NOVACARE INC
10-K405, 1998-09-16
MISC HEALTH & ALLIED SERVICES, NEC
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                                [NOVACARE LOGO]
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                                   FORM 10-K
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF
                      THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
                    FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
 
                         Commission file number 1-10875
                                 NOVACARE, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                          <C>
                 DELAWARE                                  13-3247827
         (STATE OF INCORPORATION)             (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
1016 WEST NINTH AVENUE, KING OF PRUSSIA, PA                  19406
  (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE)                  (ZIP CODE)
</TABLE>
 
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (610) 992-7200
 
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                  <C>                                      <C>
Title of each class                                           Name of each exchange on which registered
           COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 PER SHARE                   NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
 
              5 1/2% CONVERTIBLE SUBORDINATED                       NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE, INC.
                    DEBENTURES DUE 2000
</TABLE>
 
     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS
REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE
REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS.
 
                                 YES X      NO
 
     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF DISCLOSURE OF DELINQUENT FILERS PURSUANT TO ITEM
405 OF REGULATION S-K IS NOT CONTAINED HEREIN, AND WILL NOT BE CONTAINED, TO THE
BEST OF REGISTRANT'S KNOWLEDGE, IN DEFINITIVE PROXY OR INFORMATION STATEMENTS
INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN PART III OF THIS FORM 10-K OR ANY AMENDMENT TO THIS
FORM 10-K. [X]
 
     AS OF SEPTEMBER 7, 1998, 62,535,789 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK WERE
OUTSTANDING, AND THE AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK HELD
BY NON-AFFILIATES WAS APPROXIMATELY $387,620,825. (DETERMINATION OF STOCK
OWNERSHIP BY NON-AFFILIATES WAS MADE SOLELY FOR THE PURPOSE OF RESPONDING TO
THIS REQUIREMENT AND THE REGISTRANT IS NOT BOUND BY THIS DETERMINATION FOR ANY
OTHER PURPOSE.)
 
                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
 
     PART III INCORPORATES INFORMATION BY REFERENCE FROM PORTIONS OF THE
REGISTRANT'S PROXY STATEMENT FOR THE 1998 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE
HELD ON NOVEMBER 5, 1998.
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<PAGE>   2
 
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                  FORM 10-K -- FISCAL YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1998
 
                       CONTENTS AND CROSS REFERENCE SHEET
          FURNISHED PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION G(4) OF FORM 10-K
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FORM 10-K  FORM 10-K                                                                   FORM 10-K
PART NO.   ITEM NO.                            DESCRIPTION                             PAGE NO.
- ---------  ---------                           -----------                             ---------
<S>        <C>         <C>                                                             <C>
I              1       Business....................................................        1
                              The Company..........................................        1
                              Industry Background..................................        2
                              Company Strategy.....................................        4
                              Outpatient Services..................................        5
                                 Strategy Statement................................        5
                                 Plan for Growth and Operations....................        5
                                 Business Profile..................................        6
                                 Competition.......................................        8
                                 Reimbursement/Government Relations................        9
                                 Government Regulation.............................        9
                              Long-term Care Services..............................       10
                                 Strategy Statement................................       10
                                 Plan for Growth and Operations....................       11
                                 Business Profile..................................       12
                                 Competition.......................................       14
                                 Reimbursement/Government Relations................       15
                                 Government Regulation.............................       16
                              Employee Services....................................       16
                                 Strategy Statement................................       16
                                 Plan for Growth and Operations....................       17
                                 Business Profile..................................       18
                                 Competition.......................................       20
                                 Government Regulation.............................       20
                              Insurance............................................       23
                              Employees............................................       23
                              Executive Officers of the Registrant.................       24
               2       Properties..................................................       25
               3       Legal Proceedings...........................................       25
               4       Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.........       25
II             5       Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
                         Stockholder Matters.......................................       26
               6       Selected Financial Data.....................................       27
               7       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
                         and Results of Operations.................................       28
               8       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.................       36
               9       Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
                         and Financial Disclosure..................................       56
III           10       Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..........       56
              11       Executive Compensation......................................       56
              12       Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
                         Management................................................       56
              13       Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..............       56
IV            14       Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form
                         8-K.......................................................       56
Signatures.........................................................................       57
</TABLE>
 
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                                     PART I
 
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
 
THE COMPANY
 
  Overview
 
     NovaCare, Inc. ("NovaCare" or the "Company") was formed in 1985 and is a
national leader in physical rehabilitation services and employee services. In
physical rehabilitation services, the Company treats 47,000 patients per day in
cost-effective outpatient and long-term care settings and has achieved number
one market shares in long-term care and orthotic and prosthetic rehabilitation.
In addition, NovaCare is the nation's second largest provider of outpatient
physical therapy and rehabilitation services and, through its 71% owned
subsidiary NovaCare Employees Services, Inc. ("NCES"), the second largest
employee services provider, or professional employer organization ("PEO"),
administering the full array of human resource functions, including the
management of health care benefits and workers' compensation, principally for
small and medium-sized businesses.
 
     Physical rehabilitation services are the processes that restore individuals
disabled by trauma, injury or disease to their optimal level of functionality
and self-sufficiency. Across the health care spectrum, over 80% of individuals
receiving physical rehabilitation services return to the community in productive
endeavors or to active retirement. NovaCare's physical rehabilitation services
are provided in two industry segments: (i) outpatient services -- providing
outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation, orthotic and prosthetic ("O&P")
and occupational health rehabilitation services through a national network of
patient care centers, and (ii) long-term care services -- providing
rehabilitation therapy and health care consulting services on a contract basis
to health care institutions, primarily long-term care facilities and acute care
hospitals.
 
     The Company's employee services consist of comprehensive, fully integrated
outsourcing solutions to human resource services, including payroll management,
workers' compensation, risk management, benefits administration, unemployment
services and human resource consulting services generally provided to small and
medium-sized businesses through NCES. The Company believes it offers better
solutions at the best value by providing a convenient integrated complement of
services. The Company creates relationships with both its clients and worksite
employees by contractually assuming certain administrative, regulatory and
financial employer responsibilities with respect to worksite employees in a
"co-employment" relationship.
 
  Corporate and Capital Structure Change
 
     NovaCare's strategy remains constant, however, a rapidly changing industry
environment may dictate a new corporate and capital structure. The most critical
success factor in all of the Company's businesses is recognizing and meeting the
unique needs of its different customers. Clearly, the needs of long-term care
providers are quite different from the needs of the payers, physicians and
employers in the Company's outpatient services customer base.
 
     The capital requirements of the long-term care and outpatient services
businesses also differ. NovaCare's long-term care business requires relatively
little capital for growth. Stock price multiples in the long-term care sector
are expected to be low for the foreseeable future, given the investment
community's uncertainty regarding the recent changes in Medicare reimbursement.
See "Reimbursement/Government Relations" discussed later.
 
     In contrast, the very fragmented outpatient services business offers
substantial consolidation opportunities, with a corresponding need for capital
to fund acquisitions. A stock with a higher price-earnings multiple that is
typical of outpatient services industries would afford an attractive currency
for strategic acquisitions and for raising capital.
 
     For all of these reasons, the Company is considering separating its
physical rehabilitation services businesses into two publicly held
companies -- a long-term care, geriatric-oriented business and an outpatient
physical rehabilitation-oriented business. The precise course and timing the
Company will follow depends on a variety of capital markets, tax, regulatory and
operational issues.
 
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<PAGE>   4
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
  Outpatient Services
 
     Outpatient services are rendered primarily in outpatient rehabilitation
facilities, rehabilitation hospitals, rehabilitation units in acute care
hospitals, rehabilitation clinics, industrial settings, schools and patients'
homes. Health care professionals providing these services include physical and
occupational therapists, physiatrists and other qualified rehabilitation
physicians, orthotists, prosthetists, recreational therapists, rehabilitation
counselors and others.
 
     The current market opportunity in outpatient services, inclusive of
outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation, O&P, occupational health and
physician support services, is approximately $30 billion. The Company believes
that the industry will grow at 5% per year due primarily to the following three
factors:
 
     Proven cost-effectiveness of services.  Providing outpatient services to
patients who have suffered severe injury or disease can improve the patients'
quality of life and return employees to the work place faster. Such services
attempt to prevent short-term disabilities from becoming chronic conditions and
to speed recovery from surgery and musculoskeletal injuries. A 1995 study by
Health Insurance Corporation of America reported that for every dollar spent on
rehabilitation services, $30 in future health care, lost wages, legal and other
costs are saved. Purchasers and providers of outpatient services are seeking
ways to reduce health care costs. Outpatient services health care professionals
are able to provide services at lower costs than hospitals because of their
lower overhead costs.
 
     Increased demand for services.  Each year more than three million people
are seriously injured due to auto accidents, sports injuries, strokes, heart
attacks and other serious medical occurrences. These persons typically require
outpatient services in order to regain their functionality. The high quality of
life expectations for disabled people, the aging population and technological
advances continue to drive demand for outpatient services.
 
     Comprehensive reimbursement for services.  A broad array of payers cover
the cost of outpatient services, including commercial health insurance, workers'
compensation, managed care plans, employers, government programs and patients.
 
  Long-Term Care Services
 
     Depending on an individual's diagnostic and therapeutic needs, long-term
care services are delivered primarily in skilled nursing facilities, acute care
hospitals, rehabilitation agencies, patients' homes and assisted living
facilities. These services are provided by a variety of health care
professionals including occupational and physical therapists, speech-language
pathologists, audiologists, respiratory therapists, physiatrists, rehabilitation
nurses, social workers and others.
 
     Recent industry analysis suggests that the rehabilitation portion of
long-term care services is an approximately $3.5 billion industry which is
expected to grow by 5% per year. NovaCare believes that the industry's growth
has been fueled primarily by the following three factors:
 
     Increased demand for services.  Reimbursement for services, advances in
technology, the aging population and high quality of life expectations for
disabled and elderly people continue to drive demand for long-term care
services. The reimbursement systems for patients in acute care hospitals
encourages their discharge while they remain in need of rehabilitation services.
Technological advances in medical care have lengthened lifespans and improved
the quality of life for patients who have suffered injury or disease. The U.S.
Bureau of the Census statistics show that the fastest growing segment of the
population is the group over 65 years of age which is expected to increase 18%
from 1996 to 2010 and 75% from 2010 to 2030. This group, among the 35 million
Americans who have a disability and cannot perform basic physical activity or
need assistance to do so, has the highest requirement for rehabilitation
services. Approximately 75% of strokes and 70% of amputations occur in persons
over the age of 65.
 
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     Proven cost-effectiveness of services.  Several studies have proven that
the long-term care setting is a cost-effective setting for rehabilitation. An
American Health Care Association 1995 study compared two groups of stroke and
orthopedic patients and found that the functional outcomes for the group treated
in skilled nursing facilities were the same as outcomes for the group treated in
acute care hospitals; however, the cost of treatment in the skilled nursing
facility was on average 30% lower than the cost of treatment in an acute care
hospital. This study supported the findings of a similar report on stroke
patients published in the Archives of Physical Medical Rehabilitation.
 
     Comprehensive reimbursement for services.  Payments for long-term care
services are covered by Medicare and Medicaid and are typically covered by
commercial health insurance policies and managed care plans. Under the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987, long-term care facilities that participate in
the Medicare program are required to offer physical therapy, occupational
therapy and speech-language pathology services to improve the functionality of
patients.
 
  Employee Services
 
     According to industry analysts, the PEO industry has approximately $22
billion in annual revenues with a historical growth rate over the last five
years of approximately 30% per year. According to the U. S. Small Business
Administration, there are nearly six million businesses in the United States
with fewer than 500 employees, employing more than 52 million persons and with
$1.2 trillion in aggregate annual payroll. The National Association of
Professional Employer Organizations ("NAPEO") estimates that the PEO industry
employs fewer than three million worksite employees. The Company believes,
therefore, that approximately 49 million of these employees are currently
unserved by the PEO industry.
 
     The PEO industry is highly fragmented. NAPEO data suggest that there are at
least 2,400 PEOs currently in operation. According to industry analysts, the ten
largest PEOs account for approximately 35% of existing revenues in the industry.
The Company believes that significant consolidation opportunities exist within
the PEO industry due to increasing industry regulatory complexity and capital
requirements associated with developing larger service delivery infrastructures,
more diversified services and more sophisticated management information systems.
 
     Demand for Services.  The PEO industry evolved in the early 1980's in
response to increasing employment and benefit costs, and the complexities of the
legal and regulatory environment for the rapidly expanding small- to
medium-sized business sector. The Company believes demand for PEO services will
continue to increase as: (i) employment-related governmental regulation grows
more complex, (ii) growth continues within the small- to medium-sized business
community, (iii) the need to provide health and retirement benefits in a
cost-effective convenient manner increases, and (iv) the business and regulatory
communities accept and recognize the PEO industry. While various service
providers, such as payroll processing firms, benefits and safety consultants and
temporary services firms, are available to assist these businesses with specific
tasks, such organizations do not typically provide the more comprehensive range
of services generally offered by PEOs. PEOs enter into agreements with numerous
small- to medium-sized employers, and can, therefore, achieve economies of scale
as professional employers and offer benefits packages and human resource
services at a level typically available only to larger companies which have
greater resources to devote to human resources management. The Company believes
PEO services will continue to experience growing demand because of the growing
trend among small- to medium-sized employers to: (i) outsource non-core
competencies, (ii) seek to reduce employee benefit costs, (iii) avoid
employee-related risks and regulatory complexities, and (iv) attract better
employees and retain them through improved benefit plans.
 
     Effectiveness of Services.  According to estimates by the U.S. Small
Business Administration, the management of an average small- to medium-sized
business devotes from 7% to 25% of its time to employee-related matters, leaving
management with less time to focus on core competencies. A National Federation
of Independent Business survey of small businesses in 1996 showed that six of
the top 13 major problem areas for small business are issues that can be
addressed by PEOs. These include (with their rank in importance according to the
survey): cost of health insurance (1), workers' compensation costs (3), federal
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
paperwork (7), frequent changes in federal tax laws (9), finding qualified
employees (11), and state/local paperwork (13). Work-related injuries cost
employers over $53 billion in medical expenses and lost employee productivity
each year, according to industry estimates. Employees are typically attracted to
small and medium-sized businesses that provide them with an array of human
resources benefits and services typically characteristic of large employers. An
industry analyst's study indicated that 40% of the companies that outsourced
services to a PEO upgraded their employee benefits offerings and one-fourth of
those clients offered health care and other benefits for the first time.
 
COMPANY STRATEGY
 
  Values-Based Business
 
     NovaCare believes that the most important and differentiating quality of
outstanding organizations is the set of values which inspires, unites and
sustains them. Values are constant and enduring, and precede and underlie
business plans, policies, procedures, practices, performance and outcomes. The
Company's values are:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                   <C>
Credo                                 Helping Make Life a Little Better
Beliefs                               Respect for the Individual
                                      Service to the Customer
                                      Pursuit of Excellence
                                      Commitment to Personal Integrity
Purpose
  Outpatient and Long-term            To effectively meet the rehabilitation and health care
  Care Services                       service needs of our patients through clinical
                                      leadership.
  Employee Services                   To effectively provide better human resource solutions
                                      at the best value to our customers through service
                                      leadership.
</TABLE>
 
     It is management's belief that NovaCare's values unify the Company and
mandate an open, participative and empowered environment. Health care is
changing at a remarkable pace and NovaCare is expanding into new businesses. The
Company's values-based culture enables NovaCare to set aside the organizational
anxiety and self-interest that often accompany change. The pursuit of the
Company's values unlocks NovaCare's inherent capacity to drive change, creating
substantial opportunity. It is management's opinion that NovaCare's people,
values-driven culture and capacity for change are its greatest strengths and its
competitive advantage
 
  Strategy Statement
 
     NovaCare's strategy is to achieve a leading market position in each of its
businesses. Each of the industry sectors in which the Company participates is
large, fragmented, growing and suit the Company's core competencies:
outsourcing, information technology, human resource management, and
consolidation and integration.
 
     Outsourcing.  NovaCare provides cost-effective outsourced solutions to
business. The Company's ability to understand and anticipate the needs of
customers, while smoothly integrating into their operations, allows NovaCare's
customers to focus on their business' core competencies. NovaCare provides
services that its customers may not have the necessary scale, expertise, time or
staff to provide themselves. The Company seeks to be a partner with its
customers, whether a small business or a health care organization, adding and
adapting services as customer needs change.
 
     Information Technology.  NovaCare strives to improve its customers'
performance by providing knowledge-based services and technology beyond the
reach of their internal systems. For example, in response to the changes in
reimbursement from Medicare to long-term care providers, NovaCare is currently
enhancing its long-term care services business information systems that track
patient assessment, utilization, census, case mix and outcomes. This same
information technology capability that adds value for customers is utilized to
improve NovaCare's efficiency and profitability.
 
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<PAGE>   7
 
     Human Resource Management.  Due to the historically competitive environment
for clinical rehabilitation professionals, NovaCare has developed strong
capabilities to attract and retain employees, a critical success factor in
service industries. With approximately 20,000 employees working in small groups
in customer long-term care facilities and NovaCare outpatient centers, the
Company has experience in effectively managing a highly dispersed workforce on a
national level.
 
     Consolidation and Integration.  NovaCare believes that its consolidation
and integration program allows the Company to achieve the scale economies
required to create margin opportunity and warrant the investment made in service
differentiation. The Company focuses its consolidation activities in target
geographic markets to leverage the cost of field management and concentrate its
resources on the most critical relationships in a community. NovaCare orients
the employees of acquired businesses to the Company's values, creating alignment
with common goals which, in turn, facilitates integration.
 
OUTPATIENT SERVICES
 
  STRATEGY STATEMENT
 
     NovaCare's outpatient services strategy is to leverage its core
competencies to expand its local market presence and enhance relationships with
providers and payers to achieve market leadership. The strategy is based on
management's belief that:
 
     - Health care is a local business. Local market growth is dependent upon
       relationships with physicians, hospitals, post-acute care and managed
       care delivery systems, employers and payers.
 
     - The highest margins in a market generally accrue to the provider with the
       greatest regional market share and scale.
 
     - Large integrated delivery systems comprising health care providers and
       payers will be networked to facilitate integrated patient care, to ease
       administration, and reduce costs for payers and providers and to ensure
       high quality care at competitive cost in local and regional geographic
       markets.
 
     - Outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation services will continue to
       experience steady or growing demand because health care payer
       cost-containment efforts will continue to drive patients toward the most
       cost-effective health care solution to satisfy patients' needs and
       customers' requirements.
 
     - Purchasers of outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation services
       will continue to emphasize cost-effective, clinically proven outcomes in
       the selection of rehabilitation providers.
 
     - Clinical superiority through technological leadership should produce a
       clear competitive advantage.
 
     - Costs can be lowered through clinical, operational and information
       systems innovations coupled with "flat" organizations having broad spans
       of control.
 
  PLAN FOR GROWTH AND OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's outpatient services growth plan has four principal
components: (i) attain the leading position in target markets, (ii) develop
occupational health services, (iii) focus growth efforts in select target
markets, and (iv) ensure clinical leadership and outcomes.
 
     Attain the Leading Position in Target Markets.  NovaCare plans to continue
to expand the Company's extensive network of outpatient services sites in target
geographic markets through acquisitions and start-up centers. Management
believes that the size and density of NovaCare's outpatient services network in
many markets positions the Company favorably to affiliate with health care
delivery systems and to compete for referrals from managed care organizations,
physician groups, hospitals and commercial customers. In fiscal 1998, the
Company acquired 90 outpatient services businesses with aggregate pro forma
annual revenues of $160 million, increasing its network of facilities by 41% to
910 locations.
 
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<PAGE>   8
 
     Develop Occupational Health Services.  Occupational health integrates
injury prevention with physician services, rehabilitation, case management and
other ancillary services to return work-injured employees to the workplace as
safely and quickly as possible. NovaCare provides "workplace-to-workplace"
service, which combines worksite evaluation, injury/illness diagnosis, physician
treatment, rehabilitation and back to work programs. The goal is to minimize
health care and disability costs to employers while providing the employee the
opportunity to recover, as fully as possible, from a workplace injury. The
system includes a network of physician practices specializing in occupational
health care, which oversees the workers' initial evaluation, care planning and
clinical progress through their return to work. Treatment of patients is
generally performed in health care centers equipped in a manner similar to
NovaCare's outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation centers.
 
     The Company plans to build on its existing foundation and to acquire
established occupational health services practices, clinics and services in
target geographic markets. The Company believes such acquisitions will
complement the Company's expansion of outpatient physical therapy and
rehabilitation services, capitalize on patient flow synergies and further
position NovaCare for affiliation with hospital systems, managed care payers and
commercial customers.
 
     Focus Growth in Select Target Markets.  NovaCare intends to build and
maintain leading market positions in 15 target geographic markets by leveraging
relationships with leading health care providers in these target markets. The
Company's goal is to enhance referral and health care system relationships,
increase brand awareness and leverage its clinical resources and infrastructure
investments in target markets. Management believes that with its combined
outpatient services network, NovaCare is in a strong position to meet the needs
of health care systems in a local or regional market. NovaCare offers the
attributes that health care system partners find attractive: (i) dispersed
outpatient services capabilities, (ii) cost-effective, clinically proven
outcomes, and (iii) the financial ability to support network growth.
 
     Ensure Clinical Leadership and Outcomes.  In a health care marketplace
seeking the highest quality outcomes at the lowest possible costs, NovaCare
believes that standardized, clinically proven treatment protocols can achieve
superior results at a predictable cost. Innovative service and product offerings
provides clinical differentiation. NovaCare's research and development efforts,
particularly in O&P, are recognized worldwide for their achievements which
improve the quality of life for patients. Carefully documented clinical
outcomes, including functional improvement and patient satisfaction, are
provided by the Company to referral sources and payers.
 
  BUSINESS PROFILE
 
     Outpatient services comprise: (i) outpatient physical therapy and
rehabilitation services, (ii) O&P, and (iii) occupational health rehabilitation
services. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, outpatient services
represented 31% and 34%, respectively, of the Company's net revenues.
 
     Management believes that NovaCare is the second largest provider of
freestanding outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation services in the
United States, with a national network of 506 centers, comprising stand-alone
clinics, hospital-based clinics and employer on-site clinics in 29 states.
Through these settings, approximately 1,000 licensed physical and occupational
therapists develop individual treatment plans and utilize a sports medicine
approach to rehabilitate patients and manage recovery from orthopedic surgery,
injuries and disease-related conditions.
 
     Outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation services include: (i)
general rehabilitation, which is designed to return injured and post-operative
patients to their optimal functional capacity, (ii) sports rehabilitation, which
is designed to minimize the "downtime" of injured sports participants and safely
return them to sports activities, (iii) industrial rehabilitation and work
hardening, which are designed to reduce work-related injuries and rehabilitate
and strengthen injured patients to allow a rapid, safe return to normal job
activities, and (iv) hospital-based services, which involve the provision of
inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services on a contract basis to acute
care hospitals.
 
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<PAGE>   9
 
     Patients are generally referred by physicians (most commonly orthopedists,
physiatrists, primary care physicians, internists and neurologists), managed
care insurers, workers' compensation insurers, case managers, industrial
companies and rehabilitation nurses. In a number of states, patients can obtain
outpatient therapy services by "direct access," without a physician's referral.
 
     NovaCare rehabilitates and conditions the athletes of 20 professional
sports teams and more than 300 college and high school athletic programs.
 
     Analysts estimate that the outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation
industry approximates $6 billion. NovaCare's share of the industry total, based
on fiscal 1998 revenues, is approximately 4%.
 
     NovaCare is the largest custom O&P patient care services organization in
the U.S. with an approximate 16% market share of a $1.6 billion industry, based
on fiscal 1998 revenues. Services are provided by 780 orthotists and
prosthetists, referred to as practitioners, through 365 patient care centers.
 
     Orthotic rehabilitation involves the fitting, design, fabrication and use
of custom-made braces and support devices for treatment of musculoskeletal
conditions resulting from illness, injury or congenital anomalies. Prosthetic
rehabilitation involves the fitting, fabrication and use of custom-made
artificial limbs typically required by people who have suffered the loss of a
limb from vascular diseases, diabetes, cancer or trauma. The Company, through
its Sabolich(R) socket and myoelectric technology, is a nationally renowned
leader in prosthetic research, design and patient care. Its breakthrough
technology and research is believed by management to clinically differentiate
NovaCare in O&P services worldwide.
 
     The principal referral sources for O&P rehabilitation services are vascular
and orthopedic surgeons, primary care physicians, case managers and amputee
support groups. However, other specialized physicians, such as physiatrists, and
managed care payers have emerged as important referral sources. Secondary
referral sources include physical therapists, orthopedic nurses, orthopedic
technicians and other rehabilitation professionals.
 
     An O&P practitioner consults with the referring physician and the patient
to formulate a prescription for and the design of a device that meets the
patient's needs. The fitting process involves several phases in order to achieve
the desired functional and cosmetic results. The average prosthetic patient
visit requires one extended visit, followed by several shorter visits during the
fitting process. Checkups and servicing occur once every two years, or several
times a year for more active patients. The average orthotic patient visits are
more variable because of the broad range of orthotic devices. Generally, there
is one extended visit and a follow-up visit. The O&P device and patient care are
priced on an all-inclusive basis and have a six-month warranty. Devices
typically need replacement every three to five years.
 
     Occupational health services comprise treatment for work-related injuries
and illnesses, physical and occupational rehabilitation therapy, pre-placement
physical examinations and evaluations, case management, diagnostic testing and
other employer-requested or government-mandated work-related health care
services. The most common work-related injuries are soft tissue injuries,
lacerations, moderate trauma injuries to the spine or extremities, and exposure
to hazardous materials. Treatments typically are provided by specialized
occupational health physicians, general practitioners, physicians assistants,
physiatrists and physical therapists in a variety of settings, including
specialized occupational health clinics, specialized occupational health
Preferred Provider Organization ("PPO") networks, general health care clinics
and physician offices and hospital emergency departments. The care providers
generally are trained and experienced in occupational and industrial medicine or
have other medical backgrounds compatible with work-related injuries.
 
     Customers for occupational health services are workers' compensation
insurance companies, commercial and government self-insured employers that
operate through third-party administrators, and employees covered by various
insurance programs.
 
     The occupational health services market is highly fragmented and many
providers of occupational health care, such as hospital emergency departments
and general practitioners, are not specialized in occupational health care. The
Company believes that, due to increasing business and regulatory complexity,
capital requirements and the development of health care systems in local and
regional markets, an increasing number
 
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<PAGE>   10
 
of physicians specializing in occupational health services are seeking to
affiliate with larger health care service organizations.
 
     Industry analysts estimate that there are more than 2,000 occupational
health care locations in the United States, representing a $30 billion industry.
Management estimates that approximately 95% of these centers are privately held,
single-center businesses.
 
     The occupational health industry can be broadly divided into two
categories: injury services and non-injury services. The injury services market
consists of physicians, therapists and other health care professionals that
provide the actual medical care for injured workers. The market for injury
services is estimated to be about $22 billion, consisting of $4 billion in
primary-care services and $18 billion in specialist and hospital care. The
non-injury services market comprises case management, utilization management,
bill review, claims processing, other administrative services and prevention
programs related to managing an employer's workers' compensation program. The
market for non-injury services is estimated to be about $4 billion. Some
occupational health companies provide both injury and non-injury services, while
others specialize in one or the other. NovaCare specializes in injury services
and prevention programs.
 
     The dollar amount of workers' compensation claims has increased
significantly in recent years, resulting in escalating employer costs. The
increase is attributable to (i) an increase in work-related injuries and
illnesses, (ii) the rise in the cost of health care, and (iii) the state
regulated requirement that employers pay the majority of lost wages, replacement
wages, legal and other benefit expenses. In the aggregate, currently, workers'
compensation costs amount to $70 billion annually in the United States. An
occupational health service is an employer's solution to controlling workers'
compensation costs attributable to medical costs and lost time from work.
 
     Trends in workers' compensation and the general business environment favor
growth of the occupational health industry. As both the volume of workers'
compensation injuries and the cost per injury continue to increase in a
competitive, cost-oriented business environment, employers and insurance
companies will increasingly seek ways to reduce such costs. Work-related
injuries are more costly to treat because they require longer durations of care
and result in more frequent visits to health care providers than comparable
non-work injuries; as such, specialized occupational health companies that have
expertise in returning injured employees to work quickly and cost effectively
are best positioned to benefit from future growth.
 
     NovaCare is one of the five largest occupational health services provider
managing work injury rehabilitation and prevention programs for employers
through on-site programs and outpatient care through the Company's 39
freestanding occupational health centers and its 506 outpatient rehabilitation
clinics. NovaCare performs work-site analyses to assess workplace risk, provides
work-site safety programs and helps employers comply with work-related state and
federal requirements. By acquiring additional practices and related occupational
health services in target markets, NovaCare plans to expand its linkage with
workers needing occupational rehabilitation, enhance the patient volume of
outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation and increase the attractiveness
of the Company to workers' compensation insurers, commercial customers and
potential health care system affiliates.
 
  COMPETITION
 
     The health care industry in general, and rehabilitation in particular, is
highly competitive and subject to continual changes in methods of service
delivery and provider selection. Rehabilitation is largely a local market
business and competition varies considerably among markets. NovaCare competes
primarily in the 15 target geographic markets where its outpatient services
patient care centers are located. The primary competitive factors in such local
markets are: (i) quality of patient care services, (ii) charges for services,
(iii) responsiveness to meeting the needs of patients, customers, referral
sources and payers, and (iv) increasingly, networked integration with other
health care providers and payers.
 
     The Company believes that its national and local sponsorship and support of
organizations for injured and disabled individuals and affiliations with
professional sports teams enhance NovaCare's visibility, brand recognition and
competitive position.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
     In the outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation business, key
competitive factors include the ability to: (i) develop and maintain
relationships with referral sources (physicians, rehabilitation professionals,
hospitals and payers), and (ii) provide sufficient geographic coverage to allow
the Company, alone or with other providers, to compete successfully for patients
from managed care payers, workers' compensation payers and employers. The
Company competes in local markets with other national, regional and local
outpatient rehabilitation service providers, as well as hospital-based
outpatient clinics and physician-directed therapy practices. Some of these
competitors may have greater patient referral, personnel and geographic
resources in certain local markets.
 
     Competition in the O&P industry is highly fragmented; however, there are
several regional providers with multiple facilities in certain local markets.
Management believes that the Company competes successfully within its local
markets based on: (i) its reputation for quality and service, (ii) an ability to
provide geographic coverage and competitive prices, (iii) affiliation with
health care systems, and (iv) technologically superior O&P product offerings.
 
     In the occupational health services industry, the market is highly
fragmented and competitive. The largest competitor in the industry has less than
4% market share. Competitors include other occupational health services
companies, independent physicians, hospitals, insurance companies, HMO's,
managed care providers and networks of primary care physician specialists. The
ability to compete successfully is dependent upon: (i) returning employees to
work quickly at the lowest cost for the care provided, (ii) expertise in
treating work-related injuries, (iii) relationships with employers, employees
and payer sources, and (iv) information systems to analyze utilization and
outcome data.
 
  REIMBURSEMENT/GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
 
     The principal sources of reimbursement for outpatient services are
commercial insurance, workers' compensation insurance, managed care plans, motor
vehicle insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and individual patients.
 
     Commercial Insurance.  Traditional indemnity insurance plans constituted
24% of outpatient services' fiscal 1998 net revenues.
 
     Workers' Compensation.  Workers' compensation is a state mandated,
comprehensive insurance program that requires employers to fund medical
expenses, lost wages and other costs resulting from work-related injuries and
illnesses. (See "Government Regulation" in the "Employee Services" section
below.) Workers' compensation represented approximately 18% of fiscal 1998
outpatient services' net revenues.
 
     Managed Care.  NovaCare receives revenues under managed care plans either
on a discounted fee-for-service basis or, in a growing number of cases, on the
basis of capitated fees per covered member per month. Managed care plans
represented approximately 18% of fiscal 1998 outpatient services' net revenues.
 
     Medicare and Medicaid.  NovaCare receives reimbursement by Medicare and
Medicaid for outpatient and occupational health care services primarily through
NovaCare's certified rehabilitation agencies and on a fee schedule basis for O&P
services. See "Government Regulation," discussed later. Medicare and Medicaid
insurance programs represented approximately 23% of net revenues for outpatient
services in fiscal year 1998.
 
  GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     The health care industry, including outpatient services, is subject to
extensive Federal, state and local regulation. Various layers of regulation
affect NovaCare's business by requiring licensure or certification of its
employees and facilities and controlling reimbursement for services provided.
Government and other third-party payers' health care policies and programs have
been subject to changes in payment and methodologies for a number of years.
 
     NovaCare operates certified rehabilitation agencies to facilitate billing
for a portion of its outpatient services. In order to receive Medicare
reimbursement directly, outpatient centers must be certified by Medicare as
rehabilitation agencies or comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facilities.
The certification
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
criteria relate to the type of facility and its equipment, record keeping,
staffing, and service, as well as compliance with all state and local laws. In
addition, certain states require facilities to obtain state licensure as a
health facility as a requirement for reimbursement. As of June 30, 1998,
NovaCare operated 97 certified rehabilitation agencies for outpatient services.
Management believes its operations are structured to comply with all applicable
rules and regulations.
 
     In order to participate in the Medicare program, NovaCare's O&P patient
care centers are required to secure and maintain a supplier number. This process
requires certain disclosures and procedural requirements, which change
periodically. All of NovaCare's O&P patient care centers presently maintain such
a supplier number.
 
     In most states, the employment of therapists by business corporations is a
permissible practice. However, several states, including states in which
NovaCare operates, have enacted legislation or regulations or have interpreted
existing licensing laws to restrict business corporations, such as NovaCare,
from practicing therapy through the direct employment of therapists. Management
believes its operations are structured to comply with applicable laws and
regulations.
 
     Various state and Federal laws and regulations govern the relationships
between providers of health care services and physicians, including employment
or service contracts and investment relationships. These laws and regulations
include the fraud and abuse provisions of the Medicare and Medicaid statutes,
which prohibit the payment, receipt or offering of any direct or indirect
remuneration for the referral of or to induce a referral of Medicare or Medicaid
patients or for the ordering or providing of Medicare or Medicaid covered
services, items or equipment and the self-referral provisions of federal and
state law which generally prohibit referrals by a physician to persons with whom
the physician has certain types of financial relationships. Violations of these
provisions may result in civil or criminal penalties for individuals or entities
and/or exclusion from participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Management believes it is in compliance with these laws and regulations and has
established a compliance program to ensure conformance with these rules as well
as other laws and regulations.
 
LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES
 
  STRATEGY STATEMENT
 
     The Company's long-term care services strategy is to leverage its core
competencies to capitalize on structural change in the industry and further
enhance its market leadership. The strategy is grounded in management's belief
that:
 
     - Health care services in long-term care settings are changing dramatically
       as a result of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997 (the "BBA"). See
       "Reimbursement/Government Relations" discussed later. The new
       reimbursement policies promulgated by the BBA shift from a cost-based
       reimbursement to a per diem and fee schedule based reimbursement,
       reducing the amount reimbursed per patient. In management's opinion, this
       shift in reimbursement makes outsourcing alternatives even more
       attractive to long-term care providers, converting fixed costs to
       variable costs.
 
     - Reimbursement expertise and the ability to educate long-term care
       providers regarding the BBA will maximize opportunities and minimize
       risks for long-term care services providers.
 
     - Advanced information technology will differentiate providers based on
       their ability to support complex patient information and reimbursement
       requirements.
 
     - Reimbursement changes set forth in the BBA will change the clinical
       delivery model staffing mix from that dominated by registered therapists
       to expanded use of trained assistants and aides supervised by therapists,
       without a decline in clinical outcomes. Such a shift in caregivers will
       require experience, on a national scale, in work force recruiting,
       training, deployment and labor cost management.
 
     - Differentiated clinical programs in long-term care settings will attract
       higher acuity patients and increase census, which will be necessary to
       drive revenue growth for long-term care providers.
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
     - The aging of the population will increase the demand for long-term care
       services as the elderly consume a disproportionate amount of
       rehabilitation care.
 
     - Costs can be lowered through clinical and information system innovations
       coupled with "flat" management organizations having broad spans of
       control.
 
  PLAN FOR GROWTH AND OPERATIONS
 
     NovaCare's long-term care services business growth plan has five elements:
(i) capitalize on reimbursement expertise, (ii) manage census and acuity, (iii)
enhance information system capabilities, (iv) ensure clinical leadership and
measurable outcomes, and (v) reduce labor costs.
 
     Capitalize on Reimbursement Expertise.  Medicare is the predominant payer
of rehabilitation services to the long-term care industry. See
"Reimbursement/Government Relations" discussed later. From July 1, 1998 through
June 30, 1999, skilled nursing facilities are in a period of transition from
cost based reimbursement, under salary equivalency guidelines, to fixed fee
reimbursement under the prospective payment system ("PPS") for Medicare Part A
services and fee schedule reimbursement for Medicare Part B services. This
transition is one of the most sweeping changes for skilled nursing facilities
since Medicare's inception. PPS changes are to be implemented at various times
throughout the aforementioned period, depending upon a facility's cost-reporting
year. Fee schedule reimbursement will take effect January 1, 1999.
 
     While attempting to effectively manage the implementation of these sweeping
changes at varying times throughout the twelve month period, nursing and
hospital facilities serving long-term care patients are grappling with
delivering quality care while lowering costs enough to achieve a reasonable
profit margin with Medicare's fixed per diem rates and fee schedules. NovaCare
expects to capitalize on its reimbursement expertise to educate long-term care
providers with regard to changes in Medicare reimbursement and service delivery
to maximize their opportunities and minimize their risk.
 
     Manage Census and Acuity.  PPS aligns reimbursement for services provided
with patient acuity. The greater the patient acuity, the higher the level of
reimbursement. Patients requiring rehabilitation services are among those
receiving the highest level of reimbursement. NovaCare plans to continue its
joint efforts with its long-term care customers to provide a cost-effective,
high quality clinical care program that attracts high acuity rehabilitation
patients.
 
     Enhance Information Systems Capabilities.  The BBA increased the
information requirements for long-term care patients, making reimbursement
dependent on the timeliness and accuracy of specific information. The Company is
currently enhancing its NovaNet PLUS information system to integrate with
customer information systems and track patient assessments, utilization, census,
case mix and outcomes.
 
     Ensure Clinical Leadership and Measurable Outcomes.  Management believes
that payers will ultimately demand that low cost be accompanied by proof of
quality outcomes. The Company has developed information analysis and display
systems that capture outcomes in a useable format. Management believes that, as
payers become more sophisticated and require providers to prove the delivery of
quality service, the Company's commitment to outcomes measurement, coupled with
its emphasis on clinical performance, will enhance its competitive position.
 
     Reduce Labor Costs.  The Company intends to continue to position itself as
a low-cost provider of quality long-term care rehabilitation services. Clinical
and technological improvements and innovation, coupled with an optimal operating
and staffing model, are expected to lower the cost of service delivery.
Management believes its efforts to flatten and increase the flexibility of the
organization to respond to change, and its investment in efficiency enhancing
clinical and administrative systems, will allow the Company to operate
successfully in an increasingly challenging reimbursement environment.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
  BUSINESS PROFILE
 
     NovaCare's long-term care services portfolio consists of contract therapy
and management consulting delivered principally to long-term care providers and
hospitals. For the fiscal years ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, long-term care
services represented 39% and 53%, respectively, of the Company's net revenues.
 
  Contract Rehabilitation Services
 
     NovaCare provides multi-disciplinary rehabilitation therapy services on a
contract basis to skilled nursing and assisted living facilities and hospitals.
The multi-disciplinary team comprises physical and occupational therapists and
assistants, speech-language pathologists and assistants, and rehabilitation
aides working together to improve the ability of patients to perform the
activities of daily living. Physical therapy enhances muscular and neurological
responses and is designed to improve the patients' physical strength and range
of motion. Occupational therapy is the evaluation and treatment of physical,
cognitive and psychosocial performance deficits in activities of daily living.
Speech-language pathology is the diagnosis and treatment of speech, language,
voice and swallowing disorders.
 
     NovaCare is the largest independent contract rehabilitation provider to the
long-term care industry. Analysts estimate that the market for therapy services
delivered under contract to long-term care facilities is approximately $3.5
billion. The Company's market share is approximately 19%, as measured by fiscal
1998 net revenues. As of June 30, 1998, NovaCare provided these services in
approximately 1,915 facilities located in 43 states.
 
     The long-term care industry has typically contracted for therapy services
for the following reasons:
 
     Insufficient Caseload.  The average nursing facility of approximately 100
beds has insufficient and/or fluctuating caseload, which makes it uneconomical
to operate its own therapy program with full-time employment of therapists and
the associated costs of management and administration. The economics for a
nursing facility to operate its therapy program were exacerbated by the BBA,
which is expected to further reduce the scale of nursing home therapy practices.
 
     Expertise.  Therapy revenues represent a relatively small percentage of a
long-term care facility's total revenues and operating activities. Reimbursement
and regulatory complexities concerning appropriate patient assessment,
utilization, documentation, denials management and quality oversight, if
inadequately administered, can seriously erode the profitability of therapy
programs staffed by and managed by employees of the long-term care facility. As
a result, nursing facilities frequently choose to contract for specialized
expertise, especially in view of the changing reimbursement environment.
 
     Innovative Service Offerings.  Under an exclusive proprietary arrangement
with Nautilus(TM), NovaCare and Nautilus(TM) have jointly developed resistance
training equipment uniquely designed for senior citizens. This specially adapted
strength and conditioning equipment coupled with exclusive therapy protocols
developed by NovaCare were being utilized in 86 long-term care services sites as
of June 30, 1998, as an inpatient and outpatient community-based wellness
program known as "Vigor"(SM).
 
     Employer of Choice Programs.  NovaCare's "Employer of Choice" initiatives
comprise defined career ladders for clinical staff, training and competitive
compensation and benefit programs, as well as management and technological
support designed to attract and retain clinicians. At June 30, 1998, NovaCare
employed 56 recruiters. Over the past two years, one-fifth of the therapists who
joined NovaCare's contract rehabilitation business chose NovaCare as a result of
employee referrals.
 
     NovaCare has been successful in hiring therapists and clinical extenders
(assistants and aides) due in part to its "Employer of Choice" programs and
clinical and systems support networks. The number of full-time-equivalent
therapists and extenders hired in the Company's contract rehabilitation business
during fiscal 1998 was 2,988.
 
     Clinical Support.  A network of local and national clinical experts is
available to all clinicians as support resources in all aspects of the clinical
practice.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
     Systems Support.  NovaCare's proprietary information system, NovaNet PLUS,
reduces therapist recordkeeping burdens, streamlines administrative activities
and captures information of value to clinicians, management and customers.
Integrated outcomes measurement was incorporated into the system in fiscal 1997.
Information that is critical for patient and reimbursement management under the
BBA are being incorporated into the system for fiscal 1999. Management believes
that this innovative system enhances NovaCare's attractiveness as an employer of
therapists.
 
     Clinical Leadership.  NovaCare and the Harvard School of Public Health have
jointly devised a standard system for measuring the effectiveness of
rehabilitation outcomes for geriatric patients. The outcomes measurement system
now serves as a vehicle to determine the treatment and payment for
rehabilitation services to the geriatric population. Management believes that
NovaCare's leadership in outcomes measurement has and will continue to enhance
the Company's visibility in the clinical community and its attractiveness as an
employer.
 
     During fiscal years 1995 through 1998, NovaCare reduced its dependence on
national multi-facility, long-term care companies. The percentage of NovaCare's
long-term care services net revenues attributable to national multi-facility,
long-term care companies declined to 25% at June 30, 1998 from 38% and 42% at
June 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively, and from 47% at June 30, 1994. The Company
is in the process of transitioning its two largest long-term care services
customers to in-house therapy programs. The June 30, 1998 percentage of
long-term care services' net revenues attributable to national chains, excluding
these two customers was 8%. Business lost due to the in-house transition has
been replaced with predominantly regional and independent customers,
diversifying the Company's customer base and increasing long-term care services'
net revenues from $523.3 million in fiscal 1996 to $656.9 million in fiscal
1998.
 
     Other than the impact of the Company's two largest long-term care services
customers transitioning to in-house therapy programs, management does not expect
in-house transitions to have a significant impact on future results due to the
Company's reduced dependency on national multi-facility long-term care companies
and the economic opportunity outsourcing provides. Of the 18,000 long-term care
facilities in the United States, only approximately 4,100 are associated with
large multi-facility long-term care companies. However, there may be no
assurance that customers will not transition to in-house therapy programs and
that the Company will be able to continue to replace contracts cancelled as a
result of in-house conversions.
 
     NovaCare's therapist turnover in the contract rehabilitation business
decreased in fiscal 1998 to 34% from 35% in fiscal 1997. Therapist turnover
initiated by employees decreased from 31% in fiscal 1997 to 23% in fiscal 1998.
The balance of therapist turnover was based on the Company's decision to
terminate employment, principally due to in-house conversions. Therapist
turnover rates in long-term care facilities have traditionally been higher than
in other therapy settings.
 
     NovaCare has been compensated for its long-term care services on a
fee-for-service basis, and generally collects payment for services from the
long-term care facility, which in turn may receive reimbursement from Medicare,
Medicaid, private insurance or the patient. Payments from Medicare and Medicaid
are subject to complex regulations. Medicare regulations are subject to
anticipated changes that may have a material effect on the long-term care
services business. See "Reimbursement/Government Relations", discussed later.
NovaCare generally indemnifies its customers against medical denials of
reimbursement by third party payers, including Medicare. NovaCare has
established internal utilization and documentation standards and systems to
minimize denials. During the past two fiscal years, on average, less than 2% of
NovaCare's long-term care services' net revenues were ultimately denied payment.
 
     NovaCare contracts predominantly with regional and local long-term care
companies and independently-owned nursing facilities for the provision of
rehabilitation therapy to their patients. Contracts are generally written for a
period of two years and include automatic renewals for one year unless
terminated. The pricing of services is generally stated in single year terms and
renegotiated annually. Contracts are typically terminable upon 30 to 90 days'
notice by either party. Contract turnover, exclusive of in-house conversion, has
also declined to 3% in fiscal 1998 from 5% in fiscal 1997.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
     In the current unsettled reimbursement environment (see
"Reimbursement/Government Relations", discussed later), NovaCare believes that
it is well-positioned to compete effectively with other contract therapy
companies and the "in-house" alternative due to: (i) its highly centralized
administrative functions and flexible organization structure that is responsive
to business growth and industry change, (ii) a nationwide recruiting
organization and substantial staffing capabilities, (iii) a multi-disciplinary
team approach to therapy that is designed to deliver a high level of quality and
efficient care, (iv) sophisticated management information systems to assist
clinicians and management in analyzing clinical outcomes, therapy utilization,
claim denials, staffing and educational activities, (v) a clinical support
network to provide timely expert clinical advice to care providers, (vi) a
nationwide sales organization to secure customer contracts in support of
business growth, and (vii) reimbursement and regulatory expertise to assist
long-term care facility operators in their dealings with third-party payers,
principally Medicare.
 
  Health Care Management Consulting and Information Services
 
     The Company also delivers facility rehabilitation program management,
consulting and information services to health care and long-term care
institutions.
 
     Health Care Management Consulting Services.  The Company provides
rehabilitation program consulting and health care management services to
long-term care and hospital facilities through the Polaris Group, a NovaCare
business unit, and a 40%-owned subsidiary, Gill/Balsano Consulting, L.L.C.
Demand for these services results from the complexities of regulatory and
reimbursement changes in the long-term care and hospital industries. These
services assist providers with strategic planning, utilization, census
development, case mix management, documentation and record administration,
receivables and denials management, cost reporting and quality oversight. The
Company had arrangements to provide such services to approximately 800
facilities at June 30, 1998.
 
     Information Services.  NovaCare delivers a range of services based on its
proprietary NovaNet PLUS information system to its two largest long-term care
customers. These customers utilize NovaNet PLUS throughout their organizations
to: (i) promote a common clinical approach to case management, (ii) gather and
analyze clinical outcomes information, (iii) increase therapist administrative
and clinical efficiency, and (iv) provide operating unit financial information.
 
  COMPETITION
 
     NovaCare provides long-term care services on a national basis. The health
care industry in general, and rehabilitation in particular, is highly
competitive and subject to continual changes in methods of service delivery and
provider selection. Rehabilitation is largely a local market business and
competition varies considerably among markets.
 
     Key competitive factors in the long-term care services businesses include:
(i) the ability to provide reimbursement expertise in response to regulatory
changes (see "Reimbursement/Government Relations), (ii) the ability to increase
patient census and acuity levels through quality clinical care coupled with
patient and physician awareness, (iii) innovative and flexible pricing
alternatives compatible with customer needs, (iv) comprehensive and integrated
patient information systems, (v) stable therapy staff to meet the therapy needs
at customer facilities, and (vi) the ability to provide management and clinical
support to such staff. NovaCare competes in its local markets with other
national, regional and local contract therapy providers. NovaCare believes that
in addition to being the largest independent provider of long-term care
services, its industry leading reimbursement and regulatory expertise,
demonstrated ability to deliver quality clinical care and build rehabilitation
census, while offering multiple service pricing solutions, allows it to compete
successfully with other contract therapy providers in the markets where it
provides services. The nature of potential customers has changed and will
continue to change as a number of large long-term care facility chains take all
or part of their therapy services in-house. This may increase the competition
for remaining customers. The Company has sought to diversify its customer base
in the long-term care industry to replace business lost due to such in-house
programs (see "Contract Rehabilitation Services," previously discussed).
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
  REIMBURSEMENT/GOVERNMENT RELATIONS
 
     Reimbursement for long-term care services is available through Medicare,
Medicaid, commercial insurance, managed care programs, workers' compensation and
other government programs. Medicare is a federally funded health program which
provides health insurance coverage for certain disabled persons and persons age
65 or older. Medicaid is a health insurance program, jointly funded by the
Federal and state governments, which provides health insurance coverage for
certain financially or medically needy persons regardless of age. Medicaid
benefits supplement Medicare benefits for financially needy persons age 65 or
older. In many states, Medicaid reimburses for rehabilitation services for
eligible recipients. The portion of long-term care services' net revenues that
was reimbursed directly by Medicare and Medicaid for the years ended June 30,
1998, and 1997 was 5% and 7%, respectively. Regulations regarding Medicare and
Medicaid eligibility, certification and reimbursement are, therefore, important
to NovaCare's activities and changes in these programs or regulations could
adversely affect NovaCare's business.
 
     Long-term care services are covered and reimbursed in one of two ways. In
most cases, NovaCare bills a facility, which, in turn, invoices a third-party
payer, such as Medicare. NovaCare also provides services through its own
certified rehabilitation agencies, which directly bill a third-party payer, such
as Medicare.
 
     Prior to April 10, 1998, Medicare reimbursed the long-term care facility
for contract therapy services on a cost basis, and reimbursement levels were
determined based on a reasonable-cost standard. Contract occupational therapy
and speech-language pathology services were evaluated based upon the
reasonableness of costs incurred by the provider under a "prudent buyer"
standard. Specific guidelines existed for evaluating the reasonable cost of
physical therapy and there were general guidelines for evaluating the reasonable
cost of occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services. With
respect to physical therapy, the specific guideline system was called salary
equivalency, a method used to determine prudent hourly cost for physical therapy
services in long-term care settings. The physical therapy salary equivalency
rates had been adjusted annually based on a 1983 standard, but did not
adequately reflect salary inflation since 1983. As a result, the portion of
contract therapy services that relates to physical therapy services have been
essentially a break-even business for many contractors, including NovaCare.
 
     During the past few years, the Health Care Financing Administration
("HCFA"), the Federal agency responsible for the rules governing Medicare and
Medicaid, has issued several directives to its fiscal intermediaries instructing
them on how to ensure therapy costs are reasonable. Intermediaries have been
instructed to consider relevant facts and circumstances concerning a facility's
contracting costs. The attention being given by HCFA to these instructions has
increased scrutiny of contracting practices. NovaCare is working with its
customers to resolve issues raised by fiscal intermediaries in cost report
audits. Management does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these issues
will have a material impact on the Company's financial position or results of
operations.
 
     Effective April 10, 1998, HCFA implemented salary equivalency reimbursement
guidelines for occupational therapy and speech-language pathology services and
revised guidelines for physical therapy services. Physical therapy salary
equivalency guidelines were increased in consideration of the substantial
increases in salary and services standards since these guidelines were last
revised. Based on the operating results of the long-term care services business
for the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, the first quarter under these salary
equivalency guidelines, average net revenues per facility declined by
approximately 20% and gross profit as a percentage of net revenues declined to
27% from 29% in the third quarter of fiscal 1998.
 
     The BBA enacted in August 1997 made a number of changes in the way Medicare
will reimburse long-term care facilities and other providers for their services.
Commencing July 1, 1998, these changes will take effect for long-term care
facilities at different times throughout calendar years 1998 and 1999, depending
on the starting date for each facility's Medicare cost reporting year. By June
30, 1999, the BBA mandates that each facility be reimbursed, for Medicare Part A
services, under a comprehensive prospective payment system, which includes
payment for therapy services in an all-inclusive per diem payment based on the
acuity level of the patient. Medicare Part B services are covered by a fee
schedule with total charges potentially being subject to an annual cap effective
January 1, 1999. The application of an annual cap is being challenged by the
long-term care services industry.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
     The BBA also mandates changes to the payment structure for services
provided through certified rehabilitation agencies. Implementation of these
changes will be complete by January 1999. As with nursing homes, rehabilitation
agencies will change from the current cost-based system to a system based on a
fee schedule with an annual cap.
 
     On May 12, 1998, HCFA issued proposed regulations and per diem payment
schedules for skilled nursing facilities which are subject to a 60-day comment
period. On July 13, 1998, the comment period was extended an additional 60 days.
The Company is unable to predict with certainty when and in what form the
proposed regulations and reimbursement schedules will become final. By changing
Medicare reimbursement to long-term care facilities from a cost basis to a fixed
fee, the BBA is a fundamental change in the economic assumptions underlying
patient care in long-term care facilities. Due to the extensive nature of the
reimbursement changes specified by the BBA, the uncertainty regarding the
application of fee schedules and an annual cap on Medicare Part B services, the
effect these changes may have on the demand for services and management's
inability to predict what portion of the PPS and fee schedule rates that
NovaCare will be able to receive based on negotiated term of service contracts
with its customers, the Company is unable to determine the impact that the BBA
will have on its financial position on results of operations.
 
     In fiscal 1998, NovaCare also received direct reimbursement by Medicare for
4% of long-term care services' net revenues. See "Government Regulation",
discussed later. NovaCare's certified rehabilitation agencies file annual cost
reports under the Medicare program which are used to determine cost settlements
for the prior year and interim payment rates for the upcoming year. Funds
received under various state programs and Medicare are subject to audit with
respect to proper application of the various payment formulas. These audits can
result in retroactive adjustments of payments received from the program by
NovaCare. If, as a result of such audits, it is determined that overpayments for
services were made to NovaCare, the excess amount must be repaid by NovaCare to
the government. If, on the other hand, it is determined that an underpayment was
made, the government agency will make an additional payment to NovaCare.
 
  GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     In general, the provision of long-term care services is subject to the same
extensive Federal, state and local regulation as outpatient services. For a
discussion of these regulations, see "Government Relations" discussed above
under the section "Outpatient Services." In addition, as with outpatient
services, government and other third-party payers' health care policies and
programs with respect to long-term care services have been subject to changes in
payment and methodologies for a number of years. See "Reimbursement/ Government
Relations" previously discussed. Management believes its long-term care services
operations are structured to comply with applicable laws and regulations and has
established a compliance program to ensure conformance with these laws and
regulations.
 
     As with outpatient services, NovaCare operates certified rehabilitation
agencies to facilitate billing for a portion of its long-term care services. As
of June 30, 1998, NovaCare operated 23 certified rehabilitation agencies for
long-term care services.
 
EMPLOYEE SERVICES
 
  STRATEGY STATEMENT
 
     The Company's strategy is to be the preferred human resources partner by
leveraging operational excellence, technology and strategic alliances to achieve
market leadership. The strategy is based on management's belief that:
 
     PEO services will continue to experience growing demand because of the
      trend among small- to medium-sized employers to: (i) outsource non-core
      competencies, (ii) reduce employee benefit costs, (iii) avoid
      employee-related risks and regulatory complexities, and (iv) attract
      better employees through improved benefit plans.
 
     - The market for PEO services, based on analyst reports, is more than 95%
       unserved and is expected to grow at the rate of 30% per year for the next
       five years.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
     - The PEO industry is highly fragmented with significant consolidation
       opportunities for companies with access to capital, larger service
       delivery infrastructures, and well-developed and sophisticated management
       information systems.
 
     - PEOs typically take a transaction processing approach to their services
       and do not emphasize the improved workforce performance characteristic of
       satisfied employees.
 
     - In selecting PEO providers, small- to medium-sized businesses will
       increase their emphasis on cost-effectiveness, service excellence and the
       breadth of services provided.
 
     - Employees are attracted to small and medium-sized businesses that provide
       employees with human resource services characteristic of large employers.
 
     - Strategic alliances will enable PEO's to enhance endorsement
       opportunities, widen the network distribution channel and broaden the
       service/product offering.
 
  PLAN FOR GROWTH AND OPERATIONS
 
     NovaCare's subsidiary, NCES, is the second largest PEO in the United
States. NCES commenced operations in October 1996, concurrent with the
acquisition of Resource One, Inc., a PEO based in Florida. In February 1997,
NCES acquired three additional PEOs. NCES completed its initial public offering
in November 1997 with an offering of 5,750,000 shares of common stock. In fiscal
1998, NCES acquired PEOs in Arizona and Maryland. As of June 30, 1998, NCES
served approximately 3,000 client organizations with approximately 53,000
employees at more than 5,000 worksites primarily in ten industries and 45
states, including 20,000 employees employed by the Company in its outpatient
services and long-term care services businesses.
 
     NCES intends to grow through (i) increasing investment in sales and
marketing, (ii) focusing on geographic expansion, (iii) targeting high potential
industries and services, (iv) acquiring PEOs and other employee service
providers, and (v) entering into strategic alliances.
 
     Increasing Investment in Marketing and Sales.  The Company's management is
experienced in building businesses utilizing focused marketing strategies and
professional sales forces. A significant part of NCES's marketing strategy is
the continued development of its brand identity. By utilizing the nationally
advertised brand name of NovaCare, NCES believes it will achieve a strong brand
identity at lower cost. NCES believes that its marketing efforts will benefit
from its brand strategy. NCES's brand promise is to provide better human
resources solutions at the best value for its clients. By cost effectively and
consistently delivering against this service commitment, NCES believes it will
attain a brand name reputation for operational excellence among existing and
potential clients.
 
     Focusing on Geographic Expansion.  NCES has identified key attractive
geographic target markets and has established a plan for entering those markets.
The target markets are primarily those markets in which the relationship with
NovaCare provides existing employee and potential new client base density. NCES
believes that NovaCare's clients and other extensive business-to-business
relationships represent significant opportunities to grow in these target
markets. By concentrating on markets where NovaCare has achieved density, NCES
will seek to have scale economies immediately because it already co-employs
NovaCare's employees. NCES believes that its market development model will
enable it to penetrate new markets quickly. This market development model
consists of a highly structured sales management control system and efficient
selling process.
 
     Entry priority for specific markets is determined by the level of PEO
competition, the state regulatory environment and access to infrastructure to
support operations. Since November 1997, NCES has entered Atlanta and
Philadelphia as start up operations, while Phoenix and Maryland/Washington, D.C.
were entered via acquisition. This market expansion model is expected to provide
a significant basis for future growth.
 
     Targeting High Potential Industries and Services.  Targeted industries will
vary from market to market depending on economic characteristics and business
demographics of each geographic location. NCES intends to focus on industries
with high gross profit per worksite employee and significant workers'
compensation profit
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
opportunities. High potential industries are those, such as health care and
construction, that NCES believes could benefit most from its risk management
expertise (e.g., traditional high workers' compensation classifications) and its
offering of an extensive benefits package (e.g., industries facing a shortage of
workers). Other high potential industries would include those characterized by
rapid growth or change. The sales force is expected to utilize the key industry
strategy and become expert in one or more select industries in the markets in
which they are operating.
 
     NCES intends to enhance its service offerings to include temporary
staffing, training, recruiting and human resource consulting.
 
     Acquiring PEOs and Other Employee Service Providers.  The Company believes
that the opportunities for PEO consolidation are substantial with at least 2,400
PEOs (according to an estimate by NAPEO) operating in a highly fragmented
industry. The Company believes that industry consolidation will be driven by
increasing industry and regulatory complexity, increasing capital requirements
and the significant economies of scale available to PEOs with a concentration of
clients and employees in target markets. NCES intends to make opportunistic
acquisitions where appropriate to achieve greater density in targeted geographic
markets.
 
     Entering into Strategic Alliances.  NCES is creating strategic alliances
with service providers to small and medium-sized businesses. For example, the
Florida Home Builders Association, an organization that has 17,000 members with
450,000 employees, has endorsed the Company as the PEO of choice for its
members. Additionally, The Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce has endorsed
NCES as the exclusive PEO of choice for its 6,000 small business client members
under a three-year arrangement. With the trend toward outsourcing non-core
competencies, small and medium-sized businesses typically have service
relationships with accountants, attorneys, banks, trade associations and other
business advisors. Alliances with these service providers offer a cross-selling
opportunity for the NCES's services. Other potential alliances being pursued
include additional product or service offerings, as well as creating additional
sales distribution channels. NCES intends to develop such alliance opportunities
as an extension of its sales and marketing capability.
 
  BUSINESS PROFILE
 
     As co-employer of worksite employees, NCES assumes responsibility for and
manages the risks associated with: (i) worksite employee payroll, (ii)
employee-related benefits, such as workers' compensation and health care
insurance coverage, and (iii) compliance with certain employment-related
governmental regulations that can be effectively managed away from the client's
business. The client retains responsibility for supervision and direction of the
worksite employees' services in its business and generally remains responsible
for compliance with other employment-related governmental regulations that are
more closely related to worksite employee supervision. The service fee charged
by NCES to its clients covers the cost of certain employment-related taxes,
workers' compensation insurance coverage and risk management services,
administrative and field services, wages of worksite employees and the client's
portion of health and retirement benefit plan costs. NCES also provides other
value-added services such as temporary staffing, recruiting, training and human
resource consulting.
 
     NCES believes its services enable small and medium-sized businesses to
cost-effectively manage and enhance the employment relationship by: (i)
controlling the risks and costs associated with workers' compensation, workplace
safety and employee-related litigation, (ii) providing employees with high
quality health care coverage and related benefits, (iii) managing the
increasingly complex legal and regulatory environment affecting employment, (iv)
providing payroll and human resource administrative services that are reliable
and accurate, and (v) achieving scale advantages typically available to larger
organizations.
 
     NCES contractually assumes certain administrative, regulatory and financial
employer responsibilities with respect to worksite employees in a
"co-employment" relationship. NCES believes its clients benefit from its
services by: (i) improving profitability through lowering or controlling costs
associated with workers' compensation, health insurance, other benefit coverage
and regulatory compliance, (ii) improving productivity through reducing the time
and effort expended by business owners and executives to deal with the
complexities of employment management, enabling them to focus on their business
core competencies and growth, and (iii) improving employee satisfaction and
performance. NCES helps employers improve job
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
satisfaction and performance of the worksite employees by providing improved
health care and related benefits, delivering training programs, and delivering
dependable payroll and benefits administration.
 
     In order to implement its strategy to create a more satisfying and more
productive relationship between employers and employees, NCES provides six
primary categories of employee services: (i) workers' compensation cost
containment and safety management, (ii) unemployment insurance cost containment,
(iii) employee benefits procurement and administration, (iv) human resources and
compliance management, (v) payroll management, and (vi) other value-added
services. By engaging NCES to provide these services, clients can focus on their
core competencies.
 
     These services are provided under NCES's PEO service agreement, which
typically has an initial one-year term; thereafter, the agreement is renewed
periodically, generally yearly. The agreement is subject to termination by NCES
or the client upon 30 days' prior written notice. Service revenues, billed to
clients along with each periodic payroll, are based on a pricing model that
takes into account the gross pay of each employee and a mark-up, which includes
the estimated costs of employment-related taxes, providing insurance coverage
and benefit plans, performing human resources, payroll, benefits and compliance
management and other services and an administration fee. The specific mark-up
varies by client based principally on the workers' compensation classification
of the worksite employees, their human resource needs and the size of the
client. Accordingly, NCES's average mark-up percentage will fluctuate based on
client mix.
 
     Clients are required to pay NCES its total fee concurrent with the
applicable payroll date. Although NCES is ultimately liable as the employer to
pay employees for work previously performed, it retains the right to terminate
the PEO services agreement as well as the employees upon non-payment by a
client, which limits any future liability. This right and the periodic nature of
payroll, combined with client credit verifications and NCES' client selection
process, are used to control this exposure.
 
     Workers' Compensation Cost Containment and Safety Management.  Pursuant to
NCES's PEO services agreement, NCES assumes the obligations of its clients to
pay workers' compensation claims. See "Government Regulation" below for a
discussion of workers' compensation. NCES seeks to control its workers'
compensation costs through comprehensive risk evaluation of prospective clients,
the prevention of workplace injuries, timely intervention with employee
injuries, aggressive management of the medical costs related to such injuries
and the prompt return of employees to work. NCES seeks to prevent workplace
injuries by implementing a wide variety of training and safety programs. NCES's
efforts to return employees to work quickly involve both rehabilitation services
and the placement of employees in transitional, light-duty positions until they
are able to resume their former positions.
 
     Unemployment Insurance Cost Containment.  Pursuant to NCES's PEO services
agreement, NCES also assumes the obligation of its clients to pay unemployment
insurance costs. NCES manages its unemployment insurance costs by establishing
employee termination procedures, timely responding to unemployment claims,
attending unemployment hearings and attempting to reassign employees to other
worksites when a reduction in force occurs at any one worksite location.
 
     Employee Benefits Procurement and Administration.  Pursuant to NCES's PEO
services agreement, NCES is required to provide mandated employee benefits to
the worksite employees. Additionally, NCES offers worksite employees a voluntary
benefits package, that includes several health care options, such as
point-of-service ("POS"), PPO, HMO and indemnity plans. Supplemental benefit
programs offer dental care, prescription drugs, and life and disability
insurance options. NCES also offers 401(k) retirement savings (a profit-sharing
plan with an employee contribution feature) and cafeteria style plans to its
eligible employees. NCES believes that its ability to provide and administer a
wide variety of employee benefits on behalf of its clients tends to mitigate the
competitive disadvantage small and medium-sized businesses normally face in the
areas of employee benefit cost control and employee recruiting and retention.
 
     Human Resources and Compliance Management.  Pursuant to NCES's PEO services
agreement, NCES provides comprehensive human resources services to its clients.
These services reduce the employment-related administrative burdens faced by its
clients, and provide worksite employees with a wide array of benefits typically
offered by large employers. NCES develops and administers human resources
policies and
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
procedures for each of its clients, relating to, among other things, recruiting,
retention programs, performance management, discipline and terminations. NCES
also provides orientation, training and development, counseling and substance
abuse awareness for worksite employees.
 
     By contract, NCES generally assumes responsibility for complying with many
employment-related regulatory requirements. In addition, NCES assists its
clients in understanding and complying with other employment-related
requirements for which NCES does not assume responsibility. Laws and regulations
applicable to employers include state and Federal tax laws, state workers'
compensation laws, state unemployment laws, occupational safety laws,
immigration laws, and discrimination, sexual harassment and other civil rights
laws.
 
     Payroll Management.  Pursuant to the PEO services agreement, NCES is
responsible for payroll processing, check preparation, distribution and
recordkeeping, payroll tax deposits, payroll tax reporting, employee file
maintenance, unemployment claims and monitoring and responding to changing
regulatory requirements. NCES indemnifies the client against NCES's failure to
comply with regulatory requirements. Payroll reports are prepared for clients
for financial and other recordkeeping purposes. Provision of these services by
NCES generally reduces the client's employment liabilities and allows clients to
focus on their core business.
 
     Other Value-Added Services.  NCES offers rehabilitation temporary staffing
in the long-term care industry. The rehabilitation temporary staffing service
currently can draw on a pool of over 6,000 rehabilitation clinicians to provide
staff to health care providers, at which over 2,500 worksite employees were
performing services during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998. This business is
supported by technology, which provides detailed recruitment and sales
productivity information for management purposes. It also generates billing and
utilization reports for clients.
 
     NCES also plans to offer additional value-added services to clients and
worksite employees. Such services may include such things as temporary staffing
to non-health care clients, employee recognition programs, travel discount
arrangements, vision care, credit union membership, smart cards, warehouse club
memberships and various financial services. Some of these services may generate
fee income or commissions for NCES.
 
  COMPETITION
 
     The PEO industry consists of at least 2,400 companies, most of which serve
a single market or region. NCES believes that it is the second largest PEO in
the United States. NCES considers its primary competition to include: (i)
traditional in-house human resources departments; (ii) other PEOs, and (iii)
providers of unbundled employment-related services such as payroll processing
firms, temporary employment firms, commercial insurance brokers, human resource
consultants, workers' compensation insurers, HMOs and other specialty managed
care providers.
 
     Competition in the highly fragmented PEO industry is generally on a local
or regional basis. Management believes that the primary elements of competition
are quality of service, choice and quality of benefits, reputation and price.
NCES believes that brand recognition, regulatory expertise, financial resources,
risk management, information technology capability, strategic alliances and
economies of scale can distinguish a large-scale PEO from the rest of the
industry. NCES believes that it competes favorably in these areas.
 
     NCES believes that barriers to entry into the PEO industry are increasing
primarily due to the following factors: (i) the complexity of the PEO business
and the need for expertise in multiple disciplines; (ii) the three to five years
of experience required to establish experience ratings in key cost areas of
workers' compensation, health insurance and unemployment; and (iii) the need for
sophisticated management information systems to track all aspects of business in
a high growth environment.
 
  GOVERNMENT REGULATION
 
     NCES is subject to local, state and Federal regulations, which include
operating, fiscal and licensing requirements. Adding complexity to NCES's
regulatory environment are: (i) uncertainties resulting from the
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
non-traditional employment relationships created by PEOs, (ii) variations in
state regulatory schemes, and (iii) the ongoing evolution of regulations
regarding health care and workers' compensation.
 
     Many of the Federal and state laws and regulations relating to tax, benefit
and employment matters applicable to employers were enacted prior to the
development of non-traditional employment relationships and, accordingly, do not
specifically address the obligations and responsibilities of PEOs or the
co-employment relationship. Moreover, NCES's PEO services are regulated
primarily at the state level. Regulatory requirements regarding NovaCare's
business therefore vary from state to state, and as NCES enters new states it
will be faced with new regulatory and licensing environments. There can be no
assurance that NCES will be able to satisfy the licensing requirements or other
applicable regulations of any particular state, that it will be able to provide
the full range of services currently offered, or that it will be able to operate
profitably within the regulatory environment of any state in which it does not
obtain regulatory approval. The absence of required licenses would require NCES
to restrict the services it offers. New legislation or new interpretations of
current licensing and regulatory requirements could impose operating or
licensing requirements on NovaCare which it may not be able to satisfy or which
could have a material adverse effect on NCES's business, financial condition,
results of operations and liquidity. Additionally, interpretation of such
legislation or regulation by regulatory agencies with broad discretionary powers
could require NCES to modify its existing operations materially in order to
comply with applicable regulations.
 
     The application of many laws to NCES's PEO services will depend on whether
NCES is considered an employer under the relevant statutes and regulations. The
Internal Revenue Service ("IRS") is currently examining this issue. See
"Employee Benefit Plans" below. In addition, from time to time there have been
proposals to enact a statutory definition of employer for certain purposes of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
 
     PEO Licensing Requirements.  A critical aspect of the growth of the PEO
industry has been increasing recognition and acceptance of PEOs by state
authorities. While many states do not explicitly regulate PEOs, approximately
one-third of the states have passed laws that have licensing or registration
requirements for PEOs and several additional states are considering such
regulation. Such laws vary from state to state but generally provide for
monitoring the fiscal responsibility of PEOs. NCES is licensed in thirteen
states and expects to be licensed in several more over the next twelve months.
State regulation assists in screening insufficiently capitalized PEO operations,
imposes requirements regarding payment of wages, taxes, benefits and workers'
compensation and resolves issues concerning an employee's status for specific
purposes under applicable state law. Because existing regulations are relatively
new, there is limited interpretive or enforcement guidance available. The
development of additional regulations and interpretation of existing regulations
can be expected to evolve over time.
 
     Federal and State Employment Taxes.  NCES assumes the responsibility and
liability for the payment of Federal and state employment taxes with respect to
wages and salaries paid to its employees, including worksite employees. To date,
the IRS has relied extensively on the common law test of employment in
determining employer status and the resulting liability for failure to withhold.
However, the IRS has formed a Market Segment Study Group for the stated purpose
of examining whether PEOs, such as NCES, are the employers of the worksite
employees under the Code provisions applicable to Federal employment taxes and,
consequently, whether they are exclusively responsible for payment of employment
taxes on wages and salaries paid to such employees. Another stated purpose of
the Market Segment Study Group is to determine whether owners of client
companies can be employees of PEOs under the Federal employment tax laws.
 
     The interpretive uncertainties raised by the Market Segment Study Group may
affect NCES's ability to report employment taxes on its own account rather than
for the accounts of its clients and would increase administrative burdens on
NCES's payroll service function. In addition, while NCES believes that it can
contractually assume the client company's withholding obligations, in the event
NCES fails to meet these obligations, the client company may be held jointly and
severally liable for those obligations.
 
     Employee Benefit Plans.  NCES offers various employee benefit plans to its
worksite employees, including 401(k) plans, cafeteria plans, group health plans,
group life insurance plans, group disability
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
insurance plans and employee assistance programs. Generally, employee benefit
plans are subject to provisions of both the Code and the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA").
 
     The Market Segment Study Group established by the IRS is examining whether
PEOs, such as NCES, are the employers of worksite employees under Code
provisions applicable to employee benefit plans and consequently able to offer
to worksite employees benefit plans that qualify for favorable tax treatment.
The Market Segment Study Group is also examining whether client company owners
are employees of PEOs under Code provisions applicable to employee benefit
plans. NCES is unable to predict the actual timing or nature of the findings of
the Market Segment Study Group or the ultimate outcome of such conclusions or
findings. If the IRS study were to conclude that a PEO is not an employer of its
worksite employees for plan purposes, worksite employees might not be able to
continue to make contributions to NCES's 401(k) plans or cafeteria plans. NCES
believes that although unfavorable to NCES, a prospective application by the IRS
of an adverse conclusion would not have a material adverse effect on its
financial position and results of operations. If such conclusion were applied
retroactively, employees' vested account balances would become taxable
immediately, NCES would lose its tax deduction to the extent the contributions
were not vested, the plans' trusts would become taxable trusts and penalties
could be assessed. In such a case, NCES would face the risk of client
dissatisfaction as well as potential litigation. A retrospective application by
the IRS could have an adverse effect on NCES's business, financial position, and
results of operations and liquidity. While NCES believes that a retroactive
disqualification is unlikely, there can be no assurance as to the ultimate
resolution of these issues.
 
     In addition to the employer/employee relationship requirement described
above, pension and profit-sharing plans, including NCES's 401(k) plans, must
satisfy certain other requirements under the Code. These other requirements are
generally designed to prevent discrimination in favor of highly compensated
employees to the detriment of non-highly compensated employees with respect to
both the availability of, and the benefits, rights and features offered in,
qualified employee benefit plans. NCES applies the nondiscrimination
requirements of the Code at both a consolidated and client company level to
ensure that its 401(k) plans are in compliance with the requirements of the
Code.
 
     Workers' Compensation.  Workers' compensation is a state-mandated,
comprehensive insurance program that requires employers to fund or insure
medical expenses, lost wages and other costs resulting from work-related
injuries and illnesses. In exchange for providing workers' compensation coverage
for employees, employers are not subject to litigation by employees for benefits
in excess of those provided by the relevant state statute. In most states, the
extensive benefits coverage (for both medical costs and lost wages) is provided
through the purchase of commercial insurance from private insurance companies,
participation in state-run insurance funds or employer self-insurance. Workers'
compensation benefits and arrangements vary on a state-by-state basis and are
often highly complex. These laws establish the rights of workers to receive
benefits and to appeal benefit denials. Workers' compensation laws also regulate
the methods and procedures which NCES may employ in its workers' compensation
managed care programs.
 
     As a creation of state law, workers' compensation is subject to change by
each state's legislature and is influenced by the political processes in each
state. Several states have mandated that employers receive coverage only from
state-operated funds. Other states have adopted legislation requiring that all
workers' compensation injuries be treated through a managed care program. While
such legislation may increase the market for NCES's workers' compensation
managed care services, it may also intensify the competition faced by NCES for
such services. In addition, Federal health care reform proposals include a
proposal that may require 24-hour health coverage, in which the coverage of
traditional employer-sponsored health plans is combined with workers'
compensation coverage to provide a single insurance plan for health problems,
whether or not related to work. Incorporating workers' compensation coverage
into conventional health plans may adversely affect the market for NovaCare's
services and may intensify the competition faced by NCES from HMOs and other
health care providers. Moreover, because workers' compensation benefits are
mandated by law and are subject to extensive regulation, payers and employers do
not have the same flexibility to alter benefits as they have with other health
benefit programs. Finally, because workers' compensation programs vary from
state to state, it is difficult for payers and multi-state employers to adopt
uniform policies to administer, manage and control the costs of benefits.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
     Other Employer-Related Requirements.  As an employer, NCES is subject to a
wide variety of Federal, state and local laws and regulations governing
employer-employee relationships, including the Immigration Reform and Control
Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, the
Occupational Safety and Health Act, wage and hour regulations, and comprehensive
local, state and Federal civil rights laws and regulations, including those
prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment. The definition of employer may
be broadly interpreted under these laws.
 
     Responsibility for complying with various state and Federal laws and
regulations is allocated by agreement between NCES and its clients, or in some
cases is the joint responsibility of both. Because NCES acts as a co-employer
with the client company, it is possible that NCES could incur liability for
violations of laws even though NCES is not contractually or otherwise
responsible for the conduct giving rise to such liability. NCES's standard
client agreement generally provides that the client will indemnify NCES for
liability incurred as a result of an act of negligence of a worksite employee
under the direction and control of the client or to the extent the liability is
attributable to the client's failure to comply with any law or regulation for
which it has specified contractual responsibility. However, there can be no
assurance that NCES will be able to enforce such indemnification and NCES may
therefore be ultimately responsible for satisfying the liability in question.
 
INSURANCE
 
     The Company maintains professional liability insurance in amounts deemed
appropriate by management based upon historical claims and the nature and risks
of the business. The Company also maintains property and general liability
insurance for the customary risks inherent in the operation of business in
general. While NovaCare believes its insurance policies to be adequate in amount
and coverage for its current operations, there can be no assurance that any
future claims will not exceed the limits of those policies or that such
insurance will continue to be available.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     At June 30, 1998, the Company had approximately 53,000 employees. Of these,
approximately 7,500 were outpatient services personnel, 11,000 were long-term
care services personnel and 34,200 were employee services personnel. Of the
employee services personnel, approximately 400 were "administrative" employees
and 33,800 were worksite employees of client companies. NovaCare's employees are
not represented by any labor union and the Company is not aware of any current
activity to organize any of its non-worksite employees. Management considers
relations between the Company and its employees to be good. For information with
respect to the Company's worksite employees, see "Business Profile" in the
"Employee Services" section above.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
                      EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     The executive officers of NovaCare who served during the fiscal year are as
follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   NAME                                          POSITION                         AGE
                   ----                                          --------                         ---
<S>                                         <C>                                                   <C>
John H. Foster............................  Chairman of the Board and Director                    56
Timothy E. Foster.........................  Chief Executive Officer and Director                  46
James W. McLane...........................  President, Chief Operating Officer and Director       59
Daryl A. Dixon............................  President and General Manager, Long-term Care
                                              Services                                            38
Ronald G. Hiscock.........................  President and General Manager, Outpatient Services    47
Robert E. Healy, Jr. .....................  Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration
                                            and Chief Financial Officer                           45
Laurence F. Lane..........................  Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs             53
Steven M. Wise............................  Senior Vice President, Information Systems and
                                            Chief Information Officer                             42
Susan J. Campbell.........................  Vice President, Investor Relations                    47
Richard A. McDonald.......................  Vice President and Treasurer                          51
Barry E. Smith............................  Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting
                                            Officer                                               45
James T. Walmsley.........................  Vice President, Reimbursement                         48
</TABLE>
 
     No family relationships exist among any of the directors or executive
officers of NovaCare. Executive officers serve at the discretion of the NovaCare
Board of Directors.
 
     JOHN H. FOSTER has been Chairman of the Board of NovaCare since December
1984. From 1984 to May 1997, he was also Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Mr. Foster is also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Integra,
Inc., a national mental health services company, and a director of Corning
Incorporated, an international corporation with business interests in specialty
materials and communications, as well as a director of NCES. Mr. Foster is
founder and Chairman of the Board of Foster Management Company, an investment
advisor, and general partner of various venture capital investment funds. He was
also the founder, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of
RehabClinics, Inc., which was acquired by NovaCare in February 1994.
 
     TIMOTHY E. FOSTER has been Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May
1997. From October 1994 until May 1997 he was President and Chief Operating
Officer. He served as Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration and
Chief Financial Officer of NovaCare from November 1988 to October 1994,
Treasurer from March 1992 to October 1994, Secretary of the Company from
September 1987 to May 1994 and has been a director since December 1984. Mr.
Foster currently serves as a Director of Integra, Inc., a national mental health
services company, a position he has held since February 1995, as well as a
director of NCES. Mr. Foster also serves as a consultant to Foster Management
Company.
 
     JAMES W. MCLANE has been President and Chief Operating Officer and a
director of the Company since May 1997. From 1991 to 1997, Mr. McLane served as
Chief Executive Officer of Aetna Health Plans and as Executive Vice President of
Aetna Life and Casualty. He is also a director of FemRx, Inc. a medical device
manufacturer, and Alignis, Inc., a complementary health care services company.
 
     DARYL A. DIXON has been President and General Manager of NovaCare's
Long-term Care Services, formerly the Contract Rehabilitation Division, since
January 1994, and was Vice President, Operations of the Contract Rehabilitation
Division from November 1992 until January 1994.
 
     RONALD G. HISCOCK has been President and General Manager of NovaCare's
Outpatient Services, formerly the Outpatient Division, since February 1996 and
had been President and General Manager of NovaCare's Orthotics and Prosthetics
Division from April 1995 to February 1996. He joined NovaCare in June 1992 as
the East Region President for the Orthotics and Prosthetics Division and was the
Division's Vice President of Operations from July 1994 through March 1995.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
     ROBERT E. HEALY, JR. has been Senior Vice President, Finance and
Administration and Chief Financial Officer since December 1995. From January
1994 to December 1995, he was Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
Officer of NovaCare's Contract Rehabilitation Division. He served as Vice
President, Finance and Chief Accounting Officer of the Company from March 1992
to January 1994.
 
     LAURENCE F. LANE has been Senior Vice President, Regulatory Affairs of
NovaCare since October 1994. From November 1986 to October 1994, he was Vice
President, Regulatory Affairs.
 
     STEVEN M. WISE has been Senior Vice President, Information Systems and
Chief Information Officer since January 1998. He was Vice President, Information
Systems and Chief Information Officer from December 1995 to January 1998. He
joined NovaCare in 1993 as Director, Systems and Programming, for the Contract
Rehabilitation Division.
 
     SUSAN J. CAMPBELL has been Vice President, Investor Relations of NovaCare
since April 1994. She joined NovaCare in March 1993 as Director of Investor
Relations and also served as Vice President, Communications from April 1995 to
March 1998.
 
     RICHARD A. MCDONALD has been Vice President and Treasurer since August 1996
and was Director, Treasury Services from May 1995 until August 1996. Prior to
joining the Company, he was a financial consultant to Continental Medical
Systems, Inc. He served as an assistant treasurer with American Healthcare
Management from 1990 until 1994.
 
     BARRY E. SMITH has been Vice President, Controller and Chief Accounting
Officer of the Company since December 1995 and was Vice President of Finance of
the Contract Rehabilitation Division from March 1995 to October 1997. He was
Vice President of Finance of the Medical Rehabilitation Hospital Division from
February 1994 through the sale date of the division in April 1995.
 
     JAMES T. WALMSLEY has been Vice President, Reimbursement of NovaCare since
January 1994 and was Director of Reimbursement from April 1992 to January 1994.
 
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
 
     NovaCare's principal executive offices are located at 1016 West Ninth
Avenue, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania 19406 where NovaCare leases approximately
149,000 square feet of office space. The principal lease for this office space
expires in June 2005. In addition, the Company leases other office space in
various cities within the United States for terms which typically are three
years or less. See Note 9 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
information concerning the Company's leases for its facilities.
 
     The Company does not anticipate that it will experience difficulty in
renewing such leases upon their expiration or obtaining different space on
comparable terms if such leases are not renewed. The Company believes that these
facilities are well maintained and are of adequate size for present needs and
planned expansion in the near future.
 
     NovaCare also has sublease agreements for approximately 21,500 square feet
of office space, expiring February 2003 with companies in which NovaCare's
Chairman of the Board is a Director and/or an Executive Officer.
 
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     From time to time, NovaCare is party to certain claims, suits and
complaints which arise in the ordinary course of business. Currently, there are
no such claims, suits or complaints which, in the opinion of management, would
have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition,
results of operations and liquidity.
 
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
 
     None.
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
                                    PART II
 
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
 
     NovaCare's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
under the symbol NOV. On September 7, 1998, there were 1,580 holders of record
of common stock.
 
     The following table sets forth the high and low sales prices per share of
common stock as reported on the NYSE Composite Tape for the relevant periods.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                COMMON STOCK
                                                                   PRICES
                                                              ----------------
                                                               HIGH      LOW
                                                               ----      ---
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1998:
  First Quarter.............................................  $17.06    $12.50
  Second Quarter............................................   17.31     11.81
  Third Quarter.............................................   14.87     11.87
  Fourth Quarter............................................   14.81     10.62
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997:
  First Quarter.............................................  $ 9.63    $ 6.88
  Second Quarter............................................   11.25      8.13
  Third Quarter.............................................   13.75      9.63
  Fourth Quarter............................................   14.13     10.88
</TABLE>
 
     With the exception of 2-for-1 stock splits of common stock effected in the
form of stock dividends in June 1987 and July 1991, no other dividends have been
paid or declared on common stock since NovaCare's initial public offering on
November 5, 1986. NovaCare does not expect to declare any cash dividends on
common stock in the foreseeable future.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with
NovaCare's consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes
presented elsewhere herein.
 
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          FIVE YEAR FINANCIAL SUMMARY
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1998          1997         1996        1995        1994
                                      ----          ----         ----        ----        ----
<S>                                <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
  Net revenues...................  $1,671,925    $1,066,451    $793,038    $905,359    $789,745
  Gross profit...................     354,659       260,086     208,082     256,240     255,511
  Income from operations.........      89,690        80,541      37,499     143,881     108,208
  Net interest expense...........     (27,455)      (13,504)     (7,537)    (17,893)    (11,773)
  Income before income taxes.....      99,546        66,801      29,866     125,584      95,892
  Income taxes...................      41,631        27,891      14,585      63,660      37,678
  Net income.....................      57,915        38,910      15,281      61,924      58,214
  Net income per share:
     Basic.......................         .94           .64         .24         .95         .91
     Assuming dilution...........         .91           .62         .24         .93         .88
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          AS OF JUNE 30,
                                   ------------------------------------------------------------
                                      1998          1997         1996        1995        1994
                                      ----          ----         ----        ----        ----
<S>                                <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Working capital................  $  225,773    $  173,576    $223,712    $255,126    $194,324
  Total assets...................   1,356,042     1,014,304     789,731     852,557     850,541
  Total indebtedness.............     508,382       342,678     192,215     225,015     344,602
  Total liabilities(1)...........     775,369       506,298     305,337     364,922     434,837
  Shareholders' equity...........     580,673       508,006     484,394     487,635     415,704
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Includes minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATIONS
 
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
OVERVIEW
 
     In the fiscal years ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, the Company experienced
significant revenue and earnings expansion resulting from acquisitions and
internal growth of its existing businesses. During fiscal 1998, the Company
purchased 90 outpatient services businesses, consisting of 43 outpatient
physical therapy and rehabilitation businesses, 42 orthotic and prosthetic
("O&P") businesses, and five occupational health businesses; and two
professional employer organization ("PEO") businesses. During fiscal 1997, the
Company acquired 55 outpatient services businesses, consisting of 19 outpatient
physical therapy and rehabilitation businesses, 33 O&P businesses, and three
occupational health businesses; and four PEO businesses. During fiscal 1996, the
Company acquired seven outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation businesses
and six O&P businesses.
 
     During fiscal 1998, NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. ("NCES") sold
approximately 5.8 million shares to third parties in an initial public offering,
receiving net proceeds of $45.7 million. As of June 30, 1998, the Company
retains a 71% interest in NCES.
 
  Segment Reporting
 
     In fiscal 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and
Related Information", which requires companies to report operating segments
based upon the way a company manages its activities. Because of the Company's
reporting, organization and management structure, segment information has been
presented for outpatient services, long-term care services and employee
services.
 
     Outpatient services relate to the provision of outpatient physical therapy,
O&P and occupational health rehabilitation services through a national network
of patient care centers. Long-term care services provide rehabilitation therapy
and health care consulting services on a contract basis to health care
institutions, primarily long-term care facilities. Employee services are
comprehensive, fully integrated outsourcing solutions to human resource issues.
These services include payroll management, workers' compensation, risk
management, benefits administration, unemployment services and human resource
consulting services, and are generally provided to small and medium-sized
business. The Company entered this business on October 1, 1996 with the
acquisition of its first PEO business.
 
     Effective January 25, 1997, employee services were also provided to the
outpatient services and long-term care services segments of the Company.
 
     See Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for financial data for
each of the Company's operating segments.
 
  Gain from Issuance of Subsidiary Stock
 
     During fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a gain of $38.8 million ($22.9
million after tax) related to the sale of stock by NCES to third parties through
an initial public offering of its stock, issuance of stock in connection with
conversion of its mandatorily redeemable common stock and acquisitions.
 
  Provision for Restructure
 
     During fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a $23.5 million ($13.7 million net
of tax) restructure charge related to an evaluation of changes in Medicare
related to the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. In response to these changes, the
Company is converting its long-term care services contract rehabilitation model
from one characterized by a high concentration of one-on-one therapy, with
licensed professionals treating individual
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
          FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- (CONTINUED)
 
patients, to a model which: (i) relies more heavily on well-trained therapy
assistants and aides closely supervised by licensed professionals, and (ii)
employs simultaneous therapy, wherein licensed professionals, along with
well-trained therapy assistants and aides, treat multiple patients on a
coordinated basis.
 
     During fiscal 1996, the Company recorded a $13.4 million ($7.6 million net
of tax) restructure charge related to the reorganization of the Company's
outpatient services businesses.
 
  Change in Estimate
 
     In fiscal 1996, the Company recorded a $10.5 million charge to revenues to
fully reflect payer allowances that had not been sufficiently recognized by
certain billing systems during fiscal 1996 and prior years.
 
  Regulatory Changes
 
     In the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998, Medicare changed its reimbursement to
long-term care facilities for occupational and speech therapies to a salary
equivalency methodology. Effective July 1, 1998, the reimbursement methodology
changes to a prospective payment system for Medicare Part A services over an
eleven month period and a fee schedule for Medicare Part B services effective
January 1, 1999 (See "Business -- Long-term Care
Services -- Reimbursement/Government Relations").
 
  YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 COMPARED WITH THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997
 
     Net revenues for the year ended June 30, 1998 were $1.7 billion, an
increase of $605.5 million (57%) over fiscal 1997. Gross profit for fiscal 1998
was $354.7 million, an increase of $94.6 million (36%) over fiscal 1997. These
increases resulted principally from acquisitions (19% increase in gross profit
year-over-year) and internal growth (17% increase in gross profit
year-over-year).
 
     Other operating expenses, excluding the $23.5 million restructure charge
described above, were $241.5 million, an increase of $61.9 million (34%) over
fiscal 1997. Other operating expenses include selling, general and
administrative expenses, depreciation (other than depreciation included in cost
of services) and amortization of excess cost of net assets acquired
("amortization") and provision for uncollectible accounts. The increase in
operating expenses resulted principally from the inclusion of acquisitions
completed in fiscal 1998 and 1997, additional costs incurred in the expansion of
the Company's employee services business and those costs required to support
internal growth. As a percentage of net revenues, other operating expenses
decreased to 14.4% in fiscal 1998 compared to 16.8% in fiscal 1997. This
decrease resulted principally from an increase in employee services revenues,
where these operating expenses are typically a smaller percentage of net
revenues than in outpatient services or long-term care services.
 
     Depreciation expense, including depreciation reported in cost of services
and selling, general and administrative expenses, was $30.1 million, an increase
of $5.7 million (23%) over fiscal 1997. The increase resulted primarily from the
effect of acquisitions in fiscal 1998 and 1997 and capital investments,
primarily in information systems and outpatient facilities. Amortization was
$20.3 million, an increase of $6.7 million (50%) over fiscal 1997, which
increase resulted from acquired businesses.
 
     Interest expense, net of interest income, was $27.5 million, an increase of
$14.0 million over net interest expense of $13.5 million in fiscal 1997. Net
interest expense increased primarily as a result of increased borrowings as
discussed under "Liquidity and Capital Resources".
 
     Income tax expense as a percentage of pretax income remained constant at
41.8%. See Note 10 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation
of expected tax rate to actual tax expense.
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   32
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
          FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- (CONTINUED)
 
OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT
 
  Outpatient Services
 
     Net revenues for the outpatient services segment were $512.7 million in
fiscal 1998, an increase of $155.1 million (43%) over fiscal 1997. The increase
in net revenues was due principally to businesses acquired in fiscal 1998 and
the full-year effect of businesses acquired in fiscal 1997, along with
same-market growth in O&P and occupational health.
 
     Gross profit (excluding depreciation) was $158.7 million, an increase of
$51.9 million (49%) over fiscal 1997. The increase in gross profit resulted
primarily from: (i) businesses acquired in fiscal 1998 and the full-year effect
of businesses acquired in fiscal 1997 (aggregating to a 39% increase in gross
profit year-over-year), (ii) same market growth of 4% in O&P and occupational
health, and (iii) improved productivity (6% increase in gross profit
year-over-year). Gross profit as a percentage of net revenues ("gross profit
margin") increased to 30.9% in fiscal 1998 compared to 29.8% in fiscal 1997
principally as a result of improved productivity in outpatient physical therapy
and rehabilitation, O&P and occupational health operations.
 
     Income from operations was $65.2 million, an increase of $20.4 million
(46%) compared with fiscal 1997. The increase was due to the higher gross profit
noted above, partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative
expenses, an increase in the provision for bad debts and higher depreciation and
amortization expense. The increase in those costs was principally a result of
expenses associated with businesses acquired.
 
  Long-term Care Services
 
     Net revenues for long-term care services were $656.9 million in fiscal
1998, an increase of $87.0 million (15%) over fiscal 1997. The increase in net
revenues resulted primarily from new contract sales and price increases on
existing contracts, partially offset by lower reimbursement rates in the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1998 caused by the implementation of the salary equivalency
reimbursement system for speech and occupational therapies.
 
     Gross profit (excluding depreciation) was $182.7 million in fiscal 1998, an
increase of $26.6 million (17%) over fiscal 1997. The gross profit margin was
27.8% in fiscal 1998 compared with 27.4% in fiscal 1997. The improvement in
gross profit and gross profit margin resulted from an increase in new customer
contracts coupled with reduced salary and wage costs per employee, due to the
conversion of the Company's clinical workforce from fixed salary compensation to
variable hourly compensation, and improved productivity.
 
     Income from operations was $116.1 million, an increase of $22.7 million
(24%) over fiscal 1997. The increase resulted from the higher gross profit noted
above, partially offset by slightly higher selling, general and administrative
costs and higher depreciation and amortization incurred to support business
growth.
 
  Employee Services
 
     Employee services net revenues were $1.3 billion in fiscal 1998 (before an
intercompany elimination of $769.5 million related to services provided to the
outpatient services and long-term care services segments), an increase of $877.6
million over fiscal 1997 net revenues of $394.2 million (before an intercompany
elimination of $255.3 million). This increase in total net revenues is due to:
(i) an increase in net revenues of $514.2 million under the employee services
segment's contract with the outpatient services and long-term care services
segments (the "NovaCare Contract"), and (ii) an increase of $363.4 million in
third party net revenues. Gross profit (excluding depreciation) was $41.5
million in fiscal 1998, an increase of $29.3 million over fiscal 1997. Income
from operations was $10.9 million, an increase of $8.0 million over fiscal 1997.
 
     The increases in net revenue, gross profit and income from operations
resulted from: (i) a full year's operation of the NovaCare Contract in fiscal
1998 compared with only five months in fiscal 1997, as well as a
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   33
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
          FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- (CONTINUED)
 
5% increase in the number of worksite employees covered by the NovaCare Contract
in fiscal 1998, (ii) a full year of operations in fiscal 1998 compared to only
nine months in fiscal 1997 (the employee services segment commenced operations
October 1, 1996 with the acquisition of its first PEO business), (iii) the
full-year effect of fiscal 1997 acquisitions, (iv) acquisitions completed in
fiscal 1998, and (v) same market growth.
 
  YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 COMPARED WITH THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1996
 
     Net revenues for the year ended June 30, 1997 were $1.1 billion, an
increase of $273.4 million (34%) over fiscal 1996. Gross profit for fiscal 1997
was $260.1 million, an increase of $52.0 million (25%) over fiscal 1996. These
increases resulted principally from acquisitions (15% increase in gross profit
year-over-year) and internal growth (5% increase in gross profit year-over-year)
and a fiscal 1996 $10.5 million charge to revenues for a change in estimate
discussed in "Overview" above.
 
     Other operating expenses were $179.5 million, an increase of $22.3 million
(14%) over fiscal 1996, excluding a $13.4 million restructure charge in fiscal
1996. The increase in costs resulted primarily from businesses acquired in
fiscal 1997. As a percentage of net revenues, other operating expenses decreased
to 16.8% in fiscal 1997 from 19.8% in fiscal 1996, principally as a result of
employee and facility cost savings from productivity and cost reduction programs
initiated in fiscal 1996 and 1995.
 
     Depreciation expense, including depreciation reported in cost of services
and selling, general and administrative expenses, was $24.4 million in fiscal
1997, an increase of $1.1 million (5%) over fiscal 1996, principally as a result
of the full year effect of assets acquired in fiscal 1996 and certain
internally-developed software placed in service in fiscal 1997. Amortization was
$13.5 million in fiscal 1997, an increase of $3.7 million (37%) over fiscal
1996, resulting from businesses acquired in fiscal 1997 as well as the full-year
effect of businesses acquired in fiscal 1996.
 
     Interest expense, net of interest income, was $13.5 million in fiscal 1997,
an increase of $6.0 million as a result of increased borrowings and lower
invested cash in fiscal 1997, principally due to acquisitions.
 
     Income tax expense as a percentage of pretax income decreased to 41.8 % in
fiscal 1997 compared to 48.8% in fiscal 1996. The decrease in the income tax
rate resulted principally from the reduced impact of nondeductible amortization
on higher income subject to income tax in fiscal 1997 as a result of the fiscal
1996 provision for restructure and charge to revenues. See Note 10 to the
Consolidated Financial Statements for a reconciliation of expected tax expense
to actual tax expense.
 
OPERATING RESULTS BY SEGMENT
 
  Outpatient Services
 
     Net revenues for the outpatient services segment were $357.6 million, an
increase of $87.9 million (33%) over fiscal 1996. The increase in net revenues
was attributable to: (i) businesses acquired in fiscal 1997 and the full year
effect of businesses acquired in fiscal 1996, (ii) the absence of the $10.5
million charge to revenues discussed previously, and (iii) internal growth.
These increases were somewhat offset by lower net revenues resulting from
facilities closed or sold in fiscal 1997 and the full year effect of facilities
closed, sold or contributed to joint ventures in fiscal 1996.
 
     Gross profit (excluding depreciation) was $106.7 million, an increase of
$39.5 million (59%) over fiscal 1996. The increase in gross profit resulted
from: (i) businesses acquired in fiscal 1997 and the full year effect of
businesses acquired in fiscal 1996 (aggregating to a 37% increase in gross
profit year-over-year), (ii) the absence of the $10.5 million charge to
revenues, and (iii) an increase in productivity (6% increase in gross profit
year-over-year). Gross profit margin was 29.8% in fiscal 1997 compared with
24.9% in fiscal 1996. The increase in gross profit margin resulted principally
from improved productivity and the consolidation and
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   34
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
          FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- (CONTINUED)
 
reorganization of certain outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation and O&P
functions in the third quarter of fiscal 1996, as well as the impact of the
$10.5 million charge to revenues.
 
     Income from operations was $44.8 million, an increase of $28.5 million over
fiscal 1996. This increase resulted from the higher gross profit noted above,
partially offset by higher selling, general and administrative expenses related
to acquisitions and an increase in the provision for uncollectible accounts.
 
  Long-term Care Services
 
     Net revenues for the long-term care segment were $569.9 million, an
increase of $46.6 million (9%) over fiscal 1996. The increase resulted
principally from: (i) new contract sales, (ii) price increases on existing
contracts, and (iii) increased productivity.
 
     Gross profit, excluding depreciation, was $156.1 million, an increase of
$6.5 million (4%) over fiscal 1996. Gross profit margin was 27.4% in fiscal 1997
compared with 28.6% in fiscal 1996. The decrease in gross profit margin resulted
principally from increased cost of competitive compensation and benefits per
employee and increased independent contractor useage in fiscal 1997.
 
     Income from operations was $93.4 million, an increase of $15.4 million
(20%) over fiscal 1996 due to the increase in gross profit noted above, coupled
with lower selling, general and administrative expenses and provision for
uncollectible accounts.
 
  Employee Services
 
     Revenues for employee services were $394.2 million in fiscal 1997 (before
an intercompany elimination of $255.3 million related to services provided to
the outpatient and long-term care segments), representing nine months of
operations. Employee services operations commenced on October 1, 1996, with the
Company's purchase of its first PEO business. During fiscal 1997, the Company
purchased three additional PEO businesses, resulting in revenues from third
parties of $138.9 million. In January 1997, the employee services segment
commenced providing services under the NovaCare Contract.
 
     Gross profit was $12.2 million (before an intercompany elimination of $5.7
million), or 3.1% of net revenues. Income from operations was $2.9 million.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     At June 30, 1998, cash and cash equivalents totaled $32.8 million, an
increase of $10.0 million over June 30, 1997. Cash generated from operations
increased $25.9 million to $73.1 million in fiscal year 1998 from $47.2 million
in fiscal 1997, which was a decrease of $10.5 million from $57.7 million in
fiscal 1996. The $25.9 million increase from fiscal 1997 to 1998 resulted
principally from improved earnings of $19.0 million, higher depreciation and
amortization and higher deferred taxes of $28.2 million, which were offset
partially by the net increase in the non-cash portion of nonrecurring items of
$15.3 million. Increased working capital requirements, principally accounts
receivable and inventory totaling $34.5 million, net of higher accounts payable
balances and accrued expenses totaling $28.5 million, partially offset these
improvements.
 
     Cash flows from operating activities decreased $10.5 million from fiscal
1996 to 1997 principally due to an increase in accounts and notes receivable of
$41.2 million offset, somewhat, by an increase in net income of $23.6 million
and $8.2 million of non-cash charges consisting of depreciation, amortization
and provision for doubtful accounts.
 
     Investing activities used $213.9 million of cash in fiscal 1998 compared
with $187.8 million and $64.9 million in fiscal 1997 and 1996, respectively.
Cash paid for acquisitions increased to $180.6 in fiscal 1998 compared with
$164.4 million in fiscal 1997, which was an increase from the $20.8 million paid
in fiscal 1996.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   35
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
          FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- (CONTINUED)
 
Capital expenditures remained relatively constant at $29.5 million, $21.7
million, and $26.6 million for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively, as the
Company continued to invest in internally and externally developed software and
equipment needed for technological efficiency in clinical and administrative
activities in support of clinical programs and outcomes, cost reduction
initiatives and future growth plans.
 
     The Company's major financing activities consisted of borrowings, net of
repayments, of $97.3 million in fiscal 1998, compared with net borrowings of
$87.0 million in fiscal 1997, compared with net payments of $33.6 million in
1996. Also, during fiscal 1998 NCES sold approximately 5.8 million shares to
third parties in an initial public offering, receiving net proceeds of $45.7
million. The net proceeds of the offering were used principally to pay
obligations associated with acquisitions and other debt. The Company retains a
71% interest in NCES after reductions in its ownership interest for the initial
public offering and NCES shares issued in the conversion of its mandatorily
redeemable common stock and to sellers of acquired PEO businesses.
 
     The Company amended its bank credit facility, increasing the amount of
available borrowings to $400.0 million at June 30, 1998. The term of the credit
facility was also extended to June 2003 and certain working capital and net
worth requirements were modified. At June 30, 1998, $168.3 million remained
available after reduction for borrowings and letters of credit totaling $4.2
million.
 
     In November 1997, NCES entered into a $25.0 million three-year revolving
credit agreement with a syndicate of lenders. At June 30, 1998, $23.9 million of
the NCES line of credit was available after reduction for a letter of credit of
$1.1 million.
 
     The Company's growth strategy contemplates expansion of the outpatient
services and employee services segments in target markets, principally through
acquisitions and start-ups. The Company's anticipated acquisitions and capital
expenditures in fiscal 1999 exceed its anticipated cash from operations plus the
remaining amount available under its lines of credit. The Company is presently
evaluating its strategic alternatives for obtaining additional capital. Such
alternatives could involve placing additional debt through a high-yield offering
or private placement, or the separation of the Company's activities into two
independent companies, one of which would operate its outpatient services
business segment and the other of which would operate its long-term care and
employee services segments, and the offering for sale of equity securities.
 
     If the Company is unable to secure additional financing, or such financing
is available only on uneconomic terms, the Company could be forced to curtail,
to some extent, its expansion plans. The Company expects to be in compliance
with the terms of its credit facilities during fiscal 1999.
 
INFLATION
 
     A significant portion of the Company's operating expenses have been subject
to inflationary increases. In particular, therapist salary increases
historically have exceeded other medical industry salary rate increases due to
the existing supply shortage of therapists. Historically, the Company has been
unable to offset any portion of these inflationary increases through charge
increases, but has mitigated somewhat the effect of these salary increases
through expanding services and increasing operating efficiencies.
 
     Recently, however, the Company has begun to see an increase in the
availability of therapists, due in part to changes in the regulatory environment
affecting the reimbursement of therapy services. The supply of therapists
coupled with the Company's intention to convert its long-term care services
business to an operating model that emphasizes the increased use of well-trained
therapy assistants and aides, closely supervised by licensed professionals,
should at least partially mitigate the effects of inflation on therapist
salaries and wages. However, to the extent that inflationary trends continue, it
is uncertain whether the Company will be able to pass on the increased costs
associated with providing health care services to customers insured by
government or managed care payers. Management believes that the Company can
continue to offset most, if not all, of the potential effects of inflation
through business expansion and increasing operating efficiencies.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   36
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
          FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- (CONTINUED)
 
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
     In March 1998, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statements of Position ("SOP")
98-1 "Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for
Internal Use". SOP 98-1 provides guidance on accounting for the costs of
computer software developed or obtained for internal use. The SOP is effective
for the year ended June 30, 2000. Management does not believe the adoption of
SOP 98-1 will have a material effect on the Company's financial position or
results of operation.
 
     In June 1998, the Accounting Standards Executive Committee of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants issued Statement of Position ("SOP")
98-5 "Reporting on the Cost of Start-Up Activities" which the Company is
required to adopt no later than June 30, 2000. SOP 98-5 provides the reporting
standards for the costs of start-up activities, including organizational costs,
which should be expensed as incurred. Management does not believe the adoption
of SOP 98-5 will have a material effect on the Company's financial position or
results of operations.
 
YEAR 2000 READINESS
 
     Historically, certain computer programs have been written using two digits,
rather than four digits, to define the applicable year. This could lead, in many
cases, to a computer's recognizing a date using "00" as 1900 rather than the
year 2000. This phenomenon could result in major computer system failures or
miscalculations, and is generally referred to as the "Year 2000" problem or
issue.
 
     The Company is currently in the process of assessing its exposure to the
Year 2000 problem, and has established a comprehensive response to that
exposure. Generally, the Company has Year 2000 exposure in three areas: (i)
financial and management operating computer systems used to manage the Company's
business, (ii) microprocessors and other electronic devices included as
components of therapy and other equipment used by the Company ("embedded chips")
and (iii) computer systems used by third parties, in particular financial
institutions, customers and suppliers of the Company.
 
     At June 30, 1998, the Company had completed an inventory of its financial
and management operating systems and made a preliminary determination of which
programs were or were not Year 2000 compliant. During the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1999, the Company intends to test each significant program which is
believed to be Year 2000 compliant and to remediate all significant programs
that are not Year 2000 compliant. In some cases, Year 2000 issues will be
corrected in the development of new programs, which enhance or provide new
functionality to these financial and management operating systems. The Company
estimates the cost of this effort to be approximately $9 million, including $5
million of capital costs for new computers and related equipment. This amount
does not include costs for computer software developed in order to provide or
improve functionality. At June 30, 1998, the Company had already spent
approximately $525 thousand in this effort. The Company has increased its
overall information technologies budget to accommodate Year 2000 issues and has
not delayed other projects critical to the Company's business.
 
     The Company expects to substantially complete Year 2000 testing and
remediation on its financial and management operating systems by June 30, 1999.
 
     The Company has begun an inventory and assessment of its exposure to
embedded chips in its facilities or equipment used in those facilities and
capability of vendors of such equipment to successfully remediate Year 2000
problems in equipment with embedded chips.
 
     The Company has recently begun interviewing vendors and customers to
determine their exposure to Year 2000 issues, their anticipated risks and
responses to those risks.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   37
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
          FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS -- (CONTINUED)
 
     If the Company is unsuccessful in completing remediation of non-compliant
systems, correcting embedded chips and if customers or vendors cannot rectify
Year 2000 issues, the Company could incur additional costs, which may be
substantial, to develop alternative methods of managing its business and
replacing non-compliant equipment, and may experience delays in payments by
customers or to vendors. The Company has not yet established a contingency plan
in the event of noncompliance by its customers and vendors.
 
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT
 
     Except for historical information, matters discussed above including, but
not limited to, statements concerning future growth and Year 2000 readiness, are
forward-looking statements that are based on management's estimates, assumptions
and projections. Important factors that could cause results to differ materially
from those expected by management include reimbursement system changes,
including customer response to the establishment of salary equivalency
guidelines for certain therapies and the change from cost-based reimbursement to
fee schedules and per diem payments, the number and productivity of clinicians,
pricing of payer contracts, management retention and development, management's
success in integrating acquired businesses and in developing and introducing new
products and lines of business, the ability of the Company, its customers and
its suppliers to complete assessment, testing and remediation of Year 2000
issues, adverse Internal Revenue Service rulings with respect to the employer
status of employee services businesses and the Company's ability to implement
the employee services business model.
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   38
 
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
 
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                          CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   AS OF JUNE 30,
                                                              ------------------------
                                                                 1998          1997
                                                                 ----          ----
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $   32,760    $   22,716
  Accounts receivable, net of allowance in 1998 and 1997 of
     $55,060 and $33,263, respectively......................     338,328       256,477
  Inventories...............................................      38,207        18,450
  Deferred income taxes.....................................      14,580        13,939
  Other current assets......................................      27,978        18,313
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total current assets..............................     451,853       329,895
Property and equipment, net.................................      80,857        69,740
Excess cost of net assets acquired, net.....................     767,729       568,027
Investment in joint ventures................................      14,881        12,719
Deferred income taxes.......................................       2,886         2,570
Other assets, net...........................................      37,836        31,353
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                              $1,356,042    $1,014,304
                                                              ==========    ==========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Current portion of financing arrangements.................  $   32,074    $   15,978
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses.....................     193,025       135,272
  Income taxes payable......................................         981         5,069
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total current liabilities.........................     226,080       156,319
Financing arrangements, net of current portion..............     476,308       326,700
Deferred income taxes.......................................      41,067        14,779
Other.......................................................      13,608         4,851
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total liabilities.................................     757,063       502,649
                                                              ----------    ----------
Minority interest in consolidated subsidiaries..............      18,306         3,649
Commitments and contingencies...............................          --            --
Shareholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value; authorized 200,000 shares,
     issued 67,935 shares in 1998 and 66,630 shares in
     1997...................................................         679           666
  Additional paid-in capital................................     273,157       259,915
  Retained earnings.........................................     350,255       292,340
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                                 624,091       552,921
  Less: Common stock in treasury (at cost), 5,401 shares in
        1998 and 5,590 shares in 1997.......................     (43,418)      (44,915)
                                                              ----------    ----------
          Total shareholders' equity........................     580,673       508,006
                                                              ----------    ----------
                                                              $1,356,042    $1,014,304
                                                              ==========    ==========
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are
                     an integral part of these statements.
                                       36
<PAGE>   39
 
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                          ------------------------------------
                                                             1998          1997         1996
                                                             ----          ----         ----
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
Net revenues............................................  $1,671,925    $1,066,451    $793,038
Cost of services........................................   1,317,266       806,365     584,956
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
     Gross profit.......................................     354,659       260,086     208,082
Selling, general and administrative expenses............     199,293       146,289     130,980
Provision for uncollectible accounts....................      21,907        19,708      16,359
Amortization of excess cost of net assets acquired......      20,269        13,548       9,874
Provision for restructure...............................      23,500            --      13,370
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
     Income from operations.............................      89,690        80,541      37,499
Gain from issuance of subsidiary stock..................      38,805            --          --
Investment income.......................................         830         1,740       4,999
Interest expense........................................     (28,285)      (15,244)    (12,536)
Minority interest.......................................      (1,494)         (236)        (96)
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
     Income before income taxes.........................      99,546        66,801      29,866
Income taxes............................................      41,631        27,891      14,585
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
     Net income.........................................  $   57,915    $   38,910    $ 15,281
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
     Net income per share:
       Basic............................................  $      .94    $      .64    $    .24
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
       Assuming dilution................................  $      .91    $      .62    $    .24
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
     Weighted average number of shares outstanding:
       Basic............................................      61,742        61,031      63,459
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
       Assuming dilution................................      63,584        62,455      63,918
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are
                     an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   40
 
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        COMMON
                                     SHARES ISSUED       STOCK                ADDITIONAL
                                   -----------------   ($.01 PAR   TREASURY    PAID-IN     RETAINED
                                   COMMON   TREASURY    VALUE)      STOCK      CAPITAL     EARNINGS
                                   ------   --------   ---------   --------   ----------   --------
<S>                                <C>      <C>        <C>         <C>        <C>          <C>
Balance at June 30, 1995........   65,476      (187)     $656      $ (1,614)   $250,857    $238,149
Issued in connection with
  employee benefit plans........     199        198         1         1,624       1,336          --
Issued in connection with
  acquisitions..................     416        203         4         1,478       1,725          --
Repurchase of common stock......      --     (3,404)       --       (24,953)         --          --
Amortization of deferred
  compensation..................      --         --        --            --          --          --
Net income......................      --         --        --            --          --      15,281
                                   ------    ------      ----      --------    --------    --------
Balance at June 30, 1996........   66,091    (3,190)      661       (23,465)    253,918     253,430
Issued in connection with
  employee benefit plans........     539         17         5            11       4,284          --
Issued in connection with
  acquisitions..................      --        344        --         2,474       1,713          --
Repurchase of common stock......      --     (2,761)       --       (23,935)         --          --
Amortization of deferred
  compensation..................      --         --        --            --          --          --
Net income......................      --         --        --            --          --      38,910
                                   ------    ------      ----      --------    --------    --------
Balance at June 30, 1997........   66,630    (5,590)      666       (44,915)    259,915     292,340
ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH
  EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS........   1,305         59        13           465       9,674          --
ISSUED IN CONNECTION WITH
  ACQUISITIONS..................      --        130        --         1,032       3,568          --
NET INCOME......................      --         --        --            --          --      57,915
                                   ------    ------      ----      --------    --------    --------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 1998........   67,935    (5,401)     $679      $(43,418)   $273,157    $350,255
                                   ======    ======      ====      ========    ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are
                     an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   41
 
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              FOR THE YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                           ----------------------------------
                                                             1998         1997         1996
                                                             ----         ----         ----
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>          <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income...............................................  $  57,915    $  38,910    $ 15,281
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash flows
  from operating activities:
  Depreciation and amortization..........................     50,407       37,978      33,159
  Minority interest......................................      1,494          236          96
  Provision for uncollectible accounts...................     21,907       19,708      16,359
  Deferred income taxes..................................     21,838        6,017       3,631
  Noncash portion of nonrecurring items..................    (15,305)          --       8,256
  Changes in assets and liabilities, net of effects from
     acquisitions:
     Accounts and notes receivable.......................    (71,430)     (53,844)    (12,676)
     Inventories.........................................    (14,377)       2,502      (2,039)
     Other current assets................................     (6,256)      (1,434)         10
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses...............     23,628         (725)     (6,152)
     Income taxes payable................................      4,248          110       1,553
     Other, net..........................................       (952)      (2,217)        220
                                                           ---------    ---------    --------
     Net cash flows provided by operating activities.....     73,117       47,241      57,698
                                                           ---------    ---------    --------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash acquired...   (180,578)    (164,370)    (20,764)
Additions to property and equipment......................    (29,486)     (21,653)    (26,621)
Net payment related to the sale of medical rehabilitation
  hospitals..............................................         --           --     (13,208)
Other, net...............................................     (3,816)      (1,752)     (4,326)
                                                           ---------    ---------    --------
     Net cash flows used in investing activities.........   (213,880)    (187,775)    (64,919)
                                                           ---------    ---------    --------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from long-term debt and credit arrangements.....    470,640      263,200         133
Payment of long-term debt and credit arrangements........   (373,299)    (176,174)    (33,769)
Proceeds from subsidiary stock issued....................     45,709           --          --
Proceeds from common stock issued........................      7,757        3,750       2,898
Payment for purchase of treasury stock...................         --      (23,250)    (24,953)
                                                           ---------    ---------    --------
     Net cash flows provided by (used in) financing
       activities........................................    150,807       67,526     (55,691)
                                                           ---------    ---------    --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents.....     10,044      (73,008)    (62,912)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year.............     22,716       95,724     158,636
                                                           ---------    ---------    --------
Cash and cash equivalents, end of year...................  $  32,760    $  22,716    $ 95,724
                                                           =========    =========    ========
</TABLE>
 
        The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are
                     an integral part of these statements.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   42
 
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
1.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
     Nature of Operations:  NovaCare, Inc. ("NovaCare" or the "Company") is a
national leader in three business segments: outpatient services, long-term care
services, and employee services. Outpatient services consist of providing
outpatient, orthotic and prosthetic ("O&P") and occupational health
rehabilitation services through a national network of patient care centers.
Long-term care services provide rehabilitation and healthcare consulting
services on a contract basis to health care institutions, primarily long-term
care facilities. Employee services are comprehensive, fully integrated
outsourcing solutions to human resource issues, including payroll management,
workers' compensation, risk management, benefits administration, unemployment
services and human resource consulting services, and are generally provided to
small and medium-sized businesses.
 
     Operating Segments:  The Company has adopted the provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information." SFAS 131 uses a "management approach" to
defining and reporting the activities of operating segments. The management
approach defines operating segments along the lines used by management to assess
performance and make operating and capital decisions. The adoption of SFAS 131
did not affect the Company's results of operations or financial position, but
did affect the disclosure of segment information provided in Note 13.
 
     Principles of Consolidation:  The Consolidated Financial Statements include
the accounts of the Company, its majority-owned subsidiaries and companies
effectively controlled through management agreements. Investments in 20% or more
of the voting interest of affiliates are accounted for using the equity method.
All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The
Company recognizes a minority interest in its Balance Sheets and Statements of
Operations for the portion of majority-owned subsidiaries attributable to its
minority owners.
 
     Use of Estimates:  The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and
liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of
the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
In fiscal 1996, the Company recorded a $10.5 million charge to net revenues to
reflect payer allowances that had not been sufficiently recognized by certain
billing systems.
 
     Cash and Cash Equivalents:  The Company considers its holdings of highly
liquid debt and money-market instruments to be cash equivalents if the
securities mature within 90 days from the date of acquisition. These investments
are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
 
     Net Revenues:  Net revenues for long-term care rehabilitation services and
outpatient rehabilitation services are reported at the net realizable amounts
from customers and third-party payers. Net revenues generated directly from
Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement programs represented 7%, 12%, and 12% of the
Company's consolidated net revenues for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996,
respectively. Fiscal intermediaries determine settlement amounts due to or
receivable from Medicare and Medicaid programs. Management believes that
adequate provision has been made in the consolidated financial statements for
potential adjustments resulting from such determinations.
 
     Employee services revenues and related costs of wages, salaries, and
employment taxes pertaining to worksite employees are recognized in the period
in which the employee performs the service. Because the Company is at risk for
all of its direct costs, independently of whether payment is received from its
clients, and consistent with industry practice, all amounts billed to clients
for gross salaries and wages, related employment
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   43
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
taxes, and health care and workers' compensation coverage are recognized as
revenue by the Company. The Company establishes an allowance for doubtful
accounts based on prior experience.
 
     Inventories:  Inventories consist of customized orthotic and prosthetic
merchandise held for sale, work in process and raw materials and are carried at
the lower of cost or market. Cost of inventories is determined by the first-in,
first-out method.
 
     Property and Equipment:  Property and equipment are stated at cost.
Depreciation is provided on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful
lives of the assets, which principally range from three to seven years for
property and equipment and 30 to 40 years for buildings. Assets under capital
leases and leasehold improvements are amortized over the lesser of the lease
term or the asset's estimated useful life. Property and equipment also include
external and incremental internal costs incurred to develop major business
systems. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a straight-line basis over
three to five years.
 
     Excess Cost of Net Assets Acquired:  Assets and liabilities acquired in
connection with business combinations accounted for under the purchase method
are recorded at their respective fair values. Deferred taxes have been recorded
to the extent of the difference between the fair value and the tax basis of the
assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The excess of the purchase price over
the fair value of net assets acquired, including the recognition of applicable
deferred taxes, consists of non-compete agreements, customers lists, assembled
workforce and goodwill and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the
estimated useful lives of the assets which range from five to 40 years.
 
     Effective July 1, 1997, the Company adopted SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for
the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed
of", which establishes accounting standards for the impairment of long-lived
assets, certain identified intangible assets and goodwill related to those
assets to be held and used and for long-lived assets and certain intangible
assets to be disposed of. In accordance with SFAS No. 121, the Company reviews
the realizability of long-lived assets, certain intangible assets and goodwill
whenever events or circumstances occur which indicate recorded cost may not be
recoverable. The Company also reviews the overall recoverability of goodwill
based primarily on estimated future undiscounted cash flows.
 
     If the expected future cash flows (undiscounted) are less than the carrying
amount of such assets, the Company recognizes an impairment loss for the
difference between the carrying amount of the assets and their estimated fair
value. In estimating future cash flows for determining whether an asset is
impaired, and in measuring assets that are impaired, assets are grouped by
geographic region.
 
     Other Assets:  Other assets consist principally of investments in
affordable income housing partnerships, executive savings plan assets and
miscellaneous receivables. Investments in affordable income housing partnerships
are recorded at cost and are subject to an annual assessment as to carrying
value. The executive savings plan is a non-qualified savings plan offered to
Company executives. Contributions made to the fund by eligible employees are
partially matched by the Company. Withdrawals from the fund by employees are
limited to events specified by the plan.
 
     Workers' Compensation:  The Company is contractually obligated to provide
workers' compensation coverage for its employees and co-employees. The Company
accomplishes this through a combination of various commercial insurance policies
and self insurance programs. The Company records estimated accruals for workers
compensation and health care claims, including estimates for incurred but not
reported claims, based upon review of the claims activity and past experience.
Management believes any differences which may arise between actual settlement of
claims and reserves at June 30, 1998 would not have a material impact on the
Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   44
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
     On July 1, 1997, the Company entered into a three-year contract with a
commercial insurance company for worker's compensation coverage. Under this
program, the Company's outpatient and long-term care services segment worksite
employees continue to be covered under a self insurance program. Third-party
worksite employees are covered under a fixed cost insurance program, which is
subject to certain per incident and aggregate deductibles.
 
     Income Taxes:  The Company records deferred tax assets and liabilities for
the expected future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the
Company's financial statements or tax returns.
 
     Net Income Per Share:  SFAS No. 128, "Earnings Per Share," became effective
for periods ending after December 15, 1997. This statement revised the
calculation of earnings per share from the "primary" and "fully diluted" methods
previously employed to the "basic" and "assuming dilution" methods. The Company
had not previously presented fully diluted earnings per share because the result
was not materially different than the primary calculation. Under the new
statement, earnings per share-basic represents earnings divided by the weighted
average number of shares outstanding during the period. Earnings per
share-assuming dilution represents the basic weighted average shares outstanding
adjusted for the effects of stock options and contingently issuable shares under
certain acquisition agreements. The calculation of the Company's earnings per
share-assuming dilution is comparable to that used in prior calculations of
primary earnings per share.
 
     In accordance with this statement, the Company has replaced its disclosure
of primary net income per share with net income per share-basic and net income
per share-assuming dilution.
 
     The following table sets forth the computation and reconciliation of net
income per share-basic and net income per share-assuming dilution:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                              -----------------------------
                                                               1998       1997       1996
                                                               ----       ----       ----
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Net income..................................................  $57,915    $38,910    $15,281
                                                              =======    =======    =======
Weighted average shares outstanding:
  Weighted average shares outstanding -- basic..............   61,742     61,031     63,459
     Stock options..........................................    1,801      1,305         95
     Contingently issuable shares -- assuming dilution......       41        119        364
                                                              -------    -------    -------
  Weighted average shares outstanding -- assuming
     dilution...............................................   63,584     62,455     63,918
                                                              =======    =======    =======
Net income per share:
  Basic.....................................................  $   .94    $   .64    $   .24
                                                              =======    =======    =======
  Assuming dilution.........................................  $   .91    $   .62    $   .24
                                                              =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
     The Company did not include convertible subordinated debentures, equivalent
to 6,567 shares of common stock, or options to purchase 83, 323 and 5,750 shares
of common stock in 1998, 1997, and 1996, respectively, because their effects are
antidilutive. There were no transactions that occurred subsequent to June 30,
1998 that would have materially changed the number of shares used in computing
net income per share-basic or net income per share-assuming dilution.
 
2.  PROVISION FOR RESTRUCTURE
 
     The following table sets forth the Company's provision for restructure for
the years ended June 30, 1998 and 1996. There was no provision for restructure
in fiscal 1997.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   45
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                              --------------------
                                                               1998         1996
                                                               ----         ----
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Productivity and cost reduction programs:
  Employee severance costs..................................  $21,730      $ 2,931
  Lease terminations........................................      450        4,032
  Asset write-offs, net of estimated sale proceeds..........      360        5,965
  Other.....................................................      960          442
                                                              -------      -------
Total provision.............................................  $23,500      $13,370
                                                              =======      =======
</TABLE>
 
     In fiscal 1998, the Company recorded a provision for restructure based on
an evaluation of changes in the Medicare reimbursement system recently mandated
by the Balanced Budget Act. In response to these changes, the Company is
converting its long-term care services contract rehabilitation model from one
characterized by a high concentration of one-on-one therapy, with licensed
professionals treating individual patients, to a model which: (i) relies more
heavily on well-trained therapy assistants and aides closely supervised by
licensed professionals, and (ii) employs simultaneous therapy, wherein licensed
professionals, along with well-trained therapy assistants and aides, treat
multiple patients on a coordinated basis. The provision reflects principally
employee severance costs, which represent the accumulation of termination
benefits set forth in the Company's severance policy, related to changes in
workforce composition dictated by the revised operating model.
 
     The 1996 productivity and cost reduction programs pertained to the
consolidation and reorganization of the Company's outpatient services operations
and certain administrative functions.
 
     A schedule of the Company's reserves for restructure is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                        -----------------------------
                                                         1998       1997       1996
                                                         ----       ----       ----
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
Beginning balance.....................................  $ 5,286    $ 8,241    $11,730
Provision for restructure.............................   23,500         --     13,370
Less: non-cash portion................................     (360)        --     (7,229)
Payments and other reductions.........................   (4,678)    (2,955)    (9,630)
                                                        -------    -------    -------
Ending Balance........................................  $23,748    $ 5,286    $ 8,241
                                                        =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
3.  GAIN FROM ISSUANCE OF SUBSIDIARY STOCK
 
     In fiscal 1998, a subsidiary of the Company, NovaCare Employee Services,
Inc. ("NCES"), completed an initial public offering, converted its mandatorily
redeemable common stock, and issued common stock to former owners of acquired
companies. As a result of these common stock transactions, the Company's
percentage ownership of NCES decreased to 70.9% at June 30, 1998 from 98.7% at
June 30, 1997. The initial public offering included 5,750 shares of NCES common
stock issued at $9.00 per share. Proceeds received by NCES, net of underwriting
and issuance costs, were $45,709. Mandatorily redeemable common stock was
converted into 813 common shares, valued at $4.82 per share. The issuance of
common stock to former owners included 723 shares valued at $8.29 per share and
120 shares valued at $8.31 per share.
 
     The Company recorded a gain of $38,805 ($22,895 net of tax) for the
difference between the Company's historical cost of its investment in NCES and
its portion of NCES equity at June 30, 1998. The Company will continue to record
NCES investment adjustments through its statement of operations as NCES's equity
changes as a result of capital transactions.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   46
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
4.  ACQUISITION AND JOINT VENTURE TRANSACTIONS
 
     During the year ended June 30, 1998, the Company acquired 90 outpatient
services businesses consisting of 43 outpatient physical therapy and
rehabilitation businesses, 42 O&P businesses and five occupational health
businesses; and two employee services businesses.
 
     The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations of the
Company give effect to each of the acquisitions as if they occurred on July 1,
1996:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                              ------------------------
                                                                 1998          1997
                                                                 ----          ----
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Net revenues................................................  $1,836,042    $1,508,378
Net income..................................................      63,152        52,047
Net income per share-basic..................................        1.02           .85
Net income per share-assuming dilution......................  $      .99    $      .83
</TABLE>
 
     The above pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the
results of operations that would have occurred had the acquisition been made as
of July 1, 1996, or the results that may occur in the future.
 
     Information with respect to businesses acquired in purchase transactions
was as follows (the allocation for fiscal 1998 acquisitions is preliminary):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 AS OF JUNE 30,
                                                              --------------------
                                                                1998        1997
                                                                ----        ----
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Excess cost of net assets acquired..........................  $838,752    $618,781
Less: accumulated amortization..............................   (71,023)    (50,754)
                                                              --------    --------
                                                              $767,729    $568,027
                                                              ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                              ---------------------
                                                                1998         1997
                                                                ----         ----
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Cash paid (net of cash acquired)............................  $146,643     $149,147
Deferred purchase price obligations.........................     4,600       19,294
Notes issued................................................    50,754       44,275
Other consideration.........................................    17,118        4,781
                                                              --------     --------
                                                               219,115      217,497
Liabilities assumed.........................................    26,724       11,685
                                                              --------     --------
                                                               245,839      229,182
Fair value of assets acquired, principally accounts
  receivable and property and equipment.....................    43,247       19,501
                                                              --------     --------
Cost in excess of fair value of net assets acquired.........  $202,592     $209,681
                                                              ========     ========
</TABLE>
 
     Certain purchase agreements require additional payments if specific
financial targets and non-financial conditions are met. Aggregate contingent
payments in connection with these acquisitions at June 30, 1998 of approximately
$75,019 in cash and 41 shares of common stock have not been included in the
initial determination of cost of the businesses acquired since the amount of
such contingent consideration, if any, is not presently determinable. During the
fiscal years ended June 30, 1998, 1997 and 1996, the Company paid $33,935,
$15,223 and $14,914, respectively, in cash and issued 130, 344 and 619 shares of
common stock, respectively, in connection with businesses acquired in prior
years.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   47
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
     Deferred purchase price obligations represent guaranteed purchase price
amounts due to former owners of businesses acquired. Obligations of $8,756 are
accrued at June 30, 1998, and are included in accounts payable and accrued
expenses. Approximately $17,500 of the total amount accrued at June 30, 1997 was
satisfied with proceeds from the initial public offering of NCES common stock.
 
     The Company has formed several joint ventures. The carrying value of these
investments is $14,881 and $12,719 at June 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively. The
Company accounts for investments in joint ventures by the equity method.
 
5.  INVENTORIES
 
     Inventories consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                AS OF JUNE 30,
                                                              ------------------
                                                               1998       1997
                                                               ----       ----
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Materials and supplies......................................  $24,068    $12,569
Work in process.............................................   10,840      4,509
Finished goods..............................................    3,299      1,372
                                                              -------    -------
                                                              $38,207    $18,450
                                                              =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
6.  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
     The components of property and equipment were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 AS OF JUNE 30,
                                                              ---------------------
                                                                1998         1997
                                                                ----         ----
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
Land and buildings..........................................  $   2,005    $  3,983
Property, equipment and furniture...........................    110,657      84,733
Capitalized software........................................     38,974      31,792
Leasehold improvements......................................     29,670      20,559
                                                              ---------    --------
                                                                181,306     141,067
Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization.............   (100,449)    (71,327)
                                                              ---------    --------
                                                              $  80,857    $ 69,740
                                                              =========    ========
</TABLE>
 
     Depreciation expense, including depreciation of property under capital
leases, for fiscal 1998, 1997, and 1996 was $30,138, $24,430 and $23,285,
respectively.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   48
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
7.  ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES
 
     Accounts payable and accrued expenses are summarized as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 AS OF JUNE 30,
                                                              --------------------
                                                                1998        1997
                                                                ----        ----
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Accounts payable............................................  $ 19,679    $ 13,647
Accrued compensation and benefits...........................    87,985      65,564
Accrued workers' compensation and health claims.............    25,000       8,471
Accrued costs of productivity and cost improvement
  programs..................................................    23,748       5,286
Deferred and contingent purchase price obligations..........     8,756      25,624
Accrued interest............................................     7,080       1,002
Other.......................................................    20,777      15,678
                                                              --------    --------
                                                              $193,025    $135,272
                                                              ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
     The Company is self-insured for certain health benefits up to $150 per
individual per year. The Company recorded expenses for estimated losses
occurring from both asserted and unasserted claims. The estimate of the
liability for unasserted claims arising from unreported incidents is based on an
analysis of historical claims rates.
 
8.  FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS
 
     Financing arrangements consisted of the following:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 AS OF JUNE 30,
                                                              --------------------
                                                                1998        1997
                                                                ----        ----
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
$400,000 revolving credit facility (Euro Dollar rate plus
  0.875% to 1.5%), due June 30, 2003........................  $227,500    $109,600
Convertible subordinated debentures (5.5%), due January
  2000......................................................   175,000     175,000
Subordinated promissory notes (5% to 10%), payable through
  2007......................................................    98,318      56,859
$25,000 revolving credit facility of subsidiary.............        --          --
Other.......................................................     7,564       1,219
                                                              --------    --------
                                                               508,382     342,678
Less: current portion.......................................    32,074      15,978
                                                              --------    --------
                                                              $476,308    $326,700
                                                              ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
     The Company established a revolving credit facility with a syndicate of
lenders in fiscal 1996, which is collateralized by substantially all of the
Company's subsidiaries' common stock. During fiscal 1998, the credit agreement
was amended to extend the term of the agreement from November 1999 to June 30,
2003 and to increase the available line of credit from $190,000 to $400,000. As
of June 30, 1998, $168,278 of the line of credit was available after reduction
for borrowings and letters of credit totaling $4,222. The revolving credit
facility arrangement requires the maintenance of minimum net worth amounts as
well as certain financial ratios. At June 30, 1998, the Company was in
compliance with these requirements. The Company is charged a commitment fee
ranging from .20% to .325% per annum on the average daily available balance. The
weighted average borrowing rate for fiscal 1998 was 6.7%.
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   49
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
     In November 1997, NCES entered into a $25,000 three-year revolving credit
facility with a syndicate of lenders. The credit facility provides for interest
at a variable rate, depending on certain financial ratios, equal to: (i) the
Euro Dollar rate plus a range of 1.375% to 2.5% or (ii) the lead lender's prime
rate plus a range of .125% to 1.25%. Loans made under the credit facility are
collateralized by a pledge of all of (i) NCES's subsidiaries' common stock, (ii)
the assets of NCES and its subsidiaries, and (iii) the Company's interest in the
common stock of NCES. As of June 30, 1998, $23,859 of the NCES line of credit
was available after reduction for a letter of credit of $1,141.
 
     The Company has issued $175,000 of convertible subordinated debentures due
January 15, 2000, priced at par to yield 5.5%. The debentures are convertible,
at the option of the holder, into shares of the Company's common stock at a
conversion price of $26.65 per share. The debentures are redeemable, in whole or
in part, at the option of the Company. There is no sinking fund applicable to
the debentures.
 
     The fair value of the Company's convertible subordinated debentures based
on quoted market prices at June 30, 1998 and 1997 was $166,700 and $164,500
respectively. The estimated fair value of all other debt and financing
arrangements approximates carrying value.
 
     At June 30, 1998, aggregate annual maturities of financing arrangements
were as follows for the next five fiscal years and thereafter:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FISCAL YEAR
- -----------
<S>                                                           <C>
1999........................................................  $ 32,074
2000........................................................   200,592
2001........................................................    21,550
2002........................................................    15,958
2003........................................................   236,444
Thereafter..................................................     1,764
                                                              --------
                                                              $508,382
                                                              ========
</TABLE>
 
     Interest paid on debt during fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 amounted to
$21,676, $18,120 and $11,730, respectively.
 
9.  LEASES
 
     The Company is obligated under capital leases for office space and office,
transportation and therapy equipment.
 
     Included in property and equipment in the accompanying Consolidated Balance
Sheets are the following assets held under capital leases.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                AS OF JUNE 30,
                                                              ------------------
                                                               1998       1997
                                                               ----       ----
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Property and equipment......................................  $ 5,940    $ 3,316
Less: accumulated amortization..............................   (4,763)    (2,497)
                                                              -------    -------
                                                              $ 1,177    $   819
                                                              =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
     The Company rents office space and office, transportation and therapy
equipment under non-cancelable operating leases. In an effort to leverage its
purchasing power with lessors, the Company has leased and concurrently subleased
certain office space to companies which are controlled by the Company's
Chairman.
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   50
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
The Company is fully reimbursed for its lease costs for the aforementioned
office space under noncancelable sublease agreements.
 
     Future minimum lease commitments for all non-cancelable leases as of June
30, 1998 are as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       CAPITAL    OPERATING     SUB-LEASE
FISCAL YEAR                                            LEASES      LEASES      RECEIVABLES
- -----------                                            -------    ---------    -----------
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>          <C>
1999.................................................  $  784     $ 40,775       $  938
2000.................................................     776       30,906          582
2001.................................................     362       24,632          454
2002.................................................     207       17,247          357
2003.................................................     242        9,444          288
Thereafter...........................................     114        6,732           --
                                                       ------     --------       ------
Total minimum lease payments.........................   2,485     $129,736       $2,619
                                                                  ========       ======
Less: amount representing interest...................    (348)
                                                       ------
Present value of minimum payments under capital lease
  obligations........................................  $2,137
                                                       ======
</TABLE>
 
10.  INCOME TAXES
 
     The components of income tax expense were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                        -----------------------------
                                                         1998       1997       1996
                                                         ----       ----       ----
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
Current:
  Federal.............................................  $18,116    $17,757    $ 8,048
  State...............................................    1,677      4,117      2,906
                                                        -------    -------    -------
                                                         19,793     21,874     10,954
                                                        -------    -------    -------
Deferred:
  Federal.............................................   19,854      5,470      3,301
  State...............................................    1,984        547        330
                                                        -------    -------    -------
                                                         21,838      6,017      3,631
                                                        -------    -------    -------
                                                        $41,631    $27,891    $14,585
                                                        =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   51
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
     The components of net deferred tax assets (liabilities) as of June 30, 1998
and 1997 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 AS OF JUNE 30,
                                                              --------------------
                                                                1998        1997
                                                                ----        ----
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Accruals and reserves not currently deductible for tax
  purposes..................................................  $  9,669    $ 12,557
Restructure reserves........................................     7,051       3,232
Other.......................................................       746         720
                                                              --------    --------
  Gross deferred tax assets.................................    17,466      16,509
                                                              --------    --------
Expenses capitalized for financial statement purposes.......   (14,766)     (9,828)
Depreciation and capital leases.............................    (9,446)     (3,586)
Gain from issuance of subsidiary stock......................   (15,600)         --
Other, net..................................................    (1,255)     (1,365)
                                                              --------    --------
  Gross deferred tax liabilities............................   (41,067)    (14,779)
                                                              --------    --------
  Net deferred tax asset (liability)........................  $(23,601)   $  1,730
                                                              ========    ========
</TABLE>
 
     The reconciliation of the expected tax expense (computed by applying the
federal statutory tax rate to income before income taxes) to actual tax expense
was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                        -----------------------------
                                                         1998       1997       1996
                                                         ----       ----       ----
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
Expected federal income tax expense...................  $34,841    $23,380    $10,453
State income taxes, less federal benefit..............    4,274      3,244      2,108
Non-deductible nonrecurring items.....................      579        549      1,027
Non-deductible amortization of excess cost of net
  assets acquired.....................................    4,400      2,974      2,011
Dividend exclusion and non-taxable interest income....       --         59       (395)
Other, net............................................   (2,463)    (2,315)      (619)
                                                        -------    -------    -------
                                                        $41,631    $27,891    $14,585
                                                        =======    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
     Income taxes paid during fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 amounted to $15,359,
$21,981 and $38,699, respectively.
 
11.  MINORITY INTEREST
 
     Minority interest resulted from investments in the following entities:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               AS OF JUNE 30,
                                                              -----------------
                                                               1998       1997
                                                               ----       ----
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.............................  $17,863    $3,334
All other entities..........................................      443       315
                                                              -------    ------
                                                              $18,306    $3,649
                                                              =======    ======
</TABLE>
 
     During fiscal 1998 and 1997, NCES issued equity instruments on its own
behalf. The Company recognizes a minority interest liability for NCES equity
issued to third-party investors plus the portion of NCES net income attributable
to those investors.
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   52
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
12.  BENEFIT PLANS
 
  Stock Option Plans:
 
     The Company's stock option plans, as amended, provide for issuance of
options to purchase up to 5,800 shares of common stock to employees, officers
and directors. Under the plans, substantially all options are granted for a term
of up to 10 years at prices equal to the fair market value at the date of grant.
 
     In May 1996, the Board approved an option exchange for one of its plans
whereby option holders were allowed to acquire new options to purchase shares of
common stock in exchange for the surrender by such option holders of certain
existing options under the plan. The exchange formula took into account the
vesting schedule and exercise price of the surrendered options. Under the
exchange program, 1,157 options were surrendered and 888 new options were
granted. The options granted as a result of the exchange vest over 5 years,
although vesting can be accelerated if the Company's stock price achieves stated
levels.
 
     The following summarizes the activity of the stock option plans:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                         ----------------------------------------------
                                              1998             1997            1996
                                              ----             ----            ----
<S>                                      <C>               <C>             <C>
Options:
  Outstanding at beginning of year.....           2,900           3,188           2,649
  Granted..............................           1,020             551           2,592
  Exercised............................            (881)           (364)            (71)
  Canceled.............................            (256)           (475)         (1,982)
                                         --------------    ------------    ------------
  Outstanding at end of year...........           2,783           2,900           3,188
                                         ==============    ============    ============
Option price per share ranges:
  Outstanding at beginning of year.....    $ .09-$20.58    $ .09-$20.58    $ .09-$21.00
  Granted..............................    12.94- 13.56     7.38- 13.38     5.75-  7.50
  Exercised............................      .09- 14.25      .09- 10.63      .09-  9.13
  Canceled.............................      .09- 16.50     2.00- 16.50      .12- 20.58
  Outstanding at end of year...........    $ .12-$20.58    $ .09-$20.58    $ .09-$20.58
Options exercisable at end of year.....           1,074           1,464             363
Exercisable option price ranges........    $ .12-$20.58    $ .09-$20.58    $ .09-$20.58
Options available for grant at end of
  year under stock option plans........             267           1,034             982
</TABLE>
 
  Other Stock Awards:
 
     During 1997, the President of the Company was granted 850 options to
purchase the Company's common stock at an exercise price equal to the fair
market value on the grant date.
 
     During 1996, certain officers of the Company were offered a modified
exchange. Under the modified exchange, the Chairman received fewer options than
would have been warranted under the Black-Scholes formula while the President
was offered an exchange and additional options, resulting in a net reduction of
outstanding options of 909. The new options were at the same price and with the
same vesting term as the options issued pursuant to the exchange described
above, except that 3,317 options of the 3,500 total options issued have a seven
year term.
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   53
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
     The following summarizes the other stock award activity:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                          ---------------------------------------------
                                              1998            1997            1996
                                              ----            ----            ----
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>
Options:
  Outstanding at beginning of year......         4,404           3,554            4,704
  Granted...............................            --             850            3,500
  Exercised.............................          (304)             --               --
  Canceled..............................            --              --           (4,650)
                                          ------------    ------------    -------------
  Outstanding at end of year............         4,100           4,404            3,554
                                          ============    ============    =============
Option price per share:
  Outstanding at beginning of year......  $2.25-$10.88    $2.25-$ 6.88    $ 2.25-$19.50
  Granted...............................            --           10.88             6.88
  Exercised.............................    2.25- 6.88              --               --
  Canceled..............................            --              --      10.44-19.50
  Outstanding at end of year............  $2.25-$10.88    $2.25-$10.88    $ 2.25-$ 6.88
Options exercisable at end of year......         2,800           2,254               54
Exercisable option price ranges.........  $4.88-$10.88    $2.25-$10.88    $ 2.25-$ 4.88
</TABLE>
 
     The Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation" ("SFAS 123") and applies Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
25 and related interpretations in accounting for the plan. The table below sets
forth the pro forma information as if the Company had adopted the compensation
recognition provisions of SFAS 123:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   1998         1997         1996
                                                   ----         ----         ----
<S>                                              <C>          <C>          <C>
Decrease to:
  Net income...................................     $2,794       $5,268       $1,585
  Net income per share basic...................        .05          .09          .02
  Net income per share-assuming dilution.......     $  .04       $  .08       $  .02
Assumptions:
  Expected life (years)........................        1.6          1.6          1.6
  Risk-free interest rate......................  4.2%-7.8%    4.2%-7.8%    4.2%-7.8%
  Volatility...................................     37.08%       43.93%       59.01%
  Dividend yield...............................        N/A          N/A          N/A
</TABLE>
 
     The weighted average fair value of the stock options, calculated using the
Black-Scholes option pricing model, granted during the fiscal years ended June
30, 1998, 1997 and 1996 is $13.10, $10.59 and $6.76 respectively. The remaining
contractual life of all options granted as of June 30, 1998 is 6.7 years.
 
  Retirement Plans:
 
     The Company has defined contribution 401(k) plans covering substantially
all of its employees. Company contributions for fiscal 1998, 1997 and 1996 were
$4,508, $3,916, and $3,634, respectively. The Company established a
non-qualified supplemental benefit plan covering certain key employees.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   54
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
     The Company's matching contributions were $859, $224 and $582 for fiscal
1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.
 
13.  OPERATING SEGMENTS
 
     The Company adopted SFAS 131 in fiscal 1998. Prior years' segment
information has been restated to present information for the Company's three
business segments described in Note 1, Nature of Operations.
 
     The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in
Note 1, Nature of Operations. Intrasegment revenue relates to the provision of
services by the employee services segment to the other two segments. The Company
evaluates the performance of its segments and allocates resources to them based
on income from operations and earnings before interest, income taxes,
depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"). The Company does not allocate
investment income, interest expense, gain on sale of subsidiary stock or
minority interest for management reporting purposes. Unallocated assets consist
principally of cash and cash equivalents as well as deferred income taxes,
property and equipment and other assets.
 
     Operating results and other financial data are presented for the principal
operating segments of the Company as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                          ------------------------------------
                                                             1998          1997         1996
                                                             ----          ----         ----
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
NET REVENUES:
  Outpatient services...................................  $  512,729    $  357,634    $269,764
  Long-term care services...............................     656,907       569,913     523,274
  Employee services.....................................   1,271,757       394,193          --
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
          Total.........................................   2,441,393     1,321,740     793,038
  Intrasegment elimination -- employee services.........    (769,468)     (255,289)         --
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
     Consolidated net revenues..........................  $1,671,925    $1,066,451    $793,038
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
GROSS PROFIT:
  Outpatient services...................................  $  158,676    $  106,744    $ 67,239
  Long-term care services...............................     182,676       156,055     149,562
  Employee services.....................................      41,547        12,238          --
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
          Total.........................................     382,899       275,037     216,801
  Intrasegment elimination -- employee services.........     (16,646)       (5,739)         --
  Depreciation..........................................     (11,594)       (9,212)     (8,719)
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
     Consolidated gross profit..........................  $  354,659    $  260,086    $208,082
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
INCOME FROM OPERATIONS:
  Outpatient services...................................  $   65,234    $   44,811    $ 16,289
  Long-term care services...............................     116,057        93,367      77,962
  Employee services.....................................      10,898         2,931          --
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
          Total.........................................     192,189       141,109      94,251
  Unallocated selling, general and administrative
     expenses...........................................     (78,999)      (60,568)    (43,382)
  Provision for restructure.............................     (23,500)           --     (13,370)
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
     Consolidated income from operations................  $   89,690    $   80,541    $ 37,499
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
</TABLE>
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   55
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEARS ENDED JUNE 30,
                                                          ------------------------------------
                                                             1998          1997         1996
                                                             ----          ----         ----
<S>                                                       <C>           <C>           <C>
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION:
  Outpatient services...................................  $   25,345    $   17,415    $ 17,651
  Long-term care services...............................      11,239        10,291      12,832
  Employee services.....................................       3,828         1,286          --
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
          Total.........................................      40,412        28,992      30,483
  Unallocated selling, general and administrative
     expenses...........................................       9,995         8,986       2,676
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
     Consolidated depreciation and amortization.........  $   50,407    $   37,978    $ 33,159
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
EBITDA:
  Outpatient services...................................  $   90,579    $   62,226    $ 33,940
  Long-term care services...............................     127,296       103,658      90,794
  Employee services.....................................      14,726         4,217          --
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
          Total.........................................     232,601       170,101     124,734
  Unallocated selling, general and administrative
     expenses...........................................     (69,004)      (51,582)    (40,706)
  Provision for restructure.............................     (23,500)           --     (13,370)
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
     Consolidated EBITDA................................  $  140,097    $  118,519    $ 70,658
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
ASSETS:
  Outpatient services...................................  $  876,250    $  602,998    $405,273
  Long-term care services...............................     326,872       301,865     270,681
  Employee services.....................................     112,583        68,684          --
  Unallocated assets....................................      40,337        40,757     113,777
                                                          ----------    ----------    --------
          Total assets..................................  $1,356,042    $1,014,304    $789,731
                                                          ==========    ==========    ========
</TABLE>
 
14.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
     The Company is subject to legal proceedings and claims which arise in the
ordinary course of its business. In the opinion of management, the amount of
ultimate liability, if any, with respect to these actions will not have a
materially adverse effect on the financial position or results of operations of
the Company.
 
15.  SHAREHOLDER RIGHTS PLAN
 
     Under the terms of a Shareholder Rights Plan adopted in 1995, the Company's
Board of Directors declared a dividend distribution of one right for each
outstanding common share. The rights may not be exercised or traded apart from
the common shares to which they are attached until 10 days after a person or
group has acquired, obtained the right to acquire, or commenced a tender offer
for, at least 20% of the Company's outstanding common shares. In such event,
each right will become exercisable for one common share for a price of $27. If a
person or group acquires, or obtains the right to acquire, 20% or more of the
Company's outstanding common shares, each right will become exercisable for
common shares worth $54 and the rights held by the acquiror will become null and
void. If the Company is involved in a merger and its common shares are changed
or exchanged, or if more than 50% of its assets or earnings power is sold or
transferred, each right will become exercisable for common stock of the acquiror
worth $54. The rights will expire on March 20, 2000 unless earlier redeemed by
the Company for $.001 per right. Subject to its right to
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   56
                        NOVACARE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
                                 JUNE 30, 1998
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
extend the redemption period, the Company may redeem the rights at any time
until any person or group has acquired, or obtained the right to acquire, at
least 20% of the Company's outstanding common shares.
 
16.  QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   FOURTH      THIRD       SECOND      FIRST
                                                  QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER     QUARTER
                                                  -------     -------     -------     -------
<S>                                               <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1998:
  Net revenues..................................  $464,642    $451,767    $398,818    $356,698
  Gross profit..................................    96,361      93,568      86,333      78,397
  Income from operations........................    32,933      29,778       3,631      23,348
  Net income....................................    14,474      12,645      20,572      10,224
  Net income per share -- basic.................  $    .23    $    .21    $    .34    $    .17
  Net income per share -- assuming dilution.....  $    .23    $    .20    $    .33    $    .16
YEAR ENDED JUNE 30, 1997:
  Net revenues..................................  $331,555    $290,454    $235,012    $209,430
  Gross profit..................................    73,957      69,439      60,911      55,779
  Income from operations........................    25,506      21,222      18,795      15,018
  Net income....................................    12,057      10,093       9,216       7,544
  Net income per share -- basic.................  $    .20    $    .17    $    .15    $    .12
  Net income per share -- assuming dilution.....  $    .19    $    .16    $    .15    $    .12
</TABLE>
 
     Results for the second quarter of fiscal 1998 include a $23,500 pretax
provision for restructure related to the conversion of the Company's long-term
care services contract rehabilitation operating model in response to the
Balanced Budget Act. Results for the fourth quarter and second quarter of fiscal
1998 include pretax gains of $677 and $38,128, respectively, related to issuance
of shares to third parties by NCES.
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   57
 
                       REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of NovaCare, Inc.
 
     In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index
appearing under Item 14(a)(1) on page 56 present fairly, in all material
respects, the financial position of NovaCare, Inc. and its subsidiaries at June
30, 1998 and 1997, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended June 30, 1998, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. In addition, in our opinion, the
financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under item 14(a)(2)
presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein
when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the
responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our
audits of these statements in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the
accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and
evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our
audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.
 
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
 
Philadelphia, PA
July 31, 1998
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   58
 
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES
 
     The Registrant has had no changes in or disagreements with accountants on
accounting and financial disclosure of the type referred to in Item 304 of
Regulation S-K.
 
                                    PART III
 
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
 
     For information concerning this item, see "Item 1 -- Business -- Executive
Officers of the Registrant" and the table and text under the caption "Name of
Nominee and Biographical Information" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership
Reporting Compliance" of the Proxy Statement to be filed with respect to the
1998 annual meeting of shareholders to be held on November 5, 1998 (the "Proxy
Statement"), which information is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
     For information concerning this item, see the table and text under the
captions "Compensation of Executive Officers of the Company", "Compensation of
Directors of NovaCare", "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider
Participation" and "Employment Agreements" of the Proxy Statement, which
information is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
 
     For information concerning this item, see the table and text under the
captions "Shares of Common Stock Owned Beneficially as of August 15, 1998" and
"Information Concerning Certain Stockholders" of the Proxy Statement, which
information is incorporated herein by reference.
 
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
 
     For information concerning this item, see the text under the caption
"Certain Transactions" of the Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated
herein by reference.
 
                                    PART IV
 
ITEM 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K
 
     (a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              PAGE
                                                                             NUMBER
                                                                             ------
    <S>      <C>                                                             <C>
         (1) FINANCIAL STATEMENTS:
             Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 1998 and 1997. .....       36
             Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three years
             ended
             June 30, 1998. .............................................       37
             Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders' Equity
             for the three years ended June 30, 1998. ...................       38
             Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three years
             ended
             June 30, 1998. .............................................       39
             Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................       40
             Report of Independent Accountants...........................       55
         (2) FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES:
             II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts for each of the
             three years in the period ended June 30, 1998. .............       58
         (3) EXHIBITS (NUMBERED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM 601 OF REGULATION
             S-K):
             The exhibits required to be filed are listed in the index to
             exhibits....................................................       59
</TABLE>
 
(b) Current Reports on Form 8-K:
 
     On July 10, 1998, the Company filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated July
9, 1998 with the Securities and Exchange Commission reporting information under
Item 5, Other Events.
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   59
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     The Registrant and each person whose signature appears below hereby appoint
John H. Foster and Timothy E. Foster as attorneys-in-fact with full power of
substitution, severally, to execute in the name and on behalf of the Registrant
and each such person, individually and in each capacity stated below, one or
more amendments to the annual report which amendments may make such changes in
the report as the attorney-in-fact acting in the premises deems appropriate and
to file any such amendment to the report with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.
                                      ---
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
                                          NOVACARE, INC.
 
                                          By:   /s/ ROBERT E. HEALY, JR.
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                   (ROBERT E. HEALY, JR.,
                                             SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, FINANCE AND
                                                        ADMINISTRATION
                                                AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER)
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     SIGNATURE                                      TITLE                         DATE
                     ---------                                      -----                         ----
<C>                                                  <S>                                   <C>
 
                /s/ JOHN H. FOSTER                   Chairman of the Board and Director    September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
                 (JOHN H. FOSTER)
 
               /s/ TIMOTHY E. FOSTER                 Chief Executive Officer and Director  September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
                (TIMOTHY E. FOSTER)
 
                /s/ JAMES W. MCLANE                  President, Chief Operating Officer    September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------  and Director
                 (JAMES W. MCLANE)
 
             /s/ ROBERT E. HEALY, JR.                Senior Vice President, Finance and    September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------  Administration and Chief Financial
              (ROBERT E. HEALY, JR.)                 Officer
 
                /s/ BARRY E. SMITH                   Vice President, Controller and Chief  September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------  Accounting Officer
                 (BARRY E. SMITH)
 
                                                     Director                              September   , 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
                 (PETER O. CRISP)
 
               /s/ E. MARTIN GIBSON                  Director                              September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
                (E. MARTIN GIBSON)
 
               /s/ SIRI S. MARSHALL                  Director                              September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
                (SIRI S. MARSHALL)
 
               /s/ STEPHEN E. O'NEIL                 Director                              September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
                (STEPHEN E. O'NEIL)
 
               /s/ GEORGE W. SIGULER                 Director                              September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
                (GEORGE W. SIGULER)
 
             /s/ ROBERT G. STONE, JR.                Director                              September 15, 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
              (ROBERT G. STONE, JR.)
 
                                                     Director                              September   , 1998
- ---------------------------------------------------
            (DANIEL C. TOSTESON, M.D.)
</TABLE>
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   60
 
                                                                     SCHEDULE II
 
                                 NOVACARE, INC.
 
                       VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
                    YEARS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998, 1997 AND 1996
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         BALANCE AT    CHARGED TO                             BALANCE
                                         BEGINNING     COSTS AND                              AT END
DESCRIPTION                              OF PERIOD      EXPENSES     OTHER     DEDUCTIONS    OF PERIOD
- -----------                              ----------    ----------    -----     ----------    ---------
<S>                                      <C>           <C>           <C>       <C>           <C>
Year ended June 30, 1998:
  Allowance for uncollectible
     accounts..........................   $33,263        21,907       8,127(1)  (25,676)      $55,060
                                                                     17,439(2)
Year ended June 30, 1997:
  Allowance for uncollectible
     accounts..........................   $18,995        19,708      11,295(1)  (25,005)      $33,263
                                                                      8,270(2)
Year ended June 30, 1996:
  Allowance for uncollectible
     accounts..........................   $19,718        16,359       1,187(1)  (27,287)      $18,995
                                                                      9,018(2)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Allowances for doubtful accounts related to acquired receivables.
 
(2) Charged against net revenues.
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   61
 
                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                            PAGE
NUMBER                             EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION                            NUMBER
- -------                            -------------------                            ------
<C>     <S>    <C>                                                             <C>
    3   (a)*   Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, as amended to           --
               date (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) to the
               Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
               ended March 31, 1992).
    3   (b)    By-laws of the Company, as amended to date (incorporated by          --
               reference to Exhibit 3 to the Company's Quarterly Report on
               Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1995).
    4   (a)    Stock Option Plan, as amended to date (incorporated by               --
               reference to Exhibit 4(a) to the Company's Annual Report on
               Form 10-K for the year ended June 30,1997).
    4   (b)*   Form of Indenture dated as of January 15, 1993 between the           --
               Company and Pittsburgh National Bank relating to 5 1/2%
               Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due 2000 (incorporated
               by reference to Exhibit 4 to Registration Statement on Form
               S-3 No. 33-55710).
    4   (c)    Rights Agreement dated as of March 9, 1995 by and between            --
               NovaCare, Inc. and American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
               as Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 99(a)
               to the Company's current report on Form 8-K dated March 14,
               1995).
   10   (a)    (i) Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1994 between            --
               the Company and John H. Foster (incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit 10(b) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
               for the quarter ended March 31, 1995).
               (ii) Amendment dated February 2, 1995 to the employment              --
               agreement dated as of July 1, 1994 between the Company and
               John H. Foster (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b)
               to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended March 31, 1995).
   10   (b)    (i) Employment Agreement dated as of January 6, 1995 between         --
               the Company and Daryl A. Dixon and Promissory Note of Daryl
               A. Dixon in favor of the Company dated January 6, 1995
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's
               Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30,
               1995).
               (ii) Amendment dated October 10, 1997 to the employment              --
               agreement dated as of January 6, 1995 between the Company
               and Daryl A. Dixon (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               10(e) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended December 31, 1997).
   10   (c)    (i) Employment Agreement dated as of July 1, 1996 between            --
               the Company and Timothy E. Foster (incorporated by reference
               to Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
               for the year ended June 30, 1997).
               (ii) Amendment dated May 15, 1998 to the employment
               agreement dated as of July 1, 1996 between the Company and
               Timothy E. Foster.
   10   (d)    Employment agreement dated as of October 9, 1996 between the         --
               Company and Barry E. Smith (incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit 10(c) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
               for the quarter ended December 31, 1997).
   10   (e)    (i) Employment Agreement dated as of April 14, 1997 between          --
               the Company and James W. McLane (incorporated by reference
               to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 1997).
               (ii) Amendment dated May 12, 1998 to the employment
               agreement dated as of April 14, 1997 between the Company and
               James W. McLane.
   10   (f)    Stock Purchase Agreement dated as of May 1, 1997 between             --
               NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. and James W. McLane
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(i) to the Company's
               Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30,
               1997).
</TABLE>
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   62
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                            PAGE
NUMBER                             EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION                            NUMBER
- -------                            -------------------                            ------
<C>     <S>    <C>                                                             <C>
   10   (g)    Employment agreement dated as of June 13, 1997 between the           --
               Company and Robert E. Healy, Jr. (incorporated by reference
               to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1997).
   10   (h)    Employment agreement dated as of March 18, 1998 between the          --
               Company and Ronald G. Hiscock (incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
               for the quarter ended March 31, 1998).
   10   (i)    (i) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated as of May 27,          --
               1994 by and among NovaCare and certain of its subsidiaries
               and PNC Bank, First Union National Bank of North Carolina,
               Mellon Bank, N.A., Nations Bank of North Carolina, N.A.,
               CoreStates Bank, N.A., and National Westminster Bank, N.A.
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(g) to the Company's
               Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
               31, 1994).
               (ii) Revolving Credit Facility Credit Agreement First                --
               Amendment dated as of September 20, 1994 by and among
               NovaCare and certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A.,
               First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank,
               N.A., Nations Bank of North Carolina, N.A., CoreStates Bank,
               N.A., and National Westminster Bank, N.A. (incorporated by
               reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report
               on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended December 31, 1994).
               (iii) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Second Amendment           --
               dated as of November 28, 1994 by and among NovaCare and
               certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union
               National Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank, N.A., Nations
               Bank of North Carolina, N.A., CoreStates Bank, N.A.,
               National Westminster Bank, N.A., and Fleet Bank of
               Massachusetts, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               10(b) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
               quarter ended December 31, 1994).
               (iv) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Third Amendment             --
               dated as of May 15, 1995 by and among NovaCare and certain
               of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union National
               Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank, N.A., Nationsbank, N.A.
               (Carolina), CoreStates Bank, N.A., NatWest Bank, N.A., and
               Fleet Bank of Massachusetts, N.A. (incorporated by reference
               to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1995).
               (v) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Fourth Amendment             --
               dated as of May 19, 1995 by and among NovaCare and certain
               of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union National
               Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank, N.A., Nationsbank, N.A.
               (Carolina), CoreStates Bank, N.A., NatWest Bank, N.A., and
               Fleet Bank of Massachusetts (incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit 10 (a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1995).
               (vi) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Fifth Amendment             --
               dated as of June 30, 1996 by and among NovaCare and certain
               of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union National
               Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank, N.A., Nationsbank, N.A.
               (Carolina), CoreStates Bank, N.A., and Fleet Bank of
               Massachusetts (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j)
               (vi) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
               year ended June 30, 1996).
               (vii) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Sixth Amendment            --
               dated as of June 30, 1996 by and among NovaCare and certain
               of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., CoreStates Bank,
               N.A., First Union National Bank of North Carolina, Fleet
               Bank of Massachusetts, N.A., Mellon Bank, N.A. and
               Nationsbank, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               10(j)(vii) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
               the year ended June 30, 1996).
</TABLE>
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   63
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                            PAGE
NUMBER                             EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION                            NUMBER
- -------                            -------------------                            ------
<C>     <S>    <C>                                                             <C>
               (viii) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Seventh Amendment         --
               dated as of November 4, 1996 by and among NovaCare and
               certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union
               National Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank, N.A.,
               Nationsbank, N.A. (Carolina), CoreStates Bank, N.A., and
               Fleet Bank of Massachusetts, N.A. (incorporated by reference
               to Exhibit 10(a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form
               10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1996).
               (ix) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Eighth Amendment            --
               dated as of January 30, 1997 by and among NovaCare and
               certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union
               National Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank, N.A.,
               Nationsbank, N.A., CoreStates Bank, N.A., Fleet Bank of
               Massachusetts, N.A., The Bank of New York, and SunTrust Bank
               (Central Florida), N.A. (incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit (10)(j)(ix) to the Company's Annual Report on Form
               10-K for the year ended June 30, 1997).
               (x) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Ninth Amendment              --
               dated as of January 30, 1997 by and among NovaCare and
               certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union
               National Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank, N.A.,
               Nationsbank, N.A., CoreStates Bank, N.A., Fleet Bank of
               Massachusetts, N.A., The Bank of New York, and SunTrust Bank
               (Central Florida), N.A. (incorporated by reference to
               Exhibit 10(j)(x) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K
               for the year ended June 30, 1997).
               (xi) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Tenth Amendment             --
               dated as of March 31, 1997 by and among NovaCare and certain
               of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union National
               Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank, N.A., Nationsbank,
               N.A., CoreStates Bank, N.A., Fleet National Bank, The Bank
               of New York, and SunTrust Bank (Central Florida), N.A.
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(j)(xi) to the
               Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended June
               30, 1997).
               (xii) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Eleventh Amendment         --
               dated as of June 27, 1997 by and among NovaCare and certain
               of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union National
               Bank of North Carolina, Mellon Bank, N.A., Nationsbank,
               N.A., CoreStates Bank, N.A., Fleet National Bank, The Bank
               of New York, SunTrust Bank (Central Florida), N.A., and Bank
               One (Kentucky), N.A. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit
               10(j)(xii) to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
               the year ended June 30, 1997).
               (xiii) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Twelfth Amendment         --
               dated as of September 30, 1997 by and among NovaCare and
               certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First Union
               National Bank, Mellon Bank, N.A., NationsBank, N.A.,
               Corestates Bank, N.A., Fleet Bank, The Bank of New York,
               SunTrust Bank (Central Florida) N.A., Bank One (Kentucky)
               N.A., The Fuji Bank, Limited (New York Branch), Crestar
               Bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Trust Company, and AmSouth
               Bank (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(a) to the
               Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter
               ended September 30, 1997).
               (xiv) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Thirteenth                 --
               Amendment dated as of November 17, 1997 by and among
               NovaCare and certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank N.A.,
               Corestates Bank, N.A., First Union National Bank, Fleet
               National Bank, Mellon Bank, N.A., The Bank of New York,
               SunTrust Bank (Central Florida) N.A., Bank One (Kentucky)
               N.A., The Fuji Bank, Limited (New York Branch), Crestar
               Bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Trust Company, AmSouth Bank
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(b) to the Company's
               Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
               31, 1998).
</TABLE>
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   64
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                            PAGE
NUMBER                             EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION                            NUMBER
- -------                            -------------------                            ------
<C>     <S>    <C>                                                             <C>
               (xv) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Fourteenth                  --
               Amendment dated as of February 24, 1998 by and among
               NovaCare and certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A.,
               Corestates Bank, N.A., First Union National Bank, Fleet
               National Bank, Mellon Bank, N.A., The Bank of New York,
               SunTrust Bank (Central Florida) N.A., Bank One (Kentucky)
               N.A., The Fuji Bank, Limited (New York Branch), Crestar
               Bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Trust Company, AmSouth Bank
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(c) to the Company's
               Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
               31, 1998).
               (xvi) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Fifteenth                  --
               Amendment dated as of February 27, 1998 by and among
               NovaCare and certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A.,
               Corestates Bank, N.A., First Union National Bank, Fleet
               National Bank, Mellon Bank, N.A., The Bank of New York,
               SunTrust Bank (Central Florida) N.A., Bank One (Kentucky)
               N.A., The Fuji Bank, Limited (New York Branch), Crestar
               Bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Trust Company, AmSouth Bank
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(d) to the Company's
               Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
               31, 1998).
               (xvii) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Sixteenth                 --
               Amendment dated as of March 30, 1998 by and among NovaCare
               and certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A.,
               Corestates Bank, N.A., First Union National Bank, Fleet
               National Bank, Mellon Bank, N.A., The Bank of New York,
               SunTrust Bank (Central Florida) N.A., Bank One (Kentucky)
               N.A., The Fuji Bank, Limited (New York Branch), Crestar
               Bank, Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi Trust Company, AmSouth Bank
               (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10(e) to the Company's
               Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
               31, 1998).
               (xviii) Revolving Credit Facility Agreement Seventeenth
               Amendment dated as of June 30, 1998 by and among NovaCare
               and certain of its subsidiaries and PNC Bank, N.A., First
               Union National Bank, Fleet National Bank, Mellon Bank, N.A.,
               Nations Bank, N.A., The Bank of New York, SunTrust Bank
               (Central Florida) N.A., Bank One (Kentucky) N.A., The Fuji
               Bank, Limited (New York Branch), Crestar Bank, Bank of
               Tokyo-Mitsubishi Trust Company, AmSouth Bank, Bank of
               America NT & SA, Comerica Bank, Credit Lyonnais (New York
               Branch), Cooperative Centrale Raiffersen-Boerenleenbank
               B.A., "Rabobank Nederaland", (New York Branch), The Tokai
               Bank, Limited (New York Branch), Toronto Dominion (Texas),
               Inc.
   10   (j)    Supplemental Benefits Plan as amended to date (incorporated          --
               by reference to Exhibit 10(k) to the Company's Annual Report
               on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 1997).
   13
               Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended June
               30, 1998.
   21
               Subsidiaries of the Company.
   23
               Consent of Independent Accountants.
   24
               Power of Attorney (see "Power of Attorney" in Form 10-K).            --
   27
               Financial Data Schedules.
</TABLE>
 
     Copies of the exhibits filed with this Annual Report on Form 10-K or
incorporated by reference herein do not accompany copies hereof for distribution
to shareholders of the Company. The Company will furnish a copy of any of such
exhibits to any stockholder requesting the same.
 
     Exhibits denoted by an asterisk were filed prior to the Company's adoption
of filing via EDGAR.
 
                                       62

<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 10(c)(ii)



                        AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This Amendment to Employment Agreement (the "Amendment") made as of the
15th day of May, 1998, by and between NovaCare, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"), and Timothy E. Foster (the "Executive"),

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, the parties have heretofore entered into an Employment
Agreement dated as of July 1, 1996 (the "Employment Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS, the parties now wish to amend the Employment Agreement to
modify the manner in which Executive's annual bonus shall be determined for the
fiscal years ending June 30, 1999 and thereafter;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         1. Effective as of July 1, 1998, the Employment Agreement shall be
amended by deleting subsection (a) of Section 3.2 in its entirety, and by
replacing such subsection with the following new subsection (a):

                  "(a) In addition to the base salary provided for in Section
         3.1, the Executive shall be eligible for an incentive bonus target of
         100% of base salary with respect to each fiscal year of the Company
         ending during the term of this Agreement, payable in accordance with
         the terms of the Company's Executive Incentive Compensation Plan based
         on attainment of stated objectives, commencing with the fiscal year
         ending June 30, 1999."

         The parties agree that, with respect to the fiscal year ending June 30,
1998, Executive's incentive bonus shall be determined based on the terms and
conditions of the Employment Agreement existing as of the date hereof, without
regard to the amendment contained herein. 

         2. Section 6.4(a)(D) is hereby deleted and replaced with the following
new subsection (a)(D):

                  "(D) on the date of termination, an amount equal to the
product derived by multiplying one and one-half (1.5) times the Final Bonus. As
used herein, (X) if the date of termination of the Executive's employment shall
occur during the first six months of any fiscal year of the Company, the term
"Final Bonus" shall mean an amount equal to the bonus earned by the Executive
for the last completed fiscal year of the Company preceding the date of
termination of his employment and (Y) if the date of termination of the
Executive's employment shall occur during the last six months of any fiscal year
of the Company, the term "Final Bonus" shall mean an amount equal to the greater
of (i) the bonus earned by the Executive for the last completed
<PAGE>   2
fiscal year of the Company preceding the date of termination of his employment
or (ii) the bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination of employment
occurs, as determined pursuant to Section 3.2(a) and before prorating pursuant
to Section 3.2(c).

         3. Section 6.7 is hereby amended to provide that, in the event of a
termination of employment following a Change of Control as addressed in that
Section, the amount referred to in paragraph (D) of Section 6.4 shall be paid on
the date of termination (and references in Section 6.7 to the "Payment Date"
shall be disregarded).

         4. In all other respects the Employment Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect without change.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as
of the date first above written.

                                            NOVACARE, INC.


                                            By: /s/ James W. McLane
                                               ______________________________
                                                James W. McLane
                                                President


                                                /s/ Timothy E. Foster
                                               _____________________________
                                                Timothy E. Foster

<PAGE>   1
                                                               EXHIBIT 10(e)(ii)



                        AMENDMENT TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


         This Amendment to Employment Agreement (the "Amendment") made this 12th
day of May, 1998, by and between NovaCare, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the
"Company"), and James W. McLane (the "Executive"),

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, the parties have heretofore entered into an Employment
Agreement dated as of April 14, 1997 (the "Employment Agreement"); and

         WHEREAS, the parties now wish to amend the Employment Agreement to
modify the manner in which Executive's annual bonus shall be determined for the
fiscal years ending June 30, 1999 and thereafter;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and the mutual
agreements hereinafter set forth, the parties hereby agree as follows:

         Effective as of July 1, 1998, the Employment Agreement shall be amended
by deleting subsection (a) of Section 3.2 in its entirety, and by replacing such
subsection with the following new subsection (a):

                  "(a) In addition to the base salary provided for in Section
         3.1, the Executive shall be eligible for an incentive bonus target of
         100% of base salary with respect to each fiscal year of the Company
         ending during the term of this Agreement, payable in accordance with
         the terms of the Company's Executive Incentive Compensation Plan based
         on attainment of stated objectives, commencing with the fiscal year
         ending June 30, 1999."

         The parties agree that, with respect to the fiscal year ending June 30,
1998, Executive's incentive bonus shall be determined based on the terms and
conditions of the Employment Agreement existing as of the date hereof, without
regard to the amendment contained herein. 

         In all other respects the Employment Agreement shall remain in full
force and effect without change.
<PAGE>   2
         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Amendment as
of the date first above written.

                                            NOVACARE, INC.


                                            By:  /s/ Timothy E. Foster
                                                 _______________________________
                                                 Timothy E. Foster
                                                 Chief Executive Officer


                                                 /s/ James W. McLane
                                                 ______________________________
                                                 James W. McLane



<PAGE>   1
                                                            EXHIBIT 10(i)(xviii)



                                 NOVACARE, INC.
                             1016 WEST NINTH AVENUE
                            KING OF PRUSSIA, PA 19406

                                  June 30, 1998


PNC Bank, National Association,
  as Agent
One PNC Plaza
Fifth Avenue and Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA  15265
Attn:  Marcie Knittel, Vice President

                  RE: Seventeenth Amendment to Credit Agreement and Consent
                      (the "Seventeenth Amendment")

Dear Marcie:

         We refer to that certain Credit Agreement, dated as of May 27, 1994, as
amended (the "Credit Agreement"), by and among NovaCare, Inc. ("NovaCare") and
certain of its Subsidiaries, the Banks party thereto and PNC Bank, National
Association, as agent for the Banks ("Agent"). Defined terms used herein, not
otherwise defined herein, shall have the meanings given to them under the Credit
Agreement as amended hereby.

         The Borrowers and Guarantors, the Banks and the Agent hereby desire to
amend the Credit Agreement, as hereinafter provided.

         The parties hereto in consideration of their mutual covenants and
agreements hereinafter set forth, and intending to be legally bound hereby,
covenant and agree as follows:


                                    AGREEMENT

         1. Amendment and Restatement.

             Articles I through XI of the Credit Agreement are hereby amended
and restated in their entirety as of the date hereof to read as set forth on
Exhibit I hereto. (The cover page, opening paragraph and recitals to the
Agreement are also included in Exhibit I for convenience.) Upon the
effectiveness of this Seventeenth Amendment and for periods subsequent to such
effective date, Bank of America NT & SA, Comerica Bank, Cooperatieve Centrale
Raiffeisen-Boerenleenbank B.A., ("Rabobank Nederland") New York Branch, Credit
Lyonnais New York Branch, Toronto Dominion (Texas), Inc. and The Tokai Bank,
Limited New York Branch shall each be a Bank party to the Credit Agreement.
<PAGE>   2
         2. Amendment to Exhibits and Schedules.

             (a) Exhibits. The following Exhibit to the Credit Agreement is
hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form of such Exhibit attached
hereto:

             Exhibit 8.01(m)(iii)                    Compliance Certificate

             (b) Schedules. The following Schedules to the Credit Agreement are
hereby amended and restated in their entirety in the forms of such Schedules
attached hereto:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>          <C>                                     <C>
             Schedule 1.01(B)                        List of Banks and Commitments
             Schedule 1.01(E)                        Excluded Entities
             Schedule 6.01(c)                        Subsidiaries
</TABLE>

         3. Closing Fees.

             The Borrowers jointly and severally agree to reimburse the Agent
and the Banks on demand for all costs, expenses and disbursements relating to
this Seventeenth Amendment which are payable by the Borrower as provided in
Section 10.05 of the Credit Agreement. In addition, the Borrowers shall pay to
the Agent for the account of the Agent the fee set forth in that certain
agreement between the Borrower and the Agent with respect to this Seventeenth
Amendment and shall pay to the Agent for the benefit of the applicable Banks the
fees identified in Exhibit II hereto as the "Closing Fee" and as the "Amendment
Fee," respectively.

         4. Conditions of Effectiveness.

             The effectiveness of this Seventeenth Amendment is expressly
conditioned upon the occurrence and completion of all of the following: (i)
receipt by the Agent of the nonrefundable fee set forth in that certain letter
agreement among the Agent and the Borrowers with respect to this Seventeenth
Amendment; (ii) receipt by the Agent on behalf of the Banks of the nonrefundable
fees equal to the aggregate of the amounts set forth on Exhibit II hereto; (iii)
the Agent's receipt of counterparts of this Seventeenth Amendment duly executed
by the Borrowers, the Guarantors, the Agent and the Banks; (iv) the Agent's
receipt of an incumbency certificate signed by the Secretary or Assistant
Secretary of the Borrowers and Guarantors, and a certificate certifying as to
all action taken by the Borrowers and Guarantors to authorize the execution,
delivery and performance of this Seventeenth Amendment; (v) an opinion of
Richard S. Binstein, Esquire, Counsel to the Loan Parties, reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent regarding this Seventeenth Amendment; (vi) with
respect to each new Guarantor or new Borrower (a "Joining Subsidiary")
documentation as required under Section 11.18 of the Credit Agreement, including
without limitation the completion of the following: (1) executing and delivering
to the Agent (A) in the case of a Joining Subsidiary which becomes a Borrower, a
Revolving Credit Note in the form of Exhibit 1.01(R) to the Credit Agreement,
payable to each Bank, (B) a joinder to the Credit Agreement in form satisfactory
to the Agent, (C) a counterpart signature page to the Guaranty Agreement
executed by certain Loan Parties which is in the form of Exhibit 1.01 (G)(1) to
the Credit Agreement, in the case of a Joining Subsidiary which becomes a
Borrower, and Exhibit 1.01(G)(2) to the Credit Agreement, in the case of a
Joining Subsidiary which

                                      -2-
<PAGE>   3
becomes a Guarantor, (D) if it owns stock or other ownership interests in any
Qualifying Subsidiary, a joinder to the Pledge Agreement executed by certain
Loan Parties which is in the form of Exhibit 1.01(P)(4) to the Credit Agreement,
Exhibit 1.01(P)(5) to the Credit Agreement, or Exhibit 1.01(P)(6) to the Credit
Agreement, as applicable, and delivering, as applicable, the original
certificates evidencing such stock or other ownership interest if it is
certificated with appropriate stock powers or other assignments signed in blank
and UCC-1 financing statements necessary to perfect the security interests of
the Agent for the benefit of the Banks therein, (E) a joinder to the
Subordination Agreement (Intercompany) executed by certain Loan Parties which is
in the form of Exhibit 1.01(S) to the Credit Agreement, and (F) a joinder to the
Agency Agreement executed by certain Loan Parties appointing NovaCare as agent;
(2) delivering to the Agent an opinion of Richard S. Binstein, Esquire, Counsel
of the Loan Parties, reasonably satisfactory to the Agent regarding such Joining
Subsidiary and such joinder; (3) delivering to the Agent certified copies of its
organizational documents and other documents as requested by the Agent; (4) the
Loan Party which owns the stock or other ownership interest of the Joining
Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks a
Pledge Agreement in the form of Exhibit 1.01(P)(4), 1.01(P)(5) or 1.01(P)(6) to
the Credit Agreement, as applicable, and the original certificates evidencing
such stock or other ownership interest if it is certificated with appropriate
stock powers or other assignments signed in blank and UCC-1 financing statements
necessary to perfect the security interests of the Agent for the benefit of the
Banks therein; and (5) updated Schedules to the Credit Agreement and the other
Loan Documents, if any, to update such schedules with respect to each Joining
Subsidiary, such updated Schedules to be in form and substance satisfactory to
the Required Banks; (vii) receipt by the Agent of a Certificate signed by the
Secretary or Assistant Secretary of each Loan Party confirming that no Event of
Default or Potential Default under the Credit Agreement shall have occurred and
be continuing or shall exist; and (viii) new Notes to evidence the additional or
adjusted Commitments of certain of the Banks.

         This Seventeenth Amendment shall be dated as of and shall be effective
as of the date and year first above written subject to satisfaction of all
conditions precedent to effectiveness as set forth in this Section 4, which date
shall be the Seventeenth Amendment Effective Date.

         5. Consent of All Banks, Approval of Increase in Revolving Credit
Commitments.

             Pursuant to Section 11.01(b) of the Credit Agreement, this
Seventeenth Amendment shall require the written consent of all of the Banks.

         6. Consent to Acquisition.

             The Borrower requests the approval of, and the Agent and the
Banks by executing this Seventeenth Amendment do hereby consent to, the
acquisition by the Borrower or other Loan Party, of the issued and outstanding
capital stock of Pro Active Therapy, Inc., for Consideration, not to exceed $45
million (the "Pro Therapy Acquisition"), and for the sole purpose of permitting
the Pro Therapy Acquisition do hereby waive the dollar limitation for an
individual Permitted Acquisition set forth in Section 8.02 (d)(ii)(g)
[Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions] of the Credit Agreement.
The Borrower acknowledges and agrees

                                      -3-
<PAGE>   4
that consummation of the Pro Therapy Acquisition shall otherwise be in
accordance with the requirements of the Credit Agreement.

         7. Full Force and Effect.

             Each of the following documents, as amended through and including
this Seventeenth Amendment, shall remain in full force and effect on and after
the date of this Amendment:

             (a) each of the Schedules attached to the Credit Agreement except
for the Schedules which are being amended and restated hereby;

             (b) each of the Exhibits attached to the Credit Agreement except
for the Exhibit which is being amended and restated hereby; and

             the Notes, the Guaranty Agreements, the Pledge Agreements, the
Agent's Fee Letter, the Subordination Agreement (Intercompany), the Borrower
Agency Agreement and all other Loan Documents (except for Articles I through XI
of the Credit Agreement which is being amended and restated hereby).

             On and after the date hereof, each reference in the Credit
Agreement to "this Agreement", "hereunder" or words of like import shall mean
and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as previously amended and as amended
by this Seventeenth Amendment, and each reference in each other Loan Document to
the "Credit Agreement" shall mean and be a reference to the Credit Agreement, as
previously amended and as amended by this Seventeenth Amendment. No novation is
intended by this Seventeenth Amendment.

             The parties hereto do not amend or waive any provisions of the
Agreement or the other Loan Documents except as expressly set forth herein.

         8. Counterparts.

             This Seventeenth Amendment may be executed by different parties
hereto in any number of separate counterparts, each of which, when so executed
and delivered, shall be an original, and all of such counterparts shall together
constitute one and the same instrument.

         9. Governing Law.

             This Seventeenth Amendment shall be deemed to be a contract under
the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and for all purposes shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal laws of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to its conflict of laws
principles.


                              [INTENTIONALLY BLANK]

                                      -4-
<PAGE>   5
                [Signature Page 1 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto, by their officers thereunto
duly authorized, have executed this Amendment as of the day and year first above
written.

                                       BORROWERS AND GUARANTORS:

ATTEST:                                NOVACARE, INC., a Delaware corporation,
                                       and each of the BORROWERS and GUARANTORS
                                       listed on Schedule A attached hereto

By: /s/ Richard S. Binstein            By: /s/ Richard A. McDonald
   -------------------------------        -------------------------------------
   Richard S. Binstein, Secretary         Richard A. McDonald, the Vice
                                          President of each Borrower and
                                          Guarantor listed on Schedule A
                                          attached hereto which is a corporation
                                          and of each general partner of each
                                          Guarantor listed on Schedule A
                                          attached hereto which is a partnership

    [Seal]

ATTEST:                                NOVAFUNDS, INC., a Delaware corporation,
                                       and each of the GUARANTORS listed on
                                       Schedule B attached hereto


By: /s/ Andrew T. Panaccione           By: /s/ Robert C. Campbell
   -------------------------------        -------------------------------------
   Andrew T. Panaccione, Secretary        Robert C. Campbell, the Vice President
                                          of each Borrower and Guarantor listed
                                          on Schedule B attached hereto

[Seal]
<PAGE>   6
                [Signature Page 2 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]



                                  AGENT:

                                     PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent


                                     By:     /s/ Justin J. Talgme
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                     Title:  Assistant Vice President
                                           ------------------------------------



                                  BANKS:

                                     PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                     By:     /s/ Justin J. Talgme
                                        ---------------------------------------
                                     Title:  Assistant Vice President
                                           ------------------------------------
<PAGE>   7
                [Signature Page 3 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK

                                  By:    /s/ Joseph H. Towell
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Joseph H. Towell
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title: Senior Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   8
                [Signature Page 4 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  FLEET NATIONAL BANK

                                  By:    /s/ Maryann S. Smith
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  MARYANN S. SMITH
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title: VICE PRESIDENT
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   9
                [Signature Page 5 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  MELLON BANK, N.A.

                                  By:    /s/ Colleen McCullum
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Colleen McCullum
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title: ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   10
                [Signature Page 6 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  MELLON BANK, N.A.

                                  By:    /s/ Kevin Wagley
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Kevin Wagley
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title: VICE PRESIDENT
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   11
                [Signature Page 7 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                  By:     /s/ Peter H. Abdill
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   Peter H. Abdill
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   12
                [Signature Page 8 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL FLORIDA, N.A.


                                  By:    /s/ Ronald K. Rueve
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  Ronald K. Rueve
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   13
STATE OF GEORGIA

COUNTY OF FULTON

     On the 22nd day of June, 1998 personally appeared Ronald K. Rueve, as the 
Vice President of SunTrust Bank, Central Florida, National Association, and 
before me executed the attached Seventeenth Amendment Waiver and Consent dated 
as of June 30, 1998 to the Credit Agreement between NovaCare, Inc., with 
SunTrust Bank, Central Florida, National Association, as Lender.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal, in the 
state and county aforesaid.


          /s/ Mary W. Harrell
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          Signature of Notary Public, State of Georgia
                                               ---------------------------------

          Mary W. Harrell

          ----------------------------------------------------------------------
          (Print, Type or Stamp Commissioned Name of Notary Public)
          Personally known    x    ; OR Produced Identification
                           --------                             ----------------
          Type of identification produced:
                                          --------------------------------------
          ----------------------------------------------------------------------




        [SEAL]
    MARY W. HARRELL
        NOTARY                             Notary Public, DeKalb County, Georgia
                                           My Commission Expires May 12, 2001
       EXPIRES

       GEORGIA

       PUBLIC
     DEKALB COUNTY

<PAGE>   14
                [Signature Page 9 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  BANK ONE, KENTUCKY, NA


                                  By:    /s/ Todd D. Munson
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  TODD D. MUNSON
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title: SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   15
               [Signature Page 10 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED
                                  NEW YORK BRANCH


                                  By:     /s/ Stephen Chin
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   STEPHEN CHIN
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   16
               [Signature Page 11 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  CRESTAR BANK


                                  By:     /s/ Leesa McSlane
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   Leesa McSlane
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   17
               [Signature Page 12 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY


                                  By:     /s/ Douglas J. Weir
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   DOUGLAS J. WEIR
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   18
               [Signature Page 13 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  AMSOUTH BANK


                                  By:    /s/ J. Ken Difatta
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   J. KEN DIFATTA
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  ASSISTANT VICE PRESIDENT
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   19
               [Signature Page 14 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  BANK OF AMERICA NT & SA


                                  By:    /s/ J. Gregory Seibly
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:  J. GREGORY SEIBLY
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title: Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   20
               [Signature Page 15 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  COMERICA BANK


                                  By:     /s/ Kimberly S. Reich
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   Kimberly S. Reich
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   21
               [Signature Page 16 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH


                                  By:     /s/ Farboud Tavangar
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   Farboud Tavangar
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  First Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   22
               [Signature Page 17 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE
                                  RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEENBANK B.A., "RABOBANK
                                  NEDERLAND", NEW YORK BRANCH


                                  By:     /s/ M. Christina Debler
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   M. Christina Debler
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  Vice President

/s/ W. Pieter C. Kodde
W. Pieter C. Kodde
Vice President

<PAGE>   23
               [Signature Page 18 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  THE TOKAI BANK, LIMITED NEW YORK BRANCH


                                  By:     /s/ Shinichi Nakatani
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   Shinichi Nakatani
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  Assistant General Manager
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   24
               [Signature Page 19 of 19 to Seventeenth Amendment]


                                  TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS), INC.


                                  By:     /s/ Jimmy Simien
                                     ------------------------------------------
                                  Name:   Jimmy Simien
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                  Title:  Vice President
                                        ---------------------------------------
<PAGE>   25
                          SCHEDULE 1.01(B) (CONTINUED)

                              ADDRESSES FOR NOTICES



BORROWERS AND GUARANTORS

1016 West Ninth Avenue
King of Prussia, PA  19406
Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
Telephone No.  (610) 992-7200
Telecopier No. (610) 992-3328


AGENT AND BANKS

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
individually and as Agent
One PNC Plaza
Fifth Avenue and Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA  15265
Attention: Regional Healthcare Group
Telephone No.  (412) 762-2190
Telecopier No. (412) 768-5149


FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK
1 First Union Center TW5
301 S. College Street
Charlotte, NC  28288-0735
Attention: Terence Moore, Assistant Vice President
Telephone No.  (704) 383-5212
Telecopier No. (704) 383-9144


FLEET NATIONAL BANK
Health Care and Institutions Group
One Federal Street
MAOFD07B
Boston, MA  02109
Attention:  Maryann S. Smith, Vice President
Telephone No.   (617) 346-1594
Telecopier No.  (617) 346-0610
<PAGE>   26
MELLON BANK, N.A.
Mellon Bank, N.A.
One Mellon Bank Center
Room 151/0370
Pittsburgh, PA 15258-0001
Attention: Colleen McCullum
Telephone No. (412) 236-3984
Telecopier No. (412) 236-0287


NATIONSBANK, N.A.
Healthcare Finance Group
One NationsBank Plaza
5th Floor
Nashville, TN 37239-1697
Attention:  Kevin Wagley, Vice President
Telephone No. (615) 749-3802
Telecopier No. (615) 749-4640


THE BANK OF NEW YORK
Northeast Division
One Wall Street
22nd Floor
New York, NY 10286
Attention:  Peter Abdill, Vice President
Telephone No. (212) 635-6987
Telecopier No. (212) 635-7978


SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL FLORIDA, N.A.
Healthcare Banking Group
0-1101, Tower 10
200 South Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL  32801
Attention:  Karen M. George, First Vice President
Telephone No. (407) 237-4541
Telecopier No. (407) 237-5489
<PAGE>   27
BANK ONE, KENTUCKY, NA
Internal Zip KY1-2216
416 West Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
Attention:  Todd Munson, Sr. Vice President
Telephone No. (502) 566-2640
Telecopier No. (502) 566-2367


THE FUJI BANK, LIMITED NEW YORK BRANCH
Two World Trade Center
New York, New York  10048
Attention:  James Grady, Assistant Treasurer
Telephone No. (212) 898-2274
Telecopier No. (212) 898-2907


CRESTAR BANK
120 East Baltimore Street
25th Floor
Baltimore, MD  21203-7307
Attention:  Leesa McShane, Vice President
Telephone No. (410) 986-1672
Telecopier No. (410) 986-1670


BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY
US Corp. Banking Division
1251 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York  10020-1104
Attention:  Ned Komar, Vice President
Telephone No. (212) 782-4584
Telecopier No. (212) 782-4935


AMSOUTH BANK 1900
Fifth Avenue North
SONAT - 7th Floor
Birmingham, AL 35203
Attention:  Ken DiFatta, Commercial Banking Officer
Telephone No. (205) 801-0358
Telecopier No. (205) 326-4790
<PAGE>   28
CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK BRANCH
1301 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Henry Reukauf, Assistant Treasurer
Telephone No. (212) 261-7394
Telecopier No. (212) 261-3440


COOPERATIEVE CENTRALE RAIFFEISEN-BOERENLEEN BANK B.A.,
"RABOBANK NEDERLAND," NEW YORK BRANCH
245 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10167
Attention: Christina Debler, Vice President
Telephone No. (212) 916-7967
Telecopier No. (212) 916-7837


BANK OF AMERICA NT & SA
555 S. Flower Street, 11th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Attention: Lucy Nixon
Telephone No. (213) 228-9716
Telecopier No. (213) 228-2756



COMERICA BANK
1 Detroit Center
500 Woodward Avenue
9th Floor - Mall Code 3266
Detroit, MI 48226
Attention: Kimberly Reich, Vice President
Telephone No. (313) 222-5077
Telecopier No. (313) 222-3420


THE TOKAI BANK, LIMITED NEW YORK BRANCH
55 East 52nd Street
11th Floor
New York, NY 10055
Attention: Russell Bohner, Vice President
Telephone No. (212) 339-1052
Telecopier No. (212) 832-1428
<PAGE>   29
TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS), INC.
31 West 52nd Street
18th Floor
New York, NY 10019
Attention: Bob Maloney,  Vice President & Director
Telephone No. (212) 827-7750
Telecopier No. (212) 827-7250
<PAGE>   30
                                   SCHEDULE A


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               BORROWER ("B") / 
                                       ENTITY                                                  GUARANTOR ("G")
                                       ------                                                  ---------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
NovaCare, Inc. (a Delaware corporation)                                                              B
NovaCare, Inc. (a Pennsylvania corporation)                                                          B
RehabClinics, Inc.                                                                                   B
Rehab Managed Care of Arizona, Inc.                                                                  B
A.D. Craig Company                                                                                   G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies, Inc. (a Nevada corporation)                                        G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies, Inc. (a New York corporation)                                      G
Advance Orthotics, Inc.                                                                              G
Advanced Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.                                                             G
Advanced Orthopedic Systems, Inc.                                                                    G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (Clayton), Inc.                                                     G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (Lett), Inc.                                                        G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (New Jersey), Inc.                                                  G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (New Mexico), Inc.                                                  G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (New York), Inc.                                                    G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (OTI), Inc.                                                         G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (Parmeco), Inc.                                                     G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (SFV), Inc.                                                         G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (Virginia), Inc.                                                    G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (West Virginia), Inc.                                               G
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies Management Corp.                                                    G
Affiliated Physical Therapists, Ltd.                                                                 G
American Rehabilitation Center, Inc.                                                                 G
American Rehabilitation Clinic, Inc.                                                                 G
Artificial Limb and Brace Center                                                                     G
Athens Sports Medicine Clinic, Inc.                                                                  G
Ather Sports Injury Clinic, Inc.                                                                     G
Atlanta Prosthetics, Inc.                                                                            G
Atlantic Health Group, Inc.                                                                          G
Atlantic Rehabilitation Services, Inc.                                                               G
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   31
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               BORROWER ("B") / 
                                       ENTITY                                                  GUARANTOR ("G")
                                       ------                                                  ---------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
Boca Rehab Agency, Inc.                                                                              G
Bowman-Shelton Orthopedic Service, Incorporated                                                      G
Buendel Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                       G
C.E.R. - West, Inc.                                                                                  G
Cahill Orthopedic Laboratory, Inc.                                                                   G
Cannon & Associates, Inc.                                                                            G
Cenla Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Agency, Inc.                                                 G
Center for Evaluation & Rehabilitation, Inc.                                                         G
Center for Physical Therapy and Sports Rehabilitation, Inc.                                          G
CenterTherapy, Inc.                                                                                  G
Certified Orthopedic Appliance Co., Inc.                                                             G
Central Valley Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.                                                         G
Champion Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                      G
CMC Center Corporation                                                                               G
Coplin Physical Therapy Associates, Inc.                                                             G
Crowley Physical Therapy Clinic, Inc.                                                                G
Dale Clark Prosthetics, Inc.                                                                         G
Douglas Avery and Associates, Ltd.                                                                   G
Douglas C. Claussen, R.P.T., Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                  G
E.A. Warnick-Pomeroy Co., Inc.                                                                       G
Elk County Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                    G
Fine, Bryant & Wah, Inc.                                                                             G
Francis Naselli, Jr. & Stewart Rich Physical Therapists, Inc.                                        G
Frank J. Malone & Son, Inc.                                                                          G
Fresno Orthopedic Company                                                                            G
Gallery Physical Therapy Center, Inc.                                                                G
Georgia Health Group, Inc.                                                                           G
Georgia Physical Therapy of West Georgia, Inc.                                                       G
Georgia Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                       G
Greater Sacramento Physical Therapy Associates, Inc.                                                 G
Grove City Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc.                                                G
Gulf Breeze Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                   G
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   32
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               BORROWER ("B") / 
                                       ENTITY                                                  GUARANTOR ("G")
                                       ------                                                  ---------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>

Gulf Coast Hand Specialists, Inc.                                                                    G
Hand Therapy and Rehabilitation Associates, Inc.                                                     G
Hand Therapy Associates, Inc.                                                                        G
Hangtown Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                      G
Hawley Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                        G
Heartland Rehabilitation, Inc.                                                                       G
High Desert Institute of Prosthetics & Orthotics                                                     G
Indianapolis Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc.                                              G
Industrial Health Care Company, Inc.                                                                 G
J.E. Hanger, Incorporated                                                                            G
JOYNER SPORTS SCIENCE INSTITUTE, INC.                                                                G
JOYNER SPORTSMEDICINE INSTITUTE, INC.                                                                G
Kesinger Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                      G
Kroll's, Inc.                                                                                        G
Lynn M. Carlson, Inc.                                                                                G
McKinney Prosthetics/Orthotics, Inc.                                                                 G
Mark Butler Physical Therapy Center, Inc.                                                            G
Meadowbrook Orthopedics, Inc.                                                                        G
Medical Arts O&P Services, Inc.                                                                      G
Medical Plaza Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                 G
Metro Rehabilitation Services, Inc.                                                                  G
Michigan Therapy Centre, Inc.                                                                        G
MidAtlantic Health Group, Inc.                                                                       G
Mill River Management, Inc.                                                                          G
Mitchell Tannenbaum I, Inc.                                                                          G
Mitchell Tannenbaum II, Inc.                                                                         G
Mitchell Tannenbaum III, Inc.                                                                        G
Monmouth Rehabilitation, Inc.                                                                        G
New England Health Group, Inc.                                                                       G
New Mexico Physical Therapists, Inc.                                                                 G
Northland Regional Orthotic and Prosthetic Center, Inc.                                              G
Northside Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                     G
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   33
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               BORROWER ("B") / 
                                       ENTITY                                                  GUARANTOR ("G")
                                       ------                                                  ---------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>

NovaCare (Arizona), Inc.                                                                             G
NovaCare (Colorado), Inc.                                                                            G
NovaCare (Texas), Inc.                                                                               G
NovaCare Management Company, Inc.                                                                    G
NovaCare Management Services, Inc.                                                                   G
NovaCare Northside Therapy, Inc.                                                                     G
NovaCare Occupational Health Services, Inc.                                                          G
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics East, Inc.                                                          G
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics Holdings, Inc.                                                      G
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics West, Inc.                                                          G
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc.                                                               G
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation East, Inc.                                                        G
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation I, Inc.                                                           G
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation West, Inc.                                                        G
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation, Inc.                                                             G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Alabama, Inc.                                                               G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Florida, Inc.                                                               G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Georgia, Inc.                                                               G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Illinois, Inc.                                                              G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Kansas, Inc.                                                                G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Missouri, Inc.                                                              G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of New Jersey, Inc.                                                            G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of North Carolina, Inc.                                                        G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Northern California, Inc.                                                   G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Ohio, Inc.                                                                  G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.                                                              G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Oregon, Inc.                                                                G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Pennsylvania, Inc.                                                          G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of South Carolina, Inc.                                                        G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Southern California, Inc.                                                   G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Tennessee, Inc.                                                             G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Virginia, Inc.                                                              G
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   34
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               BORROWER ("B") / 
                                       ENTITY                                                  GUARANTOR ("G")
                                       ------                                                  ---------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>

NovaCare Rehab Agency of Washington, Inc.                                                            G
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Wyoming, Inc.                                                               G
NovaCare Rehabilitation Agency of Wisconsin, Inc.                                                    G
NovaCare Rehabilitation, Inc.                                                                        G
NovaCare Service Corp.                                                                               G
Opus Care, Inc.                                                                                      G
Ortho East, Inc.                                                                                     G
Ortho Rehab Associates, Inc.                                                                         G
Ortho-Fab Laboratories, Inc.                                                                         G
Orthopedic Appliances, Inc.                                                                          G
Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy of Cupertino, Inc.                                            G
Orthopedic Rehabilitative Services, Ltd.                                                             G
Orthotic & Prosthetic Rehabilitation Technologies, Inc.                                              G
Orthotic and Prosthetic Associates, Inc.                                                             G
Orthotic Specialists, Inc.                                                                           G
Peter Trailov R.P.T. Physical Therapy Clinic,
 Orthopaedic Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine, Ltd.                                                  G
Peters, Starkey & Todrank Physical Therapy Corporation                                               G
Physical Focus Inc.                                                                                  G
Physical Rehabilitation Partners, Inc.                                                               G
Physical Therapy Enterprises, Inc.                                                                   G
Physical Therapy Institute, Inc.                                                                     G
Professional Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.                                                         G
Professional Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. of Santa Fe                                             G
Professional Therapeutic Services, Inc.                                                              G
Progressive Orthopedic                                                                               G
Prosthetics-Orthotics Associates, Inc.                                                               G
Protech Orthotic and Prosthetic Center, Inc.                                                         G
Quad City Management, Inc.                                                                           G
RCI (Colorado), Inc.                                                                                 G
RCI (Exertec), Inc.                                                                                  G
RCI (Illinois), Inc.                                                                                 G
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   35
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               BORROWER ("B") / 
                                       ENTITY                                                  GUARANTOR ("G")
                                       ------                                                  ---------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
RCI (Michigan), Inc.                                                                                 G
RCI (S.P.O.R.T.), Inc.                                                                               G
RCI (WRS), Inc.                                                                                      G
RCI Nevada, Inc.                                                                                     G
Rebound Oklahoma, Inc.                                                                               G
Redwood Pacific Therapies, Inc.                                                                      G
Rehab Provider Network of Florida, Inc.                                                              G
Rehab Provider Network - New Jersey, Inc.                                                            G
Rehab Provider Network - California, Inc.                                                            G
Rehab Provider Network - Delaware, Inc.                                                              G
Rehab Provider Network - Georgia, Inc.                                                               G
Rehab Provider Network - Illinois, Inc.                                                              G
Rehab Provider Network - Indiana, Inc.                                                               G
Rehab Provider Network - Maryland, Inc.                                                              G
Rehab Provider Network - Michigan, Inc.                                                              G
Rehab Provider Network - Ohio, Inc.                                                                  G
Rehab Provider Network - Oklahoma, Inc.                                                              G
Rehab Provider Network - Virginia, Inc.                                                              G
Rehab Provider Network - Washington, D.C., Inc.                                                      G
Rehab Provider Network - Pennsylvania, Inc.                                                          G
Rehab Provider Network of Colorado, Inc.                                                             G
Rehab Provider Network of Nevada, Inc.                                                               G
Rehab Provider Network of New Mexico, Inc.                                                           G
Rehab Provider Network of Texas, Inc.                                                                G
Rehab Provider Network of Wisconsin, Inc.                                                            G
Rehab World, Inc.                                                                                    G
Rehab/Work Hardening Management Associates, Ltd.                                                     G
RehabClinics (COAST), Inc.                                                                           G
RehabClinics (GALAXY), Inc.                                                                          G
RehabClinics (New Jersey), Inc.                                                                      G
RehabClinics (PTA), Inc.                                                                             G
RehabClinics (SPT), Inc.                                                                             G
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   36
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               BORROWER ("B") / 
                                       ENTITY                                                  GUARANTOR ("G")
                                       ------                                                  ---------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
RehabClinics Abilene, Inc.                                                                           G
RehabClinics Dallas, Inc.                                                                            G
RehabClinics Pennsylvania, Inc.                                                                      G
Rehabilitation Fabrication, Inc.                                                                     G
Rehabilitation Management, Inc.                                                                      G
Reid Medical Systems, Inc.                                                                           G
Robert M. Bacci, R.P.T. Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                       G
Robin Aids Prosthetics, Inc.                                                                         G
S.T.A.R.T., Inc.                                                                                     G
Salem Orthopedic & Prosthetic, Inc.                                                                  G
San Joaquin Orthopedic, Inc.                                                                         G
SG Rehabilitation Agency, Inc.                                                                       G
SG Speech Associates, Inc.                                                                           G
South Jersey Physical Therapy Associates, Inc.                                                       G
South Jersey Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center, Inc.                                         G
Southern Illinois Prosthetic & Orthotic, Ltd.                                                        G
Southern Illinois Prosthetic & Orthotic of Missouri, Ltd.                                            G
Southpointe Fitness Center, Inc.                                                                     G
Southwest Medical Supply Company                                                                     G
Southwest Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                     G
Southwest Therapists, Inc.                                                                           G
Sporthopedics Sports and Physical Therapy Centers, Inc.                                              G
Sports Therapy and Arthritis Rehabilitation, Inc.                                                    G
Star Physical Therapy Inc.                                                                           G
Stephenson-Holtz, Inc.                                                                               G
T.D. Rehab Systems, Inc.                                                                             G
Texoma Health Care Center, Inc.                                                                      G
The Center for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Inc.                                             G
The Orthopedic Sports and Industrial Rehabilitation Network, Inc.                                    G
Theodore Dashnaw Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                              G
Treister, Inc.                                                                                       G
Tucson Limb & Brace, Inc.                                                                            G
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   37
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               BORROWER ("B") / 
                                       ENTITY                                                  GUARANTOR ("G")
                                       ------                                                  ---------------
<S>                                                                                            <C>
Union Square Center for Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine, Inc.                                       G
University Orthotic & Prosthetic Consultants, Ltd.                                                   G
Valley Group Physical Therapists, Inc.                                                               G
Vanguard Rehabilitation, Inc.                                                                        G
Wayzata Physical Therapy Center, Inc.                                                                G
West Side Physical Therapy, Inc.                                                                     G
West Suburban Health Partners, Inc.                                                                  G
Western Rehab Services, Inc.                                                                         G
Worker Rehabilitation Services, Inc.                                                                 G
Yuma Rehabilitation Center, Inc.                                                                     G
A.D. Craig (A.D. Craig Company is general partner)                                                   G
Advanced Orthopedic Services, Ltd. (RehabClinics Dallas, Inc. is general partner)                    G
Craig Weymouth Enterprises (A.D. Craig Company is general partner)                                   G
Land Park Physical Therapy (Union Square Center for Rehabilitation &
Sports Medicine, Inc. is general partner)                                                            G
NovaPartners (IND), LP (NovaCare, Inc. (a Pennsylvania
corporation) is general partner)                                                                     G
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   38
                                   SCHEDULE B


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            BORROWER ("B") / 
                                     ENTITY                                                 GUARANTOR ("G")
                                     ------                                                 ---------------
<S>                                                                                         <C>
NovaFunds, Inc.                                                                                    B
NC Cash Management, Inc.                                                                           G
NC Resources, Inc.                                                                                 G
NovaMark, Inc.                                                                                     G
NovaStock, Inc.                                                                                    G
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   39
                                    EXHIBIT I

                      Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
<PAGE>   40
                                   EXHIBIT II

                                      FEES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    Bank                             Closing Fee                 Amendment Fee                  Total Fee
                    ----                             -----------                 -------------                  ---------
<S>                                                  <C>                         <C>                            <C>
PNC Bank, National Association

First Union National Bank

Fleet  National Bank

Mellon Bank, N.A.

NationsBank, N.A.

Bank One, Kentucky, NA

Credit Lyonnais New York Branch

Cooperatieve Centrale Raiffeisen-
Boerenleenbank B.A., "Rabobank
Nederland", New York Branch

Toronto Dominion (Texas), Inc.

The Bank of New York

SunTrust Bank, Central Florida, N.A.

AmSouth Bank

Bank of America NT & SA

Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi Trust
Company 

Comerica Bank

Crestar Bank

The Fuji Bank, Limited New
York Branch

The Tokai Bank, Limited New
York Branch

                   TOTAL
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   41
                     $400,000,000 REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY



                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                                  by and among

                                 NOVACARE, INC.,

                                       and

                           CERTAIN of its SUBSIDIARIES

                                       and

                             THE BANKS PARTY HERETO

                                       and

                    PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent






                      Dated as of May 27, 1994, as amended
<PAGE>   42
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                               Page
                                                                                                               ----
<S>                                                                                                            <C>
LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS....................................................................................V

ARTICLE I - CERTAIN DEFINITIONS...................................................................................1
         1.01 Certain Definitions.................................................................................1
         1.02 Construction.......................................................................................24
         1.03 Accounting Principles..............................................................................25

ARTICLE II - REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY...........................................................................25
         2.01 Revolving Credit Borrowing.........................................................................25
         2.02 Nature of Banks' Obligations with Respect to Revolving Credit Loans................................25
         2.03 Commitment Fees; Closing Fees......................................................................25
         2.04 Voluntary Reduction of Commitment..................................................................26
         2.05 Revolving Credit Loan Requests.....................................................................27
         2.06 Making Revolving Credit Loans......................................................................27
         2.07 Revolving Credit Notes.............................................................................28
         2.08 Use of Proceeds....................................................................................28
         2.09 Letter of Credit Subfacility.......................................................................28

ARTICLE III - [RESERVED].........................................................................................33

ARTICLE IV - INTEREST RATES......................................................................................33
         4.01 Interest Rate Options..............................................................................33
                  (a) Revolving Credit Interest Rate Options.....................................................34
                           (i) Revolving Credit Base Rate Option.................................................34
                           (ii) Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option................................................34
                  (b) Rate Quotations............................................................................35
         4.02 Interest Periods...................................................................................35
         4.03 Interest After Default.............................................................................36
         4.04 Euro-Rate Unascertainable..........................................................................36
         4.05 Selection of Interest Rate Options.................................................................37

ARTICLE V - PAYMENTS.............................................................................................38
         5.01 Payments...........................................................................................38
         5.02 Pro Rata Treatment of Banks........................................................................38
         5.03 Interest Payment Dates.............................................................................38
         5.04 Voluntary Prepayments..............................................................................39
                  (A) Termination of Commitment..................................................................40
                  (B) Replacement................................................................................41
         5.05 [RESERVED..........................................................................................41
         5.06 Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances...................................................41
                  (a) Increased Costs or Reduced Return Resulting From Taxes, Reserves, Capital Adequacy
                           Requirements, Expenses, Etc...........................................................41
                  (b) Indemnity..................................................................................42

ARTICLE VI - REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES......................................................................43
         6.01 Representations and Warranties.....................................................................43
</TABLE>

                                       (i)
<PAGE>   43
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
                  (a) Organization and Qualification.............................................................43
                  (b) Capitalization and Ownership...............................................................43
                  (c) Subsidiaries; Excluded Entities............................................................43
                  (d) Power and Authority........................................................................44
                  (e) Validity and Binding Effect................................................................44
                  (f) No Conflict................................................................................44
                  (g) Litigation.................................................................................44
                  (h) Title to Properties........................................................................45
                  (i) Financial Statements.......................................................................45
                           (A) Historical Statements.............................................................45
                           (B) Financial Projections.............................................................45
                           (C) Accuracy of Financial Statements..................................................45
                  (j) Full Disclosure............................................................................45
                  (k) Taxes......................................................................................45
                  (l) Consents and Approvals.....................................................................46
                  (m) No Event of Default; Compliance with Instruments...........................................46
                  (n) Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Etc.......................................................46
                  (o) Security Interests.........................................................................46
                  (p) Status of the Pledged Collateral...........................................................47
                  (q) Insurance..................................................................................47
                  (r) Compliance with Laws.......................................................................47
                  (s) Material Contracts, Licenses, Permits and Approvals........................................47
                  (t) Investment Companies.......................................................................48
                  (u) Margin Stock...............................................................................48
                  (v) Plans and Benefit Arrangements.............................................................48
                  (w) Employment Matters.........................................................................49
                  (x) Environmental Matters......................................................................50
                  (y) Senior Debt Status.........................................................................51
                  (z) Solvency...................................................................................51
                  (aa) Year 2000.................................................................................51
         6.02 Updates to Schedules...............................................................................52

ARTICLE VII - CONDITIONS OF LENDING..............................................................................52
         7.02 Each Additional Revolving Credit Loan..............................................................52

ARTICLE VIII - COVENANTS.........................................................................................53
         8.01 Affirmative Covenants..............................................................................53
                  (a) Preservation of Existence, etc.............................................................53
                  (b) Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, etc...............................................53
                  (c) Maintenance of Insurance...................................................................53
                  (d) Maintenance of Properties and Leases.......................................................53
                  (e) Maintenance of Patents, Trademarks, etc....................................................54
                  (f) Visitation Rights..........................................................................54
                  (g) Keeping of Records and Books of Account....................................................54
                  (h) Plans and Benefit Arrangements.............................................................54
                  (i) Compliance With Laws.......................................................................55
                  (j) Use of Proceeds............................................................................56
                  (k) Further Assurances.........................................................................56
</TABLE>

                                      (ii)
<PAGE>   44
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
                  (l) Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness; Permitted Additional 
                           Subordinated Indebtedness.............................................................56
                           (A) Intercompany Indebtedness.........................................................56
                           (B) Permitted Additional Subordinated Indebtedness....................................56
                  (m) Certificate of Borrowers; Other Reports and Information....................................56
                           (i) Quarterly Financial Statements....................................................56
                           (ii) Annual Financial Statements......................................................57
                           (iii) Certificate of the Borrower.....................................................57
                  (iv) Separate Financial Information for Certain Excluded Entities..............................58
                  (v) Management Letters.........................................................................58
                  (vi) Other Reports and Information.............................................................58
         8.02 Negative Covenants.................................................................................59
                  (a) Indebtedness...............................................................................59
                  (b) Liens......................................................................................61
                  (c) Guaranties.................................................................................61
                  (d) Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions........................................61
                  (e) Dispositions of Assets or Subsidiaries.....................................................63
                  (f) Joinder of Qualifying Subsidiaries; Excluded Entities......................................63
                  (g) Continuation of or Change in Business......................................................64
                  (h) Plans and Benefit Arrangements.............................................................64
                  (i) Loans and Investments......................................................................64
                  (j) Dividends and Related Distributions........................................................65
                  (k) [Intentionally Omitted]....................................................................66
                  (l) Minimum Net Worth..........................................................................66
                  (m) [Intentionally Omitted]....................................................................66
                  (n) Funded Debt to Cash Flow From Operations...................................................66
                  (o) Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio........................................................66
                  (p) Changes in Subordinated Indebtedness Documents.............................................66
                  (q) Affiliate Transactions.....................................................................67
                  (r) Professional Employment Organizations......................................................67
         8.03 Reporting Requirements.............................................................................67
                  (a) Notice of Default..........................................................................67
                  (b) Notice of Litigation.......................................................................68

ARTICLE IX - DEFAULT.............................................................................................68
         9.01 Events of Default..................................................................................68
         9.02 Consequences of Event of Default...................................................................70
         9.03 Notice of Sale.....................................................................................73

ARTICLE X - THE AGENT............................................................................................73
         10.01 Appointment.......................................................................................73
         10.02 Delegation of Duties..............................................................................73
         10.03 Nature of Duties; Independent Credit Investigation................................................73
         10.04 Actions in Discretion of Agent; Instructions from the Banks.......................................74
         10.05 Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agent by the Borrowers.......................................74
         10.06 Exculpatory Provisions............................................................................75
         10.07 Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agent by Banks...............................................75
         10.08 Reliance by Agent.................................................................................76
</TABLE>

                                     (iii)
<PAGE>   45
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                                             <C>
         10.09 Notice of Default.................................................................................76
         10.10 Notices...........................................................................................76
         10.11 Banks in Their Individual Capacities..............................................................76
         10.12 Holders of Notes..................................................................................76
         10.13 Equalization of Banks.............................................................................76
         10.14 Successor Agent...................................................................................77
         10.15 Agent's Fee.......................................................................................77
         10.16 Availability of Funds.............................................................................77
         10.17 Calculations......................................................................................78
         10.18 Beneficiaries.....................................................................................78

ARTICLE XI - MISCELLANEOUS.......................................................................................78
         11.01 Modifications, Amendments or Waivers..............................................................78
         11.02 No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies; Writing Required.........................................79
         11.03 Reimbursement and Indemnification of Banks by the Borrowers; Taxes................................79
         11.04 Holidays..........................................................................................80
         11.05 Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate........................................................80
                  (a) Notional Funding...........................................................................80
                  (b) Actual Funding.............................................................................80
         11.06 Notices...........................................................................................80
         11.07 Severability......................................................................................81
         11.08 Governing Law.....................................................................................81
         11.09 Prior Understanding...............................................................................81
         11.10 Duration; Survival................................................................................81
         11.11 Successors and Assigns............................................................................81
         11.12 Confidentiality...................................................................................82
         11.13 Counterparts......................................................................................83
         11.14 Agent's or Bank's Consent.........................................................................83
         11.15 Exceptions........................................................................................83
         11.16 CONSENT TO FORUM; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL............................................................83
         11.17 Tax Withholding Clause............................................................................83
         11.18 Joinder of Loan Parties...........................................................................84
</TABLE>

                                      (iv)
<PAGE>   46
                         LIST OF SCHEDULES AND EXHIBITS

<TABLE>
<S>                                        <C>
SCHEDULES
SCHEDULE 1.01(B)                           LIST OF BANKS AND COMMITMENTS
SCHEDULE 1.01(E)                           EXCLUDED ENTITIES
SCHEDULE 1.01(P)(1)                        PERMITTED INVESTMENTS
SCHEDULE 1.01(P)(2)                        PERMITTED LIENS
SCHEDULE 2.09                              EXISTING LETTERS OF CREDIT
SCHEDULE 6.01(a)                           ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION
SCHEDULE 6.01(c)                           SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE 6.01(l)                           CONSENTS AND APPROVALS
SCHEDULE 6.01(q)                           INSURANCE
SCHEDULE 6.01(s)                           MATERIAL CONTRACTS
SCHEDULE 6.01(v)                           PLANS AND BENEFIT ARRANGEMENTS
SCHEDULE 6.01(x)                           ENVIRONMENTAL MATTERS
SCHEDULE 8.02(a)(ii)                       EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS
SCHEDULE 8.02(q)                           CERTAIN AFFILIATE TRANSACTIONS

EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT 1.01(A)                            ASSIGNMENT AND ASSUMPTION AGREEMENT
EXHIBIT 1.01(G)(1)                         GUARANTY AND SURETYSHIP AGREEMENT
                                           (For NovaCare and Borrowing Subsidiaries)
EXHIBIT 1.01(G)(2)                         GUARANTY AND SURETYSHIP AGREEMENT
                                           (For Nonborrower Subsidiaries)
EXHIBIT 1.01(P)(1)                         INTENTIONALLY OMITTED
EXHIBIT 1.01(P)(2)                         INTENTIONALLY OMITTED
EXHIBIT 1.01(P)(3)                         TERMS FOR SUBORDINATED DEBT
EXHIBIT 1.01(P)(4)                         PLEDGE AGREEMENT - STOCK
                                           (For NovaCare and Borrowing Subsidiaries)
EXHIBIT 1.01(P)(5)                         PLEDGE AGREEMENT - STOCK
                                           (For Nonborrower Subsidiaries)
EXHIBIT 1.01(P)(6)                         PLEDGE AGREEMENT - PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS
EXHIBIT 1.01(R)                            REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE
EXHIBIT 1.01(S)                            SUBORDINATION AGREEMENT (INTERCOMPANY)
EXHIBIT 1.01(W)                            EXAMPLE OF WEIGHTED AVERAGE RATING COMPUTATION
EXHIBIT 2.05                               REVOLVING CREDIT LOAN REQUEST
EXHIBIT 7.01(d)                            FORM OF OPINION OF BORROWERS' COUNSEL
EXHIBIT 8.01(m)(iii)                       COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE
</TABLE>

                                      (v)
<PAGE>   47
                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                  THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT is dated as of May 27, 1994, and is made
by and among NOVACARE, INC., a Delaware corporation ("NovaCare"), each
Subsidiary of NovaCare identified on Schedule 6.01(c) hereto as a "Borrower"
(collectively, the "Borrowing Subsidiaries" and together with NovaCare sometimes
collectively referred to as the "Borrowers" and individually as a "Borrower"),
each Subsidiary of NovaCare identified on Schedule 6.01(c) hereto as a
"Guarantor" (collectively, the "Guarantors" and, individually, a "Guarantor"),
the BANKS (as hereinafter defined), and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION in its
capacity as agent for the Banks under this Agreement (hereinafter referred to in
such capacity as the "Agent").

                                   WITNESSETH:

                  WHEREAS, the Loan Parties (as hereinafter defined) have
requested the Banks to provide a revolving credit facility in an aggregate
principal amount not to exceed $400,000,000; and

                  WHEREAS, the revolving credit facility shall be used for (a)
the acquisition and development of health care related businesses and facilities
and (b) general corporate purposes; and

                  WHEREAS, the Banks are willing to provide such credit upon the
terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

                  NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto, in consideration of their
mutual covenants and agreements hereinafter set forth and intending to be
legally bound hereby, covenant and agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I
                               CERTAIN DEFINITIONS

                  1.01 Certain Definitions. In addition to words and terms
defined elsewhere in this Agreement, the following words and terms shall have
the following meanings, respectively, unless the context hereof clearly requires
otherwise:

                           Affiliate as to any person shall mean any other
person (i) which directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under
common control with such person, (ii) which beneficially owns or holds 50% or
more of any class of the voting stock of any Loan Party, or (iii) 50% or more of
the voting stock (or in the case of a person which is not a corporation, 50% or
more of the equity interest) of which is beneficially owned or held, directly or
indirectly, by any Loan Party. Control, as used herein, shall mean the
possession, directly or indirectly, of the power to direct or cause the
direction of the management or policies of a person, whether through the
ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise, including the power to
elect a majority of the directors or trustees of a corporation or trust, as the
case may be.
<PAGE>   48
                           Agent shall mean PNC Bank, National Association and
its successors.

                           Agent's Fee shall mean the fee payable to the Agent
by Borrowers described in the Agent's Fee Letter.

                           Agent's Fee Letter shall mean the letter from the
Borrowers to the Agent dated the date hereof providing for the payment of fees
to the Agent for its services as Agent hereunder, as such letter may be amended,
modified or replaced from time to time.

                           Agreement shall mean this Credit Agreement as the
same may be supplemented or amended from time to time including all schedules
and exhibits hereto.

                           Annual Permitted Acquisition Amount shall have the
meaning given to such term in Section 8.02(d)(ii)(g).

                           Applicable Percentage over Euro-Rate shall have the
meaning given to such term in Section 4.01(a)(ii).

                           Approvals shall have the meaning given to such term
in Section 6.01(s).

                           Assignment and Assumption Agreement shall mean an
Assignment and Assumption Agreement by and among a Purchasing Bank, the
Transferor Bank and the Agent, as Agent and on behalf of the remaining Banks,
substantially in the form of Exhibit 1.01(A) hereto.

                           Authorized Officer shall mean those persons
designated by written notice to the Agent from each of the Loan Parties,
authorized to execute notices, reports and other documents required hereunder.
Any Loan Party may amend such list of persons from time to time by giving
written notice of such amendment to the Agent.

                           Available Revolving Credit Commitments for any date
of determination, shall mean, as to the Borrowers, an amount equal to the
excess, if any, of (A) the Revolving Credit Commitments, over (B) the sum of (i)
the aggregate outstanding Revolving Credit Loans and (ii) the aggregate undrawn
face amount of outstanding Letters of Credit issued pursuant to Section 2.09
hereof.

                           Bank to be Replaced shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 5.04(b).

                           Bank to be Terminated shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 5.04(b).

                           Banks shall mean the financial institutions named on
Schedule 1.01(B) hereto and their respective successors and assigns as permitted
hereunder, each of which is referred to herein as a Bank.

                           Base Rate shall mean the greater of (i) the Federal
Funds Effective Rate plus one-half percent (0.5%) per annum, or (ii) the
interest rate per annum announced from time


                                      - 2 -
<PAGE>   49
to time by the Agent at its Principal Office as its then prime rate, which rate
may not necessarily be the lowest rate then being charged commercial borrowers
by the Agent.

                           Beneficial Interests shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 6.01(c).

                           Benefit Arrangement shall mean at any time an
"employee benefit plan," within the meaning of Section 3(3) of ERISA, which is
neither a Plan or a Multiemployer Plan and which is maintained, sponsored or
otherwise contributed to, by any member of the ERISA Group.

                           Borrower Agency Agreement shall mean that certain
agreement among the Borrowers, dated as of even date herewith, pursuant to which
the Borrowers authorize and appoint NovaCare to act on behalf of the Borrowers
to take any and all actions that may be required to be taken by any Borrower or
the Borrowers hereunder, including, without limitation, making requests for and
borrowing any Revolving Credit Loan.

                           Borrowers shall mean NovaCare and each Subsidiary of
NovaCare identified as a "Borrower" on Schedule 6.01(c) hereto and any person
subsequently becoming a party to the Loan Documents and assuming the obligations
of a Borrower thereunder.

                           Borrowing Date shall mean, with respect to any
Revolving Credit Loan, the date for the making thereof or the renewal thereof or
conversion thereof to the same or a different Interest Rate Option, which shall
be a Business Day.

                           Borrowing Tranche shall mean (i) with respect to the
Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, Revolving
Credit Loans to which a Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option applies by reason of
the selection of, conversion to or renewal of such Interest Rate Option on the
same day and having the same Euro-Rate Interest Period, and (ii) with respect to
the Revolving Credit Base Rate Portion of the Revolving Credit Loans, Revolving
Credit Loans to which the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option applies by reason of
the selection of or conversion to such Interest Rate Option.

                           Business Day shall mean a day on which commercial
banks are open for business in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and New York, New York.

                           Change in Ownership shall mean if, from and after the
Closing Date, any person or group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") and the rules and
regulations promulgated thereunder (other than John H. Foster, the current
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of NovaCare, or a person or
group directly or indirectly controlled by said John H. Foster) shall have
acquired beneficial ownership (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934
Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of NovaCare (or other securities
convertible into such securities) representing 50% or more of combined voting
power of all securities of NovaCare entitled to vote in the election of
directors (hereinafter called a "Controlling Person"). For purposes of this
definition, a person or group shall not be a Controlling Person if such person
or group holds voting power in good faith


                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>   50
and not for the purpose of circumventing this definition as an agent, bank,
broker, nominee, trustee, or holder of irrevocable proxies given in response to
a solicitation pursuant to the 1934 Act, for one or more beneficial owners who
do not individually, or, if they are a group acting in concert, as a group, have
the voting power specified in this definition.

                           Closing Date shall mean the Business Day on which the
first Revolving Credit Loan shall be made, which shall be May 27, 1994 or such
later date on which all requisite conditions have been satisfied. The closing
shall take place on the Closing Date at the offices of Buchanan Ingersoll
Professional Corporation, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, or at such other time and
place as the parties agree.

                           Closing Fee shall mean the non-refundable fee paid to
the Banks by the Borrowers on the Closing Date, as consideration for each Bank's
Revolving Credit Commitment.

                           Commitment Fee shall have the meaning assigned to
that term in Section 2.03 hereof.

                           Commitments shall mean Revolving Credit Commitments
and Commitment shall mean Revolving Credit Commitment.

                           Consideration shall mean with respect to any
Permitted Acquisition, the aggregate of (i) the cash paid by any of the Loan
Parties, directly or indirectly, to the seller in connection therewith, (ii) the
Indebtedness incurred or assumed by any of the Loan Parties (including, without
limitation, Indebtedness of a person becoming a Loan Party in connection with a
Permitted Acquisition, which Indebtedness continues to exist following the
consummation of such Permitted Acquisition), whether in favor of the seller or
otherwise and whether fixed or contingent, in connection therewith, (iii) any
Guaranty given or incurred by any Loan Party in connection therewith, (iv) the
fair market value of any equity issued by any of the Loan Parties, in connection
therewith, and (v) any other consideration given or obligation incurred by any
of the Loan Parties in connection therewith, provided, however that the amount
of any deferred earn-out payments to any seller not required by GAAP to be
disclosed as a liability on the balance sheet of any Loan Party as of the date
of consummation of such Permitted Acquisition shall be excluded from the
determination under clauses (i) through (v) of this definition.

                           Consolidated Cash Flow from Operations shall mean,
for any period of determination, (i) the sum of net income, depreciation,
amortization, up to $25 million in any fiscal year of other non-cash charges
incurred in the ordinary course of business (if any are deducted in the
determination of net income), interest expense and income tax expense, minus
(ii) the sum of non-cash credits (if any are included in the determination of
net income) and actual cash charges incurred in the period of determination
related to the $23.5 million special charge taken by the Loan Parties during
their fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1997, in each case of NovaCare and its
Subsidiaries for such period determined and consolidated in accordance with GAAP
but without regard to net income and the other items described in clauses (i)
and (ii) of this sentence attributable to NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. and
without regard to net income and the other items described in clauses (i) and
(ii) of this sentence attributable to


                                     - 4 -
<PAGE>   51
Restricted Excluded Entities; provided that, if a Loan Party shall have made one
or more Permitted Acquisitions during such period, Consolidated Cash Flow from
Operations shall be adjusted on a pro forma basis to give effect to all
Permitted Acquisitions as if they had occurred at the beginning of such period;
and provided further that if any Loan Party shall have effected one or more
Permitted Asset Transfers during such period, Consolidated Cash Flow from
Operations shall be adjusted on a pro forma basis to give effect to all such
Permitted Asset Transfers as if they had occurred at the beginning of such
period. The pro forma adjustments described in the previous sentence shall be
made based upon historical financial statements for the four (4) fiscal quarters
prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Asset Transfer, as
the case may be, which historical financial statements shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent.

                           Consolidated Earnings Available for Fixed Charges
shall mean, for any period of determination, (i) the sum of net income
(excluding non-cash credits, if any, included in the determination of net
income), interest expense, income tax expense, depreciation, amortization, up to
$25 million in any fiscal year of other non-cash charges incurred in the
ordinary course of business (if any are deducted in the determination of net
income), and expenses under operating leases, minus (ii) actual cash charges
incurred in the period of determination related to the $23.5 million special
charge taken by the Loan Parties during their fiscal quarter ended December 31,
1997, in the case of all the items described under the foregoing clauses (i) and
(ii), for NovaCare and its Subsidiaries (other than NovaCare Employee Services,
Inc.) for such period determined and consolidated in accordance with GAAP, but
without regard to any of the foregoing items attributable to Restricted Excluded
Entities.

                           If a Loan Party shall have made one or more Permitted
Acquisitions during any such period, Consolidated Earnings Available for Fixed
Charges shall be adjusted on a pro forma basis to give effect to all Permitted
Acquisitions as if they had occurred at the beginning of such period; and
provided further that if any Loan Party shall have effected one or more
Permitted Asset Transfers during such period, Consolidated Earnings Available
for Fixed Charges shall be adjusted on a pro forma basis to give effect to all
such Permitted Asset Transfers as if they had occurred at the beginning of such
period. The pro forma adjustments described in the previous sentence shall be
made based upon historical financial statements for the four (4) fiscal quarters
prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition or Permitted Asset Transfer, as
the case may be, which historical financial statements shall be reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent.

                           Consolidated Fixed Charges shall mean, for any period
of determination, the sum of interest expense, expenses under operating leases,
income tax expense, current maturities of long term Indebtedness (for the twelve
(12) month period following the date of determination), and current principal
payments under capitalized leases (for the twelve (12) month period following
the date of determination), in each case of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries (other
than NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.) for such period determined and
consolidated in accordance with GAAP. It is expressly agreed that for purposes
of calculating the ratio set forth in Section 8.02(o) [Minimum Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio] for the fiscal quarter ended


                                     - 5 -
<PAGE>   52
March 31, 1999 or any fiscal quarter thereafter, notwithstanding the immediately
preceding sentence, Consolidated Fixed Charges for such periods shall not
include current maturities of the Subordinated Debentures.

                           If a Loan Party shall have made one or more Permitted
Acquisitions during any such period, Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be
adjusted on a pro forma basis to give effect to all Permitted Acquisitions as if
they had occurred at the beginning of such period; and provided further that if
any Loan Party shall have effected one or more Permitted Asset Transfers during
such period, Consolidated Fixed Charges shall be adjusted on a pro forma basis
to give effect to all such Permitted Asset Transfers as if they had occurred at
the beginning of such period. The pro forma adjustments described in the
previous sentence shall be made based upon historical financial statements for
the four (4) fiscal quarters prior to the date of such Permitted Acquisition or
Permitted Asset Transfer, as the case may be, which historical financial
statements shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Agent.

                           Consolidated Funded Debt shall mean, as of any date
of determination, all Indebtedness of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries (other than
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.), to persons other than NovaCare and its
Subsidiaries determined and consolidated in accordance with GAAP. Any items
which are included in more than one clause of the definition of Indebtedness
shall not be counted more than one time in computing the amount of Consolidated
Funded Debt.

                           Consolidated Net Income shall mean, for any period of
determination, the net income of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries (other than
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.) for such period determined and consolidated in
accordance with GAAP, except that there shall be excluded from such net income
any increases or decreases in income or expenses resulting from changes in GAAP
on and after the Closing Date.

                           Consolidated Net Worth shall mean, as of any date of
determination, total stockholders' equity of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries
(other than NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.) as of such date determined and
consolidated in accordance with GAAP.

                           Drawing Date shall have the meaning assigned to that
term in Section 2.09(d).

                           Delivery Date shall mean the earlier of (A) the date
on which NovaCare delivers its consolidated financial statements pursuant to
Sections 8.01(m)(i) and (ii) or (B) one Business Day following the date on which
such financial statements are due to be delivered pursuant to such Sections.

                           Dollar, Dollars, U.S. Dollars and the symbol $ shall
mean lawful money of the United States of America.

                           Environmental Complaint shall mean any written
complaint setting forth a cause of action for personal or property damage or
equitable relief, order, notice of violation,


                                     - 6 -
<PAGE>   53
citation, request for information issued pursuant to any Environmental Laws by
an Official Body, subpoena or other written notice of any type relating to,
arising out of, or issued pursuant to any of the Environmental Laws or any
Environmental Conditions, as the case may be, in each case with respect to any
violation or alleged violation of Environmental Laws or release or threatened
release of a Regulated Substance.

                           Environmental Conditions shall mean any conditions of
the environment, including, without limitation, the work place, the ocean,
natural resources (including flora or fauna), soil, surface water, ground water,
any actual or potential drinking water supply sources, substrata or the ambient
air, relating to or arising out of, or caused by the use, handling, storage,
treatment, recycling, generation, transportation, release, spilling, leaking,
pumping, emptying, discharging, injecting, escaping, leaching, disposal,
dumping, threatened release or other management or mismanagement of Regulated
Substances resulting from the use of, or operations on, the Property.

                           Environmental Laws shall mean all federal, state,
local and foreign laws and regulations, including permits, orders, judgments,
and consent decrees issued, or entered into, pursuant thereto, relating to
pollution or protection of human health or the environment or employee safety in
the work place.

                           ERISA shall mean the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to
time, and any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

                           ERISA Group shall mean, at any time, NovaCare, its
Subsidiaries and all members of a controlled group of corporations and all
trades or businesses (whether or not incorporated) under common control and all
other entities which, together with NovaCare, are treated as a single employer
under Section 414 of the Internal Revenue Code.

                           Euro-Rate shall mean with respect to the Revolving
Credit Loans comprising any Borrowing Tranche to which the Revolving Credit
Euro-Rate Option applies for any Interest Period, the interest rate per annum
determined by the Agent by dividing (the resulting quotient rounded upward to
the nearest 1/100 of 1% per annum) (i) the rate of interest determined by the
Agent (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be the
average of the London interbank offered rates of interest per annum for U.S.
Dollars set forth on Dow Jones Market Service display page 3750 or such other
display page on the Dow Jones Market Service System as may replace such page to
evidence the average of rates quoted by banks designated by the British Bankers'
Association (or appropriate successor or, if the British Bankers' Association or
its successor ceases to provide such quotes, a comparable replacement as
determined by the Agent) at 11:00 a.m. (London time) two (2) Business Days prior
to the first day of such Euro-Rate Interest Period for an amount comparable to
such Borrowing Tranche and having a borrowing date and a maturity comparable to
such Interest Period by (ii) a number equal to 1.00 minus the Euro-Rate Reserve
Percentage. The Euro-Rate may also be expressed by the following formula:


                                     - 7 -
<PAGE>   54
<TABLE>
<S>                               <C>
                                  Dow Jones Market Service page 3750 as quoted by
         Euro-Rate =              British Bankers' Association or appropriate successor
                                       1.00 - Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage
</TABLE>

The Euro-Rate shall be adjusted with respect to any Revolving Credit Euro-Rate
Option outstanding on the effective date of any change in the Euro-Rate Reserve
Percentage as of such effective date. The Agent shall give prompt notice to the
Borrowers and the Banks of the Euro-Rate as determined or adjusted in accordance
herewith, which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                           Euro-Rate Interest Period shall have the meaning
assigned to that term in Section 4.02 hereof.

                           Euro-Rate Reserve Percentage shall mean the maximum
percentage (expressed as a decimal rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) as
determined by the Agent (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error) which is in effect during any relevant period, as prescribed by the Board
of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (or any successor) for determining
the reserve requirements (including, without limitation, supplemental, marginal
and emergency reserve requirements) with respect to eurocurrency funding
(currently referred to as "Eurocurrency Liability") of a member bank in such
System.

                           Event of Default shall mean any Event of Default
described in Section 9.01 of this Agreement.

                           Excluded Entities shall mean collectively (i) any
Minority Subsidiary or Unaffiliated Managed Company in which a Loan Party has
made a Restricted Investment permitted by Section 8.02(i)(v), and (ii) the
Excluded Qualifying Subsidiaries, and Excluded Entity shall mean separately any
of the Excluded Entities. In addition, effective upon the Spin-Off Consummation,
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. shall be deemed to be an Excluded Entity.

                           Excluded Qualifying Subsidiaries shall mean the
Qualifying Subsidiaries listed on Schedule 1.01(E) as of the Closing Date under
the heading "Excluded Qualifying Subsidiaries," as thereafter amended from time
to time with the approval of the Required Banks.

                           Expiration Date shall mean with respect to the
Revolving Credit Commitments, June 30, 2003.

                           Federal Funds Effective Rate for any day shall mean
the rate per annum (based on a year of 360 days and actual days elapsed and
rounded upward to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) announced by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York (or any successor) on such day as being the weighted average of the
rates on overnight Federal funds transactions arranged by Federal funds brokers
on the previous trading day, as computed and announced by such Federal Reserve
Bank (or any successor) in substantially the same manner as such Federal Reserve
Bank computes and announces the weighted average it refers to as the "Federal
Funds Effective Rate"


                                     - 8 -
<PAGE>   55
as of the date of this Agreement; provided, if such Federal Reserve Bank (or its
successor) does not announce such rate on any day, the "Federal Funds Effective
Rate" for such day shall be the Federal Funds Effective Rate for the last day on
which such rate was announced.

                           GAAP shall mean generally accepted accounting
principles as are in effect from time to time, subject to the provisions of
Section 1.03 hereof, and applied on a consistent basis (except for changes in
application in which the Borrowers' independent certified public accountants
concur) both as to classification of items and amounts.

                           Guarantors shall mean each Subsidiary of NovaCare
identified as a "Guarantor" on Schedule 6.01(c) and any person which hereafter
becomes a party to the Loan Documents and assumes the obligations of a Guarantor
thereunder. Each Qualifying Subsidiary of NovaCare which is not a Borrower or an
Excluded Qualifying Subsidiary is required to join the Credit Agreement as a
Guarantor.

                           Guaranty of any person shall mean any obligation of
such person guaranteeing or in effect guaranteeing any liability or obligation
of any other person in any manner, whether directly or indirectly, including,
without limiting the generality of the foregoing, any agreement to indemnify or
hold harmless any other person, any performance bond or other suretyship
arrangement and any other form of assurance against loss, except endorsement of
negotiable or other instruments for deposit or collection in the ordinary course
of business.

                           Guaranty Agreements shall mean collectively, the
Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement in substantially the form attached hereto as
Exhibit 1.01(G)(1) executed and delivered by each of the Borrowers to the Agent
for the benefit of the Banks and the Guaranty and Suretyship Agreement in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.01(G)(2) executed and
delivered by each of the Guarantors to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks
and Guaranty Agreement shall mean separately any Guaranty Agreement.

                           Indebtedness shall mean as to any person at any time,
any and all indebtedness, obligations or liabilities (whether matured or
unmatured, liquidated or unliquidated, direct or indirect, absolute or
contingent, or joint or several) of such person for or in respect of: (i)
borrowed money, (ii) amounts raised under or liabilities in respect of any note
purchase or acceptance credit facility, (iii) reimbursement obligations under
any letter of credit, currency swap agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar
or floor agreement or other interest rate management device, (iv) any other
transaction (including without limitation forward sale or purchase agreements,
capitalized leases and conditional sales agreements) having the commercial
effect of a borrowing of money entered into by such person to finance its
operations or capital requirements (but not including trade payables and accrued
expenses incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not represented
by a promissory note), or (v) any Guaranty of Indebtedness for borrowed money.


                                     - 9 -
<PAGE>   56
                           Indenture shall mean that certain Indenture dated as
of January 15, 1993 between NovaCare and PNC Bank, as Trustee, as the same may
be amended, modified, supplemented, restated or replaced from time to time.

                           Insolvency Proceedings shall mean, with respect to
any Person, (a) a case, action or proceeding with respect to such Person (i)
before any court or any other Official Body under any bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or other, similar Law now or hereafter in effect, or (ii) for the
appointment of a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator, conservator, (or similar official) of any Loan Party or otherwise
relating to the liquidation, dissolution, winding-up or relief of such Person,
or (b) any general assignment for the benefit of creditors, composition,
marshaling of assets for creditors, or other, similar arrangement in respect of
such Person's creditors generally or any substantial portion of its creditors;
undertaken under any Law.

                           Intercompany Indebtedness shall mean, for periods
prior to the Spin-Off Consummation, all Indebtedness of NovaCare or any of its
Subsidiaries, as maker, to NovaCare or any other Subsidiary, as holder, and for
periods on or after the Spin-Off Consummation, all Indebtedness of NovaCare or
any of its Subsidiaries (other than NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.), as maker,
to NovaCare or any other Subsidiary, as holder. It is expressly agreed that for
periods on or after the Spin-Off Consummation, neither NovaCare nor any
Subsidiary of NovaCare shall make any loans or advances to NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc.

                           Interest Payment Date shall mean each date specified
for the payment of interest in Section 5.03.

                           Interest Rate Option shall mean the Revolving Credit
Euro-Rate Option or Revolving Credit Base Rate Option.

                           Internal Revenue Code shall mean the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986, as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time, and
any successor statute of similar import, and the rules and regulations
thereunder, as from time to time in effect.

                           Investment shall mean all of the following with
respect to any Investment Entity (as hereinafter defined): (i) investments or
contributions by any other Loan Parties directly or indirectly to the capital of
or other payments to the Investment Entity; (ii) loans by any other Loan Parties
directly or indirectly to such Investment Entity; (iii) guaranties by any other
Loan Parties directly or indirectly of the obligations of the Investment Entity;
or (iv) other obligations, contingent or otherwise, of any other Loan Parties,
to or for the benefit of such Investment Entity. For purposes of the definition
of Investment, "Investment Entity" shall mean a Loan Party with respect to which
any of the Investments described in clauses (i) through (iv) inclusive of this
definition occurs.

                           Labor Contracts shall have the meaning assigned to
that term in Section 6.01(s).


                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>   57
                           Law shall mean any law (including common law),
constitution, statute, treaty, regulation, rule, ordinance, opinion, release,
ruling, order, injunction, writ, decree or award of any Official Body.

                           Letter of Credit shall have the meaning assigned to
that term in Section 2.09.

                           Letter of Credit Borrowing shall mean an extension of
credit resulting from a drawing under any Letter of Credit which shall not have
been reimbursed on the date when made and shall not have been converted into a
Revolving Credit Loan under Section 2.09(d).

                           Letter of Credit Fee shall have the meaning assigned
to that term in Section 2.09.

                           Letters of Credit Outstanding shall mean at any time
the sum of (i) the aggregate undrawn face amount of outstanding Letters of
Credit and (ii) the aggregate amount of all unpaid and outstanding Reimbursement
Obligations.

                           Lien shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge,
lien, security interest, charge or other encumbrance or security arrangement of
any nature whatsoever, whether voluntarily or involuntarily given, including but
not limited to any conditional sale or title retention arrangement, and any
assignment, deposit arrangement or lease intended as, or having the effect of,
security and any filed financing statement or other notice of any of the
foregoing (whether or not a lien or other encumbrance is created or exists at
the time of the filing).

                           Loan Documents shall mean this Agreement, the Notes,
the Guaranty Agreements, the Pledge Agreements, the Agent's Fee Letter, the
Subordination Agreement (Intercompany), the Borrower Agency Agreement and any
other instruments, certificates or documents delivered or contemplated to be
delivered hereunder or thereunder or in connection herewith or therewith, as the
same may be supplemented or amended from time to time in accordance herewith or
therewith, and Loan Document shall mean any of the Loan Documents.

                           Loan Parties shall mean collectively the Borrowers,
the Guarantors, and each person which hereafter becomes a party to the Loan
Documents as a Borrower or Guarantor, and Loan Party shall mean any of the Loan
Parties. The term Loan Parties shall be deemed also to include all of the
Excluded Entities other than the Unaffiliated Managed Companies and the term
Loan Party shall be deemed to include any Excluded Entity other than any
Unaffiliated Managed Company, in each case, solely for purposes of the
representations and warranties contained in Article VI and the covenant
contained in Section 8.02(q).

                           Loans shall mean Revolving Credit Loans and Loan
shall mean Revolving Credit Loan.


                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>   58
                           Material Adverse Change shall mean any set of
circumstances or events which (a) has or could reasonably be expected to have
any material adverse effect whatsoever upon the validity or enforceability of
this Agreement or any other Loan Document, (b) is or could reasonably be
expected to be material and adverse to the business, properties, assets,
financial condition, results of operations or prospects of the Loan Parties
taken as a whole, (c) impairs materially or could reasonably be expected to
impair materially the ability of any one or more Loan Parties to duly and
punctually pay or perform Indebtedness in principal amount in excess of
$1,000,000 in the aggregate, or (d) impairs materially or could reasonably be
expected to impair materially the ability of the Agent or any of the Banks, to
the extent permitted, to enforce its legal remedies pursuant to this Agreement
or any other Loan Document.

                           Member Interests shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 6.01(c).

                           Minimum Net Worth Requirement shall mean, for any
period of determination, the sum of the amounts under the following clauses (i),
(ii), (iii) and (iv) reduced by the amount under the following clause (v): (i)
$515,786,000 plus (ii) seventy-five percent (75%) of Consolidated Net Income of
NovaCare and its Subsidiaries (other than NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.) for
each fiscal quarter after the date of the Spin-Off Consummation in which net
income was earned (as opposed to a net loss), plus (iii) to the extent not
included in Consolidated Net Income in the preceding clause (ii), one hundred
percent (100%) of federal and state income tax refunds (collectively the "Tax
Refunds") received by NovaCare or a Subsidiary of NovaCare (other than NovaCare
Employee Services, Inc.) during the period of determination relating to the sale
by them of their rehabilitation hospitals during the fiscal year ended June 30,
1995, plus (iv) the proceeds received by NovaCare in connection with the sale of
shares of its capital stock after deducting any expenses associated with any
sale including proceeds from conversion of the Subordinated Debentures, during
the period from July 1, 1997 through (and including) the date of determination,
minus (v) the cash purchase price of common stock of NovaCare repurchased by
NovaCare during the period of determination, up to an aggregate maximum amount
for the repurchase of such common stock of $21,309,699 plus the portion of the
Tax Refunds used to repurchase such common stock.

                           Minority Subsidiary of any person at any time shall
mean (i) any corporation or trust of which more than 5% and not more than 50%
(by number of shares or number of votes) of the outstanding capital stock or
shares of beneficial interest normally entitled to vote for the election of one
or more directors or trustees (regardless of any contingency which does or may
suspend or dilute the voting rights) is at such time owned directly or
indirectly by such person or one or more of such person's Subsidiaries, (ii) any
partnership (other than a limited partnership of which such person is a general
partner) of which more than 5% and not more than 50% of the partnership
interests is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such person or one or
more of such person's Subsidiaries or (iii) any other entity of which such
person owns not more than 50% but more than 5% of the ownership interests
directly or indirectly.

                           Month, with respect to a Euro-Rate Interest Period,
shall mean the interval between the days in consecutive calendar months
numerically corresponding to the first day of


                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>   59
such Interest Period. The last day of a calendar month shall be deemed to be
such numerically corresponding day for such calendar month (i) if there is no
such numerically corresponding day in such calendar month, or (ii) if the first
day of such Interest Period is the last Business Day of a calendar month.

                           Multiemployer Plan shall mean any employee benefit
plan which is a "multiemployer plan" within the meaning of Section 4001(a)(3) of
ERISA and to which NovaCare, its Subsidiaries or any member of the ERISA Group
is then making or accruing an obligation to make contributions or, within the
preceding five Plan years, has made or had an obligation to make such
contributions.

                           Multiple Employer Plan shall mean a Plan which has
two or more contributing sponsors (including any Borrower or any member of the
ERISA Group) at least two of whom are not under common control, as such a plan
is described in Sections 4063 and 4064 of ERISA.

                           NC Resources shall mean NC Resources, Inc., a
corporation organized and existing under the laws of the State of Delaware,
which corporation is a wholly-owned Subsidiary of NovaCare.

                           NCES Credit Facility shall mean that certain Credit
Agreement among NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc., as borrower, PNC Bank, National Association, as agent, and the
lenders party thereto, dated as of November 17, 1997, as the same may be
amended, restated, supplemented or modified from time to time.

                           Notes shall mean Revolving Credit Notes and Note
shall mean any Revolving Credit Note.

                           NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. shall mean
collectively NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., a corporation organized and
existing under the laws of the State of Delaware and all of its Subsidiaries
(whether now existing or hereafter formed or acquired).

                           Official Body shall mean any national, federal,
state, local or other government or political subdivision thereof, or any
agency, authority, bureau, central bank, commission, department or
instrumentality of any government or political subdivision thereof, or any
court, tribunal, grand jury or arbitrator, in each case whether foreign or
domestic.

                           Participation Advance shall mean, with respect to any
Bank, such Bank's payment in respect of its participation in a Letter of Credit
Borrowing according to its Ratable Share pursuant to Section 2.09(g).

                           PBGC shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty
Corporation established pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA or any
successor.


                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>   60
                           Permitted Acquisition shall have the meaning assigned
to that term in Section 8.02(d)(ii).

                           Permitted Additional Institutional Indebtedness shall
mean Indebtedness to a Qualified Lender provided that (A) such Indebtedness is
unsecured; (B) the agreements governing such Indebtedness shall not contain any
provisions which are more restrictive than the provisions of this Agreement and
such Indebtedness shall not be senior in priority of payment to the Indebtedness
hereunder; and (C) the Loan Parties shall deliver to the Agent on behalf of the
Banks drafts of the agreement described in clause (B) at least five (5) Business
Days before they incur such Indebtedness.

                           Permitted Additional Subordinated Indebtedness shall
mean Indebtedness which meets each of the following conditions: (A) the
documentation governing such Indebtedness shall provide that the rights of the
holders thereof shall be subordinate to the rights of the Agent and the Banks
with respect to the Indebtedness under the Loan Documents in accordance with the
subordination provisions contained in Exhibit 1.01(P)(3) with such revisions
thereto as are reasonably satisfactory to the Agent, (B) the agreements
governing such Indebtedness shall not contain any provisions which are more
restrictive than the provisions of this Agreement, and (C) the Loan Parties
shall deliver to the Agent on behalf of the Banks copies of drafts of the
agreements described in clauses (A) and (B) at least five (5) Business Days
before they incur such Indebtedness if the amount of such Indebtedness shall
exceed $5,000,000.

                           Permitted Asset Transfer shall mean any sale,
conveyance, assignment, lease, abandonment or other transfer or disposition of
assets of any Loan Party, permitted by Sections 8.02(e)(i) or (iv) hereof.

                           Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness shall mean
Intercompany Indebtedness, provided that such Indebtedness is subordinated
pursuant to the Subordination Agreement (Intercompany).

                           Permitted Investments shall mean investments by the
Loan Parties in any of the following:

                           (i) direct obligations of the United States of
America ("U.S.A.") or any agency or instrumentality thereof or obligations
backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.A. maturing within two (2) years;

                           (ii) any obligation of any state which is part of the
U.S.A. or any obligation of any county or local governmental body of any such
state provided that each of the following criteria are met: (A) such obligation
matures within five (5) years; (B) the weighted average of the maturities
(measured in numbers of years including fractions thereof) of all such
obligations held by the Loan Parties is equal to or less than three (3) years;
(C) such obligation is rated not lower than Baa-2 by Moody's Investors Service
Inc. or BBB by Standard & Poor's Rating Services (or equivalent rating) and so
long as the uninsured and unguaranteed general obligation debt of such state,
county or local governmental body is rated, at the time of purchase


                                     - 14 -
<PAGE>   61
and thereafter, not lower than Baa-2 by Moody's Investors Service Inc. or BBB by
Standard & Poor's Rating Services (or equivalent rating); (D) the Weighted
Average Rating of all such obligations held by the Loan Parties is Aa-2 by
Moody's Investors Service Inc. or AA by Standard & Poor's Rating Services (or
equivalent rating); and (E) so long as the uninsured and unguaranteed general
obligation debt of each state, county or local governmental body relating to
each such obligation of the Loan Parties is rated, the Weighted Average Rating
of all such debt at the time of purchase and thereafter shall not be lower than
Aa-2 by Moody's Investors Service Inc. or AA by Standard & Poor's Rating
Services (or equivalent rating);

                           (iii) commercial paper maturing in two hundred and
seventy (270) days or less rated not lower than A-1 by Standard & Poor's Rating
Services or P-1 by Moody's Investors Service Inc. on the date of acquisition;

                           (iv) demand deposits, time deposits or certificates
of deposit maturing within six (6) months in (A) any U.S. financial institution
which is a member of the Federal Reserve System, or (B) any non-U.S. financial
institution ranked among the fifty (50) largest in the world by assets (as
listed by the American Banker Journal) or a non-U.S. financial institution with
a net worth of at least $750 million, which institution described in this clause
(B) has a credit quality rated at least A-1 or A by Standard & Poor's Rating
Services (or equivalent rating);

                           (v) investments in money-market funds rated AAm or
AAm-G or higher by Standard & Poor's Rating Services(or equivalent rating) whose
net asset value remains a constant $1.00 per share;

                           (vi) in any fiscal year, investments in the aggregate
in such fiscal year of up to $5 million in tax advantaged real estate
partnerships; and

                           (viii) other investments existing on the Closing Date
listed on Schedule 1.01(P)(1) (except for repurchase agreements which are
addressed in clause (v) above).

                           Permitted Investment in Excluded Entities shall mean
Restricted Investments in Excluded Entities which do not exceed in the aggregate
$50,000,000 for all Excluded Entities or the following amount as to any
individual Excluded Entity: (i) $5,000,000, in the case of a Restricted
Investment in an Excluded Entity which is a Minority Subsidiary; (ii)
$10,000,000, in the case of a Restricted Investment in an Excluded Entity which
is a Subsidiary; and (iii) $1,000,000, in the case of a Restricted Investment in
either an Unaffiliated Managed Company or an entity which is neither a
Subsidiary nor a Minority Subsidiary, and (iv) for periods on and after the
Spin-Off Consummation, $0, in the case of any Restricted Investment in NovaCare
Employee Services, Inc. In addition, the aggregate Restricted Investments in
Excluded Entities of the type described in clause (iii) of the preceding
sentence shall not exceed $5,000,000. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement
to the contrary, for periods on and after the Spin-Off Consummation, no
Restricted Investments shall be made by NovaCare or any Subsidiary of NovaCare
in NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.


                                     - 15 -
<PAGE>   62
                           Permitted Liens shall mean:

                           (i) Liens for taxes, assessments, or similar charges,
incurred in the ordinary course of business and which are not yet due and
payable;

                           (ii) Pledges or deposits made in the ordinary course
of business to secure payment of workers' compensation, or to participate in any
fund in connection with workers' compensation, unemployment insurance, old-age
pensions or other social security programs or pledges, deposits or contributions
under trust agreements to secure obligations with respect to employee benefit
plans;

                           (iii) Liens of mechanics, materialmen, warehousemen,
carriers, or other like Liens, securing obligations incurred in the ordinary
course of business that are not yet due and payable and Liens of landlords
securing obligations to pay lease payments that are not yet due and payable or
in default;

                           (iv) Good faith pledges or deposits made in the
ordinary course of business to secure performance of bids, tenders, progress or
advance payments, contracts (other than for the repayment of borrowed money) or
leases, not in excess of the aggregate amount due thereunder, or to secure
statutory obligations, or surety, appeal, indemnity, performance or other
similar bonds required in the ordinary course of business (except that appeal
bonds shall be permitted even if they are required outside of the ordinary
course of business);

                           (v) Encumbrances consisting of zoning restrictions,
easements, reservations or other restrictions on the use of real property, none
of which materially impairs the use of such property as currently used or the
present value thereof, and none of which is violated in any material respect by
existing or proposed structures or land use;

                           (vi) Liens in favor of the Agent for the benefit of
the Banks;

                           (vii) Liens securing obligations under leases
permitted in Section 8.02(a)(iii) provided that such Liens are limited to the
property under lease;

                           (viii) Any Lien existing on the date of this
Agreement, which if securing Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000 individually
or $3,000,000 in the aggregate, is described on Schedule 1.01(P)(2) hereto,
provided that the principal amount secured thereby is not hereafter increased
and no additional assets become subject to such Lien (other than with respect to
after-acquired property clauses in effect on the date hereof);

                           (ix) Liens described in Sections 8.02(a)(v)(A)(2) and
8.02(a)(vi) on assets (A) acquired in Permitted Acquisitions securing
Indebtedness assumed in connection therewith or (B) of a person the ownership
interests of which are acquired by a Loan Party in a Permitted Acquisition
securing Indebtedness of such person existing prior to the date of such
acquisition;


                                     - 16 -
<PAGE>   63
                           (x) Purchase Money Security Interests securing
Indebtedness permitted under Section 8.02(a)(v)(A)(1); and

                           (xi) The following, (A) if the validity or amount
thereof is being contested in good faith by appropriate and lawful proceedings
diligently conducted so long as levy and execution thereon have been stayed and
continue to be stayed or (B) if a final judgment is entered and such judgment is
discharged within thirty (30) days of entry, and in either case they do not
affect the Pledged Collateral (or, in the event that they do affect the Pledged
Collateral, the Loan Parties have provided adequate security satisfactory to the
Banks', in the Banks' sole discretion) or, in the aggregate, materially impair
the ability of the Loan Parties to perform their obligations hereunder or under
the other Loan Documents:

                                    (1) Claims or Liens for taxes, assessments
                  or charges due and payable and subject to interest or penalty,
                  provided that the applicable Loan Party maintains such
                  reserves or other appropriate provisions as shall be required
                  by GAAP and pays all such taxes, assessments or charges
                  forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to foreclose
                  any such Lien;

                                    (2) Claims, Liens or encumbrances upon, and
                  defects of title to, real or personal property other than the
                  Pledged Collateral (or, in the event that they do affect the
                  Pledged Collateral, the Loan Parties have provided adequate
                  security satisfactory to the Banks, in the Banks' sole
                  discretion), including any attachment of personal or real
                  property or other legal process prior to adjudication of a
                  dispute on the merits; or

                                    (3) Claims or Liens of mechanics,
                  materialmen, warehousemen, carriers, or other statutory
                  nonconsensual Liens;

                           (xii) For periods on or after the Spin-Off
Consummation: (1) a pledge by NovaCare (or NC Resources as the transferee of
NovaCare) of the issued and outstanding capital stock of NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, owned by NovaCare (or NC Resources as
the transferee of NovaCare, as the case may be), such pledge to be in favor of
the lenders under the NCES Credit Facility for so long as loans are outstanding
or commitments are in effect under such facility, and (2) a pledge by NovaCare
Employee Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation and its Subsidiaries of the
issued and outstanding capital stock of the Subsidiaries of NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, such pledge to be in favor of the
lenders under the NCES Credit Facility for so long as loans are outstanding or
commitments are in effect under such facility.

                           Permitted Line of Business shall mean, for any period
through but not including the date of the Spin-Off Consummation, the business
engaged in by NovaCare and its Subsidiaries as described in the Annual Report,
SEC Form 10-K of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries, dated June 30, 1997 (the
"Existing Business"), and for periods on and after the date of the Spin-Off
Consummation, the Existing Business but expressly excluding and prohibiting the
ownership or operation of Professional Employment Organizations, other than the
continued


                                     - 17 -
<PAGE>   64
ownership by NovaCare (or NC Resources as the transferee of NovaCare) of common
stock of NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, in accordance
with Section 8.02(i).

                           Permitted NovaCare Guaranty shall have the meaning
set forth in Section 8.02(a)(vi)(D).

                           Permitted Refinancing of Subordinated Debentures
shall mean a refinancing of the Subordinated Debentures, with the cash proceeds
from the issuance by NovaCare of common stock or with the proceeds of new
Indebtedness of NovaCare as long as, in the case of new Indebtedness, such new
Indebtedness satisfies all of the conditions of the following clauses (i), (ii)
and (iii): (i) such new Indebtedness is subordinated to the Indebtedness of the
Loan Parties to the Banks, (ii) the terms and conditions with respect to such
new Indebtedness are satisfactory in form and substance to the Required Banks,
and (iii) such new Indebtedness is incurred in accordance with the proviso
clauses (x), (y) and (z) of Section 8.02 (a)(iv).

                           Person shall mean any individual, corporation,
partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated
organization, joint venture, government or political subdivision or agency
thereof, or any other entity.

                           Plan shall mean at any time an employee pension
benefit plan (including a Multiple Employer Plan but not a Multiemployer Plan)
which is covered by Title IV of ERISA or is subject to the minimum funding
standards under Section 412 of the Internal Revenue Code and either (i) is
maintained by any member of the ERISA Group for employees of any member of the
ERISA Group or (ii) has at any time within the preceding five years been
maintained by any entity which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group for
employees of any entity which was at such time a member of the ERISA Group.

                           Pledge Agreements shall mean the Pledge Agreement in
substantially the form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.01(P)(4) executed and
delivered by NovaCare and each other Borrower which owns stock in any other Loan
Party, Exhibit 1.01(P)(5) executed and delivered by each Guarantor which owns
stock in any other Loan Party, Exhibit 1.01(p)(6) executed and delivered by each
Borrower or Guarantor which owns any partnership interests in any other Loan
Party, and any other form of agreement, in form and substance acceptable to the
Agent, pledging any interests in a Loan Party (including, without limitation,
ownership interests in any Loan Party which is a limited liability company) or
the equity interests in an Excluded Entity owned by any Loan Party executed and
delivered by the holders of such interests, in each instance to the Agent for
the benefit of the Banks, and Pledge Agreement shall mean separately any Pledge
Agreement.

                           Pledged Collateral shall have the meaning assigned to
that term in the Pledge Agreements.

                           PNC Bank shall mean PNC Bank, National Association.


                                     - 18 -
<PAGE>   65
                           Pooling Consideration shall mean with respect to any
Permitted Acquisition which would be accounted for as a "pooling of interests"
under GAAP, the sum of:

                           (i) the fair market value (determined as of the date
of the signing of the definitive acquisition agreement, provided that such
Permitted Acquisition shall close within one hundred and twenty (120) days
following such signing) of any stock issued by NovaCare in connection with such
merger; and

                           (ii) cash paid in lieu of fractional shares or with
respect to dissenters' rights to the extent that the amount thereof can be
ascertained on or before the date which is fifteen (15) Business Days prior to
the date on which the closing of such Permitted Acquisition is scheduled to
occur.

                           Pooling Partner shall mean a person, which is not a
Subsidiary or Minority Subsidiary of NovaCare, engaged in a merger or other
transaction with a Loan Party which is accounted for under GAAP as a "pooling of
interests" and as a result of which a Loan Party acquires all of the assets of
such person or at least ninety percent of each class of voting capital stock of
such person.

                           Potential Default shall mean any event or condition
which with notice, passage of time or a determination by the Agent or the
Required Banks, or any combination of the foregoing, would constitute an Event
of Default.

                           Principal Office shall mean the main banking office
of the Agent, Fifth Avenue and Wood Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15265.

                           Prior Security Interest shall mean a valid and
enforceable perfected first priority security interest under the Uniform
Commercial Code in the Pledged Collateral.

                           Professional Employment Organization shall mean a
Person who through contractual arrangements provides the service of payroll and
human resource functions to non-affiliated businesses.

                           Prohibited Transaction shall mean any prohibited
transaction as defined in Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code or Section
406 of ERISA for which neither an individual nor a class exemption has been
issued by the United States Department of Labor.

                           Property shall mean all real property, both owned and
leased, of the Loan Parties.

                           Purchase Money Security Interest shall mean Liens
upon tangible personal property securing loans to any Loan Party or deferred
payments by a Loan Party for the purchase of such tangible personal property.


                                     - 19 -
<PAGE>   66
                           Purchasing Bank shall mean a Bank which becomes a
party to this Agreement by executing an Assignment and Assumption Agreement.

                           Qualified Lender shall mean any person or persons,
other than a commercial bank or any other organization which provides revolving
credit loans to third parties in the ordinary course of its business.

                           Qualifying Subsidiary at any time shall mean (i) any
corporation or trust of which more than 80% (by number of shares or number of
votes) of the outstanding capital stock or shares of beneficial interest
normally entitled to vote for the election of one or more directors or trustees
(regardless of any contingency which does or may suspend or dilute the voting
rights) is at such time owned directly or indirectly by NovaCare or one or more
of NovaCare's Subsidiaries, (ii) any limited partnership of which NovaCare is a
general partner or of which more than 80% of the partnership interests is at the
time directly or indirectly owned by NovaCare or one or more of NovaCare's
Subsidiaries, (iii) any general partnership of which NovaCare or one or more of
NovaCare's Subsidiaries owns directly or indirectly more than 80% of the general
partnership interests, or (iv) any other entity of which NovaCare or one or more
of its Subsidiaries owns directly or indirectly more than 80% of the ownership
interests.

                           Ratable Share shall mean the proportion that a Bank's
Revolving Credit Commitment bears to the Revolving Credit Commitments of all of
the Banks.

                           Regulated Substances shall mean any substance,
including without limitation any solid, liquid, gaseous, thermal or thoriated
material, refuse, garbage, wastes, chemicals, petroleum products or by-products,
dust, scrap, PCB's, heavy metals, any substances defined as "hazardous
substances," "pollutants," "pollution," "contaminant," "hazardous or toxic
substances," "toxic wastes," "regulated substances," "industrial waste,"
"residual waste," "solid wastes," "municipal wastes," "infectious waste,"
"chemotherapeutic waste," "medical waste" or any related materials or substances
as now or hereafter defined pursuant to any Environmental Laws, ordinances,
rules or directives of any Official Body, the generation, manufacture,
processing, distribution, treatment, storage, disposal, transport, recycling,
reclamation, use, reuse or other management or mismanagement of which is
regulated by the Environmental Laws.

                           Regulation U shall mean Regulation U, T, G or X as
promulgated by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, as amended
from time to time.

                           Remaining Banks shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.04(b).

                           Reportable Event means a reportable event described
in Section 4043 of ERISA and regulations thereunder with respect to a Plan or
Multiemployer Plan.

                           Required Banks shall mean (i) if there are no
Revolving Credit Loans outstanding, Banks whose Revolving Credit Commitments
aggregate at least 51% of the Revolving Credit Commitments of all of the Banks,
or (ii) if there are Revolving Credit Loans


                                     - 20 -
<PAGE>   67
outstanding, Banks whose Revolving Credit Loans outstanding aggregate at least
51% of the total principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding
hereunder.

                           Restricted Excluded Entities shall mean collectively
the Excluded Entities which have incurred Restricted Indebtedness, and
Restricted Excluded Entity shall mean separately any of the Restricted Excluded
Entities.

                           Restricted Indebtedness shall mean with respect to
any Excluded Entity, Indebtedness incurred by such Excluded Entity.

                           Restricted Investments shall mean all of the
following with respect to any one or more of the Excluded Entities: (i)
investments or contributions by any of the Loan Parties directly or indirectly
in or to the capital of or other payments to (except in connection with
transactions for fair value in the ordinary course of business) such Excluded
Entities, (ii) loans by any of the Loan Parties directly or indirectly to such
Excluded Entities, (iii) guaranties by any of the Loan Parties directly or
indirectly of the obligations of such Excluded Entities, or (iv) other
obligations, contingent or otherwise, of any of the Loan Parties to or for the
benefit of such Excluded Entities. If the nature of a Restricted Investment is
tangible property then the amount of such Restricted Investment shall be
determined by valuing such property at fair value in accordance with the past
practice of the Loan Parties and such fair values shall be satisfactory to the
Agent, in its sole discretion.

                           Revolving Credit Base Rate Option shall have the
meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.01(a)(i).

                           Revolving Credit Base Rate Portion shall mean the
portion of the Revolving Credit Loans bearing interest at any time under the
Revolving Credit Base Rate Option.

                           Revolving Credit Commitment shall mean as to any Bank
at any time, the amount initially set forth opposite its name on Schedule
1.01(B) hereto in the column labeled "Amount of Commitment for Revolving Credit
Loans," and thereafter on Schedule 1 to the most recent Assignment and
Assumption Agreement, and Revolving Credit Commitments shall mean the aggregate
Revolving Credit Commitments of all of the Banks.

                           Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option shall have the
meaning assigned to that term in Section 4.01(a)(ii).

                           Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Portion shall mean the
portion of the Revolving Credit Loans bearing interest at any time under the
Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option.

                           Revolving Credit Loan Request shall mean a request
for Revolving Credit Loans made in accordance with Section 2.05 hereof.


                                     - 21 -
<PAGE>   68
                           Revolving Credit Loans shall mean collectively and
Revolving Credit Loan shall mean separately all Revolving Credit Loans or any
Revolving Credit Loan made by the Banks or one of the Banks to the Borrowers
pursuant to Section 2.01 hereof.

                           Revolving Credit Notes shall mean the Revolving
Credit Notes of the Borrowers in the form of Exhibit 1.01(R) hereto evidencing
the Revolving Credit Loans together with all amendments, extensions, renewals,
replacements, refinancings or refundings thereof in whole or in part.

                           Revolving Facility Usage shall mean at any time the
sum of the Revolving Credit Loans outstanding and the Letters of Credit
Outstanding.

                           Sale Price shall mean, with respect to any sale by
any of the Loan Parties of its assets, the sum of (i) cash paid by the buyer at
closing, (ii) the face amount of any deferred payments to be paid by the buyer
after closing, (iii) the amount of any debt assumed or guaranteed by the buyer,
plus (iv) the fair market value of any other consideration given by the buyer in
connection therewith.

                           Selected Banks shall have the meaning given to such
term in Section 5.04(b).

                           Solvent shall mean, with respect to any person on a
particular date, that on such date (i) the fair value of the property of such
person is greater than the total amount of liabilities, including, without
limitation, contingent liabilities, of such person, (ii) the present fair
saleable value of the assets of such person is not less than the amount that
will be required to pay the probable liability of such person on its debts as
they become absolute and matured, (iii) such person is able to realize upon its
assets and pay its debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other
commitments as they mature in the normal course of business, (iv) such person
does not intend to, and does not believe that it will, incur debts or
liabilities beyond such person's ability to pay as such debts and liabilities
mature, and (v) such person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is
not about to engage in business or a transaction, for which such person's
property would constitute unreasonably small capital after giving due
consideration to the prevailing practice in the industry in which such person is
engaged. In computing the amount of contingent liabilities at any time, it is
intended that such liabilities will be computed at the amount which, in light of
all the facts and circumstances existing at such time, represents the amount
that can reasonably be expected to become an actual or matured liability.

                           Spin-Off shall mean that certain transaction pursuant
to which the following shall have occurred: (i) NovaCare shall have either
completed a spin-off of a percentage of its ownership interests in, or caused
the issuance, through an initial public offering of stock, of additional shares
of capital stock of NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation,
and as a result of such transaction, NovaCare (or NC Resources as the transferee
of NovaCare), after giving effect thereto, shall own at least 65% of all of the
issued and outstanding equity interests of NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., a
Delaware corporation, and (ii) NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, shall repay all outstanding Indebtedness as of


                                     - 22 -
<PAGE>   69
the Spin-Off Consummation, together with accrued interest thereon, of NovaCare
Employee Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, to NovaCare.

                           Spin-Off Consummation shall mean November 11, 1997,
which is the date of the consummation of the Spin-Off.

                           Subordinated Debentures shall mean the $175 million
in original principal amount of 5-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Debentures Due
2000 issued by NovaCare pursuant to the Indenture.

                           Subordinated Indebtedness shall mean the Indebtedness
of NovaCare or the other Loan Parties under the Subordinated Indebtedness
Documents.

                           Subordinated Indebtedness Documents shall mean the
Indenture and other documents evidencing Indebtedness which is subordinated to
the Indebtedness of the Loan Parties to the Banks pursuant to Section 8.01(l),
and all other instruments, certificates or documents delivered or contemplated
to be delivered in connection therewith, as any of the foregoing may be
supplemented or amended from time to time in accordance herewith.

                           Subordination Agreement (Intercompany) shall mean the
Subordination Agreement in the form of Exhibit 1.01(S) hereto pursuant to which
the Loan Parties subordinate their rights to collect loans made to other Loan
Parties to the rights of the Banks to collect Indebtedness of the Loan Parties
to the Banks under the Loan Documents.

                           Subsidiary of any person at any time shall mean (i)
any corporation or trust of which more than 50% (by number of shares or number
of votes) of the outstanding capital stock or shares of beneficial interest
normally entitled to vote for the election of one or more directors or trustees
(regardless of any contingency which does or may suspend or dilute the voting
rights) is at such time owned directly or indirectly by such person or one or
more of such person's Subsidiaries, or any limited partnership of which such
person is a general partner or any partnership of which more than 50% of the
partnership interests is at the time directly or indirectly owned by such person
or one or more of such person's Subsidiaries or (ii) any other entity of which
such person owns more than 50% of the ownership interests, directly or
indirectly, and (iii) any corporation, trust, partnership or other entity which
is controlled or capable of being controlled by such person or one or more of
such person's Subsidiaries.

                           Subsidiary Shares shall have the meaning assigned to
that term in Section 6.01(c).

                           Termination Date shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 5.04(b).

                           Thirteenth Amendment Effective Date shall mean
November 17, 1997.

                           Transferor Bank shall mean the selling Bank pursuant
to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement.


                                     - 23 -
<PAGE>   70
                           Unaffiliated Managed Company shall mean a person
which is not an Affiliate, Subsidiary or Minority Subsidiary of NovaCare and
with which any of the Loan Parties have entered into a contract providing for
the management by one or more of the Loan Parties of one or more businesses
owned by such person; provided that such businesses would be permitted under
Section 8.02(g) if they were owned by the Loan Parties.

                           Uniform Commercial Code shall have the meaning
assigned to that term in Section 6.01(o).

                           Weighted Average Rating shall mean with respect to
obligations of states, counties or local governmental bodies held by the Loan
Parties, or with respect to the general obligation debt of each state, county or
local government body which issued such obligations, a weighted average
determined by (1) first, converting the rating of each such obligation or such
debt, as the case may be, to a whole number based on the table set forth below,
(2) second, computing a weighted average of such whole numbers, with weighting
based on the amount of such obligations, and rounding such average to the next
lowest whole number, and (3) third, converting the whole number determined in
the second step above back to a rating based on the table.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             Number Assigned to
                                         Rating                                  Such Rating
                                         ------                                  -----------

                 Equal to or greater than            But less than
                 ------------------------            -------------
<S>                                                 <C>                      <C>
                        Aaa-1 or AAA                                                  4
                        Aa-2 or AA                  Aaa-1 or AAA                      3
                        A-2 or A                    Aa-2 or AA                        2
                        Baa-2 or BBB                A-2 or A                          1
</TABLE>

Exhibit 1.01(W) sets forth an example of such computation.

                  1.02 Construction. Unless the context of this Agreement
otherwise clearly requires, references to the plural include the singular, the
singular the plural and the part the whole, "or" has the inclusive meaning
represented by the phrase "and/or," and "including" has the meaning represented
by the phrase "including without limitation." References in this Agreement to
"determination" of or by the Agent or the Banks shall be deemed to include good
faith estimates by the Agent or the Banks (in the case of quantitative
determinations) and good faith beliefs by the Agent or the Banks (in the case of
qualitative determinations). Whenever the Agent or the Banks are granted the
right herein to act in its or their sole discretion or to grant or withhold
consent such right shall be exercised in good faith. The words "hereof,"
"herein," "hereunder" and similar terms in this Agreement refer to this
Agreement as a whole and not to any particular provision of this Agreement. The
section and other headings contained in this Agreement and the Table of Contents
preceding this Agreement are for reference purposes only


                                     - 24 -
<PAGE>   71
and shall not control or affect the construction of this Agreement or the
interpretation thereof in any respect. Section, subsection, schedule and exhibit
references are to this Agreement unless otherwise specified.

                  1.03 Accounting Principles. Except as otherwise provided in
this Agreement, all computations and determinations as to accounting or
financial matters and all financial statements to be delivered pursuant to this
Agreement shall be made and prepared in accordance with GAAP (including
principles of consolidation where appropriate), and all accounting or financial
terms shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms by GAAP. The Loan Parties
and the Banks will in good faith attempt to agree upon appropriate changes to
the financial covenants hereunder if GAAP changes after the Closing Date and
such change materially changes the application of such covenants to the business
of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries.

                                   ARTICLE II
                            REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

                  2.01 Revolving Credit Borrowing. Subject to the terms and
conditions hereof and relying upon the representations and warranties herein set
forth, each Bank severally agrees to make revolving credit loans (the "Revolving
Credit Loans") to any of the Borrowers at any time or from time to time on or
after the date hereof to, but not including, the Expiration Date, in an
aggregate principal amount not to exceed at any one time such Bank's Revolving
Credit Commitment minus such Bank's Ratable Share of the Letters of Credit
Outstanding. Within such limits of time and amount and subject to the other
provisions of this Agreement, the Borrowers may borrow, repay and reborrow
pursuant to this Section 2.01. In no event shall the aggregate of outstanding
Revolving Credit Loans and Letters of Credit Outstanding as of any date exceed
the Revolving Credit Commitments as of such date, and the entire outstanding
principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be due and payable on the
Expiration Date.

                  2.02 Nature of Banks' Obligations with Respect to Revolving
Credit Loans. Each Bank shall be obligated to participate in each request for
Revolving Credit Loans pursuant to Section 2.05 hereof in accordance with its
Ratable Share. The aggregate of each Bank's Revolving Credit Loans outstanding
hereunder to the Borrowers at any time shall never exceed its Revolving Credit
Commitment minus its Ratable Share of the aggregate undrawn face amount of
Letters of Credit Outstanding. The obligations of each Bank hereunder are
several. The failure of any Bank to perform its obligations hereunder shall not
affect the obligations of the Borrowers to any other party nor shall any other
party be liable for the failure of such Bank to perform its obligations
hereunder. The Banks shall have no obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans
hereunder on or after the Expiration Date.

                  2.03 Commitment Fees; Closing Fees. The Borrowers, jointly and
severally, agree to pay to the Agent for the account of each Bank, as
consideration for such Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment hereunder, a
commitment fee (the "Commitment Fee") equal to the per annum rate (computed on
the basis of a year of 365 days or 366 days, as the case may be, and actual days
elapsed) set forth below as the "Applicable Commitment Fee", on the average


                                     - 25 -
<PAGE>   72
daily difference between the unborrowed amount of such Bank's Revolving Credit
Commitment as the same may be constituted from time to time and such Bank's
Ratable Share of Letters of Credit Outstanding. The Applicable Commitment Fee
shall be calculated and determined based upon the ratio of (a) Consolidated
Funded Debt to (b) Consolidated Cash Flow from Operations. Such ratio shall be
computed as of the end of each quarter. Consolidated Cash Flow from Operations
shall be computed at the end of each quarter for the four fiscal quarters then
ended. Adjustments to the Commitment Fee attributable to a change in such ratio
shall be effective (a) on the Delivery Date for the Borrower's consolidated
financial statements for such quarter if the Applicable Commitment Fee is to be
increased and (b) on the later of the Delivery Date for such financial
statements or the date on which such financial statements are actually delivered
to the Agent and the Banks if the Applicable Commitment Fee is to be decreased.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Ratio of Consolidated                              Applicable
                          Funded Debt to Consolidated                           Commitment
                           Cash Flow from Operations                          Fee Per Annum
                           -------------------------                          -------------
<S>                                                                           <C>
            Greater than 4.0 to 1.0                                               .325%
            Greater than 3.50 to 1.0                                               .30%
            but less than or equal to 4.0 to 1.0

            Greater than 3.00 to 1.0                                              .275%
            but less than or equal to 3.50 to 1.0

            Greater than 2.50 to 1.0                                               .25%
            but less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0

            Greater than 2.00 to 1.0                                              .225%
            but less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.0

            Less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.0                                      .20%
</TABLE>

                           The Commitment Fees shall be payable in arrears on
the first Business Day of each July, October, January and April after the date
hereof and on the Expiration Date or upon acceleration of the Revolving Credit
Notes.

                  2.04 Voluntary Reduction of Commitment. The Borrowers shall
have the right at any time and from time to time upon five (5) Business Days'
prior written notice to the Agent to permanently reduce, in minimum amount of
$5,000,000 and whole multiples of $1,000,000 of principal, or terminate the
Revolving Credit Commitments without penalty or premium, except as hereinafter
set forth, provided that any such reduction or termination shall be accompanied
by (a) the payment in full of any Commitment Fee then accrued on the amount of
such reduction or termination and (b) prepayment of the Revolving Credit Notes,
together with the full amount of interest accrued on the principal sum to be
prepaid (and all amounts referred to in Section 5.06 hereof), to the extent that
the aggregate amount thereof then outstanding exceeds the Revolving


                                     - 26 -
<PAGE>   73
Credit Commitments as so reduced or terminated. Except as provided in Section
5.04(b) each Bank's Revolving Credit Commitment shall be reduced by its Ratable
Share of the reduction in the Revolving Credit Commitments. From the effective
date of any such reduction or termination, the obligations of the Borrowers to
pay the Commitment Fee pursuant to Section 2.03 shall correspondingly be reduced
or cease.

                  2.05 Revolving Credit Loan Requests. Except as otherwise
provided herein, the Borrowers, through NovaCare as their agent pursuant to the
Borrower Agency Agreement, may from time to time prior to the Expiration Date
request the Banks to make Revolving Credit Loans, or renew or convert the
Interest Rate Option applicable to existing Revolving Credit Loans, by the
delivery to the Agent, not later than 10:00 a.m. Pittsburgh time (i) three (3)
Business Days prior to the proposed Borrowing Date with respect to the making of
Revolving Credit Loans to which the Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option applies or
the conversion to or the renewal of the Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option for
any Revolving Credit Loans; and (ii) one (1) Business Day prior to either the
proposed Borrowing Date with respect to the making of a Revolving Credit Loan to
which the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option applies or the last day of the
preceding Euro-Rate Interest Period with respect to the conversion to the
Revolving Credit Base Rate Option for any Revolving Credit Loan, of a duly
completed request therefor substantially in the form of Exhibit 2.05 or a
request by telephone immediately confirmed in writing by letter, facsimile or
telex in such form (each, a "Revolving Credit Loan Request"), it being
understood that the Agent may rely in good faith on the authority of any person
making such a telephonic request and purporting to be an Authorized Officer.
Each Revolving Credit Loan Request shall be irrevocable and shall (i) specify
the proposed Borrowing Date; (ii) specify the aggregate amount of the proposed
Revolving Credit Loans comprising the Borrowing Tranche, which shall be in
integral multiples of $500,000 and not less than $1,500,000 for Revolving Credit
Loans to which the Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option applies and not less than
the lesser of $500,000 or the maximum amount available for Revolving Credit
Loans to which the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option applies; (iii) specify
whether the Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option or Revolving Credit Base Rate
Option shall apply to the proposed Revolving Credit Loans comprising the
Borrowing Tranche; (iv) in the case of Revolving Credit Loans to which the
Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option applies, specify an appropriate Euro-Rate
Interest Period for the proposed Revolving Credit Loans comprising the Borrowing
Tranche; (v) specify the Borrower to which each Borrowing Tranche is to apply
and the amount of such Borrowing Tranche allocable to such Borrower; (vi)
certify that the use by the Borrower of the Revolving Credit Loan proceeds is a
use permitted by Section 2.08; and (vii) certify that no Event of Default or
Potential Default has occurred and is continuing after giving effect to the
proposed Revolving Credit Loan.

                  2.06 Making Revolving Credit Loans. The Agent shall, promptly
after receipt by it of a Revolving Credit Loan Request pursuant to Section 2.05,
notify the Banks of its receipt of such Revolving Credit Loan Request
specifying: (i) the proposed Borrowing Date and the time and method of
disbursement of such Revolving Credit Loan; (ii) the amount and type of such
Revolving Credit Loan and the applicable Euro-Rate Interest Period (if any);
(iii) the apportionment among the Banks of the Revolving Credit Loans as
determined by the Agent in


                                     - 27 -
<PAGE>   74
accordance with Section 2.02 hereof; and (iv) the Borrower to which each
Borrowing Tranche is to apply and the amount of such Borrowing Tranche allocable
to such Borrower. Each Bank shall remit the principal amount of each Revolving
Credit Loan to the Agent such that the Agent is able to, and the Agent shall, to
the extent the Banks have made funds available to it for such purpose, fund such
Revolving Credit Loan to the Borrower or Borrowers in U.S. Dollars and
immediately available funds at the Principal Office prior to 2:00 P.M.
Pittsburgh time on the Borrowing Date, provided that if any Bank fails to remit
such funds to the Agent in a timely manner the Agent may elect in its sole
discretion to fund with its own funds the Revolving Credit Loan of such Bank on
the Borrowing Date.

                  2.07 Revolving Credit Notes. The obligation of each Borrower
to repay the aggregate unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Loans
made to it by each Bank, together with interest and fees thereon, shall be
evidenced by a Revolving Credit Note dated the Closing Date in substantially the
form attached hereto as Exhibit 1.01(R) payable to the order of such Bank. Each
such note shall be in a face amount equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment of
such Bank. Notwithstanding that NovaCare may request Revolving Credit Loans on
behalf of a Borrower or Borrowers in accordance with Section 2.05, the Borrowers
shall internally account on an individual Borrower basis for the use of the
proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans by each Borrower, and further the
Borrowers warrant that they have customary and sufficient accounting procedures
in order to accomplish such accounting.

                  2.08 Use of Proceeds. The proceeds of the Revolving Credit
Loans shall be used by the Borrowers only for: (i) Permitted Acquisitions and
the refinancing of Indebtedness assumed in connection therewith, (ii) the
development of health care related businesses and facilities and for periods
prior to the Spin-Off Consummation, Professional Employment Organizations, each
as permitted under this Agreement and (iii) general corporate purposes,
provided, however, that no portion of the Revolving Credit Loans shall be used
directly or indirectly for the purpose of repaying or redeeming the Subordinated
Debentures.

                  2.09     Letter of Credit Subfacility.

                           (a) NovaCare as agent for any Borrower may request
the issuance of, on the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth, standby
letters of credit (each a "Letter of Credit" and collectively, "Letters of
Credit") by delivering to the Agent a completed application and agreement for
letters of credit in such form as the Agent may specify from time to time by no
later than 10:00 a.m., Pittsburgh time, at least three (3) Business Days, or
such shorter period as may be agreed to by the Agent, in advance of the proposed
date of issuance. Subject to the terms and conditions hereof and in reliance on
the agreements of the other Banks set forth in this Section 2.09, the Agent will
issue a Letter of Credit provided that each Letter of Credit shall (A) have a
maximum maturity of twelve (12) months from the date of issuance, and (B) in no
event expire later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the Expiration Date and
providing that in no event shall (i) the Letters of Credit Outstanding exceed,
at any one time, $15,000,000 or (ii) the Revolving Facility Usage exceed, at any
one time, the Revolving Credit Commitments. Schedule 2.09 hereto lists letters
of credit which PNC Bank issued for the accounts of certain of


                                     - 28 -
<PAGE>   75
the Loan Parties prior to the date hereof and which shall remain outstanding
after the Closing Date (the "Existing Letters of Credit"). Each Existing Letter
of Credit shall be a Letter of Credit hereunder on and after the Closing Date
and the provisions of this Section 2.09 shall apply to such Existing Letter of
Credit. (Schedule 2.09 also lists all amounts of Loans, interest and expenses
outstanding under the Prior Credit Agreement.)

                           (b) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the
ratable account of the Banks a fee (the "Letter of Credit Fee") equal to the
Applicable Percentage Over Euro-Rate which is then in effect which fee shall be
computed on the face amount of each Letter of Credit and shall be payable
quarterly in arrears commencing with the first Business Day of each April, July,
October and January following issuance of each Letter of Credit and on the
expiration date for each Letter of Credit. The Borrower shall pay to the Agent
for its own account a fronting fee equal to 1/16% per annum, which fee shall be
computed on the face amount of each Letter of Credit and shall be payable
quarterly in arrears commencing with the first business day of each October,
January, April and July following issuance of each letter of credit and on the
expiration date for each Letter of Credit. The Borrower shall also pay to the
Agent the Agent's then in effect customary fees and administrative expenses
payable with respect to Letters of Credit as the Agent may generally charge or
incur from time to time in connection with the issuance, maintenance,
modification (if any), assignment or transfer (if any), negotiation and
administration of Letters of Credit.

                           (c) Immediately upon the issuance of each Letter of
Credit, each Bank shall be deemed to, and hereby irrevocably and unconditionally
agrees to, purchase from the Agent a participation in such Letter of Credit and
each drawing thereunder in an amount equal to such Bank's Ratable Share of the
maximum amount available to be drawn under such Letter of Credit and the amount
of such drawing, respectively.

                           (d) In the event of any request for a drawing under a
Letter of Credit by the beneficiary or transferee thereof, the Agent will
promptly notify the Borrower. Provided that it shall have received such notice,
the Borrower shall reimburse (such obligation to reimburse the Agent shall
sometimes be referred to as a "Reimbursement Obligation") the Agent prior to
12:00 noon, Pittsburgh time on each date that an amount is paid by the Agent
under any Letter of Credit (each such date, a "Drawing Date") in an amount equal
to the amount so paid by the Agent. In the event the Borrower fails to reimburse
the Agent for the full amount of any drawing under any Letter of Credit by 12:00
noon, Pittsburgh time, on the Drawing Date, the Agent will promptly notify each
Bank thereof, and the Borrower shall be deemed to have requested that Revolving
Credit Loans be made by the Banks under the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option to
be disbursed on the Drawing Date under such Letter of Credit, subject to the
amount of the unutilized portion of the Revolving Credit Commitment and subject
to the conditions set forth in Section 7.02 [Each Additional Revolving Credit
Loan] other than any notice requirements. Any notice given by the Agent pursuant
to this Section 2.09(d) may be oral if immediately confirmed in writing;
provided that the lack of such an immediate confirmation shall not affect the
conclusiveness or binding effect of such notice.


                                     - 29 -
<PAGE>   76
                           (e) Each Bank shall upon any notice pursuant to
Section 2.09(d) make available to the Agent an amount in immediately available
funds equal to its Ratable Share of the amount of the drawing, whereupon the
participating Banks shall (subject to Section 2.09(f)) each be deemed to have
made a Revolving Credit Loan under the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option to the
Borrower in that amount. If any Bank so notified fails to make available to the
Agent for the account of the Agent the amount of such Bank's Ratable Share of
such amount by no later than 2:00 p.m., Pittsburgh time on the Drawing Date,
then interest shall accrue on such Bank's obligation to make such payment, from
the Drawing Date to the date on which such Bank makes such payment (i) at a rate
per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate during the first three days
following the Drawing Date and (ii) at a rate per annum equal to the rate
applicable to Loans under the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option on and after the
fourth day following the Drawing Date. The Agent will promptly give notice of
the occurrence of the Drawing Date, but failure of the Agent to give any such
notice on the Drawing Date or in sufficient time to enable any Bank to effect
such payment on such date shall not relieve such Bank from its obligation under
this Section 2.09(e).

                           (f) With respect to any unreimbursed drawing that is
not converted into Revolving Credit Loans under the Revolving Credit Base Rate
Option to the Borrower in whole or in part as contemplated by Section 2.09(d),
because of the Borrower's failure to satisfy the conditions set forth in Section
7.02 [Each Additional Revolving Credit Loan] other than any notice requirements
or for any other reason, the Borrower shall be deemed to have incurred from the
Agent a Letter of Credit Borrowing in the amount of such drawing. Such Letter of
Credit Borrowing shall be due and payable on demand (together with interest) and
shall bear interest at the rate per annum applicable to the Revolving Credit
Loans under the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option. Each Bank's payment to the
Agent pursuant to Section 2.09(e) shall be deemed to be a payment in respect of
its participation in such Letter of Credit Borrowing and shall constitute a
Participation Advance from such Bank in satisfaction of its participation
obligation under this Section 2.09.

                           (g)(i) Upon (and only upon) receipt by the Agent for
its account of immediately available funds from the Borrower (i) in
reimbursement of any payment made by the Agent under the Letter of Credit with
respect to which any Bank has made a Participation Advance to the Agent, or (ii)
in payment of interest on such a payment made by the Agent under such a Letter
of Credit, the Agent will pay to each Bank, in the same funds as those received
by the Agent, the amount of such Bank's Ratable Share of such funds, except the
Agent shall retain the amount of the Ratable Share of such funds of any Bank
that did not make a Participation Advance in respect of such payment by Agent.

                           (g)(ii) If the Agent is required at any time to
return to any Loan Party, or to a trustee, receiver, liquidator, custodian, or
any official in any Insolvency Proceeding, any portion of the payments made by
any Loan Party to the Agent pursuant to Section 2.09(g)(i) in reimbursement of a
payment made under the Letter of Credit or interest or fee thereon, each Bank
shall, on demand of the Agent, forthwith return to the Agent the amount of its
Ratable Share of any amounts so returned by the Agent plus interest thereon from
the date such demand


                                     - 30 -
<PAGE>   77
is made to the date such amounts are returned by such Bank to the Agent, at a
rate per annum equal to the Federal Funds Effective Rate in effect from time to
time.

                           (h) Each Loan Party agrees to be bound by the terms
of the Agent's application and agreement for letters of credit and the Agent's
written regulations and customary practices relating to letters of credit. In
the event of a conflict between such application or agreement and this
Agreement, this Agreement shall govern. It is understood and agreed that, except
in the case of gross negligence or willful misconduct, the Agent shall not be
liable for any error, negligence and/or mistakes, whether of omission or
commission, in following any Loan Party's instructions or those contained in the
Letters of Credit or any modifications, amendments or supplements thereto.

                           (i) In determining whether to honor any request for
drawing under any Letter of Credit by the beneficiary thereof, the Agent shall
be responsible only to determine that the documents and certificates required to
be delivered under such Letter of Credit have been delivered and that they
comply on their face with the requirements of such Letter of Credit.

                           (j) Each Bank's obligation in accordance with this
Agreement to make the Revolving Credit Loans or Participation Advances, as
contemplated by Section 2.09, as a result of a drawing under a Letter of Credit,
and the Obligations of the Borrower to reimburse the Agent upon a draw under a
Letter of Credit, shall be absolute, unconditional and irrevocable, and shall be
performed strictly in accordance with the terms of this Section 2.09 under all
circumstances, including the following circumstances:

                                    (i) any set-off, counterclaim, recoupment,
defense or other right which such Bank may have against the Agent, the Borrower
or any other Person for any reason whatsoever;

                                    (ii) the failure of any Loan Party or any
other Person to comply, in connection with a Letter of Credit Borrowing, with
the conditions set forth in Section 2.01 [Revolving Credit Borrowing], 2.05
[Revolving Credit Loan Requests], 2.06 [Making Revolving Credit Loans] or 7.02
[Each Additional Revolving Credit Loan] or as otherwise set forth in this
Agreement for the making of a Revolving Credit Loan, it being acknowledged that
such conditions are not required for the making of a Letter of Credit Borrowing
and the obligation of the Banks to make Participation Advances under Section
2.09;

                                    (iii) any lack of validity or enforceability
of any Letter of Credit;

                                    (iv) the existence of any claim, set-off,
defense or other right which any Loan Party or any Bank may have at any time
against a beneficiary or any transferee of any Letter of Credit (or any Persons
for whom any such transferee may be acting), the Agent or any Bank or any other
Person, whether in connection with this Agreement, the transactions contemplated
herein or any unrelated transaction (including any underlying transaction
between any Loan Party or Subsidiaries of a Loan Party and the beneficiary for
which any Letter of Credit was procured);


                                     - 31 -
<PAGE>   78
                                    (v) any draft, demand, certificate or other
document presented under any Letter of Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent,
invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or
inaccurate in any respect even if the Agent has been notified thereof;

                                    (vi) payment by the Agent under any Letter
of Credit against presentation of a demand, draft or certificate or other
document which does not comply with the terms of such Letter of Credit;

                                    (vii) any adverse change in the business,
operations, properties, assets, condition (financial or otherwise) or prospects
of any Loan Party or Subsidiaries of a Loan Party;

                                    (viii) any breach of this Agreement or any
other Loan Document by any party thereto;

                                    (ix) the occurrence or continuance of an
Insolvency Proceeding with respect to any Loan Party;

                                    (x) the fact that an Event of Default or a
Potential Default shall have occurred and be continuing;

                                    (xi) the fact that the Expiration Date shall
have passed or this Agreement or the Commitments hereunder shall have been
terminated; and

                                    (xii) any other circumstance or happening
whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the foregoing.

                           (k) In addition to amounts payable as provided in
Section 10.05 [Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agent by Borrowers], the
Borrower hereby agrees to protect, indemnify, pay and save harmless the Agent
from and against any and all claims, demands, liabilities, damages, losses,
costs, charges and expenses (including reasonable fees, expenses and
disbursements of counsel and allocated costs of internal counsel) which the
Agent may incur or be subject to as a consequence, direct or indirect, of (i)
the issuance of any Letter of Credit, other than as a result of (A) the gross
negligence or willful misconduct of the Agent as determined by a final judgment
of a court of competent jurisdiction or (B) subject to the following clause
(ii), the wrongful dishonor by the Agent of a proper demand for payment made
under any Letter of Credit, or (ii) the failure of the Agent to honor a drawing
under any such Letter of Credit as a result of any act or omission, whether
rightful or wrongful, of any present or future de jure or de facto government or
governmental authority (all such acts or omissions herein called "Governmental
Acts").

                           (l) As between any Loan Party and the Agent, such
Loan Party assumes all risks of the acts and omissions of, or misuse of the
Letters of Credit by, the respective beneficiaries of such Letters of Credit. In
furtherance and not in limitation of the foregoing, the Agent shall not be
responsible for: (i) the form, validity, sufficiency, accuracy, genuineness or
legal effect of any document submitted by any party in connection with the
application for an issuance of any such Letter of Credit, even if it should in
fact prove to be in


                                     - 32 -
<PAGE>   79
any or all respects invalid, insufficient, inaccurate, fraudulent or forged
(even if the Agent shall have been notified thereof); (ii) the validity or
sufficiency of any instrument transferring or assigning or purporting to
transfer or assign any such Letter of Credit or the rights or benefits
thereunder or proceeds thereof, in whole or in part, which may prove to be
invalid or ineffective for any reason; (iii) the failure of the beneficiary of
any such Letter of Credit, or any other party to which such Letter of Credit may
be transferred, to comply fully with any conditions required in order to draw
upon such Letter of Credit or any other claim of any Loan Party against any
beneficiary of such Letter of Credit, or any such transferee, or any dispute
between or among any Loan Party and any beneficiary of any Letter of Credit or
any such transferee; (iv) errors, omissions, interruptions or delays in
transmission or delivery of any messages, by mail, cable, telegraph, telex or
otherwise, whether or not they be in cipher; (v) errors in interpretation of
technical terms; (vi) any loss or delay in the transmission or otherwise of any
document required in order to make a drawing under any such Letter of Credit or
of the proceeds thereof; (vii) the misapplication by the beneficiary of any such
Letter of Credit of the proceeds of any drawing under such Letter of Credit; or
(viii) any consequences arising from causes beyond the control of the Agent,
including any Governmental Acts, and none of the above shall affect or impair,
or prevent the vesting of, any of the Agent's rights or powers hereunder.
Nothing in the preceding sentence shall relieve the Agent from liability for the
Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct in connection with actions or
omissions described in such clauses (i) through (viii) of such sentence.

                           In furtherance and extension and not in limitation of
the specific provisions set forth above, any action taken or omitted by the
Agent under or in connection with the Letters of Credit issued by it or any
documents and certificates delivered thereunder, if taken or omitted in good
faith, shall not put the Agent under any resulting liability to the Borrower or
any Bank.

                                   ARTICLE III
                                   [RESERVED]

                                   ARTICLE IV
                                 INTEREST RATES

                  4.01 Interest Rate Options. Each Borrower shall pay interest
in respect of the outstanding unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit
Loans as selected by NovaCare, as agent for such Borrower, from the Revolving
Credit Base Rate Option or Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option set forth below
applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans, it being understood that, subject to
the provisions of this Agreement, NovaCare, as such agent, may select different
Interest Rate Options and different Euro-Rate Interest Periods to apply
simultaneously to the Revolving Credit Loans comprising different Borrowing
Tranches and may convert to or renew one or more Interest Rate Options with
respect to all or any portion of the Revolving Credit Loans comprising any
Borrowing Tranche provided that there shall not be at any one time outstanding
more than fifteen (15) Borrowing Tranches in the aggregate among all the
Revolving Credit Loans. The Agent's determination of a rate of interest and any
change therein shall in the absence of manifest error be conclusive and binding
upon all parties hereto. If at any time the


                                     - 33 -
<PAGE>   80
designated rate applicable to any Revolving Credit Loan made by any Bank exceeds
such Bank's highest lawful rate, the rate of interest on such Bank's Revolving
Credit Loan shall be limited to such Bank's highest lawful rate.

                           (a) Revolving Credit Interest Rate Options. NovaCare,
as agent for the Borrowers, shall have the right to select from the following
Interest Rate Options applicable to the Revolving Credit Loans.

                                    (i) Revolving Credit Base Rate Option: A
fluctuating rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of 365 or 366 days,
as the case may be, and actual days elapsed) equal to the Base Rate, such
interest rate to change automatically from time to time effective as of the
effective date of each change in the Base Rate.

                                    (ii) Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option: A
rate per annum (computed on the basis of a year of 360 days and actual days
elapsed), for each period specified below, equal to the Euro-Rate plus the
applicable percentage (the "Applicable Percentage Over Euro-Rate") set forth
below, based upon the ratio of (a) Consolidated Funded Debt to (b) Consolidated
Cash Flow from Operations. Such ratio shall be computed as of the end of each
quarter. Consolidated Cash Flow from Operations shall be computed at the end of
each quarter for the four fiscal quarters then ended. Adjustments to interest
attributable to a change in such ratio shall be effective (a) on the Delivery
Date for the Borrower's consolidated financial statements for such quarter if
the applicable interest rate is to be increased and (b) on the later of the
Delivery Date for such financial statements or the date on which such financial
statements are actually delivered to the Agent and the Banks if the applicable
interest rate is to be decreased.

                                    FOR FISCAL QUARTERS PRIOR TO AND INCLUDING
THE FISCAL QUARTER DURING WHICH A PERMITTED REFINANCING OF SUBORDINATED
DEBENTURES IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF AT LEAST $250 MILLION IS CONSUMMATED, THE
FOLLOWING TABLE IS APPLICABLE:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Ratio of Consolidated
                              Funded Debt to Consolidated
                               Cash Flow from Operations                     Applicable Interest Rate
                               -------------------------                     ------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>
            Greater than 4.0 to 1.0                                          Euro-Rate plus 1.50%

            Greater than 3.5 to 1.0                                          Euro-Rate plus 1.375%
            but less than or equal to 4.0 to 1.0

            Greater than 3.0 to 1.0                                          Euro-Rate plus 1.250%
            but less than or equal to 3.5 to 1.0

            Greater than 2.50 to 1.0                                         Euro-Rate plus 1.125%
            but less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0
</TABLE>

                                     - 34 -
<PAGE>   81
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                          <C>
            Greater than 2.00 to 1.0                                         Euro-Rate plus 1.00%
            but less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.0

            Less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.0                                Euro-Rate plus .875%
</TABLE>

                                    FOR FISCAL QUARTERS AFTER THE CONSUMMATION
OF A PERMITTED REFINANCING OF SUBORDINATED DEBENTURES IN A PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF
AT LEAST $250 MILLION, THE FOLLOWING TABLE IS APPLICABLE:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                 Ratio of Consolidated
                              Funded Debt to Consolidated
                               Cash Flow from Operations                     Applicable Interest Rate
                               -------------------------                     ------------------------
<S>                                                                          <C>
            Greater than 4.0 to 1.0                                          Euro-Rate plus 1.375%

            Greater than 3.5 to 1.0                                          Euro-Rate plus 1.250%
            but less than or equal to 4.0 to 1.0

            Greater than 3.0 to 1.0                                          Euro-Rate plus 1.125%
            but less than or equal to 3.5 to 1.0

            Greater than  2.50 to 1.0                                        Euro-Rate plus 1.00%
            but less than or equal to 3.00 to 1.0

            Greater than 2.00 to 1.0                                         Euro-Rate plus .875%
            but less than or equal to 2.50 to 1.0

            Less than or equal to 2.00 to 1.0                                Euro-Rate plus .750%
</TABLE>

                           (b) Rate Quotations. NovaCare, as agent for the
Borrowers, may call the Agent on or before the date on which a Revolving Credit
Loan Request is to be delivered to receive an indication of the rates then in
effect, but it is acknowledged that such projection shall not be binding on the
Agent or the Banks nor affect the rate of interest which thereafter is actually
in effect when the election is made.

                  4.02 Interest Periods. At any time when NovaCare, as agent for
the Borrowers, shall select, convert to or renew a Revolving Credit Euro-Rate
Option, NovaCare shall notify the Agent thereof at least three (3) Business Days
prior to the effective date of such Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option by
delivering a Revolving Credit Loan Request. The notice shall specify an interest
period during which such Interest Rate Option shall apply, such periods to be
one, two, three or six months ("Euro-Rate Interest Period"), provided, that:

                           (a) any Euro-Rate Interest Period which would
otherwise end on a date which is not a Business Day shall be extended to the
next succeeding Business Day unless such


                                     - 35 -
<PAGE>   82
Business Day falls in the next calendar month, in which case such Euro-Rate
Interest Period shall end on the next preceding Business Day;

                           (b) any Euro-Rate Interest Period which begins on the
last day of a calendar month for which there is no numerically corresponding day
in the subsequent calendar month during which such Interest Period is to end
shall end on the last Business Day of such subsequent month;

                           (c) Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Portion for each
Euro-Rate Interest Period shall be in integral multiples of $500,000 and not
less than $1,500,000;

                           (d) NovaCare shall not select, convert to or renew a
Euro-Rate Interest Period for any portion of the Revolving Credit Loans that
would end after the Expiration Date; and

                           (e) in the case of the renewal of a Revolving Credit
Euro-Rate Option at the end of a Euro-Rate Interest Period, the first day of the
new Interest Period shall be the last day of the preceding Interest Period,
without duplication in payment of interest for such day.

                  4.03 Interest After Default. To the extent permitted by Law,
upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an Event of Default, any
principal, interest, fee or other amount payable hereunder shall bear interest
for each day thereafter until paid in full (before and after judgment) at a rate
per annum which shall be equal to two hundred (200) basis points (2% per annum)
above the Base Rate if no rate of interest is otherwise applicable. Each
Borrower acknowledges that such increased interest rate reflects, among other
things, the fact that such Revolving Credit Loans or other amounts have become a
substantially greater risk given their default status and that the Banks are
entitled to additional compensation for such risk.

                  4.04     Euro-Rate Unascertainable.

                           (a) If on any date on which a Euro-Rate would
otherwise be determined, the Agent shall have determined (which determination
shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that:

                                    (i) adequate and reasonable means do not
exist for ascertaining such Euro-Rate, or

                                    (ii) a contingency has occurred which
materially and adversely affects the secondary market for negotiable
certificates of deposit maintained by dealers of recognized standing relating to
the London interbank market relating to the Euro-Rate, or

                           (b) if at any time any Bank shall have determined
(which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that:

                                    (i) the making, maintenance or funding of
any Revolving Credit Loan to which a Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option applies
has been made impracticable


                                     - 36 -
<PAGE>   83
or unlawful by compliance by such Bank in good faith with any Law or any
interpretation or application thereof by any Official Body or with any request
or directive of any such Official Body (whether or not having the force of Law),
or

                                    (ii) such Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option
will not adequately and fairly reflect the cost to such Bank of the
establishment or maintenance of any such Revolving Credit Loan, or

                                    (iii) after making all reasonable efforts,
deposits of the relevant amount in Dollars for the relevant Euro-Rate Interest
Period for a Revolving Credit Loan to which a Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option
applies are not available to such Bank at the effective cost of funding a
proposed Revolving Credit Loan to which the Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option
applies in the London interbank market, then, in the case of any event specified
in subsection (a) above, the Agent shall promptly so notify NovaCare, as agent
for the Borrowers, and the Banks thereof and in the case of an event specified
in subsection (b) above, such Bank shall promptly so notify the Agent in such
capacity and endorse a certificate to such notice as to the specific
circumstances of such notice and the Agent shall promptly send copies of such
notice and certificate to the other Banks and NovaCare, as agent for the
Borrowers. Upon such date as shall be specified in such notice (which shall not
be earlier than the date such notice is given) the obligation of (A) the Banks
in the case of such notice given by the Agent or (B) such Bank in the case of
such notice given by such Bank to allow NovaCare, as agent for the Borrowers, to
select, convert to or renew a Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option shall be
suspended until the Agent shall have later notified NovaCare, in such capacity,
or such Bank shall have later notified the Agent, of the Agent's or such Bank's,
as the case may be, determination (which determination shall be conclusive
absent manifest error) that the circumstances giving rise to such previous
determination no longer exist. If at any time the Agent makes a determination
under subsection (a) or (b) of this Section 4.04 and NovaCare has previously
notified the Agent of its selection of, conversion to or renewal of a Revolving
Credit Euro-Rate Option and such Interest Rate Option has not yet gone into
effect, such notification shall be deemed to provide for selection of,
conversion to or renewal of the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option otherwise
available with respect to such Revolving Credit Loans. If any Bank notifies the
Agent of a determination under subsection (b) of this Section 4.04, the
Borrowers shall, subject to the Borrowers' indemnification obligations under
Section 5.06(b), as to any Revolving Credit Loan of such Bank to which a
Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option applies, on the date specified in such notice
either convert such Revolving Credit Loan to the Revolving Credit Base Rate
Option otherwise available with respect to such Revolving Credit Loan or prepay
such Revolving Credit Loan in accordance with Section 5.04 hereof. Absent due
notice from NovaCare of conversion or prepayment, such Revolving Credit Loan
shall automatically be converted to the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option
otherwise available with respect to such Revolving Credit Loan upon such
specified date.

                  4.05 Selection of Interest Rate Options. If NovaCare, as agent
for the Borrowers, fails to select a Euro-Rate Interest Period in accordance
with the provisions of Section 4.02 in the case of renewal of the Revolving
Credit Euro-Rate Portion, NovaCare shall be deemed to have converted such
Revolving Credit Loan or portion thereof to the Revolving


                                     - 37 -
<PAGE>   84
Credit Base Rate Option otherwise available with respect to such Revolving
Credit Loans, commencing upon the last day of that Euro-Rate Interest Period.

                                    ARTICLE V
                                    PAYMENTS

                  5.01 Payments. All payments and prepayments to be made in
respect of principal, interest, Commitment Fees, Closing Fees, Letter of Credit
Fees, Agent's Fee or other fees or amounts due from the Borrowers hereunder
shall be payable prior to 11:00 A.M. (Pittsburgh time) on the date when due
without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived by the Borrowers, and without setoff, counterclaim or
other deduction of any nature, and an action therefor shall immediately accrue.
Such payments shall be made to the Agent at its Principal Office for the ratable
accounts of the Banks with respect to the Revolving Credit Loans in U.S. Dollars
and in immediately available funds and the Agent shall promptly distribute such
amounts to the Banks in immediately available funds, provided that in the event
payments are received by 11:00 A.M. (Pittsburgh time) by the Agent with respect
to the Revolving Credit Loans and such payments are not distributed to the Banks
on the same day such payments are received by the Agent, the Agent shall pay the
Banks the Federal Funds Effective Rate with respect to the amount of such
payments for each day held by the Agent and not distributed to the Banks. The
Agent's and each Bank's statement of account, ledger or other relevant record
shall, in the absence of manifest error, be conclusive as the statement of the
amount of principal of and interest on the Revolving Credit Loans and other
amounts owing under this Agreement and shall be deemed an "account stated."

                  5.02 Pro Rata Treatment of Banks. Each borrowing, and each
selection of, conversion to or renewal of any Interest Rate Option and each
payment or prepayment by the Borrower with respect to principal, interest,
Commitment Fees, Closing Fees, Letter of Credit Fees, or other fees or amounts
due from the Borrowers hereunder to the Banks with respect to the Revolving
Credit Loans, shall (except as provided in Section 4.04(b) [Euro-Rate
Unascertainable], 5.04(b) [Voluntary Prepayments] or 5.06(a) [Additional
Compensation in Certain Circumstances] hereof) be made in proportion to the
Revolving Credit Loans outstanding from each Bank and if no such Revolving
Credit Loans are then outstanding, in proportion to the Ratable Share of each
Bank.

                  5.03 Interest Payment Dates. Interest on Revolving Credit
Loans to which the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option applies shall be due and
payable in arrears on the first Business Day of each July, October, January and
April after the date hereof and on the Expiration Date or upon acceleration of
the Revolving Credit Notes. Interest on Revolving Credit Loans to which a
Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option applies shall be due and payable on the last
day of each Euro-Rate Interest Period for those Revolving Credit Loans, and if
any such Euro-Rate Interest Period is longer than three Months, also on the last
day of every third Month during such period.


                                     - 38 -
<PAGE>   85
                  5.04     Voluntary Prepayments.

                           (a) Each Borrower shall have the right at its option
from time to time to prepay the Revolving Credit Loans in whole or part without
premium or penalty (except as provided in subsection (b) below or in Section
5.06 hereof):

                                    (i) at any time with respect to any
Revolving Credit Loan to which the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option applies,

                                    (ii) on the last day of the applicable
Euro-Rate Interest Period with respect to any Revolving Credit Loans to which a
Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option applies, or

                                    (iii) on the date specified in a notice by
any Bank pursuant to Section 4.04(b) [Euro-Rate Unascertainable] hereof with
respect to any Revolving Credit Loan to which a Revolving Credit Euro-Rate
Option applies.

                  Whenever a Borrower desires to prepay any part of the
Revolving Credit Loans, it shall cause NovaCare, as its agent, to provide a
prepayment notice to the Agent at least one (1) Business Day prior to the date
of prepayment of Revolving Credit Loans setting forth the following information:

                                    (x) the date, which shall be a Business Day,
                  on which the proposed prepayment is to be made; and

                                    (y) the total principal amount of such
                  prepayment, which shall not be less than $500,000.

                  All prepayment notices shall be irrevocable. The principal
amount of the Revolving Credit Loans for which a prepayment notice is given,
together with interest on such principal amount except with respect to Revolving
Credit Loans to which the Revolving Credit Base Rate Option applies, shall be
due and payable on the date specified in such prepayment notice as the date on
which the proposed prepayment is to be made. Unless otherwise specified by
NovaCare on behalf of such Borrower with respect to prepayments of the Revolving
Credit Euro-Rate Portion of the Revolving Credit Loans permitted under (ii) or
(iii) above, all prepayments shall be applied first to the Revolving Credit Base
Rate Portion of such Revolving Credit Loans, as the case may be, and then to the
Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Portion of such Revolving Credit Loans, subject to
Section 5.06(b) hereof.

                           (b) In the event (i) any Bank gives notice under
Section 4.04(b) [Euro-Rate Unascertainable] or Section 5.06(a) [Additional
Compensation in Certain Circumstances] hereof, or (ii) any Bank does not approve
any action as to which consent of the Required Banks is requested by the
Borrowers and obtained hereunder, NovaCare may request either that such Bank's
Revolving Credit Commitment be terminated pursuant to the procedures set forth
in clause (A) below or that such Bank be replaced by a new bank pursuant to the
procedures set forth in clause (B) below. If NovaCare desires to request that a
Bank's Commitment be


                                     - 39 -
<PAGE>   86
terminated or a Bank be replaced pursuant to this Section 5.04(b), NovaCare
shall deliver to the Agent notice of such request within thirty (30) days after
NovaCare receives such Bank's notice in the case of clause (i) of this Section
5.04(b), or within thirty (30) days after the Required Banks have consented to a
matter with respect to which such Bank has not consented in the case of clause
(ii) of this Section 5.04(b). NovaCare may request that the Commitment of a Bank
be terminated or a Bank be replaced pursuant to clause (ii) of the first
sentence of this Section 5.04(b) only if there exists no Event of Default or
Potential Default on the date of such request.

                                    (A) Termination of Commitment. If NovaCare
requests that the Commitment of a Bank be terminated (the "Bank to be
Terminated") pursuant to this Section 5.04(b), such Commitment shall be
terminated pursuant to the procedures set forth below if each of the Banks other
than the Bank to be Terminated (the "Remaining Banks") agrees to such request.
The Remaining Banks shall not unreasonably withhold such consent if NovaCare is
requesting a termination pursuant to clause (i) of the first paragraph of
Section 5.04(b). If the Remaining Banks agree to such termination, NovaCare
shall notify all of the Banks of the date on which such termination shall be
effective (the "Termination Date"). Such notice must be delivered at least three
Business Days prior to the Termination Date and no more than thirty (30) days
following NovaCare's receipt of approval from the Remaining Banks to terminate
the Bank to be Terminated. The Borrowers shall repay all outstanding Loans of
the Bank to be Terminated on the Termination Date and shall pay any amounts
required under Section 5.06 and any accrued Commitment Fees due to such Bank to
be Terminated. The Borrowers also shall repay the Loans of the Remaining Banks
outstanding on the Termination Date if such reduction is necessary to cause the
sum of Loans and Letters of Credit outstanding on such date not to exceed the
Commitments (as reduced). The following shall occur upon delivery of the
foregoing payment:

                                            (1) the Commitment of the Bank to be
Terminated and its obligation under outstanding Letters of Credit shall
terminate and such Bank shall cease to be a Bank hereunder;

                                            (2) the aggregate Commitments of the
Banks hereunder shall be reduced by an amount equal to the amount of the
Commitment which is being terminated pursuant to clause (1) above; and

                                            (3) the contingent obligation of
each of the Remaining Banks in outstanding Letters of Credit shall be increased
so that its share therein shall equal its Ratable Share of such Letters of
Credit after giving effect to the termination of the Commitment of the Bank to
be Terminated.

                  It is acknowledged that the effect of the termination of the
Commitment of the Bank to be Terminated pursuant to clause (1) above and the
reduction of the Commitments pursuant to clause (2) above includes, without
limitation, that the Ratable Shares of each of the Remaining Banks shall
increase ratably and the aggregate of such increases will equal the Ratable
Share of the Bank to be Terminated immediately prior to the Termination Date.
PNC Bank may not be terminated under this Section unless on or before the
Termination Date all Letters of Credit have been terminated or replaced by an
issuing bank other than PNC Bank. If


                                     - 40 -
<PAGE>   87
PNC Bank is the Bank to be Terminated, PNC Bank may, at its option, require that
a successor Agent replace PNC Bank as Agent on or before the Termination Date.

                                    (B) Replacement. If NovaCare requests that a
Bank be replaced (the "Bank to be Replaced") pursuant to this Section 5.04(b),
such request shall be accompanied by a proposed list of banks designated by
NovaCare as acceptable replacement Banks. Selection of the proposed replacement
bank is subject to the approval of the Agent. If the Agent approves one of the
proposed banks (the "Selected Bank"), the Bank to be Replaced shall assign its
Commitment and all of its other rights as a Bank hereunder to the Selected Bank,
and the Selected Bank shall purchase the Loans and the rights of the Bank to be
Replaced and assume such Bank's obligations under Section 2.09 in respect of
outstanding Letters of Credit pursuant to an Assignment and Assumption Agreement
and subject to the limitations contained in Section 11.11. If the Bank to be
Replaced is PNC Bank (1) PNC Bank, may at its option, require that a successor
Agent replace PNC Bank as Agent on the date of such replacement, and (2) such
replacement shall not be effective until all outstanding Letters of Credit have
been replaced or terminated so that such Agent is no longer the issuer of or
obligated under such Letters of Credit.

                  5.05     [RESERVED]

                  5.06     Additional Compensation in Certain Circumstances.

                           (a) Increased Costs or Reduced Return Resulting From
Taxes, Reserves, Capital Adequacy Requirements, Expenses, Etc. If any Law,
guideline or interpretation or any change in any Law, guideline or
interpretation or application thereof by any Official Body charged with the
interpretation or administration thereof or compliance with any request or
directive (whether or not having the force of Law) of any central bank or other
Official Body:

                                    (i) subjects any Bank to any tax or changes
the basis of taxation with respect to this Agreement, the Revolving Credit
Notes, the Revolving Credit Loans or payments by any Borrower of principal,
interest, or other amounts due from any Borrower hereunder or under the
Revolving Credit Notes (except for taxes on the net income of such Bank),

                                    (ii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable
any reserve, special deposit or similar requirement against credits or
commitments to extend credit extended by, or assets (funded or contingent) of,
deposits with or for the account of, or other acquisitions of funds by, any
Bank, or

                                    (iii) imposes, modifies or deems applicable
any capital adequacy or similar requirement (A) against assets (funded or
contingent) of, or letters of credit, other credits or commitments to extend
credit extended by, any Bank, or (B) otherwise applicable to the obligations of
any Bank under this Agreement,

and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to, reduce the
income receivable by, or impose any expense (including loss of margin) upon any
Bank or its parent with respect to this


                                     - 41 -
<PAGE>   88
Agreement, the Revolving Credit Notes or the making, maintenance or funding of
any part of the Revolving Credit Loans (or, in the case of any capital adequacy
or similar requirement, to have the effect of reducing the rate of return on the
capital of any Bank or its parent, taking into consideration such Bank's
customary policies with respect to capital adequacy) by an amount which such
Bank in its sole discretion deems to be material, such Bank shall from time to
time notify the Borrowers and the Agent of the amount determined in good faith
(using any averaging and attribution methods employed in good faith) by such
Bank (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) to be
necessary to compensate such Bank for such increase in cost, reduction of income
or additional expense. Such notice shall set forth in reasonable detail the
basis for such determination. Such amount shall be due and payable by the
Borrowers, jointly and severally, to such Bank ten (10) Business Days after such
notice is given. For purposes of this Section 5.06(a), in calculating the amount
necessary to compensate such Bank for any such increase in cost, reduction of
income or additional expense, such Bank shall calculate the amount payable to it
in a manner consistent with the manner in which it shall calculate similar
compensation payable to it by other borrowers in the industry of the Borrowers
having provisions in their credit agreements comparable to this Section 5.06(a).

                           (b) Indemnity. In addition to the compensation
required by subsection (a) of this Section 5.06, the Borrowers, jointly and
severally, shall indemnify each Bank against all liabilities, losses or expenses
(including loss of margin, any loss or expense incurred in liquidating or
employing deposits from third parties and any loss or expense incurred in
connection with funds acquired by a Bank to fund or maintain Revolving Credit
Loans subject to the Revolving Credit Euro-Rate Option) which such Bank sustains
or incurs as a consequence of any

                                    (i) payment, prepayment, conversion or
renewal of any Revolving Credit Loan to which the Revolving Credit Euro-Rate
Option applies on a day other than the last day of the corresponding Euro-Rate
Interest Period (whether or not such payment or prepayment is mandatory,
voluntary or automatic and whether or not such payment or prepayment is then
due),

                                    (ii) attempt by the Borrowers to revoke
(expressly, by later inconsistent notices or otherwise) in whole or part any
notice relating to Revolving Credit Loan Requests under Section 2.05 or Section
4.02 or prepayments under Section 5.04, or

                                    (iii) default by any Borrower in the
performance or observance of any covenant or condition contained in this
Agreement or any other Loan Document, including without limitation any failure
of any Borrower to pay when due (by acceleration or otherwise) any principal,
interest, or any other amount due hereunder.

                  If any Bank sustains or incurs any such loss or expense it
shall from time to time notify the Borrowers of the amount determined in good
faith by such Bank (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest
error and may include such assumptions, allocations of costs and expenses and
averaging or attribution methods as such Bank shall deem reasonable) to be
necessary to indemnify such Bank for such loss or expense. Such notice shall set
forth in


                                     - 42 -
<PAGE>   89
reasonable detail the basis for such determination. Such amount shall
be due and payable by the Borrowers, jointly and severally, to such Bank ten
(10) Business Days after such notice is given.

                                   ARTICLE VI
                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                  6.01 Representations and Warranties. Each Loan Party
represents and warrants to the Agent and each of the Banks as follows:

                           (a) Organization and Qualification. Each of the Loan
Parties is a corporation, partnership, limited liability company or business
trust, duly organized, validly existing and, except as set forth on Schedule
6.01(a), in good standing under the laws of its respective jurisdiction of
organization; each Loan Party has the corporate, partnership, limited liability
company or trust (as the case may be) power to own or lease its respective
properties and to engage in the business it presently conducts or proposes to
conduct; and each Loan Party is duly qualified and in good standing in each
jurisdiction where the property owned or leased by it or the nature of the
business transacted by it or both makes such licensing or qualification
necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed or qualified would not
constitute a Material Adverse Change.

                           (b) Capitalization and Ownership. All of the issued
and outstanding shares of authorized capital stock of NovaCare have been validly
issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.

                           (c) Subsidiaries; Excluded Entities. Schedule 6.01(c)
attached hereto states the name of each Subsidiary of NovaCare, its jurisdiction
of organization, its authorized capital stock and the issued and outstanding
shares (referred to herein collectively as the "Subsidiary Shares") and the
owners thereof if it is a corporation, its outstanding partnership interests
(the "Partnership Interests") and the owners thereof if it is a partnership, its
outstanding equity interests (the "Member Interests") and the owners thereof if
it is a limited liability company, and the trustee and holders of its beneficial
interests (the "Beneficial Interests") if it is a business trust. NovaCare has
good and marketable title to all of the Subsidiary Shares, Partnership
Interests, Member Interests and Beneficial Interests it purports to own, free
and clear in each case of any Lien, except for Liens in favor of the Agent for
the benefit of the Banks, and each other Loan Party has good and marketable
title to all of the Subsidiary Shares, Partnership Interests, Member Interests
and Beneficial Interests it purports to own, free and clear of any Lien, except
for Liens in favor of the Agent for the benefit of the Banks. All Subsidiary
Shares, Partnership Interests, Member Interests and Beneficial Interests have
been validly issued. All Subsidiary Shares are fully paid and nonassessable. All
capital contributions and other consideration required to be made or paid in
connection with the issuance of the Partnership Interests, Member Interests or
Beneficial Interests have been made or paid, as the case may be. Except as set
forth on Schedule 6.01(c), there are no options, warrants or other rights
outstanding to purchase any such Subsidiary Shares, Partnership Interests,
Member Interests or Beneficial Interests. Each Subsidiary, other than the
Excluded Qualifying Subsidiaries, is a Loan Party


                                     - 43 -
<PAGE>   90
hereunder and is listed on the signature lines or Schedule 6.01(c), as the case
may be as a Guarantor or a Borrower. Schedule 1.01(E) lists each Subsidiary,
Minority Subsidiary or Unaffiliated Managed Company which is not a Loan Party.

                           (d) Power and Authority. Each Loan Party has full
corporate, partnership, limited liability company or trust (as the case may be)
power to enter into, execute, deliver and carry out this Agreement and the other
Loan Documents to which it is a party, to incur the Indebtedness contemplated by
the Loan Documents and to perform its obligations under the Loan Documents to
which it is a party and all such actions have been duly authorized by all
necessary proceedings on its part.

                           (e) Validity and Binding Effect. This Agreement has
been duly and validly executed and delivered by each Loan Party (except for
Excluded Entities), and each other Loan Document, when duly executed and
delivered by each respective Loan Party thereto, will have been duly and validly
executed and delivered by such Loan Parties. This Agreement and each other Loan
Document delivered by the Loan Parties pursuant to the provisions hereof will
constitute legal, valid and binding obligations of the Loan Parties thereto,
enforceable against each respective Loan Party in accordance with their
respective terms, except to the extent that enforceability of any of the
foregoing Loan Documents may be limited by bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws affecting the enforceability of
creditors' rights generally or limiting the right of specific performance or by
general equitable principles.

                           (f) No Conflict. Neither the execution and delivery
of this Agreement or the other Loan Documents by the Loan Parties nor the
consummation of the transactions herein or therein contemplated or compliance
with the terms and provisions hereof or thereof by them will conflict with,
constitute a default under or result in any breach of (i) the terms and
conditions of the certificate of incorporation, by-laws or other organizational
documents of any Loan Party, or (ii) any Law or any material agreement or
instrument or order, writ, judgment, injunction or decree to which any Loan
Party is a party or by which it is bound or to which it is subject, or result in
the creation or enforcement of any Lien, charge or encumbrance whatsoever upon
any property (now or hereafter acquired) of any Loan Party (other than Liens
granted under the Loan Documents).

                           (g) Litigation. There are no actions, suits,
proceedings or investigations pending or, to the knowledge of any Loan Party,
threatened against any Loan Party at law or equity before any Official Body
which individually or in the aggregate would constitute a Material Adverse
Change including, without limitation, any actions, suits or proceedings by any
Official Body to recover any Medicare or Medicaid payments from any Loan Party
or to otherwise exclude any Loan Party from participation in any Medicare,
Medicaid or similar program. No Loan Party is in violation of any order, writ,
injunction or any decree of any Official Body which would constitute a Material
Adverse Change.


                                     - 44 -
<PAGE>   91
                           (h) Title to Properties. Each of the Loan Parties has
good and marketable title to or valid leasehold interest in all properties,
assets and other rights which it purports to own or lease or which are reflected
as owned or leased on its books and records, free and clear of all Liens and
encumbrances except Permitted Liens. All leases of property are in full force
and effect without the necessity for any consent which has not previously been
obtained upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby.

                           (i)      Financial Statements.

                                    (A) Historical Statements. NovaCare has
delivered to the Agent copies of its audited consolidated year-end financial
statements for and as of the end of the fiscal year ended June 30, 1997 (the
"Annual Statements") and its unaudited consolidated financial statements for and
as of the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 1998 (the "Interim Statements" and
sometimes collectively with the Annual Statements, the "Historical Statements").
The Historical Statements were compiled from the books and records maintained by
NovaCare's management, fairly present the consolidated financial condition of
NovaCare and its Subsidiaries as of their dates and the results of operations
for the fiscal periods then ended and have been prepared in accordance with GAAP
consistently applied, subject (in the case of the Interim Statements) to normal
year-end audit adjustments.

                                    (B) Financial Projections. NovaCare has
delivered to the Agent financial projections of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries
through June 30, 2003 derived from various assumptions of NovaCare's management
(the "Financial Projections"). The Financial Projections represent a reasonable
range of possible results in light of the history of the business, present and
reasonably foreseeable conditions and the intentions of NovaCare's management.
The Financial Projections reasonably reflect the liabilities of NovaCare and its
Subsidiaries upon consummation of the transactions contemplated hereby as of the
Closing Date.

                                    (C) Accuracy of Financial Statements.
Neither NovaCare nor any Subsidiary has any liabilities, contingent or
otherwise, or material forward or long-term commitments that are not disclosed
in the Historical Statements or in the notes thereto and are required to be
disclosed, and except as disclosed therein there are no unrealized or
anticipated losses from any commitments of NovaCare or any Subsidiary which
would constitute a Material Adverse Change. Since June 30, 1997 no Material
Adverse Change has occurred.

                           (j) Full Disclosure. Neither this Agreement nor any
other Loan Document, nor any certificate, statement, agreement or other
documents furnished to the Agent or any Bank in connection herewith or
therewith, contains any untrue statement of a material fact or omits to state a
material fact necessary in order to make the statements contained herein and
therein, in light of the circumstances under which they were made, not
misleading.

                           (k) Taxes. All material federal, state, local and
other tax returns required to have been filed with respect to each Loan Party
have been filed and payment or adequate provision has been made for the payment
of all taxes, fees, assessments and other governmental charges which have or may
become due pursuant to said returns or to assessments received except to the
extent that such taxes, fees, assessments and other charges are being


                                     - 45 -
<PAGE>   92
contested in good faith by appropriate proceedings diligently conducted and for
which such reserves or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be
required by GAAP shall have been made. There are no agreements or waivers
extending the statutory period of limitations applicable to any federal income
tax return of any Loan Party.

                           (l) Consents and Approvals. No consent, approval,
exemption, order or authorization of, or a registration or filing with any
Official Body or any other person is required by any Law or any agreement in
connection with the execution, delivery and carrying out of this Agreement and
the other Loan Documents by any Loan Party, except as listed on Schedule 6.01(l)
attached hereto, all of which shall have been obtained or made on or prior to
the Closing Date except as otherwise indicated on Schedule 6.01(l); provided,
however, that it is acknowledged that consent of health care regulatory
authorities issuing any licenses or regulating any health care facilities may be
required if the Agent on behalf of the Banks exercises the rights and remedies
in respect of the Pledged Collateral and such exercise of remedies results in or
constitutes an assignment of any health care license issued by a health care
regulatory authority or constitutes a change of control with respect to the
ownership of a health care facility.

                           (m) No Event of Default; Compliance with Instruments.
No event has occurred and is continuing and no condition exists or will exist
after giving effect to the borrowings to be made on the Closing Date under the
Loan Documents which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Default. No
Loan Party is in violation of (i) any term of its certificate of incorporation,
by-laws, or other organizational documents or (ii) any material agreement or
instrument to which it is a party or by which it or any of its properties may be
subject or bound where such violation would constitute a Material Adverse
Change.

                           (n) Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Etc. Each Loan
Party owns or possesses all the material patents, trademarks, service marks,
trade names, copyrights and other intellectual property rights necessary to own
and operate its properties and to carry on its business as presently conducted
and planned to be conducted by such Loan Party without known conflict with the
rights of others.

                           (o) Security Interests. The Liens and security
interests granted to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks pursuant to the
Pledge Agreements in the Pledged Collateral constitute and the Loan Parties
shall not take any action that would cause them not to continue to constitute
Prior Security Interests under the Uniform Commercial Code as in effect in each
applicable jurisdiction (the "Uniform Commercial Code") or other applicable Law
entitled to all the rights, benefits and priorities provided by the Uniform
Commercial Code or such Law. Upon taking possession of any stock certificates,
certificates of Beneficial Interests or certificates of Member Interests,
evidencing the Pledged Collateral which consists of stock, certificated
Beneficial Interests or certificated Member Interests, as the case may be, and
the filing of UCC-1 financing statements with respect to any Pledged Collateral
which consists of Partnership Interests, uncertificated Beneficial Interests or
uncertificated Member Interests, all such action as is necessary or advisable to
establish such rights of the Agent will have been taken, and there will


                                     - 46 -
<PAGE>   93
be upon execution and delivery of the Pledge Agreement and such taking of
possession and such filing, no necessity for any further action in order to
preserve, protect and continue such rights.

                           (p) Status of the Pledged Collateral. All the shares
of capital stock, Member Interests, or Beneficial Interests included in the
Pledged Collateral to be pledged pursuant to the Pledge Agreements are or will
be upon issuance duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid, nonassessable and
owned beneficially and of record by the pledgor free and clear of any Lien or
restriction on transfer, except as otherwise provided by the Pledge Agreements
and except as the right of the Banks or the Agent to dispose of such shares,
Member Interests, or Beneficial Interests may be limited by the Securities Act
of 1933, as amended, and the regulations promulgated by the Securities and
Exchange Commission thereunder and by applicable state securities laws. There
are no shareholder or other agreements or understandings with respect to the
shares of capital stock, Member Interests, or Beneficial Interests included in
the Pledged Collateral.

                           (q) Insurance. Schedule 6.01(q) hereto lists all
insurance policies and other bonds to which each Loan Party is a party on the
date hereof, all of which are valid and in full force and effect. No notice has
been given or claim made and no grounds exist to cancel or avoid any of such
policies or bonds or to reduce the coverage provided thereby. Such policies and
bonds provide adequate coverage from reputable and financially sound insurers in
amounts sufficient to insure the assets and risks of each Loan Party in
accordance with prudent business practice in the industry of each Loan Party.

                           (r) Compliance with Laws. Each Loan Party is in
compliance in all material respects with all applicable Laws (other than
Environmental Laws which are specifically addressed in subsection (x)) in all
jurisdictions in which such Loan Party is presently doing business except where
the failure to do so would not constitute a Material Adverse Change.

                           (s) Material Contracts, Licenses, Permits and
Approvals.

                                    (A) All material contracts of each Loan
Party are valid, binding and enforceable upon the Loan Party which is a party to
such contract, as the case may be, and, to the best knowledge of each Loan
Party, each of the other parties thereto in accordance with their respective
terms, and there is no material default thereunder, to the knowledge of the Loan
Parties, with respect to parties other than the Loan Parties.

                                    (B) Except as set forth on Schedule 6.01(s),
each Loan Party has all material accreditations, authorizations, approvals,
certificates of need, consents, licenses, permits and qualifications
(collectively, "Approvals") required (i) for them to construct, acquire, own,
manage, lease and/or operate their facilities and provide services, or (ii) for
them to receive payment and reimbursement from any patient or third party payor,
to the extent in the case of (i) and (ii) such Approvals are presently required.
There are no actions, suits, proceedings or investigations pending or, to the
knowledge of any Loan Party, threatened against any Loan Party at law or in
equity before any Official Body to modify, rescind or revoke any of the
Approvals. The Loan Parties have all other material Approvals required for the
lawful operation of their


                                     - 47 -
<PAGE>   94
businesses, except for any violations which would not result in a Material
Adverse Change. All material Approvals of the Loan Parties are in full force and
effect and have not been amended or otherwise modified (except for modifications
which would not constitute a Material Adverse Change), rescinded, revoked or
assigned, and no notice has been received of any violation of applicable Laws or
any refusal to renew any Approval which could reasonably be expected to cause
any of such Approvals to be modified, rescinded or revoked (except for
modifications, rescissions or revocations which would not constitute a Material
Adverse Change). The continuation, validity and effectiveness of all such
Approvals will in no way be adversely affected by the transactions contemplated
by this Agreement. No Loan Party knows of any reason why any of them will not be
able to maintain, after the Closing Date, all material Approvals necessary or
appropriate to construct, own, lease, manage and operate all of their facilities
and to otherwise conduct their businesses as now conducted and presently
proposed to be conducted. There are no deficiencies to the conditions for
participation by any Loan Party in any Medicare, Medicaid or other reimbursement
programs which would preclude such participation, nor, other than routine,
scheduled audits, is there any pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrowers,
threatened investigation, proceeding or other action by Medicare or Medicaid to
exclude any Loan Party from participation in such programs.

                           (t) Investment Companies. No Loan Party is an
"investment company" registered or required to be registered under the
Investment Company Act of 1940 or under the "control" of an "investment company"
as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 and shall not
become such an "investment company" or under such "control."

                           (u) Margin Stock. Neither NovaCare nor any of its
Subsidiaries is engaged or intends to engage principally, or as one of its
important activities, in the business of extending credit for the purpose,
immediately, incidentally or ultimately, of purchasing or carrying margin stock
(within the meaning of Regulation U). No part of the proceeds of any Revolving
Credit Loan has been or will be used, immediately, incidentally or ultimately,
to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit to others for the
purpose of purchasing or carrying any margin stock or to refund Indebtedness
originally incurred for such purpose, or for any purpose which entails a
violation of or which is inconsistent with the provisions of the regulations of
the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.

                           (v) Plans and Benefit Arrangements. Except as set
forth on Schedule 6.01(v) hereto:

                                    (i) NovaCare, its Subsidiaries and each
member of the ERISA Group are in compliance in all material respects with any
applicable provisions of ERISA with respect to all Benefit Arrangements, Plans
and Multiemployer Plans and each Benefit Arrangement and Plan has been
administered in all material respects in accordance with its terms and ERISA.
There has been no Prohibited Transaction with respect to any Benefit Arrangement
or any Plan or, to the best knowledge of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries, with
respect to any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan, which could result
in any material liability of NovaCare, its Subsidiaries or any other member of
the ERISA Group. NovaCare, its


                                     - 48 -
<PAGE>   95
Subsidiaries and all members of the ERISA Group have made when due any and all
payments required to be made under any agreement relating to a Multiemployer
Plan or a Multiple Employer Plan or any Law pertaining thereto. With respect to
each Plan and Multiemployer Plan, NovaCare, its Subsidiaries and each member of
the ERISA Group (i) have fulfilled in all material respects their obligations
under the minimum funding standards of ERISA, (ii) have not incurred any
liability to the PBGC other than for the payment of required premiums and (iii)
have not had asserted against them any penalty for failure to fulfill the
minimum funding requirements of ERISA.

                                    (ii) To the best knowledge of each Loan
Party, each Multiemployer Plan and Multiple Employer Plan is able to pay
benefits thereunder when due.

                                    (iii) Neither NovaCare, its Subsidiaries nor
any other member of the ERISA Group has instituted or intends to institute
proceedings to terminate any Plan, which termination resulted or will directly
or indirectly result in any material liability to any Loan Party.

                                    (iv) No event requiring notice to the PBGC
under Section 302(f)(4)(A) of ERISA has occurred or is reasonably expected to
occur with respect to any Plan, and no amendment with respect to which security
is required under Section 307 of ERISA has been made or is reasonably expected
to be made to any Plan.

                                    (v) The aggregate actuarial present value of
all benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each Plan, determined on a
plan termination basis, as disclosed in, and as of the date of, the most recent
actuarial report for such Plan, does not exceed the aggregate fair market value
of the assets of such Plan by a material amount.

                                    (vi) Neither NovaCare, its Subsidiaries nor
any other member of the ERISA Group has incurred or reasonably expects to incur
any material withdrawal liability under ERISA to any Multiemployer Plan or
Multiple Employer Plan. Neither NovaCare, its Subsidiaries nor any other member
of the ERISA Group has been notified by any Multiemployer Plan or Multiple
Employer Plan that such Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan has been
terminated within the meaning of Title IV of ERISA and, to the best knowledge of
NovaCare and its Subsidiaries, no Multiemployer Plan or Multiple Employer Plan
is reasonably expected to be reorganized or terminated, within the meaning of
Title IV of ERISA.

                                    (vii) To the extent that any Benefit
Arrangement is insured, NovaCare, its Subsidiaries and all members of the ERISA
Group have paid when due all premiums required to be paid for all periods
through and including the Closing Date. To the extent that any Benefit
Arrangement is funded other than with insurance, NovaCare, its Subsidiaries and
all members of the ERISA Group have made when due all contributions required to
be paid for all periods through and including the Closing Date.

                           (w) Employment Matters. Each Loan Party is in
compliance with its labor contracts and all applicable federal, state and local
labor and employment Laws including, but not limited to, those related to equal
employment opportunity and affirmative action, labor relations, minimum wage,
overtime, child labor, medical insurance continuation, worker adjustment and
relocation notices, immigration controls and worker and unemployment


                                     - 49 -
<PAGE>   96
compensation, except for any failure to comply which would not constitute a
Material Adverse Change. There are no outstanding grievances, arbitration awards
or appeals therefrom arising out of any Loan Party's labor contracts or current
or threatened strikes, picketing, handbilling or other work stoppages or
slowdowns at facilities of any Loan Party which in any case would constitute a
Material Adverse Change. NovaCare has delivered to the Agent true and correct
copies of each of the Labor Contracts in effect as of the date hereof.

                           (x) Environmental Matters. Except as disclosed on
Schedule 6.01(x) hereto:

                                    (i) Neither NovaCare nor any of its
Subsidiaries has received any Environmental Complaint from any Official Body or
private person alleging that NovaCare, any of its Subsidiaries or any prior or
subsequent owner of the Property is a potentially responsible party under the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Cleanup and Liability Act, ("CERCLA") 42
U.S.C. Section 9601, et seq., or is potentially liable under the Solid Waste
Disposal Act, as amended, ("SWDA") 42 U.S.C. Section 6901, et. seq., or any
comparable state or foreign law, statute or regulation of either CERCLA or SWDA
and NovaCare has no reason to believe that such an Environmental Complaint might
be received. There are no pending or, to any Loan Party's actual knowledge,
threatened Environmental Complaints relating to NovaCare, any of its
Subsidiaries or, to any Loan Party's knowledge, any prior or subsequent owner of
the Property pertaining to, or arising out of, any Environmental Conditions
which, individually or in the aggregate, if adversely determined could
reasonably be expected to constitute a Material Adverse Change.

                                    (ii) Except for conditions, violations or
failures which individually and in the aggregate are not reasonably likely to
result in a Material Adverse Change, (i) there are no circumstances at, on or,
to the best knowledge of each Loan Party, under the Property that constitute a
breach of or non-compliance with any of the Environmental Laws, and (ii) there
are, to the best knowledge of each Loan Party, no past or present Environmental
Conditions at, on or under the Property or, to each Loan Party's actual
knowledge, at, on or under adjacent property, that prevent compliance with the
Environmental Laws at the Property.

                                    (iii) Neither the Property nor any
structures, improvements, equipment, fixtures, activities or facilities thereon
or thereunder contain or use Regulated Substances except in compliance in all
material respects with Environmental Laws (other than any noncompliance which
individually and in the aggregate is not reasonably likely to result in a
Material Adverse Change). There are no processes, facilities, operations,
equipment or any other activities at, on or, to the best knowledge of each Loan
Party, under the Property, or, to each Loan Party's actual knowledge, at, on or
under adjacent property, that currently result in the release or threatened
release of Regulated Substances onto the Property, except to the extent that
such releases or threatened releases are not a material breach of or otherwise
not a material violation of the Environmental Laws, or are not likely to result
in a Material Adverse Change.

                                    (iv) There are no above ground storage
tanks, underground storage tanks, or underground piping associated with such
tanks, used for the management of Regulated Substances at, on or under the
Property that (a) do not have, to the extent required by


                                     - 50 -
<PAGE>   97
applicable Environmental Laws, a full operational secondary containment system
in place, and (b) are not otherwise in compliance in all material respects with
all Environmental Laws (other than any noncompliance which individually or in
the aggregate is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change).
To the best knowledge of each Loan Party, there are no abandoned underground
storage tanks or underground piping associated with such tanks, previously used
for the management of Regulated Substances at, on or under the Property that
have not been either abandoned in place, or removed, in accordance with the
Environmental Laws (other than any noncompliance which individually or in the
aggregate is not reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change).

                                    (v) Each Loan Party has all material
permits, licenses, authorizations, plans and approvals necessary under the
Environmental Laws for the conduct of the business of each Loan Party as
presently conducted (except where the failure to hold any such permit, license,
authorization or approval is not reasonably likely to result in a Material
Adverse Change). Each Loan Party has submitted all material notices, reports and
other filings required by the Environmental Laws to be submitted to an Official
Body which pertain to past and current operations on the Property (except where
the failure to make any such submission is not reasonably likely to result in a
Material Adverse Change).

                                    (vi) Except for violations which
individually and in the aggregate are not likely to result in a Material Adverse
Change, (i) all present and, to the actual knowledge of each Loan Party, past
on-site generation, storage, processing, treatment, recycling, reclamation or
disposal of Regulated Substances at, on, or, to the best knowledge of each Loan
Party, under the Property and, (ii) to the best knowledge of each Loan Party,
all off-site transportation, storage, processing, treatment, recycling,
reclamation or disposal of Regulated Substances by any Loan Party, and to the
actual knowledge of each Loan Party, by any other party, relating to the
activities on the Property has been done in accordance with the Environmental
Laws.

                           (y) Senior Debt Status. The obligations of the Loan
Parties under this Agreement, the Revolving Credit Notes or the Guaranties, as
the case may be, do rank and will rank at least pari passu in priority of
payment with all other indebtedness of the Loan Parties except indebtedness of
the Loan Parties to the extent secured by Permitted Liens. There is no Lien upon
or with respect to any of the properties or income of any Loan Party which
secures indebtedness or other obligations of any person except for Permitted
Liens. The obligations of the Loan Parties hereunder, under the Revolving Credit
Notes, or under the Guaranties constitute and will constitute "Senior
Indebtedness" as defined under the Indenture.

                           (z) Solvency. Each Loan Party is Solvent and after
giving effect to the transactions contemplated by the Loan Documents, including
all Indebtedness incurred thereby, and the payment of all fees related thereto,
each Loan Party will be Solvent, determined as of the Closing Date and as of
each Borrowing Date, except to the extent that any failure to comply with the
foregoing would not result in a Material Adverse Change.

                           (aa) Year 2000. Each Loan Party has reviewed the
areas within their business and operations which could be adversely affected by,
and have developed or are


                                     - 51 -
<PAGE>   98
developing a program to address on a timely basis, the risk that certain
computer applications used by the Loan Parties (or any of their respective
material suppliers, customers or vendors) may be unable to recognize and perform
properly date-sensitive functions involving dates prior to and after December
31, 1999 (the "Year 2000 Problem"). The Year 2000 Problem will not result in any
Material Adverse Change.

                  6.02 Updates to Schedules. Should any of the information or
disclosures provided on any of the Schedules attached hereto become outdated or
incorrect in any material respect, the Loan Parties shall promptly provide the
Agent in writing with such revisions or updates to such Schedule as may be
necessary or appropriate to update or correct same; provided, however that no
Schedule shall be deemed to have been amended, modified or superseded by any
such correction or update, nor shall any breach of warranty or representation
resulting from the inaccuracy or incompleteness of any such Schedule be deemed
to have been cured thereby, unless and until the Required Banks, in their sole
and absolute discretion, shall have accepted in writing such revisions or
updates to such Schedule.

                                   ARTICLE VII
                              CONDITIONS OF LENDING

                  The obligation of each Bank to make Revolving Credit Loans or
to issue any Letters of Credit hereunder is subject to the performance by each
Loan Party of its obligations to be performed hereunder at or prior to the
making of any such Revolving Credit Loans or the issuing of such Letters of
Credit and to the satisfaction of the following further conditions:

                  7.01     [INTENTIONALLY OMITTED]

                  7.02 Each Additional Revolving Credit Loan. At the time of
making any Revolving Credit Loans or issuing any Letters of Credit other than
the Revolving Credit Loan made or Letters of Credit issued on the Closing Date
hereunder and after giving effect thereto: the representations and warranties of
the Loan Parties contained in Article VI hereof shall be true on and as of the
date of such additional Revolving Credit Loan or Letter of Credit with the same
effect as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of
such date (except representations and warranties which expressly relate solely
to an earlier date or time, which representations and warranties shall be true
and correct on and as of the specific dates or times referred to therein) and
the Loan Parties shall have performed and complied with all covenants and
conditions hereof; no Event of Default or Potential Default shall have occurred
and be continuing or shall exist; the making of the Revolving Credit Loans or
issuance of the Letters of Credit shall not contravene any Law applicable to any
Loan Party or any of the Banks; and NovaCare, for itself or as agent for another
Borrower or Borrowers, shall have delivered to the Agent a duly executed and
completed Revolving Credit Loan Request or request for Letters of Credit.


                                     - 52 -
<PAGE>   99
                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                    COVENANTS

            8.01 Affirmative Covenants. Each Loan Party covenants and agrees
that until payment in full of the Revolving Credit Loans and interest thereon,
expiration or termination of all Letters of Credit, satisfaction of all of the
Loan Parties' other obligations hereunder and termination of the Revolving
Credit Commitment, each Loan Party shall comply at all times with the following
affirmative covenants:

                  (a) Preservation of Existence, etc. Except as specifically
permitted by Section 8.02(d), each Loan Party shall maintain its corporate
existence and its qualification and good standing in each jurisdiction in which
its ownership or lease of property or the nature of its business makes such
license or qualification necessary, except where the failure to be so licensed
or qualified would not constitute a Material Adverse Change.

                  (b) Payment of Liabilities, Including Taxes, etc. Each Loan
Party shall duly pay and discharge all material liabilities to which it is
subject or which are asserted against it, promptly as and when the same shall
become due and payable, including all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges upon it or any of its properties, assets, income or profits, prior to
the date on which penalties attach thereto, except to the extent that such
liabilities, including taxes, assessments or charges, are being contested in
good faith and by appropriate and lawful proceedings diligently conducted and
for which such reserve or other appropriate provisions, if any, as shall be
required by GAAP shall have been made, but only to the extent that failure to
discharge any such liabilities would not result in any Material Adverse Change
or adversely affect the Pledged Collateral, provided that such Loan Party will
pay all such liabilities forthwith upon the commencement of proceedings to
foreclose any Lien which may have attached as security therefor.

                  (c) Maintenance of Insurance. Each Loan Party shall insure its
properties and assets against loss or damage by fire and such other insurable
hazards as such assets are commonly insured (including fire, extended coverage,
property damage, worker's compensation, public liability and business
interruption insurance) and against other risks in such amounts as similar
properties and assets are insured by prudent companies in similar circumstances
carrying on similar businesses, and with reputable and financially sound
insurers, including self-insurance to the extent customary. At the request of
the Agent, each Loan Party shall deliver on the Closing Date and annually
thereafter a certificate signed by such Loan Party's independent insurance
broker certifying as to all insurance then in force with respect to such Loan
Party.

                  (d) Maintenance of Properties and Leases. Each Loan Party
shall maintain in good repair, working order and condition (ordinary wear and
tear excepted) in accordance with the general practice of other businesses of
similar character and size, all of those material properties useful or necessary
to its business, and from time to time, each Loan Party will make or cause to be
made all appropriate repairs, renewals or replacements thereof.


                                      -53-
<PAGE>   100
                  (e) Maintenance of Patents, Trademarks, etc. Each Loan Party
shall maintain in full force and effect all patents, trademarks, trade names,
copyrights, licenses, franchises, permits and other authorizations necessary for
the ownership and operation of its properties and business if the failure so to
maintain the same would constitute a Material Adverse Change.

                  (f) Visitation Rights. Each Loan Party shall permit any of the
officers or authorized employees or representatives of the Agent or any of the
Banks to visit and inspect any of its properties and to examine and make
excerpts from its books and records or discuss its business affairs, finances
and accounts with its officers, all in such detail and at such times during
normal business hours and as often as any of the Banks may reasonably request,
provided that each Bank shall provide such Loan Party and the Agent with
reasonable notice prior to any visit or inspection. In the event that any Bank
desires to conduct an inspection of a Loan Party, such Bank shall make a
reasonable effort to conduct such audit contemporaneously with any audit to be
performed by the Agent.

                  (g) Keeping of Records and Books of Account. The Loan Parties
shall maintain and keep proper books of record and account which enable the Loan
Parties to issue financial statements in accordance with GAAP and as otherwise
required by applicable Laws of any Official Body having jurisdiction over the
Loan Parties, and accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and
dispositions of the assets of the Loan Parties.

                  (h) Plans and Benefit Arrangements.

                        (i) NovaCare shall, and shall cause each member of the
ERISA Group to, comply with ERISA, the Internal Revenue Code and other Laws
applicable to Plans and Benefit Arrangements except where such failure, alone or
in conjunction with any other failure, would not result in a Material Adverse
Change. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, NovaCare shall cause
all of its Plans and all Plans maintained by any member of the ERISA Group to be
funded in accordance with the minimum funding requirements of ERISA and shall
make, and cause each member of the ERISA Group to make, in a timely manner, all
contributions due to Plans, Benefit Arrangements and Multiemployer Plans.

                        (ii) Promptly upon becoming aware of the occurrence
thereof, NovaCare shall furnish to the Banks notice (including the nature of the
event and, when known, any action taken or threatened by the Internal Revenue
Service or the PBGC with respect thereto) of:

                                (A) any Reportable Event with respect to
NovaCare or any member of the ERISA Group (regardless of whether the obligation
to report said Reportable Event to the PBGC has been waived),

                                (B) any Prohibited Transaction which could
subject NovaCare or any member of the ERISA Group to a civil penalty assessed
pursuant to Section 502(i) of ERISA or a tax imposed by Section 4975 of the
Internal Revenue Code in connection with any Plan, Benefit Arrangement or any
trust created thereunder,


                                      -54-
<PAGE>   101
                                (C) any assertion of material withdrawal
liability with respect to any Multiemployer Plan,

                                (D) any partial or complete withdrawal from a
Multiemployer Plan by NovaCare or any member of the ERISA Group under Title IV
of ERISA (or assertion thereof), where such withdrawal is likely to result in
material withdrawal liability,

                                (E) any cessation of operations (by NovaCare or
any member of the ERISA Group) at a facility in the circumstances described in
Section 4062(e) of ERISA,

                                (F) withdrawal by NovaCare or any member of the
ERISA Group from a Multiple Employer Plan where such withdrawal is likely to
result in a material liability,

                                (G) a failure by NovaCare or any member of the
ERISA Group to make a payment to a Plan required to avoid imposition of a lien
under Section 302(f) of ERISA,

                                (H) the adoption of an amendment to a Plan
requiring the provision of security to such Plan pursuant to Section 307 of
ERISA, or

                                (I) any change in the actuarial assumptions or
funding methods used for any Plan, where the effect of such change is to
materially increase or materially reduce the unfunded benefit liability or
obligation to make periodic contributions.

                        (iii) Promptly after receipt thereof, NovaCare shall
furnish to the Banks copies of (a) all notices received by NovaCare or any
member of the ERISA Group of the PBGC's intent to terminate any Plan
administered or maintained by NovaCare or any member of the ERISA Group, or to
have a trustee appointed to administer any such Plan, and (b) at the request of
the Agent or any Bank the three most recent annual reports (IRS Form 5500
series) and all accompanying schedules, the most recent actuarial reports, the
most recent financial information concerning the financial status of each Plan
administered or maintained by NovaCare or any member of the ERISA Group, and
schedules showing the amounts contributed within the last year to each such Plan
by or on behalf of NovaCare or any member of the ERISA Group in which any of
their personnel participate or from which such personnel may derive a benefit.

                        (iv) Promptly upon the filing thereof, NovaCare shall
furnish to the Banks copies of any Form 5310, or any successor or equivalent
form to Form 5310, filed with the PBGC in connection with the termination of any
Plan.

                  (i) Compliance With Laws. Each Loan Party shall comply with
all applicable Laws, including all Environmental Laws, in all respects provided
that it shall not be deemed to be a violation of this Section 8.01(i) if any
failure to comply with any Law would not result in or constitute a Material
Adverse Change.


                                      -55-
<PAGE>   102
                  (j) Use of Proceeds. The Borrowers will use the proceeds of
the Revolving Credit Loans only for lawful purposes in accordance with Section
2.08 hereof as applicable and such uses shall not contravene any applicable Law
or any other provision hereof.

                  (k) Further Assurances. Each Loan Party shall, from time to
time, at its expense, faithfully preserve and protect the Agent's Lien on and
Prior Security Interest in the Pledged Collateral as a continuing first priority
perfected Lien, and shall do such other acts and things as the Agent in its sole
discretion reasonably may deem necessary or advisable from time to time in order
to preserve, perfect and protect the Liens granted under the Loan Documents and
to exercise and enforce its rights and remedies thereunder with respect to the
Pledged Collateral.

                  (l) Subordination of Intercompany Indebtedness; Permitted
Additional Subordinated Indebtedness.

                        (A) Intercompany Indebtedness. Each Loan Party shall
enter into and be bound by the Subordination Agreement (Intercompany) and shall
cause all Intercompany Indebtedness to be subordinated to the obligations of the
Loan Parties to the Agent and the Banks pursuant to the terms of such
Subordination Agreement (Intercompany).

                        (B) Permitted Additional Subordinated Indebtedness. The
Loan Parties shall cause to be subordinated pursuant to the provisions of
Exhibit 1.01(P)(3) hereof all Indebtedness and Guaranties of Indebtedness of the
Loan Parties except for Indebtedness expressly permitted under clauses (i)
through (viii) of Section 8.02(a). Without limiting the foregoing, the Loan
Parties shall cause to be subordinated pursuant to such provisions all
Indebtedness and Guaranties of Indebtedness (i) incurred by any Loan Party in
connection with a Permitted Acquisition, or (ii) incurred by a corporation (or
its Subsidiaries) whose shares or other equity interests are acquired by a Loan
Party in a Permitted Acquisition, unless such Indebtedness is permitted under
clauses (i) through (viii) of Section 8.02(a).

                  (m) Certificate of Borrowers; Other Reports and Information.
NovaCare shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Banks:

                        (i) Quarterly Financial Statements. As soon as available
and in any event within forty-five (45) calendar days after the end of each of
the first three fiscal quarters in each fiscal year, consolidated financial
statements of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries and consolidated financial
statements of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries (other than NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc.) consolidating with NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., in both
cases, consisting of a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal quarter,
related statements of income for the fiscal quarter then ended and the fiscal
year through such date and related statements of cash flows, for the fiscal year
through such date, all in reasonable detail and certified (subject to normal
year-end audit adjustments) by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief
Financial Officer of NovaCare as having been prepared in accordance with GAAP,
consistently applied, and setting forth in comparative form the respective
financial statements (except for the balance sheets) for the corresponding date
and period in the previous fiscal year. NovaCare may comply with this Section
8.01(m)(i) by delivering to the Banks certified copies of its Form 10-Q filed


                                      -56-
<PAGE>   103
with the Securities and Exchange Commission provided that the financial
statements contained therein comply with the foregoing requirements. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this subsection, but to
further clarify the intent of the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks, for
purposes of preparing the financial statements required by this subsection, it
is agreed that the Loan Parties shall provide to the Agent and the Banks the
required financial statements including the following: the required financial
statements for NovaCare and its Subsidiaries (other than NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc.) on a consolidated basis, the required financial statements for
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. on a consolidated basis, the required detailed
GAAP eliminations with respect to the consolidating of NovaCare and its
Subsidiaries (other than NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.) and NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc. and the required financial statements for NovaCare and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

                        (ii) Annual Financial Statements. As soon as available
and in any event within ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year,
consolidated financial statements of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries and
consolidated financial statements of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries (other than
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.) consolidating with NovaCare Employee Services,
Inc., in both cases consisting of a balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal
year, and related statements of income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for
the fiscal year then ended, all in reasonable detail and setting forth in
comparative form the financial statements as of the end of and for the preceding
fiscal year, and certified by Price Waterhouse or other independent certified
public accountants of nationally recognized standing reasonably satisfactory to
the Agent. The certificate or report of accountants shall be free of
qualifications (other than any consistency qualification that may result from a
change in the method used to prepare the financial statements as to which such
accountants concur) and shall not indicate the occurrence or existence of any
event, condition or contingency which would materially impair the prospect of
payment or performance of any covenant, agreement or duty of the Loan Parties
under any of the Loan Documents. NovaCare may comply with this Section
8.01(m)(ii) by delivering to the Banks copies of its Form 10-K filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, provided that the financial statements and
report of accountants contained therein comply with the foregoing requirements.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing provisions of this subsection,
but to further clarify the intent of the Borrower, the Agent and the Banks, for
purposes of preparing the financial statements required by this subsection, it
is agreed that the Loan Parties shall provide to the Agent and the Banks the
required financial statements including the following: the required financial
statements for NovaCare and its Subsidiaries (other than NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc.) on a consolidated basis, the required financial statements for
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. on a consolidated basis, the required detailed
GAAP eliminations with respect to the consolidating of NovaCare and its
Subsidiaries (other than NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.) and NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc. and the required financial statements for NovaCare and its
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis.

                        (iii) Certificate of the Borrower. No later than ten
(10) Business Days following the due date of the financial statements of
NovaCare and its Subsidiaries furnished to the Agent and to the Banks pursuant
to Sections 8.01(m)(i) and (ii) hereof, a certificate of NovaCare signed by the
Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief Financial 


                                      -57-
<PAGE>   104
Officer of NovaCare, in the form of Exhibit 8.01(m)(iii) hereto, to the effect
that, except as described pursuant to Section 8.03(a) below, (i) the
representations and warranties of the Loan Parties contained in Article VI
hereof are true on and as of the date of such certificate with the same effect
as though such representations and warranties had been made on and as of such
date (except representations and warranties which expressly relate solely to an
earlier date or time) and the Loan Parties have performed and complied with all
covenants and conditions hereof, and (ii) no Event of Default or Potential
Default exists and is continuing on the date of such certificate. The
certificate also shall contain calculations in sufficient detail to demonstrate
compliance as of the date of the financial statements with all financial
covenants contained in Section 8.02 hereof.

                        (iv) Separate Financial Information for Certain Excluded
Entities. As soon as available, quarterly and annual financial statements with
respect to each Excluded Entity in which a Restricted Investment of more than $1
million has been made by a Loan Party.

                        (v) Management Letters. Concurrently with the annual
financial statements described in Section 8.01(m)(ii), any reports including
management letters submitted to any Loan Party by independent accountants in
connection with any annual, interim or special audit.

                        (vi) Other Reports and Information. Promptly upon their
becoming available to NovaCare or as otherwise specified below:

                                (A) the annual consolidated budget and any
accompanying forecasts or projections of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries submitted
to NovaCare's Board of Directors which shall project the operations of NovaCare
and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and separately for each of their
lines of business. NovaCare shall deliver such budget, forecasts and projections
to the Banks not later than forty-five (45) days following the commencement of
the fiscal year to which such budget, forecasts and projections may be
applicable. In the event that as a result of a Permitted Acquisition, NovaCare
updates any budget, forecasts or projections to give effect to such Permitted
Acquisition, NovaCare shall promptly deliver to the Banks such updated budget,
forecasts or projections as they become available.

                                (B) any reports, notices or proxy statements
generally distributed by NovaCare to its stockholders on a date no later than
the date supplied to the stockholders,

                                (C) regular or periodic reports, including Forms
10-K, 10-Q and 8-K, registration statements and prospectuses (except for
registration statements on Form S-8), filed by NovaCare with the Securities and
Exchange Commission,

                                (D) a copy of any order in any proceeding to
which NovaCare or any of its Subsidiaries is a party issued by any Official
Body, which order is other than in the ordinary course of business in the case
of an order issued by an Official Body other 


                                      -58-
<PAGE>   105
than a court, a tribunal, a grand jury or arbitrator or which order is
reasonably likely to result in a Material Adverse Change,

                                (E) a copy of any notice regarding the
occurrence of an event of default or event which with the passage of time or
giving of notice or both would cause an event of default in respect of any lease
to which NovaCare or any of its Subsidiaries is a party or by which NovaCare or
any of its Subsidiaries is bound, pursuant to which lease NovaCare or any of its
Subsidiaries makes payments equal to or in excess of $250,000 in any fiscal
year, such notice to be delivered to the Banks upon receipt thereof by NovaCare
or any of its Subsidiaries,

                                (F) upon the request of the Agent or any Bank, a
copy of the purchase agreement and all documents and financial statements and
information in connection with each Permitted Acquisition, and

                                (G) such other reports and information as the
Banks may from time to time reasonably request. NovaCare shall also notify the
Banks promptly after it obtains knowledge of the enactment or adoption of any
Law which may result in a Material Adverse Change.

            8.02 Negative Covenants. NovaCare covenants and agrees that until
payment in full of the Revolving Credit Loans and interest thereon, expiration
or termination of all Letters of Credit and satisfaction of all of the
Borrowers' other obligations hereunder and termination of the Revolving Credit
Commitment, NovaCare shall, and shall cause each Loan Party to, comply at all
times with the following negative covenants (and insofar as the following are
applicable to any Borrower, such Borrower also covenants and agrees as follows):

                  (a) Indebtedness. Each Loan Party shall not at any time
create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any Indebtedness, except:

                        (i) Indebtedness under the Loan Documents;

                        (ii) Indebtedness existing on the date hereof as set
forth on Schedule 8.02(a)(ii), (other than Indebtedness under the Indenture
which is addressed in clause (iv) below), including any extensions or renewals
thereof provided there is no increase in the amount thereof or other significant
change in the terms thereof adverse to any Loan Party;

                        (iii) Capitalized leases entered into in the ordinary
course of business consistent with past practice;

                        (iv) Indebtedness under the Indenture, provided, that
the subordination provisions contained in the Indenture shall not be amended
after the Closing Date and that the Indenture is not otherwise amended after the
Closing Date if the effect thereof would (i) accelerate the due date or increase
the amount of any payment due from the Loan Parties thereunder, (ii) change the
rate at which interest is charged thereunder, or (iii) impose restrictions or
obligations on the Loan Parties which are not imposed thereunder on the Closing
Date or add any term thereto which is less favorable in any material respect to
the Loan Parties than the terms of the Indenture on the Closing Date or which is
more restrictive to any of the Loan Parties than the terms of the Credit
Agreement, provided, further that the Indebtedness under the Indenture 


                                      -59-
<PAGE>   106
may be refinanced, in whole or in part, so long as (x) after giving effect to
such refinancing the Loan Parties are in pro-forma compliance with the financial
covenants set forth in Sections 8.02(l) [Minimum Net Worth], 8.02 (n) [Funded
Debt to Cash Flow from Operations], and Section 8.02(o) [Minimum Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio], (y) after giving effect to such refinancing no Event of Default
or Potential Default exists, and (z) the terms and conditions of the documents
evidencing such refinancing are satisfactory in form and substance to the
Required Banks (it being understood and agreed that the Loan Parties shall
provide a copy of such documents in substantially final form to the Agent and
the Banks at least fifteen (15) Business Days prior such refinancing);

                        (v) (A) Up to $20,000,000 in aggregate principal amount
collectively for all Loan Parties, at any one time outstanding, of (1)
Indebtedness incurred or assumed on or after the Closing Date secured by
Purchase Money Security Interests entered into in the ordinary course of
business consistent with past practice; and (2) in connection with a Permitted
Acquisition which would be accounted for as a "purchase" transaction under GAAP,
Indebtedness assumed by Loan Parties pursuant to mergers of persons into Loan
Parties or Indebtedness of persons whose stock (or other ownership interests) or
assets are acquired by Loan Parties in a Permitted Acquisition (whether by
merger or otherwise and only to the extent the Indebtedness of a person is
assumed by Loan Parties in the case of the acquisition of the assets of such
person by a Loan Party) provided that with respect to each such Permitted
Acquisition such persons referred to above are not Affiliates of any Loan
Parties prior to such Permitted Acquisition and provided that such Indebtedness
(i) existed before the date of such Permitted Acquisition; (ii) does not exceed
the purchase price (determined in accordance with GAAP) in connection with such
Permitted Acquisition; and (iii) is secured only by the assets acquired if the
Permitted Acquisition is an asset acquisition, or is secured only by the assets
of the person whose stock or other ownership interests are being acquired if the
Permitted Acquisition is an acquisition of stock or other ownership interests;

                                (B) Any extensions or renewals of Indebtedness
described in clause (A) above provided there is no increase in the amount
thereof or other significant change in the terms thereof adverse to any Loan
Party;

                        (vi) Indebtedness assumed by an acquiring Loan Party in
an asset acquisition which would be accounted for as a "pooling of interests"
transaction under GAAP, or Indebtedness of a Pooling Partner which remains
outstanding following the acquisition, directly or indirectly, of such Pooling
Partner's stock or other ownership interests in connection with a stock
acquisition (which is accounted for as a "pooling of interests under GAAP"),
provided that, in either case: (A) such transaction is a Permitted Acquisition
and such Indebtedness existed before the date of such Permitted Acquisition; (B)
the aggregate amount of such Indebtedness does not exceed the Pooling
Consideration in connection with such Permitted Acquisition; (C) the aggregate
amount of such Indebtedness together with all other Indebtedness previously
incurred under this Section 8.02(a)(vi) during the then current fiscal year does
not exceed $100,000,000; (D) no Loan Party shall issue any Guaranty in respect
of, grant any Lien in any of its assets as security for, or otherwise become
liable to repay, such Indebtedness except (1) if the Permitted Acquisition is an
asset acquisition which would be accounted for as a 


                                      -60-
<PAGE>   107
"pooling of interests" transaction under GAAP, the acquiring Loan Party may
assume such Indebtedness and may confirm the continued existence of Liens in the
assets which it acquires from the Pooling Partner securing such Indebtedness,
provided that such Loan Party shall have been inactive prior to such Permitted
Acquisition so that its assets shall consist solely of the assets which it has
acquired pursuant to such Permitted Acquisition, (2) if the Permitted
Acquisition is a stock acquisition which is accounted for under GAAP as a
"pooling of interests", the Pooling Partner may remain liable on such
Indebtedness and may confirm its prior grant of Liens in its assets securing
such Indebtedness, and (3) NovaCare may execute a Guaranty guaranteeing such
Indebtedness provided that such Guaranty shall be subordinated in accordance
with the provisions of Exhibit 1.01(P)(3) (a "Permitted NovaCare Guaranty"); (E)
the amount of such Indebtedness (or committed amount if the Indebtedness is a
revolving credit facility) shall not be increased after such Permitted
Acquisition; and (F) the agreements governing such Indebtedness may not be
amended or modified in any material respect, extended, renewed or replaced after
such Permitted Acquisition;

                        (vii) Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness provided,
however, that for periods on or after the Spin-Off Consummation, neither
NovaCare nor any Subsidiary of NovaCare shall make any loans or advances to
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.;

                        (viii) Permitted Additional Institutional Indebtedness;
and

                        (ix) Permitted Additional Subordinated Indebtedness.

                  (b) Liens. Each Loan Party shall not at any time create,
incur, assume or suffer to exist any Lien on any of its property or assets,
tangible or intangible, now owned or hereafter acquired, or agree or become
liable to do so, except Permitted Liens. None of the Loan Parties shall enter
into any agreement or covenant with any person other than the Agent or the Banks
which in any manner limits the right of any of the Loan Parties to permit to
exist any Lien on any of their assets, except that the Loan Parties may enter
into agreements granting Permitted Liens to third parties.

                  (c) Guaranties. Each Loan Party shall not at any time,
directly or indirectly, become or be liable in respect of any Guaranty, or
assume, guarantee, become surety for, endorse or otherwise agree, become or
remain directly or contingently liable upon or with respect to any obligation or
liability of any other person which obligation or liability would be required to
be reported or noted in the financial statements of such Loan Party in
accordance with GAAP, except pursuant to (u) Guaranties of contractual
obligations of the Loan Parties not constituting Indebtedness; (v) Permitted
NovaCare Guaranties; (w) Guaranties listed on Schedule 8.02(a)(ii); (x) the
Guaranty Agreements; (y) guaranties subordinated in accordance with the
provisions of Exhibit 1.01(P)(3) guaranteeing Permitted Additional Subordinated
Indebtedness or (z) guaranties of the obligations described in Sections
8.02(a)(iii), (v) and (viii).

                  (d) Liquidations, Mergers, Consolidations, Acquisitions. Each
of the Loan Parties shall not, and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries to,
dissolve, liquidate or wind-up its affairs, or become a party to any merger or
consolidation, or acquire by purchase, lease or 


                                      -61-
<PAGE>   108
otherwise all or substantially all of the assets or capital stock or other
ownership interests of any other person, provided that

                        (i) any wholly-owned Subsidiary of NovaCare may
consolidate or merge into another Loan Party which is wholly-owned by one or
more of the other Loan Parties, and

                        (ii) any Loan Party may acquire, whether by purchase or
by merger, (A) all of the ownership interests of another Person or (B)
substantially all of the assets of another Person or of a business or division
of another Person (each a "Permitted Acquisition"), provided that each of the
following requirements is met:

                                (A) such Person shall be a corporation, limited
liability company or other entity with respect to applicable state law provided
that the owners of all stock or other ownership interests in such entity shall
not be liable for any obligations of such entity or for the claims of any
creditors thereof,

                                (B) if the Loan Parties are acquiring the
ownership interests in such Person, such Person shall join this Agreement as a
Borrower or a Guarantor pursuant to Section 11.18 hereof and the owners of such
acquired Person shall grant Liens in the stock or other ownership interests in
such Person and otherwise comply with Section 11.18 on or before the date of
such Permitted Acquisition,

                                (C) the board of directors or other equivalent
governing body of such Person shall have approved such Permitted Acquisition,

                                (D) the business acquired, or the business
conducted by the Person whose ownership interests are being acquired, as
applicable, shall be a Permitted Line of Business,

                                (E) no Potential Default or Event of Default
shall exist immediately prior to and after giving effect to such Permitted
Acquisition,

                                (F) after giving effect to such Permitted
Acquisition there shall be Available Revolving Credit Commitments of at least
Five Million Dollars ($5,000,000), and

                                (G) the Consideration paid by the Loan Parties
for each Permitted Acquisition shall not exceed Thirty Million Dollars
($30,000,000), and after giving effect to such Permitted Acquisition, the
Consideration paid by the Loan Parties for all Permitted Acquisitions made
during a fiscal year of the Loan Parties shall not exceed the amount specified
below for such fiscal year (the amount specified below for an individual fiscal
year of the Borrower is hereinafter the "Annual Permitted Acquisition Amount"):


                                      -62-
<PAGE>   109
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Annual Permitted
                   Fiscal Year Ended      Acquisition Amount
                   -----------------      ------------------
<S>                                       <C>         
                   June 30, 1999             $250,000,000

                   June 20, 2000             $200,000,000

                   June 30, 2001             $200,000,000

                   June 30, 2002             $150,000,000

                   June 30, 2003             $150,000,000
</TABLE>

                        Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, for periods on or after March 31, 1997, no portion of the Annual
Permitted Acquisition Amount shall be utilized to make Permitted Acquisitions of
Professional Employment Organizations.

                  (e) Dispositions of Assets or Subsidiaries. Each Loan Party
shall not sell, convey, assign, lease, abandon or otherwise transfer or dispose
of, voluntarily or involuntarily, any of its properties or assets, tangible or
intangible (including but not limited to sale, assignment, discount or other
disposition of accounts, contract rights, chattel paper, equipment or general
intangibles with or without recourse or of capital stock, shares of beneficial
interest or partnership interests of a Subsidiary), except:

                        (i) transactions involving any sale, abandonment,
transfer or lease of assets in the ordinary course of business which are no
longer necessary or required in the conduct of such Loan Party's business;

                        (ii) transactions involving any sale, transfer,
abandonment or lease of assets by any Loan Party which is a wholly owned
Subsidiary of NovaCare to NovaCare or any other Loan Party which is a wholly
owned Subsidiary of NovaCare;

                        (iii) transactions involving any sale, abandonment,
transfer or lease of assets in the ordinary course of business which are
replaced by substitute assets; or

                        (iv) transactions involving a sale of assets provided
that the sum of the Sale Price received from such sale and from all prior sales
permitted under this clause (iv) (but without regard to the Sale Price received
in connection with the Spin-Off) does not exceed 5% of Consolidated Net Worth as
of the end of the fiscal quarter of NovaCare preceding the date of such sale and
provided that the Loan Parties deliver to the Banks evidence of compliance with
this clause (iv) before making such sale.

                  (f) Joinder of Qualifying Subsidiaries; Excluded Entities.
NovaCare shall not, and shall not permit any other Loan Party to, own, create or
acquire any Qualifying Subsidiary except for the Excluded Qualifying
Subsidiaries unless such Qualifying Subsidiary joins this Agreement as either a
Borrower or Guarantor pursuant to Section 11.18 hereof. The Loan Parties shall
not permit their Restricted Investments in Excluded Entities to exceed the
Permitted Investment in Excluded Entities.


                                      -63-
<PAGE>   110
                  (g) Continuation of or Change in Business. Each Loan Party
shall not engage in any business other than a Permitted Line of Business.
NovaCare shall not change its business materially after the Closing Date.

                  (h) Plans and Benefit Arrangements. Each Loan Party shall not:

                        (i) fail to satisfy the minimum funding requirements of
ERISA and the Internal Revenue Code with respect to any Plan;

                        (ii) request a minimum funding waiver from the Internal
Revenue Service with respect to any Plan;

                        (iii) engage in a Prohibited Transaction with any Plan,
Benefit Arrangement or Multiemployer Plan which, alone or in conjunction with
any other circumstances or set of circumstances resulting in liability under
ERISA, would constitute a Material Adverse Change;

                        (iv) permit the aggregate actuarial present value of all
benefit liabilities (whether or not vested) under each Plan, determined on a
plan termination basis, as disclosed in the most recent actuarial report
completed with respect to such Plan, to exceed, as of any actuarial valuation
date, the fair market value of the assets of such Plan;

                        (v) fail to make when due any contribution to any
Multiemployer Plan that NovaCare or any member of the ERISA Group may be
required to make under any agreement relating to such Multiemployer Plan, or any
Law pertaining thereto;

                        (vi) withdraw (completely or partially) from any
Multiemployer Plan or withdraw (or be deemed under Section 4062(e) of ERISA to
withdraw) from any Multiple Employer Plan, where any such withdrawal is likely
to result in a material liability of NovaCare or any member of the ERISA Group;

                        (vii) terminate, or institute proceedings to terminate,
any Plan, where such termination is likely to result in a material liability to
NovaCare or any member of the ERISA Group;

                        (viii) make any amendment to any Plan with respect to
which security is required under Section 307 of ERISA; or

                        (ix) fail to give any and all notices and make all
disclosures and governmental filings required under ERISA or the Internal
Revenue Code, where such failure is likely to result in a Material Adverse
Change.

                  (i) Loans and Investments. The Loan Parties shall not, and
shall not permit any of their Subsidiaries to, at any time make or suffer to
remain outstanding any loan or advance to, or purchase, acquire or own any
stock, bonds, notes or securities of, or any partnership interest (whether
general or limited) in or any other investment or interest in, or make any
capital contribution to, any other person, or agree, become or remain liable to
do any of the foregoing, except:


                                      -64-
<PAGE>   111
                        (i) trade credit extended on usual and customary terms
in the ordinary course of business including any such credit which may be
evidenced from time to time by promissory notes;

                        (ii) advances to employees to meet expenses incurred by
such employees in the ordinary course of their employment and short-term or
relocation loans to new executives to induce them to enter into the employ of
NovaCare or any of its Subsidiaries, consistent with past practices;

                        (iii) Permitted Investments;

                        (iv) Permitted Intercompany Indebtedness, and
Investments by the Loan Parties in other Loan Parties; provided, however, that
for periods on or after the Spin-Off Consummation, neither NovaCare nor any
Subsidiary of NovaCare shall make any loans or advances to or investments in
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.; and

                        (v) the Permitted Investment in Excluded Entities so
long as: (a) the Excluded Entity in which the Restricted Investment is made is
engaged in either a Permitted Line of Business, the ownership of real property,
or operation of a physician practice group; (b) if a Loan Party is a general
partner of an Excluded Entity in which a Restricted Investment is made, the
Restricted Investment in such general partner shall not exceed the amount of the
Permitted Investment in Excluded Entity for such Excluded Entity; (c) the Loan
Party making a Restricted Investment in an Excluded Entity gives notice to the
Agent, including a brief description of the nature, type and amount of the
Restricted Investment, description of the Excluded Entity, and if the nature of
a Restricted Investment is tangible property then the fair value of such
tangible property (including a detailed calculation and summary of the method of
such valuation) together with such other information regarding the Restricted
Investment as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request, such notice to be
delivered to the Agent no later than ten (10) Business Days prior to the making
of such Restricted Investment, (d) the Loan Party making the Permitted
Investment in Excluded Entities is a Loan Party other than NovaCare, and (e) a
Prior Security Interest in the stock, partnership interests or other equity
interests of the Excluded Entity owned by any Loan Party are pledged to the
Agent, for the benefit of the Banks, pursuant to a Pledge Agreement in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent. Notwithstanding anything contained in this
Section 8.02(i) to the contrary, neither NovaCare, nor any other Loan Party, nor
any Subsidiary of any Loan Party shall at any time on or after the Spin-Off
Consummation make any loan or advance to, purchase, acquire or own any stock,
bonds, notes or securities of, or any other investment or interest in, or make
any capital contribution to, or agree, become or remain liable to do any of the
foregoing with respect to NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., a Delaware
corporation, other than the continued ownership of NovaCare's (or NC Resources'
as transferee of NovaCare) equity interest of common stock of NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc., a Delaware corporation, as owned as of the Spin-Off
Consummation.

                  (j) Dividends and Related Distributions. The Loan Parties
shall not make or pay, or agree to become or remain liable to make or pay, any
dividend or other distribution of any nature (whether in cash, property,
securities or otherwise) on account of or in respect of its shares of capital
stock or on account of the purchase, redemption, retirement or 


                                      -65-
<PAGE>   112
acquisition of its shares of capital stock (or warrants, options or rights
therefor), except (i) dividends payable by any Subsidiary of NovaCare to
NovaCare or to any other Loan Party, or (ii) dividends paid by NovaCare or
payments by NovaCare for stock repurchases or redemptions not exceeding
twenty-five percent (25%) of consolidated net income earned in respect of any
fiscal year provided that such dividends (A) may not be made until at least four
(4) Business Days have elapsed following the delivery by NovaCare of its
financial statements to the Banks pursuant to Section 8.01(m)(ii) hereof for
such fiscal year, and (B) may be made in subsequent fiscal years if they are not
made during the fiscal year in which such financial statements are delivered.

                  (k) [Intentionally Omitted]

                  (l) Minimum Net Worth. The Loan Parties shall not permit
Consolidated Net Worth, calculated as of the end of each fiscal quarter, to be
less than the Minimum Net Worth Requirement.

                  (m) [Intentionally Omitted]

                  (n) Funded Debt to Cash Flow From Operations. The Loan Parties
shall not permit the ratio of Consolidated Funded Debt to Consolidated Cash Flow
from Operations, calculated as of the end of each fiscal quarter for the four
fiscal quarters then ended, to exceed 4.25 to 1.0 for the fiscal quarter ending
on or after the Thirteenth Amendment Effective Date through the period ending on
or before June 30, 2000 or 3.75 to 1.0 for any fiscal quarter ending after July
1, 2000.

                  (o) Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio. The Loan Parties
shall not permit the ratio of Consolidated Earnings Available for Fixed Charges
to Consolidated Fixed Charges, calculated as of the end of each fiscal quarter
for the four fiscal quarters then ended, to be less than 1.30 to 1.0.

                  (p) Changes in Subordinated Indebtedness Documents. NovaCare
shall not, and shall not permit any Subsidiary to, amend or modify any
provisions of the Subordinated Indebtedness Documents without providing, in the
case of an amendment or modification in connection with a refinancing of the
Subordinated Debentures permitted by Section 8.02(a)(iv), at least fifteen (15)
Business Days' prior written notice to the Agent and the Banks, and obtaining
the prior written consent of the Required Banks, and in the case of any other
amendment or modification to provisions of the Subordinated Indebtedness
Documents at least five (5) Business Days' prior written notice to the Agent and
the Banks, and obtaining the prior written consent of the Required Banks. The
Loan Parties shall not directly or indirectly make any payment or other
distribution directly or indirectly to the obligees under the Subordinated
Indebtedness, except for (i) regularly scheduled mandatory payments under the
Subordinated Indebtedness Documents excluding any mandatory payments required by
reason of acceleration, (ii) prepayments of Indebtedness of the type described
in Section 8.02(a)(v)(A)(2), or (iii) prepayments of the Subordinated Debentures
with the cash proceeds of a Permitted Refinancing of Subordinated Debentures so
long as after giving effect to the prepayment of the 


                                      -66-
<PAGE>   113
Subordinated Debentures, no Event of Default or Potential Default shall have
occurred or shall exist; provided that in the event that proceeds of a Permitted
Refinancing of Subordinated Indebtedness are used to repay Revolving Credit
Loans (the "Repaid Amount"), then proceeds of Revolving Credit Loans, not to
exceed the Repaid Amount, may be used to prepay the Subordinated Debentures, but
it is expressly agreed that no other proceeds of the Revolving Credit Loans
shall be used directly or indirectly for the purpose of repaying or redeeming
the Subordinated Indebtedness.

                  (q) Affiliate Transactions. NovaCare shall not, and shall not
permit any of its Subsidiaries to, enter into or carry out any transaction
(including, without limitation, purchasing property or services or selling
property or services) with any Affiliate (other than the Loan Parties) unless
such transaction is not otherwise prohibited by this Agreement, is entered into
in the ordinary course of business upon fair and reasonable arm's-length terms
and conditions which are fully disclosed to the Agent and is in accordance with
all applicable Law. It is agreed that the transactions set forth on Schedule
8.02(q) between NovaCare and NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. shall be deemed to
comply with the requirements of this Section 8.02(q).

                  (r) Professional Employment Organizations. NovaCare shall not,
and shall not permit any of its Subsidiaries, to on or after March 31, 1997, at
any time (x) become a party to any merger or consolidation, or acquire by
purchase, lease or otherwise all or substantially all of the assets or capital
stock or other ownership interests of any other entity or Person which engages
in the business of a Professional Employment Organization, or (y) make or suffer
to remain outstanding any loan or advance to, or purchase, acquire or own any
stock, bonds, notes or securities of, or any partnership interests (whether
general or limited) in or any other investment or interest in, or make any
capital contribution to, any other entity or Person which engages in the
business of a Professional Employment Organization, other than the continued
ownership of NovaCare's (or NC Resources' as the transferee of NovaCare) equity
interest of common stock of NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. otherwise permitted
by this Agreement.

            8.03 Reporting Requirements. The Borrowers jointly and severally
covenant and agree that until payment in full of the Revolving Credit Loans and
interest thereon, and termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment and
satisfaction of all of the Borrowers' other obligations hereunder, the Borrowers
shall furnish or cause to be furnished to the Agent and each of the Banks:

                  (a) Notice of Default. Promptly after any officer of any Loan
Party has learned of the occurrence of an Event of Default or Potential Default,
a certificate signed by the Chief Executive Officer, President or Chief
Financial Officer of NovaCare setting forth the details of such Event of Default
or Potential Default and the action which such Loan Party proposes to take with
respect thereto.


                                      -67-
<PAGE>   114
                  (b) Notice of Litigation. Promptly after the commencement
thereof, notice of all actions, suits, proceedings or investigations before or
by any Official Body or any other person against any Loan Party involving a
claim or series of claims in excess of $2,500,000 or which if adversely
determined would constitute a Material Adverse Change.

                                   ARTICLE IX
                                     DEFAULT

            9.01 Events of Default. An Event of Default shall mean the
occurrence or existence of any one or more of the following events or conditions
(whatever the reason therefor and whether voluntary, involuntary or effected by
operation of Law):

                  (a) Any Loan Party shall fail to pay any principal of any
Revolving Credit Loan (including scheduled installments, mandatory prepayments
or the payment due at maturity), fees or any other amount owing hereunder or
under the other Loan Documents after such principal, fees or other amount
becomes due in accordance with the terms hereof or thereof or shall fail to pay
any interest on any Revolving Credit Loan within five (5) days of the due date
for payment of interest;

                  (b) Any representation or warranty made at any time by any
Loan Party herein or in any other Loan Document, or in any certificate, other
instrument or statement furnished pursuant to the provisions hereof or thereof,
shall prove to have been false or misleading in any material respect as of the
time it was made or furnished;

                  (c) Any Loan Party shall breach or default in the observance
or performance of any covenant contained in (i) Section 8.01(f), (ii) Section
8.02 (except for breaches of covenants contained in Sections 8.02(b), (h) and
(i); such breaches are addressed in clause (iii) below), or (iii) Section
8.02(b), (h) or (i) when the performance or observance of such covenant is
within the control of such Loan Party;

                  (d) Any Loan Party shall default in the observance or
performance of any other covenant, condition or provision hereof or of any other
Loan Document and such default shall continue unremedied for a period of twenty
(20) Business Days after any officer of such Loan Party becomes aware of the
occurrence thereof (such grace period to be applicable only in the event such
default can be remedied by corrective action of NovaCare or such Loan Party as
determined by the Agent in its sole discretion);

                  (e) A default or event of default shall occur at any time
under the terms of (i) Subordinated Indebtedness Documents evidencing
Subordinated Indebtedness in excess of $1,000,000 (or any agreement to
subordinate the right of payment in respect of Subordinated Indebtedness in
excess of $1,000,000 to the Indebtedness arising out of or under the Loan
Documents, at any time and for any reason, ceases to be in full force and effect
or is declared to be null and void or unenforceable in part); (ii) any lease by
a Loan Party under which such Loan Party may be obligated as lessee or sublessee
in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate over the lease term and such Loan Party
fails to make a payment thereunder when due or a 


                                      -68-
<PAGE>   115
default thereunder shall occur which permits the lessor or sublessor to
terminate the lease, retake possession of the leased property or assert a claim
for damages; or (iii) any other agreement involving borrowed money or the
extension of credit or any other Indebtedness under which any Loan Party may be
obligated as borrower or guarantor in excess of $1,000,000 in the aggregate, and
with respect to such other agreement described in this clause (iii) either (A)
such breach, default or event of default consists of the failure to pay (beyond
any period of grace permitted with respect thereto, whether waived or not) any
indebtedness when due (whether at stated maturity, by acceleration or otherwise)
or (B) such breach or default permits or causes the acceleration of any
indebtedness (whether or not such right shall have been waived) or the
termination of any commitment to lend;

                  (f) Any final judgments or orders for the payment of money in
excess of $2,500,000 in the aggregate shall be entered against any Loan Party by
a court having jurisdiction in the premises which judgment is not discharged,
vacated, bonded or stayed pending appeal within a period of thirty (30) days
from the date of entry;

                  (g) Any of the Loan Documents shall cease to be legal, valid
and binding agreements enforceable against the Loan Party executing the same or
such party's successors and assigns (as permitted under the Loan Documents) in
accordance with the respective terms thereof or shall in any way be terminated
(except in accordance with its terms) or become or be declared ineffective or
inoperative or shall cease to give or provide the respective Liens, security
interests, rights, titles, interests, remedies, powers or privileges intended to
be created thereby;

                  (h) There shall occur any material uninsured (except to the
extent of self-insurance for which adequate reserves have been made) damage to
or loss, theft or destruction of any of the Property in excess of $2,500,000 or
any other of any Loan Party's assets are attached, seized, levied upon or
subjected to a writ or distress warrant; or such come within the possession of
any receiver, trustee, custodian or assignee for the benefit of creditors and
the same is not cured within thirty (30) days thereafter;

                  (i) A notice of lien or assessment in excess of $2,500,000 is
filed of record with respect to all or any part of any Loan Party's assets by
the United States, or any department, agency or instrumentality thereof, or by
any state, county, municipal or other governmental agency, including, without
limitation, the PBGC, or if any taxes or debts owing at any time or times
hereafter to any one of these become payable and the same are not paid within
thirty (30) days after the same become payable unless the same are being
contested in good faith and either a stay of execution is in effect or the Banks
are provided with adequate security satisfactory to the Banks in their sole
discretion;

                  (j) Any Loan Party is enjoined, restrained or in any way
prevented by court order from conducting all or any material part of its
business and such injunction, restraint or other preventive order is not
dismissed within thirty (30) days after the entry thereof;

                  (k) A Change in Ownership occurs;


                                      -69-
<PAGE>   116
                  (l) A proceeding shall have been instituted in a court having
jurisdiction in the premises seeking a decree or order for relief in respect of
any Loan Party in an involuntary case under any applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or hereafter in effect, or
for the appointment or the taking possession by a receiver, liquidator,
assignee, custodian, trustee, sequestrator, conservator (or similar official) of
any Loan Party or for any substantial part of any Loan Party's property, or for
the winding-up or liquidation of its affairs, and such proceeding shall remain
undismissed or unstayed and in effect for a period of thirty (30) consecutive
days or such court shall enter a decree or order granting any of the relief
sought in such proceeding;

                  (m) Any Loan Party shall commence a voluntary case under any
applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or other similar law now or
hereafter in effect, shall consent to the entry of an order for relief in an
involuntary case under any such law, or shall consent to the appointment or
taking possession by a receiver, liquidator, assignee, custodian, trustee,
sequestrator, conservator (or other similar official) of itself or for any
substantial part of its property or shall make a general assignment for the
benefit of creditors, or shall fail generally to pay its debts as they become
due, or shall take any action in furtherance of any of the foregoing; or

                  (n) Any event, condition, violation, failure or circumstance
shall occur or exist of which the Loan Parties are not aware but which would
constitute a breach of Section 6.01(x) if one or more of the Loan Parties were
aware of such event, condition, violation, failure or circumstance.

            9.02 Consequences of Event of Default.

                  (a) If an Event of Default specified under subsections (a)
through (k) or (n) of Section 9.01 hereof shall occur and be continuing, the
Banks shall be under no further obligation to make Revolving Credit Loans or
issue any Letters of Credit hereunder and the Agent may, and upon written
request of the Required Banks shall, (i) by written notice to the Loan Parties,
declare the unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Notes then
outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any unpaid fees and all other
Indebtedness of the Loan Parties to the Banks hereunder and thereunder to be
forthwith due and payable, and the same shall thereupon become and be
immediately due and payable to the Agent for the benefit of each Bank without
presentment, demand, protest or any other notice of any kind, all of which are
hereby expressly waived; and (ii) require each Borrower to, and each Borrower
shall thereupon, deposit in a non- interest bearing account with the Agent, as
cash collateral for its obligations under the Loan Documents, an amount equal to
the maximum amount currently or at any time thereafter available to be drawn on
all outstanding Letters of Credit issued on its account, and each Borrower
hereby pledges to the Agent and the Banks, and grants to the Agent and the Banks
a security interest in, all such cash as security for such obligations. Upon the
curing of all existing Events of Default to the satisfaction of the Required
Banks, the Agent shall return such cash collateral to the applicable Borrower.
It is acknowledged that the authority given to the Agent to take the actions set
forth in clauses (i) and (ii) above without first obtaining the written 


                                      -70-
<PAGE>   117
request of the Required Banks is intended primarily to enable the Agent to act
on behalf of the Banks when obtaining such written request is not feasible or
practical or would result in unacceptable delays as determined by the Agent in
its sole discretion; and

                  (b) If an Event of Default specified under subsections (l) or
(m) of Section 9.01 hereof shall occur, the Banks shall be under no further
obligations to make Revolving Credit Loans or issue any Letters of Credit
hereunder and the unpaid principal amount of the Revolving Credit Notes then
outstanding and all interest accrued thereon, any unpaid fees and all other
Indebtedness of the Loan Parties to the Banks hereunder and thereunder shall be
immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of
any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived; and

                  (c) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, any
Bank to whom any obligation is owed by any Loan Party hereunder or under any
other Loan Document or any participant of such Bank which has agreed in writing
to be bound by the provisions of Section 10.13 hereof and any branch, subsidiary
or affiliate of such Bank or participant anywhere in the world shall have the
right, in addition to all other rights and remedies available to it, without
notice to the Loan Parties, to set-off against and apply to the then unpaid
balance of all the Revolving Credit Loans and all other obligations of such Loan
Party hereunder or under any other Loan Document any debt owing to, and any
other funds held in any manner for the account of, such Loan Party by such Bank
or participant or by such branch, subsidiary or affiliate, including, without
limitation, all funds in all deposit accounts (whether time or demand, general
or special, provisionally credited or finally credited, or otherwise) now or
hereafter maintained by such Loan Party for its own account (but not including
funds held in custodian or trust accounts) with such Bank or participant or such
branch, subsidiary or affiliate. Such Bank agrees promptly to notify NovaCare on
behalf of the Loan Parties after any such set-off and application made by such
Bank; provided, however, that the failure to give such notice shall not affect
the validity of such set-off and application. Such right shall exist whether or
not any Bank or the Agent shall have made any demand under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, whether or not such debt owing to or funds held for the
account of such Loan Party is or are matured or unmatured and regardless of the
existence or adequacy of any collateral, Guaranty or any other security, right
or remedy available to any Bank or the Agent; and

                  (d) If an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing, and
provided that the Agent shall have accelerated the maturity of Revolving Credit
Loans of the Borrowers or such Loans otherwise shall have been accelerated or
come due pursuant to any of the foregoing provisions of this Section 9.02, the
Agent or any Bank, if owed any amount with respect to the Revolving Credit
Notes, may proceed to protect and enforce its rights by suit in equity, action
at law and/or other appropriate proceeding, whether for the specific performance
of any covenant or agreement contained in this Agreement or the Revolving Credit
Notes, including as permitted by applicable Law the obtaining of the ex parte
appointment of a receiver, and, if such amount shall have become due, by
declaration or otherwise, proceed to enforce the payment thereof or any other
legal or equitable right of the Agent or such Bank; and


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                  (e) Following the occurrence and during the continuance of an
Event of Default, each Loan Party, at the cost and expense of the Loan Parties
(including the cost and expense of obtaining any of the following referenced
consents, approvals, etc.) will promptly execute and deliver or cause the
execution and delivery of all applications, certificates, instruments,
registration statements, and all other documents and papers the Agent or any
Bank may request in connection with the obtaining of any consent, approval,
registration, qualification, permit, license, accreditation, or authorization of
any Official Body or other person necessary or appropriate for the effective
exercise of any rights hereunder or under the other Loan Documents. Without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, each Loan Party agrees that in the
event the Agent or any Bank shall exercise its rights, hereunder or pursuant to
the other Loan Documents, to sell, transfer, or otherwise dispose of, or vote,
consent, operate, or take any other action in connection with any of the Pledged
Collateral, each Loan Party shall execute and deliver (or cause to be executed
and delivered) all applications, certificates, assignments, and other documents
that the Agent or any Bank requests to facilitate such actions and shall
otherwise promptly, fully, and diligently cooperate with the Agent or any Bank
and any other necessary persons in making any application for the prior consent
or approval of any Official Body or any other person to the exercise by the
Agent or any Bank of any of such rights relating to all or any of the Pledged
Collateral. Furthermore, because the Loan Parties agree that the remedies of the
Agent and the Banks at law for failure of the Loan Parties to comply with the
provisions of this Section 9.02(e) would be inadequate and that any such failure
would not be adequately compensable in damages, the Loan Parties agree that the
covenants of this Section 9.02(e) may be specifically enforced; and

                  (f) [RESERVED]

                  (g) From and after the date on which the Agent has taken any
action pursuant to this Section 9.02 and until all obligations of the Loan
Parties have been paid in full, any and all proceeds received by the Agent from
any sale or other disposition of the Pledged Collateral, or any part thereof, or
the exercise of any other remedy by the Agent, shall be applied as follows:

                        (i) first, to reimburse the Agent and the Banks for
out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements, including without limitation
reasonable attorneys' fees and legal expenses, incurred by the Agent or the
Banks in connection with realizing on the Pledged Collateral or collection of
any obligations of the Loan Parties under any of the Loan Documents, including
advances made by the Banks or any one of them or the Agent for the reasonable
maintenance, preservation, protection or enforcement of, or realization upon,
the Pledged Collateral, including without limitation, advances for taxes,
insurance, repairs and the like and reasonable expenses incurred to sell or
otherwise realize on, or prepare for sale or other realization on, any of the
Pledged Collateral;

                        (ii) second, to the repayment of all Indebtedness then
due and unpaid of the Loan Parties to the Banks incurred under this Agreement or
any of the Loan Documents, provided that such proceeds shall be applied first to
interest, fees, expenses and 


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other Indebtedness other than principal, in such manner as the Agent may
reasonably determine, and then to principal;

                        (iii) the balance, if any, as required by Law; and

                  (h) In addition to all of the rights and remedies contained in
this Agreement or in any of the other Loan Documents, the Agent shall have all
of the rights and remedies of a secured party under the Uniform Commercial Code
or other applicable Law, all of which rights and remedies shall be cumulative
and nonexclusive, to the extent permitted by Law. The Agent may exercise all
post-default rights granted to the Agent and the Banks under the Loan Documents
or applicable Law.

            9.03 Notice of Sale. Any notice required to be given by the Agent of
a sale, lease, or other disposition of the Pledged Collateral or any other
intended action by the Agent, if given ten (10) days prior to such proposed
action, shall constitute commercially reasonable and fair notice thereof to the
Loan Parties.

                                    ARTICLE X
                                    THE AGENT

            10.01 Appointment. Each Bank hereby irrevocably designates, appoints
and authorizes PNC Bank to act as Agent for such Bank under this Agreement to
execute and deliver or accept on behalf of each of the Banks the other Loan
Documents. Each Bank hereby irrevocably authorizes, and each holder of any Note
by the acceptance of a Note shall be deemed irrevocably to authorize, the Agent
to take such action on its behalf under the provisions of this Agreement and the
other Loan Documents and any other instruments and agreements referred to
herein, and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties hereunder as are
specifically delegated to or required of the Agent by the terms hereof, together
with such powers as are reasonably incidental thereto. PNC Bank agrees to act as
the Agent on behalf of the Banks to the extent provided in this Agreement.

            10.02 Delegation of Duties. The Agent may perform any of its duties
hereunder by or through agents or employees (provided such delegation does not
constitute a relinquishment of its duties as Agent) and, subject to Sections
10.05 and 10.06 hereof, shall be entitled to engage and pay for the advice or
services of any attorneys, accountants or other experts concerning all matters
pertaining to its duties hereunder and to rely upon any advice so obtained.

            10.03 Nature of Duties; Independent Credit Investigation. The Agent
shall have no duties or responsibilities except those expressly set forth in
this Agreement and no implied covenants, functions, responsibilities, duties,
obligations, or liabilities shall be read into this Agreement or otherwise
exist. The duties of the Agent shall be mechanical and administrative in nature;
the Agent shall not have by reason of this Agreement a fiduciary or trust
relationship in respect of any Bank; and nothing in this Agreement, expressed or
implied, is intended to or shall be so construed as to impose upon the Agent any
obligations in respect of this Agreement except as expressly set forth herein.
Each Bank expressly acknowledges (i) that the Agent has not made 


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any representations or warranties to it and that no act by the Agent hereafter
taken, including any review of the affairs of the Loan Parties, shall be deemed
to constitute any representation or warranty by the Agent to any Bank; (ii) that
it has made and will continue to make, without reliance upon the Agent, its own
independent investigation of the financial condition and affairs and its own
appraisal of the creditworthiness of the Loan Parties in connection with this
Agreement and the making and continuance of the Loans hereunder; and (iii)
except as expressly provided herein, that the Agent shall have no duty or
responsibility, either initially or on a continuing basis, to provide any Bank
with any credit or other information with respect thereto, whether coming into
its possession before the making of any Loan or at any time or times thereafter.

            10.04 Actions in Discretion of Agent; Instructions from the Banks.
The Agent agrees, upon the written request of the Required Banks, to take or
refrain from taking any action of the type specified as being within the Agent's
rights, powers or discretion herein, provided that the Agent shall not be
required to take any action which exposes the Agent to personal liability or
which is contrary to this Agreement or any other Loan Document or applicable
Law. In the absence of a request by the Required Banks, the Agent shall have
authority, in its sole discretion, to take or not to take any such action,
unless this Agreement specifically requires the consent of the Required Banks or
all of the Banks. Any action taken or failure to act pursuant to such
instructions or discretion shall be binding on the Banks, subject to Section
10.06 hereof. Subject to the provisions of Section 10.06, no Bank shall have any
right of action whatsoever against the Agent as a result of the Agent acting or
refraining from acting hereunder in accordance with the instructions of the
Required Banks, or in the absence of such instructions, in the absolute
discretion of the Agent.

            10.05 Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agent by the Borrowers.
The Borrowers, jointly and severally, unconditionally agree to pay or reimburse
the Agent and save the Agent harmless against (a) liability for the payment of
all reasonable out-of-pocket costs, expenses and disbursements, including but
not limited to fees and expenses of counsel, appraisers and environmental
consultants, incurred by the Agent (i) in connection with the development,
negotiation, preparation, printing, execution, administration, syndication,
interpretation and performance of this Agreement and the other Loan Documents,
(ii) relating to any requested amendments, waivers or consents pursuant to the
provisions hereof, (iii) in connection with the enforcement of this Agreement or
any other Loan Document or collection of amounts due hereunder or thereunder or
the proof and allowability of any claim arising under this Agreement or any
other Loan Document, whether in bankruptcy or receivership proceedings or
otherwise, and (iv) in any workout, restructuring or in connection with the
protection, preservation, exercise or enforcement of any of the terms hereof or
of any rights hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection with
any foreclosure, collection or bankruptcy proceedings, and (b) all liabilities,
obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs,
expenses or disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed
on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent, in its capacity as such, in any
way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or
any action taken or omitted by the Agent hereunder or thereunder, provided that
the Borrowers shall not be liable for any portion of 


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such liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments,
suits, costs, expenses or disbursements if the same results from the Agent's
gross negligence or willful misconduct, or if NovaCare was not given notice of
the subject claim and the opportunity to participate in the defense thereof, at
its expense, or if the same results from a compromise or settlement agreement
entered into without the consent of NovaCare. In addition, the Borrowers agree
to reimburse and pay all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent's
regular employees and agents engaged periodically to perform audits or
inspection of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries' books, records and business
properties.

            10.06 Exculpatory Provisions. Neither the Agent nor any of its
directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys or affiliates shall (a) be
liable to any Bank for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them
hereunder, or in connection herewith including without limitation pursuant to
any Loan Document, unless caused by its or their own gross negligence or willful
misconduct, (b) be responsible in any manner to any of the Banks for the
effectiveness, enforceability, genuineness, validity or the due execution of
this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or for any recital, representation,
warranty, document, certificate, report or statement herein or made or furnished
under or in connection with this Agreement or any other Loan Documents, or (c)
be under any obligation to any of the Banks to ascertain or to inquire as to the
performance or observance of any of the terms, covenants or conditions hereof or
thereof on the part of the Loan Parties, or the financial condition of NovaCare
and its Subsidiaries, or the existence or possible existence of any Event of
Default or Potential Default. Neither the Agent nor any Bank nor any of their
respective directors, officers, employees, agents, attorneys or affiliates shall
be liable to the Loan Parties or their Subsidiaries for consequential damages
resulting from any breach of contract, tort or other wrong in connection with
the negotiation, documentation, administration or collection of the Loans or any
of the Loan Documents.

            10.07 Reimbursement and Indemnification of Agent by Banks. Each Bank
agrees to reimburse and indemnify the Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the
Borrowers and without limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so) in
proportion to its Ratable Share from and against all liabilities, obligations,
losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or
disbursements of any kind or nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred
by or asserted against the Agent, in its capacity as such, in any way relating
to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan Documents or any action
taken or omitted by the Agent hereunder or thereunder, provided that no Bank
shall be liable for any portion of such liabilities, obligations, losses,
damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements
(a) if the same results from the Agent's gross negligence or willful misconduct,
or (b) if such Bank was not given notice of the subject claim and the
opportunity to participate in the defense thereof, at its expense, or (c) if the
same results from a compromise and settlement agreement entered into without the
consent of such Bank. In addition, each Bank agrees promptly upon demand to
reimburse the Agent (to the extent not reimbursed by the Borrowers and without
limiting the obligation of the Borrowers to do so) in proportion to its Ratable
Share for all amounts due and payable by the Borrowers to the Agent in
connection with the Agent's periodic audit of books, records and business
properties of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries.


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            10.08 Reliance by Agent. The Agent shall be entitled to rely upon
any writing, telegram, telex or teletype message, resolution, notice, consent,
certificate, letter, cablegram, statement, order or other document or
conversation by telephone or otherwise believed by it to be genuine and correct
and to have been signed, sent or made by the proper person or persons, and upon
the advice and opinions of counsel and other professional advisers selected by
the Agent. The Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing to take any
action hereunder unless it shall first be indemnified to its satisfaction by the
Banks against any and all liability and expense which may be incurred by it by
reason of taking or continuing to take any such action.

            10.09 Notice of Default. The Agent shall not be deemed to have
knowledge or notice of the occurrence of any Potential Default or Event of
Default unless the Agent has received written notice from a Bank or NovaCare
referring to this Agreement, describing such Potential Default or Event of
Default and stating that such notice is a "notice of default."

            10.10 Notices. The Agent shall promptly send to each Bank a copy of
all notices received from the Loan Parties pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement or the other Loan Documents promptly upon receipt thereof. The Agent
shall promptly notify NovaCare and the other Banks of each change in the Base
Rate and the effective date thereof.

            10.11 Banks in Their Individual Capacities. With respect to its
Revolving Credit Commitments and the Revolving Credit Loans made by it, the
Agent shall have the same rights and powers hereunder as any other Bank and may
exercise the same as though it were not the Agent, and the term "Banks" shall,
unless the context otherwise indicates, include the Agent in its individual
capacity. PNC Bank and its affiliates and each of the Banks and their respective
affiliates may, without liability to account, except as prohibited herein, make
loans to, accept deposits from, discount drafts for, act as trustee under
indentures of, and generally engage in any kind of banking or trust business
with, the Loan Parties and their Subsidiaries, in the case of the Agent, as
though it were not acting as Agent hereunder and in the case of each Bank, as
though such Bank were not a Bank hereunder.

            10.12 Holders of Notes. The Agent may deem and treat any payee of
any Note as the owner thereof for all purposes hereof unless and until written
notice of the assignment or transfer thereof shall have been filed with the
Agent. Any request, authority or consent of any person who at the time of making
such request or giving such authority or consent is the holder of any Note shall
be conclusive and binding on any subsequent holder, transferee or assignee of
such Note or of any Note or Notes issued in exchange therefor.

            10.13 Equalization of Banks. The Banks and the holders of any
participations in any Notes agree among themselves that, with respect to all
amounts received by any Bank or any such holder for application on any
obligation hereunder or under any Note or under any such participation, whether
received by voluntary payment, by realization upon security, by the exercise of
the right of set-off or banker's lien, by counterclaim or by any other non-pro
rata source, equitable adjustment will be made in the manner stated in the
following sentence so that, in effect, all such excess amounts will be shared
ratably among the Banks and such holders in 


                                      -76-
<PAGE>   123
proportion to their interests in payments under the Notes, except as otherwise
provided in Sections 4.04(b), 5.04(b) or 5.06(a) hereof. The Banks or any such
holder receiving any such amount shall purchase for cash from each of the other
Banks a participation in such Bank's Loans in such amount as shall result in a
ratable participation by the Banks and each such holder in the aggregate unpaid
amount under the Notes, provided that if all or any portion of such excess
amount is thereafter recovered from the Bank or the holder making such purchase,
such purchase shall be rescinded and the purchase price restored to the extent
of such recovery, together with interest or other amounts, if any, required by
law (including court order) to be paid by the Bank or the holder making such
purchase.

            10.14 Successor Agent. The Agent may resign as Agent upon not less
than thirty (30) days' prior written notice to NovaCare for the benefit of the
Loan Parties and the Banks. If the Agent shall resign under this Agreement, then
either (a) the Required Banks shall appoint from among the Banks a successor
agent for the Banks, or (b) if a successor agent shall not be so appointed and
approved within the thirty (30) day period following the Agent's notice to the
Banks of its resignation, then the Agent shall appoint, with the consent of
NovaCare on behalf of the Loan Parties, such consent not to be unreasonably
withheld, a successor agent who shall serve as Agent until such time as the
Required Banks appoint a successor agent. Upon its appointment pursuant to
either clause (a) or (b) above, such successor agent shall succeed to the
rights, powers and duties of the Agent and the term "Agent" shall mean such
successor agent, effective upon its appointment, and the former Agent's rights,
powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated without any other or further act
or deed on the part of such former Agent or any of the parties to this
Agreement. After the resignation of any Agent hereunder, the provisions of this
Article X shall inure to the benefit of such former Agent and such former Agent
shall not by reason of such resignation be deemed to be released from liability
for any actions taken or not taken by it while it was an Agent under this
Agreement.

            10.15 Agent's Fee. The Borrowers shall pay the Agent's Fee to Agent
until the Commitments have terminated and the Loans have been paid in full or
until the Agent shall have resigned.

            10.16 Availability of Funds. Unless the Agent shall have been
notified by a Bank prior to the date upon which a Loan is to be made that such
Bank does not intend to make available to the Agent such Bank's portion of such
Loan, the Agent may assume that such Bank has made or will make such proceeds
available to the Agent on such date and the Agent may, in reliance upon such
assumption (but shall not be required to), make available to the applicable
Borrowers a corresponding amount. If such corresponding amount is not in fact
made available to the Agent by such Bank, the Agent shall be entitled to recover
such amount on demand from such Bank (or, if such Bank fails to pay such amount
forthwith upon such demand from NovaCare as agent for such Borrowers) together
with interest thereon, in respect of each day during the period commencing on
the date such amount was made available to such Borrowers and ending on the date
the Agent recovers such amount, at a rate per annum equal to (i) the Federal
Funds Effective Rate for the first Business Day during which such interest shall
accrue, and (ii) the applicable interest rate in respect of the Loan for each
day thereafter.


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            10.17 Calculations. In the absence of gross negligence or willful
misconduct, the Agent shall not be liable for any error in computing the amount
payable to any Bank whether in respect of the Loans, fees or any other amounts
due to the Banks under this Agreement. In the event an error in computing any
amount payable to any Bank is made, the Agent, the Borrowers and each affected
Bank shall, forthwith upon discovery of such error, make such adjustments as
shall be required to correct such error, and any compensation therefor will be
calculated at the Federal Funds Effective Rate.

            10.18 Beneficiaries. Except as expressly provided herein, the
provisions of this Article X are solely for the benefit of the Agent and the
Banks, and the Loan Parties shall not have any rights to rely on or enforce any
of the provisions hereof. In performing its functions and duties under this
Agreement, the Agent shall act solely as agent of the Banks and does not assume
and shall not be deemed to have assumed any obligation toward or relationship of
agency or trust with or for the Loan Parties.

                                   ARTICLE XI
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

            11.01 Modifications, Amendments or Waivers. With the written consent
of the Required Banks, the Agent, acting on behalf of all the Banks, and the
Loan Parties (or NovaCare on behalf of the Loan Parties) may from time to time
enter into written agreements amending or changing any provision of this
Agreement or any other Loan Document or the rights of the Banks or the Loan
Parties hereunder or thereunder, or may grant written waivers or consents to a
departure from the due performance of the obligations of the Loan Parties
hereunder or thereunder. Any such agreement, waiver or consent made with such
written consent shall be effective to bind all the Banks; provided, that,
without the written consent of all the Banks, no such agreement, waiver or
consent may be made which will do any of the following, except if this Agreement
expressly provides that the consent of a fraction of the Banks which is less
than 100% may bind all of the Banks with respect thereto:

                  (a) Reduce the amount of the Commitment Fee, Letter of Credit
Fee or any other fees payable to any Bank hereunder, or amend Sections 5.02 [Pro
Rata Treatment of Banks], 10.06 [Exculpatory Provisions] and 10.13 [Equalization
of Banks] hereof;

                  (b) Increase or reduce the amount of the Commitments or of any
Commitment, increase the dollar limitation set forth in Section 2.09(a)(i) or
whether or not any Revolving Credit Loans are outstanding, extend the time for
payment of principal or interest of any Revolving Credit Loan, or reduce the
principal amount of or the rate of interest borne by any Revolving Credit Loan,
or otherwise affect the terms of payment of the principal of or interest of any
Revolving Credit Loan or the obligation in Section 2.09 to reimburse the Agent
pursuant to advances under Letters of Credit;

                  (c) Except for sales of assets permitted by Section 8.02(e),
release any collateral or other security, including, without limitation, the
Guaranties, if any, for the Borrowers' obligations hereunder; or


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<PAGE>   125
                  (d) Amend this Section 11.01, change the definition of
Required Banks, or change any requirement providing for the Banks or the
Required Banks to authorize the taking of any action hereunder.

            11.02 No Implied Waivers; Cumulative Remedies; Writing Required. No
course of dealing and no delay or failure of the Agent or any Bank in exercising
any right, power, remedy or privilege under this Agreement or any other Loan
Document shall affect any other or future exercise thereof or operate as a
waiver thereof; nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof or any
abandonment or discontinuance of steps to enforce such a right, power, remedy or
privilege preclude any further exercise thereof or of any other right, power,
remedy or privilege. The rights and remedies of the Agent and the Banks under
this Agreement and any other Loan Documents are cumulative and not exclusive of
any rights or remedies which they would otherwise have. Any waiver, permit,
consent or approval of any kind or character on the part of any Bank of any
breach or default under this Agreement or any such waiver of any provision or
condition of this Agreement must be in writing and shall be effective only to
the extent specifically set forth in such writing.

            11.03 Reimbursement and Indemnification of Banks by the Borrowers;
Taxes. The Borrowers jointly and severally agree unconditionally upon demand to
pay or reimburse to each Bank (other than the Agent as to which the Borrowers'
obligations are set forth in Section 10.05) and to save such Bank harmless
against (i) liability for the payment of all reasonable out-of-pocket costs,
expenses and disbursements (including fees and expenses of counsel for such
Bank), incurred by such Bank (a) in connection with the administration and
interpretation of this Agreement, the other Loan Documents and other instruments
and documents to be delivered hereunder, (b) relating to any amendments, waivers
or consents pursuant to the provisions hereof or thereof, (c) in connection with
the enforcement of this Agreement or any other Loan Document, or collection of
amounts due hereunder or thereunder or the proof and allowability of any claim
arising under this Agreement or any other Loan Document, whether in bankruptcy
or receivership proceedings or otherwise, and (d) in any workout, restructuring
or in connection with the protection, preservation, exercise or enforcement of
any of the terms hereof or of any rights hereunder or under any other Loan
Document or in connection with any foreclosure, collection or bankruptcy
proceedings, or (ii) all liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties,
actions, judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements of any kind or
nature whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against such
Bank in any way relating to or arising out of this Agreement or any other Loan
Documents or any action taken or omitted by such Bank hereunder or thereunder,
provided that the Borrowers shall not be liable for any portion of such
liabilities, obligations, losses, damages, penalties, actions, judgments, suits,
costs, expenses or disbursements (A) if the same results from such Bank's gross
negligence or willful misconduct, or (B) if the Borrowers were not given notice
of the subject claim and the opportunity to participate in the defense thereof,
at their expense, or (C) if the same results from a compromise or settlement
agreement entered into without the consent of the Borrowers. The Borrowers
jointly and severally agree unconditionally to pay all stamp, document,
transfer, recording or filing taxes or fees and similar impositions now or
hereafter determined by the Agent or any Bank to be payable in connection with
this Agreement or any other Loan 


                                      -79-
<PAGE>   126
Document, and the Borrowers jointly and severally agree unconditionally to save
the Agent and the Banks harmless from and against any and all present or future
claims, liabilities or losses with respect to or resulting from any omission to
pay or delay in paying any such taxes, fees or impositions.

            11.04 Holidays. Whenever any payment or action to be made or taken
hereunder shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a Business Day, such
payment or action shall be made or taken on the next following Business Day
(except as provided in Section 4.02(a)), and such extension of time shall be
included in computing interest or fees, if any, in connection with such payment
or action.

            11.05 Funding by Branch, Subsidiary or Affiliate.

                  (a) Notional Funding. Each Bank shall have the right from time
to time, without notice to the Loan Parties, to deem any branch, subsidiary or
affiliate (which for the purposes of this Section 11.05 shall mean any
corporation or association which is directly or indirectly controlled by or is
under direct or indirect common control with any corporation or association
which directly or indirectly controls such Bank) of such Bank to have made,
maintained or funded any Revolving Credit Loan to which the Revolving Credit
Euro-Rate Option applies at any time, provided that immediately following (on
the assumption that a payment were then due from the Borrowers to such other
office) and as a result of such change the Borrowers would not be under any
greater financial obligation pursuant to Section 5.06 hereof than they would
have been in the absence of such change. Notional funding offices may be
selected by each Bank without regard to the Bank's actual methods of making,
maintaining or funding the Loans or any sources of funding actually used by or
available to such Bank.

                  (b) Actual Funding. Each Bank shall have the right from time
to time to make or maintain any Loan by arranging for a branch, subsidiary or
affiliate of such Bank to make or maintain such Loan subject to the last
sentence of this Section 11.05(b). If any Bank causes a branch, subsidiary or
affiliate to make or maintain any part of the Loans hereunder, all terms and
conditions of this Agreement shall, except where the context clearly requires
otherwise, be applicable to such part of the Revolving Credit Loans to the same
extent as if such Revolving Credit Loans were made or maintained by such Bank
but in no event shall any Bank's use of such a branch, subsidiary or affiliate
to make or maintain any part of the Revolving Credit Loans hereunder cause such
Bank or such branch, subsidiary or affiliate to incur any cost or expenses
payable by any Borrower hereunder or require any Borrower to pay any other
compensation to any Bank (including, without limitation, any expenses incurred
or payable pursuant to Section 5.06 hereof) which would otherwise not be
incurred.

            11.06 Notices. All notices, requests, demands, directions and other
communications (collectively "notices") given to or made upon any party hereto
under the provisions of this Agreement shall be by telephone, in person or in
writing (including telex or facsimile communication) unless otherwise expressly
permitted hereunder and shall be delivered or sent by telex or facsimile to the
respective parties at the addresses and numbers set forth under 


                                      -80-
<PAGE>   127
their respective names on Schedule 1.01(B) [List of Banks and Commitments]
hereof, provided, that, all notices to the Loan Parties shall be sent in care of
NovaCare, unless written direction is given by a Borrower to the Banks to send
notices to a different party and address. All notices shall, except as otherwise
expressly herein provided, be effective (a) in the case of telex or facsimile,
when received, (b) in the case of hand-delivered notice, when hand delivered,
(c) in the case of telephone, when telephoned, provided, however, that in order
to be effective, telephonic notices must be confirmed in writing no later than
the next day by letter, facsimile or telex, and (d) if given by any other means
(including by air courier), when delivered; provided, that notices to the Agent
shall not be effective until received. Any Bank giving any notice to the Loan
Parties (or to NovaCare on their behalf) shall simultaneously send a copy
thereof to the Agent, and the Agent shall promptly notify the other Banks of the
receipt by it of any such notice.

            11.07 Severability. The provisions of this Agreement are intended to
be severable. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held invalid or
unenforceable in whole or in part in any jurisdiction such provision shall, as
to such jurisdiction, be ineffective to the extent of such invalidity or
unenforceability without in any manner affecting the validity or enforceability
thereof in any other jurisdiction or the remaining provisions hereof in any
jurisdiction.

            11.08 Governing Law. This Agreement shall be deemed to be a contract
under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and for all purposes shall be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania without regard to its conflict of laws principles.

            11.09 Prior Understanding. This Agreement supersedes all prior
understandings and agreements, whether written or oral, between the parties
hereto relating to the transactions provided for herein, including any prior
confidentiality agreements and commitments.

            11.10 Duration; Survival. All representations and warranties of the
Borrowers contained herein or made in connection herewith shall survive the
making of Revolving Credit Loans and shall not be waived by the execution and
delivery of this Agreement, any investigation by the Agent or the Banks, the
making of Revolving Credit Loans, or payment in full of the Revolving Credit
Loans. All covenants and agreements of the Borrowers contained in Sections 8.01,
8.02 and 8.03 herein shall continue in full force and effect from and after the
date hereof so long as the Borrowers may borrow hereunder and until termination
of the Revolving Credit Commitment. All covenants and agreements of the
Borrowers contained herein relating to the payment of principal, interest,
premiums, additional compensation or expenses and indemnification, including
those set forth in the Revolving Credit Notes, Article V and Sections 10.05,
10.07 and 11.03 hereof, and relating to confidentiality shall survive payment in
full of the Revolving Credit Loans, termination or expiration of all Letters of
Credit and termination of the Revolving Credit Commitment.

            11.11 Successors and Assigns. This Agreement shall be binding upon
and shall inure to the benefit of the Banks, the Agent, the Loan Parties and
their respective successors and 


                                      -81-
<PAGE>   128
assigns, except that the Loan Parties may not assign or transfer any of their
rights and obligations hereunder or any interest herein. Each Bank may, at its
own cost, make assignments of or sell participations in all or any part of its
Revolving Credit Commitment and the Loans made by it to one or more banks or
other entities, subject to the consent of NovaCare on behalf of the Loan Parties
and the Agent with respect to any assignee (but not with respect to a
participant), such consent not to be unreasonably withheld; provided that
assignments may not be made in amounts less than $5,000,000 and provided that
participations may be sold only to banks or other financial institutions. In the
case of an assignment, upon receipt by the Agent of the Assignment and
Assumption Agreement, the assignee shall have, to the extent of such assignment
(unless otherwise provided therein), the same rights, benefits and obligations
as it would have if it had been a signatory Bank hereunder, the Revolving Credit
Commitments in Section 2.01 shall be adjusted accordingly, and upon surrender of
any Revolving Credit Note subject to such assignment, the Borrowers shall
execute and deliver new Notes to the assignee in an amount equal to the amount
of the Revolving Credit Commitment assumed by it and a new Revolving Credit Note
to the assigning Bank in an amount equal to the Revolving Credit Commitment
retained by it hereunder. The assigning Bank shall pay to Agent a service fee of
$3,500. In the case of a participation, the participant shall only have the
rights specified in Section 9.02(c) (the participant's rights against such Bank
in respect of such participation to be those set forth in the agreement executed
by such Bank in favor of the participant relating thereto and not to include any
voting rights except with respect to changes of the type referenced in clauses
(a), (b), or (c) under Section 11.01 hereof), all of such Bank's obligations
under this Agreement or any other Loan Document shall remain unchanged and all
amounts payable by the Borrowers hereunder or thereunder shall be determined as
if such Bank had not sold such participation. Each Bank may furnish any publicly
available information concerning the Borrowers and any other information
concerning the Borrowers in the possession of such Bank from time to time to
assignees and participants (including prospective assignees or participants)
provided such assignees and participants agree to be bound by the provisions of
Section 11.12 hereof.

            11.12 Confidentiality. The Agent and the Banks each agree to keep
confidential all information obtained from the Borrowers which is nonpublic and
confidential or proprietary in nature (including any information the Borrowers
specifically designate as confidential), except as provided below, and to use
such information only in connection with its capacity under this Agreement and
for the purposes contemplated hereby. The Agent and the Banks shall be permitted
to disclose such information (i) to outside legal counsel, accountants and other
professional advisors who need to know such information in connection with the
administration and enforcement of this Agreement, subject to agreement of such
persons to maintain the confidentiality thereof, (ii) to assignees and
participants as contemplated by Section 11.11 (subject to the agreement of such
persons to maintain the confidentiality thereof), (iii) to the extent requested
by any bank regulatory authority or, with notice to the Borrowers, as otherwise
required by applicable Law or by any subpoena or similar legal process, or in
connection with any investigation or proceeding arising out of the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement, (iv) if it becomes publicly available other than
as a result of a breach of this Agreement or becomes available from a source not
subject to confidentiality restrictions, or (v) if NovaCare shall have consented
to such disclosure.


                                      -82-
<PAGE>   129
            11.13 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed by different
parties hereto on any number of separate counterparts, each of which, when so
executed and delivered, shall be an original, and all such counterparts shall
together constitute one and the same instrument.

            11.14 Agent's or Bank's Consent. Whenever the Agent's or any Bank's
consent is required to be obtained under this Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents as a condition to any action, inaction, condition or event, the Agent
and each Bank shall be authorized to give or withhold such consent in its sole
and absolute discretion (unless otherwise specifically provided herein) and to
condition its consent upon the giving of additional collateral, the payment of
money or any other matter.

            11.15 Exceptions. The representations, warranties and covenants
contained herein shall be independent of each other and no exception to any
representation, warranty or covenant shall be deemed to be an exception to any
other representation, warranty or covenant contained herein unless expressly
provided, nor shall any such exceptions be deemed to permit any action or
omission that would be in contravention of applicable Law.

            11.16 CONSENT TO FORUM; WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH BORROWER HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE NONEXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE COURT OF COMMON
PLEAS OF ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA AND THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
THE WESTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA, AND WAIVES PERSONAL SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL
PROCESS UPON IT AND CONSENTS THAT ALL SUCH SERVICE OF PROCESS BE MADE BY
CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL DIRECTED TO SUCH BORROWER AT THE ADDRESSES PROVIDED
FOR IN SECTION 11.06 HEREOF AND SERVICE SO MADE SHALL BE DEEMED TO BE COMPLETED
UPON ACTUAL RECEIPT THEREOF. EACH BORROWER WAIVES ANY OBJECTION TO JURISDICTION
AND VENUE OF ANY ACTION INSTITUTED AGAINST IT AS PROVIDED HEREIN AND AGREES NOT
TO ASSERT ANY DEFENSE BASED ON LACK OF JURISDICTION OR VENUE. EACH BORROWER AND
THE BANKS HEREBY WAIVE TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION, SUIT, PROCEEDING OR
COUNTERCLAIM OF ANY KIND ARISING OUT OF OR RELATED TO THIS AGREEMENT, ANY OTHER
LOAN DOCUMENT OR THE PLEDGED COLLATERAL TO THE FULL EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

            11.17 Tax Withholding Clause. At least five (5) Business Days prior
to the first date on which interest or fees are payable hereunder for the
account of any Bank, each Bank that is not incorporated under the laws of the
United States of America or a state thereof agrees that it will deliver to the
Borrowers and to the Agent two (2) duly completed copies of (i) Internal Revenue
Service Form W-9, 4224 or 1001, or other applicable form prescribed by the
Internal Revenue Service, certifying in either case that such Bank is entitled
to receive payments under this Agreement and the other Loan Documents without
deduction or withholding of any United States federal income taxes, or is
subject to such tax at a reduced rate under an applicable tax treaty, or (ii)
Form W-8 or other applicable form or a certificate of such Bank indicating that
no 


                                      -83-
<PAGE>   130
such exemption or reduced rate is allowable with respect to such payments. Each
Bank which so delivers a Form W-8, W-9, 4224 or 1001 further undertakes to
deliver to the Borrowers and to the Agent two (2) additional copies of such form
(or a successor form) on or before the date that such form expires or becomes
obsolete or after the occurrence of any event requiring a change in the most
recent form so delivered by it, and such amendments thereto or extensions or
renewals thereof as may be reasonably requested by the Borrowers or the Agent,
either certifying that such Bank is entitled to receive payments under this
Agreement and the other Loan Documents without deduction or withholding of any
United States federal income taxes or is subject to such tax at a reduced rate
under an applicable tax treaty or stating that no such exemption or reduced rate
is allowable. The Agent shall be entitled to withhold United States federal
income taxes at the full withholding rate unless a Bank establishes an exemption
or that it is subject to a reduced rate as established pursuant to the above
provisions.

            11.18 Joinder of Loan Parties.

                  (i) All Subsidiaries (other than those which are Excluded
Qualifying Subsidiaries) of NovaCare acquired or created on or after the Closing
Date shall join this Agreement as a Guarantor or a Borrower (a "Joining
Subsidiary") on the date of their acquisition or creation by completing all of
the following by such date: (1) executing and delivering to the Agent (A) in the
case of a Joining Subsidiary which becomes a Borrower, a Revolving Credit Note
in the form of Exhibit 1.01(R) payable to each Bank, (B) a joinder to this
Agreement in form satisfactory to the Agent, (C) a Guaranty Agreement in the
form of Exhibit 1.01(G)(1), in the case of a Joining Subsidiary which becomes a
Borrower and Exhibit 1.01(G)(2), in the case of a Joining Subsidiary which
becomes a Guarantor, and (D) if it owns stock or other ownership interests in
any Subsidiary, a Pledge Agreement in the form of Exhibit 1.01(P)(4), 1.01(P)(5)
or 1.01(P)(6) or other appropriate form acceptable to the Agent if such
Subsidiary is not a partnership or corporation, as applicable, and delivering,
as applicable, the original certificates evidencing such stock or other
ownership interest if it is certificated with appropriate stock powers or other
assignments signed in blank and UCC-1 financing statements necessary to perfect
the security interests of the Agent for the benefit of the Banks therein; (2)
delivering to the Agent an opinion of counsel reasonably satisfactory to the
Agent regarding such Joining Subsidiary and such joinder; and (3) delivering to
the Agent certified copies of its organizational documents and other documents
as requested by the Agent. The Loan Party which owns the stock or other
ownership interest of the Joining Subsidiary shall execute and deliver to the
Agent for the benefit of the Banks a Pledge Agreement in the form of Exhibit
1.01(P)(4), 1.01(P)(5) or 1.01(P)(6) or other appropriate form acceptable to the
Agent if such Subsidiary is not a partnership or corporation, as applicable, and
the original certificates evidencing such stock or other ownership interest if
it is certificated with appropriate stock powers or other assignments signed in
blank and UCC-1 financing statements necessary to perfect the security interests
of the Agent for the benefit of the Banks therein. Notwithstanding the
provisions of this Section 11.18(i) to the contrary, for periods after the
Spin-Off Consummation, NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. shall not be required to
join this Agreement as a Guarantor or Borrower, and further, following the
Spin-Off Consummation, any equity interests of NovaCare Employee 


                                      -84-
<PAGE>   131
Services, Inc. owned by NovaCare or any Subsidiary of NovaCare shall not be
required to be pledged to the Agent for the benefit of the Banks.

                  (ii) The Agent shall acknowledge any joinders delivered
pursuant to this Section 11.18 and provide copies thereof to the Banks and the
Loan Parties. All joinders by a new Loan Party shall be effective and binding
upon all Banks and each of the other Loan Parties without any requirement that
the Banks or such other Loan Parties execute such joinder.

                            [SIGNATURE PAGES FOLLOW]


                                      -85-
<PAGE>   132
                  [Signature Page 1 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

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

                                    BORROWERS AND GUARANTORS:

ATTEST:                             NOVACARE, INC., a Delaware corporation, and 
                                    each of the other BORROWERS listed on 
                                    Schedule 6.01(c) and each of the GUARANTORS 
                                    listed on Schedule 6.01(c)


By:_______________________          By:______________________________
                                    __________________________[Name],
   [Seal]                           the ________________________[Title] of
                                    each Borrower and Guarantor listed on
                                    Schedule 6.01(c), other than those listed 
                                    below, which is a corporation and of each 
                                    general partner of each Borrower and 
                                    Guarantor which is a partnership

                                    Address for Notices for each of the 
                                    foregoing Borrowers and Guarantors:

                                    1016 West Ninth Avenue
                                    King of Prussia, PA  19406

                                    Telecopier No. (610) 992-3328
                                    Attention:  Chief Financial Officer
                                    Telephone No.  (610) 992-7200
<PAGE>   133
                  [Signature Page 2 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

                                    AGENT:

                                    PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent


                                    By:________________________________
                                    Title:_____________________________

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    One PNC Plaza
                                    249 Fifth Avenue
                                    Pittsburgh, PA  15222-2707

                                    Telecopier No. (412) 768-5149
                                    Attention: Regional Healthcare Group
                                    Telephone No.  (412) 762-8343


                                    BANKS:

                                    PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                    By:________________________________
                                    Title:_____________________________

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    One PNC Plaza
                                    249 Fifth Avenue
                                    Pittsburgh, PA  15222-2707

                                    Telecopier No. (412) 768-5149
                                    Attention: Regional Healthcare Group
                                    Telephone No.  (412) 762-8343
<PAGE>   134
                  [Signature Page 3 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

                                    CORESTATES BANK, N.A.


                                    By:________________________________
                                    Name:______________________________
                                    Title:_____________________________

                                    Address for Notices:


                                    1339 Chestnut Street
                                    P.O. Box 7618
                                    FC 1-8-3-22
                                    Philadelphia, PA  19101

                                    Telecopier No. (215) 786-7721
                                    Attention:  Lisa Rothenberger

                                    Telephone No.  _______________
<PAGE>   135
                  [Signature Page 4 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

                                    FIRST UNION NATIONAL BANK



                                    By:________________________________
                                    Name:  Terence Moore
                                    Title: Assistant Vice President


                                    Address for Notices:

                                    One First Union Center
                                    301 S. Giles Street
                                    Charlotte, NC  28288-0735

                                    Telecopier No. (704) 383-9144
                                    Attention: Terence Moore, Assistant Vice
                                    President
                                    Telephone No. (704) 383-5212
<PAGE>   136
                  [Signature Page 5 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

                                    FLEET NATIONAL BANK


                                    By:________________________________
                                    Name:______________________________
                                    Title:_____________________________

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    Health Care and Institutions
                                    Fleet Center MA BOF 04A
                                    75 State Street
                                    Boston, MA  02109-1810

                                    Telecopier No.  (617) 346-0610
                                    Attention:  Maryann S. Smith
                                    Vice President
                                    Telephone No. (617) 346-1594
<PAGE>   137
                  [Signature Page 6 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

                                    MELLON BANK, N.A.


                                    By:________________________________
                                    Name:______________________________
                                    Title:_____________________________

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    Healthcare Banking
                                    Plymouth Meeting/Exec. Campus
                                    610 W. Germantown Pike
                                    Suite 200/AIM #19E-0246
                                    Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

                                    Telecopier No. (610) 941-4136
                                    Attention:  Colleen Cunniffe
                                                Assistant Vice President
                                    Telephone No. (610) 941-8426
<PAGE>   138
                  [Signature Page 7 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

                                    NATIONSBANK N.A.


                                    By:________________________________
                                    Name:______________________________
                                    Title:_____________________________ 
                                    Address for Notices:

                                    Healthcare Finance Group
                                    One NationsBank Plaza, 5th Floor
                                    Nashville, TN 37239-1697

                                    Telecopier No. (615)749-4640
                                    Attention:  Kevin Wagley
                                                Vice President
                                    Telephone No. (615) 749-3802
<PAGE>   139
                  [Signature Page 8 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

                                    THE BANK OF NEW YORK


                                    By:________________________________
                                    Name:______________________________
                                    Title:_____________________________

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    Northeastern Division
                                    One Wall Street
                                    22nd Floor
                                    New York, NY 10286

                                    Telecopier No. (212) 635-7978
                                    Attention:  Peter Abdill
                                                Vice President
                                    Telephone No. (212) 635-6987
<PAGE>   140
                  [Signature Page 9 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

                                    SUNTRUST BANK, CENTRAL FLORIDA, N.A.


                                    By:________________________________
                                    Name:______________________________
                                    Title:_____________________________

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    Healthcare Banking Group
                                    0-1106, Tower 10
                                    200 South Orange Avenue
                                    Orlando, FL 32801

                                    Telecopier No. (407) 237-5489
                                    Attention:  Jeffrey R. Dickson
                                                First Vice President
                                    Telephone No. (407) 237-4541
<PAGE>   141
                  [Signature Page 10 of 10 to Credit Agreement]

                                    BANK ONE, KENTUCKY, N.A.


                                    By:________________________________
                                    Name:______________________________
                                    Title:_____________________________

                                    Address for Notices:

                                    Internal Zip KY1-2216
                                    416 West Jefferson Street
                                    Louisville, KY  40202

                                    Telecopier No. (502) 566-2367
                                    Attention:  Todd Munson
                                                Sr. Vice President
                                    Telephone No. (502) 566-2640



[ADD NEW BANKS]
<PAGE>   142
STATE OF GEORGIA

COUNTY OF FULTON


      On the _____ day of _____________, 1997 personally appeared
______________, as the ___________ President of SunTrust Bank, Central Florida,
National Association, and before me executed the attached Tenth Amendment Waiver
and Consent dated as of _____________, 1997 to the Credit Agreement between
NovaCare, Inc., with SunTrust Bank, Central Florida, National Association, as
Lender.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and official seal, in the
state and county aforesaid.

                             ___________________________________________________
                             Signature of Notary Public, State of_______________
                             ___________________________________________________
                             (Print, Type or Stamp Commissioned Name of Notary 
                             Public)
                             Personally known _________; OR Produced
                             Identification _____________ Type of identification
                             produced:__________________________________________
                             ___________________________________________________
<PAGE>   143
                                                                SCHEDULE 1.01(E)
                                                           REVISED JUNE 30, 1998


                                EXCLUDED ENTITIES


1.    Excluded Qualifying Subsidiaries

NAME                                                JURISDICTION       

Jim All, Inc.                                       Texas
McFarlen & Associates, Inc.                         Texas
OSI Midwest, Inc.                                   Nebraska
                                                    
2.    Other Excluded Entities                       
                                                    
NAME                                                JURISDICTION

ASK Colorado Health Care Services, P.C.             Colorado
CMC Occupational Medical Center,                    California
Professional Corporation                            
C.O.A.S.T. Institute Physical Therapy, Inc.         California
ConsulTemps, Inc.                                   Virginia
Employee Benefits Management, Inc.                  Florida
Employers' Risk Management, Inc.                    Florida
GP Therapy, L.L.C.                                  Georgia
Gill/Balsano Consulting, L.L.C.                     Delaware
Joyner Sportsmedicine, P.C.                         Pennsylvania
Langhorne, P.C.                                     Pennsylvania
Lester OSM, P.C.                                    Pennsylvania
Medstat, P.C.                                       Illinois
NC (Wisconsin), S.C.                                Wisconsin
NC Occupational Therapy, P.C.                       New York
NC Physical Therapy, P.C.                           New York
NCES Finance, Inc.                                  Delaware
NCES Holdings, Inc.                                 Delaware
NCES Licensing, Inc.                                Delaware
NCES Partners (IND), L.P.                           Indiana
Northeast Physical Therapy, P.C.                    Massachusetts
NovaCare Administrative Employee Services of        New York
New York, Inc.                                      
NovaCare Administrative Employee Services, Inc.     Florida
NovaCare Employee Services Club Staff, Inc.         Florida
NovaCare Employee Services Easy Staff, Inc.         Florida
NovaCare Employee Services Northeast, Inc.          New York
NovaCare Employee Services of America, Inc.         Florida
                                                    
<PAGE>   144
                                                    
NovaCare Employee Services of Boston, Inc.          Delaware
NovaCare Employee Services of Florida, Inc.         Florida
NovaCare Employee Services of New York, Inc.        New York
NovaCare Employee Services of Orlando, Inc.         Florida
NovaCare Employee Services Resource One, Inc.       Florida
NovaCare Employee Services TPI, Inc.                New York
NovaCare Employee Services West, Inc.               Arizona
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.                    Delaware
NovaCare Speech Therapy & Audiology, Inc.           California
Orthomedics - Voner (Rancho)                        California
Orthomedics - Voner (Whittier)                      California
Paralign Staffing Technologies, Inc.                Arizona
Penn Therapy, P.C.                                  Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Occupational Health, P.C.              Pennsylvania
Professional Insurance Planners of Florida, Inc.    Florida
Quad City Regional Spine Institute, P.C.            Iowa
Rx One, Inc.                                        Florida
South Philadelphia, P.C.                            Pennsylvania
Sprint Physical Therapy, P.C.                       Colorado
Staffing Technologies, Inc.                         New York
TJ Corporation I, L.L.C.                            Delaware
T.J. Partnership I                                  Delaware
Therex, P.C.                                        Colorado
<PAGE>   145

                                                               SCHEDULE 6.01(c)
                                                          REVISED JUNE 30, 1998
                                  SUBSIDIARIES
I.  SUBSIDIARY CORPORATIONS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

<S>                                  <C>            <C>          <C>                 <C>          <C>          
A.D. Craig Company                   California          G       20,000 common           666.66     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, no par                     Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies,    Nevada              G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par                   Prosthetics, Inc.
                                                                 value
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies,    New York            G       5,500,000 Class A      1,662,500   Advanced Orthopedic
Inc.                                                             Voting common                      Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   a Nevada corporation
                                                                 value
                                                                 500,000 Class B         40,320     Advanced Orthopedic
                                                                 Non-Voting common                  Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   a Nevada corporation
                                                                 value
                                                                 400,000 Series C     139,811.2548  Advanced Orthopedic
                                                                 Preferred Stock,                   Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                 $.01 par value                     a Nevada corporation
                                                                 1,000 Series D            10       Advanced Orthopedic
                                                                 Preferred Stock,                   Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                 $.01 par value                     a Nevada corporation
Advance Orthotics, Inc.              Texas               G       50,000 common           50,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, no par                     Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Advanced Orthotics and Prosthetics,  Washington          G       50,000 common             100      NovaCare Orthotics &
Inc.                                                             shares, no par                     Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   146
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Advanced Orthopedic Systems, Inc.    California          G       7,500 common             1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, no par value               Prosthetics West,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     New Jersey          G       1,000 common              200      Advanced Orthopedic
(Clayton), Inc.                                                  shares, no par value               Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                                                    a New York
                                                                                                    corporation
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     West Virginia       G       200 common shares,        125      Advanced Orthopedic
(Lett), Inc.                                                     $.01 par value                     Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                                                    a New York
                                                                                                    corporation
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     New Jersey          G       200 common shares,        200      Advanced Orthopedic
(New Jersey), Inc.                                               no par value                       Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                                                    a New York
                                                                                                    corporation
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     New Mexico          G       200 common shares,        100      Advanced Orthopedic
(New Mexico), Inc.                                               $1.00 par value                    Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                                                    a New York
                                                                                                    corporation
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     New York            G       600 Class A Voting        475      Advanced Orthopedic
(New York), Inc.                                                 dividend bearing                   Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                 common shares, no                  a New York
                                                                 par value                          corporation

                                                                 400 Class B                25      Advanced Orthopedic
                                                                 Non-Voting dividend                Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                 bearing common                     a New York
                                                                 shares, no par value               corporation
</TABLE>




                                        2
<PAGE>   147
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     New York            G       200 common shares,        100      Advanced Orthopedic
(OTI), Inc.                                                      no par value                       Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                                                    a New York
                                                                                                    corporation
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     West Virginia       G       200 common shares,        100      Advanced Orthopedic
(Parmeco), Inc.                                                  $.01 par value                     Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                                                    a New York
                                                                                                    corporation
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     California          G       200 common shares,        100      Advanced Orthopedic
(SFV), Inc.                                                      $1.00 par value                    Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                                                    a New York
                                                                                                    corporation
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     Virginia            G       50,000 common             100      Advanced Orthopedic
(Virginia), Inc.                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                 value                              a New York
                                                                                                    corporation
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     West Virginia       G       600 Class A Voting        600      Advanced Orthopedic
(West Virginia), Inc.                                            dividend bearing                   Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                 common shares,                     a New York
                                                                 $5.00 par value                    corporation

                                                                 400 Class B Voting          0 
                                                                 non-dividend
                                                                 bearing common
                                                                 shares, $5.00 par
                                                                 value
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies     New York            G       200 common shares,        100      Advanced Orthopedic
Management Corp.                                                 $1.00 par value                    Technologies, Inc.,
                                                                                                    a New York
                                                                                                    corporation
</TABLE>




                                       3
<PAGE>   148
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Affiliated Physical Therapists, Ltd. Arizona             G       120,091 common          35,600     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value 83,067
                                                                 preferred shares,
                                                                 $1.00 par value
American Rehabilitation Center, Inc. Missouri            G       30,000 common            2,500     Rehabilitation
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Management, Inc.
                                                                 value
American Rehabilitation Clinic, Inc. Missouri            G       30,000 common            1,000     Rehabilitation
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Management, Inc.
                                                                 value
Artificial Limb and Brace Center     Arizona             G       1,000,000 common         1,066     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Athens Sports Medicine Clinic, Inc.  Georgia             G       200,000 common            100      NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Rehabilitation East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Ather Sports Injury Clinic, Inc.     California          G       10,000 common            2,000     NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, no par value               Rehabilitation West,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Atlanta Prosthetics, Inc.            Georgia             G       25,000 common            2,784     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Atlantic Health Group, Inc.          Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Occupational Health
                                                                 value                              Services, Inc.
Atlantic Rehabilitation Services,    New Jersey          G       1,000 common              20       RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, no par
                                                                 value
Boca Rehab Agency, Inc.              Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Bowman-Shelton Orthopedic            Oklahoma            G       3,000 common             3,000     NovaCare Orthotics
Service, Incorporated                                            shares, $1.00 par                  & Prosthetics
                                                                 value                              East, Inc.
</TABLE>



                                       4
<PAGE>   149
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Buendel Physical Therapy, Inc.       Florida             G       750 common shares,        100      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 $10.00 par value
C.E.R. - West, Inc.                  Michigan            G       60,000 common            1,000     NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, no par value               Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Cahill Orthopedic Laboratory, Inc.   New York            G       200 common shares,        50       NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 no par value                       Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Cannon & Associates, Inc.            Delaware            G       10,000 common            3,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, no par
                                                                 value
                                                                 1,286 cumulative
                                                                 redeemable
                                                                 preferred shares,
                                                                 $.01 par value
Cenla Physical Therapy &             Louisiana           G       10,000 common            2,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Rehabilitation Agency, Inc.                                      shares, no par value
Center for Evaluation &              Michigan            G       25,000 Class A          12,375     NovaCare Outpatient
Rehabilitation, Inc.                                             common shares,                     Rehabilitation East,
                                                                 $1.00 par value,                   Inc.
                                                                 25,000 Class B           4,125
                                                                 common shares,
                                                                 $1.00 par value
Center for Physical Therapy and      New Mexico          G       500,000 common           1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Sports Rehabilitation, Inc.                                      shares, no par value
CenterTherapy, Inc.                  Minnesota           G       50,000 Class A        475 Class A  RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 voting shares, $.01     voting
                                                                 par value, 50,000
                                                                 Class B non-voting
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
</TABLE>


                                        5
<PAGE>   150
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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


Certified Orthopedic Appliance Co.,  Arizona             G       10,000 common             150      NovaCare Orthotics &
Inc.                                                             shares, $100 par                   Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Central Valley Prosthetics &         California          G       100,000 common           9,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
Orthotics, Inc.                                                  shares, no par value               Prosthetics West,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Champion Physical Therapy, Inc.      Pennsylvania        G       100,000 common           6,660     NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Rehabilitation East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
CMC Center Corporation               California          G       750,000 common           1,111     NC Resources, Inc.
                                                                 shares, no par value
ConsulTemps, Inc.                    Virginia            E       5,000 common             1,000     NovaCare Employee
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Services Easy Staff,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Coplin Physical Therapy Associates,  Minnesota           G       2,500 common              100      RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, no par
                                                                 value
Crowley Physical Therapy Clinic,     Louisiana           G       10,000 common             500      RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, no par
                                                                 value
Dale Clark Prosthetics, Inc.         Iowa                G       1,000 common              20       NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $100 par                   Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Douglas Avery and Associates, Ltd.   Virginia            G       500 Series A Voting       100      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 Common Shares,
                                                                 $10.00 par value
                                                                 300 Series B
                                                                 Non-Voting Common
                                                                 Shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Douglas C. Claussen, R.P.T.,         California          G       50,000 common           10,187     RehabClinics, Inc.
Physical Therapy, Inc.                                           shares, no par
                                                                 value

</TABLE>


                                        6
<PAGE>   151
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

E.A. Warnick-Pomeroy Co., Inc.       Pennsylvania        G       300 common shares,        16       NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 $100 par value                     Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Elk County Physical Therapy, Inc.    Pennsylvania        G       100,000 common           2,000     NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, no par value               Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Employee Benefits Management, Inc.   Florida             E       800,000 common          428,747    NovaCare Employee
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Services of America,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Employers' Risk Management, Inc.     Florida             E       800,000 common          428,747    NovaCare Employee
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Services of America,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Fine, Bryant & Wah, Inc.             Maryland            G       50,000 Class A           2,000     NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 voting common                      Rehabilitation East,
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Inc.
                                                                 value                              NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 50,000 Class B             106     Rehabilitation East,
                                                                 non-voting common                  Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
Francis Naselli, Jr. & Stewart Rich  Pennsylvania        G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Physical Therapists, Inc.                                        shares, no par
                                                                 value
Frank J. Malone & Son, Inc.          Pennsylvania        G       100,000 common             2       NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $.10 par                   Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Fresno Orthopedic Company            California          G       50,000 common            6,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $10.00 par                 Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Gallery Physical Therapy Center,     Minnesota           G       1,048.85 common        1,048.85    RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, no par
                                                                 value
</TABLE>



                                       7
<PAGE>   152
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Georgia Health Group, Inc.           Georgia             G       1,000 common             1,000     Atlantic Health
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Group, Inc.
                                                                 value
Georgia Physical Therapy of West     Georgia             G       5,000,000 common       1,000,200   RehabClinics, Inc.
Georgia, Inc.                                                    shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Georgia Physical Therapy, Inc.       Georgia             G       100,000 common           1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.50 par
                                                                 value
Greater Sacramento Physical Therapy  California          G       100,000 common          38,250     RehabClinics, Inc.
Associates, Inc.                                                 shares, no par value    11,250     Peters, Starkey &
                                                                                                    Todrank Physical
                                                                                                    Therapy Corporation
Grove City Physical Therapy and      Pennsylvania        G       100,000 common            10       NovaCare Outpatient
Sports Medicine, Inc.                                            shares, $10.00 par                 Rehabilitation East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Gulf Breeze Physical Therapy, Inc.   Florida             G       7,500 common              200      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
Gulf Coast Hand Specialists, Inc.    Florida             G       7,500 common              100      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
Hand Therapy and Rehabilitation      California          G       10,000 common            6,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Associates, Inc.                                                 shares, no par
                                                                 value
Hand Therapy Associates, Inc.        Arizona             G       1,000,000 common          250      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $10 par
                                                                 value
Hangtown Physical Therapy, Inc.      California          G       100,000 common            86       NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, no par value               Rehabilitation West,
                                                                                                    Inc.
</TABLE>


                                       8
<PAGE>   153
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

<S>                                  <C>            <C>          <C>                   <C>          <C>          
Hawley Physical Therapy, Inc.        California          G       100,000 common          20,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, no par value
Heartland Rehabilitation, Inc.       Indiana             G       1,000 common              100      NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, no par
                                                                 value
High Desert Institute of             California          G       1,000,000 common         2,074     NovaCare Orthotics &
Prosthetics & Orthotics                                          shares, no par value               Prosthetics West,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Indianapolis Physical Therapy and    Indiana             G       400,000 common          267,808    RehabClinics, Inc.
Sports Medicine, Inc.                                            shares, no par value
Industrial Health Care Company, Inc. Connecticut         G       20,000 common             919      NC Resources, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
J.E. Hanger, Incorporated            Missouri            G       10,000 common            6,545     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $10.00 par                 Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Jim All, Inc.                        Texas               E       1,000,000 common         1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
JOYNER SPORTS SCIENCE INSTITUTE,     Pennsylvania        G       1,000 common              100      JOYNER
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par                   SPORTSMEDICINE
                                                                 value                              INSTITUTE, INC.
JOYNER SPORTSMEDICINE INSTITUTE,     Pennsylvania        G       5,000,000 common       1,209,697   NovaCare Outpatient
INC.                                                             shares, no par value               Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Kesinger Physical Therapy, Inc.      California          G       10,000 common            1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, no par
                                                                 value
Kroll's, Inc.                        Minnesota           G       2,500 common              150      NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $10.00 par                 Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
</TABLE>



                                        9
<PAGE>   154
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Lynn M. Carlson, Inc.                Arizona             G       1,000,000 common         6,400     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
McFarlen & Associates, Inc.          Texas               E       100,000 common           1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $.10 par                   Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
McKinney Prosthetics/Orthotics, Inc. Illinois            G       1,000 Class A voting     1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 common shares, $1.00               Prosthetics East,
                                                                 par value                          Inc.
                                                                 50,000 Class B          10,000  
                                                                 non-voting common 
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par value
Mark Butler Physical Therapy         New Jersey          G       2,500 Common              100      NovaCare Outpatient
Center, Inc.                                                     shares, no par value               Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Meadowbrook Orthopedics, Inc.        Michigan            G       50,000 common            2,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, no par value               Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Medical Arts O&P Services, Inc.      Wisconsin           G       100,000 common            800      NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Medical Plaza Physical Therapy, Inc. Missouri            G       6,000 common              510      NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, $5.00 par                  Rehabilitation East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Metro Rehabilitation Services, Inc.  Michigan            G       50,000 common            1,000     NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Rehabilitation East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Michigan Therapy Centre, Inc.        Michigan            G       50,000 common           11,765     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
MidAtlantic Health Group, Inc.       Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     Atlantic Health
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Group, Inc.
                                                                 value
</TABLE>



                                       10
<PAGE>   155
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Mill River Management, Inc.          Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Mitchell Tannenbaum I, Inc.          Illinois            G       1,000 common              100      RCI (S.P.O.R.T.),
                                                                 shares, no par value               Inc.
Mitchell Tannenbaum II, Inc.         Illinois            G       1,000 common              100      RCI (S.P.O.R.T.),
                                                                 shares, no par value               Inc.
Mitchell Tannenbaum III, Inc.        Illinois            G       1,000 common              100      RCI (S.P.O.R.T.),
                                                                 shares, no par value               Inc.
Monmouth Rehabilitation, Inc.        New Jersey          G       100 common                80       RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, no par value
NC Cash Management, Inc.             Delaware            G       1,000 common              100      NC Resources, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par value
NC Resources, Inc.                   Delaware            G       1,000 common              100      NovaCare, Inc. (DE)
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NCES Finance, Inc.                   Delaware            E       3,000 common              100      NCES Holdings, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NCES Holdings, Inc.                  Delaware            E       3,000 common              100      NovaCare Employee
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Services, Inc.
                                                                 value
NCES Licensing, Inc.                 Delaware            E       3,000 common              100      NCES Finance, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
New England Health Group, Inc.       Massachusetts       G       1,000 common             1,000     Atlantic Health
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Group, Inc.
                                                                 value
</TABLE>


                                       11
<PAGE>   156
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

New Mexico Physical Therapists, Inc. New Mexico          G       50,000 common             559      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
Northland Regional Orthotic and      Minnesota           G       25,000 common             12       NovaCare Orthotics &
Prosthetic Center, Inc.                                          shares,  no par                    Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Northside Physical Therapy, Inc.     Ohio                G       500 common shares,        100      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 without par value
NovaCare (Arizona), Inc.             Arizona             G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, no par value
NovaCare (Colorado), Inc.            Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare (Texas), Inc.               Texas               G       100 common                100      NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Administrative Employee     Florida             E       800,000 common          428,747    NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc.                                                   shares, $.01 par                   Services of America,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
NovaCare Administrative Employee     New York            E       200 common shares,         1       NovaCare Employee
Services of New York, Inc.                                       no par value                       Services TPI, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.     Delaware            E       60,000,000 common     19,400,000   NC Resources, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
                                                                 1,000,000 preferred
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
</TABLE>


                                       12
<PAGE>   157
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

NovaCare Employee Services Club      Florida             E       800,000 common          428,747    NovaCare Employee
Staff, Inc.                                                      shares, $.01 par                   Services of America,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services Easy      Florida             E       800,000 common          428,747    NovaCare Employee
Staff, Inc.                                                      shares, $.01 par                   Services of America,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services           New York            E       200 common shares,         1       NovaCare Employee
Northeast, Inc.                                                  no par value                       Services TPI, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services West,     Arizona             E       1,000,000 common        98,069     NovaCare Employee
Inc.                                                             shares, no par value               Services, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services of        Florida             E       800,000 common          428,747    NovaCare Employee
America, Inc.                                                    shares, $.01 par                   Services, Inc.
                                                                 value                      
                                                                 500,000 preferred          0
                                                                 shares, no par value
NovaCare Employee Services of        Delaware            E       200 common shares,         1       NovaCare Employee
Boston, Inc.                                                     $1.00 par value                    Services TPI, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services of        Florida             E       800,000 common          428,747    NovaCare Employee
Florida, Inc.                                                    shares, $.01 par                   Services of America,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services of New    New York            E       200 common shares,         1       NovaCare Employee
York, Inc.                                                       no par value                       Services TPI, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services of        Florida             E       1,000,000 common        50,000     NovaCare Employee
Orlando, Inc.                                                    shares, $.01 par                   Services Resource
                                                                 value                              One, Inc.
</TABLE>


                                       13
<PAGE>   158
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

NovaCare Employee Services Resource  Florida             E       1,000,000 common        100,000    NovaCare Employee
One, Inc.                                                        shares, $.01 par                   Services, Inc.
                                                                 value
NovaCare Employee Services TPI, Inc. New York            E       11,111 common            6,261     NovaCare Employee
                                                                 shares, $.01 par         common    Services, Inc.
                                                                 value                                               
                                                                 4,850 preferred          4,850     NovaCare Employee
                                                                 shares, $.01 par        preferred  Services, Inc.
                                                                 value
NovaCare Management Company, Inc.    Delaware            G       1,000 common              100      NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Prosthetics, Inc.
                                                                 value
NovaCare Management Services, Inc.   Delaware            G       1,000 common              100      NovaCare, Inc. (DE)
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Northside Therapy, Inc.     Minnesota           G       2,500 common              100      NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, $10.00 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Occupational Health         Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     NC Resources, Inc.
Services, Inc.                                                   shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics     Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
East, Inc.                                                       shares, $.01 par                   Prosthetics
                                                                 value                              Holdings, Inc.
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics     Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
Holdings, Inc.                                                   shares, $.01 par                   Prosthetics, Inc.
                                                                 value
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics     California          G       5,000,000 common        689,681    NovaCare Orthotics &
West, Inc.                                                       shares, $.10 par                   Prosthetics
                                                                 value                              Holdings, Inc.
</TABLE>



                                       14
<PAGE>   159
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics,    Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     NC Resources, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation   Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
East, Inc.                                                       shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation   Kansas              G       100,000 common           1,250     RehabClinics, Inc.
I, Inc.                                                          shares, no par value
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation   Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
West, Inc.                                                       shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation,  Kansas              G       500,000 common          10,851     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Alabama,    Alabama             G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Florida,    Florida             G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Georgia,    Georgia             G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Illinois,   Illinois            G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Kansas,     Kansas              G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Missouri,   Missouri            G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
</TABLE>


                                       15
<PAGE>   160
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

NovaCare Rehab Agency of New         New Jersey          G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Jersey, Inc.                                                     shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of North       North               G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Carolina, Inc.                       Carolina                    shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Northern    California          G       9,000 common              100      NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
California, Inc.                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Ohio, Inc.  Ohio                G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Oklahoma,   Oklahoma            G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Oregon,     Oregon              G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of             Pennsylvania        G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Pennsylvania, Inc.                                               shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of South       South               G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Carolina, Inc.                       Carolina                    shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Southern    California          G       9,000 common              100      NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
California, Inc.                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Tennessee,  Tennessee           G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Virginia,   Virginia            G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
</TABLE>



                                       16
<PAGE>   161
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

NovaCare Rehab Agency of             Washington          G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Washington, Inc.                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Wyoming,    Wyoming             G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Inc.                                                             shares, no par value
NovaCare Rehabilitation Agency of    Wisconsin           G       9,000 common              10       NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
Wisconsin, Inc.                                                  shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Rehabilitation, Inc.        Minnesota           G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare Service Corp.               Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (DE)
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaCare, Inc.                       Pennsylvania        B       5,000 common             1,000     NC Resources, Inc.
                                                                 shares, no par value
NovaFunds, Inc.                      Delaware            B       3,000 common              100      NC Resources, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaMark, Inc.                       Delaware            G       3,000 common              100      NovaFunds, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
NovaStock, Inc.                      Delaware            G       3,000 common              100      NovaFunds, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Opus Care, Inc.                      Illinois            G       50,000 common            1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, no par value               Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Ortho East, Inc.                     Massachusetts       G       12,500 common             100      NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, no par value               Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
</TABLE>


                                       17
<PAGE>   162
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Ortho Rehab Associates, Inc.         Florida             G       1,000 common              100      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
Ortho-Fab Laboratories, Inc.         Illinois            G       500 common shares,        500      NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 no par value                       Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Orthopedic Appliances, Inc.          Iowa                G       200,000 common            335      NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $10.00 par                 Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Orthopedic and Sports Physical       California          G       100,000 common           3,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Therapy of Cupertino, Inc.                                       shares, no par value
Orthopedic Rehabilitative Services,  Illinois            G       5,000 common             1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
Ltd.                                                             shares, no par value               Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Orthotic & Prosthetic                Florida             G       1,000 common              500      NovaCare Orthotics &
Rehabilitation Technologies, Inc.                                shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Orthotic and Prosthetic Associates,  Massachusetts       G       300,000 common          200,000    NovaCare Orthotics &
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par                   Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Orthotic Specialists, Inc.           Michigan            G       60,000 shares, no         500      NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 par value                          Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
OSI Midwest, Inc.                    Nebraska            E       10,000 common            7,651     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics
                                                                 value                              Holdings, Inc.
Paralign Staffing Technologies, Inc. Arizona             E       10,000 common            1,000     NovaCare Employee
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Services West, Inc.
                                                                 value
</TABLE>


                                       18
<PAGE>   163
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Peter Trailov R.P.T. Physical        Illinois            G       10,000 common             300      NovaCare Outpatient
Therapy Clinic, Orthopaedic                                      shares, $10.00 par                 Rehabilitation East,
Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine,                                value                              Inc.
Ltd.
Peters, Starkey & Todrank Physical   California          G       50,000 common             91       RehabClinics, Inc.
Therapy Corporation                                              shares,  no par
                                                                 value
Physical Focus Inc.                  Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Physical Rehabilitation Partners,    Louisiana           G       5,000 common            106.12     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, no par value
                                                                 
Physical Therapy Enterprises, Inc.   Arizona             G       1,000,000 common         1,000     NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Rehabilitation West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Physical Therapy Institute, Inc.     Louisiana           G       500 common shares,        500      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 no par value
                                                                 
Professional Insurance Planners of   Florida             E       5,000 common              250      NovaCare Employee
Florida, Inc.                                                    shares, $.10 par                   Services Resource
                                                                 value                              One, Inc.
Professional Orthotics and           New Mexico          G       50,000 common           40,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
Prosthetics, Inc.                                                shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Professional Orthotics and           New Mexico          G       50,000 common           30,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
Prosthetics, Inc. of Santa Fe                                    shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Professional Therapeutic Services,   Ohio                G       500 common shares,        150      NovaCare Outpatient
Inc.                                                             no par value                       Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
</TABLE>


                                       19
<PAGE>   164
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Progressive Orthopedic               California          G       20,000 common            2,618     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $10.00 par                 Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Prosthetics-Orthotics Associates,    Illinois            G       1.000 common              500      NovaCare Orthotics &
Inc.                                                             shares, no par value               Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Protech Orthotic and Prosthetic      Illinois            G       15,000 common            3,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
Center, Inc.                                                     shares, no par value               Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Quad City Management, Inc.           Iowa                G       100,000 common           1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, no par value
RCI (Colorado), Inc.                 Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RCI (Exertec), Inc.                  Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RCI (Illinois), Inc.                 Delaware            G       100 common shares,        100      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 no par value
RCI (Michigan), Inc.                 Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RCI (S.P.O.R.T.), Inc.               Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RCI (WRS), Inc.                      Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RCI Nevada, Inc.                     Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
</TABLE>


                                       20
<PAGE>   165
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Rebound Oklahoma, Inc.               Oklahoma            G       500 common shares,        500      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 $1.00 par value
Redwood Pacific Therapies, Inc.      California          G       100,000 common          15,120     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, no par value
Rehab Managed Care of Arizona, Inc.  Delaware            B       1,000 common              100      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network               Florida             G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
of Florida, Inc.                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network -  New        New Jersey          G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Jersey, Inc.                                                     shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network -             California          G       100 common                100      RehabClinics, Inc.
California, Inc.                                                 shares, $.10 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network - Delaware,   Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network - Georgia,    Georgia             G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network - Illinois,   Illinois            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network - Indiana,    Indiana             G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network - Maryland,   Maryland            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
</TABLE>


                                       21
<PAGE>   166
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Rehab Provider Network - Michigan,   Michigan            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network - Ohio, Inc.  Ohio                G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network - Oklahoma,   Oklahoma            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network - Virginia,   Virginia            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network -             District of         G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Washington, D.C., Inc.               Columbia                    shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network -             Pennsylvania        G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Pennsylvania, Inc.                                               shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab Provider Network of            Colorado            G       100 common                100      RehabClinics, Inc.
Colorado, Inc.                                                   shares, $.01
                                                                 par value
Rehab Provider Network of Nevada,    Nevada              G       100 common shares,        100      RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             $1.00 par value
Rehab Provider Network of New        New Mexico          G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Mexico, Inc.                                                     shares, $.01
                                                                 par value
Rehab Provider Network of Texas,     Texas               G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, $.01
                                                                 par value
Rehab Provider Network of            Wisconsin           G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Wisconsin, Inc.                                                  shares, $.01
                                                                 par value
</TABLE>


                                       22
<PAGE>   167
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Rehab World, Inc.                    Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Rehab/Work Hardening Management      Pennsylvania        G       500 common                500      RehabClinics, Inc.
Associates, Ltd.                                                 shares, no
                                                                 par value
RehabClinics (COAST), Inc.           Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RehabClinics (GALAXY), Inc.          Illinois            G       1,200 Class A             450      RCI (S.P.O.R.T.),
                                                                 common shares, no                  Inc.
                                                                 par value
RehabClinics (New Jersey), Inc.      Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RehabClinics (PTA), Inc.             Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RehabClinics (SPT), Inc.             Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RehabClinics Abilene, Inc.           Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RehabClinics Dallas, Inc.            Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
RehabClinics Pennsylvania, Inc.      Pennsylvania        G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics (SPT),
                                                                 shares, no par                     Inc.
                                                                 value
RehabClinics, Inc.                   Delaware            B       1,000 common             1,000     NC Resources, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
</TABLE>


                                       23
<PAGE>   168
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Rehabilitation Fabrication, Inc.     Massachusetts       G       15,000 common            1,000     Orthotic and
                                                                 shares, no par value               Prosthetic
                                                                                                    Associates, Inc.
Rehabilitation Management, Inc.      Delaware            G       1,500 common              350      NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, no par value               Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Reid Medical Systems, Inc.           Florida             G       7,500 common              100      NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Robert M. Bacci, R.P.T. Physical     California          G       100,000 common           5,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Therapy, Inc.                                                    shares,
                                                                 no par value
Robin Aids Prosthetics, Inc.         California          G       50,000 common           50,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares,  no par                    Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Rx One, Inc.                         Florida             E       1,000,000 common        100,000    NovaCare Employee
                                                                 shares, $.01 par                   Services, Inc.
                                                                 value
S.T.A.R.T., Inc.                     Massachusetts       G       12,500 common             200      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares,  no par
                                                                 value
Salem Orthopedic & Prosthetic, Inc.  Oregon              G       500 common shares,       56.15     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 no par value                       Prosthetics West,
                                                                                                    Inc.
San Joaquin Orthopedic, Inc.         California          G       500,000 common            550      NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, no par value               Prosthetics West,
                                                                                                    Inc.
SG Rehabilitation Agency, Inc.       Pennsylvania        G       100,000 common            100      NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, $10.00 par
                                                                 value
SG Speech Associates, Inc.           Pennsylvania        G       100,000 common            100      NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, $10.00 par
                                                                 value
</TABLE>


                                       24
<PAGE>   169
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

South Jersey Physical Therapy        New Jersey          G       2,500 common             2,500     NovaCare Outpatient
Associates, Inc.                                                 shares, no par value               Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
South Jersey Rehabilitation and      New Jersey          G       2,500 common              60       NovaCare Outpatient
Sports Medicine Center, Inc.                                     shares, no par value               Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Southern Illinois Prosthetic &       Illinois            G       100 common shares,        82       NovaCare Orthotics &
Orthotic, Ltd.                                                   no par value                       Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Southern Illinois Prosthetic &       Missouri            G       30,000 common            5,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
Orthotic of Missouri, Ltd.                                       shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Southpointe Fitness Center, Inc.     Pennsylvania        G       100,000 common           1,000     NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Rehabilitation East,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Southwest Medical Supply Company     New Mexico          G       10,000 common           10,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
Southwest Physical Therapy, Inc.     New Mexico          G       500,000 common          12,500     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares,
                                                                 no par value
Southwest Therapists, Inc.           New Mexico          G       5 common shares, no        5       RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 par value
Sporthopedics Sports and Physical    California          G       10,000 common            8,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Therapy Centers, Inc.                                            shares,  no par
                                                                 value
Sports Therapy and Arthritis         Delaware            G       1,000 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Rehabilitation, Inc.                                             shares, $.01 par
                                                                 value
Staffing Technologies, Inc.          New York            E       200 common shares,         1       NovaCare Employee
                                                                 no par value                       Services TPI, Inc.
</TABLE>


                                       25
<PAGE>   170
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Star Physical Therapy Inc.           Florida             G       1,000 common              60       RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
Stephenson-Holtz, Inc.               California          G       100,000 common          10,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, no par value
T.D. Rehab Systems, Inc.             New Jersey          G       1,000 common               2       NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, no par value               Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Texoma Health Care Center, Inc.      Texas               G       10,000 common            1,000     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
The Center for Physical Therapy and  New Mexico          G       500,000 common           1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Rehabilitation, Inc.                                             shares, no par value
The Orthopedic Sports and            Pennsylvania        G       3,000 common             2,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Industrial Rehabilitation Network,                               shares, no par value
Inc.
Theodore Dashnaw Physical Therapy,   California          G       100 common                30       RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, no
                                                                 par value
Treister, Inc.                       Ohio                G       500 common shares,        100      NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 no  par value                      Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Tucson Limb & Brace, Inc.            Arizona             G       100,000 common           2,106     NovaCare Orthotics &
                                                                 shares, $10.00 par                 Prosthetics West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
Union Square Center for              California          G       1,000 common              500      RehabClinics, Inc.
Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine,                                shares, no par
Inc.                                                             value

University Orthotic and Prosthetic   Pennsylvania        G       100 common shares,        100      NovaCare Orthotics &
Consultants, Ltd.                                                no par value                       Prosthetics East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
</TABLE>


                                       26
<PAGE>   171
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             Subsidiary              Jurisdiction    Borrower/        Authorized       No. Shares   Shareholder(s)
             ----------              ------------    ---------        ----------       ----------   --------------
                                                    Guarantor/          Capital           Issued
                                                    ----------          -------           ------
                                                     Excluded
                                                     --------
                                                      Entity
                                                      ------

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

Valley Group Physical Therapists,    Pennsylvania        G       1,000 common              100      NovaCare Outpatient
Inc.                                                             shares, no par value               Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
Vanguard Rehabilitation, Inc.        Arizona             G       1,000,000 common        64,500     RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
Wayzata Physical Therapy Center,     Minnesota           G       2,500 common             1,000     RehabClinics, Inc.
Inc.                                                             shares, no par
                                                                 value
West Side Physical Therapy, Inc.     Ohio                G       750 common shares,        100      NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 no par value                       Rehabilitation East,
                                                                                                    Inc.
West Suburban Health Partners, Inc.  Minnesota           G       25,000 common             990      RehabClinics, Inc.
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par
                                                                 value
Western Rehab Services, Inc.         Arizona             G       100,000 common           1,000     NovaCare, Inc. (PA)
                                                                 shares, no par value
Worker Rehabilitation Services, Inc. Illinois            G       10,000 common          2,777.78    RCI (WRS), Inc.
                                                                 shares,  no par
                                                                 value
Yuma Rehabilitation Center, Inc.     Arizona             G       1,000,000 common        20,000     NovaCare Outpatient
                                                                 shares, $1.00 par                  Rehabilitation West,
                                                                 value                              Inc.
</TABLE>



                                       27
<PAGE>   172
II.  PARTNERSHIP INTERESTS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                Name                 Jurisdiction                    Partnership Interest                     Borrower/
                ----                 ------------                    --------------------                     ---------
                                                                                                             Guarantor/
                                                                                                             ----------
                                                                                                              Excluded
                                                                                                              --------
                                                                                                               Entity
                                                                                                               ------
<S>                                  <C>          <C>                                                         <C>
A.D. Craig                           California   50% owned by A.D. Craig Company, 50% owned by San Joaquin       G
                                                  Orthopedic, Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Services, Ltd.   Texas        99% limited partnership interest owned by RehabClinics          G
                                                  Dallas, Inc. who is also the general partner
                                                  1% limited partnership interest owned by RehabClinics,
                                                  Inc.
Craig Weymouth Enterprises           California   50% owned by A.D. Craig Company, 50% owned by NovaCare          G
                                                  Orthotics & Prosthetics West, Inc.
Land Park Physical Therapy           California   50% owned by RehabClinics, Inc.                                 G
                                                  50% owned by Union Square Center for Rehabilitation &
                                                  Sports Medicine, Inc.  Each of these entities are
                                                  wholly-owned subsidiaries of NovaCare, Inc.
NCES Partners (IND), LP              Indiana      1% general partnership interest owned by NovaCare               E
                                                  Employee Services, Inc.; 99% limited partnership interest
                                                  owned by NCES Holdings, Inc.
Orthomedics - Voner (Rancho)         California   50% owned by NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics West, Inc.        E
Orthomedics - Voner (Whittier)       California   50% owned by NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics West, Inc.        E
T.J. Partnership I                   Delaware     75% owned by RehabClinics (PTA), Inc.; 25% owned by Mark        E
                                                  Stoff
NovaPartners (IND), LP               Indiana      1% general partnership interest owned by NovaCare, Inc.,        G
                                                  a Pennsylvania corporation; 99% limited partnership
                                                  interest owned by NC Resources, Inc.
</TABLE>

III.  LIMITED LIABILITY CORP.



                                       28
<PAGE>   173
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     Name                       Jurisdiction              Member Interest            Borrower/Guarantor/
                     ----                       ------------              ---------------            -------------------
                                                                                                       Excluded Entity
                                                                                                       ---------------
<S>                                            <C>             <C>                                   <C>         
TJ Corporation I, L.L.C.                       Delaware        RCI (Illinois), Inc. - 75% interest;           E
                                                               25% owned by Todd Miner
Gill/Balsano Consulting, L.L.C.                Delaware        Cannon & Associates, Inc. - 40%                E
                                                               interest
GP Therapy, L.L.C.                             Georgia         Georgia Physical Therapy, Inc. - 50%           E
                                                               interest
</TABLE>

IV.  OPTIONS TO PURCHASE

1.    Orthomedics - Voner (Rancho), a California general partnership. A 50%
      interest is held NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics West, Inc. a California
      wholly owned subsidiary of NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics Holdings,
      Inc., a Delaware wholly owned subsidiary of NovaCare Orthotics &
      Prosthetics, Inc., a Delaware wholly owned subsidiary of NC Resources,
      Inc., a Delaware wholly owned subsidiary of NovaCare, Inc. (DE). The
      remaining 50% is owned by Mr. Voner.

2.    Orthomedics - Voner (Whittier), a California general partnership. A 50%
      interest is held NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics West, Inc. a California
      wholly owned subsidiary of NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics Holdings,
      Inc., a Delaware wholly owned subsidiary of NovaCare Orthotics &
      Prosthetics, Inc., a Delaware wholly owned subsidiary of NC Resources,
      Inc., a Delaware wholly owned subsidiary of NovaCare, Inc. (DE). The
      remaining 50% is owned by Mr. Voner.


                                       29
<PAGE>   174
                              EXHIBIT 8.01(m)(iii)

                             COMPLIANCE CERTIFICATE

                           ____________________, 19__

PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
  as Agent for the Banks party
  to the Credit Agreement Referred to Below
Fifth Avenue and Wood Street
Pittsburgh, PA  15265


Ladies and Gentlemen:

      I refer to the Credit Agreement dated as of May 27, 1994 (as amended,
supplemented or modified from time to time, the "Credit Agreement") among
NOVACARE, INC., a Delaware corporation ("NovaCare"), and the other Borrowers and
the Guarantors under such Credit Agreement (collectively, the "Loan Parties"),
the Banks party thereto and PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as Agent for such
Banks. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement
are used herein with the same meanings.

      I, ______________________________, [President/Chief Executive
Officer/Chief Financial Officer] of NovaCare, do hereby certify pursuant to
Section 8.01(m)(iii) of the Credit Agreement on behalf of NovaCare as of the
[fiscal quarter/year ended _______________, 19___] the "Report Date"), as
follows:

  (1)  MINIMUM NET WORTH. (Section 8.02(l)). As of the Report Date, the
       Consolidated Net Worth is $ ______________ which is not less than the
       Minimum Net Worth Requirement which is $ ___________. Such amounts are
       computed as follows:

      (A)   Consolidated Net Worth as of the Report Date equals total
            stockholders' equity of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries(1), determined
            and consolidated in accordance with GAAP $ ___________


            [For periods after the Spin-Off Consummation, the stockholders'
            equity of NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. shall be excluded from
            such calculation. See Schedule A - Item (1)]

- ----------
(1)   NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. and its Subsidiaries are excluded in all
      calculations for NovaCare and its consolidated Subsidiaries.
<PAGE>   175
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
___________________, 19___
Page 2


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
      (B)   Minimum Net Worth Requirement as of the Report Date:

            (i)   Fixed amount in accordance with Credit Agreement                   $ 515,786,000
                                                                                       ___________
            (ii)  Seventy-five percent (75%) of Consolidated Net Income of
                  NovaCare and its Subsidiaries for each fiscal quarter in which
                  net income was earned (as opposed to a net loss) for each
                  fiscal quarter after June 30, 1997 through (and including) the
                  Report Date, computed as follows:

                  (a)   Consolidated net income                                      $ ____________

                  (b)   Less increases in net income or expenses resulting from                     
                        changes in GAAP after Closing Date                           $ ____________

                  (c)   Plus decreases in net income or expenses resulting from                     
                        changes in GAAP after Closing Date                           $ ____________

                  (d)   Subtotal sum of (a), (b) and (c)                             $ ____________

                  (e)   Line (d) times 75%                                           $ ____________

            (iii) To the extent not included in Item (ii)(e) above, one hundred
                  percent (100%) of all federal and state income tax refunds
                  (collectively, the "Tax Refunds") received by NovaCare or any
                  of its Subsidiaries during the period of determination
                  relating to the sales by them of their rehabilitation
                  hospitals during the fiscal year ended June 30, 1995.              $ ____________

            (iv)  One hundred percent (100%) of all proceeds received by
                  NovaCare in connection with the sale of shares of its capital
                  stock (less any expenses associated with such sale), including
                  proceeds from conversion of the Subordinated Debentures during
                  the period from July 1, 1997 through and including the Report
                  Date.                                                              $ ____________
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   176
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
___________________, 19___
Page 3


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
            (v)   The cash purchase price of common stock of NovaCare
                  repurchased by NovaCare during the period of determination
                  (not to exceed an aggregate of $21,309,699 plus the portion of
                  the Tax Refunds used for such repurchases).                        $ ____________

            (vi)  Sum of Items (i) through (iv), less Item (v), equals Minimum
                  Net Worth Requirement                                              $ ____________

            [For periods after the Spin-Off Consummation, the portion of
            Consolidated Net Income attributable to NovaCare Employee Services,
            Inc., shall be excluded from such calculation of Minimum Net Worth
            Requirement in accordance with the Credit Agreement. See Schedule
            A-1.]

  (2)  FUNDED DEBT TO CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS. (Section 8.02(n)). The ratio of
       Consolidated Funded Debt to Consolidated Cash Flow from Operations,
       calculated as of the end of each fiscal quarter for the four fiscal
       quarters ending on the Report Date, is __________ to 1.0. Pursuant to
       Section 8.02(n), such ratio is not more than 4.25 to 1.0 for any fiscal
       quarter ending on or after November 17, 1997 (the Thirteenth Amendment
       Effective Date) through June 30, 2000, or 3.75 to 1.0 for any fiscal
       quarter ending after July 1, 2000.

      (A)   Consolidated Funded Debt, the numerator of the foregoing ratio,
            equals the Indebtedness of NovaCare and its Subsidiaries to persons
            other than NovaCare and its Subsidiaries, determined as follows (in
            each case, without duplication):

            (i)   Borrowed money                                                     $ ___________

            (ii)  Amounts raised under or liabilities in respect of any note
                  purchase or acceptance credit facility                             $ ___________

            (iii) Reimbursement obligations under any letter of credit, currency
                  swap agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar or floor
                  agreement or other interest rate management device                 $ ___________
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   177
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
___________________, 19___
Page 4


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
            (iv)  Other transactions (including without limitation forward sale
                  or purchase agreements, capitalized leases and conditional
                  sales agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing
                  of money entered into to finance operations or capital
                  requirements (excluding trade payables and accrued expenses
                  incurred in the ordinary course of business which are not
                  represented by a promissory note                                   $ ___________

            (v)   Any Guaranty of Indebtedness for borrowed money                    $ ___________

            (vi)  Sum of (i) through (v) equals Consolidated Funded Debt             $ ___________

      (B)   Consolidated Cash Flow from Operations(2), the denominator of the
            foregoing ratio, for the four fiscal quarters ending on the Report
            Date is determined as follows:

            (i)   Net income                                                         $ ___________

            (ii)  Depreciation                                                       $ ___________

            (iii) Amortization                                                       $ ___________

            (iv)  Other non-cash charges to net income incurred in the ordinary
                  course of business not to exceed $25,000,000 in any fiscal
                  quarter (to the extent included in determination of net
                  income)                                                            $ ___________

            (v)   Interest expense                                                   $ ___________

            (vi)  Income tax expense                                                 $ ___________

            (vii) Sum of items (i) through (vi)                                      $ ___________

            (viii)Non-cash credits to net income (to the extent included in
                  determination of net income)                                       $ ___________
</TABLE>

- ----------
(2)   To be adjusted in accordance with the definition of "Consolidated Cash
      Flow from Operations" set forth in the Credit Agreement (a) to give effect
      to the timing of Permitted Acquisitions and Permitted Asset Transfers and
      (b) to exclude any item attributable to Restricted Excluded Entities. See
      Section 8.02(e)(i) or (iv).
<PAGE>   178
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
___________________, 19___
Page 5


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
            (ix)  Actual cash charges incurred in the period of determination
                  related to the $23,500,000 special charge taken by the Loan
                  Parties during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1997          $ ___________

            (x)   Item (vii), less the sum of Items (viii) and (ix), equals
                  Consolidated Cash Flow from Operations                             $ ___________

          [For periods after the Spin-Off Consummation, the portions of Funded
          Debt and Cash Flow from Operations attributable to NovaCare Employee
          Services, Inc., shall be excluded from calculation of such ratio.  See
          Schedule A - Items 2 and 3.]

  (3)  MINIMUM FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO(3). (Section 8.02(o)). The ratio of
       Consolidated Earnings Available for Fixed Charges to Consolidated Fixed
       Charges for the four fiscal quarters ending on the Report Date is
       __________ to 1.0. Such ratio is not more than 1.3 to 1.0 pursuant to
       Section 8.02(o).

      (A)   Consolidated Earnings Available for Fixed Charges, the numerator of
            the foregoing ratio, is determined as follows:

            (i)   Net income                                                         $ ___________

            (ii)  Interest expense                                                   $ ___________

            (iii) Income tax expense                                                 $ ___________

            (iv)  Depreciation                                                       $ ___________

            (v) Amortization                                                         $ ___________

            (vi)  Other non-cash charges to net income incurred in the ordinary
                  course of business not to exceed $25,000,000 in any fiscal
                  quarter (to the extent included in determination of net
                  income)                                                            $ ___________

            (vii) Expenses under operating leases                                    $ ___________
</TABLE>

- ----------
(3)   To be adjusted in accordance with the definitions of "Consolidated
      Earnings Available for Fixed Charges" and "Consolidated Fixed Charges" set
      forth in the Credit Agreement (a) to give effect to the timing of
      Permitted Acquisitions and Permitted Asset Transfers and (b) to exclude
      any item of expense attributable to Restricted Excluded Entities.
<PAGE>   179
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
___________________, 19___
Page 6


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
           (viii) Sum of (i) through (vii)                                           $ ___________

            (ix)  Non-cash credits to net income (to the extent included in
                  determination of net income)                                       $ ___________

            (x)   Actual cash charges incurred in the period of determination
                  related to the $23,500,000 special charge taken by the Loan
                  Parties during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 1997          $ ___________

            (xi)  Item (viii), less the sum of Items (ix) and (x), equals
                  Consolidated Earnings Available for Fixed Charges                  $ ___________

      (B)   Consolidated Fixed Charges, the denominator of the foregoing ratio,
            is determined as follows:

            (i)   Interest expense                                                   $ ___________

            (ii)  Expenses under operating leases                                    $ ___________

            (iii) Income tax expense                                                 $ ___________

            (iv)  Current maturities of long-term Indebtedness (for the twelve
                  (12) month period following the Report Date) excluding current
                  maturities of Subordinated Debentures during the fiscal
                  quarter ending March 31, 1999 or any fiscal quarter thereafter     $ ___________

            (v)   Current principal payments under capitalized leases (for the
                  twelve (12) month period following the Report Date)                $ ___________

            (vi)  The sum of (i) through (v) equals Consolidated Fixed Charges       $ ___________

          [For periods after the Spin-Off Consummation, the portion of
          Consolidated Earnings Available for Fixed Charges and Consolidated
          Fixed Charges attributable to NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., shall
          be excluded from calculation of such ratio. See Schedule A - Item 4.]
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   180
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
___________________, 19___
Page 7


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
  (4)  INDEBTEDNESS ASSUMED IN PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS; PURCHASE MONEY SECURITY
       INTERESTS. (Section 8.02(a)).

      (A)   Permitted Acquisitions and Purchase Money Security Interests.
            (Section 8.02(a)(v)). The amount of Indebtedness of the Loan Parties
            described in Section 8.02(a)(v) of the Credit Agreement is $__________
            on the Report Date, which is less than $20,000,000, the maximum 
            permitted amount. The amount of such Indebtedness is computed as 
            follows:                                                                 $ ___________

            (i)   Purchase Money Security Interests entered into in the ordinary
                  course of business and consistent with past practices.             $ ___________

            (ii)  Permitted Acquisitions (accounted for as a "purchase" under
                  GAAP) (See Section 8.02(d)(ii).) Indebtedness incurred or
                  assumed (including extensions and renewals thereof) by Loan
                  Parties between the Closing Date and the Report Date, either
                  pursuant to Permitted Acquisitions (by purchase, merger or
                  otherwise) of either (1) the assets of other persons or (2)
                  stock, partnership interests or other ownership interests of
                  corporations, partnerships or other entities, which
                  Indebtedness incurred or assumed through either (1) or (2)
                  above remains outstanding on the Report Date, shown as
                  follows:                                                           $ ___________
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
  ____________________________________________________________________________
   Loan Party Which                        Collateral Securing
   is Now Liable on    Date of Permitted    the Indebtedness      Indebtedness
   the Indebtedness       Acquisition           (If Any)           Outstanding
  ____________________________________________________________________________
<S>                    <C>                 <C>                    <C>
      __________          __________           __________         $ __________
      __________          __________           __________         $ __________
      __________          __________           __________         $ __________

                                                    Total         $ __________
  ____________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                              <C>
         (iii) Sum of Lines (i) and (ii) (may not exceed $20,000,000)              $ ___________
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   181
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
___________________, 19___
Page 8



      (B)   Permitted Acquisitions (accounted for as a "pooling of interests"
            under GAAP). (Section 8.02(a)(vi)). The amount of Indebtedness of
            the Loan Parties described in Section 8.02(a)(vi) of the Credit
            Agreement incurred during the current fiscal year is $__________
            which is less than $100,000,000, the maximum amount permitted under
            said Section. Such Indebtedness is computed as follows:

            Indebtedness either (1) assumed by acquiring Loan Parties in
            Permitted Acquisitions during the current fiscal year, or (2) of
            Pooling Partners and their Subsidiaries whose stock or other
            ownership interests were acquired in Permitted Acquisitions during
            the current fiscal year, including in the case of both (1) and (2)
            any Indebtedness which has been repaid since the date of the pooling
            as well as Indebtedness which remains outstanding on the date of
            this certificate, as summarized in the table below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
  Loan Party Which
Assumed Indebtedness
 or Pooling Partner                               Collateral Securing
   Whose Stock Was           Date of Pooling        the Indebtedness              Amount of
      Acquired               Date of Pooling            (if any)                Indebtedness **
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
<S>                          <C>                  <C>                           <C>
     __________                __________              __________                $ __________
     __________                __________              __________                $ __________
     __________                __________              __________                $ __________

                                                    Total Indebtedness           $ __________
                         (may not exceed $100,000,000 in the aggregate)
_______________________________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>

    ** Not to exceed the Pooling Consideration

      (C)   Permitted Additional Institutional Indebtedness (Section
            8.02(a)(viii) and definition of "Permitted Additional Institutional
            Indebtedness"). The following is a list of Permitted Additional
            Institutional Indebtedness outstanding on the Report Date:
<PAGE>   182
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
- -------------------, 19---
Page 9


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Documentation
     Qualified                                                    Delivered
      Lender             Loan Party            Amount        to Agent (yes/no)**
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                 <C>              <C>
    ----------          ----------          $ ----------         ----------
    ----------          ----------          $ ----------         ----------
    ----------          ----------          $ ----------         ----------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

    ** Documentation governing Indebtedness should be enclosed with this
       compliance certificate if not previously delivered to Agent.

      (D)   Permitted Additional Subordinated Indebtedness (Section 8.02(a)(ix)
            and definition of "Permitted Additional Subordinated Indebtedness").
            The following is a list of Permitted Additional Subordinated
            Indebtedness outstanding on the Report Date:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                               Documentation
                           Loan                                  Delivered
      Lender               Party              Amount        to Agent (yes/no)**

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                     <C>                <C>              <C>
    ----------          ----------         $ ----------          ---------
    ----------          ----------         $ ----------          ----------
    ----------          ----------         $ ----------          ----------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

    ** Documentation governing any Subordinated Indebtedness greater than
       $5,000,000 should be enclosed with this compliance certificate if not
       previously delivered to Agent.

  (5)  PERMITTED ACQUISITIONS (Section 8.02(d)). The Loan Parties made the
       following Permitted Acquisitions during the quarter ending on the Report
       Date:
<PAGE>   183
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
___________________, 19___
Page 10


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
_______________________________________________________________________________
                    Type of Transaction
      Seller/          (Purchase or
  Pooling Partner        Pooling under    Date of Closing     Consideration **
                             GAAP)
_______________________________________________________________________________
<S>                 <C>                   <C>                 <C>
    __________          __________           __________         $ __________
    __________          __________           __________         $ __________
    __________          __________           __________         $ __________
_______________________________________________________________________________
</TABLE>

    ** Not to exceed $30,000,000.

        The aggregate Consideration with respect to the Permitted Acquisitions
       made during the quarter ending on the Report Date, together with the
       aggregate Consideration for all other Permitted Acquisitions during the
       current fiscal year, is $_____________, which does not exceed the Annual
       Permitted Acquisition Amount for the fiscal year as set forth in Section
       8.02(d)(ii)(g).

  (6)  Permitted Investment in Excluded Entities (Sections 8.02(f) and (i)).
       With reference to the definition of "Permitted Investment in Excluded
       Entities," the Loan Parties' Restricted Investments total, in the
       aggregate, $ _____________, which amount does not exceed the permitted
       amount of $50,000,000 for all Excluded Entities, as computed below:


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                      <C>
            (i)   Restricted Investments in Excluded Entities which are Minority
                  Subsidiaries (in each instance, not to exceed $5,000,000)              $ __________

            (ii)  Restricted Investments in Excluded Entities which are
                  Subsidiaries (in each instance, not to exceed $10,000,000)             $ __________

            (iii) Restricted Investments in Excluded Entities which are either
                  (a) Unaffiliated Managed Companies or (b) entities which are
                  neither Subsidiaries nor Minority Subsidiaries (in each
                  instance, not to exceed $1,000,000 and in the aggregate not to
                  exceed $5,000,000)                                                     $ __________

            (iv)  Sum of Items (i) through (iii)                                         $ __________
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   184
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
- -------------------, 19---
Page 11


       The table below lists as of the Report Date (a) each Subsidiary and
       Minority Subsidiary which is not a Borrower or Guarantor (whether or not
       the Loan Parties have made a Restricted Investment therein), (b) each
       Unaffiliated Managed Company in which the Loan Parties have made a
       Restricted Investment and (c) each other entity in which the Loan Parties
       have made a Permitted Investment in Excluded Entities.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    (i)             (ii)            (iii)               (iv)
                Investments(4)                                         Other             Total
                   in or                                            Obligations       Restricted
               Contributions                      Guaranties       to or for the      Investments
                     to           Loans to       on Behalf of        Benefit of        (Sum of
Excluded         Excluded         Excluded         Excluded          Excluded          columns
  Entity         Entity            Entity           Entity            Entity         (i) thru (iv))
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>            <C>                <C>            <C>               <C>               <C>
 --------         --------        --------         --------           --------       $ ---------
 --------         --------        --------         --------           --------       $ ---------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                   Total (not to exceed $50,000,000) $ ---------
</TABLE>

  (7)  EVENTS OF DEFAULT OR POTENTIAL DEFAULT. No event has occurred and is
       continuing which constitutes an Event of Default or Potential Default.

  (8)  REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. The representations and warranties
       contained in Article VI of the Credit Agreement are true on and as of the
       date hereof with the same effect as though such representations and
       warranties had been made on and as of the date hereof (except
       representations and warranties which expressly relate solely to an
       earlier date or time, which representations and warranties shall have
       been true and correct on and as of the specific dates or times referred
       to therein) and the Loan Parties have performed and complied with all
       covenants and conditions hereof.

- ----------
(4)   Indicate if nature of Restricted Investment is tangible property.
      Restricted Investment in certain Excluded Entities is limited to the per
      entity amount and certain aggregate sublimits specified in the definition
      of Permitted Investment in Excluded Entities.
<PAGE>   185
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
___________________, 19___
Page 12


            IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has executed this Certificate
this _____ day of _____________, 19 .


                                    By:____________________________________
                                    Name:__________________________________
                                    Title:_________________________________
<PAGE>   186
                                   SCHEDULE A

                            to Compliance Certificate

                ADJUSTMENTS FOR NOVACARE EMPLOYEE SERVICES, INC.

                        ________________________, 19__

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
(1)   MINIMUM NET WORTH. (Section 8.02(l)).

      (A)   As of the Report Date, the stockholders' equity of NovaCare Employee
            Services, Inc. equals:                                                   $ _____________

      (B)   As of the Report Date, the net income attributable to NovaCare
            Employee Services, Inc. (excluding from such net income any
            increases or decreases in income or expenses resulting from changes
            in GAAP on or after the Closing Date) equals:                            $ _____________

(2)   FUNDED DEBT (Section 8.02(n)) of NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.,
      determined as follows:

      Indebtedness of NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. on the Report Date to
      persons other than NovaCare and its Subsidiaries in respect of, without
      duplication:

      (i)   Borrowed money                                                           $ _____________

      (ii)  Amounts raised under or liabilities in respect of any note purchase
            or acceptance credit facility                                            $ _____________

      (iii) Reimbursement obligations under any letter of credit, currency swap
            agreement, interest rate swap, cap, collar or floor agreement or
            other interest rate management device                                    $ _____________

      (iv)  Other transactions (including without limitation forward sale or
            purchase agreements, capitalized leases and conditional sales
            agreements) having the commercial effect of a borrowing of money
            entered into to finance operations or capital requirements
            (excluding trade payables and accrued expenses incurred in the
            ordinary course of business which are not represented by a
            promissory note)                                                         $ _____________

      (v)   Any Guaranty of Indebtedness for borrowed money                          $ _____________
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   187
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
_______________, 19__
Page 14

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
      (vi)  Sum of (i) through (v) equals Funded Debt of NovaCare Employee                           
            Services, Inc.                                                           $ _____________

(3)   CASH FLOW FROM OPERATIONS attributable to NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.
      for the four fiscal quarters ending on the Report Date is determined as
      follows

      (i)   Net income                                                               $ _____________

      (ii)  Depreciation                                                             $ _____________

      (iii) Amortization                                                             $ _____________

      (iv)  Other non-cash charges to net income incurred in the ordinary course
            of business (to the extent included in determination of net income)      $ _____________

      (v)   Interest expense                                                         $ _____________

      (vi)  Income tax expense                                                       $ _____________

      (vii) Sum of (i) through (vi)                                                  $ _____________

      (viii) Non-cash credits to net income (to the extent included in
            determination of net income)                                             $ _____________

      (ix)  Item (vii) less Item (viii) equals Cash Flow from Operations for
            NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.                                         $ _____________

(4)   MINIMUM FIXED CHARGE COVERAGE RATIO. (Section 8.02(o)).                        $ _____________

      (A)   Earnings Available for Fixed Charges attributable to NovaCare
            Employee Services, Inc. is determined as follows:

            (i)   Net income                                                         $ _____________

            (ii)  Interest expense                                                   $ _____________

            (iii) Income tax expense                                                 $ _____________

            (iv)  Depreciation                                                       $ _____________
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   188
PNC BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
_______________, 19__
Page 15

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                  <C>
            (v)   Amortization                                                       $ _____________

            (vi)  Other non-cash charges to net income incurred in the ordinary
                  course of business (to the extent included in determination of
                  net income)                                                        $ _____________

            (vii) Expenses under operating leases                                    $ _____________

            (viii) Sum of (i) through (vii)                                          $ _____________

            (ix)  Non-cash credits to net income (to the extent included in
                  determination of net income)                                       $ _____________

            (x)   Item (viii) less Item (ix) equals Earnings Available for Fixed
                  Charges attributable to NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.           $ _____________

      (B)   Fixed Charges attributable to NovaCare Employee Services, Inc. is
            determined as follows:

            (i)   Interest expense                                                   $ _____________

            (ii)  Expenses under operating leases                                    $ _____________

            (iii) Income tax expense                                                 $ _____________

            (iv)  Current maturities of long-term Indebtedness (for the twelve
                  (12) month period following the Report Date)                       $ _____________

            (v)   Current principal payments under capitalized leases (for the
                  twelve (12) month period following the Report Date)                $ _____________

            (vi)  Sum of (i) through (v) equals Fixed Charges attributable to
                  NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.                                   $ _____________
</TABLE>



<PAGE>   1
                                   HARNESSING
                                     CHANGE
                                   TO ACHIEVE
                                   LEADERSHIP
                                       &
                                  PERFORMANCE

                                                                        NOVACARE

                                                                        1998




                                                                        ANNUAL

                                                                        REPORT
<PAGE>   2
                          N O V A C A R E    I N C



RESPECT FOR THE INDIVIDUAL

SERVICE TO THE CUSTOMER

PURSUIT OF EXCELLENCE

COMMITMENT TO PERSONAL INTEGRITY



NOVACARE

NovaCare, Inc. is a national leader in physical rehabilitation services and
employee services, and a rapidly growing provider of occupational health
services. As the clinical leader in rehabilitation, the company treats more than
47,000 patients per day in cost-effective outpatient and long-term care
settings, and has achieved number one market shares in long-term care and
orthotic and prosthetic rehabilitation. In addition, NovaCare is the nation's
second largest provider of outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation
services and the third largest occupational health services company. Its
subsidiary, NovaCare Employee Services, Inc., is the second largest professional
employer organization, administering the full array of human resource functions,
including the management of health care benefits and workers' compensation, for
small and medium-sized businesses.

OUR VALUES

NovaCare's values unify our company and mandate an open, participative,
empowered environment. Health care is changing at a remarkable pace and our
company is expanding into new businesses and new markets. Our values-based
culture enables us to set aside the organizational anxiety and self-interest
that often accompany change. The pursuit of our values unlocks our inherent
capacity to drive change, creating immense opportunity. Without question, our
people, values-driven culture and capacity for change are our greatest
strengths and our competitive advantage.

ON THE COVER

Mike Penketh, a NovaCare customer who has been fitted with two myoelectric
devices, is the only bilateral amputee pilot in the world authorized to perform
low level aerobatics.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
(In thousands, except per share data)
FOR THE YEAR ENDED JUNE 30,                          1998             1997             1996
<S>                                           <C>               <C>              <C>       
Net revenues                                  $ 1,671,925       $ 1,066,451      $  793,038
Net income                                         57,915            38,910         15,281
Net income per share assuming dilution                .91               .62             .24
Weighted average number of common
   shares outstanding assuming dilution            63,584            62,455          63,918

AS OF JUNE 30,                                       1998             1997             1996
Working capital                               $   225,773       $   173,576      $  223,712
Total assets                                    1,356,042         1,014,304         789,731
Total liabilities                                 775,369           506,298         305,337
Shareholders' equity                              580,673           508,006         484,394
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   3
Outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation, orthotic and prosthetic services
and occupational health services are provided through a network of 910 centers
in 38 states.



NovaCare treats nearly one of every five patients receiving rehabilitation
services in long-term care facilities, providing treatment in 1,900 customer
facilities nationwide.



Three thousand small and medium-sized businesses rely on NovaCare for human
resources expertise, including the management of health care benefits and
workers' compensation.

                                                                               1
<PAGE>   4
TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS

TIMOTHY E. FOSTER, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER; JOHN H. FOSTER, CHAIRMAN; AND JAMES
W. MCLANE, PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER.

Fiscal 1998 was another very successful year for NovaCare. Net revenues
increased by 57% over fiscal 1997 to nearly $1.7 billion. That growth, coupled
with expanding margins in each business, generated earnings per share (before
nonrecurring items) of $.77, an increase of 24% over the prior year. After
recording gains derived from the initial public offering of NovaCare Employee
Services, Inc. and a partially offsetting restructure charge, the company
reported fiscal 1998 earnings per share of $.91.

         Our continued growth is attributable to the disciplined implementation
         of strategies set forth in our 1996 and 1997 annual reports:

         -        Focus outpatient services growth in targeted geographic
                  markets.

         -        Develop occupational health services.

         -        Launch an employee services company.

         In addition, changes in the marketplace provided the impetus for a
         fourth key strategy:

         -        Leverage regulatory change to gain market share in long-term
                  care services.

OUTPATIENT SERVICES GROWTH IN TARGET MARKETS
Health care remains a business in which the highest margins accrue to the
provider with the greatest regional market share and scale. National market
leadership has value only if it is derived from a portfolio of pre-eminent
regional market positions. This is especially true for our outpatient services
business -- outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation, orthotics and
prosthetics (O&P) and occupational health.

   During fiscal 1998 we acquired 43 outpatient physical therapy and
rehabilitation practices and opened 40 centers in the confined geography of 15
high opportunity markets. This increased our

2
<PAGE>   5
national network of outpatient centers to 506 locations, the second largest in
the nation. Similarly, we acquired 42 O&P businesses in essentially the same
markets, broadening our distribution system to 365 sites, and achieved 4% same
market growth during the year. At year-end we held the number one or two market
position in the majority of our target markets for outpatient physical therapy
and rehabilitation and O&P services.

EXPANDING OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SERVICES
Over the past two years, we have developed an occupational health business that
offers an integrated continuum of pre-employment testing, work safety training,
physician care and physical rehabilitation services. These services both enhance
employee safety and minimize the total cost of disability to employers, and are
a natural extension of our experience in rehabilitating thousands of patients
with work-related injuries.

   We expanded our occupational health capabilities and revenues in fiscal 1998
through five acquisitions and 4% same market growth. Our network now totals 39
sites concentrated in our 15 target markets.

   As a result of our disciplined growth strategy, revenues in outpatient
services increased 43% over fiscal 1997 to $513 million. Gross profit margins
expanded from 30% to 31% despite continued pricing pressures from payers.

SUCCESSFUL LAUNCH OF NOVACARE EMPLOYEE SERVICES
Our professional employer organization (PEO), NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.
(Nasdaq:NCES), provides small and medium-sized businesses with comprehensive,
fully integrated outsourcing solutions to their human resource needs. Services
include payroll and benefits administration, risk management, recruiting and
training, and human resource consulting.

   Our initial public offering of NCES in November raised $46 million, which we
used to retire acquisition debt. NovaCare, Inc. retains an ownership position of
71% in NCES.

   NCES leverages our (1) extensive experience in managing our employees at
remote customer worksites, (2) information technology systems, (3) workers'
compensation and occupational health expertise, and (4) competencies as a
consolidator of fragmented businesses. In addition, by focusing on many of the
same target markets as our outpatient businesses, NovaCare's name recognition
and credibility help compress the lengthy selling cycle that characterizes this
business.

   Since its founding in September 1996, NCES has become the second largest
company in its industry. Its 36% same market growth rate is the highest among
publicly traded PEOs and its margins exceed the industry average. These results,
along with three successfully integrated acquisitions and entry into two new
markets, produced a 223% revenue increase in fiscal 1998. We congratulate the
NCES team for an excellent year, evidenced by a 249% increase in earnings before
interest,  taxes, depreciation and amortization -- to $14.7 million.

RECORD PERFORMANCE FOR LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES
Revenues in our long-term care services business increased 15% in fiscal 1998 to
$657 million, and the gross profit margin rose from 27% to 28%. We achieved
these excellent results despite a nearly 20% reduction in reimbursement in the
fourth quarter, due to Medicare's implementation of a revised salary equivalency
system in April.

   NovaCare has been preparing for salary equivalency for several years. We led
the industry's effort to ensure that the new Medicare

                                                                               3
<PAGE>   6
                              TO OUR SHAREHOLDERS


therapy rates would be both appropriate and adequate. At the same time, we
reduced our costs and improved our operational flexibility. NovaCare was the
first in our industry to convert therapists from fixed (salary) to variable
(hourly) compensation. Through information technology, we transitioned our field
management into "virtual offices" and broadened spans of control.

   Our success with the salary equivalency transition positions us very well for
another Medicare reimbursement change called the prospective payment system
(PPS). Under PPS, Medicare assigns the highest reimbursement to rehabilitation
patients and makes long-term care providers far more accountable for controlling
costs. As implementation of PPS began on July 1, the need for quality
rehabilitation programs to attract patients and variable-cost outsourcing
solutions grew far more urgent among long-term care providers.

   For NovaCare, the move to PPS is an exceptional opportunity to increase our
market share among smaller, independent and not-for-profit long-term care
providers. These facilities have neither the scale nor the expertise to
establish in-house therapy programs. Over the past few years, we have
concentrated on and expanded our marketing efforts in these segments with great
success. As a result of this strategy, NovaCare now treats one in five patients
receiving physical rehabilitation in U.S. long-term care facilities.

LOOKING AHEAD
As NovaCare enters fiscal 1999 we hold leading market positions in all of our
businesses -- outpatient services, long-term care services, and employee
services.

   Our fundamental operating strategies will remain constant with a focus on
leveraging our core competencies in physical rehabilitation, occupational health
and employee services. We will continue to capitalize on structural change in
our industries to achieve market leadership. We remain very enthusiastic about
the prospects for each of NovaCare's businesses.

   While our strategy will remain constant, a rapidly changing industry
environment may dictate a new corporate and capital structure. When we founded
NovaCare, and for more than 13 years thereafter, the critical success factor in
rehabilitation was the ability to attract and retain clinical professionals. We
became differentiated as the "Employer of Choice" for clinicians. Once we
developed that core competency, we extended it from the long-term care setting
into outpatient services and employee services.

   In recent years, however, an increased supply of therapists and lower therapy
utilization in the long-term care industry have reduced the leverage available
from this integrated human resource activity. Today, the most critical success
factor in all of our businesses is recognizing and meeting the unique needs of
our different customers. Clearly, the needs of long-term care providers are
quite different from the needs of the payers, physicians and employers in our
outpatient services customer base.

   The capital requirements of the long-term care and outpatient services
businesses also differ. Our long-term care services business requires relatively
little capital for growth. Stock price multiples in the long-term care sector
are expected to be low for the foreseeable future, given the investment
community's uncertainty regarding the recent changes in Medicare reimbursement.

   In contrast, the very fragmented outpatient services business offers
substantial consolidation opportunities, with a corresponding need for capital
to fund acquisitions. A stock with a higher stock

4
<PAGE>   7
price-earnings multiple that is typical of outpatient services industries would
afford an attractive currency for strategic acquisitions and for raising
capital.

   For all of these reasons, we are considering separating our rehabilitation
businesses into two publicly held companies -- a long-term care,
geriatric-oriented business and an outpatient physical rehabilitation-oriented
business. The precise course and timing we will follow depends on a variety of
capital markets, tax, regulatory and operational issues.

HARNESSING CHANGE
   The following pages will discuss in greater detail our strategies for
Harnessing Change to Achieve Leadership and Performance. Whether it is meeting
the needs of our customers in changing reimbursement environments, or changing
the structure of our businesses, all of our achievements will continue to have
their source in our capacity for change.

   As always, the cornerstone of our success is our employees. We have turned to
them time and time again to pursue new opportunities in our rapidly changing
marketplace, and they have consistently delivered excellent results for our
patients, customers and shareholders.

   On behalf of your Board and management, we extend our thanks to all NovaCare
employees for Helping Make Life a Little Better, and we offer our appreciation
to you, our shareholders, for your continuing confidence and support.

JOHN H. FOSTER
Chairman






TIMOTHY E. FOSTER
Chief Executive Officer





JAMES W. MCLANE
President and Chief
Operating Officer




EXPANDED MARGINS IN EACH BUSINESS AND 57% NET REVENUE GROWTH CONTRIBUTED TO A
24% INCREASE IN EARNINGS PER SHARE (BEFORE NONRECURRING ITEMS) IN FISCAL 1998.

                                                                               5
<PAGE>   8
                                     1 ONE

FOR OUR PATIENTS, AN ARTIFICIAL LIMB IS THE MEANS FOR RETURNING TO A FULL AND
PRODUCTIVE LIFE. RODERICK GREEN, 18, THE BASKETBALL PLAYER SHOWN ON THE LEFT, IS
A BELOW-THE-KNEE AMPUTEE FITTED WITH NOVACARE'S UNIQUE SABOLICH SOCKET
TECHNOLOGY. TODAY, RODERICK PLAYS BASKETBALL FOR OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY.



            HARNESSING CHANGE TO ACHIEVE LEADERSHIP AND PERFORMANCE
<PAGE>   9
                       HELPING MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BETTER


OUTPATIENT SERVICES
Treating 18,000 patients per day, NovaCare's outpatient physical therapy and
rehabilitation, orthotics and prosthetics (O&P) and occupational health
businesses have proven that size and scale are the agents for clinical
excellence, efficiency of operations and rapid growth. These businesses have
pursued aggressive strategies of focused acquisitions and start-ups in our
target markets, earning them leadership positions in large, highly fragmented
industries.

ORTHOTICS AND PROSTHETICS
Technology leadership in O&P is not an abstract concept. For our patients, a
brace or an artificial limb is the means for reestablishing a full and
productive life. NovaCare's purpose is to effectively meet the rehabilitation
and health care needs of our patients through clinical leadership. They come to
us to receive the best and they get it.

   NovaCare is recognized worldwide for technology that improves our patients'
quality of life. Our research has produced prosthetics that can feel hot and
cold and pressure, myoelectric devices that enable amputees to open and close
their hands at will, and our unique Sabolich(R) socket system that offers
comfort, a secure fit, and maximum functionality.

   Because of our clinical and technological leadership, NovaCare commands a 16%
market share in O&P patient care services, twice the size of our largest
competitor, in a highly fragmented, $1.6 billion industry. Over the past six
years, through acquisitions and internal growth, we have built a 365-site
network in 37 states, serving 4,900 patients each day.

   In fiscal 1998, O&P revenues increased 56% to $252 million -- reflecting 4%
same market growth and 42 acquisitions. 

   Orthotics and prosthetics is a growing market. Diabetes and vascular disease
are the leading causes of amputation, and an aging population increases demand.
Referrals come from vascular and orthopedic surgeons, primary care physicians,
case managers at payer organizations and amputee support groups.

   Our services extend beyond technology to the individual care and concern that
each patient and family receives, including clinical evaluation and fitting,
training, and follow-up care. We are advocates for our patients -- linking them
to other patients, coordinating with case managers, and in many cases, forming
life-long relationships between patients and prosthetists.

   We continue to receive high marks from our patients, with 93% giving us the
highest ratings in patient satisfaction.

   We expect continued gains in fiscal 1999, based on our focus on clinical
excellence, research and training. Our objective is to strengthen our leadership
position with focused acquisitions, new clinics and enhanced same store growth.
We will capitalize on our technology leadership in an industry where clinical
superiority produces a clear competitive advantage.

NOVACARE'S LEADERSHIP IN ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC SERVICES IS A DIRECT
RESULT OF TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS, LIKE THE MYOELECTRIC DEVICES WORN BY THE
PILOT ON THE COVER OF THIS REPORT AND THE SABOLICH SOCKET TECHNOLOGY SHOWN AT
THE LEFT.

                                                                               7
<PAGE>   10
                                  18 THOUSAND

NOVACARE PROVIDES EMPLOYERS WITH AN INTEGRATED PACKAGE OF SERVICES THAT RETURNS
EMPLOYEES TO WORK SAFELY AND QUICKLY. WORKING WITH THE TOWN GOVERNMENT AND
SCHOOL DISTRICT OF WEST HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, WE REDUCED BY 30% THE NUMBER OF
WORKERS' COMPENSATION CLAIMS RESULTING IN DAYS AWAY FROM WORK.


            HARNESSING CHANGE TO ACHIEVE LEADERSHIP AND PERFORMANCE
<PAGE>   11
                        HELPING MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BETTER

OUTPATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION 
Our network of 506 outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation centers is the
second largest in the United States. NovaCare utilizes a sports medicine
approach to rehabilitate patients and manage recovery from orthopedic surgery,
injuries and disease-related conditions.

   Quality clinical care and cost-effective outcomes are critical to success in
this $6 billion industry, which serves a broad base of customers -- from
physicians and payers to employers and professional sports teams.

   NovaCare rehabilitates and conditions athletes in more than 300 high
schools and for 20 professional teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, Flyers
and 76ers, Indiana Pacers and Atlanta Falcons, to name a few. Together with our
support of organizations for the disabled and local charitable events, these
relationships contribute to strong brand identity in our markets.

   A target market strategy is particularly important in outpatient physical
therapy and rehabilitation. By establishing a large and easily accessible
network of sites, we offer convenience and consistent service to our customers
and create leverage in negotiations with payers. Consolidation is also the key
to achieving scale that creates margin opportunity and leverages investments in
brand visibility.

   We have been disappointed in same market growth in this business. We are
realigning and expanding our field management to better focus on the unique
needs of our customers and improve performance.

   In fiscal 1998 our outpatient rehabilitation revenues increased 23%, on the
strength of local market relationships, the addition of managed care contracts,
43 acquisitions and 40 start-ups in target markets.

   We anticipate continued strong growth in fiscal 1999 as we augment same
market growth with start-ups and acquisitions in target markets.

OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH
Work-related injuries and illnesses cost U.S. businesses $70 billion annually in
medical and legal expenses and lost productivity -- and these costs have risen
200% over 10 years.

   The key to reducing these costs is an effective work safety program,
comprising pre-employment testing, work-site assessment, training and an
aggressive injury treatment program that returns employees to work in a manner
consistent with the short and long-term health and productivity of the worker.

   Traditionally, employers have looked to a myriad of providers to deliver
these services or they have surrendered the choice of care providers to the
employee. Through our occupational health business, NovaCare offers the employer
and employee a fully integrated service that promotes safety and provides care
intervention on an expedited basis to reduce lost workdays.

   Our expansion into occupational health is a natural extension of our
outpatient rehabilitation business, where one quarter of revenues comes from the
treatment of work-related injuries.

   With 39 facilities in seven states, NovaCare's occupational health revenues
tripled in fiscal 1998. We expect similar growth in 1999 through a combination
of same market growth, new facility start-ups and acquisitions -- in a rapidly
growing industry with an estimated $30 billion market potential.


NOVACARE TREATS 18,000 PATIENTS PER DAY IN COST-EFFECTIVE OUTPATIENT SETTINGS,
INCLUDING PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION FACILITIES, ORTHOTIC AND
PROSTHETIC TREATMENT CENTERS AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH CLINICS. OCCUPATIONAL
HEALTH IS OUR NEWEST AND FASTEST GROWING OUTPATIENT BUSINESS.

                                                                                
                                                                               9
<PAGE>   12
                                  64 THOUSAND

NOVACARE'S REPUTATION IS FOUNDED ON CLINICAL EXCELLENCE AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR
OUTCOMES. THE SUCCESS OF VIGOR(SM), OUR REHABILITATION AND WELLNESS PROGRAM FOR
SENIORS, DEVELOPED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH NAUTILUS(TM), CONTRIBUTES TO OUR
LEADERSHIP IN SERVING THE ASSISTED LIVING INDUSTRY.


            HARNESSING CHANGE TO ACHIEVE LEADERSHIP AND PERFORMANCE
<PAGE>   13
                       HELPING MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BETTER


LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES

In today's long-term care industry, exceptional opportunity is veiled by the
uncertainty of change.

   In July 1998, Medicare began a yearlong transition to a prospective payment
system (PPS) which employs managed care techniques to control costs. Instead of
reimbursing nursing homes for their actual costs, the new system is based on
predetermined daily rates that vary with the condition of patients and the
extent of care they require.

   With PPS, therapy utilization in long-term care facilities is expected to
decline from current levels. At the same time, PPS introduces administrative
complexities arising from patient assessments, utilization management and
documentation. The need for cost-effective, just-enough, just-in-time
rehabilitation -- coupled with administrative support and reimbursement
expertise -- is prompting an increasing number of facilities to outsource
therapy.

   Of the 18,000 long-term care facilities in the United States today, only
4,100 are affiliated with large national chains with scale sufficient to provide
rehabilitation services with their own full-time staff. Our customer base
comprises the remaining 13,900 facilities operated by smaller chains,
not-for-profit organizations, and sole proprietors. These customers require a
quality rehabilitation program to attract patients along with variable costs
that rise and fall in direct proportion to their caseload.

   NovaCare has made the investments in operations and systems required to
achieve the lowest cost operating model in our industry in anticipation of the
move to PPS. In fiscal 1999, we will convert our clinical delivery model from
one characterized by a high concentration of one-on-one therapy by licensed
professionals to a model characterized by therapy teams that treat patients
simultaneously and rely more heavily on well-trained, supervised therapy
assistants and aides.

   Ultimately, we expect that the clinical service model employed by our
long-term care services will closely resemble the model currently utilized by
our outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation business where we have
successfully served our managed care customers.

   But cost control is only one dimension of the new PPS-driven marketplace.
Facility success under PPS will also require sophisticated management
information systems. Our proprietary system, NovaNet PLUS, provides our
customers with the tools required to manage caseload, costs and outcomes while
attracting patients who match the facility's cost structure and capabilities.
For many long-term care providers who cannot develop these systems profitably on
their own, NovaCare's outsourcing solution is an obvious choice.

   For NovaCare, the move to PPS is an enormous opportunity to increase market
share. We enjoyed record sales in fiscal 1998. In 1999, we will continue our
aggressive marketing to the hospital and long-term care industries, and expand
our sales team in anticipation of continued strong demand.

   During 1998, we also extended our leadership to the rapidly expanding
assisted living industry, with rehabilitation programs in more than 110
facilities. Our success in assisted living is based in part on our unique
Vigor(SM) program for seniors. Vigor continues to enjoy strong demand from
facilities that wish to offer clinically differentiated rehabilitation as well
as health and wellness programs to their communities.

   Long-term care is a growing market. According to the Census Bureau, the
percentage of the U.S. population over age 65 is expected to increase 18% from
1996 to 2010, and 75% from 2010 to 2030. That means an ever-increasing incidence
of stroke, diabetes and orthopedic conditions requiring rehabilitation and
long-term care.

   As the market grows and the rules change, NovaCare remains at the forefront
- -- leveraging 13 years of experience to meet the demands of a growing number of
older Americans for active and fulfilling lives.

ADMISSION AND DISCHARGE SCORES DOCUMENT THE PROGRESS OF A 67-YEAR-OLD STROKE
PATIENT WHO REGAINED SUFFICIENT FUNCTIONAL INDEPENDENCE FOLLOWING REHABILITATION
TO RETURN HOME TO HIS FAMILY. OUR DATABASE OF 64,000 GERIATRIC OUTCOMES IS THE
LARGEST IN THE U.S.

                                                                              11
<PAGE>   14
                                   52 MILLION

ALLIANCES WITH BUSINESS ORGANIZATIONS HELP NOVACARE BUILD A STRONG BRAND
IDENTITY IN EMPLOYEE SERVICES. CHARLES P. PIZZI IS VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE AMERICAN
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE EXECUTIVES AND PRESIDENT OF THE GREATER PHILADELPHIA CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE, WHICH ENDORSED NOVACARE EMPLOYEE SERVICES AS A PREFERRED SOURCE FOR
ITS 6,000 MEMBERS.


            HARNESSING CHANGE TO ACHIEVE LEADERSHIP AND PERFORMANCE
<PAGE>   15
                       HELPING MAKE LIFE A LITTLE BETTER


EMPLOYEE SERVICES
In today's knowledge-based marketplace, successful companies compete for
talented employees with the same zeal once reserved for snaring a
prized customer from a rival. Unfortunately, it's a battle that many small and
medium-sized businesses are ill-equipped to fight on their own.

   According to a recent survey commissioned by NovaCare Employee Services
(NCES) and conducted by Roper Starch Worldwide, attracting and retaining
employees are among the greatest challenges facing small and medium-sized
employers today. Increasingly, these employers are looking for solutions that
can help them provide the benefits of a large company -- while allowing them to
retain the agility and energy of a small enterprise.

   Smaller business owners also seek convenience. They spend nearly 20% of their
time on human resource (HR) issues -- time they would rather spend on running
their businesses. They want fewer hassles and one-stop shopping for their HR
needs, and in today's regulatory environment, they want the peace of mind that
comes from having expert advice. In NCES they have found a strong partner.

   NCES is the second largest and fastest growing professional employer
organization (PEO) in the United States. PEOs provide businesses with
comprehensive, fully integrated outsourcing for a wide range of HR issues,
including payroll, risk management, benefits administration, unemployment
services and human resources consulting.

   The employee services business leverages NovaCare's competencies in human
resource management, information technology, acquisitions and integration -- in
an emerging industry where market potential is estimated at $1.2 trillion. 

   Our same market growth in fiscal 1998 was 36% -- well above the industry
growth rate of 30%. We have been successful in leveraging the NovaCare brand in
target markets. Alliances with trade groups like the Florida Home Builders
Association and the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce have substantially
shortened the sales cycle and helped us establish leadership positions very
quickly.

   We supplemented our strong internal growth with market openings and focused
acquisitions in selected markets. Last year we entered four new markets -- two
via start-ups and two through acquisitions. It is our plan to enter
approximately four new markets each year.

   As we seek to create the leading national brand in employee services, we are
pursuing a strategy of Operational Excellence. NCES is achieving a reputation
and a track record as a responsive and accountable partner with advanced
systems, efficient operations and few errors. Our client retention rate, at 86%
in fiscal 1998, is among the highest in the industry.

   By outsourcing to NCES, customers benefit from specialized expertise and
broader human resource benefits and services to offer employees, at a cost
generally unavailable to smaller employers. Management is relieved of
distractions and is able to concentrate on running the core business.

   According to the NovaCare-sponsored Roper survey, awareness of employee
services companies is not widespread. Those perceptions will change as more and
more employers realize that PEO outsourcing is the best solution to a perpetual
business challenge.


FIFTY-TWO MILLION U.S. WORKERS ARE EMPLOYED BY BUSINESSES WITH FEWER THAN 500
EMPLOYEES. BY OUTSOURCING HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT TO NOVACARE, SMALLER
COMPANIES ARE ABLE TO PROVIDE BENEFIT PLANS COMPARABLE TO THOSE OFFERED BY LARGE
EMPLOYERS. TODAY NOVACARE EMPLOYEE SERVICES MANAGES 52,000 EMPLOYEES FOR ITS
CUSTOMERS.

                                                                              13
<PAGE>   16
                     WE FOCUS ON (15) FIFTEEN TARGET MARKETS

- -  35% SHARE IN LONG-TERM CARE SERVICES

- -  29% SHARE IN OUTPATIENT PHYSICAL THERAPY AND REHABILITATION

- -  18% SHARE IN ORTHOTIC AND PROSTHETIC SERVICES


   Local relationships drive market share in today's health care
marketplace...and market share drives profitability. That's why NovaCare
concentrates primarily on 15 target markets, instead of trying to develop a
broad national presence.

   Minneapolis is one of NovaCare's largest target markets. Over the past five
years, strategic acquisitions and strong local relationships have helped us
build a network of 25 outpatient physical therapy and rehabilitation centers,
eight orthotic and prosthetic patient care centers, 33 long-term care services
customers, and three Vigor(SM) programs in this market. In 1999, we intend to
establish an occupational health presence.

   Our concentration of talent, resources and facilities translates into strong
brand recognition in Minneapolis among patients, employers, providers and
payers. NovaCare's clinical orientation and our reputation for superior,
cost-effective outcomes make us a preferred provider in the complex web of
referrals that makes up the local health care community.

PATIENTS IN HEALTH PARTNERS, ONE OF MINNEAPOLIS' LARGEST PROVIDER NETWORKS, RANK
NOVACARE HIGH IN HELPING THEM MEET THEIR TREATMENT GOALS. NOVACARE ACHIEVES
THESE QUALITY OUTCOMES COST-EFFECTIVELY -- WITH FEWER VISITS PER PATIENT THAN
OTHER PROVIDERS IN THE MARKET.
<PAGE>   17
                            N O V A C A R E   I N C

DIRECTORS

Peter O. Crisp
Vice Chairman
Rockefeller Financial Services, Inc.

John H. Foster
Chairman of the Board

Timothy E. Foster
Chief Executive Officer

E. Martin Gibson
Retired Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
Corning Lab Services, Inc.

Siri S. Marshall
Senior Vice President and
General Counsel
General Mills, Inc.

James W. McLane
President and Chief Operating Officer

Stephen E. O'Neil
Private Investor

George W. Siguler
Founding Partner
Siguler, Guff & Company, LLC

Robert G. Stone, Jr.
Retired Chairman of the Board
The Kirby Corporation

Daniel C. Tosteson, M.D.
Caroline Shields Walker
Distinguished Professor of Cell Biology 
Dean Emeritus, Harvard Medical School

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

Richard S. Binstein
Acting General Counsel and Secretary

Susan J. Campbell
Vice President
Investor Relations

Daryl A. Dixon
President and General Manager
Long-Term Care Services Division

John H. Foster
Chairman of the Board

Timothy E. Foster
Chief Executive Officer

Robert E. Healy, Jr.
Senior Vice President
Finance and Administration and
Chief Financial Officer

Ronald G. Hiscock
President and General Manager
Outpatient Division

Loren J. Hulber
President and Chief Executive Officer
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.

Kathryn P. Kehoe
Vice President
Human Resources

Laurence F. Lane
Senior Vice President
Regulatory Affairs

James W. McLane
President and Chief Operating Officer

Raymond J. Pennacchia
Vice President
Marketing Communications

Barry E. Smith
Vice President, Controller and
Chief Accounting Officer

Steven M. Wise
Senior Vice President
Information Systems and
Chief Information Officer

CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS

NovaCare, Inc.
1016 West Ninth Avenue
King of Prussia,  PA  19406
(800) 331-8840
Online addresses:
www.novacare.com
www.novacaresabolich.com

STOCK TRADING

NovaCare, Inc. common stock and 5.5% convertible subordinated debentures, due in
2000, are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols "NOV" and
"NOV/2000", respectively.

INFORMATION REQUESTS

Investors, analysts and others
seeking information should contact:
NovaCare Investor Relations
(610) 992-7495

To receive faxed copies of press releases, investors may call: (800) 758-5804
and enter extension # 613069

SHAREHOLDER RECORDS

Shareholders desiring to change the name, address or ownership of stock or to
report lost certificates should contact:
American Stock Transfer Company
40 Wall Street, 46th Floor
New York,  NY  10005
(718) 921-8200
<PAGE>   18


                                        NovaCare, Inc.
                                        1016 West Ninth Avenue
                                        King of Prussia, PA 19406
                                        www.novacare.com

<PAGE>   1
                                                                      EXHIBIT 21

                          Subsidiary Name Only Listing



A.D. Craig Company
ASK Colorado Health Care Services, P.C.
Advance Orthotics, Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Systems, Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (Clayton), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (Lett), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (New Jersey), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (New Mexico), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (New York), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (OTI), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (Parmeco), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (SFV), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (Virginia), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies (West Virginia), Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies Management Corp.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies, Inc.
Advanced Orthopedic Technologies, Inc.
Advanced Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.
Affiliated Physical Therapists, Ltd.
American Rehabilitation Center, Inc.
American Rehabilitation Clinic, Inc.
American Rehabilitation Systems, Inc.
Artificial Limb and Brace Center
Athens Sports Medicine Clinic, Inc.
Ather Sports Injury Clinic, Inc.
Atlanta Prosthetics, Inc.
Atlantic Health Group, Inc.
Atlantic Rehabilitation Services, Inc.
Boca Rehab Agency, Inc.
Bowman-Shelton Orthopedic Service, Incorporated
Buendel Physical Therapy, Inc.
C.E.R. - West, Inc.
C.O.A.S.T. Institute Physical Therapy, Inc.
CMC Center Corporation
CMC Occupational Medical Center, Professional Corporation
Cahill Orthopedic Laboratory, Inc.
Cannon & Associates, Inc.
Cenla Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Agency, Inc.
Center for Evaluation & Rehabilitation, Inc.
<PAGE>   2
Center for Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation, Inc.
CenterTherapy, Inc.
Central Valley Prosthetics & Orthotics, Inc.
Certified Orthopedic Appliance Co., Inc.
Champion Physical Therapy, Inc.
Coplin Physical Therapy Associates, Inc.
Crowley Physical Therapy Clinic, Inc.
Dale Clark Prosthetics, Inc.
Douglas Avery & Associates, Ltd.
Douglas C. Claussen, R.P.T., Physical Therapy, Inc.
E.A. Warnick-Pomeroy Co., Inc.
Elk County Physical Therapy, Inc.
Employee Benefits Management, Inc.
Employers' Risk Management, Inc.
Fine, Bryant & Wah, Inc.
Francis Naselli, Jr. & Stewart Rich Physical Therapists, Inc.
Frank J. Malone & Son, Inc.
Fresno Orthopedic Company
GP Therapy, L.L.C.
Gallery Physical Therapy Center, Inc.
Georgia Health Group, Inc.
Georgia Physical Therapy of West Georgia, Inc.
Georgia Physical Therapy, Inc.
Gill/Balsano Consulting, L.L.C.
Greater Sacramento Physical Therapy Associates, Inc.
Grove City Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc.
Gulf Breeze Physical Therapy, Inc.
Gulf Coast Hand Specialists, Inc.
Hand Therapy Associates, Inc.
Hand Therapy and Rehabilitation Associates, Inc.
Hangtown Physical Therapy, Inc.
Hawley Physical Therapy, Inc.
Heartland Rehabilitation, Inc.
High Desert Institute of Prosthetics and Orthotics
Indianapolis Physical Therapy and Sports Medicine, Inc.
Industrial Health Care Company, Inc.
J. E. Hanger, Incorporated
JOYNER SPORTS SCIENCE INSTITUTE, Inc.
JOYNER SPORTSMEDICINE INSTITUTE, INC.
Jim All, Inc.
Joyner Sportsmedicine, P.C.
Joyner/Wendt-Bristol, L.L.C.
Kesinger Physical Therapy, Inc.
Kroll's, Inc.
Lester OSM, P.C.
<PAGE>   3
Lynn M. Carlson, Inc.
Marilyn Hawker, Inc.
Mark Butler Physical Therapy Center, Inc.
McFarlen & Associates, Inc.
McKinney Prosthetics/Orthotics, Inc.
Meadowbrook Orthopedics, Inc.
MedStat, P.C.
Medical Arts O&P Services, Inc.
Medical Plaza Physical Therapy, Inc.
Metro Rehabilitation Services, Inc.
Michigan Therapy Centre, Inc.
MidAtlantic Health Group, Inc.
Mill River Management, Inc.
Mitchell Tannebaum I, Inc.
Mitchell Tannebaum II, Inc.
Mitchell Tannenbaum III, Inc.
Monmouth Rehabilitation, Inc.
NC (Wisconsin), S.C.
NC Cash Management, Inc.
NC Occupational Therapy, P.C.
NC Physical Therapy, P.C.
NC Resources, Inc.
NCES Finance, Inc.
NCES Holdings, Inc.
NCES Licensing, Inc.
New England Health Group, Inc.
New Mexico Physical Therapists, Inc.
Northeast Physical Therapy, P.C.
Northland Regional Orthotic and Prosthetic Center, Inc.
Northside Physical Therapy, Inc.
NovaCare (Arizona), Inc.
NovaCare (Colorado), Inc.
NovaCare (Texas), Inc.
NovaCare Administrative Employee Services of New York, Inc.
NovaCare Administrative Employee Services, Inc.
NovaCare Easton & Moran Physical Therapy, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services Club Staff, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services Easy Staff, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services Northeast, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services Resource One, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services TPI, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services West, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services of America, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services of Boston, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services of Florida, Inc.
<PAGE>   4
NovaCare Employee Services of New York, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services of Orlando, Inc.
NovaCare Employee Services, Inc.
NovaCare Management Company, Inc.
NovaCare Management Services, Inc.
NovaCare Northside Therapy, Inc.
NovaCare Occupational Health Services, Inc.
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics East, Inc.
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics Holdings, Inc.
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics West, Inc.
NovaCare Orthotics & Prosthetics, Inc.
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation East, Inc.
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation I, Inc.
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation West, Inc.
NovaCare Outpatient Rehabilitation, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Alabama, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Arkansas, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Florida, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Georgia, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Illinois, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Kansas, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Missouri, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of New Jersey, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of North Carolina, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Northern California, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Ohio, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Oklahoma, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Oregon, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Pennsylvania, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Reno, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of San Diego, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of South Carolina, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Southern California, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Tennessee, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Virginia, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Washington, Inc.
NovaCare Rehab Agency of Wyoming, Inc.
NovaCare Rehabilitation Agency of Wisconsin, Inc.
NovaCare Rehabilitation, Inc.
NovaCare Service Corp.
NovaCare Speech Therapy & Audiology, Inc.
NovaCare, Inc.
NovaCare, Inc. (Delaware)
NovaFunds, Inc.
NovaMark, Inc.
<PAGE>   5
NovaStock, Inc.
OSI Midwest, Inc.
Opus Care, Inc.
Ortho East, Inc.
Ortho Rehab Associates, Inc.
Ortho-Fab Laboratories, Inc.
Orthopedic Appliances, Inc.
Orthopedic Rehabilitative Services, Ltd.
Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy of Cupertino, Inc.
Orthotic & Prosthetic Rehabilitation Technologies, Inc.
Orthotic Specialists, Inc.
Orthotic and Prosthetic Associates, Inc.
Paralign Staffing Technologies, Inc.
Peter Trailov R.P.T. Physical Therapy Clinic, Orthopaedic Rehabilitation &
Sports Medicine, Ltd.
Peters, Starkey & Todrank Physical Therapy Corporation
Philadelphia Occupational Health, P.C.
Physical Focus, Inc.
Physical Rehabilitation Partners, Inc.
Physical Restoration Laboratories, Inc.
Physical Therapy Enterprises, Inc.
Physical Therapy Institute, Inc.
Professional Insurance Planners of Florida, Inc.
Professional Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc.
Professional Orthotics and Prosthetics, Inc. of Santa Fe
Professional Therapeutic Services, Inc.
Progressive Orthopedic
Prosthetics-Orthotics Associates, Inc.
Protech Orthotic and Prosthetic Center, Inc.
Quad City Management, Inc.
Quad City Regional Spine Institute, P.C.
RCI (Colorado), Inc.
RCI (Exertec), Inc.
RCI (Illinois), Inc.
RCI (Michigan), Inc.
RCI (S.P.O.R.T.), Inc.
RCI (WRS), Inc.
RCI Nevada, Inc.
Rebound Oklahoma, Inc.
Redwood Pacific Therapies, Inc.
Rehab Managed Care of Arizona, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - California, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Delaware, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Georgia, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Illinois, Inc.
<PAGE>   6
Rehab Provider Network - Indiana, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Maryland, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Michigan, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - New Jersey, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Ohio, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Oklahoma, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Pennsylvania, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Virginia, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network - Washington, D.C., Inc.
Rehab Provider Network of Colorado, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network of Florida, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network of Nevada, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network of New Mexico, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network of Texas, Inc.
Rehab Provider Network of Wisconsin, Inc.
Rehab World, Inc.
Rehab/Work Hardening Management Associates, Ltd.
RehabClinics (Coast), Inc.
RehabClinics (GALAXY), Inc.
RehabClinics (New Jersey), Inc.
RehabClinics (PTA), Inc.
RehabClinics (SPT), Inc.
RehabClinics Abilene, Inc.
RehabClinics Dallas, Inc.
RehabClinics Pennsylvania, Inc.
RehabClinics, Inc.
Rehabilitation Fabrication, Inc.
Rehabilitation Management, Inc.
Reid Medical Systems, Inc.
Robert M. Bacci, R.P.T., Physical Therapy, Inc.
Robin-Aids Prosthetics, Inc.
Rx One, Inc.
S.T.A.R.T., Inc.
SG Rehabilitation Agency, Inc.
SG Speech Associates, Inc.
Salem Orthopedic & Prosthetic, Inc.
San Joaquin Orthopedic, Inc.
South Jersey Physical Therapy Associates, Inc.
South Jersey Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine Center, Inc.
Southern Illinois Prosthetic & Orthotic of Missouri, Ltd.
Southern Illinois Prosthetic & Orthotic, Ltd.
Southpointe Fitness Center, Inc.
Southwest Emergency Associates, Inc.
Southwest Medical Supply Company, Inc.
Southwest Physical Therapy, Inc.
<PAGE>   7
Southwest Therapists, Inc.
Sporthopedics Sports and Physical Therapy Centers, Inc.
Sports Therapy and Arthritis Rehabilitation, Inc.
Sprint Physical Therapy, P.C.
Staffing Technologies, Inc.
Star Physical Therapy, Inc.
Stephenson-Holtz, Inc.
T.D. Rehab Systems, Inc.
T.J. Partnership I
TJ Corporation I, L.L.C.
Texoma Health Care Center, Inc.
The Center for Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Inc.
The Orthopedic Sports and Industrial Rehabilitation Network, Inc.
Theodore Dashnaw Physical Therapy, Inc.
Therex, P.C.
Treister, Inc.
Tucson Limb & Brace, Inc.
Union Square Center for Rehabilitation & Sports Medicine, Inc.
University Orthotic & Prosthetic Consultants, Ltd.
Valley Group Physical Therapists, Inc.
Vanguard Rehabilitation, Inc.
Wayzata Physical Therapy Center, Inc.
West Side Physical Therapy, Inc.
West Suburban Health Partners, Inc.
Western Missouri Rehabilitation Services, Inc.
Western Rehab Services, Inc.
Worker Rehabilitation Services, Inc.
Yuma Rehabilitation Center, Inc.

<PAGE>   1
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration
Statements on Form S-8 (No. 33-88744, 33-88745 and 33-88746) of NovaCare, Inc.
of our report dated July 31, 1998 appearing on page 55 of this form 10-K. We 
also consent to the incorporation by reference of our report on the Financial
Statement Schedule, which appears on page 55 of this Form 10-K.


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Philadelphia, PA
September 11, 1998

<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM (A) THE
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND THE CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH (B) STATEMENTS IN FORM 10-K FOR THE ANNUAL PERIOD
ENDED JUNE 30, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<CIK> 0000802843
<NAME> NOVA CARE, INC.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JUN-30-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JUL-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JUN-30-1998
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                      1
<CASH>                                          32,760
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  393,388
<ALLOWANCES>                                    55,060
<INVENTORY>                                     38,207
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               451,853
<PP&E>                                         181,306
<DEPRECIATION>                                 100,449
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                               1,356,042
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          226,080
<BONDS>                                        476,308
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                           679
<OTHER-SE>                                     579,994
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                 1,356,042
<SALES>                                              0
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,671,925
<CGS>                                                0
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,516,559<F1>
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 5,628<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                21,907
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              28,285
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 99,546
<INCOME-TAX>                                    41,631
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             57,915
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    57,915
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .94
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .91
<FN>
<F1>"TOTAL COSTS" CONSIST OF COST OF SERVICES AND SELLING AND ADMINISTRATIVE
EXPENSES.
<F2>"OTHER EXPENSES" CONSIST OF AMORTIZATION OF GOODWILL, MINORITY INTEREST AND
PROVISION FOR RESTRUCTURE OFFSET BY INVESTMENT INCOME AND GAIN FROM ISSUANCE OF
SUBSIDIARY STOCK.
</FN>
        

</TABLE>


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