PAYLESS CASHWAYS INC
10-K, 1998-02-27
LUMBER & OTHER BUILDING MATERIALS DEALERS
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<PAGE>1

                   SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                        Washington, D.C.  20549
                                FORM 10-K
(Mark One)
/ X /    Annual  report  pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934 [No fee required]

         For the fiscal year ended November 29, 1997
                                        OR
/   /    Transition  report  pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934 [No fee required]

         For the transition period from     ____________to_____________

                       Commission file number 0-4437

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

             Delaware                                           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)

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

                                                     Name of Each Exchange on
  Title of Each Class                                     Which Registered

  Common Stock, $.01 par value                                  None


       Securities registered pursuant to Section 12 (g) of the Act: None

Indicate  by check  mark  whether  the  registrant:  (1) has filed  all  reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of
1934  during  the  preceding  12 months  (or for such  shorter  period  that the
registrant was required to file such reports),  and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES / X / NO / /

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

The aggregate market value of the Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
registrant held by  nonaffiliates  of the registrant as of February 6, 1998, was
$52,745,083.

Indicate  by check mark  whether  the  registrant  has filed all  documents  and
reports  required  to be filed by  Sections  12,  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the  distributions of securities under a plan
confirmed by a court. YES / X / NO / /


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

There were 19,990,509 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value,  outstanding as of
February 6, 1998.

                    DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Portions  of the  Annual  Report  to  Stockholders  for the year  ended
November 29, 1997, are  incorporated  by reference into Part II. Portions of the
Annual Proxy  Statement for the Annual Meeting of  Shareholders to be held April
15, 1998, are incorporated by reference into Part III.



<PAGE>2




                                  PART I
Item 1.  BUSINESS.

General

         Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  ("Payless"  or the  "Company")  is the  fifth
largest  retailer of building  materials  and home  improvement  products in the
United States as measured by sales. The Company operates 164 building  materials
stores in 20 states located in the Midwest, Southwest,  Pacific Coast, and Rocky
Mountain areas under the names of Payless Cashways  Building  Materials,  Furrow
Building  Materials,  Lumberjack  Building  Materials,  Hugh M.  Woods  Building
Materials,  Knox  Lumber,  and  Contractor  Supply.  Each store is designed as a
one-stop  source that provides  customers  with a complete  selection of quality
products  and  services  needed to build,  improve,  and  maintain  their  home,
business, farm or ranch properties. The Company's merchandise assortment in each
store currently averages approximately 31,000 items in the following categories:
lumber  and  building  materials,  millwork,  tools,  hardware,  electrical  and
plumbing products,  paint, lighting, home decor, kitchens,  decorative plumbing,
heating,  ventilating  and  cooling  (HVAC),  and  seasonal  items.  The Company
believes that the combination of a full-line lumberyard,  a broad product mix, a
high  level  of  in-store  customer  assistance  concerning  product  usage  and
installation,  an array of services including credit,  delivery,  estimating and
design services as well as competitive  prices  distinguishes  Payless from many
competitors.

         The   Company's   primary    customers   include    professionals   and
project-oriented  do-it-yourselfers.  Professionals ("Pros") include remodelers,
residential and commercial  contractors,  and specialty  tradespeople as well as
enterprises  which purchase large quantities of building  materials for facility
maintenance,  such as  property  management  firms,  commercial  and  industrial
accounts,  and  government  institutions.   Project-oriented   do-it-yourselfers
("DIY-ers")  are those who engage in more  frequent  and complex  repair or home
improvement  projects and typically  spend in excess of $1,000  annually on home
improvement  products.  Payless  also serves the needs of the moderate and light
DIY-er.  Due to its  product  mix  (especially  the  advantage  provided  by its
full-line  lumberyard) and customer service approach,  the Company believes that
it is positioned to increase business to the professional customer and serve the
project-oriented do-it-yourself customer.


Petition For Relief Under Chapter 11

         While  the  Company  had  sufficient  liquidity  to  fund  its  current
operations,  the operating  performance of the Company during the second quarter
of fiscal 1997, which was well below the Company's expectations,  led management
to conclude  that it was unlikely  that the Company would be able to comply with
the  covenants  contained in its principal  credit  agreements at the end of the
1997 fiscal year. In the course of the Company's  subsequent  negotiations  with
its  senior  lenders to  restructure  its debt and after  considering  all other
alternatives  with  its  financial  adviser,  Houlihan  Lokey  Howard  &  Zukin,
including the sale of the Company and liquidation,  the Company concluded that a
Chapter 11 proceeding  provided the best approach for a comprehensive  financial
restructuring of the Company.  After a decade of dealing with a highly leveraged
balance sheet and with limited capital expenditures, this action was intended to
improve the Company's  competitive  position by establishing a more  appropriate
capital  structure  to operate  the  business  in this  period of  unprecedented
competitive pressure.

         On July 21, 1997, the Company filed a voluntary  petition to reorganize
under  Chapter  11 and filed a plan of  reorganization  for its  emergence  from
Chapter  11 (the  "Plan" or "Plan of  Reorganization")  as well as a  Disclosure
Statement. The Company operated its business as a debtor-in-possession,  subject
to the  jurisdiction  of the Court,  while pursuing its  reorganization  plan to
restructure the Company's  capitalization.  The Chapter 11 filing resulted in an
automatic stay of the  commencement or prosecution of claims against the Company
that arose before the Petition Date.

         The  Disclosure   Statement  and  Plan  were  subsequently  amended  on
September  5, 1997,  and modified on October 9, 1997.  On October 10, 1997,  the
Court determined that the Disclosure Statement contained adequate information to
permit a creditor to make an informed  decision  about the Plan.  The  Company's
impaired  creditors and equity  security  holders  approved the Plan,  the Court
confirmed the Plan on November 19, 1997, and, after the satisfaction of a number
of  conditions,  the Plan  became  effective  December  2, 1997 (the  "Effective
Date").

         Under the Plan, the Company  reincorporated  as a Delaware  corporation
and  canceled  outstanding  shares  of common  and  preferred  stock and  issued
approximately  20,000,000  shares of newly reorganized  Payless  Cashways,  Inc.
common stock (the "New Common Stock"), as described below.

         The Plan  generally  provided for the  following:  (I) The secured bank
group under the existing credit agreement (the "Amended Credit  Agreement"),  on
or prior to the Effective Date,  received (a) payment of accrued interest,  fees
and  expenses,  (b) Net Cash  Proceeds (as defined in the Plan) from the sale of
certain  collateral  securing the Amended Credit Agreement and the collection of


<PAGE>3

certain  promissory notes pledged to the secured bank group, (c) their allocable
portion of $283.1  million of new term  loans and (d)  10,730,671  shares of New
Common Stock (approximately 54% of the shares of the newly reorganized Company),
of which 460,000 shares was distributed to the lenders  providing a $150 million
revolving credit facility to supply post-emergence  working capital financing in
consideration  for their commitment to provide such facility.  See Note D to the
1997 financial statements,  incorporated herein by reference,  for a description
of the term  loans  and the  revolving  credit  facility  (together,  the  "Exit
Financing  Agreement").  (II) On the Effective Date, UBS Mortgage Finance,  Inc.
("UBS"), the holders of notes under an existing mortgage loan received new notes
pursuant to a new mortgage loan.  (III) Unsecured  claims against the Company by
vendors and suppliers for goods  delivered  and services  rendered  prior to the
Petition  Date,  claims in  respect  of the 9-1/8%  senior  subordinated  notes,
contingent  unliquidated claims and claims for damage arising from the rejection
by the  Company  pursuant  to Section 365 of the  Bankruptcy  Code of  executory
contracts and unexpired leases  (collectively,  "General Unsecured Claims") will
receive  their pro rata share of 8,269,329  shares or  approximately  41% of the
shares of the newly  reorganized  Company.  Holders of General  Unsecured Claims
began receiving their first  distribution of shares in partial  satisfaction and
discharge of their allowed  claims on or about  December 15, 1997. The remaining
shares of New Common  Stock are held by a trustee  for future  distributions  to
holders of General  Unsecured  Claims,  pending the final resolution of disputed
claims.  (IV) On the Effective Date, holders of issued and outstanding shares of
existing  preferred stock ("Old Preferred  Stock") received their pro rata share
of 600,000  shares of New Common  Stock  (approximately  3% of the shares of the
newly  reorganized  Company).  (V) Holders of issued and  outstanding  shares of
existing  common stock ("Old Common Stock") will receive their pro rata share of
400,000 shares of New Common Stock  (approximately 2% of the shares of the newly
reorganized Company) upon surrender of their Old Common Stock. In addition,  any
stock options  relating to outstanding  Old Preferred Stock and Old Common Stock
were canceled on the Effective Date.

         Fractional  shares of New Common  Stock will not be issued to creditors
or  stockholders  in connection  with the Plan. In addition,  no distribution of
less than  $5.00 will be made for  fractional  share  interests.  As a result of
these provisions,  many holders of Old Common Stock will receive no distribution
of stock or cash under the Plan.

         On July 21,  1997,  the  Company  also  announced  its plan to close 29
stores  and  to  eliminate  approximately  15%  of the  staff  at the  Company's
headquarters  and  regional   administrative  centers.  The  Court  subsequently
approved  such plan on August 6, 1997.  Because  the  negative  sales  trends of
fiscal 1997  continued  into the first months of fiscal  1998,  the new board of
directors and senior management of the Company  implemented  changes designed to
have an immediate  impact on the  Company's  financial  results.  These  changes
included the  additional  elimination of  approximately  25% of the staff at the
Company's  headquarters and regional  administrative  centers,  including senior
management. The CEO and President positions will be consolidated and the Company
is  conducting  a national  search for a  candidate  to fill this  position.  In
addition, new merchandising and sales initiatives are being implemented, and the
Company has focused on the customer's  experience by assigning a dedicated store
manager to each retail  location.  In the past, a Group Store  Director  oversaw
approximately three stores.


Industry Overview

         Building  materials and home improvement  products are sold through two
distribution  channels --  wholesale  supply  outlets and retail  units.  Retail
distribution  channels  include  neighborhood  hardware  stores,  home  centers,
warehouse  stores,  specialty  stores  (such  as  paint  and  tile  stores)  and
lumberyards.  Although  the  industry  remains  highly  fragmented,  the  retail
distribution   channel  has  consolidated   somewhat  in  the  last  ten  years,
particularly in metropolitan areas.

         In  general   terms,   customers   can  be   characterized   as  either
wholesale-oriented  (professional) or retail-oriented  (consumer).  Purchases by
professionals  tend to be larger in volume and require  specialized  merchandise
assortments,  competitive  market pricing,  superior  lumber quality,  telephone
order placement, commercial credit and job-site delivery. The consumer segments,
as  defined  by the  Company,  include  light  DIY-ers  who spend less than $200
annually on building materials and home improvement  products;  moderate DIY-ers
who make annual purchases of $200 to $1,000;  and  project-oriented  DIY-ers who
make annual purchases in excess of $1,000.



<PAGE>4


Business Strategy

         Objectives

         The Company's principal  objectives are to increase its market share in
the Pro and project-oriented DIY segments primarily through its existing stores,
to maintain its  leadership  role in the industry and to continue to improve its
balance  sheet by  reducing  its debt.  Payless  Cashways  intends  to remain an
industry  leader by targeting  the Pro business as the primary  source of growth
and  by  positioning  the  Company  as the  preferred  alternative  to the  home
improvement  warehouse  shopping  experience.  About half of the Company's  1997
revenues were from sales to the Pro customer and the  remainder  were from sales
to the DIY customer.

         As a national chain, the Company believes it enjoys economies of scale,
buying power and professional  management that the traditional outlets supplying
the professional  commonly do not have. These  advantages,  along with the broad
product  assortment and full service  package,  make the Company  well-suited to
supply the Pro's needs.

         Strategic Initiatives

         The  Company's  new  Board of  Directors  and  senior  management  have
assembled  a team to review the  Company's  competitive  strategy.  The  capital
expenditure  plan has been greatly  reduced for 1998 and is targeted to maximize
returns.  The Company is currently  concentrating  on building  sales  momentum,
lowering  operating  costs,  reducing  unproductive   inventory  and  satisfying
customers by focusing on operational excellence.

         The  team  will   continue  to  review  other   appropriate   strategic
initiatives,  including  the impact and need for further  implementation  of the
items  discussed  below in this section and in the  "Professional  Strategy" and
"DIY Strategy" sections.  The following reflects strategic initiatives that were
underway during fiscal 1997 prior to the recent competitive strategy review.

         The Company had  undertaken  a strategic  review in 1995.  Key findings
from the review  showed  that,  although  many  consumers  prefer the  warehouse
format,  a significant  number prefer the distinctly  different type of shopping
experience offered by Payless Cashways (smaller scale than the warehouse format;
finished,   well-lighted  showrooms;   full-line,  drive-in  lumberyards).   The
Company's  market research  regarding the Pro indicated that,  while the Company
has  established  significant  business  with  this  group,  substantial  growth
opportunity remained.

         As a result of the review,  the Company  determined to better serve DIY
customers  by  increasing  convenience,  service,  and product  assortment  with
particular  emphasis on basic repair and maintenance  products.  The priority in
adding  products is to add those items most likely to produce repeat visits.  In
addition,  focus has been placed on categories with higher margin rates in order
to invest the incremental gross margin in even more competitive pricing.

         The  Company  expects  the  professional  and  commercial  customer  to
continue to be the primary source of growth.  In order to increase  market share
with those  customers,  the  Company  has  planned to  attract  and retain  more
large-volume accounts whose business is not store-based.

         This  approach  was  implemented  in  Phoenix,   AZ,  in  1996  and  in
Cincinnati, OH; Louisville, KY; Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX; and Minneapolis-St.  Paul,
MN, in 1997.

         Manufacturing  capabilities  were  added in  certain  markets to better
serve the needs of  high-volume  professional  customers.  In January 1996,  the
Company  purchased a door and trim  company in  Phoenix,  which  specializes  in
manufacturing  a wide range of custom  doors,  molding and trim products used by
carpenters, homebuilders and remodelers. Also, the Company's existing door plant
in Dallas was expanded to serve the same builder,  remodeler and carpenter needs
that the acquired  door company  serves in Phoenix.  In March 1997,  the Company
acquired a plant in Cincinnati that  specializes in manufactured  house packages
and  building   components  for  the  professional   builder   customer.   These
manufactured items include roof and floor trusses,  open wall panel systems, and
stair systems.  The Company believes that these capabilities help position it to
be the supplier of choice for the large-volume professional.

         Professional Strategy

         The Company believes it is particularly  well suited to serve the needs
of professional  customers. A sales and service staff of approximately 1,200 are
dedicated   to   serving   the   professional   customer.   Professional   sales
representatives  have assigned  customers for whom they provide service tailored
to the customers'  business needs.  Sales  representatives  call on professional


<PAGE>5

customers at their places of business and job sites.  The sales  representatives
have detailed  information  regarding account purchases and the profitability of
their  accounts.  The Company  believes that this level of customer  service and
type of sales  management  system  is  effective  in  increasing  purchases  and
improving  profitability from current professional customers as well as building
customer loyalty.

         Each store has a separate  commercial  sales area for the  professional
customer to use.  These  offices speed the purchase  process for the Pro,  allow
private discussions between customers and their sales representatives, and offer
small  amenities to these customers such as coffee,  ice, and phone access.  The
Company has 82  drive-through  lumberyards  that  significantly  reduce the time
required  to  complete a purchase  and meet the Pros'  requirement  for fast and
efficient service.

         The Company's merchandise  assortment is particularly  appealing to the
Pro.  Preferred brands,  commercial grade items,  contractor packs and extensive
special  order  capabilities  ensure  that the Company  meets the broad  product
requirements  of this  customer  segment.  The Company has  negotiated  purchase
arrangements  with key lumber suppliers that ensure a consistent  source of high
quality lumber.

         The Company  offers a number of special  services  that are tailored to
meet  the  needs of  various  professional  and  commercial  customer  segments.
Delivery  services  include  on-time  job-site  delivery and roof top  delivery.
Credit programs include a full-service  commercial  credit program that provides
job-based billing and other more  sophisticated  credit features.  Additionally,
all  stores  offer  automated  blueprint  estimating  services  featuring  rapid
turnaround. This estimating system utilizes a digitizer that ensures accuracy in
the measurement  process,  and it is fully  integrated into the store's point of
sale  ("POS")  system.  The Company also  supports the Pro with joint  marketing
programs such as its contractor referral database.

         The Company has a national  accounts  program that  targets  businesses
with new construction commercial job sites, often geographically  dispersed, and
major  facilities or multiple  locations which utilize large amounts of building
materials  and  improvement  products  for  facility  maintenance.  The  Company
continues  to  develop  these  accounts  which  represent  multiple   individual
properties  for  which  it  provides  repair  and  maintenance  as  well  as new
construction products.

         Property  management firms are an important  component of the Company's
Pro portfolio.  They provide  non-seasonal repair and maintenance business which
balances business from builders, remodelers and commercial accounts.

         DIY Strategy

         The  Company's  strategy  with the DIY  customer  focuses  primarily on
project-oriented  DIY-ers.  Knowledgeable employees,  high quality products with
brand names,  full-line drive-in lumberyards,  consistent in-stock position, all
the products needed to complete a project and competitive  pricing are important
to the project-oriented DIY customer and have been the foundation upon which the
Company has built its business with these customers.

         Project-oriented DIY-ers are similar to the Pro customer with regard to
the brands  preferred and the  importance of stocking high quality  lumber.  The
Company  believes  that many of the steps it has taken to serve the Pro customer
have also had a positive impact on sales to the project-oriented DIY customer.

         Several additional  components  supporting the DIY strategy include the
following:

         o        Assortment  Additions.  The Company  continues  to upgrade its
assortment  and  displays in product  categories  that  represent a  significant
portion of the purchases by project-oriented  DIY-ers. These upgraded categories
include paint, hardware, tools, plumbing, electrical, millwork, and home decor.

         o        Knowledgeable  Employees.  The Company  launched an initiative
aimed   at  raising  the   level  of  knowledge  of  its   employees.   Training
materials,  certifications  and examinations  were  developed in various product
categories. Employees can become certified and wear a symbol of that achievement
on their name badges.


         o        Delivery  Enhancements.  The   Company  emphasizes  continuous
improvement of its delivery capacity.  This is an element of the service  bundle
that is  key  for  both  project-oriented  DIY-ers and  professionals.  Delivery
tracking systems and tow-behind forklifts contributed to the enhancement of this
service offering.


<PAGE>6

         o        Recognition of Customer Service.   The Company has an employee
recognition  and reward program and incentive  compensation  plans for all store
employees to promote outstanding customer service.  Improved customer service is
intended to  increase  the  average  sales  ticket size and the number of repeat
purchasers.


Merchandising and Marketing

         During 1997,  Payless'  full-line stores sold a broad range of building
material products currently averaging  approximately 31,000 items, many of which
are nationally  advertised  brand-name  items.  Payless  categorizes its product
offerings into the classes described below:

         Lumberyard - Dimensional lumber, plywood,  sidings,  roofing materials,
       fencing materials,  windows, doors and moldings, insulation materials and
       drywall.

         Hardware - Electrical wire and wiring  materials,  plumbing  materials,
       power  and hand  tools,  paint and  painting  supplies,  lawn and  garden
       products, door locks, fasteners, and heating and cooling products.

         Showroom  - Interior  and  exterior  lighting,  bathroom  fixtures  and
       vanities, kitchen cabinets, flooring, paneling, wallcoverings and ceiling
       tiles.

         During the last three fiscal years,  the three product  classifications
accounted for the following percentages of Payless' sales:

                                      1997              1996            1995
                                      ----              ----            ----
           Lumberyard                   51  %            50   %           49  %
           Hardware                     35               35               35
           Showroom                     14               15               16
                                      -----           ------           ------
                                       100  %           100   %          100  %

       Payless   addresses  its  primary  target  customers  through  a  mix  of
newspaper,  targeted  mailings,  and broadcast media  advertising  methods.  The
primary media vehicle is newspaper advertisements, both freestanding inserts and
run-of-press ads.  Additionally,  the Company participates in or hosts a variety
of customer  hospitality  events,  contractor  product shows and national  trade
association   shows  and   conferences.   During  fiscal  1997,   the  Company's
expenditures  (net of vendor  allowances)  on all forms of  advertising  totaled
approximately $28 million or 1.2% of sales.


Store Locations

       The Company's 164 building  materials stores are located in the following
states:

                           Number of Stores

     Arizona...................  8      Missouri..................  8
     California................ 13      Montana...................  1
     Colorado.................. 18      Nebraska..................  5
     Illinois..................  3      Nevada....................  6
     Indiana................... 11      New Mexico................  2
     Iowa...................... 10      Ohio...................... 13
     Kansas.................... 11      Oklahoma..................  6
     Kentucky..................  5      Oregon....................  2
     Louisiana.................  1      Tennessee.................  3
     Minnesota.................  8      Texas..................... 30


       Payless  owns 137 of its  store  facilities  and 128 of the 164  sites on
which such stores are located.  The remaining 27 stores and 36 sites are leased.
Mortgages or deeds of trust on 143 store parcels secure existing indebtedness.

       Payless has generally located retail stores adjacent to residential areas
of  major  metropolitan   cities  or  adjacent  to  major  arteries  in  smaller
communities  that  are  convenient  to the Pro and DIY  customer.  Operation  of
multiple stores in a trade area


<PAGE>7

permits more effective  supervision of stores and provides certain  economies in
distribution  expenses  and  advertising  costs.  Each of Payless'  164 existing
stores has an average total selling space of  approximately  192,000 square feet
consisting of 32,000 square feet of indoor display space and 160,000 square feet
of lumberyard.  In addition,  each store has an average of 52,000 square feet of
warehouse space. The average Payless store occupies approximately eight acres of
land. The stores built since 1993 average  approximately  235,000 square feet of
total retail  selling space  consisting of 58,000 square feet of indoor  display
space and a 177,000 square foot  lumberyard  with an attached 17,000 square foot
warehouse on ten acres of land.

       An average Payless store currently carries  approximately $2.0 million of
inventory,   and  during  fiscal  1997,   sales  at  Payless   stores   averaged
approximately $12.6 million per store.

       During  fiscal  1997,  two stores were opened and 30 stores were  closed.
During fiscal 1996, 14 stores were closed.  During fiscal 1995,  six stores were
opened and two stores were sold.


Store Management and Personnel

       Payless  coordinates the operation of its 164 building  materials  stores
through 12 Area Managers and 164 Store Managers,  each of whom reports  directly
or through an Area Manager to one of four Regional Vice Presidents.  Supervision
and control  over the  individual  stores are  facilitated  by means of detailed
operating reports. All of Payless' Store Managers,  Area Managers,  and Regional
Vice Presidents have been promoted from within Payless or from within the stores
Payless has acquired.

       To obtain  candidates for store  supervisory  and  management  positions,
Payless  hires  both  persons  with  business   experience  and  recent  college
graduates. Employees identified as candidates for store management positions are
placed on formal  development  plans in  preparation  for  these  positions.  In
addition,  Payless  maintains an ongoing  training  program for  existing  store
personnel.  Area Managers and Store Managers  typically have more than ten years
of experience with the Company.

       The  stores  utilize a  departmental  management  structure  designed  to
provide a superior level of service to customers. Sales personnel are trained in
product knowledge,  selling skills and systems and procedures.  Formal classroom
training sessions are supplemented with product clinics and special assignments.

       Incentive  compensation  systems reward  employees for store  performance
above goal. In addition to management personnel, all sales and support personnel
in the retail stores participate in incentive  compensation  programs. In fiscal
1997,  the  Company  paid  $1.7  million  in  incentive   compensation   to  its
non-management store personnel.  Area Managers can earn in excess of 25% of base
salary in incentive compensation and Store Managers can earn in excess of 35% of
base salary in  incentive  compensation.  The Company  paid  approximately  $9.1
million in incentive  compensation to its store management  personnel for fiscal
1997. The Company  believes that its incentive  compensation  systems are key to
employee performance and motivation.


Information Systems

       The Company has invested  substantial  time,  effort and dollars ensuring
that technology and  information are used to the maximum benefit  throughout its
entire enterprise.  In-store-processors  based upon current technology standards
are an integral  part of store  management  and support  customer  services with
programs  designed  to enhance  the  shopping  experience.  Each of the  Company
facilities  transmits daily transaction  detail data including  item-level sales
from point-of-sale  terminals  equipped with the latest in scanning  technology.
This network also serves to provide  automatic check  authorization  and on-line
credit card  processing.  In addition to sales support and data  gathering,  the
Company   has   built merchandising,   inventory   management, distribution  and
promotional  systems which  are  utilized at the  corporate office to manage the
purchasing, movement and marketing of product lines.


Distribution and Suppliers

       The  Company  operates a total of seven  distribution  centers  and three
manufacturing  locations. The distribution centers maintain inventories and ship
product to stores on a weekly basis. The Sedalia, Missouri,  distribution center
handles small-sized, conveyable, high value items such as hardware, plumbing and
electrical  supplies,  and hand tools. The other six distribution centers handle
commodity  products and bulky manufactured  products such as tubs,  paneling and
ceiling tile. The manufacturing locations assemble pre-hung doors and customized
windows.


<PAGE>8

       In fiscal 1997, 49% of merchandise was channeled through the distribution
centers for  redistribution to individual  stores.  This benefits the Company in
the areas of product costs, in-stock positions and inventory turnover.

       The Sedalia distribution center now serves 135 stores. The 592,000 square
foot facility utilizes computerized receiving, storage and selection technology.
Excluding the Sedalia  operation,  the Company's regional  distribution  centers
average 18 acres with 148,000  square feet of warehouse  space,  operating  with
manual storage and selection systems. In addition,  the Company uses third-party
operations for specialized needs.

       Payless purchases substantially all of its merchandise from approximately
3,800  suppliers,  no one of which  accounted  for more than 5% of the Company's
purchases during fiscal 1997.

Credit

       The Company  offers credit to both its DIY and Pro  customers.  Purchases
under national credit cards and the Company's  private-label credit card program
as a percentage of sales represented 28.3% in fiscal 1997, 28.0% in fiscal 1996,
and 27.5% in  fiscal  1995.  Purchases  under the  Company's  commercial  credit
program as a percentage  of sales  represented  32.7% in fiscal  1997,  29.9% in
fiscal  1996,  and 26.5% in fiscal 1995.  A large  finance and asset  management
company  administers  the  Company's   private-label  credit  card  program  and
commercial  credit program.  Accounts written off (net of recoveries)  under the
commercial credit program in fiscal 1997 were approximately $9.8 million or 1.3%
of net  commercial  credit  sales.  The cost of the  private  label  credit card
program  represents  a fixed  percentage  fee of charge  sales.  The fees on the
commercial credit program consist of administrative fees that are primarily tied
to  commercial  credit  sales  and fees for  accounts  written  off,  which  are
substantially all absorbed by the Company.

Competition

       The business of Payless is highly  competitive.  As a result of its focus
on the  professional  customer,  the  Company  competes  with local  independent
lumberyards,  independent wholesalers, supply houses and distributors who market
primarily to commercial and  professional  users. On the consumer side,  Payless
encounters competition from national and regional chains, including those with a
warehouse  format,  and from local  independent  wholesalers,  supply houses and
distributors.  In recent years, the building  materials  retailing  industry has
experienced  increased  levels of  competition as several  national  chains have
expanded their  operations.  Certain of these competitors are larger in terms of
capital  and sales  volume  and have  been  operating  longer  than  Payless  in
particular areas.  Although Payless'  competition  varies by geographical  area,
Payless continues to differentiate  itself from the large warehouse  competitors
by targeting the professional customer and the project-oriented  DIY-er. Payless
offers a full-line lumberyard, a broad mix of high quality products, high levels
of customer service by knowledgeable employees, consistent in-stock position and
competitive pricing.

Employees

       At November 29, 1997,  Payless  employed  approximately  12,800  persons,
approximately  29% who were  part-time,  although  the number of  employees  may
fluctuate seasonally.  Payless believes its employee relations are satisfactory.
Payless' employees are primarily nonunion with less than 3% being represented by
a union.

       A substantial portion of the administrative,  purchasing, advertising and
accounting  functions are  centralized at Payless'  headquarters in Kansas City,
Missouri.

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

       Forward-looking  statements in the  "Business"  section of this Form 10-K
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 the forward-looking
statements  made  above.   Investors  are  cautioned  that  all  forward-looking
statements  involve  risks and  uncertainty.  Among the factors that could cause
actual results to differ materially are the following:  sales levels; competitor
activities;  stability of the sales force;  supplier support;  consumer spending
and debt levels;  interest  rates;  housing  activity,  including  existing home
turnover  and new home  construction;  lumber  prices;  product  mix;  growth of
certain  market  segments;  and an excess of retail space devoted to the sale of
building materials. Additional information concerning these and other factors is
contained in the Company's Annual Report, copies of which are available from the
Company without charge or on the Company's web site, payless.cashways.com.


<PAGE>9


EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

       The following table sets forth the name and age of all executive officers
of Payless and their present positions and recent business experience.  There is
no family relationship among Payless' current directors and executive officers.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Principal Occupation and
                                                                 Five-Year Employment History
                                                                 ----------------------------
Name                      Age
- ----------------------    ---
<S>                       <C>             <C>
Donald E. Roller..........60              Acting Chief Executive Officer of Payless since January 1998; Executive Vice President -
First elected a director:                 North  American  Gypsum  USG  Corporation  from January 1996 to November 1996; and
1997                                      President and Chief Executive Officer of United States Gypsum Company from January 1993 to
                                          November 1996.  Mr. Roller is Chairman  of the  Finance Committee of  the Payless Board of
                                          Directors.

Stanley K. Boyd...........46              Senior Vice  President - Store  Operations  of Payless since June 1997;  Vice  President -
                                          Sales and Marketing of A&I Bolt and Nut from  September  1993 to June 1997;  and President
                                          of Outdoor  Kids,  Inc. from June 1992 to September  1993.  Mr. Boyd was  previously  with
                                          Payless  from  June  1974 to  December
1990.

Robert S. Islinger........42              Senior Vice  President - Marketing  and  Merchandising  of Payless  since  February  1998;
                                          Senior Vice  President  - Marketing  of Payless  from August 1996 to February  1998;  Vice
                                          President - Marketing  of Payless  from August 1994 to August  1996;  and  Operating  Vice
                                          President - Marketing of Service Merchandise Co., Inc. from December 1986 to August 1994.

Richard G. Luse...........50              Senior Vice President -  Finance/Chief  Financial  Officer of Payless since February 1998;
                                          and Vice President - Controller of Payless from February 1988 to February 1998.

Louise R. Iennaccaro......53              Vice  President - Human  Resources of Payless since  February  1998; and Director of Field
                                          Human  Resources  of Payless  from April 1989 to  February  1998.  Ms.  Iennaccaro  joined
                                          Payless in January 1987.
</TABLE>


Item 2.  PROPERTIES.

       Payless  owns 137 of its  store  facilities  and 128 of the 164  sites on
which such stores are  located.  The  remaining 27  facilities  and 36 sites are
leased. The leases provide for various terms. Mortgages or deeds of trust on 143
store parcels secure existing indebtedness.

       Five of the Company's  seven  distribution  centers are owned and, of the
remaining  two, one is leased for land only and the facility and land are leased
for the other.  Mortgages or deeds of trust on five distribution  center parcels
secure existing indebtedness.

       Two of the  Company's  manufacturing  locations  are  owned  and  two are
leased. Mortgages or deeds of trust on two manufacturing parcels secure existing
indebtedness.

       Payless  leases its corporate  office in Kansas City,  Missouri,  under a
lease expiring on December 31, 2002. The  administrative  offices occupy several
floors (approximately 181,000 square feet) of a multi-story building.

       See also "Strategic Initiatives," "Store Locations" and "Distribution and
Suppliers" in Item 1, above.


Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

       On January 6, 1995, a group of terminated  employees and others  ("Former
Employees")  filed a lawsuit against the Company and other named defendants (the
"Company"),  entitled The Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  Partners [et al.] v. Payless
Cashways,  Inc. [et al], in the United  States  District  Court for the Southern
District of Iowa. The Former  Employees  include  management  employees who were
terminated  effective  January 10, 1994, in connection with a reduction in force
pursuant to a restructuring,  in which the Company eliminated certain management
in the field organization.  The complaint asserted a variety of claims including


<PAGE>10

federal and state securities fraud claims,  alleged  violations of the Racketeer
Influenced and Corrupt  Organizations Act ("RICO"),  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 complaint also asserted the
Former Employees' claims as class representatives and sought to expand the group
of party plaintiffs as to the federal age discrimination  claims.  Various forms
of relief,  including unspecified monetary damages and an injunctive order, were
requested.

       The Company, in response, filed a motion to dismiss as to the majority of
the pending claims except the federal and state age  discrimination  claims, the
state  law  fraudulent  misrepresentation  claim  and  several  other  state law
equitable claims.  The Former Employees  responded,  in part, by filing a second
amended complaint and providing,  in large part,  additional  supportive factual
detail.  The Company filed a reply brief in support of the motion to dismiss.  A
ruling has been  entered on the  Company's  motion to dismiss  the  majority  of
pending claims,  substantially  narrowing the Former  Employee's legal claims by
dismissing some age  discrimination  counts,  all federal  securities counts and
RICO  counts  except one each,  and all state law  counts  related to an alleged
partnership.  The plaintiff's motion for class  certification has been denied on
all claims except the age discrimination  claims. The court has recently granted
the plaintiff's  motion for class  certification  of certain age  discrimination
claims. As a result of this ruling,  approximately 20 additional individuals may
choose to  participate  in the age claims  asserted  in this  suit.  Each of the
parties has conducted  discovery  pursuant to the court's  scheduling  order and
discovery  plan. The lawsuit was formally  stayed pursuant to the automatic stay
issued by the Bankruptcy Court following the voluntary Chapter 11 reorganization
filing on July 21, 1997. During the Chapter 11 reorganization, plaintiffs timely
filed proofs of claim,  including a purported  claim on behalf of the  potential
Age Discrimination Employment Act opt-in class, for an aggregate of $37 million.
The case has been returned to the United States  District Court for the Southern
District  of Iowa for  resolution.  Any  recovery  for the  plaintiffs  would be
treated as a general  unsecured claim entitling the plaintiffs to their pro rata
share of 8,269,329 shares of New Common Stock reserved for such claims.

       The  Company  denies  any and all  claimed  liability  and is  vigorously
defending  this  litigation,  but 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.


                                    PART II

Item 5.  MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
         STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

         Market  and  dividend  information,  included  on page 39 of the Annual
Report to  Shareholders  for the  fiscal  year  ended  November  29,  1997,  are
incorporated herein by reference.


Item 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

       The Five-Year Financial Summary, included on page 35 of the Annual Report
to  Shareholders  for the fiscal year ended  November 29, 1997, is  incorporated
herein by reference.


Item 7.  MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND 
         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS.

       Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of the  Financial  Condition  and
Results of  Operations,  included on pages 7 through 13 of the Annual  Report to
Shareholders for the fiscal year ended November 29, 1997, is incorporated herein
by reference.


Item 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.

       Not applicable.


Item 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

       The financial  statements and independent  auditors' report,  included on
pages 14 through 34 of the Annual  Report to  Shareholders  for the fiscal  year
ended November 29, 1997, are incorporated herein by reference.


<PAGE>11

       The Quarterly Consolidated Statements of Operations,  included on pages 5
and 6 of the Annual Report to  Shareholders  for the fiscal year ended  November
29, 1997, are incorporated herein by reference.


Item 9.  CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
         FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

       None.


                                  PART III

Item 10.  DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

       The  information  required  by this item with  respect to  directors  and
compliance  with  Section  16(a)  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934  is
incorporated  herein by reference to the  Registrant's  Proxy  Statement for the
1998 Annual  Meeting of  Shareholders,  dated  February  27,  1998,  to be filed
pursuant to Regulation 14A. The required information as to executive officers is
set forth in Part I hereof.


Item 11.  EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

       The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference
to the Registrant's Proxy Statement for the 1998 Annual Meeting of Shareholders,
dated February 27, 1998, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.


Item 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.

       The  information  called  for by this  item  is  incorporated  herein  by
reference to the  Registrant's  Proxy  Statement for the 1998 Annual  Meeting of
Shareholders, dated February 27, 1998, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.


Item 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

       The  information  called  for by this  item  is  incorporated  herein  by
reference to the  Registrant's  Proxy  Statement for the 1998 Annual  Meeting of
Shareholders, dated February 27, 1998, to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A.


                                                         PART IV

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

(a)  Document list.

1. and 2.     The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate
              section of this report

3.            List of exhibits.

 2.1          First Amended  Plan of  Reorganization,  as  modified  October  9,
              1997 (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  2.1 filed  as part
              of Payless' Quarterly Report on Form  10-Q for the  quarter  ended
              August 30, 1997).

 2.2          Agreement and Plan of Merger in connection with theReincorporation
              from  Iowa to  Delaware  (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 2.2
              filed  as  part  of  Payless'  Current  Report  on  Form 8-K dated
              December 2, 1997).

 3.1          Certificate of Incorporation.(incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              4.1  filed  as  part of Payless' Current Report on  Form 8-K dated
              December 2, 1997).

 3.2          By-laws of the Company  (incorporated by  reference to Exhibit 4.2
              filed  as  part  of  Payless'  Current  Report  on Form  8-K dated
              December 2, 1997).


<PAGE>12

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

 4.1(a)       Amended and  Restated  Credit  Agreement  dated  December 2, 1997,
              among Payless, the Banks listed on the signature pages thereof and
              Canadian   Imperial  Bank  of  Commerce,   New  York  Agency,   as
              Coordinating and Collateral Agent.

 4.1(b)       Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement, dated December
              2, 1997, made by Payless for the benefit of Canadian Imperial Bank
              of  Commerce,  New York Agency,  as  Coordinating  and  Collateral
              Agent, and the banks and other financial institutions party to the
              Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 4.1(c)       Form of Second Mortgage, dated December 2, 1997, given to Canadian
              Imperial Bank of Commerce,  New York Agency,  as Coordinating  and
              Collateral  Agent, and the banks and other financial  institutions
              party to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

 4.1(d)       Form of Second Deed of Trust,  dated  December  2, 1997,  given to
              Canadian   Imperial  Bank  of  Commerce,   New  York  Agency,   as
              Coordinating  and  Collateral  Agent,  and  the  banks  and  other
              financial  institutions  party to the Amended and Restated  Credit
              Agreement.

 4.1(e)       Form of Amended and  Restated  Mortgage,  dated  December 2, 1997,
              given to Canadian  Imperial Bank of Commerce,  New York Agency, as
              Coordinating  and  Collateral  Agent,  and  the  banks  and  other
              financial  institutions  party to the Amended and Restated  Credit
              Agreement.

 4.1(f)       Form of Amended  and  Restated  Deed of Trust,  dated  December 2,
              1997,  given  to  Canadian  Imperial  Bank of  Commerce,  New York
              Agency,  as Coordinating  and Collateral  Agent, and the banks and
              other  financial  institutions  party to the Amended and  Restated
              Credit Agreement.

 4.2(a)       Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated December 2, 1997, by and
              among Payless and UBS Mortgage Finance, Inc.

 4.2(b)       Form  of  Deed  of  Trust,   Mortgage   and   Security   Agreement
              Modification Agreement dated December 2, 1997, between Payless and
              Lasalle National Bank, as trustee for UBS Mortgage Finance, Inc.

 4.2(c)       Consolidated,  Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated December
              2, 1997,  by and among  Payless  and  Lasalle  National  Bank,  as
              trustee for UBS Mortgage Finance, Inc.

10.1          Indemnification  Agreement   (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
              10.2 filed as part of Amendment No.2 to Registration Statement No.
              33-49772 filed August 26, 1992).

10.2(a)*      Payless Cashways, Inc. Corporate Management Incentive Compensation
              Program,  dated as of December 1991  (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit  10.2 filed as part of Payless'  Quarterly  Report on Form
              10-Q for the quarter ended May 30, 1992).

10.2(b)*      First Amendment to Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  Corporate  Management
              Incentive  Compensation  Program,  dated as of  February  2,  1995
              (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit  10.3(b)  filed as part of
              Payless'  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended
              November 26, 1994).

10.3(a)*      Employment  Agreement  dated as of June 16, 1995,  between Payless
              and David Stanley (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed
              as part of Payless'  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
              ended May 27, 1995).

10.3(b)*      Amendment  No. 1 to Employment  Agreement  dated  as of August 20,
              1997, between Payless and David Stanley.

10.4(a)*      Employment Agreement dated as of February 8, 1993, between Payless
              and Susan M. Stanton  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.26
              filed as part of  Registration  Statement No. 33-58008 on Form S-2
              on February 8, 1993).

10.4(b)*      Amendment  No. 1 to Employment  Agreement  dated as of October 17,
              1996,  between  Payless  and  Susan M.  Stanton  (incorporated  by
              reference  to Exhibit  10.4(b)  filed as part of  Payless'  Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 1996).


<PAGE>13


10.4(c)*      Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement dated as of June 30, 1997,
              between Payless and Susan M. Stanton (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit  10.1 filed as part of Payless'  Quarterly  Report on Form
              10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997).

10.4(d)*      Amendment  No. 3 to  Employment Agreement  dated  as of August 20,
              1997, between Payless and Susan M. Stanton.

10.5(a)*      Employment Agreement dated as of February 8, 1993, between Payless
              and Stephen A.  Lightstone  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit
              10.25 filed as part of Registration Statement No. 33-58008 on Form
              S-2 on February 8, 1993).

10.5(b)*      Amendment  No. 1 to Employment  Agreement  dated as of October 17,
              1996,  between Payless and Stephen A. Lightstone  (incorporated by
              reference  to Exhibit  10.5(b)  filed as part of  Payless'  Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 30, 1996).

10.5(c)*      Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement dated as of June 30, 1997,
              between  Payless  and  Stephen  A.  Lightstone   (incorporated  by
              reference  to  Exhibit  10.2 filed as part of  Payless'  Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997).

10.5(d)*      Amendment No. 3  to Employment Agreement  dated  as of  August 20,
              1997, between Payless and Stephen A. Lightstone.

10.6(a)*      Employment Agreement dated as of October 17, 1996, between Payless
              and G. Michael Buchen  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.6
              filed as part of Payless'  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
              ended November 30, 1996).

10.6(b)*      Amendment  No.  1. to  Employment  Agreement  dated as of June 30,
              1997,  between  Payless and G.  Michael  Buchen  (incorporated  by
              reference  to  Exhibit  10.3 filed as part of  Payless'  Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997).

10.6(c)*      Amendment No. 2 to  Employment Agreement  dated  as of  August 20,
              1997, between Payless and G. Michael Buchen.

10.7(a)*      Employment  Agreement dated as of May 8, 1997, between Payless and
              Stanley K. Boyd  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.1 filed
              as part of Payless'  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
              ended May 31, 1997).

10.7(b)*      Amendment  No. 1 to  Employment Agreement dated  as of  August 20,
              1997, between Payless and Stanley K. Boyd.

10.8(a)*      Change in Control  Agreement  dated as of June 26,  1997,  between
              Payless and E. J.  Holland,  Jr.  (incorporated  by  reference  to
              Exhibit  10.5 filed as part of Payless'  Quarterly  Report on Form
              10-Q for the quarter  ended August 30, 1997).

10.8(b)*      Amendment  No. 1 to Executive  Change-In-Control  Agreement  dated
              as of August 20,  1997,  between  Payless and E. J. Holland, Jr.

10.9(a)*      Change in Control  Agreement  dated as of June 26,  1997,  between
              Payless  and Robert S.  Islinger  (incorporated  by  reference  to
              Exhibit  10.6 filed as part of Payless'  Quarterly  Report on Form
              10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997).

10.9(b)*      Amendment No. 1  to Executive  Change-In-Control  Agreement  dated
              as of August 20, 1997,  between Payless and Robert S. Islinger.

10.10(a)*     Change in Control  Agreement  dated as of June 26,  1997,  between
              Payless  and  Richard E.  Nawrot  (incorporated  by  reference  to
              Exhibit  10.4 filed as part of Payless'  Quarterly  Report on Form
              10-Q for the quarter ended August 30, 1997).

10.10(b)*     Amendment No. 1 to Executive  Change-In-Control Agreement dated as
              of August 20, 1997,  between Payless and Richard E. Nawrot.

10.11*        Employment  Agreement dated as of August 2, 1996,  between Payless
              and William H. Parker  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit 10.1
              filed as part of  Payless'  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the
              quarter ended August 24, 1996).


<PAGE>14


10.12*        Retirement  Agreement  dated  as of  November  14,  1993,  between
              Payless and Harold  Cohen  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit
              10.6(c)  filed as part of Payless'  Annual Report on Form 10-K for
              the fiscal year ended November 27, 1993).

10.13(a)*     Payless   Cashways,  Inc.   Supplemental   Death    Benefit   Plan
              (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.12  filed as part of
              Payless' Annual  Report  on  Form 10-K for  the fiscal  year ended
              November 27, 1993).

10.13(b)*     First Amendment to the Payless Cashways,  Inc.  Supplemental Death
              Benefit Plan,  dated June 16, 1994  (incorporated  by reference to
              Exhibit  10.1 filed as part of Payless'  Quarterly  Report on Form
              10-Q for the quarter ended May 28, 1994).

10.14*        Payless Cashways, Inc. Supplemental Disability Plan  (incorporated
              by reference to Exhibit 10.13  filed as part of    Payless' Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended November 27, 1993).

13.1          Annual Report to Shareholders.

27.1          Financial data schedule.

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

Copies of any or all Exhibits will be furnished upon written request and payment
of Payless' reasonable expenses in furnishing the Exhibits.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

     The  Registrant  has filed one report on Form 8-K during the quarter  ended
     November 29, 1997.  The report was dated  November 19, 1997,  and contained
     Item 3, Bankruptcy or  Receivership,  and Item 7, Financial  Statements and
     Exhibits. No financial statements were filed with this report.

(c)  Exhibits.

     The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate  section
of this report.

(d)  Financial Statement Schedules.

     The response to this portion of Item 14 is submitted as a separate  section
of this report.


<PAGE>15


                                   SIGNATURES

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

                               By s/Donald E. Roller
                                  ---------------------------------------------
                                  Donald E. Roller, Principal Executive Officer
Dated:  February 9, 1998

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

              Signature                                     Title                                       Date
=======================================         ====================================              ====================
              <S>                                  <C>                                               <C>

              s/Donald E. Roller
              -------------------------
              Donald E. Roller                     Acting Chief Executive Officer and                February 9, 1998
                                                   Director
                                                   (Principal Executive Officer)

              s/Peter G. Danis
              -------------------------
              Peter G. Danis                       Non-Executive Chairman of the                     February 9, 1998
                                                   Board

              s/David M. Chamberlain
              -------------------------
              David M. Chamberlain                 Director                                          February 9, 1998

              s/H. D. Cleberg
              -------------------------
              H. D. Cleberg                        Director                                          February 9, 1998

              s/David G. Gundling
              -------------------------
              David G. Gundling                    Director                                          February 9, 1998


              -------------------------
              Max D. Hopper                        Director

              s/Peter M. Wood
              -------------------------
              Peter M. Wood                        Director                                          February 9, 1998

              s/Richard G. Luse
              -------------------------
              Richard G. Luse                      Senior Vice President-Finance                     February 9, 1998
                                                   and Chief Financial Officer
                                                   (Principal Financial Officer and
                                                   Principal Accounting Officer)
</TABLE>


<PAGE>16






                           ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K




                       ITEM 14(a) (1) and (2), (c) and (d)



         LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


                                    EXHIBITS

      (Exhibits included in Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange 
              Commission are not reproduced here. See Item 14(a)3.)


                          YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997


                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


                              KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI



<PAGE>17


                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.

                        FORM 10-K--ITEM 14(a) (1) and (2)

         LIST OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES


         The following financial  statements of Payless Cashways,  Inc. included
in Payless'  Annual Report to the  Shareholders  for the year ended November 29,
1997, are incorporated by reference in Item 8:

         Statements  of  Operations--fiscal   years  ended  November  29,  1997,
November 30, 1996, and November 25, 1995.

         Balance Sheets--November 29, 1997, and November 30, 1996.

         Statements  of  Cash  Flows--fiscal  years  ended  November  29,  1997,
November 30, 1996, and November 25, 1995.

         Statements of  Shareholders'  Equity--fiscal  years ended  November 29,
1997, November 30, 1996, and November 25, 1995.

         Notes to Financial Statements.


         The following financial statement schedule of Payless Cashways, Inc. is
included in Item 14(d):

         VIII - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts

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



<PAGE>18


                     [KPMG Peat Marwick LLP Letterhead]








                        INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



     The Board of Directors
     Payless Cashways, Inc.:


     Under date of January  19,  1998,  we  reported  on the  balance  sheets of
     Payless  Cashways,  Inc. as of November 29, 1997 and November 30, 1996, and
     the related statements of operations,  shareholders'  equity and cash flows
     for each of the fiscal years in the  three-year  period ended  November 29,
     1997,  as  contained  in the 1997  annual  report  to  shareholders.  These
     financial  statements and our report thereon are  incorporated by reference
     in the annual  report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 1997.  In connection
     with our audits of the aforementioned financial statements, we also audited
     the related  financial  statement  schedule  as listed in the  accompanying
     index.  This  financial  statement  schedule is the  responsibility  of the
     Company's  management.  Our responsibility is to express an opinion on this
     financial statement schedule based on our audits.

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

     As discussed in Note A to the financial  statements,  the November 29, 1997
     balance sheet reflects the application of fresh-start  reporting as of that
     date and,  therefore,  is not  comparable  in all  respects  to the balance
     sheets of the Company prior to November 29, 1997. As discussed in Note H to
     the  financial  statements,  the Company  adopted  Statement  of  Financial
     Accounting  Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
     Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of," in fiscal 1996.




     s/KPMG Peat Marwick LLP



     Kansas City, Missouri
     January 19, 1998



<PAGE>19



                SCHEDULE VIII - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS

                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
                                 (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

====================================================================================================================================
                        COL. A                         COL. B                COL. C               COL. D                   COL. E
====================================================================================================================================
                                                     Balance at            Charged to                                    Balance at
                                                      beginning             cost and                                       end of
                      Description                     of period             expenses            Deductions                 period
====================================================================================================================================
<S>                                                  <C>                   <C>                   <C>                     <C>
YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997:
              Reserve for Inventory Shrink
              and Obsolescence.................      $  13,604             $  21,960             $  20,533               $  15,031

YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 30, 1996:
              Reserve for Inventory Shrink
              and Obsolescence.................      $  20,354             $  31,840             $  38,590               $  13,604

YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 25, 1995:
              Reserve for Inventory Shrink
              and Obsolescence.................      $  16,661             $  33,108             $  29,415               $  20,354
</TABLE>


<PAGE>1

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of December 2, 1997



                                     HEADING

     AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT,  dated as of December 2, 1997, among
PAYLESS CASHWAYS,  INC., a Delaware  corporation,  as successor by merger to the
Debtor referred to below (the  "Borrower"),  each of the financial  institutions
from time to time party hereto as lenders  (together  with their  successors and
assigns,  the "Lenders"),  the Underwriters (as hereinafter  defined),  CANADIAN
IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE (acting through one or more of its agencies, branches,
or affiliates,  "CIBC"),  as the issuer of standby letters of credit,  U.S. BANK
NATIONAL  ASSOCIATION,  in its capacity as the issuer of documentary  letters of
credit and CIBC, as  coordinating  and collateral  agent (in such capacity,  the
"Agent")  for the Lenders,  the Fronting  Banks (as  hereinafter  defined),  the
Underwriters and the other Secured Parties (as hereinafter defined).

                             INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT

     On July 21, 1997,  Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation,  as debtor
and  debtor-in-possession  (the "Debtor"),  filed a voluntary  petition with the
Bankruptcy Court initiating the Case (as hereinafter  defined) and has continued
in the possession of its assets and in the  management of its business  pursuant
to Sections 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code (as hereinafter defined).

     On  September  5,  1997,  the  Debtor  filed  its  First  Amended  Plan  of
Reorganization with the Bankruptcy Court (as hereinafter  defined),  which First
Amended  Plan of  Reorganization  was  modified  on October 9, 1997 and  further
modified  in the  Confirmation  Order (as  hereinafter  defined)  entered by the
Bankruptcy  Court on November  19,  1997 and on the record at the  hearing  with
respect to the Confirmation  Order. The Plan of  Reorganization  (as hereinafter
defined) contemplates,  inter alia, that the Debtor will merge into the Borrower
on or before the Effective Date (as  hereinafter  defined) and that the Borrower
will obtain  post-Effective Date financing in the maximum amount of $150,000,000
as more fully described below.

     Immediately  prior to the Effective  Date,  the Debtor was obligated to (i)
certain of the Lenders (the  "Pre-Petition  Revolving  Lenders") with respect to
pre-petition  revolving  credit  loans  in the  aggregate  principal  amount  of
$109,386,210.16   (the   "Pre-Petition   Revolving   Loans")   extended  by  the
Pre-Petition  Revolving Lenders and with respect to undrawn pre-petition letters
of credit in the aggregate principal amount of $22,326,553.20 (the "Pre-Petition
Letters of  Credit")  issued  for the  account  of the  Debtor  pursuant  to the
Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement (as  hereinafter  defined),  (ii) certain of the
Lenders (the  "Pre-Petition  Term Lenders" and,  together with the  Pre-Petition
Revolving  Lenders,  the  "Pre-Petition  Lenders") with respect to  pre-petition
"Tranche A" term loans


<PAGE>2


in the aggregate principal amount of $155,509,892.94 (the "Pre-Petition  Tranche
A Term  Loans")  and  pre-petition  "Tranche  B"  term  loans  in the  aggregate
principal amount of $95,432,533.18 (the "Pre-Petition Tranche B Term Loans" and,
together with the  Pre-Petition  Tranche A Term Loans,  the  "Pre-Petition  Term
Loans";  the Pre-Petition Term Loans,  together with the Pre-Petition  Revolving
Loans,  the  "Pre-Petition  Loans")  extended by the  Pre-Petition  Term Lenders
pursuant to the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement, (iii) the Pre-Petition Lenders in
respect of  interest,  fees and all other  obligations  of the Debtor  under the
Pre-Petition Credit Agreement and the other  documentation  relating thereto and
(iv) certain of the Lenders (the "DIP  Lenders")  with respect to  post-petition
revolving credit loans in the aggregate  principal amount of $34,000,000.00 (the
"DIP Revolving  Credit Loans"),  post-petition  standby letters of credit in the
aggregate  principal  amount of  $2,625,000.00  (the  "DIP  Standby  Letters  of
Credit")  extended to or issued for the account of the Debtor and  post-petition
documentary letters of credit in the aggregate principal amount of $6,593,546.78
issued for the  account of the Debtor (the "DIP  Documentary  Letters of Credit"
and  together  with the DIP  Standby  Letters  of  Credit,  the "DIP  Letters of
Credit") pursuant to the DIP Credit Agreement (as hereinafter defined).

     The DIP  Lenders  were  granted  superpriority  administrative  claims  and
superpriority Liens (as hereinafter  defined) on all of the Debtor's assets with
respect to the Debtor's  obligations in respect of the DIP Obligations,  subject
only to  valid  and  perfected  prior  Liens  existing  on the  Filing  Date (as
hereinafter  defined) other than the Liens of the Pre-Petition  Lenders.  On the
Filing Date,  the  Pre-Petition  Loans and  Pre-Petition  Letters of Credit were
secured  by  substantially  all of the  Debtor's  assets  (other  than  the  UBS
Collateral  (as  hereinafter  defined)),   including,  without  limitation,  all
inventory,  vehicles and other  personal  property,  together  with certain real
property,  buildings  and  improvements  and  fixtures,  owned or  leased by the
Debtor,  notes and  capital  stock  owned by the  Debtor  and  proceeds  thereof
(collectively, the "Pre-Petition Collateral"), subject only to certain valid and
perfected  prior Liens  existing as of the Filing Date. In addition,  as part of
the  adequate  protection  ordered by the  Bankruptcy  Court,  the  Pre-Petition
Lenders were granted  Liens on the UBS  Collateral  and on all other  collateral
granted to the DIP  Lenders,  subject only to the  superpriority  administrative
claims and Liens  granted to the DIP Lenders  and to other  valid and  perfected
prior Liens existing on the Filing Date.

     The  Borrower  has  a  commitment  from  the  New  Revolving   Lenders  (as
hereinafter defined),  subject to the terms and conditions hereof, for revolving
credit and letter of credit  facilities in an aggregate  principal amount not to
exceed $150,000,000  (subject to the limitation set forth in Sections 2.1(d) and
(e) and to mandatory and optional reductions in accordance with Sections 2.9 and
2.12).

     The  proceeds of the New  Revolving  Loans will be used to provide  working
capital  for the  Borrower,  and for other  general  corporate  purposes  of the
Borrower, including for Capital Expenditures (as hereinafter defined).

     The New Revolving Lenders have consented to make the financing contemplated
hereby available on the terms and conditions contained herein. The DIP Revolving
Credit  Loans and the DIP  Letters  of  Credit,  together  with a portion of the
Pre-Petition  Revolving  Loans  and  the  Pre-Petition



<PAGE>3


Term Loans, are being restructured as provided hereby,  the Pre-Petition  Credit
Agreement  and the DIP Credit  Agreement are being amended and restated in their
entirety  as herein set forth and the  Pre-Petition  Letters of Credit are being
treated as provided in Section 9.14(c) hereof.

     To provide  security for the repayment of the Loans,  the  reimbursement of
any  draft  drawn  under a  Letter  of  Credit  and  the  payment  of the  other
obligations of the Borrower  hereunder and under the other Loan  Documents,  the
Agent will  receive,  for its benefit and for the  benefit of the  Lenders,  the
Fronting Banks and the  Underwriters,  the following  interests in the following
collateral (as more fully described in the Security Documents, collectively, the
"Collateral"):

     (a) a first perfected Lien on all Pre-Petition Collateral;

     (b) a first  perfected Lien on all property which was  unencumbered  on the
Filing Date or was acquired by the Debtor during the Case and a first  perfected
Lien on  substantially  all  property to be acquired by the  Borrower  after the
Effective  Date;  and

     (c) a perfected Lien on all UBS  Collateral and on the collateral  securing
the  Synthetic  Lease  Obligations  (subject  to the prior  liens of UBS and the
Synthetic Lease Banks with respect  thereto).

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

SECTION 1.          DEFINITIONS.

     Section 1.1.  Defined Terms

     As used in this  Agreement,  the  following  terms shall have the  meanings
specified below:

     "ABR Loan" shall mean any Loan  bearing  interest at a rate  determined  by
reference  to the  Alternate  Base Rate in  accordance  with the  provisions  of
Section 2.4(a) and Section 2.8.

     "Adjusted LIBOR Rate" shall mean, with respect to any Eurodollar  Borrowing
for any  Interest  Period,  an  interest  rate per annum  (rounded  upwards,  if
necessary,  to the next 1/100 of 1%) equal to the quotient of (a) the LIBOR Rate
in effect for such Interest  Period divided by (b) a percentage  (expressed as a
decimal) equal to 100% minus Statutory  Reserves.  For purposes hereof, the term
"LIBOR Rate" shall mean the rate (rounded  upwards,  if  necessary,  to the next
1/100 of 1%) at which dollar deposits approximately equal in principal amount to
such Eurodollar  Borrowing and for a maturity comparable to such Interest Period
are offered to the principal London office of the Agent in immediately available
funds in the London interbank market at approximately  11:00 a.m.,  London time,
two Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest Period.



<PAGE>4


     "Affiliate" shall mean, as to any Person, any other Person which,  directly
or  indirectly,  is in control of, is controlled  by, or is under common control
with such  Person.  For  purposes of this  definition,  a Person (a  "Controlled
Person")  shall be deemed to be "controlled  by" another Person (a  "Controlling
Person") if the Controlling Person possesses,  directly or indirectly,  power to
direct or cause the direction of the  management  and policies of the Controlled
Person whether by contract or otherwise.

     "After-Acquired Property" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.11.

     "Agent" shall have the meaning set forth in the Heading.

     "Agreement" shall mean this Amended and Restated Credit  Agreement,  as the
same may be amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented or otherwise  modified
from time to time.

     "Alternate  Base Rate" shall  mean,  for any day, a rate 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 in
effect  on such day plus 1/2 of 1%.  If for any  reason  the  Agent  shall  have
determined (which  determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that
it is unable to ascertain the Federal  Funds Rate for any reason,  including the
inability or failure of the Agent to obtain sufficient  quotations in accordance
with the terms  hereof,  the  Alternate  Base Rate shall be  determined  without
regard  to  clause  (b) of the  first  sentence  of this  definition,  until the
circumstances  giving rise to such inability no longer exist.  Any change in the
Alternate  Base Rate due to a change in CIBC's  base rate or the  Federal  Funds
Rate shall be effective on the effective date of such change in CIBC's base rate
or the Federal Funds Rate, respectively.

     "Annual Budget" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.1(f).

     "Application"  shall  mean an  application,  in such  form as the  relevant
Fronting  Bank may  specify  from time to time (a  current  form of the  Standby
Letter of Credit  Application is attached  hereto as Exhibit J-1 or, in the case
of the Unsupported Trade Standby Letter of Credit, Exhibit J-2), requesting such
Fronting Bank to open a Letter of Credit,  as such  application  may be amended,
modified or supplemented from time to time.

     "Approved  Purposes"  shall  mean,  in the case of  Documentary  Letters of
Credit,  Inventory purchases or such other purposes as are reasonably acceptable
to the Agent and the relevant  Fronting Bank, it being  understood that issuance
of a  Documentary  Letter of Credit in favor of a single  beneficiary  acting as
agent for other trade creditors is not an Approved Purpose.

     "Assignment  and  Acceptance"  shall mean an assignment and acceptance by a
Lender  and an  Eligible  Assignee,  accepted  by the Agent and agreed to by the
Borrower to the extent required by Section 9.3(b),  substantially in the form of
Exhibit P.



<PAGE>5

     "Available Property" shall mean all real property, buildings,  improvements
and  fixtures  owned or leased by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  which are not
subject to a Lien as of the Effective Date,  after  recordation of the Mortgages
delivered  on such  date.  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 Effective  Date,  become,
after the Effective Date,  unencumbered by the Lien of the Colorado Mortgages or
such other Lien as the case may be, 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 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 after the Effective Date shall be considered  Available Property if the
subject lease does not prohibit the granting to the Agent of a Mortgage.

     "Bankruptcy  Code"  shall  mean  The  Bankruptcy  Reform  Act of  1978,  as
heretofore and hereafter amended, and codified as 11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.

     "Bankruptcy  Court" shall mean the United States  Bankruptcy  Court for the
Western  District of Missouri or any other court  having  jurisdiction  over the
Case from time to time.

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

     "Board" shall mean the Board of Governors of the Federal  Reserve System of
the United States.

     "Borrower" shall have the meaning set forth in the Heading.

     "Borrowing"  shall mean the  incurrence or refinancing of Loans of a single
Type made from all the New  Revolving  Lenders or the New Term  Lenders,  as the
case may be, on a single date and having,  in the case of  Eurodollar  Loans,  a
single  Interest  Period (with any ABR Loan made  pursuant to Section 2.15 being
considered a part of the related Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans).

     "Business  Day" shall mean any day other than a  Saturday,  Sunday or other
day on which banks in New York City are required or permitted to close (and, for
a Letter of Credit, other than a day on which the relevant Fronting Bank issuing
such Letter of Credit is required or  permitted  to close);  provided,  however,
that when used in connection  with a Eurodollar  Loan,  the term  "Business Day"
shall also  exclude any day on which  banks are not open for  dealings in dollar
deposits in the London interbank market.



<PAGE>6


     "Business  Plan"  shall  mean  the  revised  financial  projections  of the
Borrower, dated on or about June 27, 1997.

     "Capital Expenditures" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.4.

     "Capco Subleases" shall mean those twelve certain Sublease Agreements, each
dated as of September 1, 1982, as amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified
prior to and in effect on the Filing Date, 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
pursuant to twelve Master Lease Agreements  between Paycap and Capco, each dated
as of September 1, 1982.

     "Capitalized  Lease"  shall mean,  as applied to any  Person,  any lease of
property by such Person as lessee which would be  capitalized on a balance sheet
of such Person prepared in accordance with GAAP.

     "Case"  shall mean the Chapter 11 Case of the Debtor  commenced on July 21,
1997 in the Bankruptcy Court.

     "Cash Management  Agreements" shall mean the  documentation  evidencing the
cash management arrangements between the Cash Management Banks and the Borrower,
as in effect on and immediately prior to the Effective Date.

     "Cash  Management  Banks"  shall  mean Bank of America  National  Trust and
Savings  Association,  NationsBank of Texas,  N.A.,  Nationsbank  N.A. and First
Bank, and their respective  Affiliates,  if applicable,  each in its capacity as
the holder of Cash  Management  Obligations  for so long as it shall continue to
hold  such  Obligations  and any  other  Lender  which  provides  additional  or
replacement  cash  management  services to the Borrower on terms and  conditions
satisfactory to the Agent in its judgment reasonably exercised.

     "Cash Management Obligations" shall mean the obligations of the Borrower to
reimburse  each  of  the  Cash  Management   Banks  in  respect  of  overdrafts,
uncollected  funds,  returned  items and  reasonable  related  expenses  arising
pursuant to cash  management  arrangements  as in effect on the Effective  Date,
with such changes in such  arrangements  subsequent to the Effective Date as may
be acceptable to the relevant Cash  Management  Bank in its judgment  reasonably
exercised.

     "Change of Control"  shall mean 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,  after the Effective Date,  shall
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  Voting  Shares of the
Borrower;  or (y) any Person or any Group,



<PAGE>7


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 (other than nominees  elected to the Board of Directors of the Borrower
pursuant  to the Plan of  Reorganization)  such that such  nominees  so  elected
(whether new or  continuing  as  directors)  shall  constitute a majority of the
Board of Directors of the Borrower.

     "CIBC" shall have the meaning set forth in the Heading.

     "CIBC  Oppenheimer"  shall mean CIBC Oppenheimer  Corp.,  formerly known as
Wood Gundy Securities Corp.

     "Closing   Certificate"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in  Section
4.1(a)(iv).

     "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

     "Collateral"   shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in  the  Introductory
Statement.

     "Colorado Mortgages" shall mean, collectively, that certain Mortgage, dated
as of August 8, 1979, between Brookhart's,  Inc. and Southwestern Life Insurance
Company (as assumed by the Debtor on July 28, 1982) and that  certain  Mortgage,
dated as of August 31, 1982,  between the Debtor and Brookhart's,  Inc., each as
amended,  supplemented or otherwise  modified from time to time prior to, and in
effect on, the Filing Date.

     "Commitment"  shall mean,  with respect to each New Revolving  Lender,  its
commitment to make New Revolving Loans and purchase  Participating  Interests in
Letters  of Credit  in the  aggregate  amount  set  forth  opposite  its name on
Schedule 1.1(a) hereto or as may  subsequently be set forth in the Register from
time to time,  as the same may be reduced from time to time pursuant to Sections
2.9 and 2.12.

     "Commitment Fee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.19.

     "Commitment  Letter" shall mean that certain Commitment Letter,  dated July
17, 1997, among the Agent, the Underwriters and the Debtor.

     "Commitment  Percentage"  shall mean at any time,  with respect to each New
Revolving  Lender,  the  percentage  obtained by dividing its Commitment at such
time by the Total Commitments at such time.

     "Confirmation Order" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(c).

     "Consolidated  Subsidiary" shall mean, 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


     "Credit Card Banks" shall mean General  Electric  Capital  Corporation  and
Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia.

     "Debt" of any Person shall mean, 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  Capitalized
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  owned,  used or  operated  by such  Person,  whether  or not such Debt is
assumed  by such  Person,  (vi) all Debt of others  Guaranteed  by such  Person,
directly  or  indirectly,  or by an  instrument  having the  effect of  assuring
another's  payment or  performance  of any Debt,  (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.

     "Debt for  Borrowed  Money" of any Person shall mean Debt of such Person of
the type  described in clauses (i) and (ii) of the  definition of "Debt" in this
Section  and Debt of such type of another  Person  which is  Guaranteed  by such
Person.

     "Debt to  EBITDA  Ratio"  shall  mean,  at any  time,  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 to (ii) EBITDA for the four  consecutive  fiscal  quarters most recently
ended.

     "Default" shall mean any condition or event which would, with the giving of
notice or lapse of time or both, become an Event of Default.

     "Defaulting  Lender"  shall mean,  at any time,  any Lender which shall not
have  theretofore  made available to (i) the Agent its pro rata share of a given
Borrowing in accordance with Section 2.2(b), (ii) the Agent its pro rata portion
of any  amounts  payable  pursuant  to Section  8.6 for which  payment  has been
requested more than forty-five days prior thereto, (iii) CIBC its pro rata share
of a given  obligation to reimburse CIBC pursuant to Section 9.14(c) or (iv) any
Fronting  Bank or the  Agent,  as the case may be, its pro rata share of a given
obligation  to reimburse  such  Fronting  Bank or the Agent  pursuant to Section
2.2(c) or 2.5(f).



<PAGE>9


     "Designated Collateral" shall mean (i) any Inventory at any time located at
the 29 stores  closed  pursuant to the Business  Plan on or after the  Effective
Date, (ii) the real estate interests at 9 of such closed stores (and the 7 other
properties  currently  held for sale) and any related  fixtures,  equipment  and
vehicles  (except items having an aggregate book value of not more than $600,000
which are  transferred by the Borrower to other stores for use in its business),
(iii) any tax refunds, including,  without limitation,  those resulting from the
Small  Business Job Retention Act of 1996 and filed for by the Debtor on October
9, 1996 and those resulting from  carrybacks of net operating  losses for fiscal
year 1997 and (iv) any other assets which the Borrower  determines are no longer
useful in its business, including, without limitation, the real estate interests
with respect to any  additional  stores which the Borrower  determines to close,
together  with the  Inventory  located in such stores and any related  fixtures,
equipment and vehicles.

     "DIP Agent" shall mean CIBC, as coordinating and collateral agent under the
DIP Credit Agreement.

     "DIP Credit  Agreement" shall mean that certain Revolving Credit Agreement,
dated  as  of  July  21,  1997,  among  the  Borrower,   the  DIP  Lenders,  the
Underwriters,  the Fronting Banks and CIBC, as coordinating and collateral agent
for the DIP  Lenders,  the  Fronting  Banks and the  Underwriters,  as  amended,
modified and supplemented from time to time.

     "DIP Documentary Letters of Credit" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Introductory Statement.

     "DIP  Financing  Order"  shall  mean the  orders  of the  Bankruptcy  Court
authorizing the Debtor to enter into the DIP Credit Agreement,  including orders
filed on July 21, 1997 and August 20, 1997.

     "DIP Fronting Banks" shall mean CIBC and First Bank in their  capacities as
"Fronting Banks", under the DIP Credit Agreement.

     "DIP  Lenders"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in the  Introductory
Statement.

     "DIP  Letters  of  Credit"   shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in  the
Introductory Statement.

     "DIP Obligations"  shall mean (a) the due and punctual payment of principal
of and  interest on DIP  Revolving  Credit  Loans and the  reimbursement  of all
amounts  drawn  under the DIP  Letters of Credit,  and (b) the due and  punctual
payment of all other  present  and future,  fixed or  contingent,  monetary  and
performance  obligations  of the Borrower to the DIP  Lenders,  the DIP Fronting
Banks, the Underwriters and the DIP Agent under the DIP Credit Agreement.

     "DIP  Revolving  Credit  Loans"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in the
Introductory Statement.

     "DIP  Standby  Letters of Credit"  shall have the  meaning set forth in the
Introductory Statement.


<PAGE>10


     "Disclosure  Statement" shall mean the Borrower's First Amended  Disclosure
Statement,  filed by the Debtor in the Case on September 5, 1997, as modified on
October 9, 1997.

     "Documentary Letter of Credit" shall mean a documentary letter of credit in
form and substance customarily issued by the relevant Fronting Bank from time to
time.

     "Documentary  Letter of Credit  Fronting Bank" shall mean any Fronting Bank
which  has  issued  or has  committed  to issue  Documentary  Letters  of Credit
hereunder.

     "Documentary  Letter of Credit  Outstandings"  shall mean, at any time, the
sum of (i) the aggregate  undrawn  stated amount of all  Documentary  Letters of
Credit  then  outstanding  plus  (ii)  all  amounts   theretofore   drawn  under
Documentary Letters of Credit and not then reimbursed.

     "Documentary Reserve" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.5(a).

     "Dollars" and "$" shall mean lawful money of the United States of America.

     "Domestic  Lending  Office" shall mean  initially,  as to each Lender,  its
office designated on the signature pages to this Agreement, and thereafter, upon
notice to the Borrower and the Agent,  such other office of such Lender, if any,
which shall be making or maintaining ABR Loans.

     "Dual Path Capital  Expenditures"  shall mean capital  expenditures made or
accrued in connection  with the Business  Plan (or in connection  with any other
strategic initiatives  undertaken by the Borrower with the approval of the board
of directors of the  Borrower)  and  identified  as such in Section 6.4 (as such
amounts may be reduced from time to time).

     "EBITDA" shall mean, for any period,  the  consolidated  net income (or net
loss) of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries for such period before
deduction of "Chapter 11 expenses" (or "administrative costs" reflecting Chapter
11 expenses) (excluding extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring gains and losses
or  (without   duplication)  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 period to the
extent deducted in determining such consolidated net income, all as shown on the
consolidated   statement  of  income  for  the  Borrower  and  its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries for such period.

     "Effective  Date"  shall  mean the  first  Business  Day  after  which  the
Confirmation  Order  shall  have  become a Final  Order and on which each of the
conditions  set forth in  Section  4.1 shall  have been  satisfied  or waived in
accordance  with the terms  hereof,  which  Effective  Date  shall be as soon as
practicable,  but in no event later than  December  31,  1997,  unless such date
shall have been  extended  in writing by the Agent,  the  Required  Pre-Petition
Lenders and all of the DIP Lenders.


<PAGE>11


     "Eligible Assignee" shall mean (i) a commercial bank having total assets in
excess of $1,500,000,000 and (ii) a finance company,  insurance company or other
financial  institution or fund, in each case  acceptable to the Agent,  which in
the  ordinary  course of business  extends  credit of the type  evidenced by the
Notes and has total  assets in excess  of  $250,000,000  and whose  becoming  an
assignee  would not  constitute a prohibited  transaction  under Section 4975 of
ERISA.

     "Environmental Law" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.15(d).

     "Environmental  Lien"  shall  mean  a Lien  in  favor  of any  Governmental
Authority for (i) any  liability  under any  Environmental  Law, or (ii) damages
arising from or costs incurred by such  Governmental  Authority in response to a
release or threatened release of a Hazardous Substance into the environment.

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

     "ERISA  Affiliate"  shall  mean  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  within the meaning of
Section 414(b) or (c) of the Code and the  regulations  promulgated  and rulings
issued thereunder.

     "ERISA Event" shall mean (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 or a Single 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 a Single  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.

     "Eurocurrency  Liabilities"  shall  have the  meaning  assigned  thereto in
Regulation D issued by the Board, as in effect from time to time.



<PAGE>12


     "Eurodollar  Borrowing"  shall mean a  Borrowing  comprised  of  Eurodollar
Loans.

     "Eurodollar Loan" shall mean any Loan bearing interest at a rate determined
by reference to the Adjusted  LIBOR Rate in  accordance  with the  provisions of
Section 2.4(b) and Section 2.8.

     "Eurodollar  Lending Office" shall mean,  initially as to each Lender,  its
office,  designated  on the  signature  pages to this  Agreement  or such  other
office,  branch or Affiliate of such Lender as it may hereafter designate as its
Eurodollar Lending Office by notice to the Borrower and the Agent.

     "Event of Default" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 7.1.

     "Excess Cash Flow" shall mean, for any fiscal year, the sum for such fiscal
year (without  duplication)  of (i) EBITDA of the Borrower and its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries  for such  fiscal  year,  plus (ii)  non-cash  charges  deducted in
arriving at such EBITDA for such fiscal year,  plus (iii) the aggregate Net Cash
Proceeds  of the sale,  lease,  transfer or other  disposition  of assets by the
Borrower or by its Consolidated Subsidiaries during such fiscal year (other than
sales of Inventory in the ordinary course of business) to the extent not applied
to the  mandatory  prepayment  or  payment  of 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 fiscal year (other than Debt  described  in clauses (i) through (iv) of the
definition of "Debt" contained in this Section), less (v) 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 fiscal
year, less (vi) the aggregate amount of taxes paid in cash by the Borrower or by
its Consolidated  Subsidiaries during such fiscal year, less (vii) the aggregate
amount  of  Capital  Expenditures  of  the  Borrower  and  of  its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries  made during such fiscal year or  permitted  to be carried  forward
into the next  fiscal year  pursuant  to Section  6.4 (less any amounts  carried
forward from prior years to the extent not expended in the current  year),  less
(viii) an amount equal to the sum of all  regularly  scheduled  payments and any
mandatory or permitted optional prepayments of principal on all Debt of the type
described in clauses (i) through (iv) of the  definition of "Debt"  contained in
this Section of the Borrower and of its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  (other than
prepayments  on the  New  Revolving  Loans  to the  extent  not  accompanied  by
commensurate  permanent  Commitment  reductions  hereunder) actually made during
such fiscal year to the extent permitted  hereunder,  less (ix) interest paid by
the Borrower or by its Consolidated  Subsidiaries  during such fiscal year, less
(x) any gains (or plus any losses)  arising  from the sale,  lease,  transfer or
other disposition of assets by the Borrower or by its Consolidated  Subsidiaries
during such fiscal year to the extent  included in EBITDA for such fiscal  year.
Excess Cash Flow shall be  calculated  by  reference  to the  audited  financial
statements  referred to in Section  5.1(a),  and such  calculation  shall be set
forth in the Excess Cash Flow Certificate.

     "Excess Cash Flow Certificate"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section
2.12(d).

     "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.



<PAGE>13

     "Existing Agreements" shall mean the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement, the DIP
Credit Agreement, each of the other agreements listed on Schedule 1.1(b) hereto,
the notes  delivered  pursuant  thereto,  and all of the  agreements and the DIP
Financing  Order  granting Liens on Property and other assets of the Borrower to
the Lenders, including without limitation,  the security agreements,  mortgages,
deeds of trust and leasehold mortgages listed on Schedule 1.1(b) hereto, as each
may have been amended, amended and restated,  modified or supplemented from time
to time.

     "Federal  Funds Rate" shall mean,  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 Business Day, for the next  preceding  Business Day) by the
Federal  Reserve Bank of New York,  or, if such rate is not so published for any
day which is a Business Day, the average of the  quotations for such day on such
transactions  received  by  the  Agent  from  three  Federal  funds  brokers  of
recognized standing selected by it.

     "Fees"  shall mean,  collectively,  the  Commitment  Fees and the Letter of
Credit Fees, together with the other fees referred to in Section 2.18.

     "Fee  Letter"  shall mean the fee letter,  dated July 17,  1997,  among the
Debtor,  the Agent, the Underwriters and the New Revolving  Lenders with respect
to certain fees, as the same may be amended,  modified or supplemented from time
to time by a written instrument executed by the relevant parties thereto.

     "FIFO Value" shall mean, 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.

     "Filing Date" shall mean July 21, 1997.

     "Final  Order" shall mean an order or judgment of the  Bankruptcy  Court as
entered on the docket as to which the time to appeal or petition for  certiorari
has expired and as to which no appeal or petition for certiorari has been timely
filed,  or as to which any appeal or petition for certiorari that has been filed
has been  resolved  by the  highest  court to which such order or  judgment  was
timely appealed or from which certiorari was sought.

     "Financial Officer" shall mean the Chief Financial Officer,  Vice President
Finance or the Treasurer of the Borrower.

     "First Bank" shall mean U.S. Bank National Association, successor by merger
to First Bank National Association.

     "Fronting  Banks" shall mean (i) with respect to Standby Letters of Credit,
CIBC and (ii) with respect to Documentary Letters of Credit,  First Bank; or, in
each  case,   such  other  Lender  or  Lenders  or  financial   institutions  or
institutions (which other financial  institution or institutions shall have been



<PAGE>14

chosen by the Borrower with the approval of the Agent and the Majority Revolving
Lenders) as may agree to act as such.

     "GAAP" shall mean generally  accepted  accounting  principles  applied on a
basis consistent with those used in preparing the financial  statements referred
to in Section 3.4.

     "GE Credit Program  Documents" shall mean (a) the Monogram Credit Card Bank
of Georgia Program  Agreement,  dated as of July 20, 1997,  between the Borrower
and  Monogram  Credit Card Bank of Georgia,  as such  agreement  has been or may
hereafter be amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented or otherwise 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  (including,  without limitation,  Section 5.9); and
(b) the Commercial Credit Account Purchase and Service Program Agreement,  dated
as of  July  20,  1997,  between  the  Borrower  and  General  Electric  Capital
Corporation,  as such  agreement may hereafter be further  amended,  amended and
restated,  supplemented  or otherwise  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" shall mean any Federal, state, municipal or other
governmental department, commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality or
any court, in each case whether of the United States or foreign.

     "Group"  shall mean 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  (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 Substances" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.15(d).

     "Hedging Agreement" shall mean that certain ISDA Master Agreement, dated as
of May 22,  1995,  between  CIBC and the  Debtor,  together  with all  Schedules
executed in connection  therewith,  as assumed by the Debtor pursuant to the DIP
Credit Agreement and by the Borrower upon the merger of the Debtor with and into
the  Borrower  as in effect on the  Effective  Date,  as  amended,  amended  and
restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.



<PAGE>15


     "Hedging Bank" shall mean CIBC in its capacity as Party A under the Hedging
Agreement and any other Lender or other  counterparty  reasonably  acceptable to
the Agent and the Majority  Revolving  Lenders  which enters into  interest rate
protection or hedging arrangements with the Borrower which are permitted by this
Agreement.

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

     "Indemnified Party" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.6.

     "Insufficiency"  shall mean, with respect to any Plan, the amount,  if any,
of its unfunded benefit liabilities within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(18) of
ERISA.

     "Interest  Payment Date" shall mean (i) as to any Eurodollar Loan, the last
calendar  day of each month  during each  Interest  Period with  respect to such
Eurodollar  Loan and the last day of each such Interest  Period,  and (ii) as to
all ABR Loans, the last calendar day of each month and the date on which any ABR
Loans are refinanced with Eurodollar Loans pursuant to Section 2.11.

     "Interest  Period" shall mean, as to any Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans, the
period  commencing  on the date of such  Borrowing  (including  as a result of a
refinancing  of ABR Loans) or on the last day of the preceding  Interest  Period
applicable to such Borrowing and ending on the numerically corresponding day (or
if there is no corresponding day, the last day) in the calendar month that is 1,
2, 3 or 6 months  thereafter,  as the Borrower  may elect in the related  notice
delivered pursuant to Sections 2.2(b) or 2.11;  provided,  however,  that (i) if
any Interest  Period would end on a day which shall not be a Business  Day, such
Interest  Period  shall be extended to the next  succeeding  Business Day unless
such next  succeeding  Business Day would fall in the next  calendar  month,  in
which case such Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day and
(ii) no Interest  Period shall end later than the Maturity Date for the Loans to
which such Interest Period relates.

     "Inventory"  shall mean all goods and  merchandise  now owned or  hereafter
acquired by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries  (wherever located,  whether
in the possession of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or of a bailee or
other  person for sale,  storage,  transit,  processing,  use or  otherwise  and
whether consisting of whole goods, components,  supplies, materials, returned or
repossessed  goods or goods consigned by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
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 business of
the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or  processed  by or on behalf of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, but expressly excluding inventory consigned
to the Borrower or its Subsidiaries by third parties.

     "Inventory  Compliance  Certificate"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in
Section 5.1(t).

     "Investments" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.10.



<PAGE>16


     "Lender  Obligations"  shall mean the  Revolving  Obligations  and the Term
Obligations.

     "Lenders" shall have the meaning set forth in the Heading.

     "Lending Office" shall mean, as to each Lender, its Domestic Lending Office
or its Eurodollar Lending Office, as the context may require.

     "Letter of Credit"  shall mean any  irrevocable  letter of credit issued or
outstanding under the DIP Credit Agreement and deemed issued pursuant to Section
2.5,  which  letter  of  credit  shall be (i) a  Standby  Letter  of Credit or a
Documentary Letter of Credit and (ii) denominated in Dollars except as otherwise
permitted pursuant to Section 2.5(a).

     "Letter of Credit  Accounts" shall mean (i) with respect to Standby Letters
of Credit, the account  established by the Borrower under the sole and exclusive
control  of the Agent  maintained  at the  office of the Agent at 425  Lexington
Avenue,  New York,  New York 10017  designated  as the "Payless  Cashways,  Inc.
Standby Letter of Credit  Account" and (ii) with respect to Documentary  Letters
of Credit, the account  established by the Borrower under the sole and exclusive
control of U.S.  Bank  National  Association,  maintained at the office of First
Bank at 601 2nd Avenue  South,  Minneapolis,  Minnesota  55402,  designated  the
"Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  Documentary  Letter of Credit Account," each of which
shall be used solely for the purposes set forth in Sections 2.5(a), 2.12(h), 7.1
and 7.2.

     "Letter of Credit  Fees" shall mean the fees  payable in respect of Letters
of Credit pursuant to Section 2.20.

     "Letter of Credit  Outstandings"  shall mean,  at any time,  the  aggregate
amount of all Documentary  Letter of Credit  Outstandings and all Standby Letter
of Credit Outstandings.

     "Lien" shall mean, 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 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.

     "Loan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d).

     "Loan  Documents"  shall mean this  Agreement,  the Notes,  the  Letters of
Credit,  the Security  Documents,  the Hedging  Agreement,  the Cash  Management
Agreements,  and any other  instrument  or agreement  executed and  delivered in
connection herewith,  including (without limitation)  documentation  between the
respective Fronting Banks and the Borrower with respect to Letters of Credit.

     "Lumberjack" shall mean Lumberjack Stores, Inc.


<PAGE>17


     "Majority  Lenders"  shall mean the Majority Term Lenders plus the Majority
Revolving Lenders;  provided, that for 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 shall be a Defaulting Lender.

     "Majority  Revolving  Lenders" shall mean New Revolving Lenders holding New
Revolving Loans or Participating  Interests representing at least 51% of the sum
of the  aggregate  principal  amount of such Loans and  Participating  Interests
outstanding (or, if no New Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit are outstanding,
New Revolving Lenders having Commitments  representing at least 51% of the Total
Commitments);  provided,  that for  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 shall be a Defaulting Lender.

     "Majority Term Lenders"  shall mean, at any time, New Term Lenders  holding
New Term Loans  representing at least 51% of the aggregate  principal  amount of
such Loans  outstanding;  provided,  that for purposes of this  definition,  the
Loans  of a New Term  Lender  shall  be  disregarded  if and for so long as such
Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

     "Material  Adverse  Effect" shall mean (i) with respect to the Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries,  any materially  adverse change in the business,  operations,
condition  (financial  or  otherwise),  properties,  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 Loan Documents.

     "Maturity Date" shall mean (i) with respect to the New Revolving Loans, May
31, 2002 or such earlier date on which the  Commitments  shall terminate or such
Loans shall become due in accordance with Section 7 and (ii) with respect to the
New Term Loans,  November  30,  2002,  or such  earlier date on which such Loans
shall become due in accordance with Section 7.

     "Maximum Rate" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(b).

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

     "Moody's"  shall mean 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  Agent  and the
Borrower.

     "Mortgages" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(l).

     "Multiemployer  Plan"  shall  mean a  "multiemployer  plan" as  defined  in
Section  4001(a)(3) of ERISA to which the Borrower,  any Subsidiary or any ERISA
Affiliate  is making or accruing an



<PAGE>18

obligation to make  contributions,  or has within any of the preceding five plan
years made or accrued an obligation to make contributions.

     "Multiple  Employer Plan" shall mean 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" shall mean, with respect to any sale,  lease,  transfer
or other disposition of property or other assets: (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) reasonable and customary  brokerage  commissions  and
other  reasonable  and customary  fees and expenses  (including  reasonable  and
customary fees and expenses of counsel and investment bankers and reasonable and
customary  inventory  liquidation  costs  actually  paid by the Borrower or such
Subsidiary)  related to such  financing,  sale,  lease or other  disposition  or
issuance,  minus (c) 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 Common Stock" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.1(u).

     "New Revolving Lender" and "New Revolving  Lenders" shall have the meanings
set forth in Section 2.1(d).

     "New Revolving Loans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(d).

     "New  Revolving  Notes" shall mean the  promissory  notes of the  Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-2 hereto,  each payable to the order of a
New Revolving Lender, evidencing New Revolving Loans.

     "New Term Lender" and "New Term Lenders"  shall have the meanings set forth
in Section 2.1(a).

     "New Term Loans" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1(a).

     "New  Term  Notes"  shall  mean  the  promissory  notes  of  the  Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit A-1 hereto,  each payable to the order of a
New Term Lender, evidencing New Term Loans.

     "Notes" shall mean the New Revolving Notes and the New Term Notes.



<PAGE>19

     "Notice of Borrowing" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.2(b).

     "Other Amounts" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.8(b).

     "Other Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.17(b).

     "PBGC"  shall  mean  the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation,  or  any
successor agency or entity performing substantially the same functions.

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

     "Participating  Interest"  shall mean with respect to each Letter of Credit
(i) in the case of a Fronting  Bank,  its  interest,  if any,  in such Letter of
Credit and any  Application or draft or payment request  relating  thereto after
giving effect to the granting of all  Participating  Interests  therein pursuant
hereto and (ii) in the case of each New Revolving Lender, its undivided interest
in such  Letter  of  Credit  and any  Application  or draft or  payment  request
relating thereto.

     "Paycap" shall mean Paycap Associates  Limited  Partnership,  a Connecticut
limited partnership.

     "Permitted  Liens"  shall  mean  (i)  Liens  imposed  by  law  (other  than
Environmental  Liens and any Lien  imposed by ERISA) for taxes,  assessments  or
charges of any Governmental  Authority for claims not yet due or which are being
contested  in good faith by  appropriate  proceedings  and with respect to which
adequate  reserves  or other  appropriate  provisions  are being  maintained  in
accordance  with GAAP;  (ii) statutory Liens of landlords and Liens of carriers,
warehousemen,  mechanics,  materialmen and other Liens (other than Environmental
Liens and any Lien  imposed  by ERISA)  imposed by law  created in the  ordinary
course of business for amounts not yet due or which are being  contested in good
faith by appropriate  proceedings and with respect to which adequate reserves or
other appropriate provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP; (iii)
Liens  (other than any Lien imposed by ERISA)  incurred or deposits  made in the
ordinary course of business  (including,  without  limitation,  surety bonds and
appeal bonds) in connection with workers'  compensation,  unemployment insurance
and other  types of social  security  benefits or to secure the  performance  of
tenders,  bids,  leases,  contracts  (other  than for the  repayment  of  Debt),
statutory  obligations  and other similar  obligations or arising as a result of
progress payments under government contracts; (iv) easements (including, without
limitation,    reciprocal   easement   agreements   and   utility   agreements),
rights-of-way, covenants, consents, reservations,  encroachments, variations and
zoning  and  other  restrictions,   charges  or  encumbrances  (whether  or  not
recorded),  which do not interfere  materially with the ordinary  conduct of the
business of the Borrower and which do not  materially  detract from the value of
the  property to which they attach or  materially  impair the use thereof to the
Borrower;  (v) purchase money Liens granted 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 and purchase money Liens upon
or in any other property  acquired or held in the ordinary course of business to
secure the  purchase  price of such  property  or to secure  Debt  permitted  by
Section  6.2(v)  solely for the purpose


<PAGE>20

of financing the acquisition of such property and Capitalized  Leases  permitted
by Section 6.4 and true  leases on account of which  financing  statements  have
been filed; provided, that the aggregate Debt secured by all such purchase money
Liens (other than Capitalized  Leases) shall not exceed in the aggregate for the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries  $2,000,000 outstanding at any time; (vi) judgment
Liens,  but only to the extent that the related  judgment does not constitute an
Event of Default  under  Section  7.1(j);  and;  (vii)  extensions,  renewals or
replacements  of any Lien  referred  to in  paragraphs  (i)  through  (v) above,
including in  connection  with the  incurrence  of Permitted  Refinancing  Debt;
provided,  that the principal  amount of the obligation  secured  thereby is not
increased and that any such extension, renewal or replacement Lien is limited to
the property originally encumbered thereby.

     "Permitted Pad Sale" shall mean 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" shall mean Debt  incurred by the Borrower to
refinance the 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;  provided,  that (i) the
principal  amount of such Debt is not  increased and such Debt 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 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 Real Estate  Financing  or the  Synthetic  Lease  Obligations
being  refinanced  and,  in all cases,  any Liens on such assets in favor of the
Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the other Secured  Parties,  remain in
full  force and effect and (ii) such Debt 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,  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"  shall  mean  any  natural  person,  corporation,  division  of  a
corporation,   limited  liability   company,   limited  liability   partnership,
partnership, trust, joint venture, association,  company, estate, unincorporated
organization or government or any agency or political subdivision thereof.

     "Plan"  shall mean 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.



<PAGE>21


     "Plan of  Reorganization"  shall mean that  certain  First  Amended Plan of
Reorganization,  filed  by the  Debtor  in the Case on  September  5,  1997,  as
modified on October 9, 1997 and as further  modified in the  Confirmation  Order
and on the  record  at the  hearing  with  respect  thereto,  as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time in accordance with
the terms thereof as in effect on the date hereof.

     "Pre-Petition  Agent" shall mean CIBC,  as  administrative  and  collateral
agent for the Pre-Petition  Lenders, the letter of credit bank and the co-agents
party to the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement.

     "Pre-Petition   Collateral"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in  the
Introductory Statement.

     "Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement"  shall  mean  that  certain  Amended  and
Restated Credit Agreement,  dated as of October 3, 1996, among Payless Cashways,
Inc., the Pre-Petition  Lenders,  the  Pre-Petition  Agent, the letter of credit
bank  and the  co-agents  named  therein,  as  amended,  amended  and  restated,
supplemented or otherwise modified prior to the Effective Date.

     "Pre-Petition L/C Obligations"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section
9.3(a)(iii).

     "Pre-Petition L/C Participant"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section
9.14(c).

     "Pre-Petition Lenders" shall have the meaning set forth in the Introductory
Statement.

     "Pre-Petition  Letters of Credit"  shall have the  meaning set forth in the
Introductory Statement.

     "Pre-Petition  Loans" shall have the meaning set forth in the  Introductory
Statement.

     "Pre-Petition   Obligations"   shall  mean  the  Pre-Petition   Loans,  the
reimbursement obligations with respect to the Pre-Petition Letters of Credit and
all  other  obligations  of  the  Debtor  to  the  Pre-Petition  Agent  and  the
Pre-Petition  Lenders  pursuant to the  Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement  and all
documents and agreements executed in connection therewith.

     "Pre-Petition  Revolving  Lenders"  shall have the meaning set forth in the
Introductory Statement.

     "Pre-Petition  Revolving  Loans"  shall have the  meaning  set forth in the
Introductory Statement.

     "Pre-Petition  Term  Lenders"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth in the
Introductory Statement.

     "Pre-Petition  Term  Loans"  shall  have  the  meaning  set  forth  in  the
Introductory Statement.

         "Pre-Petition Tranche A Term Loans" shall have the meaning set forth in
the Introductory Statement.



<PAGE>22

     "Pre-Petition Tranche B Term Loans" shall have the meaning set forth in the
Introductory Statement.

     "Property" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.15(a).

     "Ratable  Proportion"  shall  mean,  as to each  Lender,  at any time,  the
proportion  that such  Lender's  share of the  aggregate  outstanding  principal
amount of Loans and Letter of Credit  Outstandings,  together with such Lender's
share (if any) of the Unused Total  Commitments at the time, bears to the sum of
aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount  of all  Loans  and  Letter  of Credit
Outstandings  plus the Unused  Total  Commitments  at the time,  expressed  as a
percentage.  Each Lender's Ratable Proportion on and as of the Effective Date is
set forth on Annex A.

     "Real Estate Financing" shall mean the financing by UBS provided for by the
UBS Loan Agreement and the other UBS Loan Documents.

     "Register" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.3(d).

     "Remedial Work" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6.15(c).

     "Required Inventory" shall mean Inventory in the Borrower's  possession and
not  subject to any Liens  (except  Liens in favor of the Agent and other  Liens
permitted by Section 6.1) which shall have a minimum  aggregate  FIFO Value,  at
least equal to $300 million after deduction of all amounts secured by such other
Liens  permitted by Section 6.1;  provided,  that no Inventory  subject to Liens
created  pursuant  to the GE  Credit  Program  Documents  or Liens on  Inventory
subject to a purchase  money  security  interest of the type described in clause
(v) of the definition of Permitted Liens shall have any value ascribed to it for
purposes of calculating Required Inventory.

     "Required  Lenders"  shall  mean (i)  except as  provided  in clause  (iii)
hereof,  so long as any Commitments  remain in effect or any New Revolving Loans
or Letters of Credit remain outstanding, the Majority Revolving Lenders, (ii) if
no Commitments  remain in effect and no New Revolving Loans or Letters of Credit
are  outstanding,  the Majority  Term Lenders and (iii) for purposes of amending
the  definition of Required  Inventory or the form of the  Inventory  Compliance
Certificate or amending or waiving the provisions of Sections 4.2(f),  5.1(t) or
9.10(iv),  the  Majority  Revolving  Lenders  and  the  Majority  Term  Lenders;
provided, that for 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 shall be a Defaulting Lender.

     "Required  Pre-Petition  Lenders"  shall  mean,  at any  time  Pre-Petition
Lenders holding Pre-Petition Obligations representing in excess of sixty-six and
two-thirds  percent  (66-2/3%)  of  the  aggregate   principal  amount  of  such
Pre-Petition  Obligations  outstanding and constituting  more than fifty percent
(50%) in number of such Pre-Petition Lenders.



<PAGE>23

     "Required Revolving Lenders" shall mean, at any time, New Revolving Lenders
holding New Revolving Loans or Participating Interests representing in excess of
66-2/3%  of the  sum  of the  aggregate  principal  amount  of  such  Loans  and
Participating  Interests outstanding or, if no New Revolving Loans or Letters of
Credit are outstanding, New Revolving Lenders having Commitments representing in
excess of 66-2/3% of the Total Commitments;  provided, that for purposes of this
definition,  the relevant  Commitments,  New  Revolving  Loans or  Participating
Interests of a New Revolving  Lender shall be  disregarded if and for so long as
such New Revolving Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

     "Required Term Lenders"  shall mean, at any time, New Term Lenders  holding
New Term Loans  representing  in excess of 66-2/3%  of the  aggregate  principal
amount  of  such  Loans  outstanding;   provided,  that  for  purposes  of  this
definition,  the New Term Loans of a New Term Lender shall be disregarded if and
for so long as such New Term Lender shall be a Defaulting Lender.

     "Requirement  of  Law"  shall  mean,  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  Payments" shall mean (i) any dividend or other distribution in
cash or in kind on any shares of the Borrower's  capital stock, (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 or
(b) any  option,  warrant  or other  right to acquire  shares of the  Borrower's
capital  stock,  (iii)  any  issuance  of any  capital  stock  (or any  options,
warrants,  rights or other  equity  securities  relating to any  capital  stock)
except pursuant to the Plan of  Reorganization or as contemplated by Section 9.2
thereof,  (iv) 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 (v)
any payment of management or consulting fees to an Affiliate of the Borrower.

     "Restructured   Obligations"   shall  mean  all  of  the  Borrower's   Term
Obligations, Cash Management Obligations and Hedging Obligations.

     "Revolving  Credit  Commitment" shall mean the commitment of each Lender to
make New Revolving Loans and to purchase a Participating Interest in Documentary
Letters of Credit and Standby Letters of Credit issued,  as set forth in Section
2.1 and Section  2.2, as the same may be reduced  from time to time  pursuant to
Sections 2.9 and 2.12.

     "Revolving  Obligations"  shall  mean (a) the due and  punctual  payment of
principal of and interest on the New Revolving Loans and the New Revolving Notes
and the reimbursement of all


<PAGE>24

amounts drawn under the Letters of Credit,  and (b) the due and punctual payment
of the Fees and all other present and future, fixed or contingent,  monetary and
performance  obligations  of the  Borrower  to the New  Revolving  Lenders,  the
Fronting Banks,  the  Underwriters and the Agent under the Loan Documents (other
than the Term Obligations).

     "S&P"  shall  mean   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 Agent and the Borrower.

     "Secured   Obligations"  shall  mean  the  Lender  Obligations,   the  Cash
Management  Obligations and the Hedging  Obligations  and all other  obligations
owing to the Secured Parties (or any of them) in their capacities as such.

     "Secured Parties" shall mean the Agent, the Lenders, the Underwriters,  the
Fronting Banks, the Pre-Petition  Lenders,  the DIP Lenders,  the DIP Agent, the
DIP Fronting Banks,  CIBC, as issuer of the Pre-Petition  Letters of Credit, the
Hedging Bank and the Cash Management Banks.

     "Security and Pledge  Agreement"shall have the meaning set forth in Section
4.1(k).

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

     "Single  Employer  Plan" shall mean a single  employer  plan, as defined in
Section  4001(a)(15)  of ERISA,  that (i) is  maintained  for  employees  of the
Borrower or an ERISA  Affiliate  or (ii) was also  maintained  and in respect of
which the Borrower could have liability under Section 4069 of ERISA in the event
such Plan has been or were to be terminated.

     "Special  Required  Lenders"  shall mean the Required Term Lenders plus New
Revolving  Lenders  holding  New  Revolving  Loans  or  Participating  Interests
representing in excess of 33-1/3% of the sum of the aggregate  principal  amount
of New Revolving Loans and  Participating  Interests  outstanding (or, if no New
Revolving  Loans or Letters of Credit are  outstanding,  New  Revolving  Lenders
having Commitments  representing in excess of 33-1/3% of the Total Commitments);
provided,  that the Ratable Proportion of such Lenders, taken together, at least
equals 51%; provided further, that for 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 shall be a Defaulting Lender.

     "Standby  Letter of Credit"  shall mean a standby  letter of credit in form
and substance customarily issued by the relevant Fronting Bank from time to time
and in form and substance acceptable to the Agent and the relevant Fronting Bank
and issued for such  purposes for which the

<PAGE>25

Borrower has historically  obtained standby letters of credit, or for such other
purposes as are  reasonably  acceptable  to the Agent and the relevant  Fronting
Bank.

     "Standby Letter of Credit Fronting Bank" shall mean the Fronting Bank which
has committed to issue Standby Letters of Credit hereunder.

     "Standby Letter of Credit Outstandings" shall mean, at any time, the sum of
(i) the aggregate  undrawn  stated amount of all Standby  Letters of Credit then
outstanding  plus (ii) all amounts  theretofore  drawn under Standby  Letters of
Credit and not then reimbursed.

     "Statutory Reserves" shall mean on any date the percentage  (expressed as a
decimal)  established by the Board and any other banking  authority which is the
then stated  maximum rate for all reserves  (including,  but not limited to, any
emergency,  supplemental or other marginal reserve  requirements)  applicable to
any  member  bank of the  Federal  Reserve  System in  respect  of  Eurocurrency
Liabilities (or any successor  category of liabilities under Regulation D issued
by the Board, as in effect from time to time).  Such reserve  percentages  shall
include,  without  limitation,  those imposed pursuant to said  Regulation.  The
Statutory  Reserves shall be adjusted  automatically  on and as of the effective
date of any change in such percentage.

     "Subsidiary"  shall mean, with respect to any Person (herein referred to as
the "parent"),  any  corporation,  association or other business entity (whether
now  existing  or  hereafter  organized)  of which at  least a  majority  of the
securities or other  ownership  interests  having  ordinary voting power for the
election of  directors  is, at the time as of which any  determination  is being
made,  owned or  controlled  by the  parent or one or more  subsidiaries  of the
parent or by the parent and one or more subsidiaries of the parent.

     "Subsidiary Guarantee" shall mean the guarantee,  substantially in the form
of Exhibit E hereto,  to be entered into between  each  Subsidiary  (whether now
existing or hereafter formed, purchased or otherwise acquired) and the 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"  shall  mean  the  security  agreement,
substantially  in the form of  Exhibit F hereto,  to be made by each  Subsidiary
(whether now existing or hereafter formed,  purchased or otherwise  acquired) in
favor of the 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.

     "Substantial Consummation" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 1101
of the Bankruptcy Code.

     "Survey"  shall mean a current  survey of the real property  covered by any
Mortgage  certified to the Agent and the title  insurance  company  insuring the
Mortgage  and in form and

<PAGE>26

substance  satisfactory to the Agent and the title insurance company, or in lieu
thereof,  a copy of the existing  survey and, if required by the title insurance
company insuring such Mortgage, an affidavit in form and substance  satisfactory
to such title company to remove any  exceptions in the Title Policy with respect
to the absence of a current certified survey.

     "Synthetic  Lease  Banks" shall mean the banks and  financial  institutions
party to the Synthetic Lease Loan Documents and their successors and assigns.

     "Synthetic  Lease Loan  Agreement"  shall mean that certain Loan Agreement,
dated on or about the Effective  Date,  among the Borrower,  the Synthetic Lease
Banks and BA Leasing & Capital  Corporation,  as agent for the  Synthetic  Lease
Banks,  as the  same may be  amended,  amended  and  restated,  supplemented  or
otherwise modified to the extent permitted by this Agreement.

     "Synthetic  Lease  Loan  Documents"  shall  mean the  Synthetic  Lease Loan
Agreement, the Mortgage,  Assignment of Rents and Leases, Security Agreement and
Fixture  Filing  Statement  from the  Borrower  in favor  of the  agent  for the
Synthetic  Lease  Banks for the  Borrower's  property  located  in  Bloomington,
Indiana and in Overland Park, Kansas and the Deed of Trust,  Assignment of Rents
and Leases, Security Agreement and Fixture Filing Statement from the Borrower in
favor of the agent for the  Synthetic  Lease Banks for the  Borrower's  property
located  in Las  Vegas,  Nevada  and  any  and  all  documents,  agreements  and
instruments related thereto, each as amended, amended and restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified to the extent permitted by this Agreement.

     "Synthetic  Lease  Obligations"  shall mean the obligations of the Borrower
under the Synthetic Lease Loan Documents.

     "Taxes" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.17.

     "Temporary  Cash  Investments"  shall  mean 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  Obligations" shall mean the due and punctual payment of principal of
and  interest on the New Term Loans and all other  present and future,  fixed or
contingent,  monetary and performance  obligations  owed to the New Term Lenders
and the Agent under the Loan Documents with respect to the New Term Loans.

     "Title Policy" shall mean a mortgage policy of title insurance (ALTA or the
equivalent)  insuring  the first or second  priority  Lien of a Mortgage (as the
case may be) in favor of the Agent,  in form and  substance  and issued by title
insurers  satisfactory  to the Agent and  containing  no


<PAGE>27

exceptions  to  coverage  other than  matters  satisfactory  to the Agent in its
judgment reasonably exercised.

     "Total  Commitments" shall mean, at any time, the sum of the Commitments at
such time.

     "Trade  Payables"  shall mean  accounts  payable  in  respect of  Inventory
purchases by the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

     "Trademarks" shall mean (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.

     "Transferee" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.17.

     "Type"  when used in respect of any Loan or  Borrowing  shall  refer to the
rate of interest  by  reference  to which  interest on such Loan or on the Loans
comprising such Borrowing is determined.  For purposes hereof, "rate" shall mean
the Adjusted LIBOR Rate and the Alternate Base Rate.

     "UBS" shall mean UBS Mortgage Finance,  Inc. (as the  successor-in-interest
to The Prudential Insurance Company of America) and UBS' successors and assigns.

     "UBS  Collateral"  shall mean the real property  listed on Schedule  1.1(c)
annexed  hereto,  together  with the  improvements,  fixtures and  appurtenances
relating thereto, which is collateral for the Real Estate Financing.

         "UBS Loan Agreement"  shall mean that certain Amended and Restated Loan
Agreement,  dated on or about the Effective Date,  between the Borrower and UBS,
as the same may be amended,  amended and  restated,  supplemented  or  otherwise
modified to the extent permitted by this Agreement.

         "UBS Loan  Documents"  shall mean the UBS Loan  Agreement,  each of the
mortgages  and  deeds of trust  heretofore  delivered  with  respect  to the UBS
Collateral,  as modified as of the Effective  Date,  and any and all  documents,
agreements  and  instruments  related  thereto,  each as  amended,  amended  and
restated,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified to the extent  permitted by this
Agreement.

     "UCC" shall mean the Uniform  Commercial  Code as in effect at the relevant
time in the relevant jurisdiction.

     "Underwriters"  shall mean CIBC  Oppenheimer,  NationsBank,  N.A.,  Goldman
Sachs Credit Partners, L.P. and Lehman Commercial Paper Inc.



<PAGE>28


     "Uniform   Customs"  shall  mean  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,
amended and restated, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

     "Unsupported  Trade  Payables"  shall  mean  Trade  Payables  (i) which are
unsecured (whether by way of cash deposits, purchase money security interests or
otherwise),  (ii) the  payment of which is not backed by any  letters of credit,
guarantees or other forms of credit support or  enhancement  and (iii) which are
not claims as to which the obligee is entitled to reclamation rights pursuant to
the UCC or Section 546(c) of the Bankruptcy Code.

     "Unsupported  Trade  Standby  Letter of Credit"  shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.5.

     "Unused  Total   Commitment"  shall  mean,  at  any  time,  (i)  the  Total
Commitments less (ii) the sum of (x) the aggregate  outstanding principal amount
of all New Revolving Loans and (y) the aggregate Letter of Credit Outstandings.

     "Vehicles" shall mean all cars,  trucks,  trailers,  construction and earth
moving equipment and other vehicles covered by a certificate of title law of any
state  or  other  jurisdiction  and,  in  any  event,  shall  include,   without
limitation,  the  vehicles  listed on  Schedule  7 to the  Security  and  Pledge
Agreement  and any  Subsidiary  Security  Agreements  and all  tires  and  other
appurtenances to any of the foregoing.

     "Voting Shares" shall mean,  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"  shall have the meaning  specified  under Part I of
Subtitle E of Title IV of ERISA.

     "ZR&G" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 9.5.

     Section 1.2 Terms  Generally.  The  definitions  in Section 1.1 shall apply
equally to both the singular and plural forms of the terms defined. Whenever the
context may require,  any pronoun  shall  include the  corresponding  masculine,
feminine and neuter  forms.  All  references  herein to  Sections,  Exhibits and
Schedules shall be deemed  references to Sections of, and Exhibits and Schedules
to,  this  Agreement  unless the  context  shall  otherwise  require.  Except as
otherwise  expressly  provided  herein,  all accounting or financial  terms used
herein  shall be construed in  accordance  with GAAP,  as in effect from time to
time; provided,  however,  that for purposes of determining  compliance with any
covenant  set forth in Section 6, such terms shall be  construed  in  accordance
with GAAP as in effect on the date


<PAGE>29

of this Agreement applied on a basis consistent with the application used in the
Borrower's audited financial statements referred to in Section 3.4.

SECTION 2.         AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT.

     Section 2.1.  Assumption and  Restructuring of Secured  Obligations  (other
than Letters of Credit); Amortization of New Term Loans; Commitment to Lend.

          (a)  Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  and  relying  upon  the
representations,  warranties and covenants set forth herein, each of the parties
agrees that, as of the Effective  Date,  the  Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement is
hereby amended and restated and a portion of the Pre-Petition Term Loans and the
Pre-Petition  Revolving Loans extended by the  Pre-Petition  Lenders pursuant to
the  Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement  are  hereby  assumed by the  Borrower  and
restructured on the terms and conditions  contained  herein (such portion of the
Pre-Petition   Term  Loans  and   Pre-Petition   Revolving   Credit  Loans,   as
restructured,  being  hereinafter  referred  to as the "New  Term  Loans").  The
principal amount of the  Pre-Petition  Loans  restructured by each  Pre-Petition
Lender (such  Pre-Petition  Lender,  after the Effective Date, being hereinafter
referred to as a "New Term Lender" and, collectively, the "New Term Lenders") as
New Term Loans shall be  determined in  accordance  with the  definition of "New
Term Notes" contained in the Plan of Reorganization  and shall be in such amount
as is set  forth  opposite  its name on  Schedule  1.1(a)  annexed  hereto.  The
Borrower  confirms  and  agrees  that it is truly  and  justly  indebted  to the
Pre-Petition Lenders (which are the New Term Lenders) in the aggregate amount of
the Pre-Petition Loans and the Pre-Petition Letters of Credit,  without defense,
offset  or  counterclaim  of  any  kind  whatsoever.  Pursuant  to the  Plan  of
Reorganization, principal amounts outstanding on the Effective Date with respect
to the portion of the Pre-Petition  Obligations equal to the aggregate principal
amount of the New Term Loans shall be deemed to be principal amounts outstanding
with respect to the New Term Loans, as of the Effective Date.

          (b) The  outstanding  principal  amount of the New Term Loans shall be
payable in annual  installments  of  $3,000,000  on  September  15 of each year,
commencing  September 15, 1998. To the extent not previously  paid, all New Term
Loans shall be due and payable on the Maturity Date.  Each principal  payment on
the New Term Loans  pursuant to this  Section  shall be  accompanied  by accrued
interest  on the  principal  amount paid to but  excluding  the date of payment.
Without  limiting its  obligations  under the first  sentence of this Section or
Section 2.12, the Borrower  unconditionally promises to pay the unpaid principal
amount of the New Term Loans on the Maturity Date.

          (c)  Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  and  relying  upon  the
representations,  warranties and covenants set forth herein, each of the parties
agrees  that,  as of the  Effective  Date,  the DIP Credit  Agreement  is hereby
amended and restated and the DIP  Revolving  Credit Loans and the DIP Letters of
Credit are hereby  assumed by the  Borrower  and  restructured  as  provided  in
Section  2.5(b).  The  Borrower  confirms and agrees that it is truly and justly
indebted  to the  DIP  Lenders  (which  are the New  Revolving  Lenders)  in the
aggregate  amount  of  the  DIP  Revolving  Loans  without  defense,  offset  or
counterclaim of any kind whatsoever. Principal amounts outstanding on the


<PAGE>30

Effective  Date with  respect to the DIP  Revolving  Loans shall be deemed to be
principal amounts outstanding with respect to the New Revolving Loans, as of the
Effective Date. (1)

          (d)  Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  and  relying  upon  the
representations,  warranties  and covenants  set forth  herein,  each DIP Lender
(such DIP Lender,  after the Effective Date,  hereinafter  referred to as a "New
Revolving  Lender"  and  collectively,   the  "New  Revolving  Lenders")  agrees
severally and not jointly with the other New Revolving Lenders to make revolving
credit loans (each a "New Revolving Loan" and, collectively,  the "New Revolving
Loans" and,  together with the New Term Loans,  the "Loans") to the Borrower and
to participate in Letters of Credit issued by the relevant  Fronting Bank at any
time and from time to time during the period  commencing on the  Effective  Date
and  ending on the  Maturity  Date of the New  Revolving  Loans in an  aggregate
principal  amount not to exceed the Commitment of such Lender.  Without limiting
its obligations under Section 2.12, the Borrower unconditionally promises to pay
the unpaid  principal amount of the New Revolving Loans on the Maturity Date. At
no time shall the sum of the then outstanding  aggregate principal amount of the
New Revolving Loans plus the then aggregate Letter of Credit Outstandings exceed
the Total  Commitments of $150,000,000,  as the same may be reduced from time to
time  pursuant to Sections 2.9 or 2.12,  as the case may be. In addition,  at no
time shall the sum of the then  outstanding  aggregate  principal  amount of New
Revolving  Loans plus the then aggregate  Standby Letter of Credit  Outstandings
exceed an amount equal to the Total Commitments minus the Documentary Reserve.

          (e) Each  Borrowing  of New  Revolving  Loans shall be made by the New
Revolving  Lenders pro rata in  accordance  with their  respective  Commitments;
provided, that the failure of any New Revolving Lender to make any New Revolving
Loan  shall not in itself  relieve  the other  New  Revolving  Lenders  of their
obligations to lend.

          (f)  Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  and  relying  upon  the
representations,  warranties  and covenants  set forth herein,  each of the Cash
Management  Banks and the Borrower agree that their  respective  Cash Management
Agreements, as in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, shall continue
in effect from and after the Effective Date in accordance with their  respective
terms and the Hedging Bank and the Borrower agree that the Hedging Agreement, as
in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date, shall continue in effect from
and after the Effective Date in accordance with its terms.

     Section 2.2. Making of Loans.

          (a) Except as  contemplated  by Section 2.8, Loans shall be either ABR
Loans  or  Eurodollar  Loans  as the  Borrower  may  request  subject  to and in
accordance with this Section; provided, that all Loans made pursuant to the same
Borrowing shall, unless otherwise  specifically provided herein, be Loans of the
same Type.  Each New  Revolving  Lender may  fulfill  its  Commitment  (and with
respect  to the  conversion  of any New Term  Loans,  each New Term  Lender  may
convert such Loans) with respect to any  Eurodollar  Loan or ABR Loan by causing
any Lending Office of such Lender to make (or convert,  as the case may be) such
Loan; provided, that any such use of a Lending


<PAGE>31

Office  shall not affect the  obligation  of the  Borrower to repay such Loan in
accordance with the terms of the applicable Note. Each Lender shall,  subject to
its overall  policy  considerations,  use  reasonable  efforts (but shall not be
obligated)  to select a Lending  Office  which will not result in the payment of
increased costs by the Borrower  pursuant to Section 2.14.  Subject to the other
provisions of this Section and the  provisions  of Section  2.11,  Borrowings of
Loans of more than one Type may be incurred at the same time; provided,  that no
more than five (5)  Borrowings of  Eurodollar  Loans may be  outstanding  at any
time.

          (b) The Borrower  shall give the Agent prior notice of each  Borrowing
hereunder of at least three Business Days for Eurodollar  Loans and one Business
Day for ABR Loans  (except as provided in the last  sentence of this Section) by
delivering a notice of borrowing in  substantially  the form of Exhibit I hereto
(a "Notice of  Borrowing"),  including with respect to the New Term Loans deemed
made on the Effective  Date.  Such Notice of Borrowing  shall be irrevocable and
shall specify the amount of the proposed Borrowing (which shall not be less than
$5,000,000  in the case of  Eurodollar  Loans and  $1,000,000 in the case of ABR
Loans) and the date thereof  (which shall be a Business  Day) and shall  contain
disbursement  instructions.  Such Notice of Borrowing, to be effective,  must be
received  by the Agent not later than  12:00  noon,  New York City time,  on the
third Business Day in the case of Eurodollar Loans and the first Business Day in
the case of ABR Loans,  preceding the date on which such Borrowing is to be made
except  as  provided  in the last  sentence  of this  Section.  Such  Notice  of
Borrowing  shall specify  whether the Borrowing then being  requested is to be a
Borrowing of ABR Loans or Eurodollar Loans and, in the case of Eurodollar Loans,
the length of the applicable  Interest Period.  If no election is made as to the
Type of Loan,  such Notice of Borrowing  shall be deemed a request for Borrowing
of ABR Loans.  The Agent shall promptly notify each Lender of its  proportionate
share of such Borrowing,  the date of such  Borrowing,  the Type of Borrowing or
Loans being  requested and the Interest  Period or Interest  Periods  applicable
thereto,  as  appropriate.  On the  borrowing  date  specified in such Notice of
Borrowing,  each Lender shall make its share of the  Borrowing  available at the
office of the Agent at 425 Lexington Avenue,  New York, New York 10017, no later
than 12:00  noon,  New York City time,  in  immediately  available  funds.  Upon
receipt  of the  funds  made  available  by the  Lenders  to fund any  Borrowing
hereunder,  the Agent shall  disburse such funds in the manner  specified in the
Notice of Borrowing  delivered by the Borrower and shall use reasonable  efforts
to make the funds so received  from the  Lenders  available  to the  Borrower no
later than 2:00 p.m. New York City time (other than as provided in the following
sentence).  With respect to ABR Loans of  $10,000,000 or less, the Lenders shall
make such  Borrowings  available to the Agent for the account of the Borrower by
4:00 p.m.,  New York City time, on the same Business Day that the Borrower gives
notice to the Agent of such Borrowing if the Agent receives such notice from the
Borrower by 12:00 noon, New York City time.

          (c) On the  date of each  New  Revolving  Loan,  the  Agent  shall  be
authorized (but not obligated except pursuant to Section 2.5(h)) to advance, for
the  account  of  each of the  New  Revolving  Lenders,  the  amount  of the New
Revolving  Loan to be made by it in accordance  with its  Commitment  hereunder.
Should the Agent do so, each of the New Revolving  Lenders  agrees  forthwith to
reimburse the Agent in immediately available funds for the amount so advanced on
its


<PAGE>32

behalf by the Agent,  together with interest at the Federal Funds Rate if not so
reimbursed  on the date due from and  including  such date but not including the
date of reimbursement.

          (d)  Any  amounts  received  by the  Agent  in  connection  with  this
Agreement  or the Notes  (other  than  amounts  to which  the Agent is  entitled
pursuant to Sections  2.18,  8.6, 9.5 and 9.6) shall be credited to the relevant
Lenders,   as  promptly  as  practicable  after  collection  by  the  Agent,  in
immediately  available funds either by wire transfer or deposit in that Lender's
correspondent  account  with the Agent,  as such Lender and the Agent shall from
time to time agree.

     Section  2.3.  Notes;  Repayment  of Loans.  The New Term Loans and the New
Revolving  Loans made by each Lender  shall be evidenced by a New Term Note or a
New Revolving Note, as the case may be, duly executed on behalf of the Borrower,
dated the  Effective  Date or the date of the  effectiveness  of the  applicable
Assignment  and  Acceptance,  as the case may be,  substantially  in the form of
Exhibits A-1 or A-2 hereto, respectively, payable to the order of such Lender in
an aggregate  principal  amount equal to the relevant New Term Lender's New Term
Loans,  in the case of its New Term Note, and in an aggregate  principal  amount
equal to the relevant New Revolving Lender's Commitment,  in the case of its New
Revolving  Note. The  outstanding  principal  balance of the New Term Loans,  as
evidenced  by the New Term Notes,  shall be payable as provided in Sections  2.1
and 2.12 and on the  Maturity  Date.  New  Revolving  Loans  may be  repaid  and
reborrowed in accordance with the provisions of this Agreement;  provided,  that
the  outstanding  principal  balance  of all  of the  New  Revolving  Loans,  as
evidenced by the New  Revolving  Notes,  shall be payable on the Maturity  Date.
Each Note shall bear interest from the date thereof on the outstanding principal
balance  thereof as set forth in Section 2.4. Each Lender  shall,  and is hereby
authorized  by the  Borrower to,  endorse on the schedule  attached to each Note
delivered to such Lender (or on a continuation of such schedule attached to such
Note and made a part thereof),  or otherwise to record in such Lender's internal
records,  an  appropriate  notation  evidencing the date and amount of each Loan
from such  Lender,  each payment and  prepayment  of principal of any such Loan,
each payment of interest on any such Loan and the other information provided for
on such  schedule;  provided,  that the  failure  of any  Lender  to make such a
notation or any error therein shall not affect the obligation of the Borrower to
repay the Loans made by such Lender and such other  amounts in  accordance  with
the terms of this Agreement and the applicable Notes.

     Section 2.4. Interest on Loans.

          (a) Subject to the provisions of Section 2.8, each ABR Loan shall bear
interest (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year
of 360 days) at a rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus 1-1/2%.

          (b) Subject to the  provisions  of Section 2.8, each  Eurodollar  Loan
shall bear interest  (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed
over a year of 360 days) at a rate per annum equal,  during each Interest Period
applicable  thereto,  to the  Adjusted  LIBOR Rate for such  Interest  Period in
effect for such Borrowing plus 2-1/2%.  


<PAGE>33


          (c) Accrued  interest on all Loans shall be payable in arrears on each
Interest Payment Date applicable  thereto, on the Maturity Date for the affected
Loans,  after the  Maturity  Date for the  affected  Loans on  demand,  upon the
Borrower's  optional  termination of the Total  Commitments and (with respect to
Eurodollar  Loans)  upon any  repayment  or  prepayment  thereof  (on the amount
prepaid).

     Section 2.5.  Letters of Credit.

          (a)  Subject  to  the  terms  and  conditions  and  relying  upon  the
representations,  warranties and covenants set forth herein, each of the undrawn
DIP Documentary  Letters of Credit is hereby deemed to be issued as and shall be
a Documentary  Letter of Credit as of the Effective Date in the principal amount
of such Documentary  Letter of Credit  immediately  prior to the Effective Date.
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions  herein set forth, the Borrower may
request the  Documentary  Letter of Credit  Fronting  Bank, at any time and from
time to time after the Effective  Date hereof and prior to the Maturity Date for
the New  Revolving  Loans,  to issue for Approved  Purposes,  and subject to the
terms and conditions  contained herein,  such Fronting Bank shall issue, for the
account of the Borrower  one or more  Documentary  Letters of Credit;  provided,
that no Documentary  Letter of Credit shall be issued if, after giving effect to
such issuance,  the aggregate  Documentary  Letter of Credit  Outstandings would
exceed the lesser of $15,000,000 (or, if less, the Total  Commitments as then in
effect)  or the  Documentary  Reserve  and  provided  further,  that  unless the
Documentary  Letter of Credit  Fronting Bank shall have received  written notice
from the Agent at least one Business Day prior to the date with respect to which
the Borrower has requested  issuance of a Documentary  Letter of Credit that not
all of the  conditions  to issuance of  Documentary  Letters of Credit have been
satisfied,  the  Documentary  Letter of Credit Fronting Bank may assume that all
such  conditions  have been  satisfied and may issue the  requested  Documentary
Letter of Credit for the account of the Borrower. The Borrower hereby designates
$10,000,000 as the initial  reserve for the issuance of  Documentary  Letters of
Credit (the  "Documentary  Reserve").  The Borrower may increase or decrease the
amount of the  Documentary  Reserve  in an  amount  equal to  $1,000,000  or any
integral  multiple  thereof upon ten (10) Business Days prior written  notice to
the Agent and the Documentary Letter of Credit Fronting Bank; provided,  that in
no event shall the  Documentary  Reserve exceed  $15,000,000 or be less than the
Documentary Letter of Credit Outstandings and provided further,  that (i) if any
requested  increase in the Documentary  Reserve would cause the then outstanding
aggregate  principal  amount of the New  Revolving  Loans to be in excess of the
amount  permitted  pursuant to the last  sentence of Section  2.1(d) or (ii) any
requested  decrease  would  cause the  Documentary  Reserve  to be less than the
Documentary  Letter of Credit  Outstandings,  then the Agent  shall  notify  the
Documentary  Letter of Credit Bank of either  such  result and such  increase or
decrease (as the case may be) shall not be effective until the then  outstanding
aggregate  principal  amount of the New Revolving  Loans,  or of the Documentary
Letter of Credit Outstandings (as the case may be) has been repaid to the extent
necessary and the  Documentary  Letter of Credit Fronting Bank has been notified
in writing by the Agent that such  increase or decrease  (as the case may be) is
effective. Each Documentary Letter of Credit shall (i) be denominated in Dollars
or in a foreign currency acceptable to the Documentary Letter of Credit Fronting
Bank and (ii)  expire  no later  than the  earlier  of the date that is 180 days
after the date of issuance  thereof and the date that is fourteen  days prior to
the


<PAGE>34

scheduled  Maturity Date for the New Revolving  Loans. The Borrower shall at all
times  maintain a minimum  balance  of at least  $25,000 in the Letter of Credit
Account of the  Documentary  Letter of Credit  Fronting  Bank,  and the Borrower
hereby  authorizes the Documentary  Letter of Credit Fronting Bank to debit such
Letter of Credit Account to reimburse  itself with respect to drafts drawn under
Documentary  Letters of Credit and unpaid fees,  costs and expenses  incurred by
the  Documentary  Letter  of  Credit  Fronting  Bank  in  connection   therewith
(whereupon the Borrower shall forthwith  deposit such  additional  funds in such
Letter of Credit Account,  if any, as shall be necessary to achieve such minimum
balance).

          (b)  (i) Subject to the terms and  conditions and relying upon the
representations,  warranties and covenants set forth herein, each of the undrawn
DIP  Standby  Letters  of Credit is  hereby  deemed to be issued  and shall be a
Standby  Letter of Credit as of the Effective  Date in the  principal  amount of
such Letter of Credit  immediately prior to the Effective Date (and any increase
in the principal  amount  thereof  pursuant to the provisions of such Letters of
Credit as in effect on the Effective Date shall also  constitute  Standby Letter
of Credit  Outstandings  for  purposes  of this  Agreement).  Upon the terms and
subject to the conditions herein set forth, the Borrower may request the Standby
Letter of Credit Fronting Bank, at any time and from time to time after the date
hereof and prior to the Maturity Date for the New Revolving Loans, to issue, and
subject to the terms and conditions  contained herein,  such Fronting Bank shall
issue,  for the account of the Borrower  one or more Standby  Letters of Credit;
provided,  that no  Standby  Letter  of Credit  shall be issued if after  giving
effect to such  issuance the  aggregate  Standby  Letter of Credit  Outstandings
would exceed  $25,000,000 (or, if less, the Total Commitments as then in effect)
and provided  further,  that no Standby  Letter of Credit shall be issued if the
Standby Letter of Credit Fronting Bank shall have received notice from the Agent
or the Majority  Revolving Lenders that the conditions to such issuance have not
been met;

               (ii) Notwithstanding the foregoing,  no Standby Letters of Credit
may be issued to support  Trade  Payables  except as follows:  (x) not more than
$5,000,000  of  Standby  Letters  of  Credit  in the  aggregate  at any one time
outstanding may be issued to individuals or entities supplying  Inventory to the
Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  to  support  or  otherwise  assure  their  payment
obligations  in respect of Trade  Payables owing to such suppliers (and all such
Standby Letters of Credit shall require the beneficiary thereof to certify, as a
condition to drawing under such Standby Letter of Credit,  that such beneficiary
is drawing  thereunder  in  respect of Trade  Payables  of the  Borrower  or any
Subsidiary  which are past due) and (y) a single  Standby Letter of Credit in an
amount not to exceed  $10,000,000  may be issued to an agent or trustee  for the
benefit  of the  holders  of the  Borrower's  Unsupported  Trade  Payables  (the
"Unsupported Trade Standby Letter of Credit");

               (iii) If issued,  the Unsupported  Trade Standby Letter of Credit
shall (x)  expire no later  than the first  anniversary  of the  Effective  Date
(unless prior to such first anniversary (A) the Borrower  commences a Chapter 11
Case under the Bankruptcy Code, in which case the expiry date of the Unsupported
Trade  Standby  Letter of Credit  shall be the  earliest to occur of (1) 60 days
after the  conversion  of such Chapter 11 Case to a Chapter 7 Case,  (2) 60 days
after the  confirmation  of a plan of  reorganization  in such  Chapter  11 Case
providing for the sale of all or substantially all of


<PAGE>35

the assets of the  Borrower  and (3) the date of the  consummation  of any other
plan of reorganization in such Chapter 11 Case) or (B) the board of directors of
the  Borrower  has  adopted by formal  resolution  a plan of  liquidation  which
provides for the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the Borrower,
in which case the  Unsupported  Trade  Standby  Letter of Credit shall expire 60
days  after  the date the  board of  directors  of the  Borrower  adopts  such a
resolution;

               (iv) The  Unsupported  Trade Standby  Letter of Credit shall also
require  that  the  beneficiary  thereof  certify,  as a  condition  to  drawing
thereunder,  that (x) the  Borrower  has  commenced or is subject to a Chapter 7
Case under the Bankruptcy Code (or the Borrower has commenced or is subject to a
Chapter 11 Case under the Bankruptcy  Code which has been converted to a Chapter
7 Case) or a plan of  reorganization  in a Chapter 11 Case of the  Borrower  has
been confirmed  which provides for the sale of all or  substantially  all of the
assets of the Borrower; or the board of directors of the Borrower has adopted by
formal  resolution a plan of  liquidation  which provides for the sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Borrower;  or all or substantially all of
the assets of the Borrower (or the proceeds  thereof) have been  transferred  to
some  or all  of the  Secured  Parties  pursuant  to  judicial  or  non-judicial
foreclosure  proceedings,  a deed or deed in lieu of foreclosure or execution or
levy and (y) the amount of such  drawing  does not exceed 25% of the  Borrower's
Unsupported Trade Payables on the date of such drawing; and

               (v) Except as set forth in clause (iii) above with respect to the
Unsupported Trade Standby Letters of Credit, each Standby Letter of Credit shall
(x) be  denominated  in Dollars  and (y) expire no later than the earlier of the
date  which is one year after the date of  issuance  thereof  and the  scheduled
Maturity Date for the New Revolving Loans (provided,  that such Letter of Credit
(other than the Unsupported  Trade Standby Letter of Credit) may provide that it
may be extended with the consent of the Standby  Letter of Credit  Fronting Bank
for a period  of no more  than one year (but in no event  beyond  the  scheduled
Maturity Date for the New Revolving Loans)).

          (c) Each Letter of Credit shall be subject to (i) the Uniform  Customs
and (ii) as to matters  not  addressed  by the Uniform  Customs,  the law of the
State of New York (or, if a Fronting Bank so elects, the law of the jurisdiction
in which the office from which it issues its Letters of Credit is located).

          (d) No  Fronting  Bank  shall at any time be  obligated  to issue  any
Letter of Credit  hereunder if such issuance  would conflict with, or cause such
Fronting Bank or any New Revolving  Lender to exceed any limits  imposed by, any
applicable  Requirement  of Law.

          (e) The Borrower  shall pay to each Fronting Bank, in addition to such
other fees and charges as are specifically  provided for in Section 2.20 hereof,
such fees and charges in  connection  with the  issuance and  processing  of the
Letters of Credit  issued by such Fronting  Bank as are  customarily  imposed by
such  Fronting  Bank  from  time to time in  connection  with  letter  of credit
transactions  in the  amounts,  at the  times  and in such  manner  as  shall be
specified by such  Fronting  Bank in  accordance  with its  judgment  reasonably
exercised.


<PAGE>36


          (f) Drafts  drawn under each Letter of Credit shall be  reimbursed  by
the Borrower in Dollars (i) on the same day if the relevant  Fronting Bank shall
have notified the Borrower  prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) and (ii) in
all other cases,  not later than the first  Business Day  following  the date of
drawing.  Drafts drawn under each Letter of Credit shall bear  interest from the
date of drawing  until the first  Business Day  following  the date of draw at a
rate per annum equal to the Alternate Base Rate plus 1-1/2% and thereafter until
reimbursed  in full at a rate per annum  equal to the  Alternate  Base Rate plus
3-1/2% (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over any year
of 360 days).  The  Borrower  shall effect such  reimbursement  (x) if such draw
occurs prior to the Maturity  Date for the New  Revolving  Loans (or the earlier
date of  termination of the Total  Commitments),  in cash or through a Borrowing
(or deemed  Borrowing) of New Revolving  Loans without  regard to whether or not
the Borrower is able to satisfy the  conditions  precedent  set forth in Section
4.2  unless  the  making  of  such  Loans  is  stayed  by a court  of  competent
jurisdiction or otherwise not permitted by, or the obligation of the Borrower to
repay the same is not enforceable under, applicable law (provided,  that if such
drawing  relates to a  Documentary  Letter of Credit,  such a  Borrowing  of New
Revolving  Loans  shall only be made if the  Documentary  Letter of Credit  Bank
notifies the Agent that it has not otherwise been  reimbursed by the Borrower in
respect of such drawing) or (y) if such drawing  occurs on or after the Maturity
Date for the New Revolving  Loans, in cash. Each New Revolving  Lender agrees to
make the Loans described in clause (x) of the preceding sentence notwithstanding
a failure to satisfy the applicable lending conditions thereto or the provisions
of Section 2.1 or the  occurrence  of the  Maturity  Date for the New  Revolving
Loans.

          (g)  Immediately  upon the  issuance  of any  Letter  of Credit by any
Fronting  Bank,  such  Fronting  Bank  shall be  deemed to have sold to each New
Revolving Lender other than such Fronting Bank and each such other New Revolving
Lender shall be deemed  unconditionally  and  irrevocably to have purchased from
such Fronting Bank,  without  recourse or warranty,  an undivided  Participating
Interest, to the extent of such Lender's Commitment  Percentage,  in such Letter
of Credit,  each drawing  thereunder  and the  obligations of the Borrower under
this Agreement with respect thereto. Upon any change in the Commitments pursuant
to Section  9.3, it is hereby  agreed that with  respect to all Letter of Credit
Outstandings,  there  shall be an  automatic  adjustment  to the  participations
hereby  created to reflect the new  Commitment  Percentages of the assigning and
assignee New Revolving  Lenders.  Any action taken or omitted by a Fronting Bank
under or in  connection  with a Letter of  Credit,  if taken or  omitted  in the
absence of gross  negligence  or willful  misconduct,  shall not create for such
Fronting Bank any resulting liability to any other New Revolving Lender.

          (h) In the event that a  Fronting  Bank  makes any  payment  under any
Letter of Credit and the Borrower shall not have  reimbursed such amount in full
to such  Fronting  Bank  pursuant  to this  Section,  such  Fronting  Bank shall
promptly  notify the Agent (and,  if the drawing  resulting  in such payment was
made after the stated  expiry date of such Letter of Credit,  shall certify that
such  Fronting  Bank  obtained  the consent of the  Borrower  to such  payment),
whereupon  the Agent shall  promptly  notify each New  Revolving  Lender of such
failure. In such case, each New Revolving Lender is authorized (and the Borrower
does hereby so authorize  each New Revolving  Lender) to and shall promptly make
an ABR Loan to the  Borrower by making the  proceeds  thereof  available  to the
Agent in the amount of such New Revolving Lender's Commitment Percentage of such
unreimbursed  amount


<PAGE>37

without  regard to whether or not the Borrower is able to satisfy the conditions
precedent  set forth in Section 4.2 unless the making of such Loans is stayed by
a court  of  competent  jurisdiction  or  otherwise  not  permitted  by,  or the
obligation  of  the  Borrower  to  repay  the  same  is not  enforceable  under,
applicable  law. If such Fronting  Bank so notifies the Agent,  and the Agent so
notifies the New Revolving Lenders,  prior to 11:00 a.m. (New York City time) on
any Business Day, each New  Revolving  Lender shall make  available to the Agent
the amounts required hereby,  and the Agent shall make available to the relevant
Fronting Bank the total  unreimbursed  amount, in each case on such Business Day
and in same day funds.  Notwithstanding  the failure of any New Revolving Lender
to make available to the Agent such New Revolving Lender's Commitment Percentage
of the total Loan to be made to the Borrower,  the Agent shall promptly remit to
the Fronting  Bank the  proceeds of such Loan in the amount of the  unreimbursed
draw, in each case in Dollars and in the same day funds.

     In the event that the making of any New Revolving Loan is stayed by a court
of  competent  jurisdiction,  or the  Majority  Revolving  Lenders and the Agent
reasonably  determine  that the making of a New Revolving  Loan is not permitted
by, or the  obligation  of the  Borrower  to repay  the same is not  enforceable
under,   applicable   law,  each  New  Revolving   Lender  shall   promptly  and
unconditionally pay to the Agent for the account of the Fronting Bank the amount
of such New Revolving Lender's Commitment Percentage of the unreimbursed payment
and the Agent shall  promptly and  unconditionally  pay to the Fronting Bank the
amount of such unreimbursed  payment in each case in Dollars and in the same day
funds.  If such Fronting  Bank so notifies the Agent,  and the Agent so notifies
the New  Revolving  Lenders,  prior to 11:00  a.m.  (New York City  time) on any
Business Day, each New Revolving  Lender shall make available to the Agent,  and
the  Agent  shall  make  available  to the  relevant  Fronting  Bank  the  total
unreimbursed amount in each case on such Business Day and in same day funds.

     If and to the  extent  such  Lender  shall not have so made its  Commitment
Percentage of the amount of any New Revolving  Loan or payment  available to the
Agent, or the Agent shall not have made the amount of such payment  available to
the relevant  Fronting  Bank,  such New  Revolving  Lender  agrees to pay to the
Agent,  and the Agent agrees to pay to such Fronting  Bank,  forthwith on demand
such amount,  together with interest thereon,  for each day from such date until
the date such amount is paid to the party entitled  thereto at the Federal Funds
Rate. The failure of any New Revolving Lender to make available to the Agent its
Commitment  Percentage of any New Revolving Loan required to be made pursuant to
this  Section or any  payment  under any Letter of Credit  shall not relieve any
other New Revolving Lender of its obligation  hereunder to make available to the
Agent its Commitment  Percentage of such New Revolving Loan or payment under any
Letter of Credit, nor shall it relieve the Agent of its obligation  hereunder to
make the amount of such payment available to the relevant Fronting Bank, in each
case on the date required, as specified above, but no New Revolving Lender shall
be  responsible  for the  failure  of any  other  New  Revolving  Lender to make
available to the Agent such other New Revolving Lender's  Commitment  Percentage
of any such  New  Revolving  Loan or such  payment.  Whenever  a  Fronting  Bank
receives a payment of a reimbursement obligation as to which it has received any
payments from the New Revolving Lenders pursuant to this Section,  such Fronting
Bank shall pay to each Lender which has paid its Commitment  Percentage


<PAGE>38

thereof, in Dollars and in same day funds, an amount equal to such New Revolving
Lender's Commitment Percentage thereof.

          (i) First Bank in its  capacity  as the  Documentary  Letter of Credit
Fronting  Bank,  may terminate its  obligation to issue  Documentary  Letters of
Credit upon sixty days' written notice to the Agent of such termination. If CIBC
resigns as Agent,  First Bank shall be deemed to have  terminated its obligation
to issue  Documentary  Letters of Credit,  effective as of the effective date of
CIBC's  resignation as Agent,  unless it otherwise notifies the Borrower and the
successor  Agent in writing of its decision to remain as  Documentary  Letter of
Credit Fronting Bank.

     Section 2.6.  Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit. (a) The Borrower
may from time to time request  that a Fronting  Bank issue a Letter of Credit by
delivering  to such  Fronting  Bank,  at its address for notices  referred to in
Section 9.1, an  Application  therefor,  completed to the  satisfaction  of such
Fronting  Bank (which  completion  may occur by means of any  electronic  system
operated by such  Fronting  Bank),  and such other  certificates,  documents and
other papers and information as such Fronting 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  Documentary
Letter of Credit  Fronting Bank pursuant to such  Documentary  Letter of Credit.
Upon receipt of any  Application,  the relevant  Fronting 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 a Fronting  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 such  Fronting  Bank and the  Borrower.  Such  Fronting  Bank shall
furnish a copy of such Letter of Credit to the Borrower  promptly  following the
issuance thereof.  Each Fronting Bank will periodically (but in any event on the
last Business Day of each month) report to the Agent regarding  Letter of Credit
issuance activity, and the Agent will periodically (but in any event on the last
Business  Day of each month)  report to the Lenders  regarding  Letter of Credit
issuance  activity.  Unless the Documentary Letter of Credit Fronting Bank shall
have received  written  notice from the Agent at least one Business Day prior to
the date  with  respect  to which  the  Borrower  has  requested  issuance  of a
Documentary  Letter of Credit  that not all of the  conditions  to  issuance  of
Documentary  Letters of Credit have been satisfied,  the  Documentary  Letter of
Credit Fronting Bank may assume that all such conditions have been satisfied.

          (b) 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 control.

     Section  2.7.  Nature  of  Letter  of  Credit  Obligations  Absolute.   The
obligations  of the  Borrower  to  reimburse  the  Fronting  Banks  and  the New
Revolving  Lenders  for  drawings  made  under


<PAGE>39

any Letter of Credit shall be  unconditional  and  irrevocable and shall be paid
strictly in accordance with the terms of this Agreement under all circumstances,
including, without limitation: (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of any
Letter of Credit;  (ii) the  existence  of any claim,  setoff,  defense or other
right  which the  Borrower  may have at any time  against a  beneficiary  of any
Letter  of  Credit  or  against  the  relevant  Fronting  Bank or any of the New
Revolving Lenders,  whether in connection with this Agreement,  the transactions
contemplated herein or any unrelated transaction;  (iii) payment by the relevant
Fronting Bank against any draft, demand, certificate or other document presented
under any Letter of Credit  which  proves to be forged,  fraudulent,  invalid or
insufficient in any respect or any statement  therein being untrue or inaccurate
in any  respect;  (iv) payment by the  relevant  Fronting  Bank of any Letter of
Credit against  presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other document
which  does not  comply  with the terms of such  Letter  of  Credit  (including,
without  limitation,  payment by the Fronting Bank in accordance  with its usual
practices and  procedures,  subsequent to the expiry date of a Letter of Credit,
as long as the Fronting  Bank has  obtained the consent of the Borrower  thereto
and has not been notified in writing by the Agent or a New  Revolving  Lender of
the occurrence of the Maturity  Date);  (v) any other  circumstance or happening
whatsoever,  which is similar to any of the foregoing; or (vi) the fact that any
Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing (it being understood that
any such payment by the Borrower  shall be without  prejudice  to, and shall not
constitute  a waiver of, any rights  the  Borrower  might have or might  acquire
against any party as a result of the payment by the  relevant  Fronting  Bank of
any draft or the reimbursement by the Borrower thereof).

     Section 2.8.  (Default  Interest.  (a) If the Borrower shall default in the
payment of the  principal  of or  interest  on any Loan or in the payment of any
other  amount  becoming  due  hereunder  (including,   without  limitation,  the
reimbursement  pursuant  to Section  2.5(f) of any draft drawn under a Letter of
Credit),  whether at stated  maturity,  by  acceleration or otherwise or, if any
such amount shall be  outstanding  at the time of the occurrence of any Event of
Default specified in Section 7.1(e) or (f), the Borrower shall pay interest,  to
the extent  permitted by law, on such defaulted amount up to (but not including)
the date of actual  payment  (after as well as  before  judgment)  at a rate per
annum (computed on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of
360 days) equal to (x) in the case of Borrowings consisting of Eurodollar Loans,
the Adjusted  LIBOR Rate in effect for such Borrowing plus 4-1/2% and (y) in the
case of ABR Loans,  Letter of Credit  Outstandings  and all other  amounts,  the
Alternate Base Rate plus 3-1/2%. All such interest shall be payable on demand.

          (b)  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(s) held by such Lender,  together  with all Other  Amounts  payable to such
Lender, shall be limited to the Maximum Rate.



<PAGE>40


     Section 2.9. Optional Termination or Reduction of Commitment. Upon at least
two Business  Days' prior written  notice to the Agent,  the Borrower may at any
time in whole  permanently  terminate,  or from time to time in part permanently
reduce,  the Total  Commitments  in an amount  equal to or less than the  Unused
Total Commitment. Each such reduction of the Total Commitments,  shall be in the
principal amount of $5,000,000 or any integral multiple thereof.  Simultaneously
with each reduction or termination of the Total Commitments,  the Borrower shall
pay to the Agent for the account of each New Revolving Lender the Commitment Fee
accrued on the amount of the respective  Commitment of such New Revolving Lender
so  terminated or reduced  through the date thereof.  Any reduction of the Total
Commitments  pursuant  to this  Section  shall be applied pro rata to reduce the
Commitment of each New Revolving Lender. If, at any time, the Borrower elects to
reduce the Total  Commitments  to an amount less than the  Documentary  Reserve,
such  reduction  shall not take effect  until the Agent shall have  notified the
Documentary  Letter of Credit  Fronting Bank thereof  (whereupon the Documentary
Reserve shall be reduced by the amount  necessary so that it does not exceed the
Total Commitments as so reduced).

     Section  2.10.  Alternate  Rate  of  Interest.  In the  event,  and on each
occasion,  that on or  prior  to the  first  day of any  Interest  Period  for a
Eurodollar Loan, the Agent shall have determined (which  determination  shall be
conclusive and binding upon the Borrower  absent manifest error) that reasonable
means do not exist for  ascertaining  the  applicable  Adjusted  LIBOR Rate, the
Agent shall,  as soon as  practicable  thereafter,  give written or  telegraphic
notice of such determination to the Borrower and the Lenders, and any request by
the  Borrower  for a Borrowing  of  Eurodollar  Loans  (including  pursuant to a
refinancing  with  Eurodollar  Loans)  pursuant  to Section 2.2 or 2.11 shall be
deemed a request for a Borrowing of ABR Loans. After such notice shall have been
given and until the  circumstances  giving rise to such notice no longer  exist,
each request for a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans shall be deemed to be a request
for a Borrowing of ABR Loans.

     Section 2.11.  Refinancing of Loans.  The Borrower shall have the right, at
any  time,  on three  Business  Days  prior  irrevocable  notice  to the  Agent,
substantially  in the form of Exhibit K hereto (which  notice,  to be effective,
must be completed and received by the Agent not later than 12:00 noon,  New York
City time, on the third Business Day preceding the date of any refinancing), (x)
to refinance  (without the satisfaction of the conditions set forth in Section 4
as a condition to such  refinancing) any outstanding  Borrowing or Borrowings of
Loans of one Type (or a portion  thereof) with a Borrowing of Loans of the other
Type or (y) to continue an  outstanding  Borrowing  of  Eurodollar  Loans for an
additional Interest Period, subject to the following:

          (a) as a condition  to the  refinancing  of ABR Loans with  Eurodollar
Loans and to the  continuation  of Eurodollar  Loans for an additional  Interest
Period,  no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing at
the time of such refinancing;

          (b) if less than a full Borrowing of Loans shall be  refinanced,  such
refinancing shall be made pro rata among the relevant Lenders in accordance with
the respective  principal amounts of the Loans comprising such Borrowing held by
such Lenders immediately prior to such refinancing;


<PAGE>41


          (c) the aggregate  principal amount of Loans being refinanced shall be
at least  $1,000,000;  provided,  that no partial  refinancing of a Borrowing of
Eurodollar  Loans shall result in the  Eurodollar  Loans  remaining  outstanding
pursuant to such  Borrowing  being less than  $5,000,000 in aggregate  principal
amount;

          (d) each relevant Lender shall effect each refinancing by applying the
proceeds of its new Eurodollar Loan or ABR Loan, as the case may be, to its Loan
being  refinanced;

          (e) the  Interest  Period with  respect to a Borrowing  of  Eurodollar
Loans  effected by a  refinancing  or in respect to the  Borrowing of Eurodollar
Loans  being  continued  as  Eurodollar  Loans  shall  commence  on the  date of
refinancing or the expiration of the current Interest Period  applicable to such
continuing  Borrowing,  as the case may be; and

          (f) a Borrowing of Eurodollar Loans may be refinanced only on the last
day of an Interest  Period  applicable  thereto.

In the event that the Borrower  shall not give notice to refinance any Borrowing
of Eurodollar Loans, or to continue such Borrowing as Eurodollar Loans, or shall
not be entitled to refinance or continue such Borrowing as Eurodollar  Loans, in
each case as provided above,  such Borrowing shall  automatically  be refinanced
with a Borrowing of ABR Loans at the  expiration  of the  then-current  Interest
Period.  The Agent shall,  after it receives notice from the Borrower,  promptly
give each affected  Lender notice of any  refinancing,  in whole or part, of any
Loan made by such Lender.

     Section 2.12.  Commitment  Termination;  Mandatory  Prepayments;  Mandatory
Commitment Reduction; Cash Collateral.

          (a) Upon the Maturity Date, the Total  Commitments shall be terminated
in full and the Borrower shall pay the New Revolving Loans in full.

          (b) Unless otherwise provided herein,  upon receipt by the Borrower of
any Net Cash Proceeds from the sale,  lease or other  disposition  of Designated
Collateral  (including,  without  limitation,  any  payments of principal on any
Pledged Notes (as defined in the Security and Pledge  Agreement))  or any of its
other assets  permitted  under Section 6.3 (other than (x) the sale of Inventory
in the ordinary  course of business,  (y) the sale or lease of assets subject to
the Lien  granted to UBS  pursuant  to the  documentation  relating  to the Real
Estate  Financing or to the Liens granted to the Synthetic Lease Banks under the
Synthetic  Lease Loan Documents  solely to the extent that the Net Cash Proceeds
thereof are applied to repay the Real Estate  Financing or the  Synthetic  Lease
Obligations,  as the case may be and (z) transfers or sales of accounts pursuant
to any customer sales charge program of the type described in Section 5.9), then
100% of such Net Cash Proceeds  shall be  immediately  paid to the Agent for the
account of the Lenders,  and applied as provided in Section  2.12(g);  provided,
that in the case of any fiscal year, the provisions of this subsection (b) shall
be  applicable  to the  Net  Cash  Proceeds  of  assets  other  than  Designated
Collateral only if and to the extent that the aggregate  amount of such Net Cash
Proceeds received in such fiscal year exceeds $1,000,000.



<PAGE>42

          (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  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  loss,
damage  or  injury  in excess of  $1,000,000  to any  tangible  property  of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries (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 to repair or replace
such property  within 24 months of such loss,  damage or injury and the Borrower
shall have  furnished to the Agent  evidence  satisfactory  to the Agent of such
expenditure  or  commitment  and shall  have  certified  to the Agent  that such
proceeds (or such proceeds  together with other funds available to the Borrower)
are sufficient to repair or replace such property, pending which the Agent shall
hold such  proceeds),  apply or, to the extent the Agent is loss payee under any
insurance policy, irrevocably direct the 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  2.12(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 Agent and held or
applied  pursuant  to  Section  7.2;  provided,  however,  that with  respect to
tangible  property  subject to any Lien permitted under this Agreement,  no such
prepayment or reduction  shall be required to the extent that this Section would
require an application of insurance proceeds that would violate or breach any of
the  provisions of the  instruments  or documents  under which such Lien arises.


          (d) If the  Borrower  has  Excess  Cash  Flow  for  any  fiscal  year,
commencing  with the fiscal year ending on or about  November 30, 1998,  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  5.1(a)
covering  such  fiscal year and 90 days after the end of such fiscal year of the
Borrower, 65% of such Excess Cash Flow shall be paid to the Agent and applied in
accordance  with  Section  2.12(g).  Concurrently  with the  making of each such
prepayment,  the Borrower shall deliver to the Agent a certificate substantially
in the form of  Exhibit  H (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.  The remaining 35% of such Excess Cash Flow may be retained by the
Borrower.

          (e) If  the  Borrower  incurs  any  Permitted  Refinancing  Debt,  the
Borrower  shall,  not later than the second  Business  Day after the  incurrence
thereof, pay to the Agent an amount equal to the excess, if any, of the Net Cash
Proceeds of such  Permitted  Refinancing  Debt over the aggregate  amount of the
Debt so refinanced,  which excess Net Cash Proceeds shall be applied as provided
in Section 2.12(g).

          (f) If the Borrower shall  undertake any sale of equity  securities of
the  Borrower,  not later  than the  second  Business  Day after  receipt of the
proceeds of such sale, 65% of the Net Cash Proceeds thereof shall be paid to the
Agent for the account of the Lenders and applied as provided in


<PAGE>43

Section 2.12(g).  Concurrently with the making of such prepayment,  the Borrower
shall  deliver  to the  Agent  a  statement  detailing  the  calculation  of the
prepayment  due  hereunder.  The  remaining 35% of such Net Cash Proceeds may be
retained by the Borrower.

          (g) If,  contemporaneously  with the payment of any  amounts  required
under Sections 2.12(b), 2.12(c), 2.12(d), 2.12(e) or 2.12(f), the Borrower shall
have  Required  Inventory and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be  continuing,  the Borrower  shall  certify to that effect in an Inventory
Compliance  Certificate  concurrently  delivered  by the  Borrower  to the Agent
substantially  in the form of Exhibit M hereto,  and the amounts paid under such
Sections shall be applied,  first, to the prepayment of the principal of the New
Term  Loans in the  inverse  order of  maturity  and  second,  to the  permanent
prepayment  of the  principal  of the  New  Revolving  Loans  (together  with an
automatic  and  irrevocable  reduction  of the  Total  Commitments  in an  equal
amount). 

          If the  Borrower  shall not have  Required  Inventory  or a Default or
Event of Default  shall have occurred and be  continuing,  then the amounts paid
under Section 2.12(b),  2.12(c), 2.12(d), 2.12(e) or 2.12(f) shall be applied in
accordance with Section 7.2.

          (h) If at any time the sum of the aggregate  outstanding New Revolving
Loans  plus  the  aggregate  Standby  Letter  of  Credit  Outstandings  plus the
Documentary  Reserve exceed the Total  Commitments then in effect,  the Borrower
shall  immediately  first prepay the New Revolving Loans in an aggregate  amount
equal to such  excess and second  cash  collateralize  the  Letters of Credit by
depositing  into the  Letter  of Credit  Accounts  (pro rata on the basis of the
Letter of Credit Outstandings of the respective Fronting Banks), an amount equal
to 105% of the amount by which the Letters of Credit  (including  any subsequent
increases  in the  principal  amounts  thereof  pursuant to  provisions  of such
Letters of Credit as then in effect) exceed the Total Commitments and, if at any
time while any New Revolving  Loans are  outstanding,  the Inventory  Compliance
Certificate  delivered  pursuant  to  Section  2.12(g)  does not  show  that the
Borrower has Required  Inventory,  the Borrower shall prepay all outstanding New
Revolving Loans on the next Business Day.

          (i) Each  prepayment  of the Loans  pursuant to this Section  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 2.13. (1)

     Section 2.13. Optional Prepayment of Loans; Reimbursement of Lenders.

          (a) Subject to the prior payment in full of any New Revolving Loans at
the time  outstanding,  the  Borrower  shall have the right at any time and from
time to time to prepay any New Term Loans, in whole or in part, (x) with respect
to Eurodollar Loans, upon at least three Business Days' prior written,  telex or
facsimile  notice  to the Agent  and (y) with  respect  to ABR Loans on the same
Business  Day if  written,  telex or  facsimile  notice is received by the Agent
prior to 12:00  noon,  New York  City  time,  and  thereafter  upon at least one
Business Days prior written,  telex or facsimile notice to the Agent;  provided,
that (i) with respect to Eurodollar Loans, each such partial prepayment shall be
in integral  multiples of $5,000,000,  (ii) with respect to ABR Loans, each such
partial


<PAGE>44

prepayment shall be in integral multiples of $1,000,000,  (iii) no prepayment of
Eurodollar  Loans shall be permitted  pursuant to this Section other than on the
last day of an Interest  Period  applicable  thereto  unless the  Borrower  pays
breakage costs as provided in Section 2.13(b)(i), and (iv) no partial prepayment
of a Borrowing  of  Eurodollar  Loans shall  result in the  aggregate  principal
amount of the Eurodollar Loans remaining  outstanding pursuant to such Borrowing
being  less  than  $5,000,000.  Each  notice of  prepayment  shall  specify  the
prepayment  date,  the principal  amount of the Loans to be prepaid (and, in the
case of Eurodollar  Loans, the Borrowing or Borrowings  pursuant to which made),
shall be  irrevocable  and shall  commit the Borrower to prepay such Loan by the
amount and on the date stated therein. The Agent shall, promptly after receiving
notice from the Borrower hereunder, notify each New Term Lender of the principal
amount  of the New  Term  Loans  held by such New Term  Lender  which  are to be
prepaid, the prepayment date and the manner of application of the prepayment.

          (b) The Borrower  shall  reimburse  each Lender on demand for any loss
incurred or to be incurred by it in the  reemployment  of the funds released (i)
resulting from any prepayment  (for any reason  whatsoever,  including,  without
limitation,  refinancing  with ABR Loans) of any  Eurodollar  Loan  required  or
permitted under this  Agreement,  if such Loan is prepaid other than on the last
day of the  Interest  Period  for such Loan or (ii) in the event  that after the
Borrower  delivers  a Notice of  Borrowing  under  Section  2.2(b) in respect of
Eurodollar  Loans,  such  Loans are not made on the  first  day of the  Interest
Period  specified in such Notice of Borrowing for any reason other than a breach
by such Lender of its  obligations  hereunder.  Such loss shall be the amount as
reasonably determined by such Lender as the excess, if any, of (A) the amount of
interest  which  would have  accrued to such Lender on the amount so paid or not
borrowed at a rate of interest  equal to the Adjusted  LIBOR Rate for such Loan,
for the  period  from the date of such  payment or failure to borrow to the last
day (x) in the case of a payment or refinancing with ABR Loans other than on the
last day of the  Interest  Period for such Loan,  of the then  current  Interest
Period for such  Loan,  or (y) in the case of such  failure  to  borrow,  of the
Interest  Period for such Loan which  would have  commenced  on the date of such
failure to borrow,  over (B) the amount of interest  which would have accrued to
such  Lender on such amount by placing  such amount on deposit for a  comparable
period with  leading  banks in the London  interbank  market.  Each Lender shall
deliver to the Borrower from time to time one or more certificates setting forth
the amount of such loss as  determined by such Lender (which shall be conclusive
absent manifest error).

          (c) In the event  the  Borrower  fails to prepay  any Loan on the date
specified in any prepayment  notice delivered  pursuant to Section 2.13(a),  the
Borrower on demand by any Lender  shall pay to the Agent for the account of such
Lender any amounts  required to compensate  such Lender for any loss incurred by
such  Lender  as  a  result  of  such  failure  to  prepay,  including,  without
limitation,  any loss, cost or expenses incurred by reason of the acquisition of
deposits or other funds by such Lender to fulfill deposit  obligations  incurred
in anticipation of such prepayment,  but without duplication of any amounts paid
under  Section  2.13(b).  Each Lender shall deliver to the Borrower from time to
time  one or  more  certificates  setting  forth  the  amount  of  such  loss as
determined by such Lender (which shall be conclusive absent manifest error).



<PAGE>45

          (d) Any  partial  prepayment  of the New Term  Loans  by the  Borrower
pursuant to this Section  shall be applied to prepayment of the principal of the
New Term Loans in the inverse order of maturity.

     Section 2.14. Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances.

          (a)  Notwithstanding  any other provision herein, if after the date of
this   Agreement  any  change  in  applicable   law  or  regulation  or  in  the
interpretation or administration  thereof by any Governmental  Authority charged
with the  interpretation  or  administration  thereof (whether or not having the
force of law) shall  change the basis of  taxation  of payments to any Lender of
the principal of or interest on any  Eurodollar  Loan made by such Lender or any
fees or other amounts payable hereunder (other than changes in respect of Taxes,
Other  Taxes and taxes  imposed  on, or  measured  by, the net income or overall
gross receipts or franchise  taxes of such Lender by the  jurisdiction  in which
such  Lender  has its  principal  office or in which the  applicable  Eurodollar
Lending  Office  for  such  Eurodollar  Loan  is  located  or by  any  political
subdivision or taxing authority therein,  or by any other jurisdiction or by any
political  subdivision or taxing authority  therein other than a jurisdiction in
which  such  Lender  would  not be  subject  to tax but for  the  execution  and
performance of this Agreement),  or shall impose,  modify or deem applicable any
reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against assets of, deposits with
or for the account of or credit extended by such Lender (except any such reserve
requirement  which is reflected  in the Adjusted  LIBOR Rate) or shall impose on
such Lender or the London  interbank  market any other condition  affecting this
Agreement or the Eurodollar Loans made by such Lender,  and the result of any of
the  foregoing  shall  be to  increase  the cost to such  Lender  of  making  or
maintaining  any Eurodollar  Loan or to reduce the amount of any sum received or
receivable  by such Lender  hereunder or under the Notes  (whether of principal,
interest or otherwise)  by an amount deemed by such Lender to be material,  then
the Borrower will pay to such Lender in accordance with paragraph (c) below such
additional  amount or amounts as will compensate such Lender for such additional
costs incurred or reduction suffered.

          (b) If any Lender shall have determined that the  applicability of any
change in any law, rule,  regulation or guideline adopted pursuant to or arising
out of the July 1988 report of the Basel  Committee on Banking  Regulations  and
Supervisory Practices entitled "International Convergence of Capital Measurement
and Capital  Standards",  or the adoption or effectiveness after the date hereof
of any law, rule,  regulation or guideline  regarding capital  adequacy,  or any
change in any of the foregoing or in the interpretation or administration of any
of the  foregoing by any  Governmental  Authority,  central  bank or  comparable
agency charged with the interpretation or administration  thereof, or compliance
by any Lender (or any Lending  Office of such  Lender) or any  Lender's  holding
company 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,  has or would  have the  effect of  reducing  the rate of return on such
Lender's capital or on the capital of such Lender's holding company,  if any, as
a consequence of this Agreement,  the Loans made by such Lender pursuant hereto,
such Lender's Commitment  hereunder or the issuance of, or participation in, any
Letter of Credit by such  Lender to a level below that which such Lender or such
Lender's  holding  company could have achieved but for such adoption,  change or
compliance  (taking into account such



<PAGE>46

Lender's policies and the policies of such Lender's holding company with respect
to capital  adequacy) by an amount  deemed by such Lender to be  material,  then
from time to time the Borrower shall pay to such Lender such  additional  amount
or amounts as will compensate  such Lender or such Lender's  holding company for
any such reduction suffered.

          (c) A certificate  of each Lender setting forth such amount or amounts
as shall be  necessary  to  compensate  such  Lender or its  holding  company as
specified in paragraph (a) or (b) above,  as the case may be, shall be delivered
to the Borrower and shall be  conclusive  absent  manifest  error.  The Borrower
shall pay each Lender the amount shown as due on any such certificate  delivered
to it within 10 days after its  receipt of the same.  Any Lender  receiving  any
such payment shall  promptly  make a refund  thereof to the Borrower if the law,
regulation,  guideline or change in circumstances giving rise to such payment is
subsequently  deemed or held to be invalid or inapplicable.

          (d) Failure on the part of any Lender to demand  compensation  for any
increased costs or reduction in amounts  received or receivable or any reduction
in return on capital with respect to any period shall not constitute a waiver of
such Lender's  right to demand  compensation  with respect to such period or any
other period.  The  protection of this Section shall be available to each Lender
regardless of any possible  contention of the invalidity or  inapplicability  of
the law, rule,  regulation,  guideline or other change or condition  which shall
have occurred or been imposed.
       
     Section 2.15. Change in Legality.

          (a)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained  elsewhere in
this  Agreement,  if  (x)  any  change  in  any  law  or  regulation  or in  the
interpretation   thereof  by  any  Governmental   Authority   charged  with  the
administration thereof shall make it unlawful for a Lender to make or maintain a
Eurodollar Loan or to give effect to its obligations as contemplated hereby with
respect to a Eurodollar  Loan or (y) at any time any Lender  determines that the
making or continuance of any of its Eurodollar Loans has become impracticable as
a result of a  contingency  occurring  after  the date  hereof  which  adversely
affects  the London  interbank  market or the  position  of such  Lender in such
market,  then, by written  notice to the  Borrower,  such Lender may (i) declare
that  Eurodollar  Loans will not  thereafter  be made by such Lender  hereunder,
whereupon any request by the Borrower for a Eurodollar  Borrowing  shall,  as to
such Lender  only,  be deemed a request for an ABR Loan unless such  declaration
shall  be  subsequently  withdrawn;   and  (ii)  require  that  all  outstanding
Eurodollar  Loans made by it be converted to ABR Loans,  in which event all such
Eurodollar  Loans  shall  be  automatically  converted  to ABR  Loans  as of the
effective  date of such notice as provided in paragraph (b) below.  In the event
any Lender shall  exercise its rights under clause (i) or (ii) of this paragraph
(a), all payments and  prepayments of principal  which would otherwise have been
applied to repay the  Eurodollar  Loans that would have been made by such Lender
or the  converted  Eurodollar  Loans of such Lender shall  instead be applied to
repay  the ABR Loans  made by such  Lender  in lieu of,  or  resulting  from the
conversion of, such Eurodollar Loans.

          (b) For  purposes  of this  Section,  a notice to the  Borrower by any
Lender  pursuant to paragraph  (a) above shall be effective,  if any  Eurodollar
Loans shall then be outstanding, on the last


<PAGE>47

day of the then-current  Interest Period
for such Eurodollar Loans (if lawful); otherwise, such notice shall be effective
on the date of receipt by the Borrower.

     Section  2.16.  Pro Rata Treatment,  etc.  All payments and  repayments  of
principal  and interest in respect of the Loans  (except as provided in Sections
2.14 and 2.15) shall be made pro rata among the relevant  Lenders in  accordance
with the then  outstanding  principal  amount of the relevant Loans held by such
Lenders  hereunder and all payments of Commitment Fees and Letter of Credit Fees
(other than those  payable to a Fronting  Bank) shall be made pro rata among the
New Revolving Lenders in accordance with their Commitments.  All payments by the
Borrower hereunder and under the Notes shall be (i) net of any tax applicable to
the  Borrower  and (ii) made in Dollars in  immediately  available  funds at the
office of the Agent by 12:00 noon, New York City time, on the date on which such
payment  shall be due.  Interest in respect of any Loan  hereunder  shall accrue
from and including the date of such Loan to but excluding the date on which such
Loan is paid in full or converted to a Loan of a different Type.

     Section 2.17. Taxes.

          (a) Any and all payments by the Borrower hereunder and under the Notes
shall be made free and clear of and without deduction for any and all current or
future taxes,  levies,  imposts,  deductions,  charges or withholdings,  and all
liabilities with respect thereto,  excluding (i) taxes imposed on or measured by
the net  income or  overall  gross  receipts  of the Agent or any Lender (or any
transferee  or  assignee  thereof,  including a  participation  holder (any such
entity being called a "Transferee")) and franchise taxes imposed on the Agent or
any Lender (or  Transferee) by the United States or any  jurisdiction  under the
laws of which the Agent or any such Lender (or  Transferee)  is  organized or in
which the  applicable  Lending  Office of any such  Lender  (or  Transferee)  is
located or any political  subdivision thereof or by any other jurisdiction or by
any political  subdivision or taxing authority therein other than a jurisdiction
in which  the  Agent or such  Lender  would  not be  subject  to tax but for the
execution and  performance  of this Agreement and (ii) taxes,  levies,  imposts,
deductions,  charges  or  withholdings  ("Amounts")  with  respect  to  payments
hereunder or under the Notes to a Lender (or Transferee) in accordance with laws
in effect on the later of the date of this  Agreement  and the date such  Lender
(or Transferee)  becomes a Lender (or  Transferee,  as the case may be), but not
excluding,  with  respect to such Lender (or  Transferee),  any increase in such
Amounts solely as a result of any change in such laws occurring after such later
date or any Amounts that would not have been imposed but for actions (other than
actions contemplated by this Agreement or the Notes) taken by the Borrower after
such  later  date (all such  nonexcluded  taxes,  levies,  imposts,  deductions,
charges, withholdings and liabilities being hereinafter referred to as "Taxes").
If the Borrower  shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or in respect
of any sum payable  hereunder to the Lenders (or any  Transferee)  or the Agent,
(i) the sum payable  shall be  increased  by the amount  necessary so that after
making all required deductions  (including  deductions  applicable to additional
sums payable under this Section)  such Lender (or  Transferee)  or the Agent (as
the case may be) shall receive an amount equal to the sum it would have received
had no such  deductions  been made, (ii) the Borrower shall make such deductions
and (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount deducted to the relevant taxing
authority or other Governmental Authority in accordance with applicable law.



<PAGE>48

          (b) In  addition,  the  Borrower  agrees to pay any  current or future
stamp or  documentary  taxes or any other  excise or  property  taxes,  charges,
assessments or similar levies that arise from any payment made hereunder or from
the execution,  delivery or registration  of, or otherwise with respect to, this
Agreement or any other Loan Document (hereinafter referred to as "Other Taxes").

          (c) The Borrower will  indemnify each Lender (or  Transferee)  and the
Agent  for the full  amount of Taxes and Other  Taxes  paid by such  Lender  (or
Transferee)  or the  Agent,  as the case may be,  and any  liability  (including
penalties,  interest and expenses)  arising  therefrom or with respect  thereto,
whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes were  correctly or legally  asserted by
the  relevant   taxing   authority  or  other   Governmental   Authority.   Such
indemnification  shall be made  within  30 days  after the date any  Lender  (or
Transferee) or the Agent, as the case may be, makes written demand therefor.  If
a Lender (or  Transferee) or the Agent shall become aware that it is entitled to
receive  a refund  in  respect  of Taxes or Other  Taxes as to which it has been
indemnified by the Borrower  pursuant to this Section,  it shall promptly notify
the Borrower of the availability of such refund and shall,  within 30 days after
receipt of a request by the  Borrower,  apply for such refund at the  Borrower's
expense. If any Lender (or Transferee) or the Agent receives a refund in respect
of any Taxes or Other Taxes as to which it has been  indemnified by the Borrower
pursuant to this Section,  it shall promptly  notify the Borrower of such refund
and  shall,  within 30 days  after  receipt  of a request  by the  Borrower  (or
promptly upon receipt, if the Borrower has requested application for such refund
pursuant  hereto),  repay such refund to the  Borrower (to the extent of amounts
that have been paid by the  Borrower  under this  Section  with  respect to such
refund plus interest that is received by the Lender (or Transferee) or the Agent
as part of the  refund),  net of all  out-of-pocket  expenses of such Lender (or
Transferee) or the Agent and without additional interest thereon; provided, that
the  Borrower,  upon the  request of such Lender (or  Transferee)  or the Agent,
agrees to return such refund (plus penalties, interest or other charges) to such
Lender (or  Transferee) or the Agent in the event such Lender (or Transferee) or
the Agent is required to repay such refund. Nothing contained in this subsection
(c) shall require any Lender (or  Transferee) or the Agent to make available any
of its tax returns (or any other information relating to its taxes that it deems
to be confidential).

          (d)  Within 30 days  after the date of any  payment  of Taxes or Other
Taxes  withheld  by the  Borrower  in respect  of any  payment to any Lender (or
Transferee) or the Agent, the Borrower will furnish to the Agent, at its address
referred to on the signature pages hereof, the original or a certified copy of a
receipt evidencing payment thereof.

          (e) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement contained
herein,  the agreements and obligations  contained in this Section shall survive
the payment in full of the principal of and interest on all Loans made hereunder
and  all  other  amounts  due  hereunder  and  the   termination  of  the  Total
Commitments.

          (f) Each Lender (or Transferee)  that is organized under the laws of a
jurisdiction outside the United States shall, if legally able to do so, prior to
the  immediately  following  due date of any payment by the Borrower  hereunder,
deliver to the  Borrower  such  certificates,  documents or other


<PAGE>49

evidence,  as  required  by the Code or  Treasury  Regulations  issued  pursuant
thereto, including (A) Internal Revenue Service Form W-8 or W-9 and (B) Internal
Revenue Service Form 1001 or Form 4224 and any other certificate or statement of
exemption  required  by  Treasury  Regulation  Section  1.1441-1,   1.1441-4  or
1.1441-6(c) or any subsequent  version thereof or successors  thereto,  properly
completed and duly  executed by such Lender (or  Transferee)  establishing  that
such payment is (i) not subject to United States Federal  withholding  tax under
the Code because such payment is effectively  connected with the conduct by such
Lender (or  Transferee)  of a trade or  business  in the  United  States or (ii)
totally  exempt  from  United  States  Federal  withholding  tax or subject to a
reduced rate of such tax under a provision of an applicable  tax treaty.  Unless
the Borrower and the Agent have received forms or other  documents  satisfactory
to them  indicating  that  such  payments  hereunder  or under the Notes are not
subject to United States Federal withholding tax or are subject to such tax at a
rate  reduced by an  applicable  tax  treaty,  the  Borrower  or the Agent shall
withhold taxes from such payments at the  applicable  statutory  rate.

          (g) The Borrower shall not be required to pay any  additional  amounts
to any Lender (or  Transferee) in respect of United States  Federal  withholding
tax pursuant to subsection  (a) above if the  obligation to pay such  additional
amounts  would not have arisen but for a failure by such Lender (or  Transferee)
to comply with the provisions of subsection (f) above.

          (h) Any Lender (or Transferee) claiming any additional amounts payable
pursuant to this Section shall use reasonable efforts (consistent with legal and
regulatory  restrictions)  to file any certificate or document  requested by the
Borrower or to change the  jurisdiction of its applicable  Lending Office if the
making of such a filing or change  would avoid the need for or reduce the amount
of any such additional  amounts that may thereafter accrue and would not, in the
sole  determination of such Lender, be otherwise  materially  disadvantageous to
such Lender (or Transferee).

     Section 2.18.  Certain Fees. The Borrower  shall pay to the Agent,  for the
respective  accounts  of the  Agent,  the  Underwriters  and the  New  Revolving
Lenders, the fees set forth in the Fee Letter.

     Section 2.19.  Commitment  Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the New Revolving
Lenders a commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") for the period commencing on the
Effective  Date and ending on the Maturity Date for the New  Revolving  Loans or
the earlier date of the termination in full of the Commitment,  computed (on the
basis of the actual  number of days elapsed over a year of 360 days) at the rate
of one-half of one percent  (1/2%) per annum on the average  daily  Unused Total
Commitment.  Such Commitment  Fee, to the extent then accrued,  shall be payable
(x) monthly,  in arrears,  on the last  calendar  day of each month,  (y) on the
Maturity  Date for the New  Revolving  Loans and (z) as provided in Section 2.9,
upon any reduction or termination in whole or in part of the Total Commitments.

     Section 2.20. Letter of Credit Fees. The Borrower shall pay with respect to
each Letter of Credit (i) to the Agent on behalf of the New Revolving  Lenders a
fee calculated (on the basis of the actual number of days elapsed over a year of
360 days) at the rate of (x) two and one-half  percent (2-1/2%) per annum on the
daily  average  Standby  Letter of Credit  Outstandings  and (y) one-half of one


<PAGE>50

percent  (1/2%)  per annum on the  daily  average  Documentary  Letter of Credit
Outstandings,  (ii) to each Fronting Bank,  such Fronting Bank's fees for Letter
of Credit issuance,  amendment and processing  referred to in Section 2.5(e). In
addition,  the Borrower  agrees (i) to pay the Standby Letter of Credit Fronting
Bank for its account a fronting  fee in respect of each Letter of Credit  issued
by the Standby Letter of Credit Fronting Bank, for the period from and including
the date of  issuance  of such  Letter of Credit  to and  including  the date of
termination of such Letter of Credit,  computed at a rate of 0.125% per annum on
the  daily  average  Standby  Letter  of  Credit  Outstandings  and  (ii) if the
Documentary  Letter of Credit Bank so elects,  to pay the Documentary  Letter of
Credit Fronting Bank a fronting fee in respect of Documentary Letters of Credit,
computed at a rate to be  determined  by such Fronting Bank from time to time in
its judgment reasonably  exercised.  Accrued fees described in clause (i) of the
first  sentence of this  paragraph  in respect of each Letter of Credit shall be
due and payable monthly in arrears on the last calendar day of each month and on
the Maturity Date of the New Revolving  Loans, or such earlier date as the Total
Commitments  are  terminated  and, on each such  payment  date,  the  respective
Fronting  Banks shall advise the Agent of their daily  average  Letter of Credit
Outstandings  since the previous  payment  date.  Accrued fees  described in the
second  sentence  or in clause  (ii) of the first  sentence  of this  Section in
respect of each Letter of Credit shall be payable to the Fronting Banks at times
to be  determined  by the  relevant  Fronting  Bank in its  judgment  reasonably
exercised.

     Section  2.21.  Nature of Fees.  All Fees shall be paid on the dates due in
immediately  available  funds.  Other than Fees  payable to the  Fronting  Banks
pursuant to Section 2.20, all fees shall be paid to the Agent for the respective
accounts of the Agent and the New Revolving  Lenders,  as provided herein and in
the letter  described  in  Section  2.18.  Once paid,  none of the Fees shall be
refundable under any circumstances.

     Section  2.22.  Right  of  Set-Off.  Upon the  occurrence  and  during  the
continuance  of any Event of  Default,  the Agent and each of the other  Secured
Parties is hereby  authorized  at any time and from time to time, to the fullest
extent  permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits  (general or
special, time or demand,  provisional or final) at any time held and any and all
other  indebtedness at any time owing by such Secured Party to or for the credit
or the account of the  Borrower  against any and all of the  obligations  of the
Borrower now or hereafter  existing under the Loan  Documents,  irrespective  of
whether or not such  Secured  Party  shall  have made any demand  under any Loan
Document and although  such  obligations  may be  unmatured.  Each Secured Party
agrees  promptly to notify the Borrower  after any such set-off and  application
made by such Secured Party; provided, that the failure to give such notice shall
not affect the  validity  of such  set-off and  application.  Subject to Section
2.23,  the rights of each  Secured  Party under this  Section are in addition to
other rights and remedies  which such Secured Party may have upon the occurrence
and during the continuance of any Event of Default.

     Section  2.23.  Sharing of Setoffs.  Each  Secured  Party agrees that if it
shall,  through the exercise of a right of banker's lien, setoff or counterclaim
against the Borrower or any Subsidiary, including, but not limited to, a secured
claim under  Section 506 of the  Bankruptcy  Code or other  security or interest
arising  from,  or in lieu of, such  secured  claim and received by such Secured
Party


<PAGE>51

under any applicable bankruptcy,  insolvency or other similar law, or otherwise,
obtain  payment in respect of its Secured  Obligations,  such  payment  shall be
applied as follows:  (a) if such  Secured  Party is a New  Revolving  Lender and
there are Revolving  Obligations  outstanding,  and the payment received is of a
proportion of the aggregate amount of the Revolving Obligations held by it which
is greater than that  received by any other New  Revolving  Lender in respect of
the aggregate  amount of Revolving  Obligations held by such other New Revolving
Lender, the New Revolving Lender receiving such proportionately  greater payment
shall  purchase such  participations  in the Revolving  Obligations  held by the
other New Revolving  Lenders and such other adjustments shall be made, as may be
required so that all such  payments  with respect to the  Revolving  Obligations
held by the New  Revolving  Lenders  owing to them  shall be  shared  by the New
Revolving  Lenders pro rata;  (b) if such Secured  Party is not a New  Revolving
Lender and there are Revolving  Obligations  outstanding  (other than  Revolving
Obligations  in  which  participations  have  been  purchased  pursuant  to this
Section), such Secured Party shall purchase a subordinated  participation in the
Revolving Obligations in the amount of such payment (provided, that such Secured
Party  shall  not be  entitled  to  receive  any  payments  in  respect  of such
participation until all Revolving  Obligations in which  participations have not
been purchased  pursuant to this Section shall have been paid in full) and shall
pay over the amount received to the Agent for  distribution to the New Revolving
Lenders pro rata until all amounts owing in respect of the Revolving Obligations
shall have been paid or purchased in full (and  payments  received in respect of
such  participation  shall be subject to sharing  pursuant to clause (c) of this
sentence);  and (c) if no  Revolving  Obligations  are  outstanding  (other than
Revolving  Obligations in which  participations  have been purchased pursuant to
this  Section),  and the payment  received is of a proportion  of the  aggregate
amount of principal  and interest due with respect to the New Term Loans held by
it or other Secured Obligations owing to it which is greater than the proportion
received by any other such  Secured  Party in respect of the New Term Loans held
by such other Secured Party and the other Secured  Obligations  owing to it, the
Secured Party receiving such proportionately greater payment shall purchase such
participations  in the New Term Loans held by the other Secured  Parties  and/or
the other Secured 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 New Term  Loans  held by the New Term  Lenders or the other
Secured  Obligations owing to the Secured Parties shall be shared by the Secured
Parties  pro rata;  provided,  that except as provided in clauses (a) and (b) of
this  Section,  nothing in this  Section  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  other  Secured
Obligations  owing to it;  provided,  that if any such  non-pro  rata payment is
thereafter  recovered or  otherwise  set aside such  purchase of  participations
shall be rescinded (without interest);  provided further,  that  notwithstanding
anything to the contrary  contained in this  Section,  (x) each Cash  Management
Bank shall be entitled to retain any payments it receives in respect of its Cash
Management  Obligations as a result of exercising any right of set-off, (y) each
Fronting Bank shall be entitled to retain any payments it receives in respect of
unreimbursed amounts drawn under its Letters of Credit as a result of exercising
any right of set-off  against  its Letter of Credit  Account and (z) the Hedging
Bank shall be  entitled  to retain any  payments  it  receives in respect of the
Hedging Obligations as a result of exercising any right of set-off; and provided
further, that all references to "Secured Obligations" in this Section shall mean
all Secured  Obligations  other than pursuant to Sections 2.14,


<PAGE>52

2.17,  2.18, 8.6, 9.5 and 9.6 and any incremental  Secured  Obligations  arising
pursuant to Section  2.15.  The  Borrower  expressly  consents to the  foregoing
arrangements  and agrees  that any Lender  holding  (or deemed to be  holding) a
participation in the unpaid amount of a Secured  Obligation may exercise any and
all rights of banker's lien,  setoff (subject,  in each case, to the same notice
requirements  as pertain to clause (iv) of the  remedial  provisions  of Section
7.1) or counterclaim with respect to any and all moneys owing by the Borrower to
such Lender, as fully as if such Lender held a Note and was the original obligee
thereon, in the amount of such participation.

     Section 2.24. Security Interest in Letter of Credit Accounts.  The Borrower
hereby  assigns  and  pledges to the Agent,  for its benefit and for the ratable
benefit of the Secured Parties,  and hereby grants to the Agent and the Fronting
Banks, for their respective  benefits and for the ratable benefit of the Secured
Parties, a first priority security interest,  senior to all other Liens, if any,
in all of the  Borrower's  right,  title and  interest  in and to the  Letter of
Credit  Accounts and any direct  investment of the funds  contained  therein.  A
Fronting Bank's security interest in the Letter of Credit Account  maintained by
it shall be prior to the  security  interest in favor of the Agent and the other
Secured Parties, and shall not be subject to the rights of any Person other than
the Agent,  the other Secured  Parties and the Borrower so long as there are any
Letter  of Credit  Outstandings  or such  Fronting  Bank is  obligated  to issue
Letters of Credit.

     Section 2.25.  Release of Secured  Parties.  For the benefit of the Secured
Parties,  the Borrower  hereby  expressly  releases and  discharges  the Secured
Parties  and  the  Secured   Parties'  direct  and  indirect   Subsidiaries  and
Affiliates, together with each of their present and former shareholders, present
and former officers,  directors,  agents and employees and each of their present
and former  attorneys,  advisors,  consultants,  attorneys-in-fact,  experts and
other  professional  persons and  representatives  whether presently or formerly
retained  by  attorneys  for  the  Secured  Parties  or by the  Secured  Parties
themselves,  and the predecessors,  successors and assigns of all or any of them
(collectively,  the  "Releasees")  from any and all manner of  actions,  claims,
causes of action,  suits,  proceedings,  debts,  dues, sums of money,  accounts,
accountings, reckonings, demands, liabilities, losses, damages, acts, omissions,
misfeasances,  malfeasances,  promises,  breaches of contract, breaches of duty,
breaches of  relationship,  and all other  controversies  of every  type,  kind,
nature,  description  or  character  (all of the  foregoing,  collectively,  the
"Claims")  whatsoever,   whether  known  or  unknown,  foreseen  or  unforeseen,
liquidated or  unliquidated,  and whether based upon facts now known or unknown,
direct or  derivative,  in law,  admiralty,  equity or  bankruptcy,  against the
Releasees,  or any of  them,  which  the  Borrower,  its  Subsidiaries  or their
Affiliates  and the  predecessors,  successors or assigns of any or all of them,
ever jointly or  individually  had, now have or hereafter can, shall or may have
for,  upon,  or by  reason of any  matter,  cause or thing  whatsoever  from the
beginning  of the  world  to and  including  the  Effective  Date,  directly  or
indirectly  arising  from or  relating  in any way to any and all  transactions,
relationships,  or dealings relating in any way, directly or indirectly,  to the
Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement,  the DIP Credit  Agreement and any of the other
Existing  Agreements,  the  documents  and  agreements  setting  forth  the


<PAGE>53

cash management  arrangements  with the Cash  Management  Banks and the Hedging
Agreement,  as well as any agreements entered into, or notes, or other documents
executed,  in connection with the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement,  the DIP Credit
Agreement,  any of the other Existing  Agreements,  the documents and agreements
setting forth the cash management  arrangements  with the Cash Management  Banks
and the Hedging Agreement or as an adjunct or supplement thereto,  and any prior
agreements  pursuant  to  which  the  Secured  Parties  (or any of them or their
respective  predecessors  or  successors)  made  (or  did  not  make)  loans  or
extensions  of  credit or any  services  or  accommodations  of any type or kind
whatsoever available to or on behalf of the Borrower or the Debtor.

SECTION 3.   REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

     The  Borrower   represents   and  warrants  to  each  of  the  Agent,   the
Underwriters,  the Fronting Banks,  the Lenders and the other Secured Parties as
follows:

     Section  3.1.  Organization  and  Authority.  The  Borrower  (i)  as of the
Effective Date, is a corporation  duly organized and validly  existing under the
laws of the State of Delaware and is duly qualified as a foreign corporation and
is in good  standing  in each  jurisdiction  in which the  failure to so qualify
would have a Material Adverse Effect, (ii) has the requisite corporate power and
authority to effect the transactions  contemplated  hereby and by the other Loan
Documents to which it is a party,  and (iii) has all requisite  corporate  power
and  authority  and the legal  right to own,  pledge,  mortgage  and operate its
properties,  and to conduct  its  business  as now or  currently  proposed to be
conducted.

     Section 3.2. Due Execution. The execution,  delivery and performance by the
Borrower of each of the Loan Documents to which it is a party (i) are within the
Borrower's  corporate  powers,  have  been  duly  authorized  by  all  necessary
corporate  action  and do not (A)  contravene  the  charter  or  by-laws  of the
Borrower,  (B) violate any law (including,  without  limitation,  the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934) or regulation (including, without limitation,  Regulations
G, T, U or X of the Board,  or any order or decree of any court or  governmental
instrumentality,  (C) violate or result in a breach of, or  constitute a default
under, any material indenture,  mortgage or deed of trust entered into as of the
Effective Date or any material lease, agreement or other instrument entered into
as of the Effective Date binding on the Borrower, any of its Subsidiaries or any
of its properties, or (D) result in or require the creation or imposition of any
Lien upon any of the property of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  other
than the Liens granted  pursuant to this Agreement and the other Loan Documents;
and do not require the consent,  authorization by or approval of or notice to or
filing or registration  with any Governmental  Authority other than the entry of
the Confirmation  Order.  This Agreement has been duly executed and delivered by
the Borrower.  This  Agreement and each of the other Loan Documents to which the
Borrower is a party, on and after the Effective  Date, will be legal,  valid and
binding  obligations  of the  Borrower,  enforceable  against the  Borrower,  in
accordance with their respective terms.

     Section 3.3.  Statements  Made. The information  that has been delivered in
writing by the Borrower to any of the Secured Parties or to the Bankruptcy Court
in connection  with any Loan  Document,  and any financial  statement  delivered
pursuant  hereto or thereto  (other than to the extent that any such  statements
constitute  projections),  contains no untrue  statement of a material  fact and
does not omit to state a material  fact  necessary to make such  statements  not
misleading;   and,  to  the  extent  that  any  such   information   constitutes
projections,  such  projections  were  prepared  in good  faith


<PAGE>54


on the basis of assumptions,  methods,  data, tests and information  believed by
the Borrower to be reasonable at the time such projections were furnished.

     Section 3.4. Financial  Statements.  The Borrower has furnished the Lenders
with copies of (i) the audited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower
and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries for the fiscal year ended November 30, 1996,
accompanied  by an  unqualified  opinion of KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP and (ii) the
unaudited consolidated financial statements of the Borrower and its Consolidated
Subsidiaries  for the nine month period ended  August 30, 1997.  Such  financial
statements present fairly the financial condition, the results of operations and
cash flows of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis as of such dates and for such periods;  such balance  sheets and the notes
thereto disclose all liabilities,  direct or contingent, of the Borrower and its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries  as of the dates thereof  required to be disclosed by
GAAP, and such financial  statements  were prepared in a manner  consistent with
GAAP,  subject  (in the case of such nine month  statements)  to normal year end
adjustments. No Material Adverse Effect has occurred since August 30, 1997.

     Section  3.5.  Ownership.  As of the  date  hereof,  Lumberjack,  which  is
wholly-owned by the Borrower,  is the only direct or indirect  Subsidiary of the
Borrower, is inactive and has no significant assets.

     Section 3.6.  Liens.  Except for Liens  existing on the  Effective  Date as
reflected on Schedule  3.6,  there are no Liens of any nature  whatsoever on any
assets of the Borrower  other than:  (i) Liens granted  pursuant to the Existing
Agreements and the DIP Financing  Order;  (ii) Permitted  Liens; and (iii) Liens
granted under the Loan  Documents in favor of the Secured  Parties.  Neither the
Borrower nor its  Subsidiaries is a party to any contract,  agreement,  lease or
instrument  the  performance  of  which,  either  unconditionally  or  upon  the
happening  of an event,  will result in or require the creation of a Lien on any
assets of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries or otherwise result in a violation of
this Agreement  other than the Liens granted to the Secured  Parties as provided
for in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

     Section 3.7. Compliance with Law. Neither the Borrower nor its Subsidiaries
is, to the best of the Borrower's knowledge,  in violation of any Requirement of
Law, or in default with respect to any judgment,  writ,  injunction or decree of
any Governmental  Authority the violation of which, or a default with respect to
which, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section  3.8.  Insurance.  All  policies of insurance of any kind or nature
owned by or issued to the Borrower,  including,  without  limitation,  insurance
policies  with  respect  to  life,  fire,  theft,  product  liability,  business
interruption,  public  liability,  property  damage,  other  casualty,  employee
fidelity,  workers' compensation,  employee health and welfare,  title, property
and  liability  insurance,  are in full force and effect and are of a nature and
provide  such  coverage  as is  sufficient  and  as is  customarily  carried  by
companies of the size and character of the Borrower.



<PAGE>55

     Section 3.9.  Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Loans shall be used (i)
to finance the Plan of Reorganization, (ii) for general working capital purposes
of the Borrower and (ii) for other  general  corporate  purposes of the Borrower
(including,  among  such  general  corporate  purposes,  the  making of  Capital
Expenditures, subject to the limitations provided for in Section 6.4).

     Section 3.10.  Litigation.  Except as set forth on Schedule 3.10, there are
no unstayed  actions,  suits or proceedings  pending or, to the knowledge of the
Borrower,  threatened against or affecting the Borrower, its Subsidiaries or any
of its  properties,  before any court or  governmental  department,  commission,
board,  bureau,  agency  or  instrumentality,  domestic  or  foreign,  which  is
reasonably  likely  to be  determined  adversely  to  the  Borrower  and,  if so
determined adversely to the Borrower, would have a Material Adverse Effect.

     Section 3.11.  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  to be made  or any  Letter  of  Credit  to be  issued
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 of the other Loan
Documents.

     Section  3.12.  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  have paid,  or have  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 Material  Adverse  Effect.  The last  closed tax year of the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries is the fiscal year ended November 27,
1993.

     Section  3.13.  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 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,


<PAGE>56

to the best  knowledge of the Borrower  there has been no change in such funding
status or  financial  condition  that could  reasonably  be  expected  to have a
Material 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  in any  fiscal  year of the  Borrower  in  excess  of
$3,000,000 in the aggregate for the  Borrower,  its  Subsidiaries  and the ERISA
Affiliates of any of them.

          (e) With  respect to each Plan which is an "employee  pension  benefit
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 Loan Documents or by
any Plan constitutes a prohibited transaction as such term is defined in Section
406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Code.

          (g) Neither the Borrower, nor any Subsidiary,  nor any ERISA Affiliate
of any of them, nor any fiduciary of any Plan, has engaged in any transaction in
violation  of Section 404 of ERISA,  which has resulted or could  reasonably  be
expected to result in any liability in excess of $3,000,000 in the aggregate for
the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the ERISA Affiliates of any of them.

          (h) Neither the Borrower, nor any Subsidiary,  nor any ERISA Affiliate
of any of them, nor any Plan or fiduciary thereof,  is a party to any litigation
relating to or seeking  benefits from any such Plan, nor does there exist one or
more facts or events which could form the basis for any such  litigation,  where
such  litigation  could  reasonably  be expected to result in any  liability  in
excess of $3,000,000 in the aggregate for the Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the
ERISA Affiliates of any of them.

          (i) No event has occurred, in connection with which the Borrower,  any
Subsidiary  or any  ERISA  Affiliate  of any of them,  could be  subject  to any
material liability under any statute,  regulation or governmental order relating
to any Plan or pursuant to any obligation of the Borrower, any Subsidiary or any
ERISA Affiliate to indemnify any Person against any liability incurred under any



<PAGE>57

such statute,  regulation or order as they relate to any such Plan,  which could
reasonably be expected to result in any liability in excess of $3,000,000 in the
aggregate for the Borrower,  its Subsidiaries and the ERISA Affiliates of any of
them.

          (j)  Except  as set  forth in  Schedule  3.13 or as  disclosed  in the
Debtor's 1996 Annual Report, neither the Borrower,  nor any Subsidiary,  nor any
ERISA  Affiliate of any of them, nor any welfare  benefit plan maintained by the
Borrower,  any Subsidiary or any ERISA  Affiliate of any of them has any present
or future  obligation  to make any payment to or with  respect to any present or
former employee,  officer, director or agent of the Borrower, any Subsidiary, or
any ERISA Affiliate of any of them pursuant to any retiree medical benefit plan,
or other  retiree  welfare  benefit  plan (and the  aggregate  liability  of the
Borrower, its Subsidiaries and the ERISA Affiliates of any of them in respect of
all obligations disclosed on Schedule 3.13 or in the Debtor's 1996 Annual Report
does not exceed  $22,000,000),  and no condition  exists which would prevent the
Borrower,  any Subsidiary or any ERISA Affiliate of any of them from amending or
terminating any such benefit plan or welfare benefit plan.

          (k) Each welfare  benefit plan which covers or has covered  present or
former employees, officers, directors or agents of the Borrower, any Subsidiary,
or any  ERISA  Affiliate  of any of them and which is a "group  health  plan" as
defined in Section 607(1) of ERISA, has been operated at all times in compliance
with  provisions of Part 6 of Title I of ERISA and Sections  162(k) and 4980B of
the Code.

     Section  3.14.  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,
except such as would be permitted under Section 6.1.

     Section  3.15.  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 3.16.  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 Material  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  3.17.  Evnvironmewntal  Matters.  To the  best  of the  Borrower's
knowledge after due inquiry, except as set forth on Schedule 3.17:

          (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,


<PAGE>58

any  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 Material 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 Material 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 any 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 Material
Adverse Effect;

          (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,  any  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 Material 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 Material
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 any 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 Material Adverse Effect.




<PAGE>59

     Section 3.18.  Location and Divisions of the Borrower.  As of the Effective
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  3.18.  The Borrower uses each of the division  names set
forth on Schedule 3.18 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  3.19.  Solvency.  On and as of the  Effective  Date,  after giving
effect to the  restructuring  of the  Pre-Petition  Term Loans, the Pre-Petition
Revolving  Credit Loans,  the DIP Revolving  Credit Loans and the DIP Letters of
Credit  and to  all  other  debt  of  the  Borrower  pursuant  to  the  Plan  of
Reorganization  (including  the Loans incurred or to be incurred by the Borrower
and the Liens  created,  or to be created,  in  connection  therewith):  (a) the
Borrower has no reason to believe that any final judgments  against the Borrower
or any affected  Subsidiary 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 such  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)  and the  cash
available to the Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,  after taking into account all
other  anticipated  uses  of the  cash  of the  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries
(including  the  payments on or in respect of debt  referred to in clause (c) of
this  Section),  is  anticipated  to be  sufficient  to pay all  such  judgments
promptly  in  accordance  with  their  terms;  (b) the sum of the  present  fair
saleable  value of the assets of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  will exceed
the probable  liability of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on their respective
debts; (c) neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries  will have incurred
or intends to, or believes  that it will,  incur debts beyond its ability to pay
such debts as such debts  mature  (taking into account the timing and amounts of
cash to be received by the Borrower and its Subsidiaries from any source, and of
amounts  to be  payable  on or in  respect  of  debts  of the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries  and the amounts referred to in clause (a) of this Section) and the
cash available to the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  after taking into account
all other anticipated uses of the cash of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  is
anticipated  to be  sufficient to pay all such amounts on or in respect of debts
of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, when such amounts are required to be paid;
and (d) 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.  For purposes of
this Section,  "debt" means any liability on a claim,  and "claim" means (i) any
right to payment  whether or not such right is reduced to judgment,  liquidated,
unliquidated,  fixed,  contingent,  matured,  unmatured,  disputed,  undisputed,
legal, equitable, secured or unsecured, or (ii) any right to an equitable remedy
for breach of performance if such breach gives rise to a payment, whether or not
such right is reduced to judgment, liquidated,  unliquidated, fixed, contingent,
matured,  unmatured,   disputed,   undisputed,   legal,  equitable,  secured  or
unsecured.  On the date of each Loan and the  issuance  of each Letter of Credit
(and after giving  effect to all Loans and Letters of Credit  outstanding  as of
such date),  the  representations  set forth in this  Section  shall be true and
correct.  With respect to clauses (b) and (d) of this  Section,  with respect to
the Borrower,  such  representations  and warranties are made to the best of the
knowledge of the Borrower,  except that




<PAGE>60

such representations and warranties are made without qualification to the extent
that the untruth or  inaccuracy  of any such  representation  or warranty  would
result in a Material Adverse Effect.

SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO  EFFECTIVENESS  OF  REORGANIZATION  AND
            EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT

     Section 4.1.  Conditions  Precedent  to  Effectiveness  of  Reorganization,
Initial  Loans and  Initial  Letters  of  Credit  The  effectiveness  of (i) the
restructuring  of the  Borrower's  obligations  arising  under the  Pre-Petition
Credit  Agreement and the DIP Credit  Agreement and (ii) the  obligations of the
Lenders to finance the Plan of Reorganization  through the restructuring of such
obligations under the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement and the DIP Credit Agreement
and of the New Revolving  Lenders to make the initial New Revolving Loans and of
the relevant  Fronting Bank to issue the initial Letter of Credit,  in which the
New Revolving Lenders shall participate,  is subject to the following conditions
precedent,  each of which  shall  have  been  satisfied  or  waived  (except  as
otherwise  provided in this Section) by the Required  Revolving  Lenders and, in
the case of the conditions  contained in Sections  4.1(b)(i) and (ii), (c), (e),
(f), (g), (h), (i) and (j), the Required Pre-Petition Lenders and all of the DIP
Lenders,  and all of which  shall have been  satisfied  or waived on or prior to
December 31, 1997, unless the Required  Pre-Petition  Lenders and all of the DIP
Lenders shall have agreed to extend such date:

          (a)  Supporting Documents.  The Agent shall have received:

               (i)  a  copy  of the  Borrower's  certificate  of  incorporation,
                    certified  as of a recent date by the  Secretary of State of
                    Delaware;

               (ii) a certificate  of the Secretary of State of Delaware,  dated
                    as of a recent date, as to the good standing of the Borrower
                    and as to the charter documents on file in the office of the
                    Secretary of State;

               (iii)a certificate of the Secretary or an Assistant  Secretary of
                    the  Borrower,  dated the date of the  initial  Loans or the
                    initial  Letters of Credit  hereunder,  delivered as part of
                    the Closing Certificate referred to in clause (iv) below and
                    certifying (A) that attached  thereto is a true and complete
                    copy of the by-laws of the Borrower as in effect on the date
                    of such  certification,  (B) that attached thereto is a true
                    and  complete  copy of  resolutions  adopted by the Board of
                    Directors of the Borrower authorizing the restructuring, the
                    Borrowings  of New  Revolving  Loans  and  the  issuance  of
                    Letters of Credit  hereunder,  the  execution,  delivery and
                    performance  in accordance  with their  respective  terms of
                    this Agreement,  the Notes, the other Loan Documents and any
                    other  documents  required  or  contemplated   hereunder  or
                    thereunder and the granting of the security  interest in the
                    Letter of Credit Accounts  contemplated hereby, (C) that the
                    certificate  of  incorporation  of the


<PAGE>61

                    Borrower  has  not  been  amended  since  the  date  of  the
                    certificate of the Secretary of State furnished  pursuant to
                    clause  (i)  above   (other   than  by  the  filing  of  the
                    Certificate  of  Ownership  and Merger  with  respect to the
                    Borrower  by the Debtor on  December  2, 1997) and (D) as to
                    the incumbency and specimen signature of each officer of the
                    Borrower  executing this Agreement,  the Notes and the other
                    Loan  Documents  or any other  document  delivered  by it in
                    connection   herewith  or  therewith  (such  certificate  to
                    contain a  certification  by another officer of the Borrower
                    as to the  incumbency  and signature of the officer  signing
                    the certificate referred to in this clause (iii)); (1)

               (iv) receipt by the Agent of a closing  certificate  signed by an
                    executive officer of the Borrower, substantially in the form
                    of Exhibit L (the "Closing  Certificate"),  with appropriate
                    insertions  and   attachments   satisfactory   in  form  and
                    substance to the Agent; and

               (v)  receipt by the Agent of a Notice of  Borrowing  with respect
                    to the New Term Loans and any New Revolving Loans to be made
                    on the Effective  Date,  and, if applicable,  receipt by the
                    Agent and the relevant  Fronting Bank of an Application  for
                    the  issuance  of any  Letters of Credit to be issued on the
                    Effective Date.

          (b) Agreement; Notes. On or before the Effective Date, the Agent shall
have  received  (i) executed  counterparts  of this  Agreement  from each of the
parties  hereto,  (ii) New Term Notes executed on behalf of the Borrower,  dated
the  Effective  Date,  payable  to the  order of each of the New  Term  Lenders,
substantially  in the form of Exhibit  A-1  hereto,  in an  aggregate  principal
amount  equal  to such New  Term  Lender's  New  Term  Loans  as  determined  in
accordance with Section 1.55 of the Plan of  Reorganization  and in an amount at
least equal to $265 million and (iii) New Revolving  Notes executed on behalf of
the  Borrower  payable  to the  order  of  each of the  New  Revolving  Lenders,
substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  A-2  hereto  and in amount  equal to its
Commitment.

          (c) Confirmation Order. The Agent shall have received a certified copy
of an order (the "Confirmation Order") of the Bankruptcy Court, in substantially
the form of Exhibit B, which shall contain provisions providing for, inter alia,
(i) confirmation of the Plan of  Reorganization,  (ii) the release of all claims
or causes of action by or on behalf of the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries
against the Secured Parties,  (iii) an injunction against the prosecution of any
such  claim or cause of  action,  (iv) the  nondischargeability  of the  Secured
Obligations to the extent set forth in the DIP Financing Order and the waiver by
the  Borrower  of any such  discharge  pursuant  to  Section  1141(d)(4)  of the
Bankruptcy  Code,  and  (v) the  continuation  of  superpriority  administrative
expense  claims until the Effective  Date and the  continuation  of the security
interests  granted  to the  respective  Secured  Parties  pursuant  to  the  DIP
Financing  Orders,  which  Confirmation  Order shall have become a Final  Order,
shall not have been amended or modified without the prior written consent of the
Agent, the


<PAGE>62


Required  Pre-Petition  Lenders and the Required Revolving Lenders and shall not
have been stayed, reversed, vacated or rescinded in any respect.

          (d)  Plan of  Reorganization  and  Disclosure  Statement.  The Plan of
Reorganization  and  Disclosure  Statement  shall be in the form  filed with the
Bankruptcy Court, and any amendments,  modifications and each of the exhibits to
the Plan of Reorganization  and/or Disclosure Statement shall be satisfactory to
the Agent, the Required  Pre-Petition Lenders and the Required Revolving Lenders
in their reasonable discretion.

          (e) Reclamation Claims. The Debtor shall not have paid during the Case
and the Borrower shall not have paid or reasonably anticipate being obligated to
pay, on or after the Effective  Date, more than $30 million in the aggregate for
all reclamation claims with legal priority.

          (f) Required Inventory. The Borrower shall have delivered an Inventory
Compliance Certificate,  dated the Effective Date,  demonstrating that it has at
least $300 million in Required Inventory.

          (g) Trade Payables. The Debtor shall have post-petition trade payables
which are not backed by letters of credit,  deposits or any other form of credit
support  of not less than  $30.6  million in the  aggregate  outstanding  on the
Effective  Date and  shall  reasonably  expect to have  access to at least  such
amount of such trade  credit from and after the  Effective  Date.

          (h) Minimum EBITDA. The Debtor shall have EBITDA during the first four
completed  fiscal  months of the Case of not less than $12.9  million or, in the
event that the  Effective  Date occurs on or prior to December 10,  1997,  shall
have EBITDA during the first three and three-quarter  completed fiscal months of
the Case of not less than $12.4 million,  together with reasonably  estimated or
projected  EBITDA  for the last week of the fourth  fiscal  month of the Case of
$0.5 million.

          (i) Debt to EBITDA Ratio. As of the Effective Date, the Borrower shall
have a Debt to EBITDA ratio of not more than 7.9 to 1 on the basis of EBITDA for
the  period  consisting  of  the  twelve  completed  fiscal  months  immediately
preceding the  Effective  Date for which  definitive  financial  information  is
available.

          (j) Projected  EBITDA.  The Debtor,  after  consultation with Houlihan
Lokey Howard & Zukin or any  successor  financial  advisor to the Debtor,  shall
have delivered financial projections to the Agent, setting forth on a reasonable
basis in good faith, aggregate EBITDA for the Borrower for the period consisting
of the two fiscal years  immediately  following the  Effective  Date of at least
$196 million  subject to adjustments  for  non-material  changes to the Business
Plan  implemented  during the Case and  approved  by the  Required  Pre-Petition
Lenders and all of the DIP Lenders.


<PAGE>63


          (k)  Security  and  Pledge  Agreement.  The  Borrower  shall have duly
executed  and  delivered  to the Agent,  for its  benefit and the benefit of the
other Secured Parties,  an Amended and Restated Security and Pledge Agreement in
substantially  the  form  of  Exhibit  C  (as  amended,  amended  and  restated,
supplemented  or otherwise  modified from time to time, the "Security and Pledge
Agreement").

          (l) Mortgages. The Borrower shall have (x) duly executed and delivered
to the Agent,  for its  benefit and the  benefit of the other  Secured  Parties,
mortgages and deeds of trust,  substantially in the form of Exhibits D-1 and D-2
hereto, respectively,  on the real properties constituting UBS Collateral and on
the real  properties  securing the Synthetic  Lease  Obligations,  together with
Title  Commitments  or Policies  as the Agent may  require and Surveys  relating
thereto,  (y) duly executed and delivered to the Agent,  for its benefit and the
benefit of the other Secured Parties,  amended and restated  mortgages and deeds
of  trust  on the  Properties  included  as  part  of  Pre-Petition  Collateral,
substantially  in the form of Exhibits D-3 and D-4 hereto (all of such mortgages
and deeds of trust  delivered  pursuant to this  subsection  (l),  collectively,
together with any mortgages and deeds of trust executed and delivered  after the
Effective Date in respect of Available Property or After-Acquired  Property,  as
amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified from time to
time, the "Mortgages"),  in each case for the Agent's benefit and the benefit of
the other Secured Parties,  together with updated Title Policies with respect to
such  Properties  and (z)  provided  evidence to the Agent of the filing of such
Mortgages in the appropriate  filing or recording offices and the payment of all
taxes and recording fees relating thereto.

          (m)  Financing  Statements.  The Agent shall have  received  (i) UCC-1
and/or UCC-3 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 Agent (for its  benefit  and the  benefit of the
other Secured Parties) with a perfected  security interest in the Collateral and
evidence of the filing of such UCC-1 and/or UCC-3  Financing  Statements  in all
jurisdictions  in which it would be  necessary or desirable to provide the Agent
(for its benefit and the benefit of the other Secured  Parties) with a perfected
security interest in the Collateral;  and (ii) such UCC-11 searches as the Agent
may require  reflecting that no filings  relating to Liens on the Collateral are
of record in such jurisdictions except those permitted under the Loan Documents.


          (n) Vehicles.  To the extent not previously provided,  the Agent shall
have received  original  certificates of title for Vehicles pledged to the Agent
for its benefit and the benefit of the other  Secured  Parties  with the Lien of
the Agent noted thereon or accompanied by  documentation  required to effect the
same.

          (o) Opinion of Counsel to the Borrower. The Secured Parties shall have
received the  favorable  written  opinion of counsel to the Borrower  reasonably
acceptable to the Agent, dated the Effective Date,  substantially in the form of
Exhibits G-1 and G-2.



<PAGE>64


          (p) Payment of Fees.  The Borrower  shall have paid to the Agent,  the
Underwriters  and the Fronting  Banks the then unpaid balance of all accrued and
unpaid Fees owed under and pursuant to this Agreement and the letter referred to
in Section 2.18.

          (q)  Payment  of Other  Amounts.  The  Borrower  shall  have paid all
accrued  and unpaid  interest,  fees and other  amounts  (other  than  principal
amounts  outstanding  on  the  Effective  Date  under  the  Pre-Petition  Credit
Agreement  which are being  exchanged for New Common Stock) owing pursuant to or
in  connection  with  the  Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement  and the  DIP  Credit
Agreement.

          (r) [Intentionally Omitted].

          (s)  Corporate  and Judicial  Proceedings.  All corporate and judicial
proceedings   and  all   instruments  and  agreements  in  connection  with  the
transactions among the Borrower, the Agent, the Fronting Banks, the Underwriters
and the Lenders contemplated by this Agreement shall be reasonably  satisfactory
in form and  substance  to the  Agent,  and the Agent  shall have  received  all
information  and  copies of all  documents  and  papers,  including  records  of
corporate  and  judicial  proceedings,  which  the  Agent  may  have  reasonably
requested in connection  therewith,  such documents and papers where appropriate
to be certified by proper corporate, governmental or judicial authorities.

          (t)  Compliance  with Laws.  The Borrower shall have granted the Agent
access  to and the right to  inspect  all  reports,  audits  and other  internal
information of the Borrower  relating to  environmental  matters,  and any third
party  verification of certain matters relating to compliance with Environmental
Laws  requested by the Agent,  and the Agent shall be reasonably  satisfied that
the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  are in compliance  in all material  respects
with all  applicable  Environmental  Laws  and be  satisfied  with the  costs of
maintaining such compliance.

          (u) Designated  Equity.  The Borrower shall have twenty million shares
of common stock issued and  outstanding  or authorized and reserved for issuance
pursuant to the Plan of  Reorganization  (the "New Common Stock"),  of which the
New  Revolving   Lenders  shall  be  entitled  to  receive   460,000  shares  in
consideration for their Commitments,  and the New Term Lenders shall be entitled
to receive the number of shares of New Common  Stock  determined  in  accordance
with Section 3.4(a) of the Plan of Reorganization.

          (v) Post-Effective  Date Board of Directors.  The size and composition
of the new Board of Directors of the Borrower as of the Effective  Date (and the
term of each  director)  shall be  acceptable to the Agent and a majority of the
Pre-Petition Lenders.

          (w) No Material  Adverse  Change.  There shall not have occurred since
September 1, 1997, a material adverse change,  or development or event involving
a  prospective  change,  which,  in the  reasonable  judgment  of  the  Required
Revolving  Lenders,  could have a Material  Adverse  Effect or could  materially
adversely  affect  the  rights  and  remedies  of the  Agent or any of the other
Secured  Parties under the Loan  Documents,  and none of the Agent or any of the
other  Secured  Parties  shall


<PAGE>65

have become aware of any theretofore  previously  undisclosed materially adverse
information with respect to the matters described in this clause (w);

          (x)  Absence  of  Litigation.  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 Agent or any of the
other  Secured  Parties  which could  reasonably  be expected to have a Material
Adverse Effect; there shall be no judgment, order, injunction or other restraint
prohibiting any of the transactions contemplated by any of the Loan Documents;

          (y)  Effectiveness  of  Synthetic  Lease Loan  Agreement  and UBS Loan
Agreement.  All of the UBS Loan Documents and the Synthetic Lease Loan Documents
shall have been executed and delivered in form and substance satisfactory to the
Agent,  and the Effective  Date (as defined in each of the Synthetic  Lease Loan
Agreement and the UBS Loan Agreement) shall have occurred.

          (z)  Information.  The Agent  shall  have  received  such  information
(financial  or  otherwise)  as may be  reasonably  requested by the Agent or the
Underwriters.

          (aa) Closing  Documents.  The Agent shall have  received all documents
(including  security  documents  granting  the  liens  in  favor  of  the  Agent
contemplated hereby) required by this Agreement reasonably  satisfactory in form
and  substance  to the Agent  and,  in the case of the  issuance  of a Letter of
Credit, the relevant Fronting Bank shall have received all documents it requires
in connection  with its  agreement to issue Letters of Credit  hereunder in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to such Fronting Bank.

     Section  4.2.  Conditions  Precedent to Each Loan and Each Letter of Credit
after the Effective  Date.  After the Effective  Date, the obligation of the New
Revolving  Lenders to make each New Revolving Loan and of the relevant  Fronting
Bank to issue  each  Letter of Credit is  subject  to the  following  conditions
precedent:

          (a) Notice.  The Agent shall have received a Notice of Borrowing  with
respect to such New Revolving Loans or the Agent and the relevant  Fronting Bank
shall have received an Application  for the issuance of such Letter of Credit as
required  by  Sections  2.2(b)  or 2.6,  as the case  may be,  which  Notice  of
Borrowing  or  Application  shall  be  accompanied  by an  Inventory  Compliance
Certificate.

          (b) Representations and Warranties. All representations and warranties
contained in this  Agreement and the other Loan  Documents or otherwise  made in
writing in  connection  herewith or  therewith  shall be true and correct in all
material respects on and as of the date of each Borrowing of New Revolving Loans
or the  issuance of each Letter of Credit  hereunder  with the same effect as if
made on and as of such  date  except  to the  extent  such  representations  and
warranties expressly relate to an earlier date.


<PAGE>66


          (c)  Compliance;  No  Default.  On the date of each  Borrowing  of New
Revolving Loans hereunder or the issuance of each Letter of Credit, the Borrower
shall be in compliance  with all of the terms and provisions set forth herein to
be observed or performed, and no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred
and be continuing.

          (d) Confirmation  Order. The Confirmation Order shall be in full force
and effect and shall not have been amended or modified without the prior written
consent of the Agent,  the  Majority  Term  Lenders and the  Required  Revolving
Lenders and shall not have been  stayed,  reversed,  vacated or rescinded in any
respect.

          (e) Payment of Fees.  The Borrower  shall have paid to the Agent,  the
Fronting Banks, the Underwriters and the New Revolving Lenders,  the then unpaid
balance of all accrued and unpaid  Fees then  payable  under or pursuant to this
Agreement.

          (f) Required Inventory.  The Borrower shall have Required Inventory on
the date of each  Borrowing or the issuance of each Letter of Credit  hereunder.

     The request by the  Borrower  for, and the  acceptance  by the Borrower of,
each extension of credit  hereunder shall be deemed to be a  representation  and
warranty by the Borrower that the conditions specified in this Section have been
satisfied at that time.

SECTION 5.   AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS

     From the date hereof and for so long as any  Commitment  shall be in effect
or any Letter of Credit shall remain  outstanding (in a face amount in excess of
the amount of cash then held in the relevant  Letter of Credit Account  pursuant
to Section  2.12(h)),  or any amount shall remain  outstanding under any Note or
unpaid under this Agreement, the Borrower agrees that it will, and it will cause
each Subsidiary to:

     Section 5.1. Financial  Statements,  Reports, etc. Deliver to the Agent and
each of the Fronting Banks and the Lenders (or, in the case of the weekly report
delivered  pursuant to Section 5.1(l),  deliver to the Agent for distribution to
the Fronting Banks and the Lenders):

          (a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after the end
of each fiscal  year,  the  consolidated  balance  sheet of the Borrower and its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries  as of the  end  of  such  fiscal  year  and  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  year
(unless, in accordance with GAAP, such comparative  financial statements are not
prepared),  the  consolidated  statement of the  Borrower  and its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries to be audited for the Borrower by independent public accountants of
recognized  national standing acceptable to the Required Lenders and accompanied
by an opinion of such accountants  (which shall not be qualified in any material
respect);


<PAGE>67


          (b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after the end
of each of the first three  fiscal  quarters and within 90 days after the end of
the fourth fiscal quarter of each fiscal year of the Borrower,  the consolidated
balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as of the end of
such quarter and related  consolidated  statements  of income and cash flows for
such fiscal quarter,  setting forth in each case in comparative form the figures
for the  corresponding  quarter and the  corresponding  portion of the  previous
fiscal year,  together with a comparison of such results to the relevant portion
of the Annual Budget, each certified by a Financial Officer as fairly presenting
the  financial  condition  and results of  operations  of the  Borrower  and its
Consolidated  Subsidiaries  on a  consolidated  basis in  accordance  with  GAAP
consistently  applied,  subject to normal  year-end audit  adjustments (it being
understood  that  the  Borrower  shall  also  deliver  copies  of the  financial
statements  delivered  pursuant to this clause (b) with respect to the first two
quarters  of  its  1998  fiscal  year,  together  with  copies  of  the  related
certificates  delivered  pursuant to clause (c) below,  to Arthur  Andersen LLP,
financial advisors to the Debtor's Unsecured Creditors' Committee);

          (c)  concurrently  with any  delivery of  financial  statements  under
clauses  (a)  or  (b)  above,   (i)  a  certificate  of  a  Financial   Officer,
substantially  in the form of Exhibit N hereto,  certifying  such statements (A)
stating that no Default or Event of Default has occurred, or, if such Default or
Event of Default has occurred,  specifying  the nature,  the period of existence
and extent thereof and any corrective  action taken or proposed to be taken with
respect  thereto  and  (B)  setting  forth  computations  in  reasonable  detail
satisfactory to the Agent  demonstrating  whether the Borrower was in compliance
with the  provisions of Sections 6.4, 6.7 and 6.16 on the date of such financial
statements and (ii) a certificate of such  accountants  accompanying the audited
consolidated  financial statements delivered under (a) above certifying that, in
the  course  of  the  regular  audit  of the  business  of  the  Borrower,  such
accountants have obtained no knowledge that an Event of Default has occurred and
is continuing,  or if, in the opinion of such  accountants,  an Event of Default
has occurred and is  continuing,  specifying the nature thereof and all relevant
facts with  respect  thereto;

          (d) within 15 Business  Days of the end of each  fiscal  month (or, in
the case of the last fiscal month of the Borrower in each fiscal year, within 45
days),  commencing  with  the  fiscal  month  in which  the  Effective  Date has
occurred,  a  consolidated  balance  sheet of the Borrower and its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries,  related  statement of income and cash flows showing the financial
condition of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries and the results of
operations as of the close of such fiscal month and the then elapsed  portion of
the fiscal year,  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.

          (e) as soon as  practicable,  and in any  event  within 45 days of the
Effective Date, a pro forma statement of the Borrower's  financial  condition as
of the Effective Date in form, scope and detail  reasonably  satisfactory to the
Agent; 

          (f) within 45 days  after the  commencement  of each  fiscal  year,  a
forecast of the  financial  condition  and results of operations of the Borrower
and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  by


<PAGE>68


month,  for the twelve  fiscal  months  commencing  with the first month of such
fiscal year (the "Annual  Budget"),  and not later than 45 days after the end 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 Consolidated  Subsidiaries for
such period,  together with a reforecast for the balance of such fiscal year, in
all instances in form, scope and detail satisfactory to the Agent;

          (g) on the  earlier of the date of  delivery  by the  Borrower  to the
Agent, the Fronting Banks and the Lenders of the financial  statements  required
to be delivered pursuant to Section 5.1(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;

          (h) promptly upon request therefor by the Agent, copies of all reports
submitted by independent  public  accountants to the Borrower in connection with
each  annual,  interim  or  special  audit of the  financial  statements  of the
Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries,  including,  without limitation, any
comment letters  submitted by such  accountants to management in connection with
their  annual  audit;

          (i)  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  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;

          (j)  forthwith  upon  becoming  aware of (i) any  litigation  or other
proceeding  which could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect
or (ii) any default with  respect to any  obligation  of the Borrower  under any
agreement,  instrument, or other undertaking to which the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  is a party or by which it or any of its properties is bound or any
event or condition  which could  reasonably  be expected to have such a material
adverse  effect,  notice  thereof;

          (k) promptly upon becoming aware of any Material  Adverse Effect since
the Effective Date, notice thereof;

          (l) within six  Business  Days of the end of each week, a flash report
reflecting  sales and gross  margins  for such  week in form,  scope and  detail
reasonably satisfactory to the Agent;

          (m) (i)  promptly  and in any event  within 30 days  after the  filing
     thereof  with the  Internal  Revenue  Service,  copies of each  Schedule  B
     (Actuarial  Information)  to the  annual  report  (Form 5500  Series)  with
     respect to each Plan;


<PAGE>69


               (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 ten (10)  Business  Days
     after  receipt  thereof  by the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  or any ERISA
     Affiliate  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)  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  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;

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

          (o)  promptly  upon the  release of any Liens or the  satisfaction  or
discharge of all or a portion of the Liens securing the Real Estate Financing or
the Liens granted under the Synthetic  Lease Loan  Documents or Liens granted to
any  other  lenders,  notice  thereof;

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

          (q) 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
Agent,  promptly  deliver  executed  UCC-1  Financing  Statements  on forms then
provided by the Agent to the  Borrower;

          (r) within three (3) Business Days after any amendment,  modification,
supplement  to or  waiver  of any  provisions  of the UBS  Loan  Documents,  the
Synthetic Lease Loan Documents,  the GE Credit Program  Documents,  or any other
material credit arrangements,  notice thereof, together with a copy of each such
fully executed amendment, modification, supplement or waiver;

          (s) without limiting any of the Borrower's  other  obligations to give
notice  under the Loan  Documents,  within  fifteen (15) days of the end of each
fiscal quarter,  furnish to the Agent lists 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


<PAGE>70


quarter,  setting forth in each case the date of  acquisition  or filing thereof
and otherwise  substantially  in the form of Exhibit O hereto,  all certified by
the chief financial officer of the Borrower;

          (t) on the  second  Business  Day of the first and third full weeks of
each  fiscal  month of the  Borrower,  deliver  to the Agent and each  Lender an
Inventory Compliance Certificate,  substantially in the form of Exhibit M hereto
(an "Inventory Compliance Certificate"),  certifying that the Borrower continues
to maintain Required Inventory;

          (u)  promptly,  upon the mailing  thereof to the  shareholders  of the
Borrower  generally,  copies  of all  financial  statements,  reports  and proxy
statements so mailed;

          (v) promptly,  and in any event within ten (10) Business Days prior to
the proposed closing of any purchase or refinancing by the Borrower of any notes
payable to one or more of the Synthetic  Lease Banks,  written  notice as to the
identity  of the  purchaser,  the  applicable  purchase  price and the  proposed
payment  date,  together  with  a copy  of the  proposed  purchase  and  release
documents;  and

          (w) promptly,  from time to time, such other information regarding the
operations,  business  affairs and  financial  condition  of the Borrower or its
Subsidiaries,  or  compliance  with the terms of any material  loan or financing
agreements as the Agent, any Fronting Bank or any Lender may reasonably request.


     Section 5.2.  Conduct of Business;  Maintenance  of Existence.  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  6.3(f),  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
Material Adverse Effect.

     Section  5.3.  Maintenance  of Property;  Insurance.  (a) Keep all material
property  useful  and  necessary  in its  business  in good  working  order  and
condition, ordinary wear and tear excepted.

     (b)  Keep  its  material  properties   (including  without  limitation  all
Property)  insured at all times with financially  sound and reputable  insurance
companies,  against  such risks as is  customary  for  companies  of the same or
similar size in the same or similar  businesses;  provided,  that such insurance
shall (i) insure the property (including without limitation all Property) of the
Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  (other than motor vehicles)  against all risk of
loss or damage including, without limitation, loss by fire, explosion, theft and
such other casualties as may be reasonably  satisfactory to the Agent, but in no
event in an amount less than the replacement cost value thereof, and (ii) insure
the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries,  and the 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


<PAGE>71


for personal injury,  bodily injury and property damage relating to the property
and operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, such policies to be in such
form and amounts and having such coverage as may be reasonably  satisfactory  to
the Agent. All such insurance shall, within twenty days after the Effective Date
(i)  contain  a breach  of  warranty  clause in favor of the Agent and the other
Secured Parties in all loss or 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
Agent  thereof,  (iii) name the Agent for the benefit of the Secured  Parties as
loss payee for physical damage  insurance with respect to property as to which a
Lien has been granted to the Agent, with the right to adjust the same (provided,
that 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 name the Agent
and the other Secured  Parties as additional  insureds for liability  insurance,
with the Agent having the right to adjust the same,  (iv) state that neither the
Agent nor any of the other Secured  Parties shall be  responsible  for premiums,
commissions,  club calls,  assessments or advances,  (v) contain a waiver of all
rights of set-off, counterclaim,  deduction or subrogation against the Agent and
the other  Secured  Parties  and (vi) be  reasonably  satisfactory  in all other
respects (including deductibles) to the Agent.

     (c) Furnish to the Agent, on or prior to the Effective Date, a schedule,  a
copy of which is annexed as Schedule 5.3, describing all insurance maintained by
the Borrower,  which schedule shall set forth,  for each insurance  policy,  the
policy number,  the scope of coverage,  the policy limits and  deductibles,  the
insurer (and reinsurers, if applicable) and the expiration date.

     (d) Furnish to the Agent, original certificates of insurance complying with
the  requirements  of this Section set forth above and containing  signatures of
duly authorized representatives of the insurer, on or prior to the date which is
twenty  days  after  the  Effective  Date  and  at all  times  prior  to  policy
termination, cessation or cancellation.

     (e) Maintain such other  insurance or self  insurance as may be required by
law or as the Agent may reasonably request.

     Section 5.4. Compliance with Laws. 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
Material Adverse Effect.

     Section  5.5.  Obligations  and  Taxes.  Pay all its  material  obligations
promptly and in accordance  with their terms and pay and discharge  promptly all
material taxes,  assessments and governmental  charges or levies imposed upon it
or upon its income or profits  or in  respect  of its  property  before the same
shall  become in  default,  as well as all  material  lawful  claims  for labor,
materials  and supplies or otherwise  which,  if unpaid,  might become a Lien or
charge upon such


<PAGE>72


properties or any part thereof; provided, that the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
shall not be required to pay and discharge or to cause to be paid and discharged
any such  tax,  assessment,  charge,  levy or claim so long as the  validity  or
amount thereof shall be contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings  (if
the Borrower or such  Subsidiary  shall have  established  on its books adequate
reserves  therefor).  For purposes of this Section,  the term "obligation" shall
not include those obligations discharged under the Plan of Reorganization.

     Section 5.6.  Notice of Event of Default,  etc.  Promptly give to the Agent
notice in writing of any Default or Event of Default  hereunder  or under any of
the other Loan Documents.

     Section  5.7.  Access  to  Books  and  Records.  Maintain  or  cause  to be
maintained  at all times true and  complete  books and records of the  financial
operations of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries;  and provide the Agent and its
representatives  access to all such books and records  during  regular  business
hours,  in order that the Agent may examine and make  abstracts from such books,
accounts,  records and other papers for the purpose of verifying the accuracy of
the various reports  delivered by the Borrower to the Agent,  the Fronting Banks
or  the  Lenders  pursuant  to  this  Agreement  or for  otherwise  ascertaining
compliance with this Agreement; and at any reasonable time and from time to time
during regular business hours, upon reasonable notice,  permit the Agent and any
agents or representatives (including, without limitation, appraisers) thereof to
visit  the  properties  of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  and to  conduct
examinations of and to monitor the Collateral.

     Section  5.8.  Modifications  to  Business  Plan.  As soon as  practicable,
furnish  to  the  Agent,  the  Lenders  and  the  Fronting  Banks  all  material
modifications  to the Business Plan,  and make its senior  officers and advisors
available to discuss the same with the Agent and its  advisors  upon the Agent's
reasonable request.

     Section 5.9.  Customer Charge Sales.  Continue to maintain a "Project Card"
and commercial  credit  receivables  sales and  administration  program with the
Credit  Card Banks  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,  not materially less favorable
to the Borrower nor materially more  restrictive  than those provided for in the
GE Credit  Program  Documents  as in effect on the  Effective  Date  (except for
changes in such terms and  conditions  which are acceptable to the Agent and the
Required Lenders in their judgment reasonably exercised) .

     Section 5.10. Lender  Meetings.From time to time as requested by the Agent,
the Majority Term Lenders or the Majority  Revolving Lenders,  participate,  and
cause the chief  financial  officer to be available for and to participate in, a
meeting of the Agent and the Lenders to be held,  at  reasonable  intervals,  at
locations and at times  requested by the Agent (and if applicable,  the Majority
Term  Lenders  or the  Majority  Revolving  Lenders,  as the case  may be),  and
reasonably satisfactory to the Borrower.



<PAGE>73


     Section  5.11.  Available  and  After-Acquired   Properties.  If  any  real
property, buildings,  fixtures, equipment 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 and any related buildings,  fixtures,  equipment
or improvements (each such property or interest, an "After-Acquired  Property"),
promptly, but in any event within 30 days, provide written notice thereof to the
Agent, setting forth with specificity a description of such property or interest
acquired,  the location of the property interest, any structures or improvements
thereon and an appraisal  or its good faith  estimate of the current fair market
value of such  property or interest.  If the Agent so requests,  the Borrower or
the  relevant  Subsidiary  shall  promptly  execute  and  deliver to the Agent a
mortgage or deed of trust,  substantially  in the form of  Exhibits  D-3 and D-4
hereto,  respectively  (with such  changes as may be deemed  appropriate  by the
Agent's local real estate counsel for the state in question), together with such
other documents or instruments as the Agent shall reasonably require,  including
(without  limitation) a Title Policy, a Survey, a Phase I environmental  report,
UCC  Financing  Statements  and an opinion  of the  Agent's  local  real  estate
counsel.  The Borrower  shall pay all  reasonable  fees and expenses,  including
attorneys'  fees  and  expenses  or  the  allocated  charges  and  premiums,  in
connection with its obligation under this Section. 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 After-Acquired Property for purposes of this Section.

     Section 5.12. Subsidiaries;  Subsidiary Guarantees and Security Agreements.
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 6.10(iv),  cause such Subsidiary to be wholly-owned,  to
have  aggregate net payables  owing to the Borrower of less than  $10,000,000 at
all times and to execute and deliver to the Agent for the benefit of the Secured
Parties a guarantee,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit E hereto, a security
agreement  granting   collateral   security  for  the  guaranteed   obligations,
substantially  in the form of  Exhibit F hereto,  and such other  documents  and
opinions in connection  therewith as the Agent shall reasonably request,  all in
form and substance satisfactory to the Agent. Such guarantee, security agreement
and such other  documents  shall be delivered to the Agent no later than 30 days
after the date on which such Subsidiary has been formed or otherwise acquired by
the Borrower.

     Section 5.13. Further Assurances.  At the Borrower's cost and expense, upon
request of the 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 Agent or its counsel
to give effect to the  provisions  and purposes of this  Agreement and the other
Loan Documents.

     Section 5.14.  Maintenance of Cash Management System.  Maintain and, to the
extent  practicable,  cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to  maintain,  all of its
significant operating accounts and


<PAGE>74


demand deposit  accounts used for paying and receiving  purposes in the ordinary
course of its business with the 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 Agent and the Required  Lenders,
in each case,  which  commercial  bank agrees,  if requested by the Agent, 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 one of the
Cash Management Banks.

     Section 5.15. Environmental Undertaking.  In the event the Agent determines
that any  representation  hereunder may be incorrect or that the Borrower or any
Subsidiary  has failed to comply with any covenant  contained in Section 6.15 in
any material respect, promptly undertake such investigations, studies, samplings
and testings relative to any Hazardous  Substance at the Property in question as
the Agent may request.

     Section 5.16. Post-Closing Matters

          (a) To the extent any  Mortgages,  Surveys or Title  Policies were not
delivered to the Agent on the Effective Date pursuant to Section  4.1(l),  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 Effective
Date and cause any outstanding Surveys and Title Policies to be delivered to the
Agent within 60 days of the  Effective  Date or such longer period not to exceed
an  additional  30 days to which the Agent may consent.  All Title  Policies and
Surveys must be reasonably acceptable to the Agent in all respects.

          (b) To the extent that the Borrower shall not have delivered a Phase I
environmental  report  with  respect  to the real  properties  constituting  UBS
Collateral as to which Mortgages are to be delivered  pursuant to Section 4.1(l)
as of the Effective Date, upon the Agent's reasonable request, at the Borrower's
expense,  cause such a report to be  prepared  and deliver the same to the Agent
within 30 days of such request.  All such Phase I environmental  reports must be
reasonably acceptable to the Agent in all respects.

          (c) To the extent that the Borrower  shall not have  delivered  all of
the  documentation  required by Section 5.3 to the Agent on the Effective  Date,
deliver the same within the time period provided therein.

          (d) To the extent that the Borrower  shall not have  delivered  all of
the original  certificates  of title for  vehicles  pledged to the Agent for its
benefit and the  benefit of the other  Secured  Parties as required  pursuant to
Section 4.1(n) as of the Effective Date, deliver the same within sixty (60) days
of the Effective Date.



<PAGE>75


SECTION 6.   NEGATIVE COVENANTS

     From the date hereof and for so long as any  Commitment  shall be in effect
or any Letter of Credit shall remain  outstanding (in a face amount in excess of
the amount of cash then held in the relevant Letter of Credit Account,  pursuant
to Section  2.12(h)) or any amount  shall remain  outstanding  under any Note or
unpaid  under this  Agreement,  the  Borrower  will not, and will not permit any
Subsidiary to:

     Section 6.1. Liens.  Incur,  create,  assume or suffer to exist any Lien on
any asset now owned or hereafter acquired by the Borrower,  other than (i) Liens
which were existing on the  Effective  Date as reflected on Schedule 3.6 hereto,
(ii)  Liens of the  same  type as (and no more  extensive  than)  those  granted
pursuant to the GE Credit Program Documents in favor of another Person replacing
the Credit Card Banks in providing the Borrower's  "Project Card" and commercial
credit receivables sales and  administration  program in accordance with Section
5.9, (iii) Liens granted pursuant to the Security Documents;  (iv) Liens granted
on the UBS  Collateral  pursuant to the Real Estate  Financing and Liens granted
pursuant to the Synthetic Lease Loan Documents and (v) Permitted Liens.

     Section 6.2. Debt. Contract,  create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist any
Debt, except for (i) the Loans and the Letters of Credit,  (ii) Debt of the type
described in clause  (viii) of the  definition of "Debt," to the extent that the
aggregate notional or face amount of all such Debt, when taken together with all
outstanding  Hedging  Obligations,  does  not  exceed  $36,000,000,  (iii)  Debt
outstanding under the UBS Loan Documents and the Synthetic Lease Loan Documents,
each as in effect on the Effective Date, 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,  (iv)  Debt of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries  outstanding under Capitalized Leases as in effect
on the  Effective  Date,  (v) Debt not in excess of  $2,000,000 in the aggregate
secured by Permitted Liens of the type described in clause (v) of the definition
thereof,  (vi)  Debt of the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  outstanding  under
Capitalized Leases entered into after the Effective Date to the extent permitted
by  Section  6.4,  (vii)  Debt  arising  from  Investments  that  are  permitted
hereunder,  and (viii) Debt incurred under the GE Credit  Program  Documents and
any other agreements permitted under Section 5.9.

     Section 6.3.  Consolidations,  Mergers and Sales of Assets. (i) Consolidate
or merge with or into any other Person,  (ii) enter into a partnership  or joint
venture  with  another  Person  (other  than  by  the  acquisition  of  Minority
Investments  to the extent  permitted by Section  6.10),  or (iii) 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 5.9;

          (b) sales or  transfers of assets  described  in clauses (i),  (ii) or
(iv) of the definition of "Designated  Collateral" and sales or transfers of any
other  assets of the  Borrower  (not  permitted  by any other  provision of this
Section);  provided,  that (1) the sale price of each such asset (whether


<PAGE>76


or not part of  Designated  Collateral)  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 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 65% 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 three years after the date of
such sale which shall be pledged to the Agent as provided in Section  6.10(v) or
(vii),  (5) no such sale shall be  permitted  unless (x) the asset so sold shall
constitute  Designated  Collateral  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 $2,000,000 and (6) if such sale
is to an Affiliate, it is made in compliance with Section 6.9;

          (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 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  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  6.3 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
$5,000,000 individually, or $10,000,000 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;

          (g) the transfer of a Property  acceptable to the Majority  Lenders in
their judgment  reasonably  exercised to Paycap in  substitution  for a property
subject to the terms of any of the Capco


<PAGE>77


Subleases;  provided,  that (i) at least fifteen (15) days prior to the proposed
transfer, the Borrower shall furnish current independent appraisals satisfactory
to the 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
D-1 and D-2, respectively (with such changes as may be deemed appropriate by the
Agent's local real estate  counsel for the state in question),  and the Borrower
shall otherwise  comply with its obligations  under Section 5.11 with respect to
such substituted Available Property; and

          (h)  sales  of  assets  securing  the  Real  Estate  Financing  or the
Synthetic Lease Obligations for fair market value;  provided,  that the Net Cash
Proceeds  thereof are applied to the  repayment or prepayment of the Real Estate
Financing or the Synthetic Lease Obligations (as the case may be).

     The Borrower  shall  deliver to the Agent,  no less than three (3) 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  6.3,  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;  provided,  that with  respect to any  expected  sale or other
disposition of any Property subject to Liens in favor of the Agent, the Borrower
shall deliver to the Agent,  no less than thirty (30) Business Days prior to the
closing  thereof,  (x)  written  notice  of the  identity  of the  purchaser  or
transferee,  the expected date of the closing of such sale or other  disposition
and the principal terms of the sale or other disposition and (y) the form of the
purchase agreement to be delivered at the closing thereof.

     Directly or indirectly,  make any expenditures or incur any obligations for
fixed or capital assets or in respect of Capitalized Leases,  including, but not
limited to (x) payments on account of any Debt permitted pursuant to Section 6.2
(v), and (y) goodwill  associated with any permitted  Capital  Expenditure  that
constitutes an Investment (collectively,  "Capital Expenditures"), in excess, in
the  aggregate  for the  Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  for all  such  Capital
Expenditures (and for all such Dual Path Capital Expenditures and all such other
permitted  Capital  Expenditures),  of the  respective  amounts  set forth below
opposite each of the fiscal years set forth below:



<PAGE>78


             Fiscal Year   Total Amount  Dual Path     Other

                1998       $59,600,000   $35,700,000   $23,900,000

                1999       $52,100,000   $31,100,000   $21,000,000

                2000       $41,200,000   $20,200,000   $21,000,000

                2001       $51,300,000   $ 5,000,000   $46,300,000

                2002       $52,300,000   $ 5,000,000   $47,300,000;


provided, that if, during any fiscal year of the Borrower set forth above:

          (i)  the aggregate amount of all Dual Path Capital  Expenditures shall
               be less than the  amount  set  forth in the table  above for such
               fiscal  year  (after  the  application  of all Dual Path  Capital
               Expenditures  during such fiscal year, first to amounts available
               for such purpose for such fiscal year  pursuant to the  operation
               of this  proviso),  then  the  amount  of the Dual  Path  Capital
               Expenditures  for the next fiscal year shall be  increased  by an
               amount  equal to the  unutilized  portion  of Dual  Path  Capital
               Expenditures for such fiscal year; and

          (ii) the aggregate amount of all other permitted Capital  Expenditures
               shall be less than the  amount  set forth in the table  above for
               such fiscal year (after the  application  of all other  permitted
               Capital  Expenditures  during such fiscal year,  first to amounts
               available  for such purpose for such fiscal year  pursuant to the
               operation  of  this  proviso),  then  the  amount  of  the  other
               permitted Capital  Expenditures for the next fiscal year shall be
               increased by an amount equal to the lesser of (x) an amount equal
               to the unutilized portion of other permitted Capital Expenditures
               and (y) 50% of the amount of other permitted Capital Expenditures
               for such fiscal year;



<PAGE>79



provided  further,  that commencing with the Borrower's 1999 fiscal year, to the
extent  that  the  sum of (x)  the  interest  expense  of the  Borrower  and its
Consolidated   Subsidiaries  during  such  fiscal  year  plus  (y)  the  Capital
Expenditures  made during such fiscal year pursuant to this Section is in excess
of EBITDA for such fiscal  year,  the amount of Capital  Expenditures  permitted
pursuant to this  Section in the next fiscal year shall be reduced by the amount
of such excess on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

     In the event that the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  shall sell (or
has sold), or shall receive (or has received)  insurance  proceeds in connection
with the  destruction  of, a fixed or capital  asset  owned by it (other  than a
fixed or capital asset constituting Designated Collateral) 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  Capitalized  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,  only that portion of the purchase price or Capitalized Lease
obligation paid, incurred or accrued by the Borrower or such Subsidiary 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.

     Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained in this  Section,  (x)
until the first  anniversary  of the Effective  Date,  each Capital  Expenditure
permitted  pursuant to this Section which involves  aggregate expenses in excess
of $1,000,000 or which  involves the  acquisition  (whether by purchase,  lease,
exchange or  otherwise) of any interest in real estate or any  manufacturing  or
other business or operations  shall be approved by the board of directors of the
Borrower by the  affirmative  vote of a majority of the directors then in office
(it being understood that after the first  anniversary of the Effective Date the
Borrower  shall  comply with any then  applicable  requirements  of the board of
directors  concerning the approval of Capital  Expenditures) and (y) there shall
be excluded from the determination of the amount of Capital Expenditures made 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.

     For  purposes  of  this  Section,  (i)  all  obligations  incurred  under a
Capitalized 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
Capitalized  Lease  on  such  date  of  execution  of  the  lease  shall  be the
capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

     Section 6.5. No Negative Pledges. 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 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


<PAGE>80


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 6.6.  Termination of Plans. 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 6.7. EBITDA; Debt to EBITDA Ratio. (a) Permit cumulative EBITDA for
the four  consecutive  fiscal  quarters  ending  nearest  to the last day of the
months  listed below to be less than the amount  specified  opposite  such month
(increased,  in the case of the first  three  periods  set forth  below,  by the
amount,  if any, by which EBITDA for the fourth quarter of the  Borrower's  1997
fiscal year exceeds $11.5 million):

                      Fiscal Quarter Ending       EBITDA

                       February 1998          $ 43,200,000
                       May 1998               $ 33,600,000
                       August 1998            $ 39,200,000
                       November 1998          $ 59,300,000

                       February 1999          $ 62,400,000
                       May 1999               $ 66,500,000
                       August 1999            $ 70,600,000
                       November 1999          $ 74,500,000

                       February 2000          $ 78,800,000
                       May 2000               $ 87,000,000
                       August 2000            $ 95,700,000
                       November 2000          $101,000,000

                       February 2001          $103,000,000
                       May 2001               $106,200,000
                       August 2001            $109,100,000
                       November 2001          $113,400,000

                       February 2002          $113,700,000
                       May 2002               $113,100,000
                       August 2002            $115,800,000.



<PAGE>81


          (b) Permit the Debt to EBITDA 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:


                             Month           Ratio

                           February 1998   11.9 to 1
                           May 1998        15.0 to 1
                           August 1998     11.9 to 1
                           November 1998   7.2 to 1

                           February 1999   7.3 to 1
                           May 1999        6.9 to 1
                           August 1999     6.1 to 1
                           November 1999   5.6 to 1

                           February 2000   5.6 to 1
                           May 2000        4.9 to 1
                           August 2000     4.2 to 1
                           November 2000   3.7 to 1

                           February 2001   4.0 to 1
                           May 2001        3.9 to 1
                           August 2001     3.6 to 1
                           November 2001   3.3 to 1

                           February 2002   3.7 to 1
                           May 2002        3.7 to 1
                           August 2002     3.4 to 1


     Section 6.8. Restricted Payments.  Declare or make, any Restricted Payment,
except:

          (i)  (x)  regular,   scheduled  or  mandatory  payments  or  mandatory
          prepayments  of principal and interest on Debt for Borrowed  Money and
          (y) optional  prepayments of principal and interest on the Real Estate
          Financing and the Synthetic Lease  Obligations (but only to the extent
          of the net proceeds of any  Permitted  Refinancing  Debt  incurred


<PAGE>82


          for such purpose or the Net Cash  Proceeds of the sale of any Property
          or other assets subject to the Real Estate  Financing or the Synthetic
          Lease Loan Documents);

          (ii) transactions with Affiliates as expressly permitted under Section
          6.9; and

          (iii) payments to the Borrower by a Subsidiary.

     Without limiting the foregoing,  any exercise of a call with respect to the
Real Estate  Financing  which  entails the payment of a premium  (whether or not
with the net proceeds of Permitted  Refinancing  Debt or the sale of Property or
other  assets  subject to the Real  Estate  Financing)  shall  require the prior
written consent of the Majority Term Lenders and the Majority Revolving Lenders,
acting  together (or,  failing that,  Lenders  whose Ratable  Proportion,  taken
together, at least equals 66-2/3%).

     Section 6.9. Transactions with Affiliates. Sell or transfer any Property or
other assets to, or otherwise engage in any other  transactions with, any of its
Affiliates  other than in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms
and conditions not less favorable to the Borrower,  or the affected  Subsidiary,
than could be obtained on an arm's-length basis from unrelated third parties.

     Section 6.10.  Investments,  Loans and Advances.  Purchase, hold or acquire
any capital stock,  evidences of Debt or other  securities of, make or permit to
exist any loans or advances  to, or make or permit to exist any  investment  in,
any other  Person  by the  Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  (all of the  foregoing,
"Investments"),  except,  in the case of the Borrower,  for (i) the ownership by
the  Borrower of capital  stock of any  Subsidiary  existing on the date hereof,
(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  $15,000,000  in the  aggregate  at any one time
outstanding  and  shall be  maintained  at all  times in an  investment  account
located in the United States with a Lender  pursuant to  arrangements  which are
consistent with the provisions of this Agreement, (iii) existing Investments set
forth on  Schedule  6.10,  but not any  increase  in the  amount  thereof,  (iv)
Investments in  Subsidiaries  created or acquired after the Effective Date which
constitute Dual Path Capital  Expenditures in an aggregate  amount not to exceed
$10 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 Secured Parties pursuant to a Supplement,
substantially in the form of Annex B to the Security and Pledge  Agreement,  and
the Borrower  causes each such  Subsidiary  to comply with the  requirements  of
Section 5.11 (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
provided further,  that all such Subsidiaries are incorporated in a jurisdiction
in the United  States  and  substantially  all of their  assets are at all times
located in the United States,  (v) Investments in promissory notes  representing
the non-cash  purchase  price for the sales of assets  permitted  under  Section
6.3(b);  provided, that such promissory notes are pledged by the Borrower to the
Agent  for  the  benefit  of  the  Secured  Parties  pursuant  to a  Supplement,
substantially in the form of Annex A to the Security and Pledge Agreement;  (vi)
Minority  Investments,  in addition to those permitted under any other clause of
this Section,  in Persons  organized or


<PAGE>83


incorporated in a jurisdiction in the United States,  substantially all of whose
assets  are  located  in  the  United  States;   provided,  that  such  Minority
Investments  constitute Dual Path Capital  Expenditures and the aggregate amount
of all  such  Minority  Investments  shall  not  exceed  $2,000,000;  and  (vii)
Investments  (not  permitted by any of clauses (i) through (vi) of this Section)
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 Agent for the benefit of the Secured  Parties  pursuant to a
Supplement,  substantially  in the form of Annex B to the  Security  and  Pledge
Agreement.

     Section  6.11.  Business  Segments.  (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  6.12.  Accounting  Changes.  Make any  significant  change  in its
accounting treatment or financial reporting practices except as required by GAAP
or change its fiscal year or the method of determining its fiscal quarter ends.

     Section 6.13. Amendment and Modification of Certain Documents. (a) Directly
or indirectly,  amend, modify,  supplement,  waive compliance with, or assent to
noncompliance  with any term,  provision  or  condition  of the  Certificate  of
Incorporation of the Borrower as in effect on the Effective Date which the Agent
or the Majority Revolving Lenders deem material.

          (b)  Directly  or  indirectly,   amend,  modify,   supplement,   waive
compliance  with,  or assent to  noncompliance  with,  any  term,  provision  or
condition of the UBS Loan Agreement or any of the other UBS Loan Documents as in
effect  on the  Effective  Date  hereof  (A)  which  the  Agent or the  Majority
Revolving  Lenders  deem  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 any of the Loan Documents) or (B) which the 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)  Directly  or  indirectly,   amend,  modify,   supplement,   waive
compliance with or assent to noncompliance with any term, provision or condition
of the Synthetic  Lease Loan  Documents as in effect on the  Effective  Date (A)
which the Agent or the  Majority  Revolving  Lenders deem  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 any of the Loan
Documents or requiring  prepayments with respect to store closings) or (B) which
the Agent reasonably determines would place any further material


<PAGE>84


restrictions on the Borrower or its  Subsidiaries or increase the obligations of
the Borrower or its Subsidiaries thereunder or confer on the holders thereof any
material additional rights.

     Section 6.14.  Sale/Lease-Backs.  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  6.15.  Environmental  Matters.  (a)  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 the Borrower or any such
Subsidiary  has any control (such as a lease of a small number of parking places
in a large parking lot)) by the Borrower or any such  Subsidiary (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 any such  Subsidiary's  control) permit any other Person to do so,
where such could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

     (b)  Fail  to keep  and  maintain  the  Property  in  compliance  with  any
Environmental  Law where the  failure to do so could  reasonably  be expected to
have a Material 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
Requirement of Law, 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 Material Adverse
Effect (i) fail to notify the Agent promptly in writing,  (ii) fail to commence,
as soon as practicable,  and thereafter diligently prosecute to completion,  all
such  Remedial  Work or (iii) fail to provide the Agent with the results of such
investigations, studies and samplings as may be requested by the Agent.

     (d) 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, safety,  industrial hygiene, or environmental  conditions,
including,  without  limitation,  regulations  promulgated  under  the  Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act (42 U.S.C.  ss.ss. 6901 et seq.) 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.5101 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


<PAGE>85


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.

     Section 6.16.  Rent  Obligations.  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 year:

                        Fiscal Year          Rent

                          1998            $26,000,000

                          1999            $28,000,000

                          2000            $30,000,000

                          2001            $32,000,000

                          2002            $34,000,000.


SECTION 7.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT

     Section 7.1. Events of Default.  In the case of the happening of any of the
following  events and the  continuance  thereof beyond the applicable  period of
grace, if any (each, an "Event of Default"):

          (a) any material  representation  or warranty  made by the Borrower in
this  Agreement  or in any  other  Loan  Document  or in  connection  with  this
Agreement or any other Loan  Document or in  connection  with the  execution and
delivery  of this  Agreement  or any of the other Loan  Documents  or the credit
extensions  hereunder or any material  statement or  representation  made in any
report,  financial  statement,  certificate or other  document  furnished by the
Borrower to the Agent, the Underwriters, the Lenders or the Fronting Banks under
or in connection with this Agreement or any of the other Loan  Documents,  shall
prove to have been false or  misleading  in any  material  respect  when made or
delivered; or

          (b)  default  shall  be made in the  payment  of any  principal  of or
interest on the Loans or any other  amounts  payable by the  Borrower  hereunder
(including,   without   limitation,   any   Fees   or   reimbursement   or  cash
collateralization  obligations in respect of Letters of Credit), when and as the
same shall become due and payable,  whether at the due date thereof  (including,
without  limitation,  the  relevant  Maturity  Date)  or  at a  date  fixed  for
prepayment thereof or by acceleration thereof or otherwise; or


<PAGE>86


          (c) default  shall be made by the  Borrower in the due  observance  or
performance of any covenant,  condition or agreement contained in Section 6 (and
such default shall continue  unremedied after notice to the Borrower in the case
of Section 6.9) or in Section 5.11; or

          (d) default shall be made by the Borrower or any Subsidiary in the due
observance or  performance of any other  covenant,  condition or agreement to be
observed  or  performed  pursuant to the terms of this  Agreement  or any of the
other Loan Documents and such default shall continue  unremedied (w) in the case
of Section 5 (other than Sections 5.1(a),  (b) and (t), 5.2,  5.3(a),  5.5, 5.7,
5.9,  5.10,  5.14 and 5.16),  after notice to the  Borrower,  (x) in the case of
Sections 5.1(a),  (b) and (t) and 5.14, for more than five (5) days after notice
to the  Borrower,  (y) in the case of Sections 5.2 and 5.5, for more than thirty
(30) days after notice to the Borrower and (z) in all other cases, for more than
ten (10)  days  after  notice to the  Borrower;  or

          (e) 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; or

          (f) 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;  or

          (g) other than as provided in the Plan of Reorganization  and upon the
Substantial Consummation thereof, a Change of Control shall have occurred; or

          (h) any material provision of any Loan Document shall, for any reason,
cease to be valid and binding on the Borrower or any Subsidiary, or the Borrower
or such Subsidiary shall so assert in any pleading filed in any court; or

          (i) the  Confirmation  Order shall be reversed,  revoked or vacated in
whole or in part by a court of competent  jurisdiction,  or modified in a manner
or subjected to a stay that adversely affects the Borrower's or any Subsidiary's
ability to perform any of the Secured  Obligations  as determined by the Special
Required Lenders or the Required Revolving Lenders, as the case may be, in their
sole discretion; or


<PAGE>87


          (j) any judgment or order as to a liability or Debt for the payment of
money in excess of  $5,000,000  shall be rendered  against  the  Borrower or any
Subsidiary  and the  enforcement  thereof shall not be subject to any applicable
stay; or 

          (k) any  non-monetary  judgment or order shall be rendered against the
Borrower or any  Subsidiary  which does or would  reasonably  be expected to (i)
cause a Material  Adverse Effect,  or (ii) have a material adverse effect on the
rights and remedies of the Agent,  the  Underwriters,  the Fronting Banks or any
Lender under any Loan Document,  and there shall be any period of 10 consecutive
days during which a stay of enforcement of such judgment or order,  by reason of
a pending appeal or otherwise, shall not be in effect; or

          (l) (i) any Event of Default  occurs  under the  Synthetic  Lease Loan
Documents or the UBS Loan Documents or (ii) the Borrower or any Subsidiary shall
fail to make any payment in respect of any other Debt aggregating  $3,000,000 or
more, in each case when due or within any  applicable  grace period or any event
or condition  shall occur which (x) results in the  acceleration of the maturity
of such other Debt or the  termination  of any commitment to lend any such other
Debt or (y)  enables  (or,  with the  giving of notice or lapse of time or both,
would  enable)  the  holder  of such  other  Debt or any  Person  acting on such
holder's  behalf to accelerate the maturity  thereof or terminate any commitment
to lend such other  Debt;  or

          (m) 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 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;

          (n) 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;

          (o) 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 their ERISA  Affiliates 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;  or


<PAGE>88


          (p) it shall be determined  (whether by the Bankruptcy Court or by any
other judicial or  administrative  forum) that the Borrower or any Subsidiary is
liable for the  payment of claims  arising  out of any  failure to comply (or to
have complied)  with  applicable  Environmental  Laws, the payment of which will
have a Material Adverse Effect;

then, and in every such event and at any time thereafter  during the continuance
of such event, the Agent may, and at the request of the Special Required Lenders
or the Required  Revolving  Lenders (as the case may be) shall, by notice to the
Borrower,  take one or more of the following  actions,  at the same or different
times:  (i) terminate  forthwith the Total  Commitments;  (ii) declare the Loans
then outstanding to be forthwith due and payable, whereupon the principal of the
Loans,  together with accrued  interest  thereon and any unpaid accrued Fees and
all other liabilities of the Borrower accrued hereunder and under any other Loan
Document (including, without limitation, all amounts due in respect of Letter of
Credit  Outstandings,  whether or not the  beneficiaries of the then outstanding
Letters of Credit shall have presented the documents required thereunder), shall
become forthwith due and payable,  without presentment,  demand,  protest or any
other  notice  of any  kind,  all of which are  hereby  expressly  waived by the
Borrower,  anything  contained  herein  or in any  other  Loan  Document  to the
contrary  notwithstanding;  (iii)  require the Borrower upon demand to forthwith
deposit  in the  respective  Letter of Credit  Accounts  cash in the  respective
amounts equal to the sum of 105% of the then outstanding Standby and Documentary
Letters of Credit  (including any subsequent  increases in the principal amounts
thereof pursuant to provisions of such Letters of Credit as then in effect) and,
to the extent the  Borrower  shall fail to furnish such funds as demanded by the
Agent, the Agent shall be authorized to debit or cause to be debited the account
of the Borrower  maintained  with the Agent or any other  Secured  Party in such
amount;  (iv)  set-off  or cause to be  set-off  amounts in the Letter of Credit
Accounts or any other  accounts  maintained  with the Agent or any other Secured
Party and apply or cause such  amounts to be applied to the  obligations  of the
Borrower  hereunder  and under the other Loan  Documents;  and (v)  exercise and
enforce any and all remedies under the Loan  Documents and under  applicable law
available to the Agent,  the  Fronting  Banks and the  Lenders;  provided,  that
without any notice to the Borrower or any other act by the Agent or the Lenders,
in the case of the  occurrence of (x) any of the Events of Default  specified in
clauses (e) or (f) above with respect to the Borrower or any  Subsidiary  or (y)
any of the Events of Default  specified  in clause (l) above with respect to the
Real Estate Financing as to which UBS either  accelerates the maturity of any of
the Debt owing by the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  to UBS with respect
thereto or  otherwise  exercises  any of 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 Secured  Obligations and liabilities of the Borrower hereunder and
under the other Loan Documents (including,  without limitation,  all amounts due
in respect of Letters of Credit Outstanding, 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.  In the case
of any  exercise  of the  right of  set-off  with  respect  to  Letter of Credit
Accounts,  such right may be exercised only to pay unreimbursed draws under, and
unpaid fees,  costs and expenses  incurred in  connection  with,  any Letters of
Credit  issued  by the  Fronting  Bank in the name of which  Fronting  Bank such
Letter of Credit Account is maintained,


<PAGE>89


except to the extent that the balance of a Letter of Credit Account exceeds 105%
of the Letter of Credit Outstandings  (including any subsequent increases in the
principal  amounts  thereof  pursuant to provisions of such Letters of Credit as
then in effect) that pertain to such Letter of Credit  Account.  Any such excess
amount may be applied to other Secured Obligations.

     Section 7.2.  Application of Proceeds.  If a Default or an Event of Default
shall have occurred and be  continuing,  all proceeds of the  Collateral and all
other  payments  received  under  this  Agreement  or the other  Loan  Documents
(including  as a  result  of  or in  connection  with  a  proceeding  under  the
Bankruptcy  Code  or any  other  similar  state  law  proceeding  involving  the
Borrower) which constitute  identifiable proceeds of Collateral shall be applied
by the Agent to payment of the Secured Obligations in the following order:

          (i)     FIRST,  to payment of all  unreimbursed  costs and expenses of
                  the Agent which are payable by the Borrower pursuant to any of
                  the Loan Documents and all unreimbursed  costs and expenses of
                  the Lenders which are payable pursuant to Section 9.5;

          (ii)    SECOND,  to payment  first of the accrued and unpaid  interest
                  on, next the principal of and then all other amounts due under
                  the Loan Documents in respect of the New Revolving  Loans, any
                  other Revolving  Obligations  (including any obligation of the
                  Borrower to  reimburse  the  Fronting  Banks for  unreimbursed
                  drawings   made   under   Letters   of  Credit  and  the  cash
                  collateralization  of any  undrawn  Letters  of  Credit  in an
                  amount  equal  to  105% of the  then  undrawn  amount  thereof
                  (including any subsequent  increases in the principal  amounts
                  thereof  pursuant to  provisions  of such Letters of Credit as
                  then  in  effect)),  any  Hedging  Obligations  and  any  Cash
                  Management  Obligations remaining unpaid after the exercise of
                  any  set-off  rights  available  to the  Fronting  Banks,  the
                  Hedging Bank or the Cash Management  Banks pursuant to Section
                  2.23,  such  payment  to  be  made  ratably  amongst  the  New
                  Revolving  Lenders,  the Hedging Bank and the Cash  Management
                  Banks in accordance  with the  proportion  which the aggregate
                  principal  amount of the outstanding New Revolving Loans owing
                  to the New Revolving  Lenders,  or the aggregate amount of any
                  of  such   other   Secured   Obligations   (other   than  Term
                  Obligations), at the time bears to the principal amount of all
                  of such Revolving  Obligations,  Hedging  Obligations and Cash
                  Management  Obligations,  until such  interest,  principal and
                  other  amounts  shall  be  paid  in full  (and,  if the  Total
                  Commitments  have not already been  terminated  at the time of
                  any application of proceeds to the payment of the principal of
                  the New Revolving Loans or Letter of Credit  Outstandings,  or
                  to cash collateralize Letters of Credit, the Total Commitments
                  shall be automatically  and irrevocably  reduced by the amount
                  of such  principal  payment  or the  amount of the  Letters of
                  Credit cash collateralized, as the case may be);


<PAGE>90


          (iii)   THIRD, to payment first of the accrued and unpaid interest on,
                  next the principal of and then all other amounts due under the
                  Loan  Documents in respect of the New Term Loans and any other
                  Term  Obligations,  ratably  amongst  the New Term  Lenders in
                  accordance with the proportion  which the aggregate  principal
                  amount of the outstanding  Term  Obligations  owing to the New
                  Term  Lenders  at the time  bears to the  aggregate  principal
                  amount of such Term  Obligations  until  the  interest  on and
                  principal  of the Term  Obligations  shall be paid or provided
                  for in full;

          (iv)    FOURTH,  to  the  payment  of  any  remaining  unpaid  Secured
                  Obligations  ratably amongst the Secured Parties in accordance
                  with the  proportion  which the amount of such  other  Secured
                  Obligations  owing to each  such  Secured  Party  bears to the
                  aggregate  principal amount of such other Secured  Obligations
                  owing to all of the Secured  Parties  until such other Secured
                  Obligations shall be paid in full; and

          (v)     FIFTH,  the  balance,   if  any,  after  all  of  the  Secured
                  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
Collateral  and all other  payments  received  under this  Agreement and applied
pursuant to this  Section 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 8.   THE AGENT; THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT

     Section 8.1. Appointment and Authorization.  Each Secured Party irrevocably
appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and
to exercise such powers,  under this  Agreement and the Notes and the other Loan
Documents as are delegated to the Agent, as the case may be, by the terms hereof
or thereof, together with all such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto.

     Section 8.2. Agent and Affiliates. The 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  Agent,  and the Agent and its
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 Agent.

     Section 8.3.  Action by Agent.  The  obligations of the Agent hereunder and
under the other Loan  Documents  are only those  expressly  set forth herein and
therein.  Without  limiting the generality of the foregoing,  Agent shall not be
required to take any action with  respect to any  Default,  except


<PAGE>91


as expressly provided in Section 7 and in the Security Documents and except that
the Agent  shall  take such  action  with  respect  to such  Default as shall be
reasonably  directed by the Special Required  Lenders or the Required  Revolving
Lenders,  as the case may be;  provided,  that  unless and until the Agent shall
have  received  such  directions,  the Agent 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.

     Section 8.4.  Consultation with Expoerts.  The 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  8.5.  Liability  of Agent.  Notwithstanding  any other  provision,
express  or  implied,  to the  contrary  in this  Agreement  or any  other  Loan
Document,  neither  the  Agent  nor  any of  its  directors,  officers,  agents,
employees,  attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates shall be liable for any action taken
or not taken by them in connection herewith or in connection with any other Loan
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  Agent  nor  any of its  directors,  officers,  agents,  employees,
attorneys-in-fact  or Affiliates  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 Loan 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 4 (except where the satisfaction of the Agent is specifically required);
or (iv) the validity, effectiveness or genuineness of this Agreement, the Notes,
any Letter of Credit, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or writing
furnished in  connection  herewith or  therewith.  The Agent shall not 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 8.6.  Reimbursement and  Indemnification;  Set-Off. (a) Each Lender
agrees (i) to reimburse  (x) the Agent and the  Fronting  Banks,  on demand,  in
Ratable  Proportion,  for any  expenses  and fees  incurred  by the Agent or the
Fronting  Banks (as the case may be) for the benefit of the Lenders  under or in
connection  with  this  Agreement,  the  Notes  and  any of the  Loan  Documents
including,  without  limitation,  counsel  fees and  compensation  of agents and
employees  paid for services  rendered on behalf of the  Lenders,  and any other
expense  incurred in connection  with the  operations or  enforcement  hereof or
thereof not required to be  reimbursed by the Borrower and (y) the Agent and the
Fronting  Banks  in  Ratable  Proportion  for  any  expenses,   costs,  fees  or
disbursements  of the Agent or the Fronting  Banks (as the case may be) incurred
for the  benefit  of the  Lenders  that the  Borrower  has  agreed to  reimburse
pursuant to Section 9.5 and has failed so to reimburse and (ii) to indemnify and
hold  harmless  the Agent  and the  Fronting  Banks and any of their  respective
directors,     officers,     employees,    agents,    advisors,     consultants,
attorneys-in-fact,  experts,  other professional persons and representatives and
Affiliates,  on  demand,  in Ratable  Proportion  from and  against  any and all
penalties,  fines,  expenses,  losses,  settlements,  costs,  claims,  causes of
action, debts, dues, sums of


<PAGE>92


money, accounts, accountings, reckonings, acts, omissions, demands, liabilities,
obligations,  damages, actions,  judgments, suits, proceedings, or disbursements
of any kind or nature  whatsoever,  known or unknown,  contingent  or otherwise,
which may be imposed on, incurred by, or asserted against any of them in any way
relating to or arising out of this Agreement, the Notes or any of the other Loan
Documents  or any  action  taken  or  omitted  by it or any of them  under  this
Agreement,  the Notes or any of the  other  Loan  Documents  to the  extent  not
reimbursed  by the Borrower  (except such as shall result from their  respective
gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct  as  determined  by a final  order or
judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction).  Without limiting the foregoing,
the agreements  contained in Section 10.6 of the  Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement
shall continue in full force and effect as to the matters covered thereby.

     (b) The Agent is hereby  authorized  at any time and from time to time,  to
the fullest  extent  permitted  by law, to set off and apply any and all amounts
received by the Agent for the account of a Defaulting Lender to the satisfaction
of the  unpaid  obligations  owing by such  Defaulting  Lender to the  Agent,  a
Fronting Bank or CIBC, as the issuer of the  Pre-Petition  Letters of Credit and
the rights of such  Defaulting  Lender with respect to all such amounts shall be
subject and subordinate to the rights of the Agent, the relevant  Fronting Bank,
and CIBC, as the issuer of the Pre-Petition  Letters of Credit,  as the case may
be, to be paid the amounts owing to it by such Defaulting Lender.

     Section 8.7. Credit  Decision.  Each Secured Party  expressly  acknowledges
that neither the Agent nor any of its directors,  officers,  employees,  agents,
advisors,  attorneys-in-fact  or  Affiliates  has  made any  representations  or
warranties to it and that no act by the Agent hereinafter  taken,  including any
review  of the  affairs  of the  Borrower,  shall be deemed  to  constitute  any
representation or warranty by the Agent to any Secured Party. Each Secured Party
acknowledges  that it has  independently  and without reliance upon the Agent or
any other Secured Party,  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 Secured Party also acknowledges that it will  independently and
without  reliance upon the Agent or any other Secured  Party,  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 Secured Parties by the Agent hereunder,  the Agent shall not
have any duty or  responsibility to provide any Secured Party 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  Agent or any of its
officers, directors, employees, agents, attorneys-in-fact or Affiliates.

     Section  8.8.  Notice  of  Transfer.  The Agent may deem and treat a Lender
party to this  Agreement as the owner of such Lender's  portion of the Loans for
all purposes,  unless and until a written  notice of the  assignment or transfer
thereof  executed by such Lender and its assignee in accordance with Section 9.3
shall have been accepted by the Agent.

     Section 8.9.  Successor  Agent.  The Agent may resign at any time by giving
written notice thereof to the other Secured  Parties and the Borrower.  Upon any
such resignation,  the Majority Term


<PAGE>93


Lenders and the Majority Revolving  Lenders,  acting together (or, failing that,
Lenders whose Ratable Proportion, taken together, at least equals 66-2/3%) shall
have the  right  to  appoint  a  successor  Agent,  which  shall  be  reasonably
satisfactory to the Borrower. If no successor Agent shall have been so appointed
and shall have  accepted  such  appointment,  within 30 days after the  retiring
Agent's  giving of notice of  resignation,  the retiring Agent may, on behalf of
the  Lenders,  appoint a  successor  Agent,  which  shall be 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 a least  $100,000,000,  which shall
be  reasonably  satisfactory  to  the  Borrower.  Upon  the  acceptance  of  any
appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent,  such successor Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights,  powers,  privileges
and duties of the retiring  Agent,  and the retiring  Agent shall be  discharged
from its duties and  obligations  under this  Agreement,  except that CIBC shall
remain  obligated to First Bank in its capacity as Documentary  Letter of Credit
Bank with respect to Documentary Letters of Credit issued during the period that
CIBC was the Agent. After any retiring Agent's  resignation  hereunder as Agent,
the  provisions  of this  Section  shall  inure to its benefit as to any actions
taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent under this Agreement.

     Section 8.10.  Concerning the  Administrative  Agent.  Notwithstanding  any
other  provision  of this  Agreement,  it is  understood  and  agreed  that  the
Administrative  Agent shall have no  obligations  or duties under this Agreement
and the other Loan  Documents  except  such as are  expressly  set forth in this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents.

SECTION 9.  MISCELLANEOUS

     Section 9.1. Notices.  Notices and other communications provided for herein
shall  be  in  writing  (including   telegraphic,   telex,  facsimile  or  cable
communication) and shall be mailed, telegraphed, telexed, transmitted, cabled or
delivered  to the Borrower at 2300 Main Street,  2 Pershing  Square,  3rd Floor,
Kansas City, MO 64108,  Attention:  Chief Financial  Officer,  to First Bank, so
long as it shall be the  Documentary  Letter of Credit  Bank,  at 601 2nd Avenue
South,  Minneapolis,   Minnesota  55402,  Attention:  Jack  Quitmeyer  (Fax  No.
612-973-2148)   and  Barbara  Engen,   Letter  of  Credit  Department  (Fax  No.
612-973-0838), and to any Lender, any other Fronting Bank or the Agent it at its
address  set  forth on the  signature  pages of this  Agreement,  or such  other
address as such party may from time to time  designate by giving  written notice
to the other parties hereunder.  All notices and other  communications  given to
any party hereto in accordance  with the provisions of this  Agreement  shall be
deemed to have been given on the fifth  Business Day after the date when sent by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,  return receipt requested,  if by
mail;  or when  delivered  to the  telegraph  company,  charges  prepaid,  if by
telegram; or when receipt is acknowledged,  if by any telegraphic communications
or facsimile  equipment of the sender;  in each case  addressed to such party as
provided in this  Section or in  accordance  with the latest  unrevoked  written
direction from such party;  provided,  that in the case of notices to the Agent,
notices  pursuant to the  preceding  sentence and pursuant to Section 2 shall be
effective only when received by the Agent.

     Section 9.2. Survival of Agreement,  Representations  and Warranties,  etc.
All warranties,  representations and covenants made by the Borrower herein or in
any  certificate  or  other  instrument


<PAGE>94


delivered  by it or on its behalf in  connection  with this  Agreement  shall be
considered to have been relied upon by the Secured Parties and shall survive the
making of the Loans herein  contemplated,  the issuance of the Letters of Credit
and the  issuance and  delivery to the Lenders of the Notes,  regardless  of any
investigation  made by any  Lender or  Fronting  Bank or on its behalf and shall
continue  in full  force and  effect so long as any  amount due or to become due
hereunder is outstanding  and unpaid and so long as the Total  Commitments  have
not expired or been terminated.

     Section 9.3. Successors and Assigns.

          (a) (i) This Agreement  shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit
of the Borrower,  the Agent, the Fronting Banks,  the Lenders,  the Underwriters
and the other Secured Parties and their respective  successors and assigns.  The
Borrower may not assign or transfer any of its rights or  obligations  hereunder
without the prior written  consent of all of the Lenders and, in the case of its
rights and obligations with respect to Letters of Credit,  the relevant Fronting
Bank.

               (ii) Each Lender may sell  participations to any Person in all or
part of any Loan,  or all or part of its Notes or  Commitment,  in which  event,
without  limiting the foregoing,  the provisions of Sections 2.13, 2.14 and 2.17
shall inure to the benefit of each purchaser of a participation (provided,  that
such participant shall look solely to the seller of such  participation for such
benefits,  and the Borrower's  liability,  if any, under Sections 2.13, 2.14 and
2.17 shall not be increased  as a result of the sale of any such  participation)
and the pro rata treatment of payments,  as described in Section 2.16,  shall be
determined as if such Lender had not sold such  participation.  In the event any
Lender shall sell any participation, such Lender shall retain the sole right and
responsibility  to enforce the obligations of the Borrower relating to the Loans
including, without limitation, the right to approve any amendment,  modification
or waiver of any  provision of this  Agreement  (provided,  that such Lender may
grant its  participant  the  right to  consent  to such  Lender's  execution  of
amendments, modifications or waivers which (i) reduce any Fees payable hereunder
to the Lenders, (ii) reduce the amount of any scheduled principal payment on any
Loan or reduce the principal  amount of any Loan or the rate of interest payable
hereunder or (iii) extend the maturity of the Borrower's obligations hereunder).
The sale of any such participation shall not alter the rights and obligations of
the Lender selling such participation hereunder with respect to the Borrower.

               (iii) Each  Pre-Petition L/C Participant may sell  participations
to any Person in all or a portion of its rights and  obligations  under  Section
9.14(c) of this Agreement,  together with its obligations under the Pre-Petition
Credit  Agreement  referred  to therein  (collectively,  its  "Pre-Petition  L/C
Obligations"); provided, that (x) such Pre-Petition L/C Participant shall retain
the sole right to receive payments and to approve any amendment, modification or
waiver  with  respect  to  Section  9.14(c),  if  any,   (provided,   that  such
Pre-Petition  L/C  Participant may grant its participant the right to consent to
such Pre-Petition L/C Participant's  execution of any amendments,  modifications
or  waivers)  and (y) the sale of any such  participation  shall  not  alter the
rights  and  obligations  of  the  Pre-Petition  L/C  Participant  selling  such
participation hereunder with respect to CIBC.


<PAGE>95


          (b) (i) Each  Lender  may assign to one or more  Lenders  or  Eligible
Assignees all or a portion of its interests,  rights and obligations  under this
Agreement (including, without limitation, all or a portion of its Commitment and
the same portion of the related New Revolving  Loans at the time owing to it and
the related  Note held by it);  provided,  that (w) other than in the case of an
assignment to a Person at least 50% owned by the assignor Lender, or by a common
parent of both,  or to another  Lender,  the Agent  must give its prior  written
consent,  which  consent will not be  unreasonably  withheld,  (x) the aggregate
amount of the  Commitment  and/or Loans of the assigning  Lender subject to each
such  assignment  (determined as of the date the Assignment and Acceptance  with
respect to such  assignment is delivered to the Agent) shall,  unless  otherwise
agreed to in writing  by the  Borrower  and the Agent,  in no event be less than
$5,000,000 (or $1,000,000 in the case of an assignment  between  Lenders) unless
the  Commitment  and New Revolving  Loans or the New Term Loans (as the case may
be) so assigned  constitute  100% of such  Commitment and New Revolving Loans or
New Term  Loans of the  assigning  Lender,  (y)  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 (A) its  Commitment  and New
Revolving  Loans, (B) its New Term Loans or (C) its Commitment and New Revolving
Loans and its New Term Loans and (z) it shall not be necessary for any Lender to
sell the same  percentage of its Commitment and New Revolving  Loans and its New
Term Loans (as the case may be) (although each such percentage of its Commitment
and New Revolving Loans and its New Term Loans must be a constant, not a varying
percentage). The Agent shall advise the Fronting Banks that it has received such
Assignment  and  Acceptance  and  shall  provide a copy  thereof  to each of the
Fronting Banks.

               (ii) Each  Pre-Petition L/C Participant may assign to one or more
Lenders  or  Eligible  Assignees  all  or a  portion  of  its  Pre-Petition  L/C
Obligations;  provided,  that (w) other than in the case of an  assignment  to a
Person at least 50% owned by the assignor Pre-Petition L/C Participant,  or by a
common  parent of both,  or to  another  Lender,  the Agent  must give its prior
written  consent,  which  consent  will not be  unreasonably  withheld,  (x) the
aggregate  amount  of  such  Pre-Petition  L/C  Participant's  Pre-Petition  L/C
Obligations  subject  to each  such  assignment  (determined  as of the date the
Assignment  and Acceptance  with respect to such  assignment is delivered to the
Agent)  shall,  unless  otherwise  agreed to in writing by the  Borrower and the
Agent,  in no  event  be  less  than  $1,000,000  unless  the  Pre-Petition  L/C
Participant's  Pre-Petition L/C Obligations so assigned  constitute 100% of such
Pre-Petition L/C Participant's Pre-Petition L/C Obligations, (y) each assignment
shall  be of a  constant,  not a  varying,  percentage  of all of the  assigning
Pre-Petition L/C Participant's Pre-Petition L/C Obligations and (z) it shall not
be necessary for any Pre-Petition L/C Participant to sell the same percentage of
its  Pre-Petition  L/C Obligations as of its Commitments and New Revolving Loans
and/or its New Term Loans (as the case may be).

               (iii) The parties to each such  assignment  entered into pursuant
to  paragraphs  (b)(i)  and/or  (b)(ii)  above shall  execute and deliver to the
Agent,  for its acceptance and recording in the Register (as defined below),  an
Assignment and Acceptance with blanks appropriately completed, together with any
Note subject to such  assignment and a processing and  recordation fee of $3,500
(for which the Borrower shall have no liability). Upon such execution, delivery,
acceptance  and  recording,  from and after the effective date specified in each
Assignment  and  Acceptance,  which  effective date


<PAGE>96


shall be within ten Business Days after the execution  thereof (unless otherwise
agreed to in  writing  by the Agent in its sole  discretion),  (A) the  assignee
thereunder  shall  be a  party  hereto  and,  to the  extent  provided  in  such
Assignment and Acceptance, have the rights and obligations of a Lender hereunder
and (B) the Lender  thereunder  shall, to the extent provided in such Assignment
and Acceptance,  be released from its obligations  under this Agreement (and, in
the case of an Assignment and Acceptance  covering all or the remaining  portion
of an assigning  Lender's  rights and  obligations  under this  Agreement,  such
Lender shall cease to be a party hereto).

          (c) By executing  and  delivering an Assignment  and  Acceptance,  the
assigning  Lender  thereunder and the assignee  thereunder  confirm to and agree
with each  other and the other  parties  hereto as  follows:  (i) other than the
representation  and warranty  that it is the legal and  beneficial  owner of the
interest  being  assigned  thereby  free and clear of any  adverse  claim,  such
assigning   Lender   makes  no   representation   or  warranty  and  assumes  no
responsibility  with respect to any  statements,  warranties or  representations
made in or in connection  with this Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents
or the execution, legality, validity, enforceability,  genuineness,  sufficiency
or value  of this  Agreement  or any of the  other  Loan  Documents;  (ii)  such
assigning   Lender   makes  no   representation   or  warranty  and  assumes  no
responsibility  with respect to the  financial  condition of the Borrower or the
performance or observance by the Borrower of any of its  obligations  under this
Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document
furnished  pursuant hereto;  (iii) such assignee confirms that it has received a
copy of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents, together with copies of the
financial  statements  referred to in Section 3.4 and such other  documents  and
information  as it has deemed  appropriate  to make its own credit  analysis and
decision to enter into such Assignment and Acceptance;  (iv) such assignee will,
independently  and without reliance upon the Agent, such assigning Lender 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 action under this Agreement,  any of the other Loan Documents and any
other  instrument  or document  furnished  pursuant  thereto;  (v) such assignee
appoints and authorizes the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and
to exercise such powers under this  Agreement,  any of the other Loan  Documents
and  any  other  instrument  or  document  furnished  pursuant  thereto,  as are
delegated to the Agent by the terms hereof or thereof, together with such powers
as are reasonably incidental thereto; and (vi) such assignee agrees that it will
perform in accordance with their terms all obligations that by the terms of this
Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender.

          (d) The Agent shall  maintain at its office a copy of each  Assignment
and Acceptance  delivered to it and a register for the  recordation of the names
and addresses of the Lenders and the Commitments of, and principal amount of the
Loans owing to, each Lender from time to time (the  "Register").  The entries in
the Register  shall be  conclusive,  in the absence of manifest  error,  and the
Borrower, the Agent and the Lenders shall treat each Person the name of which is
recorded  in the  Register  as a  Lender  hereunder  for  all  purposes  of this
Agreement. 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.


<PAGE>97


          (e) Upon its receipt of an Assignment  and  Acceptance  executed by an
assigning Lender and the assignee thereunder,  together with any Note subject to
such assignment and the fee payable in respect thereof, the Agent shall, if such
Assignment and Acceptance has been completed with blanks  appropriately  filled:
(i) accept such Assignment and Acceptance, (ii) record the information contained
therein in the  Register  and (iii) give prompt  written  notice  thereof to the
Borrower (together with a copy thereof). Within five Business Days after receipt
of notice,  the Borrower,  at its own expense,  shall execute and deliver to the
Agent,  in exchange  for the  surrendered  Note, a new Note to the order of such
assignee  in an  amount  equal to the  Commitment  and/or  Loans  assumed  by it
pursuant to such  Assignment  and  Acceptance  and, if the assigning  Lender has
retained Commitments and/or Loans hereunder, a new Note or Notes to the order of
the assigning Lender in an amount equal to the Commitment  and/or Loans retained
by it  hereunder.  Such  new Note or Notes  shall be in an  aggregate  principal
amount  equal to the  aggregate  principal  amount of such  surrendered  Note or
Notes,  shall be dated the effective date of such  Assignment and Acceptance and
shall otherwise be in  substantially  the form of the surrendered Note or Notes.
Thereafter, such surrendered Note or Notes shall be marked canceled and returned
to the  Borrower.

          (f) Any Lender may, in connection with any assignment or participation
or proposed  assignment or participation  pursuant to this Section,  disclose to
the assignee or participant or proposed assignee or participant, any information
relating  to the  Borrower  furnished  to such  Lender  by or on  behalf  of the
Borrower;  provided,  that prior to any such  disclosure,  each such assignee or
participant  or proposed  assignee or  participant  shall agree in writing to be
bound by the provisions of Section 9.4. (1)

          (g) For  purposes of this Section 9.3 (and for no other  purpose),  in
connection with any assignment by any  Pre-Petition  L/C Participant of all or a
portion of its Pre-Petition L/C Obligations, references in this Section 9.3 to a
"Lender"  and to  "Lenders"  shall be deemed to include  such  Pre-Petition  L/C
Participant  to the  extent  the  context  of the  relevant  provision  shall so
require.

     Section 9.4.  Confidentiality.  The Agent and each Lender agree to keep any
information  delivered or made available by the Borrower to it confidential from
anyone other than  persons  employed or retained by the Agent or such Lender who
are or are expected to become engaged in evaluating,  approving,  structuring or
administering the Loans;  provided,  that nothing herein shall prevent the Agent
or any Lender from disclosing such information (i) to any other Lender,  (ii) to
any other person if reasonably  incidental to the  administration  of the Loans,
(iii)  upon the  order of any  court or  administrative  agency,  (iv)  upon the
request  or demand of any  regulatory  agency or  authority,  (v) which has been
publicly  disclosed  other than as a result of a disclosure  by the Agent or any
Lender which is not permitted by this  Agreement,  (vi) in  connection  with any
litigation to which the Agent, any Lender, or their respective Affiliates may be
a party  to the  extent  reasonably  required,  (vii) to the  extent  reasonably
required in connection with the exercise of any remedy hereunder,  (viii) to the
Agent's and such Lender's  legal  counsel,  financial  advisors and  independent
auditors,  and (ix) to any actual or proposed  participant or assignee of all or
part of its rights hereunder subject to the proviso in Section 9.3(f).


<PAGE>98


     Section 9.5. Expenses.  Whether or not the transactions hereby contemplated
shall be consummated,  the Borrower  agrees to pay all reasonable  out-of-pocket
expenses  incurred by the Agent  (including,  but not limited to, the reasonable
fees and  disbursements of Zalkin,  Rodin & Goodman LLP, special counsel for the
Agent  ("ZR&G"),  Shook Hardy & Bacon  L.L.P.,  special  local and special  real
estate counsel for the Agent,  any other counsel that the Agent shall retain and
any  third-party  consultants,  accountants  and auditors  advising the Agent or
ZR&G,  including  (without  limitation) Ernst & Young LLP, financial advisors to
ZR&G), any Fronting Bank (including, but not limited to, the reasonable fees and
disbursements  of Dorsey & Whitney LLP,  special counsel for First Bank) and any
Lender  or any  Underwriter  in  connection  with  the  preparation,  execution,
delivery  and  administration  of this  Agreement,  the Notes and the other Loan
Documents,  the making of the Loans and the  issuance  of the Letters of Credit,
the  perfection  of  the  Liens  contemplated  hereby,  the  syndication  of the
transactions contemplated hereby, any consent or waiver hereunder or thereunder,
and any  amendment  or  modification  hereof  or  thereof,  the  reasonable  and
customary  costs,  fees and expenses of the Agent in connection with its monthly
and other  periodic  field audits and  monitoring  of assets and,  following the
occurrence  of an  Event  of  Default,  all  reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses
incurred by the Underwriters,  the Lenders,  the Fronting Banks and the Agent in
the  enforcement  or  protection  of the  rights  of  any  one  or  more  of the
Underwriters,  the Lenders,  the Fronting Banks or the Agent in connection  with
this Agreement, the Notes or the other Loan Documents including, but not limited
to, the reasonable fees and  disbursements of any counsel for the  Underwriters,
Lenders,  the Fronting Banks or the Agent (including,  without  limitation,  the
allocated costs of in-house counsel). Such payments shall be made on demand upon
delivery of a statement  setting forth such costs and  expenses.  Whether or not
the transactions hereby  contemplated shall be consummated,  the Borrower agrees
to reimburse  the Agent and the  Underwriters  for the expenses set forth in the
Commitment  Letter,   and  the  reimbursement   provisions  thereof  are  hereby
incorporated  herein by reference.  The  obligations  of the Borrower under this
Section shall survive the  termination of this Agreement  and/or the payment and
performance of the Secured Obligations.

     Section 9.6. Indemnities.  (a) The Borrower agrees to defend, indemnify and
hold  harmless the Agent,  the Lenders and the other  Secured  Parties and their
respective  directors,  officers,  employees,  agents,  advisors,   consultants,
attorneys-in-fact,  experts,  other professional persons and representatives and
Affiliates (each, an "Indemnified  Party"),  on demand, from and against any and
all penalties,  fines, expenses, losses,  settlements,  costs, claims, causes of
action, debts, dues, sums of money,  accounts,  accountings,  reckonings,  acts,
omissions,  demands,  liabilities,  obligations,  damages,  actions,  judgments,
suits,  proceedings or disbursements  incurred by such Indemnified Party, of any
kind or nature whatsoever,  known or unknown,  contingent or otherwise,  arising
out of  claims  made by any  Person  in any  way  relating  to the  transactions
contemplated hereby, 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 or  result  from the  gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct  of such
Indemnified  Party,  as  determined  by a final  order or judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction.

          (b) Without  limiting the  foregoing,  the Borrower  agrees to defend,
indemnify and hold harmless each Indemnified Party, on demand,  from and against
any and all penalties,  fines,


<PAGE>99


expenses,  losses,  settlements,  costs,  claims,  causes  of  action,  demands,
liabilities,  obligations,  damages, actions,  judgments, suits or disbursements
incurred by such Indemnified Party, of any kind or nature  whatsoever,  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 or result from the gross negligence or willful misconduct of
such Indemnified Party, as determined by a final order or judgment of a court of
competent jurisdiction.

          (c) The  indemnities  set forth in this Section shall continue in full
force and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement and the payment
and performance of the Secured Obligations.

     Section 9.7.  CHOICE OF LAW. THIS  AGREEMENT  AND THE OTHER LOAN  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 THE  STATE OF NEW  YORK,  THE LAWS OF SUCH
JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH MORTGAGE WAS FILED SHALL APPLY.

     Section  9.8. No Waiver.  No failure on the part of the Agent or any of the
other Secured Parties to exercise, and no delay in exercising,  any right, power
or remedy  hereunder or under the Notes or any of the other Loan Documents shall
operate as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any single or partial  exercise  of any
such right,  power or remedy preclude any other or further  exercise  thereof or
the exercise of any other right,  power or remedy.  All remedies  hereunder  are
cumulative and are not exclusive of any other remedies provided by law.

     Section 9.9.  Extension of Maturity.  Should any payment of principal of or
interest on the Notes or any other amount due  hereunder  become due and payable
on a day other than a Business  Day, the maturity  thereof  shall be extended to
the next succeeding  Business Day and, in the case of principal,  interest shall
be payable thereon at the rate herein specified during such extension.

     Section 9.10.  Amendments,  etc.  Unless  otherwise  specifically  provided
herein or in any other Loan Document,  no amendment,  modification  or waiver of
any provision of this Agreement, the Notes, the Security and Pledge Agreement or
the other  Loan  Documents,  and no  consent to any  departure  by the  Borrower
therefrom,  shall in any event be effective  unless the same shall be in writing
and signed by the Majority  Lenders,  and any such amendment,  waiver or consent
shall be effective  only in the specific  instance and for the purpose for which
given;  provided,  that no such amendment,  modification or waiver shall without
the written  consent of (i) all of the New  Revolving  Lenders and the  Required
Term  Lenders,  increase the Total  Commitments;  (ii) all of the New  Revolving
Lenders,  (x) reduce the principal  amount of any New Revolving Loan or the rate
of interest payable thereon,  or reduce any Fees payable hereunder in respect of
the New Revolving Loans,  (y) postpone the date


<PAGE>100


for any  Commitment  reduction  or for any  scheduled  payment or any  mandatory
prepayment of principal,  interest or Fees in respect of any New Revolving Loans
or (z)  amend,  modify  or  waive  any  provision  of this  proviso  (ii) or the
definitions of Majority Revolving Lenders or Required  Revolving Lenders;  (iii)
all of the New Term Lenders (x) reduce the principal amount of any New Term Loan
or the rate of interest payable thereon, (y) postpone the date for any scheduled
payment or any  mandatory  prepayment of principal or interest in respect of any
New Term Loans or (z) amend, modify or waive any provision of this proviso (iii)
or the  definitions of Majority Term Lenders or Required Term Lenders;  (iv) the
Required  Lenders,  change the  definition  of Required  Inventory or modify the
substance of Sections 4.2(f) and 5.1(t) or the form of the Inventory  Compliance
Certificate;  (v) the Required  Pre-Petition  Lenders,  change the definition of
Required Pre-Petition Lenders; and (vi) all of the Lenders, (w) amend, modify or
waive any provision of this Agreement  which provides for the unanimous  consent
or approval of the  Lenders,  (x) amend,  modify or waive any  provision of this
Section (other than provisos (ii), (iii), (iv) and (v) above) or the definitions
of Majority Lenders,  Ratable  Proportion,  Required Lenders or Special Required
Lenders,  (y) substitute,  discharge,  surrender or release all or substantially
all of the  Collateral  except as permitted by the Loan  Documents or (z) change
the percentage of Lenders holding Secured Obligations which may direct the Agent
to take  action  pursuant  to  Section  7.1;  and (vii)  CIBC,  as issuer of the
Pre-Petition  Letters of Credit,  and all of the Pre-Petition L/C  Participants,
amend,  modify or waive any provision of Section 9.14(c) or any provision of the
Pre-Petition   Credit  Agreement   referred  to  therein.   No  such  amendment,
modification  or waiver may adversely  affect the rights and  obligations of the
Agent or any Fronting  Bank  hereunder  without its prior  written  consent.  No
notice to or demand on the Borrower  shall  entitle the Borrower to any other or
further  notice  or demand in the same,  similar  or other  circumstances.  Each
holder  of a Note  shall be  bound by any  amendment,  modification,  waiver  or
consent  authorized  as provided  herein,  whether or not a Note shall have been
marked to indicate  such  amendment,  modification,  waiver or consent,  and any
consent by a Lender,  or any holder of a Note or any other  Secured  Obligation,
shall bind any Person subsequently acquiring a Note (whether or not such Note is
so marked) or such other  Secured  Obligations.  No amendment to this  Agreement
shall be effective against the Borrower unless signed by the Borrower.

     Section 9.11. Invalidity;  Severability.  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. Any provision of this Agreement
which is prohibited  or  unenforceable  in any  jurisdiction  shall,  as to such
jurisdiction,   be   ineffective   to  the   extent  of  such   prohibition   or
unenforceability  without  invalidating the remaining provisions hereof, and any
such prohibition or unenforceability in any jurisdiction shall not invalidate or
render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.

     Section 9.12.  Headings.  Section  headings used herein are for convenience
only and are not to affect the construction of or be taken into consideration in
interpreting this Agreement.

     Section 9.13. Execution in Counterparts;  Effectiveness. This Agreement may
be executed in any number of  counterparts,  each of which shall  constitute  an
original,  but all of which taken  together  shall  constitute  one and the same
instrument.  This  Agreement  shall become  effective  when the Agent shall have
received  counterparts  hereof signed by all of the parties  hereto and when the
conditions  contained or referred to in Section 4.1 shall have been satisfied or
waived.


<PAGE>101


     Section 9.14. Prior  Agreements.  (a) Subject to the provisions of Sections
9.14(b) and 9.14(c),  this Agreement and the other Loan Documents  represent the
entire agreement of the parties with regard to the subject matter hereof and the
terms of any letters and other  documentation  entered into between the Borrower
and any  Lender or the Agent  prior to the  execution  of this  Agreement  which
relate  to Loans to be made  hereunder  shall be  replaced  by the terms of this
Agreement;  provided,  that the obligations of the Borrower under the Commitment
Letter and the Fee Letter  shall  survive  the  execution  and  delivery of this
Agreement,  except to the extent that such obligations are satisfied pursuant to
or in connection with this Agreement.

     (b) The obligations of the Borrower under Sections 2.13,  2.14, 2.17, 5.11,
6.14,  9.5 and 9.6 of the DIP Credit  Agreement and Sections 5.3, 5.4, 5.5, 5.9,
7.13, 8.28. 11.3 and 11.10 of the Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement shall remain in
full force and effect.

     (c) For the  benefit  of CIBC,  as issuer of the  Pre-Petition  Letters  of
Credit, each New Term Lender which is also an L/C Participant (as defined in the
Pre-Petition Credit Agreement) (each, a "Pre-Petition L/C Participant"),  hereby
(i)  confirms  its  acceptance  and  purchase,  pursuant  to Section  3.4 of the
Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement,  of an undivided  interest in the  Pre-Petition
Letters  of Credit in the amount  set forth  opposite  its name on Annex B, (ii)
acknowledges its understanding  that, upon the occurrence of the Effective Date,
the  Borrower's  reimbursement  obligations  under  Sections  3.5 and 3.6 of the
Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement  shall  be  discharged  pursuant  to the Plan of
Reorganization  and  (iii)  agrees  that,  upon any  payment  by CIBC  under any
Pre-Petition  Letter of Credit,  such  Pre-Petition  L/C Participant will pay to
CIBC such Pre-Petition L/C Participant's  share of such payment as determined in
accordance with the provisions of the  Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement.  Without
limiting the foregoing,  each  Pre-Petition  L/C  Participant  confirms that its
agreements  contained in Section 3.9 of the Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement shall
continue in full force and effect as to the matters covered thereby.

     In connection with the foregoing,  (i) the Borrower  acknowledges that CIBC
is holding cash collateral  pursuant to Section 9.2 of the  Pre-Petition  Credit
Agreement with respect to the Pre-Petition Letters of Credit and hereby confirms
its  grant,  assignment  and pledge to CIBC,  for its  benefit  and the  ratable
benefit of the  Pre-Petition  L/C  Participants,  of a first  priority  security
senior in all of the  Borrower's  right,  title and interest in and to such cash
collateral  and all  proceeds  thereof,  senior to all other  Liens  (including,
without  limitation,  the Liens  securing  the Secured  Obligations),  (ii) CIBC
agrees to apply  such cash  collateral  to  reimburse  itself in  respect of any
payment it makes under any  Pre-Petition  Letter of Credit  prior to  requesting
that the Pre-Petition  L/C  Participants pay to CIBC their respective  shares of
any such  payment and (iii) the Borrower  acknowledges  that the Borrower has no
ownership or other  interest of any kind  whatsoever in any amounts paid by CIBC
under any Pre-Petition Letter of Credit and that in the event a beneficiary of a
Pre-Petition  Letter of Credit  returns any such  amounts to the Borrower at any
time,  the  Borrower  will  receive  and hold the  same in trust  for,  and will
promptly pay the same to CIBC for the benefit of, CIBC and the  Pre-Petition L/C
Participants.

         (d) In the event of a conflict  between  the  provisions  of any of the
Loan Documents and the Plan of  Reorganization,  such conflict shall be governed
by the terms of the Loan Documents.


<PAGE>102


     Section 9.15.  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 9.16.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL;  CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.  EACH OF THE
BORROWER,  THE AGENT,  THE FRONTING  BANKS,  THE LENDERS AND EACH OTHER  SECURED
PARTY 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  LOAN  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
AGENT, THE FRONTING BANKS AND/OR ANY ONE OR MORE OF THE LENDERS OR OTHER SECURED
PARTIES,  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 LOAN
DOCUMENTS OR ANY DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT  DELIVERED PURSUANT TO THIS AGREEMENT OR
ANY OTHER LOAN 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 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 AGENT,  ANY FRONTING  BANK, ANY LENDER OR ANY OTHER SECURED PARTY
MAY OTHERWISE HAVE TO BRING ANY ACTION OR PROCEEDING  RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT
OR ANY OF THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS OR THE COLLATERAL  AGAINST THE BORROWER,  ANY
SUBSIDIARY OR THEIR PROPERTIES OR ASSETS IN THE COURTS OF ANY JURISDICTION.  THE
BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES THE DEFENSES OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND IMPROPER VENUE.

     Section  9.17.  Effect of Amendment  and  Restatement  of the  Pre-Petition
Credit  Agreement  and  the  DIP  Credit  Agreement;  Confirmation  of  Security
Documents.  On the Effective Date, the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement and the DIP
Credit Agreement shall be amended and restated to read as set forth herein.  The
Borrower  acknowledges  and agrees  that (i) the Liens  securing  payment of the
Pre-Petition  Obligations and the DIP Obligations are in all respects continuing
and in full force and effect and secure the payment of the  Secured  Obligations
and that the Notes outstanding  under the Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement and the
DIP Credit  Agreement  are replaced by


<PAGE>103


the Notes issued hereunder and (ii) upon the effectiveness of this  Agreement,
all  outstanding  DIP  Letters of  Credit  will be  converted into  Letters of
Credit  hereunder,  in each  case upon the terms  and conditions set  forth in
this Agreement.

     Section 9.18.  Reproduction  of Documents.  This  Agreement,  all documents
constituting  Annexes,  Schedules or Exhibits hereto, and all documents relating
hereto received by a party hereto, including,  without limitation: (a) consents,
waivers and  modifications  that may  hereafter  be  executed;  (b) the Security
Documents  and  the  other  Loan  Documents;   and  (c)  financial   statements,
certificates,  and other  information  previously or hereafter  furnished to the
Agent,  any Lender or any other  Secured  Party may be  reproduced  by the party
receiving  the same by any  photographic,  photostatic,  microfilm,  micro-card,
miniature  photographic  or other similar  process.  Each of the parties  hereto
agrees  and  stipulates   that,  to  the  extent  permitted  by  law,  any  such
reproduction  shall be  admissible  in  evidence as the  original  itself in any
judicial  or  administrative  proceeding  (whether  or not  the  original  is in
existence  and  whether or not such  reproduction  was made by such party in the
regular  course of  business)  and that,  to the extent  permitted  by law,  any
enlargement,  facsimile,  or further  reproduction  of such  reproduction  shall
likewise be admissible in evidence.


<PAGE>104



     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties  hereto have caused this  Agreement to be
duly executed as of the day and the year first written.

                         PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.

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

                         Two Pershing Square
                         2300 Main Street, 3rd Floor
                         Kansas City, Missouri 64108
                         Telephone: (816) 234-6000
                         Fax:       (816) 234-6077


                         CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                           as Coordinating and Collateral Agent and as the
                           Standby Letter of Credit Fronting Bank

                         By: /s/ Robert N. Greer
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Assistant General Manager

                         By: /s/ Nancy  Deyirmenjian
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Assistant General Manager

                         425 Lexington Avenue
                         New York, New York 10017
                         Attention: Agency Services
                         Telephone: (212) 856-3711
                         Fax:       (212) 856-3763


                         CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                           as Hedging Bank

                         By: /s/ Robert N. Greer
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Assistant General Manager

                         By: /s/ Nancy Deyirmenjian
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Assistant General Manager

                         161 Bay Street, 8th Floor
                         P.O. Box 500
                         Toronto, Ontario M5725A
                         Attention: Wayne Halenda
                         Telephone: (416) 594-8047
                         Fax:       (416) 594-8230



<PAGE>105


                         CIBC OPPENHEIMER CORP., formerly known as
                           CIBC Wood Gundy Securities Corp., as an
                           Underwriter and as Co-arranger

                         By: /s/ T.E. Doyle
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Managing Director

                         425 Lexington Avenue, 7th Floor
                         New York, New York 10017
                         Attention: Dean Criares
                         Telephone: (212) 856-3780
                         Fax:       (212) 856-3763


                         CIBC INC., as a Pre-Petition Lender, a
                           DIP Lender, a New Term Lender and a
                           New Revolving Lender

                         By: /s/ Robert N. Greer
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Executive Director

                         425 Lexington Avenue
                         New York, New York 10017
                         Attention: Robert N. Greer
                         Telephone: (212) 856-3881
                         Fax:       (212) 856-4135

                         NATIONSBANK, N.A., as a Pre-Petition Lender,
                           a DIP Lender, a New Term Lender, a New Revolving
                           Lender, an Underwriter, as Syndication Agent and
                           Co-arranger and as a Cash Management Bank

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

                         Domestic and Eurodollar Lending Offices:
                         901 Main Street, 66th Floor
                         Dallas, Texas 75202
                         Attention: Stacey Smith
                         Telephone: (214) 508-0944
                         Fax:       (214) 508-1864



<PAGE>106

                         All other notices:
                         Attention: Jay T. Wampler
                                    Senior Vice President
                         Telephone: (214) 508-3711
                         Fax:       (214) 508-3533


                         LEHMAN COMMERCIAL PAPER INC. , as a
                           Pre-Petition Lender, a DIP Lender,
                           a New Term Lender, a New Revolving
                           Lender,  an Underwriter and as
                           Documentation Agent

                         By: /s/ Dennis J. Dee
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Vice President

                         3 World Financial Center, 10th Floor
                         New York, New York 10285
                         Attention: Michele Swanson
                         Telephone: (212) 526-0330
                         Fax:       (212) 528-0819


                         GOLDMAN SACHS CREDIT PARTNERS L.P.,
                           as a Pre-Petition Lender, a DIP Lender, a New Term
                           Lender, a New Revolving Lender, an Underwriter and
                           as Administrative Agent

                         By: /s/ John E. Urban
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Authorized Signer

                         Domestic and Eurodollar Lending Offices:
                         85 Broad Street, 6th Floor
                         New York, New York 10004
                         Attention: Alexa Komar
                         Telephone: (212) 357-2625
                         Fax:       (212) 357-4597

                         Other  Notices:
                         85 Broad Street, 27th Floor New York,
                         New York 10004
                         Attention: Marnie Gordon
                         Telephone: (212) 902-2512
                         Fax:       (212) 902-3757


<PAGE>107


                         and

                         85 Broad Street, 28th Floor
                         New York, New York 10004
                         Attention: Jonathan Kolatch
                         Telephone: (212) 902-8469
                         Fax:       (212) 357-0922


                         CARGILL FINANCIAL SERVICES CORPORATION,
                         as a Pre-Petition Term Lender, a DIP Lender,
                         a New Term Lender and a New Revolving Lender
 
                         By: /s/ Patrick J. Halloran
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Vice President

                         6000 Clearwater Drive
                         Minnetonka, Minnesota 55343
                         Attention: Susan Peterson
                         Telephone: (612) 984-3081
                         Fax:       (612) 984-3913


                         VAN KAMPEN AMERICAN CAPITAL
                         PRIME RATE INCOME TRUST, as a
                           Pre-Petition Lender, a DIP Lender, a New
                           Term Lender and a New Revolving Lender
 
                         By: /s/ Kathleen A. Zarn
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Vice President

                         One Parkview Plaza, 5th Floor
                         Oak Brook Terrace, Illinois 60181
                         Attention: Jeffrey W. Maillet
                         Telephone: (630) 684-6438
                         Fax:       (630) 684-6741




<PAGE>108

                         U.S. BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                           as a Pre-Petition Lender and a New Term
                           Lender , as the Documentary Letter of Credit
                           Fronting Bank and as a Cash Management
                           Bank

                         By: /s/ Jack L. Quitmeyer
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Vice President

                         Domestic and Eurodollar Lending Offices:
                         U.S. Bank National Association
                         601 Second Avenue South
                         Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4302
                         Attention: Jocelyn Kirkpatrick
                         Telephone: (612) 973-2127
                         Fax:       (612) 973-2148
 
                         All other notices:
                         First Bank Place, MPFP1802
                         601 Second Avenue South
                         Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4302
                         Attention: Jack L. Quitmeyer
                         Fax: (612) 973-2148

                         with a copy to:
                         Joe Andersen
                         U.S. Bancorp
                         First Bank Place, MPFP2802
                         601 Second Avenue South
                         Minneapolis, Minnesota 55402-4302
                         Fax: (612) 973-3257


                         ABN AMRO BANK N.V., as a
                           Pre-Petition Lender and a New Term Lender

                         By: /s/ Steven C. Wimpenny
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Senior Vice President

                         By: /s/ Steven Gutman
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Senior Vice President

                         Domestic and Eurodollar Lending Offices:
                         North America Special Credits
                         10 East 53rd Street, 37th Floor
                         New York, New York l0022
                         Attention: Carol Martini
                         Telephone: (212) 891-0642
                         Fax:       (212) 891-0652


<PAGE>109

                         All other notices:
                         10 East 53rd  Street,  37th  Floor
                         New York, New York l0022
                         Attention: Steven C. Wimpenny
                         Telephone: (212) 891-0626
                         Fax:       (212) 891-0650


                         BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL TRUST AND
                         SAVINGS ASSOCIATION, as a
                           Pre-Petition Lender, a New Term Lender
                           and as a Cash Management Bank

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

                         231 South LaSalle, 8th Floor
                         Chicago, Illinois 60697
                         Attention: Lynn Simmons
                         Telephone: (312) 828-8647
                         Fax:       (312) 987-0234

                         Domestic and Eurodollar Lending Offices:
                         P.O. Box 27128
                         Concord, California 94530
                         Attention: Kelsey Robinson
                         Telephone: (510) 675-7719
                         Fax:       (510) 675-7531

                         with a copy to:

                         231 South LaSalle, 8th Floor
                         Chicago, Illinois 60697
                         Attention: Linda Jordan
                         Fax: (312) 987-0234


<PAGE>110


                         THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA, as
                           a Pre-Petition Lender and a New Term Lender

                         By: /s/ A.T.D. Clarke
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Senior Manager

                         Domestic and Eurodollar Lending Offices:
                         Suite 2700
                         600 Peachtree Street, N.E.
                         Atlanta, Georgia 30308
                         Attention: Pearl Jackson
                         Telephone: (404) 877-1539
                         Fax:       (404) 888-8998

                         All other notices:
                         l Liberty Plaza, 25th Floor
                         New York, New York 10006
                         Attention: Norman Gillespie
                         Telephone: (212) 225-6405
                         Fax:       (212) 225-5205


                         BEAR, STEARNS & CO. INC., as
                         a Pre-Petition Lender and a New Term Lender

                         By: /s/ Gregory A. Hanley
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Senior Managing Director

                         Administrative Notices and Other Funding Information:
                         245 Park Avenue
                         New York, New York 10167
                         Attention: Jennifer Herskowitz
                         Telephone: (212) 272-6161
                         Fax:       (212) 272-8079

                         All other notices:
                         245 Park Avenue
                         New York, New York 10167
                         Attention: Alan J. Mintz
                         Telephone: (212) 272-9499
                         Fax:       (212) 272-8102


<PAGE>111
                         and

                         Attention: Laura L. Torrado, Esq.
                         Telephone: (212) 272-7811
                         Fax:       (212) 272-8079


                         NATIONAL CITY BANK, INDIANA, as
                           a Pre-Petition Lender and a New Term Lender

                         By: /s/ F. Richard Blankenship III
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Vice President

                         101 West Washington Street
                         Suite 1040E
                         Indianapolis, Indiana 46255
                         Attention: David C. Hunt
                         Telephone: (317) 267-6290
                         Fax:       (317) 267-7088


                         MORGENS WATERFALL DOMESTIC
                         PARTNERS II, L.L.C., as a Pre-Petition
                           Lender and a New Term Lender

                         By: /s/ Stuart Brown
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Authorized Agent

                         10 East 50th Street, 26th Floor
                         New York, New York 10022
                         Attention: Ken Ageloff
                         Telephone: (212) 705-0524
                         Fax:       (212) 838-5540



<PAGE>112

                         NATIONSBANK OF TEXAS, N.A., as a
                           Pre-Petition Lender and a New Term Lender

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

                         Domestic and Eurodollar Lending Offices:
                         901 Main Street, 66th Floor
                         Dallas, Texas 75202
                         Attention: Stacey Smith
                         Telephone: (214) 508-0944
                         Fax:       (214) 508-1864

                         All other notices:
                         Attention: Jay T. Wampler
                                    Senior Vice President
                         Telephone: (214) 508-3711
                         Fax:       (214) 508-3533


                         OAKTREE CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, LLC, as agent for
                           certain  funds  and  accounts,  as a  Pre-Petition
                           Lender and a New Term Lender

                         By: /s/ Matthew S. Barrett
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Managing Director

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

                         550 South Hope Street, 22nd Floor
                         Los Angeles, California 90071
                         Attention:
                         Telephone:
                         Fax: (213) 694-1592


                         THE SUMITOMO BANK, LIMITED, as
                           a Pre-Petition Lender and a New Term Lender

                         By: John Kemper
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Senior Vice President

                         Domestic and Eurodollar Lending Offices:
                         233 South Wacker Drive, Suite 4800
                         Chicago, Illinois 60606
                         Attention: Loan Administration
                         Telephone: (312) 876-0525
                         Fax:       (312) 876-1490



<PAGE>113

                         All other notices:
                         Attention: Mr. Peter W. Prims
                         Telephone: (312) 876-6422
                         Fax:       (312) 876-6436


                         NOMURA HOLDING AMERICA INC., as
                           a Pre-Petition Lender and a New Term Lender

                         By: /s/ Dennis Dolan
                         ----------------------------------------
                         Title: Managing Director

                         2 World Financial Center, 17th Floor
                         New York, New York 10281-1198
                         Attention: Michael J. Doyle
                         Telephone: (212) 667-1964
                         Fax:       (212) 667-1708




<PAGE>i


                      AMENDED AND RESTATED CREDIT AGREEMENT
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                       Page No.

INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT........................................................1

SECTION 1.  DEFINITIONS.......................................................3
     Section 1.1.  Defined Terms..............................................3
     Section 1.2   Terms Generally...........................................28

SECTION 2.  AMOUNT AND TERMS OF CREDIT.......................................29
     Section 2.1.  Assumption and Restructuring of Secured Obligations
                   (other than Letters of Credit); Amortization of 
                   New Term Loans; Commitment to Lend........................29
     Section 2.2.  Making of Loans...........................................30
     Section 2.3.  Notes; Repayment of Loans.................................32
     Section 2.4.  Interest on Loans.........................................32
     Section 2.5.  Letters of Credit ........................................33
     Section 2.6.  Procedure for Issuance of Letters of Credit...............38
     Section 2.7.  Nature of Letter of Credit Obligations Absolute...........38
     Section 2.8.  Default Interest..........................................39
     Section 2.9.  Optional Termination or Reduction of Commitment...........40
     Section 2.10. Alternate Rate of Interest................................40
     Section 2.11. Refinancing of Loans......................................40
     Section 2.12. Commitment Termination; Mandatory Prepayments; 
                   Mandatory Commitment Reduction; Cash Collateral...........41
     Section 2.13. Optional Prepayment of Loans; Reimbursement of Lenders....43
     Section 2.14. Reserve Requirements; Change in Circumstances.............45
     Section 2.15. Change in Legality........................................46
     Section 2.16. Pro Rata Treatment, etc...................................47
     Section 2.17. Taxes.....................................................47
     Section 2.18. Certain Fees..............................................49
     Section 2.19. Commitment Fee............................................49
     Section 2.20. Letter of Credit Fees.....................................49
     Section 2.21. Nature of Fees............................................50
     Section 2.22. Right of Set-Off.  .......................................50
     Section 2.23. Sharing of Setoffs........................................50
     Section 2.24. Security Interest in Letter of Credit Accounts............52
     Section 2.25. Release of Secured Parties................................52

SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES ...................................53
     Section 3.1.  Organization and Authority................................53
     Section 3.2.  Due Execution.............................................53
     Section 3.3.  Statements Made...........................................53
     Section 3.4.  Financial Statements......................................54
     Section 3.5.  Ownership.................................................54
     Section 3.6.  Liens.....................................................54


<PAGE>ii


     Section 3.7.  Compliance with Law.......................................54
     Section 3.8.  Insurance.................................................54
     Section 3.9.  Use of Proceeds...........................................55
     Section 3.10. Litigation................................................55
     Section 3.11. Investment Company Act; etc...............................55
     Section 3.12. Tax Returns and Payments..................................55
     Section 3.13. ERISA.....................................................55
     Section 3.14. Good Title to Properties..................................57
     Section 3.15. Trademarks, Patents, etc..................................57
     Section 3.16. Labor Matters.............................................57
     Section 3.17. Environmental Matters.....................................57
     Section 3.18. Location and Divisions of the Borrower....................59
     Section 3.19. Solvency..................................................59

SECTION 4.  CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF REORGANIZATION AND 
            EXTENSIONS OF CREDIT.............................................60
     Section 4.1.  Conditions Precedent to Effectiveness of Reorganization,
                   Initial Loans and Initial Letters of Credit...............60
     Section 4.2.  Conditions Precedent to Each Loan and Each Letter 
                   of Credit after the Effective Date........................65

SECTION 5.  AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS............................................66
     Section 5.1.  Financial Statements, Reports, etc........................66
     Section 5.2.  Conduct of Business; Maintenance of Existence.............70
     Section 5.3.  Maintenance of Property; Insurance........................70
     Section 5.4.  Compliance with Laws......................................71
     Section 5.5.  Obligations and Taxes.....................................71
     Section 5.6.  Notice of Event of Default, etc...........................72
     Section 5.7.  Access to Books and Records...............................72
     Section 5.8.  Modifications to Business Plan............................72
     Section 5.9.  Customer Charge Sales.....................................72
     Section 5.10. Lender Meetings...........................................72
     Section 5.11. Available and After-Acquired Properties...................73
     Section 5.12. Subsidiaries; Subsidiary Guarantees and 
                   Security Agreements.......................................73
     Section 5.13. Further Assurances........................................73
     Section 5.14. Maintenance of Cash Management System.....................73
     Section 5.15. Environmental Undertaking.................................74
     Section 5.16. Post-Closing Matters......................................74

SECTION 6.  NEGATIVE COVENANTS...............................................75
     Section 6.1.  Liens.....................................................75
     Section 6.2.  Debt......................................................75
     Section 6.3.  Consolidations, Mergers and Sales of Assets...............75
     Section 6.4.  Capital Expenditures......................................77
     Section 6.5.  No Negative Pledges.......................................79
     Section 6.6.  Termination of Plans......................................80
     Section 6.7.  EBITDA; Debt to EBITDA Ratio..............................80


<PAGE>iii


     Section 6.8.  Restricted Payments.......................................81
     Section 6.9.  Transactions with Affiliates..............................82
     Section 6.10. Investments, Loans and Advances...........................82
     Section 6.11. Business Segments.........................................83
     Section 6.12. Accounting Changes........................................83
     Section 6.13. Amendment and Modification of Certain Documents...........83
     Section 6.14. Sale/Lease-Backs..........................................84
     Section 6.15. Environmental Matters.....................................84
     Section 6.16. Rent Obligations..........................................85

SECTION 7.  EVENTS OF DEFAULT................................................85
     Section 7.1.  Events of Default.........................................85
     Section 7.2.  Application of Proceeds...................................89

SECTION 8.  THE AGENT; THE ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT..............................90
     Section 8.1.  Appointment and Authorization.............................90
     Section 8.2.  Agent and Affiliates......................................90
     Section 8.3.  Action by Agent...........................................90
     Section 8.4.  Consultation with Experts.................................91
     Section 8.5.  Liability of Agent........................................91
     Section 8.6.  Reimbursement and Indemnification; Set-Off................91
     Section 8.7.  Credit Decision...........................................92
     Section 8.8.  Notice of Transfer........................................92
     Section 8.9.  Successor Agent...........................................92
     Section 8.10. Concerning the Administrative Agent.......................93

SECTION 9.  MISCELLANEOUS....................................................93
     Section 9.1.  Notices...................................................93
     Section 9.2.  Survival of Agreement, Representations and
                   Warranties, etc...........................................93
     Section 9.3.  Successors and Assigns....................................94
     Section 9.4.  Confidentiality...........................................97
     Section 9.5.  Expenses..................................................98
     Section 9.6.  Indemnities...............................................98
     Section 9.7.  CHOICE OF LAW. ...........................................99
     Section 9.8.  No Waiver.................................................99
     Section 9.9.  Extension of Maturity.....................................99
     Section 9.10. Amendments, etc. .........................................99
     Section 9.11. Invalidity; Severability.................................100
     Section 9.12. Headings.................................................100
     Section 9.13. Execution in Counterparts; Effectiveness.................100
     Section 9.14. Prior Agreements.........................................101
     Section 9.15. Independence of Covenants................................102
     Section 9.16. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION............102
     Section 9.17. Effect of Amendment and Restatement of the 
                   Pre-Petition Credit Agreement and the DIP Credit 
                   Agreement; Confirmation of Security Documents............102
     Section 9.18. Reproduction of Documents................................103



<PAGE>iv


Annex A              Ratable Proportion
Annex B              Pre-Petition Letters of Credit

Exhibit A-1          New Term Notes
Exhibit A-2          New Revolving Notes
Exhibit B            Confirmation Order
Exhibit C            Security and Pledge Agreement
Exhibit D-1          Form of Mortgage
Exhibit D-2          Form of Deed and Trust
Exhibit D-3          Form of Amended and Restated Mortgage
Exhibit D-4          Form of Amended and Restated Deed of Trust
Exhibit E            Subsidiary Guarantee
Exhibit F            Subsidiary Security Agreement
Exhibit G-1          Opinion/Blackwell
Exhibit G-2          Opinion/Wachtell
Exhibit H            Excess Cash Flow Certificate
Exhibit I            Notice of Borrowing
Exhibit J-1          Application (Standby Letter of Credit Generally)
Exhibit J-2          Application (Unsupported Trade Standby Letter of Credit)
Exhibit K            Notice of Refinancing of Loans
Exhibit L            Closing Certificate
Exhibit M            Inventory Compliance Certificate
Exhibit N            Covenant Compliance Certificate
Exhibit O            Quarterly Certificate
Exhibit P            Assignment and Acceptance


Schedule 1.1(a)      Commitments/Loans
Schedule 1.1(b)      Existing Agreements
Schedule 1.1(c)      UBS Collateral
Schedule 3.6         Pre-Petition Liens
Schedule 3.10        Litigation
Schedule 3.13        ERISA
Schedule 3.17        Environmental Matters
Schedule 3.18        Locations and Divisions of the Borrower
Schedule 5.3         Insurance
Schedule 6.3         Disposition of Assets
Schedule 6.10        Existing Investments



<PAGE>COVER


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

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

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

                                      Among

                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.,

                                  as Borrower,


                          THE LENDERS, THE UNDERWRITERS
                      AND THE FRONTING BANKS PARTY HERETO,

                                       and

                       CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,

                      as Coordinating and Collateral Agent


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

                          Dated as of December 2, 1997

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


<PAGE>1


                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT


          AMENDED AND RESTATED SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT (the  "Agreement"),
dated as of December 2, 1997, by and between PAYLESS CASHWAYS,  INC., a Delaware
corporation,  as  successor  by  merger  to  Payless  Cashways,  Inc.,  an  Iowa
corporation  (in such capacity,  the  "Grantor")  and CANADIAN  IMPERIAL BANK OF
COMMERCE ("CIBC"), as coordinating and collateral agent (in such capacities, the
"Agent")  for its  benefit  and the  benefit of the other  Secured  Parties  (as
hereinafter defined).

     WHEREAS, pursuant to an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,  dated as of
October 3, 1996 (as amended,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified  from time to
time, the "Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement"),  among Payless Cashways,  Inc., an
Iowa corporation (the "Debtor"),  CIBC, as  administrative  and collateral agent
(in such capacity, the "Pre-Petition  Agent"),  certain co-agents named therein,
CIBC as the letter of credit bank (the "Letter of Credit  Bank") and the Lenders
named therein  (together with their  successors and assigns,  the  "Pre-Petition
Lenders"), the Pre-Petition Lenders agreed to extend credit to the Debtor in the
aggregate principal amount of up to $468 million in the form of revolving credit
and term loans and letters of credit; and

     WHEREAS,  the Debtor and the Pre-Petition Agent are parties to that certain
Amended and Restated  Borrower  Security  Agreement,  that  certain  Amended and
Restated  Note Pledge  Agreement  and that certain  Amended and  Restated  Stock
Pledge  Agreement,  each  dated  as  of  October  3,  1996  (collectively,   the
"Pre-Petition Security Agreements"), pursuant to which the Debtor granted to the
Pre-Petition Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the Pre-Petition Lenders,
the  Letter  of  Credit  Bank  and  certain  other  parties  (the  "Pre-Petition
Parties"), a security interest in the Pre-Petition Collateral (as defined in the
Credit Agreement  hereinafter  defined) to secure the Debtor's obligations under
the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement,  the Pre-Petition Security Agreements and the
other loan and security documents executed in connection therewith; and

     WHEREAS, on July 21, 1997 (the "Filing Date"), the Debtor filed a voluntary
petition with the United  States  Bankruptcy  Court for the Western  District of
Missouri (the "Bankruptcy Court") commencing a Chapter 11 case and has continued
in the possession of its assets and in the  management of its business  pursuant
to  Sections  1107 and 1108 of the  Bankruptcy  Code (as  defined  in the Credit
Agreement); and

     WHEREAS,  pursuant to a Revolving  Credit  Agreement,  dated as of July 21,
1997 (as  heretofore  modified,  the "DIP Credit  Agreement")  among the Debtor,
certain of the Pre-Petition Lenders (together with their successors and assigns,
the  "DIP  Lenders"),   the  Fronting  Banks  (the  "Fronting  Banks")  and  the
Underwriters  (the  "Underwriters")  named therein and CIBC, as coordinating and
collateral  agent  for its  benefit  and the  benefit  of the DIP  Lenders,  the
Fronting Banks and the Underwriters (in such capacities,  the "DIP Agent"),  the
DIP Lenders agreed to extend credit to the Debtor as debtor in possession in the
aggregate principal amount of up to $125 million in the form of revolving credit
loans, standby letters of credit and documentary letters of credit; and


<PAGE>2


     WHEREAS,  pursuant  to the DIP  Financing  Order (as  defined in the Credit
Agreement), (i) the financing under the DIP Credit Agreement was approved by the
Bankruptcy  Court;  (ii) the DIP Parties (as  hereinafter  defined) were granted
superpriority  claims  and  superpriority  liens on all of the  Debtor's  assets
subject  only to valid and  perfected  prior  Liens (as  defined  in the  Credit
Agreement) existing on the Filing Date in favor of third parties (other than the
Pre-Petition  Parties);  and (iii) as part of the adequate protection ordered by
the  Bankruptcy  Court,  the  Pre-Petition  Parties  were  granted  Liens on the
properties  and other assets  subject to certain  existing Liens in favor of UBS
Mortgage  Finance,  Inc., as successor to The  Prudential  Insurance  Company of
America  (together  with UBS'  successors  and assigns,  "UBS") and on all other
collateral  granted  to the  DIP  Parties,  subject  only  to the  superpriority
administrative  claims and Liens  granted to the DIP  Parties and to other valid
and perfected prior Liens existing on the Filing Date; and

     WHEREAS,  the Debtor and the DIP Agent are parties to a Security and Pledge
Agreement, dated as of July 21, 1997 (the "DIP Security Agreement"), pursuant to
which the Debtor granted to the DIP Agent for its benefit and the benefit of the
DIP Lenders,  the  Underwriters and the Fronting Banks  (collectively,  the "DIP
Parties") a security  interest in all of its assets,  including the Pre-Petition
Collateral,  subject  only to valid and  perfected  prior Liens  existing on the
Filing  Date  (other than the Liens  granted to the  Pre-Petition  Agent for its
benefit and the  benefit of the  Pre-Petition  Parties)  to secure the  Debtor's
obligations under the DIP Credit Agreement,  the DIP Security  Agreement and the
other loan and security documents executed in connection therewith; and

     WHEREAS,  on September 5, 1997,  the Debtor filed its First Amended Plan of
Reorganization  with the Bankruptcy Court, which was modified on October 9, 1997
and  confirmed  by the  Bankruptcy  Court on  November  19,  1997 (the  "Plan of
Reorganization"); and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the Plan of Reorganization, the Debtor has merged
with and into the  Grantor on or before the  Effective  Date (as  defined in the
Credit Agreement); and

     WHEREAS,   contemporaneously  with  the  execution  and  delivery  of  this
Agreement,  the  Grantor,  the  Pre-Petition  Parties  and the DIP  Parties  are
entering  into an Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement,  dated as of the date
hereof (as amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified
from time to time, the "Credit Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS,  unless  otherwise  defined  herein,  terms  defined in the Credit
Agreement are used herein as therein defined; and

     WHEREAS,  it is a condition  precedent to the  effectiveness  of the Credit
Agreement,  that the Grantor shall have executed and delivered to the Agent this
Amended  and  Restated  Security  and Pledge  Agreement  for its benefit and the
benefit of the other Secured Parties.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and (i) in order to
induce the Secured Parties to enter into the Credit Agreement,  (ii) in order to
induce the Lenders to restructure,  to continue and/or to make their  respective
Loans  pursuant to the Credit  Agreement,  (iii) in order to induce the Fronting
Banks to  continue  to issue,  and the New  Revolving  Lenders  to  continue  to


<PAGE>3


participate in, the Letters of Credit pursuant to the Credit Agreement,  (iv) in
consideration  of the financial  accommodation  provided by the Hedging Bank and
(v) in order to induce the Cash  Management  Banks to continue to provide  their
respective   cash   management   services  for  the  Grantor's  cash  management
operations,  and for other good and  valuable  consideration,  the  receipt  and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged,  the Grantor hereby agrees with the
Agent, for its benefit and the benefit of the other Secured Parties, as follows:

     SECTION 1. Grant of Security  and Pledge.  The Grantor  hereby  assumes the
obligations of the Debtor under the Pre-Petition Security Agreements and the DIP
Security  Agreement and hereby  transfers,  grants,  bargains,  sells,  conveys,
hypothecates,  assigns,  pledges  and sets over to the Agent for its benefit and
the  benefit  of  the  Lenders,  the  Fronting  Banks,  the  Underwriters,   the
Pre-Petition Lenders, the Letter of Credit Bank, the Pre-Petition Agent, the DIP
Agent,  the DIP Fronting Banks,  the DIP Lenders,  the Hedging Bank and the Cash
Management Banks (collectively, together with the Agent, the "Secured Parties"),
a perfected pledge of and security interest in all of the Grantor's right, title
and interest in and to the following  (collectively,  the  "Collateral"),  which
pledge and security  interest  shall be a first priority  security  interest and
Lien senior to any and all other Liens,  except that it shall be junior to Liens
securing the Grantor's  obligations under the UBS Loan Documents (as hereinafter
defined) and Liens securing the Synthetic Lease Obligations,  each to the extent
in  existence  and  perfected  as of the date hereof and shall be subject to the
prior  rights of the Credit  Card Banks (as  hereinafter  defined)  under the GE
Credit  Program  Documents  (as  hereinafter  defined)  with  respect to certain
accounts receivable, returned merchandise and general intangibles of the Grantor
financed thereunder:

          (a) all present and future  accounts,  accounts  receivable  and other
rights  of the  Grantor  to  payment  for goods  sold or leased or for  services
rendered,  whether now existing or hereafter arising and wherever  arising,  and
whether  or  not  they  have  been  earned  by  performance  (collectively,  the
"Accounts");  it being agreed that the security interest and Lien granted hereby
in and on any Account representing a GECC Receivable,  Contractor  Receivable or
Monogram  Receivable  (each  as  hereinafter   defined)  shall  be  subject  and
subordinate  to perfected  security  interests  in or Liens on such  Accounts in
favor of any Credit Card Bank, as well as to any rights of set-off or recoupment
of the Credit Card Banks in respect of such Accounts;

          (b) all goods and merchandise  now owned or hereafter  acquired by the
Grantor  (wherever  located,  whether in the  possession  of the Grantor 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 Grantor 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 business of the Grantor or processed by or
on behalf of the Grantor,  but expressly  excluding  inventory  consigned to the
Grantor by third parties (collectively,  the "Inventory");  it being agreed that
the  security  interest  and  Lien  granted  hereby  in  and  on  any  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 any Credit Card Bank;



<PAGE>4


          (c) all machinery,  all  manufacturing,  distribution,  selling,  data
processing  and  office  equipment,  all  furniture,  furnishings,   appliances,
fixtures (other than Fixtures as hereinafter defined) and trade fixtures, tools,
tooling,  molds, dies,  vessels,  aircraft and all other goods of every type and
description (other than Inventory) which are used or bought for use primarily in
business,  in each  instance  whether  now owned or  hereafter  acquired  by the
Grantor and wherever  located  (collectively,  the  "Equipment");

          (d)  all  cars,  trucks,  trailers,   construction  and  earth  moving
equipment and other vehicles  covered by a certificate of title law of any State
or other  jurisdiction  wherever  located  and  whether  now owned or  hereafter
acquired,  and, in any event, shall include,  without  limitation,  the vehicles
listed on Schedule 1 hereto, and all tires and other appurtenances to any of the
foregoing (collectively,  the "Vehicles");

          (e) all  contracts  and  contract  rights of the  Grantor,  including,
without  limitation,  all  customer and  supplier  contracts,  firm sale orders,
rights under license and franchise  agreements;  all interest rate swap,  cap or
other interest rate protection  arrangements,  as the same may from time to time
be amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented  or otherwise  modified,  as to
which (i) the  Grantor  is to  receive  moneys  due  and/or to become  due to it
thereunder or in connection  therewith,  (ii) the Grantor is entitled to damages
arising  out of, or for,  breach or  default  in  respect  thereof  or (iii) the
Grantor is  entitled to perform and to exercise  all  remedies  thereunder,  but
excluding any contract,  agreement or license which  prohibits the assignment or
encumbrance  by the Grantor of such  contract,  agreement  or license (or of its
rights  thereunder),  except  to the  extent  that  such  prohibition  would  be
ineffective  pursuant to Section 9-318(4) of the Uniform  Commercial Code of the
State of New York (the "Code") as from time to time in effect (collectively, the
"Contracts").

          (f) all rights, interests,  choses in action, causes of action, claims
and all other intangible property of the Grantor of every kind and nature (other
than Accounts,  Trademarks,  Patents and Copyrights, each as defined herein), in
each instance whether now owned or hereafter acquired by the Grantor, including,
without limitation,  all general  intangibles;  all corporate and other business
records; all loans, royalties, and other obligations receivable; all inventions,
designs,  trade  secrets,  computer  programs,  software,  printouts  and  other
computer materials, goodwill,  registrations,  copyrights, licenses, franchises,
customer lists, credit files,  correspondence,  and advertising  materials;  all
interests in  partnerships  and joint  ventures;  all tax refunds and tax refund
claims;  all right,  title and interest  under leases,  subleases,  licenses and
concessions  and other  agreements  relating to real or personal  property;  all
payments  due or  made  to the  Grantor  in  connection  with  any  requisition,
confiscation,  condemnation,  seizure  or  forfeiture  of  any  property  by any
Governmental  Authority  or other  Person;  all  deposit  accounts  (general  or
special)  with any bank or other  financial  institution;  all credits  with and
other claims against carriers and shippers;  all rights to indemnification;  all
reversionary interests in pension and profit sharing plans and all reversionary,
beneficial  and residual  interests in trusts or in which the Grantor  otherwise
has an interest;  all proceeds of insurance of which the Grantor is beneficiary;
and all  letters of credit,  guaranties,  Liens,  security  interests  and other
security held by or granted to the Grantor;  and all other intangible  property,
whether or not similar to the foregoing; in each instance,  however and wherever
arising,  but excluding any contract,  agreement or license which  prohibits the
assignment or encumbrance by



<PAGE>5


the  Grantor  of  such  contract,   agreement  or  license  (or  of  its  rights
thereunder),  except to the extent that such  prohibition  would be  ineffective
pursuant  to  Section  9-318(4)  of the  Code  as from  time  to time in  effect
(collectively,  the  "General  Intangibles");  it being agreed that the security
interest and Lien granted hereby in and on any General Intangibles  representing
a GECC  Receivable  or other  obligation  of any Credit Card Bank to the Grantor
shall be subject and subordinate to perfected  security interests in or Liens on
such  General  Intangible  in favor of any Credit  Card Bank,  as well as to any
rights of  set-off or  recoupment  of such  Credit  Card Bank in respect of such
General Intangible;

          (g) all goods which have become so related to  particular  real estate
that an interest in them arises under real estate law (the "Fixtures"), it being
agreed  that the  security  interest  and Lien of the Agent  hereunder  shall be
junior to the Liens in favor of UBS pursuant to the UBS Loan  Documents  and the
Liens in favor of the Synthetic Lease Banks (as hereinafter defined) pursuant to
the Synthetic Lease Documents (as  hereinafter  defined),  each to the extent in
existence  and  perfected  on the  date  hereof;

          (h) all chattel paper,  all negotiable  instruments (as defined in the
Code as presently in effect),  all  certificated  securities  (as defined in the
Code as  presently  in effect),  all notes  (including,  but not limited to, the
notes  listed on Schedule 3 annexed  hereto and made a part hereof and any notes
or other  instruments and documents  hereafter pledged pursuant to a Note Pledge
Supplement  (as  hereinafter  defined))  and debt  instruments  and all payments
thereunder  and  instruments  and other  property from time to time delivered in
respect thereof or in exchange therefor, all bills of lading, warehouse receipts
and  documents  of title (each as defined in the Code as  presently  in effect),
other  documents  evidencing  transport  and other  documents,  in each instance
whether  now owned or  hereafter  acquired  by the  Grantor  (collectively,  the
"Pledged Notes");

          (i) all property or interests in property now or hereafter acquired by
the  Grantor  which  may be owned or  hereafter  may come  into the  possession,
custody or control of the Agent or any of the other Secured Parties or any agent
or Affiliate of the Agent or any of the other Secured  Parties in any way or for
any purpose (whether for safekeeping,  deposit,  custody, pledge,  transmission,
collection or otherwise),  and all rights and interests of the Grantor,  whether
now existing or hereafter arising and however and wherever  arising,  in respect
of any and all (i) notes, drafts, letters of credit, stocks, bonds, and debt and
equity securities,  whether or not certificated, and warrants, options, puts and
calls and other rights to acquire or otherwise  relating to the same; (ii) money
(including all cash and cash equivalents held in the Letter of Credit Accounts);
(iii) proceeds of loans,  including,  without  limitation,  Loans made under the
Credit Agreement;  and (iv) insurance proceeds and books and records relating to
any of the property covered by this Agreement;  together, in each instance, with
all accessions and additions thereto,  substitutions therefor, and replacements,
proceeds and products thereof;

          (j) all  trademarks,  trade names,  corporate  names,  company names,
business names,  fictitious  business names, trade styles,  service marks, logos
and other  source or  business  identifiers,  prints  and  labels on which  said
trademarks,  trade  names,  corporate  names,  company  names,  business  names,
fictitious  business names, trade styles,  service marks, logos and other source
or  business  identifiers,   have  appeared  or  appear,   designs  and  general
intangibles of like nature, now


<PAGE>6


existing or hereafter adopted or acquired,  and all registrations and recordings
thereof,  including,   without  limitation,   applications,   registrations  and
recordings 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 political  subdivision  thereof (except for "intent to use"  applications for
trademark or service mark  registrations  filed pursuant to Section 1 (b) of the
Lanham Act,  unless and until an  Amendment  to Allege Use or a Statement of Use
under  Section  1 (c) of said Act has been  filed),  all  whether  now  owned or
hereafter  acquired  by the  Grantor,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  those
described in Schedule 4 annexed hereto and made a part hereof, and all reissues,
extensions or renewals thereof and all licenses thereof together,  in each case,
with the goodwill of the business  connected with the use of, and symbolized by,
each such  trademark,  service  mark,  trade  name and trade  dress  (all of the
foregoing being herein referred to as the "Trademarks");

          (k) all letters patent of the United States or any other country, and
all  registrations  and  recordings  thereof,  including,   without  limitation,
applications,  registrations  and  recordings  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,  all
whether now owned or  hereafter  acquired  by the  Grantor,  including,  but not
limited to, those  described in Schedule 5 annexed hereto and made apart hereof,
and all reissues, continuations, continuations-in-part or extensions thereof and
all licenses  thereof  (all of the  foregoing  being  herein  referred to as the
"Patents");

          (l) all  copyrights of the United States,  or any other country,  and
all  registrations  and  recordings  thereof,  including,   without  limitation,
applications, registrations and recordings in the United States Copyright Office
or in any similar office or agency of the United States,  any State thereof,  or
any other  country or political  subdivision  thereof,  all whether now owned or
hereafter  acquired  by the  Grantor,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  those
described in Schedule 6 hereto and all renewals and  extensions  thereof and all
licenses  thereof  (all  of  the  foregoing  being  herein  referred  to as  the
"Copyrights");

          (m) all books,  records,  ledger cards,  computer tapes and diskettes
and  other  property  at any  time  evidencing  or  relating  to  the  Accounts,
Inventory,  Equipment,  Vehicles,  Contracts,  General  Intangibles,   Fixtures,
Pledged Notes, Trademarks,  Patents, Copyrights,  Pledged Shares (as hereinafter
defined) or any other Collateral;

          (n) (i) all the shares of capital  stock owned by the Grantor  listed
on  Schedule  7 hereto of the  issuers  listed  thereon  or of any other  entity
(individually,  an "Issuer" and, collectively,  the "Issuers") and all shares of
capital stock or other equity securities of any Issuer obtained in the future by
the Grantor  (in each case  whether  certificated  or  uncertificated),  and any
certificates  representing or evidencing such shares or other equity securities,
which shall be pledged  pursuant to a Stock Pledge  Supplement  (as  hereinafter
defined) (collectively,  the "Pledged Shares"); (ii) subject to Section 9 below,
all dividends,  cash, instruments and other property from time to time received,
receivable or otherwise distributed,  in respect of, in exchange for or upon the
conversion  of the  securities  referred to in clauses  (i) and (ii) above;  and
(iii) subject to Section 9 below,  all rights and privileges of the Grantor,  as
applicable,  with respect to the securities  and other  property  referred to

in clauses (i) and (ii) (the items  referred  to in clauses  (i)  through  (iii)
being collectively called the "Pledged Stock Collateral");

          (o) all other personal  property of the Grantor,  whether tangible or
intangible,  and whether now owned or hereafter acquired;  and 

          (p) all proceeds and products of any of the  foregoing,  in any form,
including,  without  limitation,  any claims  against  third parties for loss or
damage to or  destruction of any or all of the  foregoing.


<PAGE>7


     As used herein, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

     "Contractor   Receivables"  shall  mean  those  certain  commercial  credit
accounts  sold by the Grantor 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 the Credit Agreement, including, without limitation,
Section 5.9 thereof).

     "Credit Card Banks"  shall mean General  Electric  Credit  Corporation  and
Monogram Credit Card Bank of Georgia.

     "GECC  Receivables"  shall  mean  receivables   (including  any  documents,
instruments,  chattel  paper or  intangibles  evidencing  any  such  transferred
receivable or the transaction giving rise thereto) (i) payable to the Grantor by
Monogram  Credit  Card Bank of  Georgia  pursuant  to the terms of the GE Credit
Program  Documents arising out of private label credit card sales of merchandise
or services  made by the Grantor or (ii)  payable to the Grantor or purchased by
any other Person pursuant to any similar  contractual  arrangement solely to the
extent such an  arrangement  is  permitted by the Credit  Agreement  (including,
without limitation, Section 5.9 thereof).

     "GE Credit  Program  Documents"  shall mean (a) the  Amended  and  Restated
Monogram  Credit Card Bank of Georgia  Program  Agreement,  dated as of July 20,
1997,  between the Debtor and  Monogram  Credit  Card Bank of  Georgia,  as such
agreement  has  been  or  may  hereafter  be  amended,   amended  and  restated,
supplemented or modified from time to time to the extent permitted by the Credit
Agreement, together with any agreements entered into by the Grantor and Monogram
Credit Card Bank of Georgia, or any Affiliate,  in replacement of such agreement
to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement (including,  without limitation,
Section 5.9 thereof);  and (b) the Second Amended and Restated Commercial Credit
Account  Purchase  and Service  Program  Agreement,  dated as of July 20,  1997,
between the Debtor and General Electric Capital  Corporation,  as such agreement
may hereafter be amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented  or modified from
time to time to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement,  together with any
agreement entered into by the Grantor and General Electric Capital  Corporation,
or any Affiliate,  in  replacement of such agreement to the extent  permitted by
the Credit Agreement (including, without limitation, Section 5.9 thereof).



<PAGE>8


     "Monogram  Receivables"  shall mean all  obligations now or hereafter owing
to, and all rights now or hereafter  acquired by,  Monogram  Credit Card Bank of
Georgia arising out of any of the private label credit card sales referred to in
clause (i) of the definition of "GECC Receivables."

     "Synthetic  Lease  Banks" shall mean the banks and  financial  institutions
party to the Synthetic Lease Documents and their successors and assigns.

     "Synthetic  Lease  Documents" shall mean the Synthetic Lease Loan Agreement
(as hereinafter defined), the Mortgage, Assignment of Rents and Leases, Security
Agreement and Fixture  Filing  Statement  from the Grantor in favor of the agent
for the Synthetic Lease Banks for the Grantor's property located in Bloomington,
Indiana and in Overland Park, Kansas and the Deed of Trust,  Assignment of Rents
and Leases,  Security Agreement and Fixture Filing Statement from the Grantor in
favor of the agent for the  Synthetic  Lease  Banks for the  Grantor's  property
located  in Las  Vegas,  Nevada  and  any  and  all  documents,  agreements  and
instruments related thereto, each as amended, amended and restated, supplemented
or otherwise modified to the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement.

     "Synthetic  Lease Loan  Agreement"  shall mean that certain Loan Agreement,
dated on or about the Effective  Date,  among the Grantor,  the Synthetic  Lease
Banks and BA Leasing & Capital  Corporation,  as agent for the  Synthetic  Lease
Banks, as amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified to
the extent permitted by the Credit Agreement.

     "UBS Loan  Agreement"  shall mean that certain  Amended and  Restated  Loan
Agreement, dated on or about the Effective Date, between the Grantor and UBS, as
amended, amended and restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified to the extent
permitted by the Credit Agreement.

     "UBS  Loan  Documents"  shall  mean  the UBS  Loan  Agreement,  each of the
mortgages and deeds of trust heretofore delivered by the Grantor to UBS, as such
documents have been modified as of the Effective  Date, with respect to the real
property  listed on  Schedule  1.1(c) to the  Credit  Agreement,  together  with
improvements, fixtures and appurtenances relating thereto, and any and all other
documents, agreements and instruments relating thereto, each as amended, amended
and restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified to the extent permitted by the
Credit Agreement.

     The Agent  acknowledges  that,  for  purposes  of this  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 Credit Card Bank of Georgia to cardholders or true
sales of accounts and indebtedness  from the Grantor to General Electric Capital
Corporation,  (ii) the  Grantor  has no right,  title or  interest  in or to any
Monogram  Receivables  or Contractor  Receivables,  except to the extent Grantor
purchases  such  receivables  pursuant  to the  terms of the GE  Credit  Program
Documents  and  (iii)  except to the  extent so  purchased  by the  Grantor,  no
Monogram Receivable or Contractor Receivable shall constitute Collateral (or any
category of property  included  within the  definition  thereof) for purposes of
this  Agreement.  The Agent  agrees with the Grantor  that  neither the security
interest created herein nor any related financing  statements may be assigned by
the Agent unless,  prior to any such assignments,  such financing statements are
amended (a) to include


<PAGE>9


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.

     Subject to the terms and  conditions  and  relying on the  representations,
warranties and covenants set forth herein and in the other Loan  Documents,  the
Pre-Petition  Security  Agreements  and the DIP  Security  Agreement  are hereby
amended and  restated in their  entirety and each  reference  to this  Agreement
shall be deemed to include a reference to the Pre-Petition  Security  Agreements
and the DIP  Security  Agreement,  each as  amended  and  restated  hereby.  The
Borrower  agrees  that the  Liens  and  security  interests  granted  under  the
Pre-Petition  Security  Agreements,  the  DIP  Security  Agreement  and  the DIP
Financing Order, and the Debtor'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.

     SECTION  2.  Security  for  Secured  Obligations.  This  Agreement  and the
Collateral  secure the prompt and complete  payment and performance  when due of
all obligations of the Grantor,  now or hereafter  existing,  under, or arising,
out of or in connection  with the Credit  Agreement,  the Notes,  the Letters of
Credit and the other Loan Documents,  and any other document made,  delivered or
given in connection therewith or herewith,  in each case, whether for principal,
interest,  fees,  expenses or  otherwise,  including  (without  limitation)  all
obligations of the Grantor now or hereafter existing under or in respect of this
Agreement,  including,  but not limited to, (a) the due and punctual  payment of
principal  of and interest on the Loans and the Notes and the  reimbursement  of
all amounts drawn under Letters of Credit (including,  without  limitation,  all
interest  accruing or payable at the then applicable rate provided in the Credit
Agreement  after the maturity of the Loans and  interest  accruing or payable 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 Grantor), and
(b) the due and punctual payment of the Fees,  indemnities,  costs, expenses and
all other present and future, fixed or contingent,  direct or indirect, monetary
obligations,   including,  without  limitation,  any  of  the  Secured  Parties'
attorneys' and consultants'  fees,  investigation and laboratory fees,  response
costs,  court costs and litigation  expenses that are required to be paid by the
Grantor to or on behalf of the Lenders, the Fronting Banks, the Underwriters and
the Agent under the Loan Documents or to any of the other Secured  Parties under
the  agreements  in respect of the Hedging  Obligations  or the Cash  Management
Obligations  (all such  obligations  of the  Grantor  being  herein  called  the
"Secured Obligations").

     SECTION 3. Delivery of Pledged Stock  Collateral and Pledged  Notes;  Other
Action.  Upon written  request by the Agent,  all  certificates  or  instruments
representing  or evidencing  the Pledged Stock  Collateral and the Pledged Notes
shall be  delivered  to and  held by the  Agent  pursuant  hereto  and  shall be
accompanied by duly executed instruments of transfer or assignment in blank, all
in form and substance  satisfactory to the Agent. Upon the occurrence and during
the continuance of any Event of Default, the Agent shall have the right (for the
ratable  benefit of the  Secured  Parties),  at any time in its  discretion  and
without  notice to the  Grantor,  to  transfer  to or to register or cause to be
registered  in the name of the  Agent or any of its  nominees  any or all of the
Pledged Stock Collateral and any or all of the Pledged Notes.


<PAGE>10


     SECTION 4.  Representations  and  Warranties.  The Grantor  represents  and
warrants as follows:

          (a) Locations of Inventory and  Equipment;  Chief  Executive  Office;
Locations  of  Accounts;  Teadenames.  As of  the  Effective  Date,  all  of the
Inventory  and/or Equipment is located at the places mes specified in Schedule 8
hereto.  The chief places of business and chief executive offices of the Grantor
and the offices where the Grantor keeps its records  concerning any Accounts and
all originals of all chattel paper which evidence any Account are located at the
places  specified in Schedule 9 hereto.  All trade names under which the Grantor
has sold and will sell Inventory are listed on Schedule 4 hereto.

          (b) Title;  No Other Liens.  The Grantor owns the Collateral free and
clear of any Lien,  security  interest,  charge or  encumbrance  except  for the
security  interest  created  by this  Agreement  and except as  permitted  under
Section 6.1 of the Credit Agreement.  No effective  financing statement or other
instrument  similar in effect  covering all or any part of the  Collateral is on
file in any recording office, except (x) such as may have been filed in favor of
the Pre-Petition Agent relating to the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement or in favor
of the Agent relating to this Agreement and (y) in favor of any holder of a Lien
otherwise permitted under Section 6.1 of the Credit Agreement.

          (c) Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights. As of the Effective Date, the
Grantor does not own any material Trademarks,  Patents or Copyrights or have any
material  Trademarks,  Patents or  Copyrights  registered  in, or the subject of
pending  applications  in, the United States Patent and  Trademark  Office,  the
United  States  Copyright  Office or any  similar  office or agency in any other
country or any  political  subdivision  thereof,  other than those  described in
Schedules 4, 5 and 6 hereto.  The registrations for the Collateral  disclosed on
such Schedules 4, 5 and 6 hereto are valid, subsisting,  unexpired,  enforceable
and have not been abandoned.  Except as set forth on Schedule 4 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
Grantor'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 Adverse Effect on the value of any
such Trademark or the Grantor's ownership thereof.  None of the material Patents
or Copyrights has been abandoned or dedicated.

          (d) Pledged Shares.  The Pledged Shares have been duly authorized and
validly issued and are fully paid and non-assessable.

          (e) Title to Shares; No Other Liens on Pledged Shares. The Grantor is
the legal and  beneficial  owner of the Pledged  Shares  described on Schedule 7
free and  clear of any  lien,  security  interest,  option  or other  charge  or
encumbrance,  except for the security  interest  created by this Agreement,  the
security interest in favor of the Pre-Petition Agent created by the Pre-Petition
Security Agreements,  the security interest in favor of the DIP Agent created by
the DIP Security


<PAGE>11


Agreement,  and the superpriority  claims and Liens created by the DIP Financing
Order and except as disclosed on Schedule 7.

          (f) Issuers of Pledged Stock. The Pledged Shares described in Section
1(n) hereof constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of stock of each
of the Issuers  (other than any Issuer which is  unaffiliated  with the Grantor,
hereinafter,   an   "Unaffiliated   Issuer")  and  no  Issuer  (other  than  any
Unaffiliated Issuer) is under any contractual obligation to issue any additional
shares of stock or any other securities, rights or indebtedness.

          (g) Vehicles.  The Vehicles listed on Schedule 1 hereto  constitute a
complete  and  correct  list of all  Vehicles  owned  by the  Grantor  as of the
Effective Date.

          (h) Pledged  Notes.  The Pledged  Notes  delivered at any time by the
Grantor to the Agent in accordance with this Agreement and the Credit  Agreement
shall at all times  constitute  all of the Pledged Notes owned by the Grantor at
each such time.

          (i) No  Consent.  Except for the  Confirmation  Order and the filings
referred to in Section 4(j) below,  no  authorization,  approval or other action
by, and no notice to or filing with, any Governmental  Authority is required for
the grant and pledge by the Grantor of the security  interests granted hereby or
for the execution, delivery or performance of this Agreement by the Grantor.

          (j) Perfected First Priority Liens.  Except with respect to any money
not held by a Secured Party and any Accounts owing from Governmental Authorities
in which a security interest cannot be perfected under the Code, upon the filing
in the proper  locations of appropriate  financing  statements under the UCC (as
defined  in the  Credit  Agreement),  the  filing  of  notices  of lien or other
documents with pertinent state motor vehicle offices (with respect to Vehicles),
the filing of this Agreement with the United States Patent and Trademark  Office
and the United  States  Copyright  Office  (with  respect  to Patents  (if any),
Trademarks  and  Copyrights)  and the transfer of possession to the Agent of any
Pledged Notes and Pledged Shares, a security interest in which must be perfected
by  possession,  the Liens granted  pursuant to this  Agreement  (i)  constitute
perfected Liens on the Collateral in favor of the Agent, for its benefit and the
benefit of the other Secured Parties,  which are prior to all other Liens on the
Collateral  (except  for any Liens  permitted  under  Section  6.1 of the Credit
Agreement  and Liens which may be entitled  to  priority  by  operation  of law)
created or allowed by the Grantor and in  existence  on the date hereof and (ii)
are enforceable as prior perfected Liens against all creditors of and purchasers
from the Grantor (other than purchasers of Inventory sold in the ordinary course
of the Grantor's  business and other than unrelated third party  purchasers with
respect to other  asset  dispositions  permitted  by  Section  6.3 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
Grantor (other than any holder of a purchase  money lien on Inventory  permitted
by Section 6.1(v) of the Credit  Agreement to the extent  provided in clause (v)
of the definition of Permitted Liens),  or such owner or purchaser,  obtaining a
Lien on the Collateral.

          (k)  Accounts.  Any amount  which is at any time  represented  by the
Grantor to the Lenders as owing by each account debtor in respect of any Account
constituting  part of the  Collateral


<PAGE>12


will at such time be the correct  amount  actually  owing by such account debtor
thereunder.  No amount  payable to the Grantor under or in  connection  with any
Account is evidenced by any negotiable instrument or chattel paper which has not
been delivered to the Agent.

          (l)  Contracts.  No consent of any party  (other than the Grantor) to
any Contract is required,  or purports to be required,  in  connection  with the
execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this  Agreement.  To the  best of the
Grantor'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  or, to the best of the  Grantor's  knowledge  after due inquiry,  any
other  party to such  Contract is required  in  connection  with the  execution,
delivery, performance, validity or enforceability of any of the Contracts by the
Grantor, 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 Grantor nor (to the best of the Grantor'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 Grantor has fully
performed all its obligations to date under each Contract.  The right, title and
interest of the Grantor in, to and under each  Contract  are not, to the best of
the  Grantor'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 Grantor as to any Contract. The Grantor has delivered to the Agent a
complete  and  correct  copy  of  each  Contract,   including  all   amendments,
supplements and other  modifications  thereto.  No amount payable to the Grantor
under or in  connection  with any  Contract is evidenced  by any  instrument  or
chattel paper which has not been delivered to the Agent.

          (m) Farm  Products.  None of the  Collateral  constitutes,  or is the
Proceeds  of,  crops or  livestock  or  supplies  used or  produced  in  farming
operations   or,  if  they  are   products  of  crops  or   livestock  in  their
unmanufactured  states,  they are not in the  possession of a debtor  engaged in
raising, fattening, grazing or other farming operations.

          (n)  Governmental   Obligors.   On  the  Effective  Date,  less  than
$1,000,000  of the  Accounts  of the Grantor are owed to the Grantor by obligors
which are Governmental Authorities.

          (o) Bank  Accounts.  Schedule 10 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
Grantor's business.

          (p)  Survival  of   Representations   and  Warranties.   All  of  the
representations  and  warranties  made  in this  Section  4  shall  survive  the
execution  and  delivery  hereof,  the making of the Loans,  the issuance of the
Letters of Credit, the issuance and delivery to the Lenders of the Notes and the
expiration  or   termination  of  the  Total   Commitments   regardless  of  any
investigation  made by or


<PAGE>13


on behalf of any Secured  Party and shall be deemed to be repeated and confirmed
on the date of the making of each New  Revolving  Loan or the  issuance  of each
Letter of Credit  and each time any  additional  Collateral  becomes  subject to
pledge hereunder.

     SECTION 5. Compliance with Laws; Further Assurances; Certain Covenants.

          (a) Compliance  with  Requirements of Law. The Grantor will comply in
all material  respects with all Requirements of Law applicable to the Collateral
or any part thereof or to the operation of the Grantor's  business  except where
the necessity of compliance  therewith is contested in good faith by appropriate
proceedings  or where the  failure to comply  would not have a Material  Adverse
Effect;  provided,  that the Grantor must comply with any  Requirement of Law if
the failure to do so would adversely  affect the Secured  Parties' rights in the
Collateral or the priority of their Liens on the Collateral.

          (b) Financing  Statements,  etc. The Grantor agrees that from time to
time, at the expense of the Grantor,  it will  promptly  execute and deliver all
further  instruments  and documents,  and take all further  action,  that may be
necessary,  or that the Agent may  reasonably  request,  in order to perfect and
protect any security  interest  granted or purported to be granted  hereby or to
enable  the  Agent to  exercise  and  enforce  any of its  rights  and  remedies
hereunder with respect to any Collateral. Without limiting the generality of the
foregoing,  the Grantor  will execute and file such  financing  or  continuation
statements, or amendments thereto, and such other instruments or notices, as may
be necessary,  or as the Agent may reasonably  request,  in order to perfect and
preserve the security  interests  granted or purported to be granted  hereby.  A
carbon, photographic or other reproduction of this Agreement shall be sufficient
as a financing  statement for filing in any  jurisdiction.  The Grantor will not
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
Agent in connection  with this Agreement would become  seriously  misleading and
will not move any of the  Collateral to a location which would cause the Agent's
Lien thereon to be adversely  affected  unless all  necessary  filings have been
timely made to avoid such result.  The Grantor  hereby  authorizes  the Agent to
file one or more financing or  continuation  statements and amendments  thereto,
relative to all or any part of the Collateral  without  signature of the Grantor
where permitted by law.

          (c)  Instruments and Chattel Paper. 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 Agent,  duly endorsed in a manner  satisfactory to
the Agent, to be held as Collateral pursuant to this Agreement.

          (d) Maintenance of Recods;  Identification of Collateral. The Grantor
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.
The Grantor will furnish to the 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 Agent may  reasonably  request,  all in
reasonable detail.


<PAGE>14


          (e) Note Pledge  Supplements.  The Grantor hereby agrees from time to
time  hereafter,  that upon the acquisition or creation of any Pledged Notes, it
will  execute and  deliver to the Agent,  for its benefit and the benefit of the
other Secured  Parties,  a Note Pledge  Supplement  substantially in the form of
Annex A hereto (each, a "Note Pledge Supplement"), and will deliver such Pledged
Notes, in each case, accompanied by appropriate endorsements executed in blank.

          (f) Stock Pledge Supplements.  The Grantor hereby agrees from time to
time hereafter,  that upon the acquisition of or investment in any Subsidiary of
the Grantor or in any other  Issuer,  it will  execute and deliver to the Agent,
for its benefit and the benefit of the other  Secured  Parties,  a Stock  Pledge
Agreement  Supplement,  substantially  in the form of Annex B  hereto  (each,  a
"Stock Pledge Supplement"), and will deliver any additional certificated capital
stock or other equity securities issued to the Grantor, in each case accompanied
by  appropriate  endorsements  executed  in  blank  and,  in  the  case  of  any
uncertificated  capital stock or other equity securities,  will take or cause to
be taken,  all actions which may be necessary or may be reasonably  requested by
the Agent to perfect and  preserve  the  security  interest  therein  granted or
purported to be granted hereby.

          (g)  Defense  of Agent's  Rights.  The  Grantor  agrees to defend the
Agent's  right,  title and interest in and to, lien on and security  interest in
the Pledged  Shares and the Pledged  Notes against the claims and demands of all
Persons whomsoever.

          (h) Uncertificated  Equity Interests.  If an Issuer of Pledged Shares
is incorporated in a jurisdiction  which does not permit the use of certificates
to evidence  equity  ownership or if any of the Pledged Shares are not evidenced
by  certificates  for any other reason,  then the Grantor  shall,  to the extent
permitted by applicable law, (i) record such pledge on the stock register of the
Issuer,  (ii) execute any  customary  stock  pledge forms or other  documents or
(iii) take such other action as may be necessary to complete the pledge and give
the Agent the right to transfer  the Pledged  Shares under the terms hereof and,
in each such  case,  provide to the Agent an  opinion  of  counsel,  in form and
substance  satisfactory to it, in its judgment reasonably exercised,  confirming
the validity and perfection of such pledge.

          (i) Access to Books and  Records;  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  Grantor,  and the
Secured  Parties and their  representatives  may examine the same, take extracts
therefrom and make photocopies  thereof, and the Grantor agrees to render to the
Secured  Parties at the  Grantor'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 or the Inventory or
any  other  Collateral  is  located  for the  purpose  of  inspecting  the same,
observing its use or otherwise protecting their interests therein.

          (j) Payment of  Obligations.  The Grantor 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


<PAGE>15


labor, materials and supplies) against or with respect to the Collateral, except
that no such  charge  need be paid  if the  Grantor  is  permitted  not to do so
pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

          (k)  Notices.  The  Grantor  will  advise  the  Agent  promptly,   in
reasonable detail, at the Agent's address set forth in the Credit Agreement, (i)
of any Lien (other than Liens  created  hereby or permitted  pursuant to Section
6.1  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.

     SECTION 6. As to Equipment and Inventory.

          (a)  Locations.  The Grantor  shall keep the  Equipment and Inventory
(other than Inventory which has been sold in the ordinary course of business) at
the places  specified  therefor  in  Schedule 8 hereto or,  upon 30 days'  prior
written notice to the Agent, at other places in  jurisdictions  where all action
required by Section 5(b) shall have been taken to assure the continuation of the
perfection  of the  security  interest  of the Agent  (for its  benefit  and the
benefit  of the  other  Secured  Parties)  with  respect  to the  Equipment  and
Inventory.

          (b) Maintenance. The Grantor shall maintain or cause to be maintained
in good repair,  working order and condition,  excepting  ordinary wear and tear
and  damage due to  casualty,  all of the  Equipment  and,  to the  extent  such
Equipment is not  obsolete,  make or cause to be made all  appropriate  repairs,
renewals  and  replacements  thereof  consistent  with the past  practice of the
Grantor,  as quickly as  practicable  after the occurrence of any loss or damage
thereto.

          (c)  Records,  Physical  Count and Other  Inventory  Covenants.  With
respect to the Inventory:  (i) the Grantor shall at all times  maintain  records
with respect to Inventory reasonably  satisfactory to the Agent, keeping correct
and accurate  records  itemizing  and  describing  the kind,  type,  quality and
quantity  of  Inventory,  the  Grantor's  cost  therefor  and daily  withdrawals
therefrom and additions thereto; (ii) the Grantor shall conduct a physical count
of the Inventory at least once each year,  but at any time or times as the Agent
may request on or after an Event of Default  occurs and is  continuing or at any
time when the Grantor shall not have Required Inventory,  and promptly following
each such  physical  inventory  shall supply the Agent with a report in the form
and  with  such  specificity  as may be  reasonably  satisfactory  to the  Agent
concerning such physical count; (iii) the Grantor shall not remove any Inventory
from the  locations  set forth or permitted  herein,  without the prior  written
consent of the Agent,  except for sales of Inventory and returns of Inventory to
vendors,  in each case in the  ordinary  course of the  Grantor's  business  and
except to move  Inventory  directly  from one  location  set forth or  permitted
herein to another such location;  (iv) in addition to the requirements set forth
above,  upon the Agent's  request,  the Grantor shall,  at its expense,  conduct
through the Asset Support Group or another inventory counting service reasonably
acceptable to the Agent, or shall, at the Grantor's expense, permit the Agent to
conduct (if the Agent so elects),  a physical  count of the  Inventory  in form,
scope and  methodology  reasonably  acceptable to the Agent no more than once in
any twelve (12) month period,  but at any time or times as the Agent may request
on or after an Event of Default occurs and is continuing or at any time when the
Grantor  shall



<PAGE>16


not have Required Inventory,  the results of which shall be reported directly by
such  inventory  counting  service to the Agent and the Grantor  shall  promptly
deliver  confirmation  in a form  satisfactory  to the  Agent  that  appropriate
adjustments have been made to the Inventory  records of the Grantor to reconcile
the Inventory count to the Grantor's  Inventory  records;  (v) the Grantor 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 all applicable  Requirements of Law (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);  (vi) the
Grantor shall retain all of its  responsibility  and  liability  arising from or
relating to the  production,  use, sale or other  disposition  of the Inventory;
(vii) the Grantor shall not sell  Inventory to any customer on approval,  or any
other basis which entitles the customer to return or may obligate the Grantor to
repurchase  such  Inventory  (other  than in the  ordinary  course  of  business
consistent  with past  practices  and  policies of the  Grantor or then  current
market  practice)  and (viii) the Grantor  shall keep the  Inventory in good and
marketable condition.

     SECTION 7. As to Accounts and Contracts.

          (a) Locations. The Grantor shall keep its chief place of business and
chief executive office and the office where it keeps its records  concerning the
Accounts,  and the offices  where it keeps all  originals  of all chattel  paper
which evidence Accounts,  at the location therefor specified in Section 4(a) or,
upon 30 days' prior written  notice to the Agent,  at such other  locations in a
jurisdiction  where all actions  required by Section  5(b) shall have been taken
with respect to the Accounts.

          (b) Amendments; diligence as to Rights; Notices. The Grantor 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 expected to affect  adversely 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 Agent a
copy of each substantive  demand,  notice or document received by it relating in
any way to any Contract or material Account.

          (c) Collections. Except as otherwise provided in this subsection (c),
the Grantor shall continue to collect in accordance with its customary practice,
at its own  expense,  all amounts due or to become due to the Grantor  under the
Accounts and, prior to the occurrence of an Event of Default,  the Grantor shall
have the right to  adjust,  settle or  compromise  the  amount or payment of any
Account,  or to release wholly or partly any account debtor or obligor  thereon,
or to allow any credit or discount thereon, all in accordance with its customary
practices.  Other than in the ordinary course of business,  the Grantor 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.  In connection with such collections,  the Grantor
may, upon the  occurrence  and during the  continuation  of an Event of Default,
take (and at the  direction  of the Agent shall take) such action as the Grantor
or the Agent may reasonably deem necessary or advisable to enforce collection of
the


<PAGE>17


Accounts; provided, that following the occurrence and during the continuation of
an Event of Default, (x) upon the request of the Agent, the Grantor shall notify
account  debtors on the  Accounts  and the parties to the  Contracts or (y) upon
written  notice by the Agent to the Grantor of its intention so to do, the Agent
shall have the right to notify the account  debtors or  obligors  under any such
Accounts or Contracts,  in each case,  that the Accounts and Contracts have been
assigned  to the Agent and to direct  such  account  debtors or obligors to make
payment of all amounts due or to become due to the Grantor  thereunder  directly
to the Agent and, upon such  notification and at the expense of the Grantor,  to
enforce collection of any such Accounts or Contracts,  to take possession of and
indorse and collect any checks, drafts, notes,  acceptances or other instruments
for  payment of moneys due under any Account or  Contract,  to file any claim or
take any other  action  or  proceeding  in any court of law or equity  otherwise
deemed appropriate by the Agent for the purpose of collecting any such money and
to adjust,  settle or  compromise  the amount or  payment  thereof,  in the same
manner and to the same extent as the Grantor  might have done.  After receipt by
the Grantor of the notice referred to in the proviso to the preceding  sentence,
(i) all amounts and proceeds (including  instruments) received by the Grantor in
respect of the Accounts or Contracts  shall be received in trust for the benefit
of the Agent (for its  benefit  and the  benefit of the other  Secured  Parties)
hereunder,  shall be  segregated  from other  funds of the  Grantor and shall be
forthwith  paid  over to the  Agent in the same  form as so  received  (with any
necessary  endorsement) to be held as cash collateral and either (A) released to
the  Grantor if such Event of Default  shall have been cured or waived or (B) if
such Event of Default shall be continuing,  paid to the Agent and applied to the
Secured  Obligations,  in the  order  provided  in  Section  7.2  of the  Credit
Agreement,  and (ii) the Grantor  shall not  adjust,  settle or  compromise  the
amount or payment of any  Account or under any  Contract,  or release  wholly or
partly any account  debtor or obligor  thereon,  or allow any credit or discount
thereon.

          (d) Test  Verifications.  The 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  Grantor  shall  furnish  all  such
assistance and  information  as the Agent may  reasonably  require in connection
therewith.  At any time and from time to time,  upon the Agent's  request and at
the  expense  of  the  Grantor,  the  Grantor  shall  cause  independent  public
accountants or others  satisfactory to the Agent to furnish to the Agent reports
showing  reconciliations,  aging and test  verifications  of, and trial balances
for, the Accounts.

          (e)   Liability   of  Grantor.   Anything   herein  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  the Grantor 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.  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
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 Grantor 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



<PAGE>18


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.

          (f) Compliance with Terms of Contracts, etc. The Grantor 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.

     SECTION 8. As to Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights.

          (a) Use of Trademarks.  Except with respect to any Trademark that the
Grantor shall reasonably determine is of negligible economic value to it (and so
advise  the Agent in  writing),  the  Grantor  shall,  either  itself or through
licensees,  (i) continue to use the Trademarks 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 the Trademarks in full force free
from any claim of  abandonment  for  nonuse,  (ii)  maintain  as in the past the
quality of products and services offered under the Trademarks,  (iii) employ the
Trademarks with the appropriate  notice of  registration,  (iv) not adopt or use
any mark which is confusingly similar or a colorable imitation of the Trademarks
unless the Agent shall obtain a perfected  security interest therein pursuant to
this  Agreement  and (v) not (and will not permit any  licensee or  sublicensees
thereof to) do any act or knowingly omit to do any act whereby any Trademark may
become invalidated.

          (b) No Abandonment, Dedication, etc. The Grantor will not do any act,
or omit to do any act, whereby the Trademarks,  Patents or Copyrights may become
abandoned or  dedicated.  The Grantor shall notify the Agent  immediately  if it
knows of any reason or has reason to know that any  application or  registration
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,
the United  States  Copyright  Office,  or any court or tribunal in any country)
regarding the Grantor's  ownership of any Trademark,  Patent or Copyright or its
right to register the same or to keep and maintain the same.

          (c)  Filings.  The  Grantor  will not,  either  itself or through any
agent,  employee,  licensee  or  designee,  (i)  file  an  application  for  the
registration  of any  Patent or  Trademark  with the  United  States  Patent and
Trademark  Office or any  similar  office or agency in any other  country or any
political  subdivision thereof or for the registration of any Copyright with the
United  States  Copyright  Office or any  similar  office or agency in any other
country or any political  subdivision thereof or (ii) file any assignment of any
Patent or Trademark,  which the Grantor may acquire from a third party, with the
United States Patent and Trademark Office or any similar office or agency in any
other country or any political subdivision thereof or of any Copyright which the
Grantor may acquire from a third party,  with the United States Copyright Office
or  any  similar  office  or  agency  in any  other  country  or  any  political
subdivision thereof,  unless the Grantor shall, within 15 days after the date of
any such  filing,  notify the Agent  thereof,  and,  upon  request of the Agent,
execute and deliver any and all assignments,  agreements, instruments, documents
and papers as the Agent may


<PAGE>19


request to evidence the Agent's interest in such Copyright,  Patent or Trademark
and the  goodwill and general  intangibles  of the Grantor  relating  thereto or
represented   thereby,   and  the  Grantor  hereby  constitutes  the  Agent  its
attorney-in-fact  to  execute  and  file  all such  writings  for the  foregoing
purposes,  all lawful acts of such attorney being hereby ratified and confirmed;
such power being  coupled with an interest is  irrevocable  until the payment in
full  in  cash  and  the  performance  of all of the  Secured  Obligations,  the
expiration or cancellation of all of the Letters of Credit and the expiration or
termination of the Total Commitments. The Grantor shall not sell Inventory under
any other Trademark without providing the Agent 30 days' prior written notice of
its intention to do so.

          (d)  Maintenance  of  Registrations,  etc.  The Grantor will take all
reasonable and necessary steps in any proceeding before the United States Patent
and Trademark  Office,  the United States Copyright Office or any similar office
or agency in any other country or any political subdivision thereof, to maintain
each  application  and  registration  of all  material  Trademarks,  Patents and
Copyrights,  including, without limitation,  filing of applications for renewal,
affidavits of use, affidavits of incontestability  and opposition,  interference
and cancellation proceedings.

          (e) Further Assurances. The Grantor will perform all acts and execute
and  deliver  all  further   instruments  and  documents,   including,   without
limitation, assignments for security in form suitable for filing with the United
States Patent and Trademark  Office,  and the United States Copyright Office, or
any similar  office or agency in any other country or any political  subdivision
thereof,  as may be  reasonably  requested by the Agent at any time to evidence,
perfect,  maintain,  record and  enforce the  Agent's  interest in all  material
Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights or otherwise in furtherance of the provisions
of this  Agreement,  and the Grantor hereby  authorizes the Agent to execute and
file one or more financing  statements (and similar documents) or copies thereof
or of this Agreement with respect to material Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights
signed only by the Agent.

          (f)  Infringement,  Misappropriation  or Dilution Suits. In the event
that any Patent, Trademark or Copyright included in the Collateral is infringed,
misappropriated  or diluted by a third party,  the Grantor shall promptly notify
the Agent after the Grantor learns  thereof and shall,  unless the Grantor shall
reasonably  determine that such Patent,  Trademark or Copyright is of negligible
economic  value to the Grantor (which  determination  the Grantor shall promptly
report  to the  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  Grantor  shall  reasonably  deem  appropriate  or the Agent may
reasonably request under the circumstances to protect such Patent,  Trademark or
Copyright.

          (g)  Notification as to Trademark  confusion.  The Grantor will, upon
acquiring  knowledge  of any use by any  Person of any term or design  likely to
cause confusion with any material  Trademark,  promptly notify the Agent of such
use and, if requested by the Agent,  shall join with the Agent, at the Grantor's
expense,  in such action as the Agent,  in its reasonable  discretion,  may deem
advisable for the protection of the Agent's interest in and to the Trademarks.

     SECTION 9.  As to the Pledged Stock Collateral; Voting Rights; Dividends;
Etc.


<PAGE>20


               (a) So long as no Event of  Default  shall have  occurred  and be
          continuing:

               (i) the Grantor  shall be entitled to exercise any and all voting
          and other consensual rights pertaining to the Pledged Stock Collateral
          or any part thereof for any purpose not inconsistent with the terms of
          this Agreement; provided, that the Grantor shall not exercise or shall
          refrain from  exercising any such right if, in the Agent's  reasonable
          judgment,  such  action  would have a material  adverse  effect on the
          value of the Pledged Stock Collateral or any part thereof;

               (ii)  notwithstanding  the provisions of Section 1(n) hereof, the
          Grantor  shall be entitled to receive and retain any and all dividends
          paid in respect of the Pledged Stock  Collateral;  provided,  that any
          and all

                    (A) dividends  paid or payable other than in cash in respect
          of,  and  instruments  and  other  property  received,  receivable  or
          otherwise  distributed  in respect of, or in exchange for, any Pledged
          Stock Collateral, and

                    (B) dividends  and other  distributions  paid or payable in
          cash in respect of any Pledged Stock  Collateral in connection  with a
          partial or total  liquidation or  dissolution or in connection  with a
          reduction of capital,  capital surplus or  paid-in-surplus,

          shall be, and shall be  forthwith  delivered  to the Agent to hold as,
          Pledged Stock  Collateral  and shall,  if received by the Grantor,  be
          received in trust for the  benefit of the Agent and the other  Secured
          Parties,  be  segregated  from  the  other  property  or  funds of the
          Grantor,  and be  forthwith  delivered  to the Agent as Pledged  Stock
          Collateral  in the  same  form  as so  received  (with  any  necessary
          endorsement); and

               (iii)  the  Agent  shall  execute  and  deliver  (or  cause to be
          executed  and  delivered)  to the Grantor  all such  proxies and other
          instruments as the Grantor may  reasonably  request for the purpose of
          enabling  the Grantor to exercise the voting and other rights which it
          is entitled to exercise pursuant to paragraph (i) above and to receive
          the dividends which it is authorized to receive and retain pursuant to
          paragraph (ii) above;

          (b) upon the  occurrence  and during the  continuance  of an Event of
          Default:

               (i) upon  written  notice  from the Agent to the  Grantor to such
          effect,  all rights of the  Grantor to  exercise  the voting and other
          consensual  rights  which it would  otherwise  be entitled to exercise
          pursuant  to Section  9(a)(i) and to receive  the  dividends  which it
          would  otherwise  be  authorized  to receive  and retain  pursuant  to
          Section  9(a)(ii)  shall cease,  and all such rights  shall  thereupon
          become vested in the Agent, who shall thereupon have the sole right to
          exercise  such voting and other  consensual  rights and to receive and
          hold as Pledged Stock Collateral any such dividends; and


<PAGE>21


               (ii) all dividends which are received by the Grantor  contrary to
          the  provisions of paragraph  (b)(i) of this Section shall be received
          in trust for the benefit of the Agent and the other  Secured  Parties,
          shall be  segregated  from  other  funds of the  Grantor  and shall be
          forthwith  paid over to the Agent as Pledged  Stock  Collateral in the
          same form as so received (with any necessary endorsement).

     SECTION 10. As to Pledged Notes. In case, upon the dissolution, liquidation
(in whole or in part),  bankruptcy or  reorganization of the maker of any of the
Pledged  Notes or the  merger or  consolidation  of any such maker with and into
another  Person,  any sum or other property  shall be paid or  distributed  with
respect to any of the Pledged  Notes,  and such sum or property shall be paid or
distributed  on account of the principal of any of the Pledged  Notes,  such sum
and  property  shall be paid  over or  delivered  to the Agent to be held by the
Agent as additional  Collateral  hereunder unless any such sum or property shall
constitute  cash in which case, so long as there shall exist no Default or Event
of Default and the Grantor  shall have  Required  Inventory,  such cash shall be
paid to the Agent to be applied to the  payment of the  Secured  Obligations  as
provided  in Section  2.12(g) of the Credit  Agreement.  If there  shall exist a
Default or an Event of Default or the Grantor shall not have Required Inventory,
such cash shall be paid to the Agent to be applied to the Secured Obligations in
the order provided in Section 7.2 of the Credit Agreement.  All of the foregoing
property  (other  than cash) shall  constitute  Pledged  Notes for all  purposes
hereof.

     SECTION  11.  Vehicles.  The Grantor  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 Grantor  subsequent  to the date
hereof  promptly  after  the  date  of   acquisition),   all   applications  for
certificates of title  indicating the Agent's first priority Lien on the Vehicle
covered by such  certificate,  and any other necessary  documentation,  shall be
filed by the Grantor in each office in each  jurisdiction  which the Agent shall
deem  advisable to perfect or protect its Liens on the  Vehicles.  In connection
with the foregoing,  the Grantor shall notify the Agent,  in writing,  promptly,
but in any event within 30 days after the date of  acquisition,  of each Vehicle
acquired subsequent to the date hereof.

     SECTION 12.  Insurance.  The Grantor  shall,  at its own expense,  maintain
insurance  with  respect to the  Inventory,  Equipment,  Vehicles  and any other
customarily insured Collateral in such amounts, against such risks, in such form
and  with  such  insurers,  as is  provided  for in  Section  5.3 of the  Credit
Agreement.  Without  limiting  the  provisions  of  Section  5.3 of  the  Credit
Agreement,  upon the  occurrence  and  during  the  continuance  of any Event of
Default or at any time when the Grantor shall not have Required  Inventory,  all
insurance  payments in respect of such  Inventory and  Equipment  shall be held,
paid to the Agent and applied to the Secured  Obligations  in the order provided
in Section 7.2 of the Credit Agreement.


<PAGE>22


     SECTION 13.  Dispositions of Collateral;  Liens;  Additional Shares;  Other
Agreements.

          (a) Disposition of Collateral.  The Grantor shall not sell, transfer,
lease,  assign (by operation of law or otherwise) or otherwise dispose of any of
the  Collateral,  except  for  dispositions  otherwise  permitted  by the Credit
Agreement.

          (b) Liens.  The Grantor  shall not create,  incur or suffer to exist,
will  defend  the  Collateral  against  and will  take such  other  action as is
necessary to remove, any Lien, or other claim upon or with respect to any of the
Collateral  to secure any  obligation  of any  Person or entity,  except for the
security  interest  created by this Agreement and as otherwise  permitted by the
Credit Agreement, and will defend the right, title and interest of the Agent and
the other Secured Parties in and to any of the Collateral against the claims and
demands of all Persons whomsoever.

          (c) No Issuance of Stock.  The Grantor  agrees that it will (i) cause
each of the Issuers (other than any Unaffiliated  Issuer) not to issue any stock
or other securities in addition to or substitution for the Pledged Shares issued
by such  Issuer,  except to the Grantor and (ii) pledge  hereunder,  immediately
upon  its  acquisition  (directly  or  indirectly)  thereof,  any and  all  such
additional  shares of stock or other  securities  of each  Issuer of the Pledged
Shares.

          (d) Other Agreements.  The Grantor is not and will not become a party
to or otherwise be bound by any  agreement,  other than this  Agreement  and the
other Loan Documents, which restricts in any manner the rights of any present or
future holder of any of the Collateral other than the UBS Loan Agreement, the GE
Credit Program Documents and the Synthetic Lease Documents.

     SECTION 14.  Agent's  Appointment as  Attorney-in-Fact.  The Grantor hereby
irrevocably  appoints the Agent and any officer or agent thereof with full power
of substitution,  the Grantor's  attorney-in-fact  (which  appointment  shall be
irrevocable  until the payment in full in cash and the performance of all of the
Secured  Obligations,  the expiration or  cancellation  of all of the Letters of
Credit and the  expiration or termination  of the Total  Commitments  and deemed
coupled  with an  interest),  with full  authority in the place and stead of the
Grantor  and in the name of the Grantor or  otherwise,  from time to time in the
Agent's discretion,  upon and during the occurrence and continuation of an Event
of Default, to take any action and to execute any instrument which the Agent may
deem  necessary  or  advisable to  accomplish  the  purposes of this  Agreement,
including, without limitation:

               (i) to obtain and  adjust  insurance  required  to be paid to the
          Agent  pursuant to Section 12 or pursuant to Section 5.3 of the Credit
          Agreement;

               (ii) to ask, demand, collect, sue for, recover, compound, receive
          and give acquittance and receipts for moneys, claims and other amounts
          due and to become  due under or in  respect  of any of the  Collateral
          (including,  without limitation,  any Pledged Notes) and to extend the
          time of payment of any or all  thereof and to make any  allowance  and
          other adjustments with reference thereto;



<PAGE>23


               (iii) to receive, endorse, and collect any checks, drafts, notes,
          acceptances  or other  instruments,  any invoices,  freight or express
          bills,  bills of lading,  storage,  warehouse  receipts,  assignments,
          verifications,  notices  or other  documents  and  chattel  paper,  in
          connection with clause (i) or (ii) above;

               (iv) to receive, endorse and collect all instruments made payable
          to the Grantor  representing  any  dividend or other  distribution  in
          respect of the Pledged  Stock  Collateral  or any part  thereof and to
          give full discharge for the same;

               (v) to file any claims or take any action or  institute or defend
          any suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity which the Agent may
          deem  necessary  or  desirable  for  the  collection  of  any  of  the
          Collateral  or  otherwise  to  enforce  the  rights of the Agent  with
          respect to any of the  Collateral;

               (vi) 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 Agent or as the
          Agent shall direct;

               (vii) to  settle,  compromise  or  adjust  any  suit,  action  or
          proceeding described in clause (v) above and, in connection therewith,
          to give such discharges or releases as the Agent may deem appropriate;
          

               (viii) to set off or cause to be set off  amounts in any  account
          maintained with any Secured Party or otherwise  enforce rights against
          any of the Collateral in the possession of any Secured Party; (1)

               (ix) to pay or  discharge  Taxes and Liens levied or placed on or
          threatened  against the  Collateral  (except  where the Grantor is not
          required to discharge  such tax or Lien pursuant to the  provisions of
          this Agreement or the Credit Agreement),  to effect any repairs or any
          insurance  called  for by the terms of this  Agreement  or the  Credit
          Agreement,  to  adjust  the  same  and to pay  all or any  part of the
          premiums therefor and the costs thereof;

               (x) to assign any Trademark, Patent or Copyright (along with the
          goodwill  of the  business  to which  any such  Trademark,  Patent  or
          Copyright  pertains),  throughout the world for such term or terms, on
          such  conditions,  and in such manner,  as the Agent shall in its sole
          discretion determine;  and

               (xi) 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 Agent were the absolute owner thereof for
          all  purposes,  and to do, at the  Agent's  option  and the  Grantor's
          expense,  at any time, or from time to time, all acts and things which
          the Agent deems  necessary  to protect,  preserve or realize  upon the
          Collateral  and the Agent's  Liens thereon and to effect the intent of
          this Agreement, all as fully and effectively as the Grantor might do.
         


<PAGE>24


     The Grantor hereby  ratifies all that said  attorneys  shall lawfully do or
cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     SECTION 15. Other Powers; Agent May Perform.

          (a) The Grantor also  authorizes  the Agent at any time and from time
to time to execute,  in connection  with any sale pursuant to Section 17 hereof,
any endorsements, assignments or other instruments of conveyance or any transfer
with respect to any Collateral.

          (b) If the Grantor fails to perform any agreement  contained  herein,
the Agent may itself perform,  or cause performance of, such agreement,  and the
expenses of the Agent incurred in connection  therewith  shall be payable by the
Grantor  under Section 18. If the Grantor fails to perform or comply with any of
its agreements  contained  herein and the Agent, as provided for by the terms of
this Agreement,  the Credit  Agreement or any other Loan Document,  shall itself
perform or comply,  or otherwise  cause  performance  or  compliance,  with such
agreement,   the  expenses  of  the  Agent  incurred  in  connection  with  such
performance or compliance, together with interest thereon at a rate per annum 2%
above the Alternate  Base Rate at the time of such failure to perform or comply,
shall be  payable by the  Grantor  to the Agent on demand  and shall  constitute
Secured Obligations secured hereby.

     SECTION  16.  Limitation  of Duty on the Part of  Agent  or  Other  Secured
Parties; Release.

          (a) Duties. The powers conferred on the Agent hereunder are solely to
protect its  interest  and the  interests  of the other  Secured  Parties in the
Collateral  and shall not impose any duty upon it or them to  exercise  any such
powers.  Except for the safe custody of any  Collateral in the possession of any
of  them  and  the  accounting  for  moneys  actually  received  by any of  them
hereunder, neither the Agent nor any of the other Secured Parties shall have any
duty as to any Collateral or as to the taking of any necessary steps to preserve
rights against prior parties or any other rights  pertaining to any  Collateral,
including,  without  limitation,  ascertaining  or taking action with respect to
calls, conversions,  exchanges, maturities, tenders or other matters relative to
any Pledged Stock Collateral,  whether or not the Agent has or is deemed to have
knowledge  of such  matters.  Neither  the Agent,  nor any of the other  Secured
Parties, nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees,  attorneys,
agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact,  experts and Affiliates 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 Grantor or otherwise.

          (b)  Release.  The Grantor  releases the Agent and the other  Secured
Parties and each of their respective directors, officers, employees,  attorneys,
agents, advisors,  attorneys-in-fact,  experts and Affiliates,  from and against
any and all penalties,  fines,  expenses,  losses,  settlements,  costs, claims,
causes of action, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, accountings, reckonings,
acts, omissions, demands, liabilities, obligations, damages, actions, judgments,
suits  proceedings or disbursements of any kind or nature  whatsoever,  known or
unknown,  contingent  or  otherwise  which


<PAGE>25


may be  imposed  on,  incurred  by or  asserted  against  any of them in any way
relating to or arising out of or with respect to this Agreement, the Collateral,
and/or any actions taken or omitted to be taken by the Agent or any of the other
Secured  Parties  with  respect  thereto  (except to the extent  that any of the
foregoing arises solely from the gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of the
party which would be so released as determined by a final order or judgment of a
court of  competent  jurisdiction),  and the Grantor  hereby  agrees to hold the
Secured Parties and their respective directors, officers, employees,  attorneys,
agents,  advisors,  attorneys-in-fact,  experts and Affiliates harmless from and
against any and all penalties,  fines,  expenses,  losses,  settlements,  costs,
claims,  causes of action,  debts, dues, sums of money,  accounts,  accountings,
reckonings,  acts,  omissions,  demands,  liabilities,   obligations,   damages,
actions,  judgments,  suits,  proceedings or disbursements of any kind or nature
whatsoever,  known or unknown,  contingent or otherwise which may be imposed on,
incurred by or asserted against any of them.

          (c) Survival of Agreements. The agreements of the Grantor contained in
this Section  shall survive the payment in full in cash and the  performance  of
all of the Secured  Obligations,  the expiration or  cancellation  of all of the
Letters of Credit,  the expiration or termination of the Total  Commitments  and
the termination of the security interests granted hereby.

     SECTION 17.  Remedies.  If any Event of Default  shall have occurred and be
continuing,  then,  subject  to the  provisions  of  Section  7.1 of the  Credit
Agreement:

          (a)  General.  The  Agent,  on  behalf  of the  Secured  Parties  may
exercise,  in addition to all other  rights and  remedies  granted to it in this
Agreement,  the  Credit  Agreement  and in any  other  instrument  or  agreement
securing,  evidencing  or relating to the  Secured  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 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 Grantor or any other
Person (all and each of which demands, defenses,  advertisements and notices are
hereby  waived),   may  in  such  circumstances   forthwith  collect,   receive,
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 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.  To the
extent  permitted by applicable  law, in no event shall the  obligations  of the
Grantor to any of the Secured  Parties be credited with any part of the proceeds
of sale of any Collateral  until cash payment thereof has actually been received
by the Agent. The Agent shall not


<PAGE>26


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 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  Secured
Obligations owed to such Person (or, in the case of the Agent, any or all of the
Secured  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  Grantor,  and the  Grantor  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  Grantor  further  agrees,  at the Agent's
request, to assemble the Collateral and make it available to the Agent at places
which the Agent shall reasonably  select,  whether at the Grantor's  premises or
elsewhere.  The Agent shall,  at such time or times as it determines,  apply 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  payment  in  whole or in part of the
Secured  Obligations,  in the  order  provided  in  Section  7.2  of the  Credit
Agreement and, only after such application and after the payment by the Agent of
any other amounts  required by any provision of law to be paid to third parties,
including,  without limitation,  Section 9-504(1)(c) of the Code, need the Agent
account for the  surplus,  if any, to the  Grantor.  To the extent  permitted by
applicable  law,  the  Grantor  waives all  claims,  damages  and demands it may
acquire against any of the Secured Parties arising out of the exercise by any of
them 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; provided, that no demand, advertisement or notice, all of which are
hereby expressly waived,  shall be required in connection with any sale or other
disposition of any part of the Collateral which threatens to decline speedily in
value or which is of a type customarily sold on a recognized market. The Grantor
shall  remain  liable for any  deficiency  if the  proceeds of any sale or other
disposition  of  the  Collateral  are   insufficient   to  satisfy  the  Secured
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.


          (b) Suits. The 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 one or more judgments or decrees of a court or courts of
competent jurisdiction.

          (c) Pledged Notes. The Agent may in its discretion hold any or all of
the Pledged  Notes until  maturity  and receive any payments  therefrom  for its
benefit and the benefit of the other  Secured  Parties or may sell any or all of
such Pledged Notes in public or private sale.


<PAGE>27


          (d) Use of Patents,  Copyrights or Trademarks. The Agent may instruct
the Grantor not to make any further use of the Patents, Copyrights or Trademarks
or any mark similar thereto for any purpose.

          (e) Licensing.  The Agent may license,  whether  general,  special or
otherwise,  and  whether  on an  exclusive  or  nonexclusive  basis,  any of the
Trademarks,  Patents or Copyrights  throughout the world for such term or terms,
on  such  conditions,  and in  such  manner,  as the  Agent  shall  in its  sole
discretion determine.

          (f)  Enforcement of Remedies against  Licensees or Sublicensees.  The
Agent may (without  assuming any  obligations or liability  thereunder),  at any
time,  enforce  (and shall have the  exclusive  right to  enforce)  against  any
licensee or sublicensee  all rights and remedies of the Grantor in, to and under
any one or more license  agreements with respect to any of the  Collateral,  and
take or refrain from taking any action under any thereof, and the Grantor hereby
releases the Agent and the other Secured  Parties  from,  and agrees to hold the
Agent and the other  Secured  Parties  free and  harmless  from and  against any
claims  arising out of, any action  taken or omitted to be taken with respect to
any such license agreement.

          (g) Grantor's  Assistance in Manufacture and Sale of Products Bearing
Trademarks,  etc. In the event of any such  license,  assignment,  sale or other
disposition  of the  Collateral,  or any of it,  the  Grantor  shall  supply its
know-how  and  expertise  in  connection  with the  manufacture  and sale of the
products  bearing or  relating to  Trademarks,  Patents or  Copyrights,  and its
customer  lists  and  other  records  relating  to the  Trademarks,  Patents  or
Copyrights  and to the  distribution  of  said  products,  to the  Agent  or its
designee.

          (h)  Assignment  of  Trademarks,  etc.  In  order  to  implement  the
assignment,  sale  or  other  disposal  of  any of the  Trademarks,  Patents  or
Copyrights,  the Agent may, at any time,  pursuant to the  authority  granted in
Section 14 hereof,  execute  and deliver on behalf of the  Grantor,  one or more
instruments  of assignment  of the  Trademarks,  Patents or  Copyrights  (or any
application of registration thereof), in form suitable for filing,  recording or
registration in any country.

          (i) Proceeds.  Upon demand by the Agent, all Proceeds received by the
Grantor  consisting of cash,  checks and other  near-cash items shall be held by
the Grantor in trust for the Agent and the other Secured  Parties and segregated
from other  funds of the  Grantor,  and  shall,  forthwith  upon  receipt by the
Grantor,  be turned over to the Agent in the exact form  received by the Grantor
(duly  indorsed by the  Grantor to the Agent,  if  required).  All cash or other
Proceeds  received by the Agent in respect of any sale of,  collection  from, or
other  realization upon all or any part of the Collateral may, in the discretion
of the Agent,  be held by the Agent as  Collateral  for, and then or at any time
thereafter  applied (after payment of any amounts  payable to the Agent pursuant
to  Section  18) in whole  or in part  against,  all or any part of the  Secured
Obligations  in the order provided in Section 7.2 of the Credit  Agreement.  Any
surplus of such cash or other  Proceeds  held by the Agent and  remaining  after
payment in full in cash and the  performance of all of the Secured  Obligations,
the  expiration  or  cancellation  of all of  the  Letters  of  Credit  and  the
expiration or  termination  of the Total


<PAGE>28


Commitments  shall be paid over to the Grantor or to whomsoever  may be lawfully
entitled to receive such surplus.

          (j) Private Sale of Pledged Notes and Pledged Stock Collateral. If at
any time when the Agent shall determine to exercise its right to sell all or any
Pledged  Notes or any part of the  Pledged  Stock  Collateral  pursuant  to this
Section,  such Pledged Notes or Pledged Stock  Collateral or the part thereof to
be sold shall not be effectively registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended,  and as from time to time in  effect,  and the  rules  and  regulations
thereunder (the "Securities  Act"), the Agent is hereby expressly  authorized to
sell such  Pledged  Notes or Pledged  Stock  Collateral  or such part thereof by
private sale in such manner and under such  circumstances  as the Agent may deem
necessary or  advisable in order that such sale may legally be effected  without
such  registration.  The  Grantor  agrees that  private  sales so made may be at
prices and other terms less  favorable to the seller than if such Pledged  Notes
or Pledged Stock Collateral were sold at public sales, and that the Agent has no
obligation to delay sale of any such Pledged  Notes or Pledged Stock  Collateral
for the period of time  necessary to permit the issuer of such Pledged  Notes or
Pledged  Stock  Collateral,  even if such issuer would agree,  to register  such
Pledged Notes or Pledged Stock  Collateral for public sale under such applicable
securities  law.  The Grantor  agrees that  private  sales shall not,  solely by
virtue of being  private  sales,  be deemed to have been made in a  commercially
unreasonable  manner.  Without limiting the generality of the foregoing,  in any
such event the Agent,  in compliance with  applicable  securities  laws, (a) may
proceed to make such private sale notwithstanding that a registration  statement
for the  purpose of  registering  such  Pledged  Stock  Collateral  or such part
thereof  shall have been filed under such  Securities  Act, (b) may approach and
negotiate with a limited number of potential  purchasers to effect such sale and
(c) may restrict such sale to purchasers as to their number,  nature of business
and investment intention including without limitation to purchasers each of whom
will represent and agree to the satisfaction of the Agent that such purchaser is
purchasing  for its own  account,  for  investment,  and not  with a view to the
distribution or sale of such Pledged Notes or Pledged Stock Collateral,  or part
thereof,  it being  understood  that the Agent may cause or require the Grantor,
and the Grantor  hereby agrees upon the written  request of the Agent,  to cause
(i) a legend or legends to be placed on the certificates to be delivered to such
purchasers  to the effect that the  Pledged  Notes or Pledged  Stock  Collateral
represented  thereby  have not been  registered  under  the  Securities  Act and
setting  forth or  referring  to  restrictions  on the  transferability  of such
securities; and (ii) the issuance of stop transfer instructions to such Issuer's
transfer  agent,  if any,  with  respect to the Pledged  Notes or Pledged  Stock
Collateral,  or, if such Issuer transfers its own securities,  a notation in the
appropriate  records of such Issuer.  In the event of any such sale, the Grantor
does hereby  consent and agree that the Agent shall incur no  responsibility  or
liability  for selling all or any Pledged Notes or any part of the Pledged Stock
Collateral  at  a  price  which  the  Agent  may  deem   reasonable   under  the
circumstances, notwithstanding the possibility that a substantially higher price
might be realized if the sale were public and deferred until after  registration
as aforesaid.

          (k) Registration of Pledged Notes or Pledged Stock Collateral. If the
Agent,  in  its  reasonable  discretion,  determines  that  it is  necessary  or
advisable,  in connection  with the exercise by the Agent of its remedies  under
this Section,  to effect a public  registration  of any Pledged Notes or Pledged
Stock  Collateral  pursuant to the Securities Act or any state Blue Sky laws (or
any similar


<PAGE>29


statutes  then in  effect),  the Grantor  shall,  as  expeditiously  as possible
(except with respect to any Pledged Notes or Pledged  Shares of an  Unaffiliated
Issuer):

          (i) cause the issuer  thereof to prepare and file with the  Securities
     and Exchange  Commission (the  "Commission") a registration  statement with
     respect  to  the  Collateral  and  use  its  best  efforts  to  cause  such
     registration statement to become and remain effective;

          (ii) cause the issuer  thereof to prepare and file with the Commission
     such  amendments  and  supplements to such  registration  statement and the
     prospectus  used in  connection  therewith as may be necessary to keep such
     registration  statement  effective and to comply with the provisions of the
     Securities Act with respect to the sale or other disposition of the Pledged
     Notes or Pledged Stock Collateral  covered by such  registration  statement
     whenever  the Agent  shall  desire  to sell or  otherwise  dispose  of such
     Pledged Notes or Pledged Stock Collateral; (1)

          (iii) furnish or cause the issuer thereof to furnish to the Agent such
     numbers of copies of a summary prospectus or other prospectus,  including a
     preliminary  prospectus,   in  conformity  with  the  requirements  of  the
     Securities  Act,  and such  other  documents  as the Agent  may  reasonably
     request in order to facilitate the public sale or other disposition of such
     Pledged Notes or Pledged Stock Collateral by the Agent;

          (iv) cause the issuer thereof to register or qualify the Pledged Notes
     or Pledged Stock Collateral  covered by such  registration  statement under
     such other  securities  or Blue Sky laws of such  jurisdictions  within the
     United States as the Agent shall request, and do such other reasonable acts
     and things as maybe  required of it to enable the Agent to  consummate  the
     public sale or other  disposition  in such  jurisdictions  of such  Pledged
     Notes or Pledged Stock Collateral by the Agent; (1)

          (v) furnish or cause the issuer thereof to furnish,  at the request of
     the Agent,  on the date that the Pledged Notes or Pledged Stock  Collateral
     shall  be  delivered  to  the   underwriters  for  sale  pursuant  to  such
     registration  or, if such Pledged Notes or Pledged Stock Collateral are not
     being  sold  through  underwriters,  on  the  date  that  the  registration
     statement  with respect to such Pledged Notes or Pledged  Stock  Collateral
     becomes  effective,  (A) an opinion,  dated such date,  of the  independent
     counsel  representing the issuer of the applicable Pledged Notes or Pledged
     Shares  for  the   purposes  of  such   registration,   addressed   to  the
     underwriters, if any, and if such Pledged Notes or Pledged Stock Collateral
     are not being sold through  underwriters,  then to the Agent,  stating that
     such  registration  statement has become effective under the Securities Act
     and  that  (1) to the  best  knowledge  of  such  counsel,  no  stop  order
     suspending the effectiveness thereof has been issued and no proceedings for
     that purpose have been instituted or are pending or contemplated  under the
     Securities Act, (2) the registration statement, the related prospectus, and
     each  amendment  or  supplement  thereto  comply as to form in all material
     respects  with the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act (except that such
     counsel  need  express  no  opinion as to  financial  statements  contained
     therein),  (3) such  counsel  has no  reason to


<PAGE>30


     believe that either the  registration  statement or the prospectus,  or any
     amendment  or  supplement  thereto,  contains  any  untrue  statement  of a
     material  fact  required  to be stated  therein  or  necessary  to make the
     statements therein not misleading, (4) the descriptions in the registration
     statement or the prospectus, or any amendment or supplement thereto, of all
     legal matters and contracts and other legal  documents or  instruments  are
     accurate and fairly present the information  required to be shown,  and (5)
     such  counsel  does not  know of any  legal  or  governmental  proceedings,
     pending or  contemplated,  required  to be  described  in the  registration
     statement or prospectus,  or any amendment or supplement thereto, which are
     not described as required, nor of any contracts or documents or instruments
     of a character  required to be described in the  registration  statement or
     prospectus,  or any  amendment  or  supplement  thereto,  or to be filed as
     exhibits to the registration  statement which are not described or filed or
     incorporated by reference as required;  and (B) a letter,  dated such date,
     from the  independent  certified  public  accountants  of the issuer of the
     applicable  Pledged Notes or Pledged Shares addressed to the  underwriters,
     if any,  and if such  Pledged  Notes or  Pledged  Shares are not being sold
     through underwriters,  then to the Agent, stating that they are independent
     certified public  accountants  within the meaning of the Securities Act and
     that,  in the opinion of such  accountants,  the financial  statements  and
     other financial data of such issuer included in the registration  statement
     or the  prospectus,  or any amendment or supplement  thereto,  comply as to
     form in all respects with the  applicable  accounting  requirements  of the
     Securities Act. Such opinion of counsel shall additionally cover such other
     legal  matters  with respect to the  registration  in respect of which such
     opinion is being  given as the Agent may  reasonably  request.  Such letter
     from the independent  certified public accountants shall additionally cover
     such other financial matters (including information as to the period ending
     not more than five  Business  Days prior to the date of such  letter)  with
     respect to the  registration in respect of which such letter is being given
     as the Agent may reasonably request; and

          (vi) otherwise use its best efforts to comply with or cause the issuer
     thereof  to  comply  with  all  applicable  rules  and  regulations  of the
     Commission,  and  make  available  to its  security  holders,  as  soon  as
     reasonably  practicable,  but not later than 18 months after the  effective
     date of the  registration  statement,  an earnings  statement  covering the
     period of at least 12 months  beginning with the first full month after the
     effective date of such  registration  statement,  which earnings  statement
     shall satisfy the provisions of Section 11(a) of the Securities Act.

     All expenses  incurred in complying with this Section,  including,  without
limitation,  all  registration  and filing  fees,  underwriting  fees,  printing
expenses,  fees and disbursements of counsel for the issuer of the Pledged Notes
or Pledged Shares, the reasonable fees and expenses of counsel for the Agent and
expenses of complying with the securities or Blue Sky laws of any jurisdictions,
shall be paid by the Grantor.

          (1) Additional Inventory Remedies.  Until the payment in full in cash
and  the  performance  of all of the  Secured  Obligations,  the  expiration  or
cancellation  of all of the Letters of Credit and the


<PAGE>31


expiration or termination of the Total Commitments, at any time when an Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing: (i) the Grantor will perform any and all
reasonable  actions  requested  by the Agent to  enforce  the  Agent's  security
interest in the  Inventory  and all of the  Agent's  rights  hereunder,  such as
leasing warehouses to the Agent or its designee,  placing and maintaining signs,
appointing custodians,  transferring Inventory to warehouses,  and delivering to
the Agent,  warehouse receipts,  documents of title and such other documentation
as the Agent may reasonably request;  (ii) if any Inventory is in the possession
or control of any of the  Grantor's  agents,  contractors  or  processors or any
other third  party,  the Grantor  will notify the Agent  thereof and will notify
such agents,  contractors  or processors or third party of the Agent's  security
interest therein and, upon request, instruct them to hold all such Inventory for
the  Agent's and the  Grantor's  account,  as their  interests  may appear,  and
subject to the  Agent's  instructions;  (iii) the Agent  shall have the right to
hold all Inventory subject to the security interest granted hereunder;  and (iv)
the Agent shall have the right to take  possession  of the Inventory or any part
thereof and to maintain such  possession on the Grantor's  premises or to remove
any or all of the  Inventory to such other place or places as the Agent  desires
in its sole  discretion.  If the Agent exercises its right to take possession of
the Inventory, the Grantor, upon the Agent's demand, will assemble the Inventory
and make it  available  to the Agent at the  Grantor's  premises  at which it is
located.



<PAGE>32


     SECTION 18. Indemnity and Expenses

          (a) The Grantor agrees on demand, to pay, and to save,  indemnify and
keep the Secured Parties and their respective  directors,  officers,  employees,
attorney, agents, advisors, attorneys-in-fact,  experts and Affiliates (each, an
"Indemnified  Party")  harmless from and against any and all  penalties,  fines,
expenses,  losses,  settlements,  costs, claims,  causes of action, debts, dues,
sums of money,  accounts,  accountings,  reckonings,  acts, omissions,  demands,
liabilities,  obligations,  damages,  actions,  judgments,  suits, proceeding or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever,  known or unknown, contingent or
otherwise,  including,  without  limitation,  attorneys' and consultants'  fees,
investigation  and laboratory fees,  response costs,  court costs and litigation
expenses  (i) with respect to, or  resulting  from,  any delay by the Grantor 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) arising out
of the use of the  Trademarks,  Patents and  Copyrights or any alleged defect in
any  product  manufactured,  promoted  or  sold  by  the  Grantor  or out of the
manufacture,  promotion,  labeling, sale or advertisement of any such product by
the Grantor,  (iii) with respect to, or resulting from, any delay by the Grantor
in complying with any  Requirement of Law applicable to any of the Collateral or
(iv) in connection with any of the transactions  contemplated by this 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,  consultants,  experts or agents may incur in connection with (w) the
administration or enforcement of this 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 Agent of any of
the rights  conferred  upon it hereunder or (z) any Default or Event of Default,
but excluding any such penalties, fines, expenses, losses,  settlements,  costs,
claims,  causes of action,  debts, dues, sums of money,  accounts,  accountings,
reckonings,  acts,  omissions,  demands,  liabilities,   obligations,   damages,
actions,  judgments,  suits,  proceeding or  disbursements of any kind or nature
whatsoever,  known or  unknown,  contingent  or  otherwise,  including,  without
limitation, attorneys' and consultants' fees, investigation and laboratory fees,
response costs, court costs and litigation expenses incurred solely by reason of
the  gross  negligence  or  willful  misconduct  of  the  Indemnified  Party  as
determined by a final order or judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction.

          (b) In any suit,  proceeding  or action  brought  by any  Indemnified
Party under any Account or Contract for any sum owing thereunder,  or to enforce
any  provisions of any Account or Contract,  the Grantor agrees to pay, and will
save,  indemnify and keep such  Indemnified  Party harmless from and against any
and all penalties, fines, expenses, losses,  settlements,  costs, claims, causes
of action, debts, dues, sums of money, accounts, accountings,  reckonings, acts,
omissions,  demands,  liabilities,  obligations,  damages,  actions,  judgments,
suits,  proceeding or disbursements of any kind or nature  whatsoever,  known or
unknown, contingent or otherwise, including, without limitation,  attorneys' and
consultants'  fees,  investigation  and laboratory fees,  response costs,  court
costs and  litigation  expenses  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  Grantor 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


<PAGE>33


Grantor or any of its  Subsidiaries,  but excluding any such  penalties,  fines,
expenses,  losses,  settlements,  costs, claims,  causes of action, debts, dues,
sums of money,  accounts,  accountings,  reckonings,  acts, omissions,  demands,
liabilities,  obligations,  damages,  actions,  judgments,  suits, proceeding or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever,  known or unknown, contingent or
otherwise,  including,  without  limitation,  attorneys' and consultants'  fees,
investigation  and laboratory fees,  response costs,  court costs and litigation
expenses incurred solely by reason of the gross negligence or willful misconduct
of the  Indemnified  Party as determined by a final order or judgment of a court
of competent jurisdiction.

          (c) Any amount due  hereunder  which is not paid on demand shall bear
interest at a rate equal to the sum of 2% plus the Alternate Base Rate in effect
at such time.

          (d) The  agreements  of the Grantor  contained in this Section  shall
survive  the payment in full in cash and the  performance  of all of the Secured
Obligations,  the expiration or cancellation of all of the Letters of Credit and
the  expiration or termination  of the Total  Commitments.  All of the Grantor's
obligations  to  indemnify  each  Secured  Party  and its  directors,  officers,
employees, attorneys,  consultants,  experts and agents hereunder shall (without
duplication)  be in addition to, and shall not limit in any way,  the  Grantor's
indemnification  obligations contained in the Credit Agreement.

     SECTION  19.  Security  Interest  Absolute.  All  rights  of the  Agent and
security  interests  hereunder,  and all  obligations of the Grantor  hereunder,
shall be absolute and  unconditional,  irrespective  of any  circumstance  which
might  constitute a defense  available  to, or a discharge  of, any guarantor or
other obligor in respect of the Secured Obligations.

     SECTION 20.  Intentionally Omitted.

     SECTION 21.  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 Grantor hereby  acknowledges
the indebtedness owed under the Secured 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 Agent, for its benefit and the benefit
of the other Secured  Parties,  for the full amount of the Secured  Obligations.
Upon the  occurrence  of an  Event of  Default,  and in  addition  to all of its
rights,  powers and remedies under this Agreement and applicable  law, the 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 Secured  Obligations,  without  appraisement to the highest bidder, for
cash or under such  terms as the Agent  deems  acceptable.  The  Grantor  hereby
waives all and every  appraisement  of the Louisiana  Collateral  and waives and
renounces the benefit of  appraisement  of the Louisiana  Collateral  seized and
sold under  executory or other legal process.  The Grantor agrees to waive,  and
does hereby specifically waive:


<PAGE>34


                    (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;

                    (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 Secured Obligations.

     Pursuant to the authority contained in La.R.S. 9:5136 through 9:5140.1, the
Grantor and the Agent do hereby expressly designate the Agent or its designee to
be keeper or receiver ("Keeper") for the benefit of the Agent or any assignee of
the 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 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 Agreement.  The
designation  of Keeper made  herein  shall not be deemed to require the Agent to
provoke the appointment of a Keeper.

     SECTION 22.  Addresses  for Notices.  All notices and other  communications
provided for hereunder shall be in writing and shall be given in accordance with
the applicable provisions of the Credit Agreement.  For the purposes hereof, the
addresses of the Grantor,  the Agent and the other Secured  Parties shall be the
addresses  in effect from time to time under the Credit  Agreement or such other
address provided in writing to the Agent and the Grantor.

     SECTION 23.  Continuing  Security  Interest.  This Agreement shall create a
continuing  security  interest  in the  Collateral  and shall (i) remain in full
force and effect until the payment in full in cash and the performance of all of
the Secured Obligations, the expiration or cancellation of all of the Letters of
Credit and the  termination of the Total  Commitments,  (ii) be binding upon the
Grantor,


<PAGE>35


its  successors  and  assigns  and (iii)  inure,  together  with the  rights and
remedies  of the Agent  hereunder,  to the  benefit of the Agent and each of the
other Secured Parties and their respective successors,  transferees and assigns.
Upon the payment in full in cash and the performance of the Secured Obligations,
the expiration or termination of the Total  Commitments,  the security  interest
granted hereby shall terminate and all rights to the Collateral  shall revert to
the Grantor subject to any existing Liens, security interests or encumbrances on
such  Collateral.  Upon any such  termination,  the Agent will, at the Grantor's
expense,  execute and deliver to the Grantor such documents as the Grantor shall
reasonably request to evidence such termination.

     SECTION  24.  GOVERNING  LAW.  THIS  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.

     SECTION 25. Severability. If any provision of this 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 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.

     SECTION 26. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies

          None of the  Secured  Parties  shall by any act  (except  by a written
instrument executed and delivered in accordance with Section 27 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.

     SECTION 27. Waivers and  Amendments;  Successors  and Assigns.  None of the
terms or provisions of this Agreement may be waived,  amended,  supplemented  or
otherwise  modified except by a written  instrument  executed by the Grantor and
the Agent;  provided,  that any provision of this Agreement may be waived by the
Agent in a written  letter or  agreement  executed by the Agent or by  facsimile
transmission from the Agent. Any amendment,  modification or supplement of or to
any provision of this  Agreement,  any termination or waiver of any provision of
this Agreement and any consent to any departure by the Grantor from the terms of
any provision of this Agreement shall be effective only in the specific instance
and for the specific purpose for which made or given. No notice


<PAGE>36


to or demand  upon the  Grantor in any  instance  hereunder  shall  entitle  the
Grantor  to  any  other  or  further  notice  or  demand  in  similar  or  other
circumstances.  This  Agreement  shall be  binding  upon and shall  inure to the
benefit  of the  Grantor,  the  Agent and the other  Secured  Parties  and their
respective successors,  transferees and assigns;  provided, that the Grantor may
not assign  its  rights and  obligations  hereunder  without  the prior  written
consent of the Agent and each Lender.

     SECTION 28.  Headings.  Section  headings in this  Agreement  are  included
herein for convenience of reference only and shall not constitute a part of this
Agreement for any other purpose.

     SECTION 29. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION.  THE GRANTOR AND
THE 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  AGREEMENT  OR  THE  COLLATERAL,  OR  THE  VALIDITY,   PROTECTION,
INTERPRETATION,  COLLECTION OR ENFORCEMENT HEREOF OR THEREOF, OR ANY OTHER CLAIM
OR DISPUTE  HOWSOEVER  ARISING,  BETWEEN THE GRANTOR AND THE AGENT.  THE GRANTOR
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 AGREEMENT OR ANY DOCUMENT OR INSTRUMENT  DELIVERED  PURSUANT TO
THIS 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 AGREEMENT SHALL AFFECT ANY
RIGHT THAT THE AGENT OR ANY OTHER SECURED PARTY MAY OTHERWISE  HAVE TO BRING ANY
ACTION OR PROCEEDING  RELATING TO THIS AGREEMENT OR THE  COLLATERAL  AGAINST THE
GRANTOR  IN THE  COURTS OF ANY  JURISDICTION.  THE  GRANTOR  HEREBY  WAIVES  THE
DEFENSES OF FORUM NON CONVENIENS AND IMPROPER VENUE.

     SECTION 30.  Counterparts.  This 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 Agreement.


<PAGE>37


     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Grantor and the Agent have caused this Amended and
Restated  Security  and Pledge  Agreement to be duly  executed and  delivered by
their respective  officers  thereunto duly authorized as of the date first above
written.

                            GRANTOR:

                            PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


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


                            AGENT:

                            CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                              as Coordinating and Collateral Agent


                            By:  /s/ Robert N. Greer
                            -----------------------------------------
                            Title: Assistant General Manager


<PAGE>COVER




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


                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                          SECURITY AND PLEDGE AGREEMENT


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



                                     Between

                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.,

                                   as Grantor,

                                       and


                       CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,

                      as Coordinating and Collateral Agent



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


                          Dated as of December 2, 1997

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



<PAGE>i



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                                                            PAGE

SECTION 1.    Grant of Security and Pledge....................................3

SECTION 2.    Security for Secured Obligations................................9

SECTION 3.    Delivery of Pledged Stock Collateral and 
              Pledged Notes; Other Action....................................10

SECTION 4.    Representations and Warranties.................................10
               (a) Locations of Inventory and Equipment; Chief 
                   Executive Office; Locations of Accounts; Tradenames.......10
               (b) Title; No Other Liens.....................................10
               (c) Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights........................10
               (d) Pledged Shares............................................11
               (e) Title to Pledged Shares; No Other Liens 
                   on Pledged Shares.........................................11
               (f) Issuers of Pledged Stock..................................11
               (g) Vehicles..................................................11
               (h) Pledged Notes.............................................11
               (i) No Consent................................................11
               (j) Perfected First Priority Liens............................12
               (k) Accounts..................................................12
               (l) Contracts.................................................12
               (m) Farm Products.............................................13
               (n) Governmental Obligors.....................................13
               (o) Bank Accounts.............................................13
               (p) Survival of Representations and Warranties................13

SECTION 5.    Compliance with Laws; Further Assurances; Certain Covenants....13
               (a) Compliance with Requirements of Law.......................13
               (b) Financing Statements, etc.  ..............................14
               (c) Instruments and Chattel Paper.............................14
               (d) Maintenance of Records; Identification of Collateral......14
               (e) Note Pledge Supplements...................................14
               (f) Stock Pledge Supplements..................................14
               (g) Defense of Agent's Rights.................................15
               (h) Uncertificated Equity Interests...........................15
               (i) Access to Books and Records; Right of Inspection..........15
               (j) Payment of Obligations....................................15
               (k) Notices...................................................15

SECTION 6.    As to Equipment and Inventory..................................16
               (a) Locations.................................................16
               (b) Maintenance...............................................16
               (c) Records, Physical Count and Other Inventory Covenants.....16


<PAGE>ii


SECTION 7.    As to Accounts and Contracts...................................17
               (a) Locations.................................................17
               (b) Amendments; Diligence as to Rights; Notices...............17
               (c) Collections...............................................17
               (d) Test Verifications........................................18
               (e) Liability of Grantor......................................18
               (f) Compliance with Terms of Contracts, etc...................19

SECTION 8.    As to Trademarks, Patents and Copyrights.......................19
                         (a) Use of Trademarks...............................19
                         (b) No Abandonment, Dedication, etc.................19
                         (c) Filings.........................................19
                         (d) Maintenance of Registrations, etc...............20
                         (e) Further Assurances..............................20
                         (f) Infringement, Misappropriation or
                             Dilution Suits..................................20
                         (g) Notification as to Trademark Confusion..........20

SECTION 9.    As to the Pledged Stock Collateral; Voting Rights;
              Dividends; Etc.................................................21

SECTION 10.   As to Pledged Notes ...........................................22

SECTION 11.   Vehicles.......................................................22

SECTION 12.   Insurance .....................................................23

SECTION 13.   Dispositions of Collateral; Liens; Additional 
              Shares; Other Agreements.......................................23
               (a) Disposition of Collateral.................................23
               (b) Liens.....................................................23
               (c) No Issuance of Stock......................................23
               (d) Other Agreements..........................................23

SECTION 14.   Agent's Appointment as Attorney-in-Fact........................23

SECTION 15.   Other Powers; Agent May Perform................................25

SECTION 16.   Limitation of Duty on the Part of Agent or Other 
              Secured Parties; Release.......................................25
               (a) Duties....................................................25
               (b) Release...................................................26
               (c) Survival of Agreements....................................26

SECTION 17.   Remedies.......................................................26
               (a) General...................................................26
               (b) Suits.....................................................28
               (c) Pledged Notes.............................................28
               (d) Use of Patents, Copyrights or Trademarks..................28
               (e) Licensing.................................................28
               (f) Enforcement of Remedies against Licensees 
                   or Sublicensees...........................................28
               (g) Grantor's Assistance in Manufacture and Sale of Products


<PAGE>iii


                   Bearing Trademarks, etc...................................28
               (h) Assignment of Trademarks, etc.  ..........................29
               (i) Proceeds..................................................29
               (j) Private Sale of Pledged Notes and 
                   Pledged Stock Collateral..................................29
               (k) Registration of Pledged Notes or 
                   Pledged Stock Collateral..................................30
               (l) Additional Inventory Remedies.............................32

SECTION 18.   Indemnity and Expenses.........................................33

SECTION 19.   Security Interest Absolute.....................................34

SECTION 20.   Intentionally Omitted..........................................34

SECTION 21.   Louisiana Remedies.............................................34

SECTION 22.   Addresses for Notices..........................................35

SECTION 23.   Continuing Security Interest...................................36

SECTION 24.   GOVERNING LAW..................................................36

SECTION 25.   Severability...................................................36

SECTION 26.   No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.................................36

SECTION 27.   Waivers and Amendments; Successors and Assigns.................37

SECTION 28.   Headings.......................................................37

SECTION 29.   WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL; CONSENT TO JURISDICTION..................37

SECTION 30.   Counterparts...................................................38

Annex A       Form of Note Pledge Supplement
Annex B       Form of Stock Pledge Supplement

Schedule 1    Vehicles
Schedule 2    Contracts
Schedule 3    Notes
Schedule 4    Trademarks
Schedule 5    Patents
Schedule 6    Copyrights
Schedule 7    Pledged Stock
Schedule 8    Locations of Equipment and Inventory
Schedule 9    Locations of Chief Executive Office, Chief Place of Business
                and Locations Where Records Concerning Accounts are Kept
Schedule 10   Location of Concentration Accounts, Significant Operating
                Accounts And Demand Deposit Accounts



<PAGE>COVER

                                                                          UBS

                                   EXHIBIT D-1

                             FORM OF SECOND MORTGAGE


                                                    State _____ Site No. _______

                      SECOND MORTGAGE, LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE,
                         SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT
                         OF LEASES AND RENTS AND FIXTURE
                                     FILING


Mortgagor:   PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
             2300 Main Street
             Kansas City, Missouri  64108


Mortgagee:   CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
             as Coordinating and
             Collateral Agent
             425 Lexington Avenue
             New York, New York  10017


Mortgage
  Amount:    $______________



Date:        December 2, 1997



Premises:




Record and   SHOOK, HARDY & BACON L.L.P.
Return to:   1200 Main St., Suite 3000
             Kansas City, MO 64105
             Attn.: Richard D. Woods, Esq.



<PAGE>1



     SECOND MORTGAGE,  LEASEHOLD  MORTGAGE,  SECURITY  AGREEMENT,  ASSIGNMENT OF
LEASES AND RENTS AND  FIXTURE  FILING,  dated as of  December  2,  1997,  by and
between PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC., a Delaware corporation, having an office at 2300
Main Street,  Kansas City, Missouri 64108  ("Mortgagor"),  and CANADIAN IMPERIAL
BANK OF COMMERCE,  as Coordinating  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 Lenders
signatory  thereto,  the  Underwriters,  U.S.  Bank National  Association,  as a
Fronting Bank, and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as a Fronting Bank and as
Coordinating  and  Collateral  Agent for the Lenders,  the Fronting  Banks,  the
Underwriters and the other Secured Parties, together with any future amendments,
amendments and restatements, extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or
thereof.

     "Bankruptcy Case" means In re Payless Cashways,  Inc., Case No. 97-50543 in
the Bankruptcy Court.

     "Bankruptcy Code" means 11 U.S.C. ss.101 et seq.

     "Bankruptcy Court" means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western
District of Missouri.

     "Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan" means Payless' plan of reorganization in
the Bankruptcy Case, as confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court.

     "Default" means Default, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Default  Rate" means the rate of interest  specified in Section  2.8(a) of
the Agreement.



<PAGE>2



     "DIP Agent" means the DIP Agent, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "DIP Credit  Agreement" means the Revolving Credit  Agreement,  dated as of
July 21, 1997,  among  Payless,  as a  Debtor-in-Possession,  the  Lenders,  the
Underwriters and the Fronting Banks party thereto and Canadian  Imperial Bank of
Commerce,  as Coordinating and Collateral  Agent,  together with any amendments,
amendments and restatements, extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or
thereof prior to the date of the Agreement.

     "DIP Obligations" means the DIP Obligations, as that term is defined in the
Agreement.

     "Event of Default" means the events and circumstances  described as such in
Article II hereof.

     "Fixtures"  means  all of  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 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.

     "Fronting  Banks" means the Fronting  Banks, as that term is defined in the
Agreement.

     "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.



<PAGE>3



     "Leasehold Interest" has the meaning ascribed to such term in paragraph "F"
of the Granting Clause, below.

     "Lenders" means the Lenders, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Lessee" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01 hereof.

     "Loan Documents"  means the Loan Documents,  as that term is defined in the
Agreement.

     "Loans" means the Loans, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Mortgage"  means  this  Second  Mortgage,   Leasehold  Mortgage,  Security
Agreement,  Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filing  together with any
future  amendments,  amendments and restatements,  extensions,  modifications or
supplements hereto or hereof.

     "Mortgage Amount" means the principal sum of $__________________.

     "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.

     "Payless" means Payless Cashways, Inc., an Iowa corporation.

     "Post-Petition Mortgage Liens" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the
fourth WHEREAS clause, below.

     "Pre-Petition  Agent" means the Pre-Petition Agent, as that term is defined
in the Agreement.

     "Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement"  means the  Amended and  Restated  Credit
Agreement  dated as of  October  3,  1996,  by and among  Payless,  the  lenders
signatory thereto,  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as letter of credit bank
and as  administrative  and  collateral  agent,  and The  Bank  of Nova  Scotia,
NationsBank of Texas,  N.A. and Bank of America  National Trust and Savings,  as
co-agents,   together  with  any   amendments,   amendments  and   restatements,
extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or thereof prior to the date of
the Agreement.



<PAGE>4


     "Pre-Petition Obligations" means the Pre-Petition Obligations, 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 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.

     "Prior  Mortgage"  means that Mortgage and Security  Agreement  executed by
Mortgagor to The Prudential Insurance Company of America,  dated [June 15, 1989]
[_________,  19____] and recorded on [_________,  1989] [_________,  19____], at
Book  ____,  Page _____ of the real  property  records  of  ___________  County,
_____________,  as  assigned  to Prior  Mortgagee  and  amended by that  certain
Amendment to Mortgage and Security  Agreement  dated  December  ____,  1997,  as
amended, amended and restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified to the extent
permitted by the Agreement.

     "Prior Mortgagee" means UBS Mortgage Finance,  Inc., as mortgagee under the
Prior Mortgage.

     "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.

     "UBS  Collateral"  means the real property listed on Schedule 1.1(c) to the
Agreement,  together  with  improvements,  fixtures and  appurtenances  relating
thereto, which is collateral pursuant to the relevant UBS Loan Documents.

     "UBS  Loan  Agreement"   means  that  certain  Amended  and  Restated  Loan
Agreement,  dated December __, 1997,  between Mortgagor and Prior Mortgagee,  as
the same  may be  hereafter  amended,  amended  and  restated,  supplemented  or
otherwise modified to the extent permitted by Section 5.04 hereof.

     "UBS Loan Documents"  means the UBS Loan  Agreement,  each of the mortgages
and deeds of trust  heretofore  delivered by Mortgagor to Prior  Mortgagee  with
respect to UBS


<PAGE>5


Collateral,  as amended as of  December  ____,  1997 and any and all  documents,
agreements and instruments related thereto, each as may be amended,  amended and
restated,  supplemented or otherwise modified to the extent permitted by Section
5.04 hereof.

     "Underwriters"  means  Underwriters,   as  that  term  is  defined  in  the
Agreement.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

     WHEREAS, on July 21, 1997, Payless filed a voluntary petition of bankruptcy
under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court; and

     WHEREAS,  prior to the  commencement  of the Bankruptcy  Case,  Payless was
obligated  to the Lenders or their  predecessors-in-interest  pursuant to, among
other things, the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, during the Bankruptcy Case, Payless became obligated to certain of
the Lenders pursuant to the DIP Credit Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the orders of the Bankruptcy Court entered on July 21,
1997  and  August  20,  1997  in the  Bankruptcy  Case,  the DIP  Agent  and the
Pre-Petition  Agent were granted liens (the  "Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens") on
the  Mortgaged  Property  to secure  the  Pre-Petition  Obligations  and the DIP
Obligations; and

     WHEREAS,  as  contemplated  by  Payless'  Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan,
Payless  has  merged  with and into  Mortgagor,  with  Mortgagor  being the sole
surviving entity; and

     WHEREAS,  pursuant to the terms of the Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan and
the  Agreement,  the parties have agreed among other  things,  (i) to permit the
merger of Payless into Mortgagor,  (ii) to secure various obligations of Payless
(as Mortgagor's  predecessor) in respect of the Pre-Petition Obligations and the
DIP  Obligations,  and (iii)  without  duplication,  to secure all  obligations,
whether now existing or hereafter  incurred or arising,  of Mortgagor  under the
Agreement,  the  Notes  and/or  the other  Loan  Documents,  including,  without
limitation, the Secured Obligations; in each case as more particularly set forth
in the Agreement and this Mortgage; and

     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


<PAGE>6


     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  confirms the Post Petition  Mortgage  Liens and 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"), subject, however, to the Prior Mortgage:

     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  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.


<PAGE>7


     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.

     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.

     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


<PAGE>8


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,  subject to the Prior Mortgage,
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
assigns,  against every person whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same
or any part thereof, subject to the rights of the Prior Mortgagee.

                               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 all
indebtedness,   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 or the other Secured Parties,  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 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 Mortgagee in the exercise of
any rights hereunder or under any 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").



<PAGE>9


                                    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 and the Prior 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 the Prior  Mortgage and liens
and claims in favor of  Mortgagee;  and this Mortgage is and will remain a valid
and  enforceable  lien on the Mortgaged  Property  subject only to the permitted
exceptions referred to above.

          (b)  Mortgagor has full power and lawful  authority,  and has obtained
the written consent of the Prior Mortgagee,  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



<PAGE>10


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 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 (subject
to the rights of the Prior  Mortgagee),  but at any and all times Mortgagor will
execute and deliver to Mortgagee any and all such further assurances, mortgages,


<PAGE>11


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 evidencing the payment of same.

     Subject to the Prior  Mortgage,  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,  subject  to the Prior  Mortgage,  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


<PAGE>12


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  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  (subject to the Prior
Mortgage). 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  (subject to
the Prior Mortgage).

          (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


<PAGE>13


insured  with loss,  subject to the  rights of the Prior  Mortgagee,  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) Subject to the Prior Mortgage, 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 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) Subject to the Prior Mortgage, 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.  Subject  to the Prior
Mortgage, 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


<PAGE>14


the  amount of any such  award or  compensation  and may  accept the same in the
amount paid.  Subject to the Prior Mortgage,  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
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 owned in respect of the Secured  Obligations
and herein.

          (e)  Subject  to the Prior  Mortgage,  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 in  respect  of the  Secured
Obligations.

     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 with respect to the Secured Obligations or in any other Loan
Document from constituting an Event of Default.



<PAGE>15


     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
the Prior  Mortgage)  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 and the Prior Mortgage.

     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 other Loan Documents 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 or  participate  in 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.



<PAGE>16


     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 and the Prior Mortgage.  While
the Secured Obligations are outstanding, neither the structure nor the ownership
of  Mortgagor  may be changed  without  the  express  prior  written  consent of
Mortgagee unless otherwise permitted pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and,
while the Prior Mortgage is in effect, the Prior Mortgage.

     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 now 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


<PAGE>17


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 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  made 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,  attorneys  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.



<PAGE>18


     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."

     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.

     Subject to the Prior  Mortgage,  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 marshaling 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.


<PAGE>19


          (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 and the Prior Mortgage.

          (c)  Mortgagor  will  promptly  give  Mortgagee  a copy of any default
notice given to Mortgagor 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  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 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 Mortgage to the contrary notwithstanding;

          (b) During the  continuance  of any Event of Default,  Mortgagee  may,
subject  to the  Prior  Mortgage,  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,   additions,   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


<PAGE>20


either in the name of Mortgagor or otherwise as Mortgagee  shall deem best;  and
Mortgagee  shall be  entitled,  subject to the Prior  Mortgage,  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  (subject,  in each case, to the Prior  Mortgage
and Sections 5.05 and 5.06 of this Mortgage):

          (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


<PAGE>21


     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 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 as then 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.



<PAGE>22


          (b) Upon the  completion of any sale or sales made by 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. Subject to the Prior Mortgage,
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 (subject
to the Prior  Mortgage)  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) by the  misapplication


<PAGE>23


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 extent 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


<PAGE>24


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  7.2 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 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 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


<PAGE>25


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 any 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) subject to the Prior  Mortgage,  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 enforce any right of Mortgagee,
subject  to the Prior  Mortgage,  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,  subject to the
Prior  Mortgage,  be entitled to retain  possession and control of the Mortgaged
Property.



<PAGE>26


     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  obligation  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 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 covenants  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


<PAGE>27


Premises,  Mortgagor  agrees to pay to Mortgagee the fair and reasonable  rental
value,  which  amount shall be  determined  by the  Mortgagee in its  reasonable
judgment, 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,  subject to the Prior  Mortgage,  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.  Any payments received
under this Section 2.09 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 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, and subject
to the Prior Mortgage,  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,  and subject to the Prior Mortgage, 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.



<PAGE>28


                                   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  subject to the Prior
Mortgage and 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 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.



<PAGE>29


     Section 3.04 Lease  Related  Covenants.  Mortgagor  covenants  to: (a) upon
demand by Mortgagee, and subject to the Prior Mortgage,  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  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 and the Prior
Mortgage, 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.



<PAGE>30


         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.

                                   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 9.1 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.



<PAGE>31


     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.

     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  Secured
Obligations 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.  Subject to
the Prior  Mortgage,  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 or the Prior Mortgage) 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


<PAGE>32


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 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


<PAGE>33


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 attached 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.

                                    ARTICLE V

                CERTAIN PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE PRIOR MORTGAGE

     Section 5.01 Payment on Prior  Mortgage.  Mortgagor will promptly pay, when
due and payable, the interest, principal, and all other sums and charges secured
by and described in the Prior Mortgage and the other UBS Loan Documents.

     Section 5.02  Performance  of UBS Loan  Documents.  Mortgagor will promptly
perform and observe all of the terms,  covenants,  and conditions required to be
performed  and observed by Mortgagor  under the UBS Loan  Documents,  within the
periods  (inclusive of grace periods)  provided in the UBS Loan  Documents,  and
will do all things necessary to avoid the occurrence of any default with respect
to the UBS Loan Documents.

     Section 5.03 Default on UBS Loan Documents.  Any Event of Default under the
UBS  Loan  Documents  shall  be an Event of  Default  under  Article  II of this
Mortgage.

     Section 5.04 No  Modifications.  Mortgagor will not directly or indirectly,
amend,  modify,  supplement,  waive  compliance with, or assent to noncompliance
with,  any term,  provision or condition of the UBS Loan Agreement or any of the
other UBS Loan Documents as in effect on the Effective Date hereof (A) which the
Mortgagee or the Majority  Revolving Lenders deem 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  any of the Loan  Documents)  or (B)  which  the
Mortgagee reasonably determines would place any further material restrictions on
the Mortgagor or its Subsidiaries or materially  increase the obligations of the
Mortgagor or any of its Subsidiaries thereunder or confer on the holders thereof
any material additional rights.


<PAGE>34


     Section 5.05 Consent of Prior  Mortgagee.  Notwithstanding  anything to the
contrary contained in this Mortgage,  the rights of Mortgagee  hereunder will be
limited in that,  unless and until all of the  obligations  secured by the Prior
Mortgage  have been  indefeasibly  paid in full,  Mortgagee  shall not,  without
obtaining the prior written consent of the Prior Mortgagee, which consent may be
withheld in Prior  Mortgagee's sole and absolute  discretion (a) modify,  amend,
supplement or extend the terms and provisions of Article V of this Mortgage,  or
(b) commence an enforcement action or other remedial proceeding, or (c) exercise
any remedies  provided for under this  Mortgage at law or in equity with respect
to the Mortgaged Property  (including,  without limitation,  the commencement of
foreclosure  proceedings  or the  appointment  of a  receiver),  or (d)  seek to
enforce  any  judgment  against  the  Mortgaged  Property  in a manner  which is
prohibited  under this Article V, or (e)  otherwise use its position as a junior
lienor  to take  any  actions  with  respect  to the  Mortgaged  Property  or to
interfere with or otherwise  impede any actions that Prior Mortgagee may wish to
take with respect to the Mortgaged Property;  provided, that notwithstanding the
provisions  set forth in (a) through (e) above,  Mortgagee  may make  protective
advances contemplated by this Mortgage,  including without limitation,  for past
due real estate taxes, insurance premiums,  repair costs and other amounts which
could result in a lien or encumbrance  upon the Mortgaged  property and may join
in any enforcement  action or other remedial  proceeding that has been commenced
by or on behalf of the Prior Mortgagee to assure that Mortgagee's junior lien is
not extinguished,  diminished or otherwise adversely affected;  provided further
that the Prior Mortgagee consents to Mortgagee acting in Mortgagor's stead under
this  Mortgage,  subject to all the conditions  and  requirements  hereunder and
under the UBS Loan  Documents,  if  Mortgagor  is in default with respect to its
obligations to Mortgagee (it being  understood  that Mortgagee shall not, by the
making of any protective advance,  acquire by subrogation or otherwise any lien,
estate or interest  in the  Mortgaged  Property  which may be prior to the lien,
estate or interest of the Prior  Mortgagee,  but the amount of any such advances
shall be secured by the lien of this Mortgage).

     Section 5.06 Subject to the UBS Loan Documents. Mortgagee acknowledges that
the terms,  conditions,  provisions and lien of this Mortgage, any Assignment of
Leases and Rents hereafter  delivered to Mortgagee with respect to the Mortgaged
Property and any  documents  hereafter  delivered  pursuant to Sections 1.02 and
1.03 of this  Mortgage and all of  Mortgagee's  rights  under this  Mortgage are
junior and subject to the terms,  conditions,  provisions  and lien of the Prior
Mortgage and the other UBS Loan  Documents and all of Prior  Mortgagee's  rights
thereunder.  Mortgagee further acknowledges that if Mortgagor's  compliance with
any of the terms,  covenants,  conditions  or other  provisions of this Mortgage
would be  inconsistent  with or cause a default  under  the UBS Loan  Documents,
Mortgagor shall not be obligated to comply with such term, covenant or condition
or other provision  contained in this Mortgage.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,
nothing herein shall preclude the operation of any term, covenant, provision, or
condition  of,  or  right  of  Mortgagee  under,  this  Mortgage  which  is  not
inconsistent with the terms, covenants, provisions and conditions of,


<PAGE>35


and rights of Prior  Mortgagee  under the Prior  Mortgage and the other UBS Loan
Documents, and which would not cause a default under the UBS Loan Documents.

     Section 5.07 Third Party  Beneficiary.  It is expressly intended and agreed
by the parties to this  Mortgage  that (a) the Prior  Mortgagee is a third party
beneficiary  of this  Mortgage and is relying upon the terms and  provisions  of
this Article V, (b) the Prior  Mortgage shall be recorded  first,  (c) the Prior
Mortgagee  shall  have  the  right,  in  addition  to  all  other  remedies,  to
specifically  enforce the  provisions of this Article V and shall be entitled to
injunctive and other equitable relief in connection  therewith and (d) Mortgagor
and Mortgagee  expressly agree that the rights of the parties  hereunder are the
same as they would be if the  Mortgagee  and the Prior  Mortgagee had executed a
separate intercreditor agreement.

     Section 5.08 Consent to Non-Disturbance Agreement.  Mortgagee hereby agrees
to give a  non-disturbance  agreement  to any lessee or tenant  with  respect to
which  the  Prior  Mortgagee  shall  have  executed  a  similar  non-disturbance
agreement  and,  if  the  Mortgagee  fails  to  give  any  such  non-disturbance
agreement,  the Mortgagee  nevertheless  agrees not to disturb the possession or
occupancy  of any  lessee  or  tenant  of all or any  portion  of the  Mortgaged
Property  without  the prior  written  consent  of the Prior  Mortgagee  in each
instance.

     Section  5.09  Release  of  Mortgaged  Property.  Subject  to the terms and
provisions of Section 6.3(h) of the Agreement,  in the event the Prior Mortgagee
releases all or any portion of the Mortgaged Property from the lien of the Prior
Mortgage,  then Mortgagee hereby irrevocably appoints the Prior Mortgagee as its
attorney-in-fact (coupled with an interest) to execute and deliver, in the name,
and on behalf of  Mortgagee,  any and all  documents  necessary  to release  the
Mortgaged property ( or such portion thereof being released from the lien of the
Mortgage) from the lien of this Mortgage.  Mortgagee hereby acknowledges that it
shall not be entitled to receive any payment in  connection  with the release of
the Mortgaged  Property (or any portion thereof) from the lien of this Mortgage,
including,  without  limitation,  the proceeds of any sale  thereof,  unless and
until  the  Prior  Mortgagee  is fully  paid all  sums  due  under  the UBS Loan
Documents.  The Mortgagor  hereby agrees that it will provide the Mortgagee with
written notice as to the release of all or any portion of the Mortgaged Property
from the lien of the Prior Mortgage.

     Section  5.10  Bankruptcy,  Insolvency,  etc.  In  the  event  of  (a)  any
insolvency,  dissolution,  winding up, liquidation,  readjustment,  composition,
reorganization  or other  similar  proceedings  relating to  Mortgagor  (whether
voluntary  or  involuntary,  partial or  complete,  and  whether in  bankruptcy,
insolvency or receivership,  or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors,
or any other marshaling of the assets and liabilities of Mortgagor,  or any sale
of all or substantially all of the Mortgaged Property, or otherwise ) or (b) any
receivership  or other  equivalent  proceeding  with  respect  to the  Mortgaged
Property, the UBS


<PAGE>36


Loan shall first be indefeasibly paid in full before Mortgagee shall be entitled
to retain any payment or  distribution  received  as  proceeds of the  Mortgaged
Property of any kind of  character,  whether in cash,  property  or  securities.
Mortgagee hereby irrevocably authorizes and agrees that the Prior Mortgagee may,
at its sole discretion, in the name of Mortgagee, or otherwise, demand, sue for,
collect,  receive and give receipt for any and all payments or  distributions of
any kind or  character,  whether  in cash,  property  or  securities,  which are
proceeds of the Mortgaged  Property to which  Mortgagee would be entitled if the
Mortgage  were not subject to the Prior  Mortgage  pursuant to the terms hereof.
Upon request,  Mortgagee  shall furnish to the Prior  Mortgagee,  as promptly as
practicable,  all  information  in its  possession  relating  to  the  Mortgaged
Property which the Prior Mortgagee considers  reasonably necessary in connection
with any action by the Prior Mortgagee permitted under the foregoing  provisions
of Section 5.10.  Mortgagee will not initiate any  proceedings to modify or lift
the stay provided for in SECTION 362(a) of Title 11 of the United States Code in
respect of the Mortgage or the Mortgaged Property.  Notwithstanding  anything to
the  contrary  contained  herein,  nothing  contained in this Section 5.10 shall
preclude  Mortgagee from asserting any claim in any such proceeding with respect
to all Secured Obligations  secured hereby as it pertains to any property,  cash
or securities of Borrower other than the Mortgaged Property.

     Section 5.11 Other Payments.  In the event that the Mortgagee  receives any
payment or other  distribution  of any kind or character  from the  Mortgagor or
from any other source whatsoever as proceeds of the Mortgaged Property, which it
is  not  entitled  to  retain  pursuant  to  this  Article  V,  Mortgagee  shall
immediately  deliver  the same to the  Prior  Mortgagee,  in the form  received,
together with any necessary endorsements,  in each case for application pursuant
to the UBS Loan  Documents,  but until so received by the Prior  Mortgagee,  the
same shall be held in trust by Mortgagee as the property of the Prior Mortgagee.



<PAGE>37


                                   ARTICLE VI

                   RESTATEMENT OF POST-PETITION MORTGAGE LIENS

     Section  6.01  Post-Petition  Mortgage  Liens.  This  Mortgage  amends  and
restates in their entirety the Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens;  provided that, to
the fullest  extent  permitted by law,  (a) the priority of all liens,  security
interests and other  encumbrances  evidenced  hereby or arising  hereunder shall
relate back to the date and time the Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens were granted;
(b) nothing herein shall impair the creation, attachment, perfection or priority
of the  Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens; and (c) nothing herein shall constitute a
novation or discharge of the obligations  secured by the Post-Petition  Mortgage
Liens.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this Mortgage has been duly executed by Mortgagor and
Mortgagee as of the day and year first above written.

                                       MORTGAGOR:

                                       PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


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


                                       MORTGAGEE:

                                       CANADIAN  IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                                         as Coordinating and Collateral Agent


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



CONSENTED AND AGREED TO:

[UBS MORTGAGE FINANCE, INC.]



<PAGE>38


[BA LEASING & CAPITAL CORPORATION]


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

                            [NOTARY BLOCK -- PAYLESS]


                             [NOTARY BLOCK -- CIBC]

                        [NOTARY BLOCK - PRIOR MORTGAGEE]



<PAGE>39



                                    EXHIBIT A

                              (DESCRIPTION OF LAND)



<PAGE>40



                                    EXHIBIT B

                             (LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS)



<PAGE>COVER
                                                                           UBS

                                   EXHIBIT D-2

                          FORM OF SECOND DEED OF TRUST


                                          State              Site No.          
                                                -----------          ----------

                              SECOND DEED OF TRUST,
                  LEASEHOLD DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS AND FIXTURE FILING


Trustor:          PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
                  2300 Main Street
                  Kansas City, Missouri  64108


Beneficiary:      CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                    as Coordinating and
                    Collateral Agent
                  425 Lexington Avenue
                  New York, New York  10017


Trustee:


Deed of Trust
  Amount:                  $____________


Date:                      December 2, 1997


Premises:


Record and                 SHOOK, HARDY & BACON L.L.P.
Return to:                 1200 Main St., Suite 3000
                           Kansas City, MO 64105
                           Attn.: Richard D. Woods, Esq.


<PAGE>1



     SECOND  DEED  OF  TRUST,  LEASEHOLD  DEED  OF  TRUST,  SECURITY  AGREEMENT,
ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS AND FIXTURE FILING, dated as of December 2, 1997,
by and among PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC., a Delaware corporation, having an office at
2300    Main    Street,     Kansas    City,    Missouri    64108    ("Trustor"),
_______________________,    a   _____________   having   an   office   at   ____
_______________________  ("Trustee"), and CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, as
Coordinating 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 Lenders
signatory  thereto,  the  Underwriters,  U.S.  Bank National  Association,  as a
Fronting Bank, and Canadian  Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as Fronting Bank and as
Coordinating  and  Collateral  Agent for the Lenders,  the Fronting  Banks,  the
Underwriters and the other Secured Parties, together with any future amendments,
amendments and restatements, extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or
thereof.

     "Bankruptcy Case" means In re Payless Cashways,  Inc., Case No. 97-50543 in
the Bankruptcy Court.

     "Bankruptcy Code" means 11 U.S.C. ss.101 et seq.

     "Bankruptcy Court" means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western
District of Missouri.

     "Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan" means Payless' plan of reorganization in
the Bankruptcy Case, as confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court.

     "Deed of Trust" means this Second Deed of Trust,  Leasehold  Deed of Trust,
Security  Agreement,  Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filing together
with  any  future   amendments,   amendments   and   restatements,   extensions,
modifications or supplements hereto or hereof.


<PAGE>2


     "Deed of Trust  Amount"  means  the  principal  sum of  $_________________.

     "Default" means Default, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Default  Rate" means the rate of interest  specified in Section  2.8(a) of
the Agreement.

     "DIP Agent" means the DIP Agent, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "DIP Credit Agreement" means the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as
of July 21, 1997, among Payless,  as a  Debtor-in-Possession,  the Lenders,  the
Underwriters and the Fronting Banks party thereto and Canadian  Imperial Bank of
Commerce,  as Coordinating and Collateral  Agent,  together with any amendments,
amendments and restatements, extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or
thereof prior to the date of the Agreement.

     "DIP Obligations" means the DIP Obligations, as that term is defined in 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  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 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.

     "Fronting  Banks" means the Fronting  Banks, as that term is defined in the
Agreement.


<PAGE>3



     "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.

     "Lenders" means the Lenders, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Lessee" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01 hereof.

     "Loan Documents"  means the Loan 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.

     "Payless" means Payless Cashways, Inc., an Iowa corporation.

     "Post-Petition Mortgage Liens" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the
fourth WHEREAS clause, below.

     "Pre-Petition  Agent" means the Pre-Petition Agent, as that term is defined
in the Agreement.

     "Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement"  means the  Amended and  Restated  Credit
Agreement  dated as of  October  3,  1996,  by and among  Payless,  the  lenders
signatory thereto,  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as letter of credit bank
and as  administrative  and  collateral  agent,  and The  Bank  of Nova  Scotia,
NationsBank of Texas,  N.A. and Bank of America  National Trust and Savings,  as
co-agents,   together  with  any   amendments,   amendments  and   restatements,
extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or thereof prior to the date of
the Agreement.


<PAGE>4


     "Pre-Petition Obligations" means the Pre-Petition Obligations, 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 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.

     "Prior  Deed of Trust"  means  that Deed of Trust,  Mortgage  and  Security
Agreement  executed by Trustor to The Prudential  Insurance  Company of America,
dated [June 15, 1989]  [_______________,  19__ and recorded on [________,  1989]
[____________,  19___],  as  assigned to Prior  Beneficiary  and amended by that
certain  Amendment  to Deed of Trust,  Mortgage  and  Security  Agreement  dated
_________,  1997, as amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented  or otherwise
modified to the extent permitted by the Agreement.

     ["Prior Beneficiary" means UBS Mortgage Finance, Inc., as beneficiary under
the Prior Deed of Trust.]

     "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.

     "UBS  Collateral"  means the real property listed on Schedule 1.1(c) to the
Agreement,  together  with  improvements,  fixtures and  appurtenances  relating
thereto, which is collateral pursuant to the relevant UBS Loan Documents.

     "UBS  Loan  Agreement"   means  that  certain  Amended  and  Restated  Loan
Agreement, dated December 2, 1997, between Trustor and Prior Beneficiary, as the
same may be hereafter amended,  amended and restated,  supplemented or otherwise
modified to the extent permitted by Section 5.04 hereof.

     "UBS Loan Documents"  means the UBS Loan  Agreement,  each of the mortgages
and deeds of trust  heretofore  delivered by Trustor to Prior  Beneficiary  with
respect to UBS  Collateral,  as amended as of  December  2, 1997 and any and all
documents,  agreements


<PAGE>5


and instruments related thereto,  each as may be amended,  amended and restated,
supplemented  or  otherwise  modified to the extent  permitted  by Section  5.04
hereof.

     "Underwriters"  means  Underwriters,   as  that  term  is  defined  in  the
Agreement.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

     WHEREAS, on July 21, 1997, Payless filed a voluntary petition of bankruptcy
under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court; and

     WHEREAS,  prior to the  commencement  of the Bankruptcy  Case,  Payless was
obligated  to the Lenders or their  predecessors-in-interest  pursuant to, among
other things, the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement; and


     WHEREAS, during the Bankruptcy Case, Payless became obligated to certain of
the Lenders pursuant to the DIP Credit Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the orders of the Bankruptcy Court entered on July 21,
1997  and  August  20,  1997  in the  Bankruptcy  Case,  the DIP  Agent  and the
Pre-Petition  Agent were granted liens (the  "Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens") on
the  Mortgaged  Property  to secure  the  Pre-Petition  Obligations  and the DIP
Obligations; and

     WHEREAS,  as  contemplated  by  Payless'  Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan,
Payless has merged with and into Trustor,  with Trustor being the sole surviving
entity; and

     WHEREAS,  pursuant to the terms of the Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan and
the  Agreement,  the parties have agreed among other  things,  (i) to permit the
merger of Payless into Trustor,  (ii) to secure  various  obligations of Payless
(as Trustor's  predecessor) in respect of the  Pre-Petition  Obligations and the
DIP  Obligations,  and (iii)  without  duplication,  to secure all  obligations,
whether now  existing or  hereafter  incurred or arising,  of Trustor  under the
Agreement,  the  Notes  and/or  the other  Loan  Documents,  including,  without
limitation, the Secured Obligations; in each case as more particularly set forth
in the Agreement and this Deed of Trust; and

     WHEREAS, Trustor is the actual, record and beneficial owner of the Premises
or owns an actual beneficial interest therein; and

     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


<PAGE>6


     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  confirms the Post Petition  Mortgage  Liens and 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") subject,
however, to the Prior Deed of Trust:

     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.



<PAGE>7


     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;  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.

     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.


<PAGE>8


     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.

     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,  subject to the Prior Deed of
Trust,  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, subject to the rights of the Prior Beneficiary.

     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 all
indebtedness,   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 or the other Secured Parties,  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



<PAGE>9


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
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  and the Prior  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 the Prior Deed of
Trust and liens and  claims in favor of  Beneficiary;  and this Deed of Trust is
and will remain a valid and enforceable  lien on the Mortgaged  Property subject
only to the permitted exceptions referred to above.

          (b) Trustor has full power and lawful authority,  and has obtained the
written  consent of the Prior  Beneficiary,  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 Ben-


<PAGE>10


eficiary  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 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


<PAGE>11


case,  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 (subject to the rights of
the Prior Beneficiary),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.

     Subject  to the Prior  Deed of Trust,  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, subject to the Prior Deed of Trust,
Trustor  within  ten (10) 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.



<PAGE>12


          (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  (subject to the Prior Deed
of Trust). 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  Agreement
(subject to the Prior Deed of Trust).

          (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.


<PAGE>13


          (e) Trustor 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 Beneficiary has approved the insurance company and the
form and content of the insurance policy,  including,  without  limitation,  the
naming  thereon of  Beneficiary  as a named  insured  with loss,  subject to the
rights  of the  Prior  Beneficiary,  payable  to  Beneficiary  under a  standard
mortgagee  endorsement of the character  above  described and the inclusion of a
provision therein obligating said insurance company to provide  Beneficiary with
notice thirty (30) days prior to cancellation, lapse or amendment of any policy.
Trustor  shall  immediately  notify  Beneficiary   whenever  any  such  separate
insurance is taken out and shall promptly  deliver to Beneficiary  the policy or
policies of such insurance.

          (f) Subject to the Prior Deed of Trust,  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.



<PAGE>14


          (b) Subject to the Prior Deed of Trust, 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.  Subject to the Prior Deed
of Trust, 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.  Subject to the Prior Deed of Trust,  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 owed in respect of the Secured
Obligations and herein.

          (e) Subject to the Prior Deed of Trust, 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 in respect of the Secured
Obligations.

     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


<PAGE>15


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 with respect to the Secured  Obligations or
in 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 the
Prior Deed of Trust) 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 and the Prior Deed of Trust.

     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 other Loan  Documents  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  or
participate  in  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 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.


<PAGE>16


     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 and the Prior Deed of
Trust. 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  and,  while the Prior Deed of Trust is in  effect,  the Prior Deed of
Trust.

     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  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


<PAGE>17


as now 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
1.21:  (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  Beneficiary's  request;  and (iv)
Trustor shall defend,  indemnify and hold harmless  Beneficiary,  its employees,
agents,  officers  and  directors,  attorneys  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-


<PAGE>18


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.

     Subject  to the Prior  Deed of Trust,  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 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 marshaling 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.


<PAGE>19



     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 and the Prior Deed of Trust.

          (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 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, subject to the Prior Deed of Trust,  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


<PAGE>20


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,  subject to the Prior Deed of Trust 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  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  (subject,  in each case,  to the Prior Deed of
Trust and Sections 5.05 and 5.06 of this Deed of Trust):

          (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


<PAGE>21


     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 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 as then 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


<PAGE>22


          (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  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. Subject
to the Prior Deed of Trust,  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,


<PAGE>23


and shall be a perpetual bar, both at law and in equity,  against  Trustor,  its
successors and assigns, and (subject to the Prior Deed of Trust) 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  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


<PAGE>24


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 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  7.2 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 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  required to be paid by Trustor  pursuant to any provision of this Deed
of Trust,  and in addition thereto such further amount as shall be sufficient to
cover  the  costs  and  expenses  of  collection,   including   compensation  to
Beneficiary  and/or Trustee,  their agents and counsel and any expenses incurred
by Beneficiary or Trustee  hereunder.  In 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


<PAGE>25


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 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) subject to the Prior Deed
of Trust, if required by Beneficiary or


<PAGE>26


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,  subject  to the Prior Deed of Trust,  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,
subject to the Prior Deed of Trust, 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 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


<PAGE>27


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 covenants  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 to Beneficiary the fair and reasonable  rental value,  which amount shall be
determined  by the  Beneficiary  in its  reasonable  judgment,  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,  subject to the Prior
Deed of Trust, 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.  Any  payments  received  under this
Section 2.09 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, and subject to the Prior Deed of Trust,


<PAGE>28


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, and subject to the Prior Deed of Trust, 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

     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 subject to the Prior Deed of Trust and 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


<PAGE>29


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  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 and subject to the Prior Deed of Trust,  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


<PAGE>30


the Mortgaged Property or any part thereof unless otherwise  permitted under the
Agreement and the Prior Deed of Trust 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 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.



<PAGE>31


                                   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 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  9.1 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.


<PAGE>32


     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  Secured
Obligations 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 Lessees.  Subject to
the Prior Deed of Trust,  in the event  Trustor or any of  Trustor's  successors
conveys or leases without the prior approval of Beneficiary (except as otherwise
permitted herein or in the Agreement or the Prior Deed of Trust) 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


<PAGE>33


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  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  or  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 Trustee to be genuine and to have been signed by
the party or parties  purporting  to sign the


<PAGE>34


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 4.17 Particular State Provisions. There is attached 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.


<PAGE>35



                                    ARTICLE V

                CERTAIN PROVISIONS CONCERNING THE PRIOR MORTGAGE

     Section 5.01 Payment on Prior Deed of Trust.  Trustor  will  promptly  pay,
when due and payable,  the interest,  principal,  and all other sums and charges
secured  by and  described  in,  the Prior  Deed of Trust and the other UBS Loan
Documents.

     Section 5.02  Performance  of UBS Loan  Documents.  Trustor  will  promptly
perform and observe all of the terms,  covenants,  and conditions required to be
performed  and  observed  by Trustor  under the UBS Loan  Documents,  within the
periods  (inclusive of grace periods)  provided in the UBS Loan  Documents,  and
will do all things necessary to avoid the occurrence of any default with respect
to the UBS Loan Documents.

     Section 5.03 Default on UBS Loan Documents.  Any Event of Default under the
UBS Loan Documents shall be an Event of Default under Article II of this Deed of
Trust.

     Section 5.04 No  Modifications.  Trustor  will not directly or  indirectly,
amend,  modify,  supplement,  waive  compliance with, or assent to noncompliance
with,  any term,  provision or condition of the UBS Loan Agreement or any of the
other  UBS Loan  Documents  as in  effect  on  December  2,  1997 (A)  which the
Beneficiary or the Majority Revolving Lenders deem 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  any of the Loan  Documents)  or (B)  which  the
Beneficiary  reasonably determines would place any further material restrictions
on the Trustor or its Subsidiaries or materially increase the obligations of the
Trustor or any of its  Subsidiaries  thereunder or confer on the holders thereof
any material additional rights.

     Section 5.05 Consent of Prior Beneficiary.  Notwithstanding anything to the
contrary  contained in this Deed of Trust,  the rights of Beneficiary  hereunder
will be limited in that, until all of the obligations  secured by the Prior Deed
of Trust have been  indefeasibly  paid in full,  Beneficiary  shall not, without
obtaining the prior written consent of the Prior Beneficiary,  which consent may
be withheld in Prior  Beneficiary's  sole and  absolute  discretion  (a) modify,
amend,  supplement or extend the terms and  provisions of Article V of this Deed
of Trust, or (b) commence an enforcement action or other remedial proceeding, or
(c)  exercise  any  remedies  provided for under this Deed of Trust at law or in
equity with respect to the Mortgaged Property  (including,  without  limitation,
the  commencement of foreclosure  proceedings or the appointment of a receiver),
or (d) seek to enforce any judgment  against the Mortgaged  Property in a manner
which is prohibited under this Article V, or (e) otherwise use its position as a
junior


<PAGE>36


lienor  to take any  actions  with  respect  to the  Mortgaged  Property,  or to
interfere with or otherwise  impede any actions that Prior  Beneficiary may wish
to take with respect to the Mortgaged Property;  provided,  that notwithstanding
the  provisions  set  forth  in (a)  through  (e)  above,  Beneficiary  may make
protective  advances  contemplated  by this  Deed of  Trust,  including  without
limitation, for past due real estate taxes, insurance premiums, repair costs and
other  amounts  which could result in a lien or  encumbrance  upon the Mortgaged
Property and may join in any  enforcement  action or other  remedial  proceeding
that has been commenced by or on behalf of the Prior  Beneficiary to assure that
Beneficiary's junior lien is not extinguished, diminished or otherwise adversely
affected;  provided further that the Prior  Beneficiary  consents to Beneficiary
acting  in  Trustor's  stead  under  this  Deed  of  Trust,  subject  to all the
conditions and  requirements  hereunder,  and under the UBS Loan  Documents,  if
Trustor is in default with respect to its  obligations to Beneficiary  (it being
understood that Beneficiary shall not, by the making of any protective  advance,
acquire  by  subrogation  or  otherwise  any  lien,  estate or  interest  in the
Mortgaged  Property  which may be prior to the lien,  estate or  interest of the
Prior  Beneficiary,  but the amount of any such advances shall be secured by the
lien of this Deed of Trust).

     Section 5.06 Subject to the UBS Loan  Documents.  Beneficiary  acknowledges
that the  terms,  conditions,  provisions  and lien of this Deed of  Trust,  any
Assignment of Leases and Rents hereafter  delivered to Beneficiary  with respect
to the Mortgaged  Property and any  documents  hereafter  delivered  pursuant to
Sections  1.02 and 1.03 of this  Deed of Trust and all of  Beneficiary's  rights
under this Deed of Trust, any Assignment of Leases and Rents hereafter delivered
to  Beneficiary  with  respect  to the  Mortgaged  Property  and  any  documents
hereafter  delivered pursuant to Section 1.02 and 1.03 are junior and subject to
the terms,  conditions,  provisions  and lien of the Prior Deed of Trust and the
other  UBS Loan  Documents  and all of Prior  Beneficiary's  rights  thereunder.
Beneficiary  further  acknowledges that if Trustor's  compliance with any of the
terms, covenants,  conditions or other provisions of this Deed of Trust would be
inconsistent with or cause a default under the UBS Loan Documents, Trustor shall
not be  obligated  to comply  with such term,  covenant  or  condition  or other
provision  contained  in this  Deed of  Trust.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,
nothing herein shall preclude the operation of any term, covenant, provision, or
condition  of, or right of  Beneficiary  under,  this Deed of Trust which is not
inconsistent  with,  the terms,  covenants,  provisions  and  conditions of, and
rights of Prior Beneficiary under the Prior Deed of Trust and the other UBS Loan
Documents, and which would not cause a default under, the UBS Loan Documents.

     Section 5.07 Third Party  Beneficiary.  It is expressly intended and agreed
by the parties to this Deed of Trust that (a) the Prior  Beneficiary  is a third
party  beneficiary  of this  Deed of Trust  and is  relying  upon the  terms and
provisions  of this  Article  V, (b) the Prior Deed of Trust  shall be  recorded
first, (c) the Prior  Beneficiary shall have the right, in addition to all other
remedies,  to specifically enforce the provisions of this Article V and shall be
entitled to injunctive and other  equitable  relief in connection  therewith and
(d)  Trustor  and  Beneficiary


<PAGE>37


expressly  agree that the rights of the parties  hereunder  are the same as they
would be if the  Beneficiary  and the Prior  Beneficiary had executed a separate
intercreditor agreement.

     Section 5.08 Consent to Non-Disturbance Agreement.  Trustee and Beneficiary
hereby  agree to give a  non-disturbance  agreement to any lessee or tenant with
respect  to  which  the  Prior   Beneficiary   shall  have  executed  a  similar
non-disturbance  agreement and, if the Trustee and Beneficiary  fail to give any
such non-disturbance  agreement,  the Trustee and Beneficiary nevertheless agree
not to disturb the possession or occupancy of any lessee or tenant of all or any
portion of the Mortgaged Property without the prior written consent of the Prior
Beneficiary in each instance.

     Section  5.09  Release  of  Mortgaged  Property.  Subject  to the terms and
provisions  of  Section  6.3(h)  of  the  Agreement,  in  the  event  the  Prior
Beneficiary  releases all or any portion of the Mortgaged Property from the lien
of the Prior Deed of Trust,  then Beneficiary  hereby  irrevocably  appoints the
Prior Beneficiary as its attorney-in-fact  (coupled with an interest) to execute
and deliver,  in the name, and on behalf of  Beneficiary,  any and all documents
necessary  to release the  Mortgaged  Property (or such  portion  thereof  being
released from the lien of the Prior Deed of Trust) from the lien of this Deed of
Trust.  Beneficiary hereby acknowledges that it shall not be entitled to receive
any payment in  connection  with the release of the  Mortgaged  Property (or any
portion  thereof)  from  the  lien of this  Deed of  Trust,  including,  without
limitation,  the  proceeds  of any sale  thereof,  unless  and  until  the Prior
Beneficiary is fully paid all sums due under the UBS Loan Documents. The Trustor
hereby agrees that it will provide the Beneficiary with written notice as to the
release of all or any  portion of the  Mortgaged  Property  from the lien of the
Prior Deed of Trust.

     Section  5.10  Bankruptcy,  Insolvency,  etc.  In  the  event  of  (a)  any
insolvency,  dissolution,  winding up, liquidation,  readjustment,  composition,
reorganization  or  other  similar  proceedings  relating  to  Trustor  (whether
voluntary  or  involuntary,  partial or  complete,  and  whether in  bankruptcy,
insolvency or receivership,  or upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors,
or any other marshaling of the assets and liabilities of Trustor, or any sale of
all or substantially  all of the Mortgaged  Property,  or otherwise ) or (b) any
receivership  or other  equivalent  proceeding  with  respect  to the  Mortgaged
Property,  all sums due under the UBS Loan Documents shall first be indefeasibly
paid in full  before  Beneficiary  shall be  entitled  to retain any  payment or
distribution  received  as  proceeds  of the  Mortgaged  Property of any kind or
character,   whether  in  cash,  property  or  securities.   Beneficiary  hereby
irrevocably  authorizes and agrees that the Prior  Beneficiary  may, in its sole
discretion, in the name of Beneficiary, or otherwise,  demand, sue for, collect,
receive and give receipt for any and all payments or  distributions  of any kind
or character, whether in cash, property or securities, which are proceeds of the
Mortgaged  Property to which  Beneficiary would be entitled if the Deed of Trust
were not subject to the Prior Deed of Trust  pursuant to the terms hereof.


<PAGE>38


Upon request, Beneficiary shall furnish to the Prior Beneficiary, as promptly as
practicable,  all  information  in its  possession  relating  to  the  Mortgaged
Property  which  the  Prior  Beneficiary   considers   reasonably  necessary  in
connection  with  any  action  by the  Prior  Beneficiary  permitted  under  the
foregoing  provisions  of this Section 5.10.  Beneficiary  will not initiate any
proceedings  to modify or lift the stay provided for in SECTION  362(a) of Title
11 of the  United  States  Code in  respect  of the  Mortgage  or the  Mortgaged
Property.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained herein,  nothing
contained in this Section 5.10 shall  preclude  Beneficiary  from  asserting any
claim in any such  proceeding  with respect to all Secured  Obligations  secured
hereby as it pertains to any property, cash or securities of Borrower other than
the Mortgaged Property.

     Section 5.11 Other Payments. In the event that the Beneficiary receives any
payment or other  distribution of any kind or character from the Trustor or from
any other source whatsoever as proceeds of the Mortgaged  Property,  which it is
not entitled to retain pursuant to this Article V, Beneficiary shall immediately
deliver the same to the Prior Beneficiary,  in the form received,  together with
any necessary  endorsements,  in each case for  application  pursuant to the UBS
Loan Documents,  but until so received by the Prior Beneficiary,  the same shall
be held in trust by Beneficiary as the property of the Prior Beneficiary.

                                   ARTICLE VI

                   RESTATEMENT OF POST-PETITION MORTGAGE LIENS

     Section 6.01  Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens.  This Deed of Trust amends and
restates in their entirety the Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens;  provided that, to
the fullest  extent  permitted by law, (as) the priority of all liens,  security
interests and other  encumbrances  evidenced  hereby or arising  hereunder shall
relate back to the date and time the Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens were granted;
(b) nothing herein shall impair the creation, attachment, perfection or priority
of the  Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens; and (c) nothing herein shall constitute a
novation or discharge of the obligations  secured by the Post-Petition  Mortgage
Liens.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this Deed of Trust has been duly  executed by Trustor
and Beneficiary as of the day and year first above written.


<PAGE>39



                                       TRUSTOR:

                                       PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


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


                                       BENEFICIARY:

                                       CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, 
                                         as Coordinating and Collateral Agent


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

CONSENTED AND AGREED TO:

[UBS MORTGAGE FINANCE, INC.]


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


                            [NOTARY BLOCK -- PAYLESS]


                             [NOTARY BLOCK -- CIBC]

                        [NOTARY BLOCK - PRIOR MORTGAGEE]




<PAGE>40



                                    EXHIBIT A

                              (DESCRIPTION OF LAND)


<PAGE>41


                                    EXHIBIT B

                             (LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS)




<PAGE>COVER



                                   EXHIBIT D-3

                      FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED MORTGAGE


                                               State:         Site No(s).:      
                                                     ---------            ------

               AMENDED AND RESTATED MORTGAGE, LEASEHOLD MORTGAGE,
               SECURITY AGREEMENT, ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS
                               AND FIXTURE FILING


Mortgagor:   PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
             2300 Main Street
             Kansas City, Missouri  64108


Mortgagee:   CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
               as Coordinating and Collateral Agent
             425 Lexington Avenue
             New York, New York  10017


Mortgage
  Amount:    $500,000,000



Date:        December 2, 1997



Premises:




Record and   SHOOK, HARDY & BACON L.L.P.
Return to:   1200 Main St., Suite 3000
             Kansas City, MO 64105
             Attn.: Richard D. Woods, Esq.


<PAGE>1


     AMENDED AND RESTATED  MORTGAGE,  LEASEHOLD  MORTGAGE,  SECURITY  AGREEMENT,
ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS AND FIXTURE FILING, dated as of December 2, 1997,
by and between PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC., a Delaware corporation,  having an office
at 2300 Main Street,  Kansas City,  Missouri 64108  ("Mortgagor"),  and CANADIAN
IMPERIAL  BANK OF  COMMERCE,  as  Coordinating  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
as of December 2, 1997, by and among Mortgagor,  the signatory  Lenders thereto,
the  Underwriters,  U.S.  Bank National  Association,  as a Fronting  Bank,  and
Canadian  Imperial Bank of Commerce,  as a Fronting Bank and as Coordinating and
Collateral  Agent for the Lenders,  the Fronting Banks, the Underwriters and the
other Secured  Parties,  together  with any future  amendments,  amendments  and
restatements, extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or thereof.

     "Bankruptcy Case" means In re Payless Cashways,  Inc., Case No. 97-50543 in
the Bankruptcy Court.

     "Bankruptcy Code" means 11 U.S.C. ss.101 et seq.

     "Bankruptcy Court" means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western
District of Missouri.

     "Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan" means Payless' plan of reorganization in
the Bankruptcy Case, as confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court.

     "Default" means Default, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Default  Rate" means the rate of interest  specified in Section  2.8(a) of
the Agreement.


    "DIP Agent" means the DIP Agent, as that term is defined in the Agreement.



<PAGE>2


     "DIP Credit  Agreement" means the Revolving Credit  Agreement,  dated as of
July 21, 1997,  among  Payless,  as a  Debtor-in-Possession,  the  Lenders,  the
Underwriters and the Fronting Banks party thereto and Canadian  Imperial Bank of
Commerce,  as Coordinating and Collateral  Agent,  together with any amendments,
amendments and restatements, extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or
thereof prior to the date of the Agreement.

     "DIP Obligations" means the DIP Obligations, as that term is defined in the
Agreement.

     "Event of Default" means the events and circumstances  described as such in
Article II hereof.

     "Fixtures"  means  all of  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 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.

     "Fronting  Banks" means the Fronting  Banks, as that term is defined in the
Agreement.

     "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.

     "Lenders" means the Lenders, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Lessee" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01 hereof.


<PAGE>3



     "Loan Documents"  means the Loan Documents,  as that term is defined in the
Agreement.

     "Loans" means the Loans, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Mortgage" means this Amended and Restated  Mortgage,  Leasehold  Mortgage,
Security  Agreement,  Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filing together
with  any  future   amendments,   amendments   and   restatements,   extensions,
modifications or supplements hereto or hereof.

     "Mortgage  Amount" means an aggregate  principal amount  outstanding at any
time not to exceed $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.

     "Payless" means Payless Cashways, Inc., an Iowa corporation.

     "Post-Petition Mortgage Liens" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the
fifth WHEREAS clause, below.

     "Pre-Petition  Agent" means the Pre-Petition Agent, as that term is defined
in the Agreement.

     "Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement"  means the  Amended and  Restated  Credit
Agreement  dated as of  October  3,  1996,  by and among  Payless,  the  lenders
signatory thereto,  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as letter of credit bank
and as  administrative  and  collateral  agent,  and The  Bank  of Nova  Scotia,
NationsBank of Texas,  N.A. and Bank of America  National Trust and Savings,  as
co-agents,   together  with  any   amendments,   amendments  and   restatements,
extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or thereof prior to the date of
the Agreement.


     "Pre-Petition  Mortgage" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the third
WHEREAS clause, below.

     "Pre-Petition Obligations" means the Pre-Petition Obligations, 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


<PAGE>4


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.

     "Underwriters"  means  Underwriters,   as  that  term  is  defined  in  the
Agreement.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

     WHEREAS, on July 21, 1997, Payless filed a voluntary petition of bankruptcy
under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court; and

     WHEREAS,  prior to the  commencement  of the Bankruptcy  Case,  Payless was
obligated  to certain of the  Lenders  pursuant  to,  among  other  things,  the
Pre-Petition Credit Agreement; and

     WHEREAS,  Payless'  obligations under the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement and
the other Credit  Documents (as defined in the  Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement)
were  secured by, among other  things,  the  following  real  property  security
instruments (individually and collectively, the "Pre-Petition Mortgage"):

          (a)  the  Mortgage,   Leasehold   Mortgage,   Security  Agreement  and
     Assignment of Leases and Rents,  dated as of October 3, 1996, from Payless,
     as  mortgagor,   in  favor  of  Canadian  Imperial  Bank  of  Commerce,  as
     administrative   and  collateral  agent  under  the   Pre-Petition   Credit
     Agreement, as mortgagee, and recorded ________ ___, 1996, at Book ___, Page
     ____ of the real property records of _________ County, ___________; and

         (b) the Mortgage, Leasehold Mortgage, Security Agreement and Assignment
    of  Leases  and  Rents,  dated as of  October  3,  1996,  from  Payless,  as
    mortgagor, in favor of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as administrative
    and collateral agent under the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement,  as mortgagee,
    and recorded ________ ___, 1996, at Book ___, Page ____ of the real property
    records of _________ County, ___________; and



<PAGE>5


         (c) the Mortgage, Leasehold Mortgage, Security Agreement and Assignment
    of  Leases  and  Rents,  dated as of  October  3,  1996,  from  Payless,  as
    mortgagor, in favor of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as administrative
    and collateral agent under the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement,  as mortgagee,
    and recorded ________ ___, 1996, at Book ___, Page ____ of the real property
    records of _________ County, ___________; and

         (d) the Mortgage, Leasehold Mortgage, Security Agreement and Assignment
    of  Leases  and  Rents,  dated as of  October  3,  1996,  from  Payless,  as
    mortgagor, in favor of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as administrative
    and collateral agent under the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement,  as mortgagee,
    and recorded ________ ___, 1996, at Book ___, Page ____ of the real property
    records of _________ County, ___________; and

     WHEREAS, during the Bankruptcy Case, Payless became obligated to certain of
the Lenders pursuant to the DIP Credit Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the orders of the Bankruptcy Court entered on July 21,
1997  and  August  20,  1997  in the  Bankruptcy  Case,  the DIP  Agent  and the
Pre-Petition  Agent were granted liens (the  "Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens") on
the  Mortgaged  Property  to secure  the  Pre-Petition  Obligations  and the DIP
Obligations; and

     WHEREAS,  as  contemplated  by  Payless'  Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan,
Payless  has  merged  with and into  Mortgagor,  with  Mortgagor  being the sole
surviving entity; and

     WHEREAS,   Canadian  Imperial  Bank  of  Commerce,   the  Coordinating  and
Collateral Agent under the Agreement and this Mortgage, is the same legal entity
as Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce,  New York Agency,  the administrative and
collateral  agent under the  Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement and the Pre-Petition
Mortgage; and

     WHEREAS,  pursuant to the terms of the Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan and
the  Agreement,  the parties  have agreed to amend and restate the  Pre-Petition
Mortgage pursuant to this Mortgage in order,  among other things, (i) to reflect
the merger of Payless into  Mortgagor,  (ii) to secure  various  obligations  of
Mortgagor (as Payless' successor) in respect of the Pre-Petition Obligations and
the DIP Obligations,  and (iii) without duplication,  to secure all obligations,
whether now existing or hereafter  incurred or arising,  of Mortgagor  under the
Agreement,  the  Notes  and/or  the other  Loan  Documents,  including,  without
limitation, the Secured Obligations; in each case as more particularly set forth
in the Agreement and this Mortgage; and

     WHEREAS,  Mortgagor  is the  actual,  record  and  beneficial  owner of the
Premises or owns an actual beneficial interest therein; and


<PAGE>6


     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  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.



<PAGE>7


     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.

     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.

     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


<PAGE>8


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 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 all
indebtedness,   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 or the other Secured Parties,  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 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 Mortgagee in the exercise of
any rights hereunder or under any 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").



<PAGE>9


                                    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; 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


<PAGE>10


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 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


<PAGE>11


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  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  insurance for such risks  covering  Mortgagee's  interest,  and
Mortgagor will pay all premiums thereon  promptly upon demand by Mortgagee,  and
until such


<PAGE>12


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 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


<PAGE>13


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
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 owed in respect of the Secured  Obligations
and herein.



<PAGE>14


          (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 in respect of the Secured Obligations.

     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 with respect to the Secured Obligations or in 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.

     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 other  Loan  Documents,  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 or participate in 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.


<PAGE>15


     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 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


<PAGE>16


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 now 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 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  made 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,  attorneys,  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


<PAGE>17


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 attorneys' 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."

     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 marshaling 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.


<PAGE>18


          (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.

                                   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 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 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,  additions,  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


<PAGE>19


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 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


<PAGE>20


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 as then 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 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


<PAGE>21


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) 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


<PAGE>22


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 extent 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
7.2 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 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.



<PAGE>23


     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 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.



<PAGE>24


     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 any 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 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  obligation  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.


<PAGE>25


     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 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 covenants  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 to
Mortgagee the fair and reasonable rental value, which amount shall be determined
by the Mortgagee in its reasonable  judgement,  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.  Any payments received
under this Section 2.09 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 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


<PAGE>26


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  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


<PAGE>27


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 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


<PAGE>28


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.

                                   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 9.1 of the Agreement.



<PAGE>29


     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.

     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  Secured
Obligations 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.



<PAGE>30


     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 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.


<PAGE>31


     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 attached 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.

                                    ARTICLE V

                            AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

     Section 5.01  Pre-Petition  Mortgage.  This Mortgage amends and restates in
its entirety the  Pre-Petition  Mortgage to which this Mortgage  relates and the
Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens;  provided,  however,  that, to the fullest extent
permitted by law, (a) the priority of all liens,  security  interests  and other
encumbrances evidenced hereby or arising hereunder shall relate back to the date
and time the Pre-Petition  Mortgage to which this Mortgage relates was recorded,
or to such earlier date and time as  permitted  by  applicable  law; (b) nothing
herein  shall impair the  creation,  attachment,  perfection  or priority of the
liens,  security interests and other encumbrances  evidenced by or arising under
the Pre-Petition  Mortgage to which this Mortgage  relates or the  Post-Petition
Mortgage Liens;  and (c) nothing herein shall constitute a novation or discharge
of the obligations  secured by the Pre-Petition  Mortgage to which this Mortgage
relates or the Post-Petition Mortgage Liens.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this Mortgage has been duly executed by Mortgagor and
Mortgagee as of the day and year first above written.

                                       MORTGAGOR:

                                       PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.




<PAGE>32


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


                                       MORTGAGEE:

                                       CANADIAN  IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,  
                                         as Coordinating and Collateral Agent



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




                            [NOTARY BLOCK -- PAYLESS]


                             [NOTARY BLOCK -- CIBC]



<PAGE>33



                                    EXHIBIT A

                              (DESCRIPTION OF LAND)


<PAGE>34



                                    EXHIBIT B

                             (LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS)




<PAGE>COVER


                                   EXHIBIT D-4

                   FORM OF AMENDED AND RESTATED DEED OF TRUST


State:                                                 Site No(s).:
      ---------                                                    -------------


                       AMENDED AND RESTATED DEED OF TRUST,
                  LEASEHOLD DEED OF TRUST, SECURITY AGREEMENT,
                ASSIGNMENT OF LEASES AND RENTS AND FIXTURE FILING


Trustor:          PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
                  2300 Main Street
                  Kansas City, Missouri  64108


Beneficiary:      CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                    as Coordinating and Collateral Agent
                  425 Lexington Avenue
                  New York, New York  10017


Trustee:


Deed of Trust
  Amount:         $500,000,000


Date:             December 2, 1997


Premises:


Record and        SHOOK, HARDY & BACON L.L.P.
Return to:        1200 Main St., Suite 3000
                  Kansas City, MO 64105
                  Attn.: Richard D. Woods, Esq.


<PAGE>1


     AMENDED  AND  RESTATED  DEED OF TRUST,  LEASEHOLD  DEED OF TRUST,  SECURITY
AGREEMENT,  ASSIGNMENT  OF  LEASES  AND RENTS AND  FIXTURE  FILING,  dated as of
December 2, 1997, by and among PAYLESS CASHWAYS,  INC., a Delaware  corporation,
having an office at 2300 Main Street,  Kansas City,  Missouri 64108 ("Trustor"),
_______________________,    a   _____________   having   an   office   at   ____
_______________________  ("Trustee"), and CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE, as
Coordinating 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
as of December 2, 1997, by and among Trustor, the signatory Lenders thereto, the
Underwriters,  U.S. Bank National Association,  as a Fronting Bank, and Canadian
Imperial Bank of Commerce, as a Fronting Bank and as Coordinating and Collateral
Agent for the  Lenders,  the  Fronting  Banks,  the  Underwriters  and the other
Secured   Parties,   together  with  any  future   amendments,   amendments  and
restatements, extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or thereof.

     "Bankruptcy Case" means In re Payless Cashways,  Inc., Case No. 97-50543 in
the Bankruptcy Court.

     "Bankruptcy Code" means 11 U.S.C. ss.101 et seq.

     "Bankruptcy Court" means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western
District of Missouri.

     "Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan" means Payless' plan of reorganization in
the Bankruptcy Case, as confirmed by the Bankruptcy Court.

     "Deed of Trust" means this Deed of Trust, Leasehold Deed of Trust, Security
Agreement,  Assignment of Leases and Rents and Fixture Filing  together with any
future  amendments,  amendments and restatements,  extensions,  modifications or
supplements hereto or hereof.

     "Deed of Trust Amount" means an aggregate  principal amount  outstanding at
any time not to exceed $500,000,000.


<PAGE>2



     "Default" means Default, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Default  Rate" means the rate of interest  specified in Section  2.8(a) of
the Agreement.

     "DIP Agent" means the DIP Agent, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "DIP Credit  Agreement" means the Revolving Credit  Agreement,  dated as of
July 21, 1997,  among  Payless,  as a  Debtor-in-Possession,  the  Lenders,  the
Underwriters and the Fronting Banks party thereto and Canadian  Imperial Bank of
Commerce,  as Coordinating and Collateral  Agent,  together with any amendments,
amendments and restatements, extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or
thereof prior to the date of the Agreement.

     "DIP Obligations" means the DIP Obligations, as that term is defined in 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  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 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.

     "Fronting  Banks" means the Fronting  Banks, as that term is defined in the
Agreement.

     "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.


<PAGE>3



     "Leasehold Interest" has the meaning ascribed to such term in paragraph "F"
of the Granting Clause, below.

     "Lenders" means the Lenders, as that term is defined in the Agreement.

     "Lessee" has the meaning ascribed to such term in Section 3.01 hereof.

     "LoanDocuments"  means the Loan  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.

     "Payless" means Payless Cashways, Inc., an Iowa corporation.

     "Post-Petition Mortgage Liens" has the meaning ascribed to such term in the
fifth WHEREAS clause, below.

     "Pre-Petition  Agent" means the Pre-Petition Agent, as that term is defined
in the Agreement.

     "Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement"  means the  Amended and  Restated  Credit
Agreement  dated as of  October  3,  1996,  by and among  Payless,  the  lenders
signatory thereto,  Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, as letter of credit bank
and as  administrative  and  collateral  agent,  and The  Bank  of Nova  Scotia,
NationsBank of Texas,  N.A. and Bank of America  National Trust and Savings,  as
co-agents,   together  with  any   amendments,   amendments  and   restatements,
extensions, modifications or supplements thereto or thereof prior to the date of
the Agreement.

     "Pre-Petition  Deed of Trust" has the meaning  ascribed to such term in the
third WHEREAS clause, below.

     "Pre-Petition Obligations" means the Pre-Petition Obligations, 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 Trustor 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.

     "Underwriters"  means  Underwriters,   as  that  term  is  defined  in  the
Agreement.

                              W I T N E S S E T H :

     WHEREAS, on July 21, 1997, Payless filed a voluntary petition of bankruptcy
under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the Bankruptcy Court; and

     WHEREAS,  prior to the  commencement  of the Bankruptcy  Case,  Payless was
obligated  to certain of the  Lenders  pursuant  to,  among  other  things,  the
Pre-Petition Credit Agreement; and

     WHEREAS,  Payless'  obligations under the Pre-Petition Credit Agreement and
the other Credit  Documents (as defined in the  Pre-Petition  Credit  Agreement)
were  secured by, among other  things,  the  following  real  property  security
instruments (individually and collectively, the "Pre-Petition Deed of Trust"):

          (a) the Deed of Trust, Leasehold Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and
     Assignment of Leases and Rents,  dated as of October 3, 1996, from Payless,
     as  trustor,  to the  trustee  named  therein,  for the benefit of Canadian
     Imperial Bank of Commerce, as administrative and collateral agent under the
     Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement,  as beneficiary,  and recorded  __________,
     1996,  at Book ___,  Page ____ of the real  property  records of  _________
     County, ___________; and

          (b) the Deed of Trust, Leasehold Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and
     Assignment of Leases and Rents,  dated as of October 3, 1996, from Payless,
     as  trustor,  to the  trustee  named  therein,  for the benefit of Canadian
     Imperial Bank of Commerce, as administrative and collateral agent under the
     Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement,  as beneficiary,  and recorded  __________,
     1996,  at Book ___,  Page ____ of the real  property  records of  _________
     County, ___________; and



<PAGE>5


          (c) the Deed of Trust, Leasehold Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and
     Assignment of Leases and Rents,  dated as of October 3, 1996, from Payless,
     as  trustor,  to the  trustee  named  therein,  for the benefit of Canadian
     Imperial Bank of Commerce, as administrative and collateral agent under the
     Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement,  as beneficiary,  and recorded  __________,
     1996,  at Book ___,  Page ____ of the real  property  records of  _________
     County, ___________; and

          (d) the Deed of Trust, Leasehold Deed of Trust, Security Agreement and
     Assignment of Leases and Rents,  dated as of October 3, 1996, from Payless,
     as  trustor,  to the  trustee  named  therein,  for the benefit of Canadian
     Imperial Bank of Commerce, as administrative and collateral agent under the
     Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement,  as beneficiary,  and recorded  __________,
     1996,  at Book ___,  Page ____ of the real  property  records of  _________
     County, ___________; and

     WHEREAS, during the Bankruptcy Case, Payless became obligated to certain of
the Lenders pursuant to the DIP Credit Agreement; and

     WHEREAS, pursuant to the orders of the Bankruptcy Court entered on July 21,
1997  and  August  20,  1997  in the  Bankruptcy  Case,  the DIP  Agent  and the
Pre-Petition  Agent were granted liens (the  "Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens") on
the  Mortgaged  Property  to secure  the  Pre-Petition  Obligations  and the DIP
Obligations; and

     WHEREAS,  as  contemplated  by  Payless'  Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan,
Payless has merged with and into Trustor,  with Trustor being the sole surviving
entity; and

     WHEREAS,   Canadian  Imperial  Bank  of  Commerce,   the  Coordinating  and
Collateral  Agent under the Agreement and this Deed of Trust,  is the same legal
entity  as  Canadian   Imperial   Bank  of  Commerce,   New  York  Agency,   the
administrative and collateral agent under the Pre-Petition  Credit Agreement and
the Pre-Petition Deed of Trust; and

     WHEREAS,  pursuant to the terms of the Bankruptcy  Reorganization  Plan and
the  Agreement,  the parties  have agreed to amend and restate the  Pre-Petition
Deed of Trust pursuant to this Deed of Trust in order,  among other things,  (i)
to  reflect  the  merger  of  Payless  into  Trustor,  (ii)  to  secure  various
obligations  of Trustor (as Payless'  successor) in respect of the  Pre-Petition
Obligations and the DIP Obligations,  and (iii) without  duplication,  to secure
all  obligations,  whether now  existing or  hereafter  incurred or arising,  of
Trustor  under  the  Agreement,  the Notes  and/or  the  other  Loan  Documents,
including,  without limitation,  the Secured  Obligations;  in each case as more
particularly set forth in the Agreement and this Deed of Trust; and

     WHEREAS, Trustor is the actual, record and beneficial owner of the Premises
or owns an actual beneficial interest therein; and


<PAGE>6


     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"):

     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.


<PAGE>7


     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;  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.

     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.



<PAGE>8


     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.

     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 all
indebtedness,   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 the other Secured Parties 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


<PAGE>9


of the 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 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.


<PAGE>10


     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,  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,
withhold-


<PAGE>11


ing,  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
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


<PAGE>12


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 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) Trustor 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 Beneficiary has approved the insurance company and the
form and content of the insurance policy,  including,  without  limitation,  the
naming  thereon  of  Beneficiary  as  a  named  insured  with  loss  payable  to
Beneficiary  under a  standard  mortgagee  endorsement  of the  character  above
described and the inclusion of a provision  therein  obligating  said  insurance
company  to  provide   Beneficiary   with  notice  thirty  (30)  days  prior  to
cancellation, lapse or amendment of any policy. Trustor shall immediately notify
Beneficiary whenever any such separate insurance is taken out and shall promptly
deliver to Beneficiary the policy or policies of such insurance.

          (f)  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


<PAGE>13


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 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 owed in respect of the Secured
Obligations and herein.



<PAGE>14


          (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 in respect of the Secured Obligations.

     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
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 with respect to the Secured Obligations or in 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 other Loan Documents, 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  or  participate  in 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.


<PAGE>15


     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 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  ordinances  relating to or  affecting
the Premises which could  reasonably


<PAGE>16


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 now 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
1.21:  (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  Beneficiary's  request;  and (iv)
Trustor shall defend,  indemnify and hold harmless  Beneficiary,  its employees,
agents,  officers  and  directors,  attorneys,  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


<PAGE>17


(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 attorneys' 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 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 marshaling 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.



<PAGE>18


     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 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,  addi-


<PAGE>19


tions,  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 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


<PAGE>20


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 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 as then 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  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


<PAGE>21


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  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


<PAGE>22


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 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  7.2 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 in lieu
of


<PAGE>23


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  required to be paid by Trustor  pursuant to any provision of this Deed
of Trust,  and in addition thereto such further amount as shall be sufficient to
cover  the  costs  and  expenses  of  collection,   including   compensation  to
Beneficiary  and/or Trustee,  their agents and counsel and any expenses incurred
by Beneficiary or Trustee  hereunder.  In 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


<PAGE>24


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 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


<PAGE>25


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 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 covenants  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 to Beneficiary the fair and reasonable  rental value,  which amount shall be
determined  by the  Beneficiary  in its  reasonable  judgement,  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.  Any payments  received under this Section 2.09 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


<PAGE>26


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

     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


<PAGE>27


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  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


<PAGE>28


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 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


<PAGE>29


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 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  9.1 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  Secured
Obligations 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 Lessees.  In the
event Trustor or any of Trustor's successors conveys or leases without the prior
approval  of  Beneficiary  (except  as


<PAGE>30


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  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


<PAGE>31


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  or  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 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


<PAGE>32


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 4.17 Particular State Provisions. There is attached 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.

                                    ARTICLE V

                            AMENDMENT AND RESTATEMENT

     Section  5.01  Pre-Petition  Deed of Trust.  This Deed of Trust  amends and
restates in its  entirety the  Pre-Petition  Deed of Trust to which this Deed of
Trust relates and the Post-Petition Mortgage Liens; provided,  however, that, to
the fullest  extent  permitted by law,  (a) the priority of all liens,  security
interests and other  encumbrances  evidenced  hereby or arising  hereunder shall
relate  back to the date and time the  Pre-Petition  Deed of Trust to which this
Deed of  Trust  relates  was  recorded,  or to such  earlier  date  and  time as
permitted  by  applicable  law; (b) nothing  herein  shall impair the  creation,
attachment,  perfection or priority of the liens,  security  interests and other
encumbrances  evidenced by or arising  under the  Pre-Petition  Deed of Trust to
which this Deed of Trust relates or the  Post-Petition  Mortgage Liens;  and (c)
nothing  herein shall  constitute  a novation or  discharge  of the  obligations
secured by the Pre-Petition Deed of Trust to which this Deed of Trust relates or
the Post-Petition Mortgage Liens.



<PAGE>33


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this Deed of Trust has been duly  executed by Trustor
and Beneficiary as of the day and year first above written.


                                       TRUSTOR:

                                       PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.



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


                                       BENEFICIARY:

                                       CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE,
                                         as Coordinating and Collateral Agent



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




<PAGE>34



                                    EXHIBIT A

                              (DESCRIPTION OF LAND)




<PAGE>35



                                    EXHIBIT B

                             (LOCAL LAW PROVISIONS)




<PAGE>COVER


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

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                 LOAN AGREEMENT




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

                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
                                   as Borrower

                                       and

                           UBS MORTGAGE FINANCE, INC.
                                    as Lender



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

                                  $100,809,000



                             As of December 2, 1997


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

<PAGE>1



                       AMENDED AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT


     AMENDED AND RESTATED  LOAN  AGREEMENT  dated as of the 2nd day of December,
1997, by and between PAYLESS  CASHWAYS,  INC., an Delaware  corporation  (herein
called "Borrower"), and UBS MORTGAGE FINANCE, INC., (herein called "Lender").

     WHEREAS, Borrower previously entered into a loan agreement dated as of June
20, 1989, with The Prudential Insurance Company of America  ("Prudential") under
which Borrower executed and delivered to Prudential  certain promissory notes in
the original  aggregate  principal  amount of  $230,242,500  (the "Prior Notes")
evidencing  the amount of the loan (the "Loan") made by  Prudential to Borrower,
which loan  agreement  has been  modified  and amended by that certain (a) First
Modification Agreement dated October 18, 1991, (b) Second Modification Agreement
dated December 17, 1991, (c) Third  Modification  Agreement dated as of December
31, 1991, (d) Fourth Modification Agreement dated as of March 8, 1993, (e) Fifth
Modification  Agreement  dated as of May 25,  1995,  and (f) Sixth  Modification
Agreement  dated as of November 22, 1995, (the loan agreement and all subsequent
modifications  thereto being  hereafter  referred to  collectively as the "Prior
Loan Agreement");

     WHEREAS,  Borrower  filed on July 21, 1997, a voluntary  petition  with the
United  States  Bankruptcy  Court for the Western  District of Missouri  and has
continued in the  possession of its assets and in the management of its business
pursuant to Sections 1107 and 1108 of the Bankruptcy Code; 

     WHEREAS,  UBS  Mortgage  Finance,   Inc.  has  purchased  all  interest  of
Prudential under the Prior Loan Agreement and the Prior Notes;

     WHEREAS, Borrower has now requested certain additional modifications to the
Prior Loan  Agreement to, among other things,  (1)  consolidate  the Prior Notes
into a single note;  (2) modify the rate of interest on the Loan; and (3) extend
the maturity and change the amortization of the Loan; and

     WHEREAS,  Lender has agreed to Borrower's request pursuant to the terms and
conditions  of this  Amended  and  Restated  Loan  Agreement,  which  amends and
restates the Prior Loan Agreement in its entirety.

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual agreements,
covenants and  conditions  hereinafter  set forth,  Borrower and Lender agree as
follows:



<PAGE>2


                                   ARTICLE I
                           Definitions and References
     Section 1.1 Defined Terms. As used in this Agreement, each of the following
terms  has the  meaning  given it in this  Section  1.1 or in the  sections  and
subsections referred to below:

     "ACM" means asbestos-containing materials.

     "Affiliate"  means,  as to any Person,  each other Person that  directly or
indirectly  (through  one or more  intermediaries  or  otherwise)  controls,  is
controlled by or is under common control with, such Person.

     "Agreement" means this Amended and Restated Loan Agreement.

     "Allocated Loan Amount" means with respect to each Individual  Property the
amount designated as such on Exhibit C hereto. Each payment of principal that is
not made in connection with the release of an Individual  Property from the Lien
of the  Mortgage  shall  reduce the  Allocated  Loan  Amount of each  Individual
Property  on a  proportionate  basis,  by an amount  equal to the amount of such
principal  payment  multiplied  by a  fraction,  the  numerator  of which is the
Allocated Loan Amount of the Individual Property and the denominator of which is
the total Allocated Loan Amounts for the Property.  The Allocated Loan Amount of
a  Substitution  Property  shall be the Allocated  Loan Amount of the Individual
Property for which it was substituted.

     "Applicable  Environmental  Laws" has the  meaning  given it in  subsection
4.1(k).

     "Applicable Laws" has the meaning given it in subsection 4.1(j).

     "Authorized Officer" means, with respect to any act to be performed or duty
to be  discharged  by or on behalf of any Person who is not an  individual,  any
officer,  agent  or  representative  thereof  who is at  the  time  in  question
authorized to perform such act or discharge such duty on behalf of such Person.

     "Bank  Debt"  means  the  Secured  Obligations  as  defined  in the  Credit
Agreement.

     "Bankruptcy  Code" means The Bankruptcy  Reform Act of 1978, as amended and
codified as 11 U.S.C. Section 101 et seq.

     Bankruptcy  Court" means the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western
District of Missouri or any other court having  jurisdiction over the Chapter 11
case of Borrower.

     "Borrower" means Payless Cashways, Inc., a Delaware corporation.



<PAGE>3


     "Business  Day"  means  any  day on  which  (a)  commercial  banks  are not
authorized or required to close in New York, New York and (b) dealings in Dollar
deposits are carried out in the London  interbank  market and banks are open for
business in London.

     "CERCLA" has the meaning given it in subsection 4.1(k).

     "Collateral" has the meaning given it in the Mortgage.

     "Consolidated"  refers to the  consolidation  of any Person,  in accordance
with GAAP, with its properly consolidated  subsidiaries.  References herein to a
Person's  Consolidated  financial  statements,   financial  position,  financial
condition,  liabilities,  or other financial  matters refer to the  consolidated
financial statements,  financial position, financial condition,  liabilities, or
other   financial   matters  of  such  Person  and  its  properly   consolidated
subsidiaries.

     "Credit  Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement,  dated
as of December 1, 1997, among Payless Cashways,  Inc., Canadian Imperial Bank of
Commerce,  as coordinating and collateral agent, the underwriters,  the fronting
banks and the other  secured  parties  party  thereto,  as amended,  amended and
restated, extended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time.

     "Debt"  means,  as  to  any  Person,  all  indebtedness,   liabilities  and
obligations of such Person,  whether  primary or secondary,  direct or indirect,
absolute or contingent.

     "Default"  means any Event of Default and any  default,  event or condition
which  would,  with the giving of any  requisite  notices and the passage of any
requisite periods of time, constitute an Event of Default.

     "Default  Rate" means at any  particular  time the annual rate equal to the
LIBOR Interest Rate then in effect plus 2%.

     "Depository" has the meaning given it in subsection 5.1(g).

     "Disclosure Schedule" means Schedule 1 attached hereto.

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

     "Effective Date" shall mean the first Business Day after which the Order of
the Bankruptcy  Court  confirming the Plan of  Reorganization  shall have become
final and on which  each of the  conditions  set forth in  Sections  3.1 and 3.2
shall have been satisfied or waived in accordance with the terms hereof.



<PAGE>4


     "Environmental  Costs"  means  incurred  and  potential  damages,   losses,
liabilities,  costs and expenses of remediation  work, and any other incurred or
potential  obligations,  penalties,  fines,  impositions,  fees,  levies,  lien,
removal  or  bonding  costs,  claims,  litigation,  demands,  causes of  action,
liabilities,  losses (including,  without limitation, any reduction in the value
of the  Property),  damage,  defenses,  judgments,  suits,  proceedings,  costs,
disbursements  or  expenses  (including,  without  limitation,   attorneys'  and
experts' or other  consultants'  reasonable fees and  disbursements) of any kind
and nature whatsoever, including interest thereon.

     "Environmental  Laws" means CERCLA; The Resource  Conservation and Recovery
Act, 42 U.S.C. ss. 1601, et seq.; The Hazardous  Substances  Transportation Act,
49 U.S.C.  ss. 1801, et seq.; The Emergency  Planning & Community  Right-to-Know
Act of 1986, 42 U.S.C. ss. 11001, et seq.; The Toxic Substances  Control Act, 15
U.S.C.  ss.  2601 et seq.;  The Clean Air Act, 42 U.S.C.  ss. 7401 et seq.,  The
Clean Water Act, 33 U.S.C.  ss. 1251 et seq.;  The Safe  Drinking  Water Act, 42
U.S.C.  ss. 300 et seq.;  as any of the  foregoing  may be amended  form time to
time;  and any  other  federal  state  and  local  laws or  regulations,  codes,
statutes, orders, decrees, guidance documents,  judgments or injunctions, now or
hereafter  issued,  promulgated,  approved  or entered  thereunder,  relating to
pollution,  contamination or protection of the environment,  including,  without
limitation,  laws  relating to  emissions,  discharges,  releases or  threatened
releases  of  pollutants,   contaminants,  chemicals  or  industrial,  toxic  or
hazardous  substances  or  wastes  into  the  environment  (including,   without
limitation, ambient air, surface water, ground water, land surface or subsurface
strata,  buildings  or  facilities)  or otherwise  relating to the  manufacture,
processing,  distribution,  use,  treatment,  storage,  disposal,  transport  or
handling  of  pollutants,   contaminants,  chemicals  or  industrial,  toxic  or
hazardous substances or wastes.

     "Environmental  Matter"  means any matter  arising out of,  relating to, or
resulting  from  pollution,  contamination  or  protection  of  the  environment
(including natural resources), and any matters relating to emission,  discharge,
release or threatened release, of Hazardous  Substances into the air (indoor and
outdoor),  surface  water,  groundwater,   soil,  land  surface  or  subsurface,
buildings or facilities or otherwise  arising out of,  relating to, or resulting
from  the  manufacture,   processing  distribution,   use,  treatment,  storage,
disposal,  transport,  handling,  release or  threatened  release  of  Hazardous
Substances.

     "ERISA"  means the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security  Act of 1974,  as
amended from time to time,  together with all rules and regulations  promulgated
with  respect  thereto,   including  without  limitation,  all  such  rules  and
regulations promulgated by the Department of Labor, the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation and the Internal Revenue Service.

     "ERISA  Plan" means any pension  benefit  plan subject to Title IV of ERISA
maintained by Borrower or any Affiliate thereof to which Borrower is required to
contribute or with respect to which Borrower has any liability.

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


<PAGE>5


     "Event of Default" has the meaning given it in section 7.1.

     "Federal Funds Rate" means for any period, a fluctuating  interest rate per
annum  equal for each day during such period to the  overnight  "Federal  Funds"
rate reported in the Wall Street  Journal on such day (or the most recent day so
reported) or if not published,  such rate (or its  equivalent) as reported in an
alternate publication selected by Lender.

     "FIFRA" has the meaning given to it in Section 4.1(k).

     "Funded Debt" means Debt for borrowed money.

     "Funding  Losses"  shall have the meaning  ascribed to such term in Section
2.4(a) hereof.

     "GAAP" means those generally accepted  accounting  principles and practices
which are recognized as such by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (or any
generally  recognized  successor)  and which,  in the case of  Borrower  and its
Consolidated Subsidiaries, (i) are applied for all periods after the date hereof
in a manner  consistent  with the manner in which such  principles and practices
were  applied to the most  recent  audited  financial  statements,  and (ii) are
consistently  applied  for all  periods  after the date hereof so as to properly
reflect the financial  condition,  and the results of operations  and changes in
financial position, of Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries. If any change
in any accounting  principle or practice is required by the Financial Accounting
Standards  Board (or any such successor) in order for such principle or practice
to  continue as a generally  accepted  accounting  principle  or  practice,  all
reports and financial  statements required hereunder with respect to Borrower or
with respect to Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  may be prepared in
accordance with such change.

     "Governmental  Authority"  means the United  States,  any State in which an
Individual  Property  is located  and any  political  subdivision  of any of the
foregoing,  and any agency,  department,  commission,  board,  court,  bureau or
instrumentality of any of them.

     "Grace Period" has the meaning given it in Section 7.2.

     "Hazardous  Substances" means Asbestos,  ACM, PCBs,  urea-formaldehyde  and
unreaformaldehyde foam insulation, nuclear fuel or waste, petroleum products and
any hazardous waste, toxic substance, related components,  related constituents,
pollutant or contaminant, including without limitation, any substance defined or
treated as a "hazardous  substance",  "extremely  hazardous substance" or "toxic
substance" (or  comparable  term) in any  applicable  Environmental  Law and any
other material, which may give rise to Environmental Costs.

     "Individual  Property" means an individual  tract included in the Property,
each such individual  tract being identified by a separate Store or Distribution
Center number on Exhibit C hereto.


<PAGE>6


     "Interest Accrual Period" means (i) initially, the period commencing on the
Effective Date and ending one month thereafter, and (ii) thereafter, each period
commencing on the last day of the next  preceding  Interest  Accrual  Period and
ending one month thereafter; provided, that:

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

          (b) any Interest  Accrual Period which begins on the last 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 Accrual
     Period) shall, subject to clause (c) below, end on the last Business Day of
     a calendar month;

          (c) if any Interest  Accrual Period would otherwise  include a date on
     which a scheduled  payment of  principal of any of the Loans as provided in
     Section 2.5 is required to be made under this Agreement but does not end on
     such date,  then,  subject to Section 2.5, (i) the Interest  Accrual Period
     for the principal amount (if any) of the Loan required to be repaid on such
     date shall end on such date and (ii) the  remainder  (if any) shall have an
     Interest Accrual Period  determined in accordance with the other provisions
     of this definition; and

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

     "Interest  Determination Date" means the date that is the first day of each
Interest Accrual Period.

     "Lender" means UBS Mortgage Finance, Inc., its successors and assigns.

     "LIBOR" means the rate of interest per annum determined as follows:

          (i) On each Interest  Determination  Date, LIBOR will be determined on
     the basis of the offered rate for deposits of not less than U.S. $1,000,000
     for a period of one month,  commencing on such Interest Determination Date,
     as the opening quote on Bloomberg under the ticker  "US0001M<INDEX>" on the
     Marquet  Quote ("Q") Page (or such other page as may replace the  Bloomberg
     Page on that service for the purposes of  displaying  the London  interbank
     offered  rates of major  banks).  If no such opening  offered rate appears,
     LIBOR  with  respect  to the  relevant  Interest  Accrual  Period  will  be
     determined as described in (ii) below.


<PAGE>7


          (ii) With respect to an Interest  Determination  Date on which no such
     opening offered rate appears on Bloomberg as described in (i) above,  LIBOR
     shall be determined as the opening  offered rate appearing on Telerate Page
     3750 on such date.

          (iii) If, on any Interest  Determination  Date, Lender is required but
     unable to determine LIBOR in the manner provided in paragraphs (i) and (ii)
     above,  LIBOR  for the  next  Interest  Accrual  Period  shall  be LIBOR as
     determined on the previous Interest Determination Date.

     "LIBOR  Interest  Rate"  shall have the  meaning  ascribed  to such term in
Section 2.3 hereof.

     "Lien" means, with respect to any property or assets, any right or interest
therein of a creditor  to secure Debt owed to it or any other  arrangement  with
such creditor  which  provides for the payment of such Debt out of such property
or assets or which allows such creditor to have such Debt  satisfied out of such
property  or  assets  prior  to the  general  creditors  of any  owner  thereof,
including without  limitation any lien,  mortgage,  security  interest,  pledge,
deposit,  production  payment,  rights of a vendor under any title  retention or
conditional sale agreement or lease  substantially  equivalent  thereto,  or any
other charge or encumbrance  for security  purposes,  whether  arising by law or
agreement or otherwise,  but excluding any right of offset which arises  without
agreement in the ordinary course of business.

     "Loan" has the meaning given it in the first paragraph of the preamble.

     "Loan  Documents" means this Agreement,  the Note, the Security  Documents,
and all other agreements,  certificates,  affidavits or other documents executed
by Borrower or any officer of Borrower and delivered pursuant to Section 3.1.

     "Loan Interest" has the meaning given to it in Section 4.2.

     "Loan Pool" has the meaning given to it in Section 4.2.

     "Materially  Adverse  Effect"  means  (i)  with  respect  to an  Individual
Property,  any matter which would  materially and adversely  affect the value of
such Individual Property,  (ii) with respect to Borrower, any materially adverse
change in the business,  operations,  condition (financial or otherwise), assets
or prospects of Borrower,  or (iii) any fact or  circumstance as to which singly
or in the aggregate, based upon which, Borrower has reason to believe there is a
reasonable  possibility  of the  occurrence of (a) a materially  adverse  change
described in clause (i) or (ii), or (b) the inability of Borrower to perform its
material obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

     "Maturity Date" means the date seven years after the Effective Date.


<PAGE>8

     "Mortgage"  means  collectively,  all of the  mortgages  and deeds of trust
included in the Security Documents and executed by Borrower.

     "Mortgaged Property" has the meaning given it in the Mortgage.

     "Net Cash Proceeds" shall mean with respect to any sale,  transfer or other
disposition of property or other assets:  (a) the cash proceeds  received by the
Borrower  (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)
reasonable  and  customary  brokerage   commissions  and  other  reasonable  and
customary fees and expenses  actually paid  (including  reasonable and customary
fees  and  expenses  of  counsel)  related  to  such  sale,  transfer  or  other
disposition.

     "Note" has the meaning given it in Section 2.2.

     "Payment Date" means the last day of any Interest Accrual Period.

     "PCBs" means polychlorinated biphenyls.

     "Person" means an individual, corporation,  partnership, association, joint
stock  company,   trust  or  trustee  thereof,   estate  or  executor   thereof,
unincorporated  organization or joint venture, court or governmental unit or any
agency or subdivision thereof, or any other legally recognizable entity.

     "Permitted Encumbrances" has the meaning given it in subsection 4.1(g).

     "Permitted Second Lien" has the meaning given it in Section 2.10.

     "Plan of  Reorganization"  shall mean that  certain  First  Amended Plan of
Reorganization, filed by the Debtor in the Case on September 5, 1997, as amended
on  October 9,  1997,  as the same may be  amended,  supplemented  or  otherwise
modified from time to time in accordance  with the terms thereof as in effect on
the date hereof.

     "Prepayment Premium" has the meaning given it in Section 2.6.

     "Prime  Rate"  means for any period,  an interest  rate per annum equal for
each day during  such  period to the "Prime  Rate"  reported  in The Wall Street
Journal on such day (or the most recent day so reported).

     "Prior  Notes"  has the  meaning  given it in the  first  paragraph  of the
preamble.



<PAGE>9


     "Prohibited  Transaction"  is a prohibited  transaction as described  under
Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the  Internal  Revenue Code which is not
the  subject  of a  statutory  exemption  under  Section  408(b)  of ERISA or an
administrative exemption granted pursuant to Section 408(a) of ERISA.

     "Property" has the meaning given it in the Mortgage.

     "RCRA" has the meaning given it in subsection 4.1(k).

     "Release Date" has the meaning given it in Section 2.7.

     "Release Fee" has the meaning given it in Section 2.7.

     "Release Notice" has the meaning given it in Section 2.7.

     "Secured   Indebtedness"  means  collectively  any  principal  and  accrued
interest  which  is  outstanding  under,  and all  other  amounts  which  may be
otherwise  payable under the Note and the other Loan  Documents and described in
the Mortgage as being secured thereby.

     "Securitization" has the meaning given to it in Section 4.2.

     "Security  Documents" means the instruments listed in the Security Schedule
attached as Schedule 2 hereto and all other security agreements, deeds of trust,
mortgages,  chattel  mortgages,   pledges,  guaranties,   financing  statements,
continuation   statements,   extension   agreements  and  other   agreements  or
instruments  now,  heretofore,  or hereafter  delivered by Borrower to Lender in
connection with this Agreement or any transaction  contemplated hereby to secure
or  guarantee  the  payment  of any  part  of the  Secured  Indebtedness  or the
performance of Borrower's other duties and obligations under the Loan Documents.

     "Store"  means an  Individual  Property  designated as a store on Exhibit C
hereto.

     "Subsidiary"   means,   with  respect  to  any  Person,   any  corporation,
association,  partnership, joint venture, or other business or corporate entity,
enterprise or organization which is directly or indirectly  (through one or more
intermediaries)  controlled  by or  owned  fifty  percent  (50%) or more by such
Person.

     "Substitution Date" has the meaning given it in Section 2.7.

     "Substitution Notice" has the meaning given it in Section 2.7.

     "Substitution Property" has the meaning given it in Section 2.7.


<PAGE>10


     "Termination  Event"  means with  respect to Borrower or any  Affiliate  of
Borrower (a) the  occurrence  with respect to any ERISA Plan of (i) a reportable
event  described  in  Sections  4043(b)(5)  or (6) of ERISA  or (ii)  any  other
reportable  event  described in Section 4043(b) of ERISA other than a reportable
event not subject to the  provision  for 30-day  notice to the  Pension  Benefit
Guaranty  Corporation  pursuant to a waiver by such  corporation  under  Section
4043(a) of ERISA,  or (b) the  withdrawal  of  Borrower or of any  Affiliate  of
Borrower  from an ERISA Plan  during a plan year in which it was a  "substantial
employer"  as  defined in Section  4001(a)(2)  of ERISA,  or (c) the filing of a
notice of intent to terminate  any ERISA Plan or the treatment of any ERISA Plan
amendment as a termination  under Section 4041 of ERISA,  or (d) the institution
of  proceedings  to  terminate  any ERISA Plan by the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty
Corporation  under  Section  4042 of ERISA,  or (e) 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 ERISA Plan.

     "Trustee" means any trustee named under a Security Document.

     "U.S. Person" is any person that is (i) a citizen or resident of the United
States,  (ii) a  corporation,  partnership  or other entity created or organized
under the laws of the United  States or any State thereof or (iii) any estate or
trust that is subject to U.S.  federal income taxation  regardless of the source
of its income.

     Section 1.2 Exhibits and Schedules.  All Exhibits and Schedules attached to
this Agreement are a part hereof for all purposes.

     Section 1.3 Amendment of Defined Instruments.  Unless the context otherwise
requires or unless otherwise provided herein the terms defined in this Agreement
which refer to a particular agreement,  instrument or document also refer to and
include all renewals, extensions, modifications, amendments, and restatements of
such agreement,  instrument or document, provided that nothing contained in this
section  shall  be  construed  to  authorize   any  such   renewal,   extension,
modification, amendment or restatement.

     Section 1.4  References  and Titles.  All  references in this  Agreement to
Exhibits,  Schedules,  articles,  sections,  subsections and other  subdivisions
refer to the Exhibits,  Schedules,  articles,  sections,  subsections  and other
subdivisions  of this Agreement  unless  expressly  provided  otherwise.  Titles
appearing at the beginning of any  subdivisions  are for convenience only and do
not  constitute  any  part of such  subdivisions  and  shall be  disregarded  in
construing  the  language  contained  in  such  subdivisions.  The  words  "this
Agreement", "this instrument",  "herein",  "hereof",  "hereby",  "hereunder" and
words of  similar  import  refer  to this  Agreement  as a whole  and not to any
particular  subdivision unless expressly so limited.  The phrases "this section"
and  "this  subsection"  and  similar  phrases  refer  only to the  sections  or
subsections hereof in which such phrases occur. Pronouns in masculine,  feminine
and neuter genders shall be construed to include any other gender,  and words in
the  singular  form shall be  construed  to include  the plural and vice  versa,
unless the context otherwise requires.



<PAGE>11


     Section 1.5 Calculations  and  Determinations.  Unless otherwise  expressly
provided herein or unless Lender otherwise  consents,  all financial  statements
and reports  furnished to Lender  hereunder  shall be prepared and all financial
computations and determinations pursuant hereto shall be made in accordance with
GAAP.

                                   ARTICLE II
                                    The Loan

     Section 2.1 Acknowledgment of Existing Obligations.  It is hereby expressly
understood  and agreed by the  parties  hereto that the Note  amends,  restates,
supplements,  supersedes and replaces the Prior Notes in their entirety and that
the  indebtedness  outstanding  under and evidenced by the Prior 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 Note.

     Section  2.2  Exchange  of  Notes.  The  Lender  agrees  on the  terms  and
conditions set forth in this Agreement to restructure the Loan to Borrower as of
the Effective  Date.  Borrower  acknowledges  that the current unpaid  principal
amount of the Prior Notes is $97,359,451.26. The Loan, as restructured, shall be
evidenced  by  one  or  more  promissory   notes   (collectively,   the  "Note")
substantially in the form of Exhibit A. Upon the Effective Date,  Borrower shall
deliver the duly executed Note to Lender and Lender shall mark each of the Prior
Notes  held by it to  indicate  that  the  Prior  Note  has  been  replaced  and
superseded by the Note. The Note shall be delivered in replacement  for, but not
in payment of, such superseded Prior Notes.

     Section 2.3  Interest.  (a) Prior to the  Effective  Date,  interest on the
Prior Notes shall accrue and be added to the principal  amount of the Loan. Such
interest shall be calculated at the rates of interest  stated in the Prior Notes
without  regard to the late  payment rate and any other  penalties  provided for
therein and in the Prior Loan  Agreement.  If the Effective  Date shall not have
occurred prior to January 1, 1998,  then Borrower shall commence making payments
of interest at the rates  stated in the Prior Notes on the sum of the  principal
amount of the Prior Notes and all accrued  interest thereon through December 31,
1997, beginning on the first scheduled payment date thereafter.

          (b) The principal amount outstanding  hereunder shall bear interest at
a rate per annum (the  "LIBOR  Interest  Rate")  equal to four  percent  (4%) in
excess of LIBOR for the relevant Interest Accrual Period.


          (c) On and after the  Effective  Date,  prior to the Maturity Date (or
the  date the  unpaid  principal  balance  otherwise  becomes  due,  whether  by
acceleration  or  otherwise),  interest  accruing  during each Interest  Accrual
Period shall be payable monthly in arrears on each Payment


<PAGE>12


Date. The entire unpaid principal balance of the Secured  Indebtedness  together
with all accrued and unpaid  interest,  if not sooner paid,  shall be payable in
full on the Maturity Date.

          (d) All interest  payable  shall be computed on the basis of a 360-day
year for the actual  number of days  elapsed.  In  computing  the number of days
during which  interest  accrues,  the day on which funds are initially  advanced
shall be included  regardless  of the time of day such advance is made,  and the
day on which funds are repaid shall, subject to Section 2.8 below, be excluded.

     Section 2.4  Funding Losses; Change in Law, Etc.

          (a) Borrower  hereby  agrees to pay to Lender any amount  necessary to
     compensate Lender for any losses or costs (including,  without  limitation,
     the costs of  breaking  any "LIBOR"  contract,  if  applicable,  or funding
     losses  determined  on the  basis  of  Lender's  reinvestment  rate and the
     interest rate hereon) (Collectively, "Funding Losses") sustained by Lender:
     (i) if  this  Note,  or any  portion  hereof,  is  repaid  for  any  reason
     whatsoever  on any date  other  than a  Payment  Date  (including,  without
     limitation,  from  condemnation  or  insurance  proceeds),  (ii)  upon  the
     conversion of the interest rate on the Loan to the Prime Rate in accordance
     with  subsection  (b) below,  (iii) as a  consequence  of (x) any increased
     costs that Lender may sustain in maintaining the borrowing evidenced hereby
     or (y) the reduction of any amounts  received or receivable  from Borrower,
     in either  case,  due to the  introduction  of, or any  change  in,  law or
     applicable   regulation  or  treaty   (including  the   administration   or
     interpretation thereof),  whether or not having the force of law, or due to
     the compliance by Lender,  as the case may be, with any directive,  whether
     or not  having  the  force of law,  or  request  from any  central  bank or
     domestic  or  foreign  governmental  authority,  agency or  instrumentality
     having  jurisdiction  and/or  (iv)  any  other  set  of  circumstances  not
     attributable to Lender's acts. Payment of Funding Losses hereunder shall be
     in addition to any obligation to pay a Prepayment  Premium in circumstances
     where such Prepayment Premium would be due and owing.

          b) If Lender determines (which  determination  shall be conclusive and
     binding upon Borrower,  absent  manifest error( (i) that Dollar deposits in
     an  amount   approximately  equal  to  the  principal  balance  outstanding
     hereunder are not generally  available at such time in the London Interbank
     Market  for  deposits  in  Eurodollars,  (ii)  that the rate at which  such
     deposits are being offered will not  adequately and fairly reflect the cost
     to Lender of  maintaining  a LIBOR  Interest Rate on the Loan or of funding
     the  same  in  such  market  for  such  Interest   Accrual  period  due  to
     circumstances  affecting the London Interbank Market generally,  (iii) that
     reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining  LIBOR, or (iv) that a LIBOR
     Interest  Rate  would be in  excess  of the  maximum  interest  rate  which
     Borrower may by law pay,  then,  in any such event,  Lender shall so notify
     Borrower and as of the date of such  notification  with respect to an event
     described  in clause (ii) or (iv)  above,  or as of the  expiration  of the
     applicable  Interest  Accrual Period with respect to an event


<PAGE>13



     described in clause (i) or (iii) above,  interest  shall accrue at the
     Prime Rate until such time as the situations  described above are no longer
     in effect  or as  otherwise  provided  in  Section  7.1  hereof;  provided,
     however,  if the  situation  described  in clause  (ii) above  occurs,  (x)
     Borrower  shall have the  option,  to be  exercised  by  written  notice to
     Lender,  to pay Lender (in the manner  reasonably  required  by Lender) for
     such  increased  cost of  maintaining a LIBOR  Interest Rate and (y) if the
     same only affects a portion of the Loan,  then only such portion shall have
     interest  accrue at the Prime Rate  (provided the  remaining  portion is at
     least  $1,000,000)  and interest  shall continue to accrue on the remaining
     portion at the LIBOR Interest Rate.

          (c) If the introduction  of, or any change in, any law,  regulation or
     treaty,  or in the  interpretation  thereof by any  governmental  authority
     charged with the  administration or interpretation  thereof,  shall make it
     unlawful for Lender to maintain the LIBOR Interest Rate with respect to the
     Loan, or any portion thereof,  or to fund the Loan, or any portion thereof,
     in  Eurodollars  in the  London  Interbank  Market,  then the Loan (or such
     portion  of the Loan)  shall  thereafter  bear  interest  at the Prime Rate
     (unless the Default Rate shall be  applicable)  and  Borrower  shall pay to
     Lender the amount of Funding  Losses (if any) incurred in  connection  with
     such  conversion.  The accrual of interest at the Prime Rate shall continue
     until  such  Payment  Date,  if any,  as the  situation  described  in this
     subsection (c) is no longer in effect.

          (d) If Lender shall have determined that the applicability of any law,
     rule,  regulation  or guideline  adopted  pursuant to or arising out of the
     July  1988  report  of the  Basle  Committee  on  Banking  Regulations  and
     Supervisory  Practices  entitled  "International   Convergence  of  Capital
     Measurement and Capital Standards", or the adoption of any other law, rule,
     regulation  or guideline  (including  but not limited to any United  States
     law, rule,  regulation or guideline)  regarding  capital  adequacy,  or any
     change becoming  effective in any of the foregoing or in the enforcement or
     interpretation  or  administration  of any of the foregoing by any court or
     any domestic or foreign governmental authority,  central bank or comparable
     agency charged with the  enforcement or  interpretation  or  administration
     thereof,  or compliance by Lender or its holding  company,  as the case may
     be, 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,  has or would have the effect of  reducing  the rate of
     return on the capital of Lender or its holding company, as the case may be,
     to a level below that which Lender or its holding company,  as the case may
     be, could have  achieved but for such  applicability,  adoption,  change or
     compliance (taking into consideration Lender's or its holding company's, as
     the case may be, policies with respect to capital  adequacy) (the foregoing
     being  hereinafter  referred to as "Capital Adequacy  Events"),  then, upon
     demand by Lender,  Borrower shall,  pay to Lender,  from time to time, such
     additional  amount  or  amounts  as will  compensate  Lender  for any  such
     reduction suffered.


<PAGE>14


          (e) Any amount payable by Borrower under  subsection (a) or subsection
     (d) of this  Section  2.4 shall be paid to Lender  within  five (5) days of
     receipt by Borrower of a certificate signed by an officer of Lender setting
     forth the amount due and the basis for the  determination  of such  amount,
     which  statement  shall be  conclusive  and binding upon  Borrower,  absent
     manifest  error.  Failure  on the part of  Lender to  demand  payment  from
     Borrower for any such amount  attributable  to any particular  period shall
     not  constitute a waiver of Lender's right to demand payment of such amount
     for any subsequent or prior period.  Lender shall use reasonable efforts to
     deliver to Borrower  prompt notice of any event described in subsection (a)
     or (d)  above and of the  amount to be paid  under  this  Section  2.4 as a
     result  thereof;  provided,  however,  any  failure  by Lender to so notify
     Borrower shall not affect Borrower's  obligation to make the payments to be
     made under this  Section 2.4 as a result  thereof.  All  amounts  which may
     become due and payable by Borrower in  accordance  with the  provisions  of
     this Section 2.4 shall constitute  additional  interest hereunder and shall
     be secured by the Mortgage and the other Loan Documents.

          (f) If  Lender  requests  compensation  for any  losses or costs to be
     reimbursed  pursuant to any one or more of the  provisions  of  subsections
     (a)(iii)  or (iv) or  subsection(d)  of this  Section  2.4, of if any event
     occurs as described in  subsections  (b) or (c) above which would cause the
     Note no longer to bear  interest  at the LIBOR  Interest  Rate  then,  upon
     request  of  Borrower,  Lender  shall use  reasonable  efforts  in a manner
     consistent with such  institution's  practice in connection with loans like
     the Loan to designate a different lending office for funding or booking the
     Secured Indebtedness or assign its rights and obligations under the Note to
     another of its  offices,  branches or  affiliates  if such  designation  or
     assignment  in Lender's sole but good faith  judgment (i) would  eliminate,
     mitigate or reduce amounts  payable by Borrower in connection  with Funding
     Losses or Capital Adequacy Events or, with respect to an event described in
     subsection  (b) or (c)  above  would  allow  the Note to  continue  to bear
     interest at the LIBOR Interest Rate without  additional  cost to Lender and
     (ii) would not be otherwise prejudicial to Lender; Borrower hereby agreeing
     to pay all  reasonably  incurred  costs and expenses  incurred by Lender in
     connection with any such designation or assignment.

     Section 2.5   Mandatory Payments.

          (a)  Borrower  shall make annual  repayments  of principal on the Loan
     (without  premium) in installments of $4,000,000 on each anniversary of the
     Effective Date, beginning in 1998. Any prepayments of principal made by the
     Borrower  pursuant to Section 2.7 and  subsections  5.1(g) and (h) shall be
     credited  against  Borrower's  obligation  under this Section 2.5, with the
     amount of any such  prepayment  to be  applied to the  scheduled  mandatory
     repayments  in the  order of their  maturity  without  Prepayment  Premium.
     Borrower shall not be entitled to release one or more Individual Properties
     in connection with any payment made pursuant to this Section 2.5.


<PAGE>15


          (b)  Notwithstanding  any  other  provisions  of this  Agreement,  the
     outstanding unpaid principal amount of the Note,  together with all accrued
     interest thereon, shall become due and payable on the Maturity Date.

     Section 2.6   Optional Prepayment.

          (a)  Borrower  shall  have no right to  prepay  all or any part of the
     principal of or interest on the Loan except as  expressly  provided in this
     Agreement.  Subject to the terms and  conditions of the Loan  Documents and
     payment  of  the  prepayment  premium  set  forth  below  (the  "Prepayment
     Premium")  and all  accrued  interest  thereon and other sums due under the
     Loan,  if any,  Borrower  shall have the right to prepay all or any part of
     the outstanding  principal balance of the Loan for the periods beginning on
     the second anniversary of the Effective Date as shown below. The Prepayment
     Premium for each such period shall be as follows:

                                               Prepayment Premium (as a
                                                percentage of principal
          Year                                       being prepaid)

          Beginning the 2nd anniversary of the 
          Effective Date                                  3%

          Beginning the 3rd anniversary of the
          Effective Date                                  2%

          Beginning the 4th anniversary of the 
          Effective Date

          Beginning the 5th anniversary of the 
          Effective Date and thereafter                   0%
  
Prepayments  may be made on a  Payment  Date  upon the  giving  of not less than
twenty (20) days prior written  notice to Lender.  Lender shall not be obligated
to  accept  any  prepayment  unless  accompanied  by the  applicable  Prepayment
Premium,  if any. Except as expressly set forth therein,  no Prepayment  Premium
shall be required with respect to  prepayments  of the Loan made pursuant to any
other  provisions  of this  Agreement  provided  however  that  Lender  shall be
entitled to receive the applicable  Prepayment  Premium (if any) set forth above
upon  acceleration of the Loan upon an Event of Default pursuant to Section 7.2.
Borrower shall not be entitled to release one or more  Individual  Properties in
connection  with any optional  partial  prepayment  of the Loan pursuant to this
section.

          (b) At any time after the date hereof until the Maturity  Date,  prior
     to seeking any financing  and any  commitment  for  financing  from a third
     party relating to the refinancing of the Loan,  Borrower shall first notify
     Lender in writing of its intention to

<PAGE>16


     obtain  such  financing,  and offer to Lender the  opportunity  to consider
     whether or not Lender will  provide  the  financing.  As and when  Borrower
     determines that it will seek to obtain  financing,  Borrower shall promptly
     send to Lender  such  notice  thereof.  If Lender is  willing  to  consider
     providing  the  financing,  Lender  shall,  prior to the  expiration of the
     period  ending  fifteen  (15) days after  Lender's  receipt of the  notice,
     deliver to Borrower an initial term sheet  describing  the  proposed  basic
     business terms and conditions regarding the financing,  it being understood
     that such  initial term sheet shall not be binding upon Lender and shall in
     no event be deemed a  commitment  by Lender to lend.  After the  receipt by
     Borrower of the initial term sheet,  Borrower and Lender shall have fifteen
     (15) days within which to agree in writing on the terms and conditions of a
     final term  sheet,  describing  the basic terms and  conditions  upon which
     Lender is prepared to seek internal  approvals to extend the financing,  it
     being  understood  that such  final term  sheet  shall not be binding  upon
     Lender  and  shall in no event be  deemed a  commitment  by Lender to lend.
     Borrower  agrees to cooperate with Lender and negotiate in good faith in an
     effort to arrive at a final term sheet, without,  however,  being obligated
     to reach such an agreement.
     
     Section 2.7 Partial Releases.

          (a) Partial Releases of Individual Properties.  In connection with its
     proposed sale, upon Borrower's  written request,  Lender shall release that
     portion of an  Individual  Property not  required for the  operation of the
     Store or other  facility  located  thereon  from the Lien of the  Mortgage,
     provided each and every one of the following  terms and  conditions of this
     subsection 2.7(a) is satisfied, in Lender's sole opinion:

               (i)  Borrower  shall give notice  (hereinafter  called a "Release
          Notice")  to Lender of its intent to have a portion  of an  Individual
          Property  released  from the Lien of the Mortgage at least thirty (30)
          days  prior to the  date  set  forth  in the  Release  Notice  for the
          granting of such release  (hereinafter  called the "Release Date") and
          describing the terms of the proposed sale.

               (ii) At the time of the Release  Notice and on the Release  Date,
          there shall not have occurred and be continuing  under any of the Loan
          Documents  either (A) a Default  that is capable of being cured by the
          payment of money or (B) an Event of Default.

               (iii) Borrower shall furnish Lender with evidence satisfactory to
          Lender that the Mortgage  remains a valid first Lien on the  remaining
          Property  covered by the Mortgage or deed of trust that  included such
          released  Individual  Property and not so released,  including without
          limitation an  endorsement  to existing  title  insurance  policies or
          equivalent  assurance in form,  of substance  and within policy limits
          satisfactory  to Lender.  All costs of the foregoing  shall be paid by
          Borrower.


<PAGE>17

               (iv) In order to obtain the partial  release,  Borrower shall pay
          the following amounts:

                    (A)  an amount equal to the Net Cash  Proceeds  arising from
                         the sale of the Property  being  released to be applied
                         to the outstanding principal amount of the Loan;

                    (B)  other  amounts,  if any,  advanced by Lender  under the
                         Loan Documents and relating to the Individual  Property
                         to be released; and

                    (C)  all costs  incurred by Lender  relating to the proposed
                         partial   release,   including   but  not   limited  to
                         reasonable  legal fees and expenses of outside counsel,
                         appraisal costs, survey costs, and title costs.

          (b) Partial  Releases  upon Closure of Store.  When a Store is closed,
     Borrower  must give Lender  written  notice of closure at least thirty (30)
     days prior to closure,  other than the Stores  listed on  Schedule  2.7(b),
     which stores were closed prior to the Effective Date. At any time after the
     date of such Store closure,  in connection  with a proposed sale,  Borrower
     may obtain a partial  release of the lien of the  Mortgage  with respect to
     the  Individual  Property  on which  such  closed  Store is  located on the
     following terms and conditions:

               (i)  Borrower   shall  give  the  notice   described  in  Section
                    2.7(a)(i).

               (ii) At the time of the Release  Notice and on the Release  Date,
                    there shall not have occurred and be continuing under any of
                    the Loan  Documents  either (A) a Default that is capable of
                    being  cured  by the  payment  of  money  or (B) an Event of
                    Default.

               (iii) Borrower shall pay to Lender the following amounts:

                    (A)  an amount equal to the Net Cash  Proceeds  arising from
                         the sale of the Property  being  released to be applied
                         to the outstanding principal amount of the Loan;

                    (B)  other  amounts,  if any,  advanced by Lender  under the
                         Loan Documents and relating to the Individual  Property
                         to be released ; and


<PAGE>18


                    (C)  all costs  incurred by Lender  relating to the proposed
                         partial   release,   including   but  not   limited  to
                         reasonable legal fees and expenses of outside counsel.

          (c) Partial Release Upon Substitution of an Individual Property. Upon
     Borrower's written request, Lender shall permit the release of the Lien on,
     and substitution for, certain Individual Properties provided the following
     terms and conditions are satisfied, in Lender's sole opinion:

               (i)   Borrower   shall  give  notice   (hereinafter   called  the
          "Substitution  Notice")  to  Lender  of  its  intent  to  release  and
          substitute Individual Properties at least sixty (60) days prior to the
          date set  forth  in the  Substitution  Notice  for  such  release  and
          substitution   (hereinafter  called  the  "Substitution   Date").  The
          Substitution  Notice  shall  describe  the  Individual  Property to be
          released  and  the  property  to  be  substituted  (the  "Substitution
          Property").

               (ii)  At  the  time  of  the  Substitution   Notice  and  on  the
          Substitution  Date,  there shall not have  occurred and be  continuing
          under any of the Loan  Documents  either (A) a Default that is capable
          of being cured by the payment of money or (B) an Event of Default.
 
               (iii)  Each  Substitution  Property  shall  be  similar  by type,
          remaining  economic life, land value, and desirability of location and
          shall have a value equal to or greater,  as determined by Lender, than
          the  value  of  the  Individual  Property  being  released;  provided,
          however,  in all  events  the  Substitution  Property  must  be  fully
          operational   and  operating.   Notwithstanding   the   preceding,   a
          Substitution  Property  may  only  be  substituted  for an  Individual
          Property on a one-for-one basis, and the Substitution Property must be
          acceptable  to  Lender  in  all  respects,  including  title,  zoning,
          appraisal, engineering and environmental respects.

               (iv) Borrower shall pay all costs incurred by Lender  relating to
          the proposed  partial release and  substitution,  even if the proposed
          transaction is not completed,  including but not limited to reasonable
          legal fees and  expenses of outside  counsel,  title  costs and,  with
          respect  to  the  Substitution   Property,   appraisal,   engineering,
          environmental, and survey costs.

               (v) Borrower shall furnish Lender with evidence  satisfactory  to
          Lender that (a) the Lender has a valid first Lien on the  Substitution
          Property.   Lender  recognizes  that  if  an  Individual  Property  is
          substituted,  the Substitution Property will also be encumbered by the
          Permitted  Second  Lien,  but only to the extent  permitted by Section
          2.10 and (b) the Mortgage  remains a valid first lien on any remaining
          Property  covered by the  mortgage or deed of trust that  included the
          released  Individual  Property and not so released,  including without
          limitation an


<PAGE>19


          endorsement to existing title policies or equivalent assurance in
          form,  substance and within policy limits  reasonably  satisfactory to
          Lender.

               (vi) only properties to which the Borrower holds fee simple title
          may be  Substitution  Properties.  No  Individual  Properties in which
          Borrower  holds only a  leasehold  estate may be used as a  substitute
          either for another ground-leased property or for a fee-owned property.

               (vii) No more than ten (10) Individual Properties may be released
          during the term of the Loan pursuant to this subsection 2.7(c).

          (d) Sales at Arm's  Length.  Lender  shall not be obligated to release
     any  Individual  Property  pursuant to  subsection  2.7(a) or 2.7(b)  above
     unless the sale (i) has been  negotiated on an arm's length basis,  (ii) is
     to a bona fide third party purchaser, (iii) is for cash consideration only,
     and  (iv) is at a price  in  conformity  with  market  values  for  similar
     properties in the area in which the Individual Property is located.

     Section 2.8 Payments to Lender.  Borrower  will make each payment  which it
owes under the Loan Documents not later than 12:00 p.m.,  Eastern  Standard Time
or Eastern  Daylight  Time,  whichever is  applicable,  on the date such payment
becomes due and payable,  in lawful money of the United States of America and by
wire transfer of immediately  available  funds to such bank or place, or in such
other manner, as Lender may from time to time designate.  Payments shall be made
without  any setoff,  deduction  or  counterclaim  whatsoever.  Until  otherwise
designated in writing by Lender, payments shall be made by wire transfer to [UBS
Mortgage Finance,  c/o Chase Manhattan Bank, New York, New York, ABA #021 000021
Account  #140-0-91821].  Any payment  received by Lender after such time will be
deemed to have been made on the next  following  Business  Day.  Should any such
payment  become due and payable on a day other than a Business Day, the maturity
of such payment  shall be extended to the next  succeeding  Business  Day.  Each
payment  under a Loan  Document  shall be due and payable at the place  provided
therein  and,  if no  specific  place of payment is  provided,  shall be due and
payable at the place of payment of the Note. If on any date on which payments of
principal and interest are due or past due on the Note,  Borrower pays less than
the full amount due  thereunder,  Lender may, in addition to any other rights or
remedies  provided  herein,  apply  such  money  as it  elects  to  the  Secured
Indebtedness  then due and  payable.  In the event any payment of  principal  or
interest  under this  Agreement or the other Loan  Documents is made directly by
the holder of the  Permitted  Second  Lien on behalf of  Borrower  (pursuant  to
Section 7.2 hereof) and not by way of an advance by the holder of the  Permitted
Second Lien under the Credit Agreement, evidence detailing such payment shall be
simultaneously  delivered by the holder of the  Permitted  Second Lien to Lender
with each payment.

     Section 2.9  Limitation on Liability.  Lender shall not seek or enforce any
money judgment or deficiency judgment, or otherwise assert personal liability or
responsibility, against Borrower with respect to any and all obligations secured
by the Mortgage or other obligations



<PAGE>20


arising  out of the  Loan  Documents  in  excess  of the  amount  realized  upon
foreclosure against (or sale, pursuant to power of sale, of) all or, at Lender's
option,  a portion of the security  therefor,  it being  agreed that,  except as
hereinafter provided,  the sole remedy of Lender shall be to proceed against the
security for the Loan under the Loan Documents;  provided, however, that nothing
contained  herein or in any other Loan Document shall (a) limit Lender's  rights
and  remedies  (other  than its  right to seek a money  judgment  or  deficiency
judgment which is limited as provided  above) against the Borrower  hereunder or
under any  other  Loan  Document,  either at law or in  equity,  or (b)  relieve
Borrower from personal liability and responsibility:

          (a) for  damages  suffered  by  Lender by  reason  of a  violation  of
     subsections  4.1(k) and (q) and 5.1(p) and (aa)  hereof and for any amounts
     required to be paid by Borrower under Sections 5.2 and 7.4 hereof;

          (b) for waste  resulting in a material  diminution  in value to any of
     the  Property  committed  or  permitted  by  Borrower  with  respect to the
     Property,  including without limitation any waste resulting from Borrower's
     failure to restore the Property after removal of trade fixtures as required
     by this  Agreement,  to the extent and only to the extent that the Property
     affected thereby has suffered a diminution in value as a result thereof;

          (c) for insurance  proceeds and condemnation  awards in respect of the
     Property  received  by  Borrower  and not turned  over to Lender or used by
     Borrower with Lender's consent for restoration or repair of the Property as
     provided in the Mortgage;

          (d) for unpaid real estate taxes and assessments or other governmental
     or other impositions  (including  without  limitation utility charges) that
     create a Lien on any of the Property  that would not be  extinguished  by a
     foreclosure of the Mortgage, prorated to date of foreclosure,  with respect
     to the Property;

          (e) regarding leases affecting the Property, (a) for any sums expended
     by Lender in  fulfilling  the  obligations  of Borrower for which Lender is
     personally  liable,  including  without  limitation  the return of security
     deposits to tenants if not  delivered  to Lender upon  foreclosure  or sale
     pursuant to power of sale, or (b) for any rents or other income from leases
     either (i) after the occurrence of an Event of Default,  not applied to the
     fixed and operating expenses of the Property, including without limitation,
     payments  on the Loan or (ii) under  future  leases that do not comply with
     the  requirement of the Mortgage that such leases be designated as superior
     or subordinate to the Mortgage at Lender's option;

          (f)  for  the  Net  Cash  Proceeds   attributable  to  any  Individual
     Properties  sold in violation  of the  provisions  contained in  subsection
     7.1(d) hereof;



<PAGE>21


          (g) for the  Allocated  Loan  Amount  attributable  to any  Individual
     Property  covered by the Lien of the  Mortgage  with  respect to which such
     Lien ceases to be  enforceable by reason of avoidance  under  bankruptcy or
     other fraudulent transfer laws;

          (h) for any  damages  incurred  by  Lender  by  reason of any fraud or
     material misrepresentation with intent to deceive by Borrower in connection
     with the Property, the Loan Documents,  the application for the Loan or any
     other aspect of the Loan;

          (i) for costs and  expenses  incurred  by Lender  with  respect to the
     Property at any time after six (6) months  after the date on which the Loan
     becomes due and payable in full, by acceleration or otherwise, or after any
     event described in subsection 7.1(f); and

          (j) for  interest  accruing  on the Loan from the date six (6)  months
     after  the date on which  the Loan  becomes  due and  payable  in full,  by
     acceleration  or  otherwise,  or after any event  described  in  subsection
     7.1(f) until title to all of the Property passes from the Borrower pursuant
     to enforcement of the Mortgage.

Nothing  contained  herein shall impair Lender's rights under  Applicable  Laws,
including  without  limitation  applicable  bankruptcy  law; nor shall  anything
contained  herein  impair  Lender's  status  and  rights  as a holder  of senior
indebtedness  pursuant to any  instrument  under which  Lender  would be granted
senior status or a derivative recourse claim.

     Section  2.10  Permitted  Second  Lien.  Borrower  shall  have the right to
encumber  the Property  with a second Lien  (hereinafter  called the  "Permitted
Second Lien") which Permitted  Second Lien shall be substantially in the form of
Exhibit B hereto.  The Permitted Second Lien shall secure only the Bank Debt and
any  refinancing  thereof.  The Permitted  Second Lien documents  shall provide,
among other things,  that the Permitted Second Lien is not  forecloseable  until
Lender accelerates the maturity of the Note. The Permitted Second Lien documents
shall further  provide that in the event Lender  accelerates the maturity of the
Note, the sole remedy of the holder of the Permitted Second Lien is to cooperate
and join Lender in the simultaneous foreclosure of both Liens in accordance with
Lender's  schedule for  foreclosure,  time being of the essence.  The  Permitted
Second  Lien  documents  shall  contain  such  additional  provisions  as may be
required by state and local law to accomplish the foregoing  objectives.  During
the term of any such  Permitted  Second Lien,  Borrower  shall  provide  Lender,
without  cost to Lender,  with annual  estoppel  certificates,  stating the then
correct  balance of Bank Debt,  the current  interest rate on the Bank Debt, and
the remaining amortization schedule for the Bank Debt of the then current year.



                                  ARTICLE III
                              Conditions Precedent


<PAGE>22


     Section 3.1 Documents to be Delivered.  As a condition to the effectiveness
of this Agreement,  Lender shall have received all of the following, at Lender's
office in New York, New York, duly executed and delivered and in form, substance
and date satisfactory to Lender:

          (a) The Note.

          (b) A certificate of the chief  financial  officer of Borrower in form
     and substance satisfactory to Lender.

          (c) Favorable opinion(s) of counsel to Borrower,  substantially in the
     form set forth in Exhibit D.

          (d) Each Security Document listed in the Security  Schedule,  together
     with appropriate UCC Financing Statements.

          (e) Each additional closing item described in Schedule 3.

     Section 3.2  Additional  Conditions  Precedent.  In addition the  following
conditions precedent have been satisfied:

          (a) All  representations  and warranties  made by Borrower in any Loan
     Document shall be true on and as of the date made and on the Effective Date
     (except where such representations expressly relate to an earlier date).

          (b) Borrower shall have performed and complied with all agreements and
     conditions  required in the Loan Documents to be performed or complied with
     by it on or prior to the date of the Loan.

          (c) Borrower shall have obtained  confirmation by the Bankruptcy Court
     of its Plan of Reorganization.

          (d) No Default under this Agreement shall exist and be continuing.

          (e) Each additional condition described in Schedule 4.


                                   ARTICLE IV
                         Representations and Warranties

     Section 4.1 Borrower's  Representations and Warranties. To induce Lender to
enter into this Agreement and to restructure  the Loan, the Borrower  represents
and warrants to Lender that:



<PAGE>23


          (a) No Default.  Borrower is not in Default in the  performance of any
     of the covenants and agreements contained herein. No event has occurred and
     is continuing which constitutes a Default.

          (b)  Organization  and Good Standing.  Borrower is a corporation  duly
     organized,  validly  existing  and in good  standing  under the laws of its
     state of organization, having all corporate powers required to carry on its
     business and enter into and carry out the transactions contemplated hereby.
     Borrower  has all  requisite  power and all  governmental  certificates  of
     authority,  licenses, permits,  qualifications,  and other documentation to
     own,  lease and operate its  properties and to carry on its business as now
     conducted  and as  contemplated  to be conducted  except  where  failure to
     obtain any such  governmental  certificate of authority,  license,  permit,
     qualification or other  documentation  would not have a Materially  Adverse
     Effect.  Borrower is duly qualified, in good standing, and authorized to do
     business in all other  jurisdictions  within the United States  wherein the
     character  of the  properties  owned  or  held by it or the  nature  of the
     business transacted by it makes such qualification necessary.

          (c)  Authorization.  Borrower  has duly  taken  all  corporate  action
     necessary  to  authorize  the  execution  and  delivery  by it of the  Loan
     Documents to which it is a party and to authorize the  consummation  of the
     transactions  contemplated  thereby and the  performance of its obligations
     thereunder.

          (d) No  Conflicts  or Consents.  The  execution  and delivery the Loan
     Documents to which Borrower is a party,  the performance by Borrower of its
     obligations  under  such  Loan  Documents,  and  the  consummation  of  the
     transactions  contemplated by the various Loan  Documents,  do not and will
     not (i)  conflict  with any  provision  of (A) any  applicable  domestic or
     foreign law, statute,  decree, rule or regulation,  except where failure to
     comply  therewith  would  not  have a  Materially  Adverse  Effect  (B) the
     certificate of incorporation or bylaws,  of Borrower,  or (C) any judgment,
     license,  order or permit  applicable  to or binding  upon  Borrower,  (ii)
     result in the  acceleration  of any Debt of  Borrower,  (iii)  result in or
     require the creation of any Lien upon any assets or  properties of Borrower
     except as expressly contemplated in the Loan Documents, or (iv) contravene,
     result in a breach of or constitute a default  under any mortgage,  deed of
     trust, lease, promissory note, loan agreement or other material contract or
     material  agreement entered into as of the Effective Date to which Borrower
     is a party or any of its  properties  may  currently  be bound or affected.
     Except  as  expressly  contemplated  in the  Loan  Documents,  no  consent,
     approval,  authorization  or order of, and no notice to or filing with, any
     court or  governmental  authority or third party is required in  connection
     with  the  execution,  delivery  or  performance  by  Borrower  of any Loan
     Document  or to  consummate  any  transactions  contemplated  by  the  Loan
     Documents.

          (e)  Enforceable  Obligations.  This  Agreement is, and the other Loan
     Documents  are or, when duly  executed  and  delivered,  will be, legal and
     binding


<PAGE>24


     obligations  of Borrower  enforceable in accordance  with their  respective
     terms,  except as  limited by  bankruptcy,  insolvency  or similar  laws of
     general application relating to the enforcement of creditors' rights.

          (f) Title and  Authority.  Borrower  is the  lawful  owner of good and
     marketable title to the Property and has good right and authority to grant,
     bargain, sell, transfer,  assign and mortgage the Mortgaged Property and to
     grant a security interest in the Collateral.  Borrower does not do business
     with respect to the  Property  under any trade name other than as set forth
     on the Disclosure Schedule attached hereto as Schedule 1.

          (g)  Permitted  Encumbrances.  The Property is free and clear from all
     Liens,  security  interests and  encumbrances  except the Lien and security
     interest evidenced by the Security Documents and the encumbrances set forth
     in the Security  Documents,  including  without  limitation  the  Permitted
     Second Lien, and the mechanic's or materialmen's  Liens,  lienable bills or
     other claims constituting or that may constitute a Lien on the Property, or
     any part thereof that are set forth on the Disclosure Schedule (hereinafter
     called the "Permitted Encumbrances").

          (h) No Financing  Statement.  There is no financing statement covering
     all or any  part of the  Property  or its  proceeds  on file in any  public
     office except with respect to the Permitted  Second Lien or as described in
     the Disclosure Schedule

          (i) Location of Collateral.  All tangible Collateral is located on the
     Property.

          (j)  Compliance  with  Covenants and Laws. To the best of knowledge of
     Borrower, the Property and the intended use thereof by Borrower comply with
     all applicable restrictive covenants, zoning ordinances and building codes,
     flood  disaster  laws,   applicable  health  and  environmental   laws  and
     regulations and all other applicable  laws,  statutes,  ordinances,  rules,
     regulations,  orders,  determinations  and  court  decisions  (all  of  the
     foregoing  hereinafter  sometimes  collectively  called "Applicable Laws"),
     except  where  failure  to comply  therewith  would  not have a  Materially
     Adverse  Effect,  which  compliance  is,  except  with  respect to parking,
     without reliance on adjacent or other properties not covered by the Lien of
     the  Mortgage.   Borrower  has  obtained  all  requisite  zoning,  utility,
     building,  health and operating permits from each governmental authority or
     municipality  having jurisdiction over the Property except where failure to
     obtain any such permit would not have a Materially Adverse Effect. Borrower
     has not been  notified by any  Governmental  Authority  of or is  otherwise
     aware of any  material  violation  of parking or zoning  requirements  that
     Borrower  believes  cannot be  corrected by  providing  additional  surface
     parking on portions of the Property suitable for parking purposes except as
     previously  disclosed  to Lender.  The  existing  parking  provided on each
     Individual  Property is adequate to meet the business  requirements  of the
     operations conducted thereon.



<PAGE>25


          (k)  Environmental.  To the best of  Borrower's  knowledge  after  due
     inquiry,  except  as set  forth  on  Schedule  1,  Borrower  covenants  and
     represents to Lender that, (i) no Hazardous Substances are now or have ever
     been located, produced, used, stored, treated,  transported,  incorporated,
     discharged,  emitted,  released,  deposited or disposed of in, upon, under,
     over or from the  Property  in a manner that may give rise to any actual or
     potential  liability  to pay  response  costs or other  damages,  losses or
     expenses or otherwise violate any Environmental Laws which could reasonably
     be expected to result in a  Materially  Adverse  Effect;  (ii) no Hazardous
     Substances are currently located,  stored, or used at the Property,  except
     with  respect  to such  Hazardous  Substances  which  are  (x)  customarily
     located,  stored or used in retail  stores  similar to the  Property or (y)
     unique and  necessary to a  Borrower's  business  located at the  Property,
     provided that such Hazardous  Substances described in (x) or (y) are at all
     times stored,  located and used in compliance with all Environmental  Laws;
     (iii) no Hazardous  Substances have been  discharged,  released or emitted,
     upon or from the Property  into the  environment  and no threat exists of a
     discharge,  release or emission of a Hazardous  Substance  upon or from the
     Property into the  environment,  which discharge,  release or emission,  in
     either  case,  would  subject  the owner of the  Property  to any  damages,
     penalties or  liabilities  under any  applicable  Environmental  Laws which
     could reasonably be expected to result in a Materially Adverse Effect; (iv)
     the Property has not ever been used as or for a mine, a landfill, a dump or
     other disposal  facility or a gasoline service station;  (v) no underground
     storage tank is now located on or at the Property or if previously  located
     therein  has been  removed  therefrom  in  compliance  with all  applicable
     Environmental  Laws and any clean-up of the surrounding  soil in connection
     therewith  has been  completed or is such that,  in each case, it could not
     reasonably result in a Materially  Adverse Effect;  (vi) no asbestos,  ACM,
     materials  containing  urea-formaldehyde,   or  transformers,   capacitors,
     ballasts or other  equipment  that  contain PCBs are located on at or under
     the Property  which could  reasonably be expected to result in a Materially
     Adverse  Effect;  (vii) the Property has never been used by Borrower or any
     Affiliate  or,  to the  best  of  Borrower's  knowledge,  after  reasonable
     investigation, any other person or entity (including any prior owner of the
     Property) as a permanent or temporary  treatment,  storage or disposal site
     for any Hazardous  Substance;  (viii) no violation of any Environmental Law
     now exists or has ever existed in, upon,  under, over or from the Property,
     no notice of any such violation or any alleged  violation  thereof has been
     issued or given by any governmental  entity or agency, and there is not now
     nor has there ever been any  investigation or report involving the Property
     by any governmental  entity or agency which in any way relates to Hazardous
     Substances  which could  reasonably  be expected to result in a  Materially
     Adverse  Effect;  (ix) no Person  has given any notice of or  asserted  any
     claim,   cause  of  action,   penalty,   cost  or  demand  for  payment  or
     compensation,  whether or not involving any injury or threatened  injury to
     human health, the environment or natural resources,  resulting or allegedly
     resulting from any activity or event described in clauses  (i)-(viii) above
     and to the  knowledge of Borrower,  no basis for such a claim exists which,
     in each case,  could be expected to result in a Materially  Adverse Effect;
     (x) there are not now, nor to  Borrower's  best  knowledge  have there ever
     been, any actions, suits, proceedings or


<PAGE>26


     damage settlements relating in any way to Hazardous  Substances,  in, upon,
     under,  over or from the  Property  which could  reasonably  be expected to
     result in a Materially Adverse Effect; (xi) no oral or written notification
     of a Release  (as such term is defined in 42 U.S.C.  ss.  9601(22))  of any
     Hazardous  Substances  has been filed by or on behalf of  Borrower  through
     authorized  employees  or agents  and the  Property  are not  listed in the
     United States  Environmental  Protection  Agency's List of Hazardous  Waste
     Sites or any other list of  Hazardous  Substance  sites  maintained  by any
     federal,  state or local  governmental  agency  which could  reasonably  be
     expected  to result in a  Materially  Adverse  Effect;  (xii)  there are no
     environmental  liens  on the  Property,  and,  to  the  best  knowledge  of
     Borrower,  no governmental  actions have been taken or are in process which
     could  subject  the  Property to such liens;  and (xiii)  Borrower  has not
     transported or arranged for the transportation of any Hazardous  Substances
     to any location  which is listed or proposed for listing under CERCLA or on
     any similar  state list or which is the  subject of federal,  sate or local
     enforcement actions or other investigations.

          (l) No Suits. There are no judicial or administrative  actions, suits,
     judgments or any other proceedings  pending or, to the best of knowledge of
     Borrower,  threatened  against  or  affecting  Borrower,  any other  person
     liable,  directly  or  indirectly,  for the  Secured  Indebtedness,  or the
     Property,  which do or may have a Materially  Adverse Effect on Borrower or
     on the Property,  or involving the validity,  enforceability or priority of
     any of the Loan Documents except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule.

          (m) Financial  Statements.  The financial statements identified in the
     Disclosure  Schedule  fairly  present  Borrower's   Consolidated  financial
     position at the respective  dates thereof and the  Consolidated  results of
     Borrower's operations and the changes in Borrower's  Consolidated financial
     position for the respective periods thereof.  Except as noted therein,  the
     financial statements were prepared in accordance with GAAP.

          (n) Names  and  Places  of  Business.  Borrower  has not,  during  the
     preceding  five  years,  been known by or used or had any other  corporate,
     trade, or fictitious name, except as disclosed in the Disclosure  Schedule.
     Except  as  otherwise  indicated  in the  Disclosure  Schedule,  the  chief
     executive  office and principal  place of business of the Borrower are (and
     for the  preceding  five years have been) located at the address set out in
     Section 8.3.

          (o)  Condition of  Property.  To the best of knowledge of Borrower and
     except in the Disclosures  Schedule (a) the Property is served by electric,
     gas,  storm and sanitary  sewers or septic sewer  systems,  sanitary  water
     supply,  telephone and other  utilities  required for the use thereof at or
     within the boundary  lines of the  Property;  (b) all  streets,  alleys and
     easements  necessary to serve the Property for the use  represented  by the
     Borrower have been completed and are serviceable and such streets have been
     dedicated  and  accepted  by  applicable  governmental  entities;  (c)  the
     Property is in good condition and repair, and is free from damage caused by
     fire or other casualty except as set forth in the Disclosure Schedule;  (d)
     there is no latent  or patent  structural  or other  significant  defect


<PAGE>27


     or deficiency in the  Property;  (e) Design and as-built  conditions of the
     Property  are such that no  drainage  or surface or other  water will drain
     across or rest upon  either the  Property or land of others so as to have a
     Materially Adverse Effect; (f) none of the Property is within a flood plain
     except as indicated on the surveys of the Property delivered to Lender; (g)
     none of the  improvements  on the  Property  create an  encroachment  over,
     across  or  upon  any of the  Property  boundary  lines,  rights  of way or
     easements,  and no buildings or other improvements on adjoining land create
     such an  encroachment  except as  indicated  on the surveys of the Property
     delivered to Lender.

          (p) Not a Foreign  Person.  Borrower is not a "foreign  person" within
     the meaning of the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986, as amended  (hereinafter
     called the "Code"),  Sections 1445 and 7701 (i.e.,  no Related  Person is a
     non-resident alien, foreign corporation, foreign partnership, foreign trust
     or foreign  estate as those terms are  defined in the Code and  regulations
     promulgated thereunder).

          (q) ERISA.  As of the date hereof and throughout the term of the Loan,
     (i) Borrower is not an "employee  benefit  plan" as defined in Section 3(3)
     of ERISA,  which is  subject  to Title I of ERISA,  (ii) the  assets of the
     Borrower do not  constitute  "plan assets" of one or more such plans within
     the  meaning  of  29  C.F.R.  ss.  2510.3-101,  (iii)  Borrower  is  not  a
     "governmental  plan" within the meaning of Section 3(32) of ERISA, and (iv)
     Borrower  is not  subject  to state  statutes  regulating  investments  and
     fiduciary  obligations  with  respect  to  governmental  plans.  Except  as
     disclosed in the Disclosure  Schedule,  no  Termination  Event has occurred
     with respect to any ERISA Plan.

          (r)  Investment  Company Act, etc.  Borrower is not (i) an "investment
     company" or a company  "controlled"  by an "investment  company" within the
     meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended,  or (ii) subject
     to regulation under the Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935.

     Section 4.2  Placement of Loan.

          (a)  Borrower  acknowledges  that  Lender  or  its  assignee  (each  a
     "Placement Party") may elect to place the Loan, in a pool of loans,  and/or
     notes  secured by or  dependent on the cash flow of mortgage  loans,  which
     will  constitute  security for a rated  securities  offering  (such pool is
     called a "Loan Pool"; such rated securities offering, a "Securitization").

          (b) At the request of Lender, Borrower will, at Lender's sole cost and
     expense,  use its best  efforts  to assist  Lender to  satisfy  the  market
     standards to which Lender  customarily  adheres or which may be required in
     the  marketplace  or by the rating  agencies in order to enable a Placement
     Party to place the Loan in a Loan Pool, including,  without limitation,  to
     cooperate with Lender's  preparation of a private  placement  memorandum or
     registration  statement and amendments and supplements thereto to privately
     place or


<PAGE>28


     publicly distribute the Note or the Loan or securities issued in connection
     therewith in a manner that satisfies the requirements of the Securities Act
     of 1933,  as  amended  and  applicable  state  law  requirements,  provided
     Borrower shall not be required to disclose  individual store sales or other
     nonpublic information which would, in Borrower's judgment, adversely affect
     its  business  prospects  or  competitive  position.   Notwithstanding  the
     foregoing proviso, Borrower shall disclose individual store sales to Lender
     to provide to rating  agencies  and will  provide  Lender  with total sales
     information  for the Property on an aggregate  basis,  for fiscal year 1996
     and annually thereafter.

          (c) Lender  shall be permitted  to share any  information  provided by
     Borrower pursuant to this Section 4.2 in connection with the placement of a
     Loan  Interest in a Loan Pool with the  investment  banking  firms,  rating
     agencies,  accounting firms, law firms and other third-party advisory firms
     involved  with  any  transfer  of  the  Loan,  the  Loan  Documents  or the
     applicable  Securitization.  It is understood that the information provided
     by Borrower to Lender may  ultimately  be  incorporated  into the  offering
     documents for the  Securitization  and thus various  investors may also see
     some or all of the information.

          (d)  Borrower  acknowledges  that  any  transfer  of the  Loan  or the
     placement of the Loan  Interest in a Loan Pool may occur at any time during
     the term of this  Agreement and the provisions of this Section 4.2 shall be
     applicable throughout the term of the Loan.


                                   ARTICLE V
                              Covenants of Borrower

     Section 5.1 Covenants.  Borrower warrants, covenants and agrees that, until
the full and final payment of the Secured  Indebtedness  and the  termination of
this Agreement (unless Lender has previously agreed otherwise):

          (a) Payment and  Performance.  Borrower will pay all amounts due under
     the Loan  Documents in accordance  with the terms thereof and will observe,
     perform and comply with every  covenant,  term and  condition  expressed or
     implied in the Loan Documents.

          (b) Existence.  Borrower will continuously  maintain its existence and
     its right to do business in each state in which it owns  Property  together
     with its  franchises  and trade names to the extent  required by Applicable
     Laws.

          (c)  Operation  of Property.  Borrower  will operate the Property in a
     good and  workmanlike  manner and in accordance  with all  Applicable  Laws
     except where failure to comply therewith will not have a Materially Adverse
     Effect  and  will  pay  all  fees or  charges  of any  kind  in  connection
     therewith. Borrower will keep the Property occupied so as not to impair the
     insurance carried thereon except where an Individual  Property is



<PAGE>29


     closed if appropriate  insurance is maintained  thereon.  Borrower will not
     use or occupy, or allow the use or occupancy of, the Property in any manner
     which (i)  violates  any  Applicable  Laws except  where  failure to comply
     therewith will not have a Materially  Adverse Effect or (ii)  constitutes a
     public or private nuisance or (iii) makes void, voidable or cancelable, any
     insurance  then in force with respect  thereto.  Borrower will not initiate
     any zoning  reclassification  of the  Property or seek any  variance  under
     existing  zoning  ordinances  applicable  to the Property or use or, to the
     extent  controllable by Borrower,  permit the use of any Property in such a
     manner which would result in such use  becoming a  nonconforming  use under
     applicable  zoning  ordinances or other Applicable Laws.  Borrower will not
     impose any restrictive  covenants or encumbrances  upon the Property (other
     than  Permitted  Encumbrances),   execute  or  file  any  subdivision  plat
     affecting the Property or consent to the  annexation of the Property to any
     municipality,  without the prior written consent of Lender.  Borrower shall
     not cause or, to the extent  controllable by Borrower,  permit any drilling
     or exploration for, or extraction,  removal or production of, minerals from
     the surface or subsurface  of the Property.  Borrower will not knowingly do
     or suffer to be done any act whereby the value of any part of the  Property
     will be  lessened.  Borrower  will not operate or permit the Property to be
     operated as a cooperative or condominium building or buildings in which the
     tenants or occupants participate in the ownership, control or management of
     the Property or any part  thereof,  as tenant  stockholders  or  otherwise.
     Borrower will allow Lender or its  authorized  representative  to enter the
     Property at any  reasonable  time to inspect the  Property  and  Borrower's
     books and records  pertaining  thereto and Borrower  will assist  Lender or
     said  representative  in whatever  reasonable  way  necessary  to make such
     inspection.  If Borrower receives a notice of claim from any federal, state
     or other governmental entity pertaining to the Property, regarding a matter
     which could have a Materially  Adverse Effect or a notice that the Property
     is not in  compliance  with any  Applicable  Laws except  where  failure to
     comply therewith would not have a Materially Adverse Effect,  Borrower will
     promptly furnish a copy of such notice or claim to Lender.

          (d)  Debts  for  Construction.  Borrower  will  cause  all  debts  and
     liabilities  relating to  utilities  servicing  the Property to be promptly
     paid.  Borrower  will  cause all debts and  liabilities  of any  character,
     including without limitation all debts and liabilities for labor, material,
     fixtures  and  equipment  which  are  subject  to the  Security  Documents,
     incurred in the construction, maintenance, operation and development of the
     Property to be promptly  paid except  where  failure to make such  payments
     would not  result  in a  Materially  Adverse  Effect.  Notwithstanding  the
     foregoing, Borrower may in good faith, by appropriate proceedings,  contest
     the validity,  applicability or amount of any debt or liability and pending
     such contest Borrower shall not be deemed in default  hereunder if Borrower
     provide  Lender  with  security  satisfactory  to Lender in its  reasonable
     discretion  and if the  Borrower  promptly  causes  to be paid  any  amount
     adjudged by a court of competent jurisdiction to be due, with all costs and
     interest  thereon,  promptly after such judgment  becomes final;  provided,
     however,  that in any event each such contest  shall be  concluded  and any
     debt,  liability,  lien, interest and costs shall be paid, bonded around or
     

<PAGE>30


     otherwise removed prior to the date any writ or order is issued under which
     the Property may be sold.

          (e) Ad  Valorem  Taxes.  The  Borrower  will cause to be paid prior to
     delinquency  all taxes and  assessments  heretofore or hereafter  levied or
     assessed against the Property,  or any part thereof, or against the Trustee
     or Lender for or on account of the Note or the other  Secured  Indebtedness
     or the interest created by the Security Documents; except that Borrower may
     in  good  faith,   by  appropriate   proceedings,   contest  the  validity,
     applicability,  or amount of any asserted tax or assessment,  provided that
     appropriate  reserves  consistent  with GAAP are established at the time of
     any such contest and Borrower  provides Lender with  satisfactory  evidence
     thereof.

          (f)  Repair  and  Maintenance.  Borrower  will keep and  maintain  the
     Property,  including  the parking,  recreational  and  landscaped  portions
     thereof, in good order, repair, operating condition and appearance, causing
     all   necessary   structural   and   non-structural   repairs,    renewals,
     replacements,  additions and improvements to be promptly made, and will not
     allow  any  of  the  property  to  be  misused,  abused  or  wasted  or  to
     deteriorate.  Borrower  shall  provide  Lender with  written  notice of any
     material  damage to or destruction  of the Property or any portion  thereof
     within five (5) Business  Days of such  occurrence.  Borrower will promptly
     replace all worn-out or obsolete  fixtures or personal  property covered by
     the Security Documents with fixtures or personal property comparable to the
     replaced  fixtures  or personal  property  when new,  and will  repaint the
     Property  when needed.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Borrower will not
     without the prior written  consent of Lender,  (i) remove from the Property
     any fixtures or personal property covered by the Security  Documents except
     (A) such as is replaced by Borrower by an article of equal  suitability and
     value owned by  Borrower,  free and clear of any Lien or security  interest
     (except  that created by the Security  Documents  or the  Permitted  Second
     Lien) or (B) such fixtures or personal property (other than heating and air
     conditioning  equipment) having a value of less than $100,000,  the removal
     of which  would not have a  Materially  Adverse  Effect  on the  Individual
     Property to which it relates, or (ii) make any structural alterations which
     diminish the value of the  improvements  on the  Property,  or (iii) expend
     more than  $150,000 in the  aggregate in any twelve (12)  calendar  monthly
     period on structural  alterations on any Individual Property, or (iv) erect
     any new  buildings,  structures,  or building  additions on any  Individual
     Property (except such new buildings,  structures or building additions that
     do not  diminish  the  value of such  Individual  Property  and the cost of
     construction  of which is not in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate in any
     twelve (12) calendar month period). Notwithstanding the above, Borrower may
     repair or replace the roof and/or the asphalt parking lot at any Individual
     Property  provided such repairs or  replacement  shall meet all  applicable
     building codes and requirements and shall result in the roof and/or parking
     lot being of equal or grater  quality as the roofs  and/or  parking lots of
     comparable retail establishments.

          (g) Insurance and Casualty.


<PAGE>31

               (i)  Application  of  Proceeds.  Borrower  will keep the Property
          insured against loss or damage by fire,  explosion,  windstorm,  hail,
          flood (if the  Property  shall at any time be located in the  100-year
          flood plain in which flood insurance has been made available  pursuant
          to the Flood Disaster protection Act of 1973),  tornado and such other
          hazards as may be  reasonably  required by Lender by policies of fire,
          extended coverage and other insurance in such company or companies, in
          such  amounts as are  sufficient  to prevent  the  application  of any
          co-insurance  contributions  on  loss  and  not  less  than  the  full
          replacement cost of the  improvements  located on the Property and all
          personal  property  included  in the  Collateral,  upon such terms and
          provisions,  in such forms,  and with such loss  payees,  insureds and
          endorsements  (including  without  limitation the  "replacement  cost"
          endorsement with a waiver of  depreciation),  all as may be acceptable
          to  Lender.   Such  insurance   shall  include  boiler  and  machinery
          insurance,  if  applicable,  covering  boilers and other high pressure
          vessels,  the  air  conditioning  system  and  high  pressure  piping,
          machinery and equipment.  Such insurance shall also include earthquake
          insurance for that portion of the Property located outside California,
          New Mexico and Nevada to the extent and in the amounts  maintained  by
          the Borrower as of the date of this  Agreement and in the amount of at
          least  $15,000,000  for that  portion of the Property  located  within
          California, New Mexico and Nevada, to the extent that such coverage is
          available  at  commercially  reasonable  rates  and,  in the event the
          Property is leased at aggregate  annual rentals in excess of $250,000,
          rental loss  insurance in at least the aggregate  annual amount of all
          rent and  additional  rents  payable  by tenants  under  leases of the
          Property.  The  Borrower  will also  provide  such other  insurance as
          Lender may from time to time  reasonably  require,  in such companies,
          upon  such  terms  and  provisions,  in such  amounts,  and with  such
          endorsements,  all as are approved by Lender. Borrower will deliver to
          Lender  certified  copies of the  original  policies  evidencing  such
          insurance and any additional  insurance  which shall be taken out upon
          any part of the Property and  receipts  evidencing  the payment of all
          premiums,  and will deliver  certificates  evidencing  renewals of all
          such policies of insurance to Lender at least fifteen (15) days before
          any such insurance  shall expire.  Without  limiting the discretion of
          Lender with respect to required  endorsements  to insurance  policies,
          Borrower  further  agrees that all such  policies  shall  provide that
          proceeds  thereunder  will be  payable to Lender as its  interest  may
          appear   pursuant   and   subject  to  a  mortgage   clause   (without
          contribution) of standard form attached to or otherwise made a part of
          the  applicable  policy.  In the event of  foreclosure of any Security
          Document, or other transfer of title to the Property in extinguishment
          in whole or in part of the Secured Indebtedness,  all right, title and
          interest of Borrower in and to such policies then in force  concerning
          the  Property  covered  by such  Security  Document  and all  proceeds
          payable  thereunder  shall  thereupon  vest in the  purchaser  at such
          foreclosure  or Lender or other  transferee in the event of such other
          transfer of title.  In the event any of the  Property  covered by such
          


<PAGE>32


          insurance is destroyed or damaged by fire, explosion,  windstorm, hail
          or by any other  casualty  against  which  insurance  shall  have been
          required  hereunder,  (A) Lender may, but shall not be  obligated  to,
          make  proof  of  loss if not  made  promptly  by  Borrower,  (B)  each
          insurance  company concerned is hereby authorized and directed to make
          payment for such loss  directly to Lender  instead of to Borrower  and
          (C) Lender shall apply the insurance proceeds as follows:

                    (A)  first, to reimburse Lender or the Trustee for all costs
                         and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorney's  fees,
                         incurred  in  connection  with the  collection  of such
                         proceeds; and

                    (B)  second,  if (a) the  amount  of the  loss is more  than
                         $250,000,  (b) there is then existing a Default that is
                         capable  of being  cured by the  payment of money or an
                         Event of Default, (c) in Lender's judgment, restoration
                         cannot be  completed  within  twelve (12) months  after
                         such  destruction,  or (d) the insurer denies liability
                         to any  named  insured,  then in any  such  event,  the
                         remainder  of said  proceeds  shall be  applied  to the
                         Secured Indebtedness (without premium or penalty); and

                    (C)  third,  if none of the facts  described  in (a) through
                         (d) of subsection (B) above exists (or if Lender waives
                         the matters described in subsection (B)), the remainder
                         of  such  proceeds  shall  be  applied  to the  repair,
                         restoration or  replacement of the Individual  Property
                         so destroyed or damaged to as good or better  condition
                         as  existed  prior to such  destruction  or  damage  in
                         accordance  with plans and  specifications  approved in
                         writing by Lender in its reasonable  discretion and any
                         amounts not so applied shall,  at Lender's  option,  be
                         applied to the payment  (without premium or penalty) of
                         the Secured Indebtedness.

          Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  Lender shall have the option to apply
          any such  insurance  proceeds,  in whole  or in part,  to the  repair,
          restoration or  replacement of the Property  rather than applying such
          proceeds to the payment of the Secured Indebtedness, without regard to
          the extent of the damage to the Property or the existence of a Default
          hereunder. If Lender elects or is required to apply insurance proceeds
          to restoration, (i) the proceeds may, at Lender's election, be held in
          a mutually  acceptable  interest  bearing  account to be  disbursed in
          installments by Lender or by a disbursing  agent  (hereinafter  called
          the "Depository")  selected by Lender at Borrower's  expense and whose
          fees and expenses shall be paid by Borrower, (ii) Borrower shall, upon
          demand  by  Lender,  from  time to time,  deposit



<PAGE>33


          with Lender or the Depository in an interest  bearing account selected
          by Lender in its sole  discretion,  the amount of any deductible under
          such insurance coverage and such amounts in excess of the amount, from
          time  to  time,  on  deposit  as may be  necessary  to  complete  such
          restoration  and (iii) the  insurance  proceeds and such other amounts
          deposited  pursuant to (ii) above shall be disbursed from time to time
          as  restoration  progresses   satisfactorily  in  Lender's  reasonable
          judgment,  based  upon  receipt  of  appropriate  lien  waivers  and a
          certificate  of the  architect or engineer in charge of the work,  the
          form and content of such certificate to be reasonably  satisfactory to
          Lender,   and  title  insurance   protection  against  mechanic's  and
          materialmen's  liens.  If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing
          prior to full disbursement of the insurance proceeds,  any undisbursed
          portion  may,  at  Lender's  option,  be applied to the payment of the
          Secured  Indebtedness,  whether  or not then  due and in any  order of
          priority,  and such application  shall be deemed to be a prepayment of
          the outstanding  principal balance of the Loan and shall be subject to
          a Prepayment  Premium  computed in accordance  with Section 2.6 hereof
          and subject to the limitations thereunder.

               (ii)  Partial  Release.  If  Lender  elects  to  apply  insurance
          proceeds to the Secured  Indebtedness  and the insurance  proceeds are
          greater  than or equal to the sum of the then current  Allocated  Loan
          Amount of the  Individual  Property  to which  such  proceeds  relate,
          together with accrued  interest  thereon,  other  amounts  advanced by
          Lender  with  respect  thereto  and all costs  incurred by Lender with
          respect  thereto,  then  Lender  shall  release  from  the Lien of the
          Mortgage such Individual Property. If Lender elects to apply insurance
          proceeds to the Secured  Indebtedness  and the insurance  proceeds are
          less than the then  current  Allocated  Loan Amount of the  Individual
          Property to which such proceeds relate plus accrued interest  thereon,
          other  amounts  advanced by Lender with respect  thereto and all costs
          incurred  by  Lender  relating  to  the  proposed  release,   then  at
          Borrower's  option,  upon thirty (30) days'  prior  written  notice to
          Lender, Borrower may obtain a release of such Individual Property from
          the Lien of the  Mortgage  upon payment to Lender of such amount as is
          necessary,  when  added to such  insurance  proceeds,  to pay the then
          current  Allocated Loan Amount plus accrued  interest  thereon,  other
          amounts advanced by Lender with respect thereto and all costs incurred
          by Lender relating to the proposed release.

               (iii) Notice and Restoration. In any event, the unpaid portion of
          the Secured Indebtedness shall remain in full force and effect and the
          Borrower  shall not be excused in the payment  thereof.  If any act or
          occurrence  of any kind or nature  (including  any  casualty  on which
          insurance was not obtained or obtainable) shall result in damage to or
          loss  or  destruction  of any of the  Property,  Borrower  shall  give
          immediate notice thereof to Lender and, unless otherwise so instructed
          by Lender or in the event Lender has applied the insurance proceeds to
          the Note,  shall  promptly,  at  Borrower's  sole cost and expense and
          regardless  of  whether  the


<PAGE>34


          insurance  proceeds,  if any,  shall be  sufficient  for the  purpose,
          diligently  restore,   repair,  replace  and  rebuild  the  Individual
          Property so damaged or  destroyed  as nearly as possible to its value,
          condition  and  character  immediately  prior to such damage,  loss or
          destruction in accordance with plans and  specifications  submitted to
          and approved by Lender in writing.

          (h)  Condemnation.

               (i) Application of Proceeds. Immediately upon obtaining knowledge
          of the institution or threat of institution of any proceedings for the
          condemnation  of the  Property  or any portion  thereof,  or any other
          proceedings  arising out of injury or damage to the  Property,  or any
          portion  thereof,  Borrower will notify Lender of the pendency of such
          proceedings.  Lender  may  participate  in any such  proceedings,  and
          Borrower  shall from time to time  deliver  to Lender all  instruments
          requested by it to permit such  participation.  Borrower shall, at its
          expense, diligently prosecute any such proceedings,  and shall consult
          with Lender, its attorneys and experts, and cooperate with them in the
          carrying  on or  defense  of any such  proceedings.  All  proceeds  of
          condemnation  awards or proceeds of sale in lieu of condemnation  with
          respect to the  Property  and all  judgments,  decrees  and awards for
          injury or damage to the Property  shall be paid to Lender and shall be
          applied as follows:

                    (A)  first, to reimburse Lender or the Trustee for all costs
                         and expenses,  including  reasonable  attorney's  fees,
                         incurred  in   connection   with   collection  of  such
                         proceeds; and

                    (B)  second,  if (i) if the cost of the repair,  restoration
                         or  replacement  is more than $250,000 or (ii) there is
                         then  existing a Default that is capable of being cured
                         by the  payment  of money or an  Event of  Default,  or
                         (iii) in  Lender's  judgment,  restoration,  repair  or
                         replacement  cannot be  completed  within  twelve  (12)
                         months after such taking occurs or (iv) the  Individual
                         Property  that is the  subject of such  proceedings  is
                         partially  taken or  diminished  in value  and,  in the
                         reasonable  judgment of Borrower,  need not be rebuilt,
                         restored or  repaired in any manner,  or (v) all of the
                         Property is taken pursuant to such proceedings, then in
                         any such event, the remainder of said proceeds shall be
                         applied to the payment of the Note; and

                    (C)  third,  if none of the facts  described  in (i) through
                         (v) of subsection (B) above exists (or if Lender waives
                         the matters  described in (ii) of subsection  (B)), the
                         remainder  of such


<PAGE>35


                         proceeds shall be applied to the repair, restoration or
                         replacement  of the  Individual  Property  that  is the
                         subject of such  proceeding  and any  amounts  not thus
                         paid over shall be applied to the Note; provided,  that
                         any such  proceeds  held by Lender to be applied to the
                         repair,  restoration  or replacement of the Property as
                         provided  above shall be held and disbursed in the same
                         manner as provided in  subsection  (g) of this  Section
                         5.1.

     Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  Lender shall have the option to apply any
     proceeds of condemnation awards or proceeds of sale in lieu of condemnation
     with  respect to the  Property  or any  judgments,  decrees  and awards for
     injury or  damage  to the  Property,  in whole or in part,  to the  repair,
     restoration  or  replacement  of the  Property  rather than  applying  such
     proceeds to the payment of the Secured Indebtedness,  without regard to the
     extent of the taking or the damage to the  Property or the  existence  of a
     Default hereunder.

               (ii)  Partial  Release.  If Lender  elects to apply  condemnation
          proceeds to the Secured Indebtedness and the condemnation proceeds are
          greater  than or equal to the sum of the then current  Allocated  Loan
          Amount of the Individual  Property to which such proceeds  relate plus
          accrued  interest  thereon,  other  amounts  advanced  by Lender  with
          respect  thereto  and all costs  incurred  by Lender  relating  to the
          proposed  release  then  Lender  shall  release  from  the Lien of the
          Mortgage  such  Individual   Property.   If  Lender  elects  to  apply
          condemnation proceeds to the Secured Indebtedness and the condemnation
          proceeds are less than the then current  Allocated  Loan Amount of the
          Individual  Property to which such proceeds relate, then at Borrower's
          option upon thirty (30) days' prior written notice to Lender, Borrower
          may obtain a release of such Individual  Property from the Lien of the
          Mortgage  upon payment to Lender of such amount as is  necessary  when
          added to such condemnation  proceeds to pay the then current Allocated
          Loan Amount plus accrued interest thereon, other amounts advanced with
          respect to such Individual Property,  and all costs incurred by Lender
          relating  to the  proposed  release.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,
          Lender  shall have the option to apply any  proceeds  of  condemnation
          awards or proceeds of sale in lieu of condemnation with respect to the
          Property or any judgments,  decrees and awards for injury or damage to
          the  Property,  in whole or in part,  to the  repair,  restoration  or
          replacement of the Property  rather than applying such proceeds to the
          payment of the Secured  Indebtedness,  without regard to the extent of
          the taking or the damage to the Property or the existence of a Default
          hereunder.

               (iii) Notice and Restoration.  In any event the unpaid portion of
          the  Secured  Indebtedness  shall  remain in full force and effect and
          shall not be excused in the payment  thereof.  In the event any of the
          foregoing   proceeds  are  applied  to  the  repair,   restoration  or
          replacement of the Property,  the Borrower shall promptly


<PAGE>36


          commence and complete such repair,  restoration  or replacement of the
          Property as nearly as possible to its value,  condition  and character
          immediately  prior to such damage or taking in  accordance  with plans
          and specification submitted to and approved by the Lender.

               (iv) Assignment to Lender.  Borrower hereby assigns and transfers
          all such proceeds,  judgments, decrees and awards to Lender and agrees
          to execute such further  assignments of all such proceeds,  judgments,
          decrees and awards as Lender may request. Lender is hereby authorized,
          in the name of Borrower, to execute and deliver valid aquittances for,
          and to appeal from, any such judgment,  decree or award.  Lender shall
          not be,  in any event or  circumstances,  liable  or  responsible  for
          failure to collect,  or exercise  diligence in the  collection of, any
          such proceeds, judgments, decrees and/or awards.

          (i) Protection and Defense of Lien. If the validity or priority of any
     Security  Document or of any rights,  titles,  Liens or security  interests
     created  or  evidenced  hereby  with  respect to the  Property  or any part
     thereof shall be endangered or questioned or shall be attacked  directly or
     indirectly or if any legal proceedings are instituted against Borrower with
     respect thereto, Borrower will give prompt written notice thereof to Lender
     and at Borrower's own cost and expense will diligently endeavor to cure any
     defect that may be developed or claimed,  and will take all  necessary  and
     proper steps for the defense of such legal  proceedings,  including but not
     limited  to the  employment  of  counsel,  the  prosecution  or  defense of
     litigation  and the release or  discharge  of all adverse  claims,  and the
     Trustee and Lender,  or either of them  (whether or not named as parties to
     legal proceedings with respect thereto) are hereby authorized and empowered
     to take such  additional  steps as in its or their  judgment and discretion
     may be necessary or proper for the defense of any such legal proceedings or
     the  protection  of the validity or priority of the Security  Documents and
     the rights,  titles,  Liens and  security  interests  created or  evidenced
     hereby and shall be  reimbursed  for any  expenses so incurred  pursuant to
     subsection (r).

          (j) No Other  Liens.  Borrower  will not,  without  the prior  written
     consent of  Lender,  create,  place or permit to be  created or placed,  or
     through any act or failure to act, acquiesce in the placing of, or allow to
     remain, any deed of trust, mortgage, voluntary or involuntary Lien, whether
     statutory,  constitutional or contractual  (except for the Permitted Second
     Lien and the Lien  for ad  valorem  taxes  on the  Property  which  are not
     delinquent),  security interest (except for the security interests included
     in the Permitted Second Lien),  encumbrance or charge,  or conditional sale
     or other title retention document, against or covering the Property, or any
     part thereof, other than the Permitted Encumbrances,  regardless of whether
     the same are  expressly  or otherwise  subordinate  to the Lien or security
     interest created in the Security Documents, and should any of the foregoing
     become attached hereafter in any manner to any part of the Property without
     the prior  written  consent of Lender,  Borrower  will cause the same to be
     promptly  discharged


<PAGE>37


     and  released.  Borrower  will own all parts of the  Property  and will not
     acquire any  fixtures,  equipment or other  property  forming a part of the
     Property  pursuant to a lease,  license or similar  agreement,  without the
     prior written consent of Lender.

          (k) Books and Records.  Borrower will keep accurate  books and records
     in accordance  with GAAP in which full,  true and correct  entries shall be
     promptly made as to all  operations  on the  Property,  and will permit all
     such  books  and  records  (including  without  limitation  all  contracts,
     statements,  invoices,  bills and claims for labor,  materials and services
     supplied for the construction  and operation of the improvements  forming a
     part of the  Property)  to be  inspected  and copied by Lender and its duly
     accredited representatives at all times during reasonable business hours.

          (l) Financial Information.

               (i) Annual Consolidated Financial Statements.  Within ninety (90)
          days  after the close of each  fiscal  year,  Borrower  shall  furnish
          Lender  with  audited  Consolidated  financial  statements,  including
          balance sheets, income statements and statements of cash flows for the
          Borrower,  prepared in accordance  with GAAP and such other  available
          information as the Lender shall request.

               (ii) Annual  Reports  Regarding  Stores.  Within ninety (90) days
          after the close of each fiscal year,  Borrower  shall  furnish  Lender
          with a report  providing  an analysis  for each Store  included in the
          Property of operating  income and  expenses.  Lender  agrees that such
          information  is  confidential  and shall not be disclosed to any third
          party (except as required by law  following  prior notice to Borrower)
          without Borrower's written consent.

               (iii) Other Financial  Information.  Promptly upon their becoming
          available,  copies of all financial  statements,  and proxy statements
          sent by Borrower to its stockholders and all registration  statements,
          periodic reports,  press releases,  monthly sales reports (if publicly
          released),  and other  statements and schedules filed by Borrower with
          any securities exchange, the Securities and Exchange Commission or any
          similar governmental authority, including without limitation copies of
          all reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K (or their  equivalents)  which
          Borrower shall have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

          (m) Liability  Insurance.  Borrower shall maintain  commercial general
     public  liability  insurance  against claims for bodily injury or death and
     property  damage  occurring in or upon or resulting  from the Property,  in
     standard  form and with  such  insurance  company  or  companies  as may be
     acceptable to Lender, such insurance to afford immediate protection, to the
     limit of not  less  than  $5,000,000  in  respect  of any one  accident  or
     occurrence,  and to the  limit of not less  than  $5,000,000  for  property
     damage,  with not more than $500,000  deductible.  Such Commercial  General
     Public  Liability


<PAGE>38


     insurance  shall  include  Blanket  Contractual  Liability  coverage  which
     insures contractual  liability under the indemnifications of Lender and the
     Trustee by Borrower set forth in this  Agreement  (but such coverage or the
     amount thereof shall in no way limit such indemnifications). Borrower shall
     maintain  with  respect  to  each  policy  or  agreement   evidencing  such
     Commercial  General Public Liability  insurance such endorsements as may be
     required by Lender and shall at all times  deliver and maintain with Lender
     a  certificate  with  respect to such  insurance  in form  satisfactory  to
     Lender.  Not less than  fifteen (15) days prior to the  expiration  date of
     each policy of  insurance  required of  Borrower  pursuant to this  Section
     5.1(m),  Borrower shall deliver to Lender certificates or other evidence of
     payment  satisfactory  to  Lender.  In the  event of a  foreclosure  of any
     Security  Document,  the  purchaser of the Property  covered  thereby shall
     succeed  to all the rights of  Borrower,  including  any right to  unearned
     premiums,  in and to all  policies of  insurance  assigned  pursuant to the
     provisions of this  subsection,  and Borrower  hereby  authorize  Lender to
     notify any or all insurance carriers of this assignment.

          (n)  Proceeds  of   Collateral.   Borrower  shall  account  fully  and
     faithfully for and, if Lender so elects, shall promptly pay or turn over to
     Lender the  proceeds in whatever  form  received  from  disposition  in any
     manner  of  any  of  the  Collateral,   except  as  otherwise  specifically
     authorized  herein. In the event Lender so elects and the proceeds from the
     disposition of such Collateral are paid over to Lender,  Lender shall apply
     such  proceeds  to the Secured  Indebtedness  without  prepayment  penalty.
     Borrower shall at all times keep the  Collateral and its proceeds  separate
     and distinct  from other  property of Borrower and shall keep  accurate and
     complete records of the Collateral and its proceeds.

          (o) Permitted Encumbrances. Borrower will comply with and will perform
     all of the covenants,  agreements and obligations  imposed upon them or the
     Property in the Permitted  Encumbrances in accordance with their respective
     terms and provisions. Borrower will not modify or agree to any modification
     of any Permitted Encumbrance, which modification would adversely affect the
     interest of Lender in the Property,  without the prior  written  consent of
     Lender which consent may be withheld by Lender in its sole discretion.

          (p) Environmental.

               (A)  Borrower  shall not (and it shall  not  permit  any  tenant,
          subtenant,  contractor,  agent or manager  to) locate,  produce,  use,
          store,  treat,  transport,  incorporate,   discharge,  emit,  release,
          deposit or dispose of any  Hazardous  Substance in, upon,  under,  at,
          over  or  from  the  Property   except  that  Borrower  (its  tenants,
          subtenants,  manager, contractors or agents) may store, locate and use
          on the Property Hazardous Substances which are (1) customarily located
          or stored in retail or operations buildings similar to the Property or
          used in  connection  with  Borrower's  operations,  or (2) unique to a
          tenant's  business  located  at  the  Property,   provided  that  such
          Hazardous  Substances described in clauses (1) or (2) above are


<PAGE>39


          at  all  times  stored,  located  and  used  in  compliance  with  all
          Environmental  Laws other than any  noncompliance  which  Borrower  or
          tenant takes reasonably  prompt action to address.  Borrower shall not
          permit any Hazardous Substances to be located, produced, used, stored,
          treated,  transported,  incorporated,  discharged,  emitted, released,
          deposited,  disposed of or to escape therein,  thereupon,  thereunder,
          thereover or therefrom  in  violation  of any  Environmental  Law, and
          shall comply with all  Environmental  Laws which are applicable to the
          Property in each case, other than any violation or noncompliance which
          Borrower or tenant takes reasonably prompt action to address. Borrower
          shall not engage in any conduct in  connection  with the Property that
          may subject  Borrower to  Environmental  Costs,  or  contribute  to or
          aggravate  a release of  Hazardous  Substances  where  such  action or
          failure to act could  reasonably be expected to result in a Materially
          Adverse Effect.  In addition to the foregoing  restrictions,  Borrower
          agrees that no asbestos, ACM, materials containing  urea-formaldehyde,
          or transformers,  capacitors, ballasts or other equipment that contain
          PCBs are,  or will at any time be,  located  about the  Property  in a
          manner that could  reasonably  be expected to result in a violation of
          applicable Environmental Laws.

               (B)  Borrower  shall  promptly   within  the  time  permitted  by
          Environmental Laws, initiate and diligently pursue to completion,  any
          and  all  remedial   action   required   pursuant  to  any  applicable
          Environmental  Laws  in  response  to the  presence  of any  Hazardous
          Substances at, on, under or affecting, or emanating from, the Property
          and shall take such  remedial  action as is required  to minimize  any
          impairment  of  Lender's  Lien  on,  and  security  interest  in,  the
          Property.  If Borrower  undertakes any remedial action with respect to
          any Hazardous Substance affecting the Property, Borrower shall conduct
          and complete such remedial  action in compliance  with all  applicable
          Environmental Laws. If any Hazardous Substance is removed or caused to
          be  removed  from the  Property  by  Borrower,  the  generator  number
          assigned  by the  Environmental  Protection  Agency to such  Hazardous
          Substance shall not be in the name of Lender and Borrower shall assume
          any and all liability for such removed Hazardous Substance.

               (C) The  representations  and  warranties  contained  in  Section
          4.1(k) and the  covenants  contained in this  Section  5.1(p) shall be
          deemed  continuing  covenants  for  the  benefit  of  Lender,  and any
          successors  and  assigns of Lender  including  but not  limited to any
          purchasers  at a  foreclosure  sale,  any  transferee  of the title of
          Lender and any  subsequent  owner of the  Property,  shall survive the
          termination of this Agreement,  or the  satisfaction or release of the
          Mortgage,  any  foreclosure of the Mortgage  and/or any acquisition of
          title to the  Property  or any  part  thereof  by  Lender,  or  anyone
          claiming by,  through or under Lender,  by deed in lieu of foreclosure
          or otherwise.  The rights and remedies of Lender under this  Agreement
          shall not inure to the benefit of (i) any purchaser of the Property at
          a  foreclosure  sale,  (ii) any Person taking title to the Property by
          deed in lieu of  foreclosure  or


<PAGE>40


          (iii) any  successor or assign of any Person  described in clauses (i)
          and (ii) above, except that Lender's rights shall inure to the benefit
          of the parties in clauses  (i),  (ii) and (iii) hereof if such parties
          are Lender  (including,  for these purposes,  Lender's  successors and
          assigns as holder of the Loan  Documents),  any  beneficiaries  of any
          Loan Pool, any  Participant  of any of Lender's (or such  successors',
          assigns', beneficiaries' or Participant's) Affiliates or nominees.

               (D) Borrower shall give prompt written notice to Lender of:

                    (i) any  proceeding  or  inquiry  known to  Borrower  by any
               Governmental  Authority  with  respect  to  the  presence  of any
               Hazardous Substance on the Property or the migration thereof from
               or to other property;

                    (ii)  all  claims  made or  threatened  by any  third  party
               against  Borrower or the  Property in each case known to Borrower
               relating  to any loss or  injury  resulting  from  any  Hazardous
               Substance;

                    (iii)  the  storage,   production,   release,  discharge  or
               disposal of any Hazardous  Substances on the Property  other than
               in accordance with all applicable Environmental Laws; and

                    (iv) Borrower's  discovery of any occurrence or condition on
               any real  property  adjoining  or in the vicinity of the Property
               which could  reasonably  be expected to cause the Property or any
               part thereof to be subject to any  restrictions on the ownership,
               occupancy,  transferability  or  use of the  Property  under  any
               Environmental  Law or to be otherwise subject to any restrictions
               on  the  ownership,  occupancy,  transferability  or  use  of the
               Property under any Environmental Law.

               (E) Borrower shall keep Lender apprised of the status of, and any
          material developments in, any governmental  investigation  relating to
          Environmental   Matters  at  or  about  the  Property,   any  and  all
          enforcement,  clean-up,  removal or other  governmental  or regulatory
          actions   instituted,   completed  or   threatened   pursuant  to  any
          Environmental  Law with respect to the Property and any other  claims,
          actions or  proceedings  with  respect  to the  Property  relating  to
          Environmental  Matters.  Borrower  shall provide Lender with copies of
          such  communications  with all  Governmental  Authorities  relating to
          Hazardous  Substances  Claims as Lender may request.  Without Lender's
          prior written  consent,  Borrower  shall not enter into any settlement
          agreement, consent decree or other compromise with respect to any such
          governmental  investigation  or  action,  or other  claim,  action  or
          proceeding  relating to Hazardous  Substances  which


<PAGE>41


          Borrower  does not  have  the  funds  available  to pay or  which  may
          materially  adversely  effect  Lender's  lien on, or the value of, the
          Property.

               (F) The foregoing  rights and remedies in this Section 5.1(p) are
          cumulative  with,  and in addition to, any rights and remedies  Lender
          may have  against  Borrower or any  Significant  Party under the other
          terms and provisions of this Agreement,  under any other Loan Document
          or under any Environmental Law, including, without limitation, CERCLA.

          (q) Notice of  Material  Events and Change of Address.  Borrower  will
     promptly  notify  Lender (i) of any Material  Adverse  Change in Borrower's
     financial condition or Borrower's Consolidated financial condition, (ii) of
     the occurrence of any Default, (iii) of the acceleration of the maturity of
     any  Debt  owed  by  Borrower  or of any  default  by  Borrower  under  any
     indenture, mortgage, agreement, contract or other instrument to which it is
     a party or by which it or its properties is bound, if such  acceleration or
     default might have a Material  Adverse Effect upon Borrower's  Consolidated
     financial  condition,  (iv) of any claim  asserted  which could result in a
     decline of $500,000 or more in the value of any Individual Property, (v) of
     the occurrence of any Termination Event, and (vi) of the filing of any suit
     or proceeding  against  Borrower in which there is a reasonable  likelihood
     that an adverse  decision would be rendered and if so rendered would have a
     Material Adverse Effect upon Borrower's  financial  condition,  business or
     operations.

          (r) Payment of Expenses.  Borrower will  promptly upon written  demand
     pay all  expenses  and  reimburse  Lender for any  expenditures,  including
     reasonable  attorneys'  fees,  legal  expenses,  incurred  or  expended  in
     connection with (i) the negotiation, preparation, execution and delivery of
     the Loan Documents, and any and all other documents or instruments relating
     thereto, including without limitation, fees and expenses incurred after the
     date  of  this  Agreement,  (ii)  the  filing,   recording,   refiling  and
     re-recording  of any Loan Documents and any other  documents or instruments
     or  further  assurances  required  to be filed or  recorded  or  refiled or
     re-recorded by the terms of any Loan Document, (iii) the breach by Borrower
     of any covenant in the Loan Documents, (iv) Lender's exercise of any of its
     rights and remedies under the Loan Documents or Lender's  protection of the
     Property and its Lien on and security interest therein,  (v) any amendments
     to the  Mortgage,  the  Note  or any  other  Loan  Document  or any  matter
     requested by Borrower or any approval  required  under the Loan  Documents,
     and (vi) any matter  which  requires  the  waiver,  consent or  approval of
     Lender.

          (s) Interest.  Borrower  hereby  promises to pay interest to Lender at
     the Default  Rate on all Secured  Indebtedness  which  Borrower has in this
     Agreement promised to pay (including without limitation  obligations to pay
     fees or to reimburse or indemnify Lender) and which is not paid when due.


<PAGE>42


          (t) Taxes on Note and Other  Taxes.  Borrower  will  promptly  pay all
     franchise,  and other taxes owing by it if failure to pay would result in a
     Materially  Adverse Effect and any stamp or other  documentary  taxes which
     may be required to be paid by it with respect to the Note or any other Loan
     Document.

          (u)  Further  Assurances.  Borrower  will,  on request of Lender,  (i)
     promptly  correct any defect,  error or omission which may be discovered in
     the execution or  acknowledgment  of this Agreement or any Loan Document or
     any other instrument now or hereafter executed in connection herewith; (ii)
     execute,  acknowledge,  deliver and record or file such further instruments
     (including without limitation further deeds of trust,  security agreements,
     financing statements,  continuation  statements and assignments of rents or
     leases) and do such further acts as may be  necessary,  desirable or proper
     to carry out more effectively the purposes and intentions of the parties to
     this Agreement,  the Security  Documents and such other  instruments and to
     subject to the Liens and security  interests of the Security  Documents and
     thereof any property intended by the terms hereof and thereof to be covered
     hereby and thereby  including  specifically,  but without  limitation,  any
     renewals, additions,  substitutions,  replacements, or appurtenances to the
     Property; (iii) execute,  acknowledge,  deliver, procure and record or file
     any document or instrument (including specifically any financing statement)
     deemed  advisable  by Lender to protect the Lien or the  security  interest
     hereunder  against  the  rights or  interests  of third  persons;  and (iv)
     provide such certificates,  documents, reports, information, affidavits and
     other  instruments and do such further acts as may be necessary,  desirable
     or proper in the  reasonable  determination  of Lender to enable  Lender to
     comply with the requirements or requests of any agency having  jurisdiction
     over Lender or any  examiners of such  agencies with respect to the Secured
     Indebtedness, Borrower or the Property; and the Borrower will pay all costs
     connected with any of the foregoing except such matters  provided  pursuant
     to (iv) hereof which shall be at the cost of Lender.

          (v)  Fees  and  Expenses;  Indemnification.   Borrower  will  pay  all
     appraisal fees, Mortgage filing and recording fees, inspection fees, survey
     fees,  taxes,  brokerage fees and commissions,  abstract fees, title policy
     fees,  uniform  commercial  code  search  fees,  escrow  fees,   reasonable
     attorney's  fees,  and all other  costs  and  expenses  of every  character
     incurred by the Borrower or Lender in connection  with the Loan,  either at
     the closing  thereof or otherwise  required by this  Agreement or any other
     Loan Document,  and will  reimburse  Lender for all such costs and expenses
     incurred by it.  Borrower  shall pay all expenses and reimburse  Lender for
     any expenditures,  including reasonable attorney's fees and legal expenses,
     incurred or expended in  connection  with (i) the breach by Borrower of any
     covenant  herein or in any other Loan Document,  (ii) Lender's  exercise of
     any of its rights  and  remedies  hereunder  or under the Note or any other
     Loan  Document  or Lender's  protection  of the  Property  and its Lien and
     security interest therein,  or (iii) any amendments to this Agreement,  the
     Note or any other Loan Document or any matter  requested by Borrower or any
     approval required hereunder.  Borrower will indemnify and hold harmless the
     Trustee and Lender (for purposes of this paragraph, the terms "the


<PAGE>43


     Trustee" and "Lender"  shall  include the  directors,  officers,  partners,
     employees  and agents of the  Trustee  and  Lender,  respectively,  and any
     persons or entities owned or controlled by, owning or controlling, or under
     common  control or  affiliated  with the Trustee and Lender,  respectively)
     from and against, and reimburse them for, all claims, demands, liabilities,
     losses, damages, causes of action, judgments, penalties, costs and expenses
     (including,  without limitation,  reasonable  attorney's fees) which may be
     imposed upon, asserted against or incurred or paid by them by reason of, on
     account of or in  connection  with any bodily  injury or death or  property
     damage  occurring in or upon or in the vicinity of the Property through any
     cause  whatsoever or asserted  against them on account of any act performed
     or  omitted to be  performed  hereunder  or on  account of any  transaction
     arising  out of or in any way  connected  with the  Property  or with  this
     Agreement, the Note or any other Loan Document.  Without limitation,  it is
     the   intention  of  Borrower  and  Borrower   agrees  that  the  foregoing
     indemnities  shall apply to each indemnified  party with respect to claims,
     demands,  liabilities,   losses,  damages,  causes  of  action,  judgments,
     penalties,  costs and expenses  (including without  limitation,  reasonable
     attorneys' fees and disbursements)  which in whole or in part are caused by
     or arise out of the  negligence  of such  (and/or  any  other)  indemnified
     party.  However,  such indemnities shall not apply to any indemnified party
     to the extent the subject of the indemnification is caused by or arises out
     of the gross negligence or willful  misconduct of such  indemnified  party.
     The foregoing indemnities shall not terminate upon release,  foreclosure or
     other termination of the Security Documents but will survive foreclosure of
     the  Security  Documents  or  conveyance  in  lieu of  foreclosure  and the
     repayment of the Secured  Indebtedness and the discharge and release of the
     Security  Documents and the other documents  evidencing and/or securing the
     Secured Indebtedness. Any amount to be paid hereunder by Borrower to Lender
     and/or the Trustee shall be a demand obligation owing by Borrower to Lender
     and/or the Trustee and shall be subject to and  governed by the  provisions
     of Section 6.2 hereof.

          (w) Tax on Lien. In the event of the enactment  after this date of any
     law of  any  state  in  which  the  Property  is  located  or of any  other
     governmental entity deducting from the value of property for the purpose of
     taxation any Lien or security interest thereon, or imposing upon Lender the
     payment of the whole or any part of the taxes or  assessments or charges or
     Liens herein  required to be paid by  Borrower,  or changing in any way the
     laws  relating to the  taxation of deeds of trust or  mortgages or security
     agreements  or debts  secured by deeds of trust or  mortgages  or  security
     agreements  or the  interest  of the  mortgagee  or  secured  party  in the
     property covered thereby,  or the manner of collection of such taxes, so as
     to affect the  Security  Documents or the Secured  Indebtedness  or Lender,
     then,  and in any such event,  Borrower,  upon demand by Lender,  shall pay
     such taxes,  assessments,  charges or Liens, or reimburse  Lender therefor;
     provided,  however,  that if in the  opinion of  counsel  for Lender (i) it
     might be  unlawful  to require  Borrower  to make such  payment or (ii) the
     making of such payment might result in the  imposition  of interest  beyond
     the maximum  amount  permitted by law,  then and in such event,  Lender may
     elect,  by notice in  writing  given to  Borrower,  to  declare  all of the
     Secured


<PAGE>44


     Indebtedness  to be and  become  due and  payable  sixty (60) days from the
     giving of such notice without prepayment penalty.

          (x) Change of Name,  Identity or  Structure.  Borrower will not change
     its  name,  identity  (including  its trade  name or  names)  or, if not an
     individual, its corporate, partnership or other structure without notifying
     Lender of such  change in  writing at least  thirty  (30) days prior to the
     effective date of such change. Borrower will execute and deliver to Lender,
     prior to or contemporaneously with the effective date of any such change by
     it, any  financing  statement or  financing  statement  change  required by
     Lender to establish or maintain the  validity,  perfection  and priority of
     the security interest granted in the Security Documents.  At the request of
     Lender, Borrower shall execute a certificate in form satisfactory to Lender
     listing  the trade names  under  which the  Borrower  intend to operate the
     Property,  and  representing  and warranting  that the Borrower do business
     under no other trade name with respect to the Property.

          (y) Location and Use of Collateral.  All tangible  Collateral  will be
     used in the business of Borrower and shall remain in Borrower's  possession
     or control at all times at Borrower's  risk of loss and shall be located on
     the  real  property  described  in  the  Security  Document  covering  such
     Collateral save and except offsite repairs.

          (z) Estoppel Certificate.  Borrower shall at any time and from time to
     time at its sole cost and expense furnish promptly upon request by Lender a
     written  statement  in such form as may be required by Lender  stating that
     the Note and the other Loan Documents are valid and binding  obligations of
     Borrower,  enforceable against Borrower in accordance with their terms; the
     unpaid  principal  balance of the Note;  the date to which  interest on the
     Note is paid;  that the Note and the  other  Loan  Documents  have not been
     released,  subordinated  or  modified;  and that  there are no  offsets  or
     defenses against the enforcement of the Note or any other Loan Document, or
     if any of the  foregoing  statements  are  untrue,  specifying  the reasons
     therefor.

          (aa)  Compliance  with  ERISA.  Borrower  will  deliver to Lender such
     certifications  or other evidence from time to time  throughout the term of
     the Loan, as requested by Lender in its sole discretion,  that (a) Borrower
     is not an "employee benefit plan" or a "governmental plan" under ERISA; (b)
     it is not subject to state statutes  regulating  investments  and fiduciary
     obligations with respect to governmental  plans; and (c) one or more of the
     following circumstances is true:

               (i) Equity interests in Borrower are publicly offered securities,
          within the meaning of 29 C.F.R.ss.2510.3-101(b)(2); or

               (ii) Less than twenty-five  percent (25%) of all equity interests
          in Borrower are held by "benefit plan investors" within the meaning of
          29 C.F.R.ss.2510.3-101(f)(2); or


<PAGE>45


               (iii)  Borrower  qualifies as an  "operating  Company" or a "real
          estate    operating    company"    within    the    meaning    of   29
          C.F.R.ss.2510.3-101(c) or (e).

     Borrower agrees to indemnify, defend and hold Lender free and harmless from
     and against any and all loss, costs (including  reasonable  attorney's fees
     and expenses) taxes, penalties, damages and expenses that Lender may suffer
     by reason of the investigation, defense and settlement of claims based upon
     a breach of the foregoing provisions.  The foregoing  indemnification shall
     survive repayment of the Note.

          (bb)  Amendment of  Contracts.  Borrower  will not amend or permit any
     amendment to any contract assigned to Lender which materially and adversely
     affects the rights and benefits of Lender under or acquired pursuant to any
     Security Documents.

     Section 5.2 Indemnification  Regarding Environmental Matters, Etc. Borrower
will  defend,  indemnify  and hold  harmless  Lender and the  Trustee  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  presence  of any  Hazardous
Materials  in,  on at,  under or  affecting  the  Property,  the  violation  of,
noncompliance  with or  liability  under any  Environmental  Law relating to the
operations of Borrower or the Property,  or any orders,  requirements or demands
of any federal,  state,  local or other  governmental  or  administrative  body,
department or agency related thereto, including, without limitation,  reasonable
attorneys and consultants  fees,  investigations  and laboratory fees,  response
costs, court costs and litigation expenses, except to the extent that any of the
foregoing arise out of the gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of the party
seeking  indemnification  therefor.  This indemnity shall continue in full force
and effect regardless of the termination of this Agreement.


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                    Security


     Section  6.1  Security.  The  Secured  Indebtedness  will be secured by the
Security  Documents listed in the Security Schedule and any additional  Security
Documents hereafter delivered by Borrower and accepted by Lender.

     Section 6.2 Right of Lender to Perform.  Borrower  agrees that, if Borrower
fails to  perform  any act or to take any action  which  hereunder  Borrower  is
required  to perform or take,  or to pay any money which  hereunder  Borrower is
required to pay, or take any action  prohibited  hereby,  Lender,  in Borrower's
name or in its own name, may, but shall not be obligated to, perform or cause to
be performed such act or take such action or pay such money or remedy any action
so taken,  and any expenses so incurred by Lender,  and any money paid by Lender
in


<PAGE>46


connection  therewith,  shall be a demand obligation owing by Borrower to Lender
and Lender,  upon making such payment,  shall be subrogated to all of the rights
of the person,  corporation or body politic receiving such payment.  Any amounts
due and owing by  Borrower  to Lender  pursuant  to this  Agreement  shall  bear
interest  from the date such amount  becomes due until paid at the Default  Rate
and shall be a part of the  Secured  Indebtedness  and shall be  secured  by the
Mortgage and by any other Security Document.


                                  ARTICLE VII
                         Events of Default and Remedies

     Section 7.1 Events of Default.  Each of the following events constitutes an
Event of Default under this Agreement:

          (a) Borrower  fails to pay any  principal,  interest or premium on the
     Loan when due and  payable.  whether  at a date for the  payment of a fixed
     installment  or  contingent  or other  payment  to Lender or as a result of
     acceleration or otherwise.

          (b)  Borrower  fails to pay any Secured  Indebtedness  (other than the
     payment obligations described in paragraph (a) of this Section) or Borrower
     fails to  observe  any  covenant  set forth  herein  and does not cure such
     failure within the applicable Grace Period provided,  or any representation
     or warranty  previously,  presently or  hereafter  made in writing by or on
     behalf of Borrower in connection with any Loan Document shall prove to have
     been false or  incorrect  in any  material  respect on any date on or as of
     which made,  and the  represented  or  warranted  state of affairs does not
     become true within the  applicable  Grace  Period  provided,  however,  any
     representation  or warranty  previously  or presently or hereafter  made in
     writing  on behalf of  Borrower  shall be an Event of  Default  under  this
     subsection 7.1(b) to the extent and only to the extent such  representation
     or  warranty  was based on  information  provided by Borrower or made by an
     officer of Borrower in writing.

          (c) If  Borrower  shall fail to pay any Funded  Debt  (other  than the
     payment  obligations  described in paragraphs  (a) and (b) of this Section)
     when due (whether by scheduled maturity, required prepayment, acceleration,
     demand, or otherwise) after the expiration of any applicable grace period.

          (d)  Without  the prior  written  consent of Lender,  Borrower  sells,
     leases, exchanges, assigns, transfers, conveys or otherwise disposes of all
     or any part of the Property or any interest therein or shall be divested of
     its title or any interest therein in any manner or way,  whether  voluntary
     or involuntary (except for the disposition of worn-out or obsolete personal
     property or fixtures or other disposition permitted under the circumstances
     described in subsection 5.1(f) hereof),  or legal or equitable title to the
     Property,  or any interest  therein,  is vested in any other party,  in any
     manner whatsoever, by operation of law or otherwise.


<PAGE>47


          (e) Any "default" or "event of default" occurs under any Loan Document
     which  defines  either such term,  and the same is not remedied  within the
     applicable  period  of  grace  (if any)  provided  in such  Loan  Document,
     provided that the foregoing  shall not impair the Grace Period provided for
     in Section 7.2 hereof and provided further,  that all applicable periods of
     grace (if any) and the Grace  Period  provided in Section 7.2 hereof  shall
     run concurrently,  it being specifically acknowledged by the parties hereto
     that,  notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained herein or in any
     Loan  Document,  no provision or provisions  shall be construed to permit a
     tacking,  doubling up or consecutive running of any Grace Period or periods
     of grace (if any).

          (f) Borrower:

               (i) suffers the entry  against it of a judgment,  decree or order
          for  relief by a court of  competent  jurisdiction  in an  involuntary
          proceeding  commenced under any applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency or
          other  similar law of any  jurisdiction  now or  hereafter  in effect,
          including the Federal  Bankruptcy  Code, as from time to time amended,
          or  has  any  such  proceeding  commenced  against  it  which  remains
          undismissed for a period of ninety (90) days; or

               (ii) suffers the appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee,
          custodian, trustee, sequestrator or similar official for a substantial
          part of its  assets  or for any  material  part of the  Property  in a
          proceeding brought against or initiated by it, and such appointment is
          neither made ineffective nor discharged  within ninety (90) days after
          the making thereof, or such appointment is consented to, requested by,
          or acquiesced to by it; or

               (iii) commences a voluntary case under any applicable bankruptcy,
          insolvency  or similar law now or hereafter in effect,  including  the
          Federal Bankruptcy Code, as from time to time amended;  or applies for
          or consents to the entry of an order for relief in an involuntary case
          under any such law or to the appointment of or taking  possession by a
          receiver,  liquidator,  assignee,  custodian, trustee, sequestrator or
          other similar  official of any  substantial  part of its assets or any
          material part of the Property;  or makes a general  assignment for the
          benefit of creditors;  or fails generally to pay (or admits in writing
          its  inability  to pay) its debts as such debts become due; or makes a
          transfer in fraud of creditors;  or takes corporate or other action in
          furtherance of any of the foregoing.

     Section  7.2  Acceleration.  Upon the  occurrence  of an  Event of  Default
described in subsection (f)(i),  (f)(ii) or (f)(iii) of Section 7.1 with respect
to  Borrower  which shall  result in the entry of an order for relief  under the
Federal  Bankruptcy  Code, all of the Secured  Indebtedness  shall  thereupon be
immediately due and payable,  without presentment,  demand,  protest,  notice of
protest,  declaration or notice of acceleration  or intention to accelerate,  or
any other notice or declaration  of any kind, all of which are hereby  expressly
waived by Borrower. Upon the


<PAGE>48


occurrence  of any other Event of  Default,  Lender at any time and from time to
time  may  without  notice  to  Borrower  declare  any or  all  of  the  Secured
Indebtedness  immediately  due and payable,  and all such  Secured  Indebtedness
shall thereupon be immediately  due and payable,  without  presentment,  demand,
protest,   notice  of  protest,  notice  of  acceleration  or  of  intention  to
accelerate,  or any other notice or  declaration  of any kind,  all of which are
hereby  expressly  waived by Borrower.  The term "Grace Period",  as used herein
with respect to an Event of Default  under  subsection  (b) of Section 7.1 or an
Event of Default for which a Grace Period is expressly  provided  under  Section
7.1,  means the period  beginning on the date of the related  Default and ending
twenty  (20)  days  after  written  notice  to  Borrower  and the  holder of the
Permitted  Second  Lien  of  such  Default  and  demand  by the  Lender  for the
performance of such covenant, agreement, warranty or condition, provided that in
the event the Default in question is capable of cure but not reasonably  capable
of cure within said twenty (20) day period, Borrower shall not have committed an
Event of Default  hereunder  if Borrower or the holder of the  Permitted  Second
Lien  commences  such cure within  said  twenty  (20) day period and  diligently
prosecute  such cure to  completion  thereafter,  provided that no more than one
such notice to Borrower and to the holder of the Permitted  Second Lien shall be
required for any particular  event or occurrence  which results in a Default and
provided  further that in any event  Borrower  shall have  committed an Event of
Default hereunder if such failure is not cured on or before six (6) months after
notice to  Borrower  and the holder of the  Permitted  Second  Lien of the above
described  written  demand  for  performance.  Notwithstanding  anything  to the
contrary stated herein or in any Loan Document,  it is the intent of the parties
hereto that all  periods of grace (if any) and any Grace  Periods  provided  for
herein or in any Loan Document shall be deemed to run concurrently, it being the
intent of the parties hereto that no tacking, doubling up or consecutive running
of any periods of grace (if any) and any Grace Periods  shall be  permitted.  If
Borrower or the holder of the  Permitted  Second Lien  diligently  prosecute the
cure of a Default pursuant to the foregoing  provision (and are not otherwise in
default  under the Loan  Documents)  but are unable to complete such cure within
the time periods specified above, Borrower or the holder of the Permitted Second
Lien,  as the case may be, shall have the right at any time within ten (10) days
prior to the  expiration  of such six (6) months to elect  (subject  to Lender's
right to waive such Default as hereinafter provided) to obtain a partial release
of  the  Lien  of the  Mortgage  with  respect  to the  Individual  Property  or
Properties  that are the subject of such Default by  delivering to Lender at any
time within such ten (10) day period a written  notice of their intent to obtain
such  partial  release  accompanied  by the then current  Allocated  Loan Amount
allocable  to such  Individual  Property or  Properties  together  with  accrued
interest thereon through the date of payment and the Prepayment Premium thereon,
plus the other costs  incurred by Lender or advances made by Lender with respect
to such Individual  Property or Properties.  Unless Lender notifies Borrower and
the holder of the  Permitted  Second Lien in writing  within ten (10) days after
such notice is received  that it has waived the Default in question  and returns
to  Borrower  therewith  the amounts so paid,  Lender  shall then  release  such
Individual Property or Properties from the Lien of the Mortgage.  Borrower shall
pay all costs incurred by Lender in connection  with such release,  even if same
is not  completed,  including  without  limitation,  legal fees and  expenses of
outside counsel and title costs.



<PAGE>49


     Section  7.4  Remedies.  If  any  Event  of  Default  shall  occur  and be
continuing,  Lender shall have the right but not the  obligation  to protect and
enforce its rights  under the Loan  Documents  by any  appropriate  proceedings,
including,  without  limitation,  proceedings  for specific  performance  of any
covenant  or  agreement  contained  in any Loan  Document  for which  Lender has
recourse,  pursuant  to Section  2.9,  and Lender may enforce the payment of any
Secured  Indebtedness  due or enforce any other legal or  equitable  right.  All
rights, remedies and powers conferred upon Lender under the Loan Documents shall
be deemed  cumulative and not exclusive of any other rights,  remedies or powers
available under the Loan Documents or at law or in equity.

     Section 7.4  Indemnity.  Subject to the  provisions  of Section 2.9 hereof,
Borrower promises to indemnify Lender, upon demand, from and against any and all
liabilities,   obligations,   claims,  losses,  damages,   penalties,   actions,
judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses  or  disbursements  of any  kind or  nature
whatsoever  which may be imposed on,  incurred  by, or asserted  against  Lender
(whether or not caused by Lender's  negligence) growing out of or resulting from
the Loan  Documents  and the  transactions  and  events  at any time  associated
therewith  (including  without  limitation the enforcement of the Loan Documents
and the defense of Lender's  actions and inactions in connection with the Loan),
except to the limited  extent such  liabilities,  obligations,  claims,  losses,
damages, penalties,  actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
are proximately  caused by Lender's gross negligence or willful  misconduct.  If
any Person (including without limitation Borrower or any of its Affiliates) ever
alleges  such  gross   negligence   or  willful   misconduct   by  Lender,   the
indemnification  provided for in this  section  shall  nonetheless  be paid upon
demand, subject to later adjustment or reimbursement, until such time as a court
of competent jurisdiction enters a final judgment as to the extent and effect of
the alleged gross negligence or willful misconduct.


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  Miscellaneous


     Section  8.1  Waiver  and  Amendment.  No  failure  or delay by  Lender  in
exercising  any right,  power or remedy  which  Lender may have under any of the
Loan Documents shall operate as a waiver thereof or of any other right, power or
remedy,  nor shall any single or partial  exercise  by Lender of any such right,
power or remedy preclude any other or further  exercise  thereof or of any other
right,  power or remedy.  No waiver of any provision of any Loan Document and no
consent  to any  departure  therefrom  shall ever be  effective  unless it is in
writing and signed by Lender, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective
only in the specific  instances  and for the purposes for which given and to the
extent  specified in such writing.  No notice to or demand on Borrower  shall in
any case of itself entitle  Borrower to any other or further notice or demand in
similar or other circumstances.  This Agreement and the other Loan Documents set
forth the entire  understanding  and agreement of the parties hereto and thereto
with  respect  to the  transactions  contemplated  herein  and  therein,  and no
modification  amendment  of or  supplement


<PAGE>50


to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall be valid or effective unless
the same is in writing and signed by the party  against  whom it is sought to be
enforced.

     Section 8.2 Survival of Agreements:  Cumulative  Nature.  All of Borrower's
various  representations,  warranties,  covenants  and  agreements  in the  Loan
Documents  shall survive the  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement and the
other Loan Documents and the performance  hereof and thereof,  including without
limitation  the making or granting of the Loan and the  delivery of the Note and
the other Loan  Documents,  and shall  further  survive until all of the Secured
Indebtedness  are paid in full to  Lender  and all of  Lender's  obligations  to
Borrower are terminated. The representations,  warranties, and covenants made by
Borrower in the Loan Documents,  and the rights,  powers, and privileges granted
to Lender in the Loan Documents,  are cumulative,  and no Loan Document shall be
construed  in the  context  of  another  to  implicitly  diminish,  nullify,  or
otherwise  reduce the  benefit to Lender of any such  representation,  warranty,
covenant,  right, power or privilege.  In particular and without limitation,  no
exception set out in this Agreement to any representation,  warranty or covenant
herein   contained   shall  be  deemed  to  apply   implicitly  to  any  similar
representation,  warranty or covenant contained in any other Loan Document,  and
each such similar representation,  warranty or covenant shall be subject only to
those  exceptions  which are expressly made applicable to it by the terms of the
various Loan Documents.

     Section 8.3 Notices.  All notices,  requests,  consents,  demands and other
communications required or permitted under any Loan Document shall be in writing
and,  unless  otherwise  specifically  provided in such Loan Document,  shall be
deemed  sufficiently  given or furnished if delivered by personal  delivery,  by
telegram,  telex or  telecopy  (provided  such  telegram,  telex or  telecopy is
confirmed within 48 hours thereafter by expedited delivery service in the manner
herein described),  by expedited delivery service with proof of delivery,  or by
registered or certified United States mail,  postage  prepaid,  at the addresses
specified  below  (unless  changed  by similar  notice in  writing  given by the
particular  Person  whose  address  is  to  be  changed).  Any  such  notice  or
communication  shall be deemed to have been given either at the time of personal
delivery  or, in the case of delivery  service or mail,  as of the date of first
attempted  delivery at the address and in the manner provided herein, or, in the
case of telegram, telex or telecopy, upon receipt:

Borrower's address:

Payless Cashways, Inc.
2300 Main, Suite 300
Kansas City, Missouri  64108
Attention:  Stephen A. Lightstone
Telecopy Number:  (816) 234-6077

with a copy to:



<PAGE>51


Blackwell Sanders Matheny Weary
  & Lombardi LLP
2300 Main Street, Suite 1100
Kansas City, Missouri  64108
Attention:  John K. Brungardt
Telecopy Number:  (816) 983-8080

Lender's address:

UBS Mortgage Finance, Inc.
299 Park Avenue
New York, New York  10017
Attention:  John Ashley
Telecopy Number: (212) 821-5566

with a copy to:

Fried Frank Harris Shriver &
  Jacobson
One New York Plaza
New York, New York  10014
Attention:  Robert J. Sorin, Esq.
Telecopy Number:  (212) 859-8582

Permitted Second Lien Holder's address:

Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
  as Coordinating and Collateral Agent
425 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10017
Attention: Robert N. Greer
Telecopy Number:  (212) 856-3763

with a copy to:

Zalkin Rodin & Goodman LLP
750 Third Avenue
New York, New York  10017-2771
Attention: Margot Schonholtz, Esq.
Telecopy Number:  (212) 682-6331


     Section 8.4 GOVERNING LAW. THE LOAN DOCUMENTS SHALL BE DEEMED CONTRACTS AND
INSTRUMENTS  MADE UNDER THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW


<PAGE>52


YORK AND SHALL BE CONSTRUED AND ENFORCED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH AND GOVERNED BY THE
LAWS OF THE  STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE LAWS OF THE  UNITED  STATES  OF  AMERICA,
EXCEPT  (A) TO THE  EXTENT  THAT THE LAW OF ANOTHER  JURISDICTION  IS  EXPRESSLY
ELECTED IN A LOAN  DOCUMENT,  AND (B) WITH  RESPECT TO  SPECIFIC  LIENS,  OR THE
PERFECTION  THEREOF,  EVIDENCED BY SECURITY  DOCUMENTS COVERING REAL OR PERSONAL
PROPERTY WHICH BY THE LAWS APPLICABLE THERETO ARE REQUIRED TO BE CONSTRUED UNDER
THE LAWS OF ANOTHER  JURISDICTION.  EACH RELATED PERSON HEREBY SUBMITS ITSELF TO
THE  NON-EXCLUSIVE  JURISDICTION OF THE STATE AND FEDERAL COURTS OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK AND AGREES AND CONSENTS THAT SERVICE OF PROCESS MAY BE MADE UPON IT AND
THE RELATED  PERSONS IN ANY LEGAL  PROCEEDING  RELATING TO THE LOAN DOCUMENTS OR
THE OBLIGATIONS BY ANY MEANS ALLOWED UNDER NEW YORK OR FEDERAL LAW.

     Section 8.5  Severability.  If any term or provision  of any Loan  Document
shall  be  determined  to be  illegal  or  unenforceable  all  other  terms  and
provisions of the Loan Documents shall  nevertheless  remain effective and shall
be enforced to the fullest extent permitted by Applicable Laws.

     Section 8.6 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be separately executed in any
number  of   counterparts   and  by  .different   parties   hereto  in  separate
counterparts,  each of which when so executed  shall be deemed to constitute one
and the same Agreement.

     Section 8.7 NO ORAL AGREEMENTS. THIS AGREEMENT AND THE OTHER LOAN DOCUMENTS
CONSTITUTE  THE COMPLETE  AND FINAL  EXPRESSION  OF AGREEMENT  AMONG THE PARTIES
HERETO  RELATING TO THE LOAN. THE TERMS AND PROVISIONS  HEREOF HAVE NOT BEEN NOR
MAY THEY BE MODIFIED BY ANY ORAL  AGREEMENT  AMONG THE  PARTIES,  BUT ONLY BY AN
INSTRUMENT  IN WRITING  EXECUTED BY BOTH  BORROWER AND LENDER AND,  ACCORDINGLY,
SAID TERMS AND  PROVISIONS MAY NOT BE  CONTRADICTED  BY EVIDENCE OF ANY PRIOR OR
CONTEMPORANEOUS ORAL.

     Section  8.8  Effect  of  Amendment  and  Restatement  of  the  Prior  Loan
Agreement;  Confirmation of Security Documents. On the Effective Date, the Prior
Loan  Agreement  shall be amended  and  restated  to read as set forth . herein.
Borrower  acknowledges  and  agrees  that (i) the liens and  security  interests
securing  payment of the Prior Notes are in all respects  continuing and in full
force and effect and  secure the  payment of the Prior  Notes and that the Prior
Notes  are  replaced  by the Note  issued  hereunder,  and  (ii) the term  "Loan
Agreement"  as  used  in  the  Security  Documents  shall  hereafter  mean  this
Agreement.

     Section  8.9  Usury.  In the event that  Lender,  in  enforcing  its rights
hereunder,  determines  that charges and fees  incurred in  connection  with the
Secured  Indebtedness  may, under the applicable  usury laws, cause the interest
rate herein to exceed the maximum  allowed by law,


<PAGE>53


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 Borrower  under no  circumstances  shall be required to
pay, nor shall Lender be entitled to collect, any interest which is in excess of
the maximum legal rate permitted under the applicable usury laws.

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have caused this Agreement to be duly
executed as of the day and year first above written.


                              PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


                              By:  /s/ Stephen A. Lightstone
                                 ----------------------------------------
                              Name: Stephen A. Lightstone
                              Title: Senior Vice-President-Finance




                              UBS MORTGAGE FINANCE, INC.


                              By:  /s/ Jonathan Ashley
                                 ---------------------------------------- 
                              Name: Jonathan Ashley 
                              Title: Vice President


                              By:  /s/ Randy Nardone
                                 -----------------------------------------
                              Name: Randy Nardone
                              Title: Managing Director




<PAGE>i


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE I     Definitions and References...... ................................2
              Section 1.1  Defined Terms. .....................................2
              Section 1.2  Exhibits and Schedules. ...........................10
              Section 1.3  Amendment of Defined Instruments. .................10
              Section 1.4  References and Titles. ............................10
              Section 1.5  Calculations and Determinations. ..................11

ARTICLE II    The Loan........................................................11
              Section 2.1  Acknowledgment of Existing Obligations.............11
              Section 2.2  Exchange of Notes.  ...............................11
              Section 2.3  Interest.  ........................................11
              Section 2.4  Funding Losses; Change in Law, Etc.................12
              Section 2.5  Mandatory Payments.................................14
              Section 2.6  Optional Prepayment................................15
              Section 2.7  Partial Releases...................................15
              Section 2.8  Payments to Lender.  ..............................18
              Section 2.9  Limitation on Liability.  .........................19
              Section 2.10 Permitted Second Lien.  ...........................20

ARTICLE III   Conditions Precedent............................................21
              Section 3.1  Documents to be Delivered..........................21
              Section 3.2  Additional Conditions Precedent....................21

ARTICLE IV    Representations and Warranties..................................22
              Section 4.1  Borrower's Representations and Warranties..........22
              Section 4.2  Placement of Loan..................................26

ARTICLE V     Covenants of Borrower...........................................27
              Section 5.1  Covenants..........................................27
              Section 5.2  Indemnification Regarding 
                             Environmental Matters, Etc.......................44

ARTICLE VI    Security........................................................44
              Section 6.1  Security.  ........................................44
              Section 6.2  Right of Lender to Perform.........................44

ARTICLE VII   Events of Default and Remedies..................................45
              Section 7.1  Events of Default..................................45
              Section 7.2  Acceleration.......................................46
              Section 7.3  Remedies.  ........................................48
              Section 7.4  Indemnity.  .......................................48


<PAGE>ii


ARTICLE VIII  Miscellaneous...................................................48
              Section 8.1  Waiver and Amendment...............................48
              Section 8.2  Survival of Agreements; Cumulative Nature..........49
              Section 8.3  Notices............................................49
              Section 8.4  GOVERNING LAW......................................51
              Section 8.5  Severability.......................................51
              Section 8.6  Counterparts.......................................51
              Section 8.7  NO ORAL AGREEMENTS.................................51
              Section 8.8  Effect of Amendment and Restatement of the
                             Prior Loan Agreement; Confirmation of
                             Security Documents...............................51
              Section 8.9  Usury..............................................52


                         LIST OF EXHIBITS AND SCHEDULES


Schedule 1 --  Disclosure Schedule
Schedule 2 --  Security Schedule
Schedule 3 --  Closing Item Schedule
Schedule 4 --  Closing Condition Schedule

Exhibit A  --  Form of Promissory Note
Exhibit B  --  Form of Permitted Second Lien
Exhibit C  --  Individual Properties and Allocated Amounts
Exhibit D  --  Opinions



<PAGE>1



                                     FORM OF
                 DEED OF TRUST, MORTGAGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT
                             MODIFICATION AGREEMENT

                                     between

                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.

                                       and

                      LASALLE NATIONAL BANK, AS TRUSTEE FOR
                           UBS MORTGAGE FINANCE, INC.


                          Dated: As of December 2, 1997


                       After recording, please return to:
                    FRIED, FRANK, HARRIS, SHRIVER & JACOBSON
                               One New York Plaza
                            New York, New York 10004
                        Attention: Robert J. Sorin, Esq.



<PAGE>2




PREPARED BY, RECORDED AT THE             )
REQUEST OF AND WHEN RECORDED             )
RETURN TO:                               )
                                         )
Joseph D'Angelo, Esq.                    )
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson )
One New York Plaza                       )
New York, New York 10004                 )
                                         )
- -----------------------------------------)
                                       SPACE ABOVE THIS LINE FOR RECORDER'S USE


     THIS DEED OF TRUST, MORTGAGE AND SECURITY AGREEMENT  MODIFICATION AGREEMENT
(this  "Agreement")  made  as of the 2nd day of  December,  1997 by and  between
PAYLESS CASHWAYS,  INC., a Delaware corporation  (successor by merger to Payless
Cashways, Inc., an Iowa corporation ("Former Payless"),  having an office at Two
Pershing Square,  2300 Main Street,  Kansas City, Missouri 64108 ("Grantor") and
LASALLE  NATIONAL  BANK, AS TRUSTEE FOR UBS MORTGAGE  FINANCE,  INC.,  having an
address at 135 South LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60603 ("Beneficiary").

                                R E C I T A L S:

     WHEREAS, Grantor is the owner of each of the premises described in Schedule
I hereto (collectively, the "Premises");

     WHEREAS,  Ticor Title  Insurance  Company of California  ("Trustee") is the
holder of that certain  Deed of Trust,  Mortgage  and  Security  Agreement  (the
"Mortgage"), dated June 15, 1989 (effective June 20, 1989) described in Schedule
2, made by Former  Payless in favor of Trustee for the benefit of The Prudential
Insurance  Company  of  America,   a  New  Jersey   corporation  (the  "Original
Beneficiary"), which Mortgage encumbers the Premises;

     WHEREAS, Beneficiary has become the beneficiary under the Mortgage pursuant
to the terms of that certain  Assignment  of Security  Documents  and other Loan
Documents dated as of August 29, 1997, whereby the Original Beneficiary assigned
to  Beneficiary  all of its right,  title and  interest  in and to,  among other
things, the Mortgage and the Prior Notes (as hereinafter defined);

     WHEREAS,  Beneficiary is the holder of, and the Mortgage  secures,  certain
promissory notes in the original aggregate principal amount of $230,242,500 (the
"Prior  Notes"),  which Prior Notes  evidence that certain loan made by Original
Beneficiary to Former Payless (the "Loan");


<PAGE>3


     WHEREAS,  simultaneously  herewith  Grantor is  executing  a  Consolidated,
Amended  and  Restated  Promissory  Note,  dated  the date  hereof,  in favor of
Beneficiary  in the aggregate  principal  amount of  $100,809,000  (the "Note"),
which Note modifies the terms of the Prior Notes so as to (i) consolidate into a
single note the outstanding  principal amount of the Prior Notes,  together with
accrued and unpaid  interest  thereon at the  non-default  rate, (ii) modify the
rate of interest on the Loan, (iii) extend the maturity of the Loan, (iv) modify
the  amortization  of principal of the Loan, and (v) otherwise  restate in their
entirety the terms of the Prior Notes.

     WHEREAS,  Beneficiary  and  Grantor  have  agreed to  modify  and amend the
Mortgage in the manner hereinafter set forth. The Mortgage,  as modified hereby,
the Note and the other documents  evidencing  and/or  securing  repayment of the
Loan and other obligations  evidenced by the Note shall be collectively referred
to herein as the "Loan Documents."

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the mutual  promises and agreements
herein contained,  the parties hereto covenant and agree to modify and amend the
Mortgage as follows:

     1.  Grantor  agrees  that the  principal  amount  due under the Note is One
Hundred  Million  Eight  Hundred and Nine Thousand  Dollars  ($100,809,000)  and
agrees that such amount, plus interest thereon at the interest rate set forth in
the  Amended  and  Restated  Loan  Agreement,  dated as of December 2, 1997 (the
"Amended Loan Agreement") between Grantor and UBS Mortgage Finance,  Inc., shall
be paid pursuant to the terms of such Amended Loan Agreement and of the Note.

     2. Grantor  warrants,  represents  and covenants that as of the date hereof
Grantor has no defenses,  offsets,  claims or deductions relating to the Note or
any sums  due  under  the  Mortgage,  as  modified  hereby,  or the  other  Loan
Documents,  and the Note, the Mortgage,  as modified hereby,  and the other Loan
Documents  are in full force and effect and are hereby  ratified,  confirmed and
approved.

     3. All references in the Mortgage to "Late Payment Rate" shall mean Default
Rate as such term is defined in the Amended Loan Agreement.

     4. All  references  in the  Mortgage  to "Loan  Agreement"  shall  mean the
Amended and Restated  Loan  Agreement,  dated  December 2, 1997 between  Payless
Cashways,  Inc. and UBS Mortgage  Finance,  Inc.,  as the same may  hereafter be
amended, modified, restated, extended, renewed or replaced.

     5. All references in the Mortgage to  "Prudential"  shall mean UBS (as such
term is defined therein).


<PAGE>4


     6. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in Section 2.1 of the
Mortgage,  Grantor shall not be  prohibited  from entering into an Assignment of
Leases  and  Rents in  connection  with,  and for the  purpose  of  collaterally
securing the  `indebtedness  secured by the Permitted Second Lien (as defined in
the Loan Agreement).

     7. The following Is hereby added to the end of the first full  paragraph of
the Mortgage following the words "set forth in Exhibit "A".

     ", it being  understood  that the  foregoing  property  shall  not  include
     inventory,  equipment,  goods or other tangible  personal property which is
     not  attached  or affixed to (or  otherwise  installed  or  intended  to be
     installed  the  buildings  or in the  other  improvements  now  erected  or
     hereafter to be erected on said land or otherwise  used in connection  with
     the operation (i.e. servicing) of the real estate and the improvements"

     8. The following is hereby  inserted at the end of the third full paragraph
of the Mortgage:

     "provided, however, that the term "Collateral" shall not include inventory,
     equipment, goods, or other tangible personal property which is not attached
     or affixed to (or  otherwise  installed or intended to be installed in) the
     Mortgaged  Property,  except as specifically  stated herein with respect to
     all  heating  and air  conditioning  equipment,  whether  or not  attached,
     affixed,  or  installed  if used in  connection  with the  operation  (i.e.
     servicing) of the Mortgaged Property."

     9.  Paragraph  1.1 of the  Mortgage is hereby  deleted in its  entirety and
replaced with the following:

     "1.1  Secured  Indebtedness.  This Deed of  Trust,  Mortgage  and  Security
     Agreement  (hereafter called this "Mortgage") is made to secure and enforce
     the payment of: (a) the obligations, indebtedness and liabilities evidenced
     by that certain  consolidated,  Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated
     December  2, 1997 made by  Grantor,  and  payable  to the order of  LaSalle
     National  Bank, as Trustee for UBS Mortgage  Finance,  Inc.  ("UBS"),  with
     interest at the rate or rates therein provided, both principal and interest
     being payable as therein provided and all amounts  remaining unpaid thereon
     being finally due and payable on December 2, 2004,  such note  containing a
     provision for the payment of a reasonable  additional  amount as attorney's
     fees,   and  all  other  notes  given  in   substitution   therefor  or  in
     modification,  increase, renewal or extension thereof, in whole or in part,
     being  hereinafter   collectively  called  the  "Note",  and  UBS  and  all
     subsequent  holders of the Note or any part thereof or any interest therein
     or  any  of the  "secured  indebtedness"  (as  hereinafter  defined)  being
     hereinafter called the "Beneficiary";  and (b) all indebtedness incurred or
     arising  pursuant to the provisions of this Mortgage,  that certain Amended
     and Restated Loan Agreement (hereinafter called the "Loan Agreement") dated
     as of December 2, 1997


<PAGE>5


     between UBS and  Grantor,  the Security  Documents  (as defined in the Loan
     Agreement) or any other instrument now or hereafter  evidencing,  governing
     or securing  the above  described  indebtedness  or any part  thereof.  The
     indebtedness referred to in this Paragraph -is hereinafter sometimes called
     the "secured indebtedness" or the "indebtedness secured hereby.""

     10. The second  sentence in Paragraph 3.3 of the Mortgage is hereby deleted
and replaced with the following:

     "All such costs,  expenses and  liabilities  incurred by the Beneficiary in
     collecting such rents and in managing, operating,  maintaining,  protecting
     or  preserving  the  Property,  if not paid  out of  rents  as  hereinabove
     provided,  shall constitute a demand  obligation owing by Grantor and shall
     bear interest from the date of  expenditure  until paid at the Default Rate
     as provided in the Loan Agreement,  all of which shall constitute a portion
     of the secured indebtedness."

     11. The last  sentence in Paragraph  3.6 of the Mortgage is hereby  deleted
and replaced with the following:

     "Any  money  advanced  by the  Beneficiary  in  connection  with  any  such
     receivership  shall  be  a  demand  obligation  owing  by  Grantor  to  the
     Beneficiary   and  shall  bear  interest  from  the  date  of  making  such
     advancement by the  Beneficiary  until paid at the Default Rate as provided
     in the Loan Agreement and shall be a part of the secured  indebtedness  and
     shall be secured by this Mortgage and by any other instrument  securing the
     secured indebtedness."

     12. The following is hereby  inserted  after the word  "SECOND," and before
the word "THIRD" in Paragraph 3.7 of the Mortgage:

     "to the  payment  in  full of  remaining  secured  indebtedness  (including
     specifically without limitation the principal, interest and attorney's fees
     and all in other  sums due and unpaid on the Note and the  amounts  due and
     unpaid and owed to the  Beneficiary  under this  Mortgage or any other Loan
     Document) in such order as the Beneficiary may elect, and"

     13. The address of the Beneficiary on the signature page of the Mortgage is
hereby deleted in its entirety and replaced with the following:

     "LaSalle National Bank
     135 South LaSalle Street
     Chicago, Illinois 60603
     Attention:
     Telecopy Number:


<PAGE>6


     UBS Mortgage Finance, Inc.
     299 Park Avenue
     New York, New York 10171
     Attention:  Jonathan Ashley
     Telecopy Number:  (212) 821-5566

     with a copy to:

     Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson
     One New York Plaza
     New York, New York 10004
     Attention:  Robert J. Sorin, Esq.
     Telecopy Number:  (212) 859-8582"

     14. All  references  in the Mortgage to "the note" or "the Note" shall mean
the Note (as such term is defined in this Agreement). Unless indicated otherwise
by the context  thereof,  all  references  in the  Mortgage to "this  Mortgage",
"herein",  "hereof'  or terms of  similar  import  shall  mean the  Mortgage  as
modified by this Agreement.

     15. Mortgage,  as modified  hereby,  secures the prompt payment in full and
performance  when due of all  obligations  of Grantor now or  hereafter e `sting
under the Note, the Mortgage, as modified hereby, and the other Loan Documents.

     16. This Agreement  shall be governed by the laws of the state in which the
Property  (as defined in the  Mortgage)  is located,  without  reference  to the
conflicts of law principles thereof.

     17. GRANTOR AND BENEFICIARY  HEREBY CERTIFY THAT THIS AGREEMENT SECURES THE
SAME  INDEBTEDNESS  SECURED BY THE  MORTGAGE AND NO FURTHER  INDEBTEDNESS.  THIS
AGREEMENT  SECURES (AND DOES NOT, AND MAY NOT,  SECURE UNDER ANY  CONTINGENCY IN
EXCESS OF) THE OUTSTANDING  PRINCIPAL  BALANCE OF THE NOTE AS OF THE DATE HEREOF
OF ONE HUNDRED  MILLION EIGHT HUNDRED AND NINE THOUSAND  DOLLARS  ($100,809,000)
TOGETHER WITH ANY INTEREST  ACCRUED AND NOT PAM THEREON AND ANY MONIES  ADVANCED
BY BENEFICIARY  (INCLUDING  INTEREST AND ADDITIONAL INTEREST THEREON AS PROVIDED
IN THIS  AGREEMENT)  TO  PROTECT  AND  PRESERVE  THE  LIEN  OF  THIS  AGREEMENT,
INCLUDING,  WITHOUT  LIMITATION,  (I) REAL  ESTATE  TAXES,  (II) WATER AND SEWER
ASSESSMENTS, (III) REASONABLE ATTORNEY'S FEES AND (IV) INSURANCE PREMIUMS.


<PAGE>7


     18. The terms,  conditions and agreements contained in this Agreement shall
bind and inure to the  benefit  of  Grantor,  Beneficiary  and their  respective
heirs,  distributees,   executors,  administrators,   successors  and  permitted
assigns.

     19. In the event of any inconsistency between the terms of the Mortgage and
the terms of this Agreement, the terms of this Agreement shall be controlling to
the extent of such inconsistency.

     20. Except as otherwise  modified or amended hereby, all of the other terms
and conditions of the Mortgage shall remain in full force and effect.

     21. This  Agreement  may be executed in one or more  counterparts,  each of
which shall  constitute  an original of this  Agreement,  and which,  when taken
together, shall constitute but one instrument.

     22. The terms of this  Agreement may not be modified,  amended,  changed or
terminated  orally,  but only by an agreement  in writing  signed by the parties
against whom enforcement of such modification,  amendment, change or termination
is sought.

     23.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement,
the Mortgage, the Note or any other Loan Document, the collateral covered by any
of the Loan  Documents,  and the term  "Collateral"  as defined in the Mortgage,
shall  not  include  inventory,  equipment,  goods  or other  tangible  personal
property which is not attached or affixed to (or otherwise installed or intended
to be installed in) the Mortgaged Property (as defined in the Mortgage),  except
with  respect to all  heating  and air  conditioning  equipment,  whether or not
attached,  affixed, or installed if used in connection with the operation (i.e.,
servicing) of the Mortgaged Property.


<PAGE>8


     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  this  Agreement has been duly executed by Grantor and
Beneficiary.


                                GRANTOR:

                                PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC., a Delaware
                                corporation (successor by merger to Payless
                                Cashways, Inc.  Iowa corporation)



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



                                BENEFICIARY:

                                LASALLE NATIONAL BANK, a Trustee for UBS
                                Mortgage Finance, Inc., a New York corporation



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


<PAGE>9


                                   SCHEDULE 1

                              Property Description



<PAGE>1


                        CONSOLIDATED AMENDED AND RESTATED
                                 PROMISSORY NOTE

$100,809,000.00                                                December 2, 1997



     FOR VALUE RECEIVED,  the undersigned,  PAYLESS  CASHWAYS,  INC., a Delaware
corporation  (the  "Maker"),  hereby  promises  to pay to the  order of  LASALLE
NATIONAL  BANK,  as Trustee for UBS MORTGAGE  FINANCE,  INC.  (the  "Payee") the
principal   sum  of  One   Hundred   Million   Eight   Hundred   Nine   Thousand
($100,809,000.00),  with  interest on the unpaid  balance  thereof from the date
hereof  until  maturity  on the  dates and at the  rates  specified  in the Loan
Agreement (as  hereafter  defined).  Both  principal and interest are payable as
provided in the Loan  Agreement in lawful money of the United  States of America
in  immediately  available  funds at the  offices of the Payee in New York,  New
York,  or at such  other  place as from  time to time may be  designated  by the
holder of this Note.  Borrower  shall have no right to prepay all or any part of
this Note except as provided in the Loan Agreement.

     This Note is given as an amendment,  consolidation  and  restatement of the
Prior Notes and the  execution  and delivery of this Note shall not be deemed or
construed as a novation, accord and satisfaction, or payment of any of the Prior
Notes,  and all  obligations  of the  Maker  under  the Loan  Agreement  and the
Security Documents shall continue,  as amended,  and this Note shall be entitled
to the benefits of the Security Documents.

     This Note has been  executed  and  delivered  pursuant  to an  Amended  and
Restated  Loan  Agreement of even date  herewith  (herein,  as from time to time
amended,  supplemented  or restated,  called the "Loan  Agreement")  between the
Maker and the  Payee.  Reference  is  hereby  made to the Loan  Agreement  for a
description  of certain  rights,  obligations  and duties of the Maker,  for the
meanings assigned to capitalized terms used and not defined herein,  and for all
other purposes.

     This Note is secured by the other Security Documents  reference to which is
made for a description of the property covered thereby and the nature and extent
of the  security and the rights and powers of the holder of this Note in respect
of such  security.  Upon the  occurrence of an Event of Default,  upon the terms
specified  in the Loan  Agreement,  the holder of this Note or any part  thereof
shall have the option of declaring the principal balance hereof and the interest
accrued hereon to be immediately due and payable.

     It is the intent of the Payee and the Maker in the  execution  of this Note
and all other  instruments  now or hereafter  securing  this Note to contract in
strict compliance with applicable usury law. In furtherance  thereof,  the Payee
and the  Maker  stipulate  and  agree  that  none of


<PAGE>2


the terms and  provisions  contained  in this Note,  or in any other  instrument
executed in connection herewith, shall ever be construed to create a contract to
pay for the use, forbearance or detention of money, interest at a rate in excess
of the maximum  interest rate permitted to be charged by applicable law. Neither
the  Maker nor any  guarantors,  endorsers  or other  parties  now or  hereafter
becoming  liable for payment of this Note shall ever be required to pay interest
on this Note at a rate in excess of the  maximum  interest  that may be lawfully
charged under applicable law, and the provisions of this paragraph shall control
over  all  other  provisions  of this  Note  and any  other  instruments  now or
hereafter  executed in  connection  herewith  which may be in apparent  conflict
herewith.  The holder of this Note expressly disavows any intention to charge or
collect excessive unearned interest or finance charges in the event the maturity
of this Note is  accelerated.  If the maturity of this Note shall be accelerated
for any reason or if the  principal of this Note is paid prior to the end of the
term of this Note, and as a result thereof the interest  received for the actual
period of  existence of the loan  evidenced by this Note exceeds the  applicable
maximum  lawful  rate,  the  holder of this Note  shall  refund to the Maker the
amount of such  excess or shall  credit the amount of such  excess  against  the
principal balance of this Note then outstanding.  In the event that Payee or any
other holder of this Note shall  collect  monies which are deemed to  constitute
interest which would increase the effective interest rate on this Note to a rate
in excess of that  permitted  to be charged  by  applicable  law,  all such sums
deemed to  constitute  interest in excess of the lawful  rate  shall,  upon such
determination,  at the option of the holder of this Note, be either  immediately
returned to the Maker or credited  against  the  principal  balance of this Note
then outstanding (or any combination of the foregoing),  without further penalty
to such  holder.  By  execution  of this  Note the  Maker  acknowledges  that it
believes the loan evidenced by this Note to be non-usurious  and agrees that if,
at any time,  the Maker  should have reason to believe that such loan is in fact
usurious,  it will give the holder of this Note notice of such condition and the
Maker  agrees  that said  holder  shall have  ninety  (90) days in which to make
appropriate  refund or other adjustment in order to correct such condition if in
fact such  exists.  Neither the Maker nor any other  person  required to pay any
amounts with respect to the Loan shall have any right of action o remedy against
the Payee for any  damages,  violation or any defense  from  enforcement  of the
Note,  the  Mortgage,  or any of the other  Loan  Documents  arising  out of the
payment or collection of any sums deemed to constitute interest in excess of the
lawful note. The term  "applicable law" as used in this Note shall mean the laws
of the State of New York or the laws of the United States,  whichever laws allow
the  greater  rate of  interest,  as such  laws now exist or may be  changed  or
amended or come into effect in the future.

     Should the  indebtedness  represented  by this Note or any part  thereof be
collected at law or in equity or through any bankruptcy,  receivership,  probate
or other court  proceedings  or if this Note is placed in the hands of attorneys
for  collection  after  default,  the Maker and all  endorsers,  guarantors  and
sureties of this Note jointly and  severally  agree to pay to the holder of this
Note in addition to the principal and interest due and payable hereon reasonable
attorneys, and collection fees.


<PAGE>3


     The Maker and all  endorsers,  guarantors and sureties of this Note and all
other  persons  liable  or  to  become  liable  on  this  Note  severally  waive
presentment for payment, demand, notice of demand and of dishonor and nonpayment
of this Note,  notice of  intention  to  accelerate  the  maturity of this Note,
protest and notice of protest, diligence in collecting, and the bringing of suit
against any other party, and agree to all renewals,  extensions,  modifications,
partial  payments,  releases or substitutions of security,  in whole or in part,
with or without notice, before or after maturity.

     This Note and the  rights  and  duties of the  parties  hereunder  shall be
governed for all purposes by the law of the State of New York and the law of the
United States applicable to transactions within such State.

     Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  contained  herein,  the holder
hereof shall not seek or enforce any money judgment or deficiency  judgment,  or
otherwise assert personal  liability or  responsibility,  against the Maker with
respect  to any  and  all  obligations  hereunder  or  secured  by the  Security
Documents or other  obligations  arising out of the Loan  Documents in excess of
the amount  realized  upon  foreclosure  against (or sale,  pursuant to power of
sale, of) all or, at the option of the holder hereof,  a portion of the security
therefor, it being agreed that, except as hereinafter provided,  the sole remedy
of the holder  hereof  shall be to proceed  against the security for the Secured
Indebtedness under the Loan Documents; provided, however, that nothing contained
herein or in any other Loan Document  shall (a) limit the rights and remedies of
the holder hereof  (other than its right to seek a money  judgment or deficiency
judgment  which is limited as provided  above)  against the Maker  hereunder  or
thereunder,  either at law or in equity,  or (b) relieve the Maker from personal
liability  and  responsibility  for the matters  described in Section 2.9 of the
Loan Agreement.  Nothing  contained herein shall impair the rights of the holder
hereof under applicable law, including without limitation  applicable bankruptcy
law; nor shall anything  contained herein impair such holder's status and rights
as a holder of senior indebtedness pursuant to any instrument,  under which such
holder would be granted senior status.


Executed as of the date first above written.

                                PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.



                                By:  /s/  Stephen A. Lightstone
                                   ---------------------------------
                                   Name:  Stephen A. Ligtstone
                                   Title: Senior Vice President-Finance


<PAGE>1

                     AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and entered into as of August 20, 1997,  between
Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  and David Stanley
(the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive have entered into an employment
agreement dated June 16, 1995 (the "Employment Agreement");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1. Term of  Employment.  The last  sentence  of  Paragraph  2 of the  Employment
Agreement is hereby deleted.

2. Severance Benefits.

         (a) Paragraph 6(e) of the Employment  Agreement,  and all references to
Paragraph  6(e)  in the  Employment  Agreement,  are  hereby  deleted  in  their
entirety.

         (b) A new sentence is hereby inserted at the end of Paragraph 6(g)(iii)
of the Employment Agreement as follows:

         "Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Executive shall not be entitled to
         receive such  benefits to the extent that the  Executive  obtains other
         employment  that  provides  comparable  benefits  during  the 12 months
         following termination of employment."

         (c) Paragraph 6(i) of the Employment Agreement is hereby deleted in its
entirety and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

         "Definition of Severance Period. The term "Severance Period" shall mean
         the longer of (x) the period  from the date of the  termination  of the
         Executive's  employment  through  March 1,  1999,  if such  termination
         occurs prior to December 1, 1998,  or from the date of the  termination
         of  the  Executive's   employment   through  March  1,  2000,  if  such
         termination  occurs after November 30, 1998, or (y) the period from the
         date of the termination of the Executive's  employment through one year
         after the date of such  termination,  and in any case regardless of the
         death  or  disability  of  the  Executive  subsequent  to the  date  of
         termination of his employment."

         (d) A new Paragraph 6(j) is hereby inserted in the Employment Agreement
as follows:

         "Participation  in Retention Plan. The Executive  shall  participate in
         the key employee retention plan adopted by the Company as of August 20,
         1997,  subject  to the terms and  conditions  of such  plan;  provided,
         however, that if the Executive is entitled to receive a retention bonus
         for a fiscal  year,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive any
         unpaid portion of the bonus regardless of any termination of employment
         by the Company  without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason prior
         to the date the unpaid  portion of the bonus would be payable under the
         retention plan."

         (e) A new Paragraph 6(k) is hereby inserted in the Employment Agreement
as follows:
<PAGE>2

          "Retention  Payments Excluded From Severance.  Any retention  payments
          paid  pursuant to  Paragraph  6(j) above  shall be  excluded  from the
          calculation of severance  payments  provided under other Paragraphs of
          this Agreement."

         (f) A new Paragraph 6(l) is hereby inserted in the Employment Agreement
as follows:

          "Lump  Sum  Payment.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  this
          Agreement,  any Base  Salary,  Incentive  Compensation,  or  Retention
          Payment payable to the Executive upon  termination of employment shall
          be paid in a lump sum within  fifteen (15) days of the  termination of
          employment."

3. Waiver of Claims.  A new  Paragraph 15 is hereby  inserted in the  Employment
Agreement as follows:
         "Waiver of Claims. The Executive shall execute a waiver of claims under
         the Employment Agreement,  as the Employment Agreement existed prior to
         this Amendment No.1, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A."

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Amendment No. 1 to
Employment Agreement as of the day and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                                  EXECUTIVE

      /s/ Susan M. Stanton                             /s/ David Stanley
By:---------------------------------                ----------------------------
   President and Chief Operating Officer             David Stanley


Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


   /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------


<PAGE>3



                                WAIVER OF CLAIMS

         THIS WAIVER OF CLAIMS  ("Waiver") is made and entered into as of August
20, 1997,  between Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),
and David Stanley (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive have entered into an employment
agreement dated June 16, 1995 (the "Employment Agreement");

          WHEREAS,  the Company and the  Executive  have amended the  Employment
Agreement by entering into Amendment No. 1 to Employment  Agreement  dated as of
August 20, 1997 ("Amendment No. 1");

          WHEREAS,  one of the terms and  conditions  of Amendment No. 1 is that
the Company and the Executive enter into this Waiver.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and in consideration
of the Company and the Executive  entering into  Amendment No. 1, and other good
and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

         1. The  Executive,  and  anyone  claiming  through  or on behalf of the
Executive,  waives  any and all claims  the  Executive  may have or may have had
against the Company and the Company's affiliates,  their successors and assigns,
and the Company's past and present employees, officers, directors and agents, or
any of them,  under the  Employment  Agreement,  to the  extent  the  Employment
Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of Amendment No. 1.

         2.  Nothing  under this  Agreement  is intended to waive,  terminate or
otherwise  affect the  Executive's  eligibility  for or receipt of any rights or
benefits the Executive may have under the  Employment  Agreement,  to the extent
not inconsistent with terms of Amendment No. 1.

         3. The Executive expressly  acknowledges that he was advised to consult
with his attorney before signing this Waiver and that he has had the opportunity
to be advised by independent legal counsel before signing. The Executive further
acknowledges that he has completely read and understands every provision of this
Waiver and of Amendment No. 1, and that he has executed this Waiver  voluntarily
and of his own free will.

         4. This Waiver shall be interpreted  and enforced under the laws of the
State of Missouri.


<PAGE>4



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Waiver as of the day
and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                                        EXECUTIVE


      /s/ Susan M. Stanton                               /s/ David Stanley
By:---------------------------------------            --------------------------
    President and Chief Operating Officer              David Stanley

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


  /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------



<PAGE>1


                     AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and entered into as of August 20, 1997,  between
Payless  Cashways,  Inc.,  an Iowa  corporation  (the  "Company"),  and Susan M.
Stanton (the "Executive").

          WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have entered into an employment
agreement  dated February 8, 1993 (the  "Employment  Agreement"),  as amended by
Amendment No. 1 to Employment  Agreement dated October 17, 1996  ("Amendment No.
1"), and Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement dated June 30, 1997 ("Amendment
No. 2") (the  Employment  Agreements as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Amendment
No. 2) referred to herein as the "Amended Employment Agreement");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1. Term of Employment. Paragraph 2 of the Amended Employment Agreement is hereby
deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

          "Term of Employment. Unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided,
          the term of this  Agreement  shall  commence  on the date  hereof  and
          continue through March 1, 1999."

2. Severance Benefits.

         (a)  Paragraph  6(e)  of the  Amended  Employment  Agreement,  and  all
references to Paragraph  6(e) in the Amended  Employment  Agreement,  are hereby
deleted in their entirety.

         (b) A new sentence is hereby inserted at the end of Paragraph 6(g)(iii)
of the Amended Employment Agreement as follows:

         "Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Executive shall not be entitled to
         receive such  benefits to the extent that the  Executive  obtains other
         employment  that  provides  comparable  benefits  during  the 12 months
         following termination of employment."

         (c) Section 6(j) of the Amended Employment  Agreement is hereby deleted
in its entirety, and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

         "Definition of Severance Period. The term "Severance Period" shall mean
         the  period  from  the  date  of the  termination  of  the  Executive's
         employment continuing for the longer of one year after the date of such
         termination  or  until  March  1,  1999;  provided,  however,  that the
         Severance  Period shall continue  regardless of the death or disability
         of the Executive subsequent to the date of termination of employment."

         (d) A new Paragraph 6(k) is hereby  inserted in the Amended  Employment
Agreement as follows:

         "Participation  in Retention Plan. The Executive  shall  participate in
         the key employee retention plan adopted by the Company as of August 20,
         1997,  subject  to the terms and  conditions  of such  plan;  provided,
         however, that if the Executive is entitled to receive a retention bonus
         for a fiscal  year,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive any
         unpaid portion of the bonus regardless of any termination of


<PAGE>2


          employment  by the Company  without Cause or by the Executive for Good
          Reason  prior to the date the  unpaid  portion  of the bonus  would be
          payable under the retention plan."

         (e) A new Paragraph 6(l) is hereby  inserted in the Amended  Employment
Agreement as follows:

          "Retention  Payments Excluded From Severance.  Any retention  payments
          paid  pursuant to  Paragraph  6(k) above  shall be  excluded  from the
          calculation of severance  payments  provided under other Paragraphs of
          this Agreement."

         (f) A new Paragraph 6(m) is hereby  inserted in the Amended  Employment
Agreement as follows:

          "Lump  Sum  Payment.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  this
          Agreement,  any Base  Salary,  Incentive  Compensation,  or  Retention
          Payment payable to the Executive upon  termination of employment shall
          be paid in a lump sum within  fifteen (15) days of the  termination of
          employment."

3.  Waiver of Claims.  A new  Paragraph  13 is hereby  inserted  in the  Amended
Employment Agreement as follows:

          "Waiver  of Claims.  The  Executive  shall  execute a waiver of claims
          under the Employment  Agreement,  as the Employment  Agreement existed
          prior to this Amendment No. 3, in the form attached  hereto as Exhibit
          A."

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Amendment No. 3 to
Employment Agreement as of the day and year written above.


PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                                        EXECUTIVE

     /s/ David Stanley                                  /s/ Susan M. Stanton
By:-----------------------------------               ---------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer              Susan M. Stanton


Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


   /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- --------------------------------


<PAGE>3


                                WAIVER OF CLAIMS

         THIS WAIVER OF CLAIMS  ("Waiver") is made and entered into as of August
20, 1997,  between Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),
and Susan M. Stanton (the "Executive").

          WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have entered into an employment
agreement  dated February 8, 1993 (the  "Employment  Agreement"),  as amended by
Amendment No. 1 to Employment  Agreement dated October 17, 1996  ("Amendment No.
1), and Amendment No. 2 dated June 30, 1997 "Amendment No. 2");

          WHEREAS,  the  Company  and the  Executive  have  further  amended the
Employment  Agreement,  Amendment  No. 1 and  Amendment  No. 2 by entering  into
Amendment No. 3 to Employment  Agreement dated as of August 20, 1997 ("Amendment
No. 3");

          WHEREAS,  one of the terms and  conditions  of Amendment No. 3 is that
the Company and the Executive enter into this Waiver.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and in consideration
of the Company and the Executive  entering into  Amendment No. 3, and other good
and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

         1. The  Executive,  and  anyone  claiming  through  or on behalf of the
Executive,  waives  any and all claims  the  Executive  may have or may have had
against the Company and the Company's affiliates,  their successors and assigns,
and the Company's past and present employees, officers, directors and agents, or
any of them,  under the  Employment  Agreement as amended by Amendment No. 1 and
Amendment No. 2, to the extent the Employment  Agreement as amended by Amendment
No. 1 and Amendment No. 2, is inconsistent with the terms of Amendment No. 3.

         2.  Nothing  under this  Agreement  is intended to waive,  terminate or
otherwise  affect the  Executive's  eligibility  for or receipt of any rights or
benefits the  Executive  may have under the  Employment  Agreement as amended by
Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2, to the extent not  inconsistent  with terms
of Amendment No. 3.

         3. The Executive expressly acknowledges that she was advised to consult
with  his  attorney  before  signing  this  Waiver  and  that  she  has  had the
opportunity  to be advised by  independent  legal counsel  before  signing.  The
Executive  further  acknowledges  that she has completely  read and  understands
every provision of this Waiver and of Amendment No. 3, and that she has executed
this Waiver voluntarily and of her own free will.

         4. This Waiver shall be interpreted  and enforced under the laws of the
State of Missouri.


<PAGE>4



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Waiver as of the day
and year written above.


PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                                        EXECUTIVE

       /s/ David Stanley                              /s/ Susan M. Stanton
By:--------------------------------------           ----------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer                 Susan M. Stanton


Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


   /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ---------------------------------



<PAGE>1


                     AMENDMENT NO. 3 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and entered into as of August 20, 1997,  between
Payless  Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation  (the  "Company"),  and Stephen A.
Lightstone (the "Executive").

          WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive have entered into an employment
agreement  dated February 8, 1993 (the  "Employment  Agreement"),  as amended by
Amendment No. 1 to Employment  Agreement dated October 17, 1996  ("Amendment No.
1"), and Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement dated June 30, 1997 ("Amendment
No. 2") (the Employment  Agreement,  as amended by Amendment No. 1 and Amendment
No. 2, is referred to herein as the "Amended Employment Agreement");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1. Term of Employment. Paragraph 2 of the Amended Employment Agreement is hereby
deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

          "Term of Employment. Unless sooner terminated as hereinafter provided,
          the term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof and shall
          continue through March 1, 1999."

2.  Severance Benefits.

         (a)  Paragraph  6(e)  of the  Amended  Employment  Agreement,  and  all
references to Paragraph  6(e) in the Amended  Employment  Agreement,  are hereby
deleted in their entirety.

         (b) A new sentence is hereby inserted at the end of Paragraph 6(g)(iii)
of the Amended Employment Agreement as follows:

         "Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Executive shall not be entitled to
         receive such  benefits to the extent that the  Executive  obtains other
         employment  that  provides  comparable  benefits  during  the 12 months
         following termination of employment."

         (c)  Paragraph  6(j) of the  Amended  Employment  Agreement  is  hereby
deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

         "Definition of Severance Period. The term "Severance Period" shall mean
         the  period  from  the  date  of the  termination  of  the  Executive's
         employment continuing for the longer of one year after the date of such
         termination  or  until  March  1,  1999;  provided,  however,  that the
         Severance  Period shall continue  regardless of the death or disability
         of the Executive subsequent to the date of termination of employment."

         (d) A new Paragraph 6(k) is hereby  inserted in the Amended  Employment
Agreement as follows:

         "Participation  in Retention Plan. The Executive  shall  participate in
         the key employee retention plan adopted by the Company as of August 20,
         1997,  subject  to the terms and  conditions  of such  plan;  provided,
         however, that if the Executive is entitled to receive a retention bonus
         for a fiscal  year,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive any
         unpaid portion of the bonus regardless of any termination of


<PAGE>2


          employment  by the Company  without Cause or by the Executive for Good
          Reason  prior to the date the  unpaid  portion  of the bonus  would be
          payable under the retention plan."

         (e) A new Paragraph 6(l) is hereby  inserted in the Amended  Employment
Agreement as follows:

          "Retention  Payments Excluded From Severance.  Any retention  payments
          paid  pursuant to  Paragraph  6(k) above  shall be  excluded  from the
          calculation of severance  payments  provided under other Paragraphs of
          this Agreement."

         (f) A new Paragraph 6(m) is hereby  inserted in the Amended  Employment
Agreement as follows:

          "Lump  Sum  Payment.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  this
          Agreement,  any Base  Salary,  Incentive  Compensation,  or  Retention
          Payment payable to the Executive upon  termination of employment shall
          be paid in a lump sum within  fifteen (15) days of the  termination of
          employment."

3.  Waiver of Claims.  A new  Paragraph  13 is hereby  inserted  in the  Amended
Employment Agreement as follows:

          "Waiver  of Claims.  The  Executive  shall  execute a waiver of claims
          under the Employment  Agreement,  as the Employment  Agreement existed
          prior to this Amendment No. 3, in the form attached  hereto as Exhibit
          A."

          IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Amendment No. 3 to
Employment Agreement as of the day and year written above.


PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                                        EXECUTIVE

      /s/ David Stanley                             /s/ Stephen A. Lightstone
By:------------------------------------            -----------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Office             Stephen A. Lightstone

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


   /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- --------------------------------


<PAGE>3


                                WAIVER OF CLAIMS

         THIS WAIVER OF CLAIMS  ("Waiver") is made and entered into as of August
20, 1997,  between Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),
and Stephen A. Lightstone (the "Executive").

     WHEREAS,  the Company and the  Executive  have entered  into an  employment
agreement  dated February 8, 1993 (the  "Employment  Agreement"),  as amended by
Amendment No. 1 to Employment  Agreement dated October 17, 1996  ("Amendment No.
1), and Amendment No. 2 dated June 30, 1997 "Amendment No. 2");

     WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive have further amended the Employment
Agreement,  Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2 by entering into Amendment No. 3
to  Employment  Agreement  dated as of August  20,  1997  ("Amendment  No.  3");

     WHEREAS,  one of the terms and  conditions  of Amendment  No. 3 is that the
Company and the Executive enter into this Waiver.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and in consideration
of the Company and the Executive  entering into  Amendment No. 3, and other good
and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

         1. The  Executive,  and  anyone  claiming  through  or on behalf of the
Executive,  waives  any and all claims  the  Executive  may have or may have had
against the Company and the Company's affiliates,  their successors and assigns,
and the Company's past and present employees, officers, directors and agents, or
any of them,  under the  Employment  Agreement as amended by Amendment No. 1 and
Amendment No. 2, to the extent the Employment  Agreement as amended by Amendment
No. 1 and Amendment No. 2, is inconsistent with the terms of Amendment No. 3.

         2.  Nothing  under this  Agreement  is intended to waive,  terminate or
otherwise  affect the  Executive's  eligibility  for or receipt of any rights or
benefits the  Executive  may have under the  Employment  Agreement as amended by
Amendment No. 1 and Amendment No. 2, to the extent not  inconsistent  with terms
of Amendment No. 3.

         3. The Executive expressly  acknowledges that he was advised to consult
with his attorney before signing this Waiver and that he has had the opportunity
to be advised by independent legal counsel before signing. The Executive further
acknowledges that he has completely read and understands every provision of this
Waiver and of Amendment No. 3, and that he has executed this Waiver  voluntarily
and of his own free will.

         4. This Waiver shall be interpreted  and enforced under the laws of the
State of Missouri.


<PAGE>4




         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Waiver as of the day
and year written above.


PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                         EXECUTIVE

     /s/ David Stanley                            /s/ Stephen A. Lightstone
By:-------------------------------------       ---------------------------------
     Chairman and Chief Executive Officer      Stephen A. Lightstone

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


   /s/  John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ---------------------------------



<PAGE>1

                     AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and entered into as of August 20, 1997,  between
Payless  Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation  (the  "Company"),  and G. Michael
Buchen (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive have entered into an employment
agreement  dated October 17, 1996 (the  "Employment  Agreement"),  as amended by
Amendment No. 1 to Employment  Agreement dated June 30, 1997 ("Amendment No. 1")
(the Employment Agreement,  as amended by Amendment No. 1, is referred to herein
as the "Amended Employment Agreement");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1. Term of Employment. Paragraph 2 of the Amended Employment Agreement is hereby
deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

          "Term  of  Employment.   Unless  sooner  terminated  as  herein  after
          provided, the term of this Agreement shall commence on the date hereof
          and shall continue through March 1, 1999."

2.       Severance Benefits.

         (a)  Paragraph  6(e)  of the  Amended  Employment  Agreement,  and  all
references to Paragraph  6(e) in the Amended  Employment  Agreement,  are hereby
deleted in their entirety.

         (b) A new sentence is hereby inserted at the end of Paragraph 6(g)(iii)
of the Amended Employment Agreement as follows:

         "Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Executive shall not be entitled to
         receive such  benefits to the extent that the  Executive  obtains other
         employment  that  provides  comparable  benefits  during  the 12 months
         following termination of employment."

         (c)  Paragraph  6(i) of the  Amended  Employment  Agreement  is  hereby
deleted in its entirety and the following is substituted in lieu thereof:

         "Definition of Severance Period. The term "Severance Period" shall mean
         the  period  from  the  date  of the  termination  of  the  Executive's
         employment continuing for the longer of one year after the date of such
         termination  or  until  March  1,  1999;  provided,  however,  that the
         Severance  Period shall continue  regardless of the death or disability
         of the Executive subsequent to the date of termination of employment."

         (d) A new Paragraph 6(j) is hereby  inserted in the Amended  Employment
Agreement as follows:

         "Participation  in Retention Plan. The Executive  shall  participate in
         the key employee retention plan adopted by the Company as of August 20,
         1997,  subject  to the terms and  conditions  of such  plan;  provided,
         however, that if the Executive is entitled to receive a retention bonus
         for a fiscal  year,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive any
         unpaid portion of the bonus regardless of any termination of employment
         by the Company  without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason prior
         to the date the unpaid  portion of the bonus would be payable under the
         retention plan."

<PAGE>2


         (e) A new Paragraph 6(k) is hereby  inserted in the Amended  Employment
Agreement as follows:

          "Retention  Payments Excluded From Severance.  Any retention  payments
          paid  pursuant to  Paragraph  6(j) above  shall be  excluded  from the
          calculation of severance  payments  provided under other Paragraphs of
          this Agreement."

         (f) A new Paragraph 6(l) is hereby  inserted in the Amended  Employment
Agreement as follows:

          "Lump  Sum  Payment.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  this
          Agreement,  any Base  Salary,  Incentive  Compensation,  or  Retention
          Payment payable to the Executive upon  termination of employment shall
          be paid in a lump sum within  fifteen (15) days of the  termination of
          employment."

3.  Waiver of Claims.  A new  Paragraph  13 is hereby  inserted  in the  Amended
Employment Agreement as follows:

         "Waiver of Claims. The Executive shall execute a waiver of claims under
         the Employment Agreement,  as the Employment Agreement existed prior to
         this Amendment No.2, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A."

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have  executed  this  Amendment  No. 2 to
Employment Agreement as of the day and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                           EXECUTIVE

     /s/ David Stanley                             /s/ G. Michael Buchen
By:-------------------------------------         ----------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer          G. Michael Buchen


Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


  /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------


<PAGE>3


                                WAIVER OF CLAIMS

         THIS WAIVER OF CLAIMS  ("Waiver") is made and entered into as of August
20, 1997,  between Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),
and G. Michael Buchen (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive have entered into an employment
agreement  dated October 17, 1996 (the  "Employment  Agreement"),  as amended by
Amendment No. 1 to Employment Agreement dated June 30, 1997 ("Amendment No. 1");

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  and  the  Executive  have  amended  the  Employment
Agreement and  Amendment  No. 1 by entering  into  Amendment No. 2 to Employment
Agreement dated as of August 20, 1997 ("Amendment No. 2");  WHEREAS,  one of the
terms and  conditions  of Amendment  No. 2 is that the Company and the Executive
enter into this Waiver.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and in consideration
of the Company and the Executive  entering into  Amendment No. 2, and other good
and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

         1. The  Executive,  and  anyone  claiming  through  or on behalf of the
Executive,  waives  any and all claims  the  Executive  may have or may have had
against the Company and the Company's affiliates,  their successors and assigns,
and the Company's past and present employees, officers, directors and agents, or
any of them,  under the  Employment  Agreement as amended by Amendment No. 1, to
the  extent  the  Employment  Agreement,  as  amended  by  Amendment  No.  1, is
inconsistent with the terms of Amendment No. 2.

         2.  Nothing  under this  Agreement  is intended to waive,  terminate or
otherwise  affect the  Executive's  eligibility  for or receipt of any rights or
benefits the Executive may have under the  Employment  Agreement,  as amended by
Amendment No. 1, to the extent not inconsistent with terms of Amendment No. 2.

         3. The Executive expressly  acknowledges that he was advised to consult
with his attorney before signing this Waiver and that he has had the opportunity
to be advised by independent legal counsel before signing. The Executive further
acknowledges that he has completely read and understands every provision of this
Waiver and of Amendment No. 2, and that he has executed this Waiver  voluntarily
and of his own free will.

         4. This Waiver shall be interpreted  and enforced under the laws of the
State of Missouri.


<PAGE>4


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Waiver as of the day
and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                             EXECUTIVE

      /s/  David Stanley                             /s/ G. Michael Buchen
By:------------------------------------            -----------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer            G. Michael Buchen

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


   /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- --------------------------------



<PAGE>1


                     AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and entered into as of August 20, 1997,  between
Payless Cashways, Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"), and Stanley K. Boyd
(the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive have entered into an employment
agreement dated May 8, 1997 (the "Employment Agreement");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1.       Severance Benefits.

         (a) Paragraph 5(e) of the Employment  Agreement,  and all references to
5(e) in the Employment Agreement, are hereby deleted in their entirety.

         (b) A new sentence is hereby inserted at the end of Paragraph 5(g)(iii)
of the Employment Agreement as follows:

         "Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the Executive shall not be entitled to
         receive such  benefits to the extent that the  Executive  obtains other
         employment  that  provides  comparable  benefits  during  the 12 months
         following termination of employment."

         (c) A new Paragraph 5(i) is hereby inserted in the Employment Agreement
as follows:

         "Definition of Severance Period. The term "Severance Period" shall mean
         a period of one year after the date of 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."

         (d) A new Paragraph 5(j) is hereby inserted in the Employment Agreement
as follows:

         "Participation  in Retention Plan. The Executive  shall  participate in
         the key employee retention plan adopted by the Company as of August 20,
         1997,  subject  to the terms and  conditions  of such  plan;  provided,
         however, that if the Executive is entitled to receive a retention bonus
         for a fiscal  year,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive any
         unpaid portion of the bonus regardless of any termination of employment
         by the Company  without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason prior
         to the date the unpaid  portion of the bonus would be payable under the
         retention plan."

         (e) A new Paragraph 5(k) is hereby inserted in the Employment Agreement
as follows:

          "Retention  Payments Excluded From Severance.  Any retention  payments
          paid  pursuant to  Paragraph  5(j) above  shall be  excluded  from the
          calculation of severance  payments  provided under other Paragraphs of
          this Agreement."


<PAGE>2


         (f) A new Paragraph 5(l) is hereby inserted in the Employment Agreement
as follows:

          "Lump  Sum  Payment.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of  this
          Agreement,  any Base  Salary,  Incentive  Compensation,  or  Retention
          Payment payable to the Executive upon  termination of employment shall
          be paid in a lump sum within  fifteen (15) days of the  termination of
          employment."

2. Waiver of Claims.  A new  Paragraph 14 is hereby  inserted in the  Employment
Agreement as follows:

         "Waiver of Claims. The Executive shall execute a waiver of claims under
         the Employment Agreement,  as the Employment Agreement existed prior to
         this Amendment No.1, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A."

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have  executed  this  Amendment  No. 1 to
Employment Agreement as of the day and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                            EXECUTIVE

     /s/  David Stanley                             /s/ Stanley K. Boyd
By:------------------------------------           ------------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer           Stanley K. Boyd

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


  /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------


<PAGE>3


                                WAIVER OF CLAIMS

         THIS WAIVER OF CLAIMS  ("Waiver") is made and entered into as of August
20, 1997,  between Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),
and Stanley K. Boyd (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive have entered into an employment
agreement dated May 8, 1997 (the "Employment Agreement");

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  and  the  Executive  have  amended  the  Employment
Agreement by entering into Amendment No. 1 to Employment  Agreement  dated as of
August 20, 1997 ("Amendment No. 1");

     WHEREAS,  one of the terms and  conditions  of Amendment  No. 1 is that the
Company and the Executive enter into this Waiver.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and in consideration
of the Company and the Executive  entering into  Amendment No. 1, and other good
and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

         1. The  Executive,  and  anyone  claiming  through  or on behalf of the
Executive,  waives  any and all claims  the  Executive  may have or may have had
against the Company and the Company's affiliates,  their successors and assigns,
and the Company's past and present employees, officers, directors and agents, or
any of them,  under the  Employment  Agreement,  to the  extent  the  Employment
Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of Amendment No.
1.

         2.  Nothing  under this  Agreement  is intended to waive,  terminate or
otherwise  affect the  Executive's  eligibility  for or receipt of any rights or
benefits the Executive may have under the  Employment  Agreement,  to the extent
not inconsistent with terms of Amendment No. 1.

         3. The Executive expressly  acknowledges that he was advised to consult
with his attorney before signing this Waiver and that he has had the opportunity
to be advised by independent legal counsel before signing. The Executive further
acknowledges that he has completely read and understands every provision of this
Waiver and of Amendment No. 1, and that he has executed this Waiver  voluntarily
and of his own free will.

         4. This Waiver shall be interpreted  and enforced under the laws of the
State of Missouri.


<PAGE>4


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Waiver as of the day
and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                           EXECUTIVE

     /s/  David Stanley                            /s/ Stanley K. Boyd
By:------------------------------------          -------------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer          Stanley K. Boyd

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


  /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------



<PAGE>1

            AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EXECUTIVE CHANGE-IN-CONTROL AGREEMENT

     THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and  entered  into as of August  20,  1997,  between
Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),  and E.J. Holland,
Jr. (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive  have entered into an executive
change-in-control   agreement  dated  June  26,  1997  (the   "Change-in-Control
Agreement");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1.  Term.  Section 1 of the  Change-in-Control  Agreement  is hereby  amended by
deleting the language in Section 1 beginning  "provided,  however,"  through the
end of Section 1.

2.       Severance Benefits.

         (a)  Section   4(d),   subparagraphs   2(i)  and  (ii)  and  3  of  the
Change-in-Control  Agreement  are  hereby  deleted  in  their  entirety  and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof:

         (i)      one year's  annual Base Salary.  For purposes of this section,
                  "Base  Salary"  shall  mean the  salary  in effect on July 21,
                  1997.

         (3)      the   Corporation   will   arrange  to  provide  you,  at  the
                  Corporation's  expense,  with benefits under the Corporation's
                  Hospital/Medical Plan, and all group Life Insurance Plans, and
                  any  other   Welfare   Plans  then   existing,   or   benefits
                  substantially  similar  to the  benefits  you  were  receiving
                  immediately prior to the Notice of Termination under the named
                  plans,  for a period of one year,  such benefits  specifically
                  being in addition to any and all rights you may have under the
                  plan and under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation
                  Act of 1985 (COBRA);  but benefits otherwise receivable by you
                  pursuant to this Subsection (3) shall be reduced to the extent
                  comparable  benefits  are  actually  received  by  you  from a
                  subsequent  employer  during the such  period  following  your
                  termination,  and any such benefits  actually  received by you
                  shall be reported to the Corporation.

         (b) A new  Section  13 is  hereby  inserted  in  the  Change-in-Control
Agreement as follows:

         "(a)  Participation in Retention Plan. The Executive shall  participate
         in the key employee  retention plan adopted by the Company as of August
         20, 1997,  subject to the terms and conditions of such plan;  provided,
         however, that if the Executive is entitled to receive a retention bonus
         for a fiscal  year,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive any
         unpaid portion of the bonus regardless of any termination of employment
         by the Company  without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason prior
         to the date the unpaid  portion of the bonus would be payable under the
         retention plan.

         (b) Retention Payments Excluded From Severance.  Any retention payments
         paid  pursuant  to  Section  13(a)  above  shall be  excluded  from the
         calculation of severance payments provided under other Sections of this
         Agreement.

<PAGE>2


         (c) Lump Sum  Payment.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of this
         Agreement,  any  Base  Salary,  Incentive  Compensation,  or  Retention
         Payment payable to the Executive upon  termination of employment  shall
         be paid in a lump sum within  fifteen (15) days of the  termination  of
         employment."

3.   Waiver  of  Claims.   A  new   Section  14  is  hereby   inserted   in  the
Change-in-Control Agreement as follows:

         "Waiver of Claims. The Executive shall execute a waiver of claims under
         the Change-in- Control Agreement,  as the  Change-in-Control  Agreement
         existed prior to this  Amendment  No.1, in the form attached  hereto as
         Exhibit A."

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Amendment No. 1 to
Change-in-Control Agreement as of the day and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                           EXECUTIVE

     /s/ David Stanley                             /s/ E.J. Holland, Jr.
By:------------------------------------          -------------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer          E.J. Holland, Jr.

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


 /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------


<PAGE>3



                                WAIVER OF CLAIMS

          THIS WAIVER OF CLAIMS ("Waiver") is made and entered into as of August
20, 1997,  between Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),
and E.J. Holland, Jr. (the "Executive").

          WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive have entered into an executive
change-in-control   agreement  dated  June  26,  1997  (the   "Change-in-Control
Agreement");

          WHEREAS,   the   Company   and  the   Executive   have   amended   the
Change-in-Control    Agreement   by   entering   into   Amendment   No.   1   to
Change-in-Control Agreement dated as of August 20, 1997 ("Amendment No. 1");

          WHEREAS,  one of the terms and  conditions  of Amendment No. 1 is that
the Company and the Executive enter into this Waiver.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and in consideration
of the Company and the Executive  entering into  Amendment No. 1, and other good
and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

         1. The  Executive,  and  anyone  claiming  through  or on behalf of the
Executive,  waives  any and all claims  the  Executive  may have or may have had
against the Company and the Company's affiliates,  their successors and assigns,
and the Company's past and present employees, officers, directors and agents, or
any  of  them,  under  the  Change-in-Control   Agreement,  to  the  extent  the
Change-in-Control Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of Amendment No. 1.

         2.  Nothing  under this  Agreement  is intended to waive,  terminate or
otherwise  affect the  Executive's  eligibility  for or receipt of any rights or
benefits the Executive may have under the  Change-in-Control  Agreement,  to the
extent not inconsistent with terms of Amendment No. 1.

         3. The Executive expressly  acknowledges that he was advised to consult
with his attorney before signing this Waiver and that he has had the opportunity
to be advised by independent legal counsel before signing. The Executive further
acknowledges that he has completely read and understands every provision of this
Waiver and of Amendment No. 1, and that he has executed this Waiver  voluntarily
and of his own free will.

         4. This Waiver shall be interpreted  and enforced under the laws of the
State of Missouri.



<PAGE>4


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Waiver as of the day
and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                            EXECUTIVE

    /s/ David Stanley                               /s/ E.J. Holland, Jr.
By:------------------------------------           ------------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer           E.J. Holland, Jr.

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


 /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------



<PAGE>1


            AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EXECUTIVE CHANGE-IN-CONTROL AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and entered into as of August 20, 1997,  between
Payless  Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa  corporation  (the  "Company"),  and Robert S.
Islinger (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive  have entered into an executive
change-in-control   agreement  dated  June  26,  1997  (the   "Change-in-Control
Agreement");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1.  Term.  Section 1 of the  Change-in-Control  Agreement  is hereby  amended by
deleting the language in Section 1 beginning  "provided,  however,"  through the
end of Section 1.

2.       Severance Benefits.

         (a)  Section   4(d),   subparagraphs   2(i)  and  (ii)  and  3  of  the
Change-in-Control  Agreement  are  hereby  deleted  in  their  entirety  and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof:

         (i)      one year's  annual Base Salary.  For purposes of this section,
                  "Base  Salary"  shall  mean the  salary  in effect on July 21,
                  1997.

         (3)      the   Corporation   will   arrange  to  provide  you,  at  the
                  Corporation's  expense,  with benefits under the Corporation's
                  Hospital/Medical Plan, and all group Life Insurance Plans, and
                  any  other   Welfare   Plans  then   existing,   or   benefits
                  substantially  similar  to the  benefits  you  were  receiving
                  immediately prior to the Notice of Termination under the named
                  plans,  for a period of one year,  such benefits  specifically
                  being in addition to any and all rights you may have under the
                  plan and under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation
                  Act of 1985 (COBRA);  but benefits otherwise receivable by you
                  pursuant to this Subsection (3) shall be reduced to the extent
                  comparable  benefits  are  actually  received  by  you  from a
                  subsequent  employer  during the such  period  following  your
                  termination,  and any such benefits  actually  received by you
                  shall be reported to the Corporation.

         (b) A new  Section  13 is  hereby  inserted  in  the  Change-in-Control
Agreement as follows:

         "(a)  Participation in Retention Plan. The Executive shall  participate
         in the key employee  retention plan adopted by the Company as of August
         20, 1997,  subject to the terms and conditions of such plan;  provided,
         however, that if the Executive is entitled to receive a retention bonus
         for a fiscal  year,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive any
         unpaid portion of the bonus regardless of any termination of employment
         by the Company  without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason prior
         to the date the unpaid  portion of the bonus would be payable under the
         retention plan.

         (b) Retention Payments Excluded From Severance.  Any retention payments
         paid  pursuant  to  Section  13(a)  above  shall be  excluded  from the
         calculation of severance payments provided under other Sections of this
         Agreement.



<PAGE>2



         (c) Lump Sum  Payment.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of this
         Agreement,  any  Base  Salary,  Incentive  Compensation,  or  Retention
         Payment payable to the Executive upon  termination of employment  shall
         be paid in a lump sum within  fifteen (15) days of the  termination  of
         employment."

3.   Waiver  of  Claims.   A  new   Section  14  is  hereby   inserted   in  the
Change-in-Control Agreement as follows:

         "Waiver of Claims. The Executive shall execute a waiver of claims under
         the Change-in- Control Agreement,  as the  Change-in-Control  Agreement
         existed prior to this  Amendment  No.1, in the form attached  hereto as
         Exhibit A."

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Amendment No. 1 to
Change-in-Control Agreement as of the day and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                          EXECUTIVE

    /s/ David Stanley                              /s/ Robert S. Islinger
By:------------------------------------         --------------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer         Robert S. Islinger

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


 /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------


<PAGE>3


                                WAIVER OF CLAIMS

         THIS WAIVER OF CLAIMS  ("Waiver") is made and entered into as of August
20, 1997,  between Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),
and Robert S. Islinger (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive  have entered into an executive
change-in-control   agreement  dated  June  26,  1997  (the   "Change-in-Control
Agreement");

          WHEREAS,   the   Company   and  the   Executive   have   amended   the
Change-in-Control    Agreement   by   entering   into   Amendment   No.   1   to
Change-in-Control Agreement dated as of August 20, 1997 ("Amendment No. 1");

          WHEREAS,  one of the terms and  conditions  of Amendment No. 1 is that
the Company and the Executive enter into this Waiver.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and in consideration
of the Company and the Executive  entering into  Amendment No. 1, and other good
and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

         1. The  Executive,  and  anyone  claiming  through  or on behalf of the
Executive,  waives  any and all claims  the  Executive  may have or may have had
against the Company and the Company's affiliates,  their successors and assigns,
and the Company's past and present employees, officers, directors and agents, or
any  of  them,  under  the  Change-in-Control   Agreement,  to  the  extent  the
Change-in-Control Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of Amendment No. 1.

         2.  Nothing  under this  Agreement  is intended to waive,  terminate or
otherwise  affect the  Executive's  eligibility  for or receipt of any rights or
benefits the Executive may have under the  Change-in-Control  Agreement,  to the
extent not inconsistent with terms of Amendment No. 1.

         3. The Executive expressly  acknowledges that he was advised to consult
with his attorney before signing this Waiver and that he has had the opportunity
to be advised by independent legal counsel before signing. The Executive further
acknowledges that he has completely read and understands every provision of this
Waiver and of Amendment No. 1, and that he has executed this Waiver  voluntarily
and of his own free will.

         4. This Waiver shall be interpreted  and enforced under the laws of the
State of Missouri.


<PAGE>4



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Waiver as of the day
and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                             EXECUTIVE

    /s/ David Stanley                                /s/ Robert S. Islinger
By:------------------------------------            -----------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer            Robert S. Islinger

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


 /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------



<PAGE>1


            AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO EXECUTIVE CHANGE-IN-CONTROL AGREEMENT

         THIS  AGREEMENT,  made and entered into as of August 20, 1997,  between
Payless  Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation  (the  "Company"),  and Richard E.
Nawrot (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive  have entered into an executive
change-in-control   agreement  dated  June  26,  1997  (the   "Change-in-Control
Agreement");

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of these premises and other good and
valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

1.  Term.  Section 1 of the  Change-in-Control  Agreement  is hereby  amended by
deleting the language in Section 1 beginning  "provided,  however,"  through the
end of Section 1.

2.       Severance Benefits.

         (a)  Section   4(d),   subparagraphs   2(i)  and  (ii)  and  3  of  the
Change-in-Control  Agreement  are  hereby  deleted  in  their  entirety  and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof:

         (i)      one year's  annual Base Salary.  For purposes of this section,
                  "Base  Salary"  shall  mean the  salary  in effect on July 21,
                  1997.

         (3)      the   Corporation   will   arrange  to  provide  you,  at  the
                  Corporation's  expense,  with benefits under the Corporation's
                  Hospital/Medical Plan, and all group Life Insurance Plans, and
                  any  other   Welfare   Plans  then   existing,   or   benefits
                  substantially  similar  to the  benefits  you  were  receiving
                  immediately prior to the Notice of Termination under the named
                  plans,  for a period of one year,  such benefits  specifically
                  being in addition to any and all rights you may have under the
                  plan and under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget  Reconciliation
                  Act of 1985 (COBRA);  but benefits otherwise receivable by you
                  pursuant to this Subsection (3) shall be reduced to the extent
                  comparable  benefits  are  actually  received  by  you  from a
                  subsequent  employer  during the such  period  following  your
                  termination,  and any such benefits  actually  received by you
                  shall be reported to the Corporation.

         (b) A new  Paragraph  13 is hereby  inserted  in the  Change-in-Control
Agreement as follows:

         "(a)  Participation in Retention Plan. The Executive shall  participate
         in the key employee  retention plan adopted by the Company as of August
         20, 1997,  subject to the terms and conditions of such plan;  provided,
         however, that if the Executive is entitled to receive a retention bonus
         for a fiscal  year,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to receive any
         unpaid portion of the bonus regardless of any termination of employment
         by the Company  without Cause or by the Executive for Good Reason prior
         to the date the unpaid  portion of the bonus would be payable under the
         retention plan.

         (b) Retention Payments Excluded From Severance.  Any retention payments
         paid  pursuant  to  Section  13(a)  above  shall be  excluded  from the
         calculation of severance payments provided under other Sections of this
         Agreement.



<PAGE>2


         (c) Lump Sum  Payment.  Notwithstanding  any  other  provision  of this
         Agreement,  any  Base  Salary,  Incentive  Compensation,  or  Retention
         Payment payable to the Executive upon  termination of employment  shall
         be paid in a lump sum within  fifteen (15) days of the  termination  of
         employment."

3.   Waiver  of  Claims.   A  new   Section  14  is  hereby   inserted   in  the
Change-in-Control Agreement as follows:

         "Waiver of Claims. The Executive shall execute a waiver of claims under
         the Change-in- Control Agreement,  as the  Change-in-Control  Agreement
         existed prior to this  Amendment  No.1, in the form attached  hereto as
         Exhibit A."

         IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the parties have executed this Amendment No. 1 to
Change-in-Control Agreement as of the day and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                              EXECUTIVE

    /s/ David Stanley                                 /s/ Richard E. Nawrot
By:------------------------------------             ----------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer             Richard E. Nawrot

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


 /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------



<PAGE>3


                                WAIVER OF CLAIMS

         THIS WAIVER OF CLAIMS  ("Waiver") is made and entered into as of August
20, 1997,  between Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation (the "Company"),
and Richard E. Nawrot (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS,  the Company and the Executive  have entered into an executive
change-in-control   agreement  dated  June  26,  1997  (the   "Change-in-Control
Agreement");

          WHEREAS,   the   Company   and  the   Executive   have   amended   the
Change-in-Control    Agreement   by   entering   into   Amendment   No.   1   to
Change-in-Control Agreement dated as of August 20, 1997 ("Amendment No. 1");

          WHEREAS,  one of the terms and  conditions  of Amendment No. 1 is that
the Company and the Executive enter into this Waiver.

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of these premises and in consideration
of the Company and the Executive  entering into  Amendment No. 1, and other good
and valuable consideration, the parties agree as follows:

         1. The  Executive,  and  anyone  claiming  through  or on behalf of the
Executive,  waives  any and all claims  the  Executive  may have or may have had
against the Company and the Company's affiliates,  their successors and assigns,
and the Company's past and present employees, officers, directors and agents, or
any  of  them,  under  the  Change-in-Control   Agreement,  to  the  extent  the
Change-in-Control Agreement is inconsistent with the terms of Amendment No. 1.

         2.  Nothing  under this  Agreement  is intended to waive,  terminate or
otherwise  affect the  Executive's  eligibility  for or receipt of any rights or
benefits the Executive may have under the  Change-in-Control  Agreement,  to the
extent not inconsistent with terms of Amendment No. 1.

         3. The Executive expressly  acknowledges that he was advised to consult
with his attorney before signing this Waiver and that he has had the opportunity
to be advised by independent legal counsel before signing. The Executive further
acknowledges that he has completely read and understands every provision of this
Waiver and of Amendment No. 1, and that he has executed this Waiver  voluntarily
and of his own free will.

         4. This Waiver shall be interpreted  and enforced under the laws of the
State of Missouri.



<PAGE>4



         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Waiver as of the day
and year written above.

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.                             EXECUTIVE

     /s/ David Stanley                               /s/ Richard E. Nawrot
By:------------------------------------            -----------------------------
   Chairman and Chief Executive Officer            Richard E. Nawrot

Approval by the Compensation  Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company
is hereby confirmed.


  /s/ John H. Weitnauer, Jr.
- ------------------------------




<PAGE>1

                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
                               1997 ANNUAL REPORT




ABOUT THE COMPANY

Payless Cashways,  Inc. is a full-line  building  materials  specialty  retailer
concentrating on remodelers,  residential and commercial  contractors,  property
management and industrial  firms, and  project-oriented  do-it-yourselfers.  The
Company is the fifth largest  retailer in the industry as measured by sales.  At
the end of fiscal 1997, the Company operated 164 building materials stores in 20
states  located in the Midwest,  Southwest,  Pacific  Coast,  and Rocky Mountain
areas under the names of Payless Cashways,  Furrow,  Lumberjack,  Hugh M. Woods,
Knox Lumber, and Contractor Supply.

Each full-line store is designed as a one-stop source to provide  customers with
a complete selection of quality products and services needed to build,  improve,
or maintain their home,  business,  farm or ranch  properties.  The  merchandise
assortment  includes  approximately  31,000 items in the  following  categories:
lumber  and  building  materials;  doors,  windows  and trim;  tools;  hardware;
electrical  and  plumbing  products;  paint;  lighting;  home  decor;  kitchens;
decorative  plumbing;  heating/cooling/ventilation;   and  seasonal  items.  The
Company employs approximately 12,800 people, most of whom work in the stores and
have  the  opportunity  to be  trained  and  certified  in a number  of  product
categories.  The Company's  strategy is to serve the  professional  customer and
project-oriented  do-it-yourselfer with a full-line lumberyard,  a broad product
selection, a high level of customer assistance and competitive pricing.

In July 1997,  the Company filed for relief under  Chapter 11 of the  Bankruptcy
Code. The Court confirmed the Company's First Amended Plan of Reorganization and
the  Company   emerged  from   Chapter  11  on  December  2,  1997.   With  this
restructuring,  the Company believes it has a more appropriate balance sheet for
the highly competitive environment in which it operates.


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


                          TABLE OF CONTENTS

          Letter to Stockholders                   2
          Quarterly Statement of Operations        5
          Management's Discussion and Analysis
           of the Financial Condition and Results
           of Operations                           7
          Statements of Operations                14
          Balance Sheets                          15
          Statements of Cash Flows                17
          Statements of Stockholders' Equity      18
          Notes to Financial Statements           19
          Independent Auditors' Report            34
          Five-Year Financial Summary             35
          Five-Year Operational Summary           36
          Board of Directors and Officers         37
          1997 Store Locations                    38
          Stockholder Information                 39


<PAGE>2


                                                              
Payless Cashways, Inc.

LETTER TO STOCKHOLDERS



To Our Stockholders:

On July 21, 1997, Payless Cashways' struggle against the weight of its debt load
culminated in a filing under Chapter 11 of the United  States  Bankruptcy  Code.
While not the preferred course of action,  the Company  determined that it could
not withstand the competitive  environment  without a significant  change in its
balance sheet. After  disappointing  results in the first and second quarters of
1997, it became  apparent to the Board of Directors  and  management in place at
that  time,  as  well  as  to  the  Company's  secured  lenders,   that  a  deep
restructuring  would have to be considered.  After evaluating the  alternatives,
the Company filed for protection under Chapter 11 and began a fast-track process
of restructuring.  On December 2, 1997, the Company's Plan of Reorganization was
consummated, and Payless Cashways emerged from bankruptcy as a newly reorganized
Delaware corporation with a new Board of Directors.

The new  Board of  Directors  is a group of  strong  and  capable  leaders  with
experience  in  the  building   materials   industry,   finance  and  marketing.
Individually, the members of the Board have led large and successful businesses.
By way of  brief  introduction,  we are  Peter G.  Danis,  President  and  Chief
Executive  Officer of Boise Cascade Office  Products,  serving as  non-executive
Chairman of the Board, and Donald E. Roller,  former  President/Chief  Executive
Officer of U.S. Gypsum Company, serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer. Other
members of the Board include David M. Chamberlain, Chairman of Genesco, Inc.; H.
D. (Harry) Cleberg,  President/Chief  Executive Officer of Farmland  Industries,
Inc.; David G. Gundling,  President/Chief  Executive  Officer of Hagemeyer Foods
N.A.,  Inc.;  Max D. Hopper,  Principal of Max D. Hopper  Associates,  Inc.; and
Peter M. Wood,  Former  Managing  Director of J.P.  Morgan & Company,  Inc.  Our
colleagues on the Board are dedicated  individuals who have already demonstrated
their willingness to make difficult  decisions in order to move Payless Cashways
toward profitability.  We recognize the difficulty of the challenge,  but we are
committed to restore Payless to a position of strength in the industry.

The new Board of Directors  accepted  long-time  Chief  Executive  Officer David
Stanley's  decision  to retire  and  determined  to  combine  the  positions  of
President and CEO.  President Susan Stanton announced her resignation on January
5. A  nationwide  search  is under  way for a  permanent  President/CEO.  In the
interim, Donald E. Roller serves in that capacity.

On January 19, working closely with the senior  management  team, we announced a
25% reduction in force at the headquarters  and the regional  offices  including
five additional  officers.  While the individuals who have left Payless Cashways
have served with great energy and dedication,  we are fortunate to have depth of
management  in the Company.  Stanley K. Boyd,  Louise R.  Iennaccaro,  Robert S.
Islinger,  Richard G. Luse and the four remaining regional vice presidents,  all
having been with the Company for some time,  assumed the duties of the departing
officers.

In addition,  changes have been made to place a dedicated store manager in every
location to ensure execution of plans and excellent customer service. Stanley K.
Boyd, Senior Vice President - Store Operations,  and Robert S. Islinger,  Senior
Vice President - Marketing and Merchandising, are directing sales initiatives to
regain sales momentum.  The Board and senior management have assembled a team to
review the Company's competitive


<PAGE>3


Payless Cashways, Inc.

LETTER TO STOCKHOLDERS (cont'd.)


strategy. While more time is needed for them to complete their work, progress is
being made. The capital  expenditure  plan has been greatly reduced for 1998 and
is targeted to maximize return.

The financial results for the year reflect both continuing competitive pressure,
and,  particularly in the second half, the effects of the Chapter 11 filing. For
the fourth quarter and the fiscal year, sales,  EBITDA,  and earnings  decreased
compared  to the prior year.  Losses for the quarter  reflect the impact of both
competition  and the period  spent in Chapter  11.  Negative  pressure  on sales
continued into December with same-store  sales down 12.2% compared to last year.
For the month of January, same-store sales comparisons improved.

Net sales for the fourth quarter were $504.4 million, a total decrease of 23.8%,
and 12.1% on a same-store  sales basis compared to the same quarter of 1996 when
presented  on a  thirteen-week  basis.  The total sales  decrease  reflects  the
closing of 29 stores during the quarter.  For financial reporting purposes,  the
fourth  quarter  of  1996  was  a  fourteen-week  sales  period  compared  to  a
thirteen-week  sales period for the fourth quarter of 1997. On that basis, total
sales  for  the  quarter  decreased  29.0%.  Earnings  before  interest,  taxes,
depreciation,  and amortization  (EBITDA),  a measure of the Company's operating
cash flow,  decreased to $17.3 million  compared to $43.4 million for the fourth
quarter of last year.  Fourth quarter 1997 EBITDA  benefited from a $5.1 million
LIFO credit compared to a $7.5 million LIFO credit in the same period of 1996.

During the fourth  quarter of fiscal  1997,  the  Company  recorded  non-routine
charges in  connection  with its  reorganization  under  Chapter 11. The Company
incurred  reorganization  charges of $20.3 million  ($12.5 million after tax) in
the quarter  ended  November 29, 1997,  which were  primarily  professional  and
administrative fees incurred in connection with the  reorganization,  as well as
amounts  accrued  under an  employee  retention  program.  The  Company  adopted
fresh-start  accounting as of November 29, 1997,  and recorded a $355.6  million
($312.1 million after tax) fresh-start  revaluation  charge and an extraordinary
gain, net of tax, of $138.2 million  related to the discharge of indebtedness in
the case. The Company also recorded an extraordinary charge, net of tax, of $5.0
million related to the early  extinguishment of the Amended Credit Agreement and
a mortgage loan on December 2, 1997.
Both of these debt instruments were replaced with new debt instruments.

The Company reported fourth quarter pro forma net loss of $10.4 million compared
to fourth quarter 1996 net income of $5.6 million. Pro forma net loss for fourth
quarter 1997 excludes the reorganization items, fresh-start revaluation charges,
and extraordinary  items related to the Company's  reorganization  under Chapter
11. Including these  non-routine  charges recorded in the quarter,  net loss for
the fourth quarter of 1997 was $201.8 million.

Net sales for the 1997  fiscal  year were $2.3  billion,  a decrease of 11.9% in
total,  and 6.6% on a same-store basis compared to fiscal 1996 when presented on
a 52-week  basis.  Again,  the total sales  decrease  reflects the closing of 29
stores during the fourth quarter of 1997. For financial reporting purposes,  the
1996 fiscal year was a 53-week  sales period  compared to a 52-week sales period
for the 1997 fiscal year.  Without  adjusting  for the 53rd week of 1996,  total
sales for the 1997 fiscal year decreased  13.5%.  Pro forma EBITDA  decreased to
$65.4  million  compared to $134.6  million for last year.  Pro forma EBITDA for
1997 excludes third quarter 1997


<PAGE>4


Payless Cashways, Inc.

LETTER TO STOCKHOLDERS (cont'd.)


inventory   write-downs   of  $10.7  million   related  to  the  closing  of  29
under-performing  stores,  and pro forma EBITDA for 1996 excludes  third quarter
1996  inventory  write-downs  of $5.8  million  related  to the  closing of nine
under-performing  stores.  EBITDA for fiscal 1997  benefited from a $0.7 million
LIFO credit compared to a $3.2 million LIFO credit in fiscal 1996.

For the 1997  fiscal  year,  the Company  reported a net loss of $288.6  million
compared to a net loss of $19.1 million in the previous  year.  The net loss for
the 1997 fiscal year  reflects  reorganization  items,  fresh-start  revaluation
charges,  a store closing charge, an asset impairment  charge, and extraordinary
items  recorded  in the  third  and  fourth  quarters  of  1997.  Excluding  the
non-routine  items  recorded in these  quarters of 1997 and the third quarter of
1996,  pro forma net loss for the 1997 fiscal year would have been $35.5 million
compared to net income for the 1996 fiscal year of $7.4 million.

Payless Cashways still faces  challenges.  Early operating  results for 1998 are
tracking below Company expectations.  Same-store sales for the month of December
1997, the first month of fiscal 1998, of $143.7 million,  as mentioned  earlier,
were 12.2% below last year. The Company expected some improvement  after exiting
the  Chapter  11  reorganization,  but  negative  fourth  quarter  sales  trends
continued into the new fiscal year. The impact of the Chapter 11  reorganization
has not yet  dissipated.  Soft sales in the early weeks of fiscal 1998  increase
the need for a strong spring selling season and continued tight expense control.

Payless  Cashways  is a company  with a strong  tradition  of  perseverance  and
commitment.  It has  struggled  under a heavy load of debt,  as the  competitive
landscape has become more and more challenging.  We believe it has the potential
to continue to be among the best building  materials  retailers in the industry,
serving  millions of  customers  each  month.  We have been  impressed  with the
quality of both the people and the facilities at Payless Cashways. The challenge
is to successfully attract and retain customers.  This Board and management team
are committed to that challenge.




Peter G. Danis                             Donald E. Roller
Non-executive Chairman of the Board        Acting Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE>5


Payless Cashways, Inc.

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

<TABLE>

In thousands, except per share amounts
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Predecessor Company
                                                                     First           Second             Third           Fourth
Fiscal Year Ended November 29, 1997                                 Quarter          Quarter           Quarter          Quarter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>  

Income
   Net sales                                                     $  487,550        $  661,191       $  632,107        $  504,433
   Other income                                                       1,205             1,264            1,191             1,274
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    488,755           662,455          633,298           505,707

Costs and expenses
   Cost of merchandise sold                                         348,247           483,093          478,038           367,280
   Selling, general and administrative                              138,407           151,147          148,166           121,097
   Reorganization items                                                  --                --            5,121            20,334
   Fresh-start revaluation                                               --                --               --           355,559
   Special charges                                                       --                --           13,056                --
   Asset impairment charges                                              --                --           60,483                --
   Provision for depreciation and amortization                       12,804            13,037           12,768            12,501
   Interest expense                                                  16,055            16,274           14,663            14,259
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    515,513           663,551          732,295           891,030
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------
     LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES                                       (26,758)           (1,096)         (98,997)         (385,323)

Federal and state income taxes                                      (18,623)           12,133          (33,595)          (50,321)
                                                                 ----------------------------------------------------------------

Loss before extraordinary items                                      (8,135)          (13,229)         (65,402)         (335,002)

Extraordinary items, net of income taxes                                 --                --               --           133,176
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------

                                   NET LOSS                      $   (8,135)       $  (13,229)      $  (65,402)       $ (201,826)
                                                                 ================================================================

</TABLE>


In connection  with its Chapter 11 filing on July 21, 1997,  discussed at Note A
to the Financial  Statements,  the Company recorded  reorganization items in the
third  and  fourth   quarters   ($3.2  million  and  $12.5  million  after  tax,
respectively).  The Company also adopted  fresh-start  accounting,  discussed at
Note B to the Financial Statements,  as of November 29, 1997, as a result of its
emergence  from  bankruptcy  under its plan of  reorganization  effective  date,
December  2, 1997.  Fresh-start  revaluation  charges,  after tax,  were  $312.1
million.  An  extraordinary  gain of $138.2  million  after tax  related  to the
discharge of debt pursuant to the  consummation  of the Plan was recorded in the
fourth quarter. In addition,  an extraordinary  charge of $5.0 million after tax
related  to the early  extinguishment  of debt was also  recorded  in the fourth
quarter. A lower-than-anticipated rate of inflation decreased the LIFO inventory
provision,  after tax, by $3.0 million in the fourth  quarter.  Special  charges
($8.1  million  after  tax)  reflected  in the third  quarter  consist  of costs
associated with the closing of 29 stores. Third quarter cost of merchandise sold
reflects an inventory  write-down  ($6.6 million  after tax) in connection  with
these store  closings.  The Company  also  recorded an asset  impairment  charge
($43.9 million after tax) in the third quarter.



<PAGE>6


Payless Cashways, Inc.

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (cont'd.)
<TABLE>


In thousands, except per share amounts
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Predecessor Company
                                                                     First           Second             Third           Fourth
Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 1996                                 Quarter          Quarter           Quarter          Quarter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>    

Income
    Net sales                                                   $  526,767        $  682,252       $  723,793        $  710,017
    Other income                                                     1,597             1,521            1,481             3,477
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   528,364           683,773          725,274           713,494

Costs and expenses
    Cost of merchandise sold                                       372,916           491,500          535,956           506,362
    Selling, general and administrative                            141,405           152,929          157,403           163,729
    Special charges                                                     --                --            8,184                --
    Asset impairment charges                                            --                --           59,697                --
    Provision for depreciation and amortization                     13,184            13,586           14,007            14,239
    Interest expense                                                15,352            14,606           14,438            16,092
    Interest income                                                     --                --           (4,900)               --
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   542,857           672,621          784,785           700,422
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
         INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES                         (14,493)           11,152          (59,511)           13,072

Federal and state income taxes                                      (6,870)            5,286          (36,633)            7,515
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------


                                 NET INCOME (LOSS)              $   (7,623)       $    5,866       $  (22,878)       $    5,557
                                                                ===============================================================
</TABLE>



Special  charges ($5.0 million after tax) reflected in the third quarter consist
of costs  associated  with the closing of nine  stores,  eight of which had been
closed at November 30, 1996.  Third quarter cost of merchandise sold reflects an
inventory  write-down  ($3.5 million  after tax) in connection  with these store
closings.  The Company recorded an asset impairment  charge ($44.6 million after
tax) in the  third  quarter  as well as a  federal  income  tax  benefit  ($23.7
million)  and related  interest  income  ($2.9  million  after tax)  pursuant to
legislation and a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service. A liquidation of
LIFO inventories and a  lower-than-anticipated  rate of inflation  decreased the
LIFO inventory provision, after tax, by $4.0 million in the fourth quarter.



<PAGE>7


Payless Cashways, Inc.

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

Petition For Relief Under Chapter 11
- ------------------------------------

While the Company had sufficient  liquidity to fund its current operations,  the
operating  performance  of the Company during the second quarter of fiscal 1997,
which was well below the Company's expectations, led management to conclude that
it was  unlikely  that the Company  would be able to comply  with the  covenants
contained in its principal credit agreements at the end of the 1997 fiscal year.
In the course of the Company's  subsequent  negotiations with its senior lenders
to  restructure  its debt and  after  considering  with its  financial  adviser,
Houlihan Lokey Howard & Zukin, all other alternatives, including the sale of the
Company and  liquidation,  the Company  concluded  that a Chapter 11  proceeding
provided the best approach for a comprehensive  financial  restructuring  of the
Company.  This action was intended to improve the Company's competitive position
by establishing a more appropriate  capital structure to operate the business in
this period of unprecedented competitive pressure after a decade of dealing with
a highly leveraged balance sheet, which had limited capital expenditures.

On July 21, 1997,  the Company filed a voluntary  petition to  reorganize  under
Chapter 11 and filed a plan of reorganization  for its emergence from Chapter 11
(the "Plan" or "Plan of Reorganization") as well as a Disclosure Statement.  The
Company  operated  its  business  as  a  debtor-in-possession,  subject  to  the
jurisdiction of the Court, while pursuing its reorganization plan to restructure
the  Company's  capitalization.  The Chapter 11 filing  resulted in an automatic
stay of the commencement or prosecution of claims against the Company that arose
before the petition date.

The  Disclosure  Statement  and Plan were  subsequently  amended on September 5,
1997, and modified on October 9, 1997. On October 10, 1997, the Court determined
that  the  Disclosure  Statement  contained  adequate  information  to  permit a
creditor to make an informed  decision  about the Plan.  The Company's  impaired
creditors and equity security holders accepted the Plan, the Court confirmed the
Plan  on  November  19,  1997,  and,  after  the  satisfaction  of a  number  of
conditions,  the Plan became effective  December 2, 1997 (the "Effective Date").
For a  summary  description  of the  Plan,  see  Note A to  Notes  to  Financial
Statements.

Results of Operations
- ---------------------

The following  discussion of the  Company's  financial  condition and results of
operations should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and notes
thereto included  elsewhere in this Annual Report to  Stockholders.  The Company
has implemented the required accounting for entities emerging from Chapter 11 in
accordance  with  the  American  Institute  of  Certified  Public   Accountants'
Statement of Position  90-7 ("SOP  90-7"),  "Financial  Reporting by Entities in
Reorganization   Under  the  Bankruptcy  Code"  ("fresh-start   reporting")  and
reflected  the effects of such  adoption in the balance sheet as of November 29,
1997.  Under  fresh-start  reporting,  the balance  sheet of November  29, 1997,
became the opening  balance  sheet of the  Reorganized  Company.  The  financial
statements of the Predecessor  Company as of November 29, 1997 and prior are not
comparable  in material  respects to the  financial  statements of the Successor
Company.
<TABLE>

Operating Data                                                                      
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Predecessor Company
                                                                                --------------------------------------------
                                                                                             Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                                --------------------------------------------
percent of net sales                                                            Nov. 29,         Nov. 30,           Nov 25,
                                                                                  1997             1996              1995
                                                                                ---------        ----------         --------
<S>                                                                             <C>              <C>                <C>   

Net sales.......................................................                  100.0 %           100.0 %          100.0 %
Other income....................................................                     .2                .3               .2
Cost of merchandise sold........................................                   73.4              72.1             71.4
Selling, general and administrative.............................                   24.4              23.3             23.1
Reorganization items............................................                    1.1                --               --
Fresh-start revaluation.........................................                   15.6                --               --
Special charges.................................................                     .6                .3              5.7
Asset impairment charges........................................                    2.6               2.3               --
Provision for depreciation and amortization.....................                    2.2               2.1              2.3
Interest expense................................................                    2.7               2.3              2.3
Interest income.................................................                    --                (.2)              --
                                                                                --------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes...............................                  (22.4)             (1.9)            (4.6)

Federal and state income taxes..................................                   (4.0)             (1.2)             (.2)
Equity in loss of joint venture.................................                     --                --              (.4)
                                                                                --------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before extraordinary items........................                  (18.4)              (.7)            (4.8)

Extraordinary items.............................................                    5.8                --               --
                                                                                --------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)...............................................                  (12.6)%             (.7)%           (4.8)%
                                                                                ============================================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>8


Payless Cashways, Inc.

MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (cont'd.)


Sales

Net sales for fiscal 1997, a 52-week year,  decreased  13.5% from fiscal 1996, a
53-week  year,  and fiscal 1996 net sales  decreased  1.4% from fiscal  1995,  a
52-week year. On a 52-week basis, net sales for fiscal year 1997 decreased 11.9%
compared to fiscal 1996 and net sales for 1996 decreased 3.0% compared to fiscal
1995. Same-store sales (sales from stores that have been open one full year), on
a 52-week  basis,  decreased by 6.6% for fiscal  1997,  and  decreased  2.5% for
fiscal 1996. Net sales for 1997 reflect continuing  competitive pressure and, in
the second  half,  the  disruption  in the supply of product  and the erosion of
customer  confidence  caused by the Chapter 11 filing.  On a  same-store  basis,
sales from professional  customers increased 0.2%, while sales from the consumer
side of the business  decreased  11.9% in fiscal 1997.  Twenty-four  stores were
closed during the third quarter of 1997 (one closing of which had been announced
in fiscal 1996), and an additional six stores were closed in the fourth quarter.
The Company  closed six stores in early fiscal 1996 and another  eight stores in
the fourth  quarter of 1996. Net sales for 1996 reflect  increasing  competitive
pressure on the Company's consumer business, although there was strong growth in
the professional  business aided by improved external conditions such as housing
activity and consumer sentiment.  On a same-store basis, sales from professional
customers  increased  7.7%,  while sales from the consumer  side of the business
decreased  8.1% in fiscal  1996.  The  stores  closed  in  fiscal  1996 and 1997
accounted  for  $213.3  million  and  $388.7  million  sales in 1996  and  1997,
respectively.

Gains of $2.3 million,  before tax, related to insurance  settlement proceeds in
excess of net book value for buildings  and  equipment  destroyed in a 1995 fire
loss, are included in other income for fiscal 1996.

Costs and Expenses

The cost of merchandise  sold, as a percent of sales,  was 73.4% in fiscal 1997,
72.1% in fiscal 1996,  and 71.4% in fiscal 1995. A third quarter 1997  inventory
write-down  of $10.7  million,  related  to the  closing  of 29  underperforming
stores, was 0.5% of sales for fiscal 1997.  Likewise,  a third quarter inventory
write-down  of $5.8  million,  related to the  closing  of nine  underperforming
stores, was 0.2% of sales for fiscal 1996. Excluding the effect of both the 1997
and 1996  inventory  write-downs,  the decrease in gross margins during 1997 was
primarily  due  to  competitive   pressure  and  the  growth  in  sales  to  the
professional customer whose merchandise purchases include a higher percentage of
commodity goods at margin rates somewhat lower than the Company's  average.  The
disruption in the supply of product  resulting from the Chapter 11 filing caused
some  increase in cost of goods sold due to  purchasing  product from  secondary
sources at higher  costs.  The  decrease in 1996 gross  margins was also due, in
part, to the growth in sales to the  professional  customer and to the Company's
pricing initiatives.  Cost of merchandise sold in fiscal 1997 and 1996 benefited
from a $0.7 million and a $3.2 million  LIFO  credit,  respectively,  related to
liquidations of LIFO inventories and deflation,  compared to a $4.2 million LIFO
charge in fiscal 1995.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percent of sales, were 24.4%,
23.3%, and 23.1% for fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.  The increases as
a percent of sales for fiscal 1997 and 1996 were due  primarily  to lower sales.
The 1997 and 1996  decrease in dollars  was due  primarily  to savings  from the
store closings discussed above.

Interest expense increased $0.8 million to $61.3 million in fiscal 1997 compared
to fiscal 1996 due  primarily to higher  interest  rates.  Interest  expense for
fiscal 1997 would have increased an additional $5.7 million had certain debt not
been  compromised  by the Chapter 11 filing.  Interest  expense  decreased  $0.6
million in fiscal 1996  compared to fiscal 1995 due  primarily to  retirement of
long-term debt, some of which was replaced with lower interest-bearing debt. The
Company also recorded  interest  income of $4.9 million ($2.9 million after tax)
in the third  quarter of 1996,  related to a pending  tax refund  arising out of
recent legislation and a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS").

In connection with its Chapter 11 filing,  the Company  recorded  reorganization
items  of  $25.5  million  during  fiscal  1997.   Additional   details  on  the
reorganization  items are set forth in Note J to the Financial  Statements.  The
Company  also  recorded  fresh-start  revaluation  charges of $355.6  million in
fiscal  1997.  See  Note B to the  Financial  Statements  for  more  details  on
fresh-start reporting and these related charges.


<PAGE>9


Payless Cashways, Inc.

MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (cont'd.)


A special  charge of $13.0 million  ($8.1  million after tax),  primarily a cash
charge,  was recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 to reflect real estate
disposal   and   severance   costs   related  to  the  closing  of   twenty-nine
underperforming stores as part of the Company's reorganization under Chapter 11.
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  closing  of  nine
underperforming stores. A special charge of $153.7 million ($133.1 million after
tax) was  recorded  in the  fourth  quarter  of  fiscal  1995 to  reflect  costs
associated   with  a   restructuring   which   included   the   closing  of  six
underperforming  stores  on  December  30,  1995,  the sale of an  underutilized
distribution  center on December  22,  1995,  and,  during the first  quarter of
fiscal  1996,  the  reorientation  of  several  stores  to  concentrate  on  the
professional  customer.  Additional details on the special charges are set forth
in Note L to the Financial Statements.

The Company recorded an asset impairment  charge of $60.5 million ($43.9 million
after tax) and $59.7 million  ($44.6 million after tax) in the third quarters of
1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Primarily  because the  environment  for building
materials  retailing has continued to be increasingly  competitive,  the Company
first  conducted its review in the third quarter of 1996 and determined  certain
assets were impaired.  In the third quarter of 1997, the Company again conducted
a review of underperforming stores and determined that certain additional assets
were impaired, including assets related to twenty-nine stores, which the Company
closed. The asset impairment charges were 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.
Additional  details on the asset  impairment  charges are set forth in Note K to
the  Financial  Statements.  The  Company  will  continue  to review  assets for
impairment,  particularly given the ongoing competitive environment for building
materials retailing.

The effective tax rates for fiscal 1997,  1996, and 1995 were different from the
35% statutory rate primarily due to the effect of goodwill  amortization and the
write-off of goodwill, both of which are non-deductible for income tax purposes.
In addition,  for fiscal 1996, the effective tax rate was significantly affected
by the tax benefit related to income tax  legislation and an IRS settlement.  On
August 20, 1996,  the Small  Business Job Protection Act of 1996 was signed into
law. Certain provisions of this legislation clarified the Tax Reform Act of 1986
and made  retroactively  tax  deductible  certain costs and expenses  previously
recorded by the Company  without any related tax benefit.  In  addition,  during
1996,  the Company  settled  with the IRS  regarding  several  tax issues.  As a
result, the Company recorded a tax benefit of $23.7 million and related interest
income, discussed earlier.

Net Income (Loss)

The  Company  had a loss  before  extraordinary  item of $421.8  million in 1997
compared  to $19.1  million  in 1996 and $128.5  million in 1995.  The 1997 loss
before extraordinary item reflects reorganization items, fresh-start revaluation
charges,  store closing charges,  and an asset impairment  charge, all discussed
above. The 1996 loss before  extraordinary  item reflects store closing charges,
an asset  impairment  charge,  a federal income tax benefit and related interest
income,  all discussed above. The 1995 loss before  extraordinary  item reflects
the special charge in connection  with the  restructuring,  discussed  above, as
well as the Company's share in its Mexican joint venture's  operating loss prior
to the sale of this  investment in October 1995.  The 1995 equity in the loss of
joint venture also includes an $8.0  million,  pretax,  loss on the sale of this
investment.  Excluding the  non-routine  items recorded during fiscal 1997, 1996
and 1995,  net loss for 1997,  would have been $35.5  million and net income for
1996 and 1995 would have been $7.4 million and $12.5 million, respectively.


<PAGE>10


Payless Cashways, Inc.

MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (cont'd.)


Comparative Operating Data 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Predecessor Company
                                                -----------------------------------------
                                                    Fiscal Year Ended November 29, 1997
                                                -----------------------------------------
In thousands, except per share amounts                Pro Forma          Historical
                                                     (Excluding          (Including
                                                 Non-Routine Items)    Non-Routine Items)
                                                -------------------   -------------------
<S>                                                <C>                    <C>

Net sales and other income                         $  2,290,215           $  2,290,215
Income from operations before interest,
  depreciation and amortization                    $     65,433           $   (399,813)
Net income (loss)                                  $    (35,451)          $   (288,592)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Fiscal Year Ended November 30, 1996
                                                -----------------------------------------
                                                      Pro Forma          Historical
                                                     (Excluding          (Including
                                                 Non-Routine Items)    Non-Routine Items)
                                                -------------------   -------------------
<S>                                                <C>                    <C>

Net sales and other income                         $  2,650,905           $  2,650,905
Income from operations before interest,
  depreciation and amortization                    $    134,552           $     60,824
Net income (loss)                                  $      7,428           $    (19,078)
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                    Fiscal Year Ended November 25, 1995
                                                -----------------------------------------
                                                      Pro Forma          Historical
                                                     (Excluding          (Including
                                                 Non-Routine Items)    Non-Routine Items)
                                                -------------------   -------------------
<S>                                                <C>                    <C>

Net sales and other income                         $  2,685,670           $  2,685,670
Income from operations before interest,
  depreciation and amortization                    $    153,461           $       (206)
Net income (loss)                                  $     12,499           $   (128,549)
</TABLE>


Future Operating Results
- ------------------------

The Company expects that openings by warehouse-format competitors will continue.
The negative  sales trends of fiscal 1997 continued into the first two months of
fiscal 1998  causing the new board of  directors  and senior  management  of the
Company  to  implement  changes  designed  to have an  immediate  impact  on the
Company's   financial  results.   These  changes  included  the  elimination  of
approximately  25% of the  staff  at the  Company's  headquarters  and  regional
administrative  centers,  including senior  management,  and the assignment of a
dedicated  store  manager in each  retail  location.  It is  anticipated  that a
special  charge of  approximately  $5.6  million  will be  recorded in the first
quarter of fiscal 1998 to reflect severance costs related to these changes.  The
CEO and President positions are being consolidated and the Company is conducting
a national  search for a  candidate  to fill this  position.  In  addition,  new
merchandising and sales initiatives are being implemented.

Effects of Inflation
- --------------------

The Company  experienced  slight deflation in its non-lumber  inventories during
fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996.  Approximately  82% of the  Company's  inventory is
valued using the LIFO inventory accounting method; therefore,  current costs are
reflected in the cost of merchandise  sold,  rather than in inventory  balances.
During 1995, the Company  experienced  price  deflation in its lumber  inventory
which is  valued  using  the  FIFO  inventory  accounting  method.  The  Company
estimates  that this price  deflation  had a negative  1.6% impact on same-store
sales.




<PAGE>11


Payless Cashways, Inc.

MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (cont'd.)


Financing Activities
- --------------------

As a result of the  Chapter  11 filing on July 21,  1997,  borrowings  under the
revolving credit facility of the Amended Credit  Agreement,  defined below, were
no longer available to the Company. During the period from July 21, 1997 through
December 2, 1997,  the Company  utilized  debtor-in-possession  financing  which
consisted of a $125 million revolving credit facility (the "DIP Agreement").  On
or prior to the Effective Date, the Company paid all amounts  outstanding  under
the DIP Agreement and the Amended  Credit  Agreement with cash, New Common Stock
and new notes under the Exit Financing  Agreement.  The Exit Financing Agreement
includes  term  loans of $283.1  million  and a $150  million  revolving  credit
facility with a $40 million letters of credit  sublimit.  In accordance with the
Plan of  Reorganization,  on the  Effective  Date the Company's  mortgage  loan,
secured by certain  real estate,  was retired and  replaced  with a new mortgage
loan secured by the same real estate and the Company's senior subordinated notes
were  terminated  and  canceled.  Holders of these  subordinated  notes now hold
general unsecured claims under the Plan. On the Effective Date, the Company also
issued a note for $16 million, secured by three store facilities,  in settlement
of the secured  portion of the claims arising from a lease  agreement  involving
five store  facilities.  At the Effective Date the Company obtained a commitment
from the mortgage  lender to borrow an additional $13 million under the mortgage
loan  described  above,  and the  Company  intends to prepay  this note in full.
Although  this  transaction  has  not  been  completed,  it  is  expected  to be
consummated in the first half of fiscal 1998.

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 "Amended Credit Agreement").  As part of the amendment,  permitted
levels of capital expenditures were increased,  additional collateral (including
substantially  all merchandise  inventories) was added,  various  covenants were
modified or eliminated  and interest  rates were  increased.  The Amended Credit
Agreement was designed to give the Company additional  flexibility and liquidity
and provide the banks with additional security.

On December 22, 1995, the Company made a $16.5 million  mortgage loan prepayment
in connection with the sale of a distribution center described below and in Note
L to the Financial Statements.

In  November  1995,  the Company  amended  and  restated  its  five-year  credit
agreement  to  include a $40.0  million  term loan and to reduce  the  revolving
credit facility to $380.0 million.  As part of the amendment,  various covenants
were  modified and interest  rates were  increased.  In addition,  in 1995,  the
Company  entered into an interest  rate cap limiting the interest  rates on $100
million of its floating  rate debt to 8% LIBOR through  January 20, 1998.  Also,
during 1995,  the Company  entered into an interest  rate swap  agreement  under
which it agreed to pay  quarterly  a 6-9/16%  fixed rate of  interest  effective
December 1, 1995, through December 1, 1999, in exchange for quarterly receipt of
LIBOR on $36.0 million.

At  the  Effective  Date  of  its  Plan  of  Reorganization,   the  Company  had
approximately  $433.4 million of indebtedness.  The Company expects from time to
time to incur additional seasonal indebtedness.

The Year 2000 Issue
- -------------------

The Year 2000 issue is the result of computer  programs  being written using two
digits rather than four to define the  applicable  year.  Any programs that have
time-sensitive  software may recognize a date using "00" as the year 1900 rather
than the year 2000.  This could result in system failure or miscalculations.

The Company has  completed an  assessment  of the impact of the year 2000 on its
computer systems, both hardware and software, and has developed a plan to timely
address the Year 2000 issue.  The Company is executing  that plan and  currently
believes  that it will  complete  all phases of the plan  without  any  material
adverse consequences to its business,  operations,  or financial condition.  The
Company estimates that expenditures related to executing the Year 2000 plan will
range from $5 million to $8 million over the next two years.  Such  expenditures
are being charged to expense as incurred.

The  Company  has not  communicated  with all of its  significant  suppliers  to
determine  the extent to which the Company is vulnerable to the failure of those
third  parties to  remediate  their own Year 2000  issues.  The Company does not
anticipate the cost of Year 2000  compliance by suppliers to be passed on to the
Company.  However,  there can be no assurances  that failure to address the Year
2000 issue by a third party on whom the Company's  systems rely would not have a
material adverse effect on the Company.


<PAGE>12



Payless Cashways, Inc.

MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (cont'd.)


Liquidity and Capital Resources
- -------------------------------

The  Company's  principal  source of cash is from  operations.  Cash provided by
operating  activities  was $32.0  million  for fiscal  1997,  compared  to $32.4
million for fiscal 1996 and $108.4  million for fiscal  1995.  Cash  provided by
operating activities in 1997 benefited from the compromise and extinguishment of
general unsecured claims, including trade accounts payable, pursuant to the Plan
of Reorganization  that would have otherwise required cash. The 1996 decrease in
cash  provided  by  operating  activities  was  primarily  due to a decrease  in
accounts  payable  and an  increase  in  merchandise  inventories,  as  well  as
decreased  operating  income.  The 1996  decrease  in  accounts  payable  levels
compared to year-ago  levels is primarily  due to slower  inventory  turns and a
shift in the mix of purchases between commodity products (shorter payment terms)
and non-commodity products (longer payment terms).

Borrowings are available  under the Exit Financing  Agreement to supplement cash
generated by operations.  At December 2, 1997,  $106.8 million was available for
borrowing.  Working  capital was $258.4 million and $131.0 million at the end of
fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996,  respectively.  The current ratio was 2.15 to 1 and
1.41 to 1 at the end of fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996,  respectively.  The primary
reasons  for the  increase  in working  capital  and the  current  ratio was the
restructuring  under  Chapter  11 that took place  during  1997.  The  Company's
inventory levels are at the lowest levels during the seasonally low sales months
of  December  through  February  and are at the highest  levels  during the peak
selling months of May through  September.  During the peak period,  inventory is
financed by cash from operations and trade accounts  payable.  During the winter
months,  inventory is financed by cash from  operations,  trade accounts payable
and  borrowings  under the Exit  Financing  Agreement,  as needed.  The  Company
believes that cash  generated  from  operations  and  borrowings  under the Exit
Financing Agreement will adequately meet its working capital needs, debt service
and other obligations that will become due in fiscal 1998.

During fiscal 1997,  the Company's  primary  investing  activities  were capital
expenditures  principally  for  strategic  initiatives,  renovation  of existing
stores and additional equipment. The Exit Financing Agreement governs the amount
of capital  expenditures  that can be made and the  permitted  levels of capital
expenditures in the future are as follows:  $59.6 million in 1998; $52.1 million
in 1999;  $41.2  million in 2000;  $51.3  million in 2001;  and $52.3 million in
2002. The Company spent  approximately  $62.9  million,  $41.7 million and $67.3
million in fiscal 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively,  for strategic initiatives,
including the acquisition of a door and trim manufacturer in Phoenix, AZ, during
January 1996, renovation of existing stores, additional equipment and, in fiscal
1995,  new stores.  For fiscal 1997 and 1996,  the Company  shifted its emphasis
from new store  openings to  initiatives  that further  address the needs of the
professional  and  do-it-yourself  customers.  Several stores were reoriented to
concentrate on the professional customer and merchandise assortment was added to
many stores to address do-it-yourself customer demand for more choices of price,
quality and style. During fiscal 1996, in support of the professional  customer,
the Company  completed the acquisition of the  manufacturer  mentioned above and
expanded the manufacturing capability of one of its existing door plants. During
1997, the Company sold eight real estate properties related to the closing of 14
stores in 1996 for approximately $14.3 million of cash proceeds.  Sale of closed
store properties will continue in fiscal 1998. 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. The Company leased
one new  store in 1996,  which it  opened  in 1997.  In  addition,  the  Company
purchased and opened an existing  store facility  during 1997.  During 1995, six
new stores  were  opened and two stores were sold.  The  Company's  new Board of
Directors is currently  analyzing the Company's  competitive  positioning in the
market and the related capital  investments.  Until such evaluation is complete,
budgeted capital  expenditures for 1998 will be limited to normal  renovation of
existing  stores and routine  equipment  purchases,  which will be financed with
funds  generated  from  operations  and  borrowings  under  the  Exit  Financing
Agreement.

During fiscal 1995, the Company also invested $9.3 million in its joint venture,
Total Home de Mexico,  S.A.  de C.V.,  prior to the sale of this  investment  in
October 1995.  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.


<PAGE>13


Payless Cashways, Inc.

MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF THE FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS (cont'd.)


The Company's most significant financing activity is and will continue to be the
retirement of indebtedness.  As a result of the Company's  reorganization  under
Chapter 11, the indebtedness of the Company was reduced  significantly in fiscal
1997 as described  above in "Financing  Activities"  and in Notes A, B, and D to
the Financial Statements.  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 Exit
Financing  Agreement  should  provide  sufficient  liquidity  to meet  all  cash
requirements for the next 12 months without additional financing. As a result of
the Chapter 11 filing,  trade  creditors  have  significantly  shortened  credit
terms. The Company  believes that progress with regard to lengthening  terms and
reestablishing  trade credit is  continuing,  but  availability  of trade credit
cannot be assured.  The Exit Financing  Agreement contains a number of financial
covenants  with which the Company must comply.  Certain of these  covenants  are
detailed in Note D to the Financial  Statements.  First quarter 1998 results are
likely to be below  results for the same  quarter of the prior year.  Management
currently  expects  that  it  will  achieve   compliance  with  these  covenants
throughout  1998;  however,  factors  beyond  management's  control,   including
competitive  conditions,  economic conditions,  supplier support, lumber prices,
and weather,  could cause  noncompliance.  If compliance with these covenants is
not achieved,  the Company may be required to renegotiate its existing covenants
with  lenders  or  to  refinance  borrowings.  Success  in  achieving  any  such
renegotiations or refinancing, or the specific terms thereof, including interest
rates,  capital expenditure limits or borrowing capacity,  cannot be assured. If
the Company fails to achieve  compliance with these covenants or, in the absence
of such  compliance,  if the Company fails to amend such financial  covenants on
terms  favorable  to the  Company,  the  Company  may be in  default  under such
covenants.  If such default occurred,  it would permit  acceleration of its debt
under the Exit Financing  Agreement which, in turn, would permit acceleration of
substantially all of the Company's other long-term debt.

Forward-Looking Statements
- --------------------------

Statements  above in the  subsections  entitled  "Costs and  Expenses,"  "Future
Operating  Results,"  and "The Year 2000 Issue," and in this  subsection of this
Annual Report such as "unlikely",  "intend",  "estimated",  "believe", "expect",
"anticipate"   and   similar   expressions   which   are  not   historical   are
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Such statements
include, without limitation, the Company's expectation as to future performance.

Such forward-looking  statements 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  the  forward-looking   statements  made  above.  Investors  are
cautioned that all  forward-looking  statements  involve risks and  uncertainty.
Among the factors that could cause actual  results to differ  materially are the
following:  sales levels;  competitor activities;  stability of the sales force;
supplier  support;  consumer spending and debt levels;  interest rates;  housing
activity,  including  existing home turnover and new home  construction;  lumber
prices;  product mix; growth of certain market segments; and an excess of retail
space  devoted  to  the  sale  of  building  materials.  Additional  information
concerning these 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 or on the Company's web
site, payless.cashways.com.


<PAGE>14


Payless Cashways, Inc.

STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                          Predecessor Company
                                                                       --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                           Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                       --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                        November 29,         November 30,         November 25,
In thousands, except per share amounts                                      1997                 1996                 1995
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>                   <C>                  <C>
Income
     Net sales                                                         $    2,285,281        $   2,642,829        $   2,680,186
     Other income--Note C                                                       4,934                8,076                5,484
                                                                       --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            2,290,215            2,650,905            2,685,670
Costs and expenses
     Cost of merchandise sold                                               1,676,658            1,906,734            1,912,620
     Selling, general and
         administrative--Notes G, H and I                                     558,817              615,466              619,589
     Reorganization items--Note J                                              25,455                   --                   --
     Fresh-start revaluation--Note B                                          355,559                   --                   --
     Special charges--Note L                                                   13,056                8,184              153,667
     Asset impairment charges--Note K                                          60,483               59,697                   --
     Provision for depreciation and amortization                               51,110               55,016               60,356
     Interest expense (contractual interest of
         $66,973 in 1997)--Note D                                              61,251               60,488               61,067
     Interest income--Note F                                                       --               (4,900)                  --
                                                                       --------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            2,802,389            2,700,685            2,807,299
                                                                       --------------------------------------------------------

                                       LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES              (512,174)             (49,780)            (121,629)

Federal and state income taxes--Note F                                        (90,406)             (30,702)              (4,911)
                                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------

Loss before equity in loss of joint venture
   and extraordinary items                                                   (421,768)             (19,078)            (116,718)

Equity in loss of joint venture--Note C                                            --                   --              (11,831)
                                                                        --------------------------------------------------------

Loss before extraordinary item                                               (421,768)             (19,078)            (128,549)

Extraordinary items, net of income taxes--Notes B and D                       133,176                   --                   --
                                                                       --------------------------------------------------------

                                                       NET LOSS        $     (288,592)       $     (19,078)       $    (128,549)
                                                                       =========================================================


See notes to financial statements
</TABLE>



<PAGE>15


Payless Cashways, Inc.

BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Reorganized      |    Predecessor
                                                                                          Company        |      Company
                                                                                     ---------------     |  -------------
                                                                                       November 29,      |   November 30,
In thousands                                                                               1997          |       1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>                   <C>  
ASSETS                                                                                                   |
                                                                                                         |
     CURRENT ASSETS                                                                                      |
         Cash and cash equivalents                                                    $     11,961       |  $        425
         Merchandise inventories--Notes C and D                                            414,882       |       399,010
         Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                          14,705       |        22,281
         Income taxes receivable--Note F                                                    32,232       |        15,200
         Deferred income taxes--Note F                                                       8,665       |        13,681
                                                                                      -----------------------------------
                                             TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                          482,445       |       450,597
                                                                                                         |
                                                                                                         |
     OTHER ASSETS                                                                                        |
         Real estate held for sale--Note K                                                  48,562       |        18,529
         Cost in excess of net assets acquired,                                                          |
           less accumulated amortization of                                                              |
           $105,198 in 1996--Notes C, K and L                                                   --       |       292,946
         Deferred financing costs--Notes C and D                                             2,600       |        12,837
         Other                                                                              14,316       |        12,917
                                                                                                         |
                                                                                                         |
     LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT--Notes C and D                                                        |
         Land and land improvements                                                         98,390       |       179,633
         Buildings                                                                         219,244       |       476,144
         Equipment                                                                          35,048       |        98,304
         Automobiles and trucks                                                              2,196       |        24,264
         Construction in progress                                                            8,540       |         4,590
         Allowance for depreciation and amortization                                            --       |      (277,643)
                                                                                      -----------------------------------
                              TOTAL LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT                          363,418       |       505,292
                                                                                      -----------------------------------
                                                                                      $    911,341       |  $  1,293,118
                                                                                      ===================================

See notes to financial statements
</TABLE>



<PAGE>16


Payless Cashways, Inc.

BALANCE SHEETS (cont'd.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                        Reorganized      |    Predecessor
                                                                                          Company        |      Company
                                                                                      --------------     |  --------------
                                                                                       November 29,      |   November 30,
In thousands                                                                               1997          |       1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>                   <C>
                                                                                                         |
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                                                     |
                                                                                                         |
     CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                                                 |
         Current portion of long-term debt--Note D                                    $      9,354       |  $     18,340
         Trade accounts payable                                                             75,583       |       121,891
         Salaries, wages and bonuses                                                        29,051       |        31,052
         Accrued interest                                                                      213       |         3,193
         Insurance reserves                                                                  1,500       |        25,713
         Future store lease payments--Note K                                                    --       |        17,460
         Other accrued expense--Notes G, K and L                                            84,978       |        71,182
         Taxes, other than income taxes                                                     20,999       |        24,318
         Income taxes payable--Note F                                                        2,362       |         6,444
                                                                                      -----------------------------------
                                                 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                 224,040       |       319,593
                                                                                                         |
                                                                                                         |
     LONG-TERM DEBT, less portion classified as current                                                  |
         liability--Note D                                                                 424,031       |       618,667
                                                                                                         |
     NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES                                                                     |
         Deferred income taxes--Note F                                                      58,788       |        41,665
         Other--Note H                                                                      20,682       |        23,462
                                                                                                         |
     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY--Notes A, C, D and E                                                           |
         Common Stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized,                                     |
           20,000,000 shares issued in 1997                                                    200       |            --
         Preferred Stock, $1.00 par value, 25,000,000                                                    |
           shares authorized:                                                                            |
              Cumulative Preferred Stock, 406,000 shares issued                                          |
                and $78,563 aggregate liquidation preference in 1996                            --       |        40,600
         Common Stock, $.01 par value:                                                                   |
           Voting, 150,000,000 shares authorized,                                                        |
              37,709,028 shares issued in 1996                                                  --       |           377
           Non-Voting Class A, 5,000,000 shares authorized,                                              |
              2,250,000 shares issued in 1996                                                   --       |            23
         Additional paid-in capital                                                        183,600       |       487,728
         Accumulated deficit                                                                    --       |      (238,997)
                                                                                      -----------------------------------
                                                TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                 183,800       |       289,731
                                                                                      -----------------------------------
     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES--Notes G, H, I and M                                                  |
                                                                                      $    911,341       |  $  1,293,118
                                                                                      ===================================

See notes to financial statements
</TABLE>



<PAGE>17


Payless Cashways, Inc.

STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                           Predecessor Company
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                            Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
                                                                          November 29,         November 30,        November 25,
In thousands                                                                  1997                 1996                1995
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                   <C>                 <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
      Net loss                                                           $   (288,592)         $    (19,078)       $   (128,549)
      Adjustments to reconcile net loss
          to net cash provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                                          51,110                55,016              60,356
        Asset impairment charges--Note K                                       60,483                59,697                  --
        Deferred income taxes                                                 (72,237)              (12,270)            (22,326)
        Non-cash reorganization items--Note J                                   2,481                    --                  --
        Non-cash interest                                                       5,031                 2,534               2,351
        Non-cash extraordinary items--Notes B and D                          (133,176)                   --                  --
        Fresh-start revaluation--Notes A and B                                355,559                    --                  --
        Equity in loss of joint venture--Note C                                    --                    --              11,831
        Special charges--Note L                                                13,056                 8,184             153,667
        Other                                                                  (1,467)                1,337                 927
      Changes in assets and liabilities:
        Decrease in trade receivables                                              --                    --               5,858
        Decrease (increase) in merchandise inventories                          7,462                (6,406)              4,062
        Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses
             and other current assets                                           6,926                (4,763)              9,532
        Increase in income taxes receivable                                   (14,505)              (15,200)                 --
        (Decrease) increase in trade accounts payable                          44,252               (37,953)              8,785
        Increase in other current liabilities                                  (4,359)                1,349               1,934
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                  32,024                32,447             108,428

Cash Flows from Investing Activities
      Additions to land, buildings and equipment                              (61,925)              (40,117)            (67,281)
      Proceeds from sale of land, buildings and equipment                      18,775                14,709                 467
      Acquisition of business, excluding working capital:
        Land, buildings and equipment                                              --                  (193)                 --
        Purchase price in excess of net assets acquired                        (1,015)               (1,360)                 --
      Investment in joint venture--Note C                                          --                    --              (9,254)
      Decrease (increase) in other assets                                      (1,745)                1,435               3,049
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
    NET CASH USED IN INVESTING ACTIVITIES                                     (45,910)              (25,526)            (73,019)

Cash Flows from Financing Activities
      Net proceeds from revolving credit facility--Note D                      62,386                28,000                  --
      Principal payments on long-term debt--Note D                            (32,795)              (31,092)            (34,301)
      Fees and financing costs paid in connection with debt
        refinancing--Note D                                                    (3,365)               (3,670)             (1,267)
      Sale of Common Stock under stock option plan                                 --                    94                  16
      Other                                                                      (804)                 (788)             (1,577)
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) FINANCING ACTIVITIES                        25,422                (7,456)            (37,129)
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                           11,536                  (535)             (1,720)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                    425                   960               2,680
                                                                         -------------------------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                 $     11,961          $        425        $        960
                                                                         =======================================================

See notes to financial statements
</TABLE>



<PAGE>18


Payless Cashways, Inc.

STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Preferred        Common    Additional   Foreign    Adjustment for
                                              Stock          Stock      Paid-in    Currency   Minimum Pension   Accumulated
In thousands                             $1.00 Par Value $.01 Par Value  Capital  Translation   Liability        Deficit     Total
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>           <C>          <C>
Balance at November 26, 1994                $  40,600     $    399     $ 486,326   $   (90)    $      --     $   (91,370) $ 435,865

   Net loss for the year                                                                                        (128,549)  (128,549)
   Sale of Voting Common Stock under
     stock option plan                                          --            77                                                 77
   Tax benefit from stock option
      exercises--Note F                                                      325                                                325
   Restricted Stock--Note E                                     --           355                                                355
   Foreign currency translation adjustment                                          (2,499)                                  (2,499)
   Sale of joint venture stock                                                       2,589                                    2,589
                                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at November 25, 1995                $  40,600     $    399     $ 487,083   $    --     $      --     $  (219,919) $ 308,163

   Net loss for the year                                                                                         (19,078)   (19,078)
   Sale of Voting Common Stock under
     stock option plan                                           1           463                                                464
   Tax benefit from stock option
     exercises--Note F                                                       (24)                                               (24)
   Restricted Stock--Note E                                     --           206                                                206
                                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at November 30, 1996                $  40,600     $    400     $ 487,728   $    --     $      --     $  (238,997) $ 289,731

   Net loss for the year                                                                                        (288,592)  (288,592)
   Restricted Stock--Note E                                     --           131                                                131
   Issuance of Voting Common Stock
     under Director Deferred
     Compensation Plan                                          --            17                                                 17
   Conversion of Non-Voting Class A
     Common Stock to Voting Common
     Stock--Note E                                              --                                                               --
   Minimum pension liability
     adjustment--Note G                                                                           (1,287)                    (1,287)
   Eliminate predecessor equity accounts
     in connection with fresh start
     reporting--Note B                        (40,600)        (400)     (487,876)                  1,287         527,589         --
   Issuance of New Common
     Stock pursuant to Plan of
     Reorganization--Notes A, B and E                          200       183,600                                            183,800
                                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at November 29, 1997                $      --     $    200     $ 183,600   $    --     $      --     $        --  $ 183,800


See notes to financial statements
</TABLE>



<PAGE>19


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


Note A-Reorganization and Emergence From Chapter 11

On July 21, 1997 (the "Petition  Date"),  the Company commenced a reorganization
case (the "Case") by filing a voluntary  petition  for relief under  Chapter 11,
Title 11 of the United States Code ("Chapter 11") in the U.S.  Bankruptcy  Court
for the Western District of Missouri in Kansas City (the "Court").

While the Company had sufficient  liquidity to fund its current operations,  the
operating  performance  of the Company during the second quarter of fiscal 1997,
which was well below the Company's expectations, led management to conclude that
it was  unlikely  that the Company  would be able to comply  with the  covenants
contained in its principal  credit  agreements at the end of fiscal 1997. In the
course of the  Company's  subsequent  negotiations  with its  senior  lenders to
restructure  its debt, and after  considering  all other  alternatives  with its
financial  adviser,  Houlihan  Lokey Howard & Zukin,  including  the sale of the
Company and  liquidation,  the Company  concluded  that a Chapter 11  proceeding
provided the best approach for a comprehensive  financial  restructuring  of the
Company.

On the Petition  Date,  the Company  filed a Disclosure  Statement and a Plan of
Reorganization  with the  Court.  The  Disclosure  Statement  and the Plan  were
subsequently  amended on September 5, 1997, and modified on October 9, 1997. The
Plan of  Reorganization,  as amended and modified,  is referred to herein as the
"Plan" or "Plan of  Reorganization."  The  following  summary  of the Plan omits
certain  information  set forth in the Plan.  Any  statements  contained  herein
concerning  the Plan are not  necessarily  complete,  and in each such  instance
reference is made to the Plan.  On November 19, 1997,  the Court  confirmed  the
Plan and  after the  satisfaction  of a number of  conditions,  the Plan  became
effective December 2, 1997 (the "Effective Date").

Under the  Plan,  the  Company  reincorporated  as a  Delaware  corporation  and
canceled   outstanding   shares  of  common  and  preferred   stock  and  issued
approximately 20,000,000 shares of newly reorganized Payless Cashways, Inc. (the
"Reorganized  Company")  common  stock (the "New Common  Stock"),  as  described
below.

The Plan generally provided for the following:  (I) The secured bank group under
the existing credit agreement (the "Amended Credit  Agreement"),  on or prior to
the Effective Date, received (a) payment of accrued interest, fees and expenses,
(b) Net Cash  Proceeds  (as  defined  in the  Plan)  from  the  sale of  certain
collateral  securing the Amended Credit  Agreement and the collection of certain
promissory notes pledged to the secured bank group, (c) their allocable  portion
of $283.1  million  of new term  loans and (d)  10,730,671  shares of New Common
Stock  (approximately  54% of the shares of the newly reorganized  Company),  of
which 460,000 shares were  distributed  to the lenders  providing a $150 million
revolving credit facility to supply post-emergence  working capital financing in
consideration  for their  commitment to provide such facility.  See Note D for a
description of the term loans and the revolving credit facility  (together,  the
"Exit Financing  Agreement").  (II) On the Effective Date, UBS Mortgage Finance,
Inc. ("UBS"), the holders of notes under an existing mortgage loan, received new
notes  pursuant to a new mortgage  loan. See Note D for a description of the new
mortgage  loan.  (III)  Unsecured  claims  against  the  Company by vendors  and
suppliers for goods delivered and services  rendered prior to the Petition Date,
claims  in  respect  of  the  9-1/8%  senior  subordinated   notes,   contingent
unliquidated  claims and claims for damage  arising  from the  rejection  by the
Company  pursuant to Section 365 of the Bankruptcy  Code of executory  contracts
and unexpired leases  (collectively,  "General  Unsecured  Claims") will receive
their pro rata share of 8,269,329  shares of New Common  Stock or  approximately
41% of the shares of the newly reorganized Company. Holders of General Unsecured
Claims  began   receiving   their  first   distribution  of  shares  in  partial
satisfaction  and  discharge of their  allowed  claims on or about  December 15,
1997. The remaining shares of New Common Stock are held for future distributions
to holders of General Unsecured Claims, pending the final resolution of disputed
claims.  (IV) The holder of issued and outstanding  shares of existing preferred
stock  ("Old  Preferred  Stock")  received  600,000  shares of New Common  Stock
(approximately 3% of the shares of the newly reorganized  Company).  (V) Holders
of issued and  outstanding  shares of existing common stock ("Old Common Stock")
will  receive  their  pro rata  share of  400,000  shares  of New  Common  Stock
(approximately 2% of the shares of the newly reorganized Company) upon surrender
of  their  Old  Common  Stock.  In  addition,  any  stock  options  relating  to
outstanding  Old  Preferred  Stock and Old  Common  Stock were  canceled  on the
Effective Date.

Fractional  shares  of New  Common  Stock  will not be issued  to  creditors  or
stockholders in connection  with the Plan. In addition,  no distribution of less
than $5.00 will be made for  fractional  share  interests.  As a result of these
provisions,  many holders of Old Common Stock will  receive no  distribution  of
stock or cash under the Plan.

On July 21, 1997,  the Company also announced its plan to close 29 stores and to
eliminate  approximately  15% of the  staff at the  Company's  headquarters  and
regional  administrative  centers. The Court subsequently  approved such plan on
August 6, 1997.

See Notes J, K, and L for a description of related charges recorded in the third
quarter of 1997.


<PAGE>20


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


Note B-Fresh Start Reporting

On December 2, 1997, the Company emerged from bankruptcy. In accordance with the
American Institute of Certified Public  Accountants'  Statement of Position 90-7
("SOP  90-7"),  "Financial  Reporting  by Entities in  Reorganization  Under the
Bankruptcy  Code," the Company  adopted  fresh-start  reporting.  For accounting
purposes, the Effective Date was deemed to be November 29, 1997.

In fresh-start  reporting,  an aggregate value of $183.8 million was assigned to
the  Company's  New Common  Stock.  Management  established  this value with the
assistance of its financial  advisors.  This valuation  considered the Company's
expected future  performance,  relevant  industry and economic  conditions,  and
analyses and comparisons with comparable companies.

The  reorganization  value of the Company has been allocated to the  Reorganized
Company's  assets and  liabilities in a manner similar to the purchase method of
accounting  for a business  combination.  Management  obtained  valuations  from
independent third parties which, along with other market and related information
and analyses, were utilized in assigning fair values to assets and liabilities.

A summary of the impact of the Plan and the related  fresh-start  adjustments is
presented below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               November 29, 1997
                                         ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Predecessor       Discharge of       Fresh-Start            Other          Reorganized
                                               Company       Indebtedness (a)   Adjustments (b)     Adjustments (c)       Company
                                         -----------------  ----------------  ------------------  -----------------  --------------
<S>                                      <C>                <C>               <C>                 <C>                <C>
Current Assets:
    Cash and cash equivalents            $     11,961       $                 $                   $                  $     11,961
    Merchandise inventories                   391,548                                 23,334                              414,882
    Prepaid expenses and
       other current assets                    15,702                                   (997)                              14,705
    Income taxes receivable                    29,705              2,527                                                   32,232
    Deferred income taxes                      24,070             (9,448)             (5,957)                               8,665
                                         -----------------  ----------------  ------------------  -----------------  --------------
       Total Current Assets                   472,986             (6,921)             16,380                --            482,445

Other Assets:
    Real estate held for sale                  37,078                                 11,484                               48,562
    Cost in excess of net
       assets acquired                        265,949                               (265,949)                                  --
    Deferred financing costs                    8,690             (7,590)              1,500                                2,600
    Other                                      14,663                                   (347)                              14,316

Land, Buildings and Equipment, net            456,736                                (93,318)                             363,418
                                         -----------------  ----------------  ------------------  -----------------  --------------
    TOTAL ASSETS                         $  1,256,102       $    (14,511)     $     (330,250)     $         --       $    911,341
                                         =================  ================  ==================  =================  ==============
</TABLE>


<PAGE>21


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               November 29, 1997
                                       --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                             Predecessor       Discharge of       Fresh-Start            Other          Reorganized
                                               Company       Indebtedness (a)   Adjustments (b)     Adjustments (c)       Company
                                       -------------------  ----------------  ------------------  -----------------  --------------
<S>                                    <C>                  <C>               <C>                 <C>                <C>
Current Liabilities:
    Current portion of long-term debt  $     492,930        $                 $     (483,576)     $                  $      9,354
    Trade accounts payable                    54,203              21,380                                                   75,583
    Other current liabilities                128,755                                   7,986                              136,741
    Income taxes payable                       8,711                                  (6,349)                               2,362
                                       -------------------  ----------------  ------------------  -----------------  --------------
       Total Current Liabilities             684,599              21,380            (481,939)               --            224,040

Long-Term Debt                                    --                                 424,031                              424,031

Non-Current Liabilities:
    Deferred income taxes                     16,961              84,928             (43,101)                              58,788
    Other                                     24,272                                  (3,590)                              20,682
                                       -------------------  ----------------  ------------------  -----------------  --------------
       Total Non-Current Liabilities          41,233              84,928             (46,691)               --             79,470

Liabilities Subject to Compromise            351,381            (329,990)            (21,391)                                  --

Stockholders' Equity:
    Old Preferred Stock                       40,600                                                   (40,600)                --
    Old Common Stock                             400                                                      (400)                --
    New Common Stock                              --                  83                 117                                  200
    Additional paid-in capital               487,876              75,912             107,688          (487,876)           183,600
    Adjustment for minimum pension
       liability                              (1,287)                                                    1,287                 --
    Accumulated deficit                     (348,700)            133,176            (312,065)          527,589                 --
                                       -------------------  ----------------  ------------------  -----------------  --------------
       Total Stockholders' Equity            178,889             209,171            (204,260)               --            183,800
                                       -------------------  ----------------  ------------------  -----------------  --------------

    TOTAL LIABILITIES AND
       STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY            $   1,256,102        $    (14,511)     $     (330,250)     $         --       $    911,341
                                       ===================  ================  ==================  =================  ==============
</TABLE>

(a)  To  record  the  discharge  of  indebtedness  pursuant  to the  Plan and to
     write-off deferred  financing costs related to the early  extinguishment of
     certain predecessor company debt; see Note D. The discharge of indebtedness
     relates  to all  general  unsecured  claims,  as  described  in  Note A. It
     includes the elimination and, in certain cases, the reclassification of the
     liabilities  subject to compromise related to these claims, the issuance of
     New Common Stock in  settlement  of unsecured  claims,  and the related tax
     effect of these  transactions.  The excess of indebtedness  eliminated over
     the estimated  fair value of  securities  issued in settlement of claims is
     reflected as an extraordinary  gain of $232.6 million ($138.2 million after
     tax) in the accompanying 1997 statement of operations.

(b)  To record transactions with the secured creditors and holders of Old Common
     Stock and Old Preferred Stock, as described at Note A, and to adjust assets
     and liabilities to fair values.

     Transactions  include the  extinguishment  of old debt; the issuance of new
     debt and New Common  Stock;  the  reclassification  of accrued  interest to
     principal and the reclassification of debt between current and non-current,
     based upon debt agreement terms.

     Significant   elements  of  the  fair  value   adjustments  to  assets  and
     liabilities are summarized below:

       --Adjustment to reflect  inventories at current market value
       --Adjustments to write-up real estate held for sale to fair market value
       --Adjustment to eliminate cost in excess of net assets acquired
       --Adjustments to eliminate  accumulated  depreciation  and to write-down
         land,  buildings,  and equipment to fair market value  Adjustments  to
         reflect  liabilities at fair market value  including:  the reversal of
         unrecognized prior service costs and unrecognized gains and losses on
         the Company's pension and post-retirement  benefit  plans (see also
         Notes G and H); the write-off of deferred rent liabilities due to lease
         amendments and  terminations; and the elimination of insurance accruals
         covered by bank letters of credit
       --Adjustments to deferred and currently payable tax accounts to record 
         the tax effect of all fresh-start reporting adjustments


<PAGE>22


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


         Fresh-start  adjustments of $355.6 million  ($312.1 million net of tax)
         are reflected  as fresh-start  revaluation charges in the  accompanying
         1997 statement of operations.

(c)  To record the elimination of the Old Preferred Stock, Old Common Stock, and
     predecessor  company  additional  paid-in-capital  and accumulated  deficit
     after reflecting the adjustments at (a) and (b) above.


Note C-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Fresh-Start  Reporting:  The Company has implemented the required accounting for
entities  emerging from Chapter 11 in accordance with SOP 90-7 and reflected the
effects of such  adoption in the balance  sheet as of November 29,  1997.  Under
fresh-start  reporting,  the balance  sheet of  November  29,  1997,  became the
opening balance sheet of the Reorganized  Company.  The financial  statements of
the Predecessor Company are not comparable in material respects to the financial
statements of the Reorganized Company.  Accordingly, a vertical line is shown to
separate  financial  information of the Predecessor  Company and the Reorganized
Company.

Principles of Consolidation:  During fiscal 1996,  Payless  Cashways,  Inc. (the
"Company")  merged its wholly owned  subsidiary into the Company.  The financial
statements prior to fiscal 1996 include the accounts of Payless  Cashways,  Inc.
and its wholly owned subsidiary.  All significant intercompany  transactions and
balances have been eliminated in the accompanying  financial statements prior to
fiscal 1996.

The Company was a 49%  investor in Total Home de Mexico,  S.A. de C.V.,  a joint
venture with a Mexican company,  Alfa, S.A. de C.V. ("Alfa"),  until October 24,
1995. At that time,  the Company sold its ownership  interest to an affiliate of
Alfa and an $8.0 million loss on the sale has been reflected in the accompanying
1995 statements of operations as equity in loss of joint venture.
The Company had accounted for this investment on the equity method.

Description   of  Business:   The  Company  is  engaged  in  only  one  line  of
business--the  retail sale of building  materials and supplies.  At November 29,
1997,  the  Company  operated  164 stores in 20 states  located in the  Midwest,
Southwest,  Pacific Coast,  Rocky Mountain and New England areas.  The Company's
primary customers include professionals and project-oriented  do-it-yourselfers.
In recent  years,  the building  materials  retailing  industry has  experienced
increased  levels of competition as several  national chains have expanded their
operations.

Use of Estimates and Other Uncertainties:  In preparing the financial statements
in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, management has made
estimates  and  assumptions  that  affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets and
liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and the reported amounts of
revenues and expenses during the reporting  period.  Actual results could differ
from those estimates.

The Company's future results could be adversely affected by a number of factors,
including:  competitive  pressure  on sales and  pricing  from  well-capitalized
warehouse-format  home centers; the Company's ability to effectively execute its
business  strategy;  weather  conditions;  consumer  spending  and debt  levels;
interest rates; housing activity,  including existing-home turnover and new-home
construction;  lumber  prices;  product mix; sales of real estate held for sale;
and growth of certain market segments.

Merchandise   Inventories:   Inventories   are  stated  at  the  lower  of  cost
(approximately 80% at last-in,  first-out method, and the remainder at first-in,
first-out  method) or market.  Had the first-in,  first-out method been used for
all inventories,  the carrying value of these  inventories  would have increased
approximately  $24.3  million at  November  30,  1996.  At  November  29,  1997,
inventories  were  reflected  using  the  first-in,   first-out  method  due  to
revaluation to fair market value related to fresh-start  accounting as described
at Note B. During  fiscal 1997 and 1996,  the  liquidation  of LIFO  inventories
decreased cost of  merchandise  sold and,  therefore,  decreased the loss before
income taxes by $0.9 million and $1.2 million, respectively.

Property and  Depreciation:  Provisions for  depreciation of land  improvements,
buildings and equipment are computed primarily by the straight-line  method over
the  estimated  useful  lives of the assets or the terms of the related  leases,
which range from three to 39 years.

The  accompanying  1996  statements of operations  reflect $2.3 million as other
income  related to an insurance  reimbursement  for lost profits and  settlement
proceeds in excess of net book value for buildings and equipment  destroyed in a
fire loss.


<PAGE>23


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


Deferred Financing Costs:  Deferred financing costs are being amortized over the
respective borrowing terms using the interest method.

Foreign Currency Translation: Prior to the sale of the investment on October 24,
1995,  adjustments  resulting from the currency translation of the Mexican joint
venture financial statements into U.S. dollars as of the balance sheet date were
reflected as a separate component of stockholders' equity.

Cost in  Excess  of Net  Assets  Acquired:  Prior to  fresh-start  reporting  at
November 29, 1997,  the cost in excess of the fair value of net assets  acquired
(goodwill)  was amortized  using the  straight-line  method over 40 years.  When
facts and circumstances  indicates potential  impairment,  the Company evaluates
the  recoverability  of asset carrying values,  including  associated  goodwill,
using  estimates of  undiscounted  future cash flows over remaining asset lives.
When  impairment is indicated,  any impairment loss is measured by the excess of
carrying  values over fair values.  The Company  adopted  Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards  No. 121,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment  of Long-Lived
Assets and for  Long-Lived  Assets to Be Disposed  Of," in the third  quarter of
fiscal 1996. See Note K.

Net Loss Per Common  Share:  Net loss per common share has not been computed for
the Predecessor Company because, as described at Note A, Old Preferred Stock and
Old Common Stock were canceled on the Plan Effective  Date.  Presentation of net
loss per common share based on Predecessor  Company  average shares  outstanding
would therefore not be meaningful.  New Common Stock was not outstanding  during
fiscal years 1997, 1996 and 1995.

Income  Taxes:  The Company  accounts  for income  taxes based on  Statement  of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 109 ("SFAS 109"),  "Accounting  for Income
Taxes."  Under the asset and liability  method of SFAS 109,  deferred tax assets
and liabilities are recognized for the future tax  consequences  attributable to
differences  between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets
and  liabilities  and their  respective  tax  bases.  Deferred  tax  assets  and
liabilities  are measured  using enacted tax rates applied to taxable  income in
the years in which those  temporary  differences are expected to be recovered or
settled.  Under SFAS 109, the effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a
change in tax rates is  recognized  in income in the period  that  includes  the
enactment date.

Statement  of Cash Flows:  For  purposes  of the  statement  of cash flows,  the
Company  considers  investments in debt instruments with original  maturities of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.

During  fiscal  1997 and 1996,  federal  and state  income tax  refunds,  net of
payments,  were $0.6 million and $8.8 million,  respectively,  and during fiscal
1995 federal and state income taxes paid, net of refunds, were $21.0 million.

Cash paid for interest,  net of interest capitalized,  was $55.4 million,  $62.2
million, and $60.0 million during fiscal 1997, 1996, and 1995, respectively.

Sale of  Receivables:  The Company  sells its  commercial  credit  accounts to a
third-party administrator pursuant to an agreement. A substantial portion of the
Company's  commercial credit sales are to remodelers and contractors.  Under the
agreement,  the Company  pays a servicing  fee and assumes the credit  risk.  At
November 29, 1997, and November 30, 1996, the outstanding  balance of commercial
credit accounts sold to the third-party  administrator was  approximately  $87.5
million and $104.7 million,  respectively. The Company has provided a reserve of
$5.9 million at November 29, 1997, and $5.7 million at November 30, 1996,  which
is believed to adequately cover its credit risk related to these accounts.

Under  a  third-party  administrative  servicing  agreement  for  the  Company's
private-label  charge  card  program,  charge  card  accounts  are  sold  to the
administrator and the Company assumes no credit risk.

Real Estate Held for Sale:  Real estate held for sale,  consisting  primarily of
closed store  facilities,  is  reflected  at the lower of cost less  accumulated
depreciation or estimated fair value less cost to sell.

Advertising Costs: Advertising costs, which are expensed as incurred, aggregated
$27.5 million,  $26.0 million and $31.6 million for fiscal 1997,  1996 and 1995,
respectively.

<PAGE>24


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


Fair Value of Financial  Instruments:  Based on the  borrowing  rates  currently
available to the Company for debt issuances  with similar terms and  maturities,
the fair value of long-term debt including the current portion is  approximately
$433.4  million and $564  million at November  29, 1997 and  November  30, 1996,
respectively.  The  Company  believes  the  carrying  amounts  of cash  and cash
equivalents,  trade receivables, trade accounts payable and accrued expenses are
a reasonable estimate of their fair value.

Derivative Financial Instruments:  Premiums paid for purchased interest rate cap
agreements  are  amortized to interest  expense over the term of the  agreement.
Unamortized  premiums  are included in deferred  financing  costs in the balance
sheets.  If  amounts  were  received  under  the cap  agreement,  they  would be
reflected as a reduction of interest expense. Amounts received or paid under the
interest  rate  swap  agreement  discussed  at Note I have been  reflected  as a
reduction or increase of rent expense prior to fresh-start accounting.

At  November  29,  1997,  the  premiums  paid for  purchased  interest  rate cap
agreements were fully amortized. The estimated amount the Company would have had
to pay at November  29,  1997,  to cancel or transfer  the  agreements  to other
parties, was approximately $0.7 million.

Accounting  Period:  The  Company's  fiscal  year ends on the last  Saturday  in
November.  Fiscal years 1997 and 1995 consisted of 52 weeks each and fiscal year
1996 consisted of 53 weeks.

Note D--Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

In thousands                                                                                1997              1996
                                                                                       -------------------------------
<S>                                                                                    <C>                 <C>
Exit Financing Agreement, secured by inventory,
   certain real estate, and equipment, variable interest
   rate, payable in varying amounts through 2002                                       $  317,133          $       --

Mortgage loan, secured by certain real estate, variable
   interest rate, payable in varying amounts through 2004                                 102,010                  --

Note payable, secured by certain real estate, variable
   interest rate, payable in 2002                                                          13,000                  --

Amended Credit Agreement, secured by inventory,
   certain real estate, and equipment, variable interest
   rate, payable in varying amounts through 2000                                               --             354,000

Mortgage loan, secured by certain real estate,
   11.04% to 11.21%, payable in varying amounts through 2003                                   --             108,000

Senior subordinated notes, 9-1/8%, due 2003                                                    --             173,655

Other senior debt, 11% to 12%, payable in varying
   amounts through 2004                                                                     1,242               1,352
                                                                                       -------------------------------
                                                                                          433,385             637,007
Less portion classified as current liability                                               (9,354)            (18,340)
                                                                                       -------------------------------
                                                                                       $  424,031          $  618,667
                                                                                       ==============================
</TABLE>
As a result of the  Chapter  11 filing on July 21,  1997,  borrowings  under the
revolving  credit  facility  of the  Amended  Credit  Agreement  were no  longer
available to the Company.  During the period from July 21, 1997 through December
2, 1997, the Company utilized debtor-in-possession  financing which consisted of
a $125 million revolving credit facility (the "DIP Agreement").

As described at Note A, on or prior to the Effective Date, December 2, 1997, the
Company paid all amounts  outstanding  under the DIP  Agreement  and the Amended
Credit  Agreement  with  cash,  New  Common  Stock and new notes  under the Exit
Financing Agreement.  The Exit Financing Agreement includes term loans of $283.1
million and a $150 million revolving credit facility with


<PAGE>25

Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


a $40  million  letters of credit  sublimit.  At  December  2, 1997,  there were
combined borrowings under the agreement of $317.1 million as well as outstanding
standby letters of credit of $2.6 million and outstanding documentary letters of
credit of $6.6 million.  The Company had $106.8 million  available for borrowing
under this  agreement  at  December  2,  1997.  The term  loans  require  annual
principal  payments  of $3 million  beginning  September  15,  1998,  with final
maturity on November 30, 2002. The revolving  credit facility matures on May 31,
2002. In addition,  the Company will be required to repay  borrowings  under the
Exit Financing  Agreement with proceeds of certain  collateral sales and certain
other  transactions and with 65% of excess cash flow, as defined.  The effect of
these provisions is generally to require that  substantially  all cash flows not
applied to the repayment of other indebtedness or permitted capital expenditures
are to be  applied  to the  repayment  of  borrowings  under the Exit  Financing
Agreement.  The loans bear interest at fluctuating rates of either the alternate
base rate (8-1/2% at November 29, 1997) plus 1-1/2% per annum or LIBOR (5-11/16%
at December  2, 1997) plus 2-1/2% per annum.  The Exit  Financing  Agreement  is
secured by  substantially  all  merchandise  inventories,  certain  real  estate
including  second priority liens on all real estate pledged to other  creditors,
and substantially all the equipment of the Company.

The Exit Financing Agreement contains a number of covenants,  including, but not
limited to,  minimum  cash flow  (defined as earnings  before  interest,  taxes,
depreciation,  and amortization,  "EBITDA"), a maximum debt to EBITDA ratio, and
limitations on capital  expenditures and capitalized leases. The Company is also
prohibited  from  incurring  additional   indebtedness,   with  certain  limited
exceptions,  and making  dividend,  redemption and certain other payments on its
capital stock.  The Exit Financing  Agreement  also contains  certain  customary
financial covenants and events of default for financing of this type,  including
a change of control  covenant.  Compliance  with the  minimum  cash flow and the
maximum debt to EBITDA covenants is determined on a rolling-four-quarter  basis.
For the fiscal year ended November 29, 1997, actual EBITDA was $65.4 million and
the ratio of debt to EBITDA was 6.6 to 1. The  measurements for those covenants,
over the term of the Exit Financing Agreement, are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      Minimum Cash Flow          Maximum Debt to
                           Fiscal Quarter  Ending         (EBITDA)                   EBITDA
                           ----------------------     -----------------          ---------------
                           <S>                          <C>                        <C>

                           February 1998                 49,000,000                11.9 to 1
                           May 1998                      39,400,000                15.0 to 1
                           August 1998                   45,000,000                11.9 to 1
                           November 1998                 59,300,000                 7.2 to 1
                           February 1999                 62,400,000                 7.3 to 1
                           May 1999                      66,500,000                 6.9 to 1
                           August 1999                   70,600,000                 6.1 to 1
                           November 1999                 74,500,000                 5.6 to 1
                           February 2000                 78,800,000                 5.6 to 1
                           May 2000                      87,000,000                 4.9 to 1
                           August 2000                   95,700,000                 4.2 to 1
                           November 2000                101,000,000                 3.7 to 1
                           February 2001                103,000,000                 4.0 to 1
                           May 2001                     106,200,000                 3.9 to 1
                           August 2001                  109,100,000                 3.6 to 1
                           November 2001                113,400,000                 3.3 to 1
                           February 2002                113,700,000                 3.7 to 1
                           May 2002                     113,100,000                 3.7 to 1
                           August 2002                  115,800,000                 3.4 to 1
</TABLE>

Also  described at Note A, the  Company's  mortgage  loan and  interest  thereon
accrued through December 2, 1997, secured by certain real estate, was retired on
the  Effective  Date and replaced  with a new mortgage  loan secured by the same
real  estate.  This real  estate  had a net book value of  approximately  $227.3
million at November 29, 1997. The new mortgage loan bears interest at LIBOR plus
4% per annum and  interest  is paid  monthly.  Annual  principal  payments of $4
million are required beginning December 2, 1998, with final maturity on December
2, 2004.  Prepayments are required when collateral is sold and such  prepayments
are applied as a credit toward the  scheduled  annual  payment.  On December 22,
1995, the Company made a $16.5 million  prepayment on the previous mortgage loan
in connection with the sale of a distribution center described at Note L.

The early  extinguishment  of the Amended Credit  Agreement and the old mortgage
loan, both described above, resulted in an extraordinary charge of approximately
$5.0 million, net of tax, in the accompanying 1997 statement of operations.

On the  Effective  Date,  in  settlement  of the  secured  portion of the claims
arising from a lease  agreement  involving five store  facilities,  described at
Note I, the Company  issued a note for $16 million.  This note bears interest at
LIBOR plus 3-1/2% per annum,  is secured by three of the  formerly  leased store
facilities  having a net book value of  approximately  $13.7 million at November
29, 1997, and matures on June 2, 2002. The note contains  prepayment  provisions
that allow the Company to prepay the note by certain dates at various discounts.
At the Effective Date the Company obtained a commitment from the mortgage lender
to borrow an additional


<PAGE>26


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


$13 million under the mortgage loan described  above, and the Company intends to
prepay this note in full.  Although this transaction has not been completed,  it
is expected to be consummated in the first half of fiscal 1998.

On April 20, 1993, the Company  issued senior  subordinated  notes.  These notes
were unsecured  obligations,  subordinated to substantially  all indebtedness of
the Company.  As described at Note A, on the  Effective  Date,  these notes were
terminated and canceled and holders of these notes received  treatment under the
Plan as unsecured creditors.

To reduce the impact of changes in  interest  rates with  regard to the  Amended
Credit Agreement, during 1995 the Company entered into an interest rate cap with
an affiliate of an investment  banking  firm,  limiting to 8% LIBOR the interest
rates on $100 million of its floating rate debt through January 20, 1998.  Under
the  agreement,  semiannual  payments,  if any,  would be received,  although no
amounts were received by the Company during fiscal years 1996 or 1997.

The Company  defeased  certain  industrial  revenue  bonds during fiscal 1988 by
placing  government  securities in an irrevocable trust. Such industrial revenue
bond debt is considered to be extinguished and does not appear as a liability in
the  accompanying  balance  sheets.  Bonds in the  amount  of $6.0  million  are
outstanding as of November 29, 1997.

Scheduled  maturities of long-term debt,  including  sinking fund  requirements,
are:


In thousands               1998              $      9,354
                           1999                    11,433
                           2000                    11,451
                           2001                    10,613
                           2002                   309,340
                           Thereafter              81,194
                                             ------------
                                             $    433,385
                                             ============


Note E--Stockholders' Equity

As discussed at Note A, the Company  canceled  existing  shares of Old Preferred
Stock and Old Common  Stock and issued  approximately  20,000,000  shares of New
Common Stock on or about the  Effective  Date.  The Company has the authority to
issue 50,000,000  shares of New Common Stock,  $.01 par value.  Each outstanding
share of New  Common  Stock is  entitled  to one  vote on each  matter  on which
stockholders are entitled to vote.

All classes of Old Common Stock were  substantially  identical except for voting
rights. Shares of Non-Voting Class A Common Stock were convertible at the option
of the holder, subject to certain restrictions,  into a like number of shares of
Voting  Common  Stock.  During  fiscal  1997,  2,250,000  outstanding  shares of
Non-Voting  Class A Common Stock were  converted into a like number of shares of
Voting  Common  Stock under this right of  conversion.  As  described at Note A,
holders  of Old  Common  Stock  received  approximately  2% of the shares of New
Common Stock issued under the Plan.

The Old  Preferred  Stock  was  100%  owned  by Masco  Capital  Corporation,  an
affiliate of one of the Company's suppliers.  As described at Note A, holders of
Old Preferred Stock received  approximately 3% of the shares of New Common Stock
issued  under  the Plan.  The  terms of the Old  Preferred  Stock  provided  for
dividends at an annual rate of 8% until 2008 (at which time the rate  increased)
on a cumulative basis, whether or not declared. At November 30, 1996, cumulative
undeclared  dividends  on the  Preferred  Stock were $38.0  million  ($93.50 per
share).  Each share of Preferred Stock was generally entitled to 5.9994 votes on
all matters on which holders of Common Stock were entitled to vote.

For the benefit of  non-employee  directors,  the Company had adopted a deferred
compensation  plan (the  "Director  Deferred Comp Plan") and an option plan (the
"Director  Option  Plan").  The  Director  Deferred  Comp  Plan  was  terminated
effective as of the Petition Date and options  outstanding and unexercised under
the Director Option Plan were canceled on the Effective Date.

In order to attract and retain outstanding individuals in certain key positions,
the Company had  established  the Payless  Cashways 1992 Incentive Stock Program
(the "Stock Program") and the 1988 Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  Employee Stock Plan
(the "Stock Plan").  Options  outstanding and  unexercised  under both the Stock
Program and the Stock Plan were  canceled on the Effective  Date.  Approximately
40,000  shares of  Restricted  Stock  outstanding  and unvested  under the Stock
Program vested on the Effective Date.


<PAGE>27


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


Note F-Income Taxes

Income taxes for the year ended November 29, 1997, were allocated to loss before
extraordinary items, and to extraordinary items related to the discharge of debt
pursuant to the  consummation  of the Plan and for the early  extinguishment  of
debt;  see  Note  D.  The  income  tax  benefit  allocated  to the  loss  before
extraordinary  items was $90.4 million;  the income tax expense allocated to the
extraordinary  items was $91.8  million.  Included  in the  income  tax  benefit
allocated  to the loss  before  extraordinary  items are income tax  benefits of
$43.5 million resulting from the fresh-start revaluation; see Note B. The income
tax expense allocated to the extraordinary  items of $91.8 million was comprised
of $2.5 million current tax benefit related to the early  extinguishment of debt
and $94.3 million tax expense related to the discharge of debt which resulted in
deferred  tax  balance  changes  from the  write-down  of the tax basis of fixed
assets in  accordance  with the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended.  At
November  29,  1997,  the  Company  has  state  income  tax net  operating  loss
carryforwards totaling $11.4 million available over varying periods from 5 to 15
years; net operating loss carryforwards for federal income tax purposes totaling
$6.1  million  expiring in 15 years;  and tax credit  carryforwards  for federal
income tax purposes totaling $13.0 million available over an indefinite period.

For the year ended November 30, 1996, an income tax benefit of $30.7 million was
recorded.  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 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. A debit of $24,000 to additional paid-in
capital  reflected  the tax effect of excess  expense  recognized  for financial
reporting purposes over the tax deduction for employee stock options.

For the year ended  November 25, 1995, an income tax benefit of $4.9 million was
allocated  to the loss  before  equity in loss of joint  venture.  No income tax
benefit was  recorded for the equity in loss of the joint  venture.  A credit of
$325,000 to additional  paid-in  capital  reflected the tax effect of the excess
tax  deduction  for  employee  stock  options  over the expense  recognized  for
financial reporting purposes.

Income tax expense (benefit)  attributable to the income (loss) before equity in
loss of joint venture and extraordinary item consisted of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands
                                                      1997                    1996                 1995
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                 <C>                   <C>                   <C>
Currently payable (receivable)
     Federal                                        $ (17,169)            $  (18,901)           $   14,915
     State                                             (1,000)                   469                 2,500
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------
                                                      (18,169)               (18,432)               17,415

Deferred
     Federal                                        $ (63,129)            $  (11,534)           $  (20,986)
     State                                             (9,108)                  (736)               (1,340)
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------
                                                      (72,237)               (12,270)              (22,326)
                                                    -------------------------------------------------------
                                                    $ (90,406)            $  (30,702)           $   (4,911)
                                                    =======================================================
</TABLE>


<PAGE>28


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


The  differences  between  actual income tax expense and the amount  computed by
applying  the  statutory  federal  income tax rate to the income  (loss)  before
income  taxes,  equity in loss of joint venture and  extraordinary  item were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    1997                   1996                  1995
                                                 -------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                               <C>                    <C>                   <C>
Federal statutory rate                            (35.0)%                (35.0)%               (35.0)%
State income taxes,
     net of federal tax benefit                    (2.0)                  (1.5)                 (1.5)
Amortization and write-off of goodwill             20.1                   22.7                  32.9
Benefit from new law and tax settlements           (1.8)                 (47.6)                   --
Permanent tax differences                            .7                     .4                   (.1)
Difference between statutory and
     carry-back tax rates                            .3                     --                    --
Tax credits                                          --                    (.7)                  (.3)
                                                 -------------------------------------------------------
                                                  (17.7)%                (61.7)%                (4.0)%
                                                 =======================================================
</TABLE>


The tax  effects of  temporary  differences  and tax  credits  that give rise to
significant portions of the deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

In thousands                                                                           1997                       1996
                                                                                    -------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>                       <C>
Deferred tax assets:
     Tax credit and net operating loss carry-forwards                               $   23,000                $    1,127
     Insurance reserves                                                                 10,322                    13,026
     Retirement, deferred compensation, restricted stock
       and stock option plans                                                            8,651                     6,101
     Post-retirement benefits                                                            6,656                     5,706
     Vacation reserves                                                                   3,968                     4,981
     Reserves for bad debts                                                              2,800                     3,056
     Lease liability                                                                     2,615                     7,159
     Other                                                                               8,971                     6,582
                                                                                    -------------------------------------

                                           Total deferred tax assets                    66,983                    47,738
                                           Less valuation allowance                         --                        --
                                                                                    -------------------------------------
                                           Net deferred tax assets                      66,983                    47,738
                                                                                    -------------------------------------

Deferred tax liabilities:
     Land, buildings and equipment                                                     (90,835)                  (54,763)
     Inventory basis difference                                                        (19,441)                  (11,221)
     Other                                                                              (6,830)                   (9,738)
                                                                                    -------------------------------------
                                           Total deferred tax liabilities             (117,106)                  (75,722)
                                                                                    -------------------------------------
                                           Net deferred tax liability               $  (50,123)               $  (27,984)
                                                                                    =====================================
</TABLE>


Note G--Pension Plans

The  Company  has a  non-contributory  defined  benefit  pension  plan  covering
substantially  all  full-time  employees.  Benefits  under the plan are based on
years of service and an employee's average compensation.  Prior to January 1995,
the Company had two defined benefit pension plans that were merged into a single
plan on January 1, 1995. The Company's funding policy is to contribute  annually
the amount actuarially  determined to provide the plan with sufficient assets to
meet  future  benefit  payment  requirements.  Assets  of the  pension  plan are
maintained in trust funds.

Effective  July 21, 1997,  the Company  terminated a  supplemental  pension plan
covering  certain of its  officers.  The plan was an unfunded,  non-contributory
defined  benefit  pension plan.  Benefits  under the plan were based on years of
service, age and the


<PAGE>29


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


employees' average compensation. The supplemental pension plan was terminated as
part of the Plan of  Reorganization.  Net  pension  costs  for the  supplemental
pension  plan were $0.9  million  in 1997 and $1.3  million  in each of 1996 and
1995.

Net pension  cost,  excluding the  terminated  supplemental  pension  plan,  was
comprised of the following components:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                                    1997              1996              1995
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                        <C>                <C>               <C>
Service cost - benefits earned during the period                           $      4,280       $      4,548      $     4,098
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation                                     4,256              3,983            3,421
Actual return on plan assets                                                     (7,042)            (8,167)          (6,741)
Net amortization and deferral                                                     2,932              5,074            4,334
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
Net periodic pension cost                                                  $      4,426       $      5,438      $     5,112
                                                                           ================================================
</TABLE>

A curtailment  gain of $0.2 million was recorded in the year ended  November 29,
1997.  This gain was  recorded  as a result of the  closing  of 29 stores and is
included in special charges in the  accompanying  1997 statements of operations;
see Note L. The Company  wrote off $15.9 million of  unrecognized  prior service
cost and unrecognized net loss from past experience  different from that assumed
as part of the  fresh-start  revaluation in the  accompanying  1997 statement of
operations; see Note B.

Significant  assumptions  used in accounting  for defined  benefit plans were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1997              1996              1995
                                                                           ---------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                             <C>               <C>               <C>

Weighted average discount rate                                                  7.0%              7.5%              7.5%
Rate of increase in future compensation levels                                  6.0%              5.0%              5.0%
Expected long-term rate of return on plan assets                                8.5%              8.5%              8.5%
</TABLE>


The following  table sets forth the plans' funded status and amounts  recognized
in the balance sheets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                        1997                       1996
                                                                -------------------------------------------
                                                                                               Supplemental
                                                                   Pension            Pension     Pension
                                                                    Plan               Plan        Plan
                                                                -------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>                  <C>          <C>
Actuarial present value of benefit obligations:
    Accumulated benefit obligation
       Vested                                                   $   57,065           $  41,707    $  6,262
       Non-vested                                                    5,371               4,403       1,505
                                                                -------------------------------------------
       Total                                                        62,436              46,110       7,767
    Increase in benefits due to estimated
       future compensation increases                                14,257              10,988       1,989
                                                                -------------------------------------------
    Projected benefit obligation
       for service rendered to date                                 76,693              57,098       9,756
    Plan assets at fair value, primarily publicly traded
       stocks and U.S. Government obligations                       54,260              48,993          --
                                                                -------------------------------------------

    Projected benefit obligation
       in excess of plan assets                                     22,433               8,105       9,756
    Unrecognized net loss from past
       experience different from that assumed                           --              (1,118)     (1,591)
    Unrecognized prior service cost                                     --              (1,237)       (785)
                                                                -------------------------------------------
    Accrued pension cost included
       in other accrued expenses                                $   22,433           $   5,750    $  7,380
                                                                ===========================================
</TABLE>



<PAGE>30


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


At November  29,  1997,  an  additional  minimum  liability  of $1.6 million was
recorded to reflect the excess of the unfunded  accumulated  benefit  obligation
over accrued pension costs.  This amount,  along with a  corresponding  asset of
$0.3  million and a charge to  additional  paid-in-capital  of $1.3 million were
eliminated in applying fresh-start reporting; see Note B.

In addition, the Company has sponsored several defined contribution plans. Under
the Payless Cashways, Inc. Employee Savings Plan, which covers substantially all
employees, the Company contributed an amount equal to a percentage of the amount
contributed  by employees  into the plan. In fiscal year 1994,  the employees of
Somerville Lumber and Supply Co., Inc. were covered by a profit sharing plan for
which  contributions  were made at the  discretion  of the  Somerville  Board of
Directors and approval of the Company's Compensation  Committee.  On October 23,
1995,  the  profit  sharing  plan was merged  into the  Payless  Cashways,  Inc.
Employee Savings Plan. The aggregate  contributions to all defined  contribution
plans were $2.8 million, $3.1 million, and $2.9 million in 1997, 1996, and 1995,
respectively.


Note H--Post-Retirement Benefit Plans

The Company has certain  unfunded  post-retirement  defined  benefit  plans that
provide health and life insurance benefits for retirees and eligible dependents.
The health plan is  contributory  and  contains  cost-sharing  features  such as
deductibles and coinsurance.

In fiscal 1997,  1996, and 1995, the health-care  cost trend rate was assumed to
decrease gradually to 5.9% by the year 2001 and remain at that level thereafter.
The effect of a 1.0% annual  increase in these  assumed  health-care  cost trend
rates would increase the November 29, 1997, accumulated  post-retirement benefit
obligation  by $879,000  and the  aggregate  of the service  and  interest  cost
components  of net  periodic  post-retirement  benefit  cost for the fiscal year
ended November 29, 1997, by $46,000.

Net post-retirement benefit cost included the following components:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                                    1997               1996              1995
                                                                           -----------------------------------------------
         <S>                                                               <C>                 <C>                <C>

         Service cost - benefits earned during the period                  $     636           $      642         $  1,098
         Interest cost on accumulated post-retirement
           benefit obligation                                                  1,019                1,084            1,309
         Amortization of prior service cost                                       37                   47               47
         Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss                                (99)                  --               93
                                                                           -----------------------------------------------
         Net periodic post-retirement benefit cost                         $   1,593           $    1,773         $  2,547
                                                                           ===============================================
</TABLE>

A curtailment  gain of $37,000 was recorded in the year ended November 29, 1997.
This gain was  recorded  as a result of the closing of 29 stores and is included
in special charges in the accompanying  1997 statements of operations;  see Note
L. The Company  recognized  a net  $531,000  gain  related to the  write-off  of
unrecognized  prior service cost and  unrecognized net gain from past experience
different  from  that  assumed  as part of the  fresh-start  revaluation  in the
accompanying 1997 statement of operations; see Note B.

The following  table sets forth the plans' funded status and amounts  recognized
in the balance sheets:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                                                    1997               1996              1995
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
         <S>                                                               <C>                 <C>                <C>
         Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation:
           Retirees and beneficiaries                                      $    9,860          $    8,111         $ 12,144
           Fully eligible active plan participants                              2,219               1,965              781
           Other active plan participants                                       4,610               3,893            3,939
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
                  Total                                                        16,689              13,969           16,864
         Plan assets at fair value                                                 --                  --               --
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
         Accumulated post-retirement benefit obligation in excess of
           plan assets                                                         16,689              13,969           16,864
         Unrecognized net gain (loss) from past experience different from
           that assumed                                                            --               3,197             (749)
         Unrecognized prior service cost                                           --                (838)            (885)
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
         Accrued post-retirement benefit cost included in other
           non-current liabilities                                         $   16,689          $   16,328         $ 15,230
                                                                           ================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>31


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


Significant  assumptions  used in accounting for  post-retirement  benefit plans
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                1997               1996              1995
                                                                           ------------------------------------------------
           <S>                                                                   <C>                <C>               <C>
           Weighted average discount rate                                        7.0%               7.5%              7.5%
           Rate of increase in future compensation levels                        6.0%               5.0%              5.0%
           Health-care cost trend rate                                           7.1%               7.6%              8.1%
</TABLE>

Note I--Leases

The Company  leases  certain stores and other  facilities  under  non-cancelable
operating  leases.   Aggregate  minimum  future  rentals  under   non-cancelable
operating  leases  for the next five  years are:  1998 --  $20,867,000;  1999 --
$20,065,000;  2000 --  $18,422,000;  2001 --  $16,354,000;  2002 -- $12,769,000;
thereafter  --  $19,797,000.  Rental  expense under  operating  leases was $29.3
million, $30.6 million and $27.2 million for 1997, 1996, and 1995,respectively.

During 1995, the Company  entered into an agreement  providing for the operating
lease of five stores,  including a new store that opened in 1997. Under the Plan
of  Reorganization,  the Company  acquired three of the stores and issued a note
payable to the lessor as described at Note D.

Rental  payments  under this lease varied with the level of interest  rates.  To
reduce the impact of changes in the interest  rates  related to this lease,  the
Company during 1995 entered into an interest rate swap agreement  under which it
pays a 6-9/16%  fixed rate of interest  quarterly  through  December 1, 1999, in
exchange for quarterly receipt of LIBOR on $36 million.  The Company's liability
with  respect  to the  remaining  term of this  interest  rate  swap  agreement,
estimated to be $0.7 million at November  29, 1997,  was accrued in  fresh-start
accounting.

Note J--Reorganization Items

In connection with its Chapter 11 filing on July 21, 1997,  discussed at Note A,
reorganization  items of $25.5  million are  reflected in the 1997  statement of
operations.  Reorganization items for this period consisted of professional fees
and case  administrative  expenses of $17.6  million,  the write-off of deferred
financing costs of $2.5 million, retention bonuses of $5.7 million, and interest
income of $0.3 million.

Note K--Asset Impairment Charges

The Company recorded an asset impairment  charge of $60.5 million ($43.9 million
after tax) and $59.7 million  ($44.6 million after tax) in the third quarters of
1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The asset impairment  charges were 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.

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
1996.  Primarily  because the environment for building  materials  retailing has
continued to be increasingly competitive, the Company first conducted its review
in the third quarter of 1996 and determined certain assets were impaired. In the
third quarter of 1997, the Company again  conducted a review of  underperforming
stores and determined that certain  additional  assets were impaired,  including
assets related to twenty-nine  stores which the Company determined to close (see
Note L). 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.

In 1997 as a result of the  impairment  charge,  certain  real  estate  carrying
values were reduced  $28.8  million,  goodwill was reduced  $18.7  million and a
$13.0 million liability for future store lease payments was recorded. In 1996 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 estimated to be recoverable, was recorded.

The Company will continue to review assets for  impairment,  particularly  given
the ongoing competitive environment for building materials retailing.



<PAGE>32


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


Note L--Special Charges

A special  charge of $13.1 million  ($8.1  million after tax),  primarily a cash
charge,  was recorded in the third quarter of fiscal 1997 in connection with the
closing of 29 stores as part of the Company's  reorganization  under Chapter 11.
All 29 stores were closed prior to November 29, 1997.  In addition,  the Company
recorded an inventory  write-down  of $10.7  million  ($6.6  million after tax),
included in cost of merchandise sold, in connection with the store closings.

The fiscal 1997 special charge includes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Amount            Amount            Reclass From
                                                        Charged       Utilized Through       1995 & 1996     Reserve at
       In millions                                       1997          Nov. 29, 1997           Reserve       Nov. 29, 1997
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                                           <C>                 <C>                 <C>               <C>
       Real estate disposal costs                    $       6.8         $      4.1          $     3.4         $      6.1
       Severance costs                                       6.3                5.5                  --                .8
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     $      13.1         $      9.6          $     3.4         $      6.9
                                                    =====================================================================
</TABLE>

Historical financial data for the closing of the 29 stores is as follows for the
for the fiscal years presented:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       In thousands                                      1997                      1996                      1995
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                                          <C>                       <C>                       <C>
       Net sales                                    $  209,898                $   328,541               $   319,354
       Net operating income (loss)                  $   (9,153)               $     5,990               $     8,990
</TABLE>

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
closing of nine underperforming  stores. Eight of the nine stores were closed at
November  30,  1996,  and the  remaining  store was closed in fiscal  1997.  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 fiscal 1996 special charge includes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                              Discharge of
                                       Amount           Amount               Reclass          Indebtedness
                                       Charged     Utilized Through       1996 Reserve       in Fresh-Start      Reserve at
       In millions                      1996         Nov. 29, 1997       to 1997 Reserve       Accounting     Nov. 29, 1997
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                            <C>            <C>                  <C>                   <C>               <C> 
       Future store rentals           $     3.7      $       1.3          $         --          $      (2.4)      $      --
       Real estate disposal costs           4.5              3.3                  (1.2)                --                --
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      $     8.2      $       4.6          $       (1.2)         $      (2.4)      $      --
                                    =======================================================================================
</TABLE>


Historical  financial  data for the closing of the nine stores is as follows for
the fiscal years presented:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       In thousands                                      1996                      1995
                                                    --------------------------------------
       <S>                                          <C>                       <C>
       Net sales                                    $   63,088                $    70,284
       Net operating income (loss)                  $   (7,636)               $    (1,720)
</TABLE>

Costs of $153.7 million  associated with a restructuring plan which included the
closing of six stores on December 30, 1995, the sale of a distribution center on
December 22, 1995, and the reorientation of several stores to concentrate on the
professional  customer  during  the  first two  quarters  of  fiscal  1996,  are
contained in the accompanying statement of operations for fiscal 1995 as special
charges.


<PAGE>33


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (cont'd.)


The fiscal 1995 special charge includes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         Amount         Amount                          Reclass
                                                         Charged   Utilized Through    Changes In    1995 Reserve       Reserve at
       In millions                                        1995       Nov. 29, 1997      Estimate    to 1997 Reserve    Nov. 29, 1997
                                                    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                                          <C>               <C>              <C>           <C>               <C>  
       Write-off of allocable cost in excess of
          assets acquired (goodwill)                $      101.5      $    101.5       $      --     $       --        $      --
       Real estate write-down and disposal costs            31.2            31.8             1.9           (1.3)              --
       Inventory liquidation and store closing costs        15.3            13.7            (1.6)            --               --
       Severance and other employment costs                  3.9             3.6             (.3)            --               --
       Other                                                 1.8              .9              --            (.9)              --
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    $      153.7      $    151.5       $      --     $     (2.2)       $      --
                                                    ============================================================================
</TABLE>

Historical  financial  data for the six closed  stores is as follows  for fiscal
1995:

       In thousands

       Net sales                $    61,969
       Net operating loss       $    (4,023)



Note M--Litigation

The Company is a defendant in a lawsuit  brought in connection  with a reduction
in force pursuant to a January 1994  restructuring.  The suit asserted a variety
of  claims  including  federal  and  state  securities  fraud  claims,   alleged
violations of the Racketeer  Influenced and Corrupt  Organizations Act ("RICO"),
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.  A
ruling has been  entered on the  Company's  motion to dismiss  the  majority  of
pending claims,  substantially  narrowing plaintiff's legal claims by dismissing
some age  discrimination  counts,  all federal securities counts and RICO counts
except one each, and all state law counts related to an alleged partnership. The
plaintiff's motion for class  certification has been denied on all claims except
the age  discrimination  claims.  The court has recently granted the plaintiff's
motion for class certification of certain age discrimination claims. As a result
of  this  ruling,   approximately  20  additional   individuals  may  choose  to
participate  in the age claims  asserted  in this suit.  Each of the parties has
conducted discovery pursuant to the court's scheduling order and discovery plan.
The lawsuit was formally  stayed  pursuant to the  automatic  stay issued by the
Bankruptcy  Court following the voluntary  Chapter 11  reorganization  filing on
July 21, 1997.  During the Chapter 11  reorganization,  plaintiffs  timely filed
proofs of claim,  including a  purported  claim on behalf of the  potential  Age
Discrimination  in Employment Act opt-in class, for an aggregate of $37 million.
The case has been returned to the United States  District Court for the Southern
District of Iowa for  resolution.  Any recovery for the  plaintiffs  against the
Company would be treated as a general  unsecured  claim entitling the plaintiffs
to their pro rata share of  8,269,329  shares of New Common  Stock  reserved for
such claims.

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


<PAGE>34


Payless Cashways, Inc.

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


The Board of Directors
Payless Cashways, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Payless Cashways,  Inc. as of
November  29,  1997,  and  November  30,  1996,  and the related  statements  of
operations,  stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in
the three-year  period ended November 29, 1997.  These financial  statements are
the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.

We  conducted  our  audits  in  accordance  with  generally   accepted  auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements.  An audit also includes
assessing the  accounting  principles  used and  significant  estimates  made by
management,  as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion,  the financial  statements  referred to above present fairly, in
all material respects,  the financial  position of Payless Cashways,  Inc. as of
November 29, 1997 and November 30, 1996,  and the results of its  operations and
its cash  flows for each of the  fiscal  years in the  three-year  period  ended
November 29, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

As  discussed  in Note A to the  financial  statements,  the  November  29, 1997
balance sheet reflects the application of fresh-start  reporting as of that date
and,  therefore,  is not comparable in all respects to the balance sheets of the
Company  prior to November  29, 1997.  As  discussed in Note H to the  financial
statements,  the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No.
121,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment of Long-Lived  Assets and for  Long-Lived
Assets to Be Disposed Of," in fiscal 1996.




/S/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
January 19, 1998



<PAGE>35


Payless Cashways, Inc.

FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Reorganized |
In thousands, except per share                Company   |                              Predecessor Company
                                            ----------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------
amounts, percentages and ratios                1997     |     1997          1996            1995           1994             1993
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>              <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>
Net sales and other income (a)                     N/A  | $ 2,290,215    $2,650,905    $ 2,685,670     $ 2,733,182     $ 2,605,978
Cost of merchandise sold                           N/A  |   1,676,658     1,906,734      1,912,620       1,918,674       1,824,663
Selling, general and administrative                N/A  |     558,817       615,466        619,589         594,024         570,016
Reorganization items (b)                           N/A  |      25,455            --             --              --              --
Fresh-start revaluation (b)                        N/A  |     355,559            --             --              --              --
Special charges (c)                                N/A  |      13,056         8,184        153,667              --           4,000
Asset impairment charges (d)                       N/A  |      60,483        59,967             --              --              --
Depreciation and amortization                      N/A  |      51,110        55,016         60,356          58,692          56,213
Interest expense                                   N/A  |      61,251        60,488         61,067          65,571         125,247
Interest income (e)                                N/A  |          --         4,900             --              --              --
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes                  N/A  |    (512,174)      (49,780)      (121,629)         96,221          25,839
Federal and state income taxes (e)                 N/A  |     (90,406)      (30,702)        (4,911)         41,808          16,170
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before equity in loss of                  |
   joint venture and extraordinary item            N/A  |    (421,768)      (19,078)      (116,718)         54,413           9,669
Equity in loss of joint venture (f)                N/A  |          --            --        (11,831)         (2,281)             --
Extraordinary item (g)                             N/A  |     133,176            --             --          (7,243)       (45,828)
                                         -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                                  N/A  | $  (288,592)   $  (19,078)   $  (128,549)    $    44,889     $  (36,159)
                                         =========================================================================================
                                                        |
Current ratio                                      2.15 |         N/A           1.41           1.29           1.45            1.25
Working capital                          $     258,405  |         N/A    $  131,004    $    98,400     $   139,128     $    85,142
Total assets                             $     911,341  |         N/A    $1,293,118    $ 1,344,436     $ 1,495,882     $ 1,458,481
Long-term debt                           $     424,031  |         N/A    $  618,667    $   608,627     $   654,131     $   640,127
Stockholders' equity                     $     183,800  |         N/A    $  289,731    $   308,163     $   435,865     $   387,311
Capital expenditures                               N/A  | $    62,940    $   41,670    $    67,281     $    81,906     $    49,982
Income from operations before                           |
   depreciation and amortization (h)               N/A  | $    65,433    $  134,552    $   153,461     $   220,484     $   211,299
<FN>
(a)  Net sales and other income include gains of $2.3 million in 1996 related to
     settlements  of 1995 fire losses and  gains of $5.9 million in 1994 related
     to settlements of 1993 flood losses.

(b)  In  connection  with its Chapter 11 filing on July 21,  1997,  discussed at
     Note A, the Company recorded reorganization items in 1997. The Company also
     adopted  fresh-start  accounting,  discussed  at Note B, as of November 29,
     1997,  as a result  of its  emergence  from  bankruptcy  under  its plan of
     reorganization effective date, December 2, 1997.

(c)  Special  charges for 1997 and 1996 consisted of costs  associated  with the
     closing of 29 stores and nine  stores,  respectively.  Special  charges for
     1995  consisted of  restructure  costs  associated  with the closing of six
     stores, the sale of a distribution  center and the reorientation of several
     stores to concentrate on the  professional  customer.  Special  charges for
     1993 consisted of costs associated with the elimination of a layer from the
     Company's field management organization.

(d)  Asset  impairment  charges  for 1997 and 1996  consist  of a  reduction  of
     goodwill and certain real estate carrying values,  net of amounts estimated
     to be  recoverable,  and the  recording of a  liabilities  for future store
     lease payments. The Company adopted of SFAS 121 in 1996.

(e)  During  1996,  the Company  recorded a federal  income tax benefit of $23.7
     million and related interest income of $4.9 million pursuant to legislation
     and a settlement with the Internal Revenue Service.

(f)  During  1995, the Company  recorded an $8.0 million loss on the sale of its
     Mexican joint venture investment.

(g)  During 1997, the Company recorded a $5.0 million charge, after tax, related
     to the  early  extinguishment  of debt and a $138.2  million  extraordinary
     gain,   after  tax,   related  to  debts   discharged  in  its  Chapter  11
     reorganization.   During  1993  and  1994,  the  extraordinary  items  also
     represent losses on early extinguishment of debt.

(h)  Income from operations before  depreciation and amortization is utilized by
     the  Company  as a  measure  for  managing  cash  flow  in  its  day-to-day
     operations.  The amounts are before the reorganization  items,  fresh-start
     revaluation,  special  charges  and  asset  impairment  charges.  Inventory
     write-downs   in  1997  and  1996  of  $10.7   million  and  $5.8  million,
     respectively, related to the closing of 29 and nine underperforming stores,
     respectively, are also excluded.
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>36


Payless Cashways, Inc.

FIVE-YEAR OPERATIONAL SUMMARY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Average sales per facility, number                                             Predecessor Company
of customers, gross square feet and             --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
retail square feet are in thousands                 1997           1996 (a)         1995 (b)            1994             1993
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>              <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>  
Number of retail facilities                            164              192               206              202               196
Average same-store sales per facility           $   12,600       $   13,107        $   13,114       $   13,716        $   13,284
Number of customers                                 50,743           56,736            59,685           60,812            60,678
Average sales per customer                      $    45.04       $    45.81        $    44.91       $    44.77        $    42.87
Number of employees                                 12,782           16,664            18,122           18,406            18,093
Average sales per employee                      $  162,099       $  152,228        $  147,894       $  147,778        $  143,757
Gross square feet (total)                           15,550           17,578            19,453           18,730            18,095
Retail square feet (inside)                          5,334            6,209             6,740            6,468             6,200
Sales per retail square foot                    $   388.44       $   408.56        $   397.65       $   420.53        $   419.52
Percent increase (decrease) in same-
  store sales                                       (6.6)%           (2.5)%            (4.5)%             3.3%              4.1%
<FN>
 (a)  Fiscal  1996 was a  53-week  year.  All 1996 data has been  computed  on a
 52-week basis. (b) Includes six retail stores closed in December 1995.
</FN>
</TABLE>

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

Payless Cashways, Inc.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


The  financial  statements  of Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  have been  prepared  by
management in accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  and
necessarily  include amounts based on management's  judgment and best estimates.
The presentation,  integrity and consistency of the financial statements are the
responsibility of management.

The financial statements have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent
auditors. Their responsibility is to audit the Company's financial statements in
accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards  and to express their
opinion on these  statements  with  respect to fairness of  presentation  of the
Company's financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

To fulfill its  responsibilities,  management has developed a system of internal
controls designed to provide  reasonable  assurance that assets are safeguarded,
transactions  are executed in accordance with  management's  authorizations  and
financial  records provide a reliable basis for preparing  financial  statements
and other data.  Management  believes  the controls in place are  sufficient  to
provide this reasonable  assurance.  The controls include careful  selection and
training of  qualified  personnel,  appropriate  division  of  responsibilities,
communication  of written  policies and procedures  throughout the Company and a
program of internal audits.

The Board of Directors,  through its Audit  Committee  composed of Directors who
are neither  officers  nor  employees  of the Company,  is  responsible  for the
maintenance of a strong control environment and quality financial reporting. The
Board, on the  recommendation  of the Audit  Committee,  selects and engages the
independent  auditors.  The Audit Committee meets  periodically with management,
the  independent  auditors and internal  auditors to discuss the results of both
independent and internal audits, the adequacy of internal controls and financial
reporting  matters.  The  independent  auditors and the internal  auditors  have
direct access to the Audit  Committee  without the presence of management,  when
deemed appropriate.


/S/ Donald E. Roller                           /S/ Richard G. Luse

Donald E. Roller                               Richard G. Luse
Acting Chief Executive Officer                 Senior Vice President-Finance
                                                and Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>37


Payless Cashways, Inc.

Board of Directors

Peter G. Danis +
Non-executive Chairman of the Board
Payless Cashways, Inc.
Chief Executive Officer
Boise Cascade Office Products Corporation

Donald E. Roller #
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Payless Cashways, Inc.

David M. Chamberlain * +
Chairman
Genesco, Inc.

Harold D. Cleberg * @
President and Chief Executive Officer
Farmland Industries, Inc.

David G. Gundling + #
President and Chief Executive Officer
Hagemeyer Foods N.A., Inc.

Max D. Hopper @ #
Principal
Max D. Hopper Associates, Inc.

Peter M. Wood * @
Former Managing Director
J. P. Morgan & Co., Incorporated


*    Member of Audit Committee
+    Member of Compensation Committee
@    Member of Corporate Governance and
         Nominating Committee
#    Member of Finance Committee




Officers

Donald E. Roller
Acting Chief Executive Officer
Payless Cashways, Inc.

Stanley K. Boyd
Senior Vice President - Store Operations

Robert S. Islinger
Senior Vice President - Marketing and Merchandising

Richard G. Luse
Senior Vice President - Finance and
Chief Financial Officer

Donald R. Bowman
Regional Vice President

Kenneth G. Frank, Jr.
Regional Vice President

David J. Krumbholz
Regional Vice President

David L. Wenman
Regional Vice President

Kelly R. Abney
Vice President - Distribution and Transportation

Louise R. Iennaccaro
Vice President - Human Resources

Ronald D. Long
Vice President - Merchandising/Building Materials

John W. Zalonis
Vice President - Merchandising/Finishing Products



<PAGE>38


Payless Cashways, Inc.

1997 STORE LOCATIONS


ARIZONA
PHOENIX 5, TUCSON 3

CALIFORNIA
BAKERSFIELD 2, FRESNO 2,
MODESTO 1, REDDING 1,
SACRAMENTO 6, VISALIA 1

COLORADO
BOULDER 1,
COLORADO SPRINGS 3,
DENVER 13, GREELEY 1

ILLINOIS
QUINCY 1, SILVIS 1,
SPRINGFIELD 1

INDIANA
ANDERSON 1, BLOOMINGTON 1,
CLARKSVILLE 1, INDIANAPOLIS 5,
KOKOMO 1, LAFAYETTE 1,
MUNCIE 1

IOWA
ALTOONA 1, CEDAR RAPIDS 1,
CORALVILLE 1, DAVENPORT 2,
DES MOINES 2, FORT DODGE 1,
SIOUX CITY 1, WATERLOO 1

KANSAS
ELWOOD 1, KANSAS CITY 5,
LAWRENCE 1, SALINA 1, TOPEKA 1, WICHITA 2

KENTUCKY
FLORENCE 1, LEXINGTON 1,
LOUISVILLE 3

LOUISIANA
BATON ROUGE 1

MINNESOTA
MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL 8

MISSOURI
COLUMBIA 1, KANSAS CITY 5,
SPRINGFIELD 1,
ST. JOSEPH 1

MONTANA
BILLINGS 1

NEBRASKA
LINCOLN 2, OMAHA 3

NEVADA
LAS VEGAS 4,
RENO 1, SPARKS 1

NEW MEXICO
ALBUQUERQUE 1,
SANTA FE 1

OHIO
DAYTON 2, CINCINNATI 7,
FINDLAY 1, HUBER HEIGHTS 1,
LIMA 1, SPRINGFIELD 1

OKLAHOMA
NORMAN 1,
OKLAHOMA CITY 3, TULSA 2

OREGON
EUGENE 1, SALEM 1

TENNESSEE
MEMPHIS 3

TEXAS
ABILENE 1, AMARILLO 1, AUSTIN 3, COLLEGE STATION 1, CONROE 1, DALLAS/FT. WORTH 
16, LONGVIEW 1, LUBBOCK 2, SHERMAN 1, TEXARKANA 1, TYLER 1, WACO 1








1997 DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

CHANDLER, ARIZONA

SACRAMENTO, CALIFORNIA

DENVER, COLORADO

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI

SEDALIA, MISSOURI

LAKE DALLAS, TEXAS



<PAGE>39


Payless Cashways, Inc.

STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION


As of the July 21, 1997, the Chapter 11 filing date, Payless Cashways Old Common
Stock ceased  trading on the New York Stock  Exchange  (ticker  symbol PCS), was
subsequently delisted and began trading  over-the-counter (ticker symbol PYLSQ).
On  December  2,  1997,   the  Effective   Date  for  the   Company's   Plan  of
Reorganization,  the Company  canceled Old Common Stock and Old Preferred  Stock
and began  issuing  shares of New Common  Stock  (ticker  symbol  PCSH) which is
trading  on  the  over-the-counter   bulletin  board.  Therefore,  the  required
information presented below with respect to the Old Common Stock for fiscal 1997
and 1996 is not  meaningful  and has not been  converted to the current  trading
price of the New Common Stock. The number of registered holders of the Company's
Old Common Stock at November 29, 1997,  was 1,797.  No cash  dividends have been
declared on either Old or New Common Stock since 1988.  Certain of the Company's
debt  instruments  contain  restrictions  on  the  declaration  and  payment  of
dividends  on,  or the  making of any  distribution  to the  holders  of, or the
acquisition of, any shares of Common Stock.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    1997                      1996
                 --------------------------------------- -------------------------- ------------------------
                   Price range of Old Common Stock            High          Low         High         Low
                 --------------------------------------- ------------- ------------ ------------ -----------
                        <S>                                  <C>           <C>          <C>         <C>   
                        First quarter                        2.500         1.125        4.750       3.625

                        Second quarter                       2.125         1.375        5.125       3.750

                        Third quarter                        1.750         0.130        5.000       1.375

                        Fourth quarter                       0.360         0.053        2.250       1.500
</TABLE>






Copies of the Payless  Cashways,  Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 1997, filed with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission,  are available  without charge. To obtain a
copy, please write to:

                             Payless Cashways, Inc.
                               Investor Relations
                                 P.O. Box 419466
                           Kansas City, MO 64141-0466
                        (Web site: payless.cashways.com)


Annual Meeting - April 15, 1998, 10:00 a.m.         Independent Auditors
Two Pershing Square, 2300 Main Street               KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
Kansas City, MO  64108                              Kansas City, MO

Registrar and Transfer Agent                        Telephone Number of
UMB Bank, n.a.                                      Payless Cashways, Inc. is
Kansas City, MO                                     (816) 234-6000
(816) 860-7786




<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the November
29, 1997, financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-29-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-29-1997
<CASH>                                           11961
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     414882
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                482445
<PP&E>                                          363418
<DEPRECIATION>                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  911341
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           224040
<BONDS>                                         424031
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                      183600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    911341
<SALES>                                        2285281
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               2290215
<CGS>                                          1676658
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1676658
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               61251
<INCOME-PRETAX>                               (512174)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (90406)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                           (421768)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                 133176
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                  (288592)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                        0
<EPS-DILUTED>                                        0
        

</TABLE>


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