SEITEL INC
10-K/A, 1999-04-30
OIL & GAS FIELD EXPLORATION SERVICES
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                                   FORM 10-K/A
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                              Washington, DC 20549
                                 Amendment No. 1

- -------
  X       ANNUAL  REPORT  PURSUANT  TO  SECTION  13 OR 15(d)  OF THE  SECURITIES
- -------
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

          For Fiscal Year Ended DECEMBER 31, 1998

                  OR

- -------
          TRANSITION  REPORT  PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE  SECURITIES
- -------
          EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

          [No Fee Required] For the transition period            to           .
                                                      ----------   ----------

          Commission File Number 0-14488
                                 -------

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

           DELAWARE                                      76-0025431
           --------                                      ----------
(State or other jurisdiction of                        (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)                  Identification Number)

     50 Briar Hollow Lane
   West Building, 7th Floor
        HOUSTON, TEXAS                                     77027
        --------------                                     -----
    (Address of principal                                (Zip Code)
     executive offices)

                                 (713) 881-8900
                                 --------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                      NONE
                                      ----
                                (Title of Class)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

                                ----                  ----
                       Yes       X              No
                                ----                  ----

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

The  aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of the
registrant at March 29, 1999 was approximately $321,985,638. For these purposes,
the term "affiliate" is deemed to mean officers and directors of the registrant.
On such  date,  the  closing  price of the  common  stock on the New York  Stock
Exchange was $14.625 and there were a total of 23,810,852 shares of common stock
outstanding.


<PAGE>


                                    PART III

ITEM 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

     The  executive  officers and directors of the Company and their ages (as of
April 1, 1999) and positions with the Company are as follows:

Name                   Age   Position(s) with the Company       Director Since
- ---------------------  ----  -------------------------------  ------------------

Herbert M. Pearlman     66   Chairman of the Board                   1982
                                   of Directors
Paul A. Frame           52   Chief Executive Officer,                1986
                                   President and Director

Horace A. Calvert       45   Chief Operating Officer,                1987
                                   Executive Vice President
                                   and Director

David S. Lawi           63   Chairman of the Executive               1982
                                   Committee and Director

Debra D. Valice         42   Chief Financial Officer,                1995
                                   Executive Vice President
                                   of Finance, Treasurer,
                                   Corporate Secretary
                                   and Director

Walter M. Craig, Jr.    44   Director                                1987
William Lerner          65   Director                                1985
John E. Stieglitz       67   Director                                1989
Fred S. Zeidman         52   Director                                1997

     Herbert M. Pearlman,  a co-founder of Seitel,  Inc., has been a director of
the Company since 1982, and Chairman of the Company's  Board of Directors  since
1987. He has served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a Director of Helm
Resources,  Inc.  ("Helm"),  a publicly-traded  company with equity interests in
diverse  businesses,  since 1980, and in June 1984, he became Helm's Chairman of
the Board.  Since March 1984,  Mr.  Pearlman has been Chairman of  Intersystems,
Inc.  ("Intersystems"),  an American  Stock Exchange  listed company  engaged in
providing  services to the thermoplastic  resins industry.  Since June 1990, Mr.
Pearlman  has  served  as  Chairman  of  Unapix  Entertainment,   Inc.  ("Unapix
Entertainment"),   an  American  Stock  Exchange   listed  company   engaged  in
multi-media entertainment.

     Paul A. Frame has been Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company  since July
1992 and President  since January 1987. He was Executive  Vice  President of the
Company from January 1985 until his  appointment  as President.  He was hired by
the Company in August 1984 as Vice President of Marketing. From December 1996 to
March 1999, Mr. Frame was a Director of Eagle  Geophysical,  Inc.  ("Eagle"),  a
NASDAQ listed company engaged in providing seismic data acquisitions services to
the oil and gas industry, and from August 1997 to March 1999, he was Chairman of
the Executive Committee of Eagle's board of directors.

     Horace A.  Calvert has been Chief  Operating  Officer of the Company  since
July 1992 and Executive  Vice  President  since January 1987. In March 1993, Mr.
Calvert was appointed President of DDD Energy,  Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary
of the  Company  engaged  in the  exploration  and  development  of oil  and gas
reserves. From January 1985 until his appointment as Vice President in May 1986,
he was the Company's Chief Geophysicist.

     David S. Lawi has been Chairman of the Company's  Executive Committee since
March 1987. He also was  Assistant  Secretary of the Company from May 1986 until

<PAGE>

June 1987 and from June 1989 until July 1993.  Mr.  Lawi has been a Director  of
Helm since 1980, and Chairman of the Executive Committee since 1997. Since March
1984, Mr. Lawi has been a Director of Intersystems  and, since 1985, he has been
Chairman of  Intersystems'  Executive  Committee.  Since June 1990, Mr. Lawi has
been a Director of Unapix Entertainment and, since January 1993, Chairman of its
Executive Committee.

     Debra D. Valice,  CPA, is the Company's Chief Financial Officer,  Executive
Vice  President of Finance,  Treasurer and Corporate  Secretary.  Ms. Valice has
been the Company's  Chief  Financial  Officer since  February  1987, and was the
Company's  Chief  Accounting  Officer from March 1986 until  February  1987. Ms.
Valice was elected as a director of the Company in November 1995.

     Walter M. Craig,  Jr.  provided  legal and business  advice to the Company,
from time to time, from 1984 through 1998.  Since 1993, he has been President of
both the Mezzanine Financial Fund, L.P., and Core Capital, Inc. Both enterprises
are engaged in making capital available to small and mid-market  companies based
on the value of their  assets.  He has served as Executive  Vice  President  and
Chief  Operating  Officer of Helm since August 1992.  From 1984 to 1992,  he was
Senior Vice  President of Business and Legal Affairs of Helm.  Since April 1993,
Mr. Craig has been a Director of Unapix Entertainment.

     William Lerner is Chairman of the Company's Audit Committee and Co-Chairman
of the Company's  Compensation and Stock Option  Committee.  Since January 1990,
Mr. Lerner has been engaged in the private  practice of law. From May 1990 until
December 1990, he was General Counsel to Hon Development  Company,  a California
real estate development company.  From June 1986 until December 1989, Mr. Lerner
was Vice  President  and  General  Counsel  of The  Geneva  Companies,  Inc.,  a
financial services company engaged in counseling  privately owned  middle-market
companies.  Since  1985,  he has been a Director of Helm.  Mr.  Lerner is also a
Director  of  Rent-Way,   Inc.,  a  New  York  Stock  Exchange   listed  company
headquartered  in  Pennsylvania  that  operates  the  second-largest   chain  of
rental-purchase stores in the United States, and  Micros-to-Mainframes,  Inc., a
NASDAQ  listed  company   headquartered  in  New  York  that  provides  advanced
technology communications products and systems integration and internet services
to Fortune 2000 companies.

     John E. Stieglitz is Co-Chairman  of the Company's  Compensation  and Stock
Option Committee and a member of the Company's Audit  Committee.  He is Chairman
Emeritus of Conspectus,  Inc., a privately held company, formed in 1976, engaged
in  providing  services  in the area of  executive  recruitment.  He  served  as
President  of  Conspectus,  Inc.  from  1976 to 1996.  Mr.  Stieglitz  is also a
Director of Helm and Intersystems.

     Fred  S.  Zeidman  is  a  member  of  the  Company's  Audit  Committee  and
Compensation  and Stock Option  Committee.  Mr. Zeidman has served as President,
Chief Executive Officer, and a Director of Intersystems since July 1993. He also
served as President of Interpak  Terminals,  Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of
Helm engaged in the packaging and  distribution of  thermoplastic  resins,  from
July 1993 until its sale in July 1997.  Mr. Zeidman served as Chairman of Unibar
Energy  Services  Corporation,  one of the largest  independent  drilling fluids
companies in the United States, from 1985 to 1991. From April 1992 to July 1993,
Mr. Zeidman served as President of Service Enterprises, Inc., which is primarily
engaged in plumbing,  heating, air conditioning and electrical  installation and
repair. From 1983 to 1993, Mr. Zeidman served as President of Enterprise Capital
Corporation, a federally licensed small business investment company specializing
in venture capital financing.  Mr. Zeidman also serves as a Director of Heritage
Bank.

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

     Section  16(a) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the
"Exchange Act"), requires the Company's officers,  directors and persons who own
more than 10% of the  Company's  common stock to file  reports of ownership  and
changes in  ownership  concerning  the  common  stock  with the  Securities  and
Exchange  Commission and to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a)
forms they file.  Based upon the  Company's  review of the Section 16(a) filings
that have been  received by the Company,  the Company  believes that all filings
required to be made under Section 16(a) during 1998 were timely made.


<PAGE>


ITEM 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth certain summary  information  concerning the
compensation awarded to, earned by or paid to the Chief Executive Officer of the
Company and each of the four most highly  compensated  executive officers of the
Company  other  than the  Chief  Executive  Officer  (collectively,  the  "named
executive officers") for the years indicated.
<TABLE>

                                            SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<CAPTION>

- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Annual Compensation                      Long-Term
                                          ------------------------------------------------------   Compensation
                                                                                        Other        Awards
                                                                         Eagle          Annual    --------------
                                                            Bonus        Bonus      Compensation  Stock Options/    All Other
   Name and Principal Position     Year    Salary ($)      ($)(1)<F1>   ($)(2)<F2>     ($)(3)<F3>   (SARs (#)     Compensation($)
   ----------------------------- --------- ------------  ------------ ------------  ------------  --------------   --------------

<S>                                <C>       <C>          <C>         <C>              <C>          <C>            <C>            
   Paul A. Frame                   1998      $444,878     $1,809,077      --           $1,180,450   1,190,798      $104,001  (4)<F4>
     Chief Executive Officer       1997      $144,878       $905,099  $2,282,500       $1,301,809     932,160      $104,764
     and President                 1996      $141,898     $1,457,603      --           $1,204,334     148,600       $87,998

   Horace A. Calvert               1998      $444,878     $1,809,077      --           $1,180,450     625,418      $104,001  (4)<F4>
     Chief Operating Officer       1997      $144,878       $903,598  $1,455,811       $1,301,809     378,882      $104,764
     and Executive Vice President  1996      $141,898     $1,457,603      --           $1,205,834     136,498       $87,998

   Herbert M. Pearlman             1998      $428,437     $1,961,347      --              --          690,582      $104,123  (4)<F4>
     Chairman of the               1997      $128,438     $1,183,947  $1,819,763          --          393,874      $104,764
     Board of Directors            1996      $124,818     $1,486,168      --              --          124,582       $88,654

   David S. Lawi                   1998      $214,219       $980,673      --              --          505,726      $104,001  (4)<F4>
     Chairman of the Executive     1997       $64,892       $591,975    $909,881          --          293,874      $104,764
     Committee                     1996       $60,588       $749,085      --              --          124,582       $87,998

   Debra D. Valice                 1998      $155,853       $437,064      --              --          172,412       $69,449  (4<F4>
     Executive Vice President      1997      $138,583       $270,833    $502,713          --          142,762       $70,816
     of Finance, Treasurer and     1996      $113,519       $358,332      --              --          142,570       $58,861
     Corporate Secretary
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>

(1)<F1>   Includes bonuses based on the Company's pre-tax profits and includes a
          discretionary bonus for Ms. Valice of $312,064.

(2)<F2>   Includes  contractual  bonuses based on the Company's  pre-tax profits
          related to the spin-off of Eagle in 1997 for Messrs.  Frame,  Calvert,
          Pearlman,  and Lawi,  an  additional  bonus for Mr.  Frame of $826,690
          related to the spin-off of Eagle,  and a  discretionary  bonus for Ms.
          Valice of $502,713 related to the spin-off of Eagle.

(3)<F3>   Includes commissions based on sales.

(4)<F4>   Includes   amounts  paid   pursuant  to  a  program  (the   "Incentive
          Compensation  Program")  whereby  between 2-1/2% and 5% of the revenue
          generated  annually  by  seismic  creation  programs  that have  fully
          recouped their direct costs is distributed to certain officers and key
          employees,  and  amounts  contributed  by the  Company  to its  401(k)
          Savings  Plan (the  "401(k)  Plan") on behalf of such named  executive
          officers  as  discretionary  and  matching   contributions.   Includes
          $101,623   contributed  by  the  Company  pursuant  to  its  Incentive
          Compensation Program for Messrs.  Frame,  Calvert,  Pearlman and Lawi,
          and  $66,949  for Ms.  Valice.  Also  includes  401(k)  Plan  matching
          contributions made by the Company of $2,378 for Messrs. Frame, Calvert
          and Lawi and $2,500 for Mr. Pearlman and Ms. Valice.
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>


     The following table sets forth certain  information with respect to options
to purchase common stock granted during the year ended December 31, 1998 to each
of the named executive officers.
<TABLE>

                            OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN 1998

<CAPTION>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Individual Grants
                              -----------------------------------------------------
                                               Percent                                       Potential Realizable Value
                                Number of      of Total                                       at Assumed Annual Rates of
                               Securities    Options/SARs                                      Stock Price Appreciation
                               Underlying     Granted to    Exercise                              for Option Term (3)<F3>
                               Options/SARs   Employees     or Base     Expiration    -------------------------------------------
    Name                       Granted (#)     in 1998     Price($/Sh)      Date      0 Percent($)    5 Percent($)   10 Percent($)
    ---------------------     ------------   -----------   ----------   -----------   -------------  -------------   ------------

<S>                            <C>            > <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>              <C>            <C>
    Paul A. Frame              160,038 (1)<F1>  3.40        $12.0000      04/11/00    ($100,023.75)    $36,291.03     $175,758.37
                                 6,106 (2)<F2>  0.13        $13.9375      11/26/01     ($12,208.94)      ($798.03)     $11,741.60
                                 3,242 (2)<F2>  0.07        $13.9375      11/27/01      ($6,482.37)      ($417.73)      $6,247.67
                                22,042 (2)<F2>  0.47        $13.9375      11/29/01     ($44,072.97)    ($2,758.77)     $42,659.87
                                30,442 (2)<F2>  0.65        $13.9375      12/02/01     ($60,868.77)    ($3,641.46)     $59,295.82
                                30,774 (2)<F2>  0.65        $13.9375      12/03/01     ($61,532.60)    ($3,624.33)     $60,070.17
                                 5,994 (2)<F2>  0.13        $13.9375      12/04/01     ($11,984.99)      ($694.85)     $11,725.03
                                57,400 (2)<F2>  1.22        $13.9375      06/05/02    ($114,771.29)    $12,992.27     $156,934.69
                                 7,800 (2)<F2>  0.17        $13.9375      06/05/02     ($15,596.09)     $1,765.50      $21,325.62
                                 7,400 (2)<F2>  0.16        $13.9375      06/05/02     ($14,796.29)     $1,674.96      $20,232.00
                                 4,600 (2)<F2>  0.10        $13.9375      06/06/02      ($9,197.69)     $1,049.90      $12,596.68
                                16,000 (2)<F2>  0.34        $13.9375      06/09/02     ($31,991.99)     $3,742.74      $44,023.62
                                 4,000 (2)<F2>  0.09        $13.9375      06/09/02      ($7,997.99)       $935.69      $11,005.91
                                   800 (2)<F2>  0.02        $13.9375      06/09/02      ($1,599.59)       $187.14       $2,201.18
                                38,200 (2)<F2>  0.81        $13.9375      06/10/02     ($76,380.89)     $9,008.16     $105,272.89
                                16,600 (2)<F2>  0.35        $13.9375      06/10/02     ($33,191.69)     $3,914.54      $45,746.86
                                20,000 (2)<F2>  0.43        $13.9375      06/11/02     ($39,989.99)     $4,754.21      $55,203.89
                                17,600 (2)<F2>  0.37        $13.9375      06/11/02     ($35,191.19)     $4,183.71      $48,579.42
                                 4,600 (2)<F2>  0.10        $13.9375      06/11/02      ($9,197.69)     $1,093.47      $12,696.89
                                10,000 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      06/12/02     ($19,994.99)     $2,396.05      $27,645.55
                                 8,400 (2)<F2>  0.18        $13.9375      06/12/02     ($16,795.79)     $2,012.69      $23,222.26
                                 1,000 (2)<F2>  0.02        $13.9375      06/12/02      ($1,999.49)       $239.61       $2,764.56
                                49,180 (2)<F2>  1.05        $13.9375      06/13/02     ($98,335.40)    $11,877.00     $136,175.34
                                34,620 (2)<F2>  0.74        $13.9375      06/13/02     ($69,222.68)     $8,360.75      $95,859.91
                                 1,800 (2)<F2>  0.04        $13.9375      06/13/02      ($3,599.09)       $434.70       $4,984.05
                                60,000 (2)<F2>  1.28        $13.9375      06/16/02    ($119,969.99)    $14,831.27     $166,920.57
                                20,000 (2)<F2>  0.43        $13.9375      06/16/02     ($39,989.99)     $4,943.76      $55,640.19
                                19,600 (2)<F2>  0.42        $13.9375      06/16/02     ($39,190.19)     $4,844.88      $54,527.38
                                17,800 (2)<F2>  0.38        $13.9375      06/16/02     ($35,591.09)     $4,399.94      $49,519.77
                                13,000 (2)<F2>  0.28        $13.9375      06/16/02     ($25,993.49)     $3,213.44      $36,166.12
                               300,000 (2)<F2>  6.38        $13.9375      11/20/02    ($599,849.99)   $164,405.93   $1,044,508.19
                               200,000 (2)<F2>  4.26        $13.9375      11/20/02    ($399,899.99)   $109,603.96     $696,338.79
                                 1,760 (2)<F2>  0.04        $13.9375      12/10/02      ($3,519.11)     $1,032.76       $6,288.31

    Horace A. Calvert          160,038 (1)<F1>  3.40        $12.0000      04/11/00    ($100,023.75)    $36,291.03     $175,758.37
                                14,412 (2)<F2>  0.31        $13.9375      11/29/01     ($28,816.78)    ($1,803.80)     $27,892.84
                                32,650 (2)<F2>  0.69        $13.9375      12/02/01     ($65,283.66)    ($3,905.58)     $63,596.63
                                33,006 (2)<F2>  0.70        $13.9375      12/03/01     ($65,995.49)    ($3,887.20)     $64,426.99
                                 6,430 (2)<F2>  0.14        $13.9375      12/04/01     ($12,856.77)      ($745.39)     $12,577.90

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                                 Individual Grants
                              -----------------------------------------------------
                                               Percent                                       Potential Realizable Value
                                Number of      of Total                                       at Assumed Annual Rates of
                               Securities    Options/SARs                                      Stock Price Appreciation
                               Underlying     Granted to    Exercise                              for Option Term (3)<F3>
                               Options/SARs   Employees     or Base     Expiration    -------------------------------------------
    Name                       Granted (#)     in 1998     Price($/Sh)      Date      0 Percent($)    5 Percent($)   10 Percent($)
    ---------------------     ------------   -----------   ----------   -----------   -------------  -------------   ------------


    Horace A. Calvert          200,000 (2)<F2>  4.26        $13.9375      11/20/02    ($399,899.99)   $109,603.96     $696,338.79
        (CONTINUED)             71,082 (2)<F2>  1.51        $13.9375      12/08/02    ($142,128.45)    $41,434.78     $253,319.25
                                39,400 (2)<F2>  0.84        $13.9375      12/08/02     ($78,780.29)    $22,966.86     $140,412.18
                                24,000 (2)<F2>  0.51        $13.9375      12/08/02     ($47,987.99)    $13,989.97      $85,530.26
                                10,000 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      12/08/02     ($19,994.99)     $5,829.15      $35,637.61
                                 9,600 (2)<F2>  0.20        $13.9375      12/08/02     ($19,195.19)     $5,595.99      $34,212.10
                                 8,200 (2)<F2>  0.17        $13.9375      12/08/02     ($16,395.89)     $4,779.90      $29,222.84
                                 3,000 (2)<F2>  0.06        $13.9375      12/08/02      ($5,998.49)     $1,748.75      $10,691.28
                                 3,000 (2)<F2>  0.06        $13.9375      12/08/02      ($5,998.49)     $1,748.75      $10,691.28
                                 2,400 (2)<F2>  0.05        $13.9375      12/08/02      ($4,798.79)     $1,399.00       $8,553.03
                                 2,300 (2)<F2>  0.05        $13.9375      12/08/02      ($4,598.84)     $1,340.70       $8,196.65
                                 2,000 (2)<F2>  0.04        $13.9375      12/08/02      ($3,998.99)     $1,165.83       $7,127.52
                                 1,000 (2)<F2>  0.02        $13.9375      12/08/02      ($1,999.49)       $582.92       $3,563.76
                                 1,000 (2)<F2>  0.02        $13.9375      12/08/02      ($1,999.49)       $582.92       $3,563.76
                                 1,000 (2)<F2>  0.02        $13.9375      12/08/02      ($1,999.49)       $582.92       $3,563.76
                                   700 (2)<F2>  0.01        $13.9375      12/08/02      ($1,399.64)       $408.04       $2,494.63
                                   200 (2)<F2>  0.00        $13.9375      12/08/02        ($399.89)       $116.58         $712.75

    Herbert M. Pearlman        172,126 (1)<F1>  3.67        $12.0000      04/11/00    ($107,578.75)    $39,032.17     $189,033.77
                                80,000 (2)<F2>  1.70        $13.9375      04/28/00    ($159,959.99)   ($92,308.52)    ($23,346.71)
                                 2,762 (2)<F2>  0.06        $13.9375      11/26/01      ($5,522.61)      ($360.98)      $5,311.22
                                 1,466 (2)<F2>  0.03        $13.9375      11/27/01      ($2,931.26)      ($188.89)      $2,825.13
                                 9,964 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      11/29/01     ($19,923.01)    ($1,247.08)     $19,284.23
                                13,766 (2)<F2>  0.29        $13.9375      12/02/01     ($27,525.11)    ($1,646.68)     $26,813.82
                                13,914 (2)<F2>  0.30        $13.9375      12/03/01     ($27,821.03)    ($1,638.68)     $27,159.82
                                 2,710 (2)<F2>  0.06        $13.9375      12/04/01      ($5,418.63)      ($314.15)      $5,301.11
                                20,000 (2)<F2>  0.43        $13.9375      07/17/02     ($39,989.99)     $6,121.77      $58,358.01
                                13,700 (2)<F2>  0.29        $13.9375      07/17/02     ($27,393.14)     $4,193.41      $39,975.24
                                 6,154 (2)<F2>  0.13        $13.9375      07/17/02     ($12,304.91)     $1,883.67      $17,956.76
                                   946 (2)<F2>  0.02        $13.9375      07/17/02      ($1,891.52)       $289.56       $2,760.33
                                 8,700 (2)<F2>  0.19        $13.9375      07/22/02     ($17,395.64)     $2,745.82      $25,577.32
                                10,000 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      07/23/02     ($19,994.99)     $3,175.17      $29,443.29
                                 1,400 (2)<F2>  0.03        $13.9375      07/23/02      ($2,799.29)       $444.52       $4,122.06
                                   100 (2)<F2>  0.00        $13.9375      07/23/02        ($199.94)        $31.75         $294.43
                                 9,800 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      07/29/02     ($19,595.09)     $3,223.75      $29,113.83
                                30,000 (2)<F2>  0.64        $13.9375      07/30/02     ($59,984.99)     $9,925.85      $89,256.45
                                 7,500 (2)<F2>  0.16        $13.9375      08/22/02     ($14,996.24)     $2,810.97      $23,078.22
                                10,074 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      08/25/02     ($20,142.95)     $3,833.53      $31,132.99
                                 2,500 (2)<F2>  0.05        $13.9375      08/25/02      ($4,998.74)       $951.34       $7,726.07
                                 1,900 (2)<F2>  0.04        $13.9375      08/25/02      ($3,799.04)       $723.02       $5,871.82
                                   500 (2)<F2>  0.01        $13.9375      08/26/02        ($999.74)       $191.23       $1,547.44
                                12,700 (2)<F2>  0.27        $13.9375      08/28/02     ($25,393.64)     $4,905.76      $39,417.93
                                 2,000 (2)<F2>  0.04        $13.9375      08/29/02      ($3,998.99)       $776.39       $6,216.45
                                 9,500 (2)<F2>  0.20        $13.9375      09/02/02     ($18,995.24)     $3,760.64      $29,697.36

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
                                                 Individual Grants
                              -----------------------------------------------------
                                               Percent                                       Potential Realizable Value
                                Number of      of Total                                       at Assumed Annual Rates of
                               Securities    Options/SARs                                      Stock Price Appreciation
                               Underlying     Granted to    Exercise                              for Option Term (3)<F3>
                               Options/SARs   Employees     or Base     Expiration    -------------------------------------------
    Name                       Granted (#)     in 1998     Price($/Sh)      Date      0 Percent($)    5 Percent($)   10 Percent($)
    ---------------------     ------------   -----------   ----------   -----------   -------------  -------------   ------------


    Herbert M. Pearlman            500 (2)<F2>  0.01        $13.9375      09/02/02        ($999.74)       $197.93       $1,563.02
        (CONTINUED)             10,000 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      09/03/02     ($19,994.99)     $3,977.73      $31,304.95
                                35,900 (2)<F2>  0.76        $13.9375      09/04/02     ($71,782.04)    $14,348.84     $112,544.78
                               200,000 (2)<F2>  4.26        $13.9375      11/20/02    ($399,899.99)   $109,603.96     $696,338.79

    David Lawi                  87,270 (1)<F1>  1.86        $12.0000      04/11/00     ($54,543.75)    $19,789.79      $95,842.45
                                80,000 (2)<F2>  1.70        $13.9375      04/28/00    ($159,959.99)   ($92,308.52)    ($23,346.71)
                                 2,762 (2)<F2>  0.06        $13.9375      11/26/01      ($5,522.61)      ($360.98)      $5,311.22
                                 1,466 (2)<F2>  0.03        $13.9375      11/27/01      ($2,931.26)      ($188.89)      $2,825.13
                                 9,964 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      11/29/01     ($19,923.01)    ($1,247.08)     $19,284.23
                                13,766 (2)<F2>  0.29        $13.9375      12/02/01     ($27,525.11)    ($1,646.68)     $26,813.82
                                13,914 (2)<F2>  0.30        $13.9375      12/03/01     ($27,821.03)    ($1,638.68)     $27,159.82
                                 2,710 (2)<F2>  0.06        $13.9375      12/04/01      ($5,418.63)      ($314.15)      $5,301.11
                                20,000 (2)<F2>  0.43        $13.9375      07/17/02     ($39,989.99)     $6,121.77      $58,358.01
                                13,700 (2)<F2>  0.29        $13.9375      07/17/02     ($27,393.14)     $4,193.41      $39,975.24
                                 6,154 (2)<F2>  0.13        $13.9375      07/17/02     ($12,304.91)     $1,883.67      $17,956.76
                                   946 (2)<F2>  0.02        $13.9375      07/17/02      ($1,891.52)       $289.56       $2,760.33
                                 8,700 (2)<F2>  0.19        $13.9375      07/22/02     ($17,395.64)     $2,745.82      $25,577.32
                                10,000 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      07/23/02     ($19,994.99)     $3,175.17      $29,443.29
                                 1,400 (2)<F2>  0.03        $13.9375      07/23/02      ($2,799.29)       $444.52       $4,122.06
                                   100 (2)<F2>  0.00        $13.9375      07/23/02        ($199.94)        $31.75         $294.43
                                 9,800 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      07/29/02     ($19,595.09)     $3,223.75      $29,113.83
                                30,000 (2)<F2>  0.64        $13.9375      07/30/02     ($59,984.99)     $9,925.85      $89,256.45
                                 7,500 (2)<F2>  0.16        $13.9375      08/22/02     ($14,996.24)     $2,810.97      $23,078.22
                                10,074 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      08/25/02     ($20,142.95)     $3,833.53      $31,132.99
                                 2,500 (2)<F2>  0.05        $13.9375      08/25/02      ($4,998.74)       $951.34       $7,726.07
                                 1,900 (2)<F2>  0.04        $13.9375      08/25/02      ($3,799.04)       $723.02       $5,871.82
                                   500 (2)<F2>  0.01        $13.9375      08/26/02        ($999.74)       $191.23       $1,547.44
                                12,700 (2)<F2>  0.27        $13.9375      08/28/02     ($25,393.64)     $4,905.76      $39,417.93
                                 2,000 (2)<F2>  0.04        $13.9375      08/29/02      ($3,998.99)       $776.39       $6,216.45
                                 9,500 (2)<F2>  0.20        $13.9375      09/02/02     ($18,995.24)     $3,760.64      $29,697.36
                                   500 (2)<F2>  0.01        $13.9375      09/02/02        ($999.74)       $197.93       $1,563.02
                                10,000 (2)<F2>  0.21        $13.9375      09/03/02     ($19,994.99)     $3,977.73      $31,304.95
                                35,900 (2)<F2>  0.76        $13.9375      09/04/02     ($71,782.04)    $14,348.84     $112,544.78
                               100,000 (2)<F2>  2.13        $13.9375      11/20/02    ($199,949.99)    $54,801.98     $348,169.40

    Debra D. Valice              7,650 (2)<F2>  0.16        $13.9375      12/05/01     ($15,296.16)      ($872.68)     $14,996.13
                                64,762 (2)<F2>  1.38        $13.9375      07/14/02    ($129,491.61)    $19,453.07     $188,114.28
                                50,000 (2)<F2>  1.06        $13.9375      09/25/06     ($99,974.99)   $176,921.54     $559,786.01
                                50,000 (2)<F2>  1.06        $13.9375      11/20/07     ($99,974.99)   $227,505.09     $705,814.30

- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<FN>

(1)<F1>   The expiration dates of the common stock purchase warrants listed were
          extended from April 11, 1999 to April 11, 2000.
<PAGE>

(2)<F2>   On December  3, 1998,  the  Company's  Board of  Directors  approved a
          repricing  of the  company's  then  outstanding  options and  warrants
          whereby all options and warrants  held by  employees  with an exercise
          price  greater  than  $13.9375  ($2  above  the  market  price  of the
          Company's  common stock) were repriced to $13.9375.  The vesting terms
          and expiration dates of these options and warrants were not amended.

(3)<F3>   The values shown are based on the  indicated  assumed  annual rates of
          appreciation  compounded  annually.  The actual value an executive may
          realize will depend on the extent to which the stock price exceeds the
          exercise  price of the  options or  warrants on the date the option or
          warrant is exercised.  Accordingly,  the value, if any, realized by an
          executive will not  necessarily  equal any of the amounts set forth in
          the table  above.  These  calculations  are not  intended  to forecast
          possible  future  appreciation,  if any, of the price of the Company's
          common stock.
</FN>
</TABLE>

     The  following  table sets forth  certain  information  with respect to the
exercise of options  during the year ended  December 31, 1998,  and  unexercised
options held at December 31, 1998, and the value  thereof,  by each of the named
executive officers.
<TABLE>

                                          AGGREGATED OPTION/SAR EXERCISES IN 1998
                                               AND 12/31/98 OPTION/SAR VALUES
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Number of Securities
                                                                 Underlying Unexercised           Value of Unexercised In-the
                              Shares                                   Options/SARs                  Money Options/SARs at
                             Acquired                               at 12/31/98 (#)                       12/31/98 ($)
                                on             Value         -----------------------------      --------------------------------
 Name                       Exercise(#)    Realized ($)      Exercisable     Unexercisable       Exercisable       Unexercisable
- -------------------------   -----------    ------------      -----------     -------------      -------------      -------------

<S>                             <C>             <C>           <C>               <C>             <C>                    <C>
 Paul A. Frame                  0               $0            1,267,156         176,666           $392,127.87          $0
 Horace A. Calvert              0               $0              967,156         176,666         $1,961,187.12          $0
 Herbert M. Pearlman            0               $0              705,582         160,000           $126,867.63          $0
 David S. Lawi                  0               $0              550,726          80,000            $89,743.13          $0
 Debra D. Valice                0               $0              241,539          56,666            $34,375.00          $0
</TABLE>

EMPLOYMENT ARRANGEMENTS

Agreements with Messrs. Frame, Calvert, Pearlman and Lawi

     On  November  20,  1997,  the  stockholders  approved  the  1998  Executive
Compensation  Plan.  The  Company  has  employment  agreements  with  Herbert M.
Pearlman, Paul A. Frame, Horace A. Calvert and David S. Lawi (the "Executives"),
for service in their respective capacities set forth in the listing of directors
and executive  officers,  that provide for  compensation  in accordance with the
1998 Executive  Compensation Plan.  Messrs.  Pearlman,  Frame,  Calvert and Lawi
receive an annual base salary of $428,437,  $444,878,  $444,878,  and  $214,219,
respectively, under these employment agreements.

     The  agreements  also provide for the  Executives to receive bonus payments
based  on the  annual  Pre-Tax  Profits  (the  "PTP")  of the  Company  and  its
majority-owned  subsidiaries  ("Subsidiaries").  The PTP must exceed $10 million
for fiscal  1998 and each of the four years  thereafter,  $12 million for fiscal

<PAGE>

2003 and each of the four years thereafter,  and $14 million for fiscal 2008 and
thereafter  (the "PTP  Threshold").  If the PTP exceeds the PTP  Threshold,  the
Executives  will receive the  following  bonuses  based on the annual PTP of the
Company and its Subsidiaries:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 Percentage up to        Percentage above
                                  $50 Million PTP         $50 Million PTP
                                 ----------------        ----------------

<S>                                    <C>                     <C>
Herbert M. Pearlman*<F1>               5.0%                     5.3%
Paul A. Frame                          4.0%                    4.25%
Horace A. Calvert                      4.0%                    4.25%
David S. Lawi*<F1>                     2.5%                    2.65%
<FN>
*<F1>     The annual bonus payments to Messrs. Pearlman and Lawi will be reduced
          by $300,000 and $150,000, respectively.
</FN>
</TABLE>

     The  agreements  further  provide for Messrs.  Frame and Calvert to receive
annual  bonuses  equal  to 1% of  the  annual  sales  of  the  Company  and  its
Subsidiaries  in excess of $30  million,  provided  that the PTP exceeds the PTP
Threshold.

     Each of the agreements  with Messrs.  Frame and Calvert  provide that if at
any time during the term of such  agreement,  (i) the  employment  agreements of
Messrs.  Pearlman or Lawi are terminated by the Company prior to the stated term
thereof,  or (ii) Messrs.  Pearlman and Lawi resign from the Company's  Board of
Directors prior to the expiration of the term of their employment agreements, or
(iii) the  majority of the members of the  Company's  Board of  Directors  is no
longer nominated and supported by a majority of Messrs. Frame, Calvert, Pearlman
and Lawi  (each a "Change in  Control"),  the  employee  shall have the right to
terminate   the  agreement   immediately   and  receive  from  the  Company  all
compensation  required to be paid during the  unexpired  term thereof as well as
the  severance  payment  described  below  without  any  obligation  to  perform
consulting  services as described below. The Company believes that the Change in
Control  provisions  in these  agreements  may tend to  discourage  attempts  to
acquire a  controlling  interest  in the  Company  and may also tend to make the
removal of management more difficult.

     Each  agreement  is for a term of five  years,  renewable  each year for an
additional  year  unless  either  party to the  agreement  gives  notice  to the
contrary.  Each agreement  provides that if it is not renewed,  the Company will
pay the employee  for two  additional  years'  compensation  including  his then
current base salary plus the average of all bonuses paid to the employee for the
then prior three years. The severance  payments are contingent upon the employee
remaining  available  to  perform  consulting  services  for the  benefit of the
Company.  Each agreement also provides for monthly salary continuation  payments
for one year upon the  employee's  death,  so long as the  agreement  is in full
force  and  effect  at the  time of the  employee's  death.  The  annual  salary
continuation  amount will equal the employee's  base salary at his date of death
plus an average of the bonuses paid for the three previous calendar years.

     Each  agreement  provides  for  certain  noncompetition  and  nondisclosure
covenants of the employee and for certain  Company-paid  fringe benefits such as
an automobile allowance, disability insurance and inclusion in pension, deferred
compensation, profit sharing, stock purchase, savings, hospitalization and other
benefit plans in effect from time to time.

Agreement with Ms. Valice

     Effective as of January 1, 1993,  the Company  entered  into an  employment
agreement with Ms. Valice for service in her capacities set forth in the listing
of directors  and executive  officers.  In 1998,  Ms. Valice  received an annual
salary base of $155,853  under her  employment  agreement.  The  agreement  also
provides  for an  annual  bonus of 2% of the  Company's  pre-tax  profits  up to
$125,000,  plus an additional  amount as determined by the Board of Directors of
the Company.
<PAGE>

     The  agreement  includes the same Charge in Control  provision as described
above for the Frame and  Calvert  agreements,  and is for a term of five  years,
renewable each year for an additional  year unless either party to the agreement
gives notice to the contrary.  The agreement provides that if it is not renewed,
the Company will pay Ms. Valice for two additional years' compensation including
her then current base salary plus the average of all bonuses paid to her for the
then prior three years.  The severance  payments are contingent  upon Ms. Valice
remaining  available  to  perform  consulting  services  for the  benefit of the
Company.  The agreement also provides for monthly salary  continuation  payments
for one year upon Ms.  Valice's death, so long as the agreement is in full force
and effect at the time of her death. The annual salary  continuation amount will
equal Ms.  Valice's  base  salary at her date of death  plus an  average  of the
bonuses paid for the three previous calendar years.

     The  agreement  provides  for  certain   noncompetition  and  nondisclosure
covenants of Ms. Valice and for certain  Company-paid fringe benefits such as an
automobile  allowance,  disability insurance and inclusion in pension,  deferred
compensation, profit sharing, stock purchase, savings, hospitalization and other
benefit plans in effect from time to time.

Option Repricing Upon Change in Control

     In December  1998,  the Board of Directors  approved  the  repricing of all
employee options and warrants with an exercise price above $13.9375 per share to
$13.9375 per share. Options and warrants held by the Named Executive Officers to
purchase an aggregate of 2,605,464  shares of Company common stock were included
in this repricing. The terms of this repricing also provided that if the Company
is acquired by another company these options and warrants will be repriced to an
exercise price of $11.9375 per share.

Directors Compensation

     Outside directors receive an annual fee of $30,000 for serving on the board
and are  reimbursed  for out of  pocket  expenses  for  meeting  attendance.  No
additional fees are paid for serving on committees, except that committee chairs
receive  an  additional  $5,000  annually  or 10,000  options  to  purchase  the
Company's  common  stock.  On July 25, 1996,  the  Company's  Board of Directors
adopted the Non-Employee  Directors'  Deferred  Compensation  Plan which permits
each non-employee  director to elect to receive annual director fees in the form
of stock options and to defer receipt of any directors'  fees in a deferred cash
account or as deferred shares.  As of December 31, 1998, 60,000 shares have been
reserved for issuance under this plan and directors (including former directors)
have  accumulated  1,643  deferred  shares in their accounts of which 328 shares
have been distributed and 1,315 will be distributed in annual equal installments
from January 1999 to January 2002.  Directors who are also employees  receive no
separate compensation for their services as directors.

     Non-employee  directors  also  participate in the  Non-Employee  Directors'
Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"),  which was approved by Company  Shareholders  at
the 1994 annual meeting. Under the terms of the Plan, each non-employee director
receives  on the  date of each  annual  meeting  during  the term of the Plan an
option to purchase  2,000 shares of common  stock at an exercise  price equal to
the fair market  value of the common  stock on the date of grant.  In  addition,
each non-employee director who is elected or appointed to the Board of Directors
for the first time is granted on the date of such  election  or  appointment  an
option to purchase  10,000 shares of common stock at an exercise  price equal to
the fair market value of the common stock on the date of grant.  Options granted
under the Plan become  exercisable one year after the date of grant. All options
expire at the earlier of five years after the date of grant, twelve months after
the  optionee  ceases  to serve  as a  director  due to  death,  disability,  or
retirement at or after age 65, or sixty days after the optionee otherwise ceases
to serve as a director of the Company. If a director ceases to serve as such for
any reason other than death,  disability,  or retirement at or after age 65, the
option may be exercised only if it was exercisable at the date of such cessation
of service.  During  1998,  William  Lerner and John E.  Stieglitz  were granted
12,000 options each  (including  10,000 for chairing a board  committee),  at an
exercise price of $13.75. In addition, Fred S. Zeidman received 2,000 options at
an exercise price of $13.75.

<PAGE>


     In December 1998, the Board of Directors adopted  amendments to the Plan to
expand  the  circumstances  under  which  grants  of  options  can  be  made  to
non-employee  directors  by  permitting  discretionary  grants and to expand the
terms  relating to previous  grants of options.  The  amendments  are subject to
stockholder approval at the 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.

     Following  the adoption of the  amendments in December  1998,  the Board of
Directors  approved  option  grants to  Messrs.  Craig,  Lerner,  Stieglitz  and
Zeidman,  non-employee  directors, to purchase 20,000, 20,000, 20,000 and 15,000
shares of the  Company's  common  stock,  respectively.  These  options  have an
exercise price of $11.9375 per share, which was the closing price for the shares
on the date of grant,  vest on December 3, 1999 and expire December 3, 2003. The
Board of Directors  also  authorized a new exercise  price of $13.9375 per share
for outstanding options for 26,000, 26,000 and 10,000 options previously granted
under the Plan to Messrs.  Lerner,  Stieglitz  and  Zeidman,  respectively,  and
extended by two years the expiration  date of 38,000,  38,000 and 12,000 options
previously  granted  under the Plan to Messrs.  Lerner,  Stieglitz  and Zeidman,
respectively.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

     The  Company's  Compensation  and Stock  Option  Committee  is  composed of
William Lerner, John E. Stieglitz and Fred S. Zeidman.

     No member of the  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of Directors of the
Company was,  during  1998,  an officer or employee of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries,  or  was  formerly  an  officer  of  the  Company  or  any  of its
subsidiaries,   or  had  any  relationship   requiring  disclosure  pursuant  to
applicable  rules and  regulations of the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission.
During 1998, no executive  officer of the Company  served as (i) a member of the
compensation   committee  (or  other  board  committee   performing   equivalent
functions) of another  entity,  one of whose  executive  officers  served on the
Compensation Committee of the Company, (ii) a director of another entity, one of
whose executive officers served on the Compensation Committee of the Company, or
(iii)  a  member  of  the  compensation  committee  (or  other  board  committee
performing  equivalent  functions)  of another  entity,  one of whose  executive
officers served as a director of the Company.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     The following table sets forth certain information regarding the beneficial
ownership of the common stock, as of April 15, 1999, by (i) persons known to the
Company to be beneficial  owners of more than 5% of the common stock,  (ii) each
of the Company's directors, (iii) each of the named executive officers, and (iv)
all directors and executive officers of the Company as a group.


<PAGE>



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Name and Address                                              Amount and Nature of
of Beneficial Owner                                     Beneficial Ownership (1)<F2>(2)<F3>           Percentage of Class
- -----------------------------------------------         ----------------------------------         -------------------------

<S>                                                                <C>                                          <C>
Paul A. Frame, Jr.                                                 1,715,086 (3)<F4>                            6.8%
50 Briar Hollow Lane, 7th Floor West
Houston, TX  77027

Horace A. Calvert                                                  1,511,750 (4)<F5>                            6.1%
50 Briar Hollow Lane, 7th Floor West
Houston, TX  77027

Driehaus Capital Management, Inc.                                  1,241,170                                    5.2%
25 East Erie Street
Chicago, IL 60611

Herbert M. Pearlman                                                1,037,241 (5)<F6>                            4.2%
537 Steamboat Road
Greenwich, CT 06830
<PAGE>

Name and Address                                              Amount and Nature of
of Beneficial Owner                                     Beneficial Ownership (1)<F2>(2)<F3>           Percentage of Class
- -----------------------------------------------         ----------------------------------         -------------------------

David S. Lawi                                                        690,287 (6)<F7>                            2.8%
537 Steamboat Road
Greenwich, CT  06830

Debra D. Valice                                                      371,785 (7)<F8>                            1.5%
50 Briar Hollow Lane, 7th Floor West
Houston, TX  77027

Walter M. Craig, Jr.                                                  74,820 (8)<F9>                               *<F1>
1011 HWY 7
Spring Lake, NJ 07762

William Lerner                                                        35,170 (9)<F10>                              *<F1>
423 East Beau Street
Washington, PA  15301

John E. Stieglitz                                                     34,085 (9)<F10>                              *<F1>
Conspectus, Inc.
222 Purchase Street
Rye, NY  10580

Fred S. Zeidman                                                       19,000 (10)<F11>                             *<F1>
2104 Chilton
Houston, TX 77019

All directors and executive officers
  as a group (9 persons)                                           5,489,224 (11)<F12>                         19.9%

<FN>

*  <F1>   Less than 1%

(1)<F2>   Except as otherwise  noted,  each named holder has, to the best of the
          Company's knowledge,  sole voting and investment power with respect to
          the shares indicated.

(2)<F3>   Includes  shares  that may be  acquired  within  60 days by any of the
          named persons upon exercise of any right.

(3)<F4>   Includes  278,384 and 1,005,438  shares which may be acquired from the
          Company  within 60 days upon  exercise  of options  and  common  stock
          purchase  warrants,  respectively.  The exercise prices of the options
          range from $2.78 to $13.94 per share,  and the exercise  prices of the
          common stock purchase warrants range from $11.75 to $13.94 per share.

(4)<F5>   Includes  443,404 and 540,418  shares  which may be acquired  from the
          Company  within 60 days upon  exercise  of options  and  common  stock
          purchase  warrants,  respectively.  The exercise prices of the options
          range from $2.78 to $13.94 per share,  and the exercise  prices of the
          common stock purchase warrants range from $6.53 to $13.94 per share.
<PAGE>

(5)<F6>   Includes  338,456 and 322,126  shares  which may be acquired  from the
          Company  within 60 days upon  exercise  of options  and  common  stock
          purchase  warrants,  respectively.  The exercise prices of the options
          range from  $12.56 to $13.94,  and the  exercise  prices of the common
          stock purchase warrants range from $11.75 to $13.94 per share.

(6)<F7>   Includes  288,456 and 187,270  shares  which may be acquired  from the
          Company  within 60 days upon  exercise  of options  and  common  stock
          purchase  warrants,  respectively.  The exercise prices of the options
          range from  $12.56 to $13.94,  and the  exercise  prices of the common
          stock purchase warrants range from $11.75 to $13.94 per share.

(7)<F8>   Includes  149,079 and 92,460  shares  which may be  acquired  from the
          Company  within 60 days upon  exercise  of options  and  common  stock
          purchase  warrants,  respectively.  The exercise prices of the options
          range from $12.56 to $13.94 per share,  and the exercise prices of the
          common stock purchase warrants range from $11.75 to $13.56 per share.


(8)<F9>   Includes  67,554 shares which may be acquired from the Company  within
          60 days upon exercise of common stock purchase warrants.  The exercise
          prices of the common  stock  purchase  warrants  range from  $11.75 to
          $13.94 per share.

(9)<F10>  Includes  26,000 shares which may be acquired from the Company  within
          60 days upon  exercise of options at an  exercise  price of $13.94 per
          share.

(10)<F11> Includes  10,000 shares which may be acquired from the Company  within
          60 days upon  exercise of options at an  exercise  price of $13.94 per
          share.

(11)<F12> Includes an aggregate of 3,775,045  shares which may be acquired  from
          the  Company  within 60 days upon  exercise of  1,559,779  options and
          2,215,266 common stock purchase warrants,  respectively,  by the group
          of nine persons which comprises all executive  officers and directors.
          The  exercise  prices of the  options  range  from $2.78 to $13.94 per
          share,  and the exercise prices of the common stock purchase  warrants
          range from $6.53 to $13.94 per share.
</FN>
</TABLE>

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

     On July 21, 1992, the Company granted ten-year loans at an interest rate of
4% to most of its employees for the purchase of 800,000  shares of the Company's
common  stock at the then market  price of $2.6875 per share.  Payments of 5% of
the original  principal balance plus accrued interest are due annually on August
1, with a balloon  payment of the remaining  principal and accrued  interest due
August 1, 2002.  The  Company  recorded  compensation  expense  due to the below
market  interest rate on these loans of $40,000 in 1998. The stock  certificates
are held by the Company as collateral until payment is received. Loans in excess
of $60,000 were made to Messrs.  Frame and Calvert and Ms. Valice,  amounting to
$537,500, $537,500 and $134,375,  respectively. The largest aggregate amounts of
principal and interest  outstanding on such loans during 1998 were approximately
$418,000,  $418,000  and  $105,000,  respectively.  As of April  15,  1999,  the
aggregate  amounts of  principal  and  interest  outstanding  on such loans were
approximately $386,000, $386,000 and $97,000, respectively.

     On October 2, 1998, the Company granted five-year loans at an interest rate
of 4% to most of its  employees in an  aggregate  amount of  $8,191,219  for the
purchase from the Company of 794,300  shares of the  Company's  common stock and
options to purchase a like number of shares of the Company's  common stock at an
exercise  price of $11.75 per  share.  Payment  of 60% of the loan  amount  plus
accrued  interest is being made in equal monthly,  quarterly or annual payments,
as applicable,  and a balloon  payment of the remaining 40% is due on October 2,

<PAGE>

2003. The Company recorded compensation expense due to the below market interest
rate on these loans of $14,000 in 1998. The stock  certificates  are held by the
Company as collateral until payment is received. Loans in excess of $60,000 were
made to Messrs. Frame, Calvert, Pearlman and Lawi amounting to $773,438 each and
to Ms. Valice amounting to $515,625.  The largest aggregate amounts of principal
and interest  outstanding on such loans during 1998 were approximately  $781,000
for each of Messrs.  Frame,  Calvert,  Pearlman  and Lawi and  $521,000  for Ms.
Valice.  As of April 15, 1999,  the aggregate  amounts of principal and interest
outstanding on such loans were approximately $759,000 for each of Messrs. Frame,
Calvert, Pearlman and Lawi and $506,000 for Ms. Valice.

     The Company guarantees borrowings up to $750,000 made by Paul Frame under a
line of credit.  The Company is only  obligated  to make payment in the event of
default by Mr. Frame. The Company has a contractual  right of offset against any
salary, bonus, commission or other amounts due from the Company to Mr. Frame for
any amounts paid by the Company pursuant to this guaranty. At December 31, 1998,
$600,000 was outstanding on this line of credit,  which  represented the maximum
amount outstanding on this line of credit for the year. The Company did not make
any payments under this guaranty during 1998.

     On August 11, 1997,  the Company's  wholly-owned  seismic data  acquisition
crew subsidiary,  Eagle Geophysical,  Inc., completed an initial public offering
("Offering")  in which the Company  sold  1,880,000 of its  3,400,000  shares of
Eagle common stock as a selling  stockholder.  As of April 15, 1999, the Company
has  17.3%  ownership  interest  in  Eagle.  The  Company  owed  Eagle  and  its
subsidiaries  $27,117,000  at December  31, 1998,  for seismic data  acquisition
services provided to the Company and its subsidiaries subsequent to the Offering
date. The Company  incurred  charges of  $79,900,000  for these services for the
year ended  December 31, 1998.  Costs  incurred for these services were based on
agreed upon contractual  amounts and terms similar to contracts with third party
contractors.  The Company has declared a dividend of all of its shares of Eagle,
which will be paid as soon as practical to the Company's  stockholders of record
as of April 26, 1999.

     Paul Frame,  the Chief  Executive  Officer,  President  and Director of the
Company,  was a Director of Eagle and  Chairman of the  Executive  Committee  of
Eagle's  Board of  Directors  until March  1999.  In addition to his duties as a
director of Eagle, Mr. Frame was responsible for strategic planning,  marketing,
and domestic and  international  growth of Eagle's business  pursuant to a bonus
agreement  with Eagle,  which was terminated in March 1999 when he resigned as a
director of Eagle. The Board of Directors of the Company had agreed to allow Mr.
Frame to devote 20% of his time to Eagle until  December 31,  1999.  Pursuant to
the bonus  agreement,  Eagle paid Mr. Frame a bonus of $206,979  attributable to
1998, along with annual director fees and meeting fees as an outside director of
Eagle.

     Certain employees and directors of the Company and immediate family members
of employees and directors contributed cash to partnerships in 1994 through 1997
which invested in the exploration and development of oil and gas properties on a
working  interest  basis  along  with DDD  Energy,  Inc.  ("DDD  Energy").  Each
partnership's  working interest amounted to 2.5% of the total investment made by
such  partnership and DDD Energy for the partnership  formed in 1997, 3% for the
partnership formed in 1996 and 5% for the partnerships  formed in 1995 and 1994.
Effective  October 1, 1998, DDD Energy purchased the oil and gas interests owned
by each of the  partnerships  in  exchange  for shares of the  Company's  common
stock, cash in lieu of fractional  shares and assumption of certain  partnership
liabilities.  The purchase price for the interests of each partnership was equal
to the greater of (i) the present value of future  production of proved reserves
based on the independent  reserve report dated January 1, 1998,  adjusted by DDD
Energy to the effective date of the purchase to take into account production and
other reserve changes, plus 100% of costs attributable to unevaluated prospects,
or (ii) the partners'  original capital  contributions to the partnership.  This

<PAGE>

purchase price  determination  was approved by an  independent  committee of the
Board of Directors of the Company consisting of Walter Craig, John Stieglitz and
Fred  Zeidman.  DDD  Energy  did not  obtain a  third-party  appraisal  of these
properties. The purchase prices for the assets of the 1994 partnership, the 1995
partnership,  the 1996  partnership and the 1997  partnership  were  $1,102,306,
$2,889,238,  $842,767 and $600,056,  respectively,  based on this purchase price
determination.  The 1996  partnership and the 1997 partnership had paid $899,389
and $355,031,  respectively,  for its interests in the properties that were sold
to DDD  Energy.  Liabilities  of the  partnerships  assumed  by DDD  Energy  and
outstanding advances from DDD Energy on behalf of the partnerships, amounting to
$774,382,  $578,129 and $168,352 for the 1994 partnership,  the 1995 partnership
and the 1996  partnership,  respectively,  were  deducted  from  these  purchase
prices.  DDD Energy paid the net purchase price to each partnership in shares of
Company  common stock valued at $11.00 per share,  plus cash for the  fractional
shares that would have been  distributed  to the  partners in the  partnerships.
When the Company received its independent  reserve report dated January 1, 1999,
DDD Energy paid additional cash consideration to the 1995 partnership,  the 1996
partnership   and  the  1997   partnership  of  $707,687,   $115,668  and  $610,
respectively,  based on the estimated  present values of future  production from
the properties as reflected in this reserve report and as adjusted to October 1,
1998.

     The following  officers and directors of the Company and family  members of
officers and directors  received the number of shares and dollar  amounts listed
below in connection  with these  transactions  as a result of their  partnership
interests  in these  partnerships:  Paul A. Frame,  35,682  shares and  $98,452;
Horace A. Calvert, 45,169 shares and $98,559; Herbert M. Pearlman, 48,249 shares
and $114,138;  David S. Lawi, 36,135 shares and $78,851; Debra D. Valice, 29,804
shares and $73,654; Sheryl Pearlman (wife of Herbert Pearlman), 4,554 shares and
$4,159;  Julia L.  Pearlman,  4,515 shares and $9,877;  Lee R.  Pearlman,  4,515
shares and $9,877;  Lawrence Marolda,  4,515 shares and $9,877;  Nicole E. Lawi,
4,515 shares and $9,877; and Neil A. Lawi, 4,515 shares and $9,877.

                                                      PART IV

ITEM 14.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

     (a)  DOCUMENTS FILED AS PART OF THIS REPORT

          (3)  Exhibits:

               3.1  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the Company  filed May 7,
                    1982 and Amendment to  Certificate  of  Incorporation  filed
                    April 25, 1984 (1)

               3.2  Amendment to  Certificate of  Incorporation  filed August 4,
                    1987 (3)

               3.3  Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation  filed January 18,
                    1989 (4)

               3.4  Amendment to  Certificate  of  Incorporation  filed July 13,
                    1989 (5)

               3.5  Amendment to  Certificate of  Incorporation  filed August 3,
                    1993 (11)

               3.6  Amendment to Certificate of Incorporation filed November 21,
                    1997 (23)

               3.7  By-Laws of the Company (1)

               3.8  Corporate Resolution  reflecting an Amendment to the By-Laws
                    of the Company adopted January 6, 1989 (3)

               3.9  Corporate Resolution  reflecting an Amendment to the By-Laws
                    of the Company adopted May 19, 1986 (5)

               4.1  Specimen of Common Stock Certificate (1)

               4.2  Form of Warrant Certificate granted to certain employees and
                    one Director of the Company in December 1990 and expiring in
                    December 2000 (8)

               4.3  Form of Promissory  Note for Employee  Stock  Purchase dated
                    July 21, 1992 (10)

               4.4  Form of  Subscription  Agreement for Employee Stock Purchase
                    dated July 21, 1992 (10)

               4.5  Form of Pledge for Employee  Stock  Purchase  dated July 21,
                    1992 (10)

               4.6  Form of Warrant  Certificate  granted under the 1994 Warrant
                    Plans (14)

               4.7  Form of Warrant  Certificate  granted under the 1995 Warrant
                    Reload Plan (17)
<PAGE>

          (3)  Exhibits, continued...

               4.8  Form of  Executive  Warrant  Certificate  granted to certain
                    employees  of the Company in November  1997 and  expiring in
                    November 2002 (23)

               4.9  Form of Bonus Warrant  Certificate granted to an employee of
                    the Company in November  1997 and expiring in November  2002
                    (23)

               4.10 Seitel,  Inc. 1998 Employee  Stock  Purchase Plan  including
                    Form of Common Stock Purchase Warrant (25)

               4.11 Amendment  No. 1 to the Seitel,  Inc.  1998  Employee  Stock
                    Purchase Plan (27)

               4.12 Form of Departure  Warrant  granted to certain  employees of
                    the Company in August 1997 (26)

               4.13 Form of  Employment  Warrant  granted to an  employee of the
                    Company in April 1998 and expiring in April 2008 (26)

               4.14 Form of  Employment  Warrant  granted to an  employee of the
                    Company in April 1998 and expiring in April 2008 (26)

               10.1 Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Company (1)

               10.2 Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan of the Company (1)

               10.3 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan of the Company (11)

               10.4 Amendment  No. 1 to the Seitel,  Inc. 1993  Incentive  Stock
                    Option Plan (16)

               10.5 Statement of Amendments  effective November 29, 1995, to the
                    Seitel, Inc. 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan (19)

               10.6 Statement of  Amendments  effective  April 22, 1996,  to the
                    Seitel, Inc. 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan (19)

               10.7 Amendment to the Seitel,  Inc. 1993  Incentive  Stock Option
                    Plan effective December 31, 1996 (21)

               10.8 Amendment to Limit Options  Granted to a Single  Participant
                    under the Seitel, Inc. 1993 Incentive Stock Option Plan (23)

               10.9 Amendment  to  Increase  Number  of  Shares   Available  for
                    Granting Options under the Seitel, Inc. 1993 Incentive Stock
                    Option Plan (23)

              10.10 Non-Employee  Directors'  Stock  Option  Plan of the Company
                    (13)

              10.11 Amendment to the Seitel, Inc. Non-Employee  Directors' Stock
                    Option Plan effective December 31, 1996 (21)

              10.12 Seitel, Inc.  Non-Employee  Directors' Deferred Compensation
                    Plan (19)
<PAGE>
         (3)  Exhibits, continued...

              10.13 Seitel,  Inc.  Amended and Restated 1995 Warrant Reload Plan
                    (20)

              10.14 Amendment  to the Seitel,  Inc.  Amended and  Restated  1995
                    Warrant  Reload Plan  effective  December  31, 1996 (21) (3)
                    Exhibits, continued...

              10.15 Memorandum   of   Understanding   between  the  Company  and
                    Triangle Geophysical Company dated as of June 7, 1984 (1)

              10.16 Lease Agreement by and between the Company and  Commonwealth
                    Computer Advisors, Inc. (2)

              10.17 The Company's 401(k) Plan adopted February 27, 1995 (14)

              10.18 The Company's 401(k) Plan adopted January 1, 1998 (23)

              10.19 Executive  Services  Agreement  dated April 3, 1990  between
                    the Company and Helm Resources, Inc. (7)

              10.20 Employment   Agreement  effective  as  of  January  1,  1991
                    between the Company and Paul A. Frame, Jr. (9)

              10.21 Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  dated  effective as of
                    January 1, 1998  between the Company and Paul A. Frame,  Jr.
                    (23)

              10.22 Employment   Agreement  effective  as  of  January  1,  1991
                    between the Company and Horace A. Calvert (9)

              10.23 Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  dated  effective as of
                    January 1, 1998  between the  Company and Horace A.  Calvert
                    (23)

              10.24 Employment   Agreement  effective  as  of  January  1,  1991
                    between the Company and Herbert M. Pearlman (9)

              10.25 Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  dated  effective as of
                    January 1, 1998 between the Company and Herbert M.  Pearlman
                    (23)

              10.26 Employment   Agreement  effective  as  of  January  1,  1991
                    between the Company and David S. Lawi (9)

              10.27 Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  dated  effective as of
                    January 1, 1998 between the Company and David S. Lawi (23)

              10.28 Employment   Agreement  effective  as  of  January  1,  1993
                    between the Company and Debra D. Valice (12)

              10.29 Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  dated  effective as of
                    January 1, 1998 between the Company and Debra D. Valice (23)

              10.30 Amendment  to  Employment  Agreement  dated  effective as of
                    June 10, 1998 between the Company and Debra D. Valice (24)

              10.31 Joint Venture  Agreement  dated April 5, 1990 by and between
                    Seitel  Offshore  Corp.,  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary of the
                    Company, and Digicon Data Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of
                    Digicon Geophysical Corp. (6)

              10.32 Loan  and  Security  Agreement  dated  as of July  9,  1996,
                    between Seitel  Geophysical,  Inc.  (Company's  wholly-owned
                    subsidiary)  and  NationsBanc  Leasing  Corporation of North
                    Carolina (19)
<PAGE>

          (3)  Exhibits, continued...

              10.33 Assumption and Consent dated December 31, 1996, among Seitel
                    Geophysical, Inc. (Company's wholly-owned subsidiary), Eagle
                    Geophysical,   Inc.  (Company's  wholly-owned   subsidiary),
                    NationsBanc  Leasing  Corporation  of  North  Carolina,  and
                    Seitel, Inc. (21)

              10.34 Revolving  Credit Agreement dated as of July 22, 1996, among
                    Seitel, Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago (19)

              10.35 First Amendment to Seitel,  Inc.  Revolving Credit Agreement
                    dated as of August 30,  1996 among the Company and The First
                    National Bank of Chicago (20)

              10.36 Second  Amendment to Revolving  Credit Agreement dated as of
                    July 22, 1996,  among  Seitel,  Inc. and The First  National
                    Bank of Chicago (22)

              10.37 Ratable Note in the amount of $20,000,000 among Seitel, Inc.
                    and Bank One, Texas, N.A. dated as of May 1, 1997 (22)

              10.38 Ratable Note in the amount of $30,000,000 among Seitel, Inc.
                    and The First  National  Bank of Chicago  dated as of May 1,
                    1997 (22)

              10.39 Third  Amendment to Revolving  Credit  Agreement dated as of
                    March 16, 1998 among  Seitel,  Inc.  and The First  National
                    Bank of Chicago (23)

              10.40 Ratable Note in the amount of $40,000,000 among Seitel, Inc.
                    and The First  National Bank of Chicago dated March 16, 1998
                    (23)

              10.41 Ratable Note in the amount of $35,000,000 among Seitel, Inc.
                    and Bank One, Texas, N.A. dated as of March 16, 1998 (23)

              10.42 Loan and  Security  Agreement  dated as of February 6, 1997,
                    between  Eagle  Geophysical,  Inc.  (Company's  wholly-owned
                    subsidiary),    Seitel   Geophysical,    Inc.,    (Company's
                    wholly-owned    subsidiary),    and   NationsBanc    Leasing
                    Corporation of North Carolina (21)

              10.43 Incentive Compensation Agreement (10)

              10.44 Shareholder Value Bonus Agreement  effective as of March 18,
                    1994 (13)

              10.45 Amendment to Shareholder Value Bonus Agreement  effective as
                    of March 18, 1994 (15)

              10.46 Seitel,  Inc. 1995  Shareholder  Value  Incentive Bonus Plan
                    (16)

              10.47 Terms Agreement dated July 28, 1994, between the Company and
                    Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. (13)

              10.48 Note  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of  December  28,  1995,
                    between the Company and the Series A Purchasers,  the Series
                    B Purchasers and the Series C Purchasers (18)

              10.49 Revolving  Credit  Agreement  dated as of December 11, 1998,
                    between the Company and Suntrust Bank, Atlanta *

              10.50 Note  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of  February  12,  1999,
                    between the Company and the Series D Purchasers,  the Series
                    E Purchasers and the Series F Purchasers *
<PAGE>
          (3)  Exhibits, continued...

              10.51 Asset Purchase  Agreement  between DDD Energy,  Inc. and The
                    DDD 1994 Oil & Gas Partnership **

              10.52 Asset Purchase  Agreement  between DDD Energy,  Inc. and The
                    DDD 1995 Oil & Gas Partnership **

              10.53 Asset Purchase  Agreement  between DDD Energy,  Inc. and The
                    DDD 1996 Oil & Gas Partnership **

              10.54 Asset Purchase  Agreement  between DDD Energy,  Inc. and The
                    DDD 1997 Oil & Gas Partnership **

              10.55 Commercial  Guaranty  between  Seitel,  Inc.  and Bank  One,
                    Texas, N.A. for Paul A. Frame **

               21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant *

               23.1 Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP *

               23.2 Consent of Forrest A. Garb & Associates, Inc.*

          (b)  Reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter  ended  December 31,
               1998:

          NONE

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

          *    Filed with the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
               ended December 31, 1998.

          **   Filed herewith

          (1)  Incorporated   by   reference  to  the   Company's   Registration
               Statement, as amended, on Form S-1, No. 2-92572 as filed with the
               Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 1984.

          (2)  Incorporated  by reference to  Post-Effective  Amendment No. 2 to
               the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-2,  File  No.
               33-32838, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on
               October 10, 1991.

          (3)  Incorporated   by   reference  to  the   Company's   Registration
               Statement,  as amended,  on Form S-2, No.  33-21300 as filed with
               the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 18, 1988.

          (4)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form
               10-K for the year ended December 31, 1988.

          (5)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form
               10-K for the year ended December 31, 1989.

          (6)  Incorporated  by reference to the  Company's  Form 8 amending the
               Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
               31, 1989.

          (7)  Incorporated   by   reference  to  the   Company's   Registration
               Statement,  as amended,  on Form S-2, No.  33-34217 as filed with
               the Commission on April 6, 1990.
<PAGE>

          (8)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form
               10-K for the year ended December 31, 1990.

          (9)  Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended June 30, 1991.

          (10) Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form
               10-K for the year ended December 31, 1992.

          (11) Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended June 30, 1993.

          (12) Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended September 30, 1993.

          (13) Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended June 30, 1994.

          (14) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement
               on Form  S-8,  No.  33-89934  as filed  with the  Securities  and
               Exchange Commission on March 2, 1995.

          (15) Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form
               10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.

          (16) Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended June 30, 1995.

          (17) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement
               on Form S-8,  No.  333-01271  as filed  with the  Securities  and
               Exchange Commission on February 28, 1996.

          (18) Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form
               10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995.

          (19) Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended June 30, 1996.

          (20) Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended September 30, 1996.

          (21) Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form
               10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.

          (22) Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended March 31, 1997.

          (23) Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Annual Report on Form
               10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.

          (24) Incorporated  by  reference  to the  Company's  Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended June 30, 1998.

          (25) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement
               on Form S-8,  No.  333-63383  as filed  with the  Securities  and
               Exchange Commission on September 15, 1998.
<PAGE>

          (26) Incorporated by reference to the Company's Registration Statement
               on Form S-8,  No.  333-64557  as filed  with the  Securities  and
               Exchange Commission on September 29, 1999.

          (27) Incorporated  by reference to Post  Effective  Amendment No. 2 to
               the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form S-8, No. 333-63383
               as filed with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission on October
               2, 1998.


<PAGE>



                                    SIGNATURE

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  amendment  to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned,  thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Houston, State of Texas,
on the 30 th of April, 1999.

                              SEITEL, INC.

                              By: /s/ Paul A. Frame
                                      ------------------------------------------
                                      Paul A. Frame
                                      President and Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>





                                     EXHIBIT

                                      INDEX

- --------  --------------------------------------------------------  -----------
                                                                       Page
Exhibit   Title                                                        Number
- --------  --------------------------------------------------------  -----------

10.51     Asset Purchase Agreement between DDD Energy, Inc. and          24
          The DDD 1994 Oil & Gas Partnership

10.52     Asset Purchase Agreement between DDD Energy, Inc. and          33
          The DDD 1995 Oil & Gas Partnership

10.53     Asset Purchase Agreement between DDD Energy, Inc. and          42
          The DDD 1996 Oil & Gas Partnership

10.54     Asset Purchase Agreement between DDD Energy, Inc. and          51
          The DDD 1997 Oil & Gas Partnership

10.55     Commercial Guaranty between Seitel, Inc. and Bank One,         60
          Texas, N.A. for Paul A. Frame



                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     This Asset Purchase  Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into effective
as of October 1, 1998 (the  "Effective  Date"),  between  DDD  Energy,  Inc.,  a
Delaware  corporation  ("DDD"),  as  purchaser,  and  the  DDD  1994  Oil  & Gas
Partnership, a Texas general partnership (the "Partnership"),  as seller, acting
by and through its managing general partner,  DDD. Seitel, Inc. ("Seitel"),  the
parent corporation of DDD, joins herein solely with respect to Section 3 hereof.

                                    RECITALS:

     WHEREAS,  the  Partnership  was formed to invest in  non-operating  working
interests in oil and gas properties acquired from third parties by DDD;

     WHEREAS, DDD is the managing general partner of the Partnership;

     WHEREAS,  DDD  has  generally  taken  title  to the  non-operating  working
interests  acquired by the  Partnership in its own name to hold in trust for the
Partnership;

     WHEREAS,  the  Partners  in the  Partnership  (other  than DDD) have voted,
pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement governing the Partnership, to
approve the sale of all of the Partnership's  assets (other than cash) to DDD on
the terms set forth herein;

     WHEREAS, a committee of disinterested  directors of Seitel has approved the
purchase of such assets by DDD from the Partnership; and

     WHEREAS,  it is anticipated that the transfer of title to the assets of the
Partnership  to DDD will not  require any formal  documentation  other than this
Agreement;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  DDD and the Partnership agree to the purchase and sale of
the assets hereunder subject to the following terms and conditions:

     1. ACQUIRED ASSETS. The Partnership hereby sells,  transfers and conveys to
DDD, and DDD hereby acquires,  all of the assets of the Partnership  (other than
cash), including but not limited to those non-operating working interests in oil
and gas properties  listed on Exhibit A hereto (the  "Assets"),  effective as of
October 1, 1998.

     2. PURCHASE  PRICE.  Seitel has contributed  shares of Seitel,  Inc. Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Stock") to DDD in a transaction  intended
to qualify under Treasury regulation  ss.1.1502-13(f)(6)(2) and DDD will use the
Stock as a portion of "Purchase  Price" payable by DDD to the  Partnership.  The
"Purchase  Price" for the Assets  shall be  $1,167,303.00  payable by DDD to the
Partnership in the form of 32,642 shares of Stock valued at $11.00 per share and
$115.93 in cash.

     3. REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  Seitel has granted certain registration rights to
the Partnership  (which may be transferred to its partners upon  distribution of
such Stock to the  partners)  as set forth in a  Registration  Rights  Agreement
effective as of the date hereof.
<PAGE>

     4. ASSUMED LIABILITIES. DDD hereby assumes the liability of the Partnership
to DDD of $808,125.07  for amounts  advanced by DDD on behalf of the Partnership
prior to the  Effective  Date.  DDD also  assumes the  liabilities  disclosed on
Exhibit  "B" hereto.  Except as  specifically  set forth in this  Section 3, DDD
assumes no obligations or liabilities of the Partnership.

     5. COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

          (a)  Conveyance  of the  Assets  shall be with full  substitution  and
     subrogation of DDD, its successors and assigns, in and to all covenants and
     warranties  heretofore given or made in respect of the rights,  properties,
     and assets  conveyed  and  transferred  hereby,  or any part  thereof.  The
     Partnership agrees to execute such further  instruments and other documents
     as may be  reasonably  necessary  to more  fully  convey to DDD the  Assets
     conveyed or intended to be conveyed hereby.

          (b) The  Partnership  warrants to DDD and its  successors  and assigns
     title to the Assets  against  claims and demands of all persons  whomsoever
     may  claim  the  same  or any  part  thereof  by,  through  and  under  the
     Partnership, but not otherwise.

          (c) The Partnership represents the following to DDD:

               (i) The  Partnership  owns the  Assets and has the full power and
          right to sell and  convey  the same to DDD free of any lien,  claim or
          encumbrance by, through or under the Partnership;

               (ii) The Partnership has complied, in all material respects, with
          the provisions and  requirements of all orders,  regulations and rules
          issued or promulgated by governmental  authorities having jurisdiction
          with  respect  to the  Assets  and  has  filed  for and  obtained  all
          governmental certificates,  permits and other authorizations necessary
          for current  operation of the Assets other than permits,  consents and
          authorizations required for the sale and transfer of the Assets to DDD
          which shall be the responsibility of DDD; and

               (iii) The  leases  comprising  the  Assets  are in full force and
          effect.

          (d) All ad valorem  taxes  regarding the Assets (i) for the years 1997
     and  before  shall be borne and paid by the  Partnership  and (iii) for the
     years 1998 and thereafter shall be borne and paid by DDD.

          (e)  The   Partnership   represents  and  warrants  to  DDD  that  the
     Partnership  has  incurred  no  liability,  contingent  or  otherwise,  for
     brokers' or finders' fees relating to the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement  for which  DDD shall  have any  responsibility  whatsoever.  DDD
     represents  and  warrants  to the  Partnership  that  DDD has  incurred  no
     liability,  contingent or otherwise, for brokers' or finders' fees relating
     to  the   transactions   contemplated  by  this  Agreement  for  which  the
     Partnership shall have any responsibility whatsoever.
<PAGE>

          (f) The  Partnership  represents  and  warrants  that  each and  every
     partner in the Partnership is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501
     under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          (g) Investment Representations.

               (i) The  Partnership  is acquiring  the Stock for its own account
          and the account of the partners  therein for investment and not with a
          view to, or for sale or other  disposition  in  connection  with,  any
          distribution  of all or any part thereof (other than a distribution to
          such partners pro rata),  except  pursuant to an applicable  exemption
          under the  Securities  Act or in an offering  covered by an  effective
          registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the Stock.
          In acquiring the Stock,  neither the  Partnership nor its partners are
          offering  or  selling,  nor will  offer or sell,  for Seitel or DDD in
          connection  with  any  distribution  of the  Stock,  and  neither  the
          Partnership  nor  any  partner  therein  has a  participation  or will
          participate in any such  undertaking or in any underwriting of such an
          undertaking,  except in compliance with  applicable  federal and state
          securities laws.

               (ii) The Partnership  acknowledges  that it and its partners have
          been  furnished  with  substantially  the  same  kind  of  information
          regarding Seitel and its business,  assets,  results of operations and
          financial condition as would be contained in a registration  statement
          prepared  in  connection  with  a  public  sale  of  the  Stock.   The
          Partnership  further  represents  that it and its partners have had an
          opportunity  to ask  questions  of and  receive  answers  from  Seitel
          regarding Seitel and its business,  assets,  results of operations and
          financial  condition  and the terms and  conditions of the issuance of
          the Stock.

               (iii) The Partnership  acknowledges  that it and its partners are
          able to fend for itself or  themselves,  can bear the economic risk of
          its or their  investment  in the Stock,  and have such  knowledge  and
          experience  in  financial  and  business  matters  that it or they are
          capable of  evaluating  the merits and risks of an  investment  in the
          Stock.

               (iv) The Partnership and its partners  understand that the Stock,
          when issued to the Partnership or  subsequently to a partner  therein,
          will not have been  registered  pursuant to the  Securities Act or any
          applicable state securities laws, that the Stock will be characterized
          as "restricted  securities"  under federal  securities  laws, and that
          under such laws and applicable regulations the Stock cannot be sold or
          otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or
          an exemption  therefrom.  In this connection,  the Partnership and its
          partners  represent  that they are familiar with Rule 144  promulgated
          under the Securities  Act, as currently in effect,  and understand the
          resale  limitations  imposed  thereby and by the Securities  Act. Stop
          transfer  instructions may be issued accordingly to the transfer agent
          for the Stock.

               (v) It is  agreed  and  understood  by the  Partnership  and  its
          partners  that the  certificates  representing  the Stock  shall  each
          conspicuously  set forth on the face or back  thereof,  in addition to
          any legends required by applicable law or other agreement, a legend in
          substantially the following form:
<PAGE>

               THE  SHARES   REPRESENTED  BY  THIS  CERTIFICATE  HAVE  NOT  BEEN
          REGISTERED  PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY
          STATE  SECURITIES  LAWS.  SUCH  SHARES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD OR  OTHERWISE
          TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (i) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
          UNDER SUCH ACT,  OR (ii) IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT,
          UNLESS THE CORPORATION  RECEIVES A WRITTEN  OPINION OF COUNSEL,  WHICH
          OPINION AND COUNSEL ARE SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION, TO THE EFFECT
          THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

     6.  INDEMNITIES BY THE  PARTNERSHIP  AND DDD. As used in this paragraph and
the subparagraphs  hereunder,  "claims" shall include claims, demands, causes of
action,  liabilities,  damages,  fines,  penalties  and judgments of any kind or
character,  whether  matured or unmatured,  absolute or  contingent,  accrued or
unaccrued,  liquidated or  unliquidated  or known or unknown,  and all costs and
fees  (including,  without  limitation,  interest,  attorneys'  fees,  costs  of
experts, court costs and costs of investigation) in connection therewith.

          (a) The  Partnership  (i)  shall be  responsible  for all  duties  and
     obligations  express and implied with respect to the Assets  accruing prior
     to the Effective Date, including,  without limitation, those accruing under
     or by virtue of any lease,  contract,  agreement,  document,  permit,  law,
     statute or rule, regulation or order of any governmental authority,  except
     those expressly  assumed by DDD pursuant to this Agreement,  and (ii) SHALL
     DEFEND,  INDEMNIFY  AND  HOLD  DDD  HARMLESS  FROM  ANY AND ALL  CLAIMS  IN
     CONNECTION THEREWITH.

          (b) DDD (i)  shall  be  responsible  for all  duties  and  obligations
     express and implied with respect to the Assets  accruing from and after the
     Effective Date, including,  without limitation,  those accruing under or by
     virtue of any lease, contract, agreement, document, permit, law, statute or
     rule,  regulation or order of any  governmental  authority,  and (ii) SHALL
     DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD THE PARTNERSHIP HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS
     IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

          (c) THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD DDD HARMLESS FROM
     ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES,  INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  ECONOMIC
     HARM, PERSONAL INJURY,  DEATH OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENT,  OR FOR
     ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP,  REMEDIATION, OR COMPLIANCE, OR FOR ANY OTHER RELIEF
     (COLLECTIVELY,  "LOSSES"), ACCRUING PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE DIRECTLY OR
     INDIRECTLY FROM OR INCIDENT TO THE USE, OCCUPATION,  OPERATION, MAINTENANCE
     OR ABANDONMENT OF ANY OF THE ASSETS, OR THE CONDITION OF THE ASSETS, OR THE
     PRODUCTION OR SALE OF  HYDROCARBONS  THEREFROM,  WHETHER  LATENT OR PATENT,
     INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  CONTAMINATION OF THE PROPERTY OR PREMISES
     WITH NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS.
<PAGE>

          (d) Any claim for  indemnity  under this  paragraph or under any other
     provision of this Agreement  shall be made by written notice from the party
     seeking  indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") to the party required to
     provide  same  (the   "Indemnifying   Party"),   together  with  a  written
     description of any third-party claim against the Indemnified Party, stating
     the  nature  and basis of such  claim  and,  if  ascertainable,  the amount
     thereof.  The  Indemnifying  Party  shall have a period of thirty (30) days
     after  receipt of such notice  within  which to respond  thereto or, in the
     case of a third  party claim which  requires a shorter  time for  response,
     then within such shorter  period as specified by the  Indemnified  Party in
     such  notice  (the  "Notice  Period").  If the  Indemnifying  Party  denies
     liability or fails to respond to the notice within the Notice  Period,  the
     Indemnified   Party  may  defend  or  compromise  the  claim  as  it  deems
     appropriate  without  prejudice to any of the  Indemnified  Party's  rights
     hereunder,  with no further  obligation to inform the Indemnifying Party of
     the status of the claim and no right of the  Indemnifying  Party to approve
     or disapprove any actions taken in connection  therewith by the Indemnified
     Party. If the Indemnifying Party accepts liability,  it shall so notify the
     Indemnified  Party  within  the  Notice  Period  and  elect  either  (a) to
     undertake  the defense or compromise of such third party claim with counsel
     selected  by  the  Indemnifying  Party  and  reasonably   approved  by  the
     Indemnified  Party or (b) to instruct  the  Indemnified  Party to defend or
     compromise such claim. If the Indemnifying  Party undertakes the defense or
     compromise  of such  third-party  claim,  the  Indemnified  Party  shall be
     entitled, at its own expense, to participate in such defense. No compromise
     or settlement  of any  third-party  claim shall be made without  reasonable
     notice to the  Indemnified  Party and, unless such compromise or settlement
     includes  a general  release  of the  Indemnified  Party in  respect of the
     matter with no admission of liability on the part of the Indemnified  Party
     and no constraints on the future conduct of its business, without the prior
     written approval of the Indemnified Party.

          THE  INDEMNITIES   CONTAINED  IN  THIS  PARAGRAPH  SHALL  SURVIVE  THE
     EFFECTIVE DATE AND EXTEND TO THE INDEMNIFIED  PARTY AND ITS OWNERS AND EACH
     OF   THEIR   PRESENT   AND   FUTURE   DIRECTORS,    OFFICERS,    EMPLOYEES,
     REPRESENTATIVES,   CONTRACTORS  AND  AGENTS,   AND  EACH  OF  THEIR  HEIRS,
     EXECUTORS,  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY,  THE "INDEMNIFIED GROUP")
     AND  SHALL  APPLY  TO ALL  OBLIGATIONS  AND  LIABILITIES  DESCRIBED  ABOVE,
     INCLUDING  THOSE BASED ON  NEGLIGENCE,  INCLUDING SOLE  NEGLIGENCE,  SIMPLE
     NEGLIGENCE,  CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE NEGLIGENCE,  PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE,
     GROSS NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR FAULT OF THE INDEMNIFIED GROUP OR ANY
     OTHER  THEORY OF  LIABILITY  OR FAULT,  WHETHER IN LAW  (WHETHER  COMMON OR
     STATUTORY) OR EQUITY.

     7.  SEVERABILITY AND CHOICE OF LAW. If any one or more of the provisions of
this Agreement shall for any reason be held by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable  in any  respect,  such  invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not effect the remaining provisions of this
Agreement,  and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or
unenforceable  provision had never been a part hereof.  This Agreement  shall be
construed  in  accordance  with the laws of the State of Texas,  without  giving
effect to any conflict of law rules or provisions.
<PAGE>

     8. ENTIRE  AGREEMENT  AND WAIVER.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire
agreement  between the parties  with  respect to the subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes all previous communications,  representations or agreements,  whether
oral or written,  with respect to the subject matter herein, and no agreement or
understanding  varying or  extending  the terms hereof will be binding on either
party unless in writing and  executed by an  authorized  representative  of each
party.  A benefit,  right or duty  provided  by this  Agreement  shall be deemed
waived only when expressly agreed in writing between the parties.  The waiver of
one instance of any act, omission, condition or requirement shall not constitute
a continuing  waiver  unless  specifically  so stated in the  aforesaid  written
waiver.

                                     DDD ENERGY, INC.

                                     By: /s/ HORACE A. CALVERT
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     HORACE A. CALVERT, President

                                     DDD 1994 OIL & GAS PARTNERSHIP

                                     By: DDD Energy, Inc., Managing Partner

                                     By:  /S/ HORACE A. CALVERT
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     HORACE A. CALVERT, President

                                     SEITEL, INC.
                                     (solely with respect to Section 3 hereof)

                                     By: /S/ DEBRA D. VALICE
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     DEBRA D. VALICE, Executive Vice President




                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     This Asset Purchase  Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into effective
as of October 1, 1998 (the  "Effective  Date"),  between  DDD  Energy,  Inc.,  a
Delaware  corporation  ("DDD"),  as  purchaser,  and  the  DDD  1995  Oil  & Gas
Partnership, a Texas general partnership (the "Partnership"),  as seller, acting
by and through its managing general partner,  DDD. Seitel, Inc. ("Seitel"),  the
parent corporation of DDD, joins herein solely with respect to Section 3 hereof.

                                    RECITALS:

     WHEREAS,  the  Partnership  was formed to invest in  non-operating  working
interests in oil and gas properties acquired from third parties by DDD;

     WHEREAS, DDD is the managing general partner of the Partnership;

     WHEREAS,  DDD  has  generally  taken  title  to the  non-operating  working
interests  acquired by the  Partnership in its own name to hold in trust for the
Partnership;

     WHEREAS,  the  Partners  in the  Partnership  (other  than DDD) have voted,
pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement governing the Partnership, to
approve the sale of all of the Partnership's  assets (other than cash) to DDD on
the terms set forth herein;

     WHEREAS, a committee of disinterested  directors of Seitel has approved the
purchase of such assets by DDD from the Partnership; and

     WHEREAS,  it is anticipated that the transfer of title to the assets of the
Partnership  to DDD will not  require any formal  documentation  other than this
Agreement;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  DDD and the Partnership agree to the purchase and sale of
the assets hereunder subject to the following terms and conditions:

     1. ACQUIRED ASSETS. The Partnership hereby sells,  transfers and conveys to
DDD, and DDD hereby acquires,  all of the assets of the Partnership  (other than
cash), including but not limited to those non-operating working interests in oil
and gas properties  listed on Exhibit A hereto (the  "Assets"),  effective as of
October 1, 1998.

     2. PURCHASE  PRICE.  Seitel has contributed  shares of Seitel,  Inc. Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Stock") to DDD in a transaction  intended
to qualify under Treasury regulation  ss.1.1502-13(f)(6)(2) and DDD will use the
Stock as a portion of "Purchase  Price" payable by DDD to the  Partnership.  The
"Purchase  Price" for the Assets  shall be  $2,889,237.95  payable by DDD to the
Partnership  in the form of 210,090  shares of Stock  valued at $11.00 per share
and $118.74 in cash.

     3. REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  Seitel has granted certain registration rights to
the Partnership  (which may be transferred to its partners upon  distribution of
such Stock to the  partners)  as set forth in a  Registration  Rights  Agreement
effective as of the date hereof.
<PAGE>

     4. ASSUMED LIABILITIES. DDD hereby assumes the liability of the Partnership
to DDD of $578,129.21  for amounts  advanced by DDD on behalf of the Partnership
prior to the  Effective  Date.  DDD also  assumes the  liabilities  disclosed on
Exhibit  "B" hereto.  Except as  specifically  set forth in this  Section 3, DDD
assumes no obligations or liabilities of the Partnership.

     5. COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

          (a)  Conveyance  of the  Assets  shall be with full  substitution  and
     subrogation of DDD, its successors and assigns, in and to all covenants and
     warranties  heretofore given or made in respect of the rights,  properties,
     and assets  conveyed  and  transferred  hereby,  or any part  thereof.  The
     Partnership agrees to execute such further  instruments and other documents
     as may be  reasonably  necessary  to more  fully  convey to DDD the  Assets
     conveyed or intended to be conveyed hereby.

          (b) The  Partnership  warrants to DDD and its  successors  and assigns
     title to the Assets  against  claims and demands of all persons  whomsoever
     may  claim  the  same  or any  part  thereof  by,  through  and  under  the
     Partnership, but not otherwise.

     (c) The Partnership represents the following to DDD:

               (i) The  Partnership  owns the  Assets and has the full power and
          right to sell and  convey  the same to DDD free of any lien,  claim or
          encumbrance by, through or under the Partnership;

               (ii) The Partnership has complied, in all material respects, with
          the provisions and  requirements of all orders,  regulations and rules
          issued or promulgated by governmental  authorities having jurisdiction
          with  respect  to the  Assets  and  has  filed  for and  obtained  all
          governmental certificates,  permits and other authorizations necessary
          for current  operation of the Assets other than permits,  consents and
          authorizations required for the sale and transfer of the Assets to DDD
          which shall be the responsibility of DDD; and

               (iii) The  leases  comprising  the  Assets  are in full force and
          effect.

          (d) All ad valorem  taxes  regarding the Assets (i) for the years 1997
     and  before  shall be borne and paid by the  Partnership  and (iii) for the
     years 1998 and thereafter shall be borne and paid by DDD.

          (e)  The   Partnership   represents  and  warrants  to  DDD  that  the
     Partnership  has  incurred  no  liability,  contingent  or  otherwise,  for
     brokers' or finders' fees relating to the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement  for which  DDD shall  have any  responsibility  whatsoever.  DDD
     represents  and  warrants  to the  Partnership  that  DDD has  incurred  no
     liability,  contingent or otherwise, for brokers' or finders' fees relating
     to  the   transactions   contemplated  by  this  Agreement  for  which  the
     Partnership shall have any responsibility whatsoever.
<PAGE>

          (f) The  Partnership  represents  and  warrants  that  each and  every
     partner in the Partnership is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501
     under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          (g) Investment Representations.

               (i) The  Partnership  is acquiring  the Stock for its own account
          and the account of the partners  therein for investment and not with a
          view to, or for sale or other  disposition  in  connection  with,  any
          distribution  of all or any part thereof (other than a distribution to
          such partners pro rata),  except  pursuant to an applicable  exemption
          under the  Securities  Act or in an offering  covered by an  effective
          registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the Stock.
          In acquiring the Stock,  neither the  Partnership nor its partners are
          offering  or  selling,  nor will  offer or sell,  for Seitel or DDD in
          connection  with  any  distribution  of the  Stock,  and  neither  the
          Partnership  nor  any  partner  therein  has a  participation  or will
          participate in any such  undertaking or in any underwriting of such an
          undertaking,  except in compliance with  applicable  federal and state
          securities laws.

               (ii) The Partnership  acknowledges  that it and its partners have
          been  furnished  with  substantially  the  same  kind  of  information
          regarding Seitel and its business,  assets,  results of operations and
          financial condition as would be contained in a registration  statement
          prepared  in  connection  with  a  public  sale  of  the  Stock.   The
          Partnership  further  represents  that it and its partners have had an
          opportunity  to ask  questions  of and  receive  answers  from  Seitel
          regarding Seitel and its business,  assets,  results of operations and
          financial  condition  and the terms and  conditions of the issuance of
          the Stock.

               (iii) The Partnership  acknowledges  that it and its partners are
          able to fend for itself or  themselves,  can bear the economic risk of
          its or their  investment  in the Stock,  and have such  knowledge  and
          experience  in  financial  and  business  matters  that it or they are
          capable of  evaluating  the merits and risks of an  investment  in the
          Stock.

               (iv) The Partnership and its partners  understand that the Stock,
          when issued to the Partnership or  subsequently to a partner  therein,
          will not have been  registered  pursuant to the  Securities Act or any
          applicable state securities laws, that the Stock will be characterized
          as "restricted  securities"  under federal  securities  laws, and that
          under such laws and applicable regulations the Stock cannot be sold or
          otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or
          an exemption  therefrom.  In this connection,  the Partnership and its
          partners  represent  that they are familiar with Rule 144  promulgated
          under the Securities  Act, as currently in effect,  and understand the
          resale  limitations  imposed  thereby and by the Securities  Act. Stop
          transfer  instructions may be issued accordingly to the transfer agent
          for the Stock.

               (v) It is  agreed  and  understood  by the  Partnership  and  its
          partners  that the  certificates  representing  the Stock  shall  each
          conspicuously  set forth on the face or back  thereof,  in addition to
          any legends required by applicable law or other agreement, a legend in
          substantially the following form:
<PAGE>

               THE  SHARES   REPRESENTED  BY  THIS  CERTIFICATE  HAVE  NOT  BEEN
          REGISTERED  PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY
          STATE  SECURITIES  LAWS.  SUCH  SHARES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD OR  OTHERWISE
          TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (i) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
          UNDER SUCH ACT,  OR (ii) IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT,
          UNLESS THE CORPORATION  RECEIVES A WRITTEN  OPINION OF COUNSEL,  WHICH
          OPINION AND COUNSEL ARE SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION, TO THE EFFECT
          THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

     6.  INDEMNITIES BY THE  PARTNERSHIP  AND DDD. As used in this paragraph and
the subparagraphs  hereunder,  "claims" shall include claims, demands, causes of
action,  liabilities,  damages,  fines,  penalties  and judgments of any kind or
character,  whether  matured or unmatured,  absolute or  contingent,  accrued or
unaccrued,  liquidated or  unliquidated  or known or unknown,  and all costs and
fees  (including,  without  limitation,  interest,  attorneys'  fees,  costs  of
experts, court costs and costs of investigation) in connection therewith.

          (a) The  Partnership  (i)  shall be  responsible  for all  duties  and
     obligations  express and implied with respect to the Assets  accruing prior
     to the Effective Date, including,  without limitation, those accruing under
     or by virtue of any lease,  contract,  agreement,  document,  permit,  law,
     statute or rule, regulation or order of any governmental authority,  except
     those expressly  assumed by DDD pursuant to this Agreement,  and (ii) SHALL
     DEFEND,  INDEMNIFY  AND  HOLD  DDD  HARMLESS  FROM  ANY AND ALL  CLAIMS  IN
     CONNECTION THEREWITH.

          (b) DDD (i)  shall  be  responsible  for all  duties  and  obligations
     express and implied with respect to the Assets  accruing from and after the
     Effective Date, including,  without limitation,  those accruing under or by
     virtue of any lease, contract, agreement, document, permit, law, statute or
     rule,  regulation or order of any  governmental  authority,  and (ii) SHALL
     DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD THE PARTNERSHIP HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS
     IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

          (c) THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD DDD HARMLESS FROM
     ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES,  INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  ECONOMIC
     HARM, PERSONAL INJURY,  DEATH OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENT,  OR FOR
     ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP,  REMEDIATION, OR COMPLIANCE, OR FOR ANY OTHER RELIEF
     (COLLECTIVELY,  "LOSSES"), ACCRUING PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE DIRECTLY OR
     INDIRECTLY FROM OR INCIDENT TO THE USE, OCCUPATION,  OPERATION, MAINTENANCE
     OR ABANDONMENT OF ANY OF THE ASSETS, OR THE CONDITION OF THE ASSETS, OR THE
     PRODUCTION OR SALE OF  HYDROCARBONS  THEREFROM,  WHETHER  LATENT OR PATENT,
     INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  CONTAMINATION OF THE PROPERTY OR PREMISES
     WITH NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS.
<PAGE>

          (d) Any claim for  indemnity  under this  paragraph or under any other
     provision of this Agreement  shall be made by written notice from the party
     seeking  indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") to the party required to
     provide  same  (the   "Indemnifying   Party"),   together  with  a  written
     description of any third-party claim against the Indemnified Party, stating
     the  nature  and basis of such  claim  and,  if  ascertainable,  the amount
     thereof.  The  Indemnifying  Party  shall have a period of thirty (30) days
     after  receipt of such notice  within  which to respond  thereto or, in the
     case of a third  party claim which  requires a shorter  time for  response,
     then within such shorter  period as specified by the  Indemnified  Party in
     such  notice  (the  "Notice  Period").  If the  Indemnifying  Party  denies
     liability or fails to respond to the notice within the Notice  Period,  the
     Indemnified   Party  may  defend  or  compromise  the  claim  as  it  deems
     appropriate  without  prejudice to any of the  Indemnified  Party's  rights
     hereunder,  with no further  obligation to inform the Indemnifying Party of
     the status of the claim and no right of the  Indemnifying  Party to approve
     or disapprove any actions taken in connection  therewith by the Indemnified
     Party. If the Indemnifying Party accepts liability,  it shall so notify the
     Indemnified  Party  within  the  Notice  Period  and  elect  either  (a) to
     undertake  the defense or compromise of such third party claim with counsel
     selected  by  the  Indemnifying  Party  and  reasonably   approved  by  the
     Indemnified  Party or (b) to instruct  the  Indemnified  Party to defend or
     compromise such claim. If the Indemnifying  Party undertakes the defense or
     compromise  of such  third-party  claim,  the  Indemnified  Party  shall be
     entitled, at its own expense, to participate in such defense. No compromise
     or settlement  of any  third-party  claim shall be made without  reasonable
     notice to the  Indemnified  Party and, unless such compromise or settlement
     includes  a general  release  of the  Indemnified  Party in  respect of the
     matter with no admission of liability on the part of the Indemnified  Party
     and no constraints on the future conduct of its business, without the prior
     written approval of the Indemnified Party.

          THE  INDEMNITIES   CONTAINED  IN  THIS  PARAGRAPH  SHALL  SURVIVE  THE
     EFFECTIVE DATE AND EXTEND TO THE INDEMNIFIED  PARTY AND ITS OWNERS AND EACH
     OF   THEIR   PRESENT   AND   FUTURE   DIRECTORS,    OFFICERS,    EMPLOYEES,
     REPRESENTATIVES,   CONTRACTORS  AND  AGENTS,   AND  EACH  OF  THEIR  HEIRS,
     EXECUTORS,  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY,  THE "INDEMNIFIED GROUP")
     AND  SHALL  APPLY  TO ALL  OBLIGATIONS  AND  LIABILITIES  DESCRIBED  ABOVE,
     INCLUDING  THOSE BASED ON  NEGLIGENCE,  INCLUDING SOLE  NEGLIGENCE,  SIMPLE
     NEGLIGENCE,  CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE NEGLIGENCE,  PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE,
     GROSS NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR FAULT OF THE INDEMNIFIED GROUP OR ANY
     OTHER  THEORY OF  LIABILITY  OR FAULT,  WHETHER IN LAW  (WHETHER  COMMON OR
     STATUTORY) OR EQUITY.

     7.  SEVERABILITY AND CHOICE OF LAW. If any one or more of the provisions of
this Agreement shall for any reason be held by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable  in any  respect,  such  invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not effect the remaining provisions of this
Agreement,  and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or
unenforceable  provision had never been a part hereof.  This Agreement  shall be
construed  in  accordance  with the laws of the State of Texas,  without  giving
effect to any conflict of law rules or provisions.
<PAGE>

     8. ENTIRE  AGREEMENT  AND WAIVER.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire
agreement  between the parties  with  respect to the subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes all previous communications,  representations or agreements,  whether
oral or written,  with respect to the subject matter herein, and no agreement or
understanding  varying or  extending  the terms hereof will be binding on either
party unless in writing and  executed by an  authorized  representative  of each
party.  A benefit,  right or duty  provided  by this  Agreement  shall be deemed
waived only when expressly agreed in writing between the parties.  The waiver of
one instance of any act, omission, condition or requirement shall not constitute
a continuing  waiver  unless  specifically  so stated in the  aforesaid  written
waiver.

                                     DDD ENERGY, INC.

                                     By: /s/ HORACE A. CALVERT
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     HORACE A. CALVERT, President

                                     DDD 1995 OIL & GAS PARTNERSHIP

                                     By: DDD Energy, Inc., Managing Partner

                                     By:  /S/ HORACE A. CALVERT
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     HORACE A. CALVERT, President

                                     SEITEL, INC.
                                     (solely with respect to Section 3 hereof)

                                     By: /S/ DEBRA D. VALICE
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     DEBRA D. VALICE, Executive Vice President




                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     This Asset Purchase  Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into effective
as of October 1, 1998 (the  "Effective  Date"),  between  DDD  Energy,  Inc.,  a
Delaware  corporation  ("DDD"),  as  purchaser,  and  the  DDD  1996  Oil  & Gas
Partnership, a Texas general partnership (the "Partnership"),  as seller, acting
by and through its managing general partner,  DDD. Seitel, Inc. ("Seitel"),  the
parent corporation of DDD, joins herein solely with respect to Section 3 hereof.

                                    RECITALS:

     WHEREAS,  the  Partnership  was formed to invest in  non-operating  working
interests in oil and gas properties acquired from third parties by DDD;

     WHEREAS, DDD is the managing general partner of the Partnership;

     WHEREAS,  DDD  has  generally  taken  title  to the  non-operating  working
interests  acquired by the  Partnership in its own name to hold in trust for the
Partnership;

     WHEREAS,  the  Partners  in the  Partnership  (other  than DDD) have voted,
pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement governing the Partnership, to
approve the sale of all of the Partnership's  assets (other than cash) to DDD on
the terms set forth herein;

     WHEREAS, a committee of disinterested  directors of Seitel has approved the
purchase of such assets by DDD from the Partnership; and

     WHEREAS,  it is anticipated that the transfer of title to the assets of the
Partnership  to DDD will not  require any formal  documentation  other than this
Agreement;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  DDD and the Partnership agree to the purchase and sale of
the assets hereunder subject to the following terms and conditions:

     1. ACQUIRED ASSETS. The Partnership hereby sells,  transfers and conveys to
DDD, and DDD hereby acquires,  all of the assets of the Partnership  (other than
cash), including but not limited to those non-operating working interests in oil
and gas properties  listed on Exhibit A hereto (the  "Assets"),  effective as of
October 1, 1998.

     2. PURCHASE  PRICE.  Seitel has contributed  shares of Seitel,  Inc. Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Stock") to DDD in a transaction  intended
to qualify under Treasury regulation  ss.1.1502-13(f)(6)(2) and DDD will use the
Stock as a portion of "Purchase  Price" payable by DDD to the  Partnership.  The
"Purchase  Price"  for the  Assets  shall be  $842,766.92  payable by DDD to the
Partnership in the form of 61,301 shares of Stock valued at $11.00 per share and
$103.86 in cash.

     3. REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  Seitel has granted certain registration rights to
the Partnership  (which may be transferred to its partners upon  distribution of
such Stock to the  partners)  as set forth in a  Registration  Rights  Agreement
effective as of the date hereof.
<PAGE>

     4. ASSUMED LIABILITIES. DDD hereby assumes the liability of the Partnership
to DDD of $168,352.06  for amounts  advanced by DDD on behalf of the Partnership
prior to the  Effective  Date.  DDD also  assumes the  liabilities  disclosed on
Exhibit  "B" hereto.  Except as  specifically  set forth in this  Section 3, DDD
assumes no obligations or liabilities of the Partnership.

     5. COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

          (a)  Conveyance  of the  Assets  shall be with full  substitution  and
     subrogation of DDD, its successors and assigns, in and to all covenants and
     warranties  heretofore given or made in respect of the rights,  properties,
     and assets  conveyed  and  transferred  hereby,  or any part  thereof.  The
     Partnership agrees to execute such further  instruments and other documents
     as may be  reasonably  necessary  to more  fully  convey to DDD the  Assets
     conveyed or intended to be conveyed hereby.

          (b) The  Partnership  warrants to DDD and its  successors  and assigns
     title to the Assets  against  claims and demands of all persons  whomsoever
     may  claim  the  same  or any  part  thereof  by,  through  and  under  the
     Partnership, but not otherwise.

          (c) The Partnership represents the following to DDD:

               (i) The  Partnership  owns the  Assets and has the full power and
          right to sell and  convey  the same to DDD free of any lien,  claim or
          encumbrance by, through or under the Partnership;

               (ii) The Partnership has complied, in all material respects, with
          the provisions and  requirements of all orders,  regulations and rules
          issued or promulgated by governmental  authorities having jurisdiction
          with  respect  to the  Assets  and  has  filed  for and  obtained  all
          governmental certificates,  permits and other authorizations necessary
          for current  operation of the Assets other than permits,  consents and
          authorizations required for the sale and transfer of the Assets to DDD
          which shall be the responsibility of DDD; and

               (iii) The  leases  comprising  the  Assets  are in full force and
          effect.

          (d) All ad valorem  taxes  regarding the Assets (i) for the years 1997
     and  before  shall be borne and paid by the  Partnership  and (iii) for the
     years 1998 and thereafter shall be borne and paid by DDD.

          (e)  The   Partnership   represents  and  warrants  to  DDD  that  the
     Partnership  has  incurred  no  liability,  contingent  or  otherwise,  for
     brokers' or finders' fees relating to the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement  for which  DDD shall  have any  responsibility  whatsoever.  DDD
     represents  and  warrants  to the  Partnership  that  DDD has  incurred  no
     liability,  contingent or otherwise, for brokers' or finders' fees relating
     to  the   transactions   contemplated  by  this  Agreement  for  which  the
     Partnership shall have any responsibility whatsoever.
<PAGE>

          (f) The  Partnership  represents  and  warrants  that  each and  every
     partner in the Partnership is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501
     under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          (g) Investment Representations.

               (i) The  Partnership  is acquiring  the Stock for its own account
          and the account of the partners  therein for investment and not with a
          view to, or for sale or other  disposition  in  connection  with,  any
          distribution  of all or any part thereof (other than a distribution to
          such partners pro rata),  except  pursuant to an applicable  exemption
          under the  Securities  Act or in an offering  covered by an  effective
          registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the Stock.
          In acquiring the Stock,  neither the  Partnership nor its partners are
          offering  or  selling,  nor will  offer or sell,  for Seitel or DDD in
          connection  with  any  distribution  of the  Stock,  and  neither  the
          Partnership  nor  any  partner  therein  has a  participation  or will
          participate in any such  undertaking or in any underwriting of such an
          undertaking,  except in compliance with  applicable  federal and state
          securities laws.

               (ii) The Partnership  acknowledges  that it and its partners have
          been  furnished  with  substantially  the  same  kind  of  information
          regarding Seitel and its business,  assets,  results of operations and
          financial condition as would be contained in a registration  statement
          prepared  in  connection  with  a  public  sale  of  the  Stock.   The
          Partnership  further  represents  that it and its partners have had an
          opportunity  to ask  questions  of and  receive  answers  from  Seitel
          regarding Seitel and its business,  assets,  results of operations and
          financial  condition  and the terms and  conditions of the issuance of
          the Stock.

               (iii) The Partnership  acknowledges  that it and its partners are
          able to fend for itself or  themselves,  can bear the economic risk of
          its or their  investment  in the Stock,  and have such  knowledge  and
          experience  in  financial  and  business  matters  that it or they are
          capable of  evaluating  the merits and risks of an  investment  in the
          Stock.

               (iv) The Partnership and its partners  understand that the Stock,
          when issued to the Partnership or  subsequently to a partner  therein,
          will not have been  registered  pursuant to the  Securities Act or any
          applicable state securities laws, that the Stock will be characterized
          as "restricted  securities"  under federal  securities  laws, and that
          under such laws and applicable regulations the Stock cannot be sold or
          otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or
          an exemption  therefrom.  In this connection,  the Partnership and its
          partners  represent  that they are familiar with Rule 144  promulgated
          under the Securities  Act, as currently in effect,  and understand the
          resale  limitations  imposed  thereby and by the Securities  Act. Stop
          transfer  instructions may be issued accordingly to the transfer agent
          for the Stock.

               (v) It is  agreed  and  understood  by the  Partnership  and  its
          partners  that the  certificates  representing  the Stock  shall  each
          conspicuously  set forth on the face or back  thereof,  in addition to
          any legends required by applicable law or other agreement, a legend in
          substantially the following form:
<PAGE>

               THE  SHARES   REPRESENTED  BY  THIS  CERTIFICATE  HAVE  NOT  BEEN
          REGISTERED  PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY
          STATE  SECURITIES  LAWS.  SUCH  SHARES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD OR  OTHERWISE
          TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (i) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
          UNDER SUCH ACT,  OR (ii) IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT,
          UNLESS THE CORPORATION  RECEIVES A WRITTEN  OPINION OF COUNSEL,  WHICH
          OPINION AND COUNSEL ARE SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION, TO THE EFFECT
          THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

     6.  INDEMNITIES BY THE  PARTNERSHIP  AND DDD. As used in this paragraph and
the subparagraphs  hereunder,  "claims" shall include claims, demands, causes of
action,  liabilities,  damages,  fines,  penalties  and judgments of any kind or
character,  whether  matured or unmatured,  absolute or  contingent,  accrued or
unaccrued,  liquidated or  unliquidated  or known or unknown,  and all costs and
fees  (including,  without  limitation,  interest,  attorneys'  fees,  costs  of
experts, court costs and costs of investigation) in connection therewith.

          (a) The  Partnership  (i)  shall be  responsible  for all  duties  and
     obligations  express and implied with respect to the Assets  accruing prior
     to the Effective Date, including,  without limitation, those accruing under
     or by virtue of any lease,  contract,  agreement,  document,  permit,  law,
     statute or rule, regulation or order of any governmental authority,  except
     those expressly  assumed by DDD pursuant to this Agreement,  and (ii) SHALL
     DEFEND,  INDEMNIFY  AND  HOLD  DDD  HARMLESS  FROM  ANY AND ALL  CLAIMS  IN
     CONNECTION THEREWITH.

          (b) DDD (i)  shall  be  responsible  for all  duties  and  obligations
     express and implied with respect to the Assets  accruing from and after the
     Effective Date, including,  without limitation,  those accruing under or by
     virtue of any lease, contract, agreement, document, permit, law, statute or
     rule,  regulation or order of any  governmental  authority,  and (ii) SHALL
     DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD THE PARTNERSHIP HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS
     IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

          (c) THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD DDD HARMLESS FROM
     ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES,  INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  ECONOMIC
     HARM, PERSONAL INJURY,  DEATH OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENT,  OR FOR
     ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP,  REMEDIATION, OR COMPLIANCE, OR FOR ANY OTHER RELIEF
     (COLLECTIVELY,  "LOSSES"), ACCRUING PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE DIRECTLY OR
     INDIRECTLY FROM OR INCIDENT TO THE USE, OCCUPATION,  OPERATION, MAINTENANCE
     OR ABANDONMENT OF ANY OF THE ASSETS, OR THE CONDITION OF THE ASSETS, OR THE
     PRODUCTION OR SALE OF  HYDROCARBONS  THEREFROM,  WHETHER  LATENT OR PATENT,
     INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  CONTAMINATION OF THE PROPERTY OR PREMISES
     WITH NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS.
<PAGE>

          (d) Any claim for  indemnity  under this  paragraph or under any other
     provision of this Agreement  shall be made by written notice from the party
     seeking  indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") to the party required to
     provide  same  (the   "Indemnifying   Party"),   together  with  a  written
     description of any third-party claim against the Indemnified Party, stating
     the  nature  and basis of such  claim  and,  if  ascertainable,  the amount
     thereof.  The  Indemnifying  Party  shall have a period of thirty (30) days
     after  receipt of such notice  within  which to respond  thereto or, in the
     case of a third  party claim which  requires a shorter  time for  response,
     then within such shorter  period as specified by the  Indemnified  Party in
     such  notice  (the  "Notice  Period").  If the  Indemnifying  Party  denies
     liability or fails to respond to the notice within the Notice  Period,  the
     Indemnified   Party  may  defend  or  compromise  the  claim  as  it  deems
     appropriate  without  prejudice to any of the  Indemnified  Party's  rights
     hereunder,  with no further  obligation to inform the Indemnifying Party of
     the status of the claim and no right of the  Indemnifying  Party to approve
     or disapprove any actions taken in connection  therewith by the Indemnified
     Party. If the Indemnifying Party accepts liability,  it shall so notify the
     Indemnified  Party  within  the  Notice  Period  and  elect  either  (a) to
     undertake  the defense or compromise of such third party claim with counsel
     selected  by  the  Indemnifying  Party  and  reasonably   approved  by  the
     Indemnified  Party or (b) to instruct  the  Indemnified  Party to defend or
     compromise such claim. If the Indemnifying  Party undertakes the defense or
     compromise  of such  third-party  claim,  the  Indemnified  Party  shall be
     entitled, at its own expense, to participate in such defense. No compromise
     or settlement  of any  third-party  claim shall be made without  reasonable
     notice to the  Indemnified  Party and, unless such compromise or settlement
     includes  a general  release  of the  Indemnified  Party in  respect of the
     matter with no admission of liability on the part of the Indemnified  Party
     and no constraints on the future conduct of its business, without the prior
     written approval of the Indemnified Party.

          THE  INDEMNITIES   CONTAINED  IN  THIS  PARAGRAPH  SHALL  SURVIVE  THE
     EFFECTIVE DATE AND EXTEND TO THE INDEMNIFIED  PARTY AND ITS OWNERS AND EACH
     OF   THEIR   PRESENT   AND   FUTURE   DIRECTORS,    OFFICERS,    EMPLOYEES,
     REPRESENTATIVES,   CONTRACTORS  AND  AGENTS,   AND  EACH  OF  THEIR  HEIRS,
     EXECUTORS,  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY,  THE "INDEMNIFIED GROUP")
     AND  SHALL  APPLY  TO ALL  OBLIGATIONS  AND  LIABILITIES  DESCRIBED  ABOVE,
     INCLUDING  THOSE BASED ON  NEGLIGENCE,  INCLUDING SOLE  NEGLIGENCE,  SIMPLE
     NEGLIGENCE,  CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE NEGLIGENCE,  PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE,
     GROSS NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR FAULT OF THE INDEMNIFIED GROUP OR ANY
     OTHER  THEORY OF  LIABILITY  OR FAULT,  WHETHER IN LAW  (WHETHER  COMMON OR
     STATUTORY) OR EQUITY.

     7.  SEVERABILITY AND CHOICE OF LAW. If any one or more of the provisions of
this Agreement shall for any reason be held by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable  in any  respect,  such  invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not effect the remaining provisions of this
Agreement,  and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or
unenforceable  provision had never been a part hereof.  This Agreement  shall be
construed  in  accordance  with the laws of the State of Texas,  without  giving
effect to any conflict of law rules or provisions.
<PAGE>

     8. ENTIRE  AGREEMENT  AND WAIVER.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire
agreement  between the parties  with  respect to the subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes all previous communications,  representations or agreements,  whether
oral or written,  with respect to the subject matter herein, and no agreement or
understanding  varying or  extending  the terms hereof will be binding on either
party unless in writing and  executed by an  authorized  representative  of each
party.  A benefit,  right or duty  provided  by this  Agreement  shall be deemed
waived only when expressly agreed in writing between the parties.  The waiver of
one instance of any act, omission, condition or requirement shall not constitute
a continuing  waiver  unless  specifically  so stated in the  aforesaid  written
waiver.

                                     DDD ENERGY, INC.

                                     By: /s/ HORACE A. CALVERT
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     HORACE A. CALVERT, President

                                     DDD 1996 OIL & GAS PARTNERSHIP

                                     By: DDD Energy, Inc., Managing Partner

                                     By:  /S/ HORACE A. CALVERT
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     HORACE A. CALVERT, President

                                     SEITEL, INC.
                                     (solely with respect to Section 3 hereof)

                                     By: /S/ DEBRA D. VALICE
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     DEBRA D. VALICE, Executive Vice President




                            ASSET PURCHASE AGREEMENT

     This Asset Purchase  Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into effective
as of October 1, 1998 (the  "Effective  Date"),  between  DDD  Energy,  Inc.,  a
Delaware  corporation  ("DDD"),  as  purchaser,  and  the  DDD  1997  Oil  & Gas
Partnership, a Texas general partnership (the "Partnership"),  as seller, acting
by and through its managing general partner,  DDD. Seitel, Inc. ("Seitel"),  the
parent corporation of DDD, joins herein solely with respect to Section 3 hereof.

                                    RECITALS:

     WHEREAS,  the  Partnership  was formed to invest in  non-operating  working
interests in oil and gas properties acquired from third parties by DDD;

     WHEREAS, DDD is the managing general partner of the Partnership;

     WHEREAS,  DDD  has  generally  taken  title  to the  non-operating  working
interests  acquired by the  Partnership in its own name to hold in trust for the
Partnership;

     WHEREAS,  the  Partners  in the  Partnership  (other  than DDD) have voted,
pursuant to the terms of the partnership agreement governing the Partnership, to
approve the sale of all of the Partnership's  assets (other than cash) to DDD on
the terms set forth herein;

     WHEREAS, a committee of disinterested  directors of Seitel has approved the
purchase of such assets by DDD from the Partnership; and

     WHEREAS,  it is anticipated that the transfer of title to the assets of the
Partnership  to DDD will not  require any formal  documentation  other than this
Agreement;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  DDD and the Partnership agree to the purchase and sale of
the assets hereunder subject to the following terms and conditions:

     1. ACQUIRED ASSETS. The Partnership hereby sells,  transfers and conveys to
DDD, and DDD hereby acquires,  all of the assets of the Partnership  (other than
cash), including but not limited to those non-operating working interests in oil
and gas properties  listed on Exhibit A hereto (the  "Assets"),  effective as of
October 1, 1998.

     2. PURCHASE  PRICE.  Seitel has contributed  shares of Seitel,  Inc. Common
Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Stock") to DDD in a transaction  intended
to qualify under Treasury regulation  ss.1.1502-13(f)(6)(2) and DDD will use the
Stock as a portion of "Purchase  Price" payable by DDD to the  Partnership.  The
"Purchase  Price"  for the  Assets  shall be  $600,056.32  payable by DDD to the
Partnership in the form of 54,541 shares of Stock valued at $11.00 per share and
$105.32 in cash.

     3. REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  Seitel has granted certain registration rights to
the Partnership  (which may be transferred to its partners upon  distribution of
such Stock to the  partners)  as set forth in a  Registration  Rights  Agreement
effective as of the date hereof.
<PAGE>

     4. ASSUMED LIABILITIES. DDD hereby assumes the liability of the Partnership
to DDD of $0 for amounts  advanced by DDD on behalf of the Partnership  prior to
the Effective  Date. DDD also assumes the  liabilities  disclosed on Exhibit "B"
hereto.  Except as  specifically  set forth in this  Section  3, DDD  assumes no
obligations or liabilities of the Partnership.

     5. COVENANTS, REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

          (a)  Conveyance  of the  Assets  shall be with full  substitution  and
     subrogation of DDD, its successors and assigns, in and to all covenants and
     warranties  heretofore given or made in respect of the rights,  properties,
     and assets  conveyed  and  transferred  hereby,  or any part  thereof.  The
     Partnership agrees to execute such further  instruments and other documents
     as may be  reasonably  necessary  to more  fully  convey to DDD the  Assets
     conveyed or intended to be conveyed hereby.

          (b) The  Partnership  warrants to DDD and its  successors  and assigns
     title to the Assets  against  claims and demands of all persons  whomsoever
     may  claim  the  same  or any  part  thereof  by,  through  and  under  the
     Partnership, but not otherwise.

          (c) The Partnership represents the following to DDD:

               (i) The  Partnership  owns the  Assets and has the full power and
          right to sell and  convey  the same to DDD free of any lien,  claim or
          encumbrance by, through or under the Partnership;

               (ii) The Partnership has complied, in all material respects, with
          the provisions and  requirements of all orders,  regulations and rules
          issued or promulgated by governmental  authorities having jurisdiction
          with  respect  to the  Assets  and  has  filed  for and  obtained  all
          governmental certificates,  permits and other authorizations necessary
          for current  operation of the Assets other than permits,  consents and
          authorizations required for the sale and transfer of the Assets to DDD
          which shall be the responsibility of DDD; and

               (iii) The  leases  comprising  the  Assets  are in full force and
          effect.

          (d) All ad valorem  taxes  regarding the Assets (i) for the years 1997
     and  before  shall be borne and paid by the  Partnership  and (iii) for the
     years 1998 and thereafter shall be borne and paid by DDD.

          (e)  The   Partnership   represents  and  warrants  to  DDD  that  the
     Partnership  has  incurred  no  liability,  contingent  or  otherwise,  for
     brokers' or finders' fees relating to the transactions contemplated by this
     Agreement  for which  DDD shall  have any  responsibility  whatsoever.  DDD
     represents  and  warrants  to the  Partnership  that  DDD has  incurred  no
     liability,  contingent or otherwise, for brokers' or finders' fees relating
     to  the   transactions   contemplated  by  this  Agreement  for  which  the
     Partnership shall have any responsibility whatsoever.
<PAGE>

          (f) The  Partnership  represents  and  warrants  that  each and  every
     partner in the Partnership is an accredited investor as defined in Rule 501
     under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

          (g) Investment Representations.

               (i) The  Partnership  is acquiring  the Stock for its own account
          and the account of the partners  therein for investment and not with a
          view to, or for sale or other  disposition  in  connection  with,  any
          distribution  of all or any part thereof (other than a distribution to
          such partners pro rata),  except  pursuant to an applicable  exemption
          under the  Securities  Act or in an offering  covered by an  effective
          registration statement under the Securities Act relating to the Stock.
          In acquiring the Stock,  neither the  Partnership nor its partners are
          offering  or  selling,  nor will  offer or sell,  for Seitel or DDD in
          connection  with  any  distribution  of the  Stock,  and  neither  the
          Partnership  nor  any  partner  therein  has a  participation  or will
          participate in any such  undertaking or in any underwriting of such an
          undertaking,  except in compliance with  applicable  federal and state
          securities laws.

               (ii) The Partnership  acknowledges  that it and its partners have
          been  furnished  with  substantially  the  same  kind  of  information
          regarding Seitel and its business,  assets,  results of operations and
          financial condition as would be contained in a registration  statement
          prepared  in  connection  with  a  public  sale  of  the  Stock.   The
          Partnership  further  represents  that it and its partners have had an
          opportunity  to ask  questions  of and  receive  answers  from  Seitel
          regarding Seitel and its business,  assets,  results of operations and
          financial  condition  and the terms and  conditions of the issuance of
          the Stock.

               (iii) The Partnership  acknowledges  that it and its partners are
          able to fend for itself or  themselves,  can bear the economic risk of
          its or their  investment  in the Stock,  and have such  knowledge  and
          experience  in  financial  and  business  matters  that it or they are
          capable of  evaluating  the merits and risks of an  investment  in the
          Stock.

               (iv) The Partnership and its partners  understand that the Stock,
          when issued to the Partnership or  subsequently to a partner  therein,
          will not have been  registered  pursuant to the  Securities Act or any
          applicable state securities laws, that the Stock will be characterized
          as "restricted  securities"  under federal  securities  laws, and that
          under such laws and applicable regulations the Stock cannot be sold or
          otherwise disposed of without registration under the Securities Act or
          an exemption  therefrom.  In this connection,  the Partnership and its
          partners  represent  that they are familiar with Rule 144  promulgated
          under the Securities  Act, as currently in effect,  and understand the
          resale  limitations  imposed  thereby and by the Securities  Act. Stop
          transfer  instructions may be issued accordingly to the transfer agent
          for the Stock.

               (v) It is  agreed  and  understood  by the  Partnership  and  its
          partners  that the  certificates  representing  the Stock  shall  each
          conspicuously  set forth on the face or back  thereof,  in addition to
          any legends required by applicable law or other agreement, a legend in
          substantially the following form:
<PAGE>

               THE  SHARES   REPRESENTED  BY  THIS  CERTIFICATE  HAVE  NOT  BEEN
          REGISTERED  PURSUANT TO THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED, OR ANY
          STATE  SECURITIES  LAWS.  SUCH  SHARES  MAY NOT BE  SOLD OR  OTHERWISE
          TRANSFERRED EXCEPT (i) PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
          UNDER SUCH ACT,  OR (ii) IN  ACCORDANCE  WITH RULE 144 UNDER SUCH ACT,
          UNLESS THE CORPORATION  RECEIVES A WRITTEN  OPINION OF COUNSEL,  WHICH
          OPINION AND COUNSEL ARE SATISFACTORY TO THE CORPORATION, TO THE EFFECT
          THAT SUCH REGISTRATION IS NOT REQUIRED.

     6.  INDEMNITIES BY THE  PARTNERSHIP  AND DDD. As used in this paragraph and
the subparagraphs  hereunder,  "claims" shall include claims, demands, causes of
action,  liabilities,  damages,  fines,  penalties  and judgments of any kind or
character,  whether  matured or unmatured,  absolute or  contingent,  accrued or
unaccrued,  liquidated or  unliquidated  or known or unknown,  and all costs and
fees  (including,  without  limitation,  interest,  attorneys'  fees,  costs  of
experts, court costs and costs of investigation) in connection therewith.

          (a) The  Partnership  (i)  shall be  responsible  for all  duties  and
     obligations  express and implied with respect to the Assets  accruing prior
     to the Effective Date, including,  without limitation, those accruing under
     or by virtue of any lease,  contract,  agreement,  document,  permit,  law,
     statute or rule, regulation or order of any governmental authority,  except
     those expressly  assumed by DDD pursuant to this Agreement,  and (ii) SHALL
     DEFEND,  INDEMNIFY  AND  HOLD  DDD  HARMLESS  FROM  ANY AND ALL  CLAIMS  IN
     CONNECTION THEREWITH.

          (b) DDD (i)  shall  be  responsible  for all  duties  and  obligations
     express and implied with respect to the Assets  accruing from and after the
     Effective Date, including,  without limitation,  those accruing under or by
     virtue of any lease, contract, agreement, document, permit, law, statute or
     rule,  regulation or order of any  governmental  authority,  and (ii) SHALL
     DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD THE PARTNERSHIP HARMLESS FROM ANY AND ALL CLAIMS
     IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

          (c) THE PARTNERSHIP SHALL DEFEND, INDEMNIFY AND HOLD DDD HARMLESS FROM
     ANY AND ALL CLAIMS FOR DAMAGES,  INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  ECONOMIC
     HARM, PERSONAL INJURY,  DEATH OR DAMAGE TO PROPERTY OR ENVIRONMENT,  OR FOR
     ENVIRONMENTAL CLEANUP,  REMEDIATION, OR COMPLIANCE, OR FOR ANY OTHER RELIEF
     (COLLECTIVELY,  "LOSSES"), ACCRUING PRIOR TO THE EFFECTIVE DATE DIRECTLY OR
     INDIRECTLY FROM OR INCIDENT TO THE USE, OCCUPATION,  OPERATION, MAINTENANCE
     OR ABANDONMENT OF ANY OF THE ASSETS, OR THE CONDITION OF THE ASSETS, OR THE
     PRODUCTION OR SALE OF  HYDROCARBONS  THEREFROM,  WHETHER  LATENT OR PATENT,
     INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  CONTAMINATION OF THE PROPERTY OR PREMISES
     WITH NATURALLY OCCURRING RADIOACTIVE MATERIALS.
<PAGE>

          (d) Any claim for  indemnity  under this  paragraph or under any other
     provision of this Agreement  shall be made by written notice from the party
     seeking  indemnification (the "Indemnified Party") to the party required to
     provide  same  (the   "Indemnifying   Party"),   together  with  a  written
     description of any third-party claim against the Indemnified Party, stating
     the  nature  and basis of such  claim  and,  if  ascertainable,  the amount
     thereof.  The  Indemnifying  Party  shall have a period of thirty (30) days
     after  receipt of such notice  within  which to respond  thereto or, in the
     case of a third  party claim which  requires a shorter  time for  response,
     then within such shorter  period as specified by the  Indemnified  Party in
     such  notice  (the  "Notice  Period").  If the  Indemnifying  Party  denies
     liability or fails to respond to the notice within the Notice  Period,  the
     Indemnified   Party  may  defend  or  compromise  the  claim  as  it  deems
     appropriate  without  prejudice to any of the  Indemnified  Party's  rights
     hereunder,  with no further  obligation to inform the Indemnifying Party of
     the status of the claim and no right of the  Indemnifying  Party to approve
     or disapprove any actions taken in connection  therewith by the Indemnified
     Party. If the Indemnifying Party accepts liability,  it shall so notify the
     Indemnified  Party  within  the  Notice  Period  and  elect  either  (a) to
     undertake  the defense or compromise of such third party claim with counsel
     selected  by  the  Indemnifying  Party  and  reasonably   approved  by  the
     Indemnified  Party or (b) to instruct  the  Indemnified  Party to defend or
     compromise such claim. If the Indemnifying  Party undertakes the defense or
     compromise  of such  third-party  claim,  the  Indemnified  Party  shall be
     entitled, at its own expense, to participate in such defense. No compromise
     or settlement  of any  third-party  claim shall be made without  reasonable
     notice to the  Indemnified  Party and, unless such compromise or settlement
     includes  a general  release  of the  Indemnified  Party in  respect of the
     matter with no admission of liability on the part of the Indemnified  Party
     and no constraints on the future conduct of its business, without the prior
     written approval of the Indemnified Party.

          THE  INDEMNITIES   CONTAINED  IN  THIS  PARAGRAPH  SHALL  SURVIVE  THE
     EFFECTIVE DATE AND EXTEND TO THE INDEMNIFIED  PARTY AND ITS OWNERS AND EACH
     OF   THEIR   PRESENT   AND   FUTURE   DIRECTORS,    OFFICERS,    EMPLOYEES,
     REPRESENTATIVES,   CONTRACTORS  AND  AGENTS,   AND  EACH  OF  THEIR  HEIRS,
     EXECUTORS,  SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS (COLLECTIVELY,  THE "INDEMNIFIED GROUP")
     AND  SHALL  APPLY  TO ALL  OBLIGATIONS  AND  LIABILITIES  DESCRIBED  ABOVE,
     INCLUDING  THOSE BASED ON  NEGLIGENCE,  INCLUDING SOLE  NEGLIGENCE,  SIMPLE
     NEGLIGENCE,  CONCURRENT NEGLIGENCE, ACTIVE NEGLIGENCE,  PASSIVE NEGLIGENCE,
     GROSS NEGLIGENCE, STRICT LIABILITY OR FAULT OF THE INDEMNIFIED GROUP OR ANY
     OTHER  THEORY OF  LIABILITY  OR FAULT,  WHETHER IN LAW  (WHETHER  COMMON OR
     STATUTORY) OR EQUITY.

     7.  SEVERABILITY AND CHOICE OF LAW. If any one or more of the provisions of
this Agreement shall for any reason be held by a court of competent jurisdiction
to be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable  in any  respect,  such  invalidity,
illegality or unenforceability shall not effect the remaining provisions of this
Agreement,  and this Agreement shall be construed as if such invalid, illegal or
unenforceable  provision had never been a part hereof.  This Agreement  shall be
construed  in  accordance  with the laws of the State of Texas,  without  giving
effect to any conflict of law rules or provisions.
<PAGE>

     8. ENTIRE  AGREEMENT  AND WAIVER.  This  Agreement  constitutes  the entire
agreement  between the parties  with  respect to the subject  matter  hereof and
supersedes all previous communications,  representations or agreements,  whether
oral or written,  with respect to the subject matter herein, and no agreement or
understanding  varying or  extending  the terms hereof will be binding on either
party unless in writing and  executed by an  authorized  representative  of each
party.  A benefit,  right or duty  provided  by this  Agreement  shall be deemed
waived only when expressly agreed in writing between the parties.  The waiver of
one instance of any act, omission, condition or requirement shall not constitute
a continuing  waiver  unless  specifically  so stated in the  aforesaid  written
waiver.

                                     DDD ENERGY, INC.

                                     By: /s/ HORACE A. CALVERT
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     HORACE A. CALVERT, President

                                     DDD 1997 OIL & GAS PARTNERSHIP

                                     By: DDD Energy, Inc., Managing Partner

                                     By:  /S/ HORACE A. CALVERT
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     HORACE A. CALVERT, President

                                     SEITEL, INC.
                                     (solely with respect to Section 3 hereof)

                                     By: /S/ DEBRA D. VALICE
                                        ----------------------------------------
                                     DEBRA D. VALICE, Executive Vice President


Borrower:       Paul A. Frame                     Lender:    Bank One, Texas, NA
                2912 Mid Lane                                Houston Commercial
                Houston, TX 77027                            910 Travis
                                                             Houston, TX 77002

Grantor:        Seitel, Inc.
                50 Briar Hollow Lane West,
                7th Floor
                Houston, TX 77027



AMOUNT OF GUARANTY. The principal amount of this Guaranty is Seven Hundred Fifty
Thousand & 00/100 Dollars ($750,000.00).

LIMITED   GUARANTY.   For  good  and  valuable   consideration,   SEITEL,   INC.
("Guarantor")  absolutely and unconditionally  guarantees and promises to pay to
Bank One,  Texas,  N.A.  ("Lender") or its order,  in legal tender of the United
States of America,  the  Indebtedness (as that term is defined below) to PAUL A.
FRAME  ("Borrower")  to Lender on the  terms  and  conditions  set forth in this
Guaranty.

DEFINITIONS.  The following words shall have the following meanings when used in
this Guaranty:

     Borrower. The word "Borrower" means PAUL A. FRAME

     Guarantor. The word "Guarantor" means SEITEL, INC.

     Guaranty. The word "Guaranty" means this Guaranty made by Guarantor for the
     benefit of Lender dated March 27, 1998.

     Indebtedness.  The word "Indebtedness"  means (a) all principal owing under
     the Note, (b) all accrued but unpaid interest owing under the Note, and (c)
     all  collection  costs  and  expenses   (including,   without   limitation,
     reasonable  attorneys'  fees) relating to the Note or to any collateral for
     the Note.

     Lender.  The word "Lender" means Bank One, Texas,  N.A., its successors and
     assigns.

     Note. The word "Note" means the promissory  note or credit  agreement dated
     March 27,  1998,  in the  original  principal  amount of  $750,000.00  from
     Borrower to Lender.

     Related Documents.  The words "Related  Documents" mean and include without
     limitation   the  Note  and  all  credit   agreements,   loan   agreements,
     environmental agreements, guaranties, security agreements, mortgages, deeds
     of trust, and all other instruments,  agreements and documents, whether now
     or hereafter existing, executed in connection with the Note.

MAXIMUM LIABILITY.  The maximum liability of Guarantor under this Guaranty shall
not exceed at any one time the sum of the principal amount of $750,000.00,  plus
all interest thereon, plus all of Lender's costs,  expenses, and attorneys' fees
incurred  in  connection   with  or  relating  to  (a)  the  collection  of  the
Indebtedness, (b) the collection and sale of any collateral for the Indebtedness
or this  Guaranty,  or (c) the  enforcement of this  Guaranty.  Attorneys'  fees
include, without limitation,  attorneys' fees whether or not there is a lawsuit,
and if there is a lawsuit, any fees and costs for trial and appeals.

The  above  limitation  on  liability  is not a  restriction  on the  amount  of
indebtedness  owing  by  Borrow  to  Lender  from  time to time,  either  in the
aggregate or at any one time. If Lender  presently holds one or more guaranties,
or hereafter receives additional guaranties from Guarantor, the rights of Lender
under all  guaranties  shall be  cumulative.  This  Guaranty  shall not  (unless
specifically provided below to the contrary) affect or invalidate any such other
guaranties.  The  liability  of  Guarantor  will be the  aggregate  liability of
Guarantor  under  the terms of this  Guaranty  and any such  other  unterminated
guaranties.
<PAGE>

NATURE OF GUARANTY.  Guarantor intends to guarantee at all times the performance
and  prompt  payment  when due,  whether  at  maturity  or  earlier by reason of
acceleration or otherwise,  of all  indebtedness  within the limits set forth in
the preceding section of this Guaranty.

DURATION OF GUARANTY:  This  Guaranty  will take effect when  received by Lender
without the necessity of any acceptance by Lender, or any notice to Guarantor or
to Borrower,  and will continue in full force until all Indebtedness  shall have
been fully and finally paid and satisfied and all other obligations of Guarantor
under this  Guaranty  shall have been  performed  in full.  Release of any other
guarantor or  termination of any other  guaranty of the  Indebtedness  shall not
affect  the  liability  of  Guarantor  under this  Guaranty.  This  Guaranty  is
irrevocable.  A  revocation  received by Lender from any one or more  Guarantors
shall not affect the liability of any remaining Guarantors under this Guaranty.

GUARANTOR'S AUTHORIZATION TO LENDER. Guarantor authorizes Lender, without notice
or demand and without  lessening or otherwise  affecting  Guarantor's  liability
under  this  Guaranty,  from  time to time:  (a) to make one or more  additional
secured or  unsecured  loans to Borrower,  to lease  equipment or other goods to
Borrower,  or otherwise to extend additional  credit to Borrower;  (b) to alter,
compromise, renew, extend, accelerate, or otherwise change one or more times the
time  for  payment  or  other  terms  of the  Indebtedness  or any  part  of the
Indebtedness,  including  increases and decreases of the rate of interest on the
Indebtedness; extensions may be repeated and may be for longer than the original
loan term; (c) to take and hold security for the payment of this Guaranty or the
Indebtedness,  and exchange,  enforce, waive, fail or decide not to perfect, and
release any such security,  with or without the  substitution of new collateral;
(d) to  release,  substitute,  agree not to sue, or deal with any one or more of
Borrower's  sureties,  endorsers,  or other  guarantors  on any  terms or in any
manner Lender may choose;  (e) to determine  how, when and what  application  of
payments  and  credits  shall be made on the  Indebtedness;  (f) to  apply  such
security  and  direct  the order or manner of sale  thereof,  including  without
limitation,  any  nonjudicial  sale  permitted  by the terms of the  controlling
security  agreement or deed of trust, as Lender in its discretion may determine;
(g) to sell, transfer, assign, or grant participations in all or any part of the
Indebtedness; and (h) to assign or transfer this Guaranty in whole or in part.

GUARANTOR'S REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Guarantor represents and warrants to
Lender that (a) no  representations  or agreements of any kind have been made to
Guarantor  which would  limit or qualify in any way the terms of this  Guaranty;
(b) this  Guaranty is executed at  Borrower's  request and not at the request of
Lender;  (c)  Guarantor  has full power,  right and authority to enter into this
Guaranty;  (d) the provisions of this Guaranty do not conflict with or result in
a default under any agreement or other instrument  binding upon Guarantor and do
not  result  in a  violation  of any  law,  regulation,  court  decree  or order
applicable to Guarantor;  (e) Guarantor has not and will not,  without the prior
written consent of Lender, sell lease, assign, encumber, hypothecate,  transfer,
or otherwise dispose of all or substantially  all of Guarantor's  assets, or any
interest  therein;  (f) Lender has made no representation to Guarantor as to the
creditworthiness of Borrower; (g) upon Lender's request,  Guarantor will provide
to Lender financial and credit information in form acceptable to Lender, and all
such  financial  information  provided  to  Lender  is true and  correct  in all
material respects and fairly presents the financial condition of Guarantor as of
the dates thereof,  and no material adverse change has occurred in the financial
condition  of  Guarantor  since the date of the  financial  statements;  and (h)
Guarantor  has  established  adequate  means of  obtaining  from  Borrower  on a
continuing basis information regarding Borrower's financial condition. Guarantor
agrees to keep  adequately  informed  from such  means of any  facts,  events or
circumstances  which  might  in any way  affect  Guarantor's  risks  under  this
Guaranty,  and Guarantor  further agrees that, absent a request for information,
Lender shall have no  obligation  to disclose to Guarantor  any  information  or
documents acquired by Lender in the Course of its relationship with Borrower.
<PAGE>

GUARANTOR'S  WAIVERS.  Except as prohibited by applicable law,  Guarantor waives
any right to require  Lender (a) to continue  lending  money or to extend  other
credit to Borrower; (b) to make any presentment,  protest,  demand, or notice of
any kind,  including  notice of any  nonpayment  of the  Indebtedness  or of any
nonpayment  related to any  collateral,  or notice of any action or nonaction on
the part of  Borrower,  Lender,  any surety,  endorser,  or other  guarantor  in
connection  with the  Indebtedness  or in connection with the creation of new or
additional  loans or  obligations:  (c) to  resort  for  payment  or to  proceed
directly  or at  once  against  any  person,  including  Borrower  or any  other
guarantor;  (d) to proceed  directly  against or exhaust any collateral  held by
Lender from  Borrower,  any other  guarantor,  or any other person;  (e) to give
notice of the terms,  time,  and place of any public or private sale of personal
property  security  held by Lender  from  Borrower  or to comply  with any other
applicable  provisions of the Uniform  Commercial  Code; (f) to pursue any other
remedy within  Lender's power; or (g) to commit any act or omission of any kind,
or at any time, with respect to any matter whatsoever.

Guarantor waives all rights of Guarantor under, or the requirements  imposed by,
Chapter 34 of the Texas  Business and Commerce  Code.  Guarantor also waives any
and all  rights  or  defenses  arising  by  reason  of (a) any "one  action"  or
"anti-deficiency"  law or any other law which may prevent  Lender from  bringing
any action, including a claim for deficiency, against Guarantor, before or after
Lender's commencement or completion of any foreclosure action, either judicially
or by exercise of a power of sale,  (b) any election of remedies by Lender which
destroys  or  otherwise  adversely  affects  Guarantor's  subrogation  rights or
Guarantor's  rights to proceed  against  Borrower  to  reimbursement,  including
without limitation, any loss of rights Guarantor may suffer by reason of any law
limiting,  qualifying,  or discharging the  Indebtedness;  (c) any disability or
other defense of Borrower, of any other guarantor, or of any other person, or by
reason of the cessation of Borrower's liability from any cause whatsoever, other
than  payment in full in legal  tender,  of the  Indebtedness;  (d) any right to
claim discharge of the  Indebtedness  on the basis of unjustified  impairment of
any collateral for the Indebtedness;  (e) any statute of limitations,  if at any
time any action or suite brought by Lender against  Guarantor is commenced there
is  outstanding  Indebtedness  of Borrower to Lender  which is not barred by any
applicable  statute of  limitations;  or (f) any defenses given to guarantors at
law or in equity other than actual payment and performance of the  Indebtedness.
If payment is made by Borrower,  whether  voluntarily  or  otherwise,  or by any
third party, on the  Indebtedness  and thereafter  Lender is forced to remit the
amount of that payment to  Borrower's  trustee in  bankruptcy  or to any similar
person  under  any  federal  or state  bankruptcy  law or law for the  relief of
debtors,  the  Indebtedness  shall  be  considered  unpaid  for the  purpose  of
enforcement of this Guaranty.

Guarantor  further  waives  and  agrees  not to  assert or claim at any time any
deductions to the amount  guaranteed under the Guaranty for any claim of setoff,
counterclaim,  counter demand,  recoupment or similar right, whether such claim,
demand or right may be asserted by the Borrower, the Guarantor, or both.

GUARANTOR'S UNDERSTANDING WITH RESPECT TO WAIVERS.  Guarantor warrant and agrees
that each of the waivers set forth above is made with Guarantor's full knowledge
of its significance and  consequences  and that,  under the  circumstances,  the
waivers are  reasonable  and not  contrary to public  policy or law. If any such
waiver is determined to be contrary to any applicable law or public policy, such
waiver shall be effective only to the extent permitted by law or public policy.

SUBORDINATION  OF  BORROWER'S  DEBTS TO  GUARANTOR.  Guarantor  agrees  that the
Indebtedness of Borrower to Lender,  whether now existing or hereafter  created,
shall be prior to any claim that  guarantor  may now have or  hereafter  acquire
against Borrower,  whether or not Borrower becomes  insolvent.  Guarantor hereby
expressly  subordinates any claim Guarantor may have against Borrower,  upon any
account  whatsoever,  to any claim that Lender may now or hereafter have against
Borrower. In the event of insolvency and consequent liquidation of the assets of
Borrower,  through bankruptcy, by an assignment for the benefit of creditors, by
voluntary  liquidation,  or otherwise,  the assets of Borrower applicable to the
payment of the claims of both Lender and  Guarantor  shall be paid to Lender and
shall be first  applied by Lender to the  Indebtedness  of  Borrower  to Lender.
Guarantor  does hereby  assign to Lender all claims which it may have or acquire
against  Borrower or against any assignee or trustee in  bankruptcy of Borrower;
provided  however,  that such assignment shall be effective only for the purpose
of assuring  to Lender  full  payment in legal  tender of the  Indebtedness.  If
Lender so requests,  any notes or credit agreements now or hereafter  evidencing
any debts or obligations of Borrower to Guarantor  shall be marked with a legend
that the same are subject to this  Guaranty  and shall be  delivered  to Lender.
Guarantor  agrees,  and Lender hereby is  authorized,  in the name of Guarantor,
from time to time to execute  and file  financing  statements  and  continuation
statements and to execute such other documents and to take such other actions as
Lender  deems  necessary  or  appropriate  to perfect,  preserve and enforce its
rights under this Guaranty.
<PAGE>

MISCELLANEOUS PROVISION.

     Amendments. This Guaranty, together with any Related Documents, constitutes
     the entire understanding and agreement of the parties as to the matters set
     forth in this  Guaranty.  No  alteration  of or amendment to this  Guaranty
     shall be  effective  unless  given in  writing  and  signed by the party or
     parties sought to be charged or bound by the alteration or amendment.

     Applicable  Law. This Guaranty has been delivered to Lender and accepted by
     Lender in the State of Texas. If there is a lawsuit, and if the transaction
     evidenced by this Guaranty occurred in Harris County, Guarantor agrees upon
     Lender's  request  to submit to the  jurisdiction  of the  courts of Harris
     County, State of Texas. This Guaranty shall be governed by and construed in
     accordance with the laws of the State of Texas and applicable Federal laws.

     Attorneys' Fees. In addition to Guarantor's  guaranty of Borrower's Note as
     proved above,  Lender may hire an attorney to help enforce this Guaranty if
     Guarantor does not pay, and Guarantor  will pay all of Lender's  attorneys'
     fees  assessed  by the  court.  Guarantor  also will pay  Lender  all other
     amounts actually incurred by Lender as court costs, lawful fees for filing,
     recording,  or releasing to any public office any instrument  securing this
     Guaranty; the reasonable cost actually expended for repossessing,  storing,
     preparing for sale, and selling any security; and fees for noting a lien on
     or  transferring  a certificate  of title to any motor  vehicle  offered as
     security for this Guaranty.

     Notices.  All  notices  required  to be given by either  party to the other
     under  this  Guaranty  shall be in  writing  and  shall be  effective  when
     actually delivered or when deposited with a nationally recognized overnight
     courier,  or when deposited in the United States mail,  first class postage
     prepaid,  addressed  to the party to whom the  notice is to be given at the
     address  shown  above  or to such  other  addresses  as  either  party  may
     designate  to the other in  writing.  If there is more than one  Guarantor,
     notice to any  Guarantor  will  constitute  notice to all  Guarantors.  For
     notice  purposes,  Guarantor agrees to keep Lender informed at all times of
     Guarantor's current address.

     Interpretation.  In all  cases  where  there is more than one  Borrower  or
     Guarantor,  then all words used in this  Guaranty in the singular  shall be
     deemed to have been used in the plural  where the context and  construction
     so  require;  and  where  there  is more  than one  Borrower  named in this
     Guaranty or when this Guaranty is executed by more than one Guarantor,  the
     words "Borrower" and "Guarantor" respectively shall mean all and any one or
     more of them. The words "Guarantor",  "Borrower",  and "Lender" include the
     heirs,  successors,  assigns,  and  transferees  of each of  them.  Caption
     headings in this Guaranty are for convenience  purposes only and are not to
     be used to interpret or define the provisions of this Guaranty.  If a court
     of  competent  jurisdiction  finds any  provision  of this  Guaranty  to be
     invalid or  unenforceable as to any person or  circumstances,  such finding
     shall not render that provision  invalid or  unenforceable  as to any other
     persons or circumstances,  and all provisions of this Guaranty in all other
     respects shall remain valid and  enforceable.  If any one or more of Borrow
     or Guarantor  are  corporations  or  partnerships,  it is not necessary for
     Lender to  inquire  into the  powers of  Borrower  or  Guarantor  or of the
     officers,  directors,  partners,  or agents acting or purporting got act on
     their  behalf,  and any  indebtedness  made or created in reliance upon the
     professed exercise of such powers shall be guaranteed under this Guaranty.
<PAGE>

     Waiver.  Lender  shall not be deemed to have  waived any rights  under this
     Guaranty  unless such  waiver is given in writing and signed by Lender.  No
     delay or  omission  on the part of Lender  on  exercising  any right  shall
     operate as a waiver of such right or any other right. A waiver by Lender of
     a provision of this Guaranty  shall not prejudice or constitute a waiver of
     Lender's right otherwise to demand strict compliance with that provision or
     any other  provision of this Guaranty.  No prior waiver by Lender,  nor any
     course of dealing between Lender and Guarantor,  shall  constitute a waiver
     of any of Lender's  rights or of any of  Guarantor's  obligations as to any
     future transactions.  Whenever the consent of Lender is required under this
     Guaranty,  the granting of such consent by Lender in any instance shall not
     constitute continuing consent to subsequent instances where such consent is
     required  in all cases such  consent may be granted or withheld in the sole
     discretion of Lender.

EACH UNDERSIGNED  GUARANTOR  ACKNOWLEDGES HAVING READ ALL THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
GUARANTY AND AGREES TO ITS TERMS. IN ADDITION,  EACH GUARANTOR  UNDERSTANDS THAT
THIS  GUARANTY IS  EFFECTIVE  UPON  GUARANTOR'S  EXECUTION  AND DELIVERY OF THIS
GUARANTY TO LENDER AND THAT THE GUARANTY WILL CONTINUE  UNTIL  TERMINATED IN THE
MANNER  SET  FORTH IN THE  SECTION  TITLED  "DURATION  OF  GUARANTY".  NO FORMAL
ACCEPTANCE BY LENDER IS NECESSARY TO MAKE THIS GUARANTY EFFECTIVE. THIS GUARANTY
IS DATED MARCH 27, 1998.

GUARANTOR:

SEITEL, INC.

By:  /s/ Debra D. Valice, CFO
   --------------------------
     March 27, 1998
   --------------------------


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