COMDISCO INC
10-K, 1996-12-23
COMPUTER RENTAL & LEASING
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-K

                   [X] Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or
                     15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
                    1934 For the fiscal year ended September
                                    30, 1996
                                       or
            [ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 of 15(d) of
             the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the transition
               period from ___________________ to ________________

                          Commission file number 1-7725
                                 COMDISCO, INC.
                            (a Delaware Corporation)
                              6111 North River Road
                            Rosemont, Illinois 60018
                            Telephone (847) 698-3000
                I.R.S. Employer Identification Number 36-2687938
           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

                                                        Name of each exchange
                                                        ---------------------
      Titles of each class                               on which registered
      --------------------                               -------------------
Common Stock                                        New York Stock Exchange
$.10 par value                                      Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.
Common Stock Purchase Rights                        New York Stock Exchange
                                                    Chicago Stock Exchange, Inc.
8.75% Cumulative Preferred Stock, Series A and B    New York Stock Exchange
 $25 stated value and liquidation preference

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 XX No. .

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

The  aggregate  market  value of the common stock held by  nonaffiliates  of the
Registrant as of December 4, 1996 was approximately $1,100,000,000. For purposes
of the foregoing  calculation only, all directors and executive  officers of the
registrant  have been deemed  affiliates.  As of September 30, 1996,  there were
49,632,758 shares of the Registrant's common stock, $.10 par value, outstanding.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:
1.          Portions of the Annual Report to  Stockholders  for the fiscal year
            ended September 30, 1996 are  incorporated by reference into Part I
            and II.
2.          Portions of Comdisco,  Inc.'s  definitive  Proxy  Statement  for the
            Annual Meeting of  Stockholders to be held on January 21, 1997 filed
            within 120 days of fiscal  year end are  incorporated  by  reference
            into Part III.

                                       1
<PAGE>


Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                                                   PAGE

                                     PART I.
<S>      <C>  <C>                                                                                        <C>    

Item     1.   Business   .............................................................................   3
Item     2.   Properties .............................................................................   8
Item     3.   Legal Proceedings ......................................................................   8
Item     4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.....................................   8

                                    PART II.

Item     5.   Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters...............   9
Item     6.   Selected Financial Data.................................................................  10
Item     7.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ..  10
Item     8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.............................................  10
Item     9.   Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure....  10

                                    PART III.

Item    10.   Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant..........................................  11
Item    11.   Executive Compensation .................................................................  11
Item    12.       Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management......................  11
Item    13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..........................................  11

                                    PART IV.

Item   14.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedule, and Reports on Form 8-K..........................  12

SIGNATURES    ........................................................................................  13

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE........................................  14

INDEX TO EXHIBITS  ...................................................................................  17
</TABLE>



                                       2
<PAGE>



PART I.

Item 1. Business

GENERAL

Comdisco,  Inc.  (with its  subsidiaries,  the  "Company"  or  "Comdisco")  is a
technology services company,  providing solutions that help organizations reduce
technology  cost and risk. The Company  operates in one industry  segment,  high
technology  equipment,  and provides information  technology services,  business
continuity services and diversified technology services to its customers.  These
services are designed to provide integrated, long-term, cost effective asset and
technological planning as well as data recovery and voice  availability/recovery
to users of high technology equipment.

As an independent  organization,  the Company provides  customers with available
technical, financial and recovery alternatives,  regardless of hardware platform
or manufacturer. In addition to working with its customers to develop strategies
governing  when to  acquire  equipment  and how to  track  it,  when to  upgrade
existing  equipment and when to order new equipment to take advantage of current
technology,  Comdisco also provides business  continuity services for customers'
data, voice and network  systems.  The Company also has the ability to act as an
outlet for the equipment being displaced.

Comdisco's  business  is  diversified  by  customer,  customer  type,  equipment
segments,  geographic  location  of its  customers  and  maturity  of its  lease
receivables.  The Company's  customers  include  "Fortune 1000"  corporations or
companies  of a similar  size as well as  smaller  corporations.  A  substantial
portion of the Company's  transactions are with repeat customers.  The Company's
businesses are not dependent on any single  customer or on any single source for
the purchasing, selling or leasing of equipment.

The  Company  was founded in 1969 and  incorporated  in  Delaware  in 1971.  The
executive  offices of the Company are located in the Chicago area, at 6111 North
River  Road,  Rosemont,  Illinois  60018,  and its  telephone  number  is  (847)
698-3000.  At September 30, 1996, the Company had approximately  2,100 full-time
employees.

The Company's  services are organized  into three groups of related  businesses,
and are provided generally through separate business units,  although there is a
significant amount of interrelated activities. The three groups are as follows:

     Information Technology Services ("ITS"):

         Distributed  Systems:  Leasing,  remarketing,  consulting  and business
         continuity   services  for  distributed   computing   systems--servers,
         workstations,   PCs,   local  area   networks  and   telecommunications
         equipment.

         Technology   Integration:   Asset  management   services  for  managing
         information technology assets, including software tools and consulting.

         Large Systems: Leasing, remarketing, consulting and business continuity
         services for mainframe and midrange systems.

         Business units comprising ITS are, in addition to, Comdisco  Technology
         Integration   Services  and  Comdisco  Network  Services,   the  groups
         responsible  for  the  buying,  selling,  and  leasing  of  distributed
         computing systems and large systems equipment.
                                       3
<PAGE>
     Business Continuity and Network Services ("BCNS"):

         Enterprisewide  business continuity services that emphasize  technology
         and  data  and  voice  availability  across  data  centers,   networks,
         distributed systems, and the desktop computing environment.

         Business  units  in  BCNS  are  Comdisco  Disaster  Recovery  Services,
         Comdisco Professional Services and Comdisco Network Services.

     Diversified Technology Services ("DTS"):

         Leasing, asset management and reconditioning services for semiconductor
         manufacturers,   hospitals  and  related  healthcare   providers,   and
         equipment leasing to early-stage high technology companies.

         Business  units  in  DTS  are  Comdisco  Electronics  Group,   Comdisco
         Healthcare and Scientific Group, Comdisco Scientific Exchange, Comdisco
         Medical Exchange and Comdisco Ventures.

The  Company's  operations  are conducted  through its  principal  office in the
Chicago  area and  approximately  fifty  offices in the United  States,  Canada,
Europe and the Pacific Rim. The Company also operates in South America, however,
it does not maintain local offices in any South American  country.  Subsidiaries
in Europe  and Canada  offer  services  similar  to those  offered in the United
States.

Each  business  unit is  directed  by its own  management  team  and has its own
marketing and operations support personnel.  Each management team reports to the
Office of the President,  which is responsible for overall corporate control and
coordination, as well as strategic planning.  Coordination of the business units
is also accomplished through centralized budgeting,  and shared services such as
human resources, legal, cash management and accounting.

The business  units maintain  their own direct  marketing  force to manage their
customer base and to market its own services as well other units'  services.  In
addition, the Company may, from time-to time, enter into marketing relationships
with major high technology equipment  manufacturers and value-added resellers in
order  to  expand  its  customer  base and name  recognition.  In its  marketing
operations,   the  Company  attempts  to  cross-sell  services  where  and  when
appropriate.

See  "International  Operations" on page 30 of the Annual Report to Stockholders
for the fiscal year ended  September 30, 1996 (which is  incorporated  herein by
reference) for a discussion of the Company's geographic results of operations in
fiscal  1996,  1995 and 1994  and  Note 14 of  Notes to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements on pages 46 and 47 of the Annual Report to Stockholders  for the year
ended  September 30, 1996,  which includes  geographic  segment and export sales
information and is incorporated herein by reference.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements  about  the  Company's   expectations,   including  future  revenues,
earnings,  its ability to compete and to maintain  market share, to adapt to and
to capitalize on emerging growth  opportunities and anticipated  benefits of its
business  strategies,  and all other  statements  in this  Report on Form  10-K,
including   Management's'   Discussion  and  Analysis   incorporated  herein  by
reference,  and other Company  communications  other than historical  facts, are
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities
Act of 1933 and  Section 21E of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  and the
Company  intends  that such  forward-looking  statements  be subject to the safe
harbors created thereby.  Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties
and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results could differ
materially   from   expected   results.   The  Company   derives   most  of  its
forward-looking  statements from its operating budgets and forecasts,  which are
based  on many  detailed  assumptions.  While  the  Company  believes  that  its
assumptions are reasonable,  it cautions that there are inherent difficulties in
predicting certain important factors,  including, but not limited to, the timing
and scope of  technological  advances,  the  effect  of
                                       4
<PAGE>
business  and economic  conditions,  the growth of the  semiconductor  industry,
trend of movement to  client/server  environment  and the mix of leases written.
The mix of leases written are a result of a combination  of factors,  including,
but not limited to, changes in customer demands and/or requirements, new product
announcements,  price changes, changes in delivery dates, changes in maintenance
policies   and  pricing   policies   and  the  pricing   policies  of  equipment
manufacturers,  and price competition from other lessors. The Company undertakes
no  obligation  to  publicly  update or revise  any  forward-looking  statements
whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Reference is
made to "Safe Harbor Statement under the Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform
Act of 1995" on page 30 of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders  which is
incorporated by reference herein.

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Distributed   Systems  Group:  The  Company  buys,  sells  and  leases  PCs  and
workstations  made by most of the leading  manufacturers.  The  Company's  lease
transactions also include high-end  servers,  printers and other desktop related
equipment.  The  Company's  strategy for the  distributed  systems  market is to
provide  financing,  professional  services and software tools (see  "Technology
Integration")  to its existing and prospective  customers.  The Company believes
that approximately 41% of its equipment placed on lease (including International
operations) in fiscal 1996 was distributed computing systems.

The Company's  Distributed  Systems Group also buys,  sells,  and leases new and
refurbished  telecommunications  equipment throughout North America. The Company
provides its customers with a market for, and a source of, used  equipment.  The
telecommunications portfolio includes PBX systems, VSATs, voice mail, modems and
bridges, hubs and routers and concentrators.

Additionally,  the  Company  buys,  sells and leases new and used  point-of-sale
terminals and leases other office equipment such as fax machines and copiers.

Technology  Integration:  The Company's  technology  integration  group provides
strategic  solutions for asset management to its customers  through the creation
of a  systematic  approach  to  managing  information  technology  assets.  This
approach  includes the establishment of processes and the leveraging of systems,
software  tools  and,  to a  limited  extent,  business  partners,  to  increase
productivity,  enhance  end-user  satisfaction,  and reduce  technology cost and
risk.  These  technology  service  solutions  are built  around the  collection,
integration,  and  management of  information  on enterprise  assets through the
implementation of an integrated data base of asset information.  These solutions
may also include improving,  supporting,  and managing  distributed  systems and
critical  business  processes  through a single point of contact.  The services,
which are  designed  to  complement  the  Company's  Distributed  Systems  Group
activities,   include   transitional   strategies,   integration   planning  and
implementation,  financing  (hardware  and  software),  and business  continuity
planning.

The Company's  integrated asset  management  software tools let customers order,
track and manage their  inventory of  distributed  systems  equipment.  In 1996,
Comdisco  reached an  agreement  with Asset  Software  International  ("ASI") to
distribute  ASI's  asset  management  product  line  as  part  of the  Company's
technology integration solutions.

Large  Systems:  The  Company  buys or  leases,  and in turn  sells,  leases  or
subleases IBM computer  equipment as well as equipment  manufactured  by others.
The  Company's  sale and lease  transactions  include  the  "mainframe"  central
processing units, midrange,  and/or various peripherals,  such as printers, tape
and disk drives and other equipment used with a mainframe.

The  mainframe   industry  has  been   characterized  by  rapid  and  continuous
technological  advances  permitting  broadened user applications.  Users upgrade
equipment as their existing  equipment becomes  inappropriate for their needs or
as a result of  changes  in the  required  amount of data  processing  capacity.
Recent technological  advances in mainframe technology by International Business
Machines ("IBM") have focused on "parallel  
                                       5
<PAGE>
processing" systems.  These systems include transaction  processing and database
server  models,  designed  for both  "legacy"  and  newer  technologies  in open
systems.  In 1996, IBM introduced its next generation of mainframes,  which rely
on  cost-effective  "complementary  metal-oxide  semiconductor  (referred  to as
"CMOS)" technology,  and, with the recent entry of similar offerings from Amdahl
Corporation  and Hitachi Data  Systems,  the Company  expects the large  systems
market to be very active in 1997.

The Company assists  customers in: planning and  implementing  major data center
relocations and  consolidations;  evaluating  information  technology  needs and
system assessments; equipment procurement strategies and timing.

In  addition  to  mainframes,  there are  technological  advances in both direct
access  storage  devices  and  tape  drives.   The  Company  remains  an  active
participant in the mainframe, client/server and related peripheral markets.

Advances in technology affect the market for computer products and may also have
an impact on the way the Company  conducts  its  activities.  The Large  Systems
market,  although an important  one for the Company,  remains very  competitive,
with the largest market share held by the major manufacturers. Comdisco believes
it is one of the only major independent  lessors  competing in this market.  The
Company  believes that  approximately  41% of the  equipment  placed on lease in
fiscal 1996 (including International  operations) was large systems related. The
Company does not expect this percentage to increase in fiscal 1997.

BUSINESS CONTINUITY AND NETWORK SERVICES

These services entail complete  enterprisewide  recoverability,  including large
central  processing sites,  client/server,  workstation and PC environments;  as
well  as  local  and  wide  area   networks   and  voice   availability/recovery
capabilities,  consulting  services in  business  continuity  planning,  network
services and data protection, as well as other related data processing services,
throughout the United States,  Canada and Europe.  The Company  provides  backup
capabilities  for, among others,  Digital  Equipment  Corporation,  IBM, Hewlett
Packard, Sequent, Stratus, Sun Micro Systems, Tandem and Unisys equipment users.
Comdisco's  services  are  designed to help  customers  minimize the impact of a
significant  interruption  to  critical  business  functions  as a result of the
inaccessibility  to the  customer's  data  processing  facility,  communications
network(s) or workstations.

Through its network  and  facilities  strategy  entitled  CDRS Net,  the Company
offers customers access to its North American  facilities,  including a range of
data processing recovery services at hot sites, Customer Control Centers ("CCC")
and shell sites. Hot sites are equipped computer facilities that include central
processing units,  peripherals and  communications  equipment.  A CCC interfaces
customers to geographically  separated hot sites by means of  telecommunications
lines. Most facilities also include workstation and/or desktop recovery,  voice,
and network capabilities.  Capabilities also include client/server platforms and
midrange systems.

Comdisco operates one of the largest  communications  networks in North America.
In  fiscal  1996,   Comdisco  formed  Comdisco  Network  Services  and  acquired
NetforceMTI.   The  combined   business   unit  provides   network   assessment,
implementation  and management  services  designed to reduce the cost of network
ownership.

Of the  Company's  thirty-one  locations,  eight serve as data  center  recovery
environments providing hot site and/or shell site services.  These nine regional
recovery centers serve major commercial  centers,  including New York,  Chicago,
Northern  and  Southern  California,  Texas,  Georgia,  as well as a location in
Southern New Jersey that serves the Mid-Atlantic  region and a center located in
Toronto,  Canada.  Each  recovery  center  has at least  one hot site or CCC and
includes  telecommunications  capabilities,   conference  rooms,  office  space,
support areas, and appropriate on-site technical personnel.

                                       6
<PAGE>
DIVERSIFIED TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

Electronics  Group:  The Company leases new and used  electronic  manufacturing,
testing and monitoring equipment,  including semiconductor production equipment,
automated  test  equipment  and assembly  equipment.  Additionally,  the Company
maintains  a dedicated  refurbishing  and sales  facility in the Silicon  Valley
area.  The  semiconductor  manufacturing  industry is  characterized  by rapidly
advancing technology, high capital outlays, increased competition, and a growing
concern over the total cost of ownership in high technology equipment.

Healthcare Group: Through its subsidiaries, the Company leases medical and other
high technology equipment to healthcare providers, including used, reconditioned
medical equipment. The Company's portfolio includes angiography, MRI systems, CT
Scanners,  nuclear  imaging  devices,  test  equipment  such  as  oscillascopes,
analyzers  and  testers  and  laboratory   equipment  such  as  microscopes  and
centrifuges.  Additionally,  the Company has a comprehensive  medical  equipment
refurbishing facility and has earned ISO certification for its facility.

Comdisco  Ventures:   The  Company  provides  equipment   financing  to  venture
capital-backed start-ups, with the right to acquire small ownership positions in
these companies.  Comdisco  Ventures' strategy is to invest in growth industries
and, in fiscal 1996,  approximately 25% of its business was in  Internet-related
software or services.  Other primary markets include client/server,  multimedia,
advanced telecommunications, and healthcare.

COMPETITION

The Company  competes as a lessor and as a dealer of new and used  computer  and
selected other high technology  equipment.  The Company  competes with different
firms in each of its activities.  The Company's  competition  includes equipment
manufacturers such as IBM, Hewlett Packard ("HP"), Amdahl, Hitachi Data Systems,
AT&T,  Rolm,  Hitachi  Medical  Systems,  Siemens  Medical  Systems  and General
Electric,  other equipment  dealers,  brokers and leasing  companies  (including
captive or related leasing companies of IBM, HP and General Electric and others)
as well as financial  institutions,  including  commercial  banks and investment
banking firms. While its competitive  methodologies will differ, in general, the
Company competes mainly on the basis of its expertise in remarketing  equipment,
terms offered in its  transactions,  its reliability in meeting its commitments,
its manufacturers' independence and its ability to develop and offer alternative
solutions and options to high technology  equipment users. The Company is a full
service lessor. Primarily as a result of technological changes,  competition has
increased  in  the  leasing  industry  and  the  number  of  companies  offering
competitive  services,  such as  asset  management  and  other  high  technology
equipment leasing, has increased.  Competitive  alliances have also impacted the
leasing industry.

In large  systems  the Company  believes  that it  competes  primarily  with the
manufacturers  and their  captive or related  leasing  companies,  if any, a few
other leasing  companies and, to a certain extent,  large system  integrators as
well as  outsourcers.  The Company also  believes  that,  aside from IBM and its
captive leasing company,  IBM Credit Corp., it is one of the largest purchasers,
sellers  and lessors of IBM  equipment.  The  Company  does not  believe  that a
significant amount of used IBM equipment is sold independently by owner-users of
the equipment to other owner-users.  The Company's  continued ability to compete
effectively may be affected by policies of IBM.

In  PCs,  workstations,  electronics,  healthcare  and  telecommunications,  the
Company  believes it competes with the  manufacturers  and their captive leasing
companies and approximately five significant leasing companies, as well as banks
and other lessors and financial and lending  institutions  throughout the United
States  and  Canada.   In  its  other  services,   the  Company   competes  with
manufacturers   and  other   national  and  regional   consulting  and  services
organizations.
                                       7
<PAGE>
In business continuity, the Company believes that it competes with approximately
two significant domestic companies,  IBM and SunGard Data Systems, Inc., as well
as other  regional  firms in the  domestic,  Canadian and European  marketplace,
which provide contract business continuity services,  and that it is the largest
international  provider  of such  services.  In network  services,  the  Company
competes with telecommunication  firms, consulting organizations and other local
and regional providers.

The  Company's  continued  ability to compete is also affected by its ability to
attract and retain well qualified personnel and the availability of financing.

OTHER

The Company does not own any patents, trademarks,  licenses, or franchises which
would be considered significant to the Company's businesses.

The Company's businesses are not seasonal,  however,  quarter-to-quarter results
from operations can vary significantly.

The amount of backlog  orders is not  material to  understanding  the  Company's
business.

Because of the nature of the Company's business,  the Company is not required to
carry  significant  amounts of  inventory  either for delivery  requirements  to
assure continuous availability of goods from suppliers.


Item 2.  Properties

The Company owns its principal  executive office building in Rosemont,  Illinois
that has approximately 269,000 square feet, and has pledged the property as part
of a mortgage  agreement.  The Company  leases office space for sales offices in
various domestic and international  locations.  The Company's technical services
division  utilizes  a 250,000  square  foot  building  owned by the  Company  in
Schaumburg, Illinois. This space is used primarily for refurbishing, maintenance
and  equipment  storage.   The  Company's  business  continuity  services  group
presently  occupies  eight  recovery  centers  owned by the  Company,  including
151,000 square feet in Illinois, 34,000 square feet in Texas, 42,000 square feet
in Georgia, 56,000 square feet in Toronto,  Canada, two recovery centers each in
New Jersey of 81,000 and 72,000 square feet, and California of 52,000 and 38,000
square  feet.  The  Company's  business  continuity  services  group also leases
255,000,  14,000 and 10,000  square  feet in New Jersey,  Missouri,  and Canada,
respectively.  Existing Company-owned facilities can be enlarged and expanded as
required to support  additional growth. The Company's disaster recovery services
division also owns and leases  facilities  in several  European  countries.  The
Company's medical  refurbishment  subsidiary leases approximately 100,000 square
feet  in  Wood  Dale,   Illinois.   The  Company's   electronics   group  leases
approximately 35,000 square feet in San Jose,  California,  to be used primarily
for maintenance and equipment storage.

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

No material legal proceedings.

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

There were no matters  submitted to a vote of security  holders during the three
months ended September 30, 1996.
                                       8

<PAGE>
PART II.

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

STOCK SPLIT

On November 7, 1995, the Board of Directors  authorized a three-for-two split of
the Company's  common stock to be distributed on December 8, 1995, to holders of
record on November 17, 1995. Accordingly, all references in the Company's Annual
Report to Stockholders'  for the year ended September 30, 1996 and the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 1996 to common share
data have been adjusted to reflect the split.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK

Price Range of Common Stock on page 30 of the Annual Report to Stockholders  for
the year ended September 30, 1996 is incorporated herein by reference.

COMMON STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

During fiscal 1996, the Company  purchased 3.7 million shares of its outstanding
common stock at an aggregate cost of $80 million. These purchases, when added to
the shares  purchased  in prior years,  bring the total number of common  shares
purchased  to 27.8  million  (.5  million  shares  were issued in fiscal 1996 in
connection  with the Company's  acquisition of  NetforceMTI,  1.5 million shares
were issued upon conversion of a 6% convertible  subordinated promissory note in
fiscal 1995 and an additional  2.9 million  shares were  distributed as a common
stock  dividend on March 30, 1992),  at an aggregate  cost of $363  million.  An
additional 1.1 million shares of common stock were purchased  between  September
30, 1996 and November 5, 1996 at a cost of $25 million.

SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN

On November 18, 1987, the Board adopted a shareholders  rights plan and pursuant
thereto declared a dividend distribution of one Right for each outstanding share
of  common  stock of the  Company  to  stockholders  of  record  at the close of
business on November 27, 1987 (the "Record Date").  The shareholder  rights plan
was  amended  and  restated as of  November  7, 1994.  Each Right  entitles  the
registered  holder under certain  circumstances to purchase from the Company one
share of common stock at a Purchase  Price of $63.49,  subject to  adjustment in
certain  circumstances.  The  Purchase  Price is to be paid in cash.  The Rights
become  exercisable  if (i) a person or group  (other  than any holder of 20% or
more of the common stock on the Record Date and its  successors)  (an "Acquiring
Person") becomes the beneficial  owner of 15% or more of the outstanding  common
stock (and the Company  does not redeem the Rights  within 15 days  thereafter),
(ii) a person or group makes a tender or exchange offer which upon  consummation
would  result in such  person or group  beneficially  owning  15% or more of the
common  stock  (and the  Company  does not  redeem  the  Rights  within  15 days
thereafter) or (iii) the Board of Directors  determines that a beneficial  owner
of 10% or more of the  common  stock is an  Adverse  Person  (as  defined in the
Rights Agreement). Upon the occurrence of any such event, each Right (other than
those held by an Acquiring Person or Adverse Person) will become exercisable for
one share of common stock at an adjusted Purchase Price equal to 20% of the then
market price of the common  stock.  The terms of the Rights are set forth in the
amended and restated Rights Agreement, dated as of November 7, 1994 (the "Rights
Agreement"), between the Company and Chemical Bank, N.A. (formerly Manufacturers
Hanover Trust Company), as Rights Agent. The Rights Agreement and a related form
of the rights  certificate  was filed as Exhibit 4.1 with the Company's  Current
Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 6, 1994,  File No.  1-7725.  The foregoing
description of the  shareholder  rights plan does not purport to be complete and
is qualified in its entirety by reference to such exhibit.
                                       9
<PAGE>
DIVIDENDS

The  Company  has paid  cash  dividends  quarterly  since  February  1979.  Cash
dividends  paid on common  stock were $14 million and $13 million in fiscal 1996
and 1995. The most recently declared quarterly common stock cash dividend,  $.07
per share,  was paid on December 9, 1996 to  stockholders  of record on November
15, 1996. Subject to the prior right of the holders of the Series A and Series B
Preferred  Stock,  there are no restrictions on the Company's  present or future
ability to pay common dividends,  except its agreement to maintain a debt to net
worth  ratio  pursuant  to, and  certain  other  limitations  contained  in, the
Company's  multi-option and global revolving  credit  agreements,  none of which
have any  current  application.  The Company  expects to continue  its policy of
paying  regular  cash  dividends,  although  there is no  assurance as to future
dividends  because  they are  dependent  upon the  Company's  profit  levels and
capital  requirements as well as financial and other conditions  existing at the
time.  Common stock cash  dividends  paid were $.28 per share in fiscal 1996 and
$.24 per share in fiscal 1995.

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

Six Year Summary on pages 24 and 25 of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 is incorporated herein by reference.

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

Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations on pages 26 through 30 of the Annual Report to  Stockholders  for the
fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

Consolidated  Financial  Statements and the  accompanying  Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements on pages 31 through 48 of the Annual Report to Stockholders
for the  fiscal  year  ended  September  30,  1996  is  incorporated  herein  by
reference.  Quarterly  Financial  Data  on  page  46 of  the  Annual  Report  to
Stockholders for the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996 is incorporated herein
by reference.

Item  9.  Changes  in and  Disagreements  with  Accountants  on  Accounting  and
Financial Disclosure.
None.
                                       10

<PAGE>
PART III.

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant

A description of Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant contained in the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement filed within one hundred twenty days of the
last  day of the  year  ended  September  30,  1996 is  incorporated  herein  by
reference.

Item 11.  Executive Compensation

A description of Executive  Compensation  contained in the Company's  definitive
Proxy Statement filed within one hundred twenty days of the last day of the year
ended September 30, 1996 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

A description of Security  Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
contained in the Company's  definitive  Proxy Statement filed within one hundred
twenty days of the last day of the year ended September 30, 1996 is incorporated
herein by reference.

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

A description of Certain Relationships and Related Transactions contained in the
Company's definitive Proxy Statement filed within one hundred twenty days of the
last  day of the  year  ended  September  30,  1996 is  incorporated  herein  by
reference.

                                       11
<PAGE>
PART IV.

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

(a)(1) and (a)(2)          Certain Documents Filed as Part of the Form 10-K:

                           The financial  statements,  including the  supporting
                           schedule, listed in the Index to Financial Statements
                           and Financial Statement Schedule are filed as part of
                           this Form 10-K on page 14.

(a)(3) Exhibits:
                           See Index to Exhibits filed as part of this Form 10-K
                           on pages 17 through 22.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

                           On November  15,  1996,  the Company  filed a current
                           report  on  Form  8-K,   dated   November  15,  1996,
                           reporting  Item 5. Other Events and Item 7. Financial
                           Statements  and  Exhibits.  The  filing  was  for the
                           Company's  announcement  of fourth quarter and fiscal
                           1996 results of operations and included the Company's
                           press release dated November 5, 1996.

                           On November  21,  1996,  the Company  filed a Current
                           Report  on  Form  8-K,   dated   November  18,  1996,
                           reporting Item 7. Financial  Statements and Exhibits.
                           The  exhibits  included in the report  related to the
                           Company's  $250 million 6.375% Notes Due November 30,
                           2001.

                           On  December  9, 1996,  the  Company  filed a Current
                           Report on Form 8-K, dated December 6, 1996, reporting
                           Item  7.  Financial  Statements  and  Exhibits.   The
                           exhibits  included  in  the  report  related  to  the
                           Company's $500 million medium term note program.

                           On  December  16,  1996,  the  Company  filed two (2)
                           Current  Reports on Form 8-K each dated  December 13,
                           1996,  reporting  Item 7.  Financial  Statements  and
                           Exhibits.  The  exhibits in the reports  included the
                           amended credit agreements between the Company and the
                           banks thereto.

(c) Exhibits:
                           Included in Item (a)(3) above.

(d) Financial Statement Schedules Required by Regulation S-X:

                           Included in Item (a)(1) and (a)(2) above.

The  Registrant  hereby  undertakes to furnish to the  Commission any instrument
with  respect  to  long-term  debt of the  Registrant  which  does not exceed 10
percent of the total assets of the Registrant and its subsidiaries.


                                       12
<PAGE>
SIGNATURES

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

                                                     COMDISCO, INC.

DATE: December 20, 1996                              By:   /s/ David J. Keenan
                                                     -------------------------
                                                            David J. Keenan
                                                            Vice President and
                                                            Corporate Controller


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



/s/  John F. Slevin
John F. Slevin
Chief Executive Officer                                   /s/ Philip A. Hewes
(Principal Executive Officer),                                Philip A. Hewes
President and  Director                                       Director


/s/ John J. Vosicky                                       /s/ Alan J. Andreini
John J. Vosicky                                               Alan J. Andreini
Chief Financial Officer (Principal                            Director
Financial Officer), Treasurer
and Director

/s/  David J. Keenan                                   /s/   William N. Pontikes
David J. Keenan                                              William N. Pontikes
Vice President (Principal Accounting Officer)                Director
and Corporate Controller

__________________________                             /s/  Nicholas K. Pontikes
Robert A. Bardagy                                           Nicholas K. Pontikes
Director                                                    Director

/s/ Edward H. Fiedler, Jr.                                /s/ Rick Kash
Edward H. Fiedler, Jr.                                        Rick Kash
Director                                                      Director

/s/ C. Keith Hartley                                     /s/Basil R. Twist, Jr.
C. Keith Hartley                                            Basil  R. Twist, Jr.
Director                                                    Director

- --------------------------
Thomas H. Patrick
Director                                        Each of the above signatures is
                                                affixed as of  December 20, 1996

                                       13
<PAGE>
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries

INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE

The  following  consolidated  financial  statements  and  notes to  consolidated
financial statements of Comdisco,  Inc. and Subsidiaries and related Independent
Auditors' Report, included in the Registrant's Annual Report to Stockholders for
the fiscal year ended September 30, 1996, are  incorporated by reference in Item
8:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                     Annual Report
                                                                                                      Page Number
                                                                                                      -----------


<S>                                                                                                       <C>   

Consolidated Statements of Earnings --
  Years Ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994 ......................                                    31

Consolidated Balance Sheets -- September 30, 1996 and 1995 ...........                                    32

Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity --
  Years Ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994 ......................                                    33

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows --
  Years Ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994  .....................                                 34-35

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements ...........................                                 36-47

Independent Auditors' Report .........................................                                    48




The following  consolidated  financial statement schedule of Comdisco,  Inc. and
Subsidiaries is included in Item 14(d):
                                                                                                       Form 10-K
                                                                                                     Page Number
                                                                                                     -----------

     Schedule  II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts  .............                                     16
</TABLE>


All other  schedules for which  provision is made in the  applicable  accounting
regulation of the Securities and Exchange  Commission are not required under the
related instructions or are inapplicable and, therefore, have been omitted.


                                       14
<PAGE>




[KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Letterhead]





                          Independent Auditors' Report





The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Comdisco, Inc.:

Under date of November 5, 1996, we reported on the  consolidated  balance sheets
of Comdisco,  Inc. and  subsidiaries  as of September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the
related  consolidated  statements of earnings,  stockholders'  equity,  and cash
flows for each of the years in the three-year  period ended  September 30, 1996,
as  contained  in the 1996 annual  report to  stockholders.  These  consolidated
financial statements and our report thereon are incorporated by reference in the
annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended  September 30, 1996. In connection
with our audits of the aforementioned consolidated financial statements, we also
have audited the related consolidated  financial statement schedule as listed in
the accompanying  index. The financial  statement schedule is the responsibility
of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the
financial statement schedule based on our audits.

In our opinion,  such financial statement schedule,  when considered in relation
to the  basic  consolidated  financial  statements  taken as a  whole,  presents
fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein.


                                         /s/  KPMG Peat Marwick LLP


Chicago, Illinois
November 5, 1996





                                       15
<PAGE>
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries

SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

For the Three Years Ended September 30, 1996
(in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                       Additions
                                                                      Balance at      charged to             Balance at
                                                                       beginning       costs and                    end
       Description                                                     of period        expenses      Other   of period
- -----------------------------                                         ----------     -----------    -------   ---------
Year ended September 30, 1994:
<S>                                                                     <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>

Allowance for
  doubtful accounts ................................................         $13           $10         $(13)<F1>    $10
                                                                             ===           ===         ====         ===

Litigation reserve .................................................         $ 6           $10         $(13)        $ 3
                                                                             ===           ===         ====         ===


Year ended September 30, 1995:

Allowance for
  doubtful accounts ................................................         $10           $12          $(5)<F1>    $17
                                                                             ===           ===         ====         ===
                                                                       
Litigation reserve .................................................         $ 3           $ -          $ -         $ 3
                                                                             ===           ===         ====         ===
Year ended September 30, 1996:

Allowance for
  doubtful accounts ................................................         $17           $11         $ (7)<F1>    $21
                                                                             ===           ===         ====         ===


Litigation reserve .................................................         $ 3           $ -          $(2)        $ 1
                                                                             ===           ===         ====         ===


<FN>
<F1> Write off of receivables net of recoveries 
</FN>
</TABLE>


                                       16
<PAGE>
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
INDEX TO EXHIBITS

       Exhibit No.                       Description of Exhibit
       -----------     ---------------------------------------------------------
            3.01       Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Registrant dated
                       February 12, 1988

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.1 filed
                               with  the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on
                               Forms S-8 and S-3, File No. 33-20715, filed March
                               8, 1988.

            3.02       Certificate of Designations with respect to the Company's
                       8 3/4%  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series A, as filed
                       with the  Secretary of State of Delaware on September 18,
                       1992

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.1 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K
                               dated  September  17,  1992,  as  filed  with the
                               Commission October 9, 1992, File No. 1-7725.

            3.03       Certificate of Designations with respect to the Company's
                       8 3/4%  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series B, as filed
                       with the  Secretary  of State of the State of Delaware on
                       July 2, 1993

                              Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  4.1 filed
                              with  the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K
                              dated June 30, 1993, as filed with the  Commission
                              July 21, 1993, File No.
                              1-7725.

            3.04       By-Laws of Registrant dated July 23, 1996

                               Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 4(b) filed
                               with the Company's Registration Statement on Form
                               S-8 dated  September  25, 1996, as filed with the
                               Commission September 26, 1996, File No. 1-7725.

            4.01       Indenture Agreement between Registrant and Citibank, NA, 
                       as Trustee dated as of June 15, 1992

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.1 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K
                               dated  September  1,  1992,  as  filed  with  the
                               Commission on September 2, 1992, File No. 1-7725,
                               the copy of Indenture, dated as of June 15, 1992,
                               between Registrant and Citibank, N.A., as Trustee
                               (said   Indenture   defines   certain  rights  of
                               security holders).

            4.02       Indenture Agreement between Registrant and Chemical Bank,
                       N.A., as Trustee,  dated as of April 1, 1988

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.5 filed
                               with  the  Company's  Form 8 dated  February  21,
                               1991,  File No.  1-7725,  the  copy of  Indenture
                               dated as of April 1, 1988, between Registrant and
                               Manufacturers   Hanover   Trust   Company   (said
                               Indenture  defines  certain  rights  of  security
                               holders).

                                       17
<PAGE>
       Exhibit No.                       Description of Exhibit
       -----------     ---------------------------------------------------------
            4.03       First Supplemental Indenture between Registrant and
                       Chemical Bank, N.A., as Trustee, dated as of January 1,
                       1990

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.8 filed
                               with the Company's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
                               for the quarter ended December 31, 1990, File No.
                               1-7725,   the  copy  of  the  First  Supplemental
                               Indenture  dated as of January  1, 1990,  between
                               Registrant   and   Manufacturers   Hanover  Trust
                               Company,   as  Trustee  (said  Indenture  defines
                               certain rights of security holders).

            4.04       Shareholder  Rights  Agreement,  dated as of November 18,
                       1987,  as amended  and  restated  as of November 7, 1994,
                       between  Comdisco,  Inc.  and  Chemical  Bank,  as Rights
                       Agent,  which  includes  as Exhibit A thereto the Form of
                       Rights Certificate.

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.1 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K,
                               filed on December 6, 1994, File No. 1-7725.

            4.05       Indenture Agreement between Registrant and The Fuji Bank
                       and Trust Company, as Trustee, dated as of February 1,
                       1995

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.1 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K
                               dated May 15, 1995, as filed with the  Commission
                               on May 15, 1995, File No. 1-7725, the copy of the
                               Indenture  dated as of February  1, 1995  between
                               the  Registrant  and  The  Fuji  Bank  and  Trust
                               Company,   as  Trustee  (said  Indenture  defines
                               certain rights of security holders).

           10.01       Employment Agreement with John F. Slevin dated 
                       October 20, 1994

                               Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.01 filed
                               with the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                               ended  September 30, 1994 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                               1-7725.

           10.02       Amendment to Employment Agreement with John F. Slevin
                       dated September 29, 1995

                               Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.02 filed
                               with the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                               ended  September 30, 1995 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                               1-7725.

           10.03       Amendment to Employment Agreement with John F. Slevin 
                       dated September 29, 1996

           10.04       1979 Stock Option Plan of the Registrant

                               Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 10.3 filed
                               with the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                               ended  September 30, 1982 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                               1-7725.

           10.05       1981 Stock Option Plan of the Registrant

                               Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed
                               with the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                               ended  September 30, 1982 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                               1-7725.

           10.06       Amendment to 1979 and 1981 Stock Option Plans of the 
                       Registrant dated December 15, 1986

                               Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed
                               with the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                               ended  September 30, 1987 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                               1-7725.
                                       18
<PAGE>
       Exhibit No.                       Description of Exhibit
       -----------     ---------------------------------------------------------
           10.07       1987 Stock Option Plan of the Registrant

                               Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 10.7 filed
                               with the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                               ended  September 30, 1988 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                               1-7725.

           10.08       Amendment to 1979, 1981 and 1987 Stock Option Plans of 
                       the Registrant dated November 4, 1987

                               Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 10.9 filed
                               with the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                               ended  September 30, 1987 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                               1-7725.

           10.09       1989 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan

                               Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.11 filed
                               with the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                               ended  September 30, 1990 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                               1-7725.

           10.10       1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan


           10.11       1991 Stock Option Plan

                              Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.08 filed
                              with  the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                              ended  September  30, 1992 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                              1-7725.

           10.12       1992 Long-Term Stock Ownership Incentive Plan

                              Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.09 filed
                              with  the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                              ended  September  30, 1992 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                              1-7725

           10.13       1995 Long-Term Stock Ownership Incentive Plan


           10.14       Comdisco, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 15 to the
                               Company's  Registration  Statement  on  Form  S-8
                               filed  on  March  19,  1982  and   Post-Effective
                               Amendment  filed  December  21,  1982,  File  No.
                               2-76569.

           10.15       Management Compensation Arrangements and Plans

           10.16       Facility agreement dated December 30, 1994 and made
                       between Comdisco, Inc. National Westminster Bank PLC,
                       Barclays Bank PLC and the banks thereto

                              Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.01 filed
                              with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K,
                              filed February 15, 1995, File No. 1-7725.
                                       19
<PAGE>
       Exhibit No.                       Description of Exhibit
       -----------     ---------------------------------------------------------
           10.17       Supplemental Agreement dated December 29, 1995 to the
                       Facility agreement dated December 30, 1994

                               Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.03 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K,
                               filed December 16, 1996, File No. 1-7725.

           10.18       Revolving Credit Facility dated December 30, 1994 between
                       the Company and National Westminster Bank PLC as arranger
                       and  administrative  agent,  the  Co-Agents  (as  defined
                       therein) and the Banks (as defined therein)

                              Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.01 filed
                              with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K,
                              filed February 15, 1995, File No. 1-7725.

           10.19       First Supplemental Agreement to the Revolving Credit
                       Facility dated December 30, 1994

                               Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.01 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K,
                               filed December 16, 1996, File No. 1-7725.

           10.20       Second Supplemental Agreement to the Revolving Credit 
                       Facility dated December 30, 1994

                               Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.01 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K,
                               filed December 16, 1996, File No. 1-7725.

           10.21       Fourth  Amended and Restated  Global Credit Agreement by 
                       and among Comdisco, Inc., Citibank, N.A. and Nationsbank 
                       of North  Carolina,  N.A. as Co-agents and  Co-arrangers
                       and the Financial Institutions Party thereto dated as of
                       December 18, 1995

                              Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.02 filed
                              with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K,
                              filed December 16, 1996, File No. 1-7725.

           10.22       Credit Agreement by and among Comdisco, Inc., Citibank, 
                       N.A.and Nationsbank of North Carolina, N.A. as Co-agents
                       and Co-arrangers and the Financial Institutions Party
                       thereto dated as of December 20, 1994

                              Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  10.01 filed
                              with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K,
                              filed February 15, 1995, File No. 1-7725.

           10.23       Amendment to Credit Agreement dated as of December 20, 
                       1994

                               Incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.02 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K,
                               filed December 16, 1996, File No. 1-7725.

           10.24       Purchase Agreement dated January 27, 1995 by and among
                       Computer Discount Corporation, Nicholas K. Pontikes, as
                       executor of the Estate of Kenneth N. Pontikes, and
                       Nicholas K. Pontikes as trustee of the Pontikes Trust

                               Incorporated   by   reference  to  Exhibit  2  to
                               Amendment   No.  2  to  Schedule  13-D  filed  by
                               Nicholas K. Pontikes,  the Pontikes Trust and the
                               Ponchil Limited Partnership,  dated as of January
                               27,  1995  and  filed  with  the   Commission  on
                               February 2, 1995, File No.
                               1-7725.
                                       20
<PAGE>
       Exhibit No.                       Description of Exhibit
       -----------     ---------------------------------------------------------
           11.00       Computation of Earnings Per Share

           12.00       Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

           13.00       Annual Report to Security Holders

                               Six Year  Summary,  Management's  Discussion  and
                               Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
                               Operations,   and  the   Consolidated   Financial
                               Statements   on  pages  24  through  47  and  the
                               Quarterly  Financial  Data  on  page  46 and  the
                               Independent  Auditors'  Report  on page 48 of the
                               Annual Report to security  holders for the fiscal
                               year   ended   September   30,   1996  have  been
                               incorporated  by  reference  as part of this Form
                               10-K.

           21.00       Subsidiaries of Registrant

           23.00       Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP dated December 23, 1996

           27.00       Financial Data Schedule

                                       21


                         AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYEE AGREEMENT


     The  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of  Directors  has  reviewed and
approved  the  following  amendments  to the  Employment  Agreement  dated as of
October 20, 1994 between Comdisco, Inc. and John F. Slevin.

1.       TERM

         The term of this amended  agreement shall commence  October 1, 1996 and
shall continue for a period of three (3) years ending on September 30, 1999.

2.       SALARY

     The  fixed  salary as set forth in  Section 3 of the  Employment  Agreement
shall be increased from $550,000 to $600,000 per year.

3.       INCENTIVE COMPENSATION

         The incentive  compensation as set forth in Section 4 of the Employment
Agreement shall be revised as follows for the 1997 fiscal year:

     (i) one percent (1%) of  Comdisco's  fiscal 1997 pre-tax  earnings  between
$150 million and $200 million,  and (ii) two percent (2%) of pre-tax earnings in
excess of $200 million.
         As an example,  if Comdisco  has pre-tax  earnings of  $205,000,000  in
fiscal 1997, the annual incentive compensation shall be $600,000.

4.       ANNUAL STOCK OPTION INCENTIVE

         If Comdisco  achieves 1997 Pre-Tax  Earnings of $205 million,  you will
also be entitled to a stock option grant of 19,616  shares at the closing  price
on September  30, 1997.  These options would vest at the rate of 33.33% per year
over a three year term.

     If the Pre-Tax Earnings achieved is less than $205 million, then the number
of shares granted will be based on the following:


Pre-Tax Earnings   Percentage         Adjusted Grant
- ----------------   ----------         --------------
         
          $205M       100%             19,616
           175M        80%             15,693
           125M        60%             11,770
 less than 125M         0%                  0



5.       LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE UNIT GRANT

         The  Committee  of the 92 Plan hereby  awards you with 366  Performance
Units.

         a.       Performance Objective and Performance Period

         The Committee has set a target  Performance  Objective  that  Comdiscos
Total  Shareholder  Return  (as  defined  below)  be ranked at or above the 50th
percentile of the Total Shareholder Return of all companies contained in the S&P
500 for the period running from October 1, 1996 through  September 30, 1999 (the
Performance Period).

         "Total  Shareholders  Return" is defined as the sum of the stock  price
appreciation plus dividends (reinvested) through the Performance Period.

         b.       Determination of Performance Unit Value

         The  actual  Performance  Unit  Value  will be  determined  based  upon
Comdisco's  Total  Shareholder  Return over the Performance  Period.  The target
Performance  Unit Value has been set at $500. The actual  Performance Unit Value
will be determined by multiplying  the target  Performance  Unit Value times the
Performance Percentage specified in the following table:

TSR % Rank in S&P 500   Performance %   Target Unit Value      Actual Unit Value
- ---------------------   -------------   -----------------      -----------------
below 50th                0%                    $500                         $0
50th                    100                      500                        500
55                      150                      500                        750
60                      200                      500                      1,000
65                      260                      500                      1,300
70                      320                      500                      1,600
75                      390                      500                      1,950
80                      460                      500                      2,300
85                      530                      500                      2,650
90+                     600                      500                      3,000
<PAGE>


         c.       Method of Distribution

         Within 15 days of the date of this Agreement,  you must decide upon one
of the following distribution methods by signing the Election Statement attached
hereto:

         i.       Cash Distribution - You may elect to have 100% of the actual
                  Performance Unit Value paid in cash (less applicable taxes).

         ii.  Restricted  Stock  - You may  elect  to  have  100% of the  actual
Performance Unit Value paid in the form of Restricted  Stock. In such event, the
actual Performance Unit Value will be multiplied by 120% and the product thereof
will  be used  to  acquire  Restricted  Stock  based  on the  closing  price  of
Comdisco's stock on September 30, 1999.

         d.       Restrictions

         The Performance  Unit Award is conditioned  upon (i) your continuing as
an employee  throughout the  Performance  Period and (ii) if you have elected to
receive  Restricted  Stock, your continuing as an employee for an additional one
year beyond the Performance  Period.  The effects of a termination of employment
within these periods are set forth in Section 14 of the 92 Plan.

         e.       Exercise of Performance Units

         Performance  Units may be  exercised  by delivery to the  Secretary  of
Comdisco  of  written  notice  of  intent  to  exercise  a  specific  number  of
Performance Units.

         f.       Incorporation of 92 Plan Provisions

         This  award of  Performance  Units  shall  incorporate  the  terms  and
conditions of the 92 Plan.

         g.       Acceptance

         By execution of the attached Election  Statement,  you accept the terms
and conditions of this Performance Unit Grant.

6.       CASH OPTION CONVERSION ALTERNATIVE.

         Within 15 days of the date of this Agreement,  you may elect to convert
cash compensation into stock options. You may elect to convert cash compensation
paid under Base Salary,  Annual Cash Incentive and Long-Term  Performance  Units
into  stock  options  on a one for two  basis.  You must  elect to  forego  cash
compensation equally from the above three sources in $1,000 increments. For each
$1,000 foregone, you will receive stock options with an option value of $2,000.

         If you make this election, you will receive a stock option grant at the
closing price of Comdisco stock on the date the election notice is received. The
following example will illustrate this alternative.

                               September 29, 1996
                               ------------------

                  -        Election to forego $10,000 each from Salary, Annual 
                            Cash Incentive and Performance Units

                  -        Comdisco stock closes at $30.00

                  -        $30,000 foregone x 2 = $60,000

                  -        Option Value = $30.00/3 = $10.00

                  -        $60,000/$10.00 = 6,000 options granted at $30.00

                  -        Vests at 20% per year commencing 9/30/97



7.       STOCK OPTION GRANT

         On July 23, 1996, the Option  Committee  decided to award stock options
of a then  undetermined  amount at the closing price of Comdisco's stock on that
date.  The  number  of  options  would be  subsequently  determined  based  upon
recommendations  of an independent third party  compensation  consultant.  Based
upon the  recommendation of the compensation  expert,  the Committee has granted
Slevin an option to acquire  275,000 shares at $24.00 (the closing price on July
23, 1996). The options will have a ten year term commencing on July 23, 1996 and
will vest at the rate of 33 1/3% per year over a three year period.





8.       RESTRICTED STOCK GRANT

         The Committee of the 1995 Long-Term Stock Ownership Plan has decided to
award Slevin with a Restricted  Stock Award of 60,000 shares of Comdisco  Common
Stock.  The  Restricted  Stock  will  vest upon the  earlier  of 5 years or upon
Slevin's retirement from full-time employment with Comdisco.

This agreement shall not be construed to give you any employment rights.

Dated this _____ day of _______________, 1996.



- ---------------------------                      -------------------------------
On behalf of the Committee                           Jack Slevin


                               ELECTION STATEMENT


         The  undersigned  hereby  acknowledges  receipt  of  the  Amendment  to
Employment  Agreement,  a copy of the 1992 Long-Term Stock  Ownership  Incentive
Plan, and copies of
Comdisco's latest financial statements.


Performance Unit Method of Distribution

         Pursuant to Section 5, I elect the following method of distribution for
any Performance Units:

                           i)       Cash Distribution __________
                                                          please initial

                           ii)      Restricted Stock   __________
                                                           please initial



Cash to Option Conversion Alternative

         Pursuant  to  Section  6,  I  elect  to  convert  the  following   cash
compensation components into stock options:

                           Base Salary               __________

                           Annual Cash Incentive     __________

                           Performance Units         __________


                                                By:____________________________
                                                            Jack Slevin

                                               Date:___________________________







                                 COMDISCO, INC.
                    OUTSIDE DIRECTOR DEFERRED FEE OPTION PLAN


Section 1. Name and Purpose.  The Comdisco,  Inc. Outside Director  Deferred Fee
Option Plan (the "Plan") has been established by Comdisco,  Inc. (the "Company")
to aid the Company in attracting, rewarding and retaining well-qualified members
of the Company's  Board of Directors  (the "Board").  It is further  intended to
encourage and  facilitate  the  acquisition  of the  Company's  common shares by
certain of the  directors  of the Company  upon whose  judgment  and ability the
Company depends for its long-term growth and development.  Accordingly, the Plan
is intended to promote a close identity of interest  between the Company and its
Shareholders  as well as to  provide a means to attract  and retain  outstanding
directors.

Section 2.        Plan Administration.

         2.1 The Plan shall generally be administered, managed and controlled by
a committee, consisting of not less than three directors, who shall be appointed
by, and may be removed by, the Board of Directors of the Company (the  "Director
Option  Committee").  Director Option  Committee  members may participate in the
Plan. Any  interpretation  of the Plan by the Director Option  Committee and any
decision made by the Director  Option  Committee shall be final and binding upon
all persons.

         2.2 Decisions and  determinations  of the Director Option  Committee on
all matters  relating to the Plan shall be in its sole  discretion  and shall be
conclusive.  No member of the Director Option  Committee shall be liable for any
action taken or decision  made in good faith  relating to this Plan or any award
hereunder.

Section 3.        Participation.

         3.1      Director Stock Options.

                  (a) The Company shall grant a Director Stock Option ("DSO") to
each director not employed by the Company ("Outside Director") on October 1st of
each year that the Outside  Director is serving as a  director,  provided,  that
prior to such date the director has irrevocably  chosen to receive such a DSO in
lieu of all or part of all of his or her director's  fees  ("Director's  Fees").
The  number of shares  covered by each DSO shall be equal to the  nearest  whole
number of shares determined in accordance with the following formula:


Annual Retainer and Board Meeting Fees x 1.5 Fair Market Value - $1 =
Number of Shares


                  (b) No DSO may be exercised  before the six month  anniversary
of the date upon which it was issued. No DSO issued under this Section 3.1 shall
be  exercisable  after the expiration of ten years from the date upon which such
DSO was  issued.  Each DSO shall be  subject to  termination  before its date of
expiration as provided in this Section 3.1.

                  (c) Except as provided  herein,  the rights of a director in a
DSO issued  under  this  Section  3.1 shall not  terminate  upon the  director's
termination  as a  director  for any  reason  (including  death,  retirement  or
disability). The portion of a DSO granted under this Section 3.1 attributable to
a portion of the  Director's  Fees not earned due to  termination  as a director
(for any reason  other than death or  disability)  shall abate and be  canceled,
unless otherwise approved by the Director Option Committee.

                  (d) Until the specified  expiration  date, any DSO outstanding
on the date of a director's  death may be exercised by the  administrator of the
director's  estate, the executor under his or her will, or the person or persons
to whom the director's  stock option shall have been validly  transferred by the
executor or administrator pursuant to the will or laws of intestate succession.

                  (e) Any DSO issued  under this  Section 3.1 shall be exercised
in the manner as specified in Section 8 of this Plan.

         3.2  Participants.  Directors  receiving  Director Stock Options under
this Plan are collectively hereinafter referred to as "Participants."

Section 4. Shares Subject to the Plan. The aggregate  number of shares which may
be  issued  under the Plan is  100,000  Common  Shares.  If any  option  granted
pursuant  to the Plan  shall  expire or  terminate  for any  reason  other  than
surrender of the option  pursuant to the exercise of the option,  such number of
shares  covered by that  option  shall again be  available  for grant under this
Plan.

Section 5. Effective  Date and Term of Plan.  This Plan shall be effective as of
October 1, 1996. This Plan shall remain in effect for a period of ten (10) years
from  the  effective  date,  or until  terminated  by the  Board  of  Directors,
whichever occurs first.


Section 6. Option  Exercise  Price.  The  exercise  price of the options  issued
pursuant to this Plan ("Option Exercise Price") shall be at a fixed price of One
Dollar ($1.00) per share subject to the option.

Section 7. Option  Expiration  Date. The  "Expiration  Date" with respect to any
option or any portion  thereof  granted to a  Participant  under this Plan shall
mean the earliest of: (i) the date which is 10 years after the date on which the
option  is  granted;  or (ii) the date  which is 6 months  after the date of the
Participant's  death. All rights to purchase Common Shares pursuant to an option
and all rights to exercise  the option  shall cease on the  option's  Expiration
Date.

Section 8.  Exercise of Options.  No option may be  exercised  by a  Participant
prior to the  date on  which he or she has  completed  6  continuous  months  of
association  as a director  of Company.  Subject to the  preceding  sentence,  a
Participant may exercise an option by giving written notice of exercise prior to
the option's  Expiration  Date to the  Secretary of the Company at the Company's
corporate headquarters. At the time of delivery of the notice, the full purchase
price of the shares purchased  pursuant to the exercise of the option,  together
with the amount required for state or federal withholding taxes, if any, arising
in connection with the purchase of such shares, shall be paid in cash.

Section 9. Compliance with Applicable Laws.  Notwithstanding any other provision
of this Plan,  the Company shall have no liability to issue any shares under the
Plan unless such issuance  complies with all applicable  laws and the applicable
requirements of any securities exchange or similar entity. Prior to the issuance
of any shares under this Plan, the Company may require a written  statement that
the recipient is acquiring the shares for  investment and not for the purpose or
intention  of  distributing  the  shares.  In the case of a  Participant  who is
subject to Section  16(a) and Section  16(b) of the  Exchange  Act, the Director
Option  Committee may, at any time, add such  conditions and  limitations to any
options  granted to a  Participant,  as the Director  Option  Committee,  in its
discretion,  deems  necessary  or  desirable  to comply with the  provisions  of
Section 16(a) or Section 16(b) and the rules and regulations  adopted thereunder
by the SEC or to obtain any exemption therefrom.

Section  10.  Transferability.  The  options  granted  under  this  Plan are not
transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.  Options
may be exercised  during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant
and after the death of the Participant only as provided in Section 3.1(d) above.

Section 11. Changes in Capitalization. Subject to the provisions of this Section
11, in the event of any change in the outstanding number of common shares of the
Company  by reason  of any  stock  dividend,  split,  recapitalization,  merger,
consolidation,  combination,  exchange  of  shares  or other  similar  corporate
change,  the  aggregate  number of shares  which shall be subject to the options
issued  under this Plan shall be  adjusted  appropriately.  Notwithstanding  the
preceding  sentence,  in no event  shall the option  price for a share of common
stock be adjusted below the par value of such shares,  nor shall any fraction of
a share of stock be issued upon the exercise of any option  granted  pursuant to
this Plan.

Section 12. Withholding Taxes.  Should current  regulations be amended in such a
manner as to subject  director fees to  withholding  requirements,  the Director
Option  Committee  shall,  at or prior to the  delivery  of any  certificate  or
certificates  for Company  Common  Shares  issued or  delivered  pursuant to the
exercise of an option issued under the Plan, require the Participant to remit to
the Company, in cash, an amount sufficient to satisfy  withholding  requirements
with respect to federal, state and local income and employment taxes.

Section 13.  Amendment,  Modification and Termination of Plan. The Board, at any
time  terminate  in any  respect,  amend or  modify  this  Plan.  No  amendment,
modification or termination of the Plan shall in any manner adversely affect the
rights of any Participant under any option previously granted.



                                 Comdisco, Inc.
                  1995 Long-Term Stock Ownership Incentive Plan


                 THE  PLAN.   Comdisco,   Inc.,  a  Delaware   corporation  (the
"Company"), hereby establishes the Comdisco, Inc. 1995 Long-Term Stock Ownership
Incentive  Plan as set forth herein and as may from time to time be amended (the
"Plan"),  effective  September 27, 1995 subject to the approval by a majority of
the  Stockholders  at the first annual  meeting of  stockholders  held after the
effective date.

                 1. PURPOSE.  The purposes of the Plan are to encourage selected
employees,  agents and  Directors  of the Company and its  Subsidiaries  who are
capable of having an impact on the performance of the Company (as defined below)
to acquire a long term proprietary interest in the growth and performance of the
Company,  to generate an increased  incentive  to  contribute  to the  Company's
future success and prosperity  (thus  enhancing the value of the Company for the
benefit of its stockholders),  and to enhance the ability of the Company and its
Subsidiaries to attract and retain qualified individuals upon whom the sustained
progress, growth, and profitability of the Company depend.

                 2. DEFINITIONS.  As used in the Plan, terms defined immediately
after their use shall have the respective  meanings provided by such definitions
and the terms set forth below shall have the following  meanings  (such meanings
to be equally  applicable  to both the  singular  and plural  forms of the terms
defined):

               (a)  "Affiliate"  shall have the  meaning set forth in Rule 12b-2
              promulgated under the 1934 Act.

               (b) "Award"  means  options,  shares of Restricted  Stock,  Stock
              Appreciation  Rights,  Performance Units, or Stock Bonuses granted
              under the Plan.

               (c)  "Award Agreement" has the meaning specified in Section 4(c)
                    (v).

               (d)  "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

               (e) "Cause" includes  termination  based on the commission of any
              act or acts  involving  dishonesty,  fraud,  illegality  or  moral
              turpitude.

               (f) "Code" means the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended.
              References  to a  particular  section  of the Code  shall  include
              references to successor provisions.

               (g) "Committee"  means the committee of the Board  appointed    
               pursuant to Section 4.

               (h)  "Company" has the meaning set forth in the introductory 
               paragraph.

               (i)  "Disability"  means,  as  relates  to  the  exercise  of  an
              Incentive  Stock  Option  after   termination  of  employment,   a
              disability within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code, and
              for all other purposes,  a mental or physical  condition which, in
              the  opinion  of  the  Committee,  renders  a  Grantee  unable  or
              incompetent  to  carry  out the job  responsibilities  which  such
              Grantee  held or the tasks to which such  Grantee was  assigned at
              the time the disability was incurred,  and which is expected to be
              permanent or for an indefinite duration exceeding one year.

               (j) "Dividend  Equivalents"  means cash amounts,  with respect to
              Performance  Units held by a Grantee equal to and paid in the same
              manner at the same time, and in the same amount paid as a dividend
              and share of Stock to the extent the Committee so provides.

               (k) "Effective  Date" means  September 27, 1995 provided that the
              Plan and any Awards  granted  prior to the 1996 annual  meeting of
              the Company's  stockholders are subject to approval of the Plan by
              the stockholders at such annual meeting.

               (l) "Fair Market Value" of any security of the Company means,  as
              of any applicable  date,  the closing  price,  regular way, of the
              security  as  reported  on the New York Stock  Exchange  Composite
              Tape,  or if no such  reported  sale of the  security  shall  have
              occurred on such date, on the next  preceding  date on which there
              was such a reported sale.

               (m) "Grant  Date"  means the date on which an Award shall be duly
              granted, as determined in accordance with Section 6(a)(i).

               (n) "Grantee" means an individual who has been granted an Award.

               (o)   "Including"  or  "includes"   means   "including,   without
               limitation," or "includes, without limitation."

               (p)  "Performance  Period" has the meaning  specified  in Section
               6(f)(i)(B).

               (q) "1934  Act" means the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as
               amended.  References  to a particular  section of, or rule under,
               the 1934 Act shall include references to successor provisions.

               (r) "Option  Price" means the per share  purchase  price of Stock
               subject to an option.

               (s) "Performance Percentage" has the meaning specified in Section
               6(f)(i)(c).

               (t)  "Plan"  has  the  meaning  set  forth  in  the  introductory
               paragraph.

               (u)  "Restricted  Period" shall mean (i) in relation to shares of
               Stock  receivable in payment for  Performance  Units,  the period
               beginning at the end of the applicable  performance period during
               which restrictions on the transferability of such shares of Stock
               are in effect;  and (ii) in relation  to  Restricted  Stock,  the
               period,  beginning  with  the  first  day of the  month  in which
               Restricted  Stock is granted,  during which  restrictions  on the
               transferability of the Restricted Stock are in effect.

               (v)  "Retirement"  means a  termination  of  employment  with the
               Company and its Subsidiaries any time after attaining age 60.

               (w) "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

               (x)  "Section 16  Grantee"  means a person  subject to  potential
               liability  under  Section  16(b) of the 1934 Act with  respect to
               transactions involving equity securities of the Company.

               (y)  "Stock"  means the common  stock of the  Company,  $0.10 par
               value.

               (z)  "Subsidiary"  means  (i) with  respect  to  Incentive  Stock
               Options,  a corporation  as defined in Section 424(f) of the Code
               with the Company  being treated as the employer  corporation  for
               purposes of this definition,  and (ii) for all other purposes any
               entity in which  the  Company  directly  or  through  intervening
               subsidiaries  owns at  least a  majority  interest  of the  total
               combined voting power or value of all classes of stock or, in the
               case of an  unincorporated  entity,  at least a  majority  in the
               capital and profits.

               (aa) "10% Owner" means a person who owns stock  (including  stock
               treated as owned  under  Section  424(d) of the Code)  possessing
               more than 10% of the total  combined  voting power of all classes
               of stock of the Company.

                 3. SCOPE OF THE PLAN

               (a) Two million five hundred thousand (2,500,000) shares of Stock
               are hereby made available and reserved for delivery on account of
               the exercise of Awards and payment of benefits in connection with
               Awards.

               Such shares may be  treasury  shares,  newly  issued  shares,  or
               shares purchased on the open market (including private purchases)
               in accordance with applicable securities laws, or any combination
               of the foregoing,  as may be determined  from time to time by the
               Board or the Committee.

               (b) Subject to  adjustment as provided in Section 24, the maximum
               number of shares of Stock for which  Awards may be granted to any
               Grantee in any  one-year  period  shall not  exceed  two  hundred
               thousand (200,000).

               (c) To the  extent an Award  shall  expire or  terminate  for any
               reason  without  having  been  exercised  in  full  (including  a
               cancellation  and re-grant of an option  pursuant to Section 17),
               or shall be  forfeited,  without,  in either  case,  the  Grantee
               having enjoyed any of the benefits of Stock ownership (other than
               voting rights or dividends that are also  forfeited),  the shares
               of Stock (including  Restricted Stock) associated with such Award
               shall become available for other Awards.

               (d) For purposes of this Section 3,

                   (i)  if an  Award  (other  than  a  Dividend  Equivalent)  is
              denominated  in shares of Stock,  the number of shares  covered by
              such Award,  or to which such Award  relates,  shall be counted on
              the date of grant of such Award  against the  aggregate  number of
              shares of Stock available for granting Awards under the Plan; and

                   (ii) all  outstanding  shares of Stock issued under the Plan,
              even if the Stock is subject to restrictions,  shall be counted on
              the date of grant of any Award  against  the  aggregate  number of
              shares of Stock available for granting Awards under the Plan; and

                   (iii) the  shares of Stock  underlying  outstanding  options,
              Stock  Appreciation  Rights ("SARs"),  and similar Awards shall be
              counted  while  the award is  outstanding  against  the  aggregate
              number of shares of Stock  available for granting Awards under the
              Plan;

                   (iv) where SARs are exercised  for cash,  the shares of Stock
              subject to such SARs shall become available for other Awards;

               (v) in the event of a stock-for-stock  exercise of an option, the
              gross number of shares of Stock  subject to the option  exercised,
              not the net number of shares  actually  issued upon exercise shall
              be  counted  against  the  aggregate  number  of  shares  of Stock
              available for granting Awards under the Plan.

                 4. ADMINISTRATION.

               (a) Subject to Section 4(b), the Plan shall be  administered by a
               committee  ("Committee") which shall consist of not less than two
               persons  who are  directors  of the  Company.  Membership  on the
               Committee shall be subject to such limitations as the Board deems
               appropriate to permit  transactions in Stock pursuant to the Plan
               to be exempt from  liability  under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act
               pursuant to Rule 16b-3 thereunder.

               (b) The  Board  may,  in its  discretion,  reserve  to  itself or
               delegate  to another  committee  of the Board,  any or all of the
               authority and  responsibility  of the  Committee  with respect to
               Awards to  Grantees  who are not  Section 16 Grantees at the time
               any such delegated authority or responsibility is exercised. Such
               other committee may consist of two or more directors who may, but
               need not be,  officers or  employees  of the Company or of any of
               its  Subsidiaries.  To the extent that the Board has  reserved to
               itself or delegated to such other  committee  the  authority  and
               responsibility of the Committee,  all references to the Committee
               in the Plan shall be to the Board or such other committee.

               (c) The  Committee  shall have full and final  authority,  in its
               discretion, but subject to the express provisions of the Plan, as
               follows:

                            (i) to grant Awards;

                            (ii) to  determine  (A) when  Awards may be granted,
                  and (B)whether or not specific Awards shall be identified with
                  other  specific  Awards,  and if so,  whether  they  shall  be
                  exercisable  cumulatively  with or alternatively to such other
                  specific Awards;

                            (iii)  to  interpret   the  Plan  and  to  make  all
                  determinations  necessary or advisable for the  administration
                  of the Plan;

                            (iv) to  prescribe,  amend,  and  rescind  rules and
                  regulations relating to the Plan, including rules with respect
                  to the  exercisability and  non-forfeitability  of Awards upon
                  the termination of employment of a Grantee;

                            (v) to determine  the terms and  provisions  and any
                  restrictions   or  conditions   (including   specifying   such
                  performance  criteria as the Committee deems appropriate,  and
                  imposing  restrictions  with  respect to Stock  acquired  upon
                  exercise of an option,  which restrictions may continue beyond
                  the  Grantee's  termination  of  employment)  of  the  written
                  agreements  by which all  Awards  shall be  evidenced  ("Award
                  Agreements") which need not be identical and, with the consent
                  of the Grantee  where  required by contract law, to modify any
                  such Award Agreement at any time;

                            (vi) to impose,  incidental to an Award,  conditions
                  with respect to competitive employment or other activities, to
                  the extent such conditions do not conflict with the Plan;

                            (vii) to grant  Awards  under  which the  Grantee is
                  entitled  to  receive  payments  equivalent  to  dividends  or
                  interest ("Dividend  Equivalents") with respect to a number of
                  shares of Stock determined by the Committee, and the Committee
                  may provide  that such amount (if any) shall be deemed to have
                  been  reinvested  in  additional  shares of Stock or otherwise
                  reinvested;

                            (viii) to cancel,  with the consent of the  Grantee,
                  outstanding  Awards  and to grant new  Awards in  substitution
                  therefor;

                            (ix) to  authorize  foreign  Subsidiaries  to  adopt
                  plans as provided in Section 16;

                            (x) to  delegate  its  duties  and  responsibilities
                  under the Plan and with  respect  to such  foreign  Subsidiary
                  plans, except its duties and responsibilities  with respect to
                  Section 16 Grantees,  and (A) the acts of such delegates shall
                  be treated  hereunder as acts of the  Committee,  and (B) such
                  delegates   shall  report  to  the  Committee   regarding  the
                  delegated duties and responsibilities;

                            (xi) to  accelerate  the  exercisability  of, and to
                  accelerate  or  waive  any  or all  of  the  restrictions  and
                  conditions  applicable  to, any Award,  or any group of Awards
                  for any reason;

                            (xii)  subject  to Section  6(a)(ii),  to extend the
                  time  during  which  any  Award  or  group  of  Awards  may be
                  exercised;

                            (xiii) to make such  adjustments or modifications to
                  awards to Grantees  working  outside the United  States as are
                  necessary and advisable to fulfill the purposes of the Plan;

                            (xiv)  to   impose   such   additional   conditions,
                  restrictions,  and  limitations  upon the grant,  exercise  or
                  retention  of  Awards  as  the   Committee   may,   before  or
                  concurrently   with  the  grant  thereof,   deem  appropriate,
                  including   requiring   simultaneous   exercise   of   related
                  identified Awards, and limiting the percentage of Awards which
                  may from time to time be exercised by a Grantee;

                            (xv)  to  certify   attainment  of  any  performance
                  criteria to which Awards are subject, if any.

                            The  determination  of the  Committee on all matters
                  relating  to  the  Plan  or  any  Award   Agreement  shall  be
                  conclusive  and  final.  No member of the  Committee  shall be
                  liable for any action or determination made in good faith with
                  respect to the Plan or any Award.

                 5. ELIGIBILITY.  Awards may be granted to any agent,  director,
employee  (including  any  officer)  of the  Company  or  any  of  its  domestic
Subsidiaries,  or  any  agent,  employee,  officer  or  director  of  any of the
Company's  foreign  Subsidiaries  provided  however that Incentive  Stock Option
awards may not be granted to any person who is not an employee of the Company or
a domestic or foreign  Subsidiary (as defined in Section 2(Z)(i) of the Plan) on
the date of the  grant.  In  selecting  the  individuals  to whom  Awards may be
granted, as well as in determining the number of shares of Stock subject to, and
the other terms and conditions  applicable to, each Award,  the Committee  shall
take into  consideration  such  factors as it deems  relevant in  promoting  the
purposes of the Plan.

                 6. CONDITIONS TO GRANTS.

               (a) General Conditions:

                            (i) The Grant Date of an Award  shall be the date on
                  which the  Committee  grants  the Award or such  later date as
                  specified in advance by the Committee;

                            (ii) The term of each Award (subject to Section 6(c)
                  with respect to Incentive  Stock Options) shall be a period of
                  not more  than 15 years  from the  Grant  Date,  and  shall be
                  subject to earlier termination as herein provided;

                            (iii) A  Grantee  may,  if  otherwise  eligible,  be
                  granted additional Awards in any combination.

               (b) Grant of Options  and Option  Price.  No later than the Grant
               Date of any option,  the  Committee  shall  determine  the Option
               Price of such option.  Subject to Section 6(c) hereof, the Option
               Price of an option shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market
               Value of the Stock on the Grant Date. Such price shall be subject
               to adjustment as provided in Section 24. The Award  Agreement may
               provide  that the  option  shall be  exercisable  for  Restricted
               Stock.

               (c) Grant of Incentive Stock Options. At the time of the grant of
               any option, the Committee may designate that such option shall be
               made subject to additional  restrictions  to permit it to qualify
               as an "Incentive  Stock Option" under the requirements of Section
               422 of the Code. The Option Price of any option  designated as an
               "Incentive  Stock Option" shall not be less than 100% of the Fair
               Market  Value  of  the  Stock  on  the  Grant  Date.  Any  option
               designated as an Incentive Stock Option:

                            (i) shall  only be granted  to  individuals  who are
                  employed  by the  Company  or any of its  Subsidiaries  on the
                  Grant Date;

                            (ii) shall not be granted to a 10% Owner  unless the
                  Option  Price is at least 110% of the Fair Market Value of the
                  Stock  subject  to such  option on the Grant Date and shall be
                  exercisable  for a period of not more than five (5) years from
                  the Grant Date;

                            (iii)  except as provided  in (ii)  above,  shall be
                  exercisable  for a period of not more  than 10 years  from the
                  Grant  Date,  and shall be subject to earlier  termination  as
                  provided herein or in the applicable Award Agreement;

                            (iv) shall not have an  aggregate  Fair Market Value
                  (determined for each Incentive Stock Option at its Grant Date)
                  of Stock with  respect to which  Incentive  Stock  Options are
                  exercisable  for the first  time by such  Grantee  during  any
                  calendar  year  (under the Plan and any other  employee  stock
                  option  plan  of  the  Grantee's  employer  or any  parent  or
                  Subsidiary thereof ("Other Plans")),  determined in accordance
                  with the provisions of Section 422 of the Code,  which exceeds
                  $100,000 (the "$100,000 Limit");

                            (v) shall,  if the  aggregate  Fair Market  Value of
                  Stock  (determined  on the Grant  Date)  with  respect  to all
                  Incentive Stock Options  previously granted under the Plan and
                  any Other  Plans  ("Prior  Grants")  and any  Incentive  Stock
                  Options  under  such  grant (the  "Current  Grant")  which are
                  exercisable  for the first time during any calendar year would
                  exceed the $100,000 Limit, be exercisable as follows:

                                     (A)  the  portion  of  the  Current   Grant
                           exercisable  for the first time by the Grantee during
                           any  calendar  year  which  would,  when added to any
                           portions of any Prior Grants,  be exercisable for the
                           first time by the Grantee  during such  calendar year
                           with  respect to Stock which would have an  aggregate
                           Fair Market Value  (determined  as of the  respective
                           Grant  Dates  for  such  options)  in  excess  of the
                           $100,000  Limit shall,  notwithstanding  the terms of
                           the Current Grant,  be exercisable for the first time
                           by the Grantee in the first subsequent  calendar year
                           or years in  which  it could be  exercisable  for the
                           first  time by the  Grantee  when  added to all Prior
                           Grants without exceeding the $100,000 Limit; and

                                     (B)  viewed  as of the date of the  Current
                           Grant, if any portion of a Current Grant could not be
                           exercised  under the  provisions  of the  immediately
                           preceding   sentence   during   any   calendar   year
                           commencing  with  the  calendar  year in  which it is
                           first  exercisable  through  and  including  the last
                           calendar  year  in  which  it  may by  its  terms  be
                           exercised,  such  portion of the Current  Grant shall
                           not  be an  Incentive  Stock  Option,  but  shall  be
                           exercisable  as a  separate  option  at such  date or
                           dates as are provided in the Current Grant;

                            (vi)  shall be  granted  within  10  years  from the
                  earlier  of the date the Plan is  adopted or the date the Plan
                  is approved by the stockholders of the Company;

                            (vii)  shall  require  the  Grantee  to  notify  the
                  Committee of any  disposition of any Stock issued  pursuant to
                  the  exercise  of  the   Incentive   Stock  Option  under  the
                  circumstances   described  in  Section   421(b)  of  the  Code
                  (relating to certain  disqualifying  dispositions),  within 10
                  days of such disposition; and

                            (viii)  shall  by its  terms  not be  assignable  or
                  transferable  other  than by will or the laws of  descent  and
                  distribution   and  may  be  exercised  during  the  Grantee's
                  lifetime  only by the  Grantee;  provided,  however,  that the
                  Grantee may, to the extent  provided in the Plan in any manner
                  specified by the Committee, designate in writing a beneficiary
                  to exercise his/her Incentive Stock Option after the Grantee's
                  death.

                   Notwithstanding  the  foregoing  and  Section  4(c)(v),   the
                  Committee may, without the consent of the Grantee, at any time
                  before the exercise of an option  (whether or not an Incentive
                  Stock  Option),  take any action  necessary  to  prevent  such
                  option from being treated as an Incentive Stock Option.

                  Grant of Shares of Restricted Stock.

                              The Committee may, in its discretion, grant shares
                  of Restricted Stock to any individual eligible under Section 5
                  to receive Awards.

                              The Committee shall, in its discretion,  determine
                  the  amount,  if any,  that a Grantee  shall pay for shares of
                  Restricted  Stock.   Awards  shall  be  granted  for  no  cash
                  consideration or for such minimal cash consideration as may be
                  required by applicable law. If any such cash  consideration is
                  required,  payment shall be made in full by the Grantee before
                  the  delivery  of the shares and in any event no later than 10
                  days after the Grant Date for such shares.  In the  discretion
                  of the Committee and to the extent  permitted by law,  payment
                  may also be made in accordance with Section 10.

                              The Committee may, but need not,  provide that all
                  or any portion of a Grantee's  Award of Restricted  Stock,  or
                  Restricted  Stock acquired upon exercise of an option shall be
                  forfeited:

                                       except  as  otherwise  specified  in  the
                           Award  Agreement,  upon the Grantee's  termination of
                           employment  for any  reason  specified  in the  Award
                           Agreement  within a specified  time period  after the
                           Grant Date, or

                                       if the  Company or the  Grantee  does not
                           achieve  specified  performance  objectives  (if any)
                           within a specified  time period  after the Grant Date
                           and before the Grantee's  termination  of employment,
                           or

                                       upon   failure  to  satisfy   such  other
                           restrictions  as the  Committee  may  specify  in the
                           Award Agreement;  provided that,  subject to Sections
                           4(c)(xi)  and 14, in no case shall such Award  become
                           nonforfeitable  before the first  anniversary  of the
                           Grant Date.

                              If a share of Restricted Stock is forfeited,  then
                  (A) if the  Grantee  was  required  to pay for  such  share or
                  acquired such Restricted Stock upon the exercise of an option,
                  the  Grantee  shall be deemed  to have  resold  such  share of
                  Restricted  Stock  to the  Company  at the  lesser  of (1) the
                  amount  paid or,  if the  Restricted  Stock  was  acquired  on
                  exercise  of an option,  the Option  Price paid by the Grantee
                  for such share of  Restricted  Stock,  or (2) the Fair  Market
                  Value of a share of Stock on the date of such forfeiture;  (B)
                  the Company  shall pay to the  Grantee  the amount  determined
                  under   clause   (A)  of   this   sentence   as   soon  as  is
                  administratively  practical;  and (C) such share of Restricted
                  Stock  shall  cease to be  outstanding,  and  shall no  longer
                  confer on the Grantee  thereof any rights as a stockholder  of
                  the  Company,  from and  after the later of the date the event
                  causing the  forfeiture  occurred or the date of the Company's
                  tender  of  the  payment  specified  in  clause  (B)  of  this
                  sentence,  whether  or not  such  tender  is  accepted  by the
                  Grantee.

                              The  Committee  may  provide  that  any  share  of
                  Restricted  Stock shall be held  (together  with a stock power
                  executed in blank by the  Grantee) in escrow by the  Secretary
                  of the Company until the expiration of the  Restricted  Period
                  and/or such shares become nonforfeitable or are forfeited. Any
                  share of  Restricted  Stock shall bear an  appropriate  legend
                  specifying that such share is non-transferable  and subject to
                  the   restrictions  set  forth  in  the  Plan  and  the  Award
                  Agreement.   If  any  shares  of   Restricted   Stock   become
                  nonforfeitable,  and  any  applicable  Restricted  Period  has
                  ended, the Company shall cause certificates for such shares to
                  be issued or reissued without such legend.

                              The Committee  may provide one or more  Restricted
                  Periods  applicable to Restricted  Stock,  at its  discretion.
                  Such Restricted Period shall be measured from the first day of
                  the month in which Restricted Stock is granted with respect to
                  such Restricted Period.

                              Each grant of Restricted  Stock shall be evidenced
                  by a  written  instrument  stating  the  number  of  shares of
                  Restricted  Stock  granted,   the  Restriction   Period,   the
                  restrictions  applicable to such Restricted  Stock, the nature
                  and  terms  of  payment   of   consideration,   if  any,   the
                  consequences  of forfeiture that will apply to such Restricted
                  Stock, and any other terms, conditions and rights with respect
                  to such grant.

                              Any other  provision  of the Plan to the  contrary
                  notwithstanding,  the  Committee  may at any time  shorten any
                  Restricted Period, if it determines that conditions, including
                  but  not  limited  to,  changes  in the  economy,  changes  in
                  competitive  conditions,  changes  in  laws or  government  or
                  regulations,   changes  in   generally   accepted   accounting
                  principles,  changes  in the  Company's  accounting  policies,
                  acquisitions  or  dispositions,  or the  occurrence  of  other
                  unusual, unforeseen, or extraordinary events, so warrant.

                              The Company may, in its sole  discretion,  offer a
                  Grantee the right,  by  execution of a written  agreement,  to
                  defer receipt of all or a portion of the payment,  if any, for
                  Restricted  Stock.  If such an election to defer is made,  the
                  shares of Stock  receivable  in payment for  Restricted  Stock
                  shall be deferred as Performance  Units equal in number to and
                  exchangeable,  at the  end of the  deferral  period,  for  the
                  number  of shares of Stock  that  would  have been paid to the
                  Grantee ("Stock Units"). Such Stock Units shall represent only
                  a  contractual  right  and  shall  not  give the  Grantee  any
                  interest,  right,  or title to any shares of Stock  during the
                  deferral  period or any  rights as a  Shareholder.  Fractional
                  shares  receivable for  Restricted  Stock shall be deferred as
                  Performance Units payable in cash. Deferred Stock Units may be
                  credited  annually with the  appreciation  factor contained in
                  the  deferred  compensation   agreement,   which  may  include
                  Dividend  Equivalents.  All  other  terms  and  conditions  of
                  deferred  payments  shall  be  as  contained  in  the  written
                  agreement.

                     Grant of Stock Appreciation Rights.

          When  granted,  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  may,  but  need  not,  be
identified with shares of Stock subject to a specific option, specific shares of
Restricted Stock, or specific  Performance  Units of the Grantee  (including any
option,  shares of Restricted  Stock, or Performance  Units granted on or before
the  Grant  Date of the  Stock  Appreciation  Rights)  in a  number  equal to or
different  from the number of Stock  Appreciation  Rights so  granted.  If Stock
Appreciation  Rights are  identified  with shares of Stock subject to an option,
with  shares of  Restricted  Stock,  or with  Performance  Units,  then,  unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Award Agreement,  the Grantee's  associated
Stock Appreciation Rights shall terminate upon (i) the expiration,  termination,
forfeiture,  or  cancellation  of such option,  shares of Restricted  Stock,  or
Performance  Units,  (ii) the exercise of such option or Performance  Units,  or
(iii) the date such shares of  Restricted  Stock  become  nonforfeitable.  Stock
Appreciation  Rights  granted in connection  with  Incentive  Stock Options must
expire  no later  than the last  date on which the  underlying  Incentive  Stock
Option can be exercised;  may be granted for no more than 100% of the difference
between the Option Price of the underlying  Incentive  Stock Option and the Fair
Market Value of the Stock subject to the  underlying  Incentive  Stock Option at
the time the Stock Appreciation Right is exercised; are transferable only to the
extent  and at the  same  time  and on the  same  conditions  as the  underlying
Incentive  Stock Options;  may be exercised  only when the underlying  Incentive
Stock Options may be exercised;  and may be exercised  only when the Fair Market
Value of the shares of Stock subject to the Incentive  Stock Options exceeds the
exercise price of the Incentive Stock Options.

            Grant of Performance Units.

                 Before the grant of any Performance Unit, the Committee shall:

                     determine performance objectives applicable to such grant;

                              designate  a period  of not less than one year nor
                      more than ten years for the  measurement  of the extent to
                      which  performance  objectives are attained,  which period
                      may  begin  prior  to the  Grant  Date  (the  "Performance
                      Period");

                              assign a "Performance Percentage" to each level of
                      attainment  of  performance  objectives  goals  during the
                      Performance  Period,  with the  percentage  applicable  to
                      minimum   attainment  being  zero  percent  (O%)  and  the
                      percentage   applicable   to  maximum   attainment  to  be
                      determined by the Committee from time to time;

                              determine the Restricted Period, if any; and

                              determine  whether  Dividend   Equivalents  shall,
                      during the Performance  Period, be paid on the Performance
                      Units.

                      In  establishing  performance  goals,  the  Committee  may
                      consider  any  performance  factor  or  factors  it  deems
                      appropriate,  including net income,  growth in net income,
                      earnings per share,  growth of earnings per share,  return
                      on equity or return on capital, employment for a specified
                      period,  or  any  other  factor  measured   internally  or
                      relative  to  other  organizations  and  before  or  after
                      extraordinary  items.  Any such  factors,  however,  shall
                      include  all  accruals  for grants made under the Plan and
                      for all other employee  benefit plans of the Company.  The
                      performance  goals may be established for the Company as a
                      whole  or for only  that  part of the  Company  in which a
                      given Grantee is involved,  or a combination  thereof. The
                      Committee may, in its discretion,  establish  intermediate
                      levels at which given proportions of the Performance Units
                      shall be payable.  The Committee  may, at any time, in its
                      discretion,   modify   performance   goals   in  order  to
                      facilitate  their  attainment  for any  reason,  including
                      recognition of unusual or  nonrecurring  events  affecting
                      the Company or a Subsidiary or changes in applicable laws,
                      regulations  or  accounting  principles.  If a Grantee  is
                      promoted,  demoted or transferred to a different  business
                      unit of the Company during a Performance Period,  then, to
                      the extent the Committee  determines the performance goals
                      or Performance Period are no longer  appropriate,  (A) the
                      Committee may adjust,  change or eliminate the performance
                      goals, the applicable  Performance  Period,  or Restricted
                      Period,  if any, as it deems  appropriate in order to make
                      them appropriate and comparable to the initial performance
                      goals or Performance Period; or (B) make a cash payment to
                      the Grantee in an amount determined in accordance with the
                      method described in Section  14(b)(iii),  substituting the
                      effective date of such promotion, demotion or transfer for
                      the  termination  of  employment  referred  to in  Section
                      14(b)(iii).

                      When  granted,  Performance  Units may,  but need not,  be
                      identified  with  shares of Stock  subject  to a  specific
                      option,  specific  shares of Restricted  Stock or specific
                      Stock Appreciation Rights of the Grantee granted under the
                      Plan in a number equal to or different  from the number of
                      the Performance Units so granted. If Performance Units are
                      identified  with  shares of Stock  subject  to an  option,
                      shares of Restricted Stock or Stock  Appreciation  Rights,
                      then,  unless  otherwise  provided in the applicable Award
                      Agreement,  the  Grantee's  associated  Performance  Units
                      shall  terminate  upon  (A) the  expiration,  termination,
                      forfeiture  or  cancellation  of such  option,  shares  of
                      Restricted  Stock or Stock  Appreciation  Rights,  (B) the
                      exercise  of such option or Stock  Appreciation  Rights or
                      (C) the  date  such  shares  of  Restricted  Stock  become
                      nonforfeitable.

                      There shall be no limitation on the number of  Performance
                      Periods  or   Restriction   Periods   established  by  the
                      Committee,  and  more  than  one  Performance  Period  may
                      encompass the same fiscal year.

                      Any provision of the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding,
                      the   Committee   may  at  any  time  adjust   performance
                      objectives  (up or down) and  minimum or full  performance
                      levels  (and any  intermediate  levels and  proportion  of
                      payments  related  thereto),  adjust  the way  performance
                      objectives are measured, or shorten any Performance Period
                      or Restricted  Period,  if it determines that  conditions,
                      including  but not  limited  to,  changes in the  economy,
                      changes  in  competitive  conditions,  changes  in laws or
                      governmental  regulations,  changes in generally  accepted
                      accounting principles, changes in the Company's accounting
                      policies,  acquisition or dispositions,  or the occurrence
                      of other unusual,  unforeseen, or extraordinary events, so
                      warrant.

            Grant of Stock Bonuses. The Committee may, in its discretion,  grant
to any  individual  eligible  under  Section 5 to  receive  Awards,  other  than
executive officers of the Company, shares of Stock or such other Awards that are
denominated  or  payable  in,  valued  in whole or in part by  reference  to, or
otherwise  based  on  or  related  to,  shares  of  Stock  (including,   without
limitation,  securities convertible into shares), as are deemed by the Committee
to be consistent  with the purposes of the Plan,  provided,  however,  that such
grants must comply with applicable law. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any
applicable  Award  Agreement,  the  Committee  shall  determine  the  terms  and
conditions of such Awards.

                 7. GRANTEE'S AGREEMENT TO SERVE. Each Grantee who is granted an
Award shall,  by  executing  such  Grantee's  Award  Agreement,  agree that such
Grantee will remain in the employ of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries for
at least one year after the Grant Date.  No  obligation of the Company or any of
its  Subsidiaries as to the length of any Grantee's  employment shall be implied
by the  terms  of the  Plan,  any  grant  of an  Award  hereunder  or any  Award
Agreement. The Company and its Subsidiaries reserve the same rights to terminate
employment of any Grantee as existed before the Effective Date.

                8. NON-TRANSFERABILITY. Each Award (other than Restricted Stock)
granted hereunder shall not be assignable or transferable  other than by will or
the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that a Grantee may in a
manner  specified by the  Committee  and to the extent  provided in the Plan (a)
designate in writing a beneficiary to exercise his/her Award after the Grantee's
death and (b) transfer an option (other than an Incentive  Stock Option),  Stock
Appreciation  Right or Performance Unit to a revocable,  inter vivos trust as to
which the  Grantee is both the settlor  and  trustee,  but in no event shall any
transfer  described  in this  clause (b) by a Section  16  Grantee be  effective
unless the staff of the SEC shall have  issued an  interpretive  or "no  action"
letter to the effect that a provision  to such effect is not  inconsistent  with
Rule  16b-3(a)(2) of the SEC under the 1934 Act; and (c) if the Award  Agreement
expressly  permits,  transfer  an  award  (other  than  Restricted  Stock  or an
Incentive Stock Option) for no consideration to any of the following permissible
transferees (each a "Permissible  Transferee"):  (x) any member of the Immediate
Family of the Grantee to whom such Award was  granted,  (y) any trust solely for
the benefit of members of the Grantee's Immediate Family, or (z) any partnership
whose only partners are members of the Grantee's  Immediate Family;  and further
provided that (I) the  transferee  shall remain  subject to all of the terms and
conditions  applicable to such Award prior to such  transfer;  and (ii) any such
transfer  shall be subject to and in accordance  with the rules and  regulations
prescribed by the Committee in accordance with Section  4(c)(xiv).  For purposes
of this  Section 8,  "Immediate  Family"  means,  with  respect to a  particular
Grantee,  such  Grantee's  spouse,  children  and  grandchildren.  Each share of
Restricted   Stock   shall  be   nontransferable   until  such   share   becomes
nonforfeitable and the Restricted Period, if any, lapses.

                 9. EXERCISE.

               (a) Exercise of Options.  Subject to Sections 4(c)(xi) and 14 and
               such terms and  conditions  as the  Committee  may  impose,  each
               option shall be exercisable in one or more installments.

               Each  option  shall be  exercised  by  delivery to the Company of
               written notice of intent to purchase a specific  number of shares
               of Stock subject to the option. The Option Price of any shares of
               Stock or shares of  Restricted  Stock as to which an option shall
               be exercised  shall be paid in full at the time of the  exercise.
               Payment may, at the  election of the Grantee,  be made in any one
               or any combination of the following:

                     cash;

                     Stock held by the  Grantee  for at least 6 months  prior to
                 exercise of the option,  valued at its Fair Market Value on the
                 date of exercise;

                     with the approval of the  Committee,  shares of  Restricted
                 Stock  held by the  Grantee  for at  least 6  months  prior  to
                 exercise of the option, each valued at the Fair Market Value of
                 a share of Stock on the date of exercise; or

                    through   simultaneous  sale  through  a  broker  of  shares
                 acquired on exercise,  as permitted  under  Regulation T of the
                 Federal Reserve Board.

               In the discretion of the Committee and to the extent permitted by
               law, payment may also be made in accordance with Section 10.

               If Restricted Stock ("Tendered  Restricted Stock") is used to pay
               the  Option  Price  for  Stock  subject  to an  option,  then the
               Committee  may, but need not,  specify that (i) all the shares of
               Stock  acquired on exercise of the option shall be subject to the
               same restrictions as the Tendered Restricted Stock, determined as
               of the date of exercise of the option, or (ii) a number of shares
               of Stock  acquired on exercise of the option  equal to the number
               of  shares  of  Tendered   Restricted  Stock  shall,  unless  the
               Committee provides otherwise, be subject to the same restrictions
               as the Tendered  Restricted  Stock,  determined as of the date of
               exercise of the option.

               (b) Exercise of Stock  Appreciation  Rights.  Subject to Sections
               4(c)(xi) and 14 and such terms and  conditions  as the  Committee
               may impose,  each Stock  Appreciation  Right shall be exercisable
               not earlier than the first  anniversary of the Grant Date of such
               Stock Appreciation  Right, to the extent the option with which it
               is  identified,  if any,  may be  exercised,  to the  extent  the
               Restricted  Stock  with  which  it  is  identified,  if  any,  is
               nonforfeitable  and the Restricted Period, if any, has lapsed, or
               to the extent the  Performance  Unit with which it is identified,
               if  any,  may  be  exercised  unless  otherwise  provided  by the
               Committee.  Stock  Appreciation  Rights  shall  be  exercised  by
               delivery to the Company of written notice of intent to exercise a
               specific number of Stock  Appreciation  Rights.  Unless otherwise
               provided in the applicable Award Agreement, the exercise of Stock
               Appreciation  Rights  which are  identified  with shares of Stock
               subject to an option,  shares of Restricted  Stock or Performance
               Units shall  result in the  cancellation  or  forfeiture  of such
               option,  shares of Restricted Stock or Performance  Units, as the
               case may be, to the extent of such exercise.

               The benefit for each Stock  Appreciation Right exercised shall be
               equal to:

                            (i) the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the
                  date of such exercise or, if the Committee  shall so determine
                  in the case of any such right  other  than one  related to any
                  Incentive Stock Option,  at any time during a specified period
                  before or after the date of exercise, reduced by

                            (ii)  an amount equal to:

                              for any Stock  Appreciation  Right identified with
                  shares of Stock subject to an option, the Option Price of such
                  option,  unless  the  Committee  in the  grant  of  the  Stock
                  Appreciation Right specified a higher amount, or

                              for any other Stock  Appreciation  Right, the Fair
                  Market  Value of a share of  Stock on the  Grant  Date of such
                  Stock Appreciation Right, unless the Committee in the grant of
                  the  Stock  Appreciation  Right  specified  a  higher  amount;
                  provided that the Committee,  in its  discretion,  may provide
                  that the  benefit for any Stock  Appreciation  Right shall not
                  exceed such  percentage of the Fair Market Value of a share of
                  Stock on such Grant Date as the Committee shall specify.

          The benefit upon the exercise of a Stock  Appreciation  Right shall be
payable in cash, except that the Committee,  may, in its discretion,  provide in
the Award Agreement that benefits,  with respect to any particular exercise, may
be paid wholly or partly in Stock.

               (c) Exercise of Performance Units.

                   (i)  Subject to Section 14 and such terms and  conditions  as
         the Committee may impose, if, with respect to any Performance Unit, the
         minimum performance objectives have been achieved during the applicable
         Performance  Period,  then such  Performance  Unit shall be exercisable
         commencing on the later of (A) the first  anniversary of the Grant Date
         or (B)  the  first  day  after  the end of the  applicable  Performance
         Period.

          Performance  Units  shall be  exercised  by delivery to the Company of
         written  notice of intent to exercise a specific  number of Performance
         Units;  provided,  however,  that Performance Units not identified with
         shares of Stock  subject to an option,  shares of  Restricted  Stock or
         Stock  Appreciation  Rights  shall be deemed  exercised  on the date on
         which they first become  exercisable.  Unless otherwise provided in the
         applicable Award Agreement, the exercise of Performance Units which are
         identified  with  shares  of Stock  subject  to an  option,  shares  of
         Restricted  Stock or Stock  Appreciation  Rights  shall  result  in the
         cancellation  or  forfeiture of such shares of Stock subject to option,
         shares of Restricted Stock or Stock  Appreciation  Rights,  as the case
         may be, to the extent of such exercise.

                      (ii) The benefit for each Performance Unit exercised shall
                      be an amount equal to the product of:

                         (A) the Unit Value (as defined below) multiplied by

                         (B) the  Performance  Percentage  attained  during  the
                         Performance Period for such Performance Unit.

                       (iii)  The Unit  Value  shall  be,  as  specified  by the
                       Committee,

                       a dollar amount, or

                         (B) an  amount  equal to the Fair  Market  Value of one
                         share of Stock on the exercise date of the  Performance
                         Unit, including, if so provided in the Award Agreement,
                         an amount ("Dividend  Equivalent  Amount") equal to the
                         value that would result if dividends paid on a share of
                         Stock on or after the Grant  Date and on or before  the
                         exercise  date were  invested  in shares of Stock as of
                         each respective dividend payment date, or

                         (C) an  amount  equal to the Fair  Market  Value of one
                         share of Stock on the Grant Date (plus, if so specified
                         in the Award Agreement,  a Dividend Equivalent Amount),
                         or

                         (D) an  amount  equal to the Fair  Market  Value of one
                         share of Stock on the exercise date of the  Performance
                         Unit (plus, if so specified in the Award  Agreement,  a
                         Dividend Equivalent Amount), reduced by the Fair Market
                         Value  of a share of  Stock  on the  Grant  Date of the
                         Performance Unit, or

                         (E) a number of shares of Stock.

                            (iv) The benefit upon the exercise of a  Performance
                           Unit  shall  be  payable  upon   termination  of  the
                           applicable   Restricted   Period   as   soon   as  is
                           administratively  practicable  after the later of (A)
                           the  date  the  Grantee  exercises  or is  deemed  to
                           exercise such  Performance  Unit, or (B) the date (or
                           dates  in  the  event  of  installment  payments)  as
                           provided in the applicable Award Agreement.

                                     Such  benefit  shall be  payable in cash or
                           wholly or partly in shares of Stock.  If a Restricted
                           Period  has  been   established   in  relation  to  a
                           Performance  Unit  payable,  in whole or in part,  in
                           shares of Stock ("Stock  Performance  Unit"),  one or
                           more  certificates  representing the number of shares
                           of  Stock  equal to the  number  of  shares  of Stock
                           payable   under  the   Performance   Units  shall  be
                           registered  in the name of the  Grantee  but shall be
                           held by the Company  for the account of the  Grantee.
                           Such  shares  of  Stock  will be  nonforfeitable  but
                           restricted   as   to   transferability   during   the
                           applicable  Restricted  Period.  At  the  end  of the
                           Restricted Period all restrictions  applicable to the
                           shares of Stock,  and other  securities  or  property
                           received  with  respect  to the  shares  held  by the
                           Company for the account of each  recipient  of shares
                           of Stock under  Performance Units granted in relation
                           to such  Restricted  Period shall  lapse,  and one or
                           more  certificates for such shares of Stock,  free of
                           the restrictions shall be delivered to the Grantee.

                                     In event the Award Agreement  provides that
                           the benefit  may be paid  wholly in Stock  unless the
                           Committee,  in its discretion,  specifies at the time
                           of exercise  that the benefit shall be paid partly or
                           wholly in cash, the number of shares of Stock payable
                           in lieu of cash shall be  determined  by valuing  the
                           Stock at its  Fair  Market  Value  on the  date  such
                           benefit is to be paid.

                                     (v)  The   Committee   may,   in  its  sole
                           discretion,  offer a Grantee the right,  by execution
                           of a written  agreement,  to defer the receipt of all
                           or any portion of the  payment,  if any, of shares of
                           Stock or cash due under a  Performance  Unit. If such
                           an election to defer is made, the Stock receivable in
                           payment for shares under a Performance  Unit shall be
                           deferred  as  Stock  Units  equal  in  number  to and
                           exchangeable,  at the end of the deferral period, for
                           the  number of shares of Stock  that  would have been
                           paid to the Grantee but for the deferral.  Such Stock
                           Units shall  represent  only a contractual  right and
                           shall not give the  Grantee  any  interest,  right or
                           title to any Stock  during the deferral  period.  The
                           cash or fractional  shares  receivable in payment for
                           Performance  Units  shall be  deferred as cash units.
                           Deferred  Stock  Units and cash units may be credited
                           annually with the  appreciation  factor  contained in
                           the written  agreement,  which may  include  Dividend
                           Equivalents.   All  other  terms  and  conditions  of
                           deferred  payments  shall  be  as  contained  in  the
                           written agreement.

               (d) Special Rules for Section 16 Grantees.  No Stock Appreciation
               Right,  option or Performance  Unit (if the benefit  payable with
               respect to such Performance Unit is to be determined by reference
               to the Fair Market Value of the Stock on the date the Performance
               Unit is exercised)  shall be  exercisable by a Section 16 Grantee
               during  the first six  months  after  its Grant  Date,  except as
               exempted  from  Section  16 of the 1934 Act under  Rule  16a-2(d)
               under the 1934 Act.  Any grant  hereunder to a Section 16 Grantee
               shall be subject  to  approval  of the Plan by a majority  of the
               Stockholders of the Company.

                 10. LOANS AND GUARANTEES. The Committee may, in its discretion:

               (a) allow a Grantee to defer payment to the Company of all or any
               portion of (i) the Option  Price of an option,  (ii) the purchase
               price  of a  share  of  Restricted  Stock,  or  (iii)  any  taxes
               associated  with a benefit  hereunder which is not a cash benefit
               at the time such benefit is so taxable, or

               (b) cause the  Company to  guarantee a loan from a third party to
               the  Grantee,  in an amount  equal to all or any  portion of such
               Option Price, purchase price, or any related taxes.

               Any such payment,  deferral or guarantee by the Company  pursuant
               to this Section 10 shall be on such terms and  conditions  as the
               Committee  may   determine;   provided  that  the  interest  rate
               applicable  to any  such  payment  deferral  shall  not  be  more
               favorable  to the  Grantee  than the  terms  applicable  to funds
               borrowed by the Company and, in the case of any payment  deferral
               for the Option Price for an Incentive Stock Option,  shall not be
               less than the  "applicable  federal rate",  as defined in Section
               1274 of the Code, in effect at the time of such payment deferral,
               or any other minimum interest rate established  under Federal tax
               laws to avoid the  imputation  of interest.  Notwithstanding  the
               foregoing,  a Grantee  shall not be entitled to defer the payment
               of such Option Price,  purchase price or any related taxes unless
               the Grantee enters into a binding  obligation with the Company to
               pay the deferred amount. If the Committee has permitted a payment
               deferral  or caused the Company to  guarantee a loan  pursuant to
               this  Section 10,  then the  Committee  may,  in its  discretion,
               require  the  immediate  payment of such  deferred  amount or the
               immediate   release  of  such   guarantee   upon  the   Grantee's
               termination  of  employment  or if the Grantee sells or otherwise
               transfers the  Grantee's  shares of Stock  purchased  pursuant to
               such deferral or guarantee.


                 11.  NOTIFICATION  UNDER CODE SECTION 83(b). The Committee may,
on the Grant Date or any later date, prohibit a Grantee from making the election
described  below.  If the Committee has not prohibited  such Grantee from making
such  election,  and the Grantee shall,  in connection  with the exercise of any
option,  the  grant  of  any  share  of  Restricted  Stock,  or the  grant  of a
Performance Unit for Stock,  make the election  permitted under Section 83(b) of
the Code (i.e.,  an election to include in such  Grantee's  gross  income in the
year of  transfer  the amounts  specified  in Section  83(b) of the Code),  such
Grantee  shall  notify  the  Company of such  election  within 10 days of filing
notice of the election  with the Internal  Revenue  Service,  in addition to any
filing and  notification  required  pursuant  to  regulations  issued  under the
authority of Section 83(b) of the Code.

                12.  MANDATORY WITHHOLDING OF TAXES.

               (a)  Whenever  under the Plan,  cash or shares of Stock are to be
               delivered upon exercise or payment of an Award or upon a share of
               Restricted  Stock  becoming  nonforfeitable,  or any other  event
               occurs which subjects the Grantee to income taxes with respect to
               rights and benefits  hereunder,  the Company shall be entitled to
               require as a condition of delivery (i) that the Grantee  remit an
               amount  sufficient  to  satisfy  all  federal,  state,  and local
               withholding   tax   requirements   related   thereto,   (ii)  the
               withholding of such sums from  compensation  otherwise due to the
               Grantee or from any shares of Stock due to the Grantee  under the
               Plan, or (iii) any combination of the foregoing.

               (b)  If  any  disqualifying   disposition  described  in  Section
               6(c)(vii) is made with respect to shares of Stock  acquired under
               an  Incentive  Stock Option  granted  pursuant to the Plan or any
               election  described in Section 11 is made, then the person making
               such  disqualifying  disposition  or election  shall remit to the
               Company an amount  sufficient to satisfy all federal,  state, and
               local withholding taxes thereby incurred;  provided that, in lieu
               of or in addition to the  foregoing,  the Company  shall have the
               right to withhold  such sums from  compensation  otherwise due to
               the Grantee or from any shares of Stock due to the Grantee  under
               the Plan.

                            13.  ELECTIVE SHARE WITHHOLDING.

              (a) Subject to Section 13(b), a Grantee may elect the  withholding
              ("Share Withholding") by the Company of a portion of the shares of
              Stock  otherwise  deliverable to such Grantee upon the exercise or
              payment of an Award or upon a share of Restricted  Stock  becoming
              nonforfeitable (each a "Taxable Event") having a Fair Market Value
              equal to: 

                    (i)  the  minimum  amount   necessary  to  satisfy  required
              federal, state, or local withholding tax liability attributable to
              the Taxable Event (in 1995, the minimum amount required by federal
              tax withholding rules is 20% of the Grantee's taxable income); or

                   (ii) with the Committee's  prior approval,  a greater amount,
              not to exceed the  estimated  total amount of such  Grantee's  tax
              liability with respect to the Taxable Event.

              (b) Each Share Withholding  election by a Grantee shall be subject
              to the following restrictions:

                   (i)  any   Grantee's   election   shall  be  subject  to  the
              Committee's  right to revoke such election of Share Withholding by
              such  Grantee at any time  before the  Grantee's  election  if the
              Committee has reserved the right to do so in the Award Agreement;

                   (ii) if the Grantee is a Section 16 Grantee,  such  Grantee's
              election  shall be subject to the approval of the Committee at any
              time,  whether or not the  Committee  has reserved the right to do
              so;

                   (iii) the  Grantee's  election  must be made  before the date
              (the  "Tax  Date") on which the  amount of tax to be  withheld  is
              determined;

                   (iv)  the Grantee's election shall be irrevocable;

                   (v) a Section  16  Grantee  may not elect  Share  Withholding
              within six months  after the grant of the related  Option or Stock
              Appreciation  Rights  (except  if the  Grantee  dies or  incurs  a
              Disability before the end of the six-month period);

                   (vi) except to the extent such condition may be waived by the
              Senior Vice  President/Legal  of the Company, a Section 16 Grantee
              must elect Share Withholding either six months before the Tax Date
              or during  the ten  business  day  period  beginning  on the third
              business  day after the  release  of the  Company's  quarterly  or
              annual summary statement of sales and earnings; and

                   (vii) provided,  however,  that no share withholding shall be
              effective  with respect to an Award which was  transferred  by the
              Grantee in accordance with this Plan.

                 14. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT.

               (a) For Cause.  If a Grantee has a termination  of employment for
               Cause,

               (i) the Grantee's shares of Restricted Stock that are forfeitable
              shall thereupon be forfeited, subject to the provisions of Section
              6(d)(iv)  regarding  repayment of certain  amounts to the Grantee;
              and

               (ii)  any  unexercised  option,   Stock  Appreciation  Right,  or
              Performance Unit shall thereupon terminate.

               (b) On Account of Death or Disability. Except as may otherwise be
               provided in the Award  Agreement if the Grantee has a termination
               of employment:

               (i)  Restricted Stock.

                  (A)  prior  to  the  shares  of  Restricted   Stock   becoming
             non-forfeitable by reason of:
                    
                    (i) death,  all  Restricted  Stock  granted to such  Grantee
              shall become non-forfeitable.

                    (ii) the Disability of Grantee,  such termination  shall not
              constitute a termination  of employment for purposes of Restricted
              Stock and such Grantee shall not forfeit any Restricted Stock held
              by  him\her,  provided  that  during the  balance of the period in
              which the Restricted Stock would otherwise remain forfeitable such
              Grantee  does  not  engage  in or  assist  any  business  that the
              Company,  in its sole discretion,  determines to be in competition
              with  business  engaged in by it. A Grantee  who does engage in or
              assist any  business  that the  Company,  in its sole  discretion,
              determines to be in  competition  with business  engaged in by it,
              shall be deemed to have terminated employment.

                  (B) after the Restricted Stock is nonforfeitable  but prior to
             the end of Restricted  Period, by reason of death or Disability all
             Restricted  Stock  granted  to such  Grantee  shall be  immediately
             payable.

                   (ii)  Options/SARs.  By  reason of death or  Disability,  any
              unexercised  option or Stock  Appreciation  Right,  to the  extent
              exercisable on the date of termination of employment upon death or
              Disability,  may be  exercised,  in whole or in part,  at any time
              within five months after such  termination  of  employment  by the
              Grantee, the Grantee's guardian,  legal representative,  or, after
              the  Grantee's  death,  by (A)  his/her  personal  representative,
              executor,  administrator,  or by the  person to whom the option or
              Stock  Appreciation Right is transferred by will or the applicable
              laws of descent and  distribution,  (B) the Grantee's  beneficiary
              designated in accordance with Sections 6(c)(viii) or 8, or (C) the
              then-acting  trustee of the trust  described  in clause (b) of the
              first  sentence of Section 8 (but only if the  condition set forth
              in such clause (b) has been satisfied); and

                   (iii)   Performance   Units.   

                  (A)  By  reason  of  death  or  Disability,   any  unexercised
             Performance  Unit,  to  the  extent  exercisable  on  the  date  of
             termination  of  employment  on account of the  Grantee's  death or
             Disability,  may be  exercised  in whole  or in  part,  at any time
             within five months after  termination of employment by the Grantee,
             the  Grantee's  guardian,   legal  representative,   or  after  the
             Grantee's death, by (A) his/her personal representative,  executor,
             administrator,  or by the  person to whom the  Performance  Unit is
             transferred  by  will  or  the  applicable   laws  of  descent  and
             distribution,

                  (B) the Grantee's  beneficiary  designated in accordance  with
             Section 8, or (C) the  then-serving  trustee of the trust described
             in clause (b) of the first  sentence  of Section 8 (but only if the
             condition  set  forth  in  such  clause  (b) has  been  satisfied);
             provided that the benefit  payable with respect to any  Performance
             Unit with respect to which the Performance  Period has not ended as
             of the date of such termination of employment shall be equal to the
             product of the Unit Value  multiplied  successively  by each of the
             following:

                            (1) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number
                     of calendar months  (including as a whole month any partial
                     month)  that  have  elapsed  since  the  beginning  of such
                     Performance  Period until the date of such  termination  of
                     employment  and the  denominator  of which is the number of
                     months  (including  as a whole month any partial  month) in
                     the Performance Period (the "Time Proration Factor"); and

                            (2) a percentage  equal to the greater of the target
                     percentage,  if  any,  specified  in the  applicable  Award
                     Agreement or the maximum percentage,  if any, that would be
                     earned under the terms of the  applicable  Award  Agreement
                     assuming that the rate at which the performance  goals have
                     been  achieved  as of  the  date  of  such  termination  of
                     employment  would continue until the end of the Performance
                     Period (the "Performance Percentage Factor"); and

                      provided  further,  that  in the  case of  Disability  and
                     following  Disability,  such  Grantee does not engage in or
                     assist  in any  business  that  the  Company,  in its  sole
                     discretion,  determines  to  be  in  competition  with  the
                     business  engaged  in by it  during  the  remainder  of the
                     applicable Performance Period. A Grantee who does engage in
                     or  assist  any  business  that  the  Company,  in its sole
                     discretion,  determines  to  be  in  competition  with  the
                     business   engaged  in  by  it  shall  be  deemed  to  have
                     terminated employment.

               (c) On Account of Retirement.

               (i) If a Grantee has a  termination  of  employment on account of
              Retirement,  any unexercised  option or Stock  Appreciation  Right
              (other than a Stock  Appreciation Right identified with a share of
              Restricted Stock or a Performance Unit) which is then exercisable,
              may be exercised, in whole or in part, not later than the 30th day
              following  the  Grantee's  Retirement,   provided  that  following
              Retirement,  such  Grantee  does not  engage  in or  assist in any
              business that the Company,  in its sole discretion,  determines to
              be in competition  with the business  engaged in by it during such
              period; provided, however, that if such 30th day is not a business
              day, such option or Stock  Appreciation Right may be exercised not
              later than the first  business  day  following  such 30th day; and
              provided further,  that if the Grantee dies within such thirty-day
              period, then the exercisability of the Grantee's options and Stock
              Appreciation Rights shall be determined under Section 14(b).

               (ii) The  non-forfeitability  and exercisability of the Grantee's
              Restricted Stock and Performance Units (and any Stock Appreciation
              Rights  identified  therewith)  shall be determined  under Section
              14(d).

               (d)  Any  Other  Reason.  If  a  Grantee  has  a  termination  of
               employment  for a  reason  other  than  for  Cause,  death of the
               Grantee, the Grantee's  Disability,  and, with respect to options
               and Stock  Appreciation  Rights  (other  than Stock  Appreciation
               Rights   identified  with  a  share  of  Restricted  Stock  or  a
               Performance  Unit),  the termination of employment is for reasons
               other than the Grantee's Retirement,

                   (i)  Restricted  Stock.  The  Grantee's  shares of Restricted
              Stock (and any Stock Appreciation Rights identified therewith), to
              the extent forfeitable on the date of the Grantee's termination of
              employment, shall be forfeited on such date. If the termination of
              employment    occurs   after   the   Restricted    Stock   becomes
              nonforfeitable but prior to the end of a Restricted  Period,  such
              termination  shall not have any effect on any  Restricted  Period,
              unless  the  Committee,  in its sole  discretion,  finds  that the
              circumstances so warrant and determines that the Restricted Period
              shall end on an earlier date as determined by the  Committee,  and
              that  shares  held  by the  Company  shall  be  paid  as  soon  as
              practicable following such earlier date;

                   (ii) Options.  Any unexercised  option or Stock  Appreciation
              Right (other than a Stock  Appreciation  Right  identified  with a
              share of  Restricted  Stock  or  Performance  Unit) to the  extent
              exercisable   on  the  date  of  the  Grantee's   termination   of
              employment,  may be exercised in whole or in part,  not later than
              the 30th day following the Grantee's  termination  of  employment;
              provided,  however,  that if such 30th day is not a business  day,
              such option or Stock Appreciation Right may be exercised not later
              than the first  business day following such 30th day; and provided
              further,  that if the Grantee dies within such thirty-day  period,
              then  the  exercisability  of  the  Grantee's  options  and  Stock
              Appreciation Rights shall be determined under Section 14(b).

                   (iii) Performance Units. The Grantee's Performance Units (and
              any Stock  Appreciation  Rights  identified  therewith) may become
              non-forfeitable and may be exercised in whole or in part, but only
              if and to the  extent  determined  by the  Committee  in its  sole
              discretion.

               (e) Extension of Term. In the event of  termination of employment
               other  than for Cause,  the term of any Award  which by its terms
               would  otherwise  expire  after  the  Grantee's   termination  of
               employment  but  prior  to the end of the  period  following  the
               Grantee's  termination  of employment  described in Sections (b),
               (c), and (d) above for exercise of Awards shall be extended so as
               to permit any unexercised  portion thereof to be exercised at any
               time within such period to the extent  exercisable on the date of
               the Grantee's termination of employment;  provided, however, that
               in no event  may the term of any Award  expire or be  exercisable
               more than 15 years (ten years for Incentive  Stock Options) after
               the Grant Date of such Award.

                 15. CHANGE IN CONTROL.  Notwithstanding  any other provision of
the Plan to the  contrary,  if, while any Awards remain  outstanding  under this
Plan,  a "Change in  Control"  (as defined  below)  should  occur,  then (1) all
options  and SARs that are  outstanding  at the time of such  Change in  Control
shall become  immediately  vested and exercisable in full; (2) all  restrictions
with respect to shares of Restricted Stock shall lapse, and such shares shall be
fully vested and  nonforfeitable;  and (3) with respect to Awards of Performance
Units, all Performance Periods outstanding at the time of such Change in Control
shall be  deemed  to have  been  completed,  the  maximum  level of  performance
assigned to all Performance  Percentages  shall be deemed to have been attained,
all applicable  Restricted  Periods shall lapse and a pro rata portion (based on
the number of full and partial  months  which have  elapsed with respect to each
Performance   Period)  of  each  such  outstanding  Award  for  all  outstanding
Performance  Periods  shall  become  payable in cash to each  Grantee,  with the
remainder of each such outstanding  Award being cancelled for no value. A Change
in Control shall be deemed to have occurred if the  conditions  set forth in any
one of the following paragraphs shall have been satisfied:

          (i) any person (as defined in Section 3(a)(9) of the 1934 Act, as such
         term is modified in  Sections  13(d) and 14(d) of the 1934 Act),  other
         than (1) any employee plan  established by the Company,  any Affiliate,
         or any Subsidiary (2) the Company,  an Affiliate or Subsidiary,  (3) an
         underwriter  temporarily  holding securities pursuant to an offering of
         such securities, or (4) a corporation owned, directly or indirectly, by
         stockholders of the Company in  substantially  the same  proportions as
         their  ownership of the  Company,  is or becomes the  beneficial  owner
         (within  the  meaning  of Rule 13d-3  promulgated  under the 1934 Act),
         directly or indirectly,  of securities of the Company (not including in
         the  securities  beneficially  owned  by  such  person  any  securities
         acquired directly from the Company, its Subsidiaries or its Affiliates)
         representing 50% or more of either the then outstanding shares of Stock
         or the combined voting power of the Company's then  outstanding  voting
         securities;

          (ii) a change in the  composition  of the Board such that  individuals
         who,  as  of  September  30,  1995,  constitute  the  Board  (including
         individuals  deemed to be members of the Board as of September 30, 1995
         by virtue  of the  application  of this  paragraph,  although  actually
         elected at a later time) cease for any reason to  constitute at least a
         majority  thereof;  for  purposes  of this  paragraph,  any  person who
         becomes a member of the Board  subsequent  to  September  30,  1995 and
         whose nomination for election is approved by at least a majority of the
         members of the Board as of September  30, 1995 (other than a nomination
         of an individual  whose  initial  assumption of office is in connection
         with an actual or threatened  election contest relating to the election
         of the  members of the Board,  as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 of
         Regulation  14A  under  the 1934  Act)  shall be deemed a member of the
         Board as of September 30, 1995;

          (iii)  the   stockholders   of  the   Company   approve  a  merger  or
         consolidation of the Company with any other corporation, other than (1)
         a merger or consolidation  which would result in the voting  securities
         of the Company  outstanding  immediately  prior  thereto  continuing to
         represent  (either by remaining  outstanding or by being converted into
         voting  securities of the surviving entity or any parent  thereof),  in
         combination  with the  ownership  of any  trustee  or  other  fiduciary
         holding securities under an employee benefit plan of the Company or any
         Affiliate or Subsidiary,  at least 50% of the combined  voting power of
         the voting  securities of the Company or such  surviving  entity or any
         parent   thereof   outstanding   immediately   after  such   merger  or
         consolidation, or (2) a merger or consolidation effected to implement a
         recapitalization  of the Company (or similar  transaction)  in which no
         person  (determined  pursuant  to clause (i)  above) is or becomes  the
         beneficial owner, directly or indirectly,  of securities of the Company
         (not including in the securities  beneficially owned by such person any
         securities acquired directly from the Company,  its Subsidiaries or its
         Affiliates)  representing  50% or more of either  the then  outstanding
         shares of Stock or the  combined  voting  power of the  Company's  then
         outstanding voting securities; or

          (iv) the  stockholders of the Company approve a plan of liquidation of
         the Company or an agreement for the sale or  disposition by the Company
         of all or substantially all of the Company's assets,  other than a sale
         or  disposition  by the  Company  of all  or  substantially  all of the
         Company's  assets to an  entity,  at least 50% of the  combined  voting
         power of the  voting  securities  of which  are  owned  by  persons  in
         substantially  the same  proportions as their  ownership of the Company
         immediately prior to such sale.

          Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Change in Control shall be deemed to
         have  occurred if there is  consummated  any  transaction  or series of
         integrated transactions  immediately following which the record holders
         of  Stock   immediately   prior  to  such   transaction  or  series  of
         transactions  continue  to have  substantially  the same  proportionate
         ownership  in an entity which owns  substantially  all of the assets of
         the  Company  immediately  prior  to  such  transaction  or  series  of
         transactions.

                 16.  EQUITY  INCENTIVE  PLANS  OF  FOREIGN  SUBSIDIARIES.   The
Committee  may  authorize  any foreign  Subsidiary  to adopt a plan for granting
Awards ("Foreign Equity Incentive Plan").  All awards granted under such Foreign
Equity  Incentive  Plans shall be treated as grants under the Plan. Such Foreign
Equity  Incentive  Plans shall have such terms and  provisions  as the Committee
permits not  inconsistent  with the provisions of the Plan and which may be more
restrictive than those contained in the Plan.  Awards granted under such Foreign
Equity  Incentive Plans shall be governed by the terms of the Plan except to the
extent  that the  provisions  of the  Foreign  Equity  Incentive  Plans are more
restrictive  than the terms of the Plan, in which case such terms of the Foreign
Equity Incentive Plans shall control.

                 17.  SUBSTITUTED  AWARDS.  If the  Committee  cancels any Award
(granted  under this Plan or any plan of any entity  acquired  by the Company or
any of its  Subsidiaries),  and a new Award is  substituted  therefor,  then the
Committee may, in its discretion, determine the terms and conditions of such new
Award;  provided  that (a) the Option  Price of any new option shall not be less
than l00% of the Fair  Market  Value of a share of Stock on the date of grant of
the new Award; (b) no Award shall be cancelled without the consent of Grantee if
the terms and conditions of the new Award to be substituted  are not at least as
favorable  as the terms and  conditions  of the Award to be  cancelled  (and the
Grant  Date of the new  Award  shall  be the date on  which  such  new  Award is
granted);  and (c) no Section  16  Grantee  may  exercise  a  substituted  Stock
Appreciation  Right or a substituted  option (or substituted  Performance  Unit)
identified  with a Stock  Appreciation  Right  within six months after the Grant
Date  (calculated  without  reference  to this  Section 17) of such  substituted
option,  unless the  Company  shall have  received an opinion of counsel for the
Company or "no action" or  interpretive  letter from the staff of the SEC to the
effect that such  limitation is not necessary in order to avoid  liability under
Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act.

                 18. SECURITIES LAW MATTERS.

               (a)  If  the  Committee   deems  necessary  to  comply  with  the
               Securities  Act of 1933,  the  Committee  may  require  a written
               investment  intent  representation by the Grantee and may require
               that a restrictive  legend be affixed to certificates  for shares
               of Stock.

               (b) If,  based upon the opinion of counsel for the  Company,  the
               Committee determines that the exercise or non-forfeitability  of,
               or delivery of benefits  pursuant to, any Award would violate any
               applicable  provision of (i) federal or state  securities laws or
               (ii) the listing requirements of any national securities exchange
               on which are listed any of the Company's equity securities,  then
               the Committee may postpone any such exercise,  non-forfeitability
               or  delivery,  as the case may be, but the Company  shall use its
               best  efforts  to  cause  such  exercise,  non-forfeitability  or
               delivery  to  comply  with all such  provisions  at the  earliest
               practicable date.

               (c) With respect to Section 16 Grantees,  transactions under this
               Plan are  intended to comply with all  applicable  conditions  of
               Rule 16b-3 or its  successors  under the 1934 Act.  To the extent
               that any provision of the Plan or action by the  Committee  fails
               to so  comply,  it shall be deemed  null and void,  to the extent
               permitted by law and deemed advisable by the Committee.

                 19.  FUNDING.  Benefits  payable  under the Plan to any  person
shall be paid  directly by the  Company.  The  Company  shall not be required to
fund, or otherwise  segregate  assets to be used for payment of,  benefits under
the Plan.

                 20. NO  EMPLOYMENT  RIGHTS.  Neither the  establishment  of the
Plan,  nor the  granting of any Award shall be construed to (a) give any Grantee
the right to remain employed by the Company or any of its Subsidiaries or to any
benefits not  specifically  provided by the Plan or (b) in any manner modify the
right of the Company or any of its  Subsidiaries to modify,  amend, or terminate
any of its employee benefit plans. Further, the Company or Subsidiary may at any
time dismiss a Grantee from  employment,  free from any liability,  or any claim
under the plan, unless otherwise  expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award
Agreement.

                 21. RIGHTS AS A STOCKHOLDER.  A Grantee shall not, by reason of
any Award  (other  than Bonus  Stock or  Restricted  Stock)  have any right as a
stockholder  of the  Company  with  respect to the shares of Stock  which may be
deliverable  upon  exercise or payment of such Award until such shares have been
delivered to him. Shares of Restricted Stock held by a Grantee or held in escrow
by the  Secretary  of the  Company  shall  confer on the Grantee all rights of a
stockholder  of the  Company,  except as  otherwise  provided  in the Plan.  The
Committee,  in its  discretion,  at the time of grant of Restricted  Stock,  may
permit or require the payment of cash  dividends  thereon to be deferred and, if
the Committee so determines,  reinvested in additional  Restricted  Stock to the
extent  shares are  available  under  Section 3 or otherwise  reinvested.  Stock
dividends and deferred cash  dividends  issued with respect to Restricted  Stock
shall be treated as additional  shares of  Restricted  Stock that are subject to
the same  restrictions  and other terms as apply to the shares  with  respect to
which such dividends are issued.  The Committee may, in its discretion,  provide
for crediting to and payment of interest on deferred cash dividends.

                 22. NATURE OF PAYMENTS.  Any and all grants,  payments of cash,
or deliveries of shares of Stock hereunder shall  constitute  special  incentive
payments  to the Grantee and shall not be taken into  account in  computing  the
amount of salary or  compensation of the Grantee for the purposes of determining
any  pension,  retirement,  death  or  other  benefits  under  (a) any  pension,
retirement, profit-sharing, bonus, life insurance or other employee benefit plan
of the  company or any of its  Subsidiaries  or (b) any  agreement  between  the
Company or any Subsidiary,  on the one hand, and the Grantee, on the other hand,
except as such plan or agreement shall otherwise expressly provide.

                 23. NON-UNIFORM DETERMINATIONS. Neither the Committee's nor the
Board's  determinations  under the Plan need be  uniform  and may be made by the
Committee or the Board selectively among persons who receive, or are eligible to
receive,  Awards (whether or not such persons are similarly  situated).  Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the Committee shall be entitled, among
other things, to make non-uniform and selective determinations and to enter into
non-uniform  and  selective  Award  Agreements,  as to (a) the  identity  of the
Grantees,  (b) the terms and provisions of Awards, and (c) the treatment,  under
Section 14, of terminations of employment.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the
Committee's  interpretation  of Plan provisions shall be uniform as to similarly
situated Grantees.

                 24. ADJUSTMENTS FOR CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.

                 The  Committee  shall  make such  adjustment,  as it shall deem
equitable, to any or all of:

               (a)  the  aggregate  numbers  of  shares  of  Stock,   shares  of
               Restricted  Stock,  and bonus stock available under Sections 3(a)
               and 3(b);

               (b) the number of shares of Stock,  shares of  Restricted  Stock,
               Stock  Appreciation  Rights or  Performance  Units  covered by an
               Award;

               (c) the performance  objectives for  Performance  Periods not yet
               completed,  including  performance  levels and the  proportion of
               payments related thereto;

               (d) the Option Price;

               (e) the Fair Market  Value of Stock to be used to  determine  the
               amount  of  the   benefit   payable   under   exercise  of  Stock
               Appreciation Rights or Performance Units; and

               (f) any other terms or  provisions of any  outstanding  grants of
               stock  otions,  Restricted  Stock,  Performance  Units  or  Stock
               Appreciation Rights:

                       to reflect a stock dividend,  stock split,  reverse stock
                      split,   share  combination,   recapitalization,   merger,
                      consolidation,   acquisition   of   property   or  shares,
                      separation,   spin-off,   reorganization,   stock   rights
                      offering,  liquidation  or  similar  event,  of or by  the
                      Company, or, if deemed appropriate, the Committee may make
                      provisions  for  a  cash  payment  to  the  holder  of  an
                      outstanding Award;  provided,  however, in each case, that
                      with respect to Awards of Incentive  Stock Options no such
                      adjustment  shall be  authorized  to the  extent  that the
                      authority to make such adjustments would cause the Plan to
                      violate  Section  422(b)(1)  of  the  Code;  and  provided
                      further,  that the  number of shares  subject to any Award
                      denominated  in  shares of Stock  shall  always be a whole
                      number.  Notwithstanding  any part of the foregoing to the
                      contrary,  upon the  approval by the  stockholders  of the
                      Company  of a plan of  liquidation  for the  Company,  any
                      unexercised   options,   Stock  Appreciation  Rights,  and
                      Performance Units previously  granted become  exercisable,
                      and any  shares of  Restricted  Stock that have not become
                      nonforfeitable shall become nonforfeitable.

                 25.  AMENDMENT OF THE PLAN.  The Board may from time to time in
its discretion amend or modify the Plan without the approval of the stockholders
of the  Company,  except as such  stockholder  approval  may be required  (a) to
permit the grant of Awards under,  and  transactions  in Stock  pursuant to, the
Plan to be exempt from liability  under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, (b) under
the listing requirements of any national securities exchange on which are listed
any of the Company's equity securities,  or (c) to permit the continued grant of
options which qualify as Incentive Stock Options under the Plan.

                 26.  TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.  The Plan shall  terminate on the
tenth (10th)  anniversary  of the Effective  Date or at such earlier time as the
Board may determine.  Any  termination,  whether in whole or in part,  shall not
affect any Award then outstanding under the Plan.

                 27. OTHER  COMPENSATION  PLANS.  Nothing  contained in the Plan
shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect
other or additional  compensation  arrangements,  and such  arrangements  may be
either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.

                 28. NO ILLEGAL  TRANSACTIONS.  The Plan and all Awards  granted
pursuant  to it are  subject  to all laws and  regulations  of any  governmental
authority which may be applicable thereto;  and notwithstanding any provision of
the Plan or any Award,  Grantees  shall not be entitled  to  exercise  Awards or
receive the benefits  thereof and the Company  shall not be obligated to deliver
any Stock or pay any benefits to a Grantee if such exercise,  delivery,  receipt
or payment of  benefits  would  constitute  a  violation  by the  Grantee or the
Company of any provision of any such law or regulation.

                 29. NO TRUST OR FUND  CREATED.  Neither  the Plan nor any Award
shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a
fiduciary  relationship  between the Company or Subsidiary  and a Grantee or any
other person. To the extent that any person acquires a right to receive payments
from the  Company or  Subsidiary  pursuant  to an Award,  such right shall be no
greater  than the right of an  unsecured  general  creditor  of the  Company  or
Subsidiary.

                 30.  CONTROLLING LAW. The law of the State of Illinois,  except
its law with  respect  to choice of law and  except as to  matters  relating  to
corporate law (in which case the  corporate  law of the State of Delaware  shall
control), shall be controlling in all matters relating to the Plan.

                 31.  TAX  LITIGATION.  The  Company  shall  have  the  right to
contest, at its expense, any tax ruling or decision, administrative or judicial,
on any issue  that is related to the Plan and that the  Company  believes  to be
important to Grantees and to conduct any such contest or any litigation  arising
therefrom to a final decision.

                 32. SEVERABILITY. If all or any part of the Plan is declared by
any court or governmental authority to be unlawful or invalid, such unlawfulness
or invalidity shall not serve to invalidate any portion of the Plan not declared
to be unlawful  or  invalid.  Any Section or part of a Section so declared to be
unlawful or invalid shall,  if possible,  be construed in a manner in which will
give  effect to the terms of such  Section or part of a Section  to the  fullest
extent possible while remaining lawful and valid.

                 33.  INDEMNIFICATION.  Each person who is or at any time serves
as a member of the Board or the Committee shall be indemnified and held harmless
by the Company against and from: (i) any loss,  cost,  liability or expense that
may be imposed upon or reasonably  incurred by such person in connection with or
resulting from any claim,  action,  suit, or proceeding to which such person may
be a party or in which such  person may be  involved  by reason of any action or
failure to act under the Plan;  and (ii) any and all amounts paid by such person
in satisfaction of judgment in any such action,  suit or proceeding  relating to
the Plan. Each person covered by this indemnification  shall give the Company an
opportunity,  at its own  expense,  to handle and defend  the same  before  such
person  undertakes  to handle and defend it on such  person's  own  behalf.  The
foregoing right of indemnification shall not be exclusive of any other rights of
indemnification  to which such persons may be entitled  under the By-Laws of the
Company,  as a matter of law,  or  otherwise,  or any power that the Company may
have to indemnify such person or hold such person harmless.

                 34.  RELIANCE  ON  REPORTS.  Each  member  of the Board and the
Committee  shall be fully  justified in relying or acting in good faith upon any
report  made by the  independent  public  accountants  of, or counsel  for,  the
Company and upon any other information furnished in connection with the Plan. In
no event shall any person who is or shall have been a member of the Board or the
Committee  be liable for any  determination  made or other  action  taken or any
omission  to act in  reliance  upon any such  report or  information  or for any
action taken, including the furnishing of information,  or failure to act, if in
good faith.

                 35.   EXPENSES.   The  Company   shall  bear  all  expenses  of
administering the Plan.

                 36.  TITLES  AND  HEADINGS.  The  titles  and  headings  of the
sections in the Plan are for  convenience of reference only, and in the event of
any conflict,  the text of the Plan, rather than such titles or headings,  shall
control.


<PAGE>


                  AMENDMENT NO. 1 DATED AS OF JANUARY 23, 1996
                                     TO THE
         COMDISCO, INC. 1995 LONG - TERM STOCK OWNERSHIP INCENTIVE PLAN

The Board of  Directors  of  Comdisco,  Inc.  hereby  amends  and  modifies  the
Comdisco,  Inc. 1995 Long - Term Stock Ownership Incentive Plan (hereinafter the
"Plan") in accordance  with the authority  granted under Section 25 of the Plan.
The Effective date of this Amendment shall be as of January 23, 1996.

1.       Section 4(c)(iii) shall be revised as follows:

         "to  cancel,  with the consent of  Grantee,  outstanding  Awards and to
         grant new Awards in substitution therefor, subject to certain aggregate
         limitations set forth in Section 17;"

2.       Section  6(d)(vi)  shall be amended by inserting  the  following as the
         second sentence:

         "The Restricted  Period will be at least three years,  unless the Award
         is subject to the achievement of specified performance  objectives,  in
         which event the Restricted Period will be at least one year."

3.       Section 6(g) shall be revised by modifying the last sentence to read as
         follows:

         "Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable  Award  Agreement,
         the committee  shall  determine the terms and conditions of such Awards
         and shall identify if the Award is being made in lieu of salary or cash
         incentive payments for any Officer or Director of the Company."

4.       Section 17 shall be amended by adding the following sentence:

         "The  Committee's  authority  under  this  Section  shall be limited to
         effect no more that 5% of the shares  authorized under Section 3(a) (as
         may be adjusted under Section 24)."

5.       Section 25 shall be revised to read as follows:

         "The  Board  may from  time to time in its  discretion  amend or modify
         non-material  provisions  of  the  Plan  without  the  approval  of the
         stockholders of the Company.  Stockholder  approval may be required (a)
         to permit the grant of Awards under  Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act, (b)
         under listing requirements of any national securities exchange on which
         are listed any of the Company's equity securities, or (c) to permit the
         continued  grant of options  which  qualify as Incentive  Stock Options
         under the Plan."


                                             COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS

Executive Officer Compensation
Summary Compensation Table

     The  following  table  sets  forth  certain  information  with  respect  to
compensation   for  services  in  all  capacities   paid  by  Comdisco  and  its
subsidiaries  for the past  three  years,  to or on behalf  of (i) Jack  Slevin,
President and Chief Executive  Officer,  (ii) each of the four other most highly
compensated  Executive  Officers of Comdisco  serving on September 30, 1996, and
(iii) Robert  Bardagy,  who was not serving as an Executive  Officer on the last
day of the fiscal year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                        Long-Term Compensation
                                                                            ------------------------------------
                                          Annual Compensation                       Awards               Payouts
                                 ---------------------------------------    ------------------------    --------

                                                                                          Securities
                                                                            Restricted    Underlying   Long-Term      All Other
Name and Principal                                          Other Annual         Stock       Options   Incentive   Compensation
  Positions                      Year    Salary     Bonus   Compensation<F1>    Awards       (Shares)   Payouts      <F1><F2>
- ------------------------------   ----    ------     -----   --------------   ---------    ----------   ---------   ------------
<S>                              <C>     <C>        <C>        <C>              <C>          <C>       <C>           <C>         


Jack Slevin...................   1996    $500,000   $580,000   $-0-            $-0-          $327,169  $ 420,000     $9,425
Chairman, President...........   1995     400,000    401,000    -0-             -0-           132,980                 6,074
and CEO.......................   1994     350,000    450,000    -0-             -0-           187,500                 5,643

Alan J. Andreini .............   1996     200,000    200,000    -0-             -0-            43,245    225,000      9,425
Executive Vice President .....   1995     200,000    200,000    -0-             -0-           211,906                43,392<F2>
                                 1994     225,000    275,800    -0-             -0-                -0-                5,643

Nicholas K. Pontikes .........   1996     230,000    230,000    -0-             -0-            24,534    201,000      9,425
Executive Vice President .....   1995     230,000    230,000    -0-             -0-            68,308                 6,074
                                 1994     200,000    385,000    -0-             -0-            37,500                 5,643

William N. Pontikes  .........   1996     220,000    220,000    -0-             -0-            30,771    300,000      9,425
Executive Vice President .....   1995     225,000    230,000    -0-             -0-            87,864                 6,074
                                 1994     250,000    251,000    -0-             -0-                -0-                5,643

John J. Vosicky...............   1996     240,000    200,000    -0-             -0-            18,297    225,000      9,425
Executive Vice President .....   1995     235,000    235,000    -0-             -0-            53,365                 6,074
& Chief Financial Officer  ...   1994     225,000    276,000    -0-             -0-                -0-                5,643

Robert A. Bardagy ............   1996     533,128    218,750    -0-             -0-            18,090    420,000      9,425
Executive Vice President .....   1995     365,000    365,000    -0-             -0-            52,747                 6,074
through 4/30/96 ..............   1994     350,000    509,000    -0-             -0-                -0-                5,643

<FN>

<F1> Amounts of All Other Compensation are amounts contributed by Comdisco under
     Comdisco's  Profit  Sharing  and  Employee  Stock  Ownership  Plans for the
     persons named above
<F2> Includes $6,074 in Comdisco  contributions  to retirement plans as outlined
     in  footnote  (1)  above  and  $37,318  paid  pursuant  to the terms of the
     Comdisco  Financial  Services,  Inc. Residual  Incentive  Compensation Plan
</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>




Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

     The following  table sets forth certain  information  with respect to stock
option  grants  made to named  executive  officers  during the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                            Potential Realizable Value
                                                                                               at Assumed Annual Rates
                                                                                            of Stock Price Appreciation
                                        Individual Grants                                      for Option Term
                    ---------------------------------------------------------------     ---------------------------------  
                                                        
                      Number of     % of Total
                     Securities   Options/SARs    Exercise     Grant
                     Underlying     Granted to     or Base      Date
                   Options/SARs   Employees in       Price    Market    Expiration
Name                Granted (#)    Fiscal Year       ($/Sh)    Price          Date          0%           5%           10%
- ----               ------------   ------------    --------    ------    ----------        ---   ----------  ------------ 
<S>                <C>            <C>             <C>         <C>       <C>                <C>          <C>          <C>
Jack Slevin            275,000             9.7      $24.000  $24.000      07/22/06        $ 0   $4,149,268  $ 10,514,231
                        20,984             0.7       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      380,924       965,259  
                        31,185             1.0       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      566,103     1,434,503

Alan J. Andreini        12,060             0.4       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      218,926       554,757
                        31,185             1.0       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      566,103     1,434,503

Nicholas K. Pontikes    12,060             0.4       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      218,926       554,757
                        12,474             0.4       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      226,441       573,801

William N. Pontikes     12,060             0.4       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      218,926       554,757
                        18,711             0.7       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      339,662       860,702

John J. Vosicky         12,060             0.4       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      218,926       554,757
                         6,237             0.2       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      113,221       286,901

Robert A. Bardagy       18,090             0.6       28.875   28.875      09/29/06        $ 0      328,389       832,136

</TABLE>


     The amounts  under the columns  labeled  "5%" and "10%" are included by the
Company pursuant to certain rules promulgated by the SEC and are not intended to
forecast  future  appreciation,  if any, in the price of the Common Stock.  Such
amounts  are based on the  assumption  that the named  persons  hold the options
granted  for their  full  term.  The actual  value of the  options  will vary in
accordance with the market price of the Common Stock.  The column headed "0%" is
included to  demonstrate  that the options were granted at fair market value and
optionees  will not  recognize  any gain without an increase in the stock price,
which increase benefits all stockholders commensurately.

     Based upon the price of the Common Stock and the total  shares  outstanding
as of the date of grant, if the price of the Common Stock increased at the 5% or
10% rates  shown in the  table  above,  stockholders  as a group  would  realize
aggregate  gains  (excluding  dividends)  in the amounts  shown above during the
period from grant date to the option expiration date.


Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year End Value

     The  following  table  sets  forth  information  with  respect to the named
executive officers in the Summary  Compensation Table concerning the exercise of
options during the last fiscal year and  unexercised  options held as of the end
of the last fiscal year.
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                          Total Number of                 Total Value of
                                                         Shares Underlying                  Unexercised,
                                                        Unexercised Options             in-the-Money Options
                                                    Held at September 30, 1996     Held at September 30, 1996 <F1>
                                                    --------------------------     -------------------------------
                         Number of
                            Shares
                          Acquired       Value
Name                   on Exercise    Realized       Exercisable   Unexercisable    Exercisable       Unexercisable
- ----                   -----------    --------       -----------   -------------    -----------       -------------
<S>                    <C>            <C>             <C>          <C>              <C>               <C>

Jack Slevin                      0    $      0           132,732         568,995     $2,005,689          $5,033,063
Alan J. Andreini                 0           0           107,464         233,620      1,544,450           2,824,066
Nicholas K. Pontikes             0           0            22,095         108,247        284,920           1,273,237
William N. Pontikes              0           0            27,854          90,781        362,223             719,494
John J. Vosicky             59,063     555,488            65,126          91,288        940,479           1,188,052
Robert A. Bardagy                0           0            65,651          89,937        942,547           1,181,133

<FN>

<F1> Based on the closing price of the Common Stock, $28.875, on September 30, 
     1996
</FN>
</TABLE>


Long Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") Awards

     The following  table sets forth  information  with respect to the grants of
Performance Unit Awards under the Comdisco,  Inc. 1992 Long-Term Stock Ownership
Incentive  Plan to the named  executive  officers  during the fiscal  year ended
September 30, 1996. The target  performance  objective is that Comdisco's  Total
Shareholder  Return,  the sum of the stock  price  appreciation  plus  dividends
(reinvested),  be  ranked  at or above  the  sixtieth  percentile  of the  Total
Shareholder  Return of all companies in the S&P 500 for the period  running from
October 2, 1995, through September 30, 1998. The minimum  performance  objective
is a  fiftieth  percentile  ranking.  If the  actual  ranking  is less  than the
fiftieth percentile, no compensation will be paid under these awards.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                    Estimated Future Payouts under
                                                                      Non-Stock Price-Based Plans
                                                                  ----------------------------------

          (a)               (b)               (c)                   (d)          (e)          (f)
- ------------------------  --------   ------------------------    ----------   ---------   ----------
                                     Performance or Other
                            Number   Period Until Maturation
Name                      of Units   or Payment                  Threshold       Target      Maximum
- ----                      --------   -----------------------     ---------   ----------   ----------   
<S>                            <C>        <C>                   <C>          <C>          <C>
Jack Slevin                    366        September 30, 1998    $  183,000   $  366,000   $1,098,000
Alan J. Andreini               166        September 30, 1998        83,000      166,000      498,000
Robert A. Bardagy              250        September 30, 1998       125,000      250,000      750,000
Nicholas K. Pontikes           166        September 30, 1998        83,000      166,000      498,000
William N. Pontikes            166        September 30, 1998        83,000      166,000      498,000
John J. Vosicky                166        September 30, 1998        83,000      166,000      498,000
</TABLE>



                                           COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

Role of the Committee

     In 1993,  the Board of Directors  defined the scope of authority that would
be  delegated  to  the  non-employee  Directors  who  serve  as  members  of the
Compensation Committee.  Overall direction was given to this Committee to review
and approve  the  Company's  compensation  policies,  to ensure  that  Executive
Officers are rewarded appropriately for their contributions to Comdisco's growth
and profitability and to ensure that  compensation  policies support  Comdisco's
business objectives,  organization structure, culture and stockholder interests.
Specific  direction  was  given  to  determine  the  compensation  of the  Chief
Executive  Officer and to review and approve the  compensation  of the Executive
Officers of the Company.


Continuing Compensation Strategy

     During  fiscal year 1996,  the  Compensation  Committee  has  continued  to
evaluate  Comdisco's  compensation  plans in  accordance  with  the  Committee's
objectives of linking compensation to profit measures and increasing stockholder
value.  The senior  management team continues to be compensated in the following
manner, as originally suggested by outside compensation consultants in 1994. The
total  compensation  for the  Chief  Executive  Officer  and  certain  Executive
Officers is comprised of the following components:  (i) base salary, (ii) annual
incentive (cash and stock options) based on Company pre-tax earnings  objectives
and  (iii)  long  term  performance  units  based  on Total  Shareholder  Return
objectives. Each of the foregoing components constituted approximately one-third
of the executive's total  compensation.  Thus,  approximately  two-thirds of the
executive's  compensation is subject to both Company performance and stockholder
returns.

     During 1996, the Compensation  Committee hired an independent  compensation
consulting  firm to analyze and report to the  Committee on possible  strategies
for Chief Executive  Officer  compensation.  This evaluation  confirmed that the
existing strategy of placing a majority of the executive's  compensation at risk
subject  to the  attainment  of  company  and  shareholder  returns  was a sound
practice.


Chief Executive Officer Compensation

     1996  Fiscal  Year.  Jack  Slevin's  compensation  package  for fiscal 1996
reflects the Committee's  strategy of placing a majority of the  compensation at
risk subject to the attainment of pre-tax  earnings goals and longer-term  Total
Shareholder  Return  goals.  The Company had an  employment  agreement  with Mr.
Slevin which provided for a base salary of $550,000 for fiscal 1996. Annual cash
incentive  compensation for Mr. Slevin was equal to 1% of Comdisco's 1996 fiscal
year  pre-tax  earnings  between $130 million and $175 million and 2% of pre-tax
earnings in excess of $175 million. The amount of annual cash incentive payments
can be found in the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. Slevin also earned an annual
stock  option  award  which was based upon the  attainment  of pre-tax  earnings
objectives for fiscal 1996.  Pursuant to this award,  Mr. Slevin received 20,984
option  shares at $28.875  (the  closing  price of  Comdisco's  Common  Stock on
September 30, 1996). For the long term  perspective,  Mr. Slevin was granted 366
Performance  Units under the  Comdisco,  Inc.  1992  Long-Term  Stock  Ownership
Incentive Plan. The performance period and performance  objectives are set forth
in the Long-Term  Incentive Plan ("LTIP") Awards section above. To further align
Mr. Slevin's interests with those of the Company's  stockholders,  the Committee
offered Mr. Slevin the right to forego cash  compensation  in exchange for stock
options.  Under this  "Cash-to-Option  Alternative" Mr. Slevin elected to forego
$150,000 in cash compensation.  In return, Mr. Slevin received a stock option to
acquire  45,363 shares at the closing  price of  Comdisco's  Common Stock on the
date such election was made ($19.83).

     1997 Fiscal  Year.  As noted  above,  the  Compensation  Committee  hired a
compensation  consulting firm to review the current  compensation package of Mr.
Slevin and to  recommend  any  possible  new  strategies.  The  consulting  firm
utilized three sets of competitive data using 1995 proxy statements to determine
the  compensation  practices of selected  companies based on their similarity to
Comdisco relative to revenues,  net income and market  capitalization.  Based on
this  engagement,  the  Compensation  Committee  approved  an  amendment  to Mr.
Slevin's  employment  agreement  that would bring him in line with the median of
these  three  comparison  groups.  Mr.  Slevin's  base salary was  increased  to
$600,000 for fiscal 1997. The Committee  increased the pre-tax  earnings targets
for 1997 such that Mr. Slevin's annual cash incentive compensation will be equal
to 1% of Comdisco's 1997 fiscal year pre-tax  earnings  between $150 million and
$200 million and 2% of pre-tax  earnings in excess of $200 million.  On July 23,
1996, the Stock Option Committee granted Mr. Slevin an option to acquire 275,000
shares of Comdisco  Stock at $24.00,  which was the closing  price on that date.
Mr. Slevin also  received a restricted  stock award of 60,000 shares of Comdisco
stock which will vest upon the earlier of five years or Mr. Slevin's  retirement
from full-time  employment  with  Comdisco.  Mr. Slevin will also earn an annual
stock  option award of 19,616  options if the Company  attains  certain  pre-tax
earnings  objectives for fiscal 1997.  The exercise  price of these options,  if
earned,  will be at the closing price of Comdisco's stock on September 30, 1997.
For the long term  perspective,  Mr.  Slevin was granted 366  Performance  Units
under the Comdisco,  Inc. 1992 Long-Term  Stock  Ownership  Incentive  Plan. The
performance  period and  performance  objectives  are set forth in the Long-Term
Incentive Plan ("LTIP")  Awards section above.  The Committee  again offered Mr.
Slevin the right to forego  cash  compensation  to be earned in 1997 in exchange
for stock options. Under this "Cash-to-Option  Alternative",  Mr. Slevin elected
to forego $150,000 in cash compensation.  In return, Mr. Slevin received a stock
option to acquire 31,185 shares at the closing price of Comdisco's  Common Stock
on the date such election was made ($28.875).


1996 Executive Officer Compensation

     During fiscal year 1996, the Company  entered into  incentive  compensation
agreements with certain of its Executive  Officers.  The agreements included the
following  elements which are similar to the components  discussed above for Mr.
Slevin: (i) base salary, (ii) annual incentive (cash and stock options) based on
Company pre-tax earnings  objectives and (iii) long term performance units based
on Total Shareholder Return objectives. The Executive Officers also participated
in the  "Cash-to-Option  Alternative"  under  which they had the right to forego
cash compensation in exchange for stock options.


Tax Considerations

     The  Compensation  Committee has continued to consider tax legislation that
precludes a publicly held  corporation  from taking a deduction for compensation
in excess of $1 million paid to its chief  executive  officer and its four other
highest  paid  executive   officers.   Certain   qualified   performance   based
compensation  is exempt from this deduction  limit.  In order to attempt to meet
the deductibility requirements, the Company received stockholder approval of the
1995  Long-Term  Stock   Ownership   Incentive  Plan  and  approval  of  certain
performance  goals  to  be  established  for  the  award  of  Performance  Units
thereunder.  It is  expected  that most,  if not all,  compensation  paid to the
Executive Officers will qualify as a tax deductible expense.

     Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Compensation  Committee  believes that
these tax law  requirements  may not always be consistent  with sound  executive
compensation  principles.  To  achieve  full  tax  deductibility,  the  tax  law
requirements  do not allow the  flexibility or discretion to respond to changing
market  conditions,  to  utilize  subjective  performance  factors  or to reward
extraordinary  performance of an unforseen  type.  Therefore,  the  Compensation
Committee  reserves the right to approve  nondeductible  compensation based upon
the circumstances at the time.

     This report has been provided by C. Keith  Hartley and Rick Kash, the
members of the Compensation Committee.




Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries                                   Exhibit 11.00


COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER SHARE
(in millions except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


Average shares used in computing earnings per common and common equivalent share
were as follows:


                                                                                    1996     1995     1994     1993     1992
                                                                                   -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
<S>                                                                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>

Average shares outstanding .....................................................      72       71       71       71       71
Effect of dilutive options .....................................................       3        2        1        -        -
Treasury stock .................................................................     (22)     (18)     (14)     (11)      (9)
                                                                                   -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
  Total ........................................................................      53       55       58       60       62
                                                                                   =====    =====    =====    =====    =====
Earnings from continuing
  operations before extraordinary items
   and cumulative effect of change in
   accounting principle, net of
   preferred dividends .........................................................   $ 106    $  96    $  44    $  80    $  20
Loss from
  discontinued operations
  (net of income taxes) ........................................................       -        -        -      (20)       -
Extraordinary items
  (net of income taxes) ........................................................       -        -        -        -      (29)
Cumulative effect of change in
   accounting principle ........................................................       -        -        -       20        - 
                                                                                   -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
Net earnings (loss)
  to common stockholders .......................................................   $ 106    $  96    $  44    $  80    $  (9)
                                                                                   =====    =====    =====    =====    =====

Net earnings (loss) per
  common and common
  equivalent share:
  Earnings from continuing
    operations .................................................................   $2.00    $1.73    $ .77    $1.31    $ .33
  Loss from
    discontinued operations ....................................................       -        -        -     (.33)       -
  Extraordinary items ..........................................................       -        -        -        -     (.47)
  Cumulative effect of change in
     accounting principle ......................................................       -        -        -      .33        -
                                                                                   -----    -----    -----    -----    -----
     Net earnings (loss) to common
        stockholders ...........................................................   $2.00    $1.73    $ .77    $1.31    $(.14)
                                                                                   =====    =====    =====    =====    =====
</TABLE>




On November 7, 1995, the Board of Directors  authorized a three-for-two split of
the Company's  common stock to be distributed on December 8, 1995, to holders of
record on November 17, 1995.  On March 30, 1992, a 5% common stock  dividend was
distributed to common stockholders of record as of March 12, 1992. All data with
respect to earnings per common share,  dividends per common share,  and weighted
average number of common shares outstanding has been  retroactively  adjusted to
reflect the three-for-two split and the common stock dividend.


Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries                                   Exhibit 12.00



COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(dollars in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                         For the years ended September 30,
                                                                                         ---------------------------------
                                                                                         1996   1995   1994   1993   1992
                                                                                         ----   ----   ----   ----   ----
<S>                                                                                       <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>

Fixed charges
  Interest expense<F1> ..............................................................    $267   $278   $266   $295   $355

  Approximate portion of
    rental expense representative
    of an interest factor ...........................................................       7     11     13     22     29
                                                                                         ----   ----   ----   ----   ----

  Fixed charges .....................................................................     274    289    279    317    384

Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary items and
  cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of preferred
  stock dividends ...................................................................     176    160     80    137     34
                                                                                         ----   ----   ----   ----   ----
Earnings from continuing operations
  before income taxes, extraordinary
  items, cumulative effect of change in
  accounting principle and fixed charges ............................................    $450   $449   $359   $454   $418
                                                                                         ====   ====   ====   ====   ====

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ..................................................    1.64   1.55   1.29   1.43   1.09
                                                                                         ====   ====   ====   ====   ====

Rental expense:
  Equipment subleases ................................................................   $ 14   $ 22   $ 30   $ 57   $ 77
  Office space, furniture, etc .......................................................      8     10      8      8     10
                                                                                         ----   ----   ----   ----   ----

    Total ............................................................................   $ 22   $ 32   $ 38   $ 65   $ 87
                                                                                         ====   ====   ====   ====   ====

    1/3 of rental expense ............................................................   $  7   $ 11   $ 13   $ 22   $ 29
                                                                                         ====   ====   ====   ====   ====

<FN>

<F1>  Includes  interest  expense  incurred by business  continuity  and network
services and included in business continuity and network services expense on the
consolidated statements of earnings
</FN>
</TABLE>



Six-Year Summary 
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(in millions except per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    1996    1995    1994     1993    1992     1991
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------ 
<S>                                                                               <C>     <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>  

CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY OF EARNINGS
 Revenue
    Leasing                                                                       $1,797  $1,573  $1,538   $1,583  $1,662   $1,633
    Sales                                                                            262     358     271      313     311      360
    Business continuity and network services                                         318     267     242      216     193      150
    Other                                                                             54      42      47       41      39       31
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------
     Total revenue                                                                 2,431   2,240   2,098    2,153   2,205    2,174
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------
  Costs and expenses
    Leasing                                                                        1,246   1,023   1,004    1,040   1,094    1,026
    Sales                                                                            218     304     225      275     274      313
    Business continuity and network services                                         277     238     224      206     175      132
    Selling, general and administrative                                              244     233     213      197     198      201
    IBM litigation settlement                                                         --       -      70        -       -        -
    Litigation and receivables charge                                                 --       -      10        -      45        -
    Restructuring charge                                                              --       -       -        -      35        -
    Interest                                                                         262     274     263      291     350      366
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------ 
     Total costs and expenses                                                      2,247   2,072   2,009    2,009   2,171    2,038
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------
                                                                                       
  Earnings from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary loss 
    and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                          184     168      89      144      34      136
  Income taxes                                                                        70      64      36       57      14       53
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------
  Earnings from continuing operations before extraordinary loss and cumulative
    effect of change in accounting principle                                         114     104      53       87      20       83
  Loss from discontinued operations (net of income taxes)                              -       -       -      (20)      -      (14)
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------
  Earnings before extraordinary loss and cumulative effect of change in 
    accounting principle                                                             114     104      53       67      20       69
  Extraordinary loss (net of income taxes)                                             -       -       -        -     (29)       -
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------
  Earnings (loss) before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle         114     104      53       67      (9)      69
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                                  -       -       -       20       -        -
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------
  Net earnings (loss) before preferred dividends                                     114     104      53       87      (9)      69
 
  Preferred dividends                                                                 (8)     (8)     (9)      (7)      -        -
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------
  Net earnings (loss) to common stockholders                                      $  106  $   96 $    44  $    80  $   (9)  $   69
                                                                                  ======  ======  ======   ======   =====   ======
  COMMON AND COMMON EQUIVALENT SHARE DATA
  Earnings from continuing operations                                             $ 2.00  $ 1.73 $   .77  $  1.31  $  .33   $ 1.35
  Loss from discontinued operations                                                    -       -       -     (.33)      -     (.23)
  Extraordinary loss                                                                   -       -       -        -    (.47)       -
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle                                  -       -       -      .33       -        -
                                                                                  ------  ------  ------   ------   -----   ------
  Net earnings (loss) to common stockholders                                      $ 2.00  $ 1.73 $   .77  $  1.31 $  (.14)  $ 1.12
                                                                                  ======  ======  ======   ======   =====   ======
  Common stockholders' equity (per common share outstanding)                      $14.31  $13.10 $ 11.65  $ 11.03 $ 10.25   $10.42
  Cash dividends paid on common stock                                                .28     .24     .23      .19     .19      .18
  Average common and common equivalent shares (in thousands)                      53,228  55,167  57,758   60,312  61,286   61,373
 
  FINANCIAL POSITION
  Total assets                                                                    $5,591  $5,039 $ 4,807  $ 4,960 $ 5,236   $5,006
  Notes payable                                                                    1,127     661     593      655     766      353
  Total long-term debt                                                             2,145   1,796   1,364    1,325   1,314    1,502
  Discounted lease rentals                                                           781   1,124   1,548    1,670   1,823    1,900
  Stockholders' equity                                                               799     776     741      739     699      634

  LEASING DATA
  Total noncancelable rents of new leases                                         $2,800  $2,300 $ 1,800  $ 1,900 $ 2,400   $2,400
  Future noncancelable lease rentals and business continuity subscription fees     4,903   4,380   4,185    4,265   4,601    4,363
</TABLE>
                                     24-25
<PAGE>
Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations

SUMMARY
Net  Earnings:  Fiscal  1996 net  earnings to common  stockholders  (hereinafter
referred to as "net  earnings")  were $106  million,  or $2.00 per common share,
compared to $96 million,  or $1.73 per common share,  and $44 million,  or $ .77
per common  share,  in fiscal 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  The increase in net
earnings in fiscal 1996 compared to the prior year is due to increased  earnings
contributions from operating leases and business continuity  activities,  offset
by  decreases  in  earnings  contributions  from  direct  financing  leases  and
remarketing activities.  The increase in net earnings in fiscal 1995 compared to
the prior  period is due to fiscal  1994  charges of $70  million  ($42  million
after-tax,  or $.73 per common share) for the  settlement  and resolution of the
IBM litigation,  and charges of $10 million ($6 million  after-tax,  or $.11 per
common share)  (collectively,  the  "Charges")  for increases to the  litigation
reserve to cover IBM litigation costs. The IBM litigation is discussed in Note 8
of Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements.  In fiscal 1995,  increases in
earnings   contributions   from   operating   leases   were  offset  by  reduced
contributions  from sales-type and direct  financing  leases and higher selling,
general and  administrative  expenses.  Earnings per common share in fiscal 1996
and 1995  benefited  from the  company's  stock  repurchase  program,  which has
reduced the average common equivalent shares  outstanding.  Fiscal  year-to-year
net earnings  comparisons are also affected by the following  fiscal 1994 items:
receipt of key-man life  insurance  proceeds of $20 million,  or $.35 per common
share  (the  "Insurance  Proceeds"),  as a result of the death of the  company's
Founder,  Chairman of the Board and President, Mr. Kenneth N. Pontikes, in June,
1994.   During  the  quarter  ended  June  30,  1994,  the  company  recorded  a
contribution  charge of $10 million ($6  million  after-tax,  or $.11 per common
share) to establish and fund the Comdisco Foundation (the  "Contribution")  (see
"Costs and Expenses" for a discussion  of the  Contribution).  A decrease in the
effective tax rate from 40% in fiscal 1994 to 38% for fiscal 1995 and 1996.

Business:  There  have been a number of changes  in the  information  technology
industry  in the last five  years,  including  the  emergence  of  technological
alternatives to traditional  mainframe processing and applications.  While there
are few clear trends, it appears that traditional  mainframes remain the primary
platform  for   enterprisewide   computing   and,   for  highly   data-intensive
applications, mainframe applications are still the most cost effective. However,
the new  reality of the  information  technology  industry  is that the power of
computing is moving from a centralized  platform onto the desktop.  The disaster
recovery business has expanded  significantly since its infancy in the 1980s and
now encom- passes far more than the raised floor mainframe environment that gave
rise  to the  industry.  The  development  of wide  area  networks,  local  area
networks,   client/server   technologies,    workflow   automation   and   other
technologies,    coupled   with   the    importance    of    workstations    and
telecommunications,  has changed  the  industry.  Reflecting  this  change,  the
company refers to this business segment as business continuity services.
   The company  believes that customers will choose business  partners that know
the  technology,  understand  the product trends and offer  financial  solutions
tailored  to their  business  and  technology  plans.  Accordingly,  just as the
company's  industry and customers  have changed,  so has the company,  which has
restructured,  refocused and  realigned its  businesses to meet the needs of its
customers and to compete in today's environment.  Additionally,  the company has
diversified  into  specific  niche   industries,   such  as  the   semiconductor
manufacturing  industry, to expand its customer and earnings base. The company's
realigned businesses are designed to bring solutions to the customer, redefining
the  company  as a  "technology  services  company."  These  businesses  are  1)
information  technology  services,  which  includes  distributed  systems  (PCs,
servers, networks and asset management services),  large systems (mainframes and
related equipment) and technology  integration  services; 2) business continuity
services,  which  includes  workarea  recovery,  large and  distributed  systems
recovery and network and data protection; and 3) diversified technology services
provided in such industries as healthcare, semiconductor manufacturing (referred
to as  the  company's  "electronics  group")  and  early-stage  high  technology
companies.
   The company has always  operated in a  constantly  changing  and  competitive
marketplace.    The   company    believes    that    having    interdisciplinary
skills--traditional legacy systems, business continuity, distributed processing,
asset management tools, network  technology--is the key to successful technology
integration  and that such skills are an important  component  of the  company's
long-term growth strategy.

FINANCIAL CONDITION
The company's  operating  activities  during the year ended  September 30, 1996,
including capital expenditures for equipment, were funded primarily by cash flow
from  operations  (primarily  lease  receipts),  including  the  realization  of
residual values through remarketing activities, and external financing. See Note
6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for information on the company's
interest-bearing  liabilities,  including  average daily  borrowings,  effective
interest rates and maturities.
     During the last five years,  equipment  purchased for leasing  totaled $9.2
billion.  Expenditures for equipment in fiscal 1996 totaled  approximately  $2.5
billion,  the highest annual total in the company's history,  and an increase of
33% compared to the prior year. Expenditures
                                       26
<PAGE>
for equipment are currently  estimated at approximately  $2.8 billion for fiscal
1997.
   During  fiscal  1996,  the  company  purchased  3.7  million  shares  of  its
outstanding  common stock at an aggregate cost of $80 million.  These purchases,
when added to the shares  purchased  in prior  years,  bring the total number of
common shares purchased to 27.8 million (.5 million shares were issued in fiscal
1996 in connection with the company's  acquisition of  NetforceMTI,  1.5 million
shares were issued upon conversion of a 6% convertible  subordinated  promissory
note in fiscal 1995 and an additional 2.9 million  shares were  distributed as a
common stock dividend on March 30, 1992),  at an aggregate cost of $363 million.
An  additional  1.1  million  shares  of common  stock  were  purchased  between
September 30, 1996 and November 5, 1996 at a cost of $25 million.
   The company believes that its estimated cash flow from operations and current
financial  resources  will be sufficient to fund  anticipated  future growth and
operating requirements.  In addition, the company expects to continue to utilize
a variety of financial instruments to fund its short- and long-term needs.

Cash Flows:  Net cash provided by operating  activities  was $2.2 billion,  $2.0
billion and $1.7 billion in fiscal 1996, 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  Net cash
provided by operating  activities has been used to finance  equipment  purchases
and,  accordingly,  has had a positive impact on the level of borrowing required
to  support  the  company's  investment  in its  lease  portfolio.  The  company
estimates that existing lease and business continuity contracts at September 30,
1996 may  generate  gross cash  receipts of  approximately  $4.9  billion in the
future,  including  $2.3  billion in fiscal  1997.  The  company's  liquidity is
augmented  by the  realization  of cash from the  future  remarketing  of leased
equipment.   Utilizing  independent  forecasts  of  equipment  values  at  lease
termination  or management  estimates,  the estimated  gross cash receipts to be
provided from remarketing in future years totals $1.4 billion.

Credit Lines:  At September 30, 1996,  the company had $1.3 billion of available
domestic and international borrowing capacity under various lines of credit from
commercial banks and commercial paper facilities,  of which  approximately  $363
million was unused.  The company had  committed  credit lines  established  with
thirty-two banks at September 30, 1996 of $1.0 billion.

Senior Notes:  In October,  1995, the company filed a Registration  Statement on
Form S-3 with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission for a shelf offering (the
"1995 Shelf") of up to $750 million of senior debt  securities  with terms to be
set at the time of each  sale.  Pursuant  to the 1995  Shelf,  the  company,  on
January 12, 1996,  designated $400 million of medium-term notes. On February 15,
1996,  the  company,  pursuant to the 1995 Shelf,  issued $250  million of 5.75%
Notes due February 15, 2001 (the "5.75% Notes").  The net proceeds from the sale
of the 5.75% Notes were used for general corporate purposes.
   Pursuant to the 1995  Shelf,  the company  sold $310  million of  medium-term
notes between January 12, 1996 and September 30, 1996. At September 30, 1996, an
aggregate of $90 million of medium-term  notes  remained  available for issuance
under the 1995 Shelf, all of which was subsequently issued between September 30,
1996 and November 5, 1996.
   On November 1, 1996, the company filed a  registration  statement on Form S-3
with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission for a shelf offering of up to $950
million  of senior  debt  securities  (which  amount  includes  $100  million of
undesignated  securities  from the 1995 Shelf) on terms to be set at the time of
each sale (the "1996  Shelf").  Pursuant  to the 1996  Shelf,  the  company,  on
November  21,  1996,  issued $250 million of 6.375% Notes due November 30, 2001.
The company plans to continue to be active in issuing  senior debt during fiscal
1997,  primarily  to support the  anticipated  growth of the leased  assets and,
where appropriate,  to refinance maturities of interest-bearing  liabilities. In
addition,   the  company's  8.75%  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series  A,  is
redeemable in September,  1997, and the company will evaluate, based on existing
business  and market  conditions,  the  redemption  of all or a portion  of, the
outstanding Series A Preferred Stock.

Secured Debt:  Proceeds from the discounting of lease rentals were $253 million,
$279  million  and $725  million in fiscal  1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.
Beginning  in  fiscal  1995,  the  company   de-emphasized  secured  debt  as  a
significant source of liquidity. Secured debt is currently utilized as a tool to
manage  credit risk and  concentration  risk.  The  company's  credit  committee
establishes concentration levels by credit rating and customer.

Asset/Liability  and Risk  Management:  The company  has an on-going  program to
manage its assets and liabilities.  This program includes establishing levels of
fixed and floating rate debt, liquidity and duration analysis, monitoring credit
quality  of the lease  portfolio  and  related  account  review  procedures  and
oversight of interest rate and foreign exchange hedging  policies.  This program
includes the use of  derivatives  in certain  identifiable  situations to manage
risk. The company does not speculate on interest  rates,  but rather manages its
portfolio  of assets and  liabilities  to mitigate  the impact of interest  rate
fluctuations.  At  September  30,  1996,  the company  had debt of $2.2  billion
scheduled to mature in fiscal 1997,  including $1.1 billion of commercial  paper
and short-term bank borrowings.  At September 30, 1996, the company had expected
future  net cash to be  provided  by  existing  lease  and  business  continuity
contracts  of $2.3  billion  in  fiscal  1997.  See  Notes 5 and 6 of  Notes  to
Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for  information  on  the  lease  base  and
interest-bearing liabilities, respectively.
                                       27
<PAGE>
   The ratio of debt to total stockholders' equity was 5.1:1, 4.6:1 and 4.7:1 at
September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  The increase at September 30,
1996  reflects  the  expenditure  of $80 million to  repurchase  common stock in
fiscal 1996 coupled with the record levels of equipment purchased for lease.

REVENUE
Total revenue of approximately  $2.4 billion and $2.2 billion in fiscal 1996 and
1995  represented  increases  of 9% and 7%  respectively,  over the  prior  year
periods.  The  increases in leasing  revenue in fiscal 1996 and 1995 compared to
prior periods is due to increased operating lease revenue, offset by declines in
direct  financing lease revenue and, for fiscal 1995,  sales-type  revenue.  The
declines in direct financing revenue in both fiscal 1996 and 1995 as compared to
the prior year  reflect a decline in  interest  rates and a change in the mix of
leases written,  with a higher  percentage of operating  leases to total leases.
See "Business  Continuity"  for a discussion of business  continuity and network
services  revenue and margins and "Sales" for a discussion  of sales revenue and
margins.

Leasing:  Leasing  volume  increased in both fiscal 1996 and 1995 as compared to
the prior years. During the last three fiscal years, the company's large systems
portfolio   decreased,   while   its   portfolio   of  other   high   technology
assets--distributed  systems and electronics equipment in  particular--increased
as  a  percentage  of  the  total  portfolio,  thereby  reducing  the  company's
dependence on large systems activity.
   In September,  1996, the company  expanded its commitment to asset management
with the announcement of an alliance with Asset Software  International ("ASI").
Under the agreement, the company will be a distributor of ASI software products.
Additionally,  ASI  and  Comdisco  will  co-develop  an  interface  between  the
company's  own asset  management  software,  CLASS,  and ASI's  product  and the
companies will coordinate future development strategies.
   Cost of equipment  placed on lease was $2.6 billion in fiscal 1996,  compared
to cost of equipment  placed on lease of $2.1 billion and $1.6 billion in fiscal
1995 and 1994,  respectively.  Among other factors,  the continued growth of the
electronics  group had a favorable  impact on volume in the current  year period
compared to the prior year periods. The company's distributed systems activities
also had year-to-year increases in equipment volume. In Europe, equipment volume
declined  compared to the prior year period.  Equipment  volume in the company's
medical  equipment  group also declined,  reflecting a continued soft market for
new equipment in the health-care  industry.  Remarketing  activity,  which is an
important  contributor to earnings,  was below prior year levels  throughout the
first three  quarters of fiscal  1996.  The company  believes  the  reduction in
remarketing activity reflects, in part, delays in hardware acquisition decisions
by customers pending release of additional information  concerning  capabilities
and delivery  schedules of recent  product  announcements  from major  mainframe
manufacturers.  Additionally,  strong  remarketing in prior years,  coupled with
equipment  volume  declines in fiscal 1993 and 1994,  resulted in less equipment
available for remarketing in the current year.  Remarketing was at record levels
in the fourth  quarter of fiscal 1996,  however,  there can be no assurance that
such levels can be sustained in fiscal 1997.
   Operating  lease revenue  minus  operating  lease costs was $328 million,  or
24.0% of  operating  lease  revenue (the  "Operating  Lease  Margin"),  and $293
million,  or 26.2%  of  operating  lease  revenue,  in  fiscal  1996  and  1995,
respectively.  The lower  margin  in  fiscal  1996  compared  to the prior  year
reflects the increase in lease volume and lower  margins on large  systems.  The
company  expects the  Operating  Lease Margin to decline from current  levels in
fiscal 1997.  The Sales-type  Lease Margin  decreased in fiscal 1996 compared to
the prior year primarily because of a change in the mix of equipment remarketed.
The following graph presents the Lease Margin for total leasing,  operating, and
sales-type leases for the five years ended September 30, 1996.


                              1992  1993  1994  1995  1996
                              ----  ----  ----  ----  ----

Total Leasing                  34%   34%   35%   35%   31%
Sales-Type Lease .......       26%   26%   26%   26%   26%
Operating Lease ........       25%   23%   26%   26%   24%


Sales:  Revenue from sales, which includes  remarketing and buy/sell activities,
totaled $262  million in fiscal 1996,  compared to $358 million and $271 million
in fiscal 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  The decrease in sales revenue in fiscal
1996  compared  to the prior year is  primarily  due to  reduced  sales and sale
revenue per unit on large systems. The increase in fiscal 1995 was primarily due
to sales by the  electronics and  distributed  systems groups.  Margins on sales
were 17% in  fiscal  1996  compared  to 15% and 17% in  fiscal  1995  and  1994,
respectively. The higher margins
                                       28
<PAGE>
in fiscal 1996 reflect  improved  margins from  remarketing  by the  distributed
systems group.

Business  Continuity and Network Services:  Revenue from business continuity and
network  services  (hereinafter  referred to as "business  continuity")  of $318
million in fiscal 1996 and $267 million in fiscal 1995 represented  increases of
19% and 10%,  respectively,  over each of the preceding years. The increases are
primarily the result of the growth in customer base,  products and services.  As
of September 30, 1996, the company had strategically located recovery facilities
throughout North America and Europe connected by advanced network capabilities.
   Business  continuity costs of $277 million for fiscal 1996 increased 16% over
business  continuity costs of $238 million in fiscal 1995. Fiscal 1995 costs and
expenses  were 6% higher  than  fiscal  1994.  Cost  containment  efforts by the
company,  primarily  as a result  of its  capital  investment  strategy,  called
"Project  2000," slowed the growth of business  continuity  costs in both fiscal
1996 and 1995, and improved margins significantly over the prior year.
   The company's  business  continuity  segment  expanded  during fiscal 1996 to
include the results of Netforce-  MTI, a network  services  business,  which was
acquired in December,  1995 for shares of the  company's  common stock valued at
approximately  $9  million.  Additionally,  during the latter part of the second
quarter,  the company acquired the assets and contracts of the disaster recovery
division  of CSC  Compusource  ("CSC")  for  approximately  $9  million in cash.
NetforceMTI's   services   include   network   assessment,   design,   planning,
implementation,  configuration,  installation,  and  management.  These services
complement and expand the company's network experience in leasing,  remarketing,
and business continuity,  and play an important role in the company's technology
integration  and  desktop  asset  management  services.  The  company's  network
services group, including the NetforceMTI operations,  incurred a pretax loss in
fiscal 1996. The impact of the CSC acquisition on business  continuity  earnings
was immaterial.
   In October,  1995,  the company  announced  the opening of its  Chicago-based
client/server  supersite.  The  addition  expands the  company's  commitment  to
workarea  recovery  and  the  evolving  business  continuity  needs  across  all
platforms.

Other  Revenue:  Other  revenue was $54 million,  $42 million and $47 million in
fiscal  1996,  1995 and 1994,  respectively.  Revenue from the sale of ownership
positions   generated  in  conjunction   with  the  company's   lease  financing
transactions  with  early-stage  high  technology  companies  was $13 million in
fiscal  1996  compared  to $11  million  and $9 million in fiscal 1995 and 1994,
respectively.  Fiscal  1996  and  1995  includes  $6  million  and  $5  million,
respectively,  of gains generated from the sale of stock, originally received by
the company in fiscal 1993 in  connection  with the sale of all of the assets of
its wholly-owned  subsidiary,  Comdisco  Systems,  Inc. Fiscal 1994 includes the
receipt of the  Insurance  Proceeds  of $20  million.  Excluding  the  Insurance
Proceeds,  the  increase  in fiscal  1995  compared  to the prior year period is
primarily due to revenue from managing the Promodata S.A.  portfolio,  which was
acquired in June, 1994.

COSTS AND EXPENSES
Total costs and  expenses  were $2.2 billion and $2.1 billion in fiscal 1996 and
1995,  respectively.  The  increase  in fiscal  1996  compared to fiscal 1995 is
primarily due to increased leasing and business  continuity costs related to the
increasing   operating   lease   revenue  and   business   continuity   revenue,
respectively.  Excluding the IBM litigation settlement, total costs and expenses
increased 7% in fiscal 1995 compared to fiscal 1994,  primarily due to increased
leasing costs and cost of sales related to  increasing  operating  lease revenue
and sales revenue,  respectively.  Other factors contributing to the increase in
fiscal  1995  compared  to fiscal  1994  include  higher  selling,  general  and
administrative  costs (excluding the  Contribution)  and an increase in interest
expense.

Selling,  General  and  Administrative:   Selling,  general  and  administrative
expenses  totaled $244 million in fiscal 1996,  $233 million in fiscal 1995, and
$213 million in fiscal 1994.  Factors  contributing  to the  increases in fiscal
1996 and 1995  compared  to the  prior  years  include  the  development  of the
company's  technology  integration  activities,  and, in general, its technology
services, offset by reduced expenditures resulting from improved efficiencies in
the company's  administrative  operations.  The Contribution was recorded in the
quarter  ended June 30,  1994 to  establish  and fund the  Comdisco  Foundation.
Excluding  the  Contribution,   selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses
increased 15% in fiscal 1995 compared to fiscal 1994.  The increase is primarily
due to the acquisition of Promodata S.A. in June, 1994, which increased selling,
general and administrative expenses by approximately $15 million in fiscal 1995.

Interest: Interest expense for fiscal 1996 totaled $262 million in comparison to
$274 million in fiscal 1995 and $263 million in fiscal 1994,  respectively.  The
decrease in fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1995 is due to lower average interest
rates. The company expects average daily
                                       29
<PAGE>

borrowings to increase in fiscal 1997 because of higher average daily borrowings
resulting from increased  leased assets at September 30, 1996 and an increase in
equipment  purchased  for lease in fiscal  1997.  The  increase  in fiscal  1995
compared to fiscal 1994 is due to higher  average  daily  borrowings  and higher
interest rates.  Generally,  a higher interest rate  environment does not impact
the  company's  margins  since the  effects of higher  borrowing  costs would be
reflected in the rates on newly leased assets. In addition, the company attempts
to match the  maturities of its  borrowings  with the cash flows from its leased
assets,  thereby reducing the company's interest rate exposure.  In fiscal 1994,
net cash from  operations  exceeded  equipment  purchases,  and the  excess  was
utilized  to  reduce  debt  (see  Note  6 of  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements  for  information  on the  company's  average  daily  borrowings  and
effective interest rates).

INCOME TAXES
Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements on page 42 provides details
about the company's income tax provision.

INTERNATIONAL  OPERATIONS
The company  operates  principally in four geographic  areas: the United States,
Europe,  Canada and the Pacific Rim. The company also operates in South America.
Revenue  from  international  operations,  including  export  sales and business
continuity operations,  was $595 million in fiscal 1996 compared to $518 million
and $390 million in fiscal 1995 and 1994,  respectively.  International revenues
represented  24% of the company's  total  revenue in fiscal 1996,  23% in fiscal
1995 and 19% in fiscal 1994.

Canada:  The  company's  Canadian  operations,   excluding  business  continuity
activities,  had pretax  earnings  of $19 million and $13 million in fiscal 1996
and 1995,  respectively.  Total  leasing  and sales  revenue  for fiscal 1996 in
Canada was $75  million  compared  to $50 million and $62 million in fiscal 1995
and 1994,  respectively.  Cost of  equipment  placed on lease in fiscal 1996 and
1995 was $68 million and $57 million, respectively.  Cost of equipment placed on
lease includes  electronics group equipment.  Net cash provided by operations is
the company's primary source of funds for its Canadian operations,  although the
company has short-term lines of credit in Canada to support short-term liquidity
requirements.

Europe:  The  company's  European  operations,   excluding  business  continuity
activities, had pretax earnings of $10 million and $8 million in fiscal 1996 and
1995,  respectively,  compared to $3 million in fiscal 1994.  Total  leasing and
sales revenue from European  operations was $420 million in fiscal 1996 compared
to $369  million  in  fiscal  1995 and $231  million  in  fiscal  1994.  Cost of
equipment  placed on lease in  fiscal  1996 and 1995 was $492  million  and $511
million,  respectively.  Cost of  equipment  placed on lease in Europe  includes
electronics group equipment. The European lease base has been financed primarily
by utilizing existing short-term lines of credit, parent company loans and where
required,  additional  capital  investment from the parent, and discounted lease
rentals.  Geographic  area data is included in Note 14 of Notes to  Consolidated
Financial Statements on page 46.

OTHER  MATTERS  
Inflation: The company does not consider the present rate of inflation to have a
significant impact on the businesses in which it operates.

Safe Harbor  Statement  under the Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of
1995:  With the exception of historical  information,  the matters  discussed in
this annual report to stockholders are  forward-looking  statements that involve
risks and  uncertainties  and actual results could differ  materially from those
discussed.  See "Note on Forward-Looking  Information" on page 52 of this annual
report to stockholders for  identification of important factors which may affect
the forward-looking statements contained herein.

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
The  company's  common  stock is listed on the New York Stock  Exchange  and the
Chicago Stock Exchange  under the symbol CDO. At September 30, 1996,  there were
approximately  1,900  holders  of  record of the  company's  common  stock.  The
following table shows the quarterly  price range of the company's  common stock,
as traded on the New York  Stock  Exchange,  and cash  dividends  paid on common
stock for fiscal 1996 and 1995.


                           96                         95
                 -----------------------    -----------------------
                                    Divi-                      Divi-
  Quarter         High      Low    dends     High      Low    dends
  -------    ---------  -------    -----  -------  -------    -----
  First      $   23.75  $ 19.67     $.07  $ 15.59  $ 12.92    $ .06
  Second         22.50    19.88      .07    18.25    14.67      .06
  Third          28.63    21.25      .07    20.59    17.59      .06
  Fourth         29.75    22.63      .07    21.67    18.83      .06

                                       30
<PAGE>
Consolidated Statements of Earnings
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(in millions except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                  Years ended September 30,
                                                                 -----------------------------
                                                                    1996       1995       1994
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
  <S>                                                            <C>        <C>        <C>

  Revenue
  Leasing:
   Operating .................................................   $ 1,365    $ 1,117    $ 1,002
   Direct financing ..........................................       149        180        186
   Sales-type ................................................       283        276        350
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
     Total leasing ...........................................     1,797      1,573      1,538
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
  Sales ......................................................       262        358        271
  Business continuity and network services ...................       318        267        242
  Other ......................................................        54         42         47
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
   Total revenue .............................................     2,431      2,240      2,098
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
  Costs and expenses
  Leasing:
   Operating .................................................     1,037        824        746
   Sales-type ................................................       209        199        258
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
     Total leasing ...........................................     1,246      1,023      1,004
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
  Sales ......................................................       218        304        225
  Business continuity and network services ...................       277        238        224
  Selling, general and administrative ........................       244        233        213
  IBM litigation settlement ..................................         -          -         70
  Litigation charge ..........................................         -          -         10
  Interest ...................................................       262        274        263
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
   Total costs and expenses ..................................     2,247      2,072      2,009
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
  Earnings before income taxes ...............................       184        168         89
  Income taxes ...............................................        70         64         36
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
  Net earnings before preferred dividends ....................       114        104         53
  Preferred dividends ........................................        (8)        (8)        (9)
                                                                 -------    -------    -------
  Net earnings available to common stockholders ..............   $   106    $    96    $    44
                                                                 =======    =======    =======
  Net earnings per common and common equivalent share ........   $  2.00    $  1.73    $   .77
                                                                 =======    =======    =======
  See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 
</TABLE>
                                       31
<PAGE>
Consolidated Balance Sheets   
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(in millions except number of shares and per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                                                    September 30,
                                                                                                                1996           1995
                                                                                                           ----------    ----------
  <S>                                                                                                      <C>            <C>

  Assets
  Cash and cash equivalents ............................................................................   $       29    $        85
  Cash - legally restricted ............................................................................           27             30
  Receivables, net .....................................................................................          218            176
  Inventory of equipment ...............................................................................          155            133
  Leased assets:
   Direct financing and sales-type .....................................................................        1,768          1,968
                                                                                                           ----------    -----------
   Operating (net of accumulated depreciation) .........................................................        2,842          2,107
                                                                                                           ----------    -----------
     Net leased assets .................................................................................        4,610          4,075
  Buildings, furniture and other, net ..................................................................          149            163
  Other assets .........................................................................................          403            377
                                                                                                           ----------    -----------
                                                                                                           $    5,591    $     5,039
                                                                                                           ==========    ===========
  Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
  Notes payable ........................................................................................   $    1,127    $       661
  Term notes payable ...................................................................................          374            507
  Senior and subordinated debt .........................................................................        1,771          1,289
  Accounts payable .....................................................................................          135            111
  Income taxes:
   Current .............................................................................................            5             --
   Deferred ............................................................................................          274            244
  Other liabilities ....................................................................................          325            327
  Discounted lease rentals .............................................................................          781          1,124
                                                                                                           ----------    -----------
                                                                                                                4,792          4,263
                                                                                                           ----------    -----------
  Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred  stock $10 par value. Authorized 100,000,000 shares: 8.75%
     Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  Series A and Series B
     $25  stated  value and liquidation preference, issued
      3,562,600 shares (3,625,800 in 1995) ............................................................            89             91
   Common stock $.10 par value. Authorized 200,000,000 shares;
      issued 72,519,209 shares (71,936,982 in 1995) ....................................................            7              5
   Additional paid-in capital ..........................................................................          165            154
   Deferred compensation (ESOP) ........................................................................           (5)           (8)
   Deferred translation adjustment .....................................................................            5             13
   Retained earnings ...................................................................................          856            764
                                                                                                           ----------    -----------
                                                                                                                1,117          1,019
   Common stock held in treasury, at cost; 22,886,451 shares (19,666,386 in 1995) ......................         (318)         (243)
                                                                                                           ----------    -----------
     Total stockholders' equity ........................................................................          799            776
                                                                                                           ----------    -----------
                                                                                                           $    5,591    $     5,039
                                                                                                           ==========    ===========
  See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
</TABLE>
                                       32
<PAGE>


Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994
(in millions except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                   Additional Deferred Deferred             Common
                                                               Preferred  Common  paid-in    compen-  translation Retained stock in
                                                                 stock     stock   capital    sation   adjustment  earnings treasury
  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  <S>                                                             <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>     <C>          <C>     <C>

  Balance at September 30, 1993 ...............................   $ 100    $   5    $ 138     $ (12)   $  (7)      $ 650   $(135)
  Net earnings ................................................                                                       53
  Cash dividends - preferred ..................................                                                       (9)
  Cash dividends - common ($.23 per share) ....................                                                      (13)
  Stock options exercised .....................................                         1
  Translation adjustment ......................................                                            7
  Reduction of guaranteed ESOP debt ...........................                                   2
  Purchase of common stock ....................................                                                              (39)
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Balance at September 30, 1994 ...............................     100        5      139       (10)      --         681    (174)
  Net earnings ................................................                                                      104
  Cash dividends - preferred ..................................                                                       (8)
  Cash dividends - common ($.24 per share) ....................                                                      (13)
  Stock options exercised .....................................                        12
  Translation adjustment ......................................                                           13
  Issuance of common stock upon
   conversion of subordinated debt ............................                         3                                     17
  Reduction of guaranteed ESOP debt ...........................                                   2
  Purchase of preferred stock .................................      (9)
  Purchase of common stock ....................................                                                              (86)
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Balance at September 30, 1995 ...............................      91        5      154        (8)      13         764    (243)
  Net earnings ................................................                                                      114
  Cash dividends - preferred ..................................                                                       (8)
  Cash dividends - common ($.28 per share) ....................                                                      (14)
  Stock options exercised .....................................                         7
  Translation adjustment ......................................                                           (8)
  Reduction of guaranteed ESOP debt ...........................                                   3
  Purchase of preferred stock .................................      (2)
  Purchase of common stock ....................................                                                             (80)
  Issuance of treasury stock ..................................                         4                                     5
  Stock split .................................................                2       (2)
  Income tax benefits resulting from the
   exercise of non-qualified stock options ....................                         2
  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Balance at September 30, 1996 ...............................   $  89    $   7    $ 165     $  (5)   $   5      $ 856   $(318)
                                                                  =====    =====    =====     =====    =====      =====   =====
  See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 
</TABLE>

                                       33
<PAGE>



Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows   
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
(in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                    Years ended September 30,

                                                                                   1996       1995       1994
                                                                                -------    -------    -------
 INCREASE  (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH  EQUIVALENTS:
 Cash flows from operating activities:
   <S>                                                                          <C>        <C>        <C>

   Operating lease and other leasing receipts ..................................$ 1,465    $ 1,282    $ 1,122
   Direct financing and sales-type leasing receipts ............................    907        973        907
   Leasing costs, primarily rentals paid .......................................    (34)       (33)       (49)
   Sales .......................................................................    246        352        283
   Sales costs .................................................................   (117)      (196)      (147)
   Business continuity and network services receipts ...........................    311        266        240
   Business continuity and network services costs ..............................   (174)      (171)      (169)
   Other revenue ...............................................................     54         42         48
   Selling, general and administrative expenses ................................   (222)      (228)      (193)
   IBM litigation settlement ...................................................     --         --        (70)
   Interest ....................................................................   (260)      (272)      (268)
   Income taxes ................................................................    (23)       (32)       (34)
                                                                                -------    -------    -------
     Net cash provided by operating activities .................................  2,153      1,983      1,670
                                                                                -------    -------    -------
  Cash flows from investing activities:
   Equipment purchased for leasing ............................................. (2,486)    (1,865)    (1,433)
   Investment in business continuity and network services facilities ...........    (74)       (78)       (49)
   Other .......................................................................    (17)        (1)       (12)
                                                                                -------    -------    -------
     Net cash used in investing activities ..................................... (2,577)    (1,944)    (1,494)
                                                                                -------    -------    -------
  Cash flows from financing activities:
   Discounted lease proceeds ...................................................    253        279        725
   Net increase (decrease) in notes payable ....................................    466         68        (62)
   Issuance of term notes, senior notes, and subordinated debt .................    834      1,268        300
   Maturities and repurchases of term notes, senior notes and subordinated debt.   (485)      (816)      (262)
   Principal payments on secured debt ..........................................   (596)      (703)      (849)
   Decrease in legally restricted cash .........................................      3          7         11
   Preferred stock purchased ...................................................     (2)        (9)        --
   Common stock purchased and placed in treasury ...............................    (80)       (86)       (39)
   Dividends paid on common stock ..............................................    (14)       (13)       (13)
   Dividends paid on preferred stock ...........................................     (8)        (8)        (9)
   Other .......................................................................     (3)         8          3
                                                                                -------    -------    -------
     Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities .......................    368         (5)      (195)
                                                                                -------    -------    -------
  Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents .........................    (56)        34        (19)
  Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year ...............................     85         51         70
                                                                                -------    -------    -------
  Cash and cash equivalents at end of year .....................................$    29    $    85    $    51
                                                                                =======    =======    =======
  See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements. 
</TABLE>
                                       34
<PAGE>


Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows     
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Years ended September 30, 
(in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           1996       1995       1994
                                                                                       --------    -------    -------

  RECONCILIATION OF NET EARNINGS TO NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
  <S>                                                                                   <C>        <C>        <C>
  Net earnings ......................................................................   $   114    $   104    $    53
  Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:
   Leasing costs, primarily depreciation and amortization ...........................     1,212        990        955
   Leasing revenue, primarily principal portion of direct
     financing and sales-type lease rentals .........................................       575        682        491
   Cost of sales ....................................................................       101        108         78
   Business continuity and network services costs,
     primarily depreciation and amortization ........................................       103         67         55
   Income taxes .....................................................................        47         32          2
   Interest .........................................................................         2          2         (5)
   Other, net .......................................................................        (1)        (2)        41
                                                                                       --------    -------    -------
   Net cash provided by operating activities ........................................  $  2,153    $ 1,983    $ 1,670
                                                                                       ========    =======    =======
  SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
   Issuance of treasury stock for acquisition of NetforceMTI ........................  $      9    $     -    $     -
                                                                                       ========    =======    =======
   Common stock issued upon conversion of
     6% convertible subordinated promissory note ....................................  $      -    $    20    $     -
                                                                                       ========    =======    =======
   Assumption of discounted lease rentals in lease portfolio acquisition ............  $      -    $     -    $     2
                                                                                       ========    =======    =======
  See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 
</TABLE>


                                       35
<PAGE>
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements


Note 1    Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Nature of operations: Comdisco, Inc. is a technology services company, providing
solutions that help  organizations  reduce technology cost and risk. The company
provides technology planning and asset management services,  integrating leasing
and business  continuity  services  with  customized  asset  acquisition,  asset
management   software  tools  and  data  center  moves  and/or   consolidations,
disposition  and  migration  strategies.  Its  principal  markets are the United
States, Europe, Canada and the Pacific Rim.

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

Principles of consolidation:  The consolidated  financial statements include the
accounts of the company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. Intercompany accounts
and transactions have been eliminated.

Translation  adjustments:  All assets  and  liabilities  denominated  in foreign
currencies  are  translated  at the  exchange  rate on the  balance  sheet date.
Revenues,  costs and  expenses  are  translated  at  average  rates of  exchange
prevailing  during the period.  Translation  adjustments  are  accumulated  as a
separate  component of  stockholders'  equity.  Gains and losses  resulting from
foreign currency  transactions  are included in the  consolidated  statements of
earnings.

Income  taxes:  The company uses the asset and  liability  method to account for
income taxes.  Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future
tax  consequences  attributable to differences  between the financial  statement
carrying  amounts of existing assets and  liabilities  and their  respective tax
basis.  The  measurement of deferred tax assets is reduced,  if necessary,  by a
valuation  allowance  for  any tax  benefits  of  which  future  realization  is
uncertain.

Lease accounting: See "Leasing" section on pages 36 through 38 for a description
of lease accounting policies, lease revenue recognition and related costs.

Business  continuity:  Revenue from business continuity  contracts is recognized
monthly as subscription fees become due.

Cash and cash equivalents:  Cash equivalents are comprised of highly liquid debt
instruments with original maturities of 90 days or less.

Cash - legally  restricted:  Legally  restricted  cash  represents cash and cash
equivalents  that  are  restricted  solely  for  use as  collateral  in  secured
borrowings and are not available to other creditors.

Inventory of equipment: Inventory of equipment is stated at the lower of cost or
market by categories of similar equipment.

Derivatives:  Interest rate differentials on swaps are accrued as interest rates
change over the contract period.  Premiums paid for purchased  interest rate cap
agreements are amortized to interest expense over the terms of the caps. Amounts
receivable under cap agreements are accrued as a reduction of interest expense.

Earnings per common share:  Earnings per common and common  equivalent share are
computed based on the weighted  average  number of common and common  equivalent
shares outstanding during each period.
   Dilutive stock options included in the number of common and common equivalent
shares are based on the treasury  stock method.  The number of common and common
equivalent  shares used in the  computation of earnings per common share for the
years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994 were 53,228,341,  55,167,389,  and
57,758,144, respectively.

Stock-based compensation:  The company utilizes the intrinsic value based method
of accounting for its stock-based compensation arrangements.

Reclassifications: Certain reclassifications have been made in the 1995 and 1994
financial statements to conform to the 1996 presentation.

LEASING

Note 2    Lease Accounting Policies
FASB Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 13 requires that a lessor
account for each lease by either the direct  financing,  sales-type or operating
method.

Leased Assets:
     Direct financing and sales-type  leased assets consist of the present value
     of the future minimum lease payments plus the present value of the residual
     (col-
                                       36
<PAGE>
     lectively  referred to as the net  investment).  Residual is the  estimated
     fair market value at lease termination.  In estimating the  equipment'sfair
     value at lease termination,  the company relies on historical experience by
     equipment  type  and  manufacturer  and,  where  available,  valuations  by
     independent appraisers,  adjusted for known trends. The company's estimates
     are reviewed  continuously to ensure  realization,  however the amounts the
     company will ultimately realize could differ from the estimated amounts.

     Operating  leased  assets  consist of the equipment  cost,  less the amount
     depreciated to date. Revenue, Costs and Expenses:

Revenue, Costs and Expenses:
     Direct  financing  leases -  Revenue  consists  of  interest  earned on the
     present  value of the lease  payments and  residual.  Revenue is recognized
     periodically over the lease term as a constant percentage return on the net
     investment.  There are no costs and  expenses  related to direct  financing
     leases since leasing revenue is recorded on a net basis.

     Sales-type  leases - Revenue  consists  of the  present  value of the total
     contractual  lease payments which is recognized at lease  inception.  Costs
     and expenses  consist of the equipment's net book value at lease inception,
     less the  present  value of the  residual.  Interest  earned on the present
     value of the lease payments and residual,  which is recognized periodically
     over the lease term as a constant  percentage return on the net investment,
     is included in direct financing lease revenue in the statement of earnings.

     Operating leases - Revenue  consists of the contractual  lease payments and
     is  recognized  on a  straight-line  basis over the lease  term.  Costs and
     expenses are  principally  depreciation  of the equipment.  Depreciation is
     recognized  on a  straight-line  basis over the lease term to the company's
     estimate of the equipment's  fair market value at lease  termination,  also
     commonly  referred to as "residual"  value.  In estimating the  equipment's
     fair  value  at  lease  termination,   the  company  relies  on  historical
     experience  by  equipment  type  and  manufacturer  and,  where  available,
     valuations  by  independent  appraisers,  adjusted  for known  trends.  The
     company's estimates are reviewed  continuously to ensure  realization,  how
     ever the amounts the company will ultimately  realize could differ from the
     amounts  assumed  in  determining  deprecia  tion on the  equipment  in the
     operating leased portfolio at September 30, 1996.

     Equity  transactions  - The company  enters into equity  transactions  with
     third-party  investors  who obtain  ownership  rights,  which  include  tax
     depreciation deductions and residual interests. The company retains control
     and the use of the  equipment  generally  throughout  its economic  life by
     leasing back the equipment from the third-party investor.  Accordingly, the
     leased asset cost  related to the period of control  remains on the balance
     sheet. Revenue consists of the profit recognized on equity transactions and
     is  included  in  operating  lease  revenue.  Profit  is  recognized  on  a
     straight-line basis over the leaseback term (life of the transaction).

     Initial  direct costs  related to operating  and direct  financing  leases,
     including salesperson's commissions, are capitalized and amortized over the
     lease term.

Note 3    Leased Assets
The components of the net investment in direct  financing and sales-type  leases
as of September 30 are as follows:
(in millions)

                                           1996       1995
                                         ------     ------
   Minimum lease payments receivable     $1,802     $2,014
  Estimated residual values ........        193        216
  Less: unearned revenue ...........       (227)      (262)
                                         ------     ------
  Net investment in direct financing
   and sales-type leases ...........     $1,768     $1,968
                                         ======     ======

     Unearned  revenue is  recorded  as leasing  revenue  over the lease  terms.
Operating leased assets include the following as of September 30:
   
 (in millions)                            1996        1995
 ------------                           ------      ------
  Operating leased assets ......        $4,665      $3,685
  Less: accumulated depreciation
   and amortization ............        (1,823)     (1,578)
                                        ------      ------
  Net ..........................        $2,842      $2,107
                                        ======      ======


Note 4     Lease  Portfolio  Information
The size of the company's  lease portfolio can be measured by the cost of leased
assets at the date of lease inception. Cost at lease inception represents either
the  equipment's  original cost or its net book value at  termination of a prior
lease. The following table summarizes, by year of 
                                       37
<PAGE>
lease  commencement and by year projected lease  termination,  the cost at lease
inception for all leased assets recorded at September 30, 1996 (in millions):

                            Projected year of lease termination
                            -----------------------------------
                  Cost at                               2001
  Year lease        lease                                and
  commenced     inception      97     98     99    00  after
- -----------     ---------   -----  -----  -----  ----  -----
  1992
  and prior     $   1,149   $ 733  $ 229  $ 127  $ 30  $  30
  1993                755     378    286     46    35     10
  1994              1,076     580    235    233    20      8
  1995              1,746     385    792    297   258     14
  1996              2,589      74    461  1,226   454    374
                ---------  ------ ------ ------  ----  -----
                $   7,315  $2,150 $2,003 $1,929  $797  $ 436
                =========  ====== ====== ======  ====  =====

   The  following  table  summarizes  the  estimated  net  book  value  at lease
termination  for all leased assets  recorded at September 30, 1996. The table is
presented  by  year  of  lease  commencement  and by  year  of  projected  lease
termination (in millions):

                            Projected year of lease termination
                            -----------------------------------
                 Net book
                 value at                           2001
  Year lease        lease                            and
  commenced   termination    97   98     99    00  after
- -----------   -----------   ---  ---   ----   ---  -----    
  1992
   and prior       $   44   $33 $  5   $  2   $ -    $ 4
  1993                 68    34   32      1     1      -
  1994                131    71   26     33     1      -
  1995                268    68  129     36    34      1
  1996                491    40   95    227    62     67
              -----------   ---  ---   ----   ---  -----
                   $1,002  $246 $287   $299   $98    $72
              ===========  ==== ====   ====   ===  =====



Note 5 Owned  Equipment  -  Future  Noncancelable  Lease  Rentals  and  Business
Continuity   Subscription   Fees   Presented   below  is  a  summary  of  future
noncancelable  lease rentals on owned equipment and future  subscription fees on
noncancelable business continuity contracts (collectively, "cash in-flows").

   The summary  presents  expected  cash  in-flows  due in  accordance  with the
contractual terms in existence as of September 30, 1996. The table also presents
the amounts to be received by financial  institutions for leases discounted on a
nonrecourse basis (see Note 6 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                       Years ending September 30,
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                                                      2001
                                                                                                       and
 (in millions)                                         1997          1998       1999       2000      after      Total
- -------------                                        ------        ------       ----      -----      -----     ------
  <S>                                                <C>           <C>          <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
  Expected future cash in-flows:
   Operating leases ............................     $1,217        $  784       $354       $113       $ 53     $2,521
   Direct financing and sales-type leases ......        821           522        302        127         30      1,802
   Business continuity contracts ...............        240           176        105         42         17        580
                                                     ------        ------       ----       ----       ----     ------
      Total ....................................      2,278         1,482        761        282        100      4,903
  Less: To be received by financial institutions
   Operating leases ............................        237           140         70         29          5        481
   Direct financing and sales-type leases ......        204           119         61         18         --        402
                                                     ------        ------       ----       ----       ----     ------
      Total ....................................        441           259        131         47          5        883
                                                     ------        ------       ----       ----       ----     ------
       To be received by the company ...........     $1,837        $1,223       $630       $235       $ 95     $4,020
                                                     ======        ======       ====       ====       ====     ======
</TABLE>
                                       39
<PAGE>
FINANCING

Note 6 Interest-Bearing  Liabilities  
Interest-bearing liabilities include the following (dollars in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      96                                      95
                                                    ----------------------------------     ------------------------------------
                                                    At September 30        Average         At September 30          Average
                                                    ---------------     --------------     ---------------      ---------------
                                                    Balance    Rate     Balance   Rate     Balance   Rate       Balance   Rate
                                                    -------    ----     -------   ----     -------   ----       -------   ----    
  Notes payable:
  <S>                                               <C>        <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>

     Credit lines and loan participation
      contracts .................................   $  664     5.62%    $  390    5.79%    $  365   6.20%       $  321    6.10%
     Commercial paper ...........................      463     5.62%       474    5.77%       296   5.94%          417    6.33%
  Term notes ....................................      374     6.49%       322    6.67%       507   6.83%          385    7.01%
  Senior notes ..................................    1,771     7.16%     1,460    7.64%     1,276   7.80%        1,140    8.26%
  Subordinated debt .............................        -        -%         9    9.05%        13  11.00%           21    8.85%
  Discounted lease rentals ......................      781     7.19%       938    7.24%     1,124   7.08%        1,340    7.25%
                                                    ------     ----     ------    ----     ------   ----        ------    ----
                                                    $4,053     6.68%    $3,593    7.00     $3,581   7.13%       $3,624    7.34%
                                                    ======     ====     ======    ====     ======   ====        ======    ====    
</TABLE>

   The changes in financing  activities for the years ended September 30 were as
follows (notes payable changes are shown net):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           96                                                  95
                                    --------------------------------------------------  -------------------------------------------
                                          Out-                             Out-             Out-                         Out-
                                      standing            Maturities   standing          standing        Maturities  standing
                                     beginning    Issu-          and        end   Fair  beginning  Issu-        and       end  Fair
   (in millions)                       of year    ances  repurchases    of year  Value    of year  ances repurchase   of year value
- ----------------                     ---------   ------   --------      -------  -----  ---------  -----  --------   -------- -----
  Notes payable:
   <S>                                <C>        <C>      <C>           <C>      <C>     <C>       <C>    <C>        <C>      <C>

   Credit lines and loan
      participation contracts .....   $365      $ 299    $   -          $  664   $ 664   $  223   $ 142   $  --     $  365   $  365
   Commercial paper ...............    296        167        -             463     463      370      --     (74)       296      296
  Term notes ......................    507        100     (233)            374     377      291     731    (515)       507      511
  Senior notes ....................  1,276        734     (239)          1,771   1,623    1,040     537    (301)     1,276    1,323
  Subordinated debt ...............     13         --      (13)             --      --       33      --     (20)        13       13
  Discounted lease rentals ........  1,124        253     (596)            781     778    1,548     279    (703)     1,124    1,121
                                    ------     ------  -------          ------  ------  -------  ------ -------     ------   ------
                                    $3,581     $1,553  $(1,081)         $4,053  $3,905  $ 3,505  $1,689 $(1,613)    $3,581   $3,629
                                    ======     ======  =======          ======  ======  =======  ====== =======     ======   ======
</TABLE>

     The fair value of the company's interest-bearing  liabilities was estimated
based  generally on quoted market prices for the same or similar  instruments or
on current rates offered the company for similar debt of the same maturity.
     The annual maturities of all interest-bearing  liabilities at September 30,
1996 were as follows:

                                            Years ending September 30,
                                            --------------------------
                                                                   2001
                                                                    and
   (in millions)                           1997  1998  1999 2000  after   Total
   --------------                         -----  ----  ---- ----  -----  ------ 
   Notes payable:
   Credit lines and loan participation
      contracts ........................  $ 664  $  -  $  - $  - $    -  $  664
  Commercial paper .....................    463     -     -    -      -     463
  Term notes ...........................    327    47     -    -      -     374
  Senior notes .........................    386   540   248  292    305   1,771
  Discounted lease rentals .............    385   230   116   45      5     781
                                         ------  ----  ---- ---- ------  ------
                                         $2,225  $817  $364 $337 $  310  $4,053
                                         ======  ====  ==== ==== ======  ======

Notes payable:  The company had the following  unsecured bank lines available in
the United States and foreign countries at September 30:

   (in millions)                     1996     1995
   -------------                  -------   ------
  Total credit lines:
    Committed ..................  $ 1,016   $  950
     Uncommitted ..............       319      265
                                  -------   ------
                                  $ 1,335   $1,215
                                  =======   ======
  Utilized at September 30:
     Committed ................   $   766   $  595
     Uncommitted ..............       206       66
                                  -------   ------
     Total credit lines .......       972      661
                                  -------   ------
   Loan participation contracts       155        -
                                  -------   ------
     Total notes payable ......   $ 1,127   $  661
                                  =======   ======
  Credit lines available at
   September 30 ...............   $   363   $  554
                                  =======   ======
  Maximum amount outstanding
     at any month end .........   $ 1,131   $  922
                                  =======   ======

   The  company  had  outstanding  interest  rate caps  totaling  $47 million on
short-term borrowings to mitigate interest rate risks.
                                       39
<PAGE>
Committed  lines:  The  company's  committed  lines have been  established  with
thirty-two  banks,  eight of which are U.S.  banks.  A majority of the banks are
rated AA or better by rating  agencies.  At September 30, 1996,  the company had
committed domestic and foreign unsecured lines of credit as follows:

                                      Number
   Facility                         of banks             Expiration date
- -------------------------          ---------             ---------------
  Multi-Option Facilities                 11  
   $300 million facility                                  December, 1998
   $150 million facility                                  December, 1996
  Global Facilities                       18
   $300 million facility                                  December, 1998
   $150 million facility                                  December, 1996
  Other credit agreements:
   $ 50 million - domestic
   and foreign                             1                 April, 1997
   $66 million - foreign                   6                     Various

   There are no compensating balance requirements on any of the committed lines.
At  September  30,  1996,  the company had $766  million  outstanding  under its
committed  lines,  including $463 million  supporting  the company's  commercial
paper program.
   The multi-option  revolving credit agreements and the global revolving credit
agreements (collectively, the "Facilities") permit the company to borrow in U.S.
dollars or in other currencies,  on a revolving credit basis.  Interest rates on
debt  outstanding  under  the  Facilities  are  negotiated  at the  time  of the
borrowings based either on "bid rates" from the participating  banks, LIBOR plus
twenty-seven and one half basis points or, for the two $150 million  facilities,
thirty basis points,  or at the banks' then current base rates.  The  Facilities
call for the  company  to pay:  1) an annual  fee of twelve  and one half  basis
points per annum on $600  million of the  committed  amount and ten basis points
per annum on $300  million  of the  committed  amount,  plus 2) letter of credit
usage or fronting fees. The two $150 million  facilities are renewable  annually
and should the banks  decide not to renew,  include  provisions  to convert  any
amounts then outstanding to term loans with a final maturity of December, 1997.

Uncommitted lines and loan participation contracts: In addition to the committed
lines, the company maintains various domestic and international  lines of credit
for  short-term  debt  with  banks,  including  approximately  $319  million  of
uncommitted lines of credit,  under which the company can borrow on an unsecured
basis on such terms as the company and banks may mutually agree. The majority of
these  arrangements  do not have  maturity  dates,  and can be  withdrawn at the
banks' option. There are no fees or compensating balances associated with either
the uncommitted lines or the loan participation contracts.

Commercial  paper:  At  September  30,  1996,  the company  had $500  million of
commercial  paper facilities (of which $463 million was outstanding at September
30,  1996)  all of  which  are  supported  by its  committed  lines  of  credit.
Domestically,  the facilities were rated,  D-2 by Duff & Phelps,  P-2 by Moody's
and A-2 by Standard & Poor's.

Term notes payable: Term notes payable include the following at September 30:
  
   (in millions)                          1996       1995
  --------------                          ----       ----
  Receivable backed commercial
   paper (floating rate; due 1997)        $325       $225
  Floating rate; due 1996                    -        230
  Building mortgage (9.70%; due 1998)       44         44
  Guaranteed senior ESOP
   notes (8.19%; due 1998)                   5          8
                                          ----       ----
                                          $374       $507
                                          ====       ====

   Subsequent  to the  issuance of the  mortgage,  the company  entered  into an
interest rate swap agreement  that  effectively  converted this  obligation to a
floating rate obligation through maturity.  See Note 12 of Notes to Consolidated
Financial Statements regarding the senior ESOP notes.
                                       40
<PAGE>
Senior notes and subordinated  debt:  Senior notes and subordinated debt include
the following at September 30:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

   (in millions)                                              1996     1995
 --------------                                             ------   ------
   <S>                                                      <C>      <C>
  Senior notes:
   Medium term notes (5.22% to 9.99%)<F1>                   $  834   $  569
   9.38% Senior Notes, Series C, due 1996                        -       19
   9.75% Senior Notes due 1997<F2>                             200      200
   7.25% Senior Notes due 1998 .                               200      200
   7.75% Senior Notes due 1999 .                                89       89
   6.50% Senior Notes due 2000 .                               199      199
   5.75% Senior Notes due 2001 .                               249        -
         Total senior notes ....                             1,771    1,276
  Subordinated debt ............                                 -       13
                                                            ------   ------
                                                            $1,771   $1,289
                                                            ======   ======
<FN>
<F1>The company had  outstanding  interest rate swap agreements at September 30,
1996  and  1995  that  effectively   converted  $25  million  and  $76  million,
respectively,  of medium-term fixed rate borrowings to floating rate obligations
with an effective interest rate of 6.650% and 5.965%, respectively.  The company
also had interest rate swap  agreements  at September 30, 1996 that  effectively
converted  $25 million of  medium-term  floating  rate  borrowings to fixed rate
obligations  with an effective  interest rate of 5.850%.  The average  remaining
terms of these swap  agreements  was more than one year at  September  30, 1996.
<F2>Subsequent  to the  issuance of these  notes,  the company  entered  into an
interest rate swap agreement to  effectively  convert $50 million of these notes
to a floating rate obligation.
</FN>
</TABLE>

   There are no sinking fund  requirements  associated with any of the company's
senior notes.  At September 30, 1996,  $190 million,  including  $100 million of
undesignated  senior debt,  remains  available  for the sale of debt  securities
under the Form S-3 registration statement filed October, 1995.

Discounted lease rentals:  The company utilizes its lease rentals receivable and
underlying  equipment  in leasing  transactions  as  collateral  to borrow  from
financial institutions at fixed rates on a nonrecourse basis. In return for this
secured interest,  the company receives a discounted cash payment.  In the event
of a default  by a lessee,  the  financial  institution  has a first lien on the
underlying  leased  equipment,  with no further  recourse  against the  company.
Proceeds from  discounting are recorded on the balance sheet as discounted lease
rentals;  as lessees make  payments to  financial  institutions,  lease  revenue
(i.e.,  interest  income on direct  financing and  sales-type  leases and rental
revenue on operating leases) and interest expense are recorded. Discounted lease
rentals are reduced by the interest method.
     Future minimum lease payments and interest expense on leases that have been
discounted as of September 30, 1996 are as follows (in millions):

                        Rentals to be
                          received by      Discounted
  Years ending              financial           lease          Interest
  September 30,          institutions         rentals           expense
- --------------          -------------      ----------          --------
 
  1997                           $441            $385              $ 56
  1998                            259             230                29
  1999                            131             116                15
  2000                             47              45                 2
  2001                              5               5                 -
                                 ----            ----              ----
                                 $883            $781              $102
                                 ====            ====              ====

   Interest  expense on discounted  lease rentals was $68 million,  $98 million,
and $118 million in fiscal 1996, 1995, and 1994, respectively.

Interest rate swap agreements and other derivative  financial  instruments:  The
company is a party to a variety of  interest  rate and  cross-currency  interest
rate swap  agreements  and  other  financial  instruments  in order to limit its
exposure to a loss  resulting  from  adverse  fluctuations  in foreign  currency
exchange and interest rates.  Interest rate swap contracts  generally  represent
the  contractual  exchange  of fixed  and  floating  rate  payments  of a single
currency.  Cross-currency  interest rate swap  contracts  generally  involve the
exchange of payments which are based on the interest  reference  rates available
at the inception of the contract on two different  currency  principal  balances
that are exchanged.  The principal  balances are  re-exchanged at an agreed upon
rate at a specified  future  date.  Credit and market risk exist with respect to
these instruments.

   The  following  table  presents  the  contract  or  notional  (face)  amounts
outstanding  and the  fair  value  of the  contracts  based  generally  on their
termination values at September 30:

                                  1996                    1995
                            ----------------       -----------------
                            Notional    Fair       Notional     Fair
  (in millions)              amount    value         amount    value
  -----------------------   --------   -----       --------    -----
  Interest rate swap 
   agreements                 $165       $(1)          $230       $(3)
                              ====       ===           ====       ===
  Cross-currency interest
   rate swap agreements         95        (1)            70        (5)
                              ====       ===           ====       ===
  Interest rate caps            47         -             23         -
                              ====       ===           ====       ===
  Forwards and futures         147         6            112         -
                              ====       ===           ====       ===
                                       41
<PAGE>
     The impact of these contracts on interest expense for fiscal years 1996 and
1995 was immaterial.  The average  notional  amount  outstanding of the floating
rate to fixed  rate  contracts  in fiscal  1996,  including  those  noted in the
discussions  above, was $114 million,  with an average pay rate of 5.734% and an
average receive rate of 5.334%.  The average notional amount  outstanding of the
fixed rate to floating rate contracts in fiscal 1996,  including  those noted in
the discussions  above, was $69 million,  with an average pay rate of 7.850% and
an average receive rate of 6.250%.  The company is exposed to credit loss in the
event  of  non-performance  by the  other  parties  to the  interest  rate  swap
agreements.  However,  because of the credit quality of the counterparties,  the
company does not anticipate non-performance by the counterparties.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Note 7    Receivables
Receivables  (net of allowance for doubtful  accounts of $21 million in 1996 and
$17 million in 1995) include the following as of September 30 (in millions):

                   1996   1995
                   ----   ---- 
  Accounts, net    $128   $106
  Income taxes .      5     15
  Notes ........     23     13
  Other ........     62     42
                   ----   ----
                   $218   $176
                   ====   ====

   The allowance for doubtful  accounts  includes  management's  estimate of the
amounts  expected to be lost on specific  accounts and for losses on other as of
yet  unidentified  accounts  included in  receivables  at  September  30,  1996,
including   estimated   losses  on  future   noncancelable   lease  rentals  and
subscription  fees,  net of estimated  recoveries  from  remarketing  of related
leased equipment.  In estimating the reserve  component for unidentified  losses
within the  receivables  and lease  portfolio,  management  relies on historical
experience,  adjusted for any known trends,  including  industry trends,  in the
portfolio.

Note 8 IBM Litigation Settlement and Contingencies

Note 16 to the 1993 Consolidated Financial Statements discussed contingencies of
the  company  arising  out of three  legal  actions  filed  against  Comdisco by
International  Business Machines  Corporation  ("IBM"),  IBM Credit  Corporation
("ICC") and certain IBM-related limited partnerships. On August 26, 1994, all of
the parties to the three lawsuits entered into a settlement agreement.  Pursuant
to the settlement,  Comdisco and all of the parties to the litigation  exchanged
mutual general  release;  the company agreed not to engage in the future sale or
lease  of  altered  IBM  parts  except  pursuant  to  the  requirements  of  the
Stipulation and Order for Permanent  Injunction entered into between the parties
and ordered by the Court in IBM v. Comdisco,  91 C6777 (N.D.  Ill.); the company
agreed not to lease, sublease,  sell or relocate any ICC-owned equipment without
IBM's prior written consent;  the company agreed not to copy any IBM copyrighted
microcode  and  software  other  than  in  accordance  with  license  agreements
pertaining  thereto;  and the company paid IBM $70 million.  During the quarters
ended March 31, 1992 and June 30,  1994,  the  company  recorded  charges of $20
million  ($12  million  after-tax)  and  $10  million  ($6  million  after-tax),
respectively,  for the establishment of, and increases to, a litigation  reserve
to cover estimated costs associated with the litigation.
   The company has guaranteed approximately $60 million in lease payments, which
are secured by the  underlying  lease  obligations,  equipment and a like amount
held in trust;  and the company entered into a co-obligation  for  approximately
$90 million, which is secured by a like amount held in trust.
   The company is also party to various other legal  actions and  administrative
proceedings  and subject to various  claims  arising in the  ordinary  course of
business.  The company  believes that the  disposition of these matters will not
have a material adverse effect on the financial position of the company.

Note 9   Income Taxes
The  geographical  sources of earnings  before  income taxes were as follows (in
millions):

                          1996       1995     1994
                          ----       ----     ----
  United States           $155       $154      $63
  Outside United States     29         14       26
                          ----       ----     ----
                          $184       $168      $89
                          ====       ====     ====

   Cumulative unremitted earnings of foreign operations amounting to $72 million
after  foreign  taxes at September  30, 1996,  were expected by management to be
reinvested.  Accordingly,  no provision has been made for additional  U.S. taxes
which  would be  payable  if such  earnings  were to be  remitted  to the parent
company  as
                                       42
<PAGE>
dividends. The amount of U.S. taxes, if any, are impracticable to determine.
   The components of the income tax provision  (benefit)  charged  (credited) to
operations were as follows:

  (in millions)            1996      1995     1994
  ----------------------   ----      ----     ----
  Current:
   U.S. Federal             $20       $16     $(11)
   U.S. state and local       6        10        8
   Outside United States     14         9        7
                           ----      ----     ----
                             40        35        4
                           ====      ====     ====
  Deferred:
   U.S. Federal              32        30       32
   U.S. state and local       3        (1)      (4)
   Outside United States     (5)        -        4
                           ----      ----     ----
                             30        29       32
                           ----      ----     ----
     Total tax provision    $70       $64     $ 36
                           ====      ====     ====


   The reasons for the difference  between the U.S.  Federal income tax rate and
the effective income tax rate for earnings were as follows:

                                           Percentage of pretax earnings
                                           -----------------------------
                                             1996       1995       1994
                                             ----       ----       ----
  U.S. Federal income tax rate .........     35.0%      35.0%      35.0%
  Increase (reduction)
   resulting from:
     State income taxes, net of
      U.S. Federal tax benefit .........      3.3        3.6        2.8
    Foreign income tax rate differential      1.3         .1        6.4
    Tax effect of foreign losses
     (utilized)/deferred ...............     (1.9)       2.2       (4.8)
    Insurance proceeds ........                --         --       (8.7)
    Changes in estimates of previously
     provided taxes ....................       --       (2.0)      12.1
   Utilization of capital loss                 --         --       (2.7)
    Other, net ................                .3        (.9)       (.1)
                                             ----       ----       ----
                                             38.0%      38.0%      40.0%
                                             ====       ====       ====


   Deferred tax assets and  liabilities  at September  30, 1996 and 1995 were as
follows:

   (in millions)                                  1996     1995
   --------------------------------------        -----    -----
   Deferred tax assets:
    Equity transactions ..........               $ 318    $ 431
    Foreign loss carryforwards ...                  32       34
    U.S. net operating loss carryforwards ....      32       67
    AMT credit carryforwards .....                  91       78
    Deferred income ..............                  22       30
    Other, net ...................                  24       --
                                                 -----    -----
    Gross deferred tax assets ....                 519      640
    Less: valuation allowance ....                 (32)     (34)
                                                 -----    -----
    Total deferred tax assets ....                 487      606
                                                 -----    -----
  Deferred tax liabilities:
    Lease accounting .............                 719      803
    Foreign ......................                  34       39
    Deferred expenses ............                   8        8
                                                 -----    -----
    Total deferred tax liabilities                 761      850
                                                 -----    -----
     Net deferred tax liabilities                $ 274    $ 244
                                                 =====    =====

   For financial reporting  purposes,  the company has approximately $74 million
of foreign net operating  loss  carryforwards,  most of which have no expiration
date. The company has recognized a valuation  allowance of $32 million to offset
this deferred tax asset.  During fiscal 1996, changes in the valuation allowance
included  decreases of $1 million from  utilizing  foreign losses and $1 million
from foreign exchange rate and tax rate changes.
   At September 30, 1996, the company has available for U.S.  Federal income tax
purposes, the following carryforwards (in millions):



                                               Net
                                         operating
  Year scheduled to expire                    loss
  ------------------------               ---------
  2004                                         $ 2
  2005                                           5
  2006                                           5
  2007                                          70
  2008                                           3
                                         ---------
                                               $85
                                         =========

   For U.S.  Federal  income tax  purposes,  the company has  approximately  $91
million of  alternative  minimum tax ("AMT") credit  carryforwards  available to
reduce regular taxes in future years.  AMT credit  carryforwards  do not have an
expiration date.
                                       43
<PAGE>
   All years  prior to fiscal  1989 are  closed to  further  as-sessment  by the
Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") due to the expiration of the Statute of
Limitations.
   In February, 1992, the Service commenced an income tax audit for fiscal years
1989 and 1990.  In May,  1994,  a 30-Day  Letter  was  received  by the  company
proposing  income tax  deficiencies  of $9.8 million and $2.5 million for fiscal
years 1989 and 1990, respectively.  In August, 1994, the company filed a Protest
with  the  Service  and  is  currently  discussing  with  the  Appeals  Division
("Appeals") the resolution of all unagreed  issues.  To facilitate this process,
the company and Appeals are currently  developing a Technical Advice Request for
submission to the Service's  National Office  requesting  guidance on the proper
treatment of assets for inventory and tax depreciation  purposes while not under
a lease contract.  The company believes that all issues will be resolved with no
material impact on the company's financial condition.
   During  March,  1994,  the Service  commenced  an income tax audit for fiscal
years 1991,  1992, and 1993. In June,  1996, a 30-Day Letter was received by the
company  proposing tax deficiencies of $14 million,  $28 million and $30 million
for fiscal years 1991, 1992, and 1993, respectively. These assessments primarily
relate to the inventory/depreciation issue being addressed at Appeals and in the
Technical  Advice  Request  for the  1989  and  1990  fiscal  years.  Due to the
complexity and costly  calculations  relating to the turn around adjustments for
the  inventory/depreciation  issue as proposed, the company and the Service once
again  agreed  to  forego  the turn  around  calculations  as part of the  above
assessments.   If  the  inventory/depreciation   turn  around  adjustments  were
included,  the company believes the tax assessments would be substantially less.
In August,  1996,  the company  filed a Protest  with the Service  requesting  a
conference  with  Appeals to discuss the issues which are in  disagreement.  The
company believes that all issues raised will be resolved with no material impact
on the company's financial condition. Additionally, in August, 1996, the company
made tax payments of $1.7 million and $1.6 million and interest payments of $0.6
million  and  $0.4  million  in   anticipation  of  expected  tax  and  interest
liabilities for fiscal years 1992 and 1993, respectively.
   In July,  1996,  the company and the Service held an Opening  Conference  for
fiscal  years 1994 and 1995 income tax audit.  Field work has  commenced  with a
routine income tax audit expected.
   The  company  also  undergoes   audits  by  foreign,   state  and  local  tax
jurisdictions.  As of September 30, 1996, no material assessments have been made
by these tax authorities.

Note 10   Preferred Stock

There are 100,000,000 authorized shares of preferred stock - $.10 par value. The
board of directors establishes and designates the series and fixes the number of
shares and the relative  rights,  preferences  and limitations of the respective
series.  Whenever  dividends on  preferred  stock are in arrears six quarters or
more,  holders  of such stock  (voting  as a class)  have the right to elect two
directors  of the  company  until  all  cumulative  dividends  have  been  paid.
Dividends  on  outstanding  preferred  stock must be  declared  and paid  before
dividends  may be paid or set apart for payment on the common  stock.  Dividends
paid on  preferred  stock were $8  million,  $8 million and $9 million in fiscal
1996, 1995 and 1994 respectively.

8.75%   Cumulative   Preferred  Stock  (at  $25  stated  value  and  liquidation
preference):  The Series A and B Preferred Stock have no preemptive  rights, are
not  convertible  into shares of common stock or any other class of stock of the
company,  and are not subject to any  sinking  fund or other  obligation  of the
company to repurchase or retire the Series A and B Preferred Stock.
   The  Series A  Preferred  Stock  and the  Series B  Preferred  Stock  are not
redeemable  prior to September 24, 1997 and July 12, 1998,  respectively.  After
September 24, 1997 and July 12, 1998, respectively, the Series A Preferred Stock
and the Series B Preferred  Stock are  subject to  redemption  at the  company's
option, at any time, at $25 per share (plus accrued dividends).

Note 11   Common Stock

All  references in the financial  statements and notes to common share data have
been adjusted to reflect the three-for-two  stock split distributed in December,
1995.
     Cash dividends  paid were $.28 per share in fiscal 1996,  $.24 per share in
fiscal 1995, and $.23 per share in fiscal 1994.
     The company purchased 3.7 million and 5.3 million shares of common stock at
an  aggregate  cost of $80  million  and $86  million  in fiscal  1996 and 1995,
respectively.  On March 1, 1995,  the  company  issued
                                       44
<PAGE>
1.5  million  shares  from  treasury  upon  the  conversion  of  a  $20  million
convertible  subordinated  promissory note. These shares were repurchased on the
same day at a price of $16.67 per share.
     In November,  1987, the company  adopted a  "Shareholder  Rights Plan" (the
"Rights  Plan") to deter  coercive  takeover  tactics and to prevent an acquirer
from gaining control of the company without  offering a fair price to all of the
company's  stockholders.  Under  the  Rights  Plan,  stockholders  of  record on
November 27, 1987 received a dividend  distribution  of one right for each share
of the company's  common  stock.  The Rights Plan was amended and restated as of
November 7, 1994. The Rights Plan is  incorporated by reference in the company's
Form 10-K for  fiscal  1994 and the  company's  filing on Form 8-K in  December,
1994.

Note 12   Employee Benefits Plans
In fiscal 1988,  the company  established  the  Comdisco,  Inc.  Employee  Stock
Ownership Trust (the "Trust").  The Trust borrowed $20 million (the "ESOP Debt")
to purchase  1.5 million  shares of common stock held in treasury by the company
at a market price at the date of purchase of $13.25 per share.
   The ESOP Debt is guaranteed by the company.  The  outstanding  balance of the
ESOP Debt has been  recorded in term notes payable in the  consolidated  balance
sheet  and a like  amount  of  deferred  compensation  has  been  recorded  as a
reduction of stockholders'  equity.  Commencing  November 1, 1989 and continuing
over the period of the ESOP Debt,  the  shares  purchased  by the Trust with the
ESOP  Debt  proceeds  will  be  allocated  to  plan  participants  and  deferred
compensation  will be reduced by the amount of the principal payment on the ESOP
Debt. The company's annual contribution to the Trust plus dividends  accumulated
on the  unallocated  common  stock  held by the Trust are used to repay the ESOP
Debt. The amount of the company's annual  contribution is  discretionary  except
that it must be sufficient to enable the Trust to meet its current obligations.
   The company has a profit sharing plan which, together with the Employee Stock
Ownership  Plan (the  "Plans"),  covers  substantially  all domestic  employees.
Company  contributions  to the  Plans are based on a  percentage  of  employees'
compensation,  as defined.  Benefits are  accumulated on an individual  employee
basis.  Total expense under the Plans for each of the years ended  September 30,
1996, 1995 and 1994,  including  interest expense of $1 million on the ESOP Debt
in each fiscal  year,  amounted to $4 million.  The company  utilizes the shares
allocated  method for  recognizing  compensation on the Employee Stock Ownership
Plan. The amount contributed in fiscal 1996, 1995, and 1994 was $3 million,  net
of dividends, and was used for debt service in each fiscal year.
   The company's  stock option plans provide for the granting of incentive stock
options and/or  nonqualified  options to employees and agents to purchase shares
of common stock.
     Additionally,  under the 1989  Non-Employee  Directors'  Stock Option Plan,
each October 1, each individual who is a Non-Employee Director during the fiscal
year shall  automatically be granted an option for 3,000 shares of the company's
common stock at the then fair market value.
     The company  applies APB  Opinion  No. 25 and  related  Interpretations  in
accounting for its plans. Accordingly,  no compensation cost has been recognized
for its fixed stock option plans. Had compensation  cost for the company's stock
option  plans  been  determined  consistent  with FASB  Statement  of  Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 123 ("FAS 123"), the company's net earnings  available
to common stockholders and earnings per common and common equivalent share would
have been reduced to the pro forma amounts indicated below:

  (in millions except per share data)                   1996       1995
  ---------------------------------------------        -----      -----
  Net earnings available to common stockholders
   As reported .......................                 $ 106      $  96
                                                       =====      =====
   Pro forma .........................                 $ 105      $  95
                                                       =====      =====
  Earnings per common and common equivalent share
   As reported .......................                 $2.00      $1.73
                                                       =====      =====
   Pro forma .........................                 $1.97      $1.72
                                                       =====      =====

Under the stock  option  plans,  the  exercise  price of each option  equals the
market  price of the  company's  stock on the date of  grant.  For  purposes  of
calculating  the  compensation  cost  consistent with FAS 123, the fair value of
each option  grant is  estimated  on the date of grant  using the  Black-Scholes
option-pricing  model with the following  weighted-average  assumptions used for
grants in fiscal  1996 and 1995,  respectively:  dividend  yield of 1.0% for all
years;  expected  volatility  of 29 percent and 30 percent;  risk free  interest
rates of 5.94% and 7.47%; and expected lives of five years.
                                       45
<PAGE>
   Additional information on shares subject to options is as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 
                                                                1996                 1995                   1994
                                                        ---------------------   ------------------     -------------------  
                                                                    Weighted-            Weighted-               Weighted-
                                                         Number       average   Number     average     Number      average
                                                             of      exercise       of    exercise         of     exercise
  (in thousands except weighted average exercise price)  shares         price   shares       price      shares       price
  ---------------------------------------------------- --------     ---------   ------      ------     -------      ------
  <S>                                                  <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>

  Outstanding at beginning of year ...................  5,478       $     12     6,162       $  12       5,786      $   12
  Granted ............................................  1,632             20       714          14       3,093          12
  Exercised ..........................................   (608)            12    (1,033)         11        (166)          7
  Forfeited ..........................................   (137)            14      (365)         11      (2,551)         14
                                                      -------       --------    ------       -----     -------      ------
  Outstanding at the end of year .....................  6,365       $     14     5,478       $  12       6,162      $   12
                                                      =======       ========    ======       =====     =======      ======
  Options exercisable at year-end ....................  3,703                    3,126                   3,392
                                                      =======                   ======                 =======
  Weighted-average fair value of options
   granted during the year .........................   $ 6.73                   $ 5.01
                                                      =======                   ======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>

The following table summarizes  information  about stock options  outstanding at
September 30, 1996 (number of shares in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    Options outstanding                      Options exercisable
                                             ----------------------------------------      ---------------------
                                                               Weighted-    Weighted-                  Weighted-
                                                                average      average       Number       average
                                                Number     emaining con-    exercise           of      exercise
   Range of exercise prices .................of shares    tractual life        price       shares         price
                                             ---------    -------------     --------       ------      --------
  <S>                                            <C>          <C>               <C>         <C>           <C>

  $8 to 11 ..................................    1,585        5.5 years        $   9        1,306         $   9
  $11 to 14 .................................    1,879        6.5 years           13        1,170            12
  $14 to 17 .................................    1,292        6.5 years           15          744            15
  $17 to 20 .................................    1,405        9.0 years           20          471            20
  $20 to 23 .................................      204        9.0 years           22           12            21
                                                ------        ---------        -----        -----         -----
                                                 6,365        7.0 years        $  14        3,703         $  13
                                                ======        ========         =====        =====         =====
</TABLE>

Note 13   Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)

Summarized  quarterly  financial  data for the fiscal years ended  September 30,
1996 and 1995, is as follows (in millions except for per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Quarter ended
                                                -----------------------------------------------------------
                                                December 31,      March 31,      June 30,     September 30,
                                                ------------    ------------  --------------  -------------- 
                                               1995     1994   1996    1995   1996      1995   1996     1995
  <S>                                          <C>      <C>    <C>     <C>    <C>      <C>    <C>      <C>

  Total revenue                                $530     $524   $581    $593   $592     $ 539  $ 728    $ 584

  Net earnings to common stockholders          $ 25     $ 23   $ 26    $ 24   $ 27     $  24  $  28    $  25

  Net earnings  per common and
     common equivalent share                   $.47     $.41   $.49    $.43   $.51     $ .44  $ .53    $ .45
</TABLE>



Note 14   Segment Information
The company operates predominantly in the leasing industry. The company operated
in four  principal  geographic  locations  during fiscal 1996.  The company also
operates in South America.
     Transfers  between  geographic  areas  include a reasonable  profit that is
eliminated in consolidation.
   Presented  on page  47 is  financial  information  reflecting  the  company's
leasing and business  continuity and network  services  operations by geographic
area for the years ended September 30, 1996, 1995 and 1994.
                                       46
<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                       United                     Pacific     Export     Elimin-   Consol-
    (in millions)                                      States     Europe   Canada     Rim      sales     ations    idated
  -------------------------------------------------    ------     ------   ------ -------     ------     ------    ------
  <S>                                                  <C>         <C>       <C>    <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>
  1996
  Revenue from unaffiliated customers
    Leasing .......................................   $1,573       $ 420     $ 75   $  45        $ -      $   -   $ 2,113
    Business continuity and network services ......      263          41       14       -          -          -       318
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
  Total revenue from unaffiliated customers .......    1,836         461       89      45          -          -     2,431
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
  Transfers between geographic areas ..............        8           4        4       3          5        (24)        -
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
        Total revenue .............................   $1,844       $ 465     $ 93   $  48        $ 5      $ (24)  $ 2,431
                                                      ======       =====     ====   =====        ===      =====   =======
  Earnings (loss) before income taxes
    Leasing .......................................   $  113       $  10     $ 19   $   1        $ 1      $  (1)  $   143
    Business continuity and network services ......       40           -        1       -          -          -        41
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
 Total earnings (loss) before income taxes ........   $  153       $  10     $ 20   $   1        $ 1      $  (1)  $   184
                                                      ======       =====     ====   =====        ===      =====   =======
  Total assets (end of year)
    Leasing .......................................   $4,397       $ 723     $151   $  83        $23      $ (89)  $ 5,288
    Business continuity and network services ......      264          60       19       -          -        (40)      303
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
      Total assets ................................   $4,661       $ 783     $170   $  83        $23      $(129)  $ 5,591
                                                      ======       =====     ====   =====        ===      =====   =======
  1995
  Revenue from unaffiliated customers
    Leasing .......................................   $1,503       $ 369     $ 50   $  51        $ -      $   -   $ 1,973  
  Business continuity and network services.........      219          33       15       -          -          -       267
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
  Total revenue from unaffiliated customers .......    1,722         402       65      51          -          -     2,240
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
  Transfers between geographic areas ..............       13          24       12       3          8        (60)        -
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
        Total revenue .............................   $1,735       $ 426     $ 77   $  54        $ 8      $ (60)  $ 2,240
                                                      ======       =====     ====   =====        ===      =====   =======
  Earnings (loss) before income taxes
    Leasing .......................................   $  124       $   8     $ 13   $  (5)       $ -      $  (1)  $   139
    Business continuity and network services ......       30          (2)       1       -          -          -        29
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
  Total earnings (loss) before income taxes .......   $  154       $   6     $ 14   $  (5)       $ -      $  (1)  $   168
                                                      ======       =====     ====   =====        ===      =====   =======
  Total assets (end of year)
    Leasing .......................................   $3,922       $ 680     $126   $ 100        $23      $(107)  $ 4,744   
  Business continuity and network services ........      239          61       19       -          -        (24)      295
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
      Total assets ................................   $4,161       $ 741     $145   $ 100        $23      $(131)  $ 5,039
                                                      ======       =====     ====   =====        ===      =====   =======
  1994
  Revenue from unaffiliated customers
    Leasing .......................................   $1,507       $ 231     $ 62   $  56        $ -      $   -   $ 1,856
    Business continuity and network services ......      201          25       16       -          -          -       242
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
  Total revenue from unaffiliated customers .......    1,708         256       78      56          -          -     2,098
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
  Transfers between geographic areas ..............        9          37        6       4          3        (59)        -
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
        Total revenue .............................   $1,717       $ 293     $ 84   $  60        $ 3      $ (59)  $ 2,098
                                                      ======       =====     ====   =====        ===      =====   =======
  Earnings (loss) before income taxes
    Leasing .......................................   $   57       $   3     $ 12   $   1        $ -      $  (2)  $    71   
  Business continuity and network services ........       19          (2)       1       -          -          -        18
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
  Total earnings (loss) before income taxes .......   $   76       $   1     $ 13   $   1        $ -      $  (2)  $    89
                                                      ======       =====     ====   =====        ===      =====   =======
  Total assets (end of year)
    Leasing .......................................   $3,814       $ 545     $143   $ 100        $22      $ (66)  $ 4,558
    Business continuity and network services ......      211          42       16       -          -        (20)      249
                                                      ------       -----     ----   -----        ---      -----   -------
      Total assets ................................   $4,025       $ 587     $159   $ 100        $22      $ (86)  $ 4,807
                                                      ======       =====     ====   =====        ===      =====   =======
</TABLE>

                                       47
<PAGE>


THE STOCKHOLDERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS, 
COMDISCO, INC.:
We have audited the accompanying  consolidated balance sheets of Comdisco,  Inc.
and subsidiaries as of September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the related consolidated
statements  of earnings,  stockholders'  equity,  and cash flows for each of the
years in the  three-year  period ended  September 30, 1996.  These  consolidated
financial  statements are the  responsibility of the company's  management.  Our
responsibility  is  to  express  an  opinion  on  these  consolidated  financial
statements based on our audits.
   We  conducted  our audits in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
   In our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  referred to above
present fairly, in all material  respects,  the financial  position of Comdisco,
Inc. and  subsidiaries  at September 30, 1996 and 1995, and the results of their
operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the  three-year  period
ended  September  30, 1996 in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.

                                                  /s/ KMPG PEAT MARWICK LLP

Chicago, Illinois
November 5, 1996



                                                                   Exhibit 21.00


<TABLE>

                                                           State or Jurisdiction                   Percentage of Voting
                                                             of Incorporation                        Securities Owned
                                                           ---------------------                   --------------------
<S>                                                              <C>                                      <C>   

Comdisco Australia PTY. Ltd.                                     Australia                                100%

Comdisco Aviation, Inc.                                          Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Belgium S.A.                                             Belgium                                 100%

Comdisco Canada Ltd.                                              Canada                                  100%

Comdisco Canada Exploration Ltd.                                  Canada                                  100%

Comdisco Canada Resources Ltd.                                    Canada                                  100%

Comdisco Danmark A/S                                              Denmark                                 100%

Comdisco Deutschland GmbH                                         Germany                                 100%

Comdisco Disaster Recovery Services
Canada Ltd.                                                       Canada                                  100%

Comdisco Disaster Recovery Services
 Deutschland GmbH                                                 Germany                                 100%

Comdisco Disaster Recovery Services
 Nederland B.V.                                                 Netherlands                               100%

Comdisco Disaster Recovery Services
 U.K. Limited                                                 United Kingdom                              100%

 Comdisco Exploration, Inc.                                      Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Factoring (Nederland) B.V.                             Netherlands                               100%



<PAGE>


                                                           State or Jurisdiction                   Percentage of Voting
                                                             of Incorporation                        Securities Owned
                                                           ---------------------                   --------------------

Comdisco Financial Services, Inc.                                Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Finland OY                                               Finland                                 100%

Comdisco Finance (Nederland) B.V.                               Netherlands                               100%

Comdisco Financial Services VmbH                                  Germany                                 100%

Comdisco France S.A.                                              France                                  100%

Comdisco Funding Limited (U.K.)                               United Kingdom                              100%

Comdisco Group, Inc.                                             Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Handelsgesellschaft M.B.H.                               Austria                                 100%

Comdisco Holdings U.K. Ltd.                                   United Kingdom                              100%

Comdisco Investment Group, Inc.                                  Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Italia SRL                                                Italy                                  100%

Comdisco Leasing Ltd. U.K.                                    United Kingdom                              100%

Comdisco Leasing S.A./N.V.                                        Belgium                                 100%

Comdisco Medical Equipment Group, Inc.                           Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Medical Exchange, Inc.                                  Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Nederland B.V.                                         Netherlands                               100%

Comdisco Japan, Inc.                                               Japan                                  100%


<PAGE>



                                                           State or Jurisdiction                   Percentage of Voting
                                                             of Incorporation                        Securities Owned
                                                           ---------------------                    --------------------

Comdisco Norway A/S                                               Norway                                  100%

Comdisco Portugal Computadores, LDA                              Portugal                                 100%

Comdisco Receivables, Inc.                                       Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Resources, Inc.                                         Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco, S.A.                                                  Switzerland                               100%

Comdisco Sweden, A.B.                                             Sweden                                  100%

Comdisco Switzerland, S.A.                                      Switzerland                               100%

Comdisco Systems, Inc.                                           Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Trade, Inc.                                             Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco United Kingdom Limited                               United Kingdom                              100%

 Comdisco International Trade
 Corporation                                                  Virgin Islands                              100%

Aegeris International                                             France                                  100%

 Failsafe/Roc Ltd.                                            United Kingdom                              100%

ROC Ltd.                                                      United Kingdom                              100%



<PAGE>


                                                          State or Jurisdiction                    Percentage of Voting
                                                             of Incorporation                        Securities Owned
                                                           ---------------------                   --------------------
Comdisco Computing Services
Corporation                                                      Delaware                                 100%

CDS Foreign Holdings, Inc.                                       Delaware                                 100%

Comdisco Asia PTE. LTD.                                          Singapore                                100%

Computer Discount Corporation                                    Illinois                                 100%

Computer Discount Corporation
S.A. - Madrid                                                      Spain                                  100%

Computer Recovery Centre
SDN BHD                                                          Malaysia                                  10%

Promodata S.A.                                                    France                                  100%

628761 Alberta Ltd.                                               Canada                                  100%
</TABLE>




Subsidiaries  of the  Registrant  are  included  in the  consolidated  financial
statements.


                                                                  Exhibit 23.00


[KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Letterhead]




                                          Consent of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP



The Board of Directors
Comdisco, Inc.:

We consent to incorporation  by reference in Registration  Statement No. 2-76569
on Form  S-8,  Registration  Statement  No.  33-20715  on  Forms  S-8  and  S-3,
Registration  Statement No. 333-15401 on Form S-3 and Registration Statement No.
33-50659 on Form S-8 of Comdisco,  Inc. of our reports  dated  November 5, 1996,
relating to the consolidated  balance sheets of Comdisco,  Inc. and subsidiaries
as of September  30, 1996 and 1995 and the related  consolidated  statements  of
earnings,  stockholders' equity, and cash flows and related schedule for each of
the years in the  three-year  period  ended  September  30,  1996 which  reports
appear,  or are  incorporated  by  reference,  in the  September 30, 1996 annual
report on Form 10-K of Comdisco, Inc.


                                           
                                 



Chicago, Illinois
December 23, 1996



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                                                      5
<LEGEND>
     This Schedule  contains summary  financial  information  extracted from the
consolidated  balance  sheet of Comdisco,  Inc. as of September 30, 1996 and the
consolidated  statement of earnings for the year ended  September 30, 1996, both
incorporated by reference into the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Comdisco,  Inc.
for the year ended  September  30,  1996,  and is  qualified  in its entirety by
reference to such financial statments.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                                                 0000722487
<NAME>                                                            Comdisco, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                                                           1,000,000
<CURRENCY>                                                          U.S. Dollars
       
<S>                                                              <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                             12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    SEP-30-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                                       Oct-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                                         SEP-30-1996
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                        29
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                239
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                  21
<INVENTORY>                                                                  155
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                             402
<PP&E>                                                                     6,433
<DEPRECIATION>                                                             1,823
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                             5,591
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                      1,501
<BONDS>                                                                    1,771
                                                          0
                                                                   89
<COMMON>                                                                       7
<OTHER-SE>                                                                   703
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                               5,591
<SALES>                                                                    1,797
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                           2,431
<CGS>                                                                      1,246
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                              1,985
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                           262
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                              184
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                  70
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                          114
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                 106
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               2.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               2.00
        


</TABLE>


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