PAYLESS CASHWAYS INC
10-K, 1999-02-26
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 28, 1998

                                       OR

 / / Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities 
     Exchange Act of 1934 [No fee required]

           For the transition period 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
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)                          64141-0466
                                                                   (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: 
                 Common Stock, $.01 par value

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. / /

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 17, 1999, was
$ 43,520,761.

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 19,995,027 shares of Common Stock, $.01 par value,  outstanding as of
February 17, 1999.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

         Portions  of the  Annual  Report  to  Stockholders  for the year  ended
November 28, 1998, are  incorporated  by reference into Part II. Portions of the
Annual Proxy  Statement for the Annual Meeting of  Stockholders to be held April
21, 1999, 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 154 building  materials
stores,  excluding five stores that are currently in the process of closing,  in
18 states located in the Midwest,  Southwest,  Pacific Coast, and Rocky Mountain
areas under the names  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  the   professional   homebuilder,   remodel  and  repair   contractor,
institutional  buyer,  and  project-oriented   do-it-yourself  customer  with  a
complete  selection of quality  products and services needed to build,  improve,
and maintain 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 tailored to serve the professional  customer,  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 targeted marketing distinguishes Payless from many competitors.

         The Company's primary customers are professionals and  project-oriented
do-it-yourselfers.  Professionals  ("Pros") include  professional  homebuilders,
remodel  and repair  contractors,  and  institutional  buyers.  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.


Emergence from Chapter 11 Reorganization

         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.  From that date until  December 2, 1997,  the Company  operated  its
business as a debtor-in-possession, subject to the jurisdiction of the Court.

         On November 19, 1997, the Bankruptcy  Court entered an order confirming
the Company's  First Amended Plan of  Reorganization,  as modified (the "Plan of
Reorganization").  In connection with the Plan of Reorganization, a new Board of
Directors of the Company was appointed  effective December 2, 1997. In addition,
the Company's previously  outstanding shares of common stock, par value $0.01per
share (the "Old Common Stock"),  and series A cumulative  preferred  stock,  par
value $1.00 per share (the "Old Preferred Stock" and, collectively, with the Old
Common Stock, the "Old Stock"),  were canceled,  and up to 20,000,000  shares of
Common Stock of the  reorganized  Company was, or will be, issued to the holders
of the Old Stock and to certain of the Company's  creditors.  In connection with
the Plan of  Reorganization,  Payless Cashways,  Inc., an Iowa corporation,  was
merged into a wholly-owned subsidiary to effect a reincorporation of the Company
in Delaware,  with the  surviving  entity  continuing  under the name,  "Payless
Cashways, Inc."


Industry Overview

         Building  materials and home  improvement  products are sold  primarily
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, personal service representatives, competitive bid 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>3

Mission

         It is  our  mission  at  Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  to be  the  building
materials  and home  improvement  supplier of first choice for the  professional
builder,    remodel   and   repair   contractor,    institutional   buyer,   and
project-oriented  consumers.  Our team will leverage our merchandising expertise
and vendor partnerships to provide professional quality assortments and superior
customer service while growing revenue, earnings, and stockholder value.


Business Strategy

         Objectives

         The Company's principal objectives are:

1)    to increase its market share in the professional and project-oriented DIY 
      segments primarily through its existing stores,
2)    to continue to improve its balance sheet by reducing its debt, and
3)    to grow revenue, earnings and stockholder value.

The professional segment (Pro) includes builders, remodel and repair contractors
and institutional buyers. Payless Cashways intends to target the Pro business as
the primary source of growth and to position itself as the preferred alternative
to the home improvement  warehouse shopping experience for the  project-oriented
do-it-yourselfer.  The Company's 1998 revenues were approximately 51% from sales
to the Pro customer and 49% from sales to the DIY customer.


         Strategy

         The Company  believes it is particularly  well-positioned  to serve the
needs of professional  customers. It enjoys economies of scale, buying power and
professional  management that the traditional outlets supplying the professional
customer  commonly do not have. These  advantages,  along with the broad product
assortment,  full service package and outside sales force,  position the Company
well to supply local Pros as well as national professional businesses seeking to
centralize their purchasing needs.

         A sales and service  staff is  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  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 are effective
in increasing  purchases and improving  profitability from current  professional
customers as well as building customer loyalty. The Company added a new position
of inside sales  representative  in 1998.  These sales people are located in the
contractor  sales  offices and serve  customers  by phone who do not require job
site presence. Plans are in the works to centralize this activity.

         Each store has a separate  commercial  sales area for the  professional
customer to use. These offices speed the purchase  process for the Pro,  provide
professional  estimating services including blueprint  take-offs,  allow private
discussions between customers and their sales  representatives,  and offer small
amenities to these  customers  such as coffee and phone access.  The Company has
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 specifically  tailored 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.

<PAGE>4


         The Company has national  account  managers who target  businesses that
utilize  large  amounts of  building  materials  and  improvement  products  for
facility  construction  or maintenance.  This often includes  companies with new
construction of commercial job sites,  often  geographically  dispersed.  It may
also  include  major  facilities  or  multiple  locations  for which the Company
provides  repair  and  maintenance  materials,  new  construction  products  and
insurance rehabilitation work.

         The  Company  is  pursuing  a number of  opportunities  in an effort to
become the building materials and home improvement  supplier of first choice for
the professional builder, remodel and repair contractor, institutional buyer and
project-oriented  consumers.  Two  examples of these  opportunities  are a pilot
program  with a large  insurance  company in two of Payless'  markets to provide
materials for the repair of damaged  property and  arrangements  with large home
builders  in three  other  markets to supply  building  products  and  services,
including installed panels and trusses.

         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.


         Strategic Initiatives

         The Company has developed  business  plans in support of the budget for
fiscal 1999. Key initiatives include:

         1.  Building sales momentum through  redesigned  assortments and better
             in-stock  position  including job-lot  quantities
         2.  Strengthening the merchandising  function through access to better 
             management information including technology and regular customer   
             contact
         3.  Designing a fresh store layout that is shopper-friendly  and highly
             productive
         4.  Improving targeted marketing communications with customers
         5.  Satisfying  customers by  achieving  excellence  in store standards
         6.  Adding manufacturing capability to improve our capacity to serve 
             the Pro in additional markets
         7.  Lowering operating costs through introduction of new technologies  
             in the stores and distribution centers
         8.  Improving  inventory  productivity  through  better  utilization of
             distribution  centers,  more  frequent  delivery  to  stores  from
             distribution centers and elimination of non-performing inventory
         9.  Improving communications with all constituents

         The Company's ongoing market research regarding the Pro indicates that,
while  the  Company  has  established  significant  business  with  this  group,
substantial  growth  opportunity  remains.  Industry  research  indicates that a
significant  number of customers prefer a distinctly  different type of shopping
experience   (human  scale;   finished,   well-lighted   showrooms;   full-line,
drive-through  lumberyards)  as compared to a  warehouse-store  format.  Payless
Cashways offers such a shopping experience. The Company expects the professional
builder,  the remodel and repair contractor and institutional  buyer 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 often job-site direct.

         Manufacturing capabilities have been added in certain markets to better
serve the needs of high-volume  professional  customers.  The Company recognizes
significant  opportunity in this area and now owns and operates four  facilities
that add this capability. They include 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; door plants in Dallas
and  Indianapolis;  and a plant in Cincinnati  that  specializes in manufactured
house packages and building  components for the professional  builder  customer.
These  manufactured  items include  engineered roof and floor trusses,  wall and
floor panels,  and stair systems.  The Company believes that these  capabilities
help position it to be the supplier of choice for the large-volume  professional
and has plans to continue  developing and acquiring  these types of capabilities
in additional markets.

         The  Company's  strategy of focusing on the Pro customer has the effect
of  drawing  project-oriented  consumers  as  well.  Sales  to  project-oriented
consumers makes up about 49% of the Company's  current  revenues,  and while the
Company  will focus on the Pro, it intends to continue to serve this  profitable
segment of customers.  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, as well as the Pro.  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.  The Company also recognizes that
the  lifestyle  of the target Pro customer  includes  products for the Pro's own
home and  family.  Most of these Pro  customers  are  already  in 

<PAGE>5


the Company's locations on a regular basis, and the Company  intends to identify
and stock items that may be otherwise purchased by this customer in other retail
outlets as a convenience to that customer. These products are also  appealing to
the project-oriented do-it-yourselfer.

         Payless  Cashways  is  known  for  its  well-trained  work  force.  The
Company's  knowledgeable  employees  study,  take tests, and become certified in
various product categories.  Employees who successfully master product areas can
become  certified  and wear a symbol of that  achievement  on their name badges.
Customer service is a priority for the Company.  The outside sales force, inside
sales  representatives  and employees who staff the service  counter and product
departments  in each  store  location  are among the most  knowledgeable  in the
industry.  They are trained to build  customer  relationships  by supporting the
customer  through  delivery,   credit,  special  orders,  and  attentiveness  to
customers'  needs.  A  recognition  program  is in  place to  promote  excellent
customer service, which drives a higher average ticket and repeat business.


Merchandising and Marketing

         During 1998,  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. The Company continues to improve its
attractiveness to customers  through  reviewing its assortment,  bringing in new
products,  determining the best supplier, and updating displays. The focus is on
categories  where the Company can be dominant such as lumber,  hardware,  tools,
plumbing, electrical, and paint.
Payless categorizes its product offerings into the classes described below:

            Lumberyard - Dimensional lumber, plywood, siding, 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:


                                    1998              1997            1996
                                    ----              ----            ----
         Lumberyard                  51  %            51   %           50  %
         Hardware                    38               35               35
         Showroom                    11               14               15
                                   ------           ------           ------
                                    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  1998,   the  Company's
expenditures on all forms of advertising totaled  approximately $38.3 million or
2.0% of sales.


<PAGE>6


Store Locations

       The Company's 154 building  materials stores,  excluding five stores that
are currently in the process of closing, are located in the following states:

                                Number of Stores

           Arizona................... 7     Missouri.................. 8
           California................ 13    Nebraska.................. 4
           Colorado.................. 18    Nevada.................... 6
           Illinois.................. 3     New Mexico................ 2
           Indiana................... 10    Ohio...................... 12
           Iowa...................... 10    Oklahoma.................. 5
           Kansas.................... 11    Oregon.................... 2
           Kentucky.................. 5     Tennessee................. 3
           Minnesota................. 8     Texas..................... 27

       Payless  owns 130 of these store  facilities  and 122 of the 154 sites on
which such stores are located.  The remaining 24 stores and 32 sites are leased.
Mortgages or deeds of trust on 137 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 permits more effective supervision of stores and
provides certain economies in distribution  expenses and advertising costs. Each
of  Payless'  154 stores has an average  total  selling  space of  approximately
187,000 square feet consisting of 33,000 square feet of indoor display space and
154,000  square feet of  lumberyard.  In addition,  each store has an average of
51,000  square feet of  warehouse  space.  The average  Payless  store  occupies
approximately nine acres of land.

       An average Payless store currently carries  approximately $1.8 million of
inventory,   and  during  fiscal  1998,   sales  at  Payless   stores   averaged
approximately $11.7 million per store.

       During fiscal 1998, one store was opened and four stores were closed. The
Company  also has closed  two  stores in  December  1998 and has  announced  the
closing of an additional  five stores in early fiscal 1999.  During fiscal 1997,
two stores were opened and 30 stores were closed.  During fiscal 1996, 14 stores
were closed.


Store Management and Personnel

       Payless  coordinates the operation of its 154 building  materials  stores
through 154 Store Managers,  each of whom reports directly to one of 17 District
Managers  who in  turn  reports  to  one  of  three  Regional  Vice  Presidents.
Supervision  and control over the individual  stores are facilitated by means of
detailed operating reports. Most of Payless' Store Managers, and all of Payless'
District  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 store personnel.
District  Managers and Store Managers  have, on average,  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
1998,  the  Company  paid  $2.2  million  in  incentive   compensation   to  its
non-management  store personnel.  District Managers can earn in excess of 30% 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
$9.3 million in incentive  compensation  to its store  management  personnel for
fiscal 1998. The Company  believes that its incentive  compensation  systems are
key to employee performance and motivation.

<PAGE>7


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.

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. Systems that interact with customers and that focus
on the core business functions of buying, selling and accounting have been given
the highest priority.  Some of the Company's current systems are being renovated
and others are being replaced with Year 2000-compliant  systems.  All renovation
code and  system  replacements  are  being  unit-tested  as they are  completed.
Integrated  full-system  testing will begin in the first  quarter of 1999 and is
expected to continue  through the third quarter of 1999.  Code renovation is 99%
complete as of January 1, 1999. All core business systems requiring  replacement
will be  complete  by  mid-1999.  The Company  currently  believes  that it will
complete all phases of the plan without any material adverse consequences to its
business, operations, or financial condition.

Distribution and Suppliers

       The  Company  operates  a total of seven  distribution  centers  and four
manufacturing  locations. The distribution centers maintain inventories and ship
product to stores twice per week.  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,  customized
windows,  engineered  roof and floor trusses,  wall and floor panels,  and stair
systems.

       In fiscal 1998, 52% 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 serves all 154 stores with some or all of
their  distribution  center  sourced  replenishment.  The  592,000  square  foot
facility  utilizes  computerized  receiving,  storage and selection  technology.
Excluding the Sedalia  operation,  the Company's regional  distribution  centers
average 17 acres with 143,000  square feet of warehouse  space,  operating  with
manual storage and selection systems.

       Payless purchases substantially all of its merchandise from approximately
3,200  suppliers,  no one of which  accounted  for more than 5% of the Company's
purchases during fiscal 1998.


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 27.1% in fiscal 1998, 28.3% in fiscal 1997,
and 28.0% in  fiscal  1996.  Purchases  under the  Company's  commercial  credit
program as a percentage  of sales  represented  34.8% in fiscal  1998,  32.7% in
fiscal  1997,  and 29.9% in fiscal 1996.  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 1998 were approximately $4.0 million or .6 %
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.

The current  commercial and consumer credit  contracts will not be renewed after
November 1999.  Approximately  40% of the Company's  fiscal 1998 sales were made
pursuant to these programs.  The Company is in discussions  with other providers
and believes that it will secure an alternative provider prior to termination of
the current  programs,  although the Company's  ability to secure an alternative
provider or the terms of any such agreement cannot be assured. Commercial credit
is a key  component  of the  services  the  Company  offers to the  professional
customer,  and the Company believes that this transition  creates an opportunity
to enhance customer satisfaction.

<PAGE>8


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 28, 1998,  Payless  employed  approximately  11,000  persons,
approximately  30% of whom 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 is  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:  competitor  activities;
stability of customer demand;  stability of the sales force;  supplier  support;
consumer  spending and debt levels;  interest rates;  housing  activity;  lumber
prices;  product mix; growth of certain market segments;  weather;  an excess of
retail  space  devoted to the sale of  building  materials;  the  success of the
Company's strategy;  and success of the Company's  remediation for the Year 2000
issue. 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.


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.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    Principal Occupation and
Name                      Age                                     Five-Year Employment History
- ----                      ---                                     ----------------------------
<S>                       <C>             <C>

Millard E. Barron.........49              President and Chief  Executive  Officer of Payless since June 1998;  President of Zellers,
First elected a director:                 Inc.and  Executive  Vice  President of   Hudson's  Bay  Company  from  September  1996  to
1998                 
                                          February   1998;   Senior   Vice   President   and   Chief   Operating   Officer   of  the
                                          International Division of Wal-Mart  Stores,  Inc. from August 1994 to September 1996; and 
                                          Vice President - Operations of Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. from November 1992 to August 1994.

Stanley K. Boyd...........47              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.

Richard G. Luse...........51              Senior Vice  President - Finance and Chief  Financial  Officer of Payless  since  February
                                          1998; and Vice President - Controller of Payless from February 1988 to February 1998.

<PAGE>9

                                                                    Principal Occupation and
Name                      Age                                     Five-Year Employment History
- ----                      ---                                     ----------------------------

Kelly R. Abney............44              Vice President - Logistics,  Replenishment and Facilities of Payless since June 1998; Vice
                                          President - Distribution  and  Transportation  of Payless from February 1997 to June 1998;
                                          Vice  President - Logistics of Pamida from  September  1994 to February 1997; and Director
                                          of Distribution of Payless from April 1990 to September 1994.

James L. Deats............50              Vice  President - Information  Systems of Payless since  October  1998;  Vice  President -
                                          Information  Services of One Price  Clothing,  Inc. from July 1997 to April 1998; and Vice
                                          President - Information  Services of Pier 1 Imports,  Inc. from September 1990 to February
                                          1997.

Renae G. Gonner...........36              Vice  President - Marketing and  Advertising  of Payless  since October 1998;  Director of
                                          Advertising  and  Marketing  Communications  of Payless  from July 1996 to  October  1998;
                                          Creative  Services  Manager of Payless from November 1993 to July 1996;  and Print Manager
                                          of  Payless  from  March 1993 to  November  1993.  Mr. H. D.  Cleberg,  a Director  of the
                                          Company, is Ms. Gonner's father.

Shawn J. Hepinstall.......38              Vice President -  Merchandising  of Payless since August 1998;  Merchandising  Director of
                                          Payless from March 1995 to August  1998;  and  Merchandising  Manager of Payless from July
                                          1991 to March 1995.

Louise R. Iennaccaro......54              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.

David J. Krumbholz........44              Vice  President -  Professional  Business of Payless  since July 1998;  and Regional  Vice
                                          President  of Payless  from  August 1988 to July 1998.  Mr.  Krumbholz  joined  Payless in
                                          January 1976.

Ronald D. Long............42              Vice  President -  Merchandising  Display and  Productivity  of Payless since August 1998;
                                          Vice  President -  Merchandising  Planning  and Control of Payless from May 1998 to August
                                          1998; and Vice President - Merchandising/Building  Materials of Payless from November 1993
                                          to May 1998.  Mr. Long joined Payless in December 1975.

Timothy R. Mertz..........47              Vice  President  - Treasury  of Payless  since  September  1998;  Director of Tax and Risk
                                          Management  from December 1995 to September 1998; and Tax Director of Payless from October
                                          1987 to December 1995.
</TABLE>


Item 2.  PROPERTIES.

       Excluding  five  stores  that are  currently  in the  process of closing,
Payless owns 130 of its store  facilities and 122 of the 154 sites on which such
stores are located.  The  remaining 24 facilities  and 32 sites are leased.  The
leases  provide  for  various  terms.  Mortgages  or deeds of trust on 137 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 130,000 square feet) of a multi-story building.

       See also "Strategic Initiatives," "Store Locations" and "Distribution and
Suppliers" in Item 1, above.
<PAGE>10


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
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 plaintiffs' motion for class  certification has been denied on
all  claims  except  the  age  discrimination  claims.  The  court  granted  the
plaintiffs' motion for class certification of certain age discrimination claims.
As a result of this ruling, eight additional individuals chose 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,
which was limited by the Bankruptcy Court to a maximum of $22 million.  The case
has been returned to the United States District Court for the Southern  District
of Iowa for resolution with mediation  scheduled for April 1999 and a trial date
currently set for July 1999. 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 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 44 of the Annual
Report to  Stockholders  for the  fiscal  year  ended  November  28,  1998,  are
incorporated herein by reference.


Item 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

       The Five-Year Financial Summary, included on page 40 of the Annual Report
to  Stockholders  for the fiscal year ended  November 28, 1998, 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 12 through 19 of the Annual Report to
Stockholders for the fiscal year ended November 28, 1998, is incorporated herein
by reference.

<PAGE>11


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

       Market Risk disclosures, included on page 15 of the Annual Report to  
Stockholders for the fiscal year ended November 28, 1998, are incorporated 
herein by reference.


Item 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.

       The financial  statements and independent  auditors' report,  included on
pages 20 through 39 of the Annual  Report to  Stockholders  for the fiscal  year
ended November 28, 1998, are incorporated herein by reference.

       The Quarterly  Consolidated  Statements of Operations,  included on pages
10 and 11 of the Annual Report to Stockholders for the fiscal year ended 
November 28, 1998, 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
1999 Annual Meeting of  Stockholders 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 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
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 1999 Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders 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 1999 Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders 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).
<PAGE>12


 2.2          Agreement and Plan of Merger in connection with the 
              Reincorporation  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          Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company.

 3.2          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).

 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  (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit  4.1(a)  filed as part of Payless'  Annual  Report on Form
              10-K for the year ended November 29, 1997).

 4.1(b)       First  amendment to Amended and Restated  Credit  Agreement  dated
              August 13, 1998, among Payless,  the Banks listed on the signature
              pages  thereof and Canadian  Imperial  Bank of Commerce,  New York
              Agency,  as Coordinating  and Collateral  Agent  (incorporated  by
              reference  to  Exhibit  4.1  filed as part of  Payless'  Quarterly
              Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended August 29, 1998).

 4.1(c)       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  (incorporated by reference
              to Exhibit 4.1(b) filed as part of Payless'  Annual Report on Form
              10-K for the year ended November 29, 1997).

 4.1(d)       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  (incorporated
              by  reference to Exhibit  4.1(c) filed as part of Payless'  Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 1997).

 4.1(e)       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  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  4.1(d) filed as
              part of  Payless'  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended
              November 29, 1997).

 4.1(f)       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  (incorporated  by reference to Exhibit  4.1(e) filed as
              part of  Payless'  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year  ended
              November 29, 1997).

 4.1(g)       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  (incorporated  by reference  to Exhibit  4.1(f)
              filed as part of Payless'  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
              ended November 29, 1997).

 4.2(a)       Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated December 2, 1997, by and
              among  Payless and UBS  Mortgage  Finance,  Inc  (incorporated  by
              reference  to  Exhibit  4.2(a)  filed as part of  Payless'  Annual
              Report on Form 10-K for the year ended November 29, 1997).

 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
              (incorporated  by  reference  to Exhibit  4.2(b)  filed as part of
              Payless'  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  November
              29, 1997).

<PAGE>13


 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 (incorporated by reference
              to Exhibit 4.1(c) filed as part of Payless'  Annual Report on Form
              10-K for the year ended November 29, 1997).

 4.2(d)       First  Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement dated 
              February 26, 1998, by and among Payless and UBS Mortgage Finance, 
              Inc.

 4.2(e)       Assignment of Amended and Restated Promissory Note dated August 
              12, 1998, by and among Payless and Greenwich  Capital  Financial 
              Products, Inc.

10.1*         Amended and Restated Payless Cashways, Inc. 1998 Omnibus Incentive
              Plan effective February 17, 1999.

10.2*         Settlement Agreement,  Resignation, and Full General Release dated
              January  5,  1998,  by and  between  Payless  and  David  Stanley.
              (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.2  filed  as part of
              Payless'  Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q for the  quarter  ended
              February 28, 1998).

10.3*         Settlement Agreement,  Resignation, and Full General Release dated
              January 6, 1998,  by and  between  Payless  and Susan M.  Stanton.
              (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.3  filed  as part of
              Payless'  Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q for the  quarter  ended
              February 28, 1998).

10.4*         Settlement Agreement,  Resignation, and Full General Release dated
              January  21,  1998,   by  and  between   Payless  and  Stephen  A.
              Lightstone.  (incorporated  by  reference to Exhibit 10.4 filed as
              part of  Payless'  Quarterly  Report on Form 10-Q for the  quarter
              ended February 28, 1998).

10.5*         Settlement Agreement,  Resignation, and Full General Release dated
              January 17, 1998,  by and between  Payless and G. Michael  Buchen.
              (incorporated  by  reference  to  Exhibit  10.5  filed  as part of
              Payless'  Quarterly  Report  on Form  10-Q for the  quarter  ended
              February 28, 1998).

10.6*         Settlement Agreement, Resignation,  and Full General Release dated
              January 23, 1998, by and between Payless and E. J. Holland,  Jr.  
              (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.6 filed as part of 
              Payless' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended 
              February 28, 1998).

10.7*         Form of Employment Agreement between Payless and certain executive
              officers.

10.8*         Form of Indemnification Agreement between Payless and various 
              officers and directors.

10.9*         Payless Cashways, Inc. Corporate Management Incentive Plan, dated 
              as of December 1998.

10.10(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).

10.10(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).

10.11*        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 Stockholders.

23.1          Consent of KPMG LLP.

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.

<PAGE>14


(b) Reports on Form 8-K.

     None

(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/Millard E. Barron
                                             ----------------------
                                             Millard E. Barron, 
                                             Principal Executive Officer
Dated:  February 17, 1999

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/Millard E. Barron
              ---------------------
              Millard E. Barron                    President, Chief Executive Officer and            February 17, 1999
                                                   Director
                                                   (Principal Executive Officer)

              s/Peter G. Danis
              ---------------------
              Peter G. Danis                       Non-Executive Chairman of the                     February 17, 1999
                                                   Board

              s/H. D. Cleberg
              ---------------------
              H. D. Cleberg                        Director                                          February 17, 1999

              s/David G. Gundling
              ---------------------
              David G. Gundling                    Director                                          February 17, 1999

              s/Max D. Hopper
              ---------------------
              Max D. Hopper                        Director                                          February 17, 1999

              s/Donald E. Roller
              ---------------------
              Donald E. Roller                     Director                                          February 17, 1999

              s/Peter M. Wood
              ---------------------
              Peter M. Wood                        Director                                          February 17, 1999

              s/Richard G. Luse
              ---------------------
              Richard G. Luse                      Senior Vice President-Finance                     February 17, 1999
                                                   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 28, 1998


                             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  Stockholders  for the year ended November 28,
1998, are incorporated by reference in Item 8:

         Statements  of  Operations--fiscal   years  ended  November  28,  1998,
November 29, 1997, and November 30, 1996.

         Balance Sheets--November 28, 1998, and November 29, 1997.

         Statements  of  Cash  Flows--fiscal  years  ended  November  28,  1998,
         November 29, 1997, and November 30, 1996.

         Statements of  Stockholders'  Equity--fiscal  years ended  November 28,
         1998, November 29, 1997, and November 30, 1996.

         Notes to Financial Statements.


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

         II - 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 LLP Letterhead]






                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT



     The Board of Directors
     Payless Cashways, Inc.:


     Under date of January 15, 1999 we reported on the balance sheets of Payless
     Cashways,  Inc.  as of  November  28,  1998 and  November  29, 1997 and the
     related statements of operations,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for
     each of the fiscal years in the  three-year  period ended November 28, 1998
     as contained in the 1998 annual  report to  stockholders.  These  financial
     statements  and our report  thereon are  incorporated  by  reference in the
     annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year 1998. In connection with our
     audits of the  aforementioned  financial  statements,  we also  audited the
     related financial statement schedule as listed in the 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  B  to  the  financial  statements,  the  financial
     statements reflect the application of fresh-start  reporting as of November
     29,  1997  and,  therefore,  are  not  comparable  in all  respects  to the
     financial statements for periods prior to such date. As discussed in Note J
     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 LLP



     Kansas City, Missouri
     January 15, 1999



<PAGE>19



                        SCHEDULE II - 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 28, 1998:
              Reserve for Inventory Shrink
              and Obsolescence.................      $  15,031             $  22,667             $  25,806               $  11,892

              Reserves for Special Charges.....      $   6,876             $   7,421             $   9,909               $   4,388

              Reserve for Bad Debt.............      $   5,879             $   5,450             $   5,448               $   5,881

YEAR ENDED NOVEMBER 29, 1997:
              Reserve for Inventory Shrink
              and Obsolescence.................      $  13,604             $  21,960             $  20,533               $  15,031

              Reserves for Special Charges.....      $  10,532             $  13,056             $  16,712               $   6,876

              Reserve for Bad Debt.............      $   5,740             $   6,765             $   6,626               $   5,879

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

              Reserves for Special Charges.....      $  20,083             $   8,184             $  17,735               $  10,532

              Reserve for Bad Debt.............      $   5,513             $   4,944             $   4,717               $   5,740
</TABLE>


<PAGE>1


                           AMENDED AND RESTATED BYLAWS

                                       OF

                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.,

                                   AS AMENDED



                                    ARTICLE I
                                     OFFICES

         Section 1. Registered  Office. The registered office of the corporation
in the State of Delaware shall be located at The Corporation Trust Center,  1209
Orange Street,  Wilmington,  New Castle County,  Delaware 19801. The name of the
corporation's  registered  agent at such address shall be The Corporation  Trust
Company. The registered office and/or registered agent of the corporation may be
changed from time to time by action of the board of directors.

         Section 2. Other Offices.  The corporation may have additional  offices
at such other  places,  both within and without  the State of  Delaware,  as the
board of  directors  may from  time to time  determine  or the  business  of the
corporation may require.

                                   ARTICLE II
                            MEETINGS OF STOCKHOLDERS

         Section 1. Annual  Meetings.  Annual meetings of  stockholders  for the
election  of  directors,  and for such  other  business  as may be stated in the
notice of the meeting, shall be held at such place, either within or without the
State of  Delaware,  and at such  time and date as the  board of  directors,  by
resolution,  shall  determine and as set forth in the notice of the meeting.  If
the  board of  directors  fails so to  determine  the  time,  date and  place of
meeting,  the annual  meeting  of  stockholders  shall be held at the  principal
executive  office of the  corporation on the first Tuesday in April. If the date
of the annual meeting shall fall upon a legal holiday, the meeting shall be held
on the next succeeding business day.

         Section 2.  Special  Meetings.  Except as  otherwise  required  by law,
special  meetings of the  stockholders for any purpose or purposes may be called
by the  Chairman  or Chief  Executive  Officer,  by  resolution  of the board of
directors  adopted by the affirmative  vote of a majority of the directors or by
the written  request of the holders of record  representing  at least 25% of the
voting  power of all of the shares of the  corporation  entitled  to vote on the
issue or issues to be presented to the meeting.

<PAGE>2


         Section 3. Place of Meetings.  The board of directors may designate any
place,  either within or without the State of Delaware,  as the place of meeting
for any annual  meeting.  The person or persons  calling a special  meeting  may
designate  any place,  either  within or without the State of  Delaware,  as the
place of meeting for such special meeting.  If no designation is made, the place
of the  annual or  special  meeting  shall be in the State of the  corporation's
principal executive offices.

         Section 4. Notice.  Whenever  stockholders are required or permitted to
take action at a meeting,  written or printed notice stating the place, date and
time of such  meeting,  and,  in the case of a special  meeting,  the purpose or
purposes  for which the  meeting is called,  shall be given to each  stockholder
entitled  to vote at such  meeting  not less than ten nor more than  sixty  days
before the date of the meeting.  Such notices may be given, either personally or
by mail, by or at the direction of the board of directors,  the chief  executive
officer or the secretary.  Written notice may also be given by telegram,  telex,
cable or  facsimile  transmission  followed,  if required  by  Delaware  law, by
deposit in the United States mail, with postage prepaid.  If mailed, such notice
shall be deemed to be  delivered  when  deposited  in the  United  States  mail,
postage prepaid,  addressed to the stockholder at his, her or its address as the
same appears on the records of the corporation. Attendance of a stockholder at a
meeting  shall  constitute a waiver of notice of such  meeting,  except when the
stockholder attends for the express purpose of objecting at the beginning of the
meeting to the  transaction of any business  because the meeting is not lawfully
called or convened.

         Section 5.  Stockholders  List.  The officer having charge of the stock
ledger of the corporation  shall make, at least ten days before every meeting of
the stockholders,  a complete list of the stockholders  entitled to vote at such
meeting arranged in alphabetical order,  showing the address of each stockholder
and the number of shares registered in the name of each  stockholder.  Such list
shall be open to the examination of any stockholder,  for any purpose germane to
the meeting,  during ordinary  business hours, for a period of at least ten days
prior to the meeting,  either at a place within the city where the meeting is to
be held,  which place shall be specified in the notice of the meeting or, if not
so specified,  at the place where the meeting is to be held. The list shall also
be produced and kept at the time and place of the meeting  during the whole time
thereof and may be inspected by any stockholder who is present.

         Section 6. Quorum.  The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares
of capital stock of the  corporation,  present in person or represented by proxy
at a meeting of the stockholders and entitled to vote thereat,  shall constitute
a quorum at such  meeting,  except as  otherwise  provided  by statute or by the
certificate  of  incorporation.  If a quorum is not  present,  the  holders of a
majority of the shares  present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting
and  entitled to vote  thereat  may  adjourn the meeting to another  time and/or
place,  without further notice to the stockholders other than an announcement at
such  meeting  until  holders of the number of shares  required to  constitute a
quorum shall be present in person or by proxy.  When a quorum is once present to
commence  a  meeting  of  stockholders,  it is  not  broken  by  the  subsequent
withdrawal of any stockholders or their proxies.

<PAGE>3


         Section 7. Adjourned  Meetings.  When a meeting is adjourned to another
time and/or place, notice need not be given of the adjourned meeting if the time
and place  thereof  are  announced  at the meeting at which the  adjournment  is
taken. The corporation may transact any business at the adjourned  meeting which
might have been  transacted at the original  meeting.  If the adjournment is for
more than thirty days or if after the adjournment a new record date is fixed for
the adjourned  meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to each
stockholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

         Section 8. Vote  Required.  When a quorum is present,  the  affirmative
vote of a majority  of votes cast by holders of shares  entitled  to vote on the
subject matter shall be the act of the stockholders,  unless the question is one
upon which,  by express  provisions of an  applicable  law, the  certificate  of
incorporation or these bylaws, a different vote is required,  in which case such
express provision shall govern and control the decision of such question.

         Section 9. Voting Rights.  Except as otherwise provided by the Delaware
General  Corporation Law or by the certificate of incorporation,  and subject to
Section 3 of Article VI hereof,  every stockholder shall at every meeting of the
stockholders  be  entitled  to one vote in person or by proxy for each  share of
capital stock having voting power held by such stockholder.

         Section 10. Proxies.  Each stockholder entitled to vote at a meeting of
stockholders  may authorize  another  person or persons to act for him or her by
proxy, but such proxy,  whether revocable or irrevocable,  shall comply with the
requirements  of Delaware law. A duly executed  proxy shall be irrevocable if it
states that it is irrevocable and if, and only as long as, it is coupled with an
interest  sufficient in law to support an irrevocable power. A proxy may be made
irrevocable  regardless  of whether the interest  with which it is coupled is an
interest in the stock itself or an interest in the  corporation  generally.  Any
proxy is suspended  when the person  executing the proxy is present at a meeting
of stockholders and elects to vote,  except that when such proxy is coupled with
an interest and the fact of the interest  appears on the face of the proxy,  the
agent named in the proxy shall have all voting and other  rights  referred to in
the proxy,  notwithstanding  the presence of the person  executing the proxy. At
each meeting of the stockholders,  and before any voting commences,  all proxies
filed at or  before  the  meeting  shall be  submitted  to and  examined  by the
secretary of the  corporation or a person  designated by the  secretary,  and no
shares  may be  represented  or voted  under a proxy  that has been  found to be
invalid or irregular.

         Section  11.  Proposed  Business  for  Annual  Meetings.  Except as may
otherwise be required by applicable law or regulation or be expressly authorized
by the  entire  board of  directors,  a  stockholder  may make a  nomination  or
nominations for director of the corporation at an annual meeting of stockholders
or  may  bring  up  any  other  matter  for  consideration  and  action  by  the
stockholders  at an annual  meeting of  stockholders,  only if the provisions of
subsections A, B, C and D hereto shall have been  satisfied.  If such provisions
shall  not  have  been  satisfied,  any  nomination  sought  to be made or other
business sought to be presented by a stockholder for consideration and action by
the  stockholders at such a meeting shall be deemed not properly

<PAGE>4


brought before the meeting,  shall be ruled by the chairman of the meeting to be
out of order, and shall not be presented or acted upon at the meeting.

         A.       The stockholder  must be a stockholder of record on the record
                  date  for  such  annual   meeting,   must  continue  to  be  a
                  stockholder of record at the time of such meeting, and must be
                  entitled to vote thereat.

         B.       The  stockholder  must  deliver  or  cause  to  be delivered a
                  written notice to the secretary of the corporation.  Such     
                  notice must be received  by the  secretary  no less than sixty
                  days prior to the first anniversary  of  the  previous  year's
                  annual  meeting;  provided,  however,  that if the date of the
                  annual meeting has been changed by more than thirty  days from
                  the date of the previous  year's annual  meeting,  such notice
                  must be received by the  secretary not later  than  ten days  
                  following  the date on which public  announcement  of the date
                  of such meeting is first made. The notice  shall  specify (a) 
                  the name and address of the  stockholder as they appear on the
                  books of the corporation, (b) the  number  of  shares  of  the
                  corporation which are beneficially  owned by the  stockholder;
                  (c) any  material  interest of the stockholder in the proposed
                  business  described in the notice;  (d) if such business is a 
                  nomination  for director, each nomination sought to be made,  
                  together with the reasons for each nomination,a description of
                  the qualifications and business or professional experience  of
                  each proposed nominee and a statement signed by each nominee  
                  indicating  his or her  willingness  to serve if elected,  and
                  disclosing the  information  about him or her that is required
                  by the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended           
                  (the "1934 Act"),  and the rules and  regulations  promulgated
                  thereunder to be disclosed  in the proxy  materials  for the  
                  meeting  involved  if  he  or  she  were  a  nominee  of  the 
                  corporation for election as one of its directors; (e) if  such
                  business is other than a nomination  for director,  the nature
                  of the business, the reasons why it is sought to be raised and
                  submitted for a vote of the stockholders  and if and why it is
                  deemed by the stockholder to be beneficial to the corporation,
                  and (f) if  so  requested  by  the  corporation,  all  other  
                  information  that would be required to be filed with the      
                  Securities and Exchange Commission if,  with  respect to  the 
                  business proposed to be brought before the meeting, the person
                  proposing such business was a participant in a solicitation   
                  subject to Section 14 of the 1934 Act.

         C.       Notwithstanding satisfaction of the provisions of subsection A
                  and  subsection  B, the  proposed  business  described  in the
                  notice may be deemed  not to be  properly  brought  before the
                  meeting if, pursuant to state law or to any rule or regulation
                  of the Securities and Exchange Commission, it was offered as a
                  stockholder  proposal  and was omitted from the notice of, and
                  proxy  material for, the meeting (or any  supplement  thereto)
                  authorized by the board of directors.

         D.       In  the  event  such  notice  is  timely  given   pursuant  to
                  subsection  B  and  the  business  described  therein  is  not
                  disqualified  pursuant to  subsection  C, such business may

<PAGE>5


                  be presented by, and only by, the  stockholder  who shall have
                  given the notice required by subsection B or a  representative
                  of such  stockholder  who is  qualified  under  the law of the
                  State of Delaware to present the proposal on the stockholder's
                  behalf at the meeting.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                    DIRECTORS

         Section 1. General Powers. The business and affairs of the  corporation
shall be managed by or under the direction of the board of directors.

         Section 2. Number, Election and Term of Office. Upon the effective date
of these bylaws,  the number of directors  which shall  constitute  the board of
directors  shall be nine.  Thereafter,  the  number  of  directors  which  shall
constitute the board of directors shall be established from time to time by, and
only  by,   resolution  duly  adopted  by  a  majority  of  the  directors  then
constituting the entire board of directors.  Except as otherwise provided in the
certificate  of  incorporation  or in Section 3 of this  Article III, a director
shall be elected at an annual meeting of the  stockholders by a plurality of the
votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and
entitled to vote in the election of directors. A director's term of office shall
be  as  provided  in  the  certificate  of  incorporation  and,  to  the  extent
applicable,  the order of the United  States  Bankruptcy  Court for the  Western
District of Missouri  confirming  the First  Amended Plan of  Reorganization  of
Payless   Cashways,   Inc.,   an   Iowa   corporation,   as  a   debtor   and  a
debtor-in-possession  in a Chapter 11 proceeding in such Court. A director shall
hold office until the annual meeting for the year in which such  director's term
expires and until a successor shall be duly elected and qualified, or until such
director's   earlier  death,   resignation,   disqualification   or  removal  as
hereinafter provided. Directors need not be stockholders of the corporation.

         Section  3.  Vacancies.   Vacancies  and  newly  created  directorships
resulting from any increase in the authorized  number of directors may be filled
only by the board of directors and in the manner  provided in the certificate of
incorporation.  The term of office of a director so chosen  shall be as provided
in the certificate of  incorporation.  Each director so chosen shall hold office
until the annual meeting for the year in which such  director's term expires and
until a successor shall be duly elected and qualified,  or until such director's
earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal as hereinafter provided.

         Section 4. Removal and Resignation. Any director or the entire board of
directors  may be removed  at such time and in such  manner as  provided  in the
certificate  of  incorporation.  Any  director  who is  also an  officer  of the
corporation who resigns his or her position as an officer of the corporation, or
is  terminated,  disqualified  or removed as an officer of the  corporation,  or
otherwise  ceases  to serve  in such  capacity,  shall  also be  deemed  to have
resigned as a director of the  corporation.  Any director may resign at any time
upon written notice to the corporation.

<PAGE>6


         Section 5. Regular  Meetings.  The annual meeting of each newly elected
board  of  directors  shall  be  held  without  notice  other  than  this  bylaw
immediately after, and at the same place as, the annual meeting of stockholders.
Other regular  meetings of the board of directors may be held without  notice at
such time and at such place, either within or without the State of Delaware,  as
shall from time to time be determined by resolution of the board of directors.

         Section 6. Special Meetings. Special meetings of the board of directors
may be called by or at the request of the  Chairman,  Chief  Executive  Officer,
President  or a  majority  of the board of  directors.  The person or persons so
calling such special  meeting shall designate the time and place for the holding
of such meeting.  The place so designated may be any place in the United States,
either  within or without the State of Delaware.  Notice of any special  meeting
shall be given at least two days  prior to the date  fixed for such  meeting  by
written  notice  delivered  personally,  by mail, or by a nationally  recognized
overnight delivery service to each director at his business address, or by telex
or  telecopy.  If notice  is given by mail,  such  notice  shall be deemed to be
delivered  three days after such notice is deposited with the United States mail
properly  addressed,  postage prepaid.  If notice is given by overnight delivery
service,  such  notice  shall be deemed  delivered  one day after such notice is
delivered  during  business hours to such overnight  delivery  service  properly
addressed,  postage  prepaid.  If  notice  is  given  personally  or by telex or
telecopy, such notice shall be deemed to be delivered when received. Neither the
business to be transacted at nor the purpose of any special meeting of the board
of  directors  need be  specified  in the  notice  or  waiver  of notice of such
meeting.  Any member of the board of directors or any  committee  thereof who is
present at a meeting  shall be  conclusively  presumed to have waived  notice of
such  meeting  except  when such  member  attends  for the  express  purpose  of
objecting  at the  beginning of the meeting to the  transaction  of any business
because the meeting is not lawfully called or convened.

         Section 7. Quorum,  Required  Vote and  Adjournment.  A majority of the
total  number of  directors  then in office  shall  constitute  a quorum for the
transaction  of  business at any  meeting of the board of  directors.  Except as
otherwise  provided by the certificate of incorporation,  the vote of a majority
of directors  present at a meeting at which a quorum is present shall be the act
of the board of directors. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a
quorum is present,  may  adjourn any regular or special  meeting of the board of
directors to another time and place.  Notice need not be given of the  adjourned
meeting if the time and place to which the meeting is adjourned are announced at
the meeting at which  adjournment  is taken,  and at the  adjourned  meeting any
business  may be  transacted  that might have been  transacted  at the  original
meeting.

         Section 8.  Committees.  The board of directors  may, by  resolution or
resolutions  adopted  by a  majority  of the  whole  board,  designate  an audit
committee, a compensation  committee,  and a corporate governance and nominating
committee,  each such  committee  to  consist  of one or more  directors  of the
corporation.  The audit  committee  shall  monitor  and review the  adequacy  of
financial,  operating and system controls, financial reporting,  compliance with
legal, ethical and regulatory requirements,  and the performance of the external
and  internal  auditors,  serving as the conduit for  communication  between the
board of directors and external and internal auditors. The audit committee shall
recommend  to the board of  directors  the  independent  public

<PAGE>7


accountants to conduct the annual examination of financial statements and shall 
also review the proposed  scope and fees of the  examination,  as well as its   
results, and any significant,  non-audit  services and fees.  The  compensation 
committee shall review  the  compensation  (wages,  salaries,   supplemental    
compensation  and benefits) of the executive  officers of the corporation,  
including approval of compensation and benefit policies,  approval of direct and
indirect executive officer compensation, administration  of stock programs,  and
oversight of the corporation's  executive development plan. The compensation 
committee shall make recommendations  to the board of directors  regarding  
compensation and benefits for directors. The corporate governance and nominating
committee shall review the size, composition and  effectiveness  of the board of
directors,  including retention, tenure and retirement policies, criteria for 
selection of nominees to the board of directors,  qualifications of candidates, 
membership and structure of board committees, and developments in corporate 
governance.

         In  addition  to the  committees  specifically  provided  for in  these
bylaws, the board of directors of the corporation,  by resolution or resolutions
adopted by a majority of the whole board of  directors,  may designate any other
committees,  each such  committee to consist of one or more of the  directors of
the corporation. To the extent provided in such resolution or resolutions,  each
such committee  shall have and may exercise all of the authority of the board of
directors in the management of the corporation.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing,
no  committee  established  hereunder  shall have the power or  authority to (a)
approve,  adopt or recommend to the  stockholders any action or matter expressly
required  by  the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law  to be  submitted  to the
stockholders for approval,  (b) amend the certificate of incorporation or adopt,
amend or repeal any bylaw of the corporation,  (c) authorize  dividends or other
distributions,  (d) fill  vacancies  on the  board of  directors,  (e)  adopt an
agreement of merger or  consolidation  under  Section 251 or 252 of the Delaware
General  Corporation  Law or a certificate  of ownership and merger  pursuant to
Section 253 of the  Delaware  General  Corporation  Law;  (f)  recommend  to the
stockholders  the sale,  lease or  exchange of all or  substantially  all of the
corporation's property and assets or recommend to the stockholders a dissolution
of the  corporation  or a revocation of a dissolution  of the  corporation,  (g)
authorize or approve a reacquisition of shares, except according to a formula or
method  prescribed by the board of  directors,  and (h) authorize or approve the
issuance or sale or contract for sale of shares,  or determine  the  designation
and  relative  rights,  preferences,  and  limitations  of a class or  series of
shares, except that the board of directors may authorize a committee or a senior
executive  officer  of  the  corporation  to do so  within  limits  specifically
prescribed by the board of directors.

         The  designation of any such  committee and the  delegation  thereto of
authority  shall not  operate to relieve the board of  directors,  or any member
thereof, of any responsibility imposed upon the board or any director by law.

         The board of directors  shall elect the members of any such  committee,
which members  shall serve at the pleasure of the board.  The board of directors
may designate one or more directors as alternate  members of any committee,  who
may replace any absent or disqualified member at any meeting of such committee.

<PAGE>8


         Section 9.  Committee  Rules.  Each committee of the board of directors
may fix its own rules of  procedure  and shall hold its  meetings as provided by
such rules,  except as may otherwise be provided by a resolution of the board of
directors  designating  such  committee.  Unless  otherwise  provided  in such a
resolution,  a majority  of the  members of the  committee  shall  constitute  a
quorum.  In the event that a member and that member's  alternate,  if alternates
are  designated  by the board of  directors  as  provided  in  Section 8 of this
Article III, of such committee is or are absent or  disqualified,  the member or
members thereof present at any meeting and not disqualified from voting, whether
or not such  member or members  constitute  a quorum,  may  unanimously  appoint
another  member of the board of  directors to act at the meeting in place of any
such absent or disqualified member.

         Each committee  shall keep regular  minutes of its  proceedings,  which
minutes shall be recorded in the minute book of the  corporation.  The secretary
or an  assistant  secretary  of the  corporation  may act as  secretary  for any
committee if the committee so requests.

         Section  10.  Lead  Director;   Chairman.   In  an  effort  to  enhance
efficiency,  independence and informed  decision-making,  the board of directors
may  designate  a Lead  Director  when the  Chairman  of the Board and the Chief
Executive  Officer  are the same  person,  who shall  perform a number of tasks,
including: acting as Chairman of the Board when the Chairman/CEO is unable or it
is inadvisable for the  Chairman/CEO  to chair the Board;  acting as Chairman of
the Corporate  Governance and Nominating  Committee;  convening  meetings of the
independent   directors';   coordinating  and   communicating   CEO  performance
evaluations;  and  representing  independent  directors in  communications  with
stockholders,  as  appropriate.  When the  Chief  Executive  Officer  is not the
Chairman,  the  board of  directors  may  select  one of its  number to serve as
Chairman.   The  Chairman  of  the  Board  shall  preside  at  all  meetings  of
stockholders and of the board of directors and shall have and perform such other
duties as may be assigned by the board of directors

         Section  11.  Meetings  of  Independent   Directors.   The  independent
directors of the corporation shall meet at least annually to discuss significant
corporate governance matters,  executive review, management succession and other
items.

         Section 12. Communications Equipment. Members of the board of directors
or any committee thereof may participate in and act at any meeting of such board
or committee through the use of a conference  telephone or other  communications
equipment  by means of which all persons  participating  in the meeting can hear
each other,  and  participation  in the meeting  pursuant to this section  shall
constitute presence in person at the meeting.

         Section 13. Presumption of Assent. A director of the corporation who is
present at a meeting of the Board of Directors at which action on any  corporate
matter is taken shall be presumed to have  assented to such action unless his or
her  dissent  shall be entered  in the  minutes  of the  meeting or unless  such
director  shall file his or her  written  dissent to such action with the person
acting as the secretary of the meeting before the  adjournment  thereof or shall
forward such dissent by  registered  or certified  mail to the  secretary of the
corporation immediately after

<PAGE>9


the adjournment of the meeting.  Such right to dissent shall not apply to a 
director who voted in favor of such action.

         Section 14. Action by Written Consent.  Unless otherwise  restricted by
the certificate of  incorporation,  any action required or permitted to be taken
at any meeting of the board of directors,  or of any committee  thereof,  may be
taken  without a meeting if all members of the board or  committee,  as the case
may be, consent  thereto in writing.  Such written  consents shall be filed with
the minutes of proceedings of the board or committee.

         Section  15.  Compensation.  The  board  of  directors  shall  fix  the
compensation of directors.  The directors may be paid their expenses, if any, of
attendance at each meeting of the board of directors and may be paid a fixed sum
for  attendance  at each meeting of the board of directors or a stated salary as
director.  No  such  payment  shall  preclude  any  director  from  serving  the
corporation in any other capacity and receiving compensation  therefor.  Members
of special or standing committees may be allowed like compensation for attending
committee  meetings.  Any Lead Director and any director serving as the chairman
of a committee may receive additional compensation for serving as such.

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                    OFFICERS

         Section 1.  Number.  The officers of the  corporation  shall be a Chief
Executive Officer, a President,  one or more Vice Presidents,  a Treasurer and a
Secretary, all of whom shall be elected by the board of directors and shall hold
office until their successors are elected and qualified.  In addition, the board
of directors may elect such Assistant Secretaries and Assistant Treasurers as it
may deem  proper.  The board of directors  may appoint  such other  officers and
agents as it may deem advisable, who shall hold their offices for such terms and
shall  exercise such powers and perform such duties as shall be determined  from
time to time by the board of directors. Any number of offices may be held by the
same  person  except  that  neither  the  chairman  of the  board  nor the chief
executive  officer shall also hold the office of secretary.  In its  discretion,
the board of  directors  may  choose not to fill any office for any period as it
may deem  advisable,  except  that the  offices of chief  executive  officer and
secretary shall be filled as expeditiously as possible.

         Section 2. Election and Term of Office. The officers of the corporation
shall be elected  annually by the board of directors  at its first  meeting held
after  each  annual  meeting of  stockholders  or as soon  thereafter  as may be
practicable.  Vacancies  may be filled or new offices  created and filled at any
meeting  of the board of  directors.  Each  officer  shall hold  office  until a
successor is duly elected and qualified or until such  officer's  earlier death,
resignation, disqualification or removal as hereinafter provided.

         Section 3.  Removal.  Any officer or agent  elected by the board of    
directors may be removed by the board of directors  whenever in its judgment the
best interests of the corporation would be served thereby.

<PAGE>10


         Section 4.  Vacancies. Any vacancy occurring in any office  because  of
death, resignation, removal, disqualification or otherwise, may be filled by the
board of directors for the unexpired portion of the term.

         Section 5.  Compensation.  Compensation of all executive officers shall
be fixed by the board of  directors,  and no  officer  shall be  prevented  from
receiving such compensation by virtue of his or her also being a director of the
corporation.

         Section 6. The Chief Executive  Officer.  The Chief  Executive  Officer
shall  have  general   charge  and   management   of  the   business,   affairs,
administration and operations of the corporation, shall carry out such duties as
are  delegated  by the  board  of  directors,  shall  see that  all  orders  and
resolutions  of the board of  directors  are  carried  out,  shall have power to
execute all contracts and agreements authorized by the board of directors, shall
make reports to the board of directors and stockholders,  and shall perform such
other duties as are incident to the office or are properly required by the board
of directors. The Chief Executive Officer shall be responsible for the direction
and supervision of all personnel  within his or her appointive  powers and shall
also  have the  power to  discipline  or  discharge  such  personnel.  The Chief
Executive Officer shall sit with the board of directors in deliberation upon all
matters pertaining to the general business and policies of the corporation.

         Section 7.  President.  The President  shall have such powers and shall
perform such duties as shall be assigned to him or her by the board of directors
or the Chairman as appropriate. Except as the board of directors shall authorize
execution  thereof in some other  manner,  the President  shall  execute  bonds,
mortgages and other contracts on behalf of the corporation.

         Section 8. Vice Presidents.  Each Vice President shall have such powers
and shall perform such duties as shall be assigned to him or her by the board of
directors or Chief Executive Officer, as appropriate.

         Section 9.  Treasurer.  The Treasurer shall be the custodian of all the
corporate  funds and  securities  and shall  keep full and  accurate  account of
receipts and disbursements in books belonging to the corporation,  shall deposit
all moneys and other  valuables in the name and to the credit of the corporation
in such  depositaries  as may be  designated  by the board of  directors,  shall
disburse  the  funds  of the  corporation  as may be  ordered  by the  board  of
directors, or the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer or President,  taking proper
vouchers  for such  disbursement,  and shall render to the board of directors at
the regular meetings of the board of directors, or whenever they may request it,
an account of all  transactions  as Treasurer and of the financial  condition of
the  corporation.  The  Treasurer  shall at all  reasonable  times  exhibit  the
corporation's  books  and  accounts  to any  director  of the  corporation  upon
application at the principal  office of the  corporation  during business hours.
The  Treasurer  shall have such other powers and shall perform such other duties
as may from time to time be  assigned  to him or by her by the  Chief  Executive
Officer or the board of directors,  as appropriate.  If required by the board of
directors,  the  Treasurer  shall give the  corporation  a bond for the faithful
discharge of the  Treasurer's  duties in such amount and with such surety as the
board shall prescribe.

<PAGE>11


         Section 10. Secretary.  The Secretary shall give, or cause to be given,
notice of all  meetings of  stockholders  and  directors  and all other  notices
required  by law or by these  bylaws,  and in case of the  absence or refusal or
neglect so to do, any such notice may be given by any person thereunto  directed
by the Chairman,  Chief Executive  Officer,  or President,  or by the directors,
upon whose  request  the  meeting is called as  provided  in these  bylaws.  The
Secretary  shall be the  custodian  of,  and shall  make or cause to be made the
proper entries in, the minute book of the  corporation  and such other books and
records  as the  board of  directors  may  direct.  The  Secretary  shall be the
custodian of the corporate seal for the  corporation and shall affix or cause to
be affixed such seal to such  contracts  and other  instruments  as the board of
directors  may direct and shall  perform  such other  duties as may from time to
time be  assigned to him or her by the Chief  Executive  Officer or the board of
directors, as appropriate.

         Section 11. Assistant Treasurers and Assistant  Secretaries.  Assistant
Treasurers  and Assistant  Secretaries,  if any, shall be appointed by the Chief
Executive  Officer and shall have such powers and shall  perform  such duties as
shall be assigned to them,  respectively,  by the Chief Executive Officer or the
board of directors, as appropriate.

         Section 12. Other Officers,  Assistant  Officers and Agents.  Officers,
assistant  officers  and  agents,  if any,  other  than those  whose  duties are
provided for in these bylaws,  shall have such authority and perform such duties
as may from time to time be prescribed by resolution of the board of directors.

         Section  13.  Absence or  Disability  of  Officers.  In the case of the
absence or disability of any officer of the  corporation  and that of any person
hereby  authorized to act in such officer's place during such officer's  absence
or  disability  or for  any  other  reason  the  board  of  directors  may  deem
sufficient,  the board of directors  may by  resolution  delegate the powers and
duties of such officer to any other  officer,  to any director,  or to any other
person whom it may select.

                                    ARTICLE V
                INDEMNIFICATION OF OFFICERS, DIRECTORS AND OTHERS

         Section 1. Procedure for Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Any
indemnification  of a  director  or  officer  of the  corporation  or advance of
expenses under Article VIII of the  certificate of  incorporation  shall be made
promptly,  and in any event within thirty days,  upon the written request of the
director or officer.  If a determination by the corporation that the director or
officer is entitled to  indemnification  pursuant to this Article V is required,
and the corporation  fails to respond within sixty days to a written request for
indemnity,  the corporation shall be deemed to have approved the request. If the
corporation  denies a  written  request  for  indemnification  or  advancing  of
expenses, in whole or in part, or if payment in full pursuant to such request is
not made within thirty days, the right to indemnification or advances as granted
by this Article V shall be  enforceable  by the director or officer in any court
of  competent  jurisdiction.  Such  person's  costs  and  expenses  incurred  in
connection with successfully  establishing his or her right to  indemnification,
in  whole or in  part,  in any such  action  shall  also be  indemnified  by the
corporation. It shall be a defense  to any such  action  (other  than an action 

<PAGE>12


brought to enforce a claim for expenses  incurred in defending any proceeding in
advance of its final disposition  where the  required  undertaking, if any, has 
been tendered to the corporation) that the claimant has not met the standards of
conduct which make it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation Law for
the corporation to indemnify the claimant for the amount claimed, but the burden
of such defense shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the
corporation (including its board of directors,  independent legal counsel or its
stockholders)  to have made a  determination  prior to the  commencement of such
action  that  indemnification  of the  claimant  is proper in the  circumstances
because he or she has met the  applicable  standard  of conduct set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the corporation
(including   its  board  of   directors,   independent   legal  counsel  or  its
stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct,
shall be a defense to the action or create a  presumption  that the claimant has
not met the applicable standard of conduct.

         Section 2. Article Not Exclusive. The rights to indemnification and the
payment of expenses  incurred in defending a proceeding  in advance of its final
disposition  conferred  in this  Article V shall not be  exclusive  of any other
right  which  any  person  may have or  hereafter  acquire  under  any  statute,
provision  or the  certificate  of  incorporation,  bylaw,  agreement,  vote  of
stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise.

         Section 3.  Employees  and  Agents.  Persons who are not covered by the
foregoing  provisions of this Article V and who are or were  employees or agents
of the corporation, or who are or were serving at the request of the corporation
as employees or agents of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
or other enterprise,  may be indemnified to the extent authorized at any time or
from  time to time by the board of  directors.  Expenses  (including  attorneys'
fees)  incurred  by  employees  and  agents  may be paid  upon  such  terms  and
conditions, if any, as the board of directors deems appropriate;  provided, that
such expenses may only be paid by the  corporation  in advance of a proceeding's
final  disposition  upon  receipt  of an  undertaking  by or on  behalf  of such
employee or agent to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be determined that
he or she is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation.

         Section 4. Contract  Rights.  The provisions of this Article V shall be
deemed to be a contract  right  between  the  corporation  and each  director or
officer who serves in any such capacity at any time while this Article V and the
relevant  provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law or other applicable
law are in effect,  and any repeal or modification of this Article V or any such
law shall not affect any rights or obligations then existing with respect to any
state of facts or proceeding then existing.

         Section 5. Merger or  Consolidation.  For  purposes of this  Article V,
references  to "the  corporation"  shall  include,  in addition to the resulting
corporation,  any  constituent  corporation  (including  any  constituent  of  a
constituent)  absorbed  in a  consolidation  or merger  which,  if its  separate
existence  had  continued,  would have had power and  authority to indemnify its
directors,  officers,  and  employees  or  agents,  so that any  person who is a
director,  officer,  employee or agent of such constituent  corporation or is or
was  serving  at the  request of such  constituent  corporation  as a  director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation,  partnership,  joint

<PAGE>13


venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under this 
Article V with respect to the resulting or surviving  corporation  as he or she 
would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its separate 
existence had continued.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                              CERTIFICATES OF STOCK

         Section  1. Form.  Every  holder of stock in the  corporation  shall be
entitled to have a certificate  signed by, or in the name of, the corporation by
the chief executive  officer or a  vice-president  of the corporation and by the
secretary or an assistant secretary of the corporation, certifying the number of
shares of the corporation owned by such holder.  The signature of any such chief
executive  officer,  vice-president,  secretary  or assistant  secretary  may be
facsimiles.  In case any officer or officers who have signed, or whose facsimile
signature or signatures have been used on, any such  certificate or certificates
shall cease to be such officer or officers of the  corporation,  whether because
of death, resignation or otherwise, before such certificate or certificates have
been  delivered  by  the  corporation,  such  certificate  or  certificates  may
nevertheless  be issued and delivered as though the person or persons who signed
such certificate or certificates or whose facsimile signature or signatures have
been  used  thereon  had  not  ceased  to be such  officer  or  officers  of the
corporation.  All  certificates  for shares shall be  consecutively  numbered or
otherwise  identified.  The name of the  person to whom the  shares  represented
thereby  are  issued,  with the  number  of shares  and date of issue,  shall be
entered  on the books of the  corporation.  Shares  of stock of the  corporation
shall be  transferred  on the  books of the  corporation  only by the  holder of
record  thereof or by such holder's  attorney duly  authorized in writing,  upon
surrender to the corporation of the certificate or certificates  for such shares
endorsed  by the  appropriate  person  or  persons,  with such  evidence  of the
authenticity of such endorsement,  transfer,  authorization and other matters as
the corporation may reasonably  require,  and accompanied by all necessary stock
transfer stamps. In that event, it shall be the duty of the corporation to issue
a new certificate or certificates  and record the transaction on its books.  The
board of directors may appoint a bank or trust company  organized under the laws
of the  United  States  or any state  thereof  to act as its  transfer  agent or
registrar,  or both, in  connection  with the transfer of any class or series of
securities of the corporation.

         Section 2. Lost  Certificates.  The board of directors may direct a new
certificate  or  certificates  to be  issued  in  place  of any  certificate  or
certificates  previously  issued by the  corporation  alleged to have been lost,
stolen or  destroyed,  upon the making of an affidavit of the fact by the person
claiming  the  certificate  of stock  to be  lost,  stolen  or  destroyed.  When
authorizing  such  issue of a new  certificate  or  certificates,  the  board of
directors may, in its  discretion  and as a condition  precedent to the issuance
thereof,  require the owner of such lost,  stolen or  destroyed  certificate  or
certificates, or his or her legal representative, to give the corporation a bond
sufficient  to  indemnify  the  corporation  against  any claim that may be made
against the corporation on account of the loss, theft or destruction of any such
certificate or the issuance of such new certificate.

<PAGE>14


         Section 3. Fixing a Record Date for Stockholder Meetings. In order that
the corporation may determine the stockholders  entitled to notice of or to vote
at any  meeting  of  stockholders  or any  adjournment  thereof,  the  board  of
directors  may fix a record  date,  which record date shall not precede the date
upon which the  resolution  fixing  the  record  date is adopted by the board of
directors,  and which record date shall not be more than sixty nor less than ten
days before the date of such meeting. If no record date is fixed by the board of
directors, the record date for determining stockholders entitled to notice of or
to vote at a meeting of the  stockholders  shall be the close of business on the
next day preceding the day on which notice is given, or if notice is waived,  at
the close of business on the day next  preceding the day on which the meeting is
held. A determination of stockholders of record entitled to notice of or to vote
at a meeting of  stockholders  shall apply to any  adjournment  of the  meeting;
provided, however, that the board of directors may fix a new record date for the
adjourned meeting.

         Section 4. Fixing a Record Date for Other  Purposes.  In order that the
corporation  may determine the  stockholders  entitled to receive payment of any
dividend or other  distribution  or allotment or any rights or the  stockholders
entitled to exercise any rights in respect of any change, conversion or exchange
of stock, or for the purposes of any other lawful action, the board of directors
may fix a record  date,  which record date shall not precede the date upon which
the resolution fixing the record date is adopted, and which record date shall be
not more than sixty days prior to such action.  If no record date is fixed,  the
record date for  determining  stockholders  for any such purpose shall be at the
close  of  business  on the day on  which  the  board of  directors  adopts  the
resolution relating thereto.

         Section  5.  Registered  Stockholders.  Prior to the  surrender  to the
corporation of the  certificate or  certificates  for a share or shares of stock
with a request to record the transfer of such share or shares,  the  corporation
may treat the registered owner as the person entitled to receive  dividends,  to
vote,  to receive  notifications  and  otherwise  to exercise all the rights and
powers  of an  owner.  The  corporation  shall  not be  bound to  recognize  any
equitable  or other  claim to or interest in such share or shares on the part of
any other person, whether or not it shall have express or other notice thereof.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                               GENERAL PROVISIONS

         Section  1.  Dividends.   Dividends  upon  the  capital  stock  of  the
corporation  may be declared by the board of directors at any regular or special
meeting,  subject  to and in the  manner  provided  by law  and  the  applicable
provisions of the certificate of incorporation, if any. Dividends may be paid in
cash,  in property,  or in shares of the capital  stock.  Before  payment of any
dividend,  there may be set aside out of any funds of the corporation  available
for dividends  such sum or sums as the board of directors  from time to time, in
its  absolute  discretion,  think  proper  as a  reserve  or  reserves  to  meet
contingencies,  to equalize dividends, to repair or maintain any property of the
corporation,  or to accomplish any other purpose, and the board of directors may
modify or abolish any such reserve in the manner in which it was created.


<PAGE>15


         Section 2. Checks, Drafts or Orders. All checks, drafts or other orders
for the  payment  of money by or to the  corporation  and all  notes  and  other
evidences of indebtedness  issued in the name of the corporation shall be signed
by such officer or  officers,  agent or agents of the  corporation,  and in such
manner,  as shall from time to time be  determined by resolution of the board of
directors or a duly authorized  committee thereof.  In the absence thereof,  the
signature of the Chief Executive Officer shall suffice.

         Section 3. Contracts.  The board of directors may authorize any officer
or  officers,  or any agent or  agents,  of the  corporation  to enter  into any
contract or to execute and deliver any  instrument  in the name of and on behalf
of the  corporation,  and such  authority may be general or confined to specific
instances.  In the absence thereof, the signature of the Chief Executive Officer
shall suffice.

         Section 4. Fiscal  Year.  The fiscal year of the  corporation  shall be
determined  by  resolution  of the  board  of  directors.  In the  absence  of a
resolution by the board of directors,  the fiscal year of the corporation  shall
end on the last Saturday in the month of November.

         Section 5.  Corporate  Seal.  The board of  directors  shall  provide a
corporate  seal which shall be in the form of a circle and shall have  inscribed
thereon the name of the corporation, the year of its incorporation and the words
"Corporate  Seal,  Delaware."  The seal may be used by causing it or a facsimile
thereof to be impressed, affixed or otherwise reproduced.

         Section 6. Voting Securities Owned by Corporation. Voting securities in
any  other  corporation  held by the  corporation  shall be  voted by the  chief
executive officer,  unless the board of directors specifically confers authority
to vote with  respect  thereto,  which  authority  may be general or confined to
specific instances,  upon some other person or officer. Any person authorized to
vote securities shall have the power to appoint  proxies,  with general power of
substitution.

         Section 7. Section  Headings.  Section headings in these bylaws are for
convenience of reference only and shall not be  given any substantive effect in 
limiting or otherwise construing any provision herein.

         Section 8. Inconsistent Provisions.  In the event that any provision of
these bylaws is or becomes inconsistent with any provision of the certificate of
incorporation, the Delaware General Corporation Law or any other applicable law,
the  provision  of these  bylaws  shall not be given any effect to the extent of
such inconsistency but shall otherwise be given full force and effect.

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                   AMENDMENTS

         These  bylaws  may be  amended,  altered,  or  repealed  and new bylaws
adopted in the manner provided in the certificate of incorporation.


<PAGE>16


                            Certificate of Secretary

         The above and  foregoing  is a true and correct copy of the Amended and
Restated Bylaws of Payless Cashways, Inc., as Amended as of February 17, 1999.

                                     /s/ Gary D. Gilson
                                     ------------------
                                     Gary D. Gilson, Corporate Secretary



<PAGE>1

                           FIRST AMENDMENT TO AMENDED
                           AND RESTATED LOAN AGREEMENT


                  This First  Amendment to Amended and Restated  Loan  Agreement
(this "Amendment"),  dated as of the 26th day of February,  1998, by and between
PAYLESS CASHWAYS,  INC., a Delaware corporation (herein called "Borrower"),  and
UBS MORTGAGE FINANCE, INC. (herein called "Lender").

                  WHEREAS, the parties have previously entered into that certain
Amended and  Restated  Loan  Agreement,  dated as of December 2, 1997 (the "Loan
Agreement"),  pursuant to which  Borrower  executed in favor of Lender a certain
Consolidated,  Amended and Restated  Promissory Note in the principal  amount of
$100,809,000.00 (the "Note"),  which Note, among other things,  consolidated the
Prior  Notes  (as such  term is  defined  in the Loan  Agreement)  into a single
promissory  note and evidences a certain loan  transaction  (the "Loan") between
Borrower and Lender.

                  WHEREAS,  by assignments of even date herewith  (collectively,
the "Assignments"),  LaSalle National Bank, as Trustee for Lender has become the
owner and holder of a certain (i) mortgage  encumbering real property located in
Johnson County,  Kansas (the "Kansas Mortgage"),  (ii) mortgage encumbering real
property  located in Monroe County,  Indiana (the "Indiana  Mortgage") and (iii)
deed of trust  encumbering  real property in Clark  County,  Nevada (the "Nevada
DOT"; and collectively  with the Kansas Mortgage and the Indiana  Mortgage,  the
"Existing Mortgages") and the notes secured thereby (collectively, the "Existing
Notes") evidencing a debt with a principal  balance,  at the time of delivery of
the Assignments,  of $16,000,000,  which, immediately prior to the effectiveness
of the Reduction Letter (as such term is hereinafter  defined) was due and owing
without any offset, defense or counterclaim whatsoever;

                  WHEREAS, pursuant to a separate letter, dated the date hereof,
from Lender to Borrower (the "Reduction Letter"),  and immediately following the
delivery of the Assignments and prior to the  effectiveness of the modifications
contemplated  hereby,  Lender reduced the principal amount of the Existing Notes
to the  principal  amount of  $13,000,000.00  which is due and owing without any
offset, defense or counterclaim whatsoever;

                  WHEREAS,  Lender and Borrower desire,  after the effectiveness
of the reduction of the aggregate principal amounts of the Existing Notes as set
forth in the Reduction  Letter to (i) amend and restate the terms of each of the
Existing  Mortgages  (the Existing  Mortgages,  as so amended and restated shall
hereinafter  be  referred  to,  collectively,  as  the  "New  Mortgages"),  (ii)
consolidate  into  one  indebtedness  the  Existing  Notes  and the  Note in the
aggregate principal amount of $102,689,450 and (iii) amend and restate the terms
of the  Existing  Note and the Note  pursuant to a certain  Amended and Restated
Promissory Note, dated the date hereof,  in the principal amount of $102,689,450
from Borrower to Lender (the "New Note"); and

                  WHEREAS,   Lender  and  Borrower  desire  to  amend  the  Loan
Agreement  to reflect,  among other  things,  the  increased  amount of the Loan
evidenced thereby and by the New Note.

<PAGE>2

                  NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements,  covenants and conditions hereinafter set forth, Borrower and Lender
agree as follows:

                  1. All capitalized terms used herein and not otherwise defined
are used as defined in the Loan Agreement.

                  2. The  definition  of "Loan"  contained in Section 1.1 of the
Loan  Agreement is hereby  deleted in its entirety  and the  following  shall be
substituted therefor:

                               "Loan" means the  indebtedness of the Borrower to
                         Lender evidenced by the terms of Borrower's  promissory
                         note dated  February 26, 1998, in the principal  amount
                         of One Hundred and Two Million Six Hundred  Eighty Nine
                         Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty Dollars ($102,689,450).

                  3. The  definition of  "Mortgage"  contained in Section 1.1 of
the Loan Agreement is hereby deleted in its entirety and the following  shall be
substituted therefor:

                               "Mortgage"   means   collectively,   all  of  the
                         mortgages  and deeds of trust  included in the Security
                         Documents and executed by the Borrower, as the same may
                         be  amended,   supplemented,   extended  or   otherwise
                         modified from time to time.

                  4. The  definition  of "Note"  contained in Section 1.1 of the
Loan  Agreement is hereby  deleted in its entirety  and the  following  shall be
substituted therefor:

                               "Note" means the Amended and Restated  Promissory
                         Note dated February 26, 1998 made by Borrower to Lender
                         in the principal  amount of One Hundred and Two Million
                         Six Hundred Eighty Nine Thousand Four Hundred and Fifty
                         Dollars ($102,689,450).

                  5. The  following  defined  terms shall be inserted in Section
1.1 of the Loan Agreement:

                         "Payment Notice" has the meaning given it in Section
                          2.3(e)."

                         "Sale Payment" has the meaning given it in Section
                          2.7(e)."

                         "Sale Payment Date" has the meaning given it in Section
                          2.7(e)."

                  6. Section  2.3 of the Loan  Agreement  is  hereby  amended
  by adding a new  subsection (e) thereto to read as follows:

                              "(e) Each  month  during  the term of the Loan,
                          Lender shall  calculate  the  amount  due on each  
                          Payment Date and provide  Borrower  with at least one
                          (1) Business  Day notice thereof (each, a "Payment
                          Notice"), provided  however,  that Lender  shall  not
                          in any way be liable to Borrower for its failure to
                          provide any such  Payment  Notice  pursuant to this
                          subsection  (e)

<PAGE>3


                  and any such failure shall not, in any way relieve Borrower
                  from its obligation to timely make the payments on each 
                  Payment Date required under this Agreement or under the Note. 
                  If the amount set forth in any Payment  Notice provided by 
                  Lender pursuant to this subsection (e) shall be incorrect,  
                  Borrower shall remain obligated to pay to Lender the amount  
                  that  otherwise  should  have  been paid had such Payment 
                  Notice been correct, and Lender's failure to deliver a correct
                  Payment Notice shall not in any way be deemed a waiver by 
                  Lender of its right to receive the full, correct amount of 
                  such payment."

                  7.     Section  2.7 of the Loan  Agreement  is  hereby
amended  by adding a new  subsection (e)thereto to read as follows:

                               "(e)  Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary
                         contained  herein, in connection with any prepayment of
                         principal pursuant to Sections 2.7(a) or 2.7(b) hereof,
                         any and all interest  accrued on such  principal  being
                         prepaid,  through and including the date of prepayment,
                         shall be paid by  Borrower  on the first  Payment  Date
                         following such date of prepayment."

                  8. Exhibit C to the Loan Agreement is hereby amended by adding
thereto  the  properties  listed on  Exhibit A  attached  hereto and made a part
hereof.

                  9.  Lender's   obligation  to   consummate   the   transaction
contemplated  hereby is subject to the  satisfaction  by Borrower of each of the
following conditions:

                         a.  Borrower  shall have  obtained  all consents to the
                  transaction  contemplated  hereby  required  under the  Credit
                  Agreement,  which  consents  shall be in  recordable  form and
                  otherwise in form and  substance  reasonably  satisfactory  to
                  Lender in all respects;

                         b. No Event of Default shall exist and be continuing as
                  of the date hereof;

                         c. Lender shall have received an opinion of counsel for
                  Borrower in form and substance satisfactory to Lender;

                         d. Lender  shall have  received a  mortgagee  policy of
                  title  insurance  or title  commitment  to  issue a  mortgagee
                  policy  of title  insurance  with  respect  to each of the New
                  Mortgages, in form satisfactory to Lender in all respects;

                         e. Borrower shall have executed and delivered to Lender
                  the New Note,  the New Mortgages  (together  with  appropriate
                  Uniform  Commercial Code Financing  Statements) and such other
                  documents and items as Lender may reasonably request;

                         f. Lender shall have  received  from the holders of the
                  Permitted Second Lien, amendments to the mortgages or deeds of
                  trust that are  subordinate to the Existing  Mortgages,  which
                  amendments shall contain,  among other things,  the 

<PAGE>4


                  provisions set forth on  Exhibit B attached  hereto and which 
                  amendments shall otherwise be in form and substance 
                  satisfactory  to Lender in all respects;

                         g. Borrower  shall have provided  Lender with evidence,
                  reasonably  satisfactory  to Lender in all respects,  that (i)
                  all real estate taxes affecting the Property have been paid to
                  date or (ii) real  estate  taxes  that are due and owing as of
                  the date hereof and that have not been paid are being disputed
                  in good faith by Borrower; and

                         h. Borrower  shall have provided  Lender with evidence,
                  reasonably  satisfactory  to Lender in all respects,  that all
                  title insurance  premiums due and owing in connection with the
                  transaction  consummated on December 2, 1997 between  Borrower
                  and Lender, have been paid in full.

                  10. Borrower hereby  represents and warrants that (a) Borrower
is the sole legal and beneficial  owner of each of the properties  encumbered by
the Existing Mortgages (collectively, the "New Properties"); (b) Borrower is not
in Default in the  performance of any of the covenants and agreements  contained
in the Loan Agreement as amended hereby, or in the Loan Documents;  (c) no event
has occurred and is continuing  which  constitutes a Default;  (d) Borrower is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of its state or  organization,  having all  corporation  or  partnership  powers
required to carry on its business and enter into and carry out the  transactions
contemplated  hereby;  (e) Borrower has all requisite power and all governmental
certificates  of  authority,   licenses,   permits   qualifications   and  other
documentation  to own,  lease and operate the New 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;  (f) Borrower is duly  qualified,  in good standing and authorized to do
business in each of the jurisdictions where the New Properties are located;  (g)
Borrower  had duly  taken  all  corporate  action  necessary  to  authorize  the
execution and delivery by it of this Agreement and all other documents  executed
in connection herewith (collectively, the "New Loan Documents") and to authorize
the consummation of the transactions contemplated thereby and the performance of
its  obligations  hereunder  and  thereunder;  (h) the execution and delivery by
Borrower of this Amendment and the New Loan  Documents,  the  performance of its
obligations   under  this  Amendment  and  the  New  Loan  Documents,   and  the
consummation of the transactions contemplated by this Amendment, do not and will
not (1) conflict with any provision of (A) any  application  domestic or foreign
law,  statute,  decree,  rule or  regulation,  except  where  failure  to comply
therewith  would not have a  Materially  Adverse  Effect,  (B) the  articles  or
certificates  of  incorporation,  bylaws,  charter or  partnership  agreement or
certificate of Borrower or (C) any agreement, judgment, license, order or permit
applicable to or binding upon Borrower,  (2) result in the  acceleration  of any
Debt owed by  Borrower,  (3) result in or require the  creation of any Lien upon
any assets or properties of Borrower  except as expressly  contemplated  in this
Amendment or the Loan  Documents,  or (4)  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  to which
Borrower is a party or by which  Borrower or any of its Properties may currently
be bound or affected;  (i) except as  otherwise  provided  herein,  no consent,
approval, authorization or order of, and no notice to or filing with, any court
or

<PAGE>5

governmental  authority  or third party is required in  connection  with the
execution, delivery or performance by Borrower of this Amendment or the New Loan
Documents or to consummate any transactions  contemplated by this Amendment; (j)
this Amendment and the New Loan  Documents are legal and binding  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;  and (k) all  representations
and warranties of Borrower set forth in the Loan Agreement are true and complete
in all material respects as of the date hereof. Borrower agrees to indemnify and
hold Lender  harmless  against any loss,  claim,  damage,  liability  or expense
(including  without  limitation  reasonable  attorneys' fees and  disbursements)
incurred as a result of any  representation  or warranty made by Borrower herein
proving to be untrue in any material respect.

                  11. Borrower agrees to execute such other and future documents
as may be reasonably  necessary or  appropriate  to consummate  the  transaction
contemplated  hereby or to perfect the liens and security  interests intended to
secure the payment of the New Note.

                  12. Except as provided herein,  the terms and revisions of the
Loan  Agreement and the other Loan  Documents  shall remain  unchanged and shall
remain in full force and effect.  Any modification  herein of the Loan Agreement
and the other Loan Documents  shall in no way affect the security of the payment
of the New Note. Borrower hereby agrees,  covenants and represents that the Loan
Agreement  and the other Loan  Documents as modified and amended  hereby are and
remain valid and that nothing herein shall affect the validity or enforceability
thereof.

                  13. Borrower hereby  acknowledges  that the liens and security
interests  created and  evidenced by the Mortgage are valid and  subsisting  and
further acknowledges and agrees that there are no offsets, claims or defenses to
the Note,  the Loan  Agreement  or any other Loan  Documents.  Borrower  further
acknowledges that it has no knowledge that there are any defects or deficiencies
with respect to the liens and security interests created and evidenced by any of
the Security Documents.

                  14.  Contemporaneously with the execution and delivery hereof,
Borrower shall pay, or cause to be paid, all costs and expenses  incident to the
preparation  hereof and the consummation of the transactions  specified  herein,
including  but not  limited to legal fees and  expenses  of outside  counsel and
title costs.
                  15.   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.


<PAGE>6


                  IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  undersigned  parties  have
  executed  this  Agreement  this 26 day of February, 1998.

                               PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


                               By: /s/ Richard G. Luse
                                  -------------------------
                               Name:  Richard G. Luse
                               Title: Sr. Vice President-Finance


                               UBS MORTGAGE FINANCE, INC.


                               By: /s/ Randy Nardone
                                  -------------------------
                               Name: Randy Nardone
                               Title:


                               By: /s/ Jonathan Ashley
                                  -------------------------
                               Name: Jonathan Ashley
                               Title:




<PAGE>1

                                                           August 12, 1998


Mr. Richard Luse
Payless Cashways, Inc.
2300 Main, Suite 300
Kansas City, Missouri  64180

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         Please refer to: (a) that certain Amended and Restated  Promissory Note
dated  February 26, 1998 (the "Note")  executed by Payless  Cashways,  Inc. (the
"Maker") in favor of LaSalle  National Bank, as Trustee for UBS Mortgage Finance
Inc.,  as assigned to  Fortress  IOFP,  LLC,  (the  "Seller"),  in the amount of
$102,689,450.00; (b) the Loan Agreement dated as of December 2, 1997 between the
Maker and UBS Mortgage Finance,  Inc., dated December 2, 1997, as amended by the
First  Amendment to Amended and Restated Loan Agreement  dated February 26, 1998
(the  "Loan  Agreement");  (c) the  Security  Documents  as  defined in the Loan
Agreement  (the  "Security  Documents");  and (d) all other  documents  securing
Maker's  obligations  under the Note  (together  with the Loan Agreement and the
Security  Documents,  the "Loan  Documents").  You are  advised as follows  (the
"Notice"), effective as of the date of this letter.

         Assignment.  Seller has,  pursuant to that  certain  Master  Repurchase
Agreement  for  Mortgage  Loans and REO  Property,  dated as of August 12, 1998,
assigned all the Loan Documents to Greenwich  Capital Financial  Products,  Inc.
(the  "Purchaser").  This  assignment  shall  remain in effect  unless and until
Purchaser has notified Maker otherwise in writing.

         Payments. Please refer to any and all payments otherwise required to be
made to  Seller on  account  of  Maker's  obligations  under the Loan  Documents
(collectively, the "Payments"). Except to the extent, if any, that Purchaser has
instructed  Maker  otherwise in writing,  Maker shall make all Payments  only to
Purchaser in care of the following bank account:

                           Chase Manhattan Bank, New York
                           ABA #021-000-021
                           Account Name:  Greenwich Capital Financial Products
                           Account Number:  1400-95961
                           Reference:

or such other  account as Purchaser  shall  specify from time to time by written
notice to Maker.  Any payments made directly to Seller shall be null,  void, and
of no force or  effect,  and shall not be  deemed to  discharge,  in whole or in
part, or be applied  against or reduce,  any obligations of Maker under the Loan
Documents.

         Modifications  and  Waivers,  Etc.  No material  modification,  waiver,
deferral,  or release (in whole or in part) of any of Maker's  obligations under
the  Loan  Documents  shall  be  effective  without  prior  written  consent  of
Purchaser.


<PAGE>2


         Please sign and return to Purchaser  one  counterpart  of the foregoing
Notice to Maker to confirm and evidence Maker's receipt of the foregoing.

Very truly yours,

GREENWICH CAPITAL FINANCIAL PRODUCTS, INC.


By:   /s/ Mark R. Jarrell
- -----------------------------
Name: Mark R. Jarrell
Title: Senior Vice President

Seller  confirms the above Notice to Maker and directs  Maker to comply with the
Notice,  notwithstanding any contrary instructions or directions that Seller may
give  Maker at any  time,  unless  Purchaser  has  consented  to those  contrary
instructions or directions in writing.

FORTRESS IOFP, LLC


By:   /s/ Randall A. Nardone
- ---------------------------------
Name: Randall A. Nardone
Title:  Chief Operating Officer of Fortress Investment Corp.,
         the general partner of Fortress Partners, L.P., 
         the sole member of Fortress IOFP, LLC

CONFIRMATION BY MAKER

         The  undersigned,  Maker of the foregoing  Note and a party to the Loan
Documents, confirms the following:

         Receipt of Notice.  Maker has received the foregoing Notice to Maker.

         No Offsets or Defenses.  Maker has no offsets or defenses against
Maker's obligations under the Loan Documents.


Very truly yours,

PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


By:    /s/ Richard G. Luse
- ------------------------------
Name: Richard G. Luse
Title:   Senior Vice President - Finance

Date:   August 12, 1998
- --------------------------



<PAGE>1

                              AMENDED AND RESTATED
                             PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.
                           1998 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN

Section 1. Purpose.

         The purposes of the Amended and Restated 1998 Omnibus Incentive Plan of
Payless Cashways, Inc. (the "Plan") are to give the Company and its Affiliates a
competitive  advantage in  attracting,  motivating  and retaining  Employees and
Outside  Directors and to more closely align the interests of the Employees with
the Company's stockholders and to motivate Employees to enhance the value of the
Company for the benefit of all stockholders.

Section 2. Definitions.

         As used in the Plan,  the  following  terms shall have the meanings set
forth below:

(a)  "Affiliate"  means (i) any Person  that  directly,  or through  one or more
intermediaries,  controls, or is controlled by, or is under common control with,
the Company,  (ii) any entity in which the Company has an equity  interest of at
least 50%,  and (iii) any entity in which the Company has any other  significant
equity interest, as determined by the Committee.

(b) "Award" means any Option,  Limited  Right,  Performance  Share,  Performance
Unit,  Restricted  Stock,  Shares,  Dividend  Equivalent,  or any  other  right,
interest, or option relating to Shares granted pursuant to the provisions of the
Plan.

(c) "Award Agreement" means any written agreement or contract, setting forth the
terms and conditions of any Award granted hereunder.

(d) "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(e) "Code"  means the  Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended from time to
time, and any successor thereto.

(f)  "Committee"  means the  Compensation  Committee of the Board, or such other
committee  designated  by the Board,  authorized  to  administer  the Plan under
Section 3 hereof.  The Committee  shall consist of not less than two  directors,
each of whom shall be a Non-Employee Person within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and
an outside director within the meaning of Code Section 162(m).

(g) "Company" means Payless Cashways, Inc., a Delaware corporation.

(h)  "Disability"  means  permanent and total  disability  as  determined  under
procedures established by the Committee for purposes of the Plan.

(i) "Dividend Equivalent" means any right granted pursuant to Section 11 hereof.

<PAGE>2


(j)  "Employee"  means any employee  (including  officers) of the Company or any
Affiliates regularly employed for more than 20 hours per week.

(k) "Exchange  Act" means the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,  and
any successors thereto,  and the rules and regulations  promulgated  thereunder,
all as shall be amended from time to time.

(l) "Fair Market Value" means, with respect to any property, the market value of
such  property  as  determined  by  such  methods  or  procedures  as  shall  be
established from time to time by the Committee.

(m) "Incentive Stock Option" means an Option granted under Section 6 hereof that
is  intended  to meet the  requirements  of Code  Section  422 or any  successor
provision thereto.

(n) "Limited Right" means any right granted to a Participant pursuant to Section
7 hereof.

(o) "Non-Qualified  Stock Option" means an Option granted under Section 6 hereof
that is not intended to be an Incentive  Stock Option,  and an Option granted to
an Outside Director pursuant to Section 10 hereof.

(p) "Option" means an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

(q) "Outside Director" means a member of the Board who is not an Employee of the
Company or an Affiliate.

(r)  "Participant"  means an Employee or Outside  Director who receives an Award
under the Plan.

(s)  "Performance  Award" means any Award of  Performance  Shares or Performance
Units pursuant to Section 8 hereof.

(t)  "Performance   Goals"  means   preestablished,   objectively   determinable
performance  goals, and a level or levels of performance with respect to each of
the goals,  adopted by the Committee  prior to the grant of Restricted  Stock or
Performance  Awards and that are based,  in whole or in part,  on one or more of
the following  performance-based criteria: (i) attainment during the Performance
Period of a  specified  price  per share of the  Company's  common  stock;  (ii)
attainment  during  the  Performance  Period  of a  specified  rate of growth or
increase in the amount of growth in the price per share of the Company's  common
stock;  (iii) attainment  during the Performance  Period of a specified level of
the Company's earnings or earnings per share of the Company's common stock; (iv)
attainment  during  the  Performance  Period  of a  specified  rate of growth or
increase in the amount of growth of the Company's earnings or earnings per share
of the Company's common stock; (v) attainment during the Performance Period of a
specified  level  of the  Company's  cash  flow or cash  flow  per  share of the
Company's  common stock;  (vi)  attainment  during the  Performance  Period of a
specified  rate of growth or increase  in the amount of growth of the  Company's
cash flow or cash flow per share

<PAGE>3

of the Company's common stock; (vii) attainment during the Performance Period of
a specified level of the Company's return on  equity; (viii)  attainment  during
the Performance  Period of a specified rate of growth or  increase in the amount
of growth of the Company's return on equity; (ix) attainment during the  
Performance Period of a  specified level of the Company's return  on  assets or 
return on net assets. For purposes hereof, "earnings" may, but need not, be  
measured by  reference  to earnings  before interest, taxes, depreciation and 
amortization.

(u) "Performance  Period" means that period  established by the Committee at the
time any Performance Award is granted or at any time thereafter during which any
performance criteria,  including any Performance Goal, if applicable,  specified
by the Committee with respect to such Award are to be measured.

(v)  "Performance  Share" means any grant pursuant to Section 8 hereof of a unit
valued by reference to a designated number of Shares.

(w)  "Performance  Unit"  means any grant  pursuant to Section 8 hereof of (i) a
bonus consisting of cash or other property, the amount or value of which, and/or
the entitlement to which, is conditioned  upon the attainment of any performance
criteria,  including any  Performance  Goals,  if  applicable,  specified by the
Committee, or (ii) a unit valued by reference to a designated amount of property
other than Shares.

(x) "Person"  means any  individual,  corporation,  limited  liability  company,
partnership,    association,    joint-stock   company,   trust,   unincorporated
organization, or government or political subdivision thereof.

(y) "Restricted  Stock" means any Share issued pursuant to Section 9 hereof with
the restriction that the holder may not sell,  transfer,  pledge, or assign such
Share and with such other restrictions as the Committee, in its sole discretion,
may impose (including,  without limitation, any restriction on the right to vote
such Share, and the right to receive any cash dividends), which restrictions may
lapse  separately or in  combination  upon such  conditions  and at such time or
times, in installments or otherwise, as the Committee may deem appropriate,  and
which  restriction  shall  provide that the Shares  subject to such  restriction
shall be forfeited if the restriction  does not lapse prior to such date or such
event as the Committee may deem appropriate.

(z)  "Restricted  Stock Award" means an award of  Restricted  Stock  pursuant to
Section 9 hereof.

(aa) "Rule 16b-3" means Rule l6b-3  promulgated  by the  Securities and Exchange
Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor rule or regulation thereto.

(bb) "Shares" means shares of the Common Stock of the Company, par value $.01
per share.

(cc)  "Termination  of Employment"  means the  termination of the  Participant's
employment  with the Company and any  Affiliate.  A  Participant  employed by an
Affiliate  shall

<PAGE>4


also be deemed to incur a  Termination  of  Employment  if the Affiliate  ceases
to be an Affiliate and the  Participant  does not  immediately thereafter become
an employee of the Company or another Affiliate.

Section 3. Administration.

(a) Committee.  The Plan shall be administered by the Committee.

(b) Committee  Authority.  Subject to the terms of the Plan and applicable  law,
the   Committee   shall  have  full  power  and   authority  to:  (i)  designate
Participants,  (ii)  determine the type or types of awards to be granted to each
Participant hereunder,  (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by or
with respect to which payments, rights, or other matters are to be calculated in
connection  with each Award,  (iv)  determine  the terms and  conditions  of any
Award,  (v)  determine  whether,  to what extent,  and under what  circumstances
Awards may be settled or  exercised in cash,  Shares,  other  securities,  other
Awards, or other property, or canceled,  forfeited, or suspended, and the method
or methods by which Awards may be settled,  exercised,  canceled,  forfeited, or
suspended,  (vi)  interpret  and  administer  the  Plan  and any  instrument  or
agreement  relating to, or Award made under, the Plan,  (vii) establish,  amend,
suspend or waive such rules and  regulations and appoint such agents as it deems
appropriate  for the proper  administration  of the Plan,  (viii) make any other
determination  and take any other action that the Committee  deems  necessary or
desirable for  administration of the Plan, and (ix) determine to what extent and
under what  circumstances  Shares and other  amounts  payable with respect to an
Award  shall  be  deferred  either  automatically  or at  the  election  of  the
Participant or the Committee.

(c)  Replacement  Awards.  Subject to the terms of the Plan  (including  without
limitation  Section 13 hereof),  the Committee  shall also have the authority to
grant Awards in replacement of Awards previously  granted under this Plan or any
other compensation plan of the Company or an Affiliate.

(d) Delegation. The Committee, in its discretion, may delegate its authority and
duties under the Plan to an officer of the Company under such conditions  and/or
limitations as the Committee may  establish;  provided,  however,  that only the
Committee may select and grant Awards, or otherwise take any action with respect
to Awards,  to Participants who are (i) officers or directors of the Company for
purposes  of  Section  16 of the  Exchange  Act,  or (ii)  Participants  who are
"covered employees" under Code Section 162(m).

(e)  Decisions  of  Committee  and Its  Delegates.  Unless  otherwise  expressly
provided in the Plan, all  determinations,  designations,  interpretations,  and
other  decisions of the  Committee,  or (unless the  Committee  has specified an
appeal  process to the contrary)  any other  Person(s) to whom the Committee has
delegated  authority,  shall be final,  conclusive and binding upon all Persons,
including the Company, any Participant,  any stockholder,  and any Employee. All
determinations of the Committee shall be made by a majority of its members.

         The  Committee  and each member  thereof shall be entitled to rely upon
any report or other  information  furnished  by any  officer or  employee of the
Company or any Affiliate,  or the

<PAGE>5

Company's independent auditors, and shall be entitled to rely upon the advice of
counsel,  who may be counsel to the Company. Members of the Committee and any 
employee of the Company or an Affiliate  acting at the direction or on behalf of
the Committee  shall not be personally  liable for any action or determination  
taken or made in good faith with respect to the Plan upon such report, 
information or advice.

Section 4. Shares Subject to the Plan.

(a) Subject to  adjustment  as provided in Section 4(c)  hereof,  a total of Two
Million  Four Hundred  Thousand  (2,400,000)  Shares shall be available  for the
grant of  Awards  under  the Plan;  provided,  however,  that not more than Four
Hundred Eighty  Thousand  (480,000) of such shares shall be issued as Restricted
Stock and that no more than Two Hundred Thousand  (200,000) shares of Restricted
Stock shall be issued in any one fiscal year.  Any Shares  issued  hereunder may
consist of  authorized  and unissued  shares or treasury  shares.  If any Shares
subject to any Award granted hereunder,  or to which such an Award relates,  are
forfeited or such Award otherwise terminates without the issuance of such Shares
or of other  consideration  in lieu of such Shares,  the Shares  subject to such
Award,  or to which such Award relates,  to the extent of any such forfeiture or
termination,  shall again be available for grant under the Plan. In addition, to
the extent  permitted by Code Section 422, any Shares  issued by, and any Awards
granted by or that become  obligations  of, the Company through or as the result
of the  assumption of  outstanding  grants or the  substitution  of Shares under
outstanding  grants of an acquired company shall not reduce the Shares available
for grants under the Plan.

(b) For purposes of this Section 4,

(i) If an Award (other than a Dividend Equivalent) is denominated in Shares, the
number of Shares covered by such Award, or to which such Award relates, shall be
counted  on the date of grant of such  Award  against  the  aggregate  number of
Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan;

(ii) Dividend  Equivalents and Awards not denominated in Shares shall be counted
against the aggregate  number of Shares  available for granting Awards under the
Plan in such  amount and at such time as the  Committee  shall  determine  under
procedures  adopted by the Committee  consistent  with the purposes of the Plan;
and

(iii) Awards that operate in tandem with (whether granted simultaneously with or
at a different time from), or that are  substituted  for, other Awards or awards
under other Company plans may be counted or not counted under procedures adopted
by the Committee in order to avoid double counting.

(c) In the event that the Committee  shall  determine that any dividend or other
distribution  (whether  in the form of cash,  Shares,  or  other  securities  or
property),   stock  split,   reverse   stock  split,   merger,   reorganization,
consolidation,  recapitalization,  split-up, spin-off,  repurchase,  exchange of
shares,  issuance  of  warrants  or other  rights  to  purchase  Shares or other
securities of the Company, or other transaction or event affects the Shares such
that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be  appropriate in order to
prevent dilution or

<PAGE>6


enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made  available
under the Plan, then  the Committee  may: (i)  make adjustments in the aggregate
number and class of shares or property which may be delivered under the Plan and
may substitute other shares or property for delivery under the  Plan, including 
shares of another entity which is a party to any such merger,  reorganization,  
consolidation or exchange of shares; and (ii) make  adjustmentsin the number, 
class and option price of shares or property subject to  outstanding  Awards and
Options granted under the Plan, and may substitute other shares or  property for
delivery under outstanding Awards and Options, including shares of another 
entity which is a party to any such merger, reorganization,  consolidation or 
exchange of shares, as may be determined to be appropriate by the Committee in 
its sole discretion, provided that the number of Shares subject  to any Award or
Option  shall  always  be a whole  number.  The preceding  sentence  shall  not 
limit the  actions  which  may be taken by the Committee under Section 12 of the
Plan. No adjustment shall be made with respect to Awards of Incentive  Stock  
Options that would cause the Plan to violate Code Section 422.

Section 5. Eligibility.

         Any Employee or Outside  Director shall be eligible to be selected as a
Participant. Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan to the contrary, no
Participant may be granted an Option, Limited Right,  Performance Shares, Shares
or Restricted  Stock with respect to a number of Shares in any one calendar year
which,  when added to the Shares  subject to any other  Option,  Limited  Right,
Performance  Shares,  Shares or Restricted  Stock granted to such Participant in
the same fiscal year, shall exceed One Million (1,000,000) Shares. If an Option,
Limited Right, or Performance  Share is canceled,  the canceled Option,  Limited
Right or  Performance  Share  continues to count  against the maximum  number of
Shares for which an Option, Limited Right or Performance Share may be granted to
a Participant in any fiscal year.  All Shares  specified in this Section 5 shall
be adjusted to the extent necessary to reflect adjustments to Shares required by
Section 4(c) hereof. No Participant may be granted  Performance Units in any one
fiscal  year  which when added to all other  Performance  Units  granted to such
Participant  in the same  fiscal  year shall  exceed  300% of the  Participant's
annual base salary as of the first day of such fiscal year (or, if later,  as of
the date on which the Participant becomes an Employee);  provided, however, that
no more than  $1,200,000  of annual  base  salary may be taken into  account for
purposes of determining  the maximum  amount of  Performance  Units which may be
granted in any fiscal year to any Participant.

Section 6. Stock Options.

         Options may be granted under this Section 6 to Participants, other than
Outside Directors, either alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the
Plan. Options may be Incentive Stock Options or Non-Qualified  Stock Options, or
a  combination  thereof.  The Committee may condition the grant of any Incentive
Stock Option upon approval of the Plan by the Company's stockholders. Any Option
granted to a  Participant  under this  Section 6 shall be  evidenced by an Award
Agreement in such form as the Committee may from time to time approve.  Any such
Option  shall be  subject  to the  following  terms and  conditions  and to such
additional  terms and conditions,  not  inconsistent  with the provisions of the
Plan, as the Committee shall determine:

<PAGE>7


(a) Option Price. The purchase price per Share purchasable under an Option shall
be  determined  by the  Committee  but  shall  not be less than 100% of the Fair
Market Value of the Share on the effective  date of the grant of the Option (or,
if the Committee so determines,  in the case of any Option retroactively granted
in tandem with or in  substitution  for another Award or any  outstanding  Award
granted under any other plan of the Company,  on the effective date of the grant
of such other Award or award under another Company plan).

(b) Option Term.  The term of each Option shall be determined by the  Committee,
except as provided below for Incentive Stock Options.

(c)  Exercisability.  Options  shall  be  exercisable  at such  time or times as
determined  by the  Committee  at or  subsequent  to the granting of such either
automatically or at the election of the Participant or the Committee,  except as
otherwise provided in Section 12(a);  provided,  however, that the Committee may
condition  the exercise of any Option upon approval of the Plan by the Company's
stockholders.  In addition, the Committee may at any time accelerate the time at
which Options may be exercised and otherwise  modify the time of exercise of the
Options.

(d)  Method of  Exercise.  Subject to the other  provisions  of the Plan and any
applicable Award Agreement, the Participant may make payment of the option price
in such form or forms as the Committee shall  determine,  including,  payment by
delivery of cash, Shares,  Restricted Stock, or other consideration  (including,
where permitted by law and the Committee,  Awards) having a Fair Market Value on
the exercise  date equal to the total option  price,  or by any  combination  of
cash,  Shares,  Restricted  Stock and other  consideration  as the Committee may
specify in the applicable Award Agreement; provided, however, that if Restricted
Stock is surrendered  to pay the option price,  an equal number of Shares issued
as a result of the option  exercise  shall be subject to the same  restrictions.
The Committee may also specify in the applicable  Award Agreement the methods by
which the exercise  price may be paid or deemed to be paid and the methods by or
forms  in  which  Shares  will  be  delivered  or  deemed  to  be  delivered  to
Participants.

(e) Incentive  Stock  Options.  The terms of any Incentive  Stock Option granted
hereunder  shall comply in all respects with the provisions of Code Section 422,
or any successor  provision,  and any  regulations  promulgated  thereunder.  In
accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee, the aggregate
Fair  Market  Value  (determined  as of the time of  grant) of the  Shares  with
respect to which Incentive Stock Options held by any Participant are exercisable
for the first time by such  Participant  during any calendar year under the Plan
(and under any other benefit plans of the Company or of any parent or subsidiary
corporation of the Company as defined in Code Section 424), shall not exceed One
Hundred Thousand Dollars ($100,000) or, if different,  the maximum limitation in
effect at the time of grant under Code Section 422, or any successor  provision.
and  any  regulations  promulgated  thereunder.   The  option  price  per  Share
purchasable  under an Incentive  Stock Option shall not be less than 100% of the
Fair  Market  Value  of the  Share on the  date of  grant  of the  Option.  Each
Incentive  Stock  Option  shall  expire not later than 10 years from its date of
grant.  No Incentive  Stock Option shall be granted to any Participant if at the
time the Option is granted such  Participant owns stock possessing more than 10%
of the total combined  voting power of all classes of stock of the Company,  its
parent or its  subsidiaries  unless (i) the  option  price per Share is at least
110% of the

<PAGE>8


Fair Market Value of the Share on the date of grant, and (ii) such Option by its
terms is not  exercisable  after the expiration of five years from the date such
Option is granted.

(f) Form of Settlement. In its sole discretion, the Committee may provide at the
time of grant that the Shares to be issued upon an Option's exercise shall be in
the form of Shares subject to  restrictions  as the Committee may determine,  or
other similar securities,  or may reserve the right to so provide after the time
of grant.

(g) Reload Options. If and to the extent the Committee  expressly  provides,  at
the time of grant or later, that the Participant shall have the right to receive
Reload Options (as defined below) with respect to  Non-Qualified  Stock Options,
the  Participant  shall receive Reload Options in accordance with and subject to
the following terms and conditions:

(i) Grant of the Reload Option;  Number of Shares;  Price.  Subject to paragraph
(ii) of this subsection and, except as provided in paragraph  (viii) hereof,  to
the  availability  of Shares to be  optioned to the  Participant  under the Plan
(including the limitations set forth in Section 5 hereof),  if a Participant has
an Option (the  "Original  Option") with reload rights and pays for the exercise
of the Original  Option by surrendering  Shares or Restricted  Stock (whether by
means of delivering  Shares or Restricted  Stock previously held by the optionee
or by delivering Shares or Restricted Stock simultaneously  acquired on exercise
of the Original  Option),  the  Participant  shall receive a new option ("Reload
Option")  for the number of Shares or  Restricted  Shares so  surrendered  at an
option  price per Share equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of
the exercise of the Original Option.

(ii)  Conditions to Grant of Reload Option.  A Reload Option will not be granted
if (A) the Fair Market  Value of a Share on the date of exercise of the Original
Option  is less  than the  exercise  price of the  Original  Option,  or (B) the
Participant is no longer an Employee of the Company or of an Affiliate.

(iii) Term of Reload Option.  The Reload Option shall expire on the same date as
the Original Option, or at such later date as the Committee may provide.

(iv) Type of Option. The Reload Option shall be a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

(v) Additional Reload Options. Except as expressly provided by the Committee (at
the time of the grant of the Original Option or later), Reload Options shall not
include any right to subsequent Reload Options.

(vi) Date of Grant; Vesting. The date of grant of the Reload Option shall be the
date of the exercise of the Original Option. Reload Options shall be exercisable
in full  beginning from the date of grant,  except as otherwise  provided by the
Committee.

(vii) Stock Withholding Grants of Reload Options. If and to the extent expressly
permitted by the Committee,  if the other  requirements  of this  subsection are
satisfied,  and if Shares are withheld or Shares surrendered for tax withholding
pursuant to Section 16(f)

<PAGE>9


hereof, a Reload Option will be granted for the number of Shares surrendered  as
payment for the exercise of the Original  Option plus the number of Shares 
surrendered or withheld to satisfy tax withholding.

(viii) Share Limits.  Reload  Options  granted with respect to Original  Options
paid for by delivery of Shares or Restricted  Stock  simultaneously  acquired on
exercise of the Original  Option shall be counted or not counted against or as a
reduction  from the number of shares  available for grant under Section 4 hereof
under  procedures  adopted  by the  Committee  in order to prevent  dilution  or
enlargement of the benefits or potential  benefits intended to be made available
under the Plan.

(ix) Other Terms and Conditions.  In connection with Reload Options for officers
who are subject to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, the Committee may at any time
impose any limitations which, in the Committee's sole discretion,  are necessary
or desirable  in order to comply with Section  16(b) of the Exchange Act and the
rules and regulations thereunder, or in order to obtain any exemption therefrom.

Section 7. Limited Rights.

         Limited Rights may be granted to  Participants  only with respect to an
Option  granted under  Section 6 hereof or a stock option  granted under another
plan of the Company.  Any Limited Right shall be subject to the following  terms
and conditions and to such  additional  terms and conditions,  not  inconsistent
with the Plan, as the Committee shall determine.  Any Limited Right related to a
Non-Qualified  Stock  Option  may be  granted  at the same time  such  Option is
granted or at any time thereafter  before exercise or expiration of such Option.
Any Limited  Right  related to an Incentive  Stock Option must be granted at the
same time such Option is granted.  A Limited Right shall terminate and no longer
be exercisable upon termination or exercise of the related Option, except that a
Limited  Right  granted  with  respect  to less  than the full  number of Shares
covered  by a  related  Option  shall  not be  reduced  until  the  exercise  or
termination  of the related  Option  exceeds the number of Shares not covered by
the Limited  Right.  Any Option  related to any Limited Right shall no longer be
exercisable  to the extent the related  Limited  Right has been  exercised.  Any
Limited Right shall be  exercisable to the extent,  and only to the extent,  the
related  Option is  exercisable  and only  during  the  ninety  (90) day  period
immediately  following a Change in Control of the Company (as defined in Section
12 hereof).  The Committee may impose such other  conditions or  restrictions on
the exercise of any Limited Right as it deems appropriate.  Subject to the terms
of the Plan and any applicable  Award  Agreement,  a Limited Right granted under
the Plan shall confer on the holder  thereof a right to receive,  upon  exercise
thereof, an amount equal to the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share
on the date of exercise or if greater and only with respect to any Limited Right
related to a  Non-Qualified  Stock  Option,  the highest price per Share paid in
connection with any Change in Control of the Company, over (ii) the option price
of the related Option, multiplied by the number of Shares as to which the holder
is exercising the Limited Right.  The amount payable to the holder shall be paid
by the Company in cash.

<PAGE>10


Section 8. Performance Awards.

(a) Administration. Performance Awards may be granted to Participants other than
Outside Directors in the form of Performance Shares or Performance Units, either
alone or in addition to other Awards granted under the Plan.  Performance Shares
or Performance  Units shall be payable to, or be exercisable by, the Participant
holding such Award,  in whole or in part,  following  achievement of one or more
performance  criteria  during  such  Performance  Period  as  determined  by the
Committee.  Except as provided in Section  12,  Performance  Awards will be paid
only after the end of the relevant Performance Period. Performance Awards may be
paid  in  cash,  Shares,  Restricted  Stock,  Options,  other  property  or  any
combination  thereof,  in the sole  discretion  of the  Committee at the time of
payment.  Performance  Awards  may  be  paid  in a lump  sum or in  installments
following the close of the Performance  Period or, in accordance with subsection
(c)  hereof,  on a  deferred  basis.  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  an Award
Agreement may  condition  the vesting or exercise of a Performance  Award on any
combination of the  achievement of one or more  performance  criteria and/or the
completion of a specified  period of service as the Committee shall determine at
the time of grant. If the Committee  determines that a Performance  Award should
qualify as  "performance-based  compensation" within the meaning of Code Section
162(m),   when  making  such  Performance   Award,  the  Committee  shall  adopt
Performance  Goals,  certify  completion of such goals and comply with any other
requirements   necessary  to  be  in  compliance   with  the   performance-based
compensation  requirements  of Code Section  162(m).  The Committee may make the
payment of any  Performance  Award  granted prior to approval of the Plan by the
Company's stockholders contingent upon such approval.

(b) Performance Period and Criteria.  The length of the Performance  Period, the
performance  criteria levels to be achieved for each Performance Period, and the
amount of the Award to be distributed  shall be  conclusively  determined by the
Committee.

(c)  Deferral  of  Awards.  At the  discretion  of the  Committee,  payment of a
Performance  Award or any portion thereof may be deferred by a Participant until
such  time  as  the  Committee  may  establish.  All  such  deferrals  shall  be
accomplished  by the  delivery  on a form  provided by the Company of a written,
irrevocable  election  by the  Participant  prior  to such  time  payment  would
otherwise be made.  Further,  all  deferrals  shall be made in  accordance  with
administrative  guidelines  established  by the  Committee  to ensure  that such
deferrals  comply  with  all  applicable   requirements  of  the  Code  and  its
regulations.  Deferred payments shall be paid in a lump sum or installments,  as
determined by the  Committee.  The Committee may also credit  interest,  at such
rates to be determined by the Committee,  on cash payments that are deferred and
credit  Dividend  Equivalents  on deferred  payments  denominated in the form of
Shares.

Section 9. Restricted Stock.

(a) Administration. Restricted Stock Awards may be granted to Participants other
than Outside  Directors,  either  alone or in addition to other  Awards  granted
under the Plan.  The granting of  Restricted  Stock shall take place on the date
the Committee  decides to grant the Restricted Stock, or if the Restricted Stock
Award  provides  that the  grant of  Restricted  Stock is  conditioned  upon the
achievement of performance  criteria specified in the Restricted Stock

<PAGE>11


Award, on a date established by the Committee  following the achievement of such
measures of performance.

         A Restricted  Stock Award may condition  the grant of Restricted  Stock
and/or the lapse of any restriction or  restrictions on Restricted  Stock on any
combination of the  achievement of one or more  performance  criteria and/or the
completion of a specified  period of service as the Committee shall determine at
the time the Restricted Stock Award is made. If the Committee  determines that a
Restricted Stock Award should qualify as "performance-based compensation" within
the meaning of Code Section 162(m),  when making  Restricted  Stock Awards,  the
Committee shall adopt Performance  Goals,  certify  completion of such goals and
comply  with any  other  requirements  necessary  to be in  compliance  with the
performance-based   compensation   requirements  of  Code  Section  162(m).  The
Committee  may make the grant of any  Restricted  Stock Award  granted  prior to
approval  of the  Plan  by  the  Company's  stockholders  contingent  upon  such
approval.

(b) Registration. Any Restricted Stock issued hereunder may be evidenced in such
manner as the Committee in its sole  discretion  deems  appropriate,  including,
without limitation,  book-entry  registration or issuance of a stock certificate
or  certificates.  In the event any stock  certificate  is issued in  respect of
shares of Restricted  Stock awarded under the Plan,  such  certificate  shall be
registered  in the  name of the  Participant,  shall  be held in  escrow  by the
Company, and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions
and restrictions applicable to such Award, substantially in the following form:

             "The  transferability  of this certificate and shares  represented
        hereby are restricted pursuant to the terms and conditions  (including 
        forfeiture) of the 1998 Omnibus Incentive Plan of Payless Cashways, Inc.
        and a Restricted Stock Agreement.  Copies of such Plan and Agreement are
        on file at the corporate headquarters of Payless Cashways, Inc."

(c) Transfer  Restrictions.  Subject to the provisions of the Plan and the Award
Agreement, during the period, if any, set by the Committee,  commencing with the
date of such Award for which such  Participant's  continued  service is required
(the  "Restriction  Period"),  and until the later of (i) the  expiration of the
Restriction Period or (ii) the date the performance  criteria (if any) including
Performance  Goals if applicable are  satisfied,  the  Participant  shall not be
permitted to sell,  assign,  transfer,  pledge or otherwise  encumber  shares of
Restricted Stock.  Within these limits,  the Committee may provide for the lapse
of  restrictions  based upon period of service in  installments or otherwise and
may accelerate or waive, in whole or in part,  restrictions based upon period of
service or upon performance;  provided, however, that any applicable performance
criteria, including any Performance Goals if applicable, have been satisfied.

(d) Rights of  Restricted  Stockholder.  Except as  otherwise  provided  in this
Section 9 and the Award Agreement,  the Participant  shall have, with respect to
the  shares of  Restricted  Stock,  all of the  rights of a  stockholder  of the
Company holding Shares,  including the right to vote the shares and the right to
receive any dividends or other distributions.  If so determined by the Committee
in the applicable  Award  Agreement,  (i) cash dividends on shares of Restricted
Stock shall be  automatically  deferred and reinvested in additional  Restricted
Stock,  held subject

<PAGE>12


to the vesting of the underlying  Restricted Stock, or held subject  to  meeting
performance  criteria,   including  Performance  Goals  if applicable,  and (ii)
dividends payable in Shares shall be paid in the form of Restricted Stock,  held
subject to the  vesting of the  underlying  Restricted Stock, or held subject to
meeting performance  criteria,  including  Performance Goals if applicable.

(e) Lapse of  Restrictions.  As soon as  practicable  following the lapse of the
restrictions on Restricted Stock,  unrestricted Shares, evidenced in such manner
as the Committee deems appropriate, shall be issued to the grantee.

(f) Forfeiture.  Except as otherwise  determined by the Committee at the time of
grant,  upon  Termination  of Employment  for any reason before the  restriction
lapses,  all shares of Restricted  Stock still subject to  restriction  shall be
forfeited  by the  Participant  (who shall sign any  document and take any other
action  required  to assign  such shares  back to the  Company)  and  reacquired
without further consideration by the Company.

Section 10. Outside Directors' Options.

(a) Grant of Options.  The  Committee may grant Options under this Section 10 to
Outside Directors, including members of the Committee. All such Options shall be
Non-Qualified Stock Options.  Any Option granted to an Outside Director shall be
evidenced by an Award  Agreement in such form as the  Committee may from time to
time  approve.  The price at which each Share  covered  by such  Options  may be
purchased  shall  be 100% of the  Fair  Market  Value of a Share on the date the
Option is granted.

(b) Exercise of Options.  Except as set forth in this Section 10,  Options shall
be  exercisable  at such  time or times as  determined  by the  Committee  at or
subsequent  to the granting of such either  automatically  or at the election of
the Outside  Director or the  Committee.  In addition,  the Committee may at any
time accelerate the times at which Options may be exercised and otherwise modify
the time of exercise of the Options.  However,  no Option  shall be  exercisable
more than 10 years  after  the date of grant.  Options  may be  exercised  by an
Outside  Director:  (i) during the period  that the Outside  Director  remains a
member of the Board;  (ii) for a period of one year after ceasing to be a member
of the Board by reason of death or retirement (as defined below) from the Board;
or (v) for a period  of 90 days  after  ceasing  to be a member of the Board for
reasons other than retirement, death or disability,  however, only those Options
exercisable at the date the Outside  Director ceases to be a member of the Board
shall  remain  exercisable.  For  purposes  of  this  Section  10,  "retire"  or
"retirement"  shall mean  discontinuance  of  service  as a  director  after the
director  has  reached  age 60 and has at least five years or more of service on
the Board. All Options shall  immediately  become  exercisable in the event of a
Change in Control,  as  hereinafter  defined,  except that Options  shall not be
exercisable  earlier  than six  months  from  the  date of  grant to the  extent
required for exemption under Section 16 of the Exchange Act.

         In the  event of the death of an  Outside  Director  or former  Outside
Director,  his Options  shall be  exercisable  only to the extent that they were
exercisable  at his date of death and only by the executor or  administrator  of
the  Outside  Director's  estate,  by the person or persons to whom the  Outside
Director's rights under the Option shall pass under the Outside  Director's will
or the

<PAGE>13


laws of descent  and  distribution,  or by a  beneficiary  designated  in
writing in accordance with Section 16(a) hereof.

(c) Payment.  An Option granted to an Outside Director shall be exercisable only
upon  payment to the  Company  of the full  purchase  price of the  Shares  with
respect to which the Option is being exercised.  Payment for the Shares shall be
in United States  dollars,  payable in cash or by check or by delivery of Shares
having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the total option price,
or by any combination of cash and Shares.

(d) Adjustment of Options. In the event there shall be a merger, reorganization,
consolidation,  recapitalization,  stock  dividend or other  change in corporate
structure  such  that the  Shares  of the  Company  are  changed  into or become
exchangeable for a larger or smaller number of Shares,  thereafter the number of
Shares  subject  to  outstanding  Options  and the  number of Shares  subject to
Options to be granted to Outside  Directors  pursuant to the  provisions of this
Section  10 shall be  increased  or  decreased,  as the case may be,  in  direct
proportion to the increase or decrease in the number of Shares of the Company by
reason of such  change in  corporate  structure;  provided,  that the  number of
Shares shall always be a whole number,  and the purchase  price per share of any
outstanding  Options shall,  in the case of an increase in the number of Shares,
be  proportionately  reduced,  and in the case of a  decrease  in the  number of
Shares, shall be proportionately increased.

Section 11. Dividend Equivalents.

         Subject to the  provisions  of this Plan and any Award  Agreement,  the
recipient of an Award (including,  without limitations any deferred Award), may,
if so determined  by the  Committee,  be entitled to receive,  currently or on a
deferred basis, interest or dividends, or interest or dividend equivalents, with
respect to the  number of Shares  covered by the  Award,  as  determined  by the
Committee,  in its sole  discretion,  and the  Committee  may provide  that such
amounts (if any) shall be deemed to have been reinvested in additional Shares or
otherwise reinvested.

Section 12. Change in Control.

(a) In the  event of any  Change  in  Control  of the  Company,  as  hereinafter
defined,  the Committee,  as constituted before such Change in Control,  may, in
its  sole  discretion,  as to any  Award  either  at the  time an  Award is made
hereunder or any time thereafter, take any one or more of the following actions:
(i)  provide  for the  purchase  by the  Company  of any  such  Award,  upon the
Participant's request, for an amount of cash equal to the amount that could have
been  attained  upon  the  exercise  of  such  Award  or   realization   of  the
Participant's rights had such Award been currently  exercisable or payable; (ii)
make such  adjustment to any such Award then  outstanding as the Committee deems
appropriate  to reflect  such Change in  Control;  or (iii) cause any such Award
then  outstanding  to be assumed,  or new rights  substituted  therefor,  by the
acquiring or surviving corporation after such Change in Control. In the event of
a Change  of  Control,  there  shall be an  automatic  acceleration  of any time
periods  relating  to the  exercise  or  realization  of any such  Award and all
performance award standards shall be deemed satisfactorily completed without any
action required by the Committee so that such Award may

<PAGE>14


be exercised or realized in full on or before a date  fixed by the  Committee,  
except no Award shall be exercisable earlier  than six  months  after  the  date
of grant to the  extent required for exemption  under Section 16 of the Exchange
Act. The Committee may, in its discretion, include such further  provisions  and
limitations in any agreement documenting such  Awards  as it may deem  equitable
and in the best interests of the Company.

         For  purposes of this Plan,  a "Change in  Control"  shall be deemed to
have occurred if:

(i) any person (as defined in Sections  13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange  Act)
becomes the  "beneficial  owner" (as  defined in Rule 13d-3  under the  Exchange
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company (not including in the
securities  beneficially  owned by such person any securities  acquired directly
from the Company or its affiliates other than in connection with the acquisition
by the Company or its affiliates of a business) having 30% or more of the voting
power in the election of directors of the Company;

(ii) the occurrence within any twenty-four month period of a change in the Board
of  Directors  of the  Company  with the result that the  Incumbent  Members (as
defined  below) do not  constitute a majority of the Company's  Board.  The term
"Incumbent  Members" shall mean the members of the Board on the date immediately
preceding the commencement of such twenty-four  month period,  provided that any
person becoming a director during such  twenty-four  month period whose election
or nomination  for election was approved by a majority the directors who, on the
date of such  election or  nomination  for  election,  comprised  the  Incumbent
Members  shall be  considered  one of the  Incumbent  Members in respect of such
twenty-four month period;

(iii) the  stockholders of the Company approve a merger or  consolidation of the
Company  or  approve  the  issuance  of  voting  securities  of the  Company  in
connection  with a merger or  consolidation  of the  Company  (or any  direct or
indirect  subsidiary of the Company),  other than (A) a merger or  consolidation
which  would  result  in  the  voting  securities  of  the  Company  outstanding
immediately  prior to such  merger  or  consolidation  continuing  to  represent
(either by remaining outstanding or by being converted into voting securities of
the surviving entity or any parent  thereof),  in combination with the ownership
of any trustee or other fiduciary  holding under an employee benefit plan of the
Company,  at least 66 2/3% of the combined voting power of the voting securities
of the  Company  or such  surviving  entity or any  parent  thereof  outstanding
immediately after such merger or consolidation, or (B) a merger or consolidation
effected to implement a recapitalization of the Company (or similar transaction)
in which no "person" (as defined above) is or becomes the "beneficial owner" (as
defined  above),  directly or  indirectly,  of  securities  of the Company  (not
including in the  securities  beneficially  owned by such person any  securities
acquired directly from the Company or its subsidiaries  other than in connection
with  the  acquisition  by  the  Company  or  its  subsidiaries  of a  business)
representing 30% or more of the voting power in the election of directors of the
Company; or

(iv) the  stockholders of the Company approve a plan of complete  liquidation or
dissolution of the Company or a sale,  lease,  exchange or other  disposition of
all or  substantially  all of the Company's  assets,  other than a sale,  lease,
exchange or other  disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the
Company's assets to an entity,  at least 66 2/3%

<PAGE>15


of the combined voting power of the voting  securities  of which are owned by  
"persons"  (as defined  above) in substantially the same proportions as their 
ownership of the Company immediately prior to such sale.

Section 13. Amendments.

(a) The  Plan.  The Board may  amend,  suspend  or  terminate  the Plan,  but no
amendment,   suspension  or  termination  shall,  without  the  consent  of  the
Participant,  alter or  impair  the  rights of the  Participant  under any award
theretofore  granted.  In addition,  no amendment shall be effective without the
approval of  stockholders  if required by Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Code
Section 162(m) or Section 422 as the case may be.

(b) Awards. The Committee may amend the terms of any Award theretofore  granted,
prospectively  or  retroactively,  and may also substitute new Awards for Awards
previously  granted  under  this  Plan or for  awards  granted  under  any other
compensation  plan of the Company or an  Affiliate  to  Participants,  including
without  limitation  previously granted Options having higher option prices, but
no such  amendment or  substitution  shall impair the rights of any  Participant
without his or her consent.  Except as may provided in an Award  Agreement,  the
Committee  may,  in  its  sole  discretion,  in  whole  or in  part,  waive  any
restrictions  or conditions  applicable  to, or  accelerate  the vesting of, any
Award.

(c) Performance Award Criteria.  The Committee shall be authorized,  without the
Participant's  consent,  to make adjustments in Performance Award criteria or in
the terms and  conditions of other Awards in recognition of events that it deems
in its sole discretion to be unusual or nonrecurring  that affect the Company or
any Affiliate or the financial statements of the Company or any Affiliate, or in
recognition of changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles,
whenever the Committee determines that such adjustments are appropriate in order
to prevent the dilution or enlargement  of benefits or potential  benefits under
the Plan.

(d)  Curative  Amendments.  The  Committee  may correct  any defect,  supply any
omission or reconcile any  inconsistency  in the Plan or any Award in the manner
and to the extent it deems  desirable to carry it into effect.  In the event the
Company  shall  assume  outstanding  employee  benefit  awards  or the  right or
obligation  to make future such awards in  connection  with the  acquisition  of
another  corporation or business  entity,  the Committee may, in its discretion,
make  such  adjustments  in the  terms  of  awards  under  the  Plan as it deems
appropriate.

Section 14. Termination of Employment and Non-Competition.

         The Committee shall have full power and authority to determine whether,
to what  extent and under what  circumstances  any Award  shall be  canceled  or
suspended  and shall  promulgate  rules and  regulations  to determine  (a) what
events constitute disability, retirement, termination for an approved reason and
termination  for  cause  for  purposes  of the Plan and (b) the  treatment  of a
Participant under the Plan in the event of his death, disability, retirement, or
termination for an approved reason.  In addition,  but without  limitation,  all
outstanding  Awards to any  Participant  shall be canceled or  forfeited  if the
Participant, without the consent of the Committee, while employed by the Company
or after termination of such employment,  becomes associated

<PAGE>16


with, employed by, renders services to, or owns any  interest in (other than any
non-substantial interest, as determined by the Committee),  any business that is
in competition with the Company or any Affiliate,  or with any business in which
the Company or any Affiliate has a substantial  interest as  determined  by the 
Committee or such officers or committee of senior officers to whom the authority
to make such determination is delegated by the Committee.

Section 15. Termination of Awards under Certain Circumstances.

         Unless  the  Participant's  Award  Agreement  provides  otherwise,  all
unexercised,  unearned,  and/or  unpaid  Awards,  including,  but  not by way of
limitation,  Awards earned,  but not yet paid, all unpaid dividends and Dividend
Equivalents,  and all  interest  accrued on the  foregoing  shall be canceled or
forfeited,  as the case may be,  if (a) the  Participant's  employment  with the
Company or an Affiliate is terminated for cause,  (b) the  Participant is not in
compliance  with  all  applicable  provisions  of this  Plan or with  any  Award
Agreement,  or (c) the  Participant,  whether  or not  employed  or serving as a
director, acts or otherwise conducts himself in a manner inimical or contrary to
the best interest of the Company or any Affiliate.

Section 16. General Provisions.

(a)  Non-Assignability.  No Award may be  pledged  or  otherwise  encumbered  or
subject to any lien, obligation or liability of a Participant (other than to the
Company or an Affiliate), or, except for Non-Qualified Stock Options as provided
below,  assigned or  transferred by such  Participant  other than by will or the
laws or descent and distribution and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of
the  Participant,  only by the Participant or, if permissible  under  applicable
law,  by the  guardian or legal  representative  of the  Participant,  provided,
however,  that  the  Participant  may,  pursuant  to a  written  designation  of
beneficiary  filed  with and  approved  by the  Committee  prior  to his  death,
designate a beneficiary to exercise the rights of the  Participant  with respect
to any Award upon the death of the Participant. Any Award of Non-Qualified Stock
Options may be transferred  during the lifetime of the  Participant,  and may be
exercised by the transferee in accordance with the terms of the Award,  but only
if and to the extent such  transfers are permitted by the Committee  pursuant to
the express terms of an Award  Agreement and subject to any terms and conditions
which the Committee may impose on such transfers.

(b) Terms.  The term of each Award  shall be for such  period of months or years
from the date of its  grant as may be  determined  by the  Committee;  provided,
however,  that in no event  shall  the term of any  Incentive  Stock  Option  or
Limited Right related to any Incentive  Stock Option exceed a period of 10 years
from the date of its grant.

(c) Rights to Awards. No Employee,  Participant,  or other Person shall have any
claim to be granted any Award,  and there is no  obligation  for  uniformity  of
treatment of Employees, Participants, or holders or beneficiaries of Awards.

(d) No Cash  Consideration  for  Awards.  Awards  shall be  granted  for no cash
consideration  or for such  minimal  cash  consideration  as may be  required by
applicable law.

<PAGE>17


(e) Restrictions.  All certificates for Shares delivered under the Plan pursuant
to  any  Award  shall  be  subject  to  such  stock-transfer  orders  and  other
restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable  under the rules,  regulations,
and other  requirements  of the  Securities and Exchange  Commission,  any stock
exchange or stock  quotation  system upon which the Shares are then listed,  and
any applicable  Federal or state  securities  law, and the Committee may cause a
legend or  legends  to be placed on any such  certificates  to make  appropriate
reference to such restrictions.

(f)  Withholding.  The Company  shall be  authorized  to withhold from any Award
granted,  payment due or Shares or other property  transferred under the Plan or
from any  compensation  or other amount owing to a Participant the amount of any
applicable  withholding  and other taxes due and payable in respect of an Award,
payment or shares or other property transferred hereunder and to take such other
action  as may be  necessary  in the  opinion  of the  Company  to  satisfy  all
obligations  for  the  payment  of such  taxes.  The  Company  may  require  the
Participant  to pay to it such tax prior to and as a condition  of the making of
such payment or transfer of Shares or property under the Plan. The Committee may
allow a  Participant  to pay the amount of taxes due or payable in respect of an
Award by  withholding  from any payment of Shares due as a result of such Award,
or by permitting the Participant to deliver to the Company, Shares having a fair
market value, as determined by the Committee, equal to the amount of such taxes.

(g) No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements.  Nothing contained in this Plan
shall  prevent the Company or any Affiliate  from  adopting  other or additional
compensation arrangements.

(h) Governing  Law. The validity,  construction,  and effect of the Plan and any
rules and  regulations  relating to the Plan shall be  determined  in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware and applicable Federal law.

(i) Severability. If any provision of this Plan or any Award is or becomes or is
deemed to be invalid,  illegal or unenforceable in any  jurisdiction,  as to any
Person or Award, or would  disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed
applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended
to conform to applicable  laws,  or if it cannot be construed or deemed  amended
without,  in the determination of the Committee,  materially altering the intent
of the Plan or the Award,  such provision shall be stricken and the remainder of
the Plan and any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.

(j) No Right to  Employment.  The grant of an Award  shall not be  construed  as
giving a  Participant  the right to be  retained in the employ of the Company or
any  Affiliate.  Further,  the Company or an Affiliate may at any time terminate
the employment of a Participant, free from any liability, or any claim under the
Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.

(k)  Unfunded  Status of Awards;  Creation  of Trusts.  The Plan is  intended to
constitute an "unfunded"  plan for incentive and deferred  compensation.  To the
extent than any person acquires a right to receive  payments from the Company or
any  Affiliate  pursuant to an

<PAGE>18


Award, such right shall be no greater than the right  of any  unsecured  general
creditor  of the  Company  or any  Affiliate; provided,  however,  that the 
Committee may authorize the creation of trusts and deposit therein cash,  Shares
or other property, or make other arrangements to meet the Company's  obligations
under the Plan, and provided that such trusts or other arrangements are 
consistent with the "unfunded" status of the Plan.

(l) No  Fractional  Shares.  No  fractional  Shares shall be issued or delivered
pursuant to the Plan or any Award,  and the Committee  shall  determine  whether
cash, other  securities,  or other property shall be paid or transferred in lieu
of any  fractional  Shares,  or  whether  such  fractional  Shares or any rights
thereto shall be canceled, terminated, or otherwise eliminated.

(m)  Headings.  Headings are given to the Sections and  subsections  of the Plan
solely as a convenience  to  facilitate  reference.  Such headings  shall not be
deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or  interpretation of
the Plan or any provision thereof.

(n) Rule 16b-3 Compliance.  With respect to persons subject to Section 16 of the
Exchange  Act,  transactions  under this Plan are  intended  to comply  with all
applicable conditions of Rule 16b-3. To the extent any provision of this Plan or
action by the Committee was not to so comply,  the Committee may deem,  for such
persons, such provision or action null and void to the extent permitted by law.

Section 17. Effective Date of Plan.

         The Plan shall be effective as of February 17, 1998.

Section 18. Term of Plan.

         No Award shall be granted  pursuant to the Plan after  January 15, 2008
but any Award theretofore granted may extend beyond that date.



<PAGE>1

                                     FORM OF
                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         THIS  AGREEMENT  is made  and  entered  into as of  ___________________
between PAYLESS  CASHWAYS,  INC., a Delaware  corporation (the  "Company"),  and
___________________ (the "Executive").

         WHEREAS, the Company desires to employ the Executive in the capacity of
____________________________,  and the  Executive  desires to be employed by the
Company  in such  capacity  and on the  terms and  conditions  set forth in this
Agreement;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants of the parties
herein made, it is hereby agreed:

         1. Term of  Agreement.  The term of this  Agreement  shall be one year,
commencing  ____________________ and ending  ___________________,  unless sooner
terminated as provided in Paragraph 6 of this Agreement; PROVIDED, however, that
the Agreement shall be automatically renewed for an additional term of one year,
at the end of the initial  one-year term and of each  succeeding  one-year term,
unless  either the Company or the  Executive  shall serve notice on the other at
least ninety (90) days prior to the  expiration of the term, in accordance  with
the procedures set out in Paragraph 12 of this Agreement,  that the party giving
notice intends to end the Agreement at the conclusion of the then-current  term.
The Company shall not be required to show Cause,  and the Executive shall not be
required to show Good Reason,  to require the expiration of the Agreement  under
the terms of this Paragraph.

         2.  Employment  and  Duties.  The Company  hereby  agrees to employ the
Executive,  and the Executive hereby accepts employment,  to perform such duties
and responsibilities of  ____________________________ as are, from time to time,
assigned  to the  Executive  by the  Board of  Directors  or its  designee.  The
Executive  agrees to devote full  business  time and effort to the  diligent and
faithful  performance  of the  Executive's  duties  under the  direction of such
person as is designated by the Company's Board of Directors.

         3.       Compensation.

                  (a) Base Salary. As compensation for the Executive's services,
the  Executive  shall  be  paid  a base  salary  at a  minimum  annual  rate  of
$__________  payable in equal  bi-weekly  installments,  which  salary  shall be
reviewed annually and may be adjusted from time to time at the discretion of the
Board of Directors (the "Base Salary");  provided that the Base Salary shall not
be less than the amount stated in this Paragraph 3(a).

                  (b) Incentive  Compensation.  The Executive shall, in addition
to the Base Salary, also be eligible to receive incentive compensation under the
Company's  Corporate  Management  Incentive  Plan (the  "CMIP"),  or such  other
program  or plan for  officers  of the  Company  as from  time to time may be in
effect,  if any (the "Incentive  Compensation").  The

<PAGE>2


existence and terms of  any such  program  or plan  shall be  determined  solely
at the  discretion  of the  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of  Directors.
For fiscal year 1999,  the Executive's  "Annual  Incentive  Target Percentage of
Base  Compensation,"  as used  in  the  CMIP, shall be _______ percent (___%) of
Base Salary.

                  (c)  Other  Benefits.  The  Executive  shall  be  entitled  to
participate  in the  Company's  regular  health,  life,  pension,  vacation  and
disability  plans in accordance with their  respective  terms.  The Company will
also provide  employee  benefits to the Executive in respect of the  Executive's
employment  as the  Company  customarily  provides,  from  time to time,  to its
officers,  as described in Exhibit A attached to this Agreement.  Nothing herein
shall be  construed to limit the  Company's  discretion  to amend,  terminate or
otherwise modify any such plans or benefits,  subject to the Executive's  rights
under Paragraph 6(c)(iii) below.

         4.       Confidentiality, Non-Solicitation, and Non-Disparagement.

                  (a) Confidentiality of Proprietary Information.  The Executive
agrees  that,  at all times,  both during the  Executive's  employment  with the
Company and after the  expiration  or  termination  thereof for any reason,  the
Executive shall not divulge to any person, firm,  corporation,  or other entity,
or in any way use for the  Executive's  own  benefit,  except as required in the
conduct of the  Company's  business or as authorized in writing on behalf of the
Company,  any  trade  secrets  or  confidential  information  (the  "Proprietary
Information")  obtained during the course of the Executive's employment with the
Company. The Proprietary  Information includes,  but is not limited to, customer
or client lists  (including  the names and/or  positions of persons  employed by
such  customers or clients who play a role in the decisions of such customers or
clients  concerning  products or services of the type  provided by the Company),
financial  matters,  inventory  techniques  and  programs,  Company  records  of
accounts,  business  projections,  Company  contracts,  sales,  merchandising or
marketing  plans and  strategies,  pricing  information  and  formulas,  matters
contained in unpublished records and correspondence,  planned expansion programs
(including  areas of expansion  and  potential  customer  lists) and any and all
information concerning the business or affairs of the Company which is not known
by or generally  available  to the public.  All papers and records of every kind
relating to the Proprietary  Information,  including any such papers and records
which shall at any time come into the possession of the Executive,  shall be the
sole and  exclusive  property  of the Company  and shall be  surrendered  to the
Company upon  termination of the  Executive's  employment for any reason or upon
request by the Company at any time  either  during or after the  termination  of
such  employment.  All  information  relating  to or owned by  customers  of the
Company of which the Executive becomes aware or with which the Executive becomes
familiar  through the  Executive's  employment  with the  Company  shall be kept
confidential  and not disclosed to others or used by the  Executive  directly or
indirectly  except in the course of the  Company's  business.  It is agreed that
Proprietary  Information as herein  described shall be protected from disclosure
under the terms of this  Agreement,  to the  maximum  extent  permitted  by law,
whether or not entitled to protection as a trade secret.

                  (b)   Solicitation   Prohibition.   During   the   Executive's
employment  with  the  Company  and for a  period  of one  (1)  year  after  the
expiration or  termination of this  Agreement or of the  Executive's  employment
with the Company for any reason, the Executive shall not

<PAGE>3


directly or indirectly, whether as an individual for the Executive's own account
or on behalf of any other  person, firm, corporation, partnership, joint venture
or  entity whatsoever,  solicit or endeavor to entice  away from the Company any
employee who is employed by the Company.   Additionally,  during the Executive's
employment with the Company or for a period of one (1) year after the expiration
or termination of this Agreement or of Executive's  employment  with the Company
for any reason,  the Executive  shall  not,  directly or indirectly  through any
other individual or entity, solicit the business of any customer of the Company,
or solicit,  entice,  persuade  or induce any individual or entity to terminate,
reduce or refrain from forming, renewing or extending its relationship,  whether
actual or prospective, with the Company.

                  (c) Disparagement Prohibition.  The Executive acknowledges and
agrees  that as a result  of his  position  with  the  Company,  disparaging  or
critical  statements  made by the Executive may be uniquely  detrimental  to the
Company's interests and well-being.  Therefore,  the Executive agrees to use his
best efforts to assist the Company in promoting and preserving the good will and
other business  interests of the Company.  To this end, the Executive  agrees to
refrain  at all times,  both  during the  Executive's  employment  and after the
termination thereof for any reason, from making disparaging  comments or remarks
about the Company or its officers, employees, or directors.

                  (d) Definition of "Company".  For the purposes of Paragraph 4,
the term  "Company"  shall mean the  Company  and any of its direct or  indirect
parent or subsidiary organizations.

         5. Covenant Not to Compete.  During the Executive's employment with the
Company and for a period of one year after the expiration or termination of this
Agreement or of the Executive's employment with the Company (the "Noncompetition
Period"), if such termination is as a result of the expiration of this Agreement
under  Paragraph  6(h), a  termination  for Good Reason by the  Executive  under
Paragraph  6(c), or a termination by the Company  without Cause under  Paragraph
6(d),  the  Executive  agrees  not to act as an owner or  operator,  officer  or
director, employee,  consultant or agent of any other person, firm, corporation,
partnership,  joint  venture or other entity which is engaged in the business of
building materials retailing in any state in which the Company is so engaged, or
has plans to be so  engaged  during the  Noncompetition  Period.  The  foregoing
provisions  shall not prohibit the Executive from investing in any securities of
any  corporation  whose  securities,  or any of them,  are  listed on a national
securities  exchange or traded in the  over-the-counter  market if the Executive
shall own less  than one  percent  1% of the  outstanding  voting  stock of such
corporation.  The  Executive  agrees  that a breach of the  covenants  contained
herein will result in irreparable and continuing damage to the Company for which
there will be no adequate  remedy at law, and in the event of any breach of such
agreement,  the  Company  shall be  entitled  to  injunctive  and such other and
further  relief,  as may be proper,  including  damages,  attorneys'  fees,  and
litigation costs.

         6.       Termination.

                  (a) Death or Disability. In the event of the Executive's death
or if the Executive  should become unable to perform the essential  functions of
the   position  of   _________________________,   with  or  without   reasonable
accommodation by the Company,

<PAGE>4


this Agreement,  and  the  Company's  obligation to   make further  Base  Salary
payments  under the  Agreement,  shall  terminate,  and Executive shall  not  be
entitled to receive severance  benefits.  Executive shall be entitled to receive
any  Incentive  Compensation  which the  Executive  has earned, if any, prorated
to the date of the  termination of the Executive's employment by reason of death
or the date of termination,  due to disability,  of Executive's  performance  as
_________________________ under this Agreement. The Executive's  rights to other
compensation and benefits shall be determined under  the Company's benefit plans
and policies applicable to Executive then in effect.

                  (b)  Termination  for Cause by the Company.  By following  the
procedure  set  forth in  Paragraph  6(e) the  Company  shall  have the right to
terminate  this Agreement and the employment of the Executive for "Cause" in the
event Executive:

                           (i) has committed a significant  act of  dishonesty,
         deceit or breach of fiduciary duty in the performance of the 
         Executive's duties as an employee of the Company;

                           (ii) has neglected or failed to perform substantially
         the  duties  of  the  Executive's   employment  under  this  Agreement,
         including but not limited to an act of insubordination;

                           (iii) has  acted or  failed  to act in any other way
         that reflects materially and adversely upon the Company,  including but
         not limited to the  Executive's  conviction of, guilty plea, or plea of
         nolo contendere to (A) any felony,  or any misdemeanor  involving moral
         turpitude,  or (B) any  crime  or  offense  involving  dishonesty  with
         respect to the Company; or

                           (iv) has knowingly failed to comply with the 
         covenants contained in Paragraphs 4 or 5 of this Agreement.

                  If  the  employment  of the  Executive  is  terminated  by the
Company for Cause,  this Agreement and the Company's  obligation to make further
Base  Salary and  Incentive  Compensation  payments  hereunder  shall  thereupon
immediately  terminate,  and the  Executive  shall not be  entitled  to  receive
severance  benefits.  The Executive's  rights to other compensation and benefits
shall be determined under the Company's benefit plans and policies applicable to
the Executive then in effect.

                  (c) Termination for Good Reason by the Executive. By following
the procedure set forth in Paragraph 6(e), the Executive shall have the right to
terminate this  Agreement and the  Executive's  employment  with the Company for
"Good Reason" in the event:

                           (i) the Executive is not at all times a duly elected 
          ______________________ of the Company;

                           (ii) there is any material  reduction in the scope of
         the Executive's authority and responsibility (provided, however, in the
         event of any  illness  or injury

<PAGE>5


         which  prevents  the Executive from performing the Executive's  duties,
         Good Reason shall not exist if the Company reassigns the Executive's   
         duties to one or more other employees  until  the Executive is able to 
         perform such duties);

                           (iii) there is a reduction  in the  Executive's  Base
         Salary below the minimum  amount  specified in Paragraph  3(a) above; a
         material  reduction in the Incentive  Compensation  opportunity  of the
         Executive,  if any, under Paragraph 3(b) above; or a material reduction
         in the other benefits to which  Executive is entitled  under  Paragraph
         3(c) above,  as compared to the benefits  available to Executive at the
         time of execution of this Agreement.

                           (iv) the Company  requires the Executive's  principal
         place of employment be relocated  fifty (50) miles from its location as
         of the date of this Agreement;

                           (v)  the  Company  otherwise  fails  to  perform  its
         material obligations under this Agreement.

         If the  employment  of the Executive is terminated by the Executive for
Good Reason, the Executive shall be entitled to the severance benefits set forth
in  Paragraph  6(f) below,  but the  Company's  obligation  to make further Base
Salary payments and incentive compensation payments shall cease on the effective
date of such  termination.  The  Executive's  rights to other  compensation  and
benefits  shall be  determined  under the  Company's  benefit plans and policies
applicable to the Executive then in effect.

                  (d)  Termination  Without  Cause or Without Good  Reason.  The
Company may terminate  this  Agreement and the  Executive's  employment  without
Cause at any time,  and in such event the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to the
severance  benefits  set  forth in  Paragraph  6(f)  below.  The  Executive  may
voluntarily terminate this Agreement and the Executive's employment without Good
Reason at any time, but in such event the Executive shall not be entitled to the
severance  benefits  set  forth  in  Paragraph  6(f)  below.  If  the  Executive
voluntarily  terminates  this Agreement and the Executive's  employment  without
Good Reason,  or if the Company  terminates  this Agreement and the  Executive's
employment  without  Cause,  then the Company's  obligation to make further Base
Salary payments and Incentive Compensation payments shall cease on the effective
date of such  termination.  The  Executive's  rights to other  compensation  and
benefits  shall be  determined  under the  Company's  benefit plans and policies
applicable to the Executive then in effect.

                  (e) Notice and Right to Cure. The party proposing to terminate
this Agreement and the employment of the Executive for Cause or Good Reason,  as
the case may be, under Paragraph 6(b) or 6(c) above shall give written notice to
the other,  specifying the reason therefor with particularity.  In the case of a
termination  pursuant to Paragraphs  6(b)(i),  (iii) or (iv),  or 6(c)(i),  such
termination shall be effective  immediately upon delivery of such notice. In the
case of any other proposed termination for Cause or Good Reason, as the case may
be, the notice shall be given with  sufficient  particularity  so that the other
party  will  have  an  opportunity  to  correct  any  curable  situation  to the
reasonable satisfaction of the party giving the notice within

<PAGE>6


the period of time specified in the notice,  which shall not be less than thirty
(30) days. If such correction is not so made or the  circumstances or  situation
are not curable, the party giving such notice may, within thirty (30) days after
the  expiration of the time fixed to correct such situation, give written notice
to the other party  that the  employment  is  terminated  as of the date of that
writing.   Where the  Agreement and the Executive's employment are terminated by
the  Executive  without  Good  Reason  or  by  the  Company  without  Cause, the
termination  date shall be the date on which  notification  of termination shall
be mailed in accordance  with Paragraph 12 of this Agreement, unless a different
termination  date shall be designated  by the party giving notice or agreed upon
by the  Executive and the Company.

                  (f) Severance Benefits.  If this Agreement and the Executive's
employment with the Company are terminated by reason of the Executive's death or
disability, or by the Company with Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason
then the Executive  shall receive no severance  benefits.  If this Agreement and
the Executive's employment with the Company are terminated due to the expiration
of the Agreement,  by the Company  without  Cause,  or by the Executive for Good
Reason,  then the  Executive  shall be entitled to the  following  benefits (the
"Severance Benefits"):

                           (i) Base Salary. The Company shall continue to pay to
         the Executive the Executive's  Base Salary for a period of one (1) year
         after  the  date  the  Executive's   employment  with  the  Company  is
         terminated (the "Severance Period"), when and as such Base Salary would
         have been paid, and as if the Executive continued to be employed during
         such period and  regardless of the death or disability of the Executive
         after the date of termination.

                           (ii)  Incentive   Compensation.   In  the  event  the
         Compensation  Committee  of the  Board  of  Directors  determines  that
         Incentive  Compensation  is to  be  paid  in  the  year  in  which  the
         Executive's   employment  and  this  Agreement  are  terminated   under
         circumstances  in which  this  Agreement  provides  for the  payment of
         Severance   Benefits,   then  the  Executive  will  receive   Incentive
         Compensation  prorated for the time during which services were rendered
         in the year of termination,  to the extent provided by the Compensation
         Committee for the calculation of Incentive Compensation for that year.

                           (iii) Continuation of Benefits.  During the Severance
         Period,  the Company shall provide the Executive with medical,  dental,
         vision,   and  regular  and   supplemental   life  insurance   coverage
         substantially similar to the coverage which the Executive was receiving
         or entitled to receive immediately prior to the date of the termination
         of the  Executive's  employment.  In  addition,  during  the  Severance
         Period,  the Company  shall pay on behalf of the  Executive the cost of
         one annual physical  examination and the cost of the preparation of the
         Executive's federal, state and local tax returns in accordance with the
         terms set out in Exhibit A. The Company  shall provide such benefits to
         the  Executive  at Company  expense,  subject to the same  cost-sharing
         provisions,  if any,  applicable to the Executive  immediately prior to
         the  date  of  the  termination  of  employment.   Notwithstanding  the
         foregoing, the Executive shall not be entitled to receive such benefits
         to the  extent  that  the  Executive  obtains  other  employment  which
         provides comparable benefits during the Severance Period.

<PAGE>7


                           (iv)  Outplacement  Benefits.  The  Company,  at  its
         expense,  will provide to the  Executive  outplacement  services,  at a
         maximum  cost of $30,000,  to be provided  by an  outplacement  service
         provider selected solely by the Company.

                           (v)  Termination  of  Benefits.  Notwithstanding  any
         other provision of this  Agreement,  in the event that the Executive at
         any time violates the provisions of Paragraph 4(a), 4(b), 4(c), or 5 of
         this Agreement, then the Company's obligations, if any, to provide base
         salary  continuation  and  other  severance  benefits  as  set  out  in
         Paragraph  6(f) of this  Agreement  shall cease,  and such payments and
         benefits shall immediately cease.

                  (g) Change of Control.  Subject to the Executive's  compliance
with the terms  and  conditions  of this  Agreement,  if during  the term of the
Agreement the Executive's  employment is terminated without Cause as a result of
a Change of Control (as defined  below) of the Company,  and if the Executive is
not offered a comparable  position by the  Company,  then the  Severance  Period
shall be extended to the second  anniversary  of the date of the  termination of
employment, and the Executive shall be entitled to receive continued payments of
Base  Salary  during the second  year of the  Severance  Period.  All  Severance
Benefits other than  continued  payments of Base Salary shall cease on the first
anniversary  of the  termination  of  employment  in the  event of a  Change  of
Control.  For  purposes of this  Paragraph  6(g),  a Change of Control  shall be
deemed to have occurred if:

                           (i) any  "person"  (as defined in Sections  13(d) and
         14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act) become the "beneficial owner" (as defined
         in Rule 13d-3  under the  Exchange  Act),  directly or  indirectly,  of
         securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially
         owned by such person any securities  acquired directly from the Company
         or its affiliates  other than in connection with the acquisition by the
         Company  or its  affiliates  of a  business)  having 30% or more of the
         voting power in the election of directors of the Company;

                           (ii) the  occurrence  within  any  twenty-four  month
         period of a change in the Board of  Directors  of the Company  with the
         result that the Incumbent  Members (as defined below) do not constitute
         a majority of the  Company's  Board of Directors.  The term  "Incumbent
         Members"  shall mean the  members of the Board on the date  immediately
         preceding the commencement of such twenty-four  month period,  provided
         that any person  becoming  a director  during  such  twenty-four  month
         period  whose  election or  nomination  for  election was approved by a
         majority  of the  directors  who,  on the  date  of  such  election  or
         nomination  for  election,  comprised  the  Incumbent  Members shall be
         considered one of the Incumbent  Members in respect of such twenty-four
         month period;

                           (iii)  the  stockholders  of the  Company  approve  a
         merger or  consolidation  of the  Company or approve  the  issuance  of
         voting  securities  of the  Company  in  connection  with a  merger  or
         consolidation  of the Company (or direct or indirect  subsidiary of the
         Company),  other than (A) a merger or consolidation  which

<PAGE>8


         would result in the voting securities of the Company  outstanding  
         immediately prior to such merger or  consolidation  continuing  to  
         represent  (either by remaining  outstanding or by being converted into
         voting  securities of the surviving  entity or any parent  thereof), in
         combination with the ownership of any trustee or other  fiduciary  
         holding under an employee benefit plan of the Company, at least 66 2/3%
         of the combined  voting power of the voting  securities of the Company 
         or such surviving entity or any parent thereof outstanding  immediately
         after such  merger or consolidation, or (B) a  merger or consolidation 
         effected  to  implement a  recapitalization  of the Company (or similar
         transaction) in which no "person" (as defined  above) is or becomes the
         "beneficial  owner" (as  defined  above),  directly or indirectly,  of 
         securities of the Company (not including in the securities beneficially
         owned by such person any securities acquired directly from the Company 
         or its subsidiaries other than in connection with  the  acquisition  by
         the Company or its subsidiaries of a business) representing 30% or more
         of the  voting power in the election of  directors  of the  Company; or

                           (iv) the stockholders of the Company approve a plan a
         complete  liquidation or  dissolution of the Company or a sale,  lease,
         exchange  or  other  disposition  of  all or  substantially  all of the
         Company's  assets,  other  than  a  sale,  lease,   exchange  or  other
         disposition by the Company of all or substantially all of the Company's
         assets to an entity,  at least 66 2/3% of the combined  voting power of
         the  voting  securities  of which are owned by  "persons"  (as  defined
         above) in  substantially  the same proportion as their ownership of the
         Company immediately prior to such sale.

                  (h) Expiration of Term of Agreement.  At the expiration of the
term of this Agreement as defined in Paragraph 1 above, if the Agreement has not
been  previously  terminated  under  Paragraph  6(a),  (b),  (c) or (d) of  this
Agreement,  all duties and  obligations  of the  parties  under this  Agreement,
except those set out in Paragraphs 4, 5 and 6(f), when applicable, shall cease.

                           (i) Survival of Certain  Provisions.  Notwithstanding
         the expiration or termination of this  Agreement,  and the  Executive's
         employment  with the Company for any reason under this  Agreement,  the
         provisions of Paragraphs 4, 5 and 6(f), when applicable,  to the extent
         provided  therein,  survive any such  termination  and shall be binding
         upon the Executive and the Company in accordance with the provisions of
         Paragraphs 4, 5 and 6(f).

         7.  Arbitration.  Except as otherwise  provided in this Paragraph,  the
parties hereby agree that any dispute  arising under this Agreement or any claim
for breach or violation of any provision of this Agreement shall be submitted to
arbitration,  pursuant to the National  Rules for the  Resolution  of Employment
Disputes of the American Arbitration Association ("AAA"), to a single arbitrator
selected by mutual  agreement  of the parties or, if the parties do not mutually
agree on the  arbitrator,  in  accordance  with the rules of the AAA.  The award
determination  of the  arbitrator  shall be final and binding  upon the parties.
Either  party shall have the right to bring an action in any court of  competent
jurisdiction  to enforce this  Paragraph and to enforce any  arbitrator's  award
rendered  pursuant  to  this  Paragraph.   The  venue  for  all  proceedings  in
arbitration under this provision,  and for any judicial  proceedings  related to
the arbitration,  shall

<PAGE>9


be in Kansas City, Missouri.  Nothing in this Paragraph, however,  shall prevent
the Company from seeking  injunctive  relief to preserve its rights  under Para-
graph 4 or 5 of this Agreement.

         8. Business  Expenses.  The Company  shall  reimburse the Executive for
entertainment  and  travel  expenses  related  to  the  Company's   business  in
accordance  with the policies of the Company  applicable to the Executive on the
date of this  Agreement,  subject  to the right of the  Company  to  modify  its
general policies relating to expense reimbursement for employees.

         9. Severability. If any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement
shall be held invalid or  unenforceable,  the remaining  provisions shall remain
valid and enforceable to the maximum extent permitted by law.

         10. Entire  Agreement.  This  Agreement  contains a  statement  of all
agreements  and  understandings  between  the  Executive  and the Company on the
subject  matters  covered by the  Agreement,  and it replaces and supersedes all
prior contracts and agreements  between the Executive and the Company concerning
such matters.

         11. Binding  Effect.  This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of the personal representatives,  heirs and assigns of the Executive
and to any successors in interest and assigns of the Company.

         12. Notices.  All notices  required or permitted to be given hereunder
shall be registered or certified  mail  addressed to the  respective  parties at
their addresses set forth below:


         To the Executive:        ____________________________
                                  ____________________________
                                  ____________________________
                                            
         To the Company:          Payless Cashways, Inc.
                                  Two Pershing Square
                                  2300 Main, P. 0. Box 419466
                                  Kansas City, MO 64141-0466
                                  Attn: Vice President - Human Resources

                                  Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP
                                  Two Pershing Square
                                  2300 Main, Suite 1000
                                  Kansas City, MO 64108
                                  Attn:  Gary Gilson

or such other address as a party hereto may notify the other in writing.

         13.  Applicable Law. This Agreement,  or any portion thereof,  shall be
interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Missouri.

<PAGE>10


         14.  Assignment.  The rights and  obligations of the Company under this
Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and shall be binding upon the successors
and  assigns  of the  Company.  Executive  may not  assign  any of his rights or
delegate  any of his duties or  obligations  under this  Agreement  without  the
Company's express written consent.

         15. Non-Waiver Provision. The failure of either party of this Agreement
to insist upon strict  adherence to any term of this Agreement,  or to object to
any  failure  to comply  with any  provision  of this  Agreement,  shall not (a)
constitute  or operate as a waiver of that  terms or  provision,  (b) estop that
party from  enforcing  that term or  provision,  or (c) preclude that party from
enforcing that term or provision or any other term or provision.  The receipt of
a party to this Agreement of any benefit from this Agreement  shall not effect a
waiver or estoppel of the right of that party to enforce any  provision  of this
Agreement.

         16.  Golden  Parachute  Savings  Provision.  If, in the absence of this
provision,  any amount  received or to be received by the Executive  pursuant to
this Agreement would be subject to the "Excise Tax" imposed on "excess parachute
payments"  by  Section  4999  of  the  Internal  Revenue  Code  of  1986  or any
corresponding  provision of any later Federal tax law, the Company shall, in its
reasonable  discretion,  reduce the amounts  payable to the largest  amount that
will result in elimination of any Excise Tax liability.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have duly executed this Agreement as of
the day and year first written above.


[INDIVIDUAL]                      PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.



                                  By:___________________________
                                  Name: ________________________
                                  Title: _______________________


<PAGE>11


                            Schedule for Exhibit 10.4

         The following executive officers of Payless Cashways, Inc. have entered
into an Amended and Restated Employment  Agreement with Payless Cashways,  Inc.,
dated as of December 1, 1998, in substantially the form hereto:

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>                                                                                           Annual Incentive Target
                                                                              Base          Percentage of Base
Name                          Title                                           Salary            Compensation
- ----                          -----                                           ------            ------------
<S>                           <C>                                            <C>                     <C>
Millard E. Barron             President and Chief Executive Officer          $450,000                75%
Stanley K. Boyd               Senior Vice President - Store Operations       $275,000                50%
Richard G. Luse               Senior Vice President - Finance, Chief         $225,000                50%
                              Financial Officer
Kelly R. Abney                Vice President - Logistics, Replenishment      $207,000                50%
                              and Facilities
James L. Deats                Vice President - Information Systems           $175,000                50%
Shawn J. Hepinstall           Vice President - Merchandising                 $160,000                50%
Louise R. Iennaccaro          Vice President - Human Resources               $135,000                40%
David J. Krumbholz            Vice President - Professional Business         $212,000                50%
Timothy R. Mertz              Vice President - Treasury                      $160,000                40%

</TABLE>





<PAGE>1

                            INDEMNIFICATION AGREEMENT


         This Agreement is between Payless Cashways,  Inc. and ___________. 
In this Agreement,  "Payless," "we" or "us" refers to Payless Cashways,  Inc.
and "you" refers to  ________________.  The glossary attached as Exhibit "A"
defines certain other capitalized terms used in this Agreement.

         1 .      Date.

         This Agreement is February ___, 1999.

         2.       Purpose of the Agreement.

         We desire to attract and retain your services as a Payless  director or
officer.  We recognize,  however,  that you might be concerned because directors
and officers are  sometimes  named as parties in expensive  litigation.  To help
alleviate that concern and to induce you to serve, we agree to indemnify you for
certain expenses  potentially  resulting from such litigation.  We also agree to
use reasonable efforts to maintain  directors' and officers'  insurance for your
benefit.

         3.       Agreement to Serve.

         You agree to serve or to continue to serve as  Payless'  _____________
until you are no longer  duly  appointed,  elected  or  qualified  or until you
resign.

         4.       Directors' and Officers' Insurance.

         We agree to use reasonable  efforts to maintain one or more enforceable
policies of directors' and officers'  insurance for your benefit.  The insurance
will provide  coverage in amounts which our Board of Directors  determines to be
reasonable.  Our  obligation to maintain  insurance  ends when you are no longer
serving Payless in your present capacity and there is no reasonable  possibility
that  someone  will sue you  based on your  prior  service  to  Payless  in that
capacity. Our obligation to maintain insurance will also cease if such insurance
is not  reasonably  available or if our Board of Directors  determines  that the
cost of providing the insurance exceeds its benefits.

         5.       Agreement to Indemnify.

         Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement, we
agree to indemnify you for your expenses resulting from a threatened, pending or
completed Proceeding, including any Proceeding by or in the right of Payless, if
you meet the following requirements:

              - You are (or at the time in question  were) serving as our Agent,
                or as the Agent of another entity at our request;
<PAGE>2

              - You acted in good faith and in a manner you  reasonably
                believed  to be in (or not opposed to) our best interests;

              - You had no  reason  to  believe  your  conduct  was  unlawful
                (if the  Proceeding  against  you is criminal); and

              - Delaware law does not prohibit us from indemnifying you.

         6.       Advancement of Expenses.

         Subject to the  limitations set forth in Section 7 of the Agreement and
subject to the following conditions,  we will advance all costs and expenses you
reasonably incur in connection with the  investigation,  defense,  settlement or
appeal of any Proceeding upon receipt from you of:

             - Your written affirmation of your good faith belief that you have
               met the standard of conduct  necessary  for  indemnification  set
               forth in Section 5 of this Agreement; and

             - Your undertaking (or an undertaking on your behalf) to repay all
               amounts  so  advanced  if  a  court  having  final   jurisdiction
               determines that you are not entitled to indemnification  for such
               expenses under this Agreement or otherwise.

         7.       Limitation of Indemnity.

         Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  contained  in  Section  5,
Section 6 or any other section of this  Agreement,  we will not indemnify you or
advance  expenses in connection with a Proceeding which you initiated unless our
Board of Directors authorized the Proceeding (or any part thereof). We also will
not indemnify you:

             - to the  extent  that  payment  is made  to you or on your  behalf
               under  a valid  and  collectible insurance policy;

             - to the extent that you receive payment other than under this 
               Agreement;

             - with respect to directors'  acts or omissions for which our
               Certificate of  Incorporation  may not limit liability under
               Delaware law; or

             - if a court having final jurisdiction determines in a final
               decision that such indemnification is not lawful.


<PAGE>3


         8.       Notification of Right to Indemnification.

         You agree to notify us  promptly  after your  receipt of notice  that a
Proceeding  has been brought (or is  threatened  to be brought)  against you. If
your failure to notify us promptly prejudices us in our defense of a Proceeding,
we will be  relieved  of  liability  under this  Agreement  to the extent of the
prejudice.

         9.       Notice to Insurer.

         If we have  directors' and officers'  liability  insurance in effect at
the time we receive notice of a Proceeding  from you, we will give prompt notice
to the insurer in accordance with the requirements of the insurance  policy.  We
will take all  necessary  or  desirable  action to cause the  insurer to pay all
amounts owed under the terms of the policy.

         10.      Determination of Right to Indemnification.

         Subject to the limitations set forth in Section 7 of this Agreement, we
agree to indemnify  you if you meet the  requirements  for  indemnification  set
forth in Section 5 of this Agreement.  We will determine  whether you meet those
requirements using one of the following three methods:

             - by a majority vote of directors who are not parties to the
               Proceeding (regardless of whether there are enough such directors
               to constitute a quorum);

             - by Independent Legal Counsel selected by directors who are not
               parties to the Proceeding; or

             - by vote of our stockholders, if there are no directors who are 
               not parties to the Proceeding.

If Independent  Legal Counsel  determines  your  entitlement to  indemnification
under this Section 10, we will pay all reasonable fees and expenses  incurred by
such counsel in connection with such determination.

          The persons  determining  your  entitlement  to  indemnification  will
presume  that  you are  entitled  to  indemnification.  The  termination  of any
Proceeding by judgment,  order, settlement or conviction, or upon a plea of nolo
contendere or the equivalent, will not create a presumption that you did not act
in good faith and in a manner you believed to be in (or not opposed to) our best
interests.  Such a termination  also will not create a presumption  that you had
reasonable cause to believe that your conduct was unlawful.

          Following our  determination of your  entitlement to  indemnification,
our  Secretary or another  corporate  officer will notify you in writing of such
determination. If we determine that you are not entitled to indemnification, you
may pursue the remedies provided by Section 14 of this Agreement.

<PAGE>4

         11.      Payment of Indemnification.

         If we determine that you are entitled to  indemnification,  we will pay
all costs and expenses you reasonably incurred in connection with the Proceeding
in question.  In addition,  we will pay all expenses you reasonably  incurred in
cooperating  with  the  persons   responsible  for  determining  your  right  to
indemnification,  regardless  of whether we  determine  that you are entitled to
indemnification.

         Our  obligations  to make payments under this Agreement are not subject
to diminution by set off,  counterclaim,  abatement or otherwise.  However,  you
will not be  released  from any  liability  or  obligation  that you may owe us,
whether under this Agreement or otherwise.

         12.      Assumption of Defense.

         If we are required to pay the costs of any Proceeding  brought  against
you,  we shall have the right to assume the  defense  of such  Proceeding,  with
counsel  approved by you, upon delivery to you of written notice of our election
to assume the defense. Notwithstanding the foregoing, however, we shall not have
the right to assume your defense in any Proceeding brought by or in the right of
Payless or as to which you have reasonably concluded that there is a conflict of
interest between you and us in the conduct of the defense.

         After we have  delivered  notice to you that we  intend  to assume  the
defense of a Proceeding,  you will have the right to employ separate  counsel at
your expense.  We will not be liable to you under this Agreement for any fees of
counsel you subsequently incur with respect to the Proceeding, unless:

             - We previously have authorized you to employ separate counsel at 
               our expense;

             - You  reasonably  have  concluded  that  there is a  conflict  of
               interest between you and us in the conduct of your defense; or

             - We have failed to employ  counsel to assume your defense in such
               Proceeding.

         13.      Cooperation and Settlement of Claim.

         You  agree  to give  us  such  information  and  cooperation  as we may
reasonably request in defense of any claim or threat of a claim.

         You  agree  that we are not  obligated  to  indemnify  you  under  this
Agreement  for any  amounts  you pay to settle any action or claim  without  our
prior written consent.  We agree not to settle any action or claim in any manner
that will impose any penalty or  limitation  on you without  your prior  written
consent.

         Each  party  to this  Agreement  agrees  not to  unreasonably  withhold
consent  to any  proposed  settlement.  If either  party  refuses  to agree to a
proposed  settlement   acceptable  to  the  other  party,  Payless  will  retain
Independent  Legal  Counsel  reasonably  acceptable  to you for the

<PAGE>5

purpose of determining whether the proposed settlement is reasonable under the
circumstances.  Payless will pay all  reasonable  fees and expenses  incurred by
Independent Legal Counsel in connection with such determination.  If Independent
Legal Counsel  determines that the proposed  settlement is reasonable  under all
the  circumstances,  the party  advocating  the  settlement  may  consummate the
settlement without the consent of the other party.

          14.     Your Remedies.

         If we fail to honor our obligations  under Section 6 of this Agreement,
or if we  detainee  that you are not  entitled  to  indemnification  under  this
Agreement, you may seek (a) an adjudication in an appropriate court in the State
of Delaware or in any other court of competent jurisdiction,  or (b) an award in
arbitration  to be  conducted  by a single  arbitrator  under  the  rules of the
American Arbitration Association, for the purpose of enforcing your rights under
this  Agreement.  However,  you may not seek such an adjudication or arbitration
later  than ISO days  following  the  earlier  of (x) the  date of  notice  of a
determination that you are not entitled to  indemnification,  or (y) the date 60
days after we receive your request for indemnification.

         Any judicial proceeding or arbitration  commenced under this Section 14
shall be conducted de novo and without  presumption that you are not entitled to
indemnification.

         If the  court  or  arbitrator  determines  that  you  are  entitled  to
indemnification, we shall be bound by such determination, unless:

             - You have  misstated a material  fact or omitted a material  fact
               necessary to make your  statements in connection with the request
               for indemnification not misleading; or

             - Applicable law prohibits us from indemnifying you.

In  addition,  we will pay your  reasonable  expenses  incurred in  successfully
establishing  your right to  indemnification  or  advancement of expenses in any
action (or settlement thereof) under this Section 14.

         We shall be precluded  from  asserting in any  judicial  proceeding  or
arbitration commenced under this Section 14 that the procedures and presumptions
set forth in this  Agreement are not  enforceable.  We agree to stipulate in any
such  court  or  before  any  such  arbitrator  that we are  bound by all of the
provisions of this Agreement.


<PAGE>6


         15.      Notice.

         All notices,  requests,  demands and other  communications  relating to
this  Agreement  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to be duly given if (a)
delivered  by hand  and  receipted  for by the  party  to  whom  the  notice  or
communication  was directed,  or (b) mailed by certified or registered mail with
postage  prepaid,  on the third  business  day after the date on which it was so
mailed:

         if to you, to:

         ________________________
         ________________________
         ________________________

         or to such other address as you furnish us, and

         if to Payless, to:

         Payless Cashways, Inc.
         Two Pershing Square
         2300 Main
         Kansas City, MO 64108
         Attention: Secretary/Assistant Secretary

         With a copy to:

         Blackwell Sanders Peper Martin LLP
         2300 Main Street, Suite 1000
         Kansas City, MO 64108
         Attention: Gary D. Gilson

         or to such other address as we furnish you.

         16.      Severability.

         If a court of competent jurisdiction determines that any portion of the
Agreement  is  unenforceable,  we will  nevertheless  indemnify  you to the full
extent permitted by the enforceable portions of the Agreement. The invalidity or
unenforceability  of any  provision(s)  of this  Agreement  will not  affect the
enforceability of the Agreement's other provisions.

         17.      Modification and Waiver.

         Any  supplement,  modification  or amendment to this  Agreement will be
binding only if both parties have executed it.

<PAGE>7

         If either party waives any of the  provisions of this  Agreement,  such
waiver  will  be  effective  only  as to the  particular  provision  and  matter
expressly waived.

          18.     Continuation of Indemnity.

Our  obligations  under this Agreement shall continue during the period in which
(a) you are (or have consented to be) an Agent of Payless, or (b) are serving as
an Agent of another  corporation,  partnership,  joint  venture,  trust or other
enterprise at our request.  Our  obligations  shall also continue for as long as
you are  subject  to any  possible  claim or  threatened,  pending  or  competed
Proceeding by reason of your service in such capacity.

          19.     Binding Effect.

         This Agreement binds us and our successors and assigns.  This Agreement
inures  to  the   benefit  of  you  and  your  heirs,   assigns   and   personal
representatives.

         20.      Non-Exclusivity.

         The  indemnification  to which you are entitled under this Agreement is
not exclusive of any other indemnification to which you are or may be entitled.

         21.      Subrogation Rights.

         If we pay any amounts  under this  Agreement,  we will be subrogated to
the extent of such  payment to your  rights of  recovery  against  any person or
organization. You agree to execute all papers required and to do everything that
may be reasonably necessary to secure such rights for us.

         22.      Agreement to Supersede.

         This  Agreement  supersedes  any other  prior  written  indemnification
agreement between you and us.

         23.      Governing Law.

         This Agreement shall be construed,  enforced and governed in accordance
with the laws of the State of Delaware  applicable  to contracts  made and to be
performed in that state.

         24.      Counterparts.

         The parties may execute any number of  counterparts  of this Agreement,
each of which will be an original.


<PAGE>8


25.      Headings.

         The headings of the  paragraphs in this  Agreement are for  convenience
only.  They  do not  constitute  part of the  Agreement  and do not  affect  the
construction of it.

                    [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK;
                             SIGNATURE PAGE FOLLOWS]


<PAGE>9


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  The parties have executed this Agreement as of the
day and year first above written.


                                           PAYLESS CASHWAYS, INC.


                                           _______________________________
                                           By:____________________________
                                           Title:_________________________


                                           [INDIVIDUAL]


                                           _______________________________


<PAGE>


                                               CORPORATE MANAGEMENT
                                                  INCENTIVE PLAN


                                                 TABLE OF CONTENTS


         TOPIC                                                              PAGE

         Plan Objectives.......................................................1

         Plan Features

                  Eligibility Requirements.....................................2
                  Target Incentive Award.......................................2

         Incentive Award Determination.........................................3

         Plan Procedures.......................................................4

         Incentive Award Distribution..........................................6

         Plan Administration...................................................6






                                                                   December 1998






<PAGE>1


                              CORPORATE MANAGEMENT
                                 INCENTIVE PLAN


PLAN OBJECTIVES

Compensation  is a  critical  factor in  attracting,  retaining  and  motivating
management personnel.  Incentive  compensation is a vital component of the total
compensation  package.  The  philosophy of an incentive  plan combined with base
compensation  creates an effective total compensation  program that is essential
to the overall long-term success of our Company.

The plan objectives are to:

          -   Recognize and reward superior  performance for the achievement of
              a critical  performance  objective,  the  achievement  of Earnings
          -   Before  Interest,  Taxes &  Depreciation  (EBITD)  at a  specified
              level.

          -   Provide a competitive total compensation package.

          -   Promote a sense of team effort in which all management  personnel
              share in the rewards of superior performance.


<PAGE>2


                              CORPORATE MANAGEMENT
                                 INCENTIVE PLAN


ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for participation in the Corporate Management Incentive Plan, you
must be a  regular,  full-time  employee,  grade  508 or  above.  You  may  also
participate in the plan if you are a regular,  full time employee performing the
duties of Field Auditor. In addition, you must:

          -   be continuously employed by the Company throughout  the incentive 
              period,

          -   have  acceptable  overall  performance  and  not  engage  in  any
              behavior, which would be grounds for termination during the entire
              incentive period and the period up to distribution.

Employees  begin  participation  in the plan on their date of hire or  promotion
into an eligible position.


TARGET INCENTIVE AWARD

The  target  incentive  percentage  multiplied  by the  employee's  actual  base
compensation  earned  during the  incentive  period  reflects the  participant's
target incentive award. The target percentage for Corporate  Management is shown
below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Annual Incentive Target
                  Salary Grade                       % of Base Compensation
                  ------------                       ----------------------
                      <S>                                       <C>

                      508                                       12.0%*
                      509                                       14.0%
                      510                                       16.0%
                      511                                       18.0%
                      512                                       24.0%
                      513                                       40.0%
                      514                                       40.0%
                      515                                       50.0%
                      516                                       50.0%
                      517                                       50.0%
                      518                                       75.0%
<FN>
                  * Also applies to Field Auditors.
</FN>
</TABLE>

The  target  incentive  award  will  remain  unchanged  for the  balance  of the
incentive period unless those conditions  outlined in the Plan Procedures occur.
(See Plan Procedures  beginning on page 4). Actual base compensation paid during
the year will be used in calculating earned awards.

<PAGE>3

                                 INCENTIVE PLAN


INCENTIVE AWARD DETERMINATION

The  incentive  award under the plan will be earned  based upon  achievement  of
EBITD at a specified level. Shown below is the award schedule.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                              % of Budgeted                     Earned
                                EBITD                           EBITD
                                Attained                       Award Percent
                                ----------                     -------------
                     <S>                              <C>

                                   90%                              50%
                                   91%                              55%
                                   92%                              60%
                                   93%                              65%
                                   94%                              70%
                                   95%                              75%
                                   96%                              80%
                                   97%                              85%
                                   98%                              90%
                                   99%                              95%
                                  100%                             100%
                                  101%                             105%
                                  102%                             110%
                                  103%                             115%
                                  104%                             120%
                                  105%                             125%
                                  106%                             130%
                                  107%                             135%
                                  108%                             140%
                                  109%                             145%
                                  110%                             150%
                     Greater than 110%*               Greater than 150%
<FN>
*For the CEO,  grade 518, the schedule will continue in similar  increments  for
  performance above 110% with no cap.
</FN>
</TABLE>

SAMPLE PAYOUT CALCULATION

Actual Base      x     Target Incentive    x     Earned EBITD      =   Incentive
Compensation           Percent                   Award Percent         Payment


<PAGE>4


                              CORPORATE MANAGEMENT
                                 INCENTIVE PLAN

PLAN PROCEDURES

Prorated awards shall occur in accordance with the following guidelines.

1.       New Hires.

         Employees  hired  into  an  eligible  position  will  be  eligible  for
         incentive pay on their date of hire.  Earned incentive awards are based
         on the plan  formula  and the actual  base  compensation  earned in the
         eligible position during the performance period.

2.       Promoted Into Eligible Position.

         Employees  promoted  into an eligible  position  will be  eligible  for
         incentive  pay on their job begin  date.  Earned  incentive  awards are
         based on the plan  formula and the actual base  compensation  earned in
         the eligible position during the performance period.

3.       Promoted From One Eligible Position to Another Eligible Position.

         If an  employee  is  promoted  into a  position  which has a  different
         formula for determining  the target  incentive  award,  the old formula
         will be calculated on the actual base compensation earned in the former
         position,  and the new formula  will be  calculated  on the actual base
         compensation earned in the new position.

4.       Reclassification.

         If an employee's current position is reclassified and assigned to a new
         grade in the Payless Cashways' job classification  program,  the target
         incentive  award will be adjusted in accordance with the procedures for
         a  promotion,  if  assigned  to a higher  grade or for a  demotion,  if
         assigned to a lower grade.

5.       Transfer.

         Employees  who  transfer  between  locations  will  be  eligible  for a
         prorated incentive based on the actual base compensation earned at each
         location  during  the  performance  period  and  the  fiscal  year  end
         performance against budget for each location.

6.       Demotion.

         If an employee is demoted into a position which has a different formula
         for determining  the target  incentive  award,  the old formula will be
         calculated  on the  actual  base  compensation  earned  in  the  former
         position  and the new  formula  will be  calculated  on the actual base
         compensation earned in the new position.
<PAGE>5

                              CORPORATE MANAGEMENT
                                 INCENTIVE PLAN

PLAN PROCEDURES (Cont'd.)

         An eligible employee who is demoted to a position which is not eligible
         for  participation  in the plan will receive a prorated  award based on
         the plan  formula and the actual base  compensation  earned  during the
         performance period.


7.       Interrupted Service.

         If an employee's  service is  interrupted  during the plan year,  for a
         period in excess of 90 days due to short or long term disability and/or
         other approved leaves of absence,  he/she shall receive,  if earned, an
         incentive award,  which has been prorated based on the plan formula and
         the  actual  base  compensation  earned  during the plan year or fiscal
         quarter(s) plus first 90 days of leave.


The following guidelines apply in cases of employee separation:

1.       Involuntary Termination.

         An  employee  in the  plan  who,  during  the  performance  period,  is
         involuntarily  terminated  for such  reasons  as  facility  closing  or
         reduction in force,  shall be ineligible for any incentive payments for
         the current performance period.

         An  employee  in the plan who,  at any time prior to  distribution,  is
         involuntarily   terminated  for  performance   deficiencies   shall  be
         ineligible for any incentive payments.

2.       Termination for Violation of Company Policy.

         An  employee  in the plan who,  at any time prior to  distribution,  is
         involuntarily  terminated or resigns in lieu of involuntary termination
         for violation of Company  policy shall be ineligible  for any incentive
         payments.

3.       Voluntary Termination.

         An  employee  in  the  plan  who  terminates   voluntarily  during  the
         performance  period shall be ineligible for any incentive  payments for
         the current performance period.

<PAGE>6


                              CORPORATE MANAGEMENT
                                 INCENTIVE PLAN


INCENTIVE AWARD DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of earned  incentive  awards shall be made by February 15 following
the end of the plan year.

Awards are issued by check and are subject to applicable government  withholding
taxes.  Participant  elected benefit  deductions,  such as MoneyBuilder  will be
taken from incentive award payments.

Incentive Pay Discrepancies

Errors in the  calculation of an employee's  incentive award must be reported to
the Compensation  Department  within 30 days of receipt.  All corrected  amounts
will be added to the employee's next regularly scheduled paycheck.

PLAN ADMINISTRATION

This  plan is  established  as of the  first  day of the  fiscal  year of  1999,
November 29, 1998, and continues each fiscal year unless modified by appropriate
company action.

Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  reserves  the  right to amend or  terminate  the plan.
Administration  of the  Corporate  Management  Incentive  Plan will be under the
direction of the Vice  President - Human  Resources.  The Vice President - Human
Resources,  will resolve questions that may arise relating to the interpretation
or administration of the plan.




<PAGE>1




"It is our mission at Payless  Cashways,  Inc. to be the building  materials and
home improvement supplier of first choice for the professional builder,  remodel
and repair contractor,  institutional buyer, and project-oriented  consumer. Our
team will  leverage  our  merchandising  expertise  and vendor  partnerships  to
provide  professional  quality  assortments and superior  customer service while
growing revenue, earnings and stockholder value."


<PAGE>2


Dear Stockholder:

As the Non-Executive Chairman of the new Board of Directors of Payless Cashways,
Inc., I report to you on our first full year of operation.  Payless emerged from
protection under Chapter 11 of the United States  Bankruptcy Code on December 2,
1997. A new Board of  Directors  of  experienced,  successful  and  enthusiastic
individuals  went to work on your  behalf.  Donald  E.  Roller,  a member of the
Board,  agreed to serve as Acting Chief Executive Officer and a search began for
a permanent President/Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Roller continued in that role
through  June 1998,  making  good  progress  as the Board and senior  management
worked to reduce expense,  establish  controls,  and reexamine the strategy.  We
thank him for his excellent work.

Millard E.  Barron  joined the Company in June 1998 as the  President  and Chief
Executive  Officer  of  Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  He is a person  of  remarkable
capacity,  both as a merchant  and as a driving  force behind the rebirth of the
Company.  With over thirty years of experience in retail with Hill's  Department
Stores,  WAL-MART,  and Hudson's Bay Company  (Zeller's),  he brings a wealth of
knowledge,  experience and well-honed  customer-focus.  His energy,  enthusiasm,
determination, and customer-focused/merchandise-driven  approach is transforming
the Company.  Payless  Cashways,  an industry leader with a long and proud past,
needed such a retail leader to drive its recovery  toward  financial  health and
prosperity.  He has the  confidence  of the  Board,  and he is proving to be the
right person for this critical role.

In  addition  to Millard  Barron,  Don  Roller  and me,  the Board of  Directors
includes 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 &
Co.,  Incorporated.  David M. Chamberlain,  Chairman of Genesco,  Inc., made the
decision to step down as a Director due to other  obligations.  His guidance was
extraordinarily  helpful  in his  tenure  on the  Board,  and we  thank  him for
serving.  This is an exceptional group of successful business  executives,  each
with an  individual,  proven record of  accomplishment  in his own  professional
career.  They bring  experience  in the building  materials  industry,  finance,
marketing, technology and turnaround situations. They have met tirelessly during
this past year, actively addressing the issues facing the Company.

As a Board,  we understand  that  sustained  growth in sales and earnings is the
fundamental  key to improving  stockholder  value.  We believe that  progress is
being made as evidenced by the Company recording three quarters of net income in
1998.  Millard Barron has undertaken the difficult tasks of reshaping his senior
staff,  addressing  relationship  issues with  vendors,  motivating  associates,
eliminating  impaired assets where  necessary,  assigning  accountabilities  and
creating a clear vision of future  success for Payless as a premier  supplier to
the professional customer. We expect the Company to grow in 1999.

We thank you for your patience and support during this time of  transition.  The
Board is engaged,  committed to success,  and resolute about improving  outcomes
for Payless Cashways and for you.

/s/ Peter G. Danis

Peter G. Danis
Non-Executive Chairman of the Board




Dear Stockholder:

When I joined  Payless  Cashways,  Inc. in June of 1998, I was excited about the
Company,  the heritage,  the people,  the market niche position and the business
opportunity. As I write to you, I am happy to report that I am even more excited
now about our Company position and potential for the future.

During the second half of 1998,  my primary focus has been in several key areas.
They included:
     1)   Stabilizing the organization,
     2)   Turning the sales and earnings momentum,
     3)   Assembling an effective senior management team and structure, and
     4)   Communications, communications, communications.

We also developed and implemented a corporate  mission  statement and a cultural
core values statement,  both of which appear in this annual report. I have found
the  traditional  and most basic ethics and  practices of our Company to be very
solid, grounded in integrity,  honesty, and fairness. I believe we have in place
the right  kind of  foundation  upon  which we can build a  growing,  profitable
company in the future.


<PAGE>3

Stabilizing the  organization  has involved a myriad of activities  ranging from
gaining control of all company expenses,  to reducing  non-performing  inventory
and eliminating unproductive,  impaired assets. I believe that positive earnings
results in the last three  quarters  of the year  demonstrate  good  progress in
these areas and a very positive  directional  change. And, we also did, in fact,
turn the  sales  momentum  from a low  point in the  second  quarter  of a 13.2%
same-store  sales  decrease to a 1.1%  same-store  sales  decrease in the fourth
quarter.  Of course,  we will never be happy with decreases and are committed to
same-store  sales  increases  for  1999.  However,  the  trend  is  encouraging,
particularly  in sales with the Pro customer  where we were up 9% in  same-store
sales for the fourth quarter.

I am also  pleased to report  that our  Company is  populated  with  wonderfully
talented and dedicated  people  throughout the  organization up to and including
our Board of Directors.  We have assembled a strong new senior  management team,
for the most part from within the Company,  as only I and our new Vice President
of  Information  Systems,  Jim  Deats,  come  from  outside  the  Company.  And,
throughout the  chain-of-leadership,  we have restructured  where appropriate to
ensure  that the  Payless  corporate  pyramid  has our  customers  and our store
associates at the top and everybody else supporting and focusing on them.

Also,  first,  last,  and  always,  I am  committed  to  continuous,  proactive,
effective  communications,  both within our  organization and with all other key
constituencies.  Our Company is going through an incredible  amount of necessary
internal change and, at the same time, we have many external  relationships that
we must  repair,  improve and  leverage  to our  benefit in the future.  We will
continue to  over-communicate  as  appropriate as we move the Company in our new
direction. Our amazing associates, clearly our most important asset, require and
deserve to be well trained and well informed. Our vendors, our lenders, and you,
our stockholders, also have been very supportive and, again, require and deserve
to be well  informed.  Our Company needs the positive  leverage  that  effective
communication can provide.

This past year  represented a turn-around  year for  Payless Cashways.  While we
are only in the early stages of reinventing  ourselves,  the worst is behind us.
We now have loyal  associates  and customers,  increasing  vendor  support,  and
continued  financial  support  from our lenders.  Through an intense,  thorough,
ongoing,  almost  fanatical focus  on our  customers, we will continue to change
and reorganize  everything we do around the objectives we set. By moving to be a
merchandising-driven,  customer-focused  company and raising  all  standards  of
execution,  we will begin to grow market  share  again.  Our  strategy to be the
premier  supplier of goods and services to our Pro builder,  remodeling,  repair
and property maintenance  professionals is in place and already showing positive
results.  Our  full-line,   drive-through  lumberyards,   and  "hardware  store"
showrooms  are well  positioned  for the Pro and,  at the same  time,  provide a
unique,   desirable,   solution-oriented   shopping   experience  for  our  many
project-oriented  do-it-yourself  customers,  who also happen to enjoy  shopping
where the Pro shops.  Our extensive  customer service  expertise,  combined with
many value-added services,  provide an attractive overall package to support our
more than 800,000 customers who shop our stores in an average week.

As we look forward to 1999, we have  allocated a capital  expenditure  budget of
nearly $60 million to provide the tools and  improvements  necessary to fuel our
growth.  We are  investing  $7 million in  technology  to improve our  inventory
productivity and to provide timely, effective  decision-support  information for
our merchants. We will use $14 million to purchase ten previously leased stores,
and an additional $19 million is earmarked for investments that will improve our
capabilities  to service the Pro,  including  potential  acquisitions  of retail
operations and/or manufacturing  facilities,  store remodels and new stores. The
remainder will fund routine capital  expenditures  needed to maintain our stores
and distribution centers.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the new team at Payless Cashways.
It is my commitment that our Company become profitable again and that we enhance
stockholder value. In closing, to our associates,  I say, thank you for all that
you do for our  customer.  To our  vendors,  I say,  come on in and  let's  grow
profitably together. And, to our lenders and our stockholders,  I say, thank you
for your continued support. We will be successful.

/s/ Millard E. Barron

Millard E. Barron
President and Chief Executive Officer



<PAGE>

      [Page 4 through  8 of the  original  document,  which  contained  text and
pictures, have been omitted from the EDGAR filing.]





<PAGE>9


Payless Cashways, Inc.

Board of Directors

Peter G. Danis +
Non-executive Chairman of the Board
Payless Cashways, Inc.
Former Chief Executive Officer
Boise Cascade Office Products Corporation

Millard E. Barron
President and Chief Executive Officer
Payless Cashways, Inc.

H. 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.

Donald E. Roller + #
Former Executive Vice President
North American Gypsum USG Corporation

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

Millard E. Barron
President and Chief Executive Officer
Payless Cashways, Inc.

Stanley K. Boyd
Senior Vice President - Store Operations

Richard G. Luse
Senior Vice President - Finance and
Chief Financial Officer

Kelly R. Abney
Vice President - Logistics, Replenishment and Facilities

James L. Deats
Vice President - Information Systems

Renae G. Gonner
Vice President - Marketing and Advertising

Shawn J. Hepinstall
Vice President - Merchandising

Louise R. Iennaccaro
Vice President - Human Resources

David J. Krumbholz
Vice President - Professional Business

Ronald D. Long
Vice President - Merchandising Display and Productivity

Timothy R. Mertz
Vice President - Treasury

Kenneth G. Frank, Jr.
Regional Vice President

Dennis R. Knowles
Regional Vice President

David L. Wenman
Regional Vice President



<PAGE>10

<TABLE>

Payless Cashways, Inc.

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)


In thousands, except per share amounts
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          Reorganized Company
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                     First           Second             Third           Fourth
Fiscal Year Ended November 28, 1998                                 Quarter          Quarter           Quarter          Quarter
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                             <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>

Income
    Net sales                                                   $  394,271        $  505,919       $  523,508        $  483,164
    Other income                                                       789               991              908               310
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   395,060           506,910          524,416           483,474

Costs and expenses
    Cost of merchandise sold                                       291,909           374,971          393,021           360,886
    Selling, general and administrative                            112,170           112,196          112,382           110,188
    Special charges                                                  5,584                --              837             1,000
    Provision for depreciation and amortization                      8,312             8,855            7,835             8,137
    Interest expense                                                10,235             9,915            8,994             8,018
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   428,210           505,937          523,069           488,229
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------
         INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES                         (33,150)              973            1,347            (4,755)

Federal and state income taxes                                      (8,188)              241              332            (5,603)
                                                                ----------------------------------------------------------------


                                 NET INCOME (LOSS)              $  (24,962)       $      732       $    1,015        $      848
                                                                ===============================================================

Weighted average common shares outstanding                          20,000            20,000           20,000            20,000
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------

Net income (loss) per common share-basic                        $    (1.25)       $    0.04        $     0.05        $    0.04
                                                                ==============================================================

Weighted average common and dilutive
    common equivalent shares outstanding                            20,000            20,111           20,004            20,034
                                                                ---------------------------------------------------------------

Net income (loss) per common share-diluted                      $    (1.25)       $    0.04        $     0.05        $    0.04
                                                                ==============================================================


<FN>
A  lower-than-anticipated   rate  of  inflation  decreased  the  LIFO  inventory
provision,  after tax, by $1.7 million in the fourth  quarter.  Special  charges
($3.4 million after tax) reflected in the first quarter consist of costs related
to  the  elimination  of  staff  at  the  Company's  headquarters  and  regional
administrative  centers.  Special  charges  were also  recorded in the third and
fourth  quarter  ($0.5  million and $0.6  million,  respectively,  after tax) in
connection  with store closings.  In addition,  third and fourth quarter cost of
merchandise sold reflect  inventory  write-downs ($0.8 million and $2.0 million,
respectively,  after tax) in connection  with these store  closings.  The fourth
quarter  income tax benefit  includes a $3.8  million tax benefit to reflect the
effect of a fourth quarter revision of the effective tax rate on the first three
quarters.
</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>11

<TABLE>
Payless Cashways, Inc.

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited) (cont'd.)


In thousands
<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)
                                                                 ================================================================


<FN>
In connection  with its Chapter 11 filing on July 21, 1997,  discussed at Note B
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 C 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.
</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>12


Payless Cashways, Inc.

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



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 bankruptcy
under  Chapter  11,  Title  11 of the  United  States  Code  ("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  prior to November  29,  1997,  are not
comparable in material  respects to the financial  statements of the Reorganized
Company.


<TABLE>

Operating Data
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 Reorganized    |
                                                                                   Company      |      Predecessor Company
                                                                           -------------------- | ---------------------------
                                                                              Fiscal Year Ended |       Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                           -------------------- | ---------------------------
percent of net sales                                                            Nov. 28,        |Nov. 29,          Nov. 30,
                                                                                  1998          |  1997              1996
                                                                           ---------------------|----------------------------
<S>                                                                               <C>           |   <C>              <C>
Net sales.......................................................                  100.0 %       |   100.0 %          100.0 %
Other income....................................................                    0.1         |     0.2              0.3
Cost of merchandise sold........................................                   74.5         |    73.4             72.1
Selling, general and administrative.............................                   23.4         |    24.4             23.3
Reorganization items............................................                    --          |     1.1              --
Fresh-start revaluation.........................................                    --          |    15.6              --
Special charges.................................................                    0.4         |     0.6              0.3
Asset impairment charges........................................                    --          |     2.6              2.3
Provision for depreciation and amortization.....................                    1.7         |     2.2              2.1
Interest expense................................................                    2.0         |     2.7              2.3
Interest income.................................................                    --          |     --              (0.2)
                                                                           ---------------------|----------------------------
Loss before income taxes........................................                   (1.9)        |   (22.4)            (1.9)
                                                                                                |
Federal and state income taxes..................................                   (0.7)        |    (4.0)            (1.2)
                                                                           ---------------------|----------------------------
Loss before extraordinary items.................................                   (1.2)        |   (18.4)            (0.7)
                                                                                                |
Extraordinary items.............................................                    --          |     5.8              --
                                                                           ---------------------|----------------------------
Net loss........................................................                   (1.2) %      |   (12.6) %          (0.7) %
                                                                           =====================|============================
</TABLE>


Sales

Net sales for fiscal 1998 decreased  16.6% in total from fiscal 1997 and 7.3% on
a same-store basis. Same-stores are those open one full year. Both 1998 and 1997
were 52-week years.  Management believes continuing competitive pressure and the
lingering  effects  of the  Chapter  11  filing  contributed  to sales  declines
throughout 1998,  although  same-store sales have improved  steadily in the last
three quarters of 1998--from a 13.2% decrease in the second  quarter,  to a 6.7%
decrease in the third quarter, to


<PAGE>13


a 1.1%  decrease  in  the  fourth  quarter.  On a  same-store  basis,  sales  to
professional  customers  were flat,  while sales from the  consumer  side of the
business decreased 13.7% in fiscal 1998.

Net sales for fiscal 1997, a 52-week year,  decreased  13.5% from fiscal 1996, a
53-week year. On a 52-week basis, net sales for fiscal year 1997 decreased 11.9%
compared to fiscal 1996. Same-store sales, on a 52-week basis, decreased by 6.6%
for fiscal 1997. 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 to professional  customers  increased 0.2%,  while sales from the consumer
side of the business decreased 11.9% in fiscal 1997.

The Company  closed  four stores  during  1998.  Twenty-four  stores were closed
during  the third  quarter  of 1997 (one 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.  Closed  stores  accounted for $34.4 million and $269.2
million of sales in 1998 and 1997, respectively.



Costs and Expenses

The cost of merchandise  sold, as a percent of sales,  was 74.5% in fiscal 1998,
73.4% in fiscal 1997,  and 72.1% in fiscal 1996.  Third and fourth  quarter 1998
inventory  write-downs  of  $4.4  million,  related  to  the  closing  of  eight
underperforming  stores,  was  0.2%  of  sales  for  fiscal  1998.  Likewise,  a
third-quarter  inventory write-down of $10.7 million,  related to the closing of
29  underperforming  stores,  was 0.5% of sales for fiscal 1997.  Excluding  the
effects of inventory write-downs related to store closings, the increase in cost
of merchandise  sold as a percent of sales during 1998 was primarily due to more
competitive  pricing designed to regain customer traffic lost during the Chapter
11 period of 1997.  The decrease in gross  margins  during 1997,  excluding  the
effect of inventory  write-downs,  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. Cost of merchandise
sold in fiscal  1998,  1997,  and 1996  benefited  from a $2.4  million,  a $0.7
million, and a $3.2 million LIFO credit,  respectively,  related to liquidations
of LIFO inventories and deflation.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percent of sales, were 23.4%,
24.4%,  and  23.3%  for  fiscal  1998,  1997 and  1996,  respectively.  The 1998
reductions in selling,  general and administrative expenses, both in dollars and
as a percent of sales,  were primarily the result of closed  stores,  as well as
initiatives  undertaken  in 1998 to  reduce  store  as well as  corporate  level
personnel  costs.  The  increase  as a percent of sales for fiscal  1997 was due
primarily  to lower  sales.  The 1997  decrease in dollars was due  primarily to
savings from the store closings, discussed above.

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 I to the Financial  Statements.  The
Company  also  recorded  fresh-start  revaluation  charges of $355.6  million in
fiscal  1997.  See  Note C to the  Financial  Statements  for  more  details  on
fresh-start reporting and these related charges.

A special  charge of $5.6 million  ($3.4  million after tax) was recorded in the
first quarter of 1998 for severance costs related to the elimination of staff at
the  Company's  home office and regional  administrative  centers.  In addition,
special  charges of $0.8 million ($0.5 million after tax) and $1.0 million ($0.6
million  after  tax) were  recorded  in the third and fourth  quarters  of 1998,
respectively,  in connection with the closing of three and five  underperforming
stores,  respectively.  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
to reflect real estate disposal and severance costs related to the closing of 29
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.  Additional details on the special charges are set forth
in Note K to the Financial Statements.


<PAGE>14

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 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 29 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 J to
the  Financial  Statements.  The  Company  will  continue  to review  assets for
impairment,  particularly given the ongoing competitive environment for building
materials retailing.

The  provision  for  depreciation  and  amortization  for fiscal 1998  decreased
compared to fiscal 1997  primarily  because  goodwill was written off and assets
were written down in fresh-start  reporting  related to the Company's  emergence
from  reorganization  under  Chapter 11. In  addition,  assets were removed from
service in connection with the store closings  mentioned  above. The decrease in
the  provision for  depreciation  and  amortization  for fiscal 1997 compared to
fiscal 1996 was also  primarily due to assets removed from service in connection
with store closings.

Interest  expense  decreased  $24.1  million  to $37.2  million  in fiscal  1998
compared to fiscal 1997 due primarily to lower levels of debt resulting from the
cancellation of  indebtedness in connection with the Chapter 11  reorganization.
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.  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").

The effective tax rate for fiscal 1998 was different from the 35% statutory rate
primarily because of state income taxes. The effective tax rates for fiscal 1997
and 1996  differed 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 above.

Net Income (Loss)

The  Company  had losses  before  extraordinary  items of $22.4  million in 1998
compared  to $421.8  million in 1997 and $19.1  million  in 1996.  The 1998 loss
before  extraordinary items reflects the special charges for severance and store
closings,  discussed  above. The 1997 loss before  extraordinary  items 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.
Excluding the non-routine  items recorded during fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, net
loss  for 1998 and 1997  would  have  been  $14.9  million  and  $35.5  million,
respectively, and net income for 1996 would have been $7.4 million.



<PAGE>15
<TABLE>

Comparative Operating Data 
<CAPTION>
                                    Reorganized Company         |                          Predecessor Company
                            ------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------
                                    Fiscal Year Ended           |                           Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                |------------------------------------------------------------------
                                     November 28, 1998          |      November 29, 1997                   November 30, 1996
                            ------------------------------------|----------------------------------  ------------------------------
In thousands                    Pro Forma         Historical    |     Pro Forma      Historical        Pro Forma      Historical
                               (Excluding         (Including    |    (Excluding      (Including       (Excluding      (Including
                               Non-Routine        Non-Routine   |    Non-Routine     Non-Routine      Non-Routine     Non-Routine 
                                  Items)            Items)      |       Items)          Items)           Items)          Items)
                            ----------------  ----------------  | ---------------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------
<S>                           <C>               <C>             |    <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>
Net sales and other income    $ 1,906,862       $ 1,906,862     |    $ 2,290,215     $ 2,290,215     $ 2,650,905      $ 2,650,905
Income (loss) from                                              |
 operations before                                              |
 interest, depreciation                                         |
 and amortization             $    46,577       $    42,137     |    $    65,433     $  (399,813)    $   134,552      $    60,824
Net income (loss)             $   (14,913)      $   (22,367)    |    $   (35,451)    $  (288,592)    $     7,428      $   (19,078)

</TABLE>


New Accounting Pronouncements

In June of 1998, the Financial  Accounting  Standards Board issued  Statement of
Financial Accounting  Standards No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments
and Hedging Activities" ("SFAS 133"). This statement establishes  accounting and
reporting standards for derivative  instruments and all hedging  activities.  It
requires  that  an  entity   recognize  all  derivatives  as  either  assets  or
liabilities  at their fair  market  values.  Accounting  for changes in the fair
value  of a  derivative  depends  on  its  designation  and  effectiveness.  For
derivatives that qualify as effective hedges, the change in fair value will have
no impact on earnings until the hedged item affects  earnings.  For  derivatives
that are not designated as hedging  instruments,  or for the ineffective portion
of a hedging  instrument,  the change in fair value will affect  current  period
earnings.  The  Company  will adopt SFAS 133 during the first  quarter of fiscal
2000 and does not presently  believe that it will have a  significant  effect on
the results of its operations or cash flows.

Effects of Inflation

The Company  experienced  slight deflation in its non-lumber  inventories during
fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997.  Approximately  80% 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.

Market Risk

The Company's most significant  market risk exposure is changing interest rates.
To manage this potential risk, the Company may use interest rate swap agreements
to limit the effect of  increases  in the  interest  rates on  variable  debt by
fixing the rate  without the  exchange of the  underlying  principal or notional
amount.  Net amounts  paid or received  are added to or deducted  from  interest
expense in the period accrued.  The table below provides  information  about the
Company's  variable rate debt obligations and presents  principal cash flows and
related weighted average interest rates by expected  maturity dates. The Company
does not hold or issue derivative instruments for trading purposes.

   Expected         Principal Due on          Weighted
Maturity Date      Variable Rate Debt   Average Interest Rate
                      In thousands
     1999            $    10,921               7.52%
     2000                 10,000               7.73%
     2001                 10,000               7.73%
     2002                221,806               7.85%
     2003                  4,000               5.25%
     Thereafter           89,809               5.25%
                     -----------               -----
     Total           $   346,536               7.13%
                     ===========               =====

   Fair Value        $   346,536               7.13%
                     ===========               =====

To reduce the  impact of  changes in the  interest  rates,  the  Company  has 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 a $36 million notional amount.

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

<PAGE>16


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 B to  Notes  to  Financial
Statements.

Financing Activities

On August 13,  1998,  the Company  amended its 1997 Credit  Agreement  to modify
various  covenants,  including  required  minimum cash flow (defined as earnings
before interest, taxes, depreciation,  and amortization,  "EBITDA"), and maximum
debt  to  EBITDA.  These  covenants  are  detailed  in  Note D to the  Financial
Statements.  Subsequent  to  fiscal  year end 1998,  the  Company  entered  into
preliminary  discussions  with  new,  as well  as  existing,  lenders  regarding
restructuring  a major  portion of its 1997  Credit  Agreement.  This  action is
intended to improve the Company's  operating  flexibility through elimination of
certain of its current restrictive covenants.

As a result of the  Chapter  11 filing on July 21,  1997,  borrowings  under the
revolving credit facility of the Prior 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 Prior Credit Agreement with cash, New Common Stock and
new notes under the 1997 Credit  Agreement.  The 1997 Credit 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  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.  The note contained  prepayment  provisions  that allowed the
Company to prepay the note by certain  dates at various  discounts.  On February
26, 1998, the Company borrowed an additional $13 million under the mortgage loan
and prepaid this note in full.

At  November  28,  1998,  the  Company  had  approximately   $347.6  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 digits to define the applicable  year. Any programs that
have time-


<PAGE>17


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. Systems that interact with customers and that focus
on the core business functions of buying, selling and accounting have been given
the highest priority.  Some of the Company's current systems are being renovated
and others are being replaced with Year 2000-compliant  systems.  All renovation
code and  system  replacements  are  being  unit-tested  as they are  completed.
Integrated  full-system  testing will begin in the first  quarter of 1999 and is
expected to continue  through the third quarter of 1999.  Code renovation is 99%
complete as of January 1, 1999. All core business systems requiring  replacement
will be complete by mid-1999. The Company has spent approximately $3 million, to
date, in the execution of the Year 2000 plan and estimates that  expenditures to
complete  execution  of the Year 2000  plan will  range  from $2  million  to $3
million. Most of such expenditures are being charged to expense as incurred. The
Company currently  believes that it will complete all phases of the plan without
any material  adverse  consequences  to its business,  operations,  or financial
condition.

All  non-information  technology,  which  contains  or  might  contain  imbedded
software chips that utilize a date  function,  such as  distribution  conveyance
systems,  security systems,  climate controls, and other electronic devices used
in  daily  business  operations,   have  been  inventoried  and  assessed.   All
non-compliant systems are being upgraded and tested as compliant versions become
available. This work is expected to continue throughout 1999.

The  Company is in the process of  assessing  the extent to which the Company is
vulnerable  to the failure of  significant  suppliers and other third parties to
remediate  their own Year 2000 issues.  The Company expects that this assessment
will be completed by April 1999 and believes testing of interfaces with business
partners and vendors will continue through 1999. 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.

As testing and assessment of third parties is completed,  the Company intends to
develop  contingency  plans for possible  Year 2000  problems.  The costs of the
Company's Year 2000 project and the date on which it will be completed are based
on management's  best estimates.  However,  there can be no assurance that these
estimates will be achieved and actual results could differ materially from those
anticipated.


Liquidity and Capital Resources

The  Company's  principal  source of cash is from  operations.  Cash provided by
operating  activities  was $49.2  million  for fiscal  1998,  compared  to $32.0
million for fiscal 1997 and $32.4 million for fiscal 1996.  The 1998 increase in
cash provided by operating  activities  was primarily due to lower 1998 interest
costs  resulting from the  cancellation  of  indebtedness in connection with the
Chapter  11  reorganization.  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.  During fiscal 1998 and 1997, the Company
used cash of  approximately  $4.2 million and $14.3  million,  respectively,  in
operating  activities  related  to the  execution  of the  1997,  1996  and 1995
restructuring  plans and $10.2  million in fiscal 1998 for costs  related to the
Chapter 11 filing. In addition,  the Company used $5.7 million in fiscal 1998 to
pay  severance  costs  related  to the  elimination  of staff  at the  Company's
headquarters  and  regional  administrative  centers  and to  effect  the  store
closings announced in September 1998.

Borrowings  are available  under the 1997 Credit  Agreement to  supplement  cash
generated by operations.  At November 28, 1998,  $94.4 million was available for
borrowing.  Working  capital was $196.2 million and $258.4 million at the end of
fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997,  respectively.  The current ratio was 2.08 to 1 and
2.15 to 1 at the end of fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997,  respectively.  The primary
reasons for the decrease in working  capital and the current ratio was decreased
merchandise  inventory.  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


<PAGE>18


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 1997 Credit Agreement,  as needed.  The Company believes that cash generated
from operations and borrowings  under the 1997 Credit  Agreement will adequately
meet its working  capital needs,  debt service and other  obligations  that will
become due in fiscal 1999.

During fiscal 1998,  the Company's  primary  investing  activities  were capital
expenditures  principally  for the renovation of existing  stores and additional
equipment.  The 1997 Credit Agreement governs the amount of capital expenditures
that can be made, and the permitted levels of capital expenditures in the future
are as follows:  $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 $23.3 million,
$62.9 million and $41.7 million in fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, for
renovation of existing  stores and  additional  equipment.  In 1997 and 1996 the
Company's  capital   expenditures  also  included   expenditures  for  strategic
initiatives,  including  the  acquisition  of a door  and trim  manufacturer  in
Phoenix,  AZ, during January 1996. For fiscal 1998, the Company ceased  spending
for strategic  initiatives while it analyzed its competitive  positioning in the
market and related capital  expenditures.  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.  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 1998 and 1997,  the Company sold 26 and
eight real estate properties,  respectively, related to stores previously closed
for  approximately  $41.6  million  and  $14.3  million,  respectively,  of cash
proceeds.  Sale of closed store properties will continue in fiscal 1999.  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. In fiscal 1998,  the Company also received $5.8 million from the surrender
of certain life  insurance  policies  related to a terminated  benefit plan. The
Company's  approximately  $60 million 1999 capital  expenditure  budget consists
primarily of the purchase of ten previously  leased stores,  described at Note H
to the Financial Statements, improved technology, and investments to improve the
Company's  capabilities to service the Pro customer,  including  acquisitions of
retail operations and manufacturing  facilities,  store remodels and expansions,
and/or new stores.  Capital  expenditures  in 1999 will be  financed  with funds
generated from operations,  sales of real estate,  and borrowings under the 1997
Credit Agreement.

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 B, C, 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 1997
Credit  Agreement  should  provide   sufficient   liquidity  to  meet  all  cash
requirements for the next 12 months without additional financing, subject to the
possible  adverse impact of loan covenants  described  below. As a result of the
Chapter 11 filing,  trade creditors  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 1997  Credit  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.  As  discussed  in  "Financing
Activities",  the Company  amended its 1997 Credit  Agreement to modify  various
covenants during fiscal 1998.  Management currently expects that it will achieve
compliance  with  these  covenants  throughout  1999;  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


<PAGE>19


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 1997  Credit
Agreement which, in turn, would permit  acceleration of substantially all of the
Company's other long-term debt.

Subsequent  to fiscal  year end  1998,  the  Company  entered  into  preliminary
discussions  with new, as well as existing,  lenders  regarding  restructuring a
major portion of its 1997 Credit  Agreement.  This action is intended to improve
the  Company's  operating  flexibility  through  elimination  of  certain of its
current restrictive covenants.  In addition, the current commercial and consumer
credit contracts will not be renewed after November 1999.  Approximately  40% of
the  Company's  fiscal  1998 sales were made  pursuant  to these  programs.  The
Company is in discussions  with other providers and believes that it will secure
an alternative  provider prior to termination of the current programs,  although
the Company's ability to secure an alternative provider or the terms of any such
agreement  cannot be assured.  If the Company were unable to secure  replacement
providers  for these  services,  it would be in  default  under the 1997  Credit
Agreement.  Commercial  credit is a key  component  of the  services the Company
offers  to the  professional  customer,  and  the  Company  believes  that  this
transition creates an opportunity to enhance customer satisfaction.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements above in the letters to Stockholders and in the subsections  entitled
"Costs and Expenses,"  "New Accounting  Pronouncements,"  "The Year 2000 Issue,"
and  "Liquidity   and  Capital   Resources,"   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: competitor activities; stability of customer demand; stability of the
work force; supplier support; consumer spending and debt levels; interest rates;
housing activity; lumber prices; product mix; growth of certain market segments;
weather;  an excess of retail space  devoted to the sale of building  materials;
the success of the Company's strategy;  and success of the Company's remediation
for the Year  2000  issue.  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>20


Payless Cashways, Inc.
<TABLE>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Reorganized   |                Predecessor
                                                                             Company     |                  Company
                                                                      -------------------|--------------------------------------
                                                                      Fiscal Year Ended  |             Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                                         |--------------------------------------
                                                                        November 28,     |   November 29,         November 30,
In thousands, except per share amounts                                      1998         |       1997                 1996
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------
<S>                                                                    <C>               |   <C>                  <C>
Income                                                                                   |
     Net sales                                                         $    1,906,862    |   $   2,285,281        $   2,642,829
     Other income--Note A                                                       2,998    |           4,934                8,076
                                                                       ------------------|--------------------------------------
                                                                            1,909,860    |       2,290,215            2,650,905
Costs and expenses                                                                       |
     Cost of merchandise sold                                               1,420,787    |       1,676,658            1,906,734
     Selling, general and                                                                |
         administrative--Notes G and H                                        446,936    |         558,817              615,466
     Reorganization items--Note I                                                  --    |          25,455                   --
     Fresh-start revaluation--Note C                                               --    |         355,559                   --
     Special charges--Note K                                                    7,421    |          13,056                8,184
     Asset impairment charges--Note J                                              --    |          60,483               59,697
     Provision for depreciation and amortization                               33,139    |          51,110               55,016
     Interest expense (contractual interest of                                           |
         $66,973 in 1997)--Note D                                              37,162    |          61,251               60,488
     Interest income--Note F                                                       --    |              --               (4,900)
                                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            1,945,445    |       2,802,389            2,700,685
                                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         |
                                       LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES               (35,585)   |        (512,174)             (49,780)
                                                                                         |
Federal and state income taxes--Note F                                        (13,218)   |         (90,406)             (30,702)
                                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         |
                                LOSS BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS               (22,367)   |        (421,768)             (19,078)
                                                                                         |
Extraordinary items, net of income taxes--Notes C and D                            --    |         133,176                   --
                                                                       ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                         |
                                                       NET LOSS        $      (22,367)   |   $    (288,592)       $     (19,078)
                                                                       =========================================================
                                                                                         |
Weighted average common shares outstanding                                     20,000    |
                                                                       ------------------|
Net loss per common share-basic and diluted--Notes A and E             $        (1.12)   |
                                                                       ===================



<FN>
See notes to financial statements
</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>21


Payless Cashways, Inc.
<TABLE>
BALANCE SHEETS
<CAPTION>

                                                                                             Reorganized Company
                                                                                      ----------------------------------
                                                                                       November 28,         November 29,
In thousands                                                                               1998                 1997
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                   <C>                   <C>
ASSETS
     CURRENT ASSETS
         Cash and cash equivalents                                                    $      1,950          $     11,961
         Merchandise inventories--Notes A and D                                            349,452               414,882
         Prepaid expenses and other current assets                                          17,506                14,705
         Income taxes receivable--Note F                                                     1,338                32,232
         Deferred income taxes--Note F                                                       8,026                 8,665
                                                                                      ----------------------------------
                                                      TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                 378,272               482,445

     OTHER ASSETS
         Real estate held for sale--Notes A and J                                           14,144                48,562
         Deferred financing costs--Notes A and D                                             3,319                 2,600
         Other                                                                               6,897                14,316

     LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT--Notes A and D
         Land and land improvements                                                         99,402                98,390
         Buildings                                                                         225,426               219,244
         Equipment                                                                          39,114                35,048
         Automobiles and trucks                                                              8,439                 2,196
         Construction in progress                                                            5,487                 8,540
         Allowance for depreciation and amortization                                       (32,146)                   --
                                                                                      ----------------------------------
                                       TOTAL LAND, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT                 345,722               363,418
                                                                                      ----------------------------------
                                                                                      $    748,354          $    911,341
                                                                                      ==================================

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
     CURRENT LIABILITIES
         Current portion of long-term debt--Note D                                    $     11,068          $      9,354
         Trade accounts payable                                                             52,325                75,583
         Salaries, wages and bonuses                                                        24,298                29,051
         Accrued vacation expense                                                           12,045                13,035
         Other accrued expense--Notes G, J and K                                            66,727                73,656
         Taxes, other than income taxes                                                     13,275                20,999
         Income taxes payable--Note F                                                        2,350                 2,362
                                                                                      ----------------------------------
                                                 TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                 182,088               224,040

     LONG-TERM DEBT, less portion classified as current
         liability--Note D                                                                 336,557               424,031

     NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
         Deferred income taxes--Note F                                                      47,142                58,788
         Other--Note G                                                                      21,134                20,682

     STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY--Notes A, B, D and E
         Common Stock, $.01 par value, 50,000,000 shares authorized,
           20,000,000 shares issued                                                            200                   200
         Additional paid-in capital                                                        183,600               183,600
         Accumulated deficit                                                               (22,367)                   --
                                                                                      ----------------------------------
                                                TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                 161,433               183,800
                                                                                      ----------------------------------
     COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES--Notes G, H, and L
                                                                                      $    748,354          $    911,341
                                                                                      ==================================
<FN>
See notes to financial statements
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>22


Payless Cashways, Inc.
<TABLE>
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Reorganized     |             Predecessor
                                                                              Company       |               Company
                                                                         -------------------|-----------------------------------
                                                                         Fiscal Year Ended  |          Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                                            |-----------------------------------
                                                                            November 28,    |  November 29,        November 30,
In thousands                                                                    1998        |      1997                1996
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------
<S>                                                                      <C>                |  <C>                 <C> 
                                                                                            |
Cash Flows from Operating Activities                                                        |
      Net loss                                                           $    (22,367)      |  $   (288,592)       $    (19,078)
      Adjustments to reconcile net loss                                                     |
          to net cash provided by operating activities:                                     |
        Depreciation and amortization                                          33,139       |        51,110              55,016
        Asset impairment charges--Note J                                           --       |        60,483              59,697
        Deferred income taxes                                                 (11,007)      |       (72,237)            (12,270)
        Non-cash reorganization items--Note I                                      --       |         2,481                  --
        Non-cash interest                                                         829       |         5,031               2,534
        Non-cash extraordinary items--Notes C and D                                --       |      (133,176)                 --
        Fresh-start revaluation--Notes B and C                                     --       |       355,559                  --
        Special charges--Note K                                                 7,421       |        13,056               8,184
        Other                                                                     452       |        (1,467)              1,337
      Changes in assets and liabilities:                                                    |
        Decrease (increase) in merchandise inventories                         65,430       |         7,462              (6,406)
        (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses                                             |
             and other current assets                                            (901)      |         6,926              (4,763)
        Decrease (increase) in income taxes receivable                         30,882       |       (14,505)            (15,200)
        (Decrease) increase in trade accounts payable                         (23,258)      |        44,252             (37,953)
        (Decrease) increase in other current liabilities                      (31,380)      |        (4,359)              1,349
                                                                         -------------------|-----------------------------------
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES                                  49,240       |        32,024              32,447
                                                                                            |
Cash Flows from Investing Activities                                                        |
      Additions to land, buildings and equipment                              (23,349)      |       (61,925)            (40,117)
      Proceeds from sale of land, buildings and equipment                      43,987       |        18,775              14,709
      Acquisition of business, excluding working capital:                                   |
        Land, buildings and equipment                                              --       |            --                (193)
        Purchase price in excess of net assets acquired                            --       |        (1,015)             (1,360)
      Decrease (increase) in other assets                                       7,419       |        (1,745)              1,435
                                                                         -------------------|-----------------------------------
    NET CASH PROVIDED BY (USED IN) INVESTING ACTIVITIES                        28,057       |       (45,910)            (25,526)
                                                                                            |
Cash Flows from Financing Activities                                                        |
      Net (payments) proceeds related to revolving credit                                   |
        facility--Note D                                                       (2,000)      |        62,386              28,000
      Principal payments on long-term debt--Note D                            (83,760)      |       (32,795)            (31,092)
      Fees and financing costs paid in connection with debt                                 |
        refinancing--Notes A and D                                             (1,548)      |        (3,365)             (3,670)
      Other                                                                        --       |          (804)               (694)
                                                                         -------------------|-----------------------------------
    NET CASH (USED IN) PROVIDED BY FINANCING ACTIVITIES                       (87,308)      |        25,422              (7,456)
                                                                         -------------------|-----------------------------------
                                                                                            |
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents                          (10,011)      |        11,536                (535)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                                 11,961       |           425                 960
                                                                         -------------------|-----------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                                 $      1,950       |  $     11,961        $        425
                                                                         ===================|===================================
<FN>
See notes to financial statements
</FN>
</TABLE>



<PAGE>23


Payless Cashways, Inc.
<TABLE>
STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<CAPTION>
                                            Preferred       Common    Additional   Adjustment for
                                              Stock          Stock      Paid-in    Minimum Pension    Accumulated
In thousands                            $1.00 Par Value $.01 Par Value  Capital       Liability         Deficit       Total
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>
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                                             --           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                                             --           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 C                        (40,600)        (400)     (487,876)         1,287        527,589             --
   Issuance of New Common
     Stock pursuant to Plan of
     Reorganization--Notes B, C and E                          200       183,600                                      183,800
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at November 29, 1997                $      --     $    200     $ 183,600     $       --     $       --     $  183,800

   Net loss for the year                                                                               (22,367)       (22,367)
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Balance at November 28, 1998                $      --     $    200     $ 183,600     $       --     $  (22,367)    $  161,433
                                            ==================================================================================

<FN>
See notes to financial statements
</FN>
</TABLE>


<PAGE>24


Payless Cashways, Inc.

NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Note A-Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Description   of  Business:   The  Company  is  engaged  in  only  one  line  of
business--the  retail sale of building  materials and supplies.  At November 28,
1998,  the  Company  operated  161 stores in 20 states  located in the  Midwest,
Southwest,  Pacific  Coast,  and Rocky  Mountain  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.

Fresh-Start  Reporting:  The Company has implemented the required accounting for
entities  emerging 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,"
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.

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 decreased
approximately  $2.4  million  at  November  28,  1998.  At  November  29,  1997,
inventories   were  reported  at  fair  market  value  pursuant  to  fresh-start
accounting as described at Note C. In 1998 the  liquidation of LIFO  inventories
increased cost of  merchandise  sold and,  therefore,  increased the loss before
income  taxes by $0.4  million.  In 1997  the  liquidation  of LIFO  inventories
decreased cost of merchandise sold and,  therefore,  decreased the losses before
income taxes by $0.9 million.

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.

Deferred  Financing  Costs:  Deferred  financing  costs are being amortized over
the respective  borrowing terms using the interest method.

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 indicate 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


<PAGE>25


adopted  Statement  of   Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  121  (SFAS 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 J.

Earnings Per Common  Share:  Basic  earnings per common share has been  computed
based on the  weighted-average  number of common shares  outstanding  during the
period.   Dilutive   earnings  per  common  share  is  computed   based  on  the
weighted-average   number  of  common  shares  plus   potential   common  shares
outstanding  during the  period,  when  dilutive,  consisting  of certain  stock
options.  Given the net loss  reported  for the fiscal year ended  November  28,
1998, the impact of considering such stock options would be antidilutive.

Earnings per common  share has not been  computed  for the  Predecessor  Company
because,  as described at Note B, Old Preferred  Stock and Old Common Stock were
canceled on the Plan Effective  Date.  Presentation of earnings 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 and
1996.

Income Taxes:  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.  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.

Pensions and Other  Postretirement  Benefit Plans:  Effective November 28, 1998,
the Company adopted  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 132 (SFAS
132), "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits".
The provisions of SFAS 132 revise employers' disclosures about pension and other
postretirement  benefit  plans.  SFAS 132 does not  change  the  measurement  or
recognition of these plans.  It  standardized  the disclosure  requirements  for
pensions and other postretirement benefits to the extent practicable.

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 1998,  1997 and 1996, federal and state income tax refunds, net of
payments,  were $32.9  million,  $0.6 million and $8.8 million, respectively.

Cash paid for interest,  net of interest capitalized,  was $35.2 million, $55.4
million, and $62.2 million during fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996, 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 28, 1998, and November 29, 1997, the outstanding  balance of commercial
credit accounts sold to the third-party  administrator was  approximately  $95.6
million and $87.5 million,  respectively.  The Company has provided a reserve of
$5.9 million at November 28, 1998, and November 29, 1997, respectively, 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
$23.2 million,  $27.5 million and $26.0 million for fiscal  1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.

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
$347.6 million and $433.4 million at November 28, 1998,


<PAGE>26


and November 29, 1997,  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 H 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  28, 1998,  and 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 1998 and 1997 consisted of 52 weeks each and fiscal year
1996 consisted of 53 weeks.



Note B-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 credit  agreement  in  existence  at the  Petition  Date (the "Prior  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 Prior  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


<PAGE>27


such facility.  See Note D for a description of the term loans and the revolving
credit facility (together,  the "1997 Credit Agreement").  (II) On the Effective
Date, UBS Mortgage Finance,  Inc. ("UBS"), the holders of notes under a mortgage
loan in  existence at the Petition  Date,  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")  are  receiving  their pro rata share of 8,269,329
shares  of New  Common  Stock or  approximately  41% of the  shares of the newly
reorganized  Company.  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") are receiving 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 received 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 I, J, and K for a description of related charges recorded in the third
quarter of 1997.


Note C-Fresh Start Reporting

On December 2, 1997, the Company emerged from bankruptcy. In accordance with SOP
90-7, 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.




<PAGE>28




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

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>


<PAGE>29



(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 B. 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 B, 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 Note G);  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

     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 D--Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:

In thousands                             1998        1997
                                     ------------------------

1997 Credit Agreement, secured by
inventory, certain real estate, 
and equipment,variable interest
rate, payablein varying amounts 
through 2002                         $  251,458    $  317,133

Mortgage loan, secured by
certain real estate, variable
interest rate, payable in varying
amounts through 2004                     95,078       102,010

Note payable, secured by certain
real estate, variable interest rate,
payable in 2002                              --        13,000

Other senior debt, 11% to 12%,
payable in varying amounts
through 2004                              1,089         1,242
                                     -------------------------
                                        347,625       433,385
Less portion classified
as current liability                    (11,068)       (9,354)
                                     -------------------------
                                     $  336,557    $  424,031
                                     =========================

The 1997  Credit  Agreement  includes  term loans of $283.1  million  and a $150
million revolving credit facility with a $40 million letters-of-credit sublimit.
At November 28, 1998,  there were  combined  borrowings  under the  agreement of
$251.5 million as well as outstanding standby letters of credit of $17.9 million
and outstanding  documentary letters of credit of $5.7 million.  The Company had
$94.4 million available for borrowing under this agreement at November 28, 1998.
The term loans  require  annual  principal  payments  of $10  million  beginning
September


<PAGE>30


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 1997  Credit  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  1997  Credit  Agreement.  The  loans  bear  interest  at
fluctuating rates of either the alternate base rate (7.75% at November 28, 1998)
plus  1-1/2% per annum or LIBOR  (5.14% at  November  28,  1998) plus 2-1/2% per
annum.  The 1997 Credit  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 1997 Credit  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 1997  Credit  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.
On August 13,  1998,  the Company  amended its 1997 Credit  Agreement  to modify
various  covenants,  including  required  minimum  cash flow and maximum debt to
EBITDA.  For the fiscal year ended  November 28, 1998,  actual  EBITDA was $46.6
million  and the  ratio  of debt to  EBITDA  was 7.5 to 1.  The  Company  was in
compliance  with  all of  its  debt  covenants  as of  November  28,  1998.  The
measurements  for those  covenants,  as amended,  over the remaining term of the
1997 Credit Agreement, are as follows:

 Fiscal Quarter      Minimum Cash Flow    Maximum Debt to
   Ending                 (EBITDA)            EBITDA
- ---------------      -----------------    ---------------

November 1998            44,600,000          9.0 to 1
February 1999            47,400,000          9.8 to 1
May 1999                 44,300,000         10.5 to 1
August 1999              44,900,000         10.2 to 1
November 1999            59,000,000          7.5 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

The Company's  mortgage loan is secured by certain real estate having a net book
value of  approximately  $218.9  million at November 28, 1998. The 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  have been applied as a credit  toward the  scheduled
annual payments.

The early  extinguishment  of the Prior Credit  Agreement and the prior mortgage
loan,  part of the Plan of  Reorganization  described at Note B,  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 H, the Company issued a note for $16 million. The note contained prepayment
provisions  that  allowed  the  Company to prepay  the note by certain  dates at
various discounts.  On February 26, 1998, the Company borrowed an additional $13
million under the mortgage loan and prepaid this note in full.

<PAGE>31


Scheduled  maturities of long-term debt,  including  sinking fund  requirements,
are:

In thousands
                1999                $       11,068
                2000                        10,165
                2001                        10,185
                2002                       222,013
                2003                         4,232
                Thereafter                  89,962
                                    --------------
                                    $      347,625
                                    ==============



Note E--Stockholders' Equity

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. As discussed at
Note B, 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.

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 B,
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 B, 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.  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.

The Payless  Cashways 1998 Omnibus  Incentive  Plan (the  "Incentive  Plan") was
established  January 15, 1998, to attract and retain outstanding  individuals in
certain key  positions.  The Incentive  Plan provides for the grant of incentive
stock  options,   non-qualified  stock  options,   stock  appreciation   rights,
restricted  stock awards and performance  awards.  There are 2,400,000 shares of
Common  Stock  reserved  for  issuance  under the  Incentive  Plan,  subject  to
adjustment as provided by the Incentive  Plan.  The exercise price for any stock
options  will be at least 100% of the fair market  value of the Common  Stock at
the date of grant.

The fair value of each option  grant is estimated on the date of the grant using
the Black-Scholes  option-pricing model. For options granted in fiscal 1998, the
following  assumptions  were  used to price  the  options:  no  dividend  yield;
expected volatility of 144 percent; risk-free interest rate of 5.04 percent; and
an expected  life of eight  years.  The  weighted-average  fair value of options
granted during fiscal 1998 was $2.40 per share. The options granted to date vest
ratably over four years.

The following is a summary of the Incentive Plan:

                                 1998 Omnibus Incentive Plan
                              --------------------------------
                                 Number       Weighted-Average
                                Of Shares      Exercise Price
                              --------------  ----------------
Fiscal Year 1998:              In thousands

    Options granted               2,360            $   2.49

    Options exercised                --                  --

    Options forfeited              (240)               3.13
                              --------------------------------

    Options outstanding at
      November 28, 1998           2,120            $   2.41
                              ================================

    Options exercisable at
      November 28, 1998              --            $     --
                              ================================


<PAGE>32



The following table summarizes  information  about stock options at November 28,
1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Options Outstanding                                        Options Exercisable
                      -----------------------------------------------------------         ---------------------------------
                           Number           Weighted-Average                                   Number
     Range  of           Outstanding           Remaining        Weighted -Average            Exercisable   Weighted-Average
  Exercise Prices        at 11/28/98        Contractual Life     Exercise Price              at 11/28/98    Exercise Price
  ---------------     ----------------      ----------------    -----------------         ---------------- ----------------
   <S>                    <C>                      <C>                  <C>                       <C>              <C>

   $0.875 -$2.938           810,000                9.74                 $1.49                     --               $--
   $2.969 -$3.031         1,310,000                9.21                 $2.98                     --               $--
   --------------     ----------------      ----------------    -----------------         ---------------- ----------------
   $0.875 -$3.031         2,120,000                9.41                 $2.41                     --               $--
   ==============     ================      ================    =================         ================ ================
</TABLE>


As  permitted  under  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  123,
"Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), the Company applies APB
No.  25 and  related  interpretations  in  accounting  for the  Incentive  Plan.
However,  pro forma disclosure,  as if the Company adopted the  fair-value-based
method of  measurement  for  stock-based  compensation  plans under SFAS 123, is
presented below.

Had  compensation  cost for the Company's  grants for  stock-based  compensation
plans been determined  using the fair value method under SFAS 123, the Company's
pro  forma  net loss,  and net loss per  common  share  for  fiscal  1998  would
approximate the amounts below (in thousands, except per share data):

                                      Fiscal Year Ended
                                      November 28, 1998
                                -----------------------------
                                As Reported         Pro Forma
                                ------------       ----------

Net loss                         $ (22,367)        $ (22,896)
Net loss per common share        $   (1.12)        $  (1.14)

Prior  to the  Plan of  Reorganization,  the  Company  had  adopted  a  deferred
compensation  plan (the  "Director  Deferred Comp Plan") and an option plan (the
"Director Option Plan") for the benefit of non-employee directors.  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.



Note F-Income Taxes

For the year ended November 28, 1998, an income tax benefit of $13.2 million was
recorded.  The Company has federal net  operating  loss  carryforwards  totaling
$74.5  million  which  expire   through  fiscal  2015  and  federal  tax  credit
carry-forwards  totaling  $17.3 million which begin to expire in fiscal 2006 and
expire  over an  indefinite  period.  The  Company  believes,  based upon future
earnings  coupled with recognition of existing  taxable  temporary  differences,
that it is more  likely than not,  that the Company  will be able to utilize tax
benefits accumulated through November 28, 1998, in future periods.

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 C. The income
tax expense allocated to the extraordinary items of


<PAGE>33


$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.

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  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.

Income  tax  expense   (benefit)   attributable  to  the  income  (loss)  before
extraordinary items consisted of the following:

In thousands
                   1998           1997          1996
               ---------------------------------------

Currently receivable

     Federal   $     (959)  $   (17,169)   $  (18,901)
     State         (1,252)       (1,000)          469
               ---------------------------------------
                   (2,211)      (18,169)      (18,432)

Deferred

     Federal   $  (10,124)  $   (63,129)   $  (11,534)
     State           (883)       (9,108)         (736)
               ---------------------------------------
                  (11,007)      (72,237)      (12,270)
               ---------------------------------------
               $  (13,218)  $   (90,406)   $  (30,702)
               =======================================

The  differences  between  actual income tax expense and the amount  computed by
applying the statutory  federal  income tax rate to the loss before income taxes
and extraordinary items were as follows:

                                 1998     1997      1996
                                ---------------------------

Federal statutory rate          (35.0)%  (35.0)%    (35.0)%
State income taxes,
     net of federal tax benefit  (3.9)    (2.0)      (1.5)
Amortization and write-off
     of goodwill                   --     20.1       22.7
Benefit from new law and
     tax settlements               --     (1.8)     (47.6)
Permanent tax differences         0.5      0.7        0.4
Difference between statutory
     and carry-back tax rates      --      0.3        --
Other                             1.3        --      (0.7)
                                ---------------------------
                                (37.1)%  (17.7)%    (61.7)%
                                ===========================



<PAGE>34



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                                                                           1998                       1997
                                                                                    -------------------------------------
<S>                                                                                 <C>                       <C>

Deferred tax assets:
     Tax credit and net operating loss carry-forwards                               $   47,097                $   30,981
     Insurance reserves                                                                  7,990                    10,322
     Retirement, deferred compensation, restricted stock
       and stock option plans                                                            9,719                     8,651
     Post-retirement benefits                                                            7,069                     6,656
     Vacation reserves                                                                   3,764                     3,968
     Reserves for bad debts                                                              2,155                     2,800
     Lease liability                                                                     1,366                     2,615
     Other                                                                               7,978                     8,971
                                                                                    -------------------------------------

                                           Total deferred tax assets                    87,138                    74,964
                                           Less valuation allowance                      7,981                     7,981
                                                                                    -------------------------------------
                                           Net deferred tax assets                      79,157                    66,983
                                                                                    -------------------------------------

Deferred tax liabilities:
     Land, buildings and equipment                                                     (96,637)                  (90,835)
     Inventory basis difference                                                        (19,100)                  (19,441)
     Other                                                                              (2,536)                   (6,830)
                                                                                    -------------------------------------
                                           Total deferred tax liabilities             (118,273)                 (117,106)
                                                                                    -------------------------------------
                                           Net deferred tax liability               $  (39,116)               $  (50,123)
                                                                                    =====================================
</TABLE>



Note G--Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit 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.  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 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
1996.

A  curtailment  gain of $0.2  million and $37,000 was recorded in the year ended
November 29, 1997, for pension benefits and other benefits,  respectively. These
gains were  recorded as a result of the closing of 29 stores and are included in
special charges in the accompanying  1997 statements of operations;  see Note K.
The Company wrote off $15.9  million and  recognized a $531,000 gain for pension
benefits  and  other  benefits,  respectively,   related  to  the  write-off  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 C.

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 C.

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.



<PAGE>35


The following provides a reconciliation of benefit obligations,  plan assets and
funded status of the plans:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Pension Benefits                   Other Benefits
                                                              --------------------------         --------------------------
In thousands                                                       1998         1997                  1998         1997
                                                              --------------------------         --------------------------
<S>                                                              <C>          <C>                   <C>           <C>
      Change in Benefit Obligation
Benefit obligation at beginning of year                          $  76,693    $  57,098             $  16,689     $ 13,968
Service cost-benefits earned during the period                       4,915        4,190                   701          636
Interest cost                                                        5,254        4,256                 1,134        1,019
Plan participants' contributions                                        --           --                   166           90
Curtailments                                                            --         (958)                   --         (690)
Fresh-start accounting adjustment                                       --          295                    --           86
Actuarial (gain) loss                                                  804       17,182                  (289)       2,334
Benefits paid                                                       (5,868)      (5,370)                 (970)        (754)
                                                              --------------------------         --------------------------
Benefit obligation at end of year                                   81,798       76,693                17,431       16,689
                                                              --------------------------         --------------------------

      Change in Plan Assets
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year                      54,260       48,993                    --           --
Actual return on plan assets                                         1,540        7,042                    --           --
Employer contributions                                               3,814        3,458                    --           --
Plan participants' contributions                                        --           --                    --           --
Fresh-start accounting adjustment                                       --          137                    --           --
Benefits paid                                                       (5,868)      (5,370)                   --           --
                                                              --------------------------         --------------------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year                            53,746       54,260                    --           --
                                                              --------------------------         --------------------------

Funded status                                                      (28,052)     (22,433)              (17,431)     (16,689)
Unrecognized net actuarial (gain) loss                               3,754           --                  (289)          --
Unrecognized prior service cost                                         --           --                    --           --
                                                              --------------------------         --------------------------
Accrued benefit cost included in other accrued expenses
      and/or non-current liabilities                             $ (24,298)   $ (22,433)            $ (17,720)    $(16,689)
                                                              ==========================         ==========================
</TABLE>


In fiscal 1998,  1997, and 1996, 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 28, 1998, accumulated  post-retirement benefit
obligation  by $954,000  and the  aggregate  of the service  and  interest  cost
components  of net  periodic  post-retirement  benefit  cost for the fiscal year
ended  November 28, 1998,  by $62,000.  The effect of a 1.0% annual  decrease in
these assumed health-care cost trend rates would decrease the November 28, 1998,
accumulated  post-retirement benefit obligation by $822,000 and the aggregate of
the service and interest cost components of net periodic post-retirement benefit
cost for the fiscal year ended November 28, 1998, by $57,000.

The  accumulated  benefit  obligation  was $68.4  million  and $62.4  million at
November 28, 1998, and November 29, 1997, respectively.



<PAGE>36

<TABLE>
Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                         Pension Benefits                            Other Benefits
                                     -----------------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
                                          1998          1997           1996            1998           1997           1996
                                     -----------------------------------------    ----------------------------------------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>           <C>                <C>             <C>         <C>
Service cost - benefits earned
 during the period                      $ 4,915      $ 4,190       $  4,548           $   701         $  636      $   642
Interest cost                             5,254        4,256          3,983             1,134          1,019        1,084
Expected return on plan assets           (4,490)      (4,139)        (8,167)               --             --           --
Amortization of prior service cost           --          119          5,074                --             37           47
Amortization of unrecognized loss            --           --             --                --            (99)          --
                                     ------------------------------------------   -----------------------------------------
Net periodic post-retirement 
 benefit cost                           $ 5,679      $ 4,426       $  5,438           $ 1,835         $1,593      $ 1,773
                                     ==========================================   =========================================
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
Weighted Average Assumptions
<CAPTION>
In thousands                                         Pension Benefits                                Other Benefits
                                     --------------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------
                                          1998          1997           1996                1998           1997           1996
                                     --------------------------------------------    -----------------------------------------
<S>                                       <C>          <C>             <C>                <C>            <C>             <C>

Discount rate                             6.75%        7.00%           7.50%              6.75%          7.00%           7.50%
Expect return on plan assets              8.50%        8.50%           8.50%                --%            --%             --%
Rate of increase in future
 compensation levels                      5.00%        6.00%           5.00%                --%            --%             --%
Healthcare cost trend rate                  --%          --%             --%              6.70%          7.10%           7.60%

</TABLE>


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.  The  aggregate  contributions  to all
defined contribution plans were $2.1 million,  $2.8 million, and $3.1 million in
1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.



Note H--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:  1999 --  $14,884,000;  2000 --
$12,872,000;  2001 --  $11,071,000;  2002  --  $7,995,000;  2003 --  $4,752,000;
thereafter  --  $15,020,000.  Rental  expense under  operating  leases was $20.8
million, $29.3 million and $30.6 million for 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively.

On December  31,  1998,  the Company  entered  into an agreement to purchase ten
locations  previously  under  operating  lease  agreements.  The  $14.4  million
purchase  is  expected  to be  completed  during the first half of fiscal  1999.
Aggregate  minimum  future  rentals for these  stores have been  included  above
through January 31, 1999, in accordance with the terms of the agreement.

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 $0.4 million and $0.7 million at November 28, 1998, and November
29, 1997, respectively, was accrued in fresh-start accounting.


<PAGE>37


Note I--Reorganization Items

In connection with its Chapter 11 filing on July 21, 1997,  discussed at Note B,
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 J--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 SFAS 121 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 K).  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.



Note K--Special Charges

The Company recorded special charges of $5.6 million ($3.4 million after tax) in
the first quarter of fiscal 1998 for severance  costs related to the elimination
of staff at the  Company's  home  office and  regional  administrative  centers.
Special  charges of $0.8 million ($0.5 million after tax) and $1.0 million ($0.6
million  after tax) were  recorded  in the third and fourth  quarters  of fiscal
1998,   respectively,   in  connection  with  the  closing  of  three  and  five
underperforming stores,  respectively.  These are primarily cash charges. One of
the eight stores was closed at November 28, 1998, and the other seven will close
during  the first  half of fiscal  1999.  In  connection  with  these same store
closings,  the Company  recorded  inventory  write-downs  of $1.3 million  ($0.8
million  after  tax)  and  $3.1  million  ($2.0  million  after  tax) in cost of
merchandise   sold  during  the  third  and  fourth  quarters  of  fiscal  1998,
respectively.

Historical  financial data for the closing of the 8 stores is as follows for the
fiscal years presented:

In thousands                    1998       1997       1996
                            ---------------------------------

Net sales                    $  60,103  $  67,809  $  76,872
Net operating income (loss)  $  (4,027) $    (114) $   2,801


The fiscal 1998 special charge includes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  Amount                  Amount
                                                                  Charged            Utilized Through           Reserve at
       In millions                                                 1998                Nov. 28, 1998           Nov. 28, 1998
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                                                     <C>                      <C>                    <C>
       Real estate disposal costs                              $       0.7              $       0.1            $      0.6
       Severance costs                                                 5.6                      5.6                    --
       Other costs                                                     1.1                       --                   1.1
                                                              --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               $       7.4              $       5.7            $      1.7
                                                              ==============================================================
</TABLE>

<PAGE>38


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.

Historical financial data for the closing of the 29 stores is as follows for the
fiscal years presented:

In thousands                       1997         1996
                             --------------------------

Net sales                      $  209,898    $  328,541
Net operating income (loss)    $   (9,153)   $    5,990


The fiscal 1997 special charge includes:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        Amount            Amount            Reclass From
                                                        Charged       Utilized Through       1995 & 1996     Reserve at
       In millions                                       1997          Nov. 28, 1998           Reserve       Nov. 28, 1998
                                                    ----------------------------------------------------------------------
       <S>                                           <C>                 <C>                 <C>               <C>
       Real estate disposal costs                    $       6.8         $      7.5          $     3.4         $      2.7
       Severance costs                                       6.3                6.3                  --                --
                                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                     $      13.1         $     13.8          $     3.4         $      2.7
                                                    =====================================================================
</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 under-performing 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.


Historical  financial  data for the closing of the nine stores is as follows for
the fiscal years presented:

In thousands                   1996
                           -----------
Net sales                   $  63,088
Net operating  loss         $  (7,636)


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. 28, 1998       to 1997 Reserve       Accounting     Nov. 28, 1998
                                    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       <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>


<PAGE>39


Note L--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 plaintiffs' 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
plaintiffs' motion for class  certification has been denied on all claims except
the age  discrimination  claims.  The court granted the  plaintiffs'  motion for
class  certification of certain age  discrimination  claims. As a result of this
ruling,  eight  additional  individuals  chose 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,  which  was  limited  by the
Bankruptcy Court to a maximum of $22 million.  The case has been returned to the
United States  District  Court for the Southern  District of Iowa for resolution
with mediation  scheduled for April 1999 and a trial date currently set for July
1999. 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.


- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                           [KPMG LLP Letterhead]


INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT


The Board of Directors
Payless Cashways, Inc.:

We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Payless Cashways,  Inc. as of
November  28,  1998  and  November  29,  1997  and  the  related  statements  of
operations, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal years in
the three-year  period ended November 28, 1998.  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 disclosure 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 28, 1998 and November  29, 1997 and the results of its  operations  and
its cash  flows for each of the  fiscal  years in the  three-year  period  ended
November 28, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note B to the financial  statements,  the  financial  statements
reflect the  application of  fresh-start  reporting as of November 29, 1997 and,
therefore,  are not  comparable in all respects to the financial  statements for
periods prior to such date. As discussed in Note J 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  LLP

Kansas City, Missouri
January 15, 1999


<PAGE>40


Payless Cashways, Inc.
<TABLE>
FIVE-YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY
<CAPTION>
                                                  Reorganized         |
                                                    Company           |                Predecessor Company
                                          ----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------
In thousands, except per share                                        |
amounts, percentages and ratios                1998           1997    |     1997            1996           1995             1994
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>              <C>         |  <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>
Net sales and other income (a)           $   1,909,860    $       N/A |  $2,290,215    $ 2,650,905     $ 2,685,670     $ 2,733,182
Cost of merchandise sold                     1,420,787            N/A |   1,676,658      1,906,734       1,912,620       1,918,674
Selling, general and administrative            446,936            N/A |     558,817        615,466         619,589         594,024
Reorganization items (b)                            --            N/A |      25,455             --              --              --
Fresh-start revaluation (b)                         --            N/A |     355,559             --              --              --
Special charges (c)                              7,421            N/A |      13,056          8,184         153,667              --
Asset impairment charges (d)                        --            N/A |      60,483         59,967              --              --
Depreciation and amortization                   33,139            N/A |      51,110         55,016          60,356          58,692
Interest expense                                37,162            N/A |      61,251         60,488          61,067          65,571
Interest income (e)                                 --            N/A |          --          4,900              --              --
                                         -----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before income taxes              (35,585)           N/A |    (512,174)       (49,780)       (121,629)         96,221
Federal and state income taxes (e)             (13,218)           N/A |     (90,406)       (30,702)         (4,911)         41,808
                                         -----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before equity in loss of                                |
   joint venture and extraordinary item             --            N/A |    (421,768)       (19,078)       (116,718)         54,413
Equity in loss of joint venture (f)                 --            N/A |          --             --         (11,831)         (2,281)
Extraordinary item (g)                              --            N/A |     133,176             --              --          (7,243)
                                         -----------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                              (22,367)   $       N/A |  $ (288,592)   $   (19,078)    $  (128,549)    $    44,889
                                         =============================|============================================================
                                                                      |
Current ratio                                      2.08          2.15 |         N/A            1.41           1.29            1.45
Working capital                          $     196,184    $   258,405 |         N/A    $   131,004     $    98,400     $   139,128
Total assets                             $     748,354    $   911,341 |         N/A    $ 1,293,118     $ 1,344,436     $ 1,495,882
Long-term debt                           $     336,557    $   424,031 |         N/A    $   618,667     $   608,627     $   654,131
Stockholders' equity                     $     161,433    $   183,800 |         N/A    $   289,731     $   308,163     $   435,865
Capital expenditures                     $      23,349    $       N/A |  $   62,940    $    41,670     $    67,281     $    81,906
Income from operations before interest,                               |
   depreciation and amortization (h)     $      46,577    $       N/A |  $   65,433    $   134,552     $   153,461     $   220,484
</TABLE>

(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 B, the Company recorded reorganization items in 1997. The Company also
     adopted  fresh-start  accounting,  discussed  at Note C, as of November 29,
     1997,  as a result  of its  emergence  from  bankruptcy  under  its plan of
     reorganization effective date, December 2, 1997.

(c)  In 1998, special charges consisted of costs associated with the elimination
     of staff at the Company's headquarters and regional  administration centers
     and the  closing  of  eight  stores.  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.

(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 liability for future store lease
     payments. The Company adopted 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 1994, the extraordinary items also represent losses
     on early extinguishment of debt.

(h)  Income from operations  before  interest,  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 1998, 1997 and 1996 of $4.4 million, $10.7 million
     and $5.8  million,  respectively,  related to the closing of eight,  29 and
     nine underperforming stores, respectively, are also excluded.
<PAGE>41


Payless Cashways, Inc.
<TABLE>
FIVE-YEAR OPERATIONAL SUMMARY
<CAPTION>
                                                Reorganized |
Average sales per facility, number                Company   |                           Predecessor Company
of customers, gross square feet and            -------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------
retail square feet are in thousands                 1998    |        1997           1996 (a)            1995             1994
- ------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                             <C>         |    <C>               <C>              <C>               <C>
                                                            |
Number of retail facilities                            161  |           164               192              206               202
Average same-store sales per facility           $   11,711  |    $   12,600        $   13,107       $   13,114        $   13,716
Number of customers                                 42,741  |        50,743            56,736           59,685            60,812
Average sales per customer                      $    44.61  |    $    45.04        $    45.81       $    44.91        $    44.77
Number of employees                                 10,930  |        12,782            16,664           18,122            18,406
Average sales per employee                      $  171,316  |    $  162,099        $  152,228       $  147,894        $  147,778
Gross square feet (total)                           14,491  |        15,550            17,578           19,453            18,730
Retail square feet (inside)                          5,251  |         5,334             6,209            6,740             6,468
Sales per retail square foot                    $   356.59  |    $   388.44        $   408.56       $   397.65        $   420.53
Percent increase (decrease) in same-                        |
  store sales                                       (7.3)%  |        (6.6)%            (2.5)%           (4.5)%              3.3%
<FN>
 (a) Fiscal 1996 was a 53-week year.  All 1996 data has been computed on a 52-week basis.
</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 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/ Millard E. Barron                    /s/ Richard G. Luse

Millard E. Barron                        Richard G. Luse
President and Chief Executive Officer    Senior Vice President-Finance and
                                         Chief Financial Officer


<PAGE>42


Payless Cashways, Inc.

DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

Chandler, Arizona

Sacramento, California

Denver, Colorado

Indianapolis, Indiana

Kansas City, Missouri

Sedalia, Missouri

Lake Dallas, Texas



STORE LOCATIONS


Arizona
Phoenix 4, 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, 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

Minnesota
Minneapolis/St. Paul 8

Missouri
Columbia 1, Kansas City 5,
Springfield 1, St. Joseph 1

Nebraska
Lincoln 2, Omaha 2

Nevada
Las Vegas 4, Reno 1, Sparks 1

New Mexico
Albuquerque 1, Santa Fe 1

Ohio
Dayton 2, Cincinnati 6, Findlay 1,
Huber Heights 1, Lima 1, Springfield 1


<PAGE>43


Oklahoma
Norman 1, Oklahoma City 2, 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 13, Longview 1,
Lubbock 2, Sherman 1, Texarkana 1,
Tyler 1, Waco 1



<PAGE>44


Payless Cashways, Inc.

STOCKHOLDER INFORMATION


As of the July 21, 1997,  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
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 New Common
Stock at November 28, 1998,  was 4,636.  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.


                                  New Common Stock          Old Common Stock
                                        1998                      1997
- ----------------------------- ------------------------- ------------------------
 Price range of Common Stock      High          Low         High         Low
- ----------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------ -----------

        First quarter            3.875         1.000        2.500       1.125

        Second quarter           5.250         2.531        2.125       1.375

        Third quarter            3.188         1.125        1.750       0.130

        Fourth quarter           1.938         0.781        0.360       0.053



Copies of the Payless  Cashways,  Inc. Form 10-K for fiscal 1998, 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 21, 1999, 10:00 a.m.    Independent Auditors
Kansas City Marriott Downtown                  KPMG LLP
200 West 12th Street                           Kansas City, MO
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




<PAGE>1
                                                                   Exhibit 23.1

                              [KPMG LLP Letterhead]



                                Auditors' Consent



     The Board of Directors
     Payless Cashways, Inc.:


     We consent to incorporation by reference in the registration statement (No.
     333-70557)  on Form S-8 of Payless  Cashways,  Inc.  of our  report,  dated
     January 15, 1999, relating to the balance sheets of Payless Cashways,  Inc.
     as of November 28, 1998 and November 29, 1997,  and the related  statements
     of operations,  stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the fiscal
     years in the  three-year  period ended  November 28, 1998,  and the related
     schedule,  which  report  appears in the November 28, 1998 annual report on
     Form 10-K of Payless Cashways, Inc. Our report refers to the application of
     fresh start  reporting  as of November 29,  1997.  In addition,  our report
     refers to the  Company's  adoption of  Statement  of  Financial  Accounting
     Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the  Impairment of  Long-Lived Assets to
     Be Disposed Of", in fiscal 1996.



                                                            /s/ KPMG LLP



     Kansas City, Missouri
     February 25, 1999



<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the November
28, 1998, financial statements and is qualified in its entirety by reference to
such financial statements.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          NOV-28-1998
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-28-1998
<CASH>                                            1950
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     349452
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                378272
<PP&E>                                          377868
<DEPRECIATION>                                 (32146)
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  748354
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                           182088
<BONDS>                                         336557
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           200
<OTHER-SE>                                      161233
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    748354
<SALES>                                        1906862
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               1909860
<CGS>                                          1420787
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  1420787
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                     0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               37162
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (35585)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   (13218)
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (22367)
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (22367)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                   (1.12)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                   (1.12)
        

</TABLE>


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