INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES INC
S-3, 1998-03-31
SKILLED NURSING CARE FACILITIES
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    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 31, 1998
                                                     REGISTRATION NO. 333-
================================================================================

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                            WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

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

                                   FORM S-3
                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT

                                     UNDER
                          THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

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

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



               DELAWARE                              23-2428312
   (State or other jurisdiction of      (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
    incorporation or organization)


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

     10065 Red Run  Boulevard,  Owings Mills,  Maryland  21117,  (410)  998-8400
(Address,  including zip code,  and telephone  number,  including  area code, of
                   registrant's principal executive offices)

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

    Marshall A. Elkins, Esq., Executive Vice President and General Counsel
Integrated Health Services, Inc., 10065 Red Run Boulevard, Owings Mills,
                        Maryland 21117, (410) 998-8400

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)

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


Copies of all communications, including all communications sent to the agent for
                          service, should be sent to:

<TABLE>

<S>                                       <C>

   Carl E. Kaplan, Esq.                           Leslie A. Glew, Esq.
Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.          Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel
    666 Fifth Avenue                         Integrated Health Services, Inc.
 New York, New York 10103                       10065 Red Run Boulevard
    (212) 318-3000                            Owings Mills, Maryland 21117
  (212) 752-5958(FAX)                             (410) 998-8400
                                             (410) 998-8500(FAX)
</TABLE>

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

       Approximate  Date of  Commencement  of Proposed Sale to the Public:  From
  time to time after the effective date of this Registration Statement.

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

     If the only  securities  being  registered  on this Form are being  offered
pursuant to dividend or interest  reinvestment plans, please check the following
box: [ ]

     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous  basis  pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box: [X]

     If this Form is filed to  register  additional  securities  for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list  the  Securities  Act  registration  statement  number  of the  earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering. [ ]

     If this Form is a  post-effective  amendment  filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the  Securities  Act,  check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration  statement number of the earlier effective  registration  statement
for the same offering. [ ]

     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box: [ ]

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

                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
====================================================================================================================================
         TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF           AMOUNT OF SHARES  PROPOSED MAXIMUM OFFERING  PROPOSED MAXIMUM AGGREGATE      AMOUNT OF    
       SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED        TO BE REGISTER        PRICE PER SHARE(1)          OFFERING PRICE(1)       REGISTRATION FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                      <C>               <C>                         <C>                          <C>             
Common Stock, $.001 par value per share                                                                                             
 (including the Preferred Stock Purchase                                                                                            
 Rights)(2) ............................      513,753               $ 38.9375               $ 20,004,257.44           $ 5,901.26    
                                                                                                                                    
====================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>


(1) Pursuant to Rule 457(c),  the proposed  maximum offering price per share and
    proposed maximum aggregate  offering price have been calculated on the basis
    of the  average  of the high  and low sale  prices  of the  Common  Stock as
    reported on the New York Stock Exchange on March 27, 1998.

(2) The Preferred Stock Purchase Rights, which are attached to the shares of IHS
    Common   Stock  being   registered,   will  be  issued  for  no   additional
    consideration; no additional registration fee is required.

     THE REGISTRANT  HEREBY AMENDS THIS  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER  AMENDMENT  WHICH  SPECIFICALLY  STATES  THAT  THIS  REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL  THEREAFTER  BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE  SECURITIES  ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE  REGISTRATION  STATEMENT  SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE  COMMISSION,  ACTING PURSUANT TO SECTION 8(A), MAY
DETERMINE.
================================================================================

<PAGE>



                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 31, 1998



PROSPECTUS



                                513,753 SHARES



[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

                       INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                                 COMMON STOCK

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


     This  Prospectus  relates to 513,753 shares (the "Shares") of Common Stock,
par value $0.001 per share  (together with the Preferred  Stock Purchase  Rights
associated therewith,  the "Common Stock"), of Integrated Health Services,  Inc.
("IHS" or the  "Company")  which are being  offered for sale by certain  selling
stockholders  (the  "Selling  Stockholders").  See "Selling  Stockholders."  The
Company's  Common Stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange  ("NYSE") under
the symbol "IHS." On March 27, 1998,  the closing price of the Common Stock,  as
reported in the NYSE consolidated reporting system, was $39.1875 per share.



     The Company will not receive any of the  proceeds  from sales of the Shares
by the Selling Stockholders.  The Shares may be offered from time to time by the
Selling  Stockholders (and their donees and pledgees) through ordinary brokerage
transactions,   in  negotiated  transactions  or  otherwise,  at  market  prices
prevailing  at  the  time  of  sale  or  at  negotiated  prices.  See  "Plan  of
Distribution."

     The Selling  Stockholders may be deemed to be  "Underwriters" as defined in
the  Securities  Act  of  1933,  as  amended  (the  "Securities  Act").  If  any
broker-dealers  are used to effect sales, any commissions paid to broker-dealers
and, if  broker-dealers  purchase any of the Shares as  principals,  any profits
received by such broker-dealers on the resale of the Shares, may be deemed to be
underwriting discounts or commissions under the Securities Act. In addition, any
profits  realized by the Selling  Stockholders  may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions. All costs, expenses and fees in connection with the registration of
the  Shares  will  be  borne  by the  Company.  Brokerage  commissions,  if any,
attributable to the sale of the Shares will be borne by the Selling Stockholders
(or their donees and pledgees).

                                --------------
     SEE "RISK FACTORS," WHICH BEGINS ON PAGE 6 OF THIS PROSPECTUS,  FOR CERTAIN
INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.

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



THESE  SECURITIES  HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR  DISAPPROVED  BY THE SECURITIES AND
  EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES
     AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON
     THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                        CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                                --------------
                   The date of this Prospectus is      , 1998

Information   contained  herein  is  subject  to  completion  or  amendment.   A
registration  statement  relating  to these  securities  has been filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  These  securities may not be sold nor may
offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the registration  statement  becomes
effective.  This  prospectus  shall  not  constitute  an  offer  to  sell or the
solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of these  securities
in any State in which such offer,  solicitation  or sale would be unlawful prior
to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such State.

<PAGE>

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

     The Company is subject to the informational  requirements of the Securities
Exchange  Act of 1934,  as amended  (the  "Exchange  Act"),  and, in  accordance
therewith,  files  reports,  proxy  statements  and other  information  with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the  "Commission").  The  reports,  proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company with the Commission can be
inspected and copied at the public  reference  facilities  of the  Commission at
Room  1024,  450  Fifth  Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D.C.  20549,  and  at  the
Commission's Regional Offices at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New
York 10048, and Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street,  Suite 1400,  Chicago,
Illinois  60661.  Copies of such  material also may be obtained by mail from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission,  Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,
Washington,  D.C.  20549,  at  prescribed  rates.  In addition,  reports,  proxy
materials and other  information  concerning the Company may be inspected at the
offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street,  New York,  New York 10005.  Additionally,
the Commission maintains a Web site on the Internet that contains reports, proxy
and information statements and other information regarding registrants that file
electronically with the Commission and that is located at http://www.sec.gov.

     This Prospectus  constitutes a part of a Registration Statement on Form S-3
(herein,  together  with  all  amendments  and  exhibits,  referred  to  as  the
"Registration  Statement")  filed by the Company with the  Commission  under the
Securities  Act. This  Prospectus  does not contain all of the  information  set
forth in the  Registration  Statement,  certain  parts of which are  omitted  in
accordance  with the  rules  and  regulations  of the  Commission.  For  further
information  with  respect to the Company  and the Common  Stock,  reference  is
hereby  made  to  the  Registration   Statement.   Statements  contained  herein
concerning the  provisions of any contract,  agreement or other document are not
necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of such
contract,  agreement or other document  filed as an exhibit to the  Registration
Statement  or  otherwise  filed  with the  Commission.  Each such  statement  is
qualified  in its  entirety  by  such  reference.  Copies  of  the  Registration
Statement  together  with  exhibits  may  be  inspected  at the  offices  of the
Commission as indicated  above without charge and copies thereof may be obtained
therefrom upon payment of a prescribed fee.

     Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform  Act Safe  Harbor  Statement.  This
Prospectus  (including the documents  incorporated by reference herein) contains
certain  forward-looking  statements  (as such term is  defined  in the  Private
Securities  Litigation Reform Act of 1995) and information  relating to IHS that
are based on the beliefs of the management of IHS, as well as  assumptions  made
by and  information  currently  available to the management of IHS. When used in
this  Prospectus,  the words  "estimate,"  "project,"  "believe,"  "anticipate,"
"intend,"   "expect"   and  similar   expressions   are   intended  to  identify
forward-looking  statements.  Such  statements  reflect the current views of IHS
with  respect  to future  events  and are  subject  to risks and  uncertainties,
including  those discussed under "Risk Factors," that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements.
Readers  are  cautioned  not to place undue  reliance  on these  forward-looking
statements,  which speak only as of the date hereof.  IHS does not undertake any
obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements
to reflect  events or  circumstances  after the date  hereof or to  reflect  the
occurrence of unanticipated events.

                                       2

<PAGE>

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

     The information in the following documents filed by IHS with the Commission
(File No. 1-12306)  pursuant to the Exchange Act is incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus:


          (a) The  Company's  Annual  Report  on Form  10-K for the  year  ended
     December 31, 1997;

          (b) The  Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated October 17, 1996
     reporting the acquisition of First American  Health Care of Georgia,  Inc.,
     as amended by Form 8-K/A filed  November  26, 1996 and  Amendment  No. 1 to
     Form 8-K/A filed July 11, 1997;

          (c) The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 25, 1997,
     as amended,  reporting  the  Company's  acquisition  of  Community  Care of
     America, Inc. and the Lithotripsy Division of Coram Healthcare Corporation;

          (d) The Company's  Current  Report on Form 8-K dated October 21, 1997,
     as  amended,   reporting  the  Company's   acquisition  of  RoTech  Medical
     Corporation;

          (e) The Company's  Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 31, 1997,
     as  amended,  reporting  the  acquisition  of 139 owned,  leased or managed
     long-term  care  facilities,  12  specialty  hospitals  and  certain  other
     businesses from HEALTHSOUTH Corporation;

          (f) The  Company's  Current  Report  on Form 8-K  dated  March 4, 1998
     reporting  the  Company's  revenues  and  operating  results for the fourth
     quarter and year ended December 31, 1997;

          (g) The description of the Company's  Common Stock contained in Item 1
     of the  Company's  Registration  Statement  on Form 8-A dated  September 1,
     1993; and

          (h) The  description of the Company's  Preferred Stock Purchase Rights
     contained  in Item 1 of the  Company's  Registration  Statement on Form 8-A
     dated September 28, 1995.

     All documents filed by the Company with the Commission pursuant to Sections
13(a),  13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus
and prior to the filing of a  post-effective  amendment which indicates that all
Shares  offered have been sold or which  deregisters  all Shares then  remaining
unsold shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus and to
be a part  hereof  from the date of  filing  of such  documents.  Any  statement
contained herein or in a previously filed document  incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated  by reference  herein shall be deemed to be modified or  superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement  contained herein
or in any other  subsequently  filed  document which also is or was deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded  shall not be deemed,  except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.

     The information relating to IHS contained in this Prospectus should be read
together with the information in the documents incorporated by reference.

     THIS PROSPECTUS INCORPORATES BY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS WHICH ARE NOT PRESENTED
HEREIN OR  DELIVERED  HEREWITH.  SUCH  DOCUMENTS  (OTHER  THAN  EXHIBITS TO SUCH
DOCUMENTS UNLESS SUCH EXHIBITS ARE  SPECIFICALLY  INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE) ARE
AVAILABLE  WITHOUT  CHARGE TO ANY PERSON TO WHOM THIS  PROSPECTUS  IS DELIVERED,
UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST.  REQUESTS FOR SUCH DOCUMENTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO
INTEGRATED  HEALTH  SERVICES,  INC.,  10065  RED RUN  BOULEVARD,  OWINGS  MILLS,
MARYLAND  21117,  ATTENTION:  MARC B. LEVIN,  EXECUTIVE VICE  PRESIDENT-INVESTOR
RELATIONS, TELEPHONE: (410) 998-8400.

                                       3

<PAGE>

                                  THE COMPANY

     Integrated  Health  Services,  Inc.  ("IHS" or the "Company") is one of the
nation's leading providers of post-acute healthcare services. Post-acute care is
the  provision of a continuum of care to patients  following  discharge  from an
acute care  hospital.  IHS'  post-acute  care services  include  subacute  care,
skilled nursing facility care, home respiratory  care, home health nursing care,
other homecare services and contract  rehabilitation,  hospice,  lithotripsy and
diagnostic  services.  The  Company's  post-acute  care  network is  designed to
address  the fact that the cost  containment  measures  implemented  by  private
insurers  and  managed  care   organizations   and   limitations  on  government
reimbursement of hospital costs have resulted in the discharge from hospitals of
many  patients who continue to require  medical and  rehabilitative  care.  IHS'
post-acute healthcare system is intended to provide cost-effective continuity of
care for its patients in multiple  settings and enable  payors to contract  with
one provider to provide all of a patient's needs following  discharge from acute
care  hospitals.  The Company  believes that its post-acute  care network can be
extended beyond post-acute care to also provide "pre-acute" care, i.e., services
to patients  which reduce the  likelihood  of a need for a hospital  stay.  IHS'
post-acute care network currently consists of over 2,000 service locations in 48
states and the District of Columbia.

     The Company's post-acute care network strategy is to provide cost-effective
continuity of care for its patients in multiple  settings,  using geriatric care
facilities  as  platforms  to provide a wide  variety of  subacute  medical  and
rehabilitative  services  more  typically  delivered in the acute care  hospital
setting and using home  healthcare to provide  those medical and  rehabilitative
services which do not require  24-hour  monitoring.  To implement its post-acute
care network strategy,  IHS has focused on (i) developing  market  concentration
for its  post-acute  care services in targeted  states due to  increasing  payor
consolidation  and the increased  preference of payors,  physicians and patients
for dealing with only one service  provider;  (ii)  expanding  the range of home
healthcare  and  related  services  it offers to  patients  directly in order to
provide patients with a continuum of care throughout  their recovery,  to better
control  costs and to meet the growing  desire by payors for one-stop  shopping;
and (iii)  developing  subacute care units.  Given the increasing  importance of
managed care in the healthcare  marketplace  and the continued cost  containment
pressures  from  Medicare,  Medicaid  and private  payors,  the Company has been
restructuring its operations to enable IHS to focus on obtaining  contracts with
managed care organizations and to provide capitated  services.  IHS' strategy is
to become a preferred  or  exclusive  provider of  post-acute  care  services to
managed care organizations and other payors.

     In  implementing  its post-acute  care network  strategy,  IHS has recently
focused  on  expanding  its  home  healthcare  services  to  take  advantage  of
healthcare  payors'  increasing  focus  on  having  healthcare  provided  in the
lowest-cost  setting possible,  recent advances in medical technology which have
facilitated the delivery of medical services in alternative  sites and patients'
desires to be treated at home.  Consistent with the Company's  strategy,  IHS in
October  1996  acquired  First  American  Health  Care of Georgia  Inc.  ("First
American"), a provider of home health services,  principally home nursing, in 21
states, primarily Alabama, California,  Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Pennsylvania
and  Tennessee.   IHS  in  October  1997  acquired  RoTech  Medical  Corporation
("RoTech"),  a  provider  of home  healthcare  products  and  services,  with an
emphasis on home  respiratory,  home medical  equipment  and  infusion  therapy,
principally  to patients  in  non-urban  areas (the  "RoTech  Acquisition").  In
October  1997,  IHS also  acquired  (the "Coram  Lithotripsy  Acquisition")  the
lithotripsy  division (the "Coram  Lithotripsy  Division")  of Coram  Healthcare
Corporation  ("Coram"),   which  provided  lithotripsy  services  and  equipment
maintenance  in 180  locations  in 18  states,  in order to  expand  the  mobile
diagnostic  treatment  and  services  it offers to  patients,  payors  and other
providers.  Lithotripsy is a non-invasive technique that utilizes shock waves to
disintegrate  kidney stones.  IHS intends to use the home healthcare setting and
the delivery  franchise of the home healthcare  branch and agency network to (i)
deliver  sophisticated  care,  such as skilled  nursing care,  home  respiratory
therapy and rehabilitation,  outside the hospital or nursing home; (ii) serve as
an entry point for patients  into the IHS  post-acute  care  network;  and (iii)
provide a cost-effective site for case management and patient direction.

     IHS has also continued to expand its post-acute  care network by increasing
the number of facilities it operates or manages. In September 1997, IHS acquired
Community Care of America,  Inc.  ("CCA"),  which develops and operates  skilled
nursing facilities in medically underserved rural communities (the

                                       4

<PAGE>

"CCA  Acquisition").  IHS  believes  that CCA will broaden its  post-acute  care
network to include more rural markets and will complement its existing home care
locations  in rural  markets  as well as  RoTech's  business.  In  addition,  in
December 1997, IHS acquired from  HEALTHSOUTH  Corporation  ("HEALTHSOUTH")  139
owned,  leased or managed long-term care facilities and 12 specialty  hospitals,
as well as a  contract  therapy  business  having  over 1,000  contracts  and an
institutional pharmacy business serving approximately 38,000 beds (the "Facility
Acquisition").

     The  Company  provides   subacute  care  through  medical  specialty  units
("MSUs"),  which  are  typically  20 to 75 bed  specialty  units  with  physical
identities,   specialized  medical  technology  and  staffs  separate  from  the
geriatric  care  facilities  in which they are  located.  MSUs are  designed  to
provide comprehensive medical services to patients who have been discharged from
acute  care  hospitals  but  who  still  require  subacute  or  complex  medical
treatment.  The levels and quality of care  provided in the  Company's  MSUs are
similar to those provided in the hospital but at per diem treatment  costs which
IHS believes are  generally 30% to 60% below the cost of such care in acute care
hospitals. Because of the high level of specialized care provided, the Company's
MSUs generate  substantially higher net revenue and operating profit per patient
day than traditional geriatric care services.

     IHS presently  operates 312 geriatric care  facilities (260 owned or leased
and 52 managed),  excluding 18 facilities acquired in the CCA Acquisition and 20
facilities  acquired in the Facility  Acquisition which are being held for sale,
and 158 MSUs located within 84 of these  facilities.  Specialty medical services
revenues,   which   include  all  MSU  charges,   all  revenue  from   providing
rehabilitative therapies, pharmaceuticals,  medical supplies and durable medical
equipment to all its patients, all revenue from its Alzheimer's programs and all
revenue from its provision of pharmacy, rehabilitation therapy, home healthcare,
hospice care and similar services to  third-parties,  constituted  approximately
65%, 70% and 79% of net revenues  during the years ended December 31, 1995, 1996
and 1997,  respectively.  IHS also offers a wide range of basic medical services
as well as a comprehensive array of respiratory,  physical, speech, occupational
and physiatric therapy in all its geriatric care facilities.  For the year ended
December 31, 1997,  approximately  35% of IHS'  revenues  were derived from home
health and hospice care,  approximately 44% were derived from subacute and other
ancillary  services,  approximately  19% were  derived  from  traditional  basic
nursing home services,  and  approximately  2% were derived from  management and
other  services.  On a pro forma basis after giving  effect to the  acquisitions
consummated by IHS in 1997, for the year ended December 31, 1997,  approximately
30%  of  IHS'   revenues  were  derived  from  home  health  and  hospice  care,
approximately  43% were derived  from  subacute  and other  ancillary  services,
approximately  26% were derived from traditional basic nursing home services and
the remaining  approximately 1% were derived from management and other services.


     Integrated  Health  Services,  Inc.  was  incorporated  in March  1986 as a
Pennsylvania  corporation and reorganized as a Delaware  corporation in November
1986. IHS' principal  executive  offices are located at 10065 Red Run Boulevard,
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117 and its telephone number is (410) 998-8400.  Unless
the context  indicates  otherwise,  the term "IHS"  includes  Integrated  Health
Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

                                       5

<PAGE>

                                 RISK FACTORS

     In addition to the other  information  in this  Prospectus,  the  following
factors  should be  considered  carefully  in  evaluating  the  Company  and its
business  before  purchasing  the shares of Common Stock  offered  hereby.  This
Prospectus  contains,  in addition to  historical  information,  forward-looking
statements that involve risks and  uncertainties.  The Company's  actual results
could  differ  materially.  Factors  that  could  cause  or  contribute  to such
differences  include,  but are not limited to, those discussed below, as well as
those discussed elsewhere in this Prospectus.

     Risks Related to Substantial  Indebtedness.  The Company's  indebtedness is
substantial in relation to its stockholders'  equity. At December 31, 1997, IHS'
total  long-term debt,  including  current  portion,  accounted for 74.8% of its
total capitalization. IHS also has significant lease obligations with respect to
the  facilities   operated  pursuant  to  long-term  leases,   which  aggregated
approximately  $704.9  million at December 31, 1997. For the year ended December
31, 1997 the Company's rent expense was $105.1 million  ($163.7 million on a pro
forma basis after giving effect to the acquisitions consummated by IHS in 1997).
In addition, IHS is obligated to pay up to an additional $155 million in respect
of the  acquisition  of  First  American  during  2000  to  2004  under  certain
circumstances,  of which $113.0 million (representing the present value thereof)
has been recorded at December 31, 1997. The Company's  strategy of expanding its
specialty  medical  services  and  growing  through   acquisitions  may  require
additional borrowings in order to finance working capital,  capital expenditures
and the purchase price of any  acquisitions.  The degree to which the Company is
leveraged,  as well as its rent expense,  could have important  consequences  to
securityholders,  including:  (i) IHS' ability to obtain additional financing in
the future for working capital,  capital  expenditures,  acquisitions or general
corporate purposes may be impaired, (ii) a substantial portion of IHS' cash flow
from operations may be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on its
indebtedness  and rent expense,  thereby reducing the funds available to IHS for
its  operations,  (iii) certain of IHS'  borrowings  bear,  and will continue to
bear,  variable  rates of  interest,  which  expose IHS to increases in interest
rates,  and (iv)  certain  of IHS'  indebtedness  contains  financial  and other
restrictive covenants,  including those restricting the incurrence of additional
indebtedness,  the  creation  of liens,  the payment of  dividends  and sales of
assets and imposing minimum net worth requirements.  In addition,  IHS' leverage
may also  adversely  affect  IHS'  ability to respond to changing  business  and
economic  conditions or continue its growth strategy.  There can be no assurance
that  IHS'  operating  results  will  be  sufficient  for  the  payment  of IHS'
indebtedness.  If IHS were unable to meet interest, principal or lease payments,
or satisfy financial  covenants,  it could be required to seek  renegotiation of
such payments and/or covenants or obtain additional equity or debt financing. If
additional  funds  are  raised  by  issuing  equity  securities,  the  Company's
stockholders may experience dilution.  Further,  such equity securities may have
rights,  preferences or privileges  senior to those of the Common Stock.  To the
extent IHS finances its activities with additional  debt, IHS may become subject
to certain  additional  financial  and other  covenants  that may  restrict  its
ability to pursue its growth  strategy and to pay dividends on the Common Stock.
There can be no assurance that any such efforts would be successful or timely or
that the terms of any such financing or refinancing  would be acceptable to IHS.
See "-- Risks Related to Capital Requirements."

     In connection  with IHS' offering of its 9 1/4% Senior  Subordinated  Notes
due 2008 (the "9 1/4% Senior Notes"),  Standard & Poors ("S&P")  confirmed its B
rating of IHS' other subordinated debt obligations, but with a negative outlook,
and assigned the same rating to the 9 1/4% Senior Notes.  In November  1997, S&P
placed the Company's senior credit and subordinated  debt ratings on CreditWatch
with  negative  implications  due to the proposed  Facility  Acquisition  and in
January 1998 S&P downgraded  IHS'  corporate  credit and bank loan ratings to B+
and its subordinated debt ratings to B- as a result of the Facility Acquisition.
S&P stated that the  speculative  grade ratings  reflect the Company's high debt
leverage and  aggressive  acquisition  strategy,  uncertainties  with respect to
future  government  efforts to control  Medicare  and  Medicaid  and the unknown
impact  on IHS of  recent  changes  in  healthcare  regulation  providing  for a
prospective payment system for both nursing homes and home healthcare. S&P noted
IHS' outlook was stable.  In  connection  with the offering of the 9 1/4% Senior
Notes,  Moody's  Investors  Service  ("Moody's")  downgraded to B2 the Company's
other senior  subordinated debt obligations,  but noted that the outlook for the
rating was  stable,  and  assigned  the new rating to the 9 1/4%  Senior  Notes.
Moody's stated that the rating action reflects Moody's concern about the

                                       6

<PAGE>

Company's  continued  rapid growth through  acquisitions,  which has resulted in
negative  tangible  equity of $114 million,  making no  adjustment  for the $259
million of  convertible  debt of IHS  outstanding.  Moody's also stated that the
availability provided by the Company's new credit facility and the 9 1/4% Senior
Notes positioned the Company to complete sizable acquisition  transactions using
solely  debt.  Moody's  further  noted that the rating  reflects  that there are
significant  changes underway in the  reimbursement of services rendered by IHS,
and that the exact impact of these changes is uncertain.

     Risks Associated with Growth Through Acquisitions and Internal Development.
IHS'  growth  strategy   involves  growth  through   acquisitions  and  internal
development  and, as a result,  IHS is subject to various risks  associated with
this growth strategy.  The Company's  planned  expansion and growth require that
the Company  expand its home  healthcare  services  through the  acquisition  of
additional home healthcare  providers and that the Company acquire, or establish
relationships  with,  third parties which provide  post-acute  care services not
currently provided by the Company and that the Company acquire, lease or acquire
the right to manage for others additional facilities.  Such expansion and growth
will depend on the Company's  ability to create demand for its  post-acute  care
programs,  the  availability  of  suitable  acquisition,   lease  or  management
candidates and the Company's  ability to finance such  acquisitions  and growth.
The successful  implementation of the Company's  post-acute  healthcare  system,
including  the  capitation  of rates,  will depend on the  Company's  ability to
expand the amount of post-acute care services it offers directly to its patients
rather  than  through  third-party  providers.  There can be no  assurance  that
suitable  acquisition  candidates  will be  located,  that  acquisitions  can be
consummated,   that  acquired  facilities  and  companies  can  be  successfully
integrated  into the  Company's  operations,  or that the  Company's  post-acute
healthcare  system,  including  the  capitation  of rates,  can be  successfully
implemented.  The post-acute care market is highly competitive,  and the Company
faces   substantial   competition  from  hospitals,   subacute  care  providers,
rehabilitation  providers and home healthcare  providers,  including competition
for  acquisitions.  The Company  anticipates  that  competition  for acquisition
opportunities will intensify due to the ongoing  consolidation in the healthcare
industry. See "-- Risks Related to Managed Care Strategy" and "-- Competition."

     The  successful   integration  of  acquired  businesses,   including  First
American,  RoTech,  CCA, the Coram  Lithotripsy  Division and the facilities and
other businesses acquired from HEALTHSOUTH, is important to the Company's future
financial  performance.  The anticipated benefits from any of these acquisitions
may not be  achieved  unless  the  operations  of the  acquired  businesses  are
successfully  combined  with  those  of the  Company  in a  timely  manner.  The
integration  of the  Company's  recent  acquisitions  will  require  substantial
attention from management. The diversion of the attention of management, and any
difficulties  encountered  in the  transition  process,  could  have a  material
adverse effect on the Company's  operations and financial results.  In addition,
the process of integrating the various  businesses  could cause the interruption
of, or a loss of momentum in, the activities of some or all of these businesses,
which  could have a material  adverse  effect on the  Company's  operations  and
financial  results.  There can be no assurance that the Company will realize any
of the anticipated  benefits from its  acquisitions.  The acquisition of service
companies that are not  profitable,  or the  acquisition of new facilities  that
result in significant integration costs and inefficiencies, could also adversely
affect the Company's profitability.

     IHS' current and anticipated future growth has placed, and will continue to
place,  significant  demands  on  the  management,   operational  and  financial
resources of IHS. The Company's  ability to manage its growth  effectively  will
require it to continue  to improve its  operational,  financial  and  management
information  systems and to continue to  attract,  train,  motivate,  manage and
retain key employees.  There can be no assurance that IHS will be able to manage
its  expanded  operations   effectively.   See  "--  Risks  Related  to  Capital
Requirements."

     There  can  be  no  assurance  that  the  Company  will  be  successful  in
implementing  its strategy or in responding to ongoing changes in the healthcare
industry  which  may  require  adjustments  to its  strategy.  If IHS  fails  to
implement its strategy successfully or does not respond timely and adequately to
ongoing changes in the healthcare  industry,  the Company's business,  financial
condition and results of operations will be materially adversely affected.

                                       7

<PAGE>

     Risks Related to Managed Care Strategy. Managed care payors and traditional
indemnity insurers have experienced pressure from their policyholders to curb or
reduce  the  growth  in  premiums  paid to  such  organizations  for  healthcare
services.  This pressure has resulted in demands on healthcare service providers
to reduce  their  prices or to share in the  financial  risk of  providing  care
through  alternate fee structures such as capitation or fixed case rates.  Given
the increasing importance of managed care in the healthcare  marketplace and the
continued cost  containment  pressures from Medicare and Medicaid,  IHS has been
restructuring its operations to enable IHS to focus on obtaining  contracts with
managed  care  organizations  and to provide  capitated  services.  The  Company
believes that its home healthcare capabilities will be an important component of
its  ability  to  provide  services  under  capitated  and other  alternate  fee
arrangements.  However, to date there has been limited demand among managed care
organizations  for  post-acute  care  network  services,  and  there  can  be no
assurance that demand for such services will increase.  Further, IHS has limited
experience  in  providing  services  under  capitated  and other  alternate  fee
arrangements  and setting the  applicable  rates.  Accordingly,  there can be no
assurance  that  the  fees  received  by IHS will  cover  the  cost of  services
provided.  If  revenue  for  capitated  services  is  insufficient  to cover the
treatment  costs,  IHS'  operating  results  could be adversely  affected.  As a
result,  the success of IHS' managed care  strategy will depend in large part on
its ability to increase  demand for post-acute  care services among managed care
organizations,  to obtain favorable  agreements with managed care  organizations
and to manage  effectively  its operating and healthcare  delivery costs through
various methods,  including  utilization  management and competitive pricing for
purchased  services.  Additionally,  there  can  be no  assurance  that  pricing
pressures faced by healthcare  providers will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's business, results of operations and financial condition.

     Further,  pursuing a  strategy  focused on  risk-sharing  fee  arrangements
entails certain  regulatory risks. Many states impose  restrictions on a service
provider's  ability  to  provide  capitated  services  unless  it meets  certain
financial  criteria,  and may view  capitated fee  arrangements  as an insurance
activity,  subjecting the entity accepting the capitated fee to regulation as an
insurance company rather than merely a licensed  healthcare provider accepting a
business  risk in  connection  with the manner in which it is  charging  for its
services.  The laws  governing  risk-sharing  fee  arrangements  for  healthcare
service  providers  are  evolving  and are not  certain  at  this  time.  If the
risk-sharing  activities of IHS require licensure as an insurance company, there
can be no assurance  that IHS could obtain or maintain the necessary  licensure,
or that IHS would be able to meet any financial  criteria imposed by a state. If
the Company were  precluded  from  providing  services  under  risk-sharing  fee
arrangements,  its managed care strategy  would be adversely  affected.  See "--
Uncertainty of Government Regulation."

     Risks  Related to  Capital  Requirements.  IHS'  growth  strategy  requires
substantial  capital for the  acquisition  of  additional  home  healthcare  and
related  service   providers  and  geriatric  care  facilities.   The  effective
integration,  operation  and  expansion  of the  existing  businesses  will also
require  substantial  capital.  The Company expects to finance new  acquisitions
from a combination of funds from  operations,  borrowings  under its bank credit
facility  and the  issuance  of  debt  and  equity  securities.  IHS  may  raise
additional capital through the issuance of long-term or short-term  indebtedness
or  the  issuance  of  additional   equity   securities  in  private  or  public
transactions,  at such  times as  management  deems  appropriate  and the market
allows.  Any of such  financings  could  result in dilution  of existing  equity
positions,  increased  interest and amortization  expense or decreased income to
fund future expansion.  There can be no assurance that acceptable  financing for
future  acquisitions or for the integration and expansion of existing businesses
and operations can be obtained.  The Company's bank credit  facility  limits the
Company's  ability to make  acquisitions,  and certain of the  indentures  under
which the Company's  outstanding senior subordinated debt securities were issued
limit the Company's  ability to incur  additional  indebtedness  unless  certain
financial tests are met. See "-- Risks Related to Substantial Indebtedness."

     Risks Related to Recent  Acquisitions.  IHS has recently  completed several
major  acquisitions,  including the acquisitions of First American,  RoTech, CCA
and the Coram Lithotripsy Division and the Facility Acquisition, and is still in
the process of integrating those acquired businesses. The IHS Board of Directors
and senior  management of IHS face a  significant  challenge in their efforts to
integrate the acquired  businesses,  including First American,  RoTech, CCA, the
Coram Lithotripsy Division and the facilities and other businesses acquired from
HEALTHSOUTH. The dedication of management re-

                                       8

<PAGE>

sources to such integration may detract  attention from the day-to-day  business
of IHS. The  difficulties  of  integration  may be increased by the necessity of
coordinating geographically separated organizations,  integrating personnel with
disparate business backgrounds and combining different corporate cultures. There
can be no assurance that there will not be  substantial  costs  associated  with
such  activities  or that there will not be other  material  adverse  effects of
these integration efforts.  Further, there can be no assurance that management's
efforts to integrate the operations of IHS and newly acquired  companies will be
successful or that the anticipated  benefits of the recent  acquisitions will be
fully realized.

     IHS has recently  expanded  significantly  its home healthcare  operations.
During the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997, home healthcare accounted for
approximately 16.3% and 35.4%,  respectively,  of IHS' total revenues.  On a pro
forma  basis,   after  giving  effect  to  the   acquisitions  and  divestitures
consummated by IHS in 1996 and 1997, home healthcare accounted for approximately
28.8% and 29.6% of IHS' total revenues in 1996 and 1997, respectively.  On a pro
forma basis, approximately 70.7% and 73.0% of IHS' home healthcare revenues were
derived  from  Medicare  in  the  years  ended   December  31,  1996  and  1997,
respectively.  On a pro forma basis, after giving effect to the acquisitions and
divestitures  consummated  by  IHS in  1996  and  1997,  home  nursing  services
accounted  for  approximately  64.2%  and  56.2%,  respectively,  of  IHS'  home
healthcare  revenues in these  periods.  Medicare  has  developed a national fee
schedule  for  infusion  therapy  and  home  medical  equipment  which  provides
reimbursement at 80% of the amount of any fee on the schedule. The remaining 20%
is  paid  by  other  third  party  payors  (including  Medicaid  in the  case of
"medically  indigent"  patients)  or  patients.  With  respect to home  nursing,
Medicare generally  reimburses for the cost of providing such services,  up to a
regionally adjusted allowable maximum per visit and per discipline with no fixed
limit on the number of visits prior to 1998. There generally is no deductible or
coinsurance. As a result, there is no reward for efficiency, provided that costs
are below the cap, and traditional home healthcare services carry relatively low
margins.  The Balanced  Budget Act of 1997 (the "BBA"),  enacted in August 1997,
provides  for a reduction in current  cost  reimbursement  for home nursing care
pending implementation of a prospective payment system for home nursing services
for  cost  reporting  periods  beginning  on  or  after  October  1,  1999,  and
implementation of a prospective payment system will be a critical element to the
success  of  IHS'  expansion  into  home  nursing  services.  Based  upon  prior
legislative proposals, IHS believes that a prospective payment system would most
likely provide a healthcare  provider a predetermined  rate for a given service,
with  providers that have costs below the  predetermined  rate being entitled to
keep some or all of this  difference.  There can be no assurance  that  Medicare
will  implement a prospective  payment  system for home nursing  services in the
next several years or at all. The implementation of a prospective payment system
will  require  IHS to make  contingent  payments  related to the First  American
Acquisition  of $155  million over a period of five years.  Until a  prospective
payment system for home nursing  services is introduced,  IHS  anticipates  that
margins for home nursing will remain low and may adversely  impact its financial
performance.  IHS is currently  exploring  ways to reduce the impact of its home
nursing business on its financial performance.  In addition, the BBA reduces the
Medicare  national  payment limits for oxygen and oxygen  equipment used in home
respiratory  therapy by 25% in 1998 and 30% (from 1997  levels) in 1999 and each
subsequent  year.  Approximately  50% of RoTech's  total  revenues for 1997 were
derived  from the  provision  of  oxygen  services  to  Medicare  patients.  The
inability of IHS to realize  operating  efficiencies and provide home healthcare
services at a cost below the  established  Medicare  fee  schedule  could have a
material  adverse effect on IHS' home  healthcare  operations and its post-acute
care network. See "-- Risk of Adverse Effect of Healthcare Reform."

     Reliance on  Reimbursement  by Third  Party  Payors.  The Company  receives
payment for services  rendered to patients  from  private  insurers and patients
themselves,  from the Federal government under Medicare,  and from the states in
which it operates  under  Medicaid.  The healthcare  industry is  experiencing a
trend toward cost  containment,  as government and other third party payors seek
to impose  lower  reimbursement  and  utilization  rates and  negotiate  reduced
payment  schedules  with service  providers.  These cost  containment  measures,
combined with the  increasing  influence of managed care payors and  competition
for  patients,  has  resulted in reduced  rates of  reimbursement  for  services
provided by IHS,  which has  adversely  affected,  and may continue to adversely
affect,  IHS'  margins,   particularly  in  its  skilled  nursing  and  subacute
facilities.  Aspects of certain healthcare reform proposals, such as cutbacks in
the Medicare and Medicaid programs,  reductions in Medicare  reimbursement rates
and/or limitations

                                       9

<PAGE>



on reimbursement  rate increases,  containment of healthcare costs on an interim
basis by means  that  could  include a  short-term  freeze on prices  charged by
healthcare   providers,   and  permitting   greater  state  flexibility  in  the
administration of Medicaid,  could adversely affect the Company. There can be no
assurance that adequate  reimbursement  levels will continue to be available for
services to be provided by IHS which are currently being reimbursed by Medicare,
Medicaid  or  private  payors.  Significant  limits  on the  scope  of  services
reimbursed  and on  reimbursement  rates and fees could have a material  adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations and financial  condition.  See "--
Risk of Adverse  Effect of Healthcare  Reform."  During the years ended December
31, 1995,  1996 and 1997, the Company  derived  approximately  55%, 60% and 66%,
respectively, of its patient revenues from Medicare and Medicaid. On a pro forma
basis after giving effect to the acquisitions  and  divestitures  consummated by
IHS in 1996 and 1997,  approximately  69% of the Company's patient revenues have
been derived from Medicare and Medicaid in each of the years ended  December 31,
1996 and 1997. 

     The sources and amounts of the Company's  patient revenues derived from the
operation of its geriatric care  facilities and MSU programs are determined by a
number of factors, including licensed bed capacity of its facilities,  occupancy
rate, the mix of patients and the rates of reimbursement  among payor categories
(private,  Medicare and Medicaid).  Changes in the mix of the Company's patients
among the private pay, Medicare and Medicaid categories can significantly affect
the  profitability of the Company's  operations.  The Company's cost of care for
its MSU patients  generally exceeds regional  reimbursement  limits  established
under Medicare. The success of the Company's MSU strategy will depend in part on
its  ability  to obtain  per diem rate  approvals  for costs  which  exceed  the
Medicare  established  per diem rate  limits and by  obtaining  waivers of these
limitations.  There can be no assurance  that the Company will be able to obtain
the waivers necessary to enable the Company to recover its excess costs.

     Managed care  organizations  and other third party payors have continued to
consolidate  to enhance  their  ability to influence  the delivery of healthcare
services. Consequently, the healthcare needs of a large percentage of the United
States  population are provided by a small number of managed care  organizations
and third  party  payors.  These  organizations  generally  enter  into  service
agreements with a limited number of providers for needed services. To the extent
such  organizations  terminate  IHS as a preferred  provider  and/or engage IHS'
competitors as a preferred or exclusive  provider,  the business of IHS could be
materially adversely affected.

     Risk of Adverse  Effect of  Healthcare  Reform.  In addition  to  extensive
existing government healthcare regulation, there are numerous initiatives on the
federal and state levels for comprehensive reforms affecting the payment for and
availability of healthcare services,  including a number of proposals that would
significantly limit  reimbursement under Medicare and Medicaid.  It is not clear
at this time what proposals, if any, will be adopted or, if adopted, what effect
such proposals would have on the Company's business. Aspects of certain of these
healthcare  proposals,  such as cutbacks in the Medicare and Medicaid  programs,
containment of healthcare  costs on an interim basis by means that could include
a short-term  freeze on prices charged by healthcare  providers,  and permitting
greater state  flexibility in the  administration  of Medicaid,  could adversely
affect the Company.  The BBA  provides,  among other  things,  for a prospective
payment  system  for  skilled  nursing  facilities  to be  implemented  for cost
reporting  periods  beginning  on or after July 1, 1998, a  prospective  payment
system for home nursing to be implemented for cost reporting  periods  beginning
on or after October 1, 1999, a reduction in current cost  reimbursement for home
nursing care pending implementation of a prospective payment system,  reductions
(effective  January 1,  1998) in  Medicare  reimbursement  for oxygen and oxygen
equipment  for home  respiratory  therapy and a shift of the bulk of home health
coverage from Part A to Part B of Medicare. The BBA also instituted consolidated
billing  for  skilled  nursing  facility  services,  under  which  payments  for
non-physician  Part B services for  beneficiaries  no longer eligible for Part A
skilled  nursing  facility  care  will be made to the  facility,  regardless  of
whether the item or service  was  furnished  by the  facility,  by others  under
arrangement or under any other contracting or consulting arrangement,  effective
for items or services  furnished on or after July 1, 1997.  The inability of IHS
to provide home healthcare  and/or skilled nursing  services at a cost below the
established  Medicare fee schedule could have a material  adverse effect on IHS'
home healthcare operations,  post-acute care network and business generally. IHS
expects that there will continue to be numerous  initiatives  on the federal and
state

                                       10

<PAGE>

levels for  comprehensive  reforms affecting the payment for and availability of
healthcare  services,  including proposals that will further limit reimbursement
under  Medicare and Medicaid.  It is not clear at this time what  proposals,  if
any,  will be adopted or, if adopted,  what effect such  proposals  will have on
IHS' business. See "-- Risks Related to Recent Acquisitions" and "-- Reliance on
Reimbursement  by Third Party  Payors." There can be no assurance that currently
proposed or future healthcare legislation or other changes in the administration
or interpretation of governmental  healthcare  programs will not have an adverse
effect on the Company or that payments under  governmental  programs will remain
at levels  comparable to present levels or will be sufficient to cover the costs
allocable to patients  eligible  for  reimbursement  pursuant to such  programs.
Concern  about  the  potential  effects  of the  proposed  reform  measures  has
contributed to the volatility of prices of securities of companies in healthcare
and related  industries,  including the Company,  and may  similarly  affect the
price  of the  Company's  securities  in the  future.  See  "--  Uncertainty  of
Government Regulation."

     Under the new  prospective  payment  system for Medicare  reimbursement  to
skilled nursing facilities, facilities will receive a pre-established daily rate
for each individual Medicare  beneficiary being cared for, based on the activity
level of the  patient.  The  pre-established  daily rate will cover all routine,
ancillary and capital costs.  It is anticipated  that this  prospective  payment
system   will  be  phased  in  over  four  years  on  a  blended   rate  of  the
facility-specific costs and the new federal per diem, which has not to date been
established.  The blended rate for the first year of transition will take 75% of
the  facility-specific  per diem rate and 25% of the federal  per diem rate.  In
each subsequent  transition year, the  facility-specific per diem rate component
will  decrease by 25% and the federal per diem rate  component  will increase by
25%,  ultimately  resulting in a rate based 100% upon the federal per diem.  The
facility-specific  per diem rate is based upon the  facility's  1995 cost report
for routine,  ancillary and capital  services,  updated using a skilled  nursing
market basket index.  The federal per diem is calculated by the weighted average
of each  facility's  standardized  costs,  based  upon the  historical  national
average per diem for freestanding facilities. Prospective payment for IHS' owned
and leased skilled  nursing  facilities will be effective  beginning  January 1,
1999 for all  facilities  other than the facilities  acquired from  HEALTHSOUTH,
which will become  subject to prospective  payment on June 1, 1999.  Prospective
payment for skilled nursing facilities managed by IHS will be effective for each
facility at the  beginning of its first cost  reporting  period  beginning on or
after July 1, 1998. The new prospective payment system will also cover ancillary
service provided to patients at skilled nursing facilities.

     IHS anticipates  that the prospective  payment system for home nursing will
provide  for  prospectively  established  per visit  payments to be made for all
covered services,  which will then be subject to an annual aggregate per episode
limit at the end of the year.  Home health  agencies that are able to keep their
total  expenses per visit during the year below their per episode  annual limits
will be able to retain a  specified  percentage  of the  difference,  subject to
certain aggregate limitations. Such changes could have a material adverse effect
on the Company and its growth  strategy.  The  implementation  of a  prospective
payment system will require the Company to make contingent  payments  related to
the  acquisition  of First American of $155 million over a period of five years.
The failure to implement a prospective  payment system for home nursing services
in the next several years could  adversely  affect IHS'  post-acute care network
strategy. See "-- Risks Related to Recent Acquisitions."

     With respect to Medicaid,  the BBA repeals the so-called  Boren  Amendment,
which required state Medicaid programs to reimburse  nursing  facilities for the
costs that are incurred by efficiently and  economically  operated  providers in
order to meet  quality  and  safety  standards.  As a  result,  states  now have
considerable flexibility in establishing payment rates.

     Uncertainty  of  Government  Regulation.  The  Company  and the  healthcare
industry generally are subject to extensive federal,  state and local regulation
governing   licensure  and  conduct  of   operations  at  existing   facilities,
construction of new facilities, acquisition of existing facilities, additions of
new services, certain capital expenditures, the quality of services provided and
the manner in which such  services are provided and  reimbursement  for services
rendered.  Changes in applicable laws and regulations or new  interpretations of
existing laws and regulations could have a material adverse effect on licensure,
eligibility for participation,  permissible activities,  operating costs and the
levels of reimbursement  from  governmental  and other sources.  There can be no
assurance that regulatory authorities will not adopt

                                       11

<PAGE>

changes or new  interpretations  of existing  regulations  that could  adversely
affect the  Company.  The failure to maintain or renew any  required  regulatory
approvals or licenses could prevent the Company from offering  existing services
or from obtaining reimbursement. In certain circumstances,  failure to comply at
one  facility  may affect  the  ability  of the  Company  to obtain or  maintain
licenses or approvals under Medicare and Medicaid  programs at other facilities.
In addition, in the conduct of its business the Company's operations are subject
to  review  by  federal  and  state  regulatory  agencies  to  assure  continued
compliance with various standards, their continued licensing under state law and
their certification  under the Medicare and Medicaid programs.  In the course of
these  reviews,  problems are from time to time  identified  by these  agencies.
Although the Company has to date been able to resolve these problems in a manner
satisfactory to the regulatory agencies without a material adverse effect on its
business, there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so in the future.

     In 1995 HCFA  implemented  stricter  guidelines for annual state surveys of
long-term care facilities and expanded remedies  available to enforce compliance
with the detailed regulations mandating minimum healthcare  standards.  Remedies
include  fines,  new patient  admission  moratoriums,  denial of  reimbursement,
federal or state monitoring of operations, closure of facilities and termination
of provider reimbursement agreements.  These provisions eliminate the ability of
operators to appeal the scope and severity of any  deficiencies  and grant state
regulators the authority to impose new remedies,  including monetary  penalties,
denial of payments and  termination  of the right to participate in the Medicare
and/or Medicaid  programs.  The Company believes these new guidelines may result
in an  increase  in the number of  facilities  that will not be in  "substantial
compliance"  with  the  regulations  and,  as a  result,  subject  to  increased
disciplinary actions and remedies,  including admission holds and termination of
the right to participate in the Medicare  and/or Medicaid  programs.  In ranking
facilities,  survey  results  subsequent  to October 1990 are  considered.  As a
result,  the  Company's   acquisition  of  poorly  performing  facilities  could
adversely  affect the Company's  business to the extent  remedies are imposed at
such facilities.

     In September 1997, President Clinton, in an attempt to curb Medicare fraud,
imposed a moratorium on the certification  under Medicare of new home healthcare
companies,  which  moratorium  expired in January 1998,  and  implemented  rules
requiring home healthcare providers to reapply for Medicare  certification every
three years. In addition, HCFA will double the number of detailed audits of home
healthcare  providers it  completes  each year and increase by 25% the number of
home healthcare  claims it reviews each year. IHS cannot predict what effect, if
any,  these new rules will have on IHS'  business and the  expansion of its home
healthcare operations.

     The  Company  is also  subject  to  federal  and state  laws  which  govern
financial and other arrangements between healthcare providers.  These laws often
prohibit  certain  direct and indirect  payments or  fee-splitting  arrangements
between  healthcare  providers  that are  designed  to induce or  encourage  the
referral of patients to, or the  recommendation  of, a  particular  provider for
medical  products and services.  These laws include the federal  "Stark  Bills,"
which  prohibit,  with  limited  exceptions,   financial  relationships  between
ancillary   service  providers  and  referring   physicians,   and  the  federal
"anti-kickback  law," which prohibits,  among other things, the offer,  payment,
solicitation  or receipt of any form of  remuneration in return for the referral
of  Medicare  and  Medicaid  patients.  The Office of  Inspector  General of the
Department  of Health and Human  Services,  the  Department of Justice and other
federal  agencies  interpret  these  fraud and abuse  provisions  liberally  and
enforce them  aggressively.  The BBA contains new civil  monetary  penalties for
violations of these laws and imposes an affirmative  duty on providers to insure
that they do not employ or contract  with  persons  excluded  from the  Medicare
program.  The BBA also  provides a minimum 10 year  period  for  exclusion  from
participation  in Federal  healthcare  programs of persons  convicted of a prior
healthcare  violation.  In  addition,  some  states  restrict  certain  business
relationships  between  physicians and other  providers of healthcare  services.
Many states prohibit business corporations from providing, or holding themselves
out as a provider of, medical care.  Possible  sanctions for violation of any of
these  restrictions or prohibitions  include loss of licensure or eligibility to
participate in reimbursement  programs (including Medicare and Medicaid),  asset
forfeitures  and civil and  criminal  penalties.  These  laws vary from state to
state,  are often  vague  and have  seldom  been  interpreted  by the  courts or
regulatory agencies. The Company seeks to structure its business arrangements in
compliance  with  these  laws and,  from time to time,  the  Company  has sought
guidance

                                       12

<PAGE>

as to the interpretation of such laws;  however,  there can be no assurance that
such  laws  ultimately  will be  interpreted  in a  manner  consistent  with the
practices of the Company.

     Many  states  have  adopted  certificate  of need  or  similar  laws  which
generally require that the appropriate state agency approve certain acquisitions
or capital  expenditures  in excess of defined  levels and determine that a need
exists for certain new bed additions,  new services and the  acquisition of such
medical equipment or capital  expenditures or other changes prior to beds and/or
services  being  added.  Many  states  have  placed  a  moratorium  on  granting
additional  certificates  of need or otherwise  stated their intent not to grant
approval  for new beds.  To the  extent  certificates  of need or other  similar
approvals are required for expansion of the Company's operations, either through
facility  acquisitions  or  expansion  or  provision  of new  services  or other
changes,  such expansion could be adversely affected by the failure or inability
to obtain the necessary  approvals,  changes in the standards applicable to such
approvals and possible delays in, and the expenses  associated  with,  obtaining
such approvals.

     The  Company is unable to predict the future  course of  federal,  state or
local regulation or legislation,  including  Medicare and Medicaid  statutes and
regulations.  Further changes in the regulatory  framework could have a material
adverse  effect on the Company's  business,  results of operations and financial
condition. See "-- Risk of Adverse Effect of Healthcare Reform."

     Competition.  The healthcare  industry is highly competitive and is subject
to  continuing  changes in the  provision  of  services  and the  selection  and
compensation  of providers.  The Company  competes on a local and regional basis
with other  providers  on the basis of the breadth and quality of its  services,
the quality of its facilities and, to a more limited extent,  price. The Company
also  competes  with other  providers  in the  acquisition  and  development  of
additional facilities and service providers. The Company's current and potential
competitors  include  national,  regional and local  operators of geriatric care
facilities,  acute care hospitals and  rehabilitation  hospitals,  extended care
centers,  retirement  centers and  community  home health  agencies,  other home
healthcare companies and similar institutions,  many of which have significantly
greater financial and other resources than the Company. In addition, the Company
competes with a number of tax-exempt  nonprofit  organizations which can finance
acquisitions  and  capital   expenditures  on  a  tax-exempt  basis  or  receive
charitable  contributions  unavailable to the Company. New service introductions
and  enhancements,   acquisitions,  continued  industry  consolidation  and  the
development  of  strategic  relationships  by  IHS'  competitors  could  cause a
significant  decline in sales or loss of market  acceptance  of IHS' services or
intense  price  competition  or  make  IHS'  services  noncompetitive.  Further,
technological  advances  in drug  delivery  systems and the  development  of new
medical  treatments  that cure certain  complex  diseases or reduce the need for
healthcare  services could adversely impact the business of IHS. There can be no
assurance  that IHS will be able to  compete  successfully  against  current  or
future  competitors  or that  competitive  pressures  will not  have a  material
adverse effect on IHS' business,  financial condition and results of operations.
IHS also competes with various  healthcare  providers with respect to attracting
and retaining qualified management and other personnel.  Any significant failure
by IHS to attract and retain  qualified  employees could have a material adverse
effect on its business, results of operations and financial condition.

     Effect of Certain Anti-Takeover Provisions. IHS' Third Restated Certificate
of Incorporation  and By-laws,  as well as the Delaware General  Corporation Law
(the "DGCL"), contain certain provisions that could have the effect of making it
more difficult for a third party to acquire,  or discouraging a third party from
attempting to acquire,  control of IHS. These  provisions  could limit the price
that  certain  investors  might be  willing  to pay in the  future for shares of
Common  Stock.   Certain  of  these  provisions  allow  IHS  to  issue,  without
stockholder  approval,  preferred  stock having voting rights senior to those of
the  Common  Stock.   Other  provisions  impose  various  procedural  and  other
requirements  that  could  make it more  difficult  for  stockholders  to effect
certain corporate actions. In addition, the IHS Stockholders' Rights Plan, which
provides  for  discount  purchase  rights to  certain  stockholders  of IHS upon
certain  acquisitions of 20% or more of the outstanding  shares of Common Stock,
may also inhibit a change in control of IHS. As a Delaware  corporation,  IHS is
subject to Section 203 of the DGCL,  which, in general,  prevents an "interested
stockholder"  (defined  generally  as  a  person  owning  15%  or  more  of  the
corporation's   outstanding   voting   stock)  from   engaging  in  a  "business
combination"  (as defined) for three years following the date such person became
an interested stockholder unless certain conditions are satisfied.

                                       13

<PAGE>

     Possible Volatility of Stock Price. There may be significant  volatility in
the  market  price of the  Common  Stock.  Quarterly  operating  results of IHS,
changes in general  conditions  in the  economy,  the  financial  markets or the
healthcare  industry,  or other  developments  affecting IHS or its competitors,
could cause the market price of the Common Stock to fluctuate substantially.  In
addition,  in recent years the stock market and, in  particular,  the healthcare
industry segment,  has experienced  significant  price and volume  fluctuations.
This  volatility  has  affected the market  price of  securities  issued by many
companies for reasons  unrelated to their  operating  performance.  In the past,
following  periods of volatility in the market price of a company's  securities,
securities  class  action  litigation  has often  been  initiated  against  such
company.  Such litigation  could result in substantial  costs and a diversion of
management's attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect
upon IHS' business, operating results and financial condition.

                                       14

<PAGE>

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

     The Company will not receive any proceeds  from the sale of Common Stock by
the Selling Stockholders.

                             SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

     The following  table sets forth certain  information as of February 1, 1998
(except as  otherwise  indicated)  and as  adjusted  to reflect  the sale of the
Common  Stock in the  offering,  as to the  security  ownership  of the  Selling
Stockholders.  Except as set forth below,  none of the Selling  Stockholders has
held any  position  or office or had any other  material  relationship  with the
Company or any of its predecessors or affiliates within the past three years.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                    SHARES OF                  SHARES OF
                                                                  COMMON STOCK                COMMON STOCK
                                                                  BENEFICIALLY                BENEFICIALLY

                                                                   OWNED PRIOR     SHARES     OWNED AFTER
                                                                   TO OFFERING   BEING SOLD     OFFERING

                                                                 -------------- ------------ -------------
<S>                                                              <C>            <C>          <C>
ARCADIA SERVICES, INC.(1)

 Dale G. Rands .................................................        390            34           356
 Joseph F. Galvin ..............................................        390            34           356
 Stuart Sinai ..................................................        390            34           356
 Ronald H. Riback ..............................................        390            34           356
 James C. Foresman .............................................        390            34           356
 Lawrence N. Dudek .............................................        195            17           178
 Phillip J. Shefferly ..........................................        195            17           178
 David B. Gunsberg .............................................        195            17           178
 David J. Gould and Laura M. Gould, joint tenants with rights

   of survivorship .............................................        195            17           178
 Howard Zoller and Beth Zoller, joint tenants with rights of
   survivorship ................................................        195            17           178
 Michael J. Eizelman and Shelley E. Eizelman, joint tenants with
   rights of survivorship ......................................        195            17           178
 Robert J. Sandler .............................................        780            67           713
 Herbert J. Graebner ...........................................     70,767        13,203        57,564
 Barbara Brewer ................................................      6,899           596         6,303
 Leonard E. Bellinson, Trustee for Leonard E. Bellinson Trust

   Dated 3/1/82 ................................................     45,806        13,742        32,064
 Lawrence S. Jackier Irrevocable Trust U/A/D 9/1/94 ............        390            34           356
 Conbet Associates .............................................     18,397         1,590        16,807
 Beth Elaine Lowenstein Trust U/A/D 7/30/92 ....................      9,198           795         8,403
 Rita M. Lord ..................................................      6,899           596         6,303
 Jill Bader ....................................................     13,797         1,192        12,605
 Charles Bader .................................................     13,797         1,192        12,605
 James C. Foresman and Cheryl A. Busbey, Co-Trustees of the

   Douglas E. Busbey Trust .....................................        390            34           356
 Robert M. Egren ...............................................        531            46           485
 Morris Rochlin ................................................     13,266         1,146        12,120
 Nicholas J. Pyett .............................................      1,062            92           970
 Lawrence S. Jackier, Trustee for Schlussel, Lifton, Simon,

   Rands, Galvin & Jackier .....................................        391            34           357
 Cameron D. Hosner .............................................     11,728         1,014        10,714
 James L. Bellinson ............................................     14,951         3,267        11,684
 Gregory G. Glaesmer ...........................................      4,776           413         4,363
</TABLE>

                                       15

<PAGE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                        SHARES OF                  SHARES OF
                                                      COMMON STOCK                COMMON STOCK
                                                      BENEFICIALLY                BENEFICIALLY

                                                       OWNED PRIOR     SHARES     OWNED AFTER
                                                       TO OFFERING  BEING SOLD      OFFERING

                                                     -------------- ------------ -------------
<S>                                                  <C>            <C>          <C>
 Gerald Vargo ......................................       1,062            92          970
 Arcadia Bidco Corporation .........................      30,760         3,912       26,848
 Mark E. Schlussel .................................         390            34          356
 Donald B. Lifton ..................................         390            34          356
 Joel M. Shere .....................................         195            17          195
 Daniel D. Swanson .................................         195            17          195
 Carol Simon .......................................         390            34          356
 CoreStates Bank, N.A., as Escrow Agent(2) .........      78,568         6,791       71,777
PARAGON REHABILITIVE SERVICES, INC.(3)

 Philip Slive ......................................     345,032       345,032            0
 CoreStates Bank, N.A. as Escrow Agent(2) ..........      16,819        16,819            0
Blass & Driggs(4) ..................................      64,490        64,490            0
Calo Agostino(5) ...................................       9,330         9,330            0
Harbor Side Real Estate Consultants(6) .............       1,098         1,098            0
Maher & Kallas, P.C.(4) ............................       4,803         4,803            0
Panza, Maurer, Maynard & Neel, P.A.(4) .............       5,296         5,296            0
Vinick & Docherty(4) ...............................      16,629        16,629            0
</TABLE>


- ----------


(1) The shares offered hereby represent  additional  shares of Common Stock (the
    "Additional Shares") received in exchange for the stock of Arcadia Services,
    Inc.  ("Arcadia") pursuant to the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization dated
    as of July 24,  1997  because the  average  price of the  531,198  shares of
    Common  Stock issued to the Arcadia  stockholders  at the time of closing of
    the acquisition was higher than the average price of the Common Stock at the
    time such shares were  registered for resale under the  Securities  Act. The
    column  "Shares of Common Stock  Beneficially  Owned Prior to the  Offering"
    include, and the column "Shares of Common Stock Beneficially Owned After the
    Offering"  consist of, shares of Common Stock received at the closing of the
    acquisition. Of the shares of Common Stock being registered hereunder, 6,791
    shares are  currently  being held in escrow,  together with shares issued at
    the closing, to secure indemnification obligations, accounts receivable with
    respect to a litigated matter and merger consideration  adjustments pursuant
    to  the  Agreement  and  Plan  of   Reorganization.   Merger   consideration
    adjustments  may be based on a review of the working  capital and  long-term
    liabilities of Arcadia as of the closing date, all on the terms set forth in
    the Agreement and Plan of Reorganization.

(2) Does  not  include  shares  of  Common   Stock  held  in  escrow  for  other
    acquisitions.

(3) The shares offered hereby were received in exchange for the stock of Paragon
    Rehabilitative Services, Inc. ("Paragon") pursuant to the Agreement and Plan
    of Merger  dated as of January 9, 1998.  Of the shares of Common Stock being
    registered  hereunder,  16,819 shares are currently  being held in escrow to
    secure  indemnification  obligations  and  post-closing  adjustments  to the
    merger  consideration  based on the levels of Paragon's  working capital and
    long-term liabilities on the closing date.

(4) The shares  offered  hereby  were  received  in payment  for legal  services
    rendered to the Company.

(5) The shares  offered  hereby  were  received  in payment  for legal  services
    rendered to the Company.  Does not include shares owned and being offered by
    Harbor Side Real  Estate  Consultants,  a  wholly-owned  subsidiary  of Calo
    Agostino.

(6) The  shares  offered  hereby  were  received  in  payment  for  real  estate
    consulting  services  rendered to the Company.  This Selling  Stockholder is
    owned by Calo Agostino. See Note 5 above.



                                       16

<PAGE>

TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING SELLING STOCKHOLDERS



     On  August  29,  1997,  the  Company  acquired  through  merger  all of the
outstanding  stock of  Arcadia  Services,  Inc.,  a Michigan  corporation  which
provides home health care services,  medical staffing  services and clerical and
light industrial staffing services.  The merger consideration was $17.2 million,
which was paid though the  issuance of 581,451  shares of the  Company's  Common
Stock. The Additional Shares are being offered hereby.

     On January 31, 1998, the Company acquired all the outstanding capital stock
of Paragon  Rehabilitative  Services,  Inc., an Ohio corporation  which provides
contract rehabilitation services to nursing homes, long-term care facilities and
other healthcare  facilities.  The merger consideration was $10.8 million, which
was paid through the issuance of 361,851  shares of the  Company's  Common Stock
(the "Paragon Shares"). The Paragon Shares are being offered hereby. 

                                       17

<PAGE>

                             PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

     The   Company  is   registering   the  Shares  on  behalf  of  the  Selling
Stockholders.  All costs,  expenses and fees in connection with the registration
of  the  Shares  offered  hereby  will  be  borne  by  the  Company.   Brokerage
commissions,  if any,  attributable  to the sale of Shares  will be borne by the
Selling Stockholders (or their donees and pledgees).

     Sales of Shares may be effected  from time to time in  transactions  (which
may include block  transactions)  on the New York Stock Exchange,  in negotiated
transactions,  or a  combination  of such methods of sale, at fixed prices which
may be  changed,  at  market  prices  prevailing  at the  time  of  sale,  or at
negotiated prices.  The Selling  Stockholders have advised the Company that they
have not entered into any agreements,  understandings  or arrangements  with any
underwriters  or  broker-dealers  regarding  the sale of their  securities.  The
Selling  Stockholders  may effect  such  transactions  by selling  Common  Stock
directly to purchasers or to or through  broker-dealers  which may act as agents
or  principals.  Such  broker-dealers  may receive  compensation  in the form of
discounts,  concessions or commissions from the Selling  Stockholder  and/or the
purchasers of Common Stock for whom such  broker-dealers may act as agents or to
whom they sell as  principal,  or both (which  compensation  as to a  particular
broker-dealer  might  be  in  excess  of  customary  commissions).  The  Selling
Stockholders and any broker-dealers  that act in connection with the sale of the
Common Stock might be deemed to be "underwriters"  within the meaning of Section
2(11) of the Securities  Act and any commission  received by them and any profit
on the resale of the shares of Common Stock as  principal  might be deemed to be
underwriting  discounts and  commissions  under the Securities  Act. The Selling
Stockholders  may agree to indemnify  any agent,  dealer or  broker-dealer  that
participates  in  transactions  involving  sales of the shares  against  certain
liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act. Liabilities
under the federal securities laws cannot be waived.

     The  Arcadia  Group has agreed  not to sell in excess of 100,000  shares of
Common Stock during any 30-day  period and to effect sales solely  through Smith
Barney Inc. The holder of the Paragon Shares has agreed not to sell in excess of
75,000  shares of Common  Stock  during  any 30-day  period and to effect  sales
solely through Smith Barney Inc.

     Because the Selling Stockholders may be deemed to be "underwriters"  within
the meaning of Section  2(11) of the  Securities  Act, the Selling  Stockholders
will be subject to prospectus  delivery  requirements  under the Securities Act.
Furthermore,  in the  event of a  "distribution"  of the  Shares,  such  Selling
Stockholder, any selling broker or dealer and any "affiliated purchasers" may be
subject to Regulation M under the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended,
which Regulation would prohibit,  with certain exceptions,  any such person from
bidding for or purchasing any security which is the subject of such distribution
until  his  participation  in  that  distribution  is  completed.  In  addition,
Regulation M under the  Exchange Act  prohibits,  with certain  exceptions,  any
"stabilizing bid" or "stabilizing  purchase" for the purpose of pegging,  fixing
or stabilizing the price of Common Stock in connection with this offering.

     The Selling Stockholders may be entitled under agreements entered into with
the Company to indemnification against liabilities under the Securities Act.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

     Certain  legal  matters  with  respect to the  validity of the Common Stock
offered  hereby have been  passed  upon for the Company by  Fulbright & Jaworski
L.L.P.,  New York,  New York.  At February  28,  1998,  partners of  Fulbright &
Jaworski L.L.P. owned an aggregate of 300 shares of Common Stock.

                                    EXPERTS

     The consolidated  financial statements of Integrated Health Services,  Inc.
and  subsidiaries  as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and for each of the years in
the  three-year  period  ended  December  31,  1997  have been  incorporated  by
reference in this Prospectus and elsewhere in the Registration State-

                                       18

<PAGE>

ment in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, independent certified
public accountants,  incorporated by reference herein, and upon the authority of
said firm as experts in accounting and auditing. The report of KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP refers to changes in  accounting  methods,  in 1995,  to adopt  Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 121 related to  impairment  of  long-lived
assets and, in 1996, from deferring and amortizing  pre-opening costs of Medical
Specialty Units to recording them as expenses when incurred.

     The consolidated financial statements of Community Care of America, Inc. as
of December 31, 1995 and 1996 and for each of the years in the three-year period
ended December 31, 1996 have been  incorporated  by reference in this Prospectus
and in the  Registration  Statement  from IHS' Current Report on Form 8-K (dated
September  25,  1997) in  reliance  upon the  report of KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP,
independent certified public accountants,  incorporated by reference herein, and
upon the  authority  of said firm as experts in  accounting  and  auditing.  The
report of KPMG Peat  Marwick  LLP refers to the change in  accounting  method in
1996 to adopt  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 121 relating to
the impairment of long-lived assets.

     The financial  statements of RoTech Medical Corporation as of July 31, 1996
and 1997 and for each of the years in the three year period  ended July 31, 1997
incorporated in this Prospectus and in the  Registration  Statement by reference
from IHS' Current  Report on Form 8-K (dated October 21, 1997) have been audited
by Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their report, which
is incorporated  herein by reference,  and have been so incorporated in reliance
upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting
and auditing.



     The financial  statements of selected  facilities  operated by  Horizon/CMS
Healthcare Corporation to be sold to Integrated Health Services,  Inc. as of May
31, 1997 and 1996 and for each of the years in the three year  period  ended May
31, 1997  incorporated in this Prospectus and in the  Registration  Statement by
reference  from IHS' Current  Report on Form 8-K (dated  December 31, 1997) have
been audited by Arthur Andersen LLP,  independent  auditors,  as stated in their
report, which is incorporated herein by reference, and have been so incorporated
in reliance  upon the report of such firm given upon their  authority as experts
in accounting and auditing. 

                                       19

<PAGE>

- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
       NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED  IN  CONNECTION  WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO
GIVE  ANY  INFORMATION  OR TO MAKE  ANY  REPRESENTATION  NOT  CONTAINED  IN THIS
PROSPECTUS,  AND, IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION  MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN  AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY.  THIS  PROSPECTUS DOES
NOT  CONSTITUTE  AN  OFFER  TO SELL OR A  SOLICITATION  OF AN  OFFER  TO BUY ANY
SECURITY OTHER THAN THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED  HEREBY,  NOR DOES IT CONSTITUTE AN
OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY OF THE SECURITIES OFFERED
HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH AN
OFFER OR SOLICITATION. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE
HEREUNDER  SHALL  UNDER  ANY  CIRCUMSTANCES  CREATE  ANY  IMPLICATION  THAT  THE
INFORMATION  CONTAINED  HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE  SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE
HEREOF.

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

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                         PAGE

                                        -----
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information ...............    2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by

   Reference ........................    3
The Company .........................    4
Risk Factors ........................    6
Use of Proceeds .....................   15
Selling Stockholders ................   15
Plan of Distribution ................   18
Legal Matters .......................   18
Experts .............................   18
</TABLE>


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


                                    513,753

                                    SHARES



[GRAPHIC OMITTED]

                               INTEGRATED HEALTH
                                SERVICES, INC.

                                 COMMON STOCK

                      -----------------------------------
                                  PROSPECTUS

                     -----------------------------------
                                       , 1998

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

<PAGE>

                                    PART II

                    INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.

     The  following  is an itemized  statement of the  estimated  amounts of all
expenses  payable by the Registrant in connection  with the  registration of the
Shares:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                 ITEM                                       AMOUNT

- ---------------------------------------------------------------------   --------------
<S>                                                                     <C>
     Registration Fee - Securities and Exchange Commission ..........   $  5,901.26
     Legal, accounting and printing fees and expenses ...............      27,000.00*
     Miscellaneous ..................................................       2,098.74*
                                                                        ------------
        Total .......................................................    $ 35,000.00*
                                                                        ============
</TABLE>


- ----------
* Estimated.

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

     Under the DGCL, a corporation may include  provisions in its certificate of
incorporation that will relieve its directors of monetary liability for breaches
of their fiduciary duty to the corporation,  except under certain circumstances,
including a breach of the director's  duty of loyalty,  acts or omissions of the
director not in good faith or which involve intentional  misconduct or a knowing
violation  of law,  the  approval  of an  improper  payment of a dividend  or an
improper  purchase by the corporation of stock or any transaction from which the
director  derived an improper  personal  benefit.  The Company's  Third Restated
Certificate of Incorporation,  as amended, provides that the Company's directors
are not liable to the  Company or its  stockholders  for  monetary  damages  for
breach of their fiduciary duty, subject to the described exceptions specified by
the DGCL.

     Section 145 of the DGCL grants to the Company the power to  indemnify  each
officer and director of the Company against liabilities and expenses incurred by
reason of the fact that he is or was an officer or director of the Company if he
acted in good  faith  and in a manner  he  reasonably  believed  to be in or not
opposed to the best  interests of the Company and,  with respect to any criminal
action or  proceeding,  had no  reasonable  cause to  believe  his  conduct  was
unlawful. The Company's Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended,
and  By-laws,  as  amended,  provide  for  indemnification  of each  officer and
director  of the  Company  to the  fullest  extent  permitted  by the  DGCL.  In
addition,  IHS has entered into  indemnity  agreements  with its  directors  and
executive  officers,  a form of  which is  included  as  Exhibit  10.72 to IHS's
Registration  Statement on Form S-1,  No.  33-39339,  effective  March 31, 1992.
Section  145 of the DGCL also  empowers  the Company to  purchase  and  maintain
insurance  on behalf of any person who is or was an officer or  director  of the
Company  against  liability  asserted  against  or  incurred  by him in any such
capacity,  whether or not the  Company  would have the power to  indemnify  such
officer or director  against such liability under the provisions of Section 145.
The Company has  purchased and  maintains a directors'  and officers'  liability
policy for such purposes.

     The agreements  pursuant to which the Arcadia Shares and the Paragon Shares
were issued (Exhibits 2.1 and 2.2,  respectively) provide for indemnification by
the sellers thereunder of the Company and its controlling persons, directors and
officers  for  certain  liabilities,  including  liabilities  arising  under the
Securities Act.

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS.


<TABLE>

<S>           <C>  

2.1      --    Agreement and Plan of Reorganization,  dated as of July 24, 1997,
               among the  Company,  Integrated  AG  Acquisition,  Inc.,  Arcadia
               Services, Inc. and the other parties thereto.(1)

2.2      --    Agreement  and Plan of Merger dated as of January 9, 1998,  among
               Integrated Health Ser- vices,  Inc., IHS Acquisition  XXXIV, Inc.
               and Paragon Rehabilitative Services, Inc. and Phillip Slive.

4.1      --    Third Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation,  as amended.  (2)

  </TABLE>


                                      II-1

<PAGE>


<TABLE>

<S>       <C>  <C>

 4.2      --   Amendment to the Third  Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation,
               dated May 26, 1995. (3)
 4.3      --   Certificate  of  Designation  of  Series A  Junior  Participating
               Cumulative Preferred Stock (4)
 4.4      --   By-laws, as amended. (5)
5         --   Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
23.1      --   Consents of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
23.2      --   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2      --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
23.4      --   Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).
24        --   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).

</TABLE>


- ----------
(1)  Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
     Form S-3 (No. 333-41973).

(2)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form
     S-3, No. 33-77754, effective June 29, 1994.

(3)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form
     S-4, No. 33-94130, effective September 15, 1995.

(4)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
     September 27, 1995.

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

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS.

     (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

       (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
   post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

          (i) To include  any  prospectus  required  by Section  10(a)(3) of the
          Securities Act of 1933;

          (ii) To reflect in the  prospectus  any facts or events  arising after
          the effective date of the  registration  statement (or the most recent
          post-effective  amendment  thereof)  which,  individually  or  in  the
          aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
          in the registration statement;

          (iii) To include any material  information with respect to the plan of
          distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or
          any material change to such information in the registration statement;

     Provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if
the information  required to be included in a post-effective  amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant  pursuant to
Section  13 or Section  15(d) of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 that are
incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

          (2) That,  for the  purpose of  determining  any  liability  under the
     Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective  amendment shall be deemed
     to be a new  registration  statement  relating  to the  securities  offered
     therein,  and the offering of such  securities at that time shall be deemed
     to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any  of  the  securities  being  registered  which  remain  unsold  at  the
     termination of the offering.

     (b) The  undersigned  registrant  hereby  undertakes  that, for purposes of
determining  any liability  under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's  annual  report  pursuant to Section  13(a) or Section 15(d) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934  that is  incorporated  by  reference  in the
registration  statement  shall  be  deemed  to be a new  registration  statement
relating to the securities offered therein,  and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

                                      II-2

<PAGE>

     (c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors,  officers and controlling  persons of
the registrant  pursuant to the  provisions  described  under Item 15 above,  or
otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities
and  Exchange  Commission  such  indemnification  is  against  public  policy as
expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim
for  indemnification  against  such  liabilities  (other than the payment by the
registrant of expenses  incurred or paid by a director,  officer or  controlling
person of the  registrant  in the  successful  defense  of any  action,  suit or
proceeding)  is  asserted by such  director,  officer or  controlling  person in
connection with the securities being registered,  the registrant will, unless in
the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent,
submit  to a  court  of  appropriate  jurisdiction  the  question  whether  such
indemnification  by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will
be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

                                      II-3

<PAGE>

                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement  to be  signed  on its  behalf  by  the  undersigned,  thereunto  duly
authorized, in the City of Owings Mills, State of Maryland on March 30, 1998.

                                        INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                                    By: /s/ Robert N. Elkins

                                        ------------------------------------
                                        Robert N. Elkins, Chairman of the Board,
                                           President and Chief Executive
                                              Officer

                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

     KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS,  that each person whose  signature  appears
below  constitutes and appoints Robert N. Elkins and C. Taylor Pickett,  jointly
and severally,  his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, each with full
power of substitution  and  resubstitution,  for him and in his name,  place and
stead,  in any  and all  capacities,  to sign  any  and all  amendments  to this
registration  statement,  and to file the same, with exhibits thereto, and other
documents in connection therewith,  with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
granting unto said  attorneys-in-fact  and agents,  and each of them, full power
and  authority  to do and  perform  each and every act and  thing  requisite  or
necessary  to be done in and about the  premises,  as fully to all  intents  and
purposes as he might or could do in person,  hereby ratifying and confirming all
that  each  of  said   attorneys-in-fact   and  agents,  or  his  substitute  or
substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

     Pursuant to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Act of 1933, as amended,
this  Registration  Statement has been signed below by the following  persons in
the capacities and on the dates indicated.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

           SIGNATURE                             TITLE                       DATE

- -------------------------------   ----------------------------------   ---------------
<S>                               <C>                                  <C>
        /s/ ROBERT N. ELKINS      Chairman of the Board, President     March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------     and Chief Executive Officer
      (Robert N. Elkins)         (Principal Executive Officer)

                                  
       /s/ EDWIN M. CRAWFORD      Director                             March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------
     (Edwin M. Crawford )

       /s/ KENNETH M. MAZIK       Director                             March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------
      (Kenneth M. Mazik)

      /s/ ROBERT A. MITCHELL      Director                             March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------
     (Robert A. Mitchell)

   /s/ CHARLES W. NEWHALL, III    Director                             March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------
    (Charles W. Newhall, III)

     /s/ TIMOTHY F. NICHOLSON     Director                             March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------
     (Timothy F. Nicholson)

</TABLE>

                                      II-4

<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

           SIGNATURE                             TITLE                        DATE

- -------------------------------   -----------------------------------   ---------------
<S>                               <C>                                   <C>
       /s/ JOHN L. SILVERMAN      Director                              March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------
      (John L. Silverman)

       /s/ GEORGE H. STRONG       Director                              March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------
      (George H. Strong)

       /s/ C. TAYLOR PICKETT      Executive Vice President-             March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------     Chief Financial Officer (Principal
      (C. Taylor Pickett)         Financial Officer)                    


      /s/ W. BRADLEY BENNETT      Executive Vice President-             March 30, 1998
- -----------------------------     Chief Accounting Officer
     (W. Bradley Bennett)         (Principal Accounting Officer)                     

 </TABLE>

                                      II-5

<PAGE>

                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  EXHIBIT

    NO.                                            DESCRIPTION                                     PAGE NO.
- ----------      --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
<S>        <C>  <C>                                                                               <C>
  2.1      --   Agreement and Plan of Reorganization, dated as of July 24, 1997, among the
                Company, Integrated AG Acquisition, Inc., Arcadia Services, Inc. and the other
                parties thereto.(1)

  2.2      --   Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of January 9, 1998, among Integrated
                Health Services, Inc., IHS Acquisition XXXIV, Inc. and Paragon Rehabilitative
                Services, Inc. and Phillip Slive.

  4.1      --   Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended. (2)
  4.2      --   Amendment to the Third Restated Certificate of Incorporation, dated May 26,
                1995. (3)

  4.3      --   Certificate of Designation of Series A Junior Participating Cumulative Preferred
                Stock (4)
  4.4      --   By-laws, as amended. (5)
   5       --   Opinion of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.
 23.1      --   Consents of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP.
 23.2      --   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.
 23.2      --   Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP
 23.4      --   Consent of Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P. (included in Exhibit 5).
  24       --   Power of Attorney (included on signature page).

</TABLE>


- ----------
(1)  Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on
     Form S-3 (No. 333-41973).
(2)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form
     S-3, No. 33-77754, effective June 29, 1994.
(3)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's  Registration  Statement on Form
     S-4, No. 33-94130, effective September 15, 1995.
(4)  Incorporated by reference to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated
     September 27, 1995.
(5)  Incorporated by reference the Company's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
     year ended December 31, 1997.






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

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

                           DATED AS OF JANUARY 9, 1998

                                      AMONG

                        INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.,

                           IHS ACQUISITION XXXIV, INC.

                                       AND

                      PARAGON REHABILITATIVE SERVICES, INC.

                                       AND

                                  PHILLIP SLIVE

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



<PAGE>



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

                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----

ARTICLE I: MERGER..............................................................1
         1.1      Merger.......................................................1
         1.2      Taking of Necessary Action...................................1

ARTICLE II: MERGER CONSIDERATION...............................................2
         2.1      Conversion of Stock; Form of Payment.........................2
         2.2      Adjustments to the Merger Consideration......................2
         2.3      Escrow.......................................................4
         2.4      No Fractional Shares.........................................5
         2.5      Assets.......................................................5
         2.6      Liabilities..................................................5
         2.7      Designated Contracts.........................................6
         2.8      Tax Considerations...........................................6

ARTICLE III:  IHS STOCK........................................................6
         3.1      IHS Stock....................................................6

ARTICLE IV:  THE CLOSING......................................................10
         4.1      Time and Place of Closing...................................10
         4.2      Filings at Closing..........................................10
         4.3      Effective Time..............................................11

ARTICLE V:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER AND
         COMPANY..............................................................11
         5.1      Organization and Standing of the Company....................11
         5.2      Absence of Conflicting Agreements...........................11
         5.3      Consents....................................................11
         5.4      Company Stock...............................................11
         5.5      Assets......................................................12
         5.6      Trademarks..................................................12
         5.7      Contracts...................................................12
         5.8      Financial Statements........................................14
         5.9      Material Changes............................................14
         5.10     Licenses; Permits; Certificates of Need.....................14
         5.11     Title, Condition of Personal Property.......................15
         5.12     Legal Proceedings...........................................16
         5.13     Employees...................................................16
         5.14     Collective Bargaining,  Labor Contracts,  Employment
                  Practices, Etc..............................................16
         5.15     ERISA.......................................................17
         5.16     Insurance and Surety Agreements.............................18


                                       (i)


<PAGE>



         5.17     Relationships...............................................18
         5.18     Absence of Certain Events...................................18
         5.19     Compliance with Laws........................................20
         5.20     Finders.....................................................20
         5.21     Taxes.......................................................21
         5.22     Encumbrances Created by this Agreement......................21
         5.23     Subsidiaries and Joint Ventures.............................21
         5.24     No Untrue Statement.........................................21
         5.25     Medicare and Medicaid.......................................21
         5.26     Leasehold Interests.........................................22
         5.27     Power and Authority.........................................22
         5.28     Binding Effect..............................................22
         5.29     Questionnaires..............................................22
         5.30     Questionable Payments.......................................22

ARTICLE VI:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER ........................23
         6.1      Authority...................................................23
         6.2      Binding Effect..............................................23
         6.3      Absence of Conflicting Agreements...........................23
         6.4      Consents....................................................23
         6.5      Ownership of Company Stock..................................23

ARTICLE VII:  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER.........................23
         7.1      Organization and Standing...................................23
         7.2      Power and Authority.........................................24
         7.3      Binding Agreement...........................................24
         7.4      Absence of Conflicting Agreements...........................24
         7.5      Consents....................................................24
         7.6      Securities and Exchange Commission Filings..................24
         7.7      Duly Authorized Shares......................................25

ARTICLE VIII: INFORMATION AND RECORDS CONCERNING THE COMPANY AND
         ITS SUBSIDIARIES.....................................................25
         8.1      Access to Information and Records before Closing............25
         8.2      Confidentiality.............................................25

ARTICLE IX: OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES UNTIL CLOSING..........................26
         9.1      Conduct of Business Pending Closing.........................26
         9.2      Negative Covenants of the Company...........................26
         9.3      Affirmative Covenants.......................................26
         9.4      Pursuit of Consents and Approvals...........................27
         9.5      Supplementary Financial Information.........................28
         9.6      Exclusivity.................................................28


                                      (ii)


<PAGE>



         9.7      Purchase of Receivables.....................................28
         9.8      Collection of  Receivables..................................29

ARTICLE X:  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS.......................30
         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
         10.6     Authorization Documents.....................................31
         10.7     Material Change.............................................31
         10.8     Approvals...................................................31
         10.9     Employment Agreement........................................31
         10.10    Consents....................................................31
         10.11    Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet........................31
         10.12    Real Property Consents......................................32
         10.13    Cost and Expenses...........................................32
         10.14    Stock Certificates..........................................32
         10.15    Other Documents.............................................32

ARTICLE XI:  CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLER'S 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..........................................33
         11.5     Legal Matters...............................................33
         11.6     Authorization Documents.....................................33
         11.7     Employment Agreement........................................33
         11.8     Other Documents.............................................33

ARTICLE XII: OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES AFTER CLOSING.........................33
         12.1     Survival of Representations and Warranties..................33
         12.2     Indemnification by Seller and Company.......................33
         12.3     Indemnification by Buyer....................................34
         12.4     Assertion of Claims.........................................34
         12.5     Indemnity Basket and Cap....................................35
         12.6     Control of Defense of Indemnifiable Claims..................35
         12.7     Restrictions................................................36
         12.8     Records.....................................................37
         12.9     Stub-Period Tax Return......................................37

ARTICLE XIII:  TERMINATION....................................................37
         13.1     Termination.................................................37


                                      (iii)


<PAGE>


         13.2     Effect of Termination.......................................37

ARTICLE XIV: CASUALTY, RISK OF LOSS...........................................37
         14.1     Casualty, Risk of Loss......................................37

ARTICLE XV:  MISCELLANEOUS....................................................38
         15.1     Costs and Expenses..........................................38
         15.2     Performance.................................................38
         15.3     Benefit and Assignment......................................38
         15.4     Effect and Construction of this Agreement...................38
         15.5     Cooperation - Further Assistance............................38
         15.6     Notices.....................................................39
         15.7     Waiver, Discharge, Etc......................................39
         15.8     Rights of Persons Not Parties...............................39
         15.9     Governing Law...............................................40
         15.10    Amendments, Supplements, Etc................................40
         15.11    Severability................................................40
         15.12    Counterparts................................................40
         15.13    Public Announcements........................................40
         15.14    Arbitration.................................................40
         15.15    No Contribution or Indemnity................................41


                                      (iv)


<PAGE>



                              SCHEDULES & EXHIBITS

Schedule 2.7           -     Designated Contracts
Schedule 5.3           -     Consent List of Seller
Schedule 5.4           -     Company Stock
Schedule 5.6           -     Trademarks
Schedule 5.7           -     Contracts
Schedule 5.8(a)        -     Unaudited Financial Statements
Schedule 5.8(b)        -     Unaudited Interim Financial Statements
Schedule 5.8(c)        -     Material Liabilities
Schedule 5.9           -     Material Changes
Schedule 5.10          -     Licenses and Permits
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 5.21          -     Tax Returns
Schedule 5.25          -     Medicare and Medicaid Programs
Schedule 5.26          -     Leasehold Interests

Exhibit 2.3            -     Escrow Agreement
Exhibit 5.29           -     Questionnaire
Exhibit 9.7            -     Bill of Sale and Assignment for Accounts Receivable
Exhibit 10.4           -     Opinion of Counsel to Seller and Company
Exhibit 10.9           -     Employment Agreement
Exhibit 11.4           -     Opinion of Buyer's Counsel




                                       (v)


<PAGE>



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

                          AGREEMENT AND PLAN OF MERGER

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


     This Agreement and Plan of Merger (the  "AGREEMENT")  is made as of the 9th
day of  January,  1998,  among  INTEGRATED  HEALTH  SERVICES,  INC.,  a Delaware
corporation  ("BUYER"),  IHS  ACQUISITION  XXXIV,  INC., a Delaware  corporation
("Newco"),  PHILIP SLIVE (the  "SELLER")  and PARAGON  REHABILITATIVE  SERVICES,
INC., an Ohio corporation (the "Company").

     WHEREAS,   the   Company  is  in  the   business  of   providing   contract
rehabilitation  services to nursing homes,  long-term care  facilities and other
health care facilities (the "Services"); and

     WHEREAS,  all of the issued and outstanding  shares of the capital stock of
the Company (the "Company Stock") is owned and held of record by the Seller; and

     WHEREAS, Newco is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Buyer; and

     WHEREAS,  the Seller and the Boards of Directors of Buyer,  Newco,  and the
Company deem it  advisable to merge the Company with and into Newco  pursuant to
this Agreement (the "Merger"); and

     WHEREAS,   the  parties  intend  and  contemplate  that  the  merger  shall
constitute a forward  triangular  merger  qualifying as a Type A  reorganization
with the  meaning of  Section  368(a)(1)(A)  and  368(a)(2)(D)  of the  Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; and

     WHEREAS,  pursuant to the Merger,  all shares of the Company  Stock will be
converted  into the right to receive  the Merger  Consideration  (as  defined in
Section 2.1 of this Agreement).

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

                                ARTICLE I: MERGER

     1.1 MERGER.  Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement,  at the
Effective Time of Merger (as defined in Article IV, below), the Company shall be
merged  with and into Newco and the  separate  existence  of the  Company  shall
cease.

     1.2 TAKING OF NECESSARY  ACTION.  Prior to and after the Effective  Time of
Merger, subject to the provisions of this Agreement,  each of the Seller, Buyer,
Newco,  and the  Company  shall  take all such  action  as may be  necessary  or
appropriate in order to effect the Merger as contemplated  hereunder. In case at
any time after the Effective  Time of Merger any further  action


<PAGE>

is  necessary or  desirable  to carry out the  purposes of this  Agreement,  the
parties shall take all such necessary action.


                        ARTICLE II: MERGER CONSIDERATION

     2.1 CONVERSION OF STOCK; FORM OF PAYMENT.

          (A) At the Effective Time of Merger, the shares of Company Stock which
are issued and  outstanding  immediately  prior to the Effective  Time of Merger
shall,  without any action by the holder thereof, be converted into the right to
receive that number of shares of the common stock of Buyer,  par value $.001 per
share ("IHS Stock") determined as of the Closing Date in accordance with Section
3.1(a) hereof, as shall have an aggregate value,  subject to adjustment pursuant
to  Section  2.3  below,  of ELEVEN  MILLION  TWO  HUNDRED  THOUSAND  AND 00/100
($11,200,000) DOLLARS (the "Merger Consideration").

          (B) At the Effective Time of Merger, the Seller, as the sole holder of
the  certificate or  certificates  evidencing all of the  outstanding  shares of
Company Stock,  upon surrender of such  certificate  or  certificates,  shall be
entitled  to  receive,  and shall  receive,  in  exchange  therefor  the  Merger
Consideration  represented by the  certificate or  certificates  so surrendered.
Until so surrendered,  each such  outstanding  certificate  which,  prior to the
Effective Time of the Merger, represented shares of Company Stock shall evidence
the right to receive the Merger Consideration represented by such certificate or
certificates. Upon surrender of such certificates, they shall be duly cancelled.

     2.2 ADJUSTMENTS TO THE MERGER CONSIDERATION.

               (A) At the  Closing,  the  Company  shall  deliver a  certificate
signed by its President certifying the amount of the Company's aggregate working
capital (as defined herein) as of the Closing Date on a consolidated  basis (the
"ESTIMATED CLOSING DATE WORKING CAPITAL"). If the Estimated Closing Date Working
Capital is less than  $2,500,000  (the "Minimum  Working  CAPITAL"),  the Merger
Consideration will be reduced on a dollar-for-dollar basis by an amount equal to
the amount of such deficiency.  Additionally,  at the Closing, the Company shall
deliver to Buyer the balance sheet of the Company on a consolidated  basis dated
as of the Closing Date, certified by the Company's President to be his best good
faith estimate  thereof (the  "Estimated  Closing Date BALANCE  SHEET").  In the
event that the Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet discloses that the aggregate
amount of the Company's  long-term  liabilities as determined in accordance with
GAAP exceeds $5,000, the Merger Consideration will be reduced by an amount equal
to the amount of such excess.  For the purposes hereof,  "working capital" means
the  excess of  current  assets  over  current  liabilities,  as  determined  in
accordance with generally accepted accounting  principals,  consistently applied
("GAAP"),  and "long term liability" means any liability that would be set forth
as a long-term  liability on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP;  provided,
that for purposes hereof "working capital" shall include, without limitation and
whether or not required by GAAP, all current  liabilities  for Taxes (defined in
Section 5.21), and "long term liability" shall include,  without  limitation and
whether or not required by GAAP, all long term  liabilities for Taxes, in either
case

                                       2

<PAGE>



which Taxes are or would be  attributable  to the Company as of the Closing Date
giving effect to the transactions  contemplated hereby, including any such Taxes
based on the  change in  status  of the  Company  from an S  corporation  to a C
corporation  or based on the change in status of the  Company  from a cash basis
taxpayer to an accrual basis taxpayer.



               (B) As soon as is reasonably practicable, but in any event within
one hundred twenty (120) days following the Closing Date, Buyer shall complete a
review of the Company's  Estimated  Closing Date Balance Sheet and the following
shall occur:

          (1) If such review  reveals that the Company's  working  capital as of
     the  Closing  Date was less  than the  lesser  of (i) the  Minimum  Working
     Capital,  and (ii) the Estimated  Closing Date Working Capital,  the Merger
     Consideration  shall be deemed to have been  reduced  by the amount of such
     deficiency,  and not later than fifteen (15)  business  days after  written
     notice  thereof is delivered by Buyer to Escrowee (as defined below) and to
     Seller  (which  notice  shall  include a  calculation  of the amount of the
     working  capital  deficiency),  the  Escrowee  shall,  subject to objection
     raised pursuant to subparagraph (c) below,  deliver over to Buyer shares of
     IHS Stock having a value,  determined in accordance with Section  2.3(a)(v)
     below, equal to the amount of such deficiency.  In the event the deficiency
     exceeds the Escrow  Deposit (as defined  below) held by the  Escrowee,  the
     Seller  shall refund to Buyer the amount of such  deficiency  in IHS Stock,
     valued in accordance with Section 2.3(a)(v) below.

          (2) If such  review  reveals  the  aggregate  amount of the  Company's
     long-term  liabilities  as of the Closing Date  exceeded the greater of (i)
     $5,000,  or (ii) the  amount  of the  Company's  long-term  liabilities  as
     indicated  on  the  Estimated   Closing  Date  Balance  Sheet,  the  Merger
     Consideration  shall be deemed to have been  reduced  by the amount of such
     excess,  and not later than fifteen (15) business days after written notice
     thereof is delivered by Buyer to Escrowee and to Seller (which notice shall
     include a calculation of the excess  long-term  liabilities),  the Escrowee
     shall,  subject to objection  raised  pursuant to  subparagraph  (c) below,
     deliver  over to Buyer shares of IHS Stock  having a value,  determined  in
     accordance  with  Section  2.3(a)(v)  below,  equal to the  amount  of such
     excess.  In the event the amount of such excess is greater  than the Escrow
     Deposit held by the  Escrowee,  the Seller shall refund to Buyer the amount
     of  such  deficiency  in IHS  Stock,  valued  in  accordance  with  Section
     2.3(a)(v) below.

               (C) If Seller  shall in good faith  dispute the amount of working
capital  or  long-term  liabilities  of the  Company  as set forth in any notice
delivered by Buyer pursuant to Section 2.2(b) above (an "Adjustment Notice"), he
shall,  within fifteen (15) business days after delivery to him of an Adjustment
Notice, give notice to Buyer and to Escrowee (a "Delay Payment Notice") that all
or any portion of the payment  specified should not be made and setting forth in
reasonable detail his objections and basis therefor,  in which case the disputed
portion of any payment otherwise  required to be made pursuant to Section 2.2(b)
above shall be delayed,  the  undisputed  portion of any payment  required to be
made  pursuant to Section  2.2(b)  above shall be made in  accordance  with said
subsection, and Buyer and Seller shall meet and in good faith attempt to resolve
any  disagreements

                                       3

<PAGE>



within  thirty (30) days after  delivery to Buyer of the Delay  Payment  Notice.
Except to the extent expressly set forth in a Delay Payment Notice,  the working
capital and long-term liabilities set forth in the Adjustment Notice(s) shall be
deemed accepted by the Seller and shall be conclusive and binding on all parties
hereto. If a Delay Payment Notice is timely delivered and the parties are unable
to  resolve  such  disagreements  within  such time  period,  the  disagreements
referred to in the Delay  Payment  Notice shall be referred to KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP  ("Arbitrating  Accountants"),  and  the  determination  of the  Arbitrating
Accountants  shall be final and  binding on the  parties  hereto.  The costs and
expenses of the services of the  Arbitrating  Accountants  shall be borne by the
party against whom the Arbitrating  Accountants shall rule; provided that if the
Arbitrating  Accountants  shall not clearly  rule  against any party,  then such
costs and expenses shall be borne equally by Seller, on the one hand, and Buyer,
on the other hand.  On the business day  following  the final  resolution of any
matter  covered  by a  Delay  Payment  Notice,  Escrowee  or  Seller  shall,  as
applicable,  pay to Buyer any delayed payment to the extent determined to be due
to Buyer in accordance with such resolution.

     2.3 ESCROW.

          (A) 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 Merger
Consideration as shall be equal to FIVE HUNDRED THOUSAND ($500,000) DOLLARS (the
"Escrow Deposit"),  based upon the valuation  described in Section 3.1(a) below,
shall be delivered by Buyer, on behalf of the Seller,  to CoreStates Bank, N.A.,
as escrow  agent  (the  "Escrowee").  The  Escrow  Deposit  shall be held to pay
post-Closing  adjustments  and to  indemnify  against  any  claim  which  may be
asserted, pursuant to Sections 12.2 and 12.4 hereof. The Escrow Deposit shall be
held and disbursed by the Escrowee in accordance with the following:

               (I) In the event that the Seller  becomes  obligated to remit IHS
Stock  back to Buyer  pursuant  to the  post-Closing  adjustments  set  forth in
Section  2.2(b),  the Escrowee shall release to Buyer that portion of the Escrow
Deposit  as  shall  have a  value  equal  to the  amount  by  which  the  Merger
Consideration is so reduced.

               (II)  In  the  event   that  the  Buyer   becomes   entitled   to
indemnification  pursuant to Section 12.2,  the Escrowee  shall release to Buyer
that  portion  of the  Escrow  Deposit  as  shall  be  equal  in  value  to such
indemnification.

               (III) If no  claim  for  indemnification  on the part of Buyer is
outstanding  upon the expiration of one (1) year following the Closing Date, any
remaining Escrow Deposit (less any amounts offset for claims pursuant to Section
2.3(a)(i) and (ii)) shall be released to the Seller.

               (IV) If any claim(s) for  indemnification on the part of Buyer is
(are)  outstanding  upon the  expiration  of one (1) year  following the Closing
Date,  then any Escrow Deposit (less any amounts  offset for claims  pursuant to
Section 2.3(a)(i) and (ii)) (including all accrued

                                       4

<PAGE>



interest thereon)  remaining (after  resolution of the outstanding  claim(s) and
payment in respect thereof,  if any is owing,  shall be made), shall be released
to the Seller promptly after resolution of such claim(s).

               (V) The value of any IHS Stock to be  delivered to Buyer from the
Escrow Deposit shall be calculated  based upon the average closing NYSE price of
such stock for the thirty (30)  business day period  immediately  preceding  the
date which is two (2) days before the date of such delivery.


          (B) The  costs,  fees  and  expenses  of the  Escrowee  shall be borne
equally by Buyer, on the one hand, and the Seller, on the other hand.

     2.4 NO FRACTIONAL SHARES. No certificates or scrip representing  fractional
shares  of IHS  Stock  shall  be  issued  upon  the  surrender  or  exchange  of
certificates  representing  shares of Company Stock.  Notwithstanding  any other
provision of this Agreement, if the Seller would otherwise have been entitled to
receive  a  fraction  of a share of IHS Stock for the  shares of  Company  Stock
exchanged pursuant to the Merger,  Seller shall receive,  in lieu thereof,  cash
(without  interest) in an amount equal to such fractional part of a share of IHS
Stock  multiplied  by the value of such  share  determined  in  accordance  with
Section 3.1(a) below.

     2.5 ASSETS. 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 as presently constituted,  including,  without limitation,  all contract
rights and claims, leasehold interests, fixed and moveable equipment,  vehicles,
furnishings,  tangible  personal  property,  inventory and supplies  (other than
inventory,  and  supplies  disposed  of in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,
consistent with past practice),  goodwill, trade names, trademarks,  all patient
records, books and files, Medicare and Medicaid provider agreements and numbers,
provider  agreements  with third party  payors,  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,  bank
accounts, accounts receivable, deposits, tax refunds, and prepaid expenses.

     2.6 LIABILITIES.  As of the Closing,  there will not be outstanding against
the Company any claim,  lawsuit,  liability,  obligation  or debt of any kind or
nature  whatsoever  (regardless of whether the same would constitute a liability
to be set forth on a balance sheet in accordance with GAAP),  whether  absolute,
accrued,  due,  direct  or  indirect,  contingent  or  liquidated,   matured  or
unmatured,  joint or several,  whether or not for a sum certain, whether for the
payment of money or for the  performance  or  observance  of any  obligation  or
condition ("PROHIBITED  LIABILITIES"),  other than such liabilities as are taken
into account in the determination of the Estimated Closing Date Working Capital,
and  obligations  arising out of  services  or products or other  benefits to be
provided by the Company after Closing under Designated  Contracts (as defined in
Section 2.7 below) ("PERMITTED LIABILITIES"). It is expressly agreed that Seller
shall be responsible for all Prohibited  Liabilities of the Company,  including,
without limitation,  (i) liabilities of the Company arising out of participation
in the Medicare or Medicaid programs, or arrangements with any other third party
payor,  or  arrangements  with any  person or entity  that  participates  in the

                                       5

<PAGE>



Medicare or Medicaid programs or any other third party payor program,  including
without  limitation,  with  respect  to  any  excess  reimbursement,  recapture,
adjustment or overpayment  whatsoever,  in each case, attributable to any period
on or prior to the Closing Date ("Reimbursement Liabilities"),  (ii) malpractice
claims asserted by patients or any other tort claims asserted, claims for breach
of contract,  or any claims of any kind asserted by patients,  former  patients,
employees or any other party that are based on acts or omissions occurring on or
before the Closing Date, (iii) any accounts payable or employment or other taxes
which have accrued prior to the Closing Date (except to the extent of the amount
thereof,  if any,  included in the  calculation  of the  Estimated  Closing Date
Working Capital),  and (iv) accrued but unpaid compensation or other benefits to
any of the employees, agents, consultants or advisers of the Company, which have
accrued prior to the Closing Date,  including  accrued  vacation  (except to the
extent  of the  amount  thereof,  if any,  included  in the  calculation  of the
Estimated  Closing Date Working Capital).  At Closing,  Sellers shall assume and
undertake in a writing  satisfactory  to Buyer to pay or perform all  Prohibited
Liabilities  when and as the same become due in accordance with their terms. The
Company  and Buyer  will not  assume any  liabilities  of Seller or provide  any
guaranty therefor or obtain any release of any of the same.

     2.7 DESIGNATED  CONTRACTS.  Buyer has set forth on Schedule 2.7 each of the
Contracts  identified  on Schedule 5.7 that Newco shall retain as of the Closing
(the "Designated CONTRACTS").  Prior to the Closing, each Contract not set forth
on Schedule 2.7 shall be terminated (or the Company and its successors  shall be
released from all liability  with respect  thereto) at the sole cost and expense
of the Seller.

     2.8 TAX  CONSIDERATIONS.  The  parties  contemplate  that the merger  shall
constitute and be treated as a forward  triangular merger qualifying as a Type A
Reorganization  pursuant to Section  368(a)(1)(A)  and 368(a)(2)(D) of the Code.
Each party shall report the transaction  contemplated hereunder as it applies to
such party on its  appropriate tax return  consistent with such treatment.  Each
party agrees and covenants that it will conduct its affairs both before,  during
and  after  the  Closing  and the  Merger  in a manner  that  complies  with the
requirements   for  the  aforesaid   triangular   merger  to  be  treated  as  a
"reorganization"  for purposes of Section 368 of the Code, pursuant to the Code,
applicable Treasury Regulation, Rulings and Procedures.

                             ARTICLE III: IHS STOCK

     3.1 IHS STOCK. The entire Merger Consideration shall be payable by means of
the delivery of IHS Stock in accordance with the following:

          (A) SHARE VALUE. The number of shares of IHS Stock issuable at Closing
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) trading day period
immediately  preceding the date which is two (2) trading days before the Closing
Date.

          (B) REGISTRATION  RIGHTS.  Buyer will use its best efforts to cause to
be  prepared,  filed and  declared  effective  by the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission (the

                                       6

<PAGE>



"Commission")  within sixty (60) days following the Closing Date, a registration
statement for the registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities  Act") of the IHS Stock issued to Seller pursuant to this Agreement,
and Buyer shall maintain the effectiveness of such registration  statement for a
period of one (1) year following the date on which such  registration  statement
becomes effective, or until the Seller shall not own any of the IHS Stock issued
pursuant to this Agreement,  whichever shall occur first, in each case except to
the extent that an exemption from registration may be available.

          (C)  REGISTRATION  EXPENSES.  Seller shall not be responsible for, and
Buyer  shall  bear,  all of the  reasonable  expenses  of Buyer  related to such
registration including, without limitation, the fees and expenses of its counsel
and  accountants,  all of its other  costs,  fees and  expenses  incident to the
preparation,  printing,  registration and filing under the Securities Act of the
registration  statement and all amendments and supplements  thereto, 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 its
counsel)  incurred in connection with the  qualification  of IHS Stock under the
Blue Sky laws of various jurisdictions. Buyer, however, shall not be required to
pay underwriter's or brokerage discounts, commissions or expenses, or to pay any
costs  and  expenses  in  excess  in the  aggregate  of  $20,000  for  Blue  Sky
qualifications of Seller's (and any transferee's) IHS Stock, or to pay any costs
or expenses arising out of Seller's or any  transferee's  failure to comply with
its obligations under this Article III.

          (D) RESALE  LIMITATIONS.  All resales of IHS Stock issued  pursuant to
this  Agreement  shall be effected  solely through Smith Barney Inc., as broker,
and  resales  by  Seller  shall  not  at any  time,  in  the  aggregate,  exceed
Seventy-Five Thousand (75,000) shares during any thirty (30) day period.

          (E) REGISTRATION PROCEDURES,  ETC. In connection with the registration
rights  granted to the Seller 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  or for a
period  of one (1) year  following  the date on which the  registration  becomes
effective,  or  until  the  Seller  shall  not own any of the IHS  Stock  issued
pursuant to this Agreement, whichever shall occur first, in each case, except to
the extent that an exemption  from  registration  may be  available.  Buyer will
promptly  notify  the  Seller,  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.

                                       7

<PAGE>



               (II)  Buyer  shall   furnish  the  Seller  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  Seller,  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 the  Seller  for use in such  registration
statement (it being  understood that Buyer may rely on the  representations  and
warranties  of  Seller  made  pursuant  to  this  Agreement  in  preparing  such
Registration Statement), any amendment or supplement thereto or any application,
as the  case  may be.  If any  action  is  brought  against  the  Seller  or any
controlling  person of the Seller in respect  of which  indemnity  may be sought
against  Buyer  pursuant  to this  subsection  3.1(e)(iv),  the  Seller  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 Seller or such controlling  person).  The Seller 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 Seller 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 Seller

                                       8

<PAGE>



and/or such  controlling  person  shall be borne by Buyer.  Except as  expressly
provided in the previous sentence,  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 Seller or such controlling  person in investigating,
preparing or defending any such action or claim.

               (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  Seller  desires  to  transfer  all or any
portion of IHS Stock, the Seller will deliver written notice to Buyer describing
in reasonable  detail his 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 Seller 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(b) and to give  prompt  notice to the Seller when the
registration  statement  has again  become  current.  If the  Seller  desires to
transfer  any IHS Stock  without  use of the  registration  statement,  he shall
deliver to Buyer an opinion of counsel  reasonably  acceptable  to Buyer and its
counsel  to the  effect  that the  proposed  transfer  of IHS  Stock may be made
without  registration  under the Securities Act, and, in such event,  the Seller
will be  entitled  to  transfer  IHS Stock in  accordance  with the terms of the
notice and opinion of his 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 Seller  shall  furnish to the Buyer in writing  such  information  regarding
himself,  the IHS Stock held by him, and the intended  method of  disposition of
such  securities  as shall be  required  to effect the  registration  of the IHS
Stock.  In that  connection,  the Seller  shall be required to  represent to the
Buyer that all such information  which is given is both complete and accurate in
all  material  respects.  The Seller  shall  deliver to the Buyer a statement in
writing from the beneficial  owner of such securities that they bona fide intend
to sell,  transfer  or  otherwise  dispose of such  securities.  The Seller will
promptly  notify IHS at any time when a  prospectus  relating to a  registration
statement  covering the Seller's shares under this Section 3.1 is required to be
delivered  under the Securities  Act, or the happening of any event known to the
Seller  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.

                                       9

<PAGE>



          (H) INVESTMENT  REPRESENTATIONS.  All shares of IHS Stock to be issued
hereunder  will be newly  issued  shares of Buyer.  The  Seller  represents  and
warrants to Buyer that the IHS Stock being issued  hereunder is being  acquired,
and will be acquired,  by the Seller for  investment for his own account 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
Seller acknowledges 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 Seller agrees 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 Seller  represents and warrants
that he has the knowledge and experience in financial and business  matters,  is
capable of  evaluating  the merits and risks of the  investment,  and is able to
bear the economic risk of such investment. The Seller has had the opportunity to
make  inquiries of and obtain from  representatives  and employees of Buyer such
other  information  about Buyer as he deems  necessary in  connection  with such
investment.

          (I) LEGEND.  It is understood that, prior to sale of any shares of IHS
Stock  pursuant to an effective  registration  pursuant to subsection (b) above,
the  certificates  evidencing  such shares of IHS Stock shall bear the following
(or a similar)  legend (in addition to any legends  which may be required in the
opinion of IHS's counsel by the applicable  securities  laws of any state),  and
upon  sale of such  shares  pursuant  to such  an  effective  registration,  new
certificates  shall be issued for the shares sold without such legends except as
otherwise required by law:

          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  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.  Prior to the effective date of registration
of the IHS Stock,  the Seller  shall not 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 Seller under this Article III.

                             ARTICLE IV: THE CLOSING

     4.1  TIME  AND  PLACE  OF  CLOSING.  The  closing  (the  "CLOSING")  of the
transactions  contemplated  by this  Agreement  shall  be held  as  promptly  as
practicable,   but  not  more  than  seven  (7)  business  days   following  the
satisfaction of all conditions precedent specified in this Agreement,  including
receipt of all necessary regulatory  approvals,  unless duly waived by the party
entitled to satisfaction thereof. In no event shall the Closing take place later
than January 31, 1998; provided,

                                       10

<PAGE>



however,  that if  Buyer  shall  not  have  obtained  all  necessary  regulatory
approvals  by such  date,  then  Buyer  may  extend  the  Closing  for a  period
sufficient  to obtain any of such  approvals,  but in no event more than  thirty
(30) days from such date.  The date on which the Closing is held is  hereinafter
called the "CLOSING  DATE." Subject to the  conditions set forth herein,  at the
Closing  (a)  the  Seller  shall  deliver  for  cancellation  all of  the  stock
certificates representing shares of Company Stock, duly endorsed, or accompanied
by one or more stock powers duly  endorsed,  and (b) Buyer shall  deliver (i) to
the Seller and to the  Escrowee  (to the  extent of the  Escrow  Deposit)  stock
certificates  representing  that  number of shares of IHS Stock  into  which the
shares of Company  Stock so delivered  are to be  converted as of the  Effective
Time of Merger.

     4.2 FILINGS AT CLOSING. On the Closing Date, Buyer shall file a Certificate
of Merger or such other  certificates,  instruments  and  documents  as shall be
required in order to effect the Merger in accordance  with the Delaware  General
Corporation  Law,  and the Company  shall file a  Certificate  of Merger or such
other  certificates,  instruments and documents as shall be required in order to
effect the Merger in accordance with the Ohio General  Corporation  law. Each of
Buyer, the Company, Newco and Seller shall take all lawful actions and use their
respective  best  efforts  to cause the  Merger to  become  effective  as of the
Closing Date (or as promptly thereafter as possible).

     4.3  EFFECTIVE  TIME.  The Merger  shall  become  effective at the time the
Certificate  of Merger or such other  instrument  as the  Delaware  Secretary of
State shall  require is made  effective  under the laws of the State of Delaware
(the "EFFECTIVE TIME OF MERGER").

           ARTICLE V: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF THE SELLER AND
                                     COMPANY

     The  Company and the Seller  hereby  jointly and  severally  represent  and
warrant to Buyer as follows (it being  understood  that "to the knowledge of the
Company" shall be deemed to refer collectively to the Seller and to all officers
and all managers of the Company):

     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 Ohio.  Copies of the Company's  Articles of  Incorporation  and Code of
Regulations,  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. The  Company is not  required  to qualify to do  business as a
foreign corporation in any other state.

     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 the Seller and the Company, nor the performance by
the Seller 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 Code of Regulations of the Company;  or (ii) any applicable
law, rule, judgment,  order, writ, injunction, or decree of any court, currently
in effect,  provided  that the

                                       11

<PAGE>



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 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.

     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 the Seller or the Company.

     5.4 COMPANY STOCK.  Schedule 5.4 sets forth a complete list and description
of the  authorized  capital stock of the Company and the number of shares issued
and outstanding of each class or series of such capital stock. Schedule 5.4 also
sets forth all outstanding  warrants,  options, or other rights to subscribe for
or purchase from the Company any shares of capital stock of the Company, and all
outstanding  securities  convertible or exchangeable  for such shares of capital
stock of the Company.  No shares of capital stock of the Company are held in the
treasury of the Company. The Seller is the record owner of all of the issued and
outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company and all of such stock is duly
authorized,  validly issued, and fully paid and  non-assessable.  The Seller has
good and marketable title to such shares of Company Stock, free and clear of all
Liens  (defined  in Section  5.11(a)).  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.  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.

     5.5 ASSETS.  Except as expressly set forth at Section 9.7 hereof, 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, bank accounts,  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 Assets as of the Closing will constitute
all of the assets necessary or material for the operation of the business of the
Company as presently conducted. The accounts receivable of Company are reflected
properly on its books and records in accordance  with GAAP, and have been billed
or invoiced in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past practice.
The Assets are not subject to any Liens,  except for Permitted Liens, if any (as
defined in Section 5.11(c)).

     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 asserting that the use of any of
the  aforementioned  properties  or  rights  infringes  the  rights of any

                                       12

<PAGE>



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 assets is bound or 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  purchase or sale of any
assets,  properties  or rights  outside  the  ordinary  course of  business  (by
purchase  or sale of assets,  purchase  or 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, purchasing,  supply and rebate or other
similar contract, arrangement or commitment;

          (H) each contract with respect to the provision of Services;

          (I) each  contract  with any  insurance  company,  health  maintenance
organization, preferred provider organization or other managed care organization
or health care payor;

          (J) each lease of real property;


                                       13

<PAGE>


          (K) each agreement,  consent order,  settlement or similar arrangement
with any party,  including  any  governmental  Authority  (as defined in Section
5.21); 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.  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. All amounts payable or receivable under the Contracts are, or will
at the  Closing  Date,  be on a  current  basis  or  properly  reflected  on the
Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet in accordance with GAAP. Each Contract with
respect to which consent is required by reason of the transactions  contemplated
by  this  Agreement  is  identified  on  Schedule  5.7.  Each  Contract  that is
terminable  without  cause  upon  notice of less than 91 days or that will lapse
less than 91 days after the Closing is so identified  on Schedule  5.7.  Neither
the Company nor the Seller has received  written or oral notice or has reason to
believe that any of the Contracts  will be terminated by any party thereto after
the date hereof.


     5.8 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

          (A) The  unaudited  balance  sheets of the Company as of December  31,
1995 and December 31, 1996,  and the related  statements of operations  and cash
flows  for the  years  then  ended,  annexed  hereto  as  Schedule  5.8(a)  (the
"UNAUDITED FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS"),  present fairly in all material respects the
financial  condition and results of operations  and cash flows of the Company at
and for the periods therein specified and were prepared in accordance with GAAP,
except that the  Unaudited  Financial  Statements  dated  December  31, 1995 are
prepared on a cash, rather than accrual, basis.

          (B) The unaudited monthly balance sheets of the Company for each month
since January 1, 1997,  and the related  statements of operations and cash flows
for the periods then ended,  annexed hereto as Schedule  5.8(b) (the  "Unaudited
Interim  Financial  Statements"),  present  fairly in all material  respects the
financial  condition and results of operations  and cash flows of the Company at
and for the  periods  then ended  specified.  The  Unaudited  Interim  Financial
Statements for the  eleven-month  period ended November 30, 1997 (annexed hereto
as part of Schedule 5.8 (b)) were prepared in accordance with GAAP.

          (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
non-recurring  or  extraordinary  income or  expense  reduction  not  identified
therein or material  liabilities  or  obligations  (whether

                                       14

<PAGE>



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  whether or not  required  by GAAP to be
reflected on a balance sheet and/or the notes thereto.

     5.9 MATERIAL CHANGES.  Except as noted on Schedule 5.9, between the date of
the Unaudited 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.
The Company and the Seller have not received  any notice or other  communication
regarding  the  intended  departure  of  any  of  the  Company's   customers  or
therapists.

     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;  and (b) each other  license,  permit,
accreditation 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,  accreditations  and  authorizations  necessary to the operation of the
businesses 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.  The
Company and its subsidiaries  own, possess or otherwise have the exclusive legal
right to use the  Licenses,  free and clear of all Liens.  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.  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 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. Neither
the Seller,  nor any  director or  officer,  employee or former  employee of the
Company,  nor any person, 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 their places of
business or used in connection with the operation of its businesses,  subject to
no  mortgage,   conditional  sale,  security  interest,   pledge,  lien,  claim,
encumbrance,   charge,  or  restraint  on  transfer  of  any  nature  whatsoever
(collectively,  "Liens") 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

                                       15

<PAGE>



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 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);

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


                                       16

<PAGE>



     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  dated  December , 1997,  indicating  the names,  positions,  and
compensation  of each of its  employees.  All of such  information is materially
correct as of such date and there has been no material change since then. To the
knowledge of the Company,  each  employee of the Company,  where  necessary,  is
properly licensed or certified to perform his or her duties for the Company, and
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  5.15(b),
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 their  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 5.15(b),  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 the Company,  Buyer will
not,  pursuant to any  agreement  with the Seller or the Company or by reason of
any  representation  made or plan adopted by the Seller or the Company  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

                                       17

<PAGE>



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")),  insurance  benefits,  accrued  vacation  and sick  days,  except as
properly  accrued for on the Estimated  Closing Date Balance Sheet in accordance
with GAAP.

     5.15 ERISA.

          (A) The Company  does not maintain or make  contributions  to and have
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 or arrangement,  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 the  Company for any  employees  of the  Company,  or with
respect to which the Company has liability  with respect to any employees of the
Company,  or makes or has an  obligation  to make  contributions  on  behalf  of
employees of the Company ("Plans").

          (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

                                       18

<PAGE>



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.

     5.17  RELATIONSHIPS.  Except as disclosed on Schedule 5.17 hereto,  neither
the  Company  nor  any  controlling  shareholder,  nor any  principal,  officer,
director,  employee,  partner or  affiliate  of the  Company or any  controlling
shareholder  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.

     5.18 ABSENCE OF CERTAIN EVENTS. Except as set forth on Schedule 5.18, since
the date of the Unaudited Financial Statements, the Company has not:

          (A) sold,  assigned or transferred  any of their assets or properties,
except as  contemplated  by Section  9.7 hereof and  otherwise  in the  ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;

          (B)  mortgaged,  pledged  or  subjected  to  any  Lien,  other  than a
Permitted Lien, any of the Company's assets;

          (C) made or suffered any termination of any contract for the provision
of services by the Company;

          (D) sold or  assigned,  or made or  suffered  any  termination  of any
Contract,  or made or suffered  any  modification  or  amendment of any Contract
except for  terminations,  modifications and amendments of Contracts made in the
ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past practice and which would not
affect  earnings or otherwise  be material,  and the Seller and Company have not
received  notice  (written or oral) and have no knowledge  that any Contract has
been terminated or will be terminated or modified or amended (as aforesaid);

          (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 their employees, or made any increase in, or any
additions to, other benefits to which any of such employees may be entitled;

          (F)  discharged  or  satisfied  any  Lien,  or  satisfied  or paid any
material liabilities,  other than in the ordinary course of business, consistent
with past practice, or failed to pay or discharge when due any liabilities,  the
failure to pay or discharge  of which has caused or may cause any actual  damage
or give rise to a material risk of loss to the Company;

                                       19

<PAGE>



          (G) changed any of the accounting  principles  followed by the Company
or the methods of applying such principles;

          (H) incurred any material liability, other than current liabilities or
obligations  incurred in the ordinary  course of business  consistent  with past
practice;

          (I) canceled, modified or waived any debts or claims held by it, other
than in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practice, or waived
any  rights of  substantial  value,  whether  or not in the  ordinary  course of
business;

          (J) issued any capital stock or other securities,  or declared or paid
or set aside or  reserved  any  amounts  for  payment of any  dividend  or other
distribution in respect of any equity interest or other securities,  or redeemed
or repurchased any of its capital stock or other securities;

          (K)  dissolved,  merged or entered into a share  exchange with or into
any other entity;

          (L) made any change to its by-laws or articles of incorporation;

          (M) failed to collect,  withhold and/or pay to any proper Governmental
Authority,  any Taxes (as defined in Section 5.21) required by applicable law to
be so collected, withheld and/or paid;

          (N) instituted,  settled or agreed to settle any litigation, action or
proceeding before any Governmental  Authority  relating to it or its property or
received any threat thereof;

          (O)  except as  permitted  by Section  9.7  hereof,  entered  into any
transaction  other than in the ordinary course of business  consistent with past
practice, involving consideration in excess of $15,000; and

          (P) agreed or otherwise become  committed to do anything  described in
any of subsections (a) through (o) above.

     5.19 COMPLIANCE WITH LAWS.

          (A) The Company is in compliance  with all  Governmental  Requirements
(as defined  herein)  related to the  following:  (i) licensure  relating to the
provision by the Company of Services;  (ii) billing and reimbursement  under the
Medicare and Medicaid programs and any other governmental  health care programs;
(iii)  patient  self-referral,  fee-splitting,  patient  brokering,  payment  of
remuneration  to  induce   referrals  and  other  "fraud  and  abuse"  laws  and
regulations;  and (iv) laws and  regulations  concerning  reports to and filings
with governmental  agencies  (collectively,

                                       20

<PAGE>



the  "HEALTH  CARE  LAWS").  Other  than the  Health  Care Laws set forth in the
immediately preceding sentence,  the Companies are in compliance in all material
respects with all other Governmental  Requirements.  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  their
businesses  ("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.

          (B) Without  limiting the  generality  of  subsection  (a) above,  the
Company has at all times  complied,  and is complying in all respects,  with all
federal,  state and local environmental laws, rules or regulations applicable to
it,  its leased  properties,  and all other  real  properties  used by it in the
operation  of  its  business,  including,  but  not  limited  to,  the  Resource
Conservation   and  Recovery  Act  of  1976,  as  amended,   the   Comprehensive
Environmental  Response  Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as amended, the
Federal  Water  Pollution  Control  Act, as amended by the Clean Water Act,  and
subsequent  amendments,  the Federal Toxic  Substances  Control Act, as amended,
with respect to the  environmental or healthful  state,  condition or quality of
any property (collectively  "ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS"). The foregoing  representation
and warranty applies to all aspects of the Company's  operations and the use and
ownership  of the Assets  including,  but not  limited  to,  the use,  handling,
treatment,  storage,  transportation  and  disposal of any  hazardous,  toxic or
infectious  waste,  material or  substance  (including  medical  waste),  and to
petroleum products, material or waste, at any other location. No notice from any
Governmental  Authority  has ever been  served  upon the  Company  claiming  any
violation of, or  addressing  any possible  non-compliance  with respect to, any
Environmental Law.

     5.20  FINDERS.  Seller has  engaged JPS  Capital  Corporation  as broker or
finder in connection with the transactions  contemplated by this Agreement,  and
Seller has agreed to pay such party a broker's  fee at the  Closing.  Other than
JPS Capital  Corporation,  no 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  Seller or the  Company.
Seller  has sole  responsibility  and  liability  with  respect  to all fees and
expenses of JPS Capital  Corporation,  and such fees shall neither be charged to
the Company nor reflected as a liability on the Company's Estimated Closing Date
Balance Sheet.

     5.21 TAXES.

          (A) The Company duly and  properly  filed an election to be treated as
an S corporation  under  Section 1362 of the Code and the rules and  regulations
promulgated thereunder. Such election has been in full force and effect, without
interruption, for all periods from January 1, 1996 (the "S ELECTION DATE") until
the date  hereof.  From its  inception to the S Election  Date,  the

                                       21

<PAGE>



Company was taxable as a C corporation  for federal,  state and local income tax
purposes.  The Company's Federal S election has been recognized and given effect
in the State of Ohio and  under  local  laws,  such  that the  Company  has been
treated as an S corporation  for income tax purposes  under Ohio state and local
laws for all periods,  without interruption,  from the S Election Date until the
date hereof. The Company has incurred no liability for federal,  state and local
income taxes for any period from its  inception  to the date  hereof,  except as
reflected  properly on the  Company's  Unaudited  Financial  Statements  and the
Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.

          (B)  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; (ii) the Company has timely paid all Taxes
payable by it; and (iii) the  Company is not a party to any  pending  Tax audit,
nor is any such Tax audit threatened by any Governmental  Authority and there is
no basis for any deficiency  notice,  audit or similar  assessment or collection
action with respect to Taxes.

          (C) For  purposes  of this  Agreement,  "Tax"  means  any  current  or
deferred net income, gross income, sales, use, franchise,  personal,  pension 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 of the transactions contemplated hereby or thereby will not, create
any Liens on any of the Company's assets in favor of third parties.

     5.23  SUBSIDIARIES  AND JOINT  VENTURES.  The Company has no  subsidiaries,
joint ventures or  partnerships in which the Company is the record or beneficial
owner of any equity interest.

     5.24 NO UNTRUE STATEMENT.  None of the  representations and warranties made
pursuant to this  Agreement  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. The Company, to the extent necessary to conduct
its  business  in a manner  consistent  with past  practice,  is  qualified  for
participation  in the  Medicare and  Medicaid  programs.  Except as disclosed on
Schedule  5.25,  (A) the Company has not directly,  or indirectly  through third
parties (including, without limitation, nursing homes, long-term care facilities
and other health care  facilities),  received any notice of denial or recoupment
from the Medicare or Medicaid programs,  or any other third party  reimbursement
source with respect to the  Company's  operations,  (B) to the  knowledge of the
Company,  there is no basis for the assertion after the Closing Date of any such
direct or  indirect  denial or  recoupment  claim,  and (C) the  Company has not
received  directly,  or indirectly  through third  parties  (including,  without
limitation,  nursing  homes,  long-term  care  facilities  and other health care
facilities),  notice from any  Medicare  or


                                       22

<PAGE>



Medicaid  program  or from any other  third  party  reimbursement  source of any
pending or threatened  investigations or surveys with respect to, or arising out
of, the  Company's  operations,  and to the  knowledge of the  Company,  no such
investigation or survey is pending, threatened or imminent.

     5.26 LEASEHOLD INTERESTS. The Company owns no real property.  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,  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. The operations and use by the Company of the leased
property  complies with and does not violate the applicable lease or any zoning,
building or similar law,  ordinance,  order or  regulation  or any  statement of
occupancy issued for or in respect of the Company's business.  There has been no
violation by the  Company,  or to the  knowledge  of the  Company,  by any other
occupant of any leased property,  of any Governmental  Requirement affecting any
of the leased  property,  and no written  notice of any such  violation has been
issued to the Company or any Seller by any Governmental Authority.

     5.27 POWER AND AUTHORITY. The Company has all requisite power and authority
to execute,  deliver and perform  this  Agreement,  including  all  Exhibits and
Schedules  hereto,  and as of the Closing,  the Company will have all  requisite
power and authority to execute and deliver the Transaction Documents required to
be delivered by the Company to the Buyer at the Closing.

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

     5.29 QUESTIONNAIRES.  The healthcare law questionnaire heretofore delivered
to the Company by Buyer (the "Questionnaire") will be attached hereto as Exhibit
5.29 and will as of the Closing  Date have been fully and  accurately  completed
and will not contain any material misstatement of any fact and will not omit any
fact that would have to be stated in order not to render  any  response  to such
questionnaire materially misleading.

     5.30 QUESTIONABLE PAYMENTS.  Neither the Company, nor any Seller, director,
officer,  controlling person, employee or affiliate of the Company, (a) has used
any  corporate  funds of Company to make any illegal or unlawful  payment to any
officer, employee, representative,  agent of any government, or to any political
party or official thereof, including, without limitation, any of same that would
violate the Foreign Corrupt  Practices Act of 1977, as amended;  or (b) has made
or received any illegal  payment,  bribe,  kickback,  political  contribution or
other  similar  questionable  payment for any  referrals or  recommendations  or
otherwise in connection with the operation of the Company's business.


              ARTICLE VI: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF SELLER

                                       23

<PAGE>



     The Seller represents and warrants to Buyer as follows:

     6.1 AUTHORITY.  Such Seller has the full legal power and authority to make,
execute,  deliver  and  perform  this  Agreement,  including  all  Exhibits  and
Schedules  hereto,  and the Transaction  Documents.  Such  execution,  delivery,
performance and consummation  has 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.

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

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

     6.4 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 Seller.

     6.5  OWNERSHIP  OF  COMPANY  STOCK.  The  Seller is the  lawful  record and
beneficial  owner of all of the  Company  Stock with good and  marketable  title
thereto,  free and clear of all Liens,  claims and other charges  thereon of any
kind.  The Seller has the full legal power to transfer  and deliver such Company
Stock in accordance with this  Agreement,  and delivery of such Company Stock to
Buyer pursuant  hereto will convey good and marketable  title thereto,  free and
clear of all Liens,  claims and other charges thereon or any kind. The shares of
Company Stock indicated on Schedule 5.4 as being owned by the Seller  constitute
all of the issued and outstanding shares of the capital stock of the Company. 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.


              ARTICLE VII: REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES OF BUYER

     Buyer represents and warrants to the Company and the Seller 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.

                                       24

<PAGE>



     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 Company 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 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.

     7.5 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 Buyer.

     7.6 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FILINGS. Buyer has made available to
the Seller 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, 1997 (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, 1997.  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 or omissions
of a  material  fact  necessary  so as  not to  render  the  statements  therein
misleading,  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. The  financial  statements  of the Buyer  included in the SEC  Documents
complied  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.


                                       25

<PAGE>



     7.7 DULY AUTHORIZED  SHARES.  The IHS Shares to be delivered at the Closing
will be, on the date said shares are delivered, duly authorized, validly issued,
fully paid and  non-assessable,  and such  shares  shall be  listed,  subject to
notice of issuance, on the NYSE.

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

     8.1 ACCESS TO INFORMATION AND RECORDS BEFORE CLOSING.  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 its
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 their inception;  and the Company shall make, or cause
to be made, extracts thereof as Buyer or their  representatives may request from
time to time to enable  Buyer  and  their  representatives  to  investigate  the
affairs of the Company and the accuracy of the  representations  and  warranties
made in this Agreement.  The Company shall cause their  accountants to cooperate
with Buyer and to disclose the results of audits  relating to the Company and to
produce the work papers relating thereto. Without limiting any of the foregoing,
it is agreed that Buyer will have full access to any and all agreements  between
and among the previous and current  shareholders  regarding  their  ownership of
shares or the  management or operation of the Company.  The Company shall permit
Buyer  and  its   authorized   representatives   to  meet  with   employees  and
representatives of the Company who are responsible for responses to, or who have
provided   information   with  respect  to,  the  questions  set  forth  in  the
Questionnaire.

     8.2  CONFIDENTIALITY.  Buyer shall retain in  confidence  all  proprietary,
confidential or other non-public information  (collectively,  the "Information")
obtained  pursuant to Section 8.1. If this Agreement is terminated  prior to the
Closing pursuant to Article XIII, Buyer shall, upon written request,  return all
Information  disclosed  to it, and shall not utilize in its own business or make
any other use of any Information disclosed to it by Seller.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing,  it is understood that Buyer may disclose any Information received by
it (i) to any governmental or regulatory  authority in connection with obtaining
approval of the transactions contemplated hereby or as otherwise may be required
by  applicable  law,  (ii) to its lenders in  connection  with  obtaining  their
approval of the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  and (iii) to its attorneys,
accountants and other professional advisors, in connection with the transactions
contemplated hereby. Buyer's obligations with respect to any item of Information
disclosed  to it  shall  terminate  (x)  upon the  Closing  of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby,  or (y) in the event this Agreement is terminated prior to
the  Closing  pursuant  to Article  XIII,  then,  upon such item of  Information
becoming  disclosed in published  literature  or  otherwise  becoming  generally
available to the public; provided, however,


                                       26

<PAGE>



that such public  disclosure did not result,  directly or  indirectly,  from any
act, omission, or fault of Buyer with respect to that item of Information.  This
Section  8.2  shall not  apply to any item of  Information  which at the time of
disclosure was already generally available to the public or which at the time of
disclosure was already in the possession of Buyer and was not acquired by Buyer,
directly or  indirectly,  from the Company or Sellers as  protected  information
under this Agreement.


              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,  subject to Section 9.7  hereof,  shall  conduct  their  businesses  in the
customary and ordinary course of business consistent with past practice.

     9.2 NEGATIVE  COVENANTS OF THE COMPANY.  Without the prior written approval
of Buyer, between the date hereof and the Closing, the Company shall not, except
as contemplated by Section 9.7 hereof:

          (A)  cause  or  permit  to  occur  any of the  events  or  occurrences
described in Section 5.18 (Absence of Certain Events) of this Agreement,  except
for S  corporation  distributions  of cash to the  Seller,  to the extent  fully
disclosed on Schedule 5.18;

          (B) dissolve, reorganize, 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;

          (D) sell or dispose of any Assets other than in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice;

          (E)  enter  into  any  agreement,   contract,   commitment,  lease  or
instrument,  except for  agreements,  in each case which are entered into in the
ordinary  and  customary  course of business  with  unrelated  third  parties on
customary  terms and conditions and for customary  prices as disclosed to Buyer;
or

          (F) 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  businesses  in  substantially  the same state of
repair,  order and condition as on the date hereof,  reasonable wear and tear or
loss by casualty excepted;


                                       27

<PAGE>



          (B) maintain in full force and effect all Licenses currently in effect
with respect to their businesses  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) use their  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 their
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,  and comply in all material  respects
with the provisions of all material laws,  rules and  regulations  applicable to
the Company's and its subsidiaries' businesses;

          (G) cause to be paid when due, all taxes,  assessments  and charges or
levies  imposed  upon  them or on any of  their  properties  or  which  they are
required to withhold and pay over;

          (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; and

          (I) 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 any of the Company's or
its subsidiaries' customers.

     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'  businesses by Buyer in accordance  herewith
("REQUIRED  APPROVALS").  The Company and its subsidiaries  shall cooperate with
and use  their  reasonable  efforts  to  assist  Buyer  in  obtaining  all  such
approvals.

     9.5 SUPPLEMENTARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION. Within fifteen (15) days after the
end of each calendar  month  between the date of this  Agreement and the Closing
Date,  the  Company

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shall provide to Buyer unaudited financial  statements  (including at a minimum,
income statements, a balance sheet and a statement of cash flows) for such month
then ended that  shall  present  fairly  the  results of the  operations  of the
Company and its subsidiaries,  on a consolidated basis, at such date and for the
period covered thereby,  all in accordance with GAAP, in each case, certified as
true and correct by the Company's Chief Financial Officer. If the Closing occurs
on or  before  the  fifteenth  day of any  calendar  month,  then the  financial
statements for the immediately preceding month, as required by this Section 9.5,
shall be provided on the day prior to the Closing Date.

     9.6  EXCLUSIVITY.  Until the earlier of Closing or the  termination of this
Agreement  pursuant to Section 13.1, neither the Company nor the Seller, nor any
of their respective affiliates,  representatives or brokers shall enter into any
agreement,  commitment  or  understanding  with  respect  to,  or  engage in any
discussions or negotiations directly or indirectly with, or encourage or respond
to any  solicitations  from, any other party with respect to the sale,  lease or
management  of any of the  Assets,  or in  respect  of the sale of any shares of
capital stock in the Company.

     9.7 PURCHASE OF RECEIVABLES.

          (A)  On  the  day   immediately   preceding   the  Closing  Date  (the
"Receivables PURCHASE DATE") the Seller shall purchase from the Company, and the
Company  shall  assign and sell to the  Seller,  all of the  Company's  accounts
receivable  existing as of the close of business on the Receivable Purchase Date
(the "Pre-Closing A/R"). The purchase price payable by the Seller to the Company
for the  Pre-Closing A/R shall be an amount equal to the book value of such Pre-
Closing A/R, net of any allowance for doubtful  accounts,  as reflected properly
on the Company's  books and records in accordance  with GAAP. The purchase price
payable for the Pre-Closing A/R shall be paid to the Company by wire transfer or
other form of immediately available funds.

          (B) The purchase of the  Pre-Closing  A/R, as described in  subsection
(a) above,  shall be documented by a bill of sale and  assignment in the form of
Exhibit 9.7 (a) hereto,  which shall provide,  among other things, that the sale
and  assignment  of said  Pre-Closing  A/R  shall  be  deemed  a final  sale and
assignment,   without  recourse  to  the  Company  for  any  offset,  deduction,
counterclaim,  lien,  encumbrance or any other claim or dispute relating to such
Pre-Closing  A/R.  Said  purchase  of  the  Pre-Closing  A/R  shall  further  be
documented by a written schedule or computer  printout of the Pre-Closing A/R (a
copy of which shall be attached as an exhibit to the bill of sale and assignment
referred to above),  indicating the name of each account debtor,  the portion of
the  Pre-Closing  A/R and allowance for doubtful  accounts  attributable to such
account  debtor,  and an aging of the accounts  receivable  owed by such account
debtor.  Such  schedule or printout  shall also indicate  which,  if any, of the
account debtors are related to or affiliates of the Company (including officers,
directors or employees thereof) or of the Seller.

          (C) In addition to the  representations  and  warranties of Seller and
the  Company  set forth in  Articles  V and VI hereof  (which the Seller and the
Company expressly acknowledge are applicable to the transactions contemplated by
this Section 9.7), the Seller and the

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<PAGE>



Company jointly and severally  further represent and warrant to Buyer as follows
with respect to the transactions contemplated by this Section 9.7:

               (I) The  Pre-Closing  A/R arose  from bona  fide  services  fully
performed by the Company in accordance with the terms of enforceable contracts;

               (II) The Company presently has, and immediately prior to the sale
and assignment  thereof to the Seller shall have had, good and marketable  title
to the Pre-Closing A/R, free of any Liens;

               (III)  The  Pre-Closing  A/R  balances  and  the  allowances  for
doubtful  accounts  relating  thereto  as shown on the books and  records of the
Company on the  Receivables  Purchase Date are fairly and accurately  classified
and valued in accordance with GAAP;

               (IV)  The  Pre-Closing  A/R  are  not  subject  to any  claim  of
reduction,  counterclaim,   set-off,  recoupment,  or  any  claim  for  credits,
allowances  or  adjustments  by the account  debtors  because of  unsatisfactory
services or for any other reason; and

               (V) Neither the  contract  or  arrangement  pursuant to which any
Pre-  Closing  A/R  arose  nor  any  Health  Care  Laws  or  other  Governmental
Requirements  prohibits the sale and assignment of such  Pre-Closing  A/R to the
Seller as  contemplated  herein,  or renders  such sale and  assignment  void or
unenforceable or subject to any fine, penalty or expense of any nature.

     9.8 COLLECTION OF RECEIVABLES.

          (A) After the  Closing,  Newco  will  provide  exclusive  billing  and
collection  services  with  respect  to  the  Pre-Closing  A/R  assigned  to and
purchased  by  Seller  pursuant  to  Section  9.7  above.  Newco's  billing  and
collection  services with respect to the Pre-Closing A/R shall be  substantially
the same  services  as those  undertaken  by Newco with  respect to billing  and
collecting its own accounts receivable; provided, however, that Newco shall have
no  obligation  to undertake  any  extraordinary  measures  (including,  without
limitation, the taking of legal action or the referral of delinquent accounts to
third  party  collection  agencies),  or to incur any  unusual or  extraordinary
expense to collect the  Pre-Closing  A/R  notwithstanding  that it may undertake
such measures or incur such expenses on its own behalf.

          (B) For the period  indicated in Section 9.8(e) below Newco shall have
the  exclusive  right to bill and collect the  Pre-Closing  A/R and to establish
standards and procedures for such billing and collection  process.  In addition,
Newco shall retain sole charge and custody of the billing and collection records
relating to the Pre-Closing A/R; provided,  however,  that upon request,  Seller
shall  be  permitted  a right  of  reasonable  access  and  review,  subject  to
supervision,  of such billing  records in order to confirm the reports  prepared
pursuant to Section 9.8 (c) below.

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<PAGE>



          (C) Within  twenty-five  (25) days after the end of each month,  Newco
shall send to Seller a summary of the  Pre-Closing A/R which have been collected
during the immediately  preceding month, along with payment of such collections.
Payment shall be made by wire  transfer to the account  designated in writing by
Seller.

          (D) Any  payment  received  by Newco from an account  debtor that is a
Pre- Closing A/R account debtor,  which payment is not identified as having been
made for a specific service rendered,  shall be applied by Newco to the accounts
receivable  balance  of such  account  debtor  so that  the  oldest  receivables
(including  for this  purpose the  Pre-Closing  A/R) are paid before the current
receivables are paid.

          (E) Newco shall cease all billing and collection services with respect
to the  Pre-Closing  A/R on the  earlier of (x)  twelve  (12)  months  after the
Closing Date,  or (y) thirty (30) days after written  notice by Seller to Newco.
Upon the  expiration or earlier  termination of Newco's  obligations  under this
Section 9.8, all billing and collection services with respect to the Pre-Closing
A/R shall be undertaken by Seller in his own name.

             ARTICLE X: CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO BUYER'S OBLIGATIONS

     Buyer's obligations to consummate the Merger 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
the  Company and the Seller made  pursuant to this  Agreement  shall be true and
correct in all material  respects at and as of the Closing Date (except for such
representations  and warranties of Company and Seller which are, by their terms,
qualified by  materiality,  in which case such  representations  and  warranties
shall be true in all respects),  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 Seller 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 him or it prior to or at the Closing.

     10.3 DELIVERY OF CLOSING CERTIFICATE. The Seller and the Company shall have
executed and  delivered to Buyer a  certificate,  dated the Closing  Date,  upon
which Buyer may rely,  certifying  that the conditions  contemplated by Sections
10.1 and 10.2 applicable to him and it have been satisfied.

     10.4 OPINION OF COUNSEL. The Seller and the Company shall have delivered to
Buyer an opinion, dated the Closing Date, of their counsel, in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit 10.4.

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<PAGE>



     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  certifying as of the Closing Date
a copy of the  Resolutions of the Board of Directors  authorizing  the execution
and full  performance  of the  Transaction  Documents and the  incumbency of its
officers.

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

     10.8 APPROVALS.

          (A) The consent or approval of the  following  persons,  to the extent
necessary for the consummation of the transactions  contemplated  hereby,  shall
have been  granted or  obtained:  (i)  approvals  from  applicable  Governmental
Authorities, (ii) approvals or consents required in connection with the transfer
of third party payor agreements and (iii) any other material 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'  businesses,
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'  businesses or their  operation that is more  restrictive
than or  different  from the  conditions  imposed upon such  operation  prior to
Closing.

     10.9 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT.  Phillip Slive shall have executed and delivered
to Buyer his  employment  agreement  in the form of  Exhibit  10.9  hereto  (the
"EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT").

     10.10 CONSENTS.

          (A) Buyer shall have  received the written  consent from each party to
each  Designated  Contract  where  such  consent  is  required  by reason of the
transactions contemplated by this Agreement.

          (B) With respect to Designated  Contracts other than those referred to
in  subsection  (a) above,  Seller  shall  have,  within five (5) days after the
execution of this  Agreement,  given  written  notice of the intended  change of
control  of the  Company  contemplated  hereunder  to each  party  to each  such
Designated  Contract,  and as of the  Closing  Date no  such  party  shall  have

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<PAGE>



expressed  in writing or  otherwise a present or future  intent to  terminate or
seek to modify its Contract with the Company.

     10.11  ESTIMATED  CLOSING  DATE  BALANCE  SHEET.  The  Company  shall  have
delivered the Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet to Buyer.

     10.12 REAL PROPERTY  CONSENTS.  The Company shall have obtained the written
consent  to  assignment  of each  landlord  with whom the  Company or any of its
subsidiaries has a lease of real property which, by its terms, requires consent,
and the written consent of such landlords shall have been received by the Buyer.
Alternatively, the Company shall have delivered a waiver from each such landlord
of any  provision  contained  in any of such  leases  which  would  require  the
landlord's  consent upon any assignment of the lease.  Buyer shall have received
notice from the Company by the Closing Date,  identifying  any landlord that has
not given any necessary consent as of such date.

     10.13 COST AND  EXPENSES.  The Seller  shall have paid all costs,  fees and
expenses  (including  without  limitation,  filing fees,  transfer taxes,  stamp
taxes,  legal fees and broker,  audit and appraisal fees) incurred by Seller and
the  Company or any of its  subsidiaries  in  connection  with the  transactions
contemplated by this Agreement,  including,  without limitation, fees payable to
JPS Capital Corp.  Seller shall retain sole  responsibility  and liability  with
respect to all such fees and expenses,  and such fees and expenses shall neither
be or have been  charged to the Company  nor  reflected  as a  liability  on the
Estimated Closing Date Balance Sheet.

     10.14 STOCK  CERTIFICATES.  Seller shall have  delivered to Buyer all stock
certificates representing Company Stock duly endorsed in blank.

     10.15  OTHER  DOCUMENTS.  The Seller and the Company  shall have  furnished
Buyer with all other documents,  certificates and other instruments  required to
be  furnished  to Buyer by the  Seller  and the  Company  pursuant  to the terms
hereof.

            ARTICLE XI: CONDITIONS PRECEDENT TO SELLER'S OBLIGATIONS

     Seller's obligation to consummate the Merger 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 the  Seller in  writing.  Upon  failure  of any of the
following conditions, the Seller may terminate this Agreement pursuant to and in
accordance with Article XIII herein:

     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.


                                       33

<PAGE>



     11.3  DELIVERY OF CLOSING  CERTIFICATE.  Buyer shall have  delivered to the
Seller a certificate  of a senior or executive vice president of Buyer dated the
Closing  Date upon which the Company can rely,  certifying  that the  conditions
contemplated by Sections 11.1 and 11.2 applicable to it have been satisfied.

     11.4  OPINION OF  COUNSEL.  Buyer  shall have  delivered  to the Company 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.  Seller 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.

     11.7 EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT. The Buyer shall have entered into the Employment
Agreement with Phillip Slive.

     11.8 OTHER  DOCUMENTS.  Buyer shall have  furnished  the  Company  with all
documents,  certificates and other  instruments  required to be furnished to the
Company by Buyer pursuant to the terms hereof.

              ARTICLE XII: OBLIGATIONS OF THE PARTIES AFTER CLOSING

     12.1  SURVIVAL  OF  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES.   Absent  fraud,  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  5.30   (Questionable
Payments),  Section 5.25  (Medicare and Medicaid) and Section 5.21 (Tax),  shall
survive until thirty (30) days after the applicable  period of  limitations  for
audits by the applicable  Governmental  Authority shall have expired,  including
extensions  for  any  necessary  appeals,  the  representations  and  warranties
contained in Section 6.5  (Ownership of Company  Stock) shall have no expiration
date,  and the  representations  and  warranties  contained in Sections 5.28 and
Section 6.2 (Binding  Effect)  insofar as it relates to the legality,  validity,
binding  effect and  enforceability  of the  covenants set forth in Section 12.7
shall survive for the term of such covenants. 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.

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<PAGE>



     12.2 INDEMNIFICATION BY SELLER AND COMPANY.  Subject to the limitations set
forth in Sections 12.1,  12.4 and 12.5, the Company,  prior to the Closing,  and
the  Seller,  prior to and after  the  Closing,  jointly  and  severally,  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 certification,  or breach
of any warranty, made by the Seller or the Company pursuant to this Agreement;

          (B) the breach of any  covenant or  undertaking  made by the Seller or
the Company in this Agreement;

          (C) the  ownership  or  operation  of the  Company or its  business or
assets prior to the Closing Date, including,  without limitation, (i) any Excess
Reimbursement  Liabilities (as defined in Section 2.7) and any other  Prohibited
Liabilities;  (ii) any Taxes resulting from the operation of the business of the
Company or  ownership  of any of the Assets  for any  period  ending  before the
Closing  Date;  (iii) any Loss arising out of the  noncompliance  of the Company
with COBRA or any like  statute  for any period  ending on or before the Closing
Date;  (iv) any claim of the type that would be covered by a standard  liability
insurance  policy,  including,   without  limitation,   professional  liability,
malpractice,  general liability,  automobile liability, worker's compensation or
employer's  liability  insurance,  arising out of the operation of the Company's
business  prior to the  Closing  Date,  including  payments  of any  deductibles
applicable to the aforesaid policies; and

          (D) any and all actions,  suits,  proceedings,  demands,  assessments,
judgments,  settlements (to the extent approved by the Seller, such approval not
to be unreasonably withheld,  delayed or conditioned),  costs and legal expenses
incident  to  any  of the  foregoing;  but  excluding  current  liabilities  and
long-term  liabilities that are reflected on the Estimated  Closing Date Balance
Sheet or that  otherwise are taken into account in any  adjustment to the Merger
Consideration under Section 2.3.

     12.3  INDEMNIFICATION BY BUYER. Buyer shall indemnify and defend the Seller
and Company and hold them harmless  against and with respect to any and all Loss
resulting from:

          (A) any inaccuracy in any  representation or certification,  or breach
of any warranty, made by Buyer pursuant to this Agreement; or

          (B) the breach of any  covenant or  undertaking  made by Buyer in this
Agreement; or

          (C) the ownership or operation of the Company or its  subsidiaries  or
its business or assets after the Closing Date.


                                       35

<PAGE>



     12.4  ASSERTION OF CLAIMS.  Any claims for  indemnification  under Sections
12.2(a)  or 12.3(a)  must be  asserted  by written  notice by a date which is no
later than one (1) year  following the Closing  Date,  except that (i) any claim
based upon a breach of the representations  and warranties  contained in Section
5.30  (Questionable  Payments),  Section 5.25 (Medicare and Medicaid) or Section
5.21 (Tax) may be asserted until thirty (30) days after the applicable period of
limitations  for  audits by the  applicable  Governmental  Authority  shall have
expired,  including  extensions for any necessary appeals,  (ii) any claim based
upon a breach of the  representations  and  warranties  contained in Section 6.5
(Ownership of Company  Stock) may be asserted at any time  following the Closing
Date,  and (iii)  any  claim  based  upon a breach  of the  representations  and
warranties  contained in Sections 5.28 and 6.2 (Binding  Effect),  insofar as it
related to the legality,  validity,  binding  effect and  enforceability  of the
covenants set forth in Section 12.6, may be asserted at any time during the term
of such covenants.

     12.5 INDEMNITY BASKET AND CAP.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Article XII, no claim for indemnification made under Sections 12.2(a) or 12.3(a)
shall be made unless and until Buyer or Seller, as the case may be, has incurred
Loss in excess of Twenty-five  Thousand  ($25,000) Dollars in the aggregate,  in
which case the party seeking  indemnification shall be entitled to assert claims
including  such  initial  ($25,000 ) Dollars.  The maximum  aggregate  liability
(excluding  any Loss  arising  from  fraud)  of any  party  for  indemnification
hereunder shall not exceed an amount equal to the Merger Consideration.

     12.6 CONTROL OF DEFENSE OF INDEMNIFIABLE CLAIMS.

          (A) Each  indemnified  party (each,  an  "Indemnitee")  shall give the
indemnifying party (the  "Indemnitor")  prompt notice of each claim for which it
seeks indemnification.  Failure to give such prompt notice shall not relieve any
Indemnitor of its indemnification obligation, provided that such indemnification
obligation  shall be reduced by any damages the Indemnitor  demonstrates  it has
suffered  resulting  from  a  failure  to  give  prompt  notice  hereunder.  The
Indemnitors shall be entitled to participate in the defense of such claim. If at
any  time  the  Indemnitor  acknowledges  in  writing  that  the  claim is fully
indemnifiable  by it under this Agreement,  and, if requested by the Indemnitee,
the Indemnitor  posts adequate bond or security,  the Indemnitor  shall have the
right to  assume  control  of the  defense  (but not the  settlement,  if such a
settlement may adversely affect Indemnitee or its current or future  operations)
of such  claim  at its own  expense;  unless  (i)  Indemnitee  shall  have  been
authorized  in writing by the  Indemnitor  to defend such action with counsel of
its own  choice in  connection  with the  defense  of such  action,  or (ii) the
Indemnitor shall not have employed counsel to have charge of the defense of such
action  within  twenty (20) days after the date of notice of the claim for which
indemnification  is sought is given to the  Indemnitor  or (iii) the  Indemnitor
shall have failed to undertake and reasonably pursue the defense of such action,
or (iv) the  Indemnitee  shall  have  reasonably  concluded  that  there  may be
material defenses available to it or them which are different from or additional
to those  available  to the  Indemnitor.  If any event  described in clauses (i)
through (iv) above shall occur,  then the Indemnitor shall not have the right to
direct the defense of such action on behalf of the  Indemnitee  with  counsel of
its own choice,  and the reasonable fees and expenses of the Indemnitee shall be
borne  by the  Indemnitor,  provided  that  such  counsel  shall  be  reasonably
acceptable  to the

                                       36

<PAGE>



Indemnitor.  If the  Indemnitors  do assume  control of the  defense of any such
claim in accordance  with the  foregoing,  then:  (x) the  Indemnitor  shall not
defend the claim for which  indemnification  is being  sought in any manner that
would  likely  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on the  Indemnitee  or on any
relationship that the Indemnitee may have with any customers, vendors, suppliers
or others,  and (y) the  Indemnitee  shall not settle  such  claim  without  the
written  consent of the  Indemnitor,  which  consent  shall not be  unreasonably
withheld,  delayed or conditioned.  Nothing contained in this Section 12.6 shall
prevent either party from assuming  control of the defense  and/or  settling any
claim against it for which indemnification is not sought under this Agreement.

          (B)  Notwithstanding  anything  to  the  contrary  contained  in  this
Agreement,  if there  shall be any  claim  for  Reimbursement  Liabilities  with
respect to which  Buyer  shall be seeking  indemnification,  Buyer will have the
sole right to contest or appeal such claim (using at least the same  standard of
care as it would  apply to  contests or appeals  with  respect to  reimbursement
liabilities  in  general)in  accordance  with the  procedures  set  forth in its
manual; provided,  however, that if there shall be no procedure set forth in its
appeals  manual  with  respect  to the  contest  or appeal of any type of Excess
Reimbursement  Liabilities,  then Buyer  shall  diligently  pursue  same in good
faith. Buyer may, in its sole and absolute  discretion,  at any time discontinue
any such contest or appeal or enter into a settlement with respect thereto prior
to the final determination thereof (a "Final DETERMINATION").

     12.7 RESTRICTIONS.

          (A) From and after the Closing  Date,  the Seller shall not  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 the Seller
shall be  permitted to make such  disclosures  as may be required by law or by a
court or  governmental  authority,  or to its  accountants  and  legal  counsel,
provided such parties agree to be bound by the confidentiality  restrictions set
forth herein.

          (B) After the Closing Date, the Seller shall not 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) The  Seller  shall not,  for a period of five (5) years  after the
Closing Date, directly, or indirectly,  for or on behalf of himself or any other
person,  firm,  entity or other  enterprise,  be  employed  by, be a director or
manager  of,  act as a  consultant  for,  be a partner  in,  have a  proprietary
interest in, give advice to, loan money to or  otherwise  associate  with,  in a
business fashion, 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 the Services  anywhere within the State

                                       37

<PAGE>



of Ohio; provided,  however, that this provision shall not be deemed to prohibit
Seller from owning or acquiring  up to two (2%) percent of the capital  stock of
any corporation whose capital stock is publicly traded.

          (D) The Seller  acknowledges  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 him  would  result  in
irreparable  harm to  Buyer.  Accordingly,  the  Seller  agrees  that  upon  the
violation by him 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.

     12.8  RECORDS.  On the  Closing  Date,  the  Seller and the  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 STUB-PERIOD TAX RETURN.  Buyer,  Seller and the Company agree that the
income of the Company in its final taxable year, or part thereof, shall be based
on a closing  of the books by the  Company  as of the close of  business  on the
Closing  Date.  After the Closing,  Seller shall prepare and timely file any and
all Tax Returns  attributable  to such final taxable year in accordance with all
applicable Governmental Requirements,  and shall timely pay all Taxes payable by
him  with  respect  to such  final  taxable  year.  Seller  shall  be  permitted
reasonable access to financial books and records  regarding the Company,  to the
extent necessary for Seller to comply with this Section 12.9.

                            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,  including without limitation those conditions set forth in Article X
hereof,  have not been satisfied by the Closing Date or pursuant to Section 14.1
if any portion of the Assets is damaged or destroyed as a result of fire, or for
any other casualty reason whatsoever;

          (B) Company,  if any  condition  precedent to the  obligations  of the
Seller or the Company  hereunder,  including without limitation those conditions
set forth in Article XI hereof, have not been satisfied by the Closing Date; or

          (C) the mutual consent of Buyer and Company.

     13.2 EFFECT OF TERMINATION.  If a party  terminates this Agreement  because
one of its conditions precedent has not been fulfilled,  or if this Agreement is
terminated by mutual consent,

                                       38

<PAGE>



or if it is terminated  pursuant to Section 14.1,  this  Agreement  shall become
null and void  without  any  liability  of any  party  to the  other;  provided,
however, that if such termination is by reason of the breach by any party of any
of its  representations,  warranties or obligations  under this  Agreement,  the
other party shall be entitled to be indemnified for any Losses incurred by it by
reason thereof in accordance with Article XII hereof (and for such purposes such
Article XII shall survive the termination of this Agreement).

                       ARTICLE XIV: CASUALTY, RISK OF LOSS

     14.1 CASUALTY, RISK OF LOSS. The Company and the Seller shall bear the risk
of all loss or damage to any of the Assets from all causes  which occur prior to
the  Closing.  If at any time prior to the  Closing any portion of the Assets is
damaged  or  destroyed  as a result of fire,  other  casualty  or for any reason
whatsoever,  the Company and the Seller shall immediately give notice thereof to
Buyer. Buyer shall have the right, in its sole and absolute  discretion,  within
ten (10) days of receipt of such  notice,  to (1) elect not to proceed  with the
Closing and terminate this  Agreement,  or (2) proceed to Closing and consummate
the transactions  contemplated hereby and receive any and all insurance proceeds
received  or  receivable  by the  Seller or the  Company  on account of any such
casualty. Nothing contained in this Section 14.1 shall limit or adversely affect
the right of Buyer to receive  indemnification for any Losses incurred by reason
of any breach by the Seller or the  Company of any  representation,  warranty or
obligation  under this Agreement in accordance with Section 12.2 hereof (and for
such  purposes  such  Section  12.2  shall  survive  the   termination  of  this
Agreement).

                            ARTICLE XV: MISCELLANEOUS

     15.1 COSTS AND  EXPENSES.  Except as expressly  otherwise  provided in this
Agreement, Buyer, Seller and the Company 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.

     15.2 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.

     15.3 BENEFIT AND ASSIGNMENT. This Agreement binds and inures to the benefit
of each party hereto and its  successors and proper  assigns.  Neither Buyer nor
Company or Seller may assign their  interests  under this Agreement to any other
person or  entity  without  the  prior  written  consent  of the other  parties;
provided, however, that prior to Closing Buyer may assign its rights,

                                       39

<PAGE>



duties and  obligations  hereunder to one or more  subsidiaries or affiliates of
Buyer;  and further provided that after the Closing Buyer may assign its rights,
duties and obligations hereunder without restriction.

     15.4 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. 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.

     15.5  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 requested or
necessary to carry out the intent and purposes of this Agreement, and to vest in
Buyer good title to, possession of and control of the Company and its assets.

     15.6  NOTICES.  All notices  required or  permitted  hereunder  shall be in
writing  and  shall be  deemed  to be  properly  given or made  when  personally
delivered  to the party or parties  entitled  to receive  the notice or five (5)
days after sent by certified or registered mail, postage prepaid, or on the next
business day if sent for next day delivery by a nationally  recognized overnight
courier,  in either case, properly addressed to the party or parties entitled to
receive such notice at the address stated below:

If to the Company:         Paragon Rehabilitative Services, Inc.
                           37165 Landings Drive
                           Solon, Ohio 44139

If to the Seller:          Phillip Slive
                           37165 Landings Drive
                           Solon, Ohio 44139

with a copy to:            Kahn Kleinman Yanowitz and Arnson
                           Tower at Erieview, Ste. 2600
                           Cleveland, Ohio 44114
                           Attn: Bennett Yanowitz

If to the Buyer:           Integrated Health Services, Inc.
                           10065 Red Run Boulevard
                           Owings Mills, MD 21117
                           Attn:    Elizabeth B. Kelly, Executive Vice-President
                           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


                                       40

<PAGE>



     15.7  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.

     15.8 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.

     15.9 GOVERNING  LAW. This  Agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the laws of the State of Ohio,  disregarding  any rules relating
to the choice or conflict of laws.

     15.10  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.

     15.11  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 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.

                                       41

<PAGE>



     15.12 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.

     15.13 PUBLIC  ANNOUNCEMENTS.  Any general public  announcements  or similar
media publicity with respect to this Agreement or the transactions  contemplated
herein  shall be at such  time and in such  manner  as  Buyer  shall  determine;
provided  that nothing  herein shall prevent  either  party,  upon as much prior
notice as shall be possible under the  circumstances  to the other,  from making
such written  announcements  as such party's  counsel may consider  advisable in
order to satisfy the party's legal and contractual obligations in such regard.

     15.14  ARBITRATION.  Any dispute or controversy  between any of the parties
hereto  pertaining to the performance or  interpretation of this Agreement shall
be  settled  by  binding  arbitration  pursuant  to the  rules  of the  American
Arbitration Association.  The cost of such proceeding shall be shared equally by
all parties thereto,  and each such party shall bear its own costs incurred as a
result of its participation in any such arbitration.

     15.15 NO CONTRIBUTION OR INDEMNITY.  After the Closing the Seller shall not
have any right of  contribution  or  indemnity  from the Company and no right of
subrogation  to proceed  against the Company with respect to any  liability  for
representations, warranties and covenants made by Seller or the Company pursuant
to this Agreement or otherwise.

                             [SIGNATURES TO FOLLOW]





<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:
                                          PARAGON REHABILITATIVE
                                          SERVICES, INC.

                                          By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                                   Phillip Slive, President


                                          SELLER:

                                          --------------------------------------
                                          PHILLIP SLIVE

                                          BUYER:
                                          INTEGRATED HEALTH SERVICES, INC.

                                          By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Executive Vice President
                                          Corporate Development

                                          NEWCO:
                                          IHS ACQUISITION XXXIV, INC.

                                          By:
                                             -----------------------------------
                                          Executive Vice President



                                       43



                                                                       EXHIBIT 5


                  [LETTERHEAD OF FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.]

                                                                  March 26, 1998



The Board of Directors
Integrated Health Services, Inc.
10065 Red Run Boulevard
Owings Mills, Maryland 21117

Dear Sirs:

     We  refer to the  Registration  Statement  on Form  S-3 (the  "Registration
Statement"),  to be filed by Integrated Health Services, Inc. (the "Company") on
behalf of certain selling  stockholders  (the "Selling  Stockholders")  with the
Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
relating to 513,753 shares of Common Stock,  $.001 par value (the "Shares"),  to
be sold by the Selling Stockholders named therein.

     As counsel  for the  Company,  we have  examined  such  corporate  records,
documents  and  such  questions  of  law  as we  have  considered  necessary  or
appropriate   for  purposes  of  this  opinion  and,  upon  the  basis  of  such
examination, advise you that in our opinion the Shares to be sold by the Selling
Stockholders have been duly and validly authorized and are legally issued, fully
paid and non-assessable.

     We consent to the filing of this opinion as an exhibit to the  Registration
Statement  and the reference to this firm under the caption  "Legal  Matters" in
the prospectus contained therein and elsewhere in the Registration Statement and
prospectus.  This consent is not to be  construed as an admission  that we are a
party  whose  consent is required  to be filed with the  Registration  Statement
under the provisions of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        /s/ FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.
                                        -------------------------------
                                           FULBRIGHT & JAWORSKI L.L.P.




                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1

              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

The Board of Directors and Stockholders
Integrated Health Services, Inc.:

     We consent to the use of our report  dated March 25,  1998  relating to the
consolidated  financial  statements of Integrated Health Services,  Inc. ("IHS")
and subsidiaries,  incorporated herein by reference, to the incorporation herein
by  reference of our report  dated April 14, 1997  relating to the  consolidated
financial statements of Community Care of America, Inc. and subsidiaries,  which
report  appears  in the  Form 8-K of IHS  filed  on  October  10,  1997,  to the
incorporation  herein by reference of our report dated October 17, 1996 relating
to the  consolidated  financial  statements  of First  American  Health  Care of
Georgia,  Inc. and  subsidiaries,  which report appears in the Form 8-K/A of IHS
filed on November 26, 1996,  and to the  reference to our firm under the heading
"Experts" in the registration statement.

     Our report dated March 25, 1998 refers to changes in accounting methods, in
1995, to adopt Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 121 relating to
impairment  of long-lived  assets and, in 1996,  from  deferring and  amortizing
pre-opening  costs of medical specialty units to recording them as expenses when
incurred.  Our report  dated April 14,  1997 refers to the change in  accounting
method in 1996 to adopt  Statement of  Financial  Accounting  Standards  No. 121
relating to impairment of long-lived  assets.  Our report dated October 17, 1996
contains an  explanatory  paragraph  regarding the  uncertainty  with respect to
certain  contingent  payments which may be payable under a settlement  agreement
with the Health Care Financing Administration.

                                        /s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
                                        -------------------------
                                          KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

Baltimore, Maryland
March 30, 1998


                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.2

              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



     We consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement
on Form S-3 of  Integrated  Health  Services,  Inc.  (IHS) of our  report  dated
September  18, 1997  (October  21, 1997 as to Note 1),  appearing  in the Annual
Report on Form 10-K of RoTech  Medical  Corporation  for the year ended July 31,
1997, which appears in the Form 8-K, dated October 21, 1997, as amended, of IHS,
and to the  reference  to us under the  heading  "experts"  in the  registration
statement.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
- -------------------------
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Orlando, Florida

March 30, 1998




                                                                   EXHIBIT 23.3


              CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS

     As independent public  accountants,  we hereby consent to the incorporation
by  reference in this  registration  statement of our report dated March 6, 1998
included in Integrated Health Services,  Inc.'s Current Report on Form 8-K dated
December 31, 1997 and to all references to our Firm included in the registration
statement.

                                        /s/ Arthur Andersen LLP
                                        -----------------------
                                          Arthur Andersen LLP

Albuquerque, New Mexico
March 30, 1998


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