest
expense under the Facility will lower profit before income taxes by
approximately $1.0 million annually. The term loan under the Facility will be
repaid in quarterly installments of $1,625,000 commencing January 1, 1997. In
anticipation of the refinancing, $890,000 of unamortized financing costs were
charged to operations during the first quarter of 1996. In connection with the
refinancing, the Company incurred fees and expenses aggregating approximately
$4.0 million which will be amortized over the terms of the Facility.

        Effective March 28, 1996, the Company's trade accounts receivable
securitization program was terminated in anticipation of refinancing the
Company's then existing long-term credit facility. At December 30, 1995, the
Company had generated cash of $36.0 million from the securitization program
which was subsequently replaced with borrowings under the Company's long-term
credit facility.

        Primarily as a result of refinancing the accounts receivable
securitization program with long-term debt, the current ratio at September 28,
1996 increased to 2.8 to 1 from 2.3 to 1 at December 30, 1995, and net working
capital increased to $110.3 million from $79.5 million between the same two
dates.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>


        During the first nine months, the Company generated cash from operating
activities of $14.4 million in 1996, compared to $6.1 million in 1995. The cash
generated during the first nine months of 1996 and 1995 were primarily from the
net loss plus depreciation, amortization, and restructuring expense and a
reduction in working capital needs. Additionally, cash was generated during the
third quarter of 1996 from a $2.6 million sale/leaseback of selected machinery
and equipment.

        During the first nine months of 1996, capital spending totaled $6.9
million, down from $8.6 million during the same period in 1995. Total 1996
capital expenditures are expected to be below the current annual depreciation
rate of almost $11.0 million. The majority of the capital spending during the
first nine months of both 1995 and 1996 was to complete previously initiated
capital projects.

        At September 28, 1996, the Company had $137.6 million of bank borrowings
outstanding, comprised of a $65.0 million secured term loan and a $72.6 million
secured revolving credit loan. Additionally at September 28, 1996, the Company
had approximately $5.8 million outstanding in other long-term indebtedness,
primarily consisting of fixed-rate industrial revenue bonds. Total long and
short-term debt (funded debt) represented 52.1% of total capitalization at
September 28, 1996, compared to 45.8% of total capitalization at December 30,
1995. At September 28, 1996, the Company had $45.4 million in unused long-term
revolving bank credit lines, of which $25.3 million was currently available to
meet future cash requirements.



                                      -12-

<PAGE>



                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 5.           OTHER INFORMATION

                  On July 12, 1996, the Company entered into a $190.0 million
                  long-term secured credit facility (the Facility) which
                  consists of a $125.0 million three-year revolving credit loan
                  and a $65.0 million term loan. The term loan portion of the
                  Facility will be repaid in quarterly installments of
                  $1,625,000 commencing January 1, 1997.

                  Borrowings under the revolving credit loan and the term loan
                  bear interest at rates selected periodically by the Company of
                  LIBOR plus 2.75% and 3.00%, respectively, or prime plus 1.75%
                  and 2.00%, respectively. Under the Facility, the Company pays
                  a commitment fee of 1/2% per annum on the unused portion of
                  the revolving credit facility. In connection with the
                  refinancing, the Company incurred fees and expenses
                  aggregating approximately $4.0 million which will be amortized
                  over the terms of the Facility. At current borrowing levels
                  and market interest rates, the effect of the Facility will be
                  to increase interest expense and lower profit before income
                  taxes by approximately $1.0 million annually.

                  The Facility is secured by substantially all the existing and
                  hereafter acquired assets of the Company. Availability on the
                  revolving credit loan is determined by levels of eligible
                  inventory and eligible trade accounts receivable of the
                  Company. The Facility contains customary covenants for asset
                  based loans which restrict future borrowings, dividends and
                  capital spending; require maintenance of a minimum net worth;
                  and include financial covenant ratios related to cash flow,
                  earnings and debt.


ITEM 6.           EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

                  (a)     Exhibits
                          10.1     Amendment No. 1 to Loan and Security
                                   Agreement dated as of July 12, 1996 among
                                   LADD Furniture, Inc., certain of its
                                   subsidiaries, the financial institutions
                                   party thereto from time to time as the
                                   lenders, NationsBank, N.A. (South) and Fleet
                                   Capital Corporation as the "Co-Agents," and
                                   NationsBank, N.A. (South), as agent for the
                                   lenders.

                          10.2     Amendment No. 2 to Loan and Security
                                   Agreement dated as of July 12, 1996 among
                                   LADD Furniture, Inc., certain of its
                                   subsidiaries, the financial institutions
                                   party thereto from time to time as the
                                   lenders, NationsBank, N.A. (South) and Fleet
                                   Capital

                                      -13-

<PAGE>



                                   Corporation as the "Co-Agents," and
                                   NationsBank, N.A. (South), as agent for the
                                   lenders.

                          10.3     Equipment Leasing Agreement dated as of
                                   September 19, 1996 between BTM Financial &
                                   Leasing Corporation B-4 and the Company.

                  (b)     Reports on Form 8-K
                          On July 24, 1996, the Company filed with the
                          Commission a Form 8-K dated July 18, 1996 which
                          reported under Item 5 (i) Loan and Security Agreement
                          dated as of July 12, 1996 among LADD Furniture, Inc.,
                          certain of its subsidiaries, the financial
                          institutions party thereto from time to time as the
                          lenders, NationsBank, N.A. (South) and Fleet Capital
                          Corporation as the "Co-Agents," and NationsBank, N.A.
                          (South), as agent for the lenders; (ii) Press Release
                          dated July 18, 1996 reporting the closing and funding
                          of the Loan and Security Agreement; and (iii) Press
                          Release dated July 22, 1996 reporting the second
                          quarter earnings of the Company.


                                      -14-

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES


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


                                           LADD Furniture, Inc.



Date:  November 11, 1996                   By:   s/William S. Creekmuir
                                                 ----------------------
                                                 William S. Creekmuir
                                                 Executive Vice President
                                                 and Chief Financial Officer







                                      -15-

<PAGE>


                                 AMENDMENT NO. 1
                                       to
                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                            dated as of July 12, 1996


                  THIS  AMENDMENT  NO. 1 dated as of August 15,  1996 is made by
LADD FURNITURE, INC., a North Carolina corporation,  AMERICAN FURNITURE COMPANY,
INCORPORATED,  a Virginia  corporation,  BARCLAY  FURNITURE  CO., a  Mississippi
corporation,  CLAYTON-MARCUS  COMPANY, INC., a North Carolina corporation,  LADD
CONTRACT SALES  CORPORATION,  a North Carolina  corporation,  LADD INTERNATIONAL
SALES CORP., a Barbados corporation, LADD TRANSPORTATION, INC., a North Carolina
corporation,  LEA INDUSTRIES,  INC., a North Carolina corporation,  PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE,  INC., a North Carolina  corporation,  PILLIOD  FURNITURE,  INC., a North
Carolina corporation,  NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH), a national banking association
("NationsBank"),  FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Rhode Island corporation ("Fleet"
and together with NationsBank, the "Co-Agents") and BANKAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT,
INC., a Delaware  corporation  ("BABCO" and together with NationsBank and Fleet,
the  "Lenders"),  and NationsBank as  administrative  agent for the Lenders (the
"Administrative Agent").

                             Preliminary Statements

                  The   Borrowers,   the   Lenders,   the   Co-Agents   and  the
Administrative  Agent are parties to a Loan and Security  Agreement  dated as of
July 12, 1996 (the "Loan  Agreement";  terms  defined  therein and not otherwise
defined herein being used herein as therein defined).

                  The   Borrowers,   the   Lenders,   the   Co-Agents   and  the
Administrative  Agent, in order to correct certain oversights in the preparation
of the Loan  Agreement,  have agreed to amend the Loan  Agreement as hereinafter
set forth.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the Loan Agreement,  the
Loans made by the  Lenders  and  outstanding  thereunder,  the  mutual  promises
hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable  consideration the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

                  Section 1. Amendments to Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement is
hereby amended,  subject to the provisions of Section 2 hereof,  effective as of
July 12, 1996, by amending  Section 5.2(d) Letter of Credit Fees by amending the
second sentence  thereof  (beginning "Such fees payable . . . ") in its entirety
to read as follows:

         Such fees shall be payable to the Administrative  Agent for the Ratable
         benefit of the Lenders (i) as to commercial or  documentary  Letters of
         Credit, in advance on the date of


<PAGE>



         issuance  and  (ii) as to  standby  Letters  of  Credit,  quarterly  in
         advance, beginning on the date of issuance and continuing thereafter so
         long as such standby Letter of Credit is outstanding, and all such fees
         shall be  calculated  based on a year of 360 days and the actual number
         of days in the stated term thereof.

and by inserting in the next following  sentence,  immediately before the phrase
"canceled or terminated" the phrase "reduced,".

                  Section 2.  Effectiveness  of Amendment.  This Amendment shall
become effective upon receipt by the Administrative Agent of at least six copies
of this Amendment duly executed and delivered by each Borrower and each Lender.

                  Section   3.   Effect  of   Amendment.   From  and  after  the
effectiveness of this Amendment, all references in the Loan Agreement and in any
other Loan  Document to "this  Agreement,"  "the Loan  Agreement,"  "hereunder,"
"hereof" and words of like import  referring to the Loan  Agreement,  shall mean
and be references to the Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment.  Except as
expressly  amended  hereby,  the Loan  Agreement and all terms,  conditions  and
provisions  thereof remain in full force and effect and are hereby  ratified and
confirmed.  The execution,  delivery and  effectiveness  of this Amendment shall
not,  except as  expressly  provided  herein,  operate as a waiver of any right,
power or remedy of any Lender or the Agent under any of the Loan Documents,  nor
constitute a waiver of any provision of any of the Loan Documents.

                  Section 4. Counterpart Execution; Governing Law.

                  (a) Execution in Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed
in any  number of  counterparts  and by  different  parties  hereto in  separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be
an original and all of which taken  together  shall  constitute  but one and the
same agreement.

                  (b)  Governing Law.  This Amendment shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Georgia.



                                       -2-

<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Amendment to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
as of the date first above written.


                                  BORROWERS:

                                  LADD FURNITURE, INC.


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                    ------------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Executive Vice President

                                  AMERICAN FURNITURE COMPANY,
                                  INCORPORATED


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                     -----------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Vice President

                                  LEA INDUSTRIES, INC.
                                  (a North Carolina corporation)


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                     ------------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Vice President

                                  BARCLAY FURNITURE CO.


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                     -------------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Vice President

                                  CLAYTON-MARCUS COMPANY, INC.


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                    -------------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Vice President

                                  LADD CONTRACT SALES CORP.


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                    -------------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Vice President


                                     -3-

<PAGE>


                                  PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE, INC.


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                    --------------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Vice President

                                  PILLIOD FURNITURE, INC.


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                    --------------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Vice President

                                  LADD TRANSPORTATION, INC.


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                    --------------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Vice President

                                  LADD INTERNATIONAL SALES CORP.


                                  By:/s/William S. Creekmuir
                                    ---------------------------
                                     William S. Creekmuir
                                     Vice President

                                  NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH), as
                                  Administrative Agent, a Co-Agent
                                  and as a Lender


                                  By:/s/Reece Chapman
                                     ---------------------------
                                     Reece Chapman
                                     Senior Vice President

                                  FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION, as a Co-
                                  Agent and as a Lender


                                  By: /s/John W. Gretz
                                      ---------------------------
                                      Name:John W. Gretz
                                      Title:SVP

                                  BANKAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,
                                  as a Lender


                                  By:/s/Victor Alfirevic
                                     ---------------------------
                                     Name: Victor Alfirevic
                                     Title: Vice President


                                     -4-


                                 AMENDMENT NO. 2
                                       to
                           LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                            dated as of July 12, 1996


                  THIS  AMENDMENT  NO. 2 dated as of October 10, 1996 is made by
LADD FURNITURE, INC., a North Carolina corporation,  AMERICAN FURNITURE COMPANY,
INCORPORATED,  a Virginia  corporation,  BARCLAY  FURNITURE  CO., a  Mississippi
corporation,  CLAYTON-MARCUS  COMPANY, INC., a North Carolina corporation,  LADD
CONTRACT SALES  CORPORATION,  a North Carolina  corporation,  LADD INTERNATIONAL
SALES CORP., a Barbados corporation, LADD TRANSPORTATION, INC., a North Carolina
corporation,  LEA INDUSTRIES,  INC., a North Carolina corporation,  PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE,  INC., a North Carolina  corporation,  PILLIOD  FURNITURE,  INC., a North
Carolina corporation,  NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH), a national banking association
("NationsBank"),  FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION, a Rhode Island corporation ("Fleet"
and together with  NationsBank,  the  "Co-Agents"),  the financial  institutions
parties to the Loan  Agreement (as  hereinafter  defined) from time to time (the
"Lenders"),  and  NATIONSBANK  as  administrative  agent  for the  Lenders  (the
"Administrative Agent").

                             Preliminary Statements

                  The   Borrowers,   the   Lenders,   the   Co-Agents   and  the
Administrative  Agent are parties to a Loan and Security  Agreement  dated as of
July 12, 1996,  as amended by Amendment  No. 1 dated as of August 15, 1996 (said
Agreement,  as so amended,  the "Loan Agreement";  terms defined therein and not
otherwise defined herein being used herein as therein defined).

                  In  response  to the  requests  of  certain  Lenders  made  in
connection  with  their  becoming  Lenders,  the  Borrowers,  the  Lenders,  the
Co-Agents and the  Administrative  Agent have agreed to amend the Loan Agreement
as hereinafter set forth,  upon and subject to all of the terms,  conditions and
provisions hereof.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the Loan Agreement,  the
Loans made by the  Lenders  and  outstanding  thereunder,  the  mutual  promises
hereinafter set forth and other good and valuable  consideration the receipt and
sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:

                  Section 1. Amendments to Loan Agreement. The Loan Agreement is
hereby amended, subject to the provisions of Section 2, effective as of the date
hereof by

                  (a)      amending Section 1.1 Definitions by



<PAGE>



                  (i)      amending the definition "Eligible Assignee" in its
         entirety to read as follows:

                  "Eligible  Assignee"  means,  subject  to  the  provisions  of
         Section  14.3,  a  commercial  bank  having  total  assets in excess of
         $1,000,000,000, any Affiliate of such a bank that conducts a commercial
         finance or asset based lending business and is organized under the laws
         of the United  States or any state  thereof,  and any Lender;  provided
         that if an Assignment  Event has occurred,  "Eligible  Assignee"  shall
         included any Person who would be an "accredited  investor" under and as
         defined in Regulation D of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  (ii)  amending the definition "Interbank Offered Rate"
         in its entirety to read as follows:

                  "Interbank  Offered Rate" means,  for any Eurodollar Rate Loan
         for any Interest Period therefor,  the rate per annum (rounded upwards,
         if necessary  to the nearest  1/100 of 1%)  appearing on Telerate  Page
         3750 (or any successor page) as the London  interbank  offered rate for
         deposits  in Dollars at  approximately  11:00  a.m.  (London  time) two
         Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term
         comparable to such Interest Period.  If for any reason such rate is not
         available,  the term  "Eurodollar  Rate" shall mean, for any Eurodollar
         Rate Loan for any Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum (rounded
         upwards,  if  necessary,  to the nearest  1/100 of 1%) appearing on the
         Reuters  Screen  LIBO Page as the  London  interbank  offered  rate for
         deposits  in Dollars at  approximately  11:00  a.m.  (London  time) two
         Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term
         comparable to such Interest  Period;  provided,  however,  that if more
         than one  rate is  specified  on the  Reuters  Screen  LIBO  Page,  the
         applicable rate shall be the arithmetic mean of all such rates.


                  (iii) amending the  definition  "Net Proceeds" by amending the
         first parenthetical phrase therein in its entirety to read as follows:

         (including,  without  limitation,  payments  under  notes or other debt
         securities  received  in  connection  with any Asset  Disposition,  but
         excluding any proceeds  received in connection  with the disposition of
         Daystrom  assets  or the  sale of  assets  contemplated  by the New BOT
         Transaction)

                  (iv)  amending  the  definition  "Permitted  Lien" by amending
         subsection (a) thereof in its entirety to read as follows:


                                       -2-

<PAGE>



                  (a) Liens securing taxes,  assessments and other  governmental
         charges or levies  (excluding  any Lien imposed  pursuant to any of the
         provisions of ERISA) or the claims of materialmen, mechanics, carriers,
         warehousemen  or landlords  for labor,  materials,  supplies or rentals
         incurred  in the  ordinary  course of  business or the claims of credit
         card  processors  under  agreements  with  one  or  more  Borrowers  as
         "merchants"  entered  into in the  ordinary  course of such  Borrowers'
         business(es), but (i) in the case of governmental charges or levies and
         warehousemen  or  landlords,  only if payment  shall not at the time be
         required to be made in accordance with Section 10.6,  (ii) further,  in
         the case of warehousemen or landlords, only if such Liens are junior to
         the Security Interest in any of the Collateral or the Real Estate,  and
         (iii) in the case of  merchant  processors,  only if such Liens  affect
         solely  any  funds  of  such   Borrowers   representing   proceeds   of
         transactions   processed  by  such  merchant   processors  and  in  the
         possession and control of such merchant  processors in accordance  with
         the terms of their agreements with such Borrowers,

                  (v) adding thereto in proper alphabetical order the
         following new definition:

                  "Assignment Event" means the occurrence of an Event of Default
         pursuant to Section  13.1(a),  13.1(g) or 13.1(h) or the  occurrence of
         any other Event of Default that  continues  for 75 days or more without
         its being  cured or waived by the  Lenders  (or  Required  Lenders,  as
         applicable) and the Administrative Agent.

                  (b)      amending Section 4.3 Repayment of Term Loan by
adding at the end thereof a new sentence to read as follows:

         The final  installment  of  principal of the Term Loan shall be due and
         payable on the earlier of (i) October 1, 2006 and (ii) the  Termination
         Date.

                  (c)      amending Article 14 by adding thereto a new
Section 14.3 to read as follows:

                  SECTION 14.3.  Non-U.S.  Lenders.  Prior to the Agreement Date
        or, with respect to any Lender that becomes a Lender after the Agreement
        Date,  prior to the  "Effective  Date" of the  Assignment and Acceptance
        pursuant to which such Lender became a Lender,  each Lender which is not
        incorporated  under the laws of the United  States of America or a state
        thereof  agrees that it will deliver to the  Administrative  Agent (i) a
        letter in  duplicate  and two duly  completed  copies  of United  States
        Internal Revenue Service Form 1001 or 4224 or successor applicable form,
        as the case may be, certifying in each case that such Lender is entitled
        to receive payments under this Agreement without deduction

                                       -3-

<PAGE>



         or withholding  of any United States federal income taxes,  and (ii) an
         Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 or successor  applicable form,
         as the case may be, to establish an exemption from United States backup
         withholding  tax. Each such Lender which delivers a copy of a Form 1001
         or 4224 and Form W-8 or W-9  pursuant  to the next  preceding  sentence
         further undertakes to deliver to the  Administrative  Agent two further
         copies of the said letter and Form 1001 or 4224 and Form W-8 or W-9, or
         successor  applicable forms, or other manner of  certification,  as the
         case may be, on or before the date that any such letter or form expires
         or becomes  obsolete or after the  occurrence of any event  requiring a
         change in the most recent letter and form previously delivered by it to
         the  Administrative  Agent,  and such extensions or renewals thereof as
         may reasonably be requested by the Administrative Agent,  certifying in
         the case of a Form 1001 or 4224 that such Lender is entitled to receive
         payments under this Agreement  without  deduction or withholding of any
         United States  federal  income taxes,  unless in any such case an event
         (including  without limitation any change in treaty, law or regulation)
         has  occurred  prior  to the  date on which  any  such  delivery  would
         otherwise  be required  which  renders all such forms  inapplicable  or
         which would prevent such Lender from duly completing and delivering any
         such  letter or form with  respect to it and such  Lender  advises  the
         Administrative  Agent  that it is not  capable  of  receiving  payments
         without any deduction or  withholding  of United States  federal income
         tax,  and in the case of a Form W-8 or W-9,  establishing  an exemption
         from United States backup  withholding tax, in which case, all payments
         by the Borrowers hereunder and under any Note shall be increased by the
         amount  necessary  to pay to such Lender,  net of any such  withholding
         tax(es) the amount of each payment provided for hereunder.

                  Section 2.  Effectiveness  of Amendment.  This Amendment shall
become  effective  on the date  (the  "Amendment  Effective  Date") on which the
Administrative  Agent shall have received  each of the  following  documents (in
sufficient copies for each Lender):

                  (a)      this Amendment duly executed and delivered by each
Borrower and the Required Lenders,

                  (b) a certificate  of the  Secretary of each  Borrower  having
attached thereto the articles or certificate of incorporation and bylaws of such
Borrower  as in effect on the  Amendment  Effective  Date  attached  thereto (or
containing the certification of such Secretary that no amendment or modification
of such articles or  certificate or bylaws has become  effective  since the last
date on which such documents were delivered to the Administrative Agent pursuant
to  the  Loan  Agreement),  and  to  the  further  effect  that  the  incumbency
certificate and corporate

                                       -4-

<PAGE>



action delivered in connection with the occurrence of the
Effective Date remain in effect, unchanged,

                  (c)      a certificate of the President or Financial
Officer of LADD to the effect that

                  (i)  the  representations  and  warranties  of  the  Borrowers
         contained  in the Loan  Documents  are true and correct in all material
         respects on and as of the Amendment Effective Date as if made on and as
         of such date, and

                  (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is
         continuing,

and such statements shall be true, and

                  (d) such other  documents,  certificates  and  instruments  in
connection with the effectiveness of this Amendment as the Administrative  Agent
or any Lender may reasonably request.

                  Section   3.   Effect  of   Amendment.   From  and  after  the
effectiveness of this Amendment, all references in the Loan Agreement and in any
other Loan  Document to "this  Agreement,"  "the Loan  Agreement,"  "hereunder,"
"hereof" and words of like import  referring to the Loan  Agreement,  shall mean
and be references to the Loan Agreement as amended by this Amendment.  Except as
expressly  amended  hereby,  the Loan  Agreement and all terms,  conditions  and
provisions  thereof remain in full force and effect and are hereby  ratified and
confirmed.  The execution,  delivery and  effectiveness  of this Amendment shall
not,  except as  expressly  provided  herein,  operate as a waiver of any right,
power or remedy of any Lender or the Administrative  Agent under any of the Loan
Documents,  nor  constitute  a  waiver  of any  provision  of  any  of the  Loan
Documents.

                  Section 4. Counterpart Execution; Governing Law.

                  (a) Execution in Counterparts.  This Amendment may be executed
in any  number of  counterparts  and by  different  parties  hereto in  separate
counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be
an original and all of which taken  together  shall  constitute  but one and the
same agreement.

                  (b)  Governing Law.  This Amendment shall be governed
by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of
Georgia.



                                       -5-

<PAGE>



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Amendment to be executed by their respective officers thereunto duly authorized,
as of the date first above written.

                           BORROWERS:

                           LADD FURNITURE, INC.


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Executive Vice President

                           AMERICAN FURNITURE COMPANY,
                           INCORPORATED


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Vice President

                           LEA INDUSTRIES, INC.
                           (a North Carolina corporation)


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Vice President

                           BARCLAY FURNITURE CO.


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Vice President

                           CLAYTON-MARCUS COMPANY, INC.


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Vice President

                           LADD CONTRACT SALES CORP.


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Vice President


                                       -6-

<PAGE>



                           PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE, INC.


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Vice President

                           PILLIOD FURNITURE, INC.


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Vice President

                           LADD TRANSPORTATION, INC.


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Vice President

                           LADD INTERNATIONAL SALES CORP.


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              William S. Creekmuir
                              Vice President




                                       -7-

<PAGE>



                           AGENTS/LENDERS:

                           NATIONSBANK, N.A. (SOUTH), as
                           Administrative Agent, a Co-Agent
                           and as a Lender


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              David J. Sapp
                              Vice President

                           FLEET CAPITAL CORPORATION, as a Co-
                           Agent and as a Lender


                           By: 
                              -------------------------
                               Name:
                               Title:

                           BANKAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,
                           as a Lender


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:

                           THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT,
                           INC., as a Lender


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:

                           SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION,
                           as a Lender


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:

                           THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON,
                           as a Lender


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:


                                       -8-

<PAGE>


                           CREDITANSTALT CORPORATE FINANCE,
                           INC., as a Lender


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:

                           BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY,
                           as a Lender


                           By:
                              -------------------------
                              Name:
                              Title:



                                       -9-

<PAGE>




                           EQUIPMENT LEASING AGREEMENT

         EQUIPMENT LEASING AGREEMENT dated as of September 19, 1996 (herein,  as
amended and supplemented  from time to time,  called "this Lease"),  between BTM
FINANCIAL & LEASING CORPORATION B-4, a Massachusetts  corporation (herein called
"Lessor"),  having a principal  place of business at 125 Summer Street,  Boston,
Massachusetts  02110,  and LADD  FURNITURE,  INC., a North Carolina  corporation
(herein called  "Lessee"),  having its principal  place of business at One Plaza
Center, High Point, North Carolina 27261.

         In consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set
forth, the parties hereto agree as follows:

         1.       Definitions.  Unless the context otherwise requires,
the following terms shall have the following meanings for all
purposes of this Lease and shall be equally applicable to both
the singular and the plural forms of the terms herein defined:

                  "Acceptance Date" for each Item of Equipment means the date on
which Lessee has  unconditionally  accepted  such Item for lease  hereunder,  as
evidenced by Lessee's execution and delivery of a Lease Supplement for such Item
dated such date.

                  "Acquisition  Cost" of each Item of Equipment  means an amount
equal to the sum of (i) the total cost paid by Lessor  for such Item,  plus (ii)
all sales and excise taxes paid by Lessor on or with respect to the  acquisition
of such Item,  plus (iii) all costs and expenses paid by Lessor,  or Lessee with
the approval of Lessor, in connection with the delivery and installation of such
Item.

                  "Acquisition  Period"  means the period  specified  as such on
each  consecutively  numbered Related Exhibit A now or hereafter attached hereto
and made a part hereof.

                  "Assignee"  shall  have  the  meaning  given  to such  term in
Section 14(b) hereof.

                  "Basic Rent" means the rent payable for each Item of Equipment
during (i) the Basic Term thereof pursuant to Section 7(b) hereof, and (ii) each
Renewal Term thereof pursuant to Section 29(a) hereof.

                  "Basic  Term" for each  Item of  Equipment  means  the  period
consisting  of the number of months set forth for the type of Equipment to which
such Item relates on the Related Exhibit A for such Item.



                                        1

<PAGE>



                  "Basic  Term  Commencement  Date" for each  Item of  Equipment
means the date specified as such on the Related Exhibit A for such Item.

                  "Business Day" means any day other than a day on which banking
institutions in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or the State of North Carolina
are authorized by law to close.

                  "Casualty  Loss  Value"  of each Item of  Equipment  as of any
Casualty Loss Value Payment Date means an amount  determined by multiplying  the
Acquisition  Cost of such Item of Equipment by the percentage set forth opposite
such  Casualty  Loss Value  Payment Date on the Schedule of Casualty Loss Values
attached to the Related Exhibit A for such Item.

                  "Casualty  Loss Value  Payment Date" of each Item of Equipment
shall  mean the Basic Term  Commencement  Date for such Item and the same day of
each month thereafter and shall be as set forth in the Schedule of Casualty Loss
Values attached to the Related Exhibit A for such Item.

                  "Code"  means the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as the same
may be amended from time to time, or any comparable successor law.

                  "Early  Buyout Date" means the date,  specified in the Related
Exhibit A, upon which Lessee may  exercise its option to purchase the  Equipment
pursuant to Section 35.

                  "Early Buyout  Value",  for each Item of  Equipment,  means an
amount  determined by multiplying the Acquisition Cost of such Item of Equipment
by  the  applicable  percentage  set  forth  under  the  caption  "Early  Buyout
Percentage" in the Lease Supplement for such Item.

                  "Equipment"  means the  equipment of the type(s)  described on
each  consecutively  numbered Related Exhibit A now or hereafter attached hereto
and made a part hereof and leased or to be leased by Lessor to Lessee  hereunder
or ordered by Lessor for lease to Lessee  hereunder,  together  with any and all
accessions,   additions,   improvements  and  replacements  from  time  to  time
incorporated  or installed  therein which are the property of Lessor pursuant to
the terms of this Lease.

                  "Event of Default" means any of the events referred to
in Section 23 hereof.

                  "Event of Loss" with  respect to any Item of  Equipment  means
(i) the loss of such Item of Equipment or any substantial part thereof,  or (ii)
the loss of the use of such Item of Equipment due to theft or disappearance  for
a period in excess of 45 days during the Term, or existing at the  expiration or
earlier


                                        2

<PAGE>



termination  of the Term, or (iii) the  destruction,  damage beyond  repair,  or
rendition of such Item of Equipment or any substantial part thereof  permanently
unfit  for  normal  use for any  reason  whatsoever,  or (iv) the  condemnation,
confiscation,  seizure, or requisition of use or title to such Item of Equipment
or any substantial part thereof by any governmental authority under the power of
eminent domain or otherwise.

                  "Interim  Rent"  means  the  rent  payable  for  each  Item of
Equipment for the Interim Term thereof pursuant to Section 7(a) hereof.

                  "Interim  Term" for each Item of  Equipment  means the  period
commencing on the Acceptance  Date for such Item (unless the Acceptance  Date is
the Basic Term  Commencement  Date, in which case there shall be no Interim Term
for such  Item) and  ending  on the date  immediately  prior to the  Basic  Term
Commencement Date.

                  "Item of Equipment" or "Item" means a single unitary
item of the Equipment.

                  "Lease  Supplement" means a Lease Supplement  substantially in
the form attached  hereto as Exhibit B, to be executed by Lessor and Lessee with
respect to each Item of  Equipment  as provided in Section 4 hereof,  evidencing
that such Item is leased hereunder.

                  "Letter  of  Credit"  means  that  certain  standby  letter of
credit,  from  Nationsbank,  N.A.  (South)  as  Issuer,  in favor of  Lessor  as
beneficiary,  in an aggregate  amount equal to twenty-five  percent (25%) of the
Acquisition Cost of the Equipment then leased hereunder (or such other amount as
Lessor may agree, from time to time,  pursuant to Section 34), and any letter of
credit  issued,  with the  consent of Lessor,  in  substitution  or  replacement
therefor.

                  "Lien" means liens, mortgages, encumbrances,  pledges, charges
and security interests of any kind.

                  "Maximum  Acquisition Cost" means the amount specified as such
on each  consecutively  numbered  Related  Exhibit A now or  hereafter  attached
hereto and made a part hereof.

                  "NationsBank  Facility"  shall  mean  that  certain  Loan  and
Security Agreement entered into by and among Lessee,  NationsBank,  N.A. (South)
and the other parties thereto, dated as of July 12, 1996.

                  "Permitted Lien" has the meaning assigned to such term
in Section 15.



                                        3

<PAGE>



                  "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint
venture,  association,  joint  stock  company,  trust,  trustee(s)  of a  trust,
unincorporated organization,  or government or governmental authority, agency or
political subdivision thereof.

                  "Related  Exhibit  A"  means,  with  respect  to  an  Item  of
Equipment,  the particular  numbered Exhibit A now or hereafter  attached hereto
and made a part  hereof to which  such Item  relates as  specified  in Section 4
hereof.

                  "Renewal  Term" for each Item of  Equipment  means the  period
following  the end of the Basic Term for such Item with  respect to which Lessee
has the option to renew this Lease pursuant to Section 29(a) hereof.

                  "Rent" means Interim Rent and Basic Rent.

                  "Rent Payment  Date" for each Item of Equipment  means (i) for
the Basic  Term  thereof,  each date on which a payment of Basic Rent is due and
payable for such Item pursuant to Section 7(b) hereof, (ii) for the Interim Term
thereof (if any), the Basic Term  Commencement Date for such Item, and (iii) for
each Renewal Term thereof, each date on which a payment of Basic Rent is due and
payable for such Item as provided in Section 29(a) hereof.

                  "Rental  Period" for each Item of Equipment  means (i) for the
Interim Term of such Item, the period from and inclusive of the Acceptance  Date
for such Item to, but not  inclusive  of, the Basic Term  Commencement  Date for
such Item, (ii) for the Basic Term of such Item, each period for which a payment
of Basic Rent is to be made for such Item  during the Basic Term  thereof as set
forth on the Related  Exhibit A for such Item  (opposite the reference to Rental
Periods for Basic  Term),  and (iii) for each  Renewal  Term of such Item,  each
period for which a payment of Basic Rent is to be made for such Item during such
Renewal Term as set forth on the Related  Exhibit A for such Item  (opposite the
reference to Rental Periods for Renewal Term).

                  "Supplemental  Payments"  means all amounts,  liabilities  and
obligations which Lessee assumes or agrees to pay hereunder to Lessor or others,
including  payments of Casualty Loss Value and indemnities,  but excluding Basic
Rent and Interim Rent.

                  "Term"  means the full term of the Lease with  respect to each
Item of Equipment,  including the Interim Term (if any), the Basic Term, and the
Renewal Term.

The words "this Lease", "herein", "hereunder", "hereof" or other like words mean
and include this Equipment Leasing Agreement,


                                        4

<PAGE>



each Related Exhibit A, each Lease Supplement, and each amendment and supplement
hereto and thereto.

         2.  Agreement for Lease of  Equipment.  Subject to, and upon all of the
terms and conditions of this Lease,  Lessor hereby agrees to lease to Lessee and
Lessee  hereby  agrees to lease from Lessor each Item of Equipment  for the Term
with respect to such Item. Provided that no Event of Default has occurred and is
continuing  hereunder,  Lessor agrees that it shall not interfere  with Lessee's
quiet  enjoyment and use of any Item of Equipment  leased  hereunder  during the
Term thereof.

         3.  Conditions  Precedent.  Lessor shall have no obligation to purchase
any  Item of  Equipment  and to  lease  the same to  Lessee  unless  each of the
following  conditions are fulfilled to the satisfaction of Lessor:  (i) no event
which is (or with  notice  or lapse of time or both  would  become)  an Event of
Default or Event of Loss has occurred and is continuing, nor has any information
come to Lessor's  attention from which Lessor could reasonably and in good faith
infer  that such event  might  occur;  (ii) no  material  adverse  change in the
financial  condition of Lessee,  which,  in Lessor's good faith  opinion,  would
impair the ability of Lessee to pay and perform its obligations under this Lease
has occurred since the date specified as the Financial  Condition Reference Date
on the Related Exhibit A for such Item, provided,  that the NationsBank Facility
shall have been  completed  to the  satisfaction  of Lessor;  (iii) such Item of
Equipment is reasonably  acceptable to Lessor,  and is free of all Liens,  other
than any Lien  specifically  excepted in Section 15 hereof;  (iv) the Acceptance
Date  for  such  Item of  Equipment  is a date  within  the  Acquisition  Period
specified  on the Related  Exhibit A for such Item and Lessee has  executed  and
delivered  to Lessor the Related  Exhibit A for such Item;  (v) the  Acquisition
Cost of such Item of Equipment,  when added to the total Acquisition Cost of all
Equipment  of the type to which  such Item  relates  and  which has been  leased
hereunder, or ordered by Lessor for lease hereunder,  will not be such an amount
so as to cause the Maximum  Acquisition  Cost specified on the Related Exhibit A
for such Item to be exceeded;  (vi) Lessor has received an invoice for such Item
of Equipment from the seller  thereof,  approved for payment by Lessee,  showing
Lessor as the purchaser of such Item, or, if Lessee or a permitted  sublessee is
the  seller  of such  Item,  a bill of sale for such  Item  from  Lessee  (or as
applicable,  sublessee) to Lessor in form and substance  satisfactory to Lessor,
together with evidence, satisfactory to Lessor, within sixty (60) days following
the  Acceptance  Date  of  such  Items,  of  Lessee's  (or as  applicable,  such
sublessee's)  payment to the original seller of such Items in an amount at least
equal to ninety  percent  (90%) of the  Acquisition  Cost of such  Items;  (vii)
Lessor has received a Lease  Supplement for such Item,  duly executed by Lessee,
and dated the Acceptance Date for such Item; (viii) if such Item of Equipment is
subject to motor vehicle


                                        5

<PAGE>



titling and registration laws, Lessor has received a copy of the application for
certificate of title  therefor,  as filed with, and bearing the filing stamp of,
the  appropriate  department  of  motor  vehicles  or  other  appropriate  state
authority,  and a copy of the manufacturer's  statement or certificate of origin
therefor,  reflecting  Lessor or its nominee as owner and whomever  Lessor shall
have designated (if any) as first lienholder; (ix) all licenses,  registrations,
permits,  consents and approvals required by Federal,  state or local laws or by
any governmental body, agency or authority in connection with Lessor's ownership
of, and the delivery, acquisition, installation, use and operation of, each Item
of Equipment shall have been obtained to the satisfaction of Lessor;  (x) Lessor
shall have received the Letter of Credit duly issued by the issuer thereof in an
amount equal to twenty-five  percent (25%) of the Acquisition Cost of such Item;
(xi)  Lessor  shall  have  received a release  from the Lien of the  NationsBank
Facility in form and substance satisfactory to Lessor with respect to such Item;
and  (xii)  Lessor  shall  have   received  such  other   documents,   opinions,
certificates  and waivers,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to Lessor,  as
Lessor may require.

         4. Delivery,  Acceptance and Leasing of Equipment.  Lessor shall not be
liable to Lessee for any failure or delay in obtaining  any Item of Equipment or
making  delivery  thereof.  Forthwith upon delivery of each Item of Equipment to
Lessee,  Lessee will inspect such Item,  and unless  Lessee gives Lessor  prompt
written notice of any defect in or other proper  objection to such Item,  Lessee
shall promptly upon completion of such inspection  execute and deliver to Lessor
a Lease  Supplement for such Item,  dated the Acceptance  Date of such Item. The
execution  by Lessor and Lessee of a Lease  Supplement  for an Item of Equipment
shall (a) evidence that such Item is leased under,  and is subject to all of the
terms,  provisions and conditions  of, this Lease,  and (b) constitute  Lessee's
unconditional  and irrevocable  acceptance of such Item for all purposes of this
Lease.  An Item of  Equipment  shall be  conclusively  deemed  to  relate to the
particular  numbered Exhibit A now or hereafter  attached hereto and made a part
hereof  on which is set  forth  (i) a  description  of such  Item or the type of
Equipment  to which such Item  relates and (ii) the  Acquisition  Period  within
which the Acceptance Date for such Item has occurred.

         5. Term.  The Interim  Term (if any) for each Item of  Equipment  shall
commence on the Acceptance Date thereof,  and, unless sooner terminated pursuant
to the provisions  hereof,  shall end on the date immediately prior to the Basic
Term Commencement Date thereof.  The Basic Term for each Item of Equipment shall
commence on the Basic Term  Commencement  Date thereof and, unless this Lease is
sooner  terminated with respect to such Item (or all Equipment)  pursuant to the
provisions  hereof,  shall  end on the  date  specified  therefor  in the  Lease
Supplement  for such Item. If not sooner  terminated  pursuant to the provisions
hereof, the


                                        6

<PAGE>



Term for each Item of  Equipment  shall  end on the last day of the  Basic  Term
thereof,  or if this Lease is renewed  pursuant to Section 29(a) hereof,  on the
last day of the last Renewal Term thereof.

         6.       Return of Equipment.

         (a) Upon the expiration or earlier termination of the Term with respect
to each Item of Equipment  (unless Lessee has exercised its purchase option with
respect thereto pursuant to Section 29(b) hereof),  Lessee will, at its expense,
surrender  and  deliver  possession  of each  Item of  Equipment  to Lessor at a
location  chosen by Lessor within seven hundred (700) miles of the then location
of each such Item, or as may be otherwise agreed by the parties.  At the time of
such  return to  Lessor,  each  Item of  Equipment  (and each part or  component
thereof) shall (i) be in good operating  order,  and in the repair and condition
as when originally  delivered to Lessee,  ordinary wear and tear from proper use
thereof  excepted,  (ii) be capable of being  assembled  and operated by a third
party  purchaser  or third party  lessee  without  further  inspection,  repair,
replacement,   alterations  or  improvements  (excluding  third  party  peculiar
requirements  for  compatibility   with  then  existing  third  party  products,
equipment or facilities),  and in accordance and substantial compliance with any
and all statutes, laws, ordinances,  rules and regulations of any Federal, state
or local  governmental  body,  agency  or  authority  applicable  to the use and
operation of such Item of  Equipment,  and (iii) be free and clear of all Liens,
other than any Lien  granted or placed  thereon by Lessor or any  Assignee.  All
Equipment  shall have been maintained in good working order and according to the
manufacturers  recommendations,  shall be deinstalled by a qualified technician,
and shall be fully  disassembled,  palletized and prepared as necessary for long
term storage.  If any Item of Equipment is originally  equipped with tires, such
Item  shall,  in  addition  to  satisfying  the  requirements  of the  preceding
sentence, be returned with all tires installed thereon, with each tire having at
least  fifty  percent  (50%) or more  average  remaining  tread for each Item of
Equipment thereon.

         (b) Until each such Item of  Equipment  has been  returned to Lessor in
the condition and as otherwise provided in this Section 6, Lessee shall continue
to pay  Lessor,  on the same dates on which Basic Rent for such Item was payable
during the Basic Term  thereof  (or,  if the Term of such Item has been  renewed
pursuant to Section 29(a), the most recent Renewal Term thereof), the same Basic
Rent for such Item that was payable on the last Rent  Payment  Date of the Basic
Term thereof (or, if the Term of such Item has been renewed  pursuant to Section
29(a), the same Basic Rent that was payable on the last Rent Payment Date of the
most recent Renewal Term);  provided,  that during such holdover period,  Lessee
shall use its best efforts to secure the return of the


                                        7

<PAGE>



Equipment as required  under this Section 6. The provision for payment  pursuant
to this Section  6(b) shall not be in  abrogation  of Lessor's  right under this
Section 6 to have such Equipment returned to it hereunder.

         (c) The  provisions of this Section 6 are of the essence of this Lease,
and upon application to any court of equity having jurisdiction in the premises,
Lessor  shall  be  entitled  to  a  decree  against  Lessee  requiring  specific
performance of the covenants of Lessee set forth in this Section 6.

         7.       Rent.

         (a) Interim Rent.  Lessee hereby agrees to pay Lessor  Interim Rent for
each Item of Equipment as to which there is an Interim Term, payable on the Rent
Payment  Date of the  Interim  Term for such  Item,  in the amount  obtained  by
multiplying  (i) the  Acquisition  Cost of such Item by (ii) the  percentage set
forth (in the column captioned Interim Rent Percentage) on the Related Exhibit A
for such Item,  by (iii) the number of days from and  including  the  Acceptance
Date for such Item through the end of the Interim Term for such Item.

         (b) Basic Rent.  Lessee hereby agrees to pay Lessor Basic Rent for each
Item of  Equipment  during the Basic  Term  thereof at the times and on the Rent
Payment Dates set forth on the Related  Exhibit A for such Item and in an amount
obtained  by  multiplying  (i) the  Acquisition  Cost of such  Item by (ii)  the
percentage of  Acquisition  Cost set forth (in the column  captioned  Basic Rent
Percentage) on such Related Exhibit A.

         (c) Supplemental  Payments.  Lessee also agrees to pay to Lessor, or to
whomsoever  shall  be  entitled  thereto  as  expressly   provided  herein,  all
Supplemental  Payments,  promptly as the same shall become due and owing, and in
the event of any  failure on the part of Lessee so to pay any such  Supplemental
Payment hereunder Lessor shall have all rights, powers and remedies provided for
herein or by law or equity or otherwise in the case of nonpayment of Rent.

         (d) Method of Payment.  All payments of Rent and Supplemental  Payments
required to be made by Lessee to Lessor shall be made by check or in good funds.
If the date that any  payment of Rent is due is other  than a  Business  Day the
payment  of Rent  otherwise  payable  on such date  shall be payable on the next
succeeding  Business Day. In the event of any assignment to an Assignee pursuant
to Section  14(c)  hereof,  all payments  which are  assigned to such  Assignee,
whether Rent,  Supplemental Payments or otherwise,  shall be paid in such manner
as shall be designated by Lessor or such Assignee. All payments of Rent required
to be made by Lessee to Lessor  hereunder shall be paid to Lessor at its address
specified at the beginning of this Lease


                                        8

<PAGE>



or at such other address as Lessor may hereafter designate in writing to Lessee.
Time is of the essence in connection  with the payment of Rent and  Supplemental
Payments.

         8.       Net Lease.  This Lease is a net lease.  Lessee
acknowledges and agrees that its obligations hereunder,
including, without limitation, its obligations to pay Rent for
all Equipment leased hereunder and to pay all Supplemental
Payments payable hereunder,

                  (a) shall be unconditional and irrevocable under any
         and all circumstances,

                  (b) shall not be subject to cancellation, termination,
         modification or repudiation by Lessee, and

                  (c) shall be paid and  performed by Lessee  without  notice or
         demand  and  without  any  abatement,  reduction,  diminution,  setoff,
         defense,  counterclaim  or recoupment  whatsoever,  including,  without
         limitation,  any abatement,  reduction,  diminution,  setoff,  defense,
         counterclaim  or  recoupment  due or alleged to be due to, or by reason
         of,

                           (i) any past,  present or future  claims which Lessee
                  may have against  Lessor,  any Assignee,  any  manufacturer or
                  supplier of the  Equipment or any Item  thereof,  or any other
                  Person for any reason whatsoever, or

                           (ii) any defect in the Equipment or any Item
                  thereof, or the condition, design, operation or fitness
                  for use thereof, or

                           (iii) any damage to, or any loss or destruction
                  of, the Equipment or any Item thereof, or

                           (iv) any Liens or rights of others with respect to
                  the Equipment or any Item thereof, or

                           (v)  any  prohibition  or  interruption  of or  other
                  restriction  against Lessee's use,  operation or possession of
                  the Equipment or any Item thereof,  for any reason whatsoever,
                  or any interference with such use,  operation or possession by
                  any Person or entity, or

                           (vi) any default by Lessor in the  performance of any
                  of its obligations herein contained, or any other indebtedness
                  or liability, howsoever and whenever arising, of Lessor, or of
                  any Assignee,  or of Lessee to any other Person,  or by reason
                  of insolvency, bankruptcy or similar proceedings by or against
                  Lessor,

                                        9

<PAGE>

                  any Assignee or Lessee, or

                           (vii) for any other reason whatsoever, whether
                  similar or dissimilar to any of the foregoing, any
                  present or future law to the contrary notwithstanding;

it being the  intention  of the parties  hereto  that all Rent and  Supplemental
Payments  payable by Lessee hereunder shall continue to be payable in all events
and in the manner and at the times herein  provided,  without  notice or demand,
unless  the  obligation  to pay the same  shall be  terminated  pursuant  to the
express provisions of this Lease. Lessee retains its rights and remedies against
Lessor or any  Assignee  for breach of  covenant,  representation  or  warranty,
negligence or wilful malfeasance.

         9. Lessor's Title; Equipment to be and Remain Personal Property.  Title
to the  Equipment  shall at all times remain in Lessor and at no time during the
Term shall title  become  vested in Lessee.  This Lease is intended to be a true
lease  and not a lease  intended  as  security  or a lease  in the  nature  of a
security interest. Lessee shall acquire no right, title or interest in or to the
Equipment, except the right to use the same pursuant to the terms of this Lease.
It is the  intention  and  understanding  of both Lessor and Lessee,  and Lessee
shall take all such  actions as may be  required to assure,  that the  Equipment
shall be and at all times remain personal property,  notwithstanding  the manner
in which the Equipment may be attached or affixed to realty. Lessee shall obtain
and record such  instruments  and take such steps as may be necessary to prevent
any Person from acquiring any rights in the Equipment by reason of the Equipment
being  claimed or deemed to be real  property.  Upon  request by Lessor,  Lessee
shall obtain and deliver to Lessor valid and  effective  waivers,  in recordable
form, by the owners,  landlords  and  mortgagees of the real property upon which
the Equipment or any Item of Equipment is located or certificates of Lessee that
it is the owner of such real  property or that such real  property is not leased
and/or  mortgaged.  Lessee shall cause each Item of  Equipment  subject to motor
vehicle  titling and  registration  laws to be titled in the name of Lessor,  as
owner,  and, if permitted by  applicable  law, to be  registered  in the name of
Lessee,  as lessee,  and shall  cause all  certificates  of title to be promptly
furnished to Lessor.

         10. Use of  Equipment;  Compliance  with Laws.  Lessee  agrees that the
Equipment will be used and operated solely in the conduct of its business and in
compliance  with any and all insurance  policy terms,  conditions and provisions
and in substantial  compliance with all statutes,  laws,  ordinances,  rules and
regulations  of any  Federal,  state  or  local  governmental  body,  agency  or
authority  applicable  to the use and  operation  of the  Equipment,  including,
without limitation, environmental, noise and pollution laws (including  
notifications and reports).  Lessee 

                                       10

<PAGE>

shall  procure and maintain in effect all licenses, registrations, certificates,
permits, approvals  and  consents  required  by  Federal,  state or local  
laws or by any governmental  body,  agency  or  authority  in  connection  
with the  ownership, delivery,  installation, use and operation of each Item 
of Equipment, including, without  limitation,  those required by environmental,
noise and pollution laws (including  notifications and reports),  and including,
in  the  case  of  any  Item   subject   to   motor   vehicle    titling  and
registration   laws,   all  titles,  registrations,  registration   plates,
permits, licenses, and all renewals thereof. The  Equipment  will  at  all times
be  and  remain  in  the  possession  and  control  of Lessee.  Lessee  shall  
notify  Lessor  of  any  change  in  its  principal  place  of business  set 
forth  above.  Lessee  shall  not  change  the  location  of  any  Item  of 
Equipment as  specified in the Lease  Supplement  with respect  thereto  without
delivering prior written notice to Lessor of the new location to which such Item
will be moved and receiving  Lessor's  prior written  consent to such move.  The
Equipment shall in no event be used or located outside of the continental limits
of the United States.  Lessee shall use and operate the Equipment or cause it to
be used and operated only by personnel  authorized  by Lessee,  and Lessee shall
use  every  reasonable  precaution  to  prevent  loss or  damage to each Item of
Equipment from fire and other hazards.

         11. Maintenance and Repair of Equipment. Lessee agrees, at its own cost
and expense, to keep, repair,  maintain and preserve the Equipment in good order
and  operating  condition,  reasonable  wear and tear excepted and in compliance
with such  maintenance  and repair  standards and procedures as are  customarily
followed by Lessee with respect to similar items of equipment,  and as otherwise
may be required to enforce  warranty claims against each vendor and manufacturer
of each  Item of  Equipment,  and in  compliance  with all  requirements  of law
applicable to the maintenance and condition of the Equipment, including, without
limitation,  environmental,  noise and pollution laws and regulations (including
notifications  and reports).  Lessee shall maintain the exterior and interior of
the Equipment in good  appearance,  reasonable  wear and tear  excepted.  Lessee
shall,  at its own cost and expense,  supply the necessary power and other items
required in the  operation  of the  Equipment  and make  available to Lessor all
maintenance  records for inspection,  upon reasonable prior notice,  at Lessee's
place of  business  where  the  applicable  Item of  Equipment  is  located,  at
reasonable times and intervals  during Lessee's  regular business hours.  Lessee
hereby waives any right now or hereafter conferred by law to make repairs on the
Equipment at the expense of Lessor.

         12.      Replacements; Alterations; Modifications.  In case any
Item of Equipment (or any equipment, part or appliance therein)
is required to be altered, added to, replaced or modified in
order to comply with any laws, regulations, requirements or rules
("Required  Alteration")  pursuant to Sections 10 or 11 hereof, 

                                       11

<PAGE>
Lessee  agrees  to  make  such  Required  Alteration  at  its  own  expense 
and  the  same  shall immediately  be  and  become  the  property  of  Lessor 
and  subject  to  the  terms  of  this  Lease.  Lessee  may  make  any optional
alteration  to  any  Item  of  Equipment  ("Optional  Alteration")  provided 
such  Optional  Alteration  does  not  impair  the  value,  use  or  remaining
useful  life  of  such  Item  of  Equipment.  In  the  event  such  Optional
Alteration is readily  removable  without causing material damage to the Item of
Equipment,  and is not a part, item of equipment or appliance which replaces any
part, item of equipment or appliance originally  incorporated or installed in or
attached to such Item of Equipment on the Acceptance  Date therefor or any part,
item of equipment or appliance in  replacement of or  substitution  for any such
original  part,  item of equipment or appliance,  any such  Optional  Alteration
shall be and  remain  the  property  of  Lessee.  To the  extent  such  Optional
Alteration is not readily  removable without causing material damage to the Item
of Equipment to which such Optional Alteration has been made, or is a part, item
of  equipment  or  appliance  which  replaces  any part,  item of  equipment  or
appliance  originally  incorporated  or installed in or attached to such Item of
Equipment  on the  Acceptance  Date  therefor or any part,  item of equipment or
appliance in replacement of or substitution  for any such original part, item of
equipment or appliance, the same shall immediately be and become the property of
Lessor and subject to the terms of this Lease.  Lessee  agrees  that,  within 45
days  after the  close of any  calendar  quarter  in which  Lessee  has made any
Required  Alterations,  Lessee  will  give  written  notice  thereof  to  Lessor
describing,  in reasonable detail,  the Required  Alterations and specifying the
cost thereof  with respect to each Item of Equipment  and the date or dates when
made.  Any parts  installed  or  replacements  made by  Lessee  upon any Item of
Equipment  pursuant to its obligation to maintain and keep the Equipment in good
order,  operating  condition  and  repair  under  Section  11  hereof  shall  be
considered  accessions  to such Item of  Equipment  and title  thereto  shall be
immediately vested in Lessor.  Except as required or permitted by the provisions
of this  Section 12,  Lessee  shall not  materially  modify an Item of Equipment
without the prior written authority and approval of Lessor.

         12A.  Early Buyout.   In the event that Basic Rent shall be
increased or Lessee shall be obligated to make a lump sum payment
to Lessor pursuant to Section 19(c), and so long as no Event of
Default shall have occurred and be continuing hereunder, Lessee
shall have the right at its option on any Early Buyout Date
specified on the Related Exhibit A for any Item, on at least
ninety (90) days' prior written notice to Lessor, to terminate
this Lease with respect to all, but not less than all, of the
Items of Equipment then leased hereunder and subject to said
Related Exhibit A, with such termination to be effective on the
Early Buyout Date specified in said Related Exhibit A.  On such
Early  Buyout  Date (but in no event  prior to  Lessor's  receipt of 

                                       12

<PAGE>

the  amounts  specified  in  the  next  succeeding  sentence),  Lessor  shall,
without  recourse  or  warranty  (except  as  to  the  absence  of  Liens 
granted  or  placed  thereon  by  Lessor  or  any  Assignee   pursuant  to 
Section  14(c)),  sell  the  Equipment  on  an  "as-is",  "where-is"  basis 
for  cash  to  Lessee,  and  Lessee  shall  pay  to  Lessor  the  sum  of the 
amounts  specified  in the  following  sub-clauses  (i) through (v): (i) the
aggregate  Basic  Rent due and  payable  for all of the  Equipment  on the Early
Buyout Date,  plus (ii) all accrued and unpaid Interim Rent and Basic Rent owing
for each Item of Equipment for all Rental Periods prior to the Rental Period for
which the Basic  Rent  payment  specified  in the  preceding  sub-clause  (i) is
payable,  plus (iii) the Early Buyout Value of such Item of Equipment as of such
Early  Buyout  Date,  plus (iv) any sales or excise taxes on or measured by such
early buyout (other than gross or net income taxes  attributable  to such sale),
plus (v) all accrued and unpaid Supplemental  Payments owing by Lessee as of the
Early Buyout Date.  Until payment of the amounts set forth in the next preceding
sentence as aforesaid, this Lease (including the provisions of this Section 12A)
shall  continue in full force and effect with respect to the  Equipment.  In the
event of any such sale and the receipt by Lessor of the amounts described above,
and upon  compliance  by Lessee with the  provisions  of this  Section  12A, the
obligations  of Lessee to pay Basic Rent  hereunder with respect to each Item of
Equipment so sold shall cease for any Rental  Period that  commences on or after
the Early  Buyout  Date and the Term with  respect  to each such Item  shall end
effective as of the Early Buyout Date. Lessor shall be under no duty to take any
action in  connection  with any such sale  other  than the duty to  transfer  to
Lessee, without recourse or warranty, on an "as-is", "where-is" basis (except as
to the  absence  of Liens  granted or placed  thereon by Lessor or any  Assignee
pursuant to Section 14(c)),  all of Lessor's right, title and interest in and to
the  Equipment  so sold against  receipt by Lessor of the payments  provided for
herein.

         13. Identification Marks;  Inspection.  Lessee agrees, upon the request
of Lessor, at Lessee's sole cost and expense, to place markings on the Equipment
by  stencil  or by a  metal  tag  or  plate  affixed  thereto  showing  plainly,
distinctly and  conspicuously  Lessor's title and ownership  thereto;  provided,
however,  that  such  identification  markings  are  to be  placed  so as not to
interfere with the usefulness of such Item of Equipment.  If during the Term any
such  identification  marking shall at any time be defaced or destroyed,  Lessee
shall immediately cause such defaced or destroyed  identification  marking to be
restored or  replaced.  Lessee shall not allow the name of any Person other than
Lessee  or  its  affiliates  to be  placed  upon  any  Item  of  Equipment  as a
designation  which  might be  interpreted  as  indicating  a claim of  ownership
thereto or a security  interest  therein by any Person  other than Lessor or any
Assignee. Upon the request of Lessor, Lessee shall make the Equipment available

                                       13

<PAGE>

to  Lessor  for  inspection  at  Lessee's  premises  (including,  without  
limitation,  the  use  of  photographic  and  video  equipment,  provided  that
the  same  is  used  solely  for  the  purpose  of  recording  pertinent  
Equipment  information  and  shall  not  be  used  to  record  or  display  
information  that  Lessee  notifies  Lessor  is  proprietary  or  confidential)
and  shall  also  make  Lessee's  records  pertaining  to  the  Equipment
available to Lessor for inspection.

         14.      Assignment and Subleasing.

         (a) By Lessee.  LESSEE WILL NOT,  WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN  CONSENT OF
LESSOR, SUBLEASE OR OTHERWISE RELINQUISH POSSESSION OF ANY ITEM OF EQUIPMENT, OR
ASSIGN, TRANSFER OR ENCUMBER ITS RIGHTS,  INTERESTS OR OBLIGATIONS HEREUNDER AND
ANY ATTEMPTED SUBLEASE,  RELINQUISHMENT,  ASSIGNMENT, TRANSFER OR ENCUMBERING BY
LESSEE SHALL BE NULL AND VOID.  Lessee may, without Lessor's  consent,  sublease
any Item of Equipment  to any  affiliate or  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Lessee
provided that (i) no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing  hereunder,
(ii) any such sublease shall be subject and  subordinate in all respects to this
Lease and the rights of Lessor (and any Assignee) hereunder,  (iii) the sublease
term  shall in no event  exceed the then  remaining  portion of the Term of such
Item of Equipment, and any Renewal Term thereof, (iv) Lessee will provide Lessor
with the name and  address  of each  such  sublessee  and the  location  of each
subleased  Item of Equipment,  which location will in no event be outside of the
continental  limits of the United States,  and (v) Lessee shall, and shall cause
any such sublessee to, execute and deliver such instruments  (including sublease
agreements  and  Uniform  Commercial  Code  financing   statements)  as  may  be
reasonably  requested by Lessor in  connection  with any such  sublease,  and to
provide  copies of each  sublease  agreement  to Lessor  upon  Lessor's  written
request.  No such  subleasing  by Lessee will reduce any of the  obligations  of
Lessee hereunder or the rights of Lessor (and any Assignee)  hereunder,  and all
of the  obligations  of Lessee  hereunder  shall be and remain primary and shall
continue in full force and effect as the obligations of a principal and not of a
guarantor  or  surety.  Any  sublease  shall,  if  requested  by Lessor  (or any
Assignee) be assigned by Lessee (with such  assignment to be consented to by the
sublessee thereof) to Lessor or any such Assignee.

         (b) In the event Lessee  shall sell,  convey or transfer to any person,
all or  substantially  all of the  assets as an  entirety  of any  affiliate  or
wholly-owned  subsidiary  to whom Lessee has  subleased  any Items of  Equipment
pursuant to Section 14(a) above, the successor  corporation formed by such sale,
conveyance  or  transfer  shall  succeed  to, and be  substituted  for,  and may
exercise  every right and power of, Lessee under this Lease with respect to all,
but not less than all, of the Items of  Equipment  so  subleased,  with the same
effect as if such successor corporation  had been named as a Lessee herein,
provided  that such  

                                       14

<PAGE>

successor corporation shall execute and deliver to Lessor and each Assignee an 
agreement containing an effective assumption by such successor corporation of 
the due and punctual performance and observance of each covenant and condition 
of this Lease; provided, however, that Lessee shall not be released from its 
obligations hereunder with respect to such Items of Equipment, which obligations
shall at all times remain primary and direct, without the prior written consent
of Lessor. In the event such consent is withheld by Lessor, Lessee may have the
option,  upon ten (10) days prior written  notice) to terminate  this Lease on a
Rent Payment Date designated in such notice (a "Termination Payment Date"), with
respect to all,  but not less than all, of the Items of  Equipment  subleased to
such successor  entity, by purchasing such Items of Equipment from Lessor for an
amount with respect to each such Item,  payable in immediately  available funds,
equal to the sum of (i) the  Casualty  Loss Value of such Item of  Equipment  on
such Termination Payment Date, plus (ii) the Basic Rent due and payable for such
Item of Equipment on such  Termination  Payment Date,  plus (iii) any applicable
sales,  excise or other taxes imposed as a result of such sale (other than gross
or net income  taxes  attributable  to such  sale),  plus (iv) any  Supplemental
Payments then due and owing to Lessor  hereunder.  Lessor's sale of each Item of
Equipment shall be on an as-is,  where-is basis,  without any  representation or
warranty by, or recourse to,  Lessor  (except as to the absence of Liens granted
or placed thereon by Lessor or any Assignee pursuant to Section 14(c)).

         (c) By  Lessor.  Lessor  may,  at any time,  without  notice to, or the
consent of, Lessee sell,  assign or transfer or grant a security interest in all
or any part of Lessor's rights, obligations,  title or interest in, to and under
the Equipment or any Item(s) thereof,  this Lease,  any Lease Supplement  and/or
any Rent  and  Supplemental  Payments  payable  under  this  Lease or any  Lease
Supplement.  Any entity to whom any such sale, assignment,  transfer or grant of
security  interest  is made is herein  called an  "Assignee"  and any such sale,
assignment,  transfer  or  grant  of  security  interest  is  herein  called  an
"assignment".  An Assignee may re-assign and/or grant a security interest in any
of such rights, obligations, title or interest assigned to such Assignee. Lessee
agrees  to  execute  related  acknowledgments  and other  documents  that may be
reasonably requested by Lessor or an Assignee.  Each Assignee shall have and may
enforce all of the rights and benefits of Lessor  hereunder  with respect to the
Item(s) of Equipment and related Lease Supplement(s)  covered by the assignment,
including,  without limitation,  the provisions of Section 8 hereof and Lessee's
representations and warranties under Section 21 hereof. Lessee acknowledges that
any such assignment will not materially change its duties or materially increase
its  burdens  or risks  hereunder.  Each such  assignment  shall be  subject  to
Lessee's rights hereunder so long as no Event


                                       15

<PAGE>



of Default has occurred and is continuing  hereunder and in no event shall there
be more than two (2) Assignees  (or, one (1) Assignee,  together with Lessor) at
any one time during the term of this Lease.  Lessee shall be under no obligation
to any Assignee except upon written notice of such assignment from Lessor or, in
the case of a reassignment,  from the Assignee. Upon written notice to Lessee of
an  assignment,  Lessee  agrees to pay the Rent and  Supplemental  Payments with
respect to the Item(s) of Equipment  covered by such assignment to such Assignee
in  accordance  with the  instructions  specified  in such  notice  without  any
abatement,  defense,  setoff,  counterclaim  or  recoupment  whatsoever,  and to
otherwise comply with all notices,  directions and demands which may be given by
Lessor or such  Assignee with respect to such  Item(s),  in accordance  with the
provisions of this Lease.  Notwithstanding any such assignment,  all obligations
of Lessor to Lessee under this Lease shall be and remain  enforceable  by Lessee
against Lessor and any Assignee to whom an assignment has been made.

         15. Liens. Lessee will not directly or indirectly create, incur, assume
or suffer to exist any Lien on or with respect to (i) the  Equipment or any Item
thereof,  Lessor's title thereto or any interest therein,  or (ii) this Lease or
any of Lessor's interests  hereunder,  except any Lien granted or placed thereon
by Lessor or any Assignee pursuant to Section 14(c) hereof (a "Permitted Lien").
Lessee,  at its own expense,  will promptly pay, satisfy and otherwise take such
actions as may be necessary to keep this Lease and the Equipment  free and clear
of, and to duly  discharge  or  eliminate  or bond in a manner  satisfactory  to
Lessor and each  Assignee,  any such Lien not  excepted  above if the same shall
arise at any time.  Lessee  will  notify  Lessor  and each  Assignee  in writing
promptly  upon  becoming  aware of any tax or other  Lien  (other  than any lien
excepted above) that shall attach to the Equipment or any Item of Equipment, and
of the full particulars thereof.

         16.      Loss, Damage or Destruction.

         (a) Risk of Loss, Damage or Destruction. Lessee hereby assumes all risk
of loss,  damage,  theft,  taking,  destruction,  confiscation,  requisition  or
commandeering,  partial or complete,  of or to each Item of  Equipment,  however
caused or occasioned,  such risk to be borne by Lessee with respect to each Item
of  Equipment  from the date of this Lease,  and  continuing  until such Item of
Equipment  has been  returned to Lessor in  accordance  with the  provisions  of
Section  6  hereof  or has been  purchased  by  Lessee  in  accordance  with the
provisions of Section 29(b) hereof.  Lessee agrees that no occurrence  specified
in the preceding  sentence shall impair,  in whole or in part, any obligation of
Lessee under this Lease,  including,  without limitation,  the obligation to pay
Rent.



                                       16

<PAGE>



                  (b) Payment of Casualty  Loss Value Upon an Event of Loss.  If
an Event of Loss occurs  with  respect to an Item of  Equipment  during the Term
thereof, Lessee shall give Lessor prompt written notice thereof and shall pay to
Lessor on the Casualty Loss Value  Payment Date next  following the date of such
Event of Loss (or on the last day of the Term if there is no succeeding Casualty
Loss Value Payment  Date) the sum of (i) all unpaid  Interim Rent and Basic Rent
payable for such Item of  Equipment  for any Rental  Period  prior to the Rental
Period in which the Event of Loss has occurred,  plus (ii) (x) if Basic Rent for
such Item of  Equipment is payable in advance,  the Casualty  Loss Value of such
Item of Equipment  determined  as of the Casualty  Loss Value  Payment Date next
preceding or coincident with the date of such Event of Loss, plus the Basic Rent
payable  for such Item for the  Rental  Period in which  such  Event of Loss has
occurred if such Basic Rent was not paid on the Rent Payment Date  therefor,  or
(y) if Basic Rent for such Item is payable in arrears,  the Casualty  Loss Value
of such Item of Equipment  determined as of the Casualty Loss Value Payment Date
next  following the date of such Event of Loss,  plus the Basic Rent payable for
such Item of  Equipment  for the  Rental  Period in which such Event of Loss has
occurred  if such  Casualty  Loss  Value  Payment  Date for such  Item is a Rent
Payment Date,  plus (iii) all other  Supplemental  Payments due for such Item of
Equipment as of the date of payment of the amounts  specified  in the  foregoing
clauses (i) and (ii).  Any payments  received at any time by Lessor or by Lessee
from any insurer or other party (except Lessee) as a result of the occurrence of
such Event of Loss will be applied in  reduction of Lessee's  obligation  to pay
the  foregoing  amounts,  if not already paid by Lessee,  or, if already paid by
Lessee,  will be applied  promptly to  reimburse  Lessee for its payment of such
amount,  unless an Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing.  Upon
payment in full of such  Casualty  Loss  Value,  Basic  Rent,  Interim  Rent (if
applicable) and Supplemental  Payments, (A) the obligation of Lessee to pay Rent
hereunder with respect to such Item of Equipment shall terminate and the Term of
such Item shall terminate, and (B) Lessee shall, as agent for Lessor, as soon as
practicable,  dispose of such Item or Items of Equipment in a manner  reasonably
acceptable to Lessor.

         (c) Substitution of Equipment Upon an Event of Loss.  Provided no Event
of Default has  occurred  and is  continuing,  in lieu of payment of the amounts
indicated in sub-clause (b) above,  Lessee may, on or prior to the date on which
such payments would have otherwise been due, convey,  or cause to be conveyed to
Lessor,  as replacement for any Item of Equipment with respect to which an Event
of Loss has occurred,  good and marketable  title to a Replacement Item free and
clear of all liens,  claims,  security  interests and  encumbrances and having a
value and utility at least equal,  and being in as good operating  condition as,
such Item of Equipment with respect to which the Event of Loss has


                                       17

<PAGE>



occurred,  assuming such Item was in the  condition  and repair  required by the
terms of this Lease. Prior to or at the time of any such conveyance,  Lessee, at
its own  expense,  shall  furnish,  or cause to be furnished to Lessor a bill of
sale,  in form and  substance  satisfactory  to  Lessor,  with  respect  to such
Replacement  Item and execute a supplement  hereto  identifying such Replacement
Item as subject to this Lease.  Upon full compliance by Lessee with the terms of
this  sub-clause  (c),  Lessor  will  transfer  to Lessee,  without  recourse or
warranty  (except as to the absence of Liens granted or placed thereon by Lessor
or any Assignee pursuant to Section 14(c)), on an "as-is", "where-is" basis, all
of  Lessor's  right,  title  and  interest  in and to the Item of  Equipment  so
replaced.  For all purposes hereof, each such Replacement Item shall, after such
conveyance be deemed part of the property  leased  hereunder and shall be deemed
an "Item of Equipment" as defined herein.

         (d)  Application  of Payments  Not  Relating  to an Event of Loss.  Any
payments  (including,  without  limitation,  insurance proceeds) received at any
time by Lessor or Lessee  from any  governmental  authority  or other party with
respect to any loss or damage to any Item or Items of Equipment not constituting
an Event of  Loss,  will be  applied  directly  in  payment  of  repairs  or for
replacement  of property in accordance  with the provisions of Section 11 and 12
hereof, if not already paid by Lessee, or if already paid by Lessee and no Event
of Default shall have occurred and be continuing,  shall be applied to reimburse
Lessee for such payment,  and any balance  remaining  after  compliance with the
provisions  of said  Sections  with  respect  to such  loss or  damage  shall be
retained by Lessor.

         17. Insurance.  Lessee will cause to be carried and maintained,  at its
sole expense, with respect to the Equipment at all times during the Term thereof
and  until  the  Equipment  has been  returned  to Lessor  (a)  physical  damage
insurance  (including theft and collision  insurance in the case of all Items of
Equipment  consisting of motor vehicles)  insuring against all risks of physical
loss or damage to the  Equipment,  in an amount not less than the greater of the
Casualty Loss Value of the Equipment or the replacement  value of the Equipment,
and (b) insurance against liability for bodily injury, death and property damage
resulting from the use and operation of the Equipment in an amount not less than
$5,000,000  per  occurrence,  in  each  case  with  exclusions  and  deductibles
acceptable  to Lessor  and no greater  than those  applicable  to  insurance  on
similar  equipment owned by Lessee.  Such insurance policy or policies will name
Lessor and each Assignee as the sole loss payees with respect to such Equipment,
as their interests may appear,  on all policies referred to in clause (a) of the
preceding  sentence,  and will  name  Lessor  and each  Assignee  as  additional
insureds on all policies  referred to in clause (b) of the  preceding  sentence.
Such policies will provide that the same may not be invalidated


                                       18

<PAGE>



against  Lessor or any  Assignee by reason of any  violation  of a condition  or
breach of warranty of the policies or the application  therefor by Lessee,  that
the  policies  may be  cancelled  or  materially  altered or reduced in coverage
(except as  otherwise  permitted  under the terms of this  Lease) by the insurer
only after thirty (30) days' prior written  notice to Lessor and each  Assignee,
and that the insurer will give written notice to Lessor and each Assignee in the
event of  nonpayment  of premium by Lessee when due.  The  policies of insurance
required under this Section shall be valid and  enforceable  policies  issued by
insurers of recognized responsibility acceptable to Lessor and each Assignee and
authorized  to do an  insurance  business  in the  state in which  each  Item of
Equipment  is  located.  In the event that any of such  policies  referred to in
clause (b) of the first sentence of this Section shall now or hereafter  provide
coverage on a  "claims-made"  basis,  Lessee  shall  continue  to maintain  such
policies  in  effect  for a period of not less  than  three (3) years  after the
expiration of the Term of the last Item of Equipment leased to Lessee hereunder.
Upon the execution of this Lease and  thereafter  not less than thirty (30) days
prior to the expiration  dates of any expiring  policies  theretofore  furnished
under this  Section,  certificates  of the insurance  coverage  required by this
Section  and, if  requested  by Lessor or any  Assignee,  copies of the policies
evidencing such insurance  coverage,  shall be delivered by Lessee to Lessor and
each other  named loss payee  and/or  additional  insured.  Any  certificate  of
insurance  issued with respect to a blanket policy  covering other equipment not
subject  to this  Lease  shall  specifically  describe  the  Equipment  as being
included  therein and covered  thereby to the full extent of the  coverages  and
amounts required hereunder. If Lessee shall fail to cause the insurance required
under this  Section to be carried and  maintained,  Lessor or any  Assignee  may
provide such insurance and Lessee shall  reimburse  Lessor or any such Assignee,
as the case may be, upon demand for the cost thereof as a  Supplemental  Payment
hereunder.

         18. General Tax Indemnity.  Lessee agrees to pay,  defend and indemnify
and hold Lessor,  each  Assignee  and their  respective  successors  and assigns
harmless  on an  after-tax  basis  from any and all  Federal,  state,  local and
foreign taxes, fees,  withholdings,  levies,  imposts,  duties,  assessments and
charges of any kind and nature whatsoever, together with any penalties, fines or
interest thereon (herein called "taxes or other impositions") howsoever imposed,
whether levied or imposed upon or asserted against Lessor, any Assignee, Lessee,
the Equipment, any Item of Equipment, or any part thereof, by any Federal, state
or local government or taxing  authority in the United States,  or by any taxing
authority or governmental subdivision of a foreign country, upon or with respect
to (a) the  Equipment,  or any Item of  Equipment or any part  thereof,  (b) the
manufacture,  construction,  ordering, purchase,  ownership,  delivery, leasing,
subleasing, re-leasing, possession, use, maintenance,


                                       19

<PAGE>



registration,  re-registration,  titling, re-titling, licensing,  documentation,
return, repossession, sale or other application or disposition of the Equipment,
or any Item of  Equipment  or any part  thereof,  (c) the  rentals,  receipts or
earnings  arising  from  the  Equipment  or any  Item of  Equipment  or any part
thereof, or (d) this Lease, each Lease Supplement,  the Rent and/or Supplemental
Payments  payable by Lessee  hereunder;  provided,  however,  that the foregoing
indemnity  shall not apply to any taxes or other  impositions  (i) based upon or
measured solely by Lessor's or any Assignee's net income, (ii) federal superfund
taxes  computed  on net  taxable  income  as  adjusted  on Form  4626,  or (iii)
receipts,  capital,  net  worth,  excess  profits  or items  of tax  preference,
including minimum taxes and withholding taxes measured by income,  and which are
imposed or levied by any Federal,  state or local taxing authority in the United
States; and further provided, that notwithstanding  anything contained herein to
the  contrary,  if Lessor  shall  receive any refund or rebate in respect of the
Item listed in Exhibit A-1 under the caption "Tax  Rebate"  Lessor shall pay the
same over to  Lessee.  Lessee  will  promptly  notify  Lessor of all  reports or
returns  required to be made with  respect to any tax or other  imposition  with
respect to which Lessee is required to indemnify  hereunder,  and will  promptly
provide Lessor with all  information  necessary for the making and timely filing
of such reports or returns. Lessor will promptly notify Lessee of all reports or
returns of which it has  knowledge  that are required to be made with respect to
any tax or  other  imposition  with  respect  to which  Lessee  is  required  to
indemnify  hereunder,  and of which  Lessee  does not have  knowledge,  and will
promptly provide Lessee with all information necessary for the making and timely
filing of such reports or returns.  If Lessor  requests that any such reports or
returns be prepared and filed by Lessee, Lessor will promptly forward to Lessee,
upon receipt by Lessor,  all forms and information  received from the applicable
taxing  authority  necessary to prepare and make such filing and will  cooperate
with Lessee in  preparing  and making  such  filing.  Subject to the  foregoing,
Lessee will prepare and file the same if permitted by applicable law to file the
same, and if not so permitted,  Lessee shall prepare such reports or returns for
signature  by Lessor,  and shall  forward the same,  together  with  immediately
available funds for payment of any tax or other  imposition  due, to Lessor,  at
least ten (10) days in  advance of the date such  payment is to be made.  Lessor
will  promptly  notify  Lessee of any  valuation  notice  received by Lessor and
provide  copies of such notices to Lessee to allow Lessee the right of an appeal
before the expiration of applicable  deadlines.  Should Lessor fail to so notify
Lessee,  Lessor agrees to indemnify  Lessee for any  increased  taxes payable by
Lessee due solely as a result, and only to the extent, of any valuation increase
for which  Lessee was  prevented  from  appealing.  Throughout  the Term of this
Lease,  Lessee  has  Lessor's  permission  to appeal  the  values of any and all
property covered by this Lease within the limits of the law.


                                       20

<PAGE>



Upon  written  request,  Lessee  shall  furnish  Lessor  with copies of all paid
receipts  or  other  appropriate  evidence  of  payment  for all  taxes or other
impositions  paid by Lessee  pursuant to this Section 18. All of the indemnities
contained  in  this  Section  18  shall   continue  in  full  force  and  effect
notwithstanding  the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease in whole or
in part, including the expiration or termination of the Term with respect to any
Item (or all) of the  Equipment,  and are expressly made for the benefit of, and
shall be enforceable by, Lessor and each Assignee.

         19.      Special Tax Indemnity.

                  (a) Tax  Assumptions.  In  entering  into  this  Lease and the
transactions  contemplated hereby, Lessor has made the following tax assumptions
for each Item of Equipment (the "Tax Assumptions"):  (i) Lessor will be entitled
to the benefit of depreciation  deductions for Federal income tax purposes under
the Accelerated Cost Recovery System provided for in Section 168 of the Code and
depreciation  deductions  for state income tax purposes for Lessor's  Home State
(hereinafter  defined) based upon one hundred  percent (100%) of the Acquisition
Cost of each such Item of  Equipment,  commencing  in the calendar year in which
the  Acceptance  Date for each such Item of Equipment  occurs,  and on the basis
that each Item of  Equipment  shall  have the  applicable  recovery  period  and
property classification,  and that Lessor shall be entitled to use the method of
depreciation  and  depreciation  convention,   specified  on  the  Tax  Schedule
(hereinafter  defined)  attached to and made a part of the Related Exhibit A for
such Item (the "Depreciation  Deduction");  (ii)  [intentionally  omitted];  and
(iii)  for each  year of the  Term,  with  respect  to each  Item of  Equipment,
including any year in which a Tax Loss (hereinafter defined) occurs, Lessor will
be subject to tax as  follows:  (a) for each such year up to and  including  the
year in which such Tax Loss occurs,  at a composite  Federal and state corporate
income  tax rate that is equal to the  highest  marginal  rate for  corporations
provided  for under the Code and the laws of Lessor's  Home State (the  "Highest
Composite Marginal Tax Rate") and that is actually in effect for each such year,
and (b) for each such year following the year in which such Tax Loss occurs,  at
a  composite  Federal and state  corporate  income tax rate that is equal to the
Highest Composite Marginal Tax Rate actually in effect in the year in which such
Tax Loss  occurs and  which,  under the  provisions  of the Code and the laws of
Lessor's Home State then in effect,  is to be applicable to each such  following
year. As used herein the term "Lessor's Home State" means the state specified as
such on any Tax Schedule,  and the term "Tax Schedule" means the schedule of tax
assumptions attached to and made a part of each Related Exhibit A.

                  (b)  Lessee's Tax Representations and Warranties.
Lessee represents and warrants to Lessor that (i) at the time


                                       21

<PAGE>



Lessor  becomes the owner of each Item of  Equipment  such Item will  constitute
tangible personal  property;  (ii) at all times during the Term, with respect to
each  Item  of  Equipment,   such  Item  will  not  constitute   property  "used
predominantly outside the United States" or "tax-exempt use property" within the
meaning of Sections  168(g)(1)(A) and 168(h)(1)(A),  respectively,  of the Code;
(iii) in  determining  the  Depreciation  Deduction  for each Item of Equipment,
Lessor shall be entitled to assume that each such Item shall have the applicable
recovery period,  property  classification  and useful life specified on the Tax
Schedule attached to the Related Exhibit A for such Item; (iv) at the end of the
Basic Term with respect to each Item of Equipment, the fair market value of such
Item will be an amount equal to at least twenty percent (20%) of the Acquisition
Cost  thereof,  without  including  in such value any  increase or decrease  for
inflation or deflation during the Basic Term thereof, and after subtracting from
such value any cost to Lessor for removal and  delivery  of  possession  of such
Item to Lessor at the end of the Term thereof;  (v) each Item of Equipment  will
be useful or usable by Lessor at the end of the Term thereof for purposes  other
than continued leasing by or transfer to any member of the Lessee Group (as such
term is defined in Revenue Procedure 75-21, C.B.
1975-1, 715).

                  (c)  Indemnity.  (A) If by reason of (i) any act or failure to
act of Lessee (regardless of whether any such act or failure to act is permitted
or required by the terms of this Lease or  otherwise),  or (ii) the breach of or
inaccuracy in law or in fact of any of Lessee's  representations  and warranties
set forth in subsection  (b) of this Section 19 or the breach of any of Lessee's
representations  and  warranties  set  forth  in  any  certificate  or  document
delivered by Lessee in connection  with the delivery and  acceptance of any Item
of  Equipment,  or (iii) with respect to any Item of Equipment,  any  amendment,
modification,  repeal  or  other  change  of or to the  Code  or  any  technical
corrections  thereto (or any comparable change in the income tax law of Lessor's
Home State) enacted or adopted prior to the Acceptance Date of such Item (or any
changes  to the  existing  regulations  promulgated  under  the  Code or any new
regulations  prior to such Acceptance  Date) which adversely  changes or affects
the Tax  Assumptions,  or (iv)  the  sale or  other  disposition  of any Item of
Equipment or the interest of Lessor  therein after the occurrence of an Event of
Default,  or (v) the inclusion in this Lease of Lessee's  option to purchase the
Equipment or any Items thereof pursuant to Section 12A or any exercise by Lessee
of such  option,  Lessor  shall lose the  benefit of, or shall not have or shall
lose the right to claim,  or shall suffer a  disallowance  or  recapture  of, or
delay in claiming, all or any portion of the Depreciation Deduction with respect
to any Item of Equipment, or (B) if, for Federal, foreign, state or local income
tax purposes,  any item of income, loss or deduction with respect to any Item of
Equipment is treated as derived from,


                                       22

<PAGE>



or allocable to, sources  outside the United States  (whether or not any foreign
income taxes imposed as a result thereof may be credited against Federal,  state
or local income taxes of Lessor), or (C) if there shall be included in the gross
income of Lessor for  Federal,  state or local income tax purposes any amount on
account of any addition,  modification  or  improvement  to or in respect of any
Item of Equipment made or paid for by Lessee (any such loss,  failure to have or
loss  of the  right  to  claim,  disallowance,  recapture,  delay  in  claiming,
treatment,  or inclusion referred to in any of the foregoing clauses (A) through
(C) of this  paragraph (c) being  hereinafter  called a "Tax Loss"),  then a Tax
Loss  shall be deemed  to have  occurred,  and the  Basic  Rent for such Item of
Equipment  shall,  on the Rent Payment  Date next  following  written  notice by
Lessor to  Lessee  that a Tax Loss has  occurred,  and on each  succeeding  Rent
Payment Date, be increased by such amount  which,  after  deduction of all taxes
required  to be paid by Lessor in  respect  of the  receipt  or  accrual of such
amount  under  the  laws  of the  United  States,  any  state  or any  political
subdivision  thereof or any foreign  taxing  authority,  will maintain  Lessor's
after-tax  yield and aggregate  after-tax  cash flows in respect of such Item of
Equipment  at  levels  which  are each not less  than  the  levels  of  Lessor's
after-tax-yield  and  aggregate  after-tax  cash  flows  that  would  have  been
applicable if such Tax Loss had not occurred,  and Lessee shall pay to Lessor an
amount which, after the deduction of any additional taxes required to be paid by
Lessor in respect of the  receipt or accrual of such  amount,  shall be equal to
the amount of any interest,  penalty or additions to tax which may be imposed in
connection  with such Tax Loss.  In the event that the Term with  respect to any
Item of  Equipment is  terminated  prior to the time Lessee is obligated to make
the  increased  Basic  Rent  payments  to Lessor  with  respect  to such Item of
Equipment  as set forth in the  preceding  sentence,  or in the event Lessee (or
Lessor, if an Event of Default or event which, with notice or passage of time or
both would constitute an Event of Default, shall have occurred and be continuing
hereunder)  shall,  by  written  notice to the other  party,  elect to have such
indemnity paid by Lessee to Lessor in a lump sum payment, then, in either event,
Lessee  shall  pay to  Lessor,  within  thirty  (30)  days from the date of such
written notice by Lessor to Lessee,  in lieu of the increased Basic Rent payment
or payments set forth in the preceding  sentence,  such lump sum as shall (after
deduction  of all taxes  required to be paid by Lessor in respect of the receipt
or accrual of such payment under the laws of the United States, any state or any
political  subdivision  thereof or any foreign taxing authority) be necessary to
maintain Lessor's after-tax yield and aggregate  after-tax cash flows in respect
of such Item of  Equipment  at levels which are each not less than the levels of
Lessor's after-tax yield and aggregate after-tax cash flows that would have been
applicable  if such Tax Loss had not  occurred,  and  Lessee  shall  also pay to
Lessor an amount which,  after the deduction of any additional taxes required to
be paid by Lessor


                                       23

<PAGE>



in respect of the  receipt  or  accrual  of such  amount,  shall be equal to the
amount of any  interest,  penalty  or  additions  to tax which may be imposed in
connection with such Tax Loss.  Lessor's after-tax yield and aggregate after-tax
cash flows shall be determined by taking into account (i) the  assumptions  used
by Lessor in  originally  calculating  Rent and Casualty  Loss Value,  and Early
Buyout  percentages,  including the Tax Assumptions (as such Tax Assumptions may
have been  revised  pursuant to the next  sentence  hereof) and (ii) the Highest
Composite Marginal Tax Rate actually in effect during each year from the date of
such original  calculations to the date of such Tax Loss, both dates  inclusive.
If Lessee shall  disagree with the amounts  calculated to be paid by it pursuant
to this Section  19(c),  such amounts  shall be reviewed and  determined  by the
independent  public  accountants  regularly  retained by Lessor Lessor agrees to
cooperate with such independent  public  accountants and to supply them with all
information  reasonably  necessary to permit them to accomplish  such review and
determination.  The costs of such  verification  shall be borne by Lessee unless
such verification shall result in an adjustment in Lessee's favor of ten percent
or more in the net present value of the indemnity payment or payments determined
by Lessor in which case such costs shall be borne by Lessor. Lessee will have no
right to examine the tax returns of Lessor in connection  with the  verification
procedure  described in this Section  19(c).  In the event Lessor shall suffer a
Tax Loss with respect to which Lessee is required to pay an indemnity hereunder,
and the full amount of such  indemnity has been paid or provided for  hereunder,
the Tax Assumptions,  without further act of the parties hereto, shall thereupon
be and be deemed to be  amended,  if and to the extent  appropriate,  to reflect
such Tax Loss. In the event any indemnity payments shall be paid to Lessor under
this Section 19 with  respect to any Item(s) of  Equipment,  the  Casualty  Loss
Values and Early Buyout  Values of such  Item(s) of Equipment  shall be adjusted
appropriately.

The  indemnification  obligations  of Lessee under this Section 19 shall survive
the expiration or termination of this Lease and the Term of the Equipment.

                  (d)  Exceptions to Indemnity.  Lessee shall not be required to
make any  indemnity  payment  to Lessor  provided  for in this  Section  19 with
respect to an Item of  Equipment,  if Lessor shall have suffered a Tax Loss with
respect to such Item of  Equipment  to the  extent  such Tax Loss would not have
occurred  in the absence of one or more of the  following:  (i) an Event of Loss
with respect to such Item of Equipment,  if Lessee shall have paid to Lessor all
of the  amounts  payable  under  Section 16 hereof,  and to the extent that such
payment  compensates  Lessor for such Tax Loss; or (ii) the failure of Lessor to
claim the  Depreciation  Deduction  in a timely and proper  manner,  unless such
failure is due to Lessee's failure to provide Lessor with the information


                                       24

<PAGE>



reasonably  necessary to make such claim; or (iii) the failure of Lessor to have
sufficient income to benefit from the Depreciation Deduction after giving effect
to all  permitted  tax loss carry  forwards and carry backs (but this  exception
shall only apply if the Depreciation  Deduction would be otherwise  available to
Lessor);  or (iv) a voluntary transfer or other voluntary  disposition by Lessor
of all or any part of its interest in such Item of Equipment, other than (a) any
such transfer or  disposition  pursuant to Sections 16 or 24 or a sale to Lessee
by Lessor pursuant to Section 29(b) hereof,  and (b) any assignment and/or grant
of a security interest pursuant to the provisions of Section 14(b) hereof.

         (e)      Contests

         (i)  Initiation.  If a claim is made against Lessee or Lessor or if any
proceeding shall be commenced against Lessor (including a written notice of such
proceeding) that results or could result in a Tax Loss (a "Claim"), Lessor shall
promptly  notify Lessee in writing and shall not take any action with respect to
such  Claim  without  the  written  consent of  Lessee,  not to be  unreasonably
withheld  or  delayed,  for 10 days after the  receipt of such notice by Lessee;
provided, however, that if Lessor shall be required by law or regulation to take
action prior to the end of such 10-day period,  Lessor shall,  in such notice to
Lessee,  so inform Lessee,  and Lessor shall not take any action with respect to
such  Claim  without  the  written  consent of  Lessee,  not to be  unreasonably
withheld or delayed, before the date on which Lessor shall be required by law or
regulation to take action.

         (ii) Control.  If Lessor shall have given notice to Lessee as described
in clause (i) of this  Section  19(e) in respect  of a Claim,  and Lessee  shall
request that Lessee contest such Claim, then

                  (I) in  the  case  of  any  Claim  that  may  be  procedurally
         segregated and contested independently from any tax that is not subject
         to  indemnification  by Lessee,  Lessor shall permit  Lessee to contest
         such Claim in the name of Lessee,  if permitted by law, or,  otherwise,
         in the  name of  Lessor,  provided,  that  (other  than in the  case of
         contest conducted in the name of Lessee without any reference to Lessor
         (any such contest  described in this  parenthetical  being  referred to
         herein as a "Lessee  Controlled  Contest")) if Lessor determines in its
         good faith  judgment  that  permitting  Lessee to conduct  such contest
         could have material  adverse  business  consequences to Lessor,  Lessor
         shall  have the  right to  control  (or  reassert  control  over)  such
         contest, or

                  (II) in the case of a Claim which cannot be
         procedurally segregated and contested independently from


                                       25

<PAGE>



         taxes not subject to  indemnification  by Lessee,  Lessor  shall itself
         contest (or shall request Lessee to contest) in good faith  (including,
         without   limitation,   by  pursuit  of  appeals   and   administrative
         procedures), the validity, applicability or amount of such Claim by

                           (A) resisting payment thereof, or

                           (B) not paying the same except under  protest  (which
                  protest must be pursued in appropriate  administrative  and/or
                  judicial  proceedings)  if  protest  shall  be  necessary  and
                  proper, or

                           (C)  if  payment  shall  be  made,  using  reasonable
                  efforts   to   obtain  a   refund   thereof   in   appropriate
                  administrative and/or judicial proceedings;

         provided,  however,  that in no event shall such contest be required or
         permitted unless:

                           (1)  other  than in the case of a  Lessee  Controlled
                  Contest,  the amount at issue (taking into account all similar
                  and logically related issues) exceeds $25,000;

                           (2) Lessee shall have agreed in writing to pay Lessor
                  and shall pay as incurred  all  reasonable  costs and expenses
                  that Lessor shall incur in  connection  with  contesting  such
                  Claim (including, without limitation, all reasonable legal and
                  accounting fees and disbursements);

                           (3) Lessor shall have reasonably  determined that the
                  action to be taken will not result in any  material  danger of
                  sale,  forfeiture  or loss of the Equipment or the creation of
                  any Lien (except for Permitted Liens);

                           (4) Lessor  shall  have  reasonably  determined  that
                  there is no risk of  criminal  liability  that may be  imposed
                  with respect to Lessor;

                           (5) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be
                  continuing at any time during such contest;

                           (6) if such  contest  shall  involve  payment  of the
                  Claim by Lessor,  Lessee shall advance the amount thereof plus
                  interest,  penalties and additions to tax with respect thereto
                  to Lessor on an  interest-free  basis (with no additional  net
                  after-tax  cost to Lessor but taking into  account any net tax
                  savings associated with such advance); and



                                       26

<PAGE>



                           (7)  other  than in the case of a  Lessee  Controlled
                  Contest,   tax  counsel  selected  by  Lessor  and  reasonably
                  acceptable to Lessee shall have furnished to Lessor,  upon the
                  request of Lessor,  an opinion,  prepared at Lessee's expense,
                  to the effect that a bona fide defense to such Claim exists.

         Lessor shall not be entitled to settle,  compromise  or pay such Claim,
         in the case of a Lessee Controlled  Contest, so long as such contest is
         required to be and is being  prosecuted  diligently  and in good faith,
         and,  in the case of a Contest  controlled  by Lessor  which  Lessor is
         required to pursue,  without the prior  written  consent of Lessee.  If
         Lessee  is the  Controlling  Party  (as  defined  below),  it  shall be
         entitled to settle the contest without the consent of Lessor only if it
         shall  have  delivered  to  Lessor  a  written  acknowledgement  of its
         obligation to pay such Claim.

         Notwithstanding anything contained herein to the contrary,

                  (x) Lessor will not be required to contest  (and Lessee  shall
         not be permitted to contest) a Claim if Lessor shall waive its right to
         indemnification  under this  Section  19(e) with  respect to such Claim
         (and any related  claim with respect to other taxable years the contest
         of which is materially  adversely affected as a result of such waiver),
         it being understood that any such waiver shall be without  prejudice to
         Lessor's  rights  with  respect to any other Tax Loss,  in which  event
         Lessor  shall  promptly  pay Lessee  all  amounts  theretofore  paid or
         advanced by Lessee in respect of such Tax Loss, and

                  (y) Lessor  shall not be  required to contest any Claim if the
         subject matter thereof shall be of a continuing nature and the relevant
         legal issue shall have  previously been decided  adversely  pursuant to
         Section 19(e) unless Lessee shall have  delivered an opinion of counsel
         selected by Lessor and reasonably  satisfactory to Lessee that,  taking
         into account such previous  decision,  there is a reasonable  basis for
         contesting such Claim, and

                  (z) Lessor shall not be  required,  nor Lessee  permitted,  to
         appeal (1) any adverse judicial  determination,  unless requested to do
         so in writing by Lessee  within 30 days of such adverse  determination,
         and  unless  Lessee  shall  have  indemnified  Lessor for all costs and
         expenses which may be incurred by Lessor in prosecuting such appeal, or
         (2) any adverse  determination of a court at the trial level beyond the
         next higher court  having  appellate  jurisdiction,  or (3) any adverse
         determination to the U.S. Supreme Court.



                                       27

<PAGE>



         (iii) Conduct. The party conducting the contest  ("Controlling  Party")
shall keep the other party  ("Noncontrolling  Party") and its counsel reasonably
advised  with respect to the contest of such Claim but the  decisions  regarding
what actions to be taken (including  without  limitation the forum in which such
contest shall be brought),  shall be made by the  Controlling  Party in its sole
judgment.  The Noncontrolling  Party shall be permitted,  at its own expense, to
the extent  practicable,  to comment on any material written submissions made by
the  Controlling  Party.  The  Controlling  Party shall have the right to select
counsel to conduct the contest.

         (iv) Final Determination.  "Final  Determination",  for the purposes of
this subsection (e), means a final decision of a court of competent jurisdiction
after all allowable  appeals have been  exhausted by either party to the action,
or a determination within the meaning of Section 1313(a) of the Code.

                  (I) In the  case  of a  contest  described  in  clause  (A) of
         Section 13(e)(ii)(II), if the Final Determination (hereinafter defined)
         shall be adverse to Lessor, Lessor shall promptly notify Lessee thereof
         and the indemnity amounts payable under this Section 19 with respect to
         the Tax Loss shall be  computed  by Lessor as of the date of such Final
         Determination.   Lessor  shall   notify   Lessee  in  writing  of  such
         computation  and Lessee  shall  promptly  make the  indemnity  payments
         required in accordance with this Section 19.

                  (II) if Lessor  sues for a refund  after  making a payment  of
         tax, interest and/or penalty attributable to a Claim pursuant to clause
         (B) or (C) of Section 13(e)(ii)(II), then

                           (A) if the Final Determination shall be in favor
                  of Lessor,

                                    (x)  no   future   payments   shall  be  due
                           hereunder   in   respect   of  such   matter  (or  an
                           appropriate  reduction  shall  be made  if the  Final
                           Determination  is  partly  in  favor  of  and  partly
                           adverse to Lessor) other than any  outstanding  costs
                           or expenses  incurred by Lessor with  respect to such
                           contest, and

                                    (y)  Lessor  shall  pay to  Lessee an amount
                           equal to the  amounts  theretofore  paid by Lessee to
                           Lessor  in  respect  of  such  Tax   Payment   (or  a
                           proportionate part thereof if the Final Determination
                           is partly in favor of and  partly  adverse to Lessor)
                           on or before the next  succeeding  Rent  Payment Date
                           (or   within   thirty   (30)  days  from  such  Final
                           Determination, if there


                                       28

<PAGE>



                           is no succeeding  Rent Payment  Date),  together with
                           the  amount  of  any  penalty  or  interest  actually
                           refunded   to  Lessor  as  a  result  of  such  Final
                           Determination, and

                           (B) if the Final  Determination  shall be  adverse to
                  Lessor,  the indemnity  amounts  payable under this Section 19
                  with respect to the Tax Loss shall be computed by Lessor as of
                  the date of such  Final  Determination,  Lessor  shall  notify
                  Lessee in writing of such  computation  and Lessee  shall make
                  the  indemnity  payments  required  in  accordance  with  this
                  Section 19, taking into account any amounts advanced by Lessee
                  pursuant to clause (6) of Section 13(e)(ii)(II).

                  (f) Consolidated Tax Returns;  Lessor's Assigns.  For purposes
of this Section 19, the term "Lessor" will include the corporation  constituting
Lessor,  its  successor(s)  in  interests,  each  Assignee  and  each  of  their
respective  successors  in  interests  and  assigns and any  Consolidated  Group
(hereinafter  defined)  of which  Lessor  or any such  Assignee  or any of their
respective  successors  in interests or assigns is, or may become a member,  and
each member of such Consolidated  Group. As used in this subsection (f) the term
"Consolidated  Group" means an  affiliated  group (within the meaning of Section
1504 of the Code)  that  files  consolidated  returns  for  Federal  income  tax
purposes and any group filing combined or consolidated  returns  pursuant to the
rules of any state taxing authority.

         20.  Indemnification.  Lessee hereby  assumes  liability  for, and does
hereby agree to indemnify, protect, save, defend, and hold harmless Lessor, each
Assignee and their respective  officers,  directors,  stockholders,  successors,
assigns, agents and servants (each such party being herein, for purposes of this
Section  20,  called an  "indemnified  party")  on an  after-tax  basis from and
against, any and all obligations, fees, liabilities, losses, damages, penalties,
claims, demands, actions, suits, judgments, costs and expenses,  including legal
expenses,  of every kind and nature  whatsoever,  imposed  on,  incurred  by, or
asserted against any indemnified party, in any way relating to or arising out of
(a) the manufacture,  construction, ordering, purchase, acceptance or rejection,
ownership,  titling or  retitling,  registration  or  reregistration,  delivery,
leasing, subleasing,  re-leasing,  possession, use, operation, storage, removal,
return, repossession,  sale or other disposition of the Equipment or any Item of
Equipment, or any part thereof,  including,  without limitation,  any of such as
may  arise  from (i) loss or damage  to any  property  or death or injury to any
persons,  (ii)  patent  or  latent  defects  in the  Equipment  (whether  or not
discoverable  by Lessee or any  indemnified  party),  (iii) any claims  based on
strict  liability  in tort,  and (iv) any  claims  based on  patent,  trademark,
tradename or copyright infringement, and (v) any


                                       29

<PAGE>



claims based upon any  non-compliance  with or  violation  of any  environmental
control, noise or pollution laws or requirements,  including without limitation,
fines and  penalties  arising  from  violations  of or  noncompliance  with such
requirements  or  failure to report  discharges,  and costs of  clean-up  of any
discharge;  or (b) any  failure on the part of Lessee to perform or comply  with
any of the terms of this Lease, or (c) any power of attorney issued to Lessee to
license,  relicense,  title, retitle,  register or reregister Items of Equipment
subject to motor vehicle titling and registration  laws, and any towing charges,
parking tolls, fines, parking and speeding tickets,  odometer certifications and
other civil and criminal motor vehicle violations with respect to any such Item,
and all penalties  and interest  applicable  thereto,  provided,  however,  that
Lessee shall not be required to indemnify any indemnified  party for any matters
which arise as a direct result of the gross negligence or willful  misconduct of
such indemnified  party.  Lessee shall give each indemnified party prompt notice
of any occurrence,  event or condition known to Lessee as a consequence of which
any indemnified party may be entitled to indemnification hereunder. Lessee shall
forthwith upon demand of any such  indemnified  party reimburse such indemnified
party for amounts  expended by it in connection with any of the foregoing or pay
such amounts  directly.  Lessee shall be  subrogated to an  indemnified  party's
rights in any matter with respect to which Lessee has actually  reimbursed  such
indemnified  party for amounts  expended by it or has actually paid such amounts
directly pursuant to this Section 20. In case any action,  suit or proceeding is
brought against any indemnified  party in connection with any claim  indemnified
against hereunder, such indemnified party will, promptly after receipt of notice
of the commencement of such action,  suit or proceeding,  notify Lessee thereof,
enclosing a copy of all papers served upon such  indemnified  party, but failure
to give such notice or to enclose such papers shall not relieve  Lessee from any
liability  hereunder,  unless  such  failure  is a direct  result  of the  gross
negligence or willful  misconduct of such indemnified  party, in which case such
relief shall be solely with respect to such indemnified  party.  Lessee may, and
upon such  indemnified  party's  request will, at Lessee's  expense,  resist and
defend  such  action,  suit or  proceeding,  or cause the same to be resisted or
defended  by counsel  selected  by Lessee and  reasonably  satisfactory  to such
indemnified  party and in the event of any  failure  by Lessee to do so,  Lessee
shall pay all costs and expenses (including, without limitation, attorney's fees
and expenses) incurred by such indemnified party in connection with such action,
suit or proceeding.  The  provisions of this Section 20, and the  obligations of
Lessee under this Section 20, shall apply from the date of the execution of this
Lease  notwithstanding  that the Term may not have commenced with respect to any
Item of  Equipment,  and shall  survive  and  continue  in full force and effect
notwithstanding  the expiration or earlier termination of this Lease in whole or
in part, including the


                                       30

<PAGE>



expiration or  termination  of the Term with respect to any Item (or all) of the
Equipment,  and are expressly  made for the benefit of, and shall be enforceable
by, each indemnified party.

         21. NO  WARRANTIES.  LESSOR HEREBY LEASES THE EQUIPMENT TO LESSEE AS-IS
AND  EXPRESSLY  DISCLAIMS  AND  MAKES  NO  REPRESENTATION  OR  WARRANTY,  EITHER
EXPRESSED  OR  IMPLIED,  AS  TO  THE  DESIGN,  CONDITION,   QUALITY,   CAPACITY,
MERCHANTABILITY,  DURABILITY,  SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PARTICULAR PURPOSE
OF, OR ANY OTHER MATTER  CONCERNING,  THE  EQUIPMENT.  LESSEE  HEREBY WAIVES ANY
CLAIM  (INCLUDING  ANY CLAIM  BASED ON STRICT OR ABSOLUTE  LIABILITY  IN TORT OR
INFRINGEMENT)  IT MIGHT  HAVE  AGAINST  LESSOR FOR ANY LOSS,  DAMAGE  (INCLUDING
INCIDENTAL  OR  CONSEQUENTIAL  DAMAGE) OR EXPENSE  CAUSED BY THE EQUIPMENT OR BY
LESSEE'S  LOSS OF USE THEREOF FOR ANY REASON  WHATSOEVER,  INCLUDING  COMPLIANCE
WITH  ENVIRONMENTAL  LAWS. So long and only so long as an Event of Default shall
not  have  occurred  and be  continuing,  and so  long  and  only so long as the
Equipment  shall be  subject  to this  Lease and  Lessee  shall be  entitled  to
possession of the Equipment  hereunder,  Lessor  authorizes  Lessee, at Lessee's
expense,  to assert for Lessor's account,  all rights and powers of Lessor under
any  manufacturer's,  vendor's or dealer's warranty on the Equipment or any part
thereof and Lessor will cooperate with Lessee in connection  with such assertion
to the extent deemed reasonably  necessary by Lessee;  provided,  however,  that
Lessee shall indemnify,  protect, save, defend and hold harmless Lessor from and
against  any and all  claims,  and all  costs,  expenses,  damages,  losses  and
liabilities incurred or suffered by Lessor in connection therewith,  as a result
of,  or  incident   to,  any  action  by  Lessee   pursuant  to  the   foregoing
authorization.

         22. Lessee's  Representations and Warranties.  Lessee hereby represents
and warrants that (a) Lessee is a corporation  duly organized,  validly existing
and in good  standing  under  the laws of its state of  incorporation  set forth
above,  and is  qualified  to do business  in, and is in good  standing in, each
state or other  jurisdiction  in which the  nature of its  business  makes  such
qualification  necessary,  and where the  failure  to so  qualify  would  have a
material  adverse  effect  on such  business  (including  each  state  or  other
jurisdiction in which the Equipment or any part thereof will be located,  unless
the  permitted  sublessee  and the operator of the  Equipment is so qualified in
such  state or other  jurisdiction);  (b)  Lessee  has the  corporate  power and
authority  to  execute  and  perform  this  Lease  and to  lease  the  Equipment
hereunder,  and has duly  authorized the execution,  delivery and performance of
this  Lease;  (c) the  leasing  of the  Equipment  from  Lessor by  Lessee,  the
execution and delivery of this Lease,  each Lease  Supplement  and other related
instruments,  documents and  agreements,  and the  compliance by Lessee with the
terms hereof and thereof,  and the payment and  performance  by Lessee of all of
its  obligations  hereunder  and  thereunder  (i) have  been  duly  and  legally
authorized by appropriate corporate


                                       31

<PAGE>



action taken by Lessee, (ii) are not in contravention of, and will not result in
a  violation  or  breach  of,  any of  the  terms  of  Lessee's  Certificate  of
Incorporation  (or  equivalent  document),  its  By-Laws,  or of any  provisions
relating to shares of the capital stock of Lessee, and (iii) will not violate or
constitute  a breach of any  provision  of law,  any order of any court or other
agency of government,  or any indenture,  agreement or other instrument to which
Lessee is a party,  or by or under which  Lessee or any of Lessee's  property is
bound,  or be in conflict with,  result in a breach of, or constitute  (with due
notice  and/or lapse of time) a default under any such  indenture,  agreement or
instrument,  or result in the  creation  or  imposition  of any Lien upon any of
Lessee's  property  or  assets;  (d) this  Lease has been  executed  by the duly
authorized   officer  or  officers  of  Lessee  and   delivered  to  Lessor  and
constitutes,  and when  executed by the duly  authorized  officer or officers of
Lessee and delivered to Lessor each Lease  Supplement  and related  instruments,
documents and agreements with respect to each Item of Equipment will constitute,
the legal,  valid and binding  obligations of Lessee,  enforceable in accordance
with their terms;  (e) neither the  execution  and delivery of this Lease or any
Lease Supplement by Lessee,  nor the payment and performance by Lessee of all of
its obligations  hereunder and thereunder,  requires the consent or approval of,
the giving of notice to, or the  registration,  filing or recording with, or the
taking of any other action in respect of, any Federal,  state,  local or foreign
government  or  governmental  authority  or agency or any other  Person;  (f) no
mortgage, deed of trust, or other Lien which now covers or affects, or which may
hereafter  cover or affect,  any  property  or interest  therein of Lessee,  now
attaches or hereafter will attach to the Equipment or any Item of the Equipment,
or in any manner  affects or will affect  adversely  Lessor's  right,  title and
interest therein;  (g) Lessee holds all licenses,  certificates and permits from
governmental   authorities  necessary  to  use  and  operate  the  Equipment  in
accordance  with the  provisions  of this Lease;  (h) there is no  litigation or
other proceeding now pending or, to the best of Lessee's knowledge,  threatened,
against  or  affecting  the  Lessee,  in any  court  or  before  any  regulatory
commission,  board or  other  administrative  governmental  agency  which  would
adversely  affect or impair the title of Lessor to the Equipment,  or which,  if
decided  adversely to Lessee,  would  materially  adversely  affect the business
operations  or  financial  condition  of  Lessee;  and (i) all  balance  sheets,
statements of profit and loss and other  financial data that have been delivered
to Lessor with  respect to Lessee (i) are  complete  and correct in all material
respects, (ii) fairly present the financial condition of Lessee on the dates for
which,  and the results of its  operations  for the periods for which,  the same
have been furnished,  and (iii) except as otherwise disclosed therein, have been
prepared  in  accordance   with   generally   accepted   accounting   principles
consistently followed throughout the periods covered thereby; and there has been
no material adverse


                                       32

<PAGE>



change in the condition of Lessee, financial or otherwise, since the date of the
most recent  financial  statements  delivered  to Lessor with respect to Lessee,
other than as disclosed to Lessor by Lessee.

         23.      Events of Default.  Any of the following events shall
constitute an Event of Default:

         (a) Lessee shall fail to make any payment of Interim Rent or Basic Rent
or any Supplemental  Payment within five (5) business days after the same is due
and payable; or

         (b) Lessee  shall fail to observe or perform  any of the  covenants  or
agreements of Lessee set forth in Sections 6, 14(a) or 17 hereof; or

         (c)  Lessee  shall  fail to  perform  or  observe  any other  covenant,
condition,  or agreement to be performed or observed by it under this Lease,  or
in  any  agreement  or  certificate  furnished  to  Lessor  or any  Assignee  in
connection herewith,  and such failure shall continue unremedied for thirty (30)
days after written  notice to Lessee  specifying  such failure and demanding the
same to be remedied; or

         (d) Lessee shall be in default (i) under any lease,  loan  agreement or
other agreement,  instrument or document  heretofore,  now or hereafter  entered
into between Lessee and Lessor, or between Lessee and any parent,  subsidiary or
affiliate  of Lessor,  and such  default  shall have been  declared by the party
entitled to declare the same, or (ii) under any promissory note heretofore,  now
or hereafter executed by Lessee and delivered to any party referred to in clause
(i) above evidencing a loan made by any such party to Lessee;  or any obligation
of Lessee under the NationsBank Facility or to any Person (other than Lessor, or
any parent,  subsidiary or affiliate of Lessor) in excess of $5,000,000 relating
to the payment of borrowed  money or the payment of rent or hire under any lease
agreement, shall be actually accelerated prior to the maturity thereof or result
in  cancellation  or  termination  of any such lease,  by reason of a default in
payment or  performance  by Lessee  (excluding  any such default  which is being
contested in good faith by Lessee by appropriate  proceedings  and the liability
for which has not been  reduced to  judgment);  or an  attachment  or other Lien
shall be filed or levied  against a material  part of the  property of Lessee in
the aggregate and such judgment shall continue  unstayed and in effect,  or such
attachment or Lien shall continue  undischarged or unbonded,  for a period of 45
days; or

         (e) Lessee shall become insolvent or make an assignment for the benefit
of  creditors  or consent to the  appointment  of a trustee  or  receiver;  or a
trustee or a receiver shall be appointed for Lessee or for a substantial part of
its property


                                       33

<PAGE>



without its consent and shall not be dismissed  for a period of 90 days;  or any
petition for the relief,  reorganization  or arrangement of Lessee, or any other
petition in bankruptcy or for the  liquidation,  insolvency  or  dissolution  of
Lessee,  shall be filed by or against Lessee and, if filed against Lessee, shall
be consented to or be pending and not  dismissed  for a period of 90 days, or an
order for relief under any  bankruptcy or insolvency law shall be entered by any
court or  governmental  authority  of  competent  jurisdiction  with  respect to
Lessee;  or any execution or writ or process shall be issued under any action or
proceeding  against  Lessee  whereby  any  of the  Equipment  may  be  taken  or
restrained;  or  Lessee's  corporate  existence  shall  cease;  or Lessee  shall
(whether in one transaction or a series of transactions), without Lessor's prior
written consent, sell, transfer, dispose of, pledge or otherwise encumber (other
than by the Lien of the NationsBank  Facility),  all or substantially all of its
assets or property, or consolidate or merge with any other entity, or become the
subject  of, or engage in, a  leveraged  buy-out or any other form of  corporate
reorganization  such that Lessee or any  surviving  corporation  of Lessee shall
have a Tangible Net Worth of less than $35,000,000; or

         (f) any  representation,  warranty,  statement or certification made by
Lessee  under  this  Lease or in any  Lease  Supplement  or in any  document  or
certificate  furnished Lessor or any Assignee in connection herewith or pursuant
hereto, shall prove to be untrue or incorrect in any material respect when made,
or shall be breached; or

         (g) the Letter of Credit shall be repudiated or contested by the issuer
thereof,  or shall be  unenforceable  in whole or in part, or shall  expire,  or
Lessor  shall have  received  notice from the issuer  thereof that the Letter of
Credit  shall not be renewed and Lessee shall have failed to deliver to Lessor a
substitute letter of credit satisfactory to Lessor on or before the date fifteen
(15) days prior to such expiration.

         As used in this Section 22, "Tangible Net Worth" means the total of the
par value of common  stock and any  class or series of  preferred  stock  (after
deduction for treasury stock),  additional paid-in capital,  general contingency
reserves and retained  earnings or deficit of Lessee,  determined  in accordance
with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  minus  the  following  items
(without  duplication of deductions),  if any, appearing on the balance sheet of
Lessee:  (i) the  book  value  of all  assets  (including,  without  limitation,
goodwill)  which  would be  treated  as  intangibles  under  generally  accepted
accounting principles;  and (ii) any write-up in the book amount of any existing
asset resulting from a  re-evaluation  thereof from the book amount entered upon
acquisition  in excess of that permitted  under  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

         24.      Remedies Upon Default.  Upon the occurrence of any Event of
Default and at any time thereafter so long as the same shall be
continuing, Lessor may exercise one or more of the following remedies
as Lessor in its sole discretion shall elect:


                                       34

<PAGE>



         (a) Lessor may terminate or cancel this Lease, without prejudice to any
other  remedies  of  Lessor  hereunder,  with  respect  to all or  any  Item  of
Equipment,  and whether or not this Lease has been so  terminated  or cancelled,
may enter the premises of Lessee to take  immediate  possession of the Equipment
and remove all or any Item of Equipment by summary proceedings or otherwise,  or
may cause Lessee, at Lessee's expense, to store, maintain, surrender and deliver
possession  of the  Equipment  or such Item in the same  manner as  provided  in
Section 6 hereof, all without liability to Lessor for or by reason of such entry
or taking of  possession,  whether  for the  restoration  of damage to  property
caused by such taking or otherwise;

         (b) Lessor may hold,  keep idle or lease to others the Equipment or any
Item of Equipment,  as Lessor in its sole  discretion  may  determine,  free and
clear of any rights of Lessee  and  without  any duty to account to Lessee  with
respect to such action or inaction or for any  proceeds  with  respect  thereto,
except  that  Lessee's  obligation  to pay  Basic  Rent for any  Rental  Periods
commencing after Lessee shall have been deprived of possession  pursuant to this
Section 24 shall be reduced by the net proceeds, if any, received by Lessor from
leasing the  Equipment or such Item to any Person other than Lessee for the same
Rental Periods or any portion thereof;

         (c) Lessor may sell the Equipment or any Item of Equipment at public or
private  sale as Lessor may  determine,  free and clear of any rights of Lessee,
and Lessee shall pay to Lessor, as liquidated  damages for loss of a bargain and
not as a penalty (in lieu of the Basic Rent due for the  Equipment or Item(s) so
sold for any Rental Period commencing after the date on which such sale occurs),
the sum of (i) all unpaid  Interim  Rent and Basic Rent payable for each Item of
Equipment  for all Rental  Periods  through the date on which such sale  occurs,
plus (ii) an amount equal to the excess,  if any, of (x) the Casualty Loss Value
of the  Item(s) of  Equipment  so sold,  computed  as of the Rent  Payment  Date
coincident  with or next  preceding  the  date of such  sale,  over  (y) the net
proceeds of such sale,  plus interest at the rate specified in Section 25 hereof
on the  amount  of such  excess  from the  Rent  Payment  Date as of which  such
Casualty Loss Value is computed until the date of actual payment, plus (iii) all
unpaid Supplemental Payments due with respect to each Item of Equipment so sold;

         (d) whether or not Lessor shall have exercised,  or shall thereafter at
any time  exercise,  any of its rights  under  subsection  (a) or (b) above with
respect  to any  Item(s)  of  Equipment,  Lessor,  by  written  notice to Lessee
specifying  a payment  date,  may demand that  Lessee pay to Lessor,  and Lessee
shall pay to Lessor, on the payment date specified in such notice, as liquidated
damages  for loss of a bargain  and not as a penalty  (in lieu of the Basic Rent
due for any Item(s) of


                                       35

<PAGE>



Equipment for any Rental Period  commencing  after the payment date specified in
such  notice  and in  lieu of the  exercise  by  Lessor  of its  remedies  under
subsection  (b)  above  in the  case of a  re-lease  of such  Item(s)  or  under
subsection (c) above with respect to a sale of such  Item(s)),  the sum of (i) 
all  unpaid  Interim  Rent  and  Basic  Rent  payable  for  such  Item(s)  for 
all  Rental  Periods  through  the  payment  date  specified  in  such  notice,
plus  (ii)  all  unpaid  Supplemental  Payments  due  with  respect  to  such  
Item(s)  as  of  the  payment  date  specified  in  such  notice,  plus  (iii) 
whichever  of  the  following  amounts  Lessor,  in its sole discretion,  shall
specify  in such  notice  (together  with  interest  on such  amount at the rate
specified in Section 26 hereof from the payment date specified in such notice to
the date of actual  payment):  (x) an  amount,  with  respect to each such Item,
equal to the Basic  Rent  payable  for such Item for the  remainder  of the then
current Term,  after  discounting such Basic Rent payment to present worth as of
the payment  date  specified in such notice at the  Discount  Rate  (hereinafter
defined),  or (y) an  amount,  with  respect  to each  such  Item,  equal to the
Casualty Loss Value of such Item computed as of the Rent Payment Date coincident
with or next  preceding  the payment date  specified  in such notice;  provided,
however,  that with  respect  to any such Item  returned  to or  repossessed  by
Lessor,  the amount  recoverable by Lessor pursuant to the foregoing  clause (x)
shall be  reduced  (but not below  zero) by an amount  equal to the fair  market
rental value of such Item for such  remaining Term after  discounting  such fair
market  rental  value to present  worth at the  Discount  Rate as of the date on
which Lessor has obtained possession of such Item, and the amount recoverable by
Lessor  pursuant  to the  foregoing  clause (y) shall be reduced  (but not below
zero) by an amount  equal to the fair market  sales value of such Item as of the
date on which Lessor has obtained possession of such Item; and

         (e)  Lessor  may  exercise  any  other  right or  remedy  which  may be
available to it under  applicable law or proceed by appropriate  court action to
enforce  the terms  hereof or to recover  damages  for the  breach  hereof or to
rescind this Lease.

         In  addition,  Lessee  shall be  liable  for all  reasonable  costs and
expenses,  including  attorney's  fees,  incurred  by Lessor or any  Assignee by
reason of the  occurrence  of any Event of Default or the  exercise  of Lessor's
remedies  with respect  thereto,  including  all costs and expenses  incurred in
connection with the return of the Equipment subject to the distance requirements
of,  and  otherwise  in  accordance  with,  Section 6 hereof or in  placing  the
Equipment  in the  condition  required  by  said  Section.  For the  purpose  of
subsection  (d) above,  the "fair  market  rental  value" or "fair  market sales
value" of any Item of Equipment  shall mean such value as has been determined by
an independent  nationally  recognized  qualified  appraiser selected by Lessor.
Except as otherwise  expressly  provided  above,  no remedy  referred to in this
Section 24 is intended to be exclusive, but each shall be


                                       36

<PAGE>



cumulative  and in addition to any other  remedy  referred to above or otherwise
available  to Lessor at law or in  equity;  and the  exercise  or  beginning  of
exercise by Lessor of any one or more of such remedies  shall not constitute the
exclusive  election of such remedies and shall not preclude the  simultaneous or
later  exercise  by Lessor of any or all of such other  remedies.  No express or
implied  waiver by Lessor  of any  Event of  Default  shall in any way be, or be
construed to be, a waiver of any future or subsequent  Event of Default.  To the
extent  permitted by  applicable  law,  Lessee  hereby  waives any rights now or
hereafter  conferred by statute or otherwise  which may require  Lessor to sell,
lease or otherwise use the  Equipment in  mitigation of Lessor's  damages as set
forth in this Section 24 or which may otherwise  limit or modify any of Lessor's
rights and remedies in this Section 24. As used herein, the term "Discount Rate"
means the discount  rate of the Federal  Reserve Bank of Boston,  Massachusetts,
that is in effect on the payment date specified in any notice given by Lessor to
Lessee pursuant to subsection (d) of this Section 24.

         25.  Lessor's Right to Perform for Lessee.  If Lessee fails to make any
Supplemental  Payment required to be made by it hereunder or fails to perform or
comply with any of its agreements  contained  herein,  Lessor may itself,  after
notice to Lessee,  make such  payment or perform or comply with such  agreement,
and the amount of such  payment  and the amount of the  reasonable  expenses  of
Lessor  incurred  in  connection  with such  payment  or the  performance  of or
compliance  with such  agreement,  as the case may be,  together  with  interest
thereon at the rate specified in Section 26 hereof, shall, if not paid by Lessee
to Lessor on  demand,  be deemed a  Supplemental  Payment  hereunder;  provided,
however,  that no such  payment,  performance  or  compliance by Lessor shall be
deemed to cure any Event of Default hereunder.

         26. Late  Charges.  Lessee  shall pay to Lessor,  upon  demand,  to the
extent permitted by applicable law, interest on any installment of Basic Rent or
Interim Rent not paid when due, and on any Supplemental  Payment or other amount
payable  under this Lease  which is not paid when due,  for any period for which
any of the same is overdue  (without regard to any grace period) at a rate equal
to the higher of (a) nine and 20/100 percent (9.20%) per annum, or (b) the Prime
Rate as announced by Chase Manhattan Bank in New York.

         27.  Further  Assurances.  Lessee will  promptly  and duly  execute and
deliver  to  Lessor  and any  Assignee  such  other  documents  and  assurances,
including,  without  limitation,  such  amendments  to  this  Lease  as  may  be
reasonably  required by Lessor and by any Assignee,  and Uniform Commercial Code
financing  statements and  continuation  statements,  and will take such further
action as Lessor or any Assignee may from time to time


                                       37

<PAGE>



reasonably  request  in order  to carry  out more  effectively  the  intent  and
purposes of this Lease and to  establish  and  protect  the rights and  remedies
created or intended to be created in favor of Lessor and of any Assignee and 
their respective rights, title and interests in and to the Equipment.

         28. Notices.  All notices  provided for or required under the terms and
provisions hereof shall be in writing, and any such notice shall be deemed given
when  personally  delivered or when  deposited in the United States mails,  with
proper  postage  prepaid,   for  first  class  certified  mail,  return  receipt
requested,  addressed (i) if to Lessor or Lessee, at their respective  addresses
as set forth herein or at such other address as either of them shall,  from time
to time, designate in writing to the other, and (ii) if to any Assignee,  to the
address of such Assignee as such Assignee  shall  designate in writing to Lessor
and Lessee.

         29.      Lessee's Renewal and Purchase Options.

                  (a) Lessee's Renewal Option.  If (i) no Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing  and (ii) this Lease shall not have been earlier
terminated,  Lessee  shall be  entitled,  at its option upon  written  notice to
Lessor,  as hereinafter  provided,  to renew this Lease with respect to all, but
not less than all, Items of Equipment then subject to this Lease for the Renewal
Term(s) specified on the Related Exhibit A for such Item. The first Renewal Term
with respect to each such Item of Equipment  will commence at the  expiration of
the Basic Term of such Item, and each  succeeding  Renewal Term will commence at
the expiration of the next preceding Renewal Term. All of the provisions of this
Lease  shall be  applicable  during  each  Renewal  Term for each  such  Item of
Equipment,  except that,  during each Renewal Term, Basic Rent shall be the fair
market rental value thereof  determined in accordance  with Section 29(c) hereof
and shall be  payable  at the times and on the Rent  Payment  Dates set forth on
said Related  Exhibit A. If Lessee  intends to exercise said renewal option with
respect to any of said Renewal Terms, Lessee shall give written notice to Lessor
to such effect at least one hundred twenty (120) days prior to the expiration of
the Basic  Term of the  Item(s) of  Equipment  whose  Basic  Term first  expires
hereunder,  in the case of the first  Renewal  Term,  and at least  one  hundred
twenty (120) days prior to the  expiration  of the then current  Renewal Term of
the Item(s) of Equipment whose Basic Term first expires hereunder in the case of
the then next  succeeding  Renewal  Term.  If Lessee  fails to give such written
notice  to  Lessor  with  respect  to any of said  Renewal  Terms,  it  shall be
conclusively  presumed  that Lessee has elected  not to  exercise  said  renewal
option with  respect to said  Renewal  Term,  in which case  (unless  Lessor has
otherwise  agreed in writing or Lessee has exercised  its purchase  option under
Section 29(b) hereof) each such Item of Equipment shall be  returned  to  Lessor

                                       38

<PAGE>

in accordance with the provisions of Section 6 hereof and until each  such  Item
has been so returned Lessee shall continue to pay Lessor the Basic Rent for each
such  Item as  specified  in the next to last sentence of Section 6 hereof.

                  (b) Lessee's Purchase Option. If (i) no Event of Default shall
have occurred and be continuing, and (ii) this Lease shall not have been earlier
terminated,  Lessee shall be  entitled,  at its option,  upon written  notice to
Lessor, as hereinafter  provided,  to purchase all, but not less than all, Items
of Equipment then subject to this Lease, on the date  immediately  following the
date of the  expiration  of the Basic Term of each such Item of Equipment or, as
the case may be, the  expiration  of the then  Renewal Term of each such Item of
Equipment,  for an amount,  with respect to each Item of  Equipment,  payable in
immediately  available  funds,  equal to the fair  market  sales  value  thereof
determined in accordance with Section 29(c) hereof,  plus any applicable  sales,
excise or other taxes  imposed as a result of such sale (other than gross or net
income taxes attributable to such sale). Lessor's sale of each Item of Equipment
shall be on an as-is, where-is basis, without any representation by, or recourse
or warranty  to,  Lessor  (except as to the  absence of Liens  granted or placed
thereon by Lessor or any Assignee  pursuant to Section 14(c)). If Lessee intends
to exercise said purchase option,  Lessee shall give written notice to Lessor to
such effect at least one hundred  twenty (120) days prior to the  expiration  of
the Basic  Term of the  Item(s) of  Equipment  whose  Basic  Term first  expires
hereunder,  or, if Lessee has  renewed  this  Lease  pursuant  to Section  29(a)
hereof,  then at least one hundred  twenty (120) days prior to the expiration of
the then current Renewal Term of the Item(s) of Equipment whose Basic Term first
expires  hereunder.  If Lessee  fails to give such  written  notice to Lessor as
aforesaid,  Lessor  shall be entitled to presume  that Lessee has elected not to
exercise said purchase  option,  and, unless Lessor otherwise agrees in writing,
each such Item of Equipment  shall be returned to Lessor in accordance  with the
provisions  of Section 6 hereof.  Until each such Item has been so  returned  to
Lessor (or if Lessee has exercised its said purchase option but has failed,  for
whatever  reason,  to pay Lessor the purchase  option amount on the payment date
specified in the first  sentence of this Section  29(b) with respect to any Item
then until such payment has been made to Lessor),  Lessee shall  continue to pay
Lessor  the  Basic  Rent for each  such  Item as  specified  in the next to last
sentence of Section 6 hereof.

                  (c)  Determination  of Fair Market Sales Value and Fair Market
Rental Value; Appraisal Procedure. If Lessee has elected to exercise its renewal
option,  as provided in Section  29(a)  hereof,  or has elected to exercise  its
purchase  option,  as  provided  in  Section  29(b)  hereof,  then  as  soon  as
practicable  following  Lessor's  receipt of the  written  notice from Lessee of
Lessee's intent to exercise such option, Lessor and Lessee shall 

                                       39
<PAGE>

consult  for  the  purpose  of  determining the fair market rental value or fair
market  sales  value,  as  the  case  may  be,  of  each  Item  of  Equipment as
of  the  end  of  the  Basic  Term  thereof,  or,  if  this   Lease   has   been
renewed  pursuant  to  Section  29(a)  hereof,  then  as  of the end of the then
current  Renewal  Term  thereof,  and any values  agreed  upon in writing  shall
constitute such fair market rental value or fair market sales value of each such
Item of Equipment for the purposes of this Section 29. If Lessor and Lessee have
not agreed upon such fair market sales value or fair market rental value, as the
case may be, of any Item of  Equipment  by the  thirtieth  (30th) day before the
Basic  Term or, if  applicable,  the then  current  Renewal  Term,  of such Item
expires,  the same shall be  determined  by a  qualified  independent  appraiser
proposed by Lessor and  reasonably  acceptable to Lessee,  at the equally shared
expense of Lessor and Lessee  (or,  if the  parties  are unable to agree upon an
appraiser,  averaging the determinations (disregarding the one that differs most
from the other two) of three qualified independent appraisers,  one appointed by
Lessor at Lessor's expense,  the second by Lessee at Lessee's  expense,  and the
third by the first two  appraisers at the equally  shared  expense of Lessor and
Lessee (or, if such first two appraisers cannot agree on the third appraiser, by
a court  having  jurisdiction),  and such  determination  shall be  conclusively
binding on Lessor and Lessee.  For all  purposes of this Section 29, fair market
sales value and fair market  rental value shall be  determined  on the basis of,
and shall  equal in value,  the amount  which  would  obtain in an arm's  length
transaction  between an informed and willing  buyer-user or lessee (other than a
lessee  currently in  possession  and a used  equipment or scrap  dealer) and an
informed and willing seller or lessor under no compulsion to sell or lease,  and
in such  determination,  costs of removal from the location of current use shall
not be a deduction from such value,  and it shall be assumed (whether or not the
same be true) that the  Equipment has been  maintained  in  accordance  with the
requirements  of Section 11 hereof  and would  have been  returned  to Lessor in
compliance with the requirements of Section 6 hereof.

         30. Financial Information.  Lessee agrees to furnish Lessor (a) as soon
as available, and in any event within 120 days after the last day of each fiscal
year of  Lessee,  a copy of the  consolidated  balance  sheet of Lessee  and its
consolidated  subsidiaries  as of the  end of  such  fiscal  year,  and  related
consolidated statements of operations and shareholders' equity of Lessee and its
consolidated  subsidiaries  for such  fiscal  year,  audited  by an  independent
certified public accounting firm of recognized  standing,  each on a comparative
basis with  corresponding  statements  for the prior fiscal year,  and a copy of
Lessee's Form 10-K, if any, filed with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission
for such  fiscal  year;  (b)  within 45 days  after the last day of each  fiscal
quarter  of  Lessee  (except  the  last  such  fiscal  quarter),  a copy  of the
consolidated balance 

                                      40

<PAGE>

sheet and consolidated statement of shareholders' equity as of the end of 
such  quarter,  and  a  copy  of  the  consolidated  statement  of  operations
covering  the  fiscal  year  to  date  of  Lessee  and  its   consolidated 
subsidiaries on a comparative basis with the  corresponding  period of the prior
year,  all in  reasonable  detail and  certified  by the  treasurer or principal
financial officer of Lessee, together with a copy of Lessee's Form 10-Q, if any,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for such quarterly period; (c)
contemporaneously  with its transmittal to each stockholder of Lessee and to the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission,  all such other  financial  statements and
reports  as Lessee  shall send to its  stockholders  and to the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission;  (d) as soon as  available  to  Lessee,  the notice of any
adjustment resulting from any audit of the books and/or records of Lessee by any
taxing  authority  having  jurisdiction  over  Lessee  in the  event  that  such
adjustment involves an amount greater than or equal to $10,000,000; and (e) such
additional  financial  information as Lessor may reasonably  request  concerning
Lessee.

         31.   Expenses.   Lessee  agrees,   whether  or  not  the  transactions
contemplated by this Lease are consummated,  to pay (or reimburse Lessor for the
payment of) lien searches,  filing fees,  and fees and expenses  relating to the
titling and registration of any Item(s) of Equipment incurred by or on behalf of
Lessor in connection with the negotiation and  documentation  of this Lease, any
Guaranty and any other related instruments and documents.

         32.  Miscellaneous.  Any provision of this Lease which is prohibited or
unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective
to the extent of such prohibition or  unenforceability  without  invalidating or
diminishing  Lessor's rights under the remaining provisions hereof, and any such
prohibition  or  unenforceability  in any  jurisdiction  shall not invalidate or
render  unenforceable  such provision in any other  jurisdiction.  To the extent
permitted by  applicable  law,  Lessee  hereby waives any provision of law which
renders any provision of this Lease  prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.
No term or provision of this Lease may be amended,  altered, waived,  discharged
or  terminated  orally,  but may be  amended,  altered,  waived,  discharged  or
terminated only by an instrument in writing signed by a duly authorized  officer
of the party against which the enforcement of the amendment, alteration, waiver,
discharge or termination is sought.

       Lessee's Initial's.

A waiver  on any one  occasion  shall not be  construed  as a waiver on a future
occasion.  All of the covenants,  conditions and  obligations  contained in this
Lease shall be binding  upon and shall  inure to the  benefit of the  respective
successors  and 

                                       41

<PAGE>

assigns  of  Lessor  and  (subject  to  the  restrictions  of  Section  14(a)
hereof)  Lessee.  If  there  is  more  than  one  Lessee  named  herein,  the 
liability  of  each  Lessee  shall  be  joint  and  several.  This  Lease, each
Lease  Supplement  and each related  instrument,  document,  agreement  and
certificate, collectively constitute the complete and exclusive statement of the
terms of the agreement between Lessor and Lessee with respect to the acquisition
and leasing of the Equipment, and cancel and supersede any and all prior oral or
written understandings with respect thereto.

         33. Venue;  Governing Law. Lessee agrees that at Lessor's sole election
any suit,  action or proceeding  brought by Lessor  against Lessee in connection
with or arising  out of this Lease may be brought in any  federal or state court
located in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and Lessee waives personal service
of all  process  upon it and  consents  that  service of process  may be made by
telecopy,  mail or  messenger  directed to it at its address set forth above and
that service so made shall be deemed to be completed  upon the earlier of actual
receipt or five (5) days after the same shall have been posted to Lessee's  said
address.  Nothing herein  contained  shall affect  Lessor's right to serve legal
process in any other  manner  permitted  by law or to bring any suit,  action or
proceeding   against  Lessee  or  its  property  in  the  courts  of  any  other
jurisdiction.  This Lease shall in all respects be governed by, and construed in
accordance  with, the laws of the Commonwealth of  Massachusetts,  including all
matters of construction, validity and performance.

         34.  Letter of  Credit.  On each  anniversary  of the last  Basic  Term
Commencement Date beginning with the second anniversary,  provided that no Event
of  Default  or event  which,  with  notice  or  passage  of time or both  would
constitute  an Event of  Default  has  occurred  and is  continuing,  Lessee may
request  that  Lessor  release  all or any  portion of the Letter of Credit then
outstanding.  Lessee shall provide  Lessor with such  information  in connection
with such request as Lessor may request,  but Lessor shall have no obligation to
release  the Letter of Credit and the  decision  as to whether to release all or
any portion of the Letter of Credit shall be within Lessor's sole discretion.


                                   [Remainder of page intentionally left blank]


                                       42

<PAGE>


         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto have caused this Lease to be
duly  executed  by their duly  authorized  representatives  as of the date first
above written.



                     BTM FINANCIAL & LEASING CORPORATION B-4
Attest:                                     (Lessor)




                                            By:
Assistant Secretary                         Title:
(Corporate Seal)




                                            LADD FURNITURE, INC.
Attest:                                     (Lessee)




                                            By:
Assistant Secretary                         Title:
(Corporate Seal)



COUNTERPART NO.    OF     SERIALLY NUMBERED MANUALLY EXECUTED
COUNTERPARTS.  TO THE EXTENT, IF ANY, THAT THIS DOCUMENT
CONSTITUTES CHATTEL PAPER UNDER THE UNIFORM COMMERCIAL CODE, NO
SECURITY INTEREST IN THIS DOCUMENT MAY BE CREATED THROUGH THE
TRANSFER AND POSSESSION OF ANY COUNTERPART OTHER THAN COUNTERPART
NO. 1.




<PAGE>


                   EXHIBIT A-1 TO EQUIPMENT LEASING AGREEMENT
                         DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 19, 1996
                                  (Page 1 of 3)

Type of Equipment: Various New and Used Furniture Manufacturing
Equipment, subject to review by, and approval of, Lessor

Maximum Acquisition Cost:  $4,500,000

Acquisition Period:  From September 1, 1996 to December 31, 1996, both
dates inclusive.

Number of Months in Basic Term:  Sixty-Nine (69) Months

Basic  Term  Commencement  Date:  The  last  day of the  calendar  quarter  next
following the Acceptance  Date of an Item of Equipment,  or such Acceptance Date
if it is the last day of a calendar quarter.

Interim Rent Percentages, Basic Rent Percentages and Early Buyout
Percentages:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


============================================================================================================================

<S>                         <C>                         <C>                        <C>                         <C>    
Acceptance                  Payment                     Interim Rent               Basic Rent                  Early Buyout
Date                        Number                      Percentage*                Percentage*                 Percentage*
============================================================================================================================
9/1/96-9/30/96              1-27                        0.0477                     1.2868                      37.28
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            28-39                                                  1.3941
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            40-69                                                  1.5728
============================================================================================================================
10/1/96-12/31/96            1-24                        0.0474                     1.2807                      37.19
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            25-36                                                  1.3163
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            37-69                                                  1.5653
============================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


         *as a  percentage  of  Acquisition  Cost  and  subject  to  adjustments
         corresponding to adjustments in the Basic Rent Percentage.

The Basic Rent Percentage, Interim Rent Percentage, and Early Buyout Percentages
of each Item of  Equipment  set forth in the above  table were  computed  on the
assumption  that the rate defined as the "closing rate"  published daily on page
217 of Telerate,  for the United  States  Treasury Note maturing 3.50 years from
the  Acceptance  Date  of such  Item of  Equipment(the  "Applicable  Rate"),  as
determined on the Rent Adjustment  Computation Date  (hereinafter  defined),  is
equal to 5.32% (the "Assumed Note Rate").

In the event that on a Rent Adjustment  Computation  Date the Applicable Rate is
actually greater or lesser than the Assumed Note Rate,

                  (i) the Basic Rent  Percentages  set forth in the above  table
         will,  effective on and as of the first Rent Payment Date for such Item
         of  Equipment  for  the  Basic  Term  thereof,  be  increased  (if  the
         Applicable  Rate is  greater  than the  Assumed  Note  Rate on the Rent
         Adjustment Computation Date) or be decreased (if the Applicable Rate is
         less  than the  Assumed  Note Rate on the Rent  Adjustment  Computation
         Date) by .000528% for each basis point in the differential between  the
         Assumed Note Rate and the actual Applicable Rate on the Rent Adjustment
         Computation Date, and

                  (ii) the Interim Rent Percentages set forth in the above table
         will, effective on and as of the Rent Payment Date for the Interim Term
         thereof,  be  increased  (if the  Applicable  Rate is greater  than the
         Assumed  Note  Rate on 



<PAGE>


                   EXHIBIT A-1 TO EQUIPMENT LEASING AGREEMENT
                         DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 19, 1996
                                  (Page 2 of 3)

         the  Rent  Adjustment  Computation  Date)  or  be  decreased  (if   the
         Applicable  Rate  is  less  than  the  Assumed  Note  Rate  on the Rent
         Adjustment  Computation  Date)  and  be  determined  by  dividing   the
         weighted  average  Basic  Rent  Percentage  for such Item of  Equipment
         (after  giving  effect to the  adjustment,  if any,  in the Basic  Rent
         Percentage specified in clause (i) of this sentence) by 30, and

                  (iii)  the  Early  Buyout  Percentages  set forth in the above
         table will be  increased  (if the  Applicable  Rate is greater than the
         Assumed  Note  Rate on the  Rent  Adjustment  Computation  Date)  or be
         decreased (if the Applicable Rate is less than the Assumed Note Rate on
         the Rent Adjustment  Computation  Date) by 0.2692% for each basis point
         in the  differential  between  the  Assumed  Note  Rate and the  actual
         Applicable Rate on the Rent Adjustment Computation Date, and

         The term  "Rent  Adjustment  Computation  Date"  means the date six (6)
         Business Days prior to the  Acceptance  Date of such Item of Equipment,
         if the said United States  Treasury Note rates used in  computation  of
         the Applicable Rate is published on page 217 of Telerate for said date,
         or the first  Business  Day  thereafter  for which said  United  States
         Treasury Note rates used in computation  of the  Applicable  Rate is so
         published if such rates are not so published for the Acceptance Date of
         such Item of  Equipment.  As used herein the term "basis  point"  means
         1/10th  of 1%. In the event of any such  adjustment  in the Basic  Rent
         Percentage,  Interim Rent Percentage,  and Early Buyout Percentage, the
         Casualty  Loss  Values and  Termination  Values  will be  appropriately
         adjusted to preserve Lessor's economic return.

Rental Periods for Basic Term:                         Each full calendar month.

Rent Payment Dates for Basic Term:  The first day of each
calendar month during the Basic Term.

Periodicity of Basic Rent Payments During Basic Term:  Monthly in
arrears on each Rent Payment Date.

Basic Term: Sixty-Nine (69) Months

Early Buyout Date:  For any Item of Equipment, the date sixty
(60) months after the Basic Term Commencement Date of such Item.

Renewal Term(s): One (1) Renewal Term of twenty-four (24) months.

Rental Periods for Renewal Term(s):  Each full calendar month.

Rent Payment Dates for Renewal Terms(s):  The first day of each
calendar month during each Renewal Term.

Periodicity of Basic Rent Payments During Renewal Term:  Monthly
in arrears on each Rent Payment Date.

Financial Condition Reference Date:  June 30, 1996

Tax Rebate: A rebate of franchise tax (other than a franchise tax paid by Lessor
and not indemnified by Lessee) with respect to superline project  anticipated to
be located in Swanton,  Ohio for Lessee's  Affiliate Pilliod  Furniture,  in the
amount of approximately $50,000.


<PAGE>


                   EXHIBIT A-1 TO EQUIPMENT LEASING AGREEMENT
                         DATED AS OF SEPTEMBER 19, 1996
                                  (Page 3 of 3)




LADD FURNITURE, INC. (Lessee)                      BTM FINANCIAL & LEASING
                                                   CORPORATION B-4  (Lessor)


By:                                                By:
Title:                                             Title: Senior Vice President




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-28-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-28-1996
<CASH>                                           1,713
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   75,736
<ALLOWANCES>                                     3,166
<INVENTORY>                                     86,428
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               172,214
<PP&E>                                          78,543
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 331,845
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           61,867
<BONDS>                                        138,234
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                         2,316
<OTHER-SE>                                     119,170
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   331,845
<SALES>                                        390,034
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               390,034
<CGS>                                          325,402
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  325,402
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                71,955
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                 3,296
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               8,900
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (7,323)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (3,295)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (4,028)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (4,028)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.52)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                    (.52)
        

</TABLE>


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