COMDISCO INC
10-Q, 1999-02-16
COMPUTER RENTAL & LEASING
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                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM 10-Q


[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
                                   Act of 1934
                For the quarterly period ended December 31, 1998

                                       OR

[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
                                   Act of 1934
            For the transition period from __________ to ___________

                                   

                          Commission file number 1-7725

                I.R.S. Employer Identification Number 36-2687938

                                 COMDISCO, INC.

                            (a Delaware Corporation)
                              6111 North River Road
                            Rosemont, Illinois 60018
                            Telephone: (847) 698-3000


                               Name of each                     Number of shares
 Title of                      exchange on                     outstanding as of
 each class                  which registered                  December 31, 1998

 Common stock,               New York Stock Exchange              151,968,130
 $.10 par value              Chicago Stock Exchange


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 .

                                      -1-

<PAGE>


Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries

INDEX                                                                       Page


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  Item 1.  Financial Statements (Unaudited)

         Consolidated Statements of Earnings --
          Three Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997........................3

         Consolidated Balance Sheets --
         December 31, 1998 and September 30, 1998..............................4

         Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows --
         Three Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997.........................5

         Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................7


  Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
            Condition and Results of Operations................................9

  Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.........13

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

  Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders................13
 .

  Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K...................................14

SIGNATURES....................................................................16


                                      -2-

<PAGE>


PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
(in millions except per share data)
For the Three Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              Three Months Ended
                                                                   December 31     
                                                                  1998    1997
                                                                  -----   -----
<S>                                                              <C>     <C>
Revenue
   Leasing
     Operating ................................................   $ 531   $ 448
     Direct financing .........................................      41      40
     Sales-type ...............................................     160      90
                                                                  -----   -----
        Total leasing .........................................     732     578

   Sales ......................................................      58      51
   Technology services ........................................     118     104
   Other ......................................................      13      11
                                                                  -----   -----
     Total revenue ............................................     921     744
                                                                  -----   -----

Costs and expenses
   Leasing
     Operating ................................................     430     359
     Sales-type ...............................................     127      60
                                                                  -----   -----
        Total leasing .........................................     557     419

   Sales ......................................................      51      40
   Technology services ........................................     100      86
   Selling, general and administrative ........................      69      62
   Interest ...................................................      84      81
                                                                  -----   -----
     Total costs and expenses .................................     861     688
                                                                  -----   -----

Earnings before income taxes ..................................      60      56
Income taxes ..................................................      22      20
                                                                  -----   -----
Net earnings before preferred dividends .......................      38      36
Preferred dividends ...........................................      --      (2)
                                                                  -----   -----
Net earnings available to common
    stockholders ..............................................   $  38   $  34
                                                                  =====   =====

Net earnings per common share:
     Earnings per common share--basic .........................   $ .25   $ .23
                                                                  =====   =====
     Earnings per common share--diluted .......................   $ .24   $ .21
                                                                  =====   =====

Cash dividends paid per common share ..........................   $.025   $.025
                                                                  =====   =====

Common shares outstanding:
     Average common shares outstanding--basic .................     152     148
     Average common shares outstanding--diluted ...............     161     160

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements 
</TABLE>

                                      -3-
<PAGE>


Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions except number of shares)

                                                    December 31 September 30
                                                       1998         1998
                                                    ----------- ------------   
                                                    (unaudited)  (audited)

ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents .........................   $    73    $    63
Cash - legally restricted .........................        38         30
Receivables, net ..................................       422        340
Inventory of equipment ............................       183        165
Leased assets:
  Direct financing and sales-type .................     1,998      1,779
  Operating (net of accumulated depreciation) .....     4,024      4,121
                                                      -------    -------
    Net leased assets .............................     6,022      5,900
Buildings, furniture and other, net ...............       138        137
Other assets ......................................       461        428 
                                                      -------    -------
                                                      $ 7,337    $ 7,063
                                                      =======    =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Notes payable .....................................   $ 1,154    $ 1,121
Term notes payable ................................       550        550
Senior debt .......................................     3,025      2,768
Accounts payable ..................................       204        308
Income taxes ......................................       346        333
Other liabilities .................................       445        408
Discounted lease rentals ..........................       612        596
                                                      -------    -------
                                                        6,336      6,084
                                                      -------    -------
Stockholders' equity:
 Preferred stock $.10 par value
  Authorized 100,000,000 shares ...................        --         --
 Common stock $.10 par value
  Authorized 750,000,000 shares issued 221,970,268
  (221,657,318 at September 30, 1998) .............        22         22
 Additional paid-in capital .......................       259        257
 Accumulated other comprehensive income ...........       (20)       (13)
 Retained earnings ................................     1,135      1,101
                                                      -------    -------
                                                        1,396      1,367
  Common stock held in treasury, at cost ..........      (395)      (388)
                                                      -------    -------
   Total stockholders' equity .....................     1,001        979
                                                      -------    ------- 
                                                      $ 7,337    $ 7,063
                                                      =======    =======

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

                                      -4-
<PAGE>



Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(in millions)
Three Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents:

                                                               1998     1997
                                                              ------   ------
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Operating lease and other leasing receipts .............   $ 504    $ 468
   Direct financing and sales-type leasing receipts .......     224      222
   Leasing costs, primarily rentals paid ..................      (5)      (5)
   Sales ..................................................      94       75
   Sales costs ............................................     (50)     (23)
   Technology services receipts ...........................     123       90
   Technology services costs ..............................     (97)     (67)
   Other revenue ..........................................      13       11
   Selling, general and administrative expenses ...........     (84)     (80)
   Interest ...............................................     (84)     (78)
   Income taxes ...........................................      (3)      (2)
                                                              -----    -----
     Net cash provided by operating activities ............     635      611
                                                              -----    -----


Cash flows from investing activities:
  Equipment purchased for leasing .........................    (852)    (756)
  Investment in continuity and network services facilities      (36)     (14)
  Other ...................................................     (20)       6
                                                              -----    -----
     Net cash used in investing activities ................    (908)    (764)
                                                              -----    -----

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Discounted lease proceeds ...............................     133      129
  Net increase (decrease) in  notes payable ...............      33      280
  Issuance of term notes and senior notes .................     351       42
  Maturities and repurchases of term notes and senior notes     (90)     (95)
  Principal payments on secured nonrecourse debt ..........    (117)    (131)
  Preferred stock repurchased .............................      --      (68)
  Common stock repurchased and placed in treasury .........     (10)      --
  Dividends paid on preferred stock .......................      --       (2)
  Dividends paid on common stock ..........................      (4)      (4)
  Increase in legally restricted cash .....................      (8)      (9)
  Other ...................................................      (5)      --
                                                              -----    -----
     Net cash provided by financing activities ............     283      142
                                                              -----    -----


Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ......      10      (11)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period ..........      63       37
                                                              -----    -----
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ................   $  73    $  26
                                                              =====    =====

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>


Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
CONSOLIDATED  STATEMENTS  OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)  -- CONTINUED
(in millions)
Three Months Ended December 31, 1998 and 1997



                                                       1998     1997
                                                      ------   ------
Reconciliation of net earnings to net cash 
provided by operating activities:


Net earnings ......................................   $  38    $  36

Adjustments to reconcile net earnings
to net cash provided by operating activities:

Leasing costs, primarily
      depreciation and amortization ...............     552      414
    Leasing revenue, primarily principal portion of
      direct financing and sales-type lease rentals      (4)     113
    Cost of sales .................................       1       17
    Technology services costs,
        primarily depreciation and amortization ...       3       19
    Income taxes ..................................      19       18
    Interest ......................................      --        3
    Other - net ...................................      26       (9)
                                                      -----    -----
    Net cash provided by operating activities .....   $ 635    $ 611
                                                      =====    =====




See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
                                      -6-

<PAGE>


     Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries
     NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
     December 31, 1998 and 1997


     1.    Basis of Presentation

     The  accompanying  unaudited  consolidated  financial  statements have been
     prepared in accordance with generally  accepted  accounting  principles for
     interim  financial  statements and with the  instructions  to Form 10-Q and
     Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly,  they do not include all of the
     information  and  disclosures  required by  generally  accepted  accounting
     principles for annual financial  statements.  In the opinion of management,
     all  adjustments  (consisting  of  normal  recurring  accruals)  considered
     necessary  for  a  fair  presentation  have  been  included.   For  further
     information,  refer to the  consolidated  financial  statements  and  notes
     thereto  included in the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
     ended September 30, 1998.

     The balance  sheet at September  30, 1998 has been derived from the audited
     financial  statements  included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
     for the year ended September 30, 1998.

     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.

     2.    Interest-Bearing Liabilities

     At December  31, 1998,  the Company had $1.6 billion of available  domestic
     and  international  borrowing  capacity  under various lines of credit from
     commercial banks and commercial paper facilities.

     The average  daily  borrowings  outstanding  during the three  months ended
     December 31, 1998 were approximately $5.2 billion,  with a related weighted
     average  interest rate of 6.45%.  This compares to average daily borrowings
     during the first three months of fiscal 1998 of approximately $4.9 billion,
     with a related weighted average interest rate of 6.63%.

     3.    Senior Notes

     On October 9, 1998 the Company filed a  registration  statement on Form S-3
     with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission for a shelf offering of up to
     $1.5  billion of senior debt  securities  on terms to be set at the time of
     each sale (the "1998 Shelf").  On January 19, 1999, the Company  designated
     $600 million of senior debt  securities as  "Medium-Term  Notes,  Series H"
     under the 1998 Shelf. The Company, on January 26, 1999, issued $350 million
     of 6.0% Senior Notes Due January 30, 2002 under the 1998 Shelf. The Company
     plans to continue to be active in issuing  senior debt during  fiscal 1999,
     primarily to support the anticipated growth of the leased assets and, where
     appropriate, to refinance maturities of interest-bearing liabilities.


                                      -7-

<PAGE>



     4.  Stockholders' Equity

     In June 1997, FASB issued SFAS 130- Reporting  Comprehensive  Income, which
     requires  presentation  of  comprehensive  earnings  (net earnings plus all
     changes in net assets from  non-owner  sources) and its  components  in the
     financial statements.

     Other comprehensive earnings (loss) consists of the following:

                                                   Three months ended
                                                       December 31,
                                                       1998   1997
     Foreign currency trans-
      lation adjustments ..........................   $ --    $ (8)
     Change in net unrealized gains and
      losses on marketable securities .............    (11)     --
     Income tax benefit ...........................      4      --
                                                      ----    ----
     Other comprehensive loss .....................     (7)     (8)
                                                      ----    ----
     Net earnings .................................     38      34
                                                      ----    ---- 
     Total comprehensive income ...................   $ 31    $ 26
                                                      ====    ====

     On January 26,  1999,  the Board of  Directors  declared a  quarterly  cash
     dividend of $.025 per share to be paid on March 8, 1999 to  stockholders of
     record as of February 5, 1999.

     During the quarter ended December 31, 1998, the Company  purchased  728,400
     shares  of its  common  stock at an  aggregate  cost of  approximately  $10
     million.  Between  January  1, 1999 and  February  12,  1999,  the  Company
     purchased  1,482,800  shares of its  common  stock at an  aggregate cost of
     approximately $21 million.

                                      -8-
<PAGE>


Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward Looking Statements
- --------------------------
Certain  statements herein constitute  "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.  The
words and phrases "looking  ahead," "we are confident,"  "should be," "will be,"
"predicted,"  "believe,"  "expect"  and  "anticipate"  and  similar  expressions
identify forward-looking  statements.  These forward-looking  statements reflect
the  company's  current  views  with  respect  to future  events  and  financial
performance,  but are subject to many  uncertainties and factors relating to the
Company's operations and business environment which may cause the actual results
of the Company to be materially  different from any future results  expressed or
implied  by such  forward-looking  statements.  Examples  of such  uncertainties
include,  but are not  limited  to,  those  risk  factors  set  forth  generally
throughout this Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of  Operations  and  specifically  under "Risk  Factors  that May Affect
Future  Results" and in the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K dated December
20,   1998   and   filed   with   the   SEC  on   December   30,   1998,   under
Business-Forward-Looking Information which is incorporated herein by reference.

Net Earnings
- ------------
Net earnings available to common stockholders  (hereinafter  referred to as "net
earnings")  for the three  months ended  December 31, 1998 were $38 million,  or
$.24 per share,  as compared to $34  million,  or $.21 per share,  for the three
months  ended  December  31,  1997.  The increase in net earnings in the current
quarter  compared to the year  earlier  period is due to an increase in earnings
contributions from operating leases.

Business
- --------
Leasing volume, as measured by the cost of equipment placed on lease,  increased
in the first quarter of fiscal 1999 as compared to the year earlier quarter. The
growth in  leasing  volume is  expected  to have a  positive  impact on  leasing
revenue in future periods and will provide equipment for remarketing.  See below
for a  discussion  of  remarketing  and "Risk  Factors  that May  Affect  Future
Results" for a discussion of  enterprise  equipment  (also  referred to as large
systems) leasing.

Cost of  equipment  placed on lease was $797  million  during the quarter  ended
December 31, 1998.  This  compares to cost of equipment  placed on lease of $722
million  and $871  million  during the  quarters  ended  December  31,  1997 and
September 30, 1998,  respectively.  Diversified  technology services had cost of
equipment placed on lease of $216 million,  compared to $181 million in the year
earlier period.

In addition to originating new equipment lease financing,  the Company remarkets
used equipment from its lease portfolio.  Remarketing is the sale or re-lease of
equipment  either at original lease  termination  or during the original  lease.
These  transactions may be with existing lessees or, when equipment is returned,
with new  customers.  Remarketing  activities  are  comprised  of earnings  from
follow-on leases and gross profit on equipment sales.  Remarketing  activity, an
important contributor to quarterly earnings, decreased in the current quarter as
compared to both the first and fourth quarters of fiscal 1998.

The Company's  technology services attained record revenues in the first quarter
of  fiscal  1999,  however,  higher  costs,  primarily  associated  with  higher
personnel costs and continued investment in new service development,  negatively
impacted margins on the Company's technology services business. Costs associated
with the  development  and  implementation  of the  Company's  network  services
infrastructure   had  a  negative  impact  on  the  network  services   earnings
contribution. Based on transactions in process at December 31, 1998, the Company

                                      -9-
<PAGE>

anticipates its network services as well as its desktop  management  services to
have a  positive  impact  on the  Company's  pretax  earnings  in  fiscal  1999,
primarily  beginning in the third quarter of fiscal 1999. See "Risk Factors That
May Affect  Future  Results"  for a  discussion  of the factors  that may affect
earnings contributions from services.

The Company has reached agreement to acquire Prism Communication  Services, Inc.
("Prism")  (formerly  Transwire  Communications,  Inc.) a newly-formed  advanced
communications  company that will provide  high-speed data, Internet,  video and
voice  solutions  through  its  advanced  digital  network.   The  cost  of  the
acquisition,  which is expected to be completed in the second  quarter of fiscal
1999,  is  estimated  at  approximately  $50-60  million.  The Company  received
approval for the  acquistion  from  the  Federal  Trade   Commission  under  the
Hart-Scott-Rodino Act on February 12, 1999. Prism is a start up company that has
incurred  operating  losses since inception and the Company expects that Prism's
operating  losses  will  continue  to increase  as it  introduces  its  services
throughout  New York City and the Northeast  corridor.  In addition,  Prism will
require additional capital to support its data network,  to expand its services,
to increase its sales and marketing efforts and to support the company's growth.
To the extent that revenues do not grow at  anticipated  rates or that increases
in  such  operating  expenses  precede  or  are  not  subsequently  followed  by
commensurate  increases  in  revenues,  or that the  company is unable to adjust
operating  expense  levels  accordingly,  the  Company's  business,  results  of
operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.  There can be no
assurance  that in the future Prism will be  profitable on a quarterly or annual
basis.


Three Months Ended December 31, 1998
- ------------------------------------
Total  revenue for the three  months  ended  December  31, 1998 was $921 million
compared  to $744  million in the prior  year  quarter  and $904  million in the
quarter  ended  September  30, 1998,  respectively.  The increase in the current
quarter  compared  to the prior year  quarter  was due to higher  total  leasing
revenue.  Total leasing  revenue of $732 million for the quarter ended  December
31, 1998  represented  an increase of 27% compared to the year  earlier  period.
Total leasing revenue was $695 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998.

Operating lease revenue minus operating lease cost was $101 million, or 19.0% of
operating lease revenue  (collectively,  the "Operating Lease Margin"),  and $89
million, or 19.9% of operating lease revenue, in the three months ended December
31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.  The Operating Lease Margin was $96 million, or
18.8% in the quarter ended September 30, 1998. The Company expects the Operating
Lease Margin to decline from current levels throughout fiscal 1999, depending on
the mix of equipment  leased and product  announcements  by  manufacturers.  See
"Risk Factors that May Affect Future  Results" for a discussion of large systems
leasing.

Revenue from sales, which includes remarketing and buy/sell activities,  totaled
$58 million in the first  quarter of fiscal 1999  compared to $51 million in the
year  earlier   quarter.   Lower  margins  on  sales  of  equipment  in  Europe,
particularly  medical  equipment  sales,  decreased  the  margin on sales in the
current year period compared to the year earlier  period.  Margins on sales were
12% and 22% in the quarters ended December 31, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

Revenue from technology  services activities for the three months ended December
31,  1998 and  1997 was $118  million  and  $104  million,  respectively,  a 13%
increase.  Cost of  technology  services  activities  for the three months ended
December 31, 1998 and 1997 was $100 million and $86 million, respectively, a 16%
increase.

Other revenue for the quarter  ended  December 31, 1998 and 1997 was $13 and $11
million,  respectively.  Revenue  from the sale of  equity  positions  held as a
result of the Company's lease and other financing  transactions with early-stage
high  technology  companies for each of the quarters ended December 31, 1998 and
1997 was $7 million.

Total  costs and  expenses  for the  quarter  ended  December  31, 1998 was $861
million compared to $688 million in the prior year period. The increase in total
costs and  expenses is  primarily  due to  increased  leasing  costs,  primarily
related to increasing operating lease revenue and sales-type lease revenue.

Selling,  general and administrative expenses totaled $69 million in the quarter
ended  December 31, 1998 compared to $62 million in the quarter  ended  December
31, 1997 and $64 million in the quarter ended  September 30, 1998. The principal
reason for the increase in the current year quarter compared to the year earlier
period is increased personnel costs,  primarily in marketing and related support
services  and in data  processing.  The  Company  expects  selling,  general and
administrative  expenses  to  increase  throughout  fiscal  1999 as the  Company
continues to invest in its  infrastructure  to increase  revenue and support the
increase in business volume.

    
<PAGE>
                                  -10-
Interest  expense for the three  months  ended  December  31,  1998  totaled $84
million in  comparison  to $81  million and $82  million in the  quarters  ended
December  31, 1997 and  September  30, 1998,  respectively.  The increase in the
current  quarter  is due to  higher  average  daily  borrowings  resulting  from
increased  leased  assets at  September  30, 1998 and an  increase in  equipment
purchased  for lease  during the current  quarter  compared to the year  earlier
period.

Financial Condition
- -------------------
The  Company's  current  financial  resources  and  estimated  cash  flows  from
operations  are  considered  adequate  to fund  anticipated  future  growth  and
operating requirements.  The Company utilizes a variety of financial instruments
to fund its short and long-term needs.

Capital  expenditures  for equipment are financed by cash flows from operations,
recourse  debt,  or by  assigning  the  noncancelable  lease  rentals to various
financial  institutions  at fixed  interest rates on a nonrecourse  basis.  Cash
provided by operating  activities  for the three months ended  December 31, 1998
was $635  million,  compared to $611 million for the year earlier  period.  Cash
provided  by  operations  has been  used to  finance  equipment  purchases  and,
accordingly, had a positive impact on the level of borrowing required to support
the Company's investment in its lease portfolio.

Risk Factors That May Affect Future Results
- -------------------------------------------
This  Report  contains   forward-looking   statements  that  involve  risks  and
uncertainties.  The Company's  actual  revenues and results of operations  could
differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking  statements as
a result of certain  factors,  including  those set forth in the following  risk
factors and elsewhere in this Report.

Potential Fluctuations in Operating Results: The Company's operating results are
subject to quarterly fluctuations resulting from a variety of factors, including
earnings  contributions from remarketing  activities,  product  announcements by
manufacturers, economic conditions and variations in the financial mix of leases
written.  The  financial mix of leases  written is 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 the pricing  policies of equipment
manufacturers, and price competition from other lessors and finance companies.

Earnings Contributions from Leasing: Lower margins on large systems transactions
(mainframes  and  related  peripherals,  including  DASD  and tape  drives)  has
resulted in lower margins on leasing,  particularly for operating leases.  There
can be no assurance regarding the Company's ability to accurately predict future
declines in the fair market values of large systems equipment.

To meet earnings goals for fiscal 1999, remarketing  contributions have to be at
approximately  the level achieved in fiscal 1998. While the Company has a larger
lease  portfolio for  remarketing  and is devoting  resources to its remarketing
activities,  there  can be no  assurance  that  the  company  will  achieve  the
appropriate level of activity  necessary to meet the company's desired operating
results.

The Company continues to monitor volatility in large systems fair market values
that have declined faster and exhibited greater volatility than the Company had
anticipated.  There is no assurance  that fair market  values on large  systems
will stabilize or that further rapid declines in the value of such systems will
not occur in the near term.  To the extent that  declines in fair market values
exceed the Company's current estimates, there could be an adverse effect on the
Company's  operating  results.  In addition,  the Company has reduced its large
systems  leasing  volume during the last twelve  months and currently  believes
that the large  system  market  will not  produce  acceptable  margins  for the
Company in the future.  Accordingly,  the  Company  continues  to evaluate  and
develop  its  options,  including  acceleration  of  depreciation  on its large
systems  portfolio  (which would reduce future earnings  contributions  on this
portfolio) and/or the

                                      -11-
<PAGE>

acceleration  of its exit  from  the  large  systems  market.  Exit  strategies
include,  but are not  limited  to, the sale of any or all of its large  system
portfolio  and/or the  write-down of its large systems  assets to its estimated
realizable  value.  Either one of these exit  strategies  would  likely  have a
material affect on the Company's  operating results. With respect to the sale of
these assets,  there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to find
a buyer or buyers for such a portfolio  or that,  if a buyer or buyers could be
found, that the proceeds from such a sale would be greater than or equal to the
Company's then current net book values.

The  costs to  address  the Year  2000  issues  may have a  negative  impact  on
equipment  volume in fiscal 1999 if customers defer other IT projects due to the
Year 2000 efforts or if Year 2000 remediation  costs increase as a percentage of
the total IT budget, thereby reducing capital expenditures on new technology.

Earnings  Contributions from Services: As a result of the evolving nature of its
services  business,  particularly  the emerging  desktop  management and managed
network services, the company has limited meaningful historical data in which to
base its planned operating expenses.  Accordingly,  a significant portion of the
company's  expense  levels  (investment  in continuity  facilities and hardware,
consultants,  experts  and  back  office  personnel)  are  based  in part on its
expectations  as to  future  services  revenues,  including  Millennium  Testing
revenue, and are, to a large extent,  fixed.  Conversely,  the company's revenue
base has  become  more  diverse  with the  growth of other  technology  services
revenue,  and therefore less recurring and less predictable than in prior years.
To attain its services earnings  contribution goals for fiscal 1999, the company
will have to  expand  its  contract  subscription  base  (through  new  contract
signings and contract  renewals),  increase its revenues  from other  technology
services,  attain  Millennium  Testing  Services  revenue and contain costs.  In
addition,  there can be no  assurance  that the company will be able to maintain
and/or increase its margins on technology services in fiscal 1999.

One of the impacts of the Company's  changing  business model is the lengthening
of the sales  cycle--the  length of time between initial sales contact and final
delivery of contracts--as  compared to its traditional  leasing  business.  This
increase in sales cycle results in an increase in "backlog" (or  negotiations in
progress) which  ultimately  impacts the timing of revenue,  earnings and volume
recognition.  In addition,  the  Company's  ability to obtain new business  from
customers   depends  on  its  ability  to  anticipate   technological   changes,
successfully  compete with  organizations  offering  similar  services,  develop
services to meet customer  requirements and to achieve delivery of services that
meet customer requirements.

Economic Conditions and the Asian Economy:  With respect to economic conditions,
a recession  can cause  customers  to put off new  investments  and increase the
company's bad debt experience.  In addition, the recent economic turmoil in Asia
may have an impact on the region's semiconductor  manufacturing industry,  which
in turn would have an impact on the Company's  diversified  technology business.
Continued  pressures on credit in Asia and the Asian  economy in general,  could
also impact the domestic  economy  and/or the company's  multinational  customer
base.

Other Factors: Other uncertainties include continued business conditions,  trend
of movement to client/server  environment,  competition,  including  competition
from other technology  service  providers,  reductions in technology budgets and
related  spending  plans,   price  competition  from  other  technology  service
providers, and the Year 2000 readiness of the company's customers, suppliers and
business partners.

The  company   undertakes  no  obligation  to  publicly  update  or  revise  any
forward-looking  statements  whether  as a result  of new  information,  further
events or otherwise.

                                      -12-


<PAGE>



Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

There have been no  material  changes in the  Company's  market  risk during the
three months ended December 31, 1998. For additional information,  refer to page
37 of the  Company's  Annual  Report to  Stockholders  for the fiscal year ended
September 30, 1998.

Part II  Other Information

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

a) The Annual Meeting of Shareholders was held on January 26, 1999.

c) The three nominees,  Harry M. Jansen Kraemer,  Carolyn L. Murphy, and John J.
Vosicky  listed in the Company's  Notice of Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  and
Proxy  Statement dated and mailed December 24, 1998 were elected to the Board of
Directors of the Company for a term of three years.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                             Percent of
Nominee                    Votes Cast For    Votes Cast      Votes Abstained  Votes No
- -------                    --------------   ------------     ---------------  --------
<S>                        <C>              <C>              <C>              <C> 
Harry M. Jansen Kraemer      137,282,206         99%             1,541,409    521,363
Carolyn L. Murphy            137,791,331         99%             1,032,284     12,238
John J. Vosicky              137,373,459         99%             1,450,156    430,110

</TABLE>

As set forth in the Company's Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders and Proxy
Statement  dated and mailed  December 24, 1998, as Item 2, approval of KPMG LLP,
as independent  auditors,  to audit the financial statements for fiscal 1999 and
to perform other  accounting  services,  as appropriate.  There were 138,823,615
(91%)  common  shares  voted for this  proposal,  158,093  (less than 1%) common
shares  voted  against,  142,962  (less than 1%)  common  shares  abstained  and
13,324,009 (9%) were not voted.


                                      -13-

<PAGE>


Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a)    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 Amendment of Restated Certificate of 
                       Incorporation dated February 3, 1998

                               Incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 3.02 filed
                               with the  Company's  Annual  Report  for the year
                               ended  September 30, 1998 on Form 10-K,  File No.
                               1-7725.

            3.03       By-Laws of Registrant dated November 4, 1997

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 3.1 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K
                               dated  November  12,  1997,  as  filed  with  the
                               Commission November 14, 1997 File No. 1-7725.


            4.01       Rights Agreement,  dated as of November 17, 1997, between
                       the  Registrant  and  ChaseMellon  Shareholder  Services,
                       L.L.C.,  as Rights  Agent,  which  includes  as Exhibit A
                       thereto the Certificate of  Designation,  Preferences and
                       Right of Series C Junior  Participating  Preferred  Stock
                       and as Exhibit B thereto the Form of Rights Certificate.

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.1 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K
                               dated   November  5,  1997,  as  filed  with  the
                               Commission November 6, 1997 File No. 1-7725.

            4.02       Indenture Agreement between  Registrant and The Fuji Bank
                       and  Trust  Company, as Trustee, dated as of December 15,
                       1998

                               Incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit 4.1 filed
                               with the  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K
                               dated   January  19,  1999,  as  filed  with  the
                               Commission on January 21, 1999,  File No. 1-7725,
                               the copy of the  Indenture  dated as of  December
                               15, 1998 between the Registrant and The Fuji Bank
                               and Trust  Company,  as Trustee  (said  Indenture
                               defines certain rights of security holders).

                                      -14-

<PAGE>



Exhibit No.                         Description of Exhibit

           11.00       Computation of Earnings Per Share

           12.00       Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges

           27.00       Financial Data Schedule

           99.00       Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure

                               Incorporated   by  reference  to  the   Company's
                               Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 9, 1998,
                               File No. 1-7725.
           
b)  Reports on Form 8-K:


                 On January 27, 1999, the Company filed a current report on Form
                 8-K,  dated  January  27,  1999,  reporting  Item 7.  Financial
                 Statements and Exhibits. The filing contained exhibits relating
                 to the Company's Medium-Term Notes, Series H.

                 On January 20, 1999, the Company filed a current report on Form
                 8-K,  dated  January  20,  1999,  reporting  Item 7.  Financial
                 Statements and Exhibits. The filing contained exhibits relating
                 to the Company's 6.0% Notes Due January 30, 2002.

                 On January 14, 1999, the Company filed a Current Report on Form
                 8-K,  dated January 12, 1999,  reporting  Item 5. Other Events.
                 The filing  reported that its Board of Directors named Nicholas
                 K. Pontikes as President and Chief Executive Officer.

                 
                                      -15-

<PAGE>



SIGNATURES


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


                                       COMDISCO, INC.

                                       Registrant






Date:  February 13, 1999               /s/ David J. Keenan 
                                       --------------------
                                       David J. Keenan
                                       Senior Vice President
                                       and Controller



                                      -16-




Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries                                    Exhibit 11.00

COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
(in millions except per share data)

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


                                             Three months
                                                ended
                                             December 31
                                             -----------
                                             1998   1997
                                             ----   ----

Average shares outstanding ...............    152    148
Effect of dilutive options ...............      9     12
                                             ----   ----
   Total .................................    161    160
                                             ====   ====

Net earnings available
    to common stockholders ...............   $ 38   $ 34
                                             ====   ====

Net earnings per common share

         Basic ...........................   $.25   $.23
                                             ====   ====
         Diluted .........................   $.24   $.21
                                             ====   ====








Comdisco, Inc. and Subsidiaries                                    Exhibit 12.00
COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
(dollars in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                          Three months ended
                                             December 31,       For the years ended September 30,    
                                          ------------------    ---------------------------------
                                               1998   1997      1998   1997   1996   1995   1994
                                               ----   ----      ----   ----   ----   ----   ----
<S>                                            <C>    <C>       <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>    <C>   
Fixed charges
  Interest expense 1 .......................   $ 85   $ 82      $329   $301   $267   $278   $266

  Approximate portion of
    rental expense representative
    of an interest factor ..................      1      1         5      4      7     11     13
                                               ----   ----      ----   ----   ----   ----   ----

  Fixed charges ............................     86     83       334    305    274    289    279

Earnings from continuing operations
  before income taxes and
  extraordinary item, and cumulative
   effect of change in accounting principle,
   net of preferred stock dividends ........     60     54       238    203    176    160     80
                                               ----   ----      ----   ----   ----   ----   ----

Earnings from continuing  operations
  before income taxes, extraordinary item,
  cumulative effect of change
  in accounting principle, net of
  preferred stock dividend .................   $146   $137      $572   $508   $450   $449   $359
                                               ====   ====      ====   ====   ====   ====   ====

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges .........   1.70   1.65      1.71   1.67   1.64   1.55   1.29
                                               ====   ====      ====   ====   ====   ====   ====

Rental expense:
  Equipment subleases ......................   $  1   $  2      $  5   $  6   $ 14   $ 22   $ 30
  Office space, furniture, etc .............      3      2         9      7      8     10      8
                                               ----   ----      ----   ----   ----   ----   ----

     Total .................................   $  4   $  4      $ 14   $ 13   $ 22   $ 32   $ 38
                                               ====   ====      ====   ====   ====   ====   ====

     1/3 of rental expense .................   $  1   $  1      $  5   $  4   $  7   $ 11   $ 13
                                               ====   ====      ====   ====   ====   ====   ====

<FN>
<F1> Includes interest expense incurred by technology  services  and included in
     technology services expenses on the statements of earnings.
</FN>
</TABLE>

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                   5
<LEGEND>
This Schedule contains summary financial information
extracted from the Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q
for the quarter ended December 31, 1998 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. Dollar
       
<S>                                                                 <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                              3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                    SEP-30-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                       Oct-01-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                         Dec-31-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                                1
<CASH>                                                                        73
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                                447
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                  25
<INVENTORY>                                                                  183
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                           3,578                    
<PP&E>                                                                     8,767
<DEPRECIATION>                                                             2,745
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                             7,337
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                      1,704
<BONDS>                                                                    3,025
<COMMON>                                                                      22
                                                          0
                                                                    0
<OTHER-SE>                                                                   976
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                               7,337
<SALES>                                                                      732
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                             921
<CGS>                                                                        557
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                                812
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                            84
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                               60
<INCOME-TAX>                                                                  22
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                           38
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                                  38
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                                .25
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                                .24
        

</TABLE>


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