MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC
S-3/A, 1997-06-03
SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES
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<PAGE>
 
      
   AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JUNE 3, 1997     
                                                   
                                                REGISTRATION NO. 333-18441     
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                                ---------------
                                
                             AMENDMENT NO. 1     
                                       
                                    TO     
                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
 
                                ---------------

                            MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
            (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                                ---------------
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
                     DELAWARE                                          75-1618004
         (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF                            (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
          INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)                          IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
                            8000 SOUTH FEDERAL WAY
                                  P.O. BOX 6
                            BOISE, IDAHO 83707-0006
                                (208) 368-4000
              (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
       INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
 
                             WILBUR G. STOVER, JR.
             VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
                            MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                            8000 SOUTH FEDERAL WAY
                            BOISE, IDAHO 83707-0006
 (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                             OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                                ---------------
 
                                  COPIES TO:
                               LARRY W. SONSINI
                                 JOHN A. FORE
                             PATRICK J. SCHULTHEIS
                       WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI
                           PROFESSIONAL CORPORATION
                              650 PAGE MILL ROAD
                          PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA 94304
                                (415) 493-9300
 
                                ---------------
 
  APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.
 
  If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the
following box. [_]
 
  If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or
interest reinvestment plans, check the following box. [X]
 
  If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following
box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [_]
 
  If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [_]
 
  If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [_]
       
                                ---------------
 
  THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT
SHALL FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH
SECTION 8(a) OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID
SECTION 8(a), MAY DETERMINE.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
+INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A         +
+REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE   +
+SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY  +
+OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT        +
+BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR   +
+THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE      +
+SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE    +
+UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF  +
+ANY SUCH STATE.                                                               +
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
                    
PROSPECTUS       SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED JUNE 3, 1997     
                                 $1,000,000,000
 
                            MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                        DEBT SECURITIES AND COMMON STOCK
                                  ----------
          
  Micron Technology, Inc. ("MTI" or the "Company") may from time to time offer,
together or separately, (1) its debt securities (the "Debt Securities"), which
may be either senior debt securities (the "Senior Debt Securities") or
subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated Debt Securities") and (2)
shares of its common stock, par value $0.10 per share (the "Common Stock"). The
Debt Securities and the Common Stock are collectively referred to herein as the
"Securities".     
   
  The Securities offered pursuant to this Prospectus may be issued in one or
more series or issuances and will be limited to $1,000,000,000 aggregate public
offering price (or its equivalent (based on the applicable exchange rate at the
time of the sale) in one or more foreign currencies, currency units or
composite currencies as shall be designated by the Company). Certain specific
terms of the particular Securities in respect of which this Prospectus is being
delivered are set forth in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement (the
"Prospectus Supplement"), including, where applicable, (i) in the case of Debt
Securities, the specific title, aggregate principal amount, the denomination,
whether such Debt Securities are secured or unsecured obligations, whether such
Debt Securities are senior or subordinated, maturity, premium, if any, the
interest rate or rates (which may be fixed, floating or adjustable), the time
and method of calculating payment of interest, if any, the place or places
where principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such Debt
Securities will be payable, the currency in which principal of (and premium, if
any) and interest, if any, on such Debt Securities will be payable, any terms
of redemption at the option of the Company or the Holder, any sinking fund
provisions, terms for any conversion into other Securities, the initial public
offering price and other special terms and (ii) in the case of Common Stock,
the number of shares offered for sale by the Company and the initial public
offering price or method of determining the initial public offering price. If
so specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Debt Securities of a
series may be issued in whole or in part in the form of one or more temporary
or permanent global securities. The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New
York Stock Exchange under the symbol "MU". Any Common Stock sold pursuant to a
Prospectus Supplement will be listed on such exchange, subject to official
notice of issuance.     
   
  Unless otherwise specified in a Prospectus Supplement, the Senior Debt
Securities, when issued, will be unsecured and will rank equally with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The Subordinated Debt
Securities, when issued, will be subordinated in right of payment to all Senior
Debt (as defined) of the Company, including any outstanding Senior Debt
Securities. See "Description of Debt Securities--Subordination of Subordinated
Debt Securities".     
   
  The Prospectus Supplement may contain information concerning U.S. federal
income tax considerations, if applicable to the Securities offered.     
   
  The Securities may be sold directly, through agents, underwriters or dealers
as designated from time to time, or through a combination of such methods. See
"Plan of Distribution". If agents of the Company or any dealers or underwriters
are involved in the sale of the Securities in respect of which the Prospectus
is being delivered, the names of such agents, dealers or underwriters and any
applicable commissions or discounts, if any, are set forth in or may be
calculated from the Prospectus Supplement with respect to such Securities.     
   
  This Prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of Securities unless
accompanied by a Prospectus Supplement.     
 
                                  ----------
 
  SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 3 OF THIS PROSPECTUS FOR A DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN
FACTORS THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED IN CONNECTION WITH AN INVESTMENT IN THE
SECURITIES.
                                  ----------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES  AND
 EXCHANGE  COMMISSION   OR  ANY  STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION   NOR  HAS  THE
  SECURITIES  AND EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY  STATE SECURITIES  COMMISSION
   PASSED  UPON   THE  ACCURACY   OR  ADEQUACY   OF  THIS   PROSPECTUS.  ANY
            REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                                  ----------
                  
               THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS JUNE  , 1997.     
<PAGE>
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
   
  The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in accordance
therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company can be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room
1024, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's
Regional Offices located at Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite
1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 7 World Trade Center, Suite 1300, New York,
New York 10048. Copies of such material can be obtained from the Public
Reference Section of the Commission, 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission maintains a World Wide Web site
that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission. The
address of the World Wide Web site is http://www.sec.gov. The Common Stock is
listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Reports and other information
concerning the Company may be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock
Exchange, Inc., 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005.     
   
  The Company has filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form
S-3 (herein, together with all amendments and exhibits, referred to as the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), with respect to the Securities. This Prospectus, which
constitutes part of the Registration Statement, does not contain all of the
information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain parts of which
are omitted in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission.
For further information with respect to the Company and the Securities offered
hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the exhibits and
the financial statements, notes and schedules filed as part thereof or
incorporated by reference therein, which may be inspected at the public
reference facilities of the Commission at the addresses set forth above or
through the Commission's World Wide Web site.     
   
  Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the contents of any contract
or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance are
qualified in all respects by reference to the copy of such contract or
document filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement.     
       
       
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
  The following documents have been filed with the Commission and are
incorporated herein by reference:
     
    (a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A,
  for the fiscal year ended August 29, 1996;     
     
    (b) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended
  November 28, 1996 and February 27, 1997; and     
     
    (c) The Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A (No. 1-10658),
  declared effective by the Commission on November 28, 1990.     
   
  All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Registration Statement of
which this Prospectus forms a part and prior to the termination of the
offering of the Securities offered hereby shall be deemed to be incorporated
by reference into this Prospectus and be a part hereof from the date of filing
such documents.     
 
  Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of the Registration Statement or this Prospectus to the extent
that a statement contained herein, in a Prospectus Supplement or in any other
document subsequently filed with the Commission which also is or is deemed to
be incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any
such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so
modified or superseded, to constitute a part of the Registration Statement or
this Prospectus.
 
 
                                       2
<PAGE>
 
   
  The Company will furnish without charge to each person, including any
beneficial owner, to whom this Prospectus is delivered, on the written or oral
request of such person, a copy of any or all of the documents incorporated by
reference, other than exhibits to such documents (unless such exhibits are
specifically incorporated by reference into such documents). Requests should
be directed to Roderic W. Lewis, Vice President of Legal Affairs, General
Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Micron Technology, Inc., 8000 South Federal
Way, P.O. Box 6 Boise, ID 83707-0006, telephone (208) 368-4000.     
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  Micron Technology, Inc. ("MTI" or the "Company") and its subsidiaries
principally design, develop, manufacture and market semiconductor memory
products, personal computers and custom complex printed circuit board, memory
module and system level assemblies. MTI was incorporated in Idaho in 1978 and
reincorporated in Delaware in 1984. The Company's executive offices and
principal manufacturing operations are located at 8000 South Federal Way,
Boise, Idaho, 83707-0006 and its telephone number is (208) 368-4000.
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  Prior to making an investment decision with respect to the Securities
offered hereby, prospective investors should carefully consider the specific
factors set forth under the caption "Risk Factors" in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement pertaining thereto, together with all of the other
information appearing herein or therein or incorporated by reference herein,
in light of their particular investment objectives and financial
circumstances.
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  Unless otherwise indicated in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement, the net
proceeds to be received by the Company from the sale of the Securities will be
used for general corporate purposes, including capital expenditures and to
meet working capital needs. Pending such uses, the Company will invest the net
proceeds in interest-bearing securities.
 
                      RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
   
  Set forth below is the ratio of earnings to fixed charges for each of the
years in the five-year period ended August 29, 1996 and for the six-month
period ended February 27, 1997. For the purpose of calculating such ratios,
"earnings" consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes
plus fixed charges and "fixed charges" consist of interest expense (net of
capitalized portion) and capitalized interest.     
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                      FISCAL YEAR ENDED
                         --------------------------------------------
                                                                      SIX MONTHS
                                                                        ENDED
                         SEPT. 3, SEPT. 2, SEPT. 1, AUG. 31, AUG. 29,  FEB. 27,
                           1992     1993     1994     1995     1996      1997
                         -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Ratio of Earnings to
 Fixed Charges..........   2.1x    21.0x    75.2x    111.3x   59.6x     21.0x
</TABLE>    
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                         
                      DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES     
   
  The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued under an Indenture (the "Senior
Indenture"), between the Company, as issuer, and Norwest Bank Minnesota,
National Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). The Subordinated Debt
Securities are to be issued under a separate Indenture (the "Subordinated
Indenture"), also between the Company, as issuer, and Norwest Bank Minnesota,
National Association, as Trustee. The Senior Indenture and Subordinated
Indenture are sometimes referred to collectively as the "Indentures". A copy
of the form of each Indenture is filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement of which this Prospectus is a part. The Debt Securities may be
issued from time to time in one or more series. The particular terms of each
series, or of Debt Securities forming a part of a series, which are offered by
a Prospectus Supplement will be described in such Prospectus Supplement.     
   
  The following summaries of certain provisions of the Indentures do not
purport to be complete and are subject, and are qualified in their entirety by
reference, to all the provisions of the Indentures, including the definitions
therein of certain terms, and, with respect to any particular Debt Securities,
to the description of the terms thereof included in the Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto. Wherever particular Sections or defined terms of the
Indentures are referred to herein or in a Prospectus Supplement, such Sections
or defined terms are incorporated by reference herein or therein, as the case
may be.     
   
GENERAL     
   
  The Indentures will provide that Debt Securities in separate series may be
issued thereunder from time to time without limitation as to aggregate
principal amount. The Company may specify a maximum aggregate principal amount
for the Debt Securities of any series. (Section 301) The Debt Securities are
to have such terms and provisions which are not inconsistent with the
Indentures, including as to maturity, principal and interest, as the Company
may determine. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the Senior Debt Securities when issued will be unsecured and
unsubordinated obligations of the Company and will rank on a parity with all
other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness of the Company. The
Subordinated Debt Securities when issued will be subordinated in right of
payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Debt of the Company,
including any outstanding Senior Debt Securities, as described under
"Subordination of Subordinated Debt Securities" and in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement.     
   
  The applicable Prospectus Supplement will set forth whether the Debt
Securities offered shall be Senior Debt Securities or Subordinated Debt
Securities, the price or prices at which the Debt Securities to be offered
will be issued and will describe the following terms of such Debt Securities:
(1) the title of such Debt Securities; (2) any limit on the aggregate
principal amount of such Debt Securities or the series of which they are a
part; (3) the Person to whom any interest on a Debt Security of the series
shall be payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Debt Security
(or one or more predecessor Debt Securities) is registered at the close of
business on the Regular Record Date for such interest; (4) the date or dates
on which the principal of any of such Debt Securities will be payable; (5) the
rate or rates at which any of such Debt Securities will bear interest, if any,
the date or dates from which any such interest will accrue, the Interest
Payment Dates on which any such interest will be payable and the Regular
Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date; (6)
the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on any
of such Debt Securities will be payable; (7) the period or periods within
which, the price or prices at which and the terms and conditions on which any
of such Debt Securities may be redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of
the Company; (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase
any of such Debt Securities pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous
provision or at the option of the Holder thereof, and the period or periods
within which, the price or prices at which and the terms and
    
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
   
conditions on which any of such Debt Securities will be redeemed or purchased,
in whole or in part, pursuant to any such obligation; (9) the denominations in
which any of such Debt Securities will be issuable, if other than
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof; (10) if the amount
of principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Debt Securities may
be determined with reference to an index or pursuant to a formula, the manner
in which such amounts will be determined; (11) if other than the currency of
the United States of America, the currency, currencies or currency units in
which the principal of or any premium or interest on any of such Debt
Securities will be payable (and the manner in which the equivalent of the
principal amount thereof in the currency of the United States of America is to
be determined for any purpose, including for the purpose of determining the
principal amount deemed to be Outstanding at any time); (12) if the principal
of or any premium or interest on any of such Debt Securities is to be payable,
at the election of the Company or the Holder thereof, in one or more
currencies or currency units other than those in which such Debt Securities
are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or currency units in which
payment of any such amount as to which such election is made will be payable,
the periods within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election
is to be made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount is
to be determined); (13) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the
portion of the principal amount of any of such Debt Securities which will be
payable upon declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof; (14) if the
principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any of such Debt Securities
will not be determinable as of any one or more dates prior to the Stated
Maturity, the amount which will be deemed to be such principal amount as of
any such date for any purpose, including the principal amount thereof which
will be due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or
which will be deemed to be Outstanding as of any such date (or, in any such
case, the manner in which such deemed principal amount is to be determined);
(15) if applicable, that such Debt Securities, in whole or any specified part,
are defeasible pursuant to the provisions of the Indentures described under
"Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance--Defeasance and Discharge" or "Defeasance
and Covenant Defeasance--Defeasance of Certain Covenants," or under both such
captions; (16) if applicable, the terms of any right to convert Debt
Securities into shares of Common Stock of the Company or other securities or
property; (17) whether any of such Debt Securities will be issuable in whole
or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, if so, the
respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend or
legends to be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in lieu of
the legends referred to under "Form, Exchange and Transfer" or "Global
Securities" and, if different from those described under such captions, any
circumstances under which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole
or in part for Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security
in whole or in part may be registered, in the names of Persons other than the
Depositary for such Global Security or its nominee; (18) any addition to or
change in the Events of Default applicable to any of such Debt Securities and
any change in the right of the Trustee or the Holders to declare the principal
amount of any of such Debt Securities due and payable; (19) any addition to or
change in the covenants in the Indentures described under "Restrictive
Covenants" applicable to any of such Debt Securities; and (20) any other terms
of such Debt Securities not inconsistent with the provisions of the relevant
Indenture. (Section 301)     
   
  Debt Securities, including Original Issue Discount Securities, may be sold
at a substantial discount below their principal amount. Certain special United
States federal income tax considerations (if any) applicable to Debt
Securities sold at an original issue discount will be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement under "United States Taxation". In addition,
certain special United States
       
federal income tax or other considerations (if any) applicable to any Debt
Securities which are denominated in a currency or currency unit other than
United States dollars will be described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement.     
   
CONVERSION RIGHTS     
   
  The terms on which Debt Securities of any series are convertible into Common
Stock or other securities or property will be set forth in the Prospectus
Supplement relating thereto. Such terms shall     
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
   
include provisions as to whether conversion is mandatory or at the option of
the Holder and may include provisions pursuant to which the number of shares
of Common Stock or other securities or property to be received by the Holders
of Debt Securities upon conversion would be calculated according to the market
price of Common Stock or other securities or property as of a time stated in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Article Fourteen)     
   
SUBORDINATION OF SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES     
   
  Unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, the following
provisions will apply to the Subordinated Debt Securities.     
   
  The Subordinated Debt Securities will, to the extent set forth in the
Subordinated Indenture, be subordinate in right of payment to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt, including the Senior Debt Securities. In
the event of any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization, debt restructuring or other similar
case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its
creditors, as such, or to its assets, or any liquidation, dissolution or other
winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or not
involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or any assignment for the benefit of
creditors or any other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company,
the holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to receive payment in full of all
amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Debt in cash or
other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt before the Holders of
the Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive any payment on
account of principal of or any premium or interest on the Subordinated Debt
Securities or on account of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of
Subordinated Debt Securities or before the Company may make any sinking fund
or defeasance payment to the Trustee or any Paying Agent in accordance with
the Subordinated Indenture. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any amounts
previously deposited by the Company with the Trustee or Paying Agent in
accordance with the subordination provisions of Article Fifteen of the
Subordinated Indenture at the time of such deposit may be paid to the Holders
of Subordinated Debt Securities ("Defeased Payments"). (Section 1502)     
   
  By reason of such subordination, in the event of liquidation or insolvency,
creditors of the Company who are not holders of Senior Debt may recover less,
ratably, than holders of Senior Debt and may recover more, ratably, than the
Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities.     
   
  In the event that any Subordinated Debt Securities are declared due and
payable before their Stated Maturity as a result of an Event of Default, the
holders of the Senior Debt outstanding at the time such Subordinated Debt
Securities so become due and payable will be entitled to receive payment in
full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all Senior Debt
in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt before the
Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities are entitled to receive any
payment by the Company on account of the principal of or any premium or
interest on the Subordinated Debt Securities or on account of the purchase,
redemption or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt Securities or before the
Company may make any sinking fund or defeasance payment to the Trustee or any
Payment Agent in accordance with the Subordinate Indenture (other than
Defeased Payments). If the payment of Subordinated Debt Securities is
accelerated because of an Event of Default, the Company and the Trustee are
required under the Subordinated Indenture to promptly notify holders of Senior
Debt of the acceleration. (Section 1503)     
   
  The Company may not make any payment of principal (or premium, if any) or
interest, if any, in respect of the Subordinated Debt Securities or on account
of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Subordinated Debt
Securities or any payment constituting a sinking fund or defeasance payment to
the Trustee or Paying Agent in accordance with the Subordinated Indenture
(other than Defeased Payments) if (i) a default in the payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest (including a default under any repurchase or
redemption obligation) or other amounts with respect to any Senior     
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
   
Debt occurs and is continuing beyond the applicable grace period or (ii) any
other event of default occurs and is continuing with respect to Designated
Senior Debt (as defined) that permits the holders thereof or their
representatives to accelerate the maturity thereof, and the Trustee under the
Subordinated Indenture receives a notice of such default (a "Payment Blockage
Notice") from the Company, a holder of such Designated Senior Debt or other
person permitted to give such notice under the Subordinated Indenture. The
Company may and shall resume payments on the Subordinated Debt Securities and
may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire the Subordinated Debt Securities (a)
in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured
or waived or ceases to exist and (b) in the case of a nonpayment default, the
earlier of the date on which such nonpayment default is cured or waived or
ceases to exist or 179 days after the date on which the applicable Payment
Blockage Notice is received (unless the subordination provisions of Article
Fifteen of the Indenture prohibit the payment or distribution at the time of
such payment or distribution (including, without limitation, in the case of a
nonpayment referred to in clause (ii) above, as a result of a payment default
with respect to applicable Senior Debt as a consequence of the acceleration of
the maturity thereof or otherwise)). No new period of payment blockage may be
commenced unless and until 365 days have elapsed since the effectiveness of
the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice. No nonpayment default that
existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any Payment Blockage
Notice to the Trustee under the Subordinated Indenture shall be, or be made,
the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice. (Section 1502) In the case
of Subordinated Debt Securities that are convertible at the option of the
Holder, the payment, issuance and delivery of cash, property or securities
(other than stock and certain subordinated securities of the Company) upon
conversion of a Subordinated Debt Security will be deemed to constitute
payment on account of the principal of such Subordinated Debt Security.
(Section 1515)     
   
  "Senior Debt" is defined in the Indenture to mean: the principal of (and
premium, if any) and interest, if any (including interest accruing on or after
the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the
Company whether or not such claim for post-petition interest is allowed in
such proceeding), on, rent with respect to, and all fees and other amounts
payable in connection with, the following, whether absolute or contingent,
secured or unsecured, due or to become due, outstanding on the date of the
Subordinated Indenture or thereafter created, incurred or assumed:
(a) indebtedness of the Company evidenced by a credit or loan agreement, note,
bond, debenture or other written obligation, (b) all obligations of the
Company for money borrowed, (c) all obligations of the Company evidenced by a
note or similar instrument given in connection with the acquisition of any
businesses, properties or assets of any kind, (d) obligations of the Company
(i) as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the balance sheet of
the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles, (ii) as lessee
under other leases for facilities, equipment or related assets, whether or not
capitalized, entered into or leased after the date of the Subordinated
Indenture for financing purposes (as determined by the Company) or (iii) under
any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) that provides
that the Company is contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party
to purchase the leased property and the obligations of the Company under such
lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase
such leased property, (e) all obligations of the Company under interest rate
and currency swaps, caps, floors, collars, hedge agreements, forward
contracts, or similar agreements or arrangements, (f) all obligations of the
Company with respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar
facilities (including reimbursement obligations with respect to any of the
foregoing), (g) all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the
deferred purchase price of property or services (but excluding trade accounts
payable arising in the ordinary course of business), (h) all obligations of
the type referred to in clauses (a) through (g) above of another Person and
all dividends of another Person, the payment of which, in either case, the
Company has assumed or guaranteed (or in effect guaranteed through an
agreement to purchase or otherwise (including, without limitation, "take or
pay" and similar arrangements)), or for which the Company is responsible or
liable, directly or indirectly, jointly or severally, as obligor, guarantor or
otherwise, or which is secured by a lien on property of the Company, and all
obligations of the     
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
   
Company with respect thereto, and (i) renewals, extensions, modifications,
replacements, restatements and refundings of, or any indebtedness or
obligation issued in exchange for, any such indebtedness or obligation
described in clauses (a) through (h) of this paragraph; provided, however,
that Senior Debt shall not include the Subordinated Debt Securities or any
such indebtedness or obligation if the terms of such indebtedness or
obligation (or the terms of the instrument under which, or pursuant to which
it is issued) expressly provide that such indebtedness or obligation is not
superior in right of payment to the Subordinated Debt Securities.     
   
  "Designated Senior Debt" means certain existing Senior Debt (including the
Company's existing bank revolving credit agreement) and the Company's
obligations under any other particular Senior Debt in which the instrument
creating or evidencing the same or the assumption or guarantee thereof (or
related agreements or documents to which the Company is a party) expressly
provides that such Senior Debt shall be "Designated Senior Debt" for purposes
of the Subordinated Indenture and any Senior Debt so designated as Designated
Senior Debt by the Company in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (provided
that such instrument, agreement or other document may place limitations and
conditions on the right of such Senior Debt to exercise the rights of
Designated Senior Debt).     
   
  The Subordinated Indenture does not limit or prohibit the incurrence of
additional Senior Debt, which may include indebtedness that is senior to the
Subordinated Debt Securities, but subordinate to other obligations of the
Company. The Senior Debt Securities, when issued, will constitute Senior Debt.
       
  The Prospectus Supplement may further describe the provisions, if any,
applicable to the subordination of the Subordinated Debt Securities of a
particular series.     
   
FORM, EXCHANGE AND TRANSFER     
   
  The Debt Securities of each series will be issuable only in fully registered
form, without coupons, and, unless otherwise specified in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, only in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples
thereof. (Section 302)     
   
  At the option of the Holder, subject to the terms of the Indentures and the
limitations applicable to Global Securities, Debt Securities of each series
will be exchangeable for other Debt Securities of the same series of any
authorized denomination and of a like tenor and aggregate principal amount.
(Section 305)     
   
  Subject to the terms of the Indentures and the limitations applicable to
Global Securities, Debt Securities may be presented for exchange as provided
above or for registration of transfer (duly endorsed or with the form of
transfer endorsed thereon duly executed) at the office of the Security
Registrar or at the office of any transfer agent designated by the Company for
such purpose. No service charge will be made for any registration of transfer
or exchange of Debt Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge payable in connection
therewith. Such transfer or exchange will be effected upon the Security
Registrar or such transfer agent, as the case may be, being satisfied with the
documents of title and identity of the person making the request. The Company
has appointed the Trustee as Security Registrar. Any transfer agent (in
addition to the Security Registrar) initially designated by the Company for
any Debt Securities will be named in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
(Section 305) The Company may at any time designate additional transfer agents
or rescind the designation of any transfer agent or approve a change in the
office through which any transfer agent acts, except that the Company will be
required to maintain a transfer agent in each Place of Payment for the Debt
Securities of each series. (Section 1002)     
   
  If the Debt Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor)
are to be redeemed in part, the Company will not be required to (i) issue,
register the transfer of or exchange any Debt     
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
   
Security of that series (or of that series and specified tenor, as the case
may be) during a period beginning at the opening of business 15 days before
the day of mailing of a notice of redemption of any such Debt Security that
may be selected for redemption and ending at the close of business on the day
of such mailing or (ii) register the transfer of or exchange any Debt Security
so selected for redemption, in whole or in part, except the unredeemed portion
of any such Debt Security being redeemed in part. (Section 305)     
   
GLOBAL SECURITIES     
   
  Some or all of the Debt Securities of any series may be represented, in
whole or in part, by one or more global securities which will have an
aggregate principal amount equal to that of the Debt Securities represented
thereby (a "Global Security"). Each Global Security will be registered in the
name of a depositary (the "Depositary") or a nominee thereof identified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be deposited with such Depositary or
nominee or a custodian therefor and will bear a legend regarding the
restrictions on exchanges and registration of transfer thereof referred to
below and any such other matters as may be provided for pursuant to the
Indentures.     
   
  Notwithstanding any provision of the Indentures or any Debt Security
described herein, no Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for
Debt Securities registered, and no transfer of a Global Security in whole or
in part may be registered, in the name of any Person other than the Depositary
for such Global Security or any nominee of such Depositary unless (i) the
Depositary has notified the Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue
as Depositary for such Global Security or has ceased to be qualified to act as
such as required by the Indentures, (ii) there shall have occurred and be
continuing an Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities represented
by such Global Security or (iii) there shall exist such circumstances, if any,
in addition to or in lieu of those described above as may be described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement. All securities issued in exchange for a
Global Security or any portion thereof will be registered in such names as the
Depositary may direct. (Sections 204 and 305)     
   
  As long as the Depositary, or its nominee, is the registered Holder of a
Global Security, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner and Holder of such Global Security and the Debt
Securities represented thereby for all purposes under the Debt Securities and
the Indentures. Except in the limited circumstances referred to above, owners
of beneficial interests in a Global Security will not be entitled to have such
Global Security or any Debt Securities represented thereby registered in their
names, will not receive or be entitled to receive physical delivery of
certificated Debt Securities in exchange therefor and will not be considered
to be the owners or Holders of such Global Security or any Debt Securities
represented thereby for any purpose under the Debt Securities or the
Indentures. All payments of principal of and any premium and interest on a
Global Security will be made to the Depositary or its nominee, as the case may
be, as the Holder thereof. The laws of some jurisdictions require that certain
purchasers of securities take physical delivery of such securities in
definitive form. These laws may impair the ability to transfer beneficial
interests in a Global Security.     
   
  Ownership of beneficial interests in a Global Security will be limited to
institutions that have accounts with the Depositary or its nominee
("participants") and to persons that may hold beneficial interests through
participants. In connection with the issuance of any Global Security, the
Depositary will credit, on its book-entry registration and transfer system,
the respective principal amounts of Debt Securities represented by the Global
Security to the accounts of its participants. Ownership of beneficial
interests in a Global Security will be shown only on, and the transfer of
those ownership interests will be effected only through, records maintained by
the Depositary (with respect to participants' interests) or any such
participant (with respect to interests of persons held by such participants on
their behalf). Payments, transfers, exchanges and others matters relating to
beneficial interests in a Global Security may be subject to various policies
and procedures adopted by the     
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
   
Depositary from time to time. None of the Company, the Trustee or any agent of
the Company or the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any
aspect of the Depositary's or any participant's records relating to, or for
payments made on account of, beneficial interests in a Global Security, or for
maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial
interests.     
   
PAYMENT AND PAYING AGENTS     
   
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payment
of interest on a Debt Security on any Interest Payment Date will be made to
the Person in whose name such Debt Security (or one or more Predecessor Debt
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest. (Section 307)     
   
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
principal of and any premium and interest on the Debt Securities of a
particular series will be payable at the office of such Paying Agent or Paying
Agents as the Company may designate for such purpose from time to time, except
that at the option of the Company payment of any interest may be made by check
mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such address appears
in the Security Register. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee will be
designated as the Company's sole Paying Agent for payments with respect to
Debt Securities of each series. Any other Paying Agents initially designated
by the Company for the Debt Securities of a particular series will be named in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The Company may at any time designate
additional Paying Agents or rescind the designation of any Paying Agent or
approve a change in the office through which any Paying Agent acts, except
that the Company will be required to maintain a Paying Agent in each Place of
Payment for the Debt Securities of a particular series. (Section 1002)     
   
  All moneys paid by the Company to a Paying Agent for the payment of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Debt Security which remain
unclaimed for a period ending the earlier of 10 business days prior to the
date such money would escheat to the State or at the end of two years after
such principal, premium or interest has become due and payable will be repaid
to the Company, and the Holder of such Debt Security thereafter may look only
to the Company for payment thereof. (Section 1003)     
   
RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS     
   
  Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
following provisions will apply to the Senior Debt Securities.     
   
 Limitations on Liens     
   
  The Senior Indenture will provide that the Company will not issue, incur,
create, assume or guarantee, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary (as
defined below) to issue, incur, create, assume or guarantee, any debt for
borrowed money secured by a mortgage, security interest, pledge, lien, charge
or other encumbrance ("mortgages") upon any Principal Property (as defined
below) of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon any shares of stock
or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property,
shares or indebtedness are now existing or owned or hereafter created or
acquired) without in any such case effectively providing concurrently with the
issuance, incurrence, creation, assumption or guarantee of any such secured
debt, or the grant of a mortgage with respect to any such indebtedness, that
the Senior Debt Securities (together with, if the Company shall so determine,
any other indebtedness of or guarantee by the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary ranking equally with the Senior Debt Securities) shall be secured
equally and ratably with (or, at the option of the Company, prior to) such
secured debt. The foregoing restriction, however, will not apply to: (a)
mortgages on property existing at the time of acquisition     
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
   
thereof by the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that such mortgages were in
existence prior to the contemplation of such acquisition; (b) mortgages on
property, shares of stock or indebtedness or other assets of any corporation
existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted Subsidiary,
provided that such mortgages are not incurred in anticipation of such
corporation becoming a Restricted Subsidiary; (c) mortgages on property,
shares of stock or indebtedness existing at the time of acquisition thereof by
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or mortgages thereon to secure the
payment of all or any part of the purchase price thereof, or mortgages on
property, shares of stock or indebtedness to secure any indebtedness for
borrowed money incurred prior to, at the time of, or within 270 days after,
the latest of the acquisition thereof, or, in the case of property, the
completion of construction, the completion of improvements, or the
commencement of substantial commercial operation of such property for the
purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof, such
construction, or the making of such improvements; (d) mortgages to secure
indebtedness owing to the Company or to a Restricted Subsidiary; (e) mortgages
existing at the date of the Senior Indenture; (f) mortgages on property of a
corporation existing at the time such corporation is merged into or
consolidated with the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or at the time of a
sale, lease or other disposition of the properties of a corporation as an
entirety or substantially as an entirety to the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary, provided that such mortgage was not incurred in anticipation of
such merger or consolidation or sale, lease or other disposition; (g)
mortgages in favor of the United States or any State, territory or possession
thereof (or the District of Columbia), or any department, agency,
instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States or any State,
territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), to secure
partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or
statute or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing
all or any part of the purchase price or the cost of constructing or improving
the property subject to such mortgages; (h) mortgages created in connection
with the acquisition of assets or a project financed with, and created to
secure, a Nonrecourse Obligation (as defined below); and (i) extensions,
renewals, refinancings or replacements of any mortgage referred to in the
foregoing clauses (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) provided,
however, that any mortgages permitted by any of the foregoing clauses (a),
(b), (c), (d), (e), (f), (g), and (h) shall not extend to or cover any
property of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be,
other than the property, if any, specified in such clauses and improvements
thereto, and provided further that any refinancing or replacement of any
mortgages permitted by the foregoing clauses (g) and (h) shall be of the type
referred to in such clauses (g) or (h), as the case may be.     
   
  Notwithstanding the restrictions described in the preceding paragraph, the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted to issue, incur,
create, assume or guarantee debt secured by a mortgage which would otherwise
be subject to such restrictions, without equally and ratably securing the
Senior Debt Securities, provided that after giving effect thereto, the
aggregate amount of all debt so secured by mortgages (not including mortgages
permitted under clauses (a) through (i) above) does not exceed 15% of the
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets (as defined below) of the Company as most
recently determined on or prior to such date.     
   
 Limitations on Sale and Lease-Back Transactions     
   
  The Senior Indenture will provide that the Company will not, nor will it
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, enter into any Sale and Lease-Back
Transaction (as defined below) with respect to any Principal Property, other
than any such transaction involving a lease for a term of not more than three
years or any such transaction between the Company and a Restricted Subsidiary
or between Restricted Subsidiaries, unless (a) the Company or such Restricted
Subsidiary would be entitled to incur indebtedness secured by a mortgage on
the Principal Property involved in such transaction at least equal in amount
to the Attributable Debt (as defined below) with respect to such Sale and
Lease-Back Transaction, without equally and ratably securing the Senior Debt
Securities, pursuant to the limitation on liens in the Senior Indenture; or
(b) the Company shall apply an amount equal to the greater of the net proceeds
of such sale or the     
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
   
Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction within
180 days of such sale to either (or a combination of) the retirement (other
than any mandatory retirement, mandatory prepayment or sinking fund payment or
by payment at maturity) of debt for borrowed money of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary that matures more than 12 months after the creation of
such indebtedness or the purchase, construction or development of other
comparable property.     
   
 Certain Definitions Applicable to Covenants     
   
  The term "Attributable Debt" when used in connection with a Sale and Lease-
Back Transaction involving a Principal Property shall mean, at the time of
determination, the lesser of: (a) the fair value of such property (as
determined in good faith by the Board of Directors of the Company); or (b) the
present value of the total net amount of rent required to be paid under such
lease during the remaining term thereof (including any renewal term or period
for which such lease has been extended), discounted at the rate of interest
set forth or implicit in the terms of such lease or if not practicable to
determine such rate, the weighted average interest rate per annum (in the case
of Original Issue Discount Securities, the imputed interest rate) borne by the
Senior Debt Securities of each series outstanding pursuant to the Indenture
compounded semi-annually. For purposes of the foregoing definition, rent shall
not include amounts required to be paid by the lessee, whether or not
designated as rent or additional rent, on account of or contingent upon
maintenance and repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and
similar charges. In the case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee
upon the payment of a penalty, such net amount shall be the lesser of the net
amount determined assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be
terminated (in which case the net amount shall also include the amount of the
penalty, but no rent shall be considered as required to be paid under such
lease subsequent to the first date upon which it may be so terminated) and the
net amount determined assuming no such termination.     
   
  The term "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" shall mean, as of any particular
time, total assets (excluding applicable reserves and other properly
deductible items) less: (a) total current liabilities, except for (1) notes
and loans payable; (2) current maturities of long-term debt and (3) current
maturities of obligations under capital leases; and (b) goodwill, patents and
trademarks, to the extent included in total assets; all as set forth on the
most recent consolidated balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted
Subsidiaries and computed in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.     
   
  The term "Nonrecourse Obligation" means indebtedness or other obligations
substantially related to (i) the acquisition of assets not previously owned by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) the financing of a project
involving the development or expansion of properties of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, as to which the obligee with respect to such
indebtedness or obligation has no recourse to the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary or any assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other
than the assets which were acquired with the proceeds of such transaction or
the project financed with the proceeds of such transaction (and the proceeds
thereof).     
   
  The term "Principal Property" shall mean the land, land improvements,
buildings and fixtures (to the extent they constitute real property interests,
including any leasehold interest therein) constituting the principal corporate
office, any manufacturing facility or any distribution center (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) which: (a) is owned by the Company or any
Subsidiary; (b) is located within any of the present 50 states of the United
States (or the District of Columbia); (c) has not been determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors of the Company not to be materially important
to the total business conducted by the Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole; and (d) has a market value on the date as of which the determination is
being made in excess of 2.0% of Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the
Company as most recently determined on or prior to such date.     
   
  The term "Restricted Subsidiary" shall mean any Subsidiary that owns any
Principal Property; provided, however, that the term "Restricted Subsidiary"
shall not include (a) any Subsidiary which is     
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
   
principally engaged in financing receivables, or which is principally engaged
in financing the Company's operations outside the United States of America or
(b) any Subsidiary less than 80% of the voting stock of which is owned,
directly or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries,
or by the Company and one or more other Subsidiaries if the common stock of
such Subsidiary is traded on any national securities exchange or quoted on the
Nasdaq National Market or in the over-the-counter market.     
   
  The term "Sale and Lease-Back Transaction" shall mean any arrangement with
any person providing for the leasing by the Company or any Restricted
Subsidiary of any Principal Property which property has been or is to be sold
or transferred by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to such person.
       
  The term "Subsidiary" shall mean any corporation of which at least a
majority of the outstanding voting stock having the power to elect a majority
of the board of directors of such corporation is at the time owned, directly
or indirectly, by the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the
Company and one or more other Subsidiaries, and the accounts of which are
consolidated with those of the Company in its most recent consolidated
financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles. For the purposes of this definition, "voting stock" means stock
which ordinarily has voting power for the election of directors, whether at
all times or only so long as no senior class of stock has such voting power by
reason of any contingency.     
   
CONSOLIDATION, MERGER AND SALE OF ASSETS     
   
  The Indentures will provide that the Company may not consolidate with or
merge into any other Person (in a transaction in which the Company is not the
surviving corporation), or convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets
substantially as an entirety to, any Person (a "successor Person"), unless (i)
the successor Person (if any) is a corporation, limited liability company,
partnership, trust or other entity organized and existing under the laws of
any domestic jurisdiction and assumes the Company's obligations on the Debt
Securities and under the Indentures, (ii) immediately after giving effect to
the transaction, and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of
the Company or any Subsidiary as a result of the transaction as having been
incurred by it at the time of the transaction, no Event of Default, and no
event which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of
Default, shall have occurred and be continuing and (iii) certain other
conditions are met. (Section 801)     
   
EVENTS OF DEFAULT     
   
  Each of the following will constitute an Event of Default under the
Indentures with respect to Debt Securities of any series: (a) failure to pay
principal of or any premium on any Debt Security of that series when due,
whether or not such payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of
the Subordinated Indenture; (b) failure to pay any interest on any Debt
Securities of that series when due, continued for 30 days, whether or not such
payment is prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated
Indenture; (c) failure to deposit any sinking fund payment, when due, in
respect of any Debt Security of that series, whether or not such deposit is
prohibited by the subordination provisions of the Subordinated Indenture; (d)
failure to perform any other covenant of the Company in the Indentures (other
than a covenant included in the Indentures solely for the benefit of a series
other than that series), continued for 60 days after written notice has been
given by the Trustee, or the Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series, as provided in the
Indentures; (e) certain events in bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
with respect to the Company; and (f) any other Event of Default specified in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. (Section 501)     
   
  The Indentures will provide that, if an Event of Default (other than an
Event of Default described in clause (e) above) with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall     
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
   
occur and be continuing, either the Trustee or the Holders of at least 25% in
aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series by
notice as provided in the Indentures may declare the principal amount of the
Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any Debt Security that is
an Original Issue Discount Security or the principal amount of which is not
then determinable, such portion of the principal amount of such Debt Security,
or such other amount in lieu of such principal amount, as may be specified in
the terms of such Debt Security) to be due and payable immediately. If an
Event of Default described in clause (e) above with respect to the Debt
Securities of any series at the time Outstanding shall occur, the principal
amount of all the Debt Securities of that series (or, in the case of any such
Original Issue Discount Security or other Debt Security, such specified
amount) will automatically, and without any action by the Trustee or any
Holder, become immediately due and payable. Any payment by the Company on the
Subordinated Debt Securities following any such acceleration will be subject
to the subordination provisions of Article Fifteen of the Subordinated
Indenture. After any such acceleration, but before a judgment or decree based
on acceleration, the Holders of a majority in aggregate principal amount of
the Outstanding Securities of that series may, under certain circumstances,
rescind and annul such acceleration if all Events of Default, other than the
non-payment of accelerated principal (or other specified amount), have been
cured or waived as provided in the Indentures. (Section 502) For information
as to waiver of defaults, see "Modification and Waiver".     
   
  Subject to the provisions of the Indentures relating to the duties of the
Trustee in case an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee
will be under no obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the
Indentures at the request or direction of any of the Holders, unless such
Holders shall have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity. (Section 603)
Subject to such provisions for the indemnification of the Trustee, the Holders
of a majority in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
any series will have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or
exercising any trust or power conferred on the Trustee with respect to the
Debt Securities of that series. (Section 512)     
   
  No Holder of a Debt Security of any series will have any right to institute
any proceeding with respect to the Indentures, or for the appointment of a
receiver or a trustee, or for any other remedy thereunder, unless (i) such
Holder has previously given to the Trustee written notice of a continuing
Event of Default with respect to the Debt Securities of that series, (ii) the
Holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series have made a written request, and such Holder or
Holders have offered reasonable indemnity, to the Trustee to institute such
proceeding as trustee and (iii) the Trustee has failed to institute such
proceeding, and has not received from the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series a direction
inconsistent with such request, within 60 days after such notice, request and
offer. (Section 507) However, such limitations do not apply to a suit
instituted by a Holder of a Debt Security for the enforcement of payment of
the principal of or any premium or interest on such Debt Security on or after
the applicable due date specified in such Debt Security. (Section 508)     
   
  The Indentures will include a covenant requiring the Company to furnish to
the Trustee annually a statement by certain of its officers as to whether or
not the Company, to their knowledge, is in default in the performance or
observance of any of the terms, provisions and conditions of the Indentures
and, if so, specifying all such known defaults. (Section 1004)     
   
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER     
   
  Modifications and amendments of the Indentures may be made by the Company
and the Trustee with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such
modification or amendment; provided, however, that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the Holder of each Outstanding Security
affected thereby, (a) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any
installment of principal of or     
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
   
interest on, any Debt Security, (b) reduce the principal amount of, or any
premium or interest on, any Debt Security, (c) reduce the amount of principal
of an Original Issue Discount Security or any other Debt Security payable upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof, (d) change the place or currency of
payment of principal of, or any premium or interest on, any Debt Security, (e)
impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or
with respect to any Debt Security, (f) in the case of Subordinated Debt
Securities, modify the subordination provisions in a manner adverse to the
Holders of the Subordinated Debt Securities, (g) reduce the percentage in
principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any series, the consent of whose
Holders is required for modification or amendment of the Indentures, (h)
reduce the percentage in principal amount of Outstanding Securities of any
series necessary for waiver of compliance with certain provisions of the
Indentures or for waiver of certain defaults or (i) modify such provisions
with respect to modification and waiver. (Section 902)     
   
  The Indentures will provide that the Holders of a majority in aggregate
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of any series may waive, on
behalf of the Holders of all Debt Securities of such series, compliance by the
Company with certain restrictive provisions of the Indentures. (Sections 1010
and 1008 of the Senior Indenture and the Subordinated Indenture, respectively)
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of
any series may waive any past default under the Indentures, except a default
in the payment of principal, premium or interest and certain covenants and
provisions of the Indentures which cannot be amended without the consent of
the Holder of each Outstanding Security of such series affected. (Section 513)
       
  The Indentures will provide that in determining whether the Holders of the
requisite principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given or taken
any direction, notice, consent, waiver or other action under the Indentures as
of any date, (i) the principal amount of an Original Issue Discount Security
that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the amount of the principal
thereof that would be due and payable as of such date upon acceleration of the
Maturity thereof to such date, (ii) if, as of such date, the principal amount
payable at the Stated Maturity of a Debt Security is not determinable (for
example, because it is based on an index), the principal amount of such Debt
Security deemed to be Outstanding as of such date will be an amount determined
in the manner prescribed for such Debt Security and (iii) the principal amount
of a Debt Security denominated in one or more foreign currencies or currency
units that will be deemed to be Outstanding will be the U.S. dollar
equivalent, determined as of such date in the manner prescribed for such Debt
Security, of the principal amount of such Debt Security (or, in the case of a
Debt Security described in clause (i) or (ii) above, of the amount described
in such clause). Certain Debt Securities, including those for whose payment or
redemption money has been deposited or set aside in trust for the Holders and
those that have been fully defeased pursuant to Section 1302, will not be
deemed to be Outstanding. (Section 101)     
   
  Except in certain limited circumstances, the Company will be entitled to set
any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the Holders of
Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give or take any direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action under the Indentures, in the manner
and subject to the limitations provided in the Indentures. In certain limited
circumstances, the Trustee will be entitled to set a record date for action by
Holders. If a record date is set for any action to be taken by Holders of a
particular series, such action may be taken only by persons who are Holders of
Outstanding Securities of that series on the record date. To be effective,
such action must be taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of such
Debt Securities within a specified period following the record date. For any
particular record date, this period will be 180 days or such other shorter
period as may be specified by the Company (or the Trustee, if it set the
record date), and may be shortened or lengthened (but not beyond 180 days)
from time to time. (Section 104)     
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
   
DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE     
   
  If and to the extent indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and
subject to such other conditions and limitations as may be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Company may elect, at its option at any
time, to have the provisions of Section 1302, relating to defeasance and
discharge of indebtedness, or Section 1303, relating to defeasance of certain
restrictive covenants in the Indentures, applied to the Debt Securities of any
series, or to any specified part of a series. (Section 1301)     
   
  Defeasance and Discharge. The Indentures will provide that, upon the
Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1302 applied to any
Subordinated Debt Securities, the provisions of Article Fifteen of the
Subordinated Indenture relating to subordination will cease to be effective
and, with respect to any Debt Securities, the Company will be discharged from
all its obligations with respect thereto (except for certain obligations to
exchange or register the transfer of Debt Securities, to replace stolen, lost
or mutilated Debt Securities, to maintain paying agencies, to hold moneys for
payment in trust and, if applicable, to effect conversions of Debt Securities)
upon the deposit in trust for the benefit of the Holders of such Debt
Securities of money or U.S. Government Obligations, or both, which, through
the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in accordance with
their terms, will provide money in an amount sufficient to pay the principal
of and any premium and interest on such Debt Securities on the respective
Stated Maturities in accordance with the terms of the Indentures and such Debt
Securities. Such defeasance or discharge may occur only if, among other
things, the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that the Company has received from, or there has been published by, the
United States Internal Revenue Service a ruling, or there has been a change in
tax law, in either case to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities
will not recognize gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of
such deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income
tax on the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have
been the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge were not to occur.
(Sections 1302 and 1304)     
   
  Defeasance of Certain Covenants. The Indentures will provide that, upon the
Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to any
Debt Securities, the Company may omit to comply with certain restrictive
covenants, including those described under "Restrictive Covenants" and any
that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, and the
occurrence of certain Events of Default, which are described above in clause
(d) (with respect to such restrictive covenants) under "Events of Default" and
any that may be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will be
deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in each case with respect
to such Debt Securities, and, in the case of the Subordinated Indenture, the
provisions of Article Fifteen relating to subordination will cease to be
effective with respect to any Subordinated Debt Securities. The Company, in
order to exercise such option, will be required to deposit, in trust for the
benefit of the Holders of such Debt Securities, money or U.S. Government
Obligations, or both, which, through the payment of principal and interest in
respect thereof in accordance with their terms, will provide money in an
amount sufficient to pay the principal of and any premium and interest on such
Debt Securities on the respective Stated Maturities in accordance with the
terms of the Indentures and such Debt Securities. The Company will also be
required, among other things, to deliver to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel
to the effect that Holders of such Debt Securities will not recognize gain or
loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and
defeasance of certain obligations and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such deposit and defeasance were not to occur. In the event the
Company exercised this option with respect to any Debt Securities and such
Debt Securities were declared due and payable because of the occurrence of any
Event of Default, the amount of money and U.S. Government Obligations so
deposited in trust would be sufficient to pay amounts due on such Debt
Securities at the time of their respective Stated Maturities but may not be
sufficient to pay     
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
   
amounts due on such Debt Securities upon any acceleration resulting from such
Event of Default. In such case, the Company would remain liable for such
payments. (Sections 1303 and 1304)     
   
  The Company may, at its option, satisfy and discharge each of the Indentures
(except for certain obligations of the Company and the Trustee, including,
among others the obligations to apply money held in trust) when (i) either (a)
all Debt Securities under such Indenture previously authenticated and
delivered (other than (1) Debt Securities that were destroyed, lost or stolen
and that have been replaced or paid and (2) Debt Securities for the payment of
which money has been deposited in trust or segregated and held in trust by the
Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or discharged from such trust)
have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or discharge from such
trust) have been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or (b) all such
Debt Securities under such Indenture not theretofore delivered to the Trustee
for cancellation (1) have become due and payable, (2) will become due and
payable at their Stated Maturity within one year, or (3) are to be called for
redemption within one year under arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for
the giving of notice of redemption by the Trustee in the name and at the
expense of the Company, and the Company has deposited or caused to be
deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for such purpose an amount
sufficient to pay and discharge the entire indebtedness on such Debt
Securities under such Indenture not previously delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest to the date of such
deposit (in the case of Debt Securities under such Indenture which have become
due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or redemption date as the case may
be, (ii) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
under such Indenture by the Company, and (iii) the Company has delivered to
the Trustee an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each to the
effect that all conditions precedent relating to the satisfaction and
discharge of such Indenture have been satisfied.     
   
NOTICES     
   
  Notices to Holders of Debt Securities will be given by mail to the addresses
of such Holders as they may appear in the Security Register. (Sections 101 and
106)     
   
TITLE     
   
  The Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may
treat the Person in whose name a Debt Security is registered as the absolute
owner thereof (whether or not such Debt Security may be overdue) for the
purpose of making payment and for all other purposes. (Section 308)     
   
GOVERNING LAW     
   
  The Indentures and the Debt Securities will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the law of the State of New York. (Section 112)     
   
REGARDING THE TRUSTEE     
   
  The Indentures contain certain limitations on the right of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases or to realize for its own account on certain property received
in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. (Section 613) The
Trustee is permitted to engage in certain other transactions; however, if it
acquires any conflicting interest and there is a default under the Securities
of any series for which the Trustee serves as trustee, the Trustee must
eliminate such conflict or resign. (Section 608)     
 
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
GENERAL
   
  The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 1,000,000,000 shares
of common stock, $0.10 par value ("Common Stock"). As of May 29, 1997, there
were 210,533,505 shares of Common Stock issued and outstanding. The following
summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Company's Certificate
of Incorporation and Bylaws.     
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted upon by the stockholders and are entitled to cumulative
voting in the election of directors. Subject to preferences that may be
applicable to any future preferred stock or any other senior equity, the
holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if
any, as may be declared from time to time by the Board of Directors out of
funds legally available therefor. In the event of a liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of MTI, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to share
ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to prior
rights of preferred stock, if any, then outstanding. The Common Stock has no
preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription rights. There are no
redemption or sinking fund provisions available to the Common Stock. All
outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and nonassessable.
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF DELAWARE LAW
 
  The Company is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law ("Section 203"), which, subject to certain exceptions,
prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination
with any interested stockholder for a period of three years following the time
that such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless: (i) prior to
such time, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the
business combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder
becoming an interested stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction
that resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the
interested stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the
corporation outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for
purposes of determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned
(a) by persons who are directors and also officers and (b) by employee stock
plans in which employee participants do not have the right to determine
confidentially whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a
tender or exchange offer; or (iii) at or subsequent to such time, the business
combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual
or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the
affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is
not owned by the interested stockholder.
 
  Section 203 defines "business combination" to include: (i) any merger or
consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; (ii)
any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets
of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; (iii) subject to
certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer
by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested
stockholder; (iv) any transaction involving the corporation that has the
effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or
series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
(v) the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans,
advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or
through the corporation. In general, Section 203 defines an "interested
stockholder" as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person
affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock is U.S. Bank of Idaho.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
   
  The Company may sell the Securities separately or together (i) to one or
more underwriters or dealers for public offering and sale by them and (ii) to
investors directly or through agents. The distribution of the Securities may
be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or
prices (which may be changed from time to time), at market prices prevailing
at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices or at
negotiated prices. Each Prospectus Supplement will describe the method of
distribution of the Securities offered thereby.     
 
  In connection with the sale of the Securities, underwriters, dealers or
agents may receive compensation from the Company or from purchasers of the
Securities for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts,
concessions or commissions. The underwriters, dealers or agents which
participate in the distribution of the Securities may be deemed to be
underwriters under the Securities Act and any discounts or commissions
received by them and any profit on the resale of the Securities received by
them may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions thereunder.
Any such underwriter, dealer or agent will be identified and any such
compensation received from the Company will be described in the Prospectus
Supplement. Any initial public offering price and any discounts or concessions
allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers may be changed from time to time.
 
  Under agreements that may be entered into with the Company, underwriters,
dealers and agents may be entitled to indemnification by the Company against
certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or
to contribution with respect to payments which the underwriters, dealers or
agents may be required to make in respect thereof.
 
  The Company may grant underwriters who participate in the distribution of
Securities an option to purchase additional Securities to cover over-
allotments, if any.
 
  All Debt Securities will be new issues of securities with no established
trading market. Any underwriters to whom Debt Securities are sold by the
Company for public offering and sale may make a market in such securities, but
such underwriters will not be obligated to do so and may discontinue any
market making at any time without notice. No assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of the trading market for any Securities.
 
  Certain of the underwriters or agents and their associates may be customers
of, engage in transactions with or perform services for the Company in the
ordinary course of business.
 
                                LEGAL OPINIONS
 
  The validity of the Securities is being passed upon for the Company by
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation, Palo Alto,
California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
   
  The consolidated balance sheets of Micron Technology, Inc. as of August 29,
1996 and August 31, 1995 and the consolidated statements of operations,
shareholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended August 29, 1996 incorporated herein by reference to the Annual Report on
Form 10-K of Micron Technology, Inc. for the year ended August 29, 1996 have
been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P.,
independent accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.     
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                                    PART II
 
                  INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN THE PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
  The following table sets forth the expenses, other than any underwriting
discount and commissions, in connection with the issuance and distribution of
the Securities being registered. All amounts indicated are estimates (other
than the registration fee).
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                                                       AMOUNT
                                                                     TO BE PAID
                                                                     ----------
   <S>                                                               <C>
   Registration fee................................................. $  303,031
   Trustee's fees and expenses......................................     15,000
   Rating agency fee................................................    100,000
   Accounting fees and expenses.....................................     50,000
   Printing and engraving...........................................    150,000
   Transfer agent and registrar fees and expenses...................     15,000
   Blue Sky and legal investment fees and expenses..................     15,000
   Legal fees and expenses of the registrant........................    300,000
   Miscellaneous....................................................     51,969
                                                                     ----------
       Total........................................................ $1,000,000
                                                                     ==========
</TABLE>    
 
ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
  Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law ("Delaware Law")
authorizes a court to award or a corporation's Board of Directors to grant
indemnification to directors and officers in terms sufficiently broad to
permit such indemnification under certain circumstances for liabilities
(including reimbursement for expenses incurred) arising under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended. The registrant's Bylaws provide for mandatory
indemnification of its directors, officers, employees and other agents to the
maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. The registrant has entered into
indemnification agreements with its directors and certain of its officers. The
indemnification agreements provide the registrant's directors and elected
officers with further indemnification to the maximum extent permitted by
Delaware law.
   
  Reference is made to the forms of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit
1.1, Exhibit 1.2 and Exhibit 1.3 to this Registration Statement for certain
provisions regarding indemnification of officers and directors of the
registrant by the several Underwriters.     
 
                                     II-1
<PAGE>
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                          DESCRIPTION OF EXHIBIT
 -------                         ----------------------
 <C>     <S>
  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement (Common Stock)
  1.2    Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities)
  1.3    Form of Underwriting Agreement (Convertible Debt Securities)
  4.1    Form of Senior Indenture
  4.2    Form of Subordinated Indenture
  4.3    Form of Senior Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.1)
  4.4    Form of Subordinated Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.2)
  5.1    Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
 12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 23.1    Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 23.2    Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
         (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 24.1    Powers of Attorney of certain directors and officers of the Company
         (contained on Page II-4)*
 25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee for
         Senior Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
 25.2    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee for
         Subordinated Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
</TABLE>    
 
- --------
   
* Previously filed.     
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
  1. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
    (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
  post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
 
      (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
    Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act");
 
      (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
    the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
    post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
    aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
    in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
    increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
    dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
    registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
    maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
    with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
    changes in volume and price represent no more than a 20% change in the
    maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
    Registration Fee" table in the effective registration statement; and
 
      (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
    distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or
    any material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
  provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in clauses (i) and (ii)
  above shall not apply if the information required to be included in a post-
  effective amendment by these clauses is contained in periodic reports filed
  by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities
  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by
  reference in this registration statement.
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>
 
    (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Act,
  each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration
  statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of
  such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
  offering thereof.
 
    (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
  any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
  termination of the offering.
 
  2. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes, that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Act, each filing of the registrant's
annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act
that is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to
be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
  3. Insofar as indemnification of liabilities arising under the Act may be
permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant
pursuant to the provisions described under Item 15 above, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the
Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for
indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling
person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or
proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in
connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless
in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling
precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether
such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
 
  4. The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
    (a) For purposes of determining any liability under the Act, the
  information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
  Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form
  of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or
  497(h) under the Act shall be deemed to be part of this Registration
  Statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
    (b) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Act, each
  post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed
  to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
  therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
  to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                     II-3
<PAGE>
 
                                  SIGNATURES
   
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THE REGISTRANT
CERTIFIES THAT IT HAS REASONABLE GROUNDS TO BELIEVE THAT IT MEETS ALL OF THE
REQUIREMENTS FOR FILING ON FORM S-3 AND HAS DULY CAUSED THIS AMENDMENT TO THIS
REGISTRATION STATEMENT TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED,
THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, IN THE CITY OF BOISE, STATE OF IDAHO, ON THE 30TH
DAY OF MAY, 1997.     
 
                                          Micron Technology, Inc.
 
                                               
                                          By  /s/   Wilbur G. Stover, Jr.
                                            --------------------------------
                                                    WILBUR G. STOVER, JR. 
                                            VICE PRESIDENT OF FINANCE AND CHIEF
                                                      FINANCIAL OFFICER
          
  PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, THIS AMENDMENT
TO THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT HAS BEEN SIGNED BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS IN THE
CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.     

<TABLE>     
<CAPTION> 
 
             SIGNATURES                      TITLE                   DATE
             ----------                      -----                   -----
<S>                                    <C>                       <C> 
                                       Chairman of the           May 30, 1997
               *                        Board, Chief             
- -------------------------------------   Executive Officer            
         STEVEN R. APPLETON             and President
 

      /s/ Wilbur G. Stover, Jr.        Vice President of         May 30, 1997
- -------------------------------------   Finance and Chief        
        WILBUR G. STOVER, JR.           Financial Officer        
                                        (Principal
                                        Financial and
                                        Accounting Officer)
 

                                       
               *                       Director                  May 30, 1997
- -------------------------------------                                
            JERRY M. HESS
 


               *                       Director                  May 30, 1997
- -------------------------------------                                
           ROBERT LOTHROP
 

               *                       Director                  May 30, 1997
- -------------------------------------                                
         THOMAS T. NICHOLSON
 


               *                       Director                  May 30, 1997
- -------------------------------------                                
           DON J. SIMPLOT

</TABLE>      
 
                                     II-4
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>     
<CAPTION> 


             SIGNATURES                      TITLE                   DATE
             ----------                      -----                   ----
<S>                                     <C>                      <C>  
                                        

               *                       Director                 May 30, 1997
- -------------------------------------                                
           JOHN R. SIMPLOT
 


               *                       Director                 May 30, 1997
- -------------------------------------                                
           GORDON C. SMITH

    

*By:  /s/ Wilbur G. Stover, Jr. 
    ---------------------------------
         WILBUR G. STOVER, JR. 
           ATTORNEY-IN-FACT 
</TABLE>      
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
 EXHIBIT
 NUMBER                              EXHIBIT TABLE
 -------                             -------------
 <C>     <S>
  1.1    Form of Underwriting Agreement (Common Stock)
  1.2    Form of Underwriting Agreement (Debt Securities)
  1.3    Form of Underwriting Agreement (Convertible Debt Securities)
  4.1    Form of Senior Indenture
  4.2    Form of Subordinated Indenture
  4.3    Form of Senior Debt Security (included in Exhibit 4.1)
  4.4    Form of Subordinated Debt Security (including in Exhibit 4.2)
  5.1    Opinion of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
 12.1    Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 23.1    Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 23.2    Consent of Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
         (included in Exhibit 5.1)
 24.1    Powers of Attorney of certain directors and officers of the Company
         (contained on Page II-4)*
 25.1    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee for
         Senior Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
 25.2    Form T-1 Statement of Eligibility and Qualification of Trustee for
         Subordinated Indenture under the Trust Indenture Act of 1939
</TABLE>    
- --------
   
* Previously filed.     
       

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.1

                            MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                                 COMMON STOCK
                          (PAR VALUE $0.10 PER SHARE)


                            UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT

                           __________________, 199__

To the Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in the respective
Pricing Agreements hereinafter described.

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     From time to time Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to enter into one or more Pricing Agreements (each a
"Pricing Agreement") in the form of Annex I hereto, with such additions and
deletions as the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to the terms and
conditions stated herein and therein, to issue and sell to the firms named in
Schedule I to the applicable Pricing Agreement (such firms constituting the
"Underwriters" with respect to such Pricing Agreement and the securities
specified therein) certain shares of its Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share
(the "Shares"), of the Company (with respect to such Pricing Agreement, the
"Firm Shares"), pursuant to terms specified in Schedule II to such Pricing
Agreement. If specified in such Pricing Agreement, the Company may grant to the
Underwriters the right to purchase at their election an additional number of
shares, specified in such Pricing Agreement as provided in Section 3 hereof (the
"Optional Shares"). The Firm Shares and the Optional Shares, if any, which the
Underwriters elect to purchase pursuant to Section 3 hereof are herein
collectively called the "Designated Shares."

     The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Shares shall
be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto.

     1.   Particular sales of Designated Shares may be made from time to time to
the Underwriters of such Shares, for whom the firms designated as
representatives of the Underwriters of such Shares in the Pricing Agreement
relating thereto will act as representatives (the "Representatives"). The term
"Representatives" also refers to a single firm acting as sole representative of
the Underwriters and to Underwriters who act without any firm being designated
as their representative. This Underwriting Agreement shall not be construed as
an obligation of the Company to sell any of the Shares or as an obligation of
any of the Underwriters to purchase any of the Shares. The obligation of the
Company to issue and sell any of the Shares and the obligation of any of the
Underwriters to purchase any of the Shares shall be evidenced by the Pricing
Agreement with respect to the Designated Shares specified therein. Each Pricing
Agreement shall specify the aggregate number of the Firm Shares, the maximum
number of Optional Shares, if any, the initial public offering price of such
Firm and Optional Shares or the manner of determining such price, the purchase
price to the Underwriters of such Designated Shares, the names of the
Underwriters of such Designated Shares, the names of the Representatives of such
Underwriters, the number of such Designated Shares to be purchased by each
Underwriter and the commission, if any, payable to the Underwriters with respect
thereto and shall set forth the date, time and manner of delivery of such Firm
and Optional Shares, if any, and payment therefor. The Pricing Agreement shall
also
<PAGE>
 
specify (to the extent not set forth in the registration statement and
prospectus with respect thereto) the terms of such Designated Shares. A Pricing
Agreement shall be in the form of an executed writing (which may be in
counterparts), and may be evidenced by an exchange of telegraphic communications
or any other rapid transmission device designed to produce a written record of
communications transmitted. The obligations of the Underwriters under this
Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be several and not joint.

     2.   (a)  The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of
the Underwriters that:

               (i)    A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-18441)
(the "Initial Registration Statement") in respect of the Shares has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"); the Initial
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the
form heretofore delivered or to be delivered to the Representatives and,
excluding exhibits to the Initial Registration Statement, but including all
documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus included therein, to the
Representatives for each of the other Underwriters have been declared effective
by the Commission in such form; no other document with respect to the Initial
Registration Statement or document incorporated by reference therein has
heretofore been filed, or transmitted for filing, with the Commission other than
a registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the offering (a "Rule
462(b) Registration Statement"), filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which became effective upon
filing (and other than prospectuses filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules
and regulations of the Commission under the Act each in the form heretofore
delivered to the Representatives); and no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective
amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been
issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by
the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in such registration
statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Act, is
hereinafter called a "Preliminary Prospectus;" the various parts of the Initial
Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any,
including all exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated by reference in
the prospectus contained in the Initial Registration Statement at the time such
part of the Initial Registration Statement became effective or such part of the
Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter becomes
effective, each as amended at the time such part of the registration statement
became effective, are hereinafter collectively called the "Registration
Statement;" the prospectus relating to the Shares, in the form in which it has
most recently been filed, or transmitted for filing, with the Commission on or
prior to the date of this Agreement, is hereinafter called the "Prospectus;" any
reference herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed
to refer to and include the documents incorporated by reference therein pursuant
to the applicable form under the Act, as of the date of such Preliminary
Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; any reference to any amendment or
supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus shall be deemed to
refer to and include any documents filed after the date of such Preliminary
Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and incorporated by reference in such
Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; any reference to any
amendment to the Registration Statement shall be deemed to refer to and include
any annual report of the Company filed pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act after the effective date of the Registration Statement that is
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement; and any reference to
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented shall be deemed to refer to the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the applicable Designated
Shares in the form in which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) under the Act in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof, including any
documents incorporated by reference therein as of the date of such filing);

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
               (ii)    The documents incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus, when they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the
case may be, conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act
or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and any
further documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or
any further amendment or supplement thereto, when such documents become
effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be, will conform in
all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as
applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and will
not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading; provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall
not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity
with information furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter of
Designated Shares through the Representatives expressly for use in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Shares;

               (iii)   The Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform,
and any further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act
and the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will
not, as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration Statement and
any amendment thereto and as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus
and any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a
material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that
this representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions
made in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to
the Company by an Underwriter of Designated Shares through the Representatives
expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
Shares;

               (iv)    Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;
and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any material
change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development that would
reasonably be expected to cause a prospective material adverse change, in the
general affairs, management, financial position, shareholders' equity or results
of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth
or contemplated in the Prospectus;

               (v)     The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware, with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties
and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus;

               (vi)    The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth
in the Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company
have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-
assessable;

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
               (vii)   When the Firm Shares are issued and delivered pursuant to
this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated Shares
and, in the case of any Optional Shares, pursuant to Overallotment Option (as
defined in Section 3 hereof) with respect to such Shares, such Designated Shares
will have been duly and validly authorized and will be duly and validly issued
and fully paid and non-assessable; the Shares conform in all material respects
to the description thereof contained in the Registration Statement and the
Designated Shares will conform in all material respects to the description
thereof contained in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented with respect to
such Designated Shares;

               (viii)  The issue and sale of the Shares and the compliance by
the Company with its obligations pursuant to this Agreement, any Pricing
Agreement and each Overallotment Option, if any, will not result in a breach or
violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under,
any material indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other
agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company
is bound or to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject,
nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or any statute or any
order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having
jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties except where such
conflict breach, violation or default would not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business and results of operations; and no consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or
governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Shares or
the performance by the Company of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement or
any Pricing Agreement or any Overallotment Option, except such as have been, or
will have been prior to each Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof),
obtained under the Act and such consents, approvals, authorizations,
registrations or qualifications as may be required under state securities or
Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and distribution of the Shares by
the Underwriter and except where the failure to obtain such consents would not
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of
operations.

               (ix)    Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no
legal or governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries is the subject, which, if determined adversely to the Company or
any of its subsidiaries, would individually have a material adverse effect on
the current or future consolidated financial position, shareholders' equity or
results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries; and, to the best of
the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened by governmental
authorities or by others;

               (x)     Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in
violation of its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or, in any material
respect, in default in the performance or observance of any material obligation,
agreement, covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of
trust, loan agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a
party or by which it or any of its properties may be bound where such violation
or default would be reasonably expected to have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and results of operations;

               (xi)    The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
caption "Description of Capital Stock," insofar as they purport to constitute a
summary of the terms of the Company's Common Stock, and under the caption "Plan
of Distribution," insofar as they purport to describe the provisions of the laws
and documents referred to therein, fairly summarize such terms, laws and
documents in all material respects;

               (xii)   The Company is not and, after giving effect to the
offering and sale of the Shares, will not be an "investment company" or an
entity "controlled" by an "investment company", as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
               (xiii)  Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., who have certified certain
financial statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public
accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder;

               (xiv)   Except as disclosed in the Prospectus, the Company and
its subsidiaries own or possess or believe they can acquire on commercially
reasonable terms adequate licenses or other rights to use all patents,
trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, mask work rights, technology
and know-how necessary to conduct the business now or proposed to be conducted
by the Company and its subsidiaries as described in the Prospectus, and except
as disclosed in the Prospectus the Company has not received any notice of
infringement of or conflict with (and knows of no such infringement of or
conflict with) asserted rights of others with respect to any patents,
trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, mask work rights or know-how
which would reasonably be expected to result in any material adverse effect upon
the Company and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and

               (xv)    The Company and its subsidiaries have obtained any
permits, consents and authorizations required to be obtained by them under laws
or regulations relating to the protection of the environment or concerning the
handling, storage, disposal or discharge of toxic materials (collectively
"Environmental Laws"), and any such permits, consents and authorizations remain
in full force and effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance
with the Environmental Laws in all material respects, and there is no pending
or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, action or proceeding against the
Company and its subsidiaries alleging violations of the Environmental laws.

     3.   Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Shares and authorization by the Representatives of the release of the
Firm Shares, the several Underwriters propose to offer the Firm Shares for sale
upon the terms and conditions set forth in the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented.

     The Company may specify in the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Shares that the Company thereby grants to the Underwriters the right
(an "Overallotment Option") to purchase at their election up to the number of
Optional Shares set forth in such Pricing Agreement, on the terms set forth in
the paragraph above, for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in the
sale of the Firm Shares. Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be
exercised by written notice from the Representatives to the Company given within
a period specified in the Pricing Agreement, setting forth the aggregate number
of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such Optional Shares
are to be delivered, as determined by the Representatives but in no event
earlier than the First Time of Delivery (as defined in Section 4 hereof) or,
unless the Representatives and the Company otherwise agree in writing, earlier
than or later than the respective number of business days after the date of such
notice set forth in such Pricing Agreement.

     The number of Optional Shares to be added to the number of Firm Shares to
be purchased by each Underwriter as set forth in Schedule I to the Pricing
Agreement applicable to such Designated Shares shall be, in each case, the
number of Optional Shares which the Company has been advised by the
Representatives have been attributed to such Underwriter; provided that, if the
Company has not been so advised, the number of Optional Shares to be so added
shall be, in each case, that proportion of Optional Shares which the number of
Firm Shares to be purchased by such Underwriter under such Pricing Agreement
bears to the aggregate number of Firm Shares (rounded as the Representatives may
determine to the nearest 100 shares). The total number of Designated Shares to
be purchased by all the Underwriters pursuant to such Pricing Agreement shall be
the aggregate number of Firm Shares set forth in Schedule I to such Pricing
Agreement plus the aggregate number of Optional Shares which the Underwriters
elect to purchase.

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
     4.   Certificates for the Firm Shares and the Optional Shares to be
purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to the Pricing Agreement relating
thereto, in the form specified in such Pricing Agreement and in such authorized
denominations and registered in such names as the Representatives may request
upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice to the Company shall be delivered
by or on behalf of the Company to the Representatives for the account of such
Underwriter, against payment by such Underwriter or on its behalf of the
purchase price therefor by certified or official bank check or checks, payable
to the order of the Company in the funds specified in such Pricing Agreement,
(i) with respect to the Firm Shares, all in the manner and at the place and time
and date specified in such Pricing Agreement or at such other place and time and
date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing, such time
and date being herein called the "First Time of Delivery" and (ii) with respect
to the Optional Shares, if any, in the manner and at the time and date specified
by the Representatives in the written notice given by the Representatives of the
Underwriters' election to purchase such Optional Shares, or at such other time
and date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing, such
time and date, if not the First Time of Delivery, herein called the "Second Time
of Delivery." Each such time and date for delivery is herein called a "Time of
Delivery."

     5.   The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters of any Designated
Shares:

          (a)  To prepare the Prospectus as amended and supplemented in relation
to the applicable Designated Shares in a form approved by the Representatives
and to file such Prospectus pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than
the Commission's close of business on the second business day following the
execution and delivery of the Pricing Agreement relating to the applicable
Designated Shares or, if applicable, such earlier time as may be required by
Rule 424(b); to make no further amendment or any supplement to the Registration
Statement or Prospectus as amended or supplemented after the date of the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Shares and prior to any Time of Delivery for such
Shares which shall be disapproved by the Representatives for such Shares
promptly after reasonable notice thereof; to advise the Representatives promptly
of any such amendment or supplement after any Time of Delivery for such Shares
and furnish the Representatives with copies thereof; to file promptly all
reports and any definitive proxy or information statements required to be filed
by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act for so long as the delivery of a prospectus is
required in connection with the offering or sale of such Shares, and during such
same period to advise the Representatives, promptly after it receives notice
thereof, of the time when any amendment to the Registration Statement has been
filed or becomes effective or any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended
Prospectus has been filed with the Commission, of the issuance by the Commission
of any stop order or of any order preventing or suspending the use of any
prospectus relating to the Shares, of the suspension of the qualification of
such Shares for offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or
threatening of any proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the
Commission for the amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or
Prospectus or for additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of
any such stop order or of any such order preventing or suspending the use of any
prospectus relating to the Shares or suspending any such qualification, promptly
to use its reasonable efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

          (b)  Promptly from time to time to take such action as the
Representatives may reasonably request to qualify such Shares for offering and
sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives may
request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of sales
and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary to
complete the distribution of such Shares, provided that in connection therewith
the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation or to file
a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
          (c)  At or prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the New York
Business Day immediately following the date of the Pricing Agreement and from
time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus in New
York City as amended or supplemented in such quantities as the Representatives
may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any
time in connection with the offering or sale of the Shares and if at such time
any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then
amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such
Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be
necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to
file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus in order to comply with the Act or the Exchange Act, to notify the
Representatives and upon their request to file such document and to prepare and
furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as
many copies as the Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of
an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such
statement or omission or effect such compliance;

          (d)  To make generally available to its security holders as soon as
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective
date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an
earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be
audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule
158);

          (e)  During the period beginning from the date of the Pricing
Agreement and continuing to and including the date 90 days after the date of
such Pricing Agreement, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise
dispose of, except as provided hereunder, any securities of the Company that are
substantially similar to the Designated Shares, including but not limited to any
securities that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the
right to receive, Stock or any such substantially similar securities (other than
pursuant to employee stock option plans or employee stock purchase plans
existing on, or upon the conversion of convertible or exchangeable securities
outstanding as of, the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated Shares
and other than in connection with the acquisition of one or more corporations or
entities (including, without limitation, subsidiaries of the Company)) without
the prior written consent of the Representatives; and

          (f)  If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall
file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with
Rule 462(b) by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of the Pricing
Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing either pay to the
Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give
irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b)
under the Act.

     6.   The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that
(a) the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees,
disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in
connection with the registration of the Shares under the Act and all other
expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing
any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement, any
Blue Sky Memorandum, closing documents (including compilations thereof) and any
other documents in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of
the Shares; (iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the
Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws as provided in Section
5(b) hereof, including the reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the
Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in connection with the
Blue Sky survey(s); (iv) all fees and

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
expenses in connection with listing the Designated Shares on the New York Stock
Exchange; (v) the cost of preparing certificates for the Shares; (vi) the cost
and charges of any transfer agent or registrar or dividend disbursing agent; and
(vii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its
obligations hereunder and under any Overallotment Option which are not otherwise
specifically provided for in this Section 6. It is understood, however, that
except as provided in this Section 6, and Sections 8 and 11 hereof, the
Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the fees of
their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of any of the Shares by them, and any
advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

     7.   The obligations of the Underwriters of any Designated Shares under the
Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Shares shall be subject, in the
discretion of the Representatives, to the condition that all representations and
warranties and other statements of the Company in or incorporated by reference
in the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Shares are, at and as of
each Time of Delivery for such Designated Shares, true and correct, the
condition that the Company shall have performed all of its obligations hereunder
theretofore to be performed, and the following additional conditions:

          (a)  The Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to such
Designated Shares shall have been filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule
424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such filing by the rules
and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section 5(a) hereof; if the
Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on
the date of the Pricing Agreement; no stop order suspending the effectiveness of
the Registration Statement or any part thereof shall have been issued and no
proceeding for that purpose shall have been initiated or threatened by the
Commission; and all requests for additional information on the part of the
Commission shall have been complied with to the Representatives' reasonable
satisfaction;

          (b)  Counsel for the Underwriters shall have furnished to the
Representatives such opinion or opinions, dated each Time of Delivery for such
Designated Shares, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may
reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and
information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such
matters;

          (c)  Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation,
counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives their
written opinion, dated each Time of Delivery for such Designated Shares, in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect
that:

               (i)     This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to
the Designated Shares have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company;

               (ii)    To such counsel's knowledge, no consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any court or
governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Designated
Shares being delivered at such Time of Delivery or the performance by the
Company of its obligations set forth in this Agreement or such Pricing
Agreement, except such as have been obtained under the Act and such consents,
approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required
under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and
distribution of the Designated Shares by the Underwriters;

               (iii)   The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
caption "Description of Capital Stock," insofar as they purport to constitute a
summary of the terms of the Company's Common Stock fairly summarize such terms
in all material respects;

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
               (iv)    To such counsel's knowledge, the Company is not an
"Investment Company" or an entity "controlled" by an "Investment Company," as
such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act;

               (v)     The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus
as amended or supplemented (other than the financial statements and related
schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), when they
became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, complied
as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder; and

               (vi)    The Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended
or supplemented, and any further amendments and supplements thereto made by the
Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and
related schedules therein and financial data derived therefrom, as to which such
counsel need express no opinion), comply as to form in all material respects
with the requirements of the Act and the rules and regulations thereunder;

     Such counsel shall also include a statement to the effect that, although
such counsel does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus, except for those referred to in the opinion in subsection (iii) of
this Section 7(c), such counsel has no reason to believe that, as of its
effective date, the Registration Statement or any further amendment thereto made
by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other than the financial
statements and related schedules therein and financial data derived therefrom,
as to which such counsel need express no belief) contained an untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that, as
of its date, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any further amendment
or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such Time of Delivery (other
than the financial statements and related schedules therein and financial data
derived therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no belief) contained an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading or that, as of such Time of Delivery,
either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented
or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to such
Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules
therein and financial data derived therefrom, as to which such counsel need
express no belief) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

     In rendering the opinions set forth herein, such counsel may rely with
respect to matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company,
provided that such counsel shall state that they have no reason to believe both
you and they are not justified upon such certificates and a copy of such
certificate shall be delivered to you. Such counsel's opinion that any agreement
is valid, binding or enforceable in accordance with its terms may be qualified
as to: (1) limitations imposed by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws relating to or
affecting the rights of creditors generally; (2) rights to indemnification and
contribution which may be limited by applicable law or equitable principles; and
(3) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible
unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, regardless of
whether such validity and binding effect are considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law;

          (d)  Roderic W. Lewis, the Company's General Counsel, shall have
furnished to you his written opinion, dated each Time of Delivery for such
Designated Shares, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you, to the
effect that:

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
               (i)     The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties
and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented;

               (ii)    The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth
in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, and all of the issued shares of
capital stock of the Company (including the Designated Shares being delivered at
such Time of Delivery) have been duly and validly authorized and issued and are
fully paid and non-assessable;

               (iii)   To such counsel's knowledge and other than as set forth
in the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to
which the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined
adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually have a
material adverse effect on the current consolidated financial position,
shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

               (iv)    The issue and sale of the Designated Shares being
delivered at such Time of Delivery and the performance by the Company of its
obligations set forth in this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect
to the Designated Shares will not result in a breach or violation of or
constitute a default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
agreement or other agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement or the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K,
nor will such action result in any violation of the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or, to such counsel's
knowledge, any statute, order, rule or regulation of any court or governmental
agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its properties;
and

               (v)     Such counsel does not know of any contracts or other
documents of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement or required to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented or required to be described in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented which are not filed or
incorporated by reference or described as required.

          (e)  On the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated Shares
and at each Time of Delivery for such Designated Shares, the independent
accountants of the Company who have certified the financial statements of the
Company and its subsidiaries included or incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement shall have furnished to the Representatives a letter,
dated the effective date of the Registration Statement or the date of the most
recent report filed with the Commission containing financial statements and
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement, if the date of such
report is later than such effective date, and a letter dated such Time of
Delivery, respectively, to the effect set forth in Annex I hereto, and with
respect to such letter dated such Time of Delivery, as to such other matters as
the Representatives may reasonably request and in form and substance
satisfactory to the Representatives (the executed copy of the letter delivered
prior to the execution of the Pricing Agreement is attached as Annex I(a) hereto
and a draft of the form of letter to be delivered on the effective date of any
post-effective amendment to the Registration Statement and as of each Time of
Delivery is attached as Annex I(b) hereto);

          (f)  (i)     Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall
have sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements
included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended prior to the
date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Shares any loss or
interference with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity,
whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or
governmental action, order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or
contemplated in the Prospectus as

                                     -10-
<PAGE>
 
amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated
Shares, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given in
the Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to
the Designated Shares there shall not have been any change in the capital stock
or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or any change, in
the general affairs, management, financial position, shareholders' equity or
results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set
forth or contemplated in the Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the
Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Shares, the effect of which, in any
such case described in Clause (i) or (ii), is in the reasonable judgment of the
Representatives so material and adverse as to make it impracticable or
inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the
Designated Shares on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the Prospectus
as amended relating to the Designated Shares;

          (g)  On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Shares there shall not have occurred any of the following: (i) a
suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange or on Nasdaq; (ii) a suspension or material limitation in
trading in the Company's securities on Nasdaq; (iii) a general moratorium on
commercial banking activities declared by either Federal or New York state
authorities; or (iv) the outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the
United States or the declaration by the United States of a national emergency or
war, if the effect of any such event specified in this Clause (iv) in the
reasonable judgment of the Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable
to proceed with the public offering or the delivery of the Firm Shares or
Optional Shares or both on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the
Prospectus as first amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Shares;

          (h)  The Designated Shares at each Time of Delivery shall have been
duly listed on the New York Stock Exchange;

          (i)  [The Company has obtained and delivered to the Underwriters
executed copies of an agreement from each [officer and] director of the Company
substantially to the effect that, during the period beginning from the date of
the Pricing Agreement and continuing to and including the date 90 days after the
date of such Pricing Agreement, such officer or director will not offer, sell,
contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company that are
substantially similar to the Shares, including but not limited to any securities
that are convertible into or exchangeable for, or that represent the right to
receive, Stock or any such substantially similar securities, without the prior
written consent of the Representatives];

          (j)  The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the
Representatives at each Time of Delivery for the Designated Shares certificates
of officers of the Company satisfactory to the Representatives as to the
accuracy of the representations and warranties of the Company herein at and as
of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the Company of all of its
obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such Time of Delivery, as
to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (f) of this Section and as to
such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request; and

          (k)  The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section
5(c) hereof with respect to the furnishing of prospectuses on the New York
Business Day next succeeding the date of the Pricing Agreement.

     8.   (a)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or

                                     -11-
<PAGE>
 
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any amendment
or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged
omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or
necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse each
Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such
Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such action or
claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the Company shall
not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage
or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or alleged
untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to
the Shares, or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter
of Designated Shares through the Representatives expressly for use in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Shares; and provided
further that, with respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement or the Registration Statement, the indemnity agreement
contained in this subsection (a) shall not inure to the benefit of any
Underwriter from whom the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage or
liability purchased Designated Shares (or to the benefit of any such person
controlling such Underwriter) to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense of such Underwriter or controlling person results from the
fact that a copy of an amended or supplemented Prospectus was not sent or given
to such person at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such
Designated Shares to such person as required by the Act, and if the untrue
statement or omission concerned has been corrected in the Prospectus as so
amended or supplemented, unless such failure is the result of noncompliance by
the Company with Section 5(c) hereof.

          (b)  Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company, may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement,
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any
other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any amendment or supplement thereto,
or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to state
therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to the
extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission or
alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Shares, or any such
amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection
with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are
incurred.

          (c)  Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
(a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall be
entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish, jointly
with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the defense
thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party and,
after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be
liable to such indemnified party under such

                                     -12-
<PAGE>
 
subsection for any legal expenses of other counsel or any other expenses, in
each case subsequently incurred by such indemnified party, in connection with
the defense thereof other than reasonable costs of investigation. No
indemnifying party shall, without the written consent of the indemnified party,
effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to the entry of any judgment
with respect to, any pending or threatened action or claim in respect of which
indemnification or contribution may be sought hereunder (whether or not the
indemnified party is an actual or potential party to such action or claim)
unless such settlement, compromise or judgment includes an unconditional release
of the indemnified party from all liability arising out of such action or claim.

          (d)  If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
of the Designated Shares on the other from the offering of the Designated Shares
to which such loss, claim, damage or liability (or action in respect thereof)
relates. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately preceding
sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified party failed
to give the notice required under subsection (c) above, then each indemnifying
party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such indemnified party
in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such relative benefits
but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
of the Designated Shares on the other in connection with the statements or
omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand
and such Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same proportion
as the total net proceeds from such offering (before deducting expenses)
received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and commissions
received by such Underwriters. The relative fault shall be determined by
reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement
of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state a material fact
relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand or such
Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge, access to
information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or omission.
The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contributions pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro rata
allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d). The amount
paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this
subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by such indemnified party in connection with investigating or defending
any such action or claim. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d),
no Underwriter shall be required to contribute any amount in excess of the
amount by which the total price at which the applicable Designated Shares
underwritten by it and distributed to the public were offered to the public
exceeds the amount of any damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been
required to pay by reason of such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from
any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The
obligations of the Underwriters of Designated Shares in this subsection (d) to
contribute are several in proportion to their respective underwriting
obligations with respect to such Shares and not joint.

          (e)  The obligations of the Company pursuant to this Section 8 shall
be in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall
extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls
any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters pursuant to this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability
which the respective Underwriters may

                                     -13-
<PAGE>
 
otherwise have and shall extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each
officer and director of the Company and to each person, if any, who controls the
Company within the meaning of the Act.

     9.   (a)  If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase
the Firm Shares or Optional Shares which it has agreed to purchase under the
Pricing Agreement relating to such Shares, the Representatives may in their
discretion arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to purchase
such Shares on the terms contained herein. If within thirty-six hours after such
default by any Underwriter the Representatives do not arrange for the purchase
of such Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, then the Company
shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to
procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the Representatives to
purchase such Shares on such terms. In the event that, within the respective
prescribed period, the Representatives notify the Company that they have so
arranged for the purchase of such Shares, or the Company notify the
Representatives that they have so arranged for the purchase of such Shares, the
Representatives or the Company shall have the right to postpone a Time of
Delivery for such Shares for a period of not more than seven days, in order to
effect whatever changes may thereby be made necessary in the Registration
Statement or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, or in any other
documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees to file promptly any
amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the Prospectus which
in the reasonable opinion of the Company and the Representatives may thereby be
made necessary. The term "Underwriter" as used in this Agreement shall include
any person substituted under this Section with like effect as if such person had
originally been a party to the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated
Shares.

          (b)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, of a defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided
in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of such Shares which remains
unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate number of the Firm
Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, to be purchased at the respective
Time of Delivery, then the Company shall have the right to require each non-
defaulting Underwriter to purchase the number of Firm Shares or Optional Shares,
as the case may be, which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Designated Shares and, in addition, to require each
non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the number
of Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, which such Underwriter
agreed to purchase under such Pricing Agreement) of the Firm Shares or Optional
Shares, as the case may be, of such defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters for
which such arrangements have not been made; but nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

          (c)  If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, of a defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters by the Representatives and the Company as provided
in subsection (a) above, the aggregate number of Firm Shares or Optional Shares,
as the case may be, which remains unpurchased exceeds one-eleventh of the
aggregate number of the Firm Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, to
be purchased at the respective Time of Delivery, as referred to in subsection
(b) above, or if the Company shall not exercise the right described in
subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting Underwriters to purchase Firm
Shares or Optional Shares, as the case may be, of a defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters, then the Pricing Agreement relating to such Firm Shares or the
Overallotment Option relating to such Optional Shares, as the case may be, shall
thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company
and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and
contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

                                     -14-
<PAGE>
 
     10.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to
this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company
or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Shares.

     11.  If any Pricing Agreement or Overallotment Option shall be terminated
pursuant to Section 9 hereof, or if the Underwriters do not purchase Firm Shares
of Optional Shares under the Pricing Agreement relating to such Firm Shares or
Optional Shares because the condition set forth in Section 7(b) or 7(g) hereof
shall not have been satisfied, the Company shall not then be under any liability
to any Underwriter with respect to the Firm Shares or Optional Shares with
respect to which such Pricing Agreement shall have been terminated except as
provided in Section 8 hereof; but, if for any other reason, Designated Shares
are not delivered by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein, the Company
will reimburse the Underwriters through the Representatives for all out-of-
pocket expenses approved in writing by the Representatives, including fees and
disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making
preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of such Designated Shares, but
the Company shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter with
respect to such Designated Shares except as provided in Sections 6 and 8 hereof.

     12.  In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters of
Designated Shares shall act on behalf of each of such Underwriters, and the
parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request,
notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such
Representatives jointly or by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be
designated for such purpose in the Pricing Agreement.

     All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the address of the Representatives as set forth in the
Pricing Agreement; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail,
telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the
Registration Statement, Attention: Secretary; provided, however, that any notice
to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by
mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set
forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such
Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by the
Representatives upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

     13.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be binding upon, and
inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters and the Company and, to the
extent provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the
Company and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no
other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this
Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Shares from
any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of such
purchase.

     14.  Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing Agreement. As used
herein, the term "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office
in Washington, D.C. is open for business.

     15.  THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF [NEW YORK].

                                     -15-
<PAGE>
 
     16.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be executed by any one
or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us seven (7) counterparts hereof, and upon the acceptance hereof by
you, on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance
hereof shall constitute a binding agreement among each of the Underwriters and
the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf of
each of the Underwriters is pursuant to the authority set forth in a form of
Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to the
Company for examination, upon request, but without warranty on your part as to
the authority of the signers thereof.

                                        Very truly yours,
   
                                        MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

                                        By:
                                           -------------------------------------
                                        Name:
                                        Title:
Accepted as of the date hereof:

[Name(s) of Representatives]

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

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

                                     -16-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX I
                               PRICING AGREEMENT


[Name(s) of Co-Representative(s)]
As Representatives of the several
 Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto,



                                          , 199
                               -----------     -

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes,
subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Underwriting
Agreement, dated .......... , 199  (the "Underwriting Agreement"), to issue and
                                 -
sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto (the "Underwriters") the
Shares specified in Schedule II hereto (the "Designated Shares" consisting of
Firm Shares and any Optional Shares the Underwriters may elect to purchase).
Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a part of this Agreement to
the same extent as if such provisions had been set forth in full herein; and
each of the representations and warranties set forth therein shall be deemed to
have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing Agreement, except that each
representation and warranty which refers to the Prospectus in Section 2 of the
Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a representation or warranty as of
the date of the Underwriting Agreement in relation to the Prospectus (as therein
defined), and also a representation and warranty as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement in relation to the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to
the Designated Shares which are the subject of this Pricing Agreement. Each
reference to the Representatives herein and in the provisions of the
Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference shall be deemed to refer to
you. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Underwriting
Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The Representatives designated to
act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf of each of the Underwriters
of the Designated Shares pursuant to Section 12 of the Underwriting Agreement
and the address of the Representatives referred to in such Section 12 are set
forth in Schedule II hereto.

     An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Shares, in the form
heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the Commission.

     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, (a) the Company agrees
to issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters
agrees, severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company at the time and
place and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II
hereto, the number of Firm Shares set forth opposite the name of such
Underwriter in Schedule I hereto and, (b) in the event and to the extent that
the Underwriters shall exercise the election to purchase Optional Shares, as
provided below, the Company agrees to issue and sell to each of the
Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees, severally and not jointly, to
purchase from the Company at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in
Schedule II hereto that portion of the number of Optional Shares as to which
such election shall have been exercised.
<PAGE>
 
     The Company hereby grants to each of the Underwriters the right to purchase
at their election up to the number of Optional Shares set forth opposite the
name of such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto on the terms referred to in the
paragraph above for the sole purpose of covering over-allotments in the sale of
the Firm Shares. Any such election to purchase Optional Shares may be exercised
by written notice from the Representatives to the Company given within a period
of 30 calendar days after the date of this Pricing Agreement, setting forth the
aggregate number of Optional Shares to be purchased and the date on which such
Optional Shares are to be delivered, as determined by the Representatives, but
in no event earlier than the First Time of Delivery or, unless the
Representatives and the Company otherwise agrees in writing, no earlier than two
or later than ten business days after the date of such notice.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us seven (7) counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you,
on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof,
including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by
reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters
and the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf
of each of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the authority set forth in
a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to
the Company for examination, upon request, but without warranty on the part of
the Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

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

Accepted as of the date hereof:

[Name(s) of Representatives]

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

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I
 
 
                                                  
                                                         MAXIMUM NUMBER OF
                                  NUMBER OF FIRM          OPTIONAL SHARES
                                     SHARES                 WHICH MAY BE
       UNDERWRITER                TO BE PURCHASED             PURCHASED
- -----------------------------   -------------------  ---------------------------
[NAMES OF UNDERWRITERS]
 
 
 
 
          Total                      ----------               ----------
                                     ==========               ==========

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE II

TITLE OF DESIGNATED SHARES:

     Common Stock, par value $0.10 per share

NUMBER OF DESIGNATED SHARES:

     Number of Firm Shares:
     Maximum Number of Optional Shares:

INITIAL OFFERING PRICE TO PUBLIC:

     [$........ per Share] [Formula]

PURCHASE PRICE BY UNDERWRITERS:

     [$........ per Share] [Formula]

COMMISSION PAYABLE TO UNDERWRITERS:

     $........ per Share in Federal (same day) funds

FORM OF DESIGNATED SHARES:

     Definitive form, to be made available for checking at least twenty-four
     hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of The Depository Trust
     Company or its designated custodian

SPECIFIED FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE:

     Federal (same day) funds

[DESCRIBE ANY BLACKOUT PROVISIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE DESIGNATED SHARES]

TIME OF DELIVERY:

     ......... a.m. (New York City time), .................., 199
                                                                 -

CLOSING LOCATION:

     Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
     650 Page Mill Road
     Palo Alto, California  94304

NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REPRESENTATIVES:

     Designated Representatives:

     Address for Notices, etc.:
<PAGE>
 
[OTHER TERMS]*:

- ---------------------
*    A description of particular tax, accounting or other unusual features
     (including any event risk provisions) of the Designated Shares should be
     set forth, or referenced to an attached or accompanying description, if
     necessary, to ensure agreement as to the terms of the Designated Shares to
     be purchased and sold. Such a description might appropriately be in the
     form in which such features will be described in the Prospectus Supplement
     for the offering.

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX I

     Pursuant to Section 7(f) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:

       (i)   They are independent certified public accountants with respect to
the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and the
applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;

       (ii)  In their opinion, the financial statements and any supplementary
financial information and schedules (and, if applicable, financial forecasts
and/or pro forma financial information) examined by them and included or
incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus comply
as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the related published rules
and regulations thereunder; and, if applicable, they have made a review in
accordance with standards established by the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants of the consolidated interim financial statements, selected
financial data, pro forma financial information, financial forecasts and/or
condensed financial statements derived from audited financial statements of the
Company for the periods specified in such letter, as indicated in their reports
thereon, copies of which have been furnished to the representatives of the
Underwriters (the "Representatives") and are attached hereto;

       (iii) They have made a review in accordance with standards established by
the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the unaudited
condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus and/or included
in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference into
the Prospectus as indicated in their reports thereon copies of which are
attached hereto; and on the basis of specified procedures including inquiries of
officials of the Company who have responsibility for financial and accounting
matters regarding whether the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements referred to in paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
Exchange Act and the related published rules and regulations, nothing came to
their attention that caused them to believe that the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements do not comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Exchange
Act and the related published rules and regulations;

       (iv)  The unaudited selected financial information with respect to the
consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company for the
five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus and included or
incorporated by reference in Item 6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the most recent fiscal year agrees with the corresponding amounts (after
restatement where applicable) in the audited consolidated financial statements
for such five fiscal years which were included or incorporated by reference in
the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for such fiscal years;

       (v)   They have compared the information in the Prospectus under selected
captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and on the basis of
limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came to their attention as a
result of the foregoing procedures that caused them to believe that this
information does not conform in all material respects with the disclosure
requirements of items 301, 302, 402 and 503(d), respectively, of Regulation S-K;

       (vi)  On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an examination
in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, consisting of a
reading of the unaudited financial statements and other information referred to
below, a reading of the latest available interim financial statements of the
Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books of the Company and
its subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited financial statements
included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, inquiries of officials
of the Company and its subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting
matters and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such
letter, nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that:
<PAGE>
 
          (A)  (i)     the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of
income, consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows
included in the Prospectus and/or included or incorporated by reference in the
Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus do not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable
accounting requirements of the Exchange Act and the related published rules and
regulations, or (ii) any material modifications should be made to the unaudited
condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus or included in
the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus, for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles;

          (B)  any other unaudited income statement data and balance sheet items
included in the Prospectus do not agree with the corresponding items in the
unaudited consolidated financial statements from which such data and items were
derived, and any such unaudited data and items were not determined on a basis
substantially consistent with the basis for the corresponding amounts in the
audited consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

          (C)  the unaudited financial statements which were not included in the
Prospectus but from which were derived the unaudited condensed financial
statements referred to in clause (A) and any unaudited income statement data and
balance sheet items included in the Prospectus and referred to in Clause (B)
were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with the basis for the
audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

          (D)  any unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial
statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do not comply
as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting requirements
of the Act and the published rules and regulations thereunder or the pro forma
adjustments have not been properly applied to the historical amounts in the
compilation of those statements;

          (E)  as of a specified date not more than five days prior to the date
of such letter, there have been any changes in the consolidated capital stock
(other than issuances of capital stock upon exercise of options and stock
appreciation rights, upon earn-outs of performance shares and upon conversions
of convertible securities, in each case which were outstanding on the date of
the latest balance sheet included or incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus) or any increase in the consolidated long-term debt of the Company
and its subsidiaries, or any decreases in consolidated net current assets or
stockholders' equity or other items specified by the Representatives, or any
increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case as
compared with amounts shown in the latest balance sheet included or incorporated
by reference in the Prospectus, except in each case for changes, increases or
decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are
described in such letter; and

          (F)  for the period from the date of the latest financial statements
included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to the specified date
referred to in Clause (E) there were any decreases in consolidated net revenues
or operating profit or the total or per share amounts of consolidated net income
or other items specified by the Representatives, or any increases in any items
specified by the Representatives, in each case as compared with the comparable
period of the preceding year and with any other period of corresponding length
specified by the Representatives, except in each case for increases or decreases
which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described
in such letter; and

     All references in this Annex I to the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer
to the Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) as
defined in the Underwriting Agreement as of the date of the letter delivered on
the date of the Pricing Agreement for purposes of such letter and to the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including the documents incorporated by
reference therein) in relation to the applicable Designated Shares for purposes
of the letter delivered at the Time of Delivery for such Designated Shares.

                                      -2-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.2

                            MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                                DEBT SECURITIES


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


                             ______________, 199__


To the Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in the respective
Pricing Agreements hereinafter described.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     From time to time Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to enter into one or more Pricing Agreements (each a
"Pricing Agreement") in the form of Annex I hereto, with such additions and
deletions as the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to the terms and
conditions stated herein and therein, to issue and sell to the firms named in
Schedule I to the applicable Pricing Agreement (such firms constituting the
"Underwriters" with respect to such Pricing Agreement and the securities
specified therein) certain of its debt securities (the "Securities") specified
in Schedule II to such Pricing Agreement (with respect to such Pricing
Agreement, the "Designated Securities").

     The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Securities
shall be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto and in or
pursuant to the indenture (the "Indenture") identified in such Pricing
Agreement.

     1.   Particular sales of Designated Securities may be made from time to
time to the Underwriters of such Securities, for whom the firms designated as
representatives of the Underwriters of such Securities in the Pricing Agreement
relating thereto will act as representatives (the "Representatives"). The term
"Representatives" also refers to a single firm acting as sole representative of
the Underwriters and to an Underwriter or Underwriters who act without any firm
being designated as its or their representatives. This Underwriting Agreement
shall not be construed as an obligation of the Company to sell any of the
Securities or as an obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase the
Securities. The obligation of the Company to issue and sell any of the
Securities and the obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase any of the
Securities shall be evidenced by the Pricing Agreement with respect to the
Designated Securities specified therein. Each Pricing Agreement shall specify
the aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities, the initial public
offering price of such Designated Securities, the purchase price to the
Underwriters of such Designated Securities, the names of the Underwriters of
such Designated Securities, the names of the Representatives of such
Underwriters and the principal amount of such Designated Securities to be
purchased by each Underwriter and shall set forth the date, time and manner of
delivery of such Designated Securities and payment therefor. The Pricing
Agreement shall also specify (to the extent not set forth in the Indenture and
the registration statement and prospectus with respect thereto) the terms of
such Designated Securities. A Pricing Agreement shall be in the form of an
executed writing (which may be in counterparts), and may be evidenced by an
exchange of telegraphic communications or any other rapid 
<PAGE>
 
transmission device designed to produce a written record of communications
transmitted. The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement and each
Pricing Agreement shall be several and not joint.

     2.   The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the
Underwriters that:

          (a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-18441) (the
"Initial Registration Statement") in respect of the Securities has been filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"); the Initial
Registration Statement and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the
form heretofore delivered or to be delivered to the Representatives and,
excluding exhibits to the Initial Registration Statement, but including all
documents incorporated by reference in the prospectus contained therein, to the
Representatives for each of the other Underwriters, have been declared effective
by the Commission in such form; no other document with respect to the Initial
Registration Statement or document incorporated by reference therein has
heretofore been filed or transmitted for filing with the Commission other than a
registration statement, if any, increasing the size of the offering (a "Rule
462(b) Registration Statement"), filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Act"), which became effective upon
filing (and other than prospectuses filed pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules
and regulations of the Commission under the Act, each in the form heretofore
delivered to the Representatives); and no stop order suspending the
effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any post-effective
amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, has been
issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or threatened by
the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in such registration
statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a) under the Act, is
hereinafter called a "Preliminary Prospectus;" the various parts of the Initial
Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any,
including all exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated by reference in
the prospectus contained in the Initial Registration Statement at the time such
part of the Initial Registration Statement became effective or such part of the
Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter becomes
effective, but excluding Form T-1, each as amended at the time such part of the
registration statement became effective, are hereinafter collectively called the
"Registration Statement;" the prospectus relating to the Securities, in the form
in which it has most recently been filed, or transmitted for filing, with the
Commission on or prior to the date of this Agreement, being hereinafter called
the "Prospectus;" any reference herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or the
Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents incorporated by
reference therein pursuant to the applicable form under the Act, as of the date
of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be; any reference
to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or the Prospectus
shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after the date of
such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
incorporated by reference in such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the
case may be; any reference to any amendment to the Registration Statement shall
be deemed to refer to and include any annual report of the Company filed
pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the effective date
of the Registration Statement that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement; and any reference to the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented shall be deemed to refer to the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented in relation to the applicable Designated Securities in the form in
which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act in
accordance with Section 5(a) hereof, including any documents incorporated by
reference therein as of the date of such filing);

          (b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be,
conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and any further
documents so filed and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any
further amendment or supplement thereto, when such

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
documents become effective or are filed with the Commission, as the case may be,
will conform in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder and will not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this representation
and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made in reliance
upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by
an Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly
for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
Securities;

          (c) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform, and any
further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act
and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act") and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will not,
as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto and as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this
representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
Company by an Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives
expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
Securities;

          (d) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained
since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;
and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any material
change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development that would
reasonably be expected to cause a prospective material adverse change, in the
general affairs, management, financial position, shareholders' equity or results
of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth
or contemplated in the Prospectus;

          (e) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with
power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its
business as described in the Prospectus;

          (f) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have
been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-
assessable;

          (g) When Designated Securities are issued and delivered pursuant to
this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated
Securities, such Designated Securities will have been duly authorized, executed,
authenticated, issued and delivered and will constitute valid and legally
binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits provided by the
Indenture, which will be substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement; the Indenture has been duly authorized and duly
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and, at the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities (as defined in Section 4 hereof), the Indenture will
constitute a valid and legally binding instrument, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization and other laws of 

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights and to general
equity principles; and the Indenture conforms, and the Designated Securities
will conform in all material respects to the descriptions thereof contained in
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented with respect to such Designated
Securities;

          (h) The issue and sale of the Securities and the compliance by the
Company with its obligations pursuant to the Securities, the Indenture, this
Agreement and any Pricing Agreement will not result in a breach or violation of
any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any material
indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or
instrument to which the Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or
to which any of the property or assets of the Company is subject, nor will such
action result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or any statute or any order, rule or
regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over
the Company or any of its properties, except where such breach, violation or
default would not have a material adverse effect on the Company's business and
results of operations; and no consent, approval, authorization, order,
registration or qualification of or with any such court or governmental agency
or body is required for the issue and sale of the Securities or the performance
by the Company of its obligations pursuant to this Agreement or any Pricing
Agreement or the Indenture, except such as have been, or will have been prior to
the Time of Delivery, obtained under the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and
such consents, approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may
be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the
purchase and distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters and except where
the failure to obtain such consents would not have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business and results of operations;

          (i) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the captions
"Description of Securities" and "Description of [Notes] [Debentures]", insofar
as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Securities, and
under the caption ["Taxation"], insofar as they purport to summarize certain
provisions of the laws and documents referred to therein, fairly summarize such
provisions in all material respects;

          (j) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of
its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or, in any material respect, in
default in the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement,
covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by
which it or any of its properties may be bound;

          (k) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
effect on the current or future consolidated financial position, shareholders'
equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries; and, to the
best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened by
governmental authorities or by others;

          (l) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and
sale of the Securities, will not be an "investment company" or an entity
"controlled" by an "investment company," as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");

          (m) Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., who have certified certain financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public
accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder;

          (n) The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess or can acquire on
commercially reasonable terms adequate licenses or other rights to use all
patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
copyrights, mask work rights, technology and know-how necessary to conduct the
business now or proposed to be conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries as
described in the Prospectus, and except as disclosed in the Prospectus the
Company has not received any notice of infringement of or conflict with (and
knows of no such infringement of or conflict with) asserted rights of others
with respect to any patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights,
mask work rights or know-how which would be reasonably likely to result in any
material adverse effect upon the Company and its subsidiaries; and, except as
disclosed in the Prospectus, the discoveries, inventions, products or processes
of the Company and its subsidiaries referred to in the Prospectus do not, to the
Company's knowledge, infringe or conflict with any right or patent of any third
party or any discovery, invention, product or process which is the subject of a
patent application filed by any third party, known to the Company; and

          (o) The Company and its subsidiaries have obtained any permits,
consents and authorizations required to be obtained by them under laws or
regulations relating to the protection of the environment or concerning the
handling, storage, disposal or discharge of toxic materials (collectively
"Environmental Laws"), and any such permits, consents and authorizations remain
in full force and effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance
with the Environmental Laws in all material respects, and there is no pending
or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, action or proceeding against the
Company and its subsidiaries alleging violations of the Environmental laws.

     3.   Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Securities and authorization by the Representatives of the release of
such Designated Securities, the several Underwriters propose to offer such
Designated Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented.

     4.   Designated Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to
the Pricing Agreement relating thereto, in the form specified in such Pricing
Agreement, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as
the Representatives may request upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice to
the Company, shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the
Representatives for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by such
Underwriter or on its behalf of the purchase price therefor by certified or
official bank check or checks, payable to the order of the Company in the funds
specified in such Pricing Agreement, all in the manner and at the place and time
and date specified in such Pricing Agreement or at such other place and time and
date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing, such time
and date being herein called the "Time of Delivery" for such Securities.

     5.   The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters of any Designated
Securities:

          (a) To prepare the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation
to the applicable Designated Securities and to file such Prospectus pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than the Commission's close of business on
the second business day following the execution and delivery of the Pricing
Agreement relating to the applicable Designated Securities or, if applicable,
such earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b); to make no further
amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus as
amended or supplemented after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to such
Securities and prior to the Time of Delivery for such Securities which shall be
disapproved by the Representatives for such Securities promptly after reasonable
notice thereof; to advise the Representatives promptly of any such amendment or
supplement after such Time of Delivery and furnish the Representatives with
copies thereof; to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or
information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act for so long as
the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale
of such Securities, and during such same period to advise the 

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
Representatives, promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any
amendment to the Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or
any supplement to the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed with
the Commission, of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any
order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the
Securities, of the suspension of the qualification of such Securities for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the
amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for
additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any such stop order
or of any such order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating
to the Securities or suspending any such qualification, to promptly use its best
efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

          (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the
Representatives may reasonably request to qualify such Securities for offering
and sale under the securities laws of such jurisdictions as the Representatives
may request and to comply with such laws so as to permit the continuance of
sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions for as long as may be necessary
to complete the distribution of such Securities, provided that in connection
therewith the Company shall not be required to qualify as a foreign corporation
or to file a general consent to service of process in any jurisdiction;

          (c) At or prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the New York
Business Day immediately following the date of the Pricing Agreement and from
time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus in New
York City as amended or supplemented in such quantities as the Representatives
may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any
time in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities and if at such
time any event shall have occurred as a result of which the Prospectus as then
amended or supplemented would include an untrue statement of a material fact or
omit to state any material fact necessary in order to make the statements
therein, in the light of the circumstances under which they were made when such
Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if for any other reason it shall be
necessary during such same period to amend or supplement the Prospectus or to
file under the Exchange Act any document incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, the Exchange Act or the Trust
Indenture Act, to notify the Representatives and upon their request to file such
document and to prepare and furnish without charge to each Underwriter and to
any dealer in securities as many copies as the Representatives may from time to
time reasonably request of an amended Prospectus or a supplement to the
Prospectus which will correct such statement or omission or effect such
compliance;

          (d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective
date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an
earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be
audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule
158);

          (e) During the period beginning from the date of the Pricing Agreement
for such Designated Securities and continuing to and including the later of (i)
the termination of trading restrictions for such Designated Securities, as
notified to the Company by the Representatives and (ii) the Time of Delivery for
such Designated Securities, not to offer, sell, contract to sell or otherwise
dispose of any debt securities of the Company which mature more than one year
after such Time of Delivery and which are substantially similar to such
Designated Securities, without the prior written consent of the Representatives;
and

          (f) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall
file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with
Rule 462(b) by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of the Pricing
Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing either pay to the

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give
irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b)
under the Act.

     6.   The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that
the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees,
disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in
connection with the registration of the Securities under the Act and all other
expenses in connection with the preparation, printing and filing of the
Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus and the Prospectus and
amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and delivering of copies
thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of printing or producing
any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, any Pricing Agreement, any
Indenture, any Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda, closing documents
(including any compilations thereof) and any other documents in connection with
the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities; (iii) all expenses
in connection with the qualification of the Securities for offering and sale
under state securities laws as provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the
reasonable fees and disbursements of counsel for the Underwriters in connection
with such qualification and in connection with the Blue Sky and Legal Investment
Surveys; (iv) any fees charged by securities rating services for rating the
Securities; (v) the cost of preparing the Securities; (vi) the fees and expenses
of any Trustee and any agent of any Trustee and the fees and disbursements of
counsel for any Trustee in connection with any Indenture and the Securities; and
(vii) all other costs and expenses incident to the performance of its
obligations hereunder which are not otherwise specifically provided for in this
Section. It is understood, however, that, except as provided in this Section,
and Sections 8 and 11 hereof, the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs
and expenses, including the fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of
any of the Securities by them, and any advertising expenses connected with any
offers they may make.

     7.   The obligations of the Underwriters of any Designated Securities under
the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities shall be subject,
in the discretion of the Representatives, to the condition that all
representations and warranties and other statements of the Company in or
incorporated by reference in the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated
Securities are, at and as of the Time of Delivery for such Designated
Securities, true and correct, the condition that the Company shall have
performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the
following additional conditions:

          (a) The Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the
applicable Designated Securities shall have been filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such
filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section
5(a) hereof; if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Rule
462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 p.m.,
Washington, D.C. time, on the date of the Pricing Agreement; no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof
shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been
initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional
information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the
Representatives' reasonable satisfaction;

          (b) Counsel for the Underwriters shall have furnished to the
Representatives such opinion or opinions dated the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may
reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and
information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such
matters;

          (c) Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation,
counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives their
written opinion, dated each Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect
that:

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     (i)    This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to the
Designated Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company;

     (ii)   The Designated Securities are in the form contemplated by
the Indenture, have been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed by
the Company and authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided for in the
Indenture and delivered against the purchase price therefor specified herein and
in the Pricing Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations
of the Company entitled to the benefits provided by the Indenture; and the
Designated Securities and the Indenture conform to the descriptions thereof in
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

     (iii)  The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery
by the Trustee, and constitutes a valid and legally binding instrument,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms; and the Indenture
has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;

     (iv)   To such counsel's knowledge, no consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or
governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Designated
Securities or the performance by the Company of its obligations set forth in
this Agreement or such Pricing Agreement or the Indenture, except such as have
been obtained under the Act and the Trust Indenture Act and such consents,
approvals, authorizations, orders, registrations or qualifications as may be
required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase
and distribution of the Designated Securities by the Underwriters;

     (v)    The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the
captions "Description of Securities," and "Description of [Notes] [Debentures]"
insofar as they purport to constitute a summary of the terms of the Securities,
fairly summarize such terms in all material respects;

     (vi)   To such counsel's knowledge, the Company is not an
"investment company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company," as
such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act;

     (vii)  The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented (other than the financial statements and related
schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), when they
became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, complied
as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder; and

     (viii) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any further amendments and supplements thereto made by the
Company prior to the Time of Delivery for the Designated Securities (other than
the financial statements and related schedules therein and financial data
derived therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as
to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Trust
Indenture Act and the rules and regulations thereunder;

     Such counsel shall also include a statement to the effect that, although
such counsel does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus, except for those referred to in the opinion in subsection (v) of
this Section 7(c), such counsel has no reason to believe that, as of its
effective date, the Registration Statement or any further amendment thereto made
by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery (other than the financial
statements and related schedules therein and financial data derived therefrom,
as to which such counsel need express no belief) contained an untrue 

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or
that, as of its date, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any further
amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of
Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules therein and
financial data derived therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no
belief) contained an untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a
material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
circumstances under which they were made, not misleading or that, as of the Time
of Delivery, either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company
prior to the Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related
schedules therein and financial data derived therefrom, as to which such counsel
need express no belief) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits
to state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light
of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

     In rendering the opinions set forth herein, such counsel may rely with
respect to matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company,
provided that such counsel shall state that they have no reason to believe both
you and they are not justified upon such certificates and a copy of such
certificate shall be delivered to you. Such counsel's opinion that any agreement
is valid, binding or enforceable in accordance with its terms may be qualified
as to:  (1) limitations imposed by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws relating to or
affecting the rights of creditors generally; (2) rights to indemnification and
contribution which may be limited by applicable law or equitable principles; and
(3) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible
unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, regardless of
whether such validity and binding effect are considered in a proceeding in
equity or at law.

          (d) Roderic W. Lewis, the Company's General Counsel, shall have
furnished to you his written opinion, dated each Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you, to
the effect that:

          (i)       The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties
and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented;

         (ii)       The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, and all of the issued shares of
capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued
and are fully paid and non-assessable;

          (iii)     To such counsel's knowledge and other than as set forth in
the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined
adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually have a
material adverse effect on the current consolidated financial position,
shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

          (iv)      The issue and sale of the Designated Securities and the
performance by the Company of its obligations pursuant to the Designated
Securities, the Indenture, this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect
to the Designated Securities will not result in a breach or violation of any of
the terms or provisions of, or constitute a default under, any indenture,
mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or to the Company's most recent
Annual 

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
Report on Form 10-K, nor will such actions result in any violation of the
provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of the Company or, to
such counsel's knowledge, any statute, order, rule or regulation of any court or
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
properties; and

          (v) Such counsel does not know of any contracts or other documents of
a character required to be filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or
required to be incorporated by reference into the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented or required to be described in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented which are not filed or incorporated by
reference or described as required.

          (e) On the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated
Securities at a time prior to the execution of the Pricing Agreement with
respect to such Designated Securities and at the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities, the independent accountants of the Company who have
certified the financial state  ments of the Company and its subsidiaries
included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall have
furnished to the Representatives a letter, dated the effective date of the
Registration Statement or the date of the most recent report filed with the
Commission containing financial statements and incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement, if the date of such report is later than such effective
date, and a letter dated such Time of Delivery, respectively, to the effect set
forth in Annex I hereto, and with respect to such letter dated such Time of
Delivery, as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably request
and in form and substance satisfactory to the Representatives (the executed copy
of the letter delivered prior to the execution of the Pricing Agreement is
attached as Annex I(a) hereto and a draft of the form of letter to be delivered
on the effective date of any post-effective amendment to the Registration
Statement and as of each Time of Delivery is attached as Annex I(b) hereto);

          (f)    (i)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the
Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities any loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus
as amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated
Securities, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given
in the Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating
to the Designated Securities there shall not have been any material change in
the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
any change, in the general affairs, management, financial position,
shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus as
amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated
Securities, the effect of which, in any such case described in Clause (i) or
(ii), is in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives so material and
adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public
offering or the delivery of the Designated Securities on the terms and in the
manner contemplated in the Prospectus as first amended or supplemented relating
to the Designated Securities;

          (g) On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating
accorded the Company's debt securities or preferred stock by any "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined by the
Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act, and (ii) no such
organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or
review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's
debt securities or preferred stock;

          (h) On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities there shall not have occurred any of the following:  (i) a
suspension or material limitation in trading in securities 

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
generally on the New York Stock Exchange or on the Nasdaq National Market
("Nasdaq"); (ii) a suspension or material limitation in trading in the Company's
securities on the Nasdaq; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking
activities declared by either Federal or New York state authorities; or (iv) the
outbreak or escalation of hostilities involving the United States or the
declaration by the United States of a national emergency or war, if the effect
of any such event specified in this Clause (iv) in the reasonable judgment of
the Representatives makes it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the
public offering or the delivery of the Designated Securities on the terms and in
the manner contemplated in the Prospectus as first amended or supplemented
relating to the Designated Securities;

          (i) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the
Representatives at the Time of Delivery for the Designated Securities a
certificate or certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to the
Representatives as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the
Company herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the
Company of all of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such
Time of Delivery, as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (e) of this
Section and as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably
request; and

          (j) The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section
5(c) hereof with respect to the furnishing of prospectuses on the New York
Business Day next succeeding the date of the Pricing Agreement.

     8.   (a)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will
reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to
the Securities, or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter
of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly for use in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Securities; and provided
further that, with respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement or the Registration Statement, the indemnity agreement
contained in this subsection (a) shall not inure to the benefit of any
Underwriter from whom the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage or
liability purchased Designated Securities (or to the benefit of any such person
controlling such Underwriter) to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense of such Underwriter or controlling person results from the
fact that a copy of an amended or supplemented Prospectus was not sent or given
to such person at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such
Designated Securities to such person as required by the Act, and if the untrue
statement or omission concerned has been corrected in the Prospectus as so
amended or supplemented, unless such failures is the result of noncompliance by
the Company with Section 5(c) hereof.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
          (b) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement,
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any
other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to
the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any such
amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the
Representatives expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company for
any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection
with investigating or defending any such action or claim as such expenses are
incurred.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
(a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commence  ment thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indem  nifying party shall
be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish,
jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party
and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be
liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of
other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent
of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to
the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or
claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought
hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party
to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment includes
an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out
of such action or claim.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
of the Designated Securities on the other from the offering of the Designated
Securities to which such loss, claim, damage or liability (or action in respect
thereof) relates. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately
preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified
party failed to give the notice required under subsection (c) above, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and
such Underwriters 
                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
on the other in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in
such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as
well as any other relevant equitable considerations. The relative benefits
received by the Company on the one hand and such Underwriters on the other shall
be deemed to be in the same proportion as the total net proceeds from such
offering (before deducting expenses) received by the Company bear to the total
underwriting discounts and commissions received by such Underwriters. The
relative fault shall be determined by reference to, among other things, whether
the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or
alleged omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Company on the one hand or such Underwriters on the other and the parties'
relative intent, knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or
prevent such statement or omission. The Company and the Underwriters agree that
it would not be just and equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection
(d) were determined by pro rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were
treated as one entity for such purpose) or by any other method of allocation
which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above in
this subsection (d). The amount paid or payable by an indemnified party as a
result of the losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) referred to above in this subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any
legal or other expenses reasonably incurred by such indemnified party in
connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the applicable Designated Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters
of Designated Securities in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in
proportion to their respective underwriting obligations with respect to such
Securities and not joint.

          (e) The obligations of the Company pursuant to this Section 8 shall be
in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall
extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls
any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters pursuant to this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability
which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the
same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

     9.   (a)  If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase
the Designated Securities which it has agreed to purchase under the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Designated Securities, the Representatives may in
their discretion arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to
purchase such Designated Securities on the terms contained herein. If within
thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter the Representatives do
not arrange for the purchase of such Designated Securities, then the Company
shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to
procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the Representatives to
purchase such Designated Securities on such terms. In the event that, within the
respective prescribed period, the Representatives notify the Company that they
have so arranged for the purchase of such Designated Securities, or the Company
notifies the Representatives that it has so arranged for the purchase of such
Designated Securities, the Representatives or the Company shall have the right
to postpone the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities for a period of
not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be
made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees
to file promptly any amend  ments or supplements to the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus which in the reasonable opinion of the Company and the
Representatives may thereby be made necessary. The term "Underwriter" as used in
this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with like
effect as if such person had originally been a party to the Pricing Agreement
with respect to such Designated Securities.

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
          (b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities which remains
unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of
the Designated Securities, then the Company shall have the right to require each
non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the principal amount of Designated
Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under the Pricing Agreement
relating to such Designated Securities and, in addition, to require each non-
defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the principal
amount of Designated Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under
such Pricing Agreement) of the Designated Securities of such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but
nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its
default.

          (c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of Designated Securities which remains unpurchased
exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of the Designated
Securities, as referred to in subsection (b) above, or if the Company shall not
exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting
Underwriters to purchase Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters, then the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities
shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company
and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and
contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

     10.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to
this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company,
or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.

     11.  If any Pricing Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9
hereof, or if the Underwriters do not purchase Designated Securities under the
Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities because the condition
set forth in Section 7(b) or 7(f) hereof shall not have been satisfied, the
Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter with respect to
the Designated Securities covered by such Pricing Agreement except as provided
in Section 8 hereof; but, if for any other reason Designated Securities are not
delivered by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein, the Company will
reimburse the Underwriters through the Representatives for all out-of-pocket
expenses approved in writing by the Representatives, including fees and
disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making
preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of such Designated Securities,
but the Company shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter with
respect to such Designated Securities except as provided in Sections 6 and 8
hereof.

     12.  In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters of
Designated Securities shall act on behalf of each of such Underwriters, and the
parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request,
notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such
Representatives jointly or by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be
designated for such purpose in the Pricing Agreement.

          All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the address of the Representatives as set forth in the
Pricing Agreement; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail,

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the
Registration Statement: Attention: Secretary; provided, however, that any notice
to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by
mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set
forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such
Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by the
Representatives upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

     13.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be binding upon, and
inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent
provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company
and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no
other person shall acquire or have any right under or by virtue of this
Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement. No purchaser of any of the Securities
from any Underwriter shall be deemed a successor or assign by reason merely of
such purchase.

     14.  Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing Agreement. As used
herein, "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office in
Washington, D.C. is open for business.

     15.  THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF [NEW YORK].

     16.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be executed by any one
or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us seven (7) counterparts hereof.



                                    Very truly yours,

                                    MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

                                    By:___________________________

                                    Name:_________________________

                                    Title:________________________

Accepted as of the date hereof:
[Name(s) of Representative(s)]

By:__________________________

Name:________________________

Title:_______________________

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX I
                               PRICING AGREEMENT



[Names of Representative(s)]
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto,


                              ____________, 199__


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes,
subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Underwriting
Agreement, dated _____________, 199__, (the "Underwriting Agreement"), between
the Company on the one hand and (names of Representatives named therein) on the
other hand, to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto
(the "Underwriters") the Securities specified in Schedule II hereto (the
"Designated Securities"). Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a
part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set
forth in full herein; and each of the representations and warranties set forth
therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement, except that each representation and warranty which refers to the
Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a
representation or warranty as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement in
relation to the Prospectus (as therein defined), and also a representation and
warranty as of the date of this Pricing Agreement in relation to the Prospectus
as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Securities which are the
subject of this Pricing Agreement. Each reference to the Representatives herein
and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference
shall be deemed to refer to you. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined
in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The
Representatives designated to act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf
of each of the Underwriters of the Designated Securities pursuant to Section 12
of the Underwriting Agreement and the address of the Representatives referred to
in such Section 12 are set forth at the end of Schedule II hereto.

     An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the
form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the
Commission.

     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time and place
and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto,
the principal amount of Designated Securities set forth opposite the name of
such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us seven (7) counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you,
on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof,
including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by
reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters
and the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf
of each of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the authority set forth in
a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to
the Company for 

                                      
<PAGE>
 
examination upon request, but without warranty on the part of the
Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

                                    By:____________________________________

                                    Name:__________________________________

                                    Title:_________________________________

Accepted as of the date hereof:

[Name(s) of Representative(s)]

By:_______________________________


Name:_____________________________

Title:____________________________

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

                                     
<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                PRINCIPAL
                                AMOUNT OF
                               DESIGNATED
                               SECURITIES
       UNDERWRITER          TO BE PURCHASED
- -----------------------     ----------------- 
<S>                              <C> 

[Names of Underwriters]          $
Total                            $
</TABLE>

                                      
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE II


TITLE OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     [__ %] [Floating Rate] [Zero Coupon] [Notes] [Debentures] due ,

AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:

     [$]

PRICE TO PUBLIC:

     __% of the principal amount of the Designated Securities, plus accrued
     interest[, if any,] from to [and accrued amortization[, if any,] from to ]

PURCHASE PRICE BY UNDERWRITERS:

     __% of the principal amount of the Designated Securities, plus accrued
     interest from to [and accrued amortization[, if any,] from _________  to
     ____________ ]

FORM OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     Book-entry only form represented by one or more global securities deposited
     with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its designated custodian, to
     be made available for checking by the Representatives at least twenty-four
     hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of DTC.

SPECIFIED FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE:

     Federal (same day) funds [by wire transfer]

TIME OF DELIVERY:

     _____a.m. (New York City time), , 199____

INDENTURE:

     Indenture dated ____________, 199____ , between the Company and , as
     Trustee

MATURITY:

INTEREST RATE:

     [__%] [Zero Coupon] [See Floating Rate Provisions]

INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:

     [months and dates, commencing ....................., 199___]

                                      
<PAGE>
 
REDEMPTION PROVISIONS:

     [No provisions for redemption]

     [The Designated Securities may be redeemed, otherwise than through the
     sinking fund, in whole or in part at the option of the Company, in the
     amount of [$______] or an integral multiple thereof, [on or after
     ____________, at the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages
     of principal amount). If [redeemed on or before _______________ ,__ %, and
     if] redeemed during the 12-month period beginning,


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        REDEMPTION
                              YEAR        PRICE
                            --------  --------------  
<S>                         <C>       <C>  

</TABLE>


     and thereafter at 100% of their principal amount, together in each case
     with accrued interest to the redemption date.] [on any interest payment
     date falling on or after _______________ , at the election of the Company,
     at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
     interest to the date of redemption.]]

     [Other possible redemption provisions, such as mandatory redemption upon
     occurrence of certain events or redemption for changes in tax law]

     [Restriction on refunding]

SINKING FUND PROVISIONS:

     [No sinking fund provisions]

     [The Designated Securities are entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to
     retire [$__________] principal amount of Designated Securities on in each
     of the years through at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued
     interest[, together with [cumulative] [noncumulative] redemptions at the
     option of the Company to retire an additional [$__________] principal
     amount of Designated Securities in the years through at 100% of their
     principal amount plus accrued interest.]

     [If Designated Securities are extendable debt securities, insert]

EXTENDABLE PROVISIONS:

     Designated Securities are repayable on , [insert date and years], at the
     option of the holder, at their principal amount with accrued interest.  The
     initial annual interest rate will be ____%, and thereafter the annual
     interest rate will be adjusted on , and to a rate not less than ____% of
     the effective annual interest rate on U.S. Treasury obligations with ___-
     year maturities as of the [insert date 15 days prior to maturity date]
     prior to such [insert maturity date].]

     [If Designated Securities are floating rate debt securities, insert]

                                      
<PAGE>
 
FLOATING RATE PROVISIONS:

     Initial annual interest rate will be ____% through ______________ [and
     thereafter will be adjusted [monthly] [on each, __________, and] [to an
     annual rate of ____% above the average rate for ___-year [month]
     [securities] [certificates of deposit] issued by and [insert names of
     banks].] [and the annual interest rate [thereafter] [from through ] will
     be the interest yield equivalent of the weekly average per annum market
     discount rate for -month Treasury bills plus ___% of Interest Differential
     (the excess, if any, of (i) the then current weekly average per annum
     secondary market yield for ___-month certificates of deposit over (ii) the
     then current interest yield equivalent of the weekly average per annum
     market discount rate for ___-month Treasury bills); [from and thereafter
     the rate will be the then current interest yield equivalent plus ____% of
     Interest Differential].]

DEFEASANCE PROVISIONS:

CLOSING LOCATION FOR DELIVERY OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
     650 Page Mill Road
     Palo Alto, California  94304

ADDITIONAL CLOSING CONDITIONS:

     Paragraph 7(h) of the Underwriting Agreement should be modified in the
     event that the Securities are denominated in, indexed to, or principal or
     interest are paid in, a currency other than the U.S. dollar, more than one
     currency or in a composite currency. The country or countries issuing such
     currency should be added to the banking moratorium and hostilities clauses
     and the following additional clause should be added to the paragraph (the
     entire paragraph should be restated, as amended):

     the imposition of the proposal of exchange controls by any governmental
     authority in [insert the country or countries issuing such currency,
     currencies or composite currency].

NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REPRESENTATIVES:

Designated Representatives:
Address for Notices, etc.:

[OTHER TERMS]*:

- ----------------------------- 
*    A description of particular tax, accounting or other unusual features (such
     as the addition of event risk provisions) of the Designated Securities
     should be set forth, or referenced to an attached and accompanying
     description, if necessary, to ensure agreement as to the terms of the
     Designated Securities to be purchased and sold. Such a description might
     appropriately be in the form in which such features will be described in
     the Prospectus Supplement for the offering.

                                      
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX I

     Pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:

     (i)        They are independent certified public accountants with respect
to the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and the
applicable published rules and regulations thereunder;

     (ii)      In their opinion, the financial statements and any supplementary
financial information and schedules audited (and, if applicable, financial
forecasts and/or pro forma financial information) examined by them and included
or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the related
published rules and regulations thereunder; and, if applicable, they have made a
review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants of the consolidated interim financial statements,
selected financial data, pro forma financial information, financial forecasts
and/or condensed financial statements derived from audited financial statements
of the Company for the periods specified in such letter, as indicated in their
reports thereon, copies of which have been furnished to the representative or
representatives of the Underwriters (the "Representatives") such term to include
an Underwriter or Underwriters who act without any firm being designated as its
or their representatives and are attached hereto;

     (iii)     They have made a review in accordance with standards established
by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the unaudited
condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus and/or included
in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference into
the Prospectus as indicated in their reports thereon copies of which are
attached hereto; and on the basis of specified procedures including inquiries of
officials of the Company who have responsibility for financial and accounting
matters regarding whether the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements referred to in paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
Exchange Act and the related published rules and regulations, nothing came to
their attention that caused them to believe that the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements do not comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Exchange
Act and the related published rules and regulations;

     (iv)     The unaudited selected financial information with respect to the
consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company for the
five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus and included or
incorporated by reference in Item 6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the most recent fiscal year agrees with the corresponding amounts (after
restatement where applicable) in the audited consolidated financial statements
for five such fiscal years which were included or incorporated by reference in
the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for such fiscal years;

     (v)      They have compared the information in the Prospectus under
selected captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and on the
basis of limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came to their
attention as a result of the foregoing procedures that caused them to believe
that this information does not conform in all material respects with the
disclosure requirements of Items 301, 302, 402 and 503(d), respectively, of
Regulation S-K;

     (vi)      On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an
examination in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, consisting
of a reading of the unaudited financial statements and other information
referred to below, a reading of the latest available interim financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books
of the Company and its subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited
financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus,
inquiries of officials of the

                                      
<PAGE>
 
Company and its subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters
and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter,
nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

          (A) (i) the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income,
consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included
in the Prospectus and/or included or incorporated by reference in the Company's
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do
not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the Exchange Act and the related published rules and
regulations, or (ii) any material modifications should be made to the unaudited
condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus or included in
the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles;

          (B) any other unaudited income statement data and balance sheet items
included in the Prospectus do not agree with the corresponding items in the
unaudited consolidated financial statements from which such data and items were
derived, and any such unaudited data and items were not determined on a basis
substantially consistent with the basis for the corresponding amounts in the
audited consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

          (C) the unaudited financial statements which were not included in the
Prospectus but from which were derived the unaudited condensed financial
statements referred to in clause (A) and any unaudited income statement data and
balance sheet items included in the Prospectus and referred to in Clause (B)
were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with the basis for the
audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10- K for the most recent fiscal year; (D) any
unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
published rules and regulations thereunder or the pro forma adjustments have not
been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those
statements;

          (E) as of a specified date not more than five days prior to the date
of such letter, there have been any changes in the consolidated capital stock
(other than issuances of capital stock upon exercise of options and stock
appreciation rights, upon earn-outs of performance shares and upon conversions
of convertible securities, in each case which were outstanding on the date of
the latest balance sheet included or incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus) or any increase in the consolidated long-term debt of the Company
and its subsidiaries, or any decreases in consolidated net current assets or
stockholders' equity or other items specified by the Representatives, or any
increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case as
compared with amounts shown in the latest balance sheet included or incorporated
by reference in the Prospectus, except in each case for changes, increases or
decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are
described in such letter; and

          (F) for the period from the date of the latest financial statements
included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to the specified date
referred to in Clause (E) there were any decreases in consolidated net revenues
or operating profit or the total or per share amounts of consolidated net income
or other items specified by the Representatives, or any increases in any items
specified by the Representatives, in each case as compared with the comparable
period of the preceding year and with any other period of corresponding length
specified by the Representatives, except in each case for increases or decreases
which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described
in such letter; and (vii) In addition to the audit referred to in their
report(s) included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the
limited procedures, inspection of 

                                      
<PAGE>
 
minute books, inquiries and other procedures referred to in paragraphs (iii) and
(vi) above, they have carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting
an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, with respect
to certain amounts, percentages and financial information specified by the
Representatives which are derived from the general accounting records of the
Company and its subsidiaries, which appear in the Prospectus (excluding
documents incorporated by reference), or in Part II of, or in exhibits and
schedules to, the Registration Statement specified by the Representatives or in
documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus specified by the
Representatives, and have compared certain of such amounts, percentages and
financial information with the accounting records of the Company and its
subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement.

     All references in this Annex I to the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer
to the Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) as
defined in the Underwriting Agreement as of the date of the letter delivered on
the date of the Pricing Agreement for purposes of such letter and to the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including the documents incorporated by
reference therein) in relation to the applicable Designated Securities for
purposes of the letter delivered at the Time of Delivery for such Designated
Securities.

                                      

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 1.3

                            MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
                          CONVERTIBLE DEBT SECURITIES


                             UNDERWRITING AGREEMENT


                             ______________, 199__


To the Representatives of the several
Underwriters named in the respective
Pricing Agreements hereinafter described.


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     From time to time Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), proposes to enter into one or more Pricing Agreements (each a
"Pricing Agreement") in the form of Annex I hereto, with such additions and
deletions as the parties thereto may determine, and, subject to the terms and
conditions stated herein and therein, to issue and sell to the firms named in
Schedule I to the applicable Pricing Agreement (such firms constituting the
"Underwriters" with respect to such Pricing Agreement and the securities
specified therein) certain of its convertible debt securities (the "Securities")
specified in Schedule II to such Pricing Agreement (with respect to such Pricing
Agreement, the "Designated Securities"), convertible into Common Stock, par
value $0.10 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock").

     The terms and rights of any particular issuance of Designated Securities
shall be as specified in the Pricing Agreement relating thereto and in or
pursuant to the indenture (the "Indenture") identified in such Pricing
Agreement.

     1.   Particular sales of Designated Securities may be made from time to
time to the Underwriters of such Securities, for whom the firms designated as
representatives of the Underwriters of such Securities in the Pricing Agreement
relating thereto will act as representatives (the "Representatives"). The term
"Representatives" also refers to a single firm acting as sole representative of
the Underwriters and to an Underwriter or Underwriters who act without any firm
being designated as its or their representatives. This Underwriting Agreement
shall not be construed as an obligation of the Company to sell any of the
Securities or as an obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase the
Securities. The obligation of the Company to issue and sell any of the
Securities and the obligation of any of the Underwriters to purchase any of the
Securities shall be evidenced by the Pricing Agreement with respect to the
Designated Securities specified therein. Each Pricing Agreement shall specify
the aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities, the initial public
offering price of such Designated Securities, the purchase price to the
Underwriters of such Designated Securities, the names of the Underwriters of
such Designated Securities, the names of the Representatives of such
Underwriters and the principal amount of such Designated Securities to be
purchased by each Underwriter and shall set forth the date, time and manner of
delivery of such Designated Securities and payment therefor. The Pricing
Agreement shall also specify (to the extent not set forth in the Indenture and
the registration statement and prospectus with respect thereto) the terms of
such Designated Securities. A Pricing Agreement shall be in the form of an
executed writing (which may be in counterparts), and may be evidenced by an
exchange of telegraphic communications or any other rapid
<PAGE>
 
transmission device designed to produce a written record of communications
transmitted. The obligations of the Underwriters under this Agreement and each
Pricing Agreement shall be several and not joint.

     2.   The Company represents and warrants to, and agrees with, each of the
Underwriters that:

          (a) A registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-18441) (the
"Initial Registration Statement") in respect of the Securities and the shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof has been filed with the Securities
and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"); the Initial Registration Statement
and any post-effective amendment thereto, each in the form heretofore delivered
or to be delivered to the Representatives and, excluding exhibits to the Initial
Registration Statement, but including all documents incorporated by reference in
the prospectus contained therein, to the Representatives for each of the other
Underwriters, have been declared effective by the Commission in such form; no
other document with respect to the Initial Registration Statement or document
incorporated by reference therein has heretofore been filed or transmitted for
filing with the Commission other than a registration statement, if any,
increasing the size of the offering (a "Rule 462(b) Registration Statement"),
filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act"), which became effective upon filing (and other than prospectuses filed
pursuant to Rule 424(b) of the rules and regulations of the Commission under the
Act, each in the form heretofore delivered to the Representatives); and no stop
order suspending the effectiveness of the Initial Registration Statement, any
post-effective amendment thereto or the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if
any, has been issued and no proceeding for that purpose has been initiated or
threatened by the Commission (any preliminary prospectus included in such
registration statement or filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(a)
under the Act, is hereinafter called a "Preliminary Prospectus;" the various
parts of the Initial Registration Statement and the Rule 462(b) Registration
Statement, if any, including all exhibits thereto and the documents incorporated
by reference in the prospectus contained in the Initial Registration Statement
at the time such part of the Initial Registration Statement became effective or
such part of the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement, if any, became or hereafter
becomes effective, but excluding Form T-1, each as amended at the time such part
of the registration statement became effective, are hereinafter collectively
called the "Registration Statement;" the prospectus relating to the Securities,
in the form in which it has most recently been filed, or transmitted for filing,
with the Commission on or prior to the date of this Agreement, being hereinafter
called the "Prospectus;" any reference herein to any Preliminary Prospectus or
the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include the documents
incorporated by reference therein pursuant to the applicable form under the Act,
as of the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be;
any reference to any amendment or supplement to any Preliminary Prospectus or
the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer to and include any documents filed after
the date of such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the case may be, under
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and
incorporated by reference in such Preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, as the
case may be; any reference to any amendment to the Registration Statement shall
be deemed to refer to and include any annual report of the Company filed
pursuant to Sections 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the effective date
of the Registration Statement that is incorporated by reference in the
Registration Statement; and any reference to the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented shall be deemed to refer to the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented in relation to the applicable Designated Securities in the form in
which it is filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) under the Act in
accordance with Section 5(a) hereof, including any documents incorporated by
reference therein as of the date of such filing);

          (b) The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, when
they became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be,
conformed in all material respects to the requirements of the Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder, and none of such documents contained an untrue statement of a
material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading; and any further
documents so filed

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
and incorporated by reference in the Prospectus or any further amendment or
supplement thereto, when such documents become effective or are filed with the
Commission, as the case may be, will conform in all material respects to the
requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and
regulations of the Commission thereunder and will not contain an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading;
provided, however, that this representation and warranty shall not apply to any
statements or omissions made in reliance upon and in conformity with information
furnished in writing to the Company by an Underwriter of Designated Securities
through the Representatives expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented relating to such Securities;

          (c) The Registration Statement and the Prospectus conform, and any
further amendments or supplements to the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus will conform, in all material respects to the requirements of the Act
and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act") and
the rules and regulations of the Commission thereunder and do not and will not,
as of the applicable effective date as to the Registration Statement and any
amendment thereto and as of the applicable filing date as to the Prospectus and
any amendment or supplement thereto, contain an untrue statement of a material
fact or omit to state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary
to make the statements therein not misleading; provided, however, that this
representation and warranty shall not apply to any statements or omissions made
in reliance upon and in conformity with information furnished in writing to the
Company by an Underwriter of Designated Securities through the Representatives
expressly for use in the Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such
Securities;

          (d) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries has sustained
since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus any material loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus;
and, since the respective dates as of which information is given in the
Registration Statement and the Prospectus, there has not been any material
change in the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries or any material adverse change, or any development that would
reasonably be expected to cause a prospective material adverse change, in the
general affairs, management, financial position, shareholders' equity or results
of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth
or contemplated in the Prospectus;

          (e) The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly existing as
a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with
power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties and conduct its
business as described in the Prospectus;

          (f) The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in the
Prospectus, and all of the issued shares of capital stock of the Company have
been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and non-
assessable; the shares of Common Stock initially issuable upon conversion of the
Securities (the "Conversion Shares") have been duly and validly authorized and
reserved for issuance and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the
provisions of the Securities and the Indenture, will be duly and validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable and will conform to the description of the Common
Stock contained in the Prospectus;

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
          (g) When Designated Securities are issued and delivered pursuant to
this Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to such Designated
Securities, such Designated Securities will have been duly authorized, executed,
authenticated, issued and delivered and will constitute valid and legally
binding obligations of the Company entitled to the benefits provided by the
Indenture, which will be substantially in the form filed as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement; the Indenture has been duly authorized and duly
qualified under the Trust Indenture Act and, at the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities (as defined in Section 4 hereof), the Indenture will
constitute a valid and legally binding instrument, enforceable against the
Company in accordance with its terms, subject, as to enforcement, to bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization and other laws of general applicability relating to
or affecting creditors' rights and to general equity principles; and the
Indenture conforms, and the Designated Securities will conform in all material
respects to the descriptions thereof contained in the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented with respect to such Designated Securities;

          (h) The issue and sale of the Securities, the issuance of the
Conversion Shares and the compliance by the Company with its obligations
pursuant to the Securities, the Indenture, this Agreement and any Pricing
Agreement will not result in a breach or violation of any of the terms or
provisions of, or constitute a default under, any material indenture, mortgage,
deed of trust, loan agreement or other agreement or instrument to which the
Company is a party or by which the Company is bound or to which any of the
property or assets of the Company is subject, nor will such action result in any
violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws of
the Company or any statute or any order, rule or regulation of any court or
governmental agency or body having jurisdiction over the Company or any of its
properties, except where such breach, violation or default would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business and results of operations; and
no consent, approval, authorization, order, registration or qualification of or
with any such court or governmental agency or body is required for the issue and
sale of the Securities or the performance by the Company of its obligations
pursuant to this Agreement or any Pricing Agreement or the Indenture, except (i)
such as have been, or will have been prior to the Time of Delivery, obtained
under the Act and the Trust Indenture Act, (ii) the approval of the listing of
the Conversion Shares on the New York Stock Exchange and (iii) such consents,
approvals, authorizations, registrations or qualifications as may be required
under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with the purchase and
distribution of the Securities by the Underwriters and except where the failure
to obtain such consents would not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business and results of operations;

          (i) The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the captions
"Description of Securities," "Description of [Notes] [Debentures]" and
"Description of Capital Stock," insofar as they purport to constitute a summary
of the terms of the Securities and the Common Stock, and under the caption
["Taxation"], insofar as they purport to summarize certain provisions of the
laws and documents referred to therein, fairly summarize such provisions in all
material respects;

          (j) Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries is in violation of
its Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws or, in any material respect, in
default in the performance or observance of any material obligation, agreement,
covenant or condition contained in any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan
agreement, lease or other agreement or instrument to which it is a party or by
which it or any of its properties may be bound;

          (k) Other than as set forth in the Prospectus, there are no legal or
governmental proceedings pending to which the Company or any of its subsidiaries
is a party or of which any property of the Company or any of its subsidiaries is
the subject which, if determined adversely to the Company or any of its
subsidiaries, would individually or in the aggregate have a material adverse
effect on the current or future consolidated financial position, shareholders'
equity or results of operations of the Company and its subsidiaries; and, to the
best of the Company's knowledge, no such proceedings are threatened by
governmental authorities or by others;

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
          (l) The Company is not and, after giving effect to the offering and
sale of the Securities, will not be an "investment company" or an entity
"controlled" by an "investment company," as such terms are defined in the
Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act");

          (m) Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., who have certified certain financial
statements of the Company and its subsidiaries, are independent public
accountants as required by the Act and the rules and regulations of the
Commission thereunder;

          (n) The Company and its subsidiaries own or possess or can acquire on
commercially reasonable terms adequate licenses or other rights to use all
patents, trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, mask work rights,
technology and know-how necessary to conduct the business now or proposed to be
conducted by the Company and its subsidiaries as described in the Prospectus,
and except as disclosed in the Prospectus the Company has not received any
notice of infringement of or conflict with (and knows of no such infringement of
or conflict with) asserted rights of others with respect to any patents,
trademarks, service marks, trade names, copyrights, mask work rights or know-how
which would be reasonably likely to result in any material adverse effect upon
the Company and its subsidiaries; and, except as disclosed in the Prospectus,
the discoveries, inventions, products or processes of the Company and its
subsidiaries referred to in the Prospectus do not, to the Company's knowledge,
infringe or conflict with any right or patent of any third party or any
discovery, invention, product or process which is the subject of a patent
application filed by any third party, known to the Company; and

          (o) The Company and its subsidiaries have obtained any permits,
consents and authorizations required to be obtained by them under laws or
regulations relating to the protection of the environment or concerning the
handling, storage, disposal or discharge of toxic materials (collectively
"Environmental Laws"), and any such permits, consents and authorizations remain
in full force and effect. The Company and its subsidiaries are in compliance
with the Environmental Laws in all material respects, and there is no pending
or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened, action or proceeding against the
Company and its subsidiaries alleging violations of the Environmental laws.

     3.   Upon the execution of the Pricing Agreement applicable to any
Designated Securities and authorization by the Representatives of the release of
such Designated Securities, the several Underwriters propose to offer such
Designated Securities for sale upon the terms and conditions set forth in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented.

     4.   Designated Securities to be purchased by each Underwriter pursuant to
the Pricing Agreement relating thereto, in the form specified in such Pricing
Agreement, and in such authorized denominations and registered in such names as
the Representatives may request upon at least forty-eight hours' prior notice to
the Company, shall be delivered by or on behalf of the Company to the
Representatives for the account of such Underwriter, against payment by such
Underwriter or on its behalf of the purchase price therefor by certified or
official bank check or checks, payable to the order of the Company in the funds
specified in such Pricing Agreement, all in the manner and at the place and time
and date specified in such Pricing Agreement or at such other place and time and
date as the Representatives and the Company may agree upon in writing, such time
and date being herein called the "Time of Delivery" for such Securities.

     5.   The Company agrees with each of the Underwriters of any Designated
Securities:

                                      -5-
<PAGE>
 
          (a) To prepare the Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation
to the applicable Designated Securities and to file such Prospectus pursuant to
Rule 424(b) under the Act not later than the Commission's close of business on
the second business day following the execution and delivery of the Pricing
Agreement relating to the applicable Designated Securities or, if applicable,
such earlier time as may be required by Rule 424(b); to make no further
amendment or any supplement to the Registration Statement or Prospectus as
amended or supplemented after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to such
Securities and prior to the Time of Delivery for such Securities which shall be
disapproved by the Representatives for such Securities promptly after reasonable
notice thereof; to advise the Representatives promptly of any such amendment or
supplement after such Time of Delivery and furnish the Representatives with
copies thereof; to file promptly all reports and any definitive proxy or
information statements required to be filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act for so long as
the delivery of a prospectus is required in connection with the offering or sale
of such Securities, and during such same period to advise the Representatives,
promptly after it receives notice thereof, of the time when any amendment to the
Registration Statement has been filed or becomes effective or any supplement to
the Prospectus or any amended Prospectus has been filed with the Commission, of
the issuance by the Commission of any stop order or of any order preventing or
suspending the use of any prospectus relating to the Securities, of the
suspension of the qualification of such Securities or the Conversion Shares for
offering or sale in any jurisdiction, of the initiation or threatening of any
proceeding for any such purpose, or of any request by the Commission for the
amending or supplementing of the Registration Statement or Prospectus or for
additional information; and, in the event of the issuance of any such stop order
or of any such order preventing or suspending the use of any prospectus relating
to the Securities or suspending any such qualification, to promptly use its best
efforts to obtain the withdrawal of such order;

          (b) Promptly from time to time to take such action as the
Representatives may reasonably request to qualify such Securities and the
Conversion Shares for offering and sale under the securities laws of such
jurisdictions as the Representatives may request and to comply with such laws so
as to permit the continuance of sales and dealings therein in such jurisdictions
for as long as may be necessary to complete the distribution of such Securities,
provided that in connection therewith the Company shall not be required to
qualify as a foreign corporation or to file a general consent to service of
process in any jurisdiction;

          (c) At or prior to 3:00 p.m., New York City time, on the New York
Business Day immediately following the date of the Pricing Agreement and from
time to time, to furnish the Underwriters with copies of the Prospectus in New
York City as amended or supplemented in such quantities as the Representatives
may reasonably request, and, if the delivery of a prospectus is required at any
time in connection with the offering or sale of the Securities and the
Conversion Shares and if at such time any event shall have occurred as a result
of which the Prospectus as then amended or supplemented would include an untrue
statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary in
order to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under
which they were made when such Prospectus is delivered, not misleading, or, if
for any other reason it shall be necessary during such same period to amend or
supplement the Prospectus or to file under the Exchange Act any document
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus in order to comply with the Act, the
Exchange Act or the Trust Indenture Act, to notify the Representatives and upon
their request to file such document and to prepare and furnish without charge to
each Underwriter and to any dealer in securities as many copies as the
Representatives may from time to time reasonably request of an amended
Prospectus or a supplement to the Prospectus which will correct such statement
or omission or effect such compliance;

                                      -6-
<PAGE>
 
          (d) To make generally available to its securityholders as soon as
practicable, but in any event not later than eighteen months after the effective
date of the Registration Statement (as defined in Rule 158(c) under the Act), an
earnings statement of the Company and its subsidiaries (which need not be
audited) complying with Section 11(a) of the Act and the rules and regulations
of the Commission thereunder (including, at the option of the Company, Rule
158);

          [(e) During the period beginning from the date of the Pricing
Agreement for such Designated Securities and continuing to and including the
later of (i) the termination of trading restrictions for such Designated
Securities, as notified to the Company by the Representatives and (ii) the Time
of Delivery for such Designated Securities, not to offer, sell, contract to sell
or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company which are substantially
similar to such Designated Securities or the Common Stock (other than pursuant
to employee stock option plans or employee stock purchase plans existing on, or
upon the conversion of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding as of,
the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated Shares and other than in
connection with the acquisition of another corporation or entity (including,
without limitation, any subsidiary of the Company)), without the prior written
consent of the Representatives;]

          (f) If the Company elects to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Company shall
file a Rule 462(b) Registration Statement with the Commission in compliance with
Rule 462(b) by 10:00 p.m., Washington, D.C. time, on the date of the Pricing
Agreement, and the Company shall at the time of filing either pay to the
Commission the filing fee for the Rule 462(b) Registration Statement or give
irrevocable instructions for the payment of such fee pursuant to Rule 111(b)
under the Act;

          (g) To reserve and keep available at all times, free of preemptive
rights, shares of Common Stock for the purpose of enabling the Company to
satisfy any obligation to issue the Conversion Shares; and

          (h) To use its best efforts to list, subject to notice of issuance,
the Conversion Shares on the New York Stock Exchange.

     6.   The Company covenants and agrees with the several Underwriters that
the Company will pay or cause to be paid the following: (i) the fees,
disbursements and expenses of the Company's counsel and accountants in
connection with the registration of the Securities and the Conversion Shares
under the Act and all other expenses in connection with the preparation,
printing and filing of the Registration Statement, any Preliminary Prospectus
and the Prospectus and amendments and supplements thereto and the mailing and
delivering of copies thereof to the Underwriters and dealers; (ii) the cost of
printing or producing any Agreement among Underwriters, this Agreement, any
Pricing Agreement, any Indenture, any Blue Sky and Legal Investment Memoranda,
closing documents (including any compilations thereof) and any other documents
in connection with the offering, purchase, sale and delivery of the Securities;
(iii) all expenses in connection with the qualification of the Securities and
the Conversion Shares for offering and sale under state securities laws as
provided in Section 5(b) hereof, including the reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel for the Underwriters in connection with such qualification and in
connection with the Blue Sky and Legal Investment Surveys; (iv) any fees charged
by securities rating services for rating the Securities; (v) the cost of
preparing the Securities; (vi) the fees and expenses of any Trustee and any
agent of any Trustee and the fees and disbursements of counsel for any Trustee
in connection with any Indenture and the Securities; and (vii) all other costs
and expenses incident to the performance of its obligations hereunder which are
not otherwise specifically provided for in this Section. It is understood,
however, that, except as provided in this Section, and Sections 8 and 11 hereof,
the Underwriters will pay all of their own costs and expenses, including the
fees of their counsel, transfer taxes on resale of any of the Securities by
them, and any advertising expenses connected with any offers they may make.

                                      -7-
<PAGE>
 
     7.   The obligations of the Underwriters of any Designated Securities under
the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities shall be subject,
in the discretion of the Representatives, to the condition that all
representations and warranties and other statements of the Company in or
incorporated by reference in the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated
Securities are, at and as of the Time of Delivery for such Designated
Securities, true and correct, the condition that the Company shall have
performed all of its obligations hereunder theretofore to be performed, and the
following additional conditions:

          (a) The Prospectus as amended or supplemented in relation to the
applicable Designated Securities shall have been filed with the Commission
pursuant to Rule 424(b) within the applicable time period prescribed for such
filing by the rules and regulations under the Act and in accordance with Section
5(a) hereof; if the Company has elected to rely upon Rule 462(b), the Rule
462(b) Registration Statement shall have become effective by 10:00 p.m.,
Washington, D.C. time, on the date of the Pricing Agreement; no stop order
suspending the effectiveness of the Registration Statement or any part thereof
shall have been issued and no proceeding for that purpose shall have been
initiated or threatened by the Commission; and all requests for additional
information on the part of the Commission shall have been complied with to the
Representatives' reasonable satisfaction;

          [(b) Counsel for the Underwriters shall have furnished to the
Representatives such opinion or opinions dated the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities, with respect to such matters as the Representatives may
reasonably request, and such counsel shall have received such papers and
information as they may reasonably request to enable them to pass upon such
matters;]

          (c) Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation,
counsel for the Company, shall have furnished to the Representatives their
written opinion, dated each Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities, in
form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives, to the effect
that:

          (i)       This Agreement and the Pricing Agreement with respect to the
Designated Securities have been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the
Company;

          (ii)      The Designated Securities are in the form contemplated by
the Indenture, have been duly authorized by the Company and, when executed by
the Company and authenticated by the Trustee in the manner provided for in the
Indenture and delivered against the purchase price therefor specified herein and
in the Pricing Agreement, will constitute valid and legally binding obligations
of the Company entitled to the benefits provided by the Indenture; and the
Designated Securities and the Indenture conform to the descriptions thereof in
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented;

          (iii)     The Indenture has been duly authorized, executed and
delivered by the Company and, assuming due authorization, execution and delivery
by the Trustee, and constitutes a valid and legally binding instrument,
enforceable against the Company in accordance with its terms; and the Indenture
has been duly qualified under the Trust Indenture Act;

          (iv)      To such counsel's knowledge, no consent, approval,
authorization, order, registration or qualification of or with any such court or
governmental agency or body is required for the issue and sale of the Designated
Securities, the issuance of the Conversion Shares or the performance by the
Company of its obligations set forth in this Agreement or such Pricing Agreement
or the Indenture, except (x) such as have been obtained under the Act and the
Trust Indenture Act, (y) the approval of the listing of the Conversion Shares on
the New York Stock Exchange and (z) such consents, approvals, authorizations,
orders, registrations or qualifications

                                      -8-
<PAGE>
 
as may be required under state securities or Blue Sky laws in connection with
the purchase and distribution of the Designated Securities by the Underwriters;

          (v)      The statements set forth in the Prospectus under the captions
"Description of Securities," "Description of [Notes] [Debentures]" and
"Description of Capital Stock," insofar as they purport to constitute a summary
of the terms of the Securities and the Common Stock, fairly summarize such terms
in all material respects;

          (vi)     To such counsel's knowledge, the Company is not an
"investment company" or an entity "controlled" by an "investment company," as
such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act;

          (vii)    The documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as
amended or supplemented (other than the financial statements and related
schedules therein, as to which such counsel need express no opinion), when they
became effective or were filed with the Commission, as the case may be, complied
as to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act or the
Exchange Act, as applicable, and the rules and regulations of the Commission
thereunder; and

          (viii)   The Registration Statement and the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any further amendments and supplements thereto made by the
Company prior to the Time of Delivery for the Designated Securities (other than
the financial statements and related schedules therein and financial data
derived therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no opinion) comply as
to form in all material respects with the requirements of the Act and the Trust
Indenture Act and the rules and regulations thereunder;

     Such counsel shall also include a statement to the effect that, although
such counsel does not assume any responsibility for the accuracy, completeness
or fairness of the statements contained in the Registration Statement or the
Prospectus, except for those referred to in the opinion in subsection (v) of
this Section 7(c), such counsel has no reason to believe that, as of its
effective date, the Registration Statement or any further amendment thereto made
by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery (other than the financial
statements and related schedules therein and financial data derived therefrom,
as to which such counsel need express no belief) contained an untrue statement
of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading or that, as
of its date, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented or any further amendment
or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to the Time of Delivery (other
than the financial statements and related schedules therein and financial data
derived therefrom, as to which such counsel need express no belief) contained an
untrue statement of a material fact or omitted to state a material fact
necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
under which they were made, not misleading or that, as of the Time of Delivery,
either the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented
or any further amendment or supplement thereto made by the Company prior to the
Time of Delivery (other than the financial statements and related schedules
therein and financial data derived therefrom, as to which such counsel need
express no belief) contains an untrue statement of a material fact or omits to
state a material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of
the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading;

     In rendering the opinions set forth herein, such counsel may rely with
respect to matters of fact upon certificates of officers of the Company,
provided that such counsel shall state that they have no reason to believe both
you and they are not justified upon such certificates and a copy of such
certificate shall be delivered to you. Such counsel's opinion that any agreement
is valid, binding or enforceable in accordance with its terms may be qualified
as to:  (1) limitations imposed by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws relating to or
affecting the rights of creditors generally; (2) rights to

                                      -9-
<PAGE>
 
indemnification and contribution which may be limited by applicable law or
equitable principles; and (3) general principles of equity, including without
limitation concepts of materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing,
and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief,
regardless of whether such validity and binding effect are considered in a
proceeding in equity or at law.

          (d) Roderic W. Lewis, the Company's General Counsel, shall have
furnished to you his written opinion, dated each Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to you, to
the effect that:

          (i)     The Company has been duly incorporated and is validly 
existing as a corporation in good standing under the laws of the State of 
Delaware with power and authority (corporate and other) to own its properties 
and conduct its business as described in the Prospectus as amended or 
supplemented;

          (ii)    The Company has an authorized capitalization as set forth in
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented, and all of the issued shares of
capital stock of the Company have been duly and validly authorized and issued
and are fully paid and non-assessable; the Conversion Shares have been validly
reserved for issuance; the Conversion Shares have been validly authorized and,
when issued and delivered in accordance with the provisions of the Designated
Securities and the Indenture, will be duly and validly issued and fully paid and
non-assessable;

          (iii)   To such counsel's knowledge and other than as set forth in
the Prospectus, there are no legal or governmental proceedings pending to which
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is a party or of which any property of
the Company or any of its subsidiaries is the subject which, if determined
adversely to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, would individually have a
material adverse effect on the current consolidated financial position,
shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, taken as a whole;

          (iv)    The issue and sale of the Designated Securities, the issuance 
of the Conversion Shares and the performance by the Company of its obligations
pursuant to the Designated Securities, the Indenture, this Agreement and the
Pricing Agreement with respect to the Designated Securities will not result in a
breach or violation of any of the terms or provisions of, or constitute a
default under, any indenture, mortgage, deed of trust, loan agreement or other
agreement or instrument filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement or to
the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, nor will such actions
result in any violation of the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation or
By-laws of the Company or, to such counsel's knowledge, any statute, order, rule
or regulation of any court or governmental agency or body having jurisdiction
over the Company or any of its properties; and

          (v)     Such counsel does not know of any contracts or other 
documents of a character required to be filed as an exhibit to the 
Registration Statement or required to be incorporated by reference into the 
Prospectus as amended or supplemented or required to be described in the 
Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended or supplemented which are 
not filed or incorporated by reference or described as required.

          (e)     On the date of the Pricing Agreement for such Designated
Securities at a time prior to the execution of the Pricing Agreement with
respect to such Designated Securities and at the Time of Delivery for such
Designated Securities, the independent accountants of the Company who have
certified the financial state  ments of the Company and its subsidiaries
included or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement shall have
furnished to the Representatives a letter, dated the effective date of the
Registration Statement or the date of the most recent report filed with the
Commission containing financial statements and incorporated by

                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
reference in the Registration Statement, if the date of such report is later
than such effective date, and a letter dated such Time of Delivery,
respectively, to the effect set forth in Annex I hereto, and with respect to
such letter dated such Time of Delivery, as to such other matters as the
Representatives may reasonably request and in form and substance satisfactory to
the Representatives (the executed copy of the letter delivered prior to the
execution of the Pricing Agreement is attached as Annex I(a) hereto and a draft
of the form of letter to be delivered on the effective date of any post-
effective amendment to the Registration Statement and as of each Time of
Delivery is attached as Annex I(b) hereto);

          (f)    (i)  Neither the Company nor any of its subsidiaries shall have
sustained since the date of the latest audited financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the
Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated Securities any loss or interference
with its business from fire, explosion, flood or other calamity, whether or not
covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or governmental action,
order or decree, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus
as amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated
Securities, and (ii) since the respective dates as of which information is given
in the Prospectus as amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating
to the Designated Securities there shall not have been any material change in
the capital stock or long-term debt of the Company or any of its subsidiaries or
any change, in the general affairs, management, financial position,
shareholders' equity or results of operations of the Company and its
subsidiaries, otherwise than as set forth or contemplated in the Prospectus as
amended prior to the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the Designated
Securities, the effect of which, in any such case described in Clause (i) or
(ii), is in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives so material and
adverse as to make it impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public
offering or the delivery of the Designated Securities on the terms and in the
manner contemplated in the Prospectus as first amended or supplemented relating
to the Designated Securities;

          (g) On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities (i) no downgrading shall have occurred in the rating
accorded the Company's debt securities or preferred stock by any "nationally
recognized statistical rating organization", as that term is defined by the
Commission for purposes of Rule 436(g)(2) under the Act, and (ii) no such
organization shall have publicly announced that it has under surveillance or
review, with possible negative implications, its rating of any of the Company's
debt securities or preferred stock;

          (h) On or after the date of the Pricing Agreement relating to the
Designated Securities there shall not have occurred any of the following:  (i) a
suspension or material limitation in trading in securities generally on the New
York Stock Exchange or on the Nasdaq National Market ("Nasdaq"); (ii) a
suspension or material limitation in trading in the Company's securities on the
Nasdaq; (iii) a general moratorium on commercial banking activities declared by
either Federal or New York state authorities; or (iv) the outbreak or escalation
of hostilities involving the United States or the declaration by the United
States of a national emergency or war, if the effect of any such event specified
in this Clause (iv) in the reasonable judgment of the Representatives makes it
impracticable or inadvisable to proceed with the public offering or the delivery
of the Designated Securities on the terms and in the manner contemplated in the
Prospectus as first amended or supplemented relating to the Designated
Securities;

          (i) The Company shall have furnished or caused to be furnished to the
Representatives at the Time of Delivery for the Designated Securities a
certificate or certificates of officers of the Company satisfactory to the
Representatives as to the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the
Company herein at and as of such Time of Delivery, as to the performance by the
Company of all of its obligations hereunder to be performed at or prior to such
Time of Delivery, as to the matters set forth in subsections (a) and (e) of this
Section and as to such other matters as the Representatives may reasonably
request;

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
          (j)  The Company shall have complied with the provisions of Section
5(c) hereof with respect to the furnishing of prospectuses on the New York
Business Day next succeeding the date of the Pricing Agreement; and

          [(k) The Company shall have obtained and delivered to the Underwriters
executed copies of an agreement from each [officer and] director of the Company
substantially to the effect set forth in Section 5(e) hereof with respect to
securities beneficially owned by such individuals in form and substance
reasonably satisfactory to the Representatives.]

     8.   (a)  The Company will indemnify and hold harmless each Underwriter
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several, to which
such Underwriter may become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such
losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out
of or are based upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a
material fact contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any
amendment or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission
or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will
reimburse each Underwriter for any legal or other expenses reasonably incurred
by such Underwriter in connection with investigating or defending any such
action or claim as such expenses are incurred; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss,
claim, damage or liability arises out of or is based upon an untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in any Preliminary
Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement,
the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any other prospectus relating to
the Securities, or any such amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in
conformity with written information furnished to the Company by any Underwriter
of Designated Securities through the Representatives expressly for use in the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented relating to such Securities; and provided
further that, with respect to any untrue statement or omission or alleged untrue
statement or omission made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement or the Registration Statement, the indemnity agreement
contained in this subsection (a) shall not inure to the benefit of any
Underwriter from whom the person asserting any such loss, claim, damage or
liability purchased Designated Securities (or to the benefit of any such person
controlling such Underwriter) to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage,
liability or expense of such Underwriter or controlling person results from the
fact that a copy of an amended or supplemented Prospectus was not sent or given
to such person at or prior to the written confirmation of the sale of such
Designated Securities to such person as required by the Act, and if the untrue
statement or omission concerned has been corrected in the Prospectus as so
amended or supplemented, unless such failures is the result of noncompliance by
the Company with Section 5(c) hereof.

          (b) Each Underwriter will indemnify and hold harmless the Company
against any losses, claims, damages or liabilities to which the Company may
become subject, under the Act or otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) arise out of or are based
upon an untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of a material fact
contained in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary prospectus supplement,
the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or supplemented and any
other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any amendment or supplement
thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make
the statements therein not misleading, in each case to the extent, but only to
the extent, that such untrue statement or alleged untrue statement or omission
or alleged omission was made in any Preliminary Prospectus, any preliminary
prospectus supplement, the Registration Statement, the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented and any other prospectus relating to the Securities, or any such
amendment or supplement in reliance upon and in conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Underwriter through the
Representatives

                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
expressly for use therein; and will reimburse the Company for any legal or other
expenses reasonably incurred by the Company in connection with investigating or
defending any such action or claim as such expenses are incurred.

          (c) Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under subsection
(a) or (b) above of notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified
party shall, if a claim in respect thereof is to be made against the
indemnifying party under such subsection, notify the indemnifying party in
writing of the commencement thereof; but the omission so to notify the
indemnifying party shall not relieve it from any liability which it may have to
any indemnified party otherwise than under such subsection. In case any such
action shall be brought against any indemnified party and it shall notify the
indemnifying party of the commencement thereof, the indemnifying party shall
be entitled to participate therein and, to the extent that it shall wish,
jointly with any other indemnifying party similarly notified, to assume the
defense thereof, with counsel reasonably satisfactory to such indemnified party
and, after notice from the indemnifying party to such indemnified party of its
election so to assume the defense thereof, the indemnifying party shall not be
liable to such indemnified party under such subsection for any legal expenses of
other counsel or any other expenses, in each case subsequently incurred by such
indemnified party, in connection with the defense thereof other than reasonable
costs of investigation. No indemnifying party shall, without the written consent
of the indemnified party, effect the settlement or compromise of, or consent to
the entry of any judgment with respect to, any pending or threatened action or
claim in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought
hereunder (whether or not the indemnified party is an actual or potential party
to such action or claim) unless such settlement, compromise or judgment includes
an unconditional release of the indemnified party from all liability arising out
of such action or claim.

          (d) If the indemnification provided for in this Section 8 is
unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an indemnified party under
subsection (a) or (b) above in respect of any losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to therein, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party as a result of such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or
actions in respect thereof) in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the
relative benefits received by the Company on the one hand and the Underwriters
of the Designated Securities on the other from the offering of the Designated
Securities to which such loss, claim, damage or liability (or action in respect
thereof) relates. If, however, the allocation provided by the immediately
preceding sentence is not permitted by applicable law or if the indemnified
party failed to give the notice required under subsection (c) above, then each
indemnifying party shall contribute to such amount paid or payable by such
indemnified party in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company on the one hand and
the Underwriters of the Designated Securities on the other in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted in such losses, claims, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof), as well as any other relevant
equitable considerations. The relative benefits received by the Company on the
one hand and such Underwriters on the other shall be deemed to be in the same
proportion as the total net proceeds from such offering (before deducting
expenses) received by the Company bear to the total underwriting discounts and
commissions received by such Underwriters. The relative fault shall be
determined by reference to, among other things, whether the untrue or alleged
untrue statement of a material fact or the omission or alleged omission to state
a material fact relates to information supplied by the Company on the one hand
or such Underwriters on the other and the parties' relative intent, knowledge,
access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such statement or
omission.  The Company and the Underwriters agree that it would not be just and
equitable if contribution pursuant to this subsection (d) were determined by pro
rata allocation (even if the Underwriters were treated as one entity for such
purpose) or by any other method of allocation which does not take account of the
equitable considerations referred to above in this subsection (d). The amount
paid or payable by an indemnified party as a result of the losses, claims,
damages or liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) referred to above in this
subsection (d) shall be deemed to include any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by such indemnified

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
party in connection with investigating or defending any such action or claim.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this subsection (d), no Underwriter shall be
required to contribute any amount in excess of the amount by which the total
price at which the applicable Designated Securities underwritten by it and
distributed to the public were offered to the public exceeds the amount of any
damages which such Underwriter has otherwise been required to pay by reason of
such untrue or alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission. No
person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section
11(f) of the Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not
guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation. The obligations of the Underwriters
of Designated Securities in this subsection (d) to contribute are several in
proportion to their respective underwriting obligations with respect to such
Securities and not joint.

          (e) The obligations of the Company pursuant to this Section 8 shall be
in addition to any liability which the Company may otherwise have and shall
extend, upon the same terms and conditions, to each person, if any, who controls
any Underwriter within the meaning of the Act; and the obligations of the
Underwriters pursuant to this Section 8 shall be in addition to any liability
which the respective Underwriters may otherwise have and shall extend, upon the
same terms and conditions, to each officer and director of the Company and to
each person, if any, who controls the Company within the meaning of the Act.

     9.   (a)  If any Underwriter shall default in its obligation to purchase
the Designated Securities which it has agreed to purchase under the Pricing
Agreement relating to such Designated Securities, the Representatives may in
their discretion arrange for themselves or another party or other parties to
purchase such Designated Securities on the terms contained herein. If within
thirty-six hours after such default by any Underwriter the Representatives do
not arrange for the purchase of such Designated Securities, then the Company
shall be entitled to a further period of thirty-six hours within which to
procure another party or other parties satisfactory to the Representatives to
purchase such Designated Securities on such terms. In the event that, within the
respective prescribed period, the Representatives notify the Company that they
have so arranged for the purchase of such Designated Securities, or the Company
notifies the Representatives that it has so arranged for the purchase of such
Designated Securities, the Representatives or the Company shall have the right
to postpone the Time of Delivery for such Designated Securities for a period of
not more than seven days, in order to effect whatever changes may thereby be
made necessary in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus as amended or
supplemented, or in any other documents or arrangements, and the Company agrees
to file promptly any amend  ments or supplements to the Registration Statement
or the Prospectus which in the reasonable opinion of the Company and the
Representatives may thereby be made necessary. The term "Underwriter" as used in
this Agreement shall include any person substituted under this Section with like
effect as if such person had originally been a party to the Pricing Agreement
with respect to such Designated Securities.

          (b) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of such Designated Securities which remains
unpurchased does not exceed one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of
the Designated Securities, then the Company shall have the right to require each
non-defaulting Underwriter to purchase the principal amount of Designated
Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under the Pricing Agreement
relating to such Designated Securities and, in addition, to require each non-
defaulting Underwriter to purchase its pro rata share (based on the principal
amount of Designated Securities which such Underwriter agreed to purchase under
such Pricing Agreement) of the Designated Securities of such defaulting
Underwriter or Underwriters for which such arrangements have not been made; but
nothing herein shall relieve a defaulting Underwriter from liability for its
default.

                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
          (c) If, after giving effect to any arrangements for the purchase of
the Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or Underwriters by the
Representatives and the Company as provided in subsection (a) above, the
aggregate principal amount of Designated Securities which remains unpurchased
exceeds one-eleventh of the aggregate principal amount of the Designated
Securities, as referred to in subsection (b) above, or if the Company shall not
exercise the right described in subsection (b) above to require non-defaulting
Underwriters to purchase Designated Securities of a defaulting Underwriter or
Underwriters, then the Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities
shall thereupon terminate, without liability on the part of any non-defaulting
Underwriter or the Company, except for the expenses to be borne by the Company
and the Underwriters as provided in Section 6 hereof and the indemnity and
contribution agreements in Section 8 hereof; but nothing herein shall relieve a
defaulting Underwriter from liability for its default.

     10.  The respective indemnities, agreements, representations, warranties
and other statements of the Company and the several Underwriters, as set forth
in this Agreement or made by or on behalf of them, respectively, pursuant to
this Agreement, shall remain in full force and effect, regardless of any
investigation (or any statement as to the results thereof) made by or on behalf
of any Underwriter or any controlling person of any Underwriter, or the Company,
or any officer or director or controlling person of the Company, and shall
survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.

     11.  If any Pricing Agreement shall be terminated pursuant to Section 9
hereof, or if the Underwriters do not purchase Designated Securities under the
Pricing Agreement relating to such Designated Securities because the condition
set forth in Section 7(b) or 7(f) hereof shall not have been satisfied, the
Company shall not then be under any liability to any Underwriter with respect to
the Designated Securities covered by such Pricing Agreement except as provided
in Section 8 hereof; but, if for any other reason Designated Securities are not
delivered by or on behalf of the Company as provided herein, the Company will
reimburse the Underwriters through the Representatives for all out-of-pocket
expenses approved in writing by the Representatives, including fees and
disbursements of counsel, reasonably incurred by the Underwriters in making
preparations for the purchase, sale and delivery of such Designated Securities,
but the Company shall then be under no further liability to any Underwriter with
respect to such Designated Securities except as provided in Sections 6 and 8
hereof.

     12.  In all dealings hereunder, the Representatives of the Underwriters of
Designated Securities shall act on behalf of each of such Underwriters, and the
parties hereto shall be entitled to act and rely upon any statement, request,
notice or agreement on behalf of any Underwriter made or given by such
Representatives jointly or by such of the Representatives, if any, as may be
designated for such purpose in the Pricing Agreement.

          All statements, requests, notices and agreements hereunder shall be in
writing, and if to the Underwriters shall be delivered or sent by mail, telex or
facsimile transmission to the address of the Representatives as set forth in the
Pricing Agreement; and if to the Company shall be delivered or sent by mail,
telex or facsimile transmission to the address of the Company set forth in the
Registration Statement: Attention: Secretary; provided, however, that any notice
to an Underwriter pursuant to Section 8(c) hereof shall be delivered or sent by
mail, telex or facsimile transmission to such Underwriter at its address set
forth in its Underwriters' Questionnaire, or telex constituting such
Questionnaire, which address will be supplied to the Company by the
Representatives upon request. Any such statements, requests, notices or
agreements shall take effect upon receipt thereof.

     13.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement shall be binding upon, and
inure solely to the benefit of, the Underwriters, the Company and, to the extent
provided in Sections 8 and 10 hereof, the officers and directors of the Company
and each person who controls the Company or any Underwriter, and their
respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, and no
other person shall acquire or have any

                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
right under or by virtue of this Agreement or any such Pricing Agreement. No
purchaser of any of the Securities from any Underwriter shall be deemed a
successor or assign by reason merely of such purchase.

     14.  Time shall be of the essence of each Pricing Agreement. As used
herein, "business day" shall mean any day when the Commission's office in
Washington, D.C. is open for business.

     15.  THIS AGREEMENT AND EACH PRICING AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF [NEW YORK].

     16.  This Agreement and each Pricing Agreement may be executed by any one
or more of the parties hereto and thereto in any number of counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all such respective counterparts
shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us seven (7) counterparts hereof.



                                    Very truly yours,

                                    MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

                                    By:_________________________

                                    Name:_______________________

                                    Title:______________________

Accepted as of the date hereof:
[Name(s) of Representative(s)]

By:______________________________

Name:____________________________

Title:___________________________

                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX I
                               PRICING AGREEMENT



[Names of Representative(s)]
As Representatives of the several Underwriters
named in Schedule I hereto,


                              ____________, 199__


Ladies and Gentlemen:

     Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), proposes,
subject to the terms and conditions stated herein and in the Underwriting
Agreement, dated _____________, 199__, (the "Underwriting Agreement"), between
the Company on the one hand and (names of Representatives named therein) on the
other hand, to issue and sell to the Underwriters named in Schedule I hereto
(the "Underwriters") the Securities specified in Schedule II hereto (the
"Designated Securities"). Each of the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement
is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and shall be deemed to be a
part of this Agreement to the same extent as if such provisions had been set
forth in full herein; and each of the representations and warranties set forth
therein shall be deemed to have been made at and as of the date of this Pricing
Agreement, except that each representation and warranty which refers to the
Prospectus in Section 2 of the Underwriting Agreement shall be deemed to be a
representation or warranty as of the date of the Underwriting Agreement in
relation to the Prospectus (as therein defined), and also a representation and
warranty as of the date of this Pricing Agreement in relation to the Prospectus
as amended or supplemented relating to the Designated Securities which are the
subject of this Pricing Agreement. Each reference to the Representatives herein
and in the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement so incorporated by reference
shall be deemed to refer to you. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined
in the Underwriting Agreement are used herein as therein defined. The
Representatives designated to act on behalf of the Representatives and on behalf
of each of the Underwriters of the Designated Securities pursuant to Section 12
of the Underwriting Agreement and the address of the Representatives referred to
in such Section 12 are set forth at the end of Schedule II hereto.

     An amendment to the Registration Statement, or a supplement to the
Prospectus, as the case may be, relating to the Designated Securities, in the
form heretofore delivered to you is now proposed to be filed with the
Commission.

     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein and in the
Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by reference, the Company agrees to
issue and sell to each of the Underwriters, and each of the Underwriters agrees,
severally and not jointly, to purchase from the Company, at the time and place
and at the purchase price to the Underwriters set forth in Schedule II hereto,
the principal amount of Designated Securities set forth opposite the name of
such Underwriter in Schedule I hereto.

     If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding, please sign and
return to us seven (7) counterparts hereof, and upon acceptance hereof by you,
on behalf of each of the Underwriters, this letter and such acceptance hereof,
including the provisions of the Underwriting Agreement incorporated herein by
reference, shall constitute a binding agreement between each of the Underwriters
and the Company. It is understood that your acceptance of this letter on behalf
of each of the Underwriters is or will be pursuant to the authority set forth in
a form of Agreement among Underwriters, the form of which shall be submitted to
the Company for

               
<PAGE>
 
examination upon request, but without warranty on the part of the
Representatives as to the authority of the signers thereof.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

                                    By:  _________________________________

                                    Name:_________________________________

                                    Title:________________________________

Accepted as of the date hereof:

[Name(s) of Representative(s)]

By:  _____________________________


Name:_____________________________

Title:____________________________

On behalf of each of the Underwriters

<PAGE>
 
                                   SCHEDULE I


 
                               PRINCIPAL
                                AMOUNT OF
                               DESIGNATED
                               SECURITIES
       UNDERWRITER           TO BE PURCHASED
- -------------------------  -------------------
[Names or Underwriters]    $
Total                      $

                                      
<PAGE>
 
                                  SCHEDULE II


TITLE OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     [__ %] [Floating Rate] [Zero Coupon] [Notes] [Debentures] due ,

AGGREGATE PRINCIPAL AMOUNT:

     [$]

PRICE TO PUBLIC:

     __% of the principal amount of the Designated Securities, plus accrued
     interest[, if any,] from to [and accrued amortization[, if any,] from to ]

PURCHASE PRICE BY UNDERWRITERS:

     __% of the principal amount of the Designated Securities, plus accrued
     interest from to [and accrued amortization[, if any,] from _________  to
     ____________ ]

CONVERSION PRICE:

     [$] per share [subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain events]

FORM OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     Book-entry only form represented by one or more global securities deposited
     with The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") or its designated custodian, to
     be made available for checking by the Representatives at least twenty-four
     hours prior to the Time of Delivery at the office of DTC.

SPECIFIED FUNDS FOR PAYMENT OF PURCHASE PRICE:

     Federal (same day) funds [by wire transfer]

TIME OF DELIVERY:

     _____a.m. (New York City time), ______________, 199____

INDENTURE:

     Indenture dated ____________, 199____ , between the Company and , as
     Trustee

MATURITY:

INTEREST RATE:

     [__%] [Zero Coupon] [See Floating Rate Provisions]

<PAGE>
 
INTEREST PAYMENT DATES:

     [months and dates, commencing ....................., 199___]

REDEMPTION PROVISIONS:

     [No provisions for redemption]

     [The Designated Securities may be redeemed, otherwise than through the
     sinking fund, in whole or in part at the option of the Company, in the
     amount of [$______] or an integral multiple thereof, [on or after
     ____________, at the following redemption prices (expressed in percentages
     of principal amount). If [redeemed on or before _______________ ,__ %, and
     if] redeemed during the 12-month period beginning,


                                  REDEMPTION
                        YEAR         PRICE
                       ______     __________


     and thereafter at 100% of their principal amount, together in each case
     with accrued interest to the redemption date.] [on any interest payment
     date falling on or after _______________ , at the election of the Company,
     at a redemption price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
     interest to the date of redemption.]]

     [Other possible redemption provisions, such as mandatory redemption upon
     occurrence of certain events or redemption for changes in tax law]

     [Restriction on refunding]

SINKING FUND PROVISIONS:

     [No sinking fund provisions]

     [The Designated Securities are entitled to the benefit of a sinking fund to
     retire [$__________] principal amount of Designated Securities on in each
     of the years through at 100% of their principal amount plus accrued
     interest[, together with [cumulative] [noncumulative] redemptions at the
     option of the Company to retire an additional [$__________] principal
     amount of Designated Securities in the years through at 100% of their
     principal amount plus accrued interest.]

     [If Designated Securities are extendable debt securities, insert]

EXTENDABLE PROVISIONS:

     Designated Securities are repayable on [insert date and years], at the
     option of the holder, at their principal amount with accrued interest.  The
     initial annual interest rate will be ____%, and thereafter the annual
     interest rate will be adjusted on , and to a rate not less than ____% of
     the effective annual interest

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
     rate on U.S. Treasury obligations with ___% year maturities as of the
     [insert date 15 days prior to maturity date] prior to such [insert maturity
     date].]

     [If Designated Securities are floating rate debt securities, insert]


FLOATING RATE PROVISIONS:

     Initial annual interest rate will be ____% through ______________ [and
     thereafter will be adjusted [monthly] [on each, __________, and] [to an
     annual rate of ____% above the average rate for ___-year
     [month][securities] [certificates of deposit] issued by and [insert names
     of banks].] [and the annual interest rate [thereafter] [from through ] will
     be the interest yield equivalent of the weekly average per annum market
     discount rate for -month Treasury bills plus ___% of Interest Differential
     (the excess, if any, of (i) the then current weekly average per annum
     secondary market yield for ___-month certificates of deposit over (ii) the
     then current interest yield equivalent of the weekly average per annum
     market discount rate for ___-month Treasury bills); [from and thereafter
     the rate will be the then current interest yield equivalent plus ____% of
     Interest Differential].]

DEFEASANCE PROVISIONS:

CLOSING LOCATION FOR DELIVERY OF DESIGNATED SECURITIES:

     Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Professional Corporation
     650 Page Mill Road
     Palo Alto, California  94304


ADDITIONAL CLOSING CONDITIONS:

     Paragraph 7(h) of the Underwriting Agreement should be modified in the
     event that the Securities are denominated in, indexed to, or principal or
     interest are paid in, a currency other than the U.S. dollar, more than one
     currency or in a composite currency. The country or countries issuing such
     currency should be added to the banking moratorium and hostilities clauses
     and the following additional clause should be added to the paragraph (the
     entire paragraph should be restated, as amended):

     the imposition of the proposal of exchange controls by any governmental
     authority in [insert the country or countries issuing such currency,
     currencies or composite currency].

NAMES AND ADDRESSES OF REPRESENTATIVES:

     Designated Representatives:
     Address for Notices, etc.:

[OTHER TERMS]*:

- ----------------- 
*    A description of particular tax, accounting or other unusual features (such
     as the addition of event risk provisions) of the Designated Securities
     should be set forth, or referenced to an attached and

                                      -3-
<PAGE>
 
     accompanying description, if necessary, to ensure agreement as to the terms
     of the Designated Securities to be purchased and sold. Such a description
     might appropriately be in the form in which such features will be described
     in the Prospectus Supplement for the offering. 

                                      -4-
<PAGE>
 
                                    ANNEX I

     Pursuant to Section 7(e) of the Underwriting Agreement, the accountants
shall furnish letters to the Underwriters to the effect that:

     (i) They are independent certified public accountants with respect to the
Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of the Act and the applicable
published rules and regulations thereunder;

     (ii) In their opinion, the financial statements and any supplementary
financial information and schedules audited (and, if applicable, financial
forecasts and/or pro forma financial information) examined by them and included
or incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement or the Prospectus
comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the Act or the Exchange Act, as applicable, and the related
published rules and regulations thereunder; and, if applicable, they have made a
review in accordance with standards established by the American Institute of
Certified Public Accountants of the consolidated interim financial statements,
selected financial data, pro forma financial information, financial forecasts
and/or condensed financial statements derived from audited financial statements
of the Company for the periods specified in such letter, as indicated in their
reports thereon, copies of which have been furnished to the representative or
representatives of the Underwriters (the "Representatives") such term to include
an Underwriter or Underwriters who act without any firm being designated as its
or their representatives and are attached hereto;

     (iii)     They have made a review in accordance with standards established
by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants of the unaudited
condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus and/or included
in the Company's quarterly report on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference into
the Prospectus as indicated in their reports thereon copies of which are
attached hereto; and on the basis of specified procedures including inquiries of
officials of the Company who have responsibility for financial and accounting
matters regarding whether the unaudited condensed consolidated financial
statements referred to in paragraph (vi)(A)(i) below comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
Exchange Act and the related published rules and regulations, nothing came to
their attention that caused them to believe that the unaudited condensed
consolidated financial statements do not comply as to form in all material
respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the Exchange
Act and the related published rules and regulations;

     (iv) The unaudited selected financial information with respect to the
consolidated results of operations and financial position of the Company for the
five most recent fiscal years included in the Prospectus and included or
incorporated by reference in Item 6 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the most recent fiscal year agrees with the corresponding amounts (after
restatement where applicable) in the audited consolidated financial statements
for five such fiscal years which were included or incorporated by reference in
the Company's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for such fiscal years;

     (v) They have compared the information in the Prospectus under selected
captions with the disclosure requirements of Regulation S-K and on the basis of
limited procedures specified in such letter nothing came to their attention as a
result of the foregoing procedures that caused them to believe that this
information does not conform in all material respects with the disclosure
requirements of Items 301, 302, 402 and 503(d), respectively, of Regulation S-K;

     (vi) On the basis of limited procedures, not constituting an examination in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, consisting of a reading
of the unaudited financial statements and other information referred to below, a
reading of the latest available interim financial statements of the Company and
its subsidiaries, inspection of the minute books of the Company and its
subsidiaries since the date of the latest audited financial statements included
or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus, inquiries of officials of the

<PAGE>
 
Company and its subsidiaries responsible for financial and accounting matters
and such other inquiries and procedures as may be specified in such letter,
nothing came to their attention that caused them to believe that:

          (A) (i) the unaudited condensed consolidated statements of income,
consolidated balance sheets and consolidated statements of cash flows included
in the Prospectus and/or included or incorporated by reference in the Company's
Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do
not comply as to form in all material respects with the applicable accounting
requirements of the Exchange Act and the related published rules and
regulations, or (ii) any material modifications should be made to the unaudited
condensed consolidated statements of income, consolidated balance sheets and
consolidated statements of cash flows included in the Prospectus or included in
the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus for them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting
principles;

          (B) any other unaudited income statement data and balance sheet items
included in the Prospectus do not agree with the corresponding items in the
unaudited consolidated financial statements from which such data and items were
derived, and any such unaudited data and items were not determined on a basis
substantially consistent with the basis for the corresponding amounts in the
audited consolidated financial statements included or incorporated by reference
in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the most recent fiscal year;

          (C) the unaudited financial statements which were not included in the
Prospectus but from which were derived the unaudited condensed financial
statements referred to in clause (A) and any unaudited income statement data and
balance sheet items included in the Prospectus and referred to in Clause (B)
were not determined on a basis substantially consistent with the basis for the
audited financial statements included or incorporated by reference in the
Company's Annual Report on Form 10- K for the most recent fiscal year; (D) any
unaudited pro forma consolidated condensed financial statements included or
incorporated by reference in the Prospectus do not comply as to form in all
material respects with the applicable accounting requirements of the Act and the
published rules and regulations thereunder or the pro forma adjustments have not
been properly applied to the historical amounts in the compilation of those
statements;

          (E) as of a specified date not more than five days prior to the date
of such letter, there have been any changes in the consolidated capital stock
(other than issuances of capital stock upon exercise of options and stock
appreciation rights, upon earn-outs of performance shares and upon conversions
of convertible securities, in each case which were outstanding on the date of
the latest balance sheet included or incorporated by reference in the
Prospectus) or any increase in the consolidated long-term debt of the Company
and its subsidiaries, or any decreases in consolidated net current assets or
stockholders' equity or other items specified by the Representatives, or any
increases in any items specified by the Representatives, in each case as
compared with amounts shown in the latest balance sheet included or incorporated
by reference in the Prospectus, except in each case for changes, increases or
decreases which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are
described in such letter; and

          (F) for the period from the date of the latest financial statements
included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus to the specified date
referred to in Clause (E) there were any decreases in consolidated net revenues
or operating profit or the total or per share amounts of consolidated net income
or other items specified by the Representatives, or any increases in any items
specified by the Representatives, in each case as compared with the comparable
period of the preceding year and with any other period of corresponding length
specified by the Representatives, except in each case for increases or decreases
which the Prospectus discloses have occurred or may occur or which are described
in such letter; and (vii) In addition to the audit referred to in their
report(s) included or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus and the
limited procedures, inspection of

                                      -2-
<PAGE>
 
minute books, inquiries and other procedures referred to in paragraphs (iii) and
(vi) above, they have carried out certain specified procedures, not constituting
an audit in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, with respect
to certain amounts, percentages and financial information specified by the
Representatives which are derived from the general accounting records of the
Company and its subsidiaries, which appear in the Prospectus (excluding
documents incorporated by reference), or in Part II of, or in exhibits and
schedules to, the Registration Statement specified by the Representatives or in
documents incorporated by reference in the Prospectus specified by the
Representatives, and have compared certain of such amounts, percentages and
financial information with the accounting records of the Company and its
subsidiaries and have found them to be in agreement.

     All references in this Annex I to the Prospectus shall be deemed to refer
to the Prospectus (including the documents incorporated by reference therein) as
defined in the Underwriting Agreement as of the date of the letter delivered on
the date of the Pricing Agreement for purposes of such letter and to the
Prospectus as amended or supplemented (including the documents incorporated by
reference therein) in relation to the applicable Designated Securities for
purposes of the letter delivered at the Time of Delivery for such Designated
Securities.

                                      -3-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.1

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




                             Micron Technology, Inc.

                                       TO

                  Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association,


                                   as Trustee


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


                                    Indenture

                       Dated as of _________________, 1997


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




                             Senior Debt Securities










================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                                                                   Page

<S>                                                                                                                 <C>

RECITALS OF THE COMPANY...............................................................................................1

ARTICLE ONE - DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION.................................................1

     SECTION 101. Definitions.........................................................................................1
             Act         .............................................................................................1
             Affiliate   .............................................................................................2
             control     .............................................................................................2
             Attributable Debt........................................................................................2
             Authenticating Agent.....................................................................................2
             Board of Directors.......................................................................................2
             Board Resolution.........................................................................................2
             Business Day.............................................................................................2
             Commission  .............................................................................................2
             Common Stock.............................................................................................2
             Company     .............................................................................................3
             Company Request..........................................................................................3
             Company Order............................................................................................3
             Consolidated Net Tangible Assets.........................................................................3
             Corporate Trust Office...................................................................................3
             corporation .............................................................................................3
             Covenant Defeasance......................................................................................3
             Defaulted Interest.......................................................................................3
             Defeasance  .............................................................................................3
             Depositary  .............................................................................................3
             Event of Default.........................................................................................3
             Exchange Act.............................................................................................3
             Expiration Date..........................................................................................3
             Global Security..........................................................................................3
             Holder      .............................................................................................3
             Indenture   .............................................................................................4
             interest    .............................................................................................4
             Interest Payment Date....................................................................................4
             Investment Company Act...................................................................................4
             Maturity    .............................................................................................4
             Nonrecourse Obligation...................................................................................4
             Notice of Default........................................................................................4
             Officers' Certificate....................................................................................4
             Opinion of Counsel.......................................................................................5
             Original Issue Discount Security.........................................................................5
             Outstanding .............................................................................................5
             Paying Agent.............................................................................................5
             Person      .............................................................................................6
             Place of Payment.........................................................................................6
</TABLE>


                                       -i-
<PAGE>
 
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Page

<S>                                                                                                                  <C>
             Predecessor Security.....................................................................................6
             Principal Property.......................................................................................6
             Redemption Date..........................................................................................6
             Redemption Price.........................................................................................6
             Regular Record Date......................................................................................6
             Restricted Subsidiary....................................................................................6
             Sale and Leaseback Transaction...........................................................................6
             Securities  .............................................................................................6
             Securities Act...........................................................................................6
             Security Register........................................................................................7
             Security Registrar.......................................................................................7
             Special Record Date......................................................................................7
             Stated Maturity..........................................................................................7
             Subsidiary  .............................................................................................7
             Trust Indenture Act......................................................................................7
             Trustee     .............................................................................................7
             U.S. Government Obligation...............................................................................7
             Vice President...........................................................................................7

     SECTION 102.        Compliance Certificates and Opinions.........................................................7
     SECTION 103.        Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.......................................................8
     SECTION 104.        Acts of Holders; Record Dates................................................................8
     SECTION 105.        Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.......................................................10
     SECTION 106.        Notice to Holders; Waiver...................................................................10
     SECTION 107.        Conflict with Trust Indenture Act...........................................................10
     SECTION 108.        Effect of Headings and Table of Contents....................................................11
     SECTION 109.        Successors and Assigns......................................................................11
     SECTION 110.        Separability Clause.........................................................................11
     SECTION 111.        Benefits of Indenture.......................................................................11
     SECTION 112.        Governing Law...............................................................................11
     SECTION 113.        Legal Holidays..............................................................................11

ARTICLE TWO - SECURITY FORMS.........................................................................................12

     SECTION 201.        Forms Generally.............................................................................12
     SECTION 202.        Form of Face of Security....................................................................12
     SECTION 203.        Form of Reverse of Security.................................................................13
     SECTION 204.        Form of Legend for Global Securities........................................................17
     SECTION 205.        Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.............................................18
     SECTION 206.        Form of Conversion Notice...................................................................18

ARTICLE THREE - THE SECURITIES.......................................................................................19

     SECTION 301.        Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series........................................................19
</TABLE>

                                      -ii-
<PAGE>
 
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Page

<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
     SECTION 302.        Denominations...............................................................................21
     SECTION 303.        Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating..............................................21
     SECTION 304.        Temporary Securities........................................................................22
     SECTION 305.        Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.........................................23
     SECTION 306.        Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities............................................24
     SECTION 307.        Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved..............................................25
     SECTION 308.        Persons Deemed Owners.......................................................................26
     SECTION 309.        Cancellation................................................................................26
     SECTION 310.        Computation of Interest.....................................................................26

ARTICLE FOUR - SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE............................................................................26

     SECTION 401.        Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.....................................................26
     SECTION 402.        Application of Trust Money..................................................................27

ARTICLE FIVE - REMEDIES..............................................................................................28

     SECTION 501.        Events of Default...........................................................................28
     SECTION 502.        Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment..........................................29
     SECTION 503.        Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.............................30
     SECTION 504.        Trustee May File Proofs of Claim............................................................30
     SECTION 505.        Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.................................30
     SECTION 506.        Application of Money Collected..............................................................31
     SECTION 507.        Limitation on Suits.........................................................................31
     SECTION 508.        Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest
                           and to Convert............................................................................31
     SECTION 509.        Restoration of Rights and Remedies..........................................................32
     SECTION 510.        Rights and Remedies Cumulative..............................................................32
     SECTION 511.        Delay or Omission Not Waiver................................................................32
     SECTION 512.        Control by Holders..........................................................................32
     SECTION 513.        Waiver of Past Defaults.....................................................................32
     SECTION 514.        Undertaking for Costs.......................................................................33
     SECTION 515.        Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.....................................................33

ARTICLE SIX - THE TRUSTEE............................................................................................33

     SECTION 601.        Certain Duties and Responsibilities.........................................................33
     SECTION 602.        Notice of Defaults..........................................................................33
     SECTION 603.        Certain Rights of Trustee...................................................................34
     SECTION 604.        Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities......................................34
     SECTION 605.        May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee Under Other Indentures...............................35
     SECTION 606.        Money Held in Trust.........................................................................35
     SECTION 607.        Compensation and Reimbursement..............................................................35
     SECTION 608.        Conflicting Interests.......................................................................35
</TABLE>

                                     -iii-
<PAGE>
 
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Page

<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
     SECTION 609.        Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.....................................................35
     SECTION 610.        Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor...........................................36
     SECTION 611.        Acceptance of Appointment by Successor......................................................37
     SECTION 612.        Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.................................38
     SECTION 613.        Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company...........................................38
     SECTION 614.        Appointment of Authenticating Agent.........................................................38

ARTICLE SEVEN - HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY....................................................39

     SECTION 701.        Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders...................................39
     SECTION 702.        Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders......................................40
     SECTION 703.        Reports by Trustee..........................................................................40
     SECTION 704.        Reports by Company..........................................................................40

ARTICLE EIGHT - CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE.................................................40

     SECTION 801.        Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms........................................40
     SECTION 802.        Successor Substituted.......................................................................41

ARTICLE NINE - SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES...............................................................................41

     SECTION 901.        Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders..........................................41
     SECTION 902.        Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.............................................42
     SECTION 903.        Execution of Supplemental Indentures........................................................43
     SECTION 904.        Effect of Supplemental Indentures...........................................................44
     SECTION 905.        Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.........................................................44
     SECTION 906.        Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures..........................................44

ARTICLE TEN - COVENANTS..............................................................................................44

     SECTION 1001.       Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest..................................................44
     SECTION 1002.       Maintenance of Office or Agency.............................................................44
     SECTION 1003.       Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust...........................................45
     SECTION 1004.       Statement by Officers as to Default.........................................................45
     SECTION 1005.       Existence...................................................................................46
     SECTION 1006.       Maintenance of Properties...................................................................46
     SECTION 1007.       Payment of Taxes and Other Claims...........................................................46
     SECTION 1008.       Limitation on Liens.........................................................................46
     SECTION 1009.       Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions..............................................47
     SECTION 1010.       Waiver of Certain Covenants.................................................................48

ARTICLE ELEVEN - REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES............................................................................48

     SECTION 1101.       Applicability of Article....................................................................48
</TABLE>


                                      -iv-
<PAGE>
 
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                   (continued)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Page

<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
     SECTION 1102.       Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.......................................................48
     SECTION 1103.       Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed...........................................48
     SECTION 1104.       Notice of Redemption........................................................................49
     SECTION 1105.       Deposit of Redemption Price.................................................................50
     SECTION 1106.       Securities Payable on Redemption Date.......................................................50
     SECTION 1107.       Securities Redeemed in Part.................................................................50

ARTICLE TWELVE - SINKING FUNDS.......................................................................................51

     SECTION 1201.       Applicability of Article....................................................................51
     SECTION 1202.       Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.......................................51
     SECTION 1203.       Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund...................................................51

ARTICLE THIRTEEN - DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE................................................................52

     SECTION 1301.       Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance................................52
     SECTION 1302.       Defeasance and Discharge....................................................................52
     SECTION 1303.       Covenant Defeasance.........................................................................52
     SECTION 1304.       Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.............................................53
     SECTION 1305.       Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in Trust;
                           Miscellaneous Provisions..................................................................54
     SECTION 1306.       Reinstatement...............................................................................54

ARTICLE FOURTEEN - CONVERSION OF SECURITIES..........................................................................55

     SECTION 1401.       Applicability of Article....................................................................55
     SECTION 1402.       Exercise of Conversion Privilege............................................................55
     SECTION 1403.       No Fractional Shares........................................................................56
     SECTION 1404.       Adjustment of Conversion Price..............................................................56
     SECTION 1405.       Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.........................................................57
     SECTION 1406.       Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.......................................................57
     SECTION 1407.       Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Conversion....................................................57
     SECTION 1408.       Nonassessability............................................................................58
     SECTION 1409.       Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets................................58
     SECTION 1410.       Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion......................................................59
     SECTION 1411.       Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Conversion..................................................59
</TABLE>



                                       -v-
<PAGE>
 
                   Certain Sections of this Indenture relating
              to Sections 310 through 318, inclusive, of the Trust
                             Indenture Act of 1939:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

 Trust Indenture                                              Indenture
   Act Section                                                Section
   -----------                                                -------
<S>                                                          <C> 
   ss.310(a)(1)   ............................................609
         (a)(2)   ............................................609
         (a)(3)   ............................................Not Applicable
         (a)(4)   ............................................Not Applicable
         (b)      ............................................608, 610
   ss.311(a)      ............................................613
         (b)      ............................................613
   ss.312(a)      ............................................701, 702
         (b)      ............................................702
         (c)      ............................................702
   ss.313(a)      ............................................703
         (b)      ............................................703
         (c)      ............................................703
         (d)      ............................................703
   ss.314(a)      ............................................704
         (a)(4)   ............................................101, 1004
         (b)      ............................................Not Applicable
         (c)(1)   ............................................102
         (c)(2)   ............................................102
         (c)(3)   ............................................Not Applicable
         (d)      ............................................Not Applicable
         (e)      ............................................102
   ss.315(a)      ............................................601
         (b)      ............................................602
         (c)      ............................................601
         (d)      ............................................601
         (e)      ............................................514
   ss.316(a)      ............................................101
         (a)(1)(A)............................................502, 512
         (a)(1)(B)............................................513
         (a)(2)   ............................................Not Applicable
         (b)      ............................................508
         (c)      ............................................104
   ss.317(a)(1)   ............................................503
         (a)(2)   ............................................504
         (b)      ............................................1003
   ss.318(a)      ............................................107
</TABLE>

- ----------
NOTE: This  reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.



                                      -vi-
<PAGE>
 
     INDENTURE, dated as of ___________, 1997, between Micron Technology, Inc.,
a corporation duly organized and existing under the State of Delaware (herein
called the "Company"), having its principal executive office at 8000 South
Federal Way, P.O. Box 6, Boise, Idaho 83707-0006, and Norwest Bank Minnesota,
National Association, a national banking association duly organized and existing
under the laws of the United States of America, as Trustee (herein called the
"Trustee").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the
"Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.

     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

                   NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof
appertaining, as follows:

                                   ARTICLE ONE

             DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 101. Definitions.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in
this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

     (2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;

     (3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted
accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted
hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the
date of such computation;

     (4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or
a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this
Indenture; and

     (5) the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar
import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article,
Section or other subdivision.

     "Act," when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in
Section 104.
<PAGE>
 
     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

     "Attributable Debt" means, in respect of a Sale and Lease-Back Transaction
involving a Principal Property, at the time of determination, the lesser of: (a)
the fair value of such property (as determined in good faith by the Board of
Directors); or (b) the present value of the total net amount of rent required to
be paid under such lease during the remaining term thereof (including any
renewal term or period for which such lease has been extended), discounted at
the rate of interest set forth or implicit in the terms of such lease or, if not
practicable to determine such rate, the weighted average interest rate per annum
(in the case of Original Issue Discount Securities, the imputed interest rate)
borne by the Securities of each series outstanding pursuant to this Indenture
compounded semi-annually. For purposes of the foregoing definition, rent shall
not include amounts required to be paid by the lessee, whether or not designated
as rent or additional rent, on account of or contingent upon maintenance and
repairs, insurance, taxes, assessments, water rates and similar charges. In the
case of any lease which is terminable by the lessee upon the payment of a
penalty, such net amount shall be the lesser of the net amount determined
assuming termination upon the first date such lease may be terminated (in which
case the net amount shall also include the amount of the penalty, but no rent
shall be considered as required to be paid under such lease subsequent to the
first date upon which it may be so terminated) and the net amount determined
assuming no such termination.

     "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant
to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one
or more series.

     "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee of that board empowered to act for it with respect
to this Indenture.

     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board
of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Business Day," when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which
banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.

     "Common Stock" includes any stock of any class of the Company which has no
preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company
and which is not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, however,
subject to the provisions of Section 1409, shares issuable upon conversion of
Securities shall include only shares of the class designated as Common Stock of
the Company at the date of this Indenture or shares of any class or classes
resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof and which have
no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company
and which are not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, further that
if at any time there shall be more than one such


                                      2
<PAGE>
 
resulting class, the shares of each such class then so issuable shall be
substantially in the proportion which the total number of shares of such class
resulting from all such reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of
all such classes resulting from all such reclassifications.

     "Company" means the corporation named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Company" shall mean such successor Person.

     "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice
Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President, and by its principal
financial officer, its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Consolidated Net Tangible Assets" means, as of the time of determination,
total assets (excluding applicable reserves and other property deductible items)
less: (a) total current liabilities, except for (1) notes and loans payable, (2)
current maturities of long-term debt and (3) current maturities of obligations
under capital leases; and (b) goodwill, patents and trademarks, to the extent
included in total assets, all as set forth on the most recent consolidated
balance sheet of the Company and its Restricted Subsidiaries and computed in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at
Norwest Center, Sixth Street and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0069,
at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be
administered.

     "corporation"  means  a  corporation,   association,  company,  joint-stock
company or business trust.

     "Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1303.

     "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

     "Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1302.

     "Depositary" means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for
such Securities as contemplated by Section 301.

     "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute
successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104.

     "Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of the
Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 204 (or such
legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities).

     "Holder"  means a Person in whose  name a  Security  is  registered  in the
Security Register.


                                       3
<PAGE>
 
     "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for
all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern
this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term
"Indenture" shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities
established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, however, that if at any
time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the
appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series
of Securities, "Indenture" shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities
for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or
as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof
and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such
Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive,
however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of
Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms
or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by
means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after
such person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee,
was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is
supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are
only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term "Indenture" for a
particular series of Securities shall only include the supplemental indentures
applicable thereto.

     "interest," when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security
which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable
after Maturity.

     "Interest Payment Date," when used with respect to any Security, means the
Stated Maturity of an instalment of interest on such Security.

     "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any
statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "Maturity," when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which
the principal of such Security or an instalment of principal becomes due and
payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

     "Nonrecourse Obligation" means indebtedness or other obligations
substantially related to (i) the acquisition of assets not previously owned by
the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or (ii) the financing of a project
involving the development or expansion of properties of the Company or any
Restricted Subsidiary, as to which the obligee with respect to such indebtedness
or obligation has no recourse to the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or any
assets of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary other than the assets which
were acquired with the proceeds of such transaction or the project financed with
the proceeds of such transaction (and the proceeds thereof).

     "Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in Section
501(4).

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the
Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by
the principal financial officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the
Trustee. One of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to
Section 1004 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer
of the Company.






                                       4
<PAGE>
 
     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
for, or an employee of, the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to
the Trustee.

     "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an
amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

     "Outstanding," when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date
of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture, except:

     (1)  Securities  theretofore  canceled by the Trustee or  delivered  to the
Trustee for cancellation;

     (2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary
amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent
(other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the
Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of
such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of
such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision
therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

     (3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section
1302; and

     (4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange
for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered
pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which
there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that
such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities
are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue
Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of
the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 502, (B)
if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a
Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall
be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as
contemplated by Section 301, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated
in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be
Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in
the manner provided as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of
such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B)
above, of the amount determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities
owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate
of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to
be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be
protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which the Trustee knows
to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been
pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes
to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to
such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor
upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.

     "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the
Company.

                                       -5-
<PAGE>
 
     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.

     "Place of Payment," when used with respect to the Securities of any series,
means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on
the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by
Section 301.

     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the
same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

     "Principal Property" means the land, land improvements, buildings and
fixtures (to the extent they constitute real property interests, including any
leasehold interest therein) constituting the principal corporate office, any
manufacturing facility or any distribution center (whether now owned or
hereafter acquired) which: (a) is owned by the Company or any Subsidiary; (b) is
located within any of the present 50 states of the United States (or the
District of Columbia); (c) has not been determined in good faith by he Board of
Directors not to be materially important to the total business conducted by the
Company and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole; and (d) has a market value on the
date as of which the determination is being made in excess of 2.0% of
Consolidated Net Tangible Assets of the Company as most recently determined on
or prior to such date.

     "Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Redemption Price," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as
contemplated by Section 301.

     "Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that owns any Principal
Property; provided, however, that the term "Restricted Subsidiary" shall not
include (a) any Subsidiary which is principally engaged in financing
receivables, or which is principally engaged in financing the Company's
operations outside the United States of America or (b) any Subsidiary less than
80% of the voting stock of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the
Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or more
other Subsidiaries if the Common Stock of such Subsidiary is traded on any
national securities exchange or quoted on the Nasdaq national Market or in the
over-the-counter market.

     "Sale and Leaseback Transaction" means any arrangement with any person
providing for the leasing by the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary of any
Principal Property which property has been or is to be sold or transferred by
the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary to such person.

     "Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture
and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture.

     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor
thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.


                                       -6-
<PAGE>
 
     "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 305.

     "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

     "Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or
such instalment of principal or interest is due and payable.
    
     "Subsidiary" means a corporation of which at least a majority of the
outstanding voting stock having the power to elect a majority of the board of
directors of such corporation is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by
the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one or
more other Subsidiaries, and the accounts of which are consolidated with those
of the Company in its most recent consolidated financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. For the purposes of
this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily has voting power
for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior
class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency.      

     "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at
the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

     "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or
include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is
more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of
any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

     "U.S. Government Obligation" has the meaning specified in Section 1304.

     "Vice President," when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee,
means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "vice president."

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

     Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust
Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an
Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in
this Indenture.

     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include,

     (1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion
has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

     (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;



                                       -7-
<PAGE>
 
     (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has
made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been complied with; and

     (4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is
based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based,
insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.

     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken
by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. The
Trustee shall promptly deliver to the Company copies of all such instrument or
instruments and records delivered to the Trustee. Such instrument or instruments
(and the action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes
referred to as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments.
Proof of execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such
agent shall be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to
Section 601) conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the
manner provided in this Section.

     The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or
writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such instrument
or writing acknowledged to him or her the execution thereof. Where such
execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his or her individual
capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof
of his or her authority. The fact and date of the execution of any such
instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the same, may
also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

                                       -8-
<PAGE>
 
     The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the
same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in
reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Security.

     The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining
the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or
take any request, demand, authorization, direction, vote, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made
or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may
not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply
with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or
direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant
to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series
on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the
relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record
date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on
or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal
amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in
this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new
record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set
pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall
automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect),
and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any
action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly
after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own
expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders
and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to
each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in
Section 106.

     The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining
the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the
giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of
acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute
proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in
Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or
not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such
action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable
Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall
be construed to prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any
action for which a record date has previously been set pursuant to this
paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall automatically and with
no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this
paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any action taken by Holders
of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant
series on the date such action is taken. Promptly after any record date is set
pursuant to this paragraph, the Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause
notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders and the applicable
Expiration Date to be given to the Company in writing and to each Holder of
Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in Section 106.

     With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party
hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the "Expiration
Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or
later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the
proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and
to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in
Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date
is not designated with respect to any
                                       -9-
<PAGE>
 
record date set pursuant to this Section, the party hereto which set such record
date shall be deemed to have initially designated the 180th day after such
record date as the Expiration Date with respect thereto, subject to its right to
change the Expiration Date as provided in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be later than the 180th day after the
applicable record date.

     Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any
action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to
all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly
appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with
regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,

     (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the  Company  shall be  sufficient  for
every  purpose  hereunder if made,  given,  furnished or filed in writing (or by
facsimile transmissions ((612) 667-9825), provided that oral confirmation of
receipt shall have been received) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust
Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Department, or 

     (2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in
writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it
at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this
instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the
Trustee by the Company, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.

     Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected
by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register, not later
than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any),
prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is
given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any
notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice
in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to
receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be
the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with
the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity
of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

     In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of
any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such
notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute
a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

     If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of
the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and
govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of
this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act
which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to
apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.


                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.

     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 110. Separability Clause.

     In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.

     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder
and the Holders, any benefit or any legal or equitable right, remedy or claim
under this Indenture.

SECTION 112. Governing Law.

     THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.

     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated
Maturity of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to
convert a Security at a particular conversion price shall not be a Business Day
at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this
Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which
specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section))
payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) or, if applicable to a
particular series of Securities, conversion need not be made at such Place of
Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at
such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest
Payment Date or Redemption Date, at the Stated Maturity or on such last day for
conversion, as the case may be.

SECTION 114. Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.

     No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect
thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of
the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any
Security, or because any indebtedness represented thereby, shall be had against
any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer, or director or
subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of any successor
corporation, either directly or through the Company or any successor
corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of law, or
by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being expressly
understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and released as a
condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this Indenture and
the issue of the Securities.

                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
                                   ARTICLE TWO

                                 SECURITY FORMS

SECTION 201. Forms Generally.

     The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set forth
in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to
a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each
case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other
variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such
letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such legends or
endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with the rules of any
securities exchange or Depositary therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be
determined by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their
execution thereof. If the form of Securities of any series is established by
action taken pursuant to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of
such action shall be certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the
Company and delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company
Order contemplated by Section 303 for the authentication and delivery of such
Securities. Any such Board Resolution or record of such action shall have
attached thereto a true and correct copy of the form of Security referred to
therein approved by or pursuant to such Board Resolution.

     The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on
steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined
by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of
such Securities.

SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.

                             MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
No. _________                                                     $_____________

     Micron Technology, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of Delaware (herein called the "Company," which term includes any
successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to ____________, or registered assigns, the
principal sum of _____________ Dollars on _____________________________ [if the
Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert --, and to pay interest
thereon from __________ or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to which
interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on ___________ and
__________ in each year, commencing _________, at the rate of ___% per annum,
until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable,
insert -- , provided that any principal and premium, and any such instalment of
interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum (to
the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from
the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for
payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand]. The interest so payable,
and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as
provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the ______ or
______ (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such
Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided
for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date
and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of Securities of this series
not


                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date, or be paid at any time in
any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the requirements of any securities
exchange on which the Securities of this series may be listed, and upon such
notice as may be required by such exchange, all as more fully provided in said
Indenture].

     [If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- The
principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a
default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated
Maturity and in such case the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall
bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum (to the extent that the payment of
such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due
until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue
principal or premium shall be payable on demand. [Any such interest on overdue
principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate
of ___% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on interest
shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the amount so
demanded is paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue interest
shall be payable on demand.]]

     Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable,
insert -- any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or
agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in _______, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert -- ;
provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be
made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such
address shall appear in the Security Register].

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

     Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.

Dated:__________________________
                                                     MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

                                                     By:________________________
                                                     Title:_____________________
Attest:_________________________



SECTION 203.         Form of Reverse of Security.

     This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more
series under an Indenture, dated as of __________ (herein called the
"Indenture," which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such
instrument), between the Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the
Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto for a statement of the
respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of
the Company, the

                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
Trustee and the Holders of the Securities and of the terms upon which the
Securities are, and are to be, authenticated and delivered. This Security is one
of the series designated on the face hereof [if applicable, insert -- , limited
in aggregate principal amount to $________].

     [If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, [if applicable, insert --
(1) on __________ in any year commencing with the year ________ and ending with
the year ________ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at a
Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and (2)] at any time [if
applicable, insert -- on or after __________, 19__], as a whole or in part, at
the election of the Company, at the following Redemption Prices (expressed as
percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if applicable, insert -- on
or before __________, ___%, and if redeemed] during the 12-month period
beginning ____________ of the years indicated,


                 Redemption                                   Redemption
       Year        Price                             Year       Price
       ----        -----                             ----       -----






and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to ___% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption [if applicable, insert -- (whether
through operation of the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to
the Redemption Date, but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or
prior to such Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities,
or one or more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the
relevant Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the
Indenture.]

     [If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than 30 days' notice by mail, (1) on __________ in any
year commencing with the year _____ and ending with the year _____ through
operation of the sinking fund for this series at the Redemption Prices for
redemption through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of
the principal amount) set forth in the table below, and (2) at any time [if
applicable, insert -- on or after __________], as a whole or in part, at the
election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for redemption otherwise than
through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as percentages of the principal
amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed during the 12-month period
beginning __________ of the years indicated,



            Redemption Price For                   Redemption Price For
            Redemption Through                     Redemption Otherwise
              Operation of the                   Than Through Operation
  Year         Sinking Fund                        of the Sinking Fund
  ----         ------------                        -------------------





and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to ____% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the
sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but
interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption
Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more
Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant
Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]



                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
     [If applicable, insert -- Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may
not, prior to __________, redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated
by [if applicable, insert -- Clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part
of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly
or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company
(calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less
than ___% per annum.]

     [If applicable, insert -- The sinking fund for this series provides for the
redemption on __________ in each year beginning with the year ______ and ending
with the year ______ of [if applicable, insert -- not less than $_______
("mandatory sinking fund") and not more than] $_______ aggregate principal
amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series acquired or
redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable, insert
- --mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [if
applicable, insert -- mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be
made [if applicable, insert -- , in the inverse order in which they become
due].]

     [If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert -- In the
event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities
of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be
issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]

     [If applicable, insert -- The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance
at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or] [certain
restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security] [, in
each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.]
 
     [If the Security is convertible into Common Stock of the Company, insert
- --Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security is
entitled, at its option, at any time on or before [insert date] (except that, in
case this Security or any portion hereof shall be called for redemption, such
right shall terminate with respect to this Security or portion hereof, as the
case may be, so called for redemption at the close of business on the first
Business Day preceding the date fixed for redemption as provided in the
Indenture unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon
redemption), to convert the principal amount of this Security (or any portion
hereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof), into fully paid and
non-assessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/100th
of a share) of the Common Stock of the Company, as said shares shall be 
constituted at the date of conversion, at the conversion price of $______ 
principal amount of Securities for each share of Common Stock, or at the
adjusted conversion price in effect at the date of conversion determined as
provided in the Indenture, upon surrender of this Security, together with the
conversion notice hereon duly executed, to the Company at the designated office
or agency of the Company in __________, accompanied (if so required by the
Company) by instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and to
the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder or by its duly authorized attorney in
writing. Such surrender shall, if made during any period beginning at the close
of business on a Regular Record Date and ending at the opening of business on
the Interest Payment Date next following such Regular Record Date (unless this
Security or the portion being converted shall have been called for redemption on
a Redemption Date during the period beginning at the close of business on a
Regular Record Date and ending at the opening of business on the first Business
Day after the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or if such Interest Payment
Date is not a Business Day, the second such Business Day), also be accompanied
by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest
payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of this Security
then being converted. Subject to the aforesaid requirement for payment and, in
the case of a conversion after the Regular Record Date next preceding any
Interest Payment Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, to the right
of the Holder of this Security (or any Predecessor Security) of record at such
Regular Record Date to receive an installment of interest (with certain
exceptions provided in the Indenture), no adjustment is to be made on conversion
for interest accrued hereon or for dividends on shares of Common Stock issued on
conversion. The Company is not required to issue fractional shares upon any such
conversion, but shall make adjustment therefor in cash on the basis of the
current market value of such fractional interest as provided in the Indenture.
The conversion price is subject to adjustment as provided in the Indenture. In
addition, the Indenture provides that in case of certain consolidations or
mergers to which the Company 
                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
is a party or the sale of substantially all of the assets of the Company, the
Indenture shall be amended, without the consent of any Holders of Securities, so
that this Security, if then outstanding, will be convertible thereafter, during
the period this Security shall be convertible as specified above, only into the
kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon the
consolidation, merger or sale by a holder of the number of shares of Common
Stock into which this Security might have been converted immediately prior to
such consolidation, merger or sale (assuming such holder of Common Stock failed
to exercise any rights of election and received per share the kind and amount
received per share by a plurality of non-electing shares). In the event of
conversion of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities for the
unconverted portion hereof shall be issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon
the cancellation hereof.]

     [If the  Security is  convertible  into other  securities  of the  Company,
specify the conversion features.]

     [If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If
an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due
and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]

     [If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If an
Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be
continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be
declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the
Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to -- insert formula for determining the
amount. Upon payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable
and (ii) of interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each
case to the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally
enforceable), all of the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the
principal of and premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series
shall terminate.]

     The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Securities at
the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount
of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the
Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company
with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the
Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of
this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all
future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration
of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

     As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder
of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with
respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for
any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the
Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written
request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of
Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee
shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with
such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60
days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing
shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the
enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon
on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.


                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest
on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency,
herein prescribed.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register,
upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and
interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or its attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series
and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate
principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.

     The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $______ and any integral multiple thereof. As
provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth,
Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount
of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

     No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

SECTION 204.         Form of Legend for Global Securities.

     Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the
Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered
hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A
SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE
REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE
THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.



                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 205.         Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

     The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the
following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.


                  NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                   As Trustee


                  By:__________________________________________
                                   Authorized Officer

SECTION 206.         Form of Conversion Notice.

     To Micron Technology, Inc.:

     The undersigned owner of this Security hereby irrevocably exercises the
option to convert this Security, or portion hereof (which is $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof) below designated, into shares of Common Stock of the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this
Security, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable upon the
conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares and any
Securities representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and
delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been
indicated below. If this Notice is being delivered on a date after the close of
business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the opening of business on the
related Interest Payment Date (unless this Security or the portion thereof being
converted has been called for redemption on a Redemption Date within such
period), this Notice is accompanied by payment, in funds acceptable to the
Company, of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment
Date of the principal of this Security to be converted. If shares are to be
issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will
pay all transfer taxes payable with respect hereto. Any amount required to be
paid by the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Security.


         Principal Amount to be Converted
(in an integral multiple of $1,000, if less than all)
                  U.S. $_________

Dated:______________



                    ============================================================
                       
                    Signature(s) must be guaranteed by a qualified guarantor 
                    institution if shares of Common Stock are to be
                    delivered, or Securities to be issued, other than to and in
                    the name of the registered owner.  


                    ------------------------------------------------------------
                    Signature Guaranty

                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
     Fill in for registration of shares of Common Stock and Security if to be
issued otherwise than to the registered Holder.



- ---------------------------------------  ---------------------------------------
(Name)                                   Social Security or Other Taxpayer
                                         Identification Number

- ---------------------------------------
(Address)


- ---------------------------------------
Please print Name and Address
(including zip code number)

[The above conversion notice is to be modified,  as appropriate,  for conversion
into other securities or property of the Company.]

                                  ARTICLE THREE

                                 THE SECURITIES

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

         The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated
and delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

     The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303,
set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance
of Securities of any series,

     (1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall  distinguish the
Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);

     (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the
series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for
Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in
exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section
304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to
Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered
hereunder);

     (3) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be
payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date for such interest;

     (4) the date or  dates on which  the  principal  of any  Securities  of the
series is payable;

     (5) the rate or rates at which any Securities of the series shall bear
interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue,
the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the
Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;


                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
     (6) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest
on any Securities of the series shall be payable;

     (7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and
the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than
by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem
the Securities shall be evidenced;

     (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any
Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or
at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities
of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to
such obligation;

     (9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be
issuable;

     (10) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any
Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or
pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;
 
     (11) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the
currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium
or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of
determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of
America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of
"Outstanding" in Section 101; provided, however, that prior to the issuance of 
any such Securities, the Company shall have obtained the written consent of the 
Trustee, which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of the Trustee, to
the currency, currencies or currency units so established;  

     (12) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of
the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder
thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in
which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or
currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such
Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods
within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be
made and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be
determined provided); however, that prior to the issuance of any such
Securities, the Company shall have obtained the written consent of the
Trustee, which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of the Trustee,
to the currency, currencies or currency units so established;

     (13) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502;

     (14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any
Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates
prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the
principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose
thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be
due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall
be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in
any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount
shall be determined);

     (15) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any
specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 or
both such Sections and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which
any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;

     (16) if applicable, the terms of any right to convert Securities of the
series into shares of Common Stock of the Company or other securities or
property;

                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
     (17) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case,
the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend
or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in
lieu of that set forth in Section 204 and any circumstances in addition to or in
lieu of those set forth in Clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section 305 in
which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for
Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in
part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the
Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;

     (18) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to
any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the
requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due
and payable pursuant to Section 502;

     (19) any  addition to or change in the  covenants  set forth in Article Ten
which applies to Securities of the series; and

     (20) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent
with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901(5)).

     All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as
to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the
Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 303) set forth, or
determined in the manner provided, in the Officers' Certificate referred to
above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.

     If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant
to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers'
Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

SECTION 302. Denominations.

     The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form
without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as
contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such specified denomination
with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series
shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

     The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its principal financial officer,
its President or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced
thereon attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The
signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

     Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who
were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the
Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order


                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
for the authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in
accordance with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such
Securities. If the form or terms of the Securities of the series have been
established by or pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by
Sections 201 and 301, in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the
additional responsibilities under this Indenture in relation to such Securities,
the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be
fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,

     (1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to
Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form has been
established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

     (2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to
Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms have been
established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and

     (3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified
in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding
obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject
to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
and to general equity principles.

     If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding
paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one
time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers' Certificate otherwise
required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel
otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the
authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered
at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security
of such series to be issued.

     Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

     No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any
Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security
has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder
but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such
Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309, for all
purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been
authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.

     Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company
may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.



                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
     If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary
Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of
such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the
office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without
charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for cancellation of any one or more
temporary Securities of any series, the Company shall execute and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor one or more definitive
Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor
and aggregate principal amount. Until so exchanged, the temporary Securities of
any series shall in all respects be entitled to the same benefits under this
Indenture as definitive Securities of such series and tenor.

SECTION 305. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

     The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other
office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes
collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the
registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby
appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and
transfers of Securities as herein provided.

     Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at
the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the
name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of
the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate
principal amount.

     At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for
other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like
tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be
exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered
for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to
receive.

     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

     Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for
exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed,
or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to
the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or
its attorney duly authorized in writing.

     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer.

     If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are
to be redeemed in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register
the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening of
business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of any
such Securities selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending


                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
at the close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the
transfer of or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in
part, except the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

     The  provisions  of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to
Global Securities:

     (1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be
registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or
a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or
custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single
Security for all purposes of this Indenture.

     (2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global
Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no
transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name
of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee
thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or (ii)
has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (B) there
shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such
Global Security or (C) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition
to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as
contemplated by Section 301.

     (3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security for
other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in
exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in
such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct.

     (4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of
transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion
thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 304, 306, 906 or 1107 or
otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a
Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person
other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

     If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a
new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and
bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

     If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to
their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii)
such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and
any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security
of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number
not contemporaneously outstanding.

     In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become
or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

     Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.



                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
     Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of
any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

     Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to
any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid
to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest.

     Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein
called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder
on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and
such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each
case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

     (1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the
Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective
Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in
the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series
and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount
proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make
arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of
the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause
provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment
of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less
than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days
after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The
Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, in
the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the proposed
payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor to be
given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth in
Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice of
the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date
therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the
Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective
Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special
Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).

     (2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given
by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause,
such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.


                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
     Subject to the provisions of Section 1402, in the case of any Security (or
any part thereof) which is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or
prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Security the
principal of (or premium, if any, on) which shall become due and payable,
whether at Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration prior to such
Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such Interest
Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such
conversion and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided
for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or any one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular
Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding
sentence or in Section 1402, in the case of any Security (or any part thereof)
which is converted, interest whose Stated Maturity is after the date of
conversion of such Security (or such part thereof) shall not be payable.

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.

     Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security
for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and
(subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the
Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

SECTION 309. Cancellation.

     All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if
surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee
and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to the
Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and delivered
hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner whatsoever, and may
deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery to the Trustee) for
cancellation any Securities previously authenticated hereunder which the Company
has not issued and sold, and all Securities so delivered shall be promptly
canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be authenticated in lieu of or in
exchange for any Securities canceled as provided in this Section, except as
expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled Securities held by the
Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company Order.

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities
of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                           SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

     This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of
the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, when



                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
     (1) either

          (A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than
     (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have
     been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for
     whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated
     and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or
     discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been
     delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

          (B) all such Securities not  theretofore  delivered to the Trustee for
     cancellation

               (i) have become due and payable, or

               (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated  Maturity within
          one year, or

               (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under
          arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of
          redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the
          Company, and the Company,

          in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has deposited or caused to be
          deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in trust for the purpose
          money in an amount sufficient to pay and discharge the entire
          indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore delivered to the
          Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any premium and interest
          to the date of such deposit (in the case of Securities which have
          become due and payable) or to the Stated Maturity or Redemption Date,
          as the case may be;

          (2) the Company  has paid or caused to be paid all other sums  payable
     hereunder by the Company; and

          (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
     herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this
     Indenture have been complied with.

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of
the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall
have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of
this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last
paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.

SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and
interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.



                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                                    REMEDIES

SECTION 501. Events of Default.

     "Event of Default," wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any
series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it shall be voluntary or involuntary or be effected
by operation of law or pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or
any order, rule or regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

     (1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series
when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of
30 days; or

     (2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any
Security of that series at its Maturity; or

     (3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by
the terms of a Security of that series; or

     (4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of
the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in
whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically
dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the
benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such
default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company
and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default
or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a
"Notice of Default" hereunder; or

     (5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or
proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the
Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition
seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect
of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a
custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other
similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or
ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of
any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed
and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

     (6) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under
any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or
insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in
respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or
to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against
it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking
reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the
consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking
possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator
or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its
property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
the admission by


                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as they become due, or
the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance of any such action;
or

     (7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that
series.

SECTION 502.         Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section
501(5) or 501(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such case the Trustee or the
Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of that series may declare the principal amount of all the Securities of that
series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount
Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be
specified by the terms thereof) to be due and payable immediately, by a notice
in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given by Holders), and upon any
such declaration such principal amount (or specified amount) shall become
immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default specified in Section 501(5)
or 501(6) with respect to Securities of any series at the time Outstanding
occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of that series (or, if any
Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount Securities, such portion
of the principal amount of such Securities as may be specified by the terms
thereof) shall automatically, and without any declaration or other action on the
part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due and payable.

     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

          (1)  the  Company  has  paid  or  deposited  with  the  Trustee  a sum
     sufficient to pay

               (A) all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,

               (B) the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of
          that series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration
          of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates
          prescribed therefor in such Securities,

               (C) to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful,
          interest upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed
          therefor in such Securities, and

               (D) all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
          reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of the
          Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

          (2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series,
     other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series
     which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been
     cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.


                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

     The Company covenants that if

     (1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when
such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of
30 days, or

     (2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, pay to it, for the benefit of the
Holders of such Securities, the whole amount then due and payable on such
Securities for principal and any premium and interest and, to the extent that
payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable, interest on any overdue
principal and premium and on any overdue interest, at the rate or rates
prescribed therefor in such Securities, and, in addition thereto, such further
amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection,
including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such
appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to
protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any
covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504.         Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

     In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other
obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall
be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to
take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to
have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In
particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or
other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the
same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator
or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized
by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to
pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

     No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities
or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however,
that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a
trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors' or
other similar committee.

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may
be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the
Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any
such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as
trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after provision
for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses,

                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such
judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506.         Application of Money Collected.

     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium
or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the
payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

     FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 607; and

     SECOND: To the payment of the amounts then due and unpaid for principal of
and any premium, if any, and interest on the Securities in respect of which or
for the benefit of which such money has been collected, ratably, without
preference or priority of any kind, according to the amounts due and payable on
such Securities for principal and any premium, if any, and interest,
respectively.

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.

     No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute
any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for
the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder,
unless

     (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

     (2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to
institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as
Trustee hereunder;

     (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity
against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with
such request;

     (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and
offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

     (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to
the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;

it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any
other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in
the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such
Holders.

SECTION 508.  Unconditional  Right of Holders to Receive Principal,  Premium and
Interest and to Convert.

     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, the Holder of any
Security shall have the right, which is absolute and unconditional, to receive
payment of the principal of and any premium and (subject to Section 307)


                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
interest on such Security on the respective Stated Maturities expressed in such
Security (or, in the case of redemption, on the Redemption Date), to convert
such Securities in accordance with Article Fourteen and to institute suit for
the enforcement of any such payment, and such rights shall not be impaired
without the consent of such Holder.

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

     If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any
right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued
or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or
to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in
such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored
severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter
all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though
no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section
306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to
the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every
right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in
addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

     No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to
exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any
such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an
acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to
the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often
as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee (subject to the limitations contained
in this Indenture) or by the Holders, as the case may be.

SECTION 512. Control by Holders.

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of
such series, provided that

     (1) such  direction  shall not be in conflict  with any rule of law or with
this Indenture and the Trustee shall not have determined that the action so 
directed would be unjustly prejudicial to Holders of Securities of that series, 
or any other series, not taking part in such direction, and 

     (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
which is not inconsistent with such direction or this Indenture.

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such
series and its consequences, except a default

     (1) in the  payment of the  principal  of or any premium or interest on any
Security of such series, or

                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
     (2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security of such series affected.

     Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to
file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against
any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust
Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act
shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make
such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company or in any suit for the
enforcement of the right to convert any Security in accordance with Article
Fourteen.

SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

     The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law
and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any
power herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of
every such power as though no such law had been enacted.

                                   ARTICLE SIX

                                   THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

     The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this
Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder,
or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against
such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein
expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct
or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Section.

SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.

     If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the
Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such
default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided,
however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section
501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders
shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the
purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect
to Securities of such series.


                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

     Subject to the provisions of Section 601:

     (1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other
evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

     (2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution
of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

     (3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem
it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering
or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein
specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon
an Officers' Certificate;

     (4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in reliance thereon;

     (5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of
the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered
to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction;

     (6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts
or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the
Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to
make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the
books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
and

     (7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder.

SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's
certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company,
and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility
for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity
or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor
any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.



                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 605. May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee Under Other Indentures.

     The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security
Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security
Registrar or such other agent.

     Subject to the limitations imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, nothing in
this Indenture shall prohibit the Trustee from becoming and acting as trustee
under other indentures under which other securities, or certificates of interest
of participation in other securities, of the Company are outstanding in the same
manner as if it were not Trustee hereunder.

SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.

     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise
agreed with the Company.

SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

     The Company agrees

     (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all
services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by
any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust);

     (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee
upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this
Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and

     (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any
loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the
trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself
against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of
any of its powers or duties hereunder.

SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests.

     If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent
permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting
interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to
Securities of more than one series.

SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

     There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for
Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is

                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of its supervising or examining authority, then for the purposes of this Section
and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act, the combined capital and
surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time
the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall cease to be
eligible in accordance with the provisions of this Section, it shall resign
immediately in the manner and with the effect hereinafter specified in this
Article.

SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

     No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor
Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of
appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable
requirements of Section 611.

     The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or
more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument
of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been
delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of
resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of such series.

     The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of
any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the
Company.

     If at any time:

     (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request
therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a
Security for at least six months, or

     (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail
to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder,
or

     (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a
bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be
appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or
of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or
liquidation,

then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the
Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 514, any
Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all
Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

     If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or
if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to
the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall
promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the Securities
of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor Trustee may
be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of such series
and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to the
Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable
requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal
or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any series shall

                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
be appointed by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series delivered to the Company and the retiring
Trustee, the successor Trustee so appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance
of such appointment in accordance with the applicable requirements of Section
611, become the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such series
and to that extent supersede the successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If
no successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series shall have
been so appointed by the Company or the Holders and accepted appointment in the
manner required by Section 611, the retiring Trustee may petition, or any Holder
who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security of such series for at least six
months may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any
court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of such series.  

     The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the
Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of
Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice
shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities
of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

     In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to
all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the
Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money
held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

     In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to
the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring
Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more
series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each
successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such
provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to
vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the
retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which
the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee
is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as
shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue
to be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the
provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall
constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such
Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from
any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon
the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided
therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series
to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those
series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.



                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
     Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any
and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to
such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the
first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.

     No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.

SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated,
but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger,
conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such
authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect
as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

     If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or
any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against
the Company (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

     The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to
one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of
the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue
and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof or
pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to
the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all
purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is
made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the
Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be
deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be
acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof
or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating
Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and
subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such
Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then
for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such
Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise


                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
eligible under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any
further act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

     An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate
the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such
appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities
of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any
successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder
shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the
provisions of this Section.

     The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee
shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions
of Section 607.

     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to
this Section 612, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative
certificate of authentication in the following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.

                  NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                   As Trustee

                  By:_________________________________________,
                                        As Authenticating Agent

                  By:__________________________________________
                                        Authorized Officer

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN

                HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

     The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

     (1) semi-annually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date, a
list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and
addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of such Regular Record
Date, as the case may be, and

     (2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30
days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar
form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list
is furnished;


                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
provided that no such list need be furnished by the Company to the Trustee so
long as the Trustee is acting as Security Registrar.

SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

     The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701 and the names and
addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

     The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to
their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding
rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust
Indenture Act.

     Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with
the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any
agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of
information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.

     The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee
and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.

     Reports so required to be transmitted at stated intervals of not more than
12 months shall be transmitted no later than July 1 in each calendar year,
commencing with the first July 1 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant
to this Indenture.

     A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any
Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company
will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

SECTION 704. Reports by Company.

     The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to
Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries
thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and
in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any
such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the
Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the
Commission.

                                  ARTICLE EIGHT

              CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

     The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person (in a
transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation) or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, unless:


                                      -40-
<PAGE>
 
     (1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person
(in a transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation) or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company
is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which
leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety
shall be a corporation, limited liability company, partnership or trust, shall
be organized and validly existing under the laws of the United States of
America, any State thereof or the District of Columbia and shall expressly
assume, by an indenture supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the
Trustee, in form satisfactory to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of
the principal of and any premium and interest on all the Securities and the
performance or observance of every covenant of this Indenture on the part of the
Company to be performed or observed and the conversion rights shall be provided
for in accordance with Article Fourteen, if applicable, or as otherwise
specified pursuant to Section 301, by supplemental indenture satisfactory in
form to the Trustee, executed and delivered to the Trustee, by the Person (if
other than the Company) formed by such consolidation or into which the Company
shall have been merged or by the Person which shall have acquired the Company's
assets;

     (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any
indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a
result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such
Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default,
shall have happened and be continuing; and

     (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection
with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and
that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction
have been complied with.

SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.

     Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into,
any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and
assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section
801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company
is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed
to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the
Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person
had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a
lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants
under this Indenture and the Securities.

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                             SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

     Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board
Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into
one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee,
for any of the following purposes:

     (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or
successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the
covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; or



                                      -41-
<PAGE>
 
     (2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the
benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are
expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender
any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

     (3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are
to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such
additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit
of such series); or

     (4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such
extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities
in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or
without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities
in uncertificated form; or

     (5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture
in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any such addition,
change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series
created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to
the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any
such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only
when there is no such Security Outstanding; or

     (6) to secure the Securities; or

     (7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted
by Sections 201 and 301; or

     (8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by
a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to
add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary
to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more
than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611; or

     (9) to make provision with respect to the conversion rights of Holders
pursuant to the requirements of Article Fourteen, including providing for the
conversion of the securities into any security (other than the Common Stock of
the Company) or property of the Company; or

     (10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein
which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to
make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause (10) shall not
adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of any series in any
material respect; or

     (11) to supplement any of the provisions of the Indenture to such extent as
shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any
series of Securities pursuant to Articles Four and Thirteen, provided that any
such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of
Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material
respect.

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.

     With the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture,
by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company,
when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an
indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the


                                      -42-
<PAGE>
 
provisions of this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the
Holders of Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however,
that no such supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of
each Outstanding Security affected thereby,

     (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of
principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount
thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the
redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue
Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or
change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any
Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated
Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption
Date), or

     (2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any
waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain
defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or

     (3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section
1010, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other
provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of
the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however,
that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with
respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in
this Section and Section 1010, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance
with the requirements of Sections 611 and 901(8), or

     (4) if applicable, make any change that adversely affects the right to
convert any security as provided in Article Fourteen or pursuant to Section 301
(except as permitted by Section 901(9)) or decrease the conversion rate or
increase the conversion price of any such security.

     A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant
or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this
Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

     It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

     In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and (subject to Sections 601 and 603) shall be fully protected in relying upon,
an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture
is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.



                                      -43-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

     Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

     Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required
by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.

                                   ARTICLE TEN

                                    COVENANTS

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

     The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of
the Securities and this Indenture.

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of
Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented
or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be
surrendered for conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company
in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served.
The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and
any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company
shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to
furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders,
notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all
such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

     The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or
surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such
designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in
any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency
in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The
Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation
or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or
agency.


                                      -44-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

     If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect
to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series,
segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a
sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due
until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein
provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to
act.

     Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of
Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or any
premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying
Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by
the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the
Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

     The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other
than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which
such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the
continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the
Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the
Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith
pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in
respect of the Securities of that series.

     The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company
Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by
the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the
same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such
Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such
Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
money.
 
     Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for a period
ending on the earlier of the date that is ten Business Days prior to the date
such money would escheat to the State or two years after such principal, premium
or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company
Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust;
and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general
creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the
Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability
of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however,
that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such
repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a
newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each
Business Day and of general circulation in each Place of Payment, notice that
such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which
shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed
balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company. 

SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.

     The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers'
Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof
the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms,
provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of
grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be
in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of
which they may have knowledge.


                                      -45-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 1005. Existence.

     Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.

SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties.
 
     The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its
business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order
and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all
necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof,
all as, and to the extent, in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so
that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and
advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this
Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or
maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment
of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous
in any material respect to the Holders.  

SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

     The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before
the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges levied or imposed upon the Company upon the income, profits or property
of the Company, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and supplies
which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the Company;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or discharge or
cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or claim (i)
whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith by
appropriate proceedings or (ii) if the failure to pay or discharge would not
have a material adverse effect on the assets, business, operations, properties
or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its Subsidiaries, taken
as a whole.  

SECTION 1008. Limitation on Liens.

     The Company will not issue, incur, create, assume or guarantee, and will
not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue, incur, create, assume or
guarantee, any debt for borrowed money secured by a mortgage, security interest,
pledge, lien, charge or other encumbrance ("mortgages") upon any Principal
Property of the Company or any Restricted Subsidiary or upon any shares of stock
or indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary (whether such Principal Property,
shares or indebtedness are now existing or owned or hereafter created or
acquired) without in any such case effectively providing concurrently with
issuance, incurrence, creation, assumption or guarantee of any such secured
debt, or the grant of a mortgage with respect to any such indebtedness, that the
Securities (together with, if the Company shall so determine, any other
indebtedness of or guarantee by the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary
ranking equally with the Securities) shall be secured equally and ratably with
(or, at the option of the Company, prior to) such secured debt. The foregoing
restriction, however, will not apply to:

     (1) mortgages on property existing at the time of acquisition thereof by
the Company or any Subsidiary, provided that such mortgages were in existence
prior to the contemplation of such acquisitions;

     (2) mortgages on property, shares of stock or indebtedness or other assets
of any corporation existing at the time such corporation becomes a Restricted
Subsidiary, provided that such mortgages are not incurred in anticipation of
such corporation becoming a Restricted Subsidiary;


                                      -46-
<PAGE>
 
     (3) mortgages on property, shares of stock or indebtedness existing at the
time of acquisition thereof by the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary or
mortgages thereon to secure the payment of all or any part of the purchase price
thereof, or mortgages on property, shares of stock or indebtedness to secure any
indebtedness for borrowed money incurred prior to, at the time of or within 270
days after, the latest of the acquisition thereof, or, in the case of property,
the completion of construction, the completion of improvements, or the
commencement of substantial commercial operation of such property for the
purpose of financing all or any part of the purchase price thereof, such
construction, or the making of such improvements;

     (4)  mortgages  to  secure  indebtedness  owing  to  the  Company  or  to a
Restricted Subsidiary:

     (5) mortgages existing at the date of this Indenture;

     (6) mortgages on property of a corporation existing at the time such
corporation is merged into or consolidated with the Company or a Restricted
Subsidiary or at the time of a sale, lease or other disposition of the
properties of a corporation as an entirety or substantially as an entirety to
the Company or a Restricted Subsidiary, provided that such mortgage was not
incurred in anticipation of such merger or consolidation or sale, lease or other
disposition;

     (7) mortgages in favor of the United States or any State, territory or
possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), or any department, agency,
instrumentality or political subdivision of the United States or any State,
territory or possession thereof (or the District of Columbia), to secure
partial, progress, advance or other payments pursuant to any contract or statute
or to secure any indebtedness incurred for the purpose of financing all or any
part of the purchase price of the cost of constructing or improving the property
subject to such mortgages;

     (8) mortgages created in connection with the acquisition of assets or a
project financed with, and created to secure, a Nonrecourse Obligation;

     (9) extensions, renewals, refinancings or replacements of any mortgage
referred to in the foregoing clauses (1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8)
provided, however, that any mortgages permitted by any of the foregoing clauses
(1), (2), (3), (4), (5), (6), (7) and (8) shall not extend to or cover any
property of the Company or such Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, other
than the property, if any, specified in such clauses and improvements thereto,
and provided further that any refinancing or replacement of any mortgages
permitted by the foregoing clauses (7) and (8) shall be of the type referred to
in such clauses (7) or (8), as the case may be.

     Notwithstanding the restrictions set forth in the preceding paragraph, the
Company or any Restricted Subsidiary will be permitted to issue, incur, create,
assume or guarantee debt secured by a mortgage which would otherwise be subject
to such restrictions, without equally and ratably securing the Securities,
provided that after giving effect thereto, the aggregate amount of all debt so
secured by mortgages (not including mortgages permitted under clauses (1)
through (10) above) does not exceed 15% of the Consolidated Net Tangible Assets
of the Company as most recently determine on or prior to such date.

SECTION 1009. Limitations on Sale and Leaseback Transactions.

     The Company will not, nor will it permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
enter into any Sale and Lease-Back Transaction with respect to any Principal
Property, other than any such transaction involving a lease for a term of not
more than three years of any such transaction between the Company and a
Restricted Subsidiary or between Restricted Subsidiaries, unless: (1) the
Company or such Restricted Subsidiary would be entitled to incurs indebtedness
secured by a mortgage on the Principal Property involved in such transaction at
least equal in amount to the Attributable Debt


                                      -47-
<PAGE>
 
with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction, without equally and
ratably securing the Securities, pursuant to Section 1008; or (2) the Company
shall apply an amount equal to the greater of the net proceeds of such sale or
the Attributable Debt with respect to such Sale and Lease-Back Transaction
within 180 days of such sale to either (or a combination of) the retirement
(other than mandatory retirement, mandatory prepayment or sinking fund payment
or by a payment at maturity) of debt for borrowed money of the Company or a
Restricted Subsidiary that matures more than 12 months after the creation of
such indebtedness or the purchase, construction or development of other
comparable property.

SECTION 1010. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities
of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series,
omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition
set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(19), 901(2), 901(7),
1006, 1007, 1008 or 1009 for the benefit of the Holders of such series if before
the time for such compliance the Holders of at least a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such
Holders, either waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive
compliance with such term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall
extend to or affect such term, provision or condition except to the extent so
expressly waived, and, until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations
of the Company and the duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term,
provision or condition shall remain in full force and effect.

                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                            REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article.

     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity
shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in accordance with
this Article.

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

     The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by
a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301
for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of
less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption
affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to
the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be
satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the
principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable,
of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of
Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption
provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing
compliance with such restriction.

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

     If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless
all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or
unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular
Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series
not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem


                                      -48-
<PAGE>
 
fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a
portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series, provided that
the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an
authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized
denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series
and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only
a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected
not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the
Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called
for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.

     If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before
termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security
so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as
may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been
converted during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by
the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.

     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities
selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for
partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

     The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect
to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to
be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the
unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an
authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized
denomination) for such Security.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires,
all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the
case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion
of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.

     Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to
each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address appearing in the
Security Register.

     All notices of redemption shall state:

     (1) the Redemption Date,

     (2) the Redemption Price (including accrued interest, if any),

     (3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of
more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the
case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the
particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding
Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the
principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,

     (4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and
payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest
thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

     (5) the place or places where each such Security is to be  surrendered  for
payment of the Redemption Price,


                                      -49-
<PAGE>
 
     (6) if applicable, the conversion price, that the date on which the right
to convert the principal of the Securities or the portions thereof to be
redeemed will terminate will be the Redemption Date and the place or places
where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion, and

     (7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.

     Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable.

SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

     On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption
Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities
which are to be redeemed on that date.

     If any Security called for redemption is converted, any money deposited
with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for
the redemption of such Security shall (subject to the right of any Holder of
such Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section
307) be paid to the Company on Company Request, or if then held by the Company,
shall be discharged from such trust.

SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to
be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any
such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall
be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest
to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is
on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the
close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.

     If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender
thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear
interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the
Security.

SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

     Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a
Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due
endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or its attorney
duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service
charge, a new Security or Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of
any authorized denomination as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal
amount equal to and in exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of
the Security so surrendered.



                                      -50-
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE TWELVE

                                  SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for
the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.

     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of
any Securities is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment," and
any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such
Securities is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment." If
provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund
payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking
fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by
the terms of such Securities.

SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

     The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than
any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities
of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company
pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted
optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each
case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect
to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of
such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such
Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been
previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and
credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified
in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the
sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced
accordingly.

SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

     Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any
Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such
Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to
Section 1202 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so
delivered. Not less than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date,
the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund
payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the
redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company
in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the
redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner
stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.



                                      -51-
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                       DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 1301. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1302 or
Section 1303 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case
may be, designated pursuant to Section 301 as being defeasible pursuant to such
Section 1302 or 1303, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided
pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below
in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or
in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.

SECTION 1302. Defeasance and Discharge.
 
     Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the
Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations with
respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the
conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called
"Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be
deemed to have paid and discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such
Securities and to have satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities
and this Indenture insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at
the expense of the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the
same), subject to the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated
or discharged hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to
receive, solely from the trust fund described in Section 1304 and as more fully
set forth in such Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any
premium and interest on such Securities when payments are due, (2) the Company's
obligations with respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002
and 1003, and, if applicable, Article Fourteen, (3) the rights, powers, trusts,
duties and immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to
compliance with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to
have this Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise
of its option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to such Securities. 

SECTION 1303. Covenant Defeasance.

     Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1)
the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 1006 through
1009, inclusive, and any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(19), 901(2)
or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (2) the
occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(4), Sections 1006 through
1009, inclusive, and any such covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(19),
901(2) or 901(7)) shall be deemed not to be or result in an Event of Default, in
each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this Section on and
after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are satisfied
(hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such Covenant
Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may omit to
comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term, condition or
limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent so specified
in the case of Section 501(4)), whether directly or indirectly by reason of any
reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or by reason of any reference in
any such Section to any other provision herein or in any other document, but the
remainder of this Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.



                                      -52-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 1304. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1302 or
Section 1303 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:

     (1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited
with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements
contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this
Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the
following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely
to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or
(B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal
and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not
later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or
(C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge,
and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee)
to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such
Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of
this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein, "U.S. Government Obligation"
means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of
America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States
of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised
by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America
the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii),
is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any
depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the
Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation
which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of
the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment
of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so
specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is
not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of
such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of
the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest
evidenced by such depositary receipt.

     (2) In the event of an election to have Section 1302 apply to any
Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall
have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company
has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service
a ruling or (B) since the date of this instrument, there has been a change in
the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to the effect
that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders of such
Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax purposes as a
result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected with respect to
such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the same amount, in
the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if such deposit,
Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.

     (3) In the event of an election to have Section 1303 apply to any
Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall
have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income
tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected
with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the
same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if
such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.

     (4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities
of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted
as a result of such deposit.



                                      -53-
<PAGE>
 
     (5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would
become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other
Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or,
with regard to any such event specified in Sections 501(5) and (6), at any time
on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood
that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).

     (6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to
have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act
(assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of such Act).

     (7) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument
to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

     (8) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust
arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under such
Act or exempt from registration thereunder.

     (9) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been
complied with.

SECTION 1305. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to Be Held in
              Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with
the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and
Section 1306, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to
collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1304 in respect of any
Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with
the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its
own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such
Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal
and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law.

     The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 1304 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.

     Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall
deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money
or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1304 with
respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm
of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then
be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as
the case may be, with respect to such Securities.

SECTION 1306. Reinstatement.

     If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any
order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining
or


                                      -54-
<PAGE>
 
otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this
Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or
released pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303 shall be revived and reinstated as
though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such
Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply
all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1305 with respect to such Securities
in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes
any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security
following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated
to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment
from the money so held in trust.

                                ARTICLE FOURTEEN

                            CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1401. Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any
series which are convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, and the
issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of such Securities,
except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities
of such series.

SECTION 1402. Exercise of Conversion Privilege.
    
     In order to exercise a conversion privilege, the Holder of a Security of a
series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the Company at the
office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002,
accompanied by a duly executed conversion notice to the Company substantially in
the form set forth in Section 206 stating that the Holder elects to convert such
Security or a specified portion thereof. Such notice shall also state, if
different from the name and address of such Holder, the name or names (with
address) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock
which shall be issuable on such conversion shall be issued. Securities
surrendered for conversion shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee)
be duly endorsed by or accompanied by instruments of transfer in forms
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by the registered
Holder or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and Securities so surrendered
for conversion (in whole or in part) during the period from the close of
business on any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the next
succeeding Interest Payment Date (excluding Securities or portions thereof
called for redemption during the period beginning at the close of business on a 
Regular Record Date and ending at the opening of business on the first Business
Day after the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or if such Interest Payment
Date is not a Business Day, the second such Business Day) shall also be
accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to
the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of
such Security then being converted, and such interest shall be payable to such
registered Holder notwithstanding the conversion of such Security, subject to
the provisions of Section 307 relating to the payment of Defaulted Interest by
the Company. As promptly as practicable after the receipt of such notice and of
any payment required pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303,
set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto setting forth the
terms of such series of Security, and the surrender of such Security in
accordance with such reasonable regulations as the Company may prescribe, the
Company shall issue and shall deliver, at the office or agency at which such
Security is surrendered, to such Holder or on its written order, a certificate
or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
conversion of such Security (or specified portion thereof), in accordance with
the provisions of such Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or supplemental
indenture, and cash as provided therein in respect of any fractional share of
such Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such conversion. Such conversion shall
be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on
the date on which such notice and such payment, if required, shall have been
received in proper order for conversion by the Company and such Security shall
have been surrendered as aforesaid (unless such Holder shall have so surrendered
such Security and shall have instructed the Company to effect the conversion on
a particular date      
                                      -55-
<PAGE>
 
following such surrender and such Holder shall be entitled to convert such
Security on such date, in which case such conversion shall be deemed to be
effected immediately prior to the close of business on such date) and at such
time the rights of the Holder of such Security as such Security Holder shall
cease and the person or persons in whose name or names any certificate or
certificates for shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be issuable upon
such conversion shall be deemed to have become the Holder or Holders of record
of the shares represented thereby. Except as set forth above and subject to the
final paragraph of Section 307, no payment or adjustment shall be made upon any
conversion on account of any interest accrued on the Securities (or any part
thereof) surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividends on the Common
Stock of the Company issued upon such conversion.

     In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon such
conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company,
a new Security or Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations, in
aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of such Security.

SECTION 1403. No Fractional Shares.
 
     No fractional share of Common Stock of the Company shall be issued upon
conversions of Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall be
surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full
shares which shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of
the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof
to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for the provisions of
this Section 1403, any Holder of a Security or Securities would be entitled to a
fractional share of Common Stock of the Company upon the conversion of such
Security or Securities, or specified portions thereof, the Company shall pay to
such Holder an amount in cash equal to the current market value of such
fractional share computed, (i) if such Common Stock is listed or admitted to
unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange or market, on the
basis of the last reported sale price regular way on such exchange or market on
the last trading day prior to the date of conversion upon which such a sale
shall have been effected, or (ii) if such Common Stock is not at the time so
listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities
exchange or market, on the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices of
such Common Stock in the over-the-counter market, on the last trading day prior
to the date of conversion, as reported by the National Quotation Bureau,
Incorporated or similar organization if the National Quotation Bureau,
Incorporated is no longer reporting such information, or if not so available,
the fair market price as determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of
this Section, "trading day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday other than any day on which the Common Stock is not traded on the
Nasdaq National Market, or if the Common Stock is not traded on the Nasdaq
National Market, on the principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock
is traded or quoted.  

SECTION 1404. Adjustment of Conversion Price.

     The conversion price of Securities of any series that is convertible into
Common Stock of the Company shall be adjusted for any stock dividends, stock
splits, reclassifications, combinations or similar transactions in accordance
with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions setting forth
the terms of the Securities of such series.

     Whenever the conversion price is adjusted, the Company shall compute the
adjusted conversion price in accordance with terms of the applicable Board
Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers' Certificate
setting forth the adjusted conversion price and showing in reasonable detail the
facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith
be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of
Securities pursuant to Section 1002 and, if different, with the Trustee. The
Company shall forthwith cause a notice setting forth the adjusted conversion
price to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder of


                                      -56-
<PAGE>
 
Securities of such series at its address appearing on the Security Register and
to any conversion agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 1405. Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.

     In case:

     (1) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on its
Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of its retained earnings (other
than a dividend for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is
required) that would require an adjustment pursuant to Section 1404; or

     (2) the Company shall authorize the granting to all or substantially all of
the holders of its Common Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for
or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any other rights
(other than any such grant for which approval of any shareholders of the Company
is required); or

     (3) of any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company (other than
a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, or of
any consolidation, merger or share exchange to which the Company is a party and
for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required), or of the
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

     (4) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution,  liquidation or winding up
of the Company;

then the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee, and shall cause to be
mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the
Security Register, at least 20 days (or 10 days in any case specified in
Clause (1) or (2) above) prior to the applicable record date hereinafter
specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for
the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants, or, if
a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of
record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights, options or
warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the date on which such reclassification,
consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding
up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that
holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of
Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such
reclassification, consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution,
liquidation or winding up. If at any time the Trustee shall not be the
conversion agent, a copy of such notice shall also forthwith be filed by the
Company with the Trustee. 

SECTION 1406. Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.

     The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from
preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the
purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, the full number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company then issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding
Securities of any series that has conversion rights.

SECTION 1407. Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Conversion.

     Except as provided in the next sentence, the Company will pay any and all
taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of its
Common Stock on conversion of Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not,
however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any
transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of its Common Stock in a
name other than that of the Holder of the Security or Securities to be
converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the
person requesting such


                                      -57-
<PAGE>
 
issue has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax, or has established, to
the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been paid.

SECTION 1408. Nonassessability.

     The Company covenants that all shares of its Common Stock which may be
issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue in accordance with the
terms hereof be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.

SECTION 1409. Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets.

     In case of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any
other Person, any merger of another Person with or into the Company (other than
a merger which does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or
cancellation of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company) or any
conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company, the Person formed by such consolidation or resulting from such
merger or which acquires such assets, as the case may be, shall execute and
deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of
each Security of a series then Outstanding that is convertible into Common Stock
of the Company shall have the right thereafter (which right shall be the
exclusive conversion right thereafter available to said Holder), during the
period such Security shall be convertible, to convert such Security only into
the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by a holder of the
number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Security might
have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
sale, transfer or lease, assuming such holder of Common Stock of the Company (i)
is not a Person with which the Company consolidated or merged with or into or
which merged into or with the Company or to which such conveyance, sale,
transfer or lease was made, as the case may be (a "Constituent Person"), or an
Affiliate of a Constituent Person and (ii) failed to exercise his rights of
election, if any, as to the kind or amount of securities, cash and other
property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer
or lease (provided that if the kind or amount of securities, cash and other
property receivable upon such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer,
or lease is not the same for each share of Common Stock of the Company held
immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or
lease by others than a Constituent Person or an Affiliate thereof and in respect
of which such rights of election shall not have been exercised ("Non-electing
Share"), then for the purpose of this Section 1409 the kind and amount of
securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger,
conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by the holders of each Non-electing Share
shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable per share by a plurality
of the Non-electing Shares). Such supplemental indenture shall provide for
adjustments which, for events subsequent to the effective date of such
supplemental indenture, shall be as nearly equivalent as may be practicable to
the adjustments provided for in this Article or in accordance with the terms of
the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions setting forth the terms of such
adjustments. The above provisions of this Section 1409 shall similarly apply to
successive consolidations, mergers, conveyances, sales, transfers or leases.
Notice of the execution of such a supplemental indenture shall be given by the
Company to the Holder of each Security of a series that is convertible into
Common Stock of the Company as provided in Section 106 promptly upon such
execution.

     Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent, if any, shall be under any
responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any
such supplemental indenture relating either to the kind or amount of shares of
stock or other securities or property or cash receivable by Holders of
Securities of a series convertible into Common Stock of the Company upon the
conversion of their Securities after any such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer, sale or lease or to any such adjustment, but may accept as conclusive
evidence of the correctness


                                      -58-
<PAGE>
 
of any such provisions, and shall be protected in relying upon, an Opinion of
Counsel with respect thereto, which the Company shall cause to be furnished to
the Trustee upon request.

SECTION 1410. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion.

     Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under any
duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that is
convertible into Common Stock of the Company to determine whether any facts
exist which may require any adjustment of the conversion price, or with respect
to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the
method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental indenture, any
resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or
more officers of the Company provided to be employed in making the same. Neither
the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the
validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock of the
Company, or of any securities or property, which may at any time be issued or
delivered upon the conversion of any Securities and neither the Trustee nor any
conversion agent makes any representation with respect thereto. Subject to the
provisions of Section 601, neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be
responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any
shares of its Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property
upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of conversion or to comply
with any of the covenants of the Company contained in this Article Fourteen or
in the applicable supplemental indenture, resolutions of the Board of Directors
or written instrument executed by one or more duly authorized officers of the
Company.

SECTION 1411. Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Conversion.

     Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company or on
its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of paying
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of the
Securities (including, but not limited to, funds deposited for the sinking fund
referred to in Article Twelve and funds deposited pursuant to Article Thirteen
hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because of the
conversion of such Securities as provided in this Article Fourteen shall after
such conversion be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the Company's
written request.

     This instrument may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of
which so executed shall be deemed to be an original, but all such counterparts
shall together constitute but one and the same instrument.



                                      -59-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed all as of the day and year first above written. 

                        MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.


                        By:_____________________________________________________
                             Title:_____________________________________________





 


                        NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Trustee



                        By:_____________________________________________________
                              Title:____________________________________________






                                      -60-

<PAGE>
 
                                                                     EXHIBIT 4.2

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



                             Micron Technology, Inc.

                                       TO

                  Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association,


                                   as Trustee


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


                                    Indenture

                       Dated as of _________________, 1997


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




                          Subordinated Debt Securities



================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
                                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>  
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Page
                                                                                                                   ----
<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
ARTICLE ONE - DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION.................................................1

         SECTION 101.          Definitions............................................................................1
                                  Act.................................................................................2
                                  Affiliate...........................................................................2
                                  Authenticating Agent................................................................2
                                  Board of Directors..................................................................2
                                  Board Resolution....................................................................2
                                  Business Day........................................................................2
                                  Commission..........................................................................2
                                  Common Stock........................................................................2
                                  Company.............................................................................2
                                  Company Request.....................................................................3
                                  Company Order.......................................................................3
                                  Corporate Trust Office..............................................................3
                                  corporation.........................................................................3
                                  Covenant Defeasance.................................................................3
                                  Defaulted Interest..................................................................3
                                  Defeasance..........................................................................3
                                  Depositary..........................................................................3
                                  Designated Senior Debt..............................................................3
                                  Event of Default....................................................................3
                                  Exchange Act........................................................................3
                                  Expiration Date.....................................................................3
                                  Global Security.....................................................................3
                                  Holder..............................................................................3
                                  Indenture...........................................................................4
                                  interest............................................................................4
                                  Interest Payment Date...............................................................4
                                  Investment Company Act..............................................................4
                                  Maturity............................................................................4
                                  Notice of Default...................................................................4
                                  Officers' Certificate...............................................................4
                                  Opinion of Counsel..................................................................4
                                  Original Issue Discount Security....................................................5
                                  Outstanding.........................................................................5
                                  Paying Agent........................................................................6
                                  Payment Blockage Notice.............................................................6
                                  Person..............................................................................6
                                  Place of Payment....................................................................6
                                  Predecessor Security................................................................6
                                  Redemption Date.....................................................................6
                                  Redemption Price....................................................................6
                                  Regular Record Date.................................................................6
                                  Representative......................................................................6
                                  Revolving Credit Agreement..........................................................6
                                  Securities..........................................................................6
                                  Securities Act......................................................................7
                                  Security Register...................................................................7
                                  Security Registrar..................................................................7
                                  Senior Debt.........................................................................7
                                  Special Record Date.................................................................7
                                  Stated Maturity.....................................................................7
                                  Subsidiary..........................................................................7
                                  Trust Indenture Act.................................................................8 
                                  Trustee.............................................................................8
                                  U.S. Government Obligation..........................................................8
                                  Vice President......................................................................8
         SECTION 102.          Compliance Certificates and Opinions...................................................8
         SECTION 103.          Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.................................................9
         SECTION 104.          Acts of Holders; Record Dates..........................................................9
         SECTION 105.          Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.................................................11
         SECTION 106.          Notice to Holders; Waiver.............................................................11
         SECTION 107.          Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.....................................................12
         SECTION 108.          Effect of Headings and Table of Contents..............................................12
         SECTION 109.          Successors and Assigns................................................................12
         SECTION 110.          Separability Clause...................................................................12
         SECTION 111.          Benefits of Indenture.................................................................12
         SECTION 112.          Governing Law.........................................................................13
         SECTION 113.          Legal Holidays........................................................................13
         SECTION 114.          Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.................................13

ARTICLE TWO - SECURITY FORMS.........................................................................................13

         SECTION 201.          Forms Generally.......................................................................13
         SECTION 202.          Form of Face of Security..............................................................14
         SECTION 203.          Form of Reverse of Security...........................................................16
         SECTION 204.          Form of Legend for Global Securities..................................................20
         SECTION 205.          Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.......................................21
         SECTION 206.          Form of Conversion Notice.............................................................21

ARTICLE THREE - THE SECURITIES.......................................................................................22

         SECTION 301.          Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series..................................................22
         SECTION 302.          Denominations.........................................................................25
         SECTION 303.          Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating........................................25
         SECTION 304.          Temporary Securities..................................................................26
         SECTION 305.          Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange...................................27
         SECTION 306.          Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities......................................28
         SECTION 307.          Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved........................................29
         SECTION 308.          Persons Deemed Owners.................................................................30
         SECTION 309.          Cancellation..........................................................................30
         SECTION 310.          Computation of Interest...............................................................31

ARTICLE FOUR - SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE............................................................................31
</TABLE> 


                                                          -i-
<PAGE>
 
                                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                      (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Page
                                                                                                                   ----


<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
         SECTION 401.          Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture...............................................31
         SECTION 402.          Application of Trust Money............................................................32

ARTICLE FIVE - REMEDIES..............................................................................................32

         SECTION 501.          Events of Default.....................................................................32
         SECTION 502.          Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment....................................33
         SECTION 503.          Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.......................34
         SECTION 504.          Trustee May File Proofs of Claim......................................................35
         SECTION 505.          Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities...........................35
         SECTION 506.          Application of Money Collected........................................................36
         SECTION 507.          Limitation on Suits...................................................................36
         SECTION 508.          Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and Interest
                                 and to Convert .....................................................................37
         SECTION 509.          Restoration of Rights and Remedies....................................................37
         SECTION 510.          Rights and Remedies Cumulative........................................................37
         SECTION 511.          Delay or Omission Not Waiver..........................................................37
         SECTION 512.          Control by Holders....................................................................38
         SECTION 513.          Waiver of Past Defaults...............................................................38
         SECTION 514.          Undertaking for Costs.................................................................38
         SECTION 515.          Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws...............................................38

ARTICLE SIX - THE TRUSTEE............................................................................................39

         SECTION 601.          Certain Duties and Responsibilities...................................................39
         SECTION 602.          Notice of Defaults....................................................................39
         SECTION 603.          Certain Rights of Trustee.............................................................39
         SECTION 604.          Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities................................40
         SECTION 605.          May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee Under Other Indentures.........................40
         SECTION 606.          Money Held in Trust...................................................................41
         SECTION 607.          Compensation and Reimbursement........................................................41
         SECTION 608.          Conflicting Interests.................................................................41
         SECTION 609.          Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility...............................................41
         SECTION 610.          Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.....................................42
         SECTION 611.          Acceptance of Appointment by Successor................................................43
         SECTION 612.          Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business...........................44
         SECTION 613.          Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.....................................44
         SECTION 614.          Appointment of Authenticating Agent...................................................44
</TABLE>


                                                         -ii-
<PAGE>
 
                                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                      (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Page
                                                                                                                   ----


<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
ARTICLE SEVEN - HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY....................................................46

         SECTION 701.          Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.............................46
         SECTION 702.          Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders................................46
         SECTION 703.          Reports by Trustee....................................................................47
         SECTION 704.          Reports by Company....................................................................47

ARTICLE EIGHT - CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE.................................................47

         SECTION 801.          Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms..................................47
         SECTION 802.          Successor Substituted.................................................................48

ARTICLE NINE - SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES...............................................................................48

         SECTION 901.          Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders....................................48
         SECTION 902.          Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.......................................50
         SECTION 903.          Execution of Supplemental Indentures..................................................51
         SECTION 904.          Effect of Supplemental Indentures.....................................................51
         SECTION 905.          Conformity with Trust Indenture Act...................................................51
         SECTION 906.          Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures....................................51
         SECTION 907.          Subordination Unimpaired..............................................................52

ARTICLE TEN - COVENANTS..............................................................................................52

         SECTION 1001.         Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest............................................52
         SECTION 1002.         Maintenance of Office or Agency.......................................................52
         SECTION 1003.         Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.....................................52
         SECTION 1004.         Statement by Officers as to Default...................................................53
         SECTION 1005.         Existence.............................................................................54
         SECTION 1006.         Maintenance of Properties.............................................................54
         SECTION 1007.         Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.....................................................54
         SECTION 1008.         Waiver of Certain Covenants...........................................................54

ARTICLE ELEVEN - REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES............................................................................55

         SECTION 1101.         Applicability of Article..............................................................55
         SECTION 1102.         Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.................................................55
         SECTION 1103.         Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.....................................55
</TABLE>


                                                         -iii-
<PAGE>
 
                                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                      (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Page
                                                                                                                   ----

<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
         SECTION 1104.         Notice of Redemption..................................................................56
         SECTION 1105.         Deposit of Redemption Price...........................................................57
         SECTION 1106.         Securities Payable on Redemption Date.................................................57
         SECTION 1107.         Securities Redeemed in Part...........................................................57

ARTICLE TWELVE - SINKING FUNDS.......................................................................................58

         SECTION 1201.         Applicability of Article..............................................................58
         SECTION 1202.         Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.................................58
         SECTION 1203.         Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.............................................58


ARTICLE THIRTEEN - DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE................................................................59

         SECTION 1301.         Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance..........................59
         SECTION 1302.         Defeasance and Discharge..............................................................59
         SECTION 1303.         Covenant Defeasance...................................................................59
         SECTION 1304.         Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.......................................60
         SECTION 1305.         Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in Trust;
                                 Miscellaneous Provisions............................................................62
         SECTION 1306.         Reinstatement.........................................................................62

ARTICLE FOURTEEN - CONVERSION OF SECURITIES..........................................................................63

         SECTION 1401.         Applicability of Article..............................................................63
         SECTION 1402.         Exercise of Conversion Privilege......................................................63
         SECTION 1403.         No Fractional Shares..................................................................64
         SECTION 1404.         Adjustment of Conversion Price........................................................64
         SECTION 1405.         Notice of Certain Corporate Actions...................................................65
         SECTION 1406.         Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.................................................66
         SECTION 1407.         Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Conversion..............................................66
         SECTION 1408.         Nonassessability......................................................................66
         SECTION 1409.         Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets..........................66
         SECTION 1410.         Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion................................................67
         SECTION 1411.         Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Conversion............................................68

ARTICLE FIFTEEN - SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES........................................................................68

         SECTION 1501.         Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt.................................................68
</TABLE>


                                                         -iv-
<PAGE>
 
                                                   TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                      (continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                   Page
                                                                                                                   ----

<S>                                                                                                                 <C>
         SECTION 1502.         Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc........................................68
         SECTION 1503.         Prior Payment to Senior Debt Upon Acceleration of Securities..........................69
         SECTION 1504.         No Payment in Certain Circumstances...................................................70
         SECTION 1505.         Payment Permitted If No Default.......................................................71
         SECTION 1506.         Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt.......................................71
         SECTION 1507.         Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights...........................................71
         SECTION 1508.         Trustee to Effectuate Subordination...................................................72
         SECTION 1509.         No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.................................................72
         SECTION 1510.         Notice to Trustee.....................................................................72
         SECTION 1511.         Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent........................73
         SECTION 1512.         Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt......................................73
         SECTION 1513.         Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt; Preservation of Trustee's Rights .........73
         SECTION 1514.         Article Applicable to Paying Agents...................................................73
         SECTION 1515.         Certain Conversions Deemed Payment....................................................74
         SECTION 1516.         Obligations of Company and Right to Convert Unconditional.............................74
</TABLE>


                                                          -v-
<PAGE>
 
                             Micron Technology, Inc.

           Certain Sections of this Indenture relating to Sections 310
          through 318, inclusive, of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939:


<TABLE>  
<CAPTION>
 Trust Indenture                                                   Indenture
   Act Section                                                      Section
- ------------------                                            ------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
  ss.310(a)(1) ...........................................    609
        (a)(2) ...........................................    609
        (a)(3) ...........................................    Not Applicable
        (a)(4) ...........................................    Not Applicable
        (b) ..............................................    608, 610
  ss.311(a) ..............................................    613
        (b) ..............................................    613
  ss.312(a) ..............................................    701, 702
        (b) ..............................................    702
        (c) ..............................................    702
  ss.313(a) ..............................................    703
        (b) ..............................................    703
        (c) ..............................................    703
        (d) ..............................................    703
  ss.314(a) ..............................................    704
        (a)(4) ...........................................    101, 1004
        (b) ..............................................    Not Applicable
        (c)(1) ...........................................    102
        (c)(2) ...........................................    102
        (c)(3) ...........................................    Not Applicable
        (d) ..............................................    Not Applicable
        (e) ..............................................    102
  ss.315(a) ..............................................    601
        (b) ..............................................    602
        (c) ..............................................    601
        (d) ..............................................    601
        (e) ..............................................    514
  ss.316(a) ..............................................    101
</TABLE>  


                                      -vi-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE> 
<S>                                                           <C>
        (a)(1)(A).........................................    502, 512
        (a)(1)(B).........................................    513
        (a)(2) ...........................................    Not Applicable
        (b) ..............................................    508
        (c) ..............................................    104
  ss.317(a)(1) ...........................................    503
        (a)(2) ...........................................    504
        (b) ..............................................    1003
  ss.318(a) ..............................................    107
</TABLE>  

- ----------
NOTE: This  reconciliation and tie shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of the Indenture.


                                      -vii-
<PAGE>
 
     INDENTURE, dated as of __________, 1997, between Micron Technology, Inc., a
corporation duly organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware
(herein called the "Company"), having its principal executive office at 8000
South Federal Way, P.O. Box 6, Boise, Idaho 83707-0006, and Norwest Bank
Minnesota, National Association, a national banking association duly organized
and existing under the laws of the United States of America, as Trustee (herein
called the "Trustee").

                             RECITALS OF THE COMPANY

     The Company has duly authorized the execution and delivery of this
Indenture to provide for the issuance from time to time of its unsecured
debentures, notes or other evidences of indebtedness (herein called the
"Securities"), to be issued in one or more series as provided in this Indenture.

     All things necessary to make this Indenture a valid agreement of the
Company, in accordance with its terms, have been done.

                   NOW, THEREFORE, THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH:

     For and in consideration of the premises and the purchase of the Securities
by the Holders thereof, it is mutually covenanted and agreed, for the equal and
proportionate benefit of all Holders of the Securities or of series thereof
appertaining, as follows:

                                   ARTICLE ONE

             DEFINITIONS AND OTHER PROVISIONS OF GENERAL APPLICATION

SECTION 101. Definitions.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, except as otherwise expressly provided
or unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1) the terms defined in this Article have the meanings assigned to them in
this Article and include the plural as well as the singular;

     (2) all other terms used herein which are defined in the Trust Indenture
Act, either directly or by reference therein, have the meanings assigned to them
therein;

     (3) all accounting terms not otherwise defined herein have the meanings
assigned to them in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles,
and, except as otherwise herein expressly provided, the term "generally accepted
accounting principles" with respect to any computation required or permitted
hereunder shall mean such accounting principles as are generally accepted at the
date of such computation;

     (4) unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to an "Article" or
a "Section" refers to an Article or a Section, as the case may be, of this
Indenture; and


                                       -1-
<PAGE>
 
     (5) the words "herein," "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words of similar
import refer to this Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article,
Section or other subdivision.

     "Act," when used with respect to any Holder, has the meaning specified in
Section 104.

     "Affiliate" of any specified Person means any other Person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any specified Person means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

     "Authenticating Agent" means any Person authorized by the Trustee pursuant
to Section 614 to act on behalf of the Trustee to authenticate Securities of one
or more series.

     "Board of Directors" means either the board of directors of the Company or
any duly authorized committee of that board empowered to act for it with respect
to this Indenture.

     "Board Resolution" means a copy of a resolution certified by the Secretary
or an Assistant Secretary of the Company to have been duly adopted by the Board
of Directors and to be in full force and effect on the date of such
certification, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Business Day," when used with respect to any Place of Payment, means each
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday which is not a day on which
banking institutions in that Place of Payment are authorized or obligated by law
or executive order to close.

     "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission, from time to
time constituted, created under the Exchange Act, or, if at any time after the
execution of this instrument such Commission is not existing and performing the
duties now assigned to it under the Trust Indenture Act, then the body
performing such duties at such time.

     "Common Stock" includes any stock of any class of the Company which has no
preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company
and which is not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, however,
subject to the provisions of Section 1409, shares issuable upon conversion of
Securities shall include only shares of the class designated as Common Stock of
the Company at the date of this Indenture or shares of any class or classes
resulting from any reclassification or reclassifications thereof and which have
no preference in respect of dividends or of amounts payable in the event of any
voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding-up of the Company
and which are not subject to redemption by the Company; provided, further, that
if at any time there shall be more than one such resulting class, the shares of
each such class then so issuable shall be substantially in the proportion which
the total number of shares of such class resulting from all such
reclassifications bears to the total number of shares of all such classes
resulting from all such reclassifications.



                                       -2-
<PAGE>
 
     "Company" means the corporation named as the "Company" in the first
paragraph of this instrument until a successor Person shall have become such
pursuant to the applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter
"Company" shall mean such successor Person.

     "Company Request" or "Company Order" means a written request or order
signed in the name of the Company by its Chairman of the Board, its Vice
Chairman of the Board, its President or a Vice President, and by its principal
financial officer, its Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, its Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary, and delivered to the Trustee.

     "Corporate Trust Office" means the corporate trust office of the Trustee at
Norwest Center, Sixth Street and Marquette, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55479-0069,
at which at any particular time its corporate trust business shall be
administered.

     "corporation" means a corporation, association, company, joint-stock
company or business trust.

     "Covenant Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1303.

     "Defaulted Interest" has the meaning specified in Section 307.

     "Defeasance" has the meaning specified in Section 1302.

     "Depositary" means, with respect to Securities of any series issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities, a clearing agency
registered under the Exchange Act that is designated to act as Depositary for
such Securities as contemplated by Section 301.
 
     "Designated Senior Debt" means the Company's obligations under the
Revolving Credit Agreement and the Company's obligations under any particular
Senior Debt in which the instrument creating or evidencing the same or the
assumption or guarantee thereof (or related agreements or documents to which the
Company is a party) expressly provides that such Senior Debt shall be
"Designated Senior Debt" for purposes of this Indenture (provided that such
instrument, agreement or other document may place limitations and conditions on
the right of such Senior Debt to exercise the rights of Designated Senior Debt).
 
     "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 501.

     "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and any statute
successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "Expiration Date" has the meaning specified in Section 104.

     "Global Security" means a Security that evidences all or part of the
Securities of any series and bears the legend set forth in Section 204 (or such
legend as may be specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities).

     "Holder" means a Person in whose name a Security is registered in the
Security Register.


                                       -3-
<PAGE>
 
     "Indenture" means this instrument as originally executed and as it may from
time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental
hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof, including, for
all purposes of this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act that are deemed to be a part of and govern
this instrument and any such supplemental indenture, respectively. The term
"Indenture" shall also include the terms of particular series of Securities
established as contemplated by Section 301; provided, however, that if at any
time more than one Person is acting as Trustee under this Indenture due to the
appointment of one or more separate Trustees for any one or more separate series
of Securities, "Indenture" shall mean, with respect to such series of Securities
for which any such Person is Trustee, this instrument as originally executed or
as it may from time to time be supplemented or amended by one or more indentures
supplemental hereto entered into pursuant to the applicable provisions hereof
and shall include the terms of particular series of Securities for which such
Person is Trustee established as contemplated by Section 301, exclusive,
however, of any provisions or terms which relate solely to other series of
Securities for which such Person is not Trustee, regardless of when such terms
or provisions were adopted, and exclusive of any provisions or terms adopted by
means of one or more indentures supplemental hereto executed and delivered after
such person had become such Trustee, but to which such person, as such Trustee,
was not a party; provided, further that in the event that this Indenture is
supplemented or amended by one or more indentures supplemental hereto which are
only applicable to certain series of Securities, the term "Indenture" for a
particular series of Securities shall only include the supplemental indentures
applicable thereto.

     "interest," when used with respect to an Original Issue Discount Security
which by its terms bears interest only after Maturity, means interest payable
after Maturity.

     "Interest Payment Date," when used with respect to any Security, means the
Stated Maturity of an instalment of interest on such Security.

     "Investment Company Act" means the Investment Company Act of 1940 and any
statute successor thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "Maturity," when used with respect to any Security, means the date on which
the principal of such Security or an instalment of principal becomes due and
payable as therein or herein provided, whether at the Stated Maturity or by
declaration of acceleration, call for redemption or otherwise.

     "Notice of Default" means a written notice of the kind specified in Section
501(4).

     "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by the Chairman of the
Board, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President or a Vice President, and by
the principal financial officer, the Treasurer, an Assistant Treasurer, the
Secretary or an Assistant Secretary, of the Company, and delivered to the
Trustee. One of the officers signing an Officers' Certificate given pursuant to
Section 1004 shall be the principal executive, financial or accounting officer
of the Company.

     "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion of counsel, who may be counsel
for, or an employee of, the Company, and who shall be reasonably acceptable to
the Trustee.


                                       -4-
<PAGE>
 
     "Original Issue Discount Security" means any Security which provides for an
amount less than the principal amount thereof to be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502.

     "Outstanding," when used with respect to Securities, means, as of the date
of determination, all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture, except:

     (1) Securities theretofore canceled by the Trustee or delivered to the
Trustee for cancellation;

     (2) Securities for whose payment or redemption money in the necessary
amount has been theretofore deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent
(other than the Company) in trust or set aside and segregated in trust by the
Company (if the Company shall act as its own Paying Agent) for the Holders of
such Securities; provided that, if such Securities are to be redeemed, notice of
such redemption has been duly given pursuant to this Indenture or provision
therefor satisfactory to the Trustee has been made;

     (3) Securities as to which Defeasance has been effected pursuant to Section
1302; and

     (4) Securities which have been paid pursuant to Section 306 or in exchange
for or in lieu of which other Securities have been authenticated and delivered
pursuant to this Indenture, other than any such Securities in respect of which
there shall have been presented to the Trustee proof satisfactory to it that
such Securities are held by a bona fide purchaser in whose hands such Securities
are valid obligations of the Company;

provided, however, that in determining whether the Holders of the requisite
principal amount of the Outstanding Securities have given, made or taken any
request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or other
action hereunder as of any date, (A) the principal amount of an Original Issue
Discount Security which shall be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount of
the principal thereof which would be due and payable as of such date upon
acceleration of the Maturity thereof to such date pursuant to Section 502, (B)
if, as of such date, the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of a
Security is not determinable, the principal amount of such Security which shall
be deemed to be Outstanding shall be the amount as specified or determined as
contemplated by Section 301, (C) the principal amount of a Security denominated
in one or more foreign currencies or currency units which shall be deemed to be
Outstanding shall be the U.S. dollar equivalent, determined as of such date in
the manner provided as contemplated by Section 301, of the principal amount of
such Security (or, in the case of a Security described in Clause (A) or (B)
above, of the amount determined as provided in such Clause), and (D) Securities
owned by the Company or any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate
of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded and deemed not to
be Outstanding, except that, in determining whether the Trustee shall be
protected in relying upon any such request, demand, authorization, direction,
notice, consent, waiver or other action, only Securities which the Trustee knows
to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Securities so owned which have been
pledged in good faith may be regarded as Outstanding if the pledgee establishes
to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to act with respect to
such Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or any other obligor
upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor.


                                       -5-
<PAGE>
 
     "Paying Agent" means any Person authorized by the Company to pay the
principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities on behalf of the
Company.

     "Payment Blockage Notice" has the meaning specified in Section 1504.

     "Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, unincorporated organization or government or any agency or political
subdivision thereof.

     "Place of Payment," when used with respect to the Securities of any series,
means the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest on
the Securities of that series are payable as specified as contemplated by
Section 301.

     "Predecessor Security" of any particular Security means every previous
Security evidencing all or a portion of the same debt as that evidenced by such
particular Security; and, for the purposes of this definition, any Security
authenticated and delivered under Section 306 in exchange for or in lieu of a
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall be deemed to evidence the
same debt as the mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security.

     "Redemption Date," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the date fixed for such redemption by or pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Redemption Price," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the price at which it is to be redeemed pursuant to this Indenture.

     "Regular Record Date" for the interest payable on any Interest Payment Date
on the Securities of any series means the date specified for that purpose as
contemplated by Section 301.

     "Representative" means the (a) indenture trustee or other trustee, agent or
representative for any Senior Debt or (b) with respect to any Senior Debt that
does not have any such trustee, agent or other representative, (i) in the case
of such Senior Debt issued pursuant to an agreement providing for voting
arrangements as among the holders or owners of such Senior Debt, any holder or
owner of such Senior Debt acting with the consent of the required persons
necessary to bind such holders or owners of such Senior Debt and (ii) in the
case of all other such Senior Debt, the holder or owner of such Senior Debt.

     "Revolving Credit Agreement" means that certain First Amended and Restated
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of ____________, 1997, by and among the
Company, the several financial institutions from time to time a party thereto
(the "Banks"), and Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as
agent for the Banks, as amended, amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise
modified from time to time.

     "Securities" has the meaning stated in the first recital of this Indenture
and more particularly means any Securities authenticated and delivered under
this Indenture.



                                       -6-
<PAGE>
 
     "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933 and any statute successor
thereto, in each case as amended from time to time.

     "Security Register" and "Security Registrar" have the respective meanings
specified in Section 305.
 
     "Senior Debt" means the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if
any (including interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in
bankruptcy or for reorganization relating to the Company whether or not such
claim for post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), on, rent with
respect to, and all fees and other amounts payable in connection with, the
following, whether absolute or contingent, secured or unsecured, due or to
become due, outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created,
incurred or assumed: (a) indebtedness of the Company evidenced by a credit or
loan agreement, note, bond, debenture or other written obligation, (b) all
obligations of the Company for money borrowed, (c) all obligations of the
Company evidenced by a note or similar instrument given in connection with the
acquisition of any businesses, properties or assets of any kind, (d) obligations
of the Company (i) as lessee under leases required to be capitalized on the
balance sheet of the lessee under generally accepted accounting principles and
(ii) as lessee under other leases for facilities, equipment or related assets,
whether or not capitalized, entered into or leased after the date of this
Indenture for financing purposes (as determined by the Company) or (iii) under
any lease or related document (including a purchase agreement) that provides
that the Company is contractually obligated to purchase or cause a third party
to purchase the leased property and the obligations of the Company under such
lease or related document to purchase or to cause a third party to purchase such
leased property, (e) all obligations of the Company under interest rate and
currency swaps, caps, floors, collars, hedge agreements, forward contracts, or
similar agreements or arrangements, (f) all obligations of the Company with
respect to letters of credit, bankers' acceptances or similar facilities
(including reimbursement obligations with respect to any of the foregoing), (g)
all obligations of the Company issued or assumed as the deferred purchase price
of property or services (but excluding trade accounts payable arising in the
ordinary course of business), (h) all obligations of the type referred to in
clauses (a) through (g) above of another Person and all dividends of another
Person, the payment of which, in either case, the Company has assumed or
guaranteed (or in effect guaranteed through an agreement to purchase or
otherwise (including, without limitation, "take or pay" and similar
arrangements)), or for which the Company is responsible or liable, directly or
indirectly, jointly or severally, as obligor, guarantor or otherwise, or which
is secured by a lien on property of the Company, and all obligations of the
Company with respect thereto, and (i) renewals, extensions, modifications,
replacements, restatements and refundings of, or any indebtedness or obligation
issued in exchange for, any such indebtedness or obligation described in clauses
(a) through (h) of this paragraph; provided, however, that Senior Debt shall not
include the Securities or any such indebtedness or obligation if the terms of
such indebtedness or obligation (or the terms of the instrument under which, or
pursuant to which it is issued) expressly provide that such indebtedness or
obligation is not superior in right of payment to the Securities.

     "Special Record Date" for the payment of any Defaulted Interest means a
date fixed by the Trustee pursuant to Section 307.

     "Stated Maturity," when used with respect to any Security or any
installment of principal thereof or interest thereon, means the date specified
in such Security as the fixed date on which the principal of such Security or
such instalment of principal or interest is due and payable.

     "Subsidiary" means a corporation of which at least a majority of the
outstanding voting stock having the power to elect a majority of the board of
directors of such corporation is at the time owned, directly or indirectly, by
the Company or by one or more other Subsidiaries, or by the Company and one


                                       -7-
<PAGE>
 
or more other Subsidiaries and the accounts of which are consolidated with those
of the Company in its most recent consolidated financial statements in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. For the purposes of
this definition, "voting stock" means stock which ordinarily has voting power
for the election of directors, whether at all times or only so long as no senior
class of stock has such voting power by reason of any contingency. 

     "Trust Indenture Act" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 as in force at
the date as of which this instrument was executed; provided, however, that in
the event the Trust Indenture Act of 1939 is amended after such date, "Trust
Indenture Act" means, to the extent required by any such amendment, the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 as so amended.

     "Trustee" means the Person named as the "Trustee" in the first paragraph of
this instrument until a successor Trustee shall have become such pursuant to the
applicable provisions of this Indenture, and thereafter "Trustee" shall mean or
include each Person who is then a Trustee hereunder, and if at any time there is
more than one such Person, "Trustee" as used with respect to the Securities of
any series shall mean the Trustee with respect to Securities of that series.

     "U.S. Government Obligation" has the meaning specified in Section 1304.

     "Vice President," when used with respect to the Company or the Trustee,
means any vice president, whether or not designated by a number or a word or
words added before or after the title "vice president."

SECTION 102. Compliance Certificates and Opinions.

     Upon any application or request by the Company to the Trustee to take any
action under any provision of this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the
Trustee such certificates and opinions as may be required under the Trust
Indenture Act. Each such certificate or opinion shall be given in the form of an
Officers' Certificate, if to be given by an officer of the Company, or an
Opinion of Counsel, if to be given by counsel, and shall comply with the
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act and any other requirements set forth in
this Indenture.

     Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Indenture shall include,

     (1) a statement that each individual signing such certificate or opinion
has read such covenant or condition and the definitions herein relating thereto;

     (2) a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
certificate or opinion are based;

     (3) a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he or she has
made such examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him or her to
express an informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has
been complied with; and



                                       -8-
<PAGE>
 
     (4) a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such individual, such
condition or covenant has been complied with.

SECTION 103. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee.

     In any case where several matters are required to be certified by, or
covered by an opinion of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all
such matters be certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such
Person, or that they be so certified or covered by only one document, but one
such Person may certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one
or more other such Persons as to other matters, and any such Person may certify
or give an opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

     Any certificate or opinion of an officer of the Company may be based,
insofar as it relates to legal matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, counsel, unless such officer knows, or in the exercise of
reasonable care should know, that the certificate or opinion or representations
with respect to the matters upon which his or her certificate or opinion is
based are erroneous. Any such certificate or opinion of counsel may be based,
insofar as it relates to factual matters, upon a certificate or opinion of, or
representations by, an officer or officers of the Company stating that the
information with respect to such factual matters is in the possession of the
Company, unless such counsel knows, or in the exercise of reasonable care should
know, that the certificate or opinion or representations with respect to such
matters are erroneous.

     Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Indenture, they may, but need not, be consolidated and
form one instrument.

SECTION 104. Acts of Holders; Record Dates.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made or taken
by Holders may be embodied in and evidenced by one or more instruments of
substantially similar tenor signed by such Holders in person or by agent duly
appointed in writing; and, except as herein otherwise expressly provided, such
action shall become effective when such instrument or instruments are delivered
to the Trustee and, where it is hereby expressly required, to the Company. The
Trustee shall promptly deliver to the Company copies of all such instrument or
instruments delivered to the Trustee. Such instrument or instruments (and the
action embodied therein and evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to
as the "Act" of the Holders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of
execution of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent shall
be sufficient for any purpose of this Indenture and (subject to Section 601)
conclusive in favor of the Trustee and the Company, if made in the manner
provided in this Section.

     The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such instrument or
writing may be proved by the affidavit of a witness of such execution or by a
certificate of a notary public or other officer authorized by law to take
acknowledgments of deeds, certifying that the individual signing such


                                       -9-
<PAGE>
 
instrument or writing acknowledged to him or her the execution thereof. Where
such execution is by a signer acting in a capacity other than his or her
individual capacity, such certificate or affidavit shall also constitute
sufficient proof of his or her authority. The fact and date of the execution of
any such instrument or writing, or the authority of the Person executing the
same, may also be proved in any other manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

     The ownership of Securities shall be proved by the Security Register.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
other Act of the Holder of any Security shall bind every future Holder of the
same Security and the Holder of every Security issued upon the registration of
transfer thereof or in exchange therefor or in lieu thereof in respect of
anything done, omitted or suffered to be done by the Trustee or the Company in
reliance thereon, whether or not notation of such action is made upon such
Security.

     The Company may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining
the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to give, make or
take any request, demand, authorization, direction, vote, notice, consent,
waiver or other action provided or permitted by this Indenture to be given, made
or taken by Holders of Securities of such series, provided that the Company may
not set a record date for, and the provisions of this paragraph shall not apply
with respect to, the giving or making of any notice, declaration, request or
direction referred to in the next paragraph. If any record date is set pursuant
to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series
on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be entitled to take the
relevant action, whether or not such Holders remain Holders after such record
date; provided that no such action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on
or prior to the applicable Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal
amount of Outstanding Securities of such series on such record date. Nothing in
this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the Company from setting a new
record date for any action for which a record date has previously been set
pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date previously set shall
automatically and with no action by any Person be canceled and of no effect),
and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to render ineffective any
action taken by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of the relevant series on the date such action is taken. Promptly
after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Company, at its own
expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the proposed action by Holders
and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the Trustee in writing and to
each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in
Section 106.

     The Trustee may set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining
the Holders of Outstanding Securities of any series entitled to join in the
giving or making of (i) any Notice of Default, (ii) any declaration of
acceleration referred to in Section 502, (iii) any request to institute
proceedings referred to in Section 507(2) or (iv) any direction referred to in
Section 512, in each case with respect to Securities of such series. If any
record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the Holders of Outstanding
Securities of such series on such record date, and no other Holders, shall be
entitled to join in such notice, declaration, request or direction, whether or
not such Holders remain Holders after such record date; provided that no such
action shall be effective hereunder unless taken on or prior to the applicable
Expiration Date by Holders of the requisite principal amount of Outstanding
Securities of 


                                      -10-
<PAGE>
 
such series on such record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to
prevent the Trustee from setting a new record date for any action for which a
record date has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the
record date previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person
be canceled and of no effect), and nothing in this paragraph shall be construed
to render ineffective any action taken by Holders of the requisite principal
amount of Outstanding Securities of the relevant series on the date such action
is taken. Promptly after any record date is set pursuant to this paragraph, the
Trustee, at the Company's expense, shall cause notice of such record date, the
proposed action by Holders and the applicable Expiration Date to be given to the
Company in writing and to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in
the manner set forth in Section 106.

     With respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section, the party
hereto which sets such record dates may designate any day as the "Expiration
Date" and from time to time may change the Expiration Date to any earlier or
later day; provided that no such change shall be effective unless notice of the
proposed new Expiration Date is given to the other party hereto in writing, and
to each Holder of Securities of the relevant series in the manner set forth in
Section 106, on or prior to the existing Expiration Date. If an Expiration Date
is not designated with respect to any record date set pursuant to this Section,
the party hereto which set such record date shall be deemed to have initially
designated the 180th day after such record date as the Expiration Date with
respect thereto, subject to its right to change the Expiration Date as provided
in this paragraph. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Expiration Date shall be
later than the 180th day after the applicable record date.

     Without limiting the foregoing, a Holder entitled hereunder to take any
action hereunder with regard to any particular Security may do so with regard to
all or any part of the principal amount of such Security or by one or more duly
appointed agents each of which may do so pursuant to such appointment with
regard to all or any part of such principal amount.

SECTION 105. Notices, Etc., to Trustee and Company.

     Any request, demand, authorization, direction, notice, consent, waiver or
Act of Holders or other document provided or permitted by this Indenture to be
made upon, given or furnished to, or filed with,
 
     (1) the Trustee by any Holder or by the Company shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder if made, given, furnished or filed in writing (or by
facsimile transmissions ((612) 667-9285), provided that oral confirmation of
receipt shall have been received) to or with the Trustee at its Corporate Trust
Office, Attention: Corporate Trust Department, or 

     (2) the Company by the Trustee or by any Holder shall be sufficient for
every purpose hereunder (unless otherwise herein expressly provided) if in
writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to the Company addressed to it
at the address of its principal office specified in the first paragraph of this
instrument or at any other address previously furnished in writing to the
Trustee by the Company, Attention: Chief Financial Officer.

SECTION 106. Notice to Holders; Waiver.



                                      -11-
<PAGE>
 
     Where this Indenture provides for notice to Holders of any event, such
notice shall be sufficiently given (unless otherwise herein expressly provided)
if in writing and mailed, first-class postage prepaid, to each Holder affected
by such event, at its address as it appears in the Security Register, not later
than the latest date (if any), and not earlier than the earliest date (if any),
prescribed for the giving of such notice. In any case where notice to Holders is
given by mail, neither the failure to mail such notice, nor any defect in any
notice so mailed, to any particular Holder shall affect the sufficiency of such
notice with respect to other Holders. Where this Indenture provides for notice
in any manner, such notice may be waived in writing by the Person entitled to
receive such notice, either before or after the event, and such waiver shall be
the equivalent of such notice. Waivers of notice by Holders shall be filed with
the Trustee, but such filing shall not be a condition precedent to the validity
of any action taken in reliance upon such waiver.

     In case by reason of the suspension of regular mail service or by reason of
any other cause it shall be impracticable to give such notice by mail, then such
notification as shall be made with the approval of the Trustee shall constitute
a sufficient notification for every purpose hereunder.

SECTION 107. Conflict with Trust Indenture Act.

     If any provision hereof limits, qualifies or conflicts with a provision of
the Trust Indenture Act which is required under such Act to be a part of and
govern this Indenture, the latter provision shall control. If any provision of
this Indenture modifies or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act
which may be so modified or excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to
apply to this Indenture as so modified or to be excluded, as the case may be.

SECTION 108. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents.

     The Article and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for
convenience only and shall not affect the construction hereof.

SECTION 109. Successors and Assigns.

     All covenants and agreements in this Indenture by the Company shall bind
its successors and assigns, whether so expressed or not.

SECTION 110. Separability Clause.

     In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

SECTION 111. Benefits of Indenture.



                                      -12-
<PAGE>
 
     Nothing in this Indenture or in the Securities, express or implied, shall
give to any Person, other than the parties hereto and their successors
hereunder, the holders of Senior Debt and the Holders, any benefit or any legal
or equitable right, remedy or claim under this Indenture.

SECTION 112. Governing Law.

     THIS INDENTURE AND THE SECURITIES SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND CONSTRUED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK.

SECTION 113. Legal Holidays.

     In any case where any Interest Payment Date, Redemption Date or Stated
Maturity of any Security or the last date on which a Holder has the right to
convert a Security at a particular conversion price shall not be a Business Day
at any Place of Payment, then (notwithstanding any other provision of this
Indenture or of the Securities (other than a provision of any Security which
specifically states that such provision shall apply in lieu of this Section))
payment of interest or principal (and premium, if any) or, if applicable to a
particular series of Securities, conversion need not be made at such Place of
Payment on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day at
such Place of Payment with the same force and effect as if made on the Interest
Payment Date or Redemption Date, at the Stated Maturity or on such last day for
conversion, as the case may be.

SECTION 114. Indenture and Securities Solely Corporate Obligations.

     No recourse for the payment of the principal of or premium, if any, or
interest on any Security, or for any claim based thereon or otherwise in respect
thereof, and no recourse under or upon any obligation, covenant or agreement of
the Company in this Indenture or in any supplemental indenture or in any
Security, or because of the creation of any indebtedness represented thereby,
shall be had against any incorporator, stockholder, employee, agent, officer, or
director or subsidiary, as such, past, present or future, of the Company or of
any successor corporation, either directly or through the Company or any
successor corporation, whether by virtue of any constitution, statute or rule of
law, or by the enforcement of any assessment or penalty or otherwise; it being
expressly understood that all such liability is hereby expressly waived and
released as a condition of, and as a consideration for, the execution of this
Indenture and the issue of the Securities.

                                   ARTICLE TWO

                                 SECURITY FORMS

SECTION 201. Forms Generally.

     The Securities of each series shall be in substantially the form set forth
in this Article, or in such other form as shall be established by or pursuant to
a Board Resolution or in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in each
case with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other
variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture, and may have such
letters, numbers or other


                                      -13-
<PAGE>
 
marks of identification and such legends or endorsements placed thereon as may
be required to comply with the rules of any securities exchange or Depositary
therefor or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the officers
executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution thereof. If the form
of Securities of any series is established by action taken pursuant to a Board
Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be certified by
the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and delivered to the
Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Company Order contemplated by Section
303 for the authentication and delivery of such Securities. Any such Board
Resolution or record of such action shall have attached thereto a true and
correct copy of the form of Security referred to therein approved by or pursuant
to such Board Resolution.

     The definitive Securities shall be printed, lithographed or engraved on
steel engraved borders or may be produced in any other manner, all as determined
by the officers executing such Securities, as evidenced by their execution of
such Securities.

SECTION 202. Form of Face of Security.

            [Insert any legend required by the Internal Revenue Code
                        and the regulations thereunder.]

                             MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.

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

No. _________                                                     $_____________

     Micron Technology, Inc., a corporation duly organized and existing under
the laws of Delaware (herein called the "Company," which term includes any
successor Person under the Indenture hereinafter referred to), for value
received, hereby promises to pay to ________________________, or registered
assigns, the principal sum of ____________________ Dollars on ________________
[if the Security is to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- , and to pay
interest thereon from _________ or from the most recent Interest Payment Date to
which interest has been paid or duly provided for, semi-annually on _________
and _________ in each year, commencing _________, at the rate of ___% per annum,
until the principal hereof is paid or made available for payment [if applicable,
insert -- , provided that any principal and premium, and any such instalment of
interest, which is overdue shall bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum (to
the extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), from
the dates such amounts are due until they are paid or made available for
payment, and such interest shall be payable on demand]. The interest so payable,
and punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date will, as
provided in such Indenture, be paid to the Person in whose name this Security
(or one or more Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business
on the Regular Record Date for such interest, which shall be the ______ or
_______ (whether or not a Business Day), as the case may be, next preceding such
Interest Payment Date. Any such interest not so punctually paid or duly provided
for will forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder on such Regular Record Date
and may either be paid to the Person in whose name this Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest to be fixed by the
Trustee, notice whereof shall be given to Holders of 


                                      -14-
<PAGE>
 
Securities of this series not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record
Date, or be paid at any time in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with
the requirements of any securities exchange on which the Securities of this
series may be listed, and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange,
all as more fully provided in said Indenture].

     [If the Security is not to bear interest prior to Maturity, insert -- The
principal of this Security shall not bear interest except in the case of a
default in payment of principal upon acceleration, upon redemption or at Stated
Maturity and in such case the overdue principal and any overdue premium shall
bear interest at the rate of ___% per annum (to the extent that the payment of
such interest shall be legally enforceable), from the dates such amounts are due
until they are paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue
principal or premium shall be payable on demand. Any such interest on overdue
principal or premium which is not paid on demand shall bear interest at the rate
of ___% per annum (to the extent that the payment of such interest on interest
shall be legally enforceable), from the date of such demand until the amount so
demanded is paid or made available for payment. Interest on any overdue interest
shall be payable on demand.]

     Payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and [if applicable,
insert -- any such] interest on this Security will be made at the office or
agency of the Company maintained for that purpose in _________, in such coin or
currency of the United States of America as at the time of payment is legal
tender for payment of public and private debts [if applicable, insert -- ;
provided, however, that at the option of the Company payment of interest may be
made by check mailed to the address of the Person entitled thereto as such
address shall appear in the Security Register].

     Reference is hereby made to the further provisions of this Security set
forth on the reverse hereof, which further provisions shall for all purposes
have the same effect as if set forth at this place.

     Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by the
Trustee referred to on the reverse hereof by manual signature, this Security
shall not be entitled to any benefit under the Indenture or be valid or
obligatory for any purpose.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be duly
executed under its corporate seal.

Dated:                                       MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.


                                             By:
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Title:
Attest:

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


                                      -15-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 203. Form of Reverse of Security.

     This Security is one of a duly authorized issue of securities of the
Company (herein called the "Securities"), issued and to be issued in one or more
series under an Indenture, dated as of __________, 1997 (herein called the
"Indenture," which term shall have the meaning assigned to it in such
instrument), between the Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National
Association, as Trustee (herein called the "Trustee," which term includes any
successor trustee under the Indenture), and reference is hereby made to the
Indenture and all indentures supplemental thereto for a statement of the
respective rights, limitations of rights, duties and immunities thereunder of
the Company, the Trustee, the holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of the
Securities and of the terms upon which the Securities are, and are to be,
authenticated and delivered. This Security is one of the series designated on
the face hereof [if applicable, insert -- , limited in aggregate principal
amount to $_________].

     [If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than [If applicable, insert -- 30] days' notice by
mail, [if applicable, insert -- (1) on _________ in any year commencing with the
year _____ and ending with the year _____ through operation of the sinking fund
for this series at a Redemption Price equal to 100% of the principal amount, and
(2)] at any time [if applicable, insert -- on or after _________, 19__], as a
whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the following Redemption
Prices (expressed as percentages of the principal amount): If redeemed [if
applicable, insert -- on or before _________, ___%, and if redeemed] during the
12-month period beginning ________ of the years indicated, and thereafter at a
Redemption Price equal to .....% of the principal amount, together in the case
of any such redemption [if applicable, insert -- (whether through operation of
the sinking fund or otherwise)] with accrued interest to the Redemption Date,
but interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such
Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or
more Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant
Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Redemption                                       Redemption
       Year            Price                           Year              Price
       ----          ----------                        ----           ----------
<S>                  <C>                               <C>            <C>


</TABLE>


     [If applicable, insert -- The Securities of this series are subject to
redemption upon not less than [if applicable, insert -- 30] days' notice by
mail, (1) on _________ in any year commencing with the year _____ and ending
with the year _____ through operation of the sinking fund for this series at the
Redemption Prices for redemption through operation of the sinking fund
(expressed as percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below,
and (2) at any time [if applicable, insert -- on or after __________], as a
whole or in part, at the election of the Company, at the Redemption Prices for
redemption otherwise than through operation of the sinking fund (expressed as
percentages of the principal amount) set forth in the table below: If redeemed
during the 12-month period beginning ________ of the years indicated,



                                      -16-
<PAGE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Redemption Price For           Redemption Price For
                     Redemption Through            Redemption Otherwise
                      Operation of the            Than Through Operation
    Year                Sinking Fund               of the Sinking Fund     
- -------------    ---------------------------    ---------------------------
<S>                 <C>                             <C>
</TABLE>

and thereafter at a Redemption Price equal to ___% of the principal amount,
together in the case of any such redemption (whether through operation of the
sinking fund or otherwise) with accrued interest to the Redemption Date, but
interest installments whose Stated Maturity is on or prior to such Redemption
Date will be payable to the Holders of such Securities, or one or more
Predecessor Securities, of record at the close of business on the relevant
Record Dates referred to on the face hereof, all as provided in the Indenture.]

     [If applicable, insert -- Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company may
not, prior to __________, redeem any Securities of this series as contemplated
by [if applicable, insert -- Clause (2) of] the preceding paragraph as a part
of, or in anticipation of, any refunding operation by the application, directly
or indirectly, of moneys borrowed having an interest cost to the Company
(calculated in accordance with generally accepted financial practice) of less
than ___% per annum.]

     [If applicable, insert -- The sinking fund for this series provides for the
redemption on _________, in each year beginning with the year _____ and ending
with the year _____ of [if applicable, insert -- not less than $_______
("mandatory sinking fund") and not more than] $_______ aggregate principal
amount of Securities of this series. Securities of this series acquired or
redeemed by the Company otherwise than through [if applicable, insert --
mandatory] sinking fund payments may be credited against subsequent [if
applicable, insert -- mandatory] sinking fund payments otherwise required to be
made [if applicable, insert -- , in the inverse order in which they become
due].]

     [If the Security is subject to redemption of any kind, insert -- In the
event of redemption of this Security in part only, a new Security or Securities
of this series and of like tenor for the unredeemed portion hereof will be
issued in the name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.]

     [If applicable, insert -- The Indenture contains provisions for defeasance
at any time of [the entire indebtedness of this Security] [or] [certain
restrictive covenants and Events of Default with respect to this Security] [, in
each case] upon compliance with certain conditions set forth in the Indenture.]
 
     [If the Security is convertible into Common Stock of the Company, insert --
Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder of this Security is
entitled, at its option, at any time on or before [insert date] (except that, in
case this Security or any portion hereof shall be called for redemption, such
right shall terminate with respect to this Security or portion hereof, as the
case may be, so called for redemption at the close of business on the first
Business Day next preceding the date fixed for redemption as provided in the
Indenture unless the Company defaults in making the payment due upon
redemption), to convert the principal amount of this Security (or any portion
hereof which is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof), into fully paid and 
 


                                      -17-
<PAGE>
 
non-assessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/100th
of a share) of the Common Stock of the Company, as said shares shall be
constituted at the date of conversion, at the conversion price of $______
principal amount of Securities for each share of Common Stock, or at the
adjusted conversion price in effect at the date of conversion determined as
provided in the Indenture, upon surrender of this Security, together with the
conversion notice hereon duly executed, to the Company at the designated office
or agency of the Company in ____________, accompanied (if so required by the
Company) by instruments of transfer, in form satisfactory to the Company and to
the Trustee, duly executed by the Holder or by its duly authorized attorney in
writing. Such surrender shall, if made during any period beginning at the close
of business on a Regular Record Date and ending at the opening of business on
the Interest Payment Date next following such Regular Record Date (unless this
Security or the portion being converted shall have been called for redemption on
a Redemption Date during the period beginning at the close of business on a 
Regular Record Date and ending at the opening of business on the first Business
Day after the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or if such Interest Payment
Date is not a Business Day, the second such Business Day), also be accompanied
by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to the interest
payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of this Security
then being converted. Subject to the aforesaid requirement for payment and, in
the case of a conversion after the Regular Record Date next preceding any
Interest Payment Date and on or before such Interest Payment Date, to the right
of the Holder of this Security (or any Predecessor Security) of record at such
Regular Record Date to receive an installment of interest (with certain
exceptions provided in the Indenture), no adjustment is to be made on conversion
for interest accrued hereon or for dividends on shares of Common Stock issued on
conversion. The Company is not required to issue fractional shares upon any such
conversion, but shall make adjustment therefor in cash on the basis of the
current market value of such fractional interest as provided in the Indenture.
The conversion price is subject to adjustment as provided in the Indenture. In
addition, the Indenture provides that in case of certain consolidations or
mergers to which the Company is a party or the sale of substantially all of the
assets of the Company, the Indenture shall be amended, without the consent of
any Holders of Securities, so that this Security, if then outstanding, will be
convertible thereafter, during the period this Security shall be convertible as
specified above, only into the kind and amount of securities, cash and other
property receivable upon the consolidation, merger or sale by a holder of the
number of shares of Common Stock into which this Security might have been
converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger or sale (assuming such
holder of Common Stock failed to exercise any rights of election and received
per share the kind and amount received per share by a plurality of non-electing
shares). In the event of conversion of this Security in part only, a new
Security or Securities for the unconverted portion hereof shall be issued in the
name of the Holder hereof upon the cancellation hereof.] 

     [If the Security is convertible into other securities of the Company,
specify the conversion features.]

     [If the Security is not an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If
an Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be
continuing, the principal of the Securities of this series may be declared due
and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the Indenture.]

     [If the Security is an Original Issue Discount Security, insert -- If an
Event of Default with respect to Securities of this series shall occur and be
continuing, an amount of principal of the Securities of this series may be
declared due and payable in the manner and with the effect provided in the
Indenture. Such amount shall be equal to --insert formula for determining the
amount. Upon


                                      -18-
<PAGE>
 
payment (i) of the amount of principal so declared due and payable and (ii) of
interest on any overdue principal, premium and interest (in each case to the
extent that the payment of such interest shall be legally enforceable), all of
the Company's obligations in respect of the payment of the principal of and
premium and interest, if any, on the Securities of this series shall terminate.]

     The Indenture permits, with certain exceptions as therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Holders of the Securities of each series to be
affected under the Indenture at any time by the Company and the Trustee with the
consent of the Holders of more than 50% in principal amount of the Securities at
the time Outstanding of each series to be affected. The Indenture also contains
provisions permitting the Holders of specified percentages in principal amount
of the Securities of each series at the time Outstanding, on behalf of the
Holders of all Securities of such series, to waive compliance by the Company
with certain provisions of the Indenture and certain past defaults under the
Indenture and their consequences. Any such consent or waiver by the Holder of
this Security shall be conclusive and binding upon such Holder and upon all
future Holders of this Security and of any Security issued upon the registration
of transfer hereof or in exchange herefor or in lieu hereof, whether or not
notation of such consent or waiver is made upon this Security.

     As provided in and subject to the provisions of the Indenture, the Holder
of this Security shall not have the right to institute any proceeding with
respect to the Indenture or for the appointment of a receiver or trustee or for
any other remedy thereunder, unless such Holder shall have previously given the
Trustee written notice of a continuing Event of Default with respect to the
Securities of this series, the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount
of the Securities of this series at the time Outstanding shall have made written
request to the Trustee to institute proceedings in respect of such Event of
Default as Trustee and offered the Trustee reasonable indemnity, and the Trustee
shall not have received from the Holders of a majority in principal amount of
Securities of this series at the time Outstanding a direction inconsistent with
such request, and shall have failed to institute any such proceeding, for 60
days after receipt of such notice, request and offer of indemnity. The foregoing
shall not apply to any suit instituted by the Holder of this Security for the
enforcement of any payment of principal hereof or any premium or interest hereon
on or after the respective due dates expressed herein.

     No reference herein to the Indenture and no provision of this Security or
of the Indenture shall alter or impair the obligation of the Company, which is
absolute and unconditional, to pay the principal of and any premium and interest
on this Security at the times, place and rate, and in the coin or currency,
herein prescribed.

     As provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set
forth, the transfer of this Security is registrable in the Security Register,
upon surrender of this Security for registration of transfer at the office or
agency of the Company in any place where the principal of and any premium and
interest on this Security are payable, duly endorsed by, or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Company and the
Security Registrar duly executed by, the Holder hereof or its attorney duly
authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Securities of this series
and of like tenor, of authorized denominations and for the same aggregate
principal amount, will be issued to the designated transferee or transferees.


                                      -19-
<PAGE>
 
     The Securities of this series are issuable only in registered form without
coupons in denominations of $_____ and any integral multiple thereof. As
provided in the Indenture and subject to certain limitations therein set forth,
Securities of this series are exchangeable for a like aggregate principal amount
of Securities of this series and of like tenor of a different authorized
denomination, as requested by the Holder surrendering the same.

     No service charge shall be made for any such registration of transfer or
exchange, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any
tax or other governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

     Prior to due presentment of this Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name this Security is registered as the owner hereof for all
purposes, whether or not this Security be overdue, and neither the Company, the
Trustee nor any such agent shall be affected by notice to the contrary.

     All terms used in this Security which are defined in the Indenture shall
have the meanings assigned to them in the Indenture.

SECTION 204. Form of Legend for Global Securities.

     Unless otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the
Securities evidenced thereby, every Global Security authenticated and delivered
hereunder shall bear a legend in substantially the following form:

THIS SECURITY IS A GLOBAL SECURITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE INDENTURE
HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO AND IS REGISTERED IN THE NAME OF A DEPOSITARY OR A
NOMINEE THEREOF. THIS SECURITY MAY NOT BE EXCHANGED IN WHOLE OR IN PART FOR A
SECURITY REGISTERED, AND NO TRANSFER OF THIS SECURITY IN WHOLE OR IN PART MAY BE
REGISTERED, IN THE NAME OF ANY PERSON OTHER THAN SUCH DEPOSITARY OR A NOMINEE
THEREOF, EXCEPT IN THE LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES DESCRIBED IN THE INDENTURE.



                                      -20-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 205. Form of Trustee's Certificate of Authentication.

     The Trustee's certificates of authentication shall be in substantially the
following form:

     This is one of the Securities of the series designated herein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.


                                   NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                   As Trustee


                                   By:
                                      -----------------------------------------
                                        Authorized Officer

SECTION 206. Form of Conversion Notice.

     To Micron Technology, Inc.:

     The undersigned owner of this Security hereby irrevocably exercises the
option to convert this Security, or portion hereof (which is $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof) below designated, into shares of Common Stock of the
Company in accordance with the terms of the Indenture referred to in this
Security, and directs that the shares issuable and deliverable upon the
conversion, together with any check in payment for fractional shares and any
Securities representing any unconverted principal amount hereof, be issued and
delivered to the registered holder hereof unless a different name has been
indicated below. If this Notice is being delivered on a date after the close of
business on a Regular Record Date and prior to the opening of business on the
related Interest Payment Date (unless this Security or the portion thereof being
converted has been called for redemption on a Redemption Date within such
period), this Notice is accompanied by payment, in funds acceptable to the
Company, of an amount equal to the interest payable on such Interest Payment
Date of the principal of this Security to be converted. If shares are to be
issued in the name of a person other than the undersigned, the undersigned will
pay all transfer taxes payable with respect hereto. Any amount required to be
paid by the undersigned on account of interest accompanies this Security.


         Principal Amount to be Converted
(in an integral multiple of $1,000, if less than all)
                 U.S. $ __________


Dated:_______________
      


                                                  ______________________________

                                                  ______________________________
                                                      
                                                  Signature(s) must be
                                                  guaranteed by a qualified
                                                  guarantor institution if 
                                                  shares of Common Stock are 
                                                  to be      


                                      -21-
<PAGE>
 
                                                  delivered, or Securities to be
                                                  issued, other than to and in
                                                  the name of the registered
                                                  owner.


                                                  ______________________________
                                                  Signature Guaranty

     Fill in for registration of shares of Common Stock and Security if to be
issued otherwise than to the registered Holder.


________________________________               _________________________________
(Name)                                         Social Security or Other Taxpayer
                                               Identification Number

________________________________
(Address)


________________________________
Please print Name and Address
(including zip code number)

[The above conversion notice is to be modified, as appropriate, for conversion
into other securities or property of the Company.]


                                  ARTICLE THREE

                                 THE SECURITIES

SECTION 301. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series.

     The aggregate principal amount of Securities which may be authenticated and
delivered under this Indenture is unlimited.

     The Securities may be issued in one or more series. There shall be
established in or pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303,
set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto, prior to the issuance
of Securities of any series,

     (1) the title of the Securities of the series (which shall distinguish the
Securities of the series from Securities of any other series);

     (2) any limit upon the aggregate principal amount of the Securities of the
series which may be authenticated and delivered under this Indenture (except for
Securities authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of, or in
exchange for, or in lieu of, other Securities of the series pursuant to Section
304, 305, 306, 906 or 1107 and except for any Securities which, pursuant to
Section 303, are deemed never to have been authenticated and delivered
hereunder);



                                      -22-
<PAGE>
 
     (3) the Person to whom any interest on a Security of the series shall be
payable, if other than the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular
Record Date for such interest;

     (4) the date or dates on which the principal of any Securities of the
series is payable;

     (5) the rate or rates at which any Securities of the series shall bear
interest, if any, the date or dates from which any such interest shall accrue,
the Interest Payment Dates on which any such interest shall be payable and the
Regular Record Date for any such interest payable on any Interest Payment Date;

     (6) the place or places where the principal of and any premium and interest
on any Securities of the series shall be payable;

     (7) the period or periods within which, the price or prices at which and
the terms and conditions upon which any Securities of the series may be
redeemed, in whole or in part, at the option of the Company and, if other than
by a Board Resolution, the manner in which any election by the Company to redeem
the Securities shall be evidenced;

     (8) the obligation, if any, of the Company to redeem or purchase any
Securities of the series pursuant to any sinking fund or analogous provisions or
at the option of the Holder thereof and the period or periods within which, the
price or prices at which and the terms and conditions upon which any Securities
of the series shall be redeemed or purchased, in whole or in part, pursuant to
such obligation;

     (9) if other than denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple
thereof, the denominations in which any Securities of the series shall be
issuable;

     (10) if the amount of principal of or any premium or interest on any
Securities of the series may be determined with reference to an index or
pursuant to a formula, the manner in which such amounts shall be determined;

     (11) if other than the currency of the United States of America, the
currency, currencies or currency units in which the principal of or any premium
or interest on any Securities of the series shall be payable and the manner of
determining the equivalent thereof in the currency of the United States of
America for any purpose, including for purposes of the definition of
"Outstanding" in Section 101; provided, however, that prior to the issuance of 
any such Securities, the Company shall have obtained the written consent of the 
Trustee, which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of the Trustee, to
the currency, currencies or currency units so established;  

     (12) if the principal of or any premium or interest on any Securities of
the series is to be payable, at the election of the Company or the Holder
thereof, in one or more currencies or currency units other than that or those in
which such Securities are stated to be payable, the currency, currencies or
currency units in which the principal of or any premium or interest on such
Securities as to which such election is made shall be payable, the periods
within which and the terms and conditions upon which such election is to be made
and the amount so payable (or the manner in which such amount shall be
determined); provided, however, that prior to the issuance of any such
Securities, the Company shall have obtained the written consent of the Trustee,
which consent may be withheld in the sole discretion of the Trustee, to the
currency, currencies or currency units so established; 


                                      -23-
<PAGE>
 
     (13) if other than the entire principal amount thereof, the portion of the
principal amount of any Securities of the series which shall be payable upon
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502;

     (14) if the principal amount payable at the Stated Maturity of any
Securities of the series will not be determinable as of any one or more dates
prior to the Stated Maturity, the amount which shall be deemed to be the
principal amount of such Securities as of any such date for any purpose
thereunder or hereunder, including the principal amount thereof which shall be
due and payable upon any Maturity other than the Stated Maturity or which shall
be deemed to be Outstanding as of any date prior to the Stated Maturity (or, in
any such case, the manner in which such amount deemed to be the principal amount
shall be determined);

     (15) if applicable, that the Securities of the series, in whole or any
specified part, shall be defeasible pursuant to Section 1302 or Section 1303 or
both such Sections and, if other than by a Board Resolution, the manner in which
any election by the Company to defease such Securities shall be evidenced;

     (16) if applicable, the terms of any right to convert Securities of the
series into shares of Common Stock of the Company or other securities or
property;

     (17) if applicable, that any Securities of the series shall be issuable in
whole or in part in the form of one or more Global Securities and, in such case,
the respective Depositaries for such Global Securities, the form of any legend
or legends which shall be borne by any such Global Security in addition to or in
lieu of that set forth in Section 204 and any circumstances in addition to or in
lieu of those set forth in Clause (2) of the last paragraph of Section 305 in
which any such Global Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for
Securities registered, and any transfer of such Global Security in whole or in
part may be registered, in the name or names of Persons other than the
Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof;

     (18) any addition to or change in the Events of Default which applies to
any Securities of the series and any change in the right of the Trustee or the
requisite Holders of such Securities to declare the principal amount thereof due
and payable pursuant to Section 502;

     (19) any addition to or change in the covenants set forth in Article Ten
which applies to Securities of the series; and

     (20) any other terms of the series (which terms shall not be inconsistent
with the provisions of this Indenture, except as permitted by Section 901(5)).

     All Securities of any one series shall be substantially identical except as
to denomination and except as may otherwise be provided in or pursuant to the
Board Resolution referred to above and (subject to Section 303) set forth, or
determined in the manner provided, in the Officers' Certificate referred to
above or in any such indenture supplemental hereto.



                                      -24-
<PAGE>
 
     If any of the terms of the series are established by action taken pursuant
to a Board Resolution, a copy of an appropriate record of such action shall be
certified by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary of the Company and
delivered to the Trustee at or prior to the delivery of the Officers'
Certificate setting forth the terms of the series.

     The Securities shall be subordinated in right of payment to Senior Debt as
provided in Article Fifteen.

SECTION 302. Denominations.

     The Securities of each series shall be issuable only in registered form
without coupons and only in such denominations as shall be specified as
contemplated by Section 301. In the absence of any such specified denomination
with respect to the Securities of any series, the Securities of such series
shall be issuable in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

SECTION 303. Execution, Authentication, Delivery and Dating.

     The Securities shall be executed on behalf of the Company by its Chairman
of the Board, its Vice Chairman of the Board, its principal financial officer,
its President or one of its Vice Presidents, under its corporate seal reproduced
thereon attested by its Secretary or one of its Assistant Secretaries. The
signature of any of these officers on the Securities may be manual or facsimile.

     Securities bearing the manual or facsimile signatures of individuals who
were at any time the proper officers of the Company shall bind the Company,
notwithstanding that such individuals or any of them have ceased to hold such
offices prior to the authentication and delivery of such Securities or did not
hold such offices at the date of such Securities.

     At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery of this
Indenture, the Company may deliver Securities of any series executed by the
Company to the Trustee for authentication, together with a Company Order for the
authentication and delivery of such Securities, and the Trustee in accordance
with the Company Order shall authenticate and deliver such Securities. If the
form or terms of the Securities of the series have been established by or
pursuant to one or more Board Resolutions as permitted by Sections 201 and 301,
in authenticating such Securities, and accepting the additional responsibilities
under this Indenture in relation to such Securities, the Trustee shall be
entitled to receive, and (subject to Section 601) shall be fully protected in
relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating,

     (1) if the form of such Securities has been established by or pursuant to
Board Resolution as permitted by Section 201, that such form has been
established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture;

     (2) if the terms of such Securities have been established by or pursuant to
Board Resolution as permitted by Section 301, that such terms have been
established in conformity with the provisions of this Indenture; and



                                      -25-
<PAGE>
 
     (3) that such Securities, when authenticated and delivered by the Trustee
and issued by the Company in the manner and subject to any conditions specified
in such Opinion of Counsel, will constitute valid and legally binding
obligations of the Company enforceable in accordance with their terms, subject
to bankruptcy, insolvency, fraudulent transfer, reorganization, moratorium and
similar laws of general applicability relating to or affecting creditors' rights
and to general equity principles.

     If such form or terms have been so established, the Trustee shall not be
required to authenticate such Securities if the issue of such Securities
pursuant to this Indenture will affect the Trustee's own rights, duties or
immunities under the Securities and this Indenture or otherwise in a manner
which is not reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.

     Notwithstanding the provisions of Section 301 and of the preceding
paragraph, if all Securities of a series are not to be originally issued at one
time, it shall not be necessary to deliver the Officers' Certificate otherwise
required pursuant to Section 301 or the Company Order and Opinion of Counsel
otherwise required pursuant to such preceding paragraph at or prior to the
authentication of each Security of such series if such documents are delivered
at or prior to the authentication upon original issuance of the first Security
of such series to be issued.

     Each Security shall be dated the date of its authentication.

     No Security shall be entitled to any benefit under this Indenture or be
valid or obligatory for any purpose unless there appears on such Security a
certificate of authentication substantially in the form provided for herein
executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such certificate upon any
Security shall be conclusive evidence, and the only evidence, that such Security
has been duly authenticated and delivered hereunder. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, if any Security shall have been authenticated and delivered hereunder
but never issued and sold by the Company, and the Company shall deliver such
Security to the Trustee for cancellation as provided in Section 309, for all
purposes of this Indenture such Security shall be deemed never to have been
authenticated and delivered hereunder and shall never be entitled to the
benefits of this Indenture.

SECTION 304. Temporary Securities.

     Pending the preparation of definitive Securities of any series, the Company
may execute, and upon Company Order the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver,
temporary Securities which are printed, lithographed, typewritten, mimeographed
or otherwise produced, in any authorized denomination, substantially of the
tenor of the definitive Securities in lieu of which they are issued and with
such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions and other variations as
the officers executing such Securities may determine, as evidenced by their
execution of such Securities.

     If temporary Securities of any series are issued, the Company will cause
definitive Securities of that series to be prepared without unreasonable delay.
After the preparation of definitive Securities of such series, the temporary
Securities of such series shall be exchangeable for definitive Securities of
such series upon surrender of the temporary Securities of such series at the
office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, without
charge to the Holder. Upon surrender for


                                      -26-
<PAGE>
 
cancellation of any one or more temporary Securities of any series, the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange
therefor one or more definitive Securities of the same series, of any authorized
denominations and of like tenor and aggregate principal amount. Until so
exchanged, the temporary Securities of any series shall in all respects be
entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture as definitive Securities of
such series and tenor.

SECTION 305. Registration; Registration of Transfer and Exchange.

     The Company shall cause to be kept at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee a register (the register maintained in such office and in any other
office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment being herein sometimes
collectively referred to as the "Security Register") in which, subject to such
reasonable regulations as it may prescribe, the Company shall provide for the
registration of Securities and of transfers of Securities. The Trustee is hereby
appointed "Security Registrar" for the purpose of registering Securities and
transfers of Securities as herein provided.

     Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Security of a series at
the office or agency of the Company in a Place of Payment for that series, the
Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver, in the
name of the designated transferee or transferees, one or more new Securities of
the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like tenor and aggregate
principal amount.

     At the option of the Holder, Securities of any series may be exchanged for
other Securities of the same series, of any authorized denominations and of like
tenor and aggregate principal amount, upon surrender of the Securities to be
exchanged at such office or agency. Whenever any Securities are so surrendered
for exchange, the Company shall execute, and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, the Securities which the Holder making the exchange is entitled to
receive.

     All Securities issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities shall be the valid obligations of the Company, evidencing the same
debt, and entitled to the same benefits under this Indenture, as the Securities
surrendered upon such registration of transfer or exchange.

     Every Security presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for
exchange shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee) be duly endorsed,
or be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to
the Company and the Security Registrar duly executed, by the Holder thereof or
its attorney duly authorized in writing.

     No service charge shall be made for any registration of transfer or
exchange of Securities, but the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient
to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in connection
with any registration of transfer or exchange of Securities, other than
exchanges pursuant to Section 304, 906 or 1107 not involving any transfer.

     If the Securities of any series (or of any series and specified tenor) are
to be redeemed in part, the Company shall not be required (A) to issue, register
the transfer of or exchange any Securities of that series (or of that series and
specified tenor, as the case may be) during a period beginning at the opening


                                      -27-
<PAGE>
 
of business 15 days before the day of the mailing of a notice of redemption of
any such Securities selected for redemption under Section 1103 and ending at the
close of business on the day of such mailing, or (B) to register the transfer of
or exchange any Security so selected for redemption in whole or in part, except
the unredeemed portion of any Security being redeemed in part.

     The provisions of Clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) below shall apply only to
Global Securities:

     (1) Each Global Security authenticated under this Indenture shall be
registered in the name of the Depositary designated for such Global Security or
a nominee thereof and delivered to such Depositary or a nominee thereof or
custodian therefor, and each such Global Security shall constitute a single
Security for all purposes of this Indenture.

     (2) Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, no Global
Security may be exchanged in whole or in part for Securities registered, and no
transfer of a Global Security in whole or in part may be registered, in the name
of any Person other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee
thereof unless (A) such Depositary (i) has notified the Company that it is
unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such Global Security or (ii)
has ceased to be a clearing agency registered under the Exchange Act, (B) there
shall have occurred and be continuing an Event of Default with respect to such
Global Security or (C) there shall exist such circumstances, if any, in addition
to or in lieu of the foregoing as have been specified for this purpose as
contemplated by Section 301.

     (3) Subject to Clause (2) above, any exchange of a Global Security for
other Securities may be made in whole or in part, and all Securities issued in
exchange for a Global Security or any portion thereof shall be registered in
such names as the Depositary for such Global Security shall direct.

     (4) Every Security authenticated and delivered upon registration of
transfer of, or in exchange for or in lieu of, a Global Security or any portion
thereof, whether pursuant to this Section, Section 304, 306, 906 or 1107 or
otherwise, shall be authenticated and delivered in the form of, and shall be, a
Global Security, unless such Security is registered in the name of a Person
other than the Depositary for such Global Security or a nominee thereof.

SECTION 306. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost and Stolen Securities.

     If any mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, the Company shall
execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a
new Security of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and
bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

     If there shall be delivered to the Company and the Trustee (i) evidence to
their satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any Security and (ii)
such security or indemnity as may be required by them to save each of them and
any agent of either of them harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the
Company or the Trustee that such Security has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver, in lieu of any such destroyed, lost or stolen Security, a new Security
of the same series and of like tenor and principal amount and bearing a number
not contemporaneously outstanding.


                                      -28-
<PAGE>
 
     In case any such mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Security has become
or is about to become due and payable, the Company in its discretion may,
instead of issuing a new Security, pay such Security.

     Upon the issuance of any new Security under this Section, the Company may
require the payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental
charge that may be imposed in relation thereto and any other expenses (including
the fees and expenses of the Trustee) connected therewith.

     Every new Security of any series issued pursuant to this Section in lieu of
any destroyed, lost or stolen Security shall constitute an original additional
contractual obligation of the Company, whether or not the destroyed, lost or
stolen Security shall be at any time enforceable by anyone, and shall be
entitled to all the benefits of this Indenture equally and proportionately with
any and all other Securities of that series duly issued hereunder.

     The provisions of this Section are exclusive and shall preclude (to the
extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the replacement or
payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities.

SECTION 307. Payment of Interest; Interest Rights Preserved.

     Except as otherwise provided as contemplated by Section 301 with respect to
any series of Securities, interest on any Security which is payable, and is
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date shall be paid
to the Person in whose name that Security (or one or more Predecessor
Securities) is registered at the close of business on the Regular Record Date
for such interest.

     Any interest on any Security of any series which is payable, but is not
punctually paid or duly provided for, on any Interest Payment Date (herein
called "Defaulted Interest") shall forthwith cease to be payable to the Holder
on the relevant Regular Record Date by virtue of having been such Holder, and
such Defaulted Interest may be paid by the Company, at its election in each
case, as provided in Clause (1) or (2) below:

     (1) The Company may elect to make payment of any Defaulted Interest to the
Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective
Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on a Special
Record Date for the payment of such Defaulted Interest, which shall be fixed in
the following manner. The Company shall notify the Trustee in writing of the
amount of Defaulted Interest proposed to be paid on each Security of such series
and the date of the proposed payment, and at the same time the Company shall
deposit with the Trustee an amount of money equal to the aggregate amount
proposed to be paid in respect of such Defaulted Interest or shall make
arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for such deposit prior to the date of
the proposed payment, such money when deposited to be held in trust for the
benefit of the Persons entitled to such Defaulted Interest as in this Clause
provided. Thereupon the Trustee shall fix a Special Record Date for the payment
of such Defaulted Interest which shall be not more than 15 days and not less
than 10 days prior to the date of the proposed payment and not less than 10 days
after the receipt by the Trustee of the notice of the proposed payment. The
Trustee shall promptly notify the Company of such Special Record Date and, 


                                      -29-
<PAGE>
 
in the name and at the expense of the Company, shall cause notice of the
proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date therefor
to be given to each Holder of Securities of such series in the manner set forth
in Section 106, not less than 10 days prior to such Special Record Date. Notice
of the proposed payment of such Defaulted Interest and the Special Record Date
therefor having been so mailed, such Defaulted Interest shall be paid to the
Persons in whose names the Securities of such series (or their respective
Predecessor Securities) are registered at the close of business on such Special
Record Date and shall no longer be payable pursuant to the following Clause (2).

     (2) The Company may make payment of any Defaulted Interest on the
Securities of any series in any other lawful manner not inconsistent with the
requirements of any securities exchange on which such Securities may be listed,
and upon such notice as may be required by such exchange, if, after notice given
by the Company to the Trustee of the proposed payment pursuant to this Clause,
such manner of payment shall be deemed practicable by the Trustee.

     Subject to the foregoing provisions of this Section, each Security
delivered under this Indenture upon registration of transfer of or in exchange
for or in lieu of any other Security shall carry the rights to interest accrued
and unpaid, and to accrue, which were carried by such other Security.

     Subject to the provisions of Section 1402, in the case of any Security (or
any part thereof) which is converted after any Regular Record Date and on or
prior to the next succeeding Interest Payment Date (other than any Security the
principal of (or premium, if any, on) which shall become due and payable,
whether at Stated Maturity or by declaration of acceleration prior to such
Interest Payment Date), interest whose Stated Maturity is on such Interest
Payment Date shall be payable on such Interest Payment Date notwithstanding such
conversion and such interest (whether or not punctually paid or duly provided
for) shall be paid to the Person in whose name that Security (or any one or more
Predecessor Securities) is registered at the close of business on such Regular
Record Date. Except as otherwise expressly provided in the immediately preceding
sentence or in Section 1402, in the case of any Security (or any part thereof)
which is converted, interest whose Stated Maturity is after the date of
conversion of such Security (or such part thereof) shall not be payable.

SECTION 308. Persons Deemed Owners.

     Prior to due presentment of a Security for registration of transfer, the
Company, the Trustee and any agent of the Company or the Trustee may treat the
Person in whose name such Security is registered as the owner of such Security
for the purpose of receiving payment of principal of and any premium and
(subject to Section 307) any interest on such Security and for all other
purposes whatsoever, whether or not such Security be overdue, and neither the
Company, the Trustee nor any agent of the Company or the Trustee shall be
affected by notice to the contrary.

SECTION 309. Cancellation.

     All Securities surrendered for payment, redemption, registration of
transfer or exchange or for credit against any sinking fund payment shall, if
surrendered to any Person other than the Trustee, be delivered to the Trustee
and shall be promptly canceled by it. The Company may at any time deliver to 


                                      -30-
<PAGE>
 
the Trustee for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated and
delivered hereunder which the Company may have acquired in any manner
whatsoever, and may deliver to the Trustee (or to any other Person for delivery
to the Trustee) for cancellation any Securities previously authenticated
hereunder which the Company has not issued and sold, and all Securities so
delivered shall be promptly canceled by the Trustee. No Securities shall be
authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Securities canceled as provided
in this Section, except as expressly permitted by this Indenture. All canceled
Securities held by the Trustee shall be disposed of as directed by a Company
Order.

SECTION 310. Computation of Interest.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities
of any series, interest on the Securities of each series shall be computed on
the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.

                                  ARTICLE FOUR

                           SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE

SECTION 401. Satisfaction and Discharge of Indenture.

     This Indenture shall upon Company Request cease to be of further effect
(except as to any surviving rights of registration of transfer or exchange of
Securities herein expressly provided for), and the Trustee, at the expense of
the Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, when

     (1)  either

          (A) all Securities theretofore authenticated and delivered (other than
     (i) Securities which have been destroyed, lost or stolen and which have
     been replaced or paid as provided in Section 306 and (ii) Securities for
     whose payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust or segregated
     and held in trust by the Company and thereafter repaid to the Company or
     discharged from such trust, as provided in Section 1003) have been
     delivered to the Trustee for cancellation; or

          (B) all such Securities not theretofore delivered to the Trustee for
     cancellation

               (i) have become due and payable, or

               (ii) will become due and payable at their Stated Maturity within
          one year, or

               (iii) are to be called for redemption within one year under
          arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee for the giving of notice of
          redemption by the Trustee in the name, and at the expense, of the
          Company,



                                      -31-
<PAGE>
 
          and the Company, in the case of (i), (ii) or (iii) above, has
          deposited or caused to be deposited with the Trustee as trust funds in
          trust for the purpose money in an amount sufficient to pay and
          discharge the entire indebtedness on such Securities not theretofore
          delivered to the Trustee for cancellation, for principal and any
          premium and interest to the date of such deposit (in the case of
          Securities which have become due and payable) or to the Stated
          Maturity or Redemption Date, as the case may be;

          (2) the Company has paid or caused to be paid all other sums payable
     hereunder by the Company; and

          (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
     and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent
     herein provided for relating to the satisfaction and discharge of this
     Indenture have been complied with.

     Notwithstanding the satisfaction and discharge of this Indenture, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee under Section 607, the obligations of
the Trustee to any Authenticating Agent under Section 614 and, if money shall
have been deposited with the Trustee pursuant to subclause (B) of Clause (1) of
this Section, the obligations of the Trustee under Section 402 and the last
paragraph of Section 1003 shall survive.

SECTION 402. Application of Trust Money.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
deposited with the Trustee pursuant to Section 401 shall be held in trust and
applied by it, in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and this
Indenture, to the payment, either directly or through any Paying Agent
(including the Company acting as its own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may
determine, to the Persons entitled thereto, of the principal and any premium and
interest for whose payment such money has been deposited with the Trustee.

                                  ARTICLE FIVE

                                    REMEDIES

SECTION 501. Events of Default.

     "Event of Default," wherever used herein with respect to Securities of any
series, means any one of the following events (whatever the reason for such
Event of Default and whether it shall be occasioned by the provisions of Article
Fifteen or be voluntary or involuntary or be effected by operation of law or
pursuant to any judgment, decree or order of any court or any order, rule or
regulation of any administrative or governmental body):

     (1) default in the payment of any interest upon any Security of that series
when it becomes due and payable, and continuance of such default for a period of
30 days; or



                                      -32-
<PAGE>
 
     (2) default in the payment of the principal of or any premium on any
Security of that series at its Maturity; or

     (3) default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment, when and as due by
the terms of a Security of that series; or

     (4) default in the performance, or breach, of any covenant or warranty of
the Company in this Indenture (other than a covenant or warranty a default in
whose performance or whose breach is elsewhere in this Section specifically
dealt with or which has expressly been included in this Indenture solely for the
benefit of series of Securities other than that series), and continuance of such
default or breach for a period of 60 days after there has been given, by
registered or certified mail, to the Company by the Trustee or to the Company
and the Trustee by the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series a written notice specifying such default
or breach and requiring it to be remedied and stating that such notice is a
"Notice of Default" hereunder; or

     (5) the entry by a court having jurisdiction in the premises of (A) a
decree or order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or
proceeding under any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other similar law or (B) a decree or order adjudging the
Company a bankrupt or insolvent, or approving as properly filed a petition
seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition of or in respect
of the Company under any applicable Federal or State law, or appointing a
custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator or other
similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its property, or
ordering the winding up or liquidation of its affairs, and the continuance of
any such decree or order for relief or any such other decree or order unstayed
and in effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or

     (6) the commencement by the Company of a voluntary case or proceeding under
any applicable Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other
similar law or of any other case or proceeding to be adjudicated a bankrupt or
insolvent, or the consent by it to the entry of a decree or order for relief in
respect of the Company in an involuntary case or proceeding under any applicable
Federal or State bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law or
to the commencement of any bankruptcy or insolvency case or proceeding against
it, or the filing by it of a petition or answer or consent seeking
reorganization or relief under any applicable Federal or State law, or the
consent by it to the filing of such petition or to the appointment of or taking
possession by a custodian, receiver, liquidator, assignee, trustee, sequestrator
or other similar official of the Company or of any substantial part of its
property, or the making by it of an assignment for the benefit of creditors, or
the admission by it in writing of its inability to pay its debts generally as
they become due, or the taking of corporate action by the Company in furtherance
of any such action; or

     (7) any other Event of Default provided with respect to Securities of that
series;

SECTION 502. Acceleration of Maturity; Rescission and Annulment.

     If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section
501(5) or 501(6)) with respect to Securities of any series at the time
Outstanding occurs and is continuing, then in every such


                                      -33-
<PAGE>
 
case the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series may declare the principal amount of all
the Securities of that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original
Issue Discount Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such
Securities as may be specified by the terms thereof) to be due and payable
immediately, by a notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee if given
by Holders), and upon any such declaration such principal amount (or specified
amount) shall become immediately due and payable. If an Event of Default
specified in Section 501(5) or 501 (6) with respect to Securities of any series
at the time Outstanding occurs, the principal amount of all the Securities of
that series (or, if any Securities of that series are Original Issue Discount
Securities, such portion of the principal amount of such Securities as may be
specified by the terms thereof) shall automatically, and without any declaration
or other action on the part of the Trustee or any Holder, become immediately due
and payable.  Any payments by the Company on the Securities following any such 
acceleration will be subject to the subordination provisions of Article Fifteen 
to the extent provided therein.

     At any time after such a declaration of acceleration with respect to
Securities of any series has been made and before a judgment or decree for
payment of the money due has been obtained by the Trustee as hereinafter in this
Article provided, the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of that series, by written notice to the Company and the
Trustee, may rescind and annul such declaration and its consequences if

     (1)  the Company has paid or deposited with the Trustee a sum sufficient to
          pay

          (A)  all overdue interest on all Securities of that series,

          (B)  the principal of (and premium, if any, on) any Securities of that
               series which have become due otherwise than by such declaration
               of acceleration and any interest thereon at the rate or rates
               prescribed therefor in such Securities,

          (C)  to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest
               upon overdue interest at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in
               such Securities, and

          (D)  all sums paid or advanced by the Trustee hereunder and the
               reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
               the Trustee, its agents and counsel; and

          (2) all Events of Default with respect to Securities of that series,
     other than the non-payment of the principal of Securities of that series
     which have become due solely by such declaration of acceleration, have been
     cured or waived as provided in Section 513.

No such rescission shall affect any subsequent default or impair any right
consequent thereon.

SECTION 503. Collection of Indebtedness and Suits for Enforcement by Trustee.

     The Company covenants that if

     (1) default is made in the payment of any interest on any Security when
such interest becomes due and payable and such default continues for a period of
30 days, or


                                      -34-
<PAGE>
 
     (2) default is made in the payment of the principal of (or premium, if any,
on) any Security at the Maturity thereof,

the Company will, upon demand of the Trustee, but subject to the provisions of
Article Fifteen, pay to it, for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities,
the whole amount then due and payable on such Securities for principal and any
premium and interest and, to the extent that payment of such interest shall be
legally enforceable, interest on any overdue principal and premium and on any
overdue interest, at the rate or rates prescribed therefor in such Securities,
and, in addition thereto, such further amount as shall be sufficient to cover
the costs and expenses of collection, including the reasonable compensation,
expenses, disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

     If an Event of Default with respect to Securities of any series occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
its rights and the rights of the Holders of Securities of such series by such
appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most effectual to
protect and enforce any such rights, whether for the specific enforcement of any
covenant or agreement in this Indenture or in aid of the exercise of any power
granted herein, or to enforce any other proper remedy.

SECTION 504. Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

     In case of any judicial proceeding relative to the Company (or any other
obligor upon the Securities), its property or its creditors, the Trustee shall
be entitled and empowered, by intervention in such proceeding or otherwise, to
take any and all actions authorized under the Trust Indenture Act in order to
have claims of the Holders and the Trustee allowed in any such proceeding. In
particular, the Trustee shall be authorized to collect and receive any moneys or
other property payable or deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the
same; and any custodian, receiver, assignee, trustee, liquidator, sequestrator
or other similar official in any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized
by each Holder to make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the
Trustee shall consent to the making of such payments directly to the Holders, to
pay to the Trustee any amount due it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any other
amounts due the Trustee under Section 607.

     No provision of this Indenture shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to
authorize or consent to or accept or adopt on behalf of any Holder any plan of
reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the Securities
or the rights of any Holder thereof or to authorize the Trustee to vote in
respect of the claim of any Holder in any such proceeding; provided, however,
that the Trustee may, on behalf of the Holders, vote for the election of a
trustee in bankruptcy or similar official and be a member of a creditors' or
other similar committee.

SECTION 505. Trustee May Enforce Claims Without Possession of Securities.

     All rights of action and claims under this Indenture or the Securities may
be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee without the possession of any of the
Securities or the production thereof in any proceeding relating thereto, and any
such proceeding instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own


                                      -35-
<PAGE>
 
name as trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment shall, after
provision for the payment of the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, be for the
ratable benefit of the Holders of the Securities in respect of which such
judgment has been recovered.

SECTION 506. Application of Money Collected.

     Any money collected by the Trustee pursuant to this Article shall be
applied in the following order, at the date or dates fixed by the Trustee and,
in case of the distribution of such money on account of principal or any premium
or interest, upon presentation of the Securities and the notation thereon of the
payment if only partially paid and upon surrender thereof if fully paid:

     FIRST: To the payment of all amounts due the Trustee under Section 607; and

     SECOND: Subject to Article Fifteen, to the payment of the amounts then due
and unpaid for principal of and any premium, if any, and interest on the
Securities in respect of which or for the benefit of which such money has been
collected, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind, according to the
amounts due and payable on such Securities for principal and any premium, if
any, and interest, respectively.

SECTION 507. Limitation on Suits.

     No Holder of any Security of any series shall have any right to institute
any proceeding, judicial or otherwise, with respect to this Indenture, or for
the appointment of a receiver or trustee, or for any other remedy hereunder,
unless

     (1) such Holder has previously given written notice to the Trustee of a
continuing Event of Default with respect to the Securities of that series;

     (2) the Holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the Outstanding
Securities of that series shall have made written request to the Trustee to
institute proceedings in respect of such Event of Default in its own name as
Trustee hereunder;

     (3) such Holder or Holders have offered to the Trustee reasonable indemnity
against the costs, expenses and liabilities to be incurred in compliance with
such request;

     (4) the Trustee for 60 days after its receipt of such notice, request and
offer of indemnity has failed to institute any such proceeding; and

     (5) no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to
the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Outstanding Securities of that series;



                                      -36-
<PAGE>
 
it being understood and intended that no one or more of such Holders shall have
any right in any manner whatever by virtue of, or by availing of, any provision
of this Indenture to affect, disturb or prejudice the rights of any other of
such Holders, or to obtain or to seek to obtain priority or preference over any
other of such Holders or to enforce any right under this Indenture, except in
the manner herein provided and for the equal and ratable benefit of all of such
Holders.

SECTION 508. Unconditional Right of Holders to Receive Principal, Premium and
             Interest and to Convert.

     Notwithstanding any other provision in this Indenture, but subject to the
provisions of Article Fifteen, the Holder of any Security shall have the right,
which is absolute and unconditional, to receive payment of the principal of and
any premium and (subject to Section 307) interest on such Security on the
respective Stated Maturities expressed in such Security (or, in the case of
redemption, on the Redemption Date), to convert such Securities in accordance
with Article Fourteen and to institute suit for the enforcement of any such
payment, and such rights shall not be impaired without the consent of such
Holder.

SECTION 509. Restoration of Rights and Remedies.

     If the Trustee or any Holder has instituted any proceeding to enforce any
right or remedy under this Indenture and such proceeding has been discontinued
or abandoned for any reason, or has been determined adversely to the Trustee or
to such Holder, then and in every such case, subject to any determination in
such proceeding, the Company, the Trustee and the Holders shall be restored
severally and respectively to their former positions hereunder and thereafter
all rights and remedies of the Trustee and the Holders shall continue as though
no such proceeding had been instituted.

SECTION 510. Rights and Remedies Cumulative.

     Except as otherwise provided with respect to the replacement or payment of
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Securities in the last paragraph of Section
306, no right or remedy herein conferred upon or reserved to the Trustee or to
the Holders is intended to be exclusive of any other right or remedy, and every
right and remedy shall, to the extent permitted by law, be cumulative and in
addition to every other right and remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter
existing at law or in equity or otherwise. The assertion or employment of any
right or remedy hereunder, or otherwise, shall not prevent the concurrent
assertion or employment of any other appropriate right or remedy.

SECTION 511. Delay or Omission Not Waiver.

     No delay or omission of the Trustee or of any Holder of any Securities to
exercise any right or remedy accruing upon any Event of Default shall impair any
such right or remedy or constitute a waiver of any such Event of Default or an
acquiescence therein. Every right and remedy given by this Article or by law to
the Trustee or to the Holders may be exercised from time to time, and as often
as may be deemed expedient, by the Trustee (subject to the limitations contained
in this Indenture) or by the Holders, as the case may be.



                                      -37-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 512. Control by Holders.

     The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of any series shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee, with respect to the Securities of
such series, provided that
 
     (1) such direction shall not be in conflict with any rule of law or with
this Indenture and the Trustee shall not have determined that the action so 
directed would be unjustly prejudicial to Holders of Securities of that series, 
or any other series, not taking part in such direction, and  

     (2) the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the Trustee
which is not inconsistent with such direction or this Indenture.

SECTION 513. Waiver of Past Defaults.

     The Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of any series may on behalf of the Holders of all the
Securities of such series waive any past default hereunder with respect to such
series and its consequences, except a default

     (1) in the payment of the principal of or any premium or interest on any
Security of such series, or

     (2) in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under Article Nine
cannot be modified or amended without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security of such series affected.

     Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist, and any Event of
Default arising therefrom shall be deemed to have been cured, for every purpose
of this Indenture; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other
default or impair any right consequent thereon.

SECTION 514. Undertaking for Costs.

     In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this
Indenture, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken, suffered or
omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in such suit to
file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess costs against
any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided in the Trust
Indenture Act; provided that neither this Section nor the Trust Indenture Act
shall be deemed to authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make
such an assessment in any suit instituted by the Company or in any suit for the
enforcement of the right to convert any Security in accordance with Article
Fourteen.

SECTION 515. Waiver of Usury, Stay or Extension Laws.

     The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim or
take the benefit or advantage of, any usury, stay or extension law wherever
enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, which may affect the covenants
or the performance of this Indenture; and the Company (to the extent that it may
lawfully do


                                      -38-
<PAGE>
 
so) hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law and
covenants that it will not hinder, delay or impede the execution of any power
herein granted to the Trustee, but will suffer and permit the execution of every
such power as though no such law had been enacted.

                                   ARTICLE SIX

                                   THE TRUSTEE

SECTION 601. Certain Duties and Responsibilities.

     The duties and responsibilities of the Trustee shall be as provided by the
Trust Indenture Act. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no provision of this
Indenture shall require the Trustee to expend or risk its own funds or otherwise
incur any financial liability in the performance of any of its duties hereunder,
or in the exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable
grounds for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against
such risk or liability is not reasonably assured to it. Whether or not therein
expressly so provided, every provision of this Indenture relating to the conduct
or affecting the liability of or affording protection to the Trustee shall be
subject to the provisions of this Section.

SECTION 602. Notice of Defaults.

     If a default occurs hereunder with respect to Securities of any series, the
Trustee shall give the Holders of Securities of such series notice of such
default as and to the extent provided by the Trust Indenture Act; provided,
however, that in the case of any default of the character specified in Section
501(4) with respect to Securities of such series, no such notice to Holders
shall be given until at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof. For the
purpose of this Section, the term "default" means any event which is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default with respect
to Securities of such series.

SECTION 603. Certain Rights of Trustee.

     Subject to the provisions of Section 601:

     (1) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or refraining
from acting upon any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument, opinion,
report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture, note, other
evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine
and to have been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;

     (2) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Company Request or Company Order, and any resolution
of the Board of Directors shall be sufficiently evidenced by a Board Resolution;

     (3) whenever in the administration of this Indenture the Trustee shall deem
it desirable that a matter be proved or established prior to taking, suffering
or omitting any action hereunder, the Trustee


                                      -39-
<PAGE>
 
(unless other evidence be herein specifically prescribed) may, in the absence of
bad faith on its part, rely upon an Officers' Certificate;

     (4) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the written advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in reliance thereon;

     (5) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the rights
or powers vested in it by this Indenture at the request or direction of any of
the Holders pursuant to this Indenture, unless such Holders shall have offered
to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the costs, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such request or
direction;

     (6) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the facts
or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture,
note, other evidence of indebtedness or other paper or document, but the
Trustee, in its discretion, may make such further inquiry or investigation into
such facts or matters as it may see fit, and, if the Trustee shall determine to
make such further inquiry or investigation, it shall be entitled to examine the
books, records and premises of the Company, personally or by agent or attorney;
and

     (7) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers hereunder or
perform any duties hereunder either directly or by or through agents or
attorneys and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any misconduct or
negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with due care by it
hereunder.

SECTION 604. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Securities.

     The recitals contained herein and in the Securities, except the Trustee's
certificates of authentication, shall be taken as the statements of the Company,
and neither the Trustee nor any Authenticating Agent assumes any responsibility
for their correctness. The Trustee makes no representations as to the validity
or sufficiency of this Indenture or of the Securities. Neither the Trustee nor
any Authenticating Agent shall be accountable for the use or application by the
Company of Securities or the proceeds thereof.

SECTION 605. May Hold Securities and Act as Trustee Under Other Indentures.

     The Trustee, any Authenticating Agent, any Paying Agent, any Security
Registrar or any other agent of the Company, in its individual or any other
capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of Securities and, subject to Sections
608 and 613, may otherwise deal with the Company with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee, Authenticating Agent, Paying Agent, Security
Registrar or such other agent.

     Subject to the limitations imposed by the Trust Indenture Act, nothing in
this Indenture shall prohibit the Trustee from becoming and acting as trustee
under other indentures under which other


                                      -40-
<PAGE>
 
securities, or certificates of interest of participation in other securities, of
the Company are outstanding in the same manner as if it were not Trustee
hereunder.

SECTION 606. Money Held in Trust.

     Money held by the Trustee in trust hereunder need not be segregated from
other funds except to the extent required by law. The Trustee shall be under no
liability for interest on any money received by it hereunder except as otherwise
agreed with the Company.

SECTION 607. Compensation and Reimbursement.

     The Company agrees

     (1) to pay to the Trustee from time to time reasonable compensation for all
services rendered by it hereunder (which compensation shall not be limited by
any provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express
trust);

     (2) except as otherwise expressly provided herein, to reimburse the Trustee
upon its request for all reasonable expenses, disbursements and advances
incurred or made by the Trustee in accordance with any provision of this
Indenture (including the reasonable compensation and the expenses and
disbursements of its agents and counsel), except any such expense, disbursement
or advance as may be attributable to its negligence or bad faith; and

     (3) to indemnify the Trustee for, and to hold it harmless against, any
loss, liability or expense incurred without negligence or bad faith on its part,
arising out of or in connection with the acceptance or administration of the
trust or trusts hereunder, including the costs and expenses of defending itself
against any claim or liability in connection with the exercise or performance of
any of its powers or duties hereunder.

SECTION 608. Conflicting Interests.

     If the Trustee has or shall acquire a conflicting interest within the
meaning of the Trust Indenture Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such
interest or resign, to the extent and in the manner provided by, and subject to
the provisions of, the Trust Indenture Act and this Indenture. To the extent
permitted by such Act, the Trustee shall not be deemed to have a conflicting
interest by virtue of being a trustee under this Indenture with respect to
Securities of more than one series.

SECTION 609. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility.

     There shall at all times be one (and only one) Trustee hereunder with
respect to the Securities of each series, which may be Trustee hereunder for
Securities of one or more other series. Each Trustee shall be a Person that is
eligible pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act to act as such and has a combined
capital and surplus of at least $50,000,000. If any such Person publishes
reports of condition at least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements
of its supervising or examining authority, then for the


                                      -41-
<PAGE>
 
purposes of this Section and to the extent permitted by the Trust Indenture Act,
the combined capital and surplus of such Person shall be deemed to be its
combined capital and surplus as set forth in its most recent report of condition
so published. If at any time the Trustee with respect to the Securities of any
series shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the provisions of this
Section, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the effect
hereinafter specified in this Article.

SECTION 610. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor.

     No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor
Trustee pursuant to this Article shall become effective until the acceptance of
appointment by the successor Trustee in accordance with the applicable
requirements of Section 611.

     The Trustee may resign at any time with respect to the Securities of one or
more series by giving written notice thereof to the Company. If the instrument
of acceptance by a successor Trustee required by Section 611 shall not have been
delivered to the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of such notice of
resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the
Securities of such series.

     The Trustee may be removed at any time with respect to the Securities of
any series by Act of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series, delivered to the Trustee and to the
Company.

     If at any time:

     (1) the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 608 after written request
therefor by the Company or by any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a
Security for at least six months, or

     (2) the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 609 and shall fail
to resign after written request therefor by the Company or by any such Holder,
or

     (3) the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be adjudged a
bankrupt or insolvent or a receiver of the Trustee or of its property shall be
appointed or any public officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or
of its property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation, conservation or
liquidation,

then, in any such case, (A) the Company by a Board Resolution may remove the
Trustee with respect to all Securities, or (B) subject to Section 514, any
Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a Security for at least six months
may, on behalf of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court
of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee with respect to all
Securities and the appointment of a successor Trustee or Trustees.

     If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of acting, or
if a vacancy shall occur in the office of Trustee for any cause, with respect to
the Securities of one or more series, the Company, by a Board Resolution, shall
promptly appoint a successor Trustee or Trustees with respect to the


                                      -42-
<PAGE>
 
Securities of that or those series (it being understood that any such successor
Trustee may be appointed with respect to the Securities of one or more or all of
such series and that at any time there shall be only one Trustee with respect to
the Securities of any particular series) and shall comply with the applicable
requirements of Section 611. If, within one year after such resignation, removal
or incapability, or the occurrence of such vacancy, a successor Trustee with
respect to the Securities of any series shall be appointed by Act of the Holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities of such series
delivered to the Company and the retiring Trustee, the successor Trustee so
appointed shall, forthwith upon its acceptance of such appointment in accordance
with the applicable requirements of Section 611, become the successor Trustee
with respect to the Securities of such series and to that extent supersede the
successor Trustee appointed by the Company. If no successor Trustee with respect
to the Securities of any series shall have been so appointed by the Company or
the Holders and accepted appointment in the manner required by Section 611, the
retiring Trustee may petition, any Holder who has been a bona fide Holder of a
Security of such series for at least six months may, on behalf of himself and
all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for
the appointment of a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of such
series. 

     The Company shall give notice of each resignation and each removal of the
Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series and each appointment of a
successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of any series to all Holders of
Securities of such series in the manner provided in Section 106. Each notice
shall include the name of the successor Trustee with respect to the Securities
of such series and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

SECTION 611. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor.

     In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to
all Securities, every such successor Trustee so appointed shall execute,
acknowledge and deliver to the Company and to the retiring Trustee an instrument
accepting such appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the
retiring Trustee shall become effective and such successor Trustee, without any
further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights,
powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee; but, on the request of the
Company or the successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall, upon payment of
its charges, execute and deliver an instrument transferring to such successor
Trustee all the rights, powers and trusts of the retiring Trustee and shall duly
assign, transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money
held by such retiring Trustee hereunder.

     In case of the appointment hereunder of a successor Trustee with respect to
the Securities of one or more (but not all) series, the Company, the retiring
Trustee and each successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more
series shall execute and deliver an indenture supplemental hereto wherein each
successor Trustee shall accept such appointment and which (1) shall contain such
provisions as shall be necessary or desirable to transfer and confirm to, and to
vest in, each successor Trustee all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the
retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series to which
the appointment of such successor Trustee relates, (2) if the retiring Trustee
is not retiring with respect to all Securities, shall contain such provisions as
shall be deemed necessary or desirable to confirm that all the rights, powers,
trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that
or those series as to which the retiring Trustee is not retiring shall continue
to


                                      -43-
<PAGE>
 
be vested in the retiring Trustee, and (3) shall add to or change any of the
provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary to provide for or facilitate
the administration of the trusts hereunder by more than one Trustee, it being
understood that nothing herein or in such supplemental indenture shall
constitute such Trustees co-trustees of the same trust and that each such
Trustee shall be trustee of a trust or trusts hereunder separate and apart from
any trust or trusts hereunder administered by any other such Trustee; and upon
the execution and delivery of such supplemental indenture the resignation or
removal of the retiring Trustee shall become effective to the extent provided
therein and each such successor Trustee, without any further act, deed or
conveyance, shall become vested with all the rights, powers, trusts and duties
of the retiring Trustee with respect to the Securities of that or those series
to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates; but, on request of
the Company or any successor Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall duly assign,
transfer and deliver to such successor Trustee all property and money held by
such retiring Trustee hereunder with respect to the Securities of that or those
series to which the appointment of such successor Trustee relates.

     Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company shall execute any
and all instruments for more fully and certainly vesting in and confirming to
such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts referred to in the
first or second preceding paragraph, as the case may be.

     No successor Trustee shall accept its appointment unless at the time of
such acceptance such successor Trustee shall be qualified and eligible under
this Article.

SECTION 612. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to Business.

     Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or with
which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any merger,
conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or any
corporation succeeding to all or substantially all the corporate trust business
of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder, provided such
corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under this Article,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
any of the parties hereto. In case any Securities shall have been authenticated,
but not delivered, by the Trustee then in office, any successor by merger,
conversion or consolidation to such authenticating Trustee may adopt such
authentication and deliver the Securities so authenticated with the same effect
as if such successor Trustee had itself authenticated such Securities.

SECTION 613. Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

     If and when the Trustee shall be or become a creditor of the Company (or
any other obligor upon the Securities), the Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of the Trust Indenture Act regarding the collection of claims against
the Company (or any such other obligor).

SECTION 614. Appointment of Authenticating Agent.

     The Trustee may appoint an Authenticating Agent or Agents with respect to
one or more series of Securities which shall be authorized to act on behalf of
the Trustee to authenticate Securities of such series issued upon original issue
and upon exchange, registration of transfer or partial redemption thereof


                                      -44-
<PAGE>
 
or pursuant to Section 306, and Securities so authenticated shall be entitled to
the benefits of this Indenture and shall be valid and obligatory for all
purposes as if authenticated by the Trustee hereunder. Wherever reference is
made in this Indenture to the authentication and delivery of Securities by the
Trustee or the Trustee's certificate of authentication, such reference shall be
deemed to include authentication and delivery on behalf of the Trustee by an
Authenticating Agent and a certificate of authentication executed on behalf of
the Trustee by an Authenticating Agent. Each Authenticating Agent shall be
acceptable to the Company and shall at all times be a corporation organized and
doing business under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof
or the District of Columbia, authorized under such laws to act as Authenticating
Agent, having a combined capital and surplus of not less than $50,000,000 and
subject to supervision or examination by Federal or State authority. If such
Authenticating Agent publishes reports of condition at least annually, pursuant
to law or to the requirements of said supervising or examining authority, then
for the purposes of this Section, the combined capital and surplus of such
Authenticating Agent shall be deemed to be its combined capital and surplus as
set forth in its most recent report of condition so published. If at any time an
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, such Authenticating Agent shall resign immediately
in the manner and with the effect specified in this Section.

     Any corporation into which an Authenticating Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, conversion or consolidation to which such Authenticating Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate agency or
corporate trust business of an Authenticating Agent, shall continue to be an
Authenticating Agent, provided such corporation shall be otherwise eligible
under this Section, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of the Trustee or the Authenticating Agent.

     An Authenticating Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Trustee and to the Company. The Trustee may at any time terminate
the agency of an Authenticating Agent by giving written notice thereof to such
Authenticating Agent and to the Company. Upon receiving such a notice of
resignation or upon such a termination, or in case at any time such
Authenticating Agent shall cease to be eligible in accordance with the
provisions of this Section, the Trustee may appoint a successor Authenticating
Agent which shall be acceptable to the Company and shall give notice of such
appointment in the manner provided in Section 106 to all Holders of Securities
of the series with respect to which such Authenticating Agent will serve. Any
successor Authenticating Agent upon acceptance of its appointment hereunder
shall become vested with all the rights, powers and duties of its predecessor
hereunder, with like effect as if originally named as an Authenticating Agent.
No successor Authenticating Agent shall be appointed unless eligible under the
provisions of this Section.

     The Trustee agrees to pay to each Authenticating Agent from time to time
reasonable compensation for its services under this Section, and the Trustee
shall be entitled to be reimbursed for such payments, subject to the provisions
of Section 607.

     If an appointment with respect to one or more series is made pursuant to
this Section 612, the Securities of such series may have endorsed thereon, in
addition to the Trustee's certificate of authentication, an alternative
certificate of authentication in the following form:



                                      -45-
<PAGE>
 
     This is one of the Securities of the series designated therein referred to
in the within-mentioned Indenture.


                                   NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                   As Trustee

                                   By:___________________________________,
                                         As Authenticating Agent

                                   By:___________________________________
                                         Authorized Officer

                                  ARTICLE SEVEN

                HOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE AND COMPANY

SECTION 701. Company to Furnish Trustee Names and Addresses of Holders.

     The Company will furnish or cause to be furnished to the Trustee

     (1) semi-annually, not later than 15 days after the Regular Record Date, a
list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require, of the names and
addresses of the Holders of Securities of each series as of such Regular Record
Date, as the case may be, and

     (2) at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, within 30
days after the receipt by the Company of any such request, a list of similar
form and content as of a date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list
is furnished;

provided that no such list need be furnished by the Company to the Trustee so
long as the Trustee is acting as Security Registrar.

SECTION 702. Preservation of Information; Communications to Holders.

     The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is reasonably
practicable, the names and addresses of Holders contained in the most recent
list furnished to the Trustee as provided in Section 701, if any, and the names
and addresses of Holders received by the Trustee in its capacity as Security
Registrar. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished to it as provided in
Section 701 upon receipt of a new list so furnished.

     The rights of Holders to communicate with other Holders with respect to
their rights under this Indenture or under the Securities, and the corresponding
rights and privileges of the Trustee, shall be as provided by the Trust
Indenture Act.



                                      -46-
<PAGE>
 
     Every Holder of Securities, by receiving and holding the same, agrees with
the Company and the Trustee that neither the Company nor the Trustee nor any
agent of either of them shall be held accountable by reason of any disclosure of
information as to names and addresses of Holders made pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act.

SECTION 703. Reports by Trustee.

     The Trustee shall transmit to Holders such reports concerning the Trustee
and its actions under this Indenture as may be required pursuant to the Trust
Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided pursuant thereto.

     Reports so required to be transmitted at stated intervals of not more than
12 months shall be transmitted no later than July 1 in each calendar year,
commencing with the first July 1 after the first issuance of Securities pursuant
to this Indenture.

     A copy of each such report shall, at the time of such transmission to
Holders, be filed by the Trustee with each stock exchange upon which any
Securities are listed, with the Commission and with the Company. The Company
will notify the Trustee when any Securities are listed on any stock exchange.

SECTION 704. Reports by Company.

     The Company shall file with the Trustee and the Commission, and transmit to
Holders, such information, documents and other reports, and such summaries
thereof, as may be required pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act at the times and
in the manner provided pursuant to the Trust Indenture Act; provided that any
such information, documents or reports required to be filed with the Commission
pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act shall be filed with the
Trustee within 15 days after the same is so required to be filed with the
Commission.

                                  ARTICLE EIGHT

              CONSOLIDATION, MERGER, CONVEYANCE, TRANSFER OR LEASE

SECTION 801. Company May Consolidate, Etc., Only on Certain Terms.

     The Company shall not consolidate with or merge into any other Person (in a
transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation) or convey,
transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety to any
Person, unless:

     (1) in case the Company shall consolidate with or merge into another Person
(in an transaction in which the Company is not the surviving corporation) or
convey, transfer or lease its properties and assets substantially as an entirety
to any Person, the Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company
is merged or the Person which acquires by conveyance or transfer, or which
leases, the properties and assets of the Company substantially as an entirety
shall be a corporation,


                                      -47-
<PAGE>
 
limited liability company, partnership or trust, shall be organized and validly
existing under the laws of the United States of America, any State thereof or
the District of Columbia and shall expressly assume, by an indenture
supplemental hereto, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form satisfactory
to the Trustee, the due and punctual payment of the principal of and any premium
and interest on all the Securities and the performance or observance of every
covenant of this Indenture on the part of the Company to be performed or
observed and the conversion rights shall be provided for in accordance with
Article Fourteen, if applicable, or as otherwise specified pursuant to Section
301, by supplemental indenture satisfactory in form to the Trustee, executed and
delivered to the Trustee, by the Person (if other than the Company) formed by
such consolidation or into which the Company shall have been merged or by the
Person which shall have acquired the Company's assets;

     (2) immediately after giving effect to such transaction and treating any
indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the Company or any Subsidiary as a
result of such transaction as having been incurred by the Company or such
Subsidiary at the time of such transaction, no Event of Default, and no event
which, after notice or lapse of time or both, would become an Event of Default,
shall have happened and be continuing; and

     (3) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and
an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer or lease and, if a supplemental indenture is required in connection
with such transaction, such supplemental indenture comply with this Article and
that all conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction
have been complied with.

SECTION 802. Successor Substituted.

     Upon any consolidation of the Company with, or merger of the Company into,
any other Person or any conveyance, transfer or lease of the properties and
assets of the Company substantially as an entirety in accordance with Section
801, the successor Person formed by such consolidation or into which the Company
is merged or to which such conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed
to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every right and power of, the
Company under this Indenture with the same effect as if such successor Person
had been named as the Company herein, and thereafter, except in the case of a
lease, the predecessor Person shall be relieved of all obligations and covenants
under this Indenture and the Securities.

                                  ARTICLE NINE

                             SUPPLEMENTAL INDENTURES

SECTION 901. Supplemental Indentures Without Consent of Holders.

     Without the consent of any Holders, the Company, when authorized by a Board
Resolution, and the Trustee, at any time and from time to time, may enter into
one or more indentures supplemental hereto, in form satisfactory to the Trustee,
for any of the following purposes:



                                      -48-
<PAGE>
 
     (1) to evidence the succession of another Person to the Company, or
successive successions, and the assumption by any such successor of the
covenants of the Company herein and in the Securities; or

     (2) to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Securities (and if such covenants are to be for the
benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such covenants are
expressly being included solely for the benefit of such series) or to surrender
any right or power herein conferred upon the Company; or

     (3) to add any additional Events of Default for the benefit of the Holders
of all or any series of Securities (and if such additional Events of Default are
to be for the benefit of less than all series of Securities, stating that such
additional Events of Default are expressly being included solely for the benefit
of such series); or

     (4) to add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture to such
extent as shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities
in bearer form, registrable or not registrable as to principal, and with or
without interest coupons, or to permit or facilitate the issuance of Securities
in uncertificated form; or

     (5) to add to, change or eliminate any of the provisions of this Indenture
in respect of one or more series of Securities, provided that any such addition,
change or elimination (A) shall neither (i) apply to any Security of any series
created prior to the execution of such supplemental indenture and entitled to
the benefit of such provision nor (ii) modify the rights of the Holder of any
such Security with respect to such provision or (B) shall become effective only
when there is no such Security Outstanding; or

     (6) to secure the Securities; or

     (7) to establish the form or terms of Securities of any series as permitted
by Sections 201 and 301; or

     (8) to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment hereunder by
a successor Trustee with respect to the Securities of one or more series and to
add to or change any of the provisions of this Indenture as shall be necessary
to provide for or facilitate the administration of the trusts hereunder by more
than one Trustee, pursuant to the requirements of Section 611; or

     (9) to make provision with respect to the conversion rights of Holders
pursuant to the requirements of Article Fourteen, including providing for the
conversion of the securities into any security (other than the Common Stock of
the Company) or property of the Company; or

     (10) to cure any ambiguity, to correct or supplement any provision herein
which may be defective or inconsistent with any other provision herein, or to
make any other provisions with respect to matters or questions arising under
this Indenture, provided that such action pursuant to this Clause


                                      -49-
<PAGE>
 
(10) shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of Securities of
any series in any material respect; or

     (11) to supplement any of the provisions of the Indenture to such extent as
shall be necessary to permit or facilitate the defeasance and discharge of any
series of Securities pursuant to Articles Four and Thirteen, provided that any
such action shall not adversely affect the interests of the Holders of
Securities of such series or any other series of Securities in any material
respect.

SECTION 902. Supplemental Indentures With Consent of Holders.

     With the consent of the Holders of a majority in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of each series affected by such supplemental indenture,
by Act of said Holders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company,
when authorized by a Board Resolution, and the Trustee may enter into an
indenture or indentures supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any
provisions to or changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of
this Indenture or of modifying in any manner the rights of the Holders of
Securities of such series under this Indenture; provided, however, that no such
supplemental indenture shall, without the consent of the Holder of each
Outstanding Security affected thereby,

     (1) change the Stated Maturity of the principal of, or any installment of
principal of or interest on, any Security, or reduce the principal amount
thereof or the rate of interest thereon or any premium payable upon the
redemption thereof, or reduce the amount of the principal of an Original Issue
Discount Security or any other Security which would be due and payable upon a
declaration of acceleration of the Maturity thereof pursuant to Section 502, or
change any Place of Payment where, or the coin or currency in which, any
Security or any premium or interest thereon is payable, or impair the right to
institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after the Stated
Maturity thereof (or, in the case of redemption, on or after the Redemption
Date), or modify the provisions of this Indenture with respect to the
subordination of such series of Securities in a manner adverse to the Holders of
Securities of such series, or

     (2) reduce the percentage in principal amount of the Outstanding Securities
of any series, the consent of whose Holders is required for any such
supplemental indenture, or the consent of whose Holders is required for any
waiver (of compliance with certain provisions of this Indenture or certain
defaults hereunder and their consequences) provided for in this Indenture, or

     (3) modify any of the provisions of this Section, Section 513 or Section
1008, except to increase any such percentage or to provide that certain other
provisions of this Indenture cannot be modified or waived without the consent of
the Holder of each Outstanding Security affected thereby; provided, however,
that this clause shall not be deemed to require the consent of any Holder with
respect to changes in the references to "the Trustee" and concomitant changes in
this Section and Section 1008, or the deletion of this proviso, in accordance
with the requirements of Sections 611 and 901(8), or


                                      -50-
<PAGE>
 
     (4) if applicable, make any change that adversely affects the right to
convert any security as provided in Article Fourteen or pursuant to Section 301
(except as permitted by Section 901(9)) or decrease the conversion rate or
increase the conversion price of any such security.

     A supplemental indenture which changes or eliminates any covenant or other
provision of this Indenture which has expressly been included solely for the
benefit of one or more particular series of Securities, or which modifies the
rights of the Holders of Securities of such series with respect to such covenant
or other provision, shall be deemed not to affect the rights under this
Indenture of the Holders of Securities of any other series.

     It shall not be necessary for any Act of Holders under this Section to
approve the particular form of any proposed supplemental indenture, but it shall
be sufficient if such Act shall approve the substance thereof.

SECTION 903. Execution of Supplemental Indentures.

     In executing, or accepting the additional trusts created by, any
supplemental indenture permitted by this Article or the modifications thereby of
the trusts created by this Indenture, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive,
and (subject to Sections 601 and 603) shall be fully protected in relying upon,
an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of such supplemental indenture
is authorized or permitted by this Indenture. The Trustee may, but shall not be
obligated to, enter into any such supplemental indenture which affects the
Trustee's own rights, duties or immunities under this Indenture or otherwise.

SECTION 904. Effect of Supplemental Indentures.

     Upon the execution of any supplemental indenture under this Article, this
Indenture shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
indenture shall form a part of this Indenture for all purposes; and every Holder
of Securities theretofore or thereafter authenticated and delivered hereunder
shall be bound thereby.

SECTION 905. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act.

     Every supplemental indenture executed pursuant to this Article shall
conform to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act.

SECTION 906. Reference in Securities to Supplemental Indentures.

     Securities of any series authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental indenture pursuant to this Article may, and shall if required
by the Trustee, bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental indenture. If the Company shall so determine,
new Securities of any series so modified as to conform, in the opinion of the
Trustee and the Company, to any such supplemental indenture may be prepared and
executed by the Company and authenticated and delivered by the Trustee in
exchange for Outstanding Securities of such series.



                                      -51-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 907. Subordination Unimpaired.

     No provision in any supplemental indenture which affects the superior
position of the holders of Senior Debt shall be effective against holders of
Senior Debt.

                                   ARTICLE TEN

                                    COVENANTS

SECTION 1001. Payment of Principal, Premium and Interest.

     The Company covenants and agrees for the benefit of each series of
Securities that it will duly and punctually pay the principal of and any premium
and interest on the Securities of that series in accordance with the terms of
the Securities and this Indenture.

SECTION 1002. Maintenance of Office or Agency.

     The Company will maintain in each Place of Payment for any series of
Securities an office or agency where Securities of that series may be presented
or surrendered for payment, where Securities of that series may be surrendered
for registration of transfer or exchange, where Securities of that series may be
surrendered for conversion and where notices and demands to or upon the Company
in respect of the Securities of that series and this Indenture may be served.
The Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of the location, and
any change in the location, of such office or agency. If at any time the Company
shall fail to maintain any such required office or agency or shall fail to
furnish the Trustee with the address thereof, such presentations, surrenders,
notices and demands may be made or served at the Corporate Trust Office of the
Trustee, and the Company hereby appoints the Trustee as its agent to receive all
such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands.

     The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Securities of one or more series may be presented or
surrendered for any or all such purposes and may from time to time rescind such
designations; provided, however, that no such designation or rescission shall in
any manner relieve the Company of its obligation to maintain an office or agency
in each Place of Payment for Securities of any series for such purposes. The
Company will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation
or rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or
agency.

SECTION 1003. Money for Securities Payments to Be Held in Trust.

     If the Company shall at any time act as its own Paying Agent with respect
to any series of Securities, it will, on or before each due date of the
principal of or any premium or interest on any of the Securities of that series,
segregate and hold in trust for the benefit of the Persons entitled thereto a
sum sufficient to pay the principal and any premium and interest so becoming due
until such sums shall be paid to such Persons or otherwise disposed of as herein
provided and will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to
act.



                                      -52-
<PAGE>
 
     Whenever the Company shall have one or more Paying Agents for any series of
Securities, it will, on or prior to each due date of the principal of or any
premium or interest on any Securities of that series, deposit with a Paying
Agent a sum sufficient to pay such amount, such sum to be held as provided by
the Trust Indenture Act, and (unless such Paying Agent is the Trustee) the
Company will promptly notify the Trustee of its action or failure so to act.

     The Company will cause each Paying Agent for any series of Securities other
than the Trustee to execute and deliver to the Trustee an instrument in which
such Paying Agent shall agree with the Trustee, subject to the provisions of
this Section, that such Paying Agent will (1) comply with the provisions of the
Trust Indenture Act applicable to it as a Paying Agent and (2) during the
continuance of any default by the Company (or any other obligor upon the
Securities of that series) in the making of any payment in respect of the
Securities of that series, upon the written request of the Trustee, forthwith
pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying Agent for payment in
respect of the Securities of that series.

     The Company may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the satisfaction
and discharge of this Indenture or for any other purpose, pay, or by Company
Order direct any Paying Agent to pay, to the Trustee all sums held in trust by
the Company or such Paying Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the
same trusts as those upon which such sums were held by the Company or such
Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any Paying Agent to the Trustee, such
Paying Agent shall be released from all further liability with respect to such
money.
 
     Any money deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent, or then held by
the Company, in trust for the payment of the principal of or any premium or
interest on any Security of any series and remaining unclaimed for a period
ending on the earlier of the date that is ten Business Days prior to the date
such money would escheat to the State or two years after such principal, premium
or interest has become due and payable shall be paid to the Company on Company
Request, or (if then held by the Company) shall be discharged from such trust;
and the Holder of such Security shall thereafter, as an unsecured general
creditor, look only to the Company for payment thereof, and all liability of the
Trustee or such Paying Agent with respect to such trust money, and all liability
of the Company as trustee thereof, shall thereupon cease; provided, however,
that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make any such
repayment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once, in a
newspaper published in the English language, customarily published on each
Business Day and of general circulation in each Place of Payment, notice that
such money remains unclaimed and that, after a date specified therein, which
shall not be less than 30 days from the date of such publication, any unclaimed
balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.  

SECTION 1004. Statement by Officers as to Default.

     The Company will deliver to the Trustee, within 120 days after the end of
each fiscal year of the Company ending after the date hereof, an Officers'
Certificate, stating whether or not to the best knowledge of the signers thereof
the Company is in default in the performance and observance of any of the terms,
provisions and conditions of this Indenture (without regard to any period of
grace or requirement of notice provided hereunder) and, if the Company shall be
in default, specifying all such defaults and the nature and status thereof of
which they may have knowledge.


                                      -53-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 1005. Existence.

     Subject to Article Eight, the Company will do or cause to be done all
things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its existence.

SECTION 1006. Maintenance of Properties.
    
     The Company will cause all properties used or useful in the conduct of its
business to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working order
and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all
necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof,
all as, and to the extent, in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so
that the business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and
advantageously conducted at all times; provided, however, that nothing in this
Section shall prevent the Company from discontinuing the operation or
maintenance of any of such properties if such discontinuance is, in the judgment
of the Company, desirable in the conduct of its business and not disadvantageous
in any material respect to the Holders.      

SECTION 1007. Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.
    
     The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before
the same shall become delinquent, (1) all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges levied or imposed upon the Company or upon the income, profits or
property of the Company, and (2) all lawful claims for labor, materials and
supplies which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the
Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or
claim (i) whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good
faith by appropriate proceedings or (ii) if the failure to pay or discharge
would not have a material adverse effect on the assets, business, operations,
properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Company and its 
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole.      

SECTION 1008. Waiver of Certain Covenants.

     Except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for Securities
of such series, the Company may, with respect to the Securities of any series,
omit in any particular instance to comply with any term, provision or condition
set forth in any covenant provided pursuant to Section 301(19), 901(2), 901(7),
1006 or 1007 for the benefit of the Holders of such series if before the time
for such compliance the Holders of at least 50% in principal amount of the
Outstanding Securities of such series shall, by Act of such Holders, either
waive such compliance in such instance or generally waive compliance with such
term, provision or condition, but no such waiver shall extend to or affect such
term, provision or condition except to the extent so expressly waived, and,
until such waiver shall become effective, the obligations of the Company and the
duties of the Trustee in respect of any such term, provision or condition shall
remain in full force and effect.



                                      -54-
<PAGE>
 
                                 ARTICLE ELEVEN

                            REDEMPTION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1101. Applicability of Article.

     Securities of any series which are redeemable before their Stated Maturity
shall be redeemable in accordance with their terms and (except as otherwise
specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities) in accordance with
this Article.

SECTION 1102. Election to Redeem; Notice to Trustee.

     The election of the Company to redeem any Securities shall be evidenced by
a Board Resolution or in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301
for such Securities. In case of any redemption at the election of the Company of
less than all the Securities of any series (including any such redemption
affecting only a single Security), the Company shall, at least 60 days prior to
the Redemption Date fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be
satisfactory to the Trustee), notify the Trustee of such Redemption Date, of the
principal amount of Securities of such series to be redeemed and, if applicable,
of the tenor of the Securities to be redeemed. In the case of any redemption of
Securities prior to the expiration of any restriction on such redemption
provided in the terms of such Securities or elsewhere in this Indenture, the
Company shall furnish the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate evidencing
compliance with such restriction.

SECTION 1103. Selection by Trustee of Securities to Be Redeemed.

     If less than all the Securities of any series are to be redeemed (unless
all the Securities of such series and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed or
unless such redemption affects only a single Security), the particular
Securities to be redeemed shall be selected not more than 60 days prior to the
Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the Outstanding Securities of such series
not previously called for redemption, by such method as the Trustee shall deem
fair and appropriate and which may provide for the selection for redemption of a
portion of the principal amount of any Security of such series, provided that
the unredeemed portion of the principal amount of any Security shall be in an
authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized
denomination) for such Security. If less than all the Securities of such series
and of a specified tenor are to be redeemed (unless such redemption affects only
a single Security), the particular Securities to be redeemed shall be selected
not more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date by the Trustee, from the
Outstanding Securities of such series and specified tenor not previously called
for redemption in accordance with the preceding sentence.

     If any Security selected for partial redemption is converted in part before
termination of the conversion right with respect to the portion of the Security
so selected, the converted portion of such Security shall be deemed (so far as
may be) to be the portion selected for redemption. Securities which have been
converted during a selection of Securities to be redeemed shall be treated by
the Trustee as Outstanding for the purpose of such selection.



                                      -55-
<PAGE>
 
     The Trustee shall promptly notify the Company in writing of the Securities
selected for redemption as aforesaid and, in case of any Securities selected for
partial redemption as aforesaid, the principal amount thereof to be redeemed.

     The provisions of the two preceding paragraphs shall not apply with respect
to any redemption affecting only a single Security, whether such Security is to
be redeemed in whole or in part. In the case of any such redemption in part, the
unredeemed portion of the principal amount of the Security shall be in an
authorized denomination (which shall not be less than the minimum authorized
denomination) for such Security.

     For all purposes of this Indenture, unless the context otherwise requires,
all provisions relating to the redemption of Securities shall relate, in the
case of any Securities redeemed or to be redeemed only in part, to the portion
of the principal amount of such Securities which has been or is to be redeemed.

SECTION 1104. Notice of Redemption.

     Notice of redemption shall be given by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
mailed not less than 30 nor more than 60 days prior to the Redemption Date, to
each Holder of Securities to be redeemed, at its address appearing in the
Security Register.

     All notices of redemption shall state:

     (1) the Redemption Date,

     (2) the Redemption Price (including accrued interest, if any),

     (3) if less than all the Outstanding Securities of any series consisting of
more than a single Security are to be redeemed, the identification (and, in the
case of partial redemption of any such Securities, the principal amounts) of the
particular Securities to be redeemed and, if less than all the Outstanding
Securities of any series consisting of a single Security are to be redeemed, the
principal amount of the particular Security to be redeemed,

     (4) that on the Redemption Date the Redemption Price will become due and
payable upon each such Security to be redeemed and, if applicable, that interest
thereon will cease to accrue on and after said date,

     (5) the place or places where each such Security is to be surrendered for
payment of the Redemption Price,

     (6) if applicable, the conversion price, that the date on which the right
to convert the principal of the Securities or the portions thereof to be
redeemed will terminate will be the Redemption Date and the place or places
where such Securities may be surrendered for conversion, and



                                      -56-
<PAGE>
 
     (7) that the redemption is for a sinking fund, if such is the case.

     Notice of redemption of Securities to be redeemed at the election of the
Company shall be given by the Company or, at the Company's request, by the
Trustee in the name and at the expense of the Company and shall be irrevocable.

SECTION 1105. Deposit of Redemption Price.

     On or prior to any Redemption Date, the Company shall deposit with the
Trustee or with a Paying Agent (or, if the Company is acting as its own Paying
Agent, segregate and hold in trust as provided in Section 1003) an amount of
money sufficient to pay the Redemption Price of, and (except if the Redemption
Date shall be an Interest Payment Date) accrued interest on, all the Securities
which are to be redeemed on that date.

     If any Security called for redemption is converted, any money deposited
with the Trustee or with a Paying Agent or so segregated and held in trust for
the redemption of such Security shall (subject to the right of any Holder of
such Security to receive interest as provided in the last paragraph of Section
307) be paid to the Company on Company Request, or if then held by the Company,
shall be discharged from such trust.

SECTION 1106. Securities Payable on Redemption Date.

     Notice of redemption having been given as aforesaid, the Securities so to
be redeemed shall, on the Redemption Date, become due and payable at the
Redemption Price therein specified, and from and after such date (unless the
Company shall default in the payment of the Redemption Price and accrued
interest) such Securities shall cease to bear interest. Upon surrender of any
such Security for redemption in accordance with said notice, such Security shall
be paid by the Company at the Redemption Price, together with accrued interest
to the Redemption Date; provided, however, that, unless otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301, installments of interest whose Stated Maturity is
on or prior to the Redemption Date will be payable to the Holders of such
Securities, or one or more Predecessor Securities, registered as such at the
close of business on the relevant Record Dates according to their terms and the
provisions of Section 307.

     If any Security called for redemption shall not be so paid upon surrender
thereof for redemption, the principal and any premium shall, until paid, bear
interest from the Redemption Date at the rate prescribed therefor in the
Security.

SECTION 1107. Securities Redeemed in Part.

     Any Security which is to be redeemed only in part shall be surrendered at a
Place of Payment therefor (with, if the Company or the Trustee so requires, due
endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder thereof or its attorney
duly authorized in writing), and the Company shall execute, and the Trustee
shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of such Security without service
charge, a new Security or 


                                      -57-
<PAGE>
 
Securities of the same series and of like tenor, of any authorized denomination
as requested by such Holder, in aggregate principal amount equal to and in
exchange for the unredeemed portion of the principal of the Security so
surrendered.

                                 ARTICLE TWELVE

                                  SINKING FUNDS

SECTION 1201. Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to any sinking fund for
the retirement of Securities of any series except as otherwise specified as
contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.

     The minimum amount of any sinking fund payment provided for by the terms of
any Securities is herein referred to as a "mandatory sinking fund payment," and
any payment in excess of such minimum amount provided for by the terms of such
Securities is herein referred to as an "optional sinking fund payment." If
provided for by the terms of any Securities, the cash amount of any sinking fund
payment may be subject to reduction as provided in Section 1202. Each sinking
fund payment shall be applied to the redemption of Securities as provided for by
the terms of such Securities.

SECTION 1202. Satisfaction of Sinking Fund Payments with Securities.

     The Company (1) may deliver Outstanding Securities of a series (other than
any previously called for redemption) and (2) may apply as a credit Securities
of a series which have been redeemed either at the election of the Company
pursuant to the terms of such Securities or through the application of permitted
optional sinking fund payments pursuant to the terms of such Securities, in each
case in satisfaction of all or any part of any sinking fund payment with respect
to any Securities of such series required to be made pursuant to the terms of
such Securities as and to the extent provided for by the terms of such
Securities; provided that the Securities to be so credited have not been
previously so credited. The Securities to be so credited shall be received and
credited for such purpose by the Trustee at the Redemption Price, as specified
in the Securities so to be redeemed, for redemption through operation of the
sinking fund and the amount of such sinking fund payment shall be reduced
accordingly.

SECTION 1203. Redemption of Securities for Sinking Fund.

     Not less than 60 days prior to each sinking fund payment date for any
Securities, the Company will deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate
specifying the amount of the next ensuing sinking fund payment for such
Securities pursuant to the terms of such Securities, the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by payment of cash and the portion thereof, if
any, which is to be satisfied by delivering and crediting Securities pursuant to
Section 1202 and will also deliver to the Trustee any Securities to be so
delivered. Not less than 30 days prior to each such sinking fund payment date,
the Trustee shall select the Securities to be redeemed upon such sinking fund
payment date in the manner specified in Section 1103 and cause notice of the
redemption thereof to be given in the name of and at the expense of the Company
in the manner provided in Section 1104. Such notice having been duly given, the


                                      -58-
<PAGE>
 
redemption of such Securities shall be made upon the terms and in the manner
stated in Sections 1106 and 1107.

                                ARTICLE THIRTEEN

                       DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE

SECTION 1301. Company's Option to Effect Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     The Company may elect, at its option at any time, to have Section 1302 or
Section 1303 applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case
may be, designated pursuant to Section 301 as being defeasible pursuant to such
Section 1302 or 1303, in accordance with any applicable requirements provided
pursuant to Section 301 and upon compliance with the conditions set forth below
in this Article. Any such election shall be evidenced by a Board Resolution or
in another manner specified as contemplated by Section 301 for such Securities.

SECTION 1302. Defeasance and Discharge.
 
     Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the
Company shall be deemed to have been discharged from its obligations, and the
provisions of Article Fifteen shall cease to be effective, with respect to such
Securities as provided in this Section on and after the date the conditions set
forth in Section 1304 are satisfied (hereinafter called "Defeasance"). For this
purpose, such Defeasance means that the Company shall be deemed to have paid and
discharged the entire indebtedness represented by such Securities and to have
satisfied all its other obligations under such Securities and this Indenture
insofar as such Securities are concerned (and the Trustee, at the expense of the
Company, shall execute proper instruments acknowledging the same), subject to
the following which shall survive until otherwise terminated or discharged
hereunder: (1) the rights of Holders of such Securities to receive, solely from
the trust fund described in Section 1304 and as more fully set forth in such
Section, payments in respect of the principal of and any premium and interest on
such Securities when payments are due, (2) the Company's obligations with
respect to such Securities under Sections 304, 305, 306, 1002 and 1003, and, if
applicable, Article Fourteen, (3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and
immunities of the Trustee hereunder and (4) this Article. Subject to compliance
with this Article, the Company may exercise its option (if any) to have this
Section applied to any Securities notwithstanding the prior exercise of its
option (if any) to have Section 1303 applied to such Securities.  

SECTION 1303. Covenant Defeasance.

     Upon the Company's exercise of its option (if any) to have this Section
applied to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, (1)
the Company shall be released from its obligations under Sections 1006 through
1007, inclusive, and any covenants provided pursuant to Section 301(19), 901(2)
or 901(7) for the benefit of the Holders of such Securities and (2) the
occurrence of any event specified in Sections 501(4) (with respect to any of
Sections 1006 through 1007, inclusive, and any such covenants provided pursuant
to Section 301(19), 901(2) or 901(7)), shall be deemed not to be or result


                                      -59-
<PAGE>
 
in an Event of Default, and (3) the provisions of Article Fifteen shall cease to
be effective, in each case with respect to such Securities as provided in this
Section on and after the date the conditions set forth in Section 1304 are
satisfied (hereinafter called "Covenant Defeasance"). For this purpose, such
Covenant Defeasance means that, with respect to such Securities, the Company may
omit to comply with and shall have no liability in respect of any term,
condition or limitation set forth in any such specified Section (to the extent
so specified in the case of Section 501(4)) or Article Fifteen, whether directly
or indirectly by reason of any reference elsewhere herein to any such Section or
Article or by reason of any reference in any such Section or Article to any
other provision herein or in any other document, but the remainder of this
Indenture and such Securities shall be unaffected thereby.

SECTION 1304. Conditions to Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance.

     The following shall be the conditions to the application of Section 1302 or
Section 1303 to any Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be:

     (1) The Company shall irrevocably have deposited or caused to be deposited
with the Trustee (or another trustee which satisfies the requirements
contemplated by Section 609 and agrees to comply with the provisions of this
Article applicable to it) as trust funds in trust for the purpose of making the
following payments, specifically pledged as security for, and dedicated solely
to, the benefits of the Holders of such Securities, (A) money in an amount, or
(B) U.S. Government Obligations which through the scheduled payment of principal
and interest in respect thereof in accordance with their terms will provide, not
later than one day before the due date of any payment, money in an amount, or
(C) a combination thereof, in each case sufficient, in the opinion of a
nationally recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a
written certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay and discharge,
and which shall be applied by the Trustee (or any such other qualifying trustee)
to pay and discharge, the principal of and any premium and interest on such
Securities on the respective Stated Maturities, in accordance with the terms of
this Indenture and such Securities. As used herein, "U.S. Government Obligation"
means (x) any security which is (i) a direct obligation of the United States of
America for the payment of which the full faith and credit of the United States
of America is pledged or (ii) an obligation of a Person controlled or supervised
by and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America
the payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case (i) or (ii),
is not callable or redeemable at the option of the issuer thereof, and (y) any
depositary receipt issued by a bank (as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of the
Securities Act) as custodian with respect to any U.S. Government Obligation
which is specified in Clause (x) above and held by such bank for the account of
the holder of such depositary receipt, or with respect to any specific payment
of principal of or interest on any U.S. Government Obligation which is so
specified and held, provided that (except as required by law) such custodian is
not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of
such depositary receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of
the U.S. Government Obligation or the specific payment of principal or interest
evidenced by such depositary receipt.

     (2) In the event of an election to have Section 1302 apply to any
Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall
have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that (A) the Company
has received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue


                                      -60-
<PAGE>
 
Service a ruling or (B) since the date of this instrument, there has been a
change in the applicable Federal income tax law, in either case (A) or (B) to
the effect that, and based thereon such opinion shall confirm that, the Holders
of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income tax
purposes as a result of the deposit, Defeasance and discharge to be effected
with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the
same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if
such deposit, Defeasance and discharge were not to occur.

     (3) In the event of an election to have Section 1303 apply to any
Securities or any series of Securities, as the case may be, the Company shall
have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the effect that the
Holders of such Securities will not recognize gain or loss for Federal income
tax purposes as a result of the deposit and Covenant Defeasance to be effected
with respect to such Securities and will be subject to Federal income tax on the
same amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would be the case if
such deposit and Covenant Defeasance were not to occur.

     (4) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate to the effect that neither such Securities nor any other Securities
of the same series, if then listed on any securities exchange, will be delisted
as a result of such deposit.

     (5) No event which is, or after notice or lapse of time or both would
become, an Event of Default with respect to such Securities or any other
Securities shall have occurred and be continuing at the time of such deposit or,
with regard to any such event specified in Sections 501(5) and (6), at any time
on or prior to the 90th day after the date of such deposit (it being understood
that this condition shall not be deemed satisfied until after such 90th day).

     (6) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not cause the Trustee to
have a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture Act
(assuming all Securities are in default within the meaning of such Act).

     (7) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under, any other agreement or instrument
to which the Company is a party or by which it is bound.

     (8) Such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance shall not result in the trust
arising from such deposit constituting an investment company within the meaning
of the Investment Company Act unless such trust shall be registered under such
Act or exempt from registration thereunder.

     (9) At the time of such deposit, (A) no default in the payment of any
principal of or premium or interest on any Senior Debt shall have occurred and
be continuing, (B) no event of default with respect to any Senior Debt shall
have resulted in such Senior Debt becoming, and continuing to be, due and
payable prior to the date on which it would otherwise have become due and
payable (unless payment of such Senior Debt has been made or duly provided for),
and (C) no other event of default with respect to any Senior Debt shall have
occurred and be continuing permitting (after notice or lapse of time or both)
the holders of such Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of such holders) to
declare such Senior Debt due and payable prior to the date on which it would
otherwise have become due and payable.


                                      -61-
<PAGE>
 
     (10) The Company shall have delivered to the Trustee an Officers'
Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions
precedent with respect to such Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance have been
complied with.

SECTION 1305. Deposited Money and U.S. Government Obligations to be Held in
              Trust; Miscellaneous Provisions.

     Subject to the provisions of the last paragraph of Section 1003, all money
and U.S. Government Obligations (including the proceeds thereof) deposited with
the Trustee or other qualifying trustee (solely for purposes of this Section and
Section 1306, the Trustee and any such other trustee are referred to
collectively as the "Trustee") pursuant to Section 1304 in respect of any
Securities shall be held in trust and applied by the Trustee, in accordance with
the provisions of such Securities and this Indenture, to the payment, either
directly or through any such Paying Agent (including the Company acting as its
own Paying Agent) as the Trustee may determine, to the Holders of such
Securities, of all sums due and to become due thereon in respect of principal
and any premium and interest, but money so held in trust need not be segregated
from other funds except to the extent required by law. Money and U.S. Government
Obligations so held in trust shall not be subject to the provisions of Article
Fifteen.

     The Company shall pay and indemnify the Trustee against any tax, fee or
other charge imposed on or assessed against the U.S. Government Obligations
deposited pursuant to Section 1304 or the principal and interest received in
respect thereof other than any such tax, fee or other charge which by law is for
the account of the Holders of Outstanding Securities.

     Anything in this Article to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee shall
deliver or pay to the Company from time to time upon Company Request any money
or U.S. Government Obligations held by it as provided in Section 1304 with
respect to any Securities which, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm
of independent public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof
delivered to the Trustee, are in excess of the amount thereof which would then
be required to be deposited to effect the Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance, as
the case may be, with respect to such Securities.

SECTION 1306. Reinstatement.

     If the Trustee or the Paying Agent is unable to apply any money in
accordance with this Article with respect to any Securities by reason of any
order or judgment of any court or governmental authority enjoining, restraining
or otherwise prohibiting such application, then the obligations under this
Indenture and such Securities from which the Company has been discharged or
released pursuant to Section 1302 or 1303 shall be revived and reinstated as
though no deposit had occurred pursuant to this Article with respect to such
Securities, until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply
all money held in trust pursuant to Section 1305 with respect to such Securities
in accordance with this Article; provided, however, that if the Company makes
any payment of principal of or any premium or interest on any such Security
following such reinstatement of its obligations, the Company shall be subrogated
to the rights (if any) of the Holders of such Securities to receive such payment
from the money so held in trust.



                                      -62-
<PAGE>
 
                                ARTICLE FOURTEEN

                            CONVERSION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1401. Applicability of Article.

     The provisions of this Article shall be applicable to the Securities of any
series which are convertible into shares of Common Stock of the Company, and the
issuance of such shares of Common Stock upon the conversion of such Securities,
except as otherwise specified as contemplated by Section 301 for the Securities
of such series.

SECTION 1402. Exercise of Conversion Privilege.
 
     In order to exercise a conversion privilege, the Holder of a Security of a
series with such a privilege shall surrender such Security to the Company at the
office or agency maintained for that purpose pursuant to Section 1002,
accompanied by a duly executed conversion notice to the Company substantially in
the form set forth in Section 206 stating that the Holder elects to convert such
Security or a specified portion thereof. Such notice shall also state, if
different from the name and address of such Holder, the name or names (with
address) in which the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock
which shall be issuable on such conversion shall be issued. Securities
surrendered for conversion shall (if so required by the Company or the Trustee)
be duly endorsed by or accompanied by instruments of transfer in forms
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by the registered
Holder or its attorney duly authorized in writing; and Securities so surrendered
for conversion (in whole or in part) during the period from the close of
business on any Regular Record Date to the opening of business on the next
succeeding Interest Payment Date (excluding Securities or portions thereof
called for redemption during the period beginning at the close of business on a 
Regular Record Date and ending at the opening of business on the first Business 
Day after the next succeeding Interest Payment Date, or if such Interest Payment
Date is not a Business Day, the second such Business Day) shall also be
accompanied by payment in funds acceptable to the Company of an amount equal to
the interest payable on such Interest Payment Date on the principal amount of
such Security then being converted, and such interest shall be payable to such
registered Holder notwithstanding the conversion of such Security, subject to
the provisions of Section 307 relating to the payment of Defaulted Interest by
the Company. As promptly as practicable after the receipt of such notice and of
any payment required pursuant to a Board Resolution and, subject to Section 303,
set forth, or determined in the manner provided, in an Officers' Certificate, or
established in one or more indentures supplemental hereto setting forth the
terms of such series of Security, and the surrender of such Security in
accordance with such reasonable regulations as the Company may prescribe, the
Company shall issue and shall deliver, at the office or agency at which such
Security is surrendered, to such Holder or on its written order, a certificate
or certificates for the number of full shares of Common Stock issuable upon the
conversion of such Security (or specified portion thereof), in accordance with
the provisions of such Board Resolution, Officers' Certificate or supplemental
indenture, and cash as provided therein in respect of any fractional share of
such Common Stock otherwise issuable upon such conversion. Such conversion shall
be deemed to have been effected immediately prior to the close of business on
the date on which such notice and such payment, if required, shall have been
received in proper order for conversion by the Company and such Security shall
have been surrendered as aforesaid (unless such Holder shall have so surrendered
such Security and shall have instructed the Company to effect the conversion on
a particular date following such surrender and such Holder shall be entitled to 
 


                                      -63-
<PAGE>
 
convert such Security on such date, in which case such conversion shall be
deemed to be effected immediately prior to the close of business on such date)
and at such time the rights of the Holder of such Security as such Security
Holder shall cease and the person or persons in whose name or names any
certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock of the Company shall be
issuable upon such conversion shall be deemed to have become the Holder or
Holders of record of the shares represented thereby. Except as set forth above
and subject to the final paragraph of Section 307, no payment or adjustment
shall be made upon any conversion on account of any interest accrued on the
Securities (or any part thereof) surrendered for conversion or on account of any
dividends on the Common Stock of the Company issued upon such conversion.

     In the case of any Security which is converted in part only, upon such
conversion the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and
deliver to or on the order of the Holder thereof, at the expense of the Company,
a new Security or Securities of the same series, of authorized denominations, in
aggregate principal amount equal to the unconverted portion of such Security.

SECTION 1403. No Fractional Shares.
 
     No fractional share of Common Stock of the Company shall be issued upon
conversions of Securities of any series. If more than one Security shall be
surrendered for conversion at one time by the same Holder, the number of full
shares which shall be issuable upon conversion shall be computed on the basis of
the aggregate principal amount of the Securities (or specified portions thereof
to the extent permitted hereby) so surrendered. If, except for the provisions of
this Section 1403, any Holder of a Security or Securities would be entitled to a
fractional share of Common Stock of the Company upon the conversion of such
Security or Securities, or specified portions thereof, the Company shall pay to
such Holder an amount in cash equal to the current market value of such
fractional share computed, (i) if such Common Stock is listed or admitted to
unlisted trading privileges on a national securities exchange or market, on the
basis of the last reported sale price regular way on such exchange or market on
the last trading day prior to the date of conversion upon which such a sale
shall have been effected, or (ii) if such Common Stock is not at the time so
listed or admitted to unlisted trading privileges on a national securities
exchange or market, on the basis of the average of the bid and asked prices of
such Common Stock in the over-the-counter market, on the last trading day prior
to the date of conversion, as reported by the National Quotation Bureau,
Incorporated or similar organization if the National Quotation Bureau,
Incorporated is no longer reporting such information, or if not so available,
the fair market price as determined by the Board of Directors. For purposes of
this Section, "trading day" shall mean each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
and Friday other than any day on which the Common Stock is not traded on the
Nasdaq National Market, or if the Common Stock is not traded on the Nasdaq
National Market, on the principal exchange or market on which the Common Stock
is traded or quoted.  

SECTION 1404. Adjustment of Conversion Price.

     The conversion price of Securities of any series that is convertible into
Common Stock of the Company shall be adjusted for any stock dividends, stock
splits, reclassifications, combinations or 



                                      -64-
<PAGE>
 
similar transactions in accordance with the terms of the supplemental indenture
or Board Resolutions setting forth the terms of the Securities of such series.

     Whenever the conversion price is adjusted, the Company shall compute the
adjusted conversion price in accordance with terms of the applicable Board
Resolution or supplemental indenture and shall prepare an Officers' Certificate
setting forth the adjusted conversion price and showing in reasonable detail the
facts upon which such adjustment is based, and such certificate shall forthwith
be filed at each office or agency maintained for the purpose of conversion of
Securities pursuant to Section 1002 and, if different, with the Trustee. The
Company shall forthwith cause a notice setting forth the adjusted conversion
price to be mailed, first class postage prepaid, to each Holder of Securities of
such series at its address appearing on the Security Register and to any
conversion agent other than the Trustee.

SECTION 1405. Notice of Certain Corporate Actions.

     In case:

     (1) the Company shall declare a dividend (or any other distribution) on its
Common Stock payable otherwise than in cash out of its retained earnings (other
than a dividend for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is
required) that would require an adjustment pursuant to Section 1404; or

     (2) the Company shall authorize the granting to all or substantially all of
the holders of its Common Stock of rights, options or warrants to subscribe for
or purchase any shares of capital stock of any class or of any other rights
(other than any such grant for which approval of any shareholders of the Company
is required); or

     (3) of any reclassification of the Common Stock of the Company (other than
a subdivision or combination of its outstanding shares of Common Stock, or of
any consolidation, merger or share exchange to which the Company is a party and
for which approval of any shareholders of the Company is required), or of the
sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; or

     (4) of the voluntary or involuntary dissolution, liquidation or winding up
of the Company;
 
then the Company shall cause to be filed with the Trustee, and shall cause to be
mailed to all Holders at their last addresses as they shall appear in the
Security Register, at least 20 days (or 10 days in any case specified in
Clause (1) or (2) above) prior to the applicable record date hereinafter
specified, a notice stating (i) the date on which a record is to be taken for
the purpose of such dividend, distribution, rights, options or warrants, or, if
a record is not to be taken, the date as of which the holders of Common Stock of
record to be entitled to such dividend, distribution, rights, options or
warrants are to be determined, or (ii) the date on which such reclassification,
consolidation, merger, share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding
up is expected to become effective, and the date as of which it is expected that
holders of Common Stock of record shall be entitled to exchange their shares of
Common Stock for securities, cash or other property deliverable upon such
reclassification, consolidation, merger,  



                                      -65-
<PAGE>
 
share exchange, sale, dissolution, liquidation or winding up. If at any time the
Trustee shall not be the conversion agent, a copy of such notice shall also
forthwith be filed by the Company with the Trustee.

SECTION 1406. Reservation of Shares of Common Stock.

     The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from
preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, for the
purpose of effecting the conversion of Securities, the full number of shares of
Common Stock of the Company then issuable upon the conversion of all outstanding
Securities of any series that has conversion rights.

SECTION 1407. Payment of Certain Taxes Upon Conversion.

     Except as provided in the next sentence, the Company will pay any and all
taxes that may be payable in respect of the issue or delivery of shares of its
Common Stock on conversion of Securities pursuant hereto. The Company shall not,
however, be required to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any
transfer involved in the issue and delivery of shares of its Common Stock in a
name other than that of the Holder of the Security or Securities to be
converted, and no such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the
person requesting such issue has paid to the Company the amount of any such tax,
or has established, to the satisfaction of the Company, that such tax has been
paid.

SECTION 1408. Nonassessability.

     The Company covenants that all shares of its Common Stock which may be
issued upon conversion of Securities will upon issue in accordance with the
terms hereof be duly and validly issued and fully paid and nonassessable.

SECTION 1409. Provision in Case of Consolidation, Merger or Sale of Assets.

     In case of any consolidation or merger of the Company with or into any
other Person, any merger of another Person with or into the Company (other than
a merger which does not result in any reclassification, conversion, exchange or
cancellation of outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company) or any
conveyance, sale, transfer or lease of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company, the Person formed by such consolidation or resulting from such
merger or which acquires such assets, as the case may be, shall execute and
deliver to the Trustee a supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of
each Security of a series then Outstanding that is convertible into Common Stock
of the Company shall have the right thereafter (which right shall be the
exclusive conversion right thereafter available to said Holder), during the
period such Security shall be convertible, to convert such Security only into
the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by a holder of the
number of shares of Common Stock of the Company into which such Security might
have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
sale, transfer or lease, assuming such holder of Common Stock of the Company (i)
is not a Person with which the Company consolidated or merged with or into or
which merged into or with the Company or to which such conveyance, sale,
transfer or lease was made, as the case may be (a "Constituent Person"), or an
Affiliate of a Constituent Person and (ii) failed 


                                      -66-
<PAGE>
 
to exercise his rights of election, if any, as to the kind or amount of
securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger,
conveyance, sale, transfer or lease (provided that if the kind or amount of
securities, cash and other property receivable upon such consolidation, merger,
conveyance, sale, transfer, or lease is not the same for each share of Common
Stock of the Company held immediately prior to such consolidation, merger,
conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by others than a Constituent Person or an
Affiliate thereof and in respect of which such rights of election shall not have
been exercised ("Non-electing Share"), then for the purpose of this Section 1409
the kind and amount of securities, cash and other property receivable upon such
consolidation, merger, conveyance, sale, transfer or lease by the holders of
each Non-electing Share shall be deemed to be the kind and amount so receivable
per share by a plurality of the Non-electing Shares). Such supplemental
indenture shall provide for adjustments which, for events subsequent to the
effective date of such supplemental indenture, shall be as nearly equivalent as
may be practicable to the adjustments provided for in this Article or in
accordance with the terms of the supplemental indenture or Board Resolutions
setting forth the terms of such adjustments. The above provisions of this
Section 1409 shall similarly apply to successive consolidations, mergers,
conveyances, sales, transfers or leases. Notice of the execution of such a
supplemental indenture shall be given by the Company to the Holder of each
Security of a series that is convertible into Common Stock of the Company as
provided in Section 106 promptly upon such execution.

     Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent, if any, shall be under any
responsibility to determine the correctness of any provisions contained in any
such supplemental indenture relating either to the kind or amount of shares of
stock or other securities or property or cash receivable by Holders of
Securities of a series convertible into Common Stock of the Company upon the
conversion of their Securities after any such consolidation, merger, conveyance,
transfer, sale or lease or to any such adjustment, but may accept as conclusive
evidence of the correctness of any such provisions, and shall be protected in
relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel with respect thereto, which the Company
shall cause to be furnished to the Trustee upon request.

SECTION 1410. Duties of Trustee Regarding Conversion.

     Neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall at any time be under any
duty or responsibility to any Holder of Securities of any series that is
convertible into Common Stock of the Company to determine whether any facts
exist which may require any adjustment of the conversion price, or with respect
to the nature or extent of any such adjustment when made, or with respect to the
method employed, whether herein or in any supplemental indenture, any
resolutions of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or
more officers of the Company provided to be employed in making the same. Neither
the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be accountable with respect to the
validity or value (or the kind or amount) of any shares of Common Stock of the
Company, or of any securities or property, which may at any time be issued or
delivered upon the conversion of any Securities and neither the Trustee nor any
conversion agent makes any representation with respect thereto. Subject to the
provisions of Section 601, neither the Trustee nor any conversion agent shall be
responsible for any failure of the Company to issue, transfer or deliver any
shares of its Common Stock or stock certificates or other securities or property
upon the surrender of any Security for the purpose of 



                                      -67-
<PAGE>
 
conversion or to comply with any of the covenants of the Company contained in
this Article Fourteen or in the applicable supplemental indenture, resolutions
of the Board of Directors or written instrument executed by one or more duly
authorized officers of the Company.

SECTION 1411. Repayment of Certain Funds Upon Conversion.

     Any funds which at any time shall have been deposited by the Company or on
its behalf with the Trustee or any other paying agent for the purpose of paying
the principal of, and premium, if any, and interest, if any, on any of the
Securities (including, but not limited to, funds deposited for the sinking fund
referred to in Article Twelve hereof and funds deposited pursuant to Article
Thirteen hereof) and which shall not be required for such purposes because of
the conversion of such Securities as provided in this Article Fourteen shall
after such conversion be repaid to the Company by the Trustee upon the Company's
written request.

                                 ARTICLE FIFTEEN

                           SUBORDINATION OF SECURITIES

SECTION 1501. Securities Subordinate to Senior Debt.

     Except as otherwise provided in a supplemental indenture or pursuant to
Section 301, the Company covenants and agrees, and each Holder of a Security, by
its acceptance thereof, likewise covenants and agrees, that, to the extent and
in the manner hereinafter set forth in this Article, the indebtedness
represented by the Securities and the payment of the principal of and any
premium and interest on each and all of the Securities or on the account of the
purchase, redemption or other acquisition of the Securities or constituting a
sinking fund or defeasance payment by the Company to the Trustee or any Paying
Agent, as the case may be, in accordance with Article Twelve or Article
Thirteen, respectively, on the Securities are hereby expressly made subordinate
and subject in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior
Debt. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Article Fifteen shall not apply to the
application of any amounts deposited with the Trustee or any Paying Agent
pursuant to any sinking fund requirement or defeasance which, at the time such
amounts were deposited with the Trustee or Paying Agent, as the case may be,
such deposits were not prohibited by the provisions of this Article Fifteen
("Previous Payments").

      The expressions "prior payment in full," "payment in full" and "paid in
full" and any other similar term or phrase when used in this Article Fifteen
with respect to Senior Debt shall mean in the case of Senior Debt consisting of
contingent obligations in respect of letters of credit (or local guaranties, as
applicable), bankers' acceptances, interest rate protection agreements or
currency exchange or purchase agreements, the setting apart of cash or other
payment acceptable to holders of such Senior Debt sufficient to discharge such
portions of Senior Debt in an account for the exclusive benefit of the holders
thereof, in which account such holders shall be granted by the Company a first
priority perfected security interest, which first priority perfected security
interest shall have been retained by the holders of Senior Debt for a period of
time in excess of all applicable preference or other similar periods, if any,
under applicable bankruptcy, insolvency or creditors' rights laws.

SECTION 1502. Payment Over of Proceeds Upon Dissolution, Etc.

     In the event of (a) any insolvency or bankruptcy case or proceeding, or any
receivership, liquidation, reorganization, debt restructuring or other similar
case or proceeding in connection therewith, relative to the Company or to its
creditors, as such, or to its assets, or (b) any liquidation, dissolution or
other winding up of the Company, whether voluntary or involuntary and whether or
not involving insolvency or bankruptcy, or (c) any assignment for the benefit of
creditors or any other marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company, then
and in any such event the holders of Senior Debt shall be entitled to receive
payment in full of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of all
Senior Debt, in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior
Debt, before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive any payment
on account of principal of or any premium or interest on the Securities or on
account of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Securities or
constituting a sinking fund or defeasance payment by the Company to the Trustee
or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, in accordance with Article Twelve or
Article Thirteen, respectively, on the Securities (other than Previous
Payments), and to that end the holders of Senior Debt or their representative or
representatives or the trustee or trustees under any indenture under which any
instruments evidencing any of such Senior Debt may have been issued shall be
entitled to receive, for application to the payment thereof, any payment or
distribution of any kind or character, whether in cash, property or securities,
which may be payable or deliverable in respect of the Securities in any such
case, proceeding,
                                      -68-
<PAGE>
 
dissolution, liquidation or other winding up or event, to the extent necessary
to pay all Senior Debt in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the 
holders of Senior Debt, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to or for the holders of other Senior Debt.
 
     In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this
Section, the Trustee or the Holder of any Security shall have received any
payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character,
whether in cash, property or securities, before all Senior Debt is paid in full
in cash or other payment satisfactory to the holders of Senior Debt, then and in
such event such payment or distribution shall be paid over or delivered
forthwith to the trustee in bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee,
custodian, assignee, agent or other Person making payment or distribution of
assets of the Company for application to the payment of all Senior Debt
remaining unpaid, to the extent necessary to pay all Senior Debt in full, after
giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders of
Senior Debt.

     For purposes of this Article only, the words "cash, property or securities"
shall not be deemed to include shares of stock of the Company as reorganized or
readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other corporation provided for
by a plan of reorganization or readjustment which are subordinated in right of
payment to all Senior Debt which may at the time be outstanding to substantially
the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities are so
subordinated as provided in this Article. The consolidation of the Company with,
or the merger of the Company into, another Person or the liquidation or
dissolution of the Company following the conveyance or transfer of its
properties and assets substantially as an entirety to another Person upon the
terms and conditions set forth in Article Eight shall not be deemed a
dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization, assignment for the benefit
of creditors or marshaling of assets and liabilities of the Company for the
purposes of this Section if the Person formed by such consolidation or into
which the Company is merged or which acquires by conveyance or transfer such
properties and assets substantially as an entirety, as the case may be, shall,
as a part of such consolidation, merger, conveyance or transfer, comply with the
conditions set forth in Article Eight.

SECTION 1503. Prior Payment to Senior Debt Upon Acceleration of Securities.

     In the event that any Securities are declared due and payable before their
Stated Maturity, then and in such event the holders of the Senior Debt
outstanding at the time such Securities so become due and payable shall be
entitled to receive payment in full in cash or other payment satisfactory to the
holders of Senior Debt of all amounts due or to become due on or in respect of
all Senior Debt, before the Holders of the Securities are entitled to receive
any payment by the Company on account of the principal of or any premium or
interest on the Securities or on account of the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition of Securities or constituting any sinking fund or defeasance payment
by the Company to the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, in
accordance with Article Twelve or Article Thirteen, respectively, on the
Securities (other than Previous Payments); provided, however, that nothing in
this Section shall prevent the satisfaction of any sinking fund payment in
accordance with Article Twelve by delivering and crediting pursuant to Section
1202 Securities which have been acquired (upon redemption or otherwise) prior to
such declaration of acceleration or which have been converted pursuant to
Article Fourteen. If the payment of Securities is accelerated because of an
Event of Default, the Company and the Trustee shall promptly notify holders of
Senior Debt of the acceleration.

     In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make
any payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Security prohibited by the
foregoing provisions of this Section, and if such 

                                      -69-

<PAGE>
 
fact shall, at or prior to the time of such payment, have been made known to the
Trustee or, as the case may be, such Holder, then and in such event such payment
shall be paid over and delivered forthwith to the Company.

     The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect
to which Section 1502 would be applicable.

SECTION 1504. No Payment in Certain Circumstances.
 
     The Company may not make any payment of principal of, or premium, if any, 
or interest on the Securities or on account of the purchase, redemption or other
acquisition of Securities or constituting any sinking fund or defeasance payment
by the Company to the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, in 
accordance with Article Twelve or Article Thirteen, respectively, on the 
Securities (other than Previous Payments), if: 

          (i) a default in the payment of principal, premium, if any, or
     interest (including a default under any redemption or repurchase
     obligation) or other amounts with respect to any Senior Debt occurs and is
     continuing (or, in the case of Senior Debt for which there is a period of
     grace, in the event of such a default that continues beyond the period of
     grace, if any, specified in the instrument or lease evidencing such Senior
     Debt) unless and until such default shall have been cured or waived or
     shall have ceased to exist; or

          (ii) a default, other than a payment default, on any Designated Senior
     Debt occurs and is continuing that then permits holders of such Designated
     Senior Debt to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of
     the default (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from the Company, a holder of
     such Designated Senior Debt or a Representative of such Designated Senior 
     Debt;  

provided, however, that nothing in this Section shall prevent the satisfaction
of any sinking fund payment in accordance with Article Twelve by delivering and
crediting pursuant to Section 1202 Securities which have been acquired (upon
redemption or otherwise) prior to such declaration of acceleration or which have
been converted pursuant to Article Fourteen.
 
     If the Trustee receives any Payment Blockage Notice pursuant to clause (ii)
above, no subsequent Payment Blockage Notice shall be effective for purposes of
this Section unless and until at least 365 days shall have elapsed since the
initial effectiveness of the immediately prior Payment Blockage Notice. No
nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of delivery of any
Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or be made, the basis for a
subsequent Payment Blockage Notice.

     The Company may and shall resume payments on and distributions in respect
of the Securities and may purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire Securities and
may make a sinking find or defeasance payment to the Trustee or Paying Agent, as
the case may be, in accordance with Article Twelve or Article Thirteen,
respectively, on the Securities, upon the earlier of:

     (1) the date upon which the default is cured or waived or ceases to exist,
or

     (2) in the case of a default referred to in clause (ii) above, 179 days
after the Payment Blockage Notice is received,   



                                      -70-
<PAGE>
 
unless this Article Fifteen otherwise prohibits the payment or distribution at 
the time of such payment or distribution (including, without limitation, in the 
case of a default referred to in clause (ii) above, as a result of a payment 
default with respect to the applicable Senior Debt as a consequence of the 
acceleration of the maturity thereof or otherwise).  
       
    In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, the Company shall make any
payment to the Trustee or the Holder of any Security prohibited by the foregoing
provisions of this Section, and if such fact shall, at or prior to the time of 
such payment, have been made known to the Trustee or, as the case may be, such 
Holder, then and in such event such payment shall be paid over and delivered 
forthwith to the Company.  

    The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any payment with respect 
to which Section 1502 would be applicable.  

SECTION 1505. Payment Permitted If No Default.

     Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in any
of the Securities shall prevent (a) the Company, at any time except during the
pendency of any case, proceeding, dissolution, liquidation or other winding up,
debt restructuring, assignment for the benefit of creditors or other marshaling
of assets and liabilities of the Company referred to in Section 1502 or under
the conditions described in Section 1503 or 1504, from making payments at any
time of principal of and any premium or interest on the Securities or on account
of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Securities, or (b) the
application by the Trustee of any money deposited with it hereunder to the
payment of or on account of the principal of and any premium or interest on the
Securities or on account of the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of
Securities or the retention of such payment by the Holders, if, at the time of
such application by the Trustee, it did not have knowledge that such payment
would have been prohibited by the provisions of this Article.  

SECTION 1506. Subrogation to Rights of Holders of Senior Debt.

     Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Debt, the Holders of the
Securities shall be subrogated to the rights of the holders of such Senior Debt
to receive payments and distributions of cash, property and securities
applicable to the Senior Debt until the principal of and any premium and
interest on the Securities shall be paid in full. For purposes of such
subrogation, no payments or distributions to the holders of the Senior Debt of
any cash, property or securities to which the Holders of the Securities or the
Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this Article, and no
payments over pursuant to the provisions of this Article to the holders of
Senior Debt by Holders of the Securities or the Trustee, shall, as among the
Company, its creditors other than holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of the
Securities, be deemed to be a payment or distribution by the Company to or on
account of the Senior Debt.

SECTION 1507. Provisions Solely to Define Relative Rights.

     The provisions of this Article are and are intended solely for the purpose
of defining the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities on the one hand
and the holders of Senior Debt on the other hand. Nothing contained in this
Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the Securities is intended to or
shall (a) impair, as among the Company, its creditors other than holders of
Senior Debt and the Holders of the Securities, the obligation of the Company,
which is absolute and unconditional (and which, subject to the rights under this
Article of the holders of Senior Debt, is intended to rank equally with all
other general obligations of the Company), to pay to the Holders of the
Securities the principal of and any premium and interest on the Securities as
and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with their terms;
or (b) affect the relative rights against the Company of the Holders of the
Securities and creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Debt;
or (c) prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Security from exercising all
remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default under this
Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of
Senior Debt to receive cash, property and securities otherwise payable or
deliverable to the Trustee or such Holder.

                                      -71-
<PAGE>
 
SECTION 1508. Trustee to Effectuate Subordination.

     Each Holder of a Security by its acceptance thereof authorizes and directs
the Trustee on its behalf to take such action as may be necessary or appropriate
to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and appoints the
Trustee its attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes.

SECTION 1509. No Waiver of Subordination Provisions.

     No right of any present or future holder of any Senior Debt to enforce
subordination as herein provided shall at any time in any way be prejudiced or
impaired by any act or failure to act on the part of the Company or by any act
or failure to act, in good faith, by any such holder, or by any non-compliance
by the Company with the terms, provisions and covenants of this Indenture,
regardless of any knowledge thereof any such holder may have or be otherwise
charged with.

     Without in any way limiting the generality of the foregoing paragraph, the
holders of Senior Debt may, at any time and from time to time, without the
consent of or notice to the Trustee or the Holders of the Securities, without
incurring responsibility to the Holders of the Securities and without impairing
or releasing the subordination provided in this Article or the obligations
hereunder of the Holders of the Securities to the holders of Senior Debt, do any
one or more of the following: (i) change the manner, place or terms of payment
or extend the time of payment of, or renew or alter, Senior Debt, or otherwise
amend or supplement in any manner Senior Debt or any instrument evidencing the
same or any agreement under which Senior Debt is outstanding; (ii) sell,
exchange, release or otherwise dispose of any property pledged, mortgaged or
otherwise securing Senior Debt; (iii) release any Person liable in any manner
for the collection of Senior Debt; and (iv) exercise or refrain from exercising
any rights against the Company and any other Person.

SECTION 1510. Notice to Trustee.

     The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any fact
known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment to or by the
Trustee in respect of the Securities. Notwithstanding the provisions of this
Article or any other provision of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be
charged with knowledge of the existence of any facts which would prohibit the
making of any payment to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities, unless
and until the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the
Company or a holder of Senior Debt or from any trustee or other Representative
therefor; and, prior to the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee,
subject to the provisions of Section 601, shall be entitled in all respects to
assume that no such facts exist; provided, however, that if the Trustee shall
not have received the notice provided for in this Section by at least 12:00 noon
New York City time one Business Day prior to the date upon which by the terms
hereof any money may become payable for any purpose (including, without
limitation, the payment of the principal of and any premium or interest on any
Security), then, anything herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding, the
Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive such money and to apply
the same to the purpose for which such money was received and shall not be
affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received by it after 12:00
noon New York time one Business Day prior to such date.

                                      -72-
<PAGE>
 
     Subject to the provisions of Section 601, the Trustee shall be entitled to
rely on the delivery to it of a written notice by a Person representing himself
to be a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee or other Representative therefor) to
establish that such notice has been given by a holder of Senior Debt (or a
trustee or other Representative therefor). In the event that the Trustee
determines in good faith that further evidence is required with respect to the
right of any Person as a holder of Senior Debt to participate in any payment or
distribution pursuant to this Article, the Trustee may request such Person to
furnish evidence to the reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount
of Senior Debt held by such Person, the extent to which such Person is entitled
to participate in such payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to
the rights of such Person under this Article, and if such evidence is not
furnished, the Trustee may defer any payment to such Person pending judicial
determination as to the right of such Person to receive such payment.

SECTION 1511. Reliance on Judicial Order or Certificate of Liquidating Agent.

     Upon any payment or distribution of assets of the Company referred to in
this Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 601, and the
Holders of the Securities shall be entitled to rely upon any order or decree
entered by any court of competent jurisdiction in which such insolvency,
bankruptcy, receivership, liquidation, reorganization, dissolution, winding up
or similar case or proceeding is pending, or a certificate of the trustee in
bankruptcy, receiver, liquidating trustee, custodian, assignee for the benefit
of creditors, agent or other Person making such payment or distribution,
delivered to the Trustee or to the Holders of Securities, for the purpose of
ascertaining the Persons entitled to participate in such payment or
distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the
Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or
distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.

SECTION 1512. Trustee Not Fiduciary for Holders of Senior Debt.

     The Trustee, in its capacity as trustee under this Indenture, shall not be
deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the holders of Senior Debt and shall not be
liable to any such holders if it shall in good faith mistakenly pay over or
distribute to Holders of Securities or to the Company or to any other Person
cash, property or securities to which any holders of Senior Debt shall be
entitled by virtue of this Article or otherwise.

SECTION 1513. Rights of Trustee as Holder of Senior Debt; Preservation of
              Trustee's Rights.

     The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights
set forth in this Article with respect to any Senior Debt which may at any time
be held by it, to the same extent as any other holder of Senior Debt, and
nothing in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its rights as such
holder.

     Nothing in this Article shall apply to claims of, or payments to, the
Trustee under or pursuant to Section 607.

SECTION 1514. Article Applicable to Paying Agents.



                                      -73-
<PAGE>
 
     In case at any time any Paying Agent other than the Trustee shall have been
appointed by the Company and be then acting hereunder, the term "Trustee" as
used in this Article shall in such case (unless the context otherwise requires)
be construed as extending to and including such Paying Agent within its meaning
as fully for all intents and purposes as if such Paying Agent were named in this
Article in addition to or in place of the Trustee; provided, however, that
Section 1512 shall not apply to the Company or any Affiliate of the Company if
it or such Affiliate acts as Paying Agent.

SECTION 1515. Certain Conversions Deemed Payment.
 
     For the purposes of this Article only, (1) the issuance and delivery of
junior securities upon conversion of Securities in accordance with Article
Fourteen shall not be deemed to constitute a payment or distribution on account
of the principal of or any premium or interest on Securities or on account of
the purchase, redemption or other acquisition of Securities, and (2) the
payment, issuance or delivery of cash, property or securities (other than junior
securities and cash paid for fractional shares) upon conversion of a Security
shall be deemed to constitute payment on account of the principal of such
Security. For the purposes of this Section, the term "junior securities" means
(a) shares of any stock of any class of the Company and (b) securities of the
Company which are subordinated in right of payment to all Senior Debt which may
be outstanding at the time of issuance or delivery of such securities to
substantially the same extent as, or to a greater extent than, the Securities
are so subordinated as provided in this Article.  

SECTION 1516. Obligations of Company and Right to Convert Unconditional.

     Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the
Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors
other than holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of the Securities, the
obligation of the Company, which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the
Holders of the Securities the principal of and any premium and interest on the
Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in accordance with
their terms, or affect the relative rights of the Holders of the Securities and
creditors of the Company other than the holders of Senior Debt, nor shall
anything herein or therein prevent the Trustee or the Holder of any Securities
from exercising all remedies otherwise permitted by applicable law upon default
under this Indenture, subject to the rights, if any, under this Article of the
holders of Senior Debt in respect of cash, property or securities of the Company
received upon the exercise of any such remedy.

     Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the
Securities is intended to or shall impair, as among the Company, its creditors
other than holders of Senior Debt and the Holders of the Securities, the right,
which is absolute and unconditional, of the Holder of any Security to convert
such Security in accordance with Article Fourteen (if applicable).  

SECTION 1517. Reliance by Holders of Senior Indebtedness on Subordination 
              Provisions.

     Each Holder by accepting a Security acknowledges and agrees that the 
foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be, an inducement 
and an consideration to each holder of any Senior Debt, whether such Senior Debt
was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the Securities, to
acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such Senior Debt and such
holder of Senior Debt, shall be deemed conclusively to have relied on such
subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to hold, or in continuing
to hold, such Senior Debt, and no amendment or modification of the provisions
contained herein shall diminish the rights of such holders of Senior Debt unless
such holders shall have agreed in writing hereto.

                                      -74-
<PAGE>
 
     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Indenture to be
duly executed all as of the day and year first above written.  
                                   
                                   MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.  



                                   By:_____________________________________
                                          Title:





                                   NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                   as Trustee


                                   By:______________________________________
                                          Title:

 


                                      -75-


<PAGE>
 
                                 Exhibit 5.1


                                May 29, 1997

Micron Technology, Inc.
8000 S. Federal Way
Boise, Idaho  83707

     Re:  Micron Technology, Inc.
     Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

     At your request, we have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3
(No. 333-18441), including Amendment No. 1 thereto (the "Registration
Statement"), filed or to be filed by Micron Technology, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Company"), with the Securities and Exchange Commission in
connection with the registration pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act"), of the Company's debt securities (the "Debt Securities")
and shares of the Company's Common Stock, $0.10 par value per share (the "Common
Stock"), with an aggregate offering price of up to $1,000,000,000 or the
equivalent thereof in one or more foreign currencies or composite currencies.
The Debt Securities and the Common Stock are to be sold from time to time as set
forth in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus contained therein (the
"Prospectus") and the supplements to the Prospectus (the "Prospectus
Supplements"). The Debt Securities may be either senior debt securities (the
"Senior Debt Securities") or subordinated debt securities (the "Subordinated
Debt Securities"). The Senior Debt Securities are to be issued pursuant to a
Senior Indenture, which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement (the "Senior Indenture"), to be entered into between the Company and
Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee (the "Senior
Trustee"). The Subordinated Debt Securities are to be issued pursuant to a
Subordinated Indenture, which has been filed as an exhibit to the Registration
Statement (the "Subordinated Indenture"), to be entered into between the
Company and Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, as Trustee (the
"Subordinated Trustee"). The shares of Common Stock are to be sold pursuant to
an Underwriting Agreement (Common Stock) (the "Common Stock Underwriting
Agreement") and the Debt Securities are to be sold pursuant to an Underwriting
Agreement (Debt Securities) (the "Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement") or
an Underwriting Agreement (Convertible Debt Securities) (the "Convertible Debt
Securities Underwriting Agreement"), in substantially the respective forms
filed as exhibits to the Registration
<PAGE>
 
Micron Technology, Inc.
May 29, 1997
Page 2

Statement.  The Debt Securities are to be issued in the forms filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement.

     We have examined instruments, documents and records which we deemed
relevant and necessary for the basis of our opinion hereinafter expressed.  In
such examination, we have assumed (a) the authenticity of original documents and
the genuineness of all signatures, (b) the conformity to the originals of all
documents submitted to us as copies and (c) the truth, accuracy, and
completeness of the information, representations and warranties contained in the
records, documents, instruments and certificates we have reviewed.

     Based on such examination, we are of the opinion that:

     1.  When the issuance of Senior Debt Securities has been duly authorized by
appropriate corporate action and the Senior Debt Securities, in the form filed
as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, have been duly completed, executed,
authenticated and delivered in accordance with the Senior Indenture and sold
pursuant to the Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement or the Convertible Debt
Securities Underwriting Agreement and as described in the Registration
Statement, any amendment thereto, the Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplement
relating thereto, the Senior Debt Securities will be legal, valid and binding
obligations of the Company, entitled to the benefits of the Senior Indenture.

     2.  When the issuance of Subordinated Debt Securities has been duly
authorized by appropriate corporate action and the Subordinated Debt Securities,
in the form filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement, have been duly
completed, executed, authenticated and delivered in accordance with the
Subordinated Indenture and sold pursuant to the Debt Securities Underwriting
Agreement or the Convertible Debt Securities Underwriting Agreement and as
described in the Registration Statement, any amendment thereto, the Prospectus
and any Prospectus Supplement relating thereto, the Subordinated Debt Securities
will be legal, valid and binding obligations of the Company, entitled to the
benefits of the Subordinated Indenture.

     3.  When the issuance of the shares of Common Stock has been duly
authorized by appropriate corporate action and the shares of Common Stock have
been duly issued, sold and delivered in accordance with the Common Stock
Underwriting Agreement and as described in the Registration Statement, any
amendment thereto, the Prospectus and the Prospectus Supplement relating
thereto, the shares of Common Stock will be legally issued, fully paid and
nonassessable.

     Our opinion that any document is legal, valid and binding is qualified as
to:
<PAGE>
 
Micron Technology, Inc.
May 29, 1997
Page 3

     (a) limitations imposed by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
arrangement, fraudulent conveyance, moratorium or other laws relating to or
affecting the rights of creditors generally; and

     (b) general principles of equity, including without limitation concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing, and the possible
unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief, regardless of
whether such enforceability is considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.

     We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the above-
referenced Registration Statement and to the use of our name wherever it appears
in the Registration Statement, the Prospectus, the Prospectus Supplement, and in
any amendment or supplement thereto.  In giving such consent, we do not believe
that we are "experts" within the meaning of such term as used in the Act or the
rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission issued
thereunder with respect to any part of the Registration Statement, including
this opinion as an exhibit or otherwise.


                                 Very truly yours,
                        
                        
                                 WILSON SONSINI GOODRICH & ROSATI,
                                 Professional Corporation

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 12.1
 
                            MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
 
               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                       (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT RATIO AMOUNTS)
<TABLE>   
<CAPTION>
                                         YEARS ENDED
                         ---------------------------------------------
                                                                       SIX MONTHS
                                                                         ENDED
                         SEPT. 3, SEPT. 2, SEPT. 1, AUG. 31,  AUG. 29,  FEB. 27,
                           1992     1993     1994     1995      1996      1997
                         -------- -------- -------- --------  -------- ----------
<S>                      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>       <C>      <C>
Income before income
 taxes..................  $ 9.6    $162.6   $625.8  $1,350.5   $950.5    $319.6
Adjustments to income
 before income taxes:
  Interest expense......    8.4       7.8      5.8       7.3      8.6        --
                          -----    ------   ------  --------   ------    ------
Adjusted income before
 income taxes...........  $18.0    $170.4   $631.6  $1,357.8   $959.1    $322.5
                          =====    ======   ======  ========   ======    ======
Fixed charges:
  Interest expense......  $ 8.4    $  7.8   $  5.8  $    7.3   $  8.6     $12.4
  Adjustments to
   interest expense:
    Capitalized
     interest...........    0.2       0.3      2.6       4.9      7.5       2.9
                          -----    ------   ------  --------   ------    ------
  Adjusted interest
   expense..............  $ 8.6    $  8.1   $  8.4  $   12.2   $ 16.1     $15.3
                          =====    ======   ======  ========   ======    ======
Ratio of earnings to
 fixed charges..........    2.1x     21.0x    75.2x    111.3x    59.6x     21.0x
</TABLE>    

<PAGE>
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.1
 
                      CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
   
  We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Amendment No. 1 to
registration statement on Form S-3 to be filed on June 2, 1997 of our report
dated September 19, 1996, except as to the Stock Purchase Plans Note to
Consolidated Financial Statements the date of which is September 30, 1996, on
our audits of the consolidated financial statements of Micron Technology,
Inc., as of August 29, 1996 and August 31, 1995, and for each of the three
years in the period ended August 29, 1996, which report is included in the
1996 Annual Report on Form 10-K and Form 10-K/A of Micron Technology, Inc.
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934. We also consent to the reference to our firm under the
caption "Experts."     
 
                                          /s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
                                          COOPERS & LYBRAND L.L.P.
 
Boise, Idaho
   
May 30, 1997     

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.1
================================================================================
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C.  20549
                         _____________________________

                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
                         _____________________________

  X   CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
- ----
                               SECTION 305(b) (2)

                  NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

A U.S. NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION              41-1592157
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or                (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national              Identification No.)
bank)

SIXTH STREET AND MARQUETTE AVENUE
Minneapolis, Minnesota                           55479
(Address of principal executive offices)         (Zip code)

                       Stanley S. Stroup, General Counsel
                  NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                       Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue
                         Minneapolis, Minnesota  55479
                                 (612) 667-1234
                              (Agent for Service)
                         _____________________________

                            MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE                                      75-1618004
(State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                Identification No.)

8000 SOUTH FEDERAL WAY
BOISE, ID                                     83707-0006
(Address of principal executive offices)      (Zip code)

                         _____________________________
                             SENIOR DEBT SECURITIES
                      (Title of the indenture securities)
================================================================================
<PAGE>
 
Item 1.  General Information.  Furnish the following information as to the
         -------------------
         trustee:

          (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
               which it is subject.

               Comptroller of the
               Currency
               Treasury Department
               Washington, D.C.

               Federal Deposit
               Insurance Corporation
               Washington, D.C.

               The Board of Governors
               of the Federal Reserve System
               Washington, D.C.

          (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

               The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Item 2.  Affiliations with Obligor.  If the obligor is an affiliate of the
         -------------------------
         trustee, describe each such affiliation.

               None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is
not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 15.  Foreign Trustee.   Not applicable.
          ----------------  

Item 16.  List of Exhibits.  List below all exhibits filed as a part of this
          -----------------  Statement of Eligibility. Norwest Bank incorporates
                             by reference into this Form T-1 the exhibits
                             attached hereto.

     Exhibit 1.  a.  A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee now in
                     effect.*

     Exhibit 2.  a.  A copy of the certificate of authority of the trustee to
                     commence business issued June 28, 1872, by the Comptroller
                     of the Currency to The Northwestern National Bank of
                     Minneapolis.*

                 b.  A copy of the certificate of the Comptroller of the
                     Currency dated January 2, 1934, approving the consolidation
                     of The Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis and The
                     Minnesota Loan and Trust Company of Minneapolis, with the
                     surviving entity being titled Northwestern National Bank
                     and Trust Company of Minneapolis.*

                 c.  A copy of the certificate of the Acting Comptroller of the
                     Currency dated January 12, 1943, as to change of corporate
                     title of Northwestern National Bank and Trust Company of
                     Minneapolis to Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis.*
<PAGE>
 
                 d.  A copy of the letter dated May 12, 1983 from the Regional
                     Counsel, Comptroller of the Currency, acknowledging receipt
                     of notice of name change effective May 1, 1983 from
                     Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis to Norwest Bank
                     Minneapolis, National Association.*

                 e.  A copy of the letter dated January 4, 1988 from the
                     Administrator of National Banks for the Comptroller of the
                     Currency certifying approval of consolidation and merger
                     effective January 1, 1988 of Norwest Bank Minneapolis,
                     National Association with various other banks under the
                     title of "Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association."*

     Exhibit 3.  A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise
                 corporate trust powers issued January 2, 1934, by the Federal
                 Reserve Board.*

     Exhibit 4.  Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*

     Exhibit 5.  Not applicable.

     Exhibit 6.  The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
                 Act.

     Exhibit 7.  A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
                 published pursuant to law or the requirements of its
                 supervising or examining authority.**

     Exhibit 8.  Not applicable.

     Exhibit 9.  Not applicable.



     *    Incorporated by reference to exhibit number 25 filed with registration
          statement number 33-66026.

     **   Incorporated by reference to exhibit number 7 to the Trustee's Form T-
          1 filed as exhibit 25.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated February
          5, 1997 of Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A. file number 333-07575.
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the
trustee, Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, a national banking
association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of
Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 30th day of May, 1997.



                                           NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,
                                           NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                           /s/ Raymond S. Haverstock
                                           ----------------------------
                                           Raymond S. Haverstock
                                           Vice President
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT 6



May 30, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the
undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities
authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the
Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.



                                               Very truly yours,

                                               NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,
                                               NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

                                               /s/ Raymond S. Haverstock
                                               ----------------------------
                                               Raymond S. Haverstock
                                               Vice President

<PAGE>
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 25.2
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                            Washington, D.C.  20549
                         _____________________________

                                    FORM T-1

                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
                         _____________________________

  X   CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO
- -----
                               SECTION 305(b) (2)

                  NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

A U.S. NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION              41-1592157
(Jurisdiction of incorporation or                (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national              Identification No.)
bank)

SIXTH STREET AND MARQUETTE AVENUE                55479
Minneapolis, Minnesota                           (Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)             

                       Stanley S. Stroup, General Counsel
                  NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
                       Sixth Street and Marquette Avenue
                         Minneapolis, Minnesota  55479
                                 (612) 667-1234
                              (Agent for Service)
                         _____________________________

                            MICRON TECHNOLOGY, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

DELAWARE                                         75-1618004
(State or other jurisdiction of                  (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                   Identification No.)

8000 SOUTH FEDERAL WAY                           83707-0006
BOISE, ID                                        (Zip code)
(Address of principal executive offices)             

                         _____________________________
                          SUBORDINATED DEBT SECURITIES
                      (Title of the indenture securities)

                                       1
<PAGE>
 
Item 1.  General Information.  Furnish the following information as to the
         --------------------
trustee:


          (a)  Name and address of each examining or supervising authority to
               which it is subject.

               Comptroller of the Currency
               Treasury Department
               Washington, D.C.

               Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
               Washington, D.C.

               The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
               Washington, D.C.

          (b)  Whether it is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

               The trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

Item 2.  Affiliations with Obligor.  If the obligor is an affiliate of the
         --------------------------
         trustee, describe each such affiliation.
    
         None with respect to the trustee.

No responses are included for Items 3-14 of this Form T-1 because the obligor is
not in default as provided under Item 13.

Item 15.  Foreign Trustee.      Not applicable.
          ----------------  

Item 16.  List of Exhibits.     List below all exhibits filed as a part of this
          -----------------     Statement of Eligibility.  Norwest Bank 
                                incorporates by reference into this Form T-1
                                the exhibits attached hereto.

          Exhibit 1.    a.      A copy of the Articles of Association of the 
                                trustee now in effect.*

          Exhibit 2.    a.      A copy of the certificate of authority of the 
                                trustee to commence business issued June 28, 
                                1872, by the Comptroller of the Currency to 
                                The Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis.*

                        b.      A copy of the certificate of the Comptroller of 
                                the Currency dated January 2, 1934, approving 
                                the consolidation of The Northwestern National 
                                Bank of Minneapolis and The Minnesota Loan and 
                                Trust Company of Minneapolis, with the surviving
                                entity being titled Northwestern National Bank 
                                and Trust Company of Minneapolis.*

                        c.      A copy of the certificate of the Acting 
                                Comptroller of the Currency dated January 12, 
                                1943, as to change of corporate title of 
                                Northwestern National Bank and Trust Company of
                                Minneapolis to Northwestern National Bank of 
                                Minneapolis.*

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
                        d.      A copy of the letter dated May 12, 1983 from 
                                the Regional Counsel, Comptroller of the 
                                Currency, acknowledging receipt of notice of 
                                name change effective May 1, 1983 from
                                Northwestern National Bank of Minneapolis to 
                                Norwest Bank Minneapolis, National Association.*

                        e.      A copy of the letter dated January 4, 1988 from 
                                the Administrator of National Banks for the 
                                Comptroller of the Currency certifying approval 
                                of consolidation and merger effective January 
                                1, 1988 of Norwest Bank Minneapolis, National 
                                Association with  various other banks under the
                                title of "Norwest Bank Minnesota, National 
                                Association."*
 
     Exhibit 3.    A copy of the authorization of the trustee to exercise
                   corporate trust powers issued January 2, 1934, by the Federal
                   Reserve Board.*

     Exhibit 4.    Copy of By-laws of the trustee as now in effect.*

     Exhibit 5.    Not applicable.

     Exhibit 6.    The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
                   Act.

     Exhibit 7.    A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
                   published pursuant to law or the requirements of its 
                   supervising or examining authority.**

     Exhibit 8.    Not applicable.

     Exhibit 9.    Not applicable.










     *    Incorporated by reference to exhibit number 25 filed with registration
          statement number 33-66026.

     **   Incorporated by reference to exhibit number 7 to the Trustee's
          Form T-1 filed as exhibit 25.2 to Current Report on Form 8-K dated 
          February 5, 1997 of Chase Manhattan Bank USA, N.A. file number 
          333-07575.

                                       3
<PAGE>
 
                                   SIGNATURE


Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended, the
trustee, Norwest Bank Minnesota, National Association, a national banking
association organized and existing under the laws of the United States of
America, has duly caused this statement of eligibility to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, all in the City of
Minneapolis and State of Minnesota on the 30th day of May, 1997.



                            NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,
                            NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                            /s/ Raymond S. Haverstock
                            -------------------------
                            Raymond S. Haverstock
                            Vice President

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                   EXHIBIT 6



May 30, 1997



Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C.  20549

Gentlemen:

In accordance with Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the undersigned hereby consents that reports of examination of the
undersigned made by Federal, State, Territorial, or District authorities
authorized to make such examination may be furnished by such authorities to the
Securities and Exchange Commission upon its request therefor.



                               Very truly yours,

                               NORWEST BANK MINNESOTA,
                               NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


 
                               /s/ Raymond S. Haverstock
                               -------------------------
                               Raymond S. Haverstock
                               Vice President

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