CONMED CORP
8-K/A, 1996-02-26
ELECTROMEDICAL & ELECTROTHERAPEUTIC APPARATUS
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549
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                                   FORM 8-K/A

                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934


       Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 15, 1996
             Amendment Number 1 to Form 8-K dated February 15, 1996

                               CONMED CORPORATION
             ------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           New York                         0-16093             16-0977505
- -------------------------------           ------------       -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of           (Commission        (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)            File Number)       Identification No.)

    310 Broad Street, Utica, New York                             13501
 ---------------------------------------                        ----------
 (Address of principal executive offices)                       (Zip Code)


                                 (315) 797-8375
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events

        The  Exhibits  listed  under Item 7. are filed as part of this report on
        Form 8-K.



Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits

        (c) Exhibits


            4.6 Credit  Agreement - Term Loan Facility  dated as of December 29,
                1995 among CONMED Corporation and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.

            4.7 Credit  Agreement  -  Revolving  Credit  Facility  dated  as  of
                December  29,  1995  among  CONMED  Corporation  and  The  Chase
                Manhattan Bank, N.A.

            99. Consolidated   financial  statements  and  schedules  of  CONMED
                Corporation  as of December 30, 1994 and December 29, 1995,  and
                for the three years ended December 29, 1995.
<PAGE>
                                    Signature


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



                                              CONMED CORPORATION



                                              By: /s/ Robert D. Shallish, Jr.
                                                  ------------------------------
                                                  Vice President-Finance
Dated: February 15, 1996

                      CREDIT AGREEMENT - TERM LOAN FACILITY

                          dated as of December 29, 1995

                                      among

                               CONMED CORPORATION

                           the Banks signatory hereto

                                       and

                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.

                                    as Agent
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE 1     DEFINITIONS; ACCOUNTING TERMS  

              Section 1.01     Definitions        
              Section 1.02     Accounting Terms  

ARTICLE 2     THE CREDIT   

              Section 2.01     The Loans         
              Section 2.02     The Notes         
              Section 2.03     Purpose  
              Section 2.04     Borrowing Procedures       
              Section 2.05     Prepayments and Conversions         
              Section 2.06     Mandatory Prepayments     
              Section 2.07     Fixed Rate Loans - Interest Periods; Renewals
              Section 2.08     Certain Notices   
              Section 2.09     Minimum Amounts   
              Section 2.10     Interest 
              Section 2.11     Fees     
              Section 2.12     Payments Generally         
              Section 2.13     Late Payment Fees

ARTICLE 3     YIELD PROTECTION; ILLEGALITY; ETC.     

              Section 3.01     Additional Costs  
              Section 3.02     Limitation on Types of Loans        
              Section 3.03     Illegality        
              Section 3.04     Certain Conversions        
              Section 3.05     Certain Compensation       
              Section 3.06     HLT Classification         

ARTICLE 4     COLLATERAL SECURITY   

              Section 4.01      Security 
              Section 4.02      Setoff   
              Section 4.03      Guaranties      

ARTICLE 5     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT  

              Section 5.01     Documentary Conditions Precedent    
              Section 5.02     Additional Conditions Precedent     
              Section 5.03     Closing of the Acquisitions        
              Section 5.04     Deemed Representations     

ARTICLE 6     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES         

              Section 6.01     Incorporation, Good Standing and
                               Due Qualification
              Section 6.02     Corporate Power and Authority;
                               No Conflicts     
              Section 6.03     Legally Enforceable Agreements      
              Section 6.04     Litigation        
              Section 6.05     Financial Statements       
              Section 6.06     Ownership and Liens        
              Section 6.07     Taxes    
              Section 6.08     ERISA
              Section 6.09     Subsidiaries and Ownership of Stock 
              Section 6.10     Credit Arrangements        
              Section 6.11     Operation of Business      
              Section 6.12     Hazardous Materials        
              Section 6.13     No Default on Outstanding Judgments
                                or Orders        
              Section 6.14     No Defaults on Other Agreements     
              Section 6.15     Labor Disputes and Acts of God      
              Section 6.16     Governmental Regulation    
              Section 6.17     Partnerships      
              Section 6.18     No Forfeiture     
              Section 6.19     Solvency 
              Section 6.20     Integrated Group 

ARTICLE 7     AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS 

              Section 7.01     Maintenance of Existence   
              Section 7.02     Conduct of Business        
              Section 7.03     Maintenance of Properties  
              Section 7.04     Maintenance of Records     
              Section 7.05     Maintenance of Insurance   
              Section 7.06     Compliance with Laws       
              Section 7.07     Right of Inspection        
              Section 7.08     Reporting Requirements     
              Section 7.09     Guaranties       

ARTICLE 8     NEGATIVE COVENANTS    

              Section 8.01     Debt     
              Section 8.02     Guaranties, Etc.  
              Section 8.03     Liens    
              Section 8.04     Leases   
              Section 8.05     Loans; Investments         
              Section 8.06     Dividends         
              Section 8.07     Sale of Assets    
              Section 8.08     Stock of Subsidiaries, Etc 
              Section 8.09     Transactions with Affiliates        
              Section 8.10     Mergers, Etc      
              Section 8.11     Acquisitions      
              Section 8.12     No Activities Leading to Forfeiture 
              Section 8.13     New Businesses   
              Section 8.14     Negative Pledge  

ARTICLE 9     FINANCIAL COVENANTS   

              Section 9.01     Minimum Working Capital    
              Section 9.02     Minimum Tangible Net Worth 
              Section 9.03     Leverage Ratio    
              Section 9.04     Cash Flow Coverage Ratio   
              Section 9.05     Limitations on Debt       

ARTICLE 10     EVENTS OF DEFAULT    

               Section 10.01    Events of Default 
               Section 10.02    Remedies 

ARTICLE 11    THE AGENT; RELATIONS AMONG BANKS AND BORROWER   

              Section 11.01    Appointment, Powers and Immunities
                               of Agent
              Section 11.02    Reliance by Agent 
              Section 11.03    Defaults 
              Section 11.04    Rights of Agent as a Bank  
              Section 11.05    Indemnification of Agent   
              Section 11.06    Documents         
              Section 11.07    Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks       
              Section 11.08    Failure of Agent to Act    
              Section 11.09    Resignation or Removal of Agent     
              Section 11.10    Amendments Concerning Agency Function       
              Section 11.11    Liability of Agent         
              Section 11.12    Transfer of Agency Function         
              Section 11.13    Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent   
              Section 11.14    Withholding Taxes 
              Section 11.15    Several Obligations and Rights of Banks     
              Section 11.16    Pro Rata Treatment of Loans, Etc    
              Section 11.17    Sharing of Payments Among Banks     
              Section 11.18    Hedge Agreements; Notices and Limitations   

ARTICLE 12    MISCELLANEOUS         

              Section 12.01    Amendments and Waivers     
              Section 12.02    Usury    
              Section 12.03    Expenses 
              Section 12.04    Survival 
              Section 12.05    Assignment; Participations 
              Section 12.06    Notices  
              Section 12.07    Jurisdiction; Immunities   
              Section 12.08    Table of Contents; Headings         
              Section 12.09    Severability      
              Section 12.10    Counterparts      
              Section 12.11    Integration       
              Section 12.12    Governing Law     
              Section 12.13    Confidentiality   
              Section 12.14    Treatment of Certain Information    
              Section 12.15    Incorporation By Reference; Conflicts       
              Section 12.16    Cooperation and Further Assurances 

EXHIBITS

              Exhibit A        Promissory Note   
              Exhibit B        Authorization Letter       
              Exhibit C        Guaranty 
              Exhibit D        Security Agreement         
              Exhibit E        Opinion of Counsel for Borrower     
              Exhibit F        Opinion of Counsel for Each Guarantor       
              Exhibit G        Confidentiality Agreement  
              Exhibit H        Borrowing Notice 

SCHEDULES

              Schedule I       Subsidiaries of Borrower   
              Schedule II      Credit Arrangements        
              Schedule III     Hazardous Materials        
              Schedule IV      Employee Benefit Plans Funding Status       
<PAGE>
                  CREDIT  AGREEMENT  dated as of December  __, 1995 among CONMED
CORPORATION,  a  corporation  organized  under the laws of the State of New York
(the "Borrower"),  each of the banks which is a signatory hereto (individually a
"Bank" and  collectively  the "Banks") and THE CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK  (NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION),  a national  banking  association  organized under the laws of the
United  States of America,  as agent for the Banks (in such  capacity,  together
with its successors in such capacity, the "Agent").

                                    RECITALS

         A. The Borrower desires that the Banks extend credit as provided herein
and the Banks are  prepared to extend such  credit.  Specifically,  the Borrower
desires to borrow, and the Banks desire to lend to the Borrower on a term basis,
the sum of $65,000,000.

         B. Simultaneously  herewith, the Borrower, the Banks, and the Agent are
entering a Credit  Agreement - Revolving  Credit Facility  pursuant to which the
Banks will make Revolving Credit Loans to Borrower in the aggregate amount of up
to $15,000,000.

         C.  Borrower,  Agent,  and  certain of the Banks are parties to certain
existing Credit Agreements dated March 8, 1995, as amended ("the Existing Credit
Agreements").  The  Existing  Credit  Agreements  shall remain in full force and
effect until all  Conditions  Precedent set forth in Article 5 of this Agreement
are satisfied or waived by the Banks. Upon the satisfaction of these conditions,
this  Agreement  and  the  Credit  Agreement  Revolving  Credit  Facility  shall
supersede the Existing Credit Agreements,  and the loans made under the Existing
Credit Agreements shall be repaid from the Loans made hereunder and/or under the
Credit  Agreement - Revolving  Credit  Agreement of even date.  If, on the other
hand, the Conditions Precedent are not satisfied or waived by 5:00 p.m. on March
1, 1996, the Existing  Credit  Agreements  will continue and this Agreement will
terminate.

                                      TERMS

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  matters  recited  and  the
promises contained herein, Borrower, the Banks, and Agent agree as follows:

                    ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS; ACCOUNTING TERMS.

                  Section  1.01.  Definitions.  As used in  this  Agreement  the
following  terms have the following  meanings  (terms defined in the singular to
have a correlative meaning when used in the plural and vice versa):

                  "Account"  means any right to payment for goods sold or leased
or for services  rendered,  which is not  evidenced by an  instrument or chattel
paper,  whether or not it has been  earned by  performance,  whether  secured or
unsecured, now existing or hereafter arising, and the proceeds thereof.

                  "Affiliate" means any Person: (a) which directly or indirectly
controls,  or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries;  (b) which directly or indirectly  beneficially owns or
holds  20% or more of any  class of  voting  stock of the  Borrower  or any such
Subsidiary;  (c) 20% or  more of the  voting  stock  of  which  is  directly  or
indirectly beneficially owned or held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; or (d)
which is a  partnership  in which the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a
general  partner.   The  term  "control"  means  the  possession,   directly  or
indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of a Person,  whether  through the ownership of voting  securities,  by
contract, or otherwise.

                  "Agent's  Office"  means  the  principal  office  of  Agent in
Syracuse, New York, presently located at One Lincoln Center,  Syracuse, New York
13202.

                  "Agreement"  means  this  Credit  Agreement,   as  amended  or
supplemented  from time to time.  References  to Articles,  Sections,  Exhibits,
Schedules and the like refer to the Articles,  Sections, Exhibits, Schedules and
the like of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

                  "Amortization  Date"  means  the  1st  day  of  each  calendar
quarter,  commencing  on the first day of April 1, 1996 and  ending on the Final
Maturity  Date,  provided  that if any such day is not a Banking  Day,  such day
shall be the next succeeding Banking Day.

                  "Asset  Purchase   Agreement"  means  the  agreement   between
Borrower and New Dimensions in Medicine, Inc. dated as of October 18, 1995.

                  "Authorization  Letter" means the letter agreement executed by
the Borrower in the form of Exhibit B.

                  "Banking Day" means any day on which  commercial banks are not
authorized  or required to close in New York City and whenever  such day relates
to a  Eurodollar  Loan or notice with respect to any  Eurodollar  Loan, a day on
which dealings in Dollar  deposits are also carried out in the London  interbank
market.

                  "Birtcher"   means   Birtcher   Medical   Systems,   Inc.,   a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Borrower.

                  "Capital Expenditures" means for any period, the Dollar amount
of gross  expenditures  (including  obligations  under Capital  Leases) made for
fixed assets, real property, plant and equipment, and all renewals, improvements
and replacements  thereto (but not repairs thereof) incurred during such period.
Assets  acquired  in  the  NDM  Acquisition  shall  not be  considered  "Capital
Expenditures" for purposes of this Agreement.

                  "Capital Lease" means any lease which has been  capitalized on
the books of the lessee in accordance with GAAP.
                  "Cash Flow" (as  distinguished  from Measured Cash Flow) means
the sum of the following  measured on a consolidated  basis for Borrower and any
Subsidiaries,  for any  twelve  month  period  ending on the last day of each of
Borrower's fiscal quarters: (i) earnings before interest,  taxes,  depreciation,
and amortization, minus (ii) Capital Expenditures.

                  "Cash Flow  Coverage  Ratio" means the ratio of Measured  Cash
Flow to Current Debt Service,  measured on a consolidated basis for Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries  for any twelve month period ending on the last day of each of
Borrower's fiscal quarters.

                  "Chase" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.

                  "Closing Date" means the date this Agreement has been executed
by the Borrower, the Banks and the Agent.

                  "Code"  means the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended
from time to time.

                  "Collateral"  means any and all personal  property of Borrower
and the  Guarantors as set forth in Article 4 of this  Agreement,  together with
any other property of Borrower and the  Guarantors in which the Banks  hereafter
acquire a security interest or mortgage.

                  "Commitment"  means, with respect to each Bank, the obligation
of such Bank to make its Loan  under  this  Agreement  in the  principal  amount
following:

The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.                                    $24,375,000.00
Fleet Bank                                                        $16,250,000.00
Nat West                                                          $16,250,000.00
Credit Lyonnais                                                   $ 8,125,000.00
                                                                 ---------------
Total                                                             $65,000,000.00

                  "Consolidated Capital Expenditures" means Capital Expenditures
of  the  Borrower  and  its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,   as  determined  on  a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Current  Assets"  means  Current  Assets of the
Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  as determined  on a  consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Current  Liabilities" means Current Liabilities
of  the  Borrower  and  its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,   as  determined  on  a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Net Worth"  means the Net Worth of the Borrower
and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  as determined on a  consolidated  basis in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary whose accounts
are or are  required to be  consolidated  with the  accounts of the  Borrower in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Total  Liabilities"  means all  liabilities  of
Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  as determined  on a  consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Credit   Agreement-Revolving   Credit   Facility"  means  the
Agreement  of even date  between  Borrower  and the Banks  pursuant to which the
Banks have agreed to make Revolving Credit Loans to Borrower.

                  "Credit  Lyonnais" means Credit Lyonnais Cayman Island Branch,
a banking corporation organized under the laws of France.

                  "Current  Assets" means all assets of the Borrower  treated as
current assets in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Current Debt Service"  means current  maturities of long term
Debt .

                  "Current  Liabilities"  means all  liabilities of the Borrower
treated as current  liabilities  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  including  without
limitation  (a) all  obligations  payable on demand or within one year after the
date in which the  determination  is made and (b)  installment  and sinking fund
payments  required  to  be  made  within  one  year  after  the  date  on  which
determination is made, but excluding all such  liabilities or obligations  which
are  renewable or  extendable  at the option of the Borrower to a date more than
one year from the date of determination.

                  "Debt" means, with respect to any Person:  (a) indebtedness of
such Person for borrowed money; (b) indebtedness for the deferred purchase price
of  property or  services  (except  trade  payables  in the  ordinary  course of
business);  (c) Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities of such Person (if such Person is
not the  Borrower,  determined  in a  manner  analogous  to that of  determining
Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities  of the  Borrower);  (d) the face  amount  of any
outstanding  letters  of credit  issued  for the  account  of such  Person;  (e)
obligations arising under acceptance  facilities;  (f) guaranties,  endorsements
(other  than for  collection  in the  ordinary  course  of  business)  and other
contingent  obligations  to purchase,  to provide  funds for payment,  to supply
funds to invest in any Person,  or otherwise to assure a creditor  against loss;
(g) obligations  secured by any Lien on property of such Person; (h) obligations
of such Person as lessee under Capital  Leases;  and (i) Hedge  Exposure of such
person under Hedge Agreements.

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

                  "Default  Rate" means,  with  respect to the  principal of any
Loan and,  to the  extent  permitted  by law,  any other  amount  payable by the
Borrower  under this Agreement or any Note that is not paid when due (whether at
stated  maturity,  by  acceleration  or otherwise),  a rate per annum during the
period from and including the due date, to, but excluding the date on which such
amount is paid in full  equal to 2% above the  Variable  Rate as in effect  from
time to time  plus the  Margin  (if any)  (provided  that,  if the  amount so in
default  is  principal  of a Fixed  Rate Loan and the due date  thereof is a day
other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor,  the "Default Rate" for
such  principal  shall be, for the period from and including the due date and to
but  excluding  the last  day of the  Interest  period  therefor,  2% above  the
interest rate for such Loan as provided in Section 2.09 hereof and,  thereafter,
the Variable Rate plus 2% as provided for above in this definition).

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

                  "Drawdown Date" means the closing date of the NDM Acquisition,
on which the Borrower shall make the borrowing hereunder,  which date may not be
later than the last day of the Drawdown Period, i.e., the Termination Date.

                  "Drawdown  Period"  means the  period  commencing  on the date
hereof and ending on the Termination Date.

                  "Environmental  Laws" means any and all federal,  state, local
and foreign statutes, laws, regulations,  ordinances,  rules, judgments, orders,
decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other
governmental   restrictions   relating  to  the  environment  or  to  emissions,
discharges,  releases  or  threatened  releases  of  pollutants,   contaminants,
chemicals,  or  industrial,  toxic or  hazardous  substances  or wastes into the
environment  including,  without limitation,  ambient air, surface water, ground
water,  or  land,  or  otherwise   relating  to  the   manufacture,   processing
distribution,  use,  treatment,  storage,  disposal,  transport,  or handling of
pollutants,   contaminants,   chemicals,  or  industrial,   toxic  or  hazardous
substances or wastes.

                  "Equipment" means goods other than Inventory which are used or
bought for use primarily in business,  now existing or hereafter  acquired,  and
the proceeds thereof.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
1974,  as  amended  from  time to time,  including  any  rules  and  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

                  "ERISA  Affiliate"  means any corporation or trade or business
which is a member of any group of organizations  (i) described in Section 414(b)
or (c) of the Code of  which  the  Borrower  is a  member,  or (ii)  solely  for
purposes of potential  liability  under Section  302(c)(11) of ERISA and Section
412(c)(11) of the Code and the lien created  under  Section  302(f) of ERISA and
Section  412(n) of the Code,  described in Section  414(m) or (o) of the Code of
which the Borrower is a member.

                  "Existing Credit Agreements" means the Credit Agreement - Term
Loan Facility and the Credit Agreement - Revolving  Credit Facility,  both dated
March 8, 1995 and amended May 19, 1995, between Borrower,  Agent, and certain of
the Banks.

                  "Eurodollar  Loan" (i.e., a "LIBOR" Loan") means any Loan when
and to the extent the interest  rate  therefor is determined on the basis of the
definition "Fixed Base Rate."

                  "Event of Default" has the meaning  given such term in Section
10.01.

                  "Facility Documents" means this Agreement and the Exhibits and
Schedules hereto, the Notes, the Security Agreement,  the Pledge Agreement,  the
Authorization Letter, and the Guaranty.

                  "Final  Maturity  Date" means January 1, 2001,  when the final
principal  payment,  all accrued interest,  and any other amounts due under this
Agreement or the Note shall be due and payable in full.

                  "Fixed Base Rate" means with  respect to any  Interest  Period
for a Fixed Rate Loan,  i.e., for a Eurodollar  Loan,  the  arithmetic  mean, as
calculated by the Agent, of the respective rates per annum (rounded upwards,  if
necessary,  to the nearest 1/16 of 1%) quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m. London
time by the principal London branch of the Reference Bank two Banking Days prior
to the first day of such  Interest  Period for the offering to leading  banks in
the London interbank  market of Dollar deposits in immediately  available funds,
for a period, and in an amount,  comparable to the Interest Period and principal
amount of the  Eurodollar  Loan which shall be made by such  Reference  Bank and
outstanding during such Interest Period.

                  "Fixed Rate"  means,  for any Fixed Rate Loan for any Interest
Period therefor, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100 of 1%)  determined  by the  Agent to be equal to the  quotient  of (i) the
Fixed  Base Rate for such Loan for such  Interest  Period,  divided  by (ii) one
minus the Reserve Requirement for such Loan for such Interest Period.

                  "Fixed Rate Loan" means any Eurodollar Loan.

                  "Fleet"  means Fleet  Bank,  a banking  corporation  organized
under the laws of the State of New York.

                  "Forfeiture  Proceeding"  means  any  action,   proceeding  or
investigation  affecting the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or Affiliates
before any court, governmental department,  commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or the receipt of notice by any such party
that any of them is a suspect  in or a target  of any  governmental  inquiry  or
investigation,  which may result in an  indictment of any of them or the seizure
or forfeiture of any of their property.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted  accounting  principles in the
United  States of  America  as in effect  from time to time,  applied on a basis
consistent  with  those  used in the  preparation  of the  financial  statements
referred to in Section 5.05 (except for changes  concurred in by the  Borrower's
independent certified public accountants).

                  "Guarantor"  shall   collectively  mean  all  Subsidiaries  of
Borrower now or hereafter existing and their respective successors and assigns.

                  "Guaranty"  means the  guaranty in the form of Exhibit C to be
delivered by each Guarantor under the terms of this Agreement.

                  "Hedge  Agreements"  means and includes any and all agreements
entered  into and in effect from time to time  between  Borrower or a Subsidiary
and any third party  providing  any  foreign  exchange  and/or an interest  rate
hedging facility.

                  "Hedge   Exposure"   means  the  U.S.  dollar  amount  of  all
obligations  for the payment of money by Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  under any
Hedge  Agreement as of any date of computation as if the Hedge Agreement were to
be  terminated  or declared in default on such date (after  giving effect to any
netting provisions).

                  "Interest  Period" means, with respect to any Fixed Rate Loan,
the period commencing on the date such Loan is made, converted from another type
of Loan or renewed,  as the case may be, and ending,  as the Borrower may select
pursuant to Section 2.07,  on the  numerically  corresponding  day in the first,
second,  third,  or sixth  calendar  month  thereafter,  provided that each such
Interest  Period which commences on the last Banking Day of a calendar month (or
on  any  day  for  which  there  is no  numerically  corresponding  day  in  the
appropriate  subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Banking Day of the
appropriate calendar month.

                  "Inventory"  means  goods  held  for  sale or  lease  or to be
furnished  under  contracts of service,  or raw  materials,  work-in-process  or
materials used or consumed in a business, now existing or hereafter arising, and
the proceeds thereof.

                  "Lending  Office"  means,  for each  Bank and for each type of
Loan,  the  lending  office  of such  Bank  (or of an  affiliate  of such  Bank)
designated  as such for such type of Loan on its  signature  page hereof or such
other  office of such Bank (or of an  affiliate  of such  Bank) as such Bank may
from time to time  specify to the Agent and the  Borrower as the office by which
its Loans of such type are to be made and maintained.

                  "Lien"  means  any lien  (statutory  or  otherwise),  security
interest,  mortgage, deed of trust, priority,  pledge, charge, conditional sale,
title retention agreement, financing lease or other encumbrance or similar right
of others, or any agreement to give any of the foregoing.

                  "Loan" means any loan made by a Bank pursuant to Section 2.01.
                  "Margin"  means,  for each Variable  Rate Loan and  Eurodollar
Loan the applicable  margin on the following  table,  computed as of the date of
this Agreement  based upon Borrower's  financial  statements for the immediately
preceding four Quarterly  Dates for income  statement  items and the most recent
Quarterly  Date  for  balance  sheet  items,  and  adjusted  thereafter  on each
Quarterly Date based on information for the immediately preceding four Quarterly
Dates for income  statement items and the immediately  preceding  Quarterly Date
for balance sheet items.

<TABLE>
<S>                <C>                 <C>                <C>                      <C>                     <C>
- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------
Ratio of Total     Ratio   1.5         1.5  Ratio   2.5   2.5   Ratio   3.5        3.5   Ratio   4.0       Ratio   4.0
Funded Debt to
Cash Flow
- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------
Applicable          75 basis points     100 basis points   125 basis points         150 basis points       200 basis
Margin-Fixed                                                                                               points
Rate Loans
(Eurodollar)
- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------
Applicable          0                   0                  0                       25 basis points         75 basis
Margin Variable                                                                                            points
Rate Loans
(Prime)
- ------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ------------------------ ----------------------- ---------------
</TABLE>

The foregoing notwithstanding, it is agreed that from the date of this Agreement
through June 30, 1996,  the  Applicable  Margin for Fixed Rate Loans will be 125
basis points and the  Applicable  Margin for Variable Rate Loans will be 0 basis
points.

                  "Measured  Cash Flow" means the sum of the following  measured
on a consolidated basis for Borrower and any Subsidiaries,  for any twelve month
period ending on the last day of each of Borrower's fiscal quarters:

                           (a) net income, plus

                           (b)  depreciation  and all other non-cash  charges to
income not affecting working capital, minus

                           (c) Capital Expenditures.

                  "Multiemployer  Plan" means a Plan  defined as such in Section
3(37) of ERISA to which  contributions  have  been made by the  Borrower  or any
ERISA Affiliate and which is covered by Title IV of ERISA.

                  "NatWest"  means  NatWest  Bank  N.A.,  a banking  corporation
organized under the laws of the United States of America.

                  "NDM"  means New  Dimensions  in  Medicine,  Inc.,  a Delaware
corporation.

                  "NDM Acquisition"  means the purchase of certain assets of NDM
by N D M,  Inc.,  as  assignee  of  Borrower,  pursuant  to the  Asset  Purchase
Agreement.

                  "N D M, Inc." means Borrower's wholly owned subsidiary, N D M,
Inc. a New York  corporation,  formed to assume and  perform  all of  Borrower's
obligations  under the Asset Purchase  Agreement and to take title to the assets
being acquired in the NDM Acquisition.

                  "Net Worth" means, at any date of determination  thereof,  the
excess of total  assets over total  liabilities,  excluding,  however,  from the
determination of total assets, minority interests, if any, in Subsidiaries.

                  "Note" means a promissory  note of the Borrower in the form of
Exhibit A hereto evidencing the Loans made by a Bank hereunder.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation and any
entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

                  "Person"  means  an  individual,   partnership,   corporation,
business trust, joint stock company, trust,  unincorporated  association,  joint
venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

                  "Plan" means any employee benefit or other plan established or
maintained,  or to which  contributions  have been made,  by the Borrower or any
ERISA  Affiliate  and  which  is  covered  by Title IV of  ERISA,  other  than a
Multiemployer Plan.

                  "Prime  Rate"  means that rate of  interest  from time to time
announced by the Reference Bank at its principal  office as its prime commercial
lending rate.

                  "Principal Office" means the principal office of the Reference
Bank, presently located at 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10081.

                  "Quarterly  Date"  means  the last  day of each of  Borrower's
fiscal  quarters for so long as the  Commitment  and any Loans made  pursuant to
this Agreement remain outstanding.

                  "Reference Bank" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.

                  "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or supplemented  from time
to time.

                  "Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or supplemented  from time
to time.
                  "Regulatory  Change"  means,  with  respect  to any Bank,  any
change  after  the date of this  Agreement  in  United  States  federal,  state,
municipal  or  foreign  laws  or  regulations   (including   without  limitation
Regulation D) or the adoption or making after such date of any  interpretations,
directives or requests  applying to a class of banks  including  such Bank of or
under  any  United  States,   federal,  state,  municipal  or  foreign  laws  or
regulations  (whether  or  not  having  the  force  of  law)  by  any  court  or
governmental  or  monetary   authority   charged  with  the   interpretation  or
administration thereof.

                  "Required  Banks"  means,  at any  time  while  no  Loans  are
outstanding,  Banks  having  at least  66.667%  of the  aggregate  amount of the
Commitments and, at any time while Loans are outstanding, Banks holding at least
66.667% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans.

                  "Reserve  Requirement"  means, for any Interest Period for any
Fixed Rate Loan,  the average  maximum  rate at which  reserves  (including  any
marginal,  supplemental  or emergency  reserves)  are required to be  maintained
during such  Interest  Period under  Regulation D by member banks of the Federal
Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding  $1,000,000,000  against
"Eurocurrency  liabilities"  (as such  term is used in  Regulation  D).  Without
limiting the effect of the foregoing,  the Reserve Requirement shall reflect any
other  reserves  required to be maintained by such member banks by reason of any
Regulatory  Change  against  (i) any  category  of  liabilities  which  includes
deposits by reference to which the Fixed Base Rate for Eurodollar Loans is to be
determined  as provided in the  definition  of "Fixed Base Rate" in this Section
1.01 or (ii) any category of  extensions of credit or other assets which include
Eurodollar Loans.

                  "Revolving  Credit  Loans" means loans to Borrower made by the
Banks pursuant to the Credit Agreement-Revolving Credit Facility.

                  "Security  Agreement" means the security agreement in the Form
of Exhibit D to be executed by Borrower and each  Guarantor  pursuant to Section
4.01 and 4.03 of this Agreement, as hereafter amended from time to time.

                  "Subsidiary"   means,   with   respect  to  any  Person,   any
corporation  or other entity of which at least a majority of the  securities  or
other  ownership   interests   having  ordinary  voting  power   (absolutely  or
contingently) for the election of directors or other persons  performing similar
functions are at the time owned directly or indirectly by such Person.

                  "Termination Date" means March 1, 1996.

                  "Total  Funded Debt"  means,  with respect to Borrower and any
Subsidiaries, all indebtedness (including current maturities) for money borrowed
which by its terms  matures  more  than one year from the date as of which  such
indebtedness  is incurred,  and any  indebtedness  for money  borrowed  maturing
within one year from such date which is renewable or extendable at the option of
the obligor to a date beyond one year from such date (whether or not theretofore
renewed or extended), including any such indebtedness renewable or extendable at
the  option  of the  obligor  under,  or  payable  from  the  proceeds  of other
indebtedness  which may be incurred pursuant to, the provisions of any revolving
credit agreement or other similar agreement.

                  "Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities"  means,  with  respect to any
Plan, the amount (if any) by which the present value of all benefit  liabilities
(within the meaning of Section  4001(a)(16) of ERISA) under the Plan exceeds the
fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to such benefit  liabilities,  as
determined on the most recent  valuation date of the Plan and in accordance with
the provisions of ERISA for calculating the potential  liability of the Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA.

                  "Variable  Rate"  means,  for any day, the Prime Rate for such
day.

                  "Variable Rate Loan" means any Loan when and to the extent the
interest rate for such Loan is determined in relation to the Variable Rate.

                  Section  1.02.  Accounting  Terms.  All  accounting  terms not
specifically  defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, and all
financial  data  required  to  be  delivered  hereunder  shall  be  prepared  in
accordance with GAAP. All terms relating to Collateral and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings  ascribed to them in the Uniform  Commercial Code
of the State of New York.


                             ARTICLE 2. THE CREDIT.

                  Section  2.01.  The  Loans.  (a)  Subject  to  the  terms  and
conditions of this Agreement,  each of the Banks severally agrees to make a term
loan  (the  "Loans")  to the  Borrower  on the  Drawdown  Date in the  aggregate
principal amount of $65,000,000,  with each Bank to lend an amount equal to such
Bank's Commitment.  The Loans may be outstanding as Variable Rate Loans or Fixed
Rate Loans (each a "type" of Loan). The type of Loans of each Bank shall be made
and maintained at such Bank's Lending Office for such type of Loan.

                           (b)  The  principal  of the  Loans  shall  be due and
payable in quarterly installments of $3,250,000,  each of which shall be due and
payable  on each  Amortization  Date.  Interest  on the  Loans  shall be due and
payable as hereinafter provided.

                           (c) Any borrowing  under the Credit  Agreement - Term
Loan  Facility  dated as of March 8, 1995 (as amended) by Borrower from any Bank
(as defined  herein),  which is  outstanding  as of the date of this  Agreement,
shall  be  deemed  to be a Loan  made  pursuant  to this  Agreement.  Borrower's
indebtedness  to NBD Bank  under said March 8, 1995  Credit  Agreement  shall be
repaid in full from the initial funding of Loans made pursuant to this Agreement
and/or  the  Credit  Agreement  -  Revolving  Credit  Facility.  (d)  Unless the
Termination  Date is  hereafter  extended  in  writing  by the  Agent  with  the
unanimous  approval of the Banks, this Agreement shall  automatically  terminate
and be of no further force and effect unless all of the Conditions Precedent set
forth in Article 5 of this Agreement are either satisfied or waived by the Banks
by 5:00 p.m. on the  Termination  Date, and in that event,  the Existing  Credit
Agreements shall continue to be in full force and effect.

                  Section  2.02.  The  Notes.  The  Loan of each  Bank  shall be
evidenced  by a single  promissory  note in  favor  of such  Bank in the form of
Exhibit A, dated the date of this Agreement,  duly completed and executed by the
Borrower.

                  Section 2.03. Purpose.  The Borrower shall use the proceeds of
the Loans to consummate the NDM Acquisition  (through N D M, Inc.) in accordance
with the Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  to pay  fees,  commissions,  and  expenses
related to the NDM Acquisition,  to repay existing debt of Borrower to the Banks
pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreements, for working capital, and for general
corporate  purposes.  Such proceeds  shall not be used for the purpose,  whether
immediate,  incidental or ultimate,  of buying or carrying "margin stock" within
the meaning of Regulation U.

                  Section 2.04.  Borrowing  Procedures.  The Borrower shall make
the borrowing  hereunder on the Drawdown Date and shall give the Agent notice of
such  borrowing  (which shall be on a Banking Day) at or before 10:00 a.m.,  New
York City time,  on the Drawdown  Date.  Fixed Rate Loans shall require at least
three Banking Days' prior notice. Not later than 1:00 p.m. New York City time on
the Drawdown  Date,  each Bank shall,  through its Lending Office and subject to
the conditions of this  Agreement,  make the amount of the Loan to be made by it
available to the Agent at the Agent's Office and in immediately  available funds
for the account of the  Borrower.  The amount so  received  by the Agent  shall,
subject to the conditions of this Agreement,  be made available to the Borrower,
in  immediately  available  funds,  by the Agent  crediting  an  account  of the
Borrower designated by the Borrower and maintained with the Agent at the Agent's
Office.

                  Section 2.05. Prepayments and Conversions.  The Borrower shall
have the right to make prepayments of principal,  or to convert one type of Loan
into another type of Loan, at any time or from time to time;  provided that: (a)
the Borrower  shall give the Agent notice of each such  prepayment or conversion
as provided in Section  2.08;  (b) Fixed Rate Loans may be prepaid or  converted
only on the last day of an Interest  Period for such Loans;  and (c) prepayments
shall be applied to the  installments of principal in the inverse order of their
maturities. Amounts prepaid may not be reborrowed.

                  Section 2.06.  Mandatory  Prepayments.  Anything herein to the
contrary  notwithstanding,  Borrower  shall be obligated  to make the  following
prepayments  ("Mandatory  Prepayment") of amounts  outstanding  hereunder at the
times indicated below.

                           (a) 100% of the net  proceeds  in excess of  $100,000
received  by  Borrower  from the sale or  disposition  of all or any part of the
assets of Borrower or its  Subsidiaries  (other than in the  ordinary  course of
business), upon Borrower's (or the Subsidiary's, as appropriate) receipt of such
proceeds;

                           (b)  100%  of  all  insurance  proceeds  received  by
Borrower which are not reasonably  promptly applied toward repair or replacement
of the damaged,  destroyed or impaired  property to which such proceeds  relate,
upon receipt by Borrower of such proceeds; and

                           (c) 80% of the  proceeds  of the sale by  Borrower of
any equity securities of Borrower (other than shares sold to employees  pursuant
to employee stock option plans), upon receipt by Borrower of such proceeds.

                  Any  Mandatory  Payments  shall be applied  against  the Loans
hereunder or the Revolving Credit Loans,  without penalty or premium (other than
costs  associated  with the  mandatory  prepayment  of Fixed Rate Loans on dates
other than the last day of the Interest  Period with respect to each such Loan),
as  determined  by the Required  Banks in their sole  discretion,  provided that
amounts  allocated to payments of principal and interest due hereunder  shall be
allocated  to such  payments  in  their  inverse  order of  maturity.  Mandatory
Prepayments  shall be divided  among the Banks  based upon each  Bank's pro rata
share  of the  amounts  outstanding  hereunder  at  the  time  of the  Mandatory
Prepayment.

                  Section 2.07. Fixed Rate Loans-Interest Periods; Renewals. (a)
In the case of each Fixed Rate  Loan,  the  Borrower  shall  select an  Interest
Period of any duration in accordance  with the definition of Interest  Period in
Section 1.01, subject to the following  limitations:  (i) no Interest Period may
extend beyond an  Amortization  Date unless,  after giving effect  thereto,  the
aggregate principal amount of the Fixed Rate Loans having Interest Periods which
end after such  Amortization  Date shall be equal to or less than the  principal
amount  to  be  outstanding   hereunder  after  such  Amortization   Date;  (ii)
notwithstanding  clause (i) above, no Interest Period shall have a duration less
than one month, and if any such proposed  Interest Period would otherwise be for
a shorter  period,  such  Interest  Period shall not be  available;  (iii) if an
Interest  Period  would end on a day which is not a Banking Day,  such  Interest
Period shall be extended to the next Banking Day,  unless such Banking Day would
fall in the next calendar month in which event such Interest Period shall end on
the  immediately  preceding  Banking  Day;  (iv) only three Fixed Rate  Interest
Periods may be outstanding at any one time.

                           (b) Upon  notice to the Agent as  provided in Section
2.08, the Borrower may renew any Fixed Rate Loan on the last day of the Interest
Period  therefor as the same type of Loan with an Interest Period of the same or
different  duration in accordance  with the  limitations  provided above. If the
Borrower  shall fail to give  notice to the Agent of such a renewal,  such Fixed
Rate Loan shall automatically become a Variable Rate Loan on the last day of the
current Interest Period.

                  Section 2.08. Certain Notices.  All notices by the Borrower to
the Agent  pursuant to this  Article 2 shall be given on a Banking Day and shall
be given first by telephone and confirmed by  telecopier.  Such notices shall be
irrevocable  and shall be  effective  as of the date given only if the  telecopy
confirmation  is  received  by the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m.  New York City
time with  respect to Fixed Rate Loans,  and 10:00 a.m.  New York City time with
respect to Variable Rate Loans.  Where telecopy  confirmation is received by the
Agent  after 1:00 p.m.  with  respect to Fixed Rate Loans,  and 10:00 a.m.  with
respect to Variable Rate Loans, the notice shall be deemed to be given as of the
next Banking Day. In the case of borrowings and prepayments of, conversions into
and renewals of (a) Variable Rate Loans, such notices shall be given on the date
of such  borrowing,  conversion  or  renewal;  and (b) in the case of Fixed Rate
Loans,  notices  shall be given three  Banking Days prior  thereto.  Each notice
shall  specify the type of Loan to be  borrowed,  converted,  prepaid or renewed
(and,  in the  case of a  conversion,  the type of Loans  to  result  from  such
conversion  and,  in the  case of  Fixed  Rate  Loans,  the  Interest  Period(s)
therefor)  and the date of the  borrowing,  prepayment,  conversion  or  renewal
(which shall be a Banking Day).  Each notice of reduction or  termination  shall
specify the amount of the Commitments to be reduced or terminated. Notices shall
be similar in form to the attached  Exhibit H. The Agent shall  promptly  notify
the Banks of the contents of each such notice.

                  Section  2.09.  Minimum  Amounts.  Except for  prepayments  or
conversions which result in the prepayment or conversion of a particular type or
conversions  made  pursuant to Section 3.04,  each  prepayment,  conversion  and
renewal of principal  of the Loan of a particular  type shall be in an amount at
least  equal  to  $2,000,000  in  the  aggregate  for  the  Banks  (prepayments,
conversions  or renewals of or into Loans of different  types or, in the case of
Fixed Rate Loans,  having different  Interest Periods at the same time hereunder
to be deemed separate prepayments,  conversions and renewals for the purposes of
the  foregoing,  one  for  each  type  of  Interest  Period).  Each  prepayment,
conversion or renewal shall be in increments of principal of $100,000.00.

                  Section  2.10.  Interest.  (a)  Interest  shall  accrue on the
outstanding  and unpaid  principal  amount of each Loan for the period  from and
including  the date of such Loan to but  excluding  the date such Loan is due at
the following rates per annum:  (i) for a Variable Rate Loan, at a variable rate
per annum equal to the  Variable  Rate plus any Margin and (ii) for a Fixed Rate
Loan, at a fixed rate equal to the Fixed Rate plus the Margin.  If the principal
amount of any Loan and any other  amount  payable by the  Borrower  hereunder or
under the Note shall not be paid when due (at stated  maturity,  by acceleration
or  otherwise),  interest  shall  accrue on such  amount to the  fullest  extent
permitted by law from and including such due date to but excluding the date such
amount is paid in full at the Default Rate.

                           (b) The  interest  rate on each  Variable  Rate  Loan
shall change when the Variable Rate changes and interest on each such Loan shall
be  calculated  on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days
elapsed.  Interest on each Fixed Rate Loan shall be calculated on the basis of a
year of 360 days for the  actual  number  of days  elapsed.  Promptly  after the
determination  of any interest rate  provided for herein or any change  therein,
the Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Banks.

                           (c)  Accrued  interest  shall be due and  payable  in
arrears upon any payment of principal or  conversion  and (i) for each  Variable
Rate Loan, on each Amortization Date; (ii) for each Fixed Rate Loan, on the last
day of the Interest  Period with respect thereto and, in the case of an Interest
Period greater than three months,  at three-month  intervals  (determined on the
same  basis as a three  month  Interest  Period)  after  the  first  day of such
Interest  Period;  provided that interest  accruing at the Default Rate shall be
due and payable from time to time on demand of the Agent.

                  Section 2.11.  Fees.  (a) The Borrower  shall pay to the Agent
for the  account  of each  Bank a  commitment  fee on the daily  average  unused
Commitment of such Bank for the period from and including the date hereof to the
earlier of the date the Commitments are terminated or the Termination  Date at a
rate per annum equal to .375%, calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for
the actual number of days elapsed.  The accrued  commitment fee shall be due and
payable when billed.

                           (b)  The   Borrower   shall   pay  to  the  Agent  as
compensation  for its  services  hereunder  an agency fee (in cash or such other
type of  compensation  as may be  mutually  agreed),  in the amount  (and on the
dates) heretofore mutually agreed.

                  Section  2.12.  Payments  Generally.  All payments  under this
Agreement or the Notes shall be made to the Agent in immediately available funds
not later than 1:00 p.m. New York City time on the relevant  dates  specified in
this  Article 2, and each such  payment  made  received by Agent after 1:00 p.m.
shall be  deemed  to have  been made on the next  succeeding  Banking  Day.  The
Borrower  shall,  at the time of making each payment under this Agreement or the
Notes,  specify  to the Agent  the  principal  or other  amount  payable  by the
Borrower  under  this  Agreement  or the Notes to which  such  payment  is to be
applied (and in the event that it fails to so specify,  or if a Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is  continuing,  the Agent may apply such payment as
it may elect in its sole discretion (subject to Section 11.16)).  Borrower shall
make all  payments  through its deposit  account  with Agent and Agent is hereby
authorized  to deduct all payments due hereunder  from this  account.  Except as
otherwise  provided herein,  if the due date of any payment under this Agreement
or the Notes would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Banking Day, such date
shall be  extended to the next  succeeding  Banking  Day and  interest  shall be
payable for any principal so extended for the period of such extension. Provided
the Agent  receives  payment in  immediately  available  funds by 1:00 p.m. on a
Banking  Day,  Agent shall remit the portion of such  payment due to each of the
Banks by wire transfer  initiated prior to 3:00 p.m. on the same Banking Day. If
payment is not received on a Banking Day or by 1:00 p.m.,  Agent shall remit the
amount of such  payment  due to each of the Banks by wire  transfer  on the next
Banking Day.

                  Any  Bank to  which  payment  is due  may  (but  shall  not be
obligated  to) debit the  amount of any such  payment  which is not made by 4:00
p.m. on the first Banking Day after the due date to any ordinary deposit account
of the Borrower with such Bank and any Bank so doing shall  promptly  notify the
Agent.

                  Section 2.13. Late Payment Fees. (a) If Borrower fails to make
any payment when due, Agent may, and at the request of the Required Banks shall,
require  the  payment  of a late  charge to be  assessed  each day on the amount
overdue based upon the following formulas:

                           (i)      For overdue interest:

                                    (Amount overdue) x 110% x (Prime Rate + 2%)
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                                       365

                           (ii)     For overdue principal:

                                    (Amount overdue) x 110% x (Prime Rate + 2%)
                                    -------------------------------------------
                                                       365

                           (b) Late  charges may be added to the amount owing on
any future payment,  and such assessment and/or collection of late charges shall
in no way impair the Banks'  right to pursue any other  rights or remedies  they
may have upon default.


                  ARTICLE 3. YIELD PROTECTION; ILLEGALITY; ETC.

                  Section 3.01.  Additional  Costs.  (a) The Borrower  shall pay
directly to each Bank from time to time on demand such  amounts as such Bank may
determine  to be  necessary  to  compensate  it for any  costs  which  such Bank
determines are  attributable  to its making or maintaining  any Fixed Rate Loans
under  this  Agreement  or its Note or its  obligation  to make  any such  Loans
hereunder,  or any reduction in any amount  receivable by such Bank hereunder in
respect  of any such  Loans or such  obligation  (such  increases  in costs  and
reductions  in amounts  receivable  being  herein  called  "Additional  Costs"),
resulting from any Regulatory Change which: (i) changes the basis of taxation of
any amounts  payable to such Bank under this Agreement or its Note in respect of
any of such Loans  (other  than taxes  imposed on the overall net income of such
Bank or of its Lending Office for any of such Loans by the jurisdiction in which
such Bank has its principal office or such Lending  Office);  or (ii) imposes or
modifies any reserve, special deposit, deposit insurance or assessment,  minimum
capital,  capital ratio or similar  requirements  relating to any  extensions of
credit or other assets of, or any deposits  with or other  liabilities  of, such
Bank (including any of such Loans or any deposits  referred to in the definition
of "Fixed Base Rate" in Section  1.01);  or (iii)  imposes  any other  condition
affecting  this  Agreement or its Note (or any of such  extensions  of credit or
liabilities).  Each Bank will notify the Borrower of any event  occurring  after
the date of this Agreement which will entitle such Bank to compensation pursuant
to this Section  3.01(a) as promptly as practicable  after it obtains  knowledge
thereof  and  determines  to request  such  compensation.  If any Bank  requests
compensation  from the Borrower  under this Section  3.01(a),  or under  Section
3.01(c),  the  Borrower  may, by notice to such Bank (with a copy to the Agent),
require  that  such  Bank's  Loans  of the  type  with  respect  to  which  such
compensation is requested be converted in accordance with Section 3.04.

                           (b)  Without  limiting  the  effect of the  foregoing
provisions of this Section 3.01, in the event that, by reason of any  Regulatory
Change,  any Bank either (i) incurs Additional Costs based on or measured by the
excess above a specified  level of the amount of a category of deposits or other
liabilities  of such Bank which  includes  deposits  by  reference  to which the
interest rate on Eurodollar loans is determined as provided in this Agreement or
a category of extensions  of credit or other assets of such Bank which  includes
Eurodollar loans or (ii) becomes subject to restrictions on the amount of such a
category  of  liabilities  or assets  which it may hold,  then,  if such Bank so
elects by notice to the Borrower  (with a copy to the Agent),  the obligation of
such Bank to make or renew,  and to convert Loans of any other type into,  Loans
of such type hereunder shall be suspended until the date such Regulatory  Change
ceases  to be in  effect  (and all  Loans of such  type  held by such  Bank then
outstanding shall be converted in accordance with Section 3.04).

                           (c)  Without  limiting  the  effect of the  foregoing
provisions of this Section 3.01 (but without  duplication),  the Borrower  shall
pay directly to each Bank from time to time on request such amounts as such Bank
may  determine to be necessary  to  compensate  such Bank for any costs which it
determines are  attributable  to the  maintenance by it or any of its affiliates
pursuant to any law or regulation  of any  jurisdiction  or any  interpretation,
directive  or request  (whether  or not  having the force of law and  whether in
effect on the date of this Agreement or thereafter) of any court or governmental
or  monetary  authority  of capital in  respect  of its Loans  hereunder  or its
obligation  to make Loans  hereunder  (such  compensation  to  include,  without
limitation,  an amount  equal to any  reduction in return on assets or equity of
such Bank to a level below that which it could have  achieved  but for such law,
regulation,  interpretation,  directive or  request).  Each Bank will notify the
Borrower if it is entitled to  compensation  pursuant to this Section 3.01(c) as
promptly as practicable after it determines to request such compensation.

                           (d)  Determinations  and  allocations  by a Bank  for
purposes of this Section 3.01 of the effect of any Regulatory Change pursuant to
subsections  (a) or (b),  or of the effect of  capital  maintained  pursuant  to
subsection (c), on its costs of making or maintaining Loans or its obligation to
make Loans, or on amounts receivable by, or the rate of return to, it in respect
of  Loans  or  such  obligation,  and  of the  additional  amounts  required  to
compensate such Bank under this Section 3.01, shall be conclusive, provided that
such determinations and allocations are made on a reasonable basis.

                  Section 3.02. Limitation on Types of Loans. Anything herein to
the contrary notwithstanding,  if: (a) the Agent determines (which determination
shall be conclusive) that quotations of interest rates for the relevant deposits
referred to in the definition of "Fixed Base Rate" in Section 1.01 are not being
provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant  maturities for purposes of
determining the rate of interest for any type of Fixed Rate Loans as provided in
this Agreement; or

                           (b) the Required Banks determine (which determination
shall be  conclusive)  and notify the Agent that the relevant  rates of interest
referred  to in the  definition  of "Fixed  Base Rate" in Section  1.01 upon the
basis of which the rate of  interest  for any type of Fixed  Rate Loans is to be
determined  do  not  adequately  cover  the  cost  to the  Banks  of  making  or
maintaining such Loans;

then the Agent shall give the Borrower and each Bank prompt notice thereof,  and
so long as such  condition  remains  in  effect,  the  Banks  shall  be under no
obligation  to make or renew Loans of such type or to convert Loans of any other
type into Loans of such type and the Borrower  shall,  on the last day(s) of the
then current Interest  Period(s) for the outstanding Loans of the affected type,
either  prepay such Loans or convert  such Loans into  another  type of Loans in
accordance with Section 2.05.

                  Section 3.03. Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision
in this  Agreement,  in the event that it becomes  unlawful  for any Bank or its
Lending  Office to (a) honor its  obligation to make or renew  Eurodollar  Loans
hereunder or convert  Loans of any type into Loans of such type, or (b) maintain
Eurodollar  Loans  hereunder,  then such Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower
thereof  (with a copy to the Agent) and such Bank's  obligation to make or renew
Eurodollar  Loans and to  convert  other  types of Loans into Loans of such type
hereunder shall be suspended until such time as such Bank may again make, renew,
or  convert  and  maintain  such  affected  Loans  and such  Bank's  outstanding
Eurodollar  Loans,  as the case may be, shall be converted  in  accordance  with
Section 3.04.

                  Section 3.04.  Certain  Conversions  pursuant to Sections 3.01
and 3.03.  If the  Loans of any Bank of a  particular  type  (Loans of such type
being  herein  called  "Affected  Loans" and such type being  herein  called the
"Affected  Type") are to be  converted  pursuant to Section  3.01 or 3.03,  such
Bank's Affected Loans shall be automatically  converted into Variable Rate Loans
on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for the Affected Loans
(or, in the case of a conversion  required by Section  3.01(b) or 3.03,  on such
earlier date as such Bank may specify to the Borrower  with a copy to the Agent)
and,  unless  and  until  such Bank  gives  notice as  provided  below  that the
circumstances  specified  in  Section  3.01  or  3.03  which  gave  rise to such
conversion no longer exist:

                           (a) to the extent  that such  Bank's  Affected  Loans
have been so converted,  all payments and  prepayments of principal  which would
otherwise be applied to such Bank's  Affected Loans shall be applied  instead to
its Variable Rate Loans;

                           (b)  all  Loans  which  would  otherwise  be  made or
renewed  by such Bank as Loans of the  Affected  Type  shall be made  instead as
Variable  Rate  Loans  and all  Loans of such  Bank  which  would  otherwise  be
converted  into Loans of the Affected  Type shall be converted  instead into (or
shall remain as) Variable Rate Loans; and

                  If such Bank gives notice to the Borrower  (with a copy to the
Agent) that the circumstances  specified in Section 3.01 or 3.03 which gave rise
to the conversion of such Bank's Affected Loans pursuant to this Section 3.04 no
longer  exist  (which such Bank agrees to do  promptly  upon such  circumstances
ceasing to exist) at a time when  Loans of the  Affected  Type are  outstanding,
such Bank's Variable Rate Loans shall be automatically  converted,  on the first
day(s) of the next succeeding  Interest  Period(s) for such outstanding Loans of
the Affected Type to the extent  necessary so that, after giving effect thereto,
all Loans held by the Banks  holding Loans of the Affected Type and by such Bank
are held pro rata (as to  principal  amounts,  types and  Interest  Periods)  in
accordance with their respective Commitments.

                  Section 3.05. Certain Compensation.  The Borrower shall pay to
the Agent for the account of each Bank,  upon the  request of such Bank  through
the Agent,  such  amount or amounts as shall be  sufficient  (in the  reasonable
opinion of such Bank) to compensate it for any loss,  cost or expense which such
Bank determines is attributable to:

                           (a) any payment, prepayment, conversion or renewal of
a Fixed  Rate  Loan made by such  Bank on a date  other  than the last day of an
Interest  Period for such Loan  (whether  by reason of  acceleration,  mandatory
prepayment or otherwise); or

                           (b) any failure by the  Borrower  to borrow,  convert
into or renew a Fixed  Rate Loan to be made,  converted  into or renewed by such
Bank on the date specified  therefor in the relevant  notice under Section 2.04,
2.05 or 2.07, as the case may be.

                  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,   such  compensation  shall
include an amount  equal to the excess,  if any,  of: (i) the amount of interest
which  otherwise  would have accrued on the principal  amount so paid,  prepaid,
converted or renewed or not  borrowed,  converted or renewed for the period from
and including  the date of such payment,  prepayment or conversion or failure to
borrow,  convert  or renew  to but  excluding  the last day of the then  current
Interest  Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow,  convert
or renew,  to but  excluding  the last day of the Interest  Period for such Loan
which  would have  commenced  on the date  specified  therefor  in the  relevant
notice) at the  applicable  rate of interest for such Loan  provided for herein;
over (ii) the amount of interest (as  reasonably  determined  by such Bank) such
Bank would  have bid in the London  interbank  market  for Dollar  deposits  for
amounts  comparable to such principal  amount and maturities  comparable to such
period.  A determination  of any Bank as to the amounts payable pursuant to this
Section 3.05 shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                  Section 3.06. HLT  Classification.  If, after the date hereof,
the Agent is advised  by any Bank that such Bank has  received  notice  from any
governmental  authority,  central bank or comparable agency having  jurisdiction
over such Bank that the  definition  of highly  leveraged  transaction  has been
modified with the result that its Loans  hereunder  are  classified as a "highly
leveraged  transaction" (an "HLT  Classification")  or if the Borrower takes any
action which causes this  transaction to be subject to HLT  Classification,  the
Agent shall promptly give notice of such HLT  Classification to the Borrower and
the  other  Banks and the  Agent.  The Banks  and the  Borrower  shall  commence
negotiations  in good faith to agree on whether  and, if so, the extent to which
commitment fees,  interest rates and/or margins hereunder should be increased so
as to reflect such HLT  Classification.  If the Borrower and the Required  Banks
fail to agree on such  increases  within  10 days  after  notice is given by the
Agent as provided above,  then (i) the Agent, if requested by the Required Banks
shall, by notice to the Borrower immediately terminate the Commitments, and (ii)
the Borrower shall be obligated to prepay on the date of such termination of the
Commitments each outstanding Loan by paying the aggregate principal amount to be
prepaid  together  with  all  accrued  interest  thereon  to the  date  of  such
prepayment; provided that, if the Borrower prepays any Fixed Rate Loans pursuant
to this  clause,  the  Borrower  shall  compensate  the Banks for any  resulting
funding losses. The Banks acknowledge that a HLT Classification is not a Default
or an Event of Default hereunder.


                         ARTICLE 4. COLLATERAL SECURITY.

                  Section  4.01.  Security.  As security  for the payment of all
Loans made hereunder and under The Credit Agreement - Revolving Credit Facility,
and for the obligations of each Guarantor  under its Guaranty,  Borrower and the
Guarantors  hereby  agree that the Banks shall at all times have,  pursuant to a
Security  Agreement executed  concurrently  herewith in the form of Exhibit D, a
continuing  general security  interest in all personal  property of Borrower and
each Guarantor as more fully described in the Security  Agreement.  In addition,
as  provided  in the  Security  Agreement,  the Banks  shall at all times have a
perfected  first  priority  security  interest  in  100%  of  the  stock  of all
Subsidiaries of Borrower, now owned or hereafter acquired.

                  Section 4.02.  Setoff. As additional  collateral  security for
the payment of the Notes and of any and all other obligations and liabilities of
Borrower  and each  Guarantor to the Banks  hereunder,  whether due or to become
due,  direct or  contingent,  now  existing or  hereafter  arising,  and however
created or  acquired,  the Banks shall at all times have and are hereby  given a
security  interest  in and a lien upon and right of offset  against  all moneys,
deposit  balances,  securities or other property or interest therein of Borrower
now or at any time after the date of this Loan  Agreement held or received by or
for or left and each Guarantor in the possession or control of any of the Banks,
whether for safekeeping,  custody,  transmission,  collection, pledge or for any
other or different purpose.  The foregoing right of setoff shall at all times be
subject  to the  Banks'  obligation  to share  payments  as set forth in Section
11.17.

                  Section 4.03.  Guaranties.  Each  Guarantor  shall execute and
deliver a Guaranty to each of the Banks, and a Security  Agreement  granting the
Banks a security  interest in all of the  Guarantor's  personal  property as set
forth in Section 4.01.

                        ARTICLE 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

                  Section   5.01.   Documentary   Conditions   Precedent.    The
obligations  of the  Banks  to make  the  Loans  are  subject  to the  condition
precedent that the Agent and the Banks shall have received on or before the date
of such Loans each of the following,  in form and substance  satisfactory to the
Agent, the Banks, and their counsel:

                           (a) the Notes duly executed by the Borrower;

                           (b) the  Authorization  Letter  duly  executed by the
Borrower;

                           (c)  the  Security  Agreements  and  UCC-1  Financing
Statements duly executed by the Borrower and each Guarantor;

                           (d) the Guaranty duly executed by the Guarantor;

                           (e) a  certificate  of  the  Secretary  or  Assistant
Secretary of the Borrower,  dated the Closing  Date,  attesting to all corporate
action taken by the Borrower,  including  resolutions  of its Board of Directors
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Facility Documents to
which it is a party and each other  document  to be  delivered  pursuant to this
Agreement;

                           (f) a  certificate  of  the  Secretary  or  Assistant
Secretary of the Borrower, dated the Closing Date, certifying the names and true
signatures  of the  officers of the  Borrower  authorized  to sign the  Facility
Documents to which it is a party and the other  documents to be delivered by the
Borrower under this Agreement;

                           (g) a certificate of a duly authorized officer of the
Borrower,   dated  the  Closing  Date,  stating  that  the  representations  and
warranties  in Article 6 are true and correct on such date as though made on and
as of  such  date  and  that no  event  has  occurred  and is  continuing  which
constitutes a Default or Event of Default;

                           (h) a favorable  opinion of counsel for the Borrower,
dated the Closing  Date, in  substantially  the form of Exhibit E and as to such
other matters as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request;

                           (i) a  certificate  of  the  Secretary  or  Assistant
Secretary of each Guarantor,  dated the Closing Date, attesting to all corporate
action taken by the Guarantor,  including  resolutions of its Board of Directors
and sole shareholder authorizing the execution,  delivery and performance of the
Facility Documents to which it is a party;

                           (j) a  certificate  of  the  Secretary  or  Assistant
Secretary of each  Guarantor,  dated the Closing Date,  certifying the names and
true  signatures  of the  officers  of each  Guarantor,  authorized  to sign the
Facility Documents to which it is a party;

                           (k) a favorable opinion of counsel for each Guarantor
dated the Closing  Date, in  substantially  the form of Exhibit F and as to such
other matters as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request;

                           (l) a  certificate  of a duly  authorized  officer of
each Guarantor,  dated the Closing Date,  stating that the  representations  and
warranties in the Facility Documents to which it is a party are true and correct
on such  date as  though  made on and as of such  date  and  that no  event  has
occurred and is continuing which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, and

                           (m) Certificates  from the applicable  Secretaries of
State showing Borrower and each Guarantor to be corporations in good standing in
the States of their incorporation.

                  Section 5.02. Additional Conditions Precedent. The obligations
of the  Banks to make any  Loans  shall be  subject  to the  further  conditions
precedent that on the date of such Loans:

                           (a) the following statements shall be true:

                                    (i)  the   representations   and  warranties
         contained in Article 6 and in any other Facility Documents are true and
         correct on and as of the date of such Loans as though made on and as of
         such date; and

                                    (ii) no  Default  or  Event of  Default  has
         occurred and is continuing, or would result from such Loans.

                           (b) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied with, the terms and conditions of, and the documentation  relating to,
the  closing  of the NDM  Acquisition  and the other  transactions  contemplated
hereby. The Banks shall also have reviewed, and shall be satisfied with, the pro
forma financial  statements for the combined  operations of Borrower and NDM, as
of the closing of the NDM Acquisition.

                           (c) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied  with, the condition  (financial and otherwise),  operations,  assets,
liabilities and prospects of the Borrower, and its respective Subsidiaries,  and
of NDM.

                           (d) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied  with (i) the  Borrower's  tax  assumptions,  and (ii) the  corporate,
organizational,  capital,  and legal  structure of the Borrower,  NDM, and their
respective Subsidiaries.

                           (e) The Banks shall be satisfied  that the borrowings
under this  Agreement  and other  funding  for the NDM  Acquisition  are in full
compliance with all legal requirements, including without limitation Regulations
G, T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,  and that
the NDM  Acquisition  is in compliance  with all applicable  legal  requirements
including,  if  applicable,  the  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Act, and all securities law
requirements.

                           (f) The Banks shall be satisfied  that the  Borrower,
NDM, and their respective  Subsidiaries comply in all material respects with all
applicable U.S.  federal,  state and local laws and  regulations,  including all
Environmental Laws.

                           (g) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied with an environmental risk assessment  (including the potential levels
of  environmental  liability  set forth  therein)  with  respect  to NDM and its
Subsidiaries.

                           (h) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied with, the insurance program of the Borrower, NDM, and their respective
Subsidiaries.

                           (i) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied  with,  all  financial  information  concerning  the  NDM  Acquisition
furnished  to  Borrower  pursuant  to  the  agreements   memorializing  the  NDM
Acquisition.

                           (j) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied with, information concerning any litigation relating to or arising out
of the NDM  Acquisition or any of the other  transactions  contemplated  by this
Agreement.

                           (k)  the  Agent  shall  have   received   such  other
approvals,  opinions  or  documents  as the  Agent or any  Bank  may  reasonably
request.

                           (l) Guaranties to each Bank for each Subsidiary shall
be in full force and effect and unrevoked.

                           (m) The  Security  Agreements  of  Borrower  and each
Guarantor, and all other Facility Documents, shall be in full force and effect.

                  Section 5.03. Closing of the NDM Acquisition.  The obligations
of the  Banks to make  any  Loans  hereunder  shall be  subject  to the  further
condition  precedent  that all  conditions to the NDM  Acquisition  set forth in
Article 8 of the Asset  Purchase  Agreement  shall have been  satisfied  and all
deliveries  and  payments to take place at the closing as specified in the Asset
Purchase Agreement shall have taken place except for the delivery of funds to be
provided by the Banks  pursuant to this Agreement and the  commitments;  and (b)
NDM, Inc.  shall have executed and delivered its Guaranty,  Security  Agreement,
and related  documents  effective as of the closing of the NDM Acquisition.  The
fulfillment  of  these  conditions   precedent  shall  be  demonstrated  to  the
satisfaction  of Agent,  the Banks  and their  Counsel,  and Agent and the Banks
shall be entitled to receive such confirming  certificates,  legal opinions, and
documents as Agent or any Bank may reasonably request.

                  Section 5.04. Deemed Representations.  The notice of borrowing
hereunder and acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such borrowing shall
constitute  a  representation  and  warranty  by  Borrower  that the  statements
contained in Sections  5.02(a) and 5.03 are true and correct both on the date of
such notice and, unless the Borrower  otherwise notifies the Agent prior to such
borrowing, as of the date of such borrowing.


                   ARTICLE 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that:

                  Section   6.01.   Incorporation,   Good   Standing   and   Due
Qualification.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly  incorporated,
validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation,  has the  corporate  power and authority to own its assets and to
transact the business in which it is now engaged or proposed to be engaged,  and
is duly qualified as a foreign  corporation  and in good standing under the laws
of each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required.

                  Section 6.02. Corporate Power and Authority; No Conflicts. The
execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Facility Documents to
which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary  corporate action
and  do  not  and  will  not:  (a)  require  any  consent  or  approval  of  its
stockholders;  (b) contravene its charter or by-laws;  (c) violate any provision
of, or require any filing,  registration,  consent or approval  under,  any law,
rule,  regulation  (including,  without limitation,  Regulation U), order, writ,
judgment,  injunction, decree, determination or award presently in effect having
applicability  to the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates;  (d)
result in a breach of or  constitute a default or require any consent  under any
indenture  or  loan  or  credit  agreement  or any  other  agreement,  lease  or
instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or its properties may
be bound or affected;  (e) result in, or require,  the creation or imposition of
any Lien,  upon or with respect to any of the  properties now owned or hereafter
acquired  by the  Borrower;  or (f) cause the  Borrower  (or any  Subsidiary  or
Affiliate,  as the case may be) to be in  default  under  any  such  law,  rule,
regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award or
any such indenture, agreement, lease or instrument.

                  Section 6.03. Legally  Enforceable  Agreements.  Each Facility
Document  to which the  Borrower  is a party is, or when  delivered  under  this
Agreement  will  be, a legal,  valid  and  binding  obligation  of the  Borrower
enforceable  against the Borrower in  accordance  with its terms,  except to the
extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

                  Section  6.04.  Litigation.  There  are no  actions,  suits or
proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, against or
affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, governmental
agency or arbitrator, which may, in any one case or in the aggregate, materially
adversely affect the financial condition, operations,  properties or business of
the Borrower or any such Subsidiary or of the ability of the Borrower to perform
its obligations under the Facility Documents to which it is a party.

                  Section 6.05. Financial  Statements.  The consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 30, 1994,
and the related  consolidated  income statement and statements of cash flows and
changes  in   stockholders'   equity  of  the  Borrower  and  its   Consolidated
Subsidiaries  for the fiscal year then ended,  and the  accompanying  footnotes,
together  with  the  opinion  thereon,  of  Price  Waterhouse  LLP,  independent
certified public accountants, copies of which have been furnished to each of the
Banks,  are complete and correct and fairly  present the financial  condition of
the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries as at such date and the results
of the  operations  of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for the
periods covered by such  statements,  all in accordance  with GAAP  consistently
applied  (subject to adjustments  under Financial  Accounting  Standards 106 and
109).  There  are no  liabilities  of the  Borrower  or any of its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries,  fixed or contingent,  which are material but are not reflected in
the financial statements or in the notes thereto, other than liabilities arising
in the ordinary  course of business  since  December 30, 1994.  No  information,
exhibit or report  furnished by the Borrower to the Banks in connection with the
negotiation of this  Agreement  contained any material  misstatement  of fact or
omitted to state a material  fact or any fact  necessary to make the  statements
contained therein not materially misleading.  Since December 30, 1994, there has
been no material  adverse  change in the  condition  (financial  or  otherwise),
business, operations or prospects of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  Section 6.06.  Ownership  and Liens.  Each of the Borrower and
its Consolidated  Subsidiaries has good, clear and marketable title to, or valid
leasehold  interests in, all of its  properties  and assets,  real and personal,
including the properties and assets,  and leasehold  interests  reflected in the
financial  statements  referred to in Section 6.05 (other than any properties or
assets  disposed  of in the  ordinary  course  of  business),  and  none  of the
properties and assets owned by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries and none
of its leasehold  interests is subject to any Lien,  except as disclosed in such
financial statements or as may be permitted hereunder.  Upon consummation of the
NDM Acquisition in accordance with the Asset Purchase Agreement,  NDM, Inc. will
acquire good, clear and marketable title to the assets to be acquired from NDM.

                  Section 6.07. Taxes. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
has filed all tax returns  (federal,  state and local)  required to be filed and
has paid all taxes,  assessments and governmental  charges and levies thereon to
be due,  including  interest and penalties.  The federal income tax liability of
the Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  has been  audited by the  Internal  Revenue
Service and has been finally  determined  and satisfied for all taxable years up
to and including the taxable year ended in 1990.

                  Section 6.08.  ERISA. Each Plan, and, to the best knowledge of
the Borrower, each Multiemployer Plan, is in compliance in all material respects
with, and has been administered in all material respects in compliance with, the
applicable  provisions of ERISA,  the Code and any other  applicable  Federal or
state law, and no event or condition is occurring or exists concerning which the
Borrower  would  be under  an  obligation  to  furnish  a report  to the Bank in
accordance with Section 7.08(h) hereof. The funded status of each Plan is as set
forth in Schedule IV.

                  Section 6.09.  Subsidiaries and Ownership of Stock. Schedule I
is a complete and accurate list of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower, showing the
jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of each Subsidiary and showing the
percentage  of the  Borrower's  ownership  of the  outstanding  stock  or  other
interest of each such Subsidiary.  All of the outstanding capital stock or other
interest of each such  Subsidiary  has been  validly  issued,  is fully paid and
nonassessable and is owned by the Borrower free and clear of all Liens.

                  Section 6.10. Credit  Arrangements.  Schedule II is a complete
and correct  list of all credit  agreements,  indentures,  installment  purchase
agreements,  guaranties,  Capital Leases and other  investments,  agreements and
arrangements  presently in effect  providing  for or relating to  extensions  of
credit  (including  agreements and  arrangements  for the issuance of letters of
credit or for  acceptance  financing) in respect of which the Borrower or any of
its  Subsidiaries is in any manner directly or contingently  obligated;  and the
maximum  principal or face amounts of the credit in  question,  outstanding  and
which can be  outstanding,  are  correctly  stated,  and all Liens of any nature
given or agreed to be given as security  therefor  are  correctly  described  or
indicated in such Schedule.

                  Section 6.11. Operation of Business.  Each of the Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries  possesses  all  licenses,   permits,   franchises,   patents,
copyrights,  trademarks and trade names, or rights thereto, necessary to conduct
its business  substantially  as now  conducted  and as presently  proposed to be
conducted,  and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation
of any valid rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing.

                  Section 6.12.  Hazardous  Materials.  The Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries  have obtained all permits,  licenses and other  authorizations
which are required under all Environmental Laws, except to the extent failure to
have any such permit, license or authorization would not have a material adverse
effect  on  the  consolidated  financial  condition,   operations,  business  or
prospects of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries.  The Borrower and
each of its  Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all
such permits,  licenses and authorizations,  and are also in compliance with all
other   limitations,    restrictions,   conditions,   standards,   prohibitions,
requirements,  obligations  schedules and timetables contained in any applicable
Environmental  Law or in any regulation,  code, plan, order,  decree,  judgment,
injunction,  notice or demand letter  issued,  entered,  promulgated or approved
thereunder,  except to the extent  failure  to comply  would not have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition,  operations, business or
prospects of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

                  In addition, except as set forth in Schedule III hereto:

                           (a) No  notice,  notification,  demand,  request  for
information,  citation,  summons or order has been issued, no complaint has been
filed, no penalty has been assessed and no investigation or review is pending or
threatened  by any  governmental  or other  entity  with  respect to any alleged
failure by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries to have any permit,  license
or authorization  required in connection with the conduct of the business of the
Borrower  or  any  of its  Subsidiaries  or  with  respect  to  any  generation,
treatment,  storage,  recycling,  transportation,  release or  disposal,  or any
release as defined  in 42 U.S.C.  ss.  9601(22)  ("Release"),  of any  substance
regulated under  Environmental  Laws  ("Hazardous  Materials")  generated by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

                           (b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries
has handled any Hazardous Material,  other than as a generator,  on any property
now or previously  owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to
an extent that it has, or may reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse
effect  on  the  consolidated  financial  condition,   operations,  business  or
prospects  taken as a whole of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries;
and

                                    (i) no  polychlorinated  biphenyl  is or has
         been present at any property now or  previously  owned or leased by the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

                                    (ii) no asbestos  is or has been  present at
         any property now or  previously  owned or leased by the Borrower or any
         of its Subsidiaries;

                                    (iii) there are no underground storage tanks
         for Hazardous  Materials,  active or abandoned,  at any property now or
         previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries;
         and

                                    (iv)  no  Hazardous   Materials   have  been
         Released,  in a  reportable  quantity,  where such a quantity  has been
         established by statute, ordinance, rule, regulation or order, at, on or
         under any  property now or  previously  owned by the Borrower or any of
         its Subsidiaries.

                           (c) Neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries
has transported or arranged for the  transportation of any Hazardous Material to
any  location  which  is  listed  on the  National  Priorities  List  under  the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended  ("CERCLA"),  listed for possible  inclusion on the National  Priorities
List by the Environmental  Protection Agency in the Comprehensive  Environmental
Response and  Liability  Information  System as provided by 40 C.F.R.  ss. 300.5
("CERCLIS")  or on any  similar  state list or which is the  subject of federal,
state or local  enforcement  actions or other  investigations  which may lead to
claims  against the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  for  clean-up  costs,
remedial  work,  damages to natural  resources  or for personal  injury  claims,
including,  but not limited to, claims under CERCLA.

                           (d) No Hazardous  Material  generated by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries has been recycled,  treated,  stored,  disposed of or
released  (as defined in CERCLA) by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  at
any location other than those listed in Schedule III hereto.

                           (e) No oral or written notification of a Release of a
Hazardous  material has been filed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  and no property now or previously  owned or leased by the Borrower
or any of its  Subsidiaries  is listed or proposed  for listing on the  National
Priorities  List  promulgated  pursuant to CERCLA,  on CERCLIS or on any similar
state list of sites requiring investigation or clean-up.

                           (f) There are no Liens  arising  under or pursuant to
any Environmental Laws on any of the real property or properties owned or leased
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,  and no government actions have been
taken or are in process which could subject any of such properties to such Liens
and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries  would be required to place
any notice or restriction relating to the presence of Hazardous Materials at any
property owned by it in any deed to such property.

                           (g) There have been no environmental  investigations,
studies,  audits,  test,  reviews or other analyses conducted by or which are in
the  possession  of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  in relation to any
property or facility now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries which have not been made available to the Banks.

                  Section 6.13. No Default on  Outstanding  Judgments or Orders.
Each of the  Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  has  satisfied  all  judgments  and
neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in default with respect to
any  judgment,  writ,  injunction,  decree,  rule or  regulation  of any  court,
arbitrator  or  federal,  state,  municipal  or  other  governmental  authority,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign.

                  Section  6.14.  No Defaults on Other  Agreements.  Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any indenture, loan or credit
agreement  or any lease or other  agreement  or  instrument  or  subject  to any
charter or corporate  restriction  which could have a material adverse effect on
the  business,  properties,  assets,  operations  or  conditions,  financial  or
otherwise,  of the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or the ability of the
Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to carry  out its  obligations  under the
Facility  Documents to which it is a party.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries  is in default in any  respect in the  performance,  observance  or
fulfillment of any of the obligations,  covenants or conditions contained in any
agreement or instrument material to its business to which it is a party.

                  Section  6.15.  Labor  Disputes  and Acts of God.  Neither the
business nor the  properties of the Borrower or of any of its  Subsidiaries  are
affected  by any fire,  explosion,  accident,  strike,  lockout  or other  labor
dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake,  embargo, act of God or of the public
enemy or other casualty  (whether or not covered by  insurance),  materially and
adversely affecting such business or properties or the operation of the Borrower
or such Subsidiary.

                  Section 6.16.  Governmental  Regulation.  Neither the Borrower
nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is subject to regulation  under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, the Investment  Company Act of 1940, the Interstate
Commerce Act, the Federal  Power Act or any statute or  regulation  limiting its
ability to incur indebtedness for money borrowed as contemplated hereby.

                  Section  6.17.  Partnerships.  Neither the Borrower nor any of
its Subsidiaries is a partner in any partnership.

                  Section 6.18. No  Forfeiture.  Neither the Borrower nor any of
its  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates is engaged in or proposes to be engaged in the
conduct  of  any  business  or  activity  which  could  result  in a  Forfeiture
Proceeding  and no  Forfeiture  Proceeding  against  any of them is  pending  or
threatened.

                  Section 6.19.  Solvency.

                           (a) The present fair saleable  value of the assets of
the Borrower and each Subsidiary,  respectively,  after giving effect to all the
transactions  contemplated  by the  Facility  Documents  and the  funding of all
Commitments hereunder, exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or
in respect of the existing  debts and other  liabilities  (including  contingent
liabilities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as they mature.

                           (b) The respective  property of the Borrower and each
Subsidiary  does not constitute  unreasonably  small capital for the Borrower or
any  Subsidiary to carry out its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted including the capital needs of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

                           (c) Neither  Borrower nor any Subsidiary  intends to,
nor does it believe  that it will,  incur  debts  beyond its ability to pay such
debts as they mature  (taking  into account the timing and amounts of cash to be
received by the Borrower and each Subsidiary, and of amounts to be payable on or
in respect of debt of the Borrower and each  Subsidiary).  The cash available to
the  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries,  after  taking  into  account  all  other
anticipated  uses  of  the  cash  of  the  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries,  is
anticipated to be sufficient to pay all such amounts on or in respect of debt of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries when such amounts are required to be paid.

                           (d)  The   Borrower   does  not  believe  that  final
judgments  against it or any  Subsidiary  in actions for money  damages  will be
rendered  at a time  when,  or in an amount  such  that,  the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries will be unable to satisfy any such judgments promptly in accordance
with their terms  (taking  into  account the maximum  reasonable  amount of such
judgments  in any such actions and the  earliest  reasonable  time at which such
judgments  might  be  rendered).  The cash  available  to the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries after taking into account all other anticipated uses of the cash of
the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  (including  the payments on or in respect of
debt referred to in paragraph (c) of this Section  6.19),  is  anticipated to be
sufficient to pay all such judgments promptly in accordance with their terms.

                  Section 6.20.  Integrated Group. Borrower and its Subsidiaries
function as an  integrated  group and Borrower and each  Subsidiary  will derive
benefits,  directly  and  indirectly,  from the  Loans,  both in their  separate
capacity  and as  members  of  the  integrated  group,  because  the  successful
operation  of Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  is  dependant  upon the  continued
successful  operation and functions of Borrower and each  Subsidiary  and of the
integrated group as a whole. All Loans will be made to and through Borrower, but
it is agreed  that each  Subsidiary  will  benefit  from the  Loans  along  with
Borrower as members of the integrated and consolidated group.


                        ARTICLE 7. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

                  So long as any of the Notes  shall  remain  unpaid or any Bank
shall have any Commitment under this Agreement, the Borrower shall:

                  Section 7.01. Maintenance of Existence. Preserve and maintain,
and cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to preserve  and  maintain,  its  corporate
existence  and good  standing  in the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  and
qualify and remain qualified,  and cause each of its Subsidiaries to qualify and
remain  qualified,  as a foreign  corporation in each jurisdiction in which such
qualification is required.

                  Section 7.02. Conduct of Business. Continue, and cause each of
its Subsidiaries to continue, to engage in an efficient and economical manner in
a  business  of the same  general  type as  conducted  by it on the date of this
Agreement.

                  Section 7.03.  Maintenance of Properties.  Maintain,  keep and
preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, keep and preserve, all
of its properties,  (tangible and intangible)  necessary or useful in the proper
conduct of its business in good working order and  condition,  ordinary wear and
tear excepted.

                  Section 7.04.  Maintenance of Records. Keep, and cause each of
its  Subsidiaries  to keep,  adequate  records  and books of  account,  in which
complete entries will be made in accordance with GAAP,  reflecting all financial
transactions of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

                  Section 7.05.  Maintenance of Insurance.  Maintain,  and cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to maintain,  insurance  with  financially  sound and
reputable  insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such
risks as are  usually  carried  by  companies  engaged  in the same or a similar
business and similarly  situated,  which  insurance  may provide for  reasonable
deductibility from coverage thereof.

                  Section 7.06.  Compliance with Laws. Comply, and cause each of
its  Subsidiaries to comply,  in all respects with all applicable  laws,  rules,
regulations  and orders  (including,  but not  limited to,  environmental  laws,
rules, regulations, and orders), such compliance to include, without limitation,
paying before the same become delinquent all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges imposed upon it or upon its property.

                  Section 7.07. Right of Inspection.  At any reasonable time and
from time to time,  permit the Agent or any Bank or any agent or  representative
thereof,  to examine and make copies and abstracts from the records and books of
account  of,  and  visit  the  properties  of,  the  Borrower  and  any  of  its
Subsidiaries,  and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower
and any such Subsidiary with any of their respective  officers and directors and
the Borrower's independent accountants.

                  Section 7.08. Reporting Requirements. Furnish directly to each
of the Banks:

                           (a) as soon as  available  and in any event within 90
days after the end of each  fiscal  year of the  Borrower,  a  consolidated  and
consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as
of the end of such  fiscal  year and a  consolidated  and  consolidating  income
statement and  statements of cash flows and changes in  stockholders'  equity of
the  Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for such fiscal year,  all in
reasonable  detail and stating in comparative  form the respective  consolidated
and  consolidating  figures for the  corresponding  date and period in the prior
fiscal year and all prepared in accordance with GAAP and as to the  consolidated
statements accompanied by an opinion thereon acceptable to the Agent and each of
the Banks by Price Waterhouse LLP or other  independent  accountants of national
standing selected by the Borrower;

                           (b) as soon as  available  and in any event within 45
days after the end of each of the first  three  quarters  of each fiscal year of
the Borrower, a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and
its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and a consolidated
and  consolidating  income statement and statements of cash flows and changes in
stockholders' equity, of the Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries for the
period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year and ending with the end
of such quarter,  all in reasonable  detail and stating in comparative  form the
respective consolidated and consolidating figures for the corresponding date and
period in the previous  fiscal year and all prepared in accordance with GAAP and
certified by the chief  financial  officer of the Borrower  (subject to year-end
adjustments);

                           (c)  promptly  upon  receipt  thereof,  copies of any
reports  submitted to the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  by  independent
certified  public  accountants in connection  with  examination of the financial
statements of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary made by such accountants;

                           (d) simultaneously with the delivery of the financial
statements  referred to above, a certificate of the chief  financial  officer of
the  Borrower  (i)  certifying  that to the best of his  knowledge no Default or
Event of Default has  occurred  and is  continuing  or, if a Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof and
the action  which is proposed to be taken with  respect  thereto,  and (ii) with
computations demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Article 9;

                           (e)  simultaneously  with the  delivery of the annual
financial  statements  referred  to in Section  7.08(a),  a  certificate  of the
independent  public  accountants who audited such statements to the effect that,
in making the examination necessary for the audit of such statements,  they have
obtained no knowledge of any  condition or event which  constitutes a Default or
Event of Default,  or if such accountants  shall have obtained  knowledge of any
such condition or event,  specifying in such  certificate each such condition or
event of which they have knowledge and the nature and status thereof;

                           (f) promptly after the commencement  thereof,  notice
of all  actions,  suits,  and  proceedings  before  any  court  or  governmental
department,  commission,  board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,  domestic or
foreign,  affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which, if determined
adversely  to the  Borrower or such  Subsidiary,  could have a material  adverse
effect on the financial condition,  properties, or operations of the Borrower or
such Subsidiary;

                           (g) as soon as  possible  and in any event  within 10
days after the  occurrence of each Default or Event of Default a written  notice
setting  forth the  details of such  Default or Event of Default  and the action
which is proposed to be taken by the Borrower with respect thereto;

                           (h) as soon as possible,  and in any event within ten
days  after the  Borrower  knows or has reason to know that any of the events or
conditions  specified below with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer  Plan have
occurred  or exist,  a  statement  signed by a senior  financial  officer of the
Borrower  setting  forth  details  respecting  such event or  condition  and the
action, if any, which the Borrower or its ERISA Affiliate  proposes to take with
respect thereto (and a copy of any report or notice required to be filed with or
given to PBGC by the Borrower or an ERISA  Affiliate  with respect to such event
or condition):

                                    (i) any  reportable  event,  as  defined  in
         Section 4043(b) of ERISA,  with respect to a Plan, as to which PBGC has
         not by regulation  waived the  requirement of Section  4043(a) of ERISA
         that it be  notified  within 30 days of the  occurrence  of such  event
         (provided  that a  failure  to meet the  minimum  funding  standard  of
         Section  412 of the Code or  Section  302 of ERISA  including,  without
         limitation,  the  failure  to make on or before its due date a required
         installment  under  Section  412(m)  of the Code or  Section  302(e) of
         ERISA,  shall be a reportable  event  regardless of the issuance of any
         waivers in accordance  with Section 412(d) of the Code) and any request
         for a waiver under Section 412(d) of the Code for any Plan;

                                    (ii) the distribution  under Section 4041 of
         ERISA of a notice of intent to  terminate  any Plan or any action taken
         by the Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate to terminate any Plan;

                                    (iii) the institution by PBGC of proceedings
         under Section 4042 of ERISA for the  termination of, or the appointment
         of a trustee to administer, any Plan, or the receipt by the Borrower or
         any ERISA  Affiliate  of a notice from a  Multiemployer  Plan that such
         action has been taken by PBGC with respect to such Multiemployer Plan;

                                    (iv) the complete or partial withdrawal from
         a  Multiemployer  Plan by the  Borrower  or any  ERISA  Affiliate  that
         results in liability under Section 4201 or 4204 of ERISA (including the
         obligation  to satisfy  secondary  liability as a result of a purchaser
         default)  or the  receipt of the  Borrower  or any ERISA  Affiliate  of
         notice  from a  Multiemployer  Plan  that  it is in  reorganization  or
         insolvency pursuant to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA or that it intends
         to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A of ERISA;

                                    (v) the  institution  of a  proceeding  by a
         fiduciary or any  Multiemployer  Plan against the Borrower or any ERISA
         Affiliate  to enforce  Section 515 of ERISA,  which  proceeding  is not
         dismissed within 30 days;

                                    (vi) the  adoption  of an  amendment  to any
         Plan that pursuant to Section  401(a)(29) of the Code or Section 307 of
         ERISA  would  result in the loss of  tax-exempt  status of the trust of
         which such Plan is a part if the Borrower or an ERISA  Affiliate  fails
         to  timely  provide  security  to  the  Plan  in  accordance  with  the
         provisions of said Sections;

                                    (vii) any event or circumstance exists which
         may  reasonably be expected to  constitute  grounds for the Borrower or
         any ERISA Affiliate to incur liability under Title IV of ERISA or under
         Sections 412(c)(11) or 412(n) of the Code with respect to any Plan; and

                                    (viii) the Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities of
         one or more  Plans  increase  after  the date of this  Agreement  in an
         amount which is material in relation to the financial  condition of the
         Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries,  on a  consolidated  basis;  provided,
         however,  that such increase shall not be deemed to be material so long
         as it does not exceed $300,000 during any consecutive one year period.

                           (i) promptly after the request of any Bank, copies of
each annual  report filed  pursuant to Section 104 of ERISA with respect to each
Plan  (including,  to the extent  required by Section 104 of ERISA,  the related
financial and actuarial statements and opinions and other supporting statements,
certifications,  schedules and information  referred to in Section 103) and each
annual  report  filed with  respect to each Plan  under  Section  4065 of ERISA;
provided, however, that in the case of a Multiemployer Plan, such annual reports
shall  be  furnished  only if they are  available  to the  Borrower  or an ERISA
Affiliate;

                           (j) promptly after the furnishing thereof,  copies of
any  statement or report  furnished to any other party  pursuant to the terms of
any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to
be furnished to the Banks pursuant to any other clause of this Section 7.08;

                           (k)  promptly  after the  sending or filing  thereof,
copies of all proxy  statements,  financial  statements  and  reports  which the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries sends to its stockholders, and copies of all
regular, periodic and special reports, and all registration statements which the
Borrower  or  any  such  Subsidiary  files  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission or any governmental  authority which may be substituted  therefor, or
with any national securities exchange;

                           (l)  promptly  after  the  commencement   thereof  or
promptly after the Borrower knows of the commencement or threat thereof,  notice
of any Forfeiture Proceeding;

                           (m) a quarterly report from Borrower's  environmental
counsel on the status of environmental matters relating to Birtcher; and

                           (n) such other  information  respecting the condition
or  operations,   financial  or  otherwise,  of  the  Borrower  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries as the Agent or any Bank may from time to time reasonably request.

                  Section  7.09.  Guaranties.  Cause  any  subsidiary  hereafter
created or acquired to execute and deliver a Guaranty.


                         ARTICLE 8. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

                  So long as any of the Notes  shall  remain  unpaid or any Bank
shall have any Commitment under this Agreement, the Borrower shall not:

                  Section 8.01. Debt. Create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist,
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist,
any Debt except:

                           (a) Debt of the Borrower  under this Agreement or the
Notes, or under the Credit  Agreement-Revolving Credit Facility and Notes issued
pursuant thereto;

                           (b)  Debt   described  in  Schedule   II,   including
renewals, extensions or refinancings thereof, provided that the principal amount
thereof does not increase;

                           (c)  Debt  of  the  Borrower  subordinated  on  terms
satisfactory to the Banks to the Borrower's obligations under this Agreement and
the Notes;

                           (d) Debt of the Borrower to any such Subsidiary or of
any Subsidiary to the Borrower or another such Subsidiary;

                           (e) accounts  payable to trade creditors for goods or
services  which are not aged more than 180 days from  billing  date and  current
operating  liabilities  (other than for borrowed  money) which are not more than
180 days past due, in each case incurred in the ordinary  course of business and
paid  within  the  specified  time,  unless  contested  in  good  faith  and  by
appropriate proceedings;

                           (f) Debt in respect  of  letters of credit  issued by
Chase for the account of the  Borrower or any such  Subsidiary  in an  aggregate
face amount outstanding at any time of up to $100,000;

                           (g)  Debt  of the  Borrower  or any  such  Subsidiary
secured by purchase money Liens permitted by Section 8.03;

                           (h) Hedge  Exposure under Hedge  Agreements  with any
counterparty  that  was a Bank  at the  time it  entered  the  Hedge  Agreement,
provided  that  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries  shall  not  enter  into  Hedge
Agreements  with any  third  party  other  than a Bank and that  their  maximum,
aggregate Hedge Exposure shall not exceed $2,000,000 at any time; or

                           (i)  A  lease  from  the  Oneida  County   Industrial
Development  Agency of the former Carl's Drug Company property,  located at 5836
Success Drive,  West Rome Industrial  Park, Rome, New York (the "Rome Property")
at a nominal  annual  rental,  which  lease will be  accounted  for as a Capital
Lease, together with governmental  financing of up to $1,100,000 for acquisition
and improvement expenditures for the Rome Property.

                  Section 8.02. Guaranties,  Etc. Assume, guarantee,  endorse or
otherwise be or become directly or contingently responsible or liable, or permit
any of its Subsidiaries to assume, guarantee,  endorse or otherwise be or become
directly or indirectly responsible or liable (including,  but not limited to, an
agreement to purchase any  obligation,  stock,  assets,  goods or services or to
supply or advance  any funds,  asset,  goods or  services,  or an  agreement  to
maintain or cause such Person to maintain a minimum working capital or net worth
or  otherwise  to assure  the  creditors  of any  Person  against  loss) for the
obligations of any Person other than Borrower or a Subsidiary, except guaranties
by  endorsement of negotiable  instruments  for deposit or collection or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business.

                  Section 8.03. Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist,
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist,
any Lien, upon or with respect to any of its properties,  now owned or hereafter
acquired, except:

                           (a) Liens in favor of Agent and/or the Banks securing
the Loans hereunder;

                           (b)  Liens  for   taxes  or   assessments   or  other
government charges or levies if not yet due and payable or if due and payable if
they are being contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings and for which
appropriate reserves are maintained;

                           (c)  Liens  imposed  by  law,  such  as   mechanic's,
materialmen's, landlord's, warehousemen's and carrier's Liens, and other similar
Liens,  securing  obligations  incurred in the ordinary course of business which
are not past due for more than 30 days,  or which are  being  contested  in good
faith by appropriate  proceedings and for which  appropriate  reserves have been
established;

                           (d) Liens under workmen's compensation,  unemployment
insurance, social security or similar legislation (other than ERISA);

                           (e)  Liens,   deposits   or  pledges  to  secure  the
performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of
money),  leases  (permitted  under  the  terms  of this  Agreement),  public  or
statutory  obligations,  surety, stay, appeal,  indemnity,  performance or other
similar bonds,  or other similar  obligations  arising in the ordinary course of
business;

                           (f)  judgment  and other  similar  Liens  arising  in
connection  with  court  proceedings;  provided  that  the  execution  or  other
enforcement of such Liens is effectively  stayed and the claims secured  thereby
are being actively contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

                           (g) easements, rights-of-way,  restrictions and other
similar  encumbrances which, in the aggregate,  do not materially interfere with
the occupation,  use and enjoyment by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary of the
property or assets  encumbered  thereby in the normal  course of its business or
materially impair the value of the property subject thereto;

                           (h) Liens securing obligations of a Subsidiary to the
Borrower or another Subsidiary;

                           (i)  Liens   described   in  Schedule  II   including
renewals,  extensions  or  refinancings  of  the  obligations  secured  thereby,
provided  that the  principal  amount  does not  increase  and the Liens are not
extended to other property or obligations;

                           (j) Liens securing Borrower's obligations relating to
letters of credit permitted under Section 8.01(f) or Hedge Agreements  permitted
under Section 8.01(h).

                           (k) purchase  money Liens on any  property  hereafter
acquired or the assumption of any Lien on property  existing at the time of such
acquisition, or a Lien incurred in connection with any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement or a Capital Lease; provided that:

                                    (i)  any  property  subject  to  any  of the
         foregoing  is acquired by the  Borrower or any such  Subsidiary  in the
         ordinary  course of its business  and the Lien on any such  property is
         created contemporaneously with such acquisition;

                                    (ii) the  obligation  secured by any Lien so
         created,  assumed or  existing  shall not exceed  100% of the lesser of
         cost or fair market value as of the time of acquisition of the property
         covered thereby to the Borrower or such Subsidiary acquiring the same;

                                    (iii)  each such Lien shall  attach  only to
         the property so acquired and fixed improvements thereon;

                                    (iv) the  Debt  secured  by all  such  Liens
         shall not exceed $200,000 at any time outstanding in the aggregate; and

                                    (v) the obligations secured by such Lien are
         permitted by the provisions of Section 8.01 and the related expenditure
         is permitted under Section 9.03.

                  Section  8.04.  Leases.  Create,  incur,  assume  or suffer to
exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to
exist,  any  obligation as lessee for the rental or hire of any real or personal
property,  except:  (a) leases  existing on the date of this  Agreement  and any
extensions or renewals thereof;  (b) leases (other than Capital Leases) which do
not in the aggregate require the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis to make payments  (including  taxes,  insurance,  maintenance  and similar
expense which the Borrower or any  Subsidiary is required to pay under the terms
of any lease) in any fiscal year of the  Borrower in excess of  $1,000,000;  (c)
leases  between  the  Borrower  and any  such  Subsidiary  or  between  any such
Subsidiaries;  and (d) Capital Leases  permitted by Section 8.03 and (e) a lease
with The  Oneida  County  Industrial  Development  Agency of the Rome  Property.
Payments  under  existing  Birtcher  leases (and  renewals of same) for premises
located at 50 Technology Drive and 15330 Barranca  Parkway,  Irvine,  California
shall be disregarded in calculating  Borrower's  compliance with the limitations
set forth in subsection 8.04(b).

                  Section 8.05. Loans;  Investments.  Make, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries  to  make,  any loan or  advance  to any  Person,  or  purchase  or
otherwise  acquire,  or permit any such  Subsidiary  to  purchase  or  otherwise
acquire, any capital stock, assets, obligations or other securities of, make any
capital contribution to, or otherwise invest in, or acquire any interest in, any
Person, except: (a) a subsidiary; (b) direct obligations of the United States of
America or any agency  thereof  with  maturities  of five years or less from the
date of  acquisition;  (c) commercial  paper of a domestic issuer rated at least
"A-1" by Standard & Poor's  Corporation or "P-1" by Moody's  Investors  Service,
Inc.; (d)  certificates  of deposit with maturities of one year or less from the
date of acquisition  issued by any commercial  bank operating  within the United
States of America having capital and surplus in excess of $750,000,000; (e) bank
repurchase  agreements of 30 days or less duration backed by direct  obligations
of the  United  States of  America or any  agencies  thereof;  or (f) for stock,
obligations  or  securities  received  in  settlement  of debts  (created in the
ordinary course of business) owing to the Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                  Section  8.06.  Dividends.  Without  the consent of the Banks,
declare or pay any dividends,  purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for
value  any of its  capital  stock  now or  hereafter  outstanding,  or make  any
distribution of assets to its stockholders as such whether in cash, assets or in
obligations of the Borrower,  or allocate or otherwise set apart any sum for the
payment of any dividend or distribution  on, or for the purchase,  redemption or
retirement of any shares of its capital stock, or make any other distribution by
reduction of capital or otherwise in respect of any shares of its capital  stock
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire for value any
stock of the Borrower or another such Subsidiary,  except that: (a) the Borrower
may declare and  deliver  dividends  and make  distributions  payable  solely in
common stock of the Borrower; (b) the Borrower may purchase or otherwise acquire
shares of its capital stock by exchange for or out of the proceeds received from
a substantially  concurrent  issue of new shares of its capital stock; and (c) a
subsidiary may pay dividends and make other distributions to Borrower.

                  Section 8.07. Sale of Assets. Sell, lease, assign, transfer or
otherwise dispose of, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, lease,  assign,
transfer or  otherwise  dispose of, any of its now owned or  hereafter  acquired
assets (including,  without limitation, shares of stock and indebtedness of such
Subsidiaries,  receivables and leasehold  interests);  except: (a) for inventory
disposed  of in the  ordinary  course  of  business;  (b) for the  sale or other
disposition  of assets no longer used or useful in the conduct of its  business;
(c) that Borrower may convey the Rome  Property to the Oneida County  Industrial
Development Agency,  which property will be leased back to Borrower as permitted
under  Section  8.04(d) of this  Agreement;  (d) that any  Subsidiary  may sell,
lease,  assign, or otherwise  transfer its assets to the Borrower;  and (e) that
Borrower may sell, lease,  assign or otherwise transfer assets to any Subsidiary
so long as a Guaranty is in full force and effect for such Subsidiary.

                  Section 8.08.  Stock of  Subsidiaries,  Etc. Sell or otherwise
dispose  of any shares of capital  stock of any of its  Subsidiaries,  except in
connection  with a transaction  permitted under Section 8.10, or permit any such
Subsidiary  to  issue  any  additional  shares  of  its  capital  stock,  except
directors' qualifying shares.

                  Section 8.09.  Transactions  with  Affiliates.  Enter into any
transaction,  including,  without limitation,  the purchase, sale or exchange of
property or the  rendering of any service,  with any  Affiliate or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to enter into any transaction,  including,  without limitation,
the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with
any Affiliate,  except in the ordinary course of, and pursuant to the reasonable
requirements of, the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's  business and upon fair and
reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than would
obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

                  Section 8.10.  Mergers,  Etc.  Merge or  consolidate  with, or
sell, assign,  lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a
series of  transactions)  all or  substantially  all of its assets  (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) to, any Person, or acquire all or substantially all
of the assets or the  business of any Person (or enter into any  agreement to do
any of the foregoing),  or permit any of its  Subsidiaries to do so except that:
(a) any such Subsidiary may merge into or transfer  assets to the Borrower;  and
(b) any Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate  with or transfer assets to any
other Subsidiary.

                  Section 8.11. Acquisitions.  Enter into any transaction (other
than  the  NDM  Acquisition)  pursuant  to  which  the  Borrower  or  any of its
Subsidiaries  (a) acquires  equity  securities  (or  warrants,  options or other
rights to acquire such securities) of any corporation other than the Borrower or
any  corporation  which is not then a Subsidiary of the Borrower,  pursuant to a
solicitation of tenders therefor,  or in one or more negotiated block, market or
other  transactions not involving a tender offer, or a combination of any of the
foregoing,  or (b) makes any corporation a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or causes
any such corporation to be merged into the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,
in any case  pursuant  to a merger,  purchase  of  assets or any  reorganization
providing for the delivery or issuance to the holders of such corporation's then
outstanding securities,  in exchange for such securities,  of cash or securities
of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or a combination  thereof,  or (c)
purchases all or substantially all of the business or assets of any corporation.

                  Section 8.12. No Activities Leading to Forfeiture. Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or Affiliates shall engage in or propose to
be engaged in the conduct of any  business or activity  which could  result in a
Forfeiture Proceeding.

                  Section  8.13.  New  Businesses.  Engage  in,  or  permit  any
Subsidiary to engage in, any business other than those presently conducted.

                  Section 8.14. Negative Pledge. Neither the Borrower nor any of
its Subsidiaries  shall cause or permit,  or agree or consent to cause or permit
in the future  (upon the  happening of a  contingency  or  otherwise),  any real
property now or hereafter  owned by Borrower or such Subsidiary to be subject to
any lien,  mortgage or encumbrance.  Neither  Borrower not any Subsidiary  shall
cause or permit,  or agree to cause or permit in the future,  said real property
to be sold, conveyed or otherwise alienated.

                         ARTICLE 9. FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

                  So long as any of the Notes  shall  remain  unpaid or any Bank
shall have any Commitment under this Agreement:

                  Section 9.01.  Minimum  Working  Capital.  The Borrower  shall
maintain at all times an excess of Consolidated Current Assets over Consolidated
Current  Liabilities of not less than the amounts listed on the following  table
for the periods  stated  therein.  For purposes of Sections  9.01 and 9.04 only,
Loans  under  the  Credit  Agreement-Revolving  Credit  Facility  shall  not  be
considered as Current Liabilities.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ----------------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------------
                        Fiscal           Fiscal          Fiscal          Fiscal            Fiscal
                        Year             Year            Year            Year              Year
                        1996             1997            1998            1999               2000
- ----------------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------------
<S>                     <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>                <C>     
1st Quarter             $30,000M         $42,000M        $52,000M        $61,000M           $66,000M
- ----------------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------------
2nd Quarter              30,000M          44,000M         54,000M         62,000M            67,000M
- ----------------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------------
3rd Quarter              30,000M          46,000M         56,000M         63,000M            68,000M
- ----------------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------------
4th Quarter              40,000M          50,000M         60,000M         65,000M            70,000M
- ----------------------- ---------------- --------------- --------------- ----------------- --------------------
</TABLE>

                  Section 9.02.  Minimum Net Worth.  The Borrower shall maintain
at all times a Consolidated Net Worth of not less than the amounts listed on the
following table for the periods stated therein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
                          Fiscal           Fiscal         Fiscal             Fiscal            Fiscal
                          Year             Year           Year               Year              Year
                          1996             1997           1998               1999              2000
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
<S>                       <C>              <C>            <C>                <C>               <C>      
1st Quarter               $72,000M         $85,000M       $105,000M          $125,000M         $145,000M
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
2nd Quarter               75,000M           89,000M         110,000M           130,000M         150,000M
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
3rd Quarter               78,000M           93,000M         115,000M           135,000M         155,000M
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
4th Quarter               81,000M          100,000M         120,000M           140,000M         160,000M
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
</TABLE>

                  Section 9.03.  Leverage Ratio.  The Borrower shall maintain at
all times a ratio of Consolidated Total Liabilities to Consolidated Net Worth of
not  greater  than the  amounts  listed on the  following  table for the periods
stated therein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
                              Fiscal          Fiscal           Fiscal             Fiscal             Fiscal
                               Year            Year             Year               Year               Year
                               1996            1997             1998               1999               2000
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
<S>                          <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>                 <C>      
      1st Quarter            1.20:1.00       0.85:1.00        0.60:1:00         0.40:1.00           0.40:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
      2nd Quarter            1.05:1.00       0.75:1.00        0.55:1.00         0.40:1.00           0.40:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
      3rd Quarter            0.95:1.00       0.65:1.00        0.50:1.00         0.40:1.00           0.40:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
      4th Quarter            0.85:1.00       0.60:1.00        0.40:1.00         0.40:1.00           0.40:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
</TABLE>

                  Section 9.04.  Cash Flow Coverage  Ratio.  The Borrower  shall
maintain  at all times a Cash Flow  Coverage  Ratio of not less than the amounts
listed on the following table for the periods listed therein:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
                              Fiscal          Fiscal           Fiscal             Fiscal             Fiscal
                               Year            Year             Year               Year               Year
                               1996            1997             1998               1999               2000
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
<S>                          <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>                 <C>      
      1st Quarter            0.95:1.00       1.05:1.00        1.25:1:00         1.25:1.00           1.25:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
      2nd Quarter            1.00:1.00       1.15:1.00        1.25:1.00         1.25:1.00           1.25:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
      3rd Quarter            1.00:1.00       1.20:1.00        1.25:1.00         1.25:1.00           1.25:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
      4th Quarter            1.05:1.00       1.25:1.00        1.25:1.00         1.25:1.00           1.25:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
</TABLE>

         Section 9.05.  Limitations on Debt.

                           (a) The Borrower  shall maintain at all times a ratio
of Total Funded Debt to Cash Flow of not more than 4.5:1.0.

                           (b) The Borrower  shall maintain at all times a ratio
of Total  Funded Debt to Total  Funded Debt plus  Consolidated  Net Worth of not
more than the  amounts  listed on the  following  table for the  periods  stated
therein:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
                              Fiscal          Fiscal           Fiscal             Fiscal             Fiscal
                               Year            Year             Year               Year               Year
                               1996            1997             1998               1999               2000
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
<S>                          <C>             <C>              <C>               <C>                 <C>      
      1st Quarter            0.51:1.00       0.42:1.00        0.32:1:00         0.25:1.00           0.25:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
      2nd Quarter            0.49:1.00       0.40:1.00        0.30:1.00         0.25:1.00           0.25:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
      3rd Quarter            0.47:1.00       0.38:1.00        0.28:1.00         0.25:1.00           0.25:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
      4th Quarter            0.45:1.00       0.35:1.00        0.25:1.00         0.25:1.00           0.25:1.00
- ------------------------- ---------------- -------------- ------------------ ----------------- --------------------
</TABLE>

                         ARTICLE 10. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

                  Section 10.01. Events of Default.  Any of the following events
shall be an "Event of Default":

                           (a) the Borrower shall: (i) fail to pay the principal
of any Note  under  this  Agreement  or with  respect  to the  Revolving  Credit
Facility Loans as and when due and payable;  or (ii) fail to pay interest on any
Note under this Agreement or with respect to the Revolving Credit Facility Loans
or any fee or other amount due hereunder as and when due and payable;

                           (b) any  representation  or  warranty  made or deemed
made by the Borrower in this Agreement or in any other  Facility  Document or by
any  Guarantor  in any  Facility  Document  to  which  it is a party or which is
contained in any certificate,  document,  opinion,  financial or other statement
furnished at any time under or in connection  with any Facility  Document  shall
prove to have been  incorrect in any material  respect on or as of the date made
or deemed made;

                           (c)  the  Borrower  shall:  (i)  fail to  perform  or
observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 2.03 or Articles 7,
8 or 9 or  elsewhere in this  Agreement;  or (ii) fail to perform or observe any
term,  covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed (other than
the obligations specifically referred to elsewhere in this Section 10.01) in any
Facility Document and such failure shall continue for 30 consecutive days;

                           (d)  the  Borrower,  any  Guarantor  or any of  their
respective  Subsidiaries shall: (i) fail to pay any indebtedness,  including but
not  limited  to  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money  (other  than  the  payment
obligations  described in (a) above),  of the Borrower,  such  Guarantor or such
Subsidiary,  as the case may be, or any interest or premium thereon,  within 180
days of billing date in the case of trade  accounts  payable,  180 days from the
due date in the case of other  operating  liabilities  (other than for  borrowed
money),  and  within  thirty  days of the date when due  (whether  by  scheduled
maturity, required prepayment,  acceleration, demand or otherwise) for all other
Debt; or (ii) fail to perform or observe any term,  covenant or condition on its
part to be performed or observed  under any agreement or instrument  relating to
any such indebtedness,  when required to be performed or observed, if the effect
of such  failure  to  perform  or  observe  is to  accelerate,  or to permit the
acceleration  of,  after the giving of notice or passage of time,  or both,  the
maturity of such indebtedness, whether or not such failure to perform or observe
shall be waived by the  holder of such  indebtedness;  or any such  indebtedness
shall be declared to be due and payable,  or required to be prepaid  (other than
by a regularly  scheduled  required  prepayment),  prior to the stated  maturity
thereof;

                           (e)  the  Borrower,  any  Guarantor  or any of  their
respective  Subsidiaries:  (i) shall  generally  not,  or be unable to, or shall
admit in writing its  inability  to, pay its debts as such debts  become due; or
(ii) shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, petition or apply to
any tribunal for the appointment of a custodian, receiver or trustee for it or a
substantial part of its assets; or (iii) shall commence any proceeding under any
bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement,  readjustment of debt, dissolution or
liquidation  law or statute of any  jurisdiction,  whether now or  hereafter  in
effect;  or (iv) shall have had any such  petition or  application  filed or any
such proceeding shall have been commenced,  against it, in which an adjudication
or  appointment  is made or order for  relief is  entered,  and which  petition,
application or proceeding  remains  undismissed for a period of 30 days or more;
or shall be the subject of any proceeding  under which its assets may be subject
to seizure,  forfeiture or divestiture  (other than a proceeding in respect of a
Lien  permitted  under  Section 8.03 (b));  or (v) by any act or omission  shall
indicate  its consent  to,  approval of or  acquiescence  in any such  petition,
application or proceeding or order for relief or the appointment of a custodian,
receiver or trustee for all or any  substantial  part of its  property;  or (vi)
shall suffer any such  custodianship,  receivership  or  trusteeship to continue
undischarged for a period of 30 days or more;

                           (f) one or more judgments,  decrees or orders for the
payment  of money in excess  of  $100,000  in the  aggregate  shall be  rendered
against the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective  Subsidiaries and
such judgments, decrees or orders shall continue unsatisfied and in effect for a
period of 30 consecutive  days without being vacated,  discharged,  satisfied or
stayed or bonded pending appeal;

                           (g) any event or condition  shall occur or exist with
respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan concerning which the Borrower is under
an obligation to furnish a report to the Bank in accordance with Section 7.08(h)
hereof and as a result of such event or condition,  together with all other such
events or conditions, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or in the
opinion  of the Bank is  reasonably  likely to incur a  liability  to a Plan,  a
Multiemployer  Plan, the PBGC, or a Section 4042 Trustee (or any  combination of
the  foregoing)  which is material in relation to the financial  position of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that
any such amount  shall not be deemed to be material so long as all such  amounts
do not exceed in the aggregate during any consecutive one year period $500,000;

                           (h) The Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities of one or more
Plans have  increased  after the date of this  Agreement  in an amount  which is
material (as specified in Section 10.01(g) hereof);

                           (i) (i) any Person or two or more  Persons  acting in
concert shall have acquired  beneficial  ownership  (within the meaning of Rules
13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange  commission  under the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934) of 5% or more of the  outstanding  shares  of  voting  stock of the
Borrower  unless such  persons are  qualified to file SEC Schedule 12G under SEC
Rules  13d-1(b)(1)  and  13d-2(b);  or (ii) during any period of 12  consecutive
months,  commencing before or after the date of this Agreement,  individuals who
at the beginning of such 12-month  period were  directors of the Borrower  cease
for any  reason  to  constitute  a  majority  of the board of  directors  of the
Borrower  unless such persons are replaced as directors by persons  nominated by
the then current board of directors;

                           (j) (A) any  Forfeiture  Proceeding  shall  have been
commenced  or the  Borrower  shall  have  given any Bank  written  notice of the
commencement of any Forfeiture  Proceeding as provided in Section 7.08(l) or (B)
any Bank has a good faith basis to believe that a Forfeiture Proceeding has been
threatened or commenced;

                           (k)  any  Guaranty   shall  at  any  time  after  its
execution  and  delivery and for any reason cease to be in full force and effect
or shall be declared  null and void, or the validity or  enforceability  thereof
shall be contested by the Guarantor,  or the Guarantor shall revoke or terminate
its Guaranty with respect to future advances,  deny it has any further liability
or obligation thereunder,  or shall fail to perform its obligations  thereunder;
or

                           (l) any  loss  contingency  for  costs  and  expenses
relating to environmental  remediation  becomes  accruable as a liability on the
financial  statements of Borrower under  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board
Standard No. 5, and such liability  exceeds either  $5,000,000 in the aggregate,
regardless of when due and payable, or $750,000 if payable within one year.

                           (m) an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing
under the Credit Agreement - Revolving Credit Facility, or any Facility Document
(as defined therein) relating thereto.

                  Section 10.02.  Remedies.  If any Event of Default shall occur
and be  continuing,  the Agent shall,  upon request of the  Required  Banks,  by
notice to the Borrower, (a) declare the Commitments to be terminated,  whereupon
the same shall forthwith terminate, and (b) declare the outstanding principal of
the  Notes,  all  interest  thereon  and all other  amounts  payable  under this
Agreement  and the Notes to be forthwith  due and payable,  whereupon the Notes,
all such  interest  and all such amounts  shall become and be forthwith  due and
payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided that, in the case
of an Event of Default  referred to in Section  10.01(e) or Section  10.01(j)(A)
above,  the  Commitments  shall be immediately  terminated,  and the Notes,  all
interest  thereon and all other amounts  payable under this  Agreement  shall be
immediately  due and payable  without notice,  presentment,  demand,  protest or
other  formalities of any kind, all of which are hereby  expressly waived by the
Borrower. Further, Agent, acting on behalf of the Banks, and with the consent or
direction  of the  Required  Banks,  may then  exercise  any and all  rights and
remedies available under the Facility Documents or at law or in equity.


           ARTICLE 11. THE AGENT; RELATIONS AMONG BANKS AND BORROWER.

                  Section  11.01.  Appointment,  Powers and Immunities of Agent.
Each Bank  hereby  irrevocably  (but  subject to removal by the  Required  Banks
pursuant to Section 11.09) appoints and authorizes the Agent to act as its agent
hereunder  and  under  any  other  Facility  Document  with  such  powers as are
specifically delegated to the Agent by the terms of this Agreement and any other
Facility Document,  together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto.  The  Agent  shall  have no  duties or  responsibilities  except  those
expressly set forth in this Agreement and any other Facility Document, and shall
not by reason of this  Agreement be a trustee for any Bank.  The Agent shall not
be responsible  to the Banks for any recitals,  statements,  representations  or
warranties  made by the  Borrower or any officer or official of the  Borrower or
any other Person contained in this Agreement or any other Facility Document,  or
in any  certificate or other document or instrument  referred to or provided for
in, or received  by any of them  under,  this  Agreement  or any other  Facility
Document,  or for the value,  legality,  validity,  effectiveness,  genuineness,
enforceability  or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Facility  Document
or any other  document  or  instrument  referred  to or  provided  for herein or
therein, for the perfection or priority of any collateral security for the Loans
or for any failure by the Borrower to perform any of its  obligations  hereunder
or thereunder.  The Agent may employ agents and  attorneys-in-fact and shall not
be  responsible,  except  as to  money  or  securities  received  by  it or  its
authorized  agents,  for the  negligence  or  misconduct  of any such  agents or
attorneys-  in-fact selected by it with reasonable  care.  Neither the Agent nor
any of  its  directors,  officers,  employees  or  agents  shall  be  liable  or
responsible  for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder
or under any other  Facility  Document or in  connection  herewith or therewith,
except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Borrower
shall pay any fee agreed to by the  Borrower  and the Agent with  respect to the
Agent's services hereunder.

                  Section 11.02.  Reliance by Agent. The Agent shall be entitled
to rely upon any  certification,  notice or other  communication  (including any
thereof by telephone, telex, telegram or cable) believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper  Person or
Persons,   and  upon  advice  and  statements  of  legal  counsel,   independent
accountants  and other  experts  selected  by the Agent.  The Agent may deem and
treat  each Bank as the  holder of the Loan made by it for all  purposes  hereof
unless and until a notice of the assignment or transfer thereof  satisfactory to
the Agent  signed by such Bank  shall have been  furnished  to the Agent but the
Agent  shall  not be  required  to deal  with  any  Person  who has  acquired  a
participation in any Loan from a Bank. As to any matters not expressly  provided
for by this  Agreement or any other  Facility  Document,  the Agent shall in all
cases be fully protected in acting,  or in refraining from acting,  hereunder in
accordance with instructions signed by the Required Banks, and such instructions
of the Required  Banks and any action  taken or failure to act pursuant  thereto
shall be binding on all of the Banks and any other  holder of all or any portion
of any Loan.

                  Section 11.03. Defaults. The Agent shall not be deemed to have
knowledge  of the  occurrence  of a Default or Event of Default  (other than the
non-payment  of  principal of or interest on the Loans to the extent the same is
required to be paid to the Agent for the account of the Banks)  unless the Agent
has received notice from a Bank or the Borrower specifying such Default or Event
of Default and stating  that such notice is a "Notice of  Default." In the event
that the Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of
Default, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Banks (and shall give
each Bank prompt notice of each such  non-payment).  The Agent shall (subject to
Section 11.08) take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default
which is continuing as shall be directed by the Required  Banks;  provided that,
unless and until the Agent shall have  received such  directions,  the Agent may
take such  action,  or refrain  from taking such  action,  with  respect to such
Default or Event of Default as it shall deem  advisable in the best  interest of
the Banks; and provided further that the Agent shall not be required to take any
such action which it determines to be contrary to law.

                  Section 11.04.  Rights of Agent as a Bank. With respect to its
Commitment  and the  Loan  made  by it,  the  Agent  in its  capacity  as a Bank
hereunder shall have the same rights and powers  hereunder as any other Bank and
may  exercise  the same as though it were not acting as the Agent,  and the term
"Bank" or "Banks" shall,  unless the context  otherwise  indicates,  include the
Agent in its  capacity  as a Bank.  The Agent and its  affiliates  may  (without
having to account  therefor to any Bank) accept deposits from, lend money to (on
a secured or  unsecured  basis),  and  generally  engage in any kind of banking,
trust or other business with, the Borrower (and any of its  affiliates) as if it
were  not  acting  as the  Agent,  and the  Agent  may  accept  fees  and  other
consideration  from the Borrower for services in connection  with this Agreement
or otherwise  without having to account for the same to the Banks.  Although the
Agent  and  its  affiliates  may  in  the  course  of  such   relationships  and
relationships  with other Persons acquire  information  about the Borrower,  its
Affiliates and such other Persons, the Agent shall have no duty to disclose such
information to the Banks.

                  Section 11.05.  Indemnification  of Agent.  The Banks agree to
indemnify the Agent (to the extent not  reimbursed  under Section 12.03 or under
the applicable  provisions of any other Facility Document,  but without limiting
the obligations of the Borrower under Section 12.03 or such provisions), ratably
in accordance with the aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount of the Loans made by
the Banks (without giving effect to any participations, in all or any portion of
such Loans,  sold by them to any other  Person) (or, if no Loans are at the time
outstanding,  ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments),  for any
and  all  liabilities,   obligations,   losses,  damages,  penalties,   actions,
judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses  or  disbursements  of any kind and  nature
whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent in
any way  relating  to or  arising  out of this  Agreement,  any  other  Facility
Document  or any other  documents  contemplated  by or referred to herein or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including,  without limitation, the
costs and expenses which the Borrower is obligated to pay under Section 12.03 or
under the applicable  provisions of any other  Facility  Document but excluding,
unless a Default or Event of Default has occurred,  normal  administrative costs
and expenses  incident to the performance of its agency duties hereunder) or the
enforcement of any of the terms hereof or thereof or of any such other documents
or  instruments;  provided that no Bank shall be liable for any of the foregoing
to the extent they arise from the gross negligence or willful  misconduct of the
party to be indemnified.

                  Section 11.06. Documents. The Agent will forward to each Bank,
promptly after the Agent's  receipt  thereof,  a copy of each report,  notice or
other document  required by this Agreement or any other Facility  Document to be
delivered to the Agent for such Bank.

                  Section  11.07.  Non-Reliance  on Agent and Other Banks.  Each
Bank agrees that it has,  independently and without reliance on the Agent or any
other  Bank,  and  based on such  documents  and  information  as it has  deemed
appropriate,  made its own credit analysis of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries
and decision to enter into this  Agreement and that it will,  independently  and
without  reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank,  and based on such documents
and information as it shall deem  appropriate at the time,  continue to make its
own analysis and decisions in taking or not taking  action under this  Agreement
or any other Facility  Document.  The Agent shall not be required to keep itself
informed as to the  performance  or observance by the Borrower of this Agreement
or any other Facility Document or any other document referred to or provided for
herein or therein or to inspect the  properties  or books of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary.  Except for notices,  reports and other  documents  and  information
expressly  required to be  furnished  to the Banks by the Agent  hereunder,  the
Agent  shall not have any duty or  responsibility  to provide  any Bank with any
credit or other  information  concerning  the  affairs,  financial  condition or
business of the Borrower or any  Subsidiary (or any of their  Affiliates)  which
may come into the  possession of the Agent or any of its  affiliates.  The Agent
shall not be required to file this Agreement, any other Facility Document or any
document or instrument referred to herein or therein,  for record or give notice
of this  Agreement,  any other  Facility  Document or any document or instrument
referred to herein or therein, to anyone.

                  Section  11.08.  Failure  of Agent to Act.  Except  for action
expressly required of the Agent hereunder, the Agent shall in all cases be fully
justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder  unless it shall have received
further  assurances  (which may include cash collateral) of the  indemnification
obligations of the Banks under Section 11.05 in respect of any and all liability
and expense  which may be incurred  by it by reason of taking or  continuing  to
take any such action.

                  Section 11.09. Resignation or Removal of Agent. Subject to the
appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided below, the Agent may
resign  at any time by  giving  written  notice  thereof  to the  Banks  and the
Borrower,  and the Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by the
Required Banks; provided that the Borrower and the other Banks shall be promptly
notified thereof. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Banks shall
have the  right to  appoint a  successor  Agent  from  among  the  Banks.  If no
successor  Agent shall have been so appointed  by the  Required  Banks and shall
have accepted such appointment  within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving
of notice of resignation or the Required  Banks' removal of the retiring  Agent,
then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Banks,  appoint a successor Agent,
which shall be a bank with  capital and  surplus in excess of  $750,000,000  and
which has an office in New York,  New York.  The Required  Banks or the retiring
Agent,  as the case may be,  shall upon the  appointment  of a  successor  Agent
promptly so notify the Borrower and the other Banks.  Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent,  such successor Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights,  powers,  privileges
and duties of the retiring  Agent,  and the retiring  Agent shall be  discharged
from  its  duties  and  obligations   hereunder.   After  any  retiring  Agent's
resignation  or removal  hereunder as Agent,  the  provisions of this Article 11
shall  continue  in effect for its  benefit in respect of any  actions  taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Agent.

                  Section 11.10.  Amendments  Concerning  Agency  Function.  The
Agent shall not be bound by any waiver, amendment, supplement or modification of
this Agreement or any other Facility Document which affects its duties hereunder
or thereunder unless it shall have given its prior consent thereto.

                  Section  11.11.  Liability of Agent.  The Agent shall not have
any liabilities or responsibilities to the Borrower on account of the failure of
any Bank to perform its  obligations  hereunder or to any Bank on account of the
failure of the Borrower to perform its obligations  hereunder or under any other
Facility Document.

                  Section  11.12.  Transfer  of  Agency  Function.  Without  the
consent of the  Borrower or any Bank,  the Agent may at any time or from time to
time  transfer its functions as Agent  hereunder to any of its offices  wherever
located,  provided  that the Agent shall  promptly  notify the  Borrower and the
Banks thereof.

                  Section 11.13.  Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent.  Unless the
Agent  shall  have  been  notified  by a Bank  or the  Borrower  (either  one as
appropriate  being the "Payor")  prior to the date on which such Bank is to make
payment  hereunder  to the Agent of the proceeds of a Loan or the Borrower is to
make  payment to the  Agent,  as the case may be (either  such  payment  being a
"Required  Payment"),  which notice shall be effective  upon  receipt,  that the
Payor does not intend to make the Required  Payment to the Agent,  the Agent may
assume that the  Required  Payment has been made and may, in reliance  upon such
assumption (but shall not be required to), make the amount thereof  available to
the  intended  recipient on such date and, if the Payor has not in fact made the
Required  Payment to the Agent,  the recipient of such payment shall, on demand,
repay to the Agent the  amount  made  available  to it  together  with  interest
thereon for the period from the date such  amount was so made  available  by the
Agent until the date the Agent recovers such amount at a rate per annum equal to
the average daily Federal Funds Rate for such period.

                  Section 11.14. Withholding Taxes. Each Bank represents that it
is  entitled  to receive any  payments  to be made to it  hereunder  without the
withholding of any tax and will furnish to the Agent such forms, certifications,
statements  and other  documents  as the Agent may request  from time to time to
evidence such Bank's  exemption  from the  withholding of any tax imposed by any
jurisdiction  or to  enable  the  Agent to comply  with any  applicable  laws or
regulations relating thereto.  Without limiting the effect of the foregoing,  if
any Bank is not  created or  organized  under the laws of the  United  States of
America or any state  thereof,  in the event that the payment of interest by the
Borrower is treated for U.S.  income tax purposes as derived in whole or in part
from  sources  from  within the U.S.,  such Bank will  furnish to the Agent (and
shall  update,  as  required),  Form 4224 or Form 1001 of the  Internal  Revenue
Service,  or such other forms,  certifications,  statements or  documents,  duly
executed and  completed by such Bank as evidence of such Bank's  exemption  from
the  withholding  of U.S.  tax with  respect  thereto.  The  Agent  shall not be
obligated to make any payments  hereunder to such Bank in respect of any Loan or
such Bank's  Commitment  until such Bank shall have  furnished  to the Agent the
requested form, certification, statement or document.

                  Section 11.15.  Several  Obligations and Rights of Banks.  The
failure  of any Bank to make  any  Loan to be made by it on the  date  specified
therefor  shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligation to make its Loan on
such date, but no Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to
make a Loan to be made by such  other  Bank.  The  amounts  payable  at any time
hereunder to each Bank shall be a separate and  independent  debt, and each Bank
shall be  entitled  to  protect  and  enforce  its  rights  arising  out of this
Agreement,  and it shall not be necessary  for any other Bank to be joined as an
additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

                  Section 11.16. Pro Rata Treatment of Loans, Etc. Except to the
extent otherwise  provided:  (a) each borrowing under Section 2.04 shall be made
from  the  Banks,  pro  rata  according  to  the  amounts  of  their  respective
Commitments;  (b) each  conversion  under  Section 2.05 of Loans of a particular
type (but not conversions  provided for by Section 3.04), shall be made pro rata
among the Banks holding Loans of such type according to the respective principal
amounts of such Loans by such  Banks;  and (c) each  prepayment  and  payment of
principal of or interest on Loans of a particular type and a particular Interest
Period shall be made to the Agent for the account of the Banks  holding Loans of
such type and Interest Period pro rata in accordance with the respective  unpaid
principal amounts of such Loans of such Interest Period held by such Banks.

                  Section  11.17.  Sharing of Payments  Among  Banks.  If a Bank
shall  obtain  payment of any  principal  of or  interest on any Loan made by it
through the exercise of any right of setoff, banker's lien, counterclaim,  or by
any other means (including any sale,  collection or liquidation of Collateral or
any payment  obtained from or charged against any Guarantor),  it shall promptly
purchase  from the  other  Banks  participations  in (or,  if and to the  extent
specified by such Bank,  direct  interests in) the Loans made by the other Banks
in such amounts,  and make such other  adjustments from time to time as shall be
equitable  to the end that all the Banks shall share the benefit of such payment
(net of any  expenses  which  may be  incurred  by such  Bank  in  obtaining  or
preserving  such benefit) pro rata in accordance  with the unpaid  principal and
interest on the Loans, on the Revolving  Credit Loans,  and on other Debt to any
of the Banks permitted under Section 8.01(b), held by each of them prior to such
action.  To  such  end  the  Banks  shall  make  appropriate  adjustments  among
themselves (by the resale of  participations  sold or otherwise) if such payment
is rescinded or must otherwise be restored. The Borrower agrees that any Bank so
purchasing a participation (or direct interest) in the Loans made by other Banks
may exercise all rights of setoff, banker's lien, counterclaim or similar rights
with  respect to such  participation  (or direct  interest).  Nothing  contained
herein  shall  require any Bank to exercise  any such right or shall  affect the
right of any Bank to exercise,  and retain the benefits of exercising,  any such
right with respect to any other indebtedness of the Borrower.

                  Section 11.18. Hedge Agreements;  Notices and Limitations. Any
Bank that enters into a Hedge  Agreement  with  Borrower or a  Subsidiary  shall
promptly notify Agent to that effect, which notice shall also specify the dollar
amount of Hedge  Exposure  under  the Hedge  Agreement.  Agent  shall  thereupon
furnish a copy of such notice to the other  Banks.  Notwithstanding  anything to
the contrary  contained in this  Agreement or in any Facility  Document,  upon a
liquidation  of  collateral  following an Event of Default,  any Bank (or former
Bank)  that is party to a Hedge  Agreement  shall,  with  respect  to such Hedge
Agreement,  share in  Collateral  only to the extent of the lesser of its actual
loss under the Hedge Agreement or the amount of Hedge Exposure  specified in its
notice to Agent under this Section.

                           ARTICLE 12. MISCELLANEOUS.

                  Section  12.01.  Amendments  and Waivers.  Except as otherwise
expressly  provided in this  Agreement,  any provision of this  Agreement or the
Facility  Documents  may be amended or modified only by an instrument in writing
signed by the Borrower,  the Agent,  and the Required  Banks, or by the Borrower
and the Agent acting with the consent of the Required Banks and any provision of
this Agreement or the Facility  Documents may be waived by only an instrument in
writing  signed by the Agent and the Required  Banks or by the Agent acting with
the consent of the Required Banks;  provided that no amendment,  modification or
waiver shall, unless by an instrument signed by all of the Banks or by the Agent
acting with the consent of all of the Banks: (a) increase or extend the term, or
extend the time or waive any requirement  for the reduction or  termination,  of
the  Commitments,  (b)  extend  the date  fixed for the  payment  of  principal,
interest or fees on any Loan,  (c) reduce the amount of any payment of principal
thereof  or the rate at which  interest  is payable  thereon or any fee  payable
hereunder,  (d)  release any  Guarantor  from any of its  obligations  under its
Guaranty  or,  except as  otherwise  provided  in the Credit  Agreements  or the
Facility Documents, release the rights of the Banks in any Collateral; (e) alter
the terms of this Section 12.01,  (f) amend the definition of the term "Required
Banks" or (g)  waive  any of the  conditions  precedent  set forth in  Article 5
hereof and  provided,  further,  that any  amendment of Article 11 hereof or any
amendment  which  increases the obligations of the Agent hereunder shall require
the  consent  of the  Agent.  No failure on the part of the Agent or any Bank to
exercise,  and no delay in exercising,  any right  hereunder  shall operate as a
waiver thereof or preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any  other  right.  The  remedies  herein  provided  are  cumulative  and not
exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

                  Section  12.02.   Usury.   Anything  herein  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  the  obligations  of the Borrower under this Agreement and the
Notes shall be subject to the limitation  that payments of interest shall not be
required to the extent that receipt  thereof  would be contrary to provisions of
law  applicable  to a Bank  limiting  rates of interest  which may be charged or
collected by such Bank.

                  Section  12.03.  Expenses.  The Borrower  shall  reimburse the
Agent and the Banks on demand for all costs,  expenses,  and charges (including,
without limitation, fees and charges of external legal counsel for the Agent and
each Bank and costs allocated by their  respective  internal legal  departments)
incurred  by  the  Agent  or the  Banks  in  connection  with  the  preparation,
performance,  or enforcement of this Agreement or the Notes; provided,  however,
that the  Borrower  shall  only  reimburse  each Bank other than the Agent for a
maximum of $1,000.00 in fees, charges and/or costs of external or internal legal
counsel in  connection  with the  preparation  of this  Agreement,  the Facility
Documents hereunder,  the Credit Agreement - Revolving Credit Facility,  and the
Facility  Documents  thereunder.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Agent and
each  Bank and  their  affiliates,  and their  respective  directors,  officers,
employees and agents from, and hold each of them harmless  against,  any and all
losses, liabilities, claims, damages or expenses incurred by any of them arising
out of or by reason of any  investigation  or  litigation  or other  proceedings
(including  any  threatened  investigation  or litigation or other  proceedings)
relating to any actual or proposed use by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary of the
proceeds of the Loans,  including  without  limitation,  the reasonable fees and
disbursements of counsel  incurred in connection with any such  investigation or
litigation or other  proceedings  (but  excluding any such losses,  liabilities,
claims,  damages or  expenses  incurred by reason of the  negligence  or willful
misconduct of the Person to be indemnified).

                  Section 12.04. Survival. The obligations of the Borrower under
Sections  3.01,  3.05 and 12.03 shall survive the repayment of the Loans and the
termination of the Commitments.

                  Section 12.05. Assignment;  Participations. (a) This Agreement
shall be binding  upon,  and shall inure to the benefit  of, the  Borrower,  the
Agent,  the Banks and their respective  successors and assigns,  except that the
Borrower may not assign or transfer its rights or  obligations  hereunder.  Each
Bank  may  assign,  or sell  participations  in,  all or any part of the Loan to
another bank or other entity,  in which event (i) in the case of an  assignment,
upon notice  thereof by the Bank to the Borrower  with a copy to the Agent,  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 were
a Bank hereunder; and (ii) in the case of a participation, the participant shall
have no rights  under the  Facility  Documents  and all  amounts  payable by the
Borrower  under  Article 3 shall be determined as if such Bank had not sold such
participation.  The agreement  executed by such Bank in favor of the participant
shall not give the participant the right to require such Bank to take or omit to
take any action hereunder  except action directly  relating to (i) the extension
of a payment date with respect to any portion of the principal, interest or fees
on any amount  outstanding  hereunder  allocated to such  participant,  (ii) the
reduction of the principal amount outstanding hereunder,  (iii) the reduction of
the rate of  interest  payable  on such  amount or any  amount  of fees  payable
hereunder  to a rate or  amount,  as the  case  may be,  below  that  which  the
participant  is entitled to receive under its agreement  with such Bank, or (iv)
the extension of the Final Maturity Date.  Such Bank may furnish any information
concerning  the  Borrower  in the  possession  of such Bank from time to time to
assignees and participants  (including  prospective assignees and participants);
provided  that such Bank shall  require  any such  prospective  assignee or such
participant  (prospective  or  otherwise)  to agree in writing to  maintain  the
confidentiality of such information.  In connection with any assignment pursuant
to this paragraph (a), the assigning Bank shall pay the Agent an  administrative
fee for processing such assignment in the amount of $2,500.

                           (b) In addition to the assignments and participations
permitted under  paragraph (a) above,  any Bank may assign and pledge all or any
portion  of its  Loans  and Note to (i) any  affiliate  of such Bank or (ii) any
Federal  Reserve Bank as  collateral  security  pursuant to  Regulation A of the
Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System and any  Operating  Circular
issued by such  Federal  Reserve  Bank.  No such  assignment  shall  release the
assigning Bank from its obligations hereunder.

                  Section 12.06.  Notices.  Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement,  notices may be given by telecopy,  overnight courier,  or by regular
mail,  telecopied or addressed to the intended  recipient at its telecopy number
or address  listed on the  signature  page of this  Agreement.  Notices shall be
effective:  (a) if given by mail, 72 hours after deposit in the mails with first
class postage prepaid,  addressed as aforesaid;  (b) if given by telecopy,  when
the telecopy is transmitted to the applicable  telecopy number;  and (c) if sent
by overnight  courier,  upon delivery;  provided,  however,  that notices to the
Agent and the Banks  shall be  effective  upon  receipt.  A party may change its
telecopy  number or address  for receipt of notices by written  notice  given in
accordance with this paragraph.

                  Section 12.07.  JURISDICTION;  IMMUNITIES;  WAIVER OF RIGHT TO
JURY TRIAL. (a) THE BORROWER HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF
ANY NEW YORK STATE OR UNITED STATES  FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN ONONDAGA OR ONEIDA
COUNTY  OVER  ANY  ACTION  OR  PROCEEDING  ARISING  OUT OF OR  RELATING  TO THIS
AGREEMENT,  THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER FACILITY  DOCUMENT,  AND THE BORROWER HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY  AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING  MAY
BE HEARD AND  DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL  COURT.  THE BORROWER
IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR
PROCEEDING  BY THE  MAILING  OF COPIES OF SUCH  PROCESS TO THE  BORROWER  AT ITS
ADDRESS  SPECIFIED IN SECTION  12.07 BY  REGISTERED  OR CERTIFIED  MAIL,  RETURN
RECEIPT REQUESTED.  THE BORROWER AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION
OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER  JURISDICTIONS BY
SUIT ON THE  JUDGMENT  OR IN ANY OTHER  MANNER  PROVIDED  BY LAW.  THE  BORROWER
FURTHER  WAIVES ANY  OBJECTION  TO VENUE IN SUCH STATE AND ANY  OBJECTION  TO AN
ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  IN SUCH STATE ON THE BASIS OF FORUM NON  CONVENIENS.  THE
BORROWER  AND THE BANKS  FURTHER  AGREE  THAT ANY ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  BROUGHT
AGAINST  THE AGENT  SHALL BE  BROUGHT  ONLY IN NEW YORK  STATE OR UNITED  STATES
FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN ONONDAGA  COUNTY.  THE BORROWER WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY
HAVE TO JURY TRIAL.

                           (b) Nothing in this  Section  12.07 shall  affect the
right of the  Agent  or any Bank to serve  legal  process  in any  other  manner
permitted  by law or  affect  the  right of the  Agent or any Bank to bring  any
action or  proceeding  against the Borrower or its property in the courts of any
other jurisdictions.

                           (c) To the extent that the  Borrower has or hereafter
may  acquire  any  immunity  from  jurisdiction  of any  court or from any legal
process  (whether  from  service  or  notice,   attachment  prior  to  judgment,
attachment in aid of execution,  execution or otherwise)  with respect to itself
or its property, the Borrower hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect
of its obligations under this Agreement and the Notes.

                  Section  12.08.  Table of  Contents;  Headings.  Any  table of
contents and the headings and captions  hereunder are for  convenience  only and
shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

                  Section 12.09. Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement
are intended to be severable.  If for any reason 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.

                  Section 12.10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same instrument,  and any party hereto may execute this Agreement by signing
any such counterpart.

                  Section 12.11.  Integration.  The Facility Documents set forth
the entire  agreement  among the parties  hereto  relating  to the  transactions
contemplated  thereby  and  supersede  any prior oral or written  statements  or
agreements with respect to such transactions.

                  Section 12.12. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND  INTERPRETED  AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.

                  Section 12.13. Confidentiality. Each Bank and the Agent agrees
(on behalf of itself and each of its affiliates,  directors, officers, employees
and  representatives)  to use reasonable  precautions to keep  confidential,  in
accordance  with safe and sound banking  practices,  any non-public  information
supplied to it by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement which is identified by
the  Borrower as being  confidential  at the time the same is  delivered  to the
Banks or the Agent,  provided that nothing  herein shall limit the disclosure of
any such information (i) to the extent required by statute,  rule, regulation or
judicial  process,  (ii) to counsel for any of the Banks or the Agent,  (iii) to
bank examiners,  auditors or accountants, (iv) in connection with any litigation
to  which  any one or more of the  Banks is a party  or (v) to any  assignee  or
participant (or prospective assignee or participant) so long as such assignee or
participant (or prospective assignee or participant) first executes and delivers
to the respective Bank a Confidentiality  Agreement in substantially the form of
Exhibit G hereto;  provided,  further,  that, unless specifically  prohibited by
applicable  law or court order,  each Bank shall,  prior to disclosure  thereof,
endeavor  to notify the  Borrower  of any  request  for  disclosure  of any such
non-public  information (x) by any governmental agency or representative thereof
(other than any such request in connection  with an examination of the financial
condition  of such Bank by such  governmental  agency) or (y)  pursuant to legal
process;  and  provided  finally that in no event shall any Bank or the Agent be
obligated or required to return any  materials  furnished by the  Borrower.  The
obligations  of each Bank under this Section  12.13 shall  supersede and replace
the obligations of such Bank under the confidentiality letter in respect of this
financing  signed and  delivered by such Bank to the Borrower  prior to the date
hereof.

                  Section 12.14. Treatment of Certain Information.  The Borrower
(a)  acknowledges  that services may be offered or provided to it (in connection
with  this  Agreement  or  otherwise)  by each  Bank or by one or more of  their
respective  subsidiaries or affiliates and (b) acknowledges that any information
delivered  to each  Bank or to its  subsidiaries  or  affiliates  regarding  the
Borrower may be shared among the Bank and such subsidiaries and affiliates. This
Section 12.14 shall survive the  repayment of the loans and the  termination  of
the Commitments.

                  Section  12.15.  Incorporation  By Reference;  Conflicts.  The
rights and  remedies of Agent and the Banks under the other  Facility  Documents
are  incorporated  herein by reference  and the rights and remedies of the Agent
and the Banks under this Agreement,  and all of the terms of this Agreement, are
likewise incorporated in the other Facility Documents by reference.  In the case
of any conflict  between the terms of this  Agreement and the terms of any other
Facility Document, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

                  Section  12.16.  Cooperation  and Further  Assurances.  At all
times until the Loans are repaid in full,  the Borrower  shall,  and shall cause
its  Subsidiaries  to,  cooperate with the Agent and the Banks to effectuate the
intent and purposes of the Facility  Documents.  Without limiting the foregoing,
Borrower  agrees to  execute  and  deliver  any  financing  statements  or other
instruments  and do such other acts and  things,  as Agent may  reasonably  deem
necessary  or advisable  to perfect all  security  interests  under the Facility
Documents and to otherwise effectuate the intent and purposes of this Agreement,
and shall cause its Subsidiaries to do likewise.
<PAGE>
                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                   CONMED CORPORATION

                                   By:___________________________
                                   Name: Joseph J. Corasanti
                                   Title:  Vice President

                                   Address for Notices:

                                   CONMED CORPORATION
                                   310 Broad Street
                                   Utica, New York  13501
                                   Attn:  Eugene R. Corasanti,
                                            President
                                   Telecopy: (315) 797-0321


                                   AGENT:

                                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                   (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)


                                   By:___________________________
                                   Name: Frederick K. Miller
                                   Title:  Vice President

                                   Address for Notices:

                                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
                                   P.O. Box 4911
                                   One Lincoln Center
                                   Syracuse, New York  13202
                                   Attn:  Frederick K. Miller
                                   Telecopy: (315) 424-2933

                                   BANKS:

                                   THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                   (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)


                                   By:___________________________
                                   Name:  Frederick K. Miller
                                   Title:    Vice President



                                   Lending Office and Address for
                                   Notices:
                                   One Lincoln Center
                                   Syracuse, New York  13202
                                   Attn:  Frederick K. Miller
                                   Telecopy:  (315) 424-2933


                                   FLEET BANK


                                   By:___________________________
                                   Name:  Bruce W. Goodnough
                                   Title:    Vice President

                                   Lending Office and Address for
                                   Notices:
                                   One Clinton Square
                                   Syracuse, New York 13221
                                   Attn:  Bruce W. Goodnough
                                   Telecopy:  (315) 426-4375

                                   NATWEST BANK N.A.


                                   By:___________________________
                                   Name:  Cameron Gateman
                                   Title:    Vice President

                                   Lending Office and Address for
                                   Notices:
                                   175 Water Street
                                   New York, New York 10038
                                   Telecopy:  (212) 602-2671

                                   CREDIT LYONNAIS CAYMAN
                                   ISLAND BRANCH


                                   By:___________________________
                                   Name:
                                   Title:  Authorized Signature

                                   Lending Office and Address for
                                   Notices:
                                   c/o Credit Lyonnais
                                   1301 Avenue of The Americas
                                   New York, New York 10019-6022
                                   Telecopy: (212) 261-3440
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT A

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE


$[Commitment of Bank X]    December ____, 1995


                  CONMED CORPORATION (the "Borrower"),  a corporation  organized
under the laws of New York, for value  received,  hereby  promises to pay to the
order of [BANK X] (the "Bank") at the  principal  office of The Chase  Manhattan
Bank, N.A., at One Lincoln Center,  Syracuse,  New York 13202 (the "Agent"), for
the account of the appropriate  Lending Office of the Bank, the principal sum of
($[Commitment  amount  of Bank  X]),  in lawful  money of the  United  States of
America and in  immediately  available  funds,  on the date(s) and in the manner
provided in said Credit Agreement. The Borrower also promises to pay interest on
the unpaid principal balance hereof, for the period such balance is outstanding,
at said principal office for the account of said Lending Office,  in like money,
at the rates of interest as provided in the Credit Agreement described below, on
the date(s) and in the manner provided in said Credit Agreement.

                  The date and  amount  of each type of Loan made by the Bank to
the Borrower  under the Credit  Agreement  referred  below,  and each payment of
principal thereof,  shall be recorded by the Bank on its books and, prior to any
transfer of this Note (or, at the  discretion  of the Bank,  at any other time),
endorsed  by the  Bank  on the  schedule  attached  hereto  or any  continuation
thereof.

                  This is one of the Notes  referred to in that  certain  Credit
Agreement-Term  Loan  Facility  (as  amended  from  time  to  time  the  "Credit
Agreement") dated as of December ____, 1995 among the Borrower,  the Banks named
therein  (including  the Bank) and the Agent and  evidences the Loan made by the
Bank  thereunder.  All terms not defined herein shall have the meanings given to
them in the Credit Agreement.

                  The Credit  Agreement  provides  for the  acceleration  of the
maturity of principal  upon the  occurrence of certain Events of Default and for
prepayments on the terms and conditions specified therein.

                  The Borrower waives presentment,  notice of dishonor,  protest
and any other notice or formality with respect to this Note.

                  This Note shall be governed by, and  interpreted and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.


                                         CONMED CORPORATION


                                         By:___________________________
                                         Name:
                                         Title:

<PAGE>
                  Amount            Amount of           Balance         Notation
Date              of Loan            Payment          Outstanding          By



<PAGE>


                                    EXHIBIT B


                                                     __________________, 19__



The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, New York  13202
Attn:  Frederick K. Miller

                           Re: Credit Agreement - Term Loan Facility dated as of
                               December ___, 1995 (the "Credit Agreement") among
                               CONMED CORPORATION,  the Banks named therein, and
                               The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Agent for said
                               Banks

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  In connection with the captioned Credit  Agreement,  we hereby
designate  any  one  of the  following  persons  to  give  to you  instructions,
including notices required pursuant to the Agreement,  orally or by telephone or
teleprocess:

                  NAME (Typewritten)

                  _________________________________

                  _________________________________

                  _________________________________

                  Instructions  may  be  honored  on  the  oral,  telephonic  or
teleprocess  instructions  of  anyone  purporting  to be any  one  of the  above
designated  persons even if the  instructions  are for the benefit of the person
delivering them. We will furnish you with  confirmation of each such instruction
either  by  telecopy  or in  writing  signed  by  any  person  designated  above
(including  any  telecopy  which  appears  to bear the  signature  of any person
designated  above) on the same day that the  instruction  is provided to you but
your  responsibility  with respect to any  instruction  shall not be affected by
your failure to receive such confirmation or by its contents.

                  You shall be fully  protected in, and shall incur no liability
to us for, acting upon any instructions  which you in good faith believe to have
been given by any person  designated  above, and in no event shall you be liable
for special,  consequential or punitive damages.  In addition,  we agree to hold
you and your  agents  harmless  from  any and all  liability,  loss and  expense
arising  directly or indirectly  out of  instructions  that we provide to you in
connection  with the  Credit  Agreement  except for  liability,  loss or expense
occasioned by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of you or your agents.

                  Upon notice to us, you may, at your option,  refuse to execute
any instruction,  or part thereof,  without incurring any responsibility for any
loss,  liability  or expense  arising  out of such  refusal if you in good faith
believe that the person  delivering  the  instruction  is not one of the persons
designated  above or if the instruction is not accompanied by an  authentication
method that we have agreed to in writing.

                  We will  promptly  notify  you in writing of any change in the
persons  designated  above and,  until you have  actually  received such written
notice and have had a reasonable  opportunity to act upon it, you are authorized
to act upon  instructions,  even though the person delivering them may no longer
be authorized.

                                               Very truly yours,

                                               CONMED CORPORATION



                                               By:___________________________
                                               Name:
                                               Title:
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT C

                                    GUARANTY

                                   [Attached]
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT D

                               SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                   [Attached]
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT E

                     (Letterhead of counsel to the Borrower)


                                 [Closing Date]

The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, New York  13202

Fleet Bank
One Clinton Square
Syracuse, New York 13221

NatWest Bank N.A.
175 Water Street
New York, New York 10038

Credit Lyonnais Cayman Island Branch
c/o Credit Lyonnais
1301 Avenue of The Americas
New York, New York 10019-6022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We  have  acted  as  counsel   to  CONMED   CORPORATION   (the
"Borrower") in connection with the execution and delivery of that certain Credit
Agreement-Term  Loan Facility (the "Credit Agreement") dated as of December ___,
1995 among the Borrower,  the Banks  signatory  thereto and The Chase  Manhattan
Bank, N.A. as Agent.  Except as otherwise defined herein,  all terms used herein
and defined in the Credit Agreement or any agreement delivered  thereunder shall
have the meanings assigned to them therein.

                  In  connection  with this opinion,  we have examined  executed
copies of the Facility Documents and such other documents,  records,  agreements
and  certificates  as we have deemed  appropriate.  We have also  reviewed  such
matters of law as we have considered relevant for the purpose of this opinion.

                  Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

                  1. Each of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries is a corporation
duly  incorporated,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation,  has the corporate power and authority to own
its assets and to transact  the  business in which it is now engaged or proposed
to be  engaged,  and is duly  qualified  as a  foreign  corporation  and in good
standing under the laws of each other  jurisdiction in which such  qualification
is required.

                  2. The execution,  delivery and performance by the Borrower of
the Facility  Documents to which it is a party have been duly  authorized by all
necessary  corporate  action and do not and will not: (a) require any additional
consent or approval of its stockholders;  (b) contravene its charter or by-laws;
(c) violate any  provision  of, or require any filing  (other than the filing of
financing  statements  referred  to below),  registration,  consent or  approval
under, any law, rule, regulation  (including without limitation,  Regulation U),
order, writ, judgment,  injunction,  decree, determination or award presently in
effect  having  applicability  to the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  or
affiliates;  (d) result in a breach of or  constitute  a default or require  any
consent under any indenture or loan or credit  agreement or any other agreement,
lease or  instrument  to  which  the  Borrower  is a party or by which it or its
properties may be bound or affected;  (e) result in, or require, the creation or
imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any of the  properties  now owned
or  hereafter  acquired  by the  Borrower;  or (f)  cause the  Borrower  (or any
Subsidiary  or  affiliate,  as the case may be) to be in default  under any such
law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment,  injunction, decree, determination
or award or any such indenture, agreement, lease or instrument.

                  3. Each Facility Document to which the Borrower is a party is,
or when delivered under the Credit Agreement will be, a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Borrower,  enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with
its  terms,  except  to the  extent  that such  enforcement  may be  limited  by
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency and other similar laws affecting  creditors'
rights generally.

                  4. To the best of our knowledge (after due inquiry), there are
no pending or threatened actions,  suits or proceedings against or affecting the
Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  before any court,  governmental  agency or
arbitrator, which may, in any one case or in the aggregate, materially adversely
affect the  financial  condition,  operations,  properties  or  business  of the
Borrower or of any such Subsidiary or the ability of the Borrower to perform its
obligations under the Facility Documents to which it is a party.

                                                              Very truly yours,
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT F

                        [Opinion of Guarantor's Counsel]


                                 [Closing Date]

The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, New York  13202

Fleet Bank
One Clinton Square
Syracuse, New York 13221

NatWest Bank N.A.
175 Water Street
New York, New York 10038

Credit Lyonnais Cayman Island Branch
c/o Credit Lyonnais
1301 Avenue of The Americas
New York, New York 10019-6022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have  acted as counsel to  _____________  ("Guarantor")  in
connection with the execution and delivery of that certain Credit Agreement-Term
Loan Facility (the "Credit  Agreement")  dated as of December  ____,  1995 among
CONMED  CORPORATION,  the Banks signatory  thereto and The Chase Manhattan Bank,
N.A. (the "Agent").  Except as otherwise  defined herein,  all terms used herein
and defined in the Credit Agreement or any agreement delivered  thereunder shall
have the meanings assigned to them therein.

                  In  connection  with this opinion,  we have examined  executed
copies of the Facility Documents and such other documents,  records,  agreements
and  certificates  as we have deemed  appropriate.  We have also  reviewed  such
matters of law as we have considered relevant for the purpose of this opinion.

                  Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

                  1. Each Guarantor is a corporation duly incorporated,  validly
existing  and in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the  jurisdiction  of its
incorporation,  has the  corporate  power and authority to own its assets and to
transact the business in which it is now engaged or proposed to be engaged,  and
is duly qualified as a foreign  corporation  and in good standing under the laws
of each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required.

                  2. The execution,  delivery and  performance by each Guarantor
of the Facility documents to which it is a party has been duly authorized by all
necessary  corporate  action and do not and will not: (a) require any additional
consent or approval of its stockholders;  (b) contravene its charter or by-laws;
(c) violate any  provision  of, or require any filing  (other than the filing of
financing  statements  referred  to below),  registration,  consent or  approval
under, any law, rule, regulation  (including without limitation,  Regulation U),
order, writ, judgment,  injunction,  decree, determination or award presently in
effect  having  applicability  to a  Guarantor;  (d)  result  in a breach  of or
constitute  a default or require  any  consent  under any  indenture  or loan or
credit  agreement  or any  other  agreement,  lease  or  instrument  to  which a
Guarantor is a party or by which it or its  properties may be bound or affected;
(e) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than in
favor of the Agent on behalf of the  Banks,  upon or with  respect to any of the
properties  now  owned or  hereafter  acquired  by a  Guarantor;  or (f) cause a
Guarantor to be in default under any such law, rule,  regulation,  order,  writ,
judgment,  injunction,  decree,  determination  or award or any such  indenture,
agreement, lease or instrument.

                  3. Each Facility  Document to which a Guarantor is a party is,
or when delivered under the Credit Agreement will be, a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Guarantor,  enforceable  against  Guarantor in accordance with
its  terms,  except  to the  extent  that such  enforcement  may be  limited  by
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency and other similar laws affecting  creditors'
rights generally.

                  4. To the best of our knowledge (after due inquiry), there are
no pending or threatened actions,  suits or proceedings against or affecting any
Guarantor before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator, which may, in any
one  case  or in  the  aggregate,  materially  adversely  affect  the  financial
condition, operations, properties or business of any Guarantor or the ability of
any Guarantor to perform its obligations  under the Facility  Documents to which
it is a party.


                                                              Very truly yours,
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT G

                            CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT


                                                     [Date]


[Insert Name and
 Address of Prospective
 Participant or Assignee]

                  Re:      Credit  Agreement-Term  Loan  Facility  dated  as  of
                           December 29, 1995  between  CONMED  Corporation,  the
                           banks party  thereto,  and The Chase  Manhattan  Bank
                           (National Association), as Agent.

Dear _______________:

                  As a Bank, party to the above-referenced Credit Agreement (the
"Credit  Agreement"),  we have agreed with CONMED  Corporation  (the "Borrower")
pursuant to Section 12.13 of the Credit Agreement to use reasonable  precautions
to keep  confidential,  except as otherwise  provided  therein,  all  non-public
information  identified  by the Borrower as being  confidential  at the time the
same is delivered to us pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

                  As provided in said Section 12.13, we are permitted to provide
you, as a prospective [holder of a participation in the Loans (as defined in the
Credit Agreement)] [assignee Bank], with certain of such non-public  information
subject to the execution and delivery by you, prior to receiving such non-public
information,  of a Confidentiality Agreement in this form. Such information will
not be made  available  to you until  your  execution  and  return to us of this
Confidentiality Agreement.

                  Accordingly,  in consideration of the foregoing, you agree (on
behalf of yourself and each of your affiliates,  directors,  officers, employees
and representatives) that (A) such information will not be used by you except in
connection with the proposed  [participation]  [assignment]  mentioned above and
(B) you shall use  reasonable  precautions,  in accordance  with your  customary
procedures for handling confidential information and in accordance with safe and
sound banking practices,  to keep such information  confidential,  provided that
nothing  herein shall limit the  disclosure of any such  information  (i) to the
extent required by statute,  rule,  regulation or judicial process, (ii) to your
counsel  or to  counsel  for  any of the  Banks  or the  Agent,  (iii)  to  bank
examiners,  auditors or  accountants,  (iv) in connection with any litigation to
which you or any one or more of the Banks is a party; [provided,  further, that,
unless  specifically  prohibited  by applicable  law or court order,  you agree,
prior to disclosure  thereof,  to endeavor to notify the Borrower of any request
for disclosure of any such non-public information (x) by any governmental agency
or  representative  thereof  (other than any such request in connection  with an
examination  of your  financial  condition by such  governmental  agency) or (y)
pursuant to legal process];  and provided  finally that in no event shall you be
obligated   to  return  any   materials   furnished  to  you  pursuant  to  this
Confidentiality Agreement.

                  Would you please  indicate your  agreement to the foregoing by
signing at the place  provided  below the enclosed copy of this  Confidentiality
Agreement.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                [Insert Name of Bank]


                                                By:___________________________


The foregoing is agreed to as of the date of this letter.


[Insert name of prospective
participant or assignee]


By: ______________________________

<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT H

                               [CONMED Letterhead]
                                Borrowing Notice
                                                             ___________, 199___

Via Telecopier

The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., Agent
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, New York  13202
Attention: __________________________
           Operations

                  Re:      _____ Term Loan
                           _____ Revolving Credit Loan

Dear _________________:

                  Reference is made to our Credit  Agreement  with you as Agent,
and the Banks  signatory  thereto,  dated December ___, 1995.  Unless  otherwise
defined herein or the context otherwise  requires,  capitalized terms shall have
the meaning attributed to them in the Credit Agreement.

                  We hereby confirm our telephone notice to you:

                  To borrow/renew $_______________ on ________________, 199__ as
a:
                  ____ Variable Rate Loan

                  ____ Fixed Rate Loan with an Interest  Period of ___  month(s)
                  at a rate of  _____________________.

                  We further  confirm  that after this  advance (or  payment) we
will have the following kinds of loans outstanding:
<PAGE>
                  Term Loans
                  ----------                                   Last Date
Kind of Loan                Amount       Rate             of Interest Period
- ------------                ------       -----------------------------------
Variable Rate

Fixed Rate

Fixed Rate

Fixed Rate                 ______

            Total          $

                  Revolving Credit Loans
                  ----------------------                       Last Date
Kind of Loan               Amount        Rate             of Interest Period
- ------------               ------        -----------------------------------
Variable Rate

Fixed Rate

Fixed Rate

Fixed Rate                ______

            Total          $

                  CONMED  CORPORATION  hereby certifies that both on the date of
this  Notice  and the date of the  borrowing  no Event of  Default  exists,  all
representations and warranties  contained in the Credit Agreement continue to be
true and correct,  and all conditions  precedent under the Credit  Agreement are
satisfied.
                                             Very truly yours,

                                             CONMED CORPORATION

                                             By:___________________________

                                             Its:___________________________

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Jurisdiction                    Percentage
Name and Address                                               of Incorporation                 of Ownership
- ----------------                                               ----------------                 ------------
<S>                                                               <C>                               <C> 
Birtcher Medical Systems, Inc.                                    California                        100%
310 Broad Street
Utica, new York 13501
Consolidated Medical Equipment
   International, Inc.                                             New York                         100%
310 Broad Street
Utica, New York 13501
Aspen Laboratories, Inc.                                           Colorado                         100%
14603 East Fremont Avenue
Englewood, Colorado 80112
CONMED Andover Medical, Inc.                                       New York                         100%
  60 Newark Street
  Haverhill, Massachusetts  01832

  N D M, Inc.                                                      New York                         100%
  310 Broad Street,
  Utica, New York 13501
</TABLE>
<PAGE>


                                                    SCHEDULE II

                                                CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS



Credit                                                                  Amount
Arrangement                     Face Amount                          Outstanding
- -----------                     ------------------------------------------------

1.       Letters of Credit:

         Chase                  $   100,000                           $28,700
<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE III

                               HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

1. Asbestos: Encapsulated asbestos is present in the basement of CONMED's Utica,
New York facility.

2.  Underground  Storage  Tanks:  CONMED  purchased  a   warehouse/manufacturing
facility on February 6, 1995 located at Success  Drive,  Rome, New York. On this
property there are two underground  fuel oil tanks.  The seller,  Fay's Inc., is
obligated to remove both tanks under DEC  supervision  and shall  indemnify  and
hold  CONMED  harmless  from all costs,  damages  or  expenses  relating  to any
environmental or hazardous waste  conditions  resulting from the presence or use
of such tanks. The obligation of Fay's Inc., to remove the tanks is expressed in
a purchase and sale agreement executed by the parties on January 20, 1995.

3. Birtcher Medical Systems, Inc.: The California Regional Water Quality Control
Board, Los Angeles region ("CRWQCB") is investigating  contamination in the soil
near an industrial  waste clarifier  located outdoors on a site in an industrial
area of El Monte,  California.  Between 1977 and 1990, Birtcher leased a portion
of a  building  also  located at the site and  adjacent  to the  clarifier.  The
clarifier was used in connection with a plating operation which Birtcher sold to
another party in 1984. The CRWQCB has worked  principally  with this other party
to  determine  the  extent  and  effect of the soil  contamination  and  whether
remedial action will be required.

         Birtcher,  and other  Potentially  Responsible  Parties have  conducted
subsurface soils investigations, including soil vapor studies, at the request of
the  CRWQCB.  The  CRWQCB has not  responded  to the  latest  report,  which was
submitted on May 27, 1994. These  investigations  have confirmed the presence of
volatile organic  compounds ("VOC") in the subsurface below the former facility.
Some of the  same  type of VOC  have  been  detected  in  ground  water  samples
collected by others in the vicinity of this facility. The quantities and sources
of the VOCs  detected in soils  below the  facility  have yet to be  determined.
While Borrower does not currently  anticipate  any material  adverse effect upon
its business or financial  position  resulting from the CRWQCB's  investigation,
Birtcher may in the future become involved in further  environmental  assessment
and  remediation  at the site,  the costs of which cannot be  determined at this
time.

         The EPA has  divided the San Gabriel  Valley  superfund  site into five
operable  units.  The site is located in the El Monte  operable  unit of the San
Gabriel superfund site. The Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") has sent
"Potentially  Responsible  Party Notices" to current  operators  ("PRPs") of the
contaminated  property  in the El Monte  operable  unit.  On  November  23, 1994
Birtcher  received  a  Section  104(e)  request  for  information  from  the EPA
regarding the El Monte facility.  The EPA has not identified  Birtcher as a PRP.
However,  it is likely that  Birtcher  will be named as a PRP and that it may be
required to  participate in a remedial  investigation,  feasibility  study,  and
cleanup. The cost of such participation is unknown.
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE IV


                             EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
                                 FUNDING STATUS

         The  attached   correspondence   dated  March  8,  1995  from  Benefits
Management,  Inc.,  plan  actuaries for Borrower and Aspen  Laboratories,  Inc.,
represents the most current information  presently  available.  The actuary will
provide the Banks with comparable liability reports for both plans as of January
1, 1996 by no later than March 31, 1996.

                  CREDIT AGREEMENT - REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY


                          dated as of December 29, 1995

                                      among

                               CONMED CORPORATION

                           the Banks signatory hereto

                                       and

                         THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.

                                    as Agent
<PAGE>
                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

ARTICLE 1     DEFINITIONS; ACCOUNTING TERMS

              Section 1.01     Definitions
              Section 1.02     Accounting Terms

ARTICLE 2     THE CREDIT

              Section 2.01     The Loans
              Section 2.02     The Notes
              Section 2.03     Purpose
              Section 2.04     Borrowing Procedures
              Section 2.05     Prepayments and Conversions
              Section 2.06     Mandatory Prepayments
              Section 2.07     Fixed Rate Loans-Interest Periods;
                                 Renewals 
              Section 2.08     Changes of Commitment
              Section 2.09     Certain Notices
              Section 2.10     Minimum Amounts
              Section 2.11     Interest
              Section 2.12     Fees
              Section 2.13     Payments Generally
              Section 2.14     Late Payment Fees

ARTICLE 3     YIELD PROTECTION; ILLEGALITY; ETC.

                           Section 3.01     Additional Costs
                           Section 3.02     Limitation on Types of Loans
                           Section 3.03     Illegality
                           Section 3.04     Certain Conversions   
                           Section 3.05     Certain Compensation  
                           Section 3.06     HLT Classification    

ARTICLE 4     COLLATERAL SECURITY   

              Section 4.01      Collateral       
              Section 4.02      Setoff  
              Section 4.03      Guaranties       

ARTICLE 5     CONDITIONS PRECEDENT   

              Section 5.01     Documentary Conditions Precedent     
              Section 5.02     Additional Conditions Precedent      
              Section 5.03     Term Loan Borrowings        
              Section 5.04     Deemed Representations      

ARTICLE 6     REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES          

              Section 6.01     Incorporation, Good Standing and Due
                                Qualification     
              Section 6.02     Corporate Power and Authority;
                                No Conflicts      
              Section 6.03     Legally Enforceable Agreements       
              Section 6.04     Litigation         
              Section 6.05     Financial Statements        
              Section 6.06     Ownership and Liens         
              Section 6.07     Taxes     
              Section 6.08     ERISA     
              Section 6.09     Subsidiaries and Ownership of Stock  
              Section 6.10     Credit Arrangements         
              Section 6.11     Operation of Business       
              Section 6.12     Hazardous Materials         
              Section 6.13     No Default on Outstanding Judgments
                                or Orders         
              Section 6.14     No Defaults on Other Agreements      
              Section 6.15     Labor Disputes and Acts of God       
              Section 6.16     Governmental Regulation     
              Section 6.17     Partnerships       
              Section 6.18     No Forfeiture      
              Section 6.19     Solvency  
              Section 6.20     Integrated Group   


ARTICLE 7     AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS  

              Section 7.01     Maintenance of Existence    
              Section 7.02     Conduct of Business         
              Section 7.03     Maintenance of Properties   
              Section 7.04     Maintenance of Records     
              Section 7.05     Maintenance of Insurance    
              Section 7.06     Compliance with Laws        
              Section 7.07     Right of Inspection         
              Section 7.08     Reporting Requirements     
              Section 7.09     Guaranties         


ARTICLE 8     NEGATIVE COVENANTS     

              Section 8.01     Debt      
              Section 8.02     Guaranties, Etc.   
              Section 8.03     Liens     
              Section 8.04     Leases    
              Section 8.05     Investments        
              Section 8.06     Loans, Dividends   
              Section 8.07     Sale of Assets    
              Section 8.08     Stock of Subsidiaries, Etc 
              Section 8.09     Transactions with Affiliates         
              Section 8.10     Mergers, Etc       
              Section 8.11     Acquisitions       
              Section 8.12     No Activities Leading to Forfeiture  
              Section 8.13     New Businesses    
              Section 8.14     Negative Pledge  


ARTICLE 9     FINANCIAL COVENANTS    

              Section 9.01     Minimum Working Capital     
              Section 9.02     Minimum Tangible Net Worth  
              Section 9.03     Leverage Ratio     
              Section 9.04     Cash Flow Coverage Ratio    
              Section 9.05     Limitation on Debt        


ARTICLE 10     EVENTS OF DEFAULT     

               Section 10.01    Events of Default  
               Section 10.02    Remedies  


ARTICLE 11    THE AGENT; RELATIONS AMONG BANKS AND BORROWER    

              Section 11.01    Appointment, Powers and Immunities
                                of Agent  
              Section 11.02    Reliance by Agent  
              Section 11.03    Defaults  
              Section 11.04    Rights of Agent as a Bank   
              Section 11.05    Indemnification of Agent    
              Section 11.06    Documents          
              Section 11.07    Non-Reliance on Agent and Other Banks        
              Section 11.08    Failure of Agent to Act     
              Section 11.09    Resignation or Removal of Agent      
              Section 11.10    Amendments Concerning Agency Function        
              Section 11.11    Liability of Agent          
              Section 11.12    Transfer of Agency Function          
              Section 11.13    Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent    
              Section 11.14    Withholding Taxes  
              Section 11.15    Several Obligations and Rights of Banks      
              Section 11.16    Pro Rata Treatment of Loans, Etc     
              Section 11.17    Sharing of Payments Among Banks      
              Section 11.18    Hedge Agreements; Notices and Limitations       

ARTICLE 12    MISCELLANEOUS          

              Section 12.01    Amendments and Waivers      
              Section 12.02    Usury     
              Section 12.03    Expenses  
              Section 12.04    Survival  
              Section 12.05    Assignment; Participations  
              Section 12.06    Notices   
              Section 12.07    Jurisdiction; Immunities    
              Section 12.08    Table of Contents; Headings          
              Section 12.09    Severability       
              Section 12.10    Counterparts       
              Section 12.11    Integration        
              Section 12.12    Governing Law      
              Section 12.13    Confidentiality    
              Section 12.14    Treatment of Certain Information    
              Section 12.15.   Incorporation By Reference; Conflicts 
              Section 12.16.   Cooperation and Further Assurances    

EXHIBITS
              Exhibit A        Promissory Note   
              Exhibit B        Authorization Letter       
              Exhibit C        Guaranty 
              Exhibit D        Security Agreement         
              Exhibit E        Opinion of Counsel for Borrower     
              Exhibit F        Opinion of Counsel for Each Guarantor       
              Exhibit G        Confidentiality Agreement  
              Exhibit H        Borrowing Notice  

SCHEDULES
              Schedule I       Subsidiaries of Borrower   
              Schedule II      Credit Arrangements        
              Schedule III     Hazardous Materials        
              Schedule IV      Employee Benefits; Funding Status  
<PAGE>
                  CREDIT  AGREEMENT  dated as of December  29, 1995 among CONMED
CORPORATION,  a  corporation  organized  under the laws of the State of New York
(the "Borrower"),  each of the banks which is a signatory hereto (individually a
"Bank" and  collectively  the "Banks") and THE CHASE  MANHATTAN  BANK  (NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION),  a national  banking  association  organized under the laws of the
United  States of America,  as agent for the Banks (in such  capacity,  together
with its successors in such capacity, the "Agent").

         A. The Borrower desires that the Banks extend credit as provided herein
and the Banks are prepared to extend such credit.

         B. Simultaneously  herewith, the Borrower, the Banks, and the Agent are
entering a Credit  Agreement  - Term Loan  Facility  pursuant to which the Banks
will make Term Loans to Borrower in the aggregate amount of up to $65,000,000.

         C.  Borrower,  Agent,  and  certain of the Banks are parties to certain
existing Credit Agreements dated March 8, 1995, as amended ("the Existing Credit
Agreements").  The  Existing  Credit  Agreements  shall remain in full force and
effect  until all of the  Conditions  Precedent  set forth in  Article 5 of this
Agreement are satisfied or waived by the Banks.  Upon the  satisfaction of these
conditions,  this Agreement and the Credit  Agreement - Term Loan Facility shall
supersede the Existing Credit Agreements,  and the loans made under the Existing
Credit Agreements shall be repaid from the Loans made hereunder and/or under the
Credit  Agreement - Term Loan Facility of even date.  If, on the other hand, the
Conditions  Precedent are not satisfied or waived by 5:00 p.m. on March 1, 1996,
the  Existing  Credit   Agreements  shall  continue  and  this  Agreement  shall
terminate.

                                      TERMS

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  matters  recited  and  the
promises  contained  herein,  the  Borrower,  the Banks  and the Agent  agree as
follows:


                    ARTICLE 1. DEFINITIONS; ACCOUNTING TERMS.

                  Section  1.01.  Definitions.  As used in  this  Agreement  the
following  terms have the following  meanings  (terms defined in the singular to
have a correlative meaning when used in the plural and vice versa):

                  "Account"  means any right to payment for goods sold or leased
or for services  rendered,  which is not  evidenced by an  instrument or chattel
paper,  whether or not it has been  earned by  performance,  whether  secured or
unsecured, now existing or hereafter arising, and the proceeds thereof.

                  "Affiliate" means any Person: (a) which directly or indirectly
controls,  or is controlled by, or is under common control with, the Borrower or
any of its Subsidiaries;  (b) which directly or indirectly  beneficially owns or
holds  20% or more of any  class of  voting  stock of the  Borrower  or any such
Subsidiary;  (c) 20% or  more of the  voting  stock  of  which  is  directly  or
indirectly beneficially owned or held by the Borrower or such Subsidiary; or (d)
which is a  partnership  in which the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  is a
general  partner.   The  term  "control"  means  the  possession,   directly  or
indirectly,  of the power to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of a Person,  whether  through the ownership of voting  securities,  by
contract, or otherwise.

                  "Agent's  Office"  means  the  principal  office  of  Agent in
Syracuse, New York, presently located at One Lincoln Center,  Syracuse, New York
13202.

                  "Agreement"  means  this  Credit  Agreement,   as  amended  or
supplemented  from time to time.  References  to Articles,  Sections,  Exhibits,
Schedules and the like refer to the Articles,  Sections, Exhibits, Schedules and
the like of this Agreement unless otherwise indicated.

                  "Asset  Purchase   Agreement"  means  the  Agreement   between
Borrower and New Dimensions in Medicine, Inc. dated as of October 18, 1995.

                  "Authorization  Letter" means the letter agreement executed by
the Borrower in the form of Exhibit B.

                  "Banking Day" means any day on which  commercial banks are not
authorized  or required to close in New York City and whenever  such day relates
to a  Eurodollar  Loan or notice with respect to any  Eurodollar  Loan, a day on
which dealings in Dollar  deposits are also carried out in the London  interbank
market.

                  "Birtcher"   means   Birtcher   Medical   Systems,   Inc.,   a
wholly-owned subsidiary of Borrower.

                  "Capital Expenditures" means for any period, the Dollar amount
of gross  expenditures  (including  obligations  under Capital  Leases) made for
fixed assets, real property, plant and equipment, and all renewals, improvements
and replacements  thereto (but not repairs thereof) incurred during such period.
Assets  acquired  in  the  NDM  Acquisition  shall  not be  considered  "Capital
Expenditures" for purposes of this Agreement.

                  "Capital Lease" means any lease which has been  capitalized on
the books of the lessee in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Cash Flow" (as  distinguished  from Measured Cash Flow) means
the sum of the following  measured on a consolidated  basis for Borrower and any
subsidiaries,  for any twelve month period  ending on the last day of Borrower's
fiscal  quarters:  (i)  earnings  before  interest,  taxes,  depreciation,   and
amortization, minus (ii) Capital Expenditures.

                  "Cash Flow  Coverage  Ratio" means the ratio of Measured  Cash
Flow to Current Debt Service,  measured on a consolidated basis for Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries  for any twelve month period ending on the last day of each of
Borrower's fiscal quarters.

                  "Chase" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.

                  "Closing Date" means the date this Agreement has been executed
by the Borrower, the Banks and the Agent.

                  "Code"  means the Internal  Revenue  Code of 1986,  as amended
from time to time.

                  "Collateral"  means any and all personal  property of Borrower
and of the Guarantors as set forth in Article 4 of this Agreement, together with
any other property of Borrower and the  Guarantors in which the Banks  hereafter
acquire a security interest or mortgage.

                  "Commitment"  means, with respect to each Bank, the obligation
of such Bank to make its Loan  under  this  Agreement  in the  principal  amount
following,  as such  amount may be reduced or  otherwise  modified  from time to
time:

Chase                                                 $  5,625,000.00
Fleet                                                 $  3,750,000.00
Nat West                                              $  3,750,000.00
Credit Lyonnais                                       $  1,875,000.00
                                                      ---------------
                                          Total:      $15,000,000.00

                  "Consolidated Capital Expenditures" means Capital Expenditures
of  the  Borrower  and  its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,   as  determined  on  a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Current  Assets"  means  Current  Assets of the
Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  as determined  on a  consolidated
basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Current  Liabilities" means Current Liabilities
of  the  Borrower  and  its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,   as  determined  on  a
consolidated basis in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Net Worth"  means Net Worth of the Borrower and
its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries,  as  determined  on  a  consolidated  basis  in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Consolidated  Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary whose accounts
are or are  required to be  consolidated  with the  accounts of the  Borrower in
accordance with GAAP.
                  "Consolidated  Total  Liabilities" means the total liabilities
of Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  as  determined  on a  consolidated  basis in
accordance with GAAP.

                  "Credit Agreement - Term Loan Facility" means the agreement of
even date  between  Borrower  and the Banks under which the Banks have agreed to
make Term Loans to Borrower.

                  "Credit  Lyonnais" means Credit Lyonnais Cayman Island Branch,
a banking corporation organized under the laws of France.

                  "Current  Assets" means all assets of the Borrower  treated as
current assets in accordance with GAAP.

                  "Current Debt Service"  means current  maturities of long term
Debt.

                  "Current  Liabilities"  means all  liabilities of the Borrower
treated as current  liabilities  in  accordance  with  GAAP,  including  without
limitation  (a) all  obligations  payable on demand or within one year after the
date in which the  determination  is made and (b)  installment  and sinking fund
payments  required  to  be  made  within  one  year  after  the  date  on  which
determination is made, but excluding all such  liabilities or obligations  which
are  renewable or  extendable  at the option of the Borrower to a date more than
one year from the date of determination.

                  "Debt" means, with respect to any Person:  (a) indebtedness of
such Person for borrowed money; (b) indebtedness for the deferred purchase price
of  property or  services  (except  trade  payables  in the  ordinary  course of
business);  (c) Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities of such Person (if such Person is
not the  Borrower,  determined  in a  manner  analogous  to that of  determining
Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities  of the  Borrower);  (d) the face  amount  of any
outstanding  letters  of credit  issued  for the  account  of such  Person;  (e)
obligations arising under acceptance  facilities;  (f) guaranties,  endorsements
(other  than for  collection  in the  ordinary  course  of  business)  and other
contingent  obligations  to purchase,  to provide  funds for payment,  to supply
funds to invest in any Person,  or otherwise to assure a creditor  against loss;
(g)  obligations  secured  by any  Lien  on  property  of such  Person;  and (h)
obligations  of such  Person  as  lessee  under  Capital  Leases;  and (i) Hedge
Exposure of such Person under Hedge Agreements.

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

                  "Default  Rate" means,  with  respect to the  principal of any
Loan and,  to the  extent  permitted  by law,  any other  amount  payable by the
Borrower  under this Agreement or any Note that is not paid when due (whether at
stated  maturity,  by  acceleration  or otherwise),  a rate per annum during the
period from and including the due date, to, but excluding the date on which such
amount is paid in full  equal to 2% above the  Variable  Rate as in effect  from
time to time  plus the  Margin  (if any)  (provided  that,  if the  amount so in
default  is  principal  of a Fixed  Rate Loan and the due date  thereof is a day
other than the last day of the Interest Period therefor,  the "Default Rate" for
such  principal  shall be, for the period from and including the due date and to
but  excluding  the last  day of the  Interest  period  therefor,  2% above  the
interest rate for such Loan as provided in Section 2.10 hereof and,  thereafter,
the Variable Rate plus 2% as provided for above in this definition).

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

                  "Drawdown  Date" means the dates on which the  Borrower  makes
the  borrowing  hereunder,  which date may not be later than the last day of the
Drawdown Period, i.e., the Termination Date.

                  "Drawdown  Period"  means the  period  commencing  on the date
hereof and terminating on the Termination Date.

                  "Environmental  Laws" means any and all federal,  state, local
and foreign statutes, laws, regulations,  ordinances,  rules, judgments, orders,
decrees, permits, concessions, grants, franchises, licenses, agreements or other
governmental   restrictions   relating  to  the  environment  or  to  emissions,
discharges,  releases  or  threatened  releases  of  pollutants,   contaminants,
chemicals,  or  industrial,  toxic or  hazardous  substances  or wastes into the
environment  including,  without limitation,  ambient air, surface water, ground
water,  or  land,  or  otherwise   relating  to  the   manufacture,   processing
distribution,  use,  treatment,  storage,  disposal,  transport,  or handling of
pollutants,   contaminants,   chemicals,  or  industrial,   toxic  or  hazardous
substances or wastes.

                  "Equipment" means goods other than Inventory which are used or
bought for use primarily in business,  now existing or hereafter  acquired,  and
the proceeds thereof.

                  "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of
1974,  as  amended  from  time to time,  including  any  rules  and  regulations
promulgated thereunder.

                  "ERISA  Affiliate"  means any corporation or trade or business
which is a member of any group of organizations  (i) described in Section 414(b)
or (c) of the Code of  which  the  Borrower  is a  member,  or (ii)  solely  for
purposes of potential  liability  under Section  302(c)(11) of ERISA and Section
412(c)(11) of the Code and the lien created  under  Section  302(f) of ERISA and
Section  412(n) of the Code,  described in Section  414(m) or (o) of the Code of
which the Borrower is a member.

                  "Existing Credit Agreements" means the Credit Agreement - Term
Loan Facility and the Credit Agreement - Revolving  Credit Facility,  both dated
March 8, 1995 and amended May 19, 1995, between Borrower,  Agent, and certain of
the Banks.

                  "Eurodollar  Loan" (i.e.,  a "LIBOR Loan") means any Loan when
and to the extent the interest  rate  therefor is determined on the basis of the
definition "Fixed Base Rate."

                  "Event of Default" has the meaning  given such term in Section
10.01.

                  "Facility Documents" means this Agreement and the Exhibits and
Schedules hereto, the Notes, the Security Agreement,  the Pledge Agreement,  the
Authorization Letter, and the Guaranty.

                  "Final  Maturity  Date"  means  January 1, 1999 when the final
principal  payment,  all accrued interest,  and any other amounts due under this
Agreement or the Notes shall be due and payable in full.

                  "Fixed Base Rate" means with  respect to any  Interest  Period
for a Fixed Rate Loan,  i.e., for a Eurodollar  Loan,  the  arithmetic  mean, as
calculated by the Agent, of the respective rates per annum (rounded upwards,  if
necessary,  to the nearest 1/16 of 1%) quoted at approximately 11:00 a.m. London
time by the principal London branch of the Reference Bank two Banking Days prior
to the first day of such  Interest  Period for the offering to leading  banks in
the London interbank  market of Dollar deposits in immediately  available funds,
for a period, and in an amount,  comparable to the Interest Period and principal
amount of the  Eurodollar  Loan which shall be made by such  Reference  Bank and
outstanding during such Interest Period.

                  "Fixed Rate"  means,  for any Fixed Rate Loan for any Interest
Period therefor, a rate per annum (rounded upwards, if necessary, to the nearest
1/100 of 1%)  determined  by the  Agent to be equal to the  quotient  of (i) the
Fixed  Base Rate for such Loan for such  Interest  Period,  divided  by (ii) one
minus the Reserve Requirement for such Loan for such Interest Period.
                  "Fixed Rate Loan" means any Eurodollar Loan.

                  "Fleet"  means Fleet  Bank,  a banking  corporation  organized
under the laws of the State of New York.

                  "Forfeiture  Proceeding"  means  any  action,   proceeding  or
investigation  affecting the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or Affiliates
before any court, governmental department,  commission, board, bureau, agency or
instrumentality, domestic or foreign, or the receipt of notice by any such party
that any of them is a suspect  in or a target  of any  governmental  inquiry  or
investigation,  which may result in an  indictment of any of them or the seizure
or forfeiture of any of their property.

                  "GAAP" means generally accepted  accounting  principles in the
United  States of  America  as in effect  from time to time,  applied on a basis
consistent  with  those  used in the  preparation  of the  financial  statements
referred to in Section 5.05 (except for changes  concurred in by the  Borrower's
independent certified public accountants).

                  "Guarantor"  shall   collectively  mean  all  Subsidiaries  of
Borrower now or hereafter existing and their respective successors and assigns.

                  "Guaranty"  means the  guaranty in the form of Exhibit C to be
delivered by the Guarantor under the terms of this Agreement.

                  "Hedge  Agreements"  means and includes any and all agreements
entered  into and in effect from time to time  between  Borrower or a Subsidiary
and any third party  providing  any  foreign  exchange  and/or an interest  rate
hedging facility.

                  "Hedge   Exposure"   means  the  U.S.  dollar  amount  of  all
obligations  for the payment of money by Borrower  or any  Subsidiary  under any
Hedge  Agreement as of any date of computation as if the Hedge Agreement were to
be  terminated  or declared in default on such date (after  giving effect to any
netting provisions).

                  "Interest  Period" means, with respect to any Fixed Rate Loan,
the period commencing on the date such Loan is made, converted from another type
of Loan or renewed,  as the case may be, and ending,  as the Borrower may select
pursuant to Section 2.07,  on the  numerically  corresponding  day in the first,
second,  third,  or sixth  calendar  month  thereafter,  provided that each such
Interest  Period which commences on the last Banking Day of a calendar month (or
on  any  day  for  which  there  is no  numerically  corresponding  day  in  the
appropriate  subsequent calendar month) shall end on the last Banking Day of the
appropriate calendar month.

                  "Inventory"  means  goods  held  for  sale or  lease  or to be
furnished  under  contracts of service,  or raw  materials,  work-in-process  or
materials used or consumed in a business, now existing or hereafter arising, and
the proceeds thereof.

                  "Lending  Office"  means,  for each  Bank and for each type of
Loan,  the  lending  office  of such  Bank  (or of an  affiliate  of such  Bank)
designated  as such for such type of Loan on its  signature  page hereof or such
other  office of such Bank (or of an  affiliate  of such  Bank) as such Bank may
from time to time  specify to the Agent and the  Borrower as the office by which
its Loans of such type are to be made and maintained.

                  "Lien"  means  any lien  (statutory  or  otherwise),  security
interest,  mortgage, deed of trust, priority,  pledge, charge, conditional sale,
title retention agreement, financing lease or other encumbrance or similar right
of others, or any agreement to give any of the foregoing.

                  "Loan" means any loan made by a Bank pursuant to Section 2.01.

                  "Margin" means for each Variable Rate Loan and Eurodollar Loan
the applicable  margin on the following  table,  computed as of the date of this
Agreement  based  upon  Borrower's  financial  statements  for  the  immediately
preceding four Quarterly  Dates for income  statement  items and the most recent
Quarterly  Date  for  balance  sheet  items,  and  adjusted  thereafter  on each
Quarterly Date based on information for the immediately preceding four Quarterly
Dates for income  statement items and the immediately  preceding  Quarterly Date
for balance sheet items.

<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>             <C>               <C>                 <C>                <C>
- ------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Ratio of Total Funded     Ratio   1.5    1.5  ratio   2.5   2.5   ratio   3.5  3.5   ratio   4.0  Ratio   4.0
Debt to Cash Flow
- ------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Applicable Margin-Fixed   75 basis       100 basis points   125 basis points   150 basis points   200 basis points
Rate Loans (Eurodollar)   points
- ------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Applicable Margin         0              0                  0                  25 basis points    75 basis points
Variable Rate Loans
(Prime)
- ------------------------- -------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
</TABLE>

                  The foregoing notwithstanding, it is agreed that from the date
of this Agreement  through June 30, 1996,  the Applicable  Margin for Fixed Rate
Loans will be 125 basis points and the Applicable Margin for Variable Rate Loans
will be 0 basis points.

                  "Measured  Cash Flow" means the sum of the following  measured
on a consolidated basis for Borrower and any Subsidiaries,  for any twelve month
period ending on the last day of each of Borrower's fiscal quarters:

                  (a) net income, plus

                  (b) depreciation  and all other non-cash charges to income not
                      affecting working capital, minus

                  (c) Capital Expenditures.

                  "Mortgage"  means the  Mortgage in the form of Exhibit I to be
executed pursuant to Section 4.01 of this Agreement.

                  "Multiemployer  Plan" means a Plan  defined as such in Section
3(37) of ERISA to which  contributions  have  been made by the  Borrower  or any
ERISA Affiliate and which is covered by Title IV of ERISA.

                  "NatWest"  means  NatWest  Bank  N.A.,  a banking  corporation
organized under the laws of the United States of America.

                  "NDM"  means New  Dimensions  in  Medicine,  Inc.,  a Delaware
corporation.

                  "NDM Acquisition"  means the purchase of certain assets of NDM
by N D M,  Inc.,  as  assignee  of  Borrower,  pursuant  to the  Asset  Purchase
Agreement.

                  "N D M, Inc." means Borrower's wholly owned subsidiary, N D M,
Inc. a New York  corporation,  formed to assume and  perform  all of  Borrower's
obligations  under the Asset Purchase  Agreement and to take title to the assets
being acquired in the NDM Acquisition.

                  "Net Worth" means, at any date of determination  thereof,  the
excess of total  assets over total  liabilities,  excluding,  however,  from the
determination of total assets, minority interests, if any, in Subsidiaries.

                  "Note" means a promissory  note of the Borrower in the form of
Exhibit A hereto evidencing the Loans made by a Bank hereunder.

                  "PBGC" means the Pension Benefit Guaranty  Corporation and any
entity succeeding to any or all of its functions under ERISA.

                  "Person"  means  an  individual,   partnership,   corporation,
business trust, joint stock company, trust,  unincorporated  association,  joint
venture, governmental authority or other entity of whatever nature.

                  "Plan" means any employee benefit or other plan established or
maintained,  or to which  contributions  have been made,  by the Borrower or any
ERISA  Affiliate  and  which  is  covered  by Title IV of  ERISA,  other  than a
Multiemployer Plan.

                  "Prime  Rate"  means that rate of  interest  from time to time
announced by the Reference Bank at its principal  office as its prime commercial
lending rate.

                  "Principal Office" means the principal office of the Reference
Bank, presently located at 1 Chase Manhattan Plaza, New York, New York 10081.

                  "Quarterly  Date"  means  the last  day of each of  Borrower's
fiscal  quarters for so long as the  Commitment  and any Loans made  pursuant to
this Agreement remain outstanding.

                  "Reference Bank" means The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.

                  "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or supplemented  from time
to time.

                  "Regulation U" means Regulation U of the Board of Governors of
the Federal Reserve System as the same may be amended or supplemented  from time
to time.

                  "Regulatory  Change"  means,  with  respect  to any Bank,  any
change  after  the date of this  Agreement  in  United  States  federal,  state,
municipal  or  foreign  laws  or  regulations   (including   without  limitation
Regulation D) or the adoption or making after such date of any  interpretations,
directives or requests  applying to a class of banks  including  such Bank of or
under  any  United  States,   federal,  state,  municipal  or  foreign  laws  or
regulations  (whether  or  not  having  the  force  of  law)  by  any  court  or
governmental  or  monetary   authority   charged  with  the   interpretation  or
administration thereof.

                  "Required  Banks"  means,  at any  time  while  no  Loans  are
outstanding,  Banks  having  at least  66.667%  of the  aggregate  amount of the
Commitments and, at any time while Loans are outstanding, Banks holding at least
66.667% of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans.

                  "Reserve  Requirement"  means, for any Interest Period for any
Fixed Rate Loan,  the average  maximum  rate at which  reserves  (including  any
marginal,  supplemental  or emergency  reserves)  are required to be  maintained
during such  Interest  Period under  Regulation D by member banks of the Federal
Reserve System in New York City with deposits exceeding  $1,000,000,000  against
"Eurocurrency  liabilities"  (as such  term is used in  Regulation  D).  Without
limiting the effect of the foregoing,  the Reserve Requirement shall reflect any
other  reserves  required to be maintained by such member banks by reason of any
Regulatory  Change  against  (i) any  category  of  liabilities  which  includes
deposits by reference to which the Fixed Base Rate for Eurodollar Loans is to be
determined  as provided in the  definition  of "Fixed Base Rate" in this Section
1.01 or (ii) any category of  extensions of credit or other assets which include
Eurodollar Loans.

                  "Security  Agreement" means the security agreement in the form
of Exhibit D to be executed by Borrower and each Guarantor  pursuant to Sections
4.01 and 4.03 of this Agreement, as hereafter amended from time to time.

                  "Subsidiary"   means,   with   respect  to  any  Person,   any
corporation  or other entity of which at least a majority of the  securities  or
other  ownership   interests   having  ordinary  voting  power   (absolutely  or
contingently) for the election of directors or other persons  performing similar
functions are at the time owned directly or indirectly by such Person.

                  "Termination  Date" means December 31, 1998;  provided that if
such  date  is not a  Banking  Day,  the  Termination  Date  shall  be the  next
succeeding  Banking  Day (or, if such next  succeeding  Banking Day falls in the
next calendar month, the next preceding Banking Day).

                  "Term  Loans"  means  loans  to  Borrower  made  by the  Banks
pursuant to the Credit Agreement - Term Loan Facility.

                  "Total  Funded Debt"  means,  with respect to Borrower and any
Subsidiaries, all indebtedness (including current maturities) for money borrowed
which by its terms  matures  more  than one year from the date as of which  such
indebtedness  is incurred,  and any  indebtedness  for money  borrowed  maturing
within one year from such date which is renewable or extendable at the option of
the obligor to a date beyond one year from such date (whether or not theretofore
renewed or extended), including any such indebtedness renewable or extendable at
the  option  of the  obligor  under,  or  payable  from  the  proceeds  of other
indebtedness  which may be incurred pursuant to, the provisions of any revolving
credit agreement or other similar agreement.

                  "Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities"  means,  with  respect to any
Plan, the amount (if any) by which the present value of all benefit  liabilities
(within the meaning of Section  4001(a)(16) of ERISA) under the Plan exceeds the
fair market value of all Plan assets allocable to such benefit  liabilities,  as
determined on the most recent  valuation date of the Plan and in accordance with
the provisions of ERISA for calculating the potential  liability of the Borrower
or any ERISA Affiliate under Title IV of ERISA.

                  "Variable  Rate"  means,  for any day, the Prime Rate for such
day.

                  "Variable Rate Loan" means any Loan when and to the extent the
interest rate for such Loan is determined in relation to the Variable Rate.

                  Section  1.02.  Accounting  Terms.  All  accounting  terms not
specifically  defined herein shall be construed in accordance with GAAP, and all
financial  data  required  to  be  delivered  hereunder  shall  be  prepared  in
accordance with GAAP. All terms relating to Collateral and not otherwise defined
herein shall have the meanings  ascribed to them in the Uniform  Commercial Code
of the State of New York.


                             ARTICLE 2. THE CREDIT.

                  Section  2.01.  The  Loans.  (a)  Subject  to  the  terms  and
conditions  of  this  Agreement,  each of the  Banks  severally  agrees  to make
revolving  credit loans (the "Loans") to the Borrower from time to time from and
including the date hereof to and including  the  Termination  Date up to but not
exceeding the aggregate  principal amount outstanding under its Commitment.  The
Loans may be  outstanding  as  Variable  Rate Loans or Fixed Rate Loans  (each a
"type" of Loans). The type of Loans of each Bank shall be made and maintained at
such Bank's Lending Office for such type of Loans.

                           (b) The Loans  shall be due and  payable on the Final
Maturity  Date.  Interest on the Loans  shall be due and payable as  hereinafter
provided.

                           (c)  Any  borrowing  under  the  Credit  Agreement  -
Revolving  Credit  Facility  dated as of March 8, 1995 (as  amended) by Borrower
from any Bank (as defined  herein),  which is outstanding as of the date of this
Agreement,  shall  be  deemed  to be a Loan  made  pursuant  to this  Agreement.
Borrower's  indebtedness  to NBD Bank under said March 8, 1995 Credit  Agreement
shall be repaid in full from the initial  funding of Loans made pursuant to this
Agreement and/or the Credit Agreement - Term Loan Facility.

                           (d) Unless hereafter extended in writing by the Agent
with the unanimous  approval of the Banks,  this Agreement  shall  automatically
terminate  and be of no further  force and effect  unless all of the  Conditions
Precedent  set forth in  Article 5 of this  Agreement  are either  satisfied  or
waived  by the Banks by 5:00  p.m.  on March 1,  1996,  and in that  event,  the
Existing Credit Agreements shall continue to be in full force and effect.

                  Section  2.02.  The  Notes.  The Loans of each  Bank  shall be
evidenced  by a single  promissory  note in  favor  of such  Bank in the form of
Exhibit A, dated the date of this Agreement,  duly completed and executed by the
Borrower.

                  Section 2.03. Purpose.  The Borrower shall use the proceeds of
the Loans to consummate the NDM Acquisition  (through N D M, Inc.) in accordance
with the Asset  Purchase  Agreement,  to repay  existing debt of Borrower to the
Banks pursuant to the Existing Credit Agreements, to pay fees, commissions,  and
expenses  related to the NDM Acquisition,  for working capital,  and for general
corporate  purposes.  Such proceeds  shall not be used for the purpose,  whether
immediate,  incidental or ultimate,  of buying or carrying "margin stock" within
the meaning of Regulation U.

                  Section 2.04.  Borrowing  Procedures.  The Borrower shall make
the borrowings  hereunder not later than the last day of the Drawdown Period and
shall give the Agent notice of such  borrowing  (which shall be on a Banking Day
if such day is not the last day of the Drawdown Period) at or before 10:00 a.m.,
New York City time, on the Drawdown  Date for a Variable  Rate Loan.  Fixed Rate
Loans shall require at least three  Banking  Days'  notice.  Not later than 1:00
p.m. New York City time on the date of such borrowing,  each Bank shall, through
its Lending  Office and subject to the  conditions of this  Agreement,  make the
amount  of the Loan to be made by it on such day  available  to the Agent at the
Agent's  Office  and in  immediately  available  funds  for the  account  of the
Borrower.  The amount so received by the Agent shall,  subject to the conditions
of this Agreement,  be made available to the Borrower,  in immediately available
funds,  by the Agent  crediting  an account of the  Borrower  designated  by the
Borrower and maintained with the Agent at the Agent's Office.

                  Section 2.05. Prepayments and Conversions.  The Borrower shall
have the right to make prepayments of principal,  or to convert one type of Loan
into another type of Loan, at any time or from time to time;  provided that: (a)
the Borrower  shall give the Agent notice of each such  prepayment or conversion
as  provided  in  Section  2.09;  and (b) Fixed  Rate  Loans may be  prepaid  or
converted only on the last day of an Interest Period for such Loans.  During the
Drawdown Period,  Borrower may reborrow  principal amounts prepaid provided that
all conditions precedent hereunder are satisfied and provided that the principal
amount outstanding from each Bank may not exceed the amount of its Commitment.

                  Section 2.06.  Mandatory  Prepayments.  Anything herein to the
contrary  notwithstanding,  Borrower  shall be obligated  to make the  following
prepayments  ("Mandatory  Prepayments") of amounts outstanding  hereunder at the
times  indicated  below,  to the  extent  that any  such  amounts  remain  after
application  to  amounts  outstanding  under the  Credit  Agreement  - Term Loan
Facility, as provided in Section 2.06 of that Agreement:

                           (a) 100% of the net  proceeds  in excess of  $100,000
received  by  Borrower  from the sale or  disposition  of all or any part of the
assets of Borrower or its  subsidiaries  (other than in the  ordinary  course of
business), upon Borrower's (or the Subsidiary's, as appropriate) receipt of such
proceeds;

                           (b)  100%  of  all  insurance  proceeds  received  by
Borrower which are not reasonably  promptly applied toward repair or replacement
of the damaged,  destroyed,  or impaired property to which such proceeds relate,
upon receipt by Borrower of such proceeds; and

                           (c) 80% of the  proceeds  of the sale by  Borrower of
any equity securities of Borrower (other than shares sold to employees  pursuant
to employee stock option plans), upon receipt by Borrower of such proceeds.

                  Any Mandatory  Prepayments  shall be applied against the Loans
hereunder  or the Term  Loans  without  penalty  or  premium  (other  than costs
associated with the mandatory prepayment of Fixed Rate Loans on dates other than
the  last day of the  Interest  Period  with  respect  to each  such  Loan),  as
determined by the Required Banks in their sole discretion. Mandatory Prepayments
shall be divided  among the Banks  based upon each  Bank's pro rata share of the
amounts outstanding hereunder at the time of the Mandatory Prepayment.

                  Section 2.07. Fixed Rate Loans - Interest  Periods;  Renewals.
(a) In the case of each Fixed Rate Loan,  the Borrower  shall select an Interest
Period of any duration in accordance  with the definition of Interest  Period in
Section 1.01, subject to the following  limitations:  (i) no Interest Period may
extend beyond the Final Maturity Date; (ii) notwithstanding clause (i) above, no
Interest  Period  shall  have a duration  less than one  month,  and if any such
proposed Interest Period would otherwise be for a shorter period,  such Interest
Period shall not be  available;  (iii) if an Interest  Period would end on a day
which is not a Banking Day, such  Interest  Period shall be extended to the next
Banking Day,  unless such Banking Day would fall in the next  calendar  month in
which event such Interest Period shall end on the immediately  preceding Banking
Day; (iv) only three Fixed Rate Interest  Periods may be  outstanding at any one
time.

                           (b) Upon  notice to the Agent as  provided in Section
2.09, the Borrower may renew any Fixed Rate Loan on the last day of the Interest
Period  therefor as the same type of Loan with an Interest Period of the same or
different  duration in accordance  with the  limitations  provided above. If the
Borrower  shall fail to give  notice to the Agent of such a renewal,  such Fixed
Rate Loan shall automatically become a Variable Rate Loan on the last day of the
current Interest Period.

                  Section 2.08. Changes of Commitments.  The Borrower shall have
the right to reduce or terminate the amount of unused Commitments at any time or
from time to time,  provided  that:  (a) the Borrower  shall give notice of each
such  reduction or termination to the Agent as provided in Section 2.09; and (b)
each  partial  reduction  shall be pro rata for each Banks and shall be at least
equal to $250,000 for each Bank. The Commitments  once reduced or terminated may
not be reinstated.

                  Section 2.09. Certain Notices.  All notices by the Borrower to
the Agent  pursuant to this  Article 2 shall be given on a Banking Day and shall
be given first by telephone and confirmed by  telecopier.  Such notices shall be
irrevocable  and shall be  effective  as of the date given only if the  telecopy
confirmation  is  received  by the Agent not later than 1:00 p.m.  New York City
time with  respect to Fixed Rate Loans,  and 10:00 a.m.  New York City time with
respect to Variable Rate Loans.  Where telecopy  confirmation is received by the
Agent  after 1:00 p.m.  with  respect to Fixed Rate Loans,  and 10:00 a.m.  with
respect to Variable Rate Loans, the notice shall be deemed to be given as of the
next Banking Day. In the case of borrowings and prepayments of, conversions into
and renewals of (a) Variable Rate Loans, such notices shall be given on the date
of such  borrowing,  conversion  or  renewal;  and (b) in the case of Fixed Rate
Loans such notices shall be given three Banking Days prior thereto.  Each notice
shall  specify the type of Loans to be borrowed,  converted,  prepaid or renewed
(and,  in the  case of a  conversion,  the type of Loans  to  result  from  such
conversion  and,  in the  case of  Fixed  Rate  Loans,  the  Interest  Period(s)
therefor)  and the date of the  borrowing,  prepayment,  conversion  or  renewal
(which shall be a Banking Day).  Each notice of reduction or  termination  shall
specify the amount of the Commitments to be reduced or terminated. Notices shall
be similar in form to the attached  Exhibit H. The Agent shall  promptly  notify
the Banks of the contents of each such notice.

                  Section 2.10.  Minimum  Amounts.  Except for borrowings  which
exhaust  the  full  remaining   amounts  of  the  Commitments,   prepayments  or
conversions  which  result in the  prepayment  or  conversion  of all Loans of a
particular  type or conversions  made pursuant to Section 3.04,  each borrowing,
prepayment,  conversion and renewal of principal the Loans of a particular  type
shall be in an amount at least  equal to  $2,000,000  in the  aggregate  for the
Banks  (borrowings,  prepayments,  conversions  or  renewals of or into Loans of
different types or, in the case of Fixed Rate Loans,  having different  Interest
Periods  at  the  same  time  hereunder  to  be  deemed   separate   borrowings,
prepayments, conversions and renewals for the purposes of the foregoing, one for
each type of Interest Period). Each borrowing, prepayment, conversion or renewal
shall be in increments of principal of $100,000.00.

                  Section  2.11.  Interest.  (a)  Interest  shall  accrue on the
outstanding  and unpaid  principal  amount of each Loan for the period  from and
including  the date of such Loan to but  excluding  the date such Loan is due at
the following rates per annum:  (i) for a Variable Rate Loan, at a variable rate
per annum equal to the  Variable  Rate plus any Margin and (ii) for a Fixed Rate
Loan, at a fixed rate equal to the Fixed Rate plus the Margin.  If the principal
amount of any Loan and any other  amount  payable by the  Borrower  hereunder or
under the Note shall not be paid when due (at stated  maturity,  by acceleration
or  otherwise),  interest  shall  accrue on such  amount to the  fullest  extent
permitted by law from and including such due date to but excluding the date such
amount is paid in full at the Default Rate.

                           (b) The  interest  rate on each  Variable  Rate  Loan
shall change when the Variable Rate changes and interest on each such Loan shall
be  calculated  on the basis of a year of 360 days for the actual number of days
elapsed.  Interest on each Fixed Rate Loan shall be calculated on the basis of a
year of 360 days for the  actual  number  of days  elapsed.  Promptly  after the
determination  of any interest rate  provided for herein or any change  therein,
the Agent shall notify the Borrower and the Banks.

                           (c)  Accrued  interest  shall be due and  payable  in
arrears upon any payment of principal or  conversion  and (i) for each  Variable
Rate Loan, on the first day of each calendar  quarter  commencing the first such
date  after such  Loan;  (ii) for each  Fixed Rate Loan,  on the last day of the
Interest  Period with  respect  thereto  and, in the case of an Interest  Period
greater than three months at three-month intervals (determined on the same basis
as a three month Interest  Period) after the first day of such Interest  Period;
provided  that  interest  accruing at the Default  Rate shall be due and payable
from time to time on demand of the Agent.

                  Section  2.12.  Fees.  (a) During the period  from the date of
this Agreement through the earlier of the date the Commitments are terminated or
June 30, 1996,  the Borrower shall pay to the Agent for the account of each Bank
a commitment  fee on the daily average  unused  Commitment of such Bank equal to
three-eighths  percent (.375%).  Commencing  October 1, 1996, the Borrower shall
pay to the Agent for the  account  of each  Bank a  commitment  fee on the daily
average unused Commitment of such Bank for the period from and including October
1,  1996,  to the  earlier of the date the  Commitments  are  terminated  or the
Termination Date, at a rate per annum equal to the amount on the following table
computed  as of the  date of this  Agreement  based  upon  Borrower's  financial
statements  for the  immediately  preceding  four  Quarterly  Dates  for  income
statement items and the most recent  Quarterly Date for balance sheet items, and
adjusted  thereafter  on  each  Quarterly  Date  based  on  information  for the
immediately  preceding four Quarterly  Dates for income  statement items and the
immediately preceding Quarterly Date for balance sheet items.

<TABLE>
<S>                       <C>             <C>               <C>                 <C>               <C>
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Ratio of Total        Ratio   1.5        1.5   Ratio   2.5  2.5   Ratio   3.5  3.5   Ratio   4.0  Ratio   4.0
Funded Debt to Cash
Flow
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
Commitment Fee        .25%               .375%              .375%              .375%              .5%
- --------------------- ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------ ------------------
</TABLE>

The  commitment  fee shall be  calculated on the basis of a year of 360 days for
the actual number of days elapsed.  The accrued  commitment fee shall be due and
payable in arrears upon any reduction or termination of the  Commitments  and on
the 1st day of each calendar quarter, commencing on April 1, 1996.

                           (b) The Borrower shall pay to the Agent an agency fee
(in cash or such other type of compensation as may be mutually  agreed),  in the
amount (and on the dates) heretofore mutually agreed.

                  Section  2.13.  Payments  Generally.  All payments  under this
Agreement or the Notes shall be made to the Agent in immediately available funds
not later than 1:00 p.m. New York City time on the relevant  dates  specified in
this  Article 2, and such  payment  received by Agent  after 1:00 p.m.  shall be
deemed to have been made on the next succeeding Banking Day. The Borrower shall,
at the time of making  each  payment  under  this  Agreement  or the  Notes,  by
telecopy  specify  to the Agent the  principal  or other  amount  payable by the
Borrower  under  this  Agreement  or the Notes to which  such  payment  is to be
applied (and in the event that it fails to so specify,  or if a Default or Event
of Default has occurred and is  continuing,  the Agent may apply such payment as
it may elect in its sole discretion (subject to Section 11.16)).  Borrower shall
make all  payments  through its deposit  account  with Agent and Agent is hereby
authorized  to deduct all payments due hereunder  from such  account.  Except as
otherwise  provided herein,  if the due date of any payment under this Agreement
or the Notes would otherwise fall on a day which is not a Banking Day, such date
shall be  extended to the next  succeeding  Banking  Day and  interest  shall be
payable for any principal so extended for the period of such extension. Provided
the Agent  receives  payment in  immediately  available  funds by 1:00 p.m. on a
Banking  Day,  Agent shall remit the portion of such  payment due to each of the
Banks by wire transfer  initiated prior to 3:00 p.m. on the same Banking Day. If
payment is not received on a Banking Day or by 1:00 p.m.,  Agent shall remit the
amount  of such  payment  due  each of the  Banks by wire  transfer  on the next
Banking Day.

                  Any Bank may (but shall not be obligated  to) debit the amount
of any such  payment  which is not made by 4:00 p.m.  on the first  Banking  Day
after the due date to any ordinary  deposit  account of the  Borrower  with such
Bank, and any Bank so doing shall promptly notify the Agent.

                  Section 2.14. Late Payment Fees. (a) If Borrower fails to make
any payment when due, Agent may, and at the request of the Required Banks shall,
require  the  payment  of a late  charge to be  assessed  each day on the amount
overdue based upon the following formulas:

                           (i)  For overdue interest:

                                (Amount overdue) x 110% x (Prime Rate + 2%)
                                -------------------------------------------
                                                  365

                           (ii) For overdue principal:

                                (Amount overdue) x 110% x (Prime Rate + 2%)
                                -------------------------------------------
                                                  365

                           (b) Late  charges may be added to the amount owing on
any future payment,  and such assessment and/or collection of late charges shall
in no way impair the Banks'  right to pursue any other  rights or remedies  they
may have upon default.

                  ARTICLE 3. YIELD PROTECTION; ILLEGALITY; ETC.

                  Section 3.01.  Additional  Costs.  (a) The Borrower  shall pay
directly to each Bank from time to time on demand such  amounts as such Bank may
determine  to be  necessary  to  compensate  it for any  costs  which  such Bank
determines are  attributable  to its making or maintaining  any Fixed Rate Loans
under  this  Agreement  or its Note or its  obligation  to make  any such  Loans
hereunder,  or any reduction in any amount  receivable by such Bank hereunder in
respect  of any such  Loans or such  obligation  (such  increases  in costs  and
reductions  in amounts  receivable  being  herein  called  "Additional  Costs"),
resulting from any Regulatory Change which: (i) changes the basis of taxation of
any amounts  payable to such Bank under this Agreement or its Note in respect of
any of such Loans  (other  than taxes  imposed on the overall net income of such
Bank or of its Lending Office for any of such Loans by the jurisdiction in which
such Bank has its principal office or such Lending  Office);  or (ii) imposes or
modifies any reserve, special deposit, deposit insurance or assessment,  minimum
capital,  capital ratio or similar  requirements  relating to any  extensions of
credit or other assets of, or any deposits  with or other  liabilities  of, such
Bank (including any of such Loans or any deposits  referred to in the definition
of "Fixed Base Rate" in Section  1.01);  or (iii)  imposes  any other  condition
affecting  this  Agreement or its Note (or any of such  extensions  of credit or
liabilities).  Each Bank will notify the Borrower of any event  occurring  after
the date of this Agreement which will entitle such Bank to compensation pursuant
to this Section  3.01(a) as promptly as practicable  after it obtains  knowledge
thereof  and  determines  to request  such  compensation.  If any Bank  requests
compensation  from the Borrower  under this Section  3.01(a),  or under  Section
3.01(c),  the  Borrower  may, by notice to such Bank (with a copy to the Agent),
require  that  such  Bank's  Loans  of the  type  with  respect  to  which  such
compensation is requested be converted in accordance with Section 3.04.

                           (b)  Without  limiting  the  effect of the  foregoing
provisions of this Section 3.01, in the event that, by reason of any  Regulatory
Change,  any Bank either (i) incurs Additional Costs based on or measured by the
excess above a specified  level of the amount of a category of deposits or other
liabilities  of such Bank which  includes  deposits  by  reference  to which the
interest rate on Eurodollar loans is determined as provided in this Agreement or
a category of extensions  of credit or other assets of such Bank which  includes
Eurodollar loans or (ii) becomes subject to restrictions on the amount of such a
category  of  liabilities  or assets  which it may hold,  then,  if such Bank so
elects by notice to the Borrower  (with a copy to the Agent),  the obligation of
such Bank to make or renew,  and to convert Loans of any other type into,  Loans
of such type hereunder shall be suspended until the date such Regulatory  Change
ceases  to be in  effect  (and all  Loans of such  type  held by such  Bank then
outstanding shall be converted in accordance with Section 3.04).

                           (c)  Without  limiting  the  effect of the  foregoing
provisions of this Section 3.01 (but without  duplication),  the Borrower  shall
pay directly to each Bank from time to time on request such amounts as such Bank
may  determine to be necessary  to  compensate  such Bank for any costs which it
determines are  attributable  to the  maintenance by it or any of its affiliates
pursuant to any law or regulation  of any  jurisdiction  or any  interpretation,
directive  or request  (whether  or not  having the force of law and  whether in
effect on the date of this Agreement or thereafter) of any court or governmental
or  monetary  authority  of capital in  respect  of its Loans  hereunder  or its
obligation  to make Loans  hereunder  (such  compensation  to  include,  without
limitation,  an amount  equal to any  reduction in return on assets or equity of
such Bank to a level below that which it could have  achieved  but for such law,
regulation,  interpretation,  directive or  request).  Each Bank will notify the
Borrower if it is entitled to  compensation  pursuant to this Section 3.01(c) as
promptly as practicable after it determines to request such compensation.

                           (d)  Determinations  and  allocations  by a Bank  for
purposes of this Section 3.01 of the effect of any Regulatory Change pursuant to
subsections  (a) or (b),  or of the effect of  capital  maintained  pursuant  to
subsection (c), on its costs of making or maintaining Loans or its obligation to
make Loans, or on amounts receivable by, or the rate of return to, it in respect
of  Loans  or  such  obligation,  and  of the  additional  amounts  required  to
compensate such Bank under this Section 3.01, shall be conclusive, provided that
such determinations and allocations are made on a reasonable basis.

                  Section 3.02. Limitation on Types of Loans. Anything herein to
the contrary notwithstanding, if:

                           (a) the Agent determines (which  determination  shall
be  conclusive)  that  quotations  of interest  rates for the relevant  deposits
referred to in the definition of "Fixed Base Rate" in Section 1.01 are not being
provided in the relevant amounts or for the relevant  maturities for purposes of
determining the rate of interest for any type of Fixed Rate Loans as provided in
this Agreement; or

                           (b) the Required Banks determine (which determination
shall be  conclusive)  and notify the Agent that the relevant  rates of interest
referred  to in the  definition  of "Fixed  Base Rate" in Section  1.01 upon the
basis of which the rate of  interest  for any type of Fixed  Rate Loans is to be
determined  do  not  adequately  cover  the  cost  to the  Banks  of  making  or
maintaining  such Loans;  then the Agent shall give the  Borrower  and each Bank
prompt notice  thereof,  and so long as such  condition  remains in effect,  the
Banks  shall be under no  obligation  to make or renew  Loans of such type or to
convert Loans of any other type into Loans of such type and the Borrower  shall,
on the last day(s) of the then current  Interest  Period(s) for the  outstanding
Loans of the affected type,  either prepay such Loans or convert such Loans into
another type of Loans in accordance with Section 2.05.

                  Section 3.03. Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision
in this  Agreement,  in the event that it becomes  unlawful  for any Bank or its
Lending  Office to (a) honor its  obligation to make or renew  Eurodollar  Loans
hereunder or convert  Loans of any type into Loans of such type, or (b) maintain
Eurodollar  Loans  hereunder,  then such Bank shall promptly notify the Borrower
thereof  (with a copy to the Agent) and such Bank's  obligation to make or renew
Eurodollar  Loans and to  convert  other  types of Loans into Loans of such type
hereunder shall be suspended until such time as such Bank may again make, renew,
or  convert  and  maintain  such  affected  Loans  and such  Bank's  outstanding
Eurodollar  Loans,  as the case may be, shall be converted  in  accordance  with
Section 3.04.

                  Section 3.04.  Certain  Conversions  pursuant to Sections 3.01
and 3.03.  If the  Loans of any Bank of a  particular  type  (Loans of such type
being  herein  called  "Affected  Loans" and such type being  herein  called the
"Affected  Type") are to be  converted  pursuant to Section  3.01 or 3.03,  such
Bank's Affected Loans shall be automatically  converted into Variable Rate Loans
on the last day(s) of the then current Interest Period(s) for the Affected Loans
(or, in the case of a conversion  required by Section  3.01(b) or 3.03,  on such
earlier date as such Bank may specify to the Borrower  with a copy to the Agent)
and,  unless  and  until  such Bank  gives  notice as  provided  below  that the
circumstances  specified  in  Section  3.01  or  3.03  which  gave  rise to such
conversion no longer exist:

                           (a) to the extent  that such  Bank's  Affected  Loans
have been so converted,  all payments and  prepayments of principal  which would
otherwise be applied to such Bank's  Affected Loans shall be applied  instead to
its Variable Rate Loans;

                           (b)  all  Loans  which  would  otherwise  be  made or
renewed  by such Bank as Loans of the  Affected  Type  shall be made  instead as
Variable  Rate  Loans  and all  Loans of such  Bank  which  would  otherwise  be
converted  into Loans of the Affected  Type shall be converted  instead into (or
shall remain as) Variable Rate Loans; and

                  If such Bank gives notice to the Borrower  (with a copy to the
Agent) that the circumstances  specified in Section 3.01 or 3.03 which gave rise
to the conversion of such Bank's Affected Loans pursuant to this Section 3.04 no
longer  exist  (which such Bank agrees to do  promptly  upon such  circumstances
ceasing to exist) at a time when  Loans of the  Affected  Type are  outstanding,
such Bank's Variable Rate Loans shall be automatically  converted,  on the first
day(s) of the next succeeding  Interest  Period(s) for such outstanding Loans of
the Affected Type to the extent  necessary so that, after giving effect thereto,
all Loans held by the Banks  holding Loans of the Affected Type and by such Bank
are held pro rata (as to  principal  amounts,  types and  Interest  Periods)  in
accordance with their respective Commitments.

                  Section 3.05. Certain Compensation.  The Borrower shall pay to
the Agent for the account of each Bank,  upon the  request of such Bank  through
the Agent,  such  amount or amounts as shall be  sufficient  (in the  reasonable
opinion of such Bank) to compensate it for any loss,  cost or expense which such
Bank determines is attributable to:

                           (a) any payment, prepayment, conversion or renewal of
a Fixed  Rate  Loan made by such  Bank on a date  other  than the last day of an
Interest  Period for such Loan  (whether  by reason of  acceleration,  mandatory
prepayment or otherwise); or

                           (b) any failure by the  Borrower  to borrow,  convert
into or renew a Fixed  Rate Loan to be made,  converted  into or renewed by such
Bank on the date specified  therefor in the relevant  notice under Section 2.04,
2.05 or 2.07, as the case may be.

                  Without  limiting  the  foregoing,   such  compensation  shall
include an amount  equal to the excess,  if any,  of: (i) the amount of interest
which  otherwise  would have accrued on the principal  amount so paid,  prepaid,
converted or renewed or not  borrowed,  converted or renewed for the period from
and including  the date of such payment,  prepayment or conversion or failure to
borrow,  convert  or renew  to but  excluding  the last day of the then  current
Interest  Period for such Loan (or, in the case of a failure to borrow,  convert
or renew,  to but  excluding  the last day of the Interest  Period for such Loan
which  would have  commenced  on the date  specified  therefor  in the  relevant
notice) at the  applicable  rate of interest for such Loan  provided for herein;
over (ii) the amount of interest (as  reasonably  determined  by such Bank) such
Bank would  have bid in the London  interbank  market  for Dollar  deposits  for
amounts  comparable to such principal  amount and maturities  comparable to such
period.  A determination  of any Bank as to the amounts payable pursuant to this
Section 3.05 shall be conclusive absent manifest error.

                  Section 3.06. HLT  Classification.  If, after the date hereof,
the Agent is advised  by any Bank that such Bank has  received  notice  from any
governmental  authority,  central bank or comparable agency having  jurisdiction
over such Bank that the  definition  of highly  leveraged  transaction  has been
modified with the result that its Loans  hereunder  are  classified as a "highly
leveraged  transaction" (an "HLT  Classification")  or if the Borrower takes any
action which causes this  transaction to be subject to HLT  Classification,  the
Agent shall promptly give notice of such HLT  Classification to the Borrower and
the  other  Banks and the  Agent.  The Banks  and the  Borrower  shall  commence
negotiations  in good faith to agree on whether  and, if so, the extent to which
commitment fees,  interest rates and/or margins hereunder should be increased so
as to reflect such HLT  Classification.  If the Borrower and the Required  Banks
fail to agree on such  increases  within  10 days  after  notice is given by the
Agent as provided above,  then (i) the Agent, if requested by the Required Banks
shall, by notice to the Borrower immediately terminate the Commitments, and (ii)
the Borrower shall be obligated to prepay on the date of such termination of the
Commitments each outstanding Loan by paying the aggregate principal amount to be
prepaid  together  with  all  accrued  interest  thereon  to the  date  of  such
prepayment; provided that, if the Borrower prepays any Fixed Rate Loans pursuant
to this  clause,  the  Borrower  shall  compensate  the Banks for any  resulting
funding losses. The Banks acknowledge that a HLT Classification is not a Default
or an Event of Default hereunder.

                         ARTICLE 4. COLLATERAL SECURITY.

                  Section  4.01  Security.  As  security  for the payment of all
Loans made hereunder and under the Credit  Agreement - Term Loan  Facility,  and
for the  obligations  of each  Guarantor  under its  Guaranty,  Borrower and the
Guarantors  hereby  agree that the Banks shall at all times have,  pursuant to a
Security  Agreement executed  concurrently  herewith in the Form of Exhibit D, a
continuing  general security  interest in all personal  property of Borrower and
each Guarantor as more fully described in the security  agreement.  In addition,
as  provided  in the  Security  Agreement,  the Banks  shall at all times have a
perfected  first  priority  security  interest  in  100%  of  the  stock  of all
Subsidiaries of Borrower, now owned or hereafter acquired.

                  Section 4.02 Setoff. As additional collateral security for the
payment of the Notes and of any and all other  obligations  and  liabilities  of
Borrower  and each  Guarantor to the Banks  hereunder,  whether due or to become
due,  direct or  contingent,  now  existing or  hereafter  arising,  and however
created or  acquired,  the Banks shall at all times have and are hereby  given a
security  interest  in and a lien upon and right of offset  against  all moneys,
deposit  balances,  securities or other property or interest therein of Borrower
and each Guarantor now or at any time after the date of this Loan Agreement held
or received by or for or left in the  possession or control of any of the Banks,
whether for safekeeping,  custody,  transmission,  collection, pledge or for any
other or different purpose.  The foregoing right of setoff shall at all times be
subject  to the  Banks'  obligation  to share  payments  as set forth in Section
11.17.

                  Section 4.03  Guaranties.  Each  Guarantor  shall  execute and
deliver a Guaranty to each of the Banks, and a Security  Agreement  granting the
Banks a security  interest in all of the  Guarantor's  personal  property as set
forth in Section 4.01.


                        ARTICLE 5. CONDITIONS PRECEDENT.

                  Section   5.01.   Documentary   Conditions   Precedent.    The
obligations of the Banks to make the Loans  constituting  the initial  borrowing
hereunder  are subject to the condition  precedent  that the Agent and the Banks
shall have  received on or before the date of such Loans each of the  following,
in form and substance satisfactory to the Agent, the Banks, and their counsel:

                           (a) the Notes duly executed by the Borrower;

                           (b) the  Authorization  Letter  duly  executed by the
Borrower;

                           (c)   Security   Agreements   and   UCC-1   Financing
Statements duly executed by the Borrower and each Guarantor;

                           (d) the Guaranty duly executed by each Guarantor;

                           (e) a  certificate  of  the  Secretary  or  Assistant
Secretary of the Borrower,  dated the Closing  Date,  attesting to all corporate
action taken by the Borrower,  including  resolutions  of its Board of Directors
and sole shareholder authorizing the execution,  delivery and performance of the
Facility  Documents  to  which  it is a party  and  each  other  document  to be
delivered pursuant to this Agreement;

                           (f) a  certificate  of  the  Secretary  or  Assistant
Secretary of the Borrower, dated the Closing Date, certifying the names and true
signatures  of the  officers of the  Borrower  authorized  to sign the  Facility
Documents to which it is a party and the other  documents to be delivered by the
Borrower under this Agreement;

                           (g) a certificate of a duly authorized officer of the
Borrower,   dated  the  Closing  Date,  stating  that  the  representations  and
warranties  in Article 6 are true and correct on such date as though made on and
as of  such  date  and  that no  event  has  occurred  and is  continuing  which
constitutes a Default or Event of Default;

                           (h) a favorable  opinion of counsel for the Borrower,
dated the Closing  Date, in  substantially  the form of Exhibit E and as to such
other matters as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request;

                           (i) a  certificate  of  the  Secretary  or  Assistant
Secretary of each Guarantor,  dated the Closing Date, attesting to all corporate
action taken by the Guarantor,  including  resolutions of its Board of Directors
authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Facility Documents to
which it is a party;

                           (j) a  certificate  of  the  Secretary  or  Assistant
Secretary of each  Guarantor,  dated the Closing Date,  certifying the names and
true  signatures  of the  officers  of each  Guarantor  authorized  to sign  the
Facility Documents to which it is a party;

                           (k) a favorable opinion of counsel for each Guarantor
dated the Closing  Date, in  substantially  the form of Exhibit F and as to such
other matters as the Agent or any Bank may reasonably request;

                           (l) a  certificate  of a duly  authorized  officer of
each Guarantor,  dated the Closing Date,  stating that the  representations  and
warranties in the Facility Documents to which it is a party are true and correct
on such  date as  though  made on and as of such  date  and  that no  event  has
occurred and is continuing which constitutes a Default or Event of Default, and

                           (m) Certificates  from the applicable  Secretaries of
State showing Borrower and each Guarantor to be corporations in good standing in
the States of their incorporation.

                  Section 5.02. Additional Conditions Precedent. The obligations
of the Banks to make any Loans  pursuant  to a  borrowing  which  increases  the
amount outstanding  hereunder (including the initial borrowing) shall be subject
to the further conditions precedent that on the date of such Loans:

                           (a) the following statements shall be true:

                                (i) the representations and warranties contained
         in Article 6 and in any other Facility Document are true and correct on
         and as of the date of such Loans as though made on and as of such date;
         and

                                (ii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred
         and is continuing, or would result from such Loans.

                           (b) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied with, the terms and conditions of, and the documentation  relating to,
the  closing of the NDM  Acquisition,  and the other  transactions  contemplated
hereby. The Banks shall also have reviewed, and shall be satisfied with, the pro
forma financial  statements for the combined  operations of Borrower and NDM, as
of the closing of the NDM Acquisition.

                           (c) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied  with, the condition  (financial and otherwise),  operations,  assets,
title and nature of assets,  liabilities and prospects of the Borrower,  and its
respective Subsidiaries, and of NDM.

                           (d) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied  with,  (i) the Borrower's  tax  assumptions,  and (ii) the corporate,
organizational,  capital,  and legal  structure of the Borrower,  NDM, and their
respective Subsidiaries.

                           (e) The Banks shall be satisfied  that the borrowings
under this  Agreement  and other  funding  for the NDM  Acquisition  are in full
compliance with all legal requirements, including without limitation Regulations
G, T, U and X of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System,  and that
the NDM  Acquisition  is in compliance  with all applicable  legal  requirements
including,  if  applicable,  the  Hart-Scott-Rodino  Act, and all securities law
requirements.

                           (f) The Banks shall be satisfied  that the  Borrower,
NDM, and their respective  Subsidiaries comply in all material respects with all
applicable U.S.  federal,  state and local laws and  regulations,  including all
Environmental Laws.

                           (g) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied with, an environmental risk assessment (including the potential levels
of  environmental  liability  set forth  therein)  with  respect  to NDM and its
Subsidiaries.

                           (h) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied with, the insurance program of the Borrower, NDM, and their respective
Subsidiaries.

                           (i) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied  with,  all  financial  information  concerning  the  NDM  Acquisition
furnished  to  Borrower  pursuant  to  the  agreements   memorializing  the  NDM
Acquisition.

                           (j) The  Banks  shall  have  reviewed,  and  shall be
satisfied with, information concerning any litigation relating to or arising out
of NDM, the  Acquisition or any of the other  transactions  contemplated by this
Agreement.

                           (k)  the  Agent  shall  have   received   such  other
approvals,  opinions  or  documents  as the  Agent or any  Bank  may  reasonably
request.

                           (l)  Guaranties  to each Bank  from  each  Subsidiary
shall be in full force and effect and unrevoked.

                           (m) The  Security  Agreements  of  Borrower  and each
Guarantor, and all other Facility Documents, shall be in full force and effect.

                  Section 5.03.  Term Loan  Borrowings.  The  obligations of the
Banks to make any Loans  hereunder  shall be  subject to the  further  condition
precedent  that Borrower  shall have  borrowed the full amount  committed by the
Banks under the Credit Agreement - Term Loan Facility.

                  Section 5.04. Deemed Representations. Each notice of borrowing
hereunder and acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such borrowing shall
constitute  a  representation  and  warranty  that the  statements  contained in
Section 5.02(a) are true and correct both on the date of such notice and, unless
the Borrower  otherwise  notifies the Agent prior to such  borrowing,  as of the
date of such borrowing.


                   ARTICLE 6. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that:

                  Section   6.01.   Incorporation,   Good   Standing   and   Due
Qualification.  Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries is duly  incorporated,
validly  existing and in good standing under the laws of the jurisdiction of its
incorporation,  has the  corporate  power and authority to own its assets and to
transact the business in which it is now engaged or proposed to be engaged,  and
is duly qualified as a foreign  corporation  and in good standing under the laws
of each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required.

                  Section 6.02. Corporate Power and Authority; No Conflicts. The
execution, delivery and performance by the Borrower of the Facility Documents to
which it is a party have been duly authorized by all necessary  corporate action
and  do  not  and  will  not:  (a)  require  any  consent  or  approval  of  its
stockholders;  (b) contravene its charter or by-laws;  (c) violate any provision
of, or require any filing,  registration,  consent or approval  under,  any law,
rule,  regulation  (including,  without limitation,  Regulation U), order, writ,
judgment,  injunction, decree, determination or award presently in effect having
applicability  to the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates;  (d)
result in a breach of or  constitute a default or require any consent  under any
indenture  or  loan  or  credit  agreement  or any  other  agreement,  lease  or
instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which it or its properties may
be bound or affected;  (e) result in, or require,  the creation or imposition of
any Lien upon or with  respect to any of the  properties  now owned or hereafter
acquired  by the  Borrower;  or (f) cause the  Borrower  (or any  Subsidiary  or
Affiliate,  as the case may be) to be in  default  under  any  such  law,  rule,
regulation, order, writ, judgment, injunction, decree, determination or award or
any such indenture, agreement, lease or instrument.

                  Section 6.03. Legally  Enforceable  Agreements.  Each Facility
Document  to which the  Borrower  is a party is, or when  delivered  under  this
Agreement  will  be, a legal,  valid  and  binding  obligation  of the  Borrower
enforceable  against the Borrower in  accordance  with its terms,  except to the
extent that such enforcement may be limited by applicable bankruptcy, insolvency
and other similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally.

                  Section  6.04.  Litigation.  There  are no  actions,  suits or
proceedings pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened, against or
affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries before any court, governmental
agency or arbitrator, which may, in any one case or in the aggregate, materially
adversely affect the financial condition, operations,  properties or business of
the Borrower or any such Subsidiary or of the ability of the Borrower to perform
its obligations under the Facility Documents to which it is a party.

                  Section 6.05. Financial  Statements.  The consolidated balance
sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as at December 30, 1994,
and the related  consolidated  income statement and statements of cash flows and
changes  in   stockholders'   equity  of  the  Borrower  and  its   Consolidated
Subsidiaries  for the fiscal year then ended,  and the  accompanying  footnotes,
together  with  the  opinion  thereon,  of  Price  Waterhouse  LLP,  independent
certified public accountants, copies of which have been furnished to each of the
Banks,  are complete and correct and fairly  present the financial  condition of
the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries as at such date and the results
of the  operations  of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for the
periods covered by such  statements,  all in accordance  with GAAP  consistently
applied  (subject to adjustments  under Financial  Accounting  Standards 106 and
109).  There  are no  liabilities  of the  Borrower  or any of its  Consolidated
Subsidiaries,  fixed or contingent,  which are material but are not reflected in
the financial statements or in the notes thereto, other than liabilities arising
in the ordinary  course of business  since  December 30, 1994.  No  information,
exhibit or report  furnished by the Borrower to the Banks in connection with the
negotiation of this  Agreement  contained any material  misstatement  of fact or
omitted to state a material  fact or any fact  necessary to make the  statements
contained therein not materially misleading.  Since December 30, 1994, there has
been no material  adverse  change in the  condition  (financial  or  otherwise),
business, operations or prospects of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

                  Section 6.06.  Ownership  and Liens.  Each of the Borrower and
its Consolidated  Subsidiaries has good, clear and marketable title to, or valid
leasehold  interests in, all of its  properties  and assets,  real and personal,
including the properties and assets,  and leasehold  interests  reflected in the
financial  statements  referred to in Section 6.05 (other than any properties or
assets  disposed  of in the  ordinary  course  of  business),  and  none  of the
properties and assets owned by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries and none
of its leasehold  interests is subject to any Lien,  except as disclosed in such
financial statements or as may be permitted hereunder.  Upon consummation of the
NDM Acquisition in accordance with the Asset Purchase Agreement,  NDM, Inc. will
acquire good, clear and marketable title to the assets to be acquired from NDM.

                  Section 6.07. Taxes. Each of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries
has filed all tax returns  (federal,  state and local)  required to be filed and
has paid all taxes,  assessments and governmental  charges and levies thereon to
be due,  including  interest and penalties.  The federal income tax liability of
the Borrower  and its  Subsidiaries  has been  audited by the  Internal  Revenue
Service and has been finally  determined  and satisfied for all taxable years up
to and including the taxable year ended in 1990.

                  Section 6.08.  ERISA. Each Plan, and, to the best knowledge of
the Borrower, each Multiemployer Plan, is in compliance in all material respects
with, and has been administered in all material respects in compliance with, the
applicable  provisions of ERISA,  the Code and any other  applicable  Federal or
state law, and no event or condition is occurring or exists concerning which the
Borrower  would  be under  an  obligation  to  furnish  a report  to the Bank in
accordance with Section 7.08(h) hereof. The funded status of each Plan is as set
forth in Schedule IV.

                  Section 6.09.  Subsidiaries and Ownership of Stock. Schedule I
is a complete and accurate list of the Subsidiaries of the Borrower, showing the
jurisdiction of incorporation or organization of each Subsidiary and showing the
percentage  of the  Borrower's  ownership  of the  outstanding  stock  or  other
interest of each such Subsidiary.  All of the outstanding capital stock or other
interest of each such  Subsidiary  has been  validly  issued,  is fully paid and
nonassessable and is owned by the Borrower free and clear of all Liens.

                  Section 6.10. Credit  Arrangements.  Schedule II is a complete
and correct  list of all credit  agreements,  indentures,  installment  purchase
agreements,  guaranties,  Capital Leases and other  investments,  agreements and
arrangements  presently in effect  providing  for or relating to  extensions  of
credit  (including  agreements and  arrangements  for the issuance of letters of
credit or for  acceptance  financing) in respect of which the Borrower or any of
its  Subsidiaries is in any manner directly or contingently  obligated;  and the
maximum  principal or face amounts of the credit in  question,  outstanding  and
which can be  outstanding,  are  correctly  stated,  and all Liens of any nature
given or agreed to be given as security  therefor  are  correctly  described  or
indicated in such Schedule.

                  Section 6.11. Operation of Business.  Each of the Borrower and
its  Subsidiaries  possesses  all  licenses,   permits,   franchises,   patents,
copyrights,  trademarks and trade names, or rights thereto, necessary to conduct
its business  substantially  as now  conducted  and as presently  proposed to be
conducted,  and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is in violation
of any valid rights of others with respect to any of the foregoing.

                  Section 6.12.  Hazardous  Materials.  The Borrower and each of
its Subsidiaries  have obtained all permits,  licenses and other  authorizations
which are required under all Environmental Laws, except to the extent failure to
have any such permit, license or authorization would not have a material adverse
effect  on  the  consolidated  financial  condition,   operations,  business  or
prospects of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries.  The Borrower and
each of its  Subsidiaries are in compliance with the terms and conditions of all
such permits,  licenses and authorizations,  and are also in compliance with all
other   limitations,    restrictions,   conditions,   standards,   prohibitions,
requirements,  obligations  schedules and timetables contained in any applicable
Environmental  Law or in any regulation,  code, plan, order,  decree,  judgment,
injunction,  notice or demand letter  issued,  entered,  promulgated or approved
thereunder,  except to the extent  failure  to comply  would not have a material
adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition,  operations, business or
prospects of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries.

                  In addition, except as set forth in Schedule III hereto:

                           (a) No  notice,  notification,  demand,  request  for
information,  citation,  summons or order has been issued, no complaint has been
filed, no penalty has been assessed and no investigation or review is pending or
threatened  by any  governmental  or other  entity  with  respect to any alleged
failure by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries to have any permit,  license
or authorization  required in connection with the conduct of the business of the
Borrower  or  any  of its  Subsidiaries  or  with  respect  to  any  generation,
treatment,  storage,  recycling,  transportation,  release or  disposal,  or any
release as defined  in 42 U.S.C.  ss.  9601(22)  ("Release"),  of any  substance
regulated under  Environmental  Laws  ("Hazardous  Materials")  generated by the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries.

                           (b) Neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries
has handled any Hazardous Material,  other than as a generator,  on any property
now or previously  owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries to
an extent that it has, or may reasonably be expected to have, a material adverse
effect  on  the  consolidated  financial  condition,   operations,  business  or
prospects  taken as a whole of the Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries;
and

                                (i) no  polychlorinated  biphenyl is or has been
         present  at any  property  now or  previously  owned or  leased  by the
         Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries;

                                (ii) no asbestos  is or has been  present at any
         property  now or  previously  owned or leased by the Borrower or any of
         its Subsidiaries;

                                (iii) there are no underground storage tanks for
         Hazardous  Materials,  active  or  abandoned,  at any  property  now or
         previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries;
         and

                                (iv) no Hazardous  Materials have been Released,
         in a reportable quantity, where such a quantity has been established by
         statute,  ordinance,  rule,  regulation  or order,  at, on or under any
         property  now  or  previously  owned  by  the  Borrower  or  any of its
         Subsidiaries.

                           (c) Neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries
has transported or arranged for the  transportation of any Hazardous Material to
any  location  which  is  listed  on the  National  Priorities  List  under  the
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act of 1980, as
amended  ("CERCLA"),  listed for possible  inclusion on the National  Priorities
List by the Environmental  Protection Agency in the Comprehensive  Environmental
Response and  Liability  Information  System as provided by 40 C.F.R.  ss. 300.5
("CERCLIS")  or on any  similar  state list or which is the  subject of federal,
state or local  enforcement  actions or other  investigations  which may lead to
claims  against the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  for  clean-up  costs,
remedial  work,  damages to natural  resources  or for personal  injury  claims,
including, but not limited to, claims under CERCLA.

                           (d) No Hazardous  Material  generated by the Borrower
or any of its Subsidiaries has been recycled,  treated,  stored,  disposed of or
released  (as defined in CERCLA) by the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  at
any location other than those listed in Schedule III hereto.

                           (e) No oral or written notification of a Release of a
Hazardous  material has been filed by or on behalf of the Borrower or any of its
Subsidiaries  and no property now or previously  owned or leased by the Borrower
or any of its  Subsidiaries  is listed or proposed  for listing on the  National
Priorities  List  promulgated  pursuant to CERCLA,  on CERCLIS or on any similar
state list of sites requiring investigation or clean-up.

                           (f) There are no Liens  arising  under or pursuant to
any Environmental Laws on any of the real property or properties owned or leased
by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries,  and no government actions have been
taken or are in process which could subject any of such properties to such Liens
and neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries  would be required to place
any notice or restriction relating to the presence of Hazardous Materials at any
property owned by it in any deed to such property.

                           (g) There have been no environmental  investigations,
studies,  audits,  test,  reviews or other analyses conducted by or which are in
the  possession  of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  in relation to any
property or facility now or previously owned or leased by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries which have not been made available to the Banks.

                  Section 6.13. No Default on  Outstanding  Judgments or Orders.
Each of the  Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  has  satisfied  all  judgments  and
neither the Borrower nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is in default with respect to
any  judgment,  writ,  injunction,  decree,  rule or  regulation  of any  court,
arbitrator  or  federal,  state,  municipal  or  other  governmental  authority,
commission, board, bureau, agency or instrumentality, domestic or foreign.

                  Section  6.14.  No Defaults on Other  Agreements.  Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is a party to any indenture, loan or credit
agreement  or any lease or other  agreement  or  instrument  or  subject  to any
charter or corporate  restriction  which could have a material adverse effect on
the  business,  properties,  assets,  operations  or  conditions,  financial  or
otherwise,  of the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or the ability of the
Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  to carry  out its  obligations  under the
Facility  Documents to which it is a party.  Neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries  is in default in any  respect in the  performance,  observance  or
fulfillment of any of the obligations,  covenants or conditions contained in any
agreement or instrument material to its business to which it is a party.

                  Section  6.15.  Labor  Disputes  and Acts of God.  Neither the
business nor the  properties of the Borrower or of any of its  Subsidiaries  are
affected  by any fire,  explosion,  accident,  strike,  lockout  or other  labor
dispute, drought, storm, hail, earthquake,  embargo, act of God or of the public
enemy or other casualty  (whether or not covered by  insurance),  materially and
adversely affecting such business or properties or the operation of the Borrower
or such Subsidiary.

                  Section 6.16.  Governmental  Regulation.  Neither the Borrower
nor any of its  Subsidiaries  is subject to regulation  under the Public Utility
Holding Company Act of 1935, the Investment  Company Act of 1940, the Interstate
Commerce Act, the Federal  Power Act or any statute or  regulation  limiting its
ability to incur indebtedness for money borrowed as contemplated hereby.

                           Section 6.17. Partnerships.  Neither the Borrower nor
any of its Subsidiaries is a partner in any partnership.

                  Section 6.18. No  Forfeiture.  Neither the Borrower nor any of
its  Subsidiaries  or  Affiliates is engaged in or proposes to be engaged in the
conduct  of  any  business  or  activity  which  could  result  in a  Forfeiture
Proceeding  and no  Forfeiture  Proceeding  against  any of them is  pending  or
threatened.

                  Section 6.19.  Solvency.

                           (a) The present fair saleable  value of the assets of
the Borrower and each Subsidiary,  respectively,  after giving effect to all the
transactions  contemplated  by the  Facility  Documents  and the  funding of all
Commitments hereunder, exceeds the amount that will be required to be paid on or
in respect of the existing  debts and other  liabilities  (including  contingent
liabilities) of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as they mature.

                           (b) The respective  property of the Borrower and each
Subsidiary  does not constitute  unreasonably  small capital for the Borrower or
any  Subsidiary to carry out its business as now conducted and as proposed to be
conducted including the capital needs of the Borrower or its Subsidiaries.

                           (c) Neither  Borrower nor any Subsidiary  intends to,
nor does it believe  that it will,  incur  debts  beyond its ability to pay such
debts as they mature  (taking  into account the timing and amounts of cash to be
received by the Borrower and each Subsidiary, and of amounts to be payable on or
in respect of debt of the Borrower and each  Subsidiary).  The cash available to
the  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries,  after  taking  into  account  all  other
anticipated  uses  of  the  cash  of  the  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries,  is
anticipated to be sufficient to pay all such amounts on or in respect of debt of
the Borrower and its Subsidiaries when such amounts are required to be paid.

                           (d)  The   Borrower   does  not  believe  that  final
judgments  against it or any  Subsidiary  in actions for money  damages  will be
rendered  at a time  when,  or in an amount  such  that,  the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries will be unable to satisfy any such judgments promptly in accordance
with their terms  (taking  into  account the maximum  reasonable  amount of such
judgments  in any such actions and the  earliest  reasonable  time at which such
judgments  might  be  rendered).  The cash  available  to the  Borrower  and its
Subsidiaries after taking into account all other anticipated uses of the cash of
the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  (including  the payments on or in respect of
debt referred to in paragraph (c) of this Section  6.19),  is  anticipated to be
sufficient to pay all such judgments promptly in accordance with their terms.

                  Section 6.20.  Integrated Group. Borrower and its Subsidiaries
function as an  integrated  group and Borrower and each  Subsidiary  will derive
benefits,  directly  and  indirectly,  from the  Loans,  both in their  separate
capacity  and as  members  of  the  integrated  group,  because  the  successful
operation  of Borrower and its  Subsidiaries  is  dependant  upon the  continued
successful  operation and functions of Borrower and each  Subsidiary  and of the
integrated group as a whole. All Loans will be made to and through Borrower, but
it is agreed  that each  Subsidiary  will  benefit  from the  Loans  along  with
Borrower as members of the integrated and consolidated group.


                        ARTICLE 7. AFFIRMATIVE COVENANTS.

                  So long as any of the Notes  shall  remain  unpaid or any Bank
shall have any Commitment under this Agreement, the Borrower shall:

                  Section 7.01. Maintenance of Existence. Preserve and maintain,
and cause each of its  Subsidiaries  to preserve  and  maintain,  its  corporate
existence  and good  standing  in the  jurisdiction  of its  incorporation,  and
qualify and remain qualified,  and cause each of its Subsidiaries to qualify and
remain  qualified,  as a foreign  corporation in each jurisdiction in which such
qualification is required.

                  Section 7.02. Conduct of Business. Continue, and cause each of
its Subsidiaries to continue, to engage in an efficient and economical manner in
a  business  of the same  general  type as  conducted  by it on the date of this
Agreement.

                  Section 7.03.  Maintenance of Properties.  Maintain,  keep and
preserve, and cause each of its Subsidiaries to maintain, keep and preserve, all
of its properties,  (tangible and intangible)  necessary or useful in the proper
conduct of its business in good working order and  condition,  ordinary wear and
tear excepted.

                  Section 7.04.  Maintenance of Records. Keep, and cause each of
its  Subsidiaries  to keep,  adequate  records  and books of  account,  in which
complete entries will be made in accordance with GAAP,  reflecting all financial
transactions of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries.

                  Section 7.05.  Maintenance of Insurance.  Maintain,  and cause
each of its  Subsidiaries  to maintain,  insurance  with  financially  sound and
reputable  insurance companies or associations in such amounts and covering such
risks as are  usually  carried  by  companies  engaged  in the same or a similar
business and similarly  situated,  which  insurance  may provide for  reasonable
deductibility from coverage thereof.

                  Section 7.06.  Compliance with Laws. Comply, and cause each of
its  Subsidiaries to comply,  in all respects with all applicable  laws,  rules,
regulations  and orders  (including,  but not  limited to,  environmental  laws,
rules,  regulations and orders), such compliance to include, without limitation,
paying before the same become delinquent all taxes, assessments and governmental
charges imposed upon it or upon its property.

                  Section 7.07. Right of Inspection.  At any reasonable time and
from time to time,  permit the Agent or any Bank or any agent or  representative
thereof,  to examine and make copies and abstracts from the records and books of
account  of,  and  visit  the  properties  of,  the  Borrower  and  any  of  its
Subsidiaries,  and to discuss the affairs, finances and accounts of the Borrower
and any such Subsidiary with any of their respective  officers and directors and
the Borrower's independent accountants.

                  Section 7.08. Reporting Requirements. Furnish directly to each
of the Banks:

                           (a) as soon as  available  and in any event within 90
days after the end of each  fiscal  year of the  Borrower,  a  consolidated  and
consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and its Consolidated Subsidiaries as
of the end of such  fiscal  year and a  consolidated  and  consolidating  income
statement and  statements of cash flows and changes in  stockholders'  equity of
the  Borrower and its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries  for such fiscal year,  all in
reasonable  detail and stating in comparative  form the respective  consolidated
and  consolidating  figures for the  corresponding  date and period in the prior
fiscal year and all prepared in accordance with GAAP and as to the  consolidated
statements accompanied by an opinion thereon acceptable to the Agent and each of
the Banks by Price Waterhouse LLP or other  independent  accountants of national
standing selected by the Borrower;

                           (b) as soon as  available  and in any event within 45
days after the end of each of the first  three  quarters  of each fiscal year of
the Borrower, a consolidated and consolidating balance sheet of the Borrower and
its  Consolidated  Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and a consolidated
and  consolidating  income statement and statements of cash flows and changes in
stockholders' equity, of the Borrower and its Consolidated  Subsidiaries for the
period commencing at the end of the previous fiscal year and ending with the end
of such quarter,  all in reasonable  detail and stating in comparative  form the
respective consolidated and consolidating figures for the corresponding date and
period in the previous  fiscal year and all prepared in accordance with GAAP and
certified by the chief  financial  officer of the Borrower  (subject to year-end
adjustments);

                           (c)  promptly  upon  receipt  thereof,  copies of any
reports  submitted to the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  by  independent
certified  public  accountants in connection  with  examination of the financial
statements of the Borrower or any such Subsidiary made by such accountants;

                           (d) simultaneously with the delivery of the financial
statements  referred to above, a certificate of the chief  financial  officer of
the  Borrower  (i)  certifying  that to the best of his  knowledge no Default or
Event of Default has  occurred  and is  continuing  or, if a Default or Event of
Default has occurred and is continuing, a statement as to the nature thereof and
the action  which is proposed to be taken with  respect  thereto,  and (ii) with
computations demonstrating compliance with the covenants contained in Article 9;

                           (e)  simultaneously  with the  delivery of the annual
financial  statements  referred  to in Section  7.08(a),  a  certificate  of the
independent  public  accountants who audited such statements to the effect that,
in making the examination necessary for the audit of such statements,  they have
obtained no knowledge of any  condition or event which  constitutes a Default or
Event of Default,  or if such accountants  shall have obtained  knowledge of any
such condition or event,  specifying in such  certificate each such condition or
event of which they have knowledge and the nature and status thereof;

                           (f) promptly after the commencement  thereof,  notice
of all  actions,  suits,  and  proceedings  before  any  court  or  governmental
department,  commission,  board, bureau, agency or instrumentality,  domestic or
foreign,  affecting the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries which, if determined
adversely  to the  Borrower or such  Subsidiary,  could have a material  adverse
effect on the financial condition,  properties, or operations of the Borrower or
such Subsidiary;

                           (g) as soon as  possible  and in any event  within 10
days after the  occurrence of each Default or Event of Default a written  notice
setting  forth the  details of such  Default or Event of Default  and the action
which is proposed to be taken by the Borrower with respect thereto;

                           (h) as soon as possible,  and in any event within ten
days  after the  Borrower  knows or has reason to know that any of the events or
conditions  specified below with respect to any Plan or Multiemployer  Plan have
occurred  or exist,  a  statement  signed by a senior  financial  officer of the
Borrower  setting  forth  details  respecting  such event or  condition  and the
action, if any, which the Borrower or its ERISA Affiliate  proposes to take with
respect thereto (and a copy of any report or notice required to be filed with or
given to PBGC by the Borrower or an ERISA  Affiliate  with respect to such event
or condition):

                           (i) any  reportable  event,  as  defined  in  Section
         4043(b) of ERISA,  with respect to a Plan,  as to which PBGC has not by
         regulation  waived the  requirement of Section 4043(a) of ERISA that it
         be notified  within 30 days of the  occurrence of such event  (provided
         that a failure to meet the minimum  funding  standard of Section 412 of
         the Code or Section 302 of ERISA  including,  without  limitation,  the
         failure to make on or before its due date a required  installment under
         Section  412(m) of the Code or  Section  302(e)  of  ERISA,  shall be a
         reportable   event  regardless  of  the  issuance  of  any  waivers  in
         accordance  with  Section  412(d) of the Code)  and any  request  for a
         waiver under Section 412(d) of the Code for any Plan;

                           (ii) the distribution  under Section 4041 of ERISA of
         a notice of intent to  terminate  any Plan or any  action  taken by the
         Borrower or an ERISA Affiliate to terminate any Plan;

                           (iii) the  institution by PBGC of  proceedings  under
         Section 4042 of ERISA for the  termination  of, or the appointment of a
         trustee to administer,  any Plan, or the receipt by the Borrower or any
         ERISA Affiliate of a notice from a Multiemployer  Plan that such action
         has been taken by PBGC with respect to such Multiemployer Plan;

                           (iv)  the  complete  or  partial  withdrawal  from  a
         Multiemployer  Plan by the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate that results
         in  liability  under  Section  4201  or 4204 of  ERISA  (including  the
         obligation  to satisfy  secondary  liability as a result of a purchaser
         default)  or the  receipt of the  Borrower  or any ERISA  Affiliate  of
         notice  from a  Multiemployer  Plan  that  it is in  reorganization  or
         insolvency pursuant to Section 4241 or 4245 of ERISA or that it intends
         to terminate or has terminated under Section 4041A of ERISA;

                           (v) the institution of a proceeding by a fiduciary or
         any  Multiemployer  Plan against the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate to
         enforce Section 515 of ERISA,  which proceeding is not dismissed within
         30 days;
                           (vi) the  adoption of an  amendment  to any Plan that
         pursuant  to Section  401(a)(29)  of the Code or  Section  307 of ERISA
         would  result  in the loss of  tax-exempt  status of the trust of which
         such  Plan is a part if the  Borrower  or an ERISA  Affiliate  fails to
         timely provide  security to the Plan in accordance  with the provisions
         of said Sections;

                           (vii)  any  event or  circumstance  exists  which may
         reasonably  be expected to  constitute  grounds for the Borrower or any
         ERISA  Affiliate  to incur  liability  under Title IV of ERISA or under
         Sections 412(c)(11) or 412(n) of the Code with respect to any Plan; and

                           (viii) the  Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities  of one or
         more Plans increase after the date of this Agreement in an amount which
         is material in relation to the financial  condition of the Borrower and
         its Subsidiaries, on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that such
         increase  shall  not be deemed  to be  material  so long as it does not
         exceed $300,000 during any consecutive one year period .

                           (i) promptly after the request of any Bank, copies of
each annual  report filed  pursuant to Section 104 of ERISA with respect to each
Plan  (including,  to the extent  required by Section 104 of ERISA,  the related
financial and actuarial statements and opinions and other supporting statements,
certifications,  schedules and information  referred to in Section 103) and each
annual  report  filed with  respect to each Plan  under  Section  4065 of ERISA;
provided, however, that in the case of a Multiemployer Plan, such annual reports
shall  be  furnished  only if they are  available  to the  Borrower  or an ERISA
Affiliate;

                           (j) promptly after the furnishing thereof,  copies of
any  statement or report  furnished to any other party  pursuant to the terms of
any indenture, loan or credit or similar agreement and not otherwise required to
be furnished to the Banks pursuant to any other clause of this Section 7.08;

                           (k)  promptly  after the  sending or filing  thereof,
copies of all proxy  statements,  financial  statements  and  reports  which the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries sends to its stockholders, and copies of all
regular, periodic and special reports, and all registration statements which the
Borrower  or  any  such  Subsidiary  files  with  the  Securities  and  Exchange
Commission or any governmental  authority which may be substituted  therefor, or
with any national securities exchange;

                           (l)  promptly  after  the  commencement   thereof  or
promptly after the Borrower knows of the commencement or threat thereof,  notice
of any Forfeiture Proceeding;

                           (m) a quarterly report from Borrower's  environmental
counsel on the status of environmental matters relating to Birtcher; and

                           (n) such other  information  respecting the condition
or  operations,   financial  or  otherwise,  of  the  Borrower  or  any  of  its
Subsidiaries as the Agent or any Bank may from time to time reasonably request.

                  Section  7.09.  Guaranties.  Cause  any  Subsidiary  hereafter
created or acquired to execute and deliver a Guaranty.


                         ARTICLE 8. NEGATIVE COVENANTS.

                  So long as any of the Notes  shall  remain  unpaid or any Bank
shall have any Commitment under this Agreement, the Borrower shall not:

                  Section 8.01. Debt. Create,  incur, assume or suffer to exist,
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist,
any Debt except:

                           (a) Debt of the Borrower  under this Agreement or the
Notes,  or under the Credit  Agreement  - Term Loan  Facility  and Notes  issued
pursuant thereto;

                           (b)  Debt   described  in  Schedule   II,   including
renewals, extensions or refinancings thereof, provided that the principal amount
thereof does not increase;

                           (c)  Debt  of  the  Borrower  subordinated  on  terms
satisfactory to the Banks to the Borrower's obligations under this Agreement and
the Notes;

                           (d) Debt of the Borrower to any such Subsidiary or of
any Subsidiary to the Borrower or another such Subsidiary;

                           (e) accounts  payable to trade creditors for goods or
services  which are not aged more than 180 days from  billing  date and  current
operating  liabilities  (other than for borrowed  money) which are not more than
180 days past due, in each case incurred in the ordinary  course of business and
paid  within  the  specified  time,  unless  contested  in  good  faith  and  by
appropriate proceedings;

                           (f) Debt in respect  of  letters of credit  issued by
Chase for the account of the  Borrower or any such  Subsidiary  in an  aggregate
face amount outstanding at any time of up to $100,000;

                           (g)  Debt  of the  Borrower  or any  such  Subsidiary
secured by purchase money Liens permitted by Section 8.03;

                           (h) Hedge  Exposure under Hedge  Agreements  with any
conterparty  that was a Bank at the time it  entered  into the Hedge  Agreement,
provided  that  Borrower  and  its  Subsidiaries  shall  not  enter  into  Hedge
Agreements  with any  third  party  other  than a Bank and that  their  maximum,
aggregate Hedge Exposure shall not exceed $2,000,000 at any time; or

                           (i)  A  lease  from  the  Oneida  County   Industrial
Development  Agency of the former Carl's Drug Company  property  located at 5836
Success Drive,  West Rome Industrial  Park, Rome, New York (the "Rome Property")
at nominal annual rental,  which lease will be accounted for as a Capital Lease,
together with  governmental  financing of up to $1,100,000 for  acquisition  and
improvement expenditures of the Rome Property.

                  Section 8.02. Guaranties,  Etc. Assume, guarantee,  endorse or
otherwise be or become directly or contingently responsible or liable, or permit
any of its Subsidiaries to assume, guarantee,  endorse or otherwise be or become
directly or indirectly responsible or liable (including,  but not limited to, an
agreement to purchase any  obligation,  stock,  assets,  goods or services or to
supply or advance  any funds,  asset,  goods or  services,  or an  agreement  to
maintain or cause such Person to maintain a minimum working capital or net worth
or  otherwise  to assure  the  creditors  of any  Person  against  loss) for the
obligations of any Person, other than Borrower or a subsidiary except guaranties
by  endorsement of negotiable  instruments  for deposit or collection or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business.

                  Section 8.03. Liens. Create, incur, assume or suffer to exist,
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist,
any Lien, upon or with respect to any of its properties,  now owned or hereafter
acquired, except:

                           (a) Liens in favor of Agent and/or the Banks securing
the Loans hereunder;

                           (b)  Liens  for   taxes  or   assessments   or  other
government charges or levies if not yet due and payable or if due and payable if
they are being contested in good faith by appropriate  proceedings and for which
appropriate reserves are maintained;

                           (c)  Liens  imposed  by  law,  such  as   mechanic's,
materialmen's, landlord's, warehousemen's and carrier's Liens, and other similar
Liens,  securing  obligations  incurred in the ordinary course of business which
are not past due for more than 30 days,  or which are  being  contested  in good
faith by appropriate  proceedings and for which  appropriate  reserves have been
established;

                           (d) Liens under workmen's compensation,  unemployment
insurance, social security or similar legislation (other than ERISA);

                           (e)  Liens,   deposits   or  pledges  to  secure  the
performance of bids, tenders, contracts (other than contracts for the payment of
money),  leases  (permitted  under  the  terms  of this  Agreement),  public  or
statutory  obligations,  surety, stay, appeal,  indemnity,  performance or other
similar bonds,  or other similar  obligations  arising in the ordinary course of
business;

                           (f)  judgment  and other  similar  Liens  arising  in
connection  with  court  proceedings;  provided  that  the  execution  or  other
enforcement of such Liens is effectively  stayed and the claims secured  thereby
are being actively contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings;

                           (g) easements, rights-of-way,  restrictions and other
similar  encumbrances which, in the aggregate,  do not materially interfere with
the occupation,  use and enjoyment by the Borrower or any such Subsidiary of the
property or assets  encumbered  thereby in the normal  course of its business or
materially impair the value of the property subject thereto;

                           (h) Liens securing obligations of a Subsidiary to the
Borrower or another Subsidiary;

                           (i)  Liens   described   in  Schedule  II   including
renewals,  extensions  or  refinancings  of  the  obligations  secured  thereby,
provided  that the  principal  amount  does not  increase  and the Liens are not
extended to other property or obligations;

                           (j) Liens securing Borrower's obligations relating to
letters of credit permitted under Section 8.01(f) or Hedge Agreements  permitted
under Section 8.01(h).

                           (k) purchase  money Liens on any  property  hereafter
acquired or the assumption of any Lien on property  existing at the time of such
acquisition, or a Lien incurred in connection with any conditional sale or other
title retention agreement or a Capital Lease; provided that:

                                    (i)  any  property  subject  to  any  of the
         foregoing  is acquired by the  Borrower or any such  Subsidiary  in the
         ordinary  course of its business  and the Lien on any such  property is
         created contemporaneously with such acquisition;

                                    (ii) the  obligation  secured by any Lien so
         created,  assumed or  existing  shall not exceed  100% of the lesser of
         cost or fair market value as of the time of acquisition of the property
         covered thereby to the Borrower or such Subsidiary acquiring the same;

                                    (iii)  each such Lien shall  attach  only to
         the property so acquired and fixed improvements thereon;

                                    (iv) the  Debt  secured  by all  such  Liens
         shall not exceed $200,000 at any time outstanding in the aggregate; and

                                    (v) the obligations secured by such Lien are
         permitted by the provisions of Section 8.01 and the related expenditure
         is permitted under Section 9.03.

                  Section  8.04.  Leases.  Create,  incur,  assume  or suffer to
exist, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to create,  incur,  assume or suffer to
exist,  any  obligation as lessee for the rental or hire of any real or personal
property,  except:  (a) leases  existing on the date of this  Agreement  and any
extensions or renewals thereof;  (b) leases (other than Capital Leases) which do
not in the aggregate require the Borrower and its Subsidiaries on a consolidated
basis to make payments  (including  taxes,  insurance,  maintenance  and similar
expense which the Borrower or any  Subsidiary is required to pay under the terms
of any lease) in any fiscal year of the  Borrower in excess of  $1,000,000;  (c)
leases between the Borrower and any Subsidiary or between any Subsidiaries;  (d)
Capital Leases permitted by Section 8.03; and (e) a lease with The Oneida County
Industrial  Development Agency, Rome Property.  Payments under existing Birtcher
leases and  renewals of same for  premises  located at 50  Technology  Drive and
15330 Barranca Parkway,  Irvine,  California shall be disregarded in calculating
Borrower's compliance with the limitations set forth in subsection 8.04(b).

                  Section 8.05. Loans;  Investments.  Make, or permit any of its
Subsidiaries to make, any loan or advance to any Person,  other than Borrower or
a Subsidiary, or purchase or otherwise acquire, or permit any such Subsidiary to
purchase or otherwise acquire, any capital stock,  assets,  obligations or other
securities  of, make any capital  contribution  to, or  otherwise  invest in, or
acquire  any  interest  in, any Person,  except:  (a) a  subsidiary;  (b) direct
obligations  of the  United  States  of  America  or  any  agency  thereof  with
maturities of five years or less from the date of  acquisition;  (c)  commercial
paper of a domestic issuer rated at least "A-1" by Standard & Poor's Corporation
or "P-1" by Moody's  Investors  Service,  Inc.; (d) certificates of deposit with
maturities  of one  year or less  from  the date of  acquisition  issued  by any
commercial bank operating within the United States of America having capital and
surplus in excess of $750,000,000;  (e) bank repurchase agreements of 30 days or
less duration  backed by direct  obligations  of the United States of America or
any agencies thereof;  and (f) for stock,  obligations or securities received in
settlement of debts  (created in the ordinary  course of business)  owing to the
Borrower or any Subsidiary.

                  Section  8.06.  Dividends.  Without  the consent of the Banks,
declare or pay any dividends,  purchase, redeem, retire or otherwise acquire for
value  any of its  capital  stock  now or  hereafter  outstanding,  or make  any
distribution of assets to its stockholders as such whether in cash, assets or in
obligations of the Borrower,  or allocate or otherwise set apart any sum for the
payment of any dividend or distribution  on, or for the purchase,  redemption or
retirement of any shares of its capital stock, or make any other distribution by
reduction of capital or otherwise in respect of any shares of its capital  stock
or permit any of its Subsidiaries to purchase or otherwise acquire for value any
stock of the Borrower or another such Subsidiary,  except that: (a) the Borrower
may declare and  deliver  dividends  and make  distributions  payable  solely in
common stock of the Borrower; (b) the Borrower may purchase or otherwise acquire
shares of its capital stock by exchange for or out of the proceeds received from
a substantially  concurrent  issue of new shares of its capital stock; and (c) a
Subsidiary may pay dividends and make other distributions to Borrower.

                  Section 8.07. Sale of Assets. Sell, lease, assign, transfer or
otherwise dispose of, or permit any of its Subsidiaries to sell, lease,  assign,
transfer or  otherwise  dispose of, any of its now owned or  hereafter  acquired
assets (including,  without limitation, shares of stock and indebtedness of such
Subsidiaries,  receivables and leasehold  interests);  except: (a) for inventory
disposed  of in the  ordinary  course  of  business;  (b) for the  sale or other
disposition  of assets no longer used or useful in the conduct of its  business;
(c) that Borrower may convey the Rome  Property to the Oneida County  Industrial
Development Agency,  which property will be leased back to Borrower as permitted
under  Section  8.04(d) of this  Agreement;  (d) that any  Subsidiary  may sell,
lease,  assign, or otherwise  transfer its assets to the Borrower;  and (e) that
Borrower may sell, lease,  assign or otherwise transfer assets to any Subsidiary
so long as a Guaranty is in full force and effect for such Subsidiary.

                  Section 8.08.  Stock of  Subsidiaries,  Etc. Sell or otherwise
dispose  of any shares of capital  stock of any of its  Subsidiaries,  except in
connection  with a transaction  permitted under Section 8.10, or permit any such
Subsidiary  to  issue  any  additional  shares  of  its  capital  stock,  except
directors' qualifying shares.

                  Section 8.09.  Transactions  with  Affiliates.  Enter into any
transaction,  including,  without limitation,  the purchase, sale or exchange of
property or the  rendering of any service,  with any  Affiliate or permit any of
its Subsidiaries to enter into any transaction,  including,  without limitation,
the purchase, sale or exchange of property or the rendering of any service, with
any Affiliate,  except in the ordinary course of, and pursuant to the reasonable
requirements of, the Borrower's or such Subsidiary's  business and upon fair and
reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrower or such Subsidiary than would
obtain in a comparable arm's length transaction with a Person not an Affiliate.

                  Section 8.10.  Mergers,  Etc.  Merge or  consolidate  with, or
sell, assign,  lease or otherwise dispose of (whether in one transaction or in a
series of  transactions)  all or  substantially  all of its assets  (whether now
owned or hereafter acquired) to, any Person, or acquire all or substantially all
of the assets or the  business of any Person (or enter into any  agreement to do
any of the foregoing),  or permit any of its  Subsidiaries to do so except that:
(a) any such Subsidiary may merge into or transfer  assets to the Borrower;  and
(b) any Subsidiary may merge into or consolidate  with or transfer assets to any
other Subsidiary.

                  Section 8.11. Acquisitions.  Enter into any transaction (other
than  the  NDM  Acquisition)  pursuant  to  which  the  Borrower  or  any of its
Subsidiaries  (a) acquires  equity  securities  (or  warrants,  options or other
rights to acquire such securities) of any corporation other than the Borrower or
any  corporation  which is not then a Subsidiary of the Borrower,  pursuant to a
solicitation of tenders therefor,  or in one or more negotiated block, market or
other  transactions not involving a tender offer, or a combination of any of the
foregoing,  or (b) makes any corporation a Subsidiary of the Borrower, or causes
any such corporation to be merged into the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,
in any case  pursuant  to a merger,  purchase  of  assets or any  reorganization
providing for the delivery or issuance to the holders of such corporation's then
outstanding securities,  in exchange for such securities,  of cash or securities
of the Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries,  or a combination  thereof,  or (c)
purchases all or substantially all of the business or assets of any corporation.

                  Section 8.12. No Activities Leading to Forfeiture. Neither the
Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries or affiliates shall engage in or propose to
be engaged in the conduct of any  business or activity  which could  result in a
Forfeiture Proceeding.

                  Section  8.13.  New  Businesses.  Engage  in,  or  permit  any
Subsidiary to engage in, any business other than those presently conducted.

                  Section 8.14. Negative Pledge. Neither the Borrower nor any of
its Subsidiaries  shall cause or permit,  or agree or consent to cause or permit
in the future  (upon the  happening of a  contingency  or  otherwise),  any real
property now or hereafter  owned by Borrower or such Subsidiary to be subject to
any lien,  mortgage or encumbrance.  Neither  Borrower not any Subsidiary  shall
cause or permit,  or agree to cause or permit in the future,  said real property
to be sold, conveyed or otherwise alienated.


                         ARTICLE 9. FINANCIAL COVENANTS.

                  So long as any of the Notes  shall  remain  unpaid or any Bank
shall have any Commitment under this Agreement:

                  Section 9.01.  Minimum  Working  Capital.  The Borrower  shall
maintain at all times an excess of Consolidated Current Assets over Consolidated
Current  Liabilities of not less than the amounts listed on the following  table
for the periods stated therein.

<TABLE>
- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------
                      Fiscal Year       Fiscal Year        Fiscal Year
                         1996               1997              1998
- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------
<S>                    <C>                <C>               <C>     
   1st Quarter         $30,000M           $42,000M          $52,000M
- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------
   2nd Quarter         $30,000M           $44,000M           $54,000
- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------
   3rd Quarter         $30,000M           $46,000M           $56,000
- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------
   4th Quarter         $40,000M           $50,000M           $60,000
- ------------------ ------------------ ----------------- ------------------
</TABLE>

For purposes of Sections 9.01 and 9.04 only,  Loans under this  Agreement  shall
not be considered as Current Liabilities.

                  Section 9.02.  Minimum Net Worth.  The Borrower shall maintain
at all times a Consolidated Net Worth of not less than the amounts listed on the
following table for the periods stated therein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
                        Fiscal Year         Fiscal Year          Fiscal Year
                            1996                1997                 1998
- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
<S>                       <C>                 <C>                 <C>      
    1st Quarter           $72,000M            $85,000M            $105,000M
- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
    2nd Quarter           $75,000M            $89,000M            $110,000M
- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
    3rd Quarter           $78,000M            $93,000M            $115,000M
- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
    4th Quarter           $81,000M           $100,000M            $120,000M
- -------------------- ------------------- ------------------- ---------------------
</TABLE>

                  Section 9.03.  Leverage Ratio.  The Borrower shall maintain at
all times a ratio of Consolidated Total Liabilities to Consolidated Net Worth of
not greater than the amounts  listed on the  following  table for these  periods
stated therein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
                        Fiscal Year          Fiscal Year          Fiscal Year
                           1996                 1997                 1998
- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
<S>                      <C>                  <C>                  <C>      
   1st Quarter           1.20:1.00            0.85:1.00            0.60:1.00
- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
   2nd Quarter           1.05:1.00            0.75:1.00            0.55:1.00
- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
   3rd Quarter           0.95:1.00            0.65:1.00            0.50:1.00
- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
   4th Quarter           0.85:1.00            0.60:1.00            0.40:1.00
- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------- --------------------
</TABLE>

                  Section 9.04.  Cash Flow Coverage  Ratio.  The Borrower  shall
maintain a Cash Flow Coverage  Ratio of not less than the amounts  listed on the
following table for the periods stated therein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 ----------------------- -------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
                               Fiscal                 Fiscal                  Fiscal
                                Year                   Year                    Year
                                1996                   1997                    1998
 ----------------------- -------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
<S>                           <C>                   <C>                     <C>      
      1st Quarter             0.95:1.00             1.05:1.00               1.25:1:00
 ----------------------- -------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
      2nd Quarter             1.00:1.00             1.15:1.00               1.25:1.00
 ----------------------- -------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
      3rd Quarter             1.00:1.00             1.20:1.00               1.25:1.00
 ----------------------- -------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
      4th Quarter             1.05:1.00             1.25:1.00               1.25:1.00
 ----------------------- -------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
</TABLE>

                  Section 9.05.  Limitations on Debt.

                           (a) The Borrower  shall maintain at all times a ratio
of Total Funded Debt to Cash Flow of not more than 4.5:1.0.

                           (b) The Borrower  shall maintain at all times a ratio
of Total  Funded Debt to Total  Funded Debt plus  Consolidated  Net Worth of not
more than the  amounts  listed on the  following  table for the  periods  stated
therein:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
                             Fiscal                  Fiscal                  Fiscal
                              Year                    Year                    Year
                              1996                    1997                    1998
- --------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
<S>                          <C>                   <C>                     <C>      
    1st Quarter             0.51:1.00              0.42:1.00               0.32:1:00
- --------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
    2nd Quarter             0.49:1.00              0.40:1.00               0.30:1.00
- --------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
    3rd Quarter             0.47:1.00              0.38:1.00               0.28:1.00
- --------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
    4th Quarter             0.45:1.00              0.35:1.00               0.25:1.00
- --------------------- ---------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
</TABLE>

                         ARTICLE 10. EVENTS OF DEFAULT.

                  Section 10.01. Events of Default.  Any of the following events
shall be an "Event of Default":

                           (a) the Borrower shall: (i) fail to pay the principal
of any Note under this  Agreement  or with respect to the Term Loans as and when
due and payable;  or (ii) fail to pay interest on any Note under this  Agreement
or with  respect to the Term Loans or any fee or other  amount due  hereunder as
and when due and payable;

                           (b) any  representation  or  warranty  made or deemed
made by the Borrower in this Agreement or in any other  Facility  Document or by
any  Guarantor  in any  Facility  Document  to  which  it is a party or which is
contained in any certificate,  document,  opinion,  financial or other statement
furnished at any time under or in connection  with any Facility  Document  shall
prove to have been  incorrect in any material  respect on or as of the date made
or deemed made;

                           (c)  the  Borrower  shall:  (i)  fail to  perform  or
observe any term, covenant or agreement contained in Section 2.03 or Articles 7,
8 or 9 or  elsewhere in this  Agreement;  or (ii) fail to perform or observe any
term,  covenant or agreement on its part to be performed or observed (other than
the obligations specifically referred to elsewhere in this Section 10.01) in any
Facility Document and such failure shall continue for 30 consecutive days;

                           (d)  the  Borrower,  any  Guarantor  or any of  their
respective  Subsidiaries shall: (i) fail to pay any indebtedness,  including but
not  limited  to  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money  (other  than  the  payment
obligations  described in (a) above),  of the Borrower,  such  Guarantor or such
Subsidiary,  as the case may be, or any interest or premium thereon,  within 180
days of billing date in the case of trade  accounts  payable,  180 days from the
due date in the case of other  current  operating  liabilities  (other  than for
borrowed  money),  and  within  thirty  days of the date  when due  (whether  by
scheduled maturity, required prepayment,  acceleration, demand or otherwise) for
all other  Debt;  or (ii) fail to  perform  or  observe  any term,  covenant  or
condition  on its part to be  performed  or  observed  under  any  agreement  or
instrument  relating to any such indebtedness,  when required to be performed or
observed,  if the effect of such failure to perform or observe is to accelerate,
or to permit the acceleration of, after the giving of notice or passage of time,
or both,  the  maturity  of such  indebtedness,  whether or not such  failure to
perform or observe  shall be waived by the holder of such  indebtedness;  or any
such  indebtedness  shall be declared to be due and  payable,  or required to be
prepaid (other than by a regularly scheduled required prepayment),  prior to the
stated maturity thereof;

                           (e)  the  Borrower,  any  Guarantor  or any of  their
respective  Subsidiaries:  (i) shall  generally  not,  or be unable to, or shall
admit in writing its  inability  to, pay its debts as such debts  become due; or
(ii) shall make an assignment for the benefit of creditors, petition or apply to
any tribunal for the appointment of a custodian, receiver or trustee for it or a
substantial part of its assets; or (iii) shall commence any proceeding under any
bankruptcy,  reorganization,  arrangement,  readjustment of debt, dissolution or
liquidation  law or statute of any  jurisdiction,  whether now or  hereafter  in
effect;  or (iv) shall have had any such  petition or  application  filed or any
such proceeding shall have been commenced,  against it, in which an adjudication
or  appointment  is made or order for  relief is  entered,  and which  petition,
application or proceeding  remains  undismissed for a period of 30 days or more;
or shall be the subject of any proceeding  under which its assets may be subject
to seizure,  forfeiture or divestiture  (other than a proceeding in respect of a
Lien  permitted  under  Section 8.03 (b));  or (v) by any act or omission  shall
indicate  its consent  to,  approval of or  acquiescence  in any such  petition,
application or proceeding or order for relief or the appointment of a custodian,
receiver or trustee for all or any  substantial  part of its  property;  or (vi)
shall suffer any such  custodianship,  receivership  or  trusteeship to continue
undischarged for a period of 30 days or more;

                           (f) one or more judgments,  decrees or orders for the
payment  of money in excess  of  $100,000  in the  aggregate  shall be  rendered
against the Borrower, any Guarantor or any of their respective  Subsidiaries and
such judgments, decrees or orders shall continue unsatisfied and in effect for a
period of 30 consecutive  days without being vacated,  discharged,  satisfied or
stayed or bonded pending appeal;

                           (g) any event or condition  shall occur or exist with
respect to any Plan or Multiemployer Plan concerning which the Borrower is under
an obligation to furnish a report to the Bank in accordance with Section 7.08(h)
hereof and as a result of such event or condition,  together with all other such
events or conditions, the Borrower or any ERISA Affiliate has incurred or in the
opinion  of the Bank is  reasonably  likely to incur a  liability  to a Plan,  a
Multiemployer  Plan, the PBGC, or a Section 4042 Trustee (or any  combination of
the  foregoing)  which is material in relation to the financial  position of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries,  on a consolidated basis; provided, however, that
any such amount  shall not be deemed to be material so long as all such  amounts
do not exceed in the aggregate during any consecutive one year period $500,000;

                           (h) The Unfunded  Benefit  Liabilities of one or more
Plans have  increased  after the date of this  Agreement  in an amount  which is
material (as specified in Section 10.01(g) hereof);

                           (i) (i) any Person or two or more  Persons  acting in
concert shall have acquired  beneficial  ownership  (within the meaning of Rules
13d-3 of the Securities and Exchange  commission  under the Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934) of 5% or more of the  outstanding  shares  of  voting  stock of the
Borrower  unless such  persons are  qualified to file SEC Schedule 12G under SEC
Rules  13d-1(b)(1)  and  13d-2(b);  or (ii) during any period of 12  consecutive
months,  commencing before or after the date of this Agreement,  individuals who
at the beginning of such 12-month  period were  directors of the Borrower  cease
for any  reason  to  constitute  a  majority  of the board of  directors  of the
Borrower  unless such persons are replaced as directors by persons  nominated by
the then current board of directors;

                           (j) (A) any  Forfeiture  Proceeding  shall  have been
commenced  or the  Borrower  shall  have  given any Bank  written  notice of the
commencement of any Forfeiture  Proceeding as provided in Section 7.08(l) or (B)
any Bank has a good faith basis to believe that a Forfeiture Proceeding has been
threatened or commenced;

                           (k)  any  Guaranty   shall  at  any  time  after  its
execution  and  delivery and for any reason cease to be in full force and effect
or shall be declared  null and void, or the validity or  enforceability  thereof
shall be contested by the Guarantor,  or the Guarantor shall revoke or terminate
its Guaranty with respect to future  advances,  or shall deny it has any further
liability or  obligation  thereunder,  or shall fail to perform its  obligations
thereunder; or

                           (l) any  loss  contingency  for  costs  and  expenses
relating to environmental  remediation  becomes  accruable as a liability on the
financial  statements of Borrower under  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board
Standard No. 5, and such liability  exceeds either  $5,000,000 in the aggregate,
regardless of when due and payable, or $750,000 if payable within one year.

                           (m) an Event of Default shall occur and be continuing
under the Credit  Agreement - Term Loan  Facility or any  Facility  Document (as
defined therein) relating thereto.

                  Section 10.02.  Remedies.  If any Event of Default shall occur
and be  continuing,  the Agent shall,  upon request of the  Required  Banks,  by
notice to the Borrower, (a) declare the Commitments to be terminated,  whereupon
the same shall forthwith terminate, and (b) declare the outstanding principal of
the  Notes,  all  interest  thereon  and all other  amounts  payable  under this
Agreement  and the Notes to be forthwith  due and payable,  whereupon the Notes,
all such  interest  and all such amounts  shall become and be forthwith  due and
payable, without presentment, demand, protest or further notice of any kind, all
of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower; provided that, in the case
of an Event of Default  referred to in Section  10.01(e) or Section  10.01(j)(A)
above,  the  Commitments  shall be immediately  terminated,  and the Notes,  all
interest  thereon and all other amounts  payable under this  Agreement  shall be
immediately  due and payable  without notice,  presentment,  demand,  protest or
other  formalities of any kind, all of which are hereby  expressly waived by the
Borrower. Further, Agent, acting on behalf of the Banks, and with the consent or
direction  of the  Required  Banks,  may then  exercise  any and all  rights and
remedies available under the Facility Documents or at law or in equity.


           ARTICLE 11. THE AGENT; RELATIONS AMONG BANKS AND BORROWER.

                  Section  11.01.  Appointment,  Powers and Immunities of Agent.
Each Bank  hereby  irrevocably  (but  subject to removal by the  Required  Banks
pursuant to Section 11.09) appoints and authorizes the Agent to act as its agent
hereunder  and  under  any  other  Facility  Document  with  such  powers as are
specifically delegated to the Agent by the terms of this Agreement and any other
Facility Document,  together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto.  The  Agent  shall  have no  duties or  responsibilities  except  those
expressly set forth in this Agreement and any other Facility Document, and shall
not by reason of this  Agreement be a trustee for any Bank.  The Agent shall not
be responsible  to the Banks for any recitals,  statements,  representations  or
warranties  made by the  Borrower or any officer or official of the  Borrower or
any other Person contained in this Agreement or any other Facility Document,  or
in any  certificate or other document or instrument  referred to or provided for
in, or received  by any of them  under,  this  Agreement  or any other  Facility
Document,  or for the value,  legality,  validity,  effectiveness,  genuineness,
enforceability  or sufficiency of this Agreement or any other Facility  Document
or any other  document  or  instrument  referred  to or  provided  for herein or
therein, for the perfection or priority of any collateral security for the Loans
or for any failure by the Borrower to perform any of its  obligations  hereunder
or thereunder.  The Agent may employ agents and  attorneys-in-fact and shall not
be  responsible,  except  as to  money  or  securities  received  by  it or  its
authorized  agents,  for the  negligence  or  misconduct  of any such  agents or
attorneys-in-  fact selected by it with reasonable  care.  Neither the Agent nor
any of  its  directors,  officers,  employees  or  agents  shall  be  liable  or
responsible  for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it or them hereunder
or under any other  Facility  Document or in  connection  herewith or therewith,
except for its or their own gross negligence or willful misconduct. The Borrower
shall pay any fee agreed to by the  Borrower  and the Agent with  respect to the
Agent's services hereunder.


                  Section 11.02.  Reliance by Agent. The Agent shall be entitled
to rely upon any  certification,  notice or other  communication  (including any
thereof by telephone, telex, telegram or cable) believed by it to be genuine and
correct and to have been signed or sent by or on behalf of the proper  Person or
Persons,   and  upon  advice  and  statements  of  legal  counsel,   independent
accountants  and other  experts  selected  by the Agent.  The Agent may deem and
treat  each Bank as the  holder of the Loan made by it for all  purposes  hereof
unless and until a notice of the assignment or transfer thereof  satisfactory to
the Agent  signed by such Bank  shall have been  furnished  to the Agent but the
Agent  shall  not be  required  to deal  with  any  Person  who has  acquired  a
participation in any Loan from a Bank. As to any matters not expressly  provided
for by this  Agreement or any other  Facility  Document,  the Agent shall in all
cases be fully protected in acting,  or in refraining from acting,  hereunder in
accordance with instructions signed by the Required Banks, and such instructions
of the Required  Banks and any action  taken or failure to act pursuant  thereto
shall be binding on all of the Banks and any other  holder of all or any portion
of any Loan.

                  Section 11.03. Defaults. The Agent shall not be deemed to have
knowledge  of the  occurrence  of a Default or Event of Default  (other than the
non-payment  of  principal of or interest on the Loans to the extent the same is
required to be paid to the Agent for the account of the Banks)  unless the Agent
has received notice from a Bank or the Borrower specifying such Default or Event
of Default and stating  that such notice is a "Notice of  Default." In the event
that the Agent receives such a notice of the occurrence of a Default or Event of
Default, the Agent shall give prompt notice thereof to the Banks (and shall give
each Bank prompt notice of each such  non-payment).  The Agent shall (subject to
Section 11.08) take such action with respect to such Default or Event of Default
which is continuing as shall be directed by the Required  Banks;  provided that,
unless and until the Agent shall have  received such  directions,  the Agent may
take such  action,  or refrain  from taking such  action,  with  respect to such
Default or Event of Default as it shall deem  advisable in the best  interest of
the Banks; and provided further that the Agent shall not be required to take any
such action which it determines to be contrary to law.

                  Section 11.04.  Rights of Agent as a Bank. With respect to its
Commitment  and the  Loans  made by it,  the  Agent  in its  capacity  as a Bank
hereunder shall have the same rights and powers  hereunder as any other Bank and
may  exercise  the same as though it were not acting as the Agent,  and the term
"Bank" or "Banks" shall,  unless the context  otherwise  indicates,  include the
Agent in its  capacity  as a Bank.  The Agent and its  affiliates  may  (without
having to account  therefor to any Bank) accept deposits from, lend money to (on
a secured or  unsecured  basis),  and  generally  engage in any kind of banking,
trust or other business with, the Borrower (and any of its  affiliates) as if it
were  not  acting  as the  Agent,  and the  Agent  may  accept  fees  and  other
consideration  from the Borrower for services in connection  with this Agreement
or otherwise  without having to account for the same to the Banks.  Although the
Agent  and  its  affiliates  may  in  the  course  of  such   relationships  and
relationships  with other Persons acquire  information  about the Borrower,  its
Affiliates and such other Persons, the Agent shall have no duty to disclose such
information to the Banks.

                  Section 11.05.  Indemnification  of Agent.  The Banks agree to
indemnify the Agent (to the extent not  reimbursed  under Section 12.03 or under
the applicable  provisions of any other Facility Document,  but without limiting
the obligations of the Borrower under Section 12.03 or such provisions), ratably
in accordance with the aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount of the Loans made by
the Banks (without giving effect to any participations, in all or any portion of
such Loans,  sold by them to any other  Person) (or, if no Loans are at the time
outstanding,  ratably in accordance with their respective Commitments),  for any
and  all  liabilities,   obligations,   losses,  damages,  penalties,   actions,
judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses  or  disbursements  of any kind and  nature
whatsoever which may be imposed on, incurred by or asserted against the Agent in
any way  relating  to or  arising  out of this  Agreement,  any  other  Facility
Document  or any other  documents  contemplated  by or referred to herein or the
transactions contemplated hereby or thereby (including,  without limitation, the
costs and expenses which the Borrower is obligated to pay under Section 12.03 or
under the applicable  provisions of any other  Facility  Document but excluding,
unless a Default or Event of Default has occurred,  normal  administrative costs
and expenses  incident to the performance of its agency duties hereunder) or the
enforcement of any of the terms hereof or thereof or of any such other documents
or  instruments;  provided that no Bank shall be liable for any of the foregoing
to the extent they arise from the gross negligence or willful  misconduct of the
party to be indemnified.

                  Section 11.06. Documents. The Agent will forward to each Bank,
promptly after the Agent's  receipt  thereof,  a copy of each report,  notice or
other document  required by this Agreement or any other Facility  Document to be
delivered to the Agent for such Bank.

                  Section  11.07.  Non-Reliance  on Agent and Other Banks.  Each
Bank agrees that it has,  independently and without reliance on the Agent or any
other  Bank,  and  based on such  documents  and  information  as it has  deemed
appropriate,  made its own credit analysis of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries
and decision to enter into this  Agreement and that it will,  independently  and
without  reliance upon the Agent or any other Bank,  and based on such documents
and information as it shall deem  appropriate at the time,  continue to make its
own analysis and decisions in taking or not taking  action under this  Agreement
or any other Facility  Document.  The Agent shall not be required to keep itself
informed as to the  performance  or observance by the Borrower of this Agreement
or any other Facility Document or any other document referred to or provided for
herein or therein or to inspect the  properties  or books of the Borrower or any
Subsidiary.  Except for notices,  reports and other  documents  and  information
expressly  required to be  furnished  to the Banks by the Agent  hereunder,  the
Agent  shall not have any duty or  responsibility  to provide  any Bank with any
credit or other  information  concerning  the  affairs,  financial  condition or
business of the Borrower or any  Subsidiary (or any of their  Affiliates)  which
may come into the  possession of the Agent or any of its  affiliates.  The Agent
shall not be required to file this Agreement, any other Facility Document or any
document or instrument referred to herein or therein,  for record or give notice
of this  Agreement,  any other  Facility  Document or any document or instrument
referred to herein or therein, to anyone.

                  Section  11.08.  Failure  of Agent to Act.  Except  for action
expressly required of the Agent hereunder, the Agent shall in all cases be fully
justified in failing or refusing to act hereunder  unless it shall have received
further  assurances  (which may include cash collateral) of the  indemnification
obligations of the Banks under Section 10.05 in respect of any and all liability
and expense  which may be incurred  by it by reason of taking or  continuing  to
take any such action.

                  Section 11.09. Resignation or Removal of Agent. Subject to the
appointment and acceptance of a successor Agent as provided below, the Agent may
resign  at any time by  giving  written  notice  thereof  to the  Banks  and the
Borrower,  and the Agent may be removed at any time with or without cause by the
Required Banks; provided that the Borrower and the other Banks shall be promptly
notified thereof. Upon any such resignation or removal, the Required Banks shall
have the  right to  appoint a  successor  Agent  from  among  the  Banks.  If no
successor  Agent shall have been so appointed  by the  Required  Banks and shall
have accepted such appointment  within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving
of notice of resignation or the Required  Banks' removal of the retiring  Agent,
then the retiring Agent may, on behalf of the Banks,  appoint a successor Agent,
which shall be a bank with  capital and  surplus in excess of  $750,000,000  and
which has an office in New York,  New York.  The Required  Banks or the retiring
Agent,  as the case may be,  shall upon the  appointment  of a  successor  Agent
promptly so notify the Borrower and the other Banks.  Upon the acceptance of any
appointment as Agent hereunder by a successor Agent,  such successor Agent shall
thereupon succeed to and become vested with all the rights,  powers,  privileges
and duties of the retiring  Agent,  and the retiring  Agent shall be  discharged
from  its  duties  and  obligations   hereunder.   After  any  retiring  Agent's
resignation  or removal  hereunder as Agent,  the  provisions of this Article 11
shall  continue  in effect for its  benefit in respect of any  actions  taken or
omitted to be taken by it while it was acting as the Agent.

                  Section 11.10.  Amendments  Concerning  Agency  Function.  The
Agent shall not be bound by any waiver, amendment, supplement or modification of
this Agreement or any other Facility Document which affects its duties hereunder
or thereunder unless it shall have given its prior consent thereto.

                  Section  11.11.  Liability of Agent.  The Agent shall not have
any liabilities or responsibilities to the Borrower on account of the failure of
any Bank to perform its  obligations  hereunder or to any Bank on account of the
failure of the Borrower to perform its obligations  hereunder or under any other
Facility Document.

                  Section  11.12.  Transfer  of  Agency  Function.  Without  the
consent of the  Borrower or any Bank,  the Agent may at any time or from time to
time  transfer its functions as Agent  hereunder to any of its offices  wherever
located,  provided  that the Agent shall  promptly  notify the  Borrower and the
Banks thereof.

                  Section 11.13.  Non-Receipt of Funds by the Agent.  Unless the
Agent  shall  have  been  notified  by a Bank  or the  Borrower  (either  one as
appropriate  being the "Payor")  prior to the date on which such Bank is to make
payment  hereunder  to the Agent of the proceeds of a Loan or the Borrower is to
make  payment to the  Agent,  as the case may be (either  such  payment  being a
"Required  Payment"),  which notice shall be effective  upon  receipt,  that the
Payor does not intend to make the Required  Payment to the Agent,  the Agent may
assume that the  Required  Payment has been made and may, in reliance  upon such
assumption (but shall not be required to), make the amount thereof  available to
the  intended  recipient on such date and, if the Payor has not in fact made the
Required  Payment to the Agent,  the recipient of such payment shall, on demand,
repay to the Agent the  amount  made  available  to it  together  with  interest
thereon for the period from the date such  amount was so made  available  by the
Agent until the date the Agent recovers such amount at a rate per annum equal to
the average daily Federal Funds Rate for such period.

                  Section 11.14. Withholding Taxes. Each Bank represents that it
is  entitled  to receive any  payments  to be made to it  hereunder  without the
withholding of any tax and will furnish to the Agent such forms, certifications,
statements  and other  documents  as the Agent may request  from time to time to
evidence such Bank's  exemption  from the  withholding of any tax imposed by any
jurisdiction  or to  enable  the  Agent to comply  with any  applicable  laws or
regulations relating thereto.  Without limiting the effect of the foregoing,  if
any Bank is not  created or  organized  under the laws of the  United  States of
America or any state  thereof,  in the event that the payment of interest by the
Borrower is treated for U.S.  income tax purposes as derived in whole or in part
from  sources  from  within the U.S.,  such Bank will  furnish to the Agent (and
shall  update  as  required),  Form 4224 or Form  1001 of the  Internal  Revenue
Service,  or such other forms,  certifications,  statements or  documents,  duly
executed and  completed by such Bank as evidence of such Bank's  exemption  from
the  withholding  of U.S.  tax with  respect  thereto.  The  Agent  shall not be
obligated to make any payments  hereunder to such Bank in respect of any Loan or
such Bank's  Commitment  until such Bank shall have  furnished  to the Agent the
requested form, certification, statement or document.

                  Section 11.15.  Several  Obligations and Rights of Banks.  The
failure  of any Bank to make  any  Loan to be made by it on the  date  specified
therefor  shall not relieve any other Bank of its obligation to make its Loan on
such date, but no Bank shall be responsible for the failure of any other Bank to
make a Loan to be made by such  other  Bank.  The  amounts  payable  at any time
hereunder to each Bank shall be a separate and  independent  debt, and each Bank
shall be  entitled  to  protect  and  enforce  its  rights  arising  out of this
Agreement,  and it shall not be necessary  for any other Bank to be joined as an
additional party in any proceeding for such purpose.

                  Section 11.16. Pro Rata Treatment of Loans, Etc. Except to the
extent otherwise  provided:  (a) each borrowing under Section 2.04 shall be made
from  the  Banks,  pro  rata  according  to  the  amounts  of  their  respective
Commitments;  (b) each  conversion  under  Section 2.05 of Loans of a particular
type (but not conversions  provided for by Section 3.04), shall be made pro rata
among the Banks holding Loans of such type according to the respective principal
amounts of such Loans by such  Banks;  and (c) each  prepayment  and  payment of
principal of or interest on Loans of a particular type and a particular Interest
Period shall be made to the Agent for the account of the Banks  holding Loans of
such type and Interest Period pro rata in accordance with the respective  unpaid
principal amounts of such Loans of such Interest Period held by such Banks.

                  Section  11.17.  Sharing of Payments  Among  Banks.  If a Bank
shall  obtain  payment of any  principal  of or  interest on any Loan made by it
through the exercise of any right of setoff, banker's lien, counterclaim,  or by
any other means (including any sale,  collection or liquidation of Collateral or
any payment  obtained from or charged against any Guarantor),  it shall promptly
purchase  from the  other  Banks  participations  in (or,  if and to the  extent
specified by such Bank,  direct  interests in) the Loans made by the other Banks
in such amounts,  and make such other  adjustments from time to time as shall be
equitable  to the end that all the Banks shall share the benefit of such payment
(net of any  expenses  which  may be  incurred  by such  Bank  in  obtaining  or
preserving  such benefit) pro rata in accordance  with the unpaid  principal and
interest on the Loans, on the Term Loans,  and on other Debt to any of the Banks
permitted under Section 8.01(b),  held by each of them prior to such action.  To
such end the Banks shall make appropriate  adjustments  among themselves (by the
resale of participations sold or otherwise) if such payment is rescinded or must
otherwise  be  restored.  The  Borrower  agrees  that any Bank so  purchasing  a
participation (or direct interest) in the Loans made by other Banks may exercise
all rights of setoff, banker's lien, counterclaim or similar rights with respect
to such  participation  (or direct  interest).  Nothing  contained  herein shall
require  any Bank to  exercise  any such right or shall  affect the right of any
Bank to  exercise,  and retain the benefits of  exercising,  any such right with
respect to any other indebtedness of the Borrower.

                  Section 11.18. Hedge Agreements;  Notices and Limitations. Any
Bank that enters into a Hedge  Agreement  with  Borrower or a  Subsidiary  shall
promptly notify Agent to that effect, which notice shall also specify the dollar
amount of Hedge  Exposure  under  the Hedge  Agreement.  Agent  shall  thereupon
furnish a copy of such notice to the other  Banks.  Notwithstanding  anything to
the contrary  contained in this  Agreement or in any Facility  Document,  upon a
liquidation  of  collateral  following an Event of Default,  any Bank (or former
Bank)  that is party to a Hedge  Agreement  shall,  with  respect  to such Hedge
Agreement,  share in  Collateral  only to the extent of the lesser of its actual
loss under the Hedge Agreement or the amount of Hedge Exposure  specified in its
notice to Agent under this Section.

                           ARTICLE 12. MISCELLANEOUS.

                  Section  12.01.  Amendments  and Waivers.  Except as otherwise
expressly  provided in this  Agreement,  any provision of this  Agreement or the
Facility  Documents  may be amended or modified only by an instrument in writing
signed by the Borrower,  the Agent,  and the Required  Banks, or by the Borrower
and the Agent acting with the consent of the Required Banks and any provision of
this Agreement or the Facility  Documents may be waived by only an instrument in
writing  signed by the Agent and the Required  Banks or by the Agent acting with
the consent of the Required Banks;  provided that no amendment,  modification or
waiver shall, unless by an instrument signed by all of the Banks or by the Agent
acting with the consent of all of the Banks: (a) increase or extend the term, or
extend the time or waive any requirement  for the reduction or  termination,  of
the  Commitments,  (b)  extend  the date  fixed for the  payment  of  principal,
interest or fees on any Loan,  (c) reduce the amount of any payment of principal
thereof  or the rate at which  interest  is payable  thereon or any fee  payable
hereunder,  (d)  release any  Guarantor  from any of its  obligations  under its
Guaranty  or,  except as  otherwise  provided  in the Credit  Agreements  or the
Facility Documents, release the rights of the Banks in any Collateral, (e) alter
the terms of this Section 12.01,  (f) amend the definition of the term "Required
Banks" or (g)  waive  any of the  conditions  precedent  set forth in  Article 5
hereof and  provided,  further,  that any  amendment of Article 11 hereof or any
amendment  which  increases the obligations of the Agent hereunder shall require
the  consent  of the  Agent.  No failure on the part of the Agent or any Bank to
exercise,  and no delay in exercising,  any right  hereunder  shall operate as a
waiver thereof or preclude any other or further exercise thereof or the exercise
of any  other  right.  The  remedies  herein  provided  are  cumulative  and not
exclusive of any remedies provided by law.

                  Section  12.02.   Usury.   Anything  herein  to  the  contrary
notwithstanding,  the  obligations  of the Borrower under this Agreement and the
Notes shall be subject to the limitation  that payments of interest shall not be
required to the extent that receipt  thereof  would be contrary to provisions of
law  applicable  to a Bank  limiting  rates of interest  which may be charged or
collected by such Bank.

                  Section  12.03.  Expenses.  The Borrower  shall  reimburse the
Agent and the Banks on demand for all costs,  expenses,  and charges (including,
without limitation, fees and charges of external legal counsel for the Agent and
each Bank and costs allocated by their  respective  internal legal  departments)
incurred  by  the  Agent  or the  Banks  in  connection  with  the  preparation,
performance,  or enforcement of this Agreement or the Notes; provided,  however,
that the  Borrower  shall  only  reimburse  each Bank other than the Agent for a
maximum of $1,000.00 in fees, charges and/or costs of external or internal legal
counsel in  connection  with the  preparation  of this  Agreement,  the Facility
Documents hereunder, the Credit Agreement - Term Loan Facility, and the Facility
Documents  thereunder.  The Borrower agrees to indemnify the Agent and each Bank
and their affiliates,  and their respective directors,  officers,  employees and
agents  from,  and  hold  each of them  harmless  against,  any and all  losses,
liabilities,  claims, damages or expenses incurred by any of them arising out of
or by reason of any investigation or litigation or other proceedings  (including
any threatened investigation or litigation or other proceedings) relating to any
actual or proposed use by the Borrower or any  Subsidiary of the proceeds of the
Loans,  including without  limitation,  the reasonable fees and disbursements of
counsel  incurred in  connection  with any such  investigation  or litigation or
other proceedings (but excluding any such losses,  liabilities,  claims, damages
or expenses  incurred by reason of the  negligence or willful  misconduct of the
Person to be indemnified).

                  Section 12.04. Survival. The obligations of the Borrower under
Sections  3.01,  3.05 and 12.03 shall survive the repayment of the Loans and the
termination of the Commitments.

                  Section 12.05. Assignment;  Participations. (a) This Agreement
shall be binding  upon,  and shall inure to the benefit  of, the  Borrower,  the
Agent,  the Banks and their respective  successors and assigns,  except that the
Borrower may not assign or transfer its rights or  obligations  hereunder.  Each
Bank  may  assign,  or sell  participations  in,  all or any part of the Loan to
another bank or other entity,  in which event (i) in the case of an  assignment,
upon notice  thereof by the Bank to the Borrower  with a copy to the Agent,  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 were
a Bank hereunder; and (ii) in the case of a participation, the participant shall
have no rights  under the  Facility  Documents  and all  amounts  payable by the
Borrower  under  Article 3 shall be determined as if such Bank had not sold such
participation.  The agreement  executed by such Bank in favor of the participant
shall not give the participant the right to require such Bank to take or omit to
take any action hereunder  except action directly  relating to (i) the extension
of a payment date with respect to any portion of the principal, interest or fees
on any amount  outstanding  hereunder  allocated to such  participant,  (ii) the
reduction of the principal amount outstanding hereunder,  (iii) the reduction of
the rate of  interest  payable  on such  amount or any  amount  of fees  payable
hereunder  to a rate or  amount,  as the  case  may be,  below  that  which  the
participant  is entitled to receive under its agreement  with such Bank, or (iv)
the extension of the Final Maturity Date.  Such Bank may furnish any information
concerning  the  Borrower  in the  possession  of such Bank from time to time to
assignees and participants  (including  prospective assignees and participants);
provided  that such Bank shall  require  any such  prospective  assignee or such
participant  (prospective  or  otherwise)  to agree in writing to  maintain  the
confidentiality of such information.  In connection with any assignment pursuant
to this paragraph (a), the assigning Bank shall pay the Agent an  administrative
fee for processing such assignment in the amount of $2,500.

                        (b) In addition to the  assignments  and  participations
permitted under  paragraph (a) above,  any Bank may assign and pledge all or any
portion  of its  Loans  and Note to (i) any  affiliate  of such Bank or (ii) any
Federal  Reserve Bank as  collateral  security  pursuant to  Regulation A of the
Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve  System and any  Operating  Circular
issued by such  Federal  Reserve  Bank.  No such  assignment  shall  release the
assigning Bank from its obligations hereunder.

                  Section 12.06.  Notices.  Except as otherwise provided in this
Agreement,  notices may be given by telecopy,  overnight courier,  or by regular
mail,  telecopied or addressed to the intended  recipient at its telecopy number
or address  listed on the  signature  page of this  Agreement.  Notices shall be
effective:  (a) if given by mail, 72 hours after deposit in the mails with first
class postage prepaid,  addressed as aforesaid;  (b) if given by telecopy,  when
the telecopy is transmitted to the applicable  telecopy number;  and (c) if sent
by overnight  courier,  upon delivery;  provided,  however,  that notices to the
Agent and the Banks  shall be  effective  upon  receipt.  A party may change its
telecopy  number or address  for receipt of notices by written  notice  given in
accordance with this paragraph.

                  Section 12.07.  JURISDICTION;  IMMUNITIES;  WAIVER OF RIGHT TO
JURY TRIAL. (a) THE BORROWER HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  SUBMITS TO THE JURISDICTION OF
ANY NEW YORK STATE OR UNITED STATES  FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN ONONDAGA OR ONEIDA
COUNTY  OVER  ANY  ACTION  OR  PROCEEDING  ARISING  OUT OF OR  RELATING  TO THIS
AGREEMENT,  THE NOTES, OR ANY OTHER FACILITY  DOCUMENT,  AND THE BORROWER HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY  AGREES THAT ALL CLAIMS IN RESPECT OF SUCH ACTION OR PROCEEDING  MAY
BE HEARD AND  DETERMINED IN SUCH NEW YORK STATE OR FEDERAL  COURT.  THE BORROWER
IRREVOCABLY CONSENTS TO THE SERVICE OF ANY AND ALL PROCESS IN ANY SUCH ACTION OR
PROCEEDING  BY THE  MAILING  OF COPIES OF SUCH  PROCESS TO THE  BORROWER  AT ITS
ADDRESS  SPECIFIED IN SECTION  12.07 BY  REGISTERED  OR CERTIFIED  MAIL,  RETURN
RECEIPT REQUESTED.  THE BORROWER AGREES THAT A FINAL JUDGMENT IN ANY SUCH ACTION
OR PROCEEDING SHALL BE CONCLUSIVE AND MAY BE ENFORCED IN OTHER  JURISDICTIONS BY
SUIT ON THE  JUDGMENT  OR IN ANY OTHER  MANNER  PROVIDED  BY LAW.  THE  BORROWER
FURTHER  WAIVES ANY  OBJECTION  TO VENUE IN SUCH STATE AND ANY  OBJECTION  TO AN
ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  IN SUCH STATE ON THE BASIS OF FORUM NON  CONVENIENS.  THE
BORROWER  AND THE BANKS  FURTHER  AGREE  THAT ANY ACTION OR  PROCEEDING  BROUGHT
AGAINST  THE AGENT  SHALL BE  BROUGHT  ONLY IN NEW YORK  STATE OR UNITED  STATES
FEDERAL COURT SITTING IN ONONDAGA  COUNTY.  THE BORROWER WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY
HAVE TO JURY TRIAL.

                           (b) Nothing in this  Section  12.07 shall  affect the
right of the  Agent  or any Bank to serve  legal  process  in any  other  manner
permitted  by law or  affect  the  right of the  Agent or any Bank to bring  any
action or  proceeding  against the Borrower or its property in the courts of any
other jurisdictions.

                           (c) To the extent that the  Borrower has or hereafter
may  acquire  any  immunity  from  jurisdiction  of any  court or from any legal
process  (whether  from  service  or  notice,   attachment  prior  to  judgment,
attachment in aid of execution,  execution or otherwise)  with respect to itself
or its property, the Borrower hereby irrevocably waives such immunity in respect
of its obligations under this Agreement and the Notes.

                  Section  12.08.  Table of  Contents;  Headings.  Any  table of
contents and the headings and captions  hereunder are for  convenience  only and
shall not affect the interpretation or construction of this Agreement.

                  Section 12.09. Severability.  The provisions of this Agreement
are intended to be severable.  If for any reason 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.

                  Section 12.10. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, all of which taken together shall constitute one and
the same instrument,  and any party hereto may execute this Agreement by signing
any such counterpart.

                  Section 12.11.  Integration.  The Facility Documents set forth
the entire  agreement  among the parties  hereto  relating  to the  transactions
contemplated  thereby  and  supersede  any prior oral or written  statements  or
agreements with respect to such transactions.

                  Section 12.12. GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND  INTERPRETED  AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF
NEW YORK.

                  Section 12.13. Confidentiality. Each Bank and the Agent agrees
(on behalf of itself and each of its affiliates,  directors, officers, employees
and  representatives)  to use reasonable  precautions to keep  confidential,  in
accordance  with safe and sound banking  practices,  any non-public  information
supplied to it by the Borrower pursuant to this Agreement which is identified by
the  Borrower as being  confidential  at the time the same is  delivered  to the
Banks or the Agent,  provided that nothing  herein shall limit the disclosure of
any such information (i) to the extent required by statute,  rule, regulation or
judicial  process,  (ii) to counsel for any of the Banks or the Agent,  (iii) to
bank examiners,  auditors or accountants, (iv) in connection with any litigation
to  which  any one or more of the  Banks is a party  or (v) to any  assignee  or
participant (or prospective assignee or participant) so long as such assignee or
participant (or prospective assignee or participant) first executes and delivers
to the respective Bank a Confidentiality  Agreement in substantially the form of
Exhibit G hereto;  provided,  further,  that, unless specifically  prohibited by
applicable  law or court order,  each Bank shall,  prior to disclosure  thereof,
endeavor  to notify the  Borrower  of any  request  for  disclosure  of any such
non-public  information (x) by any governmental agency or representative thereof
(other than any such request in connection  with an examination of the financial
condition  of such Bank by such  governmental  agency) or (y)  pursuant to legal
process;  and  provided  finally that in no event shall any Bank or the Agent be
obligated or required to return any  materials  furnished by the  Borrower.  The
obligations  of each Bank under this Section  12.13 shall  supersede and replace
the obligations of such Bank under the confidentiality letter in respect of this
financing  signed and  delivered by such Bank to the Borrower  prior to the date
hereof.

                  Section 12.14. Treatment of Certain Information.  The Borrower
(a)  acknowledges  that services may be offered or provided to it (in connection
with  this  Agreement  or  otherwise)  by each  Bank or by one or more of  their
respective  subsidiaries or affiliates and (b) acknowledges that any information
delivered  to each  Bank or to its  subsidiaries  or  affiliates  regarding  the
Borrower may be shared among the Bank and such subsidiaries and affiliates. This
Section 12.14 shall survive the  repayment of the loans and the  termination  of
the Commitments.

                  Section  12.15.  Incorporation  By Reference;  Conflicts.  The
rights and  remedies of Agent and the Banks under the other  Facility  Documents
are  incorporated  herein by reference  and the rights and remedies of the Agent
and the Banks under this Agreement,  and all of the terms of this Agreement, are
likewise incorporated in the other Facility Documents by reference.  In the case
of any conflict  between the terms of this  Agreement and the terms of any other
Facility Document, the terms of this Agreement shall govern.

                  Section  12.16.  Cooperation  and Further  Assurances.  At all
times until the Loans are repaid in full,  the Borrower  shall,  and shall cause
its  Subsidiaries  to,  cooperate with the Agent and the Banks to effectuate the
intent and purposes of the Facility  Documents.  Without limiting the foregoing,
Borrower  agrees to  execute  and  deliver  any  financing  statements  or other
instruments  and do such other acts and  things,  as Agent may  reasonably  deem
necessary  or advisable  to perfect all  security  interests  under the Facility
Documents and to otherwise effectuate the intent and purposes of this Agreement,
and shall cause its Subsidiaries to do likewise.
<PAGE>
                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Agreement to be duly executed as of the day and year first above written.

                                  CONMED CORPORATION

                                  By:___________________________
                                  Name:
                                  Title:

                                  Address for Notices:

                                  CONMED CORPORATION
                                  310 Broad Street
                                  Utica, New York  13501
                                  Attn:  Eugene R. Corasanti,
                                             President
                                  Telecopy: (315) 797-0321

                                  AGENT:

                                  THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                  (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)


                                  By:___________________________
                                  Name:  Frederick K. Miller
                                  Title:    Vice President

                                  Address for Notices:

                                  THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK, N.A.
                                  P.O. Box 4911
                                  One Lincoln Center
                                  Syracuse, New York  13202
                                  Attn:  Frederick K. Miller
                                  Telecopy: (315) 424-2933


                                  BANKS:

                                  THE CHASE MANHATTAN BANK
                                  (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION)


                                  By:___________________________
                                  Name:  Frederick K. Miller
                                  Title:    Vice President

                                  Lending Office and Address for
                                  Notices:
                                  One Lincoln Center
                                  Syracuse, New York  13202
                                  Attn:  Frederick K. Miller
                                  Telecopy:  (315) 424-2933


                                  FLEET BANK


                                  By:___________________________
                                  Name:  Bruce W. Goodnough
                                  Title:   Vice President

                                  Lending Office and Address for
                                  Notices:
                                  One Clinton Square
                                  Syracuse, New York  13221
                                  Attn:  Bruce W. Goodnough
                                  Telecopy:  (315) 426-4375


                                  NATWEST BANK N.A.


                                  By:___________________________
                                  Name:  Cameron Gateman
                                  Title:    Vice President

                                  Lending Office and Address for
                                  Notices:
                                  175 Water Street
                                  New York, New York 10038
                                  Telecopy:  (212) 602-2671

                                  CREDIT LYONNAIS CAYMAN
                                  ISLAND BRANCH


                                  By:___________________________
                                  Name:
                                  Title:  Authorized Signature

                                  Lending Office and Address for
                                  Notices:
                                  c/o Credit Lyonnais
                                  1301 Avenue of The Americas
                                  New York, New York 10019-6022
                                  Telecopy:  (212) 261-3440
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT A

                                 PROMISSORY NOTE


$[Commitment of Bank X]    December ____, 1995


                  CONMED CORPORATION (the "Borrower"),  a corporation  organized
under the laws of New York, for value  received,  hereby  promises to pay to the
order of [BANK X] (the "Bank") at the  principal  office of The Chase  Manhattan
Bank, N.A., at One Lincoln Center,  Syracuse,  New York 13202 (the "Agent"), for
the account of the appropriate  Lending Office of the Bank, the principal sum of
($[Commitment  amount of Bank X]), or, if less, the amount loaned by the Bank to
the Borrower pursuant to the Credit Agreement referred to below, in lawful money
of the United  States of America  and in  immediately  available  funds,  on the
date(s) and in the manner  provided in the Credit  Agreement.  The Borrower also
promises to pay interest on the unpaid principal balance hereof,  for the period
such balance is  outstanding,  at said principal  office for the account of said
Lending  Office,  in like  money,  at the rates of  interest  as provided in the
Credit  Agreement  described below, on the date(s) and in the manner provided in
said Credit Agreement.

                  The date and  amount  of each type of Loan made by the Bank to
the Borrower  under the Credit  Agreement  referred  below,  and each payment of
principal thereof,  shall be recorded by the Bank on its books and, prior to any
transfer of this Note (or, at the  discretion  of the Bank,  at any other time),
endorsed  by the  Bank  on the  schedule  attached  hereto  or any  continuation
thereof.

                  This is one of the Notes  referred to in that  certain  Credit
Agreement - Revolving  Credit Facility (as amended from time to time the "Credit
Agreement")  dated as of December  ___,1995 among the Borrower,  the Banks named
therein  (including  the Bank) and the Agent and  evidences the Loan made by the
Bank  thereunder.  All terms not defined herein shall have the meanings given to
them in the Credit Agreement.

                  The Credit  Agreement  provides  for the  acceleration  of the
maturity of principal  upon the  occurrence of certain Events of Default and for
prepayments on the terms and conditions specified therein.

                  The Borrower waives presentment,  notice of dishonor,  protest
and any other notice or formality with respect to this Note.

                  This Note shall be governed by, and  interpreted and construed
in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.


                                       CONMED CORPORATION


                                       By:___________________________
                                       Name:
                                       Title:
<PAGE>
                  Amount            Amount of           Balance         Notation
Date              of Loan            Payment          Outstanding          By



<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT B


                                                     __________________, 19__



The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, New York  13202
Attn:  Frederick K. Miller

                           Re:  Credit  Agreement  - Revolving  Credit  Facility
                           dated  as  of  December   ____,   1995  (the  "Credit
                           Agreement") among CONMED CORPORATION, the Banks named
                           therein, and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., as Agent
                           for said Banks

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  In connection with the captioned Credit  Agreement,  we hereby
designate  any  one  of the  following  persons  to  give  to you  instructions,
including notices required pursuant to the Agreement,  orally or by telephone or
teleprocess:

                  NAME (Typewritten)

                  _________________________________

                  _________________________________

                  _________________________________


                  Instructions  may  be  honored  on  the  oral,  telephonic  or
teleprocess  instructions  of  anyone  purporting  to be any  one  of the  above
designated  persons even if the  instructions  are for the benefit of the person
delivering them. We will furnish you with  confirmation of each such instruction
either by telex (whether  tested or untested) or in writing signed by any person
designated  above (including any telecopy which appears to bear the signature of
any person designated above) on the same day that the instruction is provided to
you but  your  responsibility  with  respect  to any  instruction  shall  not be
affected by your failure to receive such confirmation or by its contents.

                  You shall be fully  protected in, and shall incur no liability
to us for, acting upon any instructions  which you in good faith believe to have
been given by any person  designated  above, and in no event shall you be liable
for special,  consequential or punitive damages.  In addition,  we agree to hold
you and your  agents  harmless  from  any and all  liability,  loss and  expense
arising  directly or indirectly  out of  instructions  that we provide to you in
connection  with the  Credit  Agreement  except for  liability,  loss or expense
occasioned by the gross negligence or willful misconduct of you or your agents.

                  Upon notice to us, you may, at your option,  refuse to execute
any instruction,  or part thereof,  without incurring any responsibility for any
loss,  liability  or expense  arising  out of such  refusal if you in good faith
believe that the person  delivering  the  instruction  is not one of the persons
designated  above or if the instruction is not accompanied by an  authentication
method that we have agreed to in writing.

                  We will  promptly  notify  you in writing of any change in the
persons  designated  above and,  until you have  actually  received such written
notice and have had a reasonable  opportunity to act upon it, you are authorized
to act upon  instructions,  even though the person delivering them may no longer
be authorized.

                                                Very truly yours,

                                                CONMED CORPORATION



                                                By:___________________________
                                                Name:
                                                Title:
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT C

                                    GUARANTY

                                   [Attached]



<PAGE>


EXHIBIT D

                               SECURITY AGREEMENTS
                           OF BORROWER and GUARANTORS

                                   [Attached]



<PAGE>
EXHIBIT E

                     (Letterhead of counsel to the Borrower)


                                 [Closing Date]


The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, New York  13202

Fleet Bank
One Clinton Square
Syracuse, New York  13221

NatWest Bank N.A.
175 Water Street
New York, New York 10038

Credit Lyonnais Cayman Island Branch
c/o Credit Lyonnais
1301 Avenue of The Americas
New York, New York 10019-6022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We  have  acted  as  counsel   to  CONMED   CORPORATION   (the
"Borrower") in connection with the execution and delivery of that certain Credit
Agreement - Revolving  Credit  Facility  (the  "Credit  Agreement")  dated as of
December __, 1995 among the Borrower,  the Banks signatory thereto and The Chase
Manhattan Bank,  N.A. as Agent.  Except as otherwise  defined herein,  all terms
used  herein and  defined in the Credit  Agreement  or any  agreement  delivered
thereunder shall have the meanings assigned to them therein.

                  In  connection  with this opinion,  we have examined  executed
copies of the Facility Documents and such other documents,  records,  agreements
and  certificates  as we have deemed  appropriate.  We have also  reviewed  such
matters of law as we have considered relevant for the purpose of this opinion.

                  Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:
                  1. Each of the Borrower and its  Subsidiaries is a corporation
duly  incorporated,  validly existing and in good standing under the laws of the
jurisdiction of its incorporation,  has the corporate power and authority to own
its assets and to transact  the  business in which it is now engaged or proposed
to be  engaged,  and is duly  qualified  as a  foreign  corporation  and in good
standing under the laws of each other  jurisdiction in which such  qualification
is required.

                  2. The execution,  delivery and performance by the Borrower of
the Facility  Documents to which it is a party have been duly  authorized by all
necessary  corporate  action and do not and will not: (a) require any additional
consent or approval of its stockholders;  (b) contravene its charter or by-laws;
(c) violate any  provision  of, or require any filing  (other than the filing of
financing  statements  referred  to below),  registration,  consent or  approval
under, any law, rule, regulation  (including without limitation,  Regulation U),
order, writ, judgment,  injunction,  decree, determination or award presently in
effect  having  applicability  to the  Borrower  or any of its  Subsidiaries  or
affiliates;  (d) result in a breach of or  constitute  a default or require  any
consent under any indenture or loan or credit  agreement or any other agreement,
lease or  instrument  to  which  the  Borrower  is a party or by which it or its
properties may be bound or affected;  (e) result in, or require, the creation or
imposition of any Lien upon or with respect to any of the  properties  now owned
or  hereafter  acquired  by the  Borrower;  or (f)  cause the  Borrower  (or any
Subsidiary  or  affiliate,  as the case may be) to be in default  under any such
law, rule, regulation, order, writ, judgment,  injunction, decree, determination
or award or any such indenture, agreement, lease or instrument.

                  3. Each Facility Document to which the Borrower is a party is,
or when delivered under the Credit Agreement will be, a legal, valid and binding
obligation of the Borrower,  enforceable against the Borrower in accordance with
its  terms,  except  to the  extent  that such  enforcement  may be  limited  by
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency and other similar laws affecting  creditors'
rights generally.

                  4. To the best of our knowledge (after due inquiry), there are
no pending or threatened actions,  suits or proceedings against or affecting the
Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries  before any court,  governmental  agency or
arbitrator, which may, in any one case or in the aggregate, materially adversely
affect the  financial  condition,  operations,  properties  or  business  of the
Borrower or of any such Subsidiary or the ability of the Borrower to perform its
obligations under the Facility Documents to which it is a party.

                                                              Very truly yours,
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT F

                        [Opinion of Guarantor's Counsel]


                                 [Closing Date]



The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, New York  13202

Fleet Bank
One Clinton Square
Syracuse, New York  13221

NatWest Bank N.A.
175 Water Street
New York, New York 10038

Credit Lyonnais Cayman Island Branch
c/o Credit Lyonnais
1301 Avenue of The Americas
New York, New York 10019-6022

Ladies and Gentlemen:

                  We have  acted as counsel to  _____________  ("Guarantor")  in
connection  with the execution and delivery of that certain  Credit  Agreement -
Revolving  Credit Facility (the "Credit  Agreement")  dated as of December ____,
1995  among  CONMED  CORPORATION,  the  Banks  signatory  thereto  and The Chase
Manhattan Bank,  N.A. (the "Agent").  Except as otherwise  defined  herein,  all
terms used herein and defined in the Credit Agreement or any agreement delivered
thereunder shall have the meanings assigned to them therein.

                  In  connection  with this opinion,  we have examined  executed
copies of the Facility Documents and such other documents,  records,  agreements
and  certificates  as we have deemed  appropriate.  We have also  reviewed  such
matters of law as we have considered relevant for the purpose of this opinion.

                  Based upon the foregoing, we are of the opinion that:

                  1. Each Guarantor is a corporation duly incorporated,  validly
existing  and in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the  jurisdiction  of its
incorporation,  has the  corporate  power and authority to own its assets and to
transact the business in which it is now engaged or proposed to be engaged,  and
is duly qualified as a foreign  corporation  and in good standing under the laws
of each other jurisdiction in which such qualification is required.

                  2. The execution,  delivery and  performance by each Guarantor
of the Facility documents to which it is a party has been duly authorized by all
necessary  corporate  action and do not and will not: (a) require any additional
consent or approval of its stockholders;  (b) contravene its charter or by-laws;
(c) violate any  provision  of, or require any filing  (other than the filing of
financing  statements  referred  to below),  registration,  consent or  approval
under, any law, rule, regulation  (including without limitation,  Regulation U),
order, writ, judgment,  injunction,  decree, determination or award presently in
effect  having  applicability  to a  Guarantor;  (d)  result  in a breach  of or
constitute  a default or require  any  consent  under any  indenture  or loan or
credit  agreement  or any  other  agreement,  lease  or  instrument  to  which a
Guarantor is a party or by which it or its  properties may be bound or affected;
(e) result in, or require, the creation or imposition of any Lien (other than in
favor of the Agent on behalf of the  Banks,  upon or with  respect to any of the
properties  now  owned or  hereafter  acquired  by a  Guarantor;  or (f) cause a
Guarantor to be in default under any such law, rule,  regulation,  order,  writ,
judgment,  injunction,  decree,  determination  or award or any such  indenture,
agreement, lease or instrument.

                  3. Each Facility  Document to which a Guarantor is a party is,
or when delivered under the Credit Agreement will be, a legal, valid and binding
obligation  of the  Guarantor,  enforceable  against the Guarantor in accordance
with its terms,  except to the extent  that such  enforcement  may be limited by
applicable  bankruptcy,  insolvency and other similar laws affecting  creditors'
rights generally.

                  4. To the best of our knowledge (after due inquiry), there are
no pending or threatened actions,  suits or proceedings against or affecting any
Guarantor before any court, governmental agency or arbitrator, which may, in any
one  case  or in  the  aggregate,  materially  adversely  affect  the  financial
condition,  operations,  properties or business of a Guarantor or the ability of
any Guarantor to perform its obligations  under the Facility  Documents to which
it is a party.

                                                              Very truly yours,
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT G

                            CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT


                                     [Date]


[Insert Name and
 Address of Prospective
 Participant or Assignee]

                           Re:  Credit  Agreement  - Revolving  Credit  Facility
                           dated  as  of  December  29,  1995   between   CONMED
                           Corporation,  the banks party thereto,  and The Chase
                           Manhattan Bank (National Association), as Agent.

Dear _______________:

                  As a Bank, party to the above-referenced Credit Agreement (the
"Credit  Agreement"),  we have agreed with CONMED  Corporation  (the "Borrower")
pursuant to Section 12.13 of the Credit Agreement to use reasonable  precautions
to keep  confidential,  except as otherwise  provided  therein,  all  non-public
information  identified  by the Borrower as being  confidential  at the time the
same is delivered to us pursuant to the Credit Agreement.

                  As provided in said Section 12.13, we are permitted to provide
you, as a prospective [holder of a participation in the Loans (as defined in the
Credit Agreement)] [assignee Bank], with certain of such non-public  information
subject to the execution and delivery by you, prior to receiving such non-public
information,  of a Confidentiality Agreement in this form. Such information will
not be made  available  to you until  your  execution  and  return to us of this
Confidentiality Agreement.

                  Accordingly,  in consideration of the foregoing, you agree (on
behalf of yourself and each of your affiliates,  directors,  officers, employees
and representatives) that (A) such information will not be used by you except in
connection with the proposed  [participation]  [assignment]  mentioned above and
(B) you shall use  reasonable  precautions,  in accordance  with your  customary
procedures for handling confidential information and in accordance with safe and
sound banking practices,  to keep such information  confidential,  provided that
nothing  herein shall limit the  disclosure of any such  information  (i) to the
extent required by statute,  rule,  regulation or judicial process, (ii) to your
counsel  or to  counsel  for  any of the  Banks  or the  Agent,  (iii)  to  bank
examiners,  auditors or  accountants,  (iv) in connection with any litigation to
which you or any one or more of the Banks is a party; [provided,  further, that,
unless  specifically  prohibited  by applicable  law or court order,  you agree,
prior to disclosure  thereof,  to endeavor to notify the Borrower of any request
for disclosure of any such non-public information (x) by any governmental agency
or  representative  thereof  (other than any such request in connection  with an
examination  of your  financial  condition by such  governmental  agency) or (y)
pursuant to legal process];  and provided  finally that in no event shall you be
obligated   to  return  any   materials   furnished  to  you  pursuant  to  this
Confidentiality Agreement.

                  Would you please  indicate your  agreement to the foregoing by
signing at the place  provided  below the enclosed copy of this  Confidentiality
Agreement.

                                                  Very truly yours,

                                                  [Insert Name of Bank]


                                                  By:___________________________


The foregoing is agreed to as of the date of this letter.


[Insert name of prospective
participant or assignee]


By: ______________________________
<PAGE>
                                    EXHIBIT H

                               [CONMED Letterhead]
                                Borrowing Notice
                                                             ___________, 199___
                                                             Date

Via Telecopier

The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., Agent
One Lincoln Center
Syracuse, New York  13202
Attention: __________________________
               Operations

                  Re:      _____ Term Loan
                           _____ Revolving Credit Loan

Dear _________________:

                  Reference  is made to our Credit  Agreement  with you as Agent
and the Banks  signatory  thereto,  dated December ___, 1995.  Unless  otherwise
defined herein or the context otherwise  requires,  capitalized terms shall have
the meaning attributed to them in the Credit Agreement.

                  We hereby confirm our telephone notice to you:

                  To borrow/renew $_______________ on ________________, 199__ as
a:
                  ____ Variable Rate Loan

                  ____ Fixed Rate Loan with an Interest  Period of ___  month(s)
                  at a rate of  _____________________.

                  We further  confirm  that after this  advance (or  payment) we
will have the following kinds of loans outstanding:
<PAGE>
                  Term Loans
                  ----------                                   Last Date
Kind of Loan                Amount       Rate             of Interest Period
- ------------                ------       -----------------------------------
Variable Rate

Fixed Rate

Fixed Rate

Fixed Rate                 ______

            Total          $

                  Revolving Credit Loans
                  ----------------------                       Last Date
Kind of Loan               Amount        Rate             of Interest Period
- ------------               ------        -----------------------------------
Variable Rate

Fixed Rate

Fixed Rate

Fixed Rate                ______

            Total          $

                  CONMED  CORPORATION  hereby certifies that both on the date of
this  Notice  and the date of the  borrowing  no Event of  Default  exists,  all
representations and warranties  contained in the Credit Agreement continue to be
true and correct,  and all conditions  precedent under the Credit  Agreement are
satisfied.
                                               Very truly yours,

                                               CONMED CORPORATION

                                               By:___________________________
                                               Its:___________________________
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE I

                            Subsidiaries of Borrower
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Jurisdiction                    Percentage
Name and Address                                               of Incorporation                 of Ownership
- ----------------                                               ----------------                 ------------
<S>                                                               <C>                               <C> 
Birtcher Medical Systems, Inc.                                    California                        100%
310 Broad Street
Utica, new York 13501
Consolidated Medical Equipment
   International, Inc.                                             New York                         100%
310 Broad Street
Utica, New York 13501
Aspen Laboratories, Inc.                                           Colorado                         100%
14603 East Fremont Avenue
Englewood, Colorado 80112
CONMED Andover Medical, Inc.                                       New York                         100%
  60 Newark Street
  Haverhill, Massachusetts  01832

  N D M, Inc.                                                      New York                         100%
  310 Broad Street,
  Utica, New York 13501
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE II


                               CREDIT ARRANGEMENTS




Credit                                                                  Amount
Arrangement                     Face Amount                          Outstanding
- -----------                     ------------------------------------------------

1.       Letters of Credit:

         Chase                  $   100,000                           $28,700


<PAGE>
                                  SCHEDULE III


                               HAZARDOUS MATERIALS


1. Asbestos: Encapsulated asbestos is present in the basement of CONMED's Utica,
New York facility.

2.  Underground  Storage  Tanks:  CONMED  purchased  a   warehouse/manufacturing
facility on February 6, 1995 located at Success  Drive,  Rome, New York. On this
property there are two underground  fuel oil tanks.  The seller,  Fay's Inc., is
obligated to remove both tanks under DEC  supervision  and shall  indemnify  and
hold  CONMED  harmless  from all costs,  damages  or  expenses  relating  to any
environmental or hazardous waste  conditions  resulting from the presence or use
of such tanks. The obligation of Fay's Inc., to remove the tanks is expressed in
a purchase and sale agreement executed by the parties on January 20, 1995.

3. Birtcher Medical Systems, Inc.: The California Regional Water Quality Control
Board, Los Angeles region ("CRWQCB") is investigating  contamination in the soil
near an industrial  waste clarifier  located outdoors on a site in an industrial
area of El Monte,  California.  Between 1977 and 1990, Birtcher leased a portion
of a  building  also  located at the site and  adjacent  to the  clarifier.  The
clarifier was used in connection with a plating operation which Birtcher sold to
another party in 1984. The CRWQCB has worked  principally  with this other party
to  determine  the  extent  and  effect of the soil  contamination  and  whether
remedial action will be required.

         Birtcher,  and other  Potentially  Responsible  Parties have  conducted
subsurface soils investigations, including soil vapor studies, at the request of
the  CRWQCB.  The  CRWQCB has not  responded  to the  latest  report,  which was
submitted on May 27, 1994. These  investigations  have confirmed the presence of
volatile organic  compounds ("VOC") in the subsurface below the former facility.
Some of the  same  type of VOC  have  been  detected  in  ground  water  samples
collected by others in the vicinity of this facility. The quantities and sources
of the VOCs  detected in soils  below the  facility  have yet to be  determined.
While Borrower does not currently  anticipate  any material  adverse effect upon
its business or financial  position  resulting from the CRWQCB's  investigation,
Birtcher may in the future become involved in further  environmental  assessment
and  remediation  at the site,  the costs of which cannot be  determined at this
time.

         The EPA has  divided the San Gabriel  Valley  superfund  site into five
operable  units.  The site is located in the El Monte  operable  unit of the San
Gabriel superfund site. The Environmental Protection Agency (the "EPA") has sent
"Potentially  Responsible  Party Notices" to current  operators  ("PRPs") of the
contaminated  property  in the El Monte  operable  unit.  On  November  23, 1994
Birtcher  received  a  Section  104(e)  request  for  information  from  the EPA
regarding the El Monte facility.  The EPA has not identified  Birtcher as a PRP.
However,  it is likely that  Birtcher  will be named as a PRP and that it may be
required to  participate in a remedial  investigation,  feasibility  study,  and
cleanup. The cost of such participation is unknown.
<PAGE>
                                   SCHEDULE IV

                             EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
                                 FUNDING STATUS

         The  attached   correspondence   dated  March  8,  1995  from  Benefits
Management,  Inc.,  plan  actuaries for Borrower and Aspen  Laboratories,  Inc.,
represents the most current information  presently  available.  The actuary will
provide the Banks with comparable liability reports for both plans as of January
1, 1996 by no later than March 31, 1996.


                        REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



To the Board of Directors and
Shareholders of CONMED Corporation


In our opinion,  the  accompanying  consolidated  balance sheets and the related
consolidated  statements of income,  of  shareholders'  equity and of cash flows
present  fairly,  in all material  respects,  the  financial  position of CONMED
Corporation and its subsidiaries at December 29, 1995 and December 30, 1994, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended  December 29, 1995 in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's  management;  our  responsibility  is to  express  an opinion on these
financial  statements  based on our  audits.  We  conducted  our audits 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.


PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP


Syracuse, New York
January 29, 1996
<PAGE>
                  CONMED CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                       (In thousands except share amounts)
                            December 30, December 29,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1994            1995
                                                                          --------        --------
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>     
ASSETS
Current assets:
     Cash and  cash equivalents ..................................        $  3,615        $  1,539
     Accounts receivable less allowance for doubtful accounts of
       $343 in 1994 and $400 in 1995 .............................          13,141          22,649
     Income taxes receivable (Note 6) ............................            --               961
     Inventories (Notes 1 and 2) .................................           9,620          20,943
     Deferred income taxes (Note 6) ..............................           1,494           2,678
     Prepaid expenses and other current assets ...................             451             476
                                                                          --------        --------
                  Total current assets ...........................          28,321          49,246
Property, plant and equipment, net  (Notes 1 and 3) ..............          16,227          19,728
Deferred income taxes (Note 6) ...................................            --             2,907
Covenant not to compete, net (Note 1) ............................           1,530           1,153
Goodwill, net (Notes 1 and 10) ...................................          13,920          41,438
Patents, trademarks and other assets (Note 1) ....................           2,106           4,931
                                                                          --------        --------
                  Total assets ...................................        $ 62,104        $119,403
                                                                          ========        ========

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
     Current portion of long-term debt (Note 4) ..................        $  2,500        $  6,000
     Accounts payable ............................................           1,539           2,351
     Income taxes payable (Note 6) ...............................             455            --
     Accrued payroll and withholdings ............................           2,571           2,282
     Accrued pension (Note 9) ....................................             307             274
     Accrued patent litigation (Note 11) .........................           2,360            --
     Other current liabilities ...................................             430             989
                                                                          --------        --------
                   Total current liabilities .....................          10,162          11,896

Long-term debt (Note 4) ..........................................           6,875          26,340
Deferred income taxes (Note 6) ...................................           1,011
Accrued pension (Note 9) .........................................             276             276
Deferred compensation ............................................             719             868
Long-term leases (Note  5) .......................................            --             3,521
Other long-term liabilities (Note 5) .............................            --             1,500
                                                                          --------        --------
                    Total liabilities ............................          19,043          44,401
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
           CONMED CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS -- Continued
                       (In thousands except share amounts)
                            December 30, December 29,
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            1994            1995
                                                                          --------        --------
<S>                                                                       <C>             <C>     
Commitments (Notes 3, 5, 7, 9, 10 and 11)
Shareholders' equity (Notes 1 and 7):
    Preferred stock, par value $.01 per share;
       authorized 500,000 shares; none outstanding
    Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 20,000,000 authorized;
       9,057,321 and 11,000,105, issued and outstanding in
       1994 and 1995, respectively ...............................              90             110
    Paid-in capital ..............................................          23,502          44,560
    Retained earnings ............................................          19,469          30,332
                                                                          --------        --------
                    Total shareholders' equity ...................          43,061          75,002
                                                                          --------        --------
                    Total liabilities and shareholders' equity ...        $ 62,104        $119,403
                                                                          ========        ========
</TABLE>
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                               CONMED CORPORATION
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                     (In thousands except per share amounts)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                For the Years Ended
                                                      Dec. 31,        Dec. 30,         Dec. 29,
                                                       1993             1994             1995
                                                     --------         --------         --------
<S>                                                  <C>              <C>              <C>     
Net sales (Note 8) ..........................        $ 53,641         $ 71,064         $ 99,558
                                                     --------         --------         --------

Cost of sales ...............................          30,218           38,799           52,402
Selling and administrative expense ..........          17,402           20,979           25,570
Litigation and product restructure (Note 11)            5,700             --               --
Research and development expense ............           2,222            2,352            2,832
                                                     --------         --------         --------
                                                       55,542           62,130           80,804
                                                     --------         --------         --------

Income (loss) from operations ...............          (1,901)           8,934           18,754

Interest income (expense), net (Note 4) .....            (214)            (628)          (1,991)
                                                     --------         --------         --------
Income (loss) before income taxes ...........          (2,115)           8,306           16,763
Provision  (benefit) for income taxes
   (Notes 1 and 6) ..........................            (719)           2,890            5,900
                                                     --------         --------         --------

Net income (loss) ...........................        $ (1,396)        $  5,416         $ 10,863
                                                     ========         ========         ========
Weighted average number of common shares
    and equivalents outstanding (Note 1) ....           9,426            9,624           11,613
                                                     ========         ========         ========
Earnings (loss) per common  and
    common equivalent share .................        $   (.15)        $    .56         $    .94
                                                     ========         ========         ========
</TABLE>


                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                               CONMED CORPORATION
                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

 For the Years Ended December 31, 1993, December 30, 1994 and December 29, 1995
                                 (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Common Shares             Paid-in        Retained
                                                             Number         Amount         Capital        Earnings
                                                             ------         -------        -------        -------
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>            <C>            <C>    
Balance at December 25, 1992 .......................          8,947         $    90        $23,129        $15,450
  Exercise of stock options ........................             80                            203
  Tax benefit arising from exercise of stock options                                            14
  Net loss .........................................                                                       (1,396)
                                                             ------         -------        -------        -------
Balance at December 31, 1993 .......................          9,027              90         23,346         14,054
  Exercise of stock options ........................             30                             97
  Tax benefit arising from exercise of stock options                                            59
  Cash payment in lieu of  fractional shares for
      stock split in the form of a stock dividend ..                                                           (1)
   Net income  .....................................                                                        5,416
                                                             ------         -------        -------        -------
Balance at December 30, 1994 .......................          9,057              90         23,502         19,469
  Exercise of stock options ........................            353               4          2,096
  Tax benefit arising from exercise of stock options                                         1,223
  Stock issued in connection with  Birtcher
       acquisition (Note 10) .......................          1,590              16         17,739
  Net income .......................................                                                       10,863
                                                             ------         -------        -------        -------
Balance at December 29, 1995 .......................         11,000         $   110        $44,560        $30,332
                                                             ======         =======        =======        =======

</TABLE>
                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                               CONMED CORPORATION
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                 (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                For the Years Ended
                                                                     Dec. 31,         Dec. 30,         Dec. 29,
                                                                       1993             1994             1995
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>              <C>     
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income (loss) ........................................        $ (1,396)        $  5,416         $ 10,863
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided
     by operations:
          Depreciation ......................................           2,209            2,457            2,861
          Amortization ......................................           1,053            1,421            2,154
          Increase (decrease) in cash flows from changes in
            assets and liabilities, net of effects from
            acquisitions (Note 10):
              Accounts receivable ...........................            (100)          (1,684)          (3,943)
              Inventories ...................................           1,634             (619)          (4,311)
              Prepaid expenses and other current assets .....             143               58              (25)
              Accounts payable ..............................             397              274              452
              Income tax payable ............................             (25)             394           (2,659)
              Income tax benefit of stock option exercises ..              14               59            1,233
              Accrued payroll and withholdings ..............             226            1,327             (487)
              Accrued pension ...............................             342             (147)             (33)
              Accrued patent litigation .....................           2,715             (355)          (2,360)
              Other current liabilities .....................            (345)            (210)             559
              Deferred income taxes .........................          (1,236)             182            1,398
              Other assets/liabilities (net) ................              42             (313)            (643)
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
                                                                        7,069            2,844           (5,804)
                                                                     --------         --------         --------

              Net cash provided by operations ...............           5,673            8,260            5,059
                                                                     --------         --------         --------

</TABLE>

<PAGE>

                               CONMED CORPORATION
               CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -- Continued
                                 (In thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                For the Years Ended
                                                                     Dec. 31,         Dec. 30,         Dec. 29,
                                                                       1993             1994             1995
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
<S>                                                                  <C>              <C>              <C>     
Cash flows from investing activities:
        Acquisitions (Note 10) ..............................         (21,800)          (2,000)          (9,500)
        Acquisition of property, plant and  equipment .......          (1,506)          (2,190)          (5,195)
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
             Net cash used in investing activities ..........         (23,306)          (4,190)         (14,695)
                                                                     --------         --------         --------

Cash flows from financing activities:
        Proceeds of long term debt ..........................          13,500             --             26,590
        Proceeds from issuance of common stock ..............             203               97            3,328
        Payments on long-term debt and other obligations ....          (1,702)          (2,530)         (22,358)
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
             Net cash provided (used) by financing activities          12,001           (2,433)           7,560
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ........          (5,632)           1,637           (2,076)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year ..............           7,610            1,978            3,615
                                                                     --------         --------         --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year ....................        $  1,978         $  3,615         $  1,539
                                                                     ========         ========         ========

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the year for:
         Interest ...........................................        $    294         $    641         $  1,876
         Income taxes .......................................             682            2,470            2,466

Supplemental non-cash investing and financing activities:
As more fully  discussed  in Note 10, the  Company  acquired a business  in 1995
through the exchange of 1,590,000  shares of the Company's  common stock and the
assumption of $3,500,000 of net liabilities.
</TABLE>

                See notes to consolidated financial statements.
<PAGE>
                               CONMED CORPORATION
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


NOTE 1 - OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Organization and operations

         The consolidated  financial  statements  include the accounts of CONMED
Corporation and its subsidiaries  (the Company).  All intercompany  transactions
have been  eliminated.  The  Company is  primarily  engaged in the  development,
manufacturing  and marketing of disposable  medical products and related devices
for various medical applications.

Statement of cash flows

         The Company  considers all highly liquid  investments  with an original
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.

Fiscal year end

         The Company's fiscal year ends on the last Friday in December.

Inventories

         The inventories  are stated at the lower of cost or market,  cost being
determined on the first-in, first-out basis.

Property, plant and equipment

         Property,  plant and equipment are stated at cost and depreciated using
the straight-line  method over the estimated useful lives of the related assets,
which range from four to forty years.  Expenditures  for repairs and maintenance
are  charged to expense  as  incurred.  When  assets  are  retired or  otherwise
disposed of, the cost and related accumulated  depreciation are removed from the
accounts and any resultant gain or loss is recognized.

Patents and Trademarks

         Patents and trademarks  are amortized over their expected  useful lives
of 3 to 17  years.  Accumulated  amortization  of  patents  and  trademarks  was
$504,000 and $867,000 at December 30, 1994 and December 29, 1995, respectively.

Goodwill

         Goodwill  is  amortized  over  periods  ranging  from  13 to 40  years.
Accumulated  amortization  of goodwill  amounted to $894,000 and  $2,171,000  at
December 30, 1994 and December 29, 1995, respectively.

Covenant not to compete

         Covenant not to compete is amortized over a 5 year period.  Accumulated
amortization  related to this asset  amounted to  $2,750,000  and  $3,047,000 at
December 30, 1994 and December 29, 1995, respectively.
<PAGE>
Earnings per common and common equivalent share

         Earnings  per  common  and  common  equivalent  share was  computed  by
dividing net income  (loss) by the weighted  average  number of shares of common
stock and common stock equivalents outstanding during the year.

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 the
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.

Reclassifications

         Certain amounts  previously  reported have been reclassified to conform
to current year classifications.

NOTE 2 - INVENTORIES

         The components of inventory are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Dec. 30,           Dec. 29,
                                                       1994               1995
                                                     -------             -------
<S>                                                  <C>                 <C>    
Raw materials ..........................             $ 4,154             $ 7,209
Work in process ........................               1,851               5,680
Finished goods .........................               3,615               8,054
                                                     -------             -------
                                                     $ 9,620             $20,943
                                                     =======             =======
</TABLE>
NOTE 3 - PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

         Details of property, plant and equipment are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          Dec. 30,       Dec. 29,
                                                            1994          1995
                                                          -------        -------
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>    
Land and improvements ............................        $   370        $   495
Building and improvements ........................          9,720         12,285
Machinery and equipment ..........................         18,191         20,460
Construction in progress .........................             95            702
                                                          -------        -------
                                                           28,376         33,942
     Less: Accumulated depreciation ..............         12,149         14,214
                                                          -------        -------
                                                          $16,227        $19,728
                                                          =======        =======
</TABLE>
         Rental  expense  on  operating  leases  was   approximately   $392,000,
$441,000,  and  $445,000  for the years ended  December  1993,  1994,  and 1995,
respectively.  The  aggregate  future  minimum lease  commitments  for operating
leases at December  29,  1995  amounted to  approximately  $233,000  and $31,000
payable in 1996 and 1997, respectively.
<PAGE>
NOTE 4 - LONG-TERM DEBT

         Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                       Dec. 30,          Dec. 29,
                                                         1994             1995
                                                       -------           -------
<S>                                                    <C>               <C>    
Term loan ..................................           $ 9,375           $27,000

Revolving line of credit ...................                               5,340
                                                       -------           -------
                                                         9,375            32,340
Less: current portion ......................             2,500             6,000
                                                       -------           -------
                                                       $ 6,875           $26,340
                                                       =======           =======
</TABLE>

         The Company's credit facility consists of a $30,000,000 term loan and a
$10,000,000  revolving  line of  credit.  The  existing  term loan is payable in
quarterly  installments  of  $1,500,000 at an interest rate of 1.625% over LIBOR
(7.60% at December 29, 1995).  The existing  revolving line of credit expires on
April 1,  1998 and  carries  an  interest  rate of 1.50%  over  LIBOR  (7.47% at
December 29, 1995). The credit facility,  which is secured by substantially  all
of the assets of the Company, contains minimum requirements for working capital,
cash flow and net worth. The Company has met these requirements.

         In  anticipation  of the  proposed  acquisition  of NDM (Note 10),  the
Company  has  obtained  a  commitment  from  existing  lenders to  increase  its
aggregate  credit facility to $80,000,000.  Under terms of this commitment which
will become effective upon consummation of the NDM acquisition, the Company will
have a term loan of  $65,000,000  and an available  revolving  line of credit of
$15,000,000.  The term loan will be payable in quarterly  installments over five
years while the revolving  credit  facility will initially be outstanding  for a
period of three years.  Under this  commitment,  the Company will have  interest
rate options  equal to a base rate (the higher of prime or a federal funds rate)
or 1.25% over LIBOR.

         Total  interest  costs in 1993 and 1994  were  $306,000  and  $628,000,
respectively,  all  of  which  was  expensed.  Interest  cost  during  1995  was
$2,119,000 of which $73,000 was capitalized as interest during construction.


NOTE 5 - LEASES AND OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES

         Upon the Company's  acquisition  of Birtcher  (Note 10), use of certain
manufacturing and administrative  facilities previously occupied by Birtcher was
discontinued.  A  liability  of  approximately  $4,407,000  was  established  in
connection with Birtcher purchase  accounting  representing the aggregate future
rental payments net of committed sublease income at the date of acquisition.
<PAGE>
         Future minimum rental  commitments,  net of sublease  income,  for such
leases at December 29, 1995 are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Minimum       Minimum
                             Rental        Rental
                            Payments       Income          Net
                            --------       -------       ------
<S>                          <C>           <C>           <C>   
                 1996        $1,404        $  946        $  458
                 1997         1,444           895           549
                 1998         1,474           590           884
                 1999         1,534           590           944
                 2000         1,081           395           686
                             ------        ------        ------
                             $6,937        $3,416        $3,521
                             ======        ======        ======
</TABLE>
Prior  to  its   acquisition  by  the  Company,   Birtcher   voluntarily   began
participation in an environmental  investigation at a former facility located in
El Monte,  California.  The former  facility is located in the El Monte Operable
Unit of the San Gabriel  Valley  Superfund  Site. The  Environmental  Protection
Agency has not named Birtcher as a Potentially Responsible Party in this matter.
Based on estimates  prepared by the  Company's  environmental  consultants,  the
Company  established  a liability  for site clean-up of $1,500,000 in connection
with purchase accounting for Birtcher.

NOTE 6 - FEDERAL AND STATE INCOME TAXES

         The  provision   for  income  taxes   consists  of  the  following  (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         For the year ended,
                                                    -----------------------------
                                                    Dec. 31,   Dec. 30,  Dec. 29,
                                                      1993       1994     1995
                                                    -------    -------   -------
<S>                                                 <C>        <C>       <C>    
Current tax expense:
     Federal ....................................   $   404    $ 2,416   $ 4,493
     State ......................................       113        292       356
                                                        517      2,708     4,849
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) ...........    (1,236)       182     1,051
                                                    -------    -------   -------
      Provision (benefit) for income taxes ......   $  (719)   $ 2,890   $ 5,900
                                                    =======    =======   =======
</TABLE>

<PAGE>
         A reconciliation between income taxes computed at the statutory federal
rate and the provision for income taxes follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            For the year ended,
                                                       -----------------------------
                                                       Dec. 31,   Dec. 30,  Dec. 29,
                                                         1993       1994     1995
                                                       -------    -------   -------
<S>                                                       <C>      <C>      <C>    
Tax provision (benefit) at statutory rate based
      on income before taxes ........................    (34.0)%   34.0%    34.7%
Foreign sales corporation ...........................     (3.0)    (1.5)    (1.7)
State taxes .........................................      3.2      2.3      1.4
Other, net ..........................................      (.2)     (.-)      .8
                                                          ----     ----     ----
                                                         (34.0)%   34.8%    35.2%
                                                          ====     ====     ====
</TABLE>
         The tax effects of the significant temporary differences which comprise
the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Dec. 30,    Dec. 29,
                                                             1994         1995
                                                            -------     -------
<S>                                                         <C>         <C>   
Assets
    Accrued litigation costs ..........................     $   800     $   --
    Receivables .......................................         138         617
    Inventory .........................................         412       1,860
    Deferred compensation .............................         244         295
    Employee benefits .................................         178         201
    Other .............................................          87         258
    Leases ............................................        --         1,650
    Goodwill ..........................................        --         1,406
    Birtcher net operating losses .....................        --         6,084
    Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets .......        --        (5,417)
                                                            -------     -------
                                                              1,859       6,954
                                                            -------     -------
Liabilities
     Depreciation .....................................         957       1,017
     Intangible asset amortization ....................         283         102
     Interest charge DISC .............................         136         109
     Other ............................................        --           141
                                                            -------     -------
                                                              1,376       1,369
                                                            -------     -------
                                                            $   483     $ 5,585
                                                            =======     =======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
         Birtcher net operating  losses are subject to certain  limitations  and
expire  over the period 2008 to 2010.  Management  has  established  a valuation
allowance of $5,417,000 to reflect the  uncertainty  of realizing the benefit of
certain  of  these   carryforwards.   Utilization  of  Birtcher  operating  loss
carryforwards  in excess of the net amount  recorded  at  December  29,  1995 of
$667,000  will  serve  to  decrease   Goodwill   associated  with  the  Birtcher
acquisition.

NOTE 7 - SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

         On November  22, 1994 and October 31,  1995,  the Board of Directors of
the Company  declared  three-for-two  splits of the Company's common stock to be
effected in the form of stock dividends. Such dividends were payable on December
27, 1994 and November 30, 1995 to shareholders of record on December 8, 1994 and
November 13, 1995, respectively.  Accordingly,  common stock, retained earnings,
earnings  (loss)  per  share,  the number of shares  outstanding,  the  weighted
average number of shares and equivalents  outstanding and stock option data have
been restated to retroactively reflect the split.

         On December 22, 1995, the Company filed a  Registration  Statement with
the Securities and Exchange  Commission in  anticipation of a public offering of
2,800,000 shares of the Company's common stock. Proceeds of this offering, which
is  expected  to  occur in the  first  quarter  of  1996,  will be used to repay
outstanding debt under the Company's credit facility (Note 4).

         In 1983, the shareholders authorized 500,000 shares of preferred stock,
par value $.01 per share, which may be issued in one or more series by the Board
of Directors  without  further  action by the  shareholders.  As of December 29,
1995, no preferred stock had been issued.

         The Company has reserved  1,350,000 shares of common stock for issuance
to employees and directors  under three Stock Option Plans (the "Plans").  As of
December 29,  1995,  a total of  1,682,470 of these  options had been granted at
$.89 to $25.00 per share.  The option price on all outstanding  options is equal
to the  estimated  fair  market  value of the stock at the date of grant.  Stock
options are  non-transferable  other than on death and are  exercisable one year
from date of grant but for not more  than ten  years  from date of grant.  As of
December 29, 1995, 1,263,000 stock options were exercisable.
<PAGE>
         The following is a summary of incentive stock option activity under the
Plans (in thousands except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         Number of       Price per
                                           Shares          Share             Total
                                           -----       ------------         --------
<S>                                        <C>         <C>                  <C>     
Outstanding at December 25, 1992           1,123       $ 0.75-15.00         $  7,543
     Granted during fiscal 1993              147         5.11- 8.77              832
     Forfeited .................             (35)        5.11-15.00             (259)
     Exercised .................             (80)        0.75- 3.33             (203)
                                           -----       ------------         --------
Outstanding at December 31, 1993           1,155         0.89-15.00            7,913
     Granted during fiscal 1994              137         5.11-10.67            1,275
     Forfeited .................              (8)        5.11-12.22             (108)
     Exercised .................             (30)        0.89- 6.22              (97)
                                           -----       ------------         --------
Outstanding at December 30, 1994           1,254         0.89-15.00            8,983
     Granted during fiscal 1995              251        11.67-25.00            4,968
     Forfeited .................             (12)        7.67-21.75             (104)
     Exercised .................            (253)        0.89-12.22           (1,299)
                                           -----       ------------         --------
Outstanding at December 29, 1995           1,240       $ 0.89-25.00         $ 12,548
                                           =====       ============         ========
</TABLE>

         Through the Company's  1989  acquisition of Aspen  Laboratories,  Inc.,
Bristol-Myers  Squibb Company  received a warrant dated as of August 31, 1989 to
purchase at $4.29 per share 698,470 shares of the Company's common stock subject
to  adjustment  for  certain  stock  transactions.   The  warrant  is  currently
exercisable and expires on August 31, 2000.

         In connection  with the  acquisition  of Birtcher  (Note 10),  Birtcher
incentive  stock options  outstanding as of the  acquisition  were exchanged for
options to  purchase  common  stock of CONMED  Corporation.  Such  options  were
exercisable  for a  period  of six  months  from  the  date of the  acquisition.
Proceeds  resulting  from the exercise of options of 100,000 shares for $797,000
have been recorded as an increase to common stock and paid-in capital.

         In October  1995,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board  issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (SFAS 123),  "Accounting for
Stock-Based  Compensation".  SFAS 123  defines  a fair  value  based  method  of
accounting  for an employee  stock  option.  Under the fair value based  method,
compensation  cost is  measured at the grant date based on the fair value of the
award and is recognized  over the service  period.  A company may elect to adopt
SFAS 123 or elect to continue  accounting for its stock option or similar equity
awards using the intrinsic  method,  where  compensation cost is measured at the
date of grant based on the excess of the market  value of the  underlying  stock
over the exercise  price. If a company elects not to adopt the fair value method
defined by SFAS 123, then it must provide pro forma disclosure of net income and
earnings per share, as if the fair value based method had been applied. SFAS No.
123 is effective for transactions entered into for fiscal years that begin after
December 15, 1995. It is currently anticipated that the Company will continue to
account  for  stock-based  compensation  plans  under the  intrinsic  method and
therefore,  SFAS 123 will have no effect on the Company's consolidated financial
position or results of operations.
<PAGE>
NOTE 8 - EXPORT SALES AND MAJOR CUSTOMERS

         Sales outside of the United States accounted for approximately 12.8% of
the  Company's  total  sales in  1993,  13.6%  in 1994  and  15.5% in 1995.  The
Company's products are provided to medical professionals and facilities directly
and through medical supply distributors.  Sales to one distributor totaled 12.3%
of the  Company's  sales  in 1995  and  10.7% of 1994  sales.  Sales to  another
distributor totaled 10.0% of the Company's sales in 1994.

NOTE 9 - PENSION PLANS

         The Company maintains defined benefit plans covering  substantially all
employees.  The Company  makes  annual  contributions  to the plans equal to the
maximum deduction allowed for federal income tax purposes.

         Net  pension  cost for 1993,  1994,  and 1995  included  the  following
components (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                         1993     1994     1995
                                                        -----    -----    -----
<S>                                                     <C>      <C>      <C>  
Service cost - benefits earned during the period ....   $ 591    $ 583    $ 758
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation .......     262      286      353
Actual (gain) loss on plan assets ...................    (179)    (327)    (959)
Net amortization and deferral .......................       2       86      685
                                                        -----    -----    -----
Net pension  cost ...................................   $ 676    $ 628    $ 837
                                                        =====    =====    =====
</TABLE>
         The  following  tables set forth the plans'  funded  status and amounts
recognized in the Company's Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 30, 1994, and
December 29, 1995 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               1994            1995
                                                                             -------         -------
<S>                                                                          <C>             <C>    
Actuarial present value of accumulated benefit obligation
     Vested benefits ................................................        $ 3,404         $ 3,811
     Non-vested benefits ............................................            129             216
                                                                             -------         -------
     Accumulated benefits obligations ...............................          3,533           4,027
     Additional amounts related to projected pay increases ..........          1,272             661
                                                                             -------         -------
Projected benefit obligations for service rendered to date ..........          4,805           4,688
Plan assets at fair value, consisting of debt and
   equity securities ................................................          3,675           4,014
                                                                             -------         -------
Plan benefit obligations in excess of plan assets ...................          1,130             674
Unrecognized net obligation of CONMED plan at December 26, 1986
   being recognized over 25 years ...................................            (84)            (80)
Unrecognized prior service cost .....................................           (217)           (206)
Unrecognized net gain (loss) from past experience different from that
   assumed and effects of changes in assumptions ....................           (246)            162
                                                                             -------         -------
Accrued pension costs recognized in the
   balance sheet ....................................................        $   583         $   550
                                                                             =======         =======
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
         For actuarial calculation purposes,  the weighted average discount rate
was 7.0% in 1993,  1994 and 1995. The expected long term rate of return was 8.0%
in 1993, 1994 and 1995. The rate of increase in future  compensation  levels was
4.0% in 1993,  1994 and  1995.  Common  stock of the  Company  included  in plan
assets,  at fair value,  was  approximately  $462,000  at December  30, 1994 and
$459,000 at December 29, 1995.

NOTE 10 - BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

         In July 1993 the Company  acquired  certain  assets and the business of
Medtronic Andover Medical, Inc., a manufacturer of cardiac monitoring disposable
products,  from  Medtronic,  Inc. in a purchase  transaction  for  approximately
$21,800,000  in cash.  Accordingly,  the results of  operations  of the acquired
business are included in the  consolidated  results of the Company from the date
of  acquisition.  The transaction was accounted for using the purchase method of
accounting.  Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a 40 year
period while a covenant not to compete and other  intangible  assets  related to
the  acquisition  are being  amortized  on a  straight-line  basis over  periods
ranging from five to eight years.

         In November  1994,  the Company  acquired a  specialty  ECG  monitoring
product  line from  Becton  Dickinson  Vascular  Access  Company  in a  purchase
transaction  amounting to $2,000,000 in cash. The product line's operations have
been included with the Company's  financial  results since the acquisition date.
Goodwill is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a 40 year period and a
covenant not to compete is amortized over a five year period.

         On March 14, 1995, the Company acquired Birtcher Medical Systems,  Inc.
("Birtcher")  through an exchange of the  Company's  common stock for all of the
outstanding  common and preferred  stock of Birtcher.  In  connection  with this
transaction,  the Company  issued  1,590,000  shares of common  stock  valued at
$17,750,000   and  assumed   approximately   $3,500,000   of  net   liabilities.
Accordingly,  the results of operations of the acquired business are included in
the  consolidated  results  of the  Company  from the date of  acquisition.  The
acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.  Goodwill
associated with the acquisition is being amortized on a straight-line basis over
a 40 year period.

         On May 22, 1995,  the Company  acquired the business and certain assets
of the Master Medical  Corporation  ("Master Medical") for a cash purchase price
of   approximately   $9,500,000  and  assumption  of  $500,000  of  liabilities.
Accordingly,  the results of operations of the acquired business are included in
the  consolidated  results  of the  Company  from the date of  acquisition.  The
acquisition was accounted for using the purchase method of accounting.  Goodwill
associated with the acquisition  approximating is being amortized on a straight-
line basis over a 15 year period.
<PAGE>
         On an  unaudited  pro forma  basis,  assuming  the  Birtcher and Master
Medical  acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of the periods presented,
the  consolidated  results  of the  Company  would  have  been  as  follows  (in
thousands, except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          For the years ended
                                                                 December
                                                          1994            1995
                                                        --------        --------
<S>                                                     <C>             <C>     
Pro forma revenues .............................        $107,336        $107,425
                                                        ========        ========

Pro forma net income ...........................        $  7,956        $ 11,713
                                                        ========        ========

Pro forma earnings per common and
  common equivalent share ......................        $    .71        $    .99
                                                        ========        ========
</TABLE>

         In October 1995, the Company signed an asset purchase agreement whereby
the Company will acquire  substantially  all the business and certain  assets of
New  Dimensions  in  Medicine,  Inc.  ("NDM")  for  a  cash  purchase  price  of
approximately   $32.0  million  plus  the  assumption  of  net   liabilities  of
approximately $5.1 million. Through this acquisition, which is expected to close
in the  first  quarter  of 1996 and  which is  subject  to the  approval  of the
shareholders  of NDM,  the Company  will acquire the business of NDM relating to
the design, manufacture and marketing of a broad line of ECG electrode products,
disposable electrosurgical products and various Hydrogel wound care products.

         On an unaudited pro forma basis, assuming the Birtcher,  Master Medical
and NDM acquisitions had occurred as of the beginning of the periods  presented,
the  consolidated  results  of the  Company  would  have  been  as  follows  (in
thousands, except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                          For the years ended
                                                               December
                                                         1994             1995
                                                       --------         --------
<S>                                                    <C>              <C>     
Pro forma revenues ...........................         $135,357         $132,927
                                                       ========         ========

Pro forma net income .........................         $  8,790         $ 13,323
                                                       ========         ========

Pro forma earnings per common
    and common equivalent share ..............         $    .78         $   1.12
                                                       ========         ========
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
         The unaudited pro forma  financial  information  presented  above gives
effect to purchase accounting adjustments which have resulted or are expected to
result  from the  acquisitions,  and in the case of the NDM  acquisition  to the
elimination  of certain  overhead costs which are not expected to be incurred by
the combined entity. This pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of
the results  that would  actually  have been  obtained  had the  companies  been
combined for the periods presented.

NOTE 11 - LEGAL MATTERS AND PRODUCT RESTRUCTURE

         On October 13, 1993, a jury in a U.S. District Court trial in Salt Lake
City,  Utah found that the Company's  line of coated  electrosurgical  accessory
blades infringed a patent held by a competitor. Subsequently, the District Court
trial  Judge  fixed the damage  award at  $2,100,000  and  issued an  injunction
prohibiting CONMED from selling the affected products.  During 1993, the Company
recorded a $5,000,000  charge related to this  infringement,  which included the
court  awarded  damages,  legal fees and  writedown  of related  inventory.  The
$2,100,000 damage award was paid in 1995 after the award was affirmed.

         Additionally,  during 1993  management  determined  that  approximately
$675,000 of inventory, primarily in the electrosurgical pencil product line, had
become obsolete due to product modifications.  Accordingly, these obsolete items
were charged to product restructure expense.

         From time to time, the Company has been named as a defendant in certain
lawsuits  alleging  product  liability or other claims  incurred in the ordinary
course of business.  These  claims are  generally  covered by various  insurance
policies,  subject to deductible  amounts and maximum  policy  limits.  Ultimate
liability with respect to these  contingencies,  if any, is not considered to be
material to the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

NOTE 12 - SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

         Selected quarterly financial data for the years ended December 30, 1994
and December 29, 1995 are follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                Three Months Ended
                                                ------------------  

1994                               March         June      September     December
- ----                              -------      -------     ---------     --------
<S>                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>    
Net sales ..................      $17,838      $17,547      $17,264      $18,415
Gross profit ...............        7,834        7,949        7,964        8,518
Net income .................        1,147        1,263        1,357        1,649
Earnings per share .........          .12          .13          .14          .17

<CAPTION>
1994                               March         June      September     December
- ----                              -------      -------     ---------     --------
<S>                               <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>    
Net sales ..................      $19,753      $25,875      $26,258      $27,672
Gross profit ...............        9,028       12,377       12,521       13,230
Net income .................        1,840        2,818        2,889        3,316
Earnings  per share ........          .18          .24          .24          .27
</TABLE>
<PAGE>
                      REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS ON
                          FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE




To the Board of Directors
of CONMED Corporation


Our audits of the consolidated  financial  statements  referred to in our report
dated  January  29,  1996  appearing  in this  Current  Report  on Form 8-K also
included  an audit of the  Financial  Statement  Schedule  VIII,  Valuation  and
Qualifying  Accounts,  for the three  years  ended  December  29,  1995.  In our
opinion,  this Financial  Statement  Schedule  presents fairly,  in all material
respects,  the information  set forth therein when read in conjunction  with the
related consolidated financial statements.



PRICE WATERHOUSE LLP


Syracuse, New York
January 29, 1996

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                               SCHEDULE VIII - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts (In thousands)

=============================================================================================================================
Column A                             Column B                    Column C                      Column D            Column E

Description                                                     Additions
                                     Balance           ------------------------------          Deductions          Balance
                                     at                (1)                 (2)                                     at End
                                     Beginning         Charged to          Charged to                              of Period
                                     of Period         Costs and           Other
                                                       Expenses            Accounts
=============================================================================================================================
<S>                                  <C>               <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
1995
- ----
Allowance for
bad debts .....................      $  343            $   85                                  $  (28)             $  400
                                                                                                           
Inventory                                                                                                  
reserves ......................      $  703            $  245                                  $ (444)             $  504
                                                                                                           
Deferred tax asset                                                                                         
valuation allowance ...........      $ --              $5,417                                                      $5,417
                                                                                                           
1994                                                                                                       
- ----                                                                                                       
Allowance for                                                                                              
bad debts .....................      $  347                                                    $   (4)             $  343
                                                                                                           
Inventory                                                                                                  
reserves ......................      $  559            $  144                                                      $  703
                                                                                                           
                                                                                                           
1993                                                                                                       
- ----                                                                                                       
Allowance for                                                                                              
bad debts .....................      $  303            $   44                                                      $  347
                                                                                                           
Inventory                                                                                                  
reserves ......................      $  324            $  235                                                      $  559
</TABLE>


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