PAYLESS CASHWAYS INC
10-Q, 1996-10-08
LUMBER & OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS DEALERS
Previous: PACCAR INC, 8-K, 1996-10-08
Next: PERKIN ELMER CORP, SC 13D/A, 1996-10-08



<PAGE> 1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
  / X /   Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934

          For the quarterly period ended August 24, 1996

                                                         or

  /   /   Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
          Exchange Act of 1934

          For the transition period from                 to

          Commission file number 1-8210


                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

         Iowa                                          42-0945849
(State or Other Jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
Incorporation or Organization)                         Identification No.)


   Two Pershing Square
   2300 Main, P.O. Box 419466
   Kansas City, Missouri                               64141-0466
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)               (Zip Code)

                  (816)  234-6000
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

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 the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Common Stock, $.01 par value, outstanding as of September 27, 1996:

              Voting                --       37,703,228    shares
              Non-Voting Class A    --        2,250,000    shares


<PAGE> 2

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.

                                                          
                        PART I -- FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) (1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                         Thirteen Weeks Ended                  Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                                    --------------------------------      --------------------------------
                                                       August 24,       August 26,          August 24,         August 26,
(In thousands, except per share amounts)                  1996             1995                1996               1995
                                                    -------------      -------------      --------------     -------------

<S>                                                 <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Income
     Net sales                                      $    723,793       $    737,237       $   1,932,812      $  2,005,134
     Other income                                          1,481              1,357               4,599             4,218
                                                    -------------      -------------      --------------     -------------
                                                         725,274            738,594           1,937,411         2,009,352

Costs and expenses
     Cost of merchandise sold (6)                        535,956            530,402           1,400,372         1,432,885
     Selling, general and administrative                 157,403            159,272             451,737           460,925
     Special charges (6)                                   8,184                --                8,184               --
     Asset impairment charges (5)                         59,697                --               59,697               --
     Provision for depreciation and amortization          14,007             15,567              40,777            45,339
     Interest expense                                     14,438             15,247              44,396            46,093
     Interest income (7)                                  (4,900)               --               (4,900)              --
                                                    -------------      -------------      --------------     -------------
                                                         784,785            720,488           2,005,163         1,985,242
                                                    -------------      -------------      --------------     -------------

               INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES         (59,511)            18,106             (62,852)           24,110

Federal and state income taxes (7)                       (36,633)             8,985             (38,217)           11,765
                                                    -------------      --------------     --------------     -------------

Income (loss) before equity in loss of joint
     venture                                             (22,878)             9,121             (24,635)           12,345

Equity in loss of joint venture                              --                (975)                --             (3,450)
                                                    -------------      -------------      --------------     -------------

                               NET INCOME (LOSS)    $    (22,878)      $      8,146       $     (24,635)     $      8,895
                                                    =============      =============      ==============     =============

Net income (loss) attributable to common stock      $    (24,388)      $      6,751       $     (29,077)     $      4,791
                                                    =============      =============      ==============     =============

Net income (loss) per common share (2)              $       (.61)      $        .17       $        (.73)     $        .12
                                                    =============      =============      ==============     =============

Weighted average common and dilutive
     common equivalent shares
     outstanding                                          39,952             40,116              39,939            39,969
                                                    =============      =============      ==============     =============


<FN>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

</TABLE>


<PAGE> 3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (1)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                  August 24,           November 25,            August 26,
(In thousands)                                                       1996                   1995                  1995
                                                                -------------          --------------        ------------
<S>                                                             <C>                    <C>                   <C>
ASSETS

     CURRENT ASSETS
       Cash and cash equivalents                                $        166           $         960         $     4,496
       Merchandise inventories (3)                                   399,373                 392,604             406,808
       Prepaid expenses and other current assets                      23,875                  29,375              27,444
       Income taxes receivable                                        15,200                     --                  --
       Deferred income taxes                                          14,505                  19,740              16,265
                                                                -------------          --------------        ------------
                                        TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS         453,119                 442,679             455,013

     OTHER ASSETS
       Real estate held for sale (5)                                  14,642                   6,082               5,458
       Cost in excess of net assets acquired, less
         accumulated amortization of $102,829
         $95,372 and $92,118, respectively (5)                       295,315                 323,819             428,548
       Deferred financing costs                                       10,002                  11,421              11,405
       Other                                                          15,325                  14,925              23,785

     LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT                                   788,642                 826,455             847,952
       Allowance for depreciation and amortization                  (277,948)               (280,945)           (261,041)
                                                                -------------          --------------        ------------

         TOTAL LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT                         510,694                 545,510             586,911
                                                                -------------          --------------        ------------

                                                                $  1,299,097           $   1,344,436         $ 1,511,120
                                                                =============          ==============        ============

<FN>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

</TABLE>



<PAGE> 4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - Continued (Unaudited) (1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                  August 24,           November 25,           August 26,
(In thousands)                                                       1996                  1995                  1995
                                                                -------------         -------------         -------------

<S>                                                             <C>                   <C>                   <C>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

     CURRENT LIABILITIES
       Current portion of long-term debt                        $     16,713          $     31,472          $     18,627
       Trade accounts payable                                        148,748               159,844               160,178
       Other current liabilities (5)                                 172,621               146,278               136,362
       Income taxes payable                                            3,230                 6,685                22,280
                                                                -------------         -------------         -------------
                                   TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES         341,312               344,279               337,447

     LONG-TERM DEBT, less portion
       classified as current liability (4)                           611,332               608,627               641,458

     NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
       Deferred income taxes                                          38,370                59,994                65,810
       Other                                                          23,891                23,373                23,461

     SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
       Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, 25,000,000 
          shares authorized; issued:
           Cumulative Preferred Stock, 406,000 shares,
             $75.5 million aggregate liquidation preference           40,600                40,600                40,600
       Common Stock, $.01 par value:
           Voting, 150,000,000 shares authorized,
             37,705,628, 37,663,922, and 37,663,922
             shares issued, respectively                                 377                   376                   377
           Non-Voting Class A, 5,000,000 shares
             authorized, 2,250,000 shares issued                          23                    23                    23
       Additional paid-in capital                                    487,746               487,083               487,008
       Foreign currency translation adjustment                            --                    --                (2,589)
       Accumulated deficit                                          (244,554)             (219,919)              (82,475)
                                                                -------------         -------------         -------------
                        TOTAL SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                   284,192               308,163               442,944
                                                                -------------         -------------         -------------

                                                                $  1,299,097          $  1,344,436          $  1,511,120
                                                                =============         =============         =============

<FN>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

</TABLE>


<PAGE> 5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) (1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                         Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                                                             ----------------------------------------------
                                                                                 August 24,                   August 26,
(In thousands)                                                                      1996                         1995
                                                                             ------------------           -----------------
<S>                                                                          <C>                          <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities

     Net income (loss)                                                       $         (24,635)           $         8,895
     Adjustments  to  reconcile  net  income  (loss)  to net  cash  
          provided  by operating activities:
               Depreciation and amortization                                            40,777                      45,339
               Asset impairment charges (5)                                             59,697                         --
               Deferred income taxes                                                   (17,260)                    (13,035)
         Non-cash interest                                                               1,800                       1,750
         Equity in loss of joint venture                                                   --                        3,450
         Other                                                                           1,578                         887
         Changes in assets and liabilities                                             (32,533)                     33,164
                                                                             ------------------           -----------------

     NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                          29,424                      80,450

Cash Flows from Investing Activities

     Additions to land, buildings and equipment                                        (27,552)                    (53,726)
     Proceeds from sale of land, buildings and equipment                                12,649                         394
     Acquisition of business, excluding working capital
       Land, buildings and equipment                                                      (193)                         --
       Purchase price in excess of net assets acquired                                  (1,360)                         --
     Investment in joint venture                                                           --                       (9,254)
     Increase in other assets                                                             (972)                        (19)
                                                                             ------------------           -----------------

     NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                             (17,428)                     62,605)
                                                                             ------------------           -----------------

Cash Flows from Financing Activities

     Retirements of long-term debt (4)                                                 (26,911)                    (14,315)
     Proceeds from long-term debt                                                       14,857                          --
     Sale of Common Stock under stock option plan                                           94                          16
     Other                                                                                (830)                     (1,730)
                                                                             ------------------           -----------------

     NET CASH USED IN FINANCING ACTIVITIES                                             (12,790)                    (16,029)
                                                                             ------------------           -----------------

     Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                 (794)                      1,816
     Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                        960                       2,680
                                                                             ------------------           -----------------
     Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                $             166            $          4,496
                                                                             ==================           =================

<FN>
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements

</TABLE>



<PAGE> 6

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Thirty-nine weeks ended August 24, 1996 and August 26, 1995.


(1)    The accompanying  condensed  consolidated  financial statements have been
       prepared in accordance with the  instructions to Form 10-Q. To the extent
       that information and footnotes required by generally accepted  accounting
       principles  for  complete  financial   statements  are  contained  in  or
       consistent   with   the   audited   consolidated   financial   statements
       incorporated  by reference in the Company's  Form 10-K for the year ended
       November  25,  1995,  such   information  and  footnotes  have  not  been
       duplicated  herein.  In  the  opinion  of  management,  all  adjustments,
       consisting of normal recurring accruals,  considered necessary for a fair
       presentation  of financial  statements  have been reflected  herein.  The
       November 25, 1995, condensed  consolidated balance sheet has been derived
       from the audited consolidated financial statements as of that date.

(2)    Net  income  (loss)  per  common  share  has been  computed  based on the
       weighted  average number of common shares  outstanding  during the period
       plus common stock equivalents, when dilutive, consisting of certain stock
       options,  shares issuable under the Director  Deferred  Compensation Plan
       and  warrants.  For purposes of this  computation,  net income (loss) was
       adjusted for dividend requirements on preferred stock.

(3)    Approximately 83% of the Company's  inventories are valued using the LIFO
       (last-in,  first-out) method.  Because inventory  determination under the
       LIFO  method is only  made at the end of each  fiscal  year  based on the
       inventory levels and costs at that time, interim LIFO determinations must
       necessarily  be based on  management's  estimates  of  expected  year-end
       inventory  levels and costs.  Since future  estimates of inventory levels
       and costs are subject to change,  interim  financial  results reflect the
       Company's most recent estimate of the effect of inflation and are subject
       to  final  year-end  LIFO  inventory  amounts.  If  the  FIFO  (first-in,
       first-out)  method of inventory  accounting had been used by the Company,
       inventories  would  have been  $31.7  million,  $27.5  million  and $27.9
       million  higher than  reported at August 24, 1996,  November 25, 1995 and
       August 26, 1995, respectively.

(4)    Long-term debt consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  August 24,            November 25,           August 26,
       (In thousands)                                                1996                   1995                  1995
                                                                -------------          -------------          ------------
       <S>                                                             <C>                    <C>                    <C>
       Credit agreement                                         $    340,857           $    326,000           $   342,000
       Mortgage loan payable to insurance company                    112,154                138,987               142,949
       Senior subordinated notes - 9-1/8%                            173,655                173,655               173,655
       Other senior debt                                               1,379                  1,457                 1,481
                                                                -------------          -------------          ------------
                                                                     628,045                640,099               660,085
       Less portion classified as current liability                  (16,713)               (31,472)              (18,627)
                                                                -------------          -------------          ------------ 
                                                                $    611,332           $    608,627           $   641,458
                                                                =============          =============          ============
</TABLE>


       On October 3, 1996, the Company restructured and amended its $408 million
       credit  agreement to include two tranches of term loans in the  aggregate
       amount of $273 million, a revolving credit facility of $135 million and a
       $60 million working capital facility (the "Swingline  Facility") that can
       only be drawn upon if the  revolving  credit  facility is fully  utilized
       (the "Amended Credit  Agreement").  The Swingline Facility must be repaid
       in full prior to repaying any other part of the Amended Credit Agreement.
       The term loans require annual principal  payments of $3 million beginning
       on  September  15, 1997 with final  maturity on November  20,  2000.  The
       Amended  Credit  Agreement is secured by  substantially  all  merchandise
       inventory,  certain real estate,  and  substantially all of the equipment
       and  fixtures  of  the  Company.  All  loans  under  the  Amended  Credit
       Agreement,  except the $100  million  Tranche B loans,  bear  interest at
       fluctuating rates of either the alternate base rate (8-1/4% at August 24,
       1996) plus 1.5% per annum or LIBOR  (5-3/8% at August 24, 1996) plus 2.5%
       per annum.  The  Tranche B loans bear  interest at  fluctuating  rates of
       either the alternate  base rate plus 2.0% or LIBOR plus 3.0%. In addition
       to scheduled  repayments,  the Company will also be required to repay the
       term loans  with  proceeds  of  certain  asset  sales and  certain  other
       transactions and with excess cash flow, as defined.

       The Amended Credit Agreement  contains a number of covenants,  including,
       but not  limited  to,  minimum  cash flow  (defined  as  earnings  before
       interest,  taxes,  depreciation,  amortization,  and rent, "EBITDAR"),  a
       maximum debt to




<PAGE> 7

       EBITDAR ratio,  and limitations on capital  expenditures  and capitalized
       leases.  The  Company is also  prohibited  from paying  dividends  on its
       common and preferred stock.

(5)    The Company adopted Financial  Accounting  Standard No. 121,  "Accounting
       for the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for Long-Lived  Assets To Be
       Disposed Of," in the third quarter of 1996.  Primarily as a result of the
       increasingly  competitive  environment for building materials  retailing,
       the  Company  conducted  its review and  determined  certain  assets were
       impaired.  These assets included  certain real estate,  including  future
       store lease obligations, and associated goodwill which is attributable to
       those assets and which was  established  in 1988 as part of the Company's
       leveraged  buyout.  An asset  impairment  charge of $59.7 million  ($44.6
       million after tax) was recorded  after  considering  current and expected
       future operating cash flows for certain stores together with the proceeds
       the Company could expect to receive upon the sale of these  assets.  As a
       result of the  impairment  charge,  goodwill was reduced  $22.4  million,
       certain  real estate  carrying  values were reduced  $25.7  million and a
       $11.6  million  liability  for future store lease  payments,  net of $6.0
       million in amounts the Company estimates to be recoverable, was recorded.

(6)    A special  charge of $8.2 million ($5.0  million after tax),  primarily a
       cash  charge,  was  recorded  in the  third  quarter  of  fiscal  1996 in
       connection with the future closing of nine  underperforming  stores.  The
       Company also  recorded an  inventory  write-down  of $5.8  million  ($3.5
       million after tax),  included in cost of merchandise  sold, in connection
       with the store closings. The special charge includes:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                  Amount                     Amount                  Reserve
                                                  Charged                   Utilized                   at
              (In millions)                        1996                  Through 8/24/96             8/24/96
                                               -------------         ---------------------         -----------

              <S>                                 <C>                      <C>                       <C>

              Future store rentals                $   3.7                  $    --                   $   3.7
              Real estate disposal costs              4.5                       --                       4.5
                                                  -------                  -------                   -------
                                                  $   8.2                  $    --                   $   8.2
                                                  =======                  =======                   =======
</TABLE>



              Historical financial data for the nine closed stores is as follows
              for the thirty-nine week periods presented:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

              (In thousands)                                1996                       1995
                                                            ----                       ----

              <S>                                       <C>                          <C>
              Net sales                                 $  45,487                    $  51,388
              Net operating loss                        $  (3,245)                   $    (857)
</TABLE>


(7)    On August 20, 1996,  the Small  Business Job  Protection  Act of 1996 was
       signed into law.  Certain  provisions  of this Act clarify the Tax Reform
       Act of 1986 and make  retroactively  tax  deductible  certain  costs  and
       expenses  previously  recorded  by the  Company  without  any related tax
       benefit. In addition,  the Company has recently settled with the Internal
       Revenue Service regarding  several tax issues.  As a result,  the Company
       has recorded a tax benefit of $23.7 million and related  interest  income
       of $4.9 million  ($2.9  million  after tax) in the third quarter of 1996.
       This tax benefit includes  recoverable  income taxes of $10.0 million and
       non-cash tax benefits of $13.7 million




<PAGE> 8

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


FINANCING ACTIVITIES


On October 3, 1996,  the Company  amended its $408 million  credit  agreement to
include two tranches of term loans in the aggregate  amount of $273  million,  a
revolving  credit  facility of $135  million and a $60 million  working  capital
facility (the "Swingline Facility") that can only be drawn upon if the revolving
credit  facility  is  fully  utilized  (the  "Amended  Credit  Agreement").  The
Swingline  Facility  must be repaid in full prior to repaying  any other part of
the Amended Credit Agreement. All facilities mature in November 2000. As part of
the amendment,  the availability of funds for capital expenditures has increased
(to $64  million  in 1997,  $81  million in 1998,  $100  million in 1999 and $59
million in 2000), additional collateral (including substantially all merchandise
inventory) was added, various covenants were modified or eliminated and interest
rates were  increased.  The  Amended  Credit  Agreement  is designed to give the
Company   additional   flexibility  and  liquidity  in  order  to  continue  the
implementation  of its  strategic  plan and  provide  the banks with  additional
security.


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


Income

Net sales for the quarter  ended  August 24, 1996  decreased  1.8% from the same
period of 1995 in total and 0.6% on a comparable-store sales basis.  (Comparable
stores are those open one full year.) Net sales for the first three  quarters of
1996  decreased  3.6% from the same period of 1995 in total and on a  comparable
store sales basis. Sales for the third quarter reflect competitive  pressures in
certain markets  although there was strong growth in business from  professional
customers  and  improving  trends in the  consumer  segment.  Positive  external
conditions,  such as housing activity and consumer sentiment,  supported a sales
trend in which  sales for each  month of the  third  quarter  improved  over the
preceding  month.  Six stores  were closed  during the first  quarter of 1996 in
connection with the restructuring  plan announced in the fourth quarter of 1995.
Those six stores  accounted  for $4.9 million and $49.5  million of sales in the
first  three  quarters  of 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  During the first three
quarters of 1995, the Company opened five new stores and sold two stores. No new
stores were opened in the first three quarters of 1996.


Costs and Expenses

Cost of merchandise sold as a percent of sales was 74.1% and 72.0% for the third
quarter of 1996 and 1995, respectively. For the first three quarters of 1996 and
1995,  cost of  merchandise  sold as a percent  of sales  was  72.5% and  71.5%,
respectively.  An inventory write-down of $5.8 million ($3.5 million after tax),
related to the future closing of nine underperforming  stores, was 0.8% and 0.3%
of sales for the third quarter and first three  quarters of 1996,  respectively.
The remainder of the increase for the third quarter and the first three quarters
of 1996 was primarily due to the Company's pricing initiatives.

Selling,  general and administrative  expenses were 21.7% and 21.6% of sales for
the third quarter of 1996 and 1995,  respectively.  For the first three quarters
of 1996 and 1995,  selling,  general and administrative  expenses were 23.3% and
22.9% of  sales,  respectively.  The  increase  as a  percent  of sales for both
periods of 1996 was due  primarily to lower  sales.  The decrease in dollars for
both periods of 1996 was due primarily to savings from the six closed stores.

A special  charge of $8.2 million  ($5.0  million  after tax),  primarily a cash
charge, was recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 1996 to reflect future store
rentals and real estate  disposal  costs  related to the future  closing of nine
underperforming  stores. In addition,  the Company adopted Financial  Accounting
Standard No. 121,  "Accounting  for the Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for
Long-Lived  Assets To Be Disposed  Of." This  Statement  requires the Company to
record  impairments of long-lived  assets and associated  goodwill when there is
evidence  that  events or  changes in  circumstances  have made  recovery  of an
asset's  carrying  value  unlikely.  Primarily  as a result of the  increasingly
competitive  environment for building materials retailing,  the Company recorded
an asset  impairment  charge of $59.7 million  ($44.6  million after tax).  This
charge included the carrying value  write-down of $25.7 million for certain real
estate which is considered impaired,



<PAGE> 9

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Continued


the  write-off of $22.4  million of  goodwill,  which is  attributable  to those
assets  and which was  established  in 1988 as part of the  Company's  leveraged
buyout, and $11.6 million of future store lease obligations.

The provision for depreciation and amortization decreased from the third quarter
and first three  quarters of 1995 due  primarily  to  goodwill  written-off  and
assets removed from service in connection with the 1995 restructuring plan.

Interest  expense  for the  third  quarter  and  first  three  quarters  of 1996
decreased  compared to the same periods of 1995 primarily due to lower borrowing
levels in 1996. The Company also recorded  interest income of $4.9 million ($2.9
million after tax) in the third quarter of 1996 related to a tax benefit arising
out of recent legislation and a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service.

The income tax benefit for the first  three  quarters of 1996 was $38.2  million
compared to income tax expense of $11.8 million for the first three  quarters of
1995.  On August 20, 1996,  the Small  Business Job  Protection  Act of 1996 was
signed into law.  Certain  provisions  of this Act clarify the Tax Reform Act of
1986 and make retroactively tax deductible certain costs and expenses previously
recorded by the  Company  without any related  tax  benefit.  In  addition,  the
Company has recently settled with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") regarding
several tax issues. As a result, the Company has recorded a tax benefit of $23.7
million  and  related  interest  income,  discussed  earlier.  This tax  benefit
includes  recoverable income taxes of $10.0 million and non-cash tax benefits of
$13.7 million.  The effective tax rates for both periods were different from the
35% statutory rate primarily due to the effect of goodwill  amortization and the
third quarter write-off of goodwill as part of the asset impairment charge, both
of which are non-deductible for income tax purposes, and the tax benefit related
to recent  legislation  and the IRS  settlement.  Such tax  expense  or  benefit
reflects management's  estimates of the annual effective tax rates at the end of
each quarter.


Net Income (Loss)

Net loss for the quarter ended August 24, 1996 was $22.9 million compared to net
income of $8.1  million for the same  period of 1995.  The net loss for the 1996
quarter reflects the $5.8 million inventory write-down, the $8.2 million special
charge,  the $59.7 million asset  impairment  charge,  the $23.7 million federal
income tax  benefit,  and  related  $4.9  million  interest  income,  previously
discussed.  Without these non-routine items, net income for the third quarter of
1996 would  have been $3.6  million.  Net  income for the third  quarter of 1995
reflects a loss of $1.0  million  attributable  to the  Company's  former  joint
venture in Mexico discussed further below.

For the first three quarters of 1996, net loss was $24.6 million compared to net
income of $8.9  million for the same  period of 1995.  The net loss for the 1996
period  reflects  the  inventory  write-down,  the  special  charge,  the  asset
impairment  charge,  the federal  income tax benefit,  and the related  interest
income,  discussed above.  Excluding the non-routine items recorded in the third
quarter,  net income for the first  three  quarters of 1996 would have been $1.9
million. Net income for the first three quarters of 1995 reflects a loss of $3.5
million attributable to the Company's former joint venture discussed below.

Comparative Operating Data

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                               Thirteen Weeks Ended                              Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                ------------------------------------------------   -------------------------------------------------
                                        August 24, 1996                                     August 24, 1996
                                --------------------------------                   -------------------------------
                                                     Historical                                         Historical
                                     Pro Forma       (Including                        Pro Forma        (Including
                                    (Excluding       non-routine  August 26, 1995     (Excluding       non-routine   August 26, 1995
                                non-routine items)     items)        Historical    non-routine items)    items)        Historical
                                ------------------   -----------  ---------------  ------------------- -----------   ---------------

<S>                                 <C>            <C>            <C>                <C>              <C>              <C>
Net sales and other income          $ 725,274      $   725,274    $  738,594         $1,937,411       $1,937,411       $2,009,352
Income from operations before
  depreciation and amortization        37,762           31,915        48,920           91,149            85,302           115,542
Income (loss) before income taxes       9,317          (59,511)       18,106            5,976           (62,852)           24,110
Federal and state income taxes          5,689          (36,633)        8,985            4,105           (38,217)           11,765
Net income (loss)                       3,628          (22,878)        8,146            1,871           (24,635)            8,895

Net income (loss) per common share  $    .05      $       (.61)   $      .17         $   (.06)        $    (.73)       $      .12
</TABLE>



<PAGE> 10

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS - Continued


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The  Company's  principal  source of cash is from  operations.  Cash provided by
operating  activities  was $29.4  million for the first  three  quarters of 1996
compared to $80.5 million for the same period of 1995. However, cash flow before
debt service was $12.0 million for the first three  quarters of 1996 compared to
$17.8  million for the same period of 1995 as  investing  activities,  discussed
further  below,  were scaled back from prior year  levels.  The decrease in cash
from operating  activities was primarily caused by decreased operating income, a
decrease in trade accounts  payable and an increase in merchandise  inventories.
During the first three quarters of 1996, the Company used cash of  approximately
$10.1  million in  operating  activities  related to the  execution  of the 1995
restructuring plan announced in the fourth quarter of 1995.

Borrowings are available  under the Amended Credit  Agreement to supplement cash
generated by  operations.  At August 24, 1996,  $56.7  million was available for
borrowing  under the  Amended  Credit  Agreement.  At August 24,  1996,  working
capital  was $111.8  million  compared to $98.4  million  and $117.6  million at
November  25, 1995 and August 26,  1995,  respectively.  The  current  ratios at
August 24, 1996,  November 25, 1995, and August 26, 1995 were 1.33 to 1, 1.29 to
1, and 1.35 to 1, respectively.

The  Company's  primary  investing   activities  are  capital  expenditures  for
strategic initiatives,  renovation of existing stores, and additional equipment.
The Amended Credit Agreement  governs the amount of capital  expenditures  which
can be made and increases the funds available for capital expenditures  compared
to the previous bank credit  agreement  (to $64 million in 1997,  $81 million in
1998,  $100  million  in 1999  and $59  million  in  2000).  The  Company  spent
approximately $29.1 million and $53.7 million during the first three quarters of
1996 and 1995, respectively, for strategic initiatives including the acquisition
of a door and trim  manufacturer  during  January  1996,  renovation of existing
stores,  additional  equipment  and, in fiscal  1995,  new  stores.  The Company
intends  to  finance  the  remaining   fiscal  1996  capital   expenditures   of
approximately  $21  million,  consisting  primarily  of  strategic  initiatives,
renovation of existing  stores and additional  equipment,  with funds  generated
from operations.  For fiscal 1996, the Company has shifted its emphasis from new
store openings to initiatives that further address the needs of the professional
and do-it-yourself customers. Several stores have been reoriented to concentrate
on the professional  customer and merchandise  assortment is being added to many
stores to address  do-it-yourself  customer  demand  for more  choices of price,
quality  and  style.  During  the first  quarter  of 1996,  the  Company  sold a
distribution  center in connection with the 1995 restructuring  plan,  providing
approximately $11.9 million of cash proceeds.

During the first three  quarters of fiscal 1995,  the Company had also  invested
$9.3  million  in its  joint  venture,  Total  Home  de  Mexico,  S.A.  de  C.V.
Significant  changes in the Mexican  economy  caused the Company to reassess its
position  and sell its Mexican  investment  to an  affiliate of its former joint
venture partner in October 1995.

The Company's most significant financing activity is and will continue to be the
retirement  of  indebtedness.  In connection  with the sale of the  distribution
center,  discussed  above, and in anticipation of selling real estate related to
recently  closed  stores,  the Company  repaid  approximately  $16.5  million of
related  indebtedness  during the first quarter of 1996.  Although the Company's
consolidated  indebtedness  is and will continue to be  substantial,  management
believes that, based upon its analysis of the Company's financial condition, the
cash flow generated from  operations  during the past 12 months and the expected
results of operations  in the future,  cash flow from  operations  and borrowing
availability  under the  Amended  Credit  Agreement  should  provide  sufficient
liquidity  to meet  all  cash  requirements  for  the  next  12  months  without
additional borrowings.

Forward-looking  statements  included  in  the  subsection  entitled  "Cost  and
Expenses" and in this  subsection of this Quarterly  Report are made pursuant to
the safe harbor  provisions of the Private  Securities  Litigation Reform Act of
1995.  There are certain  important  factors that could cause  results to differ
materially  from  those  anticipated  by  some  of the  statements  made  above.
Investors are cautioned that all  forward-looking  statements  involve risks and
uncertainty. In addition to the factors discussed above, among the other factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: consumer
spending and debt levels;  interest rates; housing activity,  including existing
home turnover and new home  construction;  lumber  prices;  product mix; sale of
certain real estate; growth of certain market segments;  competitive pressure on
sales and pricing; and an excess of retail space devoted to the sale of building
materials.   Additional  information  concerning  those  and  other  factors  is
contained in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including
but not limited to the Form 10-K, copies of which are available from the Company
without charge.


<PAGE> 11

REVIEW BY INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

The condensed  consolidated  financial statements of Payless Cashways,  Inc. for
the thirteen week and thirty-nine  week periods ended August 24, 1996 and August
26, 1995, have been reviewed by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent auditors.
Their report is included in this filing.


                          PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings.

         A group of terminated employees and others have filed a lawsuit against
the Company and other named  defendants in the United States  District Court for
the Southern  District of Iowa. (See the full description of the lawsuit in Item
3-Legal  Proceedings  contained  in the  Company's  Form 10-K for the year ended
November 25,  1995.) The lawsuit was brought in  connection  with a reduction in
force pursuant to a January 1994 restructuring.  The suit has asserted a variety
of  claims  including  federal  and  state  securities  fraud  claims,   alleged
violations of the Racketeer  Influenced  and Corrupt  Organizations  (RICO) Act,
federal  and  state  claims of age  discrimination,  alleged  violations  of the
Employment  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, and various state law claims
including,  but not limited to, fraudulent  misrepresentation  allegations.  The
Company filed a motion to dismiss the majority of the claims; and Rulings and an
Order have been issued with respect thereto, substantially narrowing plaintiff's
legal  claims  by  dismissing  some  age  discrimination   counts,  all  federal
securities  fraud and RICO  counts  except  one each,  and all state law  counts
related to an alleged partnership. An Answer to the Complaint has been filed and
discovery is proceeding,  including discovery concerning  plaintiff's motion for
class certification. No hearing date has been scheduled.

         The Company  denies any and all  claimed  liability  and is  vigorously
defending this  litigation,  but, given the early stage of this  litigation,  is
unable to  estimate a  potential  range of  monetary  exposure,  if any,  to the
Company or to predict the likely outcome of this matter.


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

         None.


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

         a.     Exhibits.

                4.0      Long-term  debt  instruments  of Payless in amounts not
                         exceeding  ten  percent  (10%) of the  total  assets of
                         Payless on a  consolidated  basis will be  furnished to
                         the Commission upon request.

                4.1      Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement dated October 3,
                         1996, among Payless,  the Banks listed on the signature
                         pages  thereof and Canadian  Imperial Bank of Commerce,
                         New York Agency, as Administrative Agent and Collateral
                         Agent.

                4.2      Amended and Restated Borrower Security Agreement, dated
                         October 3, 1996,  made by  Payless  for the  benefit of
                         Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency, as
                         Administrative  Agent  and  Collateral  Agent,  and the
                         banks and  other  financial  institutions  party to the
                         Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

                4.3      Form of Deed of Trust,  dated October 3, 1996, given to
                         Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency, as
                         Administrative  Agent  and  Collateral  Agent,  and the
                         banks and  other  financial  institutions  party to the
                         Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

                4.4      Form of  Mortgage,  dated  October  3,  1996,  given to
                         Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, New York Agency, as
                         Administrative  Agent  and  Collateral  Agent,  and the
                         banks and  other  financial  institutions  party to the
                         Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

                10.1*    Employment  Agreement  dated  as  of  August  2,  1996,
                         between Payless and William H. Parker.

                11.1     Computation of per share earnings.

                15.1     Letter re unaudited  financial  information - KPMG Peat
                         Marwick LLP.

                27.1     Financial data schedule.

       * Represents a management contract or a compensation plan or arrangement.

         b.     Reports on Form 8-K.

                No reports on Form 8-K were filed by Payless  during the quarter
                ended August 24, 1996.


<PAGE> 12


                                   SIGNATURE


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


                                  PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
                                  (Registrant)


Date:  October 7, 1996        By: s/Stephen A. Lightstone
                                  ---------------------------------------------

                                  Stephen A. Lightstone, Senior Vice President,
                                  Finance and Chief Financial Officer
                                  (Principal Financial Officer and Principal
                                  Accounting Officer)




<PAGE> 1

                                                               EXECUTION COPY











                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT



                                   Dated as of
                                 October 3, 1996
                                      among


                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.,



                           THE LENDERS LISTED HEREIN,

              CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK AGENCY,
                  as ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT,



                            THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA,
                         NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A., and
                       BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
                              SAVINGS ASSOCIATION,
                                  as CO-AGENTS










<PAGE> 2



                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT

                  AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT,  dated as of October 3,
1996, among PAYLESS CASHWAYS,  INC., an Iowa corporation (the  "Borrower"),  the
Lenders (as hereinafter defined),  CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,  NEW YORK
AGENCY  (acting  through one or more of its  agencies,  branches or  affiliates,
"CIBC"), as Administrative Agent (in such capacity,  together with any successor
administrative  agent, the  "Administrative  Agent") and as Collateral Agent (in
such capacity,  together with any successor  collateral  agent,  the "Collateral
Agent"), CIBC, as Letter of Credit Bank (as hereinafter defined) and THE BANK OF
NOVA SCOTIA,  NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A., and BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as Co-Agents (in such capacity, together with any successor
co-agents, the "Co-Agents").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                              - - - - - - - - - -

                  WHEREAS,   the   Borrower,   certain  of  the   Lenders,   the
Administrative  Agent, the Collateral Agent and the Co-Agents are parties to the
Credit  Agreement,  dated as of  November  18,  1994,  as amended  and  restated
pursuant to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,  dated as of November 20,
1995 (as amended prior to the date hereof, the "Existing Credit Agreement");

                  WHEREAS,  the  Borrower is obligated to certain of the Lenders
in respect of (i) revolving credit loans (the "Existing  Revolving  Loans") made
pursuant to revolving  credit  commitments in the aggregate  principal amount of
$369,142,857.14 (the "Existing Revolving  Commitments") extended pursuant to the
Existing  Credit  Agreement  and  evidenced  by  certain  revolving  notes  (the
"Existing  Revolving  Notes"),  (ii)  certain  letters of credit (the  "Existing
Letters of Credit"),  (iii) term loans in the  aggregate  outstanding  principal
amount of $38,857,142.86 (the "Existing Tranche B Term Loans" and, together with
the Existing  Revolving  Loans, the "Existing  Loans") extended  pursuant to the
Existing  Credit  Agreement and evidenced by a certain term note (the  "Existing
Tranche B Term  Note" and,  together  with the  Existing  Revolving  Notes,  the
"Existing   Notes"),   and  (iv)  accrued  and  unpaid  interest,   accrued  and
unreimbursed  fees  and  expenses  and  certain  other  contingent   obligations
(collectively,  the "Existing Other  Obligations" and together with the Existing
Revolving  Loans,  the Existing Tranche B Term Loans and the Existing Letters of
Credit, the "Existing Obligations");

                  WHEREAS,   the  due  and  punctual  payment  of  the  Existing
Obligations is secured by, inter alia, certain assets of and capital stock owned
by the  Borrower  in which the  Borrower  has  granted to the  Collateral  Agent
security  interests  pursuant to (x) that certain Borrower  Security  Agreement,
dated as of November 18, 1994, between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent (as


<PAGE> 3

heretofore  amended,  modified and supplemented from time to time, the "Existing
Security  Agreement"),  (y) that  certain  Note  Pledge  Agreement,  dated as of
November 18, 1994,  between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent (as heretofore
amended,  modified and supplemented  (including all Pledge Agreement Supplements
heretofore  executed and delivered) from time to time, the "Existing Note Pledge
Agreement"),  and (z) that certain Stock Pledge Agreement,  dated as of November
18, 1994, between the Borrower and the Collateral Agent (as heretofore  amended,
modified and supplemented (including all Pledge Agreement Supplements heretofore
executed  and  delivered)   from  time  to  time,  the  "Existing  Stock  Pledge
Agreement");

                  WHEREAS,  the Borrower  has  requested,  and the Lenders,  the
Administrative  Agent,  the Collateral  Agent and the Co-Agents have agreed that
the Existing  Credit  Agreement  shall be amended,  restated and extended to (a)
permit the Borrower to pursue its Business Plan (as  hereinafter  defined),  (b)
make a $60,000,000 senior secured swingline revolving loan facility available to
the Borrower to provide  additional  liquidity to the Borrower,  (c) restructure
the Existing  Obligations as provided herein and (d) otherwise amend, extend and
restate the  Existing  Credit  Agreement in its entirety as more fully set forth
herein;

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the mutual  agreements
herein set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:

                             SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS

                  SECTION 1.1 Definitions.  The following terms, as used herein,
have the following meanings:

                  "Additional  Collateral"  means all real and personal property
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, whether tangible or intangible and whether
now existing or hereafter acquired, in which a security interest,  assignment or
lien was not granted or  continued  pursuant to the Existing  Credit  Agreement,
Existing  Security  Agreement,  Existing Note Pledge Agreement or Existing Stock
Pledge  Agreement,  and which as of the Closing  Date has or  hereafter  will be
granted to the  Collateral  Agent  pursuant to the  Security  Documents  for the
benefit of the Secured Parties,  including  (without  limitation) all Inventory,
Available Property,  fixtures affixed to all Available Property,  assets of each
Subsidiary formed or acquired after the Closing Date and all proceeds of each of
the foregoing.

                  "Adjusted  London  Interbank  Offered Rate" applicable to each
day during any  Interest  Period  means a rate per annum  equal to the  quotient
obtained  (rounded  upwards,  if  necessary,  to the next higher 1/100 of 1%) by
dividing (i) the  applicable  LIBOR by (ii) 1.00 minus the  Euro-Dollar  Reserve
Percentage in effect for such day.

                  "Administrative  Agent" has the meaning set forth in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.


<PAGE> 4

                  "Affiliate",  as  applied to any  Person,  means (x) any other
Person  directly  or  indirectly  controlling,  controlled  by, or under  common
control  with,  that Person or (y) any other  Person that owns or controls  five
percent (5%) or more of any class of equity  securities of that Person or any of
its Affiliates.  For the purposes of this definition,  "control" (including with
correlative  meanings,  the terms  "controlling,"  "controlled  by," and  "under
common control with"), as applied to any Person, means the possession,  directly
or  indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management
and policies of that Person,  whether through the ownership of voting securities
or by contract or otherwise.

                  "After-Acquired Property" has the meaning set forth in Section
8.28.

                  "Aggregate  Outstanding Revolving Extensions of Credit" means,
as to any  Revolving  Lender at any time,  an amount equal to the sum of (a) the
aggregate  principal  amount of all  Revolving  Loans made by such  Lender  then
outstanding  and (b) the amount of such Lender's  Participating  Interest in the
L/C Obligations then outstanding.

                  "Agreement" means this Credit Agreement,  as amended,  amended
and restated, extended, modified or supplemented from time to time in accordance
with the terms hereof.

                  "Amendment Fee" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.6(d).

                  "Annual Budget" means the Borrower's  Annual Budget as defined
in, and delivered pursuant to, Section 8.1(l).

                  "Applicable Margin" means:

                  (a) with respect to the Swingline  Loans,  the Revolving Loans
and the  Tranche A Term Loans,  two and  one-half  percent  (2.5%) per annum for
Euro-Dollar  Loans and one and one-half  percent  (1.5%) for CIBC Alternate Base
Rate Loans.

                  (b) with  respect to the Tranche B Term Loans,  three  percent
(3%) per annum for  Euro-Dollar  Loans and two  percent  (2%) per annum for CIBC
Alternate Base Rate Loans.

                  "Application" means an application, in such form as the Letter
of Credit Bank may specify from time to time (a form of which is attached hereto
as Exhibit P),  requesting the Letter of Credit Bank to open a Letter of Credit,
as such application may be amended, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "Available  Property"  means  all  real  property,  buildings,
improvements and fixtures owned or leased by the Borrower or any


<PAGE> 5

Subsidiary which are not subject to any Lien  constituting a mortgage,  security
interest or pledge securing Debt,  including (without limitation) the properties
listed on Schedule III and  properties  held for resale by the Borrower.  To the
extent that any real  property,  buildings,  improvements  and fixtures owned or
leased by the  Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  which do not  constitute  Available
Property as of the date hereof,  become,  after the date hereof  unencumbered by
the Lien which  constituted a mortgage,  security  interest,  or pledge securing
Debt,  such real property,  buildings,  improvements  and fixtures shall, on the
date such Lien is  released,  become  Available  Property  unless such  property
becomes  encumbered by a Lien securing  Permitted  Refinancing Debt concurrently
with the release of such Lien or within 60 days of such release;  provided, that
on or prior to the date such Lien is  released,  the  Borrower  shall have given
written  notice to the  Administrative  Agent of its  intention to refinance the
Debt secured by such Lien with  Permitted  Refinancing  Debt. Any real property,
buildings,  fixtures or  improvements  which are leased by the Borrower shall be
considered  Available  Property  if the  subject  lease  does not  prohibit  the
granting  to the  Administrative  Agent  of a  Mortgage.  If the  subject  lease
contains  such a  prohibition,  such  property  shall  be  considered  Available
Property upon the Borrower's obtaining a landlord's consent to a Mortgage, which
the Borrower agrees to use its reasonable best efforts to obtain.

                  "Bank  Obligations"  means all  obligations and liabilities of
the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  under or in  connection  with  the  Credit
Documents,  now existing or hereafter  created,  contingent  or not, due or not,
arising by operation of law or otherwise.

                  "Beneficial  Ownership"  by a Person when used with respect to
any Voting Shares is defined to mean beneficial ownership by such Person of such
Voting Shares as defined in Rule 13d-3 of the Exchange Act.

                  "Borrower" has the meaning set forth in the first paragraph of
this Agreement.

                  "Borrowing"  means  a  borrowing  by  the  Borrower  hereunder
consisting  of  Swingline  Loans,  Revolving  Loans  or Term  Loans  made by the
relevant  Lenders  pursuant to Section 2. A Borrowing is a "CIBC  Alternate Base
Rate  Borrowing"  if such  Loans  are  CIBC  Alternate  Base  Rate  Loans  and a
"Euro-Dollar Borrowing" if such Loans are Euro-Dollar Loans.

                  "Borrowing Date" means,  any Domestic  Business Day or, in the
case of Euro-Dollar  Loans, any Euro-Dollar  Business Day, specified in a notice
pursuant  to (a)  Section  2.2 as a date on  which  the  Borrower  requests  the
relevant  Lenders to make  Swingline  Loans or  Revolving  Loans,  respectively,
hereunder or (b) Section 3.2 as a date on which the Borrower requests the Letter
of Credit Bank to issue a Letter of Credit hereunder.



<PAGE> 6

                  "Business Plan" means the revised financial projections of the
Borrower  dated on or about June 13,  1996,  as amended and  supplemented  on or
about September 3, 1996,  September 5, 1996 and September 9, 1996 and as amended
from time to time in a manner not inconsistent  with the terms and provisions of
this Agreement.

                  "Capco   Subleases"   means  those  twelve  certain   Sublease
Agreements,  each dated as of September 1, 1982,  between the Borrower and Capco
Realty Corp., a Delaware corporation  ("Capco"),  pursuant to which the Borrower
subleases from Capco twelve stores located at the respective sites identified on
Schedule A to such Sublease  Agreements,  which Capco in turn leases from Paycap
Associates Limited  Partnership,  a Connecticut limited  partnership  ("Paycap")
pursuant to twelve Master Lease Agreements  between Paycap and Capco, each dated
as of September 1, 1982.

                  "Cash   Management   Obligations"   means  all  Existing  Cash
Management Obligations and all New Cash Management Obligations.

                  "Change  of  Control"  means the  occurrence  of either of the
following  events:  (x) any Person or any Persons  acting  together  which would
constitute  a Group,  together  with any  Affiliates  thereof,  shall  after the
Closing Date acquire or hold Voting Shares of the Borrower such that such Person
or Group,  together with such  Affiliates,  have Beneficial  Ownership of Voting
Shares of the  Borrower  entitling  such  Person or  Group,  together  with such
Affiliates, to exercise at least 40% of the total voting power of all classes of
Voting  Shares of the  Borrower;  or (y) any  Person  or any  Group of  Persons,
together  with any  Affiliates  thereof,  shall  succeed in having a  sufficient
number  of its or  their  nominees  elected  to the  Board of  Directors  of the
Borrower  such that such  nominees  so elected  (whether  new or  continuing  as
directors)  shall  constitute  a  majority  of the  Board  of  Directors  of the
Borrower.

                  "Charged Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).

                  "Charges" has the meaning set forth in Section 5.3(a).


                  "CIBC" has the  meaning  set forth in the first  paragraph  of
this Agreement.

                  "CIBC  Alternate  Base Rate" means on any  particular  date, a
rate of interest per annum equal to the higher of:

                           (a)      the rate of interest most recently announced
                                    by CIBC at its  Domestic  Lending  Office as
                                    its base rate; and

                           (b)      the  Federal  Funds  Rate for such date plus
                                    1/2 of 1.0%.




<PAGE> 7

The CIBC Alternate Base Rate is not  necessarily  intended to be the lowest rate
of interest charged by CIBC in connection with extensions of credit.

                  "CIBC Alternate Base Rate Borrowing" has the meaning set forth
in the definition of "Borrowing" in this Section 1.1.

                  "CIBC  Alternate  Base Rate Loan"  means a Swingline  Loan,  a
Revolving  Loan or a Term Loan  which  bears  interest  as  provided  in Section
2.5(a).

                  "Closing  Date" means the date on which each of the conditions
precedent to the effectiveness of this Agreement  contained in Section 6.2 shall
have  been  satisfied  or  waived in  accordance  with the terms and  conditions
hereof.

                  "Co-Agents"  has the meaning set forth in the first  paragraph
of this Agreement.

                  "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or
any successor statute.

                  "Collateral" means all Original  Collateral and all Additional
Collateral.

                  "Collateral  Agent"  has the  meaning  set  forth in the first
paragraph of this Agreement.

                  "Commitments" means, with respect to each relevant Lender, the
sum of (i) such Lender's  Swingline  Commitment (if any) plus (ii) such Lender's
Revolving Commitment.

                  "Commitment  Transfer  Supplement" means a Commitment Transfer
Supplement substantially in the form of Exhibit M.

                  "Consolidated  Current  Liabilities" means at any date (i) the
consolidated current liabilities (less any consolidated current Debt of the type
described in clauses  (i)-(iv) of the  definition of "Debt" in this Section 1.1)
of the  Borrower  and  its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  plus  (ii)  the  current
liabilities  (other than any consolidated  current Debt of the type described in
clauses  (i)-(iv) of the definition of "Debt" in this Section 1.1) of any Person
(other than the Borrower or a Consolidated  Subsidiary)  which are Guaranteed by
the Borrower or a  Consolidated  Subsidiary,  all  determined as of such date in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Subsidiary" means at any date any Subsidiary or
other  entity,  the  accounts of which would be  consolidated  with those of the
Borrower in its consolidated  financial statements in accordance with GAAP as of
such date.






<PAGE> 8

                  "Contractual Obligation" as to any Person, means any provision
of any security  issued by such Person or of any agreement,  instrument or other
undertaking  to  which  such  Person  is a party  or by  which  it or any of its
property is bound.

                  "Covered  Obligations"  means  the  Existing  Cash  Management
Obligations, the Hedging Obligations and the Foreign Exchange Obligations to the
extent  that  together  such  Obligations  do  not  exceed  $10,000,000  in  the
aggregate;  provided,  that if the aggregate  amount of Existing Cash Management
Obligations,  Hedging  Obligations and Foreign  Exchange  Obligations,  together
exceed  $10,000,000,   such  Existing  Cash  Management   Obligations,   Hedging
Obligations  and  Foreign  Exchange   Obligations   shall  constitute   "Covered
Obligations"  only to the extent of the ratio,  expressed as a fraction,  of the
amount  of  such  Obligations  to the  aggregate  amount  of all  Existing  Cash
Management  Obligations,  Hedging  Obligations and Foreign Exchange  Obligations
multiplied by $10,000,000.

                  "Credit  Documents"  means  this  Agreement,  the  Notes,  the
Applications,  the  Security  Documents,  the  Fee  Letter  and  all  documents,
instruments and agreements  executed and/or delivered in connection  herewith or
therewith,  as each may be amended,  amended and restated,  extended,  modified,
supplemented, replaced or substituted for from time to time.

                  "Debt" of any Person means, at any date, without  duplication,
(i) all obligations of such Person for borrowed  money,  (ii) all obligations of
such Person evidenced by bonds, debentures,  notes or other similar instruments,
(iii) all  obligations  of such  Person to pay the  deferred  purchase  price of
property or services,  except  trade  accounts  payable  arising in the ordinary
course of business,  (iv) all obligations of such Person as lessee under capital
leases,  (v) all Debt of others secured by (or for which the holder of such Debt
has an existing right,  contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) a Lien on any
asset  of such  Person,  including  (without  limitation)  the  Synthetic  Lease
Obligations,  whether or not such Debt is assumed by such Person,  (vi) all Debt
of others  Guaranteed by such Person,  (vii)  indebtedness and other obligations
arising under acceptance facilities and the face amount of all letters of credit
issued for the account of such Person and, without duplication, all drafts drawn
thereunder  or  payment  requests  honored  with  respect  thereto,  (viii)  all
obligations  of such Person in respect of interest rate  protection  agreements,
foreign currency exchange  agreements or other interest or exchange rate hedging
arrangements  (other than fully paid interest rate cap  arrangements),  (ix) all
obligations  of such Person  under  conditional  sale or other  title  retention
agreements  relating to property or assets purchased by such Person, and (x) any
withdrawal or other  liability  incurred under ERISA by such Person (or, if such
Person  is  the  Borrower,   the  Borrower  and  its  ERISA   Affiliates)  to  a
Multiemployer Plan.






<PAGE> 9

                  "Debt for Borrowed Money" of any Person means the Debt of such
Person  described  in clauses (i) and (ii) of the  definition  of "Debt" in this
Section 1.1.

                  "Debt  to  EBITDAR  Ratio"  means,  as at the  last day of any
fiscal  quarter of the Borrower,  the ratio of (i) the aggregate  amount of then
outstanding Debt of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  described in clauses (i)
through (vi) of the  definition of "Debt" in this Section 1.1  (exclusive of any
Swingline Loans and any Synthetic Lease  Obligations  then  outstanding) to (ii)
EBITDAR for the four consecutive fiscal quarters then ending.

                  "Default"  means any condition or event which  constitutes  an
Event of  Default  or which  with the  giving of notice or lapse of time or both
would, unless cured or waived, become an Event of Default.

                  "Defaulting   Lender"   has  the  meaning  set  forth  in  the
definition of "Majority Lenders".

                  "Documentary  Letter of Credit Commitment" has the meaning set
forth in Section 3.1.

                  "Documentary  Letters of Credit"  has the meaning set forth in
Section 3.1.

                  "Dollars" or "$" to means lawful currency of the United States
of America.

                  "Domestic  Business  Day"  means  any day  except a  Saturday,
Sunday or other day on which commercial banks in New York City are authorized by
law to close.

                  "Domestic Lending Office" means initially,  as to each Lender,
its office designated as such on Schedule I, and thereafter,  upon notice to the
Borrower and the Administrative Agent, such other office of such Lender, if any,
which shall be making or maintaining CIBC Alternate Base Rate Loans.

                  "Dual Path Capital  Expenditures" means expenditures for fixed
or capital  assets  made or accrued in  connection  with the  Business  Plan and
identified as such in Section 8.12.

                  "EBITDAR" means,  for any period,  the consolidated net income
(or loss) of the  Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for such period
(excluding extraordinary,  unusual or non-recurring gains and losses or (without
duplications) special charges), plus without duplication in accordance with GAAP
the sum of (i) interest  and tax expense of the  Borrower  and its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries  for  such  period  to the  extent  deducted  in  determining  such
consolidated net income plus (ii)  depreciation and amortization  expense of the
Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for  such




<PAGE> 10

period to the extent deducted in determining such consolidated net income,  plus
(iii) Rent Expense of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for such
period.

                  "Environmental Law" has the meaning set forth in
Section 8.20(e).

                  "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
1974 and the regulations  promulgated and rulings issued thereunder,  as amended
from time to time.

                  "ERISA  Affiliate" means any trade or business (whether or not
incorporated)  which  is a  member  of a group  of  which  the  Borrower  or any
Subsidiary  is a member and which is under  common  control with the Borrower or
any Subsidiary within the meaning of Section 414 of the Code and the regulations
promulgated and rulings issued thereunder.

                  "ERISA Event" means (a) a  "reportable  event" as such term is
described in Section 4043 of ERISA (other than a "reportable  event" not subject
to the provision for 30-day notice to the PBGC under 29 C.F.R. 2615), or (b) the
withdrawal of the Borrower,  any Subsidiary or any ERISA  Affiliate of either of
them  from a  Multiple  Employer  Plan  during  a plan  year in  which  it was a
"substantial  employer", as such term is defined in Section 4001(a)(2) of ERISA,
which would result in any liability to the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA
Affiliate of either of them, or the incurrence of liability by the Borrower, any
Subsidiary or any ERISA  Affiliate of either of them under Section 4064 of ERISA
upon the  termination of a Multiple  Employer Plan, or (c) an event described in
Section  4068(f)  of  ERISA,  or (d) the  distribution  of a notice of intent to
terminate a Plan  pursuant to Section  4041(a)(2) of ERISA or the treatment of a
Plan amendment as a termination  under Section 4041 of ERISA,  where,  in either
case,  such  termination  would  result  in any  liability  to the  Borrower,  a
Subsidiary  or any ERISA  Affiliate of either of them, or (e) the failure by the
Borrower,  a  Subsidiary  or any  ERISA  Affiliate  of  either of them to make a
payment to a Plan pursuant to Section  302(f)(1) of ERISA or (f) the adoption of
any  amendment  to a Plan  requiring  the  provision  of  security  to such Plan
pursuant to Section  307 of ERISA,  or (g) the  institution  of  proceedings  to
terminate a Plan by the PBGC under Section 4042 of ERISA, or (h) any other event
or condition which might constitute  grounds under Section 4042 of ERISA for the
termination of, or the appointment of a trustee to administer, any Plan.

                  "Euro-Dollar  Borrowing"  has the  meaning  set  forth  in the
definition of "Borrowing" in this Section 1.1.

                  "Euro-Dollar  Business Day" means any Domestic Business Day on
which commercial banks are open for international  business  (including dealings
in dollar deposits) in London, England.






<PAGE> 11

                  "Euro-Dollar  Lending  Office"  means,  initially  as to  each
Lender, its office, branch or Affiliate designated as such on Schedule I or such
other office,  branch or Affiliate of such Lender as it may hereafter  designate
as  its   Euro-Dollar   Lending  Office  by  notice  to  the  Borrower  and  the
Administrative Agent.

                  "Euro-Dollar Loan" means a Swingline Loan, a Revolving Loan or
a Term Loan which bears interest as provided in Section 2.5(b).

                  "Euro-Dollar   Reference  Bank"  means  the  principal  London
offices of CIBC or such other  Lender as may be  appointed  pursuant  to Section
11.6(i).

                  "Euro-Dollar  Reserve  Percentage"  means  for  any  day  that
percentage  (expressed  as a  decimal)  which  is in  effect  on  such  day,  as
prescribed  by the Board of  Governors  of the  Federal  Reserve  System (or any
successor) for determining the maximum reserve  requirement for a member bank of
the Federal Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding five billion
dollars  in respect of  "Eurocurrency  liabilities"  (or in respect of any other
category  of  liabilities  which  includes  deposits by  reference  to which the
interest rate on  Euro-Dollar  Loans is determined or any category of extensions
of credit or other assets which includes loans by a non- United States office of
any Lender to United States  residents).  The Adjusted London Interbank  Offered
Rate shall be  adjusted  automatically  on and as of the  effective  date of any
change in the Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage.

                  "Event of Default" has the meaning set forth in Section 9.1.

                  "Excess  Cash Flow" means,  for any fiscal  year,  the sum for
such fiscal year (without duplication) of (i) consolidated net income or loss of
the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for such period,  plus (ii) an
amount  equal to  depreciation  expense,  amortization  expense  (including  the
amortization  of  goodwill),  accrued  non-cash  interest  expense and all other
non-cash charges  deducted in arriving at such  consolidated net income or loss,
plus  (iii) an amount  equal to the  aggregate  Net Cash  Proceeds  of the sale,
lease,  transfer  or  other  disposition  of  assets  by the  Borrower  and  its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries  during such period (other than sales of Inventory in
the  ordinary  course of  business)  to the extent not required to be applied to
mandatory  prepayments  or payments on the Loans and to the extent not resulting
in any mandatory permanent  Commitment  reduction,  plus (iv) an amount equal to
the increase (or less an amount equal to the decrease) in  Consolidated  Current
Liabilities of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries during such period
plus  (v) an  amount  equal to the  increase  (or  less an  amount  equal to the
decrease) in deferred  tax  liabilities  of the  Borrower  and its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries  during  such  period,  plus (vi) the amount of any tax  refunds or
credits received by the




<PAGE> 12

Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries during such period, to the extent not
required to be applied to mandatory  prepayments or payments of the Loans and to
the extent not resulting in any mandatory permanent Commitment  reduction,  plus
(vii) an amount  equal to the net loss on the  sale,  lease,  transfer  or other
disposition of assets by the Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries  (other
than  sales of  Inventory  in the  ordinary  course of  business)  to the extent
included  in arriving at such  consolidated  net income or loss,  less (viii) an
amount  equal to the  increase  (or plus an  amount  equal to the  decrease)  in
consolidated  non-cash  current  assets  of the  Borrower  and its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries for such period,  less (ix) an amount equal to the aggregate amount
of capital  expenditures of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  made during such
period or permitted to be carried  forward into the next fiscal year pursuant to
Section  8.12 (less any amounts  carried  forward from prior years to the extent
not  expended in the current  year),  less (x) an amount equal to the sum of all
regularly  scheduled  payments and any optional  prepayments of principal on all
Debt of the type  described  in clauses (i) through  (iv) of the  definition  of
"Debt"   contained  in  Section  1.1  of  the  Borrower  and  its   Consolidated
Subsidiaries  (other than  prepayments on the Swingline  Loans and the Revolving
Loans  to the  extent  not  accompanied  by  commensurate  permanent  Commitment
reductions  hereunder)  actually made during such period to the extent permitted
hereunder,  less  (xi) an  amount  equal  to the net  gain on the  sale,  lease,
transfer or other  disposition  of assets by the Borrower  and its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries  during such period  (other than sales of inventory in the ordinary
course of business) to the extent included in arriving at such  consolidated net
income or loss. Excess Cash Flow shall be calculated by reference to the audited
financial statements referred to in Section 8.1(a) and such calculation shall be
set forth in the Excess Cash Flow Certificate.

                  "Excess  Cash Flow  Certificate"  has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.8(d).

                  "Exchange Act" means the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

                  "Existing  Cash  Management   Banks"  means  Bank  of  America
National Trust and Savings  Association,  NationsBank  of Texas,  N.A. and First
Bank National Association,  and their respective Affiliates, if applicable, each
in its capacity as the holder of Existing  Cash  Management  Obligations  for so
long as it shall continue to hold such  Obligations  and any other Lender (other
than the New Cash Management  Bank) which provides  replacement  cash management
services to the Borrower.

                  "Existing Cash Management  Obligations"  means the obligations
of the  Borrower to  reimburse  each of the Existing  Cash  Management  Banks in
respect of overdrafts,  uncollected funds, returned items and reasonable related
expenses arising pursuant to




<PAGE> 13

existing cash  management  arrangements  as in effect  immediately  prior to the
Closing Date.

                  "Existing  Credit  Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing  Letters of Credit" has the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing  Loans" has the meaning set forth in the recitals to
this Agreement.

                  "Existing Note Pledge  Agreement" has the meaning set forth in
the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing  Notes" has the meaning set forth in the recitals to
this Agreement.

                  "Existing  Obligations"  has  the  meaning  set  forth  in the
recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing Other  Obligations" has the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing Revolving  Commitments" has the meaning set forth in
the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing  Revolving  Loans" has the  meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing  Revolving  Notes" has the  meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing Security Agreement" has the meaning set forth in the
recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing Stock Pledge Agreement" has the meaning set forth in
the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing  Tranche B Term  Loans" has the meaning set forth in
the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Existing  Tranche B Term  Notes" has the meaning set forth in
the recitals to this Agreement.

                  "Federal  Funds Rate"  means,  for any period,  a  fluctuating
interest  rate per annum equal for each day during  such period to the  weighted
average of the rates on overnight Federal funds transactions with members of the
Federal Reserve System arranged by Federal funds brokers,  as published for such
day (or,  if such day is not a Domestic  Business  Day,  for the next  preceding
Domestic Business Day) by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, or, if such




<PAGE> 14

rate is not so  published  for any day which is a  Domestic  Business  Day,  the
average of the  quotations  for such day on such  transactions  received  by the
Administrative  Agent from three Federal  funds  brokers of recognized  standing
selected by it.

                  "Fee  Letter"  means  the fee  letter,  dated  as of the  date
hereof,  between  the  Borrower  and the  Administrative  Agent with  respect to
certain fees, as the same may be further amended,  modified or supplemented from
time to time by a written instrument executed by the parties thereto.

                  "FIFO" means,  as to any Inventory,  the value  (determined as
the lower of cost or fair market value) of such Inventory  calculated on a first
in, first out basis.

                  "Foreign Exchange Bank" means Boatmen's First National Bank of
Kansas City  (together  with any  successor by merger or  consolidation)  or any
other Lender which provides a replacement foreign exchange line in an amount not
greater than $500,000.

                  "Foreign   Exchange    Obligations"   means   the   Borrower's
obligations in respect of its existing  $500,000 foreign currency  exchange line
with the Foreign  Exchange  Bank and any renewals  thereof which do not increase
the amount of such line.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles.

                  "GE Credit Program  Documents"  means (a) the Monogram  Credit
Card Bank of Georgia Program  Agreement,  dated as of November 27, 1989, between
the  Borrower,  Somerville  and  Monogram  Credit Card Bank of Georgia,  as such
agreement has or may hereafter be amended,  restated,  supplemented  or modified
from time to time to the extent  permitted by this Agreement,  together with any
agreements  entered  into by the  Borrower  and  Monogram  Credit  Card  Bank of
Georgia,  or any  affiliate,  in  replacement  of such  agreement  to the extent
permitted by this Agreement;  and (b) the Commercial Credit Account Purchase and
Service Program  Agreement,  dated as of April 8, 1991, between the Borrower and
General Electric Capital Corporation, as amended and restated by the Amended and
Restated Commercial Credit Account Purchase and Service Program Agreement, dated
as of November 28, 1993, as such  agreement  may  hereafter be further  amended,
restated,  supplemented or modified from time to time to the extent permitted by
this  Agreement,  together with any  agreement  entered into by the Borrower and
General Electric Capital Corporation,  or any affiliate,  in replacement of such
agreement to the extent permitted by this Agreement.

                  "Governmental  Authority"  means any  federal,  state,  local,
foreign  or  other   governmental  or  administrative   body,   instrumentality,
department  or agency  or any  court,  tribunal,  administrative  hearing  body,
arbitration panel,  commission or other similar dispute resolving panel or body.





<PAGE> 15

                  "Group"  means a "group" for purposes of Section  13(d) of the
Exchange Act.

                  "Guarantee" by any Person means any obligation,  contingent or
otherwise,  of such Person directly or indirectly guaranteeing any Debt or other
obligation  of any other  Person and,  without  limiting the  generality  of the
foregoing, any obligation,  direct or indirect, contingent or otherwise, of such
Person (i) to purchase or pay (or  advance or supply  funds for the  purchase or
payment  of)  such  Debt or other  obligation  (whether  arising  by  virtue  of
partnership arrangements,  by agreement to keep-well, to purchase assets, goods,
securities  or services,  to  take-or-pay,  or to maintain  financial  statement
conditions or otherwise) or (ii) entered into for the purpose of assuring in any
other manner the obligee of such Debt or other obligation of the payment thereof
or to protect  such  obligee  against  loss in respect  thereof  (in whole or in
part);  provided,  that the term Guarantee  shall not include  endorsements  for
collection or deposit in the ordinary course of business.
The term "Guarantee" used as a verb has a corresponding meaning.

                  "Hazardous  Substance"  has the  meaning  set forth in Section
8.20(e).

                  "Hedging  Agreement" means that certain ISDA Master Agreement,
dated as of May 22,  1995,  between  CIBC and the  Borrower,  together  with all
Schedules   executed  in  connection   therewith,   as  amended,   modified  and
supplemented from time to time.

                  "Hedging Bank" means CIBC in its capacity as Party A under the
Hedging  Agreement  and  any  other  Lender  which  enters  into  interest  rate
protection or hedging arrangements with the Borrower which are permitted by this
Agreement.

                  "Hedging Obligations" means the obligations of the Borrower to
the Hedging Bank under the Hedging Agreement.

                  "Indemnified Party" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.10

                  "Insufficiency"  means,  with respect to any Plan, the amount,
if any, of its unfunded benefit  liabilities,  as defined in Section 4001(a)(18)
of ERISA.

                  "Interest  Period"  means,  with  respect to each  Euro-Dollar
Borrowing,  (i) initially,  the period  commencing on the date of such Borrowing
and ending one, two, three or six months  thereafter,  as the Borrower may elect
in the applicable  Notice of Borrowing or notice of conversion,  as the case may
be, with respect thereto and (ii) thereafter, each period commencing on the last
day of the  next  preceding  Interest  Period  applicable  to  such  Euro-Dollar
Borrowing and ending one, two, three or six months  thereafter,  as the Borrower
may elect by irrevocable  notice received by the  Administrative  Agent




<PAGE> 16

prior to 11:00 A.M., New York City time, on the day which is not less than three
Euro-Dollar  Business Days prior to the end of the then current  Interest Period
with respect thereto; provided, that:

                  (a) any  Interest  Period which would  otherwise  end on a day
         which is not a  Euro-Dollar  Business Day shall be extended to the next
         succeeding  Euro-Dollar  Business Day unless such Euro-Dollar  Business
         Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period
         shall end on the next preceding Euro-Dollar Business Day;

                  (b) any Interest  Period which begins on the last  Euro-Dollar
         Business  Day of a  calendar  month (or on a day for which  there is no
         numerically  corresponding day in the calendar month at the end of such
         Interest  Period) shall,  subject to clause (c) below,  end on the last
         Euro-Dollar Business Day of a calendar month;

                  (c) if any Interest Period would  otherwise  include a date on
         which a scheduled  payment of principal of any of the Loans is required
         to be made under this  Agreement  but does not end on such date,  then,
         subject to  Section  5.5,  (i) the  Interest  Period for the  principal
         amount (if any) of each Loan  required  to be repaid on such date shall
         end on such  date and (ii) the  remainder  (if any) of each  such  Loan
         shall have an Interest  Period  determined in accordance with the other
         provisions of this definition; and

                  (d) any Interest Period that would otherwise extend beyond the
         Maturity Date shall end on such date.

                  "Inter-Facility Agreement" means the Inter-Facility Agreement,
dated  as of  November  18,  1994,  by  and  among  the  Collateral  Agent,  the
Administrative Agent, the Co-Agents,  the Merchandise Letter of Credit Bank, the
Borrower and Somerville,  as amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified from
time to time with the  consent  of the  Administrative  Agent  and the  Majority
Lenders.

                  "Inventory" means all inventory (as defined in the UCC) of any
kind  whatsoever  now owned or hereafter  acquired by the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries, but expressly excluding inventory consigned to the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries by third parties.

                  "Investment"  means any  investment in any Person,  whether by
means of asset or share purchase,  capital  contribution,  loan,  advance,  time
deposit or  otherwise,  other than any such purchase of assets from such Person,
either (i)  constituting a capital  expenditure  that is covered by Section 8.12
(including  associated  goodwill) or (ii) of goods in the ordinary course of the
purchaser's business.





<PAGE> 17

                  "L/C Fee Payment Date" means the last day of each month.

                  "L/C  Obligation"  means,  at any time, an amount equal to the
sum of (a) the aggregate  undrawn and unexpired  amount of the then  outstanding
Letters of Credit and (b) the  aggregate  amount of  drawings  under  Letters of
Credit which have not then been reimbursed in accordance with Section 3.5.

                  "L/C Participants"  means,  collectively,  with respect to any
Letter of Credit,  all the Revolving  Lenders which have  Revolving  Commitments
other than the Letter of Credit Bank which is the issuer thereof.

                  "L/C Rate"  means a rate per annum that is at all times  equal
to the Applicable  Margin for Euro-Dollar Loans that are Revolving Loans then in
effect.

                  "Lenders"   means,   collectively,   the  Revolving   Lenders,
Swingline  Lenders  and Term  Lenders.  The initial  Lenders and the  respective
amounts of their Commitments and Term Loans are listed on Schedule I.

                  "Lending  Office"  means,  as to  each  Lender,  its  Domestic
Lending Office or its Euro-Dollar Lending Office, as the context may require.

                  "Letter of Credit  Bank" means CIBC and/or any Lender which is
a  commercial  bank and is  subsequently  designated  by the  Borrower  with the
consent of such  Lender and the  Administrative  Agent to replace  the  previous
Letter  of Credit  Bank in  issuing  Standby  Letters  of Credit or  Documentary
Letters of Credit hereunder.

                  "Letter of Credit  Commitment"  has the  meaning  set forth in
Section 3.1.

                  "Letters of Credit" has the meaning set forth in Section 3.1.

                  "LIBOR" with respect to each Interest  Period  pertaining to a
Euro-Dollar  Loan means the rate (rounded  upwards,  if  necessary,  to the next
higher  1/16 of 1%) per annum at which  deposits  in Dollars  are offered to the
Euro-Dollar Reference Bank in the London interbank market at approximately 11:00
A.M.  (London time) two  Euro-Dollar  Business Days before the first day of such
Interest Period in an amount  approximately equal to the principal amount of the
Euro-Dollar Loan of the Euro-Dollar Reference Bank to which such Interest Period
is to apply and for a period of time comparable to such Interest Period.

                  "Lien" means,  with respect to any asset, any mortgage,  lien,
pledge,  charge,  security  interest or  encumbrance  of any kind  whatsoever in
respect of such asset.  For the purposes of this




<PAGE> 18

Agreement,  the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  shall be deemed to own subject to a
Lien any asset  which it has  acquired  or holds  subject to the  interest  of a
vendor or lessor under any conditional  sale  agreement,  capital lease or other
title retention agreement relating to such asset.

                  "Loans"  means,   collectively,   the  Swingline   Loans,  the
Revolving Loans and the Term Loans.

                  "Lumberjack"  means  Lumberjack  Stores,  Inc.,  a  California
corporation.

                  "Majority  Lenders"  means,  at any  time,  Lenders  having an
aggregate  amount of the  Commitments  and the Term Loans (or, if no Commitments
remain in effect,  the Loans and any Participating  Interests) which constitute,
when taken  together,  at least 51% of the aggregate  amount of all  Commitments
then in effect plus the aggregate amount of all Term Loans then outstanding (or,
if no Commitments  remain in effect,  the aggregate  amount of all Loans and any
Participating  Interests then outstanding);  provided,  that for the purposes of
this definition, the relevant Commitments, Loans or Participating Interests of a
Lender  shall  be  disregarded  if and  for so  long as  such  Lender  (each,  a
"Defaulting  Lender")  shall  have not  theretofore  made  available  (i) to the
Administrative  Agent its pro rata share of a given Borrowing in accordance with
Section 2.3(c), (ii) to the Administrative Agent or the Collateral Agent, as the
case may be, its Ratable  Proportion  share of any amounts  payable  pursuant to
Section  10.6 for which  payment  has been  requested  more  than five  Domestic
Business Days prior thereto,  or (iii) to the Letter of Credit Bank its pro rata
share  of a given  unreimbursed  Reimbursement  Obligation  in  accordance  with
Section 3.4(a).

                  "Margin Stock" has the meaning set forth in Regulation U.

                  "Materially  Adverse  Effect"  means (i) with  respect  to the
Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  any materially  adverse change in the business,
operations,  condition  (financial  or  otherwise),  assets or  prospects of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a whole, or (ii) any fact or circumstance
which, singly or in the aggregate, could reasonably be expected to result in (a)
a materially  adverse change described in clause (i) or (b) the inability of the
Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to perform in any  material  respect  its
obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents.

                  "Maturity  Date" means November 20, 2000, or such earlier date
on which the Commitments terminate and the Notes become due and payable pursuant
to Section 9.1.

                  "Maximum Rate" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(g).






<PAGE> 19

                  "Merchandise Letter of Credit Bank" means Commerce Bank, N.A.,
together  with its  successors  and  assigns or any other bank which shall issue
documentary letters of credit under the Merchandise Letter of Credit Facility.

                  "Merchandise  Letter of Credit  Facility"  means the Letter of
Credit  Issuance  and  Reimbursement  Agreement  dated as of  November  18, 1994
between Commerce Bank, N.A. and the Borrower,  as such agreement may be amended,
supplemented,  otherwise modified or replaced from time to time with the consent
of the Majority Lenders.

                  "Minority  Investment" means any Investment  consisting of the
acquisition of non-majority ownership interests in any Person.

                  "Moody's"  means Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc. or if such
company shall cease to issue ratings,  another nationally recognized statistical
rating company selected in good faith by mutual agreement of the  Administrative
Agent and the Borrower.

                  "Mortgages" means the fee and leasehold mortgages and deeds of
trust on the Available  Properties,  substantially  in the forms of Exhibits G-1
and G-2,  respectively  (with such changes as may be deemed  appropriate  by the
Administrative  Agent's  local real estate  counsel for the state in  question),
between the  Borrower  and the  Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the Secured
Parties, as amended, amended and restated, modified or supplemented from time to
time.

                  "Multiemployer  Plan" means a "multiemployer  plan" as defined
in Section  4001(a)(3)  of ERISA to which the  Borrower,  any  Subsidiary or any
ERISA  Affiliate of either of them is making or accruing an  obligation  to make
contributions  or has  within  any of the  preceding  three  plan  years made or
accrued an obligation to make contributions.

                  "Multiple Employer Plan" means an employee benefit plan, other
than a Multiemployer  Plan,  subject to Title IV of ERISA to which the Borrower,
any  Subsidiary or any ERISA  Affiliate of the Borrower or any  Subsidiary,  and
more than one  employer  other than the  Borrower,  any  Subsidiary  or an ERISA
Affiliate of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, is making or accruing an obligation
to make  contributions  or, in the event that any such plan has  terminated,  to
which the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary made or accrued an obligation to make contributions during any of the
five plan years preceding the date of termination of such plan.

                  "Net Cash  Proceeds"  means,  with  respect to any issuance or
creation of any  Permitted  Refinancing  Debt, or any sale,  lease,  transfer or
other  disposition  of  property or other  assets or the  issuance of any equity
securities  (other than equity  securities  issuable pursuant to the exercise of
employee or  director  stock




<PAGE> 20

options),  (a) the cash  proceeds  received by the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary
(including,  without  limitation,  all  cash  proceeds  received  by  way of (i)
deferred  payment of principal  pursuant to a note or installment  receivable or
otherwise,  but only as and when received and (ii)  receivables and other assets
retained  by the  Borrower  as  part  of the  sales  consideration),  minus  (b)
brokerage   commissions  and  other  reasonable  fees  and  expenses  (including
reasonable fees and expenses of counsel and investment  bankers) related to such
financing,  sale, lease or other  disposition or issuance,  and minus (c) in the
case of any such issuance or creation of any Debt or financing,  sale,  lease or
other  disposition  of assets,  (i)  provisions  for all taxes  payable  for the
account of the Borrower or any  Subsidiary as a result thereof and in connection
therewith and (ii)  payments made to retire Debt (other than the Loans)  secured
by such assets being sold or otherwise disposed of where payment of such Debt is
required in connection with such sale or disposition.

                  "New Cash Management Bank" means Boatmen's First National Bank
of Kansas City (together with any successor by merger or  consolidation)  or any
other  Lender  which  assumes  responsibility  for the  Borrower's  primary cash
management operations.

                  "New Cash Management Obligations" means the obligations of the
Borrower to reimburse  the New Cash  Management  Bank in respect of  overdrafts,
uncollected  funds  and  returned  items  arising  pursuant  to cash  management
arrangements   for  the   Borrower's   primary   cash   management   operations,
responsibility for which is being assumed by the New Cash Management Bank.

                  "Note Pledge  Agreement"  means the amended and restated  note
pledge agreement,  substantially in the form of Exhibit C, between the Borrower,
the  Administrative  Agent,  and the  Collateral  Agent for the  benefit  of the
Original  Secured  Parties,  as  amended,  amended  and  restated,  modified  or
supplemented from time to time.

                  "Notes"  means,   collectively,   the  Swingline   Notes,  the
Revolving  Notes,  the  Tranche  A Term Loan  Notes and the  Tranche B Term Loan
Notes.

                  "Notice of Borrowing" has the meaning set forth in
Section 2.3(a).

                  "Original  Collateral" means all property (whether tangible or
intangible  and whether now existing or hereafter  acquired) in which a security
interest, assignment or lien has heretofore been granted to the Collateral Agent
for the benefit of the Original Secured Parties.

                  "Original   Secured   Parties"   means,   collectively,    the
Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Agents,  the




<PAGE> 21

Letter of Credit Bank, the Restructuring  Lenders and the Merchandise  Letter of
Credit Bank.

                  "Other Amounts" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(g).

                  "Pad  Site" has the  meaning  set forth in the  definition  of
"Permitted Pad Sale."

                  "Participants" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.6(b).

                  "Participating  Interest" means with respect to each Letter of
Credit (i) in the case of the Letter of Credit Bank, its interest in such Letter
of Credit and any Application or draft or payment request relating thereto after
giving effect to the granting of any  participating  interests  therein pursuant
hereto and (ii) in the case of each L/C Participant, its undivided participating
interest  in such  Letter  of Credit  and any  Application  or draft or  payment
request relating thereto.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation or any
entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

                  "Permitted  Pad Sale" means any sale of that portion (any such
portion,  a "Pad Site") of any real property  acquired by the Borrower in excess
of the portion thereof needed for the operation of the facility located on or to
be constructed on such real property,  as reasonably determined by the Borrower;
provided,  that (i) the  acquisition of such real property was not prohibited by
any provision of this Agreement,  (ii) the aggregate acreage of all Pad Sites on
any such real  property  does not exceed  50% of the total  acreage of such real
property  and  (iii)  such  sale  is  completed  within  twelve  months  of  the
acquisition of such real property.

                  "Permitted  Refinancing  Debt" means Debt for  Borrowed  Money
incurred by the Borrower to refinance the  Prudential  Real Estate  Financing or
Synthetic  Lease  Obligations (or a portion  thereof) in a principal  amount not
less than the principal amount of the obligations (or the portion thereof) being
refinanced  (or 40% percent of the  obligations  (or the portion  thereof) being
refinanced in the case of Synthetic Lease Obligations);  provided, that (i) such
Debt for Borrowed  Money is not secured by any assets of the Borrower other than
the assets securing the Debt being  refinanced and, in the case of a refinancing
of less than the entire principal amount of the Prudential Real Estate Financing
or the Synthetic  Lease  Obligations,  such Debt is not secured by any assets of
the Borrower not  specifically  allocated to the portion of the Prudential  Real
Estate  Financing or the Synthetic Lease  Obligations  being refinanced and (ii)
such Debt for  Borrowed  Money is  incurred on terms and  conditions  (including
financial  and other  covenants  and  events of  defaults)  and with a  weighted
average  tenor  which,  taken as a  whole,




<PAGE> 22

would be no less favorable to the Borrower than the terms,  conditions and tenor
of the Debt being refinanced as in effect on the date hereof.

                  "Person"  means  an  individual,  a  corporation,   a  limited
liability  company,  a limited  liability  partnership,  a partnership,  a joint
venture, an association, a trust or any other entity or organization,  including
a government or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof.

                  "Plan"   means  an  employee   benefit   plan  (other  than  a
Multiemployer  Plan),  including any Multiple Employer Plan, which is or, in the
event  that any such  plan has been  terminated  within  five  years  after  the
occurrence of a transaction  described in Section 4069 of ERISA,  was maintained
for employees of the  Borrower,  any  Subsidiary  or any ERISA  Affiliate of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary and is subject to Title IV of ERISA.

                  "Pledge  Agreements"  means,  collectively,  the  Note  Pledge
Agreement and the Stock Pledge Agreement.

                  "Property" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.20(a).

                  "Prudential" means The Prudential Insurance Company of America

                  "Prudential  Loan Agreement"  means the Loan Agreement,  dated
June 20, 1989, by and among the Borrower,  Knox Home Centers,  Inc.,  Somerville
and Prudential,  as the same has been and may hereafter be amended,  amended and
restated, modified or supplemented to the extent permitted by this Agreement.

                  "Prudential  Real Estate  Financing"  means the  financing  by
Prudential provided for by the Prudential Loan Agreement and other documentation
executed and delivered in connection therewith.

                  "Purchasing  Lender"  has the  meaning  set  forth in  Section
11.6(c).

                  "Ratable  Proportion" means, as to each Lender, the percentage
share set opposite its name under the column  entitled  "Ratable  Proportion" on
Schedule  I,  which  such  percentage  share  shall not be  subject to change or
adjustment  upon principal  repayments in respect of the Term Loans or permanent
reductions in the Commitments.

                  "Recipient" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.16.

                  "Register" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.6(d).






<PAGE> 23

                  "Regulation G" means Regulation G of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as in effect from time to time.

                  "Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System (or any successor), as in effect from time to time.

                  "Reimbursement   Obligation"   means  the  obligation  of  the
Borrower  to  reimburse  the Letter of Credit  Bank  pursuant to Section 3.5 for
amounts drawn under Letters of Credit issued by the Letter of Credit Bank.

                  "Remedial Work" has the meaning set forth in Section 8.20(c).

                  "Rent Expense" means all expenses  related to operating leases
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries with respect to real or personal property.

                  "Required   Inventory"   means  Inventory  in  the  Borrower's
possession and not subject to any Liens (except Liens in favor of the Collateral
Agent and other  Liens  permitted  by Section  8.10)  which shall have a minimum
aggregate  value,  determined  on a FIFO basis,  at least equal to $350  million
after  deduction of all amounts secured by such other Liens;  provided,  that no
Inventory  subject to Liens in favor of the  Merchandise  Letter of Credit Bank,
Liens created  pursuant to the GE Credit Program  Documents or Liens of the type
described in Section 8.10(viii) shall have any value ascribed to it for purposes
of calculating Required Inventory.

                  "Required Lenders" means (i) as long as any Commitments remain
in effect or any Revolving  Loans,  Swingline  Loans or Letters of Credit remain
outstanding,  (x) Lenders having an aggregate  amount of the  Commitments  which
constitute  at least  51% of the  aggregate  amount of all  Commitments  then in
effect (or, if no  commitments  remain in effect,  but  Revolving  Loans  and/or
Swingline  Loans  and/or  Letters  of  Credit  remain  outstanding,  51%  of the
aggregate  amount of such Loans and any  Participating  Interests)  plus Lenders
having an aggregate  amount of the Term Loans which  constitute  at least 51% of
the aggregate  amount of all Term Loans then  outstanding  or, failing that, (y)
Lenders  having an aggregate  amount of the  Commitments  (or, if no Commitments
remain in effect,  but Revolving Loans and/or  Swingline Loans and/or Letters of
Credit remain outstanding,  any such Loans and any Participating  Interests) and
Term Loans which constitute,  when taken together,  at least 66- 2/3% of the sum
of the aggregate amount of all Commitments then in effect (or, if no Commitments
remain in effect,  but Revolving Loans and/or  Swingline Loans and/or Letters of
Credit remain outstanding,  any such Loans and any Participating Interests) plus
the aggregate amount of all Term Loans then outstanding;  provided, that for the
purposes of this definition,  the relevant  Commitments,  Loans or Participating





<PAGE> 24

Interests  of a Lender  shall be  disregarded  if and for so long as such Lender
shall be a Defaulting Lender; and (ii) if no Commitments remain in effect and no
Revolving  Loans,  Swingline  Loans or  Letters  of Credit  remain  outstanding,
Required Lenders shall mean Lenders having an aggregate amount of the Term Loans
which  constitute  at least 51% of the  aggregate  amount of all Term Loans then
outstanding.

                  "Requirement  of Law" means as to any Person,  the articles or
certificate of incorporation  and by-laws or other  organizational  or governing
documents  of  such  Person,  and  any  law,  treaty,   rule  or  regulation  or
determination of an arbitrator or a court or other  Governmental  Authority,  in
each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its property or to
which such Person or any of its property is subject.

                  "Restricted   Payment"   means  (i)  any   dividend  or  other
distribution  in cash or in kind on any shares of the  Borrower's  capital stock
(common or preferred),  (ii) any payment in cash or in kind (including,  without
limitation,  the setting  aside of assets or the deposit of funds  therefor)  on
account of the purchase, redemption, retirement or acquisition of (a) any shares
of the Borrower's capital stock (common or preferred) or (b) any option, warrant
or other right to acquire  shares of the  Borrower's  capital  stock  (common or
preferred),  (iii) any payment or prepayment of principal or interest on account
of Debt for  Borrowed  Money  (other  than the  Loans)  or the  Synthetic  Lease
Obligations or any purchase, defeasance,  redemption,  retirement or acquisition
of any  principal or interest on such Debt or  obligations  (including,  without
limitation,  the setting  aside of assets or the deposit of funds  therefor)  or
(iv) any  payment  of  management  or  consulting  fees to an  Affiliate  of the
Borrower;  provided,  however,  that the  conversion  into  common  stock of the
Borrower of all or any portion of the Borrower's Series A Cumulative Convertible
Preferred  Stock  shall not be deemed to result in a  Restricted  Payment;  and,
provided,  further,  that the  conversion  of shares of any class of the  common
stock of the Borrower into another  class of common stock of the Borrower  shall
not be deemed to result in a Restricted Payment.

                  "Restructured  Loans" means the obligations of the Borrower in
respect of the Existing Notes as restructured pursuant to this Agreement.

                  "Restructured  Obligations" means the Existing  Obligations as
restructured pursuant to this Agreement.

                  "Restructuring  Lender" means any Lender which has outstanding
Term Loans or Revolving  Commitments (or, to the extent no Revolving Commitments
remain in effect,  but  Revolving  Loans or  Letters of Credit or  Reimbursement
Obligations remain outstanding, Revolving Loans or Participating Interests).






<PAGE> 25

                  "Revolving   Borrowing"   means  a  Borrowing   consisting  of
Revolving Loans of the same Type made on the same day.

                  "Revolving  Commitment" means as to any Revolving Lender,  the
obligation  of such  Lender  to  make  Revolving  Loans  to the  Borrower  in an
aggregate  principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount
set forth under the heading "Revolving  Commitments" opposite such Lender's name
on  Schedule  I, as such  amount may be reduced  or  adjusted  from time to time
pursuant to this Agreement.

                  "Revolving  Commitment  Percentage" means, as to any Revolving
Lender at any time, the percentage of the aggregate  Revolving  Commitments then
constituted  by such Lender's  Revolving  Commitment  (or, at any time after the
Revolving  Commitments  shall have expired or terminated,  the percentage of the
aggregate  principal  amount  of  the  Revolving  Loans  and  the  Participating
Interests then outstanding then represented by the aggregate principal amount of
such Lender's Revolving Loans and Participating Interests).

                  "Revolving  Lender"  means each  Lender  which has a Revolving
Commitment,  which has made  Revolving  Loans or which has  participated  in the
Letters of Credit.

                  "Revolving Loans" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(a).

                  "Revolving  Note" means a  promissory  note of the Borrower to
the order of any  Revolving  Lender,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit A-1,
evidencing the  obligation of the Borrower to repay the Revolving  Loans made by
such Lender, as such Note may be amended,  modified,  supplemented,  replaced or
substituted for from time to time.

                  "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

                  "Secured   Obligations"  means  all  Bank  Obligations,   Cash
Management Obligations,  Hedging Obligations,  Foreign Exchange Obligations, and
obligations owed in respect of the Merchandise Letter of Credit Facility.

                  "Secured    Parties"   means   the   Collateral   Agent,   the
Administrative Agent, the Co-Agents, the Lenders, the Letter of Credit Bank, the
Hedging Bank, the Foreign Exchange Bank, the Existing Cash Management Banks, the
New Cash Management Bank and the Merchandise Letter of Credit Bank.

                  "Security  Agreement" means the amended and restated  security
agreement  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit B between  the  Borrower,  the
Administrative   Agent  and  the  Collateral   Agent  and  such  other  security
agreements,  assignments,  pledges and similar




<PAGE> 26

documents,  in form and substance  satisfactory to the Administrative  Agent, as
the  Administrative  Agent may request,  each as amended,  amended and restated,
modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "Security   Documents"  means  the  Security  Agreement,   all
Subsidiary  Security   Agreements,   all  Subsidiary   Guarantees,   the  Pledge
Agreements, the Mortgages and all other security agreements,  mortgages, pledges
and assignments at any time delivered by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries to the
Collateral  Agent  pursuant  to the terms of this  Agreement,  each as  amended,
amended and restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "Senior  Subordinated  Note  Indenture"  means  the  Indenture
between the Borrower and United  States Trust  Company of New York,  dated as of
April 20, 1993 (pursuant to which the Senior Subordinated Notes were issued), as
the same  may be  amended,  amended  and  restated,  supplemented  or  otherwise
modified to the extent permitted by this Agreement.

                  "Senior Subordinated Notes" means the Borrower's 9-1/8% Senior
Subordinated   Notes  due  April  15,  2003,   issued  pursuant  to  the  Senior
Subordinated Note Indenture.

                  "Somerville" means Somerville Lumber and Supply,  Co., Inc., a
Massachusetts corporation and a former Subsidiary which has been merged into the
Borrower.

                  "S&P" means  Standard & Poor's  Ratings  Group,  a division of
McGraw-Hill,  Inc.,  or if such company  shall cease to issue  ratings,  another
nationally  recognized  statistical  rating  company  selected  in good faith by
mutual agreement of the Administrative Agent and the Borrower.

                  "Standby  Letter of Credit  Commitment"  has the  meaning  set
forth in Section 3.1.

                  "Standby  Letters  of  Credit"  has the  meaning  set forth in
Section 3.1.

                  "Stock Pledge  Agreement" means the amended and restated stock
pledge agreement,  substantially in the form of Exhibit D, between the Borrower,
the  Administrative  Agent and the  Collateral  Agent,  for the  benefit  of the
Original  Secured  Parties,  as  amended,  amended  and  restated,  modified  or
supplemented from time to time.

                  "Subsidiary"  means any  corporation  or other entity of which
securities or other ownership  interests having ordinary voting power to elect a
majority of the board of directors or other Persons performing similar functions
are at the time directly or indirectly owned by the Borrower.






<PAGE> 27

                  "Subsidiary  Guarantee" means the guarantee,  substantially in
the form of Exhibit E, to be entered into between each  Subsidiary  (whether now
existing  or  hereafter  formed,   purchased  or  otherwise  acquired)  and  the
Collateral  Agent for the  benefit of the  Secured  Parties,  as the same may be
amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time.

                  "Subsidiary  Security Agreement" means the security agreement,
substantially  in the form of Exhibit F, to be made by each Subsidiary  (whether
now existing or hereafter formed,  purchased or otherwise acquired), in favor of
the Collateral Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties, as the same may be
amended, amended and restated, modified or supplemented from time to time.

                  "Survey" means a current  survey of the real property  covered
by any Mortgage  certified to the  Administrative  Agent and the title insurance
company insuring the Mortgage, or in lieu thereof, a copy of the existing survey
and/or an affidavit in form and substance  satisfactory  to the title  insurance
company insuring such Mortgage to remove any exceptions in the Title Policy with
respect to the absence of a current certified survey.

                  "Swingline   Borrowing"   means  a  Borrowing   consisting  of
Swingline Loans of the same Type made on the same day.

                  "Swingline  Commitment" means, as to any Swingline Lender, the
obligation  of such  Lender  to  make  Swingline  Loans  to the  Borrower  in an
aggregate  principal amount at any one time outstanding not to exceed the amount
set forth under the heading "Swingline  Commitments" opposite such Lender's name
on  Schedule  I, as such  amount may be reduced  or  adjusted  from time to time
pursuant to this Agreement.

                  "Swingline Compliance  Certificate" means a certificate in the
form of Exhibit Q,  certified  by the  Borrower's  chief  financial  officer and
delivered pursuant to Section 2.8(g), 2.9(d), 6.3(c) or 8.26.

                  "Swingline  Facility Fee" has the meaning set forth in Section
2.6(e).

                  "Swingline  Lender"  means each  Lender  which has a Swingline
Commitment or which has made Swingline Loans.

                  "Swingline Loans" has the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(d).

                  "Swingline  Note" means a  promissory  note of the Borrower to
the order of any  Swingline  Lender,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit A-4,
evidencing the  obligation of the Borrower to repay the Swingline  Loans made by
such Lender, as such Note may be amended,




<PAGE> 28

modified, supplemented, replaced or substituted for from time to time.

                  "Synthetic   Lease  Banks"  means  the  banks  and   financial
institutions party to the Synthetic Lease Participation Agreement.

                  "Synthetic Lease Documents" means the Participation  Agreement
and the Lease,  the Loan Documents and the Trust  Agreement  (each as defined in
the  Synthetic  Lease  Participation  Agreement)  and  any  and  all  documents,
agreements  and  instruments  related  thereto,  each as  amended,  amended  and
restated, modified or supplemented to the extent permitted by this Agreement.

                  "Synthetic  Lease  Obligations"  means the  obligations of the
Borrower under the Synthetic  Lease Documents  (whether or not such  obligations
constitute capital lease obligations).

                  "Synthetic   Lease   Participation    Agreement"   means   the
Participation  Agreement,  dated as of February  23, 1995,  among the  Borrower,
Wilmington Trust Company, as Certificate  Trustee,  the Synthetic Lease Banks as
Certificate  Purchasers and/or Lenders and BA Leasing & Capital Corporation,  as
administrative agent for the Certificate  Purchasers and the lenders, as amended
by Amendment  No. 1, dated as of November 22,  1995,  and as hereafter  amended,
amended and restated,  modified or supplemented to the extent  permitted by this
Agreement.

                  "Temporary Cash Investment" means any Investment in (i) direct
obligations  of  the  United  States  or  any  agency  thereof,  or  obligations
guaranteed  by the United  States or any agency  thereof,  in each case maturing
within one year from the date of the  acquisition  thereof by the  Borrower or a
Subsidiary,  or (ii) (x) commercial  paper rated in the highest grade (A1+/P1 or
its  equivalent)  by S&P  or  Moody's  or  (y)  time  deposits  with,  including
certificates  of deposit  issued by, any office  located in the United States of
any bank or trust  company  that has  capital,  surplus  and  undivided  profits
aggregating at least U.S.  $500,000,000,  and whose long term debt is rated A or
higher by S&P and A2 or higher by Moody's, in each case maturing within 180 days
from the date of acquisition thereof by the Borrower or a Subsidiary.

                  "Term Lender" means each Lender which has made Term Loans.

                  "Term  Loans" means the Tranche A Term Loans and the Tranche B
Term Loans.

                  "Title  Policy"  means a  mortgage  policy of title  insurance
(ALTA or the equivalent) insuring the first priority Lien of a Mortgage in favor
of the Administrative  Agent, in form and substance and issued by title insurers
satisfactory  to the  Administrative  Agent  and  containing  no  exceptions  to
coverage  other than matters





<PAGE> 29

satisfactory to the Administrative Agent in its judgment reasonably exercised.

                  "Trademarks" means (a) all trademarks,  trade names, corporate
names, company names, business names,  fictitious business names, service names,
trade  styles,  service  marks,  logos and other source or business  identifiers
owned by the Borrower or any Subsidiary,  and the goodwill associated therewith,
now existing or hereafter adopted or acquired,  all registrations and recordings
thereof,  and all  applications in connection  therewith,  whether in the United
States  Patent and  Trademark  Office or in any similar  office or agency of the
United  States,  any  State  thereof  or any  other  country  or  any  political
subdivision thereof, or otherwise and (b) all renewals thereof.

                  "Tranche  A Term Loan  Note"  means a  promissory  note of the
Borrower to the order of any Term Lender,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit
A-2, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Tranche A Term Loans
made by such  Lender,  as such  Note  may be  amended,  modified,  supplemented,
replaced or substituted for from time to time.

                  "Tranche A Term  Loans" has the  meaning  set forth in Section
2.2(b).

                  "Tranche  B Term Loan  Note"  means a  promissory  note of the
Borrower to the order of any Term Lender,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit
A-3, evidencing the obligation of the Borrower to repay the Tranche B Term Loans
made by such  Lender,  as such  Note  may be  amended,  modified,  supplemented,
replaced or substituted for from time to time.

                  "Tranche B Term  Loans" has the  meaning  set forth in Section
2.2(c).

                  "Transferee" has the meaning set forth in Section 11.6(f).

                  "Type" means,  as to any Loan,  its status as a CIBC Alternate
Base Rate Loan or a Euro-Dollar ---- Loan.

                  "UCC"  means the Uniform  Commercial  Code as in effect in the
State of New York on the date --- hereof.

                  "Uniform  Customs" means the Uniform  Customs and Practice for
Documentary   Credits  (1993  Revision),   International   Chamber  of  Commerce
Publication  No. 500, or any successor  publication,  as the same may be amended
from time to time.

                  "United  States  Person"  has the meaning set forth in Section
5.3(b).




<PAGE> 30

                  "Vehicles" means all cars, trucks, trailers,  construction and
earth moving  equipment and other vehicles covered by a certificate of title law
of any state and, in any event, shall include, without limitation,  the vehicles
listed on  Schedule V to the  Security  Agreement  and any  Subsidiary  Security
Agreements and all tires and other appurtenances to any of the foregoing.

                  "Voting Shares" means,  with respect to any Person,  shares of
capital stock of any class or classes (however designated) having general voting
power for the election of the board of  directors,  managers or trustees of such
Person  (irrespective  of whether or not at the time capital  stock of any other
class or  classes  shall  have or might  have  voting  power  by  reason  of the
happening of any contingency).

                  "Withdrawal  Liability" has the meaning specified under Part I
of Subtitle E of Title IV of --------------------- ERISA.

                  "ZR&G" has the meaning set forth in Section 6.2(k).

                  SECTION  1.2  Other   Definitional   Provisions.   (a)  Unless
otherwise specified therein,  all terms defined in this Agreement shall have the
defined  meanings  when used in the  Notes,  any other  Credit  Document  or any
certificate or other document made or delivered pursuant hereto.

                  (b) Unless  otherwise  specified  herein,  all  accounting and
financial terms used herein and in any other Credit Document and any certificate
or other document made or delivered  pursuant  hereto,  shall be construed,  all
accounting  determinations hereunder shall be made, and all financial statements
required to be delivered hereunder shall be prepared, in accordance with GAAP as
in  effect  from  time to time;  provided,  that  for  purposes  of  determining
compliance  with any  covenants  set forth in  Section  8,  such  term  shall be
construed in  accordance  with GAAP as in effect on the date of this  Agreement,
applied  on a basis  consistent  with  the  application  used in the  Borrower's
audited financial statements referred to in Section 7.9(b).

                  (c) The words "hereof",  "herein" and "hereunder" and words of
similar  import when used in this  Agreement  shall refer to this Agreement as a
whole  and not to any  particular  provision  of this  Agreement,  and  Section,
subsection,  Schedule  and  Exhibit  references  are to  this  Agreement  unless
otherwise specified.

                  (d) The  meanings  given  to  terms  defined  herein  shall be
equally applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

                   SECTION 2. AMOUNT AND TERMS OF COMMITMENTS






<PAGE> 31

                  SECTION 2.1  Acknowledgment of Existing  Obligations.  (a) The
Borrower  hereby  confirms  and  acknowledges  to  the  Collateral   Agent,  the
Administrative  Agent, the Co-Agents,  the Letter of Credit Bank and the Lenders
that, immediately prior to the effectiveness of this Agreement (i) the aggregate
amount of the Existing  Obligations is as set forth in the second whereas clause
of this Agreement.

                  (b)  It is  hereby  expressly  understood  and  agreed  by the
parties hereto that the Notes (other than the Swingline  Notes) amend,  restate,
supplement,  supersede and replace the Existing Notes and that the  indebtedness
outstanding  under and evidenced by the Existing Notes as of the date hereof has
not  been  repaid,  satisfied  or  discharged,  but for all  purposes  has  been
replaced,  substituted  and  restructured as provided herein and constitutes the
indebtedness  outstanding  under the  Revolving  Notes,  the Tranche A Term Loan
Notes and the Tranche B Term Loan Notes.

                  SECTION 2.2  Commitments to Lend.  (a) Each  Revolving  Lender
severally  agrees,  on the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement,  to
lend to the Borrower from time to time revolving credit loans (each a "Revolving
Loan" and,  collectively,  the "Revolving Loans") not to exceed in the aggregate
at any time  outstanding,  when added to the amount of such  Revolving  Lender's
Participating  Interest in the then outstanding L/C  Obligations,  the amount of
its Revolving  Commitment,  which Revolving  Commitments of all of the Revolving
Lenders shall not exceed the aggregate principal amount of $135,000,000,  as the
same may be reduced  from time to time  pursuant to Sections  2.7 and 2.8.  Each
Borrowing  under  this  subsection  (a) shall (i) be in an  aggregate  principal
amount of  $5,000,000 or any larger  multiple of $1,000,000  (except that a CIBC
Alternate Base Rate Borrowing may be in the aggregate  amount of the then unused
Revolving Commitments) and (ii) consist of Revolving Loans of the same Type made
on the  same  Borrowing  Date  by  the  several  Revolving  Lenders  ratably  in
proportion to their respective  Revolving  Commitments.  The Borrower may borrow
Revolving  Loans  under this  subsection  (a) and,  to the extent  permitted  by
Section 2.9,  prepay  Revolving  Loans and reborrow  Revolving Loans at any time
prior to the Maturity Date and shall repay all  outstanding  Revolving  Loans on
the Maturity Date;  provided,  that except as permitted in Section  2.2(e),  the
Borrower  may not repay or  prepay  Revolving  Loans at any time when  Swingline
Loans are outstanding unless it has first repaid or prepaid, as the case may be,
any outstanding  Swingline Loans. Without limiting its obligations under Section
2.8, the Borrower hereby  unconditionally  promises to pay the unpaid  principal
amount of the Revolving Loans on the Maturity Date.

                  (b) Each  Term  Lender  severally  agrees,  on the  terms  and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, to restructure a portion of its Existing
Loans  into  a  Tranche  A  term  loan  (each  a  "Tranche  A  Term  Loan"  and,
collectively, the "Tranche A Term Loans") to the Borrower on the Closing Date in
an amount not to exceed the  Tranche A Term Loan  amount of such Term Lender set
forth on Schedule I,




<PAGE> 32

which  Tranche A Term  Loans of all of the Term  Lenders  shall not  exceed  the
aggregate  principal  amount of  $173,000,000.  Without limiting its obligations
under  Sections  2.4 or 2.8, the  Borrower  unconditionally  promises to pay the
unpaid principal amount of the Tranche A Term Loans on the Maturity Date.

                  (c) Each  Term  Lender  severally  agrees,  on the  terms  and
conditions set forth in this Agreement, to restructure a portion of its Existing
Loans  into  a  Tranche  B  term  loan  (each  a  "Tranche  B  Term  Loan"  and,
collectively, the "Tranche B Term Loans") to the Borrower on the Closing Date in
an amount not to exceed the  Tranche B Term Loan  amount of such Term Lender set
forth on Schedule I, which Tranche B Term Loans of all of the Term Lenders shall
not exceed the aggregate principal amount of $100,000,000.  Without limiting its
obligations under Sections 2.4 or 2.8, the Borrower  unconditionally promises to
pay the unpaid  principal  amount of the  Tranche B Term  Loans on the  Maturity
Date.

                  (d) Each Swingline Lender severally  agrees,  on the terms and
conditions set forth in this Agreement (including, without limitation, those set
forth in Section  6.3),  to lend to the  Borrower  from time to time,  swingline
revolving  loans (each a  "Swingline  Loan" and,  collectively,  the  "Swingline
Loans") not to exceed in the aggregate at any time outstanding the amount of the
Swingline  Commitment of such Swingline Lender,  which Swingline  Commitments of
all of the Swingline Lenders shall not exceed the aggregate  principal amount of
$60,000,000  as the same may be reduced  from time to time  pursuant to Sections
2.7 and 2.8; provided, that except as set forth in Section 2.2(e), the Swingline
Lenders  shall not be  obligated to make any  Swingline  Loans unless all of the
aggregate Revolving Commitments are fully utilized at the time (exclusive of any
portion of the Revolving Commitments which is unutilized solely as a consequence
of a Defaulting  Lender's  failure to make available its pro rata portion of one
or more Revolving  Borrowings).  Each Borrowing  under this subsection (d) shall
(i) be in an aggregate  principal amount of $5,000,000 or any larger multiple of
$1,000,000  (except  that a CIBC  Alternate  Base Rate  Borrowing  may be in the
aggregate amount of the then unused  Swingline  Commitments) and (ii) consist of
Swingline  Loans of the same Type made on the same Borrowing Date by the several
Swingline   Lenders  ratably  in  proportion  to  their   respective   Swingline
Commitments.  The Borrower may borrow Swingline Loans under this subsection (d),
prepay  Swingline Loans and,  provided that the Revolving  Commitments are fully
utilized and subject to the  satisfaction  of the terms and conditions set forth
in this Agreement  (including,  without  limitation,  those set forth in Section
6.3),  reborrow  Swingline Loans at any time prior to the Maturity Date. Without
limiting its obligations under Section 2.8, the Borrower hereby  unconditionally
promises  to pay the  unpaid  principal  amount  of the  Swingline  Loans on the
Maturity Date.






<PAGE> 33

                  (e)  Notwithstanding  the provisions of Section 2.2(d), if the
Revolving Commitments are fully utilized (or the unused portion of the Revolving
Commitments  is less than the  amount of a  requested  Letter  of  Credit),  the
Borrower  may apply for  Letters  of Credit  to the  extent  that the  Swingline
Commitments  and the Letter of Credit  Commitment  have not been fully utilized,
but only if the  Borrower  is also able to  satisfy  all of the  conditions  for
borrowing  Swingline  Loans and for the  issuance  of  Letters of Credit at such
time. In such instance,  the Borrower shall,  concurrently  with the issuance of
the requested  Letter of Credit,  borrow  Swingline Loans in an aggregate amount
equal to the face  amount of the  Letter of Credit  requested  (or the amount by
which the face amount exceeds the unutilized Revolving Commitments,  as the case
may be) and the proceeds of such Swingline Loans shall be  concurrently  applied
to the  prepayment  of the  principal of an equal  amount of Revolving  Loans in
order  to  create  the  requisite   availability  under  the  Letter  of  Credit
Commitment.

                  SECTION 2.3 Method of Borrowing.  (a) The Borrower  shall give
the Administrative  Agent written notice, in substantially the form of Exhibit N
(a  "Notice of  Borrowing"),  on the  Domestic  Business  Day of each  Revolving
Borrowing or Swingline  Borrowing  which is a CIBC Alternate Base Rate Borrowing
and at least three Euro-Dollar  Business Days before each Revolving Borrowing or
Swingline Borrowing which is a Euro-Dollar Borrowing (provided, that in the case
of each Type of  Revolving  Borrowing  or  Swingline  Borrowing,  such Notice of
Borrowing is received by the Administrative  Agent prior to 12:00 noon, New York
City time,  on the required  date of  delivery),  which notice shall include the
certification required by Sections 6.1(d), 6.2 or 6.3, as applicable,  and shall
specify:

                  (i) the date of such  Revolving  Borrowing  or such  Swingline
         Borrowing, which shall be a Domestic Business Day in the case of a CIBC
         Alternate Base Rate Borrowing or a Euro-Dollar Business Day in the case
         of a Euro-Dollar Borrowing,

                  (ii) the aggregate amount of such Revolving  Borrowing or such
         Swingline Borrowing,

             (iii) whether the Loans comprising such Revolving Borrowing or such
         Swingline  Borrowing,  are to be CIBC  Alternate  Base  Rate  Loans  or
         Euro-Dollar Loans, and

                  (iv) in the case of a Euro-Dollar  Borrowing,  the duration of
         the Interest Period  applicable  thereto,  subject to the provisions of
         the definition of Interest Period.

                  (b) Upon receipt of a Notice of Borrowing,  the Administrative
Agent  shall  promptly  notify  each  Revolving  Lender  (or,  in the  case of a
Swingline Borrowing,  each Swingline Lender) of the contents thereof and of such
Lender's pro rata share of such Revolving Borrowing or such Swingline Borrowing,
as the case may be,




<PAGE> 34

and such  Notice  of  Borrowing  shall  not  thereafter  be
revocable by the Borrower.

                  (c) Not later than 2:00 P.M.,  New York City time, on the date
of each  Revolving  Borrowing and each Swingline  Borrowing,  each Lender with a
Revolving Commitment or a Swingline Commitment shall make available its pro rata
share of such Revolving Borrowing or such Swingline  Borrowing,  as the case may
be, in Federal,  or other funds  immediately  available in New York City, to the
Administrative   Agent  at  its  address  referred  to  in  Section  11.1.  Upon
satisfaction  of the  applicable  conditions  specified in Section 6.1,  and, if
applicable,  Sections 6.2 and 6.3, the Administrative  Agent will make the funds
so  received  from  the  Revolving  Lenders  (or,  in the  case  of a  Swingline
Borrowing,   the   Swingline   Lenders)   available   to  the  Borrower  at  the
Administrative  Agent's  aforesaid  address.  To the extent  that any  Revolving
Lender fails to make available its pro rata portion of any Revolving  Borrowing,
the other  Revolving  Lenders  shall not be  required to make  available  to the
Borrower such Defaulting Lender's pro rata share of such Revolving Borrowing. To
the  extent  that any  Swingline  Lender  fails to make  available  its pro rata
portion of any Swingline  Borrowing,  the other  Swingline  Lenders shall not be
required to make  available to the Borrower  such  Defaulting  Lender's pro rata
share of such Swingline Borrowing.

                  SECTION 2.4 Notes;  Certain Payments.  (a) The Revolving Loans
of  each  Revolving  Lender  shall  be  evidenced  by a  promissory  note of the
Borrower,  substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1, with appropriate insertions
as to payee,  date and  principal  amount (as  amended,  endorsed,  extended  or
otherwise modified from time to time, a "Revolving Note"),  payable to the order
of such Revolving  Lender and in a principal  amount equal to the amount of such
Revolving Lender's Revolving Commitment.

                  (b) The  Tranche  A Term  Loans of each Term  Lender  shall be
evidenced by a promissory  note of the  Borrower,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit A-2, with appropriate  insertions as to payee, date and principal amount
(as  amended,  endorsed,  extended or  otherwise  modified  from time to time, a
"Tranche A Term Loan  Note"),  payable to the order of such Term Lender and in a
principal amount equal to the amount of such Term Lender's Tranche A Term Loan.

                  (c) The  Tranche  B Term  Loans of each Term  Lender  shall be
evidenced by a promissory  note of the  Borrower,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit A-3, with appropriate  insertions as to payee, date and principal amount
(as  amended,  endorsed,  extended or  otherwise  modified  from time to time, a
"Tranche B Term Loan  Note"),  payable to the order of such Term Lender and in a
principal amount equal to the amount of such Term Lender's Tranche B Term Loan.

                  (d) The  Swingline  Loans of each  Swingline  Lender  shall be
evidenced by a promissory  note of the  Borrower,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibit A-4, with appropriate  insertions as to payee,




<PAGE> 35

date and principal amount (as amended, endorsed,  extended or otherwise modified
from time to time, a "Swingline  Note"),  payable to the order of such Swingline
Lender and in a principal amount equal to the amount of such Swingline  Lender's
Swingline Commitment.

                  (e) In addition to its obligations to pay the unpaid principal
amount of the Term Loans on the  Maturity  Date,  the  Borrower  shall make four
consecutive  annual repayments of principal on the Term Loans in installments in
the amount of $3,000,000 each on the 15th day of each September to occur in 1997
through  2000,  which  installments  shall be  applied to the  repayment  of the
principal  amount of the  Tranche A Term Loans and the Tranche B Term Loans on a
pro rata basis (based upon the outstanding  principal  amounts of the respective
Term Loans at the time of each such repayment).

                  (f)  Promptly  upon  receipt of the Notes  pursuant to Section
6.2(a), the Administrative  Agent shall deliver the Notes payable to each Lender
to such  Lender.  Each Lender  shall  record,  and prior to any  transfer of its
Notes,  shall  endorse  on the  schedules  forming  a part  thereof  appropriate
notations to evidence the date,  amount and maturity of each Loan made by it and
the date and  amount of each  payment of  principal  made by the  Borrower  with
respect to such Note; provided,  that the failure of any such Lender to make any
such  recordation  or  endorsement  or any  error  in any  such  recordation  or
endorsement shall not affect the obligations of the Borrower  hereunder or under
the Notes.  Each Lender is hereby  irrevocably  authorized by the Borrower so to
endorse its Notes and to attach to and make a part of any Note,  a  continuation
of any such schedule as and when required.

                  SECTION 2.5 Interest Rates.  (a) Each CIBC Alternate Base Rate
Loan shall bear interest on the outstanding  principal amount thereof,  for each
day from the date such Loan is made  until it becomes  due,  at a rate per annum
equal to the sum of the Applicable  Margin plus the CIBC Alternate Base Rate for
such day. Such interest  shall be payable  monthly in arrears on the last day of
each month  commencing  on the last day of the month in which the  Closing  Date
occurs and on the Maturity  Date.  Any overdue  principal of and interest on any
CIBC  Alternate  Base Rate Loan not paid when due or  outstanding at the time of
the  occurrence  of any Event of Default  specified in Section  9.1(f) or 9.1(g)
shall bear  interest,  payable on demand,  for each day until paid at a rate per
annum equal to 2% plus the rate otherwise applicable thereto for such day (after
as well as before judgment).

                  (b)  Each   Euro-Dollar   Loan  shall  bear  interest  on  the
outstanding  principal  amount  thereof,  for  the  Interest  Period  applicable
thereto,  at a rate per annum equal to the sum of the Applicable Margin plus the
applicable  Adjusted  London  Interbank  Offered Rate.  Such  interest  shall be
payable for each Interest Period in arrears on the last day of each month ending
during such




<PAGE> 36

Interest  Period and on the last day of such Interest  Period.  Any
principal  of  and  interest  on any  Euro-Dollar  Loan  not  paid  when  due or
outstanding at the time of the  occurrence of any Event of Default  specified in
Section  9.1(f) or 9.1(g) shall bear interest,  payable on demand,  for each day
until  paid at a rate per  annum  equal to the  greater  of (i) 2% plus the CIBC
Alternate Base Rate for such day and (ii) 2% plus the rate otherwise  applicable
thereto for such day (after as well as before judgment).

                  (c) The  Administrative  Agent shall  determine  each interest
rate  applicable to the Loans  hereunder.  The  Administrative  Agent shall give
prompt notice to the Borrower and the affected Lenders by facsimile transmission
of each rate of interest so determined,  and its determination  thereof shall be
conclusive in the absence of manifest error.

                  (d) The  Euro-Dollar  Reference  Bank  agrees  to use its best
efforts  to  furnish  quotations  to the  Administrative  Agent as  contemplated
hereby.  If the Euro-Dollar  Reference Bank does not furnish a timely quotation,
the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower and
the affected  Lenders,  whereupon  until the  Administrative  Agent notifies the
Borrower that such quotations are available on a timely basis, the obligation of
the Lenders to make Euro-Dollar Loans shall be suspended.

                  (e) Any amount other than  principal or interest not paid when
due  hereunder  or  outstanding  at the time of the  occurrence  of any Event of
Default  specified in Section 9.1(f) or 9.1(g) shall bear  interest,  payable on
demand,  for each day until  paid at a rate per annum  equal to 2% plus the CIBC
Alternate Base Rate for such date (after as well as before judgment).

                  (f) Without  limiting the foregoing,  the Borrower agrees that
the unpaid  principal  amount of all Loans and any amounts other than  principal
not paid when due hereunder shall bear interest until paid  (including,  without
limitation,  interest  accruing  after the  maturity  of the Loans and  interest
accruing after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy,  or the commencement of
any insolvency, reorganization or like proceeding, relating to the Borrower).

                  (g)  Notwithstanding  anything  herein  or in the Notes to the
contrary,  if at any time the applicable  interest rate,  together with all fees
and charges which are treated as interest under  applicable  law  (collectively,
the "Other  Amounts"),  as provided for herein or in any other document executed
in connection herewith, or otherwise contracted for, charged, received, taken or
reserved  by any Lender,  shall  exceed the  maximum  lawful rate (the  "Maximum
Rate") which may be contracted for, charged, taken, received or reserved by such
Lender in accordance with applicable law, the rate of interest payable under the
Note held by such  Lender,  together  with all  Other  Amounts  payable  to such
Lender, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate.





<PAGE> 37

                  In the event any Lender ever receives,  collects or applies as
interest  any sum in excess of the  Maximum  Rate for such  Lender,  such excess
amount shall be applied to the reduction of the  principal  balance of its Loans
or to other amounts  (other than  interest)  payable  hereunder,  and if no such
principal is then  outstanding,  such excess or part thereof  remaining shall be
paid to the Borrower.

                  SECTION 2.6  Commitment and Other Fees. (a) The Borrower shall
pay to the Administrative Agent, for the account of each Revolving Lender (other
than a Defaulting  Lender of the type  described in clause (i) of the definition
thereof, but only for so long as such Lender shall be such a Defaulting Lender),
a commitment  fee during the period from and  including  the Closing Date to but
not  including  the  Maturity  Date  calculated  at 1/2 of 1% per  annum of such
Lender's  average daily excess,  if any, of such  Revolving  Lender's  Revolving
Commitment  over  such  Revolving  Lender's  Aggregate   Outstanding   Revolving
Extensions of Credit during the period for which such payment is to be made.

                  (b) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of each  Swingline  Lender  (other than a Defaulting  Lender of the type
described in clause (i) of the definition thereof,  but only for so long as such
Lender shall be such a Defaulting  Lender),  a commitment  fee during the period
from and  including  the Closing Date to but not  including  the  Maturity  Date
calculated  at 1/2 of 1% per  annum of such  Swingline  Lender's  average  daily
excess,  if any,  of such  Swingline  Lender's  Swingline  Commitment  over such
Swingline  Lender's  Swingline Loans during the period for which such payment is
to be made.

                  (c) The  commitment  fees payable under this Section 2.6 shall
be payable  monthly  in  arrears on the last day of each month of each  calendar
year  (commencing on the last day of the month in which the Closing Date occurs)
and on the Maturity Date or such earlier date on which the Revolving Commitments
or the  Swingline  Commitments,  as the case  may be,  shall  be  terminated  as
provided herein.

                  (d) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account of the  Restructuring  Lenders an amendment fee (the "Amendment Fee") in
the aggregate amount of $200,000, payable on the Closing Date.

                  (e) The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative Agent for the
account  of the  Swingline  Lenders a  swingline  facility  fee (the  "Swingline
Facility  Fee") of three  percent (3%) of the  aggregate  Swingline  Commitments
(i.e., $1,800,000), payable on the Closing Date.

                  SECTION 2.7  Optional  Termination  or  Reduction of Swingline
Commitments and Revolving Commitments.  The Borrower may, at any




<PAGE> 38

time subsequent to the Closing Date, upon at least three Domestic Business Days'
notice to the Administrative Agent, terminate at any time, or permanently reduce
from time to time by an aggregate amount of $5,000,000 or any integral  multiple
of  $1,000,000  in  excess  thereof,   the  unused  portions  of  the  Swingline
Commitments and, following the termination of the Swingline Commitments in their
entirety,  the unused  portions of the Revolving  Commitments.  If the Swingline
Commitments  and/or the Revolving  Commitments are terminated in their entirety,
all  applicable  accrued  commitment  fees and  Letter of Credit  fees  shall be
payable on the effective date of such termination.

                  SECTION  2.8  Mandatory   Termination   or  Reduction  of  the
Swingline Commitments and the Revolving Commitments; Mandatory Prepayments.

                  (a) The Swingline  Commitments  and the Revolving  Commitments
shall  terminate on the Maturity Date, and any Swingline Loans and any Revolving
Loans then outstanding (together with accrued interest thereon) shall be due and
payable on such date.

                  (b) Unless otherwise provided herein,  upon the receipt by the
Borrower of (i) any Net Cash Proceeds from the sale, lease or other  disposition
of any of its assets  permitted  under  Section 8.11 (other than (w) the sale of
Inventory  in the ordinary  course of business,  (x) the sale or lease of assets
subject  to  Liens  securing  Debt  for  Borrowed  Money,   including   (without
limitation)  the  Lien  granted  to  Prudential  pursuant  to the  documentation
relating to the  Prudential  Real Estate  Financing  or the Lien  granted to the
Synthetic Lease Banks under the Synthetic  Lease Documents  solely to the extent
that the Net Cash  Proceeds  thereof are applied to repay such Debt for Borrowed
Money,  including  (without  limitation) the Prudential Real Estate Financing or
the Synthetic Lease  Obligations,  as the case may be, (y) transfers or sales of
accounts  pursuant to any customer sales charge program of the type described in
Section 8.16 and (z)  Permitted  Pad sales) or (ii) any payments of principal on
any Pledged  Instruments (as defined in the Note Pledge  Agreement) which do not
constitute Net Cash Proceeds,  100% of any such Net Cash Proceeds or payments of
principal shall be immediately paid to the Administrative  Agent for the account
of the Lenders, and applied as provided in Section 2.8(g); provided, that in the
case of any  fiscal  year,  the  provisions  of this  subsection  (b)  shall  be
applicable  only if and to the  extent  that the  aggregate  amount  of Net Cash
Proceeds  and  payments  of  principal  received  in such  fiscal  year  exceeds
$5,000,000.

                  (c) The  Borrower  shall,  from time to time until  payment in
full  of the  Loans  and  the  termination  of this  Agreement,  within  10 days
following  the receipt by the Borrower (or by the  Administrative  Agent as loss
payee)  of any  payment  of  proceeds  of any  insurance  (other  than  business
interruption  insurance) required to be maintained pursuant to this Agreement on
account of each separate




<PAGE> 39

loss,  damage or injury in excess of $1,000,000 to any tangible  property of the
Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  (unless no Default or Event of Default  shall have
occurred and be continuing and such proceeds (or any portion thereof) shall have
been  expended  or  irrevocably  committed  by the  Borrower  for the  repair or
replacement  of such  property  and the  Borrower  shall have  furnished  to the
Administrative  Agent evidence  satisfactory to the Administrative Agent of such
expenditure or  commitment,  pending which the  Administrative  Agent shall hold
such proceeds),  apply or, to the extent the Administrative  Agent is loss payee
under any  insurance  policy,  irrevocably  direct the  Administrative  Agent to
apply, an amount equal to 100% (or such lesser  percentage which represents that
portion of such proceeds not expended or committed  pursuant to the  immediately
preceding  parenthetical  phrase) of such  insurance  proceeds  as  provided  in
Section 2.8(g); provided, that if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, all proceeds of insurance required to be maintained pursuant to this
Agreement  which would otherwise be payable to the Borrower shall be paid to the
Administrative  Agent and held or applied  pursuant  to Section  9.2;  provided,
however,  that with respect to tangible  property  subject to any Lien permitted
herein,  no such  prepayment  or reduction  shall be required to the extent that
this Section  2.8(c) would  require an  application  of insurance  proceeds that
would violate or breach any of the  provisions of the  instruments  or documents
under which such permitted Lien arises.

                  (d) (i) If there shall be Excess Cash Flow for any fiscal year
of the Borrower, then, on the earlier of the date of delivery by the Borrower to
the Lenders of the  financial  statements  required to be delivered  pursuant to
Section  8.1(a)  covering  such  fiscal  year and 90 days  after the end of such
fiscal year of the  Borrower,  75% of such Excess Cash Flow shall be paid to the
Administrative  Agent for the  account of the Lenders and applied as provided in
Section  2.8(g).  Concurrently  with the  making  of each such  prepayment,  the
Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative  Agent a certificate  substantially
in the form of  Exhibit  0 (an  "Excess  Cash  Flow  Certificate")  of the chief
financial  officer  of the  Borrower  setting  forth in  reasonable  detail  the
calculation of Excess Cash Flow for the fiscal year as to which such  prepayment
was computed.

                      (ii) If the  Borrower  receives  or is entitled to receive
any cash  benefit  in an  amount  in  excess  of  $15,600,000  with  respect  to
deductions  permitted under the Small Business Job Protection Act of 1996, then,
not later than the second  Domestic  Business  Day after  receipt  thereof,  the
Borrower shall pay to the  Administrative  Agent an amount equal to such excess,
which payment shall be applied as provided in Section 2.8(g).

                  (e) If the Borrower incurs any Permitted Refinancing Debt, the
Borrower  shall,  not later  than the  second  Domestic  Business  Day after the
incurrence  thereof,  pay to the  Administrative  Agent an  amount  equal to the
excess, if any, of the Net Cash




<PAGE> 40

Proceeds of such  Permitted  Refinancing  Debt over the aggregate  amount of the
Debt for Borrowed Money so  refinanced,  which excess Net Cash Proceeds shall be
applied as provided in Section 2.8(g).

                  (f) If  the  Borrower  shall  undertake  any  sale  of  equity
securities  of the Borrower  (other than pursuant to the exercise of employee or
director stock options or warrants), not later than the second Domestic Business
Day after  receipt of the  proceeds of such sale,  40% of the Net Cash  Proceeds
thereof shall be paid to the Administrative Agent for the account of the Lenders
and applied as provided in Section 2.8(g).  Concurrently with the making of such
prepayment,  the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative  Agent a statement
detailing the calculation of the prepayment due hereunder.  The remaining 60% of
such Net Cash Proceeds may be retained by the Borrower.

                  (g) If,  contemporaneously  with the  payment  of any  amounts
required under Sections 2.8(b),  2.8(c),  2.8(d), 2.8(e) or 2.8(f), the Borrower
shall have  Required  Inventory  and no  Default or Event of Default  shall have
occurred and be continuing and the Borrower delivers to the Administrative Agent
a Swingline Compliance Certificate,  certifying to such effect, then the amounts
paid under such  Sections  shall be applied,  first,  to the  prepayment  of the
principal of the Tranche A Term Loans in the inverse order of maturity,  second,
to the  prepayment  of the  principal of the Tranche B Term Loans in the inverse
order of maturity,  third,  to the permanent  prepayment of the principal of the
Swingline  Loans  (together with an automatic and  irrevocable  reduction of the
Swingline  Commitments  in an  equal  amount),  and  fourth,  to  the  permanent
prepayment of the Revolving  Loans  (together with an automatic and  irrevocable
reduction of the Revolving Commitments in an equal amount).

                  If the  Borrower  shall  not  have  Required  Inventory  or is
otherwise unable to deliver a Swingline Compliance Certificate, then the amounts
paid under Section  2.8(b),  2.8(c),  2.8(d),  2.8(e) or 2.8(f) shall be applied
first,  to the permanent  prepayment of the Swingline  Loans  (together  with an
automatic and  irrevocable  reduction of the Swingline  Commitments  in an equal
amount),  second, to the prepayment of the principal of the Tranche A Term Loans
in the inverse order of maturity,  third,  to the prepayment of the principal of
the Tranche B Term Loans in the inverse  order of maturity,  and fourth,  to the
permanent  prepayment of the principal of the Revolving  Loans (together with an
automatic and  irrevocable  reduction of the Revolving  Commitments  in an equal
amount).

                  If the  Swingline  Commitments  are not fully  utilized at the
time that the  Borrower  would  otherwise be required to repay  Swingline  Loans
pursuant to this Section 2.8(g), the Swingline  Commitments shall be permanently
reduced by the full amount which would otherwise have been applied to prepay the
Swingline  Loans,  and





<PAGE> 41

the Swingline Loans shall be permanently  repaid to the extent, if any, required
by Section 2.8(h).

                  (h) If at any time the aggregate  outstanding  Swingline Loans
exceed the Swingline  Commitments then in effect, the Borrower shall immediately
prepay the Swingline  Loans in an aggregate  amount equal to such excess and, if
at any time while any Swingline Loans are outstanding,  the Swingline Compliance
Certificate  delivered  pursuant to Section 8.26 does not show that the Borrower
has Required  Inventory,  the Borrower  shall prepay all  outstanding  Swingline
Loans the next Domestic Business Day.

                  (i)  If  at  any  time  the  Aggregate  Outstanding  Revolving
Extensions  of Credit  exceed the  Revolving  Commitments  then in  effect,  the
Borrower  shall  immediately  first prepay the  Revolving  Loans in an aggregate
amount  equal to such excess and second,  if any portion of such amount  remains
unapplied,  apply such amount to cash  collateralize  the L/C  Obligations in an
amount  equal to 103% of the  amount by which  the L/C  Obligations  exceed  the
Revolving Commitments.

                  (j) Each  prepayment of the Loans pursuant to this Section 2.8
shall be  accompanied  by payment of accrued  and unpaid  interest on the amount
prepaid to the date of prepayment  and any amounts  payable  pursuant to Section
5.5.

                  SECTION 2.9 Optional  Prepayments.  (a) The Borrower may, upon
at least one Domestic Business Days' written notice to the Administrative Agent,
prepay any CIBC Alternate Base Rate Borrowing in whole at any time, or from time
to time in part in amounts  aggregating  $5,000,000  or any larger  multiple  of
$1,000,000; provided, that if there are Swingline Loans outstanding at the time,
the Borrower  may not prepay  Revolving  Loans  except as permitted  pursuant to
Section 2.2(e). Accrued and unpaid interest on the amount of any such prepayment
shall be payable to the date of such prepayment on the date of such prepayment.

                  (b) The Borrower may, upon at least three Euro-Dollar Business
Days'  written  notice  to the  Administrative  Agent,  prepay  any  Euro-Dollar
Borrowing  in  whole  at any  time,  or from  time  to  time in part in  amounts
aggregating  $5,000,000  or any larger  multiple  of  $1,000,000,  by paying the
principal  amount to be prepaid,  together with accrued  interest thereon to the
date of prepayment and any amounts  payable  pursuant to Section 5.5;  provided,
that if there are Swingline Loans  outstanding at the time, the Borrower may not
prepay Revolving Loans except as permitted pursuant to Section 2.2(e). Each such
optional  prepayment shall be applied to prepay ratably the Euro-Dollar Loans of
the  several  Lenders  included  in  such  Euro-Dollar  Borrowing.   Within  two
Euro-Dollar  Business Days after receipt by the Administrative Agent of a notice
of prepayment  pursuant to this subsection (b), the  Administrative  Agent shall
notify the  Borrower of the  estimated  loss or expense  that may be




<PAGE> 42

incurred  by such  Lenders  and be  required  to be paid by the  Borrower  under
Section 5.5 as a result of the prepayment of such Euro-Dollar Borrowing prior to
the last day of the Interest  Period  therefor.  The Borrower may,  after having
been  notified  by the  Administrative  Agent  of the  estimated  loss  or  cost
resulting from such prepayment and not later than two Euro-Dollar  Business Days
prior to the intended date of such prepayment stated in the notice of prepayment
relating thereto,  notify the Administrative  Agent in writing that the Borrower
desires to revoke such notice of  prepayment.  If the Borrower shall have failed
to notify the Administrative Agent, not later than two Euro-Dollar Business Days
prior to the intended  date of such  prepayment,  that the  Borrower  desires to
revoke its notice of  prepayment of all or part of such  Euro-Dollar  Borrowing,
then such notice of prepayment  shall become  irrevocable.  The Borrower  agrees
that the  calculation  of such loss or expense is only an estimate and shall not
be binding on or otherwise subject to any liability the Administrative  Agent or
any of the affected Lenders.

                  (c) Upon  receipt of a notice of  prepayment  pursuant to this
Section 2.9, the Administrative Agent shall promptly notify each affected Lender
of the contents  thereof and of such Lender's  ratable share of such  prepayment
(if any), and, except as provided in subsection (b) above, such notice shall not
thereafter be revocable by the Borrower.  Each  affected  Lender shall  promptly
after  receiving  any such notice of  prepayment  with respect to a  Euro-Dollar
Borrowing,  cooperate with the Administrative Agent to estimate the loss or cost
that may be incurred by such  Lender as a result of the  prepayment  of its Loan
comprising such Borrowing.

                  (d) Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provisions of this Section
2.9,  so long as any  Swingline  Commitments  remain in effect or any  Swingline
Loans remain outstanding,  the Borrower may not prepay the Term Loans unless (i)
the  Borrower  shall  have  Required  Inventory  on the  date of  such  proposed
prepayment,  (ii) no  Default or Event of Default  shall  have  occurred  and be
continuing  and  (iii)  the  Borrower  delivers  to  the  Administrative   Agent
contemporaneously  with such prepayment,  a Swingline Compliance  Certificate to
such effect.

                  SECTION 2.10  Conversion  and  Continuation  Options.  (a) The
Borrower  may  elect  from  time to time to  convert  Euro-Dollar  Loans to CIBC
Alternate Base Rate Loans by giving the Administrative Agent irrevocable written
notice,  substantially in the form of Exhibit H, of such election prior to 11:00
A.M., New York City time, on the day which is one Domestic Business Day prior to
the date of such conversion;  provided,  that any such conversion of Euro-Dollar
Loans  may only be made on the  last  day of an  Interest  Period  with  respect
thereto. The Borrower may elect from time to time to convert CIBC Alternate Base
Rate Loans to Euro-Dollar Loans by giving the  Administrative  Agent irrevocable
notice,  substantially in the form of Exhibit H, of such election prior to 11:00
A.M.,  New York City time, on the day which is three  Euro-Dollar  Business Days
prior  to




<PAGE> 43

the date of such conversion.  Any such notice of conversion to Euro-Dollar Loans
shall  specify the length of the  initial  Interest  Period or Interest  Periods
therefor.  Upon  receipt  of any such  notice  the  Administrative  Agent  shall
promptly  notify each affected  Lender  thereof.  All or any part of outstanding
Euro-Dollar  Loans and CIBC  Alternate  Base  Rate  Loans  may be  converted  as
provided herein;  provided, that (i) no Loan may be converted into a Euro-Dollar
Loan when any Default or Event of Default has occurred and is  continuing,  (ii)
any such  conversion may only be made if, after giving effect  thereto,  Section
2.11 shall not have been  contravened  and (iii) no Loan may be converted into a
Euro-Dollar  Loan  after  the date  that is one  month  prior  to the  scheduled
Maturity Date.

                  (b) Any  Euro-Dollar  Loans may be  continued as such upon the
expiration  of the then  current  Interest  Period with  respect  thereto by the
Borrower giving irrevocable  notice,  substantially in the form of Exhibit H, to
the  Administrative  Agent, in accordance with the applicable  provisions of the
term  "Interest  Period"  set forth in  Section  1.1,  of the length of the next
Interest  Period to be applicable to such Loans;  provided,  that no Euro-Dollar
Loan may be continued as such beyond the end of the then current Interest Period
(i) when any Default or Event of Default has  occurred and is  continuing,  (ii)
if, after giving  effect  thereto,  Section 2.11 would be  contravened  or (iii)
after the date that is one month prior to the scheduled Maturity Date; provided,
further,  that if the  Borrower  shall  fail  to give  any  required  notice  as
described above in this subsection (b) or if such  continuation is not permitted
pursuant to the preceding proviso such Loans shall be automatically converted to
CIBC  Alternate  Base Rate Loans on the last day of such then expiring  Interest
Period.

                  SECTION 2.11 Minimum  Amount and Maximum Number of Euro-Dollar
Borrowings. All Borrowings, conversions and continuations of Loans hereunder and
all  selections of Interest  Periods  hereunder  shall be in such amounts and be
made pursuant to such elections so that,  after giving effect  thereto,  (i) the
aggregate  principal amount of the Loans  comprising each Euro-Dollar  Borrowing
shall be equal to $5,000,000 or a whole multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof
and (ii) the total number of such  Euro-Dollar  Borrowings at any one time would
not exceed ten.

                          SECTION 3. LETTERS OF CREDIT

                  SECTION  3.1 Letter of Credit  Commitment.  (a) Subject to the
terms and  conditions  hereof,  the Letter of Credit  Bank,  in  reliance on the
agreements of the other Revolving Lenders set forth in Section 3.4(a), agrees to
issue (x)  standby  letters  of  credit  issued to  support  obligations  of the
Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  ("Standby  Letters  of  Credit")  and (y)
documentary  letters of credit to  facilitate  the  purchase of Inventory by the
Borrower in the ordinary course of business ("Documentary Letters of Credit" and
together  with any  Standby  Letters of Credit,  "Letters  of




<PAGE> 44

Credit") for the account of the  Borrower on any Domestic  Business Day which is
at least 60 days prior to the Maturity Date in such form as may be approved from
time to time by the Letter of Credit Bank;  provided,  that the Letter of Credit
Bank shall not, and shall have no obligation  to, issue any Letter of Credit if,
after  giving  effect to such  issuance  (i) the L/C  Obligations  in respect of
Standby  Letters of Credit would exceed $25,  000, 000 (the  "Standby  Letter of
Credit Commitment"),  (ii) the L/C Obligations in respect of Documentary Letters
of  Credit  would  exceed   $15,000,000  (the  "Documentary   Letter  of  Credit
Commitment"),  (iii) the aggregate L/C Obligations,  when added to the aggregate
outstanding  principal  amount of the Revolving Loans would exceed the Revolving
Commitments,  after  taking  into  account any  prepayment  of  Revolving  Loans
pursuant to Section 2.2(e),  or (iv) a Default or an Event of Default shall have
occurred  and  be  continuing.  Each  Standby  Letter  of  Credit  shall  (i) be
denominated  in Dollars  and (ii)  expire no later than the  earlier of the date
which is one year  after the date of  issuance  thereof  and the  Maturity  Date
(provided,  that such Letter of Credit may provide that it may be extended  with
the  consent of the Letter of Credit  Bank for a period of no more than one year
(but in no event beyond the scheduled  Maturity Date)).  Each Documentary Letter
of  Credit  shall  (i)  be  denominated  in  Dollars  or in a  foreign  currency
acceptable  to the  Letter of  Credit  Bank and (ii)  expire  no later  than the
earlier of the date which is 180 days after the date of issuance thereof and the
Maturity Date.

                  (b) Each  Letter of Credit  shall be  subject  to the  Uniform
Customs  and,  to  the  extent  not  inconsistent  therewith,  the  laws  of the
jurisdiction  in which is located  the office of the Letter of Credit  Bank from
which such Letter of Credit is issued.

                  (c)  The  Letter  of  Credit  Bank  shall  not at any  time be
obligated  to issue any  Letter  of  Credit  hereunder  if such  issuance  would
conflict  with,  or cause such Letter of Credit Bank or any L/C  Participant  to
exceed any limits imposed by, any applicable Requirement of Law.

                  (d) The Borrower and each Lender  severally agree that, on the
Closing  Date,  the  letters  of  credit  outstanding  on such date set forth on
Schedule II shall be deemed to be Letters of Credit under this Agreement for all
purposes  hereof;  provided,  that all fees and other  amounts due in respect of
such  outstanding  letters of credit  accruing to but not  including the Closing
Date shall be paid on such date.

                  SECTION 3.2 Procedure  for Issuance of Letters of Credit.  The
Borrower  may from time to time  request  that the Letter of Credit Bank issue a
Letter of Credit by  delivering to the Letter of Credit Bank, at its address for
notices referred to in Section 11.1, an Application  therefor,  completed to the
satisfaction  of the Letter of Credit Bank (which  completion may occur by means
of any electronic  system operated by the Letter of Credit Bank), and such other





<PAGE> 45

certificates, documents and other papers and information as the Letter of Credit
Bank may request.  Each  Application  for a  Documentary  Letter of Credit shall
specify the documents, certificates and any other items required to be presented
as a condition for acceptance of a draft drawn on, or other payment request made
with respect to, the Letter of Credit Bank pursuant to such  Documentary  Letter
of Credit.  Upon  receipt  of any  Application,  the Letter of Credit  Bank will
process such  Application and the  certificates,  documents and other papers and
information  delivered  to it in  connection  therewith in  accordance  with its
customary  procedures,  subject to the terms and conditions  hereof,  and shall,
subject to the terms and conditions hereof,  promptly issue the Letter of Credit
requested  thereby  (but in no event shall the Letter of Credit Bank  (unless it
otherwise  agrees) be  required to issue any Letter of Credit  earlier  than two
Domestic  Business  Days after its receipt of the  Application  therefor and all
such other  certificates,  documents and other papers and  information  relating
thereto)  by issuing the  original  of such Letter of Credit to the  beneficiary
thereof  or as  otherwise  may be  agreed by the  Letter of Credit  Bank and the
Borrower.  The  Letter of Credit  Bank  shall  furnish a copy of such  Letter of
Credit to the Borrower promptly  following the issuance  thereof.  The Letter of
Credit  Bank will  periodically  (but in any event no less often  than  monthly)
report to the Administrative Agent regarding Letter of Credit issuance activity,
and the  Administrative  Agent will periodically (but in any event no less often
than  monthly)  report  to the  Lenders  regarding  Letter  of  Credit  issuance
activity.

                  SECTION 3.3 Fees and Other Charges. (a) The Borrower shall pay
to the  Administrative  Agent, for the account of the Revolving  Lenders,  a fee
with respect to (x) the Standby Letters of Credit in an amount calculated on the
L/C  Obligations  in respect of the Standby  Letters of Credit from time to time
outstanding  during  each  period for which  payment is made at a rate per annum
equal to the L/C Rate then in effect, payable in arrears on each L/C Fee Payment
Date  commencing on the first of such days to occur after the Closing Date,  and
(y) the  Documentary  Letters  of Credit at a rate per annum  equal to 1/2 of 1%
(.50%) on the face amount of each Documentary Letter of Credit, payable (i) when
issued with respect to the period from the date of issuance of such  Documentary
Letter of Credit to the then stated expiration date thereof, (ii) on the date of
any  increase in such face  amount,  from the date of such  increase to the then
stated  expiration date thereof,  and (iii) on the date of any extension of such
Documentary Letter of Credit with respect to the period of such extension.  Such
fees shall be shared  ratably  among the Revolving  Lenders in  accordance  with
their respective Revolving Commitment Percentages and shall be nonrefundable.

                  (b) In addition to the foregoing  fee, the Borrower shall also
pay to the Letter of Credit Bank for its sole benefit (i) such  customary  fees,
costs and expenses in connection with the Letters of Credit as may be separately
agreed to between such Letter of Credit




<PAGE> 46

Bank and the Borrower,  (ii) a fronting fee  calculated at the rate of 1/8 of 1%
per annum on the L/C  Obligations  in respect of the  Standby  Letters of Credit
from time to time  outstanding  during each month in which any Standby Letter of
Credit is outstanding  and (iii) a fronting fee calculated at the rate of 1/4 of
1% (.25%) per annum on the L/C Obligations in respect of Documentary  Letters of
Credit from time to time outstanding  during each month in which any Documentary
Letter of Credit is outstanding.  Such fronting fees shall be payable in arrears
on each L/C Fee  Payment  Date,  commencing  on the  first of such days to occur
after the Closing Date, and shall be nonrefundable.

                  (c) The  Administrative  Agent shall,  promptly  following its
receipt  thereof,   distribute  to  the  Letter  of  Credit  Bank  and  the  L/C
Participants all fees received by the Administrative  Agent for their respective
accounts pursuant to this Section 3.3.

                  SECTION 3.4 L/C  Participation.  (a) The Letter of Credit Bank
irrevocably  agrees to grant and hereby grants to each L/C Participant,  and, to
induce the Letter of Credit Bank to issue Letters of Credit hereunder,  each L/C
Participant  irrevocably  severally  agrees to accept  and  purchase  and hereby
severally accepts and purchases from the Letter of Credit Bank, on the terms and
conditions  hereinafter  stated, for such L/C Participant's own account and risk
an  undivided  interest  equal to such L/C  Participant's  Revolving  Commitment
Percentage  in the Letter of Credit  Bank's  obligations  and rights  under each
Letter of Credit  issued  hereunder by the Letter of Credit Bank and each amount
paid  by  the  Letter  of  Credit   Bank   thereunder.   Each  L/C   Participant
unconditionally and irrevocably  severally agrees with the Letter of Credit Bank
that,  if any  amount is paid under any Letter of Credit for which the Letter of
Credit Bank is not  reimbursed  in full by the Borrower in  accordance  with the
terms of this Agreement,  such L/C Participant  shall pay to the  Administrative
Agent,  for the  account  of the  Letter  of  Credit  Bank,  upon  demand at the
Administrative  Agent's  address for notices  referred  to in Section  11.1,  an
amount equal to such L/C Participant's  Revolving  Commitment  Percentage of the
amount of such payment,  or any part thereof,  which is not so reimbursed;  such
amount shall be due on the Domestic Business Day upon which such demand shall be
given,  if such demand is given at or before 2:00 P.M.,  New York City time,  on
such day and,  if such demand  shall be given later than such time,  such amount
shall be due on the next succeeding  Domestic  Business Day. The  Administrative
Agent  shall  promptly  pay over to the  Letter of Credit  Bank all  amounts  so
received by it.

                  (b) If any amount  required to be paid by any L/C  Participant
to the  Letter of Credit  Bank  pursuant  to  Section  3.4(a) in  respect of any
unreimbursed  portion of any payment made by the Letter of Credit Bank under any
Letter of  Credit is paid to the  Administrative  Agent for the  account  of the
Letter of Credit Bank within three  Domestic  Business  Days after the date such
payment is




<PAGE> 47

due,  such L/C  Participant  shall pay to the Letter of Credit Bank on demand an
amount  equal to the  product of (1) such  amount,  times (2) the daily  average
Federal Funds Rate during the period from and including the date such payment is
required  to the date on which such  payment  is  immediately  available  to the
Letter of Credit Bank, times (3) a fraction the numerator of which is the number
of days that elapsed during such period and the  denominator of which is 360. If
any such amount required to be paid by any L/C  Participant  pursuant to Section
3.4(a) is not in fact made available to the Administrative Agent for the account
of the  Letter of Credit  Bank by such L/C  Participant  within  three  Domestic
Business  Days  after the date such  payment is due,  the Letter of Credit  Bank
shall be entitled to recover from such L/C Participant,  on demand,  such amount
with interest  thereon  calculated from such due date at the rate per annum then
applicable to CIBC  Alternate  Base Rate Loans  hereunder.  A certificate of the
Letter of Credit  Bank  submitted  to any L/C  Participant  with  respect to any
amounts  owing  under this  Section  3.4 shall be  conclusive  in the absence of
manifest  error.  (c) Whenever,  at any time after the Letter of Credit Bank has
made  payment  under  any  Letter  of  Credit  and  has  received  from  any L/C
Participant  its pro rata  share of such  payment  in  accordance  with  Section
3.4(a),  the Letter of Credit Bank receives any payment related to the Letter of
Credit (whether directly from the Borrower or otherwise,  including  proceeds of
Collateral applied thereto by the  Administrative  Agent or the Letter of Credit
Bank), or any payment of interest on account thereof,  the Letter of Credit Bank
will pay to the  Administrative  Agent for  distribution to such L/C Participant
its pro rata share thereof;  provided,  however, that in the event that any such
payment  received  by the Letter of Credit Bank shall be required to be returned
by the Letter of Credit Bank, such L/C Participant shall return to the Letter of
Credit Bank the portion thereof  previously  distributed by the Letter of Credit
Bank to it.

                  SECTION 3.5 Reimbursement  Obligation of the Borrower. (a) The
Borrower agrees to reimburse the Letter of Credit Bank, in Dollars, on each date
on which the Letter of Credit Bank  notifies the Borrower of the date and amount
of a payment by the Letter of Credit Bank of any amount  under a Standby  Letter
of Credit, for the amount of such amount so paid.

                  (b) With respect to each Documentary  Letter of Credit that is
payable in Dollars,  the Borrower  shall  reimburse the Letter of Credit Bank on
demand in  Dollars  for each draft  under or  purporting  to be under,  or other
payment request made with respect to, such Documentary  Letter of Credit, in the
amount  payable  against  such  draft or other  payment  request in time for the
Letter  of  Credit  Bank to pay the  same on such  date.  With  respect  to each
Documentary  Letter of Credit  payable  in  currency  other  than  Dollars,  the
Borrower shall reimburse the Letter of Credit Bank on demand,  in the equivalent
amount paid in Dollars at the Letter of Credit  Bank's




<PAGE> 48

rate of  exchange  then in effect of or the place of payment in the  currency in
which such draft or other payment request is drawn.

                  (c)  Each  payment  pursuant  to this  Section  3.5  shall  be
accompanied  by  payment of an amount  equal to the  amount of any taxes,  fees,
charges or other  costs or  expenses  incurred  by the Letter of Credit  Bank in
connection  with the related Letter of Credit  payments and shall be made to the
Letter of Credit Bank at its address for notices  referred to in Section 11.1 in
Dollars and in immediately available funds.

                  (d) Interest shall be payable on any and all amounts remaining
unpaid by the Borrower  under this Section 3.5 from the date such amounts become
payable (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) until payment
in full at the rate which  would be payable on any  outstanding  CIBC  Alternate
Base Rate Loans which were then overdue.

                  SECTION 3.6 Obligations Absolute.  The Borrower's  obligations
under  this  Section 3 shall be  absolute  and  unconditional  under any and all
circumstances  and  irrespective  of any  set-off,  counterclaim  or  defense to
payment  which the  Borrower  may have or have had  against the Letter of Credit
Bank, the  Administrative  Agent,  any Lender or any  beneficiary of a Letter of
Credit.   The  Borrower  also  agrees  with  the  Letter  of  Credit  Bank,  the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders that none of the Letter of Credit Bank, the
Administrative Agent nor any Lender shall be responsible for, and the Borrower's
Reimbursement  Obligations  under  Section 3.5 shall not be affected  by,  among
other things,  the validity or genuineness  of documents or of any  endorsements
thereon, even though the documents shall in fact prove to be invalid, fraudulent
or forged,  or any dispute  between or among the Borrower and any beneficiary of
any  Letter of Credit or any other  party to which the  Letter of Credit  may be
transferred or any claims  whatsoever of the Borrower against any beneficiary of
the Letter of Credit or any such transferee. The Letter of Credit Bank shall not
be  liable  for any  error,  omission,  interruption  or delay in  transmission,
dispatch  or  delivery  of  any  message  or  advice,  however  transmitted,  in
connection  with any Letter of Credit,  except  for errors or  omissions  caused
solely by the Letter of Credit Bank's gross negligence or willful misconduct, as
determined  by a final order or judgment of a court of  competent  jurisdiction.
The  Borrower  agrees  that any action  taken or omitted by the Letter of Credit
Bank under or in connection  with any Letter of Credit to any related  documents
(if done in the  absence  of gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct,  and in
accordance  with the standards of care set forth in this  Agreement or specified
in the  Uniform  Commercial  Code of the  jurisdiction  in which is located  the
office of the issuer thereof from which such Letter of Credit is issued, in each
case as  determined  by a final  order  or  judgment  of a  court  of  competent
jurisdiction)  shall be  binding  on the  Borrower  and shall not  result in any
liability of the Letter of Credit Bank to the Borrower.





<PAGE> 49

                  SECTION 3.7 Letter of Credit  Payments.  If any draft or other
request for payment shall be presented under any Letter of Credit, the Letter of
Credit Bank shall promptly  notify the Borrower of the date and amount  thereof.
The  responsibility  of the Letter of Credit Bank to the Borrower in  connection
with any draft or other request for payment  presented to it under any Letter of
Credit shall, in addition to any payment  obligation  expressly  provided for in
such Letter of Credit,  be limited to determining that the documents  (including
each draft or request)  delivered under such Letter of Credit in connection with
such presentment are in substantial conformity with such Letter of Credit.

                  SECTION 3.8  Application.  To the extent that any provision of
any  Application  related  to any  Letter  of Credit  is  inconsistent  with the
provisions of this Agreement, the provisions of this Agreement shall apply.

                  SECTION 3.9  Indemnification.  Each  Revolving  Lender  shall,
ratably in accordance with its Revolving  Commitment  Percentage,  indemnify the
Letter of Credit Bank (to the extent not  reimbursed by the Borrower and without
limiting  the  obligation  of the  Borrower to do so) against any cost,  expense
(including  counsel  fees of outside and  in-house  counsel and  disbursements),
claim,  demand,  action,  loss,  damage,  penalty,  judgment,   disbursement  or
liability  (except such as result  solely from the Letter of Credit Bank's gross
negligence or willful misconduct,  as determined by a final order or judgment of
a court of competent  jurisdiction) that the Letter of Credit Bank may suffer or
incur in  connection  with the  issuance  of any  Letter  of Credit  under  this
Agreement or any action taken or omitted by the Letter of Credit Bank hereunder.
The agreements in this Section 3.9 shall survive the payment and  performance of
the Bank Obligations and the termination of this Agreement. Without limiting the
foregoing,  with  respect to the  Existing  Letters of  Credit,  the  agreements
contained in Section 3.9 of the Existing Credit Agreement shall continue in full
force and effect as to the matters covered thereby.

                     SECTION 4. ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT'S FEES

                  SECTION 4.1 Fees. The Borrower shall pay to the Administrative
Agent the fees in the amounts and on the dates specified in the Fee Letter.

                           SECTION 5. GENERAL CREDIT PROVISIONS

                  SECTION 5.1 General  Provisions  as to Payments.  The Borrower
shall  make each  payment  of  principal  of,  and  interest  on,  the Loans and
Reimbursement  Obligations,  and shall pay all commitment fees, letter of credit
fees and all other  amounts  payable  hereunder,  not later than 11:00 A.M. (New
York City time) on the date when due,  in  Dollars  in  Federal  or other  funds
immediately  available  in New York  City,  to the  Administrative  Agent at its





<PAGE> 50

address referred to in Section 11.1. Any such payments which are made later than
11:00 A.M.  (New York City  time)  shall be deemed to have been made on the next
Domestic  Business  Day or  Euro-Dollar  Business  Day,  as the case may be. The
Administrative  Agent will promptly  distribute to each Swingline Lender or each
Lender (as the case may be) its pro rata share of each such payment  received by
the  Administrative  Agent for the account of the  relevant  Lenders  (except as
otherwise agreed among the relevant Lenders).  Whenever any payment of principal
of,  or  interest  on,  the CIBC  Alternate  Base  Rate  Loans or  Reimbursement
Obligations  or of commitment  fees,  letter of credit fees or any other amounts
payable  hereunder  shall be due on a day which is not a Domestic  Business Day,
the date for payment thereof shall be extended to the next  succeeding  Domestic
Business Day.  Whenever any payment of principal of the Euro-Dollar  Loans shall
be due on a day which is not a  Euro-Dollar  Business  Day, the date for payment
thereof shall be extended to the next succeeding Euro-Dollar Business Day unless
such Euro-Dollar Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case the
date for payment thereof shall be the next preceding  Euro-Dollar  Business Day.
If the date for any payment of  principal  is extended  by  operation  of law or
otherwise, interest thereon shall be payable for such extended time.

                  SECTION 5.2 Computation of Interest and Fees. Interest payable
by the Borrower on CIBC Alternate Base Rate Loans accruing  interest at the rate
specified in clause (a) of the definition of "CIBC Alternate Base Rate" shall be
computed  on the  basis of a year of 365 days (or 366 days in a leap  year)  and
paid  for the  actual  number  of days  elapsed  (including  the  first  day but
excluding the last day). Interest payable by the Borrower on CIBC Alternate Base
Loans accruing interest at the rate specified in clause (b) of the definition of
"CIBC  Alternate Base Rate" and on Euro-Dollar  Loans,  as well as the amount of
the Letter of Credit and  commitment  fees,  shall be computed on the basis of a
year of 360 days  and  paid  for the  actual  number  of days  elapsed  from and
including the first day thereof to but excluding the last day thereof.

                  SECTION  5.3  Indemnification  for  Charges.   (a)  Except  as
provided  in the  proviso to the second  sentence  of this  paragraph  (a),  all
payments  made by the  Borrower  hereunder  and under  any of the  other  Credit
Documents shall be made by the Borrower free and clear of, and without reduction
for or on  account  of,  any  present or future  income,  stamp or other  taxes,
levies,  imposts,  duties,  charges,  fees,  deductions or withholdings,  now or
hereafter imposed, levied,  collected,  withheld or assessed by any Governmental
Authority  excluding,  in the case of the Collateral  Agent, the  Administrative
Agent,  the  Co-Agents,  the Letter of Credit Bank and each Lender  (each of the
foregoing, for purposes of this Section 5.3, being hereinafter called a "Charged
Party"),  net income taxes and franchise  taxes based upon net income imposed on
such  Charged  Party by the  jurisdiction  under the laws of which such  Charged
Party is organized or any political  subdivision or taxing authority




<PAGE> 51

thereof or therein or by any  jurisdiction in which any Lender's  Lending Office
is located or any political  subdivision or taxing authority  thereof or therein
(all  such  non-excluded  taxes,  levies,   imposts,   deductions,   charges  or
withholdings being hereinafter called "Charges"). If any Charges are required to
be withheld from any amounts payable to any Charged Party hereunder or under the
other Credit  Documents,  the amounts so payable to such Charged  Party shall be
increased to the extent  necessary to yield to such Charged Party (after payment
of all Charges)  interest or any other  amounts  payable  hereunder or under the
other  Credit  Documents  at the  rates  or in the  amounts  specified  in  this
Agreement and the other Credit Documents;  provided,  however,  that in any case
where a Charged  Party  fails to  provide  the forms or other  documents  to the
Borrower as required by subsection (b) of this Section 5.3 or if the information
contained therein is no longer accurate in any material respect and the Borrower
is, as a result of such failure or inaccuracy, required to withhold Charges from
a payment  hereunder  or under the other Credit  Documents in an amount  greater
than it would have been  required to withhold if such Charged Party had provided
such required forms or other documents or if such information was accurate,  any
additional  sum payable under this sentence shall be computed as if the Borrower
had withheld  such lesser  amount  unless the reason for such failure to deliver
such forms or other  documents or the reason for such  inaccuracy is a change in
United States  federal  income tax law  (including  any  regulation or amendment
thereto, or official  interpretation  thereof, any modification or revocation of
an applicable  tax treaty or any change in the official  position  regarding the
interpretation  thereof)  occurring after the date hereof.  Whenever any Charges
are payable by the Borrower,  the Borrower shall, as promptly as possible,  send
to the  Administrative  Agent for the account of such Charged Party, a certified
copy of an original  official  receipt  received by the Borrower showing payment
thereof.  If the Borrower  fails to pay any Charges when due to the  appropriate
taxing  authority  or fails to remit to the  Administrative  Agent the  required
receipts or other required  documentary  evidence,  the Borrower shall indemnify
the  Administrative  Agent and the other  Charged  Parties  for any  incremental
taxes, interest or penalties that may become payable by the Administrative Agent
or any Charged Party as a result of any such failure.

                  (b) Each Charged  Party that is not a United  States Person as
such term is defined in  ss.7701(a)(30)  of the Code (a "United States  Person")
shall complete and deliver to the Borrower, prior to the date on which the first
payment  to such  Charged  Party is due  hereunder,  a duly  certified  Internal
Revenue Service Form 1001 in duplicate  claiming that it is entitled to complete
exemption from United States withholding tax under an income tax treaty to which
the United States is a party or a duly certified  Internal  Revenue Service Form
4224 in duplicate claiming that the payments to be received under this Agreement
are  effectively  connected  with the  conduct  of a trade or  business  of such
Charged Party in the United States,  as appropriate.  Each Charged Party further
agrees to




<PAGE> 52

complete  and  deliver  to the  Borrower  from  time  to  time  (to  the  extent
permissible  under  then  current  law)  any  successor  or  additional  form or
certificate required by the Internal Revenue Service in order to secure complete
exemption from United States  withholding tax. If for any reason during the term
of this  Agreement,  a Charged  Party  becomes  unable  to  submit  the forms or
certificate  referred to above or the information or  representations  contained
therein is no longer accurate in any material respect,  such Charged Party shall
notify the Administrative Agent and the Borrower in writing to that effect.

                  (c)  Each  Charged  Party  agrees  to use  reasonable  efforts
(including,  in the case of a Lender,  reasonable  efforts to change its Lending
Office) to avoid the  imposition  of any  Charges  in  respect  of any  payments
hereunder or under other Credit Documents or to minimize any amounts which might
otherwise be payable pursuant to this Section 5.3; provided,  however, that such
efforts shall not cause the  imposition on such Charged Party of any  additional
costs or legal or regulatory burden deemed by such Charged Party to be material.

                  (d)  If the  Borrower  makes  any  additional  payment  to any
Charged Party  pursuant to this Section 5.3 in respect of any Charges,  and such
Charged  Party  determines  that it has received (i) a refund of such Charges or
(ii) a credit  against or relief or remission  for, or a reduction in the amount
of, any tax or other governmental  charge solely as a result of any deduction or
credit for any Charges with respect to which it has received payments under this
Section 5.3, such Charged  Party shall,  to the extent that it can do so without
prejudice  to the  retention  of  such  refund,  credit,  relief,  remission  or
reduction,  pay to the  Borrower  such amount as such  Charged  Party shall have
determined to be  attributable  to the deduction or withholding of such Charges.
If such Charged Party later  determines that it was not entitled to such refund,
credit,  relief,  remission  or reduction to the full extent of any payment made
pursuant to the first sentence of this  subsection  (d), the Borrower shall upon
demand of such Charged Party promptly repay the amount of such overpayment.  Any
determination  made by such Charged Party pursuant to this  subsection (d) shall
in the absence of manifest error be conclusive,  and nothing in this  subsection
(d) shall be construed as requiring the Charged Party to conduct its business or
to arrange or alter in any  respect its tax or  financial  affairs so that it is
entitled to receive such a refund, credit or reduction or as allowing any Person
to inspect any records, including tax returns, of any Charged Party.

                  (e)  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  with  respect  to the
Existing  Obligations,  the agreements  contained in Section 5.3 of the Existing
Credit  Agreement  shall  continue  in full force and  effect as to the  matters
covered thereby.






<PAGE> 53

                  SECTION 5.4 Capital Adequacy. (a) If the Letter of Credit Bank
or any Lender shall have  determined  that the adoption after the date hereof of
any applicable law, rule or regulation regarding capital adequacy, or any change
after the date  hereof  therein,  or any  change  after  the date  hereof in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority,  central
bank or comparable  agency  charged with the  interpretation  or  administration
thereof,  or  compliance  by the  Letter of Credit  Bank or any  Lender  (or its
Lending  Office)  with any  request  or  directive  regarding  capital  adequacy
(whether or not having the force of law) of any such authority,  central bank or
comparable  agency made  subsequent  to the date  hereof,  has or would have the
effect of  reducing  the rate of return on the  Letter of Credit  Bank's or such
Lender's capital as a consequence of its obligations  hereunder to a level below
that which the Letter of Credit Bank or such Lender could have  achieved but for
such adoption,  change or compliance  (taking into  consideration  the Letter of
Credit Bank's or such Lender's  policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an
amount  deemed by the Letter of Credit Bank or such Lender to be material,  then
from time to time,  within 45 days after  demand by the Letter of Credit Bank or
such Lender (with a copy to the Administrative Agent), the Borrower shall pay to
the Letter of Credit Bank or such Lender  such  additional  amount or amounts as
will  compensate the Letter of Credit Bank or such Lender on an after-tax  basis
for such reduction.

                  (b) The Letter of Credit Bank and each  Lender  will  promptly
notify the  Borrower and the  Administrative  Agent of any event of which it has
knowledge,  occurring  after the date hereof,  which would entitle the Letter of
Credit  Bank or such Lender to  compensation  pursuant  to this  Section  5.4. A
certificate  of the Letter of Credit  Bank or any Lender  claiming  compensation
under this Section 5.4 and setting forth the additional  amount or amounts to be
paid to it hereunder  shall be conclusive in the absence of manifest  error.  In
determining  such  amount,  the Letter of Credit Bank or such Lender may use any
reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

                  (c)  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  with  respect  to the
Existing  obligations,  the agreements  contained in Section 5.4 of the Existing
Credit  Agreement  shall  continue  in full force and  effect as to the  matters
covered thereby.

                  SECTION 5.5 Funding Losses.  If the Borrower makes any payment
of principal with respect to any Euro-Dollar Loan (pursuant to Section 2.8, 2.9,
5.8,  9.1 or  otherwise)  on (i) any day other than the last day of the Interest
Period  applicable  thereto or (ii) on the last day of any Interest Period which
has been  shortened  by  operation  of clause  (c) or (d) of the  definition  of
"Interest  Period",  or if the Borrower fails to borrow,  convert to or continue
any  Euro-Dollar  Loan after  notice has been given to any Lender in  accordance
with Section  2.3(a) or Section  2.10(a) or (b) as the case




<PAGE> 54

may be, the Borrower  shall  reimburse  each  affected  Lender on demand for any
resulting loss or expense (including, without limitation,  administrative costs)
incurred  by  it  (or  by  any  existing  or  prospective  participant  in  such
Euro-Dollar  Loan),   including  (without   limitation)  any  loss  incurred  in
obtaining,  liquidating or employing deposits from third parties,  but excluding
loss of margin  for the  period  after any such  payment  or  failure to borrow,
convert or  continue;  provided,  that such Lender  shall have  delivered to the
Borrower  a  certificate  as to the  amount  of  such  loss  or  expense,  which
certificate  shall be  conclusive  in the  absence of  manifest  error.  Without
limiting the effect of the preceding sentence,  such reimbursement shall include
an amount  equal to the  excess,  if any,  of (i) the amount of  interest  which
otherwise  would have accrued on the  principal  amount so paid,  prepaid or not
borrowed,  converted or continued  for the period from the date of such payment,
prepayment,  or failure to borrow,  convert or  continue  to the last day of the
then current Interest Period (or, in the case of an Interest Period shortened by
operation of clause (c) or (d) of the definition of "Interest Period",  the last
day of the Interest  Period  which would have  applied but for the  operation of
such clause (c) or (d)) for such  Euro-Dollar Loan (or, in the case of a failure
to borrow,  convert or continue,  the Interest Period for such  Euro-Dollar Loan
which would have commenced on the date specified for such borrowing,  conversion
or  continuation)  at the applicable rate of interest for such  Euro-Dollar Loan
provided for herein  (excluding  the  Applicable  Margin) over (ii) the interest
component of the amount such Lender (or any corporation controlling such Lender)
would have bid in the London  interbank  market for Dollar  deposits  of leading
banks in  amounts  comparable  to such  principal  amount  and  with  maturities
comparable to such period (as reasonably determined by such Lender).

             Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  with  respect  to the  Existing
obligations,  the  agreements  contained in Section 5.5 of the  Existing  Credit
Agreement  shall  continue  in full force and effect as to the  matters  covered
thereby.

                  SECTION 5.6 Right of Set-off. Whenever any amount owing to any
Secured Party (other than the Merchandise Letter of Credit Bank) by the Borrower
shall  not be  paid  when  due  (whether  at the  stated  maturity  thereof,  by
acceleration or otherwise),  such Secured Party is hereby authorized at any time
and from time to time,  to the fullest  extent  permitted by law, to (i) set off
against  or sell  any and all  monies,  securities  and  other  property  of the
Borrower and the proceeds  thereof,  now or hereafter held or received by, or in
transit  to,  such  Secured  Party  from  or  for  the  Borrower,   whether  for
safekeeping,  custody,  pledge,  transmission,  collection  or otherwise and all
deposits (general or special, time or demand,  provisional or final) at any time
held and other  indebtedness  at any time owing by such Secured  Party to or for
the credit or the  account of the  Borrower  and the  proceeds  thereof and (ii)
apply any of the foregoing property or the proceeds thereof against such overdue
amount. Without limiting any other security interest granted




<PAGE> 55

pursuant to the  Security  Documents,  the Borrower  hereby  grants to each such
Secured  Party a security  interest  in all of the  property  described  in this
Section 5.6,  which the Borrower has  authorized  such Secured  Party to set off
against or sell,  to secure the payment in full and  performance  of the Secured
Obligations.  Each such Secured Party agrees promptly to notify the Borrower and
the  Administrative  Agent after any such set-off and  application  made by such
Lender;  provided,  that the  failure to give such  notice  shall not affect the
validity of such set-off and  application.  Subject to the provisions of Section
11.4,  the  rights of each such  Secured  Party  under this  Section  5.6 are in
addition to all other rights and remedies (including,  without limitation, other
rights of set-off) which such Secured Party may have.

                  SECTION 5.7 Basis for Determining  Interest Rate Inadequate or
Unfair. If on or prior to the first day of any Interest Period with respect to a
Euro-Dollar Borrowing:

                  (a) the  Administrative  Agent is advised  by the  Euro-Dollar
Reference  Bank that  deposits in Dollars (in the  applicable  amounts)  are not
being offered to the Euro-Dollar  Reference Bank in the relevant market for such
Interest Period, or

                  (b) Lenders having 50% or more of the aggregate  amount of (i)
the  Commitments  or (ii)  the  Term  Loans,  as the  case  may be,  advise  the
Administrative Agent, for purposes of this Section 5.7, that the Adjusted London
Interbank  Offered  Rate as  determined  by the  Administrative  Agent  will not
adequately  and  fairly  reflect  the  cost to such  Lenders  of  funding  their
Euro-Dollar  Loans for such  Interest  Period  (other  than,  in the case of any
Lender, as a result of a deterioration in the  creditworthiness of such Lender),
the Administrative Agent shall forthwith give notice thereof to the Borrower and
the Lenders, whereupon until the Administrative Agent notifies the Borrower that
the  circumstances   giving  rise  to  such  suspension  no  longer  exist,  the
obligations of the Lenders maintaining any of the Commitments or the Term Loans,
as the case may be, to make  Euro-Dollar  Loans,  or to continue or convert into
Euro-Dollar  Loans of the  applicable  type pursuant to Section  2.10,  shall be
suspended;   provided,   however,   that  unless  the   Borrower   notifies  the
Administrative  Agent at least two Euro-Dollar  Business Days before the date of
any  Euro-Dollar  Borrowing for which a Notice of Borrowing has previously  been
given that it elects not to borrow on such date, such Borrowing shall be made as
a CIBC Alternate Base Rate Borrowing.

                  SECTION 5.8 Illegality. If the adoption after the date of this
Agreement of any  applicable  law, rule or  regulation,  or any change after the
date of this Agreement  therein,  or any change after the date of this Agreement
in the interpretation or administration  thereof by any Governmental  Authority,
central  bank  or  comparable   agency  charged  with  the   interpretation   or
administration  thereof, or compliance by any Lender (or its Euro-Dollar Lending
Office) with




<PAGE> 56

any  request or  directive  (whether or not having the force of law) of any such
authority,  central  bank or  comparable  agency  made  after  the  date of this
Agreement  shall  make  it  unlawful  or  impossible  for  any  Lender  (or  its
Euro-Dollar  Lending Office) to make, maintain or fund its Euro-Dollar Loans and
such Lender shall so notify the Administrative  Agent, the Administrative  Agent
shall  forthwith  give notice  thereof to the other  Lenders  and the  Borrower,
whereupon until such Lender notifies the Borrower and the  Administrative  Agent
that the  circumstances  giving rise to such  suspension  no longer  exist,  the
obligation of such Lender to make Euro-Dollar  Loans shall be suspended.  Before
giving any notice to the Administrative Agent pursuant to this Section 5.8, such
Lender  shall  designate  a  different   Euro-Dollar   Lending  Office  if  such
designation  will avoid the need for  giving  such  notice and will not,  in the
judgment of such Lender,  be otherwise  disadvantageous  to such Lender. If such
Lender shall  determine  that it may not lawfully  continue to maintain and fund
any of its outstanding  Euro-Dollar Loans to the maturity of the Interest Period
with  respect to such Loans and shall so specify in such  notice,  the  Borrower
shall immediately  prepay in full the then outstanding  principal amount of each
such  Euro-Dollar  Loan,  together with accrued interest thereon and any amounts
payable  pursuant  to  Section  5.5.   Concurrently  with  prepaying  each  such
Euro-Dollar  Loan, the Borrower shall borrow a CIBC Alternate Base Rate Loan, in
an equal  principal  amount from such Lender (on which  interest  and  principal
shall be payable  contemporaneously  with the related  Euro-Dollar  Loans of the
other Lenders), and such Lender shall make such a CIBC Alternate Base Rate Loan.

                  SECTION  5.9  Increased  Cost and Reduced  Return.  (a) If the
adoption after the date hereof of any applicable law, rule or regulation, or any
change after the date hereof therein, or any change after the date hereof in the
interpretation or administration thereof by any Governmental Authority,  central
bank or comparable  agency  charged with the  interpretation  or  administration
thereof,  or  compliance  by the  Letter of Credit  Bank or any  Lender  (or its
Lending  Office) with any request or directive  (whether or not having the force
of law) of any such authority,  central bank or comparable agency made after the
date hereof:

                  (i) shall  subject the Letter of Credit Bank or any Lender (or
         its Lending  Office) to any tax,  duty or other  charge with respect to
         its  Euro-Dollar  Loans,  its  Notes,  any  Letter  of  Credit  or  its
         obligation to participate in the Letters of Credit,  any Application or
         its obligation to make Euro-Dollar  Loans, or shall change the basis of
         taxation of payments to the Letter of Credit Bank or any Lender (or its
         Lending  Office) of the  principal  of or interest  on its  Euro-Dollar
         Loans or any other  amounts due under this  Agreement in respect of its
         Euro-Dollar  Loans or its obligation to make Euro-Dollar Loans or issue
         or participate in the Letters of Credit (except for changes in the rate
         of tax on the  overall  net income of the Letter of Credit Bank or such
         Lender or its Lending Office




<PAGE> 57

         imposed by the jurisdiction in which such Lender's principal  executive
         office or Lending Office is located); or

                  (ii) shall  impose,  modify or deem  applicable  any  reserve,
         special deposit or similar requirement (including,  without limitation,
         any such  requirement  imposed by the Board of Governors of the Federal
         Reserve  System,  but  excluding  any such  requirement  included in an
         applicable  Euro-Dollar Reserve Percentage) against assets of, deposits
         with or for the account of, or credit extended by, the Letter of Credit
         Bank or any  Lender  (or its  Lending  Office)  or shall  impose on the
         Letter of Credit Bank or any Lender (or its  Lending  Office) or on the
         London interbank  market any other condition  affecting its Euro-Dollar
         Loans,  its  Notes,  any  Letter  of  Credit,  any  Application  or its
         obligation to make  Euro-Dollar  Loans or to participate in the Letters
         of Credit;

and the result of any of the  foregoing is to increase the cost to the Letter of
Credit Bank or such Lender (or its Lending  Office) of making or maintaining any
Euro-Dollar Loan or issuing or participating in Letters of Credit,  or to reduce
the amount of any sum  received  or  receivable  by such  Lender (or its Lending
Office)  under  this  Agreement,  under its Notes with  respect  thereto or with
respect to such Letters of Credit,  by an amount  deemed by the Letter of Credit
Bank or such Lender to be material,  then,  within  fifteen days after demand by
the  Letter of Credit  Bank or such  Lender  (with a copy to the  Administrative
Agent),  the Borrower shall pay to the Letter of Credit Bank or such Lender such
additional  amount or amounts as will  compensate  the Letter of Credit  Bank or
such Lender on an after-tax basis for such increased cost or reduction.

                  (b) The Letter of Credit Bank and each  Lender  will  promptly
notify the  Borrower and the  Administrative  Agent of any event of which it has
knowledge,  occurring  after the date hereof,  which will entitle such Lender to
compensation pursuant to this Section 5.9 and will designate a different Lending
Office if such  designation  will  avoid the need for,  or reduce the amount of,
such  compensation  and will not, in the judgment of such  Lender,  be otherwise
disadvantageous  to such Lender.  A certificate  of the Letter of Credit Bank or
any Lender  claiming  compensation  under this Section 5.9 and setting forth the
additional  amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder  shall be conclusive in
the absence of manifest error. In determining such amount,  the Letter of Credit
Bank and such Lender may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

                  (c)  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  with  respect  to the
Existing  Obligations,  the agreements  contained in Section 5.9 of the Existing
Credit  Agreement  shall  continue  in full force and  effect as to the  matters
covered thereby.






<PAGE> 58

                  SECTION 5.10 CIBC  Alternate Base Rate Loans  Substituted  for
Affected  Euro-Dollar  Loans.  If (i)  the  obligation  of any  Lender  to  make
Euro-Dollar Loans has been suspended  pursuant to Section 5.8 or (ii) any Lender
has demanded  compensation  under Section 5.9(a),  and the Borrower shall, by at
least five  Euro-Dollar  Business  Days' prior notice to such Lender through the
Administrative  Agent,  have  elected that the  provisions  of this Section 5.10
shall apply to such  Lender,  then,  unless and until such Lender  notifies  the
Borrower  that the  circumstances  giving rise to such  suspension or demand for
compensation no longer apply:

                  (a) all Loans which would  otherwise be made by such Lender as
Euro-Dollar  Loans shall be made instead as CIBC  Alternate  Base Rate Loans (on
which interest and principal shall be payable contemporaneously with the related
Euro-Dollar Loans of the other Lenders), and

                  (b) after each of its Euro-Dollar  Loans has been repaid,  all
payments of principal which would otherwise be applied to repay such Euro-Dollar
Loans shall be applied to repay its CIBC Alternate Base Rate Loans instead.

                         SECTION 6. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

                  SECTION  6.1  Revolving  Loans  and  Letters  of  Credit.  The
obligation of each Revolving  Lender to make a Revolving Loan and the obligation
of the Letter of Credit Bank to issue,  and the L/C  Participants to participate
in,  any  Letter  of  Credit,  is  subject  to the  satisfaction  of each of the
following conditions precedent on the relevant Borrowing Date:

                  (a)  receipt  by  the  Administrative  Agent  of a  Notice  of
Borrowing  as required by Section 2.3 or, with  respect to the  issuance of such
Letter of Credit, receipt by the Letter of Credit Bank of an Application and the
other materials required by Section 3.2;

                  (b) at the time of and  immediately  after such  Borrowing  or
issuance, as the case may be, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing;

                  (c) the  representations and warranties of the Borrower or any
of its  Subsidiaries,  as the case may be,  contained in this  Agreement and the
other Credit Documents shall be true and correct in all material respects on and
as of the date such  extension of credit was requested and on and as of the date
of such Borrowing or issuance; and

                  (d) receipt by the  Administrative  Agent of a certificate  of
the chief executive officer,  the president,  the chief financial  officer,  the
vice  president-controller,  the assistant  treasurer or the cash manager of the
Borrower,  in the relevant Notice of




<PAGE> 59

Borrowing or  Application,  certifying as to the  satisfaction of the conditions
set  forth in  subsections  (b) and (c) on and as of the date of such  Notice of
Borrowing or Application and on and as of the relevant Borrowing Date.

                  SECTION 6.2  Conditions to  Effectiveness  of this  Agreement,
Initial Loans and Letters of Credit.  The  effectiveness of this Agreement,  the
obligation of each Restructuring  Lender to make or restructure its Loans on the
Closing  Date and to  participate  in the Letters of Credit  outstanding  on the
Closing  Date and of the Letter of Credit  Bank to issue any Letter of Credit on
the  Closing  Date are subject to the  satisfaction  or waiver by the Lenders of
each of the conditions contained in Sections 6.1(b), (c) and (d) and each of the
following conditions precedent:

                  (a)  receipt by the  Administrative  Agent for the  account of
each Lender of duly executed Notes, each dated the Closing Date,  complying with
the provisions of Section 2.4;

                  (b)  receipt  by the  Administrative  Agent of fully  executed
copies of each of the Security  Documents (other than any Mortgages not required
to be delivered pursuant to Section 6.2(q));

                  (c) receipt by the Administrative Agent of (i) UCC-1 Financing
Statements executed on behalf of the Borrower for filing in all jurisdictions in
which it would be  necessary  or  desirable to make a filing in order to provide
the  Collateral  Agent (for its benefit and the benefit of the Secured  Parties)
with a perfected  security interest in the Collateral and evidence of the filing
of such UCC-1  Financing  Statements in all  jurisdictions  in which it would be
necessary  to provide the  Collateral  Agent (for its benefit and the benefit of
the Secured Parties) with a perfected security interest in substantially all the
Inventory; and (ii) UCC-11 searches reflecting that no filings relating to Liens
on the Collateral  are of record in such  jurisdictions  except those  permitted
under the Credit Documents;

                  (d) the New Cash  Management  Bank and the Borrower shall have
entered into  arrangements  providing for the New Cash Management Bank to assume
responsibility for the Borrower's primary cash management operations;

                  (e)  receipt by the  Administrative  Agent of (i) a  favorable
signed opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Blackwell,  Sanders, Matheny, Weary &
Lombardi,  L.C., counsel for the Borrower,  substantially in the form of Exhibit
J-1,  and  covering  such  additional   matters  relating  to  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby as the Lenders  may  reasonably  request,  (ii) a favorable
signed  opinion,  dated the Closing  Date,  of Wachtell,  Lipton,  Rosen & Katz,
special New York counsel for the Borrower,  substantially in the form of Exhibit
J-2,  and  covering  such  additional   matters  relating  to  the  transactions
contemplated  hereby as the Lenders may reasonably




<PAGE> 60

request  and (iii)  such  other  favorable  signed  opinions  of  counsel as the
Administrative Agent or its counsel may request;

                  (f)  receipt  by  the   Administrative   Agent  of  a  Closing
Certificate signed by an executive officer of the Borrower, substantially in the
form of Exhibit K, with appropriate  insertions and attachments  satisfactory in
form and substance to the Administrative Agent;

                  (g) receipt by the  Administrative  Agent of all  documents it
may  reasonably  request  relating  to the  existence  of the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries,  the corporate  authority for and the validity of this  Agreement,
the Notes and the other Credit Documents,  and any other matters relevant hereto
(including,   without   limitation,   certified   resolutions   and   incumbency
certificates),  all in form and  substance  satisfactory  to the  Administrative
Agent;

                  (h)  there  shall not have  occurred  since  May 25,  1996,  a
material adverse change, or development or event involving a prospective change,
which, in the reasonable judgment of the Lenders,  could have a material adverse
effect on (i) the  assets,  liabilities,  properties,  business,  operations  or
condition,  financial  or  otherwise,  or  prospects  of the  Borrower  and  its
Subsidiaries,  taken  as a whole,  (ii)  the  ability  of the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries to perform their obligations  under the Credit Documents,  or (iii)
the rights and remedies of the Collateral Agent, the  Administrative  Agent, the
Letter of Credit Bank or the Lenders under the Credit Documents, and none of the
Administrative  Agent,  the Collateral  Agent,  the Letter of Credit Bank or any
Lender  shall  have  become  aware  of any  theretofore  previously  undisclosed
materially  adverse  information  with  respect  to  the  matters  described  in
subclause (i), (ii) or (iii) of this clause (h);

                  (i)  all   transactions   contemplated   hereby  shall  be  in
compliance  with and permitted by all  applicable  laws and  regulations  of the
United States and all laws and  regulations  of each state  (including,  without
limitation,  environmental  laws) except where such noncompliance or prohibition
could not reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect;

                  (j) there shall be no  actions,  suits or  proceedings  by any
Governmental  Authority or other  Person or  investigation  by any  Governmental
Authority or other Person pending or known by the Borrower to be threatened with
respect  to  the  Borrower  or  any  of its  Subsidiaries  or  (relating  to the
transactions  contemplated  hereunder) the Administrative  Agent, the Collateral
Agent,  the  Co-Agents,  the Letter of Credit  Bank or any  Lender,  which could
reasonably be expected to have a Materially  Adverse  Effect;  there shall be no
judgment,   order,   injunction  or  other  restraint  prohibiting  any  of  the
transactions contemplated by any of the Credit Documents;






<PAGE> 61

                  (k)   receipt  by  the   Administrative   Agent  of   evidence
satisfactory  to  the  Administrative   Agent  that  all  fees  payable  to  the
Administrative  Agent,  the Collateral  Agent, the Letter of Credit Bank and the
Lenders shall have been paid in full on or prior to the Closing Date,  including
without  limitation  the  Amendment  Fee, the  Swingline  Facility Fee, the fees
required  to be paid  pursuant  to  Section  3.1(d)  and the Fee  Letter and the
accrued and unpaid reasonable fees and expenses of the Administrative  Agent and
the  Lenders  (including,  without  limitation,  the fees and  disbursements  of
Zalkin,  Rodin & Goodman LLP  ("ZR&G"),  special  counsel to the  Administrative
Agent and the Collateral  Agent,  and Ernst & Young LLP,  financial  advisors to
ZR&G,  Emmet,   Marvin  &  Martin  LLP,  special  real  estate  counsel  to  the
Administrative  Agent and the Collateral Agent and any special local real estate
or patent and trademark counsel to the  Administrative  Agent and the Collateral
Agent);

                  (l)  receipt by the  Administrative  Agent and the  Collateral
Agent of this Agreement duly executed and delivered by the Co-Agents, the Letter
of Credit Bank, all of the Lenders and the Borrower;

                  (m)  receipt  by the  Administrative  Agent  of all  necessary
consents  and  waivers  of third  parties,  if any,  each in form and  substance
satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

                  (n) to the extent  available,  receipt  by the  Administrative
Agent and the Collateral  Agent of original  certificates  of insurance and loss
payee and  additional  insured  insurance  endorsements,  in form and  substance
satisfactory to the Administrative  Agent and the Collateral Agent, with respect
to the  insurance  coverage  required  pursuant to Section 8.3 and  described on
Schedule  IV  (it  being  understood  that  any  documentation  remaining  to be
delivered hereunder shall be delivered in accordance with Section 8.32);

                  (o) to the  extent  available  and  not  previously  provided,
receipt by the  Administrative  Agent of the original  certificates of title for
vehicles  pledged  to  the  Collateral  Agent  (it  being  understood  that  any
documentation  remaining  to  be  delivered  hereunder  shall  be  delivered  in
accordance with Section 8.32);

                  (p)  receipt  by  the  Administrative   Agent  of  such  other
documents and  agreements as may be reasonably  requested by the  Administrative
Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent,  the  Lenders  or ZR&G in  connection  with  the
financing contemplated hereunder; and

                  (q) to the extent  available,  receipt  by the  Administrative
Agent of executed  Mortgages with respect to each Available  Property  listed on
Schedule  III,  together  with the  Title  Policies  and  Surveys  for each such
Mortgage and the payment of all fees relating thereto and evidence of the filing
of Mortgages with respect to each Available  Property  listed on Schedule III in
the




<PAGE> 62

appropriate  filing  or  recording  offices  and the  payment  of all  taxes and
recording fees relating thereto.

                  SECTION 6.3 Swingline  Loans. The obligation of each Swingline
Lender to make a Swingline  Loan is subject to the  satisfaction  of each of the
conditions  precedent  contained  in  Section  6.1  and  each  of the  following
additional conditions precedent on the relevant Borrowing Date:

                  (a)      the Borrower shall have Required Inventory;

                  (b) the proceeds of the  Swingline  Loans shall be used solely
to purchase  Inventory or to pay  specified  invoices  attached to the Swingline
Compliance Certificate which evidence accounts payable arising from the purchase
of Inventory; and

                  (c)  receipt  by  the  Administrative  Agent  of  a  Swingline
Compliance Certificate.

                    SECTION 7. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  To induce the Lenders to enter into this Agreement and to make
and restructure the Loans, and to induce the Letter of Credit Bank to issue, and
the L/C  Participants  to  participate  in, the Letters of Credit,  the Borrower
makes the following  representations and warranties,  all of which shall survive
the execution and delivery of this Agreement and the making and restructuring of
the Loans and the issuance of the Letters of Credit:

                  SECTION 7.1 Corporate Existence and Power. The Borrower is (a)
a corporation duly incorporated, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of  Iowa,  and has all  corporate  powers  and all  governmental  licenses,
authorizations,  consents and approvals required to carry on its business as now
conducted  and  as  proposed  to  be  conducted,   except  for  such   licenses,
authorizations, consents and approvals which could not reasonably be expected to
have a Materially Adverse Effect if not obtained, and (b) has duly qualified and
is authorized to do business and is in good standing in all jurisdictions  where
the failure to do so could  reasonably be expected to have a Materially  Adverse
Effect.

                  SECTION 7.2 Corporate  Power and  Authority.  The Borrower has
the  power  and  authority  to  execute,  deliver  and  carry  out the terms and
provisions of each of the Credit Documents (including,  without limitation,  the
granting  of any  Liens  contemplated  thereby)  to which it is,  or is to be, a
party.  The Borrower has taken all necessary  action to authorize the execution,
delivery and  performance of each of the Credit  Documents to which it is, or is
to be, a party. Each Credit Document when executed and delivered by the Borrower
will  constitute  the  legal,  valid  and  binding  obligation  of the  Borrower
enforceable in accordance with its terms.






<PAGE> 63

                  SECTION 7.3 No Violation. Neither the execution or delivery by
the Borrower of any of the Credit  Documents to which it either is, or is to be,
a  party,  nor the  performance  of or  compliance  with  any of the  terms  and
provisions thereof, nor the consummation of any of the transactions contemplated
therein  (a) has  contravened  or will  contravene  any  provision  of any  law,
statute, rule or regulation, including, without limitation, Rule 13e-3 under the
Exchange Act, or any other law, statute,  rule or regulation or any order, writ,
injunction or decree of any other Governmental Authority,  (b) has conflicted or
been inconsistent with or will conflict or be inconsistent with, or has resulted
in or will result in any breach of, any of the terms,  covenants,  conditions or
provisions of, or has constituted or will constitute  (with or without notice or
lapse of time or both) a default under, any indenture,  mortgage, deed of trust,
agreement or other  instrument to which the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries
is a party, or any of their property or assets are bound or to which any of them
may be subject,  the  contravention of which, when taken together with any other
such  contraventions,  could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse
Effect or (c) result in the  creation or  imposition  of (or the  obligation  to
create or impose),  any Lien upon any of the  property or assets of the Borrower
or any of its  Subsidiaries  pursuant to the terms of any  indenture,  mortgage,
deed of trust, agreement or other instrument to which the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  is a party or by which they or any of their property of assets are
bound or to which any of them may be subject (other than as  contemplated by the
Security  Documents)  or (d) has violated or will  violate any  provision of the
Restated  Articles  of  Incorporation  or by-laws of the  Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries.

                  SECTION 7.4 Margin Regulations. No part of the proceeds of the
Loans  will be used to  purchase  or carry  any  Margin  Stock in  violation  of
Regulation U or  Regulation G or to extend  credit for the purpose of purchasing
or carrying  any Margin Stock in violation  of  Regulation  U or  Regulation  G.
Neither the making of any Loan hereunder,  nor the use of the proceeds  thereof,
will violate or be  inconsistent  with the provisions of Regulation G, T, U or X
of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

                  SECTION  7.5  Approvals.   Except  for  those   registrations,
consents,  waivers,  approvals,   notices  and  actions  with  any  Governmental
Authority or other Person which have been obtained,  given, filed or taken prior
to the Closing Date (complete and correct copies of which have been delivered to
the  Administrative  Agent),  the  execution,  delivery and  performance  by the
Borrower  of the  Credit  Documents  to  which  it  is,  or is to  be,  a  party
(including,  without  limitation,  the application of the proceeds of the Loans)
did not, do not and will not require any registration with, consent or waiver or
approval  of, or notice to, or other  action to,  with or by, any (i) federal or
Iowa Governmental  Authority or (ii) other  Governmental  Authority or any other
Person,




<PAGE> 64

where the failure so to obtain,  give, file or take could reasonably be expected
to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 7.6 Investment  Company Act; etc. Neither the Borrower
nor any of its  Subsidiaries  will be after  giving  effect to the  transactions
contemplated  hereby or any borrowing or the issuance of any Letter of Credit to
be made hereunder (x) an "investment  company" or a company  "controlled"  by an
"investment company",  within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940,
as amended or (y) subject to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company
Act of 1935,  the Federal Power Act or any foreign,  federal or local statute or
regulation  limiting  its ability to incur  indebtedness  for money  borrowed or
guarantee  such  indebtedness  as  contemplated  hereby or by any  other  Credit
Document.

                  SECTION  7.7  True  and  Complete  Disclosure.  All  financial
information  heretofore  or  contemporaneously  furnished by or on behalf of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary,  and all other such information  hereafter furnished
by or on behalf of the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including, without limitation
in  each  case,  all  information  contained  in  any of  the  Credit  Documents
(including  the  exhibits  or  schedules  thereto),  to  or  on  behalf  of  the
Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Agents,  the Letter of Credit
Bank or any Lender,  is and will be, true and accurate in all material  respects
on the date as of which such  information is dated or certified  (except for any
projections  included therein,  which projections shall have provided reasonable
estimations of future performance for the periods covered thereby subject to the
uncertainty and approximation inherent in any projections) and not incomplete by
omitting to state anything  necessary to make such information not misleading at
such time except to the extent  later  information  could  reasonably  have been
expected  to  supersede  earlier  information.  There is  nothing  of which  the
Borrower  is aware  which could  reasonably  be  expected  to have a  Materially
Adverse  Effect which has not been  disclosed  pursuant to this  Agreement.  All
statements of fact and  representations  concerning the present and  anticipated
business, operations and assets of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, the Credit
Documents  and  the  transactions  referred  to  therein  and in  the  opinions,
memoranda and rulings  contained  therein,  are true and correct in all material
respects,  and all  assumptions  with  respect  thereto  contained  therein  are
reasonable in all material  respects,  each as of the date such  information  is
dated or certified.

SECTION 7.8  Subsidiaries.  Schedule V, as amended by the Borrower  from time to
time, contains a true, correct and complete description of each Subsidiary,  its
capitalization, its jurisdiction of incorporation, each jurisdiction in which it
is doing business,  and its ownership (by holder and percentage interest).  Each
Subsidiary is a corporation duly  incorporated,  validly  existing,  and in good
standing  under  the  laws  of its  jurisdiction  of  incorporation  and has all
corporate powers and all material governmental licenses,




<PAGE> 65

authorizations,  consents  and  approvals  required  to  carry on its
business as now conducted and as proposed to be conducted,  and each  Subsidiary
has duly  qualified  and is authorized to do business and is in good standing in
all  jurisdictions  where the failure to do so could  reasonably  be expected to
have a Materially Adverse Effect. On the date of this Agreement, Lumberjack, the
only Subsidiary, is inactive and has no significant assets.

                  SECTION  7.9  Financial   Condition;   Financial   Statements;
Projections. (a) The Borrower is not entering into the arrangements contemplated
hereby with actual intent to hinder,  delay or defraud  either present or future
creditors.  On and as of the  Closing  Date on a pro forma  basis  after  giving
effect to all Debt (including,  without limitation, the Loans and the Letters of
Credit) incurred, or to be created in connection therewith:

                  (i) no final  judgments  in  actions  for money  damages  with
         respect to pending or threatened  litigation will be rendered at a time
         when,  or  in an  amount  such  that,  the  Borrower  or  the  affected
         Subsidiary  will be unable to satisfy  any such  judgments  promptly in
         accordance with their terms (taking into account the maximum reasonable
         amount  of  such  judgments  in  any  such  actions  and  the  earliest
         reasonable  time at which such judgments  might be rendered);  the cash
         available after taking into account all other  anticipated  uses of the
         cash of such Person is  anticipated  to be  sufficient  to pay all such
         judgments promptly in accordance with their terms;

                  (ii) the present fair saleable  value of the assets of each of
         the Borrower and its Subsidiaries will exceed the probable liability of
         each of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries on its debts  (including its
         contingent obligations);

                  (iii)  neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries  will
         have  incurred  or intends to, or  believes  that it will,  incur debts
         (including its contingent  obligations)  beyond its ability to pay such
         debts as such debts mature  (taking into account the timing and amounts
         of cash to be received  by such Person from any source,  and of amounts
         to be payable on or in respect of debts of such  Person and the amounts
         referred  to in clause  (i));  the cash  available  to each such Person
         after  taking into  account all other  anticipated  uses of the cash of
         such Person, is anticipated to be sufficient to pay all such amounts on
         or in respect of debts of such  Person,  when such amounts are required
         to be paid; and

                  (iv) the  Borrower  and  each of its  Subsidiaries  will  have
         sufficient  capital  with which to conduct  its  present  and  proposed
         business, and the property of the Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries
         does not  constitute  unreasonably  small capital with which to conduct
         its present or proposed business.






<PAGE> 66

             For purposes of this  subsection (a), "debt" means any liability on
a claim,  and "claim" means (A) right to payment  whether or not such a right is
reduced to  judgment,  liquidated,  unliquidated,  fixed,  contingent,  matured,
unmatured, disputed, undisputed, legal, equitable, secured, or unsecured; or (B)
right to an equitable remedy for breach of performance if such breach gives rise
to a payment,  whether or not such  right to an  equitable  remedy is reduced to
judgment, fixed, contingent,  matured, unmatured, disputed, undisputed, secured,
or unsecured.

                  (b) There has  heretofore  been  delivered  to the Lenders the
audited  balance  sheet of the Borrower  and its  Consolidated  Subsidiary  on a
consolidated  basis,  as of  November  25,  1995  and the  related  consolidated
statements  of income and cash flows for the year then ended  accompanied  by an
unqualified  opinion of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP and the unaudited balance sheet of
the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries on a consolidated  basis, as of
May 25, 1996 and the related consolidated statements of income and cash flow for
the six-month period then ended. Such financial  statements  fairly present,  in
conformity with GAAP, the  consolidated  financial  position of the Borrower and
its Consolidated  Subsidiary as of such dates and their consolidated  results of
operations  and cash flows for such  fiscal year and fiscal  period  (subject to
normal year-end adjustments in the case of such six-month  statements).  Neither
the Borrower nor its  Consolidated  Subsidiary had as of the respective dates of
the  foregoing  financial   statements  any  material   contingent   obligation,
contingent liability or liability for taxes,  long-term lease or unusual forward
or  long-term  commitment  which is not  disclosed  in the  foregoing  financial
statements or the notes thereto.

                  (c) The Business  Plan has  heretofore  been  delivered to the
Lenders. The Business Plan has been prepared consistent with the Borrower's past
practices in its  internal  planning,  the  assumptions  made in  preparing  the
Business Plan are reasonable,  and all material  assumptions with respect to the
Business Plan are set forth  therein;  provided,  that the Business Plan has not
been prepared in  accordance  with GAAP.  The Business Plan provides  reasonable
estimations of future performance,  subject to the uncertainty and approximation
inherent in any projections.

                  (d) Since May 25,  1996,  there has been no  material  adverse
change in the business,  financial position,  results of operations or prospects
of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  considered  as a whole.  The most recent
financial  statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiary delivered
to the Lenders  pursuant to Section  8.1(a) or pursuant to Section 8.1(a) of the
Existing  Credit  Agreement  and of the Borrower  delivered  pursuant to Section
8.1(b) or pursuant to Section  8.1(b) of the Existing  Credit  Agreement  fairly
present,  in accordance  with GAAP, the relevant  financial  positions as of the
dates thereof and the relevant  results of operations for the periods covered by
such financial statements.





<PAGE> 67

                  SECTION 7.10 Tax Returns and  Payments.  The Borrower and each
of its  Subsidiaries  have filed all  federal  income tax  returns and all other
material tax returns and reports,  domestic and foreign, required to be filed by
it and have paid all material taxes,  assessments,  fees and other  governmental
charges  payable  by it  which  have  become  due,  other  than  those  not  yet
delinquent.  The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries has paid, or has provided
adequate  reserves for the payment of, all material  federal,  state and foreign
income taxes  applicable  for all prior fiscal years and for the current  fiscal
year to the date  hereof.  There  is no  proposed  tax  assessment  against  the
Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  which could,  if the assessment were made,
reasonably be expected to have a Materially  Adverse Effect. The last closed tax
year of the Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries is the fiscal year ended
November 1990.

                  SECTION 7.11  Litigation;  Adverse Facts.  There is no action,
suit, proceeding or investigation by any Governmental  Authority or other Person
pending or known by the Borrower to be threatened  with respect to the Borrower,
any of its Subsidiaries or any of their Affiliates or any of their assets or any
of the  Credit  Documents  or any of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  or
thereby which could  reasonably be expected to have a Materially  Adverse Effect
and  there  has  occurred  no  development  in  any  action,  suit,  proceeding,
governmental  investigation or arbitration  previously disclosed to the Lenders,
which could reasonably be expected to have such an effect.

                  SECTION  7.12  Compliance  with  Laws and  Charter  Documents.
Neither the  Borrower  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is (i) in  violation of its
Restated  Articles of  Incorporation or by-laws or (ii) in violation of any law,
statute, rule, regulation, order, writ, injunction or decree of any Governmental
Authority  applicable  to any of them or any of their  respective  properties or
assets,  which  violation  under  this  clause  (ii),  individually  or  in  the
aggregate, could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 7.13 Certain Fees.  Except for fees  specified  herein
and payable hereunder, no broker's or finder's fee or commission will be payable
with respect to the  transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement or the other
Credit Documents,  and the Borrower hereby indemnifies the Administrative Agent,
the Collateral  Agent,  the Letter of Credit Bank, the Co-Agents and the Lenders
against and agrees that it will hold the  Administrative  Agent,  the Collateral
Agent,  the Letter of Credit Bank,  the Co-Agents and the Lenders  harmless from
any claim,  demand or liability for any broker's or finder's fees or commissions
alleged to have been incurred in connection with any such offer, issue and sale,
or any of the other  transactions  contemplated  hereby  or by the other  Credit
Documents  and  any  expenses,  including  reasonable  legal  fees,  arising  in
connection with any such claim, demand or liability. The agreements contained in
this  Section  7.13  shall  survive  the  payment




<PAGE> 68

and performance of the Bank Obligations and the termination of this Agreement.

                  SECTION  7.14  ERISA.  (a) No ERISA  Event has  occurred or is
expected to occur with  respect to any Plan in any fiscal  year of the  Borrower
that would result in any liability of the Borrower or any  Subsidiary in excess,
together  with the  amount  of all other  liabilities  of the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries  which would result from all other ERISA Events that have  occurred
or are  expected to occur with  respect to Plans  during such  fiscal  year,  of
$3,000,000.

                  (b) Schedule B  (Actuarial  Information  to the annual  report
(Form 5500 series)) most recently completed with respect to each Plan, copies of
which have been filed with the  Internal  Revenue  Service and  delivered to the
Administrative  Agent, is complete and accurate in all material  respects and to
the best  knowledge  of the Borrower  represents  a  reasonable  estimate of the
funding  status  and  financial  condition  of such  Plan as of the date of such
report, and, since the date of such Schedule B, there has been no change in such
funding status or financial  condition that could reasonably be expected to have
a Materially Adverse Effect.

                  (c) Neither the  Borrower,  nor any  Subsidiary  nor any ERISA
Affiliate  of  either  of them  has  incurred,  or is  expected  to  incur,  any
Withdrawal  Liability to Multiemployer Plans in excess in any fiscal year of the
Borrower, of $3,000,000 in the aggregate for the Borrower,  its Subsidiaries and
the ERISA Affiliates of any of them.

                  (d) Neither the  Borrower,  nor any  Subsidiary  nor any ERISA
Affiliate of either of them has received any notification that any Multiemployer
Plan is in reorganization or has been terminated, within the meaning of Title IV
of ERISA, and to the best knowledge of the Borrower,  no  Multiemployer  Plan is
expected to be in reorganization or to be terminated within the meaning of Title
IV of ERISA, in either case where all such  reorganization or terminations would
result in any liability of the Borrower or any  Subsidiary in any fiscal year of
the Borrower in excess of  $3,000,000  in the aggregate for the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries.

                  (e) With  respect to each Plan which is an  "employee  pension
plan"  within  the  meaning of Section  3(2) of ERISA and which is  intended  to
qualify under Section 401 of the Code, a favorable determination letter has been
received from the Internal  Revenue Service stating that such Plan so qualifies,
and nothing has occurred  since the date of the  issuance of such  determination
letter which would cause such Plan to cease to qualify  under Section 401 of the
Code.

                  (f)  None  of the  transactions  contemplated  by  the  Credit
Documents or by any Plan  constitute a  prohibited  transaction  as such term is
defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.





<PAGE> 69

                  SECTION  7.15 Good Title to  Properties.  Each of the Borrower
and its  Subsidiaries  has good and marketable  title to  substantially  all its
properties and assets, including, without limitation, the Collateral, subject to
no Liens, mortgages, pledges, security interests, encumbrances or charges of any
kind, except such as would be permitted under Section 8.10.

                  SECTION 7.16  Trademarks,  Patents,  etc. Each of the Borrower
and  its  Subsidiaries  possesses  all  the  Trademarks,   copyrights,  patents,
licenses,  or rights in any thereof,  adequate in all material  respects for the
conduct of its business as now conducted and presently proposed to be conducted,
without conflict with the rights or, to the best knowledge of the Borrower,  any
presently claimed rights of others.

                  SECTION  7.17 Labor  Matters.  Neither  the  Borrower  nor any
Subsidiary has experienced any strike, labor dispute,  slowdown or work stoppage
due to  labor  disagreements  which  could  reasonably  be  expected  to  have a
Materially Adverse Effect and to the best knowledge of the Borrower, there is no
such strike, dispute,  slowdown or work stoppage threatened against the Borrower
or any Subsidiary.

                  SECTION  7.18  Environmental  Matters.  To  the  best  of  the
Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry, except as set forth on Schedule VI:

                  (a) the Property does not contain any  Hazardous  Substance in
amounts or  concentrations  which (i)  constitute a violation  of, or (ii) could
reasonably give rise to liability under, Environmental Law except in either case
insofar as such violation or liability,  or any aggregation  thereof,  could not
reasonably be expected to result in a Materially Adverse Effect;

                  (b) the  Property  and all  operations  at the Property are in
compliance, and have in the last three years been in compliance, in all material
respects with all applicable  Environmental  Laws, and there is no contamination
at or under the Property,  or violation of any Environmental Law with respect to
the  Property or the  operations  at the  Property,  which could  reasonably  be
expected to result in a Materially Adverse Effect;

                  (c)  neither  the  Borrower  nor any of its  Subsidiaries  has
received any notice of violation, alleged violation, noncompliance, liability or
potential   liability  regarding   environmental   matters  or  compliance  with
Environmental  Law with regard to any of the Property or the  operations  at the
Property,  nor does the Borrower or such  Subsidiary have knowledge or reason to
believe  that any such notice will be  received  or is being  threatened  except
insofar as such notice or threatened  notice, or any aggregation  thereof,  does
not involve a matter or matters that could reasonably be expected to result in a
Materially Adverse Effect;





<PAGE> 70

                  (d) Hazardous Substances have not been transported or disposed
of from any of the  Property  in  violation  of, or in a manner or to a location
which could reasonably give rise to liability under, Environmental Law, nor have
any Hazardous Substances been generated,  treated,  stored (other than materials
stored in the  normal  course of its  retail  business  in  accordance  with all
applicable laws) or disposed of at, on or under any of the Property in violation
of, or in a manner  that could  reasonably  give rise to  liability  under,  any
applicable  Environmental  Law except insofar as any such violation or liability
referred to above, or any aggregation thereof,  could not reasonably be expected
to result in a Materially Adverse Effect;

                  (e) no judicial  proceedings or governmental or administrative
action is  pending  or, to the  knowledge  of the  Borrower  after due  inquiry,
threatened,  under any  Environmental  Law to which the  Borrower  is or will be
named as a party with respect to the Property or the operations at the Property,
nor  are  there  any  consent   decrees  or  other  decrees,   consent   orders,
administrative  orders or other  orders,  or other  administrative  or  judicial
requirements  outstanding  under  any  Environmental  Law  with  respect  to the
Property or such operations except insofar as such proceeding,  action,  decree,
order or other requirement,  or any aggregation thereof, could not reasonably be
expected to result in a Materially Adverse Effect; and

                  (f) there has been no  release  or  threat of  release  of any
Hazardous  Substance at or from the Property,  or arising from or related to the
operations  of the  Property in  connection  with the  Property or  otherwise in
connection  with such  operations  in  violation of or in amounts or in a manner
that could  reasonably  give rise to liability under  Environmental  Law, except
insofar as any such violation or liability referred to above, or any aggregation
thereof,  could not  reasonably  be expected to result in a  Materially  Adverse
Effect.

                  SECTION  7.19 No Default.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries  is in default in the payment or performance of any of its or their
Contractual  Obligations  in any respect  which could  reasonably be expected to
have  a  Materially  Adverse  Effect.  Neither  the  Borrower  nor  any  of  its
Subsidiaries is in default under any order,  award or decree of any Governmental
Authority or arbitrator  binding upon or affecting it or them or by which any of
its or their  properties or assets may be bound or affected in any respect which
could  reasonably be expected to have a Materially  Adverse Effect,  and no such
order, award or decree could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse
Effect on the ability of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  taken as a whole to
carry on their businesses as presently  conducted or the ability of the Borrower
or any Subsidiary to perform its obligations  under any Credit Document to which
it is a party.






<PAGE> 71

                  SECTION 7.20 Location and Divisions of the Borrower. As of the
Closing Date, all of the Borrower's stores,  warehouses,  distribution  centers,
offices,  headquarters and any other operating and organizational facilities and
premises  are listed on Schedule  VII.  The  Borrower  uses each of the division
names set forth on Schedule  VII only in the states  listed below each such name
and the Borrower does not do business under any names other than its own and the
names of such divisions.

                  SECTION 7.21  Acknowledgment  of Obligations;  No Claims.  The
Borrower is truly and justly indebted to the other parties to this Agreement for
the  payment  of the  Secured  Obligations  owing to each  such  party,  without
defense, offset, counterclaim or cause of action of any kind whatsoever.

                              SECTION 8. COVENANTS

                  The  Borrower  agrees  that,  so  long as any  Lender  has any
Commitments  hereunder,  any Letter of Credit remains  outstanding or any amount
payable  hereunder or under any Note or under any other Credit Document  remains
unpaid:

                  SECTION 8.1  Information.  The  Borrower  will  deliver to the
Administrative Agent and each of the Lenders:

                  (a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after
the end of each fiscal year of the Borrower, a consolidated balance sheet of the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal year and
the  related  consolidated  statements  of income and cash flows for such fiscal
year,  setting  forth  in each  case in  comparative  form the  figures  for the
previous  fiscal  year,  all  audited  in  accordance  with GAAP and in a manner
acceptable  to the SEC by KPMG  Peat  Marwick  LLP or other  independent  public
accountants of nationally recognized standing;

                  (b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after
the end of each of the first  three  fiscal  quarters of each fiscal year of the
Borrower,  a  consolidated  balance  sheet of the Borrower and its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries  as of  the  end of  such  quarter  and  the  related  consolidated
statements  of income and cash flows for such quarter and for the portion of the
Borrower's  fiscal year ended at the end of such quarter,  setting forth in each
case in  comparative  form the  figures  for the  corresponding  quarter and the
corresponding  portion of the Borrower's  previous fiscal year,  together with a
comparison  of such results to the relevant  portion of the Annual  Budget,  all
certified   (subject  to  normal   year-end   adjustments)  as  to  fairness  of
presentation and GAAP by the chief financial officer of the Borrower;

                  (c) simultaneously  with the delivery of each set of financial
statements  referred  to in clauses  (a) and (b)  above,  a  financial  covenant
compliance   certificate  of  the  chief  financial




<PAGE> 72

officer of the Borrower substantially in the form of Exhibit L (i) setting forth
in reasonable detail the calculations required to establish whether the Borrower
was in compliance with the requirements of Sections 8.12, 8.24, 8.25 and 8.30 on
the date of such financial  statements  and the  calculation of Excess Cash Flow
for the fiscal  year  ended on the date of such  financial  statements  and (ii)
stating  whether  any  Default  or Event of  Default  exists on the date of such
certificate and, if any Default or Event of Default then exists,  specifying the
nature and period of existence of any such condition or event  constituting such
Default or Event of Default and  specifying  any notice given or action taken by
any holder of Debt,  if any,  with  respect to the Borrower and the action which
the Borrower has taken, is taking or proposes to take with respect thereto;

                  (d) simultaneously  with the delivery of each set of financial
statements  referred  to in  clause  (a)  above,  a  statement  of the  firm  of
independent  public  accountants  which  reported on such  statements  (i) as to
whether  anything has come to their  attention to cause them to believe that any
Default or Event of  Default  existed  on the date of such  statements  and (ii)
confirming the  calculations  set forth in the officer's  certificate  delivered
simultaneously therewith pursuant to clause (c) above;

                  (e) as soon as available and in any event within  fifteen (15)
Domestic  Business  Days after the end of each fiscal  month (or, in the case of
the  Borrower's  last  fiscal  month  of each  fiscal  year,  within  45  days),
commencing   with  the  first  fiscal  month   following  the  Closing  Date,  a
consolidated balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries as
of the end of such month, and the related consolidated  statements of income and
cash flows for such  month and for the  portion of the  Borrower's  fiscal  year
ended at the end of such fiscal month, setting forth in each case in comparative
form the figures for the corresponding  month and the  corresponding  portion of
the Borrower's  previous fiscal year, together with a comparison of such results
to the relevant portion of the Annual Budget;

                  (f) On the earlier of the date of delivery by the  Borrower to
the Lenders of the  financial  statements  required to be delivered  pursuant to
Section 8.1(a)  covering such fiscal year and 90 days after such fiscal year, an
Excess Cash Flow  Certificate  setting forth the calculation of Excess Cash Flow
based upon such fiscal year's audited financial statements then delivered;

                  (g) forthwith  upon the  occurrence of any Default or Event of
Default,  a certificate of the chief financial  officer of the Borrower  setting
forth  the  details  thereof  and the  action  which the  Borrower  is taking or
proposes to take with respect thereto;

                  (h)  promptly  upon request  therefore  by the  Administrative
Agent,  copies of all reports submitted by independent public




<PAGE> 73

accountants to the Borrower in connection  with each annual,  interim or special
audit  of  the  financial  statements  of  the  Borrower,   including,   without
limitation,  any comment letters  submitted by such accountants to management in
connection with their annual audit;

                  (i) promptly upon the mailing  thereof to the  shareholders of
the Borrower generally, copies of all financial statements,  significant reports
and proxy statements so mailed and, promptly upon the filing thereof,  copies of
all   registration   statements   (other  than  the  exhibits  thereto  and  any
registration  statements  on Form S-8 or its  equivalent)  and  reports on Forms
10-K,  10-Q and 8-K (or their  equivalents)  which the Borrower shall have filed
with the SEC;

                  (j) simultaneously  with the delivery of each set of financial
statements  referred to in clauses (a) and (b) above, a certificate of the chief
financial officer of the Borrower, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent, describing all gains and losses by the Borrower and
its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries for such fiscal quarter just ended from the sale
or other disposition of their assets which do not constitute extraordinary gains
or losses under GAAP and for which the sale price or book value for such capital
asset at time of sale is greater than $3,000,000;

                  (k)  forthwith  upon becoming  aware of (i) any  litigation or
other proceeding which could reasonably be expected to have a Materially Adverse
Effect or (ii) any default with  respect to any  Contractual  Obligation  or any
event or  condition  which could  reasonably  be  expected to have a  Materially
Adverse Effect, notice thereof;

                  (1) not  later  than 45 days  after the  commencement  of each
fiscal year of the Borrower,  a forecast of the financial  condition and results
of  operations  of the Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,  by month,  for the four
fiscal  quarters  commencing  with such quarter (the "Annual  Budget"),  and not
later than 45 days after the commencement of each of the first three quarters of
each fiscal year of the  Borrower,  a narrative  discussion by management of the
Borrower of the  financial  condition  and results of operations of the Borrower
and its  Subsidiaries  for the balance of such fiscal year in all  instances  in
form, scope and detail satisfactory to the Administrative Agent;

                  (m)  promptly  upon  becoming  aware of any  material  adverse
change in the business,  financial position,  results of operations or prospects
of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  considered as a whole since May 25, 1996,
notice thereof;

                  (n) (i)  promptly  and in any event  within 30 days  after the
filing  thereof with the Internal  Revenue  Service,  copies of each




<PAGE> 74

Schedule B (Actuarial  Information) to the annual report (Form 5500 Series) with
respect to each Plan;

                  (ii) promptly and in any event within  fifteen (15) days after
         the  Borrower  knows or has  reason to know  that any  ERISA  Event has
         occurred,  a statement of the chief  financial  officer of the Borrower
         describing such ERISA Event and the action, if any, which the Borrower,
         any  Subsidiary  or any ERISA  Affiliate of either of them  proposes to
         take with respect thereto;

                  (iii)  promptly  and in any  event  within  five (5)  Domestic
         Business Days after receipt  thereof by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary
         or any ERISA  Affiliates of either of them,  copies of each notice from
         the PBGC  stating  its  intention  to  terminate  any Plan or to have a
         trustee appointed to administer any Plan; and

                  (iv)  promptly  and in any  event  within  ten  (10)  Domestic
         Business Days after receipt  thereof by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary
         or any  ERISA  Affiliate  of  either  of them  from  the  sponsor  of a
         Multiemployer  Plan, a copy of each notice  received by the Borrower or
         any Subsidiary or any ERISA  Affiliate of either of them concerning (1)
         the imposition of Withdrawal Liability by a Multiemployer Plan, (2) the
         reorganization or termination, within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA,
         of any Multiemployer Plan or (3) the amount of liability  incurred,  or
         which may be incurred,  by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary or any ERISA
         Affiliate of either of them in connection  with any event  described in
         clause (1) or (2) above;

                  (o)  promptly  upon the  formation of any  Subsidiary,  notice
thereof;

                  (p)  promptly  upon the payment  (i) of each  tranche of loans
outstanding  under the Prudential Loan Agreement and (ii) of the obligations due
under the  Synthetic  Lease  Documents  allocated to individual  stores,  notice
thereof;

                  (q) promptly upon the release of any Liens or the satisfaction
or discharge of mortgages held by Prudential,  the certificate trustee under the
Synthetic Lease Documents or any other lenders, notice thereof;

                  (r)  promptly  upon  the  merger  of any  Subsidiary  into the
Borrower, notice thereof;

                  (s)  promptly  upon the  opening of any store or other  retail
location,  notice thereof and to the extent such store or other retail  location
is in a jurisdiction in which UCC-1 Financing Statements have not been delivered
to the Collateral Agent, promptly deliver executed UCC-1 Financing Statements on
forms then provided by the Collateral Agent to the Borrower;





<PAGE> 75

                  (t)  within  three  (3)  Domestic   Business  Days  after  any
amendment,  modification,  supplement  to or  waiver  of any  provisions  of the
Prudential Loan Agreement, the Senior Subordinated Note Indenture, the Synthetic
Lease Documents,  the GE Credit Program  Documents or the Merchandise  Letter of
Credit  Facility,  or any other  material  credit  arrangements,  notice thereof
(subject to any  restrictions  on disclosing the same in existence  prior to the
Closing  Date),  together  with a copy of each such  fully  executed  amendment,
modification, supplement or waiver;

                  (u) without limiting any of the Borrower's  other  obligations
to give notice under the Credit  Documents,  within fifteen (15) days of the end
of each fiscal quarter,  furnish to the Administrative  Agent and the Collateral
Agent a list of (i) all  After-Acquired  Property and  Vehicles  acquired by the
Borrower or any  Subsidiary  during such quarter,  (ii) all Trademarks for which
the Borrower or any Subsidiary has filed a registration  application during such
quarter and (iii) all  property  which  became  Available  Property  during such
quarter,  setting forth in each case the date of  acquisition  or filing thereof
and otherwise substantially in the form of Exhibit R, all certified by the chief
financial officer of the Borrower; and

                  (v)  from  time  to  time  with  reasonable  promptness,  such
additional information regarding the financial position,  credit arrangements or
business of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries as the  Administrative  Agent, on
its own behalf or at the request of any Lender, may reasonably request.

                  SECTION 8.2 Payment of Obligations.  The Borrower will pay and
discharge,  and will cause each  Subsidiary to pay and  discharge,  at or before
maturity, all their respective material obligations and liabilities,  including,
without  limitation,  material  tax  liabilities,  except  where the same may be
contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings  (and with respect to taxes,
only if the  failure  to make such  payment  shall  not  result in a Lien on any
Collateral  or such Lien will not  attach to any of the  Collateral  in a manner
which would have priority over the Lien of the Collateral  Agent thereon or risk
the sale of or foreclosure  on such  Collateral),  and will  maintain,  and will
cause the Borrower and each  Subsidiary to maintain,  in  accordance  with GAAP,
appropriate reserves for the accrual of any of the same.

                  SECTION  8.3  Maintenance  of  Property;  Insurance.  (a)  The
Borrower  will keep,  and will  cause  each  Subsidiary  to keep,  all  material
property  useful  and  necessary  in its  business  in good  working  order  and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

                  (b) The  Borrower  will  maintain,  and will cause each of its
Subsidiaries  to  maintain,  with  financially  sound  and  reputable  insurance
companies,  insurance on all its  property in at least such  amounts  (including
deductibles)  and against at least such risks as




<PAGE> 76

are usually insured against in the same general area by companies engaged in the
same or a similar business;  provided,  that such insurance shall (i) insure the
property  of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  (other  than motor  vehicles)
against all risk of physical damage including, without limitation, loss by fire,
explosion,  theft and such other casualties as may be reasonably satisfactory to
the Administrative Agent, but in no event in an amount less than the replacement
cost  value  thereof,  and (ii)  insure  the  Borrower,  its  Subsidiaries,  the
Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent and the other Secured Parties against
comprehensive  general  and  automobile  liability  in an  amount  not less than
$1,000,000 per occurrence under primary insurance  policies,  with not less than
$45,000,000  per  occurrence  coverage  under  umbrella  insurance  policies for
personal  injury,  bodily injury and property  damage relating to the Borrower's
and its Subsidiaries' property and operations,  such policies to be in such form
and amounts and having such  coverage as may be reasonably  satisfactory  to the
Administrative  Agent and the Collateral  Agent.  All such  insurance  shall (i)
contain  a breach  of  warranty  clause in favor of the  Collateral  Agent,  the
Administrative  Agent,  and the other  Secured  Parties in all  physical  damage
insurance  policies and have a severability  of interest clause in all liability
insurance  policies,  (ii) provide that no cancellation,  material  reduction in
amount or material change in coverage  thereof shall be effective until at least
30 days after written notice to the Administrative Agent thereof, (iii) name the
Administrative Agent as loss payee for physical damage insurance with respect to
property as to which a Lien has been granted,  with the right to adjust the same
(provided, that (a) with respect to property to which a Lien permitted hereunder
has been granted to another  creditor,  such other creditor may also be named as
loss payee,  with payment to be made as their  interests  may appear and (b) the
proceeds of any such physical  damage  insurance  shall be applied in the manner
set forth in Section 2.8(c)) and name the Collateral  Agent, the  Administrative
Agent and the  other  Secured  Parties  as  additional  insureds  for  liability
insurance,  with the  Administrative  Agent having the right to adjust the same,
(iv) state that neither the  Administrative  Agent nor the Collateral  Agent nor
any of the other Secured Parties shall be responsible for premiums, commissions,
club calls, assessments or advances, (v) shall contain a waiver of all rights of
set-off,  counterclaim,  deduction or subrogation  against the Collateral Agent,
the  Administrative  Agent  and the other  Secured  Parties  (vi) be  reasonably
satisfactory in all other respects (including deductibles) to the Administrative
Agent with respect to physical damage exposures.

                  (c) The  Borrower  will  furnish to the  Administrative  Agent
prior to the Closing  Date,  a schedule,  a copy of which is annexed as Schedule
IV,  describing all insurance  maintained by the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,
which schedule shall set forth,  for each insurance  policy,  the policy number,
the scope of  coverage,  the policy  limits




<PAGE> 77

and deductibles,  the insurer (and reinsurers, if applicable) and the expiration
date.

                  (d) The  Borrower  will furnish to the  Administrative  Agent,
with a copy  for  the  Collateral  Agent,  original  certificates  of  insurance
complying  with  the  requirements  of this  Section  8.3 set  forth  above  and
containing  signatures of duly authorized  representatives of the insurer on the
Closing  Date  and at all  times  prior  to  policy  termination,  cessation  or
cancellation.

                  SECTION 8.4 Conduct of Business and  Maintenance of Existence.
The Borrower  will  continue,  and will cause each  Subsidiary  to continue,  to
engage in business of the same general type as now conducted by the Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries,  and will preserve,  renew and keep in full force and effect,
and,  except as  permitted by Section  8.11(g),  will cause each  Subsidiary  to
preserve,  renew and keep in full force and  effect,  its  respective  corporate
existence and its respective  rights,  privileges and franchises except for such
rights,  privileges and franchises when the failure of which to preserve,  renew
and keep in full force and effect  could not  reasonably  be  expected to have a
Materially Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 8.5  Compliance  with Laws.  The Borrower will comply,
and  cause  each  Subsidiary  to  comply,  in all  material  respects  with  all
applicable   laws,   ordinances,   rules,   regulations,   and  requirements  of
Governmental Authorities (including, without limitation, ERISA) except where the
necessity of  compliance  therewith  is  contested in good faith by  appropriate
proceedings  and the  Borrower  or such  Subsidiary  have set aside on its books
adequate  reserves  (determined in accordance with GAAP) with respect thereto or
where the failure to comply therewith could not reasonably be expected to have a
Materially Adverse Effect.

                  SECTION 8.6  Inspection  of Property,  Books and Records.  The
Borrower  will keep,  and will cause each  Subsidiary  to keep,  proper books of
record and account in which full,  true and correct entries shall be made of all
dealings and  transactions in relation to its business and activities,  and will
permit,  and will cause each Subsidiary to permit,  upon notice to the Borrower,
representatives or designees of the Administrative  Agent or any Lender (at such
Lender's  expense  and upon  notice  to the  Administrative  Agent) to visit and
inspect any of the Borrower's or such  Subsidiary's  respective  properties,  to
examine and make abstracts from any of their respective books and records and to
discuss their  respective  affairs,  finances and accounts with their respective
officers,  employees and independent public accountants,  all at such reasonable
times and as often as may reasonably be desired.

                  SECTION 8.7 Restricted Payments. The Borrower will not declare
or make, or permit any Subsidiary,  to declare or make, any Restricted  Payment,
except:





<PAGE> 78

                  (i) (x) regular,  scheduled or mandatory payments or mandatory
         prepayments  of principal  and  interest on Debt for Borrowed  Money or
         equivalent  payments in respect of the Synthetic Lease Obligations (but
         as to  payments,  if  any,  of  principal  of and  interest  on  Senior
         Subordinated  Notes, only regularly  scheduled  payments thereof to the
         extent such payments are permitted,  if at all, under the subordination
         provisions of the Senior  Subordinated  Note  Indenture as in effect on
         the date of  execution  thereof  or as amended  with the prior  written
         consent  of the  Majority  Lenders)  and (y)  optional  prepayments  of
         principal  and interest on the  Prudential  Real Estate  Financing  and
         equivalent  payments in respect of the Synthetic Lease Obligations (but
         only to the extent of the net  proceeds  of any  Permitted  Refinancing
         Debt  incurred  for such purpose or the net proceeds of the sale of any
         property subject to the Synthetic Lease);

                  (ii) so long as there  shall not  exist a Default  or Event of
         Default,  the  payment  by the  Borrower  of cash in lieu of  shares of
         capital  stock of the  Borrower  upon  the  exercise  of stock  options
         pursuant to and in  accordance  with the 1988  Payless  Cashways,  Inc.
         Employee Stock Plan, the 1992 Payless Cashways  Incentive Stock Program
         and the Payless Cashways Director Option Plan in each case as in effect
         on the date hereof or as amended, modified or supplemented from time to
         time; provided, that the aggregate cash paid by the Borrower in lieu of
         shares of capital  stock of the  Borrower as  permitted  by this clause
         (ii) shall not exceed  $2,000,000  at all times  subsequent to November
         18, 1994;

                  (iii)  transactions  with  Affiliates  as expressly  permitted
under Section 8.15; and

                  (iv) payments to the Borrower by a Subsidiary.

                  SECTION  8.8 Debt.  The  Borrower  will not  incur,  assume or
suffer to exist,  or permit any Subsidiary to incur,  assume or suffer to exist,
any Debt, except:

                  (i) the Loans,  the  Letters of  Credit,  the Cash  Management
Obligations, the Hedging Obligations and the Foreign Exchange Obligations;

                  (ii) the Senior Subordinated Notes;

                  (iii) Debt secured by Liens permitted by Section 8.10;

                  (iv)  Debt  existing  on the  Closing  Date  as set  forth  on
         Schedule VIII and any Permitted  Refinancing Debt, but not the increase
         or refunding of such Debt in whole or in part, except to the extent the
         same constitutes Permitted Refinancing Debt;






<PAGE> 79

                  (v) Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as lessees under
          capital  leases,  to the extent  such  capital  leases  are  expressly
          permitted under Section 8.12;

                  (vi) up to $30,000,000 in merchandise letters of credit issued
         under the Merchandise Letter of Credit Facility; provided, that so long
         as the Documentary  Letter of Credit Commitment shall be in effect, the
         aggregate  amount of letters of credit  permitted to be  outstanding at
         any one time under the Merchandise  Letter of Credit Facility  pursuant
         to this  clause  (vi)  shall  be  reduced  by an  amount  equal  to the
         Documentary Letter of Credit Commitment as then in effect;

                  (vii) Debt incurred under the GE Credit Program  Documents and
         other agreements permitted under Section 8.16;

                  (viii)  Debt of the type  described  in  clause  (viii) of the
         definition  of "Debt" in Section 1.1 to the extent  that the  aggregate
         notional or face amount of all such Debt,  when taken together with all
         outstanding Hedging Obligations and Foreign Exchange Obligations,  does
         not exceed $36,500,000; and

                  (ix) Debt of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries  (not permitted
         by any of  clauses  (i)  through  (viii)  of  this  Section  8.8) in an
         aggregate  principal  amount not to exceed  $1,000,000  at any one time
         outstanding.

                  SECTION  8.9  Investments.  The  Borrower  will  not  make  or
acquire,  and will not permit any Subsidiary to make or acquire,  any Investment
in any Person, except:

                  (i)  Investments  existing on the Closing  Date in the capital
         stock of Subsidiaries;

                  (ii) Temporary Cash Investments; provided, however, that while
         any Loans or Letters of Credit are  outstanding or any  Commitments are
         in  effect  such  Investments  shall  not  exceed  $20,000,000  in  the
         aggregate  outstanding  at any one time and shall be  maintained at all
         times in an investment  account with a Lender  pursuant to arrangements
         which are consistent with the provisions of this Agreement;

                  (iii)   Investments  in  promissory  notes   representing  the
         non-cash purchase price for the sales of assets permitted under Section
         8.11; provided,  that such promissory notes are pledged by the Borrower
         to the Collateral Agent for the benefit of the Original Secured Parties
         pursuant to a Pledge Agreement Supplement, substantially in the form of
         Annex A to the Note Pledge Agreement;






<PAGE> 80

                  (iv)  Investments  existing on the date hereof as set forth on
         Schedule IX, but not any increase in the amount thereof;

                  (v) Civic or charitable type guarantees and Investments not to
         exceed at all times  subsequent  to  November  18,  1994,  $500,000  in
         aggregate amount;

                  (vi) Investments in the National Equity Fund;  provided,  that
         (A)  the tax  characteristics  of  investments  in  such  fund  are not
         materially less advantageous to the Borrower than such  characteristics
         are on the date hereof and (B) new Investments therein shall not exceed
         $1,100,000 in the aggregate during each calendar year;

             (vii) Minority  Investments,  in addition to those  permitted under
         any other  clause of this  Section 8.9;  provided,  that such  Minority
         Investments  are  acquired  pursuant  to  the  Business  Plan  and  the
         aggregate  amount of all such  Minority  Investments  shall not  exceed
         $5,000,000;

                  (viii)  Investments in Subsidiaries  created or acquired after
         the date hereof  pursuant to the Business  Plan in an aggregate  amount
         not to exceed $25  million  for all such  Subsidiaries  at any one time
         outstanding;  provided,  that the  related  shares of capital  stock or
         other equity  securities are pledged by the Borrower for the benefit of
         the Original Secured Parties pursuant to a Pledge Agreement Supplement,
         substantially  in the form of Annex II to the Stock  Pledge  Agreement,
         and the  Borrower  causes  each  such  Subsidiary  to  comply  with the
         requirements  of Section 8.22 (it being agreed that an  Investment in a
         Subsidiary  will  no  longer  be  deemed  to  be  outstanding  if  such
         Subsidiary is merged into the Borrower); and

                  (ix)  Investments (not permitted by any of clauses (i) through
         (viii) of this Section 8.9) in an amount not  exceeding  $1,000,000  in
         the aggregate outstanding at any one time; provided, that any shares of
         capital stock or other equity  securities or promissory  notes or other
         instruments  comprising such Investments are pledged by the Borrower to
         the Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the Original  Secured  Parties
         pursuant to a Pledge Agreement Supplement to the Stock Pledge Agreement
         or the Note Pledge Agreement, as the case may be.

                  SECTION 8.10  Negative  Pledge.  The Borrower will not create,
assume or suffer to exist, or permit any Subsidiary to create,  assume or suffer
to exist, any Lien on any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by it, except:

                  (i) Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents, existing
         Liens set forth on  Schedule  X and Liens  granted in




<PAGE> 81

         connection with Permitted  Refinancing Debt but not any increase in the
         amount of the Debt  secured  thereby  (except for  increases  in amount
         constituting  Permitted  Refinancing  Debt and increases in the amounts
         secured by the Liens  relating to accounts  under the GE Credit Program
         Documents in accordance with the terms of such documents);

                  (ii) Liens for taxes,  assessments or governmental  charges or
         claims the payment of which is not at the time required by Section 8.2;

                  (iii)  Statutory  Liens of  landlords  and Liens of  carriers,
         warehousemen,  mechanics,  materialmen  and other Liens  imposed by law
         incurred in the ordinary course of business for sums not yet delinquent
         or being contested in good faith, if such reserve (or other appropriate
         provision,  if any) as shall be  required  by GAAP shall have been made
         therefor;

                  (iv) Liens (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA)  incurred or
         deposits  made in the ordinary  course of business in  connection  with
         workers' compensation, unemployment insurance and other types of social
         security,   or  to  secure  the   performance  of  tenders,   statutory
         obligations,  bids, leases, government contracts,  performance,  surety
         and return-of-money  bonds and other similar obligations  (exclusive of
         obligations for the payment of borrowed money);

                  (v) easements,  rights-of-way,  restrictions, minor defects or
         irregularities  in title and other similar  charges or  encumbrances on
         real  property  and  improvements  owned  by the  Borrower  or any such
         Subsidiary not  interfering  in any material  respect with the ordinary
         conduct of the  business  of the  Borrower or such  Subsidiary  at such
         property (it being understood  that, if requested by the Borrower,  the
         Collateral  Agent  may,  on terms and  conditions  satisfactory  to it,
         evidence its consent to Liens  permitted by this clause (v) on Property
         subject to Mortgages);

                  (vi) purchase money mortgages or other purchase money Liens or
         security  interests  granted by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
         (including,  without  limitation,  capital  leases)  upon any  fixed or
         capital assets  hereafter  acquired,  so long as (i) any such mortgage,
         Lien or security  interest  does not extend to or cover any other asset
         of the  Borrower  or such  Subsidiary,  (ii)  such  security  interest,
         mortgage or Lien secures the  obligation  to pay the purchase  price of
         such asset (or the obligation under such capital lease) only, and (iii)
         the  aggregate  Debt secured by all such  purchase  money  mortgages or
         other  purchase money Liens or security  interests  (other than capital
         leases)  shall not exceed in the  aggregate  for the  Borrower  and its
         Subsidiaries $2,000,000 outstanding at any time;






<PAGE> 82

             (vii) in addition to other Liens permitted under this Section 8.10,
         Liens by the  Borrower  on its  partnership  interest  in the  National
         Equity Fund to secure the  Borrower's  investments  in such fund to the
         extent permitted under Section 8.9(vi);

            (viii) purchase money Liens by the Borrower or its Subsidiaries upon
         Inventory of the Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  securing the purchase
         price therefor not to exceed $1,000,000 in unpaid purchase price in the
         aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries at any one time;

                  (ix) judgment  Liens,  but only to the extent that the related
         judgment does not constitute an Event of Default under Section  9.1(k);
         and

                  (x) Liens granted in accordance with the Merchandise Letter of
         Credit Facility to secure Debt outstanding thereunder.

                  SECTION 8.11 Consolidations,  Mergers and Sales of Assets. The
Borrower  will not, and will not permit any  Subsidiary  to (i)  consolidate  or
merge with or into any other Person or enter into a partnership or joint venture
with another Person;  provided, that the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries may
acquire  interests in Minority  Investments  to the extent  permitted by Section
8.9, or (ii) sell, lease,  assign or otherwise transfer (whether  voluntarily or
involuntarily) all or any part of its assets except:

                  (a) sales of Inventory in the ordinary  course of business and
         customer  receivable sales pursuant to the GE Credit Program  Documents
         or any similar program entered into in accordance with Section 8.16;

                  (b) sales or transfers (not  permitted by any other  provision
         of this  Section  8.11) of any assets of the  Borrower  to any  Person;
         provided,  that (1) the sale price of each such asset shall not be less
         than the fair  market  value of such asset at the time of sale  thereof
         and, if the sale price thereof is equal to or greater than  $5,000,000,
         then the fair market  value of such asset shall be  determined  in good
         faith and approved by the Board of Directors of the Borrower, (2) prior
         to or  concurrently  with each  such  sale for which the sale  price is
         equal  to or  greater  than  $5,000,000,  the  Borrower  shall  deliver
         evidence to the  Administrative  Agent  satisfactory  to it of the fair
         market value at the time of sale of the asset being sold as  determined
         by the Board of Directors of the Borrower, (3) not less than 50% of the
         sale  price for each asset sold  pursuant  to this  clause (b) shall be
         payable in cash on the date of such sale,  (4) the non-cash  portion of
         the sale price  therefor,  if any,  shall be  evidenced  by one or more
         promissory  notes  maturing  no later than five years after the




<PAGE> 83

         date of such sale which  shall be pledged  to the  Collateral  Agent as
         provided  in  Section  8.9(iii)  or  (ix),  (5) no such  sale  shall be
         permitted  unless (x) the asset so sold shall be listed on  Schedule XI
         or shall be sold pursuant to a Permitted Pad Sale or (y) the sale price
         of the  asset so sold,  together  with  the  sale  price of all  assets
         (excluding  assets  described  in  subclause  (x)  immediately   above)
         previously  sold under this  clause (b) in the same  fiscal year of the
         Borrower in which such asset is being sold, shall not exceed $5,000,000
         and (6) if such sale is to an Affiliate it is made in  compliance  with
         Section 8.15;

                  (c) the  replacement  in the  ordinary  course of  business of
         rolling stock and equipment of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries;

                  (d) the sale or other disposition,  subject to the Lien of the
         Collateral  Agent,  by the Borrower to any of its  Subsidiaries  in the
         ordinary  course of business of machinery and equipment of the Borrower
         no longer  necessary for the proper conduct of the Borrower's  business
         having a value  together  with the value of all other  property  of the
         Borrower so sold or disposed of in the same fiscal year of the Borrower
         of not  greater  than  $5,000,000  and the sale or  other  disposition,
         subject to the Lien of the Collateral Agent, by the Subsidiaries to the
         Borrower in the ordinary  course of business of machinery and equipment
         of such Subsidiaries no longer necessary for the proper conduct of such
         Subsidiaries'  respective  businesses  having a value together with the
         value of all other property of such Subsidiaries so sold or disposed of
         in the same fiscal year of the Borrower of not greater than $5,000,000;

                  (e) the lease by the Borrower,  as lessor, of those stores and
         real estate  described  on  Schedule XI and other real  property of the
         Borrower not necessary for the operations of the Borrower or any of its
         Subsidiaries,  in each  instance  under  this  clause (e) having a fair
         market  value  of  not  greater  than   $7,000,000   individually,   or
         $40,000,000  in the  aggregate  at any one time  for all real  property
         leased  under this clause  (e);  provided,  that such  leases  shall be
         entered  into with a Person who is not an  Affiliate of the Borrower on
         an arms' length basis for fair  consideration and such leases shall not
         be capital leases;

                  (f)  the  merger  of any  wholly  owned  Subsidiary  into  the
         Borrower or the  consolidation  of any wholly owned Subsidiary with the
         Borrower in which the Borrower shall be the surviving corporation; and

                  (g) the  transfer  of a Property  acceptable  to the  Majority
         Lenders  in  their   judgment   reasonably   exercised   to  Paycap  in



<PAGE> 84

         substitution  for a  property  subject to the terms of any of the Capco
         Subleases;  provided, that, (i) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the
         proposed  transfer,  the Borrower  shall  furnish  current  independent
         appraisals  satisfactory to the Administrative  Agent which demonstrate
         that the value of the  Property  subject to a Mortgage  proposed  to be
         transferred  is  reasonably  equivalent  to the  value of the  property
         subject  to such  Capco  Sublease  and  (ii)  simultaneously  with  the
         transfer of such Property subject to a Mortgage, such Mortgage shall be
         released  and such  substituted  property  shall  become  an  Available
         Property  and  shall  be  subjected  to a  mortgage  or deed of  trust,
         substantially in the form of Exhibits G-1 and G-2,  respectively  (with
         such changes as may be deemed appropriate by the Administrative Agent's
         local real estate counsel for the state in question),  and the Borrower
         shall  otherwise  comply with its  obligations  under Section 8.28 with
         respect to such substituted Available Property.

                  The Borrower  shall deliver to the  Administrative  Agent,  no
less than three (3)  Domestic  Business  Days prior to the date of any  expected
sale or other disposition  permitted under clause (b) (but only if any such sale
or disposition  under such clause (b) has a sale price of $1,000,000 or more) or
clause (e) of this Section  8.11,  written  notice of the  expected  date of the
closing of such sale or other  disposition  and the expected  date of receipt by
the Borrower of the Net Cash Proceeds with respect thereto.

                  SECTION 8.12  Capital  Expenditures  and Leases.  The Borrower
will  not,  and  will  not  permit  any  of its  Subsidiaries  to,  directly  or
indirectly,  make any expenditures or incur any obligations for fixed or capital
assets (including,  but not limited to (x) payments on account of any mortgages,
Liens or  security  interests  permitted  pursuant to Section  8.10(vi)  and (y)
goodwill  associated  with any  capital  expenditure  that would  constitute  an
Investment  but for the  application  of clause  (i) of the  definition  of such
term),  and the Borrower will not incur any obligations in respect of, or permit
any of its  Subsidiaries to incur any obligations in respect of, capital leases,
in excess in the  aggregate for the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  for all such
expenditures and obligations, of the following amounts during each of the fiscal
years set forth below:

                                             Total
                  Period                     Amount
                  ------                     ------

                  Fiscal year 1996
                  of the Borrower        $ 50,000,000

                  Fiscal year 1997
                  of the Borrower        $ 64,000,000



<PAGE> 85


                  Fiscal year 1998
                  of the Borrower        $ 81,000,000

                  Fiscal year 1999
                  of the Borrower        $100,000,000

                  Fiscal year 2000
                  of the Borrower        $ 59,000,000

provided,  however,  that if the  aggregate  amount  of all  Dual  Path  Capital
Expenditures or all other permitted  capital  expenditures and leases during any
fiscal year of the  Borrower  (after the  application  of all Dual Path  Capital
Expenditures or other permitted capital  expenditures and leases,  respectively,
during such fiscal year,  first to amounts  available for such purposes for such
fiscal year pursuant to the  operation of this  proviso)  shall be less than the
respective  amounts set forth in the table below for such fiscal year,  then the
amount of the permitted  expenditures and leases for the immediately  succeeding
fiscal year shall be increased by an amount equal to the  unutilized  portion of
Dual Path Capital Expenditures for such prior fiscal year and in the case of all
other  permitted  capital  expenditures  and leases,  by an amount  equal to the
lesser  of (x) an amount  equal to such  unutilized  portion  and (y) 50% of the
amount of permitted expenditures for such prior fiscal year.

                                    Dual Path
                                    Capital
         Period                     Expenditures               Other
         ------                     ------------               -----

         Fiscal year 1996
         of the Borrower            $13,000,000               $37,000,000

         Fiscal year 1997
         of the Borrower            $34,000,000               $30,000,000

         Fiscal year 1998
         of the Borrower            $51,000,000               $30,000,000

         Fiscal year 1999
         of the Borrower            $26,000,000               $74,000,000

         Fiscal year 2000
         of the Borrower            $9,000,000                $50,000,000.

             In the event that the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall
sell, or shall receive insurance proceeds in connection with the destruction of,
a fixed or capital asset owned by it and shall, within six months after the sale
or 24 months after the  destruction of such fixed or capital asset,  purchase or
enter into a capital  lease with  respect to a  substantially  similar  fixed or
capital  asset as a  replacement  for such sold or  destroyed  fixed or  capital
asset, then for purposes of determining  compliance with this Section 8.12,




<PAGE> 86

only that portion of the purchase price or capitalized  lease  obligation  paid,
incurred or accrued by the Borrower or such Subsidiary,  as the case may be, for
such replacement fixed or capital asset in excess of the sale price or insurance
proceeds,  as the case may be, of the sold or destroyed similar fixed or capital
asset shall be used in determining such compliance with this Section 8.12.


             Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in this Section
8.12,  there shall be excluded from the  determination  of the amount of capital
expenditures made by the Borrower in any fiscal year, capital  expenditures made
during any such  fiscal  year to the  extent of an amount  equal to the Net Cash
Proceeds  received  during such fiscal year from any Permitted Pad Sales of real
property  acquired by the Borrower  after December 1, 1994. For purposes of this
Section 8.12, (i) all obligations incurred under a capital lease shall be deemed
to have been incurred on the date of execution of such lease and (ii) the amount
of  obligations  incurred  with  respect  to a  capital  lease  on such  date of
execution of the lease shall be the  capitalized  amount  thereof  determined in
accordance with GAAP.

                  SECTION 8.13 No Negative  Pledges.  The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any Subsidiary to, enter into any agreements (a) prohibiting (or
resulting  in a default as a result of) the creation or  assumption  of any Lien
upon the  properties  or assets of the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  in
favor of the Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the Secured Parties (or any of
them), except for restrictions contained in any lease prohibiting the mortgaging
of such lease or of the property leased  thereunder if either (i) such lease has
a fair market  value on the date of execution  thereof of less than  $100,000 or
(ii) the Borrower or such  Subsidiary  shall have in good faith used  reasonable
efforts to obtain the agreement of the lessor that is a party thereto to exclude
such  restrictions  from such lease and such  lessor  shall  have  refused so to
agree,  (b) requiring  that the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  also secure another
obligation  (other  than any of the Secured  Obligations)  if any of the Secured
Obligations are further secured or (c) restricting the ability of any Subsidiary
to (i) pay  dividends or make capital  distributions  to the Borrower or another
Subsidiary,  (ii) make  Investments  in the Borrower or any  Subsidiary or (iii)
repay Investments by the Borrower or another Subsidiary in such Subsidiary.

                  SECTION 8.14  Termination of Plans. The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any  Subsidiary to take any action to terminate any of its Plans
which could result in a material  liability of the Borrower or any Subsidiary to
any Person.

                  SECTION 8.15 Transactions  with Affiliates.  The Borrower will
not, and will not permit any Subsidiary to,  directly or indirectly,  enter into
any  transaction,  whether or not in the




<PAGE> 87

ordinary  course  of  business,  with any  Affiliate  other  than on  terms  and
conditions at least as favorable to the Borrower, or the affected Subsidiary, as
those  that  would be  obtained  through  an arms'  length  negotiation  with an
unaffiliated third party.

                  SECTION 8.16 Customer Charge Sales. The Borrower will continue
to  maintain  a  "Project  Card" and  commercial  credit  receivables  sales and
administration  program  with  Monogram  Credit Card Bank of Georgia and General
Electric Capital  Corporation  pursuant to the GE Credit Program  Documents or a
similar  program (it being  understood  that a program shall not be deemed to be
dissimilar  solely  by virtue  of the fact  that the  Borrower  shall act as the
administrator or "servicer" of the receivables  thereunder) with another Person,
in each  case on terms and  conditions  which  are,  in the  aggregate,  no less
favorable to the Borrower and no more restrictive than those provided for in the
GE Credit Program Documents as in effect on the Closing Date.

                  SECTION 8.17  Accounting  Changes.  The Borrower will not, and
will not permit any of its Subsidiaries  to, make any significant  change in its
accounting  treatment or  financial  reporting  practices  except as required by
GAAP.  The Borrower will not change its fiscal year or the method of determining
its fiscal quarter ends.

                  SECTION 8.18 Amendment and Modification of Certain  Documents.
(a) The Borrower shall not, directly or indirectly,  amend, modify,  supplement,
waive compliance with, or assent to noncompliance with, (i) any term,  provision
or  condition of the Restated  Articles of  Incorporation  of the Borrower as in
effect on the Closing  Date or (ii) any term,  provision  or condition of any of
the documents governing or evidencing the Senior Subordinated Notes as in effect
on the Closing Date which,  (A) in the case of either clause (i) or clause (ii),
the Administrative Agent deems material (including,  without limitation,  terms,
provisions or conditions  relating to events of default,  acceleration rights or
other remedies,  interest rates, tenor, subordination,  covenants,  prohibitions
against  amending the Credit  Documents and the definitions with respect thereto
(including,  without  limitation,   definitions  of  "Senior  Indebtedness"  and
"Permitted  Indebtedness") or (B) in the case of clause (ii), places any further
restrictions on the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or increases the obligations of
the Borrower thereunder or confers on the holders thereof any additional rights.
The  Administrative  Agent and the  Lenders  agree that if any of the  documents
governing or evidencing the Senior Subordinated Notes must comply with the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939 and the SEC requires that certain  changes be made to such
documents to comply with such  statute,  then such changes shall be permitted so
long as (A) such changes do not relate to covenants,  events of default,  tenor,
acceleration   rights  or  other  remedies,   interest   rates,   subordination,
prohibitions  against  amending  the Credit  Documents or the  definitions  with
respect  thereto  (including,   without   limitation,   definitions  of  "Senior
Indebtedness"  and




<PAGE> 88

"Permitted  Indebtedness")  and  (B)  such  changes  do not  place  any  further
restrictions on the Borrower or its  Subsidiaries or increase the obligations of
the Borrower thereunder or confer on the holders thereof any additional rights;

                  (b) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit or suffer any
Subsidiary  to,  directly  or  indirectly,   amend,  modify,  supplement,  waive
compliance  with,  or assent to  noncompliance  with,  any  term,  provision  or
condition  of the  Prudential  Loan  Agreement  or any  of the  other  documents
governing or evidencing the Prudential Real Estate Financing as in effect on the
Closing  Date  hereof  (A)  which  the   Administrative   Agent  deems  material
(including,  without  limitation,  terms,  provisions or conditions  relating to
events of default, acceleration rights or other remedies, tenor, interest rates,
substitution of collateral, the non-recourse nature of such financing, covenants
and  prohibitions  against  amending  the  Credit  Documents)  or (B)  which the
Administrative  Agent  reasonably  determines  would place any further  material
restrictions  on the Borrower or its  Subsidiaries  or  materially  increase the
obligations of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  thereunder or confer on
the holders thereof any material additional rights; and

                  (c) The Borrower shall not, and shall not permit or suffer any
Subsidiary  to,  directly  or  indirectly,   amend,  modify,  supplement,  waive
compliance with or assent to noncompliance with any term, provision or condition
of the Synthetic  Lease Documents as in effect on the Closing Date (A) which the
Administrative  Agent deems  material  (including,  without  limitation,  terms,
provisions or conditions relating to covenants, events of default,  acceleration
rights or other  remedies,  substitution of collateral,  interest rates,  tenor,
prohibitions against amending the Credit Documents or requiring prepayments with
respect to store  closings)  or (B) which the  Administrative  Agent  reasonably
determines would place any further material  restrictions on the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries  or increase the  obligations  of the Borrower or its  Subsidiaries
thereunder or confers on the holders thereof any material additional rights.

                  SECTION 8.19 Sale/Lease-Backs. The Borrower will not, and will
not  permit  any  Subsidiary  to,  enter  into  any  arrangements,  directly  or
indirectly,  with any Person,  whereby the Borrower or any such Subsidiary shall
sell or transfer any property,  whether now owned or hereafter acquired, used or
useful in its business,  in connection  with the rental or lease of the property
so sold or transferred.

                  SECTION 8.20 Environmental Matters. (a) The Borrower will not,
and will not permit any of its  Subsidiaries  to,  use,  generate,  manufacture,
produce,  store,  release,  discharge  or dispose of on, under or about any real
property owned or leased (other than any such leased property which  constitutes
a minor part of a larger piece of property  over which  neither the Borrower nor
any of its




<PAGE> 89

Subsidiaries  has any  control  (such as a lease of a small  number  of  parking
places in a large parking lot)) by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  (all
such owned or leased real property, being hereinafter called the "Property"), or
transport to or from the Property,  any Hazardous  Substance,  or (to the extent
within the Borrower's or such  Subsidiary's  control) permit any other Person to
do so,  where such could  reasonably  be expected to have a  Materially  Adverse
Effect.

                  (b) The Borrower  shall keep and maintain and shall cause each
Subsidiary  to  keep  and  maintain,   the  Property  in  compliance   with  any
Environmental Law (as defined below) where the failure to do so could reasonably
be expected to have a Materially Adverse Effect.

                  (c) In the  event  that any  investigation,  site  monitoring,
containment, cleanup, removal, restoration or other remedial work of any kind or
nature  (the  "Remedial  Work") with  respect to any portion of the  Property is
required to be performed by the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  under any
applicable local, state or federal law or regulation,  any judicial order, or by
any  Governmental  Authority  or any other Person  because of, or in  connection
with, any current or future presence,  suspected presence,  release or suspected
release  of a  Hazardous  Substance  in or into the air,  soil,  groundwater  or
surface  water at, on,  under or within the  Property  (or any portion  thereof)
which could  reasonably  be expected to have a Materially  Adverse  Effect,  the
Borrower or such Subsidiary (i) shall promptly notify the  Administrative  Agent
in  writing,  (ii)  shall,  as  soon as  practicable,  commence  and  thereafter
diligently  prosecute  to  completion,  all such  Remedial  Work and (iii) shall
provide  the  Administrative  Agent  with the  results  of such  investigations,
studies and samplings as may be requested by the Administrative Agent.

                  (d) The Borrower will defend,  indemnify and hold harmless the
Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Agents,  the Letter of Credit
Bank and the  Lenders,  and their  respective  employees,  agents,  officers and
directors, from and against any claims, demands,  penalties, fines, liabilities,
settlements,  damages,  costs and  expenses of whatever  kind or nature known or
unknown, contingent or otherwise,  arising out of, or in any way relating to the
violation  of,  noncompliance  with or  liability  under any  Environmental  Law
applicable to the  operations of the Borrower or any Subsidiary or the Property,
or any orders,  requirements or demands of Governmental Authorities or any other
Person  related  thereto,   including,   without   limitation,   attorneys'  and
consultants'  fees,  investigation  and laboratory fees,  response costs,  court
costs and  litigation  expenses,  except to the extent that any of the foregoing
arise  solely out of the gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct  of the party
seeking indemnification  therefor, as determined by a final order or judgment of
a court of competent  jurisdiction.  This indemnity shall continue in full force
and




<PAGE> 90

effect  regardless  of the  termination  of this  Agreement  and the payment and
performance  of the  Bank  Obligations.  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  the
agreements  contained in Section 8.22(d) of the Existing Credit  Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect as to the matters covered thereby.

                  (e) As used herein, (i) "Environmental Law" means any federal,
state or local law, statute, ordinance, or regulation now or hereafter in effect
pertaining to health,  industrial hygiene,  or the environmental  conditions on,
under or about the Property, and (ii) the term "Hazardous Substance" means those
substances included within the definitions of "hazardous substances", "hazardous
materials",   "toxic  substances"  or  "solid  waste"  under  the  Comprehensive
Environmental  Response,  Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, 42
U.S.C.  ss.9601 et seq., the Resource  Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, 42
U.S.C. ss.6901 et seq. and the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, 49 U.S.C.
ss.1801 et seq., the Toxic Substance Control Act, 15 U.S.C. ss.2601 et seq., the
Clean  Water Act,  33 U.S.C.  ss.1251 et seq.,  and the Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.
ss.7401 et seq. and in the  regulations  promulgated  pursuant to said laws, and
such other substances,  materials and wastes which are or become regulated under
applicable local,  state or federal law, or which are classified as hazardous or
toxic under federal,  state, or local laws or regulations or any other substance
which may give rise to liability under any Environmental Laws.

                  (f) In the Event the Administrative  Agent determines that any
representation  hereunder  may be  incorrect  or that the Borrower has failed to
comply with any covenant  under this Section 8.20 in any material  respect,  the
Borrower upon request shall undertake such  investigations,  studies,  samplings
and testings relative to Hazardous  Substance at the property in question as the
Administrative Agent may request.

             SECTION 8.21 Business Segments. The Borrower will not, and will not
permit any Subsidiary to, (i) suspend the operation of a segment material to the
operation  of its  business  as  presently  conducted,  which  suspension  could
materially impair the operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries taken as a
whole;  or (ii) engage at any time in any  business or business  activity  other
than the business currently conducted by it and business  activities  reasonably
incidental thereto.

             SECTION  8.22  Subsidiaries;  Subsidiary  Guarantees  and  Security
Agreements.  The  Borrower  will  use its best  efforts  to  conduct  all of its
business,  to the extent feasible,  through a single corporate entity (i.e., the
Borrower)  and  to  avoid  the  formation  or   acquisition   of   Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that the Borrower determines that it
is in its best interest to form or acquire a Subsidiary,  the Borrower  will, in
addition to complying with the  requirements  of Section  8.9(viii),  cause such
Subsidiary  to be  wholly-owned,  to have




<PAGE> 91

aggregate  net payables  owing to the Borrower of less than  $10,000,000  at all
times and to execute and deliver to the Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the
Secured Parties a guarantee,  substantially in the form of Exhibit E, a security
agreement  granting   collateral   security  for  the  guaranteed   obligations,
substantially in the form of Exhibit F, and such other documents and opinions in
connection  therewith as the Administrative  Agent shall reasonably request, all
in form and substance  satisfactory to the Administrative Agent. Such guarantee,
security agreement and such other documents shall be delivered to the Collateral
Agent no later  than 30 days after the date on which  such  Subsidiary  has been
formed or otherwise acquired by the Borrower.

             SECTION 8.23 Further  Assurances.  The Borrower  shall, at its cost
and expense, upon request of the Administrative Agent, duly execute and deliver,
or cause to be duly executed and delivered,  such further instruments and do and
cause to be done such  further  acts as may be  necessary  or  desirable  in the
opinion  of the  Administrative  Agent  or its  counsel  to give  effect  to the
provisions and purposes of this Agreement and the other Credit Documents.

                  SECTION 8.24 EBITDAR. The Borrower shall not permit EBITDAR on
the last day of any fiscal  quarter of the Borrower  ending during any month set
forth below,  to be less than the amounts set forth  opposite such dates for the
four consecutive fiscal quarters then ending:

                                          EBITDAR
                Month                     Amount
                -----                     ------

                November 1996             $150,000,000
                February 1997              148,000,000
                May 1997                   138,300,000
                August 1997                133,000,000
                November 1997              135,500,000
                February 1998              137,650,000
                May 1998                   142,350,000
                August 1998                147,500,000
                November 1998              152,500,000
                February 1999              154,650,000
                May 1999                   159,350,000
                August 1999                164,500,000
                November 1999              169,500,000
                February 2000              171,950,000
                May 2000                   177,500,000
                August 2000                183,600,000.

                  SECTION 8.25 Debt to EBITDAR  Ratio.  The  Borrower  shall not
permit  the Debt to  EBITDAR  Ratio to be  more,  on the last day of any  fiscal
quarter of the Borrower ending during any month set forth below,  than the ratio
set forth opposite the applicable month below:





<PAGE> 92

                Month                     Ratio
                -----                     -----

                November 1996             4.61 to 1.00
                February 1997             4.65 to 1.00
                May 1997                  4.95 to 1.00
                August 1997               5.11 to 1.00
                November 1997             4.97 to 1.00
                February 1998             4.85 to 1.00
                May 1998                  4.64 to 1.00
                August 1998               4.44 to 1.00
                November 1998             4.23 to 1.00
                February 1999             4.15 to 1.00
                May 1999                  4.00 to 1.00
                August 1999               3.86 to 1.00
                November 1999             3.70 to 1.00
                February 2000             3.63 to 1.00
                May 2000                  3.49 to 1.00
                August 2000               3.36 to 1.00.

                  SECTION  8.26  Swingline  Compliance  Certificate.  During any
period in which any  Swingline  Loans are  outstanding,  on the second  Domestic
Business  Day of the first  and third  full  weeks of each  fiscal  month of the
Borrower, the Borrower shall deliver to the Administrative Agent and each Lender
a Swingline  Compliance  Certificate,  certifying that the Borrower continues to
maintain Required Inventory.

                  SECTION  8.27   Independence   of  Covenants.   All  covenants
hereunder shall be given  independent  effect so that if a particular  action or
condition is not permitted by any of such  covenants,  the fact that it would be
permitted by an exception to, or be otherwise within the limitations of, another
covenant shall not avoid the occurrence of a Default or Event of Default if such
action is taken or condition exists.

                  SECTION 8.28 Available and After-Acquired  Properties.  If any
real  property,  buildings,  fixtures  or  improvements  owned or  leased by the
Borrower or any Subsidiary  become  Available  Property,  or the Borrower or any
Subsidiary  acquires  any  interest  in  any  real  property  including  without
limitation  a  leasehold   interest   (each  such   property  or  interest,   an
"After-Acquired  Property"),  the Borrower  shall, as soon as practicable but in
any event within 30 days,  provide written notice thereof to the  Administrative
Agent,  setting forth with specificity a description of the property or interest
acquired, the location of the Available Property or After-Acquired  Property, as
the case may be, any structures or improvements  thereon and an appraisal or its
good faith  estimate  of the  current  fair  market  value of such  property  or
interest.  The  Administrative  Agent shall  provide  notice to the  Borrower of
whether it intends to direct the Borrower or the relevant  Subsidiary  (and,  if
requested by the Majority  Lenders,  the  Administrative  Agent shall direct the
Borrower or the relevant  Subsidiary)  to grant and record




<PAGE> 93

a  mortgage  or deed of  trust  on such  Available  Property  or  After-Acquired
Property, as applicable.  In such event, the Borrower or the relevant Subsidiary
shall  promptly  execute and deliver to the  Administrative  Agent a mortgage or
deed of trust  substantially  in the form of Exhibits G-1 and G-2,  respectively
(with such changes as may be deemed  appropriate by the  Administrative  Agent's
local real estate  counsel for the state in question),  together with such other
documents or instruments as the Administrative  Agent shall reasonably  require,
including (without limitation) a Title Policy, a Survey, a Phase I environmental
report and an opinion of the  Administrative  Agent's local real estate counsel.
The Borrower shall pay all reasonable  fees and expenses,  including  attorneys'
fees and expenses or the allocated cost of the Agent's internal counsel, and all
title insurance  charges and premiums,  in connection with its obligation  under
this Section  8.28.  If at any time after the date hereof,  any existing Lien or
sale-leaseback  arrangement  which  prevents the further  mortgaging of any real
property  of the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary,  shall for any  reason no longer
prevent  such further  mortgaging,  then such  property  shall also be deemed an
Available  Property or an  After-Acquired  Property for purposes of this Section
8.28.

                  SECTION  8.29  Maintenance  of  Cash  Management  System.  The
Borrower will maintain  and, to the extent  practicable,  will cause each of its
Subsidiaries to maintain,  all of its significant  operating accounts and demand
deposit  accounts used for paying and receiving  purposes in the ordinary course
of its business  with the New Cash  Management  Bank,  any of the Existing  Cash
Management Banks, any of the Lenders which is a commercial bank or any Affiliate
of any Lender which is a commercial bank or any other commercial bank acceptable
to the Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders, in each case, which agrees
to be bound by the terms of this  Agreement in writing.  In connection  with the
foregoing, the Borrower will, to the extent practicable, cause substantially all
of its available  operating  funds to be  concentrated,  on a daily basis,  in a
concentration  account which shall at all times be maintained  with the New Cash
Management Bank.

                  SECTION 8.30 Rent Obligations. The Borrower will not create or
permit,  and will not permit any Subsidiary to create or permit, any obligations
for the payment of rent or  occupancy  of  premises  with  respect to  operating
leases in the  aggregate  for the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  in any fiscal
year of the  Borrower  set forth  below in an amount in excess of the amount set
forth opposite such fiscal year:

                           Fiscal Year               Rent
                           -----------               ----

                           1996                      $33,000,000
                           1997                      $37,500,000
                           1998                      $39,500,000
                           1999                      $41,500,000





<PAGE> 94

                           2000                      $43,500,000;

provided,  that in the event the Synthetic Lease  Obligations  shall at any time
constitute  capital lease  obligations,  or any stores  subject to the Synthetic
Lease Documents (other than the stores located in St. Cloud,  Minnesota and Lake
Jackson,  Texas) are sold,  the  amounts set forth above shall be reduced by the
amount of rent (or the relevant  portion  thereof)  payable  under the Synthetic
Lease Documents subsequent to such event.

                  SECTION 8.31 Lender  Meetings.  From time to time as requested
by the  Administrative  Agent  or  the  Majority  Lenders,  the  Borrower  shall
participate,  and cause the chief  financial  officer to be available for and to
participate  in, a meeting  of the  Administrative  Agent and the  Lenders to be
held,  at  reasonable  intervals,  at  locations  and at times  requested by the
Administrative Agent and the Majority Lenders and reasonably satisfactory to the
Borrower.

                  SECTION  8.32 Post  Closing  Matters.  (a) To the  extent  any
Mortgages,  Surveys or Title  Policies were not delivered to the  Administrative
Agent on the Closing  Date with  respect to each  Available  Property  listed on
Schedule  III,  the  Borrower  shall cause such  Mortgages  to be  executed  and
delivered in recordable form for filing in the  appropriate  filing or recording
offices within fifteen days of the Closing Date and shall cause any  outstanding
Surveys and Title Policies to be delivered to the Administrative Agent within 60
days of the Closing Date or such longer  period not to exceed an  additional  30
days to which the  Administrative  Agent may  consent.  All Title  Policies  and
Surveys  must  be  reasonably  acceptable  to the  Administrative  Agent  in all
respects.

                  (b) To the extent that any title  certificates  for any of the
Borrower's  Vehicles  were  not  delivered  to the  Administrative  Agent on the
Closing  Date,  the  Borrower  shall  submit  to  the  appropriate  Governmental
Authority,  within 30 days of the Closing Date,  all required  documentation  to
enable such Governmental  Authority to issue to the Administrative Agent a title
certificate including reference to the lien of the Collateral Agent.

                  (c) The Borrower shall cause its cash management  arrangements
with the New Cash Management Bank to be fully  implemented and operational on or
before January 1, 1997.

                  (d) To the extent that the Borrower shall not have delivered a
current  Phase I  environmental  report with respect to any  Available  Property
listed on Schedule III, upon the Administrative  Agent's reasonable request, the
Borrower,  at its  expense,  will  cause such a report to be  prepared  and will
deliver the same to the Administrative Agent within 30 days of such request.






<PAGE> 95

                  (e) To the extent that the Borrower  shall not have  delivered
all of the documentation  required by Section 6.2(n) to the Administrative Agent
on the Closing Date,  the  Administrative  Agent may allow the Borrower up to an
additional twenty days to deliver the same.

                               SECTION 9. DEFAULTS

                  SECTION 9.1 Events of Default. If one or more of the following
events (each an "Event of Default") shall have occurred and be continuing:

                  (a) the Borrower  shall fail to pay when due any  principal of
         or interest on any Loan or any  Reimbursement  Obligation,  any fees or
         any other amount payable hereunder (including,  without limitation, any
         prepayments required to be made by Section 2.8) or under the Notes, the
         Applications, the Security Documents or the Fee Letter;

                  (b) (i) the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  shall fail to observe
         or perform any  covenants  contained  in Sections  8.7 through  8.14 or
         Sections 8.19,  8.24,  8.25,  8.28 or 8.30 or (ii) after written notice
         thereof has been given to the Borrower by the Administrative Agent, the
         Borrower  or  any   Subsidiary   shall   remain  in  violation  of  the
         requirements  of any other covenant  contained in Section 8 (other than
         Sections 8.1(a) and (b), 8.2, 8.3(a), 8.4, 8.6, 8.16, 8.18, 8.26, 8.29,
         8.31 or 8.32), or shall remain in violation of the  requirements of any
         covenant  contained in Sections  8.1(a) or (b), 8.21,  8.26 or 8.29 for
         five days,  or shall  remain in violation  of the  requirements  of any
         covenant  contained in Sections  8.3(a),  8.6, or 8.32 for ten days, or
         shall remain in violation of the requirements of any covenant contained
         in Sections 8.16 or 8.18 for fifteen days, or shall remain in violation
         of the  requirements of any covenant  contained in Sections 8.2, 8.4 or
         8.31 for 30 days;

                  (c)  after  written  notice  thereof  has  been  given  to the
         Borrower by the  Administrative  Agent, the Borrower or any Subsidiary,
         as the case may be, shall remain in  violation of the  requirements  of
         any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement (other than those
         covered by clause (a) or (b) above) or in any other Credit Document for
         30 days;

                  (d) any representation,  warranty,  certification or statement
         made by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in this Agreement,  any
         other Credit  Document or in any  certificate,  financial  statement or
         other document delivered pursuant to this Agreement shall prove to have
         been incorrect in any material respect when made (or deemed made);






<PAGE> 96

                  (e) the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  shall  fail to make any
         payment in respect of any Debt  aggregating  $3,000,000  or more (other
         than the Notes) when due or within any  applicable  grace period or any
         event or condition shall occur which results in the acceleration of the
         maturity of any Debt aggregating  $3,000,000 or more of the Borrower or
         any Subsidiary or the termination of any commitment to lend any Debt or
         enables (or, with the giving of notice or lapse of time or both,  would
         enable) the holder of such Debt or any Person  acting on such  holder's
         behalf to accelerate  the maturity  thereof or terminate any commitment
         to lend such Debt;

                  (f) the Borrower or any Subsidiary  shall commence a voluntary
         case or other proceeding seeking  liquidation,  reorganization or other
         relief  with  respect  to  itself or its  debts  under any  bankruptcy,
         insolvency  or other  similar law now or hereafter in effect or seeking
         the appointment of a trustee, receiver, liquidator,  custodian or other
         similar  official of it or any  substantial  part of its  property,  or
         shall  consent to any such  relief or to the  appointment  of or taking
         possession  by any  such  official  in an  involuntary  case  or  other
         proceeding commenced against it, or shall make a general assignment for
         the benefit of creditors,  or shall become unable, admit in writing its
         inability  or fail  generally  to pay its debts as they  become due, or
         shall take any corporate action to authorize any of the foregoing;

                  (g) an involuntary case or other proceeding shall be commenced
         against  the   Borrower   or  any   Subsidiary   seeking   liquidation,
         reorganization  or other  relief with  respect to it or its debts under
         any  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or other  similar law now or hereafter in
         effect or seeking the appointment of a trustee,  receiver,  liquidator,
         custodian or other similar  official of it or any  substantial  part of
         its  property,  and such  involuntary  case or other  proceeding  shall
         remain  undismissed  and unstayed for a period of 60 days;  or an order
         for relief  shall be entered  against the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary
         under the federal bankruptcy laws as now or hereafter in effect;

                  (h) any ERISA Event shall have occurred with respect to a Plan
         and, 30 days after notice of such  occurrence  shall have been given to
         the  Borrower  by the  Administrative  Agent (i) such ERISA Event shall
         still exist and (ii) the sum  (determined  as of the date of occurrence
         of  such  ERISA  Event)  of the  Insufficiency  of  such  Plan  and the
         Insufficiency of any and all other Plans with respect to which an ERISA
         Event  shall have  occurred  and then exist (or,  in the case of a Plan
         with respect to which an ERISA Event described in clauses (b), (c), (e)
         and (f) of the  definition  of ERISA Event shall have occurred and then
         exist,  the  liability  related  thereto)  is equal to or greater  than
         $3,000,000;





<PAGE> 97

                  (i) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any
         of them shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan
         that it has incurred Withdrawal Liability to such Multiemployer Plan in
         an amount which,  when aggregated with all other amounts required to be
         paid to  Multiemployer  Plans by the  Borrower,  any  Subsidiary or any
         ERISA Affiliate of any of them as Withdrawal  Liability  (determined as
         of the  date of such  notification),  exceeds  $5,000,000  or  requires
         payments exceeding $2,000,000 per annum;

                  (j) the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any
         of them shall have been notified by the sponsor of a Multiemployer Plan
         that  such   Multiemployer  Plan  is  in  reorganization  or  is  being
         terminated  within the  meaning of Title IV of ERISA if, as a result of
         such reorganization or termination,  the aggregate annual contributions
         of the Borrower,  the  Subsidiaries  and the ERISA Affiliates of any of
         them to all  Multiemployer  Plans which are then in  reorganization  or
         being  terminated  have been or will be  increased  over the  aggregate
         amounts contributed to such Multiemployer Plans for the respective plan
         year of each such  Multiemployer  Plan  immediately  preceding the plan
         year in which the  reorganization  or  termination  occurs by an amount
         exceeding $2,000,000;

                  (k) one or more  judgments  or orders for the payment of money
         in an  aggregate  amount  in  excess of  $5,000,000  shall be  rendered
         against the Borrower or any Subsidiary and such judgment(s) or order(s)
         shall continue  unsatisfied and unstayed for a period of 20 days or one
         or more  attachments  or executions  against any of the property of the
         Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  for an  aggregate  amount  in  excess  of
         $5,000,000  shall  remain  unstayed or  undismissed  for a period of 20
         days;

                  (1) this Agreement or any of the Credit  Documents shall cease
         for any reason to be in full  force and effect  other than by reason of
         any action or  inaction of the  Collateral  Agent,  the  Administrative
         Agent or the Lenders, or the security interests created by the Security
         Documents  shall cease to be enforceable or shall not have the priority
         purported  to be  created  thereby in each case  subject  only to Liens
         permitted to exist under Section 8.10 and as otherwise  contemplated by
         the Credit Documents or the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall
         assert any of the foregoing;

                  (m) there shall occur the loss, theft,  substantial  damage to
         or destruction of any property of the Borrower or its  Subsidiaries not
         fully covered by insurance,  which by itself or with other such losses,
         thefts,  damages or destructions could reasonably be expected to render
         the  Borrower  unable  to  perform  any  of  its  material  obligations
         hereunder or under the other Credit Documents, or there shall occur the
         exercise  of the




<PAGE> 98

         right  of  condemnation  or  eminent  domain  for any  property  of the
         Borrower  or its  Subsidiaries  which  by  itself  or with  other  such
         exercises  of  the  right  of  condemnation  or  eminent  domain  could
         reasonably  be  expected to render the  Borrower  unable to perform its
         obligations hereunder or under the other Credit Documents; or

                  (n)      a Change of Control shall have occurred;

then,  and in every such  event,  the  Administrative  Agent (i)  shall,  at the
request  of the  Required  Lenders,  by notice to the  Borrower,  terminate  the
Commitments  and they shall thereupon  terminate,  (ii) shall, at the request of
the Required  Lenders,  by notice to the Borrower,  declare the Notes  (together
with accrued interest thereon) and all other Bank Obligations and liabilities of
the Borrower hereunder and under the other Credit Documents (including,  without
limitation, all amounts of L/C Obligations,  whether or not the beneficiaries of
the then  outstanding  Letters of Credit  shall  have  presented  the  documents
required  thereunder)  to be, and the Notes and all other Bank  Obligations  and
liabilities  of the  Borrower  hereunder  and under the other  Credit  Documents
(including,  without limitation, all amounts of L/C Obligations,  whether or not
the beneficiaries of the then outstanding Letters of Credit shall have presented
the documents required  thereunder) shall thereupon become,  immediately due and
payable as if the Letters of Credit had been drawn in full, without presentment,
demand,  protest or other notice of any kind,  all of which are hereby waived by
the  Borrower,  (iii) as to any and all amounts then due  hereunder or under the
other Credit Documents  (whether by acceleration or otherwise),  may, and at the
request of the Required Lenders shall, set off or cause to be set off amounts in
any account  maintained with any Lender or otherwise  enforce rights against any
of the  Collateral  in the  possession  of any  Secured  Party  (other  than the
Merchandise Letter of Credit Bank), (iv) may, and at the request of the Required
Lenders shall,  enforce  against any of the other  Collateral any and all rights
and remedies  under the Credit  Documents or applicable  law and (v) may, and at
the request of the Required Lenders shall, exercise any and all other rights and
remedies under the Credit  Documents or applicable law;  provided,  that without
any notice to the Borrower or any other act by the  Administrative  Agent or the
Lenders,  in the case of the  occurrence  of (x) any of the  Events  of  Default
specified  in clause (f) or (g) above with respect to the  Borrower,  (y) any of
the  Events of  Default  specified  in  clause  (e) above  with  respect  to the
Prudential Real Estate Financing as to which Prudential  either  accelerates the
maturity of any of the Debt owing by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries to
Prudential  with  respect  thereto or otherwise  exercises  any of its rights or
remedies to liquidate,  realize or foreclose upon any  collateral  securing such
Debt,  or (z) any of the  Events of Default  specified  in clause (e) above with
respect to the Synthetic  Lease  Documents as to which the Synthetic Lease Banks
or the  certificate  trustee  thereunder  accelerate the maturity of any amounts
owing by the Borrower to such




<PAGE> 99

certificate  trustee or by such certificate trustee to the Synthetic Lease Banks
with  respect  thereto  or  otherwise  exercise  any of their or its  rights  or
remedies to liquidate,  realize or foreclose upon any  collateral  securing such
Debt, the  Commitments  shall  thereupon  terminate and the Notes (together with
accrued interest  thereon) and all other Bank Obligations and liabilities of the
Borrower  hereunder  and under the other Credit  Documents  (including,  without
limitation, all amounts of L/C Obligations,  whether or not the beneficiaries of
the then  outstanding  Letters of Credit  shall  have  presented  the  documents
required  thereunder) shall become immediately due and payable as if the Letters
of Credit had been drawn in full without presentment,  demand,  protest or other
notice of any kind, all of which are hereby waived by the Borrower.

                  With  respect to all Letters of Credit  with  respect to which
presentment  for honor shall not have  occurred  at the time of an  acceleration
pursuant to the preceding paragraph,  the Borrower shall at such time deposit in
a cash collateral  account  maintained with the Collateral Agent an amount equal
to 103% of the aggregate  then undrawn and unexpired  amount of all such Letters
of Credit.  Amounts held in such cash collateral account shall be applied by the
Administrative  Agent to the  reimbursement  of all  amounts  drawn  under  such
Letters of Credit and the  payment of all other  amounts  due in respect of such
Letters of Credit,  and the unused  portion  thereof  after all such  Letters of
Credit shall have expired or been fully drawn upon, if any,  shall be applied to
repay other Bank  Obligations of the Borrower  hereunder and under the Notes and
the other Credit Documents.  After all such Letters of Credit shall have expired
or been  fully  drawn  upon,  all  Reimbursement  Obligations  shall  have  been
satisfied  and all other  obligations  of the Borrower  hereunder  and under the
Notes and the other Credit Documents shall have been performed and paid in full,
the balance,  if any, in such cash  collateral  account shall be returned to the
Borrower.

                  SECTION  9.2  Application  of  Proceeds.  (a) If an  Event  of
Default shall have occurred and be  continuing,  the proceeds of the  Additional
Collateral  and all other  payments  received  under this Agreement or the other
Credit  Documents  (including as a result of or in connection  with a proceeding
under  the  United  States  Bankruptcy  Code  or any  other  similar  state  law
proceeding involving the Borrower) which do not constitute identifiable proceeds
of Original  Collateral shall be applied by the Administrative  Agent to payment
of the Secured Obligations in the following order:

                  (i) FIRST, to payment of all  unreimbursed  costs and expenses
         of the  Administrative  Agent or the Collateral Agent which are payable
         by  the  Borrower  pursuant  to any of the  Credit  Documents  and  all
         unreimbursed  costs and  expenses  of the  Lenders  which  are  payable
         pursuant to Section 11.3;

                  (ii)  SECOND,  to  payment  first of the  accrued  and  unpaid
         interest  on,  next the  principal  of and then all other  amounts




<PAGE> 100

         due under,  the Credit  Documents in respect of the Swingline Loans and
         any New Cash Management Obligations remaining unpaid after the exercise
         of any  set-off  rights  available  to the  New  Cash  Management  Bank
         pursuant to Section 11.4,  such payment to be made ratably  amongst the
         Swingline  Lenders and the New Cash  Management Bank in accordance with
         the proportion which the aggregate  principal amount of the outstanding
         Swingline Loans owing to the Swingline Lenders at the time bears to the
         principal  amount of such New Cash Management  Obligations,  until such
         interest, principal and other amounts shall be paid in full;

             (iii)  THIRD,  subject  to the  provisions  of  the  Inter-Facility
         Agreement to the extent applicable, to payment first of the accrued and
         unpaid interest on, next the principal of the Restructured  Obligations
         (including the outstanding  amount of any Reimbursement  Obligations in
         respect of the Letters of Credit and the cash  collateralization of any
         undrawn  Letters  of  Credit  in an  amount  equal  to 103% of the then
         undrawn amount thereof) and any Covered Obligations ratably amongst the
         Lenders and the holders of the Covered  Obligations in accordance  with
         the proportion which the aggregate  principal amount of the outstanding
         Restructured  Obligations owing to the Lenders at the time bears to the
         aggregate  principal  amount  of such  Covered  Obligations  until  the
         interest on and  principal  of the  Restructured  Obligations  and such
         Covered Obligations shall be paid or provided for in full;

                  (iv)  FOURTH,  to the  payment of all other  Bank  Obligations
         ratably amongst the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Bank in accordance
         with the  proportion  which the amount of such  other Bank  Obligations
         owing to each such  Lender and the  Letter of Credit  Bank bears to the
         aggregate  principal amount of such other Bank Obligations owing to all
         of the  Lenders  and the  Letter of Credit  Bank  until such other Bank
         Obligations shall be paid in full; and

                  (v)  FIFTH,  the  balance,  if  any,  after  all of  the  Bank
         Obligations  have been satisfied,  shall be returned to the Borrower or
         paid over to such other Person as may be required by law.

                  The  Borrower  acknowledges  and agrees  that it shall  remain
liable to the extent of any deficiency between (x) the amount of the proceeds of
the Additional  Collateral and all other payments  received under this Agreement
and applied  pursuant to this  Section 9.2 to the sums  referred to in the first
through fourth  clauses above and (y) the aggregate  amount of the sums referred
to in the first through fourth clauses above.

                  (b)  If an  Event  of  Default  shall  have  occurred  and  be
continuing,  the  proceeds of the  Original  Collateral  and all other




<PAGE> 101

payments received under this Agreement or the other Credit Documents  (including
as a result  of or in  connection  with a  proceeding  under the  United  States
Bankruptcy  Code or any other similar  state law  proceeding)  which  constitute
identifiable   proceeds  of  Original   Collateral   shall  be  applied  by  the
Administrative Agent to payment of the Secured Obligations owing to the Original
Secured Parties in the following order:

                  (i) FIRST,  subject  to the  Inter-Facility  Agreement  to the
         extent applicable, to payment of all unreimbursed costs and expenses of
         the  Administrative  Agent or the Collateral Agent which are payable by
         the  Borrower   pursuant  to  any  of  the  Credit  Documents  and  all
         unreimbursed  costs and  expenses  of the  Lenders  which  are  payable
         pursuant to Section 11.3;

                  (ii) SECOND,  subject to the provisions of the  Inter-Facility
         Agreement to the extent  applicable,  to payment of that portion of the
         Restructured  Obligations  constituting accrued and unpaid interest and
         fees  ratably  amongst  the  Administrative  Agent and the  Lenders  in
         accordance  with the  proportion  which the accrued  interest  and fees
         constituting the Restructured  Obligations owing to the  Administrative
         Agent and each such Lender at such time bears to the  aggregate  amount
         of accrued interest and fees constituting the Restructured  Obligations
         owing to the  Administrative  Agent and all of the Lenders at such time
         until such interest and fees shall be paid in full;

             (iii)  THIRD,  subject  to the  provisions  of  the  Inter-Facility
         Agreement to the extent applicable,  to payment of the principal of the
         Restructured  Obligations  (including  the  outstanding  amount  of any
         Reimbursement  Obligations  in respect of the Letters of Credit and the
         cash  collateralization  of any undrawn  Letters of Credit in an amount
         equal to 103% of the then undrawn amount  thereof)  ratably amongst the
         Lenders in accordance with the proportion which the principal amount of
         the  Restructured  Obligations  owing to each such Lender  bears to the
         aggregate principal amount of the Restructured Obligations owing to all
         of the Lenders  until such  principal of the  Restructured  Obligations
         shall be paid in full;

                  (iv)  FOURTH,  to  the  payment  of  all  other   Restructured
         Obligations  ratably  amongst the Lenders and the Letter of Credit Bank
         in  accordance  with the  proportion  which the  amount  of such  other
         Restructured  Obligations  owing to each such  Lender and the Letter of
         Credit  Bank  bears to the  aggregate  principal  amount of such  other
         Restructured  Obligations owing to all of the Lenders and the Letter of
         Credit Bank until such other Restructured  Obligations shall be paid in
         full; and

                  (v) FIFTH, the balance,  if any, after all of the Restructured
         Obligations  have been satisfied,  shall be returned




<PAGE> 102

         to the Borrower or paid over to such other Person as may be required by
         law.

             The Borrower acknowledges and agrees that it shall remain liable to
the  extent of any  deficiency  between  (x) the amount of the  proceeds  of the
Original  Collateral  and all other  payments  received under this Agreement and
applied  pursuant  to this  Section  9.2 to the sums  referred  to in the  first
through fourth  clauses above and (y) the aggregate  amount of the sums referred
to in the first through fourth clauses above.

         SECTION 10. THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND THE COLLATERAL AGENT

                  SECTION 10.1  Appointment and  Authorization.  Each Lender and
the Letter of Credit Bank irrevocably appoints and authorizes the Administrative
Agent and the Collateral Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to
exercise  such powers,  under this  Agreement and the Notes and the other Credit
Documents as are delegated to the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent,
as the case may be,  by the  terms  hereof or  thereof,  together  with all such
powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

                  SECTION  10.2  Administrative  Agent,   Collateral  Agent  and
Affiliates.  The  Administrative  Agent and the Collateral  Agent shall have the
same rights and powers under this Agreement as any other Lender and may exercise
or refrain  from  exercising  the same as though it were not the  Administrative
Agent or the Collateral Agent, and the  Administrative  Agent and the Collateral
Agent and their  respective  Affiliates may accept deposits from, lend money to,
and generally engage in any kind of business with the Borrower or any Subsidiary
or Affiliate of the Borrower as if it were not the  Administrative  Agent or the
Collateral Agent.

                  SECTION  10.3  Action  by  Agents.   The  obligations  of  the
Administrative  Agent and the  Collateral  Agent  hereunder  and under the other
Credit Documents are only those expressly set forth herein and therein.  Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing,  neither the Administrative  Agent nor
the  Collateral  Agent shall be required to take any action with  respect to any
Default,  except as expressly provided with respect to the Administrative  Agent
in Section 9 and with respect to the Collateral Agent in the Security  Documents
and except that the  Administrative  Agent and the Collateral Agent, as the case
may be,  shall  take  such  action  with  respect  to such  Default  as shall be
reasonably directed by the Required Lenders; provided, that unless and until the
Administrative  Agent or the  Collateral  Agent,  as the case may be, shall have
received such directions,  the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent, as
the case may be,  may (but  shall  not be  obligated  to) take such  action,  or
refrain from taking such  action,  with respect to such Default as it shall deem
advisable.






<PAGE> 103

                  SECTION  10.4   Consultation   with   Experts.   Each  of  the
Administrative  Agent and the  Collateral  Agent may consult with legal  counsel
(who may be counsel for the Borrower),  independent public accountants and other
experts  selected by it and shall not be liable for any action  taken or omitted
to be taken by it in good faith in  accordance  with the advice of such counsel,
accountants or experts.

                  SECTION 10.5  Liability of Agents.  Notwithstanding  any other
provision,  express or implied,  to the contrary in this  Agreement or any other
Credit Document,  neither the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent nor any
of their  directors,  officers,  agents,  or  employees  shall be liable for any
action taken or not taken by them in connection  herewith or in connection  with
any  other  Credit  Document  (i)  with the  consent  or at the  request  of the
applicable  Lenders,  or (ii) in the  absence of their own gross  negligence  or
willful  misconduct,  as  determined  by a final order or judgment of a court of
competent  jurisdiction.  Neither the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent
nor any of their directors,  officers,  agents or employees shall be responsible
for or have any duty to  ascertain,  inquire  into or verify (i) any  statement,
warranty or  representation  made in connection with this  Agreement,  any other
Credit Document or any borrowing  hereunder;  (ii) the performance or observance
of any of the covenants or agreements of the Borrower; (iii) the satisfaction of
any  condition  specified  in Section 6 (except  where the  satisfaction  of the
Administrative   Agent  is  specifically   required);   or  (iv)  the  validity,
effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, the Notes, any Letter of Credit,
any other  Credit  Document  or any other  instrument  or writing  furnished  in
connection  herewith  or  therewith.  Neither the  Administrative  Agent nor the
Collateral  Agent  shall  incur any  liability  by acting in  reliance  upon any
notice, consent,  certificate,  statement, or other writing (which may be a bank
wire or  similar  writing)  believed  by it in good faith to be genuine or to be
signed by the proper party or parties.

                  SECTION 10.6 Indemnification.  Each Lender shall indemnify the
Administrative  Agent and the Collateral  Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by
the Borrower and without  limiting the  obligation of the Borrower to do so), in
Ratable Proportion, against any cost, expense (including counsel fees of outside
and in-house counsel and disbursements),  claim,  demand,  action, loss, damage,
penalty,  judgment,  disbursement or liability (except those which result solely
from the  Administrative  Agent's or the Collateral  Agent's gross negligence or
willful  misconduct,  as  determined  by a final order or judgment of a court of
competent  jurisdiction) that the  Administrative  Agent or the Collateral Agent
may  suffer or incur in  connection  with  this  Agreement  or any other  Credit
Document  or any  action  taken or omitted  by the  Administrative  Agent or the
Collateral  Agent  hereunder or thereunder.  The agreements in this Section 10.6
shall  survive the  payment  and  performance  of the Bank  Obligations  and the
termination of this Agreement.  Without  limiting the foregoing,  the agreements
contained in Section 10.6 of the




<PAGE> 104

Existing  Credit  Agreement  shall  continue  in full force and effect as to the
matters covered thereby.

                  SECTION   10.7  Credit   Decision.   Each   Lender   expressly
acknowledges that neither the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent nor any
of the  Co-Agents  nor any of  their  officers,  directors,  employees,  agents,
attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates has made any representations or warranties to it
and  that  no act by the  Administrative  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent  or the
Co-Agents  hereinafter  taken,  including  any  review  of  the  affairs  of the
Borrower,  shall be deemed to constitute any  representation  or warranty by the
Administrative  Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Co-Agents to any Lender. Each
Lender  acknowledges  that it has,  independently  and without reliance upon the
Administrative  Agent, the Collateral  Agent, the Co-Agents or any other Lender,
and based on such documents and information as it has deemed  appropriate,  made
its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this  Agreement.  Each Lender
also  acknowledges  that it will,  independently  and without  reliance upon the
Administrative  Agent, the Collateral  Agent, the Co-Agents or any other Lender,
and based on such documents and information as it shall deem  appropriate at the
time,  continue  to make its own  credit  decisions  in taking or not taking any
action under this  Agreement.  Except for notices,  reports and other  documents
expressly  required to be furnished to the Lenders by the  Administrative  Agent
hereunder, neither the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent nor any of the
Co-Agents shall have any duty or  responsibility  to provide any Lender with any
credit or other  information  concerning  the  business,  operations,  property,
condition  (financial  or  otherwise),  prospects  or  creditworthiness  of  the
Borrower  or  any  Subsidiary   which  may  come  into  the  possession  of  the
Administrative  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent or any of the Co-Agents or any of
their officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

                  SECTION  10.8  Successor  Agents.  Each of the  Administrative
Agent and the  Collateral  Agent may resign at any time by giving written notice
thereof to the Lenders and the Borrower. Upon any such resignation, the Required
Lenders  shall have the right to  appoint a  successor  Administrative  Agent or
Collateral  Agent, as the case may be. If no successor  Administrative  Agent or
Collateral  Agent,  as the case may be,  shall  have  been so  appointed  by the
Required Lenders, and shall have accepted such appointment, within 30 days after
the retiring  agent's giving of notice of  resignation,  then the retiring agent
may,  on behalf of the  Lenders,  appoint a  successor  Administrative  Agent or
Collateral  Agent,  as the case may be,  which shall be a Lender or a commercial
bank  organized  under the laws of the United  States of America or of any State
thereof and having a combined capital and surplus of at least $250,000,000. Upon
the acceptance of its appointment as  Administrative  Agent or Collateral Agent,
as the case may be, hereunder by a successor  Administrative Agent or Collateral
Agent, as the case may be, such successor  agent shall thereupon  succeed to and
become  vested  with




<PAGE> 105

all the rights and duties of the  retiring  Administrative  Agent or  Collateral
Agent,  as the case may be,  and,  upon such  acceptance  of  appointment,  such
retiring agent shall be discharged  from its duties and  obligations  hereunder.
After any retiring  agent's  resignation  hereunder as  Administrative  Agent or
Collateral  Agent,  the provisions of this Section 10 shall inure to its benefit
as to any actions taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Administrative
Agent or Collateral Agent, as the case may be.

                            SECTION 11. MISCELLANEOUS

                  SECTION  11.1  Notices.   All  notices,   requests  and  other
communications to any party hereunder shall be in writing  (including bank wire,
telecopy or similar  writing) and shall be given to such party at its address or
telecopy number set forth on Schedule I or such other address or telecopy number
as  such  party  may  hereafter  specify  for  the  purpose  by  notice  to  the
Administrative  Agent and the  Borrower.  Each  such  notice,  request  or other
communication shall be given (i) by hand delivery, (ii) by nationally recognized
courier  service for next  Domestic  Business Day delivery or (iii) by telecopy,
receipt confirmed; provided, that information furnished by the Borrower pursuant
to Sections 8.1(a) through (f) or pursuant to Sections 8.1(i),  (j), (l), (n)(i)
and  (r)  may be  sent by  first  class  mail.  Each  such  notice,  request  or
communication  shall be effective  (i) if delivered  by hand,  or by  nationally
recognized  courier  service,  when  delivered at the address  specified in this
Section 11.1 and (ii) if given by telecopy, when such telecopy is transmitted to
the telecopy number,  as the case may be, specified in this Section 11.1 and the
appropriate  answerback or  confirmation is received and (iii) if by first class
mail, when mailed to the address specified in this Section 11.1.

                  SECTION  11.2 No  Waivers.  No course of dealing  between  the
Collateral Agent, the  Administrative  Agent, any Lender and the Borrower or any
failure or delay by the Collateral Agent, the Administrative Agent or any Lender
in exercising any right, power or privilege hereunder or under any Note or other
Credit  Document  shall  operate  as a waiver of any right,  power or  privilege
hereunder  or under any Note or other Credit  Document,  nor shall any single or
partial  exercise  thereof preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the
exercise of any other right, power or privilege.  The rights and remedies herein
provided  shall be  cumulative  and not  exclusive  of any  rights  or  remedies
provided  by law. No waiver of any  provision  of this  Agreement  or any Credit
Document or consent to any  departure  by the  Borrower  therefrom  shall in any
event be effective  unless the same shall be permitted by Section 11.5, and then
such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the specific  instance and for
the purpose  for which  given.  No notice or demand on the  Borrower in any case
shall  entitle the Borrower to any other or further  notice or demand in similar
or other circumstances.






<PAGE> 106

                  SECTION 11.3 Expenses;  Documentary Taxes.  Whether or not any
Loans are made or  Letters  of  Credit  are  issued  or any  other  transactions
contemplated by the Credit  Documents  shall be consummated,  the Borrower shall
pay on demand all  "out-of-pocket"  expenses of the  Administrative  Agent,  the
Collateral Agent and the Lenders in connection with the preparation, and, in the
case of the Administrative  Agent and the Collateral Agent, the  administration,
of this  Agreement  and the other Credit  Documents  (including  the  reasonable
collateral  monitoring and field examination fees of the Collateral  Agent), any
waiver or consent hereunder or thereunder,  any amendment or modification hereof
or thereof or incurred by the  Administrative  Agent, the Collateral  Agent, the
Letter of Credit  Bank or any Lender in  connection  with any Default or alleged
Default  hereunder  and the  protection,  maintenance  and  preservation  of the
Collateral including,  without limitation,  reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel  (including,   without  limitation,  the  allocated  costs  of  in-house
counsel),  accountants and financial  advisors and including  specifically ZR&G,
Emmet,  Marvin & Martin  LLP,  special  real  estate  counsel and any local real
estate counsel for the Administrative Agent and the Collateral Agent and Ernst &
Young  LLP,  financial  advisors  to ZR&G  and,  in  connection  with  any  such
amendment,  modification  or waiver or any such  enforcement or protection,  the
reasonable fees and  disbursements  of the Letter of Credit Bank and any Lender.
The Borrower shall  indemnify and hold harmless the  Administrative  Agent,  the
Collateral Agent, the Letter of Credit Bank and each Lender against any transfer
taxes,  excise  taxes,  documentary  taxes,  assessments  or charges made by any
Governmental  Authority  by  reason  of  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this
Agreement,  the Notes or any other Credit Document, any modifications thereof or
in  connection  with  the  Collateral.   Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  the
provisions of this Section 11.3 shall survive the payment and performance of the
Bank  Obligations  and the  termination  of this  Agreement,  and the agreements
contained in Section 11.3 of the Existing  Credit  Agreement  shall  continue in
full force and effect as to the matters covered thereby.

             SECTION 11.4 Sharing of  Set-offs.  Each Secured  Party (other than
the  Merchandise  Letter of Credit Bank) agrees that if it shall,  by exercising
any right of  set-off or  counterclaim  or  otherwise,  receive  any  payment in
respect of Secured Obligations, such payment shall be applied as follows: (x) if
such  Secured  Party  is a  Swingline  Lender  and  there  are  Swingline  Loans
outstanding, and the payment received is of a proportion of the aggregate amount
of principal and interest due on the Swingline Loans held by it which is greater
than that  received by any other  Swingline  Lender in respect of the  aggregate
amount of principal and interest due with respect to the Swingline Loans held by
such other Swingline Lender, the Swingline Lender receiving such proportionately
greater payment shall purchase such  participations  in the Swingline Loans held
by the other Swingline  Lenders and such other adjustments shall be made, as may
be required so that all such  payments of principal and interest with respect to
the Swingline Loans held by the Swingline




<PAGE> 107

Lenders owing to them shall be shared by the Swingline  Lenders pro rata; (y) if
such  Secured  Party is not a  Swingline  Lender and there are  Swingline  Loans
outstanding,  such  Secured  Party  shall pay over the  payment  received to the
Administrative  Agent for distribution to the Swingline Lenders,  pro rata until
all  amounts  owing in respect of the  Swingline  Loans  shall have been paid in
full; and (z) if no Swingline Loans are outstanding, and the payment received is
of a  proportion  of the  aggregate  amount of  principal  and interest due with
respect to the Restructured Loans held by it or the Reimbursement Obligations or
Covered Obligations owing to it which is greater than the proportion received by
any other such Secured Party in respect of the aggregate amount of principal and
interest due with respect to the  Restructured  Loans held by such other Secured
Party and the Reimbursement  Obligations or Covered Obligations owing to it, the
Secured Party receiving such proportionately greater payment shall purchase such
participation in the Restructured Loans held by the other Secured Parties and/or
the  Reimbursement  Obligations or Covered  Obligations  owing to them, and such
other adjustments shall be made, as may be required so that all such payments of
principal  and  interest  with  respect  to the  Restructured  Loans held by the
Secured Parties or the Reimbursement Obligations or Covered Obligations owing to
them shall be shared by the Secured Parties pro rata;  provided,  that except as
provided in clauses (x) and (y) of this  Section  11.4,  nothing in this Section
11.4  shall  impair  the right of any  Secured  Party to  exercise  any right of
set-off  or  counterclaim  it may have and to apply the  amount  subject to such
exercise  to  the  payment  of  indebtedness  of the  Borrower  other  than  its
indebtedness  under  the  Notes  or the  Reimbursement  Obligations  or  Covered
Obligations owing to it; and provided, further, that notwithstanding anything to
the contrary  contained in this Section 11.4, the New Cash Management Bank shall
be  entitled  to retain  any  payments  it  receives  in respect of the New Cash
Management  Obligations  as a result of  exercising  any right of set-off.  Each
Lender  further  agrees that if it shall hold a  Revolving  Note and a Swingline
Note,  any payment in respect of such Notes  resulting  from its exercise of any
right  described in this Section  11.4 shall be applied  first to the  aggregate
amount owing under its Swingline Note and second,  to the aggregate amount owing
under its Revolving  Note.  The Borrower  agrees,  to the fullest  extent it may
effectively do so under  applicable law, that any holder of a participation in a
Note or  Reimbursement  Obligations,  whether or not  acquired  pursuant  to the
foregoing arrangements, may exercise rights of set-off or counterclaim and other
rights  with  respect  to such  participation  as fully as if such  holder  of a
participation  were a direct  creditor  of the  Borrower  in the  amount of such
participation.

                  SECTION 11.5 Amendments and Waivers. (a) Any provision of this
Agreement,  the Notes or the other Credit Documents may be amended or waived if,
but only if,  such  amendment  or  waiver  is in  writing  and is  signed by the
Borrower  and the  Majority  Lenders  (and,  (i) if the  rights or duties of the
Administrative  Agent,  the  Collateral  Agent  or the  Co-Agents  are  affected
thereby, by the




<PAGE> 108

Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent or the Co-Agents, as the case may be,
and (ii) if the  rights  or duties of the  Letter  of Credit  Bank are  affected
thereby,  by the  Administrative  Agent,  the Collateral Agent and the Letter of
Credit Bank);  provided,  that no such amendment or waiver shall,  unless signed
(w) by the Majority Lenders and all the Swingline Lenders (other than Defaulting
Lenders),  change the definition of "Required Inventory" for purposes of Section
6.3(a) or modify the  substance  of  Section  8.26 or the  Swingline  Compliance
Certificate,  (x)  by all  the  Restructuring  Lenders  (other  than  Defaulting
Lenders) affected thereby (i) reduce the principal of or rate of interest on any
Restructured  Loan or any fees hereunder in respect of the  Restructured  Loans,
(ii) postpone any of the mandatory commitment  reductions referred to in Section
2.8 or the date fixed for any payment or mandatory prepayment of principal of or
interest on any Restructured Loan or any fees payable hereunder,  (iii) amend or
waive any provision of this proviso (x), (iv) substitute,  discharge, release or
surrender  all or  substantially  all  of the  Original  Collateral,  except  as
permitted in the Credit Documents,  (v) amend Section 9.2(b) or (vi) release any
Guarantee of the Bank  Obligations,  and (y) by all the Swingline Lenders (other
than Defaulting Lenders) affected thereby (i) reduce the principal of or rate of
interest on any  Swingline  Loan or any fees  hereunder in respect the Swingline
Loans, (ii) postpone any of the mandatory  commitment  reductions referred to in
Section  2.8 or the date  fixed  for any  payment  or  mandatory  prepayment  of
principal of or interest on any  Swingline  Loan or any fees payable  hereunder,
(iii) amend or waive any  provision of proviso  (w), or this  proviso (y),  (iv)
amend Section  9.2(a),  (v) change the  definition of "Required  Inventory"  for
purposes of Sections  2.8(g) or 2.9(d),  (vi) release any  Guarantee of the Bank
Obligations or (vii) amend or waive the  requirements of Section 6.3, and (z) by
all the Lenders  (other than  Defaulting  Lenders)  (i) increase or decrease any
Commitment of any Lender or subject any Lender to any  additional  obligation to
extend credit  hereunder,  (ii) change the definitions of "Majority  Lenders" or
"Required  Lenders",  (iii) amend or waive any provision of this proviso (z), or
this Section  11.5  (except as provided in proviso (w),  proviso (x) and proviso
(y));  (iv) change the  percentage of the  Commitments  or the aggregate  unpaid
principal  amount of the Notes or the number of Lenders  which shall be required
for the Lenders or any of them to take any action  under this Section 11.5 or to
require the Administrative Agent to take any action pursuant to Section 9.1, (v)
substitute,  discharge,  release or surrender  all or  substantially  all of the
Additional Collateral except as permitted in the Credit Documents, (vi) amend or
waive the provisions of Section 2.8 in any way which would reduce the amounts of
payments the Borrower is otherwise  required to make  pursuant  thereto or which
would change the manner in which such  payments are to be applied or (vii) amend
or waive the provisions of the second sentence of Section 11.6(a).

                  (b) Each  Lender  and each  holder of a Note shall be bound by
any waiver, amendment or modification authorized by this Section




<PAGE> 109

11.5  regardless  of whether its Note shall have been  marked to make  reference
thereto,  and any  consent  by any Lender or holder of a Note  pursuant  to this
Section  11.5  shall  bind any  person  subsequently  acquiring  a Note from it,
whether or not such Note shall have been so marked.

                  SECTION   11.6   Successors   and   Assigns;   Participations;
Purchasing Lenders.

                  (a) This  Agreement  shall be  binding  upon and  inure to the
benefit of the Borrower,  the Secured Parties (other than the Merchandise Letter
of Credit Bank),  the  Administrative  Agent,  the Collateral  Agent, all future
holders  of the  Notes and the  Participating  Interests  and  their  respective
successors  and assigns.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the Borrower may not
assign or transfer any of its rights or obligations under this Agreement without
the prior written consent of each Lender.

                  (b) Any Lender may, in the ordinary  course of its  commercial
banking  business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to one
or more banks,  mutual funds or other  financial  institutions  ("Participants")
participating  interests in any Loan owing to such Lender, any Note held by such
Lender,  any  Commitment  of such  Lender or any other  interest  of such Lender
hereunder and under the other Credit Documents,  including,  without limitation,
its interest in the L/C  Obligations.  In the event of any such sale by a Lender
of participating  interests to a Participant,  such Lender's  obligations  under
this  Agreement to the other parties to this Agreement  shall remain  unchanged,
such Lender shall remain solely  responsible for the performance  thereof,  such
Lender  shall  remain  the holder of any such Note for all  purposes  under this
Agreement   and  the  other   Credit   Documents,   and  the  Borrower  and  the
Administrative Agent shall continue to deal solely and directly with such Lender
in connection with such Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement and
the other Credit Documents.

                  The  Borrower  agrees that if amounts  outstanding  under this
Agreement,  the Notes or any other Credit  Document are due or unpaid,  or shall
have been  declared or shall have become due and payable upon the  occurrence of
an Event of  Default,  each  Participant  shall be  deemed  to have the right of
setoff in respect of its  participating  interest  in amounts  owing  under this
Agreement and the other Credit  Documents to the same extent as if the amount of
its  participating  interest  were owing  directly to it as a Lender  under this
Agreement or the other Credit Documents;  provided,  that such Participant shall
only be  entitled  to such  right of  setoff  if it  shall  have  agreed  in the
agreement pursuant to which it shall have acquired its participating interest to
share with the Lenders the  proceeds  thereof as provided in Section  11.4.  The
Borrower also agrees that each Participant  shall be entitled to the benefits of
Sections 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.9 and 11.10 with respect to its  participation  in the
Commitments  and the  Loans  outstanding  from time




<PAGE> 110

to time; provided,  that no Participant shall be entitled to receive any greater
amount  pursuant to such  Sections  than the  transferor  Lender would have been
entitled to receive in respect of the amount of the participation transferred by
such transferor Lender to such Participant had no such transfer  occurred.  Each
Lender  agrees that any  agreement  between such Lender and any  Participant  in
respect of such participating interest shall not restrict such Lender's right to
agree to any  amendment,  supplement or  modification  to this  Agreement or the
other Credit Documents except (to the extent such Participant  would be affected
thereby) in  connection  with the matters  specified in Section 11.5 which would
require the consent of such Lender.

                  (c) Any Lender may, in the ordinary  course of its  commercial
banking  business and in accordance with applicable law, at any time sell to any
Lender or any Affiliate  thereof  (subject to compliance  with clause (j) below)
and, with the consent of the Borrower (which shall not be unreasonably  withheld
or delayed but shall not be required to be  obtained  after the  occurrence  and
during the continuance of an Event of Default), to one or more additional banks,
each having total assets in excess of  $1,500,000,000  or one or more additional
mutual funds or other financial  institutions each having total assets in excess
of $250,000,000 (each a "Purchasing  Lender") all or a portion of its interests,
rights and  obligations  under this  Agreement  and the other  Credit  Documents
(including,  without  limitation,  all or a portion of its  Commitments  and the
Loans at the time owing to it and the Notes held by it); provided, however, that
each Assignment shall be of a constant, not a varying,  percentage of all of the
assigning Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement in respect of (i)
its Revolving  Commitment and its Swingline Commitment (if any) (ii) its Tranche
A Term Loan and its  Tranche B Term Loan or (iii) its  Commitments  and its Term
Loans; provided,  that it shall not be necessary for any Lender to sell the same
percentage of its  Commitments and its Term Loans (as the case may be) (although
each such  percentage of its  Commitments and its Term Loans must be a constant,
not a varying percentage); provided, further, that the Commitments purchased and
the Term Loans purchased by any such Purchasing Lender shall each be equal to at
least  $5,000,000  in the case of a Purchasing  Lender that is not then a Lender
(unless  the  Commitments  or Term Loans so  purchased  constitute  100% of such
Commitments or Term Loans of the transferor Lender).  Each sale pursuant to this
subsection (c) shall be effected pursuant to a Commitment  Transfer  Supplement,
substantially in the form of Exhibit M, executed by such Purchasing Lender, such
transferor  Lender (and,  in the case of a Purchasing  Lender that is not then a
Lender  or  an  Affiliate  thereof,  by  the  Borrower,  if  required,  and  the
Administrative  Agent)  and  delivered  to  the  Administrative  Agent  for  its
acceptance for recording in the Register.

             Upon such execution,  delivery,  acceptance and recording, from and
after the  Transfer  Effective  Date (as  defined  in such  Commitment  Transfer
Supplement),  (x) the Purchasing  Lender




<PAGE> 111

thereunder  shall  be a  party  hereto  and,  to the  extent  provided  in  such
Commitment Transfer Supplement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender with
a Commitment  or Term Loans (as the case may be)  hereunder  and under the other
Credit Documents as set forth therein,  and (y) the transferor Lender thereunder
shall,  to the  extent  provided  in such  Commitment  Transfer  Supplement,  be
released  from its  obligations  under this  Agreement  other than  pursuant  to
Sections  3.9 and 10.6 with respect to periods  prior to the Transfer  Effective
Date (except to the extent such  obligations  are assumed and  performed by such
Purchasing Lender) and other than pursuant to Section 11.16 (and, in the case of
a Commitment  Transfer  Supplement  covering all or the  remaining  portion of a
transferor Lender's rights and obligations under this Agreement, such transferor
Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).  Such Commitment  Transfer  Supplement
shall be deemed to amend this  Agreement to the extent,  and only to the extent,
necessary to reflect the addition of such  Purchasing  Lender and the  resulting
adjustment of Commitment or Term Loans percentages  arising from the purchase by
such Purchasing Lender of all or a portion of the rights and obligations of such
transferor  Lender  under  this  Agreement,  the  Notes  and  the  other  Credit
Documents.  On or prior to the Transfer Effective Date, the Borrower, at its own
expense,  shall execute and deliver to the Administrative  Agent in exchange for
the  surrendered  Note or  Notes,  a new Note or new  Notes to the order of such
Purchasing  Lender in an amount equal to the Commitment or Term Loans assumed by
it pursuant to such Commitment Transfer Supplement and, if the transferor Lender
has retained a Commitment  or Term Loans  hereunder,  a new Note or new Notes to
the order of the transferor  Lender in an amount equal to the Commitment or Term
Loans  retained  by it  hereunder.  Such new Note or  Notes  shall be dated  the
Closing Date and shall  otherwise be in the form of the Notes replaced  thereby.
The Note or Notes  surrendered by the transferor Lender shall be returned by the
Administrative Agent to the Borrower marked "cancelled."

                  (d) The  Administrative  Agent  shall  maintain at its address
referred  to in  Section  11.1 a copy of  each  Commitment  Transfer  Supplement
delivered to it and a register (the "Register") for the recordation of the names
and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitment of, and principal  amount of the
Loans owing to and, as to Letters of Credit, the Participating Interest of, each
Lender from time to time. The entries in the Register  shall be  conclusive,  in
the absence of manifest error, and the Borrower,  the  Administrative  Agent and
the Lenders may treat each Person  whose name is recorded in the Register as the
owner of the Loan or Participating  Interests  recorded therein for all purposes
of this  Agreement  and the  other  Credit  Documents.  The  Register  shall  be
available for  inspection by the Borrower or any Lender at any  reasonable  time
and from time to time upon reasonable prior notice.

                  (e) Upon  its  receipt  of a  Commitment  Transfer  Supplement
executed by a transferor  Lender and  Purchasing  Lender (and,  in the case of a
Purchasing  Lender  that is not then a Lender or an




<PAGE> 112

Affiliate  thereof,  by the Borrower,  if required) together with payment to the
Administrative Agent of a recordation and processing fee of $3,500 for each such
transfer,  the  Administrative  Agent shall (i) promptly  accept such Commitment
Transfer  Supplement and (ii) on the Transfer Effective Date determined pursuant
thereto record the information contained therein in the Register and give notice
of such acceptance and recordation to the Lenders and the Borrower.

                  (f) The  Borrower  authorizes  each  Lender to disclose to any
Participant or Purchasing  Lender (each,  a  "Transferee")  and any  prospective
Transferee  any  and all  financial  and  other  information  in  such  Lender's
possession  concerning the Borrower and its Affiliates  which has been delivered
to such Lender by or on behalf of the  Borrower  pursuant to this  Agreement  or
which had been  delivered  to such  Lender by or on  behalf of the  Borrower  in
connection  with  such  Lender's  credit  evaluation  of the  Borrower  and  its
Affiliates prior to becoming a party to this Agreement;  provided, however, that
prior to any such  disclosure,  each such  Transferee or prospective  Transferee
shall execute an agreement  whereby such  Transferee or  prospective  Transferee
shall agree to preserve  the  confidentiality  of any  confidential  information
relating  to the  Borrower  received  from  such  Lender  on the  same  terms as
contained in Section 11.16.

                  (g) If,  pursuant to this Section  11.6,  any interest in this
Agreement  or any Note or the  other  Credit  Documents  is  transferred  to any
Transferee  which is not a United States  Person,  the  transferor  Lender shall
cause such Transferee, concurrently with the effectiveness of such transfer, (i)
to represent to the transferor Lender (for the benefit of the transferor Lender,
the  Administrative  Agent  and the  Borrower)  that  under  applicable  law and
treaties no taxes will be required to be withheld by the  Administrative  Agent,
the Borrower or the transferor Lender with respect to any payments to be made to
such  Transferee  in  respect of the  Loans,  (ii) to furnish to the  transferor
Lender (and, in the case of any  Purchasing  Lender  registered in the Register,
the Administrative  Agent and the Borrower) either U.S. Internal Revenue Service
Form 4224 or U.S.  Internal  Revenue  Service Form 1001 (wherein such Transferee
claims  entitlement to complete  exemption from U.S. federal  withholding tax on
all  interest  payments  hereunder)  and (iii) to agree (for the  benefit of the
transferor  Lender,  the  Administrative  Agent and the Borrower) to provide the
transferor  Lender (and, in the case of any Purchasing  Lender registered in the
Register,  the  Administrative  Agent and the  Borrower) a new Form 4224 or Form
1001 upon the expiration or  obsolescence  of any previously  delivered form and
comparable  statements in accordance  with  applicable U.S. laws and regulations
and  amendments  duly executed and completed by such  Transferee,  and to comply
from time to time with all applicable U.S. laws and  regulations  with regard to
such withholding tax exemption.






<PAGE> 113

                  (h) Nothing  herein shall prohibit any Lender from pledging or
assigning any Note to any Federal  Reserve Lender in accordance  with applicable
law.

                  (i) If the Euro-Dollar  Reference Bank assigns its Notes to an
unaffiliated  institution,  the Administrative Agent shall, in consultation with
the  Borrower  and with the consent of the  Majority  Lenders,  appoint  another
Lender to act as the Euro-Dollar Reference Bank hereunder.

                  (j) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this Section 11.6,
no Lender may at any time make an assignment or sell a participation  to (i) any
other Lender hereunder, (ii) any Purchasing Lender (iii) any Participant or (iv)
any Affiliate of any other Lender, any Purchasing Lender, or any Participant, if
after giving effect to such assignment or  participation  and all  substantially
contemporaneous   assignments  and   participations,   the  assignee   Lender's,
Purchasing Lender's or Participant's  percentage or percentage  interests,  when
taken together with the percentages  and percentage  interests of all Affiliates
of such Lender,  such Purchasing Lender, or such Participant,  of the sum of (x)
the Term Loans then outstanding at such time plus (y) the aggregate  Commitments
then in effect  at such  time (or,  if no  Commitments  remain  in  effect,  but
Revolving Loans and/or Swingline Loans or Letters of Credit remain  outstanding,
such Loans and any Participating Interest) would exceed 30%.

                  SECTION 11.7 Collateral. Each of the Lenders represents to the
Administrative  Agent and each of the other Lenders that it in good faith is not
relying upon any Margin Stock as collateral in the extension or  maintenance  of
the credit provided for in this Agreement.

                  SECTION 11.8  Applicable  Law.  THIS  AGREEMENT  AND THE OTHER
CREDIT  DOCUMENTS  SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE LAW
OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK,  WITHOUT REGARD TO CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES AND BY
FEDERAL LAW TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER,  THAT WITH RESPECT TO
ANY  MORTGAGE  FILED IN  JURISDICTIONS  OUTSIDE  OF NEW  YORK,  THE LAWS OF SUCH
JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH MORTGAGE WAS FILED SHALL APPLY.

                  SECTION 11.9 Counterparts;  Integration;  Effectiveness.  This
Agreement may be signed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be an
original, with the same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon
the same  instrument.  This  Agreement,  the other Credit  Documents and the Fee
Letter  constitute  the entire  agreement  and  understanding  among the parties
hereto and supersedes any and all prior agreements and  understandings,  oral or
written,  relating to the subject  matter hereof.  This  Agreement  shall become
effective when the Administrative Agent shall have received  counterparts hereof
signed  by all of the  parties  hereto  and




<PAGE> 114

when the  conditions  contained  or  referred  to in Section 6.2 shall have been
satisfied or waived.

                  SECTION 11.10 Indemnity.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify and
hold harmless the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Agents, the
Letter of Credit Bank,  the Lenders,  and the other  parties to this  Agreement,
together  with their  respective  directors,  officers,  Affiliates,  attorneys,
experts and agents (each,  an  "Indemnified  Party") from and against all costs,
expenses  (including  fees  and  disbursements  of  counsel,  including  without
limitation, the allocated costs of in-house counsel) and liabilities arising out
of or relating to any investigation, litigation or other proceedings (regardless
of whether an  Indemnified  Party is a party thereto) which relate to the Loans,
any Letter of Credit, the use of the proceeds of the Loans by the Borrower,  the
use of the Letters of Credit, or the Collateral  including,  without limitation,
the financing and other  transactions  contemplated  hereby, or any transactions
connected with any of the foregoing, but excluding any such losses, liabilities,
claims,  damages  or  expenses  incurred  solely  by  reason  of (i)  the  gross
negligence  or willful  misconduct of the  Indemnified  Party as determined by a
final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction,  or (ii) claims of
one Lender against another not involving acts or omissions of the Borrower. This
indemnity  shall  survive  the  termination  of this  Agreement  and payment and
performance  of the  Bank  Obligations.  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  the
agreements  contained in Section 11.10 of the Existing  Credit  Agreement  shall
continue in full force and effect as to the matters covered thereby.

                  SECTION 11.11 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL;  CONSENT TO  JURISDICTION.
THE BORROWER, THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT, THE COLLATERAL AGENT, THE CO-AGENTS, THE
LETTER OF CREDIT BANK AND EACH LENDER HEREBY WAIVES,  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE LAW, TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION IN ANY COURT WITH RESPECT TO, IN
CONNECTION  WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF THE CREDIT  DOCUMENTS OR THE COLLATERAL,  OR
THE VALIDITY,  PROTECTION,  INTERPRETATION,  COLLECTION OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR
THEREOF, OR ANY OTHER CLAIM OR DISPUTE HOWSOEVER ARISING,  BETWEEN THE BORROWER,
ON THE ONE  HAND,  AND THE  ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT,  THE  COLLATERAL  AGENT,  THE
CO-AGENTS,  THE LETTER OF CREDIT BANK AND/OR ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE LENDERS,  ON
THE OTHER HAND. THE BORROWER  HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  CONSENTS TO THE  NONEXCLUSIVE
JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND, TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED
BY APPLICABLE LAW, OF ANY FEDERAL COURT, IN EACH CASE LOCATED IN NEW YORK COUNTY
AND ANY APPELLATE COURT  THEREFROM,  IN CONNECTION WITH ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
ARISING  OUT OF OR RELATING  TO ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE CREDIT  DOCUMENTS  OR ANY
DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT  DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR ANY OTHER CREDIT
DOCUMENT OR THE COLLATERAL AND EACH OF THE PARTIES HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND
UNCONDITIONALLY  AGREES  THAT  ALL  CLAIMS  IN  RESPECT  OF ANY SUCH  ACTION  OR
PROCEEDING MAY BE HEARD AND  DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE COURT,  OR TO THE
EXTENT  PERMITTED  BY LAW, IN SUCH  FEDERAL  COURT.  EACH OF THE PARTIES  HERETO
AGREES




<PAGE> 115

THAT A FINAL  JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING  SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND
MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER  JURISDICTIONS  BY SUIT ON THE JUDGMENT OR IN ANY OTHER
MANNER  PROVIDED BY LAW.  NOTHING IN THIS AGREEMENT  SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT
THE COLLATERAL  AGENT, THE CO-AGENTS,  THE  ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT, THE LETTER OF
CREDIT BANK OR ANY LENDER MAY  OTHERWISE  HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING
RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE CREDIT DOCUMENTS OR THE COLLATERAL AGAINST THE
BORROWER,  ANY SUBSIDIARY OR THEIR PROPERTIES IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.
THE BORROWER  HEREBY  WAIVES THE DEFENSES OF FORUM NON  CONVENIENS  AND IMPROPER
VENUE.

                  SECTION  11.12  Survival  of  Obligations  Under  Fee  Letter.
Notwithstanding  anything herein or in any other agreement to the contrary,  the
execution  and  delivery  of this  Agreement  shall  not be  deemed to impair or
otherwise  affect  any  obligations  of any party  thereto  under the Fee Letter
except to the extent that such  obligations  are satisfied by this Agreement and
the other Credit Documents.

                  SECTION 11.13 Invalidity. Whenever possible, each provision of
this Agreement  shall be interpreted in such manner as to be effective and valid
under all applicable laws and  regulations.  If, however,  any provision of this
Agreement shall be prohibited by or invalid under any such law or regulation, it
shall be deemed  modified to conform to the minimum  requirements of such law or
regulation  or, if for any  reason it is not  deemed  so  modified,  it shall be
ineffective  and invalid only to the extent of such  prohibition  or  invalidity
without  the  remainder  thereof  or any of the  remaining  provisions  of  this
Agreement being prohibited or invalid.

             SECTION 11.14  Substitution  of Lenders.  In the event that (i) the
Borrower shall at any time be required under Section 5.3 to withhold any Charges
in respect of any amount payable to any Lender under this Agreement or under any
other Credit Document, (ii) the Borrower shall be required to pay any amounts to
any Lender (but not the other  Lenders)  pursuant to Section 5.4 or 5.9 or (iii)
the  obligation  of any Lender (but not the other  Lenders) to make  Euro-Dollar
Loans  shall be  suspended  pursuant  to  Section  5.8,  then the  Borrower  may
substitute  another bank or trust company  acceptable to the Majority Lenders to
assume the Commitments and/or the Loans of such Lender and to purchase the Notes
and other  obligations  owing by the  Borrower to such  Lender  under the Credit
Documents,  all in accordance with Section 11.6, without recourse to or warranty
by, or expense  to, such  Lender for a purchase  price equal to the  outstanding
principal/face  amount of the Bank  Obligations  payable to such Lender plus any
accrued but unpaid interest on the Bank  Obligations and accrued but unpaid fees
and other  amounts  in respect of that  Lender's  Commitment  and Loans plus any
amount that would be payable to such Lender  pursuant to Section 5.5 if its Bank
Obligations  were prepaid on such date.  Upon such purchase such Lender shall no
longer be a party  hereto or have any rights or




<PAGE> 116

benefits  hereunder (except for rights or benefits that such Lender would retain
hereunder and under the other Credit  Documents upon the performance and payment
in full of all of the Bank  Obligations)  and,  subject  to  Section  11.6,  the
replacement  bank  shall  succeed  to the rights  and  benefits  of such  Lender
hereunder.  The  Administrative  Agent and the Lenders shall  cooperate with the
Borrower to amend the Credit Documents to reflect such substitution.

                  SECTION  11.15  Effect of  Amendment  and  Restatement  of the
Existing Credit Agreement;  Confirmation of Security  Documents.  On the Closing
Date, the Existing Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated to read as set
forth  herein.  The  Borrower  acknowledges  and  agrees  that (i) the Liens and
security  interests  securing  payment of the  Existing  Obligations  are in all
respects  continuing  and in full force and effect and secure the payment of the
Existing  Obligations and that the Notes  outstanding  under the Existing Credit
Agreement  are  replaced by the Notes  issued  hereunder,  (ii) the term "Credit
Agreement" as used in the Security Documents shall hereafter mean this Agreement
and (iii) upon the effectiveness of this Agreement,  all outstanding  letters of
credit under the Existing  Credit  Agreement  will be converted  into Letters of
Credit  hereunder,  in each case upon the terms and conditions set forth in this
Agreement.

                  SECTION  11.16  Confidentiality.  Each  of the  Administrative
Agent, the Collateral  Agent, each Co-Agent,  each Lender,  the Letter of Credit
Bank,  the Hedging  Bank,  the Existing Cash  Management  Banks and the New Cash
Management Bank (each a "Recipient")  agrees (which  agreement shall survive the
termination of this Agreement) that financial information,  information from the
Borrower's  books and  records,  information  concerning  the  Borrower's  trade
secrets  and  patents  and any  other  information  received  from the  Borrower
hereunder which at the time of receipt is clearly labeled as confidential  shall
be treated as  confidential  by such Recipient and each Recipient  agrees to use
its  reasonable  best efforts to ensure that such  information is not published,
disclosed or otherwise  divulged to anyone other than  employees or officers and
its counsel and agents;  provided,  however, it is understood that the foregoing
shall not apply to:

                  (i) disclosure  made with the prior written  authorization  of
         the Borrower;

                  (ii)  disclosure of (x)  information  (other than  information
         received from the Borrower  prior to or under this  Agreement)  already
         known by, or in the possession of such Recipient  without  restrictions
         on the disclosure  thereof at the time such  information is supplied to
         such  Recipient  by the  Borrower  hereunder  or (y)  information  also
         furnished to such Recipient by a third party not known by the Recipient
         to have any similar duty of confidentiality to the Borrower;




<PAGE> 117

                  (iii)   disclosure  of   information   which  is  required  by
         applicable  law  or  to a  Governmental  Authority  having  supervisory
         authority over any party hereto;

                  (iv)  disclosure of information  in connection  with any suit,
         action or  proceeding  in  connection  with the  enforcement  of rights
         hereunder or under any Credit Document;

                  (v) disclosure of information as provided in Section 11.6(f);

                  (vi) disclosure by any party hereto to any other party hereto,
         including  disclosure  by the  Administrative  Agent or the  Collateral
         Agent  to  any  of  the   other   Recipients   or  to  their   counsel,
         representatives or agents;

                  (vii) disclosure by any party hereto to any entity,  or to any
         subsidiary of such an entity, which owns, directly or indirectly,  more
         than 40% of the voting  stock of such party,  or to any  subsidiary  of
         such an entity  (provided  that such  entities and  subsidiaries  shall
         maintain  information  disclosed to them subject to the  provisions  of
         this Section 11.16); or

                  (viii) disclosure of information that prior to such disclosure
         has become public knowledge through no violation of this Agreement.




<PAGE> 118



                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective  authorized officers as of the
day and year first above written.

                    PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


                    By:  /S/ Stephen A. Lightstone
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Senior Vice President



                         CANADIAN  IMPERIAL  BANK OF  COMMERCE,  AGENCY,
                         as  Administrative  Agent  and Collateral Agent


                    By:  /s/ Elizabeth K. Schreiber
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  As Agent



                         CIBC INC., as a Lender


                    By:  /s/ Elizabeth K. Schreiber
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Authorized Signatory



                         CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, as Letter
                         of Credit and Hedging Bank


                    By:  /s/ Elizabeth K. Schreiber
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Authorized Signatory



                         BANK OF AMERICA  NATIONAL  TRUST AND SAVINGS
                         ASSOCIATION, as Co-Agent, as a Lender and as
                         an Existing Cash Management Bank


                    By:  /s/ Lynn Simmons
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President



                         THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as Co-Agent and as a Lender


                    By:  /s/ T.C.H. Ashby
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Senior Manager Loan Operations



                         NATIONSBANK  OF TEXAS,  N.A., as Co-Agent,  as a
                         Lender and as an Existing Cash Management Bank


                    By:  /s/ Jay T. Wampler
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President



<PAGE> 119

                         NATIONSBANK, N.A.


                    By:  /s/ Caryn Chittenden
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President



                         OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, as agent for
                         certain funds and accounts


                    By:  /s/ George Leiva
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Managing Director

                    By:  /s/ Kenneth Liang
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Managing Director and General Counsel



                         BOATMEN'S  FIRST  NATIONAL  BANK  OF  KANSAS
                         CITY,   as  a   Lender,   as  the  New  Cash
                         Management Bank, and as the Foreign Exchange
                         Bank


                    By:  /s/ Phil A. Conrady
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President



                         THE DAI-ICHI KANGYO BANK LTD., CHICAGO BRANCH


                    By:  /s/ S. Ino
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President



                         FIRST  BANK  NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  as  a  Lender
                         and  as  an  Existing  Cash Management Bank


                    By:  /s/ Jack L. Quitmeyer
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President



                         LEHMAN COMMERCIAL PAPER INC.


                    By:  /s/ Dennis J. Dee
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Authorized Signatory



                         NATIONAL CITY BANK, INDIANA


                    By:  /s/ Michael J. Stewart
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President



                         THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED


                    By:  /s/ Ken-Ichiro Kobayashi
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Joint General Manager



<PAGE> 120

                         UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.


                    By:  /s/ Christiana Creekpaum
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President



                         ABN AMRO BANK  N.V.


                    By:  /s/ Steven C. Wimpenny
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Authorized Signer


                    By:  /s/ Steven Gutman
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Authorized Signer



                         VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL PRIME RATE INCOME TRUST


                    By:  /s/ Brian W. Good
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President



                         INTERNATIONALE NEDERLANDEN (U.S.) CAPITAL
                         CORPORATION


                    By:  /s/ Joan M. Chiappe
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Vice President

                       MORGENS,  WATERFALL  VINTIADIS  & CO.,  INC.,  as
                       agent for  certain  funds and accounts


                    By:  /s/ Stuart Brown
                         -------------------------------------
                         Title:  Authorized Agent


<PAGE> 1

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          BORROWER SECURITY AGREEMENT

         AMENDED AND RESTATED BORROWER SECURITY  AGREEMENT,  dated as of October
3, 1996,  between PAYLESS CASHWAYS,  INC., an Iowa corporation (the "Borrower"),
and CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, NEW YORK AGENCY, as Administrative Agent
and as  Collateral  Agent  (in such  capacities,  together  with  any  successor
administrative agent or successor  collateral agent, the "Administrative  Agent"
and the "Collateral Agent", respectively) for the benefit of the Secured Parties
(as hereinafter defined).


                             W I T N E S S E T H :

         WHEREAS,  pursuant  to  that  certain  Credit  Agreement,  dated  as of
November 18, 1994, as amended and restated  pursuant to that certain Amended and
Restated Credit  Agreement,  dated as of November 20, 1995 (the "Existing Credit
Agreement"), among the Borrower, the Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent,
The Bank of Nova Scotia, NationsBank of Texas, N.A. and Bank of America National
Trust and Savings Association, as Co-Agents (in such capacity, the "Co-Agents"),
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as letter of credit bank (together with any
Lender  (as  defined  in the  Credit  Agreement  referred  to below)  which is a
commercial  bank and is  designated  as the Letter of Credit Bank in  accordance
with the Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined),  the Letter of Credit Bank )
and the Restructuring  Lenders, (as defined in the Credit Agreement  hereinafter
referred to) the  Restructuring  Lenders and the Letter of Credit Bank severally
agreed to  restructure  and  extend  credit to the  Borrower  upon the terms and
subject to the conditions set forth therein;

         WHEREAS,  the  Borrower and the  Merchandise  Letter of Credit Bank (as
defined in the Credit  Agreement)  are parties to the Letter of Credit  Issuance
and Reimbursement Agreement,  dated as of November 18, 1994, as amended (as such
agreement may be amended, supplemented, otherwise modified or replaced from time
to time with the  consent  of the  Majority  Lenders  (as  defined in the Credit
Agreement), the "Merchandise Letter of Credit Facility"),  pursuant to which the
Merchandise  Letter  of  Credit  Bank  makes  available  to the  Borrower  up to
$15,000,000  of commercial  letters of credit at any one time  outstanding  (the
"Merchandise Letters of Credit");

         WHEREAS,  the  Borrower  and the Hedging Bank (as defined in the Credit
Agreement)  are parties to that certain ISDA Master  Agreement,  dated as of May
22, 1995,  together  with all  schedules  executed in  connection  therewith (as
amended, modified and supplemented from time to time, the "Hedging Agreement");





<PAGE> 2

         WHEREAS,  the Borrower has existing cash management  arrangements  with
the Existing Cash Management  Banks (as defined in the Credit  Agreement) and is
entering into a new cash management  arrangement for its primary cash management
operations  with  the  New  Cash  Management  Bank  (as  defined  in the  Credit
Agreement);

         WHEREAS,  the  Borrower  has  an  existing  $500,000  foreign  currency
exchange  line  with  the  Foreign  Exchange  Bank  (as  defined  in the  Credit
Agreement);

         WHEREAS,  the  Borrower  and the  Collateral  Agent are parties to that
certain  Borrower  Security  Agreement,  dated  as of  November  18,  1994  (the
"Existing  Security  Agreement"),  pursuant to which the Borrower has granted to
the Collateral Agent a security  interest in certain of the Borrower's assets to
secure all of the Existing Obligations (as defined in the Credit Agreement);

         WHEREAS,  contemporaneously  herewith,  the  Administrative  Agent, the
Collateral Agent, the Co-Agents,  the Letter of Credit Bank, and the Lenders are
entering  into an Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement,  dated as of the date
hereof (as amended, amended and restated, modified and supplemented from time to
time,  the "Credit  Agreement"),  pursuant to which,  inter alia,  the Swingline
Lenders (as defined in the Credit  Agreement)  have agreed to make a $60,000,000
senior secured swingline revolving loan facility available to the Borrower,  and
the  Restructuring  Lenders (as defined in the Credit  Agreement) have agreed to
restructure the Existing  Obligations,  in each case, upon the terms and subject
to the conditions set forth therein;

         WHEREAS, it is a condition precedent to the effectiveness of the Credit
Agreement  that the Borrower shall have executed and delivered to the Collateral
Agent this Amended and Restated  Security  Agreement  (as amended,  modified and
supplemented  from time to time,  this "Security  Agreement") for the benefit of
the Secured Parties;

         NOW, THEREFORE,  in consideration of the premises and (i) to induce the
Administrative Agent, the Collateral Agent, the Co-Agents,  the Letter of Credit
Bank and the  Lenders  to enter into the  Credit  Agreement,  (ii) to induce the
Lenders  to make and  continue  their  respective  loans,  and for the Letter of
Credit Bank to continue to issue, and for the Lenders to continue to participate
in, the letters of credit (the "Bank  Letters of Credit ) provided for under the
Credit  Agreement,  (iii) in connection  with the  Merchandise  Letter of Credit
Bank's  continued  issuance of the  Merchandise  Letters of Credit  provided for
under the  Merchandise  Letter of Credit  Facility,  (iv) to induce the New Cash
Management  Bank and the Existing Cash  Management  Banks to continue to provide
their  respective  cash  management  services for the Borrower's cash management
operations,  (v) to induce the  Foreign  Exchange  Bank to continue to provide a
foreign exchange line, and (vi) for other



<PAGE> 3

good and valuable consideration,  the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby
acknowledged,  the  Borrower  hereby  agrees with the  Collateral  Agent and the
Administrative Agent, for the benefit of the Secured Parties as follows:

         1. Defined Terms. (a) Unless otherwise defined herein,  terms which are
defined in the Credit  Agreement and used herein are so used as so defined;  and
the following terms shall have the following meanings:

                  "Account"  means any right to payment for goods sold or leased
         or for services  rendered  which is not  evidenced by an  Instrument or
         Chattel Paper, whether or not it has been earned by performance.

                  "Chattel  Paper"  means  a  writing  or  writings  (including,
         without  limitation,  one or more  Instruments)  which  evidence both a
         monetary  obligation and a security  interest in or a lease of specific
         goods (other than a vessel).

                  "Code" means the Uniform  Commercial Code as from time to time
         in effect in the State of New York.

                  "Collateral"  shall have the meaning assigned to it in Section
         2 hereof.

                  "Contractor Receivables" means those certain commercial credit
         accounts  sold by the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  (including  any
         documents,  instruments,  chattel paper or  intangibles  evidencing any
         such transferred receivable or the transaction giving rise thereto) (i)
         pursuant to the terms of the GE Credit Program Documents or (ii) to any
         other Person pursuant to any similar  contractual  arrangement  (but in
         such case  solely to the extent such an  arrangement  is  permitted  by
         Section 8.16 of the Credit Agreement).

                  "Contracts"  means all  contracts  of the  Borrower  listed on
         Schedule I hereto and any  interest  rate swap,  cap or other  interest
         rate  protection  arrangement,  as the same  may  from  time to time be
         amended,   supplemented  or  otherwise  modified,   including,  without
         limitation, (a) all rights of the Borrower to receive moneys due and to
         become due to it thereunder or in connection therewith,  (b) all rights
         of the Borrower to damages arising out of, or for, breach or default in
         respect  thereof  and (c) all rights of the  Borrower to perform and to
         exercise all remedies thereunder.

                  "Document" means a document of title (as defined in the UCC as
         defined  in the  Credit  Agreement)  and a receipt  in the  nature of a
         warehouse  receipt issued for goods stored under a statute  requiring a
         bond against withdrawal or a license for the issuance of such receipts.





<PAGE> 4

                  "Equipment"  means  Goods  which  are used or  bought  for use
         primarily in business.

                  "Farm  Products"  means crops or livestock or supplies used or
         produced  in farming  operations  or if they are  products  of crops or
         livestock  in  their  unmanufactured  states  and  if  they  are in the
         possession of a debtor engaged in raising, fattening,  grazing or other
         farming operations.

                  "Fixtures"  means  goods  which  have  become  so  related  to
         particular  real estate  that an  interest  in them  arises  under real
         estate law.

                  "GECC" means General Electric Credit  Corporation,  a New York
         corporation.

                  "GECC  Receivables"  means  receivables  (i)  payable  to  the
         Borrower and its Subsidiaries by Monogram or GECC pursuant to the terms
         of the GE Credit Program  Documents arising out of private label credit
         card  sales  or  commercial  credit  account  sales of  merchandise  or
         services made by the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  or (ii) payable to
         or purchased by any other  Person  pursuant to any similar  contractual
         arrangement  (but in such case solely to the extent such an arrangement
         is permitted by Section 8.16 of the Credit Agreement).

                  "GE Credit Program  Documents"  means (a) the Monogram  Credit
         Card Bank of Georgia Program Agreement,  dated as of November 27, 1989,
         between  the  Borrower,  Somerville  and  Monogram,  together  with any
         agreements entered into by the Borrower and Monogram,  or any affiliate
         of Monogram, in replacement of such agreement, as such agreement or any
         such  replacement  agreement  has  been or may  hereafter  be  amended,
         restated,  supplemented  or  modified  from  time to time;  and (b) the
         Commercial Credit Account Purchase and Service Program Agreement, dated
         as of April 8, 1991,  between  the  Borrower  and GECC,  as amended and
         restated by the Amended and Restated Commercial Credit Account Purchase
         and Service  Program  Agreement,  effective  as of November  28,  1993,
         together with any agreements  entered into by the Borrower and GECC, or
         any  affiliate  of GECC,  in  replacement  of such  agreement,  as such
         agreement or any such  replacement  agreement has been or may hereafter
         be further  amended,  restated,  supplemented  or modified from time to
         time.

                  "General  Intangibles" means any personal property  (including
         things in action) other than Accounts, Chattel Paper, Documents, Goods,
         Instruments and money (as defined in the UCC).

                  "Goods"  means  all  things  which are  movable  at the time a
         security  interest in them  attaches or which are Fixtures but does not
         include  money  (as  defined  in the  UCC),  Accounts,



<PAGE> 5

         Chattel Paper, Documents, General Intangibles,  Instruments or minerals
         or the like before extraction.

                  "Instrument" means a negotiable  instrument (as defined in the
         UCC) or a  certificated  security  (as defined in the UCC) or any other
         writing  which  evidences  a right to the  payment  of money and is not
         itself a security  agreement  or lease and is of a type which is in the
         ordinary course of business  transferred by delivery with any necessary
         indorsement or assignment.

                  "Inventory"  means  all  goods  and  merchandise  now owned or
         hereafter acquired by the Borrower  (wherever  located,  whether in the
         possession  of the  Borrower  or of a bailee or other  person for sale,
         storage,  transit,  processing,  use or otherwise,  consisting of whole
         goods, components,  supplies,  materials, returned or repossessed goods
         or goods consigned by the Borrower to a third party) which are held for
         sale or lease or to be  furnished  (or have been  furnished)  under any
         contract  of  service  or which  are raw  materials,  work in  process,
         finished goods or materials used or consumed in the Borrower's business
         or processed by or on behalf of the Borrower.

                  "Keeper" has the meaning set forth in Section 9(b) hereof.

                  "Liened  Trademarks" has the meaning set forth in Section 5(q)
         hereof.

                  "Louisiana  Collateral"  has the  meaning set forth in Section
         9(b) hereof.

                  "Monogram"  means  Monogram  Credit  Card Bank of  Georgia,  a
         Georgia banking corporation.

                  "Monogram  Receivables" means all obligations now or hereafter
         owing to, and all rights now or hereafter acquired by, Monogram arising
         out of any of the private label credit card sales referred to in clause
         (i) of the definition of "GECC Receivables."

                  "Obligations"  means (i) the  unpaid  principal  amount of the
         Loans and Reimbursement Obligations, (ii) interest (including,  without
         limitation,  interest  accruing at the then applicable rate provided in
         the  Credit  Agreement  after the  maturity  of the Loans and  interest
         accruing at the then applicable  rate provided in the Credit  Agreement
         or other  applicable  agreement  after the  filing of any  petition  in
         bankruptcy,  or the commencement of any insolvency,  reorganization  or
         like   proceeding,   relating  to  the  Borrower)  on  the  Loans,  the
         Reimbursement  Obligations and on all other



<PAGE> 6

         obligations  and  liabilities   secured  hereby  and  (iii)  all  other
         obligations  and  liabilities  of the Borrower to the Secured  Parties,
         whether direct or indirect,  absolute or  contingent,  due or to become
         due, or now existing or hereafter incurred,  which may arise under, out
         of, or in connection  with, the Credit  Agreement,  the Notes, the Bank
         Letters of  Credit,  the  Merchandise  Letter of Credit  Facility,  the
         Merchandise  Letters  of Credit,  this  Security  Agreement,  the other
         Credit   Documents,   the  Hedging   Agreement,   the  Cash  Management
         Obligations,  the Foreign Exchange Obligations,  and any other document
         made, delivered or given in connection  therewith or herewith,  in each
         case  whether  on  account  of   principal,   interest,   reimbursement
         obligations,  fees,  indemnities,  costs, expenses (including,  without
         limitation, all fees and disbursements of counsel to any of the Secured
         Parties that are  required to be paid by the  Borrower  pursuant to the
         terms  of the  Credit  Agreement,  the  Merchandise  Letter  of  Credit
         Facility,  this Security  Agreement,  the other Credit  Documents,  the
         Hedging  Agreement,  the  agreements in respect of the Cash  Management
         Obligations,  the  Foreign  Exchange  Obligations  or any other  Credit
         Document) or otherwise.

                  "Permitted  Liens"  means the Liens set forth on  Schedule  II
         hereto.

                  "Proceeds" means whatever is received upon the sale, exchange,
         collection or other disposition of Collateral or proceeds of Collateral
         and includes (without  limitation)  insurance payable by reason of loss
         or damage to Collateral.

                  "Secured    Parties"   means   the   Collateral   Agent,   the
         Administrative Agent, the Co-Agents,  the Lenders, the Letter of Credit
         Bank,  the Hedging Bank,  the Foreign  Exchange Bank, the Existing Cash
         Management  Banks,  the New Cash  Management  Bank and the  Merchandise
         Letter of Credit Bank.

                  "Trademark  License"  means any  agreement,  written  or oral,
         providing  for the grant by or to the  Borrower of any right to use any
         Trademark.

                  "Trademarks" means (a) all trademarks,  trade names, corporate
         names, company names, business names,  fictitious business names, trade
         styles,  service marks, logos and other source or business  identifiers
         owned by the  Borrower,  and the  goodwill  associated  therewith,  now
         existing  or  hereafter  adopted or  acquired,  all  registrations  and
         recordings  thereof,  and all  applications  in  connection  therewith,
         whether in the United  States  Patent  and  Trademark  Office or in any
         similar office or agency of the United States, any State thereof or any
         other country or any political  subdivision  thereof,  or otherwise and
         (b) all renewals thereof.





<PAGE> 7

                  "Vehicles" means all cars, trucks, trailers,  construction and
         earth moving  equipment and other vehicles  covered by a certificate of
         title  law of any state  and,  in any  event,  shall  include,  without
         limitation,  the vehicles set forth on that certain Car and Light Truck
         Inventory  list on Schedule V hereto and that  certain  Delivery  Truck
         Fleet Inventory list on Schedule V hereto  (collectively,  the "Vehicle
         Lists") and all tires and other appurtenances to any of the foregoing.

         (b) The words  "hereof,"  "herein" and "hereunder" and words of similar
import  when  used in this  Security  Agreement  shall  refer  to this  Security
Agreement  as a  whole  and not to any  particular  provision  of this  Security
Agreement,  and section and paragraph  references are to this Security Agreement
unless otherwise specified.

         (c) The  meanings  given  to terms  defined  herein  shall  be  equally
applicable to both the singular and plural forms of such terms.

         (d) The  Collateral  Agent  acknowledges  that,  for  purposes  of this
Security  Agreement,  (i) the private  label  credit  card sales and  commercial
account sales referred to in clause (i) of the definition of "GECC  Receivables"
constitute  extensions of credit  directly from Monogram to  cardholders or true
sales of accounts and indebtedness  from the Borrower to GECC, (ii) the Borrower
has no right, title or interest in or to any Monogram  Receivables or Contractor
Receivables,  except to the extent Borrower purchases such receivables  pursuant
to the terms of the GE Credit  Program  Documents and (iii) except to the extent
so purchased by the Borrower,  no Monogram  Receivable or Contractor  Receivable
shall  constitute  Collateral (or any category of property  included  within the
definition  thereof) for purposes of this  Security  Agreement.  The  Collateral
Agent agrees with the Borrower that neither the security interest created herein
nor any related  financing  statements may be assigned by the  Collateral  Agent
unless, prior to any such assignments, such financing statements are amended (a)
to include the definition of "GE Credit Program Documents" set forth herein, and
(b)  specifically  to  exclude  the  Monogram  Receivables  and  the  Contractor
Receivables from the collateral covered by such financing statements.

         2. Grant of  Security  Interest.  (a) As  collateral  security  for the
prompt and  complete  payment and  performance  when due  (whether at the stated
maturity, by acceleration or otherwise) of the Obligations,  the Borrower hereby
pledges,  hypothecates,  assigns,  transfers and grants to the Collateral Agent,
for the  ratable  benefit of the  Secured  Parties as herein  provided,  a first
priority  security  interest and lien,  senior to any and all other Liens (other
than any Permitted Liens which may be entitled to priority by operation of law),
in and  on  all  of the  Borrower's  right,  title  and  interest  in and to the
following assets now owned




<PAGE> 8

or at any time hereafter acquired  (collectively,  the "Collateral");  provided,
that the  Covered  Obligations,  the New  Cash  Management  Obligations  and the
Obligations  owing to the Swingline  Lenders in their  capacity as such shall be
secured  only by the  Collateral  referred  to in  clauses  (vi) and (ix)  below
(Fixtures and  Inventory)  and, to the extent the same relates  thereto,  by the
Collateral referred to in clauses (xiii), (xiv) and (xv) below (moneys and books
and  records  with  respect to, and  Proceeds  and  products  of,  Fixtures  and
Inventory):

                           (i)all  Accounts (it being agreed that no  Contractor
                      Receivable  or  Monogram   Receivable   shall   constitute
                      Collateral for purposes of this Security  Agreement except
                      to the  extent the  Borrower  purchases  such  receivables
                      pursuant to the terms of the GE Credit  Program  Documents
                      and that the security  interest and lien granted hereby in
                      and on any Account representing a GECC Receivable shall be
                      subject and subordinate to perfected security interests in
                      or liens on such Account in favor of GECC or Monogram,  as
                      well as to any rights of set-off or  recoupment of GECC or
                      Monogram in respect of such Account);

                           (ii)all Chattel Paper;

                           (iii)all Contracts;

                           (iv)all Documents;

                           (v)all  Equipment  (including,   without  limitation,
                      mobile goods);

                           (vi)all  Fixtures  (except to the  extent  affixed to
                      properties  subject to  mortgages  constituting  Permitted
                      Liens) and all trade fixtures;

                           (vii)all  General  Intangibles   including,   without
                      limitation,  all  intercompany  obligations  owing  to the
                      Borrower by any of its  Subsidiaries (it being agreed that
                      the security  interest  and lien granted  hereby in and on
                      any General  Intangible  representing a GECC Receivable or
                      other obligation of GECC or Monogram to the Borrower shall
                      be subject and subordinate to perfected security interests
                      in or liens on such General Intangible in favor of GECC or
                      Monogram,   as  well  as  to  any  rights  of  set-off  or
                      recoupment  of GECC or Monogram in respect of such General
                      Intangible);

                           (viii)all Instruments;

                           (ix)all  Inventory (it being agreed that the security
                      interest and lien granted  hereby in and on any




<PAGE> 9

                       Inventory constituting returned merchandise in respect of
                       a Contractor Receivable or a Monogram Receivable shall be
                       subject and subordinate to perfected  security  interests
                       in or  liens  on  such  Inventory  in  favor  of  GECC or
                       Monogram);

                           (x)all   Trademark    Licenses   including   (without
                      limitation) those on Schedule IV thereto;

                           (xi)all  Trademarks,  including (without  limitation)
                      those listed on Schedule IV hereto;

                           (xii)all Vehicles;

                           (xiii)all   money   (including   all  cash  and  cash
                      equivalents  and  the  like)  whether  or not  held in any
                      deposit or other accounts;

                           (xiv)all  books and records in  whatever  form in any
                      way pertaining to the Collateral; and

                           (xv)to  the  extent  not  otherwise   included,   all
                      Proceeds and products of any and all of the foregoing;

but excluding Collateral, if any, expressly subject to the liens in existence on
the date hereof  granted under the  Prudential  Real Estate  Financing or to any
Permitted Lien to the extent that the terms of the agreement  granting such Lien
prohibits granting a second lien on such assets.

         (b)   Subject  to  the  terms  and   conditions   and  relying  on  the
representations,  warranties  and  covenants  set forth  herein and in the other
Credit Documents, the Existing Security Agreement is hereby amended and restated
in its entirety and each reference to this Security Agreement shall be deemed to
include a reference to the Existing  Security  Agreement as amended and restated
hereby.  The Borrower agrees that the Liens and security interests granted under
the Existing Security Agreement,  and the Borrower's  obligations thereunder and
in respect thereof, are continuing, valid and enforceable and are not subject to
any defense, counterclaim, setoff or cause of action of any kind whatsoever.

         3.       Rights of Secured Parties; Limitations on Secured
Parties' Obligations.

         (a) Borrower  Remains  Liable under  Accounts and  Contracts.  Anything
herein to the contrary  notwithstanding,  the Borrower shall remain liable under
each of the Accounts and Contracts to observe and perform all the conditions and
obligations  to be observed and  performed by it  thereunder,  all in accordance
with  the  terms  of any  agreement  giving  rise to each  such  Account  and in
accordance  with and pursuant to the terms and provisions of each such Contract.




<PAGE> 10

None of the Secured  Parties shall have any  obligation  or liability  under any
Account (or any  agreement  giving rise thereto) or under any Contract by reason
of or arising out of this  Security  Agreement  or the  receipt by such  Secured
Party of any payment relating to such Account or Contract  pursuant hereto,  nor
shall  any  Secured  Party be  obligated  in any  manner to  perform  any of the
obligations  of the Borrower  under or pursuant to any Account (or any agreement
giving rise thereto) or under or pursuant to any Contract,  to make any payment,
to make any inquiry as to the nature or the sufficiency of any payment  received
by it or as to the sufficiency of any performance by any party under any Account
(or any agreement giving rise thereto) or under any Contract, to present or file
any claim,  to take any  action to enforce  any  performance  or to collect  the
payment of any amounts  which may have been assigned to it or to which it may be
entitled at any time or times.

         (b) Notice to Account Debtors and Contract Parties. Upon the request of
the Collateral Agent at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance
of an Event of  Default,  the  Borrower  shall  notify  account  debtors  on the
Accounts and parties to the Contracts  that the Accounts and the Contracts  have
been assigned to the  Collateral  Agent for the benefit of the Secured  Parties,
and that payments in respect  thereof  shall be made directly to the  Collateral
Agent.  The  Collateral  Agent  may in its  own  name or in the  name of  others
communicate with account debtors on the Accounts and parties to the Contracts to
verify  with them to its  satisfaction  the  existence,  amount and terms of any
Accounts or Contracts.

         (c) Analysis of Accounts.  The Collateral Agent shall have the right to
make test  verifications  of the  Accounts  in any manner and through any medium
that it reasonably considers advisable,  and the Borrower shall furnish all such
assistance and  information as the  Collateral  Agent may reasonably  require in
connection  therewith.  At any time and from time to time,  upon the  Collateral
Agent's  request and at the expense of the  Borrower,  the Borrower  shall cause
independent public accountants or others satisfactory to the Collateral Agent to
furnish to the Collateral Agent reports showing reconciliations,  aging and test
verifications of, and trial balances for, the Accounts.

         (d) Collections on Accounts. The Collateral Agent hereby authorizes the
Borrower  to collect  the  Accounts,  and the  Collateral  Agent may  curtail or
terminate  said  authority  at any time  after the  occurrence  and  during  the
continuance of an Event of Default.  If required by the Collateral  Agent at any
time after the occurrence and during the continuance of an Event of Default, any
payments of Accounts,  when collected by the Borrower,  shall be forthwith (and,
in any event,  within two Domestic  Business Days)  deposited by the Borrower in
the exact form received,  duly indorsed by the Borrower to the Collateral  Agent
if required,  in a special collateral account maintained by the Collateral Agent
at its  offices or at the



<PAGE> 11

offices of any Lender,  subject to  withdrawal by the  Collateral  Agent for the
account of the Secured  Parties only, as  hereinafter  provided,  and,  until so
turned  over,  shall be held by the  Borrower in trust for the Secured  Parties,
segregated  from other funds of the Borrower.  Each deposit of any such Proceeds
shall be accompanied by a report identifying in reasonable detail the nature and
source of the  payments  included  in the  deposit.  All  Proceeds  constituting
collections of Accounts  while held by the Collateral  Agent (or by the Borrower
in trust for the Secured  Parties) shall continue to be collateral  security for
all of the Obligations and shall not constitute payment thereof until applied as
hereinafter  provided.  At such  intervals as may be agreed upon by the Borrower
and the Collateral  Agent, or, if an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing, at any time at the Collateral Agent's election, the Collateral Agent
shall  cause the  Administrative  Agent to apply all or any part of the funds on
deposit in said special collateral account on account of the Obligations in such
order as is  required by Section  9.2 of the Credit  Agreement,  and any part of
such funds  which the  Collateral  Agent  elects not to have the  Administrative
Agent so apply and deems not required as collateral security for the Obligations
shall be paid over from time to time by the Collateral  Agent to the Borrower or
to whomsoever  may be lawfully  entitled to receive the same. At the  Collateral
Agent's  request at any time when an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing,  the Borrower shall deliver to the Collateral Agent all original and
other  documents  evidencing,  and relating to, the agreements and  transactions
which gave rise to the Accounts,  including,  without  limitation,  all original
orders, invoices and shipping receipts.

         4.  Representations and Warranties.  The Borrower hereby represents and
warrants that:

                  (a) Title; No Other Liens.  Except for the Lien granted to the
         Collateral  Agent for the  benefit of the Secured  Parties  pursuant to
         this Security  Agreement  and the other Credit  Documents and Permitted
         Liens,  the Borrower owns each item of the Collateral free and clear of
         any and all Liens or claims of others. No effective security agreement,
         financing  statement or other public  notice with respect to all or any
         part of the  Collateral  is on file or of record in any public  office,
         except  such as may have been filed in favor of the  Collateral  Agent,
         for the  benefit  of the  Secured  Parties  pursuant  to this  Security
         Agreement  and the other Credit  Documents or with respect to Permitted
         Liens or other Liens  permitted  pursuant to Section 8.10 of the Credit
         Agreement.

                  (b) Perfected First Priority Liens. Except with respect to any
         Accounts  owing  from  Governmental  Authorities  in  which a  security
         interest  cannot be  perfected  under the UCC,  upon the  filing in the
         proper locations of appropriate UCC financing statements, the filing of
         notices of lien or other



<PAGE> 12

         documents with pertinent  state motor vehicle  offices (with respect to
         Vehicles), the filing of this Security Agreement with the United States
         Patent  and  Trademark  Office  (with  respect to  Trademarks)  and the
         transfer of possession to the  Collateral  Agent of any  instruments or
         other  assets,  a  security  interest  in which  must be  perfected  by
         possession,  the Liens granted pursuant to this Security  Agreement (i)
         constitute perfected Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Collateral
         Agent, for the benefit of the Secured  Parties,  which are prior to all
         other Liens on the Collateral (except for any Permitted Liens which may
         be entitled to priority by  operation of law) created or allowed by the
         Borrower and in  existence on the date hereof and (ii) are  enforceable
         as prior  perfected  Liens against all creditors of and purchasers from
         the Borrower  (other than  purchasers of Inventory sold in the ordinary
         course of the Borrower's  business and other than unrelated third party
         purchasers  with  respect  to other  asset  dispositions  permitted  by
         Section  8.11  of the  Credit  Agreement)  and  against  any  owner  or
         purchaser of the real property  where any of the Inventory or Equipment
         is located and any present or future  creditor of the  Borrower  (other
         than any holder of a  purchase  money lien on  Inventory  permitted  by
         Section  8.10(viii)  of  the  Credit  Agreement),   or  such  owner  or
         purchaser, obtaining a Lien on such real property.

                  (c) Accounts.  Any amount which is at any time  represented by
         the Borrower to the Lenders as owing by each account  debtor in respect
         of any Account constituting part of the Collateral will at such time be
         the correct amount actually owing by such account debtor thereunder. No
         amount payable to the Borrower under or in connection  with any Account
         is  evidenced  by any  Instrument  or Chattel  Paper which has not been
         delivered to the Collateral Agent. As of the Closing Date, the Borrower
         keeps its records  concerning all the Accounts at the locations  listed
         on Schedule III hereto.

                  (d)  Contracts.  No  consent  of any  party  (other  than  the
         Borrower) to any Contract is required,  or purports to be required,  in
         connection  with  the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this
         Security Agreement.  To the best of the Borrower's  knowledge after due
         inquiry,  each  contract is in full force and effect and  constitutes a
         valid and legally enforceable obligation of the parties thereto, except
         as   enforceability   may  be   limited  by   bankruptcy,   insolvency,
         reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the enforcement of
         creditors'  rights  generally,  and  by  general  equitable  principles
         (whether  enforcement is sought by proceedings in equity or at law). No
         consent or authorization  of, filing with or other act by or in respect
         of any  Governmental  Authority  is  required  in  connection  with the
         execution, delivery, performance,  validity or enforceability of any of
         the  Contracts  by the  Borrower,  or to  the  best  of the



<PAGE> 13

         Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry, any other party thereto,  other
         than those which have been duly  obtained,  made or  performed,  are in
         full force and effect and do not subject the scope of any such Contract
         to any  material  adverse  limitation,  either  specific  or general in
         nature.  Neither  the  Borrower  nor  (to the  best  of the  Borrower's
         knowledge  after due  inquiry)  any other  party to any  Contract is in
         default  or is  likely  to  become in  default  in the  performance  or
         observance  of  any  of the  terms  thereof.  The  Borrower  has  fully
         performed all its  obligations to date under each Contract.  The right,
         title and interest of the  Borrower in, to and under each  Contract are
         not, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge after due inquiry, subject
         to any defense,  offset,  counterclaim or claim which would  materially
         adversely affect the value of such Contract as Collateral, nor have any
         of the foregoing  been  asserted or alleged  against the Borrower as to
         any  Contract.  The Borrower has  delivered to the  Collateral  Agent a
         complete and correct copy of each Contract,  including all  amendments,
         supplements and other  modifications  thereto. No amount payable to the
         Borrower  under or in connection  with any Contract is evidenced by any
         Instrument  or  Chattel  Paper  which  has not  been  delivered  to the
         Collateral Agent.

                  (e)  Equipment  and  Inventory.  As of the Closing  Date,  the
         Equipment and Inventory is kept at the locations listed on Schedule III
         hereto.

                  (f) Chief  Executive  Office.  The Borrower's  chief executive
         office and chief  place of  business  is  located at 2300 Main  Street,
         Kansas City, Missouri 64108.

                  (g) Farm Products. None of the Collateral  constitutes,  or is
         the Proceeds of, Farm Products.

                  (h) Trademarks. Schedule IV hereto includes all Trademarks and
         Trademark  Licenses  owned  by the  Borrower  in its own name as of the
         Closing Date, and the Borrower shall not sell Inventory under any other
         Trademark without providing the Collateral Agent 30 days' prior written
         notice  of its  intention  to do  so.  To the  best  of the  Borrower's
         knowledge after due inquiry, each such Trademark is valid,  subsisting,
         unexpired,  enforceable and has not been abandoned. Except as set forth
         on Schedule IV hereto,  none of such  Trademarks  is the subject of any
         licensing or franchise agreement. No holding,  decision or judgment has
         been rendered by any Governmental  Authority which would limit,  cancel
         or  question  the  validity  of any such  Trademark  or the  Borrower's
         ownership  thereof.  No action or  proceeding is pending (i) seeking to
         limit,  cancel or question the validity of any such Trademark,  or (ii)
         which, if adversely determined, would have a material



<PAGE> 14

         adverse  effect on the value of any such  Trademark  or the  Borrower's
         ownership thereof.

                  (i)  Vehicles.   The  Vehicle  Lists  together   constitute  a
         substantially  complete and correct  list of all Vehicles  owned by the
         Borrower as of the Closing Date.

                  (j)  Governmental  Obligors.  On the Closing  Date,  less than
         $1,000,000  of the Accounts of the Borrower are owed to the Borrower by
         obligors which are Governmental Authorities.

                  (k) Bank  Accounts.  Schedule  III sets forth the  location of
         each cash concentration  account and all significant operating accounts
         and demand deposit  accounts used for paying and receiving  purposes in
         the ordinary course of the Borrower's business.

The foregoing  representations  and warranties set forth in this Section 4 shall
survive (i) the execution and delivery of this Security Agreement,  (ii) and the
making  and/or  continuing  of the Loans or the  issuance of the Bank Letters of
Credit or the  Merchandise  Letters of Credit and (iii) the  termination  of the
Merchandise  Letter  of  Credit  Facility,  the  Hedging  Agreement,   the  cash
management  arrangements with the New Cash Management Bank and the Existing Cash
Management Banks, the foregoing exchange  arrangements with the Foreign Exchange
Bank and the  Commitments,  and shall be deemed to be repeated and  confirmed on
the date of the making of each  Revolving Loan or Swingline Loan or the issuance
of each Bank  Letter of Credit  and each  Merchandise  Letter of Credit and each
time additional Collateral becomes pledged hereunder.

         5.  Covenants.  The Borrower  covenants and agrees with the  Collateral
Agent for the benefit of the Secured  Parties  that,  from and after the date of
this Security Agreement until the payment in full in cash and the performance of
all  Obligations,  the expiration or  cancellation of all of the Bank Letters of
Credit  and  the  Merchandise  Letters  of  Credit  and the  termination  of the
Merchandise  Letter  of  Credit  Facility,  the  Hedging  Agreement,   the  cash
management  arrangements with the New Cash Management Bank and the Existing Cash
Management  Banks, the foreign exchange  arrangements  with the Foreign Exchange
Bank and the Commitments:

                  (a) Further  Documentation;  Pledge of Instruments and Chattel
         Paper.  At any time and from  time to  time,  upon the  request  of the
         Collateral Agent, and at the sole expense of the Borrower, the Borrower
         will promptly and duly execute and deliver such further instruments and
         documents  and take such  further  action as the  Collateral  Agent may
         reasonably  request for the purpose of obtaining or preserving the full
         benefits of this Security Agreement and of the rights and powers herein
         granted, including,  without limitation, the filing of any financing or
         continuation  statements  under the Uniform



<PAGE> 15

         Commercial Code as then in effect in any  jurisdiction  with respect to
         the Liens  created  hereby.  The Borrower  also hereby  authorizes  the
         Collateral  Agent to file any such financing or continuation  statement
         without  the  signature  of the  Borrower  to the extent  permitted  by
         applicable  law;  provided,  that the Collateral  Agent delivers to the
         Borrower a copy of each  financing or  continuation  statement so filed
         promptly  after the filing  thereof.  A carbon,  photographic  or other
         reproduction  of this  Security  Agreement  shall  be  sufficient  as a
         financing  statement  for  filing in any  jurisdiction.  If any  amount
         payable under or in connection  with any of the Collateral  shall be or
         become evidenced by any Instrument or Chattel Paper, such Instrument or
         Chattel Paper shall be immediately  delivered to the Collateral  Agent,
         duly endorsed in a manner  satisfactory to the Collateral  Agent, to be
         held as Collateral pursuant to this Security Agreement.

                  (b) Indemnification.  The Borrower agrees to pay, and to save,
         indemnify and keep the Secured Parties and their respective  directors,
         officers, employees,  attorneys, experts, and agents harmless from, any
         and all liabilities, costs and expenses (including, without limitation,
         legal fees and  expenses),  losses or damages  (i) with  respect to, or
         resulting  from,  any  delay by the  Borrower  in  paying,  any and all
         excise,  sales or other taxes which may be payable or  determined to be
         payable with respect to any of the Collateral, (ii) with respect to, or
         resulting  from,  any  delay  by the  Borrower  in  complying  with any
         Requirement  of Law  applicable  to any of the  Collateral  or (iii) in
         connection with any of the  transactions  contemplated by this Security
         Agreement,  including the fees and  disbursements of counsel and of any
         other  experts,  which any of the Secured  Parties or their  respective
         directors, officers, employees,  attorneys, experts or agents may incur
         in  connection  with  (w) the  administration  or  enforcement  of this
         Security Agreement, including such expenses as are incurred to preserve
         the value of the  Collateral  and the  validity,  perfection,  rank and
         value of any Liens granted hereunder, (x) the collection, sale or other
         disposition  of  any  of  the  Collateral,  (y)  the  exercise  by  the
         Administrative  Agent  or the  Collateral  Agent  of any of the  rights
         conferred upon it hereunder or (z) any Default or Event of Default, but
         excluding any such liabilities,  costs and expenses,  losses or damages
         incurred solely by reason of the gross negligence or willful misconduct
         of the party seeking to be  indemnified  as determined by a final order
         or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

         In any suit, proceeding or action brought by any of the Secured Parties
         under any  Account  or  Contract  for any sum owing  thereunder,  or to
         enforce any provisions of any Account or Contract,  the Borrower agrees
         to pay, and will save,  indemnify  and keep such Secured  Party and its
         directors,



<PAGE> 16

         officers,  employees,  attorneys,  experts and agents harmless from and
         against,  all  liabilities,  costs  and  expenses  (including,  without
         limitation,  legal fees and  expenses),  losses or damages  suffered by
         reason of any defense, set-off,  counterclaim,  recoupment or reduction
         or liability  whatsoever of the account  debtor or obligor  thereunder,
         arising out of a breach by the Borrower of any obligation thereunder or
         arising out of any other  agreement,  indebtedness  or liability at any
         time  owing to or in favor of such  account  debtor or  obligor  or its
         successors from the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,  but excluding
         any such  liabilities,  costs and expenses,  losses or damages incurred
         solely by reason of the gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of the
         party  seeking to be  indemnified  as  determined  by a final  order or
         judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

         Any  amount  due  hereunder  which is not  paid on  demand  shall  bear
         interest at a rate equal to the sum of 2% plus the CIBC  Alternate Base
         Rate in effect at such time.

         The  agreements  of the  Borrower  contained in this Section 5(b) shall
         survive  the  payment  and  performance  of  the  Obligations  and  the
         termination  of  the  security  interests  granted  hereby.  All of the
         Borrower's   obligations  to  indemnify  each  Secured  Party  and  its
         directors, officers, employees, attorneys, experts and agents hereunder
         shall (without  duplication)  be in addition to, and shall not limit in
         any way, the Borrower's  indemnification  obligations  contained in the
         Credit  Agreement.  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,  the  agreements
         contained  in Section  5(b) of the Existing  Security  Agreement  shall
         continue in full force and effect as to matters covered thereby.

                  (c)  Maintenance  of  Records.  The  Borrower  will  keep  and
         maintain at its own cost and expense  satisfactory and complete records
         with respect to the Collateral, including, without limitation, a record
         of all payments  received  and all credits  granted with respect to the
         Accounts,  and the  Borrower  shall make  available  any such books and
         records to the Collateral Agent or to its representatives during normal
         business hours at the request of the Collateral Agent.

                  (d) Right of  Inspection.  The  Secured  Parties  shall at all
         times have full and free access during normal business hours to all the
         books,  correspondence  and  records of the  Borrower,  and the Secured
         Parties and their  representatives  may examine the same, take extracts
         therefrom  and make  photocopies  thereof,  and the Borrower  agrees to
         render to the Secured Parties at the Borrower's cost and expense,  such
         clerical  and other  assistance  as may be  reasonably  requested  with
         regard thereto. The Secured Parties and their  representatives shall at
         all times also have the right to enter into and upon any premises where
         any of the  Equipment



<PAGE> 17

         or the  Inventory  is located for the purpose of  inspecting  the same,
         observing its use or otherwise protecting its interests therein.

                  (e) Compliance with Laws, etc. The Borrower will comply in all
         respects with all  Requirements  of Law applicable to the Collateral or
         any part thereof or to the operation of the Borrower's  business except
         where the necessity of compliance  therewith is contested in good faith
         by  appropriate  proceedings  or where the failure to comply  therewith
         would not have a Materially Adverse Effect; provided, that the Borrower
         must comply  therewith any  Requirement  of Law if the failure to do so
         would adversely affect the Secured Parties' rights in the Collateral or
         the priority of the Collateral Agent's Liens on the Collateral.

                  (f) Compliance with Terms of Contracts, etc. The Borrower will
         perform and comply in all material  respects  with all its  obligations
         under the Contracts and all its other contractual  obligations relating
         to the Collateral.

                  (g) Payment of  Obligations.  The  Borrower  will pay promptly
         when due all  taxes,  assessments  and  governmental  charges or levies
         imposed  upon the  Collateral  or in  respect  of its income or profits
         therefrom,  as well  as all  claims  of any  kind  (including,  without
         limitation,  claims for labor,  materials and supplies) against or with
         respect to the  Collateral,  except that no such charge need be paid if
         the  Borrower  is  permitted  not  to  do so  pursuant  to  the  Credit
         Agreement.

                  (h) Limitation on Liens on  Collateral.  The Borrower will not
         create,  incur or permit to exist, will defend the Collateral  against,
         and will take such other action as is necessary to remove,  any Lien or
         claim on or to the  Collateral,  other than the Liens  created  hereby,
         other than the Permitted Liens and other than as permitted  pursuant to
         Section 8.10 of the Credit Agreement,  and will defend the right, title
         and interest of the Collateral  Agent and the other Secured  Parties in
         and to any of the  Collateral  against  the claims  and  demands of all
         Persons whomsoever.

                  (i)  Limitations  on  Dispositions  of  Collateral.  Except as
         permitted  under the  Credit  Agreement,  the  Borrower  will not sell,
         transfer, lease or otherwise dispose of any of the Collateral.

                  (j)  Limitations  on  Modifications,  Waivers,  Extensions  of
         Contracts and Agreements Giving Rise to Accounts. The Borrower will not
         (i) amend, modify,  terminate or waive any provision of any Contract or
         any  agreement  giving rise to a material  Account in any manner  which
         could  reasonably  be




<PAGE> 18

         expected  to  adversely  affect the value of such  Contract or material
         Account as  Collateral,  (ii) fail to exercise  promptly and diligently
         each and every  substantive right which it may have under each Contract
         or material Account (other than any right of termination) or (iii) fail
         to deliver to the Collateral Agent a copy of each  substantive  demand,
         notice or document  received by it relating in any way to any  Contract
         or material Account.

                  (k)  Limitations  on  Discounts,  Compromises,  Extensions  of
         Accounts.  Other than in the ordinary course of business,  the Borrower
         will not  grant  any  extension  of the time of  payment  of any of the
         Accounts,  compromise  or settle the same for less than the full amount
         thereof,  release,  wholly or  partially,  any  Person  liable  for the
         payment thereof, or allow any credit or discount whatsoever thereon.

                  (l) Maintenance of Equipment.  The Borrower will maintain each
         item of Equipment in good operating  condition,  ordinary wear and tear
         and  immaterial  impairments  of  value  and  damage  by  the  elements
         excepted,  and  will  provide  all  maintenance,  service  and  repairs
         necessary for such purpose.

                  (m)  Maintenance of Insurance.  The Borrower will maintain the
         insurance required by Section 8.3 of the Credit Agreement.

                  (n) Further  Identification  of Collateral.  The Borrower will
         furnish  to the  Collateral  Agent  from  time to time  statements  and
         schedules  further  identifying  and describing the Collateral and such
         other reports in connection with the Collateral as the Collateral Agent
         may reasonably request, all in reasonable detail.

                  (o) Notices.  The Borrower  will advise the  Collateral  Agent
         promptly,  in reasonable  detail, at the Collateral Agent's address set
         forth in the  Credit  Agreement,  (i) of any  Lien  (other  than  Liens
         created  hereby or  permitted  pursuant  to Section  8.10 of the Credit
         Agreement)  on, or claim  asserted  against,  any of the Collateral and
         (ii) of the  occurrence  of any other event which could  reasonably  be
         expected to have an adverse effect on the value of any material portion
         of the Collateral or on the Liens created hereunder.

                  (p) Changes in  Locations,  Name,  etc. The Borrower will not,
         unless it shall have given the Collateral Agent at least 30 days' prior
         written notice  thereof (i) change the location of its chief  executive
         office/chief  place of business  from that  specified  in Section  4(f)
         hereof or remove its books and records from any  location  specified in
         Section 4(c) hereof, (ii) permit any of the Equipment and the Inventory
         to be kept in  jurisdictions  other than those  listed on Schedule  III


<PAGE> 19

         hereto  or (iii)  change  its name  (or any  name  under  which it does
         business),  identity or corporate  structure to such an extent that any
         financing  statement  filed by the Collateral  Agent in connection with
         this Security Agreement would become seriously misleading.

                  (q) Trademarks.

                           (i) Except  with  respect to any  Trademark  that the
                  Borrower shall reasonably  determine is of negligible economic
                  value to it (and so advise the  Collateral  Agent in writing),
                  the Borrower  (either itself or through  licensees) will, with
                  respect to any  Trademark on which a Lien has been or shall be
                  created pursuant to this Agreement (a "Liened Trademark"), (i)
                  continue  to use  each  Liened  Trademark  on each  and  every
                  trademark  class of goods  applicable  to its current  line as
                  reflected in its current  catalogs,  brochures and price lists
                  in order to maintain such Liened  Trademark in full force free
                  from any claim of abandonment for non-use, (ii) maintain as in
                  the past the quality of products  and services  offered  under
                  such Liened Trademark, (iii) employ such Liened Trademark with
                  the appropriate notice of registration,  (iv) not adopt or use
                  any mark which is confusingly similar or a colorable imitation
                  of such Liened Trademark unless the Collateral  Agent, for the
                  benefit  of the  Secured  Parties,  shall  obtain a  perfected
                  security  interest  in such  mark  pursuant  to this  Security
                  Agreement,  and  (v) not  (and  not  permit  any  licensee  or
                  sublicensee thereof to) do any act or knowingly omit to do any
                  act whereby any Liened Trademark may become invalidated.

                           (ii) The Borrower  will notify the  Collateral  Agent
                  immediately  if it  knows,  or has  reason  to know,  that any
                  application or registration  relating to any Liened  Trademark
                  may  become   abandoned  or  dedicated,   or  of  any  adverse
                  determination or development  (including,  without limitation,
                  the institution of, or any such  determination  or development
                  in, any  proceeding  in the United States Patent and Trademark
                  Office or any court or tribunal in any country)  regarding the
                  Borrower's  ownership of any Liened  Trademark or its right to
                  register the same or to keep and maintain the same.

                           (iii)  Whenever  the  Borrower,  either  by itself or
                  through any agent, employee,  licensee or designee, shall file
                  an application for the  registration of any Trademark with the
                  United  States  Patent  and  Trademark  Office or any  similar
                  office  or  agency  in any  other  country  or  any  political
                  subdivision  thereof, the Borrower shall report such filing to
                  the Collateral Agent within fifteen days




<PAGE> 20

                  after the last day of the fiscal  quarter in which such filing
                  occurs.  Upon request of the  Collateral  Agent,  the Borrower
                  shall execute and deliver any and all agreements, instruments,
                  documents,  and papers as the Collateral  Agent may request to
                  create a security interest in its favor for the benefit of the
                  Secured  Parties in any such  Trademark  and the  goodwill and
                  General  Intangibles  of  the  Borrower  relating  thereto  or
                  represented  thereby,  and the Borrower hereby constitutes and
                  appoints the Collateral Agent its  attorney-in-fact to execute
                  and file,  in the event of the  failure of the  Borrower to do
                  so, all such writings for the foregoing purposes,  all acts of
                  such attorney being hereby ratified and confirmed;  such power
                  being coupled with an interest, it is and shall be irrevocable
                  until  the  payment  in full in cash  and  performance  of all
                  Obligations, the expiration or cancellation of all of the Bank
                  Letters  of Credit and the  Merchandise  Letters of Credit and
                  the termination of the Merchandise  Letter of Credit Facility,
                  the Hedging Agreement,  the cash management  arrangements with
                  the New Cash  Management Bank and the Existing Cash Management
                  Banks,  the  foreign  exchange  arrangements  with the Foreign
                  Exchange Bank and the Commitments.

                           (iv)  The  Borrower  will  take  all  reasonable  and
                  necessary  steps,  including,   without  limitation,   in  any
                  proceeding  before the  United  States  Patent  and  Trademark
                  Office,  or any similar  office or agency in any other country
                  or any political  subdivision thereof, in which the applicable
                  Liened  Trademark  is used by the  Borrower,  to maintain  and
                  pursue   each   application   (and  to  obtain  the   relevant
                  registration)  and to maintain each registration of the Liened
                  Trademarks,   including,   without   limitation,   filing   of
                  applications for renewal,  affidavits of use and affidavits of
                  incontestability.

                           (v) In the event that any Liened  Trademark  included
                  in the Collateral is infringed,  misappropriated or diluted by
                  a  third  party,   the  Borrower  shall  promptly  notify  the
                  Collateral  Agent after the Borrower learns thereof and shall,
                  unless  the  Borrower  shall  reasonably  determine  that such
                  Liened  Trademark  is of  negligible  economic  value  to  the
                  Borrower  (which  determination  the Borrower  shall  promptly
                  report   to  the   Collateral   Agent),   promptly   sue   for
                  infringement, misappropriation or dilution, to seek injunctive
                  relief  where  appropriate  and to recover any and all damages
                  for such infringement,  misappropriation or dilution,  or take
                  such  other  actions as the  Borrower  shall  reasonably  deem
                  appropriate  or the Collateral  Agent may  reasonably  request
                  under the circumstances to protect such Liened Trademark.





<PAGE> 21

                  (r) Vehicles.  The Borrower will maintain each Vehicle in good
         operating condition,  ordinary wear and tear and immaterial impairments
         of value and damage by the  elements  excepted,  and will  provide  all
         maintenance,  service and repairs necessary for such purpose.  Promptly
         after the date hereof and, with respect to any Vehicles acquired by the
         Borrower   subsequent  to  the  date  hereof,   all   applications  for
         certificates of title indicating the Collateral  Agent's first priority
         Lien  on the  Vehicle  covered  by  such  certificate,  and  any  other
         necessary documentation,  shall be filed by the Borrower in each office
         in each jurisdiction which the Collateral Agent shall deem advisable to
         perfect its Liens on the Vehicles.  In connection  with the  foregoing,
         the Borrower shall notify the Collateral  Agent, in writing,  within 30
         days after the date of acquisition, of each Vehicle acquired subsequent
         to the date hereof.

                  (s) Inventory. With respect to the Inventory: (a) the Borrower
         shall  at  all  times  maintain   records  with  respect  to  Inventory
         reasonably  satisfactory to the Collateral  Agent,  keeping correct and
         accurate records  itemizing and describing the kind, type,  quality and
         quantity  of  Inventory,   the  Borrower's   cost  therefor  and  daily
         withdrawals  therefrom and additions  thereto;  (b) the Borrower  shall
         conduct a physical  count of the Inventory at least once each year, but
         at any time or times as the Collateral Agent may request on or after an
         Event of Default occurs and is continuing,  and promptly following such
         physical  inventory shall supply the Collateral  Agent with a report in
         the form and with such specificity as may be reasonably satisfactory to
         the Collateral  Agent  concerning such physical count; (c) the Borrower
         shall  not  remove  any  Inventory  from  the  locations  set  forth or
         permitted  herein,  without the prior written consent of the Collateral
         Agent,  except  for sales of  Inventory  and  returns of  Inventory  to
         vendors, in each case in the ordinary course of the Borrower's business
         and except to move  Inventory  directly  from one location set forth or
         permitted  herein to another  such  location;  (d) in  addition  to the
         requirements set forth above, upon the Collateral Agent's request,  the
         Borrower shall, at its expense, conduct through the Asset Support Group
         or another  inventory  counting  service  reasonably  acceptable to the
         Collateral  Agent, or shall permit the Collateral  Agent to conduct (if
         the Collateral  Agent so elects),  a physical count of the Inventory in
         form,  scope and  methodology  reasonably  acceptable to the Collateral
         Agent no more than once in any  twelve  (12) month  period,  but at any
         time or times as the Collateral  Agent may request on or after an Event
         of Default  occurs and is  continuing,  the  results of which  shall be
         reported directly by such inventory  counting service to the Collateral
         Agent and the Borrower shall promptly  deliver  confirmation  in a form
         satisfactory to the Collateral Agent that appropriate  adjustments have
         been made to the  Inventory




<PAGE> 22

         records  of the  Borrower  to  reconcile  the  Inventory  count  to the
         Borrower's  Inventory  records;  (e) the Borrower shall  produce,  use,
         store and maintain the Inventory,  with all reasonable care and caution
         and in  accordance  with  applicable  standards of any insurance and in
         conformity  with applicable  laws  (including,  but not limited to, the
         requirements  of the  Federal  Fair  Labor  Standards  Act of 1938,  as
         amended and all rules, regulations and orders related thereto); (f) the
         Borrower retains all of its  responsibility  and liability arising from
         or relating to the  production,  use, sale or other  disposition of the
         Inventory; (g) the Borrower shall not sell Inventory to any customer on
         approval,  or any other basis which  entitles the customer to return or
         may obligate the Borrower to repurchase  such Inventory  (other than in
         the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past  practices  and
         policies  of the  Borrower  or current  market  practice);  and (h) the
         Borrower shall keep the Inventory in good and marketable condition.

         6.   Collateral Agent's Appointment as Attorney-in Fact.

                  (a) Powers.  The Borrower hereby  irrevocably  constitutes and
appoints the Collateral Agent and any officer or agent thereof,  with full power
of substitution,  as its true and lawful  attorney-in-fact with full irrevocable
power and  authority  in the place and stead of the  Borrower and in the name of
the  Borrower or in its own name,  from time to time in the  Collateral  Agent's
discretion, for the purpose of carrying out the terms of this Security Agreement
where the Collateral Agent, in its sole discretion,  determines that to do so is
necessary  or  appropriate  to protect its interest in all or any portion of the
Collateral or the value thereof,  to take any and all appropriate  action and to
execute any and all documents and instruments which the Collateral Agent, in its
sole  discretion  determines,  may be  necessary  or  desirable  to protect  its
interest  in all or any portion of the  Collateral  or the value  thereof,  and,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  the Borrower hereby gives the
Collateral Agent the power and right, on behalf of the Borrower,  without notice
to or assent by the Borrower, to do the following:

                  (i) in the case of any Account, at any time when the authority
         of  the  Borrower  to  collect  the  Accounts  has  been  curtailed  or
         terminated pursuant to the first sentence of Section 3(d) hereof, or in
         the case of any other Collateral, at any time when any Event of Default
         shall have occurred and is  continuing,  in the name of the Borrower or
         its own name,  or  otherwise,  to take  possession  of and  indorse and
         collect any checks, drafts, notes, acceptances or other instruments for
         the  payment  of  moneys  due under any  Account,  Instrument,  General
         Intangible or Contract or with respect to any other  Collateral  and to
         file any claim or to take any other




<PAGE> 23

         action or proceeding in any court of law or equity or otherwise  deemed
         appropriate by the  Collateral  Agent for the purpose of collecting any
         and  all  such  moneys  due  under  any  Account,  Instrument,  General
         Intangible or Contract or with respect to any other Collateral whenever
         payable;

                  (ii) to pay or  discharge  taxes and Liens levied or placed on
         or threatened  against the Collateral (except where the Borrower is not
         required to discharge  such tax or Lien  pursuant to the  provisions of
         this Security Agreement or the Credit Agreement), to effect any repairs
         or any insurance called for by the terms of this Security  Agreement or
         the Credit Agreement,  to adjust the same and to pay all or any part of
         the premiums therefor and the costs thereof; and

                  (iii) upon the  occurrence  and during the  continuance of any
         Event of  Default,  (A) to direct any party  liable for any  payment in
         respect of or arising out of any of the  Collateral  to make payment of
         any and all  moneys  due or to become due  thereunder  directly  to the
         Collateral Agent or as the Collateral Agent shall direct; (B) to ask or
         demand for,  collect,  receive  payment of and receipt for, any and all
         moneys,  claims and other  amounts  due or to become due at any time in
         respect of or arising out of any  Collateral  and to extend the time of
         payment  of any or all  thereof  and to make any  allowance  and  other
         adjustments  with  reference  thereto;  (C) to  sign  and  indorse  any
         invoices,  freight  or  express  bills,  bills of  lading,  storage  or
         warehouse receipts, drafts against debtors, assignments, verifications,
         notices and other  documents in connection  with any of the Collateral;
         (D) to commence and prosecute any suits,  actions or proceedings at law
         or in equity in any court of  competent  jurisdiction  to  collect  any
         amounts  owing in  respect  of the  Collateral  or any  thereof  and to
         enforce any other right in respect of any Collateral; (E) to defend any
         suit, action or proceeding brought against the Borrower with respect to
         any Collateral; (F) to settle, compromise or adjust any suit, action or
         proceeding  described  in clauses (D) or (E) above and,  in  connection
         therewith,  to give such discharges or releases as the Collateral Agent
         may deem  appropriate;  (G) to assign  any  Trademark  (along  with the
         goodwill  of the  business  to  which  any  such  Trademark  pertains),
         throughout the world for such term or terms, on such conditions, and in
         such  manner,  as the  Collateral  Agent  shall in its sole  discretion
         determine; (H) to set off or cause to be set off amounts in any account
         maintained  with any Lender or otherwise  enforce rights against any of
         the  Collateral in the  possession of any Secured Party (other than the
         Merchandise  Letter  of



<PAGE> 24

         Credit Bank); and (I) generally, to sell, transfer, pledge and make any
         agreement  with respect to or otherwise deal with any of the Collateral
         as fully  and  completely  as  though  the  Collateral  Agent  were the
         absolute  owner thereof for all purposes,  and to do, at the Collateral
         Agent's option and the Borrower's expense, at any time, or from time to
         time, all acts and things which the Collateral Agent deems necessary to
         protect,  preserve or realize upon the  Collateral  and the  Collateral
         Agent's  Liens  thereon  and to  effect  the  intent  of this  Security
         Agreement, all as fully and effectively as the Borrower might do.

The Borrower  hereby ratifies all that said attorneys shall lawfully do or cause
to be done by virtue  hereof.  This power of attorney is a power coupled with an
interest and is and shall be  irrevocable  until the payment in full in cash and
performance of all  Obligations,  the expiration or  cancellation  of all of the
Bank Letters of Credit and the Merchandise Letters of Credit and the termination
of the Merchandise Letter of Credit Facility,  the Hedging  Agreement,  the cash
management  arrangements with the New Cash Management Bank and the Existing Cash
Management  Banks, the foreign exchange  arrangements  with the Foreign Exchange
Bank, and the Commitments.

         (b) Other Powers. The Borrower also authorizes the Collateral Agent, at
any time and from time to time, to execute, in connection with any sale pursuant
to Section 9 hereof,  any  endorsements,  assignments  or other  instruments  of
conveyance or transfer with respect to any of the Collateral.

         (c) No Duty on  Secured  Parties'  Part.  The powers  conferred  on the
Collateral Agent hereunder are solely to protect the Secured Parties'  interests
in the Collateral and shall not impose any duty upon any of the Secured  Parties
to exercise any such powers.  The Secured Parties shall be accountable  only for
amounts that they  actually  receive as a result of the exercise of such powers,
and neither they nor any of their officers, directors, employees or agents shall
be responsible to the Borrower for any liabilities,  costs, expenses,  losses or
damages  incurred by the Borrower in  connection  with any act or failure to act
hereunder  on their  part,  except to the extent  arising  solely from their own
gross   negligence   or  willful   misconduct  as  determined  by  a  final  and
non-appealable order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

         7.  Performance by Collateral Agent of Borrower's  Obligations.  If the
Borrower fails to perform or comply with any of its agreements  contained herein
and the  Collateral  Agent,  as  provided  for by the  terms  of  this  Security
Agreement,  the Credit  Agreement  or any other  Credit  Document,  shall itself
perform or comply,  or otherwise  cause  performance  or  compliance,  with such
agreement, the expenses of the Collateral Agent incurred in



<PAGE> 25

connection with such  performance or compliance,  together with interest thereon
at a rate per  annum 2% above the CIBC  Alternate  Base Rate at the time of such
failure to perform or comply, shall be payable by the Borrower to the Collateral
Agent on demand and shall constitute Obligations secured hereby.

         8.  Proceeds.  In  addition  to  the  rights  of the  Collateral  Agent
specified in Section  3(d) hereof with  respect to payments of  Accounts,  it is
agreed that if an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing (a) upon demand
by the  Collateral  Agent all Proceeds  received by the Borrower  consisting  of
cash,  checks and other  near-cash  items shall be held by the Borrower in trust
for the Secured  Parties and  segregated  from other funds of the Borrower,  and
shall,  forthwith upon receipt by the Borrower, be turned over to the Collateral
Agent in the exact form received by the Borrower  (duly indorsed by the Borrower
to the Collateral Agent, if required), and (b) any and all such Proceeds held or
received by the Collateral  Agent (whether from the Borrower or otherwise)  may,
in the sole discretion of the Collateral  Agent, be held by the Collateral Agent
for the benefit of the Secured  Parties as collateral  security for, and/or then
or at any time thereafter be paid by the Collateral Agent to the  Administrative
Agent for application  against,  the Obligations (whether matured or unmatured),
such application to be in such order as is required by Section 9.2 of the Credit
Agreement, subject to the Inter-Facility Agreement to the extent applicable. Any
balance of such  Proceeds  remaining,  after the payment in full in cash and the
performance of all  Obligations,  the expiration or  cancellation  of all of the
Bank Letters of Credit and the Merchandise Letters of Credit and the termination
of the Merchandise Letter of Credit Facility,  the Hedging  Agreement,  the cash
management  arrangements with the New Cash Management Bank and the Existing Cash
Management  Banks, the foreign exchange  arrangements  with the Foreign Exchange
Bank and the  Commitments,  shall be paid over to the Borrower or to  whomsoever
may be lawfully entitled to receive the same.

         9.  Remedies.

         (a) General. If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing,  the
Collateral Agent, on behalf of the Secured Parties may exercise,  in addition to
all other  rights and remedies  granted to it in this  Security  Agreement,  the
Credit Agreement and in any other instrument or agreement  securing,  evidencing
or relating to the Obligations, all rights and remedies of a secured party under
the Uniform Commercial Code, as then in effect in the jurisdiction in which such
rights are exercised.  Without  limiting the  generality of the  foregoing,  the
Collateral  Agent,  without demand of performance or other demand,  presentment,
protest,  advertisement or notice of any kind (except any notice required by law
referred to below) to or upon the  Borrower or any other Person (all and each of
which demands,  defenses,  advertisements and notices are hereby waived), may in
such circumstances forthwith collect, receive,


<PAGE> 26

appropriate  and realize upon the  Collateral,  or any part thereof,  and/or may
forthwith sell, lease, assign, give option or options to purchase,  or otherwise
dispose of and deliver the Collateral or any part thereof (or contract to do any
of the foregoing), in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at
any  exchange,  broker's  board  or  office  of any of the  Secured  Parties  or
elsewhere  upon such terms and  conditions as it may deem  advisable and at such
prices as it may deem best, for cash or on credit or for future delivery without
assumption  of any  credit  risk.  In case of any sale of all or any part of the
Collateral  on credit or for  future  delivery,  the  Collateral  so sold may be
retained  by the  Collateral  Agent  until  the  selling  price  is  paid by the
purchaser thereof,  but none of the Secured Parties shall incur any liability in
case of the failure of such  purchaser to take up and pay for the  Collateral so
sold and, in case of any such failure,  such  Collateral  may again be sold upon
like notice.  The Collateral  Agent shall not be obligated to make any such sale
pursuant to any notice thereof, but may, without notice or publication,  adjourn
any public or private sale or cause the same to be  adjourned  from time to time
by  announcement  at the time and place fixed for the sale, and such sale may be
made at any  time or place to  which  the same may be so  adjourned.  Any of the
Secured Parties shall have the right upon any such public sale or sales, and, to
the extent  permitted by law,  upon any such private sale or sales,  to purchase
the whole or any part of the  Collateral so sold,  and each Secured Party (other
than the Merchandise  Letter of Credit Bank) shall be entitled,  for the purpose
of bidding and making settlement or payment of the purchase price for all or any
portion  of the  Collateral  sold at such  sale,  to use  and  apply  any of the
Obligations owed to such Person (or, in the case of the Collateral Agent, any or
all of the  Obligations  owed to the Secured  Parties) as a credit on account of
the purchase  price payable by such Person at such sale.  Each  purchaser at any
such sale shall  acquire the  property  sold  absolutely  free from any claim or
right on the part of the Borrower,  and the Borrower  hereby waives (to the full
extent  permitted by law) all rights of redemption,  stay and/or appraisal which
it now has or may at any  time  in the  future  have  under  any  rule of law or
statute now existing or hereafter  enacted.  The Borrower further agrees, at the
Collateral Agent's request,  to assemble the Collateral and make it available to
the  Collateral  Agent at places  which the  Collateral  Agent shall  reasonably
select,  whether at the Borrower's  premises or elsewhere.  The Collateral Agent
shall, at such time or times as it determines,  pay the net proceeds of any such
collection,  recovery,  receipt,  appropriation,   realization  or  sale,  after
deducting all  reasonable  costs and expenses of every kind incurred  therein or
incidental  to the care or  safekeeping  of any of the  Collateral or in any way
relating  to the  Collateral  or the rights of the  Secured  Parties  hereunder,
including,  without limitation,  reasonable attorneys' or other agents' fees and
disbursements,  to the  Administrative  Agent for  application to the payment in
whole or in part of the Obligations, in such order as is required by Section 9.2
of the Credit Agreement,  subject to the Inter-Facility




<PAGE> 27

Agreement to the extent  applicable,  and only after such  application and after
the  payment  by the  Collateral  Agent  of any  other  amount  required  by any
provision of law,  including,  without  limitation,  Section  9-504(1)(c) of the
Code,  need  the  Collateral  Agent  account  for the  surplus,  if any,  to the
Borrower.  To the extent  permitted by applicable  law, the Borrower  waives all
claims,  damages and demands it may acquire  against any of the Secured  Parties
arising out of the  exercise by it of any rights  hereunder.  If any notice of a
proposed sale or other  disposition of Collateral shall be required by law, such
notice  shall be deemed  reasonable  and proper if given at least 10 days before
such  sale or other  disposition.  The  Borrower  shall  remain  liable  for any
deficiency if the proceeds of any sale or other  disposition  of the  Collateral
are   insufficient  to  satisfy  the  Obligations  in  full  and  the  fees  and
disbursements  of any  attorneys or other agents  employed by any of the Secured
Parties to collect such deficiency.

         The  Collateral  Agent,  instead of exercising the power of sale herein
conferred  upon  it,  may  proceed  by a suit or suits  at law or in  equity  to
foreclose the security interests granted hereby and sell the Collateral,  or any
portion  thereof,  under a judgment or decree of a court or courts of  competent
jurisdiction.

         (b)  Louisiana  Remedies.  For  purposes  of  executory  process  under
applicable  Louisiana law (and only for such purposes),  upon the occurrence and
during the continuance of an Event of Default,  the Borrower hereby acknowledges
the  indebtedness  owed under the  Obligations,  CONFESSES  JUDGMENT thereon and
consents that judgment be rendered and signed,  whether  during the court's term
or during  vacation,  in favor of the Collateral  Agent,  for the benefit of the
Secured Parties, for the full amount of the Obligations.  Upon the occurrence of
an Event of Default,  and in addition to all of its rights,  powers and remedies
under this Security  Agreement and applicable law, the Collateral  Agent may, at
its option,  cause all or any part of the  Collateral  located in Louisiana (the
"Louisiana  Collateral") to be seized and sold under executory  process or under
writ of fieri facias issued in execution of an ordinary  judgment  obtained upon
the Obligations,  without  appraisement to the highest bidder, for cash or under
such terms as the Collateral Agent deems acceptable.  The Borrower hereby waives
all and every appraisement of the Louisiana  Collateral and waives and renounces
the  benefit  of  appraisement  and the  benefit  of all  laws  relative  to the
appraisement  of the  Louisiana  Collateral  seized and sold under  executory or
other legal process.  The Borrower agrees to waive, and does hereby specifically
waive:

         (1)      the benefit of  appraisement  provided  for in Articles  2332,
                  2336, 2723 and 2724,  Louisiana Code of Civil  Procedure,  and
                  all other laws conferring such benefits;

         (2)      the demand and three days delay  accorded by Articles 2639 and
                  2721,  Louisiana  Code of Civil  Procedure;  (3) the notice of
                  seizure required by Articles 2293 and 2721,  Louisiana Code of
                  Civil Procedure;





<PAGE> 28

         (4)      the three  days  delay  accorded  by  Articles  2331 and 2722,
                  Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure;

         (5)      the benefit of the other provisions of Articles 2331, 2722 and
                  2723, Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure;

         (6)      the  benefit of the  provisions  of any other  articles of the
                  Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure not  specifically  mentioned
                  above; and

         (7)      all rights of  division  and  discussion  with  respect to the
                  Obligations.

Pursuant to the authority  contained in La.R.S.  9:5136  through  9:5140.1,  the
Borrower and the Collateral Agent do hereby  expressly  designate the Collateral
Agent or its designee to be keeper or receiver ("Keeper") for the benefit of the
Collateral  Agent or any assignee of the Collateral  Agent,  such designation to
take  effect  immediately  upon any seizure of any of the  Louisiana  Collateral
under writ of executory  process or under writ of  sequestration or fieri facias
as an incident to an action brought by the Collateral Agent. It is hereby agreed
that the Keeper shall be entitled to receive as  compensation,  in excess of its
reasonable costs and expenses incurred in the  administration or preservation of
the Louisiana Collateral,  an amount equal to the lesser of $200 per day or four
percent of the gross  revenues of the  Louisiana  Collateral  and the payment of
such fees shall be secured by the security interest in the Louisiana  Collateral
granted in this Security Agreement.  The designation of Keeper made herein shall
not be deemed to require Mortgagee to provoke the appointment of a Keeper.

         (c) Additional  Inventory  Remedies.  Until the payment in full in cash
and performance of all Obligations, the expiration or cancellation of all of the
Bank Letters of Credit and the Merchandise Letters of Credit and the termination
of the Merchandise Letter of Credit Facility,  the Hedging  Agreement,  the cash
management  arrangements with the New Cash Management Bank and the Existing Cash
Management  Bank, the foreign  exchange  arrangements  with the Foreign Exchange
Bank and the  Commitments  and at any time when an Event of Default has occurred
and is continuing:  (i) the Borrower will perform any and all reasonable actions
requested by the  Collateral  Agent to enforce the Collateral  Agent's  security
interest in the Inventory and all of the Collateral  Agent's  rights  hereunder,
such as leasing warehouses to the Collateral Agent or its designee,  placing and
maintaining signs, appointing custodians,  transferring Inventory to warehouses,
and delivering to the Collateral Agent warehouse receipts and documents of title
in the  Collateral  Agent's name;  (ii) if any Inventory is in the possession or
control of any of the Borrower's




<PAGE> 29

agents,  contractors  or processors or any other third party,  the Borrower will
notify the Collateral Agent thereof and will notify such agents,  contractors or
processors or third party of the Collateral  Agent's  security  interest therein
and, upon request,  instruct them to hold all such  Inventory for the Collateral
Agent's and the Borrower's  account,  as their interests may appear, and subject
to the Collateral  Agent's  instructions;  (iii) the Collateral Agent shall have
the  right  to hold all  Inventory  subject  to the  security  interest  granted
hereunder; and (iv) the Collateral Agent shall have the right to take possession
of the  Inventory or any part  thereof and to maintain  such  possession  on the
Borrower's premises or to remove any or all of the Inventory to such other place
or  places  as the  Collateral  Agent  desires  in its sole  discretion.  If the
Collateral  Agent exercises its right to take  possession of the Inventory,  the
Borrower,  upon the Collateral  Agent's demand,  will assemble the Inventory and
make it available to the Collateral Agent at the Borrower's premises at which it
is located.

         10.  Limitation on Duties  Regarding  Preservation  of Collateral.  The
Collateral  Agent's  sole duty with  respect  to the  custody,  safekeeping  and
physical  preservation of the Collateral in its possession,  under Section 9-207
of the Code or  otherwise,  shall be to deal with it in  substantially  the same
manner as the Collateral  Agent deals with similar property for its own account.
None of the Secured Parties,  nor any of their respective  directors,  officers,
employees,  attorneys,  experts or agents shall be liable for failure to demand,
collect or realize  upon all or any part of the  Collateral  or for any delay in
doing so or shall be under any  obligation  to sell or otherwise  dispose of any
Collateral upon the request of the Borrower or otherwise.  The Borrower releases
the  Secured  Parties  and  their  respective  directors,  officers,  employees,
attorneys,  experts and agents from any claims,  causes of action and demands at
any  time  arising  out of or with  respect  to  this  Security  Agreement,  the
Collateral,  and/or any actions,  taken or omitted to be taken by the Collateral
Agent with respect  thereto (other than any clams,  causes of action and demands
arising  solely from the gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct  of the party
which  desires to be so released as determined by a final order or judgment of a
court of competent  jurisdiction),  and the Borrower  hereby  agrees to hold the
Secured Parties and their respective directors, officers, employees,  attorneys,
experts and agents  harmless  from and with  respect to any and all such claims,
causes of action and demands.  The agreements of the Borrower  contained in this
Section 10 shall survive the payment and  performance of the Obligations and the
termination of the security interests granted hereby.

         11. Powers Coupled with an Interest.  All  authorizations  and agencies
herein  contained  with  respect to the  Collateral  are powers  coupled with an
interest and are and shall be irrevocable  until the payment in full in cash and
performance of all  Obligations,




<PAGE> 30

the  expiration  or  cancellation  of all of the Bank  Letters of Credit and the
Merchandise  Letters of Credit and the termination of the Merchandise  Letter of
Credit Facility,  the Hedging Agreement,  the cash management  arrangements with
the New Cash Management Bank and the Existing Cash Management Banks, the foreign
exchange arrangements with the Foreign Exchange Bank and the Commitments.

         12.  Severability.  If any  provision  of this  Security  Agreement  is
invalid and  unenforceable  in any  jurisdiction,  then,  to the fullest  extent
permitted by law, (i) the other provisions hereof shall remain in full force and
effect in such  jurisdiction  and shall be  liberally  construed in favor of the
Collateral  Agent  and the  other  Secured  Parties  in order  to carry  out the
intentions  of the  parties  hereto as nearly as may be  possible;  and (ii) the
invalidity or unenforceability of any provision hereof in any jurisdiction shall
not  affect  the  validity  or  enforceability  of such  provision  in any other
jurisdiction.

         13.  Section  Headings.  The  Section  headings  used in this  Security
Agreement  are for  convenience  of  reference  only and are not to  affect  the
construction hereof or be taken into consideration in the interpretation hereof.

         14. No Waiver;  Cumulative Remedies;  Security Interests Absolute.  (a)
None of the Secured  Parties  shall by any act  (except by a written  instrument
executed and delivered in accordance with Section 15 hereof), delay, indulgence,
omission or otherwise be deemed to have waived any right or remedy  hereunder or
to have acquiesced in any Default or Event of Default or in any breach of any of
the terms and  conditions  hereof.  No  failure  to  exercise,  nor any delay in
exercising,  on the part of any Secured  Party,  any right,  power or  privilege
hereunder  shall operate as a waiver thereof.  No single or partial  exercise of
any right,  power or  privilege  hereunder  shall  preclude any other or further
exercise  thereof or the  exercise of any other  right,  power or  privilege.  A
waiver by any Secured Party of any right or remedy hereunder on any one occasion
shall not be construed as a bar to any right or remedy which such Secured  Party
would  otherwise  have on any future  occasion.  The rights and remedies  herein
provided  are  cumulative,  may  be  exercised  alternatively,  successively  or
concurrently and are not exclusive of any rights or remedies  provided by law or
at equity.

                  (b) All  rights  of the  Collateral  Agent  and the  Liens and
security interests granted under this Security Agreement, and all obligations of
the Borrower under this Security Agreement, shall be absolute and unconditional,
irrespective of any circumstance  which might constitute a defense available to,
or a  discharge  of,  the  Borrower  or any  other  obligor  in  respect  of the
Obligations.

         15. Waivers and Amendments; Successors and Assigns; Governing Law. None
of the terms or provisions of this  Security  Agreement



<PAGE> 31

may be waived,  amended,  supplemented or otherwise modified except by a written
instrument executed by the Borrower, the Administrative Agent and the Collateral
Agent; provided,  that any provision of this Security Agreement may be waived by
the  Collateral  Agent  or the  Administrative  Agent  in a  written  letter  or
agreement executed by the Collateral Agent or the  Administrative  Agent (as the
case  may be) or by  facsimile  transmission  from the  Collateral  Agent or the
Administrative  Agent.  Any amendment,  modification  or supplement of or to any
provision of this Security Agreement, any termination or waiver of any provision
of this Security Agreement and any consent to any departure by the Borrower from
the terms of any provision of this Security Agreement shall be effective only in
the specific  instance and for the specific  purpose for which made or given. No
notice to or demand upon the Borrower in any instance  hereunder  shall  entitle
the  Borrower  to any other or  further  notice or  demand in  similar  or other
circumstances.  This Security Agreement shall be binding upon and shall inure to
the  benefit  of the  Borrower  and the  Secured  Parties  and their  respective
successors  and assigns;  provided,  that the Borrower may not assign its rights
and   obligations   hereunder   without  the  prior   written   consent  of  the
Administrative  Agent and the Collateral  Agent, each Lender and the Merchandise
Letter  of  Credit  Bank.  THIS  SECURITY  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE  GOVERNED  BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, WITHOUT REGARD TO
CONFLICTS OF LAWS PRINCIPLES, AND BY FEDERAL LAW TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE.

         16.   Notices.   All   notices,   demands,   instructions,   and  other
communications  and  distributions  hereunder  shall be given in accordance with
Section 11.1 of the Credit Agreement.  For the purposes hereof, the addresses of
the Collateral  Agent,  the  Administrative  Agent,  the Co-Agents and the other
Secured Parties (other than the Merchandise  Letter of Credit Bank) shall be the
addresses in effect from time to time under the Credit Agreement and the address
of the  Merchandise  Letter of Credit  Bank shall be the  address in effect from
time to time under the Merchandise Letter of Credit Facility.

         17.  Authority  of  Collateral  Agent;  Co-Collateral  Agents.  (a) The
provisions of Section 10 of the Credit  Agreement  shall inure to the benefit of
the Collateral Agent in respect of this Security  Agreement and shall be binding
upon the parties to the Credit Agreement in such respect. In furtherance and not
in derogation of the rights,  privileges and immunities of the Collateral  Agent
therein set forth:

                  (i) The Collateral Agent is authorized to take all such action
as is provided to be taken by it as  Collateral  Agent  hereunder  and all other
action reasonably  incidental  thereto. As to any matters not expressly provided
for herein or in the Credit Agreement, the Collateral Agent shall act or refrain
from acting in accordance with written  instructions  from the Majority  Lenders
or,



<PAGE> 32

in the absence of such instructions, in accordance with its discretion.

                  (ii) The  Collateral  Agent shall not be  responsible  for the
existence,  genuineness  or value of any of the  Collateral or for the validity,
perfection, priority or enforceability of the security interests in and Liens on
any of the Collateral,  whether impaired by operation of law or by reason of any
action or omission to act on its part hereunder. The Collateral Agent shall have
no duty to ascertain or inquire as to the  performance  or  observance of any of
the terms of this Security Agreement by the Borrower.

                  (b)  The   Borrower   acknowledges   that   the   rights   and
responsibilities  of the  Collateral  Agent under this Security  Agreement  with
respect  to any  action  taken  by the  Collateral  Agent  or  the  exercise  or
nonexercise by the Collateral Agent of any option, right,  request,  judgment or
other right or remedy  provided  for herein or  resulting or arising out of this
Security  Agreement  shall,  as among the  Secured  Parties,  be governed by the
Credit Agreement,  the Inter-Facility  Agreement to the extent applicable and by
such other  agreements with respect thereto as may exist from time to time among
them,  but, as between the  Collateral  Agent and the Borrower,  the  Collateral
Agent  shall be  conclusively  presumed  to be acting  as agent for the  Secured
Parties with full and valid authority so to act or refrain from acting,  and the
Borrower shall not be under any obligation, or entitlement,  to make any inquiry
respecting such authority.

                  (c) At any time or times,  in order to  comply  with any legal
requirement in any  jurisdiction,  the Collateral Agent may appoint another bank
or trust company or one or more other  Persons,  either to act as  co-collateral
agent or  agents,  jointly  with the  Collateral  Agent,  or to act as  separate
collateral  agent or agents on behalf of the Secured Parties with such power and
authority  as may be necessary  for the  effectual  operation of the  provisions
hereof and may be specified in the instrument of appointment  (which may, in the
discretion of the  Collateral  Agent,  include  provisions for the protection of
such co-collateral  agent or separate collateral agent similar to the provisions
herein contained.

         18. Execution in Counterparts.  This Security Agreement may be executed
in any number of counterparts,  each of which counterparts, when so executed and
delivered,  shall be deemed  to be an  original  and all of which  counterparts,
taken together, shall constitute one and the same Security Agreement.


         19. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL;  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.  THE BORROWER,  THE
ADMINISTRATIVE  AGENT AND THE  COLLATERAL  AGENT  HEREBY  WAIVE,  TO THE  EXTENT
PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE  LAW,  TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY LITIGATION IN ANY COURT WITH
RESPECT TO, IN CONNECTION WITH, OR ARISING OUT OF THIS SECURITY AGREEMENT OR THE
COLLATERAL,  OR  THE



<PAGE> 33

VALIDITY,  PROTECTION,  INTERPRETATION,  COLLECTION  OR  ENFORCEMENT  HEREOF  OR
THEREOF, OR ANY OTHER CLAIM OR DISPUTE HOWSOEVER ARISING,  BETWEEN THE BORROWER,
THE  ADMINISTRATIVE   AGENT  AND  THE  COLLATERAL  AGENT.  THE  BORROWER  HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURTS OF THE STATE
OF NEW YORK AND,  TO THE EXTENT  PERMITTED  BY  APPLICABLE  LAW,  OF ANY FEDERAL
COURT,  IN  EACH  CASE  LOCATED  IN NEW  YORK  COUNTY  AND ANY  APPELLATE  COURT
THEREFROM,  IN  CONNECTION  WITH ANY  ACTION  OR  PROCEEDING  ARISING  OUT OF OR
RELATING TO THIS  SECURITY  AGREEMENT  OR ANY DOCUMENT OR  INSTRUMENT  DELIVERED
PURSUANT  TO THIS  SECURITY  AGREEMENT  OR THE  COLLATERAL.  EACH OF THE PARTIES
HERETO HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY  AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT
OF ANY SUCH ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  MAY BE HEARD AND  DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK
STATE COURT OR, TO THE EXTENT  PERMITTED BY LAW, IN SUCH FEDERAL COURT.  EACH OF
THE PARTIES HERETO AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING
SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE  AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER  JURISDICTIONS  BY SUIT ON THE
JUDGMENT  OR IN ANY OTHER  MANNER  PROVIDED  BY LAW.  NOTHING  IN THIS  SECURITY
AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY RIGHT THAT THE COLLATERAL AGENT OR THE ADMINISTRATIVE
AGENT OR ANY OTHER  SECURED  PARTY  MAY  OTHERWISE  HAVE TO BRING ANY  ACTION OR
PROCEEDING  RELATING TO THIS SECURITY  AGREEMENT OR THE  COLLATERAL  AGAINST THE
BORROWER  IN THE COURTS OF ANY  JURISDICTION.  THE  BORROWER  HEREBY  WAIVES THE
DEFENSES OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND IMPROPER VENUE.

         20. Privity.  Notwithstanding  anything  contained herein, in the other
Credit Documents or elsewhere to the contrary,  no Merchandise  Letter of Credit
Bank shall be entitled to the  benefits of this  Security  Agreement  until such
time as such Merchandise Letter of Credit Bank has agreed in writing to be bound
by the



<PAGE> 34

terms hereof and of the  Inter-Facility  Agreement and to appoint the Collateral
Agent to act as collateral agent on its behalf hereunder.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Borrower,  the  Administrative  Agent and the
Collateral  Agent have caused this  Security  Agreement to be duly  executed and
delivered  on and as of the date  first  above  written in the  presence  of the
undersigned competent witnesses and Notary.


WITNESSES:                                  PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


/s/ Linda French                 By:    /s/ Stephen A. Lightstone
- -----------------------                 -----------------------------
                                        Title:  Senior Vice President

                                        CANADIAN  IMPERIAL  BANK OF  COMMERCE,
                                        NEW  YORK  AGENCY,  as Administrative
                                        Agent and Collateral Agent


/s/ Douglas Smith                   By: /s/ Elizabeth Schreiber
- ----------------------                  -----------------------------
                                        Title:  As Agent




                       /s/ Brenda S. Yarema
                       ---------------------------------
                                 Notary Public



<PAGE> 1

                                                State ________ Site No. ________

                                   EXHIBIT G-2

                              FORM OF DEED OF TRUST


                     DEED OF TRUST, LEASEHOLD DEED OF TRUST,
                        SECURITY AGREEMENT AND ASSIGNMENT
                               OF LEASES AND RENTS



    Trustor:                  PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
                                       2300 Main Street
                                       Kansas City, Missouri  64108



    Beneficiary:              CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                                         NEW YORK AGENCY,
                                         as Administrative Agent and
                                         Collateral Agent,
                                       425 Lexington Avenue
                                       New York, New York  10017



    Trustee:



    Deed of Trust
      Amount:


    Date:                     October 3, 1996



    Premises:




    Record and                EMMET, MARVIN & MARTIN, LLP
    Return to:                120 Broadway
                              New York, New York 10271
                              Attn:  John P. Uehlinger, Esq.



<PAGE> 2


             DEED OF TRUST,  LEASEHOLD  DEED OF TRUST,  SECURITY  AGREEMENT  AND
    ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS, dated as of the 3rd day of October, 1996, by
    and among PAYLESS CASHWAYS,  INC., an Iowa corporation,  having an office at
    2300 Main Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 ("Trustor"), _________________
    ("Trustee")  and CANADIAN  IMPERIAL  BANK OF COMMERCE,  NEW YORK AGENCY,  as
    Administrative   Agent  and   Collateral   Agent  under  the  Agreement  (as
    hereinafter  defined),  having an office at 425 Lexington Avenue,  New York,
    New York 10017 ("Beneficiary").


                                   DEFINITIONS

             Trustor and Beneficiary  agree that all capitalized  terms used but
    not defined herein are defined in or by reference to the Agreement and shall
    have the same meanings herein as therein.  Trustor and  Beneficiary  further
    agree  that,  unless  the  context  otherwise  specifies  or  requires,  the
    following terms shall have the meanings herein  specified,  such definitions
    to be applicable equally to the singular and the plural forms of such terms.

             "Agreement"   means  that  certain   Amended  and  Restated  Credit
    Agreement  dated on or about the date hereof by and among Payless  Cashways,
    Inc., the signatory Lenders thereto,  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as
    Letter of Credit Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  New York Agency,
    as  Administrative  Agent and Collateral Agent, and The Bank of Nova Scotia,
    Nationsbank of Texas,  N.A., and Bank of America  National Trust and Savings
    Association as Co-Agents,  together with any future  amendments,  amendments
    and  restatements,  extensions,  modifications  or  supplements  thereto  or
    thereof.

             "Deed of Trust" means this Deed of Trust,  Leasehold Deed of Trust,
    Security  Agreement  and  Assignment  of Leases and Rents  together with any
    future amendments, modifications or supplements hereto or hereof.

             "Deed of Trust Amount" means the principal sum of $500,000,000.

             "Default" means Default, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

             "Default  Rate" means the rate of interest  specified in Subsection
    2.5(a) of the Agreement.

             "Event of Default" means the events and circumstances  described as
    such in Article II hereof.

             "Fixtures" means all of Trustor's right,  title and in-




<PAGE> 3

    terest in all furniture, furnishings, partitions, screens, awnings, venetian
    blinds,  window  shades,  draperies,   carpeting,  pipes,  ducts,  conduits,
    dynamos,  motors,  engines,  compressors,   generators,   boilers,  stokers,
    furnaces, pumps, tanks, elevators, escalators, vacuum cleaning systems, call
    systems, switchboards,  sprinkler systems, fire prevention and extinguishing
    apparatus,  refrigerating, air conditioning, heating, dishwashing, plumbing,
    ventilating,  gas,  steam,  electrical  and lighting  fittings and fixtures,
    licenses or permits of any kind and all building  materials,  equipment  and
    goods now or hereafter delivered to the Premises  (hereinafter  defined) and
    intended to be installed therein, and all other machinery,  fixtures, tools,
    implements,  apparatus,  appliances,  equipment, goods, facilities and other
    personal  property of similar  character in which Trustor now has, or at any
    time hereafter acquires,  an interest and which are now or hereafter affixed
    or attached to, or used in connection with the enjoyment,  occupancy  and/or
    operation  of,  all or  any  portion  of the  Premises,  together  with  all
    renewals,   replacements  and   substitutions   thereof  and  additions  and
    accessions thereto and the proceeds of all of the foregoing items.

             "Improvements"   means   all   buildings,   structures   and  other
    improvements  presently  existing  or  hereafter  constructed  on  the  land
    described in Exhibit A attached hereto.

             "Lease" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01
    hereof.

             "Leasehold" has the meaning  ascribed to such term in paragraph "F"
    of the Granting Clause, below.

             "Leasehold  Interest"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to such  term in
    paragraph "F" of the Granting Clause, below.

             "Lessee"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to such term in Section  3.01
    hereof.

             "Loan  Documents"  means  the  Credit  Documents,  as that  term is
    defined in the Agreement.

             "Loans" means the Loans, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

             "Mortgaged  Property" has the meaning  ascribed to such term in the
    Granting Clause, below.

             "Notes" means the Notes, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

             "Premises"  means the land  described in Exhibit A annexed  hereto,
    together  with the  Improvements  thereon  or to be  constructed  thereon or
    therein,  and all of the easements,  rights,



<PAGE> 4

    privileges and appurtenances  thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining
    thereto  including,  but not limited to, all of the  estate,  right,  title,
    interest,  claim or demand  whatsoever of Trustor  therein and in and to the
    strips and gores,  streets and ways adjacent  thereto,  whether in law or in
    equity, in possession or expectancy,  now or hereafter acquired and also any
    other realty,  Leaseholds  (hereinafter defined), or Fixtures encompassed by
    the term "Mortgaged Property", elsewhere herein defined.

             "Rents" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01
    hereof.

             "Secured  Obligations" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the
    paragraph entitled "Secured Obligations" below.

             "Secured Parties" means Secured Parties, as that term is defined in
    the Agreement.


                              W I T N E S S E T H :

             WHEREAS,  Trustor is the actual, record and beneficial owner of the
    Premises or owns an actual beneficial interest therein;

             WHEREAS, Trustor has agreed pursuant to the terms of the Agreement,
    the  Notes,   and/or  the  other  Loan  Documents   evidencing  the  Secured
    Obligations to be liable for the Secured Obligations; and

             WHEREAS,  the parties intend that the Secured  Obligations shall be
    secured by this Deed of Trust.


                                 GRANTING CLAUSE

             NOW, THEREFORE,  Trustor, in consideration of the premises,  and in
    order to secure the payment in full of the Deed of Trust Amount, the Secured
    Obligations,  all  interest due thereon and all other costs and expenses and
    other amounts due hereunder and in respect of the Secured  Obligations,  and
    the performance and discharge of all the provisions  hereof,  of the Secured
    Obligations and all other Loan Documents,  hereby gives,  grants,  bargains,
    sells, conveys,  pledges and grants a security interest to Trustee in trust,
    with power of sale for the benefit of Beneficiary,  all of Trustor's estate,
    right,  title and  interest  in,  to and under any and all of the  following
    described  property  whether  now  owned or  hereafter  acquired  (all  such
    properties being collectively referred to as the "Mortgaged Property"):




<PAGE> 5

             A. All Trustor's  right,  title and interest in and to the Premises
    and all right,  title and interest of Trustor in and to the  Improvements on
    the Premises or to be constructed  thereon and all Fixtures now or hereafter
    situated in, on or about, or affixed or attached to the  Improvements or the
    Premises or any building,  structure or other  improvement  now or hereafter
    standing,  constructed  or placed upon or within the  Premises,  and all and
    singular the  tenements,  hereditaments,  easements,  rights-of-way  or use,
    rights,  privileges  and  appurtenances  to the  Premises,  now or hereafter
    belonging or in anywise appertaining thereto, including, without limitation,
    any such  right,  title,  interest,  claim and  demand  in, to and under any
    agreement granting,  conveying or creating, for the benefit of the Premises,
    any easement,  right or license in any way affecting  other property and in,
    to and under any  streets,  ways,  alleys,  vaults,  gores or strips of land
    adjoining the  Premises,  or any parcel  thereof,  and all claims or demands
    either in law or in equity,  in possession or expectancy,  of, in and to the
    Premises.

             B. All right,  title and  interest  of Trustor in and to all awards
    heretofore  made or hereafter to be made for the taking by eminent domain of
    the  whole or any part of the above  described  premises,  or any  estate or
    easement therein,  including any awards for change of grade of streets,  all
    of which  awards  are hereby  assigned  to Trustee  and  Beneficiary,  which
    Trustee and  Beneficiary are hereby  authorized to collect (unless  provided
    otherwise in the  Agreement)  and receive the proceeds of such awards and to
    give proper receipts and  acquittances  therefor and Trustee and Beneficiary
    shall have the right and option to apply such excess  towards the payment of
    any sum owing on account of this Deed of Trust and the  Secured  Obligations
    secured thereby,  notwithstanding the fact that such sum may not then be due
    and payable.

             C. The Fixtures and the products and proceeds thereof.

             D. All present and future  leases,  subleases  and licenses and any
    guarantees thereof, rents, issues and profits and additional rents now or at
    any time hereafter covering or affecting all or any portion of the Mortgaged
    Property and all proceeds of, and all privileges and appurtenances belonging
    or in any way appertaining to, the Mortgaged Property,  or any part thereof,
    and all other  property  subjected  or required to be  subjected to the lien
    and/or security  interest of or conveyed  pursuant to the terms of this Deed
    of  Trust,  including,  without  limitation,  all of the  income,  revenues,
    earnings,  rents,  maintenance  payments,  tolls, issues, awards (including,
    without limitation,  condemnation awards and insurance  proceeds),  products
    and profits thereof, which income,  revenues,  earnings,  rents, maintenance
    payments,  tolls, issues, awards,  products and profits are hereby expressly
    assigned  with the  right  to take  and  collect  the  same  upon the  terms
    hereinafter set forth;


<PAGE> 6

    and all the estate, right, title, interest and claim whatsoever,  at law and
    in equity,  which  Trustor  now has or may  hereafter  acquire in and to the
    aforementioned property and every part thereof; provided, that so long as no
    Event of  Default  (as  hereinafter  defined)  shall  have  occurred  and be
    continuing,   all  such  income,  revenues,   earnings,  rents,  maintenance
    payments,  tolls, issues, awards, products and profits shall remain with and
    under the control of Trustor except as otherwise  expressly  provided herein
    or in any other written agreement between Trustor and Beneficiary.

             E.  All  right,  title  and  interest  of  Trustor  in  and  to all
    agreements,  or  contracts,  now or  hereafter  entered  into for the  sale,
    leasing,  brokerage,  development,   construction,  renovation,  management,
    maintenance  and/or  operation  of  the  Premises  (or  any  part  thereof),
    including  all  moneys due and to become due  thereunder,  and all  permits,
    licenses,  bonds, insurance policies,  plans and specifications  relative to
    the construction  and/or  operation of the  Improvements  upon the Mortgaged
    Property.

             F. All right, title and interest  (including,  without  limitation,
    all present and future  rights to  possession  and use,  and all present and
    future  options and other rights to renew and to  purchase)  of Trustor,  as
    lessee  or  sublessee,  under any  leases,  subleases,  licenses,  occupancy
    agreements  or  concessions  now in effect or to be entered  into  hereafter
    (collectively, the "Leasehold Instruments") whereby Trustor has any right to
    the use,  possession  or  occupancy  of the  Premises  or any  part  thereof
    (collectively, the "Leaseholds").

             G. All of  Trustor's  claims and  rights to the  payment of damages
    arising  from any  rejection  of a Leasehold or a Lease under or pursuant to
    the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss.101 et seq. (the "Bankruptcy Code").

             H. All of Trustor's  rights and remedies at any time arising  under
    or  pursuant  to  Subsection  365(h)  of  the  Bankruptcy  Code,  11  U.S.C.
    ss.365(h),  including, without limitation, all of Trustor's rights to remain
    in possession of the Premises.

             I. Any other  property and rights which are, by the  provisions  of
    the Agreement or any other Loan Document, required to be subject to the lien
    hereof or conveyed pursuant to the terms hereof, and any additional property
    and rights that may from time to time hereafter by installation in or on the
    Mortgaged Property, or by writing of any kind, or otherwise, be subjected to
    the lien hereof by Trustor or by anyone on its behalf.




<PAGE> 7

             J. All proceeds of the conversion, voluntary or involuntary, of any
    of  the  foregoing  into  cash  or  liquidated  claims,  including,  without
    limitation,  proceeds of insurance and condemnation  awards,  and all right,
    title and  interest  of Trustor  in and to all  unearned  premiums  accrued,
    accruing  and to accrue  under any or all  insurance  policies  obtained  by
    Trustor.

             TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the  Mortgaged  Property,  unto Trustee for the
    benefit of  Beneficiary  and its  successors  and  assigns,  upon the terms,
    provisions and conditions herein set forth, forever, and Trustor does hereby
    bind  itself  and its  successors,  legal  representatives,  and  assigns to
    warrant and forever  defend all and singular  the  Mortgaged  Property  unto
    Beneficiary  and Trustee and their  successors  and assigns,  against  every
    person  whomsoever  lawfully  claiming  or to  claim  the  same or any  part
    thereof.

             IN TRUST,  to secure the  payment  and  performance  of the Secured
    Obligations,  whereupon  this Deed of Trust  shall cease and be void and the
    Mortgaged Property shall be released at the cost of Trustor.


                               SECURED OBLIGATIONS

             This Deed of  Trust,  and all  rights,  titles,  interests,  liens,
    security  interests,  powers,  privileges  and  remedies  created  hereby or
    arising  hereunder or by virtue hereof,  are given to secure the payment and
    performance of the all  indebtednesses,  obligations and liabilities arising
    under the  Notes,  the  Agreement,  this  Deed of Trust  and any other  Loan
    Document,  and  any  renewals,   extensions,   amendments,   amendments  and
    restatements,  supplements or  modifications  thereof or thereto,  howsoever
    created,  arising or  evidenced,  whether  direct or  indirect,  absolute or
    contingent,  now or hereafter  existing or due or to become due, and any and
    all fees, costs or expenses  incurred by Beneficiary or Trustee,  including,
    but not limited to,  interest  accruing at the then applicable rate provided
    in the  Agreement  after the maturity of the Loans and interest  accruing at
    the then  applicable  rate  provided in the  Agreement  or other  applicable
    agreement   after  the  filing  of  any  petition  in  bankruptcy,   or  the
    commencement of any insolvency,  reorganization or like proceeding, relating
    to the Trustor on the Loans and on all other  obligations  of the Trustor to
    the Secured  Parties,  taxes,  recording  expenses  and  attorneys'  fees in
    connection  with the  execution and delivery of any of the aforesaid and the
    consummation of the transactions  contemplated  thereby,  the administration
    thereof,  and, after default, the administration and collection thereof, all
    costs incurred of whatever nature by Beneficiary and Trustee in the exercise
    of any rights  hereunder or under any Loan  Document  and all other  amounts
    payable  by  Trustor  under  this  Deed  of  Trust  (all  of  the


<PAGE> 8

    foregoing indebtedness, obligations and liabilities being referred to herein
    as the "Secured Obligations").


                                    ARTICLE I

                     PARTICULAR WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS
                            AND COVENANTS OF TRUSTOR

             Section  1.01  Warranties  and   Representations.   Trustor  hereby
    warrants and represents as follows:

                      (a) Trustor is the actual,  record and beneficial owner of
    the Premises and holder of a good and  marketable  title to an  indefeasible
    leasehold  estate in the  Leaseholds or owns an actual  beneficial  interest
    therein and Fee estate in the rest of the Mortgaged  Property,  subject only
    to such  exceptions to title as are listed in the title policy  insuring the
    lien  of this  Deed of  Trust  and  approved  by  Beneficiary  as  permitted
    exceptions. Trustor is the owner of all of the remaining Mortgaged Property;
    Trustor  will own the  Fixtures  free and clear of liens and  claims  except
    those in favor of  Beneficiary;  and this Deed of Trust is and will remain a
    valid and enforceable  first lien on the Mortgaged  Property subject only to
    the permitted exceptions referred to above.

                      (b) Trustor has full power and lawful authority to convey,
    pledge and  encumber  the  Mortgaged  Property in the manner and form herein
    done or intended hereafter to be done. Trustor will preserve such title, and
    will  forever  warrant  and defend the  validity  and  priority  of the lien
    hereof, against the claims of all persons and parties whomsoever.

                      (c) Except as otherwise  specified in the Title Policy (as
    defined in the  Agreement)  or in the Survey (as defined in the  Agreement),
    the  Premises  is not  located in an area  identified  by the  Secretary  of
    Housing and Urban  Development as an area having special flood hazards or if
    it so located, flood insurance acceptable to Beneficiary has been obtained.

             Section 1.02 Further Assurances. Trustor will, at its sole expense,
    do, execute,  acknowledge  and deliver every further act, deed,  conveyance,
    mortgage,  assignment,  notice  of  assignment,  transfer  or  assurance  as
    Beneficiary  shall  from time to time  reasonably  require,  for the  better
    assuring, conveying, assigning, transferring and confirming unto Beneficiary
    the property and rights hereby  conveyed,  mortgaged or assigned or intended
    now or hereafter so to be, or which Trustor may be or may  hereafter  become
    bound to  convey,  mortgage  or  assign to  Trustee  or  Beneficiary  or for
    carrying out the intention or  facilitating  the performance of the terms of



<PAGE> 9

    this Deed of Trust,  and for filing,  registering  or recording this Deed of
    Trust and,  on demand,  will  execute  and  deliver,  and hereby  authorizes
    Beneficiary  or  Trustee  to execute in the name of Trustor to the extent it
    may lawfully do so, one or more financing  statements,  chattel mortgages or
    comparable  security  instruments,  and renewals  thereof,  to evidence more
    effectively the lien hereof upon the Fixtures.

             Section  1.03  Filings,   Recordings  and  Payments.   (a)  Trustor
    forthwith upon the execution of this Deed of Trust, and thereafter from time
    to time,  will,  at its  expense,  cause this Deed of Trust and any security
    instrument  creating a lien or evidencing  the lien hereof upon the Fixtures
    and each instrument of further assurance to be filed, registered or recorded
    in such  manner  and in such  places as may be  required  by any  present or
    future  law in order to  publish  notice  of and fully to  protect  the lien
    hereof upon, and the interest of Trustee and  Beneficiary  in, the Mortgaged
    Property.

                      (b) Trustor will pay all taxes,  filing,  registration and
    recording   fees,   and  all  expenses   incident  to  the   execution   and
    acknowledgment  of this Deed of Trust, any  supplemental  deed of trust, any
    other  Loan  Document,  and any  security  instrument  with  respect  to the
    Fixtures, and any instrument of further assurance,  and all federal,  state,
    county  and  municipal  stamp  taxes  and  other  taxes,  duties,   imposts,
    assessments  and charges  arising out of or in connection with the execution
    and delivery of the Agreement,  this Deed of Trust, any supplemental deed of
    trust, any other Loan Document,  any security instrument with respect to the
    Fixtures  or  any  instrument  or  further  assurance,  other  than  income,
    franchise or other similar taxes imposed on Beneficiary in respect of income
    derived by Beneficiary under the Secured Obligations.

             Section 1.04 Payment of Sums Due.  Trustor will  punctually pay the
    principal  and  interest  and all other sums to become due in respect of the
    Agreement  and any  other  Loan  Document  at the time and  place and in the
    manner specified in the Agreement and any other Loan Document,  according to
    the true  intent and  meaning  thereof  and  without  offset,  counterclaim,
    defense or cause of action of any kind whatsoever,  and without deduction or
    credit for any amount payable for taxes, all in immediately  available funds
    in Dollars.

             Section 1.05 After Acquired Property. All right, title and interest
    of Trustor in and to all extensions,  improvements,  betterments,  renewals,
    substitutes and replacements of, and all additions and appurtenances to, the
    Mortgaged  Property,  hereafter  acquired  by  or  released  to  Trustor  or
    constructed,  assembled  or  placed  by  Trustor  on the  Premises,  and all
    conversions  of the  security  constituted  thereby,  immediately  upon such
    acquisition, release, construction,  assembling, placement or conversion, as
    the case may be,  and in each  such  case,


<PAGE> 10

    without  any  further  mortgage,  conveyance,  assignment  or  other  act by
    Trustor, shall become subject to the lien of this Deed of Trust as fully and
    completely,  and with the same  effect,  as though now owned by Trustor  and
    specifically  described in the granting  clauses hereof,  but at any and all
    times  Trustor  will  execute  and deliver to  Beneficiary  any and all such
    further assurances,  mortgages,  deeds of trust,  conveyances or assignments
    thereof as Beneficiary may reasonably  require for the purpose of expressing
    and specifically subjecting the same to the lien of this Deed of Trust.

             Section 1.06 Taxes, Fees and Other Charges. (a) Trustor,  from time
    to time when the same shall become due, and prior to the date of  imposition
    of interest or penalty  (except as otherwise  permitted  in the  Agreement),
    will pay and  discharge,  or cause to be paid and  discharged,  all taxes of
    every  kind and  nature  (including  real and  personal  property  taxes and
    income, franchise,  withholding,  transfer or recordation taxes, profits and
    gross receipt taxes), all general and special assessments,  levies, permits,
    inspection and license fees, all water and sewer rents and charges,  and all
    other public charges, whether of a like or different nature, imposed upon or
    assessed  against it or the  Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof or upon
    the revenues,  rents, issues,  income and profits of the Premises or arising
    in respect of the occupancy, use or possession thereof. Trustor will, at any
    time upon request by Beneficiary,  promptly deliver to Beneficiary  receipts
    evidencing the payment of same.

             Upon the  occurrence  of an Event of Default  under the  Agreement,
    Beneficiary  may, at any time and from time to time,  at its  option,  to be
    exercised  by written  notice to Trustor,  require the deposit by Trustor at
    the time of each payment of an  installment  of interest or principal  under
    the  Agreement  of  an  additional   amount   sufficient  to  discharge  the
    obligations   under  this   subsection   (a)  when  they  become  due.   The
    determination of the amount so payable and of the fractional part thereof to
    be deposited with  Beneficiary,  so that the aggregate of such deposit shall
    be sufficient  for this purpose,  shall be made by  Beneficiary  in its sole
    discretion. Such amounts shall be held by Beneficiary without interest in an
    account  acceptable  to  Beneficiary  and  applied  to  the  payment  of the
    obligations  in respect  to which such  amounts  were  deposited  or, at the
    option of Beneficiary  and subject to applicable  law, to the payment of the
    Secured Obligations in such order or priority as Beneficiary shall determine
    consistent  with the Agreement,  on or before the respective  dates on which
    the same or any of them would become  delinquent.  If one month prior to the
    due date of any of the  obligations  under this  subsection  (a) the amounts
    then on  deposit  therefor  shall be  insufficient  for the  payment of such
    obligations in full, Trustor within ten (10) days after demand shall deposit
    the amount of the



<PAGE> 11

    deficiency  with  Beneficiary.  Nothing herein  contained shall be deemed to
    affect any right or remedy of Beneficiary  under the provisions of this Deed
    of Trust or of any  statute or rule of law to pay any such amount and to add
    the  amount  so paid  together  with  interest  at the  Default  Rate to the
    indebtedness hereby secured.

                      (b)  Except  as  otherwise  permitted  in  the  Agreement,
    Trustor  will pay,  from time to time when the same shall  become  due,  all
    lawful claims and demands of mechanics,  materialmen,  laborers,  and others
    which, if unpaid,  might result in, or permit the creation of, a lien on the
    Mortgaged Property or any part thereof, or on the revenues,  rents,  issues,
    income and profits  arising  therefrom and in general will do or cause to be
    done everything  necessary so that the lien hereof shall be fully preserved,
    at the cost of Trustor, without expense to Beneficiary.

             Section 1.07     Intentionally Deleted.

             Section 1.08 Insurance. (a) Trustor agrees to at all times provide,
    maintain  and  keep in force  the  policies  of  insurance  required  to the
    maintained pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.

                      (b) In the event Trustor fails to provide,  maintain, keep
    in force or deliver and furnish to  Beneficiary  the  policies of  insurance
    required by the  Agreement  or this Deed of Trust,  Beneficiary  may procure
    such  insurance  or  single-interest   insurance  for  such  risks  covering
    Beneficiary's  interest,  and Trustor will pay all premiums thereon promptly
    upon demand by  Beneficiary,  and until such  payment is made by Trustor the
    amount of all such premiums,  together with interest  thereon at the Default
    Rate shall be secured by this Deed of Trust.

                      (c) After the  happening of any casualty to the  Mortgaged
    Property  or any part  thereof,  Trustor  shall give prompt  written  notice
    thereof to  Beneficiary,  and Beneficiary may make proof of loss if not made
    promptly by Trustor.  In the event of such loss or damage,  all  proceeds of
    insurance  shall be  payable in the manner  provided  for in the  Agreement.
    Unless otherwise  provided in the Agreement,  nothing herein contained shall
    be deemed to excuse Trustor from  repairing or  maintaining  the Premises as
    provided in Section 1.12 hereof or restoring  all damage or  destruction  to
    the  Mortgaged  Property,  regardless  of whether or not there are insurance
    proceeds  available or whether any such  proceeds are  sufficient in amount,
    and the  application  or release by  Beneficiary  of any insurance  proceeds
    shall not cure or waive any default or notice of default  under this Deed of
    Trust or  invalidate  any act  done  pursuant  to such  notice.  Any  monies
    received as payment for loss under any insurance  shall be applied  pursuant
    to the terms of the


<PAGE> 12

    Agreement.

                      (d) In the event of  foreclosure  of this Deed of Trust or
    other transfer of title or assignment of the Premises in extinguishment,  in
    whole or in part, of the debt secured hereby,  all right, title and interest
    of Trustor in and to all policies of insurance required by this Section 1.08
    shall  inure to the  benefit of and pass to the  successor  in  interest  to
    Trustor or the purchaser or grantee of the Premises.

                      (e)  Beneficiary  may at any time following the occurrence
    of an Event of Default under the Agreement,  at its option,  to be exercised
    by written notice to Trustor, require the deposit by Trustor, at the time of
    each payment of an installment of interest or principal under the Agreement,
    of an additional  amount  sufficient to discharge the obligations under this
    Section  1.08 when they  become  due.  The  determination  of the  amount so
    payable and of the fractional part thereof to be deposited with  Beneficiary
    with  each  installment,  so that the  aggregate  of such  deposit  shall be
    sufficient  for  this  purpose,  shall  be made by  Beneficiary  in its sole
    discretion. Such amounts shall be held by Beneficiary without interest in an
    account  acceptable  to  Beneficiary  and  applied  to  the  payment  of the
    obligations in respect of which such amounts were deposited on or before the
    respective  dates on which the same or any of them would  become  delinquent
    or, at the option of Beneficiary,  to the payment of the Secured Obligations
    in such order or priority as Beneficiary shall determine consistent with the
    Agreement.  If one month prior to the due date of any of the  aforementioned
    obligations the amounts then on deposit  therefor shall be insufficient  for
    the payment of such obligations in full,  Trustor within five (5) days after
    demand shall deposit the amount of the deficiency with Beneficiary.  Nothing
    herein  contained  shall  be  deemed  to  affect  any  right  or  remedy  of
    Beneficiary  under the provisions of this Deed of Trust or of any statute or
    rule of law to pay any such  amount and to add the  amount so paid  together
    with interest at the Default Rate to the indebtedness hereby secured.

             Section 1.09 Condemnation.  (a) In the event the Mortgaged Property
    or any part  thereof  or  interest  therein,  shall be taken or  damaged  by
    eminent domain,  alteration of the grade of any street, or there shall occur
    any other injury to or decrease in the value of the Mortgaged  Property,  by
    reason of any public or quasi-public improvement or condemnation proceeding,
    or in any other similar manner  ("Condemnation"),  or should Trustor receive
    any notice or other  information  regarding such  Condemnation or a proposed
    Condemnation,   Trustor  shall  give  prompt   written   notice  thereof  to
    Beneficiary.

                      (b) All compensation,  awards and other payments or


<PAGE> 13

    relief payable as a result of any such Condemnation, shall be payable in the
    manner  provided  for in  the  Agreement.  All  such  compensation,  awards,
    damages,  rights of action and proceeds  awarded to Trustor (the "Proceeds")
    are hereby  assigned  to  Beneficiary  and  Trustor  agrees to execute  such
    further assignments of the Proceeds as Beneficiary may require.  Beneficiary
    shall be under no  obligation  to  question  the amount of any such award or
    compensation and may accept the same in the amount paid. All Proceeds may be
    applied either against the Secured  Obligations  (in such order and priority
    as Beneficiary shall determine  consistent with the Agreement) or to restore
    the Premises,  at the discretion of Beneficiary,  except as may be otherwise
    provided in the Agreement.

                      (c) Unless  otherwise  provided in the Agreement,  nothing
    herein  contained  shall be deemed  to  excuse  Trustor  from  repairing  or
    maintaining the Premises as provided in Section 1.12 hereof or restoring all
    damage or  destruction to the Mortgaged  Property,  regardless of whether or
    not there are proceeds available or whether any such Proceeds are sufficient
    in amount,  and the  application  or release by  Beneficiary of any Proceeds
    shall not cure or waive any default or notice of default  under this Deed of
    Trust or invalidate any act done pursuant to such notice.

                      (d) Receipt by Beneficiary and application in reduction of
    indebtedness  of any  Proceeds  less  than  the  full  amount  of  the  then
    outstanding  Secured  Obligations shall not defer, alter or modify Trustor's
    obligation  to  continue  to pay  the  regular  installments  of  principal,
    interest on the outstanding principal balance and other charges specified in
    the Secured Obligations and herein.

                      (e) If prior to the receipt of the Proceeds by Beneficiary
    the condemned  Premises  shall have been sold on foreclosure of this Deed of
    Trust,  Beneficiary  shall,  nevertheless,  have the  right to  receive  the
    Proceeds  and to retain,  for its own  account,  (i) an amount  equal to the
    counsel fees, costs and disbursements  incurred by Beneficiary in connection
    with  collection of the Proceeds and not repaid by Trustor and (ii) the full
    amount of all such Proceeds,  if Beneficiary is the successful  purchaser at
    the  foreclosure  sale,  to the  extent of amounts  owed  under the  Secured
    Obligations or hereunder.

             Section 1.10 Beneficiary's Performance of Trustor's Obligations. If
    Trustor shall fail to perform any of the covenants  contained  herein or any
    covenant contained in the Agreement or any other Loan Document,  Beneficiary
    may, but shall not be obligated to, make advances  and/or  disbursements  to
    perform the same.  Trustor will repay on demand all sums so advanced  and/or
    disbursed  with  interest at the  Default  Rate from the date of making such
    advance and/or disbursement until such sums have been repaid and all sums so
    advanced  and/or


<PAGE> 14

    disbursed,  together with interest  thereon at the Default Rate,  shall be a
    lien upon the Mortgaged Property and shall be secured hereby. The provisions
    of this Section 1.10 shall not prevent any default in the  observance of any
    covenant  contained  herein or in the Secured  Obligations or any other Loan
    Document from constituting an Event of Default.

             Section 1.11 Financial Records.  Trustor will provide the financial
    statements to Beneficiary required pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.

             Section  1.12 Waste and  Maintenance.  Trustor  will not  threaten,
    commit,  permit or suffer any waste to occur on or to the Mortgaged Property
    or any part thereof or alter or demolish the Mortgaged  Property or any part
    thereof in any manner or make any change in its use  (except as  provided in
    the  Agreement)  or any change  which will in any way  increase  any fire or
    other  hazards  arising out of  construction  or operation of the  Mortgaged
    Property.  Trustor  will, at all times,  maintain the Mortgaged  Property as
    required pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.

             Section 1.13 Enforcement  Expenses.  Except where inconsistent with
    the laws of the state in which the  Mortgaged  Property is located,  Trustor
    agrees that if any action or proceeding be commenced, including an action to
    foreclose this Deed of Trust or to collect the indebtedness  hereby secured,
    to which action or proceeding  Beneficiary  is made a party by reason of the
    execution of this Deed of Trust or the Secured Obligations which it secures,
    or in which it becomes  necessary  to defend or uphold the lien of this Deed
    of Trust,  all sums paid by Beneficiary for the expense of any litigation to
    prosecute or defend the  transaction and the rights and liens created hereby
    (including  reasonable  attorneys'  fees) shall be paid by Trustor  together
    with  interest  thereon from date of payment by  Beneficiary  at the Default
    Rate. All such sums paid and the interest  thereon shall be immediately  due
    and  payable,  shall be a lien  upon the  Mortgaged  Property,  and shall be
    secured  hereby  as shall be all  such  sums  incurred  in  connection  with
    enforcement by  Beneficiary of its rights  hereunder or under any other Loan
    Document.

             Section 1.14 Defense of Beneficiary's Interests. If the interest of
    Beneficiary  in the  Mortgaged  Property or any part  thereof or the lien or
    security interest of this Deed of Trust thereon shall be attacked,  directly
    or indirectly,  or if legal proceedings shall be instituted against Trustee,
    Trustor or Beneficiary with respect thereto or against Trustor, Trustor upon
    its  learning  thereof,   will  promptly  give  written  notice  thereof  to
    Beneficiary  and Trustor will, at Trustor's  cost and expense,  exert itself
    diligently  to cure,  or will cause to be



<PAGE> 15

    cured,  any defect that may have developed or be claimed to exist,  and will
    take all necessary and proper steps for the protection  and defense  thereof
    and will take, or will cause to be taken,  such action as is  appropriate to
    the defense of any such legal  proceedings,  including,  but not limited to,
    the employment of counsel and the prosecution and defense of litigation.

             Section 1.15 No Impairment  of Security.  In no event shall Trustor
    do or permit to be done, or omit to do or permit the omission of, any act or
    thing, the doing, or omission, of which would materially impair the security
    of this  Deed of Trust  or  materially  impair  the  value of the  Mortgaged
    Property or any part thereof.

             Section  1.16  Restrictions  on  Transfers  and  Mortgages.  Unless
    otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Trustor will not
    directly or indirectly,  by transfer,  mortgage,  conveyance,  or sale of an
    interest in Trustor permit,  do or suffer the assignment,  lease,  transfer,
    sale,  conveyance  or  encumbrance  of the Mortgaged  Property,  or any part
    thereof or any interest  therein,  without the express prior written consent
    of  Beneficiary  unless  otherwise  permitted  pursuant  to the terms of the
    Agreement.  While the  Secured  Obligations  are  outstanding,  neither  the
    structure  nor the  ownership of Trustor may be changed  without the express
    prior written consent of Beneficiary unless otherwise  permitted pursuant to
    the terms of the Agreement.

             Section  1.17  Beneficiary's  Defense.  Beneficiary  or Trustee may
    appear in and  defend  any  action or  proceeding  at law or in equity or in
    bankruptcy  purporting to affect the Premises or the security  hereof or the
    rights and powers of Beneficiary or Trustee, and any appellate  proceedings,
    and in such  event  Trustor  shall pay all of  Beneficiary's  and  Trustee's
    costs,  charges  and  expenses,  including  cost of  evidence  of title  and
    attorneys'  fees incurred in such action or proceeding.  All costs,  charges
    and expenses so incurred, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate
    from the date of payment  of same by  Beneficiary  or Trustee as  aforesaid,
    shall be  secured  by the lien of this  Deed of Trust  and  shall be due and
    payable upon demand.

             Section  1.18  Environmental  Compliance.  Trustor will perform and
    comply  promptly  with,  and cause the Premises to be  maintained,  used and
    operated in accordance  with, all applicable  federal,  state and local laws
    pertaining to air and water quality,  hazardous waste,  waste disposal,  air
    emissions and other environmental matters, as set forth in the Agreement.

             Section 1.19 Zoning Changes.  Trustor will not consent to, join in,
    permit or allow any change in the zoning laws or



<PAGE> 16

    ordinances  relating to or affecting the Premises which could  reasonably be
    expected to  materially  adversely  affect the  Premises  and will  promptly
    notify Beneficiary of any changes to the zoning laws.

             Section  1.20  Grant of  Security  Interest.  Trustor,  as  further
    security  for the  payment of said  indebtedness  and in addition to all the
    rights and remedies otherwise available to Beneficiary or Trustee under this
    Deed of Trust and the  other  Loan  Documents,  grants  to  Beneficiary  and
    Trustee a security interest,  under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect
    in the state where all or any of the  Fixtures  are  located,  in and to the
    Fixtures,  and all proceeds thereof.  Upon an Event of Default,  Beneficiary
    and Trustee  shall have,  in addition to all the other  rights and  remedies
    allowed by law, the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform
    Commercial  Code as in effect at that time.  Trustor further agrees that the
    security  interest  created  hereby also secures all expenses of Beneficiary
    and Trustee (including reasonable expenses for legal services of every kind,
    and cost of any insurance,  and payment of taxes or other charges)  incurred
    in  or  incidental  to,  the  custody,  care,  sale  or  collection  of,  or
    realization  upon, any of the property secured hereby or in any way relating
    to the  enforcement  or protection of the rights of  Beneficiary  or Trustee
    hereunder, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate until paid.

             Section 1.21 Compliance with Laws and ADA Compliance.

                      (a) Trustor  warrants and covenants  that the Premises are
    and will  continue to be  substantially  in compliance  with all  applicable
    local,  county,  state and federal laws and  regulations  and all  building,
    housing and fire codes, rules and regulations.

                      (b) Without  limiting the  provisions of subsection (a) of
    this Section 1.25: (i) Trustor  represents and warrants to Beneficiary  that
    Trustor is substantially in compliance with the Americans with  Disabilities
    Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.A.  sec.  12101 et. seq.),  as the same may be amended
    from time to time (the  "ADA") and all other  federal,  state and local laws
    pertaining to the accessibility of the Premises by persons with disabilities
    (the ADA and such other laws are,  collectively,  the "Accessibility Laws");
    (ii)  Trustor  covenants  to  ensure  that the  Premises  will at all  times
    substantially  comply with all applicable  Accessibility  Laws and, upon the
    request of Beneficiary, Trustor will conduct such surveys of the Premises as
    Beneficiary  shall require to ascertain such compliance;  (iii) Trustor will
    maintain  accurate records of all  expenditures  made in connection with any
    alterations  to the Premises and will deliver  copies thereof to Beneficiary
    upon



<PAGE> 17

    Beneficiary's  request;  and (iv) Trustor shall  defend,  indemnify and hold
    harmless Beneficiary, its employees, agents, officers and directors, and any
    parent or affiliate of  Beneficiary,  from and against any claims,  demands,
    penalties,  fines,  liabilities,  settlements,  damages, cost or expenses of
    whatever kind or nature, known or unknown, contingent or otherwise,  arising
    out or in any  way  related  to any  violations  of the  Accessibility  Laws
    (including,  without  limitation,  any  costs  incurred  by  Beneficiary  in
    complying with any Accessibility  Laws). Neither payment of the indebtedness
    secured  hereby nor  foreclosure  shall  operate as a discharge of Trustor's
    obligations  under this  subsection (b). In the event Trustor tenders a deed
    in lieu of  foreclosure,  Trustor shall deliver the Premises to  Beneficiary
    (or its designee)  substantially free of any violations of the Accessibility
    Laws.  In the  event  Trustor  does  not  timely  perform  any of the  above
    obligations,  Beneficiary  after 30 days notice to Trustor may perform  said
    obligations at the expense of Trustor and Trustor shall, upon written demand
    from Beneficiary,  reimburse Beneficiary for all costs, including attorney's
    fees and out-of-pocket expenses, and all liabilities incurred by Beneficiary
    by reason of the foregoing,  with interest  thereon at the Default Rate from
    the date of such  payment by  Beneficiary  to the date of  repayment.  Until
    paid, said costs and expenses shall be secured by this Deed of Trust.

             Section 1.22 Other Multistate  Mortgages.  The indebtedness secured
    in part by this Deed of Trust is secured by mortgages  and/or deeds of trust
    encumbering  and  conveying  lands  and  other  property  and/or   leasehold
    interests  therein in other  states as more  particularly  described  in the
    Agreement,  all of which  mortgages  and/or deeds of trust,  including  this
    instrument, being hereafter referred to as "the mortgage instruments."

             It is understood and agreed that all of the properties of all kinds
    conveyed or  encumbered  by the  mortgage  instruments  are security for the
    Secured  Obligations without allocation of any one or more of the parcels or
    portions  thereof to any  portion of the Secured  Obligations  less than the
    whole amount thereof unless so stated in said mortgage instruments.

             It is  specifically  covenanted  and  agreed  that  Beneficiary  or
    Trustee may proceed,  at the same or at different  times,  to foreclose said
    mortgage instruments,  or any of them, by any proceedings appropriate in the
    state where any of the land lies,  and that no event of  enforcement  taking
    place  in any  state  including,  without  limiting  the  generality  of the
    foregoing,  any pending foreclosure,  judgment or decree of the foreclosure,
    foreclosure sale, rents received,  possession taken,  deficiency judgment or
    decree, or judgment taken on the Secured Obligations, shall in any way stay,
    preclude or bar  enforcement  of the mortgage  instruments or any of them in
    any



<PAGE> 18

    other  state,  and that  Beneficiary  or  Trustee  may pursue any or all its
    remedies  to the  maximum  extent  permitted  by state  law until all of the
    Secured  Obligations now or hereafter  secured by any or all of the mortgage
    instruments has been paid and discharged in full.

             Neither Trustor, nor any person claiming under Trustor,  shall have
    or enjoy any right to  marshalling  of assets,  all such right being  hereby
    expressly  waived as to Trustor and all persons claiming under it, including
    junior lienors.  No release of personal liability of any person whatever and
    no release of any portion of the property  now or  hereafter  subject to the
    lien of any of the mortgage  instruments  shall have any effect  whatever by
    way of  impairment  or  disturbance  of the lien or  priority of any of said
    mortgage instruments. Any foreclosure or other appropriate remedy brought in
    any of the states  aforesaid may be brought and prosecuted as to any part of
    the mortgaged  security,  wherever located,  without regard to the fact that
    foreclosure  proceedings or other appropriate remedies have or have not been
    instituted  elsewhere on any other land subject to the lien of said mortgage
    instruments or any of them.

             Section 1.23  Leasehold and Leasehold Instruments.

                      (a) Trustor covenants and agrees to faithfully comply with
    and perform all of its  obligations  under the Leasehold  Instruments and to
    promptly cure any default by it under the Leasehold Instruments.

                      (b) Trustor may modify,  amend or terminate  any Leasehold
    Instrument  without  the  prior  written  consent  provided  such  action is
    consistent with the terms of the Agreement.

                      (c) Trustor will promptly  give  Beneficiary a copy of any
    default notice given to Trustor with respect to any Leasehold Instrument.


                                   ARTICLE II

                         EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

             Section  2.01 Events of Default.  The  following  shall  constitute
    defaults  hereunder and, after the giving of notice and the passage of time,
    if any, as provided herein, shall constitute "Events of Default" hereunder:

                       (a) if  Trustor  shall  fail to pay when due any  Secured
    Obligation  after the passage of any applicable  notice or



<PAGE> 19

    grace period, if any; or

                       (b) If an Event of Default,  as defined in the Agreement,
    shall occur under the Agreement.

             Section 2.02 Beneficiary's  Remedies. (a) During the continuance of
    any Event of Default,  Beneficiary,  without notice or presentment,  each of
    which are hereby waived by Trustor,  may,  subject to the  provisions of the
    Agreement,  declare the entire  principal  of the Secured  Obligations  then
    outstanding  and all  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  thereon  and all other
    amounts  owing in respect  thereof (if not then due and payable,  whether by
    acceleration or otherwise), to be due and payable immediately,  and upon any
    such  declaration the principal of the Secured  Obligations and said accrued
    and  unpaid  interest  shall  become  and be  immediately  due and  payable,
    anything in the  instruments  evidencing the Secured  Obligations or in this
    Deed of Trust to the contrary notwithstanding;

                      (b)  During  the  continuance  of any  Event  of  Default,
    Beneficiary  or  Trustee  may  enter  into  and  upon all or any part of the
    Premises,  and,  having and holding the same, may use,  operate,  manage and
    control the Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof and conduct the business
    thereof,  either  personally or by its  superintendents,  managers,  agents,
    servants,  attorneys or receivers;  and likewise,  from time to time, at the
    expense of Trustor,  Beneficiary  and/or  Trustee may make all  necessary or
    proper  repairs,  renewals  and  replacements  and such useful  alterations,
    additions,  betterments  and  improvements  thereto and thereon as to it may
    deem  advisable  in its sole  judgment;  and in every such case  Beneficiary
    and/or  Trustee  shall have the right to manage and  operate  the  Mortgaged
    Property  and to carry on the  business  thereof and exercise all rights and
    powers of  Trustor  with  respect  thereto  either in the name of Trustor or
    otherwise as  Beneficiary  or Trustee shall deem best;  and  Beneficiary  or
    Trustee  shall  be  entitled,  with or  without  entering  into or upon  the
    Premises,  to collect and receive all gross  receipts,  earnings,  revenues,
    rents,  maintenance  payments,  issues,  profits and income of the Mortgaged
    Property  and  every  part  thereof,  all of which  shall  for all  purposes
    constitute  property of  Beneficiary;  and, after  deducting the expenses of
    conducting the business thereof and of all maintenance,  repairs,  renewals,
    replacement,   alterations,  additions,  betterments  and  improvements  and
    amounts  necessary to pay taxes,  assessments,  insurance and prior or other
    proper charges upon the Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof,  as well as
    just and  reasonable  compensation  for the services of  Beneficiary  and/or
    Trustee and for all attorneys,  counsel,  agents, clerks, servants and other
    employees by it properly  engaged and  employed,  Beneficiary  may apply the
    moneys  arising as aforesaid in such manner and at such times as Beneficiary
    shall  determine  in its  discretion  consistent  with the  Agreement to the
    payment of the Secured Obligations and the interest



<PAGE> 20

    thereon,  when and as the same shall become payable and/or to the payment of
    any other sums required to be paid by Trustor under this Deed of Trust;

                      (c) During the  continuance  of any such Event of Default,
    Trustor covenants and agrees as follows:

                      (1) Trustee or  Beneficiary  may,  with or without  entry,
             personally or by their agents or attorneys,  insofar as applicable,
             sell the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof and pursuant to the
             procedures provided by law, and all estate, right, title, interest,
             claim and demand therein,  and right of redemption  thereof, at one
             or more  sales as an  entity  or in  parcels,  and at such time and
             place  upon such  terms and after  such  notice  thereof  as may be
             required or permitted by law; or

                      (2)  Trustee or  Beneficiary  may  institute  an action of
             mortgage  foreclosure or institute other  proceedings  according to
             law for the  foreclosure  hereof,  and may  prosecute  the  same to
             judgment,  execution  and sale for the  collection  of the  Secured
             Obligations  secured hereby, and all interest with respect thereto,
             together  with  all  taxes  and  insurance   premiums  advanced  by
             Beneficiary or Trustee and other sums payable by Trustor hereunder,
             and all fees,  costs and  expenses of such  proceedings,  including
             attorneys' fees and expenses; or

                      (3) Trustee or Beneficiary  may, if default be made in the
             payment  of any  part  of the  Secured  Obligations,  proceed  with
             foreclosure of the liens  evidenced  hereby in satisfaction of such
             item either  through the courts or by conducting the sale as herein
             provided,  and proceed with  foreclosure  of the security  interest
             created  hereby,  all  without  declaring  the whole of the Secured
             Obligations  due,  and  provided  that  if  sale  of the  Mortgaged
             Property,  or any portion  thereof,  is made  because of default in
             payment of a part of the Secured Obligations, such sale may be made
             subject to the unmatured part of the Secured Obligations, but as to
             such  unmatured part of the Secured  Obligations  (and it is agreed
             that such  sale,  if so made,  shall not in any  manner  affect the
             unmatured part of the Secured Obligations) this Deed of Trust shall
             remain  in full  force and  effect  just as though no sale had been
             made  under the  provisions  of this  paragraph.  And it is further
             agreed that several sales may be



<PAGE> 21

              made  hereunder  without  exhausting  the  right  of sale  for any
              unmatured part of the Secured Obligations, it being the purpose to
              provide for a foreclosure and sale of the Mortgaged  Property,  or
              any  part  thereof,   for  any  matured  portion  of  the  Secured
              Obligations  without exhausting the power to foreclose and to sell
              the Mortgaged Property, or any part thereof, for any other part of
              the   Secured   Obligations   whether   matured  at  the  time  or
              subsequently maturing; or

                      (4) Trustee or Beneficiary  may take such steps to protect
             and enforce its rights  whether by action,  suit or  proceeding  in
             equity  or at law for the  specific  performance  of any  covenant,
             condition  or  agreement  in the  Loan  Documents  or in aid of the
             execution  of any  power  herein  granted,  or for any  foreclosure
             hereunder, or for the enforcement of any other appropriate legal or
             equitable  remedy or  otherwise  as  Beneficiary  or Trustee  shall
             elect; or

                      (5)  Beneficiary or Trustee may exercise in respect of the
             Mortgaged  Property  consisting of Fixtures,  all of the rights and
             remedies  available  to a  secured  party  upon  default  under the
             applicable  provisions of the Uniform  Commercial Code in effect in
             the state where the Mortgaged Property is located; or

                      (6)  Beneficiary  or  Trustee  may apply any  proceeds  or
             amounts held in escrow  pursuant to the terms of this Deed of Trust
             to payment of any part of the Secured  Obligations in such order of
             priority  as  Beneficiary   may  determine   consistent   with  the
             Agreement; or

                      (7) Any sale as aforesaid  may be subject to such existing
             tenancies as Beneficiary, in its sole discretion, may elect.


             Section 2.03 Sale, Foreclosure, etc. (a) Beneficiary or Trustee may
    adjourn  from  time to time any sale by it to be made  under or by virtue of
    this Deed of Trust by  announcement at the time and place appointed for such
    sale or for such adjourned sale or sales; and, except as otherwise  provided
    by any applicable provision of law, Beneficiary or Trustee,  without further
    notice or publication, may make such sale at the time and place to which the
    same shall be so adjourned.

                      (b) Upon  the  completion  of any  sale or  sales  made by
    Beneficiary or Trustee under or by virtue of this Article II, Beneficiary or
    Trustee,  or any officer of any court  empowered



<PAGE> 22

    to do so, shall execute and deliver to the accepted  purchaser or purchasers
    a good  and  sufficient  instrument,  or good  and  sufficient  instruments,
    conveying,  assigning and transferring all estate, right, title and interest
    in and to the properties, interests and rights sold. Beneficiary and Trustee
    are each  hereby  irrevocably  appointed  the true and  lawful  attorney  of
    Trustor,  in its name and  stead,  to make  all the  necessary  conveyances,
    assignments,  transfers and deliveries of any part of the Mortgaged Property
    and rights so sold, and for that purpose  Beneficiary or Trustee may execute
    all necessary  instruments  of  conveyance,  assignment and transfer and may
    substitute one or more persons with like power, Trustor hereby ratifying and
    confirming  all that its said  attorney or such  substitute  or  substitutes
    shall lawfully do by virtue hereof.  Nevertheless,  Trustor, if so requested
    by Beneficiary  or Trustee,  shall ratify and confirm any such sale or sales
    by executing and  delivering to  Beneficiary or Trustee or to such purchaser
    or purchasers all such  instruments  as may be advisable,  in the reasonable
    judgment of Beneficiary or Trustee, for the purpose and as may be designated
    in such request.

                      (c) Upon any sale,  whether under the power of sale hereby
    given or by virtue of judicial  proceedings,  it shall not be necessary  for
    Beneficiary  or Trustee,  or any public  officer  acting under  execution or
    order of court,  to have present or  constructive  possession  of any of the
    Mortgaged Property.

                      (d)  The  recitals  contained  in any  conveyance  made by
    Beneficiary or Trustee to any purchaser at any sale made pursuant  hereto or
    under  applicable law shall be full evidence of the matters  therein stated,
    and all  prerequisites to such sale shall be presumed to have been satisfied
    and performed.

                      (e) Any such sale or sales made under or by virtue of this
    Deed of Trust, whether under the power of sale hereby granted and conferred,
    or under or by virtue of any judicial  proceedings,  shall operate to divest
    all right, title, interest, claim and demand whatsoever, either by law or in
    equity,  of Trustor in and to the premises and property sold, and shall be a
    perpetual bar, both at law and in equity,  against  Trustor,  its successors
    and  assigns,  and  against any and all  persons or  entities  claiming  the
    premises  and  property  sold,  or any part  thereof,  from through or under
    Trustor and its successors or assigns.

                      (f) The receipt  given by  Beneficiary  or Trustee for the
    purchase  money paid at any such  sale,  or the  receipt  given by any other
    person  authorized  to  receive  the  same,  shall be  sufficient  discharge
    therefor to any  purchaser of the  property,  or any part  thereof,  sold as
    aforesaid,  and no  such  purchaser,  or his  representatives,  grantees  or
    assigns,  after paying such



<PAGE> 23

    purchase money and receiving such receipt,  shall be bound (i) to see to the
    application of such purchase money or any part thereof upon or for any trust
    or  purpose  of  this  Deed  of  Trust,   (ii)  by  the   misapplication  or
    nonapplication of any such purchase money, or any part thereof,  or (iii) to
    inquire as to the authorization,  necessity, expediency or regularity of any
    such sale.

                      (g) In case the liens or security interests hereunder,  or
    by the  exercise  of any  other  right  or  power,  shall be  foreclosed  by
    Beneficiary's or Trustee's sale or by other judicial or non-judicial action,
    the  purchaser  at any  such  sale  shall  receive,  as an  incident  to its
    ownership, immediate possession of the property purchased, and if Trustor or
    Trustor's  successors  shall hold  possession of said property,  or any part
    thereof, subsequent to foreclosure, Trustor or Trustor's successors shall be
    considered as tenants at sufferance  of the purchaser at  foreclosure  sale,
    and anyone  occupying the property after demand made for possession  thereof
    shall be guilty of forcible  detainer  and shall be subject to eviction  and
    removal,  forcible or  otherwise,  with or without  process of law,  and all
    damages by reason thereof are hereby expressly waived.

                      (h)  In  the  event  a  foreclosure   hereunder  shall  be
    commenced by Beneficiary or Trustee,  Beneficiary or Trustee may at any time
    before  the sale  abandon  the  suit,  and may then  institute  suit for the
    collection of the Secured  Obligations  and for the foreclosure of the liens
    and security  interest hereof.  If Beneficiary or Trustee should institute a
    suit for the collection of the Secured  Obligations and for a foreclosure of
    the liens and security  interest hereof, it may at any time before the entry
    of a final  judgment  in said suit  dismiss the same and proceed to sell the
    Mortgaged  Property,  or any part thereof,  in accordance with provisions of
    this Deed of Trust.

                      (i) Any  reasonable  expenses  incurred by  Beneficiary or
    Trustee in prosecuting, resetting or settling the claim of Beneficiary shall
    become an additional Secured Obligation of Trustor hereunder.

                      (j) In the  event of any sale  made  under or by virtue of
    this  Article II  (whether  made under the power of sale  herein  granted or
    under or by virtue of  judicial  proceedings  or of a judgment  or decree of
    foreclosure and sale), the entire principal of, and interest on, the Secured
    Obligations,  if not previously due and payable, and all other sums required
    to be paid by Trustor pursuant to this Deed of Trust,  immediately thereupon
    shall,  anything in the Secured  Obligations or in this Deed of Trust to the
    contrary notwithstanding, become due and payable.

                      (k) The purchase money proceeds or avails of any



<PAGE> 24

    sale made under or by virtue of this  Article  II,  together  with any other
    sums which then may be held by Beneficiary under this Deed of Trust, whether
    under the  provisions of this Article II or  otherwise,  shall be applied in
    accordance  with the laws of the  state  where  the  Mortgaged  Property  is
    located,  and to the extent not  inconsistent,  first to the  payment of the
    costs and  expenses  of such  sale,  including  reasonable  compensation  to
    Beneficiary  or Trustee and their agents and counsel,  second to the payment
    of the amounts due and owing under or in respect of the Secured  Obligations
    for  principal  and  interest  and  any  other  amounts  including  (without
    limitation)  any other sums  required to be paid by Trustor  pursuant to any
    provision of this Deed of Trust or any other Loan Document, with interest at
    the Default Rate from and after the happening of any Event of Default in the
    order set forth in Section 9.2(a) of the Agreement, all with interest at the
    Default  Rate from the date such sums were or are  required to be paid under
    this Deed of Trust,  and third to the  payment of the  surplus,  if any,  to
    whomsoever may be lawfully entitled to receive the same.

                      (l) Upon any sale made under or by virtue of this  Article
    II,  whether  made  under the power of sale  herein  granted  or under or by
    virtue of judicial proceedings or of a judgment or decree of foreclosure and
    sale,  Beneficiary  and any other  Secured  Party or Trustee may bid for and
    acquire the Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof and  Beneficiary and any
    other  Secured Party (other than the  Merchandise  Letter of Credit Bank, as
    that term is defined in the  Agreement)  in lieu of paying cash therefor may
    make  settlement  for the  purchase  price by  crediting  some or all of the
    indebtedness  of Trustor secured by this Deed of Trust owing to such Secured
    Party (or, in the case of Beneficiary, owing to all Secured Parties) the net
    sales price after deducting therefrom the expenses of the sale and the costs
    of the action and any other sums which  Beneficiary or Trustee is authorized
    to deduct under this Deed of Trust.

                      Section 2.04 Payments, Judgment, etc. (a) In case an Event
    of Default  under the  Agreement  and the  acceleration  of the  obligations
    thereunder  shall have  occurred,  then Trustor will in accordance  with the
    Agreement pay to  Beneficiary  the whole amount which then shall have become
    due and  payable on the  Secured  Obligations,  whether  for  principal  and
    interest or both or otherwise, as the case may be, which interest shall then
    accrue at the Default Rate on the then unpaid  principal of or other amounts
    constituting the Secured  Obligations,  and the sums re quired to be paid by
    Trustor  pursuant to any  provision  of this Deed of Trust,  and in addition
    thereto such  further  amount as shall be suf ficient to cover the costs and
    expenses of  collection,  including  com  pensation  to  Beneficiary  and/or
    Trustee,  their agents and counsel and any expenses  incurred by Beneficiary
    or Trustee hereunder. In




<PAGE> 25

    the event  Trustor  shall fail  forthwith  to pay such  amounts upon demand,
    Beneficiary and/or Trustee shall be entitled and empowered to institute such
    action or  proceedings  at law or in equity as may be advised by its counsel
    for the collection of the sums so due and unpaid, and may prosecute any such
    action or proceedings to judgment or final decree.

                      (b)  Beneficiary  and/or  Trustee  shall  be  entitled  to
    recover  judgment as aforesaid either before or after or during the pendency
    of any  proceedings  for the  enforcement  of the provisions of this Deed of
    Trust and the right of  Beneficiary  and/or Trustee to recover such judgment
    shall not be affected by any entry or sale hereunder,  or by the exercise of
    any other right,  power or remedy for the  enforcement  of the provisions of
    this Deed of Trust or the  foreclosure of the lien hereof;  and in the event
    of a  sale  of  the  Mortgaged  Property  or  any  part  thereof  and of the
    application  of the proceeds of sale, as provided in this Deed of Trust,  to
    the payment of the indebtedness  hereby secured,  Beneficiary and/or Trustee
    shall be  entitled to enforce  payment  of, and to receive all amounts  then
    remaining  due and unpaid  upon,  the  Secured  Obligations,  and to enforce
    payment  of all other  charges,  payments  and costs due under  this Deed of
    Trust and shall be entitled to recover  judgment for any portion of the debt
    remaining  unpaid,  with  interest  thereon at the Default  Rate. In case of
    proceedings  against  Trustor in insolvency or bankruptcy or any proceedings
    for its  reorganization  or involving the  liquidation  of its assets,  then
    Beneficiary  and/or  Trustee  shall be entitled to prove the whole amount of
    principal and interest due upon the Secured  Obligations  to the full amount
    thereof,  and all other  payments,  charges and costs due under this Deed of
    Trust without deducting therefrom any proceeds obtained from the sale of the
    whole or any part of the Mortgaged Property.

                      (c) No recovery of any judgment by  Beneficiary or Trustee
    and no levy of an execution  under any judgment upon the Mortgaged  Property
    or upon any other property of Trustor shall affect,  in any manner or to any
    extent,  the lien of this Deed of Trust upon the  Mortgaged  Property or any
    part thereof,  or any liens,  rights,  powers or remedies of  Beneficiary or
    Trustee  hereunder,   but  such  liens,  rights,   powers  and  remedies  of
    Beneficiary or Trustee shall continue unimpaired as before.

                      (d) Any moneys thus  collected by  Beneficiary  or Trustee
    under this Section 2.04 shall be applied by Beneficiary  in accordance  with
    the provisions of paragraph (k) of Section 2.03.

             Section 2.05 Receiver,  Waiver. After the happening of any Event of
    Default and immediately upon the  commencement of any action,  suit or other
    legal  proceedings  by  Beneficiary  or Trustee to obtain  judgment  for the
    principal of, or interest on, and any other amounts constituting the Secured
    Obligations,  including  (without  limitation) all other sums required to be



<PAGE> 26

    paid by Trustor  pursuant to any  provision  of this Deed of Trust or of any
    nature in aid of the enforcement of the Secured  Obligations or of this Deed
    of Trust,  Trustor  will (a) waive the  issuance  and service of process and
    submit to a voluntary  appearance in such action, suit or proceeding and (b)
    if  required by  Beneficiary  or Trustee,  consent to the  appointment  of a
    receiver or receivers of the  Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof and of
    all the earnings, revenues, rents, maintenance payments, issues, profits and
    income thereof in accordance  with Section 2.11 hereof.  After the happening
    of any Event of Default and during its continuance, or upon the commencement
    of any  proceedings  to  foreclose  this  Deed of  Trust or to  enforce  the
    specific  performance  hereof or in aid thereof or upon the  commencement of
    any  other  judicial  proceeding  to  enforce  any right of  Beneficiary  or
    Trustee,  Beneficiary or Trustee shall be entitled, as a matter of right, if
    it shall so elect,  without  the  giving  of  notice to any other  party and
    without regard to the adequacy or inadequacy of any security for the Deed of
    Trust  indebtedness,  forthwith  either before or after declaring the unpaid
    principal  of  the  Secured  Obligations  to be  due  and  payable,  to  the
    appointment of such a receiver or receivers.

             Section  2.06   Beneficiary's   Possession.   Notwithstanding   the
    appointment  of any receiver,  liquidator or trustee of Trustor or of any of
    its property, or of the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof,  Beneficiary
    and  Trustee  shall be  entitled  to retain  possession  and  control of the
    Mortgaged Property.

             Section 2.07 Remedies  Cumulative.  No remedy herein conferred upon
    or reserved to  Beneficiary  or Trustee is intended to be  exclusive  of any
    other  remedy or remedies  which  Beneficiary  or Trustee may be entitled to
    exercise against Trustor and each and every such remedy shall be cumulative,
    and shall be in addition to every other  remedy  given  hereunder  or in the
    Agreement or in any other Loan Document now or hereafter  existing at law or
    in equity or by statute.  No delay by or omission of  Beneficiary or Trustee
    to  exercise  any right or power  shall be  construed  to be a waiver of any
    Event of Default or any  acquiescence  therein;  and every  power and remedy
    given  in this  Deed of  Trust  or in the  Agreement  or in any  other  Loan
    Document to  Beneficiary  or Trustee may be  exercised  from time to time as
    often as may be deemed  expedient by Beneficiary  or Trustee.  The resort to
    any  remedy  provided  hereunder  or in the  Agreement  or in any other Loan
    Document or provided by law or at equity shall not prevent the concurrent or
    subsequent  employment of any other  appropriate  remedy or remedies against
    Trustor.  By the acceptance of payment of principal of or interest on or any
    other amount due in respect of any of the Secured  Obligations after its due
    date,  Beneficiary  and  Trustee  do not waive the right  either to  require
    prompt payment when




<PAGE> 27

    due of all other amounts  secured hereby or to regard as an Event of Default
    the failure to pay any other such amounts.  Nothing in this Deed of Trust or
    in the Agreement or in any  instrument  evidencing  the Secured  Obligations
    shall  affect the  obligation  of Trustor to pay (i) the  principal  of, and
    interest on, the Secured Obligations in the manner and at the time and place
    therein or in the Agreement  expressed or (ii) the other Secured Obligations
    in the manner and at the time herein expressed.

             Section  2.08  Agreement  by Trustor.  Trustor will not at any time
    insist upon, or plead,  or in any manner  whatever claim or take any benefit
    or advantage of any stay or extension or moratorium  law, any exemption from
    execution or sale of the Mortgaged  Property or any part  thereof,  wherever
    enacted,  now or at any time  hereafter  in  force,  which  may  affect  the
    covenants and terms of  performance  of this Deed of Trust or any other Loan
    Document,  or claim, take or insist upon any benefit or advantage of any law
    now or hereafter in force  providing  for the  valuation or appraisal of the
    Mortgaged Property, or any part thereof,  prior to any sale or sales thereof
    which may be made  pursuant  to any  provision  herein,  or  pursuant to the
    decree, judgment or order of any court of competent jurisdiction,  or, after
    any such sale or  sales,  claim or  exercise  any  right  under any  statute
    heretofore  or hereafter  enacted to redeem the property so sold or any part
    thereof; and Trustor hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any
    such law or laws and covenant not to hinder,  delay or impede the  execution
    of any power herein granted or delegated to  Beneficiary or Trustee,  but to
    suffer and permit the execution of every power as though no such law or laws
    had been made or enacted.  Trustor,  waives,  to the extent that it lawfully
    may, all right to have the Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof marshaled
    upon any foreclosure hereof.

             Section 2.09 Use and Occupancy Payments.  During the continuance of
    any Event of Default and pending the exercise by Beneficiary  and Trustee of
    their rights to exclude Trustor from all or any part of the Premises, unless
    Trustor is legally entitled to continue possession of the Premises,  Trustor
    agrees to pay the fair and reasonable rental value for the use and occupancy
    of the Premises or any portion  thereof which are in its possession for such
    period and,  upon  default of any such  payment,  will vacate and  surrender
    possession of the Premises to  Beneficiary  or Trustee or to a receiver,  if
    any,  and in  default  thereof  may be  evicted  by any  summary  action  or
    proceeding for the recovery of possession of the Premises for non-payment of
    rent,  however  designated.  Such rental  obligation by the Trustor shall be
    determined  by the extent that the Secured  Obligations  have been deemed to
    have  been  reduced  (the  "Reduction).  It is  agreed  that  the  fair  and
    reasonable  rental  value  for  use and  occupancy  of the  Premises  may be
    difficult or  impossible to ascertain;  therefore,  Trustor and  Beneficiary


<PAGE> 28

    hereby agree that the fair and reasonable  rental value shall in no event be
    less than an amount equal to the debt service on the Reduction. Any payments
    received by Beneficiary  shall be applied in accordance with Section 2.03(k)
    of this Deed of Trust.

             Section 2.10 Beneficiary's  Right to Purchase.  In case of any sale
    under the foregoing  provisions  of this Article II,  whether made under the
    power of sale hereby given or pursuant to judicial proceedings,  Beneficiary
    or Trustee  may bid for and  purchase  any  property,  and may make  payment
    therefor as hereinafter  set forth or as set forth in Section 2.03(l) above,
    and,  upon  compliance  with the terms of said  sale,  may hold,  retain and
    dispose of such property without further  accountability  therefor.  For the
    purpose of making  settlement  or payment  for the  property  or  properties
    purchased,  Beneficiary  and Trustee shall be entitled to use and apply such
    of  the  Secured  Obligations  held  by it or  the  other  Secured  Parties,
    including (without  limitation) any accrued and unpaid interest thereon,  as
    it may elect, or as may be otherwise provided for in Section 2.03(l) above.

             Section  2.11   Appointment  of  Receiver.   Upon   application  of
    Beneficiary or Trustee to any court of competent jurisdiction,  if any Event
    of Default shall have occurred and so long as it shall be continuing, to the
    extent  permitted by law, a receiver may be appointed to take  possession of
    and to operate,  maintain,  develop and manage the Mortgaged Property or any
    part thereof.  In every case when a receiver of the whole or any part of the
    Mortgaged  Property shall be appointed under this Section 2.11 or otherwise,
    the net income and profits of the Mortgaged  Property shall,  subject to the
    order of any court of competent jurisdiction,  be paid over to, and shall be
    received  by,  Beneficiary  or Trustee to be applied as  provided in Section
    2.03(k) hereof.

             Section 2.12 No Waiver.  Beneficiary  and/or  Trustee may resort to
    any  security  given  by this  Deed of Trust or to any  other  security  now
    existing  or  hereafter  given to secure the  payment of any of the  Secured
    Obligations secured hereby, in whole or in part, and in such portions and in
    such order as may seem best to  Beneficiary  or  Trustee  in its  reasonable
    discretion,  and any such  action  shall not in any way be  considered  as a
    waiver of any of the rights, benefits, liens or security interest created by
    this Deed of Trust.


                                   ARTICLE III

                         ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS


<PAGE> 29

             Section  3.01 Lease  Related  Definitions.  As used in this Deed of
    Trust: (a) "Lease" means any lease,  sublease,  or other similar  agreement,
    now or  hereafter  existing,  under the terms of which any person other than
    Trustor  has or  acquires  any right to  occupancy  or use of the  Mortgaged
    Property,  or any part thereof, or interest therein;  (b) "Lessee" means the
    lessee,  sublessee,  licensee,  tenant or other  person  having the right to
    occupy or use all or any part of the Mortgaged  Property under a Lease;  and
    (c) "Rent" means the rents, additional rents and other consideration payable
    to Trustor by the Lessee under the terms of a Lease.  Whenever  reference is
    made in this Deed of Trust to a lease, license, lessee, licensee, tenancy or
    tenant,  such  reference  shall be deemed to include a sublease,  sublessee,
    license, licensee, subtenancy or subtenant, as the case may be.

             Section 3.02 Assignment of Leases and Rents. Trustor hereby assigns
    to  Beneficiary  and to Trustee for the benefit of  Beneficiary  all Leases,
    together  with  all  Rents  payable  under  the  Leases,  now or at any time
    hereafter  existing,  such assignment  being upon the following  terms:  (a)
    until receipt from  Beneficiary  of notice of the  occurrence of an Event of
    Default, each Lessee may pay rent directly to Trustor, (b) upon receipt from
    Beneficiary  of notice that an Event of Default  exists,  each Lessee shall,
    and is hereby  authorized  and directed to, pay directly to  Beneficiary  or
    Trustee (as therein specified) all Rent thereafter accruing, and the receipt
    of such Rent by  Beneficiary or Trustee shall be a release of such Lessee to
    the extent of all amounts so paid,  (c) Rent so received by  Beneficiary  or
    Trustee shall be applied by Beneficiary or Trustee first to the expenses, if
    any,  of  collection  and then in  accordance  with  Article II hereof,  (d)
    without impairing its rights  hereunder,  Beneficiary or Trustee may, at its
    option,  at any time  and from  time to time,  release  to  Trustor  Rent so
    received by Beneficiary or Trustee, or any part thereof, (e) Beneficiary and
    Trustee shall not be liable for their  failure to collect,  or their failure
    to exercise  diligence in the  collection of, Rent, but shall be accountable
    only for Rent  that  they  shall  actually  receive.  As among  Beneficiary,
    Trustee,  Trustor  and any person  claiming  through or under  Trustor,  the
    assignment  contained  in this  Section  3.02 is  intended  to be  absolute,
    unconditional  and  presently  effective,  and the  provisions of subsection
    3.02(a) are intended for the benefit of each Lessee and shall never inure to
    the benefit of Trustor or any person claiming  through or under Trustor.  It
    shall never be  necessary  for  Beneficiary  or Trustee to  institute  legal
    proceedings of any kind whatsoever to enforce the provisions of this Section
    3.02.  Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary,  Trustor may collect
    such Rent until such time as an Event of Default shall occur hereunder.

             Section  3.03  Beneficiary's  Consent.  Nothing in this Article III
    shall ever be  construed as (a)  allowing  any Lease


<PAGE> 30

    without Beneficiary's prior written consent unless otherwise permitted under
    the Agreement, or (b) subordinating this Deed of Trust to any Lease.

             Section 3.04 Lease  Related  Covenants.  Trustor  covenants to: (a)
    upon demand by  Beneficiary,  assign to Beneficiary or Trustee,  by separate
    instrument in form and substance  satisfactory to  Beneficiary,  any and all
    Leases, and/or all Rents payable thereunder,  including, but not limited to,
    any Lease which is now in existence or which may be executed  after the date
    hereof;  (b) not accept from any Lessee,  nor permit any Lessee to pay, Rent
    for more than one month in  advance  except  for  payment  in the  nature of
    security for performance of Lessee's  obligations  unless otherwise provided
    for in the Lease;  (c) comply  with the terms and  provisions  of each Lease
    including,  without limitation,  the payment of all sums required to be paid
    by Trustor or which any Lessor has an option to pay under any Lease in order
    to prevent any  reduction in or offset  against any Rent  payable  under any
    Lease or any default thereunder;  (d) not amend, extend, cancel, abridge, or
    otherwise  modify,  or accept  surrender of, or renew, any Lease without the
    written  consent  of  Beneficiary  other  than  in the  ordinary  course  of
    business, (e) not assign, transfer or mortgage any Lease without the written
    consent of  Beneficiary;  (f) not assign,  transfer,  pledge or mortgage any
    Rent; (g) not waive,  excuse,  release or condone any  nonperformance of any
    covenant  of any Lease by any Lessee  other than in the  ordinary  course of
    business;  (h) give to  Beneficiary  and  Trustee  duplicate  notice of each
    material  default by each Lessee;  (i) on all Leases executed after the date
    hereof,  cause  each  Lessee to agree  (and each  Lessee  under  each  Lease
    executed  after the date  hereof does so agree) to give to  Beneficiary  and
    Trustee  written notice of each and every material  default by Trustor under
    its Lease and not exercise any remedies under such Lease unless  Beneficiary
    or Trustee fails to cure such material  default  within a reasonable  period
    after  Beneficiary  and Trustee have  received such notice;  provided,  that
    Beneficiary  or Trustee shall never have any  obligation or duty to cure any
    such material  default;  (j) enforce its rights with regard to all Leases in
    the ordinary course of business;  and (k) not enter into any Lease affecting
    the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof unless otherwise  permitted under
    the Agreement without the prior approval of Beneficiary.

             Section 3.05  Beneficiary  Not Liable.  Beneficiary  and/or Trustee
    shall not be obligated to perform or discharge, nor does it hereby undertake
    to perform or discharge, any obligation,  duty or liability under any Lease,
    or under or by reason of this assignment,  and Trustor shall and does hereby
    agree to indemnify  and to hold  Beneficiary  and Trustee  harmless from and
    against any and all liability,  loss or damage which  Beneficiary



<PAGE> 31

    or Trustee  may or might incur under any Lease or under or by reason of this
    assignment  and from and against  any and all claims and demands  whatsoever
    which  may be  asserted  against  Beneficiary  or  Trustee  by reason of any
    alleged  obligations or undertakings on its part to perform or discharge any
    of the  terms,  covenants  or  agreements  contained  in any  Lease.  Should
    Beneficiary  or Trustee incur any such  liability,  loss or damage under any
    Lease or under or by reason of this  assignment,  or in the  defense  of any
    such claims or demands,  the amount thereof,  including all costs,  expenses
    and attorneys'  fees,  shall be secured  hereby and  constitute  part of the
    Secured  Obligations,  and Trustor  shall  reimburse  Beneficiary  therefore
    immediately  upon  demand,  and  upon  the  failure  of  Trustor  to  do  so
    Beneficiary  may declare all sums secured by this Deed of Trust  immediately
    due and payable.

             Section 3.06 Estoppel  Certificates.  On all Leases  executed after
    the date hereof,  all Leases  shall  provide for the giving by the Lessee of
    certificates  with respect to the status of such Leases,  and Trustor  shall
    exercise its right to request such certificates  within ten (10) days of any
    demand  therefor by  Beneficiary.  Trustor shall furnish to  Beneficiary  or
    Trustee,  within ten (10) days after a request by  Beneficiary or Trustee to
    do so, an executed counterpart of all Leases.

             Section 3.07 Lease Approval  Requirements.  On all Leases  executed
    after the date hereof,  all Leases and Lessees of the Premises,  or any part
    thereof,  must be acceptable to and approved by Beneficiary unless otherwise
    provided  under the  Agreement;  and all Lessees shall execute such estoppel
    certificates,   subordinations,   attornments   and  other   agreements   as
    Beneficiary may require. Under no circumstances shall Beneficiary or Trustee
    be liable for any obligation to pay any leasing commission, brokerage fee or
    similar fee or charge in connection with any Lease nor shall  Beneficiary or
    Trustee be  obligated to complete  any  Improvements  for the benefit of any
    Lessee.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

             Section 4.01 Benefit of Beneficiary.  All of the grants, covenants,
    terms,  provisions  and  conditions of this Deed of Trust shall run with the
    land and shall apply to, bind and inure to the benefit of the successors and
    assigns of the respective  parties  hereto;  provided,  that Trustor may not
    assign  its  obligations  hereunder  without  the prior  written  consent of
    Beneficiary.

             Section  4.02 Savings  Clause.  In the event any one or more of the
    provisions  contained  in this Deed of Trust shall



<PAGE> 32

    for any  reason  be held to be  invalid,  illegal  or  unenforceable  in any
    respect,  such  invalidity,  illegality or  unenforceability  shall,  at the
    option of Beneficiary,  not affect any other provision of this Deed of Trust
    but this Deed of Trust shall be  construed  as if such  invalid,  illegal or
    unenforceable provision had never been contained herein or therein.

             Section 4.03 Notices. All notices hereunder shall be given pursuant
    to the  terms of  Section  11.1 of the  Agreement,  and  supplementing  such
    provisions,  notices  required  to be  given  to  Trustee  shall be given at
    Trustee's address set forth herein.

             Section  4.04  Governing  Law.  This Deed of Trust  shall,  without
    regard to place of contract or payment,  be construed and enforced according
    to the laws of the state  where  the  Mortgaged  Property  is  located,  all
    without regard to principles of conflict of laws.

             Section  4.05  No  Change.  Neither  this  Deed  of  Trust  nor any
    provision hereof may be changed, waived, discharged or terminated, except by
    an instrument in writing, signed by Beneficiary and Trustor.

             Section 4.06 Security  Agreement and Fixture  Filing.  This Deed of
    Trust shall be deemed to be a security agreement and fixture filing pursuant
    to the Uniform  Commercial Code of the state where the Mortgaged Property is
    located.

             Section 4.07 No Usury. In the event that Beneficiary,  in enforcing
    its  rights  hereunder,   determines  that  charges  and  fees  incurred  in
    connection  with the Secured  Obligations  may, under the  applicable  usury
    laws,  cause the interest rate herein to exceed the maximum  allowed by law,
    then such  interest  shall be  recalculated  and any excess over the maximum
    interest  permitted  by said laws shall be  credited  to the then  principal
    outstanding  balance to reduce said balance by that amount. It is the intent
    of the parties hereto that Trustor under no circumstances  shall be required
    to pay, nor shall Beneficiary be entitled to collect,  any interest which is
    in excess of the maximum legal rate  permitted  under the  applicable  usury
    laws.

             Section 4.08 Effect of Partial  Release.  No release of any part of
    the  Mortgaged  Property  or of any other  property  conveyed  to secure the
    obligations  secured  hereby  shall in any way alter,  vary or diminish  the
    force,  effect  or lien or  security  interest  of this Deed of Trust on the
    Mortgaged  Property  or portion  thereof  remaining  subject to the lien and
    security interest created hereby.

             Section 4.09 Beneficiary's  Dealing with Successors and



<PAGE> 33

    Lessees.  In the event  Trustor or any of  Trustor's  successors  conveys or
    leases without the prior  approval of Beneficiary or as otherwise  permitted
    herein or in the Agreement any interest in the  Mortgaged  Property,  or any
    part thereof, to any other party,  Beneficiary and Trustee may deal with any
    owner or lessee of any part of the Mortgaged Property with reference to this
    Deed of Trust and to the Secured  Obligations,  either by forbearance on the
    part of Beneficiary or release of all or any part of the Mortgaged  Property
    or of any  other  property  securing  payment  of any  Secured  Obligations,
    without  in any way  modifying  or  affecting  Beneficiary's  and  Trustee's
    rights, remedies, liens or security interests hereunder (including the right
    to  exercise  any one or more of the  remedies  described  or referred to in
    Article I,  Article  II,  Article III or Article IV hereof in the event such
    conveyance is made in contravention of the provisions of this Deed of Trust)
    or the liability of Trustor or any other party liable for the payment of the
    Secured  Obligations,  in whole or in part.  This shall not be  construed to
    allow any such conveyance or leasing by Trustor,  except as permitted herein
    or in the Agreement.

             Section  4.10 No Waiver by  Beneficiary.  All options and rights of
    election herein  provided for the benefit of Beneficiary  and/or Trustee are
    continuing, and the failure to exercise any such option or right or election
    upon a particular default or breach or upon any subsequent default or breach
    shall not be  construed  as waiving  the right to  exercise  such  option or
    election at any later date.  By the  acceptance  of payment of  principal or
    interest after its due date,  Beneficiary  and/or Trustee does not waive the
    right either to require prompt payment when due of all other amounts secured
    hereby or to regard as an Event of Default the failure to pay any other such
    amounts. No exercise of the rights and powers herein granted and no delay or
    omission in the  exercise of such rights and powers shall be held to exhaust
    the same or be construed as a waiver thereof, and every such right and power
    may be exercised at any time and from time to time.  All grants,  covenants,
    terms and conditions  hereof shall bind Trustor and all successive owners of
    the Premises.

             Section  4.11  Headings  Descriptive.  The  headings of the several
    sections and  subsections of this Deed of Trust are inserted for convenience
    only and shall not in any way affect  the  meaning  or  construction  of any
    provision of this Deed of Trust.

             SECTION  4.12  WAIVER OF TRIAL BY JURY.  THE  TRUSTOR,  TRUSTEE AND
    BENEFICIARY  WAIVE  THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY  ACTION OR  PROCEEDING
    BASED UPON, ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED TO THIS DEED OF TRUST.

             Section  4.13  Indemnification.  The Trustor  agrees to pay, and to
    save,  indemnify  and keep the  Beneficiary  and its



<PAGE> 34

    respective directors,  officers,  employees,  attorneys, experts, and agents
    harmless  from,  any and all  liabilities,  costs and  expenses  (including,
    without  limitation,  legal fees and  expenses),  losses or damages (i) with
    respect  to, or  resulting  from,  any delay in paying,  any and all excise,
    sales or other taxes which may be payable or  determined  to be payable with
    respect to any of the Mortgaged Property, (ii) with respect to, or resulting
    from, any delay in complying  with any  requirement of law applicable to any
    of  the  Mortgaged   Property  or  (iii)  in  connection  with  any  of  the
    transactions  contemplated  by this  Deed of Trust,  including  the fees and
    disbursements of counsel and of any other experts,  which Beneficiary or its
    respective directors, officers, employees,  attorneys, experts or agents may
    incur in connection with (w) the  administration or enforcement of this Deed
    of Trust,  including  such expenses as are incurred to preserve the value of
    the Mortgaged Property and the validity,  perfection,  rank and value of any
    liens granted  hereunder,  (x) the collection,  sale or other disposition of
    any of the Mortgaged Property, (y) the exercise by the Beneficiary of any of
    the  rights  conferred  upon it  hereunder  or (z) any  Default  or Event of
    Default, but excluding any such liabilities,  costs and expenses,  losses or
    damages  incurred  solely  by  reason of the  gross  negligence  or  willful
    misconduct of the party seeking to be  indemnified  as determined by a final
    order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

             Any amount  due  hereunder  which is not paid on demand  shall bear
    interest  at a rate equal to the  Default  Rate and shall be a lien upon the
    Mortgaged Property and shall be secured hereby.

             The agreements of the Trustor  contained in this Section 4.13 shall
    survive the  payment and  performance  of the  Secured  Obligations  and the
    termination of the liens and security  interests granted hereby.  All of the
    Trustor's obligations to indemnify Beneficiary and its directors,  officers,
    employees,   attorneys,   experts  and  agents   hereunder   shall  (without
    duplication)  be in  addition  to,  and  shall  not  limit in any  way,  the
    Trustor's  indemnification  obligations contained in the Agreement or in any
    other Loan Document.

             Section 4.14 Advances  under the  Agreement.  It is understood  and
    agreed  that the  funds to be  advanced  under  this Deed of Trust are to be
    advanced  subject to and in accordance  with the provisions of the Agreement
    and the other Loan  Documents,  and that all sums  advanced  thereunder  and
    hereunder are included within the Secured Obligations secured hereby.

             Section 4.15  Limitation of Trustee's  Liability.  Trustee shall be
    protected in acting upon any notice, request,  consent,  demand,  statement,
    note or other  paper or  document  believed  by



<PAGE> 35

    Trustee  to be  genuine  and to have been  signed  by the  party or  parties
    purporting  to sign the same.  Trustee  shall not be liable for any error of
    judgment,  nor for  any act  done or  step  taken  or  omitted,  nor for any
    mistakes of law or fact,  nor for anything  which  Trustee may do or refrain
    from  doing  in  good  faith,   nor   generally   shall   Trustee  have  any
    accountability  hereunder except for willful misconduct or gross negligence.
    Trustee may act hereunder and may sell or otherwise dispose of the Mortgaged
    Property or any part thereof as herein provided,  although Trustee has been,
    may now or may hereafter  be,  attorneys,  officers,  agents or employees of
    Beneficiary,  in respect of any matter of business  whatsoever.  Beneficiary
    and  Trustee  shall  not be  liable  for any loss to any  Chattels  in their
    possession,  provided  that they  shall  use  reasonable  care with  respect
    thereto; and any such loss shall not diminish the debt due.

             Section 4.16  Substitution of Trustee.  Beneficiary shall have, and
    is hereby granted with warranty of further assurances, the irrevocable power
    to remove a Trustee or successor Trustee and to appoint a substitute Trustee
    or Trustees  hereunder  (including,  in case of death or refusal to act of a
    Trustee or  Trustees or their  nonacceptance  of, or  dissatisfaction  with,
    Trustee,  absence  or any other  reason),  to  appoint a new or  replacement
    substitute  Trustee or Trustees,  to be exercised at any time without notice
    and  without  specifying  any reason  therefor,  by filing for record in the
    office where this  instrument is recorded a Deed of Appointment or Notice of
    Substitution of Trustee.  The power of appointment of a successor Trustee or
    Trustees may be exercised as often as and whenever  Beneficiary  may choose,
    and the exercise of the power of appointment, no matter how often, shall not
    be an  exhaustion  thereof.  Upon the  recordation  of such Deed or Deeds of
    Appointment  or Notice or Notices of  Substitution  of  Trustee,  Trustee or
    Trustees so appointed  shall  thereupon,  without any further act or deed of
    conveyance,  become fully vested with  identically the same title and estate
    in and to the Mortgaged Property and with all the rights, powers, trusts and
    duties of their,  his or its  predecessor  in the trust  hereunder with like
    effect as if  originally  named as Trustee or as one of Trustees  hereunder.
    Whenever in this Deed of Trust  reference  is made to  Trustee,  it shall be
    construed to mean Trustee or Trustees for the time being,  whether  original
    or successors or successor in trust; and all title, estate,  rights, powers,
    trusts and duties  hereunder  given or  appertaining  to or  devolving  upon
    Trustee  shall  be in each of  Trustees  so that  any  action  hereunder  or
    purporting  to be  hereunder  of any one of the  original  or any  successor
    Trustee  shall for purposes be  considered  to be, and as effective  as, the
    action of all Trustees.

             Section 4.16 Particular State Provisions.  There is attached hereto
    and made a part hereof Exhibit B containing  additional  provisions that are
    necessary  or  appropriate  under the



<PAGE> 36

    laws of the state where the Mortgaged Property is located or pursuant to the
    provisions of any permitted property liens.

             IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this Deed of Trust has been duly  executed by
    Trustor as of the day and year first above written.


                                                     TRUSTOR

                                                     PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


     By:_____________________________
     Name:________________________
     Title:_______________________



<PAGE> 37







                                    EXHIBIT A

                               DESCRIPTION OF LAND
                               -------------------



<PAGE> 38







                                    EXHIBIT B

                              LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS
                              --------------------



<PAGE> 1


                                              State _______    Site No. _______

                                   EXHIBIT G-1
                                   -----------

                                FORM OF MORTGAGE
                                ----------------


                          MORTGAGE, LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE,
                        SECURITY AGREEMENT AND ASSIGNMENT
                               OF LEASES AND RENTS


    Mortgagor:                PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
                              2300 Main Street
                              Kansas City, Missouri  64108



    Mortgagee:                CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                                NEW YORK AGENCY
                                as Administrative Agent and
                                Collateral Agent
                              425 Lexington Avenue
                              New York, New York  10017



    Mortgage
      Amount:



    Date:                     October 3, 1996



    Premises:







    Record and                EMMET, MARVIN & MARTIN, LLP
    Return to:                120 Broadway
                              New York, New York 10271
                              Attn:  John P. Uehlinger, Esq.



<PAGE>2

             MORTGAGE,  LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE, SECURITY AGREEMENT AND ASSIGNMENT OF
    LEASES AND RENTS,  dated as of the 3rd day of October,  1996, by and between
    PAYLESS CASHWAYS,  INC., an Iowa corporation,  having an office at 2300 Main
    Street, Kansas City, Missouri 64108 ("Mortgagor") and CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK
    OF COMMERCE,  NEW YORK AGENCY, as Administrative  Agent and Collateral Agent
    under  the  Agreement  (as  hereinafter  defined),  having  an office at 425
    Lexington Avenue, New York, New York 10017 ("Mortgagee").


                                   DEFINITIONS
                                   -----------

             Mortgagor and Mortgagee agree that all  capitalized  terms used but
    not defined herein are defined in or by reference to the Agreement and shall
    have the same meanings  herein as therein.  Mortgagor and Mortgagee  further
    agree  that,  unless  the  context  otherwise  specifies  or  requires,  the
    following terms shall have the meanings herein  specified,  such definitions
    to be applicable equally to the singular and the plural forms of such terms.

             "Agreement"   means  that  certain   Amended  and  Restated  Credit
    Agreement  dated on or about the date hereof by and among Payless  Cashways,
    Inc., the signatory Lenders thereto,  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as
    Letter of Credit Bank, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  New York Agency,
    as  Administrative  Agent and Collateral  Agent and The Bank of Nova Scotia,
    Nationsbank of Texas,  N.A., and Bank of America  National Trust and Savings
    Association as Co-Agents,  together with any future  amendments,  amendments
    and  restatements,  extensions,  modifications  or  supplements  thereto  or
    thereof.

             "Default" means Default, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

             "Default  Rate" means the rate of interest  specified in Subsection
    2.5(a) of the Agreement.

             "Event of Default" means the events and circumstances  described as
    such in Article II hereof.

             "Fixtures" means all Mortgagor's  right,  title and interest in all
    furniture,  furnishings,  partitions,  screens,  awnings,  venetian  blinds,
    window  shades,  draperies,  carpeting,  pipes,  ducts,  conduits,  dynamos,
    motors, engines, compressors, generators, boilers, stokers, furnaces, pumps,
    tanks,  elevators,   escalators,  vacuum  cleaning  systems,  call  systems,
    switchboards,   sprinkler   systems,   fire  prevention  and   extinguishing
    apparatus,  refrigerating, air conditioning, heating, dishwashing, plumbing,
    ventilating,  gas,  steam,  electrical  and lighting  fittings and fixtures,
    licenses or permits of any kind and all building  materials,  equipment  and
    goods now or



<PAGE> 3

    hereafter delivered to the Premises (hereinafter defined) and intended to be
    installed therein,  and all other machinery,  fixtures,  tools,  implements,
    apparatus,  appliances,  equipment,  goods,  facilities  and other  personal
    property of similar  character  in which  Mortgagor  now has, or at any time
    hereafter  acquires,  an interest and which are now or hereafter  affixed or
    attached to, or used in  connection  with the  enjoyment,  occupancy  and/or
    operation  of,  all or  any  portion  of the  Premises,  together  with  all
    renewals,   replacements  and   substitutions   thereof  and  additions  and
    accessions thereto and the proceeds of all of the foregoing items.

             "Improvements"   means   all   buildings,   structures   and  other
    improvements  presently  existing  or  hereafter  constructed  on  the  land
    described in Exhibit A attached hereto.

             "Lease"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to such term in  Section  3.01
    hereof.

             "Leasehold" has the meaning  ascribed to such term in paragraph "F"
    of the Granting Clause, below.

             "Leasehold  Interest"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to such  term in
    paragraph "F" of the Granting Clause, below.

             "Lessee"  has the  meaning  ascribed  to such term in Section  3.01
    hereof.

             "Loan  Documents"  means  the  Credit  Documents,  as that  term is
    defined in the Agreement.

             "Loans" means the Loans, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

             "Mortgage"  means  this  Mortgage,   Leasehold  Mortgage,  Security
    Agreement  and  Assignment  of Leases  and Rents  together  with any  future
    amendments, modifications or supplements hereto or hereof.

             "Mortgage Amount" means the principal sum of $500,000,000.

             "Mortgaged  Property" has the meaning  ascribed to such term in the
    Granting Clause, below.

             "Notes" means the Notes, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

             "Premises"  means the land  described in Exhibit A annexed  hereto,
    together  with the  Improvements  thereon  or to be  constructed  thereon or
    therein,  and all of the easements,  rights,  privileges  and  appurtenances
    thereunto belonging or in anywise  appertaining  thereto including,  but not
    limited  to, all of the  estate,  right,  title,  interest,  claim or demand
    whatsoever of Mortgagor therein and in and to the strips and gores,  streets
    and ways  adjacent  thereto,  whether in law or in equity,  in



<PAGE> 4

    possession  or  expectancy,  now or  hereafter  acquired  and also any other
    realty, Leaseholds (hereinafter defined) or Fixtures encompassed by the term
    "Mortgaged Property", elsewhere herein defined.

             "Rents" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01
    hereof.

             "Secured  Obligations" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the
    paragraph entitled "Secured Obligations" below.

             "Secured Parties" means Secured Parties, as that term is defined in
    the Agreement.


                              W I T N E S S E T H :

             WHEREAS,  Mortgagor is the actual,  record and beneficial  owner of
    the Premises or owns an actual beneficial interest therein; and

             WHEREAS,  Mortgagor  has  agreed  pursuant  to  the  terms  of  the
    Agreement, the Notes, and/or the other Loan Documents evidencing the Secured
    Obligations to be liable for the Secured Obligations; and

             WHEREAS,  the parties intend that the Secured  Obligations shall be
secured by this Mortgage.


                                 GRANTING CLAUSE

             NOW, THEREFORE, Mortgagor, in consideration of the premises, and in
    order to secure the  payment in full of the  Mortgage  Amount,  the  Secured
    Obligations,  all  interest due thereon and all other costs and expenses and
    other amounts due hereunder and in respect of the Secured  Obligations,  and
    the performance and discharge of all the provisions  hereof,  of the Secured
    Obligations and all other Loan Documents,  hereby gives,  grants,  bargains,
    mortgages,  pledges  and grants a security  interest  to  Mortgagee,  all of
    Mortgagor's  estate,  right, title and interest in, to and under any and all
    of the following  described property whether now owned or hereafter acquired
    (all  such  properties  being  collectively  referred  to as the  "Mortgaged
    Property"):

             A. All Mortgagor's right, title and interest in and to the Premises
    and all right, title and interest of Mortgagor in and to the Improvements on
    the Premises or to be constructed  thereon and all Fixtures now or hereafter
    situated in, on or about, or affixed or attached to the  Improvements or the
    Premises or any building,  structure or other  improvement  now or hereafter
    standing,  constructed  or placed upon or within the



<PAGE> 5

    Premises,  and all and singular  the  tenements,  hereditaments,  easements,
    rights-of-way or use, rights,  privileges and appurtenances to the Premises,
    now or hereafter belonging or in anywise  appertaining  thereto,  including,
    without limitation, any such right, title, interest, claim and demand in, to
    and under any agreement granting,  conveying or creating, for the benefit of
    the  Premises,  any easement,  right or license in any way  affecting  other
    property and in, to and under any streets,  ways, alleys,  vaults,  gores or
    strips of land adjoining the Premises, or any parcel thereof, and all claims
    or demands either in law or in equity,  in possession or expectancy,  of, in
    and to the Premises.

             B. All right,  title and interest of Mortgagor in and to all awards
    heretofore  made or hereafter to be made for the taking by eminent domain of
    the  whole or any part of the above  described  premises,  or any  estate or
    easement therein,  including any awards for change of grade of streets,  all
    of which awards are hereby assigned to Mortgagee,  which Mortgagee is hereby
    authorized to collect  (unless  provided  otherwise in the  Agreement),  and
    receive  the  proceeds  of such  awards  and to  give  proper  receipts  and
    acquittances therefor and Mortgagee shall have the right and option to apply
    such excess towards the payment of any sum owing on account of this Mortgage
    and the Secured Obligations  secured thereby,  notwithstanding the fact that
    such sum may not then be due and payable.

             C. The Fixtures and the products and proceeds thereof.

             D. All present and future  leases,  subleases  and licenses and any
    guarantees thereof, rents, issues and profits and additional rents now or at
    any time hereafter covering or affecting all or any portion of the Mortgaged
    Property and all proceeds of, and all privileges and appurtenances belonging
    or in any way appertaining to, the Mortgaged Property,  or any part thereof,
    and all other  property  subjected  or required to be  subjected to the lien
    and/or security interest of this Mortgage,  including,  without  limitation,
    all of the income, revenues,  earnings,  rents, maintenance payments, tolls,
    issues,  awards  (including,  without  limitation,  condemnation  awards and
    insurance proceeds),  products and profits thereof, which income,  revenues,
    earnings,  rents, maintenance payments,  tolls, issues, awards, products and
    profits are hereby expressly assigned with the right to take and collect the
    same upon the terms hereinafter set forth; and all the estate, right, title,
    interest and claim whatsoever, at law and in equity, which Mortgagor now has
    or may  hereafter  acquire in and to the  aforementioned  property and every
    part thereof;  provided, that so long as no Event of Default (as hereinafter
    defined) shall have occurred and be continuing,  all such income,  revenues,
    earnings,  rents, maintenance payments,  tolls, issues, awards, products and
    profits  shall  remain  with and under the  control of  Mortgagor  except as
    otherwise  expressly  provided  herein  or in any  other  written  agreement
    between Mortgagor and Mortgagee.





<PAGE> 6

             E.  All  right,  title  and  interest  of  Mortgagor  in and to all
    agreements,  or  contracts,  now or  hereafter  entered  into for the  sale,
    leasing,  brokerage,  development,   construction,  renovation,  management,
    maintenance  and/or  operation  of  the  Premises  (or  any  part  thereof),
    including  all  moneys due and to become due  thereunder,  and all  permits,
    licenses,  bonds, insurance policies,  plans and specifications  relative to
    the construction  and/or  operation of the  Improvements  upon the Mortgaged
    Property.

             F. All right, title and interest  (including,  without  limitation,
    all present and future  rights to  possession  and use,  and all present and
    future  options and other rights to renew and to purchase) of Mortgagor,  as
    lessee  or  sublessee,  under any  leases,  subleases,  licenses,  occupancy
    agreements  or  concessions  now in effect or to be entered  into  hereafter
    (collectively,  the "Leasehold Instruments") whereby Mortgagor has any right
    to the use,  possession  or  occupancy  of the  Premises or any part thereof
    (collectively, the "Leaseholds").

             G. All of  Mortgagor's  claims and rights to the payment of damages
    arising  from any  rejection  of a Leasehold or a Lease under or pursuant to
    the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. ss.101 et seq. (the "Bankruptcy Code").

             H. All Mortgagor's rights and remedies at any time arising under or
    pursuant to Subsection  365(h) of the Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C.  ss.365(h),
    including,  without  limitation,  all of  Mortgagor's  rights  to  remain in
    possession of the Premises.

             I. Any other  property and rights which are, by the  provisions  of
    the Agreement or any other Loan Document, required to be subject to the lien
    hereof,  and any  additional  property and rights that may from time to time
    hereafter by installation in or on the Mortgaged Property,  or by writing of
    any kind, or  otherwise,  be subjected to the lien hereof by Mortgagor or by
    anyone on its behalf.

             J. All proceeds of the conversion, voluntary or involuntary, of any
    of  the  foregoing  into  cash  or  liquidated  claims,  including,  without
    limitation,  proceeds of insurance and condemnation  awards,  and all right,
    title and interest of Mortgagor  in and to all  unearned  premiums  accrued,
    accruing  and to accrue  under any or all  insurance  policies  obtained  by
    Mortgagor.

             TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the Mortgaged Property,  unto Mortgagee and its
    successors and assigns, upon the terms, provisions and conditions herein set
    forth,  forever,  and Mortgagor does hereby bind itself and its  successors,
    legal  representatives,  and assigns to warrant  and forever  defend all and
    singular the  Mortgaged  Property  unto  Mortgagee  and its  successors  and




<PAGE> 7

    assigns,  against every person whomsoever  lawfully claiming or to claim the
    same or any part thereof.


                               SECURED OBLIGATIONS

             This Mortgage, and all rights, titles,  interests,  liens, security
    interests,  powers,  privileges  and  remedies  created  hereby  or  arising
    hereunder  or by  virtue  hereof,  are  given  to  secure  the  payment  and
    performance of the all  indebtednesses,  obligations and liabilities arising
    under the Notes,  the Agreement,  this Mortgage and any other Loan Document,
    and any  renewals,  extensions,  amendments,  amendments  and  restatements,
    supplements or modifications thereof or thereto,  howsoever created, arising
    or evidenced,  whether direct or indirect,  absolute or  contingent,  now or
    hereafter  existing or due or to become due, and any and all fees,  costs or
    expenses  incurred by  Mortgagee,  including,  but not limited to,  interest
    accruing at the then  applicable  rate provided in the  Agreement  after the
    maturity  of the Loans and  interest  accruing at the then  applicable  rate
    provided in the Agreement or other applicable  agreement after the filing of
    any  petition  in  bankruptcy,   or  the  commencement  of  any  insolvency,
    reorganization  or like  proceeding,  relating to the Mortgagor on the Loans
    and on all other obligations of the Mortgagor to the Secured Parties, taxes,
    recording  expenses and attorneys' fees in connection with the execution and
    delivery  of  the  aforesaid,  and  the  consummation  of  the  transactions
    contemplated  thereby, the administration  thereof,  and, after default, the
    administration and collection thereof, all costs incurred of whatever nature
    by  Mortgagee  in the  exercise  of any rights  hereunder  or any other Loan
    Document and all other amounts payable by Mortgagor under this Mortgage (all
    of the foregoing indebtedness, obligations and liabilities being referred to
    herein as the "Secured Obligations").


                                    ARTICLE I

                     PARTICULAR WARRANTIES, REPRESENTATIONS
                           AND COVENANTS OF MORTGAGOR

             Section  1.01  Warranties  and  Representations.  Mortgagor  hereby
    warrants and represents as follows:

                      (a) Mortgagor is the actual,  record and beneficial  owner
    of the Premises and holder of a good and marketable title to an indefeasible
    leasehold  estate in the  Leaseholds or owns an actual  beneficial  interest
    therein and fee estate in the rest of the Mortgaged  Property,  subject only
    to such  exceptions to title as are listed in the title policy  insuring the
    lien of this  Mortgage and  approved by  Mortgagee as permitted  exceptions.
    Mortgagor is the owner of all of the remaining Mortgaged Property; Mortgagor
    will own the  Fixtures  free and clear of liens and claims  except  those in
    favor  of  Mortgagee;



<PAGE> 8

    and this Mortgage is and will remain a valid and  enforceable  first lien on
    the Mortgaged Property subject only to the permitted  exceptions referred to
    above.

                      (b)  Mortgagor  has full  power and  lawful  authority  to
    mortgage  the  Mortgaged  Property  in the  manner and form  herein  done or
    intended hereafter to be done.  Mortgagor will preserve such title, and will
    forever  warrant and defend the  validity  and  priority of the lien hereof,
    against the claims of all persons and parties whomsoever.

                      (c) Except as otherwise  specified in the Title Policy (as
    defined in the  Agreement)  or in the Survey (as defined in the  Agreement),
    the  Premises  is not  located in an area  identified  by the  Secretary  of
    Housing and Urban  Development as an area having special flood hazards or if
    it is so located, flood insurance acceptable to Mortgagee has been obtained.

             Section  1.02  Further  Assurances.  Mortgagor  will,  at its  sole
    expense,  do,  execute,  acknowledge  and deliver every  further act,  deed,
    conveyance,   mortgage,  assignment,  notice  of  assignment,   transfer  or
    assurance as Mortgagee shall from time to time reasonably  require,  for the
    better  assuring,  conveying,  assigning,  transferring  and confirming unto
    Mortgagee the property and rights hereby conveyed,  mortgaged or assigned or
    intended  now  or  hereafter  so to be,  or  which  Mortgagor  may be or may
    hereafter  become  bound to convey,  mortgage or assign to  Mortgagee or for
    carrying out the intention or  facilitating  the performance of the terms of
    this Mortgage,  and for filing,  registering or recording this Mortgage and,
    on demand,  will execute and  deliver,  and hereby  authorizes  Mortgagee to
    execute in the name of Mortgagor to the extent it may lawfully do so, one or
    more  financing   statements,   chattel  mortgages  or  comparable  security
    instruments,  and renewals  thereof,  to evidence more  effectively the lien
    hereof upon the Fixtures.

             Section  1.03  Filings,  Recordings  and  Payments.  (a)  Mortgagor
    forthwith upon the execution of this Mortgage,  and thereafter  from time to
    time, will, at its expense,  cause this Mortgage and any security instrument
    creating a lien or  evidencing  the lien hereof upon the  Fixtures  and each
    instrument of further assurance to be filed,  registered or recorded in such
    manner and in such places as may be required by any present or future law in
    order to publish  notice of and fully to protect the lien hereof  upon,  and
    the interest of Mortgagee in, the Mortgaged Property.

                      (b) Mortgagor will pay all taxes, filing, registration and
    recording   fees,   and  all  expenses   incident  to  the   execution   and
    acknowledgment of this Mortgage,  any supplemental  mortgage, any other Loan
    Document,  and any security instrument with respect to the Fixtures, and any
    instrument  of  further  assurance,  and  all  federal,  state,  county  and
    municipal  stamp



<PAGE> 9

    taxes and other taxes, duties, imposts,  assessments and charges arising out
    of or in connection  with the execution and delivery of the Agreement,  this
    Mortgage,  any supplemental  mortgage, any other Loan Document, any security
    instrument  with  respect  to the  Fixtures  or any  instrument  or  further
    assurance,  other than income,  franchise or other  similar taxes imposed on
    Mortgagee  in  respect  of income  derived by  Mortgagee  under the  Secured
    Obligations.

             Section 1.04 Payment of Sums Due. Mortgagor will punctually pay the
    principal  and  interest  and all other sums to become due in respect of the
    Agreement  and any  other  Loan  Document  at the time and  place and in the
    manner specified in the Agreement and any other Loan Document,  according to
    the true  intent and  meaning  thereof  and  without  offset,  counterclaim,
    defense or cause of action of any kind whatsoever , and without deduction or
    credit for any amount payable for taxes, all in immediately  available funds
    in Dollars.

             Section 1.05 After Acquired Property. All right, title and interest
    of Mortgagor in and to all extensions, improvements,  betterments, renewals,
    substitutes and replacements of, and all additions and appurtenances to, the
    Mortgaged  Property,  hereafter  acquired  by or released  to  Mortgagor  or
    constructed,  assembled  or placed by  Mortgagor  on the  Premises,  and all
    conversions  of the  security  constituted  thereby,  immediately  upon such
    acquisition, release, construction,  assembling, placement or conversion, as
    the case may be,  and in each  such  case,  without  any  further  mortgage,
    conveyance,  assignment or other act by Mortgagor,  shall become  subject to
    the lien of this Mortgage as fully and completely, and with the same effect,
    as though now owned by Mortgagor and specifically  described in the granting
    clauses hereof,  but at any and all times Mortgagor will execute and deliver
    to Mortgagee any and all such further assurances,  mortgages, conveyances or
    assignments  thereof as Mortgagee may reasonably  require for the purpose of
    expressing  and  specifically  subjecting  the  same  to the  lien  of  this
    Mortgage.

             Section 1.06 Taxes,  Fees and Other Charges.  (a)  Mortgagor,  from
    time to time  when the  same  shall  become  due,  and  prior to the date of
    imposition  of interest or penalty  (except as  otherwise  permitted  in the
    Agreement),  will pay and discharge, or cause to be paid and discharged, all
    taxes of every kind and nature  (including real and personal  property taxes
    and income, franchise,  withholding,  transfer or recordation taxes, profits
    and gross  receipt  taxes),  all general and  special  assessments,  levies,
    permits, inspection and license fees, all water and sewer rents and charges,
    and all other public charges, whether of a like or different nature, imposed
    upon or assessed against it or the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof or
    upon the  revenues,  rents,  issues,  income and profits of the  Premises or
    arising in respect of the occupancy,  use or possession  thereof.  Mortgagor
    will, at any time upon request by Mortgagee,  promptly  deliver to Mortgagee
    receipts



<PAGE> 10

    evidencing the payment of same.

             Upon the  occurrence  of an Event of Default  under the  Agreement,
    Mortgagee  may,  at any time and from  time to time,  at its  option,  to be
    exercised by written  notice to Mortgagor,  require the deposit by Mortgagor
    at the time of each payment of an installment of interest or principal under
    the  Agreement  of  an  additional   amount   sufficient  to  discharge  the
    obligations   under  this   subsection   (a)  when  they  become  due.   The
    determination of the amount so payable and of the fractional part thereof to
    be deposited with Mortgagee,  so that the aggregate of such deposit shall be
    sufficient  for  this  purpose,  shall  be made  by  Mortgagee  in its  sole
    discretion.  Such amounts shall be held by Mortgagee  without interest in an
    account   acceptable  to  Mortgagee  and  applied  to  the  payment  of  the
    obligations  in respect  to which such  amounts  were  deposited  or, at the
    option of  Mortgagee  and subject to  applicable  law, to the payment of the
    Secured  Obligations in such order or priority as Mortgagee  shall determine
    consistent  with the Agreement,  on or before the respective  dates on which
    the same or any of them would become  delinquent.  If one month prior to the
    due date of any of the  obligations  under this  subsection  (a) the amounts
    then on  deposit  therefor  shall be  insufficient  for the  payment of such
    obligations  in full,  Mortgagor  within  ten (10) days after  demand  shall
    deposit  the  amount  of  the  deficiency  with  Mortgagee.  Nothing  herein
    contained  shall be deemed to affect any right or remedy of Mortgagee  under
    the  provisions of this Mortgage or of any statute or rule of law to pay any
    such  amount and to add the amount so paid  together  with  interest  at the
    Default Rate to the indebtedness hereby secured.

                      (b)  Except  as  otherwise  permitted  in  the  Agreement,
    Mortgagor  will pay,  from time to time when the same shall  become due, all
    lawful claims and demands of mechanics,  materialmen,  laborers,  and others
    which, if unpaid,  might result in, or permit the creation of, a lien on the
    Mortgaged Property or any part thereof, or on the revenues,  rents,  issues,
    income and profits  arising  therefrom and in general will do or cause to be
    done everything  necessary so that the lien hereof shall be fully preserved,
    at the cost of Mortgagor, without expense to Mortgagee.

             Section 1.07     Intentionally Deleted.

             Section  1.08  Insurance.  (a)  Mortgagor  agrees  to at all  times
    provide,  maintain and keep in force the  policies of insurance  required to
    the maintained pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.

                      (b) In the event  Mortgagor  fails to  provide,  maintain,
    keep in force or deliver and furnish to Mortgagee  the policies of insurance
    required by the  Agreement  or this  Mortgage,  Mortgagee  may procure  such
    insurance or single-interest



<PAGE> 10

    insurance for such risks covering Mortgagee's  interest,  and Mortgagor will
    pay all premiums thereon  promptly upon demand by Mortgagee,  and until such
    payment is made by Mortgagor the amount of all such premiums,  together with
    interest thereon at the Default Rate shall be secured by this Mortgage.

                      (c) After the  happening of any casualty to the  Mortgaged
    Property or any part thereof,  Mortgagor  shall give prompt  written  notice
    thereof  to  Mortgagee,  and  Mortgagee  may make  proof of loss if not made
    promptly by Mortgagor.  In the event of such loss or damage, all proceeds of
    insurance  shall be  payable in the manner  provided  for in the  Agreement.
    Unless otherwise  provided in the Agreement,  nothing herein contained shall
    be deemed to excuse  Mortgagor from repairing or maintaining the Premises as
    provided in Section 1.12 hereof or restoring  all damage or  destruction  to
    the  Mortgaged  Property,  regardless  of whether or not there are insurance
    proceeds  available or whether any such  proceeds are  sufficient in amount,
    and the application or release by Mortgagee of any insurance  proceeds shall
    not cure or waive any  default or notice of default  under this  Mortgage or
    invalidate  any act done  pursuant to such  notice.  Any monies  received as
    payment for loss under any insurance shall be applied  pursuant to the terms
    of the Agreement.

                      (d) In the event of  foreclosure of this Mortgage or other
    transfer of title or assignment of the Premises in extinguishment,  in whole
    or in part,  of the debt secured  hereby,  all right,  title and interest of
    Mortgagor in and to all policies of insurance  required by this Section 1.08
    shall  inure to the  benefit of and pass to the  successor  in  interest  to
    Mortgagor or the purchaser or grantee of the Premises.

                      (e)  Mortgagor  shall  not  take  out  separate  insurance
    concurrent in form or  contributing  in the event of loss with that required
    to be maintained under this Section 1.08,  unless Mortgagee has approved the
    insurance  company  and  the  form  and  content  of the  insurance  policy,
    including,  without  limitation,  the naming thereon of Mortgagee as a named
    insured  with  loss  payable  to  Mortgagee   under  a  standard   mortgagee
    endorsement  of  the  character  above  described  and  the  inclusion  of a
    provision  therein  obligating said insurance  company to provide  Mortgagee
    with notice  thirty (30) days prior to  cancellation,  lapse or amendment of
    any policy.  Mortgagor shall immediately  notify Mortgagee whenever any such
    separate  insurance is taken out and shall promptly deliver to Mortgagee the
    policy or policies of such insurance.

                      (f) Mortgagee may at any time  following the occurrence of
    an Event of Default under the Agreement,  at its option,  to be exercised by
    written notice to Mortgagor,  require the deposit by Mortgagor,  at the time
    of each  payment  of an  installment  of  interest  or  principal  under the
    Agreement,  of an additional  amount sufficient to discharge the obligations
    under this  Section  1.08 when they become  due.  The  determination  of




<PAGE> 11

    the amount so payable and of the  fractional  part  thereof to be  deposited
    with Mortgagee with each installment,  so that the aggregate of such deposit
    shall be sufficient for this purpose, shall be made by Mortgagee in its sole
    discretion.  Such amounts shall be held by Mortgagee  without interest in an
    account   acceptable  to  Mortgagee  and  applied  to  the  payment  of  the
    obligations in respect of which such amounts were deposited on or before the
    respective  dates on which the same or any of them would  become  delinquent
    or, at the option of Mortgagee, to the payment of the Secured Obligations in
    such order or priority as  Mortgagee  shall  determine  consistent  with the
    Agreement.  If one month prior to the due date of any of the  aforementioned
    obligations the amounts then on deposit  therefor shall be insufficient  for
    the  payment of such  obligations  in full,  Mortgagor  within five (5) days
    after  demand shall  deposit the amount of the  deficiency  with  Mortgagee.
    Nothing  herein  contained  shall be deemed to affect any right or remedy of
    Mortgagee under the provisions of this Mortgage or of any statute or rule of
    law to pay any such  amount  and to add the  amount  so paid  together  with
    interest at the Default Rate to the indebtedness hereby secured.

             Section 1.09 Condemnation.  (a) In the event the Mortgaged Property
    or any part  thereof  or  interest  therein,  shall be taken or  damaged  by
    eminent domain,  alteration of the grade of any street, or there shall occur
    any other injury to or decrease in the value of the Mortgaged  Property,  by
    reason of any public or quasi-public improvement or condemnation proceeding,
    or in any other similar manner ("Condemnation"), or should Mortgagor receive
    any notice or other  information  regarding such  Condemnation or a proposed
    Condemnation,   Mortgagor  shall  give  prompt  written  notice  thereof  to
    Mortgagee.

                      (b) All compensation,  awards and other payments or relief
    payable as a result of any such Condemnation, shall be payable in the manner
    provided  for in the  Agreement.  All such  compensation,  awards,  damages,
    rights of action and proceeds  awarded to  Mortgagor  (the  "Proceeds")  are
    hereby  assigned to Mortgagee and  Mortgagor  agrees to execute such further
    assignments  of the Proceeds as Mortgagee  may require.  Mortgagee  shall be
    under no obligation to question the amount of any such award or compensation
    and may accept  the same in the amount  paid.  All  Proceeds  may be applied
    either  against  the  Secured  Obligations  (in such order and  priority  as
    Mortgagee shall  determine  consistent with the Agreement) or to restore the
    Premises,  at the  discretion  of  Mortgagee,  except  as  may be  otherwise
    provided in the Agreement.

                      (c) Unless  otherwise  provided in the Agreement,  nothing
    herein  contained  shall be deemed to excuse  Mortgagor  from  repairing  or
    maintaining the Premises as provided in Section 1.12 hereof or restoring all
    damage or  destruction to the Mortgaged  Property,  regardless of whether or
    not there are




<PAGE> 12

    proceeds  available or whether any such  Proceeds are  sufficient in amount,
    and the  application  or release by Mortgagee of any Proceeds shall not cure
    or waive any default or notice of default  under this Mortgage or invalidate
    any act done pursuant to such notice.

                      (d) Receipt by Mortgagee and  application  in reduction of
    indebtedness  of any  Proceeds  less  than  the  full  amount  of  the  then
    outstanding Secured Obligations shall not defer, alter or modify Mortgagor's
    obligation  to  continue  to pay  the  regular  installments  of  principal,
    interest on the outstanding principal balance and other charges specified in
    the Secured Obligations and herein.

                      (e) If prior to the receipt of the  Proceeds by  Mortgagee
    the condemned Premises shall have been sold on foreclosure of this Mortgage,
    Mortgagee shall, nevertheless, have the right to receive the Proceeds and to
    retain, for its own account,  (i) an amount equal to the counsel fees, costs
    and disbursements incurred by Mortgagee in connection with collection of the
    Proceeds  and not repaid by  Mortgagor  and (ii) the full amount of all such
    Proceeds,  if Mortgagee is the successful purchaser at the foreclosure sale,
    to the extent of amounts owed under the Secured Obligations or hereunder.

             Section 1.10 Mortgagee's Performance of Mortgagor's Obligations. If
    Mortgagor shall fail to perform any of the covenants contained herein or any
    covenant  contained in the Agreement or any other Loan  Document,  Mortgagee
    may, but shall not be obligated to, make advances  and/or  disbursements  to
    perform the same. Mortgagor will repay on demand all sums so advanced and/or
    disbursed  with  interest at the  Default  Rate from the date of making such
    advance and/or disbursement until such sums have been repaid and all sums so
    advanced  and/or  disbursed,  together with interest  thereon at the Default
    Rate,  shall be a lien upon the  Mortgaged  Property  and  shall be  secured
    hereby. The provisions of this Section 1.10 shall not prevent any default in
    the  observance  of  any  covenant   contained  herein  or  in  the  Secured
    Obligations  or any  other  Loan  Document  from  constituting  an  Event of
    Default.

             Section  1.11  Financial   Records.   Mortgagor  will  provide  the
    financial  statements  to  Mortgagee  required  pursuant to the terms of the
    Agreement.

             Section 1.12 Waste and  Maintenance.  Mortgagor  will not threaten,
    commit,  permit or suffer any waste to occur on or to the Mortgaged Property
    or any part thereof or alter or demolish the Mortgaged  Property or any part
    thereof in any manner or make any change in its use  (except as  provided in
    the  Agreement)  or any change  which will in any way  increase  any fire or
    other  hazards  arising out of  construction  or operation of the  Mortgaged
    Property.  Mortgagor will, at all times,  maintain the Mortgaged Property as
    required pursuant to the terms of the Agreement.





<PAGE> 13

             Section 1.13 Enforcement  Expenses.  Except where inconsistent with
    the laws of the state in which the Mortgaged Property is located,  Mortgagor
    agrees that if any action or proceeding be commenced, including an action to
    foreclose this Mortgage or to collect the  indebtedness  hereby secured,  to
    which  action  or  proceeding  Mortgagee  is made a party by  reason  of the
    execution of this Mortgage or the Secured  Obligations which it secures,  or
    in which it becomes necessary to defend or uphold the lien of this Mortgage,
    all sums paid by Mortgagee for the expense of any litigation to prosecute or
    defend the  transaction  and the rights and liens created hereby  (including
    reasonable  attorneys'  fees)  shall  be paid  by  Mortgagor  together  with
    interest  thereon from date of payment by Mortgagee at the Default Rate. All
    such  sums  paid  and the  interest  thereon  shall be  immediately  due and
    payable,  shall be a lien upon the Mortgaged Property,  and shall be secured
    hereby as shall be all such sums incurred in connection with  enforcement by
    Mortgagee of its rights hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

             Section 1.14 Defense of Mortgagee's  Interests.  If the interest of
    Mortgagee  in the  Mortgaged  Property  or any part  thereof  or the lien or
    security  interest of this Mortgage  thereon shall be attacked,  directly or
    indirectly, or if legal proceedings shall be instituted against Mortgagor or
    Mortgagee with respect  thereto or against  Mortgagor,  Mortgagor,  upon its
    learning thereof, will promptly give written notice thereof to Mortgagee and
    Mortgagor will, at Mortgagor's cost and expense,  exert itself diligently to
    cure,  or will cause to be cured,  any defect that may have  developed or be
    claimed  to exist,  and will take all  necessary  and  proper  steps for the
    protection  and defense  thereof  and will take,  or will cause to be taken,
    such action as is appropriate to the defense of any such legal  proceedings,
    including, but not limited to, the employment of counsel and the prosecution
    and defense of litigation.

             Section 1.15 No Impairment of Security. In no event shall Mortgagor
    do or permit to be done, or omit to do or permit the omission of, any act or
    thing, the doing, or omission, of which would materially impair the security
    of this Mortgage or materially impair the value of the Mortgaged Property or
    any part thereof.

             Section  1.16  Restrictions  on  Transfers  and  Mortgages.  Unless
    otherwise  permitted pursuant to the terms of the Agreement,  Mortgagor will
    not directly or indirectly, by transfer, mortgage, conveyance, or sale of an
    interest in Mortgagor permit, do or suffer the assignment,  lease, transfer,
    sale,  conveyance  or  encumbrance  of the Mortgaged  Property,  or any part
    thereof or any interest  therein,  without the express prior written consent
    of  Mortgagee  unless  otherwise  permitted  pursuant  to the  terms  of the
    Agreement.  While the  Secured  Obligations  are  outstanding,  neither  the
    structure nor the ownership of Mortgagor may be changed  without the express
    prior




<PAGE> 14

    written  consent of Mortgagee  unless  otherwise  permitted  pursuant to the
    terms of the Agreement.

             Section  1.17  Mortgagee's  Defense.  Mortgagee  may  appear in and
    defend  any  action  or  proceeding  at law or in  equity  or in  bankruptcy
    purporting  to affect the Premises or the security  hereof or the rights and
    powers  of  Mortgagee,  and any  appellate  proceedings,  and in such  event
    Mortgagor  shall  pay  all  of  Mortgagee's  costs,  charges  and  expenses,
    including  cost of evidence of title and  attorneys'  fees  incurred in such
    action or proceeding. All costs, charges and expenses so incurred,  together
    with  interest  thereon at the Default Rate from the date of payment of same
    by Mortgagee as aforesaid, shall be secured by the lien of this Mortgage and
    shall be due and payable upon demand.

             Section 1.18 Environmental  Compliance.  Mortgagor will perform and
    comply  promptly  with,  and cause the Premises to be  maintained,  used and
    operated in accordance  with, all applicable  federal,  state and local laws
    pertaining to air and water quality,  hazardous waste,  waste disposal,  air
    emissions and other environmental matters as set forth in the Agreement.

             Section 1.19 Zoning  Changes.  Mortgagor  will not consent to, join
    in, permit or allow any change in the zoning laws or ordinances  relating to
    or affecting the Premises  which could  reasonably be expected to materially
    adversely  affect the Premises  and will  promptly  notify  Mortgagee of any
    changes to the zoning laws.

             Section  1.20 Grant of  Security  Interest.  Mortgagor,  as further
    security  for the  payment of said  indebtedness  and in addition to all the
    rights and remedies otherwise available to Mortgagee under this Mortgage and
    the other Loan Documents, grants to Mortgagee a security interest, under the
    Uniform  Commercial  Code as in effect in the state  where all or any of the
    Fixtures are located, in and to the Fixtures, and all proceeds thereof. Upon
    an Event of  Default,  Mortgagee  shall  have,  in addition to all the other
    rights and  remedies  allowed by law,  the rights and  remedies of a secured
    party under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect at that time. Mortgagor
    further  agrees that the security  interest  created hereby also secures all
    expenses of Mortgagee  (including  reasonable expenses for legal services of
    every  kind,  and  cost of any  insurance,  and  payment  of  taxes or other
    charges) incurred in or incidental to, the custody, care, sale or collection
    of, or realization  upon,  any of the property  secured hereby or in any way
    relating  to the  enforcement  or  protection  of the  rights  of  Mortgagee
    hereunder, together with interest thereon at the Default Rate until paid.

             Section 1.21 Compliance with Laws and ADA Compliance.

                      (a) Mortgagor warrants and covenants that the Premises are
    and will  continue to be  substantially  in compliance



<PAGE> 15

    with all applicable  local,  county,  state and federal laws and regulations
    and all building, housing and fire codes, rules and regulations.

                      (b) Without  limiting the  provisions of subsection (a) of
    this Section 1.21:  (i) Mortgagor  represents and warrants to Mortgagee that
    Mortgagor  is   substantially   in  compliance   with  the  Americans   with
    Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.A.  sec. 12101 et. seq.), as the same may
    be amended  from time to time (the "ADA") and all other  federal,  state and
    local laws pertaining to the  accessibility  of the Premises by persons with
    disabilities   (the  ADA  and  such  other  laws  are,   collectively,   the
    "Accessibility  Laws"); (ii) Mortgagor covenants to ensure that the Premises
    will at all times  substantially  comply with all  applicable  Accessibility
    Laws and, upon the request of Mortgagee, Mortgagor will conduct such surveys
    of the Premises as Mortgagee  shall  require to ascertain  such  compliance;
    (iii)  Mortgagor  will  maintain  accurate  records of all  expenditures  in
    connection  with any  alterations  to the Premises  and will deliver  copies
    thereof to Mortgagee upon  Mortgagee's  request;  and (iv)  Mortgagor  shall
    defend,  indemnify  and hold  harmless  Mortgagee,  its  employees,  agents,
    officers and directors,  and any parent or affiliate of Mortgagee,  from and
    against any claims, demands,  penalties,  fines,  liabilities,  settlements,
    damages,  cost or  expenses of  whatever  kind or nature,  known or unknown,
    contingent or otherwise, arising out or in any way related to any violations
    of the Accessibility Laws (including, without limitation, any costs incurred
    by Mortgagee in complying with any Accessibility  Laws).  Neither payment of
    the indebtedness secured hereby nor foreclosure shall operate as a discharge
    of Mortgagor's obligations under this subsection (b). In the event Mortgagor
    tenders a deed in lieu of foreclosure,  Mortgagor shall deliver the Premises
    to Mortgagee (or its designee)  substantially  free of any violations of the
    Accessibility  Laws. In the event  Mortgagor  does not timely perform any of
    the above  obligations,  Mortgagee  after 30 days  notice to  Mortgagor  may
    perform said  obligations  at the expense of Mortgagor and Mortgagor  shall,
    upon  written  demand from  Mortgagee,  reimburse  Mortgagee  for all costs,
    including  attorney's fees and out-of-pocket  expenses,  and all liabilities
    incurred by Mortgagee by reason of the foregoing,  with interest  thereon at
    the Default  Rate from the date of such  payment by Mortgagee to the date of
    repayment.  Until  paid,  said costs and  expenses  shall be secured by this
    Mortgage.

             Section 1.22 Other Multistate  Mortgages.  The indebtedness secured
    in part by this  Mortgage  is secured  by  mortgages  and/or  deeds of trust
    encumbering  and  conveying  lands  and  other  property  and/or   leasehold
    interests  therein in other  states as more  particularly  described  in the
    Agreement,  all of which  mortgages  and/or deeds of trust,  including  this
    instrument, being hereafter referred to as "the mortgage instruments."





<PAGE> 16

             It is understood and agreed that all of the properties of all kinds
    conveyed or  encumbered  by the  mortgage  instruments  are security for the
    Secured  Obligations without allocation of any one or more of the parcels or
    portions  thereof to any  portion of the Secured  Obligations  less than the
    whole amount thereof unless so stated in said mortgage instruments.

             It  is  specifically  covenanted  and  agreed  that  Mortgagee  may
    proceed,  at the same or at  different  times,  to foreclose  said  mortgage
    instruments,  or any of them, by any  proceedings  appropriate  in the state
    where any of the land lies, and that no event of enforcement taking place in
    any state including,  without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  any
    pending  foreclosure,  judgment  or decree of the  foreclosure,  foreclosure
    sale, rents received,  possession taken,  deficiency  judgment or decree, or
    judgment taken on the Secured  Obligations,  shall in any way stay, preclude
    or bar  enforcement of the mortgage  instruments or any of them in any other
    state,  and that Mortgagee may pursue any or all its remedies to the maximum
    extent  permitted by state law until all of the Secured  Obligations  now or
    hereafter  secured by any or all of the mortgage  instruments  has been paid
    and discharged in full.

             Neither Mortgagor,  nor any person claiming under Mortgagor,  shall
    have or enjoy any right to  marshalling  of  assets,  all such  right  being
    hereby  expressly  waived as to Mortgagor and all persons claiming under it,
    including  junior  lienors.  No release of personal  liability of any person
    whatever  and no release of any  portion of the  property  now or  hereafter
    subject to the lien of any of the mortgage instruments shall have any effect
    whatever by way of impairment or  disturbance of the lien or priority of any
    of said mortgage  instruments.  Any foreclosure or other appropriate  remedy
    brought in any of the states  aforesaid may be brought and  prosecuted as to
    any part of the mortgaged security,  wherever located, without regard to the
    fact that foreclosure proceedings or other appropriate remedies have or have
    not been instituted  elsewhere on any other land subject to the lien of said
    mortgage instruments or any of them.

             Section 1.23  Leasehold and Leasehold Instruments.

                      (a) Mortgagor  covenants  and agrees to faithfully  comply
    with and perform all of its obligations under the Leasehold Instruments, and
    to promptly cure any default by it under the Leasehold Instruments.

                      (b) Mortgagor may modify, amend or terminate any Leasehold
    Instrument  without  the  prior  written  consent  provided  such  action is
    consistent with the terms of the Agreement.

                      (c) Mortgagor  will promptly give  Mortgagee a copy of any
    default notice given to Mortgagor with respect to any Leasehold Instrument.




<PAGE> 17

                                   ARTICLE II

                         EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

             Section  2.01 Events of Default.  The  following  shall  constitute
    defaults  hereunder and, after the giving of notice and the passage of time,
    if any, as provided herein, shall constitute "Events of Default" hereunder:

                      (a) if  Mortgagor  shall fail to pay when due any  Secured
    Obligation  after the passage of any applicable  notice or grace period,  if
    any; or

                      (b) If an Event of Default,  as defined in the  Agreement,
    shall occur under the Agreement.

             Section 2.02  Mortgagee's  Remedies.  (a) During the continuance of
    any Event of Default,  Mortgagee,  without  notice or  presentment,  each of
    which are hereby waived by Mortgagor,  may, subject to the provisions of the
    Agreement,  declare the entire  principal  of the Secured  Obligations  then
    outstanding  and all  accrued  and  unpaid  interest  thereon  and all other
    amounts  owing  in  respect  of (if not  then due and  payable,  whether  by
    acceleration or otherwise), to be due and payable immediately,  and upon any
    such  declaration the principal of the Secured  Obligations and said accrued
    and  unpaid  interest  shall  become  and be  immediately  due and  payable,
    anything in the  instruments  evidencing the Secured  Obligations or in this
    Mortgage to the contrary notwithstanding;

                      (b)  During  the  continuance  of any  Event  of  Default,
    Mortgagee  may  enter  into and upon all or any part of the  Premises,  and,
    having and  holding  the same,  may use,  operate,  manage and  control  the
    Mortgaged  Property or any part  thereof and conduct the  business  thereof,
    either personally or by its  superintendents,  managers,  agents,  servants,
    attorneys or receivers;  and likewise,  from time to time, at the expense of
    Mortgagor,  Mortgagee may make all necessary or proper repairs, renewals and
    replacements  and  such  useful  alterations,   ad-



<PAGE> 18

    ditions,  betterments and improvements thereto and thereon as to it may deem
    advisable in its sole judgment;  and in every such case Mortgagee shall have
    the right to manage and operate the  Mortgaged  Property and to carry on the
    business  thereof  and  exercise  all rights and  powers of  Mortgagor  with
    respect  thereto  either in the name of  Mortgagor or otherwise as Mortgagee
    shall deem best; and Mortgagee shall be entitled,  with or without  entering
    into or upon the  Premises,  to  collect  and  receive  all gross  receipts,
    earnings,  revenues, rents, maintenance payments, issues, profits and income
    of the Mortgaged Property and every part thereof, all of which shall for all
    purposes constitute property of Mortgagee; and, after deducting the expenses
    of  conducting  the  business  thereof  and  of  all  maintenance,  repairs,
    renewals, replacement,  alterations, additions, betterments and improvements
    and amounts  necessary  to pay taxes,  assessments,  insurance  and prior or
    other proper  charges upon the Mortgaged  Property or any part  thereof,  as
    well as just and reasonable  compensation  for the services of Mortgagee and
    for all attorneys,  counsel, agents, clerks, servants and other employees by
    it properly engaged and employed,  Mortgagee may apply the moneys arising as
    aforesaid in such manner and at such times as Mortgagee  shall  determine in
    its discretion  consistent  with the Agreement to the payment of the Secured
    Obligations  and the  interest  thereon,  when and as the same shall  become
    payable  and/or to the  payment  of any other  sums  required  to be paid by
    Mortgagor under this Mortgage;

                      (c) During the  continuance  of any such Event of Default,
    Mortgagor covenants and agrees as follows:

                      (1) Mortgagee may, with or without entry, personally or by
             its agents or attorneys,  insofar as applicable, sell the Mortgaged
             Property  or any  part  thereof  and  pursuant  to  the  procedures
             provided by law, and all estate, right, title, interest,  claim and
             demand  therein,  and right of redemption  thereof,  at one or more
             sales as an entity or in  parcels,  and at such time and place upon
             such terms and after such  notice  thereof  as may be  required  or
             permitted by law; or

                      (2)   Mortgagee   may  institute  an  action  of  mortgage
             foreclosure or institute other proceedings according to law for the
             foreclosure  hereof,  and  may  prosecute  the  same  to  judgment,
             execution and sale for the  collection  of the Secured  Obligations
             secured  hereby,  and all interest with respect  thereto,  together
             with all taxes and  insurance  premiums  advanced by Mortgagee  and
             other sums payable by Mortgagor hereunder,  and all fees, costs and
             expenses  of  such  proceedings,   including  attorneys'  fees  and
             expenses; or

                      (3)  Mortgagee  may,  if default be made in the payment of
             any part of the Secured  Obligations,  proceed with  foreclosure of
             the liens  evidenced  hereby in  satisfaction  of such item  either
             through the courts or by  conducting  the sale as herein  provided,
             and proceed  with  foreclosure  of the  security  interest  created
             hereby, all without declaring the whole of the Secured  Obligations
             due, and provided  that if sale of the Mortgaged  Property,  or any
             portion thereof, is made because of default in payment of a part of
             the  Secured  Obligations,  such  sale may be made  subject  to the
             unmatured part of the Secured Obligations, but as to such unmatured
             part of the Secured  Obligations  (and it is agreed that such sale,
             if so made,  shall not




<PAGE> 19

             in any manner affect the unmatured part of the Secured Obligations)
             this Mortgage  shall remain in full force and effect just as though
             no sale had been made under the provisions of this  paragraph.  And
             it is  further  agreed  that  several  sales may be made  hereunder
             without  exhausting the right of sale for any unmatured part of the
             Secured  Obligations,  it  being  the  purpose  to  provide  for  a
             foreclosure  and  sale  of the  Mortgaged  Property,  or  any  part
             thereof, for any matured portion of the Secured Obligations without
             exhausting  the  power  to  foreclose  and to  sell  the  Mortgaged
             Property,  or any part  thereof,  for any other part of the Secured
             Obligations  whether matured at the time or subsequently  maturing;
             or

                      (4)  Mortgagee  may take such steps to protect and enforce
             its rights  whether by action,  suit or  proceeding in equity or at
             law for the  specific  performance  of any  covenant,  condition or
             agreement in the Loan  Documents or in aid of the  execution of any
             power herein granted, or for any foreclosure hereunder,  or for the
             enforcement of any other  appropriate  legal or equitable remedy or
             otherwise as Mortgagee shall elect; or

                      (5)  Mortgagee  may  exercise in respect of the  Mortgaged
             Property  consisting  of  Fixtures,  all of the rights and remedies
             available  to a secured  party upon  default  under the  applicable
             provisions  of the Uniform  Commercial  Code in effect in the state
             where the Mortgaged Property is located; or

                      (6)  Mortgagee  may apply any  proceeds or amounts held in
             escrow  pursuant  to the terms of this  Mortgage  to payment of any
             part of the  Secured  Obligations  in such  order  of  priority  as
             Mortgagee may determine consistent with the Agreement; or

                      (7) Any sale as aforesaid  may be subject to such existing
             tenancies as Mortgagee, in its sole discretion, may elect.

             Section 2.03 Sale, Foreclosure, etc. (a) Mortgagee may adjourn from
    time to time any sale by it to be made  under or by virtue of this  Mortgage
    by  announcement  at the time and place  appointed for such sale or for such
    adjourned sale or sales; and, except as otherwise provided by any applicable
    provision of law, Mortgagee, without further notice or publication, may make
    such sale at the time and place to which the same shall be so adjourned.

                      (b) Upon  the  completion  of any  sale or  sales  made by


<PAGE> 20

    Mortgagee under or by virtue of this Article II,  Mortgagee,  or any officer
    of any court  empowered to do so, shall  execute and deliver to the accepted
    purchaser  or  purchasers  a good  and  sufficient  instrument,  or good and
    sufficient  instruments,  conveying,  assigning and transferring all estate,
    right,  title and interest in and to the  properties,  interests  and rights
    sold. Mortgagee is hereby irrevocably appointed the true and lawful attorney
    of Mortgagor,  in its name and stead, to make all the necessary conveyances,
    assignments,  transfers and deliveries of any part of the Mortgaged Property
    and rights so sold, and for that purpose Mortgagee may execute all necessary
    instruments of conveyance, assignment and transfer and may substitute one or
    more persons with like power,  Mortgagor hereby ratifying and confirming all
    that its said attorney or such  substitute or substitutes  shall lawfully do
    by virtue  hereof.  Nevertheless,  Mortgagor,  if so requested by Mortgagee,
    shall ratify and confirm any such sale or sales by executing and  delivering
    to Mortgagee or to such purchaser or purchasers all such  instruments as may
    be advisable,  in the reasonable judgment of Mortgagee,  for the purpose and
    as may be designated in such request.

                      (c) Upon any sale,  whether under the power of sale hereby
    given or by virtue of judicial  proceedings,  it shall not be necessary  for
    Mortgagee,  or any public officer acting under  execution or order of court,
    to have present or constructive possession of any of the Mortgaged Property.

                      (d)  The  recitals  contained  in any  conveyance  made by
    Mortgagee  to any  purchaser  at any  sale  made  pursuant  hereto  or under
    applicable law shall be full evidence of the matters therein stated, and all
    prerequisites  to such sale shall be  presumed  to have been  satisfied  and
    performed.

                      (e) Any such sale or sales made under or by virtue of this
    Mortgage,  whether under the power of sale hereby granted and conferred,  or
    under or by virtue of any judicial proceedings,  shall operate to divest all
    right,  title,  interest,  claim and demand whatsoever,  either by law or in
    equity,  of Mortgagor in and to the premises and property sold, and shall be
    a  perpetual  bar,  both  at  law  and in  equity,  against  Mortgagor,  its
    successors and assigns, and against any and all persons or entities claiming
    the premises and property  sold, or any part thereof,  from through or under
    Mortgagor and its successors or assigns.

                      (f) The receipt given by Mortgagee for the purchase  money
    paid at any such sale, or the receipt  given by any other person  authorized
    to receive the same, shall be sufficient discharge therefor to any purchaser
    of the  property,  or any  part  thereof,  sold  as  aforesaid,  and no such
    purchaser,  or his representatives,  grantees or assigns,  after paying such
    purchase money and receiving such receipt,  shall be bound (i) to see to the
    application of such purchase money or any part thereof upon or for any trust
    or purpose of this Mortgage, (ii)




<PAGE> 21

    by the  misapplication  or nonapplication of any such purchase money, or any
    part  thereof,  or  (iii) to  inquire  as to the  authorization,  necessity,
    expediency or regularity of any such sale.

                      (g) In case the liens or security interests hereunder,  or
    by the  exercise  of any  other  right  or  power,  shall be  foreclosed  by
    Mortgagee's sale or by other judicial or non-judicial  action, the purchaser
    at any such sale shall receive,  as an incident to its ownership,  immediate
    possession  of the  property  purchased,  and if  Mortgagor  or  Mortgagor's
    successors  shall hold  possession  of said  property,  or any part thereof,
    subsequent to  foreclosure,  Mortgagor or  Mortgagor's  successors  shall be
    considered as tenants at sufferance  of the purchaser at  foreclosure  sale,
    and anyone  occupying the property after demand made for possession  thereof
    shall be guilty of forcible  detainer  and shall be subject to eviction  and
    removal,  forcible or  otherwise,  with or without  process of law,  and all
    damages by reason thereof are hereby expressly waived.

                      (h)  In  the  event  a  foreclosure   hereunder  shall  be
    commenced by  Mortgagee,  Mortgagee  may at any time before the sale abandon
    the suit,  and may then  institute  suit for the  collection  of the Secured
    Obligations  and for the  foreclosure  of the  liens and  security  interest
    hereof.  If  Mortgagee  should  institute a suit for the  collection  of the
    Secured Obligations and for a foreclosure of the liens and security interest
    hereof, it may at any time before the entry of a final judgment in said suit
    dismiss the same and  proceed to sell the  Mortgaged  Property,  or any part
    thereof, in accordance with provisions of this Mortgage.

                      (i) Any  reasonable  expenses  incurred  by  Mortgagee  in
    prosecuting,  resetting or settling  the claim of Mortgagee  shall become an
    additional Secured Obligation of Mortgagor hereunder.

                      (j) In the  event of any sale  made  under or by virtue of
    this  Article II  (whether  made under the power of sale  herein  granted or
    under or by virtue of  judicial  proceedings  or of a judgment  or decree of
    foreclosure and sale), the entire principal of, and interest on, the Secured
    Obligations,  if not previously due and payable, and all other sums required
    to be paid by Mortgagor  pursuant to this  Mortgage,  immediately  thereupon
    shall,  anything  in the  Secured  Obligations  or in this  Mortgage  to the
    contrary notwithstanding, become due and payable.

                      (k) The purchase money proceeds or avails of any sale made
    under or by virtue of this  Article II,  together  with any other sums which
    then  may be held by  Mortgagee  under  this  Mortgage,  whether  under  the
    provisions of this Article II or  otherwise,  shall be applied in accordance
    with the laws of the state where the Mortgaged  Property is located,  and to
    the ex-



<PAGE> 22

    tent not  inconsistent,  first to the  payment of the costs and  expenses of
    such sale, including reasonable compensation to Mortgagee and its agents and
    counsel,  second to the  payment of the  amounts  due and owing  under or in
    respect of the Secured  Obligations for principal and interest and any other
    amounts including (without limitation) any other sums required to be paid by
    Mortgagor  pursuant  to any  provision  of this  Mortgage  or any other Loan
    Document,  with interest at the Default Rate from and after the happening of
    any  Event of  Default  in the  order  set  forth in  Section  9.2(a) of the
    Agreement,  all with  interest at the  Default  Rate from the date such sums
    were or are  required  to be paid  under  this  Mortgage,  and  third to the
    payment of the surplus,  if any, to whomsoever  may be lawfully  entitled to
    receive the same.

                      (l) Upon any sale made under or by virtue of this  Article
    II,  whether  made  under the power of sale  herein  granted  or under or by
    virtue of judicial proceedings or of a judgment or decree of foreclosure and
    sale,  Mortgagee  and any other  Secured  Party may bid for and  acquire the
    Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof and  Mortgagee and any other Secured
    Party (other than the  Merchandise  Letter of Credit  Bank,  as that term is
    defined  in the  Agreement)  in  lieu  of  paying  cash  therefor  may  make
    settlement  for  the  purchase  price  by  crediting  some  or  all  of  the
    indebtedness  of Mortgagor  secured by this  Mortgage  owing to such Secured
    Party (or, in the case of Mortgagee,  owing to all Secured  Parties) the net
    sales price after deducting therefrom the expenses of the sale and the costs
    of the action and any other sums which  Mortgagee  is  authorized  to deduct
    under this Mortgage.

             Section  2.04  Payments,  Judgment,  etc.  (a) In case an  Event of
    Default  under  the  Agreement  and  the  acceleration  of  the  obligations
    thereunder shall have occurred, then, Mortgagor will, in accordance with the
    Agreement pay to Mortgagee the whole amount which then shall have become due
    and payable on the Secured  Obligations,  whether for principal and interest
    or both or otherwise,  as the case may be, which  interest shall then accrue
    at the  Default  Rate on the  then  unpaid  principal  of or  other  amounts
    constituting  the Secured  Obligations,  and the sums required to be paid by
    Mortgagor  pursuant  to any  provision  of this  Mortgage,  and in  addition
    thereto such further  amount as shall be  sufficient  to cover the costs and
    expenses of collection,  including  compensation to Mortgagee its agents and
    counsel and any  expenses  incurred  by  Mortgagee  hereunder.  In the event
    Mortgagor  shall fail  forthwith to pay such amounts upon demand,  Mortgagee
    shall be entitled and empowered to institute  such action or  proceedings at
    law or in equity as may be advised by its counsel for the  collection of the
    sums so due and unpaid,  and may prosecute any such action or proceedings to
    judgment or final decree.

                      (b)  Mortgagee  shall be entitled  to recover  judgment as
    aforesaid  either before or after or during the pendency of any  proceedings
    for the  enforcement  of the  provisions  of this  Mortgage and the right of
    Mortgagee  to recover  such  judgment  shall not be affected by any entry or
    sale hereunder,  or by the



<PAGE> 23

    exercise  of any other  right,  power or remedy for the  enforcement  of the
    provisions of this Mortgage or the  foreclosure  of the lien hereof;  and in
    the event of a sale of the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof and of the
    application  of the proceeds of sale, as provided in this  Mortgage,  to the
    payment of the indebtedness  hereby secured,  Mortgagee shall be entitled to
    enforce payment of, and to receive all amounts then remaining due and unpaid
    upon, the Secured Obligations,  and to enforce payment of all other charges,
    payments and costs due under this  Mortgage and shall be entitled to recover
    judgment for any portion of the debt remaining unpaid, with interest thereon
    at the Default Rate. In case of proceedings  against Mortgagor in insolvency
    or bankruptcy or any  proceedings  for its  reorganization  or involving the
    liquidation  of its assets,  then  Mortgagee  shall be entitled to prove the
    whole amount of principal and interest due upon the Secured  Obligations  to
    the full amount thereof, and all other payments, charges and costs due under
    this Mortgage  without  deducting  therefrom any proceeds  obtained from the
    sale of the whole or any part of the Mortgaged Property.

                      (c) No recovery of any judgment by  Mortgagee  and no levy
    of an execution  under any judgment upon the Mortgaged  Property or upon any
    other  property of Mortgagor  shall affect,  in any manner or to any extent,
    the lien of this Mortgage  upon the Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof,
    or any liens, rights,  powers or remedies of Mortgagee  hereunder,  but such
    liens, rights, powers and remedies of Mortgagee shall continue unimpaired as
    before.

                      (d) Any moneys  thus  collected  by  Mortgagee  under this
    Section 2.04 shall be applied by Mortgagee in accordance with the provisions
    of paragraph (k) of Section 2.03.

             Section 2.05 Receiver,  Waiver. After the happening of any Event of
    Default and immediately upon the  commencement of any action,  suit or other
    legal  proceedings by Mortgagee to obtain  judgment for the principal of, or
    interest  on, and all other  amounts  constituting  the Secured  Obligations
    including  (without  limitation)  all sums  required to be paid by Mortgagor
    pursuant to any  provision  of this  Mortgage or of any nature in aid of the
    enforcement of the Secured  Obligations or of this Mortgage,  Mortgagor will
    (a) waive the  issuance  and  service of process  and submit to a  voluntary
    appearance  in such  action,  suit or  proceeding  and  (b) if  required  by
    Mortgagee,  consent to the  appointment  of a receiver or  receivers  of the
    Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof and of all the  earnings,  revenues,
    rents,   maintenance  payments,   issues,  profits  and  income  thereof  in
    accordance  with Section 2.11  hereof.  After the  happening of any Event of
    Default  and  during  its  continuance,  or  upon  the  commencement  of any
    proceedings   to  foreclose   this  Mortgage  or  to  enforce  the  specific
    performance  hereof or in aid thereof or upon the  commencement of any other
    judicial  proceeding to



<PAGE> 24

    enforce any right of Mortgagee,  Mortgagee shall be entitled, as a matter of
    right, if it shall so elect, without the giving of notice to any other party
    and without  regard to the  adequacy or  inadequacy  of any security for the
    Mortgage indebtedness, forthwith either before or after declaring the unpaid
    principal  of  the  Secured  Obligations  to be  due  and  payable,  to  the
    appointment of such a receiver or receivers.

             Section   2.06   Mortgagee's   Possession.    Notwithstanding   the
    appointment of any receiver, liquidator or trustee of Mortgagor or of any of
    its property,  or of the Mortgaged  Property or any part thereof,  Mortgagee
    shall  be  entitled  to  retain  possession  and  control  of the  Mortgaged
    Property.

             Section 2.07 Remedies  Cumulative.  No remedy herein conferred upon
    or reserved to  Mortgagee is intended to be exclusive of any other remedy or
    remedies which Mortgagee may be entitled to exercise  against  Mortgagor and
    each and every such remedy shall be cumulative,  and shall be in addition to
    every other remedy given  hereunder or in the Agreement or in any other Loan
    Document  now or  hereafter  existing at law or in equity or by statute.  No
    delay by or omission of  Mortgagee  to exercise  any right or power shall be
    construed  to be a  waiver  of any  Event  of  Default  or any  acquiescence
    therein;  and  every  power  and  remedy  given in this  Mortgage  or in the
    Agreement or in any other Loan Document to Mortgagee  may be exercised  from
    time to time as often as may be deemed expedient by Mortgagee. The resort to
    any  remedy  provided  hereunder  or in the  Agreement  or in any other Loan
    Document or provided by law or at equity shall not prevent the concurrent or
    subsequent  employment of any other  appropriate  remedy or remedies against
    Mortgagor.  By the  acceptance  of payment of principal of or interest on or
    any other amount due in respect of any of the Secured  Obligations after its
    due  date,  Mortgagee  does not waive the  right  either to  require  prompt
    payment  when due of all  other  amounts  secured  hereby or to regard as an
    Event of Default the failure to pay any other such amounts.  Nothing in this
    Mortgage or in the  Agreement or in any  instrument  evidencing  the Secured
    Obligations  shall  affect  the  obligations  of  Mortgagor  to pay  (i) the
    principal of, and interest on, the Secured  Obligations in the manner and at
    the time and place therein or in the  Agreement  expressed or (ii) the other
    Secured Obligations in the manner and at the time herein expressed.

             Section 2.08 Agreement by Mortgagor. Mortgagor will not at any time
    insist upon, or plead,  or in any manner  whatever claim or take any benefit
    or advantage of any stay or extension or moratorium  law, any exemption from
    execution or sale of the Mortgaged  Property or any part  thereof,  wherever
    enacted,  now or at any time  hereafter  in  force,  which  may  affect  the
    covenants  and terms of  performance  of this  Mortgage  or any  other  Loan
    Document,  or claim, take or insist upon any benefit or advantage of any law
    now or hereafter in force  providing  for the  valuation or appraisal of the
    Mortgaged Property, or any part thereof,  prior to any sale or sales thereof
    which may be





<PAGE> 25

    made pursuant to any provision herein,  or pursuant to the decree,  judgment
    or order of any court of competent jurisdiction,  or, after any such sale or
    sales, claim or exercise any right under any statute heretofore or hereafter
    enacted to redeem the property so sold or any part  thereof;  and  Mortgagor
    hereby expressly waives all benefit or advantage of any such law or laws and
    covenant  not to hinder,  delay or impede the  execution of any power herein
    granted or delegated to Mortgagee, but to suffer and permit the execution of
    every  power  as  though  no such  law or laws  had  been  made or  enacted.
    Mortgagor, waives, to the extent that it lawfully may, all right to have the
    Mortgaged  Property  or any part  thereof  marshaled  upon  any  foreclosure
    hereof.

             Section 2.09 Use and Occupancy Payments.  During the continuance of
    any Event of Default and pending the  exercise by  Mortgagee of its right to
    exclude Mortgagor from all or any part of the Premises,  unless Mortgagor is
    legally entitled to continue possession of the Premises, Mortgagor agrees to
    pay the fair and  reasonable  rental value for the use and  occupancy of the
    Premises or any portion  thereof which are in its possession for such period
    and, upon default of any such payment,  will vacate and surrender possession
    of the  Premises  to  Mortgagee  or to a  receiver,  if any,  and in default
    thereof may be evicted by any summary  action or proceeding for the recovery
    of possession of the Premises for non-payment of rent,  however  designated.
    Such rental  obligation by the  Mortgagor  shall be determined by the extent
    that the  Secured  Obligations  have been deemed to have been  reduced  (the
    "Reduction"). It is agreed that the fair and reasonable rental value for use
    and  occupancy of the Premises may be difficult or  impossible to ascertain;
    therefore, Mortgagor and Mortgagee hereby agree that the fair and reasonable
    rental  value  shall in no event be less  than an  amount  equal to the debt
    service on the  Reduction.  Any  payments  received  by  Mortgagee  shall be
    applied in accordance with Section 2.03(k) of this Mortgage.

             Section 2.10  Mortgagee's  Right to  Purchase.  In case of any sale
    under the foregoing  provisions  of this Article II,  whether made under the
    power of sale hereby  given or pursuant to judicial  proceedings,  Mortgagee
    may bid for and purchase  any  property,  and may make  payment  therefor as
    hereinafter  set forth or as set forth in Section 2.03 (l) above,  and, upon
    compliance with the terms of said sale, may hold, retain and dispose of such
    property without further accountability  therefor. For the purpose of making
    settlement  or payment for the property or properties  purchased,  Mortgagee
    shall be entitled to use and apply such of the Secured  Obligations  held by
    it or the other Secured Parties,  including (without limitation) any accrued
    and  unpaid  interest  thereon,  as it may  elect,  or as  may be  otherwise
    provided for in Section 2.03(l) above.

             Section 2.11 Appointment of Receiver. Upon application



<PAGE> 26

    of Mortgagee to any court of competent jurisdiction, if any Event of Default
    shall have  occurred  and so long as it shall be  continuing,  to the extent
    permitted by law, a receiver may be appointed to take  possession  of and to
    operate,  maintain,  develop and manage the  Mortgaged  Property or any part
    thereof.  In every  case  when a  receiver  of the  whole or any part of the
    Mortgaged  Property shall be appointed under this Section 2.11 or otherwise,
    the net income and profits of the Mortgaged  Property shall,  subject to the
    order of any court of competent jurisdiction,  be paid over to, and shall be
    received by, Mortgagee to be applied as provided in Section 2.03(k) hereof.

             Section 2.12 No Waiver.  Mortgagee may resort to any security given
    by this Mortgage or to any other security now existing or hereafter given to
    secure the  payment of any of the Secured  Obligations  secured  hereby,  in
    whole or in part, and in such portions and in such order as may seem best to
    Mortgagee in its reasonable discretion, and any such action shall not in any
    way be  considered  as a waiver  of any of the  rights,  benefits,  liens or
    security interest created by this Mortgage.


                                   ARTICLE III

                         ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS

             Section 3.01 Lease Related  Definitions.  As used in this Mortgage:
    (a) "Lease" means any lease,  sublease,  or other similar agreement,  now or
    hereafter existing, under the terms of which any person other than Mortgagor
    has or acquires any right to occupancy or use of the Mortgaged Property,  or
    any part  thereof,  or  interest  therein;  (b)  "Lessee"  means the lessee,
    sublessee,  licensee,  tenant or other person  having the right to occupy or
    use all or any part of the Mortgaged  Property under a Lease; and (c) "Rent"
    means  the  rents,  additional  rents  and other  consideration  payable  to
    Mortgagor  by the Lessee under the terms of a Lease.  Whenever  reference is
    made in this  Mortgage to a lease,  license,  lessee,  licensee,  tenancy or
    tenant,  such  reference  shall be deemed to include a sublease,  sublessee,
    license, licensee, subtenancy or subtenant, as the case may be.

             Section  3.02  Assignment  of Leases  and Rents.  Mortgagor  hereby
    assigns to Mortgagee  all Leases,  together with all Rents payable under the
    Leases,  now or at any time hereafter  existing,  such assignment being upon
    the  following  terms:  (a) until  receipt  from  Mortgagee of notice of the
    occurrence  of an Event of  Default,  each  Lessee may pay rent  directly to
    Mortgagor,  (b) upon  receipt  from  Mortgagee  of  notice  that an Event of
    Default exists, each Lessee shall, and is hereby authorized and directed to,
    pay directly to Mortgagee all Rent thereafter  accruing,  and the receipt of
    such Rent by  Mortgagee  shall be a release of such  Lessee to the extent of
    all amounts so paid,  (c) Rent so received by Mortgagee  shall be applied by
    Mortgagee  first  to the  expenses,  if  any,  of  collection  and  then  in


<PAGE> 27

    accordance  with  Article  II  hereof,  (d)  without  impairing  its  rights
    hereunder,  Mortgagee may, at its option, at any time and from time to time,
    release to Mortgagor Rent so received by Mortgagee, or any part thereof, (e)
    Mortgagee shall not be liable for its failure to collect,  or its failure to
    exercise diligence in the collection of, Rent, but shall be accountable only
    for Rent that it shall actually receive.  As among Mortgagee,  Mortgagor and
    any person claiming through or under Mortgagor,  the assignment contained in
    this Section 3.02 is intended to be absolute,  unconditional  and  presently
    effective,  and the  provisions of  subsection  3.02(a) are intended for the
    benefit of each Lessee and shall never inure to the benefit of  Mortgagor or
    any person claiming through or under Mortgagor.  It shall never be necessary
    for  Mortgagee to institute  legal  proceedings  of any kind  whatsoever  to
    enforce the provisions of this Section 3.02. Notwithstanding anything herein
    to the contrary, Mortgagor may collect such Rent until such time as an Event
    of Default shall occur hereunder.

             Section 3.03 Mortgagee's Consent. Nothing in this Article III shall
    ever be  construed  as (a)  allowing  any Lease  without  Mortgagee's  prior
    written  consent unless  otherwise  permitted  under the  Agreement,  or (b)
    subordinating this Mortgage to any Lease.

             Section 3.04 Lease Related Covenants.  Mortgagor  covenants to: (a)
    upon demand by  Mortgagee,  assign to Mortgagee,  by separate  instrument in
    form and substance satisfactory to Mortgagee, any and all Leases, and/or all
    Rents payable thereunder,  including, but not limited to, any Lease which is
    now in  existence or which may be executed  after the date  hereof;  (b) not
    accept from any Lessee, nor permit any Lessee to pay, Rent for more than one
    month  in  advance  except  for  payment  in  the  nature  of  security  for
    performance of Lessee's  obligations  unless  otherwise  provided for in the
    Lease;  (c) comply with the terms and  provisions  of each Lease  including,
    without limitation, the payment of all sums required to be paid by Mortgagor
    or which any Lessor has an option to pay under any Lease in order to prevent
    any  reduction in or offset  against any Rent payable under any Lease or any
    default thereunder;  (d) not amend,  extend,  cancel,  abridge, or otherwise
    modify,  or accept  surrender  of, or renew,  any Lease  without the written
    consent of Mortgagee other than in the ordinary course of business,  (e) not
    assign,  transfer or  mortgage  any Lease  without  the  written  consent of
    Mortgagee;  (f) not assign,  transfer,  pledge or mortgage any Rent; (g) not
    waive, excuse,  release or condone any nonperformance of any covenant of any
    Lease by any Lessee other than in the ordinary course of business;  (h) give
    to Mortgagee  duplicate notice of each material default by each Lessee;  (i)
    on all Leases  executed  after the date  hereof,  cause each Lessee to agree
    (and each  Lessee  under each Lease  executed  after the date hereof does so
    agree)  to give to  Mortgagee  written  notice  of each and  every 



<PAGE> 28

    material  default by Mortgagor under its Lease and not exercise any remedies
    under such Lease unless Mortgagee fails to cure such material default within
    a reasonable period after Mortgagee has received such notice; provided, that
    Mortgagee  shall never have any obligation or duty to cure any such material
    default;  (j) enforce  its rights with regard to all Leases in the  ordinary
    course  of  business;  and (k) not  enter  into  any  Lease,  affecting  the
    Mortgaged Property or any part thereof unless otherwise  permitted under the
    Agreement without the prior approval of Mortgagee.

             Section 3.05 Mortgagee Not Liable. Mortgagee shall not be obligated
    to  perform  or  discharge,  nor does it  hereby  undertake  to  perform  or
    discharge, any obligation, duty or liability under any Lease, or under or by
    reason of this  assignment,  and  Mortgagor  shall and does hereby  agree to
    indemnify  and to hold  Mortgagee  harmless  from  and  against  any and all
    liability, loss or damage which Mortgagee may or might incur under any Lease
    or under or by reason of this  assignment  and from and  against any and all
    claims and demands  whatsoever  which may be asserted  against  Mortgagee by
    reason of any alleged  obligations or undertakings on its part to perform or
    discharge any of the terms,  covenants or agreements contained in any Lease.
    Should Mortgagee incur any such liability, loss or damage under any Lease or
    under or by reason of this assignment,  or in the defense of any such claims
    or demands, the amount thereof, including all costs, expenses and attorneys'
    fees,   shall  be  secured  hereby  and  constitute   part  of  the  Secured
    Obligations,  and Mortgagor shall reimburse Mortgagee therefore  immediately
    upon  demand,  and upon the  failure of  Mortgagor  to do so  Mortgagee  may
    declare all sums secured by this Mortgage immediately due and payable.

             Section 3.06 Estoppel  Certificates.  On all Leases  executed after
    the date hereof,  all Leases  shall  provide for the giving by the Lessee of
    certificates with respect to the status of such Leases,  and Mortgagor shall
    exercise its right to request such certificates  within ten (10) days of any
    demand therefor by Mortgagee.  Mortgagor shall furnish to Mortgagee,  within
    ten (10) days after a request by Mortgagee to do so, an executed counterpart
    of all Leases.

             Section 3.07 Lease Approval  Requirements.  On all Leases  executed
    after the date hereof,  all Leases and Lessees of the Premises,  or any part
    thereof,  must be acceptable to and approved by Mortgagee  unless  otherwise
    provided  under the  Agreement;  and all Lessees shall execute such estoppel
    certificates,  subordinations, attornments and other agreements as Mortgagee
    may  require.  Under no  circumstances  shall  Mortgagee  be liable  for any
    obligation  to pay any leasing  commission,  brokerage fee or similar fee or
    charge in  connection  with any Lease nor shall  Mortgagee  be  obligated to
    complete any Improvements for the benefit of any Lessee.



<PAGE> 29

                                   ARTICLE IV

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

             Section 4.01 Benefit of  Mortgagee.  All of the grants,  covenants,
    terms,  provisions  and  conditions of this Mortgage shall run with the land
    and shall  apply to,  bind and inure to the  benefit of the  successors  and
    assigns of the respective parties hereto;  provided,  that Mortgagor may not
    assign  its  obligations  hereunder  without  the prior  written  consent of
    Mortgagee.

             Section  4.02 Savings  Clause.  In the event any one or more of the
    provisions  contained  in this  Mortgage  shall for any reason be held to be
    invalid,   illegal  or  unenforceable  in  any  respect,   such  invalidity,
    illegality or unenforceability shall, at the option of Mortgagee, not affect
    any other provision of this Mortgage but this Mortgage shall be construed as
    if such invalid, illegal or unenforceable provision had never been contained
    herein or therein.

             Section 4.03 Notices. All notices hereunder shall be given pursuant
    to the terms of Section 11.1 of the Agreement.

             Section 4.04 Governing Law. This Mortgage shall,  without regard to
    place of contract or payment,  be construed  and  enforced  according to the
    laws of the state  where the  Mortgaged  Property  is  located,  all without
    regard to principles of conflict of laws.

             Section  4.05 No Change.  Neither this  Mortgage nor any  provision
    hereof  may be  changed,  waived,  discharged  or  terminated,  except by an
    instrument in writing, signed by Mortgagee and Mortgagor.

             Section 4.06 Security  Agreement and Fixture Filing.  This Mortgage
    shall be deemed to be a security  agreement and fixture  filing  pursuant to
    the Uniform  Commercial  Code of the state where the  Mortgaged  Property is
    located.

             Section 4.07 No Usury.  In the event that  Mortgagee,  in enforcing
    its  rights  hereunder,   determines  that  charges  and  fees  incurred  in
    connection  with the Secured  Obligations  may, under the  applicable  usury
    laws,  cause the interest rate herein to exceed the maximum  allowed by law,
    then such  interest  shall be  recalculated  and any excess over the maximum
    interest  permitted  by said laws shall be  credited  to the then  principal
    outstanding  balance to reduce said balance by that amount. It is the intent
    of the  parties  hereto  that  Mortgagor  under  no  circumstances  shall be
    required to pay, nor shall  Mortgagee  be entitled to collect,  any interest
    which is in excess of the maximum legal rate permitted  under the applicable
    usury laws.





<PAGE> 30

             Section 4.08 Effect of Partial  Release.  No release of any part of
    the  Mortgaged  Property  or of any other  property  conveyed  to secure the
    obligations  secured  hereby  shall in any way alter,  vary or diminish  the
    force, effect or lien or security interest of this Mortgage on the Mortgaged
    Property  or portion  thereof  remaining  subject  to the lien and  security
    interest created hereby.

             Section 4.09  Mortgagee's  Dealing with Successors and Lessees.  In
    the event  Mortgagor  or any of  Mortgagor's  successors  conveys  or leases
    without the prior approval of Mortgagee except as otherwise permitted herein
    or in the  Agreement  any interest in the  Mortgaged  Property,  or any part
    thereof, to any other party,  Mortgagee may deal with any owner or lessee of
    any part of the Mortgaged  Property  with  reference to this Mortgage and to
    the Secured  Obligations,  either by forbearance on the part of Mortgagee or
    release  of all or  any  part  of the  Mortgaged  Property  or of any  other
    property  securing  payment of any Secured  Obligations,  without in any way
    modifying  or  affecting  Mortgagee's  rights,  remedies,  liens or security
    interests hereunder  (including the right to exercise any one or more of the
    remedies  described or referred to in Article I, Article II,  Article III or
    Article IV hereof in the event such conveyance is made in  contravention  of
    the  provisions of this Mortgage) or the liability of Mortgagor or any other
    party  liable for the  payment of the  Secured  Obligations,  in whole or in
    part. This shall not be construed to allow any such conveyance or leasing by
    Mortgagor, except as permitted herein or in the Agreement.

             Section  4.10 No Waiver by  Mortgagee.  All  options  and rights of
    election herein  provided for the benefit of Mortgagee are  continuing,  and
    the  failure  to  exercise  any such  option  or right  or  election  upon a
    particular  default or breach or upon any subsequent default or breach shall
    not be construed as waiving the right to exercise such option or election at
    any later date. By the  acceptance of payment of principal or interest after
    its due date,  Mortgagee  does not waive the right either to require  prompt
    payment  when due of all  other  amounts  secured  hereby or to regard as an
    Event of Default the failure to pay any other such  amounts.  No exercise of
    the  rights  and  powers  herein  granted  and no delay or  omission  in the
    exercise of such  rights and powers  shall be held to exhaust the same or be
    construed  as a waiver  thereof,  and  every  such  right  and  power may be
    exercised at any time and from time to time.  All grants,  covenants,  terms
    and conditions  hereof shall bind Mortgagor and all successive owners of the
    Premises.

             Section  4.11  Headings  Descriptive.  The  headings of the several
    sections and subsections of this Mortgage are inserted for convenience  only
    and shall not in any way affect the meaning or construction of any provision
    of this Mortgage.

             SECTION  4.12  WAIVER  OF  TRIAL  BY JURY.  THE  MORTGAGOR  AND THE
    MORTGAGEE WAIVE THE RIGHT TO TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION OR




<PAGE> 31

    PROCEEDING  BASED  UPON,  ARISING  OUT OF OR IN ANY  WAY  CONNECTED  TO THIS
    MORTGAGE.

             Section 4.13  Indemnification.  The Mortgagor agrees to pay, and to
    save,  indemnify  and  keep  the  Mortgagee  and its  respective  directors,
    officers,  employees,  attorneys, experts, and agents harmless from, any and
    all liabilities,  costs and expenses (including,  without limitation,  legal
    fees and  expenses),  losses or damages (i) with  respect  to, or  resulting
    from,  any delay in paying,  any and all excise,  sales or other taxes which
    may be  payable  or  determined  to be  payable  with  respect to any of the
    Mortgaged  Property,  (ii) with respect to, or resulting  from, any delay in
    complying  with any  requirement  of law  applicable to any of the Mortgaged
    Property or (iii) in connection with any of the transactions contemplated by
    this Mortgage,  including the fees and  disbursements  of counsel and of any
    other  experts,  which  Mortgagee  or its  respective  directors,  officers,
    employees, attorneys, experts or agents may incur in connection with (w) the
    administration  or enforcement of this Mortgage,  including such expenses as
    are  incurred  to  preserve  the  value of the  Mortgaged  Property  and the
    validity, perfection, rank and value of any liens granted hereunder, (x) the
    collection,  sale or other disposition of any of the Mortgaged Property, (y)
    the  exercise  by the  Mortgagee  of any of the  rights  conferred  upon  it
    hereunder  or (z) any Default or Event of Default,  but  excluding  any such
    liabilities, costs and expenses, losses or damages incurred solely by reason
    of the gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct  of the party seeking to be
    indemnified  as  determined  by a final  order  or  judgment  of a court  of
    competent jurisdiction.

             Any amount  due  hereunder  which is not paid on demand  shall bear
    interest  at a rate equal to the  Default  Rate and shall be a lien upon the
    Mortgaged Property and shall be secured hereby.

             The  agreements  of the  Mortgagor  contained  in this Section 4.13
    shall survive the payment and performance of the Secured Obligations and the
    termination of the liens and security  interests granted hereby.  All of the
    Mortgagor's obligations to indemnify Mortgagee and its directors,  officers,
    employees,   attorneys,   experts  and  agents   hereunder   shall  (without
    duplication)  be in  addition  to,  and  shall  not  limit in any  way,  the
    Mortgagor's indemnification obligations contained in the Agreement or in any
    other Loan Document.

             Section 4.14 Advances  under the  Agreement.  It is understood  and
    agreed that the funds to be advanced  under this Mortgage are to be advanced
    subject to and in  accordance  with the  provisions of the Agreement and the
    other Loan Documents, and that all sums advanced thereunder or hereunder are
    included within the Secured Obligations secured hereby.

             Section 4.15 Particular State Provisions.  There is at-




<PAGE> 33

    tached  hereto  and  made a part  hereof  Exhibit  B  containing  additional
    provisions that are necessary or appropriate  under the laws of the state in
    which the Mortgaged Property is located or pursuant to the provisions of any
    permitted property liens.

             IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this  Mortgage  has been  duly  executed  by
    Mortgagor as of the day and year first above written.

                                           MORTGAGOR

                                           PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


                                           By:
                                               -------------------------------

                                               Name:
                                                      ------------------------

                                               Title:
                                                      ------------------------



<PAGE> 34







                                    EXHIBIT A

                               DESCRIPTION OF LAND



<PAGE> 35







                                    EXHIBIT B

                              LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS



<PAGE> 1

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
                              --------------------


         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and  entered  into as of August 2, 1996  between
PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  and WILLIAM PARKER
(the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company desires to employ the Executive and the Executive
desires to be employed by the Company on the terms and  conditions  set forth in
this Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants of the parties
herein made, it is hereby agreed:

         1.  Employment  and  Duties.  The Company  hereby  agrees to employ the
             -----------------------
Executive,  and the Executive hereby accepts employment,  to perform such duties
and  responsibilities  of a senior  vice  president  as are,  from time to time,
assigned  to the  Executive  by the  Board of  Directors,  the  Company's  Chief
Executive  Officer  or the  Company's  President/Chief  Operating  Officer.  The
Executive  agrees to devote full  business  time and effort to the  diligent and
faithful  performance  of the  Executive's  duties  under the  direction  of the
President/Chief  Operating  Officer  of the  Company  or such  other  person  as
designated by the Company's  Board of Directors.  Such duties shall be performed
from the Company's principal executive offices in Kansas City, Missouri.

         2.       Compensation.
                  ------------

                  (a) Base Salary. As compensation for the Executive's services,
the Executive  shall be paid a base salary at a minimum  annual rate of $275,000
payable in equal bi-weekly installments,  which salary shall be reviewed and may
be adjusted from time to time at the  discretion of the Board of Directors  (the
"Base Salary");  provided that the Base Salary shall not be less than the amount
stated in this Paragraph 2(a).

                  (b) Incentive  Compensation.  The Executive shall, in addition
to the Base Salary, also be eligible to receive incentive compensation under the
Company's management and executive incentive  compensation program or such other
program or plan for  executive  officers  of the Company as from time to time in
effect and as determined by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors
(the "Incentive  Compensation").  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Executive
will receive a special  incentive  award for the first twelve (12) months of his
employment equal to 33% of his Base Salary ("Special Incentive"),  which will be
allocated and paid in two (2) installments as follows: (i) the first installment
will be in an amount equal to the Special Incentive  multiplied by a


<PAGE> 2

number,  the  numerator  of which will be the number of days the  Executive  was
employed during the Company's 1996 fiscal year and the denominator of which will
be 365 days, said installment to be paid on or before January 31, 1997; (ii) the
second  installment will be in an amount equal to the Special Incentive less the
amount  previously  paid under the  immediately  preceding  subsection (i), said
installment to be paid on or before January 31, 1998; provided, however, that if
Incentive  Compensation is earned and payable for the Company's 1997 fiscal year
under the Company's  management and executive incentive  compensation program in
effect for executive officers of the Company for the Company's 1997 fiscal year,
then the  Executive  will  receive  said  Incentive  Compensation  or the second
installment of the Special Incentive above, whichever is greater but not both.

                  (c)  Other  Benefits.  The  Executive  shall  be  entitled  to
participate  in the  Company's  regular  health,  life,  pension,  vacation  and
disability  plans in accordance with their  respective  terms.  The Company will
also provide  employee  benefits to the Executive in respect of the  Executive's
employment as the Company customarily provides, from time to time, to its senior
officers,  including the Company's Supplemental Retirement Plan dated January 1,
1988, as amended (the  "Supplemental  Retirement  Plan") and other  benefits for
senior officers set forth in Exhibit A hereto. Nothing herein shall be construed
to limit the Company's  discretion to amend,  terminate or otherwise  modify any
such  plans or  benefits  subject  to the  Executive's  rights  under  Paragraph
5(c)(iii) below.

                  (d) Non-Qualified Stock Grant. The Executive is hereby granted
a  non-qualified  stock option on 40,000 shares of the Company's  Class A Common
Stock and 10,000 shares of the Company's  Restricted  Stock,  which stock option
and  restricted  stock will be governed  under the terms and  provisions  of the
stock  option  agreement  attached  hereto as  Exhibit  "B" (the  "Stock  Option
Agreement") and the restricted stock grant agreement  attached hereto as Exhibit
"C" (the  "Restricted  Stock  Grant  Agreement"),  respectively,  except  as may
otherwise be provided in this Agreement.

         3.       Confidentiality and Solicitation Provisions.
                  -------------------------------------------

                  (a) Confidentiality of Proprietary Information.  The Executive
agrees  that,  at all times,  both during the  Executive's  employment  with the
Company and after the  termination  thereof,  the Executive shall not divulge to
any other person, firm or corporation, or in any way use for the Executive's own
benefit,  except as  required  in the  conduct of the  Company's  business or as
authorized  in  writing  on  behalf  of  the  Company,   any  trade  secrets  or
confidential  information (the  "Proprietary  Information")  obtained during the
course  of  the  Executive's   employment  with  the  Company.  The  Proprietary
Information includes, but is not limited to, customer or client lists (including
the names and/or




<PAGE> 3

positions  of persons  employed by such  customers or clients who play a role in
the decisions of such  customers or clients  concerning  products or services of
the type provided by the Company),  financial matters,  inventory techniques and
programs, Company records of accounts, business projections,  Company contracts,
sales or marketing  plans and  strategies,  pricing  information  and  formulas,
matters contained in unpublished records and  correspondence,  planned expansion
programs (including areas of expansion and potential customer lists) and any and
all  information  concerning the business or affairs of the Company which is not
known by or generally  available to the public.  All papers and records of every
kind  relating to the  Proprietary  Information,  including  any such papers and
records which shall at any time come into the possession of the Executive, shall
be the sole and exclusive  property of the Company and shall be  surrendered  to
the Company upon  termination  of the  Executive's  employment for any reason or
upon request by the Company at any time either  during or after the  termination
of such  employment.  All  information  relating to or owned by customers of the
Company of which the Executive becomes aware or with which the Executive becomes
familiar  through the  Executive's  employment  with the  Company  shall be kept
confidential  and not disclosed to others or used by the  Executive  directly or
indirectly except in the course of the Company's business.

                  (b)   Solicitation   Prohibition.   During   the   Executive's
employment  with  the  Company  and for a  period  of one  (1)  year  after  the
termination of the Executive's  employment with the Company for any reason,  the
Executive  shall not directly or  indirectly,  whether as an individual  for the
Executive's   own  account  or  with  any  other  person,   firm,   corporation,
partnership,  joint venture or entity whatsoever,  solicit or endeavor to entice
away from the Company any employee who is or was employed by the Company  during
the period that the  Executive  is employed by the  Company.  Additionally,  the
Executive shall not, during the Executive's employment with the Company or for a
period of one (1) year after the termination of the Executive's  employment with
the Company for any reason directly or indirectly,  through any other individual
or entity  solicit,  entice,  persuade  or induce  any  individual  or entity to
terminate,  reduce or refrain from  renewing or  extending  its  contractual  or
prospective relationship or other relationship with the Company.

                  (c) Definition of "Company".  For the purposes of Paragraph 3,
the term  "Company"  shall mean the  Company  and any of its direct or  indirect
subsidiaries.

         4. Covenant Not to Compete.  During the Executive's employment with the
            -----------------------
Company  and for a  period  of one year  after  termination  of the  Executive's
employment  with the Company if such  termination  is as a result of a voluntary
termination  by the  Executive  under  Paragraph  5(d) or a  termination  by the
Company for Cause under Paragraph 5(b), the Executive agrees not




<PAGE> 4

to engage in or act as an officer or director,  or on an individual  basis as an
employee,   consultant  or  agent,  of  any  other  person,  firm,  corporation,
partnership,  joint  venture or other entity which is engaged in the business of
building materials retailing if the annual sales of such business (including any
related or commonly owned entity on a combined  basis) from the sale of building
materials and all related products and services for the most recently  completed
fiscal year exceeds  $500,000,000.  The foregoing  provisions shall not prohibit
the  Executive  from  investing  in  any  securities  of any  corporation  whose
securities,  or any of them,  are listed on a national  securities  exchange  or
traded in the over-the-counter market if the Executive shall own less than 1% of
the outstanding  voting stock of such  corporation.  The Executive agrees that a
breach  of the  covenants  contained  herein  will  result  in  irreparable  and
continuing  damage to the Company for which there will be no adequate  remedy at
law and in the  event of any  breach of such  agreement,  the  Company  shall be
entitled to injunctive and such other and further relief,  including damages, as
may be proper.

         5.       Termination.
                  -----------

                  (a) Death or Disability. In the event of the Executive's death
or disability as defined in the Company's  disability  plan then in effect,  the
Company's  obligation  to make  further  Base Salary  payments  hereunder  shall
thereupon  terminate.  Execute  shall  be  entitled  to  receive  any  Incentive
Compensation  which  the  Executive  has  earned,  prorated  to the  date of the
termination of the Executive's employment by reason of death or disability,  and
the Executive's  rights to other  compensation  and benefits shall be determined
under the Company's benefit plans and policies  applicable to Company executives
then in effect.

                  (b)  Termination  for Cause by the Company.  By following  the
procedure  set forth in  Paragraph  5(f),  the  Company  shall have the right to
terminate the  employment  of the Executive for "Cause" in the event  Executive:
(i) has committed a significant act of dishonesty, deceit or breach of fiduciary
duty in the performance of the Executive's duties as an employee of the Company;
(ii) grossly  neglected or willfully failed in any way to perform  substantially
the duties of the Executive's employment hereunder, including but not limited to
an act of  insubordination;  (iii)  acted or failed to act in any other way that
reflects materially and adversely upon the Company, including but not limited to
the  Executive's  conviction  of or plea of nolo  contendere  to (A) any  felony
(other than any felony arising out of negligence) or any  misdemeanor  involving
moral turpitude,  or (B) any crime or offense involving  dishonesty with respect
to the Company; or (iv) has knowingly and for the Executive's own benefit failed
to comply with the covenants  contained in Paragraphs 3 or 4 of this  Agreement.
If the employment of the Executive is terminated by the Company for Cause,  this
Agreement and the Company's obligation to make further Base




<PAGE> 5

Salary and Incentive  Compensation payments hereunder shall thereupon terminate.
The Executive's  rights to other  compensation  and benefits shall be determined
under the Company's benefit plans and policies  applicable to Company executives
then in effect.

                  (c) Termination for Good Reason by the Executive. By following
the procedure set forth in Paragraph 5(f), the Executive shall have the right to
terminate the  Executive's  employment with the Company for "Good Reason" in the
event (i) the Executive is not at all times a duly elected senior vice president
of the  Company;  (ii)  there  is any  material  reduction  in the  scope of the
Executive's authority and responsibility (provided, however, in the event of any
illness or injury which disables the Executive from  performing the  Executive's
duties,  the Company may  reassign the  Executive's  duties to one or more other
employees until the Executive is able to perform such duties);  (iii) there is a
reduction in the Executive's  Base Salary below the minimum amount  specified in
Paragraph  2(a) above, a reduction in the percentage of Base Salary which is the
Incentive  Compensation  opportunity of the Executive  under  Paragraph 2(b), an
amendment to the Supplemental Retirement Plan which is materially adverse to the
Executive or a material  reduction in the other  benefits to which the Executive
is  entitled  under  Paragraph  2(c)  above;   (iv)  the  Company  requires  the
Executive's  principal  place  of  employment  to be  anywhere  other  than  the
Company's principal executive offices, or there is a relocation of the Company's
principal executive offices outside of Kansas City, Missouri; or (v) the Company
otherwise  fails  to  perform  its  obligations  under  this  Agreement.  If the
employment of the Executive is terminated by the Executive for Good Reason,  the
Executive  shall be entitled to the  severance  benefits  set forth in Paragraph
5(g) below.

                  (d)  Termination  Without  Cause or Without Good  Reason.  The
Company may terminate the Executive's  employment without Cause at any time, and
in such event the  Executive  shall be entitled to the  severance  benefits  set
forth in Paragraph  5(g) below.  The  Executive  may  voluntarily  terminate the
Executive's  employment  without Good Reason at any time,  and in such event the
Executive's  rights to further Base Salary  payments and Incentive  Compensation
(except  Incentive  Compensation  prorated  to the  date of  termination)  shall
terminate on the effective date of such  resignation and the Executive's  rights
to other  compensation  and benefits  shall be  determined  under the  Company's
benefit plans and policies applicable to Company executives then in effect.

                  (e)  Termination  Upon  Change in  Control.  In the event of a
Change  of  Control  (as  defined  below),   the  Executive  may  terminate  the
Executive's  employment hereunder upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to
the Company;  provided that (i) such notice of termination  under this Paragraph
5(e) must be given,  if at all,  during the sixty (60) day  period,  immediately



<PAGE> 6

following the first  anniversary of the date of the Change of Control,  and (ii)
until the termination of the Executive's  employment  pursuant to this Paragraph
5(e)  (subject to the continued  right of the Executive to terminate  employment
for Good Reason  pursuant to Paragraph 5(c) above) the Executive  shall continue
to perform the Executive's duties and responsibilities under this Agreement.  In
the event the Executive terminates the Executive's employment hereunder pursuant
to this  Paragraph  5(e),  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to the  severance
benefits set forth in Paragraph 5(g) below; provided, however, in the event that
any payment or benefit received or to be received by the Executive in connection
with a termination of the Executive's employment pursuant to this Paragraph 5(e)
(collectively,  the  "Termination  Payments")  would (i) constitute a "parachute
payment"  within the meaning of Section  280G of the  Internal  Revenue  Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code"),  or any similar or successor provision to Section
280G (the "Termination  Parachute  Payments") and (ii) but for this proviso,  be
subject to the excise tax imposed by Section  4999 of the Code or any similar or
successor  provisions to Section 4999 (the "Excise Tax"),  then such Termination
Payments  shall be reduced  to the  largest  amount  which the  Company,  in the
Company's  reasonable  discretion,  determines would result in no portion of the
Termination Parachute Payments being subject to the Excise Tax. The term "Change
in Control" shall occur when and if:

                           (i) any person,  as defined in  Sections  3(a)(9) and
         13(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 (the  "Exchange  Act"),
         becomes the  "beneficial  owner" (as defined in Rule 13d-3  promulgated
         pursuant to the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of
         the Company  having 25% or more of the voting  power in the election of
         directors  of  the  Company,  excluding,  however,  any  person  or  an
         "affiliate"  (as defined in the Exchange Act) of such person who is the
         beneficial  owner of any shares of any class  (preferred  or common) of
         the Company's capital stock on the date hereof; or

                           (ii) the occurrence  within any  twelve-month  period
         while this Agreement is in effect of a change in the Board of Directors
         of the Company with the result that the  Incumbent  Members (as defined
         below)  do  not  constitute  a  majority  of  the  Company's  Board  of
         Directors.  The term "Incumbent  Members" shall mean the members of the
         Board  on the  date  immediately  preceding  the  commencement  of such
         twelve-month  period,  provided  that any  person  becoming  a director
         during  such  twelve-month  period  whose  election or  nomination  for
         election was approved by a majority of the  directors  who, on the date
         of such  election or nomination  for election,  comprised the Incumbent
         Members shall be considered one of the Incumbent  Members in respect of
         such twelve-month period.



<PAGE> 7

                  (f) Notice and Right to Cure. The party proposing to terminate
the  employment of the  Executive for Cause or Good Reason,  as the case may be,
under  Paragraph  5(b) or 5(c)  above  shall give  written  notice to the other,
specifying the reason therefor with particularity.  In the case of a termination
pursuant to  Paragraphs  5(b)(i),  (iii) or (iv), or 5(c)(i),  such  termination
shall be effective  immediately upon delivery of such notice. In the case of any
other  proposed  termination  for Cause or Good Reason,  as the case may be, the
notice shall be given with sufficient particularity so that the other party will
have  an  opportunity  to  correct  any  curable  situation  to  the  reasonable
satisfaction  of the party giving the notice within the period of time specified
in the notice which shall not be less than thirty (30) days. If such  correction
is not so made or the circumstances or situation is such that it is not curable,
the party giving such notice may,  within thirty (30) days after the  expiration
of the time so fixed within which to correct such situation, give written notice
to the other party that the employment is terminated effective forthwith.

                  (g) Severance Benefits. If the Executive's employment with the
Company is terminated by the Company  without  Cause,  by the Executive for Good
Reason  or by the  Executive  after a  Change  of  Control  in  accordance  with
Paragraph 5(e), then the Executive shall be entitled to the following benefits:

                           (i) Base Salary. The Company shall continue to pay to
         the Executive the Executive's  Base Salary when and as such Base Salary
         would  have been  paid for a period of one (1) year  after the date the
         Executive's  employment  with  the  Company  is  terminated,  as if the
         Executive continued to be employed during such period and regardless of
         the death or  disability  of the  Executive  subsequent  to the date of
         termination (the "Severance Period").

                           (ii) Incentive Compensation. If the effective date of
         such termination occurs before Incentive Compensation for any preceding
         fiscal year has been paid,  the Company  shall pay to the Executive the
         amount of the  Executive's  Incentive  Compensation  for the  preceding
         fiscal  year  when  and as it would  have  been  paid if the  Executive
         remained employed by the Company.

                           (iii)  Insurance   Coverage.   During  the  Severance
         Period,  the Company shall provide the Executive with health,  life and
         disability  insurance  substantially  similar  to the  coverage  of the
         benefits which the Executive was receiving or entitled to receive under
         Paragraph 2(c) immediately  prior to the date of termination,  the cost
         of which was paid by the  Company.  Such  insurance  coverage  shall be
         provided to the Executive  for the longer of (A)




<PAGE> 8

         the  Severance  Period,  or (B) the period  during which such  benefits
         would have been provided,  at the Company's  expense,  to the Executive
         under the applicable health, life and disability insurance plans of the
         Company in effect immediately prior to the date of termination.

                           (iv) Stock  Incentives.  All of the Executive's stock
         options and restricted stock grants shall continue to vest or be earned
         and be exercisable in accordance with their  respective terms as if the
         Executive  continued to be employed by the Company during the Severance
         Period  (regardless  of  the  death  or  disability  of  the  Executive
         subsequent to the date of termination of employment).

                           (v) Retirement Benefits.  To the extent that benefits
         under  each  of  the   Company's   pension   plans  and  the  Company's
         Supplemental  Retirement  Plan are  computed on the basis of either the
         salary and benefits paid while in the  Company's  employ or the term of
         the Executive's  employment with the Company,  the benefits payable and
         the Executive's  eligibility therefor shall be determined as though the
         Executive were employed by the Company during the Severance Period.

                           (vi)  Outplacement  Benefits.  The  Company,  at  its
         expense,  will provide to the Executive such  outplacement  benefits as
         would be appropriate  for a senior  officer of a company  substantially
         equivalent in size to the Company in terms of sales, profits, number of
         employees,   geographic  location  and  organizational   structure,  as
         determined  by a national  outplacement  service  provider  selected by
         Company.

                  (h)  Survival  of  Certain  Provisions.   Notwithstanding  any
termination of the Executive's employment with the Company under this Agreement,
the  provisions of  Paragraphs 3 and 4 shall,  to the extent  provided  therein,
survive any such  termination  shall be binding upon the Executive in accordance
with the provisions thereof.

         6.  Arbitration.  The parties  hereby  agree that any  dispute  arising
hereunder  or any claim for  breach or  violation  of any item  hereof  shall be
submitted  to  arbitration  pursuant  to the rules of the  American  Arbitration
Association ("AAA") to a panel of three arbitrators selected by mutual agreement
of the parties or, if the parties do not mutually agree on the  arbitration,  in
accordance with the rules of the AAA. The award determination of the arbitrators
shall be final and binding  upon the  parties  without  right of appeal.  Either
party  shall  have  the  right  to bring an  action  in any  court of  competent



<PAGE> 9

jurisdiction  to enforce this  Paragraph and to enforce any  arbitrators'  award
rendered  pursuant  to  this  Paragraph.   The  venue  for  all  proceedings  in
arbitration  hereunder and for any judicial proceedings related thereof shall be
in Kansas City, Missouri.

         7. Business  Expenses.  The Company  shall  reimburse the Executive for
entertainment  and  travel  expenses  related  to  the  Company's   business  in
accordance  with the  practices of the Company in effect on the date hereof with
respect  to the  Executive,  subject  to the right of the  Company to modify its
general policies  relating to expense  reimbursement for employees to the extent
such  modifications do not materially reduce the extent of reimbursement for the
Executive as in effect on the date hereof.

         8. Severability. If any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be held invalid or unenforceable,  the validity and  enforceability of all
other provisions of this agreement shall not be affected thereby.

         9. Binding  Effect.  This Agreement  shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the personal representatives,  heirs and assigns of Executive and
any successors in interest and assigns of the Company.

        10. Notices.  All notices  required or permitted to be given  hereunder
shall be registered or certified  mail  addressed to the  respective  parties at
their addresses set forth below:

         To the Executive:              William H. Parker
                                        3760 Tyrconnel Trail
                                        West Bloomfield, MI 48323


         To the Company:                Payless Cashways, Inc.
                                        Two Pershing Square
                                        2300 Main, P. O. Box 419466
                                        Kansas City, MO 64141-0466
                                        Attn:  Senior Vice President, General
                                                Counsel and Secretary

or such other address as a party hereto may notify the other in writing.

        12. Applicable Law. This Agreement,  or any portion  thereof,  shall be
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.

        13. Board of  Directors'  Approval.  This  Agreement  will  not  become
effective  until approved by the Company's  Board of Directors and then executed
by both of the parties hereto.



<PAGE> 10


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first written above.

WILLIAM PARKER                     PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


/s/ William H. Parker              By   /s/ David Stanley
- ---------------------------             --------------------------------------
                                        David Stanley, Chairman and Chief
                                        Executive Officer


         Approval of the foregoing  Agreement by the  Compensation  Committee of
the Board of Directors of the Company is hereby confirmed.



                                        /s/ Gary D. Rose
                                        --------------------------------------
                                        Gary D. Rose, Chairman




                                                                 Exhibit 11.1




PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.

COMPUTATION OF PER SHARE EARNINGS (LOSS)
- ----------------------------------------

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                           Thirteen Weeks Ended                Thirty-Nine Weeks Ended
                                                     ------------------------------          ----------------------------
                                                      August 24,       August 26,              August 24,      August 26,
                                                         1996             1995                    1996            1995
                                                     ------------      ------------          ------------      ----------

<S>                                                  <C>               <C>                   <C>               <C>
PRIMARY
- -------

Net Income (Loss)                                    $   (22,878)      $     8,146           $   (24,635)      $   8,895
     Less:
         Preferred stock dividends                        (1,510)           (1,395)               (4,442)         (4,104)
                                                     ------------      ------------          ------------      ----------

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders   $   (24,388)      $     6,751           $   (29,077)      $   4,791
                                                     ------------      ------------          ------------      ----------

Weighted average common and dilutive common
         equivalent shares outstanding                    39,952 (1)        40,116                39,939 (1)      39,969
                                                     ------------      ------------          ------------      ----------


Net income (loss) per common share                   $      (.61)      $       .17           $     (.73)            .12
                                                     ============      ============          ============      ==========



FULLY DILUTED
- -------------

Net Income (Loss)                                    $   (22,878)      $     8,146           $   (24,635)      $   8,895
     Less:
         Preferred stock dividends                        (1,510)           (1,395)               (4,442)         (4,104)
                                                     ------------      ------------          ------------      ----------

Net income (loss) available to common shareholders   $   (24,388)      $     6,751           $   (29,077)      $   4,791
                                                     ------------      ------------          ------------      ----------

Weighted average common and dilutive common
         equivalent shares outstanding                    39,952 (1)        40,116                39,939 (1)      39,969
                                                     ------------      ------------          ------------      ----------


Net income (loss) per common share                   $      (.61)      $       .17           $      (.73)            .12
                                                     ============      ============          ============      ==========






<FN>

(1)  Due to a loss being  incurred for the period,  dilutive  common  equivalent
     shares have not been computed as the resulting  earnings per share would be
     antidilutive.
</TABLE>



<PAGE> 1

                     [Letterhead of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP]

                                                                    EXHIBIT 15.1



                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------


The Board of Directors
Payless Cashways, Inc.:


We have  reviewed the  accompanying  condensed  consolidated  balance  sheets of
Payless Cashways,  Inc. and subsidiary as of August 24, 1996 and August 26, 1995
and the related condensed consolidated statements of operations for the thirteen
and thirty-nine  week periods then ended and cash flows for the thirty-nine week
periods then ended. These condensed  consolidated  financial  statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.

We  conducted  our  reviews in  accordance  with  standards  established  by the
American  Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants.  A  review  of  interim
financial  information consists principally of applying analytical procedures to
financial  data and making  inquiries of persons  responsible  for financial and
accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in
accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the objective of which is
the  expression  of an opinion  regarding the  financial  statements  taken as a
whole.  Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications that should
be made to the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements for them
to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have  previously  audited,  in accordance  with generally  accepted  auditing
standards,  the  consolidated  balance  sheet  of  Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  and
subsidiary  as of November 25, 1995 and the related  consolidated  statements of
operations,  shareholders'  equity and cash flows for the fiscal year then ended
(not presented herein); and in our report dated January 9, 1996, we expressed an
unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In our opinion,
the information set forth in the  accompanying  condensed  consolidated  balance
sheet as of November 25, 1995 is fairly presented,  in all material respects, in
relation to the consolidated balance sheet from which it has been derived.




s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
September 9, 1996




<PAGE> 2

                     [Letterhead of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP]

                                                                    EXHIBIT 15.1



Payless Cashways, Inc.
Kansas City, Missouri

Gentlemen:

With respect to the subject registration statements on Form S-8 and Form S-3, we
acknowledge  our awareness of the use therein of our report dated September 9,
1996 related to our review of interim financial information.

Pursuant to Rule 436(c)  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  such report is not
considered  a part of a  registration  statement  prepared  or  certified  by an
accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning
of Sections 7 and 11 of the Securities Act.





                                                 s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

                                               
Kansas City, Missouri
October 7, 1996



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the August
24, 1996, financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-24-1996
<CASH>                                             166
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     399373
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                453119
<PP&E>                                          788642
<DEPRECIATION>                                  277948
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 1299097
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           341312
<BONDS>                                         611332
                                0
                                      40600
<COMMON>                                           400
<OTHER-SE>                                      243192
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   1299097
<SALES>                                        1932812
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1937411
<CGS>                                          1400372
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1400372
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               44396
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (62852)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (38217)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (24635)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (24635)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                    (.73)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission