INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES INC
8-K, 1996-10-09
SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549



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


                                    FORM 8-K


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

                                 CURRENT REPORT

                     Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                         Securities Exchange Act of 1934


Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)     September 25, 1996
                                                  ----------------------------

                        INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         Delaware                 1-12306                        23-2428312
(State or other jurisdiction    (Commission                   (IRS Employer
      of corporation)           File Number)                Identification No.)

10065 Red Run Boulevard, Owings Mills, Maryland                   21117
- -----------------------------------------------                -------------
(Address of principal executive offices)                         (Zip Code)



Registrant's telephone number, including area code:   (410) 998-8400
                                                     -----------------

                                 Not Applicable
          -------------------------------------------------------------
          (Former name or former address, if changed since last report)


<PAGE>

Item 2.     Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

         On September 25, 1996 Integrated Health Services,  Inc. ("the Company")
acquired  all  the  outstanding   stock  of  Signature  Home  Care  Group,  Inc.
("Signature")  headquartered in Irving, Texas. The total purchase price was $9.2
million,  of which $4.7 million represents the issuance of 196,374 shares of the
Company's  common  stock,  with the  remaining  being  paid  with the  Company's
revolving credit facility. The Company will use its best efforts to register the
shares with the Securities and Exchange  Commission  under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended, within ninety days of the Closing.

         Signature  is a full  service  home health care  company with 22 branch
locations  in five states.  Signature  offers home  nursing  services,  infusion
services,  respiratory  therapy and home medical equipment in Arizona,  Florida,
Kansas,  New Jersey and Texas, in addition to providing  management  services to
home health providers.


<PAGE>

Item 7.     Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits

         a.       Financial Statements of Businesses Acquired.

         Pursuant  to  Instruction  (a)(4)  of Item 7 to Form 8-K,  the  Company
intends to file the required historical financial statements of Signature within
60 days after the date this report was required to be filed.

         b.       Pro Forma Financial Information.

         Pursuant  to  Instruction  (b)(2)  of Item 7 of Form 8-K,  the  Company
intends to file required pro forma  financial  information  within 60 days after
the date this report was required to be filed.

         c.       Exhibits.

         2.01     Stock  Purchase  Agreement  dated as of August 23, 1996 by and
                  among the  Company,  Signature  and  Selling  Shareholders  of
                  Signature.


<PAGE>
                                   SIGNATURES
                                   ----------





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


                                             INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.




Date: October 8, 1996                        By  /s/ W. Bradley Bennett
                                                 -----------------------
                                             Name: W. Bradley Bennett
                                             Title: Executive Vice President and
                                                      Chief Accounting Officer


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


                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT

                           Dated as of August 23, 1996

                                      among

                        INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                                       and

                              SELLING SHAREHOLDERS

                                       and

                            SIGNATURE HOME CARE, INC.


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



<PAGE>



                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
                                -----------------
                                                                            Page

ARTICLE I:  SALE AND PURCHASE OF COMPANY SECURITIES............................1
         1.1      Sale and Purchase of Company Securities......................1

ARTICLE II:  PURCHASE PRICE....................................................1
         2.1      Determination and Payment of Purchase Price..................1
         2.2      Adjustments to the Aggregate Gross Purchase Price............3
         2.3      Escrow.......................................................5
         2.4      Appointment of Sellers' Committee............................6
         2.5      Committee Duties; Power of Attorney..........................6
         2.6      Actions of the Committee.....................................7
         2.7      Assets and Liabilities.......................................7

ARTICLE III:  IHS STOCK........................................................8
         3.1      IHS Stock....................................................8

ARTICLE IV:  THE CLOSING......................................................12
         4.1      Time and Place of Closing...................................12

ARTICLE V:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS AND
         COMPANY..............................................................12
         5.1      Organization and Standing of the Company....................13
         5.2      Absence of Conflicting Agreements...........................13
         5.3      Consents....................................................13
         5.4      Capital Stock...............................................13
         5.5      Assets and Liabilities......................................14
         5.6      Trademarks..................................................14
         5.7      Contracts...................................................14
         5.8      Financial Statements........................................15
         5.9      Material Changes............................................16
         5.10     Licenses; Permits; Certificates of Need.....................16
         5.11     Title, Condition of Personal Property.......................17
         5.12     Legal Proceedings...........................................18
         5.13     Employees...................................................18
         5.14     Collective Bargaining, Labor Contracts, Employment 
                    Practices, Etc............................................19
         5.15     ERISA.......................................................19
         5.16     Insurance and Surety Agreements.............................20
         5.17     Relationships...............................................20
         5.18     Absence of Certain Events...................................20
         5.19     Compliance with Laws........................................21
         5.20     Finders.....................................................22

                                       (i)

<PAGE>

         
         5.21     Tax Returns.................................................22
         5.22     Encumbrances Created by this Agreement......................22
         5.23     Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures.............................22
         5.24     No Untrue Statement.........................................22
         5.25     Medicare and Medicaid Programs..............................22
         5.26     Leasehold Interests.........................................23
         5.27     Power and Authority.........................................23
         5.28     Binding Effect..............................................23

ARTICLE VI:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS .......................23
         6.1      Organization and Standing...................................23
         6.2      Authority...................................................23
         6.3      Binding Effect..............................................23
         6.4      Absence of Conflicting Agreements...........................24
         6.5      Consents....................................................24
         6.6      Ownership of Company Securities.............................24

ARTICLE VII:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.........................24
         7.1      Organization and Standing...................................24
         7.2      Power and Authority.........................................24
         7.3      Binding Agreement...........................................25
         7.5      Capital Stock...............................................25
         7.6      Absence of Conflicting Agreements...........................25
         7.7      Consents....................................................26
         7.8      Litigation..................................................26
         7.9      Investment Representation...................................26

ARTICLE VIII:  INFORMATION AND RECORDS CONCERNING THE COMPANY AND
         ITS SUBSIDIARIES.....................................................26
         8.1      Access to Information and Records before Closing............26

ARTICLE IX:  OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNTIL CLOSING.........................27
         9.1      Conduct of Business Pending Closing.........................27
         9.2      Negative Covenants of the Company and its Subsidiaries......27
         9.3      Affirmative Covenants.......................................27
         9.4      Pursuit of Consents and Approvals...........................29
         9.5      Exclusivity.................................................29
         9.6      Solicitation of Stockholders................................29
         9.7      Line of Credit..............................................29

ARTICLE X:  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS.......................29
         10.1     Representations and Warranties..............................30
         10.2     Performance of Covenants....................................30
         10.3     Delivery of Closing Certificate.............................30
         10.4     Opinion of Counsel..........................................30
         10.5     Legal Matters...............................................30

                                      (ii)

<PAGE>
         10.6     Authorization Documents.....................................30
         10.7     Material Change.............................................30
         10.8     Approvals...................................................30
         10.9     Consents....................................................31
         10.10    Closing Date Balance Sheet..................................31
         10.11    Resignation of Company and its Subsidiaries' 
                     Boards of Directors......................................31
         10.12    Additional Sellers..........................................31
         10.13    Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.......................................31
         10.14    Samaritan Joint Venture Agreements..........................31
         10.15    Real Property Consents......................................31
         10.17    Other Documents.............................................32

ARTICLE XI:  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLERS' OBLIGATIONS.....................32
         11.1     Representations and Warranties..............................32
         11.2     Performance of Covenants....................................32
         11.3     Delivery of Closing Certificate.............................32
         11.4     Opinion of Counsel..........................................32
         11.5     Legal Matters...............................................32
         11.6     Authorization Documents.....................................32
         11.7     Other Documents.............................................32

ARTICLE XII: OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES AFTER CLOSING.........................33
         12.1     Survival of Representations and Warranties..................33
         12.2     Indemnification by Sellers..................................33
         12.3     Indemnification by Buyer....................................33
         12.4     Assertion of Claims.........................................34
         12.5     Liability Cap...............................................34
         12.6     Control of Defense of Indemnifiable Claims..................34
         12.7     Restrictions................................................35
         12.8     Records.....................................................36
         12.9     Audit.......................................................36
         12.10    Appraisal Rights............................................36

ARTICLE XIII:  TERMINATION....................................................37
         13.1     Termination.................................................37
         13.2     Effect of Termination.......................................37

ARTICLE XIV:  MISCELLANEOUS...................................................37
         14.1     Costs and Expenses..........................................37
         14.2     Performance.................................................37
         14.3     Benefit and Assignment......................................37
         14.4     Effect and Construction of this Agreement...................38
         14.5     Cooperation - Further Assistance............................38
         14.6     Notices.....................................................38
         14.7     Waiver, Discharge, Etc......................................39
         14.8     Rights of Persons Not Parties...............................39


                                      (iii)

<PAGE>

         14.9     Governing Law...............................................39
         14.10    Amendments, Supplements, Etc................................39
         14.11    Severability................................................39
         14.12    Counterparts................................................40

                                      (iv)

<PAGE>

                              SCHEDULES & EXHIBITS
                              --------------------

Schedule 2.1(a)    -        Calculation of Fully Diluted Shares Outstanding
Schedule 5.3       -        Consent List of Sellers
Schedule 5.4       -        Capital Stock
Schedule 5.5(a)    -        Accounts Payable Aging
Schedule 5.5(b)    -        Liens
Schedule 5.6       -        Trademarks
Schedule 5.7       -        Contracts
Schedule 5.8(a)    -        Audited Financial Statements
Schedule 5.8(b)    -        Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
Schedule 5.8(c)    -        Material Liabilities
Schedule 5.8(d)    -        Financial Statement Adjustments
Schedule 5.9       -        Material Changes
Schedule 5.10      -        Licenses, Permits, Certificates of Need
Schedule 5.11(a)   -        Liens on Personal Property
Schedule 5.11(b)   -        Leases of Personal Property
Schedule 5.12      -        Legal Proceedings
Schedule 5.13      -        Employees
Schedule 5.15(b)   -        Employee Benefit Plans
Schedule 5.15(c)   -        Employees on Leave of Absence
Schedule 5.16      -        Insurance and Surety Agreements
Schedule 5.17      -        Relationships
Schedule 5.18      -        Absence of Certain Events
Schedule 5.19      -        Compliance with Laws
Schedule 5.21      -        Tax Returns
Schedule 5.23      -        Subsidiaries, Joint Ventures, etc.
Schedule 5.25      -        Medicare and Medicaid Programs
Schedule 5.26      -        Leasehold Interests
Schedule 6.6       -        Ownership of Company Securities

Exhibit A          -        Class A Redemption Price
Exhibit 2.3        -        Escrow Agreement
Exhibit 10.4       -        Opinion of Sellers' Counsel
Exhibit 11.4       -        Opinion of Buyer's Counsel

                                       (v)

<PAGE>



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

                            STOCK PURCHASE AGREEMENT
                           --------------------------


                  This Stock Purchase  Agreement (the "Agreement") is made as of
the 23rd day of August, 1996, among INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC., a Delaware
corporation  ("Buyer"),  and SIGNATURE HOME CARE,  INC., a Delaware  corporation
(the  "Company"),  and each of the holders of capital stock,  warrants and stock
options of the  Company  whose  signatures  appear at the end of this  Agreement
(collectively, the "Sellers" and individually, the "Seller").

                  WHEREAS,  the  Sellers are the owners or holders of issued and
outstanding shares of the common,  Class A, and Class B stock of the Company and
of the outstanding warrants and stock options of the Company (collectively,  the
"Company Securities"); and

                  WHEREAS,  Buyer wishes to acquire the Company  Securities from
Sellers, and Sellers wish to sell the Company Securities to Buyer, in accordance
with the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

                  WHEREAS, this Agreement is initially being executed by Sellers
owning an  aggregate of  approximately  fifty-one  (51%)  percent of the Company
Securities and it is contemplated that prior to the Closing  hereunder,  Sellers
owning an aggregate of at least ninety (90%)  percent of the Company  Securities
shall have executed and delivered this Agreement to Buyer.

                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  Sellers,  Buyer, and Company intending to be
legally bound, agree as follows:


               ARTICLE I: SALE AND PURCHASE OF COMPANY SECURITIES
               --------------------------------------------------

                  1.1 Sale and  Purchase of Company  Securities.  Subject to the
terms and conditions of this Agreement, at the Closing (as hereinafter defined),
Buyer shall acquire from Sellers,  and Sellers shall sell, assign,  transfer and
convey  to Buyer,  the  Company  Securities.  The  number  of shares of  Company
Securities (and the class or series of such shares) being sold by each Seller is
set forth on Schedule  5.4  hereto.  The  Company  Securities  to be sold by the
Sellers hereunder shall include each of the Signature Options (as defined below)
and Signature Warrants (as defined below) owned by such Sellers, notwithstanding
that the purchase price payable in respect of such options and warrants pursuant
to the provisions of Section 2.1 may be zero.


                           ARTICLE II: PURCHASE PRICE
                           --------------------------

                  2.1   Determination and Payment of Purchase Price.

                        (a) For the purposes  hereof,  the following terms shall
be defined as indicated below:

                                       1

<PAGE>

                           (i)   "Aggregate   Net  Purchase   Price"  means  the
Aggregate  Gross  Purchase  Price,  plus the  aggregate  exercise  prices of all
Signature Warrants and Signature Options, minus (A) the amount of any adjustment
under  Section  2.2,  (B) the Class A  Redemption  Price,  (C) any Class B Stock
dividends  payable  through the Closing to the extent not paid by the Company as
of the  Closing  Date,  and  (D) any  amounts  owed to New  Jersey  Partners  in
connection  with that certain  Purchase  Agreement  dated January 1, 1994 by and
among the Company and the four New Jersey  Partners  named therein to the extent
not paid by the Company as of the Closing Date.

                           (ii)  "Aggregate  Gross Purchase Price" means Sixteen
Million Five Hundred Thousand ($16,500,000.00) Dollars.

                           (iii)  "Class A  Redemption  Price"  means an  amount
determined pursuant to Exhibit A hereto.

                           (iv)  "Class A Stock"  means the  Class A Stock,  par
value $1.00 per share, of the Company.

                           (v)  "Class B Stock"  means  the  Class B Stock,  par
value $1.00 per share, of the Company.

                           (vi)  "Fully  Diluted  Shares"  means  the  aggregate
number of shares of Signature  Common Stock that would be  outstanding as of the
Closing  assuming the exercise of all of the  Signature  Warrants and  Signature
Options (if the Per Share Purchase Price exceeds the Net Exercise Value) and the
conversion of all of the Class B Stock.

                           (vii) "Net Exercise Value" means, as to any Signature
Warrant or Signature  Option,  an amount equal to the Per Share  Purchase  Price
multiplied by the number of shares for which such Signature Warrant or Signature
Option is  exercisable  as of the Closing  Date,  and  reduced by the  aggregate
exercise price of the unexercised portion of such Signature Warrant or Signature
Option.

                           (viii) "Per Share Purchase Price" means the Aggregate
Net Purchase Price divided by the Fully Diluted Shares.

                           (ix) "Signature Common Stock" means the common stock,
par value $.01 per share, of the Company.

                           (x) "Signature  Option" means any option  outstanding
under the Company's  Amended and Restated 1992 Option and Restricted  Stock Plan
as of the Closing for the purchase of Signature Common Stock.

                           (xi)   "Signature    Warrant"   means   any   warrant
outstanding as of the Closing for the purchase of Signature Common Stock.

                                        2

<PAGE>

                        (b) At the  Closing,  Buyer shall pay to the Sellers and
the Sellers shall accept,  the following amounts in full payment for the Company
Securities:

                           (i) Purchase of Signature Common Stock. Each share of
Signature  Common Stock owned by a Seller,  and all rights existing with respect
thereto,  shall be exchanged  for that number of shares of IHS Stock as shall be
equal in value to 51% of the Per  Share  Purchase  Price,  and an amount of cash
equal to 49% of the Per Share Purchase Price (as defined below).

                           (ii) Purchase of Class A Stock. Each share of Class A
Stock,  par value $1.00 per share  ("Class A Stock"),  owned by a Seller and all
rights  existing  with respect  thereto,  shall be exchanged  for that number of
shares of IHS Stock as shall be equal in value to 51% of the Class A  Redemption
Price, and an amount of cash equal to 49% of the Class A Redemption Price.

                           (iii) Purchase of Class B Stock.  Each share of Class
B Stock owned by a Seller,  and all rights existing with respect thereto,  shall
be  exchanged  for the that  number  of shares of IHS Stock as shall be equal to
35.7% and an amount of cash equal to 34.3% of the Per Share Purchase Price.

                           (iv) Purchase of Signature  Warrants.  Each Signature
Warrant and all rights  existing  with respect  thereto,  shall be exchanged for
that  number of shares of IHS Stock as shall be equal in value to 51% of the Net
Exercise Value of such  Signature  Warrant and an amount of cash equal to 49% of
the Net Exercise Value of such Signature Warrant.

                           (v) Purchase of  Signature  Options.  Each  Signature
Option to  purchase  Signature  Common,  and all rights  existing  with  respect
thereto,  shall be exchanged  for that number of shares of IHS Stock as shall be
equal in value to 51% of the Net Exercise Value of such Signature  Option and an
amount of cash equal to 49% percent of the Net Exercise  Value of such Signature
Option.

                        (c)  The  value  of  IHS  Stock  for  the   purposes  of
subsection (b), above, shall be determined in accordance with Section 3.1(a).

                  2.2      Adjustments to the Aggregate Gross Purchase Price.

                        (a) At the Closing,  the Company  shall deliver to Buyer
the balance sheet of the Company dated as of the Closing Date on a  consolidated
basis,  certified by the Company's  Chief  Financial  Officer (the "Closing Date
Balance Sheet"). The Aggregate Gross Purchase Price payable to the Sellers shall
be reduced if the Closing Date Balance Sheet  discloses that the amount by which
current liabilities, minus current assets, plus long-term liabilities (excluding
minority  interests),  minus property and equipment  before  depreciation,  plus
$7,700,000 exceeds $3,200,000

                                        3

<PAGE>



(the "Purchase Price  Adjustment  Amount").  In such event,  the Aggregate Gross
Purchase  Price  payable  to the  Sellers at the  Closing  shall be reduced on a
dollar-for-dollar  basis by the amount of the Purchase Price Adjustment  Amount.
For purposes hereof, current assets, current liabilities,  long-term liabilities
and  property and  equipment  shall be  determined  on a  consolidated  basis in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, consistently applied.

                        (b) As soon  as is  reasonably  practicable,  but in any
event within ninety (90) days  following the Closing Date,  Buyer shall complete
and deliver to the Sellers an audit of the Company's Closing Date Balance Sheet.
If such audit reveals that the Purchase  Price  Adjustment  Amount based on such
audit was greater than the Purchase Price Adjustment  Amount as indicated on the
Closing Date Balance Sheet,  the Aggregate  Gross Purchase Price shall be deemed
to have been reduced by the amount of such excess,  and the Sellers shall refund
from the Escrow  Fund to Buyer the  amount of such  excess,  in cash  and/or IHS
Stock as selected by Sellers.  If such audit  reveals  that the  Purchase  Price
Adjustment  Amount  based  on such  audit  was  less  than  the  Purchase  Price
Adjustment  Amount per the Closing  Date  Balance  Sheet,  the  Aggregate  Gross
Purchase  Price  shall be deemed to have been  increased  by the  amount of such
deficiency, and the Buyer shall pay to Sellers the amount of such deficiency, in
the  respective  combinations  of cash  and IHS  Stock as set  forth in  Section
2.1(b).  In the event that the  Sellers  choose to effect any  reduction  of the
Aggregate  Gross Purchase Price under Section 2.2(b) by means of a return of IHS
Stock, the number of shares to be so returned shall be calculated based upon the
valuation of the IHS Stock at Closing as set forth in Section  3.1(b) below.  If
Sellers  dispute the calculation of the Purchase Price  Adjustment  Amount as of
the  Closing  Date,  such  dispute  shall be  resolved  in  accordance  with the
following:

                           (i) Within sixty (60) days after  delivery to Sellers
of the audit,  the Sellers may deliver to Buyer a written  report (the "Sellers'
Report") prepared by an independent accounting firm selected by the Sellers (the
"Sellers'  Accountants")  advising  Buyer either that Sellers'  Accountants  (A)
agree with the audit, or (B) deem that one or more adjustments are required. The
costs and expenses of the services of the Sellers' Accountants shall be borne by
the Sellers. If Buyer shall concur with the adjustments proposed by the Sellers'
Accountants,  or if Buyer shall not object  thereto in writing  delivered to the
Sellers within (30) days after Buyer's receipt of the Sellers' Report, the audit
as submitted by Buyer (as so adjusted as provided in such Sellers' Report) shall
become final and shall not be subject to further review, challenge or adjustment
absent fraud.  If the Sellers do not submit a Sellers' Report within the 60- day
period provided herein,  then the audit as submitted by Buyer shall become final
and shall not be subject to  further  review,  challenge  or  adjustment  absent
fraud.

                           (ii) In the event that the Sellers  submit a Sellers'
Report and Buyer disagrees with the Sellers' Report,  and Buyer and the Sellers'
Accountants  are unable to resolve  the  disagreements  set forth in such report
within  thirty  (30)  days  after  the date of the  Sellers'  Report,  then such
disagreements  shall be referred to a recognized  firm of independent  certified
public  accountants  experienced  in auditing  home health  care  companies  and
selected by mutual  agreement of the Sellers and Buyer (or if the parties cannot
agree on such selection,  then a "big six" accounting firm selected by lot) (the
"Settlement  Accountants"),  and the determination of the Settlement Accountants
shall
                                        4

<PAGE>


be final and shall not be subject to further  review,  challenge  or  adjustment
absent fraud. The Settlement Accountants shall use their best efforts to reach a
determination not more than forty-five (45) days after such referral.  The costs
and  expenses of the  services of the  Settlement  Accountants  shall be paid by
Buyer if it is  determined  that  there  will be any  adjustment  to the  audit;
otherwise, if there is no adjustment,  such costs and expenses of the Settlement
Accountants shall be paid by Sellers.

                        (c)  In  the  event  that  the  Arizona  Physicians  IPA
capitated  contract (the "APIPA Contract") with the Company is not renewed prior
to December 31, 1996 upon terms  favorable to the Company,  the Aggregate  Gross
Purchase  Price shall be reduced by One  Million  ($1,000,000.00)  Dollars  (the
"APIPA  Penalty").  The Sellers  shall refund the APIPA  Penalty from the Escrow
Fund to Buyer in cash  and/or IHS Stock as selected  by  Sellers.  For  purposes
hereof,  the  renewal of the APIPA  Contract  shall be deemed  favorable  to the
Company  if the  renewal  contract  is on  substantially  similar  terms  as the
existing contract except that it shall include the following terms:

                           (i) the APIPA Contract  shall include  provisions for
revenue adjustments for material changes in utilization;

                           (ii) the  capitation  rates  stated in the renewal of
the APIPA  Contract  are, at a minimum,  equal to the HIDA rates for the periods
applicable to the APIPA Contract; and

                           (iii) the APIPA  Contract  is renewed  for a two-year
period.

                  2.3 Escrow. At the Closing, pursuant to an Escrow Agreement to
be entered  into by the  parties  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  2.3, a
portion of the IHS Stock  included in the Aggregate Net Purchase  Price as shall
be equal to  one-half  of the  Aggregate  Net  Purchase  Price,  based  upon the
valuation  described  in  Section  3.1(a),  below,  but in the  event  that  the
Aggregate  Net  Purchase  Price is below  Nine  Million  Five  Hundred  Thousand
($9,500,000.00)  Dollars,  such  portion  of the IHS  Stock to be held in escrow
shall be equal to Four Million  ($4,000,000.00)  Dollars  (the  "Escrow  Fund"),
shall be delivered over to AMERICAN  STOCK  TRANSFER & TRUST COMPANY,  as escrow
agent (the  "Escrowee"),  and shall be held and  disbursed  by the  Escrowee  in
accordance with the following:

                           (i) In the event that the Sellers become obligated to
remit shares back to Buyer pursuant to the post-Closing adjustments set forth in
Sections 2.2(b) and 2.2(c),  the Escrowee shall release to Buyer that portion of
the Escrow Fund as shall have a value equal to the amount by which the Aggregate
Gross Purchase Price is so reduced,  calculated  based upon the valuation of the
IHS Stock at Closing as set forth in Section 3.1(a), below. The number of shares
of IHS Stock to be delivered to each Seller at Closing  shall be reduced by such
Seller's proportional ownership interest in the Company Securities;

                                        5

<PAGE>

                           (ii) In the event that the Buyer becomes  entitled to
indemnification   pursuant  to  Section   12.2  or  to  payment  for  breach  of
representations and warranties or breach of covenants hereunder, the Buyer shall
first utilize the Escrow Fund as a source of  indemnification  or of payment for
breach of  representations  and warranties or breach of covenants  hereunder and
the Escrowee  shall  release to Buyer as selected by Sellers cash or that number
of shares of the Escrow Fund as shall be equal in value to such  indemnification
or payment  based upon a price per share of such stock as calculated at Closing.
Such  Escrow  Fund shall  serve as an  exclusive  source of  indemnification  or
payment for all Loss (as defined in Section 12.2) other than Loss resulting from
Excess Reimbursement  Liabilities (as defined in Section 2.7), any breach of the
representations and warranties  contained in Section 5.25 (Medicare and Medicaid
Programs),  and the audit or assessment of taxes by the Federal,  state or local
tax authority;

                           (iii) If no claim for  indemnification on the part of
Buyer remains  outstanding  upon the  expiration  of one (1) year  following the
Closing  Date (the  "Escrow  Period"),  any  remaining  Escrow  then held by the
Escrowee shall be released to the Sellers on a pro rata basis in accordance with
each  Seller's  relative  ownership of the Company  Securities as of the Closing
Date.

                  2.4 Appointment of Sellers'  Committee.  Sellers, by execution
of this Agreement,  hereby appoint a committee (the "Committee") for the purpose
of taking  certain  actions on behalf of the  Sellers  under this  Agreement  as
described  below.  Such  committee  shall  consist  of three  (3)  persons.  The
Committee  shall  initially  consist of James Crews,  Michael  Kluger and Steven
Gilbert, but shall include any successor as chosen by Sellers holding at least a
majority of the Fully Diluted Shares.

                  2.5      Committee Duties; Power of Attorney.

                        (a) The Committee  (acting  pursuant to the  affirmative
agreement  of a  majority  of the  members  thereof)  is  hereby  appointed  and
constituted agent and attorney-in-fact by each Seller, for and on behalf of such
Seller:  to execute  the  Escrow  Agreement;  to give and  receive  notices  and
communications  hereunder and under the Escrow Agreement;  to authorize delivery
to Buyer of IHS Stock or cash from the Escrow Fund in  satisfaction of claims by
Buyer;  to  object  to such  deliveries;  to agree  to,  negotiate,  enter  into
settlements  and  compromises of, and comply with orders of courts and awards of
arbitrators  with respect to such claims;  and to take all actions  necessary or
appropriate  in the  judgment of the  Committee  for the  accomplishment  of the
foregoing and in furtherance of this Agreement.  Any member of the Committee may
resign  upon thirty  (30) days  notice to the  parties to this  Agreement.  Such
Committee  member may be replaced by the Sellers from time to time upon not less
than (5) days' prior written  notice to Buyer;  provided that the member may not
be replaced  unless  holders of at least a majority of the Fully Diluted  Shares
agree to such replacement.  No bond shall be required of the Committee,  and the
Committee  members shall receive no  compensation  for their services  except as
provided in Section 2.4(b).  Notice or  communications  to or from the Committee
shall constitute notice to or from each of the Sellers.

                                        6
<PAGE>




                        (b) No member of the Committee or their affiliates shall
be  personally  liable for his or her service in such  capacity to Buyer and the
Sellers for any act done or omitted hereunder as a Committee member while acting
in good faith. The Sellers shall jointly and severally  indemnify each Committee
member and hold each Committee member harmless against,  any loss,  liability or
expense  incurred  without  bad faith on the part of the  Committee  member  and
arising out of or in connection  with the  acceptance or  administration  of the
Committee member's duties hereunder.  The Committee shall be entitled to direct,
immediately  prior to the  termination  of the Escrow  Period,  the  Escrowee to
deliver  cash  and/or IHS Stock  held in the Escrow  Fund for any Seller to such
Committee members to satisfy such Seller's obligations pursuant to the preceding
sentence;  provided,  however,  that the Committee shall have such right only to
the extent  that the Escrow  Fund  exceeds  any amount of such funds  reasonably
sufficient to satisfy any unsatisfied claims for Loss hereunder.

                  2.6 Actions of the Committee. The Sellers hereby authorize the
Committee to sign the Escrow  Agreement  on behalf of the  Sellers.  A decision,
act,  consent  or  instruction  of the  Committee  (acting  by  the  affirmative
agreement of a majority of the members  thereof) shall  constitute a decision of
all the Sellers,  and shall be final,  binding and  conclusive  upon each of the
Sellers, and the Escrowee and Buyer may rely upon any decision,  act, consent or
instruction of the Committee as being the decision,  act, consent or instruction
of each and all of the Sellers.  The Escrowee and Buyer are hereby relieved from
any  liability to any person for any acts done by them in  accordance  with such
decision,  act, consent or instruction of the Committee.  Although the Committee
shall not be  obligated  to obtain  instructions  from the Sellers  prior to any
decision, act, consent or instruction, if, and to the extent that, the Committee
receives  any written  instructions  from the holders of a majority of the Fully
Diluted  Shares,  the  Committee  shall comply with such  instructions  and such
instruction shall be binding as if unanimously given by all Sellers even if some
Sellers dissent thereto.

                        2.7 Assets and Liabilities.  As of the Closing Date, the
consolidated  assets of the  Company  (the  "Assets")  will  include  all of the
tangible and intangible  assets of the Company and its subsidiaries as presently
constituted,  including,  without  limitation,  all contract  rights,  leasehold
interests,  fixed  and  moveable  equipment,  vehicles,  furnishings,   tangible
personal property,  inventory and supplies (other than inventory,  supplies, and
other assets  disposed of in the ordinary  course of business,  consistent  with
prior  practice),  goodwill,  tradenames,  trademarks,  all patient  records and
files,  Certificates  of Need,  Medicare and Medicaid  provider  agreements  and
numbers,  telephone  numbers,  and to the extent  permitted by law, all permits,
licenses and other governmental  approvals.  The Assets of the Company as of the
Closing Date shall also include cash, accounts receivable, and prepaid expenses.
As of the  Closing,  the Company will not have any  liabilities  other than such
long-term  liabilities  and current  liabilities as are reflected on the Closing
Date Balance Sheet. It is expressly agreed that Sellers shall remain responsible
for all other  liabilities  and obligations of the Company,  including,  without
limitation, all liabilities or obligations ("Excess Reimbursement  Liabilities")
owed to or amounts  due or that may become due to  Medicare  or  Medicaid or any
other health care  reimbursement or payment  intermediary on account of Medicare
cap cost report  adjustments or other payment  adjustments  attributable  to any
period on or prior to the Closing  Date,  or any other form of Medicare or other
health care reimbursement  recapture,  adjustment or overpayment whatsoever with
respect to any period on or prior to the Closing Date, except for the 

                                       7

<PAGE>

current  liabilities  and  long-term  liabilities  disclosed on the Closing Date
Balance Sheet referred to in Section 2.2(a).  However, any favorable settlements
in excess of estimated  Medicare cost report  receivables or less than estimated
Medicare cost report  liabilities  as disclosed on the audit of the Closing Date
Balance Sheet shall be offset against the Excess Reimbursement  Liabilities.  If
such offset should  exceed the Excess  Reimbursement  Liabilities,  eighty (80%)
percent  of the  excess  will be  returned  to  Sellers  upon  final  audit  and
settlement of all Medicare and Medicaid cost reports for all periods through the
Closing Date.


                             ARTICLE III: IHS STOCK
                             ----------------------

                  3.1 IHS Stock.  Fifty-one  (51%)  percent of the Aggregate Net
Purchase Price and the Class A Redemption Price shall be payable by means of the
delivery to the Sellers of IHS Stock in accordance with the following:

                        (a)  Share  Value.  The  number  of  shares of IHS Stock
issuable at Closing  pursuant to Section  2.1(a)(ii)  shall be calculated  based
upon a price per share of such stock equal to the average  closing NYSE price of
such stock for the thirty (30)  business day period  immediately  preceding  the
date which is three (3) business days before the Closing Date.

                        (b) Registration Rights. Buyer will use its best efforts
to cause to be prepared and filed within ninety (90) days  following the Closing
Date, and will use its best efforts to have declared effective by the Securities
and Exchange  Commission (the  "Commission"),  a registration  statement for the
registration  of the IHS Stock under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities   Act"),  and  Buyer  shall  maintain  the   effectiveness  of  such
registration  statement  for a period  of two (2)  years  following  the date it
became  effective,  except to the extent that an exemption from registration may
be available.

                        (c)   Registration   Expenses.   Buyer  shall  bear  all
reasonable expenses related to such registration.  Such costs and expenses shall
include,  without limitation,  the fees and expenses of counsel for Buyer and of
its  accountants,  all other costs,  fees and expenses of Buyer  incident to the
preparation,  printing,  registration and filing under the Securities Act of the
registration  statement and all amendments and supplements thereto, the fees and
expenses of one counsel to the Sellers or their  designees who receive IHS Stock
at Closing (the "Holders") relating to such registration, the cost of furnishing
copies of each preliminary prospectus,  each final prospectus and each amendment
or supplement thereto to underwriters, dealers and other purchasers of IHS Stock
and the  costs  and  expenses  (including  fees and  disbursements  of  counsel)
incurred in connection  with the  qualification  of IHS Stock under the Blue Sky
laws of various jurisdictions.

                        (d) Resale Limitations. The Holders hereby covenant with
Buyer that sales by them of IHS Stock after the  Closing  Date shall not, in the
aggregate,  exceed 75,000 shares during any 30-day period.  All sales by Holders
shall be effected  solely  through  Smith  Barney,  Inc.,  Cowen & Co., or Paine
Webber.

                                        8
<PAGE>




                        (e) Registration Procedures, etc. In connection with the
registration  rights  granted to the  Holders  with  respect to the IHS Stock as
provided in this Section 3.1, Buyer covenants and agrees as follows:

                           (i)  At   Buyer's   expense,   Buyer  will  keep  the
registration  and  qualification  under  this  Section  3.1  effective  (and  in
compliance  with the  Securities  Act) by such  action  as may be  necessary  or
appropriate  for a  period  of two  (2)  years,  except  to the  extent  that an
exemption from registration may be available.  Buyer will immediately notify the
Holders,  at any time when a  prospectus  relating to a  registration  statement
under this Section 3.1 is required to be delivered  under the Securities Act, of
the  happening  of any event known to Buyer as a result of which the  prospectus
included in such registration  statement,  as then in effect, includes an untrue
statement of a material  fact or omits to state any material fact required to be
stated  therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not  misleading in
light of the circumstances then existing.

                           (ii) Buyer shall furnish the Holders with such number
of prospectuses as shall reasonably be requested.

                           (iii) Buyer shall take all necessary action which may
be required in qualifying or  registering  IHS Stock  included in a registration
statement  for offering and sale under the  securities  or Blue Sky laws of such
states as reasonably are requested by the Holders, provided that Buyer shall not
be obligated to qualify as a foreign  corporation or dealer to do business under
the laws of any such jurisdiction.

                           (iv) The  information  included  or  incorporated  by
reference in the registration  statement filed pursuant to this Section 3.1 will
not, at the time any such registration statement becomes effective,  contain any
untrue statement of a material fact, or omit to state any material fact required
to be stated  therein as necessary in order to make the statements  therein,  in
light of the  circumstances  under  which  they were  made,  not  misleading  or
necessary to correct any  statement in any earlier  filing of such  registration
statement or any amendments thereto.  The registration  statement will comply in
all material  respects with the  provisions of the  Securities Act and the rules
and regulations thereunder. Buyer shall indemnify the Holders of IHS Stock to be
sold pursuant to the registration  statement,  their successors and assigns, and
each person,  if any, who controls  such Holders  within the meaning of ss.15 of
the Securities Act or ss.20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 ("Exchange
Act"),  against all loss,  claim,  damage  expense or liability  (including  all
expenses  reasonably  incurred in investigating,  preparing or defending against
any  claim  whatsoever)  to  which  any of them may  become  subject  under  the
Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute,  common law or otherwise,
arising out of or based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue statement of
a material fact contained in such  registration  statement  executed by Buyer or
based upon written  information  furnished by Buyer filed in any jurisdiction in
order to qualify IHS Stock under the  securities  laws thereof or filed with the
Commission,  any state securities  commission or agency,  NYSE or any securities
exchange;  or the  omission or alleged  omission  therefrom  of a material  fact
required to be stated  therein or  necessary  to make the  statements  contained
therein not  misleading,  unless such statement or omission was made in reliance
upon and in conformity with written information furnished to Buyer by any of the
Holders  expressly  for use in such  registration  statement,  any  amendment or
supplement thereto or any application, as the case 9
<PAGE>

may be. If any action is brought against the Holders or any  controlling  person
of the  Holders  in  respect  of which  indemnity  may be sought  against  Buyer
pursuant to this subsection  3.1(e)(iv),  the Holders or such controlling person
shall  within  thirty  (30)  days  after the  receipt  thereby  of a summons  or
complaint,  notify Buyer in writing of the  institution of such action and Buyer
shall assume the defense of such actions,  including the  employment and payment
of  reasonable  fees and  expenses of counsel  (reasonably  satisfactory  to the
Holders or such  controlling  person).  The Holders or such  controlling  person
shall  have the right to employ its or their own  counsel in any such case,  but
the fees and expenses of such counsel  shall be at the expense of the Holders or
such  controlling  person  unless (A) the  employment of such counsel shall have
been  authorized  in writing  by Buyer in  connection  with the  defense of such
action,  or (B) Buyer  shall not have  employed  counsel  to have  charge of the
defense of such  action,  or (C) such  indemnified  party or parties  shall have
reasonably  concluded  that there may be defenses  available to it or them which
are different  from or  additional  to those  available to Buyer (in which case,
Buyer shall not have the right to direct the defense of such action on behalf of
the indemnified party or parties),  in any of which events the fees and expenses
of not more than one  additional  firm of attorneys for the Holders  and/or such
controlling person shall be borne by Buyer.  Except as expressly provided in the
previous  two  sentences,  in the event that  Buyer  shall not  previously  have
assumed the defenses of any such action or claim,  Buyer shall not thereafter be
liable to the Holders or such controlling person in investigating,  preparing or
defending any such action or claim.  Buyer agrees promptly to notify the Holders
of the commencement of any litigation or proceedings against Buyer or any of its
officers,  directors or controlling persons in connection with the resale of IHS
Stock or in connection with such registration statement.

                           (v) The Holders of IHS Stock to be sold pursuant to a
registration statement,  and their successors and assigns, shall severally,  and
not jointly,  indemnify  Buyer,  its officers and directors and each person,  if
any, who controls  Buyer  within the meaning of ss.15 of the  Securities  Act or
ss.20(a) of the  Exchange  Act against all loss,  claim,  damage,  or expense or
liability   (including  all  expenses   reasonably  incurred  in  investigating,
preparing or defending  against any claim  whatsoever)  to which they may become
subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or any other statute,  common
law or otherwise,  arising from information furnished in writing by or on behalf
of such Holders,  or their successors or assigns for specific  inclusion in such
registration statement.

                        (f) Notice of Sale.  If the  Holders  desire to transfer
all or any portion of IHS Stock,  the Holders  will  deliver  written  notice to
Buyer,  describing in reasonable  detail their  intention to effect the transfer
and the manner of the proposed transfer. If the transfer is to be pursuant to an
effective  registration  statement as provided herein, the Holders will sell the
IHS Stock in compliance  with the disclosure  therein and discontinue any offers
and sales  thereunder  upon  notice from Buyer that the  registration  statement
relating to the IHS Stock being  transferred is not "current"  until Buyer gives
further  notice  that offers and sales may be  recommenced.  In the event of any
such notice from Buyer,  Buyer agrees to file  expeditiously  such amendments to
the  registration  statement as may be necessary to bring it current  during the
period specified in Section 3.1(e) and to give prompt notice to the Holders when
the registration  statement has again become current.  If the Holders deliver to
Buyer an opinion of counsel  reasonably  acceptable to Buyer and

                                       10
<PAGE>

its  counsel and to the effect  that the  proposed  transfer of IHS Stock may be
made without registration under the Securities Act, the Holders will be entitled
to transfer IHS Stock in accordance  with the terms of the notice and opinion of
their counsel.

                        (g)  Furnish  Information.   It  shall  be  a  condition
precedent to the  obligations  of the Buyer to take any action  pursuant to this
Article  III that the  Holders  shall  furnish  in  writing  to the  Buyer  such
information regarding  themselves,  the IHS Stock held by them, and the intended
method of  disposition  of such  securities  as shall be  required to effect the
registration  of their IHS  Stock.  In that  connection,  each  Holder  shall be
required to represent to the Buyer that all such  information  which is given is
both complete and accurate in all material respects.  Such Holders shall deliver
to the  Buyer  a  statement  in  writing  from  the  beneficial  owners  of such
securities that they bona fide intend to sell,  transfer or otherwise dispose of
such securities. Each Holder will, severally,  promptly notify Buyer at any time
when a prospectus  relating to a registration  statement  covering such Holder's
shares under this Section 3.1 is required to be delivered  under the  Securities
Act, of the happening of any event known to such Holder as a result of which the
prospectus included in such registration  statement, as then in effect, includes
an untrue  statement  of a  material  fact or omits to state any  material  fact
required to be stated  therein or necessary to make the  statements  therein not
misleading in light of the statements as then existing.

                        (h) Investment Representations.  All shares of IHS Stock
to be  issued  hereunder  will be newly  issued  shares of  Buyer.  The  Sellers
represent  and warrant to Buyer that the IHS Stock  being  issued  hereunder  is
being  acquired,  and will be acquired,  by the Sellers for investment for their
own  accounts  and  not  with a view  to or for  sale  in  connection  with  any
distribution  thereof within the meaning of the Securities Act or the applicable
state  securities law; the Sellers  acknowledge  that the IHS Stock  constitutes
restricted  securities under Rule 144 promulgated by the Commission  pursuant to
the Securities Act, and may have to be held indefinitely,  and the Sellers agree
that no  shares  of IHS Stock may be sold,  transferred,  assigned,  pledged  or
otherwise disposed of except pursuant to an effective  registration statement or
an  exemption  from  registration  under  the  Securities  Act,  the  rules  and
regulations  thereunder,  and under all applicable  state  securities  laws. The
Sellers have the knowledge and experience in financial and business matters, are
capable of evaluating  the merits and risks of the  investment,  and are able to
bear the economic risk of such investment.  The Sellers have had the opportunity
to make inquiries of and obtain from representatives and employees of Buyer such
other  information  about Buyer as they deem  necessary in connection  with such
investment.

                           (i) Legend.  It is understood  that the  certificates
evidencing the IHS Stock shall bear a legend substantially as follows:

                           THE SHARES  REPRESENTED BY THIS  CERTIFICATE HAVE NOT
                           BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933. THE
                           SHARES HAVE BEEN ACQUIRED FOR  INVESTMENT AND MAY NOT
                           BE SOLD, TRANSFERRED OR ASSIGNED IN THE ABSENCE OF AN
                           EFFECTIVE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  FOR THESE        

                                       11
<PAGE>




                           SHARES UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR AN OPINION
                           OF THE  COMPANY'S  COUNSEL THAT  REGISTRATION  IS NOT
                           REQUIRED UNDER SAID ACT.

                        (j)  Certain  Transferees.  Except  in the  case  of any
transfer to a person in an open market  transaction  subsequent to the effective
date of  registration  of the IHS Stock,  no Holder shall transfer any shares of
IHS Stock to any person or entity  unless such  transferee  shall have agreed in
writing  to be bound by the  provisions  applicable  to the  Holders  under this
Article III.

                             ARTICLE IV: THE CLOSING
                             -----------------------

                  4.1  Time  and  Place  of  Closing.  The  Closing  under  this
Agreement (the "Closing") shall be held as promptly as practicable, but not more
than five (5)  business  days  following  the later of (a) the  signing  of this
Agreement  by  the  holders  of in  excess  of 90% of  each  of the  outstanding
Signature  Common  (assuming  exercise of the  Signature  Options and  Signature
Warrants),  Class A Stock,  and Class B Stock (both in voting power and economic
interest) and (b)  satisfaction of all other conditions  precedent  specified in
this  Agreement,  unless  duly  waived by the  party  entitled  to  satisfaction
thereof.  The Closing  shall take place at the offices of the Buyer,  or at such
other  time and place upon which the  parties  may agree.  The date on which the
Closing is held is hereinafter called the "Closing Date."


          ARTICLE V: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLERS AND
          ------------------------------------------------------------
                                     COMPANY
                                     -------

                  Company and each of the Sellers,  each as to himself,  herself
or itself,  hereby severally represent and warrant to Buyer as follows (it being
understood  that, for the purposes of this Article V, "Company"  shall be deemed
to refer  collectively  to the Company and its  subsidiaries  listed on Schedule
5.23):


                  5.1 Organization and Standing of the Company. The Company is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of Delaware.  Copies of the Company's Articles of Incorporation and
By-Laws,  and all amendments  thereof to date,  have been delivered to Buyer and
are  complete and  correct.  The Company has the power and  authority to own the
property and assets now owned by it and to conduct the business  presently being
conducted by it.

                  5.2 Absence of Conflicting  Agreements.  Neither the execution
or delivery of this Agreement  including all Schedules and Exhibits  hereto,  or
any of the other instruments and documents  required or contemplated  hereby and
thereby ("Transaction Documents") by Sellers and the Company nor the performance
by Sellers and the Company of the transactions  contemplated hereby and thereby,
conflicts  with, or  constitutes a breach of or a default under (i) the Articles
of  Incorporation  or By-Laws of the Company;  or (ii) any applicable law, rule,
judgment,  order, writ, injunction, or decree of any court, currently in effect,
provided  that the consents set forth in Schedule 5.3 are obtained  prior to the
Closing; or (iii) any applicable rule or regulation of any administrative agency
or other  governmental  authority  currently  in  effect;  or (iv) any  material
agreement, indenture, contract or instrument to which the Company is now a party
or by which any of the assets of the Company is bound.

                                       12
<PAGE>

                  5.3  Consents.  Except  as  set  forth  in  Schedule  5.3,  no
authorization,  consent, approval, license, exemption by, filing or registration
with any court or governmental department,  commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, is or will be necessary in connection with
the  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of  this  Agreement  or  any of the
Transaction Documents by any of the Sellers or the Company.

                  5.4 Capital Stock. Schedule 5.4 sets forth a complete list and
description of the authorized capital stock of the Company, the number of shares
issued and  outstanding of each class or series of such capital  stock,  and the
identity of each Seller of the Company,  in each case  indicating  the class and
number of shares  held.  No shares  of the  Company  Securities  are held in the
treasury of the  Company.  Except as  otherwise  set forth on Schedule  5.4, the
Sellers are the record owners of all of the Company  Securities  and all of such
stock is duly authorized, validly issued, and fully paid and non-assessable.  On
the  Closing  Date,  there  will be no  preemptive  or first  refusal  rights to
purchase or otherwise acquire shares of capital stock of the Company pursuant to
any provision of law or the Articles of  Incorporation or By-Laws of the Company
or by  agreement  or  otherwise.  Except as set forth on  Schedule  5.4,  on the
Closing Date there shall not be  outstanding  any  warrants,  options,  or other
rights to subscribe for or purchase from the Company any shares of capital stock
of the Company,  nor shall there be outstanding any securities  convertible into
or exchangeable for such shares. All Signature Options and Signature Warrants of
the Company by their terms may be terminated by the Company  without  payment or
other  compensation upon the occurrence of a merger where the Company is not the
surviving  entity  unless  such  option or  warrant  is  exercised  prior to the
effective time of such merger.

                  5.5  Assets  and   Liabilities.   As  of  the   Closing,   the
consolidated  Assets  of the  Company  will  include  all of  the  tangible  and
intangible assets of the Company as presently  constituted,  including,  without
limitation,  cash and accounts receivable;  provided, however, that Assets shall
not include  inventory,  supplies and other  assets  disposed of in the ordinary
course  of  business,  consistent  with  the  prior  practice  of the  Company's
business.  The  quantities  of  inventory  items  included  in  the  Assets  are
reasonable in light of the present and anticipated volume of the Company and the
inventory is good, usable,  merchantable,  and salable in the ordinary course of
the  Company,  in each  case,  as  determined  by the  Company in good faith and
consistent with past practice.  The accounts receivable of Company are reflected
properly  on its  books  and  records  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles  applied on a consistent  basis  ("GAAP"),  and have been
billed or  invoiced in the  ordinary  course of  business  consistent  with past
practice.  Schedule 5.5(a) sets forth a complete and accurate  accounts  payable
aging schedule of the Company as of June 30, 1996. The Assets are not subject to
any liens or encumbrances, except as identified on Schedule 5.5(b) and expressly
accepted by Buyer hereto.

                  5.6  Trademarks.  Schedule  5.6  sets  forth  a  complete  and
accurate list of all trademarks,  service marks, or applications  for any of the
same,  copyrights,  and other  items of  intellectual  property  that are owned,
possessed or used by the Company. There are no claims or proceedings pending or,
to  the  knowledge  of the  Company,  overtly  threatened  against  the  Company

                                       13
<PAGE>



asserting  that  the  use  of any of the  aforementioned  properties  or  rights
infringes the rights of any other person,  and, to the knowledge of the Company,
the Company is not infringing on the  intellectual  property rights of any other
person.

                  5.7 Contracts.  Schedule 5.7 sets forth a complete and correct
list of all agreements, contracts and commitments of the following type to which
the  Company is a party or by which the  Company or any of the  Company's  other
assets  are bound  and as to which  the  Company  has any  outstanding  material
obligations as of the date hereof (the "Contracts"):

                        (a) each  contract or agreement  for the  employment  or
retention of, or collective bargaining, severance or termination agreement with,
any director, officer, employee,  consultant, agent or group of employees of the
Company;

                        (b)  each  profit  sharing,  thrift,  bonus,  incentive,
deferred  compensation,  stock option,  stock purchase,  severance pay, pension,
retirement,  hospitalization,  insurance  or other  similar  plan,  agreement or
arrangement;

                        (c) each agreement or arrangement for the sale of any of
the  Company's  assets,  properties  or rights  outside the  ordinary  course of
business  (by sale of  assets,  sale of  stock,  merger or  otherwise)  which is
currently in effect;

                        (d) each contract currently in effect which contains any
provisions  requiring  the Company to  indemnify  or act for, or  guarantee  the
obligation of, any other person or entity;

                        (e)  each   agreement   restricting   the  Company  from
conducting business anywhere in the world;

                        (f)  each  partnership  or  joint  venture  contract  or
similar arrangement or agreement which is likely to involve a sharing of profits
or future  payments  with  respect  to the  Company's  business  or any  portion
thereof;

                        (g)  each  licensing,  distributor,  dealer,  franchise,
sales  or  manufacturer's  representative,  agency  or other  similar  contract,
arrangement or commitment which involves consideration of more than $15,000; or

                        (h) each contract under which the Company  performs home
health services;

                        (i) each lease of real property;

                        (j) each agreement pursuant to which any professional of
the type described under 42 C.F.R.  ss.410.20(b)  renders  services on behalf of
the Company;

                                       14
<PAGE>




                        (k) each agreement with referral sources, whether or not
related to the referrals, including "sub-contracting agreements" with respect to
Medicare and Medicaid patients; or

                        (l) any other  agreement  not made in the  ordinary  and
normal course of business which involves consideration of more than $15,000.

                  Except as indicated on Schedule 5.7, each of the Contracts was
entered into and requires  performance in the ordinary course of business and is
in full force and effect.  Except as indicated  on Schedule  5.7, the Company is
not in material  default  under any  Contract  and there has not been  asserted,
either by or against  the Company  under any  Contract,  any  written  notice of
default,  set-off or claim of default.  To the  knowledge  of the  Company,  the
parties to the Contracts  other than the Company are not in material  default of
any of their  respective  obligations  under  the  Contracts,  and there has not
occurred  any event  which with the  passage of time or the giving of notice (or
both) would constitute a material default or material breach under any Contract.
Except as indicated on Schedule  5.7, all amounts  payable  under the  Contracts
are, or will at the Closing Date, be on a current basis.

                  5.8      Financial Statements.

                        (a) Schedule 5.8(a) sets forth the audited  consolidated
balance  sheets of the Company as of December 31,  1994,  and December 31, 1995,
and the related consolidated  statements of operations,  consolidated statements
of  changes in  redeemable  stock and  stockholders'  equity,  and  consolidated
statements  of cash  flows,  for the years then ended  (the  "Audited  Financial
Statements"),  previously  delivered to Buyer by Sellers,  present fairly in all
material  respects the  financial  condition  and results of  operations  of the
Company at and for the periods therein specified and were prepared in accordance
with GAAP.  Such  statements of operation do not contain any items of special or
nonrecurring  income or  expense or any other  income not earned or expense  not
incurred  in the  ordinary  course of  business  except as  expressly  specified
therein or as listed as audit adjustments on Schedule 5.8(d).

                        (b)   Schedule   5.8(b)   sets   forth   the   unaudited
consolidated  balance sheets of the Company as of April 30, 1996 and the related
consolidated  statements of operations and consolidated  statement of cash flows
for the period  then  ended  (the  "Unaudited  Interim  Financial  Statements"),
previously  delivered  to Buyer  by  Sellers,  present  fairly  in all  material
respects the financial condition and results of operations of the Company at and
for the periods  therein  specified and were  prepared in accordance  with GAAP.
Such statements of operation do not contain any items of special or nonrecurring
income or expense or any other  income not earned or expense not incurred in the
ordinary course of business except as expressly  specified  therein or as listed
as adjustments on Schedule 5.8(d).

                        (c)  Except  as  set  forth  on  Schedule  5.8(c)  or as
expressly set forth on the Unaudited Interim Financial  Statements,  the Company
has no material liabilities or obligations

                                       15
<PAGE>

(whether absolute, accrued, contingent or otherwise and whether due or to become
due,  including,  without  limitation,  any guarantees of any obligations of any
other  person or entity) of any kind or nature  which are required by GAAP to be
reflected in a corporate balance sheet and/or the notes thereto.

                  5.9 Material Changes. Except as noted on Schedule 5.9, between
the date of the  Unaudited  Interim  Financial  Statements  and the date of this
Agreement,  there has not been any  material  adverse  change  in the  condition
(financial or otherwise) of the assets,  properties or operations of the Company
or any  damage or  destruction  of any of the  Company's  Assets or its place of
business by fire or other  casualty,  whether or not covered by  insurance,  and
during such period of time the Company has  conducted  its business  only in the
ordinary and normal course.  Sellers have  identified and  communicated to Buyer
all  material  information  with  respect  to any  fact  or  condition  that  is
reasonably  likely to  adversely  affect  the  future  prospects  (financial  or
otherwise) of the Company.

                        5.10 Licenses;  Permits;  Certificates of Need. Schedule
5.10 sets forth a  description  of (a) all  licenses and other  governmental  or
other regulatory permits, authorizations or approvals required for the operation
of the Company's business that are now in effect,  including all certificates of
occupancy issued with respect to the Company's business; (b) all Certificates of
Need  issued  with  respect to the home  health  agencies of the Company and its
subsidiaries  that are now in effect;  and (c) each other  license,  permit,  or
other  authorization  that is  necessary  for  the  operation  of the  Company's
business (a "License" and collectively, the "Licenses"). The Licenses constitute
all of the governmental, quasi-governmental and regulatory licenses, permits and
authorizations necessary to the operation of the business of the Company and its
subsidiaries as they are operated on the date hereof.  The Company has delivered
to Buyer copies of all of the  Licenses.  Except as set forth on Schedule  5.10,
the Company and its  subsidiaries  own,  possess or otherwise have the exclusive
legal right to use the Licenses, free and clear of all liens, pledges, claims or
other  encumbrances  of any nature  whatsoever.  The  Company is not in material
default under any such License,  and the Company and its  subsidiaries  have not
received  any  notice of any  material  default or any other  material  claim or
proceeding  relating to any such License,  except as set forth on Schedule 5.10.
Except as set forth on Schedule 5.10,  each License is in full force and effect,
and neither the Company nor any of its  subsidiaries has received written notice
of any  proceeding  to terminate  or suspend any License or of any  condition or
event (other than survey deficiencies which singly or in the aggregate would not
be  material  to  any  home  health  agency  that  the  Company  or  any  of its
subsidiaries  operates)  which,  if uncured,  would result in the termination or
suspension  of  any  License.   None  of  the  Licenses  are:  (a)  provisional,
probationary,  or  restricted  in any way except to the extent  qualified by any
outstanding deficiencies or citations,  particulars of which have been set forth
on Schedule 5.10; or (b) subject to any investigation, cancellation, impairment,
limitation,  order, complaint,  proceeding, or suspension nor is such threatened
or pending. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.10, all Licenses are in full force
and effect.  No  conditions  not generally  applicable  to home health  agencies
requiring  changes in the  operation  of the Company or any of its  subsidiaries
have been imposed, formally or informally, by any License issuer during the past
twenty-four  (24)  months.  No Seller,  director or officer,  employee or former
employee of the Company, or any person,

                                       16
<PAGE>

firm or  corporation  other  than  the  Company  owns  or has  any  proprietary,
financial or other interest,  direct or indirect,  in whole or in part in any of
the Licenses.

                  5.11     Title, Condition of Personal Property.

                        (a)  Except  for  the  security   interests  listed  and
described on Schedule 5.11(a),  the Company has good and marketable title to, or
valid and  subsisting  leasehold  interests  in,  all of the  personal  property
located at its place of business or used in connection with the operation of its
business,  subject to no  mortgage,  security  interest,  pledge,  lien,  claim,
encumbrance or charge, or restraint on transfer  whatsoever other than Permitted
Liens (as defined below). No other person has any right to the use or possession
of any of such  property  which is owned  and,  except as set forth on  Schedule
5.11(a),  no  currently  effective  financing  statement  with  respect  to such
personal  property  has been  filed  under the  Uniform  Commercial  Code in any
jurisdiction, and the Company has not signed any such financing statement or any
security  agreement  authorizing  any secured party  thereunder to file any such
financing  statement.  All  of  such  personal  property  comprising  equipment,
improvements,  furniture  and other  tangible  personal  property  in use by the
Company,  whether owned or leased,  is in good  operating  condition and repair,
subject to normal  wear and tear,  and is  sufficient  to enable the  Company to
operate  its  business  in a manner  consistent  with its  operation  during the
immediately preceding twelve (12) months.

                        (b) Except as set forth on Schedule 5.11(b), no tangible
personal  property used by the Company in  connection  with the operation of its
business is subject to a lease,  conditional sale,  security interest or similar
arrangement.  The Company has  delivered to Buyer a complete and correct copy of
each of the leases and other agreements listed on Schedule 5.11(b).  All of said
personal  property leases are valid,  binding and enforceable in accordance with
their respective  terms and are in full force and effect.  The Company is not in
material  default  under any of such  leases  and  there has not been  asserted,
either by or against the Company under any of such leases, any written notice of
default,  set-off, or claim of default. To the best knowledge of Sellers and the
Company, the parties to such leases other than the Company are not in default of
their  respective  obligations  under  any of such  leases,  and  there  has not
occurred  any event which with the passage of time or giving of notice (or both)
would constitute such a default or breach under any of such leases.

                        (c) "Permitted Liens" shall mean:

                           (i)     carriers',     warehouseman's,     mechanics,
materialmen's, repairmen's or other like liens arising in the ordinary course of
business  which  are (i) not  overdue  for a period of more than 30 days or (ii)
which are being contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings, provided
that if such contest shall  continue for more than 30 days,  the amount  thereof
shall be bonded or properly reserved against at the end of such 30-day period;

                           (ii)  deposits  to secure  the  performance  of bids,
trade contracts (other than for borrowed money), leases,  statutory obligations,
surety and appeal bonds,  performance bonds and other obligations of like nature
incurred in the ordinary course of business;

                           (iii)  rights of  lessors  under  leases set forth on
Schedule 5.11 (b);

                                       17
<PAGE>

                           (iv) pledges or deposits in connection  with worker's
compensation, unemployment insurance, and other social security legislation; and

                           (v) the liens set forth on Schedule 5.5.

                  5.12 Legal  Proceedings.  Other than as set forth on  Schedule
5.12, there are no claims, actions, suits or proceedings or arbitrations, either
administrative  or  judicial,  pending,  or, to the  knowledge  of the  Company,
overtly threatened against or affecting the Company, or the Company's ability to
consummate  the  transactions  contemplated  herein,  at  law  or in  equity  or
otherwise,  before or by any court or governmental  agency or body,  domestic or
foreign, or before an arbitrator of any kind.

                  5.13  Employees.  Attached hereto as Schedule 5.13 is the most
recent payroll of the Company, indicating the names, positions, and compensation
of its employees. All of such information is materially correct as of such date.
To the  knowledge of Sellers and Company,  none of the  employees,  while in the
employ  of  the  Company,  has  ever  had  his or her  professional  license  or
certification   denied,   suspended,   revoked,   terminated,   or   voluntarily
relinquished under threat of disciplinary action, or has ever been restricted in
any way from performing the duties he or she is to provide for the Company,  and
there is no  proceeding  pending,  or  threatened,  pursuant to which any of the
foregoing may occur.

                  5.14  Collective  Bargaining,   Labor  Contracts,   Employment
Practices,  Etc. During the two years prior to the Closing Date,  there has been
no  material  adverse  change in the  relationship  between  the Company and its
employees  nor any  strike  or  material  labor  disturbance  by such  employees
affecting the Company's business and, to the knowledge of the Company,  there is
no indication  that such a change,  strike or labor  disturbance is likely.  The
Company's   employees  are  not  represented  by  any  labor  union  or  similar
organization  and the Company has no reason to believe that there are pending or
threatened   any   activities,   the  purpose  of  which  is  to  achieve   such
representation,  of all or some of the Company's employees.  Except as set forth
on Schedule 5.7 or Schedule  5.13,  the Company has no collective  bargaining or
other  labor   contracts,   employment   contracts,   pension,   profit-sharing,
retirement,  insurance,  bonus,  deferred compensation or other employee benefit
plans, agreements or arrangements with respect to its employees.  The Company is
in material  compliance with the requirements  prescribed by all Federal,  state
and local statutes,  orders and governmental rules and regulations  ("Government
Requirements")  applicable to any of the employee benefit plans,  agreements and
arrangements  identified on Schedule 5.7 and Schedule 5.13,  including,  without
limitation,  the Employee  Retirement  Income  Security Act of 1974,  as amended
("ERISA"),  the  Immigration  Reform and Control Act, the Worker  Adjustment and
Retraining Notification Act of 1988, any such Government Requirements respecting
employment  determination,  equal  opportunity,   affirmative  action,  employee
privacy, wrongful or unlawful termination,  workers' compensation,  occupational
safety and health  requirements,  labor  management  relations and  unemployment
insurance,  or related  matters and there are no  threatened  or pending  claims
relating thereto,  in each case. In the event of termination of employment of an
employee of Company,  Buyer will not,  pursuant to any agreement with any Seller
or Company or by reason of

                                       18
<PAGE>

any representation  made or plan adopted by any Seller prior to the Closing,  be
liable to any employee of the Company for so-called  "severance pay",  parachute
payments  or  any  other  similar  payments  or  benefits,   including,  without
limitation,  post-employment healthcare (other than pursuant to the continuation
health care provisions of Section 4980B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended or Section 601 through 608 of ERISA ("COBRA") or insurance benefits.

                  5.15     ERISA.

                        (a) The Company does not maintain or make  contributions
to and has not at any time in the past maintained or made  contributions to, any
employee  benefit  plan which is subject to the  minimum  funding  standards  of
ERISA. The Company does not now maintain or make  contributions  to, and has not
at any time in the past maintained or made  contributions to, any multi-employer
plan subject to the terms of the  Multi-employer  Pension Plan  Amendment Act of
1980 (the "Multi-employer Act").

                        (b)   Schedule   5.15(b)   sets  forth  each   severance
agreement,  and each plan, agreement,  arrangement or plan, bonus plan, deferred
compensation agreement,  employee pension, profit sharing, savings or retirement
plan, group life,  health, or accident insurance or other employee benefit plan,
agreement,  arrangement  or  commitment,   including,  without  limitation,  any
commitment arising under severance,  holiday, vacation, Christmas or other bonus
plans  (including,  but not limited to, "employee  benefit plans", as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA maintained by Company).

                        (c) Schedule  5.15(c)  identifies  all  employees of the
Company on leave of absence eligible to receive health benefits,  as required by
COBRA.  Notice of the  availability  of COBRA  coverage has been provided to all
employees of the Company on leave of absence entitled  thereto,  and all persons
electing  such coverage are being (or have been,  if  applicable)  provided such
coverage.

                  5.16 Insurance and Surety Agreements. Schedule 5.16 contains a
true and correct list of: (a) all policies of fire, liability and other forms of
insurance  held or owned by the  Company  (including  but not limited to medical
malpractice  insurance,  and any state  sponsored  plan or program for  worker's
compensation);  and (b) all bonds,  indemnity agreements and other agreements of
suretyship made for or held by the Company, including a brief description of the
character  of the bond or agreement  and the name of the surety or  indemnifying
party.  Schedule 5.16 sets forth for each such insurance  policy the name of the
insurer, the amount of coverage,  the type of insurance,  the policy number, the
annual premium and a brief description of the nature of insurance included under
each such  policy and of any claims made  thereunder  during the past two years.
Such policies are owned by and payable solely to the Company,  and said policies
or renewals or replacements thereof will be outstanding and duly in force at the
Closing Date. All insurance  policies  listed on Schedule 5.16 are in full force
and effect,  all premiums due on or before the Closing Date have been or will be
paid,  financed  or accrued on or before the Closing  Date,  the Company has not
been  advised by any of its  insurance  carriers of an intention to terminate or
modify any such policies  other than under  circumstances  where the Company has
received a commitment  for a replacement  policy,  nor has the Company failed to
comply with any of the material conditions contained in any such policies.

                                       19

<PAGE>

                  5.17  Relationships.  Except as  disclosed  on  Schedule  5.17
hereto,  no Seller and no  controlling  Seller,  partner or any affiliate of any
Seller  has,  or at any time  within  the last two (2) years has had, a material
ownership interest in any business,  corporate or otherwise, that is a party to,
or  in  any  property  that  is  the  subject  of,  business   relationships  or
arrangements  of any  kind  relating  to the  operation  of the  Company  or its
business by which the Company will be bound after the Closing.

                  5.18  Absence  of  Certain  Events.  Except  as set  forth  on
Schedule 5.18, since the date of the Unaudited Interim Financial Statements, the
Company has not,  and from the date of this  Agreement  through the Closing Date
the Company will not have:

                        (a) sold,  assigned or transferred  any of its assets or
properties, except in the ordinary course of business;

                        (b) mortgaged, pledged or subjected to any lien, pledge,
mortgage, security interest,  conditional sales contract or other encumbrance of
any nature whatsoever, other than a Permitted Lien, any of the Company's assets;
                        
                        (c) made or suffered any  termination of any home health
services contract;

                        (d) made or suffered any amendment or termination of any
other contract,  commitment,  instrument or agreement involving consideration or
liability in excess of $15,000, other than in the ordinary course of business;

                        (e)  except  in the  ordinary  course  of  business,  or
otherwise as necessary to comply with any applicable minimum wage law, increased
the salaries or other compensation of any of its employees, or made any increase
in, or any  additions to, other  benefits to which any of such  employees may be
entitled;

                        (f) failed to pay or discharge when due any liabilities,
the failure to pay or discharge which has caused or will cause any actual damage
or give rise to the risk of a loss to the Company in excess of  $15,000,  except
as may be consistent with the current practice of the Company;

                        (g) changed any of the accounting principles followed by
it or the methods of applying such principles;

                        (h) failed to collect, withhold and/or pay to any proper
governmental agency any federal, state or local income,  franchise,  sales, use,
withholding or similar tax that  applicable law requires be collected,  withheld
and/or paid;

                        (i)   instituted,   settled  or  agreed  to  settle  any
litigation,  action  or  proceeding  before  any  court or  governmental  agency
relating to it or its  property  which will likely have or has
                                     
                                       20
<PAGE>



had a materially  adverse  effect on the  condition  (financial  or  otherwise),
properties,  assets,  liabilities,  operations,  business  or  prospects  of the
Company or any of its subsidiaries; and

                        (j)  entered  into  any  transaction  other  than in the
ordinary course of business involving consideration in excess of $15,000.

                        5.19  Compliance with Laws. The Company is in compliance
with all Governmental  Requirements  (as defined herein).  Except for notices of
non-compliance as to which the Company has taken corrective action acceptable to
the  applicable  governmental  agency,  and as set forth in Schedule  5.19,  the
Company has not,  within the period of twelve months  preceding the date of this
Agreement,  received  any  written  notice that the Company or any of the Assets
fail to comply in any material respect with any applicable Federal, state, local
or other  governmental  laws or  ordinances,  or any applicable  order,  rule or
regulation  of any Federal,  state,  local or other  governmental  agency having
jurisdiction over its business ("Governmental Requirements").  The Company shall
report to Buyer,  within  five (5)  business  days after  receipt  thereof,  any
written  notices that the Company is not in compliance  in any material  respect
with any of the  foregoing.  Neither the  Company,  nor any  officer,  director,
employee,  agent,  or other  representative  of Company has made,  directly,  or
indirectly,  any illegal  bribes,  kickbacks,  or political  contributions  with
corporate funds, illegal payments from corporate funds to governmental officials
in their  individual  capacities  or illegal  payments from  corporate  funds to
obtain or retain business either within the United States or abroad.

                  5.20 Finders. No broker or finder has acted for the Sellers or
the Company in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,
and no other  broker or finder is  entitled to any  broker's or finder's  fee or
other   commission  in  respect   thereof  based  in  any  way  on   agreements,
understandings or arrangements with the Sellers or the Company.

                  5.21     Tax Returns.

                        (a) Except as set forth in  Schedule  5.21,  (i) all Tax
(as defined below)  returns,  statements,  reports and forms or extensions  with
respect  thereto  required to be filed with any Federal,  state,  local or other
governmental  department or court or other authority having jurisdiction over it
("Governmental  Authority") on or before the Closing Date by or on behalf of the
Company (collectively,  the "Tax Returns"), have been or will be timely filed on
or before the Closing  Date in  accordance  in all  material  respects  with all
applicable Governmental  Requirements;  and (ii) the Company has timely paid all
Taxes payable by it.

                        (b) For purposes of this Agreement,  "Tax" means any net
income, gross income, sales, use, franchise, personal, or real property tax.

                  5.22 Encumbrances Created by this Agreement. The execution and
delivery of this Agreement, or any of the Company's Transaction Documents,  does
not, and the  consummation

                                       21
<PAGE>



of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will not, create any liens or
other encumbrances on any of the Company's assets in favor of third parties.

                  5.23 Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures. Schedule 5.23 sets forth
a complete list of all  subsidiaries,  joint ventures and  partnerships in which
the Company is the record or beneficial  owner of more than ten (10%) percent of
the equity  interest.  All of the issued and  outstanding  capital  stock of the
subsidiaries  listed on Schedule 5.23 hereto is owned of record or  beneficially
by the Company or by one of the listed subsidiaries on Schedule 5.23.

                  5.24 No  Untrue  Statement.  None of the  representations  and
warranties  in this Article V contains any untrue  statement of material fact or
omits to state a material fact  necessary,  in light of the  circumstance  under
which it was made, in order to make any such  representation  not  misleading in
any material respect.

                  5.25  Medicare and  Medicaid  Programs.  The  Company,  to the
extent  necessary  to  conduct  the  Company  in a manner  consistent  with past
practice,  is qualified for participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Except as reflected on Schedule  5.25, (a) no Seller or the Company has received
any notice of  recoupment  with  respect to the  Company's  operations  from the
Medicare or Medicaid programs,  or any other third party  reimbursement  source,
(b)  there is no basis for the  assertion  after  the  Closing  Date of any such
recoupment  claim against Buyer which arose out of any  transactions on the part
of Company  prior to the  Closing or against  any Seller for which Buyer will be
liable,  and (c) to the  knowledge of Sellers and the  Company,  no Medicare and
Medicaid investigation,  survey or audit is pending, threatened or imminent with
respect to the operation of the Company prior to the Closing.

                  5.26  Leasehold  Interests.  Schedule 5.26 hereto sets forth a
complete and correct list of all leases  pursuant to which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries leases real property.  Each of the Company and its subsidiaries
has valid  leasehold  interests in all such real  property free and clear of all
liens,  claims,  charges and  encumbrances  of any kind  whatsoever,  except for
Permitted  Liens.  The Company has provided  access to the Buyer to complete and
correct copies of the leases identified in Schedule 5.26.

                  5.27  Power  and  Authority.  Company  and  Sellers  have  all
requisite  power and authority to execute,  deliver and perform this  Agreement,
and as of the  Closing,  Company and Sellers will have all  requisite  power and
authority  to execute  and  deliver  the  Transaction  Documents  required to be
delivered by each party to the Buyer at the Closing.

                  5.28  Binding  Effect.  This  Agreement  and  all  Transaction
Documents  executed by the Company and Sellers  constitute the valid and binding
obligations  of such party,  enforceable  against such party in accordance  with
their respective terms.


              ARTICLE VI: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLERS
              ----------------------------'-------------------------

                  Each of the Sellers,  each as to himself,  herself, or itself,
hereby severally represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

                                       22
<PAGE>

                  6.1 Organization and Standing.  Such Seller, if a corporation,
is a corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the
laws of the  state in  which it was  incorporated,  and if a  partnership,  is a
partnership  duly organized and validly  existing under the laws of the state of
its formation.

                  6.2  Authority.  Such  Seller  has the full  legal  power  and
authority  to  make,  execute,  deliver  and  perform  this  Agreement  and  the
Transaction Documents.  Such execution,  delivery,  performance and consummation
have been duly authorized by all necessary  action,  corporate or otherwise,  on
the part of such Seller,  and any necessary  consents of holders of indebtedness
of such Seller have been obtained.

                  6.3  Binding  Effect.   This  Agreement  and  all  Transaction
Documents  executed by such Seller constitute the valid and binding  obligations
of such  party,  enforceable  against  such  Seller  in  accordance  with  their
respective terms.

                  6.4 Absence of Conflicting  Agreements.  Neither the execution
or delivery of this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents by such Seller
nor the performance by such Seller of the transactions  contemplated  hereby and
thereby  conflicts  with, or  constitutes a breach of or a default under (i) the
formation  documents of such Seller,  or (ii) any law,  rule,  judgment,  order,
writ, injunction,  or decree of any court currently in effect applicable to such
Seller,  or (iii) any rule or regulation of any  administrative  agency or other
governmental  authority  currently in effect  applicable to such Seller, or (iv)
any  agreement,  indenture,  contract or instrument to which such party is now a
party or by which any of the assets of such Seller is bound.

                  6.5 Consents. No authorization,  consent,  approval,  license,
exemption by, filing or registration with any court or governmental  department,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, is or
will be necessary in connection with the execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents by such Seller.

                  6.6  Ownership of Company  Securities.  Except as disclosed on
Schedule 6.6 hereto, such Sellers are the lawful record and beneficial owners of
all of the Company  Securities  shown as owned by such Sellers in Schedule  5.4,
with  good and  marketable  title  thereto,  free and  clear  of all  liens  and
encumbrances,  claims and other charges  thereon of any kind.  Such Sellers have
the full  legal  power to  transfer  and  deliver  such  Company  Securities  in
accordance with this Agreement, and delivery of such Company Securities to Buyer
pursuant hereto will convey good and marketable title thereto, free and clear of
all liens and  encumbrances,  claims and other charges  thereon of any kind. The
shares of Company  Securities  indicated  on Schedule  5.4 as being owned by the
Sellers constitute all of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock
of the Company.  Except as disclosed on Schedule  5.4, on the Closing Date there
shall not be outstanding any warrants, options, or other rights to subscribe for
or purchase  from the Company any shares of capital  stock of the  Company,  nor
shall there be outstanding any securities  convertible  into or exchangeable for
such shares.

                                       23
<PAGE>

              ARTICLE VII: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER
              ----------------------------------------------------

                  Buyer  represents  and warrants to the Company and the Sellers
as follows:

                  7.1  Organization  and Standing.  Buyer is a corporation  duly
organized,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of
Delaware.

                  7.2 Power and  Authority.  Buyer has the  corporate  power and
authority to execute, deliver and perform this Agreement, and as of the Closing,
Buyer will have the  corporate  power and  authority  to execute and deliver the
Transaction  Documents  required  to be  delivered  by it to the  Sellers at the
Closing.

                  7.3 Binding  Agreement.  This Agreement has been duly executed
and  delivered by Buyer.  This  Agreement is, and when executed and delivered by
Buyer at the Closing each of the  Transaction  Documents  executed by Buyer will
be, the legal, valid and binding obligation of Buyer,  enforceable against Buyer
in accordance with their respective terms.

                  7.4  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  Filings.  Buyer has
furnished the Company with a correct and complete copy of each report, schedule,
registration  statement and definitive  proxy  statement filed by Buyer with the
Commission on or after January 1, 1996 (the "SEC Documents"),  which are all the
documents (other than preliminary material) that Buyer was required to file with
the SEC on or after January 1, 1996. As of their respective  dates,  none of the
SEC  Documents  (including  all exhibits  and  schedules  thereto and  documents
incorporated by reference therein) contained any untrue statements  therein,  in
light of the  circumstances  under which they were made,  and the SEC  Documents
complied  when  filed  in  all  material   respects  with  the  then  applicable
requirements  of the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, as the case may be, and
the rules and  regulations  promulgated  by the SEC  thereunder.  The  financial
statements of the Buyer included in the SEC Documents complied as to form in all
material  respects  with the then  applicable  accounting  requirements  and the
published  rules and regulations of the Commission  with respect  thereto,  were
prepared in accordance with GAAP during the periods involved (except as may have
been indicated in the notes thereto or, in the case of the unaudited statements,
as permitted by Form 10-Q  promulgated by the SEC) and fairly present  (subject,
in the case of the unaudited statements, to normal, recurring audit adjustments)
the  consolidated   financial   position  of  the  Buyer  and  its  consolidated
subsidiaries  as at the dates  thereof  and the  consolidated  results  of their
operations and cash flows for the periods then ended.

                  7.5 Capital Stock. Buyer's Form 10-Q filed with the Commission
with respect to the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1996 (the "Form 10-Q"),  sets
forth a true and complete  description of the authorized and outstanding  shares
of capital stock of Buyer as of such date. All  outstanding  shares of IHS Stock
are validly issued,  fully paid and non-assessable and not subject to preemptive
rights.  Buyer has duly authorized and reserved for issuance the IHS Stock, and,
when 

                                       24
<PAGE>

issued in accordance  with the terms of Article III, the IHS Stock will be valid
ly issued, fully paid and nonassessable and free of preemptive rights.

                  7.6 Absence of Conflicting  Agreements.  Neither the execution
or delivery of this Agreement or any of the  Transaction  Documents by Buyer nor
the performance by the Buyer of the transactions contemplated hereby and thereby
conflicts  with, or constitutes a breach of or a default under (i) the formation
documents  of  the  Buyer,  or  (ii)  any  law,  rule,  judgment,  order,  writ,
injunction,  or decree of any court currently in effect  applicable to Buyer, or
(iii) any rule or regulation of any administrative  agency or other governmental
authority  currently  in  effect  applicable  to Buyer,  or (iv) any  agreement,
indenture,  contract or instrument to which the Buyer is now a party or by which
any of the assets of the Buyer is bound.

                  7.7 Consents. No authorization,  consent,  approval,  license,
exemption by, filing or registration with any court or governmental  department,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign, is or
will be necessary in connection with the execution,  delivery and performance of
this Agreement or any of the Transaction Documents by Buyer.

                  7.8   Litigation.   There   are  no   legal,   administrative,
arbitration or other proceedings or governmental  investigations  pending or, to
Buyer's knowledge,  threatened against Buyer or any of its affiliates that would
give any third party the right to enjoin,  rescind or condition the transactions
contemplated hereunder.

                  7.9 Investment Representation.  Buyer is acquiring the Company
Securities  for its own  account  with no  present  intention  of  reselling  or
otherwise  distributing  the same or  participating  in a  distribution  of same
except  pursuant to an offering of shares duly  registered  under the Securities
Act and applicable state securities laws, or under other  circumstances that, in
the opinion of counsel for Company at the time,  would not require  registration
of the Company  Securities  under the  Securities  Act.  Buyer is an  accredited
investor as defined under the  Securities  Act. Buyer  acknowledges  that it has
been  advised and is aware that (i) the Sellers  are relying  upon an  exemption
under the Securities Act predicated upon Buyer's  representations and warranties
contained  in this  Section  7.9 in  connection  with the  offer and sale of the
Company Securities pursuant to this Agreement and (ii) the Company Securities in
the hands of Buyer  will be  restricted  stock  within  the  meaning of Rule 144
promulgated  pursuant to the  Securities Act and unless,  and until,  registered
under the Securities Act, may be subject to limitations upon its resale.


          ARTICLE VIII: INFORMATION AND RECORDS CONCERNING THE COMPANY
          ------------------------------------------------------------
                              AND ITS SUBSIDIARIES
                              --------------------

                  8.1      Access to Information and Records before Closing.

                                       25
<PAGE>

                        (a) Prior to the Closing Date,  Buyer may make, or cause
to be made, such  investigation  of the Company's (it being understood that, for
the  purpose  of  this  Article  VIII,   "Company"  shall  be  deemed  to  refer
collectively  to the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  listed on  Schedule  5.23)
financial  and  legal  condition  as  Buyer  deems  necessary  or  advisable  to
familiarize  itself with the Company and/or matters relating to their history or
operation.  The Company  shall permit Buyer and its  authorized  representatives
(including legal counsel and accountants),  to have full access to the Company's
books and records upon reasonable  notice and during normal business hours,  and
the Company will furnish, or cause to be furnished,  to Buyer such financial and
operating data and other information and copies of documents with respect to the
Company's products, services,  operations and assets as Buyer shall from time to
time  reasonably  request.  The documents to which Buyer shall have access shall
include,  but not be limited to, the  Company's  tax  returns  and related  work
papers since its  inception;  and the Company  shall make,  or cause to be made,
extracts thereof as Buyer or its  representatives  may request from time to time
to enable  Buyer and its  representatives  to  investigate  the  affairs  of the
Company and the  accuracy of the  representations  and  warranties  made in this
Agreement.  The Company shall cause its  accountants to cooperate with Buyer and
to  disclose  the  results of audits  relating to the Company and to produce the
working papers relating thereto.

                        (b) The Buyer shall use reasonable efforts to permit the
Company  and  its  authorized   representatives  (including  legal  counsel  and
accountants),  to have  full  access  to the  Buyer's  management  and  publicly
available  information upon reasonable  notice and during normal business hours.
The  information  to which the Company shall have access shall include only such
information  reasonably  necessary to enable the Company and its representatives
to investigate the accuracy of the  representations  and warranties of the Buyer
made in this  Agreement  and to  complete  a review  of the  Company's  publicly
available information.


              ARTICLE IX: OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNTIL CLOSING
              ----------------------------------------------------

                  9.1 Conduct of Business Pending  Closing.  Between the date of
this Agreement and the Closing,  the Company and its subsidiaries shall maintain
their  existence and shall conduct their  business in the customary and ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice.

                  9.2 Negative  Covenants  of the Company and its  Subsidiaries.
Without the prior written approval of Buyer,  neither the Company nor any of its
subsidiaries shall, between the date hereof and the Closing:

                        (a) use their  best  efforts to cause or permit to occur
any of the events or occurrences described in Sections 5.18(c) and (d) and cause
or permit to occur any of the events or  occurrences  described in the remainder
of Section 5.18 (Absence of Certain Events) of this Agreement;

                                       26

<PAGE>

                        (b) dissolve,  merge or enter into a share exchange with
or into any other entity;

                        (c) enter into any contract or agreement  with any union
or other collective bargaining representative representing any employees without
the prior written  consent of Buyer,  which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld;

                        (d)  sell  off any  Assets  other  than in the  ordinary
course of business; or

                        (e) make any  change to their  by-laws  or  articles  of
incorporation.

                  9.3  Affirmative  Covenants.  Between  the date hereof and the
Closing, the Company and each of its subsidiaries shall:

                        (a) maintain their business in  substantially  the state
of repair,  order and condition as on the date hereof,  reasonable wear and tear
or loss by casualty excepted;

                        (b)  maintain  in full  force and  effect  all  Licenses
currently  in effect with  respect to their  business  unless such License is no
longer necessary for the operation of the Company and its subsidiaries;

                        (c)  maintain  in full force and  effect  the  insurance
policies and binders currently in effect, or the replacements thereof, including
without limitation those listed on Schedule 5.16;

                        (d) utilize its  reasonable  efforts to preserve  intact
the present  business  organization  of the Company and its  subsidiaries;  keep
available the services of the Company's and its subsidiaries'  present employees
and agents;  and maintain the  Company's  and its  subsidiaries'  relations  and
goodwill with suppliers,  employees, affiliated medical personnel and any others
having business relating to the Company and its subsidiaries;

                        (e) maintain all of the books and records in  accordance
with its past practices;

                        (f) comply in all material  respects with all provisions
of the Contracts  listed in Schedule 5.7 and with any other material  agreements
that the Company and its  subsidiaries  have entered into in the ordinary course
of business since the date of this  Agreement  (except that, as to the Company's
Contracts  with vendors,  it shall use its  reasonable  efforts to comply in all
material respects with such Contracts), and comply in all material respects with
the provisions of all material  laws,  rules and  regulations  applicable to the
Company's and its subsidiaries' business;

                        (g)  cause to be paid  when  due,  all  material  taxes,
assessments and charges or levies imposed upon it or on any of its properties or
which it is required to withhold and pay over;

                                       27


<PAGE>

                        (h)  promptly  advise  Buyer in writing of the threat or
commencement against the Company and its subsidiaries of any claim, action, suit
or  proceeding,  arbitration  or  investigation  or any other  event  that would
materially adversely affect the operations,  properties,  assets or prospects of
the Company and its subsidiaries;

                        (i)  shall  notify  the  Buyer in  writing  of any event
involving  the Company and its  subsidiaries  which has had or may be reasonably
expected  to  have a  material  adverse  effect  on the  business  or  financial
condition  of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  or may  involve  the  loss of
contracts with the Company's customers; and

                        (j) deliver to Buyer monthly financial statements within
thirty (30) days of the last day of the immediately preceding month.

Notwithstanding  anything  contained  herein,  the  decertification  of the  San
Antonio  agency will not result in a breach of this  Section 9.3, a reduction of
the Aggregate Gross Purchase Price or a claim for indemnification. The foregoing
shall not be deemed  to be a waiver by Buyer for any  breach of  representations
and  warranties  concerning  any loss,  liability or other adverse  consequences
other than the  actual  occurrence  of the  decertification  of the San  Antonio
agency or the fact that the agency has been closed.

                  9.4 Pursuit of Consents and  Approvals.  Prior to the Closing,
Buyer shall use its  reasonable  efforts to obtain all consents and approvals of
governmental   agencies  and  all  other   parties   necessary  for  the  lawful
consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  and  the  lawful  use,
occupancy and enjoyment of the Company's and its subsidiaries' business by Buyer
in accordance herewith ("Required Approvals").  The Company and its subsidiaries
shall cooperate with and use its reasonable efforts to assist Buyer in obtaining
all such approvals.

                  9.5 Exclusivity.  Until the earlier of the Closing Date or the
termination of this Agreement  pursuant to Section 13.1, neither the Sellers nor
the  Company,  nor any of  their  respective  affiliates,  shall  engage  in any
discussions  or  negotiations  directly  or  indirectly  with any other party in
respect of the sale of the Company  Securities  or of  substantially  all of the
assets of the Company, or in respect of any merger,  consolidation or other sale
of the  Company  (any  of  said  transactions  being  referred  to  herein  as a
"Prohibited Transaction").

                  9.6  Solicitation of  Stockholders.  The Company shall through
its board of directors  unanimously  recommend to its  stockholders  approval of
this  Agreement  and the  sale of the  Company  Securities  and as  promptly  as
practicable  after the date of this  Agreement  use its best  efforts  to obtain
stockholder approval.

                  9.7 Line of Credit.  Upon Buyer's execution of this Agreement,
the Buyer will  advance to the  Company  the sum of  $1,000,000  pursuant to the
terms of that certain  Promissory  Note,  dated June 18, 1996 by Signature  Home
Care Group, Inc.

                                       28

<PAGE>

             ARTICLE X: CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS
             ------------------------------------------------------

                  Buyer's  obligations to consummate the purchase of the Company
Securities is subject to the fulfillment, prior to or at the Closing, of each of
the  following  conditions,  any one or more of which  may be waived by Buyer in
writing.  Upon failure of any of the following  conditions,  Buyer may terminate
this Agreement pursuant to and in accordance with Article XIII herein.

                  10.1  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
warranties of Company and Sellers in Articles V and VI shall be true and correct
in all  material  respects  at  and  as of the  Closing  Date,  as  though  such
representations  and  warranties  were made at and as of such time except to the
extent affected by the transactions herein contemplated.

                  10.2  Performance  of  Covenants.  Each of the Sellers and the
Company  shall have  performed or complied in all material  respects  with their
respective  agreements and covenants  required by this Agreement to be performed
or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.

                  10.3 Delivery of Closing Certificate.  Each of the Sellers and
the Company  shall have  executed and  delivered to Buyer a  certificate  of its
president or general  partner,  as the case may be, dated the Closing Date, upon
which Buyer may rely,  certifying  that the conditions  contemplated by Sections
10.1 and 10.2 applicable to it have been satisfied.

                  10.4  Opinion of Counsel.  Each Seller and Company  shall have
delivered  to Buyer an  opinion,  dated the Closing  Date,  of its  counsel,  in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4.

                  10.5 Legal Matters. No preliminary or permanent  injunction or
other  order  (including  a  temporary  restraining  order) of any  governmental
authority which prevents the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement shall have been issued and remain in effect.

                  10.6  Authorization  Documents.  Buyer  shall have  received a
certificate  of the  Secretary  or other  officer of the Company and each of the
corporate  Sellers  certifying as of the Closing Date a copy of  Resolutions  of
their  respective  Boards of  Directors  authorizing  their  execution  and full
performance of the Transaction  Documents and the incumbency of their respective
officers.

                  10.7 Material Change.  Since the date of the Unaudited Interim
Financial  Statements  there shall not have been any material adverse changes in
the condition  (financial or otherwise) of the assets,  properties or operations
of the Company and its subsidiaries.

                  10.8     Approvals.

                                       29
<PAGE>

                        (a) The consent or approval of all persons necessary for
the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall  have  been
granted, including without limitation, the Required Approvals;

                        (b) None of the  foregoing  consents  or  approvals  (i)
shall have been conditioned upon the  modification,  cancellation or termination
of any material lease, contract, commitment, agreement, license, easement, right
or other  authorization  with  respect to the  Company's  and its  subsidiaries'
business, other than as disclosed or approved hereunder, or (ii) shall impose on
the Buyer any material condition or provision or requirement with respect to the
Company's  and  its  subsidiaries'  business  or  its  operation  that  is  more
restrictive  than or different from the  conditions  imposed upon such operation
prior to Closing.

                  10.9 Consents.  Buyer shall have received the written  consent
to  assignment  from  each of  those  entities  with  whom the  Company  and its
subsidiaries  have home health service  contracts as listed on Schedule  5.7(h),
where such consent is required by reason of the change of control of the Company
and its subsidiaries contemplated under this Agreement.

                  10.10  Closing Date Balance  Sheet.  Sellers and Company shall
have furnished the Closing Date Balance Sheet to Buyer.

                  10.11 Resignation of Company and its  Subsidiaries'  Boards of
Directors.  Each director of Company and its  subsidiaries  shall have submitted
his or her resignation to be effective no later than the Closing Date.

                  10.12 Additional Sellers. The holders of at least ninety (90%)
percent  of the  outstanding  shares of each  class of the stock of the  Company
shall have  executed and  delivered to Buyer a  counterpart  of this  Agreement,
signifying such holder's agreement to be bound as a Seller hereunder.

                  10.13  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Act. All applicable  waiting periods
under  the Hart-  Scott-Rodino  Antitrust  Improvement  Act of 1976  shall  have
expired or been terminated.

                  10.14  Samaritan  Joint  Venture   Agreements.   The  existing
arrangements with Samaritan Health System  ("Samaritan")  concerning the Arizona
home health  agencies  owned and  operated by the  Company's  subsidiaries  (the
"Subsidiary"),  including without limitation,  the organizational  documents for
the two limited liability  companies in which a Subsidiary and Samaritan are the
only two members and the applicable non-compete agreements, shall be reaffirmed.

                  10.15 Real  Property  Consents.  The  Company  shall have used
reasonable  efforts to obtain the consent of each landlord with whom the Company
or any of its  subsidiaries  has a lease of real property  which,  by its terms,
requires  consent in the event of a change of control  of the  Company,  and the
written consent of such landlords shall have been received by the Company. 

                                       30
<PAGE>

Buyer  shall  have  received  notice  from  the  Sellers  by the  Closing  Date,
identifying  any landlord  that has not given any  necessary  consent as of such
date.

                  10.16  Dallas  Joint  Venture.  Buyer  shall have  received an
amendment or  confirmation to the existing  Agreement of General  Partnership of
Arlington Memorial Home Healthcare (the "Partnership"),  dated November 3, 1986,
as  amended,  between  AMH  Health  Ventures,  Inc.  and  VHA  Enterprises  Home
Healthcare,  Inc.  that would permit  Buyer to continue  its  existing  business
operations within a fifty (50) mile radius of all Partnership locations.

                  10.17  Other   Documents.   Sellers  and  Company  shall  have
furnished Buyer with all other  documents,  certificates  and other  instruments
required to be furnished  to Buyer by Sellers and Company  pursuant to the terms
hereof.


            ARTICLE XI: CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLERS' OBLIGATIONS
            --------------------------------------------------------

                  Sellers'  obligation  to  consummate  the sale of the  Company
Securities is subject to the fulfillment, prior to or at the Closing, of each of
the following conditions:

                  11.1  Representations and Warranties.  The representations and
warranties  of Buyer in this  Agreement  shall be true at and as of the  Closing
Date as though such  representations  and warranties were made at and as of such
time, except to the extent affected by the transactions herein contemplated.

                  11.2  Performance of Covenants.  Buyer shall have performed or
complied with each of its agreements  and conditions  required by this Agreement
to be performed or complied with by it prior to or at the Closing.

                  11.3  Delivery  of  Closing  Certificate.   Buyer  shall  have
delivered to Sellers a certificate of a senior vice president of Buyer dated the
Closing Date upon which Sellers can rely, certifying that the statements made in
Sections 11.1 and 11.2 are true, correct and complete as of the Closing Date.

                  11.4 Opinion of Counsel. Buyer shall have delivered to Sellers
an opinion, dated the Closing Date, of Blass & Driggs, Esqs., counsel for Buyer,
in the form attached as Exhibit 11.4.

                  11.5 Legal Matters. No preliminary or permanent  injunction or
other  order  (including  a  temporary  restraining  order) of any  governmental
authority which prevents the  consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by
this Agreement shall have been issued and remain in effect.

                  11.6  Authorization  Documents.  Sellers shall have received a
certificate  of the  Secretary  or other  officer of Buyer  certifying a copy of
Resolutions of the Board of Directors of Buyer authorizing Buyer's execution and
full performance of the Transaction Documents and the incumbency of the officers
of Buyer.

                                       31
<PAGE>

                  11.7 Other Documents.  Buyer shall have furnished Sellers with
all documents,  certificates and other  instruments  required to be furnished to
Sellers by Buyer pursuant to the terms hereof.

              ARTICLE XII: OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES AFTER CLOSING
              -----------------------------------------------------


                  12.1  Survival  of   Representations   and   Warranties.   All
representations  and warranties made by each party in this Agreement and in each
Schedule  and  Transaction  Document  shall  survive the Closing  Date and for a
period of one (1) year after the Closing  notwithstanding  any  investigation at
any  time  made  by  or  on  behalf  of  the  other  party,  provided  that  the
representations and warranties contained in Section 5.25 (Medicare and Medicaid)
and Section 5.21 (Tax), shall survive until the applicable period of limitations
for audits by the  applicable  Governmental  Authority  shall have expired.  All
representations and warranties related to any claim asserted in writing prior to
the  expiration of the applicable  survival  period shall survive (but only with
respect to such claim) until such claim shall be resolved and payment in respect
thereof, if any is owing, shall be made.

                  12.2  Indemnification by Sellers.  Each Seller,  severally and
not jointly,  shall indemnify and defend Buyer and hold it harmless  against and
with  respect  to any and all  damage,  loss,  liability,  deficiency,  cost and
expense (including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and expenses)
(all of the foregoing hereinafter  collectively referred to as "Loss") resulting
from:

                        (a) any inaccuracy in any  representation,  or breach of
any warranty, made by such Seller or Company in Article V or VI, provided that a
claim is made or an action with respect  thereto is  initiated by Buyer  against
such Seller  within 90 days after the  discovery by Buyer of such  inaccuracy or
breach of warranty; or

                        (b) the breach of any  covenant or  undertaking  by such
Seller  contained in this Agreement which survives the Closing and is not waived
by Buyer at or prior to the Closing,  provided that a claim is made or an action
with respect  thereto is initiated by Buyer  against such Seller  within 90 days
after the discovery by Buyer of the occurrence of such breach; or

                        (c)  ownership  or  operation  of  the  Company  or  its
subsidiaries or their businesses or assets prior to the Closing Date, including,
without limitation,  any Excess Reimbursement Liabilities (as defined in Section
2.7),  the  audit or  assessment  of taxes by the  Federal,  state or local  tax
authority,  and any Loss in excess of the amounts  recorded on the Closing  Date
Balance Sheet arising out of the legal  proceedings  referenced on Schedule 5.12
but  excluding  any Loss  arising out of any current  liabilities  or  long-term
liabilities  as reflected on the Closing Date Balance Sheet or the audit of such
Closing Date Balance Sheet.

                                       32
<PAGE>

                  12.3  Indemnification  by Buyer.  Buyer  shall  indemnify  and
defend  Sellers and hold them  harmless  against and with respect to any and all
Loss resulting from:

                        (a) any inaccuracy in any  representation,  or breach of
any  warranty,  set forth in Article  VII,  provided  that a claim is made or an
action with respect thereto is initiated by Sellers against Buyer within 90 days
after  the  discovery  by the  Sellers,  or any  one or more  of  them,  of such
inaccuracy or breach; or

                        (b) the breach of any covenant or  undertaking  by Buyer
which  survives  the  Closing  and is not  waived by  Sellers at or prior to the
Closing,  provided  that a claim is made or an action  with  respect  thereto is
initiated by Sellers against Buyer within 90 days after the discovery by Sellers
of the occurrence of such breach.

                  12.4 Assertion of Claims. Any claims for indemnification under
this Article XII and any claims for breach of representations  and warranties or
breach of  covenants  contained  herein must be asserted by written  notice by a
date which is one (1) year  following  the Closing  Date,  except that any claim
based upon Excess  Reimbursement  Liabilities  (as defined in Section  2.7) or a
breach of the representations and warranties contained in Section 5.25 (Medicare
and Medicaid) or Section 5.21 (Tax) may be asserted until the applicable  period
of limitations  for audits by the applicable  Governmental  Authority shall have
expired.  After  one (1)  year  following  the  Closing  Date,  Sellers  will be
severally,  but not jointly,  responsible  for any claims based upon a breach of
the  representations  and  warranties  contained in Section 5.23  (Medicare  and
Medicaid) and Section 5.21 (Tax) for such time period as described herein.

                  12.5 Liability  Cap.  Notwithstanding  any other  provision of
this  Article  XII,  the  maximum   aggregate   liability  of  the  Sellers  for
indemnification  hereunder  and any  claims for  breach of  representations  and
warranties  or breach of covenants  contained  herein shall not exceed an amount
equal to the Aggregate Net Purchase Price.

                  12.6     Control of Defense of Indemnifiable Claims.

                        (a) Buyer shall give Sellers  prompt  written  notice of
the claim for which it seeks indemnification.  Failure of the Buyer to give such
prompt notice shall not relieve the Sellers of their indemnification obligation,
provided that such  indemnification  obligation  shall be reduced by any damages
suffered by Sellers  resulting  from a failure to give prompt notice  hereunder.
The Sellers shall be entitled to participate in the defense of such claim. If at
any  time  the  Sellers   acknowledge   in  writing  that  the  claim  is  fully
indemnifiable  under this  Agreement,  they shall have the right to assume total
control of the defense of such claim at their own expense. If the Sellers do not
assume total  control of the defense of any such claim,  the Buyer agrees not to
settle such claim  without the written  consent of the  Sellers,  which  consent
shall not be unreasonably withheld. Nothing contained in this Section 12.6 shall
prevent either party from assuming total control of the defense and/or  settling
any  claim  against  it for  which  indemnification  is not  sought  under  this
Agreement.  Notwithstanding  any other provision hereof,  neither party shall be
entitled to  

                                       33
<PAGE>

indemnification  in respect of a  representation  or warranty  which it actually
knew to be  incorrect,  whether  as a result of its  investigation  prior to the
Closing or otherwise.

                        (b) The Sellers shall give Buyer prompt  written  notice
of the claim for which they seek indemnification. Failure of the Sellers to give
such  prompt  notice  shall  not  relieve  the  Buyer  of  its   indemnification
obligation,  provided that such  indemnification  obligation shall be reduced by
any damages  suffered by Buyer  resulting  from a failure to give prompt  notice
hereunder.  The Buyer shall be entitled  to  participate  in the defense of such
claim. If at any time the Buyer  acknowledges in writing that the claim is fully
indemnifiable  under this  Agreement,  it shall  have the right to assume  total
control of the defense of such claim at its own  expense.  If the Buyer does not
assume total control of the defense of any such claim,  the Sellers agree not to
settle such claim without the written consent of the Buyer,  which consent shall
not be  unreasonably  withheld.  Nothing  contained  in this  Section 12.6 shall
prevent either party from assuming total control of the defense and/or  settling
any  claim  against  it for  which  indemnification  is not  sought  under  this
Agreement.  Notwithstanding  any other provision hereof,  neither party shall be
entitled to  indemnification in respect of a representation or warranty which it
actually knew to be incorrect, whether as a result of its investigation prior to
the Closing or otherwise.

                  12.7     Restrictions.

                        (a) From and after the Closing Date, none of the Sellers
shall disclose,  directly or indirectly, to any person outside of Buyer's employ
without the express  authorization  of the Buyer,  any patient  lists,  customer
lists,  pricing strategies,  customer files, or patient files and records of the
Company and its subsidiaries, any proprietary data or trade secrets owned by the
Company and its  subsidiaries  or any financial or other  information  about the
Company and its subsidiaries not then in the public domain;  provided,  however,
that Sellers shall be permitted to make such  disclosures  as may be required by
law or by a court or governmental authority.

                        (b) For a period of three (3)  years  after the  Closing
Date,  none of the Sellers shall engage or  participate  in any effort or act to
induce any of the customers,  physicians,  suppliers,  associates,  employees or
independent  contractors  of the  Company  and its  subsidiaries  to cease doing
business,  or  their  association  or  employment,  with  the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries.

                        (c) For a period of three (3)  years  after the  Closing
Date, none of the Sellers shall, directly, or indirectly, be a director of, be a
partner  in,  or  have  a  proprietary  interest  in,  any  person,  enterprise,
partnership,  association,  corporation,  joint venture or other entity which is
directly or  indirectly  in the  business of owning,  operating  or managing any
entity of any type, licensed or unlicensed, which is engaged in or provides home
health  services  anywhere  within a 50 mile radius of any agency of the Company
operating on the Closing  Date.  Nothing  herein shall  prohibit any Seller from
being a passive  owner of not more than five  (5%)  percent  of the  equity of a
business engaged in rendering home health services.  In the event that Samaritan
is merged  into,  consolidated  with or forms a joint  venture or other  similar
business  arrangement or combination  with another entity (the "Other  Entity"),
the surviving or resulting entity from such merger or 

                                       34

<PAGE>

consolidation  or the joint venture or other  similar  business  arrangement  or
combination will be bound by the restrictions contained in this Section 12.7(c),
except  that the  continued  ownership  and/or  operation  by the  surviving  or
resulting entity or the joint venture or other similar  business  arrangement or
combination  of any home health  agencies that as of the effective  date of such
merger or consolidation were already owned or operated by the Other Entity shall
not be deemed to be in violation of this provision.

                        (d)  The  Sellers   acknowledge  that  the  restrictions
contained  in this  Section  12.7 are  reasonable  and  necessary to protect the
legitimate  business interests of Buyer and that any violation thereof by any of
them would result in irreparable harm to Buyer. Accordingly,  Sellers agree that
upon the violation by any of them of any of the  restrictions  contained in this
Section  12.7,  Buyer shall be  entitled  to obtain from any court of  competent
jurisdiction a preliminary and permanent  injunction as well as any other relief
provided at law or equity,  under this Agreement or otherwise.  In the event any
of the foregoing restrictions are adjudged unreasonable in any proceeding,  then
the parties agree that the period of time or the scope of such  restrictions (or
both)  shall be  adjusted  in such a manner  or for such a time (or  both) as is
adjudged to be reasonable.

                  Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  for purposes of this Section
12.7, any advertisement  prepared for and disseminated to the public in general,
which  advertises  the  services of Sellers not  otherwise  in violation of this
Section 12.7 or advertises the need for services to be supplied to Sellers shall
not be deemed to be an  inducement  or  solicitation  with  respect  to any such
patients, physicians, suppliers, employees or independent contractors.

                  12.8 Records.  On the Closing Date,  Sellers and Company shall
deliver,  or cause to be  delivered,  to Buyer all records and files not then in
Buyer's   possession   relating  to  the  operations  of  the  Company  and  its
subsidiaries.

                  12.9 Audit.  Following Closing, the Sellers will cooperate and
provide such  information as may be necessary in connection with an audit of the
Company's  financial  statement for the periods  beginning  January 1, 1996, and
ending after the Closing Date. Buyer shall bear the cost of such audit.

                  12.10  Appraisal  Rights.  In the  event  that  less  than one
hundred (100%) percent of the Signature Common Stock, Class A Stock, and Class B
Stock is sold to Buyer at the Closing,  and if, in connection with any merger of
the Company  within six (6) months after the Closing,  any of the holders of the
Company  Securities  that were not sold to Buyer at Closing shall have exercised
their  appraisal  rights under Section 262 of the Delaware  General  Corporation
Law,  any  amount  by  which  the  resulting  appraised  value  of such  Company
Securities  exceeds the Per Share Purchase Price shall be paid to Buyer from the
Escrow Fund. If such appraised value of such Company Securities is less than the
Per Share Purchase Price, Buyer shall promptly pay the amount of such difference
to the Sellers in the respective combinations of cash and IHS Stock as set forth
in Section 2.1(b).

                                       35
<PAGE>



                            ARTICLE XIII: TERMINATION
                            -------------------------

                  13.1 Termination. This Agreement may be terminated at any time
at or prior to the Closing by:

                        (a)  Buyer,  if  any  condition   precedent  to  Buyer's
obligations  hereunder  set forth in Article X hereof has not been  satisfied by
September 30, 1996;

                        (b) Sellers, if any condition precedent to each Seller's
obligations  hereunder set forth in Article XI hereof has not been  satisfied by
September 30, 1996; or

                        (c) the mutual consent of Buyer and Sellers.

                  13.2  Effect  of  Termination.  If  a  party  terminates  this
Agreement  because  one of its  conditions  precedent  has  not  been  fulfilled
otherwise  than by reason of  default of such  party,  or if this  Agreement  is
terminated by mutual consent,  this Agreement shall become null and void without
any  liability  of any party to the  other,  except for the  obligations  of the
Company,  Signature  Home Care  Group,  Inc.,  and  Sellers  under that  certain
Promissory Note, dated June 18, 1996 by Signature Home Care Group, Inc. and that
certain Stock Pledge Agreement, dated June 18, 1996, between Signature Home Care
Group, Inc. and Integrated Health Services Financial Holdings, Inc.


                           ARTICLE XIV: MISCELLANEOUS
                           --------------------------

                  14.1  Costs  and  Expenses.   Except  as  expressly  otherwise
provided in this  Agreement,  Buyer and  Sellers  shall bear their own costs and
expenses in connection  with this  Agreement and the  transactions  contemplated
hereby;  provided,  however, that no such costs and expenses shall be charged to
the Company and its subsidiaries.

                  14.2 Performance. In the event of a breach by any party of its
obligations hereunder,  the other party shall have the right, in addition to any
other remedies  which may be available,  to obtain  specific  performance of the
terms of this Agreement,  and the breaching party hereby waives the defense that
there  may be an  adequate  remedy  at law.  Should  any  party  default  in its
performance,  or other  remedy,  the  prevailing  party shall be entitled to its
reasonable attorneys' fees.

                  14.3 Benefit and  Assignment.  This Agreement binds and inures
to the benefit of each party hereto and its successors and proper assigns. Buyer
may not assign its interest  under this  Agreement to any other person or entity
without the prior written consent of Sellers; provided,  however, that Buyer may
assign its rights,  duties and obligations hereunder to one or more subsidiaries
or affiliates of Buyer, or, in connection with the financing of Buyer's purchase
of the Company  Securities,  to a third party with the prior written  consent of
Sellers,  which consent will not 

                                       36
<PAGE>

be  unreasonably  withheld;  and further  provided  that in the instance of such
assignment Buyer shall guaranty the performance of its assignee hereunder.

                  14.4 Effect and Construction of this Agreement. This Agreement
and  the  Exhibits  and  Schedules   hereto  embody  the  entire  agreement  and
understanding  of the  parties  and  supersede  any  and all  prior  agreements,
arrangements  and  understandings  relating  to  matters  provided  for  herein;
provided,  however,  the  confidentiality  provisions of that certain  letter of
intent,  dated June 17,  1996,  among Buyer,  Company,  Michael  Kluger,  Steven
Gilbert,  and David  Finkel  shall  remain in effect;  provided,  further,  that
Buyer's  obligations under such  confidentiality  provisions shall automatically
terminate upon the Closing.  The captions used herein are for  convenience  only
and shall not control or affect the meaning or construction of the provisions of
this Agreement. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,  and
all such counterparts shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                  14.5 Cooperation - Further  Assistance.  From time to time, as
and when reasonably  requested by any party hereto after the Closing,  the other
parties will (at the expense of the requesting  party)  execute and deliver,  or
cause to be executed and delivered, all such documents, instruments and consents
and will use  reasonable  efforts to take all such  action as may be  reasonably
necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement.

                  14.6  Notices.  All notices  required or  permitted  hereunder
shall be in writing  and shall be deemed to be  properly  given when  personally
delivered to the party or parties  entitled to receive the notice or within five
(5) days when sent by certified or registered mail,  postage  prepaid,  properly
addressed to the party or parties entitled to receive such notice at the address
stated below:

If to the Company:            Signature Home Care, Inc.
                              1320 Greenway Drive, Suite 600
                              Irving, TX 75038
                              Attn: Michael Kluger

with a copy to:               Winston Walp, Esq.
                              Jenkens & Gilchrist
                              Fountain Place
                              1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 3200
                              Dallas, TX 75202

If to the Sellers:            Michael Kluger
                              Liberty Partners
                              1177 Avenue of the Americas
                              34th Floor
                              New York, NY 10036

with a copy to:               Winston Walp, Esq.
                              Jenkens & Gilchrist
                              Fountain Place
                              1445 Ross Avenue, Suite 3200
                              
                                       37

<PAGE>

                              Dallas, TX 75202

If to the Buyer:              Integrated Health Services, Inc.
                              10065 Red Run Boulevard
                              Owings Mills, MD 21117
                              Attn: Brian K. Davidson
                              cc:  Marshall A. Elkins, General Counsel

with a copy to:               Michael S. Blass, Esq.
                              Blass & Driggs, Esqs.
                              461 Fifth Avenue, 19th Floor
                              New York, NY 10017

                  14.7  Waiver,  Discharge,  Etc.  This  Agreement  shall not be
released, discharged, abandoned, changed or modified in any manner, except by an
instrument in writing  executed by or on behalf of each of the parties hereto by
their duly  authorized  officer or  representative.  The failure of any party to
enforce at any time any of the provisions of this  Agreement  shall in no way be
construed  to be a waiver of any such  provision,  nor in any way to affect  the
validity  of this  Agreement  or any  part  hereof  or the  right  of any  party
thereafter to enforce each and every such provision.  No waiver of any breach of
this Agreement shall be held to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach.

                  14.8 Rights of Persons Not Parties.  Nothing contained in this
Agreement shall be deemed to create rights in persons not parties hereto,  other
than the successors and proper assigns of the parties hereto.

                  14.9 Governing  Law. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and
construed in accordance  with the laws of the State of Texas,  disregarding  any
rules relating to the choice or conflict of laws.

                  14.10  Amendments,  Supplements,  Etc.  At any time  before or
after the execution and delivery of this Agreement by the parties  hereto,  this
Agreement may be amended or supplemented by additional  agreements,  articles or
certificates,  as may be mutually  determined  by the  parties to be  necessary,
appropriate or desirable to further the purposes of this  Agreement,  to clarify
the intention of the parties, or to add to or to modify the covenants,  terms or
conditions  hereof or thereof.  The  parties  hereto  shall make such  technical
changes to this Agreement,  not inconsistent with the purposes hereof, as may be
required to effect or facilitate any governmental approval or acceptance of this
Agreement or to effect or  facilitate  any filing or recording  required for the
consummation  of any  portion  of the  transactions  contemplated  hereby.  This
Agreement may not be amended  except by an instrument in writing  signed by each
of the parties.

                  14.11 Severability.  Any provision, or distinguishable portion
of any  provision,  of this  Agreement  which is  determined  in any judicial or
administrative  proceeding to be prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction
shall, as to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such prohibition
or unenforceability  without  invalidating the remaining  provisions hereof, and
any  such  prohibition  or   unenforceability  in  any  jurisdiction  shall  not
invalidate or render unenforceable such provision in any other jurisdiction.  It
is the intention of the parties that if any provision of Section

                                       38
<PAGE>

12.7 shall be  determined  to be overly broad in any respect,  then it should be
enforceable  to the  maximum  extent  permissible  under the law.  To the extent
permitted  by  applicable  law,  the parties  waive any  provision  of law which
renders a provision hereof prohibited or unenforceable in any respect.

                  14.12 Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in several
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed an original, and all of which shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.


                       [SIGNATURES ON THE FOLLOWING PAGE]

                                       39
 
<PAGE>



                  IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  each of the  parties  hereto and in the
capacity  indicated  below has  executed  this  Agreement as of the day and year
first above written.

                                         COMPANY:

                                         SIGNATURE HOME CARE, INC.

                                         By:____________________________________
                                         
                                         Its:___________________________________


                                         SELLERS:

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------
                                       
                                       40
<PAGE>

                                       BUYER:
                                       INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.


                                       By:____________________________________
                                          Brian K. Davidson,
                                          Executive Vice President - Development


                                       41

<PAGE>



         The undersigned holders of capital stock of the Company hereby agree to
be bound as Sellers under the Agreement.


                                                    SELLERS:

 WITNESS:


By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------


 WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------


WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------
WITNESS:

By: 
    ----------------------------                    ----------------------------

                                       42


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